cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The loss of RGS protein-Gα(i2) interactions results in markedly impaired mouse neutrophil trafficking to inflammatory sites

Neutrophils are first responders rapidly mobilized to inflammatory sites by a tightly regulated, nonredundant hierarchy of chemoattractants. These chemoattractants engage neutrophil cell surface receptors triggering heterotrimeric G-protein Gαi subunits to exchange GDP for GTP. By limiting the duration that Gαi subunits remain GTP bound, RGS proteins modulate chemoattractant receptor signaling. Here, we show that neutrophils with a genomic knock in of a mutation that disables regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS)-Gαi2 interactions accumulate in the bone marrow and mobilize poorly to inflammatory sites. These defects are attributable to enhanced sensitivity to background signals, prolonged chemoattractant receptor signaling, and inappropriate CXCR2 downregulation. Intravital imaging revealed a failure of the mutant neutrophils to accumulate at and stabilize sites of sterile inflammation. Furthermore, these mice could not control a nonlethal Staphylococcus aureus infection. Neutrophil RGS proteins establish a threshold for Gαi activation, helping to coordinate desensitization mechanisms. Their loss renders neutrophils functionally incompetent.
Early Earthquakes of the Americas

Robert Kovach's second book looks at the interplay of earthquake and volcanic events, archeology and history in the Americas. Throughout history, major earthquakes have caused the deaths of millions of people and have damaged countless cities. Earthquakes undoubtedly damaged prehistoric cities in the Americas, and evidence of these events could be preserved in archeological records. Kovach asks, Did indigenous native cultures—Indians of the Pacific Northwest, Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas—document their natural history? Some events have been explicitly documented, for example, in Mayan codices, but many may have been recorded as myth and legend. Kovach's discussions of how early cultures dealt with fearful events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are colorful, informative, and entertaining, and include, for example, a depiction of how the Maya would talk to maize plants in their fields during earthquakes to reassure them.
Good and Healthy: Foodways and Construction of Identity in a Women's Prison

The construction of non-criminogenic identities is associated with criminal desistance. This article explores the ways in which women use prison foodways to try to construct positive identities and the impact of correctional policy on these efforts. Formerly-incarcerated women were interviewed about the acquisition, preparation, distribution, and consumption of food in prison. In these narratives, women used their prison food practices in an attempt to construct themselves as ‘good’ and ‘healthy’. Stories showcased their capacity for friendship, empathy, self-care, and recovery. However, these positive identities were destabilised by prison rules and unhealthy food choices. Prison policies should be reviewed to promote inmates' efforts to construct these positive characteristics.
Aircraft observations of daytime NO3 and N2O5 and their implications for tropospheric chemistry

Abstract The nitrate radical (NO 3 ) and dinitrogen pentoxide (N 2 O 5 ) are normally considered only in the context of nighttime atmospheric chemistry. Although their importance during the day is often small, it is not always negligible. Here, we present daylight observations of both compounds from the NOAA P-3 aircraft taken during the New England Air Quality Study in the summer of 2004. Observed mixing ratios agreed with predictions from a simple, rapidly established daytime steady state, although observed and calculated mixing ratios of NO 3 were near the instrumental detection limit. The observations have several implications for tropospheric chemistry during the daytime, including the loss of ozone through photolysis of NO 3 to NO + O 2 , oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOC), and conversion of NO x (=NO + NO 2 ) to HNO 3 via N 2 O 5 hydrolysis. The magnitude of each process is considered in comparison to its photochemically driven analog. For example, NO 3 oxidation of α-pinene in the presence of NO x contributes 10–40% of the total daytime oxidation rate. Hydrolysis of N 2 O 5 increases the daytime conversion rate of NO x to HNO 3 by several percent, with a maximum of 13%, relative to OH + NO 2 . The implications of these observations for daytime NO 3 and N 2 O 5 reactions in a variety of locations and seasons are discussed.
CLAVATA Signaling Pathway Receptors of Arabidopsis Regulate Cell Proliferation in Fruit Organ Formation as well as in Meristems

The CLAVATA1 (CLV1), CLV2, and CORYNE (CRN) receptors in Arabidopsis thaliana maintain cell proliferation in shoot apical meristems by restricting expression of the transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS). Previously characterized receptor mutants generate extra fruit and floral organs that are proposed to arise from enlarged floral meristems (FMs). We identified new alleles in clv1, clv2, and crn and found that most mutants produce only extra fruit organs and generate FMs of similar dimensions as wild type. Characterization of gynoecium development in receptor mutants revealed increased cell proliferation and ectopic fruit organ initiation after FM termination. These regions of increased cell division also display expanded expression of the cell proliferation-promoting transcription factor SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM), similar to the expansion of WUS expression in the shoot apical meristems of strong clv1 mutants. We also examined genetic interactions between the ERECTA (ER) and BARELY ANY MERISTEM 1 (BAM1) receptor-like kinases and CLV pathway receptors. Our results suggest a model in which CLV1/BAM1 and CLV2/CRN complexes act in separate, parallel pathways in shoot meristems, while the CLV1, CLV2, and CRN receptors function together in a linear pathway during fruit development. These results demonstrate the importance of regulating cell proliferation in plants that undergo organogenesis throughout their life cycle.
Incentive engineering in wireless LAN based access networks

