cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aeolian to marine transition in Cambro—Ordovician cratonic sheet sandstones of the northern Mississippi valley, U.S.A.

Cratonic quartz sandstones have presented several intractable problems. Besides their extreme textural and compositional maturity and paucity of shale, their sheet-like geometry is particularly notable. If the sandstones were entirely marine, as long supposed, such geometry is difficult to explain in terms of modern shelf sediments, which are generally held to be either relict or only slightly reworked by the Holocene transgression (palimpsest). Re-study of two quartz sandstones in the northern Mississippi Valley region reveals evidence for significant non-marine deposition followed by varying degrees of marine reworking during transgressions. Facies patterns are similar in the Cambrian Wonewoc and Ordovician St Peter sandstones, both of which overlie unconformities. In both, a large-scale cross-stratified facies believed to represent aeolian ergs passes laterally into a planar-and-channelled facies inferred to represent sand plains composed of braided fluvial and aeolian sand sheet deposits. Criteria of aeolian deposition in both facies include adhesion structures, large ripple index, fine climbing translatent lamination, grainfall and grainflow stratification. Criteria of braided fluvial deposition include shallow channels containing sequences of thinning-upward sets of trough cross-stratification, reactivation surfaces, low-index ripples, and polygonal cracks. Probable aeolian sand sheets contain flat bedding punctuated by small channels, adhesion structures, and coarse-sand ripples with large index. There is a conspicuous absence of trace and body fossils from these inferred non-marine deposits. In contrast is a burrowed and trough cross-stratified facies characterized by medium-scale cross-bedding alternating with bioturbated intervals and rare brachiopod or trilobite-mould coquinas, which is interpreted as shallow marine. In both formations, this last facies replaces laterally and overlaps the other two, reflecting transgression and variable reworking. The main areas of non-marine deposits in both formations are capped by a thin, burrowed subfacies that represents the culmination of each transgression; that is, a stillstand during which sediment influx ceased and both physical winnowing and bioturbation were intense. It is suggested that the sheet-like geometry of many cratonic quartz sandstones is due primarily to initial sand dispersal by aeolian and fluvial processes. That such processes must have been orders-of-magnitude more important on pre-Devonian, vegetation-free landscapes than they have been since, not only helps to explain the sheet-like character but also the exceptional maturity of the older cratonic sandstones.
The RCK Domain of the KtrAB K(+) Transporter: Multiple Conformations of an Octameric Ring.

The KtrAB ion transporter is a complex of the KtrB membrane protein and KtrA, an RCK domain. RCK domains regulate eukaryotic and prokaryotic membrane proteins involved in K(+) transport. Conflicting functional models have proposed two different oligomeric arrangements for RCK domains, tetramer versus octamer. Our results for the KtrAB RCK domain clearly show an octamer in solution and in the crystal. We determined the structure of this protein in three different octameric ring conformations that resemble the RCK-domain octamer observed in the MthK potassium channel but show striking differences in size and symmetry. We present experimental evidence for the association between one RCK octameric ring and two KtrB membrane proteins. These results provide insights into the quaternary organization of the KtrAB transporter and its mechanism of activation and show that the RCK-domain octameric ring model is generally applicable to other ion-transport systems.
Canine atopic dermatitis: new targets, new therapies.

Atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin disease of complex etiopathogenesis in both humans and dogs. Immediate-type hypersensitivity to environmental allergens that arises as a result of environmental and genetic factors is a major part of the pathogenesis in most but not all patients. Alterations in epidermal barrier function, priming of cutaneous antigen-presenting cells with IgE, intrinsic keratinocyte defects, and even development of autoimmunity are also factors that contribute to the primary disease. Secondary factors, especially infections with Staphylococcus and yeast organisms, strongly influence the course of this skin disease. The relatively recent understanding of the complexities of atopic dermatitis has resulted in changes in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the disease. We now know that the best therapeutic approach is to use combinations of multiple modalities individualized for each patient over the course of his or her lifetime. J. Nutr. 134: 2056S-2061S, 2004.
Saturn's south polar vortex compared to other large vortices in the Solar System

Observations made by the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS), Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) and the long-wavelength Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) aboard the Cassini spacecraft reveal that the large, long-lived cyclonic vortex at Saturn's south pole has a 4200-km-diameter cloud-free nearly circular region. This region has a 4 K warm core extending from the troposphere into the stratosphere, concentric cloud walls extending 20–70 km above the internal clouds, and numerous external clouds whose anticyclonic vorticity suggests a convective origin. The rotation speeds of the vortex reach 150 ± 20 ms^-1 . The Saturn polar vortex has features in common with terrestrial hurricanes and with the Venus polar vortex. Neptune and other giant planets may also have strong polar vortices.
A dual-mode AC-DC converter

