cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling backward-pumped Raman amplifiers

We describe a robust shooting algorithm to model backward-pumped Raman amplifiers. This algorithm uses a continuation method and a Jacobi weight in conjunction with the shooting algorithm. We compare this algorithm to the commonly used relaxation algorithm. We find that the shooting algorithm is more flexible, in that it can be applied to amplifiers in which one fixes the gain, in contrast to the standard relaxation algorithm, which can be applied only to two-point boundary-value problems. However, it is less efficient when applied to two-point boundary-value problems, in that it requires more computer time.
Repeated bracket bonding: Conventional or self-etching primer?

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of repeated bonding using a conventional primer (CP) or a self-etching primer (SEP) on the in vitro shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) of orthodontic brackets. Methods A total of 144 human premolars were divided into two equal-sized groups and bonded with metal brackets using a CP in one group and an SEP in the other group. The SBS and ARI were determined after bracket debonding using a universal testing machine. Each group of premolars was then further divided into two equal-sized subgroups, which were bonded with new brackets using a CP in one subgroup and an SEP in the other subgroup. Again, the SBS and ARI were determined. Differences in SBS and ARI between the groups and among the subgroups were tested for statistical significance. Results During the first debonding sequence, the mean SBS values were 10.60 and 10.13 MPa in the CP and SEP groups, respectively. During the second debonding sequence, the mean SBS values ranged from 10.37 to 11.39 MPa. Most or all adhesive remained on the tooth after bracket debonding. There were no statistically significant differences in SBS or ARI between the first and second debonding sequences, between the groups, or among the subgroups. Conclusion With regard to SBS and ARI, SEPs perform as well as CPs for repeated bracket bonding.
Clinical Applications of Affinity Chromatography

Liquid chromatographic methods like reversed‐phase, normal‐phase, size‐exclusion, and ion‐exchange methods are important in modern clinical laboratories. However, a related technique that is seeing...
Routing Algorithms for Energy-Efficient Reliable Packet Delivery in Multihop Wireless Networks

Algorithms for minimum-energy routing in wireless networks typically select minimum cost multihop paths. In scenarios where the transmission power is fixed, each link has the same cost and the minimum hop path is selected. In situations where the transmission power can be varied with the distance of the link, the link cost is higher for longer hops; the energy aware routing algorithms select a path with a large number of small distance hops. In this chapter, we argue that such a formulation based solely on the energy spent in a single transmission is not able to find minimum energy paths for end to end reliable packet transmissions. The proper metric should include the total energy (including that expended for any retransmissions necessary) spent in reliably delivering the packet to its final destination. We first examine how link error rates affect this retransmission aware metric, and how it leads to an efficient choice between a path with a large number of short distance hops and another with a smaller number of large distance hops. Such studies motivate the definition of a link cost that is a function of both the energy required for a single transmission attempt across the link and the link error rate. This cost function captures the cumulative energy expended in reliable data transfer, for both reliable and unreliable link layers. Through detailed simulations, we show that such schemes can lead to up to 30-70% energy savings over best known current schemes, under realistic environments. We next describe how these techniques can be applied to work with on demand routing protocols. In particular, we focus on one specific on demand routing protocol, namely Ad hoc On Demand routing protocol (AODV), and show how it should be adapted to compute energy efficient reliable paths. We perform a detailed study of the AODV protocol and our energy efficient vari ants, under various noise and node mobility conditions. Our results show that even in low noise environments there are specific scenarios where an unmodified on demand protocol will achieve significantly lower throughput in comparison to our modified variants. Our results show that our proposed variants of on demand routing protocols can achieve between 10% to orders of magnitude improvement in energy efficiency of reliable data paths.
Random Response to Flow-Induced Forces

The response statistics of a linear structure subjected to excitation induced by a random flow with a non zero-mean velocity is examined. The technique of statistical linearization is applied on the nonlinear equation of motion of the structure. Approximate solutions for the structural response statistics are obtained. The Pierson-Moskowite is used to described the energy versus frequency distribution of the randomly flucuating component of the fluid motions. Results of several studies regarding parameters such as the fluid density and the structural stiffness are presented. The accuracy and efficiency of the analytical approach is assessed by comparison with data obtained by Monte Carlo simulations of the random structural response.
Conflict Resolution Strategy of U.S. Presidents: Clinton, Bush, and Obama Confront the Terrorism Problem

How presidents articulate conflict resolution strategy and portray the enemy in anti-American terrorist attacks is examined through a content analysis of selected speeches delivered in the aftermath of events to show that rhetoric constitutes a strategic response to pressing political issues.
A Survey of Current Robot Metrology Methods

Summary In response to industrial needs, performance measures for robots are being developed in laboratories around the world. Although as yet no universally accepted tests for robots have been adopted, researchers have developed or are developing procedures and instrumentation for examining repeatability, kinematics, dynamics, and positioning accuracy of industrial robots. In this paper we will present a brief overview of the current state-of-the-art in this field and suggest research topics suitable for international collaboration.
The Rhetorical Presidency Meets the Drone Presidency

This brief essay reflects on Kenneth Anderson and Benjamin Wittes's book "Speaking the Law: The Obama Administration's Addresses on National Security Law." It suggests that "Speaking the Law" overestimates the clarifying and constraining force of the executive branch's counterterrorism speeches, and that the legal policies they set out may be better understood not as a reticulated regulatory scheme, but rather on a common law model.
Effect of Rapid Transfusion on Duration of Systolic Ejection of the Left Ventricle.

