cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The malignant B cells from B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients release TAC-soluble interleukin-2 receptors.

Both membrane (p55) and soluble (p45) forms of TAC-reactive interleukin- 2 receptor (IL-2R) are expressed and/or released by activated lymphocytes or monocytes. Previous work has detected increased levels of circulating, TAC-soluble IL-2R (soluble TAC antigen) in the serum of most B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients. We detected soluble TAC antigen in B-CLL patients (mean of 3,332 U/mL v 410 for controls). Serum soluble TAC antigen levels increased with stage (mean value of 1,187 U/mL for stage 0 v 2,527 for stage 2 and 5,410 for stages 3 and 4). We next attempted to determine whether the elevated serum levels of soluble TAC antigen in B-CLL patients might result from shedding or secretion of the receptor from the circulating, malignant B cells. Purified, malignant B cells from B-CLL patients were capable of producing easily detectable soluble TAC antigen after 48 hours of in vitro culture (range of 60 to 1,563 U/mL). IL-2R production by CLL B cells was dose dependent in most patients over a concentration of 10 x 10(6) to 60 x 10(6)/mL. In contrast, there was little or no detectable soluble TAC antigen when highly purified T cells from the same patients were cultured. Finally, despite elaboration of soluble IL-2R by CLL B cells, membrane expression of B-cell IL-2R was detected in only six of 11 patients. Thus, the cellular source of the elevated serum IL-2R levels is the malignant CLL B cell. Taken together these data suggest that (a) the malignant CLL B cell is “activated” in terms of release of soluble IL-2R and may serve as a tumor marker in this disease and (b) the elevated levels of circulating IL-2R may be an associated factor in the cellular immunodeficiency noted in B-CLL patients.
Kinetics of Peripheral Metabolism and Production Rates of T 3 s

Conventionally daily production rates (PR) of T3s are measured by means of disposal rates (DR), which equal PR under steady state conditions. The disposal rate (DR or PR) is calculated by multiplying the serum concentration of iodothyronine (T3 or rT3) by its metabolic clearance rate (MCR); MCR refers to the volume of plasma from which iodothyronine is cleared irreversibly per unit time.
Responding to Community Injury and Insult.

AbstractAs campuses attempt to address issues of intolerance on campus, they are challenged to navigate between the desire to punish behavior and the responsibility to educate students. Campus leaders must navigate through ethical challenges as they determine the appropriate institutional response.
Passive Q-switching of the Erbium:Glass Laser Using Er3+:CaF2

The advantages of passive Q-switching with Er3+:CaF2, as well as a phenomenological model of the 4I13/2, fluorescence decay, are presented.
Singlet Oxygen Generation on Porous Superhydrophobic Surfaces: Effect of Gas Flow and Sensitizer Wetting on Trapping Efficiency

We describe physical-organic studies of singlet oxygen generation and transport into an aqueous solution supported on superhydrophobic surfaces on which silicon–phthalocyanine (Pc) particles are immobilized. Singlet oxygen (1O2) was trapped by a water-soluble anthracene compound and monitored in situ using a UV–vis spectrometer. When oxygen flows through the porous superhydrophobic surface, singlet oxygen generated in the plastron (i.e., the gas layer beneath the liquid) is transported into the solution within gas bubbles, thereby increasing the liquid–gas surface area over which singlet oxygen can be trapped. Higher photooxidation rates were achieved in flowing oxygen, as compared to when the gas in the plastron was static. Superhydrophobic surfaces were also synthesized so that the Pc particles were located in contact with, or isolated from, the aqueous solution to evaluate the relative effectiveness of singlet oxygen generated in solution and the gas phase, respectively; singlet oxygen generated on par...
Inheritance of Insecticide Resistance and Microsomal Oxidases in the Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)

A strain of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), collected from cabbage fields in Hastings, FL, developed high levels of resistance to pyrethroid and carbamate insecticides compared with a susceptible strain. Resistance to permethrin was inherited as an incompletely recessive, autosomal factor, whereas resistance to methomyl was inherited in an incompletely dominant, autosomal manner. The resistance was associated with increased microsomal oxidase activities in this strain. The F1 progeny of the susceptible and resistant strains displayed intermediate levels of microsomal epoxidase and O -demethylase activities compared with the two parental strains.
Long-Term Effects of the Family Check-Up in Early Adolescence on Risk of Suicide in Early Adulthood.

