cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Stormwater Management Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting via Innovative Technologies

AbstractRainwater harvesting (RWH) systems provide the dual, but often opposing, benefits of acting as alternate water supply sources and providing detention/retention of roof runoff that would otherwise become stormwater runoff. A major challenge that exists when using a RWH system to simultaneously accomplish stormwater and water-conservation benefits in nonarid regions is that these systems are often underutilized, thus remaining full a large portion of the time. For a system to mitigate stormwater runoff, however, there must be sufficient room available in the tank to store a runoff event. Two novel approaches were implemented to improve the ability of RWH systems to serve as both water-conservation practices and stormwater-management practices: an active release technology and a passive release technology. Two locations in Craven County, North Carolina, had RWH systems installed to capture roof runoff and store it for nonpotable uses. One system was equipped with the passive release mechanism, which ...
Microstructured semiconductor neutron detector (MSND)-based Helium-3 Replacement technology

The present work employs MSND technology as a 3He gas-tube direct-replacement technology. The MSND-based Helium Replacement (HeRep) is a single instrument utilizing thirty 4-cm2 active area MSNDs to directly replace 3He-based proportional neutron counters. The HeRep Mk II prototype yielded 102.71±0.84% of the neutron detection efficiency of a 4-atm Reuter Stokes 3He gas-filled detector with the same active dimensions and test setup from a 252Cf source. The HeRep Mk II matched the efficiency of the 3He detector while using MSNDs that each had 20% intrinsic-efficiency for thermal-neutrons.
Induction of human MDR1 gene expression by 2-acetylaminofluorene is mediated by effectors of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway that activate NF-κB signaling

The expression of P-glycoprotein encoded by the multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene is associated with the emergence of the MDR phenotype in cancer cells. Human MDR1 and its rodent homolog mdr1a and mdr1b are frequently overexpressed in liver cancers. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. The hepatocarcinogen 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) efficiently activates rat mdr1b expression in cultured cells and in Fisher 344 rats. We recently reported that activation of rat mdr1b in cultured cells by 2-AAF involves a cis-activating element containing a NF-κB binding site located −167 to −158 of the rat mdr1b promoter. 2-AAF activates IκB kinase (IKK), resulting in degradation of IκBβ and activation of NF-κB. In this study, we report that 2-AAF could also activate the human MDR1 gene in human hepatoma and embryonic fibroblast 293 cells. Induction of MDR1 by AAF was mediated by DNA sequence located at −6092 which contains a NF-κB binding site. Treating hepatoma cells with 2-AAF activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and its downstream effectors Rac1, and NAD(P)H oxidase. Transient transfection assays demonstrated that constitutively activated PI3K and Rac1 enhanced the activation of the MDR1 promoter by 2-AAF. Treatment of hepatoma cells with 2-AAF also activated another PI3K downstream effector Akt. Transfection of recombinant encoding a dominant activated Akt also enhanced the activation of MDR1 promoter activation by 2-AAF. These results demonstrated that 2-AAF up-regulates MDR1 expression is mediated by the multiple effectors of the PI3K signaling pathway.
Increasing Mechanical Properties of 2-D-Structured Electrospun Nylon 6 Non-Woven Fiber Mats.

Tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and toughness of electrospun nylon 6 non-woven fiber mats were improved by increasing individual nanofiber strength and fiber–fiber load sharing. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used as reinforcement to increase the strength of the electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers. Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and toughness of the nylon 6 non-woven fiber mats electrospun from 20 wt % solutions increased 51%, 87%, and 136%, respectively, after incorporating 1 wt % CNTs into the nylon 6 nanofibers. Three methods were investigated to enhance fiber–fiber load sharing: increasing friction between fibers, thermal bonding, and solvent bonding. The addition of beaded nylon 6 nanofibers into the non-woven fiber mats to increase fiber-fiber friction resulted in a statistically significantly increase in Young’s modulus over comparable smooth non-woven fiber mats. After annealing, tensile strength, elongation, and toughness of the nylon 6 non-woven fiber mats electrospun from 20 wt % + 10 wt % solutions increased 26%, 28%, and 68% compared to those from 20 wt % solutions. Solvent bonding with formic acid vapor at room temperature for 30 min caused increases of 56%, 67%, and 39% in the Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and toughness of non-woven fiber mats, respectively. The increases attributed to increased individual nanofiber strength and solvent bonding synergistically resulted in the improvement of Young’s modulus of the electrospun nylon 6 non-woven fiber mats.
Simultaneous determination of benzenes in printing ink

Objective:A method using gas chromatography was established for analysis of five benzenes In printing ink.Methods:The Five benzenes were extracted with n-hexane,separated with capillary column HP-Innowax and detected by FID.Results:The Five benzenes were completely separated.The detection limits were less than 0.5 mg/g,the recovery rate 89.4%~102.1% and the RSD 7.7%~13.8%.Conclusion:The method is rapid,sensitive and accurate and can be used for determination of the five benzenes in printing ink.
Surveillance of Food-borne Pathogens in Shantou Between 2005 and 2007

