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The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) is one of the most flood-prone regions in the world, yet heavy cloud cover and limited in situ observations have hampered efforts to monitor the impact of heavy rainfall, flooding, and inundation during severe weather events. This paper introduces HydroSAR, a Sentinel-1 SAR-based hazard monitoring service which was co-developed with in-region partners to provide year-round, low-latency weather hazard information across the HKH. This paper describes the end user-focused concept and overall design of the HydroSAR service. It introduces the main processing algorithms behind HydroSAR's broad product portfolio, which includes qualitative visual layers as well as quantitative products measuring the surface water extent and water depth. We summarize the cloud-based implementation of the developed service, which provides the capability to scale automatically with the event size. A performance assessment of our quantitative algorithms is described, demonstrating the capabilities to map the flood extent and water depth with an accuracy of >90% and <1 m, respectively. An application of the HydroSAR service to the 2023 South Asia monsoon seasons showed that monsoon floods peaked near 6 August 2023 and covered 11.6% of Bangladesh in water. At the peak of the flood season, nearly 13.5% of Bangladesh's agriculture areas were affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to cursory and idealistic calls for community in feminist theology and trauma literature, the author discerns manifestations of true community walking alongside survivors in the meaning-making process. Drawing from her own experiences, she describes the ways members of true community engage with chaos, themselves, wisdom, and integrity, which each have a role in supporting survivors of trauma in their theological reconstruction. Due to the complexity of trauma and relationships, manifestations of support are often challenging to identify in one's own life and imperfectly embodied. Addressed to those directly impacted by shattered meaning, the article seeks to offer a guiding tool for the complex reconstruction journey that follows traumatic experiences. Amid dialectic tensions between feminist values, the discernment of true community helps distinguish true support from those who limit the scope of their engagement, which provides individuals with agency in claiming their support network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid calibration system is under development for the Near Backscatter Imager (NBI) in use at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). NBI is an optical diagnostic that quantifies the stimulated Brillouin and Raman backscatter produced by NIF's targets. Specifically, NBI measures the light that does not fall directly back into the laser aperture, which is measured by the Full Aperture Backscatter System (FABS). When working in tandem with FABS, NBI allows for the full characterization of backscattered light. This informs Hohlraum laser coupling, optical damage, and laser–plasma interaction models. NBI uses a large Spectralon plate covered by a protective glass layer and is mounted inside the target chamber where it is exposed to high energy backscatter, neutrons, and build-up debris left over from the exploded targets. This gradually alters the reflectivity of the plate, meaning that NBI needs to be calibrated regularly. Described here is NIF's design for a system capable of rapid in situ calibration of NBI that is to be installed in FY25. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active-layer thickness (ALT) is estimated for a study area in northern Alaska's continuous-permafrost zone using satellite data from Sentinel-1 (radar) and ICESat-2 (lidar) for the period 2017 to 2022. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferograms were generated using the Short Baseline Subset (SBAS) approach. Displacement time series over the thaw season (June–September) are fit well with a linear model (root mean square error (RMSE) scatter is less than 7 mm) and show maximum seasonal subsidence of 20–60 mm. ICESat-2 products were used to validate the interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) displacement time series. ALT was estimated from measured subsidence using a widely used model exploiting the volume difference between ice and water, reaching a maximum depth in our study area of 1.5 m. Estimated ALT is in good agreement with in situ and other remotely sensed data but is sensitive to assumed thaw season onset, indicating the need for reliable surface temperature data. Our results suggest the feasibility of long-term permafrost monitoring with satellite InSAR. However, the C-band (∼55 mm center wavelength) Sentinel radar is sensitive to vegetation cover and, in our studies, was not successful for similar monitoring in the heavily treed discontinuous-permafrost zone of central Alaska. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extramedullary erythropoiesis is not expected in healthy adult mice, but erythropoietic gene expression was elevated in lineage-depleted spleen cells from Cd47-/- mice. Expression of several genes associated with early stages of erythropoiesis was elevated in mice lacking CD47 or its signaling ligand thrombospondin-1, consistent with previous evidence that this signaling pathway inhibits expression of multipotent stem cell transcription factors in spleen. In contrast, cells expressing markers of committed erythroid progenitors were more abundant in Cd47-/- spleens but significantly depleted in Thbs1-/- spleens. Single-cell transcriptome and flow cytometry analyses indicated that loss of CD47 is associated with accumulation and increased proliferation in spleen of Ter119-CD34+ progenitors and Ter119+CD34- committed erythroid progenitors with elevated mRNA expression of Kit, Ermap, and Tfrc. Induction of committed erythroid precursors is consistent with the known function of CD47 to limit the phagocytic removal of aged erythrocytes. Conversely, loss of thrombospondin-1 delays the turnover of aged red blood cells, which may account for the suppression of committed erythroid precursors in Thbs1-/- spleens relative to basal levels in wildtype mice. In addition to defining a role for CD47 to limit extramedullary erythropoiesis, these studies reveal a thrombospondin-1-dependent basal level of extramedullary erythropoiesis in adult mouse spleen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Mind of Whitehead: Adventures in Ideas" by Roland Faber is a comprehensive exploration of the philosophical ideas of Alfred North Whitehead. The book takes a thematic approach, incorporating Whitehead's writings to create a portrait of his thinking. It is aimed at scholars and serious students of Whitehead, and Faber's interpretation leans towards a postmodern perspective, emphasizing mysticism and symbolism. The book challenges traditional notions and invites readers to engage with complex ideas, encouraging deep thinking and reflection. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "The Road to Precision in Critical Care" discusses the need for a shift in critical care research towards a more precise approach. The current syndrome-focused model of research has limitations in categorizing and treating patients based on underlying causes. The article highlights the potential of newer tools, such as gene expression and specific biomarkers, to better understand and address the heterogeneity of critical illnesses. The emergence of precision medicine in other fields, such as oncology, has shown promising results in targeted treatments. The article introduces a new series of focused reviews that aim to explore the road to precision in critical care and improve outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

