cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stem promotion through museum exhibits on cardiac monitoring & cardiac rhythm management

Formal education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) does not successfully engage all of the students who have potential to become skilled in STEM activities and careers. Museum exhibits may be able to reach and engage a broader range of the public. STEM Exhibits that are both understandable and capture the imagination of viewers may contribute toward increased interest in STEM activities. One such topic for such an exhibit could be cardiac pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators that sustain life. Although museums have existed for centuries, the available types of exhibit designs has dramatically increased in recent decades due to innovations in technology. Science and technology museums have especially taken advantage of the progression of exhibit design to developed new ways to communicate to their viewers. These novel presentation tools allow museums to more effectively convey to and engage viewers. This paper examines the techniques employed by museums in exhibits and considers the practices of several museums with exhibits related to cardiac monitoring (CM) and cardiac rhythm management (CRM).
Concise and highly stereoselective synthesis of the C20-C26 building block of halichondrins and Eribulin.

A concise, stereoselective, and scalable synthesis of the C20–C26 building block of halichondrins and Eribulin is reported. The synthesis relies on three key transformations: regiospecific Ru-catalyzed intramolecular hydrosilylation, highly stereoselective SN2′ substitution, and selective conversion of a C–Si to C–I bond. It is carried out in a 5-pot/4-workup operation without chromatographic purification, except for filtration through a silica-gel plug, to give the C20–C26 building block (dr > 200:1; ee > 99%) in ca. 60% overall yield from epoxide 1.
Real-Time PCR combined with microagglutination test for early diagnosis of legionella infection

[Objective] The aim of this study was to assess the combination of Real-Time PCR and microagglutination test as a rapid diagnostic method. [Methods] Serum samples were tested by methods of MAT and Real-Time PCR.The results were compared,and the consistence and difference explained. [Results] On the basis of processing the same sample,the two methods reflected different information separately.The concordance rate of MAT and Real-Time PCR was 66.7%,and the contradiction between the two could be well explained. [Conclusion] The sample used in the two methods was easy to be obtained,and the two methods were simple to be used with time saved.The two methods combined could be used as an early diagnostic method for Legionella.
Application of decision analysis in pharmacoeconomic study

OBJECTIVE To study pharmacoeconomics using decision analysis. METHODS The data of 94 neonatal septicemia patients (37 cefuroxime recipients,34 cefotaxime recipients and 23 ceftazidime recipients) were evaluated. Decision analysis was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness, and multiattribute utility theory(MAUT) was used to incorporate a humanistic evaluation of effectiveness, safety, cost and hospital stay. RESULTS The decision tree analysis revealed that the predicted costs of 3 cephalosporinses on the treatment of neonatal septicemia were RMB 3 990,4 074 and 3 770 yuans, respectively.The MAUT analysis showed that ceftazidime was the optimum medicine among the 3 cephalosporinses. CONCLUSION Decision analysis provides a standardized and flexible method for studying pharmacoeconomics.
Epilepsy and the plight of women : A historical perspective

ABSTRACTThe dramatic clinical symptoms of epilepsy made it one of the earliest distinctly recognized disorders. Epilepsy has long been associated with some clinically similar manifestations of nervousness, hysteria, and madness, and the attempted cures appear barbarous in light of modern understanding of these disorders. The prevalence of nervous disorders in women led to the assumption that female genital organs must be the source of epilepsy as well as psychiatric disorders. Explanations and treatment changed as medical knowledge changed, but many attempts to cure epilepsy involved curious medical or surgical treatment.
Simulations of Project WIND Cases with RAMS

The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) is a general purpose numerical code for simulating a wide variety of atmospheric flows. Versatility is one of the major goals in its design; the code is structured such that by setting a number of parameters to appropriate values from a large menu of options the model can be applied to nearly any flow situation. RAMS has been used to model flows at scales ranging from hemispheric circulations to submicroscale eddies induced by flow over buildings (e.g., Tremback et al. 1986; Cotton et al. 1988; Tripoli and Cotton 1989a,b; Schmidt and Cotton 1990; Cram et al. 1992a,b; Lee et al. 1993; Pielke et al. 1992). It contains a full complement of subgrid, microphysical, radiative, convective, and surface-layer parameterizations, along with a prognostic model for soil and vegetation temperature and moisture. Other options include two-way interactive grid nesting, terrain-following coordinates, several lateral and upper boundary conditions, and stretched vertical coordinates.
An “Examination of Premises”

