cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microscale Insight into Microbial Seed Banks.

Microbial dormancy leads to the emergence of seed banks across aquatic, terrestrial, and host-related systems. These seed banks act as reservoirs of diversity that allow microbes to persist under adverse conditions, including extreme limitation of resources. While microbial seed banks may be influenced by the macroscale factors such as the supply of resources, the importance of microscale encounters between organisms and resource particles is often overlooked. We hypothesized that dimensions of spatial, trophic, and resource complexity determine rates of encounter, which in turn, drive the abundance, productivity, and size of seed banks. We tested this using >10,000 stochastic individual based models (IBMs) that simulated energetic, physiological, and ecological processes across combinations of resource, spatial, and trophic complexity. These IBMs allowed realistic dynamics and the emergence of seed banks from ecological selection on random variation in species traits. Macroscale factors like the supply and concentration of resources had little effect on resource encounter rates. In contrast, encounter rates were strongly influenced by interactions between dispersal mode and spatial structure, and also by the recalcitrance of resources. In contrast, In turn, encounter rates drove abundance, productivity, and seed bank dynamics. Time series revealed that energetically costly traits can lead to large seed banks and that recalcitrant resources can lead to greater stability through the formation of seed banks and the slow consumption of resources. In conclusion, our efforts suggest that microbial seed banks emerge from microscale dimensions of ecological complexity and their influence on resource limitation and energetic costs.
The Operating Room

This chapter focuses on the preoperative and operative care of an orthopedic patient and how you, with careful attention to detail a medical student, can exceed in and out of the operating room. From history and physical to important laboratory and radiographic exams, this chapter provides a clue to one on the keep preoperative components. Additionally, the basics of operative room behavior and steps to impress the orthopedic attending and residents are explained. Furthermore, a sample of common orthopedic “PIMP” questions is provided to prepare the student for commonly asked questions in the operating room.
Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad. By Eric Foner. (New York, NY: W. W. Norton, 2015. Pp. xiii, 320. $26.95.)

During the past quarter century, a number of books, articles, and historical sites, as well as a museum and a variety of public history venues, have taken up the cause of how slaves in the Southern...
De novo loss-of-function variants in STAG2 are associated with developmental delay, microcephaly, and congenital anomalies.

The cohesin complex is an evolutionarily conserved multi-subunit protein complex which regulates sister chromatid cohesion during mitosis and meiosis. Additionally, the cohesin complex regulates DNA replication, DNA repair, and transcription. The core of the complex consists of four subunits: SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21, and STAG1/2. Loss-of-function mutations in many of these proteins have been implicated in human developmental disorders collectively termed “cohesinopathies.” Through clinical exome sequencing (CES) of an 8-year-old girl with a clinical history of global developmental delay, microcephaly, microtia with hearing loss, language delay, ADHD, and dysmorphic features, we describe a heterozygous de novo variant (c.205C>T; p.(Arg69*)) in the integral cohesin structural protein, STAG2. This variant is associated with decreased STAG2 protein expression. The analyses of metaphase spreads did not exhibit premature sister chromatid separation; however, delayed sister chromatid cohesion was observed. To further support the pathogenicity of STAG2 variants, we identified two additional female cases from the DECIPHER research database with mutations in STAG2 and phenotypes similar to our patient. Interestingly, the clinical features of these three cases are remarkably similar to those observed in other well-established cohesinopathies. Herein, we suggest that STAG2 is a dosage-sensitive gene and that heterozygous loss-of-function variants lead to a cohesinopathy.
Transformation and challenges of the petroleum industry in the People's Republic of China

In recent years, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Rapid growth, economic reform and large development projects point to a massive potential market in China. Among several major industries, petroleum is crucial and fundamental for further development of the economy. This is not only because of high energy consumption, but also because of the need for foreign capital and technology to intensify the economic development that has placed the petroleum industry in the spotlight. Like many other industries, the petroleum industry in China is experiencing decentralization or privatization. Government policy and regulations are becoming less restrictive, as well as encouraging more foreign investment, although licence restriction, foreign exchange control and inefficient bureaucracy still continue. Tax reductions and the opening of more markets are the most obvious incentives to foreign investors, despite the fact that hitherto the Chinese government has refused to accept foreign investment in petroleum exploration. In addition, new onshore and offshore exploration breakthroughs have brought more opportunities to the industry and more export opportunities. Because of the surging demand for oil, China has currently become a net importer and aggressively participates in the global energy market. The development of the petroleum industry in China indicates that as the economic environment changes dramatically, considerable opportunities and risks come together. This study suggests that in the light of global and local market changes, managers need to understand and analyse the business environment as the first step to success in the rapidly changing Chinese energy industry.
“New opportunities” and “Strong performance”: Evaluative adjectives in letters to shareholders and potential for pedagogically-downsized specialized corpora

