cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Richer histories for more relevant policies: 42 years of tree cover loss and gain in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Understandings of contemporary forest cover loss are critical for policy but have come at the expense of long-term, multidirectional analyses of land cover change. This is a critical gap given (i) profound reconfigurations in land use and land control over the past several decades and (ii) evidence of widespread 'woodland resurgence' throughout the tropics. In this study, we argue that recent advancements within the field of land change science provide new opportunities to address this gap. In turn, we suggest that multidecadal and multidirectional analyses of land cover change can facilitate richer social analyses of land cover change and more relevant conservation policies and practice. Our argument is grounded in a case study from Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Using a novel analytical platform, Google Earth Engine, and open access to high-quality Landsat data, we map land cover change in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, from 1972 to 2014. We find that tree cover loss constitutes the single largest net change over the period 1972-2014 but that gross rates of tree cover gain were three times higher than gross loss rates from 1972 to 1995 and equivalent to loss rates from 1995 to 2014. We suggest the smallholder tree crop economy likely produced both forest loss and Imperata grassland restoration in this region. This case points to the need to expand rather than collapse the baselines used to study carbon and biodiversity change in tropical regions. It also demonstrates the possible utility of applying such methods to other regions.
TORT LAW'S BASIC LEGAL PREMISES

This chapter discusses some major legal concepts, premises, and major liability rules related to tort law and the doctrine of proximate cause. A tort is a civil, seldom a criminal, wrong. When such a wrong occurs, usually one party unintentionally destroys another party's initial entitlement by imposing a negative externality on him. Then, the courts can provide a remedy in the form of damages. Tort law has a price-system rationale. Individual tortfeasors may meet their tort duties for a price, for an appropriate compensation. Therefore, if enterprises unintentionally injure individuals, they are not prohibited from operating; they need only pay compensation for the breach of their tort duty. The tort of negligence is probably the most commonly known tort. It involves a failure to exercise the care of an ordinary prudent and careful person. The question of actual negligence is almost always factual, requiring a jury determination. A key issue in determining liability relates to the defendant's conduct: Has it been such that under the same or similar circumstances a reasonable man would not have caused the resulting injury? Thus, would the conduct of a reasonable man have avoided the ensuing harm? One essential element of negligence is the demonstration of a duty. It relates to a person's responsibility not to destroy another person's initial entitlement. The defendant who owes no duty to the plaintiff cannot be negligent.
Fitness costs of noise in biochemical reaction networks and the evolutionary limits of cellular robustness

Gene expression is inherently noisy, but little is known about whether noise affects cell function or, if so, how and by how much. Here I present a theoretical framework that quantifies the fitness costs of gene expression noise and identifies the evolutionary and synthetic targets of noise attenuation. I find that gene expression noise reduces fitness by slowing the average rate of nutrient uptake and protein synthesis. This is a direct consequence of the hyperbolic (Michaelis-Menten) kinetics of most biological reactions, which I show cause ???hyperbolic filtering???, a process that diminishes both the average rate and noise propagation of stochastic reactions. Interestingly, I find that transcriptional noise directly slows growth by slowing the average translation rate. Perhaps surprisingly, this is the largest fitness cost of transcriptional noise since translation strongly filters mRNA noise, making protein noise largely independent of transcriptional noise, consistent with empirical data. Translation, not transcription, then, is the primary target of protein noise control. Paradoxically, selection for protein-noise control favors increased ribosome-mRNA binding affinity, even though this increases translational bursting. However, I find that the efficacy of selection to suppress noise decays faster than linearly with increasing cell size. This predicts a stark, cell-size-mediated taxonomic divide in selection pressures for noise control: small unicellular species, including most prokaryotes, face fairly strong selection to suppress gene expression noise, whereas larger unicells, including most eukaryotes, experience extremely weak selection. I suggest that this taxonomic discrepancy in selection efficacy contributed to the evolution of greater gene-regulatory complexity in eukaryotes.
Focusing metasurface quantum-cascade laser with a near diffraction-limited beam.

A terahertz vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting-laser (VECSEL) is demonstrated using an active focusing reflectarray metasurface based on quantum-cascade gain material. The focusing effect enables a hemispherical cavity with flat optics, which exhibits higher geometric stability than a plano-plano cavity and a directive and circular near-diffraction limited Gaussian beam with M2 beam parameter as low as 1.3 and brightness of 1.86 × 106 Wsr−1m−2. This work initiates the potential of leveraging inhomogeneous metasurface and reflectarray designs to achieve high-power and high-brightness terahertz quantum-cascade VECSELs.
Chapter 75 – Δ9-THC and COX-2 Signaling

