Modeling Airside Operations at Major Airports for Strategic Decision Support

Tens of billions of dollars are spent each year worldwide on airport infrastructure to promote safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly operations. Airport layouts, allocations of gates to carriers, and the manner of deploying ground equipment or personnel can dramatically affect passenger delays, fuel consumption, and air and noise pollution. Airport planners require reliable information about how different spheres of airport activity interact and how system performance would change with alterations to physical infrastructure or operating practices. We developed a discrete-event simulation model that can be used for strategic decisions regarding the provision and effective utilization of infrastructure needed for airside operations at major airports. We calibrated the model with detailed activity data for an entire year, verified its ability to represent essential spheres of activity, and illustrated its application to study system performance under several operating scenarios

Unsupervised machine learning reveals slab hydration variations from deep earthquake distributions beneath the northwest Pacific

Although transformational faulting in the rim of the metastable olivine wedge is hypothesized as a triggering mechanism of deep-focus earthquakes, there is no direct evidence of such rim. Variations of the b value – slope of the Gutenberg-Richter distribution – have been used to decipher triggering and rupture mechanisms of deep earthquakes. However, detection limits prevent full understanding of these mechanisms. Using the Japan Meteorological Agency catalog, we estimate b values of deep earthquakes in the northwestern Pacific Plate, clustered in four regions with unsupervised machine learning. The b-value analysis of Honshu and Izu deep seismicity reveals a kink at magnitude 3.7–3.8, where the b value abruptly changes from 1.4–1.7 to 0.6–0.7. The anomalously high b values for small earthquakes highlight enhanced transformational faulting, likely catalyzed by deep hydrous defects coinciding with the unstable rim of the metastable olivine wedge, the thickness of which we estimate at ∼1 km

Preliminary efficacy of a brief family intervention to prevent declining quality of life secondary to parental bone marrow transplantation

The primary purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a brief, cost-effective family-focused intervention to promote adaptive coping and quality of life throughout a parent's bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Targeted outcomes were cohesion, decreased use of avoidance coping, open communication and effective management of emotional distress. Participants included an intervention group of 31 families and 29 families in a control group who received usual care. Each family included the BMT recipient, a partner/caregiver and children 10-18 years old. The intervention included two dyadic sessions for the BMT recipient and the partner/caregiver, one individual session for the caregiver and two digital video discs (DVDs) for children. Statistical analyses indicated that the intervention had a positive impact on at least one aspect of the adaptation of each family member. Caregivers reported the most distress but benefitted least from the intervention, whereas recipients and children reported improvement in distress. Ratings of satisfaction/acceptability were high, with 97% responding that they would recommend the intervention to others. Plans for future research include increased intervention intensity for the caregiver, a larger more diverse sample and implementation over an extended period post BMT

Use of \u3e100,000 NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Consortium whole genome sequences improves imputation quality and detection of rare variant associations in admixed African and Hispanic/Latino populations

Most genome-wide association and fine-mapping studies to date have been conducted in individuals of European descent, and genetic studies of populations of Hispanic/Latino and African ancestry are limited. In addition, these populations have more complex linkage disequilibrium structure. In order to better define the genetic architecture of these understudied populations, we leveraged \u3e100,000 phased sequences available from deep-coverage whole genome sequencing through the multi-ethnic NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) program to impute genotypes into admixed African and Hispanic/Latino samples with genome-wide genotyping array data. We demonstrated that using TOPMed sequencing data as the imputation reference panel improves genotype imputation quality in these populations, which subsequently enhanced gene-mapping power for complex traits. For rare variants with minor allele frequency (MAF) \u3c 0.5%, we observed a 2.3- to 6.1-fold increase in the number of well-imputed variants, with 11–34% improvement in average imputation quality, compared to the state-of-the-art 1000 Genomes Project Phase 3 and Haplotype Reference Consortium reference panels. Impressively, even for extremely rare variants with minor allele count 86%. Subsequent association analyses of TOPMed reference panel-imputed genotype data with hematological traits (hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), and white blood cell count (WBC)) in ~21,600 African-ancestry and ~21,700 Hispanic/Latino individuals identified associations with two rare variants in the HBB gene (rs33930165 with higher WBC [p = 8.8x10-15] in African populations, rs11549407 with lower HGB [p = 1.5x10-12] and HCT [p = 8.8x10-10] in Hispanics/Latinos). By comparison, neither variant would have been genome-wide significant if either 1000 Genomes Project Phase 3 or Haplotype Reference Consortium reference panels had been used for imputation. Our findings highlight the utility of the TOPMed imputation reference panel for identification of novel rare variant associations not previously detected in similarly sized genome-wide studies of under-represented African and Hispanic/Latino populations

