cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TOR Complex 1 and TOR Complex 2 Differentially Regulate Effector and Regulatory T Cell Differentiation

Effector T cell lineage commitment is determined by the integration of multiple and sometimes opposing signals. Our lab has identified mTOR, an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase, as a crucial protein dictating the outcome of T cell fate in response to antigen. To do this we utilized a Cre-lox system to conditionally delete mTOR in T cells. In such mice, although mTOR is deleted in the double-positive stage, lymphocyte populations in the spleen and the periphery are comparable to wild-type mice. T cells lacking mTOR proliferate more slowly but secrete appropriate levels of IL-2 upon initial stimulation. However, such cells fail to differentiate into Th1, Th2 or Th17 effector T cells under the appropriate skewing conditions. This failure to differentiate is the result of decreases in appropriate STAT activation and the concomitant lack of upregulation in lineage specific transcription factors. Notably, under normally activating conditions, T cells lacking mTOR preferentially differentiate into Foxp3 + regulatory cells. Supporting this observation, mTOR deficient T cells display hyperactive Smad3 activation, even in the absence of exogenous TGF-β. mTOR signals through two known signaling complexes, TORC1 and TORC2. TORC1 contains Rheb, mTOR, GβL, and raptor, while TORC2 contains mSin1, mTOR, GβL, and rictor. In order to determine the specific role of TORC1 in T cell lineage commitment we conditionally deleted Rheb in T cells. Upon activation such cells fail to phosphorylate the TORC1 substrate S6K-1 while demonstrating normal TORC2 activity. As was the case for the mTOR −/− T cells, Rheb −/− T cells fail to differentiate into Th1 and Th17 cells when skewed in vitro . However, unlike mTOR −/− T cells, the Rheb deficient T cells are capable of becoming Th2 cells. In spite of lacking TORC1 activity, T cells lacking Rheb do not spontaneously develop into Foxp3 + cells. Such observations implicate a specific and novel role for Rheb in regulating T cell lineage commitment. Overall, our data identify mTOR as a regulator of T cell lineage commitment through which TORC1 and TORC2 signaling differentially regulate T cell fate. These findings support a novel paradigm whereby T cell activation induces a default pathway of differentiation to regulatory T cells and that TORC2 signaling is required to divert differentiation to appropriately programmed effector lineages.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that can only be diagnosed post-mortem and has been retrospectively linked to a history of neurotrauma involving repeated concussive and subconcussive head injuries. Such a pattern of neurotrauma is commonly found among military veterans and athletes participating in contact sports. A post-mortem diagnosis depends on the detection of abnormal hyperphosphorylated-tau (p-tau) neuropathology that is characterized by an irregular, focal, perivascular distribution largely localized to cortical sulci. Although p-tau is not unique to CTE, this distribution pattern helps distinguish it from other degenerative tauopathies. High molecular weight p-tau proteins tend to accumulate in neurons and glia as pretangles, neurofibrillary tangles, extracellular tangles and neuropil threads. Supportive non-p-tau pathologies include TDP-43 and β-amyloid in neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions and dot-like structures in the tangles. Progressive tauopathies can share a broad range of neuropsychiatric sequelae, which for CTE are identified through next-of-kin interviews or verbal autopsies. A better understanding of how CTE relates to other neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders will require carefully controlled prospective studies involving both in vitro and in vivo model systems as well as parallel efforts to develop and validate fluid biomarkers and tau-specific neuroimaging technologies. Such an approach will improve the odds of advancing multiple, targeted therapies from preclinical studies to clinical trials. This chapter covers etiology, pathophysiology, experimental model systems, biomarkers and potential therapeutic strategies pertaining to CTE.
Robot-assisted pedestrian regulation in an exit corridor

Due to the faster-is-slower phenomenon in emergency escape, it is desirable to regulate pedestrian flow at the exit or a bottleneck. Modification of pedestrian facilities was previously studied to increase the efficiency and safety by the transportation community. We propose a robot-assisted pedestrian regulation scheme and study passive human-robot interaction (HRI), where the robot acts as a dynamic obstacle that interacts with pedestrians. Such a robot-assisted solution replaces expensive infrastructure modification with real-time reconfigurability. In the paper, we first formulate a robot-assisted flow optimization problem based on the social force models of pedestrian dynamics with embedded HRI forces. We then present an online learning algorithm based on adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) to generate motion control so that the robot can replan and adapt its motion to real-time pedestrian flows. The ADP control process uses observed flow information only but not the models of pedestrians, and provides feedback control with online learning and control capability. Simulation results demonstrate efficiency of the proposed method.
SMOKING CESSATION THERAPIES ARE PERSISTENTLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERUTILIZED AMONG HOSPITALIZED SMOKERS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE

Background: Smoking cessation (SC) is the single most effective behavior change that patients can make after a hospitalization for coronary heart disease (CHD) to prevent recurrent events. Furthermore, inpatient SC therapy coupled with outpatient follow-up can significantly improve long-term SC
Contralesional homotopic activity negatively influences functional recovery after stroke (Conference Presentation)

Recent fcMRI studies examining spontaneous brain activity after stoke have revealed disrupted global patterns of functional connectivity (FC). Interestingly, acute interhemispheric homotopic FC has been shown to be predictive of recovery potential. While substantial indirect evidence also suggests that homotopic brain activity may directly impact recovery, results in humans are extremely varied. A better understanding of how activity within networks functionally-connected to lesioned tissue influences brain plasticity might improve therapeutic strategies. We combine cell-type specific optogenetic targeting with optical intrinsic signal (OIS) imaging to assess the effects of homotopic contralesional activity (specifically in excitatory CamKIIa pyramidal neurons) on FC, cortical remapping, and behavior after stroke. Thirty-one mice were housed in enriched cages for the experiment. OIS imaging was performed before, 1, and 4 weeks after photothrombosis of left forepaw somatosensory cortex (S1fp). On day 1 after stroke, 17 mice were subjected to chronic, intermittent optical stimulation of right S1fp for 10 min, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. New cortical representations of left S1fp appeared in non-stimulated mice at week 1, but not in stimulated mice (p=0.005). Evoked responses were comparable in both groups at week 4 (p=0.57). Homotopic FC between left and right S1fp regions was equally reduced in both groups (p=0.012) at week 1. However, in non-stimulated mice, behavioral performance and FC between right S1fp and left perilesional S1 cortex was significantly higher by 4 weeks compared to stimulated mice (p=0.009). Our results suggest that increased homotopic, contralesional activity in excitatory neurons negatively influences spontaneous recovery following ischemic stroke.
Adjuvant treatment decision in patients with node-negative, ER+/Her2-, early stage breast cancer with Oncotype DX (ODX) recurrence score (RS) of 11-30: Impact of clinicopathologic features.

e12022Background: The ODX RS predicts the risk of distant recurrence and the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) in patients with ER+/Her2- breast cancer. High RS predicts a large benefit whereas low RS predicts minimal benefit from CT. A prospective trial showed that patients with low RS of 0-10 may be safely spared adjuvant CT. Recommendations in patients with intermediate RS are less clear. We performed a retrospective study of adjuvant therapy decision in patients with RS 11-30. Methods: We identified patients with ER+/Her2-, node-negative breast cancer with ODX RS 11-30 treated at our center from 2010-2016. Data on patient age, type of surgery, tumor size, grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), RS and treatment were collected. Statistical associations were tested using Chi square/Fisher's exact test and t test. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine odds ratios (OR). Results: 76 patients were identified. 86% (65/76) of them received adjuvant endocrine therapy alone and 14% (11/76) receiv...
Response Versus Nonresponse to Self-Regulatory Treatment Targets Is Not Discriminated by Personal Characteristics but Predicts Physical Activity, Eating Behavior, and Weight Changes in Women With Obesity.

Background Results of behavioral weight-loss treatments vary widely, with mostly unsuccessful outcomes beyond the short term. Women with obesity participating in a new cognitive-behavioral weight-loss treatment were assessed on their responses to psychological targets. Methods Groups of responders ( n = 43) and nonresponders ( n = 48) were established post hoc. Results Age, race/ethnicity, education, income, body composition, physical activity, and eating behaviors at baseline were not discriminated between responders and nonresponders. Over both 6 and 24 months, responders improved significantly more in physical activity and fruit/vegetable consumption but not sweets intake. Weight loss over 6 and 24 months was significantly greater for the responder group at 8.1% and 8.6% versus nonresponders at 4.7% and 3.8%, respectively. Self-regulation change significantly predicted all behavioral changes, with mood change improving the predictive strength for only sweets intake. Discussion Although further research is required to determine the etiology of, and to maximize, positive responses, findings suggested prospects for treatment improvements.
Abstract MP57: Unfavorable Perceived Neighborhood Environment Associates With Lower Levels of Routine Healthcare Utilization: Data From the Dallas Heart Study, 2007-2009

Background: It is well documented that perceived neighborhood environment is associated with cardiovascular (CV) health factors but little is known about how neighborhood environment perception (NE...
Biological Aspects of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1)

In 1973, Altman et al. published a paper entitled “A human mononuclear leukocyte chemotactic factor: characterization, specificity and kinetics of production by homologous leukocytes” (1). They reported that stimulation by tuberculin (PPD) of blood mononuclear leukocytes from individuals with a positive skin test to tuberculin caused production of a chemotactic factor for human monocytes. Since addition of PPD to leucocytes from PPD-negative subjects did not elicit the factor, the authors suggested that it was an in vitro correlate of delayed hypersensitivity and could account for recruitment of macrophages in cellular immune reactions. The factor was a heat stable macromolecule with a molecular mass, estimated by gel filtration, of about 12,500 daltons. Altman later referred to this molecule as leukocyte-derived chemotactic factor, or LDCF (2). In 1989, we reported the purification to homogeneity of the predominant chemotactic activity for monocytes in culture fluids of PHA-stimulated human mononuclear leukocytes (3). We suggested that this 8700 dalton protein, called MCP-1, is the attractant studied by Altman et al. fifteen years earlier. The present communication addresses the possible role of MCP-1 in cellular immunity. Other biological aspects of MCP-1 were recently reviewed (4).
Challenges Facing a Rural Opioid Epidemic: Treatment and Prevention of HIV and Hepatitis C

This article reviews recent epidemiologic trends in HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and strategies for treatment and prevention of these infections as they relate to the opioid epidemic. Among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the United States (US), HIV diagnoses are decreasing, while HCV is increasing. Care for HIV and HCV relies heavily on specialist infrastructure, which is lacking in rural areas. Antiretrovirals for HIV and direct-acting antivirals for HCV are effective among PWID, yet multiple barriers make it difficult for rural injectors to access these treatments. Similarly, access to syringe service programs, medication-assisted therapy for opioid addiction, and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV are all limited in rural areas. Previous research on HIV and HCV among PWID has focused on urban or international populations, yet the US opioid epidemic is moving away from metropolitan centers. Increasing rurality of opioid injection brings unique challenges in treatment and prevention. Research into the care of HIV, HCV, and opioid use disorder among rural populations is urgently needed.
Angular Momentum, Hierarchical Clustering, and Local Density Maxima

The growth of angular momentum in a hierarchical clustering cosmogony is studied to first order in linear theory. Structure is assumed to evolve from a primordial Gaussian density perturbation (delta) field. The protoobjects are identified with the local peaks of the primordial delta-field. Ensembles of such objects are constructed, and both mean values and the scatter around them are calculated. This is done by realizing Gaussian delta-fields for different power spectra, identifying the local peaks of such fields, and calculating the tidal deformation and inertial tensors of the peaks. Linear theory is then used to calculate the final J and lambda. The calculations support the view that a hierarchical clustering process yields an anticorrelation of lambda versus v (or the final density) of bound objects. 22 references.
1D and 2D Electron Spin Resonance Imaging (ESRI) of Transport and Degradation Processes in Polymers

Paul Lauterbur was the first to propose, in his notebook entry of 2 September 1971, the use of magnetic field gradients in order to “tell exactly where an NMR signal came from”; his first proton density map appeared soon afterwards (Lauterbur, 1973). He named the technique zeutmatography, from the Greek word for “joining together”, meaning to join the magnetic field gradient and the corresponding radiofrequency in a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment. This connection allowed the encoding of spatial information in the NMR spectra. The use of magnetic field gradients to separate the resonant frequencies corresponding to the various spatial elements led to the development of NMR imaging (NMRJ) or, in current language, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Against a back-drop of general skepticism, NMRI has blossomed into an essential, and routine, diagnostic procedure in medicine that provides an image of previously hidden anatomic parts. Applications of NMRI to Materials Science and other important disciplines, although not as dramatic as the medical applications, are extensive, ubiquitous, steadily developing, and well documented (Blumler et al., 1998). The wonderful story on the discovery of NMR imaging has been told recently (Kevles, 1997).
A Mathematical Model for an Integral Economizer U-Tube Steam Generator

A dynamic model was formulated for a new type of steam generator that will be used in a number of pressurized water plants currently on order. This type of steam generator, called an integral economizer or preheat steam generator, introduces part of the feedwater directly into the riser section of a U-tube recirculation-type system. A dynamic model provides a tool for simulation and control studies of this new design. The model is a 24th-order, linearized, moving boundary representation of the system. It includes nodal mass and energy balances for primary fluid, tube metal, and secondary fluid sections. Flows are determined by quasi-static momentum balances. Transients were simulated using the models for various perturbations of interest. Confirmation must await operation of plants with the new steam generator tests, but the model gives physically plausible results. The model provides a tool with adequate detail for control and simulation studies, but with moderate complexity and computer cost.
Phototherapy and Photochemotherapy of Psoriasis

Two discoveries in the last two decades markedly improved the use of ultraviolet radiation for the treatment of disease or disorders of the skin, including psoriasis: (a) the introduction of high-intensity UVA sources (Sylvania) which are used in a therapeutic regimen in which topically administered UVA interacts in the skin with orally administered photoactive drugs; this interaction functions as a potent anti-inflammatory modality for the treatment of psoriasis and several other inflammatory disorders of the skin; (b) new protocols using newly developed high-intensity total-body UVB irradiators, but substituting emollients for crude tar, with therapeutic results equal to the Goeckerman treatment.
Epistemic harm and virtues of self-evaluation

Miranda Fricker identifies a specific kind of epistemic harm that comes from assigning diminished credibility to others; when this is the result of identity prejudice it results in testimonial injustice. Fricker argues that this kind of injustice follows only from assigning diminished credibility to a person; assigning inflated credibility is never a testimonial injustice. In this paper I examine and expand arguments to the effect that assigning inflated credibility to one person can epistemically harm another. I extend this argument to self-evaluation. Psychological research on the overconfidence bias reveals ways in which we may systematically assign too much epistemic credibility to ourselves. However, our biases are not simple; they have a complex pattern revealed by the Dunning–Kruger effect. I will argue that we need to develop virtues of self-evaluation help counteract our self-bias. These virtues will be an important tool in helping us to avoid committing epistemic injustice to ourselves and to others.
Relationship between optimal k-distance dominating sets in a weighted graph and its spanning trees

Abstract We show that for each optimal k-distance dominating set D in connected graph G with link-weights w ( x , y ) ≥ 0 , there is a spanning tree T ( G , D , k ) of G for which D is an optimal k-distance dominating set. This generalizes a similar result for the case of constant link-weights.
Characterization of shielding materials used in neutron scattering instrumentation

Abstract The nuclear cross-sections of certain isotopes make some materials excellent candidates for neutron shielding. We have performed a series of measurements examining the transmission, reflection, and nuclear Bragg scattering of a series of common materials used for neutron shielding. We concentrate on characterizing the materials most likely to be used in neutron scattering instrumentation.
Explaining Interaction Effects: A Commentary

Andersson, Cuervo-Cazurra, and Nielsen (Journal of International Business Studies 45 (9): 1063–1071, 2014) tackle a very important issue: justification of interaction hypotheses. Most IB models contain at least one interaction hypothesis, and yet it is clear that investigators are not always sure how to go about arguing for them. Andersson et al. (Journal of International Business Studies 45 (9): 1063–1071, 2014) take the reader through the justification process from start to finish, pointing out pitfalls along the way. Any IB scholar would do well to read this article before writing his or her next introduction section.
Natural frozen embryo transfer with hCG booster leads to improved cycle outcomes: a retrospective cohort study

To determine whether luteal support with intramuscular injection of human chorionic gonadotropin 1 day post-LH surge in natural cycle frozen embryo transfer (nFETs) increases ongoing pregnancy rates (OPR). Retrospective cohort study of women who underwent natural cycle FET with transfer of a single day-5 or − 6 euploid blastocyst between January 2017 and December 2018 at an academic medical center were divided into two groups based on whether they received hCG 1 day post-LH surge. Patients with uterine factor infertility were excluded. A total of 529 nFET cycles were included. The OPR was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the non-treatment group when controlling for potential confounders such as embryo morphology (69.9% versus 57.4%, p = 0.0119, aOR1.724, 95% CI 1.13–2.65). There were no significant differences observed in the rates of first trimester loss (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 0.032–2.96) or biochemical pregnancy (aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.31–1.76). Odds ratios were adjusted for patient’s age, body mass index, peak endometrial thickness, gravidity, and parity. The current data suggest that the hCG booster given to patients within 1 day post-LH surge results in improved cycle outcomes compared to patients who do not receive the booster.
Differences in abortion service-delivery in clinics by state policy context in 2017

Introduction In addition to monitoring the number and location of abortion clinics nationwide, it is important to examine other aspects of service-delivery, such as cost, and number of days abortions are provided, because they influence the accessibility of abortion care. Moreover, state policies can affect the types of care that are provided. This study examines differences in abortion service-delivery in clinics by state policy climate in 2017. Method Data for this study are from the Guttmacher Institute’s 2017 Abortion Provider Census, which collected information from all known abortion-providing facilities in the United States. This analysis focuses on the 808 clinic facilities that provided 95% of abortions that year. Outcomes include the cost of abortion care, maximum gestation at which abortions were offered, number of days clinics provided abortions, and other types of non-abortion services offered. Weights were constructed to account for non-responding facilities. Measures were calculated nationally and according to whether the clinic was in a state with a policy context that we categorized as hostile, middle-ground or supportive of abortion rights. Results In 2017, patients paid an average of $549 for a surgical abortion at 10 weeks gestation; without adjusting for cost-of-living, the amount was highest in middle-ground states ($592) and lowest in hostile states ($534). 64% of clinics offered abortion up to 11 weeks gestation, 22% did so up to 20 weeks, and 13% offered abortion at gestations up to 22 weeks. A slightly higher proportion of clinics in supportive states than hostile offered abortions after 22 weeks. 87% of clinics offered family planning services beyond post-abortion contraception, and the proportion was higher in supportive (93%) than in hostile states (75%). Nationally, clinics provided abortions for a median of 3 days per week. Nearly half of clinics in supportive states provided abortions > =5 days per week (46%), compared to 29% in hostile and middle-ground states. Conclusions Clinics operating in states that are hostile to abortion rights provide abortion services on fewer days and offer fewer non-abortion services. People residing in these states may encounter barriers not just to abortion, but to the wider range of sexual and reproductive health care they need.
[A large scale cohort study on AIDS in communities in Dali, Yunnan province, 2014-2015].

