bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The cost of seismic structural damage and preventive action
Authors: Vora Mauli , Lee Zu‐Hsu , Pong Wenshen 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis paper first aims to estimate the economic loss due to an earthquake, such as building‐related losses, the damage of debris generation and fire, and the social impact. Then, it seeks to evaluate the feasibility of retrofit to prevent buildings from seismic structural damages.Design/methodology/approachThe HAZUS software is used for the seismic loss estimation using default demographic data, which were obtained from San Francisco Assessor record. The HAZUS estimates the damage using the earthquake of 6.7 magnitude. Based on the HAZUS report incorporated with probabilistic scenarios of earthquakes, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines are used to calculate the cost of structural rehabilitation in San Francisco.FindingsIt is recommended that either Options 1 and 3 or Options 2 and 3 provided by FEMA 156 and 157 respectively should be used to calculate the cost of seismic rehabilitation of a structure. The results provide estimated costs of retrofit plans for different types of existing buildings.Practical implicationsThe implementation of quantitative and computer methods in the field of natural hazard management is demonstrated. The outcome provides economic guidelines for assessment and prevention (or reduction) of possible seismic loss and building damage.Originality/valueThe study may be a useful reference for retrofit plans for homeowners and business management. The cost estimation also can help government establish or revise some policies properly to provide homeowners with economic incentives (e.g. tax reduction, low interest loan) in retrofitting their homes.
Launching PRimary Source: a clearinghouse for public relations history
Authors: Opdycke Lamme Margot , Mathews Land Jennifer 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis brief essay aims to introduce public relations historians to PRimary Source, a new search tool designed to help them, their students, and public relations professionals locate archives and manuscript collections relevant to the field.Design/methodology/approachThe article outlines the site which is scheduled to be tested and then launched in October to coincide with the publication of this special issue of Journal of Communication Management. The site address will be: www.prhistorywiki.org Findings – The site will be available for use in historical research, student papers, and decision‐making among scholars and practitioners concerning the disbursement of their papers to a repository as part of their estate planning.Originality/valueAt the time of writing this article, an online tool with this emphasis currently does not exist.
The relative and incremental information content of earnings vs cash recovery rates
Authors: Said Amal A. , HassabElnaby Hassan R. , Nowlin Tanya S. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relative and incremental information content of a cash recovery‐based measure of performance, the estimated internal rate of return, vs an earnings‐based measure of performance, return on assets, in explaining firms' economic performance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the cash recovery rate that is based on continuous time analysis and U‐shaped cash flows to derive the estimated internal rate of return and compare it to return on assets. A cross‐sectional sample was used over a short interval (year 1993 and year 2005) and a time‐series sample (1993‐2005) to empirically examine the relative and incremental information content of the competing measures. Tobin's q and stock returns are used as performance benchmarks.FindingsThe results of the empirical tests indicate that the estimated internal rate of return provides better relative and incremental information content over earnings‐based measures of performance. Specifically, the empirical evidence shows that the estimated internal rate of return is consistently positively related to Tobin's q and stock returns over all measurement intervals.Research limitations/implicationsThese results imply that earnings‐based performance measures are less value relevant compared to cash recovery‐based measures. There are some limitations that may apply to this study. First, the systematic measurement error in estimating the cash recovery rate may not be independent of the measurement error in the estimated internal rate of return. Second, the performance benchmarks used in the study are not free from problems. Particularly, the return on assets is influenced by firms' rate of growth and the Tobin's q is not a perfect measure of business performance. Therefore, one avenue of future research is to assess the usefulness of financial accounting data for analysts forecast. Moreover, future research may also examine the role of institutional changes in financial reporting and its effect on the quality of earnings and economic performance.Originality/valueThis paper presents extended research on cash recovery‐based vs earnings‐based metrics as proxies for economic return using improved research designs, larger samples and new sensitivity analyses.
