cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the use of Darcy's law and invasion‐percolation approaches for modeling large‐scale geologic carbon sequestration

Author(s): Oldenburg, CM; Mukhopadhyay, S; Cihan, A | Abstract: Most large-scale flow and transport simulations for geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) applications are carried out using simulators that solve flow equations arising from Darcy's law. Recently, the computational advantages of invasion-percolation (IP) modeling approaches have been presented. We show that both the Darcy's-law- and the gravity-capillary balance solved by IP approaches can be derived from the same multiphase continuum momentum equation. More specifically, Darcy's law arises from assuming creeping flow with no viscous momentum transfer to stationary solid grains, while it is assumed in the IP approach that gravity and capillarity are the dominant driving forces in a quasi-static two-phase (or more) system. There is a long history of use of Darcy's law for large-scale GCS simulation. However, simulations based on Darcy's law commonly include significant numerical dispersion as users employ large grid blocks to keep run times practical. In contrast, the computational simplicity of IP approaches allows large-scale models to honor fine-scale hydrostratigraphic details of the storage formation which makes these IP models suitable for analyzing the impact of small-scale heterogeneities on flow. However, the lack of time-dependence in the IP models is a significant disadvantage, while the ability of Darcy's law to simulate a range of flows from single-phase- and pressure-gradient-driven flows to buoyant multiphase gravity-capillary flow is a significant advantage. We believe on balance that Darcy's law simulations should be the preferred approach to large-scale GCS simulations.
A review of Stata commands for fixed-effects estimation in normal linear models

Availability of large multilevel longitudinal databases in various fields of research, including labor economics (with workers and firms observed over time) and education (with students, teachers, ...
The cell biology of aging

One of the original hypotheses of organismal longevity posits that aging is the natural result of entropy on the cells, tissues, and organs of the animal--a slow, inexorable slide into nonfunctionality caused by stochastic degradation of its parts. We now have evidence that aging is instead at least in part genetically regulated. Many mutations have been discovered to extend lifespan in organisms of all complexities, from yeast to mammals. The study of metazoan model organisms, such as Caenorhabditis elegans, has been instrumental in understanding the role of genetics in the cell biology of aging. Longevity mutants across the spectrum of model organisms demonstrate that rates of aging are regulated through genetic control of cellular processes. The regulation and subsequent breakdown of cellular processes represent a programmatic decision by the cell to either continue or abandon maintenance procedures with age. Our understanding of cell biological processes involved in regulating aging have been particularly informed by longevity mutants and treatments, such as reduced insulin/IGF-1 signaling and dietary restriction, which are critical in determining the distinction between causes of and responses to aging and have revealed a set of downstream targets that participate in a range of cell biological activities. Here we briefly review some of these important cellular processes.
Strongly Superlinear Light Emission and Large Induced Absorption in Oxidized Porous Silicon Films

The optical properties of oxidized free-standing porous silicon films excited by a cw laser have been investigated. It is found that samples oxidized at 800-950 °C show a strongly superlinear light emission at an excitation intensity of ≈10 W/cm2. This emission has a peak at 900-1100 nm and shows a blueshift as the oxidation temperature is increased. These samples also show a very large induced absorption, where the transmittance is found to decrease reversibly by <-99.7 %.The induced absorption increases linearly with increasing pump laser intensity. Both the superlinear emission and the large induced absorption are quenched when the samples are attached to materials with a higher thermal conductivity, suggesting that laser-induced thermal effects are responsible for these phenomena.
Horizontal Transmission of Nosema pyrausta (Microsporida: Nosematidae) in the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

It was demonstrated in laboratory transmission tests that corn stalks inhabited by European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), larvae that are infected with Nosema pyrausta (Paillot), become readily contaminated, via spores in larval excrement and that contaminated feeding cavities provide a major source of infection for the healthy inhabitants of the stalk. Exposure of uninfected ECB larvae to damaged plant cavities that harbored actively feeding infected ECB larvae leads to higher frequencies of transmission than cavities that have been abandoned or are inhabited by uninfected individuals. Results also indicate that in each generation, there is a time lag following ECB oviposition before effective transmission takes place in the field, and in the second generation, ECB larvae continue to contaminate plant tissues with infectious spores until they enter diapause. This mechanism of transmission, along with larval feeding behavior and intraplant movement, contribute significantly to the horizontal spread and annual build-up of N. pyrausta within the ECB population.
An empirical investigation into factors driving consumers’ privacy judgments online

The goal of this paper is to empirically examine factors driving consumers’ judgments about meeting privacy expectations online. This study allows for privacy expectations to be dependent on the context of the information exchange, identifies the contextually dependent factors driving privacy judgments, and examines whether and how individual’s characteristics impact privacy judgments. Individual-specific information – including institutional trust in websites and a general importance placed on privacy online – does not adequately predict privacy expectations within particular online situations. Predictions based on individual factors significantly overestimate the degree to which scenarios would meet privacy expectations particularly for respondents with a self-reported low priority for privacy. Contextual factors, such as the secondary use of information or the tracking of friends, significantly impact the degree privacy expectations are met. The results suggest that firms should evaluate specific priva...
Mechanistic insights into mitral regurgitation due to atrial fibrillation: "Atrial functional mitral regurgitation"

