cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CHAIO: Enabling HPC Applications on Data-Intensive File Systems

The computing paradigm of "HPC in the Cloud" has gained a surging interest in recent years, due to its merits of cost-efficiency, flexibility, and scalability. Cloud is designed on top of distributed file systems such as Google file system (GFS). The capability of running HPC applications on top of data-intensive file systems is a critical catalyst in promoting Clouds for HPC. However, the semantic gap between data-intensive file systems and HPC imposes numerous challenges. For example, N-1 (N to 1) is a widely used data access pattern for HPC applications such as check pointing, but cannot perform well on data-intensive file systems. In this study, we propose the CHunk-Aware I/O (CHAIO) strategy to enable efficient N-1 data access on data-intensive distributed file systems. CHAIO reorganizes I/O requests to favor data-intensive file systems and avoid possible access contention. It balances the workload distribution and promotes data locality. We have tested the CHAIO design over the Kosmos file system (KFS). Experimental results show that CHAIO achieves a more than two-fold improvement in I/O bandwidth for both write and read operations. Experiments in large-scale environment confirm the potential of CHAIO for small and irregular requests. The aggregator selection algorithm works well to balance the workload distribution. CHAIO is a critical and necessary step to enable HPC in the Cloud.
RISK OF EXTREME EVENTS IN A MULTIOBJECTIVE FRAMEWORK

: This paper summarizes advances made in risk-based decisionmaking in water resources through use of the partitioned multiobjective risk method (PMRM). (Risk is a measure of the probability and severity of adverse effects.) In the PMRM, the risk of extreme events is differentiated from risk involving less extreme damage severity and is evaluated within a multiobjective framework. Study of the extreme-event risk function f4(*) has addressed the following issues: methods for calculating f4(*); the sensitivity of f4(*) to various parameters, particularly to the partitioning point of the extreme-event range and the selection of probability density functions; insight provided by the statistics of extremes; and the impact of f4(*) on risk management, for example, in the application of the PMRM to water resources problems. In particular, this paper shares with the reader recent research results on the PMRM, the relationship between the statistics of extremes and the conditional expected value, derived formulas for f4(*), distribution-free estimates of f4(*), documented case studies in dam safety, and future research directions.
Reflections on diversity and organizational development

Effectively addressing diversity issues can be a challenge in any organization—yet, when done well, it can manifest as more of an opportunity to foster a strong sense of community and maximize potential within it. In this column, Sarah Leadley maps the robust approach taken at the University of Washington Bothell/Cascadia College Library to develop cultural competencies among staff and establish diversity as a strategic priority. The library’s integrated agenda, grounded in the principles of social justice and built around teachable moments, suggests a noteworthy facet of organizational development that is well worth modeling.
Thomas T. McAvoy, CSC: Historian, Archivist and Educator

As archivist, teacher, and historian, Thomas McAvoy, CSC made significant contributions to American Catholic scholarship, applying an interpretative approach, through his theory of the Catholic minority. McAvoy transformed the University of Notre Dame archives into a useful research tool by his organization and cataloguing of over 500,000 documents, leaving a legacy for future scholars. His writings on education demonstrate his concern for the American Catholic dilemma of living in an often hostile environment. As an historian McAvoy plowed new ground in an interpretative approach centered about accurate documentation, rejection of generalizations, and impartial judgment. He wrote in many historical areas, but made his most significant contribution in American Church history, producing a composite sketch of the American Catholic in history,most prominently through his unique perspective of viewing all events through the lens of Catholicism's minority status.
The effects of age and set size on the fast extraction of egocentric distance

Angular direction is a source of information about the distance to floor-level objects that can be extracted from brief glimpses (near one's threshold for detection). Age and set size are two factors known to impact the viewing time needed to directionally localize an object, and these were posited to similarly govern the extraction of distance. The question here was whether viewing durations sufficient to support object detection (controlled for age and set size) would also be sufficient to support well-constrained judgments of distance. Regardless of viewing duration, distance judgments were more accurate (less biased towards underestimation) when multiple potential targets were presented, suggesting that the relative angular declinations between the objects are an additional source of useful information. Distance judgments were more precise with additional viewing time, but the benefit did not depend on set size and accuracy did not improve with longer viewing durations. The overall pattern suggests that distance can be efficiently derived from direction for floor-level objects. Controlling for age-related differences in the viewing time needed to support detection was sufficient to support distal localization but only when brief and longer glimpse trials were interspersed. Information extracted from longer glimpse trials presumably supported performance on subsequent trials when viewing time was more limited. This outcome suggests a particularly important role for prior visual experience in distance judgments for older observers.
Facile Synthesis and Electrical Properties of Silver Wires through Chemical Reduction by Polyaniline