The impact of the Family Check-Up (FCU), a school-based prevention program, as delivered in public secondary schools on suicide risk across adolescence, was examined. Students were randomly assigned to a family-centered intervention (N = 998) in the sixth grade and offered a multilevel intervention that included (1) a universal classroom-based intervention, (2) the FCU (Dishion, Stormshak, & Kavanagh, 2011), and (3) family management treatment. Engagement with the FCU predicted significant reductions in suicide risk across adolescence and early adulthood.
The implicit value of tree cover in the U.S.: A meta-analysis of hedonic property value studies

Trees in residential neighborhoods and communities provide benefits for homeowners that are capitalized into residential property values. In this paper, we collected data from hedonic property value studies and merged these data with ancillary spatial data describing forest and socio-economic characteristics surrounding each study area to conduct a meta-analysis of the impact of tree canopy cover on the value of residential properties. The meta-analysis suggests that property-level tree cover of about 30% and county-level tree cover of about 38% maximize the implicit price of tree cover in property values. Currently, tree cover in the original study areas was about 14%, on average, around or near study properties. The empirical results, therefore suggest under investment of tree cover on private property from the perspective of individual property owners and from a societal perspective. The findings also have implications for community forest programs regarding planting trees and protection of mature trees to address potential changes in tree abundance, species diversity and stand age due to development and climate change.
Association of bcl-1 rearrangements with lymphocytic lymphoma of intermediate differentiation

Previous studies using classical cytogenetics have demonstrated the presence of the t(11;14) (q13;q32) chromosomal translocation in some cases of lymphocytic lymphoma of intermediate differentiation (IDL), a distinct type of low grade B-cell lymphoma. This finding suggested that the bcl-1 region (located at band q13 of chromosome 11) might be involved in this neoplasm. Using a genomic probe from the major breakpoint area of the bcl-1 locus, we identified rearrangements of the bcl-1 region in 10 of 19 cases, 2 of which comigrated with a rearranged allele of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene joining region. In contrast, bcl-1 rearrangements were not found in other types of low grade B-cell lymphoma, specifically in 36 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and 27 cases of follicular lymphoma (FL). To further assess the molecular pathology of IDL, we analyzed these cases for rearrangements of the bcl-2 proto- oncogene, which is associated primarily with follicular lymphomas. None of the 19 cases of IDL had rearrangements. Furthermore, none of the 36 cases of CLL/SLL showed bcl-2 rearrangements, whereas, as expected, 21 of 27 cases of FL had rearrangements of the bcl-2 locus. Our findings demonstrate an association between a rearranged bcl-1 region with approximately 50% of IDLs and suggest that abnormalities of this locus may be important in the pathogenesis of IDL.
Immunohistochemical Characterization of a 183 KD Myeloid-Specific–DNA-Binding Protein in B5 Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissues, and Bone Marrow Aspirates by Monoclonal Antibody BM-1

A monoclonal antibody, designated BM-1, which is reactive in B5 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, has been generated against a cytoplasmic and nuclear antigen expressed in human myeloid precursor cells and derived leukemias. Using the avidin-biotin-complex immunoperoxidase procedure, BM-1 was found to stain selectively myeloid precursor cells in normal bone marrow and mature granulocytes in the blood. In a screen of 26 normal adult and fetal human organs fixed in B5 formalin, BM-1 was negative in all nonhematopoietic tissues with the exception of tissue granulocytes and scattered cells in the peripheral cortex of the thymus. Likewise a screen of 30 solid tumor cell lines including a spectrum of carcinomas, sarcomas, and neural-derived tumors was negative. BM-1 was also negative with 21 T and B cell lymphomas and 11 Hodgkin's disease tumors. A preliminary study of tumors of the hematopoietic system revealed that BM-1 was reactive with M2 and M3 acute myelogenous leukemias (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemias (CML) and myelomonocytic leukemias, and granulocytic sarcomas. M1, M4, M5, and M6 AML clot preparations were negative in this study, indicating that BM-1 may have a role in the histopathologic diagnosis of myelogenous leukemia. Myeloid leukemic cell lines HL-60, ML-2, KG1, and TPH-1-O showed BM-1 nuclear and/or cytoplasmic reactivity in a subpopulation of cells, but erythroid and lymphoid leukemias and all lymphoma cell lines were negative. Immunoperoxidase studies of a panel of fetal tissues showed BM-1 positive cells in the peripheral cortex of the thymus and portal myelopoietic regions of the liver at 18 weeks gestation. Finally, DNA-cellulose and solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques developed in our laboratory demonstrate that the BM-1 antigenic domain is reactive only after binding to eukaryotic but not prokaryotic single- or double-stranded DNA. Immunoblot techniques using a DNA-cellulose purified protein sample revealed that BM-1 recognizes a 183 kD protein. These studies indicate that BM-1 is recognizing a myeloid-specific antigen that, because of its DNA binding characteristics, may have an important role in the differentiation of myeloid cells at the molecular level.
Supporting Community Health Workers After a Disaster: Findings From a Mixed-Methods Pilot Evaluation Study of a Psychoeducational Intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Community health workers (CHWs) in disaster-affected areas are at risk for emotional distress, as they support others while they may be in the process of rebuilding their own lives. The Resilience and Coping for the Healthcare Community (RCHC) intervention was developed in response to the stress CHWs faced after Hurricane Sandy. The intervention uses psychoeducation to help participants identify common stress responses, recognize signs of job burnout, and utilize healthy coping strategies. METHODS: A mixed-methods pilot of the RCHC intervention was conducted in 2013 with a convenience sample of staff from 6 federally qualified health centers (n=69). Validated measures of stress, coping, compassion fatigue and satisfaction, burnout, stress, and social provisions and a measure of perceived knowledge were administered at baseline, after the workshop, and at a 3-week follow-up. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 randomly selected participants and were analyzed by using content analysis. RESULTS: From baseline to the post-workshop assessment, perceived knowledge scores increased from 24.59 to 30.34, t(62)=5.16 (PCONCLUSIONS: Our qualitative findings indicated that the respondents valued learning about common stress responses and incorporating coping as part of a daily routine. Team building and normalization of emotions were seen as ancillary benefits that would reduce stress levels in the workplace. In conclusion, the RCHC intervention shows promise and should be investigated further in experimental studies. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;page 1 of 8). Language: en
The Facilitation and Use of Teams in the Case Analysis Process

