cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glucose-Induced Cyclic-AMP Oscillations: Modeling Incretin Impact on Pancreatic Beta Cell Secretion

Pancreatic beta cells modulate insulin secretion via incretin-induced amplification pathways of cytosolic calcium (Ca2+)-induced exocytosis, which may be help compensate for reduced insulin sensitivity in Type II Diabetes Mellitus. One modulator is cAMP, which is activated by an incretin-triggered Gs protein cascade and sensitive to glucose levels. Interestingly, cAMP is found to be oscillatory, even in cases where Ca2+ is not, providing a possible mechanism for pulstile insulin secretion in the absence of Ca2+ oscillations. When Ca2+ and cAMP both oscillate, the two may be either in-phase or out-of-phase with one another. To understand the cAMP oscillations and their relationship to Ca2+ oscillations we use mathematical modeling. We model the cAMP production sensitivity to glucose metabolism with AMP sensitive adenylyl cyclases and degradation with Ca2+ sensitive phosphodiesterases. These modest additions to the Dual Oscillator Model for beta cells allow us to capture observed relationships between cAMP and Ca2+. This provides further evidence for metabolic oscillations in beta-cells that are affected by, but that do not require, oscillations in Ca2+.
A GIS-based Methodology Toward Refining the Concept of Rural Food Deserts: A Case Study from Rutland County, Vermont

There is generally consensus regarding the methodology used to identify and visualize food deserts in urban centers, and to a lesser extent those in rural communities. The primary factor in food desert mapping, however, is distance to food provider without regard for the nutritional value of the food itself. The purpose of this paper is to offer a broader approach toward refining the food desert concept by incorporating a qualitative ranking of food providers based on the likelihood that they offer healthier food options. We apply this technique to Rutland County in rural Vermont by incorporating traditional grocery stores, supermarkets, big-box stores, general stores, and gas stations, and also including smaller food providers such as farmers' markets, co-ops, farm stands, and community supported agriculture operations. This approach could shift the methodology of identifying food deserts away from just using driving time and distance traveled to food providers meeting a minimum square footage. We propose a methodology that calculates distance to different types of food providers that also evaluates whether consumers have access to healthier food options.
Research of influence of ABA upon Populus tomentosa anti-frozen

Growth of Populus tomentosa water cultivation with abscisic acid solutions were studied by orthognal experiment under two kinds of low temperature conditions.Through the electric conductivity method,the optimum water cultivation condition like 30umol/L ABA,cultivated for 2h under no light was better for its growth.The effects of concentrations of ABA,periods of cultivation and light conditions upon plant anti-frozen were also studied.
Relationship of heparin binding with computer-analyzed physical traits of human sperm.

The objective of this study was to determine whether heparin affinity or the concentration of binding sites was related to sperm traits analyzed by a routine computerized semen analysis in human males requesting infertility evaluations. Saturation of heparin binding sites on sperm was achieved in 36 of 50 samples analyzed so that accurate estimates of dissociation constants (Kd) and binding site concentrations could be made. A broad range in Kds (18.2 to 284.5 nM/ μ g deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA]) and binding site concentrations (2.70 to 44.77 nM/ μg DNA) was found. The binding affinity of sperm for heparin was significantly correlated with concentrations of cells in the ejaculate ( r =0.56), concentrations of motile sperm ( r =0.51), percentage of motile sperm ( r =0.33), and total numbers of ejaculated sperm ( r =0.37). The concentration of heparin binding sites also was correlated with concentration of cells in the ejaculate ( r =0.60), concentration of motile sperm ( r =0.50), percentage of motile sperm ( r =0.40), and total number of ejaculated sperm ( r =0.49).
Vestibular dysfunction in the adult CBA/CaJ mouse after lead and cadmium treatment.

Objectives The vestibular system allows the perception of position and motion and its dysfunction presents as motion impairment, vertigo and balance abnormalities, leading to debilitating psychological discomfort and difficulty performing daily tasks. Although declines and deficits in vestibular function have been noted in rats exposed to lead (Pb) and in humans exposed to Pb and cadmium (Cd), no studies have directly examined the pathological and pathophysiological effects upon the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear. Methods Eighteen young adult mice were exposed through their drinking water (3 mM Pb, 300 µM Cd, or a control treatment) for 10 weeks. Before and after treatment, they underwent a vestibular assessment, consisting of a rotarod performance test and a novel head stability test to measure the vestibulocolic reflex. At the conclusion of the study, the utricles were analyzed immunohistologically for condition of hair cells and nerve fibers. Results Increased levels of Pb exposure correlated with decreased head stability in space; no significant decline in performance on rotarod test was found. No damage to the hair cells or the nerve fibers of the utricle was observed in histology. Conclusions The young adult CBA/CaJ mouse is able to tolerate occupationally-relevant Pb and Cd exposure well, but the correlation between Pb exposure and reduced head stability suggests that Pb exposure causes a decline in vestibular function. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 869-876, 2017.
Postoperative Radiotherapy for Patients with Carcinoma of the Prostate Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy with Positive Surgical Margins, Seminal Vesicle Involvement and/or Penetration Through the Capsule

