cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CEACAM-1, -3, -6, and -8 Signaling in Human Neutrophils

Abstract Members of the carcinoembryonic antigen family (CEACAMs) are widely expressed, and, depending on the tissue, capable of regulating diverse functions including tumor promotion, tumor suppression, angiogenesis, and neutrophil activation. Four members of this family, CEACAM1, CEACAM8, CEACAM6, and CEACAM3 (recognized by CD66a, CD66b, CD66c, and CD66d monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), respectively), are expressed on human neutrophils. CD66a, CD66b, CD66c, and CD66d antibodies each increase neutrophil adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers. This increase in neutrophil adhesion caused by CD66 antibodies is blocked by CD18 mAbs and is associated with upregulation of CD11/CD18 on the neutrophil surface. To examine potential interactions of CEACAMs in neutrophil signaling, the effects of a set of CD66 mAbs on neutrophil adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells was tested following desensitization to stimulation by various combinations of these mAbs. The current data show that desensitization of neutrophils to any two CEACAMs results in selective desensitization to those two CEACAMs, while the cells remain responsive to the other two neutrophil CEACAMs. In addition, cells desensitized to CEACAM-3, -6, and -8 were still responsive to stimulation of CEACAM1 by CD66a mAbs. In contrast, desensitization of cells to CEACAM1 and any two of the other CEACAMs left the cells unresponsive to all CD66 mAbs. Cells desensitized to any combination of CEACAMs remained responsive to the unrelated control protein CD63. Thus, while there is significant independence of the four neutrophil CEACAMs in signaling, CEACAM1 appears to play a unique role among the neutrophil CEACAMs. A model in which CEACAMs dimerize to form signaling complexes could accommodate the observations. Similar interactions may occur in other cells expressing CEACAMs.
Experimental route to chaos of an external-cavity semiconductor laser

We report experimental bifurcation diagrams of a semiconductor laser, biased well above threshold, subjected to external optical feedback. As feedback is increased, we see a quasiperiodic route to chaos interrupted by several windows of periodicity corresponding to limit cycles, differing in frequency by multiples of the external-cavity free-spectral range that have developed around external-cavity modes (ECMs) whose frequency is slightly larger than that of the solitary laser. Successive windows correspond to the transition between two limit cycles either on the same or neighboring ECMs. For larger feedback, the laser operates in a chaotic regime around numerous negatively shifted external-cavity modes. These experimental observations detail the bifurcations leading to fully developed chaos in this system, and further provide detailed insight on the standard theoretical framework applied to these lasers.
On Pragmatism and Esteem

Is the Penn State controversy a public relations crisis or a moral one? While all relevant parties have made public efforts to carry out public relations campaigns to salvage their individual reputations, efforts to address the moral aspects of their actions are lacking. A proper pragmatic and post-pragmatic effort to regain public esteem demands an institutional commitment to transparency; to look to the truth for aid and then tell the truth. A true pragmatic approach demands ethical agents look beyond temporary benefits in order to properly calibrate human aims and purposes. More contemporary forms of pragmatism grounded in critical and radical inquiry demand an even stronger commitment to social justice and truth-telling as appropriate moral interventions in times of crisis.
Case 3: Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma, Unresectable

74-year-old man presented with early satiety, weight loss, postprandial nausea and vomiting, and intermittent abdominal pain.
Textbooks and Culture Wars: An essay review of Charles Eagles, Civil rights culture wars: The fight over a Mississippi textbook. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2017. Pp. 298. ISBN 9781469631158.:

The politics of collective memory, over what counts as “official knowledge,” is crucial in education. With its primary focus on the politics of memory and how this works in the politics of school knowledge as its primary focus, Civil Rights Culture Wars gives us a rich historical picture of this process as it played out in a significant battle over a specific textbook in Mississippi. As some readers may already know, there have been a large number of interesting case studies of textbook controversies over the years, as well as a long history of studies that critically focus on the political and educational issues surrounding textbooks. As Eagles documents in great detail, this book became a center of ideological conflict and many conservative groups were clear that they would seek to block its approval. The conflict over the book in the courts, in the press, and in government agencies took years. There were defeats, partial victories, and then ultimately a vindication. Even though the implications of his ...
How Social Media Will Impact Marketing Media

Technology is ubiquitous and it is impacting society with each rapid change it undergoes itself. We’re seeing a vast transformation via the Internet and the rise of social media. In fact, social media is poised to transform society in an even more fundamental manner. Whether one is a CEO, the president of a country, a member of the British royalty, or a commoner, everything about one is on social media: personal information, likes and dislikes, and other mundane activities. In fact, everything said or done is now a matter of public record, and nothing can remain hidden anymore. The explosion of social media services over the last few years continues to have a significant impact on advertising, as consumers’ reliance on word of mouth in the decision-making process—either from people they know or online consumers they don’t—has increased significantly. Social media is no longer merely a platform for social interactions. Rather, it is transforming the way businesses work. Marketers are increasingly leveraging social media to influence customer decision making. The focus of this paper is on the impact of social media on marketing media.
Factors Associated with Patient Satisfaction in an Outpatient Glaucoma Population.

