cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Machine learning in geosciences and remote sensing

Abstract Learning incorporates a broad range of complex procedures. Machine learning (ML) is a subdivision of artificial intelligence based on the biological learning process. The ML approach deals with the design of algorithms to learn from machine readable data. ML covers main domains such as data mining, difficult-to-program applications, and software applications. It is a collection of a variety of algorithms (e.g. neural networks, support vector machines, self-organizing map, decision trees, random forests, case-based reasoning, genetic programming, etc.) that can provide multivariate, nonlinear, nonparametric regression or classification. The modeling capabilities of the ML-based methods have resulted in their extensive applications in science and engineering. Herein, the role of ML as an effective approach for solving problems in geosciences and remote sensing will be highlighted. The unique features of some of the ML techniques will be outlined with a specific attention to genetic programming paradigm. Furthermore, nonparametric regression and classification illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of ML for tackling the geosciences and remote sensing problems.
Should Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Be Performed in Patients With Moderate Stenosis of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery

In this issue of Circulation , Harskamp and colleagues1 use 12- to 18-month angiographic follow-up data from the Project of Ex-vivo Vein Graft Engineering via Transfection IV (PREVENT IV) trial to determine the frequency of internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft failure, its risk factors, and its association with postoperative clinical events. They identified left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenosis <75%, additional bypass graft to a diagonal, and absence of diabetes mellitus as risk factors for ITA graft failure, and reported that graft failure was associated with a high risk of postoperative repeat revascularization. Because of the association of ITA failure with moderate LAD stenosis and risk of early postoperative revascularization, the authors question the benefit of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with moderate, or non–ischemia-producing, lesions of the LAD. Article see p 131 This article adds to the extensive literature on the association of native coronary artery competitive flow and ITA patency.2–7 Its considerable strength is systematic angiographic follow-up. What is new is their thesis that these findings raise concern that CABG may not be beneficial in patients with moderate stenosis of the LAD. To evaluate whether these concerns are justified, it is necessary to review what is known about the effect of competitive flow on ITA patency, whether saphenous veins are more effective grafts than ITAs to coronary arteries with only moderate stenosis, and whether grafting a coronary artery with moderate stenosis is beneficial or harmful. Competitive flow is the most important factor influencing ITA graft patency (and the patency of all arterial bypass grafts, as well).2 Competitive flow is defined as native coronary artery blood flow in a coronary artery to which a bypass graft has been anastomosed—flow that progressively lessens as proximal coronary artery stenosis increases. Studies evaluating the …
Searching for Excellence & Diversity® Workshop: Improving Faculty Diversity by Educating Faculty Search Committees

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has offered workshops for faculty search committees since 2004. Based on the «Six Essential Elements of a Successful Search,” the faculty-led workshops use a research-based, active learning approach to help faculty implement new practices in their hiring processes that will promote faculty diversity. Participating departments in which women are underrepresented (e.g., science, technology, engineering and mathematics) make more offers to women faculty and hire more women faculty than do departments with underrepresentation of women that do not participate. New faculty hired in participating departments report experiencing a more positive hiring process than their counterparts.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Syndrome from Childhood to Old-Age

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is estimated to occur in 26% of adults and 2% to 7% of children. OSA is characterized by a partial or complete cessation of airflow in the upper airway. Classically, the main risk factors include obesity, age, and gender, although those outside the “overweight, middle-aged man” phenotype can certainly be at risk for the development of OSA, particularly when predisposing anatomic abnormalities are encountered. Common symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, witnessed apneas, choking or gasping, and unrefreshing sleep. OSA has also been linked to many systemic pathology including pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric impairments, metabolic dysregulation, and ophthalmologic disorders. Due to this potential for influencing multi-system disease, accurate diagnosis and treatment is essential. Treatment methods are continuously developing and improving, but the traditional, gold standard treatment is positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment. There are several modalities within this category including continuous PAP and bilevel PAP. Other treatment alternatives which can improve OSA include upper airway surgery, orthodontic therapy, mandibular advancement devices, and weight loss. Novel treatments that target upper airway muscle tone include hypoglossal nerve stimulation and myofunctional exercises. The goal of this article was to summarize key aspects of patient presentation, potential comorbidities, and therapeutic options for multidisciplinary clinicians who play an integral role in the management of this syndrome from childhood to old-age.
Stable carbon isotope values (δ13C) of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and their archaeological significance

