cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What influences continuous employee development decisions

Abstract Organizational changes have created a need for adaptable pre-trained workers and for employees to have more “protean” career paths and be involved in self-directed ongoing development [Hall & Mirvis, 1995. The new career contract: Developing the whole person at midlife and beyond. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 47(3), 269–289]. To help understand the processes involved in this development, a model of continuous employee development is proposed. This model integrates prior work from career development, training, and education literatures and builds on it by proposing factors that affect the occurrence of future development. Research supporting the model is reviewed and specific testable propositions derived from the variables in the model are given. Recommendations for scale usage in testing the model are also provided. Finally, the novel contributions of the model are highlighted, the practical implications of the model for organizations are outlined, and the role of the education system in these processes is discussed.
What medical students value most during their clinical clerkships from department chairs

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the qualities that medical students value most in department chairs during clinical clerkships. Study design All fourth-year students were asked to complete an anonymous survey voluntarily. The students ranked nine qualities of a chair using a visual analog scale that ranged from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” Also assessed was the student's level of contact with each department chair during the six core clerkships. Results Sixty-seven of 73 students (91.8%) completed the survey. Almost two thirds of the students (63%) had minimal or no contact with clinical chairs. The most desirable qualities of the department chair included advocating teaching by the residents and faculty, meeting with students (if possible, at the beginning, middle, and end of the clerkship), and participating in teaching in the classroom or clinic settings. Least important qualities involved knowing the student as a person and displaying an air of authority. The most common theme of written comments was that the department chair sets the tone for the department by advocating teaching and by encouraging respect for students. Conclusion Medical students want clinical chairs to be visibly proactive toward teaching, meet with them periodically, and participate in teaching.
Stimulation of Salivary Secretion by a Factor Extracted from Hypothalamic Tissue

A polypeptide that stimulates an increase in the volume and α-amylase activity of saliva within seconds after intravenous injection into anesthetized rats has been detected and partially purified from bovine and rat hypothalamic tissue. This polypeptide, first noticed after fractionation of bovine hypothalamic extracts on G-75 Sephadex and named sialogen, gives a dose-response curve for volume and α amylase activity of the collected saliva, retainsits activity in test rats pretreated with atropine sulfate, phenoxybenzamine, or propranolol, and is still active in hypophysectomized rats. Purification by cation exchange chromatography on sulfoethyl Sephadex C-25 shows that bovine sialogen is a strongly basic substance. If sialogen proves to be of physiological significance it may function as a neurohormone participating with the nervous system in the regulation of salivary secretion. (Endocrinology 81: 803,1967)
Majority owner-managers and organizational efficiency

Abstract By virtue of their ownership position, majority owner-managers appear to be less constrained than managers of firms with more diffuse ownership structures. Despite this, there is no evidence that majority-owned firms perform poorly and there is evidence that majority ownership is surviving as an organizational form. This implies that either these firms substitute other organizational constraints on managerial behavior or that majority control is efficient for some firms. Our analysis uncovers no evidence that majority owner-managers are constrained by other organizational mechanisms. We find that the choice of majority ownership is related to owner-specific rather than firm-specific characteristics. Approximately 80% of the sample majority-owned firms are either characterized by family involvement or are managed by the founder of the firm. Once this family/founder involvement in managing the firm diminishes, the firm is significantly less likely to be majority-controlled.
Avenging Carlota in Africa: Angola and the Memory of Cuban Slavery

Fidel Castro's meta-narrative of Cuban history emphasizes the struggle – and eventual triumph – of the oppressed over their oppressors. This was epitomized in Nelson Mandela's 1991 visit to the island, when his host took him to the northwestern city of Matanzas, and the pair gave speeches titled “Look How Far We Slaves Have Come!” The use of Matanzas as a site of public political memory began in 1843, and the memory of slavery soon became a surrogate for Cuba's flawed liberation movement. One-hundred and fifty years after the execution of Carlota, one of the enslaved leaders of the Triumvirato Rebellion in Matanzas, Cuba began Operation Black Carlota in Angola. Castro had come to power 20 years earlier and publicized his own storming of a former slave – and by then prison and Army – barracks at Moncada in Santiago. The naming of the mission, and the subsequent emphasis on slaves overcoming their neo-colonial “masters,” illustrates the vividness of Cuban memories of slavery, as well as its emotional resona...
THEORY OF INTEGRATIVE LEVELS

In this and the following section are set forth some of the uniformities which are found among the integrative levels. A few only are given; others surely exist and can be added as they are discovered. I. Each level organises the level or levels below it plus one emergent quality. Thus the integrative levels are cumulative upward. This proposition implies that everything has at least the physical properties and has led to the position of supreme importance of the physical world in science and philosophy. Chemical elements have mass, density and dimensions, and so do biological organisms ; it is possible to weigh aluminium or to measure the height of a horse. But that everything has at least physical properties does not mean that anything
ATM-distributed PACS server for ICU application

