cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Existence of Néel order in some spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnets

The methods of Dyson, Lieb, and Simon are extended to prove the existence of Neel order in the ground state of the 3D spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the cubic lattice. We also consider the spin-1/2 antiferromagnet on the cubic lattice with the coupling in one of the three lattice directions taken to be r times its value in the other two lattice directions. We prove the existence of Neel order for 0.16 ⩽ r ⩽ 1. For the 2D spin-1/2 model we give a series of inequalities which involve the two-point function only at short distances and each of which would by itself imply Neel order.
13 ways of looking at Googlebrary

Purpose – To present both the pros and cons that may come from Google's recent effort to digitize vast collections from five large research libraries.Design/methodology/approach – Presents several questions and issues relevant to libraries and suggests what impact Google Print may have in providing information.Findings – Google Print has great potential for broadening access to the world's written legacy.Originality/value – Digitization projects have been around for several years. As such, it is interesting to see how Google Print is both the same and different, and what benefits Google's digitization effort may hold for information professionals.
Impact of Aneurysm Repair on Thoracic Aorta Hemodynamics

We present pre- and postoperative imaging findings in a 29-year-old man with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with fusion of the right and left coronary leaflets and a 6.1 cm × 6.3 cm ascending aorta aneurysm (Figure 1). The patient underwent a valve-sparing aortic root replacement with a 34-mm Dacron graft and BAV repair with resection of the raphe of the fused leaflet and leaflet shortening of the noncoronary cusp. Figure 1. Sagital ( A ) and axial ( B ) preoperative MRI demonstrating a 6.1×6.3 cm ascending aorta (AAo) aneurysm. To better understand the preoperative flow characteristics in the large aneurysm and the impact of surgical repair and reconstruction on thoracic aorta hemodynamics, time-resolved 3-dimensional phase contrast (4D flow) MRI was performed before and after surgery. The MRI examinations (pre: 3.0 T Skyra, post: 1.5 T Avanto, Siemens, Germany) included both 4D flow MRI (velocity sensitivity pre:150 cm/s, post: 250 cm/s, spatial/temporal resolution pre: 3.14×2.13×3.2 mm3/39 ms, post: 2.88×2.13×2.15 mm3/38ms) and dynamic 2-D cine imaging of the heart (steady-state free precession, spatial/temporal resolution pre: 1.25×1.25×6 mm3/29 ms post:1.8×1.8×6 mm3/39 ms). The study was approved by the local institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from the patient. Blood flow patterns within the thoracic aorta were visualized using time-resolved 3D pathlines to illustrate complex blood flow dynamics over the entire cardiac cycle (EnSight, CEI). In addition, 3D velocity streamlines drawn tangent to the time-resolved velocity field were used to illustrate instantaneous flow dynamics in the thoracic aorta. Forward and …
Polarization Sagnac interferometer with a common-path local oscillator for heterodyne detection

We describe a free-space common-path polarization Sagnac interferometer. The polarization Sagnac interferometer is used in a symmetric fashion with detection on the dark fringe of the interference to avoid photodetector saturation when high-powered illumination is used. By modulating the carrier field that is reflected from the interferometer, we generate a local oscillator for heterodyne detection of the signal field. We calculate the effect of optical element misalignments and imperfect polarization on the shot-noise–limited sensitivity of the interferometer. The predictions are experimentally verified with a 2-m arm-length tabletop polarization Sagnac interferometer.
Comparison of AlGaAs Oxidation in MBE and MOCVD Grown Samples

Abstract : Simultaneous wet-thermal oxidation of MBE and MOCVD grown Al(x)Ga(1-x)As layers (x = 0.1 to 1.0) showed that the epitaxial growth method does not influence the oxidation rate. Nearly identical oxidation depths were measured for samples grown by both techniques. It was found, however, that the oxidation rate is very sensitive to non-uniformities in the Al concentration in the Al(x)Ga(1-x)As layers, and that maintaining consistent and uniform Al concentrations is critical to achieving reproducible oxidation rates. The study also showed that the oxidation rate was not affected by the V/III ratio during growth nor by impurities at concentrations less than or equal to 10 ppm.
Growth factor purification and delivery systems (PADS) for therapeutic angiogenesis