Abstract Elemental Analyzer Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry was used to determine the δ 13 C values of common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), a highly edible and nutritious annual succulent and member of the Portulacaceae family, which uses both C4 fixation and Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis. The δ 13 C values for the plant range between − 11.2‰ and − 20.5‰ (C4 − 11.2‰ to − 13.9‰, CAM − 17.6‰ to − 20.5‰), which overlaps with δ 13 C values for maize (Zea mays) − 9.1‰ to − 17.3‰. Both plants occur on late Holocene archaeological sites in eastern North America and likely contributed to the δ 13 C ratios reported for ancient human collagen and hydroxyapatite. Taphonomically, P. oleracea has a lower archaeological visibility because it is completely edible and the seeds are tiny (0.02 to 0.76 mm) in comparison to maize kernels and cobs. Therefore, we can no longer assume that maize was the only significant plant food in the late Holocene diet of eastern North America, which elevated δ 13 C ratios in ancient human tissues.
Evaluation of a cost effective broth and selective agar combination for the detection of MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus from surveillance specimens using regular workflow.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of selective agar and broth combination in a regular laboratory daily workflow. DESIGN: Swabs from 173 surveillance specimens were inoculated onto half of the Bio-Rad MRSASelect (M), SaSelect (S) and Sheep Blood agars (SBA) and the swab placed in the LIM broth. After overnight incubation, 10 μL of the LIM broth was inoculated onto the other half of the three agars and incubated overnight. All the agars were examined and worked up after approximate14-18 hours of incubation for day one and two according to the regular workflow of the laboratory, without incubating for the full 24 hours for each incubation day. M agar and SBA were evaluated for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), while the S agar was evaluated for Staphylococcus aureus (SA) based on typical colony morphology development. Colonies on the SBA were picked and processed for definitive identification and cefoxitin susceptibility result. SETTING: Trinity Medical Center, a community hospital with network hospitals PATIENTS: Patient admitted to the hospital submitted swab for surveillance culture RESULTS: There were a total of 29 MRSA isolated in the study. On day one, both M agar and SBA detected 14 MRSA (48.3%) and on day two, M agar detected 10 (82.7%), while SBA detected 8 (75.8%) additional MRSA. LIM broth added 5 more MRSA to both agars on day 2, to give M agar a total of 29 (100%) and SBA agar a total of 27 (93.1%) of MRSA from the 173 specimens. There were a total of 62 SA isolated. Both the S agar and SBA isolated 34 (54.8%) on day one and 15 more (79%) on day two. The LIM broth added an additional 13 SA for both agars on day two. CONCLUSION: Using half of the agar plate for the initial swab and the other half for the broth creates an economic strategy for the detection of MRSA using the M agar and SA using the S agar. Both the M and S agars provided excellent identification and recovery of MRSA or SA based on color and colony morphology unless the colony was too young for color development. The color morphology from the M and S agars was distinguishable overnight after being subcultured from LIM broth. Working up the specimen according to the workflow of the laboratory without having to wait for each plate to incubate a full 24 hours, can still detect all the targeted organisms within 2 workdays using this cost effective strategy. ABBREVIATIONS:MRSA = Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MSSA = Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, SA = Staphylococcus aureus
Paradigms in Life Insurance

The present chapter describes the developments that the insurance system has undergone over the past four decades and that have been brought to their conclusion in new regulations representing no less than a spectacular paradigm shift. The new paradigm is compared with its immediate predecessor in a perspective guided by timeless questions: what are the objectives of insurance, and how can they be achieved efficiently? And, more specifically, is it all about investments, market valuation, and solvency of businesses? Or has it also got something to do with social security, broad insurance coverage, transparency, and cost awareness? It is argued here that regimes like Solvency II and International Financial Reporting Standards are just our time’s response to problems created by our time’s practices (and malpractices), and that a rethink may well lead to a partial reinstatement of the preceding paradigm and add to it innovative ways of realizing the very idea of insurance.
Earplugs might reduce intensive care unit delirium but quality of evidence is low

Commentary on : Litton E, Carnegie V, Elliott R, et al. The Efficacy of Earplugs as a Sleep Hygiene Strategy for Reducing Delirium in the ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Crit Care Med 2016;44:992–9.[OpenUrl][1][PubMed][2] Delirium is a form of ‘acute brain dysfunction’ characterised by fluctuations in consciousness, attention and cognitive function.1 Delirium often results from the confluence of multiple factors related to severe acute illness including inflammation, neurotransmitter imbalances, blood-brain barrier disruption, loss of cerebrovascular autoregulation, metabolic insults, oxidative stress, sedative medications and disruption of sleep/wake cycle.2 ,3 It is therefore unsurprising that delirium is highly prevalent during critical illness, affecting up to 80% of patients requiring intensive care, with associated prolonged mechanical ventilation, long-term cognitive impairment and potentially, mortality.4 ,5 Litton et al performed a … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DCrit%2BCare%2BMed%26rft.volume%253D44%26rft.spage%253D992%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F26741578%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=26741578&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2Fearly%2F2016%2F07%2F19%2Febmed-2016-110473.atom
Linguistic Dimensions of Direct Mail Letters

