cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Risk Analysis of Damage to Structures During Windstorms: Random Field and System Reliability Aspects

Quantitative risk analysis (QRA) enables rational accounting for the effect of spatial scale on estimates of damage to individual (multi-component) structures or to groups of closely spaced structures during severe windstorms. The case of the window breakage on the facade of Boston’s John Hancock Tower, which motivated a series of such risk-based studies, is summarized. We further describe and illustrate an integrated vulnerability model to estimate structural damage in clusters of residential buildings due to tropicalcyclone winds, accounting for the “chain reaction” of events involving wind pressure damage and wind-borne debris damage, amplifying aggregate losses. The last part of the paper provides relevant background information on new methodology to analyze multi-scale random fields, presented in the second (2010) edition of the first author’s book Random Fields. 1 THE CASE OF BOSTON’S HANCOCK BUILDING WINDOW BREAKAGE: RISK-RELATED STUDIES Estimating economic losses resulting from damage to structures during severe windstorms has become a topic of considerable research interest in scientific fields such as meteorology, structural engineering and actuarial sciences. Of particular interest herein is the dependence of estimates of overall damage and economic loss on spatial scale, i.e., on the number of vulnerable components in a single structure or on the number (and density and variability of characteristics) of structures in a residential neighborhood. The senior author gained much related experience, while on the faculty at M.I.T., in connection with the problems, widely reported in the local press, of window
Negotiating authority through cultivating a classroom community of inquiry

Abstract This qualitative study examines how authority was negotiated in an undergraduate teacher education course. As the teacher of the course, I involved students in on-going processes of collaborative dialogue and deliberation about issues of importance to those involved through cultivating a classroom community of inquiry. The findings suggest that constructing relations of mutual interdependence, deriving legitimacy from mutually recognized sources, and communicating about the problem rather than the people present potential frameworks for negotiating authority in teacher education. Such knowledge is important for informing efforts to foster democratic teacher education practices and prepare future teachers to teach reflectively.
CRLB via the characteristic function with application to the K-distribution

The Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) is widely used in statistical signal processing as a benchmark to evaluate unbiased estimators. However, for some random variables, the probability density function (pdf) has no closed analytical form. Therefore, it is very hard or impossible to evaluate the CRLB directly. In these cases the characteristic function may still have a closed and even simple form. In this paper, we propose a method to evaluate the CRLB via the characteristic function. As an example, the CRLB of the scale parameter and the shape parameter of the K-distribution is accurately evaluated with the proposed method. Also, it is shown that for pdfs with a scale parameter, the CRLB for the remaining parameters do not depend on the scale parameter. This allows for easier evaluation of the bound.
Performance of OFDM/CDMA system with turbo coding in a multipath fading channel

The performance of an OFDM/CDMA system with turbo coding is analyzed and simulated in a multipath fading channel. The bit error probability is derived for a frequency-selective Rayleigh fading channel. In the OFDM/CDMA system, OFDM and CDMA are combined to exploit the advantages of both techniques. For decoding the turbo code, a MAP decoding algorithm is employed. Implementation issues are discussed for OFDM, a CDMA system, and a turbo decoding procedure. From the simulation results, it is demonstrated that turbo coding offers considerable coding gain with reasonable encoding/decoding complexity. Also, it is shown that the BER performance is substantially improved by increasing the interleaver length for a fixed code rate and the increasing number of iterations used in the decoding process. The results in the paper can be applied to the design of OFDM-based CDMA system.
All-optical Lyot-filter-assisted flip-flop operation using a semiconductor optical amplifier

All-optical flip-flop operation using external optical control is demonstrated in a single semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based fiber ring laser with an intracavity Lyot filter. Its operation is based on the principle of cross-gain saturation in the SOA. A unique feature of this flip-flop is its ability to be set and reset at multiple wavelength pairs of an auxiliary continuous wave control light that is injected into the fiber ring cavity; this, together with the wide wavelength tunability of the Lyot filter makes the flip-flop potentially useful in wavelength-division multiplexing applications. Bistable output at 1571 nm with a contrast ratio of 20 dB between the two output power states of the flip-flop using -3 dBm power of the external optical control is demonstrated
Finding sequence motifs in prokaryotic genomes—a brief practical guide for a microbiologist

Finding significant nucleotide sequence motifs in prokaryotic genomes can be divided into three types of tasks: (1) supervised motif finding, where a sample of motif sequences is used to find other similar sequences in genomes; (2) unsupervised motif finding, which typically relates to the task of finding regulatory motifs and protein binding sites and (3) exploratory motif finding, which aims to identify potential functionally significant sequence motifs as those that are unusual in some statistical sense. This article provides a conceptual overview for each type of task, a brief description of basic algorithms used in their solution, and a review of selected relevant software available online.
Convective Influence on the Heat Balance of the Tropical Tropopause Layer: A Cloud-Resolving Model Study