Traffic regulation in public and private wireless LANs face a number of significant challenges, particularly in commercial networks where there is a need for efficient regulation of bursty transactional applications, support for bandwidth reservation services while inhibiting bandwidth hogging by mobile devices, and providing incentives for user cooperation. We take a new approach to solving these problems by applying incentive engineering techniques to wireless access networks. We design two incentive-based allocation service classes: an instantaneous allocation (IA) class, which provides better throughput, and a stable allocation (SA) class, which provides better allocation stability. Our approach possesses a number of beneficial properties including minimizing the algorithmic and protocol overhead on mobile devices, Nash bargaining fairness for the IA service, and incentive compatibility for mobile users promoting the truthful selection of service class and bandwidth declaration. We use analysis, simulation and experimental results from a wireless testbed to demonstrate the effectiveness of wireless incentive engineering.
A REVIEW OF ALPHA2 ADRENORECEPTOR AGONISTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF HYPOXEMIA IN DOMESTIC AND WILD RUMINANTS

Alpha2 agonists are commonly used in combination with other anesthetic agents to chemically immobilize wildlife and may cause potentially serious hypoxemia in wild ruminants. In some domestic ruminants, they are associated with significant changes to the pulmonary parenchyma, increased venous admixture, pulmonary edema, and hypoxemia. Effective and safe immobilization of these animals requires knowledge of the mechanisms behind these changes and the methods that offset their effects, including the use of supplemental oxygen.
Vortioxetine for the Treatment of Depression

Objective: To evaluate the clinical literature and potential clinical role of vortioxetine (Brintellix) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Data Sources: A MEDLINE search (1966-February 2014) was conducted using the search terms vortioxetine, Lu AA21004, and depression. Bibliographies of all articles retrieved were also reviewed. All references included were published between 1999 and 2014. Study Selection/Data Extraction: All studies that included humans and were published in English, with data describing vortioxetine for the treatment of MDD, were reviewed. Data Synthesis: Vortioxetine is a novel multimodal antidepressant agent, which inhibits the 5-HT transporter protein, acts as a 5-HT3 antagonist, 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, and a partial agonist of the 5-HT1B receptor. It has been studied in 10 short-term (6-8 weeks), 1 relapse-prevention, and 3 long-term extension trials. Vortioxetine demonstrated efficacy in reducing Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Sca...
Science and Special Education A Science Education Perspective

This paper is organized into two major parts: a review of current activities in science education, and a review of the articles within this special issue. Project 2061 (aaas) and the scope, sequence, and coordination project (nsta) are ongoing efforts to develop new approaches for school science programs. Other reports and journals in the science education field are described briefly. “Constructivism” and “alternative assessment” are two of the ideas science educators are currently exploring as ways to improve science teaching and learning. The last section includes brief reviews of each of the other papers in this issue with special focus on the science education dimension. There is much we can learn from each other.
A technique for an array to generate circular polarization with linearly polarized elements

A method is presented for generating circularly polarized radiation from an array composed of linearly polarized elements having unique angular and phase arrangements. With this technique the complexity, weight, and RF loss of the array feed can be significantly reduced, especially in a large array. This uniquely formed array has the capability of generating excellent circular polarization (CP) over a relatively wide frequency bandwidth. In addition, the array is capable of scanning its main beam in the principal planes to relatively wide angles from its broadside direction without serious degradation to its CP quality. Another feature of this uniquely arranged array is a reduction in the occurrence of mutual coupling. The discussion in this paper places special emphasis on the microstrip type of radiator, although the technique presented can be adapted to most types of linearly polarized antenna elements.
TOPOGRAPHY MEDIATED REGULATION OF HER-2 EXPRESSION IN BREAST CANCER CELLS

This article demonstrates that the surface micro-topography regulates the biology of breast cancer cells, including the expression of HER-2 gene and protein. The breast tumor microenvironment is made up of heterogenous mixture of pores, ridges and collagen fibers with well defined topographical features. Although, significant progress has been achieved towards elucidating the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that underlie breast cancer progression, quantitative characterization of the associated mechanical/topographical properties and their role in breast tumor progression remains largely unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of topography on the adhesion and biology of breast cancer cells in in vitro cultures. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces containing different topographies were coated with polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) to improve cell adhesion and maintain cell culture. HER-2 expressing breast cancer cells, BT-474 and SKBr3, were cultured on these PDMS surfaces. We demonstrate that micro-topography affects the cell adhesion and distribution depending on the topography on the PDMS surfaces. We also report for the first time that surface topography down-regulates the HER-2 gene transcription and protein expression in breast cancer cells when cultured on PDMS surfaces with micro-topographies compared to the tissue culture polystyrene surface (TCPS) control. Results from this study indicate that micro-topography modulates morphology of cells, their distribution and expression of HER-2 gene and protein in breast cancer cells. This study provides a novel platform for studying the role of native topography in the progression of breast cancer and has immense potential for understanding the breast cancer biology.
The Automation of Thermal Analysis Instrumentation: Thermogravimetry and Differential Thermal Analysis