Purpose: To determine what metrics might impact satisfaction survey responses.Methods: A 37-question survey was administered to 249 participants. Responses were correlated to demographics, clinical...
Acknowledging the Whiteness of Motivation Research: Seeking Cultural Relevance

This commentary revisits compelling arguments put forth by the contributors to this special issue on the role of race and ethnicity in academic motivation research. First, an overview of how race a...
Thresholding of sensory inputs by extrasynaptic glutamate receptors in olfactory bulb glomeruli

The mammalian olfactory bulb has presented a challenging system for understanding information processing, in part because the bulb largely lacks the topographical ordering of neurons that promotes processes such as lateral inhibition. Here we have used dual and triple-cell recordings in rodent bulb slices combined with ultrastructural methods to provide the first experimental evidence for a processing mechanism circumventing this problem that operates at the level of single glomeruli, the bulb9s odorant receptor-specific modules. A key feature is non-traditional, extrasynaptic glutamatergic signaling derived from excitatory interneurons and what it means for the local balance between excitation (E) and inhibition (I). We found that the distinct dynamic properties of extrasynaptic excitation versus synaptic inhibition create a thresholding effect whereby only strong stimuli produce a favorable E/I balance enabling an output. This single-glomerulus threshold could have a number of important functions during natural odor responses, for example enhancing stimulus tuning.
A UTILITARIAN CASE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM IN LIBRARIES

The article begins with an outline of the history of censorship and intellectual and expressive freedom in American libraries, chiefly from the last quarter of the nineteenth century until the Social Responsibility movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Discussion of the two main types of ethical theory, utilitarianism and deontology, is next. Then the deontological position on intellectual freedom is presented in the context of its theory of rights. The discussion of deontology is followed by a utilitarian criticism of the deontological defense of intellectual freedom. Then a utilitarian defense of intellectual freedom is offered and applied to libraries. The article concludes by arguing that, even though in theory utilitarianism would countenance some censorship, in practice the utilitarian will support complete intellectual freedom. It is maintained that libraries have a special role to play in promoting unconditional intellectual freedom.
Analyzing maintenance data using data mining methods

Preventive maintenance activities generate information that can help determine the causes of downtime and assist in setting maintenance schedules or alarm limits. When the amount of generated data becomes large, humans have difficulty understanding relationships between variables. In this paper, we explore the applicability of data mining, a methodology for analyzing multi-dimensional datasets, to the maintenance domain. Using data mining methods, we identify subsystems responsible for low equipment availability; recommend a preventive maintenance schedule; and find sensors and frequency responses giving the most information about fault types. The data mining approach achieves good, easily understandable results within a short training time.
Change in 21-gene recurrence score (RS) (Oncotype DX) after exposure to neoadjuvant endocrine therapy.

e12650Background: 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay (Oncotype DX) is routinely used to determine potential effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy following surgical resection of localized ER-expr...
VOLUNTEERISM IN OLDER ADULTHOOD: UNDERSTANDING THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH WELL-BEING

Approximately 270,000 seniors (55+) in the U.S. engage in volunteering through Senior Corps’ programs (Corporation for National Community and Service, 2016). Volunteering in older adulthood has been consistently connected with psychological, physical, and cognitive well-being (Carr, 2018), with a moderate level of volunteering considered optimal (Windsor, Anstey, and Rodgers, 2008). The relationship between perceived level of demands within a volunteering position (e.g., physical, social, and cognitive demands) and well-being has not been explored. The sample consisted of 110 senior volunteers in Colorado (Mage=71 years). The median number of volunteer hours over the past 12 months was 100 hours (M=157, SD=162). We investigated how hours of volunteering and characteristics of volunteer work relate to five dimensions of subjective well-being (e.g., positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment; Butler & Kern, 2016), and overall health status. Number of hours spent volunteering was positively related to one of the well-being variables, meaning (r= .21, p=.03). Volunteers who described their work as being more socially demanding reported being in worse health (r =-.28, p = .07). Volunteers who described their work as being more physically demanding indicated that they believed others were better off as a result of their work (r =.45, p =.003). The results of the present study support the positive impact of volunteering on well-being. Specifically, greater volunteering is related to a sense of purpose in life or sense that life matters. These results also indicate that exploring the impact of volunteer work characteristics may be a direction for future research.
Teachers can help promote children's body awareness and imagination

Teachers are sometimes puzzled and frustrated by some children’s difficulties and troubles as these children respond aggressively when feeling that peers crowd too close or seem ‘threatening’. This...
Muscle at the junction: Where next generation sequencing is sending us.