Non‐executive directors and the UK's new combined code on corporate governance
Authors: Pass Christopher 
Published: November 2008

PurposeA revised Combined Code on corporate governance was introduced in the UK in 2003 which set out a number of new provisions relating to the composition of the company's Board of Directors and its main Committees. The Code gives greater prominence to the role of non‐executive directors in a company's corporate governance structures and decision‐making processes. This paper examines the main provisions of the Code relating to non‐executive directors and the emphasis it places on the importance of non‐executives being “independent”.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the main issues concerning the effectiveness of non‐executive directors, drawing in part of the evidence provided by a sample of large UK companies.FindingsMost companies “comply” with the Code's requirements relating to non‐executive directors and endorse the positive contribution they make to Board and Committee work.Practical implicationsConsiders the pros and cons of the role of non‐executives and the issue of what constitutes “ independency”.Originality/valueThis is one of the first papers to examine the provisions of the new Code relating to non‐executive directors.
Glucuronoxylomannan promotes the generation of antigen‐specific T regulatory cell that suppresses the antigen‐specific Th2 response upon activation
Authors: Liu Tao , Chen Xiao , Feng Bai‐Sui , He Shao‐Heng , Zhang Tao‐Yuan , Wang Bin‐Quan , Yang Ping‐Chang 
Published: November 2008

AbstractT regulatory cells (Treg) have the capability to suppress the skewed immune response, but the generation of antigen (Ag)‐specific Treg for therapeutic purpose is a challenge; the mechanism of Ag‐specific Treg activation remains obscure. Here, we report that glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) is capable of promoting the development of human tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC). GXM‐pulsed DCs increased the expression of forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) in naïve human CD4+CD25− T cells via activating Fc γ receptor IIb and activator protein‐1 and promoting the expression of transforming growth factor β in dendritic cells. Furthermore, the conjugated complex of house dust mite Ag, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) 1, and GXM‐pulsed DCs to drive the naïve human CD4+CD25− T cells to develop into the Der p 1‐specific Tregs, which efficiently suppressed the Ag‐specific Th2 responses. We conclude that GXM‐conjugated specific Ag have the capacity to up‐regulate the tolerogenic property of DCs and promote the generation of Ag‐specific Tregs; the latter can be activated upon the re‐exposure to specific Ag and suppress the skewed Ag‐specific T helper (Th)2 responses.
Prevalence and Characteristics of
eae
- and
stx
-Positive Strains of
Escherichia coli
from Wild Birds in the Immediate Environment of Tokyo Bay
Authors: Kobayashi Hideki , Kanazaki Mika , Hata Eiji , Kubo Masanori 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

The prevalence and characteristics of
eae
- and
stx
-positive
Escherichia coli
strains in wild birds in the immediate environment of Tokyo Bay, Japan, was examined using cloacal swab samples taken from 447 birds belonging to 62 species. PCR screening showed that the prevalences of
stx
- and
eae
-positive strains of
Escherichia coli
were 5% (23/447) and 25% (113/447), respectively. Four strains of
stx
2f
-positive
E. coli
were isolated from two feral pigeons, an oriental turtle dove and a barn swallow. In contrast, 39
eae-
positive
E. coli
strains were isolated, and most of the strains possessed a subtype of intimin that is classified as a minor group of human intimins, such as intimin υ, κ, and μ. Moreover, these strains did not possess any of the other pathogenic genes tested, such as
stx
s,
ehxA
,
bfp
, or
irp
. Thus, wild birds were considered to be a reservoir of atypical enteropathogenic
E. coli
.
Surface Sampling of Spores in Dry-Deposition Aerosols
Authors: Edmonds Jason M. , Collett Patricia J. , Valdes Erica R. , Skowronski Evan W. , Pellar Gregory J. , Emanuel Peter A. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

The ability to reliably and reproducibly sample surfaces contaminated with a biological agent is a critical step in measuring the extent of contamination and determining if decontamination steps have been successful. The recovery operations following the 2001 attacks with
Bacillus anthracis
spores were complicated by the fact that no standard sample collection format or decontamination procedures were established. Recovery efficiencies traditionally have been calculated based upon biological agents which were applied to test surfaces in a liquid format and then allowed to dry prior to sampling tests, which may not be best suited for a real-world event with aerosolized biological agents. In order to ascertain if differences existed between air-dried liquid deposition and biological spores which were allowed to settle on a surface in a dried format, a study was undertaken to determine if differences existed in surface sampling recovery efficiencies for four representative surfaces. Studies were then undertaken to compare sampling efficiencies between liquid spore deposition and aerosolized spores which were allowed to gradually settle under gravity on four different test coupon types. Tests with both types of deposition compared efficiencies of four unique swabbing materials applied to four surfaces with various surface properties. Our studies demonstrate that recovery of liquid-deposited spores differs significantly from recovery of dry aerosol-deposited spores in most instances. Whether the recovery of liquid-deposited spores is overexaggerated or underrepresented with respect to that of aerosol-deposited spores depends upon the surface material being tested.