Objective To understand HIV incidence in community residents and epidemiological characteristics of newly detected HIV infection cases in Dali, Yunnan province. Methods A cohort study was conducted among 146 720 community residents who were tested to be HIV negative during 2010-2011, they were followed-up from June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015. Results A total of 136 356 community residents received follow up (92.9%). The follow-up time was 0.23-5.40 years (medium: 3.43 years), cumulatively 459 675 person years, and 78 people were found to be HIV positive. The incidence rate of HIV infection was 0.170/1 000 person years. The incidence rate was 0.037/1 000 person years in age group 15-29 years, 0.288/1 000 person years in age group 30-44 years, 0.210/1 000 person years in age group 45-59 years, 0.204/1 000 person years in age ≥60 years; 0.213/1 000 person years in males, 0.130/1 000 person years in females; 0.248/1 000 person years in Han ethnic group, 0.149/1 000 person years in Minorities; 0.194/1 000 in people with education level ≤ junior middle school, 0.046/1 000 person years in people with education level > junior middle school; 0.070/1 000 person years in the unmarried, 0.194/1 000 person years in the married and 0.425/1 000 person years in the divorced/widowed. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that being male (HR=1.731), aged 30-44 years (HR=13.158), aged 45-59 years (HR=10.329), aged ≥60 years (HR=8.291), unmarried (HR=3.162) and divorced/widowed (HR=2.689) were the risk factors for HIV infection, while the education level > junior middle school (HR=0.132) was the protective factor for HIV infection. Conclusions By medium 3.43 years follow up, the cohort study showed that incidence rate HIV infection was 0.170/1 000 person years in the community residents in Dali. Male, middle aged and old people, people with low education level, the unmarried and the divorced/widowed had relatively higher risk to be infected with HIV, Close attention should be paid to the prevention and control of AIDS in these populations. Key words: AIDS; Community population; Cohort study
Quantitative assessment of distant recurrence risk in early stage breast cancer using a nonlinear combination of pathological, clinical and imaging variables.

Use of genomic assays to determine distant recurrence risk in patients with early stage breast cancer has expanded and is now included in the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual. Algorithmic alternatives using standard clinical and pathology information may provide equivalent benefit in settings where genomic tests, such as OncotypeDx, are unavailable. We developed an artificial neural network (ANN) model to nonlinearly estimate risk of distant cancer recurrence. In addition to clinical and pathological variables, we enhanced our model using intraoperatively determined global mammographic breast density (MBD) and local breast density (LBD). LBD was measured with optical spectral imaging capable of sensing regional concentrations of tissue constituents. A cohort of 56 ER+ patients with an OncotypeDx score was evaluated. We demonstrated that combining MBD/LBD measurements with clinical and pathological variables improves distant recurrence risk prediction accuracy, with high correlation (r = 0.98) to the OncotypeDx recurrence score. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Contracting Wide-area Network Topologies to Solve Flow Problems Quickly

Many enterprises today manage traffic on their wide-area networks using software-defined traffic engineering schemes, which scale poorly with network size; the solver runtimes and number of forwarding entries needed at switches increase to untenable levels. We describe a novel method, which, instead of solving a multi-commodity flow problem on the network, solves (1) a simpler problem on a contraction of the network, and (2) a set of sub-problems in parallel on disjoint clusters within the network. Our results on the topology and demands from a large enterprise, as well as on publicly available topologies, show that, in the median case, our method nearly matches the solution quality of currently deployed solutions, but is 8x faster and requires 6x fewer FIB entries. We also show the value-add from using a faster solver to track changing demands and to react to faults.
Brief Report: Lower Socioeconomic Status Associates With Greater Systemic and Arterial Inflammation in HIV.

OBJECTIVES In the general population, the lower socioeconomic status (SES) associates with greater systemic and arterial inflammation and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Because arterial inflammation is heightened in individuals living with HIV, we tested the hypothesis that SES associates with arterial inflammation in this population. SETTINGS Prospective cohort study. METHODS Men living with HIV were recruited. Arterial inflammation and leukopoietic activity (ie, bone marrow activity) were measured using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Zip code-level SES measures were derived from the US Census Bureau. Linear regression and mediation analyses were used to assess associations between SES, arterial inflammation, leukopoietic activity, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6. RESULTS Thirty-nine virologically suppressed men living with HIV were studied (mean ± SD age 50.5 ± 11.1 years). The median CD4 count was 663 cells/mm3 (interquartile range: 399-922); 82% were receiving antiretroviral therapies. Local median income inversely associated with arterial inflammation [standardized β (95% confidence interval): -0.42 (-0.76 to -0.08)] after adjusting for age, Framingham risk score, statin use, antiretroviral use, and nadir CD4 count. The high-school graduation rate independently associated with arterial inflammation [-0.45 (-0.78 to -0.12)] and CRP [-0.49 (-0.86 to -0.012)]. Mediation analysis demonstrated the impact of SES on arterial inflammation was partially mediated by heightened circulating inflammatory levels: ↓SES (as high school graduation rate) →↑CRP →↑arterial inflammation accounting for 44% of the total effect (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION In individuals living with HIV, lower SES independently associated with higher leukopoietic activity, circulating markers of inflammation, and arterial inflammation. Furthermore, the link between SES and arterial inflammation was mediated by increased systemic inflammation.
SEED: Symptom Extraction from English Social Media Posts using Deep Learning and Transfer Learning