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is common, and definitive management of significant MR often requires percutaneous or surgical correction. Lone atrial fibrillation has been proposed to result in "atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR)" via left atrial enlargement and mitral annular dilation. Patients with AFMR may represent a subgroup in which a rhythm control strategy may be preferred and catheter ablation is a promising nonsurgical therapy. This review discusses the anatomy of the mitral valve apparatus and MR classification schemes. Potential mechanisms in the pathogenesis of AFMR the implications for treatment will be discussed in detail.
An Equalization Approach to Feedback Stabilization Over Fading Channels

This paper proposes an equalization approach to mean-square (MS) feedback stabilization for multi-input/multi-output (MIMO) discrete-time systems over fading channels. An orthogonal encode/decode matrix pair is placed at the two ends of the fading channel, thereby equalizing the complementary sensitivity in the MS sense. By adopting the notion of the MS stability in an input-output setting, and using the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and encode/decode matrix as additional design parameters, we are able to convert the networked stabilization over fading channels into an equivalent constrained ${\mathcal H}_{2}$ optimal control, and derive the MS stabilizability conditions over linear time-invariant controllers. Our results recover the existing MS stabilizability condition under the state feedback. For output feedback control, we provide a characterization of the minimum network resource for the SNR required to stabilize the networked control system over the fading channel, and develop the synthesis algorithms for design of the orthogonal coding matrix and output feedback controller in different scenarios. Our results show that the MS stabilization problem as formulated in this paper admits the closed-form solution for MIMO plants with unstable block zeros, and is mathematically tractable for more general MIMO plants. Two numerical examples are worked out to illustrate our results.
What's new in pediatric cardiology.

1. Phat Pham, MD* 2. Michael Silberbach, MD† 1. *Fellow in Pediatric Cardiology 2. †Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Portland, Ore After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the role of genes in the development of cardiac malformations. 2. Describe advances in noninvasive imaging of congenital heart disease. 3. Characterize the role of interventional catheterization in the treatment of congenital heart disease. 4. Describe emerging concepts for pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators for use in children. Pediatric cardiology was transformed during the latter half of the 20th century from a field that engendered intense curiosity about the heart in infants and children who had uniformly fatal conditions to an established clinical discipline that routinely offered effective medical and surgical therapies. However, cardiac malformations continue to be the most common birth defects and the leading causes of infant mortality, killing twice the number of children who die from childhood cancer. According to the American Heart Association, more than 2 million Americans are living with congenital heart defects, and more than 91 thousand life-years are lost each year to congenital heart disease (CHD). The Association estimates that the cost of hospital care alone for patients who have CHD exceeds $3 billion per year. Today’s researchers are using the tools of molecular genetics to dissect the circuitry of cardiac embryogenesis and to understand the causes of cardiac malformation. In the 21st century, as the fields of computer technology, information management, and biology become integrated, exciting new approaches to the treatment of childhood heart diseases will become a reality. The following is a brief summary of the recent advances in the understanding of cardiac development, the pathogenesis of heart disease, and the current state of diagnostic modalities and therapies aimed at improving the care of children who have heart disease. Although the “nature versus nurture” debate regarding the origin of CHD continues, it generally is believed that many, if not most, cardiac malformations begin as …
Synthesis and Characterization of Estolide Esters Containing Epoxy and Cyclic Carbonate Groups

The unsaturated sites in oleic 2-ethylhexyl estolide esters (containing 35 % monoenic fatty acids) were converted into epoxide and five-membered cyclic carbonate groups and the products characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), 1H, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. Epoxidation of the alkene bonds was accomplished using performic acid generated in situ from formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Greater than 90 % alkenes were converted into their corresponding epoxide groups as determined by oxirane values and the epoxide ring structure was confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR. The estolide ester epoxide material was subsequently reacted with supercritical carbon dioxide in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide catalyst to produce the corresponding estolide ester containing the cyclic carbonate group. The signals at 1,807 cm-1 and delta 82 ppm in the FTIR and 13C NMR spectra, respectively, confirmed the desired cyclic carbonate was produced. The carbonated estolide ester exhibited a dynamic viscosity, at 25 deg. C, of 172 mPa’s as compared to 155 mPa’s for the estolide ester starting material. The estolide ester structure of these new derivatives was shown to be consistent throughout their synthesis.
Friends and Family: To Refer or Not to Refer?