During his teaching at Amherst, Clark began “an examination of premises” of the received economic thinking. Hardly indicative of a rebellious attitude on his part, Clark’s search was largely brought on by the criticisms which thinkers like Thorstein Veblen and Herbert J. Davenport had directed against the theories of the elder Clark and the marginal utility school in general. As he much later recalled, “the development of his studies, relative to order of teaching positions held and relative to times when the studies were made”: Overhead Costs came first, 1905–23. Next in time Fd put the working out of a position relative to Veblen’s & Davenport’s criticisms of J.B.C., centering on “social productivity vs. private acquisition.” This pointed to examination of premises.… All this in the Amherst period. Criticisms of the psychological assumptions of utility theory remained a challenge, & led to the two 1918 articles on psychology, with Wm. James’ Psychology the most obvious source; Cooley’s Human Nature and Social Organization [sic] next, perhaps. Carleton Parker came later, I think, as did Cooley’s Social Process. “Inappropriables” formed a natural key concept, and Ely’s Property and Contract (1914) put content into it, followed by Roscoe Pound and Ernest Freund. Meanwhile Pigou’s Wealth and Welfare (1912) and Hobson’s Work and Wealth (1914) put “Welfare Economics” on the map relative to social productivity vs. private acquisition. Mitchell’s Business Cycles (1913) led to the acceleration article, as you indicate.1
Interaction of lysosomal cathepsin G with N. gonorrhoeae

Cathepsin G, a cationic serine esterase derived from the azurophilic granules of human PMNs, exerts potent anti-gonococcal activity in vitro. Cathepsin G is likely to contribute to the ability of PMNs to kill ingested gonococci by oxygen-independent means. We have found that cathepsin G has the capacity to cleave certain gonococcal proteins, predominate among these proteins is outer membrane protein PHI. We have also determined that a certain mutation which influences lipopolysaccharide structure increases the exposure of PHI resulting in increased susceptibility of gonococci to the bactericidal capacity of cathepsin G. Although bactericidal activity is independent of serine esterase activity, our data implicates PIII as a surface-exposed target for binding cathepsin G.
Early adverse experiences and health: The transition to college

OBJECTIVE This study cross-sectionally and prospectively examined the impact of adversity experienced prior to college on the health and well-being of students adjusting to their first college semester. METHODS Two-hundred sixteen (216) first-year students completed measures of adverse life experiences, perceived stress, physical symptoms, and health-related behaviors during the first 2 weeks of college entry and again at the end of the first semester. RESULTS Reported adversity prior to college predicted greater perceived stress and physical symptoms at college entry and an increase in physical symptoms over the semester; perceived stress mediated the prospective changes. Early adversity predicted smoking, alcohol use problems, and risky sexual behavior at college entry, but was unrelated to the change in smoking, alcohol use problems, or risky sexual behavior. Adversity was not related to drug use at college entry but did predict change in drug use over the semester. CONCLUSION Some risk factors associated with early adversity are present when students matriculate, but adversity also may impact mental and physical health prospectively during the transition to college. Interventions directed at reducing distress may prevent negative developmental consequences.
Shared Resource Management Work Station for Microwave Engineering

The Hewlett Packard Shared Resource Management System makes a natural environment for the computer-aided microwave engineering work station. The combination of microwave measurements, mirowave design, and microwave analysis as software elements form the basis for microwave engineering. This paper describes the recent software developments and projected enhancements to completely computerize the microwave measurement and design process. The structure of the software modules to perform specific tasks are integrated by the directory and sub-directory libraries of the SRM system. The self-configuring features of the software packages minimize the development cost of new software.
Fatty acid characteristics of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) in an East Mediterranean environment

AbstractLathyrus sativus L., (grass pea) is an annual plant widely grown as a pulse crop and its dried seeds are harvested and consumed as human food since ancient times. This plant is also commonly grown for animal feed and forage. Grass pea seeds may represent a potential source of several important nutrients for human and animal nutrition. Fatty acid compositions of 173 different grass pea accessions have been studied. Present results indicate that total saturated fatty acids, total monounsaturated fatty acids, total polyunsaturated fatty acids, and total fatty acids ranged from 295.72 to 436.94, 113.19 to 170.78, 127.39 to 179.39, 538.04 to 778.98 mg 100 g−1, respectively. In addition, unsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid, linoleic acid, γ-linolenic acid, and α-linolenic acid that are the main components of fatty acids ranged from 109.22 to 163.95,59.57 to 82.98, 16.18 to 30.38, and 45.56 to 71.59 mg 100 g−1, respectively.
Clinical significance of AR mRNA quantification from circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with abiraterone (Abi) or enzalutamide (Enza).

