cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Experimental Auctions to Examine Demand for E-Cigarettes.

Background E-cigarettes are the latest in a line of potentially reduced exposure products that have garnered interest among smokers. Methods In this paper, we use experimental auctions to estimate smokers' demand for e-cigarettes and to assess the impact of advertisements on willingness to pay. These are actual auctions, with winners and losers, which means hypothetical biases often seen in surveys are minimized. Results We find smokers have positive demand for e-cigarettes, and that the print advertisements used in our study had greater effectiveness than video ads (b = 2.00, p < .05) in terms of increasing demand for disposable e-cigarettes. Demand was greater for reusable versus disposable e-cigarettes. In multivariate models, demand for e-cigarettes was higher among non-white participants and among smokers willing to pay more for cigarettes. Conclusions Our findings suggest that cigarette smokers are interested in e-cigarettes as alternatives to traditional products, particularly for reusable forms, and that this demand can be influenced by messaging/advertising. Implications Given these reduced harm products are appealing, if smokers are able to switch completely to e-cigarettes, there is a good chance for accrual of significant harm reduction.
IL-6 and PD-L1 antibody blockade combination therapy reduces tumour progression in murine models of pancreatic cancer

Objective Limited efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has prompted investigation into combination therapy. We hypothesised that interleukin 6 (IL-6) blockade would modulate immunological features of PDAC and enhance the efficacy of anti-programmed death-1-ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Design Transcription profiles and IL-6 secretion from primary patient-derived pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) were analyzed via Nanostring and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In vivo efficacy and mechanistic studies were conducted with antibodies (Abs) targeting IL-6, PD-L1, CD4 or CD8 in subcutaneous or orthotopic models using Panc02, MT5 or KPC-luc cell lines; and the aggressive, genetically engineered PDAC model (Kras LSL−G12D , Trp53 LSL−R270H , Pdx1-cre, Brca2 F/F (KPC-Brca2 mice)). Systemic and local changes in immunophenotype were measured by flow cytometry or immunohistochemical analysis. Results PSCs (n=12) demonstrated prominent IL-6 expression, which was localised to stroma of tumours. Combined IL-6 and PD-L1 blockade elicited efficacy in mice bearing subcutaneous MT5 (p − CD44 − ). CD8-depleting but not CD4-depleting Abs abrogated the efficacy of combined IL-6 and PD-L1 blockade in mice bearing Panc02 tumours (p=0.0016). This treatment combination also elicited significant antitumour activity in mice bearing orthotopic KPC-luc tumours and limited tumour progression in KPC-Brca2 mice (p Conclusions These preclinical results indicate that targeted inhibition of IL-6 may enhance the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 in PDAC.
Randomized phase II trial of cixutumumab (CIX) alone or with cetuximab (CET) for refractory recurrent/metastatic squamous cancer of head and neck (R/M-SCCHN).

6030 Background: Preclinical evidence supports clinical investigation of IGF-1R inhibitors alone, or combined with EGFR inhibitors, in SCCHN patients (pts). CIX and CET monoclonal antibodies block ...
Actually, Serial Template Satisfaction Does Predict Medial Coda Skipping in Reduplication

The pattern of "reduplicant-medial coda skipping" is unattested as a mode of copying in reduplication. The term coda skipping refers to a language that permits codas in roots/bases (i.e. CVC.CV...), but disallows codas from appearing in medial position in a polysyllabic reduplicant (i.e. CV.CV -CVC.CV..., not * CVC.CV -CVC.CV...). McCarthy, Kimper, & Mullin (2012) [MKM] claim that Serial Template Satisfaction (STS), a framework proposed by MKM for analyzing reduplication within Harmonic Serialism, is unique in excluding this copying pattern, which is predicted by most other theories of reduplication, notably including Base-Reduplicant Correspondence Theory (BRCT; McCarthy & Prince 1995). STS’s apparent advantage in this domain is taken as a point in favor of STS over BRCT. In this paper, I show that this claim cannot be sustained. STS, just like BRCT, must choose between allowing the unattested coda skipping pattern and disallowing the attested pattern of onset skipping, wherein complex onsets are permitted in roots/bases (i.e. CCV...) but disallowed in reduplicants (i.e. CV -CCV..., not * CCV -CCV...). In both frameworks, the mechanics that would permit onset skipping straightforwardly predict coda skipping, as well. Therefore, this empirical domain does not, in fact, provide a means of distinguishing between STS and BRCT.
Power, Perceptions, and Relationships: A Model of Co-Teaching in Higher Education