Abstract Humans have been using marijuana or cannabis for a few thousands of years, as a recreational or medicinal drug. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the major psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Because of the undesirable side effects and potential abuse, the medical use of THC has been restricted to a limited number of medical conditions. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostanoids. Recent study shows that synaptic and cognitive impairments elicited by THC are associated with COX-2 induction through CB1 receptor-coupled G-protein βγ subunits, and downstream NF-κB signaling pathway. COX-2 inhibition by pharmacological or genetic manipulations maintains integrity of hippocampal synaptic structure and function, and improves long-term synaptic plasticity, spatial learning, and memory in animals repeatedly exposed to THC. This information suggests that the medical use of marijuana would be broadened by concurrent COX-2 inhibition, which eliminates the major adverse effects of THC, while retaining cannabinoid beneficial effects.
The have Resultative in North Slavic and Baltic

In a recent article on language contact, Victor Friedman (2012: 411) observes that, while the lexeme ‘have’ exists across the Slavic languages, possessive constructions used in resultative structures are limited to three geographical areas, all somewhat peripheral, and all adopting the structure through the operation of calquing: • in the Balkan Slavic languages (Bulgarian, Macedonian, and the Torlak dialects of SE Serbia and Southern Kosovo) in contact with the Balkan Romance languages (Romanian, Aromanian, and Meglenoramanian), Albanian, and Greek; • in N. Russian in contact with Finnic; and • in Czech and Polish, in contact with German. The role of contact in the development of the possessive perfects of the Balkans and of N. Russian has been discussed in some detail; in this chapter, we turn our attention to the development of HAVE perfects in Czech, Polish, and the other W. Slavic languages, in western Ukrainian, and in Lithuanian. What we will discover as we briefly examine each of these varieties in turn is that the W. Slavic languages, especially the vernaculars of Czech and Polish, were influenced directly by Western Europe, and developed resultatives modeled on the perfects of German, while Kashubian and the Baltic Sea Slavic varieties, such as Slovincian and Polabian, were influenced even more thoroughly by German, to the extent that the HAVE and BE constructions may be considered perfects. Lithuanian, on the other hand, presents a unique profile that requires further examination. HAVE Resultatives in the West Slavic Languages We turn now to the HAVE + -n/t- construction, identified by Clancy (2010: 160) as the “New Slavic Perfect.” Czech As noted previously, Czech has had a HAVE resultative from the beginning of its written tradition. Centuries-long contact with German fostered its growth in the vernacular language (Dickey 2013: 115 fn), though it came to be suppressed in the standard language (Thomas 2003). As in other W. Slavic languages, the HAVE resultative in Czech was first formed with an objective complement and a PPP agreeing in gender, number, and case, but its later loss of agreement in the participle has led some scholars, such as Dickey (2013), to reclassify Czech's resultative structure as a perfect.
Senior Athletes: Winning Matters

Interest in the senior athlete population is at an all-time high, yet research on motivations of this population remains limited in scope. The purpose of this research is to give senior athletes an opportunity to state whether or not â€œwinningâ€ is important. Surveys were distributed to senior athletes at various sporting venues. In addition to demographic data, questions included years of sport participation, number of events, and why they participate in sports. Seventy three senior athletes age 50 and older participated. Findings indicate that winning is indeed important and gender and years in sport are central variables when analyzing the behavior and motivation of senior athletes.Â Furthermore, qualitative data unmasked a greater desire to win than has previously been reported.Â Â
Cultural Dimension Theory Based Simulations for US Army Personnel

US Military Personnel are constantly operating in culturally diverse operational theaters and among multinational coalitions around the world. Though some cultural and linguistic criteria are considered when filling deployments, cultural missteps continue to plague the success of our combat operations. In order to address the increasing need for cross-culturally competent personnel the Department of Defense (DoD) requires scalable evaluative methods that supplement current measures primarily focused on evaluating linguistic skills for cross-cultural competence. This work investigates the integration of Cultural Dimension Theory and immersive avatar-based gaming systems with the goal of measuring and predicting cross-cultural competence. The objective of this effort is to assess the applicability of Cultural Dimension Theory as a means to interpret perceived cultural differences and to introduce a novel framework by which a Cultural Dimension-based simulation can be developed.
Multiphase Flows of N Immiscible Incompressible Fluids: A Reduction-Consistent and Thermodynamically-Consistent Formulation and Associated Algorithm

Abstract We present a reduction-consistent and thermodynamically consistent formulation and an associated numerical algorithm for simulating the dynamics of an isothermal mixture consisting of N ( N ⩾ 2 ) immiscible incompressible fluids with different physical properties (densities, viscosities, and pair-wise surface tensions). By reduction consistency we refer to the property that if only a set of M ( 1 ⩽ M ⩽ N − 1 ) fluids are present in the system then the N-phase governing equations and boundary conditions will exactly reduce to those for the corresponding M -phase system. By thermodynamic consistency we refer to the property that the formulation honors the thermodynamic principles. Our N-phase formulation is developed based on a more general method that allows for the systematic construction of reduction-consistent formulations, and the method suggests the existence of many possible forms of reduction-consistent and thermodynamically consistent N-phase formulations. Extensive numerical experiments have been presented for flow problems involving multiple fluid components and large density ratios and large viscosity ratios, and the simulation results are compared with the physical theories or the available physical solutions. The comparisons demonstrate that our method produces physically accurate results for this class of problems.
The Evaluation of Ocular Ischemia and the Loss of Autoregulation for the Early Detection of Ocular Vascular Diseases