We demonstrate here for the first time a facile fabrication of silver wire (SW) structures with a wide range of sizes and morphologies through direct chemical reduction by polyaniline (PANI). The synthesis of SW is mostly determined by the nature of the PANI dopant and silver nitrate concentration. Time-resolved optical microscopy allows monitoring the growth of SWs in real time and reveals the possible growth mechanism. Temperature-dependent resistance of a SW with 150 nm diameter by a four-probe method shows typical resistance behavior of silver metal, and the electrical conductivity is 2.1 × 105 S/cm at room temperature. The morphology-dependent electrical properties of these SWs are measured using a two-probe method. The wires comprised of self-assembled silver nanoparticles usually have lower electrical conductivities than those with smooth surfaces, due to the presence of growth defects and enhanced surface scattering. Current−voltage (I−V) curve measurements in a wide potential range either break d...
Direct Preparation of Carbon Solids from Green Coke pulverized by Vibratory-Ball-Mill

Carbon solids were directly prepared from green petroleum coke powder without using any binder material.Green petroleum coke powder was milled with a vibratory-ball-mill for various periods from30min to8hr in addition with water of8vol% and then pressed into a cylindrical shape with diameter of20mm under a pressure of2000kg/cm2.The formed samples were heat-treated at 1000°C and then to final temperature at 2800°C.Particle size decreased to about 1μm within4hr-milling.By milling for longer period, secondary aggregated particles with about10μm in maximum size were formed. The pulverized particles were not uniform in size and shape as was observed in the case of motar grinding.(002) diffraction peak of the green coke became broader after milling.Some properties of the carbon solids thus obtained were investigated in relation to milling time and compared with the case of motar grinding.From the powder milled for1to4hr, carbon solids with bulk density of about1.9g/cm3, d (002) spacing of3.39-3.40A, compressive strength of600-1000kg/cm2 and shore hardness of about90were obtained.When milling time was prolonged more than1hr the strength decreased.The milling time of1hr to4hr was much shorter but the strength and the hardness were lower than the case of using agate mortar.
Disordered Periodic Structures

A structure designed to be spatially periodic in configuration cannot be exactly periodic due to material, geometric and manufacturing variabilities. The departure from exact periodicity is known as disorder, and its effects are investigated in this paper in terms of additional decay in wave propagation, and possible localized higher response.
Genes and Small RNA Transcripts Exhibit Dosage-Dependent Expression Pattern in Maize Copy-Number Alterations.

Copy-number alterations are widespread in animal and plant genomes, but their immediate impact on gene expression is still unclear. In animals, copy-number alterations usually exhibit dosage effects, except for sex chromosomes which tend to be dosage compensated. In plants, genes within small duplications ( 50 Mb) are more often dosage compensated. However, little or nothing is known about expression in moderately-sized (1-50 Mb) segmental duplications, and about the response of small RNAs to dosage change. Here, we compared maize (Zea mays) plants with two, three, and four doses of a 14.6-Mb segment of chromosome 1 that contains ∼300 genes. Plants containing the duplicated segment exhibit dosage-dependent effects on ear length and flowering time. Transcriptome analyses using GeneChip and RNA-sequencing methods indicate that most expressed genes and unique small RNAs within the duplicated segments exhibit dosage-dependent transcript levels. We conclude that dosage effect is the predominant regulatory response for both genes and unique small RNA transcripts in the segmental dosage series we tested. To our knowledge this is the first analysis of small RNA expression in plant gene dosage variants. Because segmental duplications comprise a significant proportion of eukaryotic genomes, these findings provide important new insight into the regulation of genes and small RNAs in response to dosage changes.
Numerical simulation of creep characteristic for soft rock

In order to predict the characteristic of the rock under the condition of high stress,according to the creep characteristic of soft rock,the M-K creep model for simulating the creep characteristic of soft rock was obtained based on a typical combined creep model such as M-K creep model by considering the material viscoelastic stress.It emphasized simulating the creep characteristic of adjacent rock for typeⅤ,and the results indicated that under high stress condition,creep could drive the adjacent rock to deform greatly,on the other hand the creep deformation could be accelerated with principal stress gradient increasing.
Proving the Pythagorean Theorem via Infinite Dissections

AbstractNovel proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem are obtained by dissecting the squares on the sides of the abc triangle into a series of infinitely many similar triangles.
Penetrating Injuries to the Neck: Operation, Observation or Angiointervention

Penetrating neck injuries (PNI) are notoriously difficult to evaluate and manage because of the complex anatomy and the dense concentration of numerous vital structures in a small anatomical area. The clinical evaluation can challenge the skills of the less experienced physicians and significant injuries may easily be missed. The radiological evaluation of these injuries has undergone major changes in the last fewyears and shifted from invasive diagnostic procedures to noninvasive methods, but the selection of the most appropriate investigation remains a controversial issue. New advances in interventional radiology have revolutionized the management of some complex vascular injuries. The concept of selective nonoperative management in selected patients has gained considerable acceptance. This chapter discusses these issues in detail and provides practical guidelines and algorithms for the safe evaluation and initial management of PNI.
VDT Workstation Design