ABSTRACTCo-teaching has historically been used in K–12 education to provide students with disabilities access to general curriculum; therefore, much of the co-teaching literature has focused on the K–12 population. Research on collegiate co-teaching has been more limited and largely focused on the advantages and disadvantages of co-teaching, omitting important factors that affect relationships between partners. This qualitative study involved seven interviews of co-teachers of graduate and undergraduate classes in order to better understand interactions between college-level co-teaching dyads. Data analysis revealed themes of power and authority structures, dynamics of co-teaching relationships, and co-teachers' perceptions related to advantages of co-teaching, disadvantages of co-teaching, and student experiences. The researchers developed the Circular Model of Collegiate Co-Teaching, an original model to explain how these themes and subthemes are interrelated and affect each other. Specific best practic...
Abstract LB-053: Next-generation sequencing of T-cell receptor-beta gene rearrangements reveals dramatic expansion of T-cell clonotypes after CART-EGFRvIII therapy for glioblastoma

We are interested in the T cell repertoire in glioblastoma (GBM) patients who have been administered peripherally infused CART-EGFRvIII adoptive T cell therapy for recurrent EGFRvIII-positive GBM. On neuropathologic evaluation following GBM tumor resection, we noticed that several subjects had a robust lymphocytic infiltrate in their tumors following CART-EGFRvIII infusion, which was out of proportion to the level of CART-EGFRvIII genomic sequences observed. We sought to quantify the T cell infiltrate in five subjects whose tumors were resected at different time points following CART infusion (days 6-104). In these five subjects, we analyzed the T cell clonotypic repertoire in the infusion product and in pre- and post-infusion brain tumor specimens by deep sequencing the T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ chain of tumor-infiltrating T cells. Data analysis was performed using ImmunoSeq and exported data were further examined using Graphpad Prism. The infusion products in these patients were highly polyclonal with no clones represented above 1%. We found that in all five of these subjects, the number and frequency of unique TCRVβ clonotypes increased by several thousand (~20-fold) in post-infusion GBM specimens, and only a small portion of these unique TCRs were shared with pre-existing tumor-infiltrating specific T cells (TILs). A consistent finding in these patients was that the clonotype compositional diversity of T cells in the tumor bed post-infusion was considerably larger than the pre-CART vs. infusion product sharing frequency. These data indicate there was a significant increase in the number and clonotypic diversity of tumor-infiltrating T cells following intravenous CART-EGFRvIII infusion, but only a small proportion appears to be derived from the infusion product. Collectively, these results show that CART infusion can trigger accumulation of TILs. Whether or not these TILs respond to GBM neoantigens remains to be investigated. Citation Format: Donald M. O9Rourke, Fang Chen, Zev A. Binder, Irina Kulikovskaya, Minnal Gupta, Jeffrey Finklestein, David E. Ambrose, MacLean P. Nasrallah, Carl H. June, Simon F. Lacey, J. Joseph Melenhorst. Next-generation sequencing of T-cell receptor-beta gene rearrangements reveals dramatic expansion of T-cell clonotypes after CART-EGFRvIII therapy for glioblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-053. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-053
Geriatric rescue after surgery (GRAS) score to predict failure-to-rescue in geriatric emergency general surgery patients

Abstract Background Geriatric-patients(GP) undergoing emergency-general-surgery(EGS) are vulnerable to develop adverse-outcomes. Impact of patient-level-factors on Failure-to-Rescue(FTR) in EGS-GP remains unclear. Aim of our study was to determine factors associated with FTR(death from major-complication) and devise simple-bedside-score that predicts FTR in EGS-GP. Methods 3-year(2013–15) analysis of patients, age≥65y on acute-care-surgery-service and underwent EGS. Regression analysis used to analyze factors associated with FTR and natural-logarithm of significant odds-ratio used to calculate estimated-weights for each factor. Geriatric-Rescue-After-Surgery(GRAS)-score calculated for each-patient. AUROC used to assess model discrimination. Results 725 EGS-patients analyzed. 44.6%(n = 324) had major-complications. The FTR-rate was 11.5%. Overall-mortality rate was 15.3%. On regression, significant-factors with their estimated-weights were:Age≥80y(2), Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease(COPD)(1), Chronic-renal-failure(CRF)(2), Congestive-heart-failure(CHF)(1), Albumin 3(2). AUROC of score was 0.787. Conclusion GRAS-score is first score based on preoperative assessment that can reliably predict FTR in EGS-GP. Preoperative identification of patients at increased-risk of FTR can help in risk-stratification and timely-mobilization of resources for successful rescue of these patients.
TOXICITY OF SEVERAL INSECTICIDES APPLIED TOPICALLY TO TARNISHED PLANT BUGS

Serial dilutions of technical material of eleven different insecticides dissolved in acetone were applied topically to tarnished plant bugs, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvoir), collected from t...
The Application of Reservoir Simulation to the Optimization of Shale Gas Supply Chain Design and its Water Management Structure