In this article, we explore how corpus-based techniques can broaden our understanding of how lexical and grammatical features help to shape and define the persuasive features of philanthropic direct mail letters by allowing us to examine the patterns of dozens of linguistic features across a large number of texts. Using 316 direct mail letters from 108 organizations across five philanthropic fields, we use a multidimensional analysis technique, developed by Biber (1988), to create a linguistic profile of the genre. This profile is based on five linguistic “dimensions” that are determined by the co-occurrence of 67 linguistic features. Based on the assumption that linguistic features do not randomly co-occur in texts but in fact together serve a functional purpose, these dimensions can be used to show how genres vary, as reflected by their use of different linguistic features, in order to accomplish generic goals. Our findings show that philanthropic direct mail letters are indeed a unique genre, displaying a pattern of linguistic features that are quite distinct from other common genres.
Effect of VirF on the Promoter Activity of yscW-virF Operon in Yersinia enterocolitica

The Yerisinia enterocolitica Ysc-Yop T3SS and its Yop effectors are essential for the bacteria to survive and overcome the host immune system. Expression of Ysc-Yop T3SS at the transcriptional level is thermo-controlled by the AraC transcriptional activator VirF, encoded by virF. The role of VirF in transcriptional regulation of Y. entercolitica Ysc-Yop T3SS genes has been intensively investigated but little in known about how the virF gene is controlled. This study was aimed at understanding how virF expression is controlled. The results showed that the virF, together with the yscW located upstream of virF are transcribed as an operon from the promoter PyscW. We further assessed whether VirF might control transcription from PyscW using a transcriptional fusion to a lacZ reporter. The analysis revealed that VirF does not have any influence to activity of promoter PyscW at low (26°C) or high (37°C) temperature.
Anti-Myeloma Activity of the Dual Akt/p70S6K Inhibitor EXEL-6075.

Abstract Context: Akt plays a pivotal role in the survival and proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells and functions as a central link between upstream signaling pathways, such as growth factor receptors (e.g. IL-6/IL-6R, IGF/IGF-1R) and the kinase PI-3K with their downstream signaling effectors, such as the multifunctional mTOR-p70S6K cascade. The pivotal role of Akt in these proliferative/anti-apoptotic cascades for MM has provided the impetus for development of small molecule inhibitors against the kinase activity of Akt. We show that the dual Akt/p70S6K kinase inhibitor EXEL-6075 has potent anti-MM activity in preclinical models. Methods/Results: We tested a panel of 15 human MM cell lines for in vitro response to EXEL-6075 using MTT colorimetric survival assays, which showed that the majority of MM cells responded to EXEL-6075 with IC50 values 5 μM), further underscoring its selectivity towards neoplastic cells. EXEL-6075-responsive cells included MM cells resistant to diverse conventional and novel agents, such as dexamethasone, bortezomib, and immunomodulatory thalidomide derivatives, suggesting that dual Akt/p70S6K inhibition may overcome mechanisms of constitutive resistance to other currently available therapeutics. EXEL-6075 was also able to overcome the protective effects of IGF-1 and IL-6 on MM.1S cells. In addition, there was modest, if any, protection conferred to MM cells by BMSCs at low drug doses. Interestingly, when we compared the in vitro activity of EXEL-6075 against cell lines from MM vs. other neoplasias (including 11 epithelial cancer cell lines which also exhibited dose-dependent response to this kinase inhibitor), EXEL-6075 was significantly more active against MM cells, as evidenced by the distribution of IC50 values and AUCs of the dose-response curves for each group of cell lines (p=0.028, t-test). Ongoing studies are utilizing gene expression profiles of MM cells highly- vs. moderately-responsive to EXEL-6075, in order to identify putative markers of sensitivity vs. resistance to this kinase inhibitor Conclusion: Targeting the Akt-mTOR-p70S6K pathway is an attractive strategy for the treatment of MM due to the central role Akt plays in proliferation and survival of MM. Inhibition of Akt using the small molecule inhibitor EXEL-6075 resulted in sub-μM killing of MM cell lines with > 1-log differential activity against the non-neoplastic tissues tested in our study. This remains an interesting strategy for the treatment of MM. Future in vivo studies will be needed to confirm these interesting in vitro results.
Plasma Irisin Modestly Increases during Moderate and High-Intensity Afternoon Exercise in Obese Females.

Background and Purpose Irisin is an exercise-responsive myokine that has been proposed to exert anti-obesity benefits; yet its response during exercise in obese women is not described. This study characterized plasma irisin levels during a single bout of afternoon isocaloric-exercise of different intensities (moderate- vs high-intensity) in obese females. Methods Eleven obese females participated in 3 randomized study days beginning at 1600h: 1) no exercise (NoEx), 2) moderate exercise (ModEx; 55%VO2max) and 3) high intensity interval exercise (IntEx; 4 min (80%VO2max)/3 min (50% VO2max). Frequent blood samples were analyzed for glucose and lactate (whole-blood), and insulin, c-peptide, glucagon, and irisin (plasma) throughout 190 min of testing. Results Plasma irisin increased above baseline during ModEx and IntEx (P 0.05). Peak irisin levels during ModEx and IntEx exercise were 11.9± 3.4% and 12.3 ± 4.1% relative to baseline (P 0.05). Irisin levels remained elevated above resting for 125 minutes post-exercise during ModEx, whereas levels returned to baseline within 15 minutes post-exercise during IntEx. Similarly, no associations were found between plasma irisin levels and circulating lactate, glucose, insulin, c-peptide, or glucagon among study days (P>0.05). However, there was an inverse association between basal irisin and lean mass (r = -0.70, P = 0.01). Conclusion A single bout of moderate and high intensity afternoon exercise induces modest increases in circulating irisin concentrations during exercise; however the regulation post-exercise appears to be dimorphic between exercise intensity in obese females. Future studies are needed to compare morning and afternoon exercise on irisin secretion.
A Study of Information-Seeking Behaviors and Processes in Subsets of Visual Arts Humanities Scholars: Toward a New Model in Image and Text Retrieval