Two pedagogical approaches have evolved with the use of case teaching. Lamb and Baker (1993) suggest that the professor-led approach is most appropriate when the course objective is to use cases to disseminate/illustrate marketing concepts and that the student-led approach is appropriate when the course objective is to develop analytical and communication skills.
SU-F-T-195: Systematic Constraining of Contralateral Parotid Gland Led to Improved Dosimetric Outcomes for Multi-Field Optimization with Scanning Beam Proton Therapy: Promising Results From a Pilot Study in Patients with Base of Tongue Carcinoma.

Purpose: Treatment planning for Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) for head and neck cancer is time-consuming due to the large number of organs-at-risk (OAR) to be considered. As there are many competing objectives and also wide range of acceptable OAR constraints, the final approved plan may not be most optimal for the given structures. We evaluated the dose reduction to the contralateral parotid by implementing standardized constraints during optimization for scanning beam proton therapy planning. Methods: Twenty-four (24) consecutive patients previously treated for base of tongue carcinoma were retrospectively selected. The doses were 70Gy, 63Gy and 57Gy (SIB in 33 fractions) for high-, intermediate-, and standard-risk clinical target volumes (CTV), respectively; the treatment included bilateral neck. Scanning beams using MFO with standardized bilateral anterior oblique and PA fields were applied. New plans where then developed and optimized by employing additional contralateral parotid constraints at multiple defined dose levels. Using a step-wise iterative process, the volume-based constraints at each level were then further reduced until known target coverages were compromised. The newly developed plans were then compared to the original clinically approved plans using paired student t-testing. Results: All 24 newly optimized treatment plans maintained initial plan quality as compared to the approved plans, and the 98% prescription dose coverage to the CTV's were not compromised. Representative DVH comparison is shown in FIGURE 1. The contralateral parotid doses were reduced at all levels of interest when systematic constraints were applied to V10, V20, V30 and V40Gy (All P<0.0001; TABLE 1). Overall, the mean contralateral parotid doses were reduced by 2.26 Gy on average, a ∼13% relative improvement. Conclusion: Applying systematic and volume-based contralateral parotid constraints for IMPT planning significantly reduced the dose at all dosimetric levels for patients with base of tongue cancer.
The development of a multimodal decision support system for network intrusion detection analysis

The increasing accessibility of information and volumes of on-line transactions are a reflection of the growing number and sophistication of computer security incidents on the Internet. While an intrusion detection system may be one component of a good security model, implementing intrusion detection systems on networks and hosts requires a broad understanding of computer security, and the massive amounts of textual data retrieved by the system. Given the sensitivity of the security posture, interpretation for rapid response in maintaining operational security is perhaps one of the more prevalent problems in security operations. The purpose of this study, in essence, is to increase situational awareness of the security posture through the development of a multimodal decision support system for network intrusion analysis. Modality fusion can extend the capabilities of computer systems to better match the natural communication means of human beings and assist them in their comprehension and exploration of large unfamiliar datasets or information spaces. In this way, modality fusion embodies intelligence amplification and cognitive augmentation, using computers to aid and enhance human intelligence by utilizing inherent human cognitive abilities, building upon the skills that humans already have, and augmenting the areas that are lacking in some way. This research evaluates conventional and multimodal intrusion analysis environments, the effectiveness, efficiency, and the preference of modality combinations in attack identification while gauging performance. By integrating multiple modalities to provide a full picture of the security posture, we can better communicate the information that is needed by the analyst, and can elicit an increase in their situational awareness, reduce time necessary for decision-making, and thus increase performance. Preliminary results show that auditory as well as haptics benefit in search and alerting tasks. Incorporating auditory and haptics reduced the performance time to less than half that of the traditional visual approach.
SOME MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS OF RADIATIVE TRANSFER THEORY