The automation of the thermal analysis instruments, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and the thermobalance, is described. The DTA instrument is capable of studying eight individual samples, each contained in a glass capillary tube,in a Sequential manner. The samples are automatically introduced into the furnace, pyrolyzed to a preselected temperature limit, and then removed. After cooling the furnace back to room temperature, the cycle is repeated. Operation of the sample changing mechanism, furnace temperature programming, recording, and so on, is completely automatic.
Pathological Effects of Obstructive Apneas During the Sleep Cycle in an Animal Model of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

We tested the hypothesis that apneas during the sleep cycle exacerbate hypertension and accelerate changes that occur with cerebral small vessel disease. Obstructive sleep apnea was modeled by intermittent inflations of a chronically implanted tracheal balloon to occlude the airway during the sleep cycle (termed OSA) in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone (SHRSP) rats, a model of cerebral small vessel disease. SHRSP rats and their parent strain, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, were exposed to OSA for 2 weeks (from 9 to 11 or from 18 to 20 weeks). At 9 weeks, hypertension was developing in the SHRSP rats and was firmly established by 18 weeks. OSA exposure increased systolic blood pressure in SHRSP rats by ≈30 mm Hg in both age groups compared with shams that were surgically prepared but not exposed to OSA (P<0.05). OSA exposure also increased systolic blood pressure in WKY rats by 20 and 37 mm Hg at 11 and 20 weeks, respectively (P<0.05). OSA exposure in SHRSP rats compromised blood-brain barrier integrity in white matter at both 11 and 20 weeks of age when compared with SHRSP sham rats (P<0.05). Microglia were activated in SHRSP rats exposed to OSA but not in sham rats at 11 weeks (P<0.05). At 20 weeks, microglia were activated in sham SHRSP rats (P<0.05) compared with WKY sham rats and were not further activated by OSA. Neither was blood-brain barrier integrity altered nor microglia activated in any of the WKY groups. We conclude that OSA accelerates the onset of the cerebral pathologies associated with cerebral small vessel disease in SHRSP, but not WKY, rats.
Rawls, Mill, and the Puzzle of Political Liberalism

This article examines John Rawls’s turn toward a purely political liberalism by comparing and contrasting it with the comprehensive liberalism he imputes to John Stuart Mill. We argue that Mill and Rawls have similar views about individual autonomy, despite Rawls’s insistence to the contrary. We contend that Rawls accords a much larger role to the state in enforcing justice than does Mill. Whereas Rawls’s view of justice rests ultimately on state enforcement, Mill sees justice reaching into many institutions, but accords the state a lesser role in this. Mill’s view of justice rests on a view of progress and moral psychology not shared by Rawls. In the service of stability, Rawls demands more agreement from citizens about justice than does Mill, but these demands undermine the stability that Rawls so desires. The differences between Rawls and Mill discussed here are not elucidated by the distinction between political and comprehensive liberalisms.
Comments on: panel data analysis-advantages and challenges

AIM To assess the diagnostic value of FibroTest to discriminate between insignificant and significant fibrosis in order to avoid the liver biopsy currently used for selection of chronic hepatitis C patients eligible for antiviral therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective study was carried out in 206 chronic hepatitis C patients with liver biopsy performed before starting antiviral therapy and concomitant serum stored at -80 degrees C. Liver fibrosis was evaluated according to the METAVIR scoring system on a scale of F0 to F4. Biochemical markers assessed were: alpha 2 macroglobulin (alpha 2-MG), apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1), haptoglobin (Hapto), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TB). The FibroTest score was computed after adjusting for age and gender. Predictive values and ROC curves were used to assess the accuracy of FibroTest results. RESULTS Alpha 2-MG, apo-A1, Hapto and gender were independent predictors for significant fibrosis. For FibroTest the observed area under ROC (ObAUROC) for the discrimination between minimal or no fibrosis (F0-F1) and significant fibrosis (F2-F4) was 0.782 (+/- 95 CI: 0.716-0.847) for a cutoff value 0.47. The sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the FibroTest to differentiate significant from insignificant fibrosis were 80.2; 63.2; 78.9 and 65.8, respectively. The adjusted AUROC (AdAUROC) according to the prevalence of each individual stage of fibrosis was 0.856. CONCLUSION FibroTest could be an alternative to biopsy in most patients with chronic hepatitis C. It requires a strict adherence and observance of the technical recommendations for the assays of biochemical markers in order to avoid analytical variability.
Randomized trial of calcium glycerophosphate–supplemented infant formula to prevent lead absorption

