cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal patterns of disturbance influence recruitment of the sea palm, Postelsia palmaeformis

Physical disturbance can have important effects on the distribution and abundance of sessile organisms, and temporal variation in the disturbance regime may strongly influence recruitment of species which reproduce seasonally. The sea palm Postelsia palmaeformis is a kelp with an annual, heteromorphic life history that inhabits the mid-tidal zones of some of the most wave-exposed rocky intertidal areas on the Pacific coast. Postelsia is thought to thrive in wave beaten areas, since winter storms remove patches of the mussel Mytilus californianus, the dominant competitor, thereby freeing bare space on the rock. To evaluate the effects of temporal variation in the physical disturbance regime and the effects of mussels on Postelsia recruitment, small plots in a mussel bed surrounded by existing Postelsia were seasonally cleared of mussels. Sea palm recruitment occurred in all plots, but was greatest in the most recent winter mussel removal treatment, suggesting survival of microscopic or young stages of Postelsia may be enhanced beneath mussel beds during fall/winter. Postelsia's annual life history seems ideally suited to wave-exposed sites, where predictable winter disturbances remove mussels. This study shows that Mytilus can also have positive effects on Postelsia recruitment.
A modified GERT network for automatic acquisition of temporal knowledge

Abstract This paper describes a technique which has been developed for automatically acquiring temporal knowledge for use in an Intelligent Simulation Training System (ISTS) * . The objective of the ISTS is to train students in monitoring and controlling physical objects in time and space. The ISTS consists of a graphic computer simulation, an expert system, and a user interface. The graphic computer simulation represents the system to be monitored. The trainee responds to routine and/or critical situations as depicted in the simulation by typing in commands to simulation objects. ISTS domain knowledge is automatically acquired by a subsystem known as ELICIT: Expertise Learner and Intelligent Causal Inference Tool. ELICIT incorporates a modified GERT network for representing knowledge concerning dependencies among temporal events. The network is used as a basis for prompting the domain expert for knowledge. In addition, ELICIT draws upon knowledge contained in the network for the development of contingency plans concerning timing of events. This implementation is coded in Common LISP and Joshua (a knowledge representation language developed by Symbolics, Inc.) on a Symbolics 3630 LISP machine.
QUALITY TRAITS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSUMER PREFERENCE FOR BEEF

SUMMARY –Consumer preferences for beef attributes are not closely related to grade. From a consumer viewpoint, however, they should be if grades are used. Such relationships will be found and quantified through rasearch relating consumer preferences to beef variables. In this study, consumer preferences were related to selected beef characteristics, including indicators of tenderness, juiciness and flavor. Steaks from top rounds of 176 steers were divided into three or four classes for each characteristic and evaluated in pairs by a 950-family consumer panel. Paired comparisons were used and analysis made to obtain maximum-likelihood estimates of the probability that a given class would receive top rating when ranked. Probability sets were calculated for each characteristic and were found quite similar. The sets were approximately as follows: .30, .26, .23, .21 for four classes and .40, .32, .28 for three. The order from highest to lowest was usually that expected by food scientists. When ether extract and shear were combined in analysis, the set was almost identical to the above for four classes. Descriptive grades are suggested by these results, for there is a probability of from .60 to .70 that the consumer in this study will give top ranking to a class of steak other than what present grades and meat scientists consider “best”. The major application of this research is in the development of hypotheses for future research. These hypotheses will be concerned with how discerning consumers are, how consumer tastes differ, what characteristic–or group of characteristics–can best be used to describe beef and whether grading can be meaningful if done by carcass vs. by muscle, cut or some grouping of muscles or cuts.
People management: an imperative to effective project management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the Best Practices in People Management.Design/methodology/approach – This article describes effective people management which is vital for effective project management. The present article will lead you through some of the best practices for managing human resources. Case studies, success stories, and statistical examples are used to highlight some of the Best Practices.Findings – Case studies, success stories, and statistics.Originality/value – This session highlights some of the Best Practices researched/applied in People Management.
The cytochrome p450 epoxygenase pathway regulates the hepatic inflammatory response in fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease is an emerging public health problem without effective therapies, and chronic hepatic inflammation is a key pathologic mediator in its progression. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases metabolize arachidonic acid to biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which have potent anti-inflammatory effects. Although promoting the effects of EETs elicits anti-inflammatory and protective effects in the cardiovascular system, the contribution of CYP-derived EETs to the regulation of fatty liver disease-associated inflammation and injury is unknown. Using the atherogenic diet model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH), our studies demonstrated that induction of fatty liver disease significantly and preferentially suppresses hepatic CYP epoxygenase expression and activity, and both hepatic and circulating levels of EETs in mice. Furthermore, mice with targeted disruption of Ephx2 (the gene encoding soluble epoxide hydrolase) exhibited restored hepatic and circulating EET levels and a significantly attenuated induction of hepatic inflammation and injury. Collectively, these data suggest that suppression of hepatic CYP-mediated EET biosynthesis is an important pathological consequence of fatty liver disease-associated inflammation, and that the CYP epoxygenase pathway is a central regulator of the hepatic inflammatory response in NAFLD/NASH. Future studies investigating the utility of therapeutic strategies that promote the effects of CYP-derived EETs in NAFLD/NASH are warranted.
Habitat preferences, distribution, and temporal persistence of a novel fungal taxon in Alaskan boreal forest soils

