cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kentucky Baccalaureate Origins of Doctorate Recipients in the Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics, 1978 through 2002

ABSTRACT This paper presents the Kentucky baccalaureate origins of men, women, and under-represented group U.S. citizen doctoral recipients in the biological sciences, chemistry, and physics from 1978 through 2002. Counterintuitive results are reported for chemistry and physics. For these disciplines, institutions with an undergraduate focus and smaller science infrastructure have outperformed Kentucky's research universities. Further, the results suggest that little or no attention has been paid in a systemic manner to any Kentucky under-represented minority group during this period. Conversely, there has been significant growth in the percentage and absolute numbers of U.S. women earning doctoral degrees in the biological sciences and in chemistry after receiving Kentucky baccalaureate degrees.
Effects of the somatostatin analogue octreotide on rectal afferent nerves in humans.

Somatostatin (Som) administered intrathecally to humans has been shown to exert potent analgesic effects on somatic pain, and anecdotal evidence suggests that Som may also relieve visceral pain. In the current study, we used rectal balloon distension in seven healthy volunteers to evaluate the effect of the Som analogue octreotide (Oct; 1.25 microgram/kg sc) on four pathways mediated by different visceral afferents that originate in the rectum: conscious perception, receptive relaxation, reflex inhibition of internal anal sphincter, and a viscerosomatic reflex. Rectal mechanoreceptors were stimulated either by distending the rectum tonically (volume ramp at 20-40 and 400 ml/min) or phasically (intermittent pressure steps of 60 s duration). Pressure thresholds for nonnoxious and noxious sensations in response to slow tonic distension were increased in the presence of rectal lidocaine (20 ml of 2% solution), whereas those to phasic distension were unaffected. Oct significantly increased pressure and volume thresholds for nonnoxious and noxious sensations in response to slow tonic distension but did not further increase thresholds in the presence of intrarectal lidocaine. In contrast, no effect of Oct on rectal sensations was observed during rapid tonic or phasic distension. Oct had no effect on any of the monitored reflex responses. The effect of Oct on rectal sensation in the concentration used in this study was not associated with changes in the rectal wall pressure-volume relationship during any distension protocol. These findings indicate that the inhibitory effect of Oct on rectal sensation is likely to represent a direct effect on a subset of extrinsic primary afferent neurons, with receptive fields in the mucosa
Value of electronic data for model validation and refinement: bacteremia risk in children with fever and neutropenia.

BackgroundValidating published risk models in a different time and setting can be a labor-intensive process. Data in electronic format provide the potential to test the validity of risk models without labor-intensive chart reviews and data capture. The authors attempted to use readily available elec
Die neue MAN B&W-Motorenfamilie im unteren Leistungsbereich mit uneingeschränkter Schweröltauglichkeit

In Fortfuhrung der modernen und erfolgreichen grosen Mittelschnelllaufer-Familie werden bei der MAN B&W Diesel AG in enger Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Standorten Augsburg, Holeby und Frederikshavn zur Zeit im unteren Leistungsbereich komplett neue Motoren entwickelt. Es handelt sich dabei um die Reihenmotor-Typen L 16/24, L 21/31 und L 27/38, die sowohl als Schiffshilfsmotoren zur Bordstromerzeugung als auch als Schiffshauptmotoren sowie fur die stationare Anwendung in Kraftwerken vorgesehen sind. Ein 5L 16/24 Genset-Motor wurde im Herbst 1996 auf der SMM in Hamburg einem interessierten Fachpublikum vorgestellt. In der Zwischenzeit sind uber 150 Motoren dieses Typs verkauft worden. Die langsten Betriebszeiten im Feld betragen zur Zeit rund 10 000 Stunden. Zwei Achtzylindermotoren 27/38, einer in der Genset- und einer in der Propulsionsversion, sind seit Anfang 1998 auf dem Prufstand. Die Auslieferung der ersten Serienmotoren erfolgt im April/Mai 1999. Der zwischen 16/24 und 27/38 liegende Motor 21/31 befindet sich noch in der Entwicklungsphase.
On the Differential Cross Section for X-Ray Inelastic Scattering.

A form a l formul ation of the diffe re nti a l c r oss secti o n fur x· ray in e las ti c scatt e rin g is giv e n for a real solid , in partic ul ar. in te rms of th e po larization pro pagator a nd th e inve rse di e lectri c fun ction. The differential c ross secti o n is re la te d tu th e causa l fun c tiun s of e lec tron prope rti es rath e r than thos e re tard e d fun c ti o ns.
Effect of Verbal Praise on Achievement Goal Orientation, Motivation, and Performance Attribution:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of verbal praise. Modeled after the work of Mueller and Dweck, participants were 87 fourth-grade students who each took a simple rhythm-tapping ...
Are the initial frequency-modulated components of the mustached bat's biosonar pulses important for ranging?

