cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inka Administration of the Far South Coast of Peru

This paper examines ethnohistoric and archaeological evidence of Inka imperial strategies for controlling resources and people in the Titicaca Basin and the coastal valleys of southern Peru and northern Chile, and suggests that Inka imperial policies were adapted to meet local conditions in a series of dynamic political and economic interactions. In the coastal region between the Tambo Valley of southern Peru and the Azapa Valley of northern Chile, Inka policies included, variously, the resettlement of labor colonists (mitmaqkuna), the direct incorporation of coastal groups, and the maintenance of alliances with autonomous coastal elites. Altiplano elites exploited the imperial system to extend their own networks of colonization and exchange. Recent archaeological surveys in the Ilo-Ite coastal region, as well as unpublished data collected by Gary Vescelius between 1958 and 1960, indicate that the Inka developed more direct control of the south-central coast than earlier polities had achieved, but that imperial control over this region was limited and influenced by the persistence of autonomous coastal groups. Groups around Ilo remained fairly independent, while parts of the Tambo and Sama valleys and the Quebrada Tacahuay were brought under direct imperial control.
Abstract B39: Prostaglandin E2 induces human enhancer of filamentation 1 to promote the cell motility of colorectal carcinoma cells

PGE2 promotes cell motility during colorectal carcinogenesis. The mechanism by which PGE2 signaling regulates cell motility is not completely understood. Here, we demonstrated that PGE2 treatment induces HEF1 expression that links with cell motility in colorectal cancer cells. PGE2 rapidly stimulated HEF1 expression in colorectal cancer cells. Both PGE2 treatment and HEF1 overexpression activated Rac 1 and resulted in similar effects on cell spreading. Moreover, knockdown of HEF1 using shRNA suppressed PGE2‐driven cell spreading. PKA activator forskolin induced HEF1 expression and cell spreading in a similar manner as PGE2. Inhibition of PKA activity by H‐89 attenuated HEF1 expression induced by PGE2. Furthermore, PKA knockdown by siRNA blocked the HEF1 expression and cell spreading induced by PGE2. These data suggest that PGE2 induces HEF1 expression to promote cell motility through a PKA‐involved pathway. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B39.
Genetic Candidate Variants in Two Multigenerational Families with Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a severe and socially debilitating form of speech sound disorder with suspected genetic involvement, but the genetic etiology is not yet well understood. Very few known or putative causal genes have been identified to date, e.g., FOXP2 and BCL11A. Building a knowledge base of the genetic etiology of CAS will make it possible to identify infants at genetic risk and motivate the development of effective very early intervention programs. We investigated the genetic etiology of CAS in two large multigenerational families with familial CAS. Complementary genomic methods included Markov chain Monte Carlo linkage analysis, copy-number analysis, identity-by-descent sharing, and exome sequencing with variant filtering. No overlaps in regions with positive evidence of linkage between the two families were found. In one family, linkage analysis detected two chromosomal regions of interest, 5p15.1-p14.1, and 17p13.1-q11.1, inherited separately from the two founders. Single-point linkage analysis of selected variants identified CDH18 as a primary gene of interest and additionally, MYO10, NIPBL, GLP2R, NCOR1, FLCN, SMCR8, NEK8, and ANKRD12, possibly with additive effects. Linkage analysis in the second family detected five regions with LOD scores approaching the highest values possible in the family. A gene of interest was C4orf21 (ZGRF1) on 4q25-q28.2. Evidence for previously described causal copy-number variations and validated or suspected genes was not found. Results are consistent with a heterogeneous CAS etiology, as is expected in many neurogenic disorders. Future studies will investigate genome variants in these and other families with CAS.
The erosive property of copper-infiltrated graphite throat insert

The erosive property and principle of copper-infiltrated graphite as solid rocket motor(SRM) throat insert and tailpipe nozzle bushing are presented. Liquid copper still remains in graphite substrate under the condition of high-temperature and high-pressure. For this reason erosive effect is suppressed and the erosive property of KS-8 high-strength graphite improved.
Hepatic resection is associated with reduced postoperative opioid requirement.