Preliminary findings in Phase I of this project summarized here established that members of four subsets of humanities scholars in the visual arts demonstrated strong similarities in their image retrieval requirements. Therefore the proposed methodology in Phase II is intended to broaden the scope of this ongoing study by examining… Les resultats preliminaires de la phase I de ce projet sont resumes ici et etablissent que les membres de quatre groupes d’universitaires du domaine des arts visuels montrent de fortes similarites dans leurs besoins en reperage d’images. Pour cette raison, la methodologie proposee dans la phase II est censee elargir la portee de la presente etude par l’examen…
Amine-Reactive Azlactone-Containing Nanofibers for the Immobilization and Patterning of New Functionality on Nanofiber-Based Scaffolds

We report the design of amine-reactive polymer nanofibers and nonwoven reactive nanofiber mats fabricated by the electrospinning of azlactone-functionalized polymers. We demonstrate that randomly oriented nanofibers fabricated using a random copolymer of methyl methacrylate and 2-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone contain intact and reactive azlactone groups that can be used to introduce new chemical functionality and modulate important interfacial properties of these materials (e.g., wetting behaviors) by postfabrication treatment with primary amine-based nucleophiles. The facile and “click-like” nature of these reactions permits functionalization under mild conditions without substantial changes to nanofiber or mat morphologies. This approach also enables the patterning of new functionality on mat-coated surfaces by treatment with bulk solutions of primary amines or by using methods such as microcontact printing. Further, these reactive mats can also, themselves, be contact-transferred or “printed” onto second...
Modeling Hypoxia and Its Ecological Consequences In Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay is a valuable recreational, ecological and economic resource that is subject to environmental hazards, such as harmful algal bloom (HAB) and hypoxia, which can degrade the Bay’s health and jeopardize the viability of this important natural resource. As a step toward developing the capability to forecast such hazards, a biogeochemical version of the Chesapeake Bay Regional Ocean Modeling System (ChesROMS) has been developed. The model framework encompasses the physical, biogeochemical and bio-optical effects of river borne sediments, atmospheric deposition, nutrient and dissolved organic matter inputs, and benthic interactions throughout the Bay. These influences all contribute to the evolution of dissolved oxygen in the Bay’s waters, in particular the consistent annual development of anoxia in the bottom waters of the mid-Bay region. Here, we report on the performance of a newly developed, mechanistic dissolved oxygen formulation that has been incorporated into the ChesROMS model with the motivation to realistically resolve seasonally developing hypoxia/anoxia in the Bay. Insights into various biophysical interactions and biogeochemical processes of the Bay gained from these numerical experiments are considered, and the application of the ChesROMS model fields in short-term ecological forecast applications is discussed.
Decreased eating frequency linked to increased visceral adipose tissue, body fat, and BMI in Hispanic college freshmen

To investigate the relationship between eating frequency and specific adiposity markers in a potentially high-risk and understudied population of Hispanic college freshmen. This study included 92 Hispanic college freshmen (18–19 y). The following cross-sectional data were collected: height, weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), dietary intake, body composition, physical activity, hepatic fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Infrequent eaters ate 44% less often (2.5 ± 0.2 vs. 4.5 ± 0.8, p ≤ 0.01) and consumed 27% more calories per EO (p ≤ 0.01), while consuming 21% less kcals per day (p ≤ 0.01) compared to frequent eaters. Infrequent eaters had 8% higher BMIs (24.8 ± 4.4 vs. 22.9 ± 3.2 kg/m2) (p = 0.02), 60% higher BMI z-scores (0.5 ± 1.0 vs. 0.2 ± 1.0, p = 0.03), 21% higher VAT (298.3 ± 153.8 vs. 236.8 ± 78.2 ml, p = 0.03), 26% higher SAT (1150.1 ± 765.4 vs. 855.6 ± 494.6 ml, p = 0.03), and 8% higher total body fat (27.6 ± 10.8 vs. 25.3 ± 8.8%, p = 0.04) compared to frequent eaters while showing no significant difference in physical activity. These findings seem to be driven by females more than males. These findings suggest that infrequent eating is related to increased adiposity in Hispanic college freshmen, despite a decreased daily energy intake and no significant differences in physical activity. Yet, more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of these findings, as well as investigate any potential causal relationship between eating frequency and adiposity in Hispanic youth.
10.2 The Four Traditions of Coastal Geomorphology

