cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Securing IS assets through hacker deterrence: A case study

Computer crime is a topic prevalent in both the research literature and in industry, due to a number of recent high-profile cyber attacks on e-commerce organizations. While technical means for defending against internal and external hackers have been discussed at great length, researchers have shown a distinct preference towards understanding deterrence of the internal threat and have paid little attention to external deterrence. This paper uses the criminological thesis known as Broken Windows Theory to understand how external computer criminals might be deterred from attacking a particular organization. The theory's focus upon disorder as a precursor to crime is discussed, and the notion of decreasing public IS disorder to create the illusion of strong information systems security is examined. A case study of a victim e-commerce organization is reviewed in light of the theory and implications for research and practice are discussed.
Bertrand games between multi-class queues

We develop a framework to study differentiated services when there are competing network providers. We adopt a multi-class queueing model, where providers post prices for various service classes. Traffic is elastic and users are Quality of Service (QoS)-sensitive, and choose a queue and a class with one of the providers. We model the relationship between capacity, QoS and prices offered by service providers in a competitive network services market. We establish sufficient conditions for existence of Nash equilibrium in the multi-class queueing game.
Cocontamination of swine diets by aflatoxin and diacetoxyscirpenol

The effects of dietary aflatoxin (AF) and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), singly and in combination, were evaluated in growing crossbred barrows. The experimental design consisted of 4 treatments of 9 barrows each fed diets containing 1) 0 mg AF and 0 mg DAS/kg feed (control), 2) 2.5 mg AF/kg feed, 3) 2.0 mg DAS/ kg feed, or 4) 2.5 mg AF + 2.0 mg DAS/kg feed for 28 days (10-14 weeks of age). Production performance, serum biochemical, hematologic, and pathologic measurements were made. Body weight and body weight gain were significantly decreased by each toxin but more so by the combination treatment. The effects were additive in nature. Liver and spleen weights, as percentages of body weight, were increased by the AF and AF + DAS treatments, and AF or AF + DAS treatments induced diffuse hepatocellular vacuolar change, early portal fibrosis, and early bile duct hyperplasia. Aflatoxin increased serum values of creatinine and gamma glutamyl transferase, cholinesterase, and alkaline phosphatase activities; increased packed cell volume and hemoglobin; and decreased urea nitrogen and total iron binding capacity. DAS reduced serum iron binding capacity. The AF + DAS treatment increased serum gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, increased hemoglobin, and decreased serum iron binding capacity. Generally, the combination treatment could be de- scribed as additive or less than additive, with most of the effects attributable to AF. Under the conditions and parameters monitored in this study, AF and DAS had no synergistic toxic effects when incorporated into diets of growing barrows. The aflatoxins B1, G1, B2, and Gz are structurally similar polysubstituted coumarin compounds that may be produced by Aspergillus flavus or A. parasiticus. These secondary fungal metabolites are reported to induce hepatotoxicosis, mutagenesis, teratogenesis, immunosuppression, and carcinogenesis in various species of animals. Pigs are highly sensitive to the ef- fects of aflatoxin (AF), and the feeding of AF-contam- inated feedstuffs can seriously affect the profitability of the finem swi ent
Utopian Enterprise: Articulating the Meanings of Star Trek’s Culture of Consumption

In this article, I examine the cultural and subcultural construction of consumption meanings and practices as they are negotiated from mass media images and objects. Field notes and artifacts from 20 months of fieldwork at Star Trek fan clubs, at conventions, and in Internet groups, and 67 interviews with Star Trek fans are used as data. Star Trek’s subculture of consumption is found to be constructed as a powerful utopian refuge. Stigma, social situation, and the need for legitimacy shape the diverse subcultures’ consumption meanings and practices. Legitimizing articulations of Star Trek as a religion or myth underscore fans’ heavy investment of self in the text. These sacralizing articulations are used to distance the text from its superficial status as a commercial product. The findings emphasize and describe how consumption often fulfills the contemporary hunger for a conceptual space in which to construct a sense of self and what matters in life. They also reveal broader cultural tensions between the...
The Public, Private, and “Stepping on Toes” in Healthcare

What is public and what is private? Systems can be seen as exchanges and feedbacks of energies. Those energies certainly may be heat. They may be kinetic. They might be based on discourse. The energies could perhaps manifest as the directives and choices made by individuals in the public. Public health as a mission seeks to save collective lives from often avoidable premature mortality and morbidity. And those private “lives” that we wish to affect can then be collected together as the “population” of interest, or a public. We let the words, public health, roll off our tongues with ease. But how often do we take time to understand the ontological meaning of “public?” Discovering “publics” would be quite at home with Aristotle. But how often do health professionals take a moment to give the philosophical less than a fleeting thought. This chapter supports a deeper discussion of the political and ethical implications of private illness and public health.
Inconsistency within Expressed and Observed Racial Identifications Implications for Mental Health Status