In order for PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) to better serve our intensive care units (ICUs), we, at University of California, San Francisco, have designed and developed a client/server application that is specifically tailored to provide fast, reliable access to our PACS data from diagnostic viewing stations in the ICUs. One of our utmost design criteria is to ensure consistent delivery of high speed, high performance data throughput, and yet, the system should be cost-effective and render minimal maintenance. As high technology advances, we are able to utilize powerful mass storage device such as raid disk, which serves as a central image repository, to store images and data. We are also able to utilize Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology, which is regarded as the prevailing technology for reliable, high speed data communications, to transfer large imagery data sets across systems and networks. This paper describes the design and mechanism of how ICU viewing stations take advantages of sharing a high performance raid disk, and ATM technology in data transfer for timely delivery of images in a clinical setting.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Routing direction determination in regular networks based on configurable circuits

We consider the problem of finding short paths in a regular network such as a k-ary n-cube. This problem is a basic aspect of routing and has to be implemented with a very high performance for cluster and parallel computer networks. To achieve this, a scalable reconfigurable circuit is proposed that covers many popular topologies at acceptable cost. As a demonstration, the application to a modestly complex topology is shown in detail (''Multi-Mesh'' introduced by Das et al. [D. Das, M. De, B.P. Sinha, A network topology with multiple meshes, IEEE Transactions on Computers 48 (5) (1999) 536-551]). The achieved flexibility is much higher than that of previously reported reconfigurable circuits for the same purpose such as interval routing [R.B. Tan, J. van Leeuwen, Compact routing methods: a survey, in: Proceedings of the Colloquium on Structural Information and Communication Complexity (SICC94), School of Computer Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, 1995, pp. 99-109] or bit-pattern-associative routing [D.H. Summerville, J.G. Delgado-Frias, S. Vassiliadis, A flexible bit-pattern-associative router for interconnection networks, IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems 7 (5) (1996) 477-485]. The proposed circuit extends the domain of application-specific reconfigurable circuits beyond the areas of signal processing and cryptography, where most work is currently done.
Customer service: help for the help desk

The Information Technology structure and offerings at the University of Rochester are broad and complex, especially to our customers who only see bits and pieces of the whole. The ITS Center was formed as part of an effort to provide a more focused "face" to our customers. While the Center was successful in reducing the confusion about access to IT services for our customers, our help desk staff, especially brand new ones, were overwhelmed by the scope of the services we offered.To address that problem, we created Systems Reference - a web-based all-inclusive tool providing an easy to use front end to information about a complex environment that help desk staff need to understand. It includes quick links, a variety of search tools/wizards, frequently asked questions, trouble ticket creation, physical inventory, email and text messaging, and more.
Upright patient positioning in the management of intracranial hypertension

Utilizing either a subarachnoid screw or an intraventricular cannula, intracranial pressure was continuously monitored in 24 patients with established or potential neurological impairment of various etiologies. Marked diminution in intracranial pressure was observed in the sitting or semisitting position in the 13 patients with documented intracranial hypertension as well as in the 11 in whom intracranial pressure was not elevated. This sustained effect was noted even when superimposed on intensive medical management of intracranial hypertension.
Multi-way relay based deterministic broadcast with side information: Pair-wise network coding is sum-capacity optimal

We consider a K user deterministic broadcast channel where the receivers have apriori side information of a set of messages. The (deterministic) broadcast channel defined by the identity function on {0; 1}, i.e., all the receivers receive the input bit free-of-noise. The message set is inspired by the multi-way relay channel which has K users communicating through a relay, where each user has an independent message for the remaining K − 1 users. The multi-way relay channel can be converted to a broadcast channel with side information if the relay is able to decode all the messages. Thus, in the broadcast set up, there are K(K − 1) messages, with K − 1 messages intended for each receiver. Each receiver has apriori side information of a (different) set of K−1 messages. In this set up, when there are K= 2 users, it is well known that the optimal strategy for sum-capacity is to use network coding, i.e., to send an XOR of the two messages since each receiver can cancel the interfering message using its side information. The main result of this note is an outerbound for the K user version of this channel showing that scheduling users pairwise and using network coding for the scheduled pair is optimal.
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of two different insulin infusion protocols in the medical intensive care unit.

Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients and is associated with increased mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting.1 Elevated blood glucose (BG) also causes substantial increased morbidity in critical illness, including increased risk of nosocomial infections, increased infarct size with worsened outcomes in myocardial infarction, and increased protein catabolism after burn injury.2-5 Inpatient glucose control has become an important goal for institutions in an effort to improve quality of care. Insulin, given as a continuous infusion, has been the standard of care in critically ill patients with hyperglycemia.6 However, the targeted ranges of BG have been and continue to be contested. A study in 2001 initially demonstrated that a goal BG level of 80 to 110 mg/dL decreased in-hospital mortality by 34% in a primarily surgical ICU population compared to a goal BG level of 180 to 200 mg/dL.7 However, the same investigators later failed to show a significant improvement in mortality with intensive glycemic control in a medical ICU population.8 The Normoglycemia in Intensive Care Evaluation – Survival Using Glucose Algorithm Regulation (NICE-SUGAR) trial is the largest completed trial of intensive insulin therapy. This trial included mostly medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients and showed higher mortality in the intensive glycemic control group than in the conventional group (27.5% vs 24.9%; P = .03). 9 This increase in mortality was thought to be due to a higher rate of hypoglycemic events. A meta-analysis of 26 studies that included the results of the NICE-SUGAR trial found a 6-fold increased risk of severe hypoglycemia in the group of patients who were receiving intensive insulin therapy.10 In response to this new evidence, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have published revised guidelines on inpatient glycemic control.11 These guidelines recommend achieving glucose control using an insulin infusion in patients in the ICU setting, with a starting threshold of no higher than 180 mg/dL and glucose levels maintained between 140 and 180 mg/dL. At Temple University Hospital, prior to the publishing of the new recommendations, the insulin infusion protocol in the MICU had an intensive BG goal of 85 to 110 mg/dL. After the recommendations for less intensive glycemic control, the goal BG was changed to comply with the current guidelines. The modified insulin infusion protocol (MIIP) has a goal BG of 140 to 180 mg/dL. The objective of this analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of the 2 different protocols in patients in the MICU.
Thermoanalytical investigations on curing and decomposition of methyl silicone resin

Abstract Methyl silicone resins, (CH 3 SiO 1.5 ) n , containing alkoxy and hydroxy end groups are cured by heating. It will be shown that thermal analysis is a helpful tool to investigate curing conditions and pyrolytic decomposition in silicone resins, e.g. in Wacker Silicone Resin MK. DSC, TG/DTG and EGD measurements in air und N 2 up to 1000°C were conducted and the formed products analyzed with the help of IR, GLC and 1 H/ 29 Si/ 13 C NMR. The composition and structure of the uncured and cured resin and of the solid residues obtained by heating to 1000° C in air or N 2 will be discussed.
Equilibrium titration of protein-ligand binding affinity in the presence of volatile reagents--a semiautomated approach.

An existing method of equilibrium titration was significantly improved for investigating the effects of volatile anesthetics on Ca(2+) binding characteristics of human recombinant cardiac troponin C in in vitro conditions. The modified method increases stability of volatile compound concentrations in solution and allows for faster and more accurate data acquisition. The time to complete a titration series could be reduced from 28.3 +/- 6.2 min to 9.3 +/- 2.1 min, whereas the dispersion for pK(d) was decreased from 2.16 +/- 0.27 to 0.63 +/- 0.27. The method utilizes a semiautomatic approach to continuously monitor stability of fluorescence signals in a sealed chamber with greatly reduced air space.
Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: The Rotterdam Criteria Are Premature

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is defined most commonly according to the proceedings of an expert conference sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in April 1990, which noted the disorder as having 1) hyperandrogenism and/or hyperandrogenemia, 2) oligoovulation, and 3) exclusion of known disorders. Alternatively, another expert conference held in Rotterdam in May 2003 defined PCOS, after the exclusion of related disorders, by two of the following three features: 1) oligo- or anovulation, 2) clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, or 3) polycystic ovaries. In essence, the Rotterdam 2003 expanded the NIH 1990 definition creating two new phenotypes: 1) ovulatory women with polycystic ovaries and hyperandrogenism, and 2) oligoanovulatory women with polycystic ovaries, but without hyperandrogenism. Objective: The objective of this study was to ascertain the validity of using the Rotterdam 2003 criteria rather than the NIH 1991 criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS. Interven...
Prediction of Boron Adsorption by Field Samples of Diverse Textures

Soil texture often varies dramatically in both vertical and horizontal directions in field situations and affects the amount of B adsorbed and B movement. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of clay content on B adsorption and to test the predictive ability of the constant capacitance model to describe B adsorption as related to changes in clay content. Boron adsorption on 15 soil samples constituting five depths of each of three sites in the western San Joaquin Valley of California was investigated. Boron adsorption increased with increasing pH, reached an adsorption maximum around pH 9, and decreased with further increases in pH. The model was able to describe B adsorption on the soils by simultaneously optimizing three surface complexation constants. The model was able to predict B adsorption by using surface complexation constants calculated from easily measured chemical parameters. The model was also able to predict B adsorption at all of the depths using the surface complexation constants predicted with the chemical properties of one of the surface depths and a surface area value calculated from clay content. These results are very encouraging, suggesting that for a particular soil series, B adsorption for various sites and depths in a field can be predicted using only clay content and the chemical information from a different site in the same field. Incorporation of the prediction equations into chemical speciation-transport models will allow simulation of soil solution B concentrations in horizontal and vertical space under diverse environmental and agricultural conditions.
Characterization of two fly LGR (leucine-rich repeat-containing, G protein-coupled receptor) proteins homologous to vertebrate glycoprotein hormone receptors: constitutive activation of wild-type fly LGR1 but not LGR2 in transfected mammalian cells