ConclusionThese experiments show that the increase in systolic ejection following transfusion (and in infusion) is due to the distention of the heart.
Simple Method for Enhancing Development of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in Mice.

ConclusionBy manipulations here described it was possible to induce acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in mice in a shorter time than heretofore, with fewer inoculations and with uniform response. The improved method consists of the intraperitoneal injection of H. pertussis vaccine followed by 2 spaced intracutaneous injections of proteolipide A + B prepared in a Freund-type adjuvant.
Importance of non-patient transfer activities in nursing-related back pain: II. observational study and implications

To determine the low back stressor exposures of hospital nursing staff members, the daily activities of 63 staff members were observed and coded. In addition to direct patient contact activities, non-patient contact activities were common. Many patient contact actions were static (isometric), requiring maintenance of an antigravity position which stresses the low back. These findings suggest the need to expand the focus of work practice training, equipment redesign, and future research activities.
Right-handed neutrinos and T-violating, P-conserving interactions

We show that experimental probes of the P-conserving, T-violating triple correlation in polarized neutron or nuclear β -decay provide a unique probe of possible T-violation at the TeV scale in the presence of right-handed neutrinos. In contrast to other possible sources of semileptonic T-violation involving only left-handed neutrinos, those involving right-handed neutrinos are relatively unconstrained by present limits on the permanent electric dipole moments of the electron, neutral atoms, and the neutron. On the other hand, LHC results for pp→e+ missing transverse energy imply that an order of magnitude of improvement in D-coefficient sensitivity would be needed for discovery. Finally, we discuss the interplay with the scale of neutrino mass and naturalness considerations.
Surgical Construction of Female Genitalia

The efforts of the therapeutic team, including the surgeon, should be directed toward helping the patient conform to the sex of rearing. The principal surgical procedures involved are excision of contradictory structures and construction or reconstruction of the external genitalia to more nearly conform to the normal morphology of the sex of rearing.
COMPOSITION OF RAW MILK FROM CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANIC DAIRY FARMING

Possible differences between composition of raw milk due to dairy farming system (organic vs conventional) as well as seasonal variations were investigated. The samples were analysed during one year. A total of 6.782 samples of raw milk were collected (4.496 from organic farming). Dairy farms were located in the northern part of Republic of Serbia (Province of Vojvodina). The principle of analysis of raw milk samples was in accordance with the methodology by midinfrared spectrometry and flow cytometry. The fixed effect of system of farming and season (winter, spring, summer and fall) have shown a high statistical significance (P 0.05). Composition of milk is also affected by a number of other factors, therefore it is recommended to involve factors such as nutrition of dairy cows, breed and farm management.
Histotripsy for the treatment of BPH: evaluation in a chronic canine model

Histotripsy was evaluated as a non-invasive BPH treatment. The prostates of 20 canine subjects were targeted with one of three histotripsy doses. Prostates were harvested immediately, 7 days, or 28 days after treatment and assessed for changes. Lower treatment doses were found to produced scattered cellular disruption and hemorrhage that was sometimes reversible. Higher doses perforated the urethra and produced cavities in the glandular prostate that healed to leave an enlarged urinary channel.
Prevalence and Contents of Advance Directives of Patients with ESRD Receiving Dialysis

Background and objectives ESRD requiring dialysis is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates, including increased rates of cognitive impairment, compared with the general population. About one quarter of patients receiving dialysis choose to discontinue dialysis at the end of life. Advance directives are intended to give providers and surrogates instruction on managing medical decision making, including end of life situations. The prevalence of advance directives is low among patients receiving dialysis. Little is known about the contents of advance directives among these patients with advance directives. Design, setting, participants, & measurements We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients receiving maintenance in–center hemodialysis at a tertiary academic medical center between January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2012. We collected demographic data, the prevalence of advance directives, and a content analysis of these advance directives. We specifically examined the advance directives for instructions on management of interventions at end of life, including dialysis. Results Among 808 patients (mean age of 68.6 years old; men =61.2%), 49% had advance directives, of which only 10.6% mentioned dialysis and only 3% specifically addressed dialysis management at end of life. Patients who had advance directives were more likely to be older (74.5 versus 65.4 years old; P P Conclusions Although one-half of the patients receiving dialysis in our study had advance directives, end of life management of dialysis was rarely addressed. Future research should focus on improving discernment and documentation of end of life values, goals, and preferences, such as dialysis–specific advance directives, among these patients.
Blog and Podcast Watch: Cutaneous Emergencies.