The present study extends previous work on distress that arises from discrepancy between self and interviewer racial identifications. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult He...
H2 Activation and Spillover on Catalytically Relevant Pt–Cu Single Atom Alloys

Platinum is a key component in many heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts. Because of its high price, fairly strong interaction with intermediates, and susceptibility to CO poisoning, it is often mixed with other elements. These bimetallic alloys have complex surface structures, and the atomic structure of their active sites is not well understood. In this study, we examine the effect of the geometric arrangement of dilute Pt–Cu alloys on H2 activation, spillover, and release. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we directly visualize the atomic arrangement of Pt–Cu alloys and show that small amounts of Pt (∼1%) exists as isolated atoms in the Cu surface. These Pt monomers are capable of facile H2 dissociation and spillover to Cu at temperatures as low as 85 K. Additionally, the low-temperature desorption of H2 (230 K) suggests a reduced desorption barrier compared to monometallic Pt or Cu. We find these single atom alloy surfaces are robust to multiple adsorption/desorption and heating cycles to 450 K. L...
H2O2-mediated permeability: role of MAPK and occludin

H(2)O(2)-mediated elevation in endothelial solute permeability is associated with pathological events such as ischemia-reperfusion and inflammation. To understand how H(2)O(2) mediates increased permeability, we investigated the effects of H(2)O(2) administration on vascular endothelial barrier properties and tight junction organization and function. We report that H(2)O(2) exposure caused an increase in endothelial solute permeability in a time-dependent manner through extracellularly regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/ERK2) signal pathways. H(2)O(2) exposure caused the tight junctional protein occludin to be rearranged from endothelial cell-cell junctions. Occludin rearrangement involved redistribution of occludin on the cell surface and dissociation of occludin from ZO-1. Occludin also was heavily phosphorylated on serine residues upon H(2)O(2) administration. H(2)O(2) mediates changes in ERK1/ERK2 phosphorylation, increases endothelial solute permeability, and alters occludin localization and phosphorylation were all blocked by PD-98059, a specific mitogen-activated protein (MAP) or ERK kinase 1 inhibitor. These data strongly suggest that H(2)O(2)-mediated increased endothelial solute permeability involves the loss of endothelial tight junction integrity through increased ERK1/ERK2 activation.
Approximating warps with intra-warp operand value similarity

Value locality, the recurrence of a previously-seen value, has been the enabler of myriad optimization techniques in traditional processors. Value similarity relaxes the constraint of value locality by allowing values to differ in the lowest significant bits where values are micro-architecturally near. With the end of Dennard Scaling and the turn towards massively parallel accelerators, we revisit value similarity in the context of GPUs. We identify a form of value similarity called intra-warp operand value similarity, which is abundant in GPUs. We present Warp Approximation, which leverages intra-warp operand value similarity to trade off accuracy for energy. Warp Approximation dynamically identifies intra-warp operand value similarity in hardware, and executes a single representative thread on behalf of all the active threads in a warp, thereby producing a representative value with approximate value locality. This representative value can then be stored compactly in the register file as a value similar scalar, reducing the read and write energy when dealing with approximate data. With Warp Approximation, we can reduce execution unit energy by 37%, register file energy by 28%, and improve overall GPGPU energy efficiency by 26% with minimal quality degradation.
Thinking and Rethinking AIDS: Implications for Health Policy

In the United States, we see three main phases in the construction of the history of AIDS, with each having very different implications for health and social policy. In the first, AIDS was conceived of as an epidemic disease, a “gay plague,” by analogy to the sudden, devastating epidemics of the past. In the second, it was normalized as a chronic disease, similar in many ways to diseases such as cancer. In the third, the authors propose a new historical model of a slow-moving, long-lasting pandemic, a chronic infectious ailment manifested through myriad specific HIV-related diseases. The new paradigm of AIDS incorporates the positive aspects of both earlier conceptions. It emphasizes, like the plague model, the etiology, transmission, and prevention of disease but rejects its assumption of a time-limited crisis. It takes from the chronic disease model an appropriate time frame and concern with the clinical management of protracted illness but insists on the primacy of prevention. The authors criticize bot...
A Codeword Proof of the Binomial Theorem

Proof. Consider an alphabet consisting of r ordinary letters and one special letter, say ∗. We count the number of possible codewords of length n in two ways. First, since there are a total of 1 + r symbols available and there are n slots to fill, the Multiplication Principle shows that the number of codewords is (1 + r)n. On the other hand, we can partition the codewords according to the number of non-∗’s that appear. Let this number be k, so that 0 ≤ k ≤ n. Constructing a codeword with k non-∗’s consists of selecting n − k of the n slots for the ∗’s, and then selecting a codeword of length k containing no ∗’s. The Multiplication Rule says that the number of ways of constructing such codewords is the product of the number of ways of making each of the two selections. The first selection is made in ( n n−k ) = (nk) ways. The second, using the Multiplication Rule again, is made in r k ways. Summing on k from k = 0 to k = r by the Sum Rule completes the calculation of the number of codewords of length n. Since both sides of the Binomial Theorem count the same quantity, we therefore have equality and have proved the theorem.
Low social rhythm regularity predicts first onset of bipolar spectrum disorders among at-risk individuals with reward hypersensitivity