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the visual-display terminal (VDT) workstation design. Proper design and use of furniture assume flexibility in work organization and management attitudes. Providing freedom for individual variations from the conventional norm requires considering that persons working with computers differ in their physiques and work preferences. The ergonomic design of VDT workstations, their adjustability, and proper use can determine, by many and subtle interactions, the person's well-being and the related work performance. The output of the human–computer system is driven by the human. The main interaction is through eyes, ears, hands, and feet. Therefore, the body posture is largely determined by visual targets and by input devices, and by the seat. Ill-designed and ill-arranged computer workstations lead to health complaints and attitude problems, while ergonomic conditions further well-being, both physically and psychologically. The phanton of the average person sitting upright with right angles at elbows, hips, and knees should be abolished and replaced by a design model that incorporates the actual range of body sizes and of working postures, and their large variations reflecting individual sitting and standing preferences.
Challenging German Ambitions: Clandestine British Military Operations in Romania, 1939–1941

Romania began to figure in British calculations about Hitler’s intentions in Central and Eastern Europe after the Anschluss of March 1938.1 It was generally believed in the War Office that Germany would seek to impose its will on the area before turning its attention towards Western Europe. Given Romania’s geographical position there was little Britain could offer her. The brutal fact of British-Romanian relations, bluntly expressed by one historian, was that ‘Germany is inconveniently in the way: opportunity, proximity of manufacture and the logistics of supply all told in favour of the Third Reich.’2 This held, of course, for military as well as economic matters. In these circumstances the British concluded that their only weapon against German ambitions in countries which fell into Hitler’s orbit were military subversive operations.
Can people catastrophize barriers? An exploratory analysis of the association between pain catastrophizing and perceptions of environmental factors.

Abstract Background Measurement of the environment is taking on increased importance for understanding variability in participation. Most measures of the environment use subjective ratings, yet little is known about how people appraise the environment. Objective /Hypothesis: We conducted this post-hoc study to examine whether or not catastrophizing, an important variable for understanding how pain contributes to disability, may be related to ratings of the environment. We hypothesized higher pain catastrophizing scores would be associated with greater environmental barriers and fewer facilitators. Methods Individuals with functional impairments (N = 525) were recruited from a population-based random sample of households in a small western city in the United States to complete a paper-based survey about their health and community living experiences. We conducted exploratory regression analyses to investigate associations with environmental factor ratings. Results We found substantial associations between pain catastrophizing and both environmental barriers and personal factor problems after controlling for demographics, participation assessed by community trips per week, health conditions, impairment and pain level. The models accounted for 28% of the variance in environmental factor ratings and 52% of the variability personal factor ratings. We also present odds ratios for the association between personal characteristics and the likelihood of endorsing EF and PF. Conclusions A variety of individual characteristics are associated with ratings of both environmental and personal factors that impact participation. Among these, pain catastrophizing is a robust predictor of EF and PF ratings which suggests future research designed specifically to test this relationship may generate useful results for developing interventions to increase participation.
Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhi Bacteremia Complicating Pregnancy in the Third Trimester.

Background. Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (S. Typhi) is an anaerobic gram-negative enteric rod that causes infection when contaminated food or water is ingested and may cause illness in pregnancy. Case. This is a patient who presented at 31 weeks’ gestation with abdominal pain and fever and was diagnosed with S. Typhi bacteremia. Conclusion. S. Typhi should be considered in febrile patients with recent travel presenting with abdominal discomfort with or without elevated liver enzymes.
The Impact of Rural-Urban Migration on Poultry Production in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

This study was conducted to reveal the impact of rural-urban migration on broiler production in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Data were collected from 795 household heads and farmers/managers/supervisors of 25 selected broiler farms in the study area. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis was utilized to analyze the data. Able bodied young men constituted most of the rural-urban migrants. All the broiler farmers visited except 5 experienced labour shortage. Consequent upon labour shortage, most of the farms could not stock birds up to full capacity of their pens. This translated into foregone revenue for the poultry farms. Rural-urban migration significantly and positively correlated with shortage of labour, under stocking and foregone revenue. It was recommended that the States governments in the Niger Delta Region should embark on infrastructural development for the rural areas and encourage farmers to adopt mechanized/automated poultry farming operations in collaboration with donor agencies so as to make provision for lost labour in the broiler farming.
Phase I/II Study of Clofarabine Combined with Standard Dose Cytarabine as Remission Induction Therapy of De Novo AML in Elderly Patients ≥60 Years.