. The increase of social media usage across the globe has fueled efforts in digital epidemiology for mining valuable information such as medication use, adverse drug effects and reports of viral infections that directly and indirectly affect population health. Such information can, however, be scarce, hard to find and mostly expressed in very colloquial language. In this work, we focus on a fundamental problem that enables social media mining for disease monitoring. We present and make available SEED, a natural language processing approach to detect symptom and disease mentions from social media data obtained from platforms such as Twitter and DailyStrength, and to normalize them into UMLS terminology. Using multi-corpus training and deep learning models, the tool achieves an overall F1 score of 0.86 for extracting mentions of symptoms on a health forum dataset and an F1 score of 0.72 on a balanced Twitter dataset, significantly improving over previous, more narrowly defined, approaches on the same datasets. We apply the tool on Twitter posts that report COVID19 symptoms to quantify whether the SEED system can extract symptoms absent in the training data. The study results also draw attention to the potential of multi-corpus training for performance improvements and the need for continual training on newly obtained data for consistent performance amidst the ever-changing nature of the social media vocabulary.
Sex-specific multi-level 3D genome dynamics in the mouse brain

Abstract The female mammalian brain exhibits sex-hormone-driven plasticity during the reproductive period. Evidence implicates chromatin dynamics in gene regulation underlying this plasticity. However, whether ovarian hormones impact higher-order chromatin organization in post-mitotic neurons in vivo is unknown. Here, we mapped 3D genome of ventral hippocampal neurons across the estrous cycle and by sex in mice. In females, we found cycle-driven dynamism in 3D chromatin organization, including in estrogen-response-elements-enriched X-chromosome compartments, autosomal CTCF loops, and enhancer-promoter interactions. With rising estrogen levels, the female 3D genome becomes more similar to the male genome. Cyclical enhancer-promoter interactions are partially associated with gene expression and enriched for brain disorder-relevant genes. Our study reveals unique 3D genome dynamics in the female brain relevant to female-specific gene regulation, neuroplasticity, and disease risk.
Are You Ready? Perceived Career Readiness Attributes of the Hospitality Management Students

Hospitality management schools have to ensure that their graduates are “ready” to start their career; hence, it is important to explore the perceived career readiness of graduates. The research goa...
Hume in the Light of Bayes: Towards a Unified Cognitive Science of Human Nature

David Hume hoped future advances would bring his nascent science of human nature nearer to perfection. He conjectured that since it is probable one operation and principle of the mind depends on another it might someday be possible to subsume all mental operations under one absolutely general and universal principle. I argue that the day Hume hoped for may now be upon us, as an increasing number of theorists suspect that predictive Bayesian models of cognitive architecture provide the best clue yet as to the shape of a unified theory of mind. A theory in which the manifold operations of perception, imagination, and belief formation may all be explained in terms of the same cognitive processes that implement causal inference. I show the fundamental mechanism behind such architectures, the notion of a generative model, comprises a functional analogue to Hume’s faculty of the imagination. I apply the ideas outlined to construct a theoretical model of speech perception which is able to explain perceptual illusions, such as phonemic restoration and Ganong effects as artifacts of Bayesian inference. If the unitary view spelled out in this paper is correct perception, action, understanding, and the imagination all co-emerge from the same neural and computational resources that implement error correction and causal inference. I thus conclude that predictive Bayesian models comprise a sound methodology with which to continue Hume’s project of constructing a genuinely unified cognitive science of human nature.
Solution of Initial Value Problems by Fourier Synthesis

This chapter describes a method for solving and/or analyzing partial differential equations using the Fourier transform. The key ingredient is that constant coefficient equations have explicit exponential solutions. Both the power series method and the Fourier analysis method have as point of departure explicit exact solutions. This is a severe limitation. Some more recent developments, for example, pseudodifferential and Fourier integral operator methods depend on explicit approximate solutions which exist in more general situations.
Purification of Hog Gastric Intrinsic Factor by a Simple Two-Step Procedure Based on Affinity Chromatography and a Selective Guanidine Hydrochloride Gradient