Background Therapeutic angiogenesis with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), delivered either via recombinant protein infusion or via gene therapy, has shown promise in preclinical models of various diseases including myocardial infarction, renovascular disease, preeclampsia, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, dosing, duration of expression, and tissue specificity are challenges to VEGF gene therapy, and recombinant VEGF delivery suffers from extremely rapid plasma clearance, necessitating continuous infusion and/or direct injection at the site of interest.
Dehydroepiandrosterone reduces proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Abstract The purpose of these studies was to determine whether the antiobesity actions of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) observed in vivo are due to an influence on proliferation and/or differentiation in monolayer cultures of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. For the proliferation study (Exp. 1), cells were grown in plating medium containing DHEA at 0, 5, 25, 50, or 100 μM for 1–4 d. DHEAS was added at the 100 μM level only. For the differentiation study (Exp. 2), cultures were grown in plating medium containing DHEA at 0, 5, 30, 60, 120, or 240 μM for 2–6 d. DHEAS was added at the 240 μM level only. In Exp. 3, the effect of DHEA on mature adipocytes was determined by exposing adipocytes grown in plating medium to DHEA at 0, 75, 125, and 250 μM for 1–4 d. In Exp. 1, preadipocyte proliferation decreased as the level of DHEA increased in cultures of 3T3-L1 cells. DHEAS had no effect on preadipocyte proliferation. The antiproliferative effect of DHEA was partially reversed by the addition of 1 μM mevalonic acid to proliferating cultures containing 25 μM DHEA. In Exp. 2, preadipocyte differentiation decreased as the level of DHEA in the cultures increased. In contrast, neither DHEAS nor mevalonic acid treatment influenced preadipocyte differentiation. In Exp. 3, markers of preadipocyte differentiation decreased as the level and duration of DHEA treatment increased in cultures of mature adipocytes. These data support the hypothesis that DHEA, but not DHEAS, is the active form of the steroid that attenuates obesity via altering preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation. The addition of 1 μM mevalonic acid to cultures of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes partially reversed DHEA's antiproliferative effects.
The efficiency of investment information

We investigate how the description of a correlated information V improves the investment in the stock market X. The objective is to maximize the growth rate of wealth in repeated investments, We find a single-letter characterization of the incremental growth rate /spl Delta/(R), the maximum increase in growth rate when V is described to the investor at rate R. The incremental growth rate specialized to the horse race market is related to source coding with side information of Wyner and Ahlswede-Kormer. We provide two horse race examples: jointly binary and jointly Gaussian. The initial efficiency /spl Delta/'(0) is the maximum possible increase in the growth rate per bit of description, We show that the initial efficiency is related to the dependency between V and the market. In particular, for the horse race market, the initial efficiency is the square of the Hirschfeld-Gebelein-Renyi maximal correlation between V and X. This provides a connection with the hypercontraction of the Markov operator of Ahlswede and Gacs. For the general market the initial efficiency is 1 when the side information V is equal to the stock market outcome X.
Short-Term Properties of Earthquake Catalogs and Models of Earthquake Source

I review the short-term properties of earthquake catalogs, in particular the time and size distributions and the completeness of the early part of aftershock sequences for strong, shallow earthquakes. I determine the parameters of the Omori and Gutenberg-Richter laws for aftershocks close in time to a mainshock. Aftershock sequences of large earthquakes in southern California (1952 Kern County, 1992 Joshua Tree-Landers-Big Bear sequence, 1994 Northridge, and 1999 Hector Mine), recorded in the CalTech catalog, are analyzed to demonstrate that at the beginning of these series, many small earthquakes are absent from the catalog. The number of missing earthquakes increases with the magnitude range of a catalog and for some data sets exceeds the number of aftershocks close to a mainshock listed in a catalog. Comparing global earthquake catalogs (Harvard Centroid Moment Tensor and Preliminary Determination of Epicenter) with local data sets indicates that the catalogs based on longer period waves miss many early aftershocks even when their magnitudes are well above the stated magnitude threshold. Such short-term incompleteness may introduce significant biases to the statistical analysis of the seismicity pattern, in particular for branching models of earthquake occurrence incorporating the Omori law. For such models the likelihood function strongly depends on close aftershocks. I review the techniques to alleviate this problem. Analyzing the source rupture process of several recent large earthquakes suggests that rupture propagation is highly inhomogeneous in space, time, and focal mechanism. These random variations in the rupture process can be viewed as an extension of the aftershock stochastic generating mechanism toward the origin time of a mainshock. I review various models of the earthquake rupture process and suggest that fractal distributions of microevents in time, space, and focal mechanism constitute the development of an earthquake. The final identification of an individual earthquake depends on both objective and subjective factors. Manuscript received 21 May 2003.
Debating LGBT Workplace Protections in the Bible Belt: Social Identities in Legislative and Media Discourse