The receptors for lutropin (LH), FSH, and TSH belong to the large G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily and are unique in having a large N-terminal extracellular (ecto-) domain important for interactions with the large glycoprotein hormone ligands. Recent studies indicated the evolution of a large family of the leucine-rich repeat-containing, G protein-coupled receptors (LGRs) with at least seven members in mammals. Based on the sequences of mammalian glycoprotein hormone receptors, we have identified a new LGR in Drosophila melanogaster and named it as fly LGR2 to distinguish it from the previously reported fly LH/FSH/TSH receptor (renamed as fly LGR1). Genomic analysis indicated the presence of 10 exons in fly LGR2 as compared with 16 exons in fly LGR1. The deduced fly LGR2 complementary DNA (cDNA) showed 43 and 64% similarity to the fly LGR1 in the ectodomain and transmembrane region, respectively. Comparison of 12 LGRs from diverse species indicated that these proteins can be divided into three subfamilies and fly LGR1 and LGR2 belong to different subfamilies. Potential signaling mechanisms were tested in human 293T cells overexpressing the fly receptors. Of interest, fly LGR1, but not LGR2, showed constitutive activity as reflected by elevated basal cAMP production in transfected cells. The basal activity of fly LGR1 was further augmented following point mutations of key residues in the intracellular loop 3 or transmembrane VI, similar to those found in patients with familial male precocious puberty. The present study reports the cloning of fly LGR2 and indicates that the G protein-coupling mechanism is conserved in fly LGR1 as compared with the mammalian glycoprotein hormone receptors. The characterization of fly receptors with features similar to mammalian glycoprotein hormone receptors allows a better understanding of the evolution of this unique group of GPCRs and future elucidation of their ligand signaling mechanisms.
“I'm really quiet”: A case study of an Asian, language minority preservice teacher's experiences

Abstract Despite attempts to recruit and retain diverse individuals in teaching, current research is largely silent about personal experiences of ethnic and language minority preservice teachers. This case study describes Vivian, an Asian, language minority, and her experiences during two years of preservice preparation. Multiple data sources were collected, including informant, faculty, peer, and family interviews, participant observation field notes, student work, video tapes, course syllabi, and program documents. Constant comparative analysis revealed that Vivian faced many difficulties: conflicts among past and present experiences, language and communication problems, home/school tensions, financial concerns, social isolation, stereotyping and prejudice. Implications and recommendations for classroom instruction, policy, and future research in preservice education are discussed.
Retinoid binding to nuclei and microsomes of rat testes interstitial cells: I — Mediation of retinoid binding by cellular retinoid-binding proteins

Abstract Purified cellular retinol-binding protein (cRBP) and cellular retinoic acid-binding protein (cRABP) mediated the transfer of their respective 3 H-ligands to nuclei and microsomes of retinol-sufficient rat testes interstitial cells in a saturable and reversible manner. Crossover experiments utilizing [ 3 H]retinol·cRBP/retinoic acid·cRABP and [ 3 H]retinoic acid·cRABP/retinol·cRBP did not result in dissociation of the labeled ligand from either the nuclear or microsomal fraction. Further, binding of free [ 3 H]retinol or [ 3 H]retinoic acid was not saturable nor was binding detectably reduced in the presence of unlabeled retinoids. When nuclei and microsomes were prepared from retinol-deficient tissues, cRBP-mediated binding of [ 3 H]retinol was also saturable and reversible. However, total binding was significantly increased in both cell fractions. Similarly, cRABP-mediated binding of [ 3 H]retinoic acid was significantly higher in retinol-deficient nuclei and microsomes. Extraction of cRBP- or cRABP-mediated nuclear-bound 3 H-retinoids with NaCl indicated that 50% of the retinol and retinoic acid were removed with 0.14 M NaCl. Retinol binding in nuclear subfractions including the 0.14 M NaCl fraction was pronasesensitive, RNase and DNase insensitive; retinoic acid was pronase- and RNase-sensitive, and DNase-insensitive. Nuclear binding of free retinoids was
A framework for interior methods of linear programming

An approach to interior methods for linear programming premised on the optimality condition and two fundamental optimization principles (homotopy and symmetry) is described. It provides a concise, yet general introduction to the new area of optimization research germinated by Karmarkar, and a useful alternative to the current logarithmic Barrier-based perspective on the subject
The educational journey of a Latina feminist community psychologist