132Background: AR-targeting agents remain the backbone of mCRPC therapy. We previously reported an association between AR-V7 mRNA detection in CTCs and resistance to Abi/Enza (NEJM 2014). Here, we report the prognostic significance of full-length androgen receptor (AR-FL) mRNA quantification from CTCs in pts starting Abi or Enza. Methods: We prospectively enrolled mCRPC pts starting Abi or Enza, and examined the prognostic value of AR-FL detection using a CTC-based mRNA assay (modified AdnaTest, Qiagen). We examined PSA50 responses, PSA progression free survival (PSA-PFS), clinical/radiologic PFS (PFS), and overall survival (OS). We constructed multivariable (MVA) Cox regression models adjusting for AR-V7 status, PSA level, Gleason sum, number of prior therapies, prior Abi/Enza use, prior taxane use, presence of visceral disease, and ECOG score. Results: We enrolled 202 pts (median f/u 12.9 mo). AR-FL status was negative in 97/202 pts (48%), median in 53/202 (26%). Higher AR...
A Self-healing PMMA Bone Cement: Influence of Crystal Size of Grubbs’ Catalyst

In the present study, we demonstrated room temperature self-healing functionality in a commercially available poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement brand that is widely used in the fixation of total joint replacements (TJRs); namely, Surgical Simplex®P. The healing agent used was dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) (2.0 wt.%), encapsulated in poly (urea-formaldehyde) microspheres (diameter = 226 ±51 μm). Two variants of a first-generation Grubbs’ catalyst (0.25 wt.%) were used, with the difference being in the cross-sectional area of the individual crystals, AG. The microspheres and the catalyst were blended with the cement’s powder, and the blended powder mixture and the cement’s liquid monomer were mixed under a partial vacuum. The three study groups were: control (no healing agent or catalyst blended with the cement powder); Preparation I (DCPD + Grubbs’ catalyst with AG of ~ 2000 μm2 blended with the cement powder); and Preparation II (DCPD + Grubbs’ catalyst with AG = ~ 20 μm2 blended with the cement powder). Self-healing in Preparation I and II group specimens was demonstrated through significantly lower fatigue crack propagation (FCP) rates in these specimens compared to that of the control group specimens. For the self-healing cements, the estimated polymerization rate of the curing cement, at 37°C, as determined from the results of differential scanning calorimetry tests, increased significantly with decrease in AG.
Impact of a webcast on nurses' delivery of tobacco dependence treatment.

Aims and objectives The aims were to evaluate an educational program about nurses’ role in tobacco dependence treatment, and its webcast component, on the long-term impact of increasing the frequency of nurses’ self-reported changes in practice related to delivery of smoking cessation interventions. Background Healthcare professionals’ knowledge about evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment using the 5As framework (Ask about tobacco use, Advise users to quit, Assess willingness to quit, Assist in making a quit plan, and Arrange for follow-up, including referral to a quitline) is essential to increase smoking cessation rates in the United States. Design A six-month pre-post design. Methods A convenience sample of nurses (N = 283) from Kentucky and Louisiana was provided access to the webcast and printed toolkit. Responses from those who completed an online survey at baseline, and at three- or six-months post-implementation of the educational program were included in an analysis of changes in the consistent (always/usually) delivery of the 5As plus referral to the quitline. Results After three-months, the intervention had a significant impact on increasing nurses’ reports of consistently providing the 5As to patients who smoked, which was largely sustained at six-months. Nurses who viewed the webcast were three times more likely to refer smokers to a quitline at three-months; and four times more likely at six-months than those who did not. Conclusions An online educational program, plus printed toolkit about tobacco dependence treatment increased nurses’ delivery of smoking cessation interventions over time. This study provided preliminary evidence that including a webcast in a nurse-targeted educational program could significantly increase the proportion of nurses who referred smokers to a quitline beyond the benefit of access to printed materials and web-based resources. Relevance to practice Distance learning is a feasible mechanism to enhance nurses’ involvement in tobacco dependence treatment and promoting evidence-based clinical practice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of efficacy of repeated decontamination and sterilization of single‐incision laparoscopic surgery ports intended for 1‐time use

Objective To determine the efficacy of repeated decontamination and sterilization of a disposable port intended for 1-time use during single-incision laparoscopy. Study design Experimental; prospective, controlled design. Methods Six single-access ports used 4 times and 6 single-access ports used 8 times to perform various clean, minimally invasive surgeries were evaluated. Ports were decontaminated in an enzymatic cleaner (dilution, 3:100) and cleaned with a scrub brush for 5 minutes. The ports were then sterilized with hydrogen peroxide vapor for 50 minutes using a standard protocol at a concentration of 6 mg/L, followed by a vapor diffusion phase. Samples taken from the foam, insufflating tubing, and rigid cannula portion of each port were collected with aseptic technique for aerobic-anaerobic cultures. Port material samples were set up on a tryptic soy agar plate with 5% sheep blood, a MacConkey agar plate, and a Columbia agar plate with 5% sheep blood (CAP). Anaerobic isolate cultures were set up on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) blood agar and CAP. Results None of the ports used 4 times had positive bacteriologic culture. Two of the ports used 8 times had a light growth of bacteria. The first positive sample cultured Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. The second positive sample cultured Staphylococcus epidermidis. The positive cultures were obtained from the foam component in an enriched broth. Conclusion Single-incision ports could be used safely 4 times and pose a low risk of infection to the patient under conditions of this study.
Evaluation of Inter-Core Skew in an Uncoupled Multicore Fibre