flow appear to be very common characteristics associated with the onset and progression of several ocular diseases including age-related macular degeneration, the retinopathy of diabetes, open angle glaucoma, retinal artery and central vein occlusion, and detachment of the retina. The loss of vascular autoregulation appears to be a consequence of a relative ocular ischemia and reflects a diminished capacity to minimize changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular blood flow. Based on observations in healthy eyes of subjects who have suffered a stenosis of the internal carotid artery, the maximal capacity of the blood flow autoregulation is found to be of the order of 400–500 μ l min −1 . This increased blood flow occurs following unilateral occlusion of the internal carotid artery and returns to normal following successful surgical endarterectomy (see Sect. 3). An abnormally low ocular pulsatile blood flow has been documented in open angle glaucoma, 64,65 low-tension glaucoma, 66 diabetic retinopathy, 46 retinitis pigmentosa, 50 occlusion of the central retinal vein, age-related macular degeneration, 48,67,68 and retinal detachment. 52 In this respect, ocular pulsatile blood flows less than 500 μ l min −1 compared with the mean ocular pulsatile blood flow of 740 μ l min −1 in healthy eyes should be considered abnormal and suspect of ocular disease. Further, in studies of pulsatile blood flow and vision in patients with asymmetric disease the ischemia has been found to be more severe in the eyes with visual loss than in the contralateral eyes without visual loss, including open angle glaucoma (e.g., Fontana et al. 69 ). The onset and progression of the ocular ischemia varies between discrete areas of the retinal and choroidal circulations, 19
Translation of pipe inspection results into condition ratings using the fuzzy synthetic evaluation technique

An important step towards the assessment and management of failure risk in large-diameter (transmission) water mains is to observe distress indicators through scheduled inspections (using non-destructive or visual techniques) and translate these into condition ratings. Condition rating reflects an aggregate state of the pipe9s health. Distress indicators are physical manifestations of the ageing process. The type (or form) and location of observed distress indicators in large-diameter mains are dependent on the pipe material and its surrounding environment. The physicochemical processes that promote ageing are often not understood well enough to merit an adequate physicochemical (based on mechanics or electrochemistry or microbiology) model. Further, the encoding of distress indicators into condition rating is inherently imprecise and involves subjective judgement. Fuzzy logic-based tools enable the use of engineering judgement, experience and scarce field data to translate the level of distress to condition ratings. This paper describes the translation of distress indicators detected by non-destructive or visual techniques into fuzzy condition ratings. Examples of distresses observed in prestressed cylinder concrete pipes (PCCP) and cast iron pipes are used to illustrate the proposed method.
Integrating Time in Research on the Dominant Organizational Form of Family Business

This symposium is based on the premise that the construct of time and the context of family firm provide an intellectually stimulating arena to employ multi-disciplinary perspectives and methodolog...
Skeletal Trauma Analysis of the Lower Extremity

This chapter reviews the methods of forensic anthropological analysis in skeletal damage to the lower extremity and serves as an introduction for later chapters discussing the underlying physics and methodology used in engineering accident reconstruction. The discussion herein includes the interpretation of the mechanism of injury and the types of defects seen most commonly within forensic contexts. No such discussion can be comprehensive and each case must be assessed separately. Consistency with known patterns of damage can be stated, but in the majority of cases, the exact cause of injury cannot be determined. Analysis of lower extremity skeletal trauma requires an understanding of the movement patterns in which these bones have evolved, the capacity of the joints to absorb forces, the effects of forces beyond the capacity of bones and joints to withstand, and the resultant fracture patterns produced by excessive force.
Evaluation of Acute Headaches in Adults

Classifying headaches as primary (migraine, tension-type or cluster) or secondary can facilitate evaluation and management A detailed headache history helps to distinguish among the primary headache disorders. "Red flags" for secondary disorders include sudden onset of headache, onset of headache after 50 years of age, increased frequency or severity of headache, new onset of headache with an underlying medical condition, headache with concomitant systemic illness, focal neurologic signs or symptoms, papilledema and headache subsequent to head trauma. A thorough neurologic examination should be performed, with abnormal findings warranting neuroimaging to rule out intracranial pathology. The preferred imaging modality to rule out hemorrhage is noncontrast computed tomographic (CT) scanning followed by lumbar puncture if the CT scan is normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more expensive than CT scanning and less widely available; however, MRI reveals more detail and is necessary for imaging the posterior fossa. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis can help to confirm or rule out hemorrhage, infection, tumor and disorders related to CSF hypertension or hypotension. Referral is appropriate for patients with headaches that are difficult to diagnose, or that worsen or fail to respond to management
Correlation of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Men and Women.