Two DissimilarN-Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Acylases ofPseudomonas syringaeInfluence Colony and Biofilm Morphology
Authors: Shepherd Ryan W. , Lindow Steven E. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTPlant aerial surfaces comprise a complex habitat for microorganisms, and many plant-associated bacteria, such as the pathogenPseudomonas syringae, exhibit density-dependent survival on leaves by utilizing quorum sensing (QS). QS is often mediated by diffusible signals calledN-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), andP. syringaeutilizesN-3-oxo-hexanoyl-dl-homoserine lactone (3OC6HSL) to control traits influencing epiphytic fitness and virulence. TheP. syringaepathovarsyringaeB728a genome sequence revealed two putative AHL acylases, termed HacA (Psyr_1971) and HacB (Psyr_4858), which are N-terminal nucleophile hydrolases that inactivate AHLs by cleaving their amide bonds. HacA is a secreted AHL acylase that degrades only long-chain (C ≥ 8) AHLs, while HacB is not secreted and degrades all tested AHLs. Targeted disruptions ofhacA, hacB, andhacAandhacBtogether do not alter endogenous 3OC6HSL levels under the tested conditions. Surprisingly, targeted disruptions ofhacAalone andhacAandhacBtogether confer complementable phenotypes that are very similar to autoaggregative phenotypes seen in other species. While AHL acylases might enableP. syringaeB728a to degrade signals of competing species and block expression of their QS-dependent traits, these enzymes also play fundamental roles in biofilm formation.
Resolving Genetic Functions within Microbial Populations: In Situ Analyses Using rRNA and mRNA Stable Isotope Probing Coupled with Single-Cell Raman-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
Authors: Huang Wei E. , Ferguson Andrew , Singer Andrew C. , Lawson Kathryn , Thompson Ian P. , Kalin Robert M. , Larkin Michael J. , Bailey Mark J. , Whiteley Andrew S. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Prokaryotes represent one-half of the living biomass on Earth, with the vast majority remaining elusive to culture and study within the laboratory. As a result, we lack a basic understanding of the functions that many species perform in the natural world. To address this issue, we developed complementary population and single-cell stable isotope (
13
C)-linked analyses to determine microbial identity and function in situ. We demonstrated that the use of rRNA/mRNA stable isotope probing (SIP) recovered the key phylogenetic and functional RNAs. This was followed by single-cell physiological analyses of these populations to determine and quantify in situ functions within an aerobic naphthalene-degrading groundwater microbial community. Using these culture-independent approaches, we identified three prokaryote species capable of naphthalene biodegradation within the groundwater system: two taxa were isolated in the laboratory (
Pseudomonas fluorescens
and
Pseudomonas putida
), whereas the third eluded culture (an
Acidovorax
sp.). Using parallel population and single-cell stable isotope technologies, we were able to identify an unculturable
Acidovorax
sp. which played the key role in naphthalene biodegradation in situ, rather than the culturable naphthalene-biodegrading
Pseudomonas
sp. isolated from the same groundwater. The
Pseudomonas
isolates actively degraded naphthalene only at naphthalene concentrations higher than 30 μM. This study demonstrated that unculturable microorganisms could play important roles in biodegradation in the ecosystem. It also showed that the combined RNA SIP-Raman-fluorescence in situ hybridization approach may be a significant tool in resolving ecology, functionality, and niche specialization within the unculturable fraction of organisms residing in the natural environment.
