cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Security Metrics in Industrial Control Systems

Risk—the topic of the previous chapter—is the best known and perhaps the best studied approach within a much broader class of cyber security assessments. However, risk assessment is not the only possible approach to cyber security. Other approaches and metrics such as resilience exist and could be potentially very valuable to defenders of ICS systems.
Correspondence item: Suboptimal feedback control for nonlinear systems

A method is presented for synthesizing suboptimal feedback control laws for nonlinear systems optimized with respect to a quadratic performance index. The proposed method allows the designer to easily calculate a second-order approximation to the optimal control.
Conductimetric Detection of Protein and Cancer Cells with Oxide Nanosensors

Semiconducting oxides are widely known and commercially applied for their gas sensing properties. However, biochemical sensing has mostly depended on optical and electrochemical techniques that are more cumbersome. This work investigates the biosensing characteristics of ZnO nanobelts and ZnO thin films. Zinc oxide thin film sensors showed changes in conductivity after protein functionalization with rabbit IgG and hybridization with anti-rabbit IgG. Conductivity changes were also measured after coating the oxides with MCF-7 cancer cells and its antibodies. In another set of experiments, ZnO nanobelts showed systematic conductivity changes with rabbit IgG protein hybridization. The experimental results in this paper indicate that the conductimetric properties of nano and thin film oxides can be sensitized to protein and cancer cell hybridization reactions. This technique can also be applied to certain other pathogen proteins or toxic proteins from the environment leading to low-cost miniaturized wireless biosensors.
Quantum Back Action in Tabletop Interferometers

We present a scheme for measuring the shot noise of radiation pressure in a room temperature, table top interferometer, and discuss experimental progress towards this goal.
Risk-Related Behaviors Associated with HIV among Young Minority Men Attending Family Planning Clinics

We assessed the risk profile of young men who attended family planning clinics and tested positive for HIV. A retrospective chart review was conducted comparing risk-related behaviors of men who tested positive for HIV and men who tested negative for HIV. This included measures of sexual partnering, illicit drug use, history of incarceration, and history of forced sex. The study included 92 men ages 18–23 years. Findings suggest young minority men who have sex with men engage in multiple risk-related behaviors that increase the likelihood for HIV acquisition. As young men access family planning clinics, more effective interventions are needed in these settings to address their specific needs.
301 INHIBITION OF CD 69+ EXPRESSION AND MEAN FLUORESCENCE ON EOSINOPHILS BY TACROLIMUS

Tacrolimus is a macrolide immunosuppressant used to prevent graft rejection in transplant patients and also in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. It inhibits T-lymphocyte activation by preventing transcription of gene encoding cytokines involved in the activation of the immune response. The drug has also been observed in the inhibition of eosinophil and neutrophil migration. We studied its immunosuppressant effects upon eosinophil viability and activation by monitoring CD 69+ (an activation marker) mean fluorescence and expression. Whole blood was collected from eosinophilia patients and separated for white blood cells through a 75% percoll gradient. All cultures were set at a concentration of 1.0 × 10^6 cells/mL and treated with IL-5 (1 ng/mL). Drug was separately added to specific culture tubes in order to study the differing effects on cell activation. Cytokine and drug were added bi-weekly to maintain appropriate culture concentrations. Flow cytometry was performed in 4, 7, and 14 day increments to monitor eosinophil activation through CD 69 expression and fluorescence. Four day incubation with IL-5 alone showed 72% of eosinophils staining positive for CD 18+/69+. When 50 ng/mL of tacrolimus was present, 63% of the cells were positive for CD 18+/69+ and at 500 ng/mL of tacrolimus, 66% of cells stained positive for both markers. By 14 days of incubation, 64% of eosinophils stained for CD18+/69+ and this decreased to 45% with 50ng/mL of drug and to 41% with 500ng/mL. Mean fluorescence for cells staining for CD69+ declined in activation with increasing concentrations of tacrolimus. Thus, tacrolimus may decrease eosinophil activation which may contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects.
A clinical study on the therapy of naloxne for children with epidemic type B encephalitis

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of naloxne on children with epidemic type B encephalitis. Methods: Naloxne (0.01mg/kg q6h, the duration was 3~5 days) was administrated in the treated group intravenously besides the regular treatment. The clinical manifestations were analyzed and compared with the control group. Results: The hospital-treated duration and the recovery time of fever, seizures, sensory changes, meningeal irritation were more shortened in the treated group compared with the control group significantly ( P 0.05 or 0.01). The cure rate in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P 0.05). Conclusion: The cure rate was increased obviously by using naloxne in children with epidemic type B encephalitis. The therapy with naloxne on epidemic type B encephalitis can improve its prognosis.
Issues in the Economic Analysis of Therapies for Cancer Pain