Abstract This paper presents an integrated techno-economic framework for the optimal design and operation of a shale gas supply chain network. A 3D coupled compositional reservoir model is constructed utilizing CMG’s software suites to simulate realistic drilling, completion, stimulation (DCS) and well-pad production processes, for a specified supply chain network. Several well pad design configurations and operations are selected for shale well development, and re-stimulation and/or stimulation operations are compared for implementation in different well pad designs. Reservoir simulation output data are incorporated into a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model developed in GAMS optimization software. The Strategic MILP model recommends an optimal drilling strategy, schedule for product transportation, and supply chain network configuration that optimizes after-tax profit. Additionally, the management of freshwater and the recycle of wastewater is developed incorporating the spatial variation of total dissolved solids (TDS) composition from multi-well shale pads. The results show the significant influence of reservoir heterogeneity and implemented DCS strategies, on the profitability of the case study shale gas assets.
Materials and processing of polymer-based electrochromic devices

Abstract The demand for polymer based electrochromic device is increasing in recent years due to not only the advantages of conjugated electrochromic polymers such as high color versatility, large optical contrasts, but also their potential applications in flexible devices. In this review, we focus on the state-of-the-art research activities related to the materials and assembly techniques developed for polymer based electrochromic devices. More specifically, we will give an overview of the whole fabrication process including transparent conductive substrate, processing of electrochromic polymer, electrolyte formulation, as well as edge sealant materials and possible encapsulation methods.
A second-generation superconducting undulator cryostat for the APS

A second-generation cryocooler-based cryostat has been designed and built to support a new helically wound superconducting undulator (SCU) magnet for the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). The design represents an evolution of existing SCU cryostats currently in operation in the APS storage ring. Value engineering and lessons learned have resulted in a smaller, cheaper, and simpler cryostat design compatible with existing planar magnets as well as the new helically wound device. We describe heat load and quench response results, design and operational details, and the "build-to-spec" procurement strategy.
A Predictive Model Facilitates Early Recognition of Spinal Epidural Abscess in Adults.

Introduction: Spinal epidural abscess (SEA), a highly morbid and potentially lethal deep tissue infection of the central nervous system has more than tripled in incidence over the past decade. Early recognition at the point of initial clinical presentation may prevent irreversible neurologic injury or other serious, adverse outcomes. To facilitate early recognition of SEA, we developed a predictive scoring model.Methods: Using data from a 10-year, retrospective, case-control study of adults presenting for care at a tertiary-care, regional, academic medical center, we used the Integrated Discrimination Improvement Index (IDI) to identify candidate discriminators and created a multivariable logistic regression model, refined based on p-value significance. We selected a cutpoint that optimized sensitivity and specificity. Results: The final multivariable logistic regression model based on five characteristics –patient age, fever and/or rigor, antimicrobial use within 30 days, back/neck pain, and injection drug use – shows excellent discrimination (AUC 0.88 [95% confidence interval 0.84, 0.92]). We used the model’s β coefficients to develop a scoring system in which a cutpoint of six correctly identifies cases 89% of the time. Bootstrapped validation measures suggest this model will perform well across samples drawn from this population. Conclusion: Our predictive scoring model appears to reliably discriminate patients who require emergent spinal imaging upon clinical presentation to rule out SEA and should be used in conjunction with clinical judgment.
Stress and Implantation Failure

The cornerstone of female reproduction is the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. This term is incomplete in that it omits reference to the uterus and endometrium, which are clearly critical to the most important step in reproduction, namely, implantation. Implantation requires that the endometrium become receptive to a healthy blastocyst. Thus, folliculogenesis must result not only in ovulation but also in the secretion of estradiol and progesterone in a pattern that prepares the endometrium for implantation. While implantation failure can be defined as absent hCG production after ovulation that is signaled by menstrual bleeding, the definition also encompasses transient hCG production that is not sustained, which is often called “chemical” pregnancy.
Through a Crystal Ball Darkly: The Future of Monetary Policy Communication

I make six predictions about the future of central bank communication about monetary policy. Some are made with great confidence, like: transparency will increase over time. Others are far riskier, like: attempts to communicate with the general public, though laudable, will fail. I also suggest ways in which the so-called cacophony problem on monetary policy committees (speaking with too many voices) can be mitigated.
Nutritional properties and feeding value of corn and its by-products.

Abstract Corn is the most important grain used as livestock feed in the world. Corn starch is nearly 100% digestible and can be augmented by grain processing. Although corn is lower in protein than other feeds, corn is an important source of protein due to the volume fed. Corn also contains important minerals and vitamins for animal nutrition. Genetic varieties have been developed that have enhanced nutritional value for livestock. Coproducts from the wet and dry corn milling industry have also become important sources of energy, protein, digestible fiber, minerals, and vitamins for the animal industry. Specifically, corn gluten meal and corn gluten feed are major commodities from the wet corn milling industry which provide protein, energy, and other nutrients. Similarly, distillers grains and dried distillers grains with solubles are fed widely due to their concentration of important nutrients and availability.
Interpresing Noisy Prose using Heterogeneous Multi-cores.