This chapter discusses some mathematical problems of radiative transfer theory. The mathematical problems of radiative transfer theory can be broadly classified into two main groups: the applicational problems and the structural problems. The applicational problems are particular solutions brought about by applications of the theory's principles to specific models of optical media. Structural problems are problems concerned with the logical and conceptual structure of the principles of radiative transfer theory with no specific model. A non-grey optical medium is a medium in which the phenomenon of transpectral scattering is explicitly observed, and its representing model includes the phenomenon in the equations describing the transfer problems. Discrete-space radiative transfer theory is a transition stage between the study of the ordered triple in which the analysis is dominated by the structure and topology and the study of the pair in which the analysis is dominated by the structure and topology of sets of radiometric functions.
Predictors of Language Gains Among School-Age Children With Language Impairment in the Public Schools.

Purpose This study aimed to identify child-level characteristics that predict gains in language skills for children with language impairment who were receiving therapy within the public schools. Th...
A new balanced realization and model reduction method for unstable systems

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a new balanced realization and model reduction method for possibly unstable systems by introducing some new controllability and observability Gramians. These Gramians can be related to minimum control energy and minimum estimation error. In contrast to the Gramians defined in the literature for unstable systems, these Gramians can always be computed for systems without imaginary axis poles and they reduce to the standard controllability and observability Gramians when the systems are stable. The proposed balanced model reduction method enjoys the similar error bounds as does for the standard balanced model reduction. Furthermore, the new error bounds and the actual approximation errors seem to be much smaller than the ones using the methods given in the literature for unstable systems.
Latino Entrepreneurs and Technology Usage: Ethnic Identity, Resistance, Self-Efficacy

Firm performance has been linked to information technology adoption. However, limited research exists related to minority entrepreneurs’ technology usage due to inequalities of ownership, cultural ethnicity impact, and inconsistent comparative usage, specifically among Latino users. This study investigates Latino and non-Latino entrepreneurs: 116 subjects with 61% Latinos; the relationships of ethnic identity, resistance to technology use, and self-efficacy; differences between business process and social media technologies; contexts of financial management and linguistic communication for business processes; business owner’s self-efficacy and technology adoption. Latinos results: higher technology resistance, social technology usage; and, lower self-efficacy, use of linguistic communication technology context.
Compaction Wave Propagation Characteristics in Polymer Bonded Explosives at Macro-Meso Scale

Gas-gun direct impact experiments are performed to characterize the compaction wave propagation in polymer bonded explosives (PBX). The digital image correlation based experiment setup is developed to capture the full-field deformation field at a temporal resolution of 200 ns with a spatial resolution that can vary from 8 μm/pixel to 100 μm/pixel. The experiment is conducted at an impact velocity of 56 m/s for both macro and meso-scale. The compaction velocity is calculated from the macro-scale full-field measurement. From the displacement field, using inertia stress calculation, the stress across the specimen is calculated at the macro scale. The meso-scale deformation mechanisms associated with the dissipation of the compaction wave was identified to be the plastic deformation of the binder and fracture of the crystals.
Decreased c-Myc expression and activity by a growth inhibitory vitamin K analog.

3831 We previously showed that a synthetic K vitamin analog, Cpd 5, which is a potent growth inhibitor, inhibited c-myc expression and induced c-Myc phosphorylation (Proc. AACR 2003, 44: 617). To further explore Cpd 5 inhibitory mechanism(s), we examined Cpd 5 effects on c-Myc at the post-translational level. Cpd 5 induced c-Myc phosphorylation through prolonged ERK phosphorylation since it was antagonized by MEK inhibitor, U0126. c-Myc is known to be phosphorylated by GSK-3, which promotes c-Myc degradation. Western blot showed that Cpd 5 increased both GSK-3α and GSK-3β expression in Cpd 5 treated Hep 3B human hepatoma cells. Using GSK-3 inhibitor, SB26153, we found that phosphorylation of c-Myc was dramatically decreased due to inhibition of GSK-3 activity. Further, c-Myc protein levels reduced in Cpd 5 treated cells were restored by SB26153 action. The results show that Cpd 5 can increase GSK-3 activity to phosphorylate c-Myc, resulting in reduction of c-Myc protein levels, probably due to enhanced degradation. To investigate the consequences of reduced c-Myc levels, we measured expression of two c-Myc target genes, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and growth arrest gene Gadd45. Cpd 5 inhibited ODC expression in a time-dependent fashion, paralleling the Cpd 5 inhibition of c-Myc levels. Cpd 5 was also found to inhibit c-Myc DNA binding activity by 30–40%. c-Myc is known to repress Gadd45. Contrary to Cpd 5 inhibition of ODC, Cpd 5 strongly induced Gadd45 expression but had no effect on Gadd45 in c-myc null rat fibroblast cells, indicating Cpd 5 de-repressed the Gadd45 gene expression by inhibiting c-myc. These data show that Cpd 5 inhibited c-Myc levels and altered expression of its target genes, ODC and Gadd 45. Both of these may contribute to Cpd 5 mediated growth inhibition.
Ancient DNA: Saber-Toothed Cats Are the Same Beasts After All.