The tropical tropopause layer (TTL), and in particular the cold point tropopause, has been previously suggested as a feature decoupled from convection. Using a cloud-resolving model, the authors demonstrate that convection, in fact, has a cooling effect in the TTL that significantly affects its thermal structure. In particular, the cold point is found to be strongly tied to the convective cooling maximum. The authors interpret these as natural features of an entrainment layer such as the TTL. The recognition that the cold point tropopause is strongly tied to, rather than decoupled from, convection suggests that dehydration processes at the cold point cannot be assumed as gradual and the effect of convection may not be ignored.
Mass spectrometry of intact neutral macromolecules using intense non‐resonant femtosecond laser vaporization with electrospray post‐ionization

Intact, nonvolatile, biological macromolecules can be transferred directly from the solid state into the gas phase, in ambient air, for subsequent mass spectral analysis using non-resonant femtosecond (fs) laser desorption combined with electrospray ionization (ESI). Mass spectral measurements for neat samples, including a dipeptide, protoporphyrin IX and vitamin B12 adsorbed on a glass insulating surface, were obtained using an 800 nm, 70 fs laser with an intensity of 10(13) W cm(-2). No appreciable signal was detected when atmospheric matrix-assisted or neat (matrix-free) fs laser desorption was performed without ESI, indicating neutral desorption.
Introversion-Extraversion, Self-Monitoring, and Applicant Performance in a Situational Panel Interview: A Field Study

This study investigated relationships between applicant introversion-extraversion, self-monitoring, and performance in a situational panel interview. Police officers applying for promotion to the rank of sergeant in a metropolitan police department participated in a selection interview and completed a personality questionnaire. Results showed self-monitoring moderated the relation between introversion-extraversion and interview performance. As predicted, the relationship was stronger for low self-monitors than for high self-monitors. Extraverted, high self-monitoring and introverted, low self-monitoring promotion candidates were rated highest by selection interview panelists.
Exposure to Pre- and Perinatal Risk Factors Partially Explains Mean Differences in Self-Regulation between Races.

Objectives To examine whether differential exposure to pre- and perinatal risk factors explained differences in levels of self-regulation between children of different races (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Other). Methods Multiple regression models based on data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (n ≈ 9,850) were used to analyze the impact of pre- and perinatal risk factors on the development of self-regulation at age 2 years. Results Racial differences in levels of self-regulation were observed. Racial differences were also observed for 9 of the 12 pre-/perinatal risk factors. Multiple regression analyses revealed that a portion of the racial differences in self-regulation was explained by differential exposure to several of the pre-/perinatal risk factors. Specifically, maternal age at childbirth, gestational timing, and the family’s socioeconomic status were significantly related to the child’s level of self-regulation. These factors accounted for a statistically significant portion of the racial differences observed in self-regulation. Conclusions The findings indicate racial differences in self-regulation may be, at least partially, explained by racial differences in exposure to pre- and perinatal risk factors.
Proteinuria and lipoprotein lipase activity in Miniature Schnauzer dogs with and without hypertriglyceridemia

Spontaneous hyperlipidemia in rats causes glomerular disease. Idiopathic hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is prevalent in Miniature Schnauzers, but its relationship with proteinuria is unknown. Decreased activity of major lipid metabolism enzymes, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL), may play a role in the cyclic relationship between hyperlipidemia and proteinuria. These enzymes have also not been previously investigated in Miniature Schnauzers. The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between HTG and proteinuria in Miniature Schnauzers and to measure LPL and HL activities in a subset of dogs. Fifty-seven Miniature Schnauzers were recruited (34 with and 23 without HTG). Fasting serum triglyceride concentrations and urine protein-to-creatinine ratios (UPC) were measured in all dogs, and LPL and HL activities were determined in 17 dogs (8 with and 9 without HTG). There was a strong positive correlation between triglyceride concentration and UPC (r = 0.77-0.83, P < 0.001). Proteinuria (UPC ≥ 0.5) was present in 60% of dogs with HTG and absent from all dogs without HTG (P < 0.001). Proteinuric dogs were not azotemic or hypoalbuminemic. Dogs with HTG had a 65% reduction in LPL activity relative to dogs without HTG (P < 0.001); HL activity did not differ. Proteinuria occurs with HTG in Miniature Schnauzers and could be due to lipid-induced glomerular injury. Reduced LPL activity may contribute to the severity of HTG, but further assay validation is required.
Polymerization of aqueous silica in H2O-K2O solutions at 25-200°C and 1bar to 20kbar