Monocarboxylic acid derivatives of vitamin B12 were covalently coupled to 1,6-hexanediamine-substituted Sepharose by using a water-soluble carbodiimide resulting in 1.32 umoles of B12 coupled per ml of Sepharose. After a source of crude hog intrinsic factor (IF) was passed over the column, a selective linear gradient of guanidine HCl (0 to 4.0 M) was used to remove IF and 4.0 to 7.5 M to elute NIF (a vitamin B12-binding glycoprotein not active in promoting vitamin B12 absorption). Anti-IF antibodies blocked 99% of the B12 binding by the isolated IF and only 1% of the B12 binding by NIF. Passage over a hydroxyapatite column resulted in IF 99% pure with a specific activity of 29.8 μg of B12 binding per mg of protein. IF so isolated exhibited one homogeneous band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and corrected B12 malabsorption in a patient with pernicious anemia.
EFTUD2 deficiency in vertebrates: Identification of a novel human mutation and generation of a zebrafish model.

Background Congenital microphthalmia and coloboma are severe developmental defects that are frequently associated with additional systemic anomalies and display a high level of genetic heterogeneity. Methods To identify the pathogenic variant in a patient with microphthalmia, coloboma, retinal dystrophy, microcephaly, and other features, whole exome sequencing analysis of the patient and parental samples was undertaken. To further explore the identified variant/gene, expression and functional studies in zebrafish were performed. Results Whole exome sequencing revealed a de novo variant, c.473_474delGA, p.(Arg158Lysfs*4), in EFTUD2 which encodes a component of the spliceosome complex. Dominant mutations in EFTUD2 cause Mandibulofacial Dysostosis, Guion-Almeida type, which does not involve microphthalmia, coloboma, or retinal dystrophy; analysis of genes known to cause these ocular phenotypes identified several variants of unknown significance but no causal alleles in the affected patient. Zebrafish eftud2 demonstrated high sequence conservation with the human gene and broad embryonic expression. TALEN-mediated disruption was employed to generate a c.378_385 del, p.(Ser127Aspfs*23) truncation mutation in eftud2. Homozygous mutants displayed a reduced head size, small eye, curved body, and early embryonic lethality. Apoptosis assays demonstrated a striking increase in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in the developing brain, eye, spinal cord, and other tissues starting at 30 hours postfertilization. Conclusion This study reports a novel mutation in EFTUD2 in a Mandibulofacial Dysostosis, Guion-Almeida type patient with unusual ocular features and the generation of a first animal model of eftud2 deficiency. The severe embryonic phenotype observed in eftud2 mutants indicates an important conserved role during development of diverse tissues in vertebrates. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:630–640, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multiple model recognition for near-realistic exergaming

Exergaming as a tool to combat obesity yields an interesting take on the problem of design and implementation of activity recognition systems for truly mobile games that achieve moderate levels of intensity. This work presents SoccAR, a mobile, sensor-based wearable exergaming system with fine-grain activity recognition. The system in this paper presents a recognition algorithm for the appropriate classification of 26 movements by extracting a large number of features and selecting the most important, as well as developing a multiple model strategy to better classify movements. This movement strategy allows for a trade off of detailed classification versus classification speed. A metric to define the accuracy in terms of the importance of particular movements is defined. The scheme presented develops a framework for more accurately classifying movements with a smaller number of features for a large, multiclass real-time environment. This results in a more accurate classification of movements, with an F-score in cross-validation of .937 using a PUK-kernel based SVM and multiple models, to .755 using only a single RBF-based model and 20 features.
Applications of iPSCs in Cancer Research

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from reprogrammed somatic cells are emerging as one of the most versatile tools in biomedical research and pharmacological studies. Oncogenic transformation and somatic cell reprogramming are multistep processes that share some common features, and iPSCs generated from cancerous cells can help us better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of human cancers and overcome them. Aside from the mechanistic modeling of human tumorigenesis, immediate applications of this technology in cancer research include high-throughput drug screening, toxicological testing, early biomarker identification, and bioengineering of replacement tissues. Here, we review the current advances in generating iPSCs from cancer cell lines and patient-derived primary cancer tissues, and discuss their potential applications.
Incorporation of tritiated cytidine into ribonucleic acid by isolated pea nuclei.

A new method for the isolation of the nuclei from plant tissue has been devised. This method consists in passing the plant tissue through a set of spring-loaded, counter-rotating rollers and collecting the liberated nuclei in sucrose solution containing calcium ions. A semi-automatic machine which couples the rollers with a special tissue chopping device has been constructed. It has been shown that nuclei obtained in this way actively incorporate cytidine-H3 into RNA. This incorporation is increased in the presence of nucleoside triphosphates and an energy-regenerating system.
Cottonseed Meal in Rations for Starting Poults, Growing Turkeys and Turkey Breeder Hens