1. FM-FM neurons in the auditory cortex of the mustached bat, Pteronotus parnellii, are specialized to process target range. They respond when the terminal frequency-modulated component (TFM) of a biosonar pulse is paired with the TFM of the echo at a particular echo delay. Recently, it has been suggested that the initial FM components (IFMs) of biosonar signals may also be important for target ranging. To examine the possible role of IFMs in target ranging, we characterized the properties of IFMs and TFMs in biosonar pulses emitted by bats swung on a pendulum. We then studied responses of FM-FM neurons to synthesized biosonar signals containing IFMs and TFMs. 2. The mustached bat's biosonar signal consists of four harmonics, of which the second (H2) is the most intense. Each harmonic has an IFM in addition to a constant-frequency component (CF) and a TFM. Therefore each pulse potentially consists of 12 components, IFM1-4, CF1-4, and TFM1-4. The IFM sweeps up while the TFM sweeps down. 3. The IFM2 and TFM2 depths (i.e., bandwidths) were measured in 217 pulses from four animals. The mean IFM2 depth was much smaller than the mean TFM2 depth, 2.87 +/- 1.52 (SD) kHz compared with 16.27 +/- 1.08 kHz, respectively. The amplitude of the IFM2 continuously increased throughout its duration and was always less than the CF2 amplitude, whereas the TFM2 was relatively constant in amplitude over approximately three-quarters of its duration and was often the most intense part of the pulse. The maximum amplitude of the IFM2 was, on average, 11 dB smaller than that of the TFM2. Because range resolution increases with depth and the maximum detectable range increases with signal amplitude, the IFMs are poorly suited for ranging compared with the TFMs. 4. FM-FM neurons (n = 77) did not respond or responded very poorly to IFMs with depths and intensities similar to those emitted on the pendulum. The mean IFM2 depth at which a just-noticeable response appeared was 4.48 +/- 1.98 kHz. Only 14% of the pulses emitted on the pendulum had IFM2 depths that exceeded the mean IFM2 depth threshold of FM-FM neurons. 5. Most FM-FM neurons responded to IFMs that had depths comparable with those of TFMs. However, when all parameters were adjusted to optimize the response to TFMs and then readjusted to maximize the response to IFMs, 52% of 27 neurons tested responded significantly better to the optimal TFMs than to the optimal IFMs (P less than 0.05, t test).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
NSTX-U Digital Coil Protection System integration with existing Plasma Control System

The National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) is currently finishing a multi-year upgrade (NSTX-U) that vastly increased the capabilities of the system. These upgrades required an improved coil protection system to prevent immediate damage as well as fatigue over time to the magnetic coils that control the plasma. Because the action taken by the DCPS affects many other systems, NSTX-U will additionally add a second DCPS with a modified failure path that operates with tighter limits. This second DCPS will execute the same algorithms, but will always trigger a fault first due to the difference in limit values. The action taken will be somewhat less drastic compared to the failure mode of the initial DCPS. The second DCPS runs the same protection algorithms, but does so using the Plasma Control System (PCS) computer and associated input data stream. The modularity of the DCPS framework allows a single pluggable software package to control the source of input data while keeping all remaining software functionality identical. The binary itself is compiled once yet runs in two physically separate computers using different limiting values, allowing not just reuse of code, but also reuse of validation and verification testing. This integration enables future direct coupling between the DCPS and PCS, and conceivably to other heterogeneous platforms as they become available.
Teaching diversity in organizations: stereotyping the stock photo

Course: Organizational CommunicationObjectives: After completing this single-class activity, students should be able to (1) identify stereotypes that are created and/or reinforced by images frequently used in communication materials, (2) explain how those stereotypes influence communication and relational barriers in organizations, and (3) propose ways to overcome implicit stereotypes in organizational settings.
Continuous shape shifting: enabling loop co-optimization via near-free dynamic code rewriting

The class of optimizations characterized by manipulating a loop's interaction space for improved cache locality and reuse (i.e, cache tiling / blocking / strip mine and interchange) are static optimizations requiring a priori information about the microarchitectural and runtime environment of an application binary. However, particularly in datacenter environments, deployed applications face numerous dynamic environments over their lifetimes. As a result, this class of optimizations can result in sub-optimal performance due to the inability to flexibly adapt iteration spaces as cache conditions change at runtime.This paper introduces continuous shape shifiting, a compilation approach that removes the risks of cache tiling optimizations by dynamically rewriting (and reshaping) deployed, running application code. To realize continuous shape shifting, we present ShapeShifter, a framework for continuous monitoring of co-running applications and their runtime environments to reshape loop iteration spaces and pinpoint near-optimal loop tile configurations. Upon identifying a need for reshaping, a new tiling approach is quickly constructed for the application, new code is dynamically generated and is then seamlessly stitched into the running application with near-zero overhead. Our evaluation on a wide spectrum of runtime scenarios demonstrates that ShapeShifter achieves an average of 10--40% performance improvement (up to 2.4X) on real systems depending on the runtime environment compared to an oracle static loop tiling baseline.
Situated Tangible Robot Programming

