cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On-demand dissolution of modular, synthetic extracellular matrix reveals local epithelial-stromal communication networks

Methods to parse paracrine epithelial-stromal communication networks are a vital need in drug development, as disruption of these networks underlies diseases ranging from cancer to endometriosis. Here, we describe a modular, synthetic, and dissolvable extracellular matrix (MSD-ECM) hydrogel that fosters functional 3D epithelial-stromal co-culture, and that can be dissolved on-demand to recover cells and paracrine signaling proteins intact for subsequent analysis. Specifically, synthetic polymer hydrogels, modified with cell-interacting adhesion motifs and crosslinked with peptides that include a substrate for cell-mediated proteolytic remodeling, can be rapidly dissolved by an engineered version of the microbial transpeptidase Sortase A (SrtA) if the crosslinking peptide includes a SrtA substrate motif and a soluble second substrate. SrtA-mediated dissolution affected only 1 of 31 cytokines and growth factors assayed, whereas standard protease degradation methods destroyed about half of these same molecules. Using co-encapsulated endometrial epithelial and stromal cells as one model system, we show that the dynamic cytokine and growth factor response of co-cultures to an inflammatory cue is richer and more nuanced when measured from SrtA-dissolved gel microenvironments than from the culture supernate. This system employs accessible, reproducible reagents and facile protocols; hence, has potential as a tool in identifying and validating therapeutic targets in complex diseases.
Enzymatic dewatering of Florida phosphate slimes

The effects of the enzyme, peroxidase, on the sedimentation and consolidation characteristics of Florida phosphate slimes were investigated. Results indicate that pretreatment with the enzyme was beneficial for slime dewatering and consolidation. Biological activity, resulting from slime pretreatment with the enzyme, induced higher mechanical binding between slime particles.
Relative merits and limiting factors for x-ray and electron microscopy of thick, hydrated organic materials

Electron and x-ray microscopes allow one to image the entire, unlabeled structure of hydrated materials at a resolution well beyond what visible light microscopes can achieve. However, both approaches involve ionizing radiation, so that radiation damage must be considered as one of the limits to imaging. Drawing upon earlier work, we describe here a unified approach to estimating the image contrast (and thus the required exposure and corresponding radiation dose) in both x-ray and electron microscopy. This approach accounts for factors such as plural and inelastic scattering, and (in electron microscopy) the use of energy filters to obtain so-called "zero loss" images. As expected, it shows that electron microscopy offers lower dose for specimens thinner than about 1 µm (such as for studies of macromolecules, viruses, bacteria and archaebacteria, and thin sectioned material), while x-ray microscopy offers superior characteristics for imaging thicker specimen such as whole eukaryotic cells, thick-sectioned tissues, and organs. The required radiation dose scales strongly as a function of the desired spatial resolution, allowing one to understand the limits of live and frozen hydrated specimen imaging. Finally, we consider the factors limiting x-ray microscopy of thicker materials, suggesting that specimens as thick as a whole mouse brain can be imaged with x-ray microscopes without significant image degradation should appropriate image reconstruction methods be identified.
National epidemiology of initial and recurrent Clostridium difficile infection in the Veterans Health Administration from 2003 to 2014.

Introduction Prior studies demonstrated marked increases in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in the United States (U.S.) in recent years. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of initial and recurrent CDI in a national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) cohort over a 12-year period. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of all adult VHA beneficiaries with CDI (ICD-9-CM code 008.45) plus a positive CDI stool test between October 1, 2002 and September 30, 2014. Data were obtained from the VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure. Recurrence was defined as a second ICD-9-CM code plus a new course of CDI therapy following a minimum three-day gap after the initial therapy was completed. CDI incidence and outcomes were presented descriptively and longitudinally. Results Overall, 30,326 patients met study inclusion criteria. CDI incidence increased from FY 2003 (1.6 per 10,000) to FY 2013 (5.1 per 10,000). Thereafter, CDI incidence decreased through FY 2014 (4.6 per 10,000). A total of 5,011 patients (17%) experienced a first recurrence and, of those, 1,713 (34%) experienced a second recurrence. Recurrence incidence increased 10-fold over the study period, from (0.1 per 10,000) in FY 2003, to (1.0 per 10,000) in FY 2014. Overall, 30-day mortality and median hospital length of stay (LOS) decreased among initial episodes over the study period. Mortality was higher for initial episodes (21%) compared to first recurrences (11%) and second recurrences (7%). Median hospital LOS was longer for first episodes (13 days) compared to first (9 days) and second recurrences (8 days). Conclusions Initial and recurrent CDI episodes increased among veterans over a 12-year period. Outcomes, such as mortality and hospital LOS improved in recent years; both of these outcomes are worse for initial CDI episodes than recurrent episodes.
Amputation and Rehabilitation of the Diabetic Foot