Background: Although additional dietary calcium is recommended frequently to reduce the risk of lead poisoning, its role in preventing lead absorption has not been evaluated clinically. Objective: The objective was to determine the safety and to estimate the size of the effect of calcium- and phosphorus-supplemented infant formula in preventing lead absorption. Design: One hundred three infants aged 3.5-6 mo were randomly assigned to receive iron-fortified infant formula (465 mg Ca and 317 mg P/L) or the same formula with added calcium glycerophosphate (1800 mg Ca and 1390 mg P/L) for 9 mo. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in the mean ratio of urinary calcium to creatinine, serum calcium and phosphorus, or change in iron status (serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity). At month 4, the median (±SD) increase from baseline in blood lead concentration for the supplemented group was 57% of the increase for the control group (0.04 ± 0.09 compared with 0.07 ± 0.10 μmol/L; P = 0.039). This effect was attenuated during the latter half of the trial, with an overall median increase in blood lead concentration from baseline to month 9 of 0.12 ± 0.13 μmol/L for the control group and 0.10 ± 0.18 μmol/L for the supplemented group (P = 0.284). Conclusions: Supplementation did not have a measurable effect on urinary calcium excretion, calcium homeostasis, or iron status. The significant effect on blood lead concentrations during the first 4 mo was in the direction expected; however, because this was not sustained throughout the 9-mo period we cannot conclude that the calcium glycerophosphate supplement prevented lead absorption in this population.
PLACENTAL AND FETAL DEVELOPMENT DURING MULTIPLE BOVINE PREGNANCY. ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES.

Cattle were injected with PMS, bred and slaughtered 3, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days after ovulation and the genital tracts dissected. From 30 to 90 days of pregnancy the percentage increase in the weight of single embryos was 85 times as much as the increase in crown-rump length. The volume of amniotic fluid increased 580 times in the second month of pregnancy and increased twice during the third month of pregnancy. The allantochorion did not lengthen between 60 and 90 days of pregnancy. At 30 days of pregnancy there was no significant difference in the crown-rump length or the weight of embryos of singles, twins, triplets, quadruplets or quintuplets. The volume of placental fluid per embryo was higher in singles than in twins and triplets; the volume of placental fluids per embryo decreased further in quadruplets and quintuplets. The weight of the placental membranes per embryo was heavier in singles than in twins, triplets and quadruplets; the weight of membranes was markedly decreased in quintuplets. The effects of overcrowding in utero on the conceptus was more pronounced at 60 days than at 30 days and in quintuplets than in triplets and quadruplets. Anastomosis of vascular supply of allantochorions occurred as early as 30 days of pregnancy.
Mapping opaque and confined environments using proprioception

Mapping opaque and confined environments such as caves and pipes is a challenging problem for mobile robots because sensor information is severely limited to the immediate proximity of the robot due to the extreme environmental conditions. The robot must also be flexible and agile in unstructured environments while still providing accurate pose estimation. This paper presents a solution to mapping a 2-dimensional tube by using only a snake robot's proprioceptive joint angle sensors. We assume that the tube is sufficiently smooth and that we know the tube width. We propose techniques for (1) pose estimation of a snake robot by using a self-posture motion model, (2) correcting error in pose estimation using only the snake's internal configuration over time, and (3) building environmental features using only self-occupancy and contact detection. Our goal is to use the minimal amount of sensor information possible to build an accurate spatial map of the environment. We have tested the proposed techniques in simulated environments and experimental results show that they are both effective and efficient for mapping tube environments. We plan to extend these techniques to deal with more complex confined environments beyond single-path tubes.
Review: A current review on the regulation of dormancy in vegetative buds

Abstract In this review, we examine current techniques and recent advances directed toward understanding cellular mechanisms involved in controlling dormancy in vegetative propagules. Vegetative propagules (including stems, rhizomes, tubers, bulbs, stolons, creeping roots, etc.) contain axillary and adventitious buds capable of producing new stems/branches under permissive environments. Axillary and adventitious buds are distinct in that axillary buds are formed in the axil of leaves and are responsible for production of lateral shoots (branches). Adventitious buds refer to buds that arise on the plant at places (stems, roots, or leaves) other than leaf axils. Both axillary and adventitious buds generally undergo periods of dormancy. Dormancy has been described as a temporary suspension of visible growth of any plant structure containing a meristem (Lang et al. 1987). Dormancy can be subdivided into three categories: (1) ecodormancy-arrest is under the control of external environmental factors; (2) parado...
Targeting the PI3 K-mTOR Signaling Circuitry in HPV-Associated Oral Malignancies: Novel Precision Molecular Therapies