Objective To understand the pollution condition of food-borne pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E.coli O157∶H7 and V.parahaemolyticus between 2005 and 2007.Method 237 food samples were detected according to "the workbook of food-borne pathogens surveillance network".Results Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and V.parahaemolyticus were found in 5,8 and 13 samples, respectively. The detection rates of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and V.parahaemolyticus were 2.50%, 3.38% and 32.50%, respectively. No E.coli O157:H7 was found. The aquatic products and raw meats were the most seriously polluted by food-borne pathogens. Conclusion The surveillance of food-borne pathogens in aquatic products and raw meats should be strengthened.
Designing knowledge in postcolonial Africa: A South African abroad

In 1958 the young artist Selby Mvusi left South Africa to study in the United States. Over the next decade Mvusi travelled the byways of the international art history and African Studies communities presenting papers, arguing against convention and plotting a new path for postcolonial African creativity. This article considers Mvusi’s trajectory from teacher to painter to instructor and theorist of industrial design. Mvusi rejected both conventional art historical trends that condemned African modernism and the conservatism that inhered under the guise of national culture across the continent. He sought instead to reinterpret ‘tradition’ as an open and flexible chain of connection to the past, which extended into an unknown future; Mvusi saw industrial design as the best way forward for African creativity. The article concludes by examining his role in the founding of the University of Nairobi industrial design programme in the mid-1960s.
Final Commentary: Connecting Science and Engineering Practices: A Cautionary Perspective

While including the teaching and learning of engineering concepts and practices in the science curriculum has potential to aid in achieving often-stated goals for science education, significant and legitimate concerns do exist with the kind and level of emphasis being placed on engineering practices. Generally speaking, the science education community has been remiss in its uncritical adoration of engineering and the inclusion of engineering concepts and practices in the science curriculum. Important concerns exist about K-12 engineering education in general and its inclusion in the science curriculum in particular. Raising these concerns is not an effort to maintain the status quo or a negative view of engineering and technology, but rather a thoughtful and scholarly effort to ensure students receive the best possible science and engineering education. Considerable thought and caution ought to occur in light of the marked changes being proposed regarding the content of the science curriculum in order to infuse engineering concepts and practices. Our cautionary perspective challenges simplistic rationales and strategies for integrating engineering in the science curriculum, and raises issues that need considerable thought and action for reform efforts to successfully promote a meaningful STEM education.
Stability and Complexation of Cyanidin-3-Giucoside and Raspberry Juice Extract in the Presence of Selected Cations.

The stability and color of purified cyanidin-3-glucoside and raspberry juice extract in the presence of selected metal ions was investigated. Production of metal-anthocyanin complexes was suggested by changes in color of the samples as shown by L, a, and hue angle values. Complex formation was indicated by HPLC in raspberry juice samples treated with Sn++ but not in samples of purified cyanidin-3-glucoside. According to the colorimetric values, complex formation occurs with cyanidin-3-glucoside and A1+++ at pH 2.0 and 3.0 and with Sn++ at pH 4.0 and 3.0. Similar complex formation occurs with these metals and raspberry juice extract at the same respective pH values.
Stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) based interpretation of organic matter source and paleoenvironmental conditions in Al-Azraq basin, Jordan

Abstract This study examines the stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen from cored lacustrine sediments of the Al-Azraq, an arid lake basin on the Jordan Plateau. Lacustrine sediments contain valuable records of paleoenvironmental conditions, recording local and regional responses to environmental change. Previous paleo-reconstructions on the Jordan Plateau are based on archaeology, pollen, mineralogy, and stratigraphy. The application of organic geochemistry analyses to these lake sediments identifies multiple sources of organic matter, biological production, and contributes to understanding the paleoenvironments of the Al-Azraq basin during the mid-Pleistocene period. Organic carbon concentration (Corg) provides an overview of the organic matter distribution. Carbon isotopic composition (δ13Corg) and nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N) are indicators of organic matter sources and paleoproductivity. Magnetic susceptibility (MGSUS) measured the concentration of ferromagnetic minerals and indicated aeolian inputs. Organic geochemistry differentiated five paleoenvironmental zones with specific sources of organic matter, both aquatic and terrestrial. It identified a long period of climate wetter than the present, punctuated by a short intense period of aridity. Diagenesis plays an important role in the decomposition of organic matter and studies indicate this degradation can alter the isotopic signals of organic matter. Analyses of the isotopic signals and statistical analyses demonstrate diagenesis is not a factor in the Al-Azraq sediments in all but Zone 4 of the paleoenvironmental zones. This Zone is defined by less negative carbon isotopic composition and the presence of thick primary gypsum layers, in addition to the influx of high peaks of aeolian sediment as reflected in the magnetic susceptibility data. Stable isotope geochemistry provides detailed information on the paleoenvironments of lake sediments, and is applicable to typically challenging arid basin sediments.
An autonomous lab on a chip for space flight calibration of gravity-induced transcellular calcium polarization in single-cell fern spores