Abstract Despite significant advances in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in younger adults, there has been little progress in the treatment of older patients (age≥60 years), who comprise the majority of those with the disease. Clofarabine is a purine nucleoside analog with single agent activity in patients with relapsed AML. In addition, clofarabine potentiates Ara-C cytotoxicity in vitro through increased intracellular Ara-CTP accumulation, making this an attractive combination. A phase I/II study has therefore been initiated combining clofarabine with standard dose cytarabine (100mg/m2/day x 7) in pts age ≥60 years with de novo AML. The starting dose of clofarabine was 30mg/m2/day x 5 beginning on day 2 (Dose level I). Patients were accrued in cohorts of 3–6 to establish dose limiting toxicity (DLT); cohort expansion at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is planned in phase II using a Simon 2-stage design. Detailed plasma and intracellular pharmacokinetics were performed during induction therapy with Ara-C alone (day 1), and following the addition of clofarabine (day 2) to determine the effect of clofarabine on intracellular Ara-CTP accumulation. Pts with residual AML on d14–21 restaging bone marrow (BM) biopsy were eligible to receive Re-Induction with 5 days of clofarabine & Ara-C. Those achieving complete remission were also eligible to receive 1–2 cycles of consolidation with Ara-C (d1–5) & clofarabine (total 3 cycles of planned therapy). Dose limiting toxicity was encountered at dose level I (see Table 1). 2/4 pts achieved CR, in 1 case with residual cytogenetic abnormality, and there were 2 treatment-related deaths from infxn (culture neg sepsis, n=1; Candida tropicalis, n=1). In the latter case (pt 4), BM aplasia was achieved, but the pt died on d25 prior to hematologic recovery. In view of the DLT, the protocol has therefore been amended to allow 25% dose de-escalation of clofarabine to Dose Level -I (22.5mg/m2/day x 5), and to limit eligibilty to pts age 60–75 yrs inclusive. Routine use of aggressive pre-hydration and antibiotic and antifungal prophylaxis is now mandated. Clofarabine & cytarabine is a highly active induction regimen in older adults age ≥60 yrs with de novo AML, but has significant myelosuppressive and infectious toxicity. The study is proceeding in phase I at Dose Level -I to establish the MTD. Phase I, Dose Level I PT AGE, GENDER FAB CYTOGENETICS F/U BM TOXICITY (Gr.III/IV) OUTCOME 1 66M M2 Diploid D21: residual AML renal, infxn Death 2 61M M2 Complex D14: aplastic FN FN CR - complete remission
Partial indium solubility induces chemical stability and colossal thermoelectric figure of merit in Cu2Se

High thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT ∼ 2.1 at 1000 K, have been reported in Cu2−xSe-based materials. However, their deployments in operational devices have been hampered by chemical instability and low average ZT (ZTave) values. Here, we demonstrate improved chemical stability and a record high ZTave ∼ 1.5 over a broad temperature range (T ≤ 850 K) in Cu2Se/CuInSe2 nanocomposites, with ZT values ranging from 0.6 at 450 K to an unprecedentedly large value of 2.6 at 850 K for the sample with 1 mol% In. This remarkable performance is attributed to the localization of Cu+ ions induced by the incorporation of In into the Cu2Se lattice, which simultaneously boost the electrical conductivity and reduce the thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites. These findings pave the way for large-scale utilization of Cu2Se-based materials in thermoelectric generators.
Impact of smoking in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: The paradox that smokers have better clinical outcomes in cardiovascular diseases remains controversial. No literature exists studying impact of smoking on outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: We performed an electronic search of the 2011–2012 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify all TAVR hospitalizations. Outcomes were measured comparing smokers to non-smokers. Results: A total of 8,345 TAVR hospitalizations were identified with 24% being smokers. Compared to non-smokers, smokers were younger (80.4±8.8 vs. 81.4±9.2 years, P<0.001), were more often men (63.6% vs. 47.8%, P<0.001), and had a higher disease burden. Despite a higher disease burden, smokers had lower post procedure stroke (2.8% vs. 3.1%), hemorrhage events (28.2% vs. 32.0%, P<0.05) and lower all cause in-hospital mortality (1.2% vs. 5.7%, adjusted odds ratio 0.21, 95% CI: 0.13–0.32, P<0.001) compared to non-smokers. Conclusions: Despite having a higher cardiovascular disease burden, smokers had better outcomes compared to non-smokers. Therefore the smoker’s paradox is applicable in the TAVR cohort.
PCS Control Channel Considerations

This paper concerns a Signaling System for Low Power Wireless Applications providing telephony service. As a basis for the discussion, we assume the eventual local loop replacement is a system goal. On the basis of on this assumption, the paper examines system operational issues that are vital for customer of this service. These issues are emergency call capabilities, extended battery life, and the efficient handling of control and data information message traffic in a high error rate environment. While these appear to be widely diverse topics, each of these points concerns signaling architecture. The paper examines each and proposes solutions.
XANES Spectroscopy: A Promising Tool for Toxicology:: A Tutorial

