Ontological Problem-Solving Framework for Assigning Sensor Systems and Algorithms to High-Level Missions

The lack of knowledge models to represent sensor systems, algorithms, and missions makes opportunistically discovering a synthesis of systems and algorithms that can satisfy high-level mission specifications impractical. A novel ontological problem-solving framework has been designed that leverages knowledge models describing sensors, algorithms, and high-level missions to facilitate automated inference of assigning systems to subtasks that may satisfy a given mission specification. To demonstrate the efficacy of the ontological problem-solving architecture, a family of persistence surveillance sensor systems and algorithms has been instantiated in a prototype environment to demonstrate the assignment of systems to subtasks of high-level missions

CD5 Plays an Inhibitory Role in the Suppressive Function of Murine CD4\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e CD25\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e T\u3csub\u3ereg\u3c/sub\u3e Cells

A subset of CD4+ T cells, the CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in the lymphoid organs and peripheral blood are known to possess suppressive function. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that T cell receptor (TCR) signal is required for development of such ‘natural regulatory (Treg) cells’ and for activation of the effector function of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells. CD5 is a cell surface molecule present on all T cells and a subtype of B lymphocytes, the B-1 cells, primarily localized to coelomic cavities, Peyer\u27s patches, tonsils and spleen. CD5 acts as a negative regulator of T cell and B cell signaling via recruitment of SHP-1. Here, we demonstrate that Treg cells obtained from CD5−/− mice are more potent than those from wild type mice in suppressing the in vitro cell proliferation of anti-CD3 stimulated CD4+ CD25− responder T cells. This phenomenon was cell contact and GITR dependent. Lack of CD5 expression on Treg cells (from spleen, lymph node and thymus) did not affect the intracellular levels of Foxp3. However, CD5−/− Tregthymocytes were able to elicit a higher Ca2+ response to TCR + co-stimulatory signals than the wild type cells. CD5−/− mice expressed more Foxp3 mRNA in the colon than wild type mice, and additionally, the severity of the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in CD5−/− mice was less than the wild type strain. We suggest that manipulation of CD5 expression or the downstream signaling components of CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells as a potential strategy for therapeutic intervention in cases of auto-immune disorders

Ontological Problem-Solving Framework for Dynamically Configuring Sensor Systems and Algorithms

The deployment of ubiquitous sensor systems and algorithms has led to many challenges, such as matching sensor systems to compatible algorithms which are capable of satisfying a task. Compounding the challenges is the lack of the requisite knowledge models needed to discover sensors and algorithms and to subsequently integrate their capabilities to satisfy a specific task. A novel ontological problem-solving framework has been designed to match sensors to compatible algorithms to form synthesized systems, which are capable of satisfying a task and then assigning the synthesized systems to high-level missions. The approach designed for the ontological problem-solving framework has been instantiated in the context of a persistence surveillance prototype environment, which includes profiling sensor systems and algorithms to demonstrate proof-of-concept principles. Even though the problem-solving approach was instantiated with profiling sensor systems and algorithms, the ontological framework may be useful with other heterogeneous sensing-system environments

Decadal-scale litter manipulation alters the biochemical and physical character of tropical forest soil carbon

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd Climate change and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations are likely to alter tropical forest net primary productivity (NPP), potentially affecting soil C storage. We examined biochemical and physical changes in soil C fractions in a humid tropical forest where experimental litter manipulation changed total soil C stocks. We hypothesized that: (1.) low-density soil organic C (SOC) fractions are more responsive to altered litter inputs than mineral-associated SOC, because they cycle relatively rapidly. (2.) Any accumulation of mineral-associated SOC with litter addition is relatively stable (i.e. low leaching potential). (3.) Certain biomolecules, such as waxes (alkyl) and proteins (N-alkyl), form more stable mineral-associations than other biomolecules in strongly weathered soils. A decade of litter addition and removal affected bulk soil C content in the upper 5 cm by +32% and −31%, respectively. Most notably, C concentration in the mineral-associated SOC fraction was greater in litter addition plots relative to controls by 18% and 28% in the dry and wet seasons, respectively, accounting for the majority of greater bulk soil C stock. Radiocarbon and leaching analyses demonstrated that the greater mineral-associated SOC in litter addition plots consisted of new and relatively stable C, with only 3% of mineral-associated SOC leachable in salt solution. Solid-state13C NMR spectroscopy indicated that waxes (alkyl C) and microbial biomass compounds (O-alkyl and N-alkyl C) in mineral-associated SOC are relatively stable, whereas plant-derived compounds (aromatic and phenolic C) are lost from mineral associations on decadal timescales. We conclude that changes in tropical forest NPP will alter the quantity, biochemistry, and stability of C stored in strongly weathered tropical soils

T Cell Cancer Therapy Requires CD40-CD40L Activation of Tumor Necrosis Factor and Inducible Nitric-Oxide-Synthase-Producing Dendritic Cells

Effective cancer immunotherapy requires overcoming immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. We\ua0found that local nitric oxide (NO) production by tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells is important for adoptively transferred CD8(+) cytotoxic T\ua0cells to destroy tumors. These myeloid cells are phenotypically similar to inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2)- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-producing dendritic cells (DC), or Tip-DCs. Depletion of immunosuppressive, colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R)-dependent arginase 1(+) myeloid cells enhanced NO-dependent tumor killing. Tumor elimination via NOS2 required the CD40-CD40L pathway. We also uncovered a strong correlation between survival of colorectal cancer patients and NOS2, CD40, and TNF expression in their tumors. Our results identify a network of pro-tumor factors that can be targeted to boost cancer immunotherapies

Adaptation and Mal-Adaptation to Ambient Hypoxia; Andean, Ethiopian and Himalayan Patterns

The study of the biology of evolution has been confined to laboratories and model organisms. However, controlled laboratory conditions are unlikely to model variations in environments that influence selection in wild populations. Thus, the study of “fitness” for survival and the genetics that influence this are best carried out in the field and in matching environments

Ontological Problem-Solving Framework for Dynamically Discovering, Matching, and Tasking Sensor Systems and Algorithms

The development of numerous situational awareness sensing environments deployed with ubiquitous sensor systems and algorithms has led to many challenges associated with assigning and coordinating systems to complete high-level missions. These challenges are compounded even further by the lack of requisite knowledge models needed to opportunistically integrate the capabilities of sensor systems and algorithms to satisfy a task. A novel ontological problem-solving framework has been designed and developed that captures knowledge of systems to facilitate automated inference to discover, match and task sensor systems and algorithms by creating synthesized systems in real-time and then assigning the systems to subtasks to satisfy a given mission specification. To facilitate the automated inference, the ontological framework leverages knowledge and data models through the use of knowledge engineering techniques such as ontologies, declarative rules based on description logic, and inference engines. To show proof-of-concept principles, the ontological framework was instantiated in the context of a persistence surveillance sensing environment that includes many different types of profiling sensor systems and innovative algorithms. Even though the ontological framework was instantiated in the context of a persistence surveillance sensing environment, the problem-solving approach may be useful in other heterogeneous sensing environments