Introduction: The Academic Life in Emergency Medicine (ALiEM) Blog and Podcast Watch presents high quality open access educational blogs and podcasts in emergency medicine (EM) based on the ongoing ALiEM Approved Instructional Resources (AIR) and AIR-Professional series. Both series critically appraise resources using an objective scoring rubric. This installment of the Blog and Podcast Watch highlights the topic of cutaneous emergencies from the AIR series. Methods: The AIR series is a continuously building curriculum which follows the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Director’s (CORD) annual testing schedule. For each module, relevant content is collected from the top 50 Social Media Index sites published within the previous 12 months and scored by 8 board members using 5 equally weighted measurement outcomes: Best Evidence in Emergency Medicine (BEEM) score, accuracy, educational utility, evidence based, and references. Resources scoring ≥30 out of 35 available points receive an AIR label. Resources scoring 27-29 receive an Honorable Mention label, if the editorial board agrees that the post is accurate and educationally valuable. Results: A total of 35 blog posts and podcasts were evaluated. None scored ≥30 points necessary for the AIR label, although 4 Honorable Mention posts were identified. Key educational pearls from these Honorable Mention posts are summarized. Conclusion: The WestJEM ALiEM Blog and Podcast Watch series is based on the AIR and AIR-Pro series, which attempts to identify high quality educational content on open-access blogs and podcasts. This series provides an expert-based, post-publication curation of educational social media content for EM clinicians with this installment focusing on cutaneous emergencies.
Social impact bonds: a new tool for governance of social programs - evidence from the UK, USA and Australia

This study explores the ways in which social impact bonds (SIBs) are utilised to deliver social services in the area of criminal justice across the UK, the USA and Australia. The paper defines SIBs, explains their structure, and briefly discusses their advantages and disadvantages. Later, the three examples where SIBs are used for reducing recidivism are compared and contrasted. Even though the effectiveness of the implemented projects has not been confirmed, the paper identifies challenges for SIBs' effectiveness, efficiency, equity and manageability that need to be considered when designing a SIB.
Distal Junctional Failure Following Pediatric Spinal Fusion.

Background Adjacent segment pathology is a known complication after spinal fusion, but little has been reported on junctional failure. A series of adolescent patients presented with acute distal junctional failure (DJF). We sought to determine any common features of these patients to develop a prevention strategy. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of pediatric patients who developed DJF after instrumented spinal fusion performed at 2 institutions from 1999 to 2013. Patients with proximal junctional failure or junctional kyphosis without failure were excluded. Results Fifteen subjects were identified with mean follow-up of 38 months. Distal failure occurred a mean of 60 days after index surgery, with history of minor trauma in 4 patients. Failures included 3-column Chance fracture (11) or instrumentation failure (4). Thirteen patients presented with back pain and/or acute kyphosis, whereas 2 asymptomatic patients presented with healed fractures. Two patients also developed new onset of severe lower extremity neurological deficit after fracture, which improved but never resolved after revision. A total of 13/15 subjects required revision surgery, typically within 1 week. Complications associated with revision surgery were encountered in 8 patients (62%). Major complications that required return to the operating room included 2 deep infections, 2 instrumentation failures, and dense lower extremity paralysis that improved after medial screw revision and decompression. At final follow-up, 10 patients are asymptomatic, 2 have persistent neurological deficit, 2 have chronic pain, and 1 has altered gait with gait aid requirement. Conclusions This study analyzes a heterogenous cohort of spinal fusion patients who developed DJF from 3-column Chance fracture or instrumentation failure. Revision surgery is typically required, but has a high complication rate and can result in severe neurological deficit, highlighting the morbidity of this complication. It is unclear whether level of the lowest instrumented vertebra contributes to DJF. Increased awareness of junctional failure in children may prompt additional studies to further characterize risk factors and preventative strategies. Level of evidence Level IV-study-type case series.
Performance of Landscape Plants from Yugoslavia in the North Central United States

Abstract From 1975 through 1979, 38 new, landscape plant introductions from Yugoslavia were distributed for testing in the NC-7 Regional Landscape Plant Trials. Twenty-seven of these introductions ...
P20: Pro- and anti-proliferative effects of hydrogen sulfide in colon cancer cells: A unifying hypothesis