X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy can provide information on the oxidation state of metal ions within a biological sample and also the complexes in which it is found. This type of information could be of great use to toxicologists in understanding the mechanism of action of many toxic agents. The prospect of using a sophisticated physical technique such as XANES may be somewhat intimidating for those without a strong physical background. Here, we explain the concepts necessary to understand XANES spectroscopy at a level that can be easily understood by biological scientists without a strong physics background and describe useful sample preparation and data analysis techniques which can be adapted for a variety of applications. Examples are taken from an ongoing study of manganese in brain mitochondria and neuron-like cells.
A Bit of History Related to Logic Based on Equality

This historical note illuminates how Leon Henkin’s work influenced that of the author. It focuses on Henkin’s development of a formulation of type theory based on equality, and the significance of this contribution.
Electric-Field Gradient (EFG) Calculations in “Ionic” Crystals

The electrostatic potential energy of a binary point charge system is $$W = {{{q_1}{q_2}} \over {|{r_1} - {r_2}|}}.$$ (1)
Portoenterostomy (Kasai Procedure)

Laparoscopic portoenterostomy is an advanced minimal access procedure for the treatment of biliary atresia. This procedure is performed at only at a few centers over the world. This chapter deals with the operation room setup, patient positioning, special instruments and port placement sites for laparoscopic portoenterostomy. The indications, contraindications, preoperative considerations, technical notes and procedural variations for the laparoscopic portoenterostomy have been listed. High-quality images with text demonstrate step-by-step performing of a laparoscopic portoenterostomy.
Stochastic Waves on Regular Lattices

In order to study the phenomenon of noise-induced bistability we have expanded the master equation with respect to the cell volume, and obtained an approximated stochastic differential equation which was more amenable to analytical manipulations. As already remarked, the technique we have used made it possible to capture the multiplicative nature of noise which was essential to describe the dynamics. For the majority of systems, the factor that multiplies the noise is not necessary, and the stochastic dynamics can be understood within approximation schemes in which the noise acts as a linear perturbation. This occurs, for instance, for the type of stochastic dynamics we shall be interested in this section in which we investigate the role of the noise in pattern forming systems.
Mind matters. Coping and cancer progression.

Abstract The idea that having an ‘attitude’ about cancer makes a difference in its course is a popular but controversial one. Most oncologists and surgeons believe that tumor type and stage, general health, and medical treatment are all that account for the variance in outcome. Many patients and their families believe that having the right attitude makes a difference in the course of disease. This leads us to two empirical questions: (1) Does coping make a difference in disease progression when medical prognostic variables are taken into account? and (2) What constitutes the ‘right attitude’?
Parenting Adolescents in an Increasingly Diverse World: Defining, Refining, and Extending Theory and Research

This introduction to the Special Issue on Parenting Adolescents in an Increasingly Diverse World explores how increasing population diversity may provide a context for changes in the parenting of adolescents. In this issue, authors (1) explore the context for asking questions about parenting adolescents and diversity, (2) consider parents, adolescents, and parenting in different diversity contexts, and (3) reflect on crosscutting themes. Two articles examine the parenting in an international context and within changing domestic demographics. Four articles focus on parenting adolescents in traditionally marginalized groups with the goal of identifying lessons for supporting all youth in navigating an increasingly diverse world. Finally, two articles synthesize these articles to suggest important directions for future research.
Anxiety Sensitivity and Suicidal Ideation/Suicide Risk: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE Suicide is a global public health concern. To inform the prevention and treatment of suicidality, it is crucial to identify transdiagnostic vulnerability factors for suicide and suicide-related conditions. One candidate factor is anxiety sensitivity (AS)-the fear of anxiety-related sensations-which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a host of mental health outcomes, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Importantly, AS is distinct from trait anxiety and negative affectivity, highlighting its potential incremental utility in the understanding of psychopathology. Despite a burgeoning body of literature demonstrating that AS is linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviors, this research has yet to be synthesized. METHOD This meta-analysis includes 33 articles representing 34 nonredundant samples (N = 14,002) that examined at least one relationship between AS global or subfactor (i.e., cognitive, physical, social) scores and suicidal ideation and/or suicide risk. RESULTS Findings revealed small-to-moderate and moderate associations between global AS and suicidal ideation (r = .24, 95% confidence interval (CI): [.21, .26], p < .001) and suicide risk (r = .35, 95% CI [.31, .38], p < .001), respectively. All AS subfactors evinced significant associations with suicidal ideation (rs = .13-.24) and suicide risk (rs = .22-.32). CONCLUSIONS AS is related to suicidal ideation and global suicide risk. Research is needed to disentangle AS from other indices of distress in the prediction of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
TGFβ Blockade Augments PD-1 Inhibition to Promote T-Cell–Mediated Regression of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains remarkably lethal with a 5-year survival rate of 8%. This is mainly attributed to the late stage of presentation, as well as widespread resistance to conventional therapy. In addition, PDAC tumors are largely nonimmunogenic, and most patients have displayed incomplete responses to cancer immunotherapies. Our group has previously identified TGFβ as a crucial repressor of antitumor immune function in PDAC, particularly with respect to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. However, pharmacologic inhibition of TGFβ signaling has had limited efficacy in clinical trials, failing to promote a significant antitumor immune response. Hence, in this work, we extend our analysis to identify and circumvent the mechanisms of resistance to TGFβ signal inhibition in PDAC. Consistent with our previous observations, adoptive transfer of TGFβ-insensitive CD8+ T cells led to the near complete regression of neoplastic disease in vivo However, we demonstrate that this cannot be recapitulated via global reduction in TGFβ signaling, through either genetic ablation or pharmacologic inhibition of TGFBR1. In fact, tumors with TGFβ signal inhibition displayed increased PD-L1 expression and had no observable change in antitumor immunity. Using genetic models of advanced PDAC, we then determined that concomitant inhibition of both TGFβ and PD-L1 receptors led to a reduction in the neoplastic phenotype, improving survival and reducing disease-associated morbidity in vivo Combined, these data strongly suggest that TGFβ and PD-L1 pathway inhibitors may synergize in PDAC, and this approach warrants clinical consideration.
The Participation of Regulatory Lipids in Vacuole Homotypic Fusion