Following perspectives on the distant past and changing notions of time and space, this essay identifies four traditions in the growth of coastal geomorphology from the Renaissance to 1950, namely those based on Earth science, mathematical theory, ocean science, and engineering. Each with its own methods and goals, and never mutually exclusive, these traditions reflected the changing scientific milieus of their time. The Earth science tradition grew from quaint description, early constrained by biblical notions but later enlightened, to a better understanding of coastal forms and processes after 1800. The mathematical tradition emerged from theoretical and experimental studies of tides, waves, and currents, which earlier led to equilibrium and dynamic tidal theories and then, after 1800, to distinctions between deep-water and shallow-water waves, oscillatory and translatory waves, and a better understanding of nearshore wave deformation and decay. The ocean-science tradition reflected the global explorations and navigational aids of early modern times, and the gradual acquisition of real data on tides, waves, currents, coastal forms, and sediment. After 1850, scientific oceanography improved understanding of ocean processes and sedimentation, and the eustatic and isostatic forcing of sea-level change. The coastal engineering tradition emerged from the need to address real issues, such as erosion, flooding, reclamation, navigation, and harbor development. Since 1950, these four traditions have been welded into the modern practice of coastal geomorphology, from which six themes are selected as exemplars: information technology (including emergent remote sensing as a fifth tradition), coastal tectonics, refinement of form–process relations, relative sea-level change, rates of coastal change, and coastal management.
El régimen jurídico de la prostitución y sus diferentes modelos ideológicos

The aim of this article is to analyse the different ideological models from which it is possible to address the issue of prostitution. These models are the prohibitionist, the abolitionist, the legalist and the regulated, and as the tendency has changed along the years, there is not an uniform trend nowadays. Equally, it is analysed the legal framework where this practice takes place in the Spanish legal system, which is regulated by the Spanish Penal Code, the organic law -4/2015- of civic protection and the local ordinances, as well as by the international legal system. This way, it is possible to unite the unfocused Spanish legal system in which the practice of prostitution takes place, understanding its context and its main ideological trends.
LTE Uplink Interference Mitigation Features

Due to the proliferation of wireless technologies over the last decade, the demand for spectrum access has grown exponentially. The Department of Defense (DoD) faces increasing pressure to free up spectrum for auction to the commercial wireless industry. The recent Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) 3 auction introduced a transition approach in which the commercial Long Term Evolution (LTE) service providers could access the spectrum incrementally - with DoD coordination - as DoD transitions its systems out of the band. DoD has a responsibility to maximize spectrum access to the LTE carriers while protecting mission use of existing systems in the band. As such, the DoD has been investigating creative means to coexist with commercial LTE systems during the transition. This paper describes the testing and evaluation of various innovative LTE interference mitigation techniques that can be enabled to allow DoD to coexist more readily with commercial LTE systems. The primary techniques include LTE uplink spectrum notching/blanking for traffic channels and control channels and LTE carrier aggregation (CA) configurations. The implementation methods that different equipment vendors use to achieve these techniques are distinct from one another and proprietary, adding complexity to the evaluation. This paper provides an overview of the testing and key findings of the investigation. The results include the shape of the power spectrum for different types of notching, the practical amount of spectrum that could be made available by different CA configurations, and the application of these techniques to sharing spectrum with federal government systems.
The myth of innate racial differences between white and black people's bodies: Lessons from the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In this commentary, I take up the question of why beliefs in fundamental, innate racial differences between Black and White people's bodies persist in medical discourse, despite evidence to the contrary.I locate the origin of some of these beliefs in the infamous yellow fever epidemic that struck Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1793. During that early public health crisis, White physicians and lay people erroneously thought that Black people were immune to yellow fever because of their race. I then highlight the efforts of Philadelphia's Black leaders during the epidemic-namely Absalom Jones and Richard Allen-to challenge the belief in fundamental and innate differences between Blacks and Whites.I conclude by asking us to consider how the false belief that there is something peculiar about Black people's bodies has become a feature, not an aberration, in the production of medical knowledge. Indeed, I point out how medical experimentation in the 20th century and in the marketing of new drugs in the 21st century have been buttressed by this persistent yet incorrect assumption that innate racial differences exist.
Skin Structure–Function Relationships and the Wound Healing Response to Intrinsic Aging