Background and Aims: Postoperative pain can significantly affect surgical outcomes. As opioid metabolism is liver-dependent, any reduction in hepatic volume can lead to increased opioid concentrations in the blood. The hypothesis of this retrospective study was that patients undergoing open hepatic resection would require less opioid for pain management than those undergoing open pancreaticoduodenectomy. Material and Methods: Data from 79 adult patients who underwent open liver resection and eighty patients who underwent open pancreaticoduodenectomy at our medical center between January 01, 2010 and June 30, 2013 were analyzed. All patients received both general and neuraxial anesthesia. Postoperatively, patients were managed with a combination of epidural and patient-controlled analgesia. Pain scores and amount of opioids administered (morphine equivalents) were compared. A multivariate lineal regression was performed to determine predictors of opioid requirement. Results: No significant differences in pain scores were found at any time point between groups. Significantly more opioid was administered to patients having pancreaticoduodenectomy than those having a hepatic resection at time points: Intraoperative (P = 0.006), first 48 h postoperatively (P = 0.001), and the entire length of stay (LOS) (P = 0.002). Statistical significance was confirmed after controlling for age, sex, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (adjusted P = 0.006). Total hospital LOS was significantly longer after pancreaticoduodenectomy (P = 0.03). A multivariate lineal regression demonstrated a lower opioid consumption in the hepatic resection group (P = 0.03), but there was no difference in opioid use based on the type of hepatic resection. Conclusion: Patients undergoing open hepatic resection had a significantly lower opioid requirement in comparison with patients undergoing open pancreaticoduodenectomy. A multicenter prospective evaluation should be performed to confirm these findings.
Foam Extrusion of Polystyrene Blown with HFC-134a

There is much interest in developing industrial processes to manufacture extruded polystyrene foam that do not involve ozone depleting blowing agents. A popular alternate candidate is HFC-134a. It has a zero ozone depletion factor and is nearer in chemical structure to standard blowing agents (CFC-22 and HCFC-142b) than carbon dioxide. Although exhibiting main good features, HFC-134a is not used widely as a blowing agent as low foam density is not readily achieved and extruder operation is difficult. A review of past and on-going works on the use of HFC-134 will be addressed first. Then attention will be paid mainly on some processing aspects, with emphasis on the plasticization behavior of polystyrene (PS) by HFC-134a and the effect of screw design on dynamic dissolution of HFC-134a in PS during foam extrusion. Solubility efficiency during extrusion processing has been assessed for different screw configurations by an in-line ultrasonic technique. These results have also been correlated to off-line solubility and diffusivity properties.
Attenuation of Microbial Stress Due to Nano-Ag and Nano-TiO2 Interactions under Dark Conditions.

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are incorporated into thousands of commercial products, and their release into environmental systems creates complex mixtures with unknown toxicological outcomes. To explore this scenario, we probe the chemical and toxicological interactions of nanosilver (n-Ag) and nanotitania (n-TiO2) in Lake Michigan water, a natural aqueous medium, under dark conditions. We find that the presence of n-Ag induces a stress response in Escherichia coli, as indicated by a decrease in ATP production observed at low concentrations (in the μg L–1 range), with levels that are environmentally relevant. However, when n-Ag and n-TiO2 are present together in a mixture, n-TiO2 attenuates the toxicity of n-Ag at and below 20 μg L–1 by adsorbing Ag+(aq). We observe, however, that toxic stress cannot be explained by dissolved silver concentrations alone and, therefore, must also depend on silver associated with the nanoscale fraction. Although the attenuating effect of n-TiO2 on n-Ag’s toxicity is limi...
Estimating Population Health Benefits Associated with Specialty and Traditional Drugs in the Year Following Product Approval

Compared to traditional drugs, specialty drugs tend to be indicated for lower prevalence diseases. Our objective was to compare the potential population health benefits associated with specialty and traditional drugs in the year following product approval. First, we created a dataset of estimates of incremental quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gains and incremental life-year (LY) gains for US FDA-approved drugs (1999–2011) compared to standard of care at the time of approval identified from a literature search. Second, we categorized each drug as specialty or traditional. Third, for each drug we identified estimates of US disease prevalence for each pertinent indication. Fourth, in order to conservatively estimate the potential population health gains associated with each new drug in the year following its approval we multiplied the health gain estimate by 10% of the identified prevalence. Fifth, we used Mann–Whitney U tests to compare the population health gains for specialty and traditional drugs. We identified QALY gain estimates for 101 drugs, including 56 specialty drugs, and LY gain estimates for 50 drugs, including 34 specialty drugs. The median estimated population QALY gain in the year following approval for specialty drugs was 4200 (IQR = 27,000) and for traditional drugs was 694 (IQR = 24,400) (p = 0.245). The median estimated population LY gain in the year following approval for specialty drugs was 7250 (IQR = 39,200) and for traditional drugs was 2500 (IQR = 58,200) (p = 0.752). Despite often being indicated for diseases of lower prevalence, we found a trend towards specialty drugs offering larger potential population health gains than traditional drugs, particularly when measured in terms of QALYs.
Joint Resource Allocation and User Association in Multi-Antenna Heterogeneous Networks

We study the joint optimization of resource allocation and user association in downlink multi-antenna heterogeneous networks. The resource allocation is done orthogonally in the spectrum while the user association is implemented using cell range extension. The objective is to maximize a user utility function that depends on the rate of the typical user. We resort to the Gil-Pelaez Inversion Theorem to approximate the coverage probability and present a concave formulation of the joint optimization problem. By interpreting the problem as a multi-criterion one, we propose a suboptimal user association policy. We show that the optimal resource allocation factor of each tier is equal to the optimal association probability, which can be efficiently computed using a standard convex optimization solver. Simulation results show significant (up to three times) rate gains when resource allocation is jointly optimized with user association in comparison with merely optimizing resource allocation with max-power user association.
Minimal Residual Disease Monitoring of Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Massively Multiplex Digital PCR in Patients with NPM1 Mutations

The presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) is widely recognized as a powerful predictor of therapeutic outcome in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but methods of measurement and quantification of MRD in AML are not yet standardized in clinical practice. There is an urgent, unmet need for robust and sensitive assays that can be readily adopted as real-time tools for disease monitoring. NPM1 frameshift mutations are an established MRD marker present in half of patients with cytogenetically normal AML. However, detection is complicated by the existence of hundreds of potential frameshift insertions, clonal heterogeneity, and absence of sequence information when the NPM1 mutation is identified using capillary electrophoresis. Thus, some patients are ineligible for NPM1 MRD monitoring. Furthermore, a subset of patients with NPM1-mutated AML will have false-negative MRD results because of clonal evolution. To simplify and improve MRD testing for NPM1, we present a novel digital PCR technique composed of massively multiplex pools of insertion-specific primers that selectively detect mutated but not wild-type NPM1. By measuring reaction end points using digital PCR technology, the resulting single assay enables sensitive and specific quantification of most NPM1 exon 12 mutations in a manner that is robust to clonal heterogeneity, does not require NPM1 sequence information, and obviates the need for maintenance of hundreds of type-specific assays and associated plasmid standards.
Multi-site Cloud Networking – Connectivity, Orchestration, and Telemetry

As Cloud vision comes true and more users, applications, and enterprises are moving to clouds, dependency on connectivity services grows tremendously. Telemetry-based Orchestration helps answering the demanding new requirements for Cloud Networking.
Diagnosing for Strengths: On Measuring Hope Building Blocks

Publisher Summary Researchers have measured depression, anxiety, aggression, and hopelessness. Now these same measurement tools and techniques can be applied to assess human strength. It is in the context of this emerging positive psychology perspective that the conceptualization of hope—with the mental markers of goals, agency, and pathways is used for the development and validation of related instruments. With such measured hope as building blocks, a clinician can begin to construct a positive psychological framework with the aid of his/her client's preexisting strengths. To accomplish the measurement of these hope building blocks, hope scales have been developed as diagnostic tools for exploring an individual's strengths (or lack thereof). Hope scales are diagnostic instruments that can be used to determine clients' perceived motivations for pursuing their goals (agency thought) and abilities to identify workable routes to goal attainment (pathway thought). Hope indices can also be used to orient clients to therapy, increase one's understanding of clients, evaluate the process of therapy, and measure the outcomes of sessions and treatments. The five hope scales are adult dispositional hope scale, adult domain specific hope scale, children's hope scale, young children's hope scale, and adult state hope scale.
Privacy-preserving cybersecurity information exchange mechanism

Cybersecurity information sharing is improving cyber incident detection and prevention by reducing the loss caused by attacks and eliminating the costs of duplication efforts for cyber-defense. However, privacy is one of the major concerns of organizations, while they are gathering security information to share externally. In order to preserve the privacy of organizations in the cybersecurity information sharing framework, we propose a novel mechanism which consists of four components: (i) Registration, (ii) Sharing, (iii) Dispute, (iv) Rewarding. Our mechanism enables the organizations to share their cybersecurity information without revealing their identities. Besides, in order to encourage collaboration and prevent free-riding, rewards are issued anonymously in return for contributions. For this purpose, we are proposing a new aggregatable blind signature based on BBS+ signature scheme. Security analysis and performance evaluation are conducted showing the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed mechanism.
Cardiovascular Anatomy and Pharmacology

This chapter reviews the cardiovascular anatomy, the effects of medications on the cardiovascular system, and current guidelines. Patients in the perioperative period often receive agents that affect hemodynamic variables such as heart rhythm and rate, blood pressure, or cardiac output.
The binational survey in San Diego and Tijuana

The International Population Center at San Diego State University has collaborated with the Department of Population Studies at El Colegio de la Frontera Norte to conduct a pilot study for a larger project called The Demographic Interrelatedness of the U.S.-Mexico Border Project. The pilot study took place in late 1988 and early 1989 in the San Diego-Tijuana metropolitan region.
Aerophagia, Belching, and Rumination

The ingestion and expulsion of air are physiologically normal components of the digestive process. Belching or eructation is the process by which ingested air is expelled via the oropharynx. Aerophagia is a term derived from the Greek words: aer meaning “air” and phaegen meaning “to swallow.” In a clinical setting, aerophagia and excessive belching are only defined as pathologic if they have a significant negative impact on a patient’s well-being. There is some discrepancy in the literature regarding the clinical “working” definition of aerophagia. Some authors define the term by symptoms related to excessive gastric and intestinal gas secondary to swallowed air. By Rome III criteria, both aerophagia and unspecified excessive belching are defined by the presence of excessive eructation with the distinction being that of objective air swallowing, which is present in aerophagia and not in unspecified belching. These disorders are typically diagnosed clinically and are treated with reassurance and behavioral modification.
Effect of initial soil pH on copper ion transport in an electrokinetic cell

