cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined model for time-dependent trip distribution and traffic assignment

A combined model for time-dependent trip distribution and traffic assignment is proposed. The model assumes known time-dependent departure rates from origins and overall arrival rates at destinations, and it then seeks to estimate the origin-destination matrix according to the observed entropy value and to minimize the total system travel time. A solution algorithm is proposed based on the Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition principle and a Lagrangian relaxation approach. Computational results on a test network are also presented and discussed.
Current Concepts and Controversies in the Treatment of Parenchymal Brain Metastases: Improved Outcomes with Aggressive Management

The multimodality management of brain metastases has undergone significant refinement in the last decade. Although brain metastases remain a significant source of morbidity and mortality for many cancer patients, aggresive management has led to pronounced gains in neurological functioning, disease free survival and overall survival compared to standard treatment regimens consisting of only whole brain radiation therapy. Representative studies reviewing the role of aggressive management approaches including surgical resection with or without whole brain radiation therapy or non-surgical approaches employing stereotactic radiosurgery alone or in combination with whole brain radiation therapy are highlighted. Additionally, the emerging role of systemic agents showing distinct clinical activity in patients with brain metastases are also discussed. As we continue to gain advances in systemic therapies for metastatic disease, local control of brain metastases in these patients is likely to become more critical ...
Temperature effects on radiation stains in natural diamonds

Abstract The green coloration of natural diamonds typically results from exposure to natural irradiation. This creates the GR1 optical center and in many diamonds, surficial damage, principally due to alpha radiation, which helps verify natural origin. In this study, 13 naturally irradiated diamonds with pronounced radiation stains were stepwise annealed from 200 °C to 1400 °C and the changes in color and defects were documented by photomicrography and spectroscopy. Additionally 3 diamonds were subjected to isothermal annealing at 550 °C. The radiation stains correlated with radiation-damage Raman peaks — a broad and shifted diamond Raman peak and radiation-related peaks at 1500 and 1640 cm− 1. The color transitioned from green to brown after heating to 550–600 °C and the stains were essentially decolorized at 1400 °C. Confocal Raman depth profiling showed that the depth penetration of the radiation stain was about 10–15 μm into the diamond and this depth profile was distinctly different from depth profiles of ion-irradiation stains generated in a laboratory.
Social Choice and Catastrophe

This paper surveys the results in general equilibrium theory based on dynamical models, and emphasizes the role of structural stability. In this context it is natural to consider a preference field H for the society, combining economic fields, associated with the preferred changes wrought by agents in the economic market place, together with fields of preferred changes in the polity. A condition called half-openness of H is sufficient to guarantee existence of a local direction gradient,d, for the society, and thus of a social choice. The condition is equivalent to a dual property that the dual co-cones of H have non-empty intersection. This result is analogous to Chichilnisky's necessary and sufficient condition for market equilibrium.We then consider models of belief aggregation similar to Condorcet's Jury theorem and mention Penn's Theorem on existence of a belief equilibrium. The half open property may fail for general dynamical processes and this feature is linked to the creation of belief cascades at the "edge of chaos. Some comments are addressed to the notion of "punctuated equilibrium" in evolutionary models in biology and language. Finally, Thom's notion of a structurally stable chreod is introduced. Even when a belief or preference field is locally chaotic because of a failure of half openness, it is possible to define a generalized social correspondence called the "heart." The heart is lower hemi-continuous and is characterized by a possible rapid expansion at a critical value of the parameters. It is suggest that events in the heart obey a power law distribution which is generally associated with "the edge of chaos."
3-D photonic band structure engineering in self-assembled macroporous photonic crystals

By applying directional pressure along the (111) crystal axis of opaline photonic crystals under controlled temperatures, inverse opals with symmetry broken structures are fabricated. This selective deformation results in strongly modified photonic band structures and hence optical properties of the photonic crystals. Experimental data are accompanied by theoretical band structure calculations that confirm the experimental results and are used to predict new structures with optimized band gap properties.
Silicon Waveguide Photonics for Biosensing Applications

We present recent theoretical and experimental results on silicon photonic wire evanescent field (PWEF) sensors that show such PWEF sensors have the highest response to bulk index change as well as surface molecular adsorption.
Boundary-element method for the prediction of performance of flapping foils with leading-edge separation

A numerical model based on a boundary-element method is developed to predict the performance of flapping foils for the general cases where vorticities are shed near the leading edge as well as from the trailing edge. The shed vorticities are modelled as desingularized thin shear layers which propagate with the local flow velocity. Special treatments are developed to model the unsteady and alternating leading-edge separation (LES), which is a main element of difficulty for theoretical and numerical analyses of general flapping foils. The present method is compared with existing experiments where it is shown that the inclusion of LES significantly improves the prediction of thrust and efficiency, obtaining excellent agreement with measurements over a broad range of flapping frequencies (Strouhal number) and motion amplitudes (maximum angle of attack). It is found that the neglect of LES leads to substantial over-prediction of the thrust (and efficiency). The effects of LES on thrust generation in terms of the circulation around the foil, the steady and unsteady thrust components, and the vortex-induced pressure on the foil are elucidated. The efficiency and robustness of the method render it suitable for design optimization which generally requires large numbers of performance evaluations. To illustrate this, we present a sample problem of designing the flapping motion, with the inclusion of higher harmonic components, to maximize the efficiency under specified thrust. When optimal higher harmonic motions are included, the performance of the flapping foil is appreciably improved, mitigating the adverse effects of LES vortex on the performance.
V-θ sector of the lee model

By a slight extension of Amado's method, the matrix elements of the current operators between physical scattering states in the V-θ sector of the Lee model are determined. Then also the coefficients of the expansion of the scattering states in terms of the noninteracting states and theS-matrix elements are computed. The production amplitude is exhibited as a product of the contribution of pole diagrams times a simple correction factor which contains the effect of initial- and final-state interactions.
Is there a place for inhaled nitric oxide in the therapy of massive pulmonary embolism

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious complication resulting from the migration of emboli to the lungs. Although deep venous thrombi are the most common source of emboli to the lungs, other important sources include air, amniotic fluid, fat and bone marrow. Regardless of the specific source of the emboli, very little progress has been made in the pharmacological management of this high mortality condition. Because the prognosis is linked to the degree of elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance, any therapeutic intervention to improve the hemodynamics would probably increase the low survival rate of this critical condition. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been widely tested and used in cases of pulmonary hypertension of different causes. In the last few years some authors have described beneficial effects of iNO in animal models of acute PE and in anecdotal cases of massive PE.
Entraining the natural frequencies of running and breathing in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris).

Lung ventilation of tetrapods that synchronize their locomotory and ventilatory cycles during exercise could be economized if the resonant frequency of the respiratory system matched the animal's preferred step frequency. To test whether animals utilize this strategy, the input impedance of the respiratory system of five anesthetized, supine guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) was measured using a forced oscillation technique. The resonant frequency of the respiratory system was 7.12+/−0.27 Hz (N=5, mean +/− S.E.M.). No statistically significant difference was found between the resonant frequency of the respiratory system and the panting frequency used by guinea fowl at rest (6.67+/−0.16 Hz, N=11) or during treadmill locomotion (6.71+/−0.12 Hz, N=8) or to their preferred step frequency (6.73+/−0.09 Hz, N=7) (means +/− S.E.M.). These observations suggest (i) that, at rest and during exercise, panting guinea fowl maximize flow while expending minimal mechanical effort, and (ii) that natural selection has tuned the natural frequencies of the respiratory and locomotor systems to similar frequencies.
A Power System Fault Diagnosis Method Using Temporal Bayesian Knowledge Bases

After the fault occurs in power grid,many alarm messages are generated. For power system fault diagnosis,it is important to utilize the alarms and their temporal information,and deal with the uncertainty such as mal-function,rejection and incompletion. The theory of temporal Bayesian knowledge bases(TBKB) can clearly express the temporal constraint relationship among multiple events,and possess Bayesian network's reasoning ability. The TBKB-based power system fault diagnosis models were studied. The expression of temporal casual relationship(TCR) among fault components and protection operations and related breakers tripping are proposed. The consistency checking of TCR was studied,as well as on-line searching algorithm of suspicious components and automatic generating method of TBKB models. For the states of information missing,the state assumption is adopted to create hypothetic state combinations. For these states,Bayesian backward and forward reasoning is made to detect the fault component and identify mal-function and rejection of protections and breakers. The given examples have illustrated that the proposed fault diagnosis method is effective.
Bacterial Identification and Subtyping Using DNA Microarray and DNA Sequencing

The era of fast and accurate discovery of biological sequence motifs in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is here. The co-evolution of direct genome sequencing and DNA microarray strategies not only will identify, isotype, and serotype pathogenic bacteria, but also it will aid in the discovery of new gene functions by detecting gene expressions in different diseases and environmental conditions. Microarray bacterial identification has made great advances in working with pure and mixed bacterial samples. The technological advances have moved beyond bacterial gene expression to include bacterial identification and isotyping. Application of new tools such as mid-infrared chemical imaging improves detection of hybridization in DNA microarrays. The research in this field is promising and future work will reveal the potential of infrared technology in bacterial identification. On the other hand, DNA sequencing by using 454 pyrosequencing is so cost effective that the promise of $1,000 per bacterial genome sequence is becoming a reality. Pyrosequencing technology is a simple to use technique that can produce accurate and quantitative analysis of DNA sequences with a great speed. The deposition of massive amounts of bacterial genomic information in databanks is creating fingerprint phylogenetic analysis that will ultimately replace several technologies such as Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis. In this chapter, we will review (1) the use of DNA microarray using fluorescence and infrared imaging detection for identification of pathogenic bacteria, and (2) use of pyrosequencing in DNA cluster analysis to fingerprint bacterial phylogenetic trees.
Vehicle to grid system to design a centre node virtual unified power flow controller