Transcriptional Modulator NusA Interacts with Translesion DNA Polymerases in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Cohen Susan E. , Godoy Veronica G. , Walker Graham C. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

NusA, a modulator of RNA polymerase, interacts with the DNA polymerase DinB. An increased level of expression of
dinB
or
umuDC
suppresses the temperature sensitivity of the
nusA11
strain, requiring the catalytic activities of these proteins. We propose that NusA recruits translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) polymerases to RNA polymerases stalled at gaps, coupling TLS to transcription.
Structure-Activity Relationship of Gelatinase Biosynthesis-Activating Pheromone ofEnterococcus faecalis
Authors: Nishiguchi Kenzo , Nagata Koji , Tanokura Masaru , Sonomoto Kenji , Nakayama Jiro 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe expression of pathogenicity-related extracellular proteases, namely, gelatinase and serine protease, inEnterococcus faecalisis positively regulated by a quorum-sensing system mediated by an autoinducing peptide called gelatinase biosynthesis-activating pheromone (GBAP). GBAP is an 11-amino-acid-residue cyclic peptide containing a lactone linkage. To study the structure-activity relationship of GBAP, we synthesized a series of GBAP analogues and evaluated their activities by a gelatinase-inducing assay and newly developed receptor-binding assays in which fluorescence-labeled peptides bound onto the FsrC-overexpressingLactococcus lactiscell surface were observed by fluorescent microscopy and quantified by using a fluorophotometer. Alanine-scanning analysis of GBAP showed that the entire ring region was involved in the GBAP agonist activity, while side chains of the tail region were not strictly recognized. The alanine substitution of Phe7or Trp10almost abolished their receptor-binding abilities and GBAP agonist activities, suggesting that these two aromatic side chains are strongly involved in receptor interaction and activation. Furthermore, the Trp10substitution with natural and unnatural aromatic amino acids, except pentafluorophenylalanine, caused no loss of agonist activity. This suggested the importance of a negative electrostatic potential created by an π-electron cloud on the aromatic ring surface. Structural analysis of GBAP with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed that the ring region adopted a hairpin-like fold and was tightly packed into a compact form. The side chain of Trp10was partially buried in the core structure, contributing to the stabilization of the compact form, while that of Phe7was extended from the core structure into the solvent and was probably directly involved in receptor binding.
Streptococcus pyogenesCovRS Mediates Growth in Iron Starvation and in the Presence of the Human Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37
Authors: Froehlich Barbara J. , Bates Christopher , Scott June R. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTWe found that the global regulatory two-component signal transduction system CovRS mediates the ability of group A streptococcus (GAS) to grow under two stresses encountered during infection: iron starvation and the presence of LL-37. We also showed that CovRS regulates transcription of the multimetal transporter operon that is important for GAS growth in a low concentration of iron.
Workload measurement in subspecialty dermatopathology
Authors: Horne G J , Barber D F , Bruecks A K , Maung R T A , Trotter M J 
Published: November 2008

Aim:To measure pathologist workload in subspecialty dermatopathology.Methods:Three subspecialty dermatopathologists, working in a university-affiliated laboratory, participated in a time–motion study during which they reported 2891 consecutive skin cases received from community-based dermatologists. All pathology reports were retrospectively reviewed and workload measured using the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) guidelines and the level 4 equivalent (L4E) method.Results:The majority of dermatopathology cases were scored as low (32%) or intermediate (52%) complexity using the RCPath matrix. Only 16% of cases were considered high or very high complexity. The mean RCPath score per case was 2.68 units. Using L4E complexity levels, 83% of specimens were level 3, 15% were level 4, and only 2% were higher complexity (levels 5 and 6). Mean values for specimens/case, blocks/case, and slides/case were 1.31, 1.52, and 2.92, respectively. Time–motion analysis demonstrated a mean workload per hour of 16.3 cases, 21.3 specimens, 45.1 slides, 43.0 RCPath units, and 12.2 L4E. All three dermatopathologists reported >35 RCPath units per hour.Conclusions:The RCPath histopathology workload guidelines underestimate the workload achievable by an experienced dermatopathologist, and thus are not directly applicable to subspecialty dermatopathology practice. Hourly work rates 3–4 times that recommended by the RCPath workload matrix are routinely achievable, but extrapolation to yearly workload estimates requires detailed knowledge of practice pattern and time required for non-clinical duties such as teaching, research and administration.