Previous studies reported both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donors on the proliferation and viability of in various human cancer cell lines. The aim of this study was to test whether the contradictory data in the literature may be explained by the bell-shaped dose–response character of H2S. Using HCT116 colon cancer cells, proliferation rates were assessed in the presence of different concentrations (0.03–3 mM) of either NaHS (fast-release) or GYY4137 (slow-release) H2S donors, with or without pretreatment with the cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA). In the absence of AOAA, low concentrations (0.03–0.3 mM) of NaHS stimulated proliferation whereas higher concentrations (1–3 mM) inhibited growth. CBS inhibition with AOAA shifted the dose–response to the left, decreasing basal proliferation but also limiting toxicity only to the cells exposed to 3 mM NaHS. In the absence of AOAA, all concentrations of GYY4137 (0.03–3 mM) stimulated HCT116 cell proliferation over the basal growth rate. However, only the highest concentration of GY4137 (3 mM) stimulated HCT116 cells when CBS was inhibited. These data demonstrate that CRC cell proliferation exhibits a biphasic (bell-shaped) dose–response to H2S. The precise nature of the cellular response (increased or decreased growth) is determined by rate H2S production (fast- vs. slow-release H2S donors) as well as the concentration of donor relative to the endogenous (basal) level of CBS-dependent H2S production. Our model provides a useful framework to reconcile some of the controversies in the literature regarding the role of H2S in the regulation of cancer cell proliferation.
Remote Experimentation with Massively Scalable Online Laboratories

In this paper we present a solution for highly scalable online laboratories at low cost. The Massively Scalable Online Laboratories (MSOL) is an online platform that enables the virtualization of real experiments in a fashion that very closely mimics a physical experiment. Moreover, it includes social features to enable peer-to-peer learning and facilitates the creation of an online community. To add an experiment to the MSOL platform, an existing setup is automatically turned into a data set, accessible through data base queries. In this way, MSOL provides an effective and scalable solution to add an important element to current online education systems at low costs. The MSOL platform might also accompany scientific and engineering papers to add another domain to disseminate qualitative and quantitative data.
Selective implantation of durable left ventricular assist devices as primary therapy for refractory cardiogenic shock.

Abstract Objective Surgical therapy for refractory primary cardiogenic shock is largely based on emergent placement of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or short-term ventricular assist devices. We have adopted a strategy of routine implantation of durable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) as initial therapy for refractory cardiogenic shock, in patients who are potential candidates for heart transplantation, and report our experience. Methods Retrospective review of 43 consecutive patients with refractory shock caused by acute myocardial infarction (n = 21) or acute decompensated heart failure (n = 22) who were treated with primary implantation of a durable LVAD in a single institution. Results All patients received durable LVAD (axial flow, n = 37; centrifugal, n = 4; pulsatile, n = 2), with concurrent placement of right ventricular assist device (RVAD) in 5 patients (12%). One patient had delayed RVAD implantation. Mean operative time was 362 minutes and mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 94 minutes. Twenty patients underwent concurrent cardiac procedures. Major early adverse events included operative mortality 14% (6/43), reoperation for bleeding 7% (3/43), and stroke 4.7% (2/43). Median time on mechanical ventilation was 3.5 days, ICU stay 9 days, and hospital stay 25 days. Kaplan-Meier survival was 82.7 ± 6.0% at 6 months and 73.9 ± 8.0% at 12 months. Using competing analysis, the cumulative incidence of transplantation was 10.3 ± 5.0% at 6 months and 30.8 ± 7.9% at 1 year. Conclusions Our data challenge the notion that patients in refractory cardiogenic shock are best served by an initial period of stabilization with temporary devices. Primary implantation of durable LVADs in cardiogenic shock can yield good midterm outcomes and may have potential benefits.
Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Alkylation between Nitroalkenes and Indoles Catalyzed by Charge Activated Thiourea Organocatalysts

A series of methylated and octylated pyridinium and quinolinium containing thiourea salts with a chiral 2-indanol substituent are reported. These organocatalysts are positively charged analogues of privileged bis(3,5-trifluoromethyl)phenyl substituted thioureas, and are found to be much more active catalysts despite the absence of an additional hydrogen bond donor or acceptor site (i.e., the presence of a heteroatom-hydrogen or heteroatom). Friedel-Crafts reactions of trans-β-nitorostyrenes with indoles are examined, and good yields and enantioselectivities are obtained. Mechanistic studies indicate that this is a second-order transformation under the employed conditions, and is consistent with the dimer of the thiourea being the active catalyst. Charged organocatalysts, consequently, represent an attractive design strategy for catalyst development.
Testing for Human Norovirus and Recovery of Process Control in Outbreak-Associated Produce Items