Sales promotions are an important strategic tool for firms wishing to increase sales, attract new customers, or retain existing customers. The proliferation of customer relationship management systems has allowed firms to more easily implement referral reward programs, where a firm’s current customer is offered a reward (i.e., rebate, coupon, and discount) in exchange for recommending the firm’s product to another consumer. These referral reward programs both improve retention of current customers by rewarding word-of-mouth (WOM) behaviors and attract new customers (Ryu and Feick 2007) through positive WOM and referrals.
Issues in Randomization

In this chapter, we discuss key concepts and issues related to randomization and its implementation in clinical trials. After presenting the motivation for and history of randomization in clinical trials, we describe several methods of randomization. Common problems that threaten the integrity of randomization will also be discussed, including violation of the intent-to-treat (ITT) principle, pseudo-random procedures, and missing data. We conclude with a number of special topics, including adaptive randomization.
Strategies of Protection of Normal Cells During Chemo- and Radio-Therapy Based on Modulation of Cell Cycle and Apoptotic Pathways

The ultimate goal of cancer therapy is to selectively kill cancer cells, while sparing normal cells. Therefore, major research efforts have been aimed at the discovery of molecular targets that are specific for cancer cells. One such target is BCR-ABL, a product of a chromosomal translocation (Philadelphia chromosome), which is both specific and vital for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Therefore, BCR-ABL is the most validated target in oncology (Druker, 2002; Druker and Lydon, 2000; Daley, 2003). Gleevec (Imatinib, STI571), an inhibitor of BCR-ABL and c-Kit, have demonstrated excellent clinical effectiveness, causing remission in more than 90% patients with chronic phase of CML (Kantarjian et al., 2003). Without doubt, such a successful treatment of BCR-ABL -expressing leukemia with the BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor Gleevec is the most spectacular achievement in modern oncology. Unfortunately, this is the only example. In fact, BCR-ABL is an unique target. Other targets are either non-specific for cancer cells or dispensable for cancer growth and survival. Most drugs either affect normal cells (e.g. inhibitors of histone deacetylases and farnesyltransferase) or do not affect cancer cells (some inhibitors of growth factor receptors and cyclin dependent kinase 2). This is not CO-incidental. First, almost all anticancer drug targets are present in normal cells. Second, cancer cells have multiple genetic alterations. Therefore, a single growth factor receptor may be dispensable for cancer cell proliferation (Fig. 1,). ,As emphasized by Richard
Update on Trial Registration 11 Years after the ICMJE Policy Was Established.

More than a decade ago, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors established a policy requiring trial registration. This article reviews the current state of this endeavor.
Pion fusion in peripheral pp collisions.

We estimate the cross section for quasi-elastic double pion exchange in high energy proton-proton collisions. Total and elastic $\pi\pi$ cross sections are calculated in an equivalent pion approximation, with pion-baryon vertices taken from chiral perturbation theory.
Work and Marriage: Mother-Daughter Similarities in Sri Lanka

This paper examines generational interaction and gender roles in Sri Lanka by focusing on the motherdaughter dyad with regard to the issues of marriage and work. Using survey and focus group data f...
Implied Volatility Changes as Evidence of Stock Price Disequilibrium

Past works have documented the predictive power of short-term stock return momentum and option volume ratios for future stock returns. In this article, the authors find option volume ratios have greater power to predict future returns when evidence exists that prices are out of equilibrium, proxied for by increases in implied volatility. In the studied sample, short-term momentum has significant power to predict future stock returns only in the presence of evidence prices are out of equilibrium. The authors document that option volume ratios, changes in option implied volatility, and short-term momentum together have significant predictive power for the cross-section of stock returns in subsequent periods. The difference between firms predicted to be strong performers and those predicted to be weak performers is more than 1% a month. Buy-and-hold returns for an equally weighted portfolio of predicted strong performers are 249% over the 1996–2009 period compared with a loss of 38% for predicted weak performers. S&P 500 Index returns over the same period were 60%.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of light water reactor simulated used nuclear fuel: Main oxide phase

Abstract The analysis of light water reactor simulated used nuclear fuel using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is explored using a simplified version of the main oxide phase. The main oxide phase consists of the actinides, lanthanides, and zirconium. The purpose of this study is to develop a rapid, quantitative technique for measuring zirconium in a uranium dioxide matrix without the need to dissolve the material. A second set of materials including cerium oxide is also analyzed to determine precision and limit of detection (LOD) using LIBS in a complex matrix. Two types of samples are used in this study: binary and ternary oxide pellets. The ternary oxide, (U,Zr,Ce)O2 pellets used in this study are a simplified version the main oxide phase of used nuclear fuel. The binary oxides, (U,Ce)O2 and (U,Zr)O2 are also examined to determine spectral emission lines for Ce and Zr, potential spectral interferences with uranium and baseline LOD values for Ce and Zr in a UO2 matrix. In the spectral range of 200 to 800 nm, 33 cerium lines and 25 zirconium lines were identified and shown to have linear correlation values (R2) > 0.97 for both the binary and ternary oxides. The cerium LOD in the (U,Ce)O2 matrix ranged from 0.34 to 1.08 wt% and 0.94 to 1.22 wt% in (U,Ce,Zr)O2 for 33 of Ce emission lines. The zirconium limit of detection in the (U,Zr)O2 matrix ranged from 0.84 to 1.15 wt% and 0.99 to 1.10 wt% in (U,Ce,Zr)O2 for 25 Zr lines. The effect of multiple elements in the plasma and the impact on the LOD is discussed.
Direct Measurement of Ab and Ac at the Z0 Pole Using a Lepton Tag