This report describes the development of lab-on-a-chip device designed to measure changes in cellular ion gradients that are induced by changes in gravitational (g) forces. The bioCD presented here detects differential calcium ion concentrations outside of individual cells. The device includes sufficient replicates for statistical analysis of the gradients around multiple single cells and around control wells that are empty or include dead cells. In the data presented, the degree of the cellular response correlates with the magnitude of the g-force applied via rotation of the bioCD. The experiments recorded the longest continuous observation of a cellular response to hypergravity made to date, and they demonstrate the potential utility of this device for assaying the threshold of cells' g-force responses in spaceflight conditions.
Do-Not-Hospitalize Orders in Nursing Homes: "Call the Family Instead of Calling the Ambulance".

Objectives To determine how do-not-hospitalize (DNH) orders are interpreted and used in nursing homes (NHs) once they are in place. Design Qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews performed from December 2013 to April 2014. Setting Eight skilled nursing facilities in Connecticut that ranked in the top 10% or bottom 10% in hospitalization rates from 2008 to 2010. Participants Nursing facility staff members (N = 31). Measurements A multidisciplinary team performed qualitative content analysis. The constant comparative method was used to develop a coding structure and identify themes. Results DNH orders were uncommon at low- and high-hospitalizing facilities. Participants reported that they did not interpret these orders literally. A DNH order was not a prohibition against hospitalization but was understood to have a variety of exceptions. These orders functioned primarily as a signal that hospitalization should be questioned and discussed with the family when an acute event occurred. Conclusion In-the-moment discussions about hospitalization are still necessary even when a DNH order is in place. Work to reduce potentially burdensome NH–hospital transfers needs to focus not just on eliciting preferences in advance, but also on preparing residents and their families to make the best decisions about hospitalization when the time comes.
Gender Segregation Across Engineering Majors: How Engineering Professors Understand Women’s Underrepresentation in Undergraduate Engineering

Women’s persistent underrepresentation in undergraduate engineering is a well-documented concern. One issue missing from many discussions on the topic, however, is that women are not equally underr...
Congestion-aware system optimal route choice for shared autonomous vehicles

Abstract We study the shared autonomous vehicle (SAV) routing problem while considering congestion. SAVs essentially provide a dial-a-ride service to travelers, but the large number of vehicles involved (tens of thousands of SAVs to replace personal vehicles) results in SAV routing causing significant congestion. We combine the dial-a-ride service constraints with the linear program for system optimal dynamic traffic assignment, resulting in a congestion-aware formulation of the SAV routing problem. Traffic flow is modeled through the link transmission model, an approximate solution to the kinematic wave theory of traffic flow. SAVs interact with travelers at origins and destinations. Due to the large number of vehicles involved, we use a continuous approximation of flow to formulate a linear program. Optimal solutions demonstrate that peak hour demand is likely to have greater waiting and in-vehicle travel times than off-peak demand due to congestion. SAV travel times were only slightly greater than system optimal personal vehicle route choice. In addition, solutions can determine the optimal fleet size to minimize congestion or maximize service.
Shallow Precipitation Detection and Classification Using Multifrequency Radar Observations and Model Simulations

AbstractDetection of shallow warm rainfall remains a critical source of uncertainty in remote sensing of precipitation, especially in regions of complex topographic and radiometric transitions, such as mountains and coastlines. To address this problem, a new algorithm to detect and classify shallow rainfall based on space–time dual-frequency correlation (DFC) of concurrent W- and Ka-band radar reflectivity profiles is demonstrated using ground-based observations from the Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment (IPHEx) in the Appalachian Mountains (MV), United States, and the Biogenic Aerosols–Effects on Clouds and Climate (BAECC) in Hyytiala (TMP), Finland. Detection is successful with false alarm errors of 2.64% and 4.45% for MV and TMP, respectively, corresponding to one order of magnitude improvement over the skill of operational satellite-based radar algorithms in similar conditions. Shallow rainfall is misclassified 12.5% of the time at MV, but all instances of low-level reverse orographic ...
EXEL-0862, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits KIT activation and induces apoptosis in human mast cells bearing mutated codon 816 c-kit in vitro and ex vivo: Therapeutic implications