Skeletal muscle membrane stability is dependent on the actions of sodium, calcium, and chloride channels to appropriately gate ion activity. The sodium channel Nav1.4 in particular has been recognized as having a critical role in the gating of ion current in skeletal muscle.1 Mutations in Nav1.4 due to variants in the SCN4A gene result in a variety of phenotypes including hyperkalemic and hypokalemic periodic paralysis, paramyotonia congenita, and congenital myasthenic syndrome with mixed dominant and recessive inheritance. Dominantly inherited disorders such as hypokalemic periodic paralysis result in leaky sodium channels that in turn results in transient episodic weakness that often presents early in childhood.2 Eventually, many of these patients develop myopathic features including fixed proximal weakness. Dominant mutations in SCN4A that result in increased sodium influx cause hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and paramyotonia congenita phenotypes.3 In contrast, loss-of-function mutations in SCN4A result in a more severe congenital myasthenic syndrome with disruption of the neuromuscular junction. This constellation of rare disorders, as the result of either loss of function or gain of function of the sodium channel, shares several characteristic features: (1) transient, fluctuating symptoms (either weakness or myotonia); (2) progression to fixed weakness; and (3) rare occurrence. What is distinct between the gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations are those disorders that involve muscle excitability (such as paramyotonia congenita) and those disorders that impair muscle contraction, either at the neuromuscular junction or muscle membrane itself (congenital myasthenic syndrome and hypokalemic periodic paralysis). With the constellation of syndromes affected by mutations in SCN4A , it is not clear if we have completely identified the spectrum of allelic disorders caused by mutations in SCN4A . In addition, the mechanism separating the gain-of-function from loss-of-function mutations is incompletely understood.
Augmenting Supervised Learning by Meta-learning Unsupervised Local Rules

The brain performs unsupervised learning and (perhaps) simultaneous supervised learning. This raises the question as to whether a hybrid of supervised and unsupervised methods will produce better learning. Inspired by the rich space of Hebbian learning rules, we set out to directly learn the unsupervised learning rule on local information that best augments a supervised signal. We present the Hebbian-augmented training algorithm (HAT) for combining gradient-based learning with an unsupervised rule on pre-synpatic activity, post-synaptic activities, and current weights. We test HAT's effect on a simple problem (Fashion-MNIST) and find consistently higher performance than supervised learning alone. This finding provides empirical evidence that unsupervised learning on synaptic activities provides a strong signal that can be used to augment gradient-based methods. We further find that the meta-learned update rule is a time-varying function; thus, it is difficult to pinpoint an interpretable Hebbian update rule that aids in training. We do find that the meta-learner eventually degenerates into a non-Hebbian rule that preserves important weights so as not to disturb the learner's convergence.
An Exceptional Responder to Nivolumab in Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review of Long-Term Survivors.

Background. Exceptional responders to immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are rare. Furthermore, the optimal duration of immunotherapy in patients who achieve complete remission and the benefit of rechallenge after recurrence remain unknown. Studying the clinical course of exceptional responders can help identify potential predictors of response to immunotherapy and further fine-tune our management algorithms in the absence of standard of care in challenging scenarios. Case Presentation. We highlight the case of a 73-year-old Vietnam War Veteran with active tobacco dependence who achieved complete response with nivolumab for metastatic NSCLC after four prior lines of chemotherapy. Nivolumab was discontinued after 10 cycles due to immune-mediated hepatitis that resolved with steroids. He remained in complete remission for 14 months while off therapy. Then, his tumor recurred twice locally in the mediastinum and he again achieved complete and durable responses after each recurrence with radiotherapy. Due to recurrence in both lungs one year later, he was rechallenged with nivolumab and achieved partial response after two months of therapy. He continues to do well five and a half years since his initial diagnosis of de novo metastatic NSCLC. Conclusion. Optimal management of exceptional responders to immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic NSCLC is largely unknown. Our case report adds to the limited data supporting the use of localized therapy for oligometastatic recurrences and rechallenge with immunotherapy for widespread disease in achieving disease control and long-term survival.
Utilization of Telemedicine Virtual Visits in Pediatric Spinal Deformity Patients: A Comparison of Feasibility and Patient Satisfaction at a Large Academic Center.