Study Objectives:To compare Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores of men and women and determine if there is a correlation with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) based on subsequent polysomnography ...
Interactive Vectorization

Vectorization turns photographs into vector art. Manual vectorization, where the artist traces over the image by hand, requires skill and time. On the other hand, automatic approaches allow users to generate a result by setting a few global parameters. However, global settings often leave too much detail/complexity in some parts of the image while missing important details in others. We propose interactive vectorization tools that offer more local control than automatic systems, but are more powerful and high-level than simple curve editing. Our system enables novices to vectorize images significantly faster than even experts with state-of-the-art tools.
Primary Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Patients with Solid Tumors Receiving Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract 1157 Background: Venous thromboembolism [VTE] is the second highest cause of mortality among patients with cancer. However, pharmacological thromboprophylaxis for patients with solid tumor is only recommended during hospitalization. Primary outpatient thromboprophylaxis is not a widely accepted practice. Objective: Determine safety and efficacy of outpatient primary VTE prophylaxis in patients with solid tumors. Data sources: A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE up to June 2012. Key search words included venous thromboembolism, malignancy, anticoagulants, and chemotherapy. Studies were considered for our meta-analysis if they included outpatient primary pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in adult patients with active solid cancer. All the information was independently reviewed by 2 of the authors [MP, SJ] and a third reviewer resolved discrepancies. The measure of association was calculated with R (R: A Language and Environment for Statistical, R Development Core Team, [www.R-project.org][1]), R META package (Version 0.8–2, Author: Guido Schwarzer). The Q statistic was calculated and a formal test of homogeneity was conducted. Random-effects model was preferred in case of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 1371 abstracts were reviewed and 29 manuscripts were fully abstracted. Eight randomized controlled trials including 6706 patients were analyzed. There were less VTE events with outpatient prophylaxis: odds ratio [OR] of 0.53 (95% CI, 0.40–0.70). Six studies used low or ultra-low molecular weight heparin and two studies used warfarin. In the subgroup analysis of heparin based primary prophylaxis, there was a significant reduction in VTE events [OR 0.47, 95% CI, 0.34–0.64], no significant heterogeneity [[FIG 1][2]]. In addition, there was no difference in major bleeding events between groups [OR 1.48, 95% CI, 0.89–2.46]. Five studies reported mortality data; there was significant heterogeneity between studies. Conclusions: Heparin based outpatient VTE prophylaxis in patients with solid tumors reduced by half the risk of VTE with no significant differences in major bleeding events. The current publications do not allow a meaningful grouped analysis of survival data, improved patient selection is necessary in order to adequately target VTE prevention strategies. ![Figure][3] Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. [1]: http://www.R-project.org [2]: #F1 [3]: pending:yes
Trait Impressions from Faces Demonstrate Preserved Social Intelligence in Older Adulthood

The social intelligence manifested in first impressions from faces is generally preserved in normal aging. Older adults’ impressions of the competence, health, hostility, and trustworthiness of both older and younger faces agree with those of younger adults. This is consistent with a shared tendency to overgeneralize adaptive impressions of categories of people (unfit people, babies, emotional people) to faces that merely resemble those categories. Older and younger adults also show similar accuracy in impressions. These age similarities persist despite older adults’ more positive impressions of faces overall and their less differentiated ratings of faces on impression scales. Possible mechanisms for these age differences are discussed.
Fluid Volume Management in Prosthesis Users: Augmenting Panel Release with Pin Release.

BACKGROUND Management of fluid in the limbs is a challenge faced by people with disabilities. In prosthetics, a means for transtibial prosthesis users to stabilize their residual limb fluid volume during the day may improve socket fit. OBJECTIVE To determine if releasing the panels and locking pin of a cabled-panel adjustable socket during socket release significantly improved limb fluid volume recovery and retention over releasing the panels alone. DESIGN Repeated-measures experiment to assess the effects on limb fluid volume retention. SETTING Participants were tested in a laboratory setting while walking on a treadmill. INTERVENTION Release of a locking pin tether during sitting as a limb volume accommodation strategy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Percent limb fluid volume retention for panel and pin release compared with panel release alone at 2 minutes (short term) and 50 minutes (long term) after subsequent activity. Limb fluid volume was monitored using bioimpedance analysis. RESULTS Median percent limb fluid volume retention for the panel and pin release was significantly greater than panel release alone for both anterior and posterior regions for the long term (P = .0499 and .0096, respectively) but not the short term (P = .0712 and .1580, respectively). CONCLUSION Augmenting panel release with pin release may be an effective accommodation strategy for prosthesis users with transtibial amputation to better retain limb fluid volume.
Future Transmission Lines with Increased Loadability through Geometrical Optimized Phase Configurations and Sub-conductors in the Bundle