Abstract Understanding the polymerization of aqueous silica is important for modeling fluid–rock interactions at high pressure and temperature. However, it remains unclear how changes in SiO2 concentration, alkalinity, pressure, and temperature affect silica polymerization and depolymerization. We studied silica speciation in alkaline K2O–SiO2–H2O solutions at ambient conditions (0.05, 0.5 and 5 molal Si, 0.5–0.8 K2O/SiO2), as well as at elevated pressure and temperature in a diamond anvil cell (5 molal Si, K2O/SiO2 = 0.7). The controls on polymerization were assessed by comparing Raman spectroscopic results to ab initio calculations that focused on four neutral species: the monomer, the dimer, and the linear and ring trimers. In addition to a ~ 785 cm− 1 band associated with Si–OH symmetric stretching in the monomer, the calculations show that Si–O–Si stretching in the dimer and trimers yields peaks at ~ 600 cm− 1. A broad 600 cm− 1 feature has been observed in previous studies at high pressure and temperature, and the broadness has been attributed to a soft Si–O–Si angle in the dimer and temperature; however, our calculations show that this is not alone sufficient to explain this feature, and that other species likely contribute. The breathing mode of the ring trimer yields an additional feature at ~ 500 cm− 1, which may be representative of contributions from highly polymerized species to the low-frequency limb of the broad 600 cm− 1 feature. Individual Si–OH stretching and bending in all species gave features at ~ 825–875 cm− 1 and ~ 950–1050 cm− 1. These bands overlap significantly with Si–O− stretching modes of deprotonated species, which are more abundant in the alkaline solutions studied experimentally. Measured Raman spectra at ambient conditions display broad peaks associated with monomers (735–800 cm− 1), oligomers (475–650 cm− 1) and deprotonated species (850–1125 cm− 1). Peak areas attributed to oligomers and deprotonated species increase linearly with total Si concentration, with a small dependence on the K2O/SiO2 ratio, indicating that Raman intensities are proportional to species concentrations. The Raman peak area of the monomer feature does not scale linearly with total SiO2 concentration, however, and depends strongly on the K2O/SiO2 ratio. In broad agreement with NMR results, the Raman spectra show that increasing silica concentration promotes silica polymerization, and that increasing the K2O/SiO2 ratio or temperature depolymerizes aqueous silica. The Raman spectra show that increasing pressure also causes aqueous silica to depolymerize. The results provide a foundation for characterizing aqueous silica polymerization at crustal and upper mantle conditions.
Enlightenment Initiated from the Construction of Air-space Integrated Weapons and Equipment of the United States

To implement the air-space integrated strategy is a necessity for the air force to accommodate the air-space era,which will surely have a profound effect on the weapons and equipment construction of the air force.By analyzing the current situation and tendency of the development of the US air-space integrated weapons and equipment,four aspects of enlightenment have been drawn so as to provide useful references for the equipment development of air force.
Physiology of EtOH, Opiate, Hypnotics, and Stimulants Receptors

Pharmacologic principles drive the theories behind addiction medicine as they apply to not only prescription medications (narcotics, anxiolytics, stimulants) to Drug Enforcement Administration Class 1 compounds like heroin, phencyclidine, and hallucinogenic mushrooms. All drugs of abuse are used produce mood alterations which necessitates the drugs penetrate the brain itself.
Downlink coverage probability of K-tier HetNets with general non-uniform user distributions

Current approaches to the analysis of heterogeneous cellular networks (HetNets) with random spatial models assume users to be distributed according to a homogeneous Poisson Point Process (PPP) independently of the base station (BS) locations. In reality, however, current deployments are capacity-driven, which correlates the BS and user locations. In this paper, we develop tools for the downlink analysis of HetNets with general nonuniform user distributions by enriching the K-tier PPP HetNet model. Instead of being PPP distributed, the user locations are modeled by a Poisson cluster process with the cluster centers being the BSs. In particular, we provide the first formal analysis of the downlink coverage probability in terms of a general density function describing the locations of users around the BSs. All the results are specialized to a particular case of a Thomas cluster process, where the locations of the users around BSs are Gaussian distributed. Our results concretely demonstrate that the coverage probability decreases with the increasing variance of the user location distribution, ultimately collapsing to the result for the PPP user distribution when the variance goes to infinity.
Left atrial anatomy and patient-related factors associated with adverse outcomes with the watchman device-a real world experience.

Objective This study sought to identify patient and left atrial morphology specific factors associated with early complications for left atrial appendage occlusion with the Watchman™ (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) device. Background Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is recommended for patients with atrial fibrillation, however, long-term OAC compliance is poor. In randomized control trials, the Watchman™ device has demonstrated superiority over OAC with warfarin for all cause and cardiovascular mortality and hemorrhagic stroke. However, predictors of procedural complications have not yet been well established. Methods There were 137 patients included in this study from a total of 141 consecutive patients prospectively enrolled in the registry between 8/1/2015 and 08/31/2016. Unadjusted, multivariate cox proportional hazards model was used for analysis. Primary end-point was a composite major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) defined to include death, stroke, major and life threatening bleeding, major vascular complications, device embolization, need for cardiovascular surgery, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and significant pericardial effusion. Results The primary endpoint was reached in 5.8% of patients. There were no device embolization and no strokes. Anterior chicken morphology (ACW) of the left atrial appendage (LAA) conferred a hazard ratio of 3.7 for MACCE and a body mass index >30 kg/m2 significantly lowered the likelihood of a MACCE. Conclusion Certain LAA morphologies and patient characteristics increase the risk for a MACCE following left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the Watchman™ device. Anterior chicken wing morphology of the LAA and low BMI <30 kg/m2 were independent predictors of MACCE in the multivariate regression model.
Novel Lessons on Behavioral Ethics From the U.S. Military Academy at West Point