AbstractBetween 1970 and 1983, 442 patients were treated for carcinoma of the prostate at our university medical center. Of the patients 319 underwent radical prostatectomy and 159 (50 per cent) had positive surgical margins and/or seminal vesicle involvement. Of these 159 patients 46 received postoperative irradiation and the actuarial survival was 96, 90 and 90 per cent at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Among the remaining 113 patients who were treated with an operation alone the corresponding figures were 82, 62 and 21 per cent, respectively (p equals 0.02). Considering deaths only of cancer, the surgery only patients had a 15-year actuarial survival of 25 per cent compared to 90 per cent for those who underwent postoperative radiotherapy (p equals 0.07). Actuarial survival free of disease for the surgery plus postoperative irradiation group at 15 years was 40 per cent compared to 28 per cent for the surgery only group (p equals 0.34). Actuarial local control in the irradiated patients was 96 per ce...
An opportunistic wireless charging system design for an on-demand shuttle service

System right-sizing is critical to implementation of in-motion wireless power transfer (WPT) for electric vehicles. This study introduces a modeling tool, WPTSim, which uses one-second speed, location, and road grade data from an on-demand employee shuttle in operation to simulate the incorporation of WPT at fine granularity. Vehicle power and state of charge are simulated over the drive cycle to evaluate potential system designs. The required battery capacity is determined based on the rated power at a variable number of charging locations. Adding just one WPT location can more than halve the battery capacity needed. Many configurations are capable of being self sustaining with WPT, while others benefit from supplemental stationary charging.
Preamble—Peircean Habit Explored: Before, During, After; and Beneath, Behind, Beyond

Charles Sanders Peirce, far more than any scholar in recent centuries in the West, devoted much of his productive life to probing the idea of and behavior of “habit”. In order to do so, he both narrowed and widened his focus on the notion. Otherwise an ordinary term in quotidian use in English, habit suggests regularity, usually pertaining to individual human behavior—but Peirce also focused on habit’s utility for understanding behavior beyond the human, and even processes beyond the organic world. In pursuit of refining and operationalizing habit, Peirce drew on any number of disciplines, close to and far from his expertise—these spanning from logic/philosophy, biology and psychology to theology and cosmology. Peirce’s foundational work on habit continues to be irresistible for contemporary humanities scholars, social scientists, scientists, and for practitioners beyond the academy diagnosing the ills of self and society, as Peirce’s oeuvre in its infra-dialectical form (frequently in fragmentary paragraphs), cannot be satisfactorily appreciated through any rear-view mirror. Rather, one might say that, in recognizing the habits behind habits and habit-change—whether confirming them through belief or challenging them through doubt—Peirce still invites us to permute, expand, contest, and refine his explorations of a century ago.
Active sensing in complex multiagent environments

In this research, we focus on active sensing solutions to address challenging properties in complex environments, such as uncertainty, partial observability, non-stationarity, and limited resources. We describe our ongoing contributions, focusing on sensing for both individual agents and cooperating teams. We also outline how we are applying our research to two real-world applications: personal assistants and intelligent survey systems.
Choosing Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants: Practical Considerations We Need to Know

Background: Warfarin is a well-established agent for use in the prevention of stroke or systemic embolic event (SEE) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, management of patients requiring oral anticoagulation with warfarin can be complicated by the need for frequent monitoring, drug-drug and drug-food interactions, and a variable response based on genetic polymorphisms. The non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were developed as alternatives to warfarin; they do not require routine monitoring and have predictable pharmacokinetics, fewer drug-drug interactions, and limited drug-food interactions. Four NOACs—dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban—have received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of stroke or SEE in NVAF and for the treatment of VTE. Selecting the most appropriate agent for each patient should be done in consideration of patient preferences and characteristics, including renal function, bleeding risk, and the need for other medications. Methods: A search was performed on the terms atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism with individual terms dabigatran, apixaban, edoxaban, or rivaroxaban to identify relevant manuscripts; large randomized clinical trials, metaanalyses, and treatment guideline recommendations were given preference. Searches to identify registries, treatment guidelines, and metaanalyses relevant to specific subgroups were also used. Results: NOACs are effective in reducing the risk of stroke or SEE in patients with NVAF and are associated with fewer incidents of intracranial bleeding vs warfarin. Conclusion: NOACs provide a convenient and safe alternative to warfarin and may result in improved therapeutic outcomes for patients with NVAF or VTE. The use of NOACs in other indications and patient populations is under investigation, and clinical trials investigating their use in acute coronary syndrome, medically ill patients, percutaneous coronary intervention, cardioversion, catheter ablation, coronary arterial disease, and heart failure have been announced.
Bayesian spectral analysis of chorus subelements from the Van Allen Probes