Prior work in the boreal forest unearthed a novel ITS-LSU sequence (NS1) that falls outside known fungal phyla. Here we performed a targeted PCR survey to investigate the ecology of NS1. NS1 was found in three out of 99 soil cores at one black spruce (Picea mariana) site, and two cores were from nearby subplots, but clumping could not be demonstrated statistically. However, NS1 was detected 6 yr later in the same subplot, and in an adjacent subplot, with a join count probability of 0.0073. NS1 was not found in other lowland black spruce sites, but was detected in several upland mixed hardwood/white spruce (Picea glauca) sites and was correlated with presence of white spruce (p = 0.0011). It was also found in the same upland sites sampled in consecutive years. Our results provide clues concerning the ecology of NS1 and suggest that rare, divergent sequences should not necessarily be discarded from environmental sequence datasets.
Central venous catheter infections: Concepts and controversies

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are widely used in critically ill patients in intensive care units. However, infectious complications are common and may limit their utility. We critically review the literature to determine the impact of CVC design amd composition, insertion site selection, insertion procedures, care and removal of temporary CVCs on infectious complications. Relevant articles were identified and selected for review using a database search (Medline and manual of the English language literature) based upon study design and sample size with an emphasis on prospective randomized trials. To minimize infectious complications and maintain a reasonable cost-benefit ratio, we recommend: i) use a single lumen catheter unless clear indications for a multi-lumen catheter exist; ii) insert the catheter via the subclavian vein if no relative contraindication exists (bleeding diathesis, positive pressure ventilation); iii) disinfect the insertion site employing sterile technique; iv) apply a dry, sterile dressing and change the dressing every other day; v) inspect the insertion site for signs of infection and remove the catheter if pus is present; vi) if a catheter-related infection is suspected, change the catheter over a guidewire and culture the distal segment. The replacement catheter should be removed if an original catheter segment culture is positive.
Evaluation of chlorfenapyr for control of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius L.

BACKGROUND: The presence of bed bug populations resistant to pyrethroids demands the development of new control tactics, including the use of insecticides with new modes of action. Insecticides that disrupt oxidative phosphorylation in insect mitochondria can be an option. Laboratory assays were used to measure the toxicity of chlorfenapyr to susceptible strains and two strains highly resistant to pyrethroids. The effectiveness of two chlorfenapyr-based formulations was compared, and behavioral responses of bed bugs to dry residues of aerosol sprays were evaluated. RESULTS: Chlorfenapyr was effective against all bed bug strains, killing them at a similar rate, regardless of their susceptibility status to pyrethroids. Dry residues aged for 4 months were as toxic as fresh dry residues. The aerosol formulation had contact activity and caused faster mortality than a water-based formulation. Bed bugs did not avoid resting on surfaces treated with aerosol. CONCLUSION: Chlorfenapyr is an option for controlling pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs. While it does not cause quick knockdown, its long residual activity and no avoidance behavior of bed bugs to dry residues appear to make this insecticide suitable for bed bug control. A faster insecticidal effect is obtained with the aerosol formulation, suggesting greater bioavailablity of the toxicant. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Anomalous electrophoretic migration of newly synthesized ribosomal RNAs and their precursors from cells with DKC1 mutations

Mutations in the X-linked gene, DKC1, encoding dyskerin, cause dyskeratosis congenita by leading to decreased telomerase activity and causing short telomeres. Dyskerin is also a pseudouridine synthase that modifies nascent ribosomal and other RNAs and it is not known if this function is affected by the mutations. Here we show that newly synthesized ribosomal RNA, extracted from human and mouse cells with pathogenic mutations, shows anomalous mobility in agarose gels under certain denaturation conditions. The anomalously migrating RNA is turned over rapidly. Analysis of ribosomal RNA in these cells suggests the altered mobility is due to inefficient pseudouridylation.
Relationships among speech, vision, and action in collaborative physical tasks

This workshop focuses on the relationships among speech, gaze and action in collaborative physical tasks. We address three key challenges: characterizing the nature of collaborative physical tasks, understanding how people coordinate their activities during collaborative physical tasks, and designing technology to support these tasks.
Issues and Strategies for Social Justice Allies (and the Student Affairs Professionals Who Hope to Encourage Them).