After a spate of business ethics crises over the past two decades, management educators were put on notice: considerably more was needed to improve the ethical grounding of our graduating students....
The best sections method of studying mass extinctions

Phanerozoic mass extinctions have been studied primarily by analysing global diversity patterns compiled from the published literature. However, such compilations are beset by problems of incorrect correlation, imprecise age assignments and changing taxonomy. An alternative approach is to analyse mass extinctions by the ‘best sections’ method. This method identifies abundantly fossiliferous, well-studied, stratigraphically dense and temporally extensive fossil records in strata that contain geochemical and other relevant non-palaeontological data from a single depositional basin or geographically restricted outcrop area as the ‘best sections’ by which to analyse extinctions. A strength of the best sections method is that it allows the extinctions identified to be compared directly to changes in facies and other factors recorded in the best section. And, the hypothesis of a widespread extinction based on an extinction seen in a best section can be tested by its presence or absence in temporally equivalent sections. What we need are more field-based studies of the best sections that encompass mass extinctions (real and hypothetical) and less of a reliance on literature-based diversity compilations to produce a more reliable and comprehensive understanding of the history of extinctions.
Exploring the public stigma of substance use disorder through community-based participatory research

Background: In their 2016 report, the National Academy of Sciences identified that the existing literature on the stigma of substance use disorder (SUD) is sparse compared to the stigma of mental i...
Clinical Assessment of the Patient with Claudication: The Role of the Vascular Laboratory

The noninvasive vascular laboratory aids in the evaluation of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Several qualitative and quantitative noninvasive tests are useful for diagnosing PAD and monitoring patients' response to treatment. These tests include Doppler ultrasonography, pulse volume recording, segmental blood pressure measurement, exercise testing, post-occlusive reactive hyperemia testing, transcutaneous oximetry and color-assisted ultrasound imaging. Each test has specific utility and can be used either individually or in combination with other noninvasive tests to obtain information about the hemodynamic and functional severity of peripheral atherosclerosis in patients with claudication.
Performance and nutrient balance in growing swine fed low-protein diets supplemented with amino acids and potassium.

Five experiments, using 216 barrows and gilts (initial weight 19.9 to 23.7 kg), were conducted to evaluate the effects of improving amino acid balance by supplementing low-protein corn-soybean meal diets with essential amino acids. Three experiments were growth studies lasting approximately 3 wk, and the other two were 4-d metabolism trials. The control diets in each of the experiments were formulated to contain .80% lysine and contained approximately 17% CP. The other diets were formulated from a basal diet containing a 10.9% CP, fortified corn-soybean meal mixture, which included crystalline L-lysine.HCI, L-tryptophan, L-threonine, L-isoleucine, DL-methionine and L-valine to correct amino acid deficiencies. Nonessential N (glutamic acid or urea) also was added to some of the diets to increase the CP equivalent to 12 or 13%. Supplemental K (as a salt of bicarbonate or glutamate) was included in selected diets to increase the K concentration to the same level as that of the control diet. Growth rate of pigs fed the basal diet was similar (P greater than .05) to that of the control diets in only one growth study. Added glutamic acid and urea did not improve either growth rate or N retention. Added K improved K digestibility but did not increase K retention, N retention or growth rate. Improving amino acid balance by adding essential amino acids to low-protein diets did not benefit performance beyond that of a typical corn-soybean meal diet. Under our conditions, K, N, and nonessential N were not limiting.
Chapter 15 – Rehabilitation

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on rehabilitation, which has been the alternative goal of criminal justice intervention with offenders. The rehabilitative ideal dominated the correctional end of the formal justice system throughout most of the twentieth century. Wide arrays of rehabilitative practices have been introduced. The most common comment made about rehabilitation is “nothing works.” This view had stirred a lot of controversy since its declaration in the mid-1970s and forms a basis for this chapter. Despite the discouraging results, rehabilitation continues to be a major focus of system effort. The chapter examines the debate on the rehabilitation controversy, discusses the problems inherent in the research and debate, and considers a few promising rehabilitation approaches such as restorative justice and drug courts. Restorative justice includes a wide array of community members and groups in the interventions. Drug courts seek rehabilitation in a community setting. The reason for this is the recognition and belief that the community influence and social atmosphere are important aspects of rehabilitation and crime prevention. The ideas of identifying and using community resources are no different from that found in both primary and secondary crime prevention. While these rehabilitative efforts have not engendered great reductions in recidivism, they do suggest that these are fruitful directions for tertiary prevention to pursue.
Hospital readmissions among patients with skin disease: A retrospective cohort study.