Amputation of the foot may be indicated when neuropathy, vascular disease, and ulcerative deformity have led to soft tissue necrosis, osteomyelitis, uncontrollable infection, or intractable pain.
Morphodynamics of Barrier Response to Sea-Level Rise

Barrier response to sea-level rise involves a dynamic interplay between the shoreface and the subaerial portion affected by overwashing. Focusing on feedbacks between these two, here we discuss a morphodynamic approach to modeling barrier transgression. In contrast with the steady transgression portrayed by morphokinematic models (which transport mass based on geometric considerations), a simple morphodynamic model predicts two modes of long-term barrier failure: width and height drowning. For barriers that survive sea-level rise, a most likely mode of barrier motion consists of punctuated and abrupt periodic transgression of the shelf, which can arise even from constant driving conditions. These intermittently migrational barriers spend most of their existence staying essentially in place, a stark contrast to the continuous behavior suggested by morphokinematic models of barrier retreat. Even small perturbations to a barrier system traversing the shelf in dynamic equilibrium can kick-start an oscillating retreat. Looking alongshore, shoreline interconnectivity can have a significant effect on shoreline behavior across both space and time. Overall, our morphodynamic modeling results motivate a need to investigate the internal dynamics of barrier systems to understand the full range of past and potential future response of barrier systems to sea-level rise.
Collaborative course development: A comparison of business and non-business students’ perceptions of class experience

Abstract Prior research has demonstrated significant increases in student engagement and learning outcomes when faculty and students share course development and implementation practices. This study is an empirical investigation of collaborative course development (CCD) effects on four dependent variables, specifically: student's felt engagement, perceived learning, course satisfaction, and ratings of instructors. It utilized an interdisciplinary course and teaching method comparison conducted over one academic year. The experimental study included six courses that were each taught with one control-group class that employed traditional, instructor-led course designs and one experimental class for a total of twelve control and experimental conditions (in business and non-business courses). Courses were selected for inclusion in the study based on the availability of a course having two sections offered during the academic year for the participating faculty. Each CCD experimental course carefully employed six student-centered CCD techniques, namely: student-faculty collaborative syllabus and assessment building; elective choice assignments; competitive experimentation; flexible lectures; and creative theory building. We hypothesized that an emphasis on faculty–student collaboration facilitated through student empowerment and choice would positively influence the four dependent variables across all subjects. However, the findings revealed an interdisciplinary-contextual effect. The CCD techniques were significantly more effective in business courses compared to non-business courses. These findings enhance our understanding of teacher collaboration with students and student preferences for collaborative education approaches in business (but not in the non-business courses).
Interactions of Pathogens with the Host

Infection occurs when a microbe enters a normally nonsterile tissue and may cause an infectious disease with signs and symptoms or a subclinical infection. Infections that are not cleared by the host are characterized as persistent. The agent in nonreplicating or latent infection may begin to grow again or to reactivate. Growth of a microorganism such as normal bacterial flora on a normally nonsterile body surface such as the colonic mucosa in the absence of disease is called colonization.
Pastoral Production Strategies and Market Orientation of the Afghan Kirghiz

‘Closed frontiers nomadism’ as an adaptation to specific political-geographic conditions represents a fusion of political, social and economic strategies. For the Kirghiz of the Afghan Pamir, surrounded by three international borders, the two main economic aspects of closed frontiers nomadism involve maximal utilization of pasture resources in an arbitrarily delimited geographic space and production of both primary (livestock) and secondary (wool, dairy) commodities for subsistence and trade. Market access remains one of the key issues facing the Kirghiz who throughout their recent history have been forced to adapt to geopolitical events far beyond their control but which directly impact their lives and livelihoods. In every instance, the Kirghiz have demonstrated great sophistication and resourcefulness in maintaining access to the twin pillars of their economy: productive pastoral resources (pasture and livestock) and market access. Kirghiz dynamism is reflected in their leasing of winter pastures in Tajikistan, cross-border trade with Pakistan, use of National Solidarity Programme funds to improve fodder production and manipulation of international aid agencies to receive annual food assistance. Such activities challenge the notion of pastoralism as a ‘timeless’ or ‘traditional’ activity, despite outward appearances based on a relatively limited material culture.
Towards social webtops using semantic wiki

The fast-growing Web 2.0 applications promote explicit social structure and explosive data on the Web, and enable the realization of social webtops, where users use web applications to collaboratively organize and share online data. In this work, we show that semantic wiki technologies are suitable for building a social webtop. We also identify two key issues in realizing social webtop applications on semantic wiki and present our initial investigation with live demos: (i) popular concept modeling mechanisms used by webtop applications can be supported by semantic wiki; and (ii) provenance-aware data personalization mechanisms can be added as semantic wiki extensions to better support collaborative data management on a webtop.
Demographic-based risk of reporting psychopathology and poor health among mistreated older adults in the national elder mistreatment study wave II