Summary Ancient DNA from the saber-toothed cat Homotherium reveals that the late Pleistocene species from Europe and North America were the same. Homotherium turns out to be only distantly related to the well-known saber-toothed Smilodon .
Preliminary Report: A case study: the identification and taste preference for regular versus reduced-fat containing food in African-American young adults

About 70% of African-Americans are currently overweight. Among these overweight individuals, 40% are adults aged 20 years and older. Such high incidence of overweight cases in African-Americans raises the question: does this population have a taste preference for dietary fat? The objective of this study was to determine if dietary fat preference depends on taste sensitivity in young African-American adults. Fifty-seven African-Americans aged 18 to 21 voluntarily participated in the study. Two types of commonly consumed food, lasagna and macaroni and cheese, were used. Each food type had two versions prepared with identical ingredients and cooking methods, except for total fat content (reduced-fat versus regular-fat). Demographic data, food consumption frequency, correct identification, and taste preference were collected and analyzed using the Student t-test, Chi-Square, and Pearson correlation tests at the 5% significance level. Results revealed a significant correlation between dietary preference and ability to identify fattier food samples (p < 0.05). The majority of participants (79%) that correctly identified reduced-fat or regular-fat containing food types preferred the regular-fat-containing version (p < 0.05). Gender, but not BMI, was significantly related to identification of different fat-containing food products. The finding provides valuable information about food preferences and eating habits of African-American young adults, and such information could be useful for nutrition education or dietary intervention in the future.
Competitive Adsorption between Nanoparticles and Surface Active Ions for the Oil-Water Interface.

Nanoparticles (NPs) can add functionality (e.g., catalytic, optical, rheological) to an oil–water interface. Adsorption of ∼10 nm NPs can be reversible; however, the mechanisms for adsorption and its effects on surface pressure remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate how the competitive reversible adsorption of NPs and surfactants at fluid interfaces can lead to independent control of both the adsorbed amount and surface pressure. In contrast to prior work, both species investigated (NPs and surfactants) interact reversibly with the interface and without the surface active species binding to NPs. Independent measurements of the adsorption and surface pressure isotherms allow determination of the equation of state (EOS) of the interface under conditions where the NPs and surfactants are both in dynamic equilibrium with the bulk phase. The adsorption and surface pressure measurements are performed with gold NPs of two different sizes (5 and 10 nm), at two pH values, and across a wide concentration ran...
Belief and Credence: Why the Attitude-Type Matters

In this paper, I argue that the relationship between belief and credence is a central question in epistemology. This is because the belief-credence relationship has significant implications for a number of current epistemological issues. I focus on five controversies: permissivism, disagreement, pragmatic encroachment, doxastic voluntarism, and the relationship between doxastic attitudes and prudential rationality. I argue that each debate is constrained in particular ways, depending on whether the relevant attitude is belief or credence. This means that (i) epistemologists should pay attention to whether they are framing questions in terms of belief or in terms of credence and (ii) the success or failure of a reductionist project in the belief-credence realm has significant implications for epistemology generally.
Acid Adaptation and Starvation Effects on Shiga Toxin Production by Escherichia coli O157:H7

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and gene fusion were used to determine differences in the expression of stx-II mRNA and the production of mature Stx protein following acid adaptation or starvation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43895) and an isogenic rpoS mutant (FRIK 816-3) under static conditions and with shaking. The expression of stx-II mRNA in acid-adapted and starved cells was more extensive than that in nonstressed control cells. This effect was more pronounced for the rpoS mutant. Oxygenation (incubation with shaking) increased stx-II mRNA expression for both strains relative to the level of expression obtained with static conditions. ELISA results indicated that Stx production was enhanced more in the rpoS mutant than in its wild-type parent strain and that oxygenation enhanced Stx production for both strains but there were no detectable differences between stressed and nonstressed cells of either strain. The monitoring of the gene product of Stx-II alone with the use of stx-IIAB::lacZ gene fusions confirmed the induction of aeration and the absence of a stress effect for both the wild type and the rpoS mutant. These results indicate that oxygen enhances stx-II mRNA expression and Stx production in E. coli O157:H7. Stress conditions such as acid adaptation and starvation enhance stx-II toxin mRNA levels but do not enhance subsequent Stx toxin production.
Lens-specific expression of a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule disrupts normal lens development and induces cataracts in transgenic mice