4039 Systemic mastocytosis is characterized by a clonal accumulation of mast cells in bone marrow and other tissues. The proto-oncogene c-kit , which encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase, is thought to play an important role in mastocytosis. Kinase inhibitors in clinical use, such as imatinib mesylate, failed to inhibit the growth of HMC1.2 cells bearing a codon 816 mutation of c-kit in laboratory testing. Consequently, there is a need for development of new effective therapeutic modalities. In this investigation, we determined the effect of exEL-0862, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on human mast cells. Two human mast cell lines, HMC1.1 carrying juxtamembrane domain mutation in codon 560 and HMC1.2 carrying both codon 560 mutation and tyrosine kinase mutation in codon 816 of c-kit , were used. We found that EXEL-0862 inhibited the phosphorylation of KIT in a dose-dependent manner. In MTS assay, EXEL-0862 decreased viability in both mast cell lines with a more potent inhibitory effect on HMC1.2 cells (IC50 was 510 nM in HMC1.1, and 350 nM in HMC1.2 cells, p ex vivo antineoplastic effect of EXEL-0862 on mast cells from bone marrow samples from patients with mastocytosis. Treatment with 0.1 to 1.0 μM EXEL-0862 for 7 days resulted in a significant reduction in the mast cell percentage determined by flow cytometry (n=3). Taken together, our results demonstrated EXEL-0862 to be a potent mutated KIT inhibitor, which warrants clinical investigation of this compound in systemic mastocytosis.
Visiting Libraries in Central Asia: An Academic Librarian’s Research Experience

In May 2017, I had the opportunity to spend three weeks visiting several libraries in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan as part of my research project on international student services and inf...
Control architecture and network communication for a pediatric exoskeleton

Mobility limitations are common among adults with neurological disorders and children with cerebral palsy. These limitations affect the physical, psychological, and social aspects of their lives. Though wearable exoskeletons have been commercially available for gait assistance and rehabilitation in adults, similar robotic assistive exoskeletons for children are limited.
Prosecutorial Discretion in Three Systems: Balancing Conflicting Goals and Providing Mechanisms for Control

In regulating the authority and discretion exercised by contemporary prosecutors, national systems balance a variety of goals, many of which are in tension or direct conflict. For example, making prosecutors politically or democratically accountable may conflict with the principle of prosecutorial neutrality, and the goal of efficiency may conflict with accuracy. National systems generally seek to foster equal treatment of defendants and respect for their rights while also controlling or reducing crime and protecting the rights of victims. Systems that recognize prosecutorial discretion also seek to establish and implement policy decisions about the best ways to address various social problems, priorities, and the allocation of resources. Finally, all national systems are facing the challenge of increasing caseloads. The United States differs from France and Germany in the training and selection of prosecutors, in the understanding of their role, and in the structure of prosecutorial authority. This chapter explores how these differences affect the balance each system has struck among the competing goals of accountability, neutrality, efficiency, accuracy, and equal treatment, how these systems differ in the availability of mechanisms to establish and implement policies, and how each is responding to the challenges of increasingly heavy caseloads. This chapter begins with a description of the U.S. approach to the structure of prosecutorial authority, the training, selection and ethos of U.S. prosecutors, and the scope of prosecutorial discretion in the U.S. Part II turns to a comparison of the French and German systems. On the basis of this foundation, Part III then considers how the three systems are resolving some of the key tradeoffs between the goals of efficiency, accuracy, democratic accountability, neutrality, consistency, and the need for mechanisms to set priorities and policies. It concludes that the structure of prosecutorial authority is continuing to play a significant role in each system’s distinctive response to prosecutorial discretion. In contrast, differences in the traditional understanding of the prosecutor’s role seem to be of diminishing importance as each system responds to the pressure of increasing caseloads.
EDRF: nitrosylated compound or authentic nitric oxide.

Endothelium-derived factor (EDRF) from bovine aortic endothelial cells was compared to solutions of authentic nitric oxide (NO) and to solutions of the nitrosothiol S-nitroso-L-cysteine. EDRF was produced from endothelial cells by basal release or by stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187. Biological activity was measured as relaxation of porcine coronary arteries preconstricted with prostaglandin F2α, and chemical analysis was made of the nitrosyl content by measurement of NO released after chemical reduction with 1% sodium iodide in glacial acetic acid. EDRF, NO, and nitrosocysteine had identical half-lives, were all inactivated by hemoglobin and mthylene blue, and were all augmented in their biological activity by Superoxide dismutase. When solutions were analyzed for their biological activity as a function of the NO content (after NaI/acetic acid reduction), nitrosocysteine showed more vasodilation per amount of contained NO than did authentic NO. Solutions containing EDRF (basal release or by stimulation with A23187) subjected to the same analysis appeared similar to nitrosocysteine, and were distinct from solutions of NO. These experiments show that nitrosyl compounds other than NO can have properties very similar or identical to EDRF, and that in this system EDRF appears more similar to nitrosocysteine than to NO.
Comparing Standard Regression, Propensity Score Matching, and Instrumental Variables Methods for Determining the Influence of Mammography on Stage of Diagnosis