This paper introduces situated tangible robot programming, whereby a robot is programmed by placing specially designed tangible "blocks" in its workspace. These blocks are used for annotating objects, locations, or regions, and specifying actions and their ordering. The robot compiles a program by detecting blocks and objects in its workspace and grouping them into instructions by solving constraints. We present a proof-of-concept implementation using blocks with unique visual markers in a pick-and-place task domain. Three user studies evaluate the intuitiveness and learnability of situated tangible programming and iterate the block design. We characterize common challenges and gather feedback on how to further improve the design of blocks. Our studies demonstrate that people can interpret, generalize, and create many different situated tangible programs with minimal instruction or with no instruction at all.
Naandanjain: Every Drop of Water Counts

This case demonstrates the growing importance of water policy and water scarcity on key business decisions. It uses the merger of two drip irrigation companies to show how the business models of multinationals were shifting to accommodate current and expected water crises in many parts of the world. In 2012, Jain Irrigation Systems, a multinational founded in India, became sole owner of the Israel-based NaanDan Joint Venture, a privately held, well-respected irrigation technology firm. The creation of NaanDanJain evidenced the increasingly visible role of India as a global player whose multinationals acquired high-tech companies from more advanced economies. But more important for this case, when considering demographic and economic variables for each country, the merger illustrated the challenges of providing irrigation to small farmers. This case situates the formation/establishment of NaanDanJain within the divergent water policies and water practices of Israel and India. Excerpt UVA-GEM-0122 Rev. Sept. 21, 2018 NaanDanJain: Every Drop of Water Counts Sometimes, globalization manifested itself in unexpected ways that at first seemed odd, but upon reflection made perfect sense. For the people from Kibbutz Naan, a community near Rehovot, Israel, of some 1,000 residents, the new normal was a switch in diet when the Jain family of India visited on business. Because the Jains adhered to a strictly vegetarian diet, dinner consisted of hummus and falafel instead of the regular Israeli diet of poultry, red meat, fish, eggs, and root vegetables. The family owned Jain Irrigation Systems (known as Jain Irrigation or simply Jain), a multinational firm that was headquartered in Jalgaon, India. In 2012, Jain employed more than 7,000 people globally and had sales just short of $ 1 billion (see Exhibits1a and 1b). In 2007, Jain had acquired 50.001% of NaanDan, a privately held, well-regarded irrigation technology firm that had more than $ 75 million in sales; five years later, Jain became its sole owner. In the wake of the acquisition of NaanDan, Jain Irrigation renamed the company NaanDanJain (see Exhibit1c). There were multiple ways to look at the merger between Jain and NaanDan. One could perceive the merger as further evidence of how far Jain had come. Its flexible business model had adapted to every challenge posed since Bhavarlal H. Jain founded the company in 1963, and acquiring NaanDan was a logical next step. From the perspective of many Israelis and outside observers, the merger emphasized the increasingly visible role of India as a global player whose multinationals acquired high-tech companies from more advanced economies. But more than anything, the merger made sense when considering NaanDan's product line and expertise. From that angle, the merger of the two companies was about irrigation, and in particular drip irrigation, going global. This business decision represented a global response to the current and/or expected water crises in many parts of the world. Irrigation in Israel . . .
Abstract P494: Long-term Outcomes of a Cluster-randomized Trial Testing the Effects Blood Pressure Telemonitoring and Pharmacist Management

Background/Aims: Hypertension is a common condition and leading cause of cardiovascular disease. We previously reported results of a cluster-randomized trial evaluating a home blood pressure (BP) t...
Immunotherapy in urothelial cancer, part 2: adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and adjunctive treatment.

Urothelial cancer, which is predominantly seen in men, is common throughout the world. Most disease presents as non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), with cancer recurring or progressing to muscle invasive disease in more than 50% of patients after initial therapy. NMIBC is an immune responsive disease, as indicated by the use of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin as treatment for more than 3 decades. The advent of T-cell checkpoint inhibitors, especially those directed at programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), has had a significant impact on the therapy of advanced urothelial cancer. This had led to a revisitation of immunotherapy in urothelial cancer, as well as the genesis of trials using novel immunotherapeutic agents. This review focuses on immunotherapy in NMIBC, both on its own and as a potential treatment in combination with RT. It also discusses the development of immunotherapies in early bladder cancer disease states, and in neoadjuvant and adjuvant perioperative settings for localized muscle invasive cancers.
“Be Real Black for Me”: The Icon, Idol, and Incarnation of America’s First Black President

This article explores the manner in which the Obama presidency, as generated presentation and interrogation of Blackness, was meant to reify Blackness and fix it in ways that generate Black hope an...
Life in the deep sea

Volcanic rocks on the sea floor are home to diverse and abundant microbial communities. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses suggest that iron and manganese derived from hydrothermal venting support microbial colonization of the ocean crust.
To Overrule or Not? Precedent and the United States Supreme Court

The principle of stare decisis in United States courts appears in two aspects – the courts of lower jurisdiction are bound by the rulings issued by the courts of higher jurisdictions and as a horizontal binding of the Supreme Court by its own rulings. The latter ‘binding’ is not as strong as the former one, which is reflected in the Supreme Court judges’ opinions and actions, which consist in both overruling their own precedents and highlighting the need for maintaining them. The changes of the Justices’ attitudes leads to a negative answer to the question whether precedent – which is binding only when the Supreme Court’s justices want it to be to be so – is binding precedent at all.
Understanding Gender Differences Among Medical Students When Choosing Radiology as a Medical Specialty

Rationale and Objectives Women continue to be under represented in diagnostic radiology. According to the Association of American Medical College's 2016 Physician Specialty Data Report, women made up only 25% of the field of diagnostic radiology in 2015. Our investigation centered on determining how factors influencing specialty choices differ for female medical students planning to pursue a residency in radiology versus other specialties. We also examined gender differences for male and female students choosing radiology. Materials and Methods Using deidentified 2011–2016 Graduation Questionnaire data from the Association of American Medical College's national survey of fourth-year medical students, we analyzed cross-sectional data from 71,941 respondents on career intentions, including factors influencing their choice of specialty such as mentor, salary, debt, family considerations, and fit with interests/skills. The 10 most common specialty choices were reported by gender. Women choosing radiology were compared to women choosing other specialties in terms of factors influencing choice of specialty. Women were also compared to men choosing radiology. Results Whereas 48% of all fourth-year medical students were women, only 26% of fourth-year medical students selecting radiology as a specialty were women. Radiology ranked fifth for men as the most common specialty choice, but 11th for women. Work/life balance, future family plans, salary, family expectations, high debt, and competitiveness of specialty were strong influencing factors for a significantly higher proportion of women selecting radiology than women selecting other specialties, but length of residency was a factor for a higher proportion of women in other specialties. Of students selecting radiology, a higher proportion of women than men said mentors were a strong factor (47% vs 37%). Conclusion To reduce the gender disparity in radiology, active engagement of mentors in the profession should be a priority in radiology departments. Other factors such as promoting radiology as an intellectual specialty with strong positive attributes such as work/life balance and salary should be highlighted as well.
A scaling algorithm for maximum weight matching in bipartite graphs

Given a weighted bipartite graph, the maximum weight matching (MWM) problem is to find a set of vertex-disjoint edges with maximum weight. We present a new scaling algorithm that runs in O(m√n log N) time, when the weights are integers within the range of [0,N]. The result improves the previous bounds of O(Nm√n) by Gabow and O(m√n log (nN)) by Gabow and Tarjan over 20 years ago. Our improvement draws ideas from a not widely known result, the primal method by Balinski and Gomory.
The future (near and far) of regional science

This Presidential Address, delivered on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Regional Science Association, looks ahead to some possible future developments in the field of regional science. It contains some predictions — both mild and extreme — of new developments. It discusses how the global system will become an interregional-regional system, and it traces the need for advanced interregional analysis capable of dealing with pressing issues of international aid, development, and terrorism. The issues of synthesizing bottom-up and top-down modeling approaches are explored. The paper concludes with some thoughts about the application of concepts of electromagnetism to problems in regional and interregional analysis, calling for the effective fusing of electromagnetic and gravity models.
Family Psychotherapy After a Brain Tumor

This chapter describes brain tumors in the context of psychotherapeutic techniques to educate and support the primary caregiver, other family members, and the support network. First, an overview of brain tumor types, symptoms, and treatment options and their side effects is presented. Second, the typical physical, cognitive, communication, language, personality, and mood changes in the loved one are depicted. This knowledge will launch the family members’ awareness of the effects of a brain tumor. As part of this compilation, “helpful hints” and coping tools are described for each realm, in the form of education, practical suggestions, and supportive measures for the loved one and other tier supports. This will foster the acceptance and realism process. Particular challenges associated with varying prognoses are reviewed. Sources of family members’ angst and despair are explored, followed by therapeutic mechanisms to improve their circumstances, in the context of understandable turmoil and uncertainties. Lastly, a case study is incorporated to illustrate key principles and treatment techniques so as to assist, encourage, and empower family members.
Federal Abstention in Declaratory Judgment Actions