This article reports a case study of the legislative and media discourse surrounding the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity language to the employment nondiscrimination ordinance of a city in the heart of the Bible Belt. The purpose of the study is to uncover how different identities were constructed and contested at city council meetings and in the news media on the way to passing legal protection for LGBT city employees in a region that is often characterized by anti-gay prejudice. This debate over the nondiscrimination ordinance centered on the question of whether LGBT identities are equivalent to identity categories based on race, gender, or religious belief, and it was shaped by various intergroup communication dynamics, specifically between members of the LGBT minority and the straight majority, between LGBT and Christian identities, and between "true" and "false" Christian identities.
Impacts of Native American Casinos and Resorts on Local Hotels

Gaming operations of Native American tribes have become a major engine of economic development by generating significant revenues to tribes and outsiders. This paper investigates the impact of Native American enterprises on local economies by evaluating the impact of opening a Casino Resort near the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Specifically we evaluate the impact on the occupancy rates and the daily room rates for the hotels in the City. Our analysis concludes that the establishment of Indian casinos and resorts is generally beneficial for the wider regional tourism industry.
Investigation of Single Antennular Motoneurons in the Lateral Antennular Neuropil of Callinectes Sapidus

ABSTRACT Single cell analysis has been performed on motoneurons innervating the muscles of the antennular distal segments of Callinectes sapidus. Experiments were performed on perfused, isolated "head" preparations in which two spontaneous antennular movements occurred: withdrawal and flicking. The secondary neurites of cells thought to be involved in these two antennular movements were shown to occupy different regions of the lateral antennular neuropil by Lucifer Yellow injection. Single shocks delivered to the sensory nerve coming from a previously quantified mechanoreceptive input from hair sensilla on the antennular proximal segment produced a complex, multicomponent response in motoneurons considered to be involved in withdrawal behavior. Distal segment motoneurons believed to be responsible for antennular flicking were inhibited by hair sensillar afferents. These anatomical and physiological findings suggest the presence of an underlying organization in so-called "diffuse" antennular neuropil.
Trogoderma inclusum and T. glabrum: Effects of Time of Day on Production of Female Pheromone, Male Responsiveness, and Mating

Male Trogoderma inclusum LeConte and T. glabrum (Herbst) maintained with a photoperiod of 14-hours light and 10-hours dark were more responsive to pheromone between the third to eighth and the fifth to eleventh hours, respectively, of the photophase than at other times of day. The optimum mating receptivity of both species corresponded closely to the times of day of maximum male response to the pheromone. The amounts of extractable female sex pheromone remained fairly constant during the first nine hours of the photophase, and they did not appear to contribute to the observed increases in mating.
The changing Arctic environment: the Arctic messenger

David Stone, a long-time government scientist in Canada, who began his career doing biological oceanography in northern Canada, played a key role in the development of the Canadian Northern Affairs...
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Tissue Analysis of Acute Renal Artery and Renal Vein Occlusion: The Effect of a Paramagnetic Contrast Agent

AbstractIn order to assess the potential sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance for the assessment and detection of renal vascular insufficiency, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed on rabbit renal cortices following 45 minutes of unilateral renal artery or vein occlusion with and without the injection of a paramagnetic contrast material (manganese chloride). Renal vein occlusions produced a marked increase in T1 and T2 relaxation times when compared to the contralateral control kidney (mean increase of 18 per cent in T1 and 27 per cent in T2). Renal artery occlusions produced no change in T1 and only a slight increase in T2 (mean increase of 5 per cent). After the intravenous injection of 0.03mM/kg. of manganese chloride, T1 of the control kidneys was reduced by almost 50 per cent. Relaxation parameters from the kidneys undergoing arterial occlusion did not change after manganese injection when compared to the occluded kidneys without contrast. In the kidneys undergoing venous occlus...
Depression, Resource Utilization, and Outcomes Following Liver Transplant.

Context:There is evidence that depression after liver transplant (LTX) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality; however, the effect of depression treatment on LTX outcomes has not been well established.Objective/Setting/Design:This single-center, longitudinal cohort study aimed to determine whether depression treatment influences outcomes after LTX. Depression diagnosis was based on medical history and documentation from psychosocial providers.Patients/Intervention/Main Outcome Measures:Patients were studied from October 2010 to June 2013 and separated into 3 groups for analysis: no depression, adequately treated depression, and inadequately treated depression. Adequacy of depression treatment was determined using the Antidepressant Treatment History Form.Results:Of the 161 patients included in the analysis, 103 did not have depression, 24 had adequately treated depression, and 34 had inadequately treated depression. Baseline demographics were similar between the groups. Patients with inadequ...
Alterations in gene expression during fasting-induced atresia of early secondary ovarian follicles of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch

Molecular processes that either regulate ovarian atresia or are consequences of atresia are poorly understood in teleost fishes. We hypothesized that feed restriction that perturbs normal ovarian growth and induces follicular atresia would alter ovarian gene expression patterns. Previtellogenic, two-year old coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were subjected to prolonged fasting to induce atresia or maintained on a normal feeding schedule that would promote continued ovarian development. To identify genes that were specifically up- or down-regulated during oocyte growth in healthy, growing fish compared to fasted fish, reciprocal suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) cDNA libraries were generated using ovaries from fed and fasted animals. Differential expression of genes identified by SSH was confirmed with quantitative PCR. The SSH library representing genes elevated in ovaries of fed fish relative to those of fasted fish contained steroidogenesis-related genes (e.g., hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase), Tgf-beta superfamily members (e.g., anti-Mullerian hormone) and cytoskeletal intermediate filament proteins (e.g., type I keratin s8). Overall, these genes were associated with steroid production, cell proliferation and differentiation, and ovarian epithelialization. The library representing genes elevated in ovaries of fasted fish relative to fed fish contained genes associated with apoptosis (e.g., programmed cell death protein 4), cortical alveoli (e.g., alveolin), the zona pellucida (e.g., zona pellucida protein c), and microtubules (e.g., microtubule associated protein tau). Elevated expression of this suite of genes was likely associated with the initiation of atresia and/or a reduced rate of follicle development in response to fasting. This study revealed ovarian genes involved in normal early secondary oocyte growth and potential early markers of atresia.
Relatedness Constrains Virulence in an Obligate Avian Brood Parasite

Abstract Virulence, the amount of harm a parasite inflicts on its host, is integral to elucidating the evolution of obligate avian brood parasitism. However, we lack information regarding how relatedness is linked to changes in behavior and the degree of harm that brood parasites cause to their hosts (i.e., virulence). The kin competition hypothesis combines theory from offspring signaling and parasite virulence models and states that the begging intensity of co-infecting parasites is driven by their relatedness, with concomitant changes in the degree of virulence expressed by parasitic young. We tested this hypothesis using the Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater, an obligate brood parasitic bird whose virulence at the nestling stage is mediated by vigorous begging displays that are used to outcompete host young during feeding bouts. We found support for both predictions of the kin competition hypothesis: first, the begging intensity of cowbirds was greater in a population where cowbirds typically compet...
Enviro-exergy sustainability analysis of boiler evolution in district energy system

Investigations into energy resources are important from the point of energy sustainability. The principal objective of this study is to investigate the evolution of the operating boilers at the University of Idaho (UI) district energy plant through an exergy analysis. The biomass boiler uses western red cedar chips from nearby lumber mills and provides 95% of the steam requirements of the main campus of UI in Moscow, ID, USA. Thermodynamic analysis reveals a thermal efficiency of 76% and an exergy efficiency of 24% for the biomass boiler. A combustion model is developed to determine the primary emissions products of both the bone dry wood chips and natural gas fuels. CO2 comprises 26% of the bone dry biomass emissions and 8% of the natural gas emissions products. Testing results of the biomass boiler exhaust stack show CO2 emissions of 14% when an average moisture content of 33% is accounted for. An overview of the evolution of the energy plant is discussed, showing the generational differences in each boiler. By using a biomass fuel source, the cost per 1000 kg of steam produced is on average 63% lower than using natural gas, resulting in savings of over $1 million annually.
A Qualitative Study of the Barriers to and Facilitators of Smoking Cessation Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Smokers Who Are Interested in Quitting.

Abstract Purpose: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals are significantly more likely to smoke compared with their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. The purpose of this study was to explore barriers to and facilitators of smoking cessation readiness among LGBT smokers. Methods: This descriptive study used a qualitative approach. Four 90-minute focus groups (eligibility criteria: age ≥21, self-identify as LGBT, current smoker, interest in quitting smoking) were conducted. Participants also completed a brief survey that measured additional demographic characteristics and smoking behaviors. Topics explored included quit experiences, attitudes and beliefs, barriers to and facilitators of cessation, and cultural factors related to smoking behaviors. Established qualitative methods were used to conduct the focus groups and data analysis. Results: The mean age of participants (N = 31) was 37.1 years with the majority identifying as male (58.1%). The sample group was racially diverse: ...
Improving the safety of telerobotic drilling of the skull base via photoacoustic sensing of the carotid arteries