The parity violation parameters Ab and Ac of the Zb anti-b and Zc anti-c couplings have been measured directly, using the polar angle dependence of the Z0-pole polarized cross sections. Bottom and charmed hadrons were tagged via semileptonic decays. Both the muon and electron identification algorithms take advantage of new multivariate techniques, incorporating for the first time information from the SLD Cerenkov Ring Imaging Detector. Based on the 1993-95 SLD sample of 150,000 Z0 decays produced with highly polarized electron beams, we measure: Ab = 0.910 ± 0.068(stat) ± 0.037(syst) Ac = 0.642 ± 0.110(stat) ± 0.063(syst).
Delay-Constrained Energy Optimization in High-Latency Sensor Networks

Sensor networks deployed in high-latency environments, such as underwater acoustic and satellite channels, find critical applications in disaster prevention and tactical surveillance. The sensors in these networks have limited energy reserves. In order to extend the lifetime of these sensors, energy must be conserved in all layers of the protocol stack. In addition to long propagation delays, these channels are characterized by limited bandwidth and a lack of well-established closed-form analytical models. This fact makes finding cross-layer energy-optimal solutions a difficult problem to solve. Our goal is to compute near-optimal routes, schedules and transmit power levels for delay-constrained applications of high-latency sensor networks. We present a mixed-integer programming relaxation of the optimization problem. We further propose a decentralized algorithm to iteratively solve the relaxed optimization problem. Comparative simulation analysis shows that our decentralized approach is approximately 3~6 dB more energy-efficient and 2~5 dB more throughput-efficient than the heuristic, time-sensitive greedy forwarding, and least-cost routing algorithms.
A communication strategy using a video support tool and structured family meetings for relatives of patients dying in the ICU.

81Background: Death in the ICU is an extraordinarily stressful event. Qualitative and quantitative studies have identified effective communication between caregivers and families to be important th...
Perceptions of Effectiveness and Job Satisfaction of Pre-Law Advisors.

Despite playing an important role, preprofessional advising has received little research attention. For this study, 313 U.S. preprofessional advisors were surveyed in 2015. Drawing on work adjustment and social cognitive career theories, we analyzed the job satisfaction and perceived effectiveness of pre-law advisors. The major findings reveal that advisors having a law degree, the ability to secure more resources, and a commitment to spending significant hours weekly in advising tend to be more satisfied and perceive themselves to be more effective in helping students gain admission to law school and preparing them for academic success than other pre-law advisors. Other factors related to participant self-perceptions on advising future law students are also discussed.
The Criminogenic Influence of Family on Substance Use During Reentry: A Life-Course Perspective on Between Individual Differences and Within Individual Changes

A large body of prior research has demonstrated a clear link between family support and desistance from substance use during reentry. Emerging research also suggests that family conflict may play an independent role in this process. Accordingly, this study moves towards an understanding of how baseline between-individual differences in both family support and conflict prior to release interact with within-individual change in the respective constructs to affect substance use during the reentry time period. Results of cross-lagged dynamic panel models examining four waves of the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative data demonstrate baseline between-individual differences and within-individual changes in family conflict, but not support, significantly relate to polysubstance use. While these results suggest that families play a criminogenic role in reentry, a series of interaction terms demonstrates that within-individual increases in family support can help offset the negative influence of family conflict.
Epicrestal and subcrestal placement of platform-switched implants: 18 month-result of a randomized, controlled, split-mouth, prospective clinical trial.

Objectives To evaluate the changes in marginal bone levels (MBL) and soft tissue dimension around platform-switched implants with the implant-abutment junction (IAJ) placed at the crest or 1.5-2 mm subcrestally. Materials and methods In all, 96 platform-switched implants were placed in either the posterior maxilla or mandible in 48 partially edentulous patients in a split-mouth study. All implants were provisionally restored after 4-5 months and definitively after 6 months (T6). Radiographic assessment of MBL was assessed at implant placement (T0), T6, 12 months (T12), and 18 months (T18) after placement. Mid-buccal soft tissue and papilla measurements were performed at T6, T12, and T18. Results In all, 43 patients with 86 implants completed the study. The T18 examination showed an implant survival rate of 100% in both groups. Analysis showed that MBL varied as a function of IAJ location, which indicated more coronal bone levels with subcrestal (2.39 ± 0.08 mm) than with epicrestal placements (0.88 ± 0.08 mm) (p .05). Levels of mid-buccal soft tissue had no significant changes over time, regardless of group (p > .05). There was a significant difference in increase in papilla between T6 and T12 and T18 (p = .005 and .001), but not between T12 and T18 (p = .61). These papilla levels and changes were similar between groups (p > .05). Conclusions The MBL changes around platform-switched implants with same geometry were not affected by the epicrestal or subcrestal location of the IAJ. Furthermore, the location of the IAJ did not affect the implant survival and soft tissue dimensions. However, no bone loss was located apical to the IAJ when the implants were placed subcrestally.
Gaseous transport in hemoglobin solutions.