AC-DC-AC frequency conversion is widely utilized in power supply system fed by wind turbine, gas or diesel engine or other suitable drive that typically has a variable frequency power output. The paper introduces a new concept of AC-DC conversion system to address the machine interface at multi-MW level. The proposed topology consists a full-power diode bridge and a reduced power active converter to obtain a design with higher efficiency and lower cost compared to the conventional back-to-back converter. The topology and method of the operation are presented. Performance estimation and simulation results with a special designed synchronous generator are also provided.
Isolation and Characterization of the Human gp130 Promoter REGULATION BY STATS

Glycoprotein 130 (gp130), a shared component of all the receptors for the interleukin-6 cytokine family, transduces cytokine signals in part by activating latent cytoplasmic signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). STATs subsequently translocate into the nucleus and stimulate gene expression. In the studies reported here, the 5'-flanking region of the human gp130 gene was isolated and the transcription initiation sites were mapped. To demonstrate that the isolated DNA fragment contained a functional promoter, a plasmid construct containing 2433 base pairs of the gp130 5'-flanking region, inserted upstream from the firefly luciferase gene, was transiently transfected into HepG2 hepatoma cells. The construct exhibited constitutive promoter activity. In addition, a 5-h treatment with interleukin-6 or oncostatin M stimulated the activity of this promoter severalfold. Localization of the cytokine response element by 5'-deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis revealed a cis-acting binding site for activated STAT complexes. Furthermore, DNA binding analysis demonstrated that this element binds activated STAT1 and STAT3 homo- and heterodimers. This STAT-binding element was sufficient to confer cytokine stimulation to a minimal herpesvirus thymidine kinase promoter. These results establish that the DNA fragment we have isolated contains the human gp130 promoter and that interleukin-6 type cytokines may influence the activity of this promoter via activated STATs.
Esa tentación, esa condena

La manana del tiempo. Victor Gaviria (prologo de William Ospina). Hombre Nuevo Editores, Medellin, 2003, 66 pags.
Seeing Green in San Francisco: City as Resource Frontier

The early 21st century witnessed a boom in green building in San Francisco and similar cities. Major downtown property owners and investors retrofitted office towers, commissioned green certification, and critically, explored how greening might pay. Greening initiatives transcend corporate social responsibility: they represent a new attempt to enclose and speculate upon “green” value within the second nature of cities. However, this unconventional resource discovery requires a highly partial view of buildings’ socio‐natural entanglements in and beyond the city. I illuminate these efforts and their obscurities by exploring the experience of an exemplary green building in San Francisco, an office tower that has successively served as a headquarters organizing a vast resource periphery in the American West, a symbol and driver in the transformation of the city's own second nature, a financial “resource” in its own right, and most recently, an asset in an emerging global market for green property.
Swallowing a bitter pill–oral arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukemia

Parenteral arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been firmly established as a standard therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Despite widespread use of oral arsenicals in medicine historically, they had disappeared from modern pharmacopeia until oral ATO was redeveloped in Hong Kong in 2000. Since then, over 200 patients with leukemia (predominantly APL) have been treated with oral ATO in Hong Kong and China. Oral arsenic trioxide and other formulations of arsenic appear to have a clinical efficacy comparable to that of IV formulations. These drugs given orally also appear to have a slightly better safety profile, lower operational costs and improved convenience for patients. The clinical experience with oral ATO has previously been reported piecemeal as case series, pilot studies or subgroup analyses rather than in a comprehensive cohort. In this report we attempt to synthesize the published English language literature on oral arsenicals and present the argument for further development of these compounds. Systematic study of this drug with well-designed randomized multi-center clinical trials is needed to accelerate its development and incorporation into clinical practice.
Distributed Source Models: Standard Solutions and New Developments

When solving the electro-magnetic inverse problem we face the solution of a linear inverse problem with discrete measurements (Bertero et al. 1985, 1988) that can be written as: $${d_i} = \int_R {{L_i}(x) \circ j(x)dR + {n_i}{\text{ }}i = 1..{N_s},}$$ (1) where L i (x) stands for the vector lead field associated to the ith sensor, that is operated on (scalar or vector product ○) with the unknown current density vector j(x). The integration of this product over the whole region R results in the ith measurement. The n i stands for the noise contribution.
Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Ag Nanoparticles of Different Shapes

Silver electrocatalysts are an attractive alternative to platinum for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline fuel cells. Recent advances in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles have enabled the design of silver nanoparticles of different shapes, terminated with different surface facets that exhibit different catalytic properties. In this contribution, we prepared spherical and cubic silver nanoparticle electrocatalysts and tested their electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction activity in 0.1 m sodium hydroxide. Our work demonstrates that carbon-supported silver nanospheres and nanocubes of similar size exhibit similar ORR activity with the spheres slightly outperforming the cubes. In addition, we suggest possible reasons for the slightly enhanced activity of the nanospheres.
Design, Fabrication and Characterization of Artificial Dielectrics for Polarization Transformations and Beam Shaping Applications