Currently, verbally dictating commands and programs to a computer is not practical because in our experiments, 10% to 15% of the words and 30% to 80% of the commands and statements were misrecognized by the Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems. Interpreting Noisy Prose (INP) is a post ASR algorithm designed to execute on and utilize the extensive computing power of heterogeneous multi-core chips. The algorithm generates several variations of an ASR’s output based on common and user defined homonyms, misunderstandings and “near homonyms.” The variations are compared against domain specific grammars and lexicons. To achieve acceptable speeds and accuracy, INP uses parallel computation to follow the branches of a search tree and data parallel matching at nodes of the tree to evaluate the sets of alternatives and select the “best” interpretation of the ASR’s output. The initial INP results were 99% correct recognition for words and 94% correct recognition for commands. The heterogeneous approach reduces the number of parallel tasks by about a factor of 150.
[33-OR]: Chronic vasopressin infusion throughout pregnancy phenocopies the physiologic, vascular, obstetric and immunologic phenotypes of human preeclampsia in mice

Objectives The objective of this study is to determine if chronic infusion of arginine vasopressin (AVP) during mouse pregnancy recapitulates the human phenotypes of preeclampsia. We hypothesize a causative role of elevated AVP in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Methods Wildtype C57Bl/6J females were chronically infused with AVP (24 ng/h, s.c., or saline vehicle) before syngeneic mating. Systolic blood pressure during pregnancy was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography. Dams were placed in metabolic cages to collect 24 h urine samples at gestational day (GD) 17; and then sacrificed for necropsy at GD 18. Results In comparison to saline infused females, AVP infused females exhibited a pregnancy specific, significant increase in systolic blood pressure at GD 16 (110 ± 3 vs 120 ± 3 mmHg, p Conclusions Chronic AVP infusion throughout pregnancy represents a novel, pregnancy specific, clinically relevant model of human preeclampsia that phenocopies all the cardinal physiologic, vascular, obstetric and immunologic phenotypes of human preeclampsia in mice. Disclosures M. Santillan: holds 2 provisional patents on the use of the vasopressin pathway for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of preeclampsia. D. Santillan: None. S. Scroggins: None. J. Sandgren: None. N. Pearson: None. K. Gibson-Corley: None. J. Grobe: holds 2 provisional patents on the use of the vasopressin pathway for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of preeclampsia.
Double plication for spring-mediated in-continuity intestinal lengthening in a porcine model

Abstract Background Short bowel syndrome is a condition with substantial morbidity and mortality, yet definitive therapies are lacking. Distraction enterogenesis uses mechanical force to “grow” new intestine. In this study, we examined whether intestinal plication can be used to safely achieve spring-mediated intestinal lengthening in a functioning segment of jejunum in its native position. Methods A total of 12 juvenile, miniature Yucatan pigs underwent laparotomy to place either compressed springs or expanded springs within a segment of jejunum (n = 6 per group). The springs were secured within the jejunum by performing intestinal plication to narrow the intestinal lumen around the spring. After 3 weeks, the jejunum was retrieved and examined for lengthening and for histologic changes. Results There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, and the pigs tolerated their diets and gained weight. Segments of jejunum containing expanded springs showed no significant change in length over the 3 weeks. In contrast, jejunum containing compressed springs showed nearly a 3-fold increase in length (P Conclusion Intestinal plication is effective in securing endoluminal springs to lengthen the jejunum. This approach is a clinically relevant model because it allows for normal GI function and growth of animals during intestinal lengthening, which may be useful in lengthening intestine in patients with short bowel syndrome.
The Gut Microbiome: A Difficult Target for Translational Studies of Clostridium difficile Colonization.

The Gut Microbiome: A Difficult Target for Translational Studies of Clostridium Difficile Colonization Richard Kellermayer;Stacy Kahn; Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Lifetime physical activity and late-life cognitive function: the Rancho Bernardo study.

Background physical activity in older age has been associated with better cognitive function, but the role of earlier life physical activity is less well understood. Objective determine associations between physical activity throughout the lifespan and cognitive function in older age. Design cross-sectional study. Setting the Rancho Bernardo Study of Healthy Aging in southern California. Subjects A total of 1,826 community-dwelling men and women (60-99 years) who attended a research visit in 1988-92. Methods participants underwent cognitive testing at older age, and reported physical activity as a teenager, at age 30 years, 50 years and currently. For each time-point, participants were classified as regularly active (3+ times/week) or inactive. Results regular physical activity was associated with better cognitive function, with physical activity at older ages showing the strongest associations. Physical activity in older age was associated with better global cognitive function, executive function and episodic memory, regardless of intensity. Intense physical activity in teenage years was associated with better late-life global cognitive function in women. Teenage physical activity interacted with older age physical activity on executive function; those active at both periods performed better than those active at only one period. Similar patterns of associations were observed after excluding individuals with poor health. Conclusions regular physical activity in older age, regardless of intensity, is associated with better cognitive function. Physical activity in teenage years may enhance cognitive reserve to protect against age-related decline in executive function. Further research is needed to assess the effect of physical activity across the lifespan on healthy brain ageing.
Comparing the Predictive Power of Preoperative Risk Assessment Tools to Best Predict Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Kidney Transplant Patients

