cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apoptosis in Neurodegenerative Disease

Apoptotic cell death has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many human neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Many currently discussed treatment strategies target the prevention of apoptotic neuron death in the hope of delaying or preventing disease progression. In this article, the morphological and biochemical characteristics of apoptosis are described, and evidence for and against a role for apoptosis in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis is discussed. Finally, the role of caspase-independent death in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis is briefly discussed.
The Rise and Fall of the President’s Science Advisor

In the aftermath of World War II the scientific community was quick to capitalize on its newfound stature to obtain a presence at the highest levels of government (see, e.g. Hart 1998; Kleinman 1995)
A Proposal for Structural Models of Software Systems

A software system is a collection of information. A structural model for software systems relates the information content of the system to perhaps abstract metrics characterizing the software system. It is proposed that one basis for structural models of software systems is the data models of data base management technology. This paper describes software systems from the viewpoint of defining a structural model as a schema in a data model. A proposed representation for some aspects of software systems is sketched.
On the Mechanics of Column Creep

In recent years, a considerable amount of research has been devoted to the phenomenon described as creep buckling. Although some studies have dealt with plates and shells, the greater part of the effort has been on the creep buckling of columns. Since the investigation to be described in this paper dealt with column behavior, the discussion will be confined to creep buckling as it is manifested in columns.
Polyhedral Catastrophe Theory I: Maps of the Line to the Line

Publisher Summary Thorn [1] has .described seven differentiable catastrophes, and these have been elaborated by Zeeman [2] and by both Thorn and Zeeman in this symposium on dynamic systems. In this paper, we present a beginning of the theory of polyhedral catastrophes and, in particular, we examine analogues of each of the four basic differentiable catastrophes which map the line to the line. The unfoldings of these polyhedral singularities are topologically equivalent to those of the differentiable category, so this alternative view of catastrophe theory can give some additional insight into the structure of differentiable unfoldings. The main advantage of the polyhedral theory is that there is a precise algorithm for determining the singular behavior as opposed to the progressively complicated algebraic calculations required in the differentiable theory.
Extended neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC): Updated results.

e15771Background: Optimum therapy (Rx) for BRPC is unknown. Since 2008, we have used neoadjuvant Rx with extended course chemotherapy (CT) but not routine neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT). Initial ...
Fostering Learners Adaptive Competence: Does Acquisition of Self-Regulation and Metacognition Differentiate between Students?

This study examined whether or not heuristics skills such as self-regulated and metacognitive strategies differentiate significantly between high ability students. Using an experiment with purposive sample size of estimated two hundred and forty high ability students, an independent t-test conducted at alpha 0.01 suggested a high statistical difference between the experimental and control groups performed at [t=2.91, p=0.01]. This was suggestive that the control group without the self-regulated and metacognitive intervention strategies performed much lower than the experimental groups. These results were interpreted that it was the acquisition of these skills that was the predicting cause of this enhanced performance of the experimental group as opposed to the control. Self-regulated and metacognitive skills significantly fostered this adaptive competence of learners exposed to these strategies more than those who were not. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.17.9.4
Impacts of Small Impoundments On An Intermittent Headwater Stream Community

The impacts of small impoundments on headwater streams have received little attention despite their potential to have local and broad-scale ecological impacts. These impoundments might alter stream hydrology, geomorphology, and facilitate the spread of invasive species. Given that prairie stream communities have adapted to highly variable conditions, they might resist disturbances associated with small impoundments. To test the resistance of aquatic communities to the disturbances associated with small impoundments, we surveyed intermittent headwater prairie streams in both unimpounded and impounded watersheds. We observed greater fish density and species richness in unimpounded watersheds and two species occupying a greater proportion of sites in unimpounded than impounded watersheds. In contrast to fish communities, we observed no difference in crayfish density or the community structure and biomass of aquatic insect and snail communities between unimpounded and impounded watersheds. Increased sensitivity to disturbances associated with small impoundments by fishes might be attributed to their limited dispersal capabilities.
The impact of connectedness on social functioning in youth with brain tumors.

PURPOSE Children with brain tumors (BT) are at risk for difficulties with social functioning. Research to date has focused on deficits, with no studies identifying areas of strength or resilience. Our objective was to assess the potential influence of connectedness on social functioning in youth with BT as compared with children with other cancers. METHODS Children with cancer (20 with BT, 33 with other diagnoses) were enrolled on a longitudinal study of psychosocial functioning. The current study included measures from time 2 (+1 year after enrollment; Mage = 13.11 ± 2.31, Mtimesincediagnosis = 4.95 ± 3.74 years) and time 3 (+3 years after enrollment; Mage = 14.98 ± 2.36, Mtimesincediagnosis = 6.82 ± 3.81 years). Youth completed the Hemingway Measure of Adolescent Connectedness (HMAC) at time 2. Two years later, social functioning was assessed by the self- and proxy-report versions of the Social-Emotional Assets and Resilience Scale (SEARS). RESULTS Youth with BT perceived that they were less connected to friends (t(50) = -2.13, P = 0.04), but similarly connected to peers as youth with other cancers. Youth with BT also demonstrated lower social functioning by self- and parent report. Connectedness to friends significantly mediated the relationship between diagnostic category and self-reported social functioning, such that youth with BT who reported being more connected to friends also indicated greater social functioning. Analyses using connectedness to peers and/or parent-reported social functioning were nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS Perceiving a connection to a friend may be a protective factor that could mitigate deficits in social functioning in youth with BT. Additional research is needed to further assess the potential benefits of this construct.
Epigenetics of Melanoma