Centre node unified power flow controller can fulfil various power flow control objectives, such as the needs of reactive shunt and series compensation, phase shifting and ensure higher degree of control freedom. However, as they are expensive, they are not widely used. The potential of a low-cost solution that utilises the capabilities of plug in electric vehicle (PEV) in vehicle-to-grid mode of operation for the design of a centre node virtual unified power flow controller (CVUPFC) using PEV charging stations is explained. Simulations are performed to establish that the proposed CVUPFC improves the power quality utilising PEV charging stations as DC bus for the converters with higher degree of freedom to control.
Theory, Process, and Validation Evidence for a Staff-Driven Medical Education Exam Quality Improvement Process

Purpose The professional staff from one medical school’s evaluation and assessment office collaborated with curriculum leadership and faculty content experts to institute a structured, ongoing exam quality improvement initiative. The purpose of this study was to identify, analyze, and interpret validity evidence for one major component of a staff-driven exam quality improvement process.
Homelessness in the United States

Homelessness occurs when individuals and families are unable to sustain stable, affordable housing. The homeless population is composed of numerous homeless subpopulations; these include but are not limited to families, chronically homeless individuals, unaccompanied youth, veterans, and survivors of domestic violence. Geographically, rates of homelessness are greater in urban communities; however, homelessness is also prevalent in rural communities too. Regardless of subpopulation or location, research has revealed that key strategies to ending homelessness are prevention and access to permanent, affordable, supportive housing. Keywords: class; housing; poverty; sociology of mental health; welfare
Performance of the pegfilgrastim on-body injector as studied with placebo buffer in healthy volunteers.

AbstractObjective: The pegfilgrastim on-body injector (OBI) is a single-use, disposable, battery-powered injector that is designed to automatically deliver a single subcutaneous dose of pegfilgrastim beginning approximately 27 hours after activation and continuing over approximately 45 minutes. In this open-label study, we assessed performance of the OBI delivering placebo buffer in healthy volunteers.Research design and methods: Healthy men and women aged 18–55 years, with a body mass index of 18–35 kg/m2, were enrolled. OBIs were activated by filling them with placebo buffer, and two injectors were applied concurrently to each subject: one to the abdomen and one to the back of the upper arm. Subjects were monitored for substantial leakage during and after administration.Main outcome measures: The primary endpoint of the study was successful delivery of placebo buffer based on a composite of the following: no substantial leakage during or after administration, green status light indicator on the injector...
Graphene-Coated Carbon Nanotube Aerogels Remain Superelastic while Resisting Fatigue and Creep over −100 to +500 °C

Lightweight, superelastic foams that resist creep and fatigue over a broad temperature range are being developed as structural and functional materials for use in numerous diverse applications. Unfortunately, conventional foams display superelasticity degradation, undergo considerable creep, show fatigue under repeated usage, or fracture over large strains, particularly under significant temperature variations. We report that graphene-coated single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) aerogels remain superelastic, and resist fatigue and creep over a broad temperature range of −100–500 °C. The microstructure of these ultralow density (≈14 mg/mL; corresponding volume fraction ≈9 × 10–3) aerogels is composed of a three-dimensional network of randomly oriented SWCNTs with junctions between SWCNTs coated with 2–5 layers of ≈3 nm long graphene nanoplatelets. Compressive stress (σ) versus compressive strain (e) curves show that the aerogels fully recover their shapes even when strained by at least 80% over −100–300 °C...
Forecasting rare disease outbreaks from open source indicators

Background Rapidly increasing volumes of news feeds from diverse data sources, such as online newspapers, Twitter, and online blogs, are proving to be extremely valuable resources in helping to anticipate, detect, and forecast outbreaks of rare diseases. The goal of this paper is to develop techniques that can effectively forecast the emergence and progression of rare infectious diseases by combining data from disparate data sources. Methods We introduce SourceSeer, a novel algorithmic framework that combines spatiotemporal topic models with source-based anomaly detection techniques. SourceSeer is capable of discovering the location focus of each source, allowing sources to be used as experts with varying degrees of authoritativeness. To fuse the individual source predictions into a final outbreak prediction, we employ a multiplicative weights algorithm taking into account the accuracy of each source. Results We evaluate the performance of SourceSeer using incidence data for hantavirus syndromes in multiple countries of Latin America provided by HealthMap over a time span of 15 months. We demonstrate that SourceSeer makes predictions of increased accuracy compared to several baselines and can forecast disease outbreaks in a timely manner even when no outbreaks were previously reported.
Anomaly behavior analysis for IoT sensors