Background. Patients undergoing kidney transplantation have increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events due to histories of hypertension, end-stage renal disease, and dialysis. As such, they are especially in need of accurate preoperative risk assessment. Methods. We compared three different risk assessment models for their ability to predict major adverse cardiac events at 30 days and 1 year after transplant. These were the PORT model, the RCRI model, and the Gupta model. We used a method based on generalized U-statistics to determine statistically significant improvements in the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC), based on a common major adverse cardiac event (MACE) definition. For the top-performing model, we added new covariates into multivariable logistic regression in an attempt to create further improvement in the AUC. Results. The AUCs for MACE at 30 days and 1 year were 0.645 and 0.650 (PORT), 0.633 and 0.661 (RCRI), and finally 0.489 and 0.557 (Gupta), respectively. The PORT model performed significantly better than the Gupta model at 1 year ( ). When the sensitivity was set to 95%, PORT had a significantly higher specificity of 0.227 compared to RCRI’s 0.071 ( ) and Gupta’s 0.08 ( ). Our additional covariates increased the receiver operator curve from 0.664 to 0.703, but this did not reach statistical significance ( ). Conclusions. Of the three calculators, PORT performed best when the sensitivity was set at a clinically relevant level. This is likely due to the unique variables the PORT model uses, which are specific to transplant patients.
Predicting and Understanding the Human Microbiome’s Impact on Pharmacology

Our bodies each possess a unique and dynamic collection of microbes and viruses, collectively the 'microbiome', with distinct metabolic capacities from our human cells. Unforeseen modification of drugs by the microbiome can drastically alter their clinical effectiveness, with the most dramatic cases leading to fatal drug interactions. Pharmaceuticals can be activated, deactivated, toxified, or release metabolites that alter the 'canonical' pharmacokinetics of the drug. Thus, predicting and characterizing microbe-drug interactions is necessary to develop and implement personalized drug administration protocols and, more broadly, to improve drug safety and efficacy. In this review, we focus on microbiome-driven alterations to drug pharmacokinetics and provide a research framework for pharmacologists interested in characterizing microbiome interactions with any drug of interest.
Nutritional Outlook of a Small Liberal Arts School Compared to the National Average (P16-029-19)

FRUVED (FRUits and Vegetables) is a grant funded by the USDA to collect health and wellness data via surveys of college students. The overarching goal of the project is to promote overall mental and physical healthfulness and decrease obesity on college campuses. 90 schools (45 control and 45 intervention) completed a series of environmental, social, behavioral and demographic surveys to assess the climate of the institution. At least 50 students from each school also completed surveys to assess their perceptions, physical activity, sleep habits and stress. The surveys were completed at the start and end of the 2017–18 school year. Schools chosen as intervention schools received feedback and information throughout the year, whereas control schools strictly submitted the surveys. The data was compiled by the schools spearheading the study (University of Tennessee, West Virginia University, South Dakota State University and University of Florida) and individual school data compared to the national averages were given to each participating school. Ursuline College is a small women's focused (97% women) liberal arts school that was designated as a control school. The results compare Ursuline college with the national average. Some indicators that were self-reported by the students, like fruits and vegetable intake, were lower at Ursuline (2.5 cups/day) than the national average (3.3 cups/day); however both cohorts consumed lower than the recommended 4.5 cups/day. Additionally, sleep was also lower for Ursuline (6.5 hours per night) versus the national average (6.6 hours per night). Again, both these results are lower than the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep for this age group. Activity levels were well above the weekly recommendations for Ursuline. This may be skewed due to the number of student athletes in the student body. Finally, stress levels were found to be a bit higher for Ursuline students compared to the national average. Forthcoming, is additional information from the environmental surveys, including access, policies and facilities, as well as statistical analysis. Although Ursuline College is a small woman's-focused (97% undergraduate women) liberal arts school overall perceptions, physical and mental activities are somewhat representative of the national data. These results suggest college-age students health choices are similar regardless of environment. USDA.
Abstract 3757: Probing glioblastoma and its microenvironment at single cell resolution

Single-cell sequencing (scSeq) is a powerful tool to investigate cancer genomics at single cell resolution. Multiple studies have recently illuminated intratumoral heterogeneity in glioblastoma, however, the majority focused on molecular complexity of tumor cells, without taking into account unexplored host cell types that contribute to the microenvironment around GBM tumor. To address the glioblastoma microenvironment composition and potential tumor-host interactions, we performed deep coverage (176k average reads per cell) scSeq of freshly resected primary GBM patient tissue without implementing any tumor cell enrichment strategies. scSeq libraries for 902 cells were prepared using 10X Gemcode platform and sequenced on Illumina NextSeq 500. This run was of high quality with 2,663 median genes per cell and low mitochondrial gene percentage (median Citation Format: Sen Peng, Sanhita Rath, Saumya Bollam, Jenny Eschbacher, Shwetal Mehta, Nader Sanai, Michael Berens, Seungchan Kim, Harshil Dhruv. Probing glioblastoma and its microenvironment at single cell resolution [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 3757.
A Hybrid Phase Shift-Pulsewidth Modulation and Asymmetric Selective Harmonic Current Mitigation-Pulsewidth Modulation Technique to Reduce Harmonics and Inductance of Single-Phase Grid-Tied Cascaded Multilevel Converters