Economic analysis of cancer pain management is hampered by the lack of systematic outcomes research. There is some consensus on the broad structures that should be in place to provide optimal care, but the relative costs and benefits of the many analgesic interventions are not known. Clinical decision making in individual cases, like the consensus itself, is guided mainly by experience and anecdote. Meaningful economic analyses based on empirical information about cost and a range of subjective and objective outcomes are needed to minimize cost without compromising care. At present, potential problems in the reimbursement system that may be increasing the cost of pain management or compromising the quality of this care can be identified, and efforts are needed to address these problems.
Copolymer Solution Behavior in Supercritical Fluids

Copolymer solution phase behavior is presented for ethylene-based acid and acrylate copolymers in a variety of supercritical fluids (SCF) to temperatures of 250 °C and pressures of 3,000 bar. The phase diagrams for these copolymer-SCF systems exhibit characteristics found with small molecule-SCF mixtures. The P-T trace of the critical-mixture curve, termed a cloud-point curve for polymer solutions, is a function of the number of polar repeat units in the backbone of the copolymer, the quality of the solvent, and, to a lesser degree, the molecular weight of the copolymer. Cloud-point information is used to rationally choose the solvents, temperatures, and pressures needed to fractionate copolymers with respect to chemical composition and molecular weight. Model calculations using the SAFT equation of state are presented for the cloud-point curves of the acid copolymer-SCF mixtures. These calculations use one, temperature-independent, mixture parameter.
A Comparison of Parallel and Integrated Models for Implementation of Routine HIV Screening in a Large, Urban Emergency Department

Objective.This study compared two approaches for implementation of nontargeted HIV screening in the emergency department (ED): (1) designated HIV counselors screening in parallel with ED care and (2) nurse-based screening integrated into patient triage.Methods.A retrospective analysis was performed to compare parallel and integrated screening models using data from the first 12 months of each program. Data for the parallel screening model were extracted from information collected by HIV test counselors and the electronic medical record (EMR). Integrated screening model data were extracted from the EMR and supplemented by data collected by HIV social workers during patient interaction. For both programs, data included demographics, HIV test offer, test acceptance or declination, and test result. A Z-test between two proportions was performed to compare screening frequencies and results.Results.During the first 12 months of parallel screening, approximately 120,000 visits were made to the ED, with 3,816 (3%...
Ultrasonic Leaky Wave Measurements for Materials Evaluation

Ultrasonic leaky waves at a liquid/solid interface have been utilized by many investigators to characterize the properties of materials. The leaky surface wave, for example, has been used in acoustic microscopy [1], especially in Line-Focus-Beam (LFB) microscopy [2], for many years. Nearly all leaky-surface-wave measurements by acoustic microscopy rely on the interpretation of a V(z) curve, which is a record of the transducer’s voltage V as a function of the defocusing distance z between the transducer’s focal plane and the specimen surface while the transducer is operated in a tone-burst mode [3]. The focus of this V(z) analysis is the interference of two principal acoustic components — the direct reflection and the leaky surface wave. One of the challenges of this technique is to extract, from the complex V(z) interference patterns, the various leaky wave modes that may be simultaneously present in the material. Another challenge is the complexity of modeling and analyzing the V(z) curve, especially involving the pupil function that must be determined for the microscope’s particular lens [4].
Detection of Shiga-Like Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Ground Beef and Milk by Commercial Enzyme Immunoassay.

Shiga-like toxin (SLT)-producing Escherichia coli (SLTEC) is the leading cause of acute renal failure among children. SLTEC are most commonly ingested from contaminated food, and because cattle are a major reservoir, ground beef and milk have been a significant source of contamination associated with multiperson outbreaks. While serotype 0157 :H7 has been principally identified in the United States there are many other SLTEC serotypes associated with human disease. We have therefore examined the utility of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for Shiga-like toxins as a means of detecting the presence of low levels of multiple SLTEC serotypes in ground beef and milk. In the present study we demonstrated that it is possible to detect low levels (approximately 1 SLTEC per g of ground beef) in both small-scale (2 g of beef per 5 ml) and standard large-scale (25 g of beef per 225 ml) food microbial cultures. The EIA was also capable of allowing detection of SLTEC in nonspiked retail ground beef samples : we were able to recover SLTEC isolates (O113 :Hu ; O22 :H- ; O82 :H8) from 3 of 12 ground beef samples. The EIA detected SLTs produced in spiked milk samples when as few as 1 SLTEC per ml was added. Overall the EIA proved to be a highly sensitive way to detect the presence of SLTEC in either ground beef or milk samples after overnight enrichment culturing in an appropriate broth and should provide a rapid and convenient method for the detection of multiple pathogenic SLTEC serotypes.
USING EQUITY THEORY TO UNDERSTAND USER SATISFACTION WITH ERP SYSTEMS: EXTENDING AND ADVANCING THE EQUITY-IMPLEMENTATION MODEL