Purpose Lens epithelial tissue does not normally express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. In addition, the mechanism of self-tolerance to intraocular antigens is unknown. To study the effect of class I expression in the lens, transgenic mice were produced that express an allo-MHC class I molecule under the alpha A-crystallin proximal promoter. Methods p alpha Dd was generated by fusion of the H-2Dd structural gene to the alpha A-crystallin proximal promoter. Transgenic mice were produced, and founder lines were identified by Southern blot hybridization. Eyes from transgenic mice were cryostat sectioned and stained for Dd expression or fixed in paraformaldehyde and stained for histologic analysis. Lens RNA was isolated by acid phenol extraction, and transgene expression was analyzed by nuclease protection. Results The transgenic mice demonstrated dose-dependent, nonimmunologic lens defects consistent within a given line. In the highest expressing lines, ocular defects, including microphthalmia and cataract formation, were observed. Many adult mice from these lines demonstrated lens capsule rupture and a Dd-specific inflammatory response. Inflammation did not occur in mice with intact lens capsules. Conclusions Overexpression of H-2Dd in the lens had serious nonimmunologic consequences on lens development and cataract formation. In addition, the high copy number mice revealed at least a partial loss of immunologic tolerance on lens capsule rupture. The lack of an inflammatory response in transgenic mice with intact lens capsules suggests that the physical barrier of the lens capsule is one mechanism of maintaining immune privilege.
methyvim : Targeted, robust, and model-free differential methylation analysis in R

We present methyvim , an R package implementing an algorithm for the nonparametric estimation of the effects of exposures on DNA methylation at CpG sites throughout the genome, complete with straightforward statistical inference for such estimates. The approach leverages variable importance measures derived from statistical parameters arising in causal inference, defined in such a manner that they may be used to obtain targeted estimates of the relative importance of individual CpG sites with respect to a binary treatment assigned at the phenotype level, thereby providing a new approach to identifying differentially methylated positions. The procedure implemented is computationally efficient, incorporating a preliminary screening step to isolate a subset of sites for which there is cursory evidence of differential methylation as well as a unique multiple testing correction to control the False Discovery Rate with the same rigor as would be available if all sites were subjected to testing. This novel technique for analysis of differentially methylated positions provides an avenue for incorporating flexible state-of-the-art data-adaptive regression procedures (i.e., machine learning) into the estimation of differential methylation effects without the loss of interpretable statistical inference for the estimated quantity.
Expanding the gamut of circulating tumor DNA applications

Historically, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been a devastating cancer diagnosis with an aggressive course and poor prognosis despite extensive and toxic therapy, however with the advent of personalized therapy targeting molecular aberrancies, the field of lung cancer has made significant advances in outcomes with concomitant improvements in toxicity profiles (1,2).
Network Formation Conditions Control Water Drop Adhesion for VK100 and a Model Pt-Cured Silicone

Unexpected wetting behavior is reported for silicone elastomers platinum cured at 37 °C in water or saline. These conditions were prompted as a way to mimic cure under physiologically relevant conditions for VK100, a Pt-cured silicone used for vertebral augmentation. Water contact angles (CAs) were determined by the drop addition/withdrawal method. Network formation in air, water, or saline gave high advancing CAs (θA). However, compared to 74° for air cure, network formation in water (56°) or saline (46°) gave low receding CAs (θR). Thus, water drop adhesion to VK100 and a model Pt-cured silicone depends on whether network formation is carried out in water or saline (“sticky”) or in air (“slippery”). For cure in water or saline, autoxidation (Si-H ➔ Si-OH) and near-surface entrapment of cross-linking chains containing –Si-OH are proposed to account for low receding CAs. The origin of the low θR and high contact angle hysteresis (54–72°) is correlated with the theory of Johnson and Dettre by which a small area fraction of polar groups impedes retraction of a receding water drop. These results are of interest given the importance of polar interactions at interfaces that favor adhesion to bone and influence on biofouling, adhesion of proteins, and interactions with human cells.
Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy Induces Dynamic Changes in PD-1-CD8+ Tumor-Infiltrating T Cells.

An improved understanding of the anti-tumor CD8+ T cell response after checkpoint blockade would enable more informed and effective therapeutic strategies. Here we examined the dynamics of the effector response of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) after checkpoint blockade therapy. Bulk and single-cell RNA profiles of CD8+ TILs after combined Tim-3+PD-1 blockade in preclinical models revealed significant changes in the transcriptional profile of PD-1- TILs. These cells could be divided into subsets bearing characterstics of naive-, effector-, and memory-precursor-like cells. Effector- and memory-precursor-like TILs contained tumor-antigen-specific cells, exhibited proliferative and effector capacity, and expanded in response to different checkpoint blockade therapies across different tumor models. The memory-precursor-like subset shared features with CD8+ T cells associated with response to checkpoint blockade in patients and was compromised in the absence of Tcf7. Expression of Tcf7/Tcf1 was requisite for the efficacy of diverse immunotherapies, highlighting the importance of this transcriptional regulator in the development of effective CD8+ T cell responses upon immunotherapy.
Report of Committee on Runoff, 1942–43