The validation of aeroelastic load models used for load calculations on wind turbines substantially increases the confidence in the accuracy and correctness of these models. In this contribution, we introduce a framework for the validation of these models, integrating a normalized area metric as an objective, quantifiable validation metric that considers the entire statistical distribution of a model and a benchmark and additionally enables a comparison of model accuracy between sensors of different physical units. The framework is applied to test cases that evaluate varying synthetic turbulent wind fields. Two test cases with a focus on turbulence parameters and abnormal shear conditions based on comprehensive wind measurements at the Testfeld Bremerhaven are used to demonstrate the workflow with four different members using IEC-compliant and measurement-derived wind field parameters, respectively. Along with these measurements, an uncertainty model for synthetic wind fields is introduced to quantify propagated wind measurement uncertainties associated with the measured boundary conditions during a validation campaign. The framework is presented as a straightforward and concise methodology to not only find but also quantify mismatches of load models. Major mismatches are found for wind fields associated with larger uncertainties in the mean wind field due to a reduced spatial resolution of measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Background: Unmet need for seasonal influenza vaccination administration to pediatric patients exists at national and local levels. Vaccination during the perioperative period remains controversial, though opportunity exists to meet vaccination need through perioperative programs. The initial SMART Aim of this quality improvement initiative was to establish and increase seasonal influenza vaccination rate in eligible patients during in person preoperative clinic visits in a pediatric perioperative surgical home (PSH) to 10%. Informed by each prior season's experience, we increased our SMART Aim target for vaccinations in seasons two and three to 15 and 18%, respectively. Methods: Following the Model for Improvement methodology, the PSH team developed and implemented a perioperative pediatric influenza vaccination program. Across three influenza seasons, key interventions included updates to organizational perioperative vaccination policy, obtaining material influenza vaccination supplies, development of EHR tools, PSH staff education, and communication with patient–families. Rate of eligible patients receiving influenza vaccination at their PSH clinic appointment was tracked over time. Influenza vaccination rates were reported monthly during Season 1, then weekly during seasons two and three. The balancing measure was same day surgery case cancellations related to influenza vaccination given at PSH clinic appointment. Statistical analysis methods utilized include Shewart's control chart and statistical process control (SPC) standards. Special cause variation was determined by eight or more consecutive data points above or below the centerline. Results: The influenza vaccination rates in each of the three influenza seasons exceeded vaccination rate goals of 10, 15, and 18%, respectively. A total of 695 vaccines have been administered since program inception. No same day surgical case cancellations were observed as balancing measure. Conclusions: Over three consecutive influenza vaccination seasons, we safely established and met vaccination rate goals of 10, 15, and 18% to eligible patients during preoperative clinic visits within a pediatric PSH system. Through iterative PDSA cycles, we continue to identify opportunities for future improvement. This suggests that the perioperative period presents opportunity for seasonal influenza vaccination with potential program expansion to include routine vaccines of childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typical visual perception includes an attention bias toward right hemisphere mediated global, holistic cortical processing. An atypically local, detail-oriented focus of attention is characteristic of left hemisphere processing and is often observed in patients whose field of attention is restricted by certain types of neurocognitive impairment. We designed the present pair of studies to induce a local attentional focus to observe its consequences on neurocognitive measures of visuospatial processing. In Experiment I, participants wore glasses mimicking simultanagnosia, a disorder of visual attention, to induce a narrowed, atypical attentional style while they completed visual neuropsychological tasks. This simulation impaired participants' capacities to visually synthesize and efficiently reproduce Complex Figure stimuli as measured with the Boston Qualitative Scoring System (BQSS), and it induced an atypical attentional style on Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) responses. In Experiment II, participants wore glasses designed to provoke differential hemispheric activation, also hypothesized to influence style of visual attention; but this manipulation did not influence neurocognitive task performance. We discuss implications for the interpretation of BQSS and R-PAS scores and offer directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical functional linear models or HFLMs are a class of function‐on‐function regression models that seek to restrict the relationship between two or more time‐dependent functions, or curves, of data where one function is a natural outcome and the others are natural predictors. A natural predictor is a predictor that occurs in time before, or at most concurrently with, an outcome. The primary challenge in developing methods for HFLMs is ensuring that the time‐dependent relationship between the outcome and predictors is enforced and that no "unnatural" relationships are allowed, for example, where estimation, inference, or prediction are conducted on or using coefficients such that the outcome occurs before the predictor. A number of authors consider a variety of modeling frameworks for HFLMs. This work seeks to introduce the basic HFLM, explore the various approaches for its estimation, and discuss recent advances. This article is categorized under:Statistical Models > Linear ModelsData: Types and Structure > Time Series, Stochastic Processes, and Functional DataStatistical Models > Model Selection [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brine shrimp (Artemia) are the only animals to thrive at sodium concentrations above 4 M. Salt excretion is powered by the Na+,K+-ATPase (NKA), a heterodimeric (αβ) pump that usually exports 3Na+ in exchange for 2 K+ per hydrolyzed ATP. Artemia express several NKA catalytic α-subunit subtypes. High-salinity adaptation increases abundance of α2KK, an isoform that contains two lysines (Lys308 and Lys758 in transmembrane segments TM4 and TM5, respectively) at positions where canonical NKAs have asparagines (Xenopus α1's Asn333 and Asn785). Using de novo transcriptome assembly and qPCR, we found that Artemia express two salinity-independent canonical α subunits (α1NN and α3NN), as well as two β variants, in addition to the salinity-controlled α2KK. These β subunits permitted heterologous expression of the α2KK pump and determination of its CryoEM structure in a closed, ion-free conformation, showing Lys758 residing within the ion-binding cavity. We used electrophysiology to characterize the function of α2KK pumps and compared it to that of Xenopus α1 (and its α2KK-mimicking single- and double-lysine substitutions). The double substitution N333K/N785K confers α2KK-like characteristics to Xenopus α1, and mutant cycle analysis reveals energetic coupling between these two residues, illustrating how α2KK's Lys308 helps to maintain high affinity for external K+ when Lys758 occupies an ion-binding site. By measuring uptake under voltage clamp of the K+-congener 86Rb+, we prove that double-lysine-substituted pumps transport 2Na+ and 1 K+ per catalytic cycle. Our results show how the two lysines contribute to generate a pump with reduced stoichiometry allowing Artemia to maintain steeper Na+ gradients in hypersaline environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in CD46 predispose to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) with low penetrance. Factors driving immune-dysregulatory disease in individual mutation carriers have remained ill-understood. In addition to its role as a negative regulator of the complement system, CD46 modifies T cell-intrinsic metabolic adaptation and cytokine production. Comparative immunologic analysis of diseased vs. healthy CD46 mutation carriers has not been performed in detail yet. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed clinical, molecular, immune-phenotypic, cytokine secretion, immune-metabolic, and genetic profiles in healthy vs. diseased individuals carrying a rare, heterozygous CD46 mutation identified within a large single family. Five out of six studied individuals carried a CD46 gene splice-site mutation causing an in-frame deletion of 21 base pairs. One child suffered from aHUS and his paternal uncle manifested with adult-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Three mutation carriers had no clinical evidence of CD46-related disease to date. CD4+ T cell-intrinsic CD46 expression was uniformly 50%-reduced but was comparable in diseased vs. healthy mutation carriers. Reconstitution experiments defined the 21-base pair-deleted CD46 variant as intracellularly—but not surface-expressed and haploinsufficient. Both healthy and diseased mutation carriers displayed reduced CD46-dependent T cell mitochondrial adaptation. Diseased mutation carriers had lower peripheral regulatory T cell (Treg) frequencies and carried potentially epistatic, private rare variants in other inborn errors of immunity (IEI)-associated proinflammatory genes, not found in healthy mutation carriers. In conclusion, low Treg and rare non-CD46 immune-gene variants may contribute to clinically manifest CD46 haploinsufficiency-associated immune-dysregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dominant anthropological theories of mind, cognition, and consciousness reify particular ways of being in the world as "normal," which marginalizes the experiences of people who do not meet normative expectations of personhood or exhibit nonnormative subjectivities. By focusing on atypical forms of communication and self-representation in the ethnographic record, which draws from work in the anthropology of disability and psychological anthropology, we argue for the need to attend to interactions and behavior as the necessary basis for anthropological studies of personhood and subjectivity. These foci, which build on a foundation provided by affect theory and disability studies, stand to open up anthropological conceptions of personhood and subjectivity and resituate the process of attribution in making persons and subjects. We articulate a psychotic anthropology that centers atypical forms of consciousness and seeks to unsettle anthropological assumptions about mind, cognition, and consciousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the role that Equity Directors play in K-12 schools to understand how these roles are structured in districts, the supports and challenges directors experience, and whether and how they integrate gender and sexual diversity topics into district diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. We conducted semi-structured interviews with ten participants from nine school districts across the USA that had non-discrimination laws addressing gender identity and sexual orientation in schools. Main themes identified from the data concern participant positionality; district climate and priorities; professional development; challenges; and gender and sexual diversity. Most participants had leadership supportive of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts and reported that professional development was a central expectation of much of their work, but time, priorities and content varied. We recommend taking a multi-pronged approach to DEI work that addresses structures to support DEI initiatives, hiring priorities and resources. Intersectional approaches to DEI education should be prioritised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the barriers and facilitators faced by hearing healthcare clinicians (HHCs) with respect to asking adults with hearing loss (HL) about their emotional well-being. This qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups. The interview topic guide was developed based on the COM-B model. Fifteen HHCs of a single hearing services organisation in Western Australia across 13 clinic locations participated. Barriers and facilitators that may influence HHCs' behaviour of routinely asking adults about their emotional well-being include having the knowledge and skills to ask about emotional well-being, forgetting to ask, awareness of the emotional impacts of HL, time and tools for asking, clients' reactions to being asked, supportive peers, normalisation of discussions relating to emotional well-being, presence of significant others, emotions associated with asking, being in the habit of asking, reminders, beliefs about consequences and confidence or capabilities, and scope of audiology practice. Application of the COM-B model identified barriers in capabilities (e.g. knowledge), opportunities (e.g. tools), and motivation (e.g. beliefs about benefits of asking about emotions) that need to be addressed for HHCs to ask their clients about their emotional well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate interpretation of the martian sedimentary rock record—and by extension that planet's paleoenvironmental history and potential habitability—relies heavily on rover-based acquisition of textural and compositional data and researchers to properly interpret those data. However, the degree to which this type of remotely sensed information can be unambiguously resolved and accurately linked to geological processes in ancient sedimentary systems warrants further study. In this study, we characterize Mars-relevant siliciclastic–evaporite samples by traditional laboratory-based geological methods (thin section petrography, X-ray diffraction [XRD], backscattered electron imaging, microprobe chemical analyses) and remote sensing methods relevant to martian rover payloads (visible-near-mid infrared reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence mapping, XRD). We assess each method's ability to resolve primary and secondary sedimentologic features necessary for the accurate interpretation of paleoenvironmental processes. While the most dominant textures and associated compositions (i.e., bedded gypsum evaporite) of the sample suite are readily identified by a combination of remote sensing techniques, equally important, although more subtle, components (i.e., interbedded windblown silt, meniscus cements) are not resolved unambiguously in bulk samples. However, rover-based techniques capable of coordinating spatially resolved compositional measurements with textural imaging reveal important features not readily detected using traditional assessments (i.e., subtle clay–organic associations, microscale diagenetic nodules). Our findings demonstrate the improved generational capacity of rovers to explore ancient sedimentary environments on Mars while also highlighting the complexities in extracting comprehensive paleoenvironmental information when limited to currently available rover-based techniques. Complete and accurate interpretation of ancient martian sedimentary environments, and by extension the habitability of those environments, likely requires sample return or in situ human exploration. Plain Language Summary: Only when correctly translated can the ancient martian sedimentary rock record reveal the environmental evolution of the planet's surface through time. In this case study, we characterize Mars-relevant sedimentary rocks and evaluate the degree to which a comprehensive geological picture can be resolved unambiguously when limited to microscale remote sensing methods relevant to rovers on Mars. While the most dominant textural features and associated compositions of the sample suite are readily identified by a combination of remote sensing techniques, equally important but more subtle components are not resolved unambiguously in bulk samples. However, rover-based techniques capable of coordinating spatially resolved compositional measurements with textural imaging, such as Perseverance Rover's Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry instrument, reveal important features not readily detected by more traditional methods. We demonstrate that rovers have, generationally, improved in their capacity to resolve a true geological picture in ancient sedimentary environments, likely owing to an improved ability to coordinate spatially resolved compositional measurements with textural imaging at the microscale. However, our work also highlights the complexities involved in extracting subtle environmental information when limited to currently available rover-based techniques and suggests that comprehensive interpretation of ancient martian sedimentary systems likely requires sample return or in situ human exploration. Key Points: Mars-relevant samples are characterized using both traditional laboratory and microscale rover-based remote sensing techniques to assess each method's ability to recognize features necessary for accurate paleoenvironmental process interpretation. While some key paleoenvironmental processes can reasonably be inferred via remote sensing methods, others cannot be resolved unambiguously. Perseverance Rover's Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry instrument reveals diagenetic features that would otherwise remain unseen by traditional thin section petrography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of imidazodiazepines has been developed that possess reduced sedative liabilities but retain efficacy in anticonvulsant screening models. The latest of these compounds, (5‐(8‐ethynyl‐6‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐benzo[f]imidazole[1,5‐α][1,4]diazepin‐3‐yl) oxazole known as KRM‐II‐81) is currently awaiting advancement into the clinic. A deuterated structural analog (D5‐KRM‐II‐81) was made as a potential backup compound and studied here in comparison to KRM‐II‐81. In the present study, both compounds significantly prevented seizures in mice induced by 6 Hz (44 mA) electrical stimulation without significantly altering motoric function on a rotarod after intraperitoneal administration. Both compounds also significantly prevented clonic seizures, tonic seizures, and lethality induced by pentylenetetrazol in mice when given orally. D5‐KRM‐II‐81 had a slightly longer duration of action against clonic and tonic seizures than KRM‐II‐81. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg of either KRM‐II‐81 or D5‐KRM‐II‐81 was significantly less disruptive of sensorimotor function in mice than diazepam (5 mg/kg, p.o.). The present report documents that D5‐KRM‐II‐81 represents another in this series of imidazodiazepines with anticonvulsant activity at doses that do not impair sensorimotor function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have shown that diverse components of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment play a central role in the progression, pathophysiology, and drug resistance in multiple myeloma (MM). In particular, the dynamic interaction between BM mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) and MM cells has shown great relevance. Here we showed that inhibiting both PKC and NF-κB signalling pathways in BM-MSC reduced cell survival in the MM cell line H929 and increased its susceptibility to the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. PKC-mediated cell survival inhibition and bortezomib susceptibility induction were better performed by the chimeric peptide HKPS than by the classical enzastaurin inhibitor, probably due to its greatest ability to inhibit cell adhesion and its increased capability to counteract the NF-κB-related signalling molecules increased by the co-cultivation of BM-MSC with H929 cells. Thus, inhibiting two coupled signalling molecules in BM-MSC was more effective in blocking the supportive cues emerging from the mesenchymal stroma. Considering that H929 cells were also directly susceptible to PKC and NF-κB inhibition, we showed that treatment of co-cultures with the HKPS peptide and BAY11-7082, followed by bortezomib, increased H929 cell death. Therefore, targeting simultaneously connected signalling elements of BM-MSC responsible for MM cells support with compounds that also have anti-MM activity can be an improved treatment strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) delivers cortisol through three discrete mechanisms, pyrexia, acidosis, and neutrophil elastase-mediated cleavage, acting in concert to deliver immunomodulatory cortisol directly to inflammatory sites. Inhibition of CBG synthesis also increases free cortisol fraction, in part obviating the reduced cortisol metabolism seen in sepsis. CBG deficiency occurs in one third of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with septic shock and predicts a threefold higher risk of mortality. CBG –/– mice have increased mortality after induced acute systemic inflammation as do mice also rendered CBG deficient through KLF 15 –/– status. Restoration of CBG in KLF15 –/– deficient mice improved survival after acute systemic inflammation. CBG may have other roles at the intracellular level via interaction with cell membrane-binding sites and effects on transmembrane signaling. Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) is a 50–60 kDa circulating glycoprotein with high affinity for cortisol. CBG is adapted for sepsis; its cortisol binding is reduced reversibly by pyrexia and acidaemia, and reduced irreversibly by neutrophil elastase (NE) cleavage, converting high cortisol-binding affinity CBG to a low affinity form. These characteristics allow for the targeted delivery of immunomodulatory cortisol to tissues at the time and body site where cortisol is required in sepsis and septic shock. In addition, high titer inflammatory cytokines in sepsis suppress CBG hepatic synthesis, increasing the serum free cortisol fraction. Recent clinical studies have highlighted the importance of CBG in septic shock, with CBG deficiency independently associated with mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Varied mechanisms of injury contribute to the heterogeneity of this patient population as demonstrated by the multiple published grading scales and diverse required criteria leading to diagnoses from mild to severe. TBI pathophysiology is classically separated into a primary injury that is characterized by local tissue destruction as a result of the initial blow, followed by a secondary phase of injury constituted by a score of incompletely understood cellular processes including reperfusion injury, disruption to the blood-brain barrier, excitotoxicity, and metabolic dysregulation. There are currently no effective pharmacological treatments in the wide-spread use for TBI, in large part due to challenges associated with the development of clinically representative in vitro and in vivo models. Poloxamer 188 (P188), a Food and Drug Administration-approved amphiphilic triblock copolymer embeds itself into the plasma membrane of damaged cells. P188 has been shown to have neuroprotective properties on various cell types. The objective of this review is to provide a summary of the current literature on in vitro models of TBI treated with P188. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing number of people around the world identify, in some way, as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+); yet, these voices are noticeably absent from nonprofit research. To address issues of equity and the historic marginalization of LGBTQ+ people both societally and in the nonprofit sector, this manuscript seeks to answer the following questions: Why is it important to include sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE) survey questions in nonprofit surveys? What are best practices for including SOGIE survey questions in nonprofit research? We present LGBTQ+ inclusive research strategies and suggested questions for inclusive SOGIE survey design. Though this article focuses primarily on surveying LGBTQ+ populations, it can also be instructive for general population surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Peripheral artery disease and cardiac disease are often comorbid conditions. Echocardiography is a diagnostic tool that can be performed preoperatively to risk stratify patients by a functional cardiac test. We hypothesized that ventricular dysfunction and valvular lesions were associated with an increased incidence of expanded major adverse cardiac events (Expanded MACE). Methods and materials: Retrospective cohort study from 2011 to 2020 including all patients from a major academic center who had vascular surgery and an echocardiographic study within two years of the index procedure. Results: 813 patients were included in the study; a majority had a history of smoking (86%), an ASA score of 3 (65%), and were male (68%). Carotid endarterectomy was the most common surgery (24%) and the least common surgery was open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (5%). We found no significant association between the echocardiographic findings of left ventricular dysfunction, right ventricular dysfunction, or valvular lesions and the postoperative development of Expanded MACE. Conclusions: The preoperative echocardiographic findings of left ventricular dysfunction, right ventricular dysfunction and moderate to severe valvular lesions were not predictive of an increased incidence of postoperative Expanded MACE. We identified a significant association between RV dysfunction and post-operative dialysis that should be interpreted carefully due to the small number of outcomes. The transition from open to endovascular surgery and advances in perioperative management may have led to improved cardiovascular outcomes. Trial registration: Trial Registration:NCT04836702 (clinicaltrials.gov). https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=NCT04836702. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though billions of passengers and crew travel by air each year and are exposed to altitude equivalents of 7000–8000 feet, the health impact of cabin oxygenation levels has not been well studied. The hypoxic environment may produce ectopic heartbeats that may increase the risk of acute in-flight cardiac events. We enrolled forty older and at-risk participants under a block-randomized crossover design in a hypobaric chamber study to examine associations between flight oxygenation and both ventricular (VE) and supraventricular ectopy (SVE). We monitored participant VE and SVE every 5 min under both flight and control conditions to investigate the presence and rate of VE and SVE. While the presence of VE did not differ according to condition, the presence of SVE was higher during flight conditions (e.g. OR ratio = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.59 for SVE couplets). Rates of VE and SVE were higher during flight conditions (e.g. RR ratio = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.52 for VE couplets, RR ratio = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.39, 2.22 for SVE couplets). The observed higher presence and rate of ectopy tended to increase with duration of the flight condition. Further study of susceptible passengers and crew may elucidate the specific associations between intermittent or sustained ectopic heartbeats and hypoxic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneity in sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is increasingly being recognized as one of the principal barriers to finding efficacious targeted therapies. The advent of multiple high-throughput biological data ("omics"), coupled with the widespread access to increased computational power, has led to the emergence of phenotyping in critical care. Phenotyping aims to use a multitude of data to identify homogenous subgroups within an otherwise heterogenous population. Increasingly, phenotyping schemas are being applied to sepsis and ARDS to increase understanding of these clinical conditions and identify potential therapies. Here we present a selective review of the biological phenotyping schemas applied to sepsis and ARDS. Further, we outline some of the challenges involved in translating these conceptual findings to bedside clinical decision-making tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the rates of Herpes Simplex Virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) in ocular specimens. Retrospective case series of all patients with a positive laboratory evaluation for ocular HSV performed at the Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2017 were included in the study. A total of 423 specimens were positive for HSV-1 (99.3%, n = 419) or HSV-2 (0.7%; n = 4). The majority of positive tests were identified through DNA amplification (n = 352; 83%) testing while the remainder were obtained by viral culture (n = 71; 17%). Ocular disease caused by HSV-2 in this study included acute retinal necrosis (n = 2), keratitis (n = 1), and blepharitis (n = 1). HSV type 2 is a rare cause of ocular and peri-ocular infection but may cause severe, vision threatening disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attachment of a conjugate assembled from a novel fluorinated carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and rhodamine B onto dehydroabietylamine (DHA) or cyclododecylamine led to first-in-class conjugates of good cytotoxicity; thereby IC 50 values (from SRB assays; employed tumor cell lines A2780, A2780Cis, A549, HT29, MCF7, and non-malignant human fibroblasts CCD18Co) between 0.2 and 0.7 μM were found. Both conjugates showed similar cytotoxic activity but the dehydroabietylamine derived conjugate outperformed its cyclododecyl analog in terms of tumor cell/non-tumor cell selectivity. Both conjugates accumulate intracellular, and the DHA conjugate was able to overcome drug resistance which is effective independent of the expression status of carbonic anhydrase IX. [Display omitted] • Dehydroabietylamine was converted into a sulfonamide/rhodamine B conjugate. • This conjugate was tested for cytotoxic activity with a panel of human cancer cells. • This conjugate as well as a cyclododecyl analog held IC 50 < 1 μM. • Both conjugates were able to overcome drug resistance and accumulated intracellular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exfoliation syndrome is a leading cause of secondary glaucoma worldwide. Among the risk-factors for exfoliation syndrome and exfoliation glaucoma that have been investigated, a genetic association with 15q24.1 is among the most striking. The leading candidates for the causal gene at this locus are LOXL1 and/or LOXL1-AS1 , but studies have not yet coalesced in establishing, or ruling out, either candidate. Here, we contribute to studies of the 15q24.1 locus by making a partially humanized mouse model in which 166 kb of human genomic DNA from the 15q24.1 locus was introduced into the mouse genome via BAC transgenesis (B6-Tg(RP11-71M11)Andm). Transgenic expression of human genes in the BAC was only detectable for LOXL1-AS1. One cohort of 34 mice (21 experimental hemizygotes and 13 non-carrier control littermates) was assessed by slit-lamp exams and SD-OCT imaging at early (1–2 months) and mid (4–5 months) time points; fundus exams were performed at 5 months of age. A second smaller cohort (3 hemizygotes) were aged extensively (>12 months) to screen for overt abnormalities. Across all genotypes and ages, 136 slit-lamp exams, 128 SD-OCT exams, and 42 fundus exams detected no overt indices of exfoliation syndrome. Quantitatively, small, but statistically significant, age-related declines in ganglion cell complex thickness and total retinal thickness were detected in the hemizygotes at 4 months of age. Overall, this study demonstrates complexity in gene regulation from the 15q24.1 locus and suggests that LOXL1-AS1 is unlikely to be a monogenic cause of exfoliation syndrome but may contribute to glaucomatous retinal damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting any warm-blooded species and can increase risk-taking in intermediate hosts. Despite extensive laboratory research on the effects of T. gondii infection on behaviour, little is understood about the effects of toxoplasmosis on wild intermediate host behavior. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, has a diverse carnivore community including gray wolves (Canis lupus) and cougars (Puma concolor), intermediate and definitive hosts of T. gondii, respectively. Here, we used 26 years of wolf behavioural, spatial, and serological data to show that wolf territory overlap with areas of high cougar density was an important predictor of infection. In addition, seropositive wolves were more likely to make high-risk decisions such as dispersing and becoming a pack leader, both factors critical to individual fitness and wolf vital rates. Due to the social hierarchy within a wolf pack, we hypothesize that the behavioural effects of toxoplasmosis may create a feedback loop that increases spatial overlap and disease transmission between wolves and cougars. These findings demonstrate that parasites have important implications for intermediate hosts, beyond acute infections, through behavioural impacts. Particularly in a social species, these impacts can surge beyond individuals to affect groups, populations, and even ecosystem processes. Wolf behavioural, spatial, and serological data over 26 years show that wolf territory overlap with areas of high cougar density is a significant predictor of T. gondii infection. Further, infection increases the likelihood that wolves make high-risk decisions such as dispersing and becoming a pack leader. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Africa, international donors have increasingly promoted democracy and election monitoring. Do Africans want them to do this or would they prefer some other purpose? We argue respondents will least prefer democracy compared to other purposes because (i) there are other possible uses, like healthcare, that are more in need; (ii) aid has a political salience of control that other purposes do not have; and (iii) democracy and monitoring in Africa often yield negative externalities, while other purposes produce positive externalities. To test this claim, we conducted two rounds of survey experiments in Côte d'Ivoire and Uganda, and then again in Côte d'Ivoire with an extension to Senegal. Our surveys employ a conjoint analysis in which respondents compare two possible development projects. Each survey includes several dimensions, including the project's purpose, which is where we locate democracy and monitoring and alternative purposes such as healthcare or education. Results indicate that democracy and monitoring are the least preferred purposes compared to other purposes. This does not mean that they do not want democracy, nor that they do not want donors to promote democracy, but rather that compared to other possible purposes, democracy is the least preferred use of aid funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reasoned that if both PCSK9 loss-of-function genotype (which increases LDL clearance) and HMGCR loss-of-function genotype (which reduces LDL production) similarly increase mortality, one would conclude that low LDL causes sepsis mortality. Mendelian randomization relevance in sepsis MR is an adaptation of instrumental variable analysis, a tool for causal inference from observational data, wherein the instrument is genotype. Discovering novel therapies and defining the causal contribution of genes, proteins and lipids is challenging in sepsis, because sepsis is so heterogeneous; effective therapies in one patient may not be effective in another, explaining in part why sepsis trials have not been very successful. [Extracted from the article]