This chapter discusses the difficulties associated with developing a social justice ally identity and provides practical suggestions to overcome them.
Parametric vs nonparametric measurements in tissues with nonlinear frequency dependent attenuation

The relationship between the attenuation parameters of tissue and the linear regression slope derived from nonparametric estimates of tissue attenuation is investigated. It was found that if the attenuation in the tissue possesses a nonlinear frequency dependence, the linear regression slope parameter becomes dependent on center frequency and on the bandwidth of the measurement. Moreover, it was found that the slope estimate is numerically close to the parameter derived from parametric attenuation measurements in such cases.
University Teaching in Finland: Parting Observations of a Fulbrighter

The possibility of spending a semester or a year abroad via the Fulbright program, without interrupting one's career development (indeed often enhancing it), is unquestionably one of the great potential perks of an academic life. The sheer range of Fulbright positions is astounding. Some are for research, some for lecturing, and some are combined positions; some have closely specified needs, while others are open competitions for all fields; and every country in the world has positions. My own country choice, Finland, was dictated by various factors ranging from prior intellectual and research interest to personal fascination with this small, peripheral European country, even though, unlike most Americans with an interest in Fin-
The effects of ATP on the CD spectrum of membrane fraction from oxyntic cells.

Abstract A vesicular preparation derived from acid-secreting cells of dog gastric mucosa was studied in a Cary 60 modified for simultaneous CD and absorbance measurements. Significant changes in the spectrum were obtained on addition of MgATP, but not MgAMP, which were only partly due to changes in scattering, etc . Thus ATP may induce conformational changes in the protein constituents of the vesicle membrane.
The Relatonship Between Urban Students Attending Religious Revival Services and Academic and Social Outcomes

This study examines the effects of attending religious revival services on the educational and behavioral outcomes of urban students. Specifically, the influence of attending the most recognized revival of the past decade is analyzed. Urban student attendees from throughout the United States attend, are surveyed, and then are randomly selected to be included in the analysis. Two other groups of randomly selected urban students serve as control groups; one control group consisting of students intending to attend the revival services and the other group not. The results indicate that those students attending the revival services show a greater rate of improvement in school behavior, such as reduced alcohol and drug consumption, and report larger increases in the quality of family life and the quality of life as a whole than their counterparts in the general control group do but that they show no tendency to outpace their counterparts in improved grades.
The use of frequency and wavelet analysis for monitoring surface quality of wood machining applications

The research described in this study is part of a project to provide the technology and theory to quantify surface quality for a variety of wood and wood-based products. The ultimate goal is to provide a means of monitoring trends in surface quality, which can be used to discriminate between “good” products and “bad” products (the methods described in this research are not intended to provide “grading” of individual workpieces) as well as to provide information to the machine operator as to the source of poor-quality machined surfaces. This research investigates the use of both frequency domain analysis as well as the more advanced joint time frequency analysis (JTFA). The disadvantages of traditional frequency analysis as well as the potential of the JTFA are illustrated. Sample surface profiles from actual machining defects were analyzed using traditional frequency analysis. A surface with multiple machining defects was analyzed with both traditional frequency analysis and JTFA (harmonic wavelet). Although the analysis was empirical in nature, the results show that the harmonic wavelet transform is able to detect both stationary and non-stationary surface irregularities as well as pulses (localized defects). SCANNING 32: 224–232, 2010. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hemoglobin protects from streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis.

Objective To investigate the ability of hemoglobin (Hgb), a nitric oxide (NO) scavenger, to deplete excess NO and reduce inflammation and injury in synovial tissue from joints with inflammatory arthritis. Methods The severity of streptococcal cell wall– induced arthritis was monitored following administration of Hgb. Plasma nitrite and nitrate levels were measured, and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and joint tissue were evaluated. Results Following systemic administration of Hgb to arthritic rats, plasma levels of nitrite and nitrate as well as iNOS mRNA expression in the joints and PBMC were significantly reduced. Moreover, inflammatory cell accumulation and disease pathology in the joint tissue were dramatically attenuated without obvious side effects. Consistent with this reduction in the inflammatory response, cytokine gene expression was decreased in the synovium of Hgb-treated rats. Conclusion Modulation of NO levels through the use of a NO scavenger, Hgb, influences the development and severity of arthritis. These findings suggest that depletion of excess NO by NO scavengers provides a prototype for further exploration of potential treatments for chronic arthritis.
Teratogenicity of cyclophosphamide metabolites: phosphoramide mustard, acrolein, and 4-ketocyclophosphamide in rat embryos cultured in vitro.

