cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing the effectiveness of using various face coverings to mitigate the transport of airborne particles produced by coughing indoors

Exposure to respiratory droplets contributes greatly to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the effectiveness of various face coverings to reduce co...
Ulnar Extension Coupling in Functional Wrist Kinematics During Hand Activities of Daily Living.

Purpose Wrist circumduction is increasingly used as a functional motion assessment for patients. Thus, increasing our understanding of its relation to the functional motion envelope is valuable. Previous studies have shown that the wrist is preferentially extended during hand activities of daily living (ADLs), with greater ulnar than radial deviation. The purpose of this study was to characterize the functional wrist motions of 22 modern ADLs in healthy subjects. We hypothesized that the subjects would perform ADLs predominantly in ulnar extension. Methods Ten right-handed, healthy subjects performed flexion-extension, radioulnar deviation, maximal circumduction, and 22 modern ADLs. Angular wrist positions were obtained by tracking retroreflective markers on the hand and forearm. Angular motion data were analyzed with a custom program for peak/trough angles in flexion extension and radioulnar deviation, ellipse area of circumduction data, and ellipse area of combined motion data. Results The required ranges of motion for ADLs were from 46.6° ± 16.5° of flexion (stirring task) to 63.8° ± 14.2° of extension (combing) in flexion-extension and from 15.6° ± 8.9° of radial deviation (opening a jar) to 32.5° ± 8.3° of ulnar deviation (picking up smartphone) in radioulnar deviation. Ellipse area of combined motion data of the 22 ADLs were, on average, 58.2% ± 14.3% of the ellipse area of maximal circumduction. A motion data quadrantal analysis revealed that 54.9% of all ADL wrist motion occurred in ulnar extension. Among the average wrist positions for 22 ADLs, 16 were located in the ulnar extension quadrant. Conclusions This study revealed a functional wrist motion envelope that was less than 60% of wrist maximal motion capacity on average. Our results also showed that the majority of ADLs are performed in ulnar extension of the wrist. Clinical relevance Baseline values for healthy subjects performing 22 wrist ADLs can inform future studies assessing dysfunction, postsurgical changes, and rehabilitation progress.
What Is Text Reading Fluency and Is It a Predictor or an Outcome of Reading Comprehension? A Longitudinal Investigation.

Text reading fluency refers to the ability to read connected texts with accuracy, speed, and expression (prosody), and has garnered substantial attention as an important skill for reading comprehension. However, two fundamental questions remain-the dimensionality of text reading fluency including text reading efficiency (accuracy and speed) and reading prosody, and the directionality of the relation between text reading fluency and reading comprehension. These questions were addressed using longitudinal data from Grade 1 (Mage = 6.36 years) to Grade 3 (Mage = 8.34 years). Majority of children were White (approximately 60%) and African American (26%) with 39% to 52% from low-SES backgrounds, depending on the grade. Text reading fluency, word reading, listening comprehension, and reading comprehension were measured. Results from confirmatory factor analysis revealed that text reading fluency is a multidimensional construct with a trifactor structure, which has a general factor that captures common ability across text reading efficiency and reading prosody as well as local and specific factors that are unique beyond the general factor. However, the general factor was the most reliable factor, whereas local and specific factors were not reliable. The directionality of the relation between text reading fluency and reading comprehension was addressed by examining two competing structural equation models-text-reading-fluency-as-a-predictor/mediator model and text-reading-fluency-as-an-outcome model-and data supported the former. These results indicate that text reading fluency is a multidimensional construct, and it acts as a predictor, mediating the relations of word reading and listening comprehension to reading comprehension. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Opioid prescription-use after cesarean delivery: an observational cohort study.

To evaluate current opioid prescription practices following a cesarean delivery. Women were asked to participate in a prospective observational cohort study following a cesarean delivery. Participants were asked about their opioid use after discharge, amount leftover, subjective pain score, and satisfaction. A total of 344 women had cesarean deliveries during the study period, 242 were approached, 171 met eligibility criteria, and 109 were included in the analysis. Women in our study were predominantly African American (66.1%), high school graduates (32.1%), publicly insured (65.1%), single (55%) working mothers (68.8%). Most had been previously prescribed opioids (70.6%), of which 58.4% had a prior cesarean delivery. Only 78.8% of study participants took their opioid prescriptions, and 89.6% had an average of 17 pills leftover. The number of pills taken correlated with those prescribed in the study. Improved satisfaction in pain control with opioid and non-opioid alternatives was associated with a decrease in opioids used. Similarly, the participants’ perception of their abundant prescription quantity was associated with a decrease in prescription taken. Women were prescribed excess opioids. Excess opioids accounted for 63.3% of all pills filled, a total of 1670 pills leftover, most of which were stored in an unlocked location (75.6%). Our data showed a discrepancy of pills prescribed (24) compared to those used (10), which was also perceived as enough or too many by our participants. Our study demonstrates that women would benefit from fewer opioid pills and a discussion based on their pain perception.
A comparison of 2D and 3D shape characterisations of free gold particles in gravity and flash flotation concentrates

Abstract The focus of this study was to characterise and quantify the nature of free gold particles recovered in a plant setting featuring parallel gravity concentration and flash flotation processes, with an emphasis on the influence of size and shape as a review of the literature suggests the importance of such attributes on a particle’s recovery behaviour. Automated mineralogical analysis (AMA) was employed to quantify the free gold particles’ circularity and sphericity measurements using two and three dimensional (2D/3D) methods. As expected, the 2D results indicated that free gold particles (−212/+38 μm) reporting to the gravity concentrate in were, on average, more circular than those of the flash concentrate. However, 3D sphericity characterisations of the same samples offered opposing results. Such a conflict identifies the limitation for application of simple 2D and 3D shape characterisations for malleable and irregularly shaped free gold particles.
Absence of windbreaks and replanting citrus in solid sets increase density of Asian citrus psyllid populations

Densities of an herbivorous pest may be impacted by landscape and orchard architecture. We present two orchard experiments where the densities of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) were compared depending on: (1) the presence or absence of a windbreak and (2) if the orchards consisted of a solid set re-planting or an orchard with a mixture of mature and reset-replacement trees. Psyllid abundance was measured on the edges of five orchards. The factor investigated was the presence or absence of a windbreak. We observed significantly fewer psyllids on the edges of orchards with windbreaks as compared to those without windbreaks. We found no significant difference in the number of natural enemies between the edges with or without windbreaks, suggesting that windbreaks do not affect densities of psyllid natural enemies. Also, during two consecutive years, we compared the densities of psyllids on young trees less than 3 years of age in a solid set re-planting versus on resets (trees planted in replacement of dead or huanglongbing-infected trees) present randomly within mature orchards. This was conducted in four orchards and among three citrus varieties. More psyllids were found in the solid set re-plantings as compared with on the resets within mature orchards. To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that the planting strategy of new trees in orchards may impact the populations of a horticultural pest. Overall our data suggest that establishment and conservation of windbreaks might be beneficial to protect orchards from D. citri. The data also suggest that D. citri populations increase more within uniform landscapes of seedling trees as compared with mature orchards with randomly interspersed young seedlings.
mHealth Clinic Appointment PC Tablet: Implementation, Challenges and Solutions.

BACKGROUND Patients requiring daily intravenous (IV) home parenteral nutrition (HPN) would benefit from in-home professional observation to improve self-care, to assess, detect and prevent serious complications. AIMS The study aims are to assess the viability and utility of conducting mobile healthcare (mHealth) videoconference assessments with patients managing lifelong daily 12-hour IV nutrition infusions in their homes. The challenges and solutions to implementing mobile personal computer (PC) tablet based clinic appointments are described. METHODS A wireless Apple iPad Mini™ mobile touch-screen tablet computer with 5 mega-pixel camera was loaned to patients. Each tablet had Polycom RealPresence software and a fourth generation (4G) mobile telecommunications data plan. These supported audio-visual mobile videoconferencing encrypted connections between health professionals in their offices and HPN patients and their family members in their homes. Patients' and professionals' evaluations of their mHealth clinic experiences are collected. RESULTS Patients (mean age = 41.9, SD = 2.8 years) had been prescribed 12-hour home parenteral nutrition (HPN) infusions daily due short bowel disorders. Patients had been on HPN from 1 to 10 years (M=4, SD=3.6). Evaluation of clinic appointments revealed that 100% of the patients (n=45) and the professionals (n=6) indicated that they can clearly hear and easily see one another. The mHealth audio-visual interactions were highly rated by patients and family members. Professionals highly rated their ability to obtain a medical history and visual inspection of patients. Several challenges were identified and recommendations for resolutions are described. DISCUSSION All patients and professionals highly rated the iPad mHealth clinic appointments for convenience and ease of communicating between homes and offices. An important challenge for all mHealth visits is the clinical professional's ability to make clinically accurate judgments about what they observed and heard from the patients. Following our solutions for obtaining clear visuals with the iPad can improve ability to make clinical assessments.
Bacterial Pathogenicity, an Overview

The majority of infectious diseases had begun to decline at the turn of the century with the understanding that potentially dangerous microbes could be transmitted by water, food and insects and by the application of sanitation and antisepsis. Since the birth of the modern antibiotic era some 45 years ago the incidence of bacterial disease has declined further and, despite the marvels of R plasmids we heard earlier today, most bacterial infections can be controlled, though usually not prevented, by chemotherapy. Some bacterial infections can be prevented by immunization although except for certain toxins, immunization is generally based on hit or miss whole organism vacccines. The fact is that if we understood more about how particular microorganisms caused infection it might be possible to devise rational means to prevent them.
Mechanisms of insulin action.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mechanisms of insulin action. It has been firmly established that in many mammalian cell systems, insulin, when added to intact cells, increases the transport of specific monosaccharides, amino acids, and electrolytes. Insulin binds to cells in which it enhances transport or performs another type of activation and does not bind to insensitive cells. The hormone binds specifically to a protein in the cell membrane, and this protein is the so-called insulin receptor molecule. The receptor has been purified and its properties are being studied by many ingenious techniques. The perturbation of the membrane and the resulting transport effects caused by insulin can be satisfactorily imitated by anoxia—certain inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation, phospholipases, and proteases. These observations suggest that the hormone-receptor interaction is associated with some breakdown process of membrane constituents, perhaps within a specific lipoprotein complex. The nontransport effects of insulin do not seem to regulate the membrane effects. It has been shown that the inhibition of protein synthesis by puromycin does not affect the enhancement of glucose transport. Insulin affects transport in cell membranes in the virtual absence of cytoplasm and cell organelles. It may well be that the membrane effects of insulin trigger the production of a specific second messenger, which activates a reaction shared at some point by the processes of anabolism—the production of glycogen, protein, fat, and nucleic acid from the smaller precursors.
The Impact of Synchronous Text-Based Chat on Military Command and Control

Abstract : This research assesses the impact of synchronous (real-time), text-based chat on military command and control (C2) processes. Chat use among the services, particularly among joint forces, has evolved in ad hoc fashion to fill gaps in currently fielded C2 systems. This growth-by- improvisation inhibits clear definition of the underlying requirements: precisely what C2 deficiencies are being addressed by text-based chat tools? Or, from a bottom-up perspective: what capabilities do text-based chat tools bring to the war fighter? In this study we employ a broad set of use-cases to further refine why operators use chat based on how they apply chat to their specific combat problems. These use cases include ongoing combat operations in ENDURING FREEDOM, counter-insurgency operations in IRAQI FREEDOM, and disaster relief operations with Joint Task Force - Katrina. The focus of this study is on establishing operators perceived requirements in light of the current capabilities delivered by the existing text-based chat tools. From these reverse-engineered requirements we propose future work to establish these communication capabilities in the next-generation C2 systems.
Bacterial cell transportation in paper-based microfluidics

In this work, we provided a new technique to monitor the flow of bacterial cells in paper. This was based on real-time measuring of the electricity generated from bacterial metabolism. Despite recent efforts to monitor liquid flow in paper, there is not yet a technique that provides detailed flow information of particles in paper microfluidics. Our device contained three hydrophilic spots linked by a hydrophilic channel on paper. Each spot came into contact with an anode that was electrically connected to a cathode through an external load. When bacterial cells were transported to each spot by capillary force, the current generated from the bacteria was monitored and bacterial cells' transportation through the channel was quantitatively investigated according to the pore size of the paper.
Systems pharmacology of complex diseases

Systems pharmacology approaches can be used to identify and predict drug-induced adverse events. Disease-centered networks within the human interactome allow us to predict which drugs may produce a similar pathophysiology. Such predictions can be tested in animal models.
Explanations of pulsar velocities

Several mechanisms based on neutrino oscillations can explain the observed motions of pulsars if the magnetic field in their interiors is of order 10^{14}-10^{15} G.
Hyper-Chaining and Knowledge-Based Theorem Proving

Many programs have built-in axioms and lemmas of various theories [2,3,4,5,6,8,9,11]. These programs gain their efficiency by restricting and guiding the use of their axioms and lemmas; however, they do not hold their axioms or lemmas in a declarative form. Control and representation issues were intertwined with the encoding of the axioms and lemmas. As a result, the programs can not be simply combined to form more prowerful programs.
GM-CSF-neuroantigen fusion proteins inhibit experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis upon injection into lymphatics primed by encephalitogenic peptide and complete Freund’s adjuvant. (THER3P.878)

Single-chain fusion proteins comprised of GM-CSF and a myelin neuroantigen (NAg) epitope are potent, NAg-specific inhibitors of rat and mouse models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). This study provided evidence that GMCSF-MOG (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptide) inhibited EAE when co-injected adjacent to the encephalitogenic MOG35-55/ complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) emulsion. Furthermore, GMCSF-MOG had tolerogenic activity in the C57BL/6 model of chronic EAE when directly incorporated with MOG35-55 in the CFA emulsion. Likewise, GMCSF-PLP (proteolipid protein 139-151 peptide) inhibited relapsing-remitting EAE in SJL mice when mixed with PLP139-151 in the CFA emulsion. In vitro studies revealed that GMCSF-MOG stimulated the growth and differentiation of inflammatory dendritic cells (DC) and targeted the MOG35-55 domain for potentiated antigen presentation. However, presentation of MOG35-55 by these inflammatory DC was inhibitory, and the inhibitory mechanism in part depended upon the elaboration of nitric oxide. In conclusion, GMCSF-NAg was tolerogenic in CFA-primed lymphatics by a mechanism associated with inflammatory DC, targeted NAg presentation, and nitric oxide production. The inhibitory activity of GMCSF-NAg in CFA-primed lymphatics distinguished GMCSF-NAg fusion proteins as inflammation-dependent tolerogens mechanistically distinct from peptide or protein-based tolerogens.
Stability of recombinant human alpha-1-antitrypsin produced in rice in infant formula.

Human milk contains several biologically active proteins that benefit the breast-fed infant. In order to survive in the gastrointestinal tract, these proteins need to be protected against proteolysis. Since human milk contains relatively high concentrations of α-1-antitrypsin (AAT), we have expressed recombinant AAT in rice to explore the possibility of supplementing infant formula with this protein. The stability of recombinant AAT was examined by biochemical and functional assays, such as SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, ELISA, elastase and trypsin inhibition, following exposure to heat, low pH, and in vitro digestion, conducted in both phosphate buffered saline and infant formula. Native AAT is resistant to acidic environments down to pH 2 for 1 h and can withstand in vitro digestion modeled after conditions in the infant gut. Recombinant AAT is nearly as resistant as the native form in buffer, and is equally resilient in formula. Heat treatments (60°C for 15 min, 72°C for 20 sec, 85°C for 3 min, and 137°C for 20 sec) revealed that recombinant AAT is not as stable as native AAT in buffer, particularly at higher temperatures. While significantly less recombinant AAT is detected by ELISA after heating in formula, addition of bile extract can restore epitopes resulting in higher concentrations, suggesting protein aggregation that may not affect AAT activity. This study shows that recombinant AAT may survive the conditions of the infant stomach and duodenum and affect protein digestion in the infant small intestine.
Method for producing ultracold molecular ions

We propose a method for the production of ultracold molecular ions. This method utilizes sympathetic cooling due to the strong collisions between appropriately chosen molecular ions and laser-cooled neutral atoms to realize ultracold internal ground-state molecular ions. In contrast to other experiments producing cold molecular ions, our proposed method efficiently cools both the internal and external molecular-ion degrees of freedom. The availability of an ultracold, absolute ground-state sample of molecular ions would have broad impact to fields as diverse as quantum chemistry, astrophysics, and fundamental physics and may lead to the development of a robust scalable quantum computer.
Design and synthesis of a convergent and directional molecular antenna

A phenylacetylene monodendron having a smooth gradient in electronic energy from the periphery to the core has been synthesized. The focal point terminates in a perylene luminophor. This design is suggested to contain the essential features of an efficient exciton antenna, manifested in the form of a light energy conversion device.
Design and Implementation of a Secure Multi-Agent Marketplace

A multi-agent marketplace, MAGNET (Multi AGent Negotiation Testbed), is a promising solution for conducting online combinatorial auctions. The trust model of MAGNET is somewhat dieren t from other on-line auction systems, since the marketplace, which mediates all communications between agents, acts as a partiallytrusted third party. In this paper, we identify the security vulnerabilities of MAGNET and present a solution that overcomes these weaknesses. Our solution makes use of three dieren t existing technologies with standard cryptographic techniques: a publish/subscribe system to provide simple and general messaging, time-release cryptography to provide guaranteed nondisclosure of the bids, and anonymous communication to hide the identity of the bidders until the end of the auction. By doing so, we successfully minimize the trust on the market as well as increase the security of the whole system. The protocol that we have developed can be adapted for use by other agent-based auction systems, which use a third party to mediate transactions.
Nutritional Value of Chemically Modified Corn Starches

Male and female weanling rats were fed daily 5 g of a balanced diet supplemented with 1 or 2 g of corn starch, oxidized corn starch, corn starch phosphate, or hydroxyethyl corn starch. Commercially modified corn starches produced the same weight gain as normal corn starch during 21 days of feeding. In contrast to commercial starches, a very highly oxidized laboratory-prepared starch produced a lower weight gain during the same period.
Some epidemiological features of breast cancer among males.

Abstract Mortality and morbidity data for breast cancer in males are reviewed and the following observations are made: 1. 1. The age-specific mortality rates increase exponentially throughout life with a greater rate of increase before 40–50 years of age. 2. 2. The age-specific mortality rates are higher for nonwhites in every age group except for those individuals over 80 years of age. During the period 1939–1958, there was a higher mortality rate for nonwhite males. Whereas the white mortality rates have been slowly declining since 1947, the overall pattern for nonwhites has not changed. 3. 3. In a comparison of breast cancer mortality in nine countries, we observed that for both males and females the rates were lowest for Finland and Japan. 4. 4. The breast cancer mortality ratio is least for the married male and female. However, the striking excess mortality present in the single female group was not observed in the single male, but rather in the widowed and divorced groups. 5. 5. A study of the distribution of cancer mortality among Jews and Christians in the white population of New York City during the period 1953–1958 indicated that the average annual breast cancer death rates were highest for the Jewish males and females. 6. 6. The need for and objectives of a controlled field study of breast cancer in males were emphasized and discussed.
Phase-shifting interferometry with uncalibrated phase shifts.

A computationally efficient algorithm for phase-shifting interferometry with imprecise phase shifts is developed. It permits the use of an uncalibrated phase shifter and is also insensitive to spatial intensity variations. The measurement has both spatial and temporal aspects. Comparisons are made between pixels within the same interferogram, and these comparisons are extended across a set of interferograms by a maximum–minimum procedure. A test experiment is performed and confirms the theoretical results. An additional advantage of the algorithm is that an error measure can be developed. This error measure is used to implement an error correction scheme.
Changes in conformation at the cytoplasmic ends of the fifth and sixth transmembrane helices of a yeast G protein-coupled receptor in response to ligand binding.

The third intracellular loop (IL3) of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is an important contact domain between GPCRs and their G proteins. Previously, the IL3 of Ste2p, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae GPCR, was suggested to undergo a conformational change upon activation as detected by differential protease susceptibility in the presence and absence of ligand. In this study using disulfide cross-linking experiments we show that the Ste2p cytoplasmic ends of helix 5 (TM5) and helix 6 (TM6) that flank the amino and carboxyl sides of IL3 undergo conformational changes upon ligand binding, whereas the center of the IL3 loop does not. Single Cys substitution of residues in the middle of IL3 led to receptors that formed high levels of cross-linked Ste2p, whereas Cys substitution at the interface of IL3 and the contiguous cytoplasmic ends of TM5 and TM6 resulted in minimal disulfide-mediated cross-linked receptor. The alternating pattern of residues involved in cross-linking suggested the presence of a 310 helix in the middle of IL3. Agonist (WHWLQLKPGQPNleY) induced Ste2p activation reduced cross-linking mediated by Cys substitutions at the cytoplasmic ends of TM5 and TM6 but not by residues in the middle of IL3. Thus, the cytoplasmic ends of TM5 and TM6 undergo conformational change upon ligand binding. An α-factor antagonist (des-Trp, des- His-α-factor) did not influence disulfide-mediated Ste2p cross-linking, suggesting that the interaction of the N-terminus of α- factor with Ste2p is critical for inducing conformational changes at TM5 and TM6. We propose that the changes in conformation revealed for residues at the ends of TM5 and TM6 are affected by the presence of G protein but not G protein activation. This study provides new information about role of specific residues of a GPCR in signal transduction and how peptide ligand binding activates the receptor.
Cosensitized electron transfer photo-oxygenation: The photochemical preparation of 1,2,4-trioxolanes, 1,2-dioxolanes and 1,2,4-dioxazolidines☆

Abstract 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) sensitizes the electron transfer photo-oxygenation of epoxides, cyclopropanes and aziridines to yield 1,2,4-trioxolanes (ozonides), 1,2-dioxolanes and 1,2,4-dioxazolidines respectively. The addition of biphenyl (BP) as a cosensitizer can provide significantly enhanced rates of reaction of various substrates. An investigation of the stereochemistry of the photo-oxygenation of epoxides and aziridines has given support to a mechanism involving the addition of singlet oxygen as a dipolarophile to intermediate carbonyl and azomethine ylides. A mechanism for DCABP cosensitization is presented.
Enhancing immune responses to limit chronic immune activation during SIV.

The persistent immune activation that is typical of HIV-1 and SIV infection results in exhaustion and dysfunction of T and B cells; in T cells, this is marked by increased expression and signaling through the inhibitory receptor programmed death–1 (PD-1). Targeting this exhaustion pathway could result in improved antiviral immune responses, but there have been concerns that it would also lead to increased inflammation and immunopathology. In this issue of the JCI, Dyavar Shetty et al. demonstrate that blocking PD-1 actually reduced proinflammatory responses and improved immunity in the gut of SIV-infected rhesus macaques, suggesting that this might have therapeutic potential to prevent opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients.
Susceptibility of pinto bean leaves to tobacco mosaic virus and its relationship to leaf ribonuclease content.

Susceptibility of Pinto Bean Leaves to Tobacco Mosaic Virus and its Relationship to Leaf Ribonuclease Content
Abstract Zwanzig model reduction theory with application to discretized linear systems

A formalism is given for mathematically synthesizing reduced, simpler mathematical models from more complex mathematical models which represent the behavior of a physical system. The models to be reduced usually consist of governing differential or integro-differential equations, boundary conditions and (if relevant) initial conditions. The formalism consists of an abstraction of a projection operator method pioneered by Zwanzig and others for nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. Two current model reduction methods which are based on this formalism, here called the operator-function and quantum scattering analogue methods, are also abstracted in this paper. The background and expertise required to apply model reduction methods to a given problem is often inhibiting to the more widespread use of such methods. Since most linear problems of sufficient complexity are ultimately discretized into a finite system of equations for solution on a computer, a method of model reduction applicable to arbitrary square matrices of finite dimension could be used as a ''black box'' algorithm generic to problems with widely differing physics. The model reduction formalism of this paper is used to derive such a model reduction method. The resulting algorithm reduces the number of degrees of freedom in the system while maintaining accuracy in the full solution, an attribute it shares with the static condensation algorithm widely used in finite element codes.
An exploratory study of employee turnover indicators as predictors of customer satisfaction

Purpose – The service profit chain postulates that higher employee satisfaction levels lead to high customer satisfaction, and ultimately affect consumer loyalty and profitability. One construct that has largely been ignored in most of this research has been the role of employee turnover. This paper proposes that employee turnover can also be a powerful predictor of employee sentiment and resulting customer satisfaction levels.Design/methodology/approach – The relationship between employee satisfaction, employee turnover and customer satisfaction ratings is explored using an extensive data set from a chain of convenience stores. Employee perceptions were obtained from a survey which developed and administered to all store personnel. Turnover data were obtained from archival data. The data are analyzed using path analysis.Findings – The test of various turnover indicators suggests that certain employee turnover indicators can perform as effectively as single‐item employee satisfaction ratings do in predict...
Target-Cell Contact Activates a Highly Selective Capacitative Calcium Entry Pathway in Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

Calcium influx is critical for T cell activation. Evidence has been presented that T cell receptor–stimulated calcium influx in helper T lymphocytes occurs via channels activated as a consequence of depletion of intracellular calcium stores, a mechanism known as capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE). However, two key questions have not been addressed. First, the mechanism of calcium influx in cytotoxic T cells has not been examined. While the T cell receptor–mediated early signals in helper and cytotoxic T cells are similar, the physiology of the cells is strikingly different, raising the possibility that the mechanism of calcium influx is also different. Second, contact of T cells with antigen-presenting cells or targets involves a host of intercellular interactions in addition to those between antigen–MHC and the T cell receptor. The possibility that calcium influx pathways in addition to those activated via the T cell receptor may be activated by contact with relevant cells has not been addressed. We have used imaging techniques to show that target-cell–stimulated calcium influx in CTLs occurs primarily through CCE. We investigated the permeability of the CTL influx pathway for divalent cations, and compared it to the permeability of CCE in Jurkat human leukemic T cells. CCE in CTLs shows a similar ability to discriminate between calcium, barium, and strontium as CCE in Jurkat human leukemic T lymphocytes, where CCE is likely to mediated by Ca2+ release–activated Ca2+ current (CRAC) channels, suggesting that CRAC channels also underlie CCE in CTLs. These results are the first determination of the mechanism of calcium influx in cytotoxic T cells and the first demonstration that cell contact–mediated calcium signals in T cells occur via depletion-activated channels.
Photooxidation products of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene

Summary The principal products of the photooxidation of 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ]-anthracene (DMBA) in aqueous solutions by photooxidation induced by laboratory lighting have been characterized by high performance liquid chromatograms (HPLC), ultraviolet and mass spectrograms and by comparisons with authentic samples. The products identified were the 7,12-epidioxy-7, 12-dihydro-7,12-diniethyl-, 7,12-dione, 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methyl-, 12-hydroxymethyl-7-methyl-, 7-formyl-12-methyl-, 12-formyl-7-methyl-, and 12-hydroxy-12-methyl-7'one derivatives of benz[α]-anthracene. The HPLC profile of products is similar to that obtained from oxidation of DMBA by ‘one-electron’ reagents, singlet oxygen, or liver microsomal metabolism. The first points of attack are the 7- and 12- positions. The mechanism of photooxidation appears to be generation of singlet oxygen by photodynamic effect of DMBA. None of the products is photosensitizing, however.
Redox reactions of myoglobin

Significance: Failure to maintain myoglobin (Mb) in the reduced state causes the formation of metMb, ferryl Mb species, and cross-linked Mb. Dissociation of ferriprotoporphyrin IX from the globin and release of iron atoms can also occur as oxidized Mb accumulates. These modifications may contribute to various oxidative pathologies in muscle and muscle foods. Recent Advances: The mechanism of ferryl Mb-mediated oxidative damage to nearby structures has been partially elucidated. Dissociation of ferriprotoporphyrin IX from metMb occurs more readily at acidic pH values. The dissociated ferriprotoporphyrin IX (also called hemin) readily decomposes preformed lipid hydroperoxides to reactive oxygen species. Heme oxygenase as well as lipophilic free radicals can degrade the protoporphyrin IX moiety, which results in the formation of free iron. Critical Issues: The multiple pathways by which Mb can incur toxicity create difficulties in determining the major cause of oxidative damage in a particular system. Peroxides and low pH activate each of the oxidative Mb forms, ferriprotoporphyrin IX, and released iron. Determining the relative concentration of these species is technically difficult, but essential to a complete understanding of oxidative pathology in muscle tissue. Future Directions: Improved methods to assess the different pathways of Mb toxