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Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) were originally classified based on their cytokine profiles, placing natural killer (NK) cells and ILC1s together, but recent studies support their separation into different lineages at steady-state. However, tumors may induce NK cell conversion into ILC1-like cells that are limited to the tumor microenvironment and whether this conversion occurs beyond this environment remains unknown. Here, we describe Toxoplasma gondii infection converts NK cells into ILC1-like cells that are distinct from both steady-state NK cells and ILC1s in uninfected mice. These cells were Eomes-dependent, indicating that NK cells can give rise to Eomes– Tbet-dependent ILC1-like cells that circulate widely and persist independent of ongoing infection. Moreover, these changes appear permanent, as supported by epigenetic analyses. Thus, these studies markedly expand current concepts of NK cells, ILCs, and their potential conversion.

The Proposal Auto-Categorizer and Manager (PACMan) tool was written to respond to concerns on subjective flaws and potential biases in some aspects of the proposal review process for time allocation for the {\\it Hubble Space Telescope} (HST), and to partially alleviate some of the anticipated additional workload from the {\\it James Webb Space Telescope} (JWST) proposal review. PACMan is essentially a mixed-method Naive Bayesian spam filtering routine, with multiple pools representing scientific categories, that utilizes the Robinson method for combining token (or word) probabilities. PACMan was trained to make similar programmatic decisions in science category sorting, panelist selection, and proposal-to-panelists assignments to those made by individuals and committees in the Science Policies Group (SPG) at Space Telescope Science Institute. Based on training from the previous cycle's proposals, PACMan made the same science category assignments for proposals in Cycle 24 as did the SPG, an average of 87\\% of the time. Tests for similar science categorizations, based on training using proposals from additional cycles, show that this accuracy can be further improved, to the \\(>95\\%\\) level. This tool will be used to augment or replace key functions in the TAC review processes in future HST and JWST cycles.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) were originally classified based on their cytokine profiles, placing natural killer (NK) cells and ILC1s together, but recent studies support their separation into different lineages at steady-state. However, tumors may induce NK cell conversion into ILC1-like cells that are limited to the tumor microenvironment and whether this conversion occurs beyond this environment remains unknown. Here we describe Toxoplasma gondii infection converts NK cells into cells resembling steady-state ILC1s that are heterogeneous and distinct from both steady-state NK cells and ILC1s in uninfected mice. Most toxoplasma-induced ILC1s were Eomes-dependent, indicating that NK cells can give rise to Eomes− Tbet-dependent ILC1-like cells that circulate widely and persist independent of ongoing infection. Moreover, these changes appear permanent, as supported by epigenetic analyses. Thus, these studies markedly expand current concepts of NK cells, ILCs, and their potential conversion.

Abstract Genome size varies widely, even among closely related species, yet much less is known about chromosome size variation. Here we use the fourth chromosome of Drosophila, also known as the “Muller F element” or “dot chromosome”, as a model to investigate chromosome-specific size expansion. The F element of most Drosophila species is small (∼1.3 Mb) and almost entirely heterochromatic, yet harbors approximately 80 protein-coding genes. Here, we study D. kikkawai, D. takahashii, D. ananassae, and D. bipectinata, whose F elements are 2- to 15-fold larger in size compared to D. melanogaster. Through manual gene curation and comparative genomic analysis, we find that their F elements have expanded primarily via accumulation of transposable elements (TEs) in introns and intergenic regions. Natural selection appears less efficient on these expanded F elements: they have smaller effective population sizes and their genes exhibit reduced usage of optimal codons, compared to D. melanogaster. We propose that F element size variation is driven by differences in F element recombination rates. The ultra-long (∼20 Mb) F elements of D. ananassae and D. bipectinata display high rates of rearrangement and sequence evolution and exhibit independent TE-driven expansions. Our results suggest that F elements of most Drosophila species likely recombine enough to prevent size expansion, while F element recombination in D. ananassae and D. bipectinata is either absent or rare enough to allow TEs and other deleterious mutations to accumulate via Muller's ratchet; thus, these chromosomes evolve more like a Y chromosome than a typical Drosophila F element.

ObjectiveAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. Undiagnosed and poorly managed AF increases risk of stroke. The Hounslow AF quality improvement (QI) initiative was associated with improved quality of care for patients with AF through increased detection of AF and appropriate anticoagulation. This study aimed to evaluate whether there has been a change in stroke and bleeding rates in the Hounslow population following the QI initiative.MethodsUsing hospital admissions data from January 2011 to August 2018, interrupted time series analysis was performed to investigate the changes in standardised rates of admission with stroke and bleeding, following the start of the QI initiative in October 2014.ResultsThere was a 17% decrease in the rate of admission with stroke as primary diagnosis (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.83; 95% CI 0.712 to 0.963; p<0.014). There was an even larger yet not statistically significant decrease in admission with stroke as primary diagnosis and AF as secondary diagnosis (IRR 0.75; 95% CI 0.550 to 1.025; p<0.071). No significant changes were observed in bleeding admissions. For each outcome, an additional regression model including both the level change and an interaction term for slope change was created. In all cases, the slope change was small and not statistically significant.ConclusionReduction in stroke admissions may be associated with the AF QI initiative. However, the immediate level change and non-significant slope change suggests a lack of effect of the intervention over time and that the decrease observed may be attributable to other events.

Race has long shaped shopping experiences for many Americans. Retail exchanges and establishments have made headlines as flashpoints for conflict not only between blacks and whites, but also between whites, Mexicans, Asian Americans, and a wide variety of other ethnic groups, who have at times found themselves unwelcome at white-owned businesses. Race and Retaildocuments the extent to which retail establishments, both past and present, have often catered to specific ethnic and racial groups. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the original essays collected here explore selling and buying practices of nonwhite populations around the world and the barriers that shape these habits, such as racial discrimination, food deserts, and gentrification. The contributors highlight more contemporary issues by raising questions about how race informs business owners' ideas about consumer demand, resulting in substandard quality and higher prices for minorities than in predominantly white neighborhoods. In a wide-ranging exploration of the subject, they also address revitalization and gentrification in South Korean and Latino neighborhoods in California, Arab and Turkish coffeehouses and hookah lounges in South Paterson, New Jersey, and tourist capoeira consumption in Brazil. Race and Retaililluminates the complex play of forces at work in racialized retail markets and the everyday impact of those forces on minority consumers. The essays demonstrate how past practice remains in force in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

ObjectiveAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing problem internationally and a recognised cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The London borough of Hounslow has a lower than expected prevalence of AF, suggesting poor detection and associated undertreatment. To improve AF diagnosis and management, a quality improvement (QI) initiative was set up in 48 general practices in Hounslow. We aimed to study whether there was evidence of a change in AF diagnosis and management in Hounslow following implementation of interventions in this QI initiative.MethodsUsing the general practice information system (SystmOne), data were retrospectively collected for 415 626 patients, who were actively registered at a Hounslow practice between 1 January 2011 and 31 August 2018. Process, outcome and balancing measures were analysed using statistical process control and interrupted time series regression methods. The baseline period was from 1 January 2011 to 30 September 2014 and the intervention period was from 1 October 2014 to 31 August 2018.ResultsWhen comparing the baseline to the intervention period, (1) the rate of new AF diagnoses increased by 27% (relative risk 1.27; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.52; p<0.01); (2) ECG tests done for patients aged 60 and above increased; (3) CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED risk assessments within 30 days of AF diagnosis increased from 1.7% to 19% and 0.2% to 8.1%, respectively; (4) among those at higher risk of stroke, anticoagulation prescription within 30 days of AF diagnosis increased from 31% to 63% while prescription of antiplatelet monotherapy within the same time period decreased from 17% to 7.1%; and (5) average CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED risk scores did not change.ConclusionImplementation of interventions in the Hounslow QI initiative coincided with improved AF diagnosis and management. Areas with perceived underdetection of AF should consider similar interventions and methodology.

This article is excerpted from Rachel Porter, Sophia Lee, and Mary Lutz's 100-page report of the same name originally published by the Vera Institute of Justice in 2002. The report assesses the operation of the alternatives to incarceration (ATI) program for dealing with defendants accused of felonies. This research has shown that the ATI system represents a valuable sentencing option in the city. The criminal justice system in New York City includes a unique network of alternatives to incarceration: a coordinated set of programs to which judges may send criminal offenders instead of sentencing them to jail. The programs balance punishment and treatment for felony offenders without compromising public safety, and they have the potential to reduce reoffending.