The inter-core skew (ICS) in an uncoupled multicore fibre is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The ICS of a non-twisted MCF is estimated more precisely by considering the photoelastic effect. It is experimentally confirmed that intentional fibre-twisting reduces ICS.
THE THREE UNIVERSITIES

This chapter presents a comparison of three universities in Scotland—Edinburgh University, Durham University, and Newcastle University. These three universities chosen for the comparative study were selected because they exhibited most clearly the kind of organization and structure necessary for detailed comparative analysis. The three universities chosen differ in obvious respects of size, history, institutional structure, residential organization, and urban setting. However, as they are situated within a defined geographical area in the northeast of Britain, the important variable of “region” or that based on any north south division is eliminated to some extent. The Scottish and English students have been largely treated as separate samples and in fact provide some interesting comparisons. In all the three universities, there are certain spatial unities and disunities, which mirror or modify the social unities and disunities within the organization. In all three the areas of work, residence, and leisure are to some extent separate and necessitate some form of travel several times daily between the separate areas. The only exception is Durham where much of the social life goes on in colleges and where formal events are organized on college lines, thereby creating an overlap of leisure and residence spheres and cutting down on the mobility requirements.
Successful Study Abroad: Tips for Student Preparation, Immersion, and Postprocessing

Student and faculty evaluations of study abroad programs often reveal that participants do not fully capitalize on the learning opportunities of fered to them. Some students are not completely aware of the challenges that await them (Stephen son), seem to lack skills to analyze the complexities of their host country (Laubscher), and may seek refuge in fellow participants rather than face cul tural adjustment difficulties (Citron). It is also evi dent that study abroad programs are often not cre ated in a way that "takes students' [cultural] bag gage into serious consideration in program design" (Engle and Engle 33). Many programs do not maximize students' growth as culture and thus also language learners, as is sometimes falsely assumed and advertised. As Woolf writes, "proximity does not create integration" (30), nor does it guarantee deep interaction with the host culture. Therefore, a more holistic approach to study abroad is needed, one that creates a maximum immersion experi ence and couches it in student preparation and postprocessing in the home German language classroom. This article introduces instructors with an inter est in initiating a study abroad program, maybe for the first time, to some foundational concepts and practical guidelines. The authors specifically dis cuss three components that can make study abroad programs more effective: First, we offer a list of tips and resources for language instructors on how to integrate culture learning into the home classroom and thus support students in preparing for study abroad. Second, we provide some basic criteria for evaluating study abroad programs and offer sug gestions on how to create academically solid pro grams with opportunities for meaningful immer sion. Third, we offer ideas for guiding students in processing their experiences upon their return. Al though this article focuses on semesterand year long programs in German-speaking countries, much is applicable to study abroad programs of shorter duration and in other world locations.
The Relevance of Relevance to Relevance Logic

I explore the question of whether the concept of relevance is relevant to the study of what Anderson and Belnap call “relevance logic.” The answer should be “Of course!” But there are some twists and turns, as is shown by the fact that it has taken over 50 years to get here. Despite protests by R. K. Meyer that the concept of relevance is not part of what he calls “relevant logic,” I suggest and defend interpreting the Routley–Meyer ternary accessibility relation using information states a, b, c, so Rabc means “in the context a, b is relevant to c.” Motivations are provided from Sperber and Wilson’s work in linguistics on relevance.
Stabilization of reactive Co4O4 cubane oxygen-evolution catalysts within porous frameworks

A major challenge to the implementation of artificial photosynthesis (AP), in which fuels are produced from abundant materials (water and carbon dioxide) in an electrochemical cell through the action of sunlight, is the discovery of active, inexpensive, safe, and stable catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Multimetallic molecular catalysts, inspired by the natural photosynthetic enzyme, can provide important guidance for catalyst design, but the necessary mechanistic understanding has been elusive. In particular, fundamental transformations for reactive intermediates are difficult to observe, and well-defined molecular models of such species are highly prone to decomposition by intermolecular aggregation. Here, we present a general strategy for stabilization of the molecular cobalt-oxo cubane core (Co4O4) by immobilizing it as part of metal-organic frameworks, thus preventing intermolecular pathways of catalyst decomposition. These materials retain the OER activity and mechanism of the molecular Co4O4 analog yet demonstrate unprecedented long-term stability at pH 14. The organic linkers of the framework allow for chemical fine-tuning of activity and stability and, perhaps most importantly, provide "matrix isolation" that allows for observation and stabilization of intermediates in the water-splitting pathway.
Who encourages Latina women to feel a sense of identity-safety in STEM environments?