The significance of the aluminium content of a lizardite at the nanoscale: the role of clinochlore as an aluminium sink
Authors: Cressey G. , Cressey B. A. , Wicks F. J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLizardite-1T crystals from Gew-graze at the Lizard, Cornwall, of an apparent composition (Mg2.94Fe0.03Al0.03)(Si1.97Al0.03)05(OH)4, have been observed to contain 2–5% of thin interstratifications of clinochlore when investigated by analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The clinochlore is usually only a few unit layers thick but has an extensive lateral dimension parallel to the lizardite layers. Analytical TEM confirms the existence of very low-Al lizardite with a planar structure interstratified with occasional thin units of clinochlore containing substantial Al. Compositionally, such clinochlore (invisible by X-ray diffraction) interstratified throughout the lizardite crystals, could account for most of the Al present. We suggest that an occasional influx of Al causes the nucleation and growth of clinochlore at the expense of lizardite. The possibility of clinochlore contributing to the measured Al content in lizardite samples highlights the need for future investigations of Al-bearing serpentines to include careful examination and interpretation using imaging and analysis by TEM.It has crept into serpentine discussions that lizardite cannot form without the coupled substitution of Al to relieve the misfit between the sheets of octahedra and tetrahedra. The lizardite at Gew-graze is almost Al-free, forms well-crystallized planar crystals and demonstrates that Al is not an essential element for lizardite crystallization.
High avidity myeloid leukemia-associated antigen-specific CD8+ T cells preferentially reside in the bone marrow
Authors: Melenhorst J. Joseph , Scheinberg Phillip , Chattopadhyay Pratip K. , Gostick Emma , Ladell Kristin , Roederer Mario , Hensel Nancy F. , Douek Daniel C. , Barrett A. John , Price David A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe activity of allogeneic CD8+ T cells specific for leukemia-associated antigens (LAAs) is thought to mediate, at least in part, the curative effects of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in myeloid malignancies. However, the identity and nature of clinically relevant LAA-specific CD8+ T-cell populations have proven difficult to define. Here, we used a combination of coreceptor-mutated peptide-major histocompatibility complex class I (pMHCI) tetramers and polychromatic flow cytometry to examine the avidity profiles, phenotypic characteristics, and anatomical distribution of HLA A*0201-restricted CD8+ T-cell populations specific for LAAs that are over-expressed in myeloid leukemias. Remarkably, LAA-specific CD8+ T-cell populations, regardless of fine specificity, were confined almost exclusively to the bone marrow; in contrast, CD8+ T-cell populations specific for the HLA A*0201-restricted cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65495-503 epitope were phenotypically distinct and evenly distributed between bone marrow and peripheral blood. Furthermore, bone marrow-resident LAA-specific CD8+ T cells frequently engaged cognate antigen with high avidity; notably, this was the case in all tested bone marrow samples derived from patients who achieved clinical remission after HSCT. These data suggest that concomitant examination of bone marrow specimens in patients with myeloid leukemias might yield more definitive information in the search for immunologic prognosticators of clinical outcome.
Monte Carlo Solution of Waiting Line Problems
Authors: Goetz Billy E. 
Published: November 2008

This presentation makes no pretense of original contribution to either Monte Carlo or waiting-line analysis. It is merely an attempt to explain an important application of an interesting technique to managers somewhat lacking in mathematical sophistication. My objective is to enable such managers: (1) to recognize situations in which the technique may be useful, (2) to select appropriate staff or consulting personnel to make such studies, (3) to collaborate with such associates in establishing objectives and in formulating the general approach to be used, (4) to understand the results of such studies and to accept and implement these results intelligently, and (5) to be able to solve such problems as may be simple enough and intriguing enough to give sufficient pleasure to warrant the undertaking. Management Technology, ISSN 0542-4917, was published as a separate journal from 1960 to 1964. In 1965 it was merged into Management Science.