In situations where randomized trials are not feasible, analysis of observational data must be used instead. However, when using observational data, there is often selection bias for which we must account in order to adjust for pre-treatment differences between groups in their baseline characteristics. As an example of this, we used the Linked Medicare-Tumor Registry Database created by the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to look at screening with mammography in older women to determine its effectiveness in detecting cancer at an earlier stage. The standard regression method and two methods of adjusting for selection bias are compared. We start with the standard analysis, a logistic regression predicting stage at diagnosis that includes as independent variables a set of covariates to adjust for differences in baseline risk plus an indicator variable for whether the woman used screening. Next, we employ propensity score matching, which evens out the distribution of measured baseline characteristics across groups, and is more robust to model mis-specification than the standard analysis. Lastly, we conduct an instrumental variable analysis, which addresses unmeasured differences between the users and non-users. This article compares these methods and discusses issues of which researchers and analysts should be aware. It is important to look beyond the standard analysis and to consider propensity score matching when there is concern about group differences in measured covariates and instrumental variable analysis when there is concern about differences in unmeasured covariates.
Intraretinal Circuit Formation

The circuitry of the vertebrate retina is organized into discrete layers or laminae, giving rise to a close relationship between structure and function. This article highlights the major developmental events that lead to the assembly of intraretinal circuits, focusing on how developing retinal neurons elaborate their pre- and postsynaptic processes within their appropriate laminae, and on the synaptogenic events between the various retinal cell types. Comparisons across two major vertebrate models, mouse and zebrafish, will be made where possible to underscore common or species-specific developmental trends and mechanisms responsible for the wiring of retinal circuits.
Multiple Sclerosis: An Unintended Motivator for First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Deidre Hill Butler

Former First Lady, Michelle Obama and I have a direct connection; we both have first-hand knowledge of a parent who battled multiple sclerosis (MS). This parent set examples of resilience on a daily basis through their constant striving to nurture and contribute to family and community. This essay highlights the struggle with MS as a motivator to our parenting style and avenues of our civic engagement.
Is Analyst Coverage Valuable in the Syndicated Loan Market? Evidence from a Natural Experiment

In this study, I exploit an exogenous decrease in analyst coverage to investigate whether analyst coverage terminations have causal effects on the syndicated loan market. My principal results show that a decrease in the number of analysts following a firm increases the all-in-drawn spread of private loans by 14.2 basis points. I then show that the effects are larger for samples that have a larger percentage decrease in analyst estimates, a larger standard deviation of analyst estimates, more non-EPS analyst estimates, a higher leverage ratio or a credit rating lower than A. In addition, I also find that coverage terminations decrease the number of syndicated loans that treated firms can get, shorten the syndicated loan maturity period and decrease the likelihood of less-informed lenders being the lead arranger. These results indicate that public information still matters for syndicated lenders, even though they can acquire private information through other channels. Potential mechanisms might be that analyst reports provide extra information; analysts help lenders to monitor borrowers; and analyst coverage affects the private loan market through the public bond market since private loans and public bonds are partial substitutes. This paper contributes to the literature first by documenting a new factor, analyst coverage, that has an impact on the syndicated loan market; this helps us understand the price, structure and characteristics of lenders in that market. From another angle, this paper also demonstrates the importance of analyst coverage from a new perspective. Second, I examine causal effects by exploiting a natural experiment.
Low-Dose Metronidazole is Associated With a Decreased Rate of Endoscopic Recurrence of Crohn's Disease After Ileal Resection: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Recurrence of Crohn's disease after surgical resection and primary anastomosis is an important clinical challenge. Previous studies have demonstrated the benefit of imidazole antibiotics, but have been limited by adverse events and medication intolerance. We evaluated whether administration of low-dose metronidazole [250 mg three times per day] for 3 months reduces endoscopic postoperative recurrence rates. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with Crohn's disease who underwent ileal resection with a primary anastomosis and subsequently received care at our center. We compared the cases who received low-dose metronidazole for 3 months with control patients who did not receive this therapy. Data collected included demographics, risk factors for recurrence, and medications before and after surgery. The primary end point was the number of patients with ≥i2 [Rutgeerts] endoscopic recurrence by 12 months. Variables found to be predictive in univariate analysis at p < 0.10 were introduced in the Cox model for multivariate analysis. RESULTS In all, 70 patients with Crohn's disease [35 cases and 35 controls] met inclusion criteria. Risk factors for Crohn's recurrence were similar between groups. The number of patients with ≥i2 endoscopic recurrence within 12 months following ileal resection was significantly lower in the metronidazole group [7 of 35 patients; 20%] compared with the number in the control group [19 of 35 patients; 54.3%] [p = 0.0058]. Eight participants [22.9%] in the metronidazole group experienced adverse events, and 3 of these patients [8.6%] discontinued the therapy. CONCLUSION Low-dose metronidazole reduces endoscopic recurrence of Crohn's disease postoperatively and is well tolerated. This intervention should be considered as a therapy option following ileocolonic resection.
A Modular Multilevel Converter with Self Voltage Balancing