Abstract THE value of cottonseed meal as a feedstuff for poultry is related primarily to its content of available lysine (Lyman et al., 1953). An important non-protein component that must be considered in rations for poultry is gossypol, a highly reactive compound unique to the cotton plant which must be largely removed or inactivated during processing if adverse effects on growth, egg production, egg quality and hatchability are to be avoided. The large amount of work relating to the problem of evaluating the nutritional adequacy of cottonseed meal for chicks has been reviewed by Lyman et al. (1953) and by Altschul (1954). Milby et al. (1943) reported satisfactory results from including cottonseed meal in turkey rations, although they reported no evidence for a supplementary action between cottonseed meal and soybean oil meal. Richardson and Blaylock (1950) obtained a growth response in poults by the addition of lysine to a ration containing …
CANBAK: A Program Which Performs Stepwise Canonical Correlation Analysis

In this paper canonical correlation analysis is presented as the most universal case of the general linear model. It is suggested that canonical methods may have been underutilized in contemporary analytic practice, perhaps because software has been lacking. A computer program is discussed which provides for a calculation of several recently developed canonical coefficients as well as for implementation of a new stepwise method of canonical analysis.
Air travel and venous thromboembolism: a systematic review.

Despite multiple attempts to document and quantify the danger of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following prolonged travel, there is still uncertainty about the magnitude of risk and what can be done to lower it. To review the methodologic strength of the literature, estimate the risk of travel-related VTE, evaluate the efficacy of preventive treatments, and develop evidence-based recommendations for practice. Studies identified from MEDLINE from 1966 through December 2005, supplemented by a review of the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and relevant bibliographies. We included all clinical studies that either reported primary data concerning travel as a risk factor for VTE or tested preventive measures for travel-related VTE. Two reviewers reviewed each study independently to assess inclusion criteria, classify research design, and rate methodologic features. The effect of methodologic differences, VTE risk, and travel duration on VTE rate was evaluated using a logistic regression model. Twenty-four published reports, totaling 25 studies, met inclusion criteria (6 case-control studies, 10 cohort studies, and 9 randomized controlled trials). Method of screening for VTE [screening ultrasound compared to usual clinical care, odds ratio (OR) 390], outcome measure [all VTE compared to pulmonary embolism (PE) only, OR 21], duration of travel (<6 hours compared to 6–8 hours, OR 0.011), and clinical risk (“higher” risk travelers compared to “lower,” OR 3.6) were significantly related to VTE rate. Clinical VTE after prolonged travel is rare [27 PE per million flights diagnosed through usual clinical care, 0.05% symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) diagnosed through screening ultrasounds], but asymptomatic thrombi of uncertain clinical significance are more common. Graduated compression stockings prevented travel-related VTE (P < 0.05 in 4 of 6 studies), aspirin did not, and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) showed a trend toward efficacy in one study. All travelers, regardless of VTE risk, should avoid dehydration and frequently exercise leg muscles. Travelers on a flight of less than 6 hours and those with no known risk factors for VTE, regardless of the duration of the flight, do not need DVT prophylaxis. Travelers with 1 or more risk factors for VTE should consider graduated compression stockings and/or LMWH for flights longer than 6 hours.
The use of intra-operative blood gas analysis in the investigation of suspected iatrogenic vascular injury

Background Iatrogenic injury to the vertebral artery during posterior cervical fusion is a rare and potentially disastrous complication. Differentiating arterial from brisk venous bleeding would be ideal to assist in the intra-operative management. Definitive angiography is typically not feasible during most routine spine surgery.
Charge state evolution in an ion trap irradiated by VUV synchrotron radiation

Abstract The energies of photons obtainable from the VUV ring at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) are ideally suited for high-efficiency ionization of atomic-shell electrons. Given the high fluxes of photons available on a wiggler beam line, multiple photoionization in an ion trap can be easily achieved within times short compared to typical ion storage times in the trap. Measurements of the time evolution of ion population in such a trap can yield ionic photoionization cross sections and charge-exchange interaction rates for ion-atom or ion-ion collisions. The various processes governing this time evolution are discussed and model calculations illustrating the relative importance of these processes under different conditions are presented.
High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of low level uric acid in grains and cereal products as a measure of insect infestation

Abstract Uric acid, excreted by insects as an end product of nitrogen metabolism, is measured, with a detection limit of 1.0 μg uric acid/g sample, in grain and cereal products as an indication of contamination by stored product insects. The uric acid extracted from a cereal product sample into alkaline aqueous solution is analytically separated from other components in the extract by high-performance liquid chromatography. Ion-pairing with tetrabutylammonium ion in methanol—water is used on a reversed-phase column with detection at 280 nm. A column switching technique is employed to minimize analysis time. The method is linear over the range of interest, allowing quantitative and objective detection of infestation levels which may be encountered in commerce.
Impact of a medical student alcohol intervention workshop using recovering alcoholics as simulated patients

Background Alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) reduces drinking among at-risk drinkers. Lack of training and negative attitudes represents a barrier to SBI performance. This study evaluates the impact of a medical student workshop using recovering alcoholics in simulated patient interviews to teach SBI skills.