Abstract Phosphoramide mustard, acrolein, and 4-ketocyclosphosphamide, known stable metabolic products of bioactivated cyclophosphamide, were tested for their teratogenicity against rat embryos grown in vitro from Day 10 to Day 11 of gestation. Results indicate that phosphoramide mustard is the teratogenic metabolite of cyclophosphamide, since the effects of phosphoramide mustard exactly parallel those of bioactivated cyclophosphamide. These effects are reductions in total embryo protein content, crown-rump length and number of somites, characteristic malformations, and pattern of cell necrosis. Acrolein at a dose equimolar to a dose of bioactivated cyclophosphamide which produced malformations in 100% of treated embryos had no effect on any of the parameters measured. An equimolar dose of 4-ketocyclophosphamide had no effect on total embryo protein content or crown-rump length and number of somites, but consistently produced some malformed embryos. The kinds of malformations observed, however, are not seen in embryos treated with phospharamide mustard or bioactivated cyclophosphamide.
Model for authoring FOR retrieval (AFR): retrieval on parallel data stream of recorded lecture information

Lectures and similar presentations are increasingly available in digital format as tools for presenting and recording become rich in features and readily available. We discuss extensions to a representative of such tools that facilitate better retrieval functionality while keeping the system simple and the instructor focused on the presented material, rather than on adding the necessary meta- information by hand.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Use of packaged entrees as part of a weight-loss diet in overweight men: an 8-week randomized clinical trial.

Aim: This study assessed the efficacy of a weight-loss diet by using packaged portion-controlled entrees vs. a self-selected diet based on the United States Department of Agriculture Food Guide Pyramid (FGP). Methods: Sixty healthy overweight men (body mass index (BMI) 26–42 kg/m2; aged 24–60 years) were randomized into two groups for an 8-week intervention. Group E consumed two portion-controlled entrees daily, plus recommended servings from the FGP. Group P consumed a self-selected diet consisting of a recommended number of servings from the FGP. Diets were designed to be isocaloric (1700 kcal) and identical in macronutrient composition (55% carbohydrate, 25% protein and 20% fat). Participants were instructed to make no changes in physical activity levels. Each group was blinded to the protocol of the other group, and received separate diet instructions, but no behavioural or diet counselling. Outcomes included weight, BMI, body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood lipids, glucose, insulin and C-reactive protein. Results: Fifty-one men completed the study. The portion-control group E (n = 25) experienced greater decreases in weight (−7.4 ± 3.1 vs. −5.1 ± 4.0 kg), BMI (−2.4 ± 1.0 vs. −1.6 ± 1.3 kg/m2), fat mass (−3.6 ± 1.8 vs. −2.5 ± 1.8 kg), waist circumference (−6.6 ± 3.3 vs. −4.3 ± 2.9 cm) and diastolic BP (−6.0 ± 7.2 vs. + 0.2 ± 10.1 mmHg) than group P (n = 26) (p < 0.05). Consumption of a packaged entree diet resulted in greater losses of weight and fat mass, and reduced BP. Conclusions: Use of packaged entrees as part of a weight-loss diet is an effective means of achieving portion control and enhancing losses of weight and fat mass in overweight men.
Infrared Spectroscopic Studies of the Hydrolysis Reaction During Leaching of Heavy‐Metal Fluoride Glasses

In this work, the interfacial reactions of heavy-metal fluoride glasses with water have been investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. High dilution and stirring conditions were maintained to prevent any influence of pH drift and reprecipitation. From comparisons of the integrated absorption peak areas for the O-H stretching and H-O-H bending vibrations in the glass with those for molecular water, the contributions of metal hydroxyls formed in the corrosion layer can be separated from the total O-H band. The comparison between the infrared spectra for leached samples and hydroxides of the glass components show the presence of Zr-OH and La-OH groups in ZrF4-based glasses after leaching and drying and of Th-OH groups in ThF4 glass, indicating the existence of F.-/OH- ion exchange between the glass surface and water.
TGFβ-mediated formation of pRb-E2F complexes in human myeloid leukemia cells

TGFbeta is well known for its inhibitory effect on cell cycle G1 checkpoint kinases. However, its role in the control of pRb-E2F complexes is not well established. TGFbeta inhibits phosphorylation of pRb at several serine and threonine residues and regulates the association of E2F transcription factors with pRb family proteins. Recent studies found that predominantly E2F-4, p130, and histone deacetylase (HDAC) are found to bind to corresponding E2F-responsive promoters in G0/G1 phase. As cells progress through mid-G1, p130-E2F4 complex are replaced by p107-E2F4 followed by activators E2F1, 2, and 3. pRb was not detectable in the promoters containing the E2F-responsive site in cycling cells but was associated with E2F4-p130 complexes or E2F4-p107 complexes during G0/G1 phase. In human myeloid leukemia cell line, MV4-11, TGFbeta upregulated pRb-E2F-4 and p130-E2F-4, and downregulated p107-E2F-4 complexes. However, pRB-E2F1 and pRb-E2F3 complexes were found in proliferating cells but not in TGFbeta arrested G1 cells. In addition, electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA) could not detect pRb-E2F DNA-binding activities either in S or G1 phase but exhibited the existence of p107-E2F4 in proliferating cells and p130-E2F4 complexes in TGFbeta-arrested G1 cells, respectively. Our data suggest that p107 and p130, but not pRb, and the repressor E2F, but not activator E2Fs, play a critical role in regulating E2F-responsive gene expression in TGFbeta-mediated cell cycle control in human myeloid leukemia cells.
1683 ORAL VERSUS AEROSOL ADRENERGIC BRONCHODILATORS IN ASTHMA