The Sexual Health Needs of Adolescent Boys Involved in a Pregnancy

Objectives: Little is known about fatherhood in middle adolescence. In order to better understand their sexual health needs, we describe relationship characteristics, perception of masculinity and associated STI risk behaviors in a community-based sample of urban middle adolescent boys who have fathered a child or been involved with a pregnancy. Methods: We employed venue-based sampling to recruit 339 boys (14-17 years old) in neighborhoods with high STI prevalence. We administered a brief survey on sexual, relationship and pregnancy history, STI risk, juvenile justice involvement, and masculinity. Results: Fifteen percent had either fathered a child or been involved with a pregnancy. In multivariate analysis, controlling for age and ethnicity, adolescent fathers were more likely to be involved with juvenile justice and engage in STI risk behaviors. These included condom non-use and partner checking a cell phone. Although of borderline significance, older partners, past STI testing, and drug or alcohol use at last sex improved model fit. Conclusion: Adolescent fathers have distinct relational and sexual health needs. Their specific needs should be targeted by prevention programs. Implications and Contribution: Most research on young men involved in pregnancy is with older adolescents/young adults, and in clinical or institutional settings. Using community engagement and venue-based sampling, this study describes sexual behaviors, masculinity, and relationship characteristics among 14-17 year old boys who have caused a pregnancy. Findings identify their distinct sexual health needs

Mitochondrial Regulation of GPX4 Inhibition-Mediated Ferroptosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Resistance to apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells causes refractory or relapsed disease, associated with dismal clinical outcomes. Ferroptosis, a mode of non-apoptotic cell death triggered by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has been investigated as potential therapeutic modality against therapy-resistant cancers, but our knowledge of its role in AML is limited. We investigated ferroptosis in AML cells and identified its mitochondrial regulation as a therapeutic vulnerability. GPX4 knockdown induced ferroptosis in AML cells, accompanied with characteristic mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, exerting anti-AML effects in vitro and in vivo. Electron transport chains (ETC) are primary sources of coenzyme

Search for the decay J/ψ→γ+invisibleJ/\psi\to\gamma + \rm {invisible}

We search for $J/\psi$ radiative decays into a weakly interacting neutral particle, namely an invisible particle, using the $J/\psi$ produced through the process $\psi(3686)\to\pi^+\pi^-J/\psi$ in a data sample of $(448.1\pm2.9)\times 10^6$ $\psi(3686)$ decays collected by the BESIII detector at BEPCII. No significant signal is observed. Using a modified frequentist method, upper limits on the branching fractions are set under different assumptions of invisible particle masses up to 1.2 $\mathrm{\ Ge\kern -0.1em V}/c^2$. The upper limit corresponding to an invisible particle with zero mass is 7.0$\times 10^{-7}$ at the 90\% confidence level

Testing Adaptations of Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study with Veterans