In this article, a low-frequency hybrid modulation technique which is composed of a phase shift-pulsewidth modulation (PS-PWM) and an asymmetric selective harmonic current mitigation-PWM (ASHCM-PWM) are proposed for cascaded multilevel converters to meet the harmonic limit of IEEE 519 2014. In the proposed technique, the harmonics within the concerned frequency range due to PS-PWM are reduced by the ASHCM-PWM so that the cascaded H-bridge (CHB) converter can meet IEEE 519 harmonic limit. The equation set which helps a grid-tied CHB converter meet both harmonic limit and total demand distortion, is developed. The design technique for critical parameters, such as the inductance and the switching frequency of the proposed hybrid modulation technique, is developed. Simulation and experiments are conducted on a single-phase 3-cell 7-level grid-tied CHB converter to validate the proposed technique.
Best Practices for a Translingual Pedagogy: an Undergraduate Perspective

This article traces the last nine years of translingual scholarship to highlight the need for more pedagogical experimentation. Despite translingual theory’s high profile in the field, scholars like Ligia Mihut have brought attention to the fact that little has been done to bring translingual theory into classrooms. After reviewing how other scholars in the field have implemented translingual tenets, the author explores how instructors can continue advocating for underrepresented students within current university curricula. Through three well-established pedagogical approaches, the author suggests, instructors can adopt translingual practices that support students’ linguistic agency and challenge monolingual ideologies. Ultimately, this work hopes to advance meaningful conversations among scholars and teachers developing best practices in translingual FYC pedagogy.
Discrete Element Modeling of Delamination in Laboratory Scale Laminated Rock

Laminated rock can delaminate and fail under certain stress states. Delamination-caused roof fall and cutter roof failure is a common failure mechanism in roadways in Pittsburgh coal seam due to the existence of laminated shale roof. Two-dimensional numerical models were developed at laboratory scale based on the bonded particle method in order to simulate the delamination with particle flow code. In these models, an assembly of bonded particles and parallel weak planes represents the laminated rock. This model calibrated the micro-parameters of the bonded particle material and weak planes with laboratory data. The mechanism of fracturing and delamination in a laminated specimen was investigated using unconfined and confined compression test and unsupported roof compression test. The numerical results show that, under a constant horizontal stress, delamination occurs when the stress is much lower than its compressive strength. The confined compressive test indicates that delamination is restrained by applying confining stress since delamination-caused failure does not occur during any stage of the confined compressive test. Unsupported roof compression tests showed propagation of cutter roof failure with initiation of cracks and delamination at the intersections of the roof and ribs. An outer failed zone and inner failed zone form separately. The separated zones connect and form an opening in the roof. The presented numerical results provide additional insight into process of delamination.
Is Gang Violent Crime More Contagious than Non-Gang Violent Crime?

Gangs are thought to enhance participation in violence. It is expected then that gang-related violent crimes trigger additional crimes in a contagious manner, above and beyond what is typical for non-gang violent crime. This paper uses a multivariate self-exciting point process model to estimate the extent of contagious spread of violent crime for both gang-related and non-gang aggravated assaults and homicides in recent data from Los Angeles. The degree of contagious cross-triggering between gang-related and non-gang violent crime is also estimated. Gang-related violence triggers twice as many offspring events as non-gang violence and there is little or no cross-triggering. Gang-related offspring events are significantly more lethal than non-gang offspring events, but no more lethal than non-contagious background gang crimes. Contagious spread of gang-related violent crime is different from contagion in non-gang violence. The results support crime prevention policies that target the disruption of gang retaliations.
Family meals buffer the daily emotional risk associated with family conflict

Family meals have been associated with positive adolescent outcomes in cross-sectional and longitudinal research. However, it is not known how adolescents experience family meals on a daily basis, and whether family meals buffer stresses associated with interpersonal conflicts on the daily level. To address this gap in the literature, adolescents (N = 396, 58% female, Mage = 14.57 years) completed diary checklists for up to 14 days, reporting their emotions, experiences of family and peer conflict, and whether they ate with their family that day. On days that adolescents shared a family meal, they felt greater happiness and role fulfillment, and less burnout and distress. Moreover, family conflict was associated with more negative emotionality only on days that adolescents did not also eat with the family. Findings suggest that family meals buffer daily risks associated with familial conflicts. Follow-up analyses suggest that these processes may be particularly important among older adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Pterocarpus marsupium extract extends replicative lifespan in budding yeast