This narrative describes how my educational journey led me to become a Latina feminist community psychologist. My experiences as a Central American woman living in the United States has made me deeply committed to feminist community values and the importance of social justice. Throughout the journey, I connect how immigration status, culture, and gender are intertwined in my career path. My journey includes discussion of my education from elementary school to a doctoral program. I acknowledge the positive role that mentors have had in my educational success. I also discuss how the voices of people of color and women are not always adequately heard or represented in feminist community psychology (FCP). My intensely personal stories are shared in the spirit of connecting with other women and acknowledging that lived experiences are a way of learning and valid forms of inquiry in the field of FCP. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NO-donating aspirin inhibits both the expression and catalytic activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase in HT-29 human colon cancer cells

Abstract Nitric oxide-releasing aspirin (NO-ASA) is emerging as a potentially important chemopreventive agent against colon cancer. We examined in HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells the effect of NO-ASA on the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (NOS2), an enzyme implicated in colon carcinogenesis. NO-ASA inhibited in a time- and concentration-dependent manner the expression of NOS2 up to 70% compared to control (IC 50 for this effect = 46 μM). NO-ASA also decreased the corresponding steady-state mRNA levels and this reduction preceded the reduction of protein levels by at least 6 h. NO-ASA also reduced the enzymatic activity of NOS2, as determined by a direct enzyme assay (maximal reduction = 80%) and by determining the accumulation of NO in the culture medium (IC 50 for this effect = 36 μM). These effects of NO-ASA on NOS2 were paralleled by inhibition in cell growth (IC 50 = 8.5 μM). These findings indicate that NO-ASA profoundly inhibits both the expression and enzymatic activity of NOS2 and suggest that these effects may represent an important mechanism for the colon cancer chemopreventive effect of NO-ASA.
Subthreshold characteristics of laterally gated AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic high-electron-mobility transistors fabricated with focused ion beam implantation

Abstract We have used a focused ion beam (FIB) technique to fabricate laterally gated AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic high-electron-mobility transistors (pHEMTs), and have characterized them electrically. The FIB direct-write defines the current path. An ion dose of 1×1014 ions cm−2 from a 25 keV Ga+ beam gives satisfactory electrical isolation. The fabricated transistors show typical field-effect transistor (FET) characteristics. For a properly adjusted n-AlGaAs layer, transfer characteristics (Ids vs. Vg) in the subthreshold region show gate leakage similar to that of metal-semiconductor FETs. For the thicker n-AlGaAs layer, the subthreshold transfer characteristic shows additional conduction with sporadic current-spikes. We attribute the cause of sporadic current-spikes to deep donors or DX centers in the silicon-doped AlGaAs layer.
Undertaking specialization in the desert leaf-cutter ant Acromyrmex versicolor

We investigated undertaking behaviour in the desert leaf-cutter ant to determine whether colonies show undertaking specialization, how task specialization is regulated and the consequences of specialization on colony performance. Task specialization has been hypothesized to be a result of internal physiological or genetic factors that govern worker behaviour. On the other hand, it has been suggested that task specialization could be a result of spatial structuring of workers allowing only a subset to have the opportunity to perform certain tasks. To test between these two hypotheses, we experimentally introduced dead ants into laboratory colonies with individually marked workers, and recorded all encounters and undertaking behaviours. Workers demonstrated individual specialization, in that some workers removed the dead ant more frequently than expected from encounter rate. Although individual workers differed in their opportunity to perform undertaking, this did not account for the specialization. These results suggest that undertaking specialization is governed by internal differences among workers. In addition, undertaking specialists removed corpses more successfully, and in the largest colony, more quickly, than nonspecialist workers, indicating that internally governed specialization is an important part of overall colony efficiency.
Cell division cycle of cultured neural precursor cells from Drosophila

In Drosophila neuroblast cells, which give rise to the embryonic nervous system, undergo a limited number of asymmetric cell divisions. These cell lineages result in the formation of clusters of neurons when neuroblasts are isolated and cultured. A significant proportion of these neural cell clusters (NCC) arise from individual precursor cells. The formation of NCC containing more than two neurons is repressed when DNA synthesis is inhibited. Cell division during NCC development was examined by [3H]thymidine autoradiography. The pattern of DNA synthesis by neural cells was that expected based on observations in situ. The pattern in individual NCC was consistent with single precursor origins for more than 80% of NCC, under our conditions of culture. Based on this, we show that the largest neural precursors at gastrulation undergo the most cell divisions in culture. The neuroblast cell division cycle averages approximately 1.5 hr, and is similar to that of blastoderm cells.
Characterization of the mitochondrial inner membrane protein translocator Tim17 from Trypanosoma brucei.