One of the risks of the endonasal approach to skull base surgery is inadvertent damage to one of the two carotid arteries that are located behind the bone being drilled. Photoacoustic imaging, which combines a pulsed laser with an ultrasound receiver probe, has been shown to be able to image blood vessels behind bone. We therefore integrated a photoacoustic imaging system with a telerobotic system, where the pulsed laser is delivered via an optical fiber attached to the drill held by one robot arm and the ultrasound receiver is positioned, at some distance from the drilling site, by another robot arm. This paper describes a new method for accurately determining the safe region for drilling, which is defined by the center-line between the two carotid arteries, and presents the first phantom experiments with this system. The results show that the system can determine the center point with an accuracy better than 2 mm, which suggests that it may be sufficient for clinical scenarios where the two carotid arteries can be within 8 mm of each other.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Explantation and Implantation at Academic Centers.

Background The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) was approved for use in the US in 2001 and has been found to be a safe and effective surgical treatment for morbid obesity. However, there is a recent trend toward reduced use of LAGB nationwide. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and outcomes of primary LAGB implantation compared with revision and explantation at academic centers. Study Design Data were obtained from the Vizient database from 2007 through 2015. The ICD-9-Clinical Modification and ICD-10-Clinical Modification were used to select patients with a primary diagnosis of obesity who had undergone LAGB implantation, revision, or explantation. Prevalence and outcomes of primary LAGB implantation compared with revision or explantation were analyzed. Outcomes measures included length of stay, ICU admission, morbidity, mortality, and cost. Results From 2007 through 2015, a total of 28,202 patients underwent LAGB implantation for surgical weight loss. The annual number of LAGB implantation procedures decreased steadily after 2010. In the same time period, 12,157 patients underwent LAGB explantation. In 2013, the number of LAGB explantation procedures exceeded that of implantation. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band revision rates remained stable throughout the study period. Mean length of stay, serious morbidity, and proportion of patients requiring ICU admission were higher for gastric band revision and explantation cases compared with primary LAGB implantation cases. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality or mean cost between the 2 groups. Conclusions Since 2013, the number of gastric band explantation procedures has exceeded that of implantation procedures at academic centers. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band revision or explantation is associated with longer length of stay, higher rate of postoperative ICU admissions, and higher overall morbidity compared with LAGB implantation.
Analysis of the tonsillar microbiome in young adults with sore throat reveals a high relative abundance of Fusobacterium necrophorum with low diversity

Fusobacterium necrophorum (Fn), a gram-negative anaerobe, is increasingly implicated as an etiologic agent in older adolescents and young adults with sore throat. Inadequately treated Fn pharyngitis may result in suppurative complications such as peritonsillar abscess and Lemierre's syndrome. Data from the literature suggest that the incidence of life-threating complications in these age groups from Fn pharyngitis (Lemierre's syndrome) in the United States exceeds those associated with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (acute rheumatic fever). Using real-time PCR, we previously reported about a 10% prevalence of Fn in asymptomatic medical students and about 20% in students complaining of sore throat at a university student health clinic (p = 0.009). In this study, a comprehensive microbiome analysis of the same study samples confirms that Fn pharyngitis was more common than GAS pharyngitis. Eighteen patients were found to have Fn OTU values exceeding an arbitrary cutoff value of 0.1, i.e. greater than 10% of total sequences, with five subjects reaching values above 0.7. By contrast only 9 patients had GAS OTU values greater than 0.1 and none exceeded 0.6. When the data were analyzed using five separate assessments of alpha diversity, in each case for Fn there were statistically significant differences between Fn positive_high (OTU abundance > 0.1) vs control, Fn positive_high vs Fn negative (OTU abundance = 0), Fn positive_high vs Fn positive_low (OTU abundance > 0 and < 0.1). When the data were analyzed using three beta diversity indexes (Bray-Curtis, weighted unifrac, and unweighted unifrac), there were statistically significant differences between Fn positive_high (OTU abundance ≥ 0.1) vs control for all three. Statistically significant differences remained if we chose somewhat different OTU abundance cutoffs of 0.05 or 0.15. We conclude that Fn appears to play a dominant role in bacterial pharyngitis in the older adolescent and young adult age groups and that the development of a productive mucosal infection with Fn is linked to a significant decrease in the diversity of the associated tonsillar microbiome.
In-vivo Quantification of Cardiac-driven Brain Tissue Displacement and Strain Using Displacement-Encoding with Stimulated Echoes (DENSE) Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Intrinsic cardiac-induced deformation of brain tissue is thought to be important in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of utilizing displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify two-dimensional (2D) neural tissue strain using cardiac-driven brain pulsations. We examined eight adult healthy volunteers with an electrocardiogram-gated spiral DENSE sequence performed at the midsagittal plane on a 3 Tesla MRI scanner. Displacement, pixel-wise trajectories, and principal strains were determined in seven regions of interest (ROI): the brain stem, cerebellum, corpus callosum, and four cerebral lobes. Quantification of small neural tissue motion and strain along with their spatial and temporal variations in different brain regions was found to be feasible using DENSE. The medial and inferior brain structures (brain stem, cerebellum, and corpus callosum) had significantly larger motion and strain compared to structures located more peripherally. The brain stem had the largest peak mean displacement (PMD) (187 ± 50 μm, mean ± SD). The largest mean principal strains in compression and extension were observed in the brain stem (0.38 ± 0.08%) and the corpus callosum (0.37 ± 0.08%), respectively. Measured values in percent strain were altered by as much as 0.1 between repeated scans. This study showed that DENSE can quantify regional variations in brain tissue motion and strain and has the potential to be utilized as a tool to evaluate the changes in brain tissue dynamics resulting from alterations in biomechanical stresses and tissue properties.
Engineering the TGFβ receptor to Enhance the Therapeutic Potential of Natural Killer Cells as an Immunotherapy for Neuroblastoma