Electrokinetic remediation is a method of decontaminating soil containing heavy metals and/or polar organic contaminants by passing a direct current through the soil. This induces the movement of positively charged ions to the cathode where they can be reclaimed. An experiment was conducted to test the effect of the initial pH of sand in an electrokinetic cell on the amount of copper that can be extracted from different regions of the cell. The sand was contaminated with copper (II) chloride. The pH was lowered using diluted HCl. Changing pH affects the concentration of ions such as [H] and [OH]. It is known that increased [OH] causes the precipitation of metallic contaminants, inhibiting transport of metal contaminants towards cathode. Thus, by lowering pH, more [OH] would be neutralized, making the reclamation of metallic ions more effective. Results showed that there is an optimum pH ~ 2.6 above which [OH] causes the precipitation of copper and below which hydrogen decreases electro-osmosis, factors that decrease the effective transport of copper ions to the cathode region. The spatial distribution of the pH across the tube was measured after 5 hours of operation. A pH gradient developed across the tube with the cathode having a higher pH than the anode. The magnitude of that gradient was dependent on the initial pH of the sand and can be qualitatively explained by the formation of [OH] at the anode and H at the cathode. Key-Words: electrokinetic reclamation, electro-osmosis, electrophoresis, electromigration, copper (II) chloride
Case 23: Zone I Open Globe Injury with Foreign Body Extending Through the Cornea, Lens, and into Vitreous

A 46-year-old man presented with a penetrating Zone I open globe injury of the right eye with a retained intraocular foreign body. The foreign body extended from the cornea, through the anterior chamber and central crystalline lens, stopping in the vitreous cavity. The patient underwent repair via removal of the intraocular foreign body, pars plana lensectomy (PPL) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). He had an uncomplicated post-operative course. In an ideal clinical setting, removal of intraocular foreign bodies within the anterior segment spanning into the vitreous benefit from a combined anterior removal with pars plana vitrectomy in an effort to reduce the risk of associated complications (e.g., retinal break or detachment). However, when posterior segment surgeons are not accessible or media opacity, such as corneal clouding, limits adequate visualization, then primary closure takes precedence.
Nonparametric estimation of the marginal effect in fixed-effect panel data models

Abstract This paper considers multivariate local linear least squares estimation of panel data models when fixed effects are present. One-step estimation of the local marginal effect is of prime interest. A within-group nonparametric estimator is developed, where the fixed effects are eliminated by subtracting individual-specific locally weighted time average, i.e., the local-within-transformation. It is shown that the local-within-transformation-based estimator satisfies the standard properties of the local linear estimator. In comparison, nonparametric estimators based on the conventional (global) within-transformation or first difference result in estimators which are biased, even in large samples. The new estimator is used to examine the nonlinear relationship between income and nitrogen-oxide level (i.e., the environmental Kuznets curve) based on US state-level panel data.
Blood Pharmacokinetics Imaging by Noninvasive Heart Fluorescence Tomography and Application to Kidney Glomerular Filtration Rate Assessment.

In mouse pharmacokinetic (PK) studies, current standard methods often require large numbers of animals to support collection of blood samples serially over a defined time range. We have developed and validated a non-invasive fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) heart imaging approach for blood PK quantification that uses small numbers of mice and has the advantage of repeated, longitudinal live imaging. This method was validated using a variety of near infrared (NIR) fluorescent-labeled molecules, ranging in size from 1.3 to 150 kDa, that were assessed by microplate blood assays as well as by non-invasive FMT®4000 imaging. Excellent agreement in kinetic profiles and calculated PK metrics was seen for the two methods, establishing the robustness of this non-invasive optical imaging approach. FMT heart imaging was further assessed in the challenging application of inulin-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurement. After a single bolus injection of an NIR fluorescent-labeled inulin probe in small cohorts of mice (n = 5 per group), two-minute heart scans (at 2, 6, 15, 30, and 45 minutes) were performed by FMT imaging. GFR was calculated using two‐compartment PK modeling, determining an average rate of 240 ± 21 μl/min in normal mice, in agreement with published mouse GFR ranges. Validation of GFR assessment in unilaterally nephrectomized mice and cyclosporin A (CsA)-treated mice both measured ~50% decreases in GFR. Imaging results correlated well with ex vivo plasma microplate assays for inulin blood kinetics, and the decreases in GFR were accompanied by increases in plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT N/A
TCT-95 A Novel Approach to Percutaneous Removal of Right-Sided Valvular Vegetations Using Suction Filtration and Veno-Venous Bypass Circuit