17 children attending asthma clinic who had moderate airways obstruction and who were in clinically stable condition were tested for bronchodilator response to aerosol and oral adrenergic agonists in a double blind randomized sequence on 4 different days. 4 regimens were: Aerosol- metaproterenol aerosol (Alupent) 1 puff (0.65mg) at the start and at 20 and 40 minutes plus placebo tablets, Oral- metaproterenol tablets 10-20mg or terbutaline 2.5-5mg by mouth based on weight plus placebo aerosols, Combineda combination of both actives, and Placebo-placebo tablets and aerosols. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were measured before and after the therapy at 20, 40, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. Side effects, blood pressure, and pulse rates were checked before and after the therapy. Oral therapy produced a slow improvement in FEV1 which reached the maximum (26% above the baseline) at 120 minutes and started to decline, at 240 minutes. Aerosol therapy produced a prompt, marked increase in FEV1 at 20 minutes which reached the maximum (39 %) at 120 minutes and started to decline at 180 minutes. FEV1 response on the aerosol therapy was significantly greater than on oral therapy from 20 to 120 minutes. The combined therapy produced a slightly, but not significantly, greater response than the aerosol therapy throughout the test period. Side effects were frequent on the oral and combined therapy and infrequent on the aerosol regimen. Aerosol route is superior overall.
ANDROGEN RECEPTORS AND METABOLISM IN CULTURED HUMAN FETAL FIBROBLASTS

SUMMARY: Testosterone metabolism and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) receptor activity were studied in fibroblasts cultured fram genital and non-genital tissues of 8- to 22-week old human fetuses. AS early as the eighth week of gestation. DHT receptar activity was detected in non-genital skin. The binding capacity (Bma,) was greater in genital skin fibroblasts (mean ± SD - 474 ± 32 moles x lO-18/ug DNA) than non-genital skin (mean ± SD = 124 ± 42 moles x 10-18/ug DNA). DHT receptor binding (Bmax) was found in fibroblasts derived from testes (112 moles x 10-18/ug DNA), but not intestine (< 10 moles x l0-18/ug DNA). The DHT receptor activity of fetal skin fibroblasts of genital origin was similar to that of fibroblasts derived fram the foreskin of normal newborns. DHT receptors from fetal and newborn fibroblast cultures had similar sedimentation coefficients in sucrose density gradient centrifugation, but there were small differences in their relative affinities for 17β-estradiol and cypraterone. Low, but detectable 5a-reductase activity was observed at 8 weeks gestation in non-genital skin fibroblasts and was present in fibroblasts from a variety of tissues of older fetuses, including testes, kidneys and lung.. The highest 5α-reductase activity of 210 pgthourlug DNA was found in fibroblasts cultured from clitoral tissue from 8 10-week old fetus. In all but one specimen, the 5α-reduced products were either DHT or 5α-androstanedione. The demanstratian of 5a-reductase activity and specific DHT receptors in fetal tissues suggests that the intracellular mechanism for androgen action is present in the fetus, similar to that after birth. SPECULATION: We have observed the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as well as DHT binding to a specific receptor in human fibroblasts cultured from a variety of tissue8 of fetal origin as early as 8 weeks gestation. It is speculated that the concentration of testosterone, the rate of formation of DHT and the concentration of androgen receptors each play a role in the differentiation of the external genitalia.
Mechanism of macrophage activation by (1,4)-α-d-glucan isolated from Tinospora cordifolia

The signaling mechanism of the novel (1,4)-alpha-D-glucan (RR1) isolated from the medicinal plant Tinospora cordifolia was investigated in macrophages to evaluate its immunostimulating properties. When RAW264.7 macrophages were incubated with RR1 at 4 degrees C, the novel glucan inhibited the phagocytosis of unopsonized zymosan A bioparticles in a dose-dependent manner. RR1 also inhibited the binding and internalization of opsonized zymosan A bioparticles, although at a lower level than laminarin. Incubation of macrophages with anti-CD11b mAb followed by RR1 failed to show any inhibitory effect on RR1-induced TNF-alpha synthesis confirming that complement receptor 3 (CR3) is not involved in the opsonic binding and internalization of RR1 in macrophages unlike zymosan A. The anti-CD11b mAb has significant inhibitory effect on the zymosan A-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha synthesis. RR1 induced TNF-alpha synthesis in macrophages in a dose-dependent manner which can be completely inhibited by the NF-kappaB inhibitor caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) or curcumin. RR1 activated NF-kappaB in a time- and dose-dependent manner and this modulation of nuclear NF-kappaB activity is associated with the degradation of I-kappaB alpha thus facilitating the translocation of NF-kappaB into the nucleus. RR1-induced NF-kappaB activity peaks at 8 h of RR1 stimulation while I-kappaB alpha degradation occurred within 1 h of stimulation. RR1-induced NF-kappaB activation occurred through TLR6 signaling as evidenced by the synthesis of IL-8 in TLR6-transfected HEK293 cells. These results show that the novel (1,4)-alpha-D-glucan from Tinospora cordifolia activates the immune system through the activation of macrophages that occurs through TLR6 signaling, NF-kappaB translocation and cytokine production.
PREDICTING THE RATE WITH WHICH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE MURDERED