Objectives: Past year elder mistreatment rate is about 11% of community residing older adults, with significant demographic-based variations in prevalence. However, very little research on demographic variable-based differences in correlates of elder abuse, such as mental health, exist. The National Elder Mistreatment Study 8-year follow-up (NEMS II) specifically investigated the relation between demographic factors and the presence of these correlates (i.e. diagnoses of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and self-ratings of physical health).Methods: The NEMS II used random digit dial telephone survey methodology to assess demographic variables and reports of depression PTSD, GAD, and poor health, in 774 older adults. RESULTS: a consistent association was observed between demographic factors related to financial status and poor mental and general health ratings.Discussion: A subset of demographic factors associated with increased risk of reporting elder abuse, low income and financial distress, were also associated with increased risk of reporting correlates of elder abuse that included depression, PTSD GAD and poor health.
Comparative Eye Effect of Unilateral Intravitreal Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab, and Aflibercept for Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose:The purpose of this article is to compare the fellow-eye effect of unilateral intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment (bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibe...
The Design of High-Peak-Power Nd : Glass Laser Systems

In the previous seven chapters we have treated, in as much detail as possible in a book such as this, the important physics relevant to the design of Nd: glass laser systems. This final chapter will concentrate on applying what we have learned to the actual design of real laser systems operating in the short-pulse, high-peak-power regime when output is limited by nonlinear effects. Although it will become apparent that the subject matter preceding this chapter will be very relevant to the task at hand, we here introduce another variable to an already complicated problem — namely, cost. In recent years, the cost associated with building large laser devices for laser-fusion experiments has assumed great importance and must be factored into the overall laser-design process. Indeed, methods have been developed that optimize system performance and cost for both the short-pulse (high-peak power) and the long-pulse (high-energy) regimes. Although we will treat here only the design of the high-peak-power systems, the optimization procedure for high-energy systems is straightforward and, in fact, much simpler.
CodeSport: Increasing Participation in Programming UsingCoding Tournaments as an Alternative to Hackathons

Though hackathons are successful in attracting large crowds, they may not be sufficiently effective for broadening participation in computing, because they lack appeal for underrepresented groups in computing, and for people with family and job obligations. We propose a contrasting model for creating interest in computing, by making coding a spectator sport. We present an experience report on the design and implementation of a coding tournament, including survey results that informed the design of the system along with post-event questionnaire data from participants, exploring their attitudes towards different coding events. We find that coding tournaments can be an effective and engaging alternative to hackathons, and that they can motivate some audience members to pursue more coding activities, and possibly even participate as competitors in future tournaments.
Oncolytic polio/rhinovirus recombinant (PVSRIPO) against WHO grade IV malignant glioma (MG): Experience with retreatment of survivors from the phase I trial.

2060Background: We completed a study evaluating a single intratumoral delivery of PVSRIPO in recurrent WHO grade IV MG patients (N Engl J Med. 2018 Jul 12;379(2):150-161). Some patients who origina...
The Many Symmetries of Hubbard Alternant Polyenes

In the freeon unitary-group-formulation of quantum chemistry the relevant group is U(n) where n is the number of freeon orbitals. The Hamiltonian is a second degree polynomial in the U(n) generators so the Hilbert space of the Hamiltonian is the direct sum of the U(n) irreducible representation spaces (IRS). The Pauli principle is imposed by restricting the physically significant IRS to those labeled by the partitions [λ] = [2(N/2)-S,12S] where N is the number of electrons and S is the spin. The IRS have the following properties: i) For each IRS labeled by [λ] there exists a conjugate IRS labeled by [λ] = [2(N/2)-S,12S] where N = 2n-N is the number of holes in [λ]. ii) The dimension of the [λ]th IRS equals the dimension of the [λ]th IRS. iii) The symmetry-adaptation of the [λ]th IRS with respect to any group yields the same decomposition as does the symmetry-adaptation of the [λ]th IRS. iv) There is defined a selfconjugate Hamiltonian such that the [λ]th and the [λ]th spectra differ by only a constant energy shift, ΔE = ΔE°(n-N). v) For n = N the conjugate group Gk, is a group of the Hamiltonian and supplies the conjugation quantum number.
Ru 99 , 101 NMR study of the Ru-site vacancies in Sr Ru 1 − x O 3 compounds

It has been shown previously that the synthesis of $\mathrm{Sr}\mathrm{Ru}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ in an oxygen environment produces nonstoichiometric $\mathrm{Sr}{\mathrm{Ru}}_{1\ensuremath{-}\mathit{x}}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ compounds with randomly distributed vacancies on the Ru sites, along with a significant reduction in the ferromagnetic ordering temperature [Dabrowski et al., Phys. Rev. B 70, 014423 (2004)]. In order to gain insight into the suppression of ferromagnetism, an investigation of the short-range order, Ru magnetic moment, and Ru valence state has been carried out. Local studies utilizing $^{99,101}\mathrm{Ru}$ zero-field, spin-echo nuclear magnetic resonance, along with complementary dc magnetization and x-ray diffraction, revealed that the Ru paramagnetic moment above the ordering temperature decreases only slightly from the ${\mathrm{Ru}}^{4+}$ low-spin $(\mathit{S}=1)$ value as vacancies are introduced into the Ru sites. On the other hand, the ordered Ru moment measured by low-temperature hysteresis is strongly suppressed along with the ordering temperature. The results presented here do not support the idea of an increase in the average Ru valence state from $4+$ to $5+$ by the creation of some amount of local ${\mathrm{Ru}}^{5+}$.
Dementia Severity Associated With Increased Risk of Potentially Preventable Readmissions During Home Health Care.

Abstract Objectives Approximately 14% of Medicare beneficiaries are readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of home health care admission. Individuals with dementia account for 30% of all home health care admissions and are at high risk for readmission. Our primary objective was to determine the association between dementia severity at admission to home health care and 30-day potentially preventable readmissions (PPR) during home health care. A secondary objective was to develop a dementia severity scale from Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) items based on the Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST). Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting and participants Home health care; 126,292 Medicare beneficiaries receiving home health care (July 1, 2013–June 1, 2015) diagnosed with dementia (ICD-9 codes). Measures 30-day PPR during home health care. Dementia severity categorized into 6 levels (nonaffected to severe). Results The overall rate of 30-day PPR was 7.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4, 7.7] but varied by patient and health care utilization characteristics. After adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the odds ratio (OR) for dementia severity category 6 was 1.37 (95% CI 1.29, 1.46) and the OR for category 7 was 1.94 (95% CI 1.64, 2.31) as compared to dementia severity category 1/2. Conclusions and implications Dementia severity in the later stages is associated with increased risk for potentially preventable readmissions. Our findings suggest that individuals admitted to home health during the later stages of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias may require greater supports and specialized care to minimize negative outcomes such as readmissions. Development of a dementia severity scale based on OASIS items and the FAST is feasible. Future research is needed to determine effective strategies for decreasing potentially preventable readmissions of individuals with severe dementia who receive home health care. Future research is also needed to validate the proposed dementia severity categories used in this study.
A rhodamine-based fluorescent sensor for selective detection of Cu2+ in aqueous media: synthesis and spectroscopic properties.

Abstract Two new chemosensors, rhodamine B derivative bearing 3-formyl-6-nitrochromone (L1) and 3-formyl-6-methylchromone (L2) units were designed and synthesized using microwave irradiation for the selective detection of Cu2+ in aqueous media. Copper triggers the formation of highly fluorescent ring-open spirolactam. The fluorescence intensity was remarkably increased upon the addition of Cu2+ within a minute, while the other metal ions caused no significant effect. More importantly, the resulting complexes can be used as a reversible fluorescence sensor for CN−. The recognition ability of the sensors was investigated by fluorescence titration, Job’s plot, 1H NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Long-Term Outcomes of Mesenteric Stenting and Analysis of In-Stent Restenosis Duplex Velocity Criteria

Background Endovascular therapy for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is the mainstay of treatment. Duplex velocity criteria within stented mesenteric vessels are not well established. We describe single-center outcomes of mesenteric stenting for CMI and analyze duplex velocities associated with in-stent restenosis (ISR). Methods We performed a single-center retrospective review of patients undergoing mesenteric stenting for CMI (2012-2018). Primary outcome was reintervention for recurrence of CMI symptoms. Secondary outcomes were occlusion or bypass grafting. Duplex velocities in those with recurrent symptoms, corresponding with clinically significant ISR, were identified. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created to identify velocity thresholds for ISR. Results Mesenteric stents were placed in 61 patients (71 arteries). Mean age was 72 years (range, 49-92), and the majority were female (55%). Thirty-two (45%) celiac (CA) stents and 39 (55%) superior mesenteric artery (SMA) stents were placed. Ten patients had SMA and CA stents placed. Twenty-five stents were covered (35%). Freedom from reintervention at 1, 2, and 3 years was 83%, 73%, and 60%. Freedom from occlusion or bypass grafting at 1, 2, and 3 years was 100%, 86%, and 86%. No significant difference in patency was seen between covered and bare-metal stents (OR 0.45; 95% CI: 0.15–1.33; P = 0.1383). Median survival was 6.1 years. For CA stents, a peak systolic velocity (PSV) of 440 cm/s corresponded with clinically significant ISR with 100% sensitivity and 86% specificity. For SMA stents, a PSV of 341 cm/s corresponded with clinically significant ISR with only 80% sensitivity and 52% specificity. Conclusions A PSV of 440 cm/s for CA stents was indicative of clinically significant ISR with excellent sensitivity and specificity. This should be used in conjunction with clinical findings to identify patients that may benefit from repeat intervention. A similar threshold could not be identified for SMA stents and warrants further collaborative investigation.
Supplementing neonatal Jersey calves with a blend of probiotic bacteria improves the pathophysiological response to an oral Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium challenge

The objectives of the current study were to determine the effects of supplementing a blend of probiotic bacteria (Provida Calf, MB Nutritional Sciences, Lubbock, TX) on the pathophysiological response to an oral Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium challenge in neonatal Jersey calves. Twenty-four Jersey bull calves within 24 h of birth were acquired from a local calf ranch, blocked by total serum protein and initial body weight, and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (n = 8). Calves were assigned to either (1) Control (CON); base milk replacer, (2) Control + Salmonella Typhimurium (CON+ST); base milk replacer and challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium on d 7; or (3) Provida Calf probiotics + Salmonella Typhimurium (PRO+ST); same milk replacer supplemented with a proprietary blend of Lactobacillus casei and Enterococcus faecium strains and challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium on d 7. The PRO+ST calves were supplemented for the first 3 d with 2 × 1010 cfu/d and then with 2 × 109 cfu/d for the remainder of the study. The CON+ST and PRO+ST calves were each challenged with approximately 5 × 106 cfu of Salmonella Typhimurium (ATCC# 14028), which was a mild challenge that did not cause scours in the calves. Peripheral blood samples were collected on d 0, 7, 10, 14, and 21 and analyzed for hematology; serum was collected and analyzed for haptoglobin, glucose, and urea N. Rectal temperatures were collected daily from d 6 to 21, when all calves were killed, so that persistent colonization of Salmonella Typhimurium and histomorphology of both the duodenum and ileum could be determined. Serum haptoglobin and urea N concentrations were increased among CON+ST on d 10. In contrast, the peak rectal temperature on d 10 in PRO+ST calves was 40.4°C, which was greater than that for CON and CON-ST (38.9°C and 39.7°C, respectively). The neutrophil percentage in peripheral circulation in PRO+ST calves was 55.4%, which was greater than that for CON and CON+ST (34.8 and 41.8%, respectively). Seven of the 8 PRO+ST calves had elevated neutrophil percentages on d 10 compared with d 7, whereas 4 of the 8 CON+ST calves had reduced neutrophil percentages on d 10 compared with d 7. Villus height-to-crypt depth ratios in the duodenum were greater among CON and PRO+ST calves, being 1.38, 0.84, and 1.43 for CON, CON+ST, and PRO+ST, respectively. In the ileum, the PRO+ST calves had greater villus height-to-crypt depth ratios than both the CON and CON+ST calves (1.64, 1.53, and 2.43 for CON, CON+ST, and PRO+ST, respectively). These data indicate that supplementing neonatal calves with the blend of probiotic bacteria used in the current study can influence the pathophysiological response to a mild enteric Salmonella Typhimurium challenge.
Language anxiety and the online learner

Foreign language classroom anxiety is a construct that has been investigated since the 1980s, yet few studies have examined language anxiety in the context of the online learning environment. In this literature review, the following guiding questions were examined: (a) What is foreign language classroom anxiety? (b) What are the research findings on language anxiety among online learners? (c) What can instructors do to help alleviate their online students' perceived levels of language anxiety? In addition to an exploration of the guiding questions, the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale, which was developed by Horwitz, Horwitz, and Cope (1986), is described in detail as well as how language educators can use it as a tool in their own classrooms to measure their students' perceived language anxiety levels. The pedagogical implications include recommended techniques and interventions for helping online language learners feel less isolated, less anxious, and more connected to their teacher and to their peers. Given the large number of students who are currently engaged in online or remote language learning due to COVID‐19, it is important to consider how affective factors, such as anxiety, can impede learning outcomes. Furthermore, language educators and their students were required to transition rapidly to the online environment without sufficient time or preparation for it, which is an additional cause of stress for both students and instructors alike. The article concludes with suggestions for future research on online language anxiety.
Do laypeople recognize youth as a risk factor for false confession? A test of the 'common sense' hypothesis.

In a survey of confession experts, 94% agreed that youth is a risk factor for false confession, but only 37% felt that jurors understand this. To date, no study has tested the latter by comparing l...
Postremoval Geographies: Immigration Enforcement and Organized Crime on the U.S.–Mexico Border

What happens after deportation? What contexts must Mexican deportees navigate and contend with after removal from the United States? This article explores the challenges for people postremoval in M...
HLA polymorphism and tapasin independence influence outcomes of HIV and dengue virus infection.