Traditional management of right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) involved intravenous (IV) antibiotics and valvular surgery for refractory cases. Recent advances in percutaneous techniques allow removal of large valvular vegetations using the AngioVac (AngioDynamics, New York) system, which
Diversifying Private Equity

Most institutional investors in private equity (PE) invest in just one or two PE funds per year. For these investors, it is overly optimistic to judge the value of PE as an asset class by its average performance, as prior literature does, because it does not adjust for idiosyncratic risk. This paper proposes a new framework for private equity performance evaluation that permits a fund selection scheme to capture diversification constraints, allows for high-moment characteristics in fund returns, and can be adapted to a variety of utility functions. We use the framework to evaluate the utility costs to imperfectly diversified PE investors relative to a fully diversified benchmark. When calibrated to the data on institutional allocations to PE and plausible risk aversion, our analysis reveals that certainty equivalent returns in PE fund investing are 2-to-8\% lower than if inferred from average fund performance levels. Funds-of-funds are generally worth their fees-on-fees for small, constrained investors that would otherwise bear substantial idiosyncratic risk from small numbers of PE funds. Chasing managers with high past performance increases idiosyncratic risk which for most investors outweighs the incremental improvement in returns.
Tools to Measure Health Literacy among US African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos with Type 2 Diabetes: A Scoping Review of the Literature.

Abstract Objective To provide an overview of the health literacy tools that have been validated in samples of African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos with type 2 diabetes, growing segments of the US population. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, three electronic databases were searched. The following inclusion criteria were used: peer-reviewed research; examined validity of a health literacy tool; and included US African American and/or Hispanic/Latino adults with type 2 diabetes. Results Sixteen studies were selected; none exclusively included African Americans while 3 exclusively included Hispanics/Latinos in the sample. Seventeen health literacy tools were identified. Among African Americans, 2 health literacy screeners, 2 diabetes knowledge, and 3 numeracy tools have been validated. Among Hispanics/Latinos, 1 health literacy screener, 1 diabetes knowledge, and 1 numeracy tool have been validated. However, cross-cultural adaptation principles were rarely considered in the development and validation of these tools. Conclusion In those with type 2 diabetes, future studies should investigate the validity of health literacy screeners among English-speaking Hispanics/Latinos and general health literacy tools among African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos. Evidence on the validity of diabetes knowledge and numeracy tools was mixed across studies. Practice implications Findings can inform the selection of culturally-appropriate health literacy tools in clinical and research settings.
Real life challenges in access-control management

In this work we ask the question: what are the challenges of managing a physical or file system access-control policy for a large organization? To answer the question, we conducted a series of interviews with thirteen administrators who manage access-control policy for either a file system or a physical space. Based on these interviews we identified three sets of real-world requirements that are either ignored or inadequately addressed by technology: 1) policies are made/implemented by multiple people; 2) policy makers are distinct from policy implementers; and 3) access-control systems don't always have the capability to implement the desired policy. We present our interview results and propose several possible solutions to address the observed issues.
The Effect of Hyper-Realistic Trauma Training on Emotional Intelligence in Second Year Military Medical Students.

Intro This project expanded upon previous exploration of emotional intelligence during the habituation for military second year medical students undergoing high-stress simulation with trauma and surgical skill training. The objective was to interpret emotional intelligence data before and after hyper-realistic immersion trauma training and to include a larger sample size than previously investigated. Methods Fifty increasingly intense mass casualty scenarios with simulated Emergency Department (ED) and Operating Room (OR) procedures were performed while students lived as if deployed in an Afghan village. Students rotated through a variety of roles in both the ED and the OR throughout the weeklong program. Second year medical students completed the EQ-i 2.0 Model for Emotional Intelligence on the first and last day of the intensive surgical skills week. Three different cohorts from three different graduating classes were followed with a total sample size of 96. Emotional intelligence in this model is defined as a combination of 5 domains each with three subdomains. Results A statistical analysis of the EQ data shows significant improvement in almost every subdomain of Emotional Intelligence from pre to post testing. The total EQ score was significantly higher with an average improvement of 3.95 points. All of the subdomains, except for emotional expression, empathy, and problem solving significantly improved following the intensive skills course. A 3 factor ANOVA including year and gender was also performed. R2 of the change in pre to post scores was around 90%, indicating practical significance in the score improvements. Conclusion and Impact Total emotional intelligence significantly improved from pre to post scores as well as each of the 5 domains and most subdomains. Scores improved an average of 4 points after only a 5-day training course. This training led to the most improvement in the self-perception and stress management categories. Medicine, especially high stress specialties like surgery and trauma, require physicians who are able to make decisions at a moment's notice and cope well with stressful situations. It is essential that individuals develop these intangible skills, which can be measured by emotional intelligence. Further research is needed to determine the long-term impacts of the increased emotional intelligence seen with hyper-realistic training. Some specific areas to investigate include physician performance and emotional wellbeing.
Development of carpal tunnel syndrome in association with checkpoint inhibitors