Significance: Chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, and pressure ulcers affect millions of Americans each year, and disproportionately afflict our increasingly older population. Older individuals are predisposed to wound infection, repeated trauma, and the development of chronic wounds. However, a complete understanding of how the attributes of aging skin affect the wound healing process has remained elusive. Recent Advances: A variety of studies have demonstrated that the dermal matrix becomes thinner, increasingly crosslinked, and fragmented with advanced age. These structural changes, as well as an increase in cell senescence, result in altered collagen fiber remodeling and increased stiffness. Studies combining mechanical testing with advanced imaging techniques are providing new insights into the relationships between these age-related changes. Emerging research into the mechanobiology of aging and the wound healing process indicate that the altered mechanical environment of aged skin may have a significant effect on age-related delays in healing. Critical Issues: The interpretation and synthesis of clinical studies is confounded by the effects of common comorbidities that also contribute to the development of chronic wounds. A lack of quantitative biomarkers of wound healing and age-related changes makes understanding structure-function relationships during the wound healing process challenging. Future Directions: Additional work is needed to establish quantitative and mechanistic relationships among age-related changes in the skin microstructure, mechanical function, and the cellular responses to wound healing.
Probing Synaptic Transmission and Behavior in Drosophila with Optogenetics: A Laboratory Exercise.

Optogenetics is possibly the most revolutionary advance in neuroscience research techniques within the last decade. Here, we describe lab modules, presented at a workshop for undergraduate neuroscience educators, using optogenetic control of neurons in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila is a genetically accessible model system that combines behavioral and neurophysiological complexity, ease of use, and high research relevance. One lab module utilized two transgenic Drosophila strains, each activating specific circuits underlying startle behavior and backwards locomotion, respectively. The red-shifted channelrhodopsin, CsChrimson, was expressed in neurons sharing a common transcriptional profile, with the expression pattern further refined by the use of a Split GAL4 intersectional activation system. Another set of strains was used to investigate synaptic transmission at the larval neuromuscular junction. These expressed Channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2) in glutamatergic neurons, including the motor neurons. The first strain expressed ChR2 in a wild type background, while the second contained the SNAP-25ts mutant allele, which confers heightened evoked potential amplitude and greatly increased spontaneous vesicle release frequency at the larval neuromuscular junction. These modules introduced educators and students to the use of optogenetic stimulation to control behavior and evoked release at a model synapse, and establish a basis for students to explore neurophysiology using this technique, through recapitulating classic experiments and conducting independent research.
Co-ingestion of carbohydrate and whey protein induces muscle strength and myofibrillar protein accretion without a requirement of satellite cell activation.

Abstract Muscle development is controlled by the balance between muscle protein synthesis and protein degradation. Protein supplementation has been widely known to enhance muscle protein synthesis, and carbohydrate supplementation may attenuate protein degradation. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of whey protein plus carbohydrate (CP), whey protein (WP), and placebo (PLA) supplements on resistance training adaptations. Two-month old rats were trained by ladder climbing every 3 days for 8 weeks. PLA, WP, or CP was given immediately after each exercise session. Non-exercise rats were used as a sedentary control (SED). Total body composition was assessed and blood samples were collected before, middle, and end of training. The flexor hallucis longus (FHL) was excised 24 h after the last exercise session. Following training, maximal carrying capacity was significantly greater in CP than PLA and WP. This improved training performance in CP paralleled an increase in total muscle and myofibrillar protein content. Muscle and fiber cross sectional areas (CSA) were significantly increased by exercise training, with a concomitant increase in myonuclear domain. CP significantly elevated IGF-1 protein expression over SED, but there were no significant differences in myostatin, Pax7, MyoD, or myogenin across treatment groups. There was also no difference in the number of total nuclei in each fiber CSA among groups. Corticosterone levels were significantly elevated in PLA and WP over 8 weeks of training, whereas this change in corticosterone over time was not observed in the CP group. The results suggest that the greater improvement of maximal caring capacity for CP compared with PLA and WP was associated with a greater increase in myofibrillar protein content. Satellite cell activation did not appear to contribute to the observed gains in muscle hypertrophy and strength.
A quantitative model for the regulation of innate immune activation

The immune system employs a wide variety of strategies to protect the body from infection. Cells such as natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages can recognize and eliminate targets with aberrant surface ligand expression in a manner that is not antigen-specific. This innate mechanism of activation must be tightly regulated to prevent autoimmunity. Here we introduce a quantitative model of the regulation of nonspecific activation inspired by Bayesian inference. Our model captures known behaviors of innate immune cells, including adaptation to changing environments and the development of hyposensitivity after prolonged exposure to activating signals. Our analysis also reveals a tradeoff between precision and adaptation. Maintaining the ability to adapt to different environments leads to heterogeneous responses, even for hypothetical populations of immune cells and targets that have identical surface receptor and ligand expression. Collectively, our results describe an adaptive algorithm for self/nonself discrimination that functions even in the absence of antigen restriction. The same model could also apply more broadly to the adaptive regulation of activation for other immune cell types.
High frequency parametric mixing in Lamb waves using a time and space varying elastic modulus (Conference Presentation)

Lamb wave devices were fabricated and tested to study parametric mixing through a nonlinear elastic modulus. A carrier wave was used to drive the time-variation of the elastic modulus in a traveling wave fashion. The signal wave is launched in the same direction as the carrier wave. The nonlinearity results in the signal to be mixed up and down with the carrier signal generating intermodulation terms. Through optimization, next generation RF components that are 5 orders in magnitude smaller than the current state of the art can be designed, freeing up real estate for larger batteries and additional sensors.
Revisiting 35 and 94 GHZ Millimeter Wave Exposure to the Non-human Primate Eye.