The development of rapid and sensitive detection methods for human noroviruses (HuNoV) in produce items is critical, especially with the recent rise in outbreaks associated with this food commodity. In this study, 50-g portions of various produce items linked to a norovirus outbreak (celery, cucumber, lettuce, grapes, and radish) were artificially inoculated with murine norovirus (MNV-1) and concentrated either by ultracentrifugation or polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation after elution with an alkaline Tris-glycine-beef extract buffer supplemented with pectinase. As a viral concentration step following virus elution and clarification, ultracentrifugation yielded a faster method (<8 h, including reverse transcription quantitative PCR), with MNV-1 recoveries similar to or better, than those obtained with PEG precipitation. The addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone to the elution buffer, to remove polyphenolic inhibitors, improved MNV-1 recoveries by over two- and fivefold for cucumber and grapes, respectively. However, despite MNV-1 recoveries ranging from 10 to 38% as calculated with 10-fold diluted RNA, contaminating HuNoV was not detected in any of the outbreak-associated samples tested. For store-bought produce samples, the limit of detection for artificially seeded HuNoV GII.4 was determined to be 103 copies per 50 g, with reproducible detection achieved in grapes, radish, and celery. The results support the use of ultracentrifugation as an alternative approach to PEG precipitation to concentrate norovirus from a variety of produce items.
Philosophy and Climate Science

There continues to be a vigorous public debate in our society about the status of climate science. Much of the skepticism voiced in this debate suffers from a lack of understanding of how the science works - in particular the complex interdisciplinary scientific modeling activities such as those which are at the heart of climate science. In this book Eric Winsberg shows clearly and accessibly how philosophy of science can contribute to our understanding of climate science, and how it can also shape climate policy debates and provide a starting point for research. Covering a wide range of topics including the nature of scientific data, modeling, and simulation, his book provides a detailed guide for those willing to look beyond ideological proclamations, and enriches our understanding of how climate science relates to important concepts such as chaos, unpredictability, and the extent of what we know.
Motivational factors in adult, auditioned community choirs: The power of aesthetic experiences:

The purpose of this study was to a) identify motivational factors to join and maintain membership in adult, auditioned community choirs; b) examine relationships between music achievement, music ap...
End-User Development: From Creating Technologies to Transforming Cultures

In a world that is not predictable, improvisation, evolution, and innovation are more than luxuries: they are necessities. The challenge of design is not a matter of getting rid of the emergent, but rather of including it and making it an opportunity for more creative and more adequate solutions to problems. End-User Development (EUD) provides the enabling conditions for putting owners of problems in charge by defining the technical and social conditions for broad participation in design activities. It addresses the challenges of fostering new mindsets, new sources of creativity, and cultural changes to create foundations for innovative societies.
New molecular targets in meningiomas: the present and the future.

Purpose of reviewMeningiomas, the most common primary brain tumor, have historically been managed with surgery and radiation. Traditional chemotherapy has not been effective. Fortunately, recent advances in genetic sequencing have led to an improved understanding of the molecular drivers in meningio
Depth of invasion alone as a prognostic factor in low-risk early-stage oral cavity carcinoma

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the significance of increasing depth of invasion (DOI) as the sole risk factor for recurrence in patients with low-risk early-stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 560 patients with OCSCC treated at our institution between 2003 and 2013. Patients were included if they had low-risk early-stage OCSCC treated with surgical resection ± neck dissection and no adjuvant therapy. Low risk was defined as absence of positive or close margins, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and positive lymph nodes. Patients with tumor (T)3-T4 disease were excluded. Pathology specimens were independently re-reviewed by two board-certified pathologists to confirm proper measurement of DOI. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to identify factors predictive for recurrence as well as progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS A total of 126 patients with low-risk early-stage T1-2N0 OCSCC were included. Median follow-up time was 42.5 months and median DOI was 4 mm. There was no significant difference in incidence of local (P = 0.95), regional (P = 0.81), or distant recurrence (P = 0.96) among patients with DOI < 4 mm versus ≥4 mm. On multivariable analysis, DOI was significant for both PFS (P = 0.03) and OS (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION In this study, we show that in the absence of other high-risk pathologic features, DOI ≥ 4 mm does not portend for increased incidence of local, regional, or distant relapse in patients treated with surgery alone; however, increasing DOI is a marker for worse PFS and OS in patients with low-risk, early-stage OCSCC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 129:2082-2086, 2019.
Multi-mode Integrated Energy Harvester Utilizing Piezoelectricity and Triboelectricity

We have developed and demonstrated two types of energy harvesters based on piezoelectricity and triboelectricity for multiple energy harvesting applications. The structural and electrical properties of P(VDF-TrFE) were investigated by XRD, FTIR, oscilloscope, and low-noise current preamplifier. Type 1 device generated the voltage, current, and power of 2 V, 6.5 $\mu \mathrm{A}$ , and 6.5 $\mu \mathrm{W}$ , respectively, when subjected to air flow. Additionally, hybrid energy harvester (type 2) generated voltage, current, and power of 1 V, 4 $\mu \mathrm{A}$ , and 4 $\mu \mathrm{W}$ , respectively, from piezoelectricity, and voltage, current, and power of 3.5 V, 6.5 $\mu \mathrm{A}$ , and 22.75 $\mu \mathrm{W}$ , respectively, from triboelectricity, under mechanical force of 15 N with 1 Hz.
Abstract 4222: Omega-3 fatty acids produce DNA methylation changes in inflammation-related genes and pathways with implication of toll-like receptor signaling