This article previews the issues and arguments in Wilton v. Seven Falls Co., on the Supreme Court’s 1994-95 appellate docket. This case asks the Supreme Court to delineate the appropriate standards under which a federal court may decline to exercise jurisdiction in a declaratory judgment action. This is the second time in two years that the Court has been asked to resolve this issue. The Court will address two issues in this appeal. The chief issue is whether a federal court that has jurisdiction over a federal declaratory judgment action may in its discretion decline to exercise that jurisdiction in deference to a later filed, duplicative state court lawsuit. More narrowly, Wilton asks whether the exceptional circumstances test announced by the Supreme Court in Colorado River Water Conservation District v. United States favors federal court abstention in a federal declaratory judgment action. A subsidiary issue is whether an appellate court should review a district court's decision to abstain in these circumstances by reviewing the facts freshly or by determining whether the trial court abused its discretion.The Federal Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201 (1988), gives litigants an opportunity to secure a federal court judgment declaring the rights and obligations of parties to a dispute. Federal courts have equitable discretion to grant or deny such declaratory relief. In recent years, the availability of federal declaratory relief has found itself in tension with the discretionary ability of federal courts to decline to hear a case properly in its jurisdiction. When a federal district court declines to exercise jurisdiction over a case which it is authorized to hear, the court is said to abstain. The various rules governing the decision to abstain are referred to as abstention doctrines.Wilton is significant because it again offers the Supreme Court the opportunity to more clearly define the relationship of discretionary jurisdiction in a declaratory judgment action with discretionary jurisdiction under Colorado River abstention doctrine. The case essentially raises the very same issues raised and argued two years ago in Granite State, a case the Court accepted for review and then dismissed.The recurrence of these same issues, as well as the split among federal courts, clearly indicatesthat the lower federal courts need guidance in determining when to decline to exercise declaratory judgment jurisdiction under federal abstention doctrine. Because of the prevalence of insurance companies seeking federal declaratory judgment, the issues raised in this case will continue to perplex the lower federal courts until the Supreme Court delineates the prevailing abstention standard for declaratory judgment actions.
Towards an Integrated mHealth Platform for Community-based Maternity Health Workers in Low-Income Communities

A variety of actors with diverse perspectives such as maternity health workers (MHWs), pregnant women, providers and other community organizations constitute the perinatal services system designed for low-income communities. Yet, little is known about the nature of service delivery challenges that seem inevitable in this setting. We sought to understand prenatal services system from the perspective of MHWs and identify areas that can be improved by mHealth solutions. We collected qualitative data from twenty-eight target MHWs via an online survey, and used the open coding approach to identify themes. The findings showed that MHWs face a number of challenges while providing services like education, referrals etc. Notable challenges were lack of coordination with other stakeholders, unmet professional development needs, maintaining privacy and difficulties with client education, communication and record exchange. MHWs expressed the need for innovative technologies to facilitate client education and open communication with other maternity health actors. Our findings suggest that there is a great demand for communication and service delivery tools in community-based MHWs. But, new solution need to be integrated within existing tools and environment while empowering MHWs with professional and educational support.
Deviations of acoustic low-level descriptors in speech features of a set of triplets, one with autism

Verbal speech of children diagnosed with ASD is explored in order to identify patterns autism has left in speech, and to model such patterns for implementing automatic diagnostic and screening frameworks. In this study, we identify the deviations of acoustic low-level descriptors (LLDs) in voice of an autistic adolescent from her typically developing triplet siblings. The goal is to identify the atypicality in voice introduced by autism under minimum gender, age, genetic, and language bias and use the gained insights to build a more generalized model by adding more subjects hierarchically. We report the most significant LLDs that describe the deviations of acoustic features due to autism for categories of utterances and feature groups.
Cohesive and adhesive properties of crosslinked semiflexible biopolymer networks

Biomolecular semiflexible polymer networks with persistence lengths well above those of single polymeric chains serve important structural and adhesive roles in biology, biomaterials, food science and many other fields. While relationships between the structure and viscoelasticity of semiflexible polymer networks have been previously investigated, it remains challenging to systematically relate fibril and network properties to cohesive and adhesive properties that govern the function of these materials. To address this issue, here we utilize coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to thoroughly elucidate how the work of adhesion of a semiflexible polymer network to a surface depends on crosslink density and fibril persistence length. Two emergent characteristics of the network are its elasticity and its interfacial energy with the surface. Stiff networks that are either highly crosslinked or have high persistence length fibrils tend to have lower interfacial energy, and consequently, lower work of adhesion. For lightly crosslinked networks with flexible fibrils, considerable strain energy must be stored within the adhesive during detachment, which creates an additional penalty to detachment. Increasing persistence length while keeping crosslink density constant leads to porous, low density networks, leading to an optimal fibril persistence length at which maximum work of adhesion per mass density is attained for a given crosslink density. For any given fibril persistence length, increasing crosslink density has a slightly negative effect on network mass density and interfacial energy. A critical crosslink density is found, below which the networks have no significant load-bearing capacity. Lightly crosslinked networks above this threshold absorb more strain energy during desorption and consequently possess greater work of adhesion. The conflict between mass density and stiffness results in a non-monotonic trend between the ratio of work of adhesion to interfacial energy and persistence length. These findings provide physical insight into the adhesive mechanisms of biomaterials based on crosslinked semiflexible polymer networks, and reveal important design guidelines for bio-adhesives.
Bouveret's Syndrome

Bouveret syndrome is a very rare form of gastric outlet obstruction following the passage of a gallstone from the gallbladder to the duodenum or pylorus through a bilioenteric fistula. We present a unique case of a 78-year-old male complaining of right upper quadrant abdominal pain and who was found to have a gallstone in the proximal duodenum along with pneumobilia and cholecysto-duodenal fistula suggestive of Bouveret's syndrome.
Fc engineered anti-CD33mAb potentiates cytotoxicity of mbIL-21 expanded NK-cells against primary AML pre-treated with decitabine