Data on law enforcement officers lulled for the period 1961 to 1985 were obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation [personal communication, supplemented by the annual volume Law Enforcement Officers Killed published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (annual)]. Estimates of the number of law enforcement officers were obtained from the Statistical Abstract of the United States published by the Census Bureau (annual) so that rates could be calculated. The general homicide rate and the rate of justifiable homicide by police were obtained from Lester (1993). Rates of unemployment, marriage, birth, and divorce were obtained from the Census Bureau (annual). The time-series regressions were carried out with the statistical package provided by Doan (1990), using the Cochrane-Orcutt method to correct for the serial autocorrelation in the data. In an initial set of time-series regressions, marriage, birth, divorce, and unemployment rates did not contribute significantly to the prediction of any of the rates with which police officers were kdled. When the general homicide and justifiable homicide rates were used to predict the rate with which police officers were murdered by civhans, the latter was significant (6= ,060, p< .05) and the percentage of variance explained was 81. The conclusion appears to be that the most powerful predictors of the rate with which police officers are lulled by civhans in recent years in the USA are the general homicide rate in the society and the rate of justifiable homicide by police officers.
Synovial osteochondromatosis in the subacromial bursa

Synovial osteochondromatosis may occur within an otherwise normal synovial joint (primary disease), within a diseased joint (secondary disease), within tendon sheaths, and within extraarticular bursal cavities. Each of these four types of disease can present in one of three progressive morphologic stages in which the intrasynovial proliferations of cartilage and bone break free to form loose bodies. A 61-year-old man presented with loose bodies about his right shoulder. This case report demonstrates that the disease was a true example of bursal osteochondromatosis of the subacromial bursa, Stage III, rather than synovial osteochondromatosis of the shoulder joint. Well-documented cases of bursal osteochondromatosis are rare.
Localization of distal regulatory domains in the megakaryocyte-specific platelet basic protein/platelet factor 4 gene locus

The genes for the related human (h) chemokines, PBP (platelet basic protein) and PF4 (platelet factor 4), are within 5.3 kilobases (kb) of each other and form a megakaryocyte-specific gene locus. The hypothesis was considered that the PBP and PF4 genes share a common distal regulatory region(s) that leads to their high-level megakaryocyte-specific expression in vivo. This study examined PBP and PF4 expression in transgenic mice using 4 distinct human PBP/PF4 gene locus constructs. These studies showed that within the region studied there was sufficient information to regulate tissue-specific expression of both hPBP and hPF4. Indeed this region contained sufficient DNA information to lead to expression levels of PBP and PF4 comparable to the homologous mouse genes in a position-independent, copy number-dependent fashion. These studies also indicated that the DNA domains that led to this expression were distinct for the 2 genes; hPBP expression is regulated by a region that is 1.5 to 4.4 kb upstream of that gene. Expression of hPF4 is regulated by a region that is either intergenic between the 2 genes or immediately downstream of the hPF4 gene. Comparison of the available human and mouse sequences shows conserved flanking region domains containing potential megakaryocyte-related transcriptional factor DNA-binding sites. Further analysis of these regulatory regions may identify enhancer domains involved in megakaryopoiesis that may be useful in the selective expression of other genes in megakaryocytes and platelets as a strategy for regulating hemostasis, thrombosis, and inflammation. (Blood. 2001;98:610-617)
Salary prospects, unemployment, and work effort

Abstract In this paper, we address the problem of inducing workers to provide effort when backloading of wages (bonding) is not possible. Firms offer salary prospects: those monitored and found not shirking are paid a higher wage than others; those found shirking are discharged. Unlike other schemes, unemployment is not caused by such a contract, nor is unemployment required for salary prospects to deter shirking. Salary prospects are compared to rank-order tournaments. Both are found to have beneficial aspects, and neither appears clearly to dominate the other.
The Role, Development, and Implementation of a Marketing Knowledge base as a Tool in the Enhancement and Assessment of Student Learning

Today, most schools of business and marketing departments within them place significant emphasis on the assessment of student learning, often in response to AACSB International and regional accreditation agency mandates. There is a rich body of literature on assessment philosophies and practices in business programs. However, much less attention has been paid to developing tools that enhance the long-term learning experience for students. In this paper, a new pedagogical tool—the marketing knowledge base (MKB)—is presented. An MKB is a valuable device that can facilitate both learning marketing concepts and assessing what marketing knowledge is retained by majors and nonmajors.
Finding Resources to Reduce Class-size