The social zeitgeber model (Ehlers, Frank, & Kupfer, 1988) suggests that irregular daily schedules or social rhythms provide vulnerability to bipolar spectrum disorders. This study tested whether social rhythm regularity prospectively predicted first lifetime onset of bipolar spectrum disorders in adolescents already at risk for bipolar disorder based on exhibiting reward hypersensitivity. Adolescents (ages 14-19 years) previously screened to have high (n = 138) or moderate (n = 95) reward sensitivity, but no lifetime history of bipolar spectrum disorder, completed measures of depressive and manic symptoms, family history of bipolar disorder, and the Social Rhythm Metric. They were followed prospectively with semistructured diagnostic interviews every 6 months for an average of 31.7 (SD = 20.1) months. Hierarchical logistic regression indicated that low social rhythm regularity at baseline predicted greater likelihood of first onset of bipolar spectrum disorder over follow-up among high-reward-sensitivity adolescents but not moderate-reward-sensitivity adolescents, controlling for follow-up time, gender, age, family history of bipolar disorder, and initial manic and depressive symptoms (β = -.150, Wald = 4.365, p = .037, odds ratio = .861, 95% confidence interval [.748, .991]). Consistent with the social zeitgeber theory, low social rhythm regularity provides vulnerability to first onset of bipolar spectrum disorder among at-risk adolescents. It may be possible to identify adolescents at risk for developing a bipolar spectrum disorder based on exhibiting both reward hypersensitivity and social rhythm irregularity before onset occurs.
Intrinsic Charge Transport across Phase Transitions in Hybrid Organo-Inorganic Perovskites

Hall effect measurements in CH3 NH3 PbBr3 single crystals reveal that the charge-carrier mobility follows an inverse-temperature power-law dependence, μ ∝ T(-) (γ) , with the power exponent γ = 1.4 ± 0.1 in the cubic phase, indicating an acoustic-phonon-dominated carrier scattering, and γ = 0.5 ± 0.1 in the tetragonal phase, suggesting another dominant mechanism, such as a piezoelectric or space-charge scattering.
Effects of Emerging Bees and of Winter Flights on Nosema Disease in Honeybee Colonies

SummaryEight colonies of honeybees with normal emergence of brood recovered from heavy infections of Nosema apis in 35 days during the late spring; four of these colonies did not rear their brood. Four other colonies with no unsealed or emerging brood showed no recovery in the same period, and all their (caged) queens became infected. Brood emergence, therefore, appeared to aid recovery.Eight overwintering colonies inoculated with spores of Nosema in February and prevented from flying for the next 5 weeks all developed Nosema infections, whereas only 3 out of 8 similarly inoculated colonies that were allowed flight became infected, indicating the beneficial effect of winter flights.
Toward a Modern Economics

In 1992 the IC2 Institute at the University of Texas at Austin commenced a series of conferences on “Computational Economics,” with support from the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the engineering society IEEE. The programs covered a variety of topics on the mutual impact of advances in computation and economics. They are one aspect of the growing interest in computation on the part of scientists of all stripes and disciplines.
DataNet: A Data Distribution-Aware Method for Sub-Dataset Analysis on Distributed File Systems

In this paper, we study the problem of sub-datasetanalysis over distributed file systems, e.g, the Hadoop file system. Our experiments show that the sub-datasets' distributionover HDFS blocks can often cause the corresponding analysisto suffer from a seriously imbalanced parallel execution. Thisis because the locality of individual sub-datasets is hidden bythe Hadoop file system and the content clustering of sub-datasets results in some computational nodes carrying outmuch more workload than others. We conduct a comprehensiveanalysis on how the imbalanced computing patterns occur andtheir sensitivity to the size of a cluster. We then propose anovel method to optimize sub-dataset analysis over distributedstorage systems referred to as DataNet. DataNet aims toachieve distribution-aware and workload-balanced computingand consists of the following three parts. Firstly, we proposean efficient algorithm with linear complexity to obtain themeta-data of sub-dataset distributions. Secondly, we designan elastic storage structure called ElasticMap based on theHashMap and BloomFilter techniques to store the meta-data. Thirdly, we employ a distribution-aware algorithm for sub-dataset applications to achieve a workload-balance in parallelexecution. Our proposed method can benefit different sub-dataset analyses with various computational requirements. Experiments are conducted on PRObEs Marmot 128-nodecluster testbed and the results show the performance benefitsof DataNet.
Comparative performance analysis of forward error correcting codes for Free Space Optical communication