Purpose: The ability of natural killer (NK) cells to lyse allogeneic targets, without the need for explicit matching or priming, makes them an attractive platform for cell-based immunotherapy. Umbilical cord blood is a practical source for generating banks of such third party NK cells for "off the shelf" cell therapy applications. NK cells are highly cytolytic, and their potent antitumor effects can be rapidly triggered by a lack of HLA expression on interacting target cells, as is the case for a majority of solid tumors, including neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a leading cause of pediatric cancer-related deaths and an ideal candidate for NK cell therapy. However, the antitumor efficacy of NK cells is limited by immunosuppressive cytokines in the tumor microenvironment, such as TGFβ, which impair NK cell function and survival. Experimental Design: To overcome this, we genetically modified NK cells to express variant TGFβ receptors which couple a mutant TGFβ dominant negative receptor to NK-specific activating domains. We hypothesized that with these engineered receptors, inhibitory TGFβ signals are effectively converted to activating signals. Results: Modified NK cells exhibited higher cytotoxic activity against neuroblastoma in a TGFβ-rich environment in vitro and superior progression-free survival in vivo, as compared to their unmodified controls. Conclusions: Our results support the development of "off the shelf" gene-modified NK cells, that overcome TGFβ-mediated immune evasion, in patients with neuroblastoma and other TGFβ-secreting malignancies.
Residential scene classification for gridded population sampling in developing countries using deep convolutional neural networks on satellite imagery.

Conducting surveys in low- and middle-income countries is often challenging because many areas lack a complete sampling frame, have outdated census information, or have limited data available for designing and selecting a representative sample. Geosampling is a probability-based, gridded population sampling method that addresses some of these issues by using geographic information system (GIS) tools to create logistically manageable area units for sampling. GIS grid cells are overlaid to partition a country’s existing administrative boundaries into area units that vary in size from 50 m × 50 m to 150 m × 150 m. To avoid sending interviewers to unoccupied areas, researchers manually classify grid cells as “residential” or “nonresidential” through visual inspection of aerial images. “Nonresidential” units are then excluded from sampling and data collection. This process of manually classifying sampling units has drawbacks since it is labor intensive, prone to human error, and creates the need for simplifying assumptions during calculation of design-based sampling weights. In this paper, we discuss the development of a deep learning classification model to predict whether aerial images are residential or nonresidential, thus reducing manual labor and eliminating the need for simplifying assumptions. On our test sets, the model performs comparable to a human-level baseline in both Nigeria (94.5% accuracy) and Guatemala (96.4% accuracy), and outperforms baseline machine learning models trained on crowdsourced or remote-sensed geospatial features. Additionally, our findings suggest that this approach can work well in new areas with relatively modest amounts of training data. Gridded population sampling methods like geosampling are becoming increasingly popular in countries with outdated or inaccurate census data because of their timeliness, flexibility, and cost. Using deep learning models directly on satellite images, we provide a novel method for sample frame construction that identifies residential gridded aerial units. In cases where manual classification of satellite images is used to (1) correct for errors in gridded population data sets or (2) classify grids where population estimates are unavailable, this methodology can help reduce annotation burden with comparable quality to human analysts.
Smoking portrayal in Ethiopian movies: a theory-based content analysis