We develop a Bayesian spectral analysis technique that calculates the probability distribution functions of a superposition of wave modes each described by a linear growth rate, a frequency, and a chirp rate. The Bayesian framework has a number of advantages, including (1) reducing the parameter space by integrating over the amplitude and phase of the wave, (2) incorporating the data from each channel to determine the model parameters such as frequency which leads to high-resolution results in frequency and time, (3) the ability to consider the superposition of waves where the wave parameters are closely spaced, (4) the ability to directly calculate the expectation value of wave parameters without resorting to ensemble averages, and (5) the ability to calculate error bars on model parameters. We examine one rising-tone chorus element in detail from a disturbed time on 14 November 2012 using burst mode waveform data of the three components of the electric and magnetic field from the EMFISIS instrument on board NASA's Van Allen Probes. The results demonstrate that subelements are likely composed of almost linear waves that are nearly parallel propagating with continuously changing wave parameters such as frequency and wave vector. Between subelements the wave parameters of the dominant mode undergoes a discrete change in frequency and wave vector. Near the boundary of subelements multiple waves are observed such that the evolution of the waves is reminiscent of wave-wave processes such as parametric decay or nonlinear induced scattering by particles. These nonlinear processes may affect the saturation of the whistler mode chorus instability.
A direct-compatible formulation of the coupled perturbed complete active space self-consistent field equations on graphical processing units

We recently developed an algorithm to compute response properties for the state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field method (SA-CASSCF) that capitalized on sparsity in the atomic orbital basis. Our original algorithm was limited to treating small to moderate sized active spaces, but the recent development of graphical processing unit (GPU) based direct-configuration interaction algorithms provides an opportunity to extend this to large active spaces. We present here a direct-compatible version of the coupled perturbed equations, enabling us to compute response properties for systems treated with arbitrary active spaces (subject to available memory and computation time). This work demonstrates that the computationally demanding portions of the SA-CASSCF method can be formulated in terms of seven fundamental operations, including Coulomb and exchange matrix builds and their derivatives, as well as, generalized one- and two-particle density matrix and σ vector constructions. As in our previous work, this algorithm exhibits low computational scaling and is accelerated by the use of GPUs, making possible optimizations and nonadiabatic dynamics on systems with O(1000) basis functions and O(100) atoms, respectively.
Synthesis of Robust Nonlinear Model Predictive Controllers for Large-Scale Systems

Abstract We first derive a necessary condition and a sufficient condition in terms of steady-state input-output relations for the integral controllability of uncertain nonlinear systems. A simple nonlinear integral controller is constructed for asymptotically stabilizing a set of nonlinear systems. We then propose a computationally efficient Nonlinear Model Predictive Control algorithm for the control of large-scale constrained nonlinear systems. The algorithm consists of two levels and uses a closed-loop control strategy. The simple integral controller is used as the lower-level controller and can be tuned to guarantee robust asymptotic stability. The higher-level controller optimizes nominal performance subject to a robust stability constraint and an on-line computational time constraint. The stability results do not require that a global optimal solution be found.
Surgical Practical Skills Learning Curriculum: Implementation and Interns' Confidence Perceptions

Objective To provide an overview of the practical skills learning curriculum and assess its effects over time on the surgical interns’ perceptions of their technical skills, patient management, administrative tasks, and knowledge. Design An 84-hour practical skills curriculum composed of didactic, simulation, and practical sessions was implemented during the 2015 to 2016 academic year for general surgery interns. Totally, 40% of the sessions were held during orientation, whereas the remainder sessions were held throughout the academic year. Interns’ perceptions of their technical skills, administrative tasks, patient management, and knowledge were assessed by the practical skills curriculum residents’ perception survey at various time points during their intern year (baseline, midpoint, and final). Interns were also asked to fill out an evaluation survey at the completion of each session to obtain feedback on the curriculum. Setting General Surgery Residency program at a tertiary care academic institution. Participants 20 General Surgery categorical and preliminary interns. Results Significant differences were found over time in interns’ perceptions on their technical skills, patient management, administrative tasks, and knowledge (p 0.05 for all). Conclusions Implementation of a Practical Skills Curriculum in surgical internships can improve interns’ confidence perception on their technical skills, patient management skills, administrative tasks, and knowledge.
Lipid signaling affects primary fibroblast collective migration and anchorage in response to stiffness and microtopography