The goal of this paper is to discover “unconventional” high surge impedance loading (HSIL) line designs, through determining the best location of sub-conductors, to maximize SIL while satisfying the structural and electrical constraints through a heuristic algorithm. The paper shows the potential of unconventional HSIL line as an innovative technology to realize high-efficiency future transmission lines for grid modernization. Moreover, a new method to obtain the accurate estimation of electric field intensity around the surface of sub-conductors, as one of the main constraints in the mentioned optimization algorithm, is developed.
Evaluating the Heterogeneous Effect of Firm Risk on Firm Value

Purpose- This paper aims to investigate the effect of firm risk on the firm value to see how the firm value is changing when the risk level is changed. Our result indicates that a higher level of risk can reduce firm value. Design/Methodology- We apply a Bayesian causal technique for a sample data set of US public firms. The causal approach helps us to focus on the reliable and unbiased results instead of the association-based findings. Findings- The results show a negative effect of risk on the firms’ value for the sample data. However, we investigate the potential effect of the risk across the distribution of the firm value. We witness the more substantial effect of risk on firms with a higher value. Practical Implications- Helps firms to evaluate their risk and its effect, so they can adjust their decisions and take actions to reduce the undesired effects of firm risk.
Technological Change and Work Organization in the U.S. Army: A Field Experiment

The military, like other institutions of our day and age, is facing a rapidly increasing rate of change on a number of fronts. Two areas of particular concern for the next decade and beyond will be changes associated with (1) the development of new and more highly sophisticated technology; and (2) alterations in the skill levels, needs and make up of the human resources who will staff our military organizations. Although it is yet to be determined, we believe strongly that changes on these dimensions will require the development of new organizational forms to deal with the issues of training, motivation, and overall preparedness that these changes portend. The research project described herein is the U.S. Army’s first attempt to experiment with sociotechnical system methods of work and organization design, and the results discussed reflect the many issues involved in the use of such innovative responses to the critical problems confronting our armed forces.
Association of Metformin Use With Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Case-Control Study.

Importance Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible blindness in older adults, appears to have no effective preventive measures. The common antidiabetic drug metformin has been shown to have protective outcomes in multiple age-associated diseases and may have the potential to protect against the development of AMD. Objective To determine whether metformin use is associated with reduced odds of developing AMD. Design, setting, and participants This case-control study of patients from a nationwide health insurance claims database included a population-based sample of patients. Those aged 55 years and older with newly diagnosed AMD from January 2008 to December 2017 were defined as cases and matched with control participants. Data analyses were completed from June 2019 to February 2020. Exposures Dosage of metformin and exposure to other prescribed medications, as identified from outpatient drug claims. Main outcomes and measures Risk of developing AMD. Results A total of 312 404 affected individuals were included (181 817 women [58.2%]). After matching, 312 376 control participants were included (172 459 women [55.2%]; age range, 55 to 107 years). The case group had a slightly higher percentage of participants with diabetes (81 262 participants [26.0%]) compared with the control group (79 497 participants [25.5%]). Metformin use was associated with reduced odds of developing AMD (odds ratio [OR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.92-0.96]). This association was dose dependent, with low to moderate doses of metformin showing the greatest potential benefit (dosages over 2 years: 1-270 g, OR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.88-0.94]; 271-600 g, OR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.87-0.93]; 601-1080 g, OR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.92-0.98]). Doses of more than 1080 g of metformin over 2 years did not have reduced odds of developing AMD. Both the reduction in odds ratio and the dose-dependent response were preserved in a cohort consisting only of patients with diabetes. Metformin use was associated with a decreased OR of AMD in patients with diabetes without coexisting diabetic retinopathy (OR, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.91-0.95]) but was a risk factor in patients with diabetic retinopathy (OR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.01-1.15]). Conclusion and relevance In this study, metformin use was associated with reduced odds of developing AMD. This association was dose dependent, with the greatest benefit at low to moderate doses. When looking only at patients with diabetes, we saw a preservation of the dose-dependent decrease in the odds of patients developing AMD. Metformin does not appear to be protective in patients with diabetes and coexisting diabetic retinopathy. This study suggests that metformin may be useful as a preventive therapy for AMD and provides the basis for potential prospective clinical trials.
Staying in our lanes: Desi childhoods, Gandhi statues, and the hard work of solidarity

A South Asian scholar and activist looks back into his various childhood affiliations with the symbol of Gandhi and reflects on the recent call to remove Gandhi statues from activists. Asking quest...
Contribution of gut microbiota and multiple organ failure in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 infection

Abstract COVID-19, which originated in Wuhan, China, has spread rapidly all over the world. An increasing number of COVID-19 cases are caused by human-to-human transmission via respiratory droplets, coughs, and sneezes. The symptoms of COVID-19 patients are heterogeneous, ranging from mild upper respiratory symptoms (fever, languidness, unstable walking, dry cough, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms) to severe pneumonitis and even acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or death. COVID-19 invades human respiratory epithelial cells by binding with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on human cell surfaces. Death in COVID-19 patients is caused by multiorgan function failure. In addition, systemic immune overactivation due to COVID-19 infection produces elevated expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, resulting in a so-called cytokine storm, a process that is an important factor in COVID-19 disease progression and multiple organ failure leading to death.
Evaluating the efficacy of Optoα1AR activation in astrocytes in modulating basal hippocampal synaptic excitation and inhibition