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have well-documented relationship problems and many wish to include their intimate partners in treatment. This pilot study randomly assigned 46 couples (Veterans with clinician-administered PTSD scale confirmed PTSD diagnosis and their intimate partners) to one of two groups. The treatment group received a modified mindfulness-based version of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (CBCT; Monson & Fredman, 2012) that included all three phases of the mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy (MB-CBCT). The control group received a modified version of CBCT that included communication skills training from Phases 1 and 2 of CBCT (CBCT-CS) without PTSD-specific content. Modified CBCT Phases 1 and 2 content was delivered to both groups during weekend retreats in multicouple group sessions. The postretreat protocol for MB-CBCT included nine individual couple sessions: a transition session following the retreat, and CBCT Phase 3. For CBCT-CS, two additional monthly multicouple group sessions reviewed communication skills. No statistically significant pre- to posttreatment differences were detected for primary outcomes between groups: Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Veterans (mean change difference, −1.4, 95% CI [−16.0 to 13.2]); Dyadic Adjustment Scale for Veterans (mean change difference, −1.0, 95% CI [−13.2 to 11.2]); and Dyadic Adjustment Scale for Partners (mean change difference, −0.4, 95% CI [−8.9 to 8.1]). However, within group pre- to posttreatment effect sizes were medium to large for both MB-CBCT and CBCT-CS on all three primary outcomes. Findings suggest that Veterans returning from recent conflicts and their partners may benefit from both modifications of CBCT

Symptoms Improve After a Yoga Program Designed for PTSD in a Randomized Controlled Trial With Veterans and Civilians

Objective: Although yoga shows promise as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are few randomized controlled trials that demonstrate significant benefits for individuals with PTSD. The present study addresses this need by comparing the effects of a holistic yoga program (HYP) to that of a wellness lifestyle program (WLP) on PTSD symptom severity with a randomized clinical trial. Method: The sample consisted of 209 participants (91.4% veterans; 66% male; 61.7% White) who met diagnostic criteria for PTSD at baseline. Participants were randomly assigned to attend one of the 2 weekly interventions for 16 weeks. The HYP consisted of yoga instruction, while the WLP consisted of didactics, discussions, and walking. PTSD severity was measured using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) and the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5). Results: Analyses revealed that the HYP reduced PTSD severity measured by the CAPS-5 significantly more than the WLP at treatment end (mean difference = −5.4, effect size = 0.46, p < .001), but not at 7-month follow up (mean difference = −0.9, p = .603). Similarly, the HYP reduced PTSD severity measured by the PCL-5 significantly more than the WLP at treatment end (difference = −6.0, p = .001), but not at 7-month follow up (mean difference = −1.0, p = .682). Conclusion: Yoga may be an effective intervention for PTSD in addition to standard treatments. Future yoga trials should consider adding a social component to interventions or booster classes to maintain effects long term

Ideal cardiovascular health and cardiovascular related events: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims The aim of this study was to systematically review and quantitatively summarize the evidence on the association between Life Simple’s 7 (LS7) and multiple cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). Methods EMBASE and PubMed were searched from January 2010 to March 2022 for observational studies that investigated the as- and results sociation between ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) with CVD or CMD outcomes in an adult population. Two reviewers independently selected studies according to the eligibility criteria, extracted data, and evaluated risk of bias. Data were analysed with a random-effects meta-analysis. This meta-analysis included 59 studies (1 881 382 participants). Participants with ideal CVH had a considerably lower risk of a variety of CVDs and CMDs as compared with those with poor CVH, varying from 40% lower risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) {hazard ratio [HR] = 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44–0.83]} to 82% lower risk for myocardial infarction [HR = 0.18 (95% CI 0.12–0.28)]. Intermediate CVH was associated with 27–57% lower risk in CVDs and CMDs compared with poor CVH, with the highest hazard for AF [HR = 0.73 (95% CI 0.59–0.91)] and the lowest hazard for peripheral arterial disease [HR = 0.43 (95% CI 0.30–0.60)]. Conclusion Ideal and moderate CVH were associated with a lower incidence of CVDs and CMDs than poor CVH. Life Simple’s 7 holds significant potential for promoting overall CVH and thereby contributing to the prevention of CVDs. Lay summary Healthy lifestyle is very important to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), such as diabetes and kidney diseases. Therefore, in 2010, the American Heart Association introduced Life’s Simple 7 (LS7), a scoring system using seven lifestyle factors to measure cardiovascular health in populations, and these factors are diet, physical activity, smoking, blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar, and weight. In this review, we investigated the relationship between LS7 score and CVDs or CMDs