Introduction Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have been studied for potential health benefits in many diseases including breast cancer. The preventive effects of n-3 PUFAs may relate in part to inhibition of chronic, low-grade inflammation. Of interest is the role of n-3 PUFAs in modulating pro-inflammatory gene expression via epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation (DNAm). Methods DNA methylation of PBMCs obtained at 0 and 6 months of n-3 PUFA supplementation was assessed via reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). PBMC samples were obtained from women at high risk for breast cancer during a randomized clinical trial investigating the effects of different n-3 PUFA doses. The dosing arm selected for this study was 5 g of EPA+DHA/day, with baseline and 6 month samples (n=10). DNAm was quantified using Bismark from trimmed, pass filter reads and analyzed with MethylKit to determine n-3 PUFA treatment specific DNAm changes. Results Global DNAm showed no change after 6 months of n-3 PUFA treatment; however, we detected 30,974 differentially methylated CpGs (DMCs) across the genome. DMCs, both genome-wide and in gene promoters, where DNAm can regulate gene expression, were significantly enriched for hypermethylation events after treatment. Focusing the analysis on pro-inflammatory signaling mediators led to identification of candidate gene promoter DMCs involved in several inflammation-related pathways. Four pathways were significantly enriched for both DMCs and DMC hypermethylation events even when accounting for the genome-wide trend toward hypermethylated DMCs (hypergeometric test p-value Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that n-3 PUFA supplementation can result in inflammation-related changes stemming from PBMC methylome perturbation. The results suggest the TLR pathway as a potential mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effects of EPA and DHA. Functional studies are needed to confirm our current observation. Citation Format: David E. Frankhouser, Sarah Woelke, Michael Sovic, Ralf Bundschuh, Pearlly Yan, Lisa D. Yee. Omega-3 fatty acids produce DNA methylation changes in inflammation-related genes and pathways with implication of toll-like receptor signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4222.
Analysis of Human Performance Deficiencies Associated With Surgical Adverse Events.

Importance Potentially preventable adverse events remain a formidable cause of patient harm and health care expenditure despite advances in systems-based risk-reduction strategies. Objective To analyze and describe the incidence of human performance deficiencies (HPDs) during the provision of surgical care to identify opportunities to enhance patient safety. Design, Setting, and Participants This quality improvement study used a new taxonomy to inform the development and implementation of an HPD classifier tool to categorize HPDs into errors associated with cognitive, technical, and team dynamic functions. The HPD classifier tool was then used to concurrently analyze surgical adverse events in 3 adult hospital affiliates—a level I municipal trauma center, a quaternary care university hospital, and a US Veterans Administration hospital—from January 2, 2018, to June 30, 2018. Surgical trainees presented data describing all adverse events associated with surgical services at weekly hospital-based morbidity and mortality conferences. Adverse events and HPDs were classified in discussion with attending faculty and residents. Data were analyzed from July 9, 2018, to December 23, 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures The incidence and primary and secondary causes of HPDs were classified using an HPD classifier tool. Results A total of 188 adverse events were recorded, including 182 adverse events (96.8%) among 5365 patients who underwent surgical operations and 6 adverse events (3.2%) among patients undergoing nonoperative treatment. Among these 188 adverse events, 106 (56.4%) were associated with HPDs. Among these 106 HPD adverse events, a total of 192 HPDs (mean [SD], 1.8 [0.9] HPDs per HPD event) were identified. Human performance deficiencies were categorized as execution (98 HPDs [51.0%]), planning or problem solving (55 HPDs [28.6%]), communication (24 HPDs [12.5%]), teamwork (9 HPDs [4.7%]), and rules violation (6 HPDs [3.1%]). Human performance deficiencies most commonly presented as cognitive errors in execution of care or in case planning or problem solving (99 of 192 HPDs [51.6%]). In contrast, technical execution errors without other associated HPDs were observed in 20 of 192 HPDs (10.4%). Conclusions and Relevance Human performance deficiencies were identified in more than half of adverse events, most commonly associated with cognitive error in the execution of care. These data provide a framework and impetus for new quality improvement initiatives incorporating cognitive training to mitigate human error in surgery.
The pseudosubstrate inhibitor Acm1 inhibits the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome by combining high-affinity activator binding with disruption of Doc1/Apc10 function