Abstract This paper analyzes the use of evaluative adjectives within letters to the shareholders from the top 100 corporations from the 2016 Fortune 500 list. The letter represents an important promotional genre and is published annually to report financial performance while also projecting a vision for future success and continued growth. These influential messages detail and frame institutional vision and strategy as they attempt to maintain relationships with current investors while attracting new ones. This paper adopts Thompson and Hunston's term of evaluation and its definition as “the expression of the speaker or writer's attitude or stance towards, viewpoint on, or feelings about the entities or proposition” (2000, p. 5) as it investigates the semantic classes of evaluative adjectives present in the letters and their function within this ESP genre of interest. While there are many features that reflect and realize evaluation, adjectives are the focus of this inquiry because their overt evaluative quality makes them an accessible item to extract and analyze with basic corpus techniques which could be taught and applied within a classroom setting. This paper reports the use of evaluative adjectives while also displaying that little salient variation exists between a sub-corpus of only 10 letters and the full corpus collection. With little noticeable variation and numerous learning affordances, a pedagogically-downsized specialized corpus can be easily compiled, analyzed, and implemented in EBP and other ESP contexts.
Free to Serve? Emergency Food and Volunteer Labor in the Urban U.S.

Since the 1980s, cutbacks to welfare programs, widespread economic insecurity, and increased federal funding for nonprofit agencies have led to a massive expansion of emergency food providers (EFPs) such as soup kitchens and food pantries across the United States. These anti-hunger organizations are often staffed exclusively or predominantly by volunteers who are empowered to care for their communities. But, like all caring labor, volunteer work is shaped by race, class, and gender inequalities. Hunger and poverty motivate poor women to become volunteers, and contradictions around how this labor should be remunerated, recognized, and regulated create conflicts within EFPs. By mobilizing large numbers of poor, hungry people as volunteers to distribute surplus food, emergency food providers transform both wasted food and people who are typically considered “burdens” on the state into an important new form of free labor for a struggling economy in ways that deepen existing social inequalities.
Helicity transformation under the collision and merging of two magnetic flux ropes

Magnetic helicity has become a useful tool in the analysis of astrophysical plasmas. Its conservation in the magnetohydrodynamic limit (and other fluid approaches) constrains the global behavior of large plasma structures. One such astrophysical structure is a magnetic flux rope: a tube-like, current-carrying plasma embedded in an external magnetic field. Bundles of these ropes are commonly observed in the near-earth environment and solar atmosphere. In this well-diagnosed experiment (three-dimensional measurements of ne, Te, Vp, B, J, E, and uflow), two magnetic flux ropes are generated in the Large Plasma Device at UCLA. These ropes are driven kink-unstable to trigger complex motion. As they interact, helicity conservation is examined in regions of reconnection. We examine (1) the transport of helicity and (2) the dissipation of the helicity. As the ropes move and the topology of the field lines diverge, a quasi-separatrix layer (QSL) is formed. As the QSL forms, magnetic helicity is dissipated within t...
Imaging of Juvenile Hip Conditions Predisposing to Premature Osteoarthritis: Pediatric Imaging

Understanding hip joint embryology and development and recognizing the key imaging features of juvenile prearthritic hip conditions, including developmental hip abnormalities and acquired pediatric hip abnormalities, can provide valuable diagnostic information and affect patient treatment. An earlier incorrect version of the digital presentation appeared online. This digital presentation was corrected on December 21, 2017.
The effects of tenure and promotion on surgeon productivity.

Abstract Background Studies investigating the impact of promotion and tenure on surgeon productivity are lacking. The aim of this study is to elucidate the relationship of promotion and tenure to surgeon productivity. Methods We reviewed data for the Department of Surgery at our institution. Relative value units (RVUs) billed per year, publications per year, and grant funding per year were used to assess productivity from 2010 to 2016. We analyzed tenure-track (TT) and non–tenure-track (NT) surgeons and compared the productivity within these groups by rank: assistant professor (ASST), associate professor (ASSOC), and full professor (FULL). Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to assess significance and relationships between the groups. Results A TT faculty was promoted if they produced more research, with the highest publication rates in TT FULL. TT faculty publishing rates increased from ASST to ASSOC (1 versus 2, P = 0.006) and from ASSOC to FULL (2 versus 4, P Conclusions Tenure and nontenure pathways appear to appropriately incentivize surgical faculty over the course of their advancement. TT FULL has the highest research production and grant funding, whereas NT FULL has the highest clinical production.
Can Alabama Handle the Truth (in Sentencing)