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and it is predicted that up to 80 % of Americans will have HPV infections in their lifetime (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015). The etiology of cervical cancer has long been linked with persistent HPV infection, but the correlation between HPV and other cancer types, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), oropharyngeal carcinomas (OPCs), anal carcinomas, and cancers of the genital tract is emerging (Forman et al. 2012). Compared to alcohol- and tobacco-related HNSCC, HPV-associated head and neck cancer involves activation of specific molecular mechanisms, making HPV(+) HNSCCs diagnostically and therapeutically distinct. Here, we will review the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms in HPV(+) HNSCC with emphasis on the signaling events that drive the growth of HPV-associated HNSCC and the emerging opportunities for the development of novel precision molecular-targeted therapies for this disease.
The Effects of an Intermittent Regimen of Altrenogest on Behavioral, Hormonal, and Testicular Parameters of Three-Year-Old Stallions1

To suppress sexual and aggressive behavior in performance stallions, many trainers administer oral altrenogest in an off-label regimen of short-term, repetitive dosages despite the absence of any research to examine possible side effects. In this study, nine 3-yr-old Quarter-Horse stallions were initially blocked by sire and randomly allotted to two groups, treatment (n = 5) and control (n = 4). The treatment group received a total of three 10-d (d 1 to 10, 21 to 30, and 41 to 50) regimens of 0.088 mg/kg BW Regu-Mate® (Intervet, Millsboro, DE) followed by 10 d of nontreatment (d 11 to 20, 31 to 40, and 51 to 60). Following this 60-d period, there was a 36-d recovery period in which no treatments were administered. No significant changes were found between the groups in BW or body condition score (BCS). Of the testicular parameters analyzed, scrotal width (SW) and gross testicular parameters were unaffected by the altrenogest; however, mean spermatid counts were decreased in the testicular biopsies of the treated animals (P<0.001). Although no treatment differences were found for either serum estradiol or testosterone concentrations, there was a significant time × treatment interaction for estradiol (P<0.002). No significant differences were observed between the groups for any of the sexual and aggressive behavioral parameters analyzed from the standardized teasing tests at any point of the study. Nevertheless, large variations existed between individual stallions. Further research is needed that focuses on dosing and age effects to determine if offlabel uses of altrenogest designed to control behavior are compromising future fertility.
Muscle Strength, Physical Activity, and Functional Limitations in Older Adults with Central Obesity

Background. Obesity and muscle weakness are independently associated with increased risk of physical and functional impairment in older adults. It is unknown whether physical activity (PA) and muscle strength combined provide added protection against functional impairment. This study examines the association between muscle strength, PA, and functional outcomes in older adults with central obesity. Methods. Prevalence and odds of physical (PL), ADL, and IADL limitation were calculated for 6,388 community dwelling adults aged ≥ 60 with central obesity. Individuals were stratified by sex-specific hand grip tertiles and PA. Logistic models were adjusted for age, education, comorbidities, and body-mass index and weighted. Results. Overall prevalence of PL and ADL and IADL limitations were progressively lower by grip category. Within grip categories, prevalence was lower for individuals who were active than those who were inactive. Adjusted models showed significantly lower odds of PL OR 0.42 [0.31, 0.56]; ADL OR 0.60 [0.43, 0.84], and IADL OR 0.46 [0.35, 0.61] for those in the highest grip strength category as compared to those in the lowest grip category. Conclusion. Improving grip strength in obese elders who are not able to engage in traditional exercise is important for reducing odds of physical and functional impairment.
Standards for Institutional Accrediting

(1950). Standards for Institutional Accrediting. Journal of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation: Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 65-119.
Integrated devices for wavelength agile all-optical networks

Wavelength-agile networks will require optical technologies that support a wide range of function, granularity, flexibility and performance. Device integration will be critical to cost, reliability and scalability for these networks. In this talk the basic definitions and requirements of wavelength-agile all-optical networks will be summarized. Integrated functions and underlying device technologies and their requirements will then be discussed. The potential impact of future integration technologies will also be addressed.
Effects of Morphine, Nembutal, Ether, and Eserine on Two-Neuron and Multineuron Reflexes in the Cat

Summary1. In the spinal cat, small doses of morphine (5 mg per kg) enhanced two-neuron arc reflex discharges and depressed those traversing multineuron arcs. After the injection of larger doses (15 mg per kg), depression of multineuron arc discharges was followed by enhancement of these discharges.2. Nembutal depressed both two-neuron and multineuron arc discharges. These effects were unaltered by previous injection of eserine or morphine plus eserine, and increased progressively with the dose of nembutal.3. Ether depressed both two-neuron and multineuron reflex arc discharges.4. Eserine enhanced two-neuron arc discharges, but had little effect on multineuron arc discharges. If, however, morphine had been injected previously, resulting in enhancement of two-neuron and depression of multineuron arc discharges, eserine caused enhancement of both types of reflex arc discharges.
'They Can Have My Hose When They Pry It from My Cold Dead Hands': When California Is Faced with a Drought, Who Gets Water and Who Goes Without?

California is drying up. Rivers and lakes have become cracked patches of earth. Water tables have dropped so low that tap water is a memory in some towns. Fields that once fed the nation, the globe, lie fallow, baking in the dusty heat. What seems like a matter for the state’s environmental agencies is actually a grave concern for the entire nation. With the largest American economy and extensive food production obligations, California is too big to fail, and without water it will. Judges, lawyers, agencies, and water consumers have found that California’s water law system is poorly equipped to handle the new conditions of the drought. Some uses of water, once appropriate and reasonable, are now unconscionably wasteful. Judges may find that old, familiar precedents must be adapted to the new environment or abandoned all together. Though California prioritizes domestic water use over irrigation for commercial agriculture, the state’s courts must take care to minimize the impact their decisions may have on agriculture, staving off calamity until policy and legislative changes can ensure the state’s long-term economic and environmental viability. This Comment outlines the issues California’s courts will face, analyzes how existing state law can address those issues in the short-term, and proposes potential solutions that the courts, the state legislature, and Congress may implement.
Analysis on Death Causes of Residents in Gaomi City during 2008-2009

[Objective]To understand the distribution of death causes of residents in Gaomi city,reveal the main factors which affected the health of residents,and provide the basis for making prevention and control measures. [Methods]A retrospective investigation was conducted to study the death causes of residents during 2008-2009,and the data were analyzed. [Results]The mortality of residents in Gaomi city during 2008-2009 was 661.64/lakh,and that for males(751.09/lakh) was higher than that for females(570.07/lakh) significantly(P0.01).The top four death causes were circulatory system diseases,malignant tumor,respiratory diseases and injury,which accounted for 91.85% of total death causes. [Conclusion]The circulatory system diseases,malignant tumor and respiratory diseases have become the main factors which affected the health of residents in this city.The distribution of mortality of death causes was different in residents with different sex and age,and the effect of potential life lost was different,too.
Study on Rapid Detection of Rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis by PCR and Single-strand Conformation Analysis

Objective To evaluate rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation(PCR-SSCP)technique in detection of rpoB gene mutation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum specimens.Method rpoB gene mutation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected with PCR-SSCP from clinical sputum specimens.Results The characteristics of PCR-SSCP band patterns in 50 rifampin-resistant strains were different from H37Rv band patterns except 5 rifampin-resistant strains.In comparison with susceptibility testing methods,the sensitivity and specificity of PCR-SSCP were 90% and 100% respectively.PCR-SSCP band patterns of 12 sensitive strains were identical with those of H37Rv.In 35 strains isolated from sputum specimens,21 were positive by PCR.The characteristics of 15 SSCP profiles and 28 PCR-SSCP profiles were both different from those of H37Rv profiles,and the positive rate was 80%.Conclusion PCR-SSCP can easily and rapidly detect rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis;it might be able to apply to directly and rapidly detecting rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical specimens.
Antibody-Mediated Neutralization of West Nile Virus: Factors that Govern Neutralization Potency

Flaviviruses are complex immunogens that elicit antibodies of varying specificity and with a spectrum of functional properties. Flavivirus virions are covered by a dense array of envelope (E) proteins that mediate steps of the virus entry pathway and are a primary target of neutralizing antibodies. The development of virus-specific antibodies is a critical aspect of protection against flavivirus infection and a major goal of ongoing efforts to produce vaccines against flaviviruses of clinical importance, such as the West Nile virus. In this chapter, we will review current models that describe how antibodies engage flaviviruses and block infection. Recent insight into the relationships that govern where antibodies bind virions and how this impacts the potency and mechanisms of neutralization of antibodies have been driven in part by insights from the structural biology of flaviviruses. The factors that define antibody potency will be discussed with a focus on the stoichiometric requirements for neutralization.
Surface Enhanced Visible Light Photocurrent and Switching Behavior of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Electrodes Modified with Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Photoelectrochemical responses and unique current switching behavior of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) coated with TiO2 are presented. Cathodic photocurrent response is obtained near the open circuit potential (OCP) of this Ag NP modified TiO2 electrode under visible light (> 420 nm), and the current can be switched to anodic photocurrent under ultra-violet (UV) light illumination. Such interesting photocurrent switching characteristic can be observed only when Ag NPs are embedded under TiO2 film, but not in bare Ag NP, TiO2, Ag NP-coated TiO2 electrode, or Ag oxide electrode. The switching behavior can be explained by direct electron transfer from Ag NPs to TiO2 under visible light with dissolved oxygen as electron acceptor, and opposite current flow when TiO2 is excited by UV light. Photocurrent response to excitation wavelength and effects of Ag NP density are studied. Photoelectrochemical response in visible range resembles the extinction spectrum of Ag NPs. Photocurrent and spectrum broadening increase with Ag NP particle density, indicating strong dependence of the PEC switching behavior on collective responses of Ag surface plasmons by interacting with each other.
Publication, Documentation and Codification of Federal Legislation