Considerable research from high-income countries has characterized the amount, nature and effects of movie smoking depiction. However, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases are growing, little research has investigated smoking imagery in movies. This study examined the extent and nature of smoking portrayal in locally produced Ethiopian movies, and estimated the number of tobacco impressions movies delivered. Sample movies were taken from YouTube. Keyword searches were conducted using 'Ethiopian movies' and 'Ethiopian drama' on 18 September 2016. In each search, the first 100 most viewed movies were examined. Excluding repeated results, a total of 123 movies were selected for content analysis. Three coders participated. Results indicated that 86 (69.9%, 95% CI 63-78%) of the 123 most viewed movies contain at least one tobacco incident (TI). The movies depict a total of 403 TIs, with an average of 4.7 (95% CI 3.7-5.6) TIs in each movie. The average length of TIs is 1 min and 11 s. On average, the movies were viewed more than half a million times by September 2016, and received more 'likes' than 'dislikes', z = -8.05, p = 0.00. They delivered over 194 million tobacco impressions via YouTube alone from July 2012 through September 2016. Most TIs portray smoking as a socially acceptable behavior with no negative health consequences. The findings suggest that as with transnational Western movies, locally produced movies in LMICs should be scrutinized for compliance with national and international regulatory efforts.
AT2 renal aspects

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the regulation of body fluids and electrolyte homeostasis and blood pressure control. Angiotensin II (Ang II), the major effector hormone of the RAS, functions mainly through stimulation of two angiotensin receptors subtypes, AT1R and AT2R. The well-known actions of Ang II have been attributed mainly to activation of various signal-transduction pathways modulated by AT1R. Further research has led to the identification of the angiotensin subtype-2 (AT2R) that is clearly distinct from AT1R in its structure, tissue-specific expression, and signaling mechanisms. In this chapter, we review the different aspects of AT2R including its development and structural features, its signaling pathways, and its localization in different tissues. The main focus of this review is on the AT2 receptor locations and actions within the kidneys, and the different ways that AT1R interacts with AT2R. While on one hand AT1R activation stimulates vasoconstriction, vascular cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia, sodium retention, stimulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and induction of inflammatory, thrombotic, and fibrotic processes, and under some conditions can lead to apoptosis in some cell types, on the other hand, AT2R has vasodilatory, antigrowth, and apoptotic actions that opposes AT1R actions. In the kidneys, AT2R promotes vasodilation and natriuresis and plays a role in blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect of the AT1R blockers. This vasodilatory action of AT2R has been shown to be through bradykinin (BK)-/nitric oxide (NO)-dependent pathways. Besides reviewing the potential physiological actions of AT2R in the kidneys, we also shed some light on the potential roles played by AT2R in several disease processes affecting the kidneys, such as glomerular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and in congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract.
The Factorial Structure of the Expectations About Counseling Questionnaire—Brief Form: Some Serious Questions

Responses of Americans and Icelanders to the Expectations About Counseling Questionnaire were examined through confirmatory factor analyses. One model fit the data but was unsatisfactory.
Using a novel rapid viral test to improve triage of emergency department patients with acute respiratory illness during flu season.

Abstract Background Acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) are mostly viral in etiology and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Point of care PCR (POC-PCR) is a promising new technology for rapid virus identification but utility in the Emergency Department (ED) is not yet defined. Objectives Primarily, to investigate the value of POC-PCR in rapidly identifying RSV and influenza in the setting of ED triage. Additionally, to assess whether rapid knowledge of accurate test results would improve patient management by preventing nosocomial transmission and optimizing the prescription of antimicrobials for ARIs. Study Design A prospective cohort study of consecutive ED patients with ARI symptoms during peak flu season was conducted. Patient nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and tested using a POC-PCR device; physicians and patients were blinded to results. Virus positive and negative groups were compared by ED patient room placement and antimicrobial therapy ordered. Specificity and sensitivity were calculated using laboratory-PCR as the gold standard. Results Of 119 participants, 52.9% were POC-PCR positive - Influenza A (42.9%), RSV (41.3%), influenza B (15.9%). Nearly 70% of virus positive patients were placed rooms shared with non-ARI patients. Antibiotics were prescribed for 27.3% of virus positive patients, and 77.8% of oseltamivir-eligible patients did not receive therapy. POC-PCR was 100% sensitive (95% CI, 80.5–100.0%) and 95.2% specific (95% CI, 76.2–99.9%). Conclusions Rapid POC-PCR for influenza and RSV in ED triage has excellent sensitivity and specificity and the potential to improve social distancing practices through better triage and increase appropriate prescription of antimicrobials.
A High-Frequency Algorithmic Trading Strategy for Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin is a rapidly developing phenomenon in financial technology with considerable research interest but is understudied. In this research article, we use a Design Science ...
Replication Pilot Trial of Therapeutic Horseback Riding and Cortisol Collection With Children on the Autism Spectrum