This Essay examines truth in sentencing, discusses its strengths and weaknesses, and analyzes what it will mean for Alabama. The piece neither seeks to support or oppose the existing legislative mandate to adopt truth in sentencing in Alabama. Rather, the Essay seeks to shed light on the issues, induce a healthy dialogue, and encourage the involved parties to garner a broad base of knowledge, carefully deliberate, properly design Alabama's truth-in-sentencing scheme, and ensure that the state has built the necessary infrastructure to support truth in sentencing. Otherwise, adopting any truth-in-sentencing scheme would be imprudent. The Essay also examines Alabama past and present sentencing models and reports on the Sentencing Commission's voluntary sentencing guidelines presently used in the state as well as the challenges it faces in developing a truth-in-sentencing scheme in compliance the existing legislative mandate.
Metastatic Disease of the Cervical Spine

Metastatic spine tumors occur in 5 to 10% of all cancer patients (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). Cervical spine involvement is relatively uncommon, accounting for less than 10% of all spinal metastases (6,7,9,10). The most prevalent tumors are lung, breast, prostate, kidney, and thyroid (2,3,11, 12, 13). Most patients presenting with cervical spine tumors generally have extra-cervical and extra-spinal sites of disease at presentation (6). Radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination, are the primary treatment modalities for cervical spine tumors. Treatment decisions are based primarily on the segmental level of cervical spine involvement, radio-sensitivity of the tumor, presence of mechanical instability, and prior treatment.
From mummies to modern man: genomic research to advance human heredity and health.

From Otzi, the Tyrolean Iceman, to the royal mummies of pharaohs Akhenaten and Tutankhamun, genetic and genomic analyses of ancient deoxyribonucleic acid have shed light on the social and environmental influences on life and longevity, population dynamics, migratory patterns, dietary habits, putative and actual causes of death, and the susceptibility to congenital and acquired diseases during life more than 5,000 years ago [1–3]. For example, detailed analysis of the Otzi genome demonstrated the presence of several single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, sudden cardiac death, and general atherosclerosis [4]. The full impact and clinical manifestations of these genetic variants were likely not experienced because of the short life expectancy at that time. Several articles in this issue of Global Heart on mummies provide intriguing details on the value of genomic analyses and correlates in atherosclerosis and other diseases in ancient humans. [5–10] For modern man, genomic analyses can also provide a unique opportunity to further explore gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that have the potential to greatly inform the prevention, detection, diagnostic valuation, treatment, and control of heritable diseases and traits. In particular, the current ability to link genetic variation to disease susceptibility, at least in rare variants and Mendelian disorders, provides an opportunity for genetic counseling and appropriate behavioral and lifestyle interventions to reduce the risk of specific diseases. However, more is known today about the genomes of Akhenaten, Tutankhamun, and their pharaonic lineage that lived more than 3,500 years ago than those of present-day Egyptians. Additionally, biomedical research in genetics and genomics involving African scientists has been limited [11]. Considering that modern human populations originated in Africa, and that genetic diversity is most profound on that continent, much can be gained by investments in this arena. This perspective presents investments made by the U.S National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.K.-based Wellcome Trust to advance the field of human heredity and health in Africa.
Thin Edge of Barbwire: Pedagogical Strategies Against Borders

“Thin Edge of Barbwire,” a reference to Gloria Anzaldua’s poetry, doubles as the title of this paper and a collaborative art project undertaken by university art students resulting in the creation of a 30’ wall. This project was, in effect, a response to the Trump presidency and students’ fear of increased violence on the border. This paper describes in detail the month-long unit that included readings, dialog, and creative responses to recent histories of the border and students’ personal relationship to violence on the border. I use the project as a case study to consider antiracist pedagogies, confronting white-supremacy in the classroom, and successes and failures of the project. Finally, I reflect broadly on the role of creative and artistic response to political crises.
Immigrants’ Use of eHealth Services in the United States, National Health Interview Survey, 2011-2015

Objectives:Little is known about the use of electronic health (eHealth) services supported by information technology in the United States among immigrants, a group that faces barriers in accessing ...
Time Series Chain Graph for Reliability Covariate Modelling

In realistic applications, based on periodic or continuous monitoring, knowledge about system operating state and degree of degradation measured by some diagnostic variables as well as operating conditions have effect on the estimation of system remaining useful life (RUL) and planning of maintenance activities. On the other hand, the time series chain graph extends the directed graph by relating variables to each other over adjacent time steps. In this paper, by considering multiple external factors and multi-sensor based monitoring, the system degradation is modelled based on time series chain graph and the RUL is estimated using the proposed method.
Abstract P4-10-02: Impact of raloxifene adherence in breast cancer risk