In eukaryotes, organelles and vesicles modulate their contents and identities through highly regulated membrane fusion events. Membrane trafficking and fusion are carried out through a series of stages that lead to the formation of SNARE complexes between cellular compartment membranes to trigger fusion. Although the protein catalysts of membrane fusion are well characterized, their response to their surrounding microenvironment, provided by the lipid composition of the membrane, remains to be fully understood. Membranes are composed of bulk lipids (e.g., phosphatidylcholine), as well as regulatory lipids that undergo constant modifications by kinases, phosphatases, and lipases. These lipids include phosphoinositides, diacylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, and cholesterol/ergosterol. Here we describe the roles of these lipids throughout the stages of yeast vacuole homotypic fusion.
Myocarditis with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy: case report of late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance with pathology correlate

Background Nivolumab is a human IgG4 anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody that works by augmenting the immune response against tumour cells. It has the potential of causing multiple autoimmune-related events, including cardiac. However, the real incidence and diagnosis of cardiac complications remains unclear. Case summary A 47-year-old woman with a history of carotid artery dissection and metastatic melanoma presented with acute heart failure. One year prior to presentation, she had received one cycle only of checkpoint inhibitor therapy with both ipilimumab and nivolumab, and nivolumab only was restarted 4 months prior to presentation. On admission, she was hypotensive, tachycardic due to atrial tachycardia and with pulmonary oedema. An echocardiogram revealed a left ventricular ejection fraction of 26%. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) demonstrated a non-ischaemic pattern of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), most consistent with myocarditis. The diagnosis of immunotherapy-mediated cardiac toxicity was highly considered and immunosuppressive therapy was initiated. However, she went into refractory cardiogenic shock and did not survive. An autopsy performed with samples from areas of myocardium with and without LGE on the CMR, found correlation. Discussion According to the literature, cardiac complications develop in less than 1% of patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors, with a 0.06% incidence reported in nivolumab specifically. However, it may be higher, given the lack of cardiac monitoring during treatment. We present the first case demonstrating direct histological correlation of T-lymphocytic infiltration with areas of LGE on CMR. Future investigation using CMR for early detection of inflammation and left ventricular dysfunction may help to diagnosis disease earlier.
The Functioning of the ‘New Elements’ of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture

This chapter explores the working of the PBC, PBSO and PBF in their first few years of existence, seeking to identify traces of the liberal democratic peace to assess the extent to which they may have continued to influence the meaning of ‘peacebuilding’ in the UN milieu, providing a rationale, motivating, legitimating and enacting UN peacebuilding initiatives in post-armed conflict scenarios. It reviews the role of PBSO in providing technical assistance and coordinating policy processes, as well as overseeing the disbursement of PBF resources, and analyses concrete initiatives carried out within the framework of the PBC in its different configurations. Chapters 7 and 8 demonstrate that the establishment and functioning of those three entities have provoked little substantial changes in UN peacebuilding, having often contributed to reproducing and replicating the liberal democratic peace framework that informs the UN concept and practice of peacebuilding rather than necessarily provoking the concrete positive impact on the field that had been expected in the UN milieu at the time of the establishment of those entities. The reflections of the liberal peace framework in the UN contemporary understanding of and practice in peacebuilding attests to its prolonged influence in the Organisation’s approach to addressing the needs of societies emerging from armed conflict more than 20 years after An Agenda for Peace.
Neuroimaging of traumatic brain injury in military personnel: An overview