Processing and presentation of self-antigens and foreign antigens and their loading into class I and class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) constitute a major feature of the cellular immune response and induce CD8 and CD4 T cell immune responses (1, 2), respectively. The MHC complex, in human, called human leukocyte antigen complex (HLA), is the most polymorphic locus of the mammalian genome, with hundreds of allelic variations, with the most polymorphic domain represented by the peptide binding domain (3, 4). Different MHC alleles have different antigen-binding profiles which, in turn, can affect the susceptibility or resistance to infectious diseases (4). MHC alleles are believed to be maintained by pathogen-driven selection, mediated through either heterozygote advantage or frequency-dependent selection (5). Although antigen presentation has been studied for decades (2, 6), the mechanisms that enable loading of specific peptides onto MHC molecules are not fully elucidated. In the context of MHC class I antigen presentation, the diverse antigenic peptides that originate from endogenous protein degradation or defective protein translation are loaded onto MHC class I heavy chains complexed with the light chain β2-microglobulin within the peptide loading complex (PLC) (7, 8) into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (Fig. 1). The PLC consists of the peptide transporter associated with antigen presentation, TAP, which pumps peptides from the cytosol into the ER and multiple chaperone molecules, including tapasin (9⇓⇓–12). Tapasin allows formation of peptide:MHC class I complexes and facilitates the loading of high-affinity antigenic peptides onto the MHC class I molecules by stabilizing a peptide-receptive conformation and editing the repertoire of bound peptides, removing those peptides which cannot meet a minimum affinity threshold (13⇓⇓ … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: rafick.sekaly{at}emory.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Divided Nationhood and Multiple Membership: A Framework for Assessing Kin-State Policies and Their Impact

This article uses an expanded notion of divided nationhood and the framework of multiple membership to assess the impact of kin-state policies on national minority communities in the European neigh...
Solidarity now? Other stories about researchers, otherness, and polyphony in research:

We are three researchers within the field of mental health. For the past 3 years, we have collaborated with colleagues in Greece on evaluating the pilot project Refugee Outreach Mental Health Team....
Cryogenic Process Engineering

1 Introduction.- 2 Properties of Cryogenic Fluids.- 3 Properties of Solids.- 4 Refrigeration and Liquefaction.- 5 Equipment Associated with Low-Temperature Systems.- 6 Separation and Purification Systems.- 7 Storage and Transfer Systems.- 8 Cryogenic Instrumentation.- Appendix A Conversion Factors and Temperature Scales.- Appendix B Properties of Cryogenic Fluids.- Appendix C Thermodynamic Diagrams of Cryogenic Fluids.
Heavy-meson masses in the ϵ regime of heavy-meson chiral perturbation theory

The pseudoscalar and vector heavy-meson masses are calculated in the $ϵ$-regime of Heavy Meson Chiral Perturbation Theory to order ${ϵ}^{4}$. The results presented will allow the determination of low-energy coefficients (LECs) directly from Lattice QCD calculations of the heavy-mesons masses for lattices that satisfy the $ϵ$-regime criteria. In particular, the LECs that parametrize the next-to-leading order volume dependence of the heavy-meson masses are necessary for evaluating the light-pseudoscalar meson $(\ensuremath{\pi},K,\ensuremath{\eta})$ and heavy meson (${{D}^{0},{D}^{+},{D}_{s}^{+}}$, ${{B}^{\ensuremath{-}},{\overline{B}}^{0},{\overline{B}}_{s}^{0}}$) scattering phase shifts.
The trade in people in and from the former Soviet Union

This paper focuses on the trafficking and smuggling of human beings fromand through the former Soviet Union. It explores the reasons for the risein the illegal movement of people; the groups which facilitate it; the demographics of the people who are moved and the business side, includingthe profits, the disposition of profits and the use of corruption to facilitatethe trade. With the disintegration of state control over national territory, this mass movement of people often violates national laws and the national sovereignty of the countries of the Soviet successor states and the countrieswhere the former Soviet citizens move illegally. The paper concludes that thistrade mirrors and contributes to the overall downward development of thepost-Soviet economies. In contrast, a comparative look at the respective Chinese developments indicates that trade in human beings tends to facilitatethe growth of both the Chinese legitimate and illegitimate economies.
Varieties of Happiness Experience: Review of Gilbert's Stumbling on Happiness

This confusion about the activities of scientists and clinicians is reflected in booksellers’ varying decisions to shelve (often on opposite ends of the bookstore) Daniel Gilbert’s Stumbling on happiness under ‘‘Science,’’ ‘‘Cognitive Science,’’ ‘‘Psychology and Self-Help,’’ or all of the above. This inconsistent shelving and the confusion it reflects is a pity, because Gilbert’s book exemplifies how psychological science relates intimately to improving happiness, well-being, and the quality of life. Gilbert is among the most publicly visible psychological scientists seeking to help people live better, happier lives simply by understanding the basic psychological processes giving rise to everyday experience. Drawing insights from cognitive science, judgment and decision making, neuroscience, social psychology and behavioral economics, Gilbert integrates and reviews much of what psychological science tells us about happiness.
Apparent seasonal cycle in isotopic discrimination of carbon in the atmosphere and biosphere due to vapor pressure deficit