Free Space Optical communication system communicates data's which are interleaved with errors during the transmission. These errors occur because of various atmospheric turbulence conditions. The Bit Error Rate (BER) is an important measurement in laser communication link to estimate the quality of the data link connection. Forward Error Correction (FEC) codes are used to detect and correct the errors, so that the original data can be recovered at the receiving end. The performance of Hamming code, Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code and Turbo code are compared based on Bit Error Rate. Simulation is done using MATLAB and it is observed that LDPC code exhibits low bit error rate compared to other two codes.
Investigation of RFID based localization for SmartDrive vehicular network testbed

With emphasis on Smart Cities as the future of our world, Vehicular Communication technology rises to the forefront of our focus to enable efficient and intelligent transportation systems. Vehicular communication relies on localization for various applications such as safety and traffic related ones. Current systems rely on Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to obtain vehicle position. Accurate localization is imperative and GPS is known for its margin of error. In this paper, we investigate the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in our SmartDrive vehicular network testbed to complement GPS in order to obtain more accurate localization. We conduct both indoor and outdoor experiments to test both range and durability of RFID.
Very short term load forecasting of a distribution system with high PV penetration

A battery energy storage system (BESS) is an available solution for utilities to deal with intermittency issues resulting from renewable energy resources. A BESS needs to have a control algorithm to provide a very good estimation of the load on the grid at each time step. A short-term load forecast (STLF) is necessary for efficient and optimized control of BESSs that are connected to the grid. In this work, two parallel-series techniques for load forecasting are proposed to optimize the performance of a grid-scale BESS (1 MW, 1.1 kWh) in 15-min steps within a moving 24-h window. In both techniques, a complex-valued neural network (CVNN) is used for parallel forecasting. The parallel component is based on the search for similar days of historical data that have a weekly index comparable to the forecast day. For series forecasting, historical data of each day is used within a moving forecast window by CVNN along with the spline method. For both techniques, parallel forecasting is mixed with series forecasting by an adjustment coefficient. Both techniques are tested on a set of real data for a grid with high PV penetration, and the obtained results are compared.
Intimate Partner Violence and Disasters: A Framework for Empowering Women Experiencing Violence in Disaster Settings

Disasters, both natural and human-caused, can generate significant stressors for individuals, families, and communities, and research has documented an increase in the prevalence and severity of violence against women following these events. This article reviews research documenting the prevalence and severity of violence against women in disaster settings and provides a framework for intimate partner violence professionals to cultivate resources and capacities that promote women’s safety and well-being before, during, and after a disaster. Framework objectives include increasing awareness and capacity to respond, promoting safety planning, ensuring basic needs are met, providing comfort and support, connecting to long-term services, and promoting psychosocial recovery.
Weapons on Earth and in Space: Global Security in the New International Situation

The chapter analyses the issues of advanced weapons on earth and in space and their implications for arms control. Such technological developments are seen as extremely dangerous and capable of opening the way to very threatening security scenarios with high levels of instability and uncertainty. The technical and political dimensions of a possible arms control regime for space are thoroughly discussed and solid arguments are advanced that a ban on actual space weapons and on anti-satellite weapons is both essential and feasible.
Size of Firm, Oligopoly, and Research: The Evidence*

For many years the defence of the giant corporation and oligopoly has been rooted in the argument that both were the product of a technology that requires large-scale enterprises for efficient production. In brief, the economies of mass production are supposed to give rise to optimum-scale firms that are too large, relative to the size of markets, to permit the large numbers of sellers needed to minimize monopoly powers over prices and production. Although still possessing many adherents, this defence of the giant corporation and oligopoly has recently fallen from favour, perhaps mainly for lack of empirical support, but probably also for other reasons that need not be examined here. In its place has come a new defence. The large oligopolistic corporations, we are now told, have become the principal sources of research and development, and thus of the technological progress which is the backbone of economic growth.
Electrochemically Switchable Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactide and Cyclohexene Oxide.

An electrochemical method was developed for the redox switchable polymerization of lactide and cyclohexene oxide. Using a lithium reversible sacrificial electrode and a high surface area carbon working electrode, efficient transformation between formally iron(II) and iron(III) oxidation states of a bis(imino)pyridine iron alkoxide complex was possible, which led to the ability to activate the complex for ring opening polymerization reactions. In addition to serving as a redox trigger, an electrochemical toggle switch was developed in which the chemoselectivity for lactide and epoxide polymerization was altered in situ. These findings led to the synthesis of poly(lactic acid-b-cyclohexene oxide) block copolymers in which the sequence of monomers incorporated is controlled by the electrical potential applied.
Structure of bis(2-amino-5-methylpyridinium) tetrachlorozincate at 298 and 150 K