Background Hospital readmissions represent a potential target for reducing unnecessary health care expenditures; however, readmissions following dermatology hospitalizations remain poorly characterized. Objective To assess the frequency and demographics of readmissions for skin disease. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of dermatology hospitalizations by using the 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Results Readmissions following dermatologic hospitalizations cost the American health care system $1.05 billion in 2014. The 30-day rate of all-cause readmission following the 647,251 weighted index admissions for skin disease was 12.63%. Readmission was most common following hospitalizations for cutaneous lymphomas (39.63%), connective tissue disorders (26.28%), and cutaneous congenital abnormalities (23.86%). Predictors of readmission included public insurance with Medicaid (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-1.70) or Medicare (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.48-1.62), residence in a low-income community (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.09-1.20), an increased number of chronic conditions (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 4.15-4.79), and a large hospital (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.16). Urban (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87-0.94) and rural (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.73-0.82) nonteaching hospitals were protective against readmissions from skin disease. Limitations We were unable to assess the impact of inpatient dermatology consultations on hospital readmission rates. Conclusions There are significant health care and demographic disparities in readmissions for skin disease.
Trochlear Dysplasia and Its Relationship to the Anterior Distal Femoral Physis.

BACKGROUND Trochlear dysplasia is a known risk factor for patellar instability in adolescent patients. A spatial relationship between dysplastic trochlea and anterior distal femoral physis has not been established. The purpose of this study was to investigate this relationship. Our hypothesis was that the position of the dysplastic trochlea and trochlear bump would coincide with the anterior distal femoral physis and that the distance between them would increase with age. METHODS In a retrospective study, magnetic resonance images of adolescents with trochlear dysplasia were evaluated. Measurements performed included trochlear depth, trochlear bump size, proximal trochlea-physis distance, and trochlear bump-physis distance. Linear regression analyses were performed to correlate the variables with increasing age. RESULTS In total, 175 knees (160 patients) with trochlear dysplasia were included. The mean trochlea-physis distance was 4.50 mm (SD=1.93) and it increased with age (slope=0.26; P<0.01). The lateral aspect of trochlea was proximal to the physis in 24 (13.7%) knees and was at the level of the physis in 31 (17.7%) knees. The size of trochlear bump increased with age (slope=0.15; P=0.01). The bump-physis distance increased with age (slope=0.41; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The dysplastic trochlea is closely related to the anterior distal femoral physis. The distance between the dysplastic trochlea and femoral physis increases with age. The close relationship between proximal aspect of trochlea and anterior distal femoral physis should be considered when trochlear surgery is planned in skeletally immature patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II.
An Automated Method for Direct Antiglobulin Testing and the Resulting Amount of Phototherapy Used at a Large Academic Medical Center.

Objective To evaluate how clinical practice was affected by the change in direct antiglobulin testing (DAT) methodologies and subsequent stronger reported DAT results at our large academic medical center. Method We retrospectively reviewed DAT results of umbilical cord blood from infants with blood type A or B born to mothers with antibody-negative type O blood, based on records kept at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital, a 1400-bed academic medical center. Results We randomly chose 50 neonates with positive DAT results who had been tested using the tube method and 50 whose testing had used the gel method. Although 86% of results with the tube method were positive microscopically, 52% and 40% of the DAT results with the gel method were 1+ and 2+ positive, respectively. Further, we observed an increase in the number of neonates treated with phototherapy who had been tested using the gel method. Conclusion We report that DATs performed using the gel method had increased DAT strength compared with tube testing, which led to increased use of phototherapy by our clinical colleagues.
The Promise and Challenges of Post Ageing

We are not convinced that the inflection point of optimal ageing is the ultimate culmination and apogee of all that we have done—and will do—in the domain of gerontology and geriatrics. We are most certain that a burgeoning inflection point has arrived and made an impact by challenging our received views within the “ageing enterprise.” We submit that the GRIN technologies will disrupt and flip on its head each and every previous inflection point and its attendant prevailing view. In the past, ageing has been the optic by which we reflect on decline and mortality, problem-solve the symptoms of senescence, enact policies to buffer the demographic transitions, and promote lifestyles, attitudes, diets, and outlooks that will reframe the later years into civic engagement, wisdom, and legacy. But that was then, and this is now, when we will have to make room for this new perspective of “post ageing”, even the radical versions, in our classrooms, conferences, and publications. Despite the heated rhetoric and polemics that have been associated with “anti-ageing medicine” and human life extension, the intersection of technology and ageing is substantial and significant.
An 8,000-year History of Use and Abuse of Opium and Opioids: How That Matters For A Successful Control Of The Epidemic ? (P4.9-055)