After Congress passes legislation it becomes law with the approval and signing by the President or, if he vetoes it, by an overriding vote by both houses of Congress. When it becomes law it must be officially recorded with proof of its having been passed. It must be made known to the people, especially those who would be affected by it, and it is highly desirable to have a ready reference to related documents which will provide guides to the meaning and intent of the new law. When a law is repealed, modified or supplemented through legislation, as certainly happens over a period of time, this also must be made known and recorded so it can be clearly understood what laws are currently in force. The principal official procedures and publications used to achieve all of these purposes are described in this chapter.1,2
Early education of dual language learners: An efficacy study of the Nuestros Niños School Readiness professional development program

Abstract The purpose of this experimental study was to assess the efficacy of the Nuestros Ninos School Readiness (NNSR) Professional Development Program, a 2-year program that includes an integrative approach to teacher professional development (PD) and a research-based, systematic intervention component aimed to promote language, literacy, and social-emotional development, and mathematics learning in pre-kindergarten Spanish-English dual language learners (DLLs). Across cohorts and experimental conditions, 56 preschool teachers and 340 Spanish-English DLLs from early childhood programs in California, Florida, and North Carolina participated in the study. Results indicate that the NNSR program had positive effects on the overall quality of early childhood classroom practices and on practices specifically focused on DLLs. Positive results were also found for children's outcomes. DLLs in treatment classrooms showed greater gains in expressive vocabulary in English than DLLs in control classrooms, and, when assessed in Spanish, gains were higher in receptive vocabulary, alphabet knowledge, writing and early mathematics. Issues of implementation fidelity and implications for using both languages of DLL children in instruction and assessment are discussed.
Threats to Information Security — Public Health Implications

Recent ransomware attacks have wreaked havoc by disabling organizations worldwide. With the delivery of health care increasingly dependent on information systems, disruptions to these systems result in disruptions in clinical care that can harm patients.
The Storage and Preservation of Meat: I—Thermal Technologies

Abstract Raw meat is one of the most shelf-unstable food materials due to its abundance in nutrients ideally suited for microorganisms. Because most spoilage bacteria are mesophilic, temperature control to below or above their optimum growth condition is essential to meat quality protection. While low-temperature preservation (refrigeration and freezing) is effective to retard microbial growth and proliferation, heat treatments (pasteurization and sterilization) have also been used to inactivate both pathogenic and spoilage microbes. Apart from delayed microbial growth, biochemical and chemical reactions occur during postmortem storage of fresh meat, and several endogenous proteolytic enzymes are involved in the aging-induced changes in meat tenderness and flavor. Unwanted textural changes also occur in frozen meat. Of the various available preservation techniques for fresh and cooked meat, temperature control remains the most effective and “green” method, or a main component in “hurdle technology,” to achieve the purpose.
The MSW Thesis: A Rich and Scholarly Tradition at Smith College School for Social Work

The purpose of this article is to trace the history and evolution of the Smith College MSW thesis. Ms. Helen Leland Witmer, who also founded Smith College Studies in Social Work, was instrumental i...
Antenna terms and measurement techniques for active receiving arrays

The radio astronomical antenna engineering community has developed figures of merit and a measurement technique based on noise characterization for active array receivers. The figures of merit are included in the recent revision of IEEE Standard 145, and the measurement technique is proposed for inclustion as a test procedure in an upcoming update of Std. 149.
Governmentality, activism and representation: Dalit studies, a review essay:

Rupa Viswanath, The Pariah Problem: Caste, Religion, and the Social in Modern India, New York: Columbia University Press, 2014, pp. 416.P. Sanal Mohan, Modernity of Slavery: Struggles against Caste...
Testing the causal hypothesis that repeated bullying victimization leads to lower levels of educational attainment: A sibling-comparison analysis

Existing research suggests that repeated bullying victimization is associated with lower levels of educational attainment. However, it is difficult to ascertain whether a true causal association ex...
Using a Mentalization-Based Framework to Assist Hard-to-Reach Clients in Individual Treatment

During a site visit in my role as faculty advisor for social work students, the ­supervisor began the discussion of a case by saying, “We are keeping an eye on this one. We think he’s a psychopath.” The female student then described a man who came to therapy so he could have a monogamous relationship. He described himself as having a sexual addiction, picking up men and women at a high-end department store, and using cocaine and Ecstasy on occasion. His presentation was narcissistic and grandiose, and he filled the therapy hour with expansive and disorganized stories. The student felt anxious and helpless as she attempted to engage him in discussing his presenting problem. This process seemed futile because he demonstrated no ability to reflect and seemed to convert every impulse into action. The concept of mentalization provides a useful framework for understanding and ­guiding interventions with clients like this one and assists with countertransferential reactions that may lead to therapeutic impasses (Fonagy, Gergely, & Target, 2008). The acquisition of a reflective mentalizing stance is a powerful developmental­ achievement that enables the individual to regulate affects, rather than using action and drugs to discharge feelings, as this client does.
Information or Informing: Does it Matter?