Abstract Astrocytes play active roles at synapses and can monitor, respond, and adapt to local synaptic activity. To investigate this relationship, more tools that can selectively activate native G protein signaling pathways in astrocytes with both spatial and temporal precision are needed. Here, we tested AAV8-GFAP-Optoα1AR-eYFP (Optoα1AR), a viral vector to enable activation of Gq signaling in astrocytes via light-sensitive α1-adrenergic receptors. To determine if stimulating astrocytic Optoα1AR modulates hippocampal synaptic transmission, recordings were made in CA1 pyramidal cells with surrounding astrocytes expressing Optoα1AR, channelrhodopsin (ChR2), or GFP. Both high-frequency (20 Hz, 45-ms light pulses, 5 mW, 5 min) and low-frequency (0.5 Hz, 1-s pulses at increasing 1, 5, and 10 mW intensities, 90 s per intensity) blue light stimulation were tested. 20 Hz Optoα1AR stimulation increased both inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic current (IPSC and EPSC) frequency, and the mIPSC effect was largely reversible within 20 min. By contrast, low-frequency stimulation of Optoα1AR did not modulate either IPSCs or EPSCs, whereas the same stimulation of astrocytic ChR2 was effective. These data demonstrate that Optoα1AR activation in astrocytes changes synaptic excitation and inhibition in a stimulation-sensitive manner, demonstrating the efficacy and utility of GFAP-Optoα1AR as a tool in studying astrocyte-neuron interactions.
Das Interview als Meßinstrument

Der uberwiegende Teil der zum Thema ‚Interview’. publizierten Arbeiten tragt den Charakter dimensionaler Analyse. Unter dimensionaler Analyse verstehen wir die Entwicklung von Definitionen deskriptiver Kategorien.3 Diese beinahe ausschliesliche Betrachtung der Interviewprozesse unter dem Gesichtspunkt dimensionaler Analyse fuhrt dazu, die Entwicklung materieller Gesetzmasigkeiten des sozialwissenschaftlichen Mesprozesses weitgehend zu vernachlassigen. Es werden vornehmlich „soziale Beziehungen”, „soziale Rollen” und „soziale Interaktionen” im Interview beschrieben. Genaue Angaben uber die Auswirkungen dieser sozialen Phanomene auf den Mesprozes Interview selbst finden sich selten. Dies teils vorwissenschaftliche, teils empirizistische Vorgehen wird dem Interview weder als Mesprozes noch als sozialem Phanomen gerecht. Das Fehlen einer theoretischen Grundlegung wird besonders deutlich, wenn wir ermessen, wieviel praktische Erfahrung mit dem Interview in Kommentare von Forschungsberichten und Lehrbuchern einfliest und wie wenig Erklarung der festgestellten Phanomene geboten wird. Wir wissen allenfalls, wie es zu Verzerrungen kommt, aber nicht warum. Die Fulle praktischer „Faustregeln” kann nicht uber den Mangel an exaktem Wissen hinwegtauschen.
CD137 Promotes Proliferation and Survival of Human B Cells

CD137 (4-1BB)-mediated costimulation plays an important role in directing the fate of Ag-stimulated T cells and NK cells, yet the role of CD137 in mediating B cell function is unknown. We found that CD137 is expressed in vitro on anti-Ig-stimulated peripheral blood B cells and in vivo on tonsillar B cells with an activated phenotype. In vitro CD137 expression is enhanced by CD40 stimulation and IFN-gamma and is inhibited by IL-4, -10, and -21. The expression of CD137 on activated human B cells is functionally relevant because engagement with its ligand at the time of activation stimulates B cell proliferation, enhances B cell survival, and induces secretion of TNF-alpha and -beta. Our study suggests that CD137 costimulation may play a role in defining the fate of Ag-stimulated human B cells.
The adenine nucleotide binding site on yeast hexokinase PII. Affinity labeling of Lys-111 by pyridoxal 5'-diphospho-5'-adenosine.