We report the design, fabrication and characterization of artificial dielectric components for polarization transformations and beam shaping applications. The devices are realized by deep etching of subwavelength gratings with space variant orientation into semiconductor substrate.
Transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of the expression of the erythropoietin receptor gene in human erythropoietin-responsive cell lines

With erythroid differentiation, committed progenitor cells acquire the ability to respond to erythropoietin (Epo). Epo interacts with target cells through the Epo receptor (Epo-R), whose expression is tightly regulated in a lineage-specific fashion. Epo-R expression is presumed to be progressively activated or repressed as cells progress along the erythroid or the myeloid pathway, respectively. Little is known of the mechanisms that underlie the erythroid-specific expression of the Epo-R gene. GATA-1, the major known transcription factor involved in Epo-R gene regulation, is not erythroid-specific. We have studied the regulation of the expression of the Epo-R gene in two related human Epo- responsive cell lines, UT-7 and UT-7 Epo. These lines express Epo-R at high levels because of amplification of the endogenous gene, which is apparently not rearranged. Treatment for 6 to 24 hours with the tumor promoter, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), or 24 hours of growth factor starvation (Epo or granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM- CSF]) decreased or increased the levels of Epo-R mRNA, respectively. In the case of growth factor starvation, the increase (approximately equal to threefold) in the level of Epo-R mRNA correlated directly with an increase in the rate of Epo-R gene transcription as measured by run-off assay. Both increases were observed as early as 3 hours after the growth factor was withdrawn and were reversible; levels of mRNA and transcription rates returned to baseline 3 hours after the cells were reexposed to growth factors. The changes in Epo-R expression after growth factor starvation were coordinated with changes in the level of expression of GATA-1 that were detected both at the mRNA and at the gene transcription level under these conditions (suggesting that GATA-1 was responsible for this upregulation). During PMA treatment, after a transient increase in Epo-R mRNA at 1 hour, a progressive decline in the level of Epo-R mRNA was observed; the level of Epo-R mRNA decreased by 50%, and fell below the level of detection by 6 and 24 hours, respectively. This decrement was explained in part by a fourfold reduction in the rate of gene transcription as well as a reduction (measured as levels of Epo-R mRNA in the presence of actinomycin D) in mRNA stability. The changes in transcription rate occurred in the absence of changes in the level of GATA-1 binding activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Developing a Decision Support Tool for Design

A decision support tool has been created to help developers of enterprise business applications choose appropriate user interface design patterns. The tool implements a dynamic visualization of design choices structured as a faceted classification of user tasks and user types. Terminology used for the facet and choice labels was informed by interviews with developers about their design strategies. The main finding from testing 17 developers was that when the wrong patterns were selected, it was usually due to misinterpretation of the facet choice labels. As a result, certain facet choices were removed or consolidated and new ones were identified.
Mapping the linguistic landscape of Athens: the case of shop signs

ABSTRACTThis paper focuses on the linguistic composition of commercial signs in the linguistic landscape (LL) of Athens, Greece. Previous studies have mainly been carried out in officially multilingual and multi-ethnic areas [Ben-Rafael, E., Shohamy, E., Amara, M. H., & Trumper-Hecht, N. (2006). Linguistic landscape as symbolic construction of the public space: The case of Israel. In D. Gorter (Ed.), Linguistic landscape: A new approach to multilingualism (pp. 7–28). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters; Cenoz, J., & Gorter, D. (2006). Linguistic landscape and minority languages. In D. Gorter (Ed.), Linguistic landscape: A new approach to multilingualism (pp. 67–80). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters; Huebner, T. (2006). Bangkok's linguistic landscapes: Environmental print, codemixing and language change. In D. Gorter (Ed.), Linguistic landscape: A new approach to multilingualism (pp. 31–51). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters]. Greece, however, is characterised by official monolingualism and a great degree of ethnic ...
Perceived social support and mental health states in a clinic-based sample of older HIV positive adults

ABSTRACTDespite a high prevalence of mental health problems in older, HIV+ adults (aged ≥ 50), few studies have examined the relationship between perceived social support and mental health burdens in this group. In a clinic-based sample of 100 adults, 23% and 29% met criteria for one and more than one mental health burden, respectively. In multivariable binary logistic models, perceived receipt of positive and emotional social support as well as overall support was inversely associated with the presence of mental health burdens. There is a need for additional investigation of how social support can help mitigate mental health burdens among HIV+ older adults.
Role of Counseling to Promote Adherence in Healthy Lifestyle Medicine: Strategies to Improve Exercise Adherence and Enhance Physical Activity

Although healthy lifestyles (HL) offer a number of health benefits, nonadherence to recommended lifestyle changes remains a frequent and difficult obstacle to realizing these benefits. Behavioral counseling can improve adherence to an HL. However, individuals' motivation for change and resistance to altering unhealthy habits must be considered when developing an effective approach to counseling. In the present article, we review psychological, behavioral, and environmental factors that may promote adherence and contribute to nonadherence. We discuss two established models for counseling, motivational interviewing and the transtheoretical model of behavior change, and provide an example of how these approaches can be used to counsel patients to exercise and increase their levels of physical activity.
Effects of nitrogen deposition on nitrate leaching from forests of the northeastern United States will change with tree species composition