The Internet of Things (IoT) will not only connect computers and mobile devices but also interconnect smart buildings, homes, and cities, as well as electrical grids, gas, and water networks, automobiles, airplanes, etc. IoT will lead to the development of a wide range of advanced information services that need to be processed in real time and require large storage and computational power. The integration of IoT with fog and cloud computing not only brings the computational requirements but also enables IoT services to be pervasive, cost-effective, and accessible from anywhere and at anytime. In any IoT application, sensors are indispensable to bring the physical world into the digital world that can be implemented by leveraging fog computing. However, IoT sensors will introduce major security challenges as they contribute to a significant increase in the IoT attack surface. In this paper, we present a methodology to develop an intrusion detection system on the basis of anomaly behavior analysis to detect when a sensor has been compromised and used to provide misinformation. Our preliminary experimental results show that our approach can accurately authenticate sensors on the basis of their behavior and can detect known and unknown sensor attacks with high detection rate and low false alarms.
A targeted proteomic assay for the measurement of plasma proteoforms related to human aging phenotypes

Circulating polypeptides and proteins have been implicated in reversing or accelerating aging phenotypes, including growth/differentiation factor 8 (GDF8), GDF11, eotaxin, and oxytocin. These proteoforms, which are defined as the protein products arising from a single gene due to alternative splicing and PTMs, have been challenging to study. Both GDF8 and GDF11 have known antagonists such as follistatin (FST), and WAP, Kazal, immunoglobulin, Kunitz, and NTR domain-containing proteins 1 and 2 (WFIKKN1, WFIKKN2). We developed a novel multiplexed SRM assay using LC-MS/MS to measure five proteins related to GDF8 and GDF11 signaling, and in addition, eotaxin, and oxytocin. Eighteen peptides consisting of 54 transitions were monitored and validated in pooled human plasma. In 24 adults, the mean (SD) concentrations (ng/mL) were as follows: GDF8 propeptide, 11.0 (2.4); GDF8 mature protein, 25.7 (8.0); GDF11 propeptide, 21.3 (10.9); GDF11 mature protein, 16.5 (12.4); FST, 29.8 (7.1); FST cleavage form FST303, 96.4 (69.2); WFIKKN1, 38.3 (8.3); WFIKKN2, 32.2 (10.5); oxytocin, 1.9 (0.9); and eotaxin, 2.3 (0.5). This novel multiplexed SRM assay should facilitate the study of the relationships of these proteoforms with major aging phenotypes.
AQDS immobilized solid-phase redox mediators and their role during bioelectricity generation and RR2 decolorization in air-cathode single-chamber microbial fuel cells.

Abstract The application of immobilized redox mediators (RMs) in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is an emerging technology for electricity generation with simultaneous azo dye decolorization due to facilitated electrons transfer from bacteria to anodes and azo dyes. The use of immobilized RMs avoids the requirement of their continuous dosing in MFCs, which has been the main limitation for practical applications. Two strategies of anthraquinones-2,6-disulphonic salt (AQDS) immobilization, AQDS immobilized with polyvinyl alcohol particles and AQDS immobilized on anodes by electropolymerization, were evaluated and compared to achieve simultaneous reactive red 2 (RR2) dye reduction and bioelectricity generation. The AQDS immobilized by electropolymerization showed the highest power density (816 ± 2 mW/m2) and extent of RR2 decolorization (89 ± 0.6%). This power density is one of the highest values yet achieved in the presence of a recalcitrant pollutant, suggesting that immobilization was important for enabling current generation in the presence of RR2.
Below-ground injection of floating-gate transistors for programmable analog circuits

Floating-gate transistors have been used in many systems to add non-volatile memory. By storing a precise amount of charge on the electrically isolated floating gate, these devices can be used in analog applications as programmable current sources. However, manipulating the stored charge must be done with voltage drops that exceed the supply voltage. In this paper, we present a method to program floating-gate transistors using negative voltages — a desirable characteristic that has been previously inhibited by the difficulties of operating selection circuitry at voltages below the substrate potential. We circumvent the need to have selection circuitry operating at negative voltages by using indirectly programmed floating-gate transistors and a circuit that linearizes the programming currents. We also present a charge pump to generate the necessary negative voltages for programming in this configuration.
Ruralising the City: Migration and Viraha in Translocal Nepal

Throughout the history of movement between country and city in the Nepali-speaking areas of the Indian subcontinent, musical links between cities and the rural hills have integrated emotional associations with rural hill life into the fabric of city life. Songs in the thematic genre of viraha – longing and the pain of separation – articulate lyrical and musical tropes that have come to characterise the experience of moving between hill villages, cities, and back again. This article explores over a century of Nepali-language viraha songs related to labour migration, arguing that as these songs take root in translocal publics crossing urban-rural divides, they contribute to an ruralisation of social and emotional life in the cities.
Short-term state forecasting-based optimal voltage regulation in distribution systems

A novel short-term state forecasting-based optimal power flow (OPF) approach for distribution system voltage regulation is proposed in this paper. An extreme learning machine (ELM) based state forecaster is developed to accurately predict system states (voltage magnitudes and angles) in the near future. Based on the forecast system states, a dynamically weighted three-phase AC OPF problem is formulated to minimize the voltage violations with higher penalization on buses which are forecast to have higher voltage violations in the near future. By solving the proposed OPF problem, the controllable resources in the system are optimally coordinated to alleviate the potential severe voltage violations and improve the overall voltage profile. The proposed approach has been tested in a 12-bus distribution system and simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach.
Regulatory dendritic cells for promotion of liver transplant operational tolerance: Rationale for a clinical trial and accompanying mechanistic studies.