Cell migration is regulated by several mechanotransduction pathways, which consist of sensing and converting mechanical microenvironmental cues to internal biochemical cellular signals, such as protein phosphorylation and lipid signaling. While there has been significant progress in understanding protein changes in the context of mechanotransduction, lipid signaling is more difficult to investigate. In this study, physical cues of stiffness (10 kPa, 100 kPa, 400 kPa, and glass), and microrod or micropost topography were manipulated in order to reprogram primary fibroblasts and assess the effects of lipid signaling on the actin cytoskeleton. In an in vitro wound closure assay, primary cardiac fibroblast migration velocity was significantly higher on soft polymeric substrata. Modulation of PIP2availability through neomycin treatment nearly doubled migration velocity on 10 kPa substrata, with significant increases on all stiffnesses. The distance between focal adhesions and the lamellar membrane (using wortmannin treatment to increase PIP2 via PI3K inhibition) was significantly shortest compared to untreated fibroblasts grown on the same surface. PIP2 localized to the leading edge of migrating fibroblasts more prominently in neomycin-treated cells. The membrane-bound protein, lamellipodin, did not vary under any condition. Additionally, fifteen micron-high micropost topography, which blocks migration, concentrates PIP2 near to the post. Actin dynamics within stress fibers, measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, was not significantly different with stiffness, microtopography, nor with drug treatment. PIP2-modulating drugs delivered from microrod structures also affected migration velocity. Thus, manipulation of the microenvironment and lipid signaling regulatory drugs might be beneficial in improving therapeutics geared toward wound healing.
Struvite formation and decomposition characteristics for ammonia and phosphorus recovery: A review of magnesium-ammonia-phosphate interactions

Struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) forms in aqueous systems with high ammonia and phosphate concentrations. However, conditions that result into struvite formation are highly dependent on the ionic compositions, temperature, pH, and ion speciation characteristics. The primary ions involved in struvite formation have complex interactions and can form different crystals depending on the ionic levels, pH and temperature. Struvite as well as struvite analogues (with substitution of monovalent cations for NH4+ or divalent cations for Mg2+) as well as other crystals can form simultaneously and result in changes in crystal morphology during crystal growth. This review provides the results from experimental and theoretical studies on struvite formation and decomposition studies. Characteristics of NH4+ or divalent cations for Mg2+ were evaluated in comparison to monovalent and divalent ions for formation of struvite and its analogues. Struvite crystals forming in wastewater systems are likely to contain crystals other than struvite due to ionic interactions, pH changes, temperature effects and clustering of ions during nucleation and crystal growth. Decomposition of struvite occurs following a series of reactions depending on the rate of heating, temperature and availability of water during heating.
Laser ablation in epitaxial growth and processing of semiconductor quantum wells and superlattices

Pulsed laser ablation of solid targets produces vapours of neutrals and ions which are used for deposition and epitaxy of thin films. This process offers the ability to control deposition at the rate of an atomic monolayer per pulse. Thus, the growth of multiple quantum wells (MQWs), superlattices (SLs) and band gap engineering of various materials have been achieved with this approach. Here, the structural and optical properties of Cd 1-x Mn x Te (CMT) thin films and CdTe/CMT MQWs and SLs are reviewed. The structures studied have been grown by pulsed laser evaporation and epitaxy (PLEE) - a method based on the application of Nd:YAG and excimer XeCl lasers for simultaneous, or sequential ablation of different targets.
THE MATHEMATICS IN CLIMATE CHANGE

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the mathematics in climate change. The astronomer John Hershel apparently first suggested that climatic change might result from variations in the earth's orbital elements but the idea is most often referred to as the Milankovitch Hypothesis. The central problem with the Milankovitch Hypothesis is that orbital calculations show that the eccentricity effect on insolation variation is very small relative to the effects of obliquity and precession, implying that the dominant periods associated with past ice sheet formation should be 40,000 years and 20,000 years. However, recent work has shown that large climatic changes can also occur on much more rapid time scales. The climate apparently changed from one warmer than today into one of the full glacial severity within 100 years but recovered within 1000 years. One approach to understanding climatic change on broad spectrum of time scales is to attribute it to an essentially chaotic behavior of the system. In an attempt to understand the connection between the ocean and the climate, it was observed that as long as the climate system is in thermodynamic equilibrium, the globally averaged surface temperature of the earth must be in radiative equilibrium with incoming solar radiation independent of what is occurring in the deep ocean. While the time scale associated with the temperature plunge caused by a cessation of deep water formation is impressively small, the magnitude is not nearly as large as the abrupt events that nature seems to have been able to produce.
FORM AND STRUCTURE OF SPATIAL AND ENERGY DISTRIBUTIONS: THE SEARCH FOR CONGENIAL PATTERNS*

This paper builds on the recognition that energy sources themselves are possessed of different forms and structures, and that energy futures in the built environment will be critically affected by these factors. The paper develops a typology of the interrelationship between energy and spatial forms, essays the likelihood of future spatial centralization or decentralization in the event of different types of energy shortfall, and evaluates alternative paths for energy policy.
Work-Related Violence Policy: A Process Evaluation:

This study describes one employer's approach to evaluating employees' knowledge of a violence prevention policy and experience with work-related physical and non-physical violence. A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from a random sample of current and former employees of a Midwest health care organization via a specially designed mailed questionnaire and the employer's internal database. While 7% of employees reported experiencing physical violence in the workplace, almost half of all employees had experienced non-physical violence. Most employees were aware of the organization's violence policy; however, few reported violence or used organizational resources (e.g., employee health) following the violence. Employees experienced symptoms and productivity losses in association with both types of violence. Process evaluations are an effective means of evaluating whether violence policies are used as intended and can provide organizations with considerable information to make effective programmatic changes.
Asymmetric polymerase chain reaction provides alternatives for preparation of (GT)5-tailed duplex DNA promoter for promoter trapping

Abstract Synthesis of (GT) 5 -tailed duplex DNA promoter is an important first step for purifying transcription complexes by promoter trapping purification. In our previous publication, we showed that the purification of the c-jun promoter using lambda exonuclease digestion of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) produced DNA with single-stranded tails. Asymmetric PCR can also produce tailed single strands that can be annealed to yield the desired promoter. An effective method uses asymmetric PCR and double digestion. After PCR, first a restriction enzyme, in this case Sac II, cuts duplex strands remaining after asymmetric PCR, leaving 5′ phosphoryl ends susceptible to a second digestion with lambda exonuclease to effectively degrade any duplex. The resulting single strands are then annealed to produce a duplex DNA with a single-stranded (GT) 5 tail at the 3′ end of each strand of the duplex. Unlike the previously described method, this novel procedure produces the desired tailed promoter devoid of any untailed duplex.
Firth adjustment for Weibull current-status survival analysis

Analysis of right-censored data is problematic due to infinite maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) and potentially biased estimates, especially for small numbers of events. Analyzing current-status ...
Potential of Ensiling Sorghum without Grain Pretreated with Enzymes or Bacterial Inoculants

Silage is an alternative product from sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] that does not make grain due to drought, disease, or pests. The objective of this experiment was to determine nutritive value and fermentation characteristics of silage made from sorghum without grain and evaluate the impact of pretreatment with fibrolytic enzymes or lactic acid bacterial inoculants. Triplicate plots (4 rows ×12.2 m) of four sorghum cultivars (Dairy Master, PS 747, Silo 700D, and MMR 381/73 [MMR]) were planted in a completely randomized block design field trial at three locations (Beeville, College Station, and Kingsville, TX). At the mid-dough stage, sorghum was harvested and inflorescences were removed, chopped, and separated into three (5 kg) subsamples. Each subsample was treated with either distilled water (control), fibrolytic enzyme, or bacterial inoculant and ensiled for 120 d. Pre-ensiled sorghum without grain had similar nutritive value, except Dairy Master had 25% lower crude protein and 30% lower lignin concentrations. After ensiling, water-soluble carbohydrate concentration was lowest and crude protein concentration was greatest for MMR silage, which also had the greatest acetate concentration and lactate/acetate ratio. Silage treated with either lactic acid bacterial inoculant or fibrolytic enzyme had 40% greater water-soluble carbohydrate concentration. Silage treated with fibrolytic enzyme had 8% lower neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber concentrations than untreated silage, and treated silage had lower pH than untreated silage. The pH of all silage was <4.0, and pretreatment did not improve silage fermentation characteristics or increase aerobic stability. The cultivar was more influential to the resulting silage product than pretreatment in this experiment.
Evaluation of Fetal and Maternal Vancomycin-Induced Kidney Injury during Pregnancy in a Rat Model.

Previous literature suggests that maternal vancomycin crosses the placental barrier to the fetus. Further, early animal studies indicated that kidney injury was not observed in the progeny. These studies were conducted prior to the availability of sensitive biomarkers for kidney injury. Therefore, a previous finding of no renal damage to the infant may be misleading. Vancomycin was administered intravenously to pregnant rats at a dose of 250 mg/kg of body weight/day (N = 6 per trimester) on three consecutive gestational days (GD) during trimesters 1, 2, and 3 (T1, T2, and T3, respectively) in three independent cohorts. The dams carried to term and delivered vaginally on GD 21. Kidneys were harvested from dams and pups and homogenized. Samples were prepared by protein precipitation and injected in a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer, and vancomycin was quantified. The kidney tissue homogenate from dams and pups were analyzed for kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). As trimesters progressed, the quantity of vancomycin increased linearly in the kidneys of both rat dams and pups (P < 0.0001 for T1 and T3, P < 0.0001 for T2 and T3, and P < 0.0001 for T3 and T3 control for both rat dams and pups). KIM-1 concentrations in pup kidneys were significantly higher when dams were administered vancomycin in trimesters 1 (P = 0.0001) and 2 (P = 0.0024) than in controls in trimester 3. Data demonstrate persistence of vancomycin in maternal and rat pup kidneys in all three trimesters of pregnancy with associated damage to the kidney, as indicated by expression of KIM-1.
Nutritional drivers of adult locomotion and asexual reproduction in a symbiont-hosting sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana

Some sedentary marine invertebrates have the potential to modify the environments they experience by moving, even as adults. Of particular interest are sea anemones, which, despite appearing immobile, can move throughout their lives. Individual locomotion may mitigate changes in environment conditions and, therefore, play an important role in the natural history of sea anemones, especially in naturally variable and/or stochastic environments. Sea anemones that associate with algal endosymbionts may respond to changes in nutrition, both autotrophic (from algae) and heterotrophic (from prey). Here, we describe the adult movement behaviors and asexual reproduction of the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana in response to changes in food availability and photosymbiont density. Anemones were collected from mangrove roots in the Florida Keys USA (24° 49′ 21.91″ N, 80° 48′ 37.95″ W) during January 2016 and exposed to a factorial experiment in which food availability and exposure to temperature shock were manipulated. Sea anemones exhibited a variety of responses, including (1) increased crawling along the substrate in response to starvation, (2) increased detachment from the substrate and reattachment in a new location in response to starvation, and (3) increased production of motile asexual clones in response to both starvation and temperature-induced changes in symbiont density. These responses are shaped not only by the direct consequences to the sea anemone, but also by the effects on the symbiotic algae, which exchange sugars, lipids, and oxygen for nutrients within the host. Observed patterns of movement and reproduction are likely advantageous for life in the dynamic mangrove root fouling communities where this anemone species occurs. The ability to disperse as an adult may give this otherwise sedentary invertebrate an advantage in naturally stochastic conditions or in rapidly changing environments.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Thoracic Surgery Practice and Access Task Force-2019 Workforce Report

Background The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has intermittently surveyed its workforce, providing isolated accounts of the current state of thoracic surgical practice. Methods The 70-question survey instrument was received by 3834 STS surgeon members, and responses were gathered between September 16 and November 1, 2019. The return rate was 27.9%. Results The median age of the active United States (US) thoracic surgeons is 56 years. Women comprise 8.4% of the responders, constituting 6.2% of adult cardiac, 10.6% of congenital heart, and 12.6% of general thoracic surgeons. Most practicing US surgeons (83.5%) graduated from medical school in the US. Survey respondents had 7 (21.8%), 8 (25.0%), 9 (22.1%) or 10 (29.2%) or more years of post-MD training before entering practice. Educational debt was increased compared with previous years, as were salaries. Overall career satisfaction was 54.1% (very or extremely satisfied), and overall average hours per week worked decreased compared with past surveys. However, 55.7% of surgeons had symptoms of burnout and depression. STS Database participation was high (90.5%), with the most common reason for not participating being cost (32.6%). Operative volume over the past 12 months decreased for 23.7% of surgeons. Of those who responded, 46.9% plan to retire between the age of 66 and 69 years and a further 25.6% at age 70 or older. Conclusions These data provide a current, detailed profile of the specialty. Ongoing challenges remain length of training and educational debt. Case volumes, scope of practice, and career satisfaction have remained relatively constant: however, symptoms of burnout or depression or both, are common.
Risk factors for assaultive reinjury and death following a nonfatal firearm assault injury: A population-based retrospective cohort study

Abstract Individuals with a firearm injury are at high risk of subsequent firearm victimization, but characteristics associated with sustaining recurrent firearm injuries are not well understood. In this retrospective cohort study, we sought to quantify the hazards of sustaining subsequent assaultive firearm injuries among people with an initial firearm assault injury and to identify characteristics associated with recurrent victimization. Using hospital discharge, emergency department, and mortality records, we identified and followed all individuals aged ≥15 years with a nonfatal firearm assault injury resulting in an emergency department visit or hospital admission in California, 2005–2013. We model transitions from one injury to the next and from injury to death, accounting for event history, covariates, and competing risks using multistate models. 29,156 people had an index nonfatal firearm assault injury. Among individuals with 1 such injury, 3.1% had additional nonfatal firearm assault injuries and 1.0% subsequently died from firearm homicide. Among individuals with 2+ nonfatal firearm assaults, 2.0% died from firearm homicide. The estimated transition probability for 1 to 2+ nonfatal injuries reached 10% by 8.5 years post-index injury. The rate of subsequent nonfatal firearm assault injury was highest among men (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.63–5.69) and Blacks (vs. whites) (HR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.99–3.64). Identification of additional risk markers will require more detailed individual-level data; nonetheless, this study supports the generalizability of findings from smaller studies, provides broad guidance for allocating scarce resources, and suggests that interventions on root causes of violence disparities may have downstream effects on recurrence.
Sibling validation of polygenic risk scores and complex trait prediction.