Research on the user satisfaction dimension of information systems (IS) success has typically focused on the technical characteristics of the system being studied and has not emphasized user attitudes toward the system. IS researchers have noted both the omission of user attitudes and the weak theoretical foundation in research on user satisfaction with IS. Joshi’s equity-implementation (E-I) model (1991), based upon equity theory, incorporates user attitudes and provides a framework for understanding satisfaction with a new IS. An extended E-I model is proposed as a theoretical foundation for investigating user satisfaction with an IS. Measures for the E-I model constructs have been developed and refined through pretests and a pilot test administered to users of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in three different organizations. The full data collection has been administered, and results will be presented at the conference.
Notions and Sufficient Conditions for Pointwise Asymptotic Stability in Hybrid Systems

Abstract: Pointwise asymptotic stability is a property of a set of equilibria of a dynamical system, where every equilibrium is Lyapunov stable and every solution converges to some equilibrium. Hybrid systems are dynamical systems which combine continuous-time and discrete-time dynamics. In this paper, they are modeled by a combination of differential equations or inclusions, of difference equations or inclusions, and of constraints on the resulting motions. Sufficient conditions for pointwise asymptotic stability of a closed set are given in terms of set-valued Lyapunov functions: they require that the values of the Lyapunov function shrink along solutions. Cases of strict and weak decrease are considered. Lyapunov functions, not set-valued, which imply that solutions have finite length are used in sufficient conditions and related to the set-valued Lyapunov functions. Partial pointwise asymptotic stability is also addressed.
Managing Telework from an Austrian Manager’s Perspective

Telework is a management technique, proven to improve results and morale. The key to success in telework is an effective leader. This paper is designed to provide an understanding of telework in Austria through face-to-face interviews, from the manager’s perspective in the private sector. The manager determines which employees are permitted to telework, monitors progress, provides support and encouragement, and determines if he/she is productive at work. Becoming effective at managing teleworkers means a change in management style and technique. The principal key issue for results to be most effective in the virtual workplace is that managers accomplish effective managerial communication. Included in this is the importance of feedback, with trust being seen as one of the most important managerial tasks at a distance. An effective style of management can lead to stunning improvements in productivity, profits and customer service.
Oxidation behavior of Mo≤5Si3C≤1 and its composites

The oxidation behavior of Mo≤5Si3C≤1 and its composites was studied in air over the temperature range of 500°C–1600°C. Experiments revealed poor oxidation resistance of monolithic Mo≤5Si3C≤1 at high temperature. The oxidation was quite rapid at 1200°C and above, resulting in complete oxidation of specimens in a short time. The addition of 2.0 wt% boron was found to produce a Mo≤5Si3C≤1 composite with three other phases of MoB, MoSi2, and SiC, and showed remarkable improvement in oxidation resistance. The mechanism for the improvement was attributed to the viscous sintering of the scale to close the pores formed during the initial oxidation period. Oxidation tests were also conducted on SiC-Mo≤5Si3C≤1 composite at 800°C, 1300°C and 1600°C for more than 100 hours. The oxidation resistance of the composite was found to be very good. The results demonstrate that, though oxidation resistance of monolithic Mo≤5Si3C≤1 is far insufficient for high-temperature applications, boron-modification and/or composites with SiC are viable methods to improve oxidation resistance to a practically acceptable level.
Special Education: “And You Shall Do That Which Is Right and Good …” Jewish Special Education in North America: From Exclusion to Inclusion

A variety of models for Jewish students with special needs exist, including informal camps and recreational programs, complementary schools located in synagogues, and full-day community or day schools and yeshivas. The historical and legal development of special education in North American Jewish settings has dove-tailed with that in the larger culture. It is informed, in small part, by Jewish notions of disabilities. The limited research in Jewish special education necessitates reviewing generic research on models and issues and considering its relevance for Jewish settings. The relatively recent international push for inclusion and the unique challenges it presents for Jewish schools is presented. In schools that espouse Jewish values, inclusion is an ethical imperative. Factors that support and hinder its application are discussed and encouraging developments and suggestions for future research and practice are included.
The Word Test: Language Assessment of Elementary Age Visually Impaired Children:

Thirty visually impaired children, six through 12½ years of age, weere administered an expressive language test to determine its usefulness in identification of children with language disorders. Th...
Idea2Data: Toward a New Paradigm for Drug Discovery

Increasing the success rate and throughput of drug discovery will require efficiency improvements throughout the process that is currently used in the pharmaceutical community, including the crucia...
Beyond checkboxes: A qualitative assessment of physicians' experiences providing care in a patient-centred medical home