Abstract Latinas are among the least represented groups in STEM and, thus, may have concerns about not belonging or feeling welcome in STEM environments. Identity-safe cues (i.e., scientists with shared identities), may address this issue and encourage Latinas' belonging and interest in STEM. To examine this possibility, in the first study, we presented Latina women with a fictional STEM company and a scientist working at the company who was either Latino/a or a non-Latino/a White man or woman. We found that compared to those in the White man or woman scientist conditions, participants in the Latino/a scientist conditions believed the scientist had faced comparable adversity to themselves, identified more strongly with the scientist, and reported higher trust and belonging and attraction to the STEM company. Using the findings from Study 1 to inform a new intervention, in the second study we presented Latina high school students with a panel of Latina scientists. Relative to before the panel, the students reported enhanced feelings of trust and belonging in STEM after the panel. Exploratory analyses further revealed that among Latina students who did not already intend to pursue a career in STEM, the panel encouraged their interest in the sciences. Across both studies, we found that believing the scientists had past experiences with adversity related to stronger identification with the scientists, and identifying with scientists correlated with more trust and belonging and interest in STEM environments. The current research has important implications for who acts as an identity-safe cue for Latinas in STEM.
Abstract 61: Ablation of BKCa Channels Results in Cardiac Hypertrophy

Expression and activation of the large conductance calcium and voltage-gated potassium (BKCa) channels encoded by Kcnma1 gene is shown to be vital in cardioprotection from ischemia-reperfusion inju...
BIOGENESIS AND TURNOVER OF PEROXISOMES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biogenesis and breakdown of peroxisomes from investigations on rat-liver catalase. The biosynthesis of both the protein and the heme parts of catalase has been studied on rats receiving by intraportal injection pseudo-pulses of leucine or aminolevulinic acid. The chapter describes an experiment in which biosynthetic products were isolated from rat livers by immunoprecipitation with purified anti-catalase. These experiments revealed that at early times, the radioactive material precipitated by anticatalase after the injection of labeled leucine differs from authentic catalase in two important respects: (1) it does not survive the standard purification procedure for catalase and is probably destroyed at the first step by Tsuchihashi's procedure of shaking with a mixture of chloroform and ethanol, and (2) its sedimentation coefficient is of the order of 4S. Kinetic analysis of these results led to the conclusion that catalase biosynthesis proceeds by way of at least two distinct labile intermediates, one devoid of heme and of monomeric size and the other containing heme.
Shared Decision Making in Cardiovascular Disease in the Outpatient Setting.

Abstract The authors developed a patient decision aid (PDA) to educate patients regarding CAD. Patients were randomized to standard of care or a PDA. PDA group had increased medical knowledge of CAD and decreased decisional conflict. Patients presenting in an outpatient setting with symptoms may benefit from the use of a PDA. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.)
Association of Timing of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Caregiver Support With Regionally Specific Brain Development in Adolescents.

Importance Few data are available to inform the associations and timing of the associations between adversity, caregiver support, and brain outcomes. Consideration of timing has important public health implications to inform more precise prevention strategies. Objective To evaluate the timing and regional specificity of the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and caregiver support to structural development of limbic and striatal brain regions in middle childhood and adolescence. Design, Setting, and Participants This 15-year developmental, neuroimaging cohort study included 211 children and their caregivers screened from day care centers and preschools in the St Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area during the preschool period, with an additional 4 waves of neuroimaging at school age through adolescence from November 14, 2007, to August 29, 2017. The cohort was oversampled for preschoolers with elevated symptoms of depression using a brief screener. Data analysis was performed from March 19, 2019, to July 26, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Volumes in adolescence and developmental trajectories of volumes of the amygdala, hippocampus, caudate, subgenual cingulate, and insula during 4 waves of scanning; ACEs and observed caregiver support at preschool and school age; and volumes of amygdala, hippocampus, insula, and subgenual cingulate during 4 waves of scanning. Results A total of 211 children (107 [50.7%] male) completed at least 1 scan. At preschool (mean [SD] age, 5.5 [0.8] years), ACE data were available for 164 children (84 [51.2%] male) and maternal support data for 155 children; at school age (mean [SD], 8.3 [1.2] years), ACE data were available for 172 children and maternal support data for 146 children. Unique patterns of the association between ACEs and support were found, with an association between the interaction of preschool ACEs and school-age support and the development of the hippocampus (t = −2.27;P = .02) and amygdala (t = −2.12;P = .04). A buffering hypothesis was not confirmed because high caregiver support was more strongly associated with the development of these regions only in the context of low ACEs. In contrast, preschool ACEs (t = −2.30;P = .02) and support (t = 2.59;P = .01) had independent associations with the development of the caudate. Conclusions and Relevance The findings suggest that there are unique regional associations of support and adversity with key brain structures important for emotional regulation. Results may inform the timing and potential targets of preventive action for the range of poor developmental outcomes.
Decreasing operational costs of non-profit community-based blood centres