This chapter discusses skin cancer, more specifically melanoma, summarizing the factors that are most likely to cause onset of the disease, such as UV radiation in fair-skinned people, with all its stages and characteristics. Genetic alterations such as sporadic and heritable mutations are first described, followed by epigenetic aberrations, which are addressed in more detail. Global hypomethylation and site-specific DNA hypermethylation at certain gene promoters as well as the CpG methylator phenotype and histone posttranslational modifications are described. Further, polycomb group protein targets and microRNAs are explained along with their mechanism of action in silencing or upregulating the expression of those genes playing important roles in melanoma onset and progression. Finally, epigenetic therapies are discussed that, in turn, focus on drugs specifically counteracting aberrant DNA methylation patterns. The use of histone deacetylase inhibitors is also addressed.
A League of Democracies: Cosmopolitanism, Consolidation Arguments, and Global Public Goods

Introduction: Our Opportunity to Secure a Democratic Future 1. A United Democratic League as a Cosmopolitan Idea 2. From the Federalists to a Global Consolidation Argument 3. Market Limits and Global Public Goods 4. The Failure of the United Nations to Deliver the Original Global Goods 5. How to Design an Effective League of Democracies 6. Standard Objections, Alternatives, and Replies to Critics
The Core of NGC 6240 from Keck Adaptive Optics and Hubble Space Telescope NICMOS Observations

We present results of near-infrared imaging of the disk-galaxy merger NGC 6240 using adaptive optics on the Keck II telescope and reprocessed archival data from NICMOS on the Hubble Space Telescope. Both the northern and southern nuclei of NGC 6240 are clearly elongated, with considerable substructure within each nucleus. In K' band there are at least two point sources within the northern nucleus; we tentatively identify the southwestern point source within the northern nucleus as the position of one of the two active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Within the southern nucleus, the northern subnucleus is more highly reddened. Based on the nuclear separation measured at 5 GHz, we suggest that the AGN in the southern nucleus is still enshrouded in dust at K' band and is located slightly to the north of the brightest point in K' band. Within the southern nucleus there is strong H2 1-0 S(1) line emission from the northern subnucleus, contrary to the conclusions of previous seeing-limited observations. Narrowband H2 emission line images show that a streamer or ribbon of excited molecular hydrogen connects the northern and southern nuclei. We suggest that this linear feature corresponds to a bridge of gas connecting the two nuclei, as seen in computer simulations of mergers. Many pointlike regions are seen around the two nuclei. These are most prominent at 1.1 μm with NICMOS and in K' band with Keck adaptive optics. We suggest that these point sources represent young star clusters formed in the course of the merger.
Residential wood stove use and indoor exposure to PM2.5 and its components in Northern New England.

Background Residential wood stove use has become more prevalent in high-income countries, but only limited data exist on indoor exposure to PM2.5 and its components. Methods From 2014 to 2016, we collected 7-day indoor air samples in 137 homes of pregnant women in Northern New England, using a micro-environmental monitor. We examined associations of wood stove use with PM2.5 mass and its components [black carbon (BC), organic and elemental carbon and their fractions, and trace elements], adjusted for sampling season, community wood stove use, and indoor activities. We examined impact of stove age, EPA-certification, and wood moisture on indoor pollutants. Results Median (IQR) household PM2.5 was 6.65 (5.02) µg/m3 and BC was 0.23 (0.20) µg/m3. Thirty percent of homes used a wood stove during monitoring. In homes with versus without a stove, PM2.5 was 20.6% higher [although 95% confidence intervals (-10.6, 62.6) included the null] and BC was 61.5% higher (95% CI: 11.6, 133.6). Elemental carbon (total and fractions 3 and 4), potassium, calcium, and chloride were also higher in homes with a stove. Older stoves, non-EPA-certified stoves, and wet or mixed (versus dry) wood were associated with higher pollutant concentrations, especially BC. Conclusions Homes with wood stoves, particularly those that were older and non-EPA-certified or burning wet wood had higher concentrations of indoor air combustion-related pollutants.
Vaccine-Mediated Inhibition of the Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing Is Insufficient To Induce Major Histocompatibility Complex E-Restricted CD8 + T Cells in Nonhuman Primates