Abstract Mitochondrial protein translocation machinery in the kinetoplastid parasites, like Trypanosoma brucei, has been characterized poorly. In T. brucei genome database, one homolog for a protein translocator of mitochondrial inner membrane (Tim) has been found, which is closely related to Tim17 from other species. The T. brucei Tim17 (TbTim17) has a molecular mass 16.2 kDa and it possesses four characteristic transmembrane domains. The protein is localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane. The level of TbTim17 protein is 6–7-fold higher in the procyclic form that has a fully active mitochondrion, than in the mammalian bloodstream form of T. brucei , where many of the mitochondrial activities are suppressed. Knockdown of TbTim17 expression by RNAi caused a cessation of cell growth in the procyclic form and reduced growth rate in the bloodstream form. Depletion of TbTim17 decreased mitochondrial membrane potential more in the procyclic than bloodstream form. However, TbTim17 knockdown reduced the expression level of several nuclear encoded mitochondrial proteins in both the forms. Furthermore, import of presequence containing nuclear encoded mitochondrial proteins was significantly reduced in TbTim17 depleted mitochondria of the procyclic as well as the bloodstream form, confirming that TbTim17 is critical for mitochondrial protein import in both developmental forms. Together, these show that TbTim17 is the translocator of nuclear encoded mitochondrial proteins and its expression is regulated according to mitochondrial activities in T. brucei .
Participation of significant others in outpatient behavioral treatment predicts greater cocaine abstinence

The present study was conducted to identify predictors of cocaine abstinence during outpatient behavioral treatment for cocaine dependence. Subjects were 52 cocaine-dependent adults. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify predictors of abstinence during a 12-week treatment program. Demographic, drug use, and other subject characteristics were examined. The single best predictor of cocaine abstinence was whether a significant other participated in treatment. The odds of achieving a criterion level of cocaine abstinence were approximately 20 times greater for subjects who had a significant other participate in treatment. Importantly, significant others participated in a structured form of relationship counseling and behavioral contracting that is well specified and can be readily tested in a prospective, randomized trial. Considering the pressing need for the development of effective treatments for cocaine dependence, such a trial merits consideration.
On conditional and intrinsic autoregressions

SUMMARY Gaussian conditional autoregressions have been widely used in spatial statistics and Bayesian image analysis, where they are intended to describe interactions between random variables at fixed sites in Euclidean space. The main appeal of these distributions is in the Markovian interpretation of their full conditionals. Intrinsic autoregressions are limiting forms that retain the Markov property. Despite being improper, they can have advantages over the standard autoregressions, both conceptually and in practice. For example, they often avoid difficulties in parameter estimation, without apparent loss, or exhibit appealing invariances, as in texture analysis. However, on small arrays and in nonlattice applications, both forms of autoregression can lead to undesirable second-order characteristics, either in the variables themselves or in contrasts among them. This paper discusses standard and intrinsic autoregressions and describes how the problems that arise can be alleviated using Dempster's (1972) algorithm or an appropriate modification. The approach represents a partial synthesis of standard geostatistical and Gaussian Markov random field formulations. Some nonspatial applications are also mentioned.
A comparative study of the seed germination biology of a narrow endemic and two geographically-widespread species of Solidago (Asteraceae). 4. Role of soil moisture in regulating germination

Seeds of the narrow-endemic Solidago shortii and of the geographically-widespread S. altissima and S. nemoralis buried in December 1993 were exhumed in June 1995 and given 10 cycles of 1 day wet/5 days dry, 9 of 2/5, 8 of 3/5, 7 of 4/5 and 6 of 5/5 in light at 30/15°C; the control was kept continuously wet during the experiment. Seeds of the three species incubated on wet substrate for 3, 4 or 5 days germinated to ≥47% during the first cycle. On the other hand, seeds kept moist 2 days germinated to only 4–26% in the first cycle, and none kept moist for 1 day germinated. Cumulative germination percentages of seeds of all three species at the end of the final cycle of the 1/5 treatment were 0–4%. In the 2/5 treatment, cumulative germination percentages of S. altissima and S. shortii seeds at the end of the final cycle were 50 and 41%, respectively, but that of S. nemoralis was only 4%. For all three species, cumulative germination percentages were ≥55% at the end of the final cycle of the 3/5, 4/5 and 5/5 treatments. Control seeds of the three species germinated to 85–99% after 2 weeks, and no additional seeds germinated during the remainder of the experiment. High percentages of seeds were viable in the treatments and control at the end of the experiment; however, some seeds of S. nemoralis and S. shortii given 1/5, 2/5 and 3/5 treatments became dormant. The ecological implication of this study is that seeds of the three species will not germinate on the soil surface after brief rainfall events in summer. The germination response of the narrow endemic is similar to that of its two geographically-widespread congeners.
Commensal microbiota alter the abundance and TCR responsiveness of splenic naïve CD4+ T lymphocytes.