BACKGROUND: Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has demonstrated to reduce breast cancer risk and reduce the incidence of vertebral fractures. Based on these effects, raloxifene is used as a risk reduction agent and to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Little is known about the raloxifene adherence rates or the relationship between adherence and breast cancer incidence. METHODS: Women 60 years or older without a breast cancer history were identified in the MarketScan database (2008-2015). We identified women who received raloxifene by searching for prescription claims. Proportion of days covered (PDC) were calculated, adherence was defined as a PDC >80% in the first year after initial prescription claim. We identified factors associated with adherence. ICD-9 codes were used to identify incident cases of invasive breast cancer and cumulative incidence rates were calculated. A multivariable Cox model with propensity score method (matching variables included year of claim, age, comorbidities and family history of breast cancer) was used to evaluate the association between raloxifene adherence and breast cancer risk. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: A total of 16,179 women were included in the analysis. We identified that during the first year of treatment 6,716 (40.2%) women had a PDC >80% and thus were considered to be adherent. Factors associated with increased adherence included the use of generic drug, mail order of 90 days supply and family history of breast cancer (all p CONCLUSIONS: Among women 60 years of age or older receiving raloxifene, adherence to therapy was associated with lower risk of invasive breast cancer. Efforts to ensure adherence and compliance are crucial so patients can receive full benefit from this therapy. Citation Format: Chavez-MacGregor M, Lei X, Zhao H, Bevers TB, Brewster A, Giordano SH. Impact of raloxifene adherence in breast cancer risk [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-10-02.
Molecular changes associated with vascular malformations

Abstract Vascular anomalies are typically classified into two major categories, vascular tumors and vascular malformations. Most vascular malformations are caused sporadically by somatic mosaic gene mutations, and genetic analyses have advanced our understanding of the biomolecular mechanisms involved in their pathogenesis. Culprit gene mutations typically involve two major signaling pathways; the RAS/MAPK/ERK pathway is typically involved in fast-flow arteriovenous malformations, whereas the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is typically mutated in slow-flow venous and lymphatic malformations. These findings suggest new therapeutic approaches to vascular malformations, focusing on targeting the etiologic mutated pathways. This review summarizes the currently available literature reflecting the updated International Society for Study of Vascular Anomalies classification system with emphasis on potential therapeutic targets that will provide vascular surgeons with an updated perspective on the etiologic basis of vascular malformations, allowing improved multidisciplinary collaboration.
High throughput performance-based selection and expansion of clonal progenitor populations resident in human articular cartilage to characterize sub-populations for effective cartilage stem cell therapies

Background & Aim Enormous heterogeneity in autogenous tissue sources of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with respect to the quantity and quality of the stem and progenitor cells that serve as the starting materials for cellular therapeutics limits delivery of safe, effective and reliable cellular therapies. The goal of this study is to identify the subset of the progenitors with systematically characterized critical quality attributes (CQAs) that can be selectively expanded to obtain clonal cell populations with better quality and reproducibility that can help improve stem cell therapies. Methods, Results & Conclusion Articular cartilage (Outerbridge grade 1-2) obtained from six knee arthroplasty patient's were enzymatically digested to isolate cells for 2-D cell culture assay. Large field of view images were acquired daily to capture images of the progenitors and their progeny for standardized ASTM-based automated image analysis to define and quantify CQAs of the stem/progenitor cells. Based on the CQAs identified, 24 clonal populations from each patient were picked using Cell XTMrobotic device in rapid, precise, repeatable and rigorously documented manner. Of the 24 clonal colonies, twelve fastest growing clones were expanded to 20 doublings for trilineage differentiation assay and RNA sequencing analysis. Preliminary assessment indicated wide variation in morphological and biological characteristics of progenitor and their progeny: circularity (median: 0.665; range:0.15-0.93), area (median: 116.4µm2; range:51.9-204.2µm2), doubling time (median:32.9h; rangse:26.9-41.2h) and colony density (median:6.5%;range:2.3-20.7%). Differences seen between two representative clonal populations with respect to the trilineage differentiation potential and gene expression seen at 20 doublings is shown in Figure 1 and 2 respectively. A complete detailed assessment of all the clonal populations and their culture-expanded population (n=72) will help us identify the CQAs that will aid in selection of quality clones. An improved understanding of the heterogeneity of progenitor cells resident in adult cartilage will also improve the rigor of cell sourcing and targeting decisions for pharmacological and cellular therapies. The automated methods for rapid and high precision analysis and management of cell populations that we have built into Cell X™ represent an important advancement in the tools that are available in the field for stem cell research and manufacturing.
Statistical properties of Multiscale Regression Analysis: Simulation and application to human postural control

Abstract Multiscale Regression Analysis (MRA) is a promising new tool for the analysis of bivariate time series that is based on Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. The method was developed within the economics and environmental science literatures (Kristoufek, 2015, 2018; Kristoufek and Ferreira, 2018) and is beginning to be applied in other scientific domains. To date, however, no systematic studies have investigated the behavior of the estimator with respect to short time series. This paper fills that gap by assessing the performance of the MRA estimator using time series with varying length, distribution, and structure (e.g., autocorrelation, stationarity). Simulations show that MRA performs well under many circumstances with as few as 512 observations. Linear and quadratic time trends contribute considerable systematic bias; however, using a detrending polynomial of order ≥ 2 effectively attenuates time trend associated deviations from expected values. We apply MRA to a previously published dataset in order to explore the relationship that emerges between body segments during an act of quiet standing. Results suggest that the velocity of the hip asymptotically depends on velocity of the ankle. In contrast, ankle velocity was a much weaker predictor of shoulder velocity. We conclude by providing suggestions for best practice and future model development.
Citywide Impacts of E-Commerce: Does Parcel Delivery Travel Outweigh Household Shopping Travel Reductions?