Background & Aim Natural killer (NK) cells are limited in number and require cytokines for in vivo expansion. Recipient NK cells are shown to have both qualitative and quantitative defects in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, providing rationale for infusion of donor-derived NK cells. We showed that decitabine (DAC) enhances expression of NKG2D ligands in AML blasts and renders the blasts susceptible to killing by NK cells (Vasu et al. 2016). We conducted a phase I trial giving 5-day DAC in relapsed, refractory AML patients followed by haploidentical NK cells on day 0 and six doses of IL-2, where we demonstrated short term engraftment of donor-derived NK cells (up to 48 hours) can be achieved by fludarabine and DAC. Here, we report preclinical studies using membrane bound IL-21 (mbIL-21) expanded NK cells, which can be given without extraneous cytokine support. Methods, Results & Conclusion NK cells from healthy donors were expanded for 14 days using irradiated K562 feeder cells displaying mbIL-21 and 4-1BBL (CSTX002) to derive mbIL-21 NK cells. These cells have minimal senescence despite robust proliferation with the feasibility to infuse multiple NK cell doses of 1 × 108/kg (Denman et al. 2012). We investigated if mbIL-21 NK cells exhibit natural killer activity alone or in the presence of Fc-engineered anti-CD33 antibody [antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)] against primary AML samples from patients who received DAC, pre-NK cell infusion (day-1) and at 24 days post haplo-NK infusion (Post-NK infusion). Upon incubation with primary AML blasts, mbIL-21 NK cells displayed an activation profile as evidenced by surface CD107a induction (p=0.0051) and variable donor-dependent intra-cellular IFNγ production, which was further increased with CD33mAb coated AML cells (p=0.0018). ADCC assays using chromium-51 (Cr51) labelled primary AML blasts revealed mbIL-21 NK cells lysed primary AML blasts alone which was significantly enhanced with CD33mAb coated target cells (p=0.0004). Importantly, CD33mAb dependent enhanced-cytotoxicity by mbIL-21 NK cells was maintained in AML cells from patients even 24 days post DAC treatment. Further, in-vivo infusion of mbIL-21 NK cells in AML patient derived xenograft (AML PDX) mice, treated with CD33mAb, reduced the tumor burden. These data show the therapeutic utility of mbIL-21 NK cells that can be further potentiated by addition of Fc engineered anti-CD33 antibody in AML.
Implementing strain imaging to identify early childhood cancer survivors at risk for cardiovascular disease.

e23070Background: In patients receiving active chemotherapy, myocardial strain has prognostic utility for risk of subsequent cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized a decrement in strain in early off-treat...
Cost of palliative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) utilization for bone metastases secondary to prostate cancer (PC).

e16091 Background: Evaluations of palliative EBRT costs for patients with bone metastases are limited. The objective of this study was to summarize documentation of usual care patterns and episode ...
Generalized, severe epidermolysis bullosa simplex caused by a Keratin 5 p.E477K mutation.

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is a skin fragility disorder resulting from mutations of structural proteins in the epidermis. We provide a brief report of long-term survival and reproduction in a mother with EBS due to keratin 5 (KRT5) c.1429G > A (p.E477K) mutation, which causes a particularly severe form of the disease.
Maximum Torque Per Ampere Control of Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor via Optimal Current Excitation

Maximum torque per Ampere (MTPA) control of interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSM) with sinusoidal back electromotive-force (BEMF) has been studied extensively. This paper focuses on the MTPA control of IPMSM that exhibits non-sinusoidal back-electromotive-force (BEMF). This paper offers an analytical expression for average torque in IPMSM as well as a closed form of optimal current excitation for MTPA control. The optimal current is presented as a function of current harmonics with different. Hysteresis current control has been used for current injection in IPMSM. Validation through numerical calculation, Finite element analysis (FEA), and experimental results with detailed analysis are provided.
Regulation of NKCC2B by TNF-α in response to salt restriction

We have previously shown that TNF-α produced by renal epithelial cells inhibits Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC2) activity as part of a mechanism that attenuates increases in blood pressure in resp...
Sex‐specific floral attraction traits in a sequentially hermaphroditic species

●Many angiosperms are hermaphroditic and produce bisexual flowers in which male (pollen export) and female (stigma receptivity) functions are separated temporally. This sequential hermaphroditism may be associated with variation in flower size, color, or pattern, all of which may influence pollinator attraction. In this study, we describe variation in these traits across discrete functional sex stages within and between 225 greenhouse-grown individuals of Clarkia unguiculata (Onagraceae). In addition, to identify the effects of floral phenotype on pollinator attraction in this species, we examine the effects of these floral traits on pollen receipt in ~180 individuals in an experimental field array.●Petal area, ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing nectar guide area, and blue and green mean petal reflectance differ significantly across the functional sex stages of C. unguiculata. Male- and female-phase flowers display significantly different pollinator attraction traits. Petal and UV nectar guide area increase as flowers progress from male phase to female phase, while blue reflectance and green reflectance peak during anther maturation.●In field arrays of C. unguiculata, female-phase flowers with large UV nectar guides receive more pollen than those with small nectar guides, and female-phase flowers with high mean blue reflectance values are more likely to receive pollen than those with low blue reflectance. Female-phase flowers with green mean reflectance values that differ most from background foliage also receive more pollen than those that are more similar to foliage. These findings indicate that components of flower color and pattern influence pollen receipt, independent of other plant attributes that may covary with floral traits. We discuss these results in the context of hypotheses that have been proposed to explain sex-specific floral attraction traits, and we suggest future research that could improve our understanding of sexual dimorphism in sequentially hermaphroditic species and the evolution of features that promote outcrossing.
Precise β branching-ratio measurement for the 0 + → 0 + superallowed decay of Ar 34