BACKGROUND Telemedicine platforms have been developed to support the convenient delivery of health care services to their patients while maintaining appropriate quality of care. However, it is unclear whether they can be utilized effectively in patients with pediatric spinal deformity (PSD). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and patient satisfaction associated with virtual visit (VV) utilization in PSD patients in comparison to general pediatric orthopaedic indications. METHODS Of the 482 VVs offered to pediatric orthopaedic patients at a large academic health care system between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, a total of 189 VVs conducted by board-certified orthopaedic surgeons were included in the final analysis. Patient satisfaction scores were collected at the end of each VV by patient and parent rankings of the surgeon and the telemedicine service. Data on patients, visits, and connectivity sessions characteristics were collected and statistically compared between PSD visits (n=33) versus those conducted for general pediatric orthopaedic indications (n=156). RESULTS Although PSD patients were older (15±3.7 vs. 12±4.7 y; P<0.01), mostly female (76% vs. 47%, P=0.003), and had longer VVs (8±4.6 vs. 5±3.6 min; P=0.003) versus their general pediatric orthopaedic counterparts, they demonstrated similarly high satisfaction scores for surgeon performance (5±0 vs. 4.8±0.1 points; P=0.08) and overall satisfaction (3±2.4 vs. 3.5±2.1; P=0.23). Approximately 80% of all VVs were conducted over mobile devices. Wait time was substantially less for PSD VVs relative to subsequent office visits (13±10 vs. 41±30 min; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our analysis found that telemedicine VVs provided a convenient alternative to traditional in-office visits for PSD patients. Specifically, we found that PSD patients received faster care with comparable satisfaction. The findings of our present analysis should encourage health care systems to continually evaluate and implement telehealth platforms to improve both the accessibility and appropriate quality of care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV.
Venous thromboembolism in the hormonal milieu

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Hormonal therapy is administered for multiple indications including contraception, alleviation of menopausal symptoms, hypogonadism, and more recently, gender-affirming care. Data suggest varying degrees of increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). RECENT FINDINGS While oral progestin only methods do not appear to increase the risk of VTE, an association was seen with injection progestin contraception. Combined oral contraception with low-dose ethinyl estradiol and most types of progestin increased the risk of VTE compared with levonorgestrel-containing oral therapies. While transdermal hormonal contraception has been previously associated with increased VTE, a recently approved levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol transdermal patch reported low rates (<0.2%) in a large single-arm open-label study. Women receiving postmenopausal HRT experienced an increased risk of VTE in a dose-dependent manner when using oral hormonal therapy while nonoral methods, such as topical estrogen, did not appear to increase the risk of VTE. Some studies suggest no increased risk of VTE with testosterone therapy, however, a recent case-crossover study suggested higher VTE risk in men on testosterone, particularly men less than age 65 without hypogonadism. Route of administration had no effect on VTE rates. The estimated incidence rate of VTE risk in transgender women receiving estrogen therapy is 2.3 per 1000 person years, but may be imprecise due to heterogeneity in studies included in published meta-analyses. Surgical risk estimates are primarily indirect data drawn from cisgender patients receiving hormone therapy in the perioperative setting. SUMMARY Hormonal therapy affects VTE risk to varying degrees dependent on specific type of hormone, formulation, and occasionally route of delivery.
Decontamination and Reuse of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators - Where Do We Stand?

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created an extraordinary demand for N95 and similarly rated filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) that remains unmet due to limited stock, production constraints, and logistics. Interest in decontamination and reuse of FFR, a product class designed for single use in health care settings, has undergone a parallel surge due to shortages. A worthwhile decontamination method must provide effective inactivation of the targeted pathogen(s), and preserve particle filtration, mask fit, and safety for a subsequent user. This discussion reviews the background of the current shortage, classification, structure, and functional aspects of FFR, and potentially effective decontamination methods along with reference websites for those seeking updated information and guidance. The most promising techniques utilize heat, hydrogen peroxide, microwave-generated steam, or ultraviolet light. Many require special or repurposed equipment and a detailed operational roadmap specific to each setting. While limited, research is growing. There is significant variation between models with regard to the ability to withstand decontamination yet remain protective. The number of times an individual respirator can be reused is often limited by its ability to maintain a tight fit after multiple uses rather than by the decontamination method itself. There is no single solution for all settings; each individual or institution must choose according to their need, capability, and available resources. As the current pandemic is expected to continue for months to years, and the possibility of future airborne biologic threats persists, the need for plentiful, effective respiratory protection is stimulating research and innovation.
Detecting silent stressors: Trace element effects on nutritional status of declining scoter ducks of Puget Sound, USA

White-winged scoters (Melanitta fusca; WWSC) and surf scoters (M. perspicillata; SUSC) have declined by over 60% in recent decades. Identifying contributing factors from within a mosaic of sublethal, multiple stressors is challenging. In urbanized Puget Sound, Washington, USA where scoters winter, changes in prey availability explained only a portion of local declines, suggesting that other "silent stressors" such as sublethal contaminants might play a role. Past studies of pollutant effects on scoters used Fisherian statistics that often revealed few correlates; however, novel statistical approaches could detect and provide more insights about sublethal impacts. Our objectives were to (1) relate pollutant accumulation to health of the birds, and (2) compare permutational multivariate statistics with traditional approaches in identifying sublethal health effects. We collected scoters from three locations in Puget Sound in December 2005 and March 2006, and measured cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se) levels in livers and kidneys. To assess impacts of low contaminants levels in tissues on nutritional status (whole-body mass, lipid, and protein; and triglycerides, β-hydroxybutyrate, and uric acid in blood), we compared statistical methods. Permutational multivariate methods use Monte Carlo techniques to assess how an integrated matrix of physiological responses in each animal respond to contaminants. Univariate regressions revealed very few and inconsistent relationships. In contrast, multivariate models showed that liver Hg and Se explained 25% of the variance in nutritional status of white-winged scoters; and in surf scoters, Cd, Hg, and Se in tissues explained 14 to 27% of nutritional status depending on site. The influence of these factors equals other aspects of habitat such as foraging conditions. Our study indicates that permutational multivariate statistics can be a powerful tool for identifying sublethal contaminant associations that, with non-contaminant stressors, can influence nutritional status and thus, contribute to population dynamics.
The role of positive emotion dysregulation in the relationship between childhood abuse and PTSD in a community sample of veterans.

Abstract Background The co-occurrence of childhood abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among United States military veterans is highly prevalent and clinically significant. Emotion dysregulation is one factor that has been found to underlie the association between childhood abuse and PTSD, yet past research has focused exclusively on dysregulation stemming from negative emotions. Objective The current study extends existing research by clarifying the role of positive emotion dysregulation in the relation between childhood abuse and PTSD in a community sample of military veterans. Participants and setting Participants were 465 trauma-exposed military veterans in the community (Mage = 38.00, 71.6 % women, 69.5 % White). Method Using structural equation modeling, we tested the indirect association of childhood abuse to PTSD symptom severity through positive emotion dysregulation. Results The hypothesized model showed adequate model fit, χ2 (32, n = 465) = 176.22, p Conclusions This finding highlights the potential utility of targeting positive emotion dysregulation in the detection and treatment of PTSD symptoms in veterans who experienced childhood abuse.
Readability of Online Patient Information Relating to Cleft Palate Surgery

Objective:It is important for health care education materials to be easily understood by caretakers of children requiring craniofacial surgery. This study aimed to analyze the readability of Google...
A Game Theoretic Perspective on Adversarial Machine Learning and Related Cybersecurity Applications

In cybersecurity applications where machine learning algorithms are increasingly used to detect vulnerabilities, a somewhat unique challenge arises as exploits targeting machine learning models are constantly devised by the attackers. Traditional machine learning models are no longer robust and reliable when they are under attack. The action and reaction between machine learning systems and the adversary can be modeled as a game between two or more players. Under well‐defined attack models, game theory can provide robustness guarantee for machine learning models that are otherwise vulnerable to application‐time data corruption. We review two cases of game theory‐based machine learning techniques: in one case, players play a zero sum game by following a minimax strategy, while in the other case, players play a sequential game with one player as the leader and the rest as the followers. Experimental results on e‐mail spam and web spam datasets are presented. In the zero sum game, we demonstrate that an adversarial SVM model built upon the minimax strategy is much more resilient to adversarial attacks than standard SVM and one‐class SVM models. We also show that optimal learning strategies derived to counter overly pessimistic attack models can produce unsatisfactory results when the real attacks are much weaker. In the sequential game, we demonstrate that the mixed strategy, allowing a player to randomize over available strategies, is the best solution in general without knowing what types of adversaries machine learning applications are facing in the wild. We also discuss scenarios where players' behavior may derail rational decision making and models that consider such decision risks.
Exercise 29: Cloning and Sequencing cDNAs of Mouse Variable Regions of H and L Chains of Monoclonal Antibodies

Embryonic DNA contains multiple genes that encode the immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule. The Ig genes rearrange to form the variable region of the antibody molecule. Rearrangement takes place on the genes that encode both Heavy (H) and Light (L) chains. The variable regions on both chains form the antigen binding domain located in the Fab fragment of the antibody molecule. In L chains, variable (V) and joining (J) genes recombine to generate the V region. In H chains, V, J and diversity (D) genes recombine to generate the V region. RAG1 and RAG2 recombinases catalyze rearrangement by cleaving DNA at recombination signal sequences (RSSs) between the Ig coding junction and the RSS. Nonhomologous end joining events occur with use of repair enzymes, nucleotide addition by DNA polymerase and ligase activity to facilitate the rearrangement and formation of a contiguous coding sequence for the variable regions. Hybridomas secretion monoclonal antibodies contain a combination of rearranged V regions in H and L chains that encode different secreted antibodies. The type of VH and VL formed can be investigated by identifying the germline families of the V (D) J genes used. DNA isolated from hybridomas can be amplified using primers that target rearranged genes in hybridomas and compared to amplified DNA from embryonic cells. Sequencing of amplified product directly or cloned into a plasmid can be used to demonstrate the particular gene families utilized for rearrangement. Idiotypic homogeneity and cross-reactivity in the antibodies can also be investigated. The first objective of this exercise is to determine if monoclonal antibodies specific for the antigen contain different combinations of H and L chain region genes. The second objective is to determine the germ-line families of the genes. The third objective is to learn how to clone an insert into a plasmid and express the encoded recombinant protein.
Managing System Operations—Central Valley Project

The management of the Central Valley Project in California is described. Organizational changes are analyzed and summarized. The management philosophy in the project’s operations office is attuned to the complexities arising from technical and human involvement. Technical aspects of decision making are reviewed. The management of project operations is based upon organizational development theory. The paper illustrates that there is more to the successful implementation of contemporary management of river-basin operations than the design and use of mathematical models. The complete management system must account for the quality of the data and the goals and expertise of the people responsible for collecting and using the data. The development of modern river-basin management must be concerned with development of people as well as the creation of an efficient operating mechanism.
More than Just a Quorum: Integration of Stress and Other Environmental Cues in Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Signaling

Many bacteria employ chemical communication to coordinate group behaviors, a process that has been termed quorum sensing (QS). Although many different classes of bacteria use QS, the mechanism that has emerged as common in gram-negative proteobacteria is based on acyl-homoserine lactone (acyl-HSL) signal molecules. QS is an important field of study because of its important regulatory roles in pathogenic and environmental bacteria. Acyl-homoserine lactone (Acyl-HSL) QS controls virulence in many plant and animal pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This chapter focuses on the integration of acyl-HSL QS and such stress responses. In P. aeruginosa, QS controls the expression of numerous virulence factors such as extracellular enzymes (LasB elastase, LasA protease, alkaline protease), secondary metabolites (pyocyanin, hydrogen cyanide, pyoverdin), and toxins (exotoxin A). Microarray studies revealed that the las and rhl systems together control the expression of more than 300 genes. The majority of the associated genes are predicted to encode secreted factors and secretion machinery, confirming the notion that the core function of las QS is to control the expression of extracellular factors. Indeed, a recent population analysis of concurrently isolated P. aeruginosa from individual Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections revealed great heterogeneity of QS phenotypes and genotypes within as well as among patients. This finding suggests that a single selective mechanism, whether of social or nonsocial nature, is unlikely to explain the emergence of QS variants during CF infection.
Long Wars and the Constitution

In a wide-ranging constitutional history of presidential war decisions from 1945 to the present, Stephen M. Griffin rethinks the long-running debate over the "imperial presidency" and concludes that the eighteenth-century Constitution is inadequate to the challenges of a post-9/11 world. The Constitution requires the consent of Congress before the United States can go to war. Truman's decision to fight in Korea without gaining that consent was unconstitutional, says Griffin, but the acquiescence of Congress and the American people created a precedent for presidents to claim autonomy in this arena ever since. The unthinking extension of presidential leadership in foreign affairs to a point where presidents unilaterally decide when to go to war, Griffin argues, has destabilized our constitutional order and deranged our foreign policy. Long Wars and the Constitution demonstrates the unexpected connections between presidential war power and the constitutional crises that have plagued American politics. Contemporary presidents are caught in a dilemma. On the one hand are the responsibilities handed over to them by a dangerous world, and on the other is an incapacity for sound decisionmaking in the absence of interbranch deliberation. President Obama's continuation of many Bush administration policies in the long war against terrorism is only the latest in a chain of difficulties resulting from the imbalances introduced by the post-1945 constitutional order. Griffin argues for beginning a cycle of accountability in which Congress would play a meaningful role in decisions for war, while recognizing the realities of twenty-first century diplomacy.
Drug Efficacy Testing in Mice

The traditional path of drug development passes from in vitro screening and response assessment to validation of drug efficacy in cell line xenografts. While xenografts have their merits, historically, more often than not, they have not served as an accurate predictor of drug efficacy in humans. The refinement and increased availability of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of cancer has made GEMMs an attractive avenue for the preclinical testing of therapeutic agents. The histopathologic and genetic resemblance of GEMMs to human cancer are an important measure to evaluate their suitability for pre-clinical studies and a number of studies using kinase inhibitors have now been performed in GEMMs. We have highlighted several of the salient advantages and challenges associated with GEMM studies. Well-characterized GEM models of human cancer should aide in the prioritization of both established and novel therapeutics.
Scaling Web services with capacity provision networks

With the increasing proliferation of c-commerce and e-business activities, many service providers are turning to Web caching solutions to move important content and processes closer to end users. Uncertainties in user demand and rapid market changes pose significant impediments to effective cache planning and deployment solutions, however. The authors have developed capacity provision networks to support a specific type of Web caching in the vertical segment of ISPs, NSPs, and similar entities. In this scenario, an entity can be a provider at one time and a user at another, depending on cache capacity requirements.
Velocity Field of a Lifting Rotor Blade in Hover

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of this work by the U.S. Army Research Office as part of the Center for Rotary Wing Aircraft Technology, Contract DAAG29-82-K- 0094, monitored by Dr. Robert E. Singleton.
Effects of Prostaglandins on RNA and Casein Synthesis in Mammary Gland Explants of Mice

Prostaglandins B2, E2, and F2± were found to stimulate RNA synthesis in mammary gland explants of mice in a prolactin-like manner. These effects were non-additive to maximally stimulatory concentrations of prolacin. Also, time-course studies showed that the effects of these prostaglandins only became apparent following a 2–4 hour lag period. The effects of these prostaglandins were not observed in explants which were not pretreated with insulin plus hydrocortisone, i.e., in tissues not responsive to prolactin. Prostaglandins E1, A2, A1, B1, and Fl± had no effects on the rate of RNA synthesis, but each of these prostaglandins abolished the responsivitiy of the explants to prolactin. Since DBcAMP, theophylline, and indomethacin were found previously to suppress the action of prolactin on RNA synthesis, the effects of these agents on the stimulatory effects of prostaglandins B2, E2, and F2± were tested. The incubation of explants with 5 mM DBcAMP or 5 niM theophylline abolished the effects of these prostagla...
Does Concomitant Low Back Pain Affect Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes

The number of revision total knee arthroplasties (rev-TKA) is increasing every year. These cases are technically difficult and add considerable burden on the healthcare system. Many patients have concomitant low back pain that may interfere with functional outcome. We asked whether having low back pain at baseline would influence amount and rate of improvement on standardized outcomes measures after rev-TKA. We retrospectively reviewed 308 patients from prospectively collected data in a multicenter study. A minimum 24-month followup was available for 221 patients (71.8%). Patients with low back pain at baseline had worse scores on most instruments than their counterparts at baseline, 12 months postsurgery, and 24 months postsurgery. The data suggest concomitant back pain in patients undergoing rev-TKA affects their outcomes as measured by standardized instruments. Orthopaedic surgeons should counsel their patients with back pain regarding the possibility of slower or less complete recovery. Level of Evidence: Level II, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Temperature and salt effects on the formation of preinitiation complexes between RNA polymerase and phage DNA

Abstract The influence of temperature and KCl concentration on the formation of rifampicin-resistant preinitiation complexes by holo RNA polymerase has been compared for T4 DNA and Azotobacter phage A21 DNA. The sharp transition with respect to temperature between an inactive complex of polymerase and DNA and a preinitiation complex reflects an equilibrium between the two complexes, the position of which depends on the temperature and the salt concentration. The transition is shifted to higher temperatures by increasing the KCl concentration. The position of this transition is characteristically different for T4 and A21 DNA. The midpoint for A21 DNA is about 15°C above that for T4 at 0.006 M KCl. At 0.15 M KCl the transition for A21 DNA cannot be observed below 37°C. This difference is responsible for the apparent inhibition of A21 DNA transcription by KCl and for the low template activity of A21 DNA under the conditions of the standard assay. Both holo and core RNA polymerases are able to form complexes with A21 DNA that are resistant to attack by rifampicin. The second-order rate constant for the inactivation of the complex with the core enzyme is three times greater than that for the complex with the holoenzyme.
Effect of starvation on the charging levels of transfer ribonucleic acid and total acceptor capacity in rat liver

Abstract In a study of the mechanism of regulation of protein synthesis in the liver cell during starvation, the hepatic concentrations of eighteen amino acids and charging levels of tRNA of four essential amino acids, viz., phenylalanine, isoleucine, tryptophan and leucine, were measured in rats fed or starved for 48 h. The charging levels, measured by the periodate oxidation method, ranged from 79–91% and 77–101% in the fed and starved rats, respectively, but neither charging levels nor amino acid concentrations were lowered in starvation. Hepatic levels of essential amino acids in the starved rats were well above the known K m values of aminoacyl synthetases, indicating thereby that the liver maintained sufficiently high amino acid concentrations during starvation to maintain the capacity to charge tRNA near V. However, the total acceptor capacity as measured for tRNAPhe was reduced during starvation. Since the acceptor capacity per mg tRNA was not changed, the drop in the total acceptor capacity indicated a drop in the total amount of biologically active tRNAPhe. These results suggest that (i) the mechanism of regulation of protein synthesis in the liver cell during starvation is not mediated through a decrease in amino acid concentrations or in charging levels (periodate-protected capacity) of tRNA, and that (ii) the reduced protein synthesis observed during starvation is attributed, at least in part, to a reduced total acceptor capacity of the liver cell sap.
Fluid dynamic bowtie attenuators

Fluence field modulated CT allows for improvements in image quality and dose reduction. To date, only 1-D modulators have been proposed, the extension to 2-D modulation is difficult with solid-metal attenuation-based modulators. This work proposes to use liquids and gas to attenuate the x-ray beam which can be arrayed allowing for 2-D fluence modulation. The thickness of liquid and the pressure for a given path length of gas were determined that provided the same attenuation as 30 cm of soft tissue at 80, 100, 120, and 140 kV. Gaseous Xenon and liquid Iodine, Zinc Chloride, and Cerium Chloride were studied. Additionally, we performed some proof-of-concept experiments in which (1) a single cell of liquid was connected to a reservoir which allowed the liquid thickness to be modulated and (2) a 96 cell array was constructed in which the liquid thickness in each cell was adjusted manually. Liquid thickness varied as a function of kV and chemical composition, with Zinc Chloride allowing for the smallest thickness; 1.8, 2.25, 3, and 3.6 cm compensated for 30 cm of soft tissue at 80, 100, 120, and 140 kV respectively. The 96 cell Iodine attenuator allowed for a reduction in both dynamic range to the detector and scatter to primary ratio. Successful modulation of a single cell was performed at 0, 90, and 130 degrees using a simple piston/actuator. The thickness of liquids and the Xenon gas pressure seem logistically implementable within the constraints of CBCT and diagnostic CT systems.
Revision of thumb trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty.

Purpose To determine the incidence of revision surgery after thumb trapeziometacarpal joint arthroplasty and to present the expected results of future surgical treatment. Methods We reviewed the patient database at our medical center and found 654 procedures performed between 1988 and 2000 for the treatment of thumb basal joint arthritis. From the database we found that revision arthroplasties were performed on 15 patients with 17 arthroplasties in the treatment of mechanical pain related to instability or bone impingement. Referred patients with primary surgery performed elsewhere and patients with neurogenic pain were reviewed but not included as a primary focus of this study. The revision surgical procedures included soft-tissue interposition alone or soft-tissue interposition with ligament reconstruction for mechanical symptoms and neurolysis of peripheral nerves for associated neurogenic pain. The assessment included preoperative and postoperative patient chart review, measurement of pinch and grip strengths, radiographic assessment, and patient contact to provide complete medical information including any further medical or surgical treatment. Results Based on a grading system previously used to evaluate thumb revision surgery, objective good (or satisfactory) results were found in 13 of 17 revision procedures. The method of soft-tissue revision (resection with soft-tissue interposition or resection with ligament reconstruction) did not influence the outcome of good versus fair or poor results. Persistent failures (2 fair, 2 poor) resulted from both soft-tissue interposition alone and revision with ligament support arthroplasties. Revision arthroplasty with soft-tissue procedures for mechanical pain provided predictably good results unless a nerve injury occurred at the time of the revision surgery. Conclusions Failure of primary thumb trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty can be salvaged by a second surgery with ligament reconstruction procedures combined with soft-tissue interposition and provides satisfactory patient outcomes in more than 75% of cases studied. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic, Level IV.
ABET Alignment of Learning Resources in the Engineering Pathway Digital Library

The Engineering Pathway (EP) digital library (www.engineeringpathway.com ) strives to provide quality educational resources for learners of all age levels. ABET Engineering Criteria has been the driving force behind modern engineering education reform since its introduction at the turn of the century. In order to help engineering educators and administrators meet the challenges of developing and teaching a learning outcomes-focused curriculum, EP is linking existing resources to appropriate ABET criteria. This paper summarizes the research behind using our ABET alignment process where computational linguistics and information retrieval tools are used to augment the ABET alignment process. Experts then review these recommendations and make corrections where needed. By taking this approach, we not only shorten the time to align existing learning resources; but also improve the scalability by aligning new resources as they are being submitted. The technologies can also be applied to the development of thesauri and recommender systems that can be tailored to individual faculty needs.Copyright © 2007 by ASME