The epidemiologic risk of certain systemic immunologic diseases is affected by commensal or environmental microbiota, but the cellular basis of the ''hygiene hypothesis'' is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that composition of the commensal microbiota affects the functional state of the peripheral naive (CD62L hi CD44 lo ) T lymphocyte populations. Restricted flora (RF) mice (stably colonized with excess nonpathogenic Clostridium sp., and changes in other bacterial and fungal taxa) were distinguished after the neonatal period by a progressive deficiency in absolute numbers of naive CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes. SPF and RF mice had comparable levels of memory CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. This phenotype was attributable to the altered levels of certain commensals and their products, since germ-free mice had normal absolute numbers of splenic CD4 + and CD8 + T cells and their respective naive and memory subsets. The naive CD4 + T cell subset was functionally distinguished in RF mice versus SPF mice by TCR hyperresponsiveness, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and increased activation-induced cell death. Biochemically, these traits were associated with higher basal phosphorylation of the TCR signaling proteins ZAP-70, Lck, and LAT. These findings indicate that enteric microbial products, through unknown cellular circuitry, influence steps in CD4 T cell differentiation moderating basal TCR signaling and immune responsiveness.
Linking soils and streams: Response of soil solution chemistry to simulated hurricane disturbance mirrors stream chemistry following a severe hurricane

Abstract Understanding the drivers of forest ecosystem response to major disturbance events is an important topic in forest ecology and ecosystem management. Because of the multiple elements included in most major disturbances such as hurricanes, fires, or landslides, it is often difficult to ascribe a specific driver to the observed response. This is particularly true for the long-term effects of hurricanes on forest ecosystem nutrient cycling. Hurricane disturbance opens the forest canopy by removing leaves and branches or snapping boles, and in so doing turns living biomass into debris that is deposited on the forest floor. At the watershed scale, past work in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico shows that these changes in forest structure and detrital dynamics result in large increases in stream water nitrate and potassium concentrations in streams draining volcaniclastic terrain. The Canopy Trimming Experiment (CTE) was designed to simulate the major effects of hurricane disturbance, and disentangle the effects of canopy opening and debris addition on forest biology and biogeochemistry following a hurricane. Using the chemistry of soil solution as an integrated indicator of biogeochemical response to hurricane simulation, the experimental manipulations show that the synergistic effects of both canopy opening and debris addition are needed to elicit one of the whole-watershed responses to hurricanes, a large pulse of nitrate (NO 3 ) concentration in stream water that lasted approximately 18 months. Manipulation of either canopy openness or debris addition alone had little effect on soil solution chemistry for NO 3, or for any other solute measured (dissolved organic matter, phosphate, ammonium, major cations and anions, and silica). None of the treatments resulted in the increased potassium (K) seen in stream water following hurricane disturbance. For NO 3 , the time course of response and recovery following combined treatments of canopy opening and debris addition was similar to that observed in stream water after actual hurricanes. The CTE provided further evidence that tree regrowth following hurricane disturbance controls the return of NO 3 concentrations to pre-hurricane levels in this tropical forest. The lack of response in K to hurricane simulation suggests that leaching of the added debris, which was not captured in the experimental manipulations, is a major driver of K concentrations following disturbance. Hurricane disturbance, which is significant in many humid tropical forests, results in pulsed outputs of nitrogen in stream water that can be clearly ascribed to interactions between damage and recovery of canopy vegetation, and decomposition of detrital inputs on the forest floor.
Sexual size dimorphism mediates the occurrence of state-dependent sexual cannibalism in a wolf spider

Most research on sexual cannibalism has focused on factors influencing female motivation to engage in cannibalism. However, a critical factor that may mediate the actual occurrence of sexual cannibalism is male vulnerability to female attacks. We tested whether sexual size dimorphism (SSD) affected whether hungry females were successful in sexual cannibalism in a moderately size dimorphic wolf spider, Hogna helluo. Experimentally food-limited females cannibalized males more frequently than did well-fed females. However, in a correlational study, female body condition was only a significant predictor of the occurrence of sexual cannibalism if SSD was included in the model. Our results suggest that SSD is an important factor mediating the occurrence of sexual cannibalism in H. helluo by affecting male vulnerability to female attacks. Consideration of factors affecting male vulnerability to cannibalistic attacks by females may be critical to understanding the occurrence and evolution of sexual cannibalism.
Subhumid pasture soil microbial communities affected by presence of grazing, but not grazing management

