Simulating the one‐dimensional structure of Titan's upper atmosphere: 2. Alternative scenarios for methane escape

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94984/1/jgre2821.pd

A MicroRNA Linking Human Positive Selection and Metabolic Disorders

Postponed access: the file will be accessible after 2021-10-14Positive selection in Europeans at the 2q21.3 locus harboring the lactase gene has been attributed to selection for the ability of adults to digest milk to survive famine in ancient times. However, the 2q21.3 locus is also associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes in humans, raising the possibility that additional genetic elements in the locus may have contributed to evolutionary adaptation to famine by promoting energy storage, but which now confer susceptibility to metabolic diseases. We show here that the miR-128-1 microRNA, located at the center of the positively selected locus, represents a crucial metabolic regulator in mammals. Antisense targeting and genetic ablation of miR-128-1 in mouse metabolic disease models result in increased energy expenditure and amelioration of high-fat-diet-induced obesity and markedly improved glucose tolerance. A thrifty phenotype connected to miR-128-1-dependent energy storage may link ancient adaptation to famine and modern metabolic maladaptation associated with nutritional overabundance.acceptedVersio

Agnostic Pathway/Gene Set Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Data Identifies Associations for Pancreatic Cancer

Background Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identify associations of individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with cancer risk but usually only explain a fraction of the inherited variability. Pathway analysis of genetic variants is a powerful tool to identify networks of susceptibility genes. Methods We conducted a large agnostic pathway-based meta-analysis of GWAS data using the summary-based adaptive rank truncated product method to identify gene sets and pathways associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in 9040 cases and 12 496 controls. We performed expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis and functional annotation of the top SNPs in genes contributing to the top associated pathways and gene sets. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results We identified 14 pathways and gene sets associated with PDAC at a false discovery rate of less than 0.05. After Bonferroni correction (P Conclusion Our agnostic pathway and gene set analysis integrated with functional annotation and eQTL analysis provides insight into genes and pathways that may be biologically relevant for risk of PDAC, including those not previously identified.Peer reviewe

Postoperative atrial fibrillation is associated with increased resource utilization after cardiac surgery: a regional analysis of the Southeastern United States

Aim: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a known risk factor for morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery though contemporary resource utilization data is limited. We hypothesize that POAF increases the length of stay, hospital cost, and discharges to facilities, though this trend may be tempering over time.Methods: Records were extracted for all patients in a regional database who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, or both (2012-2020). Patients without a history of atrial fibrillation were stratified by POAF for univariate analysis. Patients were propensity-score matched to account for baseline, operative, and postoperative differences.Results: Of the 27,307 cardiac surgery patients, 23% developed POAF. Matching resulted in 5926 well-balanced pairs of patients with and without POAF. Every metric of resource utilization was higher for patients with POAF, including ICU length of stay (58 h vs. 49 h, P < 0.0001), postoperative length of stay (7 days vs. 5 days, P < 0.0001), discharge to a facility (27% vs. 23%, P < 0.0001), and readmission (11% vs. 8%). The mean additional total hospital cost attributable to POAF was $6705 by paired analysis. A sensitivity analysis of only patients without major complications demonstrated similarly increased resource utilization for patients with POAF.Conclusions: POAF was associated with an increased 9 additional ICU hours, 2 postoperative days, 18$6705 is associated with POAF. These conservative estimates demonstrate the broad impact of POAF on in and out of hospital resource utilization that warrants future efforts at containment and quality improvement

Assignment of Local Coordinate Systems and Methods to Calculate Tibiotalar and Subtalar Kinematics: A Systematic Review

The introduction of biplane fluoroscopy has created the ability to evaluate in vivo motion, enabling six degree-of-freedom measurement of the tibiotalar and subtalar joints. Although the International Society of Biomechanics defines a standard method of assigning local coordinate systems for the ankle joint complex, standards for the tibiotalar and subtalar joints are lacking. The objective of this systematic review was to summarize and appraise the existing literature that (1) defined coordinate systems for the tibia, talus, and/or calcaneus or (2) assigned kinematic definitions for the tibiotalar and/or subtalar joints. A systematic literature search was developed with search results limited to English Language from 2006 through 2020. Articles were screened by two independent reviewers based on title and abstract. Methodological quality was evaluated using a modified assessment tool. Following screening, 52 articles were identified as having met inclusion criteria. Methodological assessment of these articles varied in quality from 61 to 97. Included articles adopted primary methods for defining coordinate systems that included: (1) anatomical coordinate system (ACS) based on individual bone landmarks and/or geometric shapes, (2) orthogonal principal axes, and (3) interactive closest point (ICP) registration. Common methods for calculating kinematics included: (1) joint coordinate system (JCS) to calculate rotation and translation, (2) Cardan/Euler sequences, and (3) inclination and deviation angles for helical angles. The methods each have strengths and weaknesses. This summarized knowledge should provide the basis for the foot and ankle biomechanics community to create an accepted standard for calculating and reporting tibiotalar and subtalar kinematics

Office of Saline Water Reports

Rpeort describing the electrodialysis process as a possible practical means for demineralizing saline waters. The tests described in the report are used to determine the effects of operating the process under field conditions, to provide estimates of the cost of demineralizing brackish waters on a large scale, and as a means of planning further needed research in this field

Center for Research in Water Resources, The University of Texas at Austin. Proceedings, Symposium on Water Production Engineering in Texas.

University of Texas Department of Mechanical Engineering Nuclear Engineering ProgramCenter for Water and the Environmen