In this work we show how to obtain the minimal Whitney stratification of the discriminant of finitely determined map germs from
(
C
m
,
0
)
to
(
C
p
,
0
)
, of corank one if
n
<
p
, and only with
A
k
...singularities, when
m
=
n
+
p
with
n
≥
0
. We apply the theory developed by Gaffney which shows how to compute a Whitney stratification of discriminants of any finitely determined holomorphic map germ in the nice dimensions of Mather, or in its boundary. For the pairs cited above we show that both stratifications coincide. We also compute the local Euler obstruction at 0 in a class of discriminants of finitely determined map germs from
C
n
+
p
to
C
p
with
n
≥
0
and only with
A
k
singularities.
Despite ongoing management efforts, phosphorus (P) loading from agricultural landscapes continues to impair water quality. Wastewater treatment research has enhanced our knowledge of microbial ...mechanisms influencing P cycling, especially regarding microbes known as polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) that store P as polyphosphate (polyP) under oxic conditions and release P under anoxic conditions. However, there is limited application of PAO research to reduce agricultural P loading and improve water quality. Herein, we conducted a meta-analysis to identify articles in Web of Science on polyP and its use by PAOs across five disciplines (i.e., wastewater treatment, terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and agriculture). We also summarized research that provides preliminary support for PAO-mediated P cycling in natural habitats. Terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and agriculture disciplines had fewer polyP and PAO articles compared to wastewater treatment, with agriculture consistently having the least. Most meta-analysis articles did not overlap disciplines. We found preliminary support for PAOs in natural habitats and identified several knowledge gaps and research opportunities. There is an urgent need for interdisciplinary research linking PAOs, polyP, and oxygen availability with existing knowledge of P forms and cycling mechanisms in natural and agricultural environments to improve agricultural P management strategies and achieve water quality goals.
This study sought to develop models for predicting near-term (1–3 day) fecal contamination events in coastal shellfish growing waters. Using Random Forest regression, we (1) developed fecal coliform ...(FC) concentration models for shellfish growing areas using watershed characteristics and antecedent hydrologic and meteorologic observations as predictors, (2) tested the change in model performance associated when forecasted, as opposed to measured, rainfall variables were used as predictors, and (3) evaluated model predictor importance in relation to shellfish sanitation management criteria. Models were trained to 10 years of coastal FC measurements (n = 1285) for 5 major shellfish management areas along the Florida (USA) coast. Model performance varied between the 5 management areas with R2 ranging from 0.36 to 0.72. Antecedent precipitation variables were among the most important predictors in the day-of forecast models in all management areas. When forecasted rainfall was included in the models, wind components became increasingly important.
•1–3 day fecal coliform forecast models were trained with regulatory shellfish data.•5 variations of Random Forest models for 5 management areas were evaluated.•Predictive performance ranged from R2 of 0.36 to 0.72.•Using forecasted rainfall as a predictor did not improve model performance.•Variable importance differed between models, implying varied prediction mechanisms.
The 14-3-3 family comprises multifunctional proteins that play a role in neurogenesis, neuronal migration, neuronal differentiation, synaptogenesis and dopamine synthesis. 14-3-3 members function as ...adaptor proteins and impact a wide variety of cellular and physiological processes involved in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder and knowledge about its pathophysiology is still limited. 14-3-3 have been proven to be linked with the dopaminergic, glutamatergic and neurodevelopmental hypotheses of schizophrenia. Further, research using genetic models has demonstrated the role played by 14-3-3 proteins in neurodevelopment and neuronal circuits, however a more integrative and comprehensive approach is needed for a better understanding of their role in schizophrenia. For instance, we still lack an integrated assessment of the processes affected by 14-3-3 proteins in the dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems. In this context, it is also paramount to understand their involvement in the biology of brain cells other than neurons. Here, we present previous and recent research that has led to our current understanding of the roles 14-3-3 proteins play in brain development and schizophrenia, perform an assessment of their functional protein association network and discuss the use of protein-protein interaction modulators to target 14-3-3 as a potential therapeutic strategy.
Uncompleted visits to emergency departments (UEDC) are a patient safety concern. The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for UEDC, describing not only the sociodemographic ...characteristics of patients who left against medical advice (AMA) and those who left without being seen (LWBS), but also the characteristics of their access to the emergency department (ED) and of the hospital structure.
This was a cross sectional study on anonymized administrative data in a population-based ED database.
A total of 9,147,415 patients attended EDs in the Veneto Region from 2011 to 2015. The UEDC rate was 28.7‰, with a slightly higher rate of AMA than of LWBS (15.3‰ vs 13.4‰). Age, sex, citizenship, and residence were sociodemographic factors associated with UEDC, and so were certain characteristics of access, such as mode of admission, type of referral, emergency level, waiting time before being seen, and type of medical issue (trauma or other). Some characteristics of the hospital structure, such as the type of hospital and the volume of patients managed, could also be associated with UEDC.
Cases of UEDC, which may involve patients who leave AMA and those who LWBS, differ considerably from other cases managed at the ED. The present findings are important for the purpose of planning and staffing health services. Decision-makers should identify and target the factors associated with UEDC to minimize walkouts from public hospital EDs.
Legacy phosphorus concentrations resulting from historic additions of phosphorus (P) to the landscape may impede rapid remediation of P pollution and achievement of water quality management goals. ...Herein, we hypothesized that the capacity of stream biofilms to assimilate new polyphosphate (polyP) will vary as a function of stream legacy phosphorus. To test this hypothesis, we deployed a series of
in situ
enrichment experiments at five sites of varying land cover in central Pennsylvania, United States. Incremental P-loading was delivered using vials fitted with porous lids, that contained agar enriched with six levels of P (as Dissolved inorganic phosphorus, dissolved inorganic P) loading with rates ranging from 0 to 1,540 µg PO
4
−3
/day; these loading rates mimicked natural stream P loadings. Substrata were incubated at stream sites for a relatively short incubation period (12 days), to measure uptake rates; after which, biofilms growing on the lids were removed and their tissue content was analyzed for biomass (as chlorophyll) and various forms of particulate phosphorus. Polyphosphate (polyP) accumulated by stream biofilms at all sites closely tracked the release of dissolved inorganic P from experimental enrichment assays. Comparatively, biofilms accumulated relatively small amounts of Particulate inorganic phosphorus and other forms of organic P that we assume constitute a third group of P-rich biochemicals (e.g., DNA, RNA, lipids, proteins). Viewed at the watershed scale, land use appeared to affect P accumulation, where sites dominated by forest cover had a higher capacity for P storage, while sites dominated by agriculture did not; this underscores the importance of polyP storage as an indicator of legacy P pollution.
Few longitudinal studies have so far investigated the impact of sustained COVID‐19 among people with pre‐existing psychiatric disorders. We conducted a prospective study involving people with serious ...mental illness (n = 114) and healthy controls (n = 41) to assess changes in the Perceived Stress Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, and Specific Psychotic Experiences Questionnaire scores 18 months after the COVID‐19 pandemic outset. Subjects underwent interviews with a mental health professional in April 2020 and at the end of the local third wave (October 2021). A significant increase in perceived stress was found in healthy controls, especially females. Psychiatric patients showed a significant worsening of anxiety symptoms compared to baseline records (t = −2.3, p = 0.036). Patients who rejected vaccination had significantly higher paranoia scores compared to those willing to get vaccinated (U = 649.5, z = −2.02, p = 0.04). These findings indicate that COVID‐19's sustained emergency may cause enduring consequences on mental health, soliciting further investigations.