The adenine nucleotide analog, [3H]pyridoxal 5‘-diphospho-5‘-adenosine (PLP-AMP), is shown to be a potent and specific inhibitor of yeast hexokinase PII. Evidence that the analog binds specifically at the ATP binding site includes the demonstration that glucose binding enhances PLP-AMP binding and that PLP-AMP and ATP bind competitively with an apparent Ki(PLP-AMP) = 23 microM. In addition, from the relationship between the degree of inhibition and extent of modification, it is estimated that the incorporation of 1 mol of PLP-AMP/mol of subunit is required for complete inhibition. Borohydride reduction of the Schiff's base complex formed between hexokinase and [3H]PLP-AMP gives a stable product. The reduced derivative was digested with trypsin and a single radioactive peptide was isolated by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Amino acid sequence analysis identified Lys-111 as the modified residue. Taking into account the known structures of the binary complexes (Shoham, M., and Steitz, T. A. (1980) J. Mol. Biol. 140, 1-14), the results suggest that Lys-111, located in the smaller of the two lobes of hexokinase, moves into the active site upon formation of the ternary complex.
Measuring Success in Outreach and Engagement: Arizona State University and the American Dream Academy

Arizona State University (ASU) has become a foundational model for the New American University; committed to excellence, access and impact in everything it does. ASU’s faculty and staff members measure themselves by those they include, not by those they exclude; pursue research that contributes to the public good; and assume major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the community that surrounds them.
The Cepheid distance to the maser-host galaxy NGC 4258: studying systematics with the Large Binocular Telescope

We identify and phase a sample of 81 Cepheids in the maser-host galaxy NGC 4258 using the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), and obtain calibrated mean magnitudes in up to 4 filters for a subset of 43 Cepheids using archival HST data. We employ 3 models to study the systematic effects of extinction, the assumed extinction law, and metallicity on the Cepheid distance to NGC 4258. We find a correction to the Cepheid colors consistent with a grayer extinction law in NGC 4258 compared to the Milky Way ($R_V =4.9$), although we believe this is indicative of other systematic effects. If we combine our Cepheid sample with previously known Cepheids, we find a significant metallicity adjustment to the distance modulus of $\gamma_1 = -0.61 \pm 0.21$ mag/dex, for the Zaritsky et al. (1994) metallicity scale, as well as a weak trend of Cepheid colors with metallicity. Conclusions about the absolute effect of metallicity on Cepheid mean magnitudes appear to be limited by the available data on the metallicity gradient in NGC 4258, but our Cepheid data require at least some metallicity adjustment to make the Cepheid distance consistent with independent distances to the LMC and NGC 4258. From our ensemble of models and the geometric maser distance of NGC 4258 ($\mu_{N4258} = 29.40 \pm 0.06$ mag), we estimate $\mu_{LMC} = 18.57 \pm 0.14$ mag ($51.82 \pm 3.23$ kpc).
Why treat overactive bladder and not the patient?: urgency is the key to quality of life in overactive bladder

Summary Many published studies of overactive bladder (OAB) have focused on the effects of treatment on frequency and incontinence episodes, while failing to consider urgency. Research suggests that frequency has little impact on the quality of life until patients need to micturate 11 or more times a day, well above the eight times per day generally used among entry criteria for clinical trials. Similarly, the quality of life may appear worse for patients who have OAB and are incontinent (OAB wet) than those who have OAB without being incontinent (OAB dry). But if patients with frequency alone are excluded from analyses, OAB wet has no greater effect on quality of life than OAB dry. The King's Health Questionnaire is a validated quality of life tool, which is proving useful in assessing the effects of OAB treatment on quality of life. It has 10 domains which include the physical and psychological parameters shown to be most relevant to OAB patients. Preliminary evidence suggests that a better balance between efficacy and tolerability is being achieved with the new anti-muscarinic agents compared with older drugs, and this is enabling patients to remain on treatment for longer periods than previously seen.
Optimization Approach to the Treatment of Open Boundary-Conditions

Abstract A solution to an optimization problem is developed that deals with minimizing a measure of difference between the values of observed and predicted variables at an open ocean boundary. Minimization is based on the change of the flux of energy through the open boundary. It is shown that many of the longwave radiation conditions that are commonly used in ocean modeling can be derived using this optimization criteria. However, the minimization process is seen to produce a modification of these radiation conditions in that they are multiplied by a coefficient, which allows the conditions to adapt to a change in the flux of energy penetrating the boundary. An example of the numerical implementation is presented for the Reid and Bodine boundary formulation. For a standing wave problem with an analytical solution, use of the modified Reid and Bodine formulation is seen to eliminate almost entirely errors in the predicted amplitudes and phases. Overall, this approach is seen to allow a modeler to generate...
Active electrical and optical tuning of silicon photonic devices with liquid crystals

Silicon photonics is a rapidly evolving field allowing for optical devices to be made cost effectively using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques and integrated with microelectronic chips. Active tuning of silicon photonic devices has been demonstrated using thermal, electrical and optical means in the form of injection of free carriers through two-photon absorption. This work explores active electrical and optical tuning of silicon photonic devices using silicon strip waveguides combined with nematic liquid crystal (NLC) claddings. Simulation and experimental studies are presented.
SORPTION OF HYDROPHOBIC POLLUTANTS ON NATURAL SEDIMENTS