Objective: To study the roots of opioid use. Background: The recent declaration of opioid-abuse crisis in the US, with 33,091 deaths in 2015 from overdosing, warrants cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys. Design/Methods: Analyzing published information. Results: 8000 year-old hardened Sumerian clay-tablets are the earliest prescriptions of opium. Ancient Greeks, Indians, Chinese, Egyptians, Romans, Arabs, people in middle ages, Europeans from renaissance to now, knew opium as an ever-approved next-door medicine-a panacea for all maladies. References in the Odyssey and the Bible, and use by known leaders and minds like Homer, Franklin, Napoleon, Coleridge, Poe, Shelly, Quincy, Hitler and many more, have removed the label of immorality from its use. Wounded soldiers, from the American Civil, British Crimean, and Prussian French wars, were allowed to abuse the drug. By 1830s one third of all lethal poisoning was due to opium-marking the first recognition of a social evil. Isolation of Morphine from opium by Serterner in Germany in 1805, hypodermic syringe by Pranez in 1850s, synthesis of morphine by Tschudi in 1952, and manufacturing of synthetic derivatives-called opioids and Heroin eased the use. Recognition of subjective pain as the fifth vital sign, with pressure on providers to prescribe scheduled medicines, added additional strokes to this menace of prehistoric dimensions-the OPIOID EPIDEMIC, which shreds 13% high school seniors every year. Discovery of mu receptors-the mouthpiece of opioids in virtually all animals and plants high-up from yeasts, endogenous endorphin and encephalin in humans as the quintessential stress and pain disposal systems, link opium to our survival. Genetic factors for opioid specific heritable vulnerability contributes to nearly 50% of abuse. Prevalence of mood disorders in today’s world, add substantial susceptibility. Conclusions: This nemesis has anchors on history, culture, mythology, religion, biology, genetics and psychology. A thorough knowledge of the upstream is necessary for a successful downstream regulation. Disclosure: Dr. Bandyopadhyay has nothing to disclose.
Correction to: Discriminative and Criterion Validity of the Autism Spectrum Identity Scale (ASIS).

The original version of this article contains an error in Results and Discussion sections and in Table 2. The corrected text and table are given below. Results: Participants’ scores were higher for overall stigma and discrimination than those reported by King et al (2007). The pattern of descriptive statistics for the AAQOL was simialr to that reported by Brod et al. (2006). Discussion: Of note, participants in this study scored approximately 30 points lower than the non-ADHD scores on the AAQOL as reported by Brod and colleagues (2006). The distribution of scores in the current study more closely resembled the distribution of scores by those with ADHD than the non-ADHD control group. This is consistent with the widespread reports of decreased quality of life for adults on the autism spectrum (e.g., Howlin and Moss 2012; Taylor & Seltzer 2011). Further, and consistent with reports of increased stigma (e.g., Shtayermnan, 2009; Tyman, Salor, Saia, et al. 2010), participants in this study scored approximately 20 points higher for overall stigma, and ten points higher for discrimination, than participants with mental illness as reported by King and colleagues (2007).
GCNG: Graph convolutional networks for inferring cell-cell interactions

Several methods have been developed for inferring gene-gene interactions from expression data. To date, these methods mainly focused on intra-cellular interactions. The availability of high throughput spatial expression data opens the door to methods that can infer such interactions both within and between cells. However, the spatial data also raises several new challenges. These include issues related to the sparse, noisy expression vectors for each cell, the fact that several different cell types are often profiled, the definition of a neighborhood of cell and the relatively small number of extracellular interactions. To enable the identification of gene interactions between cells we extended a Graph Convolutional Neural network approach for Genes (GCNG). We encode the spatial information as a graph and use the network to combine it with the expression data using supervised training. Testing GCNG on spatial transcriptomics data we show that it improves upon prior methods suggested for this task and can propose novel pairs of extracellular interacting genes. Finally, we show that the output of GCNG can also be used for down-stream analysis including functional assignment.
Mid-wavelength infrared high operating temperature pBn photodetectors based on type-II InAs/InAsSb superlattice

A high operating temperature mid-wavelength infrared pBn photodetector based on the type-II InAs/InAsSb superlattice on a GaSb substrate has been demonstrated. At 150 K, the photodetector exhibits a peak responsivity of 1.48 A/W, corresponding to a quantum efficiency of 47% at −50 mV applied bias under front-side illumination, with a 50% cutoff wavelength of 4.4 µm. With an R × A of 12 783 Ω cm2 and a dark current density of 1.16 × 10−5 A/cm2 under −50 mV applied bias, the photodetector exhibits a specific detectivity of 7.1 × 1011 cm Hz1/2/W. At 300 K, the photodetector exhibits a dark current density of 0.44 A/cm2 and a quantum efficiency of 39%, resulting in a specific detectivity of 2.5 × 109 cm Hz1/2/W.
4.25 – Uptake Transporters