Gas exchange between blood and tissue is a complicated process because of factors such as the multiphase nature of the system (red cells, plasma, blood vessel walls, tissue), diffusion-chemical reaction interaction and associated non-linearities, and the irregular and sometimes poorly defined geometry of the system. In view of the complexity of such a system, one therefore seeks a reasonably simple model, or models, which provide a relatively good description of the gas exchange process.
A Model of Psychological Distress for Mothers of Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

We functionally defined and tested a model of psychological distress for mothers of children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This operationalized model includes three latent constructs which are hypothesized to influence mother's psychological symptomatology: Parenting Stress, Parent Characteristics, and Environment Characteristics. Structural equation modeling was used to reformulate and test the measurement models and the overall model. Data supported a model with some empirically-based model revisions founded on both comparisons of best fit and by an examination of statistical modification indices. The final model maintained the Parenting Stress and Parental Characteristics constructs, but replaced independent environmental variables with a more generalized construct of life stress.
Prune-belly syndrome. Review of ten cases.

Abstract Ten cases of prune-belly syndrome are presented. The wide spectrum of the syndrome is stressed, with the therapeutic approach to the different groups given. Survival of the patient will be determined mainly by the degree of renal dysplasia and associated anomalies.
Murine Ornithine Transcarbamylase: Structure and Expression

The hepatic enzyme ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) (EC 2.1.3.3) catalyses the condensation of carbamyl phosphate and ornithine to form citrulline (Gisolia and Cohen, 1952; Jones et al., 1961). This is the second step of the mammalian urea cycle involved in the detoxification of ammonia and biosynthesis of urea. OTC is encoded on the X chromosome (Lindgren et al., 1984) and expressed primarily in liver and to a lesser extent in small bowel. The enzyme is synthesized in the cytoplasm as a 41 kD precursor and then transported to the mitochondria where a 32 amino acid leader peptide is cleaved and trimers associate within the matrix to form the active enzyme (Conboy et al., 1979; Mori et al., 1982). OTC deficiency is the most common urea cycle defect in humans and results in a severe and often fatal neonatal ammonia intoxication in hemizygous males (Walser, 1983). Female heterozygotes display a variable phenotype based on the severity of the mutation and random X-chromosome inactivation. Treatment of affected infants has been confined to restricted protein intake, peritoneal dialysis and administration of amino acid acylating agents such as benzoate, butyrate, or phenylacetate (Batshaw, 1982; Batshaw, 1981; Brusilow et al. 1984). Long-term outlook, particularly for affected males is poor, evidenced by the high incidence of mental retardation and cerebral palsy while hyperammoneimic episodes often lead to coma and death (Msall et al., 1984). Prenatal diagnosis has been largely confined to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis (Fox et al., 1986; Nussbaum et al., 1986) as amniocytes do not express the enzyme, there are no metabolic products of the disorder present in amniotic fluid, and fetal liver biopsy poses a high risk to both mother and fetus.
Geometrisches über den Funktionenverlauf

Der Punkt z bewege sich mit der gleichformigen Winkelgeschwindigkeit 1 am Rande des Kreises | z | = r. Man berechne den Vektor, der die Geschwindigkeit des mitbewegten Bildpunktes w = f(z) in der w-Ebene nach Grose und Richtung darstellt.
High Density Uncoupled Multicore Fibres Employing Thermal Expanded Core Techniques for Low Connection Loss

High-density single-mode homogeneous multicore fibres are proposed for use in data centres. The crosstalk is suppressed without low-index layers. Connection loss characteristics are improved as a result of thermally expanded core techniques with co-dopants.
Chimeric antigen receptors: unleashing a new age of anti-cancer therapy.

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) represent a novel facet of modern day synthetic biology that exemplifies personalized medicine at work through their ability to harness and redirect a patient’s immune system to fight cancer. By combining the target-specificity of antibodies to the effector capabilities of T cells, CARs have yielded high remission rates for many late staged and relapsed/refractory (r/r) hematological malignancies, including acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Despite toxicities of cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, recent studies have uncovered their underlying mechanisms and devised effective therapies to manage and possibly prevent them. In 2017, CAR T cell therapy became a reality for the general public despite the high costs, when Novartis’s Kymriah, became the first product to receive FDA approval for pediatric r/r B cell ALL with Gilead’s Yescarta following several months later. Although effective in hematological malignancies, CAR response has been limited in solid tumors largely attributed to the heterogeneous and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment along tumor defense mechanisms, such as antigenic escape. Despite the current challenges of CAR T therapy, this technology is still in its infancy and its promise will continue to grow as scientists continue to develop novel approaches to enhance its efficacy. As its prevalence continues to increase, institutions and pharmaceuticals worldwide are investing in this technology in hopes of driving therapeutic innovation, while providing greater access to their respective populations through clinical trials.
Abstract C59: HBV screening and vaccination among first-generation African immigrants: A pilot study