The Committee on Runoff was not formally constituted until February 6, 1943, when the members of the Section, as listed above, were asked to serve. At the suggestion of President CHURCH the Committee has been so selected that there is Nation-wide geographic distribution from West to East with the majority of the Committee composed of younger men. If the 33 papers prepared for discussion at the regular sessions of the Section of Hydrology at the annual meeting of 1943 can be used as a measure, war instead of curtailing the activities of the Section has acted as an impetus. Also in the field of hydrology as a whole, war activities have apparently not resulted in a decrease of activities. There has been, however, a gradual decrease of activities in the field of research and an increase of activities in the field of applied hydrology. The enormous expansion of our industrial machine and the great concentration of armies and industrial workers into restricted areas; the demands for water, for power, for food and for municipal use; and operations underlying many of our war efforts, secret and otherwise—all these have created problems requiring the full-time effort of hydrologists, both in private and governmental service. It is with some degree of satisfaction that each one of us can feel that either as a result of our past research or in our present positions we have been or are doing our bit to win the war.
MySQL Extensions for Scientific Data Management

This report introduces the MySQL plugins implemented to handle the data cubes stored as binary arrays in the DBMS. Some application-level examples related to the proposed userdefined functions for MySQL are also presented. The research leading to these results has received funding from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research and the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea under the GEMINA project. To download the unabridged version of this research paper, please contact: giovanni.aloisio@cmcc.it.
Exploring the relations of psychopathic and narcissistic personality traits to military experiences in National Guard personnel

Abstract Life experiences and interpersonal relationships constitute risk or resilience factors in the development of psychopathology among National Guard (NG) personnel. Psychopathy and narcissism are related to these factors in civilians and may predispose NG personnel to certain experiences or influence their responses to these experiences. This study explored the relationship between psychopathic and narcissistic traits with pre-and post-deployment experiences, as well as military experiences on deployment among NG personnel (n = 504). All pathological traits were associated with poorer social support during and post-deployment and more negative relationships (e.g., bullying) within the military unit, while antisocial psychopathic traits were associated with experiencing stressful life events and having a greater number of combat experiences in a combat-exposed subsample (n = 254). Findings clarify the association of pathological traits to stress-related pathology and elucidate how psychopathy and narcissism relate to experiences of NG personnel.
Ultrasonic-Assisted Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of a Metal─Organic Framework: A Green General Chemistry Laboratory Project

An instructional research-like multiweek laboratory project for a second-semester introductory general chemistry laboratory course has been developed. The ultrasonic-assisted synthesis method using low cost commercial ultrasonic cleaners has the convenience of running multiple students’ reactions simultaneously. Taking advantage of short reaction time, the green metal–organic framework project has been developed to facilitate experimental synthesis, characterization, and application of a porous material and debriefing of results during a normal laboratory period (about 3 h/class). This project provides the opportunity for instructors to introduce students to the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry, the environmental impact of chemistry, modern solid-state analytical techniques, and a research-like experience of materials science.
Spatial, interannual, and generational sources of trait variability in a marine population.

Life-history traits of individuals in marine populations exhibit large sources of variability. In marine fish, variation of individual size at a given age has three main components: (1) spatial, correlated with the location in which individuals are caught, (2) temporal, correlated with the time when individuals are caught, and (3) generational, correlated with the year of birth of the examined individuals. These variations, if present, have practical implications for individual fitness as well as for sampling, survey design, and population assessment. Disentangling these variations and understanding their sources is hard, given the potentially correlated nature of their effects on individual traits. This study examines the size-at-age relationship of the Bering Sea Pacific cod, an economically and ecologically important groundfish. We used extensive records spanning 1994 to 2016 (inclusive) of 25,213 observations of both environmental variables and catch, lengths, and ages. We found that the average size of individuals of the same age could differ up to 7 cm. Notably, we found that the cohort composition of the sampled population explained >75% of the year effect and that individuals caught in the northwest and shallower portion of the sampling area were on average 5 cm smaller than individuals caught in the southern and deeper portion. We further found that northwest movement of young cod (age 1-5) as a result of warming places individuals in areas where we predict them to have smaller size at age. Smaller and less conditioned individuals are less fecund and may not be able to perform long migrations to return to their distant spawning grounds. Both the spatial distribution and water temperature experienced by Pacific cod in the Bering Sea are changing, and this study provides a mechanism for how these changes affect Pacific cod life-history traits and individual fitness.
Building on a Decade of the Ocean Health Index

With oceans under increasing pressure from human activities, sustainable development and conservation efforts are working to set meaningful targets for healthy oceans. Determining whether those targets are achieved requires indicators that measure status and progress. Here, I reflect upon lessons learned from a decade of developing and calculating the Ocean Health Index.
Durability of Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement Concrete

Calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSAC), first developed in China in the 1970s, has received significant attention because of its expansive (or shrinkage-compensating) and rapid-hardening characteristics, low energy-intensity, and low carbon emissions. The production and hydration of CSAC (containing ye’elimite, belite, calcium sulfate, and minors) have been extensively studied, but aspects of its durability are not well understood. Due to its composition and intrinsic characteristics, CSAC concrete is expected to have better performance than Portland cement (PC) concrete in several aspects, including shrinkage and cracking due to restrained shrinkage, freeze-thaw damage, alkali-silica reaction, and sulfate attack. However, there is a lack of consensus among researchers regarding transport properties, resistance to carbonation, and steel corrosion protectiveness of CSAC concrete, all of which are expected to be tied to the chemical composition of CSAC and attributes of the service environments. For example, CASC concrete has poorer resistance to carbonation and chloride penetration compared with its PC counterpart, yet some studies have suggested that it protects steel rebar well from corrosion when exposed to a marine tidal zone, because of a strong self-desiccation effect. This paper presents a succinct review of studies of the durability of CSAC concrete. We suggest that more such studies should be conducted to examine the long-term performance of the material in different service environments. Special emphasis should be given to carbonation and steel rebar corrosion, so as to reveal the underlying deterioration mechanisms and establish means to improve the performance of CSAC concrete against such degradation processes.
Are personality measures valid for different populations? A systematic review of measurement invariance across cultures, gender, and age

Abstract This article aims to systematically review and synthesize the existing literature that has tested at least one of three types of measurement invariance (MI) of a personality measure: cross-cultural/ethnic invariance, gender invariance, and age-group invariance. A literature search was conducted using PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and PsycTESTS databases. The initial search yielded a total of 1,647 articles, and 95 studies derived from 75 peer-reviewed articles met all inclusion criteria. None of these studies achieved scalar or strict measurement invariance across cultural/ethnic groups, but many studies established scalar or strict invariance across gender (N = 13, 44.83%) or age (N = 10, 58.82%) groups. To further investigate patterns in this literature, an ordinal logistic regression revealed that age-group and gender invariance studies achieved significantly higher levels of invariance than cross-cultural MI studies, and confirmed that studies testing invariance across larger number of groups had significantly lower MI levels. Consequences and possible reasons for a lack of invariance, and suggestions for improving practices of investigating measurement invariance are discussed.
Generalized multipoint inverse airfoil design

In a rather general sense, inverse airfoil design can be taken to mean the problem of specifying a desired set of airfoil characteristics, such as the airfoil maximum thickness ratio, pitching moment, part of the velocity distribution, or boundary-layer development. From thie information, the corresponding airfoil shape is determined. We present a method that approaches the design problem from this perspective. In particular, the airfoil is divided into segments along which, together with the design conditions, either the velocity distribution or boundary-layer development may be prescribed
Toward an Understanding of Consumers’ Price Sensitivities for Professional Services

The need to examine service pricing issues is frequently voiced. This paper explores ten factors that influence consumer price sensitivity. Propositions are developed and the relevance of each price sensitivity factor to the pricing of professional services is discussed.
Non-formal education promotes innovation and climate change preparedness among isolated Nepalese farmers

Farming systems of western Nepal are home to isolated, poverty-stricken people who must cope with weak agricultural extension services and negative effects of climate change. Our research objective...
Sexual health knowledge in female asylum seekers living in New York City: a single-center, cross-sectional study over one year

# Background Female asylum seekers remain vulnerable even after resettling in high-income countries. Few studies address sexual health knowledge in this population. This study aims to determine whether female asylum seekers possess less sexual health knowledge than the general female population in New York City (NYC). # Methods A survey evaluating sexual health knowledge was administered to ten female asylum seekers in NYC and to a general population sample of fifty women in NYC. Two-tailed Student’s t-tests were employed to evaluate the statistical significance of the differences in knowledge scores between the two groups, and Fisher’s exact tests were used to examine associations between categorical variables. # Results On average, female asylum seekers scored 18.8% lower (95% confidence interval, CI=7.3-30.4, *P*=0.002) on sexual and reproductive health questions, 14.0% lower (95% CI=2.8-25.2, *P*=0.016) on contraception questions, 14.3% lower (95% CI=3.5-25.1, *P*=0.011) on questions about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and 15.1% lower (95% CI=6.4-23.9, *P*<0.001) overall compared to the control group. Female asylum seekers were, on average, aware of 1.2 fewer (95% CI= 0.1-2.4, *P*=0.040) of the 11 listed contraception methods and of 1.1 fewer (95% CI=0.3-1.8, *P* = 0.006) of the five listed STDs. # Conclusions Female asylum seekers were found to be less knowledgeable about sexual health than a general population of women in NYC. We additionally highlight a feasible strategy for recruiting participants from a population that is traditionally difficult to access.