The modular feature of modular multilevel converter (MMC) distinguishes itself from other topologies for medium-/high-voltage applications. However, as the count of sub-modules increases, the control complexity of voltage balancing for each sub-module sharply increases. Conventionally, the MMC is deemed to have no inherit voltage balancing property without voltage monitoring and control. This paper mathematically proves that MMC capacitor voltage is self-balanced by nature. This implies that MMC could achieve the sub-module capacitor voltage balancing without any monitoring or control. Based on the mathematical proof, a novel modulation, namely Y-Matrix Modulation (YMM), is proposed to transform the math analysis into modulation practice. With the proposed YMM, MMCs are secured self voltage balancing. Conventionally, either a complicated voltage balancing control, or extra components must be embedded to MMC to balance the capacitor voltage. Compared to conventional MMC capacitor voltage balancing strategies, YMM features extremely simple algorithms and good reachability to high-level MMCs while maintaining the original half-bridge sub-module topology.
Standardizing Febrile Neutropenia Management: Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Hematologic Malignancy Population

Patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) often are subject to antibiotic and diagnostic test overuse. We sought to improve appropriate use of antimicrobials and diagnostic tests for patients with FN. We used a blended quality approach with Lean Six Sigma tools and iterative improvement of a clinical decision aid to guide providers through empirical antimicrobial selection and diagnostic evaluation of patients with FN during a yearlong period. We evaluated the incidence of nonadherence to best practice before, during, and after rollout of a clinical decision aid in conjunction with an educational initiative. At baseline, 71% of patients with FN had at least one critical deviation from best practice. During the project, the percentage decreased to 27.3%; 4 months after the project was completed, the percentage was 33.3% (P = .04). A clinical decision aid can improve adherence to best practices for the empirical management of FN.
Sleep and Executive Functioning Among Young Children Presenting to Urban Primary Care Clinics

Purpose: Early childhood is a period of rapid cognitive and behavioral development. Poor quality sleep and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are associated with worse executive functioning (EF) skills during childhood and adolescence. However, few studies have examined these associations among socio-demographically diverse preschool-aged children. Thus, this study examined sleep patterns and problems and their association with EF …
Donor Milk Policies for Level 1 Newborn Care: A Descriptive Analysis

Background and Objectives: Providing pasteurized donor human milk (DHM) to healthy newborns is an emerging practice. The content of hospital policies that govern this practice is unknown. Materials and Methods: We collected policies from 15 Northeast U.S. hospitals through (1) a 2017 survey on DHM use and (2) an e-mail listserv of levels 1 and 2 newborn care staff maintained by a regional milk bank. Two authors reviewed each policy and identified how they addressed three predetermined themes: who is eligible to receive DHM, how DHM is used and described, and how lactation is supported. Responses were compared, discussed, and reconciled. Level 1 newborn care was defined as basic care for healthy newborns ≥35 weeks' gestation. Results: Thirteen of 15 policies stated criteria for DHM eligibility, most commonly as a bridge until mother's supply comes in (73%) or for infant medical conditions (67%). All required consent for DHM. Most did not limit number of days infants could receive DHM (60%). Nine specified that DHM be discarded 24 hours after thaw, whereas five recommended discarding at 48 hours. Although many (53%) policies endorsed human milk as the preferred diet for newborns, only 27% specifically endorsed DHM as the preferred supplementation type. Parent education (73%) was emphasized, but few (27%) discussed the importance of establishing mother's milk supply. Conclusions: Many DHM policies address eligibility criteria for receiving DHM and show how to provide DHM, but few address how to support lactation while DHM is provided, which may be crucial for optimizing long-term breastfeeding outcomes.
Using machine learning for direct demand modeling of ridesourcing services in Chicago

Abstract The exponential growth of ridesourcing services has been disrupting the transportation sector and changing how people travel. As ridesourcing continues to grow in popularity, being able to accurately predict the demand for it is essential for effective land-use and transportation planning and policymaking. Using recently released trip-level ridesourcing data in Chicago along with a range of variables obtained from publicly available data sources, we applied random forest, a widely-applied machine learning technique, to estimate a zone-to-zone (census tract) direct demand model for ridesourcing services. Compared to the traditional multiplicative models, the random forest model had a better model fit and achieved much higher predictive accuracy. We found that socioeconomic and demographic variables collectively contributed the most (about 50%) to the predictive power of the random forest model. Travel impedance, the built-environment characteristics, and the transit-supply-related variables are also indispensable in ridesourcing demand prediction.
Improved targeting of an anti-TAG-72 antibody drug conjugate for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Introduction Ovarian cancer has only a 17% 5-year survival rate in patients diagnosed with late stage disease. Tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG72), expressed in 88% of all stages of ovarian cancer, is an excellent candidate for antibody-targeted therapy, as it is not expressed in normal human adult tissues, except in the secretory endometrium. Methods Using the clinically relevant anti-TAG72 murine monoclonal antibody CC49, we evaluated antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) incorporating the highly potent, synthetic antimitotic agent monomethylauristatin E (MMAE). MMAE was conjugated to CC49 via reduced disulfides in the hinge region, using three different types of linker chemistry, vinylsulfone (VS-MMAE), bromoacetamido (Br-MMAE), and maleimido (mal-MMAE). Results The drug antibody ratios (DARs) of the three ADCs were 2.3 for VS-MMAE, 10 for Br-MMAE, and 9.5 for mal-MMAE. All three ADCs exhibited excellent tumor to blood ratios on PET imaging, but the absolute uptake of CC49-mal-MMAE (3.3%ID/g) was low compared to CC49-Br-MMAE (6.43%ID/g), at 142 hours. Blood clearance at 43 hours was 38% for intact CC49, about 24% for both CC49-VS-MMAE and CC49-Br-MMAE, and 7% for CC49-mal-MMAE. CC49-VS-MMAE was not further studied due to its low DAR, while CC49-mal-MMAE was ineffective in the OVCAR3 xenograft likely due to its rapid blood clearance. In contrast, CC49-Br-MMAE treated mice exhibited an average of a 15.6 day tumor growth delay and a 40% increase in survival vs controls with four doses of 7.5 or 15 mg/kg of CC49-Br-MMAE. Conclusion We conclude that CC49-Br-MMAE with a high DAR and stable linker performs well in a difficult to treat solid tumor model.
Abstract 4796: Calorie restriction induces skeletal muscle wasting and a complex I defect while reducing mammary tumor growth in a mouse model of diet induced obesity