Membrane transporters are recognized to be an important class of proteins for regulating cellular and physiologic solute and fluid balance. Transporter proteins can be generally separated into two major classes: uptake and efflux transporters. Not only are transporter proteins critical to human physiology in the maintenance of normal homeostasis via transport of endogenous substrates, but they are also, in many cases, important to the disposition of numerous xenobiotic compounds such as environmental toxins, dietary constituents, and drugs and their metabolites. In particular, over the past decade, members of the solute carrier (SLC) families, including the organic anion transporting polypeptide (SLCO) family, the organic cation/anion/zwitterion transporter (SLC22) family, and the sodium bile salt cotransport (SLC10) family, have been determined to have important physiological, pathological, and therapeutic implications. In this chapter, we focus on the emerging field of uptake transporter proteins and provide a comprehensive overview of the significant roles these proteins play in normal physiology and in the drug disposition process.
The War Scare That Wasn't: Able Archer 83 and the Myths of the Second Cold War

Did the Cold War of the 1980s nearly turn hot? Much has been made of the November 1983 Able Archer 83 command-post exercise, which is often described as having nearly precipitated a nuclear war whe...
Bounding the values of financial derivatives by the use of the moment problem

Lower and upper bounds are derived on single-period European options under moment information, without assuming that the asset prices follow geometric Brownian motion, which is frequently untrue in practice. Sometimes the entire asset distribution is not completely known, sometimes it is known but the numerical calculation is easier by the use of the moments than the entire probability distribution. As geometric Brownian motion assumption regarding the asset prices is frequently untrue in practice. Some of the bounds are given by formulas, some are obtained by solving special linear programming problems. The bounds can be made close if a sufficiently large number of moments is used, and may serve for approximation of the values of financial derivatives.
Distinct neural circuits are associated with subclinical neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Background Parkinson's disease (PD) can present with neuropsychiatric symptoms (here, anxiety, depression, and apathy) at any stage of the disease. We investigated the neural correlates of subclinical neuropsychiatric symptoms in relation to motor and cognitive symptoms in a high-functioning PD cohort. Methods Brain morphometry of the cognitively intact, early-stage (Hoehn & Yahr 2) PD group (n = 48) was compared to matched controls (n = 37). Whole-brain, pairwise, resting-state functional connectivity measures were correlated with neuropsychiatric symptom, motor exam, and global cognitive scores of the PD group. Results Factor analysis of highly collinear anxiety, depression, and apathy scores revealed a single principal component (i.e., composite neuropsychiatric symptom score) explaining 71.6% of variance. There was no collinearity between the neuropsychiatric, motor, and cognitive scores. Compared to controls, PD group showed only subcortical changes including amygdala and nucleus accumbens atrophy, and greater pallidal volume. Reduced functional connectivity in the limbic cortical-striatal circuits and increased functional connectivity between the cerebellum and occipito-temporal regions were associated with a more impaired neuropsychiatric profile. This functional connectivity pattern was distinct from those associated with motor deficits and global cognitive functioning. The individual components of the neuropsychiatric symptoms also exhibited unique connectivity patterns. Limitations Patients were scanned in “on-medication” state only and a control group with similar neuropsychiatric symptoms was not included. Conclusion Abnormal functional connectivity of distinct neural circuits is present even at the subclinical stage of neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD. Neuropsychiatric phenotyping is important and may facilitate early interventions to “reorganize” these circuits and delay/prevent clinical symptom onset.
Examining eating disorder-related social comparison orientation and body dissatisfaction in the relationship between fit ideal internalization and drunkorexia engagement.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between fit ideal internalization and drunkorexia engagement in women. Specifically, in line with the Tripartite Influence Model, we examined the indirect effect of fit ideal internalization on drunkorexia through eating disorder-related social comparison orientation and body dissatisfaction. Data were collected from two samples of women—college undergraduate students (n = 198) and women recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (n = 324)—in order to test the model across the two groups. All participants completed the consent forms and then questionnaires via Qualtrics between March and June 2020. The results suggest that fit ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorder-related social comparison orientation are linked to drunkorexia. More specifically, multigroup path analyses indicated that there was an indirect effect of fit ideal internalization on drunkorexia via eating disorder-related social comparison orientation but not through body dissatisfaction. In examining the role of different types of eating disorder-related social comparison orientation (body, eating, exercise) in the model, more nuanced patterns emerged across the samples. Future research examining potential mediators and moderators of the relationship between eating disorder-related social comparison orientation and drunkorexia would be beneficial in expanding this area of study.
Body Composition and Power Output In NCAA Division I American Football Linebackers Throughout a Competitive Season