As tree species composition in forests of the northeastern United States changes due to invasive forest pests, climate change, or other stressors, the extent to which forests will retain or release...
Ranitidine and antimicrobial therapy for Helicobacter pylori healed duodenal ulcers faster than ranitidine alone

Source Citation Graham DY, Lew GM, Evans DG, Evans DJ Jr, Klein PD. Effect of triple therapy (antibiotics plus bismuth) on duodenal ulcer healing. Ann Intern Med. 1991 Aug 15;115:2 66-9.
On the use of visual clustering to identify landmarks in code navigation

Recovering the legibility features is key to reverse engineering as the legible software systems can ease developer's code navigation and comprehension. Landmarks are important legibility features that developers use as reference points. In this paper, we leverage visual clustering to explore how landmarks can be identified via static dependencies. Besides organizing software entities with coherent patterns, visual clustering offers additional insights by rigorously rendering a holistic picture of the code base to the two-dimensional space. We contribute a couple of heuristics based on the cluster layout to identify the landmark files. Our visual exploration of Eclipse Mylyn open source Java project reveals developer's reliance on the landmarks during code navigation and shows the promise of using static dependencies to uncover the landmarks in the software space.
Tape-based flexible metallic and dielectric nanophotonic devices and metamaterials

This paper presents a multifunctional nanotransfer printing (nTP) method based on a simple stick-and-peel procedure that allows fast production of multiple optical nanodevices using Scotch tape. In addition to the capabilities of forming single- and multi-layer nanopatterned films on a tape, the present technique facilitates the transfer of nanostructures onto unconventional substrates (such as cleaved fiber facets and curved fiber sides) and fabrication of more complex optical devices, including Fabry-Perot cavities. Moreover, our stick-and-peel method can be applicable to various metallic and dielectric structures, including metamaterials with the feature size below 100 nm and TiO 2 nanopatterned films.
Pearls for a Successful Early Career in Structural Heart Disease Interventions

Early career (EC) cardiologists are defined as practicing physicians within 10 years of graduation from cardiology fellowship training.1 The recent growth of structural heart disease (SHD) interven...
Stitch meshing

We introduce the first fully automatic pipeline to convert arbitrary 3D shapes into knit models. Our pipeline is based on a global parametrization remeshing pipeline to produce an isotropic quad-dominant mesh aligned with a 2-RoSy field. The knitting directions over the surface are determined using a set of custom topological operations and a two-step global optimization that minimizes the number of irregularities. The resulting mesh is converted into a valid stitch mesh that represents the knit model. The yarn curves are generated from the stitch mesh and the final yarn geometry is computed using a yarn-level relaxation process. Thus, we produce topologically valid models that can be used with a yarn-level simulation. We validate our algorithm by automatically generating knit models from complex 3D shapes and processing over a hundred models with various shapes without any user input or parameter tuning. We also demonstrate applications of our approach for custom knit model generation using fabrication via 3D printing.
Twenty-four-hour change in axial length in the rabbit eye

Purpose To study the 24-hour changes in axial length, lens thickness, and anterior chamber depth in rabbits and to examine the role of ocular sympathetic activity on these changes. Methods Young adult rabbits were entrained to a daily 12-hour light-12-hour dark cycle. Axial length, lens thickness, and anterior chamber depth were measured using ultrasonic techniques. In the first group of 12 rabbits, measurements were taken in the middle light phase and in the early dark phase. In the second group of 12 rabbits, measurements were taken in constant dark every 2 hours for a period of 24 hours. The latter group of rabbits underwent unilateral transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk. Three to four weeks later, axial length, lens thickness, and anterior chamber depth were measured again in constant dark every 2 hours for 24 hours. Results Under the light- dark condition, axial length and anterior chamber depth were larger in the early dark phase than in the middle light phase. Lens thickness changed in the opposite direction. Under the constant-dark condition, axial length and anterior chamber depth changed gradually during the 24-hour period. The trough appeared in the late subjective light phase, and the peak appeared in the late subjective dark phase. Lens thickness remained relatively constant. In the eyes with decentralized ocular sympathetic nerves, 24-hour changes in axial length and anterior chamber depth occurred. However, magnitudes of nocturnal enlargement were relatively smaller than those in the intact eyes. Although larger in the decentralized eyes, lens thickness appeared unchanged in either eye for 24 hours. Conclusions Consistent 24-hour changes in axial length and anterior chamber depth occur in young adult rabbits. These changes are driven endogenously. Significant portions of the nocturnal enlargements of axial length and anterior chamber depth are unrelated to ocular sympathetic activity.
The use of Rationally Defined Subgroups in Research on Learning Disabilities