A previous study reported thermal effects resulting from millimeter wave exposures at 35 and 94 GHz on non-human primates, specifically rhesus monkeys' (Macaca mulatta) corneas, but the data exhibited large variations in the observed temperatures and uncertainties in the millimeter wave dosimetry. By incorporating improvements in models and dosimetry, a non-human primate experiment was conducted involving corneal exposures that agreed well with a three-layer, one-dimensional, thermodynamic model to predict the expected surface temperature rise. The new data indicated that the originally reported safety margins for eye exposures were underestimated by 41 ± 20% over the power densities explored. As a result, the expected minimal visible lesion thresholds should be raised to 10.6 ± 1.5 and 7.1 ± 1.0 J cm at 35 and 94 GHz, respectively, provided that the power density is less than 6 W cm for subjects that are unable to blink. If the blink reflex was active, a power density threshold of 20 W cm could be used to protect the eye, although the eyelid could be burned if the exposure was long enough.
Positive Appraisal of Caregiving for Intensive Care Unit Survivors: A Qualitative Secondary Analysis.

Background More than half of intensive care unit survivors require assistance from family caregivers after discharge. Caregiving is associated with negative consequences including poor health-related quality of life, psychosocial distress, and burden. Little is known about how family caregivers find satisfaction and meaning in their experience. Objectives To explore positive descriptions of the experiences of family caregivers of critically ill patients and to describe factors that family caregivers view as important to a positive caregiving experience from hospitalization to 4 months after discharge. Methods Qualitative secondary analysis was performed on data from semistructured interviews conducted as part of a longitudinal study that examined physical and psychological responses to stress in a convenience sample of family caregivers of adult intensive care unit patients who underwent prolonged mechanical ventilation (≥ 4 days). Interviews were conducted at 4 time points: during the hospitalization and within 2 weeks, 2 months, and 4 months after discharge. Results Participants (n = 41) reported factors that helped them positively appraise their caregiving experience in 113 interviews conducted face to face or via telephone. During patients' hospitalization, caregivers described changes in their role, with their primary responsibility being to advocate for the patient. They described how this experience fulfilled their identity and strengthened their relationship with the patient. Most family caregivers mentioned the importance of social support and prayer. Conclusions Family caregivers of intensive care unit patients can identify positive aspects of caregiving during the experience. Interventions to reframe the caregiving experience in a positive light are warranted.
Robotic Transthoracic Repair of a Right-Sided Traumatic Diaphragmatic Rupture.

Introduction Traumatic diaphragm rupture injury repairs are predominately performed through thoracotomy, laparotomy, or a combination of the two approaches. While open surgery is often necessary to follow the fundamentals of damage-control operations in unstable or polytrauma patients, minimally invasive surgery may be an alternative for those with a low injury burden to reduce the postoperative morbidities associated with open operations. Case Description We describe the first case of a right-sided diaphragm rupture from blunt trauma that was repaired by a robotic transthoracic approach in the index admission. Conclusion Minimally invasive repair of an acute traumatic diaphragm rupture is feasible in selected trauma patients.
Legal “Locker Room Talk”: Essentialist Discourses of Masculinity in Law*:

In this article, I examine how legal actors construct masculinity in law, even in cases that have seemingly little to do with gender. I analyze 118 recent cases in which lawyers, witnesses, and/or ...
Effects of lyophilized black mulberry water extract on lipid oxidation, metmyoglobin formation, color stability, microbial quality and sensory properties of beef patties stored under aerobic and vacuum packaging conditions.

Abstract The objective was to determine the effects of different concentrations of lyophilized black mulberry water extract (BMWE) on lipid oxidation, metmyoglobin (MMb) formation, color stability, microbial quality, and sensory properties of aerobic (AP) and vacuum (VP) packaged beef patties during 15 days of chilled storage. Compared to control, incorporating of BMWE decreased (P
A 128x128 SRAM Macro with Embedded Matrix-Vector Multiplication Exploiting Passive Gain via MOS Capacitor for Machine Learning Application

In-memory computing (IMC) has emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional digital implementation of machine learning algorithm, since it can achieve high energy efficiency by limiting the data movement between memory and processing unit. In prior IMC works, multi-bit input is encoded into either pulse count [2] or pulse width [4] or an analog voltage [1], [3], [5] using a DAC which drives the read bit-line (RBL) or read word-line (RWL) port of the bit cell. Such current-domain computation suffers from static power consumed by the DAC and is limited by the linearity of the current sources necessitating calibration [2]. In comparison, charge-domain computation relaxes the linearity, and static power consumption issue; however, prior work has only explored limited parameter precision, i.e. BNN, and is subject to signal attenuation due to charge loss over parasitic elements [6]. Moreover, those prior arts [1 – 6] lack support of either negative input or negative/zero weights, preventing from implementing a wider range of networks in the IMC hardware.
A rare case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage caused by acute mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common bacterial pathogen that causes atypical community-acquired pneumonia. Illness onset can be gradual and progressive over weeks. Patients typically have cough, phary...
Mental Health Among Black and Latinx Sexual Minority Adults Leading Up to and Following the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election: Results from a Natural Experiment.