Management-intensive rotational grazing has been shown to stimulate net primary production in subhumid pastures compared to extensive grazing strategies. The degree to which this represents a direct effect on plant developmental stage and community composition, and/or indirect effects of grazing on microbial community structure and nutrient feedback to production is an open question. To better understand whether the effects of pasture management on microbial communities led to indirect nutrient feedbacks, we analyzed microbial lipids and environmental and physical factors of surface soils under four pasture management treatments – management-intensive rotational grazing, continuous grazing, harvesting for hay, and an unmanaged control. Principal component analysis indicated microbial community structure under our two grazed treatments was different than that of ungrazed treatments. While there was no effect of treatments on total microbial biomass, guild comparisons revealed lower fungal-to-bacterial ratios, lower arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi concentrations, and higher actinomycete biomarkers in soils under grazing, irrespective of grazing management treatments. Gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria biomarker abundance was greater in treatments that included grazing and no management when compared to the treatment where biomass was harvested mechanically. There was no evidence of treatment effects on either Gram-negative bacteria or saprotrophic fungi. Regression tree analysis identified litter quality as the main correlate of differences in the microbial community between grazed and ungrazed treatments. Lower root C:N predicted lower F:B and biomarkers of the bacterial guilds Gm+ and actinomycetes, which were dominant in the grazing treatments, while higher root C:N predicted higher F:B and the guild biomarkers of AMF, which dominated in the ungrazed treatments. These results indicate that greater forage production observed in humid and subhumid regions under management-intensive rotational grazing likely stems from the direct effects on plant developmental stage and plant community composition rather than microbial mediated nutrient feedbacks from altered quantity and quality of plant litter. If the potential for a more favorable C balance in subhumid pastures is realized, greater biomass production and therefore greater litter inputs as a result of the direct effects of management-intensive rotational grazing on plant communities is the most likely mechanism.
SU-E-T-555: A Protontherapy Inverse Treatment Planning System Prototype with Linear Energy Transfer (LET) Optimization

Purpose: Develop and benchmark an inverse treatment planning system (TPS) for proton radiotherapy integrating fast analytical dose and LET calculations in patient geometries and a dual objective function with both dose and LET components, enabling us to apply optimization techniques to improve the predicted outcome of treatments based on radiobiological models. Methods: The software package was developed in MATLAB and implements a fluence-dose calculation technique based on a pencil beam model for dose calculations and a 3D LET model based on the extension of the LET in the radial direction as a function of the predicted radiological pathway. Both models were benchmarked against commissioning data from our institution, dose calculations performed with a commercial treatment planning system and Monte Carlo simulations. The optimization is based on the adaptive simulated annealing approach . Results: The dose and LET calculations were tested in a water phantom and several real patient treatments. The pass rate for the gamma index analysis (3%/3mm) test was above 90% for all test cases analyzed, and the calculation time was of the order of seconds. The inverse planning module produced plans with a significantly higher mean LET in the target compared to traditional plans, without any loss of target coverage. The clinical relevance of this improvement is under consideration . Conclusion: The developed treatment planning system is a valuable clinical and research tool that enables us to incorporate LET effects into proton radiotherapy planning in a streamlined fashion.
Type of Maternal Object Motion During Synchronous Naming Predicts Preverbal Infants' Learning of Word-Object Relations

Mothers' use of specific types of object motion in synchrony with object naming was examined, along with infants' joint attention to the mother and object, as a predictor of word learning. During a semistructured 3-min play episode, mothers (N = 24) taught the names of 2 toy objects to their preverbal 6- to 8-month-old infants. The episodes were recoded from Gogate, Bolzani, and Betancourt (2006) to provide a more fine-grained description of object motions used by mothers during naming. The results indicated that mothers used forward/downward and shaking motions more frequently and upward and backward motions less frequently in temporal synchrony with the spoken words. These motions likely highlight novel word-object relations. Furthermore, maternal use of shaking motions in synchrony with the spoken words and infants' ability to switch gaze from mother to object contributed to infants' learning of the word-object relations, as observed on a posttest. Thus, preverbal infants' learn word-object relations within an embodied system involving tightly coupled interaction between infants' perception and joint attention, and specific properties of caregivers' naming.
Structural analysis of phosphatidylcholine of plant tissue.

Pure preparations of phosphatidylcholine were isolated from spinach leaf chloroplasts, spinach leaf micro- somes, and cauliflower inflorescence. The isolated phosphatidyl- choline was treated with snake venom phospholipase A, and the fatty acid distribution and composition of the fatty acid methyl esters prepared from the lysophosphatidylcholine and the freed fatty acid were determined by gas-liquid chromatog- raphy. The results showed that saturated fatty acids were pre- ferentially esterified at position 1 and unsaturated fatty acids at position 2. The phosphatidylcholine from cauliflower was also treated with phospholipase C. The resulting diglycerides were fractionated on AgNOs-impregnated thin-layer plates. The di- glyceride fractions were transesterified and the fatty acid composition of each was determined by gas-liquid chroma- tography. The predominant species contained linolenic acid only (22% of the total), linolenic and oleic acids (19%), and linolenic and palmitic acids (37%). These molecular species could not be accounted for by random distribution of the fatty acids.