We aimed to determine whether results of our prior randomized control trial [RCT; NCT02301195, (1)] of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could be replicated at a different riding center and if treatment effects also included differences in the expression of associations between problem behavior and the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Participants with ASD (N = 16) ages 6-16 years were randomized by nonverbal intelligence quotient to either a 10-week THR group (n = 8) or no horse interaction barn activity (BA) control group (n = 8). Outcome measures were a standard speech-language sample and caregiver-report of aberrant and social behaviors. Participants' saliva was sampled weekly at a consistent afternoon time immediately pre- and 20 min' post-condition (later assayed for cortisol). Intent-to-treat analysis revealed that compared to controls, THR participants had significant improvements in hyperactivity, and social awareness, and significant improvements at the 0.1 significance level in irritability and social communication behaviors. There were no significant improvements in number of words or new words spoken during the standard language sample. Linear mixed effects model analysis indicated that greater weekly pre-lesson irritability levels were associated with smaller post-lesson reduction in salivary cortisol levels, and greater weekly pre-lesson hyperactivity levels were associated with smaller cortisol reduction in the THR group, but not in the BA control group. The findings represent a partial replication of prior results (1), extend prior observations to include THR effects on biobehavioral relationships and suggest that cortisol could be a target mediator for THR effects on irritability and hyperactivity behaviors in youth with ASD. Clinical Trial Registration: Trial of Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder; http://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT02301195.
Measurement of atmospheric neutral wind and temperature from Fabry-Perot interferometer data using piloted deconvolution.

Nonlinear regression techniques, when applied to sky exposures obtained using a Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI), are able to recover atmospheric neutral wind and temperature through inversion of the resulting fringe pattern. Current inversion methods often account for temporal fluctuation of the etalon’s optical path length (caused by temperature variation in the instrument housing, for example) by characterizing the system function using isolated exposures of a frequency-stabilized laser. Because these path length changes correspond directly to shifts in the fringe pattern, they can significantly increase the total wind velocity uncertainty between laser exposures. We propose an extension to current regression techniques allowing for characterization of the optical path length and measurement of neutral wind and temperature simultaneously, thus reducing the need for frequent isolated laser exposures. This is achieved by using the laser as a pilot signal that enters the aperture of the instrument during sky exposures. We show that the extension can lead to a lower variance estimator for velocity when the optical path length has a significant time-varying component. Additionally, several pragmatic physical configurations that would allow for construction of a piloted signal in a real system are tested and compared using an FPI installation at the Urbana Atmospheric Observatory.
The Perception of Facial Emotion in Typical and Atypical Development

The ability to perceive emotional facial expressions is an important building block for many aspects of social and emotional functioning. Not surprisingly, this ability emerges early in life, with development continuing through adolescence. We begin this chapter by briefly reviewing current theoretical models of face emotion processing in adults, with a particular emphasis on the neural bases of this ability. We then present an overview of the developmental literature, from birth to late childhood. A secondary focus pertains to atypical patterns of development, in particular, in children with autism and children with an anxiety disorder. In particular, we review the early development and neural basis of attentional biases to fearful or threatening facial emotions, in typical development and as they relate to individual risk profiles for anxiety disorders. Finally, we highlight recent advances in the understanding of the perceived valence of facial expressions in development and the variations of emotional facial expressions perception across different human cultures.
Cultural Studies in Practice: Toward a ‘Thick Description’ of a Methodology Course in Cultural Studies

In this chapter, Jaafar Aksikas provides a unique ‘thick description’ of the methodology course in the Bachelor’s program in cultural studies at Columbia College Chicago (that his colleague Andrews talks about in the preceding chapter). He insists that cultural studies is not just a specific radical intellectual-political project but is also a critical pedagogical project and practice and that the work of taking seriously and reflecting critically on, as well as of widely documenting and sharing, our concrete teaching and pedagogical practices at the level of courses and classroom activities will yield some important benefits. He also sees cultural studies pedagogy as an important ‘way of struggle’ at in the current moment and presents his essay primarily as a call for the need to produce more systematic accounts and ‘thick descriptions’ of the courses we teach and only secondarily as an intervention in the growing debates around issues of methodology and epistemology in cultural studies. Aksikas refuses to make any claims about the successes and merits of the course and warns against seeing his ‘thick description’ as an ideal to be followed. Rather, he wants us to approach it as a singular example of what might get covered in a cultural studies methodology course, as one experimental response to the key question: what is cultural studies?