IntroductionThe incidence of neuropathy with checkpoint inhibitors is 0.3–1%, typically occurring 2–12 weeks after treatment initiation. Common neuropathy phenotypes include inflammatory myopathies...
Sustained IL-2R signaling of limited duration by high-dose mIL-2/mCD25 fusion protein amplifies tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells to enhance antitumor immunity

High-dose IL-2 induces cancer regression but its therapeutic use is limited due to high toxicities resulting from its broad cell targeting. In one strategy to overcome this limitation, IL-2 has been modified to selectively target the intermediate affinity IL-2R that broadly activates memory-phenotypic CD8+ T and NK cells, while minimizing Treg-associated tolerance. In this study, we modeled an alternative strategy to amplify tumor antigen-specific TCR transgenic CD8+ T cells through limited application of a long-acting IL-2 fusion protein, mIL-2/mCD25, which selectively targets the high-affinity IL-2R. Here, mice were vaccinated with a tumor antigen and high-dose mIL-2/mCD25 was applied to coincide with the induction of the high affinity IL-2R on tumor-specific T cells. A single high dose of mIL-2/mCD25, but not an equivalent amount of IL-2, amplified the frequency and function of tumor-reactive CD8+ T effector (Teff) and memory cells. These mIL-2/mCD25-dependent effects relied on distinctive requirements for TLR signals during priming of CD8+ tumor-specific T cells. The mIL-2/mCD25-amplified tumor-reactive effector and memory T cells supported long-lasting antitumor responses to B16-F10 melanoma. This regimen only transiently increased Tregs, yielding a favorable Teff-Treg ratio within the tumor microenvironment. Notably, mIL-2/mCD25 did not increase non-tumor-specific Teff or NK cells within tumors, further substantiating the specificity of mIL-2/mCD25 for tumor antigen-activated T cells. Thus, the selectivity and persistence of mIL-2/mCD25 in conjunction with a tumor vaccine supports antitumor immunity through a mechanism that is distinct from recombinant IL-2 or IL-2-based biologics that target the intermediate affinity IL-2R.
A spatiotemporal analysis of oil spill severity using a multi-criteria decision framework

Abstract The evaluation of oil spills and their coastal impacts remains a fundamental scientific challenge. This includes the prediction and subsequent evaluation of environmental damage caused by the spills, the development of impact mitigation and cleanup tactics, as well as community preparedness strategies. Much of the recent scientific research in this domain leverages case studies based on spill simulations to demonstrate the effectiveness of the predictive models and methods and their implications for community response. Although many of these studies provide a good snapshot of anticipated consequences of an oil spill at a singular moment in time and in a specific place – the need to evaluate changes in impact at different times and locations remains a fundamental aspect for response policy and contingency planning. The purpose of this paper is to improve the fidelity of spill evaluations, response, and preparedness by using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (TOPSIS) method. In short, TOPSIS is used to rank and compare the spatiotemporal dynamics of spill impacts. It also provides a means for evaluating worst case discharge scenarios. The results of this work can help inform response preparedness by highlighting the geographic and seasonal nuances of potential spill impacts while also detailing an objective approach to ranking oil spill severity.
Gallium Nitride and Silicon Transistors on 300 mm Silicon Wafers Enabled by 3-D Monolithic Heterogeneous Integration

We demonstrate industry’s first 300 mm GaN transistor technology and 3-D monolithic heterogeneous integration with Si transistors, enabled by 300 mm GaN metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) epitaxy and 300 mm 3-D layer transfer. The 300 mm GaN technology is a high- ${k}$ dielectric enhancement-mode GaN nMOS transistor technology on Si(111) substrate. It is capable of excellent characteristics and figure-of-merits (FOM) for realizing energy-efficient, compact power-delivery and RF front-end components such as power-amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, and RF-switches. Our GaN nMOS transistors show e-mode operation with: 1) high ${I}_{\text {D,max}} =1.5$ mA/ $\mu \text{m}$ ; 2) low ${R}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ of $610\,\,\Omega -\mu \text{m}$ ( ${L}_{\text {G}} =50$ nm); 3) low ${I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}$ of 100 pA/ $\mu \text{m}$ ( ${L}_{\text {G}} \,\,=180$ nm), which are significant improvements over GaN HEMT; 4) excellent RF performance: ${f}_{\text {T}} =190$ GHz, ${f}_{\text {MAX}} =300$ GHz, power-added efficiency (PAE) = 56% ( ${L}_{\text {G}} \,\,=50$ nm) at mmwave frequency 28 GHz, and PAE = 77% at 5 GHz ( ${L}_{\text {G}} =180$ nm), significantly better than industry-standard GaAs and Si RF transistors; 5) good RF-switch FOM, ${R}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}{C}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}} =110$ fs; and 6) low noise figure, NF $_{\text {min}} \,\,=1.36$ dB ( ${f} =28$ GHz) and 0.4 dB ( ${f} =5$ GHz), all at SoC-compatible voltages. We further demonstrate GaN transistor innovations all integrated on 300 mm Si(111) wafer, including depletion-mode GaN nMOS transistor with high ${I}_{\text {D}} =1.8$ mA/ $\mu \text{m}$ ; GaN Schottky gate transistor producing high saturated power of 20 dBm ( $80\mu \text{m}$ width) with peak PAE = 57% at 28 GHz; low leakage compact cascode and multigate GaN transistors; and GaN Schottky diodes with ultralow ${C}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}$ for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. The layer-transferred Si transistors, monolithically stacked on top of the GaN transistors by 300 mm 3-D layer transfer, show high drive current performance: 1.0 mA/ $\mu \text{m}$ (Si nMOS) and 0.5 mA/ $\mu \text{m}$ (Si pMOS). Such a monolithic 3-D Monolithic integration of GaN and Si transistors enables full integration of energy-efficient, truly compact power delivery and RF solutions with CMOS digital signal processing, logic computation and control, memory, and analog circuitries.
Kindergarteners at Risk for Severe Mathematics Difficulties: Investigating Tipping Points of Core Mathematics Instruction