Background: African Americans disproportionately bear a large burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver disease in the U.S. Foreign-born African immigrants have high HBV prevalence rates. However, data on the African immigrant community are sparse. Information about HBV screening, vaccination, and awareness of this vulnerable population has been less well characterized. The purpose of this study was to provide the basis for a better understanding of HBV burden in this population and identify risk factors for implementation of future preventive and treatment programs. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 71 first-generation African Americans in New York City. Survey questions were asked regarding participants9 HBV infection status, screening and vaccination history, practice of infection monitoring and treatment, knowledge of HBV transmission, and perceived barriers to screening and proper monitoring. Descriptive analyses and bivariate chi-square tests were conducted to describe the study sample and identify predictors of HBV screening and vaccination. Results: The study sample consists of 47 men and 23 women, with an average age of 33. Among the sample, 87.7% are immigrants from sub-Sahara Africa, and over 85.4% lived in the U.S. more than 15 years. About half of the participants never had HBV screening (43.6%) and never received vaccination (50%). We found a low level of HBV-related knowledge. Only about half of the participants had a correct understanding of the ways in which HBV is transmitted. Bivariate analyses showed that four factors were significantly associated with HBV screening and vaccination. Specifically, having health insurance (p Conclusion: First-generation African immigrants in the study sample had very limited knowledge regarding HBV transmission, disease etiology, and severity, which should be the focus of future intervention to promote HBV screening and vaccination. Furthermore, we identified several predictors of HBV screening and vaccination among first-generation African immigrants. Specifically, low education, lack of health insurance, and access to a regular physician served as barriers to HBV screening and vaccination. Public health campaigns and policies need to address these social barriers. Citation Format: Grace X. Ma, Adeodat Ilboudo, Omar Dibba, Lin Zhu, Yin Tan, Olorunseun O. Ogunwobi. HBV screening and vaccination among first-generation African immigrants: A pilot study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr C59.
An Empty Seat at the Table: Examining General and Special Education Teacher Collaboration in Response to Intervention.

Response to Intervention (RTI) may create an opportunity for equitable approaches to special education evaluation, in part, through collaboration among general and special education teachers, who c...
Determination of online quenching efficiency for an automated cellular microfluidic metabolomic platform using mass spectrometry based ATP degradation analysis

As microfluidic cell culture progresses, the need for robust and reproducible intracellular analyses grows. In particular, intracellular metabolites are subject to perturbation and degradation during the lysing process. The reliability of intracellular metabolomic analysis in microfluidic devices depends on the preservation of metabolite integrity during sample preparation and storage. Described here is a novel automated microfluidic system exhibiting the necessary rapid cellular lysis and quenching of enzymatic activity. Quenching efficiency was assessed using a novel ratiometric MALDI-MS-based assay of exogenous isotopic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis to isotopic adenosine diphosphate (ADP) as a marker of metabolite degradation. The lysis system of the microfluidic device was enhanced using a Peltier cooler to chill the lysate and quench aberrant enzymatic activity. Parameter optimization (flow rate, collection time, and temperature control) improved the endogenous and exogenous ADP/ATP ratios by 44.9% and 39.8% respectively consistent with traditional quenching techniques. The effects of chilling/quenching on metabolism were evaluated resulting in over 500 significant features compared to non-chilled from untargeted capillary LC-MS metabolomic analyses. These include increased levels of tryptophan, histidine, and pyruvate as well as decreased levels in UDP-N-acetylglucosamine. The results illustrate the need for both rapid lysis and quenching in microfluidic cell culture platforms. Graphical abstract.
Identifying complex Hadamard submatrices of the Fourier matrices via primitive sets

Abstract For a given selection of rows and columns from a Fourier matrix, we give a number of tests for whether the resulting submatrix is Hadamard based on the primitive sets of those rows and columns. In particular, we demonstrate that whether a given selection of rows and columns of a Fourier matrix forms a Hadamard submatrix is exactly determined by whether the primitive sets of those rows and columns are compatible with respect to the size of the Fourier matrix. This allows the partitioning of all submatrices into equivalence classes that will consist entirely of Hadamard or entirely of non-Hadamard submatrices and motivates the creation of compatibility graphs that represent this structure. We conclude with some results that facilitate the construction of these graphs for submatrix sizes 2 and 3.
What Does Technology Integration Research Tell Us about the Leadership of Technology

This systematic review of the literature focuses on the empirical research conducted between 1998 and 2018 at the intersection of leaders, teachers, and technology in K-12 schools. The question gui...
Expanding the spectrum of chronic necrotising (semi‐invasive) aspergillosis: a series of eight cases presenting as radiologically solid lung nodules mimicking malignancy