Major histocompatibility complex E (MHC-E) is a highly conserved nonclassical MHC-Ib molecule that tightly binds peptides derived from leader sequences of classical MHC-Ia molecules for presentation to natural killer cells. However, MHC-E also binds diverse foreign and neoplastic self-peptide antigens for presentation to CD8+ T cells. Although the determinants of MHC-E-restricted T cell priming remain unknown, these cells are induced in humans infected with pathogens containing genes that inhibit the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). Indeed, mice vaccinated with TAP-inhibited autologous dendritic cells develop T cells restricted by the murine MHC-E homologue, Qa-1b. Here, we tested whether rhesus macaques (RM) vaccinated with viral constructs expressing a TAP inhibitor would develop insert-specific MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cells. We generated viral constructs coexpressing SIVmac239 Gag in addition to one of three TAP inhibitors: herpes simplex virus 2 ICP47, bovine herpes virus 1 UL49.5, or rhesus cytomegalovirus Rh185. Each TAP inhibitor reduced surface expression of MHC-Ia molecules but did not reduce surface MHC-E expression. In agreement with modulation of surface MHC-Ia levels, TAP inhibition diminished presentation of MHC-Ia-restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes without impacting presentation of peptide antigen bound by MHC-E. Vaccination of macaques with vectors dually expressing SIVmac239 Gag with ICP47, UL49.5, or Rh185 generated Gag-specific CD8+ T cells classically restricted by MHC-Ia but not MHC-E. These data demonstrate that, in contrast to results in mice, TAP inhibition alone is insufficient for priming of MHC-E-restricted T cell responses in primates and suggest that additional unknown mechanisms govern the induction of CD8+ T cells recognizing MHC-E-bound antigen.IMPORTANCE Due to the near monomorphic nature of MHC-E in the human population and inability of many pathogens to inhibit MHC-E-mediated peptide presentation, MHC-E-restricted T cells have become an attractive vaccine target. However, little is known concerning how these cells are induced. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that induce these T cells would provide a powerful new vaccine strategy to an array of neoplasms and viral and bacterial pathogens. Recent studies have indicated a link between TAP inhibition and induction of MHC-E-restricted T cells. The significance of our research is in demonstrating that TAP inhibition alone does not prime MHC-E-restricted T cell generation and suggests that other, currently unknown mechanisms regulate their induction.
Where Neurosurgery Meets Heart Failure: A Case Report of a Patient with Amyloid Transthyretin Wild Type in the Ligamentum Flavum and Cardiac Tissue with Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background Transthyretin wild-type (ATTRwt) amyloidosis is a systemic process resulting in deposition of misfolded transthyretin protein in several different tissues throughout the body. It is known to be a cause of progressive, life-threatening cardiomyopathy and lumbar spinal stenosis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Case Description Here we present the case of a 71-year-old man who has clinical manifestations of all 3 entities over several years, providing a picture of the natural history of ATTRwt amyloidosis. This patient eventually underwent a heart transplant because of progressive cardiac amyloidosis (CA) resulting in end-stage heart failure. However, symptoms in carpal tunnel and lumbar spine manifested years before the symptoms of heart failure. ATTRwt amyloidosis may present as a clinical triad of lumbar stenosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and heart failure. Recently developed medications have shown efficacy in slowing the progress of systemic and cardiac amyloidosis. Conclusions Knowing that extracardiac symptoms may occur first, we propose that sending ligamentum flavum and flexor tenosynovium for pathologic evaluation may be a unique opportunity to screen and treat a population of patients at risk for developing CA and heart failure.
FluView and FluNet: Tools for Influenza Activity and Surveillance

Online resources can assist with locating and monitoring the spread of influenza. The aim of this review is to describe two online tools for tracking influenza activity: FluView from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States and FluNet from the World Health Organization. Overall, these freely available online resources for influenza activity and surveillance may be helpful to a range of audiences including health providers, local governments, hospitals, schools, librarians, travelers, and members of the general public.
Deep Y-Descent in Right Atrial Waveforms Following Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

ABSTRACT Background Characterization of right heart catheterization (RHC) waveforms provides diagnostic and clinical information in heart failure patients. We aimed to investigate the implication of RHC waveforms, specifically the y-descent, in patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Methods and Results Patients underwent RHC and waveforms were quantified prior to and 6 months after LVAD implantation. The impact of a deep y-descent (>3 mmHg) on echocardiographic measures of right heart function and 1-year hemocompatibility-related adverse event rates were investigated. Eighty-nine patients (median 59 years old, 65 male) underwent RHC. RHC waveform showed unique changes following LVAD implantation, particularly an increase in the steepness of the y-descent. A post-LVAD deep y-descent was associated with reduced right ventricular function and enlarged right heart. Patients with post-LVAD deep y-descent had higher rates of gastrointestinal bleeding (0.866 vs 0.191 events/year) and stroke (0.199 vs 0 events/year) compared with those without (P Conclusion RHC waveforms characterized by deep y-descent on RHC waveform during LVAD support was associated with impaired right ventricular function and worse clinical outcomes.
Carotid Stenting for Carotid Interposition Vein Graft Stenosis