Rationale, aims, and objectives The patient-centred medical home (PCMH) is an innovative approach to health care reform. Despite a well-established process for recognizing PCMH practices, fidelity to, and/or adaptation of, the PCMH model can limit health care and population health improvements. This study explored the connection between fidelity/adaptation to the PCMH model with implementation successes and challenges through the experiences of family and internal medicine PCMH physicians. Methods Interviews were conducted at two academic PCMH clinics with faculty and resident physicians. Data were transcribed and coded on the basis of an a priori code list. Together, the authors reviewed text and furthered the analysis process to reach final interpretation of the data. Results Ten faculty and nine resident physicians from the Family Care Centre (FCC; n = 11) and the Internal Medicine Clinic (IMC; n = 8) were interviewed. Both FCC and IMC physicians spoke positively about their clinic's adherence to the PCMH model of enhanced access to care, coordinated/integrated care, and improvements in quality and safety through data collection and documentation. However, physicians highlighted inadequate staffing and clinic hours. FCC physicians also discussed the challenge of providing high-quality care amidst differences in coverage between payers. Conclusion There remains significant variability in PCMH characteristics across the United States and Canada. This qualitative analysis uncovered factors contributing to fidelity/adaptation to the PCMH model in two academic PCMH clinics. For the PCMH to achieve the Triple Aim promise of improved patient health and experience at a reduced cost, policy must support fidelity to core elements of the PCMH.
Association Between Pre-Ablation Glycemic Control and Outcomes Among Patients With Diabetes Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of improved glycemic control on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence rates after ablation. Background Diabetes is associated with increased rates of AF. The impact of improved pre-ablation glycemic control remains unknown. Methods The 12-month pre-ablation trends in glycemic control were studied in 298 patients with diabetes undergoing AF ablation. Recurrence data were obtained during a mean follow-up period of 25.92 ± 20.26 months post-ablation. Results Higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at the time of ablation was associated with higher post-ablation recurrence rates. More than two-thirds (68.75%) of patients with HbA1c >9% at the time of ablation developed recurrent AF, compared with 32.4% of those with HbA1c Conclusions The trend in glycemic control prior to ablation predicts arrhythmia recurrence after ablation. A multidisciplinary approach to reduce HbA1c is imperative in patients with diabetes with AF to reduce recurrence rates after ablation.
Hibernation induces widespread transcriptional remodeling in metabolic tissues of the grizzly bear.

Revealing the mechanisms underlying the reversible physiology of hibernation could have applications to both human and animal health as hibernation is often associated with disease-like states. The present study uses RNA-sequencing to reveal the tissue and seasonal transcriptional changes occurring in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis). Comparing hibernation to other seasons, bear adipose has a greater number of differentially expressed genes than liver and skeletal muscle. During hyperphagia, adipose has more than 900 differentially expressed genes compared to active season. Hibernation is characterized by reduced expression of genes associated with insulin signaling, muscle protein degradation, and urea production, and increased expression within muscle protein anabolic pathways. Across all three tissues we find a subset of shared differentially expressed genes, some of which are uncharacterized, that together may reflect a common regulatory mechanism. The identified gene families could be useful for developing novel therapeutics to treat human and animal diseases. Jansen, Trojahn, Saxton, et al. examine the transcriptional changes that occur during the seasonal cycle in grizzly bears. They find that during hibernation, adipose tissue has the largest number of differentially expressed genes of the three tissues examined, revealing potential therapeutic targets for human diseases.
Management and outcomes of ruptured, perforated or fistulized tumors of mesenchymal origin

Background Patients with ruptured, perforated or fistulized (RPF) sarcomas commonly have issues such as sepsis and malnutrition and are usually unsuitable for oncologic resection in the emergency setting. We present our approach for managing a series of patients and the outcomes which were achieved with multidisciplinary care. Methods We reviewed records of patients referred to the section of sarcoma surgical oncology. Clinicopathologic factors, preoperative and operative interventions as well as short-term oncologic outcomes were assessed. Results Sixteen patients were identified between 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2018. Median age was 42.8 years. Histologies were; Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (7), desmoid (4), spindle cell tumor (2), dedifferentiated liposarcoma (2), and nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (1). Five patients had preoperative sepsis, 8 received antimicrobials, and 50% required hospitalization with a median stay of 21 days. Total parenteral nutrition was administered to 5 (31.3%) patients. Median tumor size and estimated blood loss were 13.1 cm and 350 mL respectively. No perioperative mortality occurred. Two patients have expired at a median follow-up of 16.1 months. Conclusion Preoperative optimization, including the use of percutaneous drains, and antibiotics to control sepsis, where necessary, can lead to eventual oncologic resection with acceptable morbidity and no short-term mortality for patients with RPF sarcomas.
Sequential Drug-Induced Severe Hyponatremia in a Minimally Symptomatic, 81-Year-Old Patient

Abstract Background There have been previous cases of medication-induced hyponatremia with various causative agents reported. Severe hyponatremia, a common medical emergency, can vary widely in its presentation, ranging from seizures and comas to no clinical manifestations. Case Report An 81-year-old female patient presented to the Emergency Department with history of a fall. She had a known case of hypertension and was recently started on hydrochlorothiazide. When evaluated at the hospital, her sodium level was measured as 106 mmol/L and her clinical symptoms were unremarkable. She was simultaneously diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, for which she was treated with intravenous ciprofloxacin. A few hours after administration, her sodium level fell even further, and she quickly developed symptoms of hyponatremia. After discontinuation of ciprofloxacin and treatment with hypertonic saline (3% NS), she improved and made a full recovery. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? We present an unusual case of minimally symptomatic, severe consecutive multi-medication-induced hyponatremia. As hyponatremia can present asymptomatically, routinely checking sodium levels is recommended, especially when caring for patients who recently experienced a fall or started a thiazide diuretic.
Surgical treatment for infant biliary hypoplasia with huge choledochal cyst