Many of the chapters in this volume are critical of both current theory and research on learning disabilities. Although this critique does not deny that the last 20 years of research have produced many new and useful ideas about LD children, it does suggest that we must begin to change our methods in fundamental ways if we are to continue to make progress in understanding some of the most difficult issues in the field. This paper presents a model for doing research on learning disabilities that is not radically different from current procedures, but which does provide a partial solution to some of the problems in most current research efforts. To provide a context for this model, we will first consider some of the more pressing needs of the field that good research may help to solve.
An Efficient Nanophotonic Hot Electron Solar-Blind UV Detector

A solar-blind UV photodetector is designed and fabricated based on a nanophotonic metal–oxide–semiconductor structure. A large potential barrier of ∼3.8 eV at the metal/oxide interface enables solar-blind UV detection by blocking the electrons excited by visible photons while allowing UV-excited hot electrons to pass through. By selecting metal absorbers with high density of states near the Fermi level and employing photon management in self-assembled pseudoperiodic metal nanostructures, we managed to achieve ∼74% spectrally averaged UV absorption at λ = 200–300 nm. Furthermore, such a high UV absorption is achieved within the hot electron mean free path of ∼50 nm from the metal/oxide interface, effectively facilitating the ballistic transport of the UV-excited hot electrons across the interfacial barrier and improving the overall photocurrent. The device has demonstrated a responsivity of 29 mA/W and an internal quantum efficiency of ∼18% at λ = 269 nm, a significant advance compared to ∼1% internal quan...
Projection-Resolved Optical Coherence Tomographic Angiography of Retinal Plexuses in Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Purpose To use projection-resolved optical coherence tomographic angiography (PR-OCTA) to characterize the microvascular changes in 3 distinct retinal plexuses in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients. Design Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods A commercial 70-kHz spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system was used to acquire 6-mm macular scans from RP patients and age-matched healthy participants at a tertiary academic center. Blood flow was detected using a commercial version of split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography (SSADA) algorithm. The PR-OCTA algorithm was used to suppress projection artifacts and resolve microvasculature in 3 plexuses around the macula. Vessel density was calculated from en face OCTA of the parafoveal and perifoveal regions in each of the 3 plexuses, as well as the all-plexus inner retinal slab. Inner and outer retinal thicknesses were measured form structural OCT scans. Generalized estimating equations and Spearman’s rank correlation statistical methods were used. Results Forty-four eyes from 26 RP patients and 34 eyes from 26 healthy subjects were included. Significant reduction in vessel density was detected in the perifovea but not the parafovea of inner retinal slab of RP patients (P = .001 and P = .56, respectively) compared to controls. We also found deeper retinal plexuses (intermediate and deep capillary plexuses, ICP and DCP) were primarily damaged by RP, compared to superficial vascular complex (SVC). Significant thickening of the inner retina and thinning of the outer retina were also observed. Strong correlation was found between the vessel density in the perifoveal ICP and DCP and outer retinal thickness in RP patients with no history of cystoid macular edema. Conclusions PR-OCTA enables the detection of microvascular changes in the perifoveal regions of the ICP and DCP in RP, with relative sparing of the SVC. OCT and OCTA parameters might be able to provide better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease, as well as monitoring disease progression and the response to experimental treatments.
Abstract 1448: Lymphangiogenesis-inducing whole-cell vaccine against melanoma promotes broad tumor-specific T cell immunity and effective tumor control

We recently reported that the growth of lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis) in mouse melanomas dramatically enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy by promoting immune cell infiltration and broadening the anti-tumor T cell repertoire (Fankhauser et al, Sci. Trans. Med. 2017). Correlative evidence supporting such ‘lymphangiogenic potentiation’ was also seen in human melanoma patients, suggesting a possible immunotherapeutic use of the pro-lymphangiogenic growth factor VEGFC. On the other hand, tumor lymphangiogenesis is known to promote cancer cell dissemination and metastasis, raising concerns about the possibility of manipulating lymphatic vessels directly within the tumor site as a treatment strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we sought to manipulate and exploit the immune-promoting functions of lymphatics remotely from the tumor by developing a lymphangiogenesis-inducing cancer vaccine that mimics the microenvironment of a lymphangiogenic tumor. Whole-cell vaccines were formulated using lethally irradiated B16F10 or B16F10-OVA mouse melanoma cells, either mock-transduced or genetically modified to overexpress VEGFC, and combined with topically retained immune adjuvants (ctrl-vax and VEGFC-vax, respectively). Upon intradermal injection, VEGFC-vax induced extensive local lymphatic growth and stimulated increased lymphatic transport from the vaccine site to the draining lymph nodes. Consistently with our previous study, VEGFC induced CCL21 upregulation and local recruitment of CCR7+ naive T cells, which could undergo in situ priming in the vaccine site. Compared to ctrl-vax, VEGFC-vax elicited a robust T cell response directed against multiple mouse melanoma antigens, as assessed by ex vivo antigen stimulation and IFNγ ELISPOT. In a prophylactic vaccine setting, VEGFC-vax induced stronger tumor-specific T cell immunity and greater protection from tumor challenge compared to both ctrl-vax as well as a GM-CSF-secreting whole-cell vaccine. Overall this study provides a proof of concept for the use of VEGFC in cancer vaccines and characterizes a whole-cell lymphangiogenesis-inducing vaccine formulation with potential for clinical translation. Citation Format: Maria Stella Sasso, Sylvie Hauert, Priscilla S. Briquez, Yue Wang, Jun Ishihara, Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Melody A. Swartz. Lymphangiogenesis-inducing whole-cell vaccine against melanoma promotes broad tumor-specific T cell immunity and effective tumor control [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1448.
Vision based Passive Arm Localization Approach for Underwater ROVs Using a Least Squares on $SO(3)$ Gradient Algorithm