Reaction of 2-amino-5-methylpyridine with zinc chloride and HCl in aqueous solution yields bis(2-amino-5-methylpyridinium) tetrachlorozincate. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c, with minimal tetrahedral distortion of the ZnCl4 2− ion at both 298 and 150 K; at 298 K, a = 8.090(2) A, b = 14.795(6) A, c = 15.850(4) A, β = 101.93 (2)○; at 150 K, a = 8.0986(2) A, b = 14.7190(5) A, c = 15.7684(7) A, β = 102.862(2)○. The anisotropic cell contraction results in significant changes in nonbonding Cl ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ Cl contacts.
Cytochrome F Exists as Two Functionally Separate Pools in Pea Thylakoid Membranes

The cytochrome b6/f complex (cyt b6/f) of higher plant thylakoids is pivotal in linear [1], cyclic and protonmotive forms of electron transport (see refs. [2,3], for reviews). As opposed to photosystem II and photosystem I, cyt b6/f is distributed throughout the thylakoid membrane system [4,5]. When isolated, cyt b6/f consists of four major apoenzymes, cytochrome f (cyt f), cytochrome b6 (cyt b6), the Rieske FeS protein, and “subunit 4” [6], as well as one or more small polypeptides. Ferredoxin: NADP+ oxidoreductase has also been suggested to be a functional part of the complex [7], although this question is not yet settled. The approximate stoichiometry of the isolated complex has been estimated to be 1:1:1:1 (cyt f: cyt b6: Rieske FeS protein: subunit 4) [8]. However, since this determination was made on the isolated complex, which had undergone numerous disruptive manipulations associated with its purification (e.g., high salt washes, detergent solubilization, salt precipitation and resolubilization), it is uncertain how closely this form resembles that present in vivo. Possibly, it may represent a minimal, stable form of the complex. This question becomes increasingly significant when one considers that current models of electron transport do not adequately explain the biological rationale for the ubiquitous distribution of the cyt b6/f complex in thylakoids or how its myriad of functions are regulated. To this end, we have assayed the cyt b6/f composition of thylakoid membranes with the intent of detecting possible different forms of the complex.
Ossifying Fibromas of the Orbital Roof

This paper reports on three cases of fibro-osseous tumors that created lytic defects in the orbital roof. Their clinical and radiographic appearances led to a pre-operative diagnosis of either a mucocele or an epidermoid cyst. Histopathologically, however, these lesions were interpreted as benign ossifying fibromas. Ossifying fibromas have received scant attention in the ophthalmic literature and are often subsumed with fibrous dysplasia (Jakobiec & Jones, 1976). The purpose of this paper is to present the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic differences between ossifying fibroma and fibrous dysplasia, and to highhght the ‘cystic variant’ of ossifying fibroma that our patients developed.
The Northern California Wildfires of 8–9 October 2017: The Role of a Major Downslope Wind Event

AbstractA series of large wildfires began over the terrain north of San Francisco, California, during the evening of 8 October 2017 and spread across nearly 250,000 acres, including areas near the ...
Understanding contact between platinum nanocontacts at low loads: The effect of reversible plasticity

Metal nanocontacts play a critical role in atomic force microscopy, functional nanostructures, metallic nanoparticles, and nanoscale electromechanical devices. In all cases, knowledge of the area of contact, and its variation with load, is critical for the quantitative prediction of behavior. Often, the contact area is predicted using continuum mechanics models which relate contact size to geometry, material properties, and load. Here we show for platinum nanoprobes that the contact size deviates significantly from these continuum predictions, even at low applied loads and in the absence of irreversible shape change. We use in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with matched molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the load-dependent size of the contact. Direct measurements of contact radius from MD and TEM exceed the predictions of continuum mechanics by 24%-164%, depending on the model applied. The physical mechanism for this deviation is found to be dislocation activity in the near-surface material, which is fully reversed upon unloading. These findings demonstrate that contact mechanics models are insufficient for predicting contact area in real-world platinum nanostructures, even at ultra-low applied loads.
Xanthommatin-Based Electrochromic Displays Inspired by Nature.

Color is a signature visual feature in nature; however, the ability to trigger color change in the presence of different environmental stimuli is unique to only a handful of species in the animal kingdom. We exploit the natural color-changing properties of the predominant pigment in arthropods and cephalopods—xanthommatin (Xa)—and describe its utility as a new broad-spectrum electrochromic material. To accomplish this goal, we explored the spectroelectrochemical properties of Xa adsorbed to an indium-doped tin oxide-coated substrate chemically modified with poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). We identified a synergistic role between PEDOT:PSS and Xa that contributed to its absorption profile, which could be modulated across multiple cycles. By varying the ratio of the two electroactive components, we also altered the perceived visible color of Xa-based devices, which cycled from different shades of red to yellow under reducing and oxidizing potentials, respecti...
Laser-assisted Hair Regrowth: Fractional Laser Modalities for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia.