[1] We explore seasonal variability in isotopic fractionation by analyzing observational data from the atmosphere and the biosphere, as well as simulated data from a global model. Using simulated values of atmospheric CO2 and its carbon isotopic composition, we evaluated different methods for specifying background concentrations when calculating the isotopic signature of source CO2 (δs) to the atmosphere. Based on this evaluation, we determined that free troposphere measurements should be used when available as a background reference when calculating δs from boundary layer observations. We then estimate the seasonal distribution of δs from monthly climatologies derived from several atmospheric sampling sites. This approach yields significant seasonal variations in δs with more enriched values during the summer months that exceed the uncertainty of δs estimated for any given month. Intra-annual measurements of δ13C in the cellulose of Pinus taeda growing in the southeastern U.S. also reveal seasonal isotopic variations that are consistent in phase but not necessarily amplitude with atmospherically derived estimates of δs. Coherent seasonal patterns in δs inferred from the atmosphere and observed in the biosphere were not consistent with the seasonal isotopic discrimination simulated by a commonly used biosphere model. However, δs seasonality consistent with observations from the atmosphere and biosphere was retrieved with a revised biosphere model when stomatal conductance, and thus isotopic discrimination, was allowed to vary in response to vapor pressure deficit rather than relative humidity. Therefore, in regions where vapor pressure deficit and relative humidity are positively covariant over the growth season, such as the sub-tropics, different stomatal conductance models may yield very different estimates of CO2 and H2O exchange between the biosphere and atmosphere.
Subunit interactions inhibit the binding of beta nerve growth factor to receptors on embryonic chick sensory neurons.

The binding of the beta nerve growth factor subunit in the 7 S nerve growth factor complex to the two nerve growth factor receptors on chick embryo dorsal root ganglion cells was investigated. Under conditions where the 7 S nerve growth factor complex is maximally stable (in the presence of excess alpha and gamma subunits and of 20 to 30 microM zinc ion), no binding to either receptor was detectable. The time course of the decrease in the binding of beta nerve growth factor to the receptors upon addition of alpha and gamma subunits and zinc ion paralleled the formation of the 7 S complex. Addition of alpha and gamma subunits and zinc ion to the bisdes-arginine118-nerve growth factor, which does not re-form the 7 S complex, failed to inhibit the binding of the derivative to either receptor. While the alpha subunit alone had no effect on beta nerve growth factor binding, the gamma subunit decreased its binding in proportion to the amount of complex formed between these two subunits, suggesting that the beta . gamma complex, like the 7 S complex, does not bind to nerve growth factor receptors.
Time-Domain Analysis

The sections in this article are 1 Electromagnetic Wave Propagation 2 Time-Domain Differential-Equation Modeling 3 Time Integration Schemes 4 Convolution and Recursive Functions 5 Time-Domain Integral-Equation Methods 6 Current Issues
NEONATAL STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTION. I. ECOLOGY AND PREVENTION IN A MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN EL SALVADOR.

The dynamics, consequences, and prevention of neonatal staphylococcal colonization were studied in San Salvador, El Salvador. The results indicate that: All untreated infants who resided in the hospital for more than 48 hours became colonized. Umbilical preceded nasal colonization in this group. An antiseptic skin care program effectively prevented colonization among treated infants in the hospital. Colonization in this group did occur in the first 3 months of life, but never to the extent found among the controls. Nasal preceded umbilical colonization in the treated group. Staphylococcal disease occurred four times as frequently in the control group as in the treated group and four times as often in males as in females. Initial staphylococcal colonization in mothers and family members of the two study groups and the non-staphylococcal disease experiences of both populations were essentially identical. Therefore, the differences in colonization rates and staphylococcal disease among the infants were probably due to the infant care program. Studies on the epidemiology of neonatal staphylococcal infection and disease in San Salvador were carried out from birth through the first 3 months of life. The phage-types and antibiograms of hospital- and community-derived strains differed widely from each other. The excess morbidity encountered in untreated infants was traceable almost entirely to hospitalacquired infections. The first strain acquired by an infant was not necessarily the disease-producing strain, and multiple sequential colonizations occurred among the infants and their mothers. All hospital-acquired strains persisted and declined at approximately the same rate throughout the study.
Phylogeographic patterns of Armillaria ostoyae in the western United States

Nuclear ribosomal DNA regions (i.e. large subunit, internal transcribed spacer, 5.8S and intergenic spacer) were sequenced using a direct-polymerase chain reaction method from Armillaria ostoyae genets collected from the western USA. Many of the A. ostoyae genets contained heterogeneity among rDNA repeats, indicating intragenomic variation and likely intraspecific hybridization. Intragenomic variation was verified by visually editing base-sequence offsets in regions with insertions/deletions, and using sequence-specific internal primers to resequence heterogeneous regions. Phylogenetic analyses with Bayesian Inference methods were used to define groups within A. ostoyae. Analysis of A. ostoyae from outside the western USA indicated the presence of a Circumboreal group of A. ostoyae that also occurs in Utah; two other phylogeographic groups were associated with the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Northwest regions of the USA. Mixed sequence types, an indication of intraspecific hybrids, were common in some geographic regions. Hybridization events may have influenced species evolution, contributing to variation in pathogenicity and virulence. The occurrence of these groups and intraspecific hybrids also indicates that paleogeography and paleoclimate may have influenced the phylogeography of A. ostoyae. In addition, other Armillaria species were examined for evolutionary relationships with the groups of A. ostoyae. These findings will provide a basis for future research relating ecological function to genetic diversity within A. ostoyae.
Film drainage and the lifetime of bubbles

[1] We present the results of new laboratory experiments that provide constraints on inter bubble film thinning and bubble coalescence as a consequence of liquid expulsion by gravitational and capillary forces. To ensure dynamic similarity to magmatic systems, the experiments are at small Reynolds numbers (Re≪1) and cover a wide range of Bond numbers (10−3 ≤ Bo ≤ 102). Results indicate that at Bo 0.25 gravitational forces result in film thinning. The film drainage time scale is given by t ∼ C ln (α) τ and is orders of magnitude faster than often assumed for magmatic systems. Here, C ∼ 10 is an empirical constant and α is the ratio of initial film thickness to film thickness at the time of rupture and τ is the characteristic capillary or buoyancy time scale at values of Bo 0.25, respectively.
Software infrastructure for non-uniform scientific computations on parallel processors

Non-Uniform representations are an effective means of resolving diverse physical phenomena but they require sophisticated run time support to manage their underlying complexity, especially on parallel computers. I will describe a software infrastructure for non-uniform computations that was developed in my research group, and discuss how this infrastructure was employed in a computational grand challenge: first principle simulation of real materials. At the heart of our infrastructure are the LPARX and KeLP systems, C++ class libraries that offer portable performance across a diversity of hardware platforms.
Plasma estimation: a noise cancelling application

Abstract In this paper we discuss the application of a noise cancelling technique to extract energy storage information from sensors occurring during fusion reactor experiments on the Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade (TMX-U) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). We show how this technique can be used to decrease the uncertainty in the corresponding sensor measurements used for diagnostics in both real-time and post-experimental environments. We analyze the performance of the algorithm on the sensor data and discuss the various tradeoffs. The algorithm suggested is designed using SIG. an interactive signal processing package developed at LLNL.
Bilateral iliac vein compression secondary to bladder overdistension in a neonate

Abstract We report the case of a neonate who developed acute venous congestion of the lower limbs after exomphalos repair. Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) was excluded as there were no other clinical and physiological features of this condition. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated bilateral iliac vein compression and massive bladder distension. Relief of the bladder obstruction led to prompt resolution of the venous impairment. Such a condition has not been previously reported and thus pediatric health care providers should be aware that neonatal bladder distension can obstruct venous drainage. Such knowledge may prevent unnecessary decompressive laparotomy.
Picosecond Time-Resolved Photoluminescence From Cd 1-x Mn x Te-CdTe Microstructures

Exciton lifetimes in Cdi-xMnxTe-CdTe superlattices (x = 0.06, 0.23 and 0.45) at 7 K have been studied by time-correlated single photon counting with high spectral resolution. The lifetimes decrease with well thickness, in agreement with earlier spectrally integrated luminescence decay measurements using a spectrometer/streak camera combination. Our spectral resolution is sufficient to show small structure for the Cd0.5Mn0.45Te-CdTe sample at energies near those predicted by a Kronig-Penny calculation for the subbands, and we report the time behavior of these states.
Development of a simple device for measurement of rotational knee laxity.

The goal of this study was to develop a new device for the measurement of rotational knee laxity and to measure intra-observer and inter-observer reliability in a cadaveric study. An array of established tools was utilized to design the device with a basis that consists of an Aircast Foam Walker™ boot. A load cell was attached to the boot with a handle bar for application of moments about the knee. An electromagnetic tracking system was used to record the motion of the tibia with respect to the femur. The total arc of motion ranged from 23° at full extension to 46° at 90° of knee flexion. The intra-tester ICCs ranged from 0.94 to 0.99. The ICC for inter-tester reliability ranged from 0.95 to 0.99. In summary, the new device for measurement of rotational knee laxity is simple, reliable, and can be used in a non-invasive fashion in the office or surgical suite document clinical outcome in terms of rotational knee laxity.
Estimating infant and childhood mortality under conditions of changing mortality.

Summary It is well known that estimates of infant mortality obtained using Brass's technique are very accurate. Biases are introduced, however, when one or more of the assumptions on which it relies are violated. Departures from the assumption of constant fertility may be handled by using a variant of the technique which depends on information on the age distribution of surviving children, rather than on indexes of the fertility function. Violations of the assumption of constant mortality — an increasingly common situation in most developing societies — produce upward biases in the estimates. The amount of bias is a function of the speed of mortality decline, the characteristics of the fertility pattern and, finally, of the age of the mother. This paper presents a simple technique which corrects these biases, and in addition, generates estimates of the parameters of the mortality trend. It differs from others in that it uses a cohort definition of mortality decline and relies on knowledge of the age struc...