E-commerce has facilitated online ordering of goods by households in recent years. This technological advancement has disrupted shopping related transportation. While the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS [1]) finds that household shopping frequency has declined in the last 10-20 years, deliveries by parcel delivery trucks and vans [2] have increased. However, the net effect of these phenomena on overall trip making, vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) and fuel consumption has not been quantified. From a regional planning perspective, understanding the net effect is important for informing city policies--for example, in regards to land use and transportation planning. The objective of this research is to address this gap. In this study, the net regional impact of e-commerce on transportation and fuel consumption is evaluated. The approach relies on a powerful, agent-based modeling framework (POLARIS [3]) that models decisions made by individual household and commercial agents. E-commerce demand is modeled for each household using a bilevel multinomial probit structure that evaluates e-commerce participation and ordering frequency. Last-mile delivery tours were constructed using GIS-based tools and information from a major parcel delivery company [4]. After integrating the resulting supply and demand models with all other passenger and commercial traffic within POLARIS, a traffic simulation was performed and subsequently VMT and energy consumption were analyzed. The study finds that while e-commerce has generated an increase in parcel truck delivery trips, the net effect of e-commerce is a reduction in VMT and fuel consumption due major reductions in these quantities via shopping trip reductions.
An Asynchronous MPGA THx2 Cell and Architecture for Mitigating Side-Channel Attacks

To mitigate side-channel attacks (SCAs), we propose a unique mask programmable gate array (MPGA) based on a new THx2 threshold cell. MPGAs require a base cell that is a complete set of logic so that it can be wired together to form any digital system. To meet that criteria, we take advantage of CMOS transistors to implement a single THx2 threshold cell capable of performing both TH12 and TH22 asynchronous operations. To maintain a continuous diffusion region and minimize area in the THx2 cell, we present optimal Euler circuits with common nodes for both the TH12 and TH22 modes of THx2. Our unique THx2 implementation makes it possible to form a complete set of asynchronous threshold gates and a complete set of standard combinational logic functions. We describe the operation of the THx2 cell, show how THx2 forms a complete set of logic, show a minimum sized layout topology for THx2 cells, and show how other threshold functions and logic gates are created using the THx2 cell. It should be noted that our THx2 cell is suitable for MOSFET or FinFET implementation, is Trojan proof, and can take advantage of split manufacturing as an added safeguard against tampering.
Volar Cortical Integrity in Non-Operatively Treated Adult Distal Radius Fractures.

Background: We sought to independently validate published data that volar cortical integrity (VCI) is an independent predictor of maintenance of closed reduction in a series of non-surgically treat...
Associations between practice patterns and dental education in special care dentistry

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to determine whether alumni who completed training in the Center for Patients with Special Needs (CPSN) feel more prepared and treat more patients with special healthcare needs (SHCN) than alumni who completed training prior to the establishment of the Center (pre-CPSN). METHODS Alumni graduating in 2000-2017 from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine (Pitt Dental Medicine) completed a survey addressing how well their dental school training prepared them to treat patients with SHCN and their current practice patterns as dental professionals. Alumni completed self-reported questionnaires online or on paper by mail. RESULTS The authors obtained a 16% response rate (N = 209; nPre-CPSN = 75; nCPSN = 134). Compared with the pre-CPSN alumni, CPSN alumni reported feeling more prepared in all 12 skills surveyed (t = 4.86, P < 0.05). There was a 0.85-point difference between groups, on average, across the 12 skills. However, CPSN alumni were no more likely to treat individuals with SHCN than the pre-CPSN alumni. CONCLUSIONS Information obtained from this survey supports the hypothesis that experience is associated with perceptions of preparedness and raises new questions about factors associated with deciding whether to treat or refer. This information may inform schools of the amount of training necessary to reach preparedness goals.
Evaluation of the Structure Factor of Cuprite and Bonding Chracterisitcs