Objective To explore diagnosis and treatment of biliary hypoplasia with huge choledochal cyst in infants.Methods From Feb 2003 to Dec 2011,278 choledochal cyst cases were treated in our hospital.There were 3 infant cases of biliary hypoplasia with huge extrahepatic choledochal cyst diagnosed and treated during this period.All patients underwent cholangiogram demonstrating patent,but markedly diminutive extrahepatic biliary structures.After excision of the cyst,hepatic duct was injured in 1 case.The cyst wall was removed,a stent was put inside of hepatic duct,and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was porformed.Results All three patients (ages from 1 month to two months) received the Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy,none of our patients has developed stenosis and fistula of the Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.Intraoperative cholangiogram showed the huge choledochal cyst and diminutive intrahepatic ducts.All three cases were followed-up for 1-5 years,there was no jaundice and nor stones formation.Conclusions In cases of huge choledochal cyst when intraoperative cholangiogram demonstrates a diminutive biliary tree with huge choledochal cyst,great care is required during cyst excision in order not to injury the hepatic duct.Stent placement into hepatic duct helps bile flow at early stage after surgery. Key words: Choledochal cyst; Surgical procedures, operative; Biliary hypoplasia; Choledochal cyst
Effects of fingolimod, a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist, on white matter microstructure, cognition and symptoms in schizophrenia.

Several lines of evidence have implicated white matter (WM) deficits in schizophrenia, including microstructural alterations from diffusion tensor (DTI) brain imaging studies. It has been proposed that dysregulated inflammatory processes, including heightened activity of circulating lymphocytes, may contribute to WM pathology in this illness. Fingolimod is a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist that is approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Fingolimod robustly decreases the number of circulating lymphocytes through sequestration of these cells in lymph tissue. In addition, this agent improved WM microstructure as shown by increases in DTI fractional anisotropy (FA). In this pilot study, we assessed the effects of fingolimod on WM microstructure, cognition and symptoms in an eight-week, double-blind trial. Forty subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomized 1:1 to fingolimod (0.5 mg/day) and placebo. Fingolimod caused significant reductions in circulating lymphocytes (p < .001). In addition, there was a statistically non-significant association (p = .089) between DTI-FA change in the WM skeleton and fingolimod. There were significant relationships between the degree of lymphocyte reductions and increases in FA in the corpus collosum (p = .004) and right superior longitudinal fasciculus ( p = .02), and a non-significant correlation with the WM skeleton. There were no significant fingolimod versus placebo interactions on cognitive or symptom measures. There were no serious adverse events related to fingolimod treatment. Future studies with larger samples and treatment durations are needed to further establish fingolimod’s potential therapeutic effects in schizophrenia.
Student-Led Adaptation of Improvement Science Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restriction of students participating in face-to-face instruction, two medical students rapidly adapted a preclinical curriculum that virtually teaches improvement science and equips learners with the knowledge to address patient needs. Methods Eight first-year medical students participating in a longitudinal patient navigation and health systems science program completed 15 interactive video sessions. After learning about the Model for Improvement and various quality improvement tools, students worked in teams of four to conduct several plan-do-study-act cycles. Postsession surveys captured student satisfaction, session feedback, and reflections about conducting improvement work. Two medical students then applied conventional content analysis to identify themes to describe the data. Results Student projects focused on addressing patients' health care and social resource needs through telephone and electronic interactions. Five themes were identified in the survey results: (1) learning by doing in the dynamic nature of improvement work; (2) enjoyment of virtual team-based learning; (3) project relevance to COVID-19; (4) utility of quality improvement tools; and (5) continuous curriculum improvement with student feedback. Conclusions In this student-led endeavor, we implemented a virtual improvement curriculum where first-year medical students apply improvement science knowledge to patient needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results demonstrate the feasibility of teaching improvement in a virtual setting where learning is action-based with project work being relevant to health care priorities. Our work provides a framework for others to continue teaching this integral component of medical education.
Can eosinophils in adipose tissue add fuel to the fire

In inguinal adipose tissue, beige adipocytes are interspersed among white adipocytes and in close communication with dynamic populations of immune cells. Recent data have demonstrated that anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2) increase thermogenic activity of beige adipocytes, although the mechanism is currently under debate. ILC2, cells via secretion, of methionine enkephalin peptide were found to be able to increase beige thermogenesis. Knights et al. have recently generated a whole-body knock-out of KLF3 (KLF3-/-) to explore its contribution to thermogenesis and weight gain in a diet-induced obesity animal model.
Numerical Simulation of the Al_2O_3/ZrO_2(Y_2O_3) Ceramic Cutting Tool during Cutting Process' s Temperature Fields and Stress Fields