A concerning number of students enter kindergarten facing an intractable variation of mathematics difficulties (MD). This study investigated the impact of an explicit, core kindergarten mathematics program on the mathematical outcomes of kindergartners who demonstrated risk for severe MD at kindergarten entry and examined whether these students improved from a category of high MD risk (i.e., <10th percentile) to a lower risk of MD (i.e., norm-referenced performance at or above the 10th, 20th, 30th, and 40th percentiles) between the fall and spring of kindergarten. Differential response to the program based on the classroom-level proportion of students with severe MD was also explored. A total of 795 kindergarteners with severe MD from 122 classrooms were included in the analyses. Results suggested students with severe MD in treatment classrooms improved from fall to spring at a greater rate than their control peers. Treatment students also demonstrated higher rates of improvement from below the 10th percentile to a performance at or above the 20th, 30th, and 40th percentiles across the school year. No evidence of differential efficacy of the program by the classroom-level proportion of students with severe MD was found. Implications for using explicit mathematics programs to thwart the onset of severe MD among academically vulnerable students are discussed.
Traumatic Glenosphere Dissociation Following Reverse Total Shoulder Endoprosthetic Reconstruction for Proximal Humerus Periosteal Chondrosarcoma: A Case Report.

Introduction Reverse total shoulder endoprosthetic reconstruction after margin-negative tumor resection of the proximal humerus is becoming more conventional in orthopeadic oncology practices. Mid-term survival and functional outcomes have been satisfactory. This case report corroborates with current literature and further describes a rare traumatic complication. Case presentation We report a case of a 70-year-old male with periosteal chondrosarcoma of the proximal humerus who underwent margin-negative resection and reverse total shoulder endoprosthetic reconstruction that was complicated by glenosphere dissociation sustained from falling onto a hyperflexed arm. Successful revision arthroplasty was performed. Conclusion Enhancing glenohumeral joint stability after wide resection of the proximal humerus is important to address rotator cuff insufficiency. The greater levering effect of a longer humeral prosthesis used to increase soft tissue tension may also increase the risk of glenosphere dissociation secondary to trauma. Proper soft-tissue tensioning and surgical technique are critical.
Navigating ethnicity: segregation, placemaking, and difference: by David H. Kaplan, Lanham, Maryland, Rowman & Littlefield, 2018, 243 + xiv pp., $34/£26 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-5381-0189-6; $83/£64 (hardcover), ISBN 978-1-5381-0188-9

In Navigating Ethnicity, David Kaplan synthesizes a wealth of information on the multifaceted geographies of ethnicity through a deep dive into historical understandings, theories, and dozens of sp...
Current and Novel Reviews in Sports Nutrition

Sports nutrition is a rapidly expanding area of scientific investigation and is being driven by high interest from both the academic community and the exercising public [...].
Risk Factors And Treatment Outcome Of Children With HCV Infection.