This paper proposes a vision based alternative to the passive arm pose estimation for underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) performing manipulation tasks. The proposed approach attaches a fixed landmark on an underwater fixture and uses the camera images of the landmark object points to infer the pose of the ROV. A gradient descent least squares algorithm on the SO(3) manifold is proposed for accurately and efficiently estimating the pose. The algorithm has been implemented on a low-cost single board computer. Numerical comparison with other existing algorithms as well as in-air and underwater experiments show the efficacy of the algorithm. Positional accuracy of the order of 1–2.5mm while the landmark is approximately 1m away has been demonstrated.
COP: An integrated Communication, Optimization, and Prediction unit for smart Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging

Abstract We investigate an integrated COP architecture composed of Communication, Optimization, and Prediction unit for Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) charging. The Communication unit offers a novel approach to integrate PEVs, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipments (EVSEs), and Smart Grid (SG) using Software-defined Network (SDN) technology. The prediction unit is based on the deep neural network for traffic prediction . The optimization unit allocates charging station to en-route PEVs. The three units are tied together to provide efficient charging infrastructure to en-route PEVs. Simulation results show that the prediction algorithm achieves an accuracy of more than 95% and low training time. The optimization method outperforms than the decentralized method that employs minimum distance-based charging station selection.
Examining Determinants and Co-associations Between Fruit and Vegetable and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Monitoring Practices Among a Sample of Low-Income Hispanic Mothers.

The etiology of obesity is complex, and a growing body of research suggests that changing two or more behaviors at the same time will likely have a stronger impact than changing one behavior in isolation. A lack of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and high sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption are two behaviors related to childhood obesity in the Hispanic community. The purpose of this study was to evaluate theory-based determinants of monitoring practices of FV and SSB among Hispanic mothers with young children using the reasoned action approach. The study also examined the co-associations among the theoretical antecedents for both behaviors. Surveys were distributed in several community settings to urban Hispanic mothers (n = 238) of 2–5-year-old children. Surveys assessed FV and SSB monitoring practices, attitudes, perceived norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intentions. Two models were evaluated using structural equation modeling: attitudes, perceived norms, and PBC of both behaviors were associated with intentions for both behaviors, and PBC and intentions were associated with monitoring practices of FV and SSB. Both models had adequate fit (FV (CFI = 0.973; GFI = 0.980; RMSEA = 0.121); SSB (CFI = 0.994; GFI = 0.993; RMSEA = 0.066)). PBC for both FV and SSB monitoring was significantly associated with SSB monitoring, whereas FV intentions was only significantly associated with FV monitoring. Results from this study gives evidence that among Hispanic mothers, FV and SSB monitoring behaviors are interrelated. To promote SSB monitoring, more implementation strategies (i.e., skills-based interventions) are warranted, whereas to promote FV monitoring, motivational strategies are warranted.
The Great Digital Migration: Exploring What Constitutes the Black Press Online:

Scholars have previously conceptualized the Black press as print publications that are owned and managed by African Americans, targeting a Black audience and advocating for the Black community. Thi...
Synchronous Versus Metachronous Colorectal Liver Metastasis Yields Similar Survival in Modern Era.

Abstract Background Synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) has been viewed as being more aggressive and having shorter survival than metachronous disease. Advances in CRLM management led us to examine differences in treatment characteristics of synchronous versus metachronous CRLM patients along with survival and recurrence. Materials and methods A retrospective review of hepatic resection for CRLM at a tertiary academic medical center was performed for two periods: a historic cohort from 1992 to 2010 (n = 121), and a modern cohort (n = 179) from 2012 to 2018. Clinical variables were compared between the patient groups, and survival outcomes were characterized. Results Five-year disease-specific survival for the modern synchronous group compared to the historic synchronous group was 71.7% versus 44.3% (P = 0.02). Modern metachronous versus modern synchronous 5-y disease-specific survival rates were 49.8% versus 71.7% (P = 0.31). Compared to the historic cohort, the modern one had significantly different timing of hepatic resection (P Conclusions Modern synchronous CRLM patients who underwent hepatic resection experienced significantly improved survival compared to a historic cohort. We postulate that increased use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and liver-first/simultaneous liver-colon resections in the modern synchronous cohort contributed to improved survival.
Introduction: Trump’s Presidency; Neustadt’s Model