A 76-year-old male underwent carotid stenting for carotid interposition vein graft stenosis at the site of venous valve using a wall stent with EPI filter protection with satisfactory results. Interposition vein graft was performed for recurrent carotid stenosis, and recurrent carotid stenosis had been treated twice with carotid endarterectomy.
Facemask use in community settings to prevent respiratory infection transmission: a rapid review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Introduction Synthesis of the available evidence on the effectiveness of medical and cloth facemask use by the general public in community settings is required to learn lessons for future respiratory epidemics/pandemics. Method Search terms relating to facemasks, infection and community settings were used for PubMed, the Cochrane Library Database and Google Scholar. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. Results The review included 12 primary studies on the effectiveness of medical facemask use to prevent influenza, influenza-like illness, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The meta-analysis demonstrated that facemask use significantly reduces the risk of transmitting these respiratory infections (pooled OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.54–0.81). Of the 12 studies, 10 clinical trials suggested that respiratory infection incidence is lower with high medical facemask compliance, early use and use in combination with intensive hand hygiene. One cohort study conducted during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic demonstrated that facemasks are effective in reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission when used before those who are infected develop symptoms. One case-control study reported that controls used medical facemasks more often than cases infected with SARS-CoV (p Conclusion Based on the available evidence, medical facemask use by healthy and sick individuals is recommended for preventing respiratory infection transmission in community settings. Medical facemask effectiveness is dependent on compliance and utilization in combination with preventive measures such as intensive hand hygiene. No direct evidence is currently available in humans supporting the recommendation of cloth facemask use to prevent respiratory infection transmission.
854 Prediction of severe immune-related adverse events in patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors: study of a population level insurance claims database from the United States

Background Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are serious side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for patients with advanced cancer. Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors for severe irAEs would be beneficial for patients and clinicians. Methods We performed a retrospective review of cancer patients treated with ICIs using un-identifiable claims data from a nationwide US health insurance plan from January 3rd, 2011 to December 31st, 2019. Patients with an identified primary cancer and at least one administration of an ICI were included in the study. We defined severe irAE as any inpatient hospitalization with new immunosuppression within 2 years after initiation of ICI. The main outcomes were incidence of severe irAE in ICI therapy and factors associated with severe irAE occurrence. Multivariable logistic regression, including Charlson comorbidity index, age, gender, primary cancer, region, and zip code average income and unemployment, was used to model risk factors for severe irAE (table 1). Results There were 14,378 patients followed over 19,177 patient-years identified with a primary cancer and at least 1 administration of ICI. 504 (3.5%) patients developed a severe irAE. The incidence of severe irAEs per patient ICI treatment year was 2.6%, rising from 0% (0/71) in 2011 to 3.7% (93/2486) in 2016 (figure 1). Combination immunotherapy (OR: 2.44, p Conclusions We found that 3.5% of patients initiating ICI therapy experienced severe irAEs requiring hospitalization and immunosuppression. The odds of severe irAEs were higher with younger age, treatment with combination ICI therapy (CTLA-4 and PD-1 or PD-L1), and lower for other cancers compared with patients on PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors with lung cancer. This evidence from the first nationwide study of severe irAEs in the US identified the real-world epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment patterns of severe irAEs in the US which may guide treatment selection and decisions for patients and clinicians.
10-Year Trends in Aortic Dissection: Mortality and Weekend Effect within the US Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS).

Background This study examined changes in aortic dissection (AD) mortality from 2006 to 2017 and assessed the impact of weekday versus weekend presentation upon mortality. Methods This observational study analyzed all records in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) database. NEDS aggregates discharge data from 984 hospitals in 36 states and the District of Columbia in the United States of America. All patients with thoracic and thoracoabdominal AD recorded as their principal diagnosis were identified via ICD codes. Results Patient characteristics (weekday|weekend) count: 26,759|9,640, P = 0.016; age (years): 65.2 ± 15.8|64.7 ± 16.2, P = 0.016; women: 11,318 (42.3%)|4,086 (42.4), P = 0.883; Charlson comorbidity index: 2.3 ± 1.7|2.3 ± 1.6, P = 0.025. There were 36,399 ED visits with diagnosed AD. Annual AD diagnoses increased by 70% from 2006 to 2017. From 2012-2017, patients had lower in-hospital mortality (9.9% versus 11.9%, P Conclusion Although AD mortality is decreasing, the patients presenting on the weekend were 13% more likely to die in the hospital compared with patients presenting during the week.
A Technology Path for Scaling Embedded FeRAM to 28nm with 2T1C Structure