The temperature field's and stress field's variations on the Al2O3/ZrO2(Y2O3) ceramic cutting tool's edge are analyzed with numerical simulation method. Transient and steady state finite element analysis are respectively used to determine the initial variables. Finite element cutting model is created by the Deform2D and Johnson-Cook software. Cutting process of 1045 hardened steel using Al2O3/ZrO2(Y2O3) ceramic cutting tool is simulated and result shows consistency. Comparing with the practical cutting the analysis indicates that temperature and stress field of cutting edge contact surface, which is obtained through the Lagrange and ALE approaches, will have gradient change while converting the feed or cutting speed, thus the best cutting conditions are selected. The parameters provide theoretical data to diagnosing ceramic tool's life and increasing reliability.
Time and Accuracy of the CEREC Omnicam Using Two Different Software Programs.

PURPOSE The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of software on scan time, trueness, and precision of digital scans created using the CEREC Omnicam. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty scans (20 scans/provider) of a standard reference cast were made by three different providers using the CEREC Omnicam with both CEREC Ortho 1.2.1 software (10 scans/provider) and CEREC SW 4.4.4 software (10 scans/provider). A digital full arch scan and the time to complete each scan were recorded. Trueness was calculated by overlaying the digital scans against a reference file created using the standard reference cast and a laboratory-based, white light, 3-dimensional scanner. Precision was calculated by overlaying each of digital scans against each other, using each scan as a reference. The non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test was used to determine significant differences attributable to scanning software for each provider. RESULTS The CEREC Ortho 1.2.1 software required a longer scan time than the CEREC SW 4.4.4 software for each provider (∼1 minute). No significant difference in trueness was observed within one provider. Two individual providers had higher precision when scanning with the CEREC Ortho 1.2.1 software than the CEREC SW 4.4.4 software. CONCLUSION Software and scan strategy may affect the accuracy of complete-arch scans. The CEREC Ortho 1.2.1 software may demonstrate a speed-accuracy tradeoff, with generally longer scan times and possibly more precise scans.
The Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus Controls Food Intake and Body Weight via Hindbrain POMC Projections.

The mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Mes5) processes oral sensory–motor information, but its role in the control of energy balance remains unexplored. Here, using fluorescent in situ hybridization, we show that the Mes5 expresses the melanocortin-4 receptor. Consistent with MC4R activation in other areas of the brain, we found that Mes5 microinjection of the MC4R agonist melanotan-II (MTII) suppresses food intake and body weight in the mouse. Furthermore, NTS POMC-projecting neurons to the Mes5 can be chemogenetically activated to drive a suppression in food intake. Taken together, these findings highlight the Mes5 as a novel target of melanocortinergic control of food intake and body weight regulation, although elucidating the endogenous role of this circuit requires future study. While we observed the sufficiency of Mes5 MC4Rs for food intake and body weight suppression, these receptors do not appear to be necessary for food intake or body weight control. Collectively, the data presented here support the functional relevance of the NTS POMC to Mes5 projection pathway as a novel circuit that can be targeted to modulate food intake and body weight.
Transgender and nonbinary individuals and ICT-driven information practices in response to transexclusionary healthcare systems: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE This qualitative research examines how transgender and gender nonbinary (T/GNB) persons from South Carolina navigate informational barriers within healthcare systems. This navigation can be described through the lens of information practices, or how T/GNB participants create, seek, use, and share information to achieve desired healthcare outcomes. Special focus is given to the roles of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in shaping these practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research utilizes participant data from semistructured interviews and focus groups conducted with 26 T/GNB individuals focusing on their health information practices. Data analysis utilized emic/etic coding and the constant comparative method to identify themes describing transexclusionary information barriers and respondent ICT-led information practices. RESULTS Findings note healthcare systems producing cisnormativity by design resulting in T/GNB individuals viewing healthcare spaces as exclusionary. Exclusionary barriers included over reliance on medical, expert authority ignoring T/GNB embodiment, and a lack of contextual perspective to identities. In response, T/GNB seek, create, use, and share information via ICTs to challenge exclusionary practices. DISCUSSION T/GNB ICT use addresses systemic barriers within healthcare systems suggesting a need to reframe healthcare systems through the lens of design justice, one that values T/GNB agency in understanding and producing health knowledge. CONCLUSION While many healthcare providers are not intentionally being transexclusionary, the design of healthcare information systems rely on cisnormative values, thus excluding many T/GNB from accessing healthcare in comfortable and safe ways. Shifting toward the values and practices of T/GNB as informed by ICT use will afford healthcare providers ways to undo barriers to care.
Nearly Free Sustainable Electric Power for All: Electrify Almost Everything

The global power industry is at the brink of a revolutionary change. For the survival of humanity, it is essential to tackle the grave issue of climate change. The power industry needs to shift to the utilization of clean energy to sustain the increasing energy demands without affecting the environment. Therefore, it is important to establish a power network which is sustainable, free fuel-based, ultra-low-cost, and reliable power network. This paper discusses solar and wind power as a sustainable energy source for such a power network. In addition to energy sources, the storage system to support the power infrastructure is discussed. The role of power electronics in reducing the cost of electrical power is also discussed. Finally, the paper is concluded along with a brief discussion.
CO2 Reduction and Reforestation.