The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is a large, multisubunit ubiquitin ligase involved in regulation of cell division. APC/C substrate specificity arises from binding of short degron motifs in its substrates to transient activator subunits, Cdc20 and Cdh1. The destruction box (D-box) is the most common APC/C degron and plays a crucial role in substrate degradation by linking the activator to the Doc1/Apc10 subunit of core APC/C to stabilize the active holoenzyme and promote processive ubiquitylation. Degrons are also employed as pseudosubstrate motifs by APC/C inhibitors, and pseudosubstrates must bind their cognate activators tightly to outcompete substrate binding while blocking their own ubiquitylation. Here we examined how APC/C activity is suppressed by the small pseudosubstrate inhibitor Acm1 from budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Mutation of a conserved D-box converted Acm1 into an efficient ABBA (cyclin A, BubR1, Bub1, Acm1) motif–dependent APC/CCdh1 substrate in vivo, suggesting that this D-box somehow inhibits APC/C. We then identified a short conserved sequence at the C terminus of the Acm1 D-box that was necessary and sufficient for APC/C inhibition. In several APC/C substrates, the corresponding D-box region proved to be important for their degradation despite poor sequence conservation, redefining the D-box as a 12-amino acid motif. Biochemical analysis suggested that the Acm1 D-box extension inhibits reaction processivity by perturbing the normal interaction with Doc1/Apc10. Our results reveal a simple, elegant mode of pseudosubstrate inhibition that combines high-affinity activator binding with specific disruption of Doc1/Apc10 function in processive ubiquitylation.
Folk Judgments About Mood Enhancement: Well-being Trumps Set Points

We investigate implicit principles that inform folk moral judgments about mood enhancement. We presented a series of vignettes involving mood enhancement to lay participants via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform. We hypothesized that in making intuitive moral determinations about the appropriateness of enhancement, participants would rely primarily on set points (specifically, how far away from “normal” a character’s mood is prior to or after intervention). Contrary to our hypotheses, set point was not strongly predictive of enhancement judgments. Instead, participants’ perception of the mood enhancement’s effect on the long-term well-being of the character in the vignette was robustly correlated with participants’ approval ratings for the enhancement. Long-term well-being predicted enhancement judgments even after controlling for perceived medical necessity (whether the character is perceived to have a medical need for mood improvement), indicating that long-term well-being does not simply serve as a proxy for medical judgments being applied to enhancement. This work highlights the centrality of well-being in folk judgments about enhancement and generates new considerations for adjudicating among competing views in the enhancement debate.
Different nitrogen sources speed recovery from corallivory and uniquely alter the microbiome of a reef-building coral

Corals are in decline worldwide due to local anthropogenic stressors, such as nutrient loading, and global stressors, such as ocean warming. Anthropogenic nutrient loading, which is often rich in nitrate, inhibits coral growth and worsens corals' response to warming while natural sources of nitrogen, such as ammonium from fish excretion, promotes coral growth. Although the effects of nutrient loading and ocean warming have been well-studied, it remains unclear how these factors may interact with biotic processes, such as corallivory, to alter coral health and the coral microbiome. This study examined how nitrate vs. ammonium enrichment altered the effects of increased seawater temperature and simulated parrotfish corallivory on the health of Pocillopora meandrina and its microbial community. We tested the effects of nitrogen source on the response to corallivory under contrasting temperatures (control: 26 °C, warming: 29 °C) in a factorial mesocosm experiment in Moorea, French Polynesia. Corals were able to maintain growth rates despite simultaneous stressors. Seawater warming suppressed wound healing rates by nearly 66%. However, both ammonium and nitrate enrichment counteracted the effect of higher temperatures on would healing rates. Elevated seawater temperature and ammonium enrichment independently increased Symbiodiniaceae densities relative to controls, yet there was no effect of nitrate enrichment on algal symbiont densities. Microbiome variability increased with the addition of nitrate or ammonium. Moreover, microbial indicator analysis showed that Desulfovibrionaceae Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) are indicators of exclusively temperature stress while Rhodobacteraceae and Saprospiraceae OTUs were indicators of high temperature, wounding, and nitrogen enrichment. Overall, our results suggest that nitrogen source may not alter the response of the coral host to simultaneous stressors, but that the associated microbial community may be distinct depending on the source of enrichment.
Macrophage polarization is linked to Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2β-derived lipids and cross-cell signaling in mice.

Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) catalyze hydrolysis of the sn-2 substituent from glycerophospholipids to yield a free fatty acid (i.e., arachidonic acid), which can be metabolized to pro- or anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. Macrophages modulate inflammatory responses and are affected by Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (PLA2)β (iPLA2β). Here, we assessed the link between iPLA2β-derived lipids (iDLs) and macrophage polarization. Macrophages from WT and KO (iPLA2β-/-) mice were classically M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype activated or alternatively M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype activated, and eicosanoid production was determined by ultra-performance LC ESI-MS/MS. As a genotypic control, we performed similar analyses on macrophages from RIP.iPLA2β.Tg mice with selective iPLA2β overexpression in β-cells. Compared with WT, generation of select pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGs) was lower in iPLA2β-/- , and that of a specialized pro-resolving lipid mediator (SPM), resolvin D2, was higher; both changes are consistent with the M2 phenotype. Conversely, macrophages from RIP.iPLA2β.Tg mice exhibited an opposite landscape, one associated with the M1 phenotype: namely, increased production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids (6-keto PGF1α, PGE2, leukotriene B4) and decreased ability to generate resolvin D2. These changes were not linked with secretory PLA2 or cytosolic PLA2α or with leakage of the transgene. Thus, we report previously unidentified links between select iPLA2β-derived eicosanoids, an SPM, and macrophage polarization. Importantly, our findings reveal for the first time that β-cell iPLA2β-derived signaling can predispose macrophage responses. These findings suggest that iDLs play critical roles in macrophage polarization, and we posit that they could be targeted therapeutically to counter inflammation-based disorders.
A comparison between flow-regulated and adjustable valves used in hydrocephalus during infancy

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion during the neonatal period and early infancy is associated with a high rate of shunt failure when compared to the adult population. Furthermore, the function of flow-regulated valves and differential pressure valves may be different in neonatal hydrocephalus. A retrospective case series of all primary shunt procedures carried out during or immediately following the neonatal period, from August 2011 to February 2018 at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The total sample size was 55. This included 34 patients with adjustable valves (Miethke ProGav) and 21 with flow-regulated valves (Orbis-Sigma); however, only 53 had adequate follow-up. The overall 1 year shunt survival was 34% (18/53), and there was no significant difference depending on which shunt valve was implanted. The primary shunt infection rate was 11% (6/53) with S. aureus being the most common causative organism. During the first year of life, clinical signs of shunt overdrainage were seen more frequently in patients with adjustable valves than in those with flow-regulated valves (59% [19/32] versus 24% [5/21], p = 0.02). Furthermore, 2 patients in the adjustable valve group developed sagittal craniosynostosis secondary to shunt overdrainage. Shunt failure is high when inserted during or immediately following the neonatal period. Overdrainage may be less common in patients with flow-regulated valves. However, if overdrainage is observed, adjusting the setting of a differential pressure valve can effectively treat the overdrainage without the need for invasive shunt revision surgery.
Wideband Near-Zone Radiative System for Exploring the Existence of Electromagnetic Emission From Biological Samples

This article reports on a wideband near-zone radiative system operating from 1 to 50 GHz for examining the possibility of electromagnetic emission from a community of bacteria in a petri dish or any other distributed sources confined in a small focusing area. The system includes a dual-polarized signal collector, a Dicke switch, broadband low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), and a precision spectrum analyzer. The signal collector is composed of a quadruple-ridged horn-type structure of dimensions ${\lambda }_{L} \times {\lambda }_{L} \times 1.6\,\,\lambda _{L}$ (where ${\lambda }_{L}$ is the wavelength at the lowest frequency) having two orthogonal probes. The provision of a dielectric cone along the horn central axis allows for collimating the waves in the focusing area over the entire bandwidth. Therefore, the signal collector acts as a field concentrator to provide a uniform field distribution across the focusing area (source location). The entire structure is designed to be EM-shielded and free from resonance. It can effectively exclude outside interference while maintaining a uniform collection of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Precarity, nihilism, and grace:

This article explores the ambient affect of contemporary nihilism through a conjunctural analysis of key image macros from the ‘nihilist meme’ stash. Drawing from Berlant’s theory of cruel optimism...
Mixed-species groups of Serengeti grazers: a test of the stress gradient hypothesis.

Understanding the role of species interactions within communities is a central focus of ecology. A key challenge is to understand variation in species interactions along environmental gradients. The stress-gradient hypothesis posits that positive interactions increase and competitive interactions decrease with increasing consumer pressure or environmental stress. This hypothesis has received extensive attention in plant community ecology, but only a handful of tests in animals. Furthermore, few empirical studies have examined multiple co-occurring stressors. Here we test predictions of the stress-gradient hypothesis using the occurrence of mixed-species groups in six common grazing ungulate species within the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. We use mixed-species groups as a proxy for potential positive interactions because they may enhance protection from predators or increase access to high quality forage. Alternatively, competition for resources may limit the formation of mixed-species groups. Using more than 115,000 camera trap observations collected over five years, we found that mixed-species groups were more likely to occur in risky areas (i.e., areas closer to lion vantage points and in woodland habitat where lions hunt preferentially) and during time periods when resource levels were high. These results are consistent with the interpretation that stress from high predation risk may contribute to the formation of mixed-species groups, but that competition for resources may prevent their formation when food availability is low. Our results are consistent with support for the stress gradient hypothesis in animals along a consumer pressure gradient while identifying the potential influence of a co-occurring stressor, thus providing a link between research in plant community ecology on the stress gradient hypothesis, and research in animal ecology on trade-offs between foraging and risk in landscapes of fear.