Background A large proportion of the population is at sometime affected by androgenic alopecia. Current therapies consisting of minoxidil or finasteride are often the first choices for treatment. These regimens are limited by their efficacy, side-effect profiles, and often lengthy treatment courses. Low level laser/light has shown to be relatively effective and safe for the treatment of hair loss, and a number of products are currently available to consumers. Recently, fractional lasers have been examined as treatment options for androgenic alopecia. The mechanism of action of these minimally invasive resurfacing procedures is thought to be 2-fold. First, the microscopic injuries created by these treatments may induce a favorable wound healing environment that triggers hair growth. Alternatively, disruption of the stratum corneum allows for improved transdermal passage of well-established therapeutic drugs to the hair roots. Methods A literature review was performed to evaluate the efficacy of these emerging treatments on hair regrowth. Results Nine original studies examining the effect of fractional lasers on hair growth in androgenic alopecia have been reviewed. Conclusions Preliminary evidence suggests that fractional laser therapies have a positive effect on hair regrowth; however, most of the literature is limited to case reports, and small prospective and retrospective series. Further studies, in the form of well-designed randomized controlled trials, are necessary to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and optimal treatment courses.
Evolved resistance to GAPDH inhibition results in loss of the Warburg Effect but retains a different state of glycolysis

SUMMARY Aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg Effect (WE) is characterized by increased glucose uptake and incomplete oxidation to lactate. Although ubiquitous, the biological role of the WE remains controversial and whether glucose metabolism is functionally different during fully oxidative glycolysis or during the WE is unknown. To investigate this question, we evolved resistance to koningic acid (KA), a natural product shown to be a specific inhibitor of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a rate-controlling glycolytic enzyme during the WE. We find that KA-resistant cells lose the WE but conduct glycolysis and surprisingly remain dependent on glucose and central carbon metabolism. Consequentially this altered state of glycolysis leads to differential metabolic activity and requirements including emergent activities in and dependencies on fatty acid metabolism. Together, these findings reveal that, contrary to some recent reports, aerobic glycolysis is a functionally distinct entity from conventional glucose metabolism and leads to distinct metabolic requirements and biological functions.
Acellular Dermal Matrix Reduces Myofibroblast Presence in the Breast Capsule

Background:Capsular contracture remains a common complication after implant-based breast reconstruction. Previous work has suggested that the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) reduces the rate of capsular contracture, though little is understood about the underlying mechanism. As myofibroblasts a
A local Faber–Krahn inequality and applications to Schrödinger equations

We prove a local Faber–Krahn inequality for solutions u to the Dirichlet problem for Δ+V on an arbitrary domain Ω in ℝn. Suppose a solution u assumes a global maximum at some point x0∈Ω and u(x0)>0...
Nuclear material input accountancy with a representative sampling method

Abstract The method of input accountancy for a used oxide fuel reprocessing plant has been based on the sampling of a homogenized liquid stream of dissolved used oxide fuel. This article presents an alternative sampling strategy where samples are taken directly from solid oxides. The strategy is to obtain a representative sample while not requiring the homogenization of the input materials. A theoretical derivation is given to determine the sample quantity for satisfying the sampling error requirement.
Acute consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa beverage improves attenuated cutaneous microvascular function in healthy young African Americans

Abstract Flavanols have beneficial effects on vascular health and we have recently demonstrated that cerebral vasodilatory capacity in healthy young African Americans (AA) is improved with acute flavanol intake relative to aged-matched Caucasian Americans (CA). However, whether the positive benefits of acute flavanol consumption would also be present in the cutaneous microvascular circulation of AA remains unknown. Thus, we hypothesized that acute consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa (FC) would improve the previously reported reduced cutaneous microvascular responses to local heating in young AA. Seven AA and seven CA participated in this double-blind crossover study. Data were collected on two different days, separated by a minimum of one week. Two intradermal microdialysis membranes were inserted in the forearm and each site was randomly assigned to receive lactated Ringer's solution or NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor. Participants were randomly assigned to consume either a non-flavanol containing (NF) beverage or FC beverage. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as cutaneous blood flux/mean arterial pressure and normalized as % maximal CVC (%CVCmax). The difference in %CVCmax between the Ringer's site and NOS inhibited site was calculated to assess NO contribution (Δ %CVCmax). In the Ringer's site, acute consumption of FC beverage improved %CVCmax during 39 °C heating when compared to NF beverage in AA (NF: 36 ± 6 vs. FC: 47 ± 5%CVCmax; P
Impact of initial imaging with gallium-68 dotatate PET/CT on diagnosis and management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Background Somatostatin analog functional imaging with gallium-68 (Ga-68) dotatate positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has demonstrated superiority in lesion detection in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The clinical impact of this imaging modality on US surgical and medical oncology practices has not been established. Methods Consecutive patients with NET at our institution who received an initial Ga-68 dotatate PET/CT between July 2017 and September 2018 were included. Ga-68 dotatate PET/CT was compared with prior imaging. Results Among 101 eligible patients, 51 of 50 were female/male, site of origin was gastroenteropancreatic (75%), unknown primary (13%), lung (8%), thymus (2%), and other (2%). All NETs were histologically well/moderately differentiated. Ga-68 dotatate imaging findings altered management in 36 (35.6%) patients: documentation of progression led to the initiation of systemic therapy in 14 patients, obviated the need for biopsy in four patients, and altered surgical plans in 7 of 14 (50%) patients referred for surgery. In 11 patients, decisions regarding peptide receptor radionucleotide therapy and somatostatin analogs were altered. Conclusions In this series, Ga-68 dotatate PET/CT altered diagnosis and management in one-third of patients and changed operative plans in half of the patients who were referred for surgical evaluation. These results support the routine use of this imaging in the care of patients with early-stage and advanced NETs.
PROGRESSION OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS VERSUS ARTERIAL STIFFNESS WITH AGE WITHIN AND BETWEEN ARTERIES IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