Cu2O is a semiconductor with a band gap of 2.17eV, and its crystal structure is simple cubic. Oxygen atoms form a bcc structure and each oxygen atom is tetrahedrally coordinated by copper atoms, which makes copper linearly coordinated by two oxygen atoms. The structure of cuprite is interesting because the charge state of Cu and oxygen. The most common charge states of Cu is 2+, however, in cuprite for each oxygen there are two Cu atoms which suggest a 1+ charge state of Cu. Charge density of Cu and oxygen are also interesting because of the high Tc superconductors based on copper and oxygen planes and chains. The superconductivity is believed due to the different charge states of copper and/or oxygen in the Cu-oxygen planes due to the doping or oxygen deficiency. by studying the naturally occurring charge states of Cu in Cu2O and CuO, a better understanding of the relationship between structure and bonding can be achieved for the important copper oxides.
Optogenetic Control of Calcium Signaling over Individual Cells with a Micro-LED Array

We report a 16 μm-pitched micro-LED array that enables single-cell optogenetics with in vitro calcium imaging. Our LEDs can output bright, localized light to optogenetically address cells that are sub-10 μm apart with low crosstalk.
In older patients with AF, low-dose edoxaban reduced stroke or systemic embolism without increasing major bleeding.

SOURCE CITATION Okumura K, Akao M, Yoshida T, et al. Low-dose edoxaban in very elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2020;383:1735-45. 32865374.
Visual diagnostics of an explainer model: Tools for the assessment of LIME explanations

Abstract The importance of providing explanations for predictions made by black‐box models has led to the development of explainer model methods such as LIME (local interpretable model‐agnostic exp...
Multi-Level Damage Detection Using Octree Partitioning Algorithm

This research proposes a damage detection methodology that takes advantages of full-field sensing of structural elements via 3D digital image correlation (3D-DIC) within a new optimization algorithm. To get a unique solution for a finite element model updating problem in detecting internal properties of a structure by topology optimization method, a novel strategy is proposed termed as octree partitioning algorithm (OPA). Damage detection is attained using minimizing a defined objective function of residuals between the observed and corresponding mimicked responses, resulting in the identification of the underlying material distribution. This brief paper explores this concept through a case study on a series of small structural test specimens with fabricated damage on the specimens. The results show that the proposed OPA has capability of tuning the initial model to find the ideal partition configuration for the proposed model updating process.
Iron Status and Dietary Patterns of Collegiate Female Distance Runners

Introduction: Iron is in oxygen transport which is important for athletic performance. Many female distance runners struggle to maintain adequate iron status through diet alone and rely on iron supplementation. Methods: Interviews were conducted with eight members of the Women’s Cross Country team at a Division I university to assess dietary patterns and behaviors related to iron status. This information, along with food records and serum ferritin levels, were analyzed qualitatively for trends with a focus on iron intake, total energy intake, and food components that enhance and inhibit iron absorption. Results: All participants took an iron supplement at the time of the study. All but one had experienced poor iron status currently or in the past. Most participants did not meet dietary iron, Vitamin E, or estimated energy requirements. Half of the participants expressed an attempt to increase iron intake in response to higher training loads. Half attempted to increase intake in response to a low ferritin result or iron deficiency symptoms. Conclusions: Consistently low energy and iron intake among participants indicated the likelihood of a relationship with poor iron status and/or reliance on supplementation. The most common motivation for increasing iron intake was the prevention of symptoms.
Implementation of a Integrated Program in Human Biology

Bastyr University launched a new undergraduate program in integrated human biology in 2012. The curriculum is a progressive, premedical curriculum that was created in response to initiatives to imp...
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates is often difficult to diagnose in “real time” at the bedside because of the variety of disorders that can cause neonatal seizures and other nonspecific signs of encephalopathy. Standard interventions to support respiratory and cardiovascular disorders associated with HIE are appropriate, but none has been demonstrated to alter neurologic outcome. Anticonvulsants are indicated when seizures are observed, although they are considered a sign of HIE rather than a cause of injury. There is overwhelming evidence that the excitotoxic cascade that evolves during HIE extends over several days after the insult and is modifiable. Clinical trials of potentially neuroprotective interventions such as hypothermia are under way.
Comparative Study of MacCormack and TVD MacCormack Schemes for Three-Dimensional Separation at Wing/Body Junctions in Supersonic Flows

A robust, discontinuity-resolving TVD MacCormack scheme containing no dependent parameters requiring adjustment is presently used to investigate the 3D separation of wing/body junction flows at supersonic speeds. Many production codes employing MacCormack schemes can be adapted to use this method. A numerical simulation of laminar supersonic junction flow is found to yield improved separation location predictions, as well as the axial velocity profiles in the separated flow region.
Legionella pneumophila serogroup Lansing 3 isolated from a patient with fatal pneumonia, and descriptions of L. pneumophila subsp. pneumophila subsp. nov., L. pneumophila subsp. fraseri subsp. nov., and L. pneumophila subsp. pascullei subsp. nov