Aim To clinicopathologically characterise a subset of aspergillosis cases characterised by radiologically solid lung nodules. Methods and results We reviewed our archives for lung biopsies/resections with fungal hyphae on histology. Cases classifiable as a well-established form of aspergillosis were excluded. Unclassifiable cases with radiologically solid lung nodules and histological evidence of fungal hyphae consistent with Aspergillus were analysed in detail. Of 134 lung biopsies/resections with fungal hyphae, eight presented as a solid lung nodule on imaging and could not be classified as a well-recognised form of aspergillosis. All patients were non-immunocompromised/minimally immunocompromised adult smokers. Imaging showed solid, predominantly solitary, spiculated, subpleural, hypermetabolic upper lobe nodules in emphysematous lungs. Malignancy was suspected clinically in all cases. Histologically, the nodules were necrotising granulomas containing fungal hyphae consistent with Aspergillus. On follow-up, none of the nodules recurred or progressed to invasive disease. Conclusions Aspergillosis can present as a radiologically solid, spiculated lung nodule suspicious for malignancy.
A prospective analysis of time to screen protocol ECGs in adult Emergency Department triage patients.

Abstract Background Early identification of ST elevation MI (STEMI) in emergency departments (ED) via electrocardiogram (ECG) expedites intervention. While screening of all ED chest pain ECGs should be obtained within 10 minutes per the American Heart Association, 40% of all ECGs are software-analyzed as “Normal” or “Otherwise Normal.” However, the reliability of this analysis and the time for confirmation read are uncertain. This study investigates the time necessary for Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) to deliver ECGs to ED attendings to confirm automated interpretation. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted at a single academic ED. All patients ≥18 years who had a triage ECG were included. ECGs were obtained within 10 min of arrival, time-stamped, delivered for ED attending review and time-stamped upon PCT return to triage. Data were entered into REDCap and analyzed using StatPlus. Results During the 4-month study, 1768 ECGs were collected. Distribution of automated readings was: “Normal ECG” 33.7%; “Otherwise Normal ECG” 11.2%; and “borderline/abnormal” 55.1%. The median time necessary for PCTs to confirm a screening ECG was 2.8 min (IQR 2,4) with attending physicians interrupted an average of 14.6 times per day. Conclusion Screening of triage ECGs is time-intensive and compounds the frequency of physician interruptions. Although findings are not generalizable, the impact of these interruptions on patient care and safety is paramount and universal. Future directions include validating the reliability of “Normal” and “Otherwise Normal” ECG automated readings to obviate the need to interrupt ED physician for expedited screening confirmation.
Formal Volunteering Buffers the Negative Impact of Unemployment among Older Workers: A Longitudinal Analysis

Guided by Jahoda’s Latent Deprivation Theory, this study examined whether engaging in formal volunteering could moderate the negative impact of unemployment on older workers’ mental health. This st...
Phase Microscopy to Enhance Contrast

This chapter deals with imaging transparent objects (e.g., live unstained cells) in the light microscope. Most biological specimens are transparent (i.e., in the light microscope the image is of constant intensity across the field of view and there is no contrast). Transparent specimens, such as thin layers of cells, are called phase objects.
Massilia horti sp. nov. and Noviherbaspirillum arenae s p. nov., two novel soil bacteria of the Oxalobacteraceae .

We isolated two new soil bacteria: ONC3T (from garden soil in NC, USA; LMG 31738T=NRRL B-65553T) and M1T (from farmed soil in MI, USA; NRRL B-65551T=ATCC TSD-197T=LMG 31739T) and characterized their metabolic phenotype based on Biolog, MALDI-TOF MS and fatty acid analyses, and compared 16S rRNA and whole genome sequences to other members of the Oxalobacteraceae after sequencing on an Illumina Nextera platform. Based on the results of 16S rRNA sequence analysis, ONC3T shows the highest sequence similarity to Massilia solisilvae J18T (97.8 %), Massilia terrae J11T (97.7 %) and Massilia agilis J9T (97.3 %). Strain M1T is most closely related to Noviherbaspirillum denitrificans TSA40T, Noviherbaspirillum agri K-1-15T and Noviherbaspirillum autotrophicum TSA66T (sequence identity of 98.2, 98.0 and 97.8 %, respectively). The whole genome of ONC3T has an assembled size of 5.62 Mbp, a G+C content of 63.8 mol% and contains 5104 protein-coding sequences, 56 tRNA genes and two rRNA operons. The genome of M1T has a length of 4.71 MBp, a G+C content of 63.81 mol% and includes 4967 protein-coding genes, two rRNA operons and 44 tRNA genes. Whole genome comparisons identified Massilia sp. WG5 with a 79.3 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) and 22.6 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), and Massilia sp. UBA11196 with 78.2 % average amino acid identity (AAI) as the most closely related species to ONC3T. M1T is most closely related to N. autotrophicum TSA66T with an ANI of 80.27 %, or N. denitrificans TSA40T with a dDDH of 22.3 %. The application of community-accepted standards such as <98.7 % in 16S sequence similarity and <95-96 % ANI or 70 % DDH support the classification of Massilia horti ONC3T and Noviherbaspirillum arenae M1T as novel species within the Oxalobacteraceae.
Dryland Climatology: Drought and other hazards