The progression of atherosclerosis versus arterial stiffness with age within and between arteries has not been defined. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a human model of inflammation related accelerated arterial disease that may permit this determination. 77 SLE patients (70 women, age 37 ±
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain control during first-trimester abortion: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial

Introduction High-frequency, high-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), pulsating electrical currents that activate underlying nerves, is an inexpensive and non-invasive pain control approach. We sought to compare TENS to intravenous sedation (IV) for pain control in first-trimester surgical abortion. Method We conducted a non-inferiority, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial of participants undergoing surgical abortion up to 11 weeks’ gestation. Participants received TENS (electrodes parallel to the spinal cord at the T10-L1 and S2-S4 levels) or IV (100mcg fentanyl and 1mg versed). Providers administered the IV sedation and research staff administered the TENS and were therefore not blinded. The primary outcome was self-reported pain with aspiration (visual analogue scale, VAS 100mm, 0 “no pain” and 100 “worst pain imaginable”). Non-inferiority limit was defined as 15mm. We also assessed participant demographics and blinding. Results A total of 109 participants were enrolled (55 TENS, 54 IV) between January 2018 and October 2019. Participants had a mean gestational age of 56-days across groups (p = 0.88); groups were similar with regard to age, race and ethnicity, parity, and BMI. Nine (16%) in the TENS group were given IV sedation and excluded from the per-protocol analysis. 100 participants were included in the per-protocol analysis (46 TENS, 54 IV). Mean reported VAS for aspiration was 64.78 mm (SD24.16) and 60.35mm (SD26.06) in the TENS and IV groups, respectively, with a mean difference of 4.43mm (95% CI −5.6 to 14.47). One IV group participant received additional IV medications (2%). Post-procedure, in both groups the majority of participants identified their correct assignment (p = 0.96); one in five in both groups incorrectly identified their assignment (21.7%, n = 10 TENS; 22.2%, n = 12 IV). Intention-to-treat analysis (n = 109) yielded non-inferior results for the primary outcome. Conclusions TENS for pain control during first-trimester surgical abortion is non-inferior to IV sedation with respect to the primary outcome of pain with aspiration. TENS could be a pain control option for patients without access to IV sedation or for those who are ineligible to receive IV sedation due to additional cost, lack of sedation provider or restrictions, including the need for a designated driver. Expanding pain control options improves quality of care and access to abortion.
Observability analysis and state observer design for a cardiac ionic cell model.

Abstract To gain insights into cardiac arrhythmias, researchers have developed and employed various measurement techniques, such as electrocardiography, optical mapping, and patch clamping. However, there are no measurement methods that allow simultaneous recording of all cellular quantities, including intracellular ionic concentrations and gating states, that may play an important role in arrhythmia formation. To help address this shortcoming, we applied observability analysis, a method from control theory, to the Luo–Rudy dynamic (LRd) model of a cardiac ventricular myocyte. After linearizing the time-integrated LRd model about selected periodic orbits, we computed the observability properties of the model to determine whether past system states could be reconstructed from different hypothetical sets of measurements. Under the simplifying assumption that only one dynamical variable could be measured periodically, we found that intracellular potassium concentration generally yielded the largest observability values and thus contained the most information about the dominant modes of the system. The impacts on observability of measurement timings, inter-stimulus interval length, and an alternans-promoting parameter shift were also studied. Pole-placement state observer algorithms were designed and tested in simulations for several scenarios, and we found that it is possible to infer unmeasured variables from potassium-concentration measurements, and to an extent from membrane-potential measurements, both for longer periods that represent normal rhythms and shorter periods associated with tachyarrhythmias. Our results could lead to improved data assimilation algorithms that combine model predictions with measurements to estimate quantities that are difficult or impossible to measure during in vitro experiments.
Brain uptake pharmacokinetics of incretin receptor agonists showing promise as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease therapeutics.