Body composition and power are impactful variables of athletic performance. However, few studies have assessed power and body composition changes from pre-, to mid-, to end-of-season in American Football linebackers. The purpose of this study was to determine how power and body composition respond to a competitive season in Division I Football Championship Series (FCS) American football linebackers. Participants (n=9; Age=19.7 ± 1.5 years; Weight=101.5±11.6 kg; Height=183.3±5.2 cm; [Body Fat percent (BF %) =21.31 ± 6.02%)] performed a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan, and power was assessed via three vertical jumps and squat jumps at 40, 60, 80, and 100 kg at three time points: a) 1 week prior to their regular season, b) 2 days after the bye week in the middle of the season, and c) 1 week prior to the completion of the season. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in power or body composition. These results support past research, indicating power and body composition can be maintained throughout a competitive season. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal programming methods to maintain or improve athletic performance via optimization of body composition and power during a competitive season.
Effects of Intertidal Position on Metabolism and Behavior in the Acorn Barnacle, Balanus glandula.

The intertidal zone is characterized by persistent, tidally-driven fluctuations in both abiotic (e.g., temperature, oxygen, and salinity) and biotic (e.g., food availability and predation) factors, which make this a physiologically challenging habitat for resident organisms. The relative magnitude and degree of variability of environmental stress differ between intertidal zones, with the most extreme physiological stress often being experienced by organisms in the high intertidal. Given that so many of the constantly shifting parameters in this habitat are primary drivers of metabolic rate (e.g., temperature, [O2], and food availability), we hypothesized that sessile conspecifics residing in different tidal zones would exhibit distinct "metabolic phenotypes," a term we use to collectively describe the organisms' baseline metabolic performance and capacity. To investigate this hypothesis, we collected acorn barnacles (Balanus glandula) from low, mid, and high intertidal positions in San Luis Obispo Bay, CA, and measured a suite of biochemical (whole-animal citrate synthase (CS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and aerial [D-lactate]), physiological (O2 consumption rates), morphological (body size), and behavioral (e.g., cirri beat frequency and percentage of time operculum open) indices of metabolism. We found tidal zone-dependent differences in B. glandula metabolism that primarily related to anaerobic capacity, cirral activity patterns, and body size. Barnacles from the low intertidal tended to have a greater capacity for anaerobic metabolism (i.e., increased LDH activity and increased baseline [D-lactate]), have reduced cirral beating activity-and presumably reduced feeding-when submerged, and be smaller in size compared to conspecifics in the high intertidal. We did not, however, see any D-lactate accumulation in barnacles from any tidal height throughout 96 h of air exposure. This trend indicates that the enhanced capacity of low intertidal barnacles for anaerobic metabolism may have evolved to support metabolism during more prolonged episodes of emersion or during events other than emersion (e.g., coastal hypoxia and predation). There were also no significant differences in CS activity or baseline O2 consumption rates (in air or seawater at 14°C) across tidal heights, which imply that aerobic metabolic capacity may not be as sensitive to tidal position as anaerobic processes. Understanding how individuals occupying different shore heights differ in their metabolic capacity becomes increasingly interesting in the context of global climate change, given that the intertidal zone is predicted to experience even greater extremes in abiotic stress.
One-Step Chemical Vapor Deposition Synthesis of Hierarchical Ni and N Co-Doped Carbon Nanosheet/Nanotube Hybrids for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction at Commercially Viable Current Densities

Carbon catalysts with metal and nitrogen dopants hold significant promises for an electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the fabrication of these carbon catalysts normally require...
Muddying the Waters: Sixty-One Years of Doctrinal Uncertainty in Montana Water Law

The development of water law in the western United States is a valuable case study in the refinement and abrogation of the common law in the face of customary practices and their comparative suitability to the climactic and institutional conditions in the arid West. These conditions frequently meant the prevailing water doctrine became prior appropriation, a change which required the abrogation of the common law riparian doctrine. The development of Montana’s water rights regime over sixty-one years provides an extended context through which to view the iterative process by which this change occurred. Unlike a number of other western states that confronted this legal dilemma, Montana did not clearly adopt the prior appropriation doctrine, which meant the Supreme Court of Montana, in keeping with the canons of judicial deference and avoidance of legal conflict, had to reconcile conflicting statutory requirements regarding riparian and prior appropriative rights over six decades. In resolving cases in a manner faithful to statutory requirements, equitable resolution for the interests of the participants, and avoidance of legal conflict, the Court slowly removed components of the riparian doctrine until prior appropriation was the de facto law of the land. Our survey of the extended judicial development of Montana’s water rights regime emphasizes the lessons that unclear statutes can have enduring consequences, judicial reconciliation of conflicting law can ultimately rewrite the law itself, and scarcity drives changes in property rights that can be determined in part by the coordinative choices of those subject to the legal ambiguity itself.