Previous DNA relatedness and enzyme electrophoretic mobility studies indicated heterogeneity among strains of Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1, 4, 5, and Lansing 3 (a new, as yet unnumbered serogroup). In this study 60 L. pneumophila strains were studied by DNA hybridization (hydroxyapatite method) to assess their genomic relatedness. These strains were also studied biochemically and serologically to determine whether they formed one or more phenotypic groups. DNA relatedness studies identified three groups. DNA group 1 contained the type strain Philadelphia 1 and strains from serogroups 1 through 14 of L. pneumophila. The average relatedness of DNA group 1 strains was 88% at 60 degrees C with 1.1% divergence in related sequences and 85% at 75 degrees C. DNA group 2 contained strain Los Angeles 1, the reference strain of serogroup 4, and strains of serogroups 1, 4, 5, and Lansing 3, an unnumbered serogroup. Average relatedness of DNA group 2 strains was 84% at 60 degrees C with 0.7% divergence and 87% at 75 degrees C. Reciprocal relatedness of DNA groups 1 and 2 was approximately 67% at 60 degrees C with 6.0% divergence and 48% at 75 degrees C. DNA group 3 strains were in serogroup 5. They were 98% related at 60 degrees C with 0.5% divergence and 97% related at 75 degrees C. Reciprocal relatedness of DNA group 3 and DNA group 1 was approximately 74% at 60 degrees C with 5.3% divergence and 43% at 75 degrees C, and reciprocal relatedness of DNA groups 3 and 2 was 66% at 60 degrees C with 5.7% divergence and 55% at 75 degrees C. The DNA groups could not be separated biochemically or serologically or by cell wall fatty acid and isoprenoid quinone composition. Three subspecies of L. pneumophila are proposed to accommodate the three DNA groups: L. pneumophila subsp. pneumophila subsp. nov. for DNA group 1, L. pneumophila subsp. fraseri subsp. nov. for DNA group 2, and pneumophila subsp. pascullei subsp. nov. for DNA group 3.
Community-based Research on the Effects of the Financial Crisis on Community Service Organizations in Adams County, PA:

As a result of the financial crisis, several Adams County community service organizations went unfunded for three months in the summer and fall of 2009. Representatives of the community service organizations and Gettysburg College collaborated on this project to document the effects of that lack of funding. Community service organizations cut programs and staff and extended credit. Community partners stepped in to provide basic funding. Increased community cohesion resulted, as did increased awareness of community needs.
Nanolithography: Towards Fabrication of Nanodevices for Life Sciences

The sections in this article are Introduction: Engineering Surfaces at the Nanoscale Immobilization of Biomolecules for Surface Assays Strategies for Linking Proteins to Surfaces Electrostatic Immobilization Covalent Immobilization Molecular Recognition and Specific Interactions Nonspecific Physical Adsorption to Surfaces SAM Chemistry Methods for Nanolithography with Proteins Bias-induced Nanolithography of SAMs Force-induced Nanolithography of SAMs DPN of SAMs and Proteins Latex Particle Lithography with Proteins Detection of Protein Binding at the Nanoscale Future Directions Advantages of Nanoscale Detection Development of Cantilever Arrays Concluding Remarks
A comparison of recommendations for pharmacologic thromboembolism prophylaxis after caesarean delivery from three major guidelines.

Objective Guidelines for pharmacologic obstetric venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis from the American Congress of Obstetricians (ACOG), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and the American College of Chest Physicians (Chest) vary significantly. The objective of this study was to determine the practical implications of these recommendations in terms of prophylaxis rates for a tertiary obstetric population. Study design Cross-sectional. Setting Tertiary referral hospital. Population Patients post-operative day 1 after caesarean delivery. Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated rates of pharmacologic prophylaxis for women based on RCOG, ACOG, and Chest recommendations. Medical, obstetric, and demographic risk factors for thromboembolism were reviewed for individual patients. Rates of prophylaxis based on each of the guidelines with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Outcome measure Recommended pharmacologic prophylaxis. Results About 293 patients were included in the analysis. Under RCOG guidelines, 85.0% of patients would receive post-caesarean pharmacologic prophylaxis [95% confidence interval (CI) 80.5–88.6%] compared with 1.0% of patients under ACOG guidelines (95% CI 0.3–3.0%) and 34.8% of patients under Chest guidelines (95% CI 29.6–40.4%). Caesarean during labour, obesity, advanced maternal age, pre-eclampsia, and multiple gestation were among the most commonrisk factors. Conclusion Recommended prophylaxis differed significantly. Under ACOG recommendations a small minority of patients would receive prophylaxis, whereas under RCOG recommendations a large majority of patients would receive low-molecular-weight heparin. Given the large differences in prophylaxis rates for post-caesarean thromboprophylaxis based on different guidelines, further research is urgently needed to compare the risks and benefits of recommendations. Tweetable Abstract Recommendations from major society guidelines for post-caesarean thromboprophylaxis differ greatly.
Fungicidal and fungistatic evaluation of certain phenols and surface-active agents.