This article discusses how a medium-sized school district in Wisconsin was able to reallocate resources to reduce class sizes in grades K-5 without spending more money or increasing its tax rate. Previous research on resource reallocation found that the bulk of reallocated resources were those supporting categorical program services. This district was able to use a different strategy. As a growing district, its marginal costs of adding an extra class of students were much less than its average expenditures per pupil, which were reimbursed by the state school finance formula. As the district grew, therefore, it acquired excess revenues. Also, by implementing full-day kindergarten, the district acquired more excess revenues because this added (0.5 pupil) X (Number of kindergartners) to its current enrollment, and the cost of educating these students was less than the amount they received from the state funding formula. It then used these revenues to reduce class sizes to between 15 and 20 in all Kindergarten through grade 3 classrooms and to between 15 and 22 for grades 4-5.
Broadening Our Frame to Enrich the SoTL Conversation

is thriving:•• Manuscript submissions are up by about 5% while institutional sub-scriptions have increased by 11%.•• Full-text downloads, the bellwether of pedagogical journal usage/impact, have gone up 15% over the past couple of years.•• Article creativity and quality continue to grow—our 2014 acceptance rate was just under 13%.Perhaps the most important measurement, however, is reflected in our reviewer and action editor commitment to authors: Our time from submission to first decision dropped from 38 days in 2013 to an astonishing 23 days in
Building alternate protein structures using the elastic network model

We describe a method for efficiently generating ensembles of alternate, all-atom protein structures that (a) differ significantly from the starting structure, (b) have good stereochemistry (bonded geometry), and (c) have good steric properties (absence of atomic overlap). The method uses reconstruction from a series of backbone framework structures that are obtained from a modified elastic network model (ENM) by perturbation along low-frequency normal modes. To ensure good quality backbone frameworks, the single force parameter ENM is modified by introducing two more force parameters to characterize the interaction between the consecutive carbon alphas and those within the same secondary structure domain. The relative stiffness of the three parameters is parameterized to reproduce B-factors, while maintaining good bonded geometry. After parameterization, violations of experimental Calpha-Calpha distances and Calpha-Calpha-Calpha pseudo angles along the backbone are reduced to less than 1%. Simultaneously, the average B-factor correlation coefficient improves to R = 0.77. Two applications illustrate the potential of the approach. (1) 102,051 protein backbones spanning a conformational space of 15 A root mean square deviation were generated from 148 nonredundant proteins in the PDB database, and all-atom models with minimal bonded and nonbonded violations were produced from this ensemble of backbone structures using the SCWRL side chain building program. (2) Improved backbone templates for homology modeling. Fifteen query sequences were each modeled on two targets. For each of the 30 target frameworks, dozens of improved templates could be produced In all cases, improved full atom homology models resulted, of which 50% could be identified blind using the D-Fire statistical potential.
Secondary organic aerosol from limona ketone: insights into terpene ozonolysis via synthesis of key intermediates.

Limona ketone was synthesized to explore the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation mechanism from limonene ozonolysis and also to test group-additivity concepts describing the volatility distribution of ozonolysis products from similar precursors. Limona ketone SOA production is indistinguishable from α-pinene, confirming the expected similarity. However, limona ketone SOA production is significantly less intense than limonene SOA production. The very low vapor pressure of limonene ozonolysis products is consistent with full oxidation of both double bonds in limonene and furthermore with production of products other than ketones after oxidation of the exo double bond in limonene. Mass-balance constraints confirm that ketone products from exo double-bond ozonolysis have a minimal contribution to the ultimate product yield. These results serve as the foundation for an emerging framework to describe the effect on volatility of successive generations of organic compounds in the atmosphere.
Simultaneous design of fault tolerant controller and fault detector for linear continuous-time systems with actuator outage faults

The paper studies the problem of simultaneous design of fault tolerant controller and fault detector for a class of linear continuous-time systems with bounded disturbances and nonzero external constant inputs. A dynamic output feedback controller and a fault detector are designed simultaneously, where the output feedback controller stabilizes the closed-loop system for both normal and faulty cases and attenuates the effects of disturbances. By manipulating the steady-state values of the system states with the fault detector, a residual is then generated, through which the actuator outage faults can be detected effectively. An F-18 aircraft model is studied to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
The Primary Target Organ of Cryptococcus gattii Is Different from That of Cryptococcus neoformans in a Murine Model