Introduction Meteorological phenomena that pose hazards in dryland regions include droughts, floods, snow, wildfires, and dust storms. Drought is a protracted phenomenon; abnormally dry conditions must generally persist for a month or more before a drought situation arises. It results from changes in large-scale circulation patterns, usually quasi-continental or greater in spatial extent. Floods and dust storms are usually coupled to individual weather events, although floods may also result from long periods of excessive rainfall. Flood events are generally linked to smaller, mesoscale meteorological patterns, although their occurrence may be made more likely by conducive, large-scale atmospheric conditions. Drought is often a prelude to major dust storms in semi-arid regions, since the aridity promotes the mobilization of dust. Wildfires are also associated with prolonged drought. Snow is a relatively rare phenomenon in the warm drylands and is associated with very unusual weather conditions. Because it occurs infrequently, the inhabitants of these regions are generally not equipped to cope with it. All of these hazards have major physical and economic consequences. Some of the impacts are qualitatively the same for several of these hazards. Drought reduces the surface vegetation cover and leaves the soil prone to erosion by both wind and water; crops fail and herds die off. Floods, fires, and dust storms similarly destroy the vegetation and remove or destroy fertile soil; agricultural and economic consequences can be comparable to those due to drought. The impact of floods can be exacerbated by their frequent occurrence during what is normally the dry season, a time when vegetation cover is reduced and the ground is more prone to runoff and erosion.
The Administrative Internship: Effective Program Characteristics.

This paper represents a synthesis of characteristics of effective internship field experiences and programs. The internship serves an important function in the preparation of educational administra...
Bars and nightclubs associated with higher HIV prevalence

Abstract Background Alcohol outlet density is positively associated with alcohol consumption and a number of related risk behaviors. However, very little is known about the effects of different types of alcohol outlets on HIV prevalence. The current cross-sectional study examines associations between the number of each type of alcohol outlet and HIV prevalence within 350 cities located in 26 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas. Methods State and local health department and U.S. Census Bureau surveillance data were analyzed from 1056 ZIP codes, where an estimated 39 million people reside. Multilevel negative binomial regression models were used to examine the association between the number of each type of alcohol outlet in ZIP codes and HIV prevalence. Results Number of on-premise alcohol outlets within a ZIP code was associated with greater HIV prevalence. In this sample, the presence of one additional on-premise outlet in a ZIP code was associated with a 1.5% increase in the HIV prevalence rate in that location. Conclusion This study extends previous research by examining the relationship between alcohol outlets and HIV prevalence in a large sample of U.S. ZIP codes. Research is needed to more closely examine the mechanisms by which on-premise alcohol outlets may affect HIV transmission. Effective policies to reduce HIV transmission may include limiting the density of on-premise alcohol establishments.
Landmark Navigation Rule, a New Navigation Device

Two new methods of landmark navigation were recently presented. The landmarks are assumed to be within sight of the navigator but with unknown positions. Both methods require computations which are time consuming when a computer is not available. This correspondence presents the concept of a new navigation device called ?landmark navigation rule? which eliminates all the computation effort required in both new methods. The device is simple in construction, lightweight, and consumes no power.
Dynamics of the w function and primes

Abstract We begin by defining a function w on the set A 3 = { n = p 1 e 1 ⋯ p s e s ∈ Z > 1 | ∑ i = 1 s e i = 3 , e i > 0 , s > 1 } , where p i is prime and p i ≠ p j for i ≠ j . If n ∈ A 3 then was can write n = p q r where p, q, r are primes and possibly two, but not all three of them are equal. For any positive integer m, let P ( m ) be its largest prime factor. Define the function w on A 3 by w ( n ) = w ( p q r ) = P ( p + q ) P ( p + r ) P ( q + r ) . Our goal is to study the dynamics of w. One of our main results is that every element of A 3 is periodic with period a cyclic permutation of the period of 20.
Wireless Laptops as Means For Promoting Active Learning In Large Lecture Halls

AbstractThis paper reports on a study that examined the use of wireless laptops for promoting active learning in lecture halls. The study examined students’ behavior in class and their perceptions of the new learning environment throughout three consecutive semesters. An online survey revealed that students have highly positive perceptions about the use of wireless laptops, but less positive perceptions about being active in class. Class observations showed that the use of wireless laptops enhances student-centered, hands-on, and exploratory learning as well as meaningful student-to-student and student-to-instructor interactions. However, findings also show that wireless laptops can become a source of distraction, if used for non-learning purposes.