The antifungal activity of a series of phenolic chemicals and a number of surface-active agents is presented as determined on Trichophyton mentagrophytes, using 95 per cent ethanol as solvent. 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol and laurylpyridinium chloride appeared to be the most active of the compounds tested and are suggested as being worthy of clinical investigation in the therapy of tinea pedis.
Field effect transistors based on semiconductive microbially synthesized chalcogenide nanofibers.

Abstract Microbial redox activity offers a potentially transformative approach to the low-temperature synthesis of nanostructured inorganic materials. Diverse strains of the dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria Shewanella are known to produce photoactive filamentous arsenic sulfide nanomaterials by reducing arsenate and thiosulfate in anaerobic culture conditions. Here we report in situ microscopic observations and measure the thermally activated (79 kJ mol−1) precipitation kinetics of high yield (504 mg per liter of culture, 82% of theoretical maximum) extracellular As2S3 nanofibers produced by Shewanella sp. strain ANA-3, and demonstrate their potential in functional devices by constructing field effect transistors (FETs) based on individual nanofibers. The use of strain ANA-3, which possesses both respiratory and detoxification arsenic reductases, resulted in significantly faster nanofiber synthesis than other strains previously tested, mutants of ANA-3 deficient in arsenic reduction, and when compared to abiotic arsenic sulfide precipitation from As(III) and S2−. Detailed characterization by electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis and Tauc analysis of UV-vis spectrophotometry showed the biogenic precipitate to consist primarily of amorphous As2S3 nanofibers with an indirect optical band gap of 2.37 eV. X-ray diffraction also revealed the presence of crystalline As8S9-x minerals that, until recently, were thought to form only at higher temperatures and under hydrothermal conditions. The nanoscale FETs enabled a detailed characterization of the charge mobility (∼10−5 cm2 V−1 s−1) and gating behavior of the heterogeneously doped nanofibers. These studies indicate that the biotransformation of metalloids and chalcogens by bacteria enables fast, efficient, sustainable synthesis of technologically relevant chalcogenides for potential electronic and optoelectronic applications.
The Cutaneous "Rabbit": A Perceptual Illusion

Anomalous localizations of mechanical and electrical cutaneous pulses are produced when widely separated bodily points are successively stimulated with trains of taps. The observer experiences a manifold of discrete "phantom" impressions connecting the points actually touched. The theoretical basis for this perceptual phenomenon is not understood, but some boundary conditions are specified.
Creative process and performance practice of interactive computer music: a performer's tale

I have had a major interest in the performance practice issues in electronic and interactive systems over the years (see, for example, Kimura 1996). As a performer/composer often presenting pieces from the classical and other contemporary acoustic violin literature in traditional settings along with electronic works, and also as a teacher of interactive computer music performance at a conservatory where my students include highly trained performers, performance practice issues in computer music come up very frequently in association with the creative process. I tend to focus on creating MaxMSP patches that address a particular musical context or situation, rather than creating an elaborate versatile and reusable MaxMSP patch and then using that patch in a particular way to make music. This paper describes a few examples of my interest in this area: (i) System Aspects: Performance Practice Issues and Room Acoustics; (ii) ‘Pragmatic’ Programming and Performance of Interactive Music; and (iii) Creative Process and Interactive Computer Music.
Interferometer Errors Due to the Presence of Fringes

Phase-shifting interferometry permits analysis of complex interferograms. However, the measurement accuracy is reduced as the number of fringes is increased. The wave-front from a defocused spherical surface is used to demonstrate this degradation for several different transmission reference objectives.
Soil erosion: data say C sink.

In the letter “Soil erosion: a carbon sink or source?” (R. Lal and D. Pimentel, 22 February, p. [1040][1]) and in its Response (K. Van Oost et al. , 22 February, p. 1042), the authors note that soil erosion is a serious threat to land health. Nevertheless, evidence points toward a carbon (C)
VENA CAVAL TRANSECTION DURING RETROPERITONEOSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY: REPORT OF THE COMPLICATION AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

ABSTRACTPurpose: Major vascular injuries are uncommon but serious complications of laparoscopic surgery. Early recognition and conversion to an open procedure may be required to avoid further compl...
Molecular strategies to study Plasmodium–mosquito interactions

Abstract It is widely known that malaria kills millions of people every year. Less well recognized is the fact that the situation is steadily deteriorating for a lack of effective means to counter the disease. An essential first step towards the development of new approaches to fight malaria is a thorough understanding of the mechanisms that direct parasite growth and differentiation, including parasite–host interactions. This article reviews recent achievements and introduces some promising new technologies and approaches for studying host–parasite interactions.