Blood is a necessary resource for hospitals; however, acquiring blood poses several challenges for blood centres and hospital blood banks. First, blood is a perishable and natural resource that cannot be manufactured at the time of need. Second, supply and demand of blood are uncertain due to seasonality, natural disasters and availability of donors. Third, blood centres and hospitals are challenged in acquiring blood economically, as the price of one package of blood has reached the price of an iPad. Prior research shows the popular economic order quantity (EOQ) model is not applicable to blood orders due to the ample shortages that result from the model. In order to provide fresh inventory and to reduce operational costs, this study employs an econometric methodology known as ARMA-in-ARMA-out (AIAO, where ARMA stands for autoregressive integrated moving average) combined with lean managerial accounting practices to place orders. Results show that applying the above system of ordering could supply fresh blood inventory and decrease operational costs for blood centres.
Sleep Health and Alcohol Use

Abstract Problematic alcohol use and poor sleep health are prevalent, highly comorbid disorders that create a burden on the healthcare system. This chapter reviews decades of research supporting the bidirectional association between alcohol and sleep. Experimental and clinical studies show that alcohol use affects sleep physiology and subjective reports of insomnia symptoms, while prospective studies show that insomnia symptoms predict heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems. Despite these findings, the causal nature of the alcohol and sleep association is not well understood. In particular, the potential mechanism(s) linking insomnia symptoms to subsequent alcohol use outcomes (e.g., impairments in cognition, reward systems, emotion regulation) are unclear. However, because insomnia symptoms can persist for years following successful alcohol treatment and sustained sobriety, direct intervention for insomnia is often indicated for individuals with alcohol use disorders. The methodological limitations of existing research provide direction for future research.
Questioning planetary illiberal geographies: territory, space and power

In the news media, stories abound of nationalist outbursts, of authoritarian repression, of populist eruptions and of closures/enclosures of space, and of freedoms. Strikingly, these stories have a...
SDN resiliency to controller failure in mobile contexts

Software defined networking (SDN) is a technology for management of computer networks. We are interested in SDNs where the switches are mounted on vehicles, the controller is airborne, and connectivity changes dynamically as a result of vehicular movement. The challenge of interest is that when a controller fails the switches are left with whatever configuration they had at the point of failure. Without a controller, as the switches move and links become unuseable, flows configured to use those links are broken unless the configuration has anticipated such events and provided alternative routes. We describe a high fidelity SDN network simulator which uses snapshots of actual switch configurations and analyzes their resilience to impacts of controller failure. We propose an algorithm for backup paths which is guaranteed to not cause loops, and conduct a simulation study to understand the types of domains where have the greatest impact on network performance.
Bioengineered Skeletal Muscle as a Model of Muscle Aging and Regeneration

With age, adult skeletal muscle (SkM) is known to decrease in muscle mass, strength, and functional capacity, a state known as sarcopenia. Here we developed an in vitro three-dimensional (3D) bioengineered senescent SkM tissue using primary human myoblasts. These tissues exhibited the characteristics of atrophied muscle, including expression of senescent genes, decreased number of satellite cells, reduced number and size of myofibers, and compromised metabolism and calcium flux. As a result, senescent SkM tissues showed impaired ability to generate force in response to electrical stimulation compared with young tissues. Furthermore, in contrast to young SkM tissues, senescent tissues failed to regenerate in response to injury, possibly as a result of persistent apoptosis and failure to initiate a proliferation program. Our findings suggest that 3D senescent SkM may provide a powerful model for studying aging and a platform for drug testing and discovery of therapeutic compounds to improve the function of sarcopenic muscle. Impact statement Skeletal muscle (SkM) plays important physiological roles and has significant regenerative capacity. However, aged SkM lose their functionality and regeneration ability. In this article, we present a senescent human bioengineering SkM tissue model that can be used to investigate senescence, metabolic or genetic diseases that inflict SkM, and to test various strategies including novel small molecules that restore muscle function and promote regeneration. One key limitation of two-dimensional cell culture system is the detachment of contractile myotubes from the surface over time, thereby limiting the evaluation of myogenic function. Here we use primary human myoblasts, which exhibit all major hallmarks of aging to mimic the organization and function of native muscle. Using this system, we were able to measure the contractile function, calcium transients, and regeneration capacity of SkM tissues. We also evaluated the response of senescent SkM tissues to injury and their ability to regenerate and recover, compared with "young" tissues. Our results suggest that three-dimensional constructs enable organization of contractile units including myosin and actin filaments, thereby providing a powerful platform for the quantitative assessment of muscle myotubes in response to injury, genetic or metabolic disorders, or pharmacological testing.
Resisting renewables: The energy epistemics of social opposition in Mexico