Abstract Dendritic cells (DC) are rare, bone marrow (BM)-derived innate immune cells that critically maintain self-tolerance in the healthy steady-state. Regulatory DC (DCreg) with capacity to suppress allograft rejection and promote transplant tolerance in pre-clinical models can readily be generated from BM precursors or circulating blood monocytes. These DCreg enhance allograft survival via various mechanisms, including promotion of regulatory T cells. In non-human primates receiving minimal immunosuppressive drug therapy (IS), infusion of DCreg of donor origin, one week before transplant, safely prolongs renal allograft survival and selectively attenuates anti-donor CD8+ memory T cell responses in the early post-transplant period. Based on these observations, and in view of the critical need to reduce patient dependence on non-specific IS agents that predispose to cardiometabolic side effects and renal insufficiency, we will conduct a first-in-human safety and preliminary efficacy study of donor-derived DCreg infusion to achieve early (18 months post-transplant) complete IS withdrawal in low-risk, living donor liver transplant recipients receiving standard-of-care IS (mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus and steroids). We will test the hypothesis that, although donor-derived DCreg are short-lived, they will induce robust donor-specific T cell hyporesponsiveness. We will examine immunological mechanisms by sequential analysis of blood and tissue samples, incorporating cutting-edge technologies.
Pain Syndromes and Management in Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Pain is a significant physical symptom that can be observed across the spectrum of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) care. Pain assessment should include evaluation of the physical and functional components of pain. Management varies based on the type of HSCT-specific pain syndrome. Future directions for management of pain syndromes include the early integration of palliative care. The purpose of this review is to summarize various pain syndromes and management approaches in adult HSCT patients.
Understanding the Apparel Use, Needs, and Preferences of Breastfeeding Mothers

With the support of the US government and the Surgeon General, the percentage of mothers who choose to breastfeed is on the rise (CDC, 2012). An increase in breastfeeding mothers will result in increased use of breastfeeding products and apparel.
Stochastic L1-optimal control via forward and backward sampling

Abstract The aim of this work is to present a sampling-based algorithm designed to solve a certain class of stochastic optimal control problems, utilizing forward and backward stochastic differential equations (FBSDEs). Specifically, we address the class of problems in which the running cost of the performance index involves an L 1 -type minimization problem in terms of the control effort. Such problems are typically called minimum fuel problems in optimal control literature. By means of a nonlinear version of the Feynman–Kac lemma, we obtain a probabilistic representation of the solution to the nonlinear Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, expressed in the form of a system of decoupled FBSDEs. This system of FBSDEs can be solved by employing linear regression techniques.
Crystallization Studies of Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/Silica Nanocomposites Prepared by Sol-Gel Technique.

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/silica nanocomposite films were successfully fabricated using a novel sol–gel approach. The synthesis of these nanocomposites is being carried out by hydrolys...
Trends in lumbar radiofrequency ablation utilization from 2007 to 2016.

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT Lumbar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an intervention used to treat facet-mediated chronic low back pain. In some studies with methods consistent with clinical practice guidelines, RFA results in improvements in pain and functional limitations. However, in other studies, RFA demonstrates limited benefit. Despite unanswered questions regarding efficacy of RFA, its use is widespread. PURPOSE To describe trends in the utilization and cost of lumbar RFA and lumbar facet injections. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE The sample was derived from the IBM/Watson MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Databases from 2007 to 2016. OUTCOME MEASURES Longitudinal trends in the distribution and quantity of lumbar facet injections before lumbar RFA, corticosteroid administration during lumbar facet injections, progression to lumbar RFA after lumbar facet injections, lumbar RFA utilization, and costs of these interventions. METHODS Two primary cohorts were identified from patients who received lumbar RFA or lumbar facet injection procedures. Utilization rates per 100,000 enrollees were determined for both cohorts. The mean, median, and interquartile ranges of the number of facets targeted and costs per procedure were calculated by year and laterality, as well as overall. Costs in 2018 dollars were estimated by summing gross payment totals from patients and insurance plans. This study was supported by funds from the NIH, and has no conflict of interest associated biases. RESULTS From 2007 to 2016, lumbar RFA sessions performed per 100,000 enrollees per year increased from 49 to 113, a 130.6% overall increase (9.7% annually). Lumbar facet injection use increased from 201 to 251 sessions per 100,000 enrollees, a 24.9% overall increase (2.5% annually). In the year after a lumbar facet injection, 26.7% of patients received lumbar RFA; 28.6% received another injection but not RFA; and 44.7% received neither. The number of patients receiving two lumbar facet injection procedures prior to lumbar RFA grew from 51.1% in 2010 to 58.8% in 2016. For lumbar RFA, the cost per 100,000 enrollees went from $94,570 in 2007 to $266,680 in 2016, a 12.2% annual increase. For lumbar facet injections, the cost per 100,000 enrollees went from $257,280 in 2007 to $396,580 in 2016, a 4.9% annual increase. CONCLUSIONS This analysis showed consistent growth in both the frequency and procedure cost of lumbar RFA and facet injections among a large, national, commercially insured population from 2007 to 2016.
Abstract A202: Lysophosphatidic acid impedes the effector function of CD8+ T-cells through LPA5R