It is appropriate that Science address the global warming issue and especially the biotic interactions, including the possibility of reducing the atmospheric burden of carbon dioxide by the management of forests. William Booth's article (News & Comment, 7 Oct., p. 19) treats the planting of trees; the challenge is the management of forests.
New York State Code Adoption Analysis: Lighting Requirements

The adoption of the IECC 2003 Energy code will include a set of Lighting Power Density (LPD) values that are effectively a subset of the values in Addendum g to the ASHRAE/IESNA/ANSI 90.1-2001 Standard which will soon be printed as part of the 90.1-2004 version. An analysis of the effectiveness of this adoption for New York State can be provided by a direct comparison of these values with existing LPD levels represented in the current IECC 2000 code, which are themselves a subset of the current ASHRAE/IESNA/ANSI 90.1-2001 Standard (without addenda). Because the complete ASHRAE 2001 and 2004 sets of LPDs are supported by a set of detailed models, they are best suited to provide the basis for an analysis comparison of the two code levels of lighting power density stringency. It is important to note that this kind of analysis is a point-to-point comparison where a fixed level of real world activity is assumed. It is understood that buildings are not built precisely to code levels and that actual percentage of compliance above and below codes will vary among individual buildings and building types. However, without specific knowledge of this real world activity for all buildings in existence andmore » in the future (post-code adoption) it is not possible to analyze actual effects of code adoption. However, it is possible to compare code levels and determine the potential effect of changes from one code requirement level to another. This is the comparison and effectiveness assessment« less
Probing Water Relations in Foods Using Magnetic Resonance Techniques

Publisher Summary Water is an essential and pervasive component of life. It is abundant in all three physical states-solid, liquid, and gas. Water serves a sundry of vital functions: as an environmental and body regulator, as a transportation and solvent medium for cellular functions, as a stabilizer of biopolymer conformation, as a reactant, product and solvent for many chemical and biological reactions, as a major constitution of most foods, and countless other functions. The importance of water in foods begins with the hydrological cycle, that is the continuous circulation of water by evaporation from the hydrosphere and its subsequent precipitation back from the atmosphere. This cycle provides the necessary water for the fundamental elements of the world's food supply, crop, and animal production. Water continues to be a vital component throughout the various stages of food production, such as harvest or slaughter, addition of other ingredients, processing, and storage. NMR techniques have been successfully used in a number of disciplines, such as chemistry, polymer science, and food science, to study a variety of phenomena ranging from molecular structure to water dynamics to chemical composition. Based on the principles of NMR, Lauterbur developed an imaging method to map the spatial distribution of select nuclei within an object, which he called NMR zeugmatography.
An examination of disparities in cancer incidence in Texas using Bayesian random coefficient models

Disparities in cancer risk exist between ethnic groups in the United States. These disparities often result from differential access to healthcare, differences in socioeconomic status and differential exposure to carcinogens. This study uses cancer incidence data from the population based Texas Cancer Registry to investigate the disparities in digestive and respiratory cancers from 2000 to 2008. A Bayesian hierarchical regression approach is used. All models are fit using the INLA method of Bayesian model estimation. Specifically, a spatially varying coefficient model of the disparity between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic incidence is used. Results suggest that a spatio-temporal heterogeneity model best accounts for the observed Hispanic disparity in cancer risk. Overall, there is a significant disadvantage for the Hispanic population of Texas with respect to both of these cancers, and this disparity varies significantly over space. The greatest disparities between Hispanics and Non-Hispanics in digestive and respiratory cancers occur in eastern Texas, with patterns emerging as early as 2000 and continuing until 2008.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Asparagine Concentrations After Escherichia coli Asparaginase in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

PURPOSE: The CNS is an important sanctuary site in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). CSF asparagine concentration reflects asparaginase systemic pharmacodynamics. We evaluated the time course of CSF asparagine depletion in children with ALL during and after a course of Escherichia coli asparaginase. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one children (24 newly diagnosed and seven at relapse) received E coli asparaginase 10,000 IU/m2 intramuscularly three times weekly for six and nine doses, respectively, as part of multiagent induction chemotherapy. CSF asparagine levels were measured before, during, and after asparaginase dosing. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with undetectable (< 0.04 μmol/L) CSF asparagine was 3.2% (one of 31 patients) at baseline, 73.9% (17 of 23) during asparaginase therapy, and 56.3% (nine of 16) 1 to 5 days, 43.8% (seven of 16) 6 to 10 days, 20.0% (two of 10) 11 to 30 days and 0% (zero of 21) more than 30 days after asparaginase therapy. The proportion of patients with deple...
Effect of DDT on the reproductive life-span in the female rat