We have measured the branching ratio for the superallowed ${0}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}$ ${0}^{+}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\beta}$ transition from $^{34}\mathrm{Ar}$ to be 0.9448(8), and determined its $ft$ value to be 3058.1(28) s, a result with $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.09$% precision, which is a factor of 3 improvement over the previous result based on current world data. The $ft$-value ratio for the mirror pair of superallowed transitions $^{34}\mathrm{Ar}$ $\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{34}\mathrm{Cl}$ and $^{34}\mathrm{Cl}$ $\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{34}\mathrm{S}$ becomes the most precise yet measured and, in a sensitive test of the method used to calculate the isospin-symmetry-breaking correction, ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{C}$, it agrees well with the ratio as calculated with Woods-Saxon radial wave functions. This confirms the method used in the most recent survey of superallowed decays to extract ${V}_{\text{ud}}$, the up-down quark-mixing element of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix. In addition, our branching-ratio results for the four observed Gamow-Teller branches to ${1}^{+}$ states in $^{34}\mathrm{Cl}$ are shown to agree well with shell-model calculations based on the same effective interactions that were used in the determination of ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{C}$.
Differentiating esophageal sensitivity phenotypes using pH–impedance in intensive care unit infants referred for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms

To identify esophageal sensitivity phenotypes relative to acid (SAcid), bolus (SBolus), acid and bolus (SAcid+Bolus), and none (SNone) exposures in infants suspected with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Symptomatic infants (N = 279) were evaluated for GERD at 42 (40–45) weeks postmenstrual age using 24-h pH–impedance. Symptom-associated probability (SAP) for acid and bolus components defined esophageal sensitivity: (1) SAcid as SAP ≥ 95% for acid (pH < 4), (2) SBolus as SAP ≥ 95% for bolus, (3) SAcid+Bolus as SAP ≥ 95% for acid and bolus, or (4) SNone as SAP < 95% for acid and bolus. Esophageal sensitivity prevalence (SAcid, SBolus, SAcid+Bolus, SNone) was 28 (10%), 94 (34%), 65 (23%), and 92 (33%), respectively. Emesis occurred more in SBolus and SAcid+Bolus vs SNone (p < 0.05). Magnitude (#/day) of cough and emesis events increased with SBolus and SAcid+Bolus vs SNone (p < 0.05). SAcid+Bolus had increased acid exposure vs SNone (p < 0.05). Distributions of feeding and breathing methods were distinct in infants with SBolus vs SNone (both, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that arching and irritability events/day were lesser at higher PMAs (p < 0.001) and greater for infants on NCPAP (p < 0.01) with SBolus and SAcid+Bolus (p < 0.05). Coughs/day was greater at higher PMAs (p < 0.001) for infants with gavage and transitional feeding methods (p < 0.02) with SBolus and SAcid+Bolus (p < 0.05) but lesser with Trach (p < 0.001). Number of emesis events/day were greater with SBolus and SAcid+Bolus (p < 0.001). Sneezes/day decreased for infants on Trach (p = 0.02). Feeding and breathing methods can influence the frequency and type of aerodigestive symptoms. We differentiated esophageal sensitivity phenotypes in NICU infants referred for GERD symptoms using pH–impedance. Acid sensitivity alone was rare, which may explain poor response to acid suppressives; aerodigestive symptoms were predominantly linked with bolus spread. Magnitude of esophageal acid exposure and esophageal sensitivity to bolus spread may explain the pathophysiological basis for symptoms.
Toward a Developmental Nosology for Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Early Childhood.