Immunotherapies have demonstrated the utility of targeting the immune system for the eradication of tumors, yet a majority of patients remain refractory to such treatments. Therefore, further advances in our understanding of T-cell activation and inhibitory signals are required to find alternative combinational strategies to treat cancers. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid that has been characterized to promote tumor growth via distinct mechanisms and thus displays multiple “hallmarks” of tumorgenesis, including enhancing tumor-promoting inflammation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Despite LPA receptors (LPARs) being expressed on all immune cells, the impact of LPA on immune cells remains unclear. Work from our lab has previously shown that LPA signals via LPAR5 expressed by CD8+ T-cells to suppress TCR-mediated intracellular calcium mobilization. Thus, we propose that aberrant expression of LPA by diverse tumors serves also to dampen adaptive immune responses, thereby creating an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment. Here, we demonstrate that CD8+ T-cells express three of the six known LPA receptors, and that LPA signaling through LPA5R on CD8+ T-cells has not only a profound inhibition of Ca2+ release after TCR stimulation, but also impedes ERK and Nur77 TCR induced signaling pathway. Importantly we now demonstrate that LPA signaling also decreases the cytolytic function of CD8+ T-cells by inhibiting granule exocytosis. Both adoptive transfer of Lpar5-/- CD8+ T-cells and implantation of tumors into Lpar5-/- hosts leads to greater control of tumor growth, underscoring an immunosuppressive signal mediated by LPA through LPA5R on CD8+ T-cells. Finally, human CD8+ T-cells also express the same LPARs as in the mouse and similarly fail to efficiently release Ca2+ upon TCR stimulation in the presence of LPA. Pharmaceutical inhibition of the human LPA5 receptor restores Ca2+ flux, suggesting a similar mechanism seen in mice. Thus, our data illuminate a novel lipid-receptor interaction that suppresses CD8+ T-cell function in both human and murine cells. Citation Format: Divij Mathew, Pamela Strauch, Roberta Pelanda, Raul Torres. Lysophosphatidic acid impedes the effector function of CD8+ T-cells through LPA5R [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; Sept 30-Oct 3, 2018; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2019;7(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A202.
Nutrient over-enrichment and light limitation of seagrass communities in the Indian River Lagoon, an urbanized subtropical estuary.

Abstract Historically, extensive seagrass meadows were common throughout the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in east-central Florida, USA. Between 2011 and 2017, widespread catastrophic seagrass losses (~95%) occurred in the IRL following unprecedented harmful algal blooms (HABs), including persistent brown tides (Aureoumbra lagunensis). Little is known about how dissolved nutrients and chlorophyll a are related to light limitation or how biochemical factors, such as the elemental composition (C:N:P) and stable isotope signatures (δ13C, δ15N), of seagrasses within the IRL relate to coverage. Accordingly, we conducted a survey from 2013 to 2015 at 20 sites to better understand these relationships. Results showed a negative correlation between DIN and salinity, indicating freshwater inputs as a DIN source. Seawater N:P ratios and chlorophyll a concentrations were higher in the urbanized, poorly-flushed northern IRL segments. Kd values were higher in the wet season and often exceeded seagrass light requirements (0.8 m−1) for restoration, demonstrating light limitation. Species distribution varied by location. Halodule wrightii was ubiquitous, whereas Syringodium filiforme was not found in the northernmost segments. Thalassia testudinum was only present in the two southernmost segments that had the lowest TDN and highest light availability (Kd). Blade %N and %P also frequently exceeded critical values of 1.8% and 0.2%, respectively, especially in the northern segments. Further, δ15N was positively correlated with ammonium, suggesting wastewater as a major N source. The δ13C values indicated a trend of increasing light limitation from south to north, which helps explain the recent catastrophic loss of seagrasses in the northern IRL. Overall, elemental composition reflected high N-availability and seagrass species distributions were relatable to spatial trends in N and light limitation. For effective restoration, resource managers must reduce N-loading to the IRL to diminish HABs and increase light availability. Regular biochemical monitoring of seagrass tissue should also be implemented during restoration efforts.
Science Journalism, Value Judgments, and the Open Science Movement