Cellular ATP that is consumed to perform energetically expensive tasks must be replenished by new ATP through the activation of metabolism. Neuronal stimulation, an energetically demanding process, transiently activates aerobic glycolysis, but the precise mechanism underlying this glycolysis activation has not been determined. We previously showed that neuronal glycolysis is correlated with Ca2+ influx, but is not activated by feedforward Ca2+ signaling (Díaz-García et al., 2021a). Since ATP-powered Na+ and Ca2+ pumping activities are increased following stimulation to restore ion gradients and are estimated to consume most neuronal ATP, we aimed to determine if they are coupled to neuronal glycolysis activation. By using two-photon imaging of fluorescent biosensors and dyes in dentate granule cell somas of acute mouse hippocampal slices, we observed that production of cytoplasmic NADH, a byproduct of glycolysis, is strongly coupled to changes in intracellular Na+, while intracellular Ca2+ could only increase NADH production if both forward Na+/Ca2+ exchange and Na+/K+ pump activity were intact. Additionally, antidromic stimulation-induced intracellular [Na+] increases were reduced >50% by blocking Ca2+ entry. These results indicate that neuronal glycolysis activation is predominantly a response to an increase in activity of the Na+/K+ pump, which is strongly potentiated by Na+ influx through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger during extrusion of Ca2+ following stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of the proteome would benefit greatly from methods to directly sequence and digitally quantify proteins and detect posttranslational modifications with single-molecule sensitivity. Here, we demonstrate single-molecule protein sequencing using a dynamic approach in which single peptides are probed in real time by a mixture of dye-labeled N-terminal amino acid recognizers and simultaneously cleaved by aminopeptidases. We annotate amino acids and identify the peptide sequence by measuring fluorescence intensity, lifetime, and binding kinetics on an integrated semiconductor chip. Our results demonstrate the kinetic principles that allow recognizers to identify multiple amino acids in an information-rich manner that enables discrimination of single amino acid substitutions and posttranslational modifications. With further development, we anticipate that this approach will offer a sensitive, scalable, and accessible platform for single-molecule proteomic studies and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to growing curriculum pressures and reduced time dedicated to teaching anatomy, research has been conducted into developing innovative teaching techniques. This raises important questions for neuroanatomy education regarding which teaching techniques are most beneficial for knowledge acquisition and long-term retention, and how they are best implemented. This focused systematic review aims to provide a review of technology-enhanced teaching methods available to neuroanatomy educators, particularly in knowledge acquisition and long-term retention, compared to traditional didactic techniques, and proposes reasons for why they work in some contexts. Electronic databases were searched from January 2015 to June 2020 with keywords that included combinations of 'neuroanatomy,' 'technology,' 'teaching,' and 'effectiveness' combined with Boolean phrases 'AND' and 'OR.' The contexts and outcomes for all studies were summarised while coding, and theories for why particular interventions worked were discussed. There were 4287 articles identified for screening, with 13 studies included for final analysis. There were four technologies of interest: stereoscopic views of videos, stereoscopic views of images, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). No recommendation for a particular teaching method was made in six studies (46%) while recommendations (from weak to moderate) were made in seven studies (54%). There was weak to moderate evidence for the efficacy of stereoscopic images and AR, and no difference in the use of stereoscopic videos or VR compared to controls. To date, technology-enhanced teaching is not inferior to teaching by conventional didactic methods. There are promising results for these methods in complex spatial anatomy and reducing cognitive load. Possible reasons for why interventions worked were described including students' engagement with the object, cognitive load theory, complex spatial relationships, and the technology learning curve. Future research may build on the theorised explanations proposed here and develop and test innovative technologies that build on prior research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate any alterations in the tear film and ocular surface beyond the early postoperative period following penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). This cross-sectional, contralateral-eye study compared ocular surface and tear film parameters of eyes with a previous PK or DALK in one eye and no prior surgery in the contralateral eye. Overall, 14 (87.5%) participants underwent PK, and 2 (12.5%) underwent DALK using a mechanical dissection. The median time from surgery was 3.4 years (range 1.5 to 38.7 years). The indication for unilateral keratoplasty was keratoconus in 15 (94%) participants, and corneal scarring in 1 (6%) eye, secondary to microbial keratitis. Operated eyes exhibited poorer non-invasive tear film breakup time, lower corneal sensitivity, lower sub-basal nerve density and more severe fluorescein staining scores than unoperated fellow eyes (all Q < 0.05). There were no significant differences in tear film lipid layer quality, tear meniscus height, conjunctival hyperaemia, lissamine green staining score, or meibography grade between operated and fellow eyes (all Q ≥ 0.20). Higher corneal esthesiometry threshold (lower corneal sensitivity) was correlated with shorter non-invasive tear film breakup time (Spearman's rho = − 0.361, p = 0.04) and increased fluorescein staining score (Spearman's rho = 0.417, p = 0.02). Keratoplasty can induce persistent changes in the ocular surface and tear film, including: increased fluorescein staining, decreased tear film breakup time, decreased corneal sub-basal nerve plexus density, and reduced corneal sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although physical inactivity, obesity, and low serum vitamin D [25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D] are common among women, joint associations among these biomarkers are not well-described. Materials and Methods: A total of 7553 healthy women received a comprehensive examination (2006–2018), including self-reported physical activity (PA), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist:height ratio (W:HT), percent body fat (%Fat), and 25(OH)D. Participants were divided into four categories of PA based on current guidelines: <500 (not meeting guidelines), 500–1000 (meeting guidelines), 1001–2500 (>1–2.5 times guidelines), and >2500 (>2.5 times guidelines) metabolic equivalent-minutes/week (MET-Min/wk), and were also classified by clinical cut points for adiposity measures and 25(OH)D. We examined trends of 25(OH)D and adiposity exposures across PA categories and calculated odds ratios (ORs) of vitamin D deficiency across categories of each adiposity exposure. We examined joint associations among PA and adiposity with 25(OH)D. Results: A positive trend was observed for 25(OH)D across PA categories (p < 0.001). Compared with normal weight status, the odds for 25(OH)D deficiency were significantly higher for overweight women within adiposity exposures (p for all <0.001). When examining joint associations, 25(OH)D was higher across PA categories within each stratum of BMI, WC, W:HT, and %Fat (p trend <0.007 for all). When examining PA and BMI as continuous variables, OR for vitamin D deficiency were 