Purpose: Multi-level hostility toward sexual minority (SM; includes, but is not limited to those identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or same-gender loving) and other minority populations ...
Glucagon Receptor-mediated Regulation of Gluconeogenic Gene Transcription is Endocytosis-dependent in Primary Hepatocytes

Abstract A number of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are now thought to use endocytosis to promote cellular cAMP signaling that drives downstream transcription of cAMP-dependent genes. We tested if this is true for the Glucagon Receptor (GCGR), which mediates physiological regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism via cAMP signaling. We show that epitope-tagged GCGRs undergo clathrin and dynamin-dependent endocytosis in HEK293 cells after activation by glucagon, and transit via EEA1-marked endosomes shown previously to be sites of GPCR/Gs-stimulated production of cAMP. We further show that endocytosis potentiates cytoplasmic cAMP elevation produced by GCGR activation and promotes transcription of PCK1, the gene which encodes the enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step in gluconeogenesis. We verify endocytosis-dependent induction of PCK1 expression by endogenous GCGRs in primary hepatocytes, and show similar control of two other gluconeogenic genes (PGC1α and G6PC). Together, these results implicate the endosomal signaling paradigm in metabolic regulation by glucagon.
Frames and Fictions: Designing a Green New Deal Studio Sequence

In the time of upheaval and crisis, what is the point of design education? In nearly every school of architecture or design there is a central, unspoken rejoinder to this question: the point of des...
Naloxone therapy for prescription and illicit opioid poisoning cases aged 50 + in the national poison data system, 2015-2020.

CONTEXT Older adults are less likely than younger adults to receive naloxone therapy. Given high rates of prescription opioid use/misuse and increasing illicit opioid use among older adults, factors associated with naloxone administration for older opioid poisoning cases need examination. METHODS We analyzed the 83,135 opioid-involved cases aged 50+ from the 2015-2020 National Poison Data System. Single-variable logistic regression was used to examine associations of naloxone administration with demographic factors, exposure site/reason, medical outcomes, management site/level of care, clinical effects, and other interventions. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to examine associations of naloxone administration with different types of opioids. RESULTS Over the six years, the proportion of prescription opioid cases that received naloxone therapy increased steadily from 21.9% to 28.4%. The proportion of illicit opioid cases that received naloxone therapy was 51.9% in 2015 and 59.8% in 2020 with a high of 64.4% in 2019. In 2020, the death rate for illicit opioid cases without naloxone therapy was 31.4% compared to 2.3% for those with the therapy. Cases managed at healthcare facilities (HCF) had higher odds of receiving naloxone therapy. Among prescription opioid cases, naloxone therapy rates among older and female cases and those managed at non-HCF settings were especially low even for major medical outcomes. Cases involving oxycodone, morphine, methadone, prescription fentanyl, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and other/unknown opioids had higher odds of naloxone administration. DISCUSSION Rates of naloxone therapy for older prescription opioid poisoning cases need improvement. While rates were higher among illicit opioid cases, the drop in 2020 and the sharp increase in deaths among illicit opioid cases without naloxone therapy confirm the importance of access to this life-saving intervention. CONCLUSIONS Increased naloxone co-prescribing and other means of facilitating access to naloxone are needed to prevent opioid poisoning deaths among older adults who use prescription opioids.
High-throughput Activity Assay for Screening Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Mac1 Macrodomain

Macrodomains are a class of conserved ADP-ribosylhydrolases expressed by viruses of pandemic concern, including coronaviruses and alphaviruses. Viral macrodomains are critical for replication and virus-induced pathogenesis; therefore, these enzymes are a promising target for antiviral therapy. However, no potent or selective viral macrodo-main inhibitors currently exist, in part due to the lack of a high-throughput assay for this class of enzymes. Here, we developed a high-throughput ADP-ribosylhydrolase assay using the SARS-CoV-2 macrodomain Mac1. We performed a pilot screen which identified dasatinib and dihydralazine as ADP-ribosylhydrolase inhibitors. Importantly, dasatinib does not inhibit MacroD2, the closest Mac1 homolog in humans. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of identifying selective inhibitors based on ADP-ribosylhydrolase activity, paving the way for screening large compound libraries to identify improved macrodomain inhibitors and explore their potential as antiviral therapies for SARS-CoV-2 and future viral threats.