Science journalists face significant challenges as they seek to achieve the dual goals of providing balanced perspectives that consider all sides of the stories they cover and at the same time avoiding the presentation of unreliable or misleading information. This paper draws on recent scholarship in the philosophy of science that can help journalists navigate these challenges and report on scientific research in socially beneficial ways. The paper proposes that science journalists have the opportunity to contribute to the open science movement by identifying and explaining major value judgments in scientific research for members of the public. Journalists are uniquely situated to fulfill this role because they serve as gatekeepers of information for the public and because their investigative skills are ideal for uncovering value judgments. The paper illustrates how this principle can provide guidance for science journalists by examining a case study of recent journalistic reporting on possible health effects associated with cell phone radiation.
Impact of Lateral Groundwater Flow and Subsurface Lower Boundary Conditions on Atmospheric Boundary Layer Development over Complex Terrain

AbstractCredible soil moisture redistribution schemes are essential to meteorological models, as lower boundary moisture influences the balance of surface turbulent fluxes and atmospheric boundary ...
Millennials in Psychiatry: Exploring Career Choice Factors in Generation Y Psychiatry Interns.

There is a national shortage of psychiatrists. To grow the workforce, educators must understand the factors that influence the choice of psychiatry as a specialty for medical students in the Generation Y cohort. Psychiatry residents born between 1981 and 2000 were recruited from six psychiatry training programs across the USA and were interviewed in the fall of their first year. The interviews were coded and analyzed qualitatively for themes. Career Construction Theory (CCT) was applied to relate the themes within the four domains of Career Adaptability (a focus of CCT): concern, control, curiosity, and confidence. The majority of themes mapped onto the four domains. A fifth domain, “contribution,” was created to capture additional themes. Themes associated with choosing psychiatry as a career included Practice Concerns and Economic/Lifestyle Concerns (concern), Changes in Stigma and Changes in Legitimacy (control), Exploring Humanity and Exposures to Psychiatry (curiosity), Abilities Called Upon by the Field, Recognized Qualities in the Participant, and Recognized Qualities in the Faculty/Residents (confidence), and Hoping to Make a Difference and Engaging in Research/Technology (contribution). With the knowledge generated from this study, educators now have a guide for the kinds of learning experiences that may attract Generation Y students to the field, and can identify those with the background, values, or personality traits most likely to find a career in psychiatry to be attractive.
Tutorial: Detecting Memory Vulnerabilities in the Components of System Code using PROMPT

Analyzing real-world software is challenging due to complexity of the software frameworks or APIs they depend on. In this paper, we present a tool, PROMPT, that facilitates analysis of software components using programming model guided symbolic execution. PROMPT has a specification component, PROSE, that lets users define a programming model, which consists of a set of data constraints and life-cycle rules that define control-flow constraints among sequentially composed API functions. Given a PROSE model and a software component, PROMPT symbolically executes the component while enforcing the specified programming model. PROMPT has been implemented on top of the KLEE symbolic execution engine and has been applied to Linux device drivers from the video, sound, and network subsystems. PROMPT detected two new and two known memory vulnerabilities in some of the device drivers. The proposed tutorial on PROMPT will empower practitioners as well as researchers in analyzing components of system code for deep memory vulnerabilities.
Is Pseudomonas infection associated with worse outcomes in pediatric perforated appendicitis

Abstract Background There is little information on the effects of Pseudomonas infection on outcomes in perforated appendicitis. As Pseudomonas is not covered by many empiric appendicitis antibiotic regiments, we hypothesized that children with Pseudomonas would have worse outcomes. Methods Patients Results Intraoperative cultures were collected in 58.4% of patients (n = 149/255) with 22.2% (n = 33) positive for Pseudomonas. SSIs occurred in 21.2% of children with Pseudomonas compared to 20.7% of children without Pseudomonas (p = 0.9). Children with Pseudomonas had longer antibiotic duration (9.1 vs. 6.7 days, p = 0.03) and LOS (6.7 vs. 5.9 days, p = 0.03) than those without, but a similar rate of post-operative interventions (12.2% vs. 19.0%, p = 0.4), hospital costs ($28,860 vs. $23,945, p = 0.3), ED visits (9.1% vs. 19.9%, p = 0.3), and readmissions (9.1% vs. 9.5%, p = 1). Conclusion Pseudomonas was identified in 22% children with perforated appendicitis and was associated with longer antibiotic durations and LOS, but similar rates of SSI, post-operative interventions, and readmissions compared to children without Pseudomonas. Empiric coverage of Pseudomonas may not be necessary.
780 Quantitative cell-based bioassays to advance immunotherapy programs targeting immune checkpoint receptors