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–0.96) per 250 MET-minutes/week increment in PA, and 1.20 (95% CI: 1.17–1.23) per 2 kg/m2 increment in BMI. Conclusions: 25(OH)D levels are positively associated with PA and negatively associated with different measures of adiposity. Higher levels of PA attenuate the association between adiposity and 25(OH)D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the previous introduction to this special issue, we presented the new 4Es, empathy, equity, engagement, and ethics. These 4Es represent an evolution in public administration, replacing economy, efficiency, and effectiveness as central pillars of the field. Through these 4Es, we propose a movement towards a more equitable public administration, which meets the needs of the future of public administration. In this introduction to the second part of this special issue, we explore the research and teaching implications of the 4Es. Through this discussion and along with our articles in this special issue, we provide guidance on the use of the 4Es in public administration teaching, education, and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With growing discussion and action around inequality, climate change, and a global pandemic, do the current pillars of public administration, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, also known as the 3Es, meet the needs of the public administration? We propose that there are new pillars which better respond to 21st century problems in ways not addressed through values of efficiency, effectiveness, and economy. In this article, we will explore these new 4Es (empathy, engagement, equity, and ethics) in more depth, as well as articles in the first half of this double special issues on the topic. Through this article and special issue, we are eager to move the field of public administration forward towards creating more engaged, empathetic, equitable, and ethical public and nonprofit organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically examines academic scholarship in the field of nonprofit studies that pertains to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people and issues. We introduce the key tenets of queer theory, a critical theory which encourages questioning social constructs, to nonprofit studies as a lens through which to examine the nonprofit sector. Using a queer approach, we analyze the past research on LGBTQ issues along the continuums of whether the research subjects are active or passive participants, and whether the focus on LGBTQ issues is ancillary or central. We find a minority of articles, most written between 2015 and 2019, which position LGBTQ people as central and active participants in the research. We conclude by providing a research agenda for how queer theory can be applied to the nonprofit sector and argue that placing LGBTQ people and organizations as central constituencies in nonprofit research will facilitate social change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) is a membrane transporter that affects hepatic uptake of cationic and weakly basic drugs. OCT1 transports structurally highly diverse substrates. The mechanisms conferring this polyspecificity are unknown. Here, we analyzed differences in transport kinetics between human and mouse OCT1 orthologs to identify amino acids that contribute to the polyspecificity of OCT1. Following stable transfection of HEK293 cells, we observed more than twofold differences in the transport kinetics of 22 out of 28 tested substrates. We found that the β2-adrenergic drug fenoterol was transported with eightfold higher affinity but at ninefold lower capacity by human OCT1. In contrast, the anticholinergic drug trospium was transported with 11-fold higher affinity but at ninefold lower capacity by mouse Oct1. Using human–mouse chimeric constructs and site-directed mutagenesis, we identified nonconserved amino acids Cys36 and Phe32 as responsible for the species-specific differences in fenoterol and trospium uptake. Substitution of Cys36 (human) to Tyr36 (mouse) caused a reversal of the affinity and capacity of fenoterol but not trospium uptake. Substitution of Phe32 to Leu32 caused reversal of trospium but not fenoterol uptake kinetics. Comparison of the uptake of structurally similar β2-adrenergics and molecular docking analyses indicated the second phenol ring, 3.3 to 4.8 Å from the protonated amino group, as essential for the affinity for fenoterol conferred by Cys36. This is the first study to report single amino acids as determinants of OCT1 polyspecificity. Our findings suggest that structure–function data of OCT1 is not directly transferrable between substrates or species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first analytical evaluation of a free-hinged-hinged-hinged-free beam proposed for use as the primary sensing element of a new gravity gradiometer is presented. Results of the evaluation obtained in quadratures are applied to the beam's structure, including locating the hinges that form the beam's boundary conditions allowing only free rotations around its nodal axes. These are deliberately chosen to minimize the beam's symmetric free ends deflections under the uniform body loading of gravity while simultaneously permitting the beam's maximum possible mirror-symmetric free ends deflections owing to a gravity gradient distributed along its length. The flexible triple-hinged beam deformation from its nominal unloaded geometry is naturally elastically coupled throughout, including free ends, allowing synchronized mechanical displacement measurements at any deflection point. Some methods of manufacturing such sensing elements and their respective error mechanisms are also discussed and presented for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population-based seroprevalence surveys can provide useful estimates of the number of individuals previously infected with serious acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and still susceptible, as well as contribute to better estimates of the case-fatality rate and other measures of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. No serological test is 100% accurate, however, and the standard correction that epidemiologists use to adjust estimates relies on estimates of the test sensitivity and specificity often based on small validation studies. We have developed a fully Bayesian approach to adjust observed prevalence estimates for sensitivity and specificity. Application to a seroprevalence survey conducted in New York State in 2020 demonstrates that this approach results in more realistic—and narrower—credible intervals than the standard sensitivity analysis using confidence interval endpoints. In addition, the model permits incorporating data on the geographical distribution of reported case counts to create informative priors on the cumulative incidence to produce estimates and credible intervals for smaller geographic areas than often can be precisely estimated with seroprevalence surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although mathematical models do not fully match reality, robustness of dynamical objects to perturbation helps bridge from theoretical to real-world dynamical systems. Classical theories of structural stability and isolated invariant sets treat robustness of qualitative dynamics to sufficiently small errors. But they do not indicate just how large a perturbation can become before the qualitative behavior of our system changes fundamentally. Here we introduce a quantity, intensity of attraction, that measures the robustness of attractors in metric terms. Working in the setting of ordinary differential equations on Rn, we consider robustness to vector field perturbations that are time dependent or independent. We define intensity in a control-theoretic framework, based on the magnitude of control needed to steer trajectories out of a domain of attraction. Our main result is that intensity also quantifies the robustness of an attractor to time-independent vector field perturbations; we prove this by connecting the reachable sets of control theory to isolating blocks of Conley theory. In addition to treating classical questions of robustness in a new metric framework, intensity of attraction offers a novel tool for resilience quantification in ecological applications. Unlike many measurements of resilience, intensity detects the strength of transient dynamics in a domain of attraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measure how the atomic gas (H i) fraction f H I = M H I M * of groups and pairs taken as single units vary with average stellar mass (〈 M *〉) and average star formation rate (〈SFR〉), compared to isolated galaxies. The