Abstract Previous studies have examined the research practices and their normative roles in various areas of energy transitions (ETs). However, non-economic social research is not usually perceived as influential in ETs, thus receiving less attention. I argue that social research plays a central role in some components of ETs, and when these areas concern an unequal dispute between different interests and visions, then the production of knowledge, its outcomes, and its use can have vast energy justice implications. This issue is illustrated by the controversy over the social effects of renewable energy projects in Mexico. These projects have caused significant social opposition and even conflicts in indigenous communities, which have generated growing social research. Researchers have addressed this issue through different understandings of human interactions with projects and methodological choices, shaping critical aspects of knowledge-making, such as the voices and agendas of the included social groups. In their outcomes, these research practices have offered competitive interpretations of the causes of social opposition and the alternatives to solutions, which propose different material and symbolic roles to communities (e.g., downstream policy fixes for addressing social externalities vs. communitarian involvement in the decisions, management, and benefits of projects). Through a subject of controversy characterized by the lack of domestic regulation and experience and limited institutional capacity, social research has exceeded the academic domain, providing critical insights into the activism, the policy formation, and the practices of governmental and private actors. This research extends energy epistemics to social research practices, providing critical insights about their effects on how societies build energy futures and their interplay with local environments.
Truth by Close Proximity

At the end of the spring 2020 semester, when teaching was concluded online, I had an unusual conversation with a student via Microsoft Teams. I will try to reproduce it as accurately as I can, using the direct dialog style to eliminate redundant verbosity. Since we, mathematicians, aim to make things as simple as possible, I will abbreviate myself to P (for professor) and my interlocutor to S (for student). Here is the gist of the discussion.
Percolation implications in the rheology of polymer crystallization

The rheology of polymer crystallization is an old problem that often defies explanation due to the complex interrelationships between crystallization and flow properties. Although separate measurements of rheology and crystallinity can give some information on their relationship, it is only through simultaneous measurements that ideas on the rheology of polymer crystallization can be tested and developed. This Perspective details recent experimental developments in simultaneous crystallinity and rheology measurements as well as continuum modeling efforts for the case of quiescent and isothermal crystallization. Experimental results reveal that the rheology is dominated initially by growth of individual spherulites that evolve into spherulitic superstructures that eventually span the measurement geometry. A generalized effective medium model based on this concept of percolation can explain both the growth of the viscoelastic modulus during crystallization and the changes in the relaxation spectrum of the crystallizing polymer, including a critical gel response at percolation. The success of the combined measurement techniques and percolation concepts motivate research to extend the semicrystalline polymer materials space where these methods are applied as well as further develop novel techniques to gain additional insight into the evolution of structure and relaxation dynamics during crystallization.
Bidirectional Long-Term Synaptic Zinc Plasticity at Mouse Glutamatergic Synapses

Abstract Synaptic zinc is coreleased with glutamate to modulate neurotransmission in many excitatory synapses. In the auditory cortex, synaptic zinc modulates sound frequency tuning and enhances frequency discrimination acuity. In auditory, visual, and somatosensory circuits, sensory experience causes long-term changes in synaptic zinc levels and/or signaling, termed here synaptic zinc plasticity. However, the mechanisms underlying synaptic zinc plasticity and the effects of this plasticity on long-term glutamatergic plasticity remain unknown. To study these mechanisms, we used male and female mice and employed in vitro and in vivo models in zinc-rich, glutamatergic dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) parallel fiber (PF) synapses. High-frequency stimulation of DCN PF synapses induced long-term depression of synaptic zinc signaling (Z-LTD), as evidenced by reduced zinc-mediated inhibition of AMPA receptor (AMPAR) excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). Low-frequency stimulation induced long-term potentiation of synaptic zinc signaling (Z-LTP), as evidenced by enhanced zinc-mediated inhibition of AMPAR EPSCs. Thus, Z-LTD is a new mechanism of LTP and Z-LTD is a new mechanism of LTP. Pharmacological inhibition of Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (G1 mGluRs) eliminated Z-LTD and Z-LTP. Pharmacological activation of G1 mGluRs induced Z-LTD and Z-LTP, associated with bidirectional changes in presynaptic zinc levels. Finally, exposure of mice to loud sound caused G1 mGluR-dependent Z-LTD in DCN PF synapses, consistent with our in vitro results. Together, we show that G1 mGluR activation is necessary and sufficient for inducing bidirectional long-term synaptic zinc plasticity. Key points summary Synaptic zinc is coreleased with glutamate to modulate neurotransmission and auditory processing. Sensory experience causes long-term changes in synaptic zinc signaling, termed synaptic zinc plasticity. At zinc-containing glutamatergic synapses in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN), we show that high-frequency stimulation reduces synaptic zinc signaling (Z-LTD), whereas low-frequency stimulation increases synaptic zinc signaling (Z-LTP). Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation is necessary and sufficient to induce Z-LTP and Z-LTD. Z-LTP and Z-LTD are associated with bidirectional changes in presynaptic zinc levels. Sound-induced Z-LTD at DCN synapses requires Group 1 mGluR activation. Bidirectional synaptic zinc plasticity is a previously unknown mechanism of LTP and LTD at zinc-containing glutamatergic synapses.
The occurrence and distribution of strontium in U.S. groundwater