Background The human immune system is comprised of a complex network of immune checkpoint receptors that are promising new immunotherapy targets for the treatment of a variety of cancers and autoimmune disorders. The Nobel prize for Medicine in 2018 was awarded for seminal studies on the role of immune checkpoint targets in T cell activation and furthermore, combining different strategies to release the brakes on the immune system with the aim of eliminating tumor cells even more efficiently. Immunotherapies designed to block co-inhibitory receptors (e.g. PD-1, CTLA-4, TIGIT) are showing unprecedented efficacy in the treatment of cancer. However, not all patients and tumor types respond to this approach. This has resulted in broadening of immunotherapy research programs to target additional co-inhibitory (e.g. LAG-3, TIM-3) and co-stimulatory (e.g. 4-1BB, GITR, OX40, ICOS) receptors individually and in combination. A major challenge in the development of antibody-based biologics is access to quantitative and reproducible functional bioassays. Existing methods rely on primary cells and measurement of complex functional endpoints. These assays are cumbersome, highly variable and fail to yield data required for drug development in a quality-controlled environment. Methods To address the need of access to a robust and reliable functional assay for immunotherapy drug development programs, we have developed a suite of cell-based functional bioassays to interrogate modulation of immune checkpoint receptors individually (e.g. PD-1, CTLA-4, LAG-3, TIM-3, GITR, 4-1BB,OX40, CD40) and in combination (e.g. PD-1+CTLA-4, PD-1+4-1BB). These assays consist of stable cell lines that express luciferase reporters driven by response elements under the precise control of mechanistically relevant intracellular signals. Thus, the bioassays reflect mechanisms of action for the drug candidates designed for each immune checkpoint receptor and demonstrate high specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility. Here we describe the application of MoA-based immune checkpoint receptor bioassays as tools for biologics drug discovery, development, potency and stability studies. Results We demonstrate that these bioassays measure response and inhibition with blocking drugs or potency changes from stressed samples. Conclusions In summary, these reporter-based bioassays provide valuable tools for the development, stability testing, and potency determination in the manufacture of biologics that are targeted to immune checkpoint.
Molekulargewichte von Kleberproteinen des Weizens

Kleber und acylierter Kleber (Bernsteinsaure, Maleinsaure) aus der Weizensorte Kolibri wurde an Sepharose CL-6 B bei pH 8,0 und 10,8 in drei Hauptfraktionen zerlegt. An der Ausschlus-grenze (MG 106 Dalton) erscheint eine Lipoprotein-fraktion (6 BI), die 10–20% des eingesetzten Proteins enthalt und deren Aminosaurezusammensetzung dem nach Extraktion von Mehl mit Wasser, Salzlosung, Ethanol und Essigsaure verbleibenden Proteinruckstand entspricht. Eine zweite Fraktion (6 BII) wird im Bereich von 9 × 105 und 1,5 × 105 Dalton eluiert. Sie umfast ca. 35% des Kleberproteins und entspricht in Aminosaurezusammensetzung und rheologischen Eigenschaften dem Glutenin. Die dritte Fraktion (6 BIII) enthalt 44–57% des eingesetzten Proteins und entspricht in der Aminosaurezusammensetzung dem Gliadin. Trennungen an Sepharose 2 B und Sepharose 4 B werden gegenubergestellt.
Analysing Frequency Lists

As perhaps the most fundamental statistic in corpus linguistics, frequency of occurrence plays a significant role in uncovering variation in language. Frequency lists have been designed for a variety of linguistic features and employed in order to address a variety of research questions in diverse fields of inquiry, from language learning and teaching to literary analysis to workplace communication. This chapter provides an overview of fundamental concepts and methods in the development and application of frequency lists, including issues related to the target unit of analysis, and key considerations beyond raw frequency, such as the importance of normalising frequency counts when making comparisons and employing additional measures to gain a more comprehensive picture of distributional characteristics.
Home Low Vision Ocular Rehabilitation Telehealth Expansion Due to COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: In March 2020, the pandemic added a major barrier resulting in the cancelation of all low vision ocular rehabilitation services. To prevent delay of beginning low vision ocular rehabilitation services, all low vision care was switched to telerehabilitation to home. Methods: Case managers began to cancel all in-person services and offer Veterans Affairs (VA) video connect services to their home. Patients with video access scheduled a home VA video connect telerehabilitation evaluation and therapy assessment. Patients who did not have video access waited to schedule a future in-person low vision appointment (postpandemic). Results: Of the in-person canceled appointments, 54% who scheduled the new home telerehabilitation evaluation were delayed on average 25 calendar days. Patients who waited for in-person low vision care were delayed on average 98, 138, or 153 calendar days. Of the 56 new patients referred for low vision optometry services during this 4-month period (COVID-19), 91% scheduled home low vision ocular telerehabilitation evaluations without delay; 5% waited until in-person clinics were open; and 4% waited until rural VA's and community-based outpatient centers were open. Discussion: Veterans with low vision who live in rural communities have limited access to services unless they are able to travel several miles to a specialty low vision clinic. Low vision ocular rehabilitation telehealth services have been successfully provided at the VA Western New York Healthcare System (Buffalo, NY) low vision clinic. Conclusions: Home low vision ocular rehabilitation telehealth increases access as early as possible once diagnosed with ocular pathology resulting in low vision.