As the molecular mechanisms of biological aging become better understood, there is growing interest in identifying interventions that target those mechanisms to promote extended health and longevity. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has served as a premier model organism for identifying genetic and molecular factors that modulate cellular aging and is a powerful system in which to evaluate candidate longevity interventions. Here we screened a collection of natural products and natural product mixtures for effects on the growth rate, mTOR-mediated growth inhibition, and replicative lifespan. No mTOR inhibitory activity was detected, but several of the treatments affected growth rate and lifespan. The strongest lifespan shortening effects were observed for green tea extract and berberine. The most robust lifespan extension was detected from an extract of Pterocarpus marsupium and another mixture containing Pterocarpus marsupium extract. These findings illustrate the utility of the yeast system for longevity intervention discovery and identify Pterocarpus marsupium extract as a potentially fruitful longevity intervention for testing in higher eukaryotes.
Auto-SDA: Automated video-based social distancing analyzer

Social distancing can reduce infection rates in respiratory pandemics such as COVID-19, especially in dense urban areas. To assess pedestrians' compliance with social distancing policies, we use the pilot site of the PAWR COSMOS wireless edge-cloud testbed in New York City to design and evaluate an Automated video-based Social Distancing Analyzer (Auto-SDA) pipeline. Auto-SDA derives pedestrians' trajectories and measures the duration of close proximity events. It relies on an object detector and a tracker, however, to achieve highly accurate social distancing analysis, we design and incorporate 3 modules into Auto-SDA: (i) a calibration module that converts 2D pixel distances to 3D on-ground distances with less than 10 cm error, (ii) a correction module that identifies pedestrians who were missed or assigned duplicate IDs by the object detection-tracker and rectifies their IDs, and (iii) a group detection module that identifies affiliated pedestrians (i.e., pedestrians who walk together as a social group) and excludes them from the social distancing violation analysis. We applied Auto-SDA to videos recorded at the COSMOS pilot site before the pandemic, soon after the lockdown, and after the vaccines became broadly available, and analyzed the impacts of the social distancing protocols on pedestrians' behaviors and their evolution. For example, the analysis shows that after the lockdown, less than 55% of the pedestrians violated the social distancing protocols, whereas this percentage increased to 65% after the vaccines became available. Moreover, after the lockdown, 0-20% of the pedestrians were affiliated with a social group, compared to 10-45% once the vaccines became available. Finally, following the lockdown, the density of the pedestrians at the intersection decreased by almost 50%.
Disaster Resilience in Rural Communities

In this chapter we discuss focus groups results from rural communities and particular challenges to disaster resilience unique to rural communities; we do so utilizing the Adaptive Resilience & Community Capital framework (Fig. 6.1) introduced in Chap. 6. We discuss findings from focus group data in the rural counties of Lake, Osceola, Seminole, and Sumter Counties. Particularly, local policies and support, community capital, capital vulnerability, and private support previously identified as key to disaster resilience, adaptive resilience and adaptive learning. Furthermore, we discuss the divergent meanings of rural in Florida in comparison to other rural regions of the United States, issues of limited resources and lack of emphasis to the need of rural inland counties, self-reliance of rural communities, issues surrounding mobile homes and RV parks, and a lengthy discussion of the impact of a large suburban retirement community (The Villages) in an otherwise rural setting.
Variability of organophosphorous pesticide metabolite levels in spot and 24-hr urine samples collected from young children during 1 week.

Background: Dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites in spot urine samples are frequently used to characterize children’s exposures to organophosphorous (OP) pesticides. However, variable exposure and short biological half-lives of OP pesticides could result in highly variable measurements, leading to exposure misclassification. Objective: We examined within- and between-child variability in DAP metabolites in urine samples collected during 1 week. Methods: We collected spot urine samples over 7 consecutive days from 25 children (3–6 years of age). On two of the days, we collected 24-hr voids. We assessed the reproducibility of urinary DAP metabolite concentrations and evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of spot urine samples as predictors of high (top 20%) or elevated (top 40%) weekly average DAP metabolite concentrations. Results: Within-child variance exceeded between-child variance by a factor of two to eight, depending on metabolite grouping. Although total DAP concentrations in single spot urine samples were moderately to strongly associated with concentrations in same-day 24-hr samples (r ≈ 0.6–0.8, p 1 day apart and in 24-hr samples collected 3 days apart were weakly correlated (r ≈ –0.21 to 0.38). Single spot samples predicted high (top 20%) and elevated (top 40%) full-week average total DAP excretion with only moderate sensitivity (≈ 0.52 and ≈ 0.67, respectively) but relatively high specificity (≈ 0.88 and ≈ 0.78, respectively). Conclusions: The high variability we observed in children’s DAP metabolite concentrations suggests that single-day urine samples provide only a brief snapshot of exposure. Sensitivity analyses suggest that classification of cumulative OP exposure based on spot samples is prone to type 2 classification errors.
Adherent Ia+ murine cell lines with characteristics of dendritic cells. II. Characteristics of I region-restricted antigen presentation.