Purpose: Obesity is an independent risk factor for the development, morbidity, and mortality of breast cancer. Calorie restriction (CR) is the first line therapy for obesity management, with growing evidence and application in the treatment of breast cancer. In non-tumor bearing patients, ~20% of weight loss is attributed to reductions in skeletal muscle mass. However, little is known of how CR in a tumorigenic environment may influence muscle function and content. Methods: Obese C57BL/6J female mice were used to develop an allograft breast cancer model by orthotopically injecting the mammary fat pad with basal-like breast cancer (E0771 cells). Mice were randomized (1:1) by tumor size and body weight to high fat diet (HFD; 60% kcal from fat) or calorie restriction diet (CRD; ~40% restriction of HFD via an incremental reduction in food intake) for 2.5 weeks. Daily food intake, body weight and temperature, as well as twice weekly tumor measurements were obtained during treatment. Organ weights and size were obtained at the time of necropsy. Whole blood was collected for immunophenotyping and assessed via flow cytometry. Mitochondrial function was determined in tumor homogenates and permeabilized gastrocnemius fibers by high resolution respirometry (O2k). Results: CRD reduced body weight (HFD: 27.8±0.8 vs CRD: 22.9±0.5 g, P=0.0003) and tumor growth (HFD: 3.6±0.2 g vs. CRD: 2.7±0.3 g, P=0.03). There was no difference in the proportions of total NK cells, helper and cytotoxic T-cells between HFD and CRD (P>0.05). Respirometry studies of tumor mitochondria revealed diminished complex I uncoupled rate following CRD (HFD: 3.2±0.4 vs. CRD: 1.6±0.3 pmol/sec/mg, P= 0.02). Additionally, skeletal muscle mitochondria of CRD animals contained a defect in complex I oxidation (HFD: 49.2±6.5 vs. CRD: 28.6±4.0 pmol/sec/mg, P=0.03). Furthermore, soleus muscle mass was reduced (HFD: 7.7±0.8 mg vs. CRD: 4.5±1.1 mg, P=0.04). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CRD induces complex I (CI) defects in tumor and skeletal muscle mitochondria. Suppression of CI was associated with a favorable reduction in tumor growth and unfavorable loss of skeletal muscle mass. Future studies formally evaluating skeletal muscle function and cachexia as well as muscle preserving therapies in combination with CR are warranted. Funding: Research was supported by NIGMS (GM104940 - JPK) and the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation (LAG) Citation Format: Elizabeth R. Zunica, Christopher L. Axelrod, Gangarao Davuluri, Wagner S. Dantas, Guillaume Spielmann, Eunhan Cho, Brian A. Irving, John P. Kirwan, L. Anne Gilmore. Calorie restriction induces skeletal muscle wasting and a complex I defect while reducing mammary tumor growth in a mouse model of diet induced obesity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4796.
EVOLUTION OF COLD STREAMS AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE HUBBLE SEQUENCE

A new physical framework for the emergence of the Hubble sequence is outlined, based on novel analyses performed to quantify the evolution of cold streams of a large sample of galaxies from a state-of-the-art ultra-high resolution, large-scale adaptive mesh-refinement hydrodynamic simulation in a fully cosmological setting. It is found that the following three key physical variables of galactic cold inflows crossing the virial sphere substantially decrease with decreasing redshift: the number of streams N 90 that make up 90% of concurrent inflow mass flux, average inflow rate per stream and mean (mass flux weighted) gas density in the streams n gas. Another key variable, the stream dimensionless angular momentum parameter ?, is found to instead increase with decreasing redshift. Assimilating these trends and others naturally leads to a physically coherent scenario for the emergence of the Hubble sequence, including the following expectations: (1) the predominance of a mixture of disproportionately small irregular and complex disk galaxies at z ? 2 when most galaxies have multiple concurrent streams, (2) the beginning of the appearance of flocculent spirals at z ~ 1-2 when the number of concurrent streams are about 2-3, (3) the grand-design spiral galaxies appear at z ? 1 when galaxies with only one major cold stream significantly emerge. These expected general trends are in good accord with observations. Early-type galaxies are those that have entered a perennial state of zero cold gas stream, with their abundance increasing with decreasing redshift.
Frame by Frame: A Materialist Aesthetics of Animated Cartoons