ABSTRACT Cryptococcosis is caused by the opportunistic pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans or by the primary pathogen Cryptococcus gattii. Epidemiological studies suggest that patients infected with C. gattii mainly present with pulmonary disease, while those infected with C. neoformans commonly manifest meningoencephalitis. We compared the pathogenesis of the two species using the C. neoformans H99 and C. gattii R265 strains in a murine inhalation model. C. neoformans grew faster in the brain and caused death by meningoencephalitis, while C. gattii grew faster in the lungs and caused death without producing fulminating meningoencephalitis. Despite the consistent failure to recover R265 cells from blood, a fraction of the R265 population was detected in the extrapulmonary organs, including the brain. Upon intravenous (i.v. ) inoculation of 10 4 cells via the tail vein, however, C. gattii produced severe meningoencephalitis, demonstrating that C. gattii cells can efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier. Interestingly, i.v. inoculation with five cells caused brain infection in only 10% of C. gattii-infected mice, compared to 60% of mice infected with C. neoformans. In mice that had been initially inoculated via the pulmonary route and subsequently challenged intravenously, a protective effect was observed only in mice infected with C. gattii. C. neoformans cells grew 10 to 100 times faster than C. gattii cells in blood or serum collected from naive mice. The paucity of meningoencephalitis upon inhalation of C. gattii, therefore, may be partly due to an unknown factor(s) in the host’s blood coupled with immune protection that reduces dissemination to the brain and fosters lung infection. IMPORTANCE While Cryptococcus neoformans is the most common cause of fatal meningoencephalitis, especially in HIV patients, Cryptococcus gattii causes disease mainly in non-HIV patients. Clinical studies revealed that most patients infected with C. gattii VGII strains have lung infections with minimal brain involvement. Despite extensive clinicopathological studies on cryptococcosis in animal models, only a few have included C. gattii. We compared the pathogenesis of the two species in mice using an inhalation model. Similar to infection in humans, even though C. gattii can cross the blood-brain barrier, it failed to cause fatal meningoencephalitis but caused fatal lung infection. We show that growth of C. gattii in mouse blood is significantly slower than that of C. neoformans and that a secondary protective phenomenon, though weak, manifests itself only in C. gattii infection. Our study provides a model for understanding the clinicopathological differences between these two closely genetically related pathogens.
Olfactory function in chemical workers exposed to acrylate and methacrylate vapors.

An investigation of the olfactory function of 731 workers at a chemical facility which manufacturers acrylates and methacrylates was undertaken using a standardized quantitative test. In a cross-sectional analysis of the data, no associations of chemical exposure with olfactory test scores were observed. A nested case-control study designed to evaluate the cumulative effects of exposure on olfactory function, however, revealed elevated crude exposure odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 2.0 (1.1, 3.8) for all workers and 6.0 (1.7, 21.5) for workers who never smoked cigarettes. Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for multiple confounders, revealed exposure odds ratios of 2.8 (1.1, 7.0) and 13.5 (2.1, 87.6) in these same groups, respectively, and a dose-response relationship between olfactory dysfunction and cumulative exposure scores--semi-quantitative indices of lifetime exposure to the acrylates. The data also revealed decreasing exposure odds ratios with increasing duration since last exposure t...
Water relations and growth of loblolly pine seedlings planted under a shelterwood and in a clear-cut

We investigated the influence of shelterwood conditions on water relations and growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings on two harsh sites in eastern Texas. Site I was harvested to provide four overstory density treatments (0, 2.3, 4.6 and 9.2 m(2) of residual basal area per ha). To quantify the effects of overstory competition, trenched and nontrenched subplots, each containing 25 one-year-old seedlings, were established within each overstory treatment plot, and predawn and midday water potentials (Psi(w)), seedling growth and survival were measured during the growing season. Leaf area and seedling biomass partitioning were measured at the end of the growing season. Site II was harvested to provide two overstory density treatments (0 and 6.9 m(2) ha(-1)) and planted with one-year-old loblolly pine seedlings. Seedling Psi(w), stomatal conductance (g(wv)), transpiration flux density (E), leaf area, height and survival were determined. On Site I, seedling Psi(w) increased with increasing overstory basal area, whereas trenching only substantially affected Psi(w) of seedlings in the 9.2 m(2) ha(-1) overstory treatment. Growth was not affected by overstory treatment or trenching. On Site II, Psi(w) and g(wv) were highest during the morning hours and lowest in the afternoon, whereas E peaked in the afternoon. Vapor pressure deficits and photosynthetic photon flux density were major factors in determining g(wv) differences between treatments. On individual days, the presence of an overstory increased Psi(w) and reduced both g(wv) and E. On Site II, leaf area was affected by overstory treatment throughout most of the study. We conclude that the presence of an overstory can have ameliorative effects on harsh sites at the western fringe of the loblolly pine natural range.
Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm: who, when, how, and why?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia that rarely is life threatening (e.g., rapid preexcited ventricular response in the presence of an accessory pathway), but often is life disturbing. Management of patients with AF can often test the mettle of even experienced clinicians, and involves choices of restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm, ventricular rate control, and antithrombotic therapy. Because restoration of AF to sinus rhythm has some risks, whether using pharmacologic or electrical means, the clinician should consider several issues to maximize safety and efficacy of cardioversion. The first question is why attempt cardioversion or,
A rational function approximation for the integration point in exponentially weighted finite element methods

Abstract : A rational function is presented for approximating the function f(z) = coth z - 1/z that appears in several exponentially fitted or weighted finite difference and finite element methods for convection-diffusion problems. The approximation is less expensive to evaluate than f(z) and provides greater accuracy than the doubly asymptotic approximation when z = 0(1).