Ein gleichermasen komplexes als auch schlecht verallgemeinerbares Konzept wie Information kann nicht in eine abstrakte analytische Definition synthetisiert werden, welche alle Anwendungsbereiche abdeckt. Der Begriff Information ist charakterisiert durch eine Vielzahl von Bedeutungen. Insofern behaupten wir, dass wenn er uberhaupt eine Bedeutung hat, dann bezieht sich diese auf den Prozess des jemanden uber etwas informieren. Dieser Artikel versucht sich diesem Thema zu nahern und stellt Information aus einer multidimensionalen Perspektive dar basierend auf den vielfaltigen Sichtweisen der Forschung, um Argumente fur die richtige Anwendung des Begriffs Informierung in der IS profession consulting and education zu liefern. Zudem wird die Notwendigkeit der Implementierung von Informationssystemen, die wirklich der Verbesserung von Informationsbeschaffungsprozessen dienen, hervorgehoben.
Networking, Twinning, Professionalism … The Role of Professional Societies In Computers and Education

ABSTRACT People actively integrating computers into the teaching/learning process are faced with a myriad of problems. Among the short to medium term problems are the acquisition of the appropriate hardware, development and evaluation of good educational software and the education and retraining of teachers at all levels of pre-college instruction. But what about long term problems? Who is tackling model curricula, setting up mechanisms for exchanging information between countries, and coordinating the dissemination of material within a country? Who is concerned about the quality of the institutes educating the students and the value of the degree(s) they obtain? This paper will propose that professional computing societies within each country are often best equipped to help solve these and similar long term problems.
The Relationship between Severe Weather Warnings, Storm Reports, and Storm Cell Frequency in and around Several Large Metropolitan Areas

AbstractThe spatial distribution of storm-based severe weather warnings, local storm reports, and radar-detected storm cells around six large cities in the central United States is examined from Oc...
CYTOSINE-BASED TET ENZYME INHIBITORS

DNA methylation is known as the prima donna epigenetic mark for its critical role in regulating local gene transcription. Changes in the landscape of DNA methylation across the genome occur during cellular transition, such as differentiation and altered neuronal plasticity, and become dysregulated in disease states such as cancer. The TET family of enzymes is known to be responsible for catalyzing the reverse process that is DNA demethylation by recognizing 5-methylcytosine and oxidizing the methyl group via an Fe(II)/alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent mechanism. Here, we describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel cytosine-based TET enzyme inhibitors, a class of small molecule probes previously underdeveloped but broadly desired in the field of epigenetics. We identify a promising cytosine-based lead compound, Bobcat339, that has mid-μM inhibitor activity against TET1 and TET2, but does not inhibit the DNA methyltransferase, DNMT3a. In silico modeling of the TET enzyme active site is used to rationalize the activity of Bobcat339 and other cytosine-based inhibitors. These new molecular tools will be useful to the field of epigenetics and serve as a starting point for new therapeutics that target DNA methylation and gene transcription.
Phomopsis stem canker of sunflower in North America: correlation with climate and solutions through breeding and management

Climate change is occurring in the central US and is interacting with agroecological factors to increase biotic stress in sunflower. Certain species of Diaporthe cause Phomopsis stem canker in sunflower and other dicotyledonous weeds and crops. The increase in precipitation already observed in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota have increased the chances of outbreaks of necrotrophic pathogens, like Diaporthe . We discuss how climate trends, combined with technological, management, and economic interactions, are correlated with increasing incidence of Phomopsis stem canker in these and adjacent areas in North America. Further, we discuss management options and the role of improved sunflower genetics in reducing Phomopsis stem canker outbreak risk.
Vivewell: Speculating Near-Future Menstrual Tracking through Current Data Practices

In this pictorial, we explore how emergent menstrual biosensing technologies compound existing concerns for the everyday ethics of extracting and analyzing intimate data. Specifically, we review the data practices of a set of existing menstrual tracking applications and use that analysis to inform the design of speculative near future technologies. We present these technologies here in the form of a product catalog for a fictional company called Vivewell. Through this work, we contribute both a set of speculative design proposals and a case study of a design project that begins with the analysis of existing data policies.
Combined use of two monoclonal antibodies in patients with systemic AL amyloidosis and cardiac involvement.

8009Background: Systemic AL amyloidosis (AL) is a rare disease in which circulating immunoglobulin light chains misfold, are directly toxic to key organs and also cause organ failure by mass effect...