H i 21 cm emission observation are from (i) archival ALFALFA survey data covering three fields from the GAMA survey (provides environmental and galaxy properties), and (ii) DINGO pilot survey data of one of those fields. The mean f H i for different units (groups/pairs/isolated galaxies) are measured in regions of the log(〈 M *〉)â€"log(〈SFR〉) plane, relative to the z ∼ 0 star-forming main sequence (SFMS) of individual galaxies, by stacking f H i spectra of individual units. For ALFALFA, f H i spectra of units are measured by extracting H i spectra over the full groups/pair areas and dividing by the total stellar mass of member galaxies. For DINGO, f H i spectra of units are measured by co-adding H i spectra of individual member galaxies, followed by division by their total stellar mass. For all units, the mean f H i decreases as we move to higher 〈 M *〉 along the SFMS and as we move from above the SFMS to below it at any 〈 M *〉. From the DINGO-based study, mean f H i in groups appears to be lower compared to isolated galaxies for all 〈 M *〉 along the SFMS. From the ALFALFA-based study, we find substantially higher mean f H i in groups compared to isolated galaxies (values for pairs being intermediate) for 〈 M *〉 ≲ 109.5 M ⊙, indicating the presence of substantial amounts of H i not associated with cataloged member galaxies in low mass groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormalities in chromosome number have the potential to disrupt the balance of gene expression and thereby decrease organismal fitness and viability. Such abnormalities occur in most solid tumors and also cause severe developmental defects and spontaneous abortions. In contrast to the imbalances in chromosome dose that cause pathologies, the difference in X-chromosome dose used to determine sexual fate across diverse species is well tolerated. Dosage compensation mechanisms have evolved in such species to balance X-chromosome gene expression between the sexes, allowing them to tolerate the difference in X-chromosome dose. This review analyzes the chromosome counting mechanism that tallies X-chromosome number to determine sex (XO male and XX hermaphrodite) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the associated dosage compensation mechanism that balances X-chromosome gene expression between the sexes. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying X-chromosome counting has revealed how small quantitative differences in intracellular signals can be translated into dramatically different fates. Dissecting the process of X-chromosome dosage compensation has revealed the interplay between chromatin modification and chromosome structure in regulating gene expression over vast chromosomal territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Proton beam therapy has been found to have enhanced biological effectiveness in targets that contain the boron isotope 11B, with the alpha particles resulting from the p + 11B → 3α reaction being hypothesized as the mechanism; in this study, we aimed to elucidate the causes of the enhanced biological effectiveness of proton–boron fusion therapy by performing a detailed Monte Carlo study of the p + 11B → 3α reaction in a phantom geometry. Methods: We utilized the Geant4 toolkit to create Monte Carlo particle physics simulations. These simulations consisted of a proton beam with a range 30 mm, creating a Spread‐Out Bragg Peak with a modulation width of 10 mm, directed into a water phantom containing a region of boron material. Energy deposition, particle energy, and particle fluence were scored along the path of the beam and grouped by particle species. The scoring was performed using a series of cylindrical volumes with a radius of 2.5 mm and depth of 0.1 mm, constructed such that the depth was parallel to the proton beam. Root was then used to perform the data analysis. Results: Our simulations showed that the dose delivered by alpha particles produced by p + 11B → 3α was several orders of magnitude lower than the dose delivered directly by protons, even when the boron uptake region was comprised entirely of natural boron or pure 11B. Conclusions: Our findings do not support the theory that an alpha particle‐based mechanism is responsible for the enhanced biological effectiveness of proton–boron fusion therapy. We conclude that any enhanced biological effect seen in experimental studies was not caused by fusion reactions between protons and 11B nuclei. However, it is necessary to reproduce the past experiments that indicated significant dose enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionospheric Faraday rotation distorts satellite radar observations of the Earth’s surface. While its impact on radiometric observables is well understood, the errors in repeat-pass interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) observations and hence in deformation analysis are largely unknown. Because Faraday rotation cannot rigorously be compensated for in nonquad-pol systems, it is imperative to determine the magnitude and nature of the deformation errors. Focusing on distributed targets at L-band, we assess the errors for a range of land covers using airborne observations with simulated Faraday rotation. We find that the deformation error may reach 2 mm in the copol channels over a solar cycle. It can exceed 5 mm for intense solar maxima. The cross-pol channel is more susceptible to severe errors. We identify the leakage of polarimetric phase contributions into the interferometric phase as a dominant error source. The polarimetric scattering characteristics induce a systematic dependence of the Faraday-induced deformation errors on land cover and topography. Also, their temporal characteristics, with pronounced seasonal and quasi-decadal variability, predispose these systematic errors to be misinterpreted as deformation. While the relatively small magnitude of 1–2 mm is of limited concern in many applications, the persistence on semiannual to multiannual time scales compels attention when long-term deformation is to be estimated with millimetric accuracy. Phase errors induced by uncompensated Faraday rotation constitute a nonnegligible source of bias in interferometric deformation measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclei are central hubs for information processing in eukaryotic cells. The need to fit large genomes into small nuclei imposes severe restrictions on genome organization and the mechanisms that drive genome-wide regulatory processes. How a disordered polymer such as chromatin, which has vast heterogeneity in its DNA and histone modification profiles, folds into discernibly consistent patterns is a fundamental question in biology. Outstanding questions include how genomes are spatially and temporally organized to regulate cellular processes with high precision and whether genome organization is causally linked to transcription regulation. The advent of next-generation sequencing, super-resolution imaging, multiplexed fluorescent in situ hybridization, and single-molecule imaging in individual living cells has caused a resurgence in efforts to understand the spatiotemporal organization of the genome. In this review, we discuss structural and mechanistic properties of genome organization at different length scales and examine changes in higher-order chromatin organization during important developmental transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the decision of Delaware Chancery Court in the case Juul Labs, Inc. v. Grove considered whether a shareholder could invoke a California shareholder inspection law to demand inspection of the books and records of a Delaware corporation. It mentions history of the Internal Affairs Doctrine and corporations overrides the compelling interests of other states in regulating foreign corporations. It also mentions disputes over laws regulating diversity on boards of director.

What influences the organizational identification of volunteers and employees within multisite nonprofit organizations? Specifically, is identification focused on the central office, affiliate office, or both? This study questions the self-assessed identification of those in affiliate offices over multiple levels, along with how variables such as distance, perceived organizational support, and competition impact these relationships. Based on a survey of 72 individuals, the findings show that those with a higher level of organizational identification with the affiliate office will also have a higher organizational identification with the central office. This identification could be because multiple levels of identification influence each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]