This chapter presents the purpose of the book, that the unorthodox and unusual presidency of Donald Trump can be understood in part by Richard Neustadt’s seminal work, Presidential Power. Fundamentally, Neustatdt’s model consists of the idea of presidential bargaining, and that presidential power is contingent on various factors, rather than absolute or assured—as he famously put it, “presidential power is the power to persuade.” Thus, his model is one of presidential negotiation and cajoling, etc., and the two main ingredients of presidential power are the president’s elite support from the Washington community, as well as support from the public at large. It also contrasts Trump’s conception of “coercive negotiation” with Neustadt’s collective bargaining.
Hypothyroidism in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Receiving Radiotherapy With or Without Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Hypothyroidism is a relatively common complication of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-1) or programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibition (anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy) to standard treatment increases the risk of hypothyroidism in HNSCC. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective Cohort. METHODS This is a retrospective, single institutional cohort study. Patients who received radiotherapy (RT) for HNSCC were identified in the electronic medical record. Patient factors collected include age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol use, Charlson comorbidity index, and HNSCC treatment records. The rate of hypothyroidism for patients with HNSCC receiving RT (+/- chemotherapy and surgery) (RT group, n = 101) was compared to that of HNSCC patients receiving RT (+/- chemotherapy and surgery) + anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, either concurrently or after RT (RT + anti-PD-1/PD-L1 group, n = 38). RESULTS There was no significant difference in the rate of clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism between the two groups. Multinomial logistic regression found no significant difference in hypothyroidism based on age, sex, or BMI. CONCLUSIONS The addition of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy to standard HNSCC treatment does not significantly increase the risk of developing hypothyroidism. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E2413-E2419, 2021.
How Awe Affects Players’ Entertainment Experiences Over Six Weeks of Playing

Anecdotal evidence suggests that video games regularly inspire awe in players—an emotional response involving feelings of being ‘blown away’ or ‘amazed’. While game research has mostly overlooked awe, initial theoretical and empirical work just recently suggested that awe experiences substantially fuel players’ entertainment experiences. The present contribution aims to add to the deficient body of research. Specifically, it is examined whether awe is indeed a unique and reliable facilitator of both players’ enjoyment (i.e., hedonic entertainment experience) and their perception of deeper meaning and a sense of being moved (i.e., eudaimonic entertainment experience). We secondary analyzed a longitudinal study examining players’ experiences with the game Fallout 76 over a six-week period (N = 556). Results indicate that Fallout 76 reliably inspired awe in players and that the intensity of the emotion did not erode over the six-week period of the study. Furthermore, awe was found to exert a unique effect on players’ eudaimonic entertainment experience beyond well-studied gaming gratifications. However, no unique effect of awe on players’ enjoyment was found. Overall, the results suggest that awe does indeed make a unique and reliable contribution to players’ sense of entertainment.
North Pacific warming shifts the juvenile range of a marine apex predator

During the 2014–2016 North Pacific marine heatwave, unprecedented sightings of juvenile white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) emerged in central California. These records contradicted the species established life history, where juveniles remain in warmer waters in the southern California Current. This spatial shift is significant as it creates potential conflicts with commercial fisheries, protected species conservation, and public safety concerns. Here, we integrate community science, photogrammetry, biologging, and mesoscale climate data to describe and explain this phenomenon. We find a dramatic increase in white sharks from 2014 to 2019 in Monterey Bay that was overwhelmingly comprised of juvenile sharks < 2.5 m in total body length. Next, we derived thermal preferences from 22 million tag measurements of 14 juvenile sharks and use this to map the cold limit of their range. Consistent with historical records, the position of this cold edge averaged 34° N from 1982 to 2013 but jumped to 38.5° during the 2014–2016 marine heat wave. In addition to a poleward shift, thermally suitable habitat for juvenile sharks declined 223.2 km2 year−1 from 1982 to 2019 and was lowest in 2015 at the peak of the heatwave. In addition to advancing the adaptive management of this apex marine predator, we discuss this opportunity to engage public on climate change through marine megafauna.
Tight-Binding Molecular Dynamics of Semiconductor Clusters and Crystals

Since its introduction, the tight-binding molecular dynamics scheme has been found to be very useful in the treatment of covalent systems with tetrahedral coordination. [1] Tight-binding method is computationally efficient because it permits the use of different parametrization schemes for the construction of the Hamiltonian, while employing a minimal basis set. Harrison’s introduction of universal parameters[2] has made this an a priori theory where atoms are distinguished only by their valence energies and their covalent radii, which are transferable. Tight-binding molecular dynamics incorporating Green’s function methods have been successfully used to determine surface reconstruction, chemisorption sites and bond lengths, defect dynamics etc. for various semiconductor systems. [3, 4]
Nucleic Acid Isolation: Overview of Sample Preparation Methods