Hf 0.5 Zr 0.5 O 2 (HZO) ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) has been demonstrated in 130nm node with 1T1C structure. To scale FeRAM to 28nm or beyond, a high-aspect ratio embedded DRAM-like 3D cylinder capacitor is expected to ensure sufficient cell capacitance and sense margin. In this work, we investigate an alternative approach with 2T1C structure that takes advantages of a back-end-of-line (BEOL) oxide channel writing transistor, a small planar ferroelectric capacitor, and a silicon logic reading transistor. Firstly, the proof-of-concept of 2T1C bit cell was experimentally demonstrated. Then, the scalability towards 28nm was simulated with array-level parasitics. Thanks to the transconductance reading out mechanism, a 784 nm2 ferroelectric capacitor in 2T1C could significantly reduce energy consumption 6.5–11× compared to the traditional 1T1C FeRAM with similar cell area at 28nm.
Readmissions and Early Risk of Stroke After Index Hospitalization for Transient Ischemic Attack (2721)

Objective: We sought to investigate the nationwide incidence, predictors, and outcomes of 30-day readmissions due to acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after hospitalization for transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the United States. Background: There exists an early increased risk of AIS after TIA. Understanding the predictors of early stroke in patients presenting with TIA can help devise targeted interventions and procedures to mitigate this risk. Design/Methods: The Nationwide Readmissions Database, from January 2010 to September 2015, was used to identify index hospitalizations with primary diagnosis of TIA. Incidence and reasons of 30-day nonelective readmissions were investigated. Independent predictors of readmissions due to AIS were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: During the study period, there were 778,124 weighted hospitalizations due to TIA with age ≥18, survival to discharge, and known discharge disposition (mean±SD age: 70.5±14.4; female 58.6%). The 30-day all cause non-elective readmission rate was 8.7% and the most common cause of readmission was AIS or TIA (19.6%). Advanced age, male gender, Medicaid or self-pay status, and comorbidities including previous history of cerebrovascular event, hypertension, diabetes, and illicit drug use were independently associated with increased odds of readmissions due to AIS. History of migraine and psychiatric disorders were inversely associated with AIS readmissions. Longer length of stay and higher total charges during index TIA hospitalization were also independently associated with lower odds of 30-day AIS readmissions. On average, there was 0.02% annual increase in 30-day readmission due to AIS between 2010 and 2015. Among AIS readmissions, 4.1% had in-hospital mortality and 58.4% had discharge disposition other than to home. Conclusions: Recurrent TIA or AIS is the most common cause of 30-day readmission after an initial encounter for TIA. A more thorough and prolonged admission may decrease the chances of readmission. Inverse association with migraine and psychiatric history probably reflects a non-vascular etiology for the index TIA. Disclosure: Dr. Garg has nothing to disclose. Dr. Limaye has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shaban has nothing to disclose. Dr. Leira has nothing to disclose.
Spectroscopic and functional characterization of the [2Fe–2S] scaffold protein Nfu from Synechocystis PCC6803

Abstract Iron-sulfur clusters are ubiquitous cofactors required for various essential metabolic processes. Conservation of proteins required for their biosynthesis and trafficking allows for simple bacteria to be used as models to aid in exploring these complex pathways in higher organisms. Cyanobacteria are among the most investigated organisms for these processes, as they are unicellular and can survive under photoautotrophic and heterotrophic conditions. Herein, we report the potential role of Synechocystis PCC6803 NifU (now named SyNfu) as the principal scaffold protein required for iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis in that organism. SyNfu is a well-folded protein with distinct secondary structural elements, as evidenced by circular dichroism and a well-dispersed pattern of 1H–15N HSQC NMR peaks, and readily reconstitutes as a [2Fe–2S] dimeric protein complex. Cluster exchange experiments show that glutathione can extract the cluster from holo-SyNfu, but the transfer is unidirectional. We also confirm the ability of SyNfu to transfer cluster to both human ferredoxin 1 and ferredoxin 2, while also demonstrating the capacity to deliver cluster to both monothiol glutaredoxin 3 and dithiol glutaredoxin 2. This evidence supports the hypothesis that SyNfu indeed serves as the main scaffold protein in Synechocystis, as it has been shown to be the only protein required for viability in the absence of photoautotrophic conditions. Similar to other NFU-type cluster donors and other scaffold and carrier proteins, such as ISCU, SyNfu is shown by DSC to be structurally less stable than regular protein donors, while retaining a relatively well-defined tertiary structure as represented by 1H–15N HSQC NMR experiments.
A Hyper-Semantic Approach to Intelligent Information Systems