This review will be bittersweet. That feeling comes not from the stellar work to be analyzed, but from the fact that the author of this monograph passed away in 2017 at the young age of 33. I did n...
Evaluating a Novel Approach to Community Based Instruction (CBI) in Elementary School for Students With Autism

The aim of this study was to evaluate a school-based Community Based Instruction program for students with autism in the elementary school. Developed and coordinated by an occupational therapist, t...
Oral operant ethanol self-administration in the absence of explicit cues, food restriction, water restriction and ethanol fading in C57BL/6J mice.

Mouse models of ethanol (EtOH) self-administration are useful to identify genetic and biological underpinnings of alcohol use disorder. These experiments developed a novel method of oral operant EtOH self-administration in mice without explicitly paired cues, food/water restriction, or EtOH fading. Following magazine and lever training for 0.2 % saccharin (SAC), mice underwent nine weekly overnight sessions with lever pressing maintained by dipper presentation of 0, 3, 10, or 15 % EtOH in SAC or water vehicle. Ad libitum water was available from a bottle. Water vehicle mice ingested most fluid from the water bottle in contrast to SAC vehicle mice, which despite lever pressing demands, drank most of their fluid from the liquid dipper. Although EtOH in SAC vehicle mice showed concentration-dependent increases of g/kg EtOH intake, lever pressing decreased with increasing EtOH concentration and did not exceed that of SAC vehicle alone at any EtOH concentration. Mice reinforced with EtOH in water ingested less EtOH than mice reinforced with EtOH in SAC. EtOH in water mice, however, showed concentration-dependent increases in g/kg EtOH intake and lever presses. Fifteen percent EtOH in water mice showed significantly greater levels of lever pressing than water vehicle mice and a significant escalation of responding across weeks of exposure. Naltrexone pretreatment reduced EtOH self-administration and intake in these mice without altering responding in the vehicle control condition during the first hour of the session. SAC facilitated EtOH intake but prevented observation of EtOH reinforcement. Water vehicle unmasked EtOH’s reinforcing effects.
Chinese Development Aid in Africa: What, Where, Why, and How Much?

China’s development aid to Africa has increased rapidly, yet this might be the only fact on which we have widespread agreement when it comes to Chinese aid. Analysts disagree about the nature of China’s official development aid, the countries that are its main recipients, the reasons for providing aid, the quantity of official aid, and its impact. Why does this matter? Knowing more about Chinese development aid is important for understanding Chinese foreign policy and economic statecraft: how and to what ends does China use its government policy tools? It is also important for more accurate comparisons between Chinese practices and those of other donors and providers of finance. Finally, for those who are interested in the question of whether, as it rises, China will transform, reform or maintain the existing system of norms and rules, development aid provides a particularly interesting case study. The rules and norms about foreign aid have been forged not by a global institution, but primarily by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) — a group of countries of which China is not a part. To answer questions about China’s impact on these rules and norms, we need to have a sound idea of what China is actually doing as a donor.
The Value Relevance of Changes in Financial Leverage

Economic performance (economic profits, economic income, or underlying operating performance) of a firm is not observable. Market participants use accounting earnings and other proxies to measure the otherwise unobservable economic performance. Ball and Brown (1968) show that accounting earnings capture the economic performance to some extent. In particular, they find that accounting earnings are correlated with stock returns (value relevant). We hypothesize and show that changes in financial leverage are also value relevant. We document a significantly negative association between changes in financial leverage and contemporaneous risk-adjusted stock returns. The information in changes in financial leverage is incremental to the information in earnings-based measures. Furthermore, we find that changes in financial leverage are also negatively associated with future risk-adjusted returns. This evidence suggests that the information in changes in financial leverage is not impounded in stock prices in a timely fashion.
An Advanced Practice Nurse Coordinated Multidisciplinary Intervention for Patients with Late-Stage Cancer: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

Abstract Background: Early palliative care provided through a palliative care consultative service is effective in enhancing patient outcomes. However, it is unknown whether the integration of palliative care as part of routine comprehensive cancer care improves patients' self-reported clinical outcomes. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary coordinated intervention by advanced practice nurses at the clinic level on outcomes with patients newly diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Methods: A clustered, randomized, controlled trial design was used. Four disease-specific multidisciplinary clinics were randomized to the 10-week intervention (gynecologic and lung clinics) or to enhanced usual care (head and neck and gastrointestinal clinics). Patient primary outcomes (symptoms, health distress, depression, functional status, self-reported health) were collected at baseline and one and three months, and secondary outcomes were collected one and three months post...