The sorption of hydrophobic compounds (aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons) spanning a concentration range in water solubility from 500 parts per trillion (ppt) to 1800 parts per million (ppm) on local (North Georgia) pond and river sediments was investigated. The sorption isotherms were linear over a broad range of aqueous phase pollutant concentrations. The linear partition coefficients (Kp) were relatively independent of sediment concentrations and ionic strength in the suspensions. The Kp ś were directly related to organic carbon content for given particle size isolates in the different sediments. On an organic carbon basis (Koc = Kp/fraction) organic carbon), the sand fraction (> 50 μm particle size) was a considerably less effective sorbent (50–90% reduction in Koc) than the fines fraction (> 50 μm particles). Differences in sorption within the silt and clay fractions were largely related to differences in organic carbon content. Reasonable estimates of Kocś can be made from octanol/water distribution coefficients, which are widely catalogued or easily measured in the laboratory.
Case-based reasoning in the health sciences: What's next?

Objectives: This paper presents current work in case-based reasoning (CBR) in the health sciences, describes current trends and issues, and projects future directions for work in this field. Methods and material: It represents the contributions of researchers at two workshops on case-based reasoning in the health sciences. These workshops were held at the Fifth International Conference on Case-Based Reasoning (ICCBR-03) and the Seventh European Conference on Case-Based Reasoning (ECCBR-04). Results: Current research in CBR in the health sciences is marked by its richness. Highlighted trends include work in bioinformatics, support to the elderly and people with disabilities, formalization of CBR in biomedicine, and feature and case mining. Conclusion: CBR systems are being better designed to account for the complexity of biomedicine, to integrate into clinical settings and to communicate and interact with diverse systems and methods.
Controlling flux pinning precipitates during MgB2 synthesis

MgB2 samples prepared by three different sets of synthesis parameters were investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Results suggest that oxygen dissolved in bulk MgB2 at high synthesis temperatures when the MgB2 samples were exposed to trace amount of oxygen from flowing ultrahigh purity Ar gas. The lower solubility of oxygen in MgB2 at a lower temperature led to the precipitation of nanometer-sized coherent Mg(B,O) in the interior of MgB2 grains during subsequent cooling. The precipitates, which act as effective flux pinning centers, are of composition-modulated structures with the same basic crystal lattice and orientation as the MgB2 matrix. This study has demonstrated the potential of tailoring the size and distribution of Mg(B,O) precipitates through optimizing synthesis parameters for optimum flux pinning.
N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor mediates spontaneous and angiotensin II-stimulated ovine fetal swallowing.

Background:In adult rats N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been implicated in the central control of body fluid homeostasis, as intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of NMDA receptor ant...
Platelet-derived growth factor-induced formation of tensin and phosphoinositide 3-kinase complexes

Tensin is an SH2 domain-containing cytoskeletal protein that binds to and caps actin filaments. Investigation of signal transduction mechanisms associated with tensin revealed the presence of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity in tensin immunoprecipitates from platelet-derived growth factor-treated cells. Association of PI 3-kinase activity with tensin was transitory, and the amount of activity was approximately 1% of the total PI 3-kinase activity found in anti-phosphotyrosine (anti-pY) immunoprecipitates. In vitro, PI 3-kinase activity associated with the SH2 domain of tensin in a platelet-derived growth factor-dependent manner. The optimal phosphopeptide binding specificity of the SH2 domain of tensin was determined to be phospho-Y (E or D), N, (I, V, or F). Synthetic phosphopeptides containing the sequence YENI could specifically block the association of PI 3-kinase activity with tensin in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that PI 3-kinase interacts with the cytoskeleton via the SH2 domain of tensin and may play an important role in platelet-derived growth factor-induced cytoskeletal reorganization that is concomitant with cell migration and proliferation.
Role of cannabinoid receptors in Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol suppression of IL-12p40 in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells infected with Legionella pneumophila.

Abstract Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) injection suppresses serum interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels in Legionella pneumophila -infected mice. Dendritic cells are a major producer of IL-12 and mouse, bone marrow-derived dendritic cell cultures produced high levels of the IL-12p40 following L. pneumophila infection. Treatment with THC suppressed this cytokine response in a concentration-dependent manner and the endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoyolglycerol, less potently suppressed cytokine production. Dendritic cells expressed mRNA for cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB 1 ), cannabinoid CB 2 receptor, and vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) and the addition of the G i inhibitor, pertussis toxin, completely attenuated suppression induced by 3 and 6 μM THC but not by 10 μM THC. Furthermore, THC suppression was partially attenuated in dendritic cells from cannabinoid CB 1 receptor and CB 2 receptor knockout mice and in dendritic cells co-treated with THC and cannabinoid receptor antagonists. Cytokine suppression was not attenuated by pretreatment with the TRPV1 antagonist, capsazepine. These results suggest that THC-induced suppression of serum IL-12 is partly due to a suppression of IL-12 production by dendritic cells and that G i signaling and cannabinoid receptors, but not TRPV1, are involved in this suppressive effect.