BACKGROUND Combination of pegylated interferon α-2a or α-2b has been considered to be the standard for treating HCV infection among children. Many new agents inhibiting HCV during various steps while replicating is under study around the world. This study was aimed to note the efficacy of sofosbuvir and ribavirin among children having HCV infection. METHODS This was an open label experimental trail done at Department of Gastroenterology, Children Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Multan. The study duration was from July to December 2019. A total of 89 HCV treatment naive children aged 6-16 years of age, having HCV PCR as positive were enrolled. Sofosbuvir as 400 mg once a day along with ribavirin 10-15 mg per kg per day in the form of once or twice as divided doses were given in all the cases. After starting the treatment, along with side effects, rapid virological response (RVR) as PCR at 4 weeks, early virological response (EVR) at 12 weeks and post treatment 12 weeks HCV PCR as sustained virological response (SVR) was noted. RESULTS Out of a total of 89 children, there were 53 (59.6%) boys and 36 (40.4%) girls. Mean age was noted to be 12.42±2.57 years. Majority of the children, 72 (80.9%) had genotype 3 while genotype 1 was noted in 11 (12.4%) and un-typable in remaining 6 (6.7%). History of blood or blood products transfusion was seen to be the commonest mode of HCV transmission, found in 41 (46.1%) children, perinatal transmission in 20 (22.5%) and history of previous surgery in 9 (10.1%). Rapid virological response was noted in 73 (83.1%) children, all 89 (100%) children achieved EVR whereas SVR was noted in 86 (96.7%). Headache was the commonest side effect, reported by 24 (27.0%) followed by nausea in 15 (16.9%). CONCLUSIONS Regardless of the genotype, sofosbuvir and ribavirin combination therapy was noted to have excellent efficacy amongst children with HCV infection. History of blood and blood product transfusion was the commonest risk factor found.
Optimizing the surface distribution of acid sites for cooperative catalysis in condensation reactions promoted by water

Summary Addition of small amounts of water to the organic solvent may result in different promoting or inhibiting effects in aldol condensation reactions depending on the distribution of active sites on the surface. In a combination of liquid-phase catalytic activity measurements, spectroscopies, and theoretical calculations, we have shown that water clusters around the acid site can form bridges with a ketone molecule located close to the activated carbonyl on another site. When the distance between the two acid sites is greater than a distance corresponding to about two water molecules, the efficiency of the bond polarization of the ketone by a remotely located acid site decreases significantly, and the presence of water no longer promotes the reaction. This work provides a quantitative assessment of how solvent molecules can bridge isolated active sites to enable cooperative catalysis, which offers an additional dimension for engineering catalysis at the nanoscale.
Inclusivity in the Business Law Classroom

This is a review of the new book What Inclusive Instructors Do: Principles and Practices for Excellence in College Teaching. The book does an excellent job bridging the gap between theory and practice on the subject. These practical applications are the result of a survey completed by hundreds of college instructors. Helpful quotes are provided from the respondents of the survey which consist of a diverse makeup of institution type, discipline, and rank. Furthermore, reflection questions are provided throughout the book to help facilitate applicability to each instructor’s unique classroom. This review provides an overview of the book along with a couple words of caution for implementing the suggested strategies.
Will unilateral action improve the global conservation status of marine mammals? A first analysis of the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act’s Import Provisions Rule

Abstract The United States Marine Mammal Protection Act contains a provision that requires imported fisheries products to be captured in a manner that does not result in greater incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals than authorized under domestic standards. The provision has existed for many years but was implemented as a Final Rule for the first time in 2017. The Rule has the potential to provide unprecedented conservation benefits for marine mammals worldwide and will affect more than 100 harvesting nations that export fisheries products to the U.S. To understand the potential effects of the new Rule, we conducted a review of current regulatory frameworks in select exporting countries and performed an analysis of marine mammal bycatch data contributed by 23 exporting nations likely to comply with the Rule. The countries we examined fell into three broad groupings. The first group of countries has robust fisheries and marine mammal management systems and routinely collects data on marine mammal abundance and bycatch. The second group has fisheries management systems that address bycatch in general terms, but less information is available on marine mammal populations, and specific policies regarding marine mammal protection or bycatch are lacking. Fisheries management in the third group is less robust, enforcement capacity is lacking and very little, if any, data on marine mammals or bycatch are available. In general, reports of marine mammal bycatch aligned with our categorizations of exporting countries. All countries in the first group reported at least some bycatch data. In the second group, two of five countries lacked any quantitative bycatch data and in the third group, no countries reported bycatch data. We conclude that it will be challenging for the United States to issue comparability findings for many exporting countries under the conditions outlined in the Rule. Nevertheless, we expect that some countries will increase protective measures for marine mammals in attempts to meet these standards and that the Rule will have a net positive effect on the conservation status of marine mammals globally.
Cultures of Power in Post-Communist Russia: An Analysis of Elite Political Discourse

In Russian politics reliable information is scarce, formal relations are of relatively little significance, and things are seldom what they seem. Applying an original theory of political language to narratives taken from interviews with 34 of Russia's leading political figures, Michael Urban explores the ways in which political actors construct themselves with words. By tracing individual narratives back to the discourses available to speakers, he identifies what can and cannot be intelligibly said within the bounds of the country's political culture, and then documents how elites rely on the personal elements of political discourse at the expense of those addressed to the political community. Urban shows that this discursive orientation is congruent with social relations prevailing in Russia and helps to account for the fact that, despite two revolutions proclaiming democracy in the last century, Russia remains an authoritarian state.
Symptom Analysis: A Method of Brief Therapy

The author describes how the principles of brief therapy can be applied to almost every clinical setting.