The type of sample being submitted for analysis determines the method used for nucleic acid isolation. Serum is also an acceptable material and yields similar clinical utility, but viral quantification may be slightly lower than plasma from the same patient due to entrapment of some extracellular virus within the blood clot. Regardless of the source, nucleic acid extraction usually consists of three primary processes: (i) lysis, (ii) denaturation/degradation of other biomolecules, and (iii) separation of the nucleic acids from other constituents in the sample and/or concentration of the DNA or RNA. Although there are several possible ways to classify nucleic acid extraction techniques, the following types of chemistries are the most commonly used: (i) precipitative methods, (ii) liquid-phase extractions, and (iii) solid-phase extractions. Although all three types of extraction methods are used, solid-phase extractions now are the most widely utilized due to easy scalability and the availability of automated instruments for these methods. While precipitative and liquid-phase extraction methods are still widely used, the most commonly performed DNA and RNA extractions involve selective binding of nucleic acids to an immobilized matrix (solid phase). The majority of the alcohol can be removed by essentially drying the matrix with the nucleic acid bound. Automation of the nucleic acid extraction process typically provides a more reproducible yield of DNA and/or RNA.
Advances in embedded traces for 1.5µm RDL on 2.5D glass interposers

This paper presents the first demonstration of 1.5µm ultra-fine copper trace re-distribution layers (RDL) with embedded trace processes for 2.5D glass interposers. Two approaches described in this paper include: (1) Copper Trace Transfer (CTT) and (2) Photo Trench Embedding (PTE), both of which can be fabricated using existing double-side package substrate process tools on large panels. 2.5D Interposers, interconnecting logic and memory devices at high-bandwidth, require ultra-fine I/O pitch below 40µm. In order to escape route bumps at less than 40µm pitch, the interposer requires RDLs with less than 5µm ultra-fine copper wiring. Organic package substrates, using semi-additive processes (SAP), face a number of challenges in achieving less than 5µm line and space. The two embedded trace process methods in this paper are targeted at extending RDL feature sizes beyond these SAP limits. In the CTT approach, each RDL metal layer is pre-fabricated on a removable carrier and then transferred to a polymer dielectric layer laminated on an interposer core substrate. 1.5 to 5µm Copper traces were plated and successfully transferred onto a polymer laminated glass core. In the PTE approach, a high-resolution photosensitive dry film (TMMF-2014, 14µm thick) and liquid photosensitive dielectric (PN-0371D) films were explored for the RDLs. The initial feasibility of fine line photolithography and trench copper filling processes was investigated. Results showed that the film has a 2µm resolution, with an aspect ratio of seven. The feasibility of resolving 1.2µm line and space patterns was demonstrated in 4.2µm thick liquid photosensitive dielectric material. RDL traces down to 3µm using dry film and 1.5µm using liquid-based film were plated with sputtered Ti-Cu seed layers and trench fill electroplating processes. Both embedded trace approaches demonstrate the potential to scale 1.5–3µm RDL wiring using double-side, large-panel processing for low-cost, high-density interposers.
Modulating Mutation Rates in the Wild

What happens to wild isolates of Escherichia coli bacteria from all walks of life when you put them in a laboratory and starve them? In their Perspective, [Rosenberg and Hastings][1] discuss just such a scenario and explain the increased rate of stress-induced mutagenesis--a strategy that may hasten evolution--in starved, aging bacterial colonies derived from wild isolates ([ Bjedov et al .][2]). [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/300/5624/1382 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/300/5624/1404
Faith or Foolishness (Reviewing 'Emancipation: The Making of the Black Lawyer, 1844-1944' by J. Clay Smith)

In a sense, J. Clay Smith's Emancipation:The Making of the Black Lawyer, 1844-19442 confirms Derrick Bell's thesis that racial injustice is permanent, or put differently, that racial equality is elusive. For Smith's book demonstrates that notwithstanding the "herculean efforts" of the early black lawyers, they never managed to fundamentally change the status of "black America"; their efforts, more often than not, translated into "temporary peaks of progress."This is not to suggest, of course, that early civil rights litigation was insignificant, or that the efforts of the early black lawyers are not commendable. As Professor Smith's title suggests, the early black lawyers are to be commended for fighting and not accepting their "proper places," as defined by the drafters of the Constitution. However, America is (and has always been) fundamentally racist, and this fact necessarily limited the extent to which these lawyers could have significantly transformed the social order.Smith's book is more than a confirmation of Bell's thesis, however. It places in historical context the accomplishments of the early black lawyers and refutes the assumption "that blacks played no significant role in the evolution of legal education" (p. 33). Additionally, Smith demonstrates the nexus between the careers of individual black lawyers, the litigation in which they were involved, and the evolution of the civil rights movement.