Objective Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) in DSM, characterized by severe, chronic irritability, currently excludes children Method Data (N = 425) were from 3 longitudinal assessments of the MAPS Study, spanning preschool (means = 4.7 and 5.5 years) to early school age (mean = 6.8 years). The Multidimensional Assessment Profile of Disruptive Behavior (MAP-DB) Temper Loss scale captured irritability, the Family Life Impairment Scale (FLIS) assessed cross-domain impairment at the preschool time points and the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children (K-SADS) was used to assess clinical status at early school age. Latent transition analyses differentiated children with EC-DMDD from children with low, transient, or nonimpairing irritability. Results Developmental patterning of irritability proved important for normal:abnormal differentiation. Of children, 27% had initially high irritability, but only two-thirds of these were persistently highly irritable. Thus, “false positives” based on a single screen would be substantial. Yet, “false negatives” are low, as Conclusion These findings provide empirical thresholds for preschool-age clinical identification of DMDD patterns. The results lay the foundation for validation of DMDD in early childhood and inform revision of DSM criteria.
CFD as a Complementary Tool to Benchmark Physical Testing of PM Separation by Unit Operations

AbstractUnit operation (UO) systems have proliferated to sequester urban drainage particulate matter (PM) and PM-bound constituents. PM has been a primary focus of testing and certification. A nomi...
EXAMINING SOCIOECONOMIC HEALTH DISPARITIES USING A RANK-DEPENDENT RÉNYI INDEX

The Renyi index (RI) is a one-parameter class of indices that summarize health disparities among population groups by measuring divergence between the distributions of disease burden and population shares of these groups. The rank-dependent RI introduced in this paper is a two-parameter class of health disparity indices that also accounts for the association between socioeconomic rank and health; it may be derived from a rank-dependent social welfare function. Two competing classes are discussed and the rank-dependent RI is shown to be more robust to changes in the distribution of either socioeconomic rank or health. The standard error and sampling distribution of the rank-dependent RI are evaluated using linearization and re-sampling techniques, and the methodology is illustrated using health survey data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and registry data from the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program. Such data underlie many population-based objectives within the U.S. Healthy People 2020 initiative. The rank-dependent RI provides a unified mathematical framework for eliciting various societal positions with regards to the policies that are tied to such wide-reaching public health initiatives. For example, if population groups with lower socioeconomic position were ascertained to be more likely to utilize costly public programs, then the parameters of the RI could be selected to reflect prioritizing those population groups for intervention or treatment.
Ways to Evaluate Redistricting Plans

Since 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued 15 redistricting opinions. But a recent Supreme Court ruling puts the question of partisan gerrymandering firmly in the hands of states. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Rucho v. Common Cause that the federal courts have no jurisdiction over issues of partisan gerrymandering. The court did, however, point to state remedies.
Alongside: Regarding the otherness of Warren Poland

“Man has no harbor, time has no shore./ It flows, and we pass on.” Lamartine (personal correspondence from Jacob Arlow to Poland; quoted in Poland discussion in Margulies 2014)Pre-pandemic, embarki...
Hox genes regulate asexual reproductive behavior and tissue segmentation in adult animals

Summary Hox genes are highly conserved transcription factors renowned for their roles in the segmental patterning of the embryonic anterior-posterior (A/P) axis1. Emerging evidence for Hox gene expression and function in postnatally derived structures has fueled interest in their additional roles beyond embryogenesis2,3. We report novel functions for Hox genes in A/P adult tissue segmentation and transverse fission behavior underlying asexual reproduction in the planarian flatworm, Schmidtea mediterranea. Silencing of each of the planarian Hox family members identified 5 Hox genes required for asexual reproduction. Among these, silencing of hox3 genes resulted in supernumerary segments, while silencing of post2b eliminated segmentation altogether. The opposing roles of hox3 and post2b in segmentation are paralleled in their respective regulation of fission behavior. Silencing of hox3 increased the frequency of fission behavior initiation, while silencing of post2b eliminated fission behavior entirely. Furthermore, we identified a network of downstream effector genes mediating Hox gene regulation of asexual reproduction, thereby providing insight into their respective mechanisms of action. Our study establishes postembryonic roles for Hox genes in regulating the emergence of tissue segmentation and specific behaviors associated with asexual reproduction in adult animals.
VisualEnv: visual Gym environments with Blender.

In this paper VisualEnv, a new tool for creating visual environment for reinforcement learning is introduced. It is the product of an integration of an open-source modelling and rendering software, Blender, and a python module used to generate environment model for simulation, OpenAI Gym. VisualEnv allows the user to create custom environments with photorealistic rendering capabilities and full integration with python. The framework is described and tested on a series of example problems that showcase its features for training reinforcement learning agents.
Design of a laser-produced lithium anode plasma experiment on the Helia extraction diode

Summary form only. Recent experimental evidence on PBFA II (Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator II) has suggested that poor source turn-on and nonuniformity may contribute to the late focusability achieved with passive lithium ion sources to date, further emphasizing the need for a preformed anode plasma. The authors are planning to field a direct laser-produced lithium anode plasma source on the Helia extraction diode experiment, with eventual application to PBFA II. Previous experiments have shown that a high-density lithium plasma can be produced by direct laser irradiation of a solid lithium surface with a pulsed dye laser (LIBORS) tuned to the Li I 2s-2p resonance line (670.8 nm). These measurements have also suggested that the plasma formation process, and therefore the laser energy requirement, is dominated by the thermal energy required for vaporization with the long-pulse (1- mu s) LIBORS laser. They developed a simple model of this process and have investigated the effects of laser pulse length, lithium film thickness, substrate material, and laser wavelength on the threshold for lithium plasma production. Their results, which support the earlier results, are summarized. >