Abstract Groundwater samples from 32 principal aquifers across the United States (U.S.) provide a broad spatial scope of the occurrence and distribution of strontium (Sr) and are used to assess environments and factors that influence Sr concentration. Strontium is a common trace element in soils, rocks, and water and is ubiquitous in groundwater with detectable concentrations in 99.8% of samples (n = 4,824; median = 225 μg/L). Concentrations in 2.3% of samples exceeded the 4,000 μg/L health-based screening level. The relative importance of controlling factors on Sr concentration are spatially variable and partly dependent on the type of groundwater well. Three case settings illustrate controls on Sr concentration. For drinking-water supply wells, most high concentrations (>4,000 μg/L) were measured in samples from carbonate aquifers that resulted from water-rock interaction with Sr-bearing rocks and minerals. High Sr concentrations from monitoring wells were more common in unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifers in arid or semi-arid setting where shallow groundwater is affected by irrigation and evaporative concentration of dissolved constituents in combination with lithologic or applied Sr sources. Upwelling saline groundwater is also a source of Sr in some locations. Total dissolved solids concentration is an indicator of high Sr in all settings. An estimated 2.2 million people in the conterminous U.S. are potentially supplied water from public-supply wells with high Sr concentration, ~86% of whom use carbonate aquifers (with more than half supplied by the Floridan aquifer system). An additional 120,000 people are potentially supplied high-Sr-concentration water from domestic wells, more than half of whom (~58%) are in Texas. This study markedly expands the coverage of previous surveys of Sr in groundwater and is of interest given potential adverse human-health effects related to elevated concentrations of Sr and consideration of Sr for drinking-water regulation. Case settings with elevated Sr described for U.S. groundwater are likely indicative of settings and processes affecting Sr concentration in groundwater globally.
Body schema(tism) and the logos of life: a phenomenological reconsideration

espanolLos conceptos fenomenologicos de imagen corporal y esquema corporal han dado lugar a un resurgimiento del legado filosofico de Maurice Merleau-Ponty. En este texto pretendo investigar la relacion entre estos dos conceptos y el de Logos de la vida, otro elemento estimulante del pensamiento Merleau-Pontiano. Con el fin de trazar la correlacion entre esquema corporal, imagen corporal y mi interpretacion de la logica de la vida, explorare en primer lugar como el termino “esquematismo del cuerpo” esta conectado con un modelo inherente de vida y de vivir, y como este esquematismo se refleja en la imagen corporal. Considerare despues la relacion entre cuerpo y mundo y remarcare como la vida del cuerpo se define como significativa en el contexto tanto del mundo circundante (Umwelt) como del mundo de la vida (Lebenswelt). En la tercera parte de mi analisis senalare como la relacion entre esquematismo corporal e intencionalidad motora redefine la intencionalidad corporal. Concluire destacando el papel del Logos de la vida, a traves del cual la corporeidad, en su posicion de proyecto significativo, se instituye como esquematismo corporal. EnglishBody image and body schema are two phenomenological concepts which generated a revival of Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s philosophical heritage. In the present text I intend to inquire on the relation between these two concepts and that of Logos of life, another challenging point in the Merleau-Pontyan thought. In order to delineate the correlation between body schema, body image and my understanding of a logic of life, I will first explore how what I term “schematism of the body” is connected to an inherent model of life and living and how this schematism is reflected in the body image. I will turn further to the relation between body and world and highlight how the life of the body defines itself as meaningful in the context of both the surrounding world (Umwelt) and the life-world (Lebenswelt). In a third part of my analysis I shall point out how the relation between body schematism and motile intentionality redefines corporeal intentionality. I shall conclude by noting the role of the Logos of life, through which corporeity, in its position of meaning project, is instituted as body schematism.