Abstract Among the more promising treatments proposed for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are those reducing brain insulin resistance. The antidiabetics in the class of incretin receptor agonists (IRAs) reduce symptoms and brain pathology in animal models of AD and PD, as well as glucose utilization in AD cases and clinical symptoms in PD cases after their systemic administration. At least 9 different IRAs are showing promise as AD and PD therapeutics, but we still lack quantitative data on their relative ability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) reaching the brain parenchyma. We consequently compared brain uptake pharmacokinetics of intravenous 125I-labeled IRAs in adult CD-1 mice over the course of 60 min. We tested single IRAs (exendin-4, liraglutide, lixisenatide, and semaglutide), which bind receptors for one incretin (glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1]), and dual IRAs, which bind receptors for two incretins (GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide [GIP]), including unbranched, acylated, PEGylated, or C-terminally modified forms (Finan/Ma Peptides 17, 18, and 20 and Holscher peptides DA3-CH and DA-JC4). The non-acylated and non-PEGylated IRAs (exendin-4, lixisenatide, Peptide 17, DA3-CH and DA-JC4) had significant rates of blood-to-brain influx (Ki), but the acylated IRAs (liraglutide, semaglutide, and Peptide 18) did not measurably cross the BBB. The brain influx of the non-acylated, non-PEGylated IRAs were not saturable up to 1 μg of these drugs and was most likely mediated by adsorptive transcytosis across brain endothelial cells, as observed for exendin-4. Of the non-acylated, non-PEGylated IRAs tested, exendin-4 and DA-JC4 were best able to cross the BBB based on their rate of brain influx, percentage reaching the brain that accumulated in brain parenchyma, and percentage of the systemic dose taken up per gram of brain tissue. Exendin-4 and DA-JC4 thus merit special attention as IRAs well-suited to enter the central nervous system (CNS), thus reaching areas pathologic in AD and PD.
To Drill or Not to Drill: Management of Endodontic Emergencies and In-Process Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract Introduction Dental professionals are at high risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection because of their scope of practice with aerosol-generating procedures. Recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to suspend elective dental procedures and avoid aerosol-generating procedures posed significant challenges in the management of patients presenting with endodontic emergencies and uncertainty of outcomes for endodontic procedures initiated, but not completed, before shutdown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success of palliative care on endodontic emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the stability of teeth with long-term Ca(OH)2 placement because of delays in treatment completion. Methods Patients presenting for endodontic emergencies during COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place orders received palliative care, including pharmacologic therapy and/or non–aerosol-generating procedural interventions. Part I of the study evaluated the effectiveness of palliative care, and need for aerosol-generating procedures or extractions was quantified. Part II of the study evaluated survivability and rate of adverse events for teeth that received partial or full root canal debridement and placement of calcium hydroxide before shutdown. Results Part I: Twenty-one patients presented with endodontic emergencies in 25 teeth during statewide shutdown. At a follow-up rate of 96%, 83% of endodontic emergencies required no further treatment or intervention after palliative care. Part II: Thirty-one teeth had received partial or full root canal debridement before statewide shutdown. Mean time to complete treatment was 13 weeks. At a recall rate of 100%, 77% of teeth did not experience any adverse events due to delays in treatment completion. The most common adverse event was a fractured provisional restoration (13%), followed by painful and/or infectious flare-up (6.4%), which were managed appropriately and therefore seemed successful. Only 1 tooth was fractured and nonrestorable (3%), leading to a failed outcome of tooth extraction. The remaining 4 outcome failures (13%) were due to patient unwillingness to undergo school-mandated COVID testing or patient unwillingness to continue treatment because of perceived risk of COVID infection. Conclusions Palliative care for management of endodontic emergencies is a successful option when aerosol-generating procedures are restricted. This treatment approach may be considered in an effort to reduce risk of transmission of COVID-19 infection during subsequent shutdowns. Prolonged Ca(OH)2 medicament because of COVID-19 related delays in treatment completion appeared to have minimal effect on survival of teeth.
Simulation-Based Logic Bomb Identification and Verification for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This chapter presents a novel methodology for detecting logic bombs hidden in unmanned aerial vehicle autopilot code without source code analysis by executing mission runs in a software-in-the-loop simulator and defining safe unmanned aerial vehicle operating areas. The methodology uses preplanned flight paths as a baseline, greatly reducing the input space that must be searched to have confidence that an unmanned aerial vehicle will not encounter a triggering condition during its mission. While the focus is on detecting logic bombs in ArduPilot autopilot software, the methodology is general enough to be applicable to other unmanned aerial vehicle systems.
Informed consent: Old and new challenges in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

In this paper, we address how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted informed consent for clinical research through examining experiences within Clinical and Translation Science Award (CTSA) institutions. We begin with a brief overview of informed consent and the challenges that existed prior to COVID-19. Then, we discuss how informed consent processes were modified or changed to address the pandemic, consider what lessons were learned, and present research and policy steps to prepare for future research and public health crises. The experiences and challenges for CTSA institutions offer an important perspective for examining what we have learned about informed consent and determining the next steps for improving the consent process.