Our view of an intelligent information system IIS is composed of a unified knowledge base, database, and model base. The model base includes decision support models such as simulation models and forecasting models, for example. However, we feel that the model base should include domain specific problem solving modules as well as decision support models. This, then, allows an IIS to provide responses to user queries regardless of whether the query process involves a data retrieval, an inference, a computational method, a problem solving module employing, for example, a nonproduction rule based heuristic search technique, or some combination of these. The unified integration of these components is the major focus of this article. The inclusion of problem solving modules within our unified approach is of primary importance, and a major contribution of this work. The foundation for our unified knowledge/data/model/module management approach is Active KDL active knowledge/data language which follows the functional and object-oriented paradigms. Active KDL is based on the hyper-semantic data model, KDM knowledge/data model developed in the mid-1980s. By hyper-semantic, we mean a data information model capable of capturing even more of the meaning of an application area than captured via traditional, semantic, and object-oriented models.
CD4-Dependent Potentiation of a High Molecular Weight-Melanoma-Associated Antigen-Specific CTL Response Elicited in HLA-A2/Kb Transgenic Mice

The human high m.w.-melanoma-associated Ag (HMW-MAA) is an attractive target for the immunotherapy of melanoma, due to its relatively high expression in a high percentage of melanoma lesions and its restricted distribution in normal tissues. Active immunization with HMW-MAA mimics has been previously shown to induce a HMW-MAA-specific, T cell-dependent Ab response associated with an apparent clinically beneficial effect in advanced melanoma patients. Although T cells play an important role in controlling tumor growth, only limited information is available to date about the induction of HMW-MAA-specific CTL. In this report, we show that immunization of HLA-A2/Kb transgenic mice with HMW-MAA cDNA-transfected syngeneic dendritic cells elicited a CD8+ CTL response specific for HMW-MAA peptides with HLA-A2 Ag-binding motifs. The elicited CTL lysed HLA-A2+HMW-MAA+ melanoma cells in vitro, and mouse HLA-A2/Kb cells pulsed with HMW-MAA-derived peptides in vitro and in vivo. Although this CTL response could be generated in the absence of CD4+ T cell help, harnessing CD4+ T cell help in a noncognate Ag-specific manner with the polyclonal activator staphylococcal enterotoxin A augmented the CTL response. These results imply that dendritic cell-based immunization, in combination with CD4+ T cell help, represents an effective strategy to implement T cell-based immunotherapy targeting HMW-MAA in patients with HMW-MAA-bearing tumors.
Sampling without Finding Anything

Sampling statistics ordinarily take as their point of departure some finding in a sample. Say the sample consists of artifacts, including some projectile points. We can estimate the proportion of projectile points in the artifact assemblage from which the sample came; we can estimate the mean weight of projectile points for the population of projectile points from which the sample came; we can estimate the proportions of different raw materials of which projectile points in the population were made; and so on. Following the procedures discussed in Chapters 9, 11, and 18, we can attach error ranges for particular confidence levels to these estimates. Sometimes, however, we have particular reason to be interested in some specific category of observation that just does not appear at all in a sample. For example, we may recognize chert, flint, and obsidian as potentially available raw materials from which projectile points could be made, but perhaps our sample includes only chert and flint points. How confidently can we say that obsidian was not used to make projectile points? We certainly know enough about samples by now to know that the fact that we find no obsidian projectile points in a sample does not necessarily mean that there were none at all in the population from which the sample was drawn. This is true no matter how large the sample is. The only way to be certain that there are no obsidian projectile points is to acquire and study the entire population of projectile points. As long as one projectile point remains unexamined, there is at least some possibility that it could be made of obsidian.
The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21): further examination of dimensions, scale reliability, and correlates.

Objectives We conducted two studies to examine the dimensions, internal consistency reliability estimates, and potential correlates of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales—21 (DASS-21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). Method Participants in Study 1 included 887 undergraduate students (363 men and 524 women, aged 18 to 35 years; mean [M] age = 19.46, standard deviation [SD] = 2.17) recruited from two public universities to assess the specificity of the individual DASS-21 items and to evaluate estimates of internal consistency reliability. Participants in a follow-up study (Study 2) included 410 students (168 men and 242 women, aged 18 to 47 years; M age = 19.65, SD = 2.88) recruited from the same universities to further assess factorial validity and to evaluate potential correlates of the original DASS-21 total and scale scores. Results Item bifactor and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that a general factor accounted for the greatest proportion of common variance in the DASS-21 item scores (Study 1). In Study 2, the fit statistics showed good fit for the bifactor model. In addition, the DASS-21 total scale score correlated more highly with scores on a measure of mixed depression and anxiety than with scores on the proposed specific scales of depression or anxiety. Coefficient omega estimates for the DASS-21 scale scores were good. Conclusions Further investigations of the bifactor structure and psychometric properties of the DASS-21, specifically its incremental and discriminant validity, using known clinical groups are needed.
Carola Lentz. Land, Mobility, and Belonging in West Africa . Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2013. xiv + 331 pp. List of Illustrations. References. Index. $30.00. Paper.

ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY Carola Lentz. Land, Mobility, and Belonging in West Africa. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2013. xiv + 331 pp. List of Illustrations. References. Index. $30.00. Paper.There is a certain kind of scholar, turning up, it seems, as often in Germanic academies as anywhere, who picks a carefully circumscribed topic, studies it to death .. . and then studies it some more, until it somehow springs back to life. Carola Lentz was already a well-published authority on northern Ghana and on issues of ethnicity when she wrote this book about first-comers and latecomers in this region and in an adjacent part of rural Burkina Faso in the Black Volta region. It is well known, too, that Jack Goody and other ethnographers got there first. Dagara people, among others Lentz describes, will be familiar to readers already acquainted with those Goody called LoWiili and LoDagaba. (Lentz notes the controversy over these terms.) But whereas Goody made his name largely on the breadth of his geographical and topical reach, Lentz's work is distinguished by the intensity of its focus. Not soon is anyone likely to cover her chosen topic and place more thoroughly.The two main ethnic groups studied in this volume are the Sisala and Dagara. Over much of the terrain that is covered, it seems that ancestors of Sisala people got there first and ancestors of Dagara came later, often with Sisala permission. But Dagara tended to invite others to join them in their new settlement, and they grew so quickly in numbers that for many the welcome wore thin. And sometimes the authority that their erstwhile hosts may have extended or conceded with grace was later retracted by their descendants when population densities rose and times grew tougher.This, then, is a study of West African exploratory travel, settlement, and ethnic intermixing. It also looks at conflicting claims by priests over local earth shrines, as well as layers of overrule, not least by European colonial powers who complicated the picture by establishing chiefs in places where such central authorities were not respected or even considered necessary. So alongside earth shrine priests, with fuzzy boundaries over their turf, came new chiefs imposing sharper, more exclusionary ones. Here was a situation tailor made for tensions and power struggles. Often, Lentz is careful to point out, early-comers and latecomers found ways of resolving their differences, and the region has remained a generally peaceful one. But sometimes tensions have erupted into protracted disputes and open fighting.In many ways, oral histories about primacy seem to change in each telling, but Lentz is careful not to overgeneralize and her contentions are grounded. …
Induction of stress proteins in a panel of mouse tissues by fever-range whole body hyperthermia.

When exposed to environmental stress, cell survival is supported by the upregulation of stress proteins such as heat shock proteins (HSPs) or glucose regulated proteins (GRPs), which help prevent protein denaturation. To begin to characterize the ability of a physiologically relevant heat exposure to induce stress protein expression, the cerebellum, cerebrum, colon, heart, kidney, liver, lung, lymph nodes, muscle, serum and thymus were extracted from BALB/c mice at various times after fever-range whole body hyperthermia (FR-WBH, 39.5-40°C for 6h) treatment. The expression of three stress proteins, HSP70, HSP110 and GRP170, was determined in these tissues and serum and compared to constitutive levels in control tissues and serum using Western analysis. Constitutive expression of GRP170 was not affected by FR-WBH in any tissue. In contrast, FR-WBH did enhance HSP expression: HSP70 in heart, kidney, lung, lymph nodes and thymus; and HSP110 in lung, lymph nodes and thymus. The lymphoid tissues displayed the m...
BIST reseeding with very few seeds

Reseeding is used to improve the fault coverage of pseudo-random testing. The seed corresponds to the initial state of the LFSR before filling the scan chain. The number of deterministic seeds required is directly proportional to the tester storage or hardware overhead requirement. In this paper, we present an algorithm for seed ordering to minimize the number of seeds required to cover a set of deterministic test patterns. Our technique is applicable whether seeds are loaded from the tester or encoded on chip. Simulations show that, when compared to random ordering, the technique reduces seed storage or hardware overhead by up to 80%. The seeds we use are deterministic so 100% SSF fault coverage can be achieved. Also, the technique we present is fault-model independent.
Fecal Recovery of Ingested Cellular DNA: Implications for Noninvasive Detection of Upper Gastrointestinal Neoplasms

Stool DNA testing represents a potential noninvasive approach to detect upper gastrointestinal (UGI) neoplasms. However, little is known about fecal recovery efficiency of DNA exfoliated from UGI tumors. The purpose of this study was to establish a human ingestion model that quantitatively approximates daily cellular shedding from UGI neoplasms and to estimate fecal DNA marker recovery rates. Healthy volunteers (n = 10) ingested two scheduled doses of raw salmon, 0.3 and 30 g, simulating the mass exfoliated daily from 1 to 4.5 cm lesions. To approach a steady-state, each dose was ingested over three consecutive days in randomized order. Following defecation of an indicator dye ingested with test meals, stools were collected over 48 h. Ingested salmon DNA was captured from stools using probes targeting pathognomonic Salmonidae sequences (SlmII). Captured DNA was quantified using PCR primers to generate 178, 138, 88 and 55 bp amplicons. SlmII sequences were recovered from all stools following salmon ingestion; recovery was proportional to amount ingested (p = 0.004). Fecal recovery of ingested salmon varied inversely with amplicon size targeted; mean recovery rates of SlmII were 0.49, 0.91, 3.63, and 7.31 copies per 100,000 copies ingested for 178, 134, 88, and 55 bp amplicons, respectively (p < 0.0001). Longer oro-anal transit was associated with reduced recovery. While recovery efficiencies are low, ingested cellular DNA simulating daily amounts shed from UGI tumors can readily be detected in stool. Assay of shorter-fragment analyte increases recovery. This ingestion model has potential value in studying the effects of perturbations relevant to the fecal recovery of DNA exfoliated from UGI tumors.
Noise Stability of Weighted Majority