We test 26 polygenic predictors using tens of thousands of genetic siblings from the UK Biobank (UKB), for whom we have SNP genotypes, health status, and phenotype information in late adulthood. Siblings have typically experienced similar environments during childhood, and exhibit negligible population stratification relative to each other. Therefore, the ability to predict differences in disease risk or complex trait values between siblings is a strong test of genomic prediction in humans. We compare validation results obtained using non-sibling subjects to those obtained among siblings and find that typically most of the predictive power persists in between-sibling designs. In the case of disease risk we test the extent to which higher polygenic risk score (PRS) identifies the affected sibling, and also compute Relative Risk Reduction as a function of risk score threshold. For quantitative traits we examine between-sibling differences in trait values as a function of predicted differences, and compare to performance in non-sibling pairs. Example results: Given 1 sibling with normal-range PRS score ( + 2 SD), the predictors identify the affected sibling about 70-90% of the time across a variety of disease conditions, including Breast Cancer, Heart Attack, Diabetes, etc. 55-65% of the time the higher PRS sibling is the case. For quantitative traits such as height, the predictor correctly identifies the taller sibling roughly 80 percent of the time when the (male) height difference is 2 inches or more.
Swab-Free Transport as an Optimized Preanalytical Workflow for SARS-CoV-2 Amplification

Introduction Efficient detection of SARS-CoV-2 will continue to be an invaluable tool for pandemic control. Current instructions specify that the collection swab should be transported within its collection media to the laboratory. Developing a process whereby this swab is removed before transport to the lab would allow for improved automation and decreased manual manipulation of samples. Methods A proof of principle approach was taken by eluting viral particles from flocked swabs into collection buffer with and without a mucus background. Paired swab-free and swab-containing samples were transported to the laboratory and evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 (n = 28) or RNaseP (n = 6). SARS-CoV-2 amplification was performed using the Hologic Panther Fusion Aptima and RT-PCR assays. Results SARS-CoV-2 was detected in all proof of principle samples with Ct values indicative of dilution. The rare exception was for a few samples where the dilution pushed the viral load below the LOD. Paired samples were 100% concordant for SARS-CoV-2 and RNaseP detection. Conclusion Discarding the swab after inoculating the transport buffer is an appropriate preanalytical modification. Adopting this approach can save up to 1 minute per sample. For labs processing more than 500 samples per day this equates to 1 full time equivalent shift per day.
Distributionally Robust Stochastic Optimal Water Flow and Risk Management

Abstract We present a computationally efficient framework to solve a multi-stage optimal water flow (OWF) problem with stochastic water demands. The proposed framework explicitly considers the feedback control policies and adjustable water flow with forecast errors over a planning horizon. The objective is to find an optimal operation schedule of controllable devices (e.g., pumps and valves) to trade off operational performance, such as economic efficiency, safety, and smoothness, and risk of constraint violations. We compute feedback policies that are robust to forecast errors in order to accommodate the fluctuating water demands. Given a probabilistic description of forecast errors, our formulations provide two broad approaches based on Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) and distributionally robust optimization (DRO) that offer alternatives to the existing stochastic OWF formulations based on chance-constrained and robust optimization. Numerical case studies on a three-tank water network demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves effective and explicitly adjustable trade offs between operational efficiency and constraint violation risk.
RIPK1 dephosphorylation and kinase activation by PPP1R3G/PP1γ promote apoptosis and necroptosis.

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) is a key regulator of inflammation and cell death. Many sites on RIPK1, including serine 25, are phosphorylated to inhibit its kinase activity and cell death. How these inhibitory phosphorylation sites are dephosphorylated is poorly understood. Using a sensitized CRISPR whole-genome knockout screen, we discover that protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 3G (PPP1R3G) is required for RIPK1-dependent apoptosis and type I necroptosis. Mechanistically, PPP1R3G recruits its catalytic subunit protein phosphatase 1 gamma (PP1γ) to complex I to remove inhibitory phosphorylations of RIPK1. A PPP1R3G mutant which does not bind PP1γ fails to rescue RIPK1 activation and cell death. Furthermore, chemical prevention of RIPK1 inhibitory phosphorylations or mutation of serine 25 of RIPK1 to alanine largely restores cell death in PPP1R3G-knockout cells. Finally, Ppp1r3g-/- mice are protected from tumor necrosis factor-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome, confirming the important role of PPP1R3G in regulating apoptosis and necroptosis in vivo.
The Kinetic Theory of Gases

As stated previously Classical Thermodynamics is very much a mathematical discipline. Given that the defining equations are known, the theory is developed around multi-variable calculus. The theory is actually quite elegant, but it does not predict how to estimate or calculate the fundamental quantities or the properties that characterize them. For this, a transition to Statistical Thermodynamics is required. Statistical Thermodynamics starts with the kinetic theory of gases and treats fluids as made up of large assemblages of atoms or molecules. It can be a very detailed and extensive theory that extends well beyond the subjects of interest to this text. However, a smattering of Statistical Thermodynamics, including the kinetic theory of gases, will be useful for understanding a number of Classical Thermodynamics phenomena. A brief sojourn into the kinetic theory of gases is useful.
Comparison of unbiased estimation of neuronal number in the rat hippocampus with different staining methods.