Abstract The ability of an adherent Ia + , interleukin 1 + (IL-1) tumor cell line (P388AD) to present turkey γ-globulin (TGG) to primed T lymphocytes was demonstrated and compared with normal antigen-presenting cells (APC) found in mouse spleen. P388AD tumor cells presented TGG to long-term cultures of TGG-reactive T cells (LTTC) and to lymph node-derived T cells which were enriched on nylon wool columns and subsequently depleted of endogenous antigen-presenting cells with anti-Ia antisera and complement. MHC-restricted antigen presentation by P388AD was observed when long-term cultures of TGG-reactive T cells were used as the responding T-cell population. Furthermore, antisera directed against I-region determinants expressed on the P388AD tumor cells inhibited TGG-specific T-cell proliferation in a dose-related fashion, suggesting a functional role for the tumor cell-associated Ia molecules. The kinetics of antigen presentation to LTTC by P388AD were similar to the kinetics observed for splenic APC, although the magnitude of the proliferative response to LTTC to TGG was generally lower when antigen (Ag) was presented by the tumor cells compared to splenic antigen-presenting cells (APC). However, the magnitude of T-cell proliferation of immune lymph node (LN) T cells was comparable when Ag was presented on tumor cells or splenic APC. Several experiments suggested that Ag uptake and/or processing may be less effective in P388AD tumor cells as compared to normal splenic APC. A nonadherent Ia + , IL-1 − tumor cell line (P388NA), which was isolated from the same parental tumor as P388AD, was also tested for the ability to present Ag to primed T lymphocytes and Ag-reactive LTTC. In contrast, to P388AD, the nonadherent tumor cell failed to present TGG under identical culture conditions even though Ia molecules were expressed on the tumor cells and Ag uptake had occurred. However, the defect in Ag presentation by P388NA could be corrected if an exogenous source of purified interleukin 1 was supplied to the cultures. A unique opportunity thus exists with both the P388AD and P388NA tumor cell lines to decipher some of the molecular interactions leading to T-cell proliferation during antigen presentation.
A Shared Heritage: Afro-Latin@s and Black History

As the Latin@ population continues to grow in the United States, it is imperative that social studies teachers are aware of the rich history and sociocultural complexities of Latin@ identity. In particular, there is a large population of Latin@s of African descent throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America. However, Afro-Latin@s typically go unrecognized in the media and, concomitantly, the social studies curriculum. Portrayals of Latin@s are often inaccurate or stereotypical, advancing the idea that most Latin@s are solely of European or indigenous descent. The authors call for the inclusion of Afro-Latin@s in historical narratives as well as portrayals of Latin@s in social studies curricula. Understanding and incorporating the historical and societal complexities and contributions of Afro-Latin@s are crucial to establishing a conceptual understanding of Black history as it exists within, and extends beyond, the borders of the United States. In this article a brief history of Afro-Latin@s...
Zebrafish genomics: From mutants to genes

Exquisite embryonic lethal mutations have been isolated in hundreds of genes necessary for zebrafish development. Analysis of this resource promises to enhance our understanding of the molecular genetic mechanisms of vertebrate development. This review discusses the state of the zebrafish genome project and the genetic trickery that can expedite molecular isolation of genes disrupted by these mutations.
Production stability in a supply-chain environment

Abstract There is evidence that the growth rate of GDP in the United States stabilized in 1984 and improvements in production management are frequently cited as a source. This paper defines the quality of production as the scale of the firm's production shock and assumes that the firm can exercise control over the scale of the shock. The firm is assumed to operate in a supply-chain environment and the question of interest is what, if any, influence the adoption of more reliable production techniques by a single firm has for aggregate volatility. The results indicate that the adoption of more reliable production techniques by a single firm typically have minor effects on aggregate volatility because the benefit dies out rapidly as the product moves downstream. The exceptions are those cases in which the firm adopting the improved technology lies near the end of the chain. There is also some benefit when deliveries of materials to the initial firm in the production chain stabilize.
Understanding the effect of synthesis temperature on the structural and electrochemical characteristics of layered-spinel composite cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract The effect of synthesis temperature on the structural and electrochemical characteristics of the layered-spinel composite cathode system xLi[Li0.2Mn0.6Ni0.2]O2–(1 − x)Li[Mn1.5Ni0.5]O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) has been investigated. With a joint neutron diffraction (ND) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) Rietveld refinement method, the composition and weight percent variations of the layered and spinel phases in this composite cathode system have been obtained as a function of x and synthesis temperature. While no significant composition and weight percent variations are found with the synthesis temperature, the electrochemical characteristics of both the layered and spinel phases in the composites are significantly affected by the synthesis temperature. In contrast to the layered sample (x = 1), the capacity of the layered phase in the composites increases with decreasing synthesis temperature due to an increase in surface area. Conversely, the effect of synthesis temperature on the spinel phase is similar in both the spinel sample (x = 0) and the composite samples. However, the lower synthesis temperature increases the cation ordering in the 16d octahedral sites of the spinel phase, which changes the voltage profiles below 3 V due to the decrease in the lattice distortion during lithium ion insertion into the empty 16c octahedral sites.