Benjamini et al. (Inst Hautes Etudes Sci Publ Math 90:5–43, 2001) showed that weighted majority functions of n independent unbiased bits are uniformly stable under noise: when each bit is flipped with probability 𝜖, the probability p𝜖 that the weighted majority changes is at most C𝜖1∕4. They asked what is the best possible exponent that could replace 1∕4. We prove that the answer is 1∕2. The upper bound obtained for p𝜖 is within a factor of \(\sqrt {\pi /2}+o(1)\) from the known lower bound when 𝜖 → 0 and n𝜖 →∞.
Rapid, high efficiency isolation of pancreatic ß-cells.

The ability to isolate pure pancreatic s-cells would greatly aid multiple areas of diabetes research. We developed a fluorescent exendin-4-like neopeptide conjugate for the rapid purification and isolation of functional mouse pancreatic β-cells. By targeting the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor with the fluorescent conjugate, β-cells could be quickly isolated by flow cytometry and were >99% insulin positive. These studies were confirmed by immunostaining, microscopy and gene expression profiling on isolated cells. Gene expression profiling studies of cytofluorometrically sorted β-cells from 4 and 12 week old NOD mice provided new insights into the genetic programs at play of different stages of type-1 diabetes development. The described isolation method should have broad applicability to the β-cell field.
Pain Severity and Neuropathic Pain Symptoms in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: A Comparison Study of Seropositive and Seronegative Sjögren's Syndrome Patients

Objectives To compare clinical characteristics and patient-reported outcomes in seropositive versus seronegative primary Sjogren’s syndrome patients (pSS) and to investigate the effect of serological status on the prevalence of chronic pain, comorbidity and health quality.
Fathers’ Accounts of Struggle and Growth in Early Adulthood: An Exploratory Study of Disadvantaged Men

This chapter explores how fatherhood prompts struggle and growth in the psychological, social, and economic changes associated with the transition to adulthood. Little is known about these connections, especially for disadvantaged Latino and White fathers who live in small and mid-sized American communities. We draw on eight in-depth focus groups with 48 fathers (27 Latino and 21 White) who have children in low-income schools in a small and mid-sized American community. These men face significant challenges in establishing themselves at work—a central task of both adulthood and fatherhood—and in balancing these demands alongside the strong expectation that they also be involved fathers. Involved fathering is key to understanding dynamics related to identity and meaning and to relationships with spouses and friends, which are also intertwined with the process of becoming adult. The discussion considers how fatherhood can promote and constrain adult development for disadvantaged men. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Joint source-channel decoding of correlated sources over noisy channels

We consider the case of two correlated binary information sequences. Instead of compressing the information using source coding, both sequences are independently channel encoded, and transmitted over an AWGN channel. The correlation between both sequences is exploited at the receiver, allowing reliable communications at signal to noise ratios very close to the theoretical limits established by the combination of Shannon and Slepian-Wolf theorems.
Biostimulation and bioaugmentation to enhance dechlorination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins in contaminated sediments

Dechlorination of spiked 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4-TeCDD) was investigated in sediment microcosms from three polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (CDD/F)-contaminated sites: River Kymijoki, Finland; Gulf Island Pond, Maine; and Lake Roosevelt, Washington. Dechlorination was stimulated by addition of electron donor and halogenated priming compounds, and bioaugmentation by a mixed culture containing Dehalococcoides ethenogenes strain 195. Amendment with 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene (1,2,3,4-TeCB) promoted rapid dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TeCDD to 2-monochlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2MCDD) in Gulf Island Pond and River Kymijoki sediments, however, only slow dechlorination to 1,4-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin was observed in Lake Roosevelt sediments. The dechlorination pathway in 1,2,3,4-TeCB-amended microcosms proceeded mainly via 1,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, with less production of 2,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in comparison with other treatments. Microbial community analyses indicated that Dehalococcoides-like bacteria were enriched with 1,2,3,4-TeCB. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of Dehalococcoides-specific 16S rRNA genes and the D. ethenogenes strain 195 dehalogenase gene, tceA, showed at least an order of magnitude higher gene copy numbers in the bioaugmented than in the nonbioaugmented microcosms. An active-dechlorinating population is present in the River Kymijoki and biostimulation may enhance both native Dehalococcoides spp. and the bioaugmented D. ethenogenes strain 195.