Abstract Twelve pairs of littermate female Sprague Dawley derived rats were divided into 2 diet groups of like littermate composition and were fed diets containing 0 or 20 ppm technical DDT from weaning until termination of the experiment. They were bred for the first time at the age of 3 mo and every 2 mo thereafter until 11 breedings were accomplished. The males employed in the study were young adults of proven fertility obtained from the same colony as the females and maintained on control diets between breeding periods. The females receiving 20 ppm DDT had a significantly longer average reproductive life-span (14.55 mo) than did their littermate controls (8.91 mo). The number of females becoming pregnant after the age of 17 mo (8 DDT vs 1 control) and the number of successful pregnancies after the age of 17 mo (11 DDT vs 1 control) were significantly different between the 2 groups.
Xenon monitoring and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

How do you monitor (verify) a CTBT? It is a difficult challenge to monitor the entire world for nuclear tests, regardless of size. Nuclear tests "normally" occur underground, above ground or underwater. Setting aside very small tests (let's limit our thinking to 1 kiloton or more), nuclear tests shake the ground, emit large amounts of radioactivity, and make loud noises if in the atmosphere (or hydroacoustic waves if underwater).
Energy Deposition by Electron Beams and δ Rays

The product of two empirical relations, for the practical range and the transmission probability of normally incident electrons through plane sheets of matter, may be differentiated to yield a simple formulation of the energy deposition by electron beams, in agreement with more complex formulations and with experimental data. When combined with the $\ensuremath{\delta}$-ray distribution formula, these results provide a theory of the spatial distribution of ionization energy about the path of a rapidly moving ion, which is basic to theories of radiation damage and detection.
Analogues of Zinpyr-1 provide insight into the mechanism of zinc sensing.

Three compounds structurally related to the fluorescent zinc sensor Zinpyr-1 (ZP1) have been synthesized and characterized. In each of these ZinAlkylPyr (ZAP) analogues, an alkyl group (methyl, benzyl) replaces one of the metal-binding picolyl moieties in ZP1. The methyl-for-picolyl substitutions in ZAP1 and ZAP2 have a negligible effect on the optical spectrum of the fluorophore but elevate the quantum yields (Φ = 0.82 (ZAP1), 0.74 (ZAP2)) to values near that of Zn2+-saturated ZP1 (Φ = 0.92). The benzyl-for-picolyl substitution in ZAP3 similarly enhances the quantum yield (Φ = 0.52) relative to that of metal-free ZP1 (Φ = 0.38). As previously observed for methylated ZP1 sensors, methylation of the 6-position of the pyridyl ring diminishes the emission by lowering both the molar extinction coefficient and the quantum yield. Although these new ZAP compounds cannot detect Zn2+ fluorimetrically at neutral pH, complexation of Zn2+ does occur, as evidenced by sizable changes in the optical spectra. The ZAP1−3 ...
Diversity and intensity in the scholarship on African agricultural change

Berry, Sara. No Condition is Permanent: The Social Dynamics of Agrarian Change in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1993. xiv + 258 pp. including notes, bibliography, and index. $60.00 cloth, $22.50 paper. Netting, Robert McC. Smallholders, Householders, Farm Families and the Ecology of Intensive, Sustainable Agriculture. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1993. xxi + 389 pp. including references and index. $49.50 cloth, $16.95 paper. Turner, B. L., Goran Hyden, and Robert Kates, eds. Population Growth and Agricultural Change in Africa. Gainesville: University of Florida Press, 1993. xvii + 461 pp. including glossary and index. $49.95 cloth.
Influence of the Formamidine Pesticide Amitraz and Its Metabolites on Porcine Myometrial Contractility - Involvement of α2-Adrenoceptors and Ca2+ Channels

Abstract Isolated uterine strips were used to study the effects of amitraz and its metabolites on porcine myometrial contractility during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Amitraz and its active metabolite BTS27271 (10 −8 -10 −5 M) caused a dose-dependent increase in myometrial contractility in the luteal phase strips, and BTS27271 was more efficacious than amitraz in this aspect. The other metabolites of amitraz at less than or equal to 10 −4 M did not affect porcine myometrial contractility. The α 2 -adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine (10 −8 -3 × 10 −7 M), but not the α 1 -adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin (10 −6 M), blocked the effect of amitraz and BTS27271 in a dose-dependent manner. When uterine strips were pretreated with the Ca 2+ -free Tyrode′s solution or the voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channel blocker verapamil (3 × 10 −5 M), the contractile effects of amitraz and BTS27271 were completely abolished, whereas those of carbachol were reduced. The results suggested that the amitraz- and BTS27271-induced myometrial contractions are mediated by α 2 -adrenoceptors and this effect is mediated by an increase in extracellular Ca 2+ influx through voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channels.