Abstract Background NeuN and Nissl staining (toluidine blue, cresyl violet staining) are routinely used methods in unbiased stereological estimation of the total number of hippocampal neurons. New method In the present study, we stained serial frozen coronal sections from 5 normal adult male Sprague-Dawley rat brains with different methods, measured the deformation of hippocampal area in brain sections and estimated the total number of hippocampal neurons using the optical fractionator. Results The deformation in x , y -axis was not obviously different with different staining protocols, but shrinkage in z -axis was significant after staining ( p p = 0.002), however, NeuN and Cresyl Violet staining showed a high degree of correlation in quantification of total neuronal numbers and both methods are suitable for unbiased stereological estimation. Comparison with existing method (s) NeuN is more reliable but if time is limited or the number of animals used in experiments is high, cresyl violet staining may be a feasible method. Conclusions Compared with previous estimates of the neurons number in rat hippocampus, our present data is reliable and the stereological analysis based on our system is a cost-effective unbiased method for estimation of neuron number.
A Consideration of Maternal Developmental Needs in the Treatment of Infant Sleep Problems

Parents often seek help because of difficulties their infants have transitioning to and maintaining sleep. Sleep problems almost inevitably adversely impact parental sleep which can affect the parent’s psychological state and the parent–infant relationship. This paper examines interventions for infant sleep problems within a context that includes recognition of maternal developmental needs. Clinical case material of mothers in different stages of adult development illustrates ways in which maternal developmental needs both influenced their children’s sleep patterns that became problematic and the resolution of those sleep difficulties. An approach to infant sleep problems that encompasses the mother’s developmental stage can broaden our understanding of mothers’ reactions to their infants’ sleep and be used to inform treatment. Developing sleep recommendations for infants and toddlers within a context that focuses on the developmental needs of both mother and child has the potential for improving sleep and promoting more positive parent–child relationships.
Spatial-spectral dimensionality reduction of hyperspectral imagery with partial knowledge of class labels

Laplacian Eigenmaps (LE) and Schroedinger Eigenmaps (SE) are effective dimensionality reduction algorithms that are capable of integrating both the spatial and spectral information inherent in a hyperspectral image. In this paper, we consider how to extend LE- and SE-based spatial-spectral dimensionality reduction algorithms to situations where partial knowledge of class labels exists, for example, when a subset of pixels has been manually labeled by an expert user. This partial knowledge is incorporated through the use of cluster potentials, turning each underlying algorithm into an instance of SE. Using publicly available data, we show that incorporating this partial knowledge improves the performance of subsequent classification algorithms.
MORB generation beneath the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (9–25°E): Major element chemistry and the importance of process versus source

[1] We report highly variable mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) major element and water concentrations from a single 1050-km first-order spreading segment on the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge, consisting of two supersegments with strikingly different spreading geometry and ridge morphology. To the east, the 630 km long orthogonal supersegment (<10° obliquity) dominantly erupts normal MORB with progressive K/Ti enrichment from east to west. To the west is the 400 km long oblique supersegment (up to 56° obliquity) with two robust volcanic centers erupting enriched MORB and three intervening amagmatic accretionary segments erupting both N-MORB and E-MORB. The systematic nature of the orthogonal supersegments' ridge morphology and MORB composition ends at 16°E, where ridge physiography, lithologic abundance, crustal structure, and basalt chemistry all change dramatically. We attribute this discontinuity and the contrasting characteristics of the supersegments to localized differences in the upper mantle thermal structure brought on by variable spreading geometry. The influence of these differences on the erupted composition of MORB appears to be more significant at ultraslow spreading rates where the overall degree of melting is lower. In contrast to the moderate and rather constant degrees of partial melting along the orthogonal supersegment, suppression of mantle melting on the oblique supersegment due to thickened lithosphere means that the bulk source is not uniformly sampled, as is the former. On the oblique supersegment, more abundant mafic lithologies melt deeper thereby dominating the more enriched aggregate melt composition. While much of the local major element heterogeneity can be explained by polybaric fractional crystallization with variable H2O contents, elevated K2O and K/Ti cannot. On the basis of the chemical and tectonic relationship of these enriched and depleted basalts, their occurrence requires a multilithology mantle source. The diversity and distribution of MORB compositions, especially here at ultraslow spreading rates, is controlled not only by the heterogeneity of the underlying mantle, but also more directly by the local thermal structure of the lithosphere (i.e., spreading geometry) and its influence on melting processes. Thus at ultraslow spreading rates, process rather than source may be the principle determiner of MORB composition.