Abstract Background The incidence of blunt-force traumatic brain injury (TBI) is especially prevalent in the military, where the emergency care admission rate has been reported to be 24.6–41.8 per 10,000 soldier-years. Given substantial advancements in modern neuroimaging techniques over the past decade in terms of structural, functional, and connectomic approaches, this mode of exploration can be viewed as best suited for understanding the underlying pathology and for providing proper intervention at effective time-points. Approach Here we survey neuroimaging studies of mild-to-severe TBI in military veterans with the intent to aid the field in the creation of a roadmap for clinicians and researchers whose aim is to understand TBI progression. Discussion Recent advancements on the quantification of neurocognitive dysfunction, cellular dysfunction, intracranial pressure, cerebral blood flow, inflammation, post-traumatic neuropathophysiology, on blood serum biomarkers and on their correlation to neuroimaging findings are reviewed to hypothesize how they can be used in conjunction with one another. This may allow clinicians and scientists to comprehensively study TBI in military service members, leading to new treatment strategies for both currently-serving as well as veteran personnel, and to improve the study of TBI more broadly.
A healthful home food environment: Is it possible amidst household chaos and parental stress?

Abstract Purpose This study examines how household chaos and unmanaged parental stress are associated with and contribute to variance in markers of the home food environment (family meal frequency, perceived barriers to cooking, healthful home food availability). Obtaining a better understanding of these relationships could guide more effective family-based interventions to promote healthful home food environments. Methods The analytic sample included 819 households with children in the population-based Project EAT-IV cohort with survey data from 2015 to 2016. Multiple linear regression was used to generate means and 95% confidence intervals of home food environment variables, and estimates for the contribution of household chaos (defined by frenetic activity, loud noises and disorder), and quartiles of unmanaged parental stress (ratio of perceived stress and ability to manage stress). Model fit was also examined. Results/findings Both household chaos and quartiles of unmanaged parental stress were independently and inversely associated with family meal frequency (p's Conclusions Interventions to assist with parental management of stress and chaos within the home environment (e.g., establishing routines) may increase family meal frequency and the quality of children's home food environments.
Somatic CACNA1H Mutation As a Cause of Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma

Driver somatic mutations for aldosterone excess have been found in ≈90% of aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) using an aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2)-guided sequencing approach. In the present study, we identified a novel somatic CACNA1H mutation (c.T4289C, p.I1430T) in an APA without any currently known aldosterone-driver mutations using CYP11B2 immunohistochemistry-guided whole exome sequencing. The CACNA1H gene encodes a voltage-dependent T-type calcium channel alpha-1H subunit. Germline variants in this gene are known as a cause of familial hyperaldosteronism IV. Targeted next-generation sequencing detected identical CACNA1H variants in 2 additional APAs in a cohort of the University of Michigan, resulting in a prevalence of 4% (3/75) in APAs. We tested the functional effect of the variant on adrenal cell aldosterone production and CYP11B2 mRNA expression using the human adrenocortical HAC15 cell line with a doxycycline-inducible CACNA1HI1430T mutation. Doxycycline treatment increased CYP11B2 mRNA levels as well as aldosterone production, supporting a pathological role of the CACNA1H p.I1430T mutation on the development of primary aldosteronism. In conclusion, somatic CACNA1H mutation is a genetic cause of APAs. Although the prevalence of this mutation is low, this study will provide better understanding of molecular mechanism of inappropriate aldosterone production in APAs.
Nanocarbons Division: The Past, the Present, the Future

The Nanocarbons (NANO) Division is the youngest in The Electrochemical Society. Its history began with the first symposium on porphyrins and fullerene science, organized in early 1990s by Karl Kadish, Founding Chair of the Division. It was the time of the "gold rush" for carbon clusters: in 1991 the fullerene (a.k.a. buckyball) was named "The Molecule of the Year" and attracted a lot of attention in fundamental and applied science. In 1993 the Fullerenes Group was founded, shortly after the invention of CVD synthesis of buckyballs—the production method which allowed easy access to this new allotrope of carbon. The long journey into the world of nanomaterials, with flat or curved surfaces, made of pure carbon, with hexagonal lattice similar to what Buckminster Fuller used for his geodomes, had begun.
Agroforestry form and ecological adaptation in ancient Hawai'i: Extent of the pākukui swidden system of Hāmākua, Hawai'i Island

Abstract Agricultural strategies in ancient Hawai'i were adaptive, occasionally unique, and increasingly being shown to have strongly related to the local environmental opportunities and constraints. However, little is known about the extent of arboriculture and forest modification due to the lack of physical infrastructure and remains associated with these forms of agriculture. We utilize historical ethnography and remote sensing to examine the form and function of agroforestry along the Hāmākua coast on Hawai'i Island. Mapping over 26,000 remnant trees of two species used in Hawaiian agroforestry systems, we identify two distinct applications of arboriculture: A permanent arboricultural system with substantial breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg) and a shifting cultivation system based on candlenut (Aleurites moluccanus (L.) Willd). The distributions of these systems on the landscape appear to be constrained by soil fertility and temperature, with the swidden agricultural system occurring on the more fertile portion of the landscape and the permanent arboricultural system occupying the less fertile lands. Experimentation demonstrating the nitrogen accumulation and fixation associated with candlenut compost suggests that the swidden system would be maximized if the rotation occurred in the range of 6–12 years
An unusual etiology of multifocal osteomyelitis in a previously healthy African American male

Introduction: Multifocal osteomyelitis secondary to Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) is a rare clinical manifestation in children that can mimic chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), with its indolent clinical course as well as similar findings on a Whole Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (WB-MRI). Clinicians should be aware that disseminated B. henselae infection can be distinguished from CRMO, with epidemiologic link, serologic evidence, and visceral involvement (from hematologic spread). Case Presentation: A previously healthy 11-year-old African American male presented to emergency department (ED) for 12 days of fever (Tmax 104 F) at home, with associated headache …
Profile of Polatuzumab Vedotin in the Treatment of Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Brief Report on the Emerging Clinical Data

Abstract Polatuzumab vedotin is an anti-CD79b antibody conjugated to monomethyl auristatin E that has shown significant clinical activity in follicular and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and is currently FDA-approved in combination with bendamustine and rituximab for patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL. This review article summarizes data from clinical trials of polatuzumab and discusses its current role and future directions in the treatment of patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Methods We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar from inception to January 2020, using the following terms: polatuzumab and CD79. We also reviewed the package insert and available abstracts and posters presented at national and international meetings.
Fast Neutron Irradiation Effects on Multiple Gallium Nitride (GaN) Device Reliability in Presence of Ambient Variations

Radiation-hard semiconductor devices are becoming more important for a growing number of nuclear and space applications. Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor devices can be highly beneficial in this regard. In this paper, we report the electrical performance of multiple AlGaN/GaN deep UV LEDs irradiated by high fluence fast neutrons. The irradiation experiment was conducted in a newly enhanced beamline at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) from 2014-2016 with a maximum fluence of 2.41x1013 neutrons/cm2 over a 3-year span, in an temperature varying, semi-open outdoor housing. We continuously monitored the I-V characteristics of all GaN devices, and showed that they maintained proper I-V behaviors as the neutron fluence increased. Extensive data analysis further shows that effects of neutron irradiation fluence increment in a given day are actually smaller than that induced by daily temperature variation. Our experimental results facilitate the design of diagnostics systems such as multi-pixel imagers for high energy density physics experiments, and complex space electronics that must survive through both high fluence radiation and large orbital temperature variations.
Generative modeling of single-cell population time series for inferring cell differentiation landscapes

Summary Existing computational methods that use single-cell RNA-sequencing for cell fate prediction either summarize observations of cell states and their couplings without modeling the underlying differentiation process, or are limited in their capacity to model complex differentiation landscapes. Thus, contemporary methods cannot predict how cells evolve stochastically and in physical time from an arbitrary starting expression state, nor can they model the cell fate consequences of gene expression perturbations. We introduce PRESCIENT (Potential eneRgy undErlying Single Cell gradIENTs), a generative modeling framework that learns an underlying differentiation landscape from single-cell time-series gene expression data. Our generative model framework provides insight into the process of differentiation and can simulate differentiation trajectories for arbitrary gene expression progenitor states. We validate our method on a recently published experimental lineage tracing dataset that provides observed trajectories. We show that this model is able to predict the fate biases of progenitor cells in neutrophil/macrophage lineages when accounting for cell proliferation, improving upon the best-performing existing method. We also show how a model can predict trajectories for cells not found in the model’s training set, including cells in which genes or sets of genes have been perturbed. PRESCIENT is able to accommodate complex perturbations of multiple genes, at different time points and from different starting cell populations. PRESCIENT models are able to recover the expected effects of known modulators of cell fate in hematopoiesis and pancreatic β cell differentiation.
An Equilibrium Prediction Method for Control and Fault Detection of Energy Systems

AbstractMany fault detection, optimization, and control logic methods rely on sensor feedback that assumes the system is operating at steady-state conditions, despite persistent transient disturban...
Beware of Chasing Yield: Bond Fund Yield, Flows and Performance

This paper studies the role of mutual fund yield in driving investor flows and performance of bond funds. Using two common measures, the SEC yield and 12-month distribution yield, we find strong evidence that investors tend to chase bond funds with higher yields, even after controlling for total fund returns and fund ratings. Although bond funds with higher yields achieve higher average total returns, the return spread is less than one half of the yield spread, and is attributable to higher fund risk. We also show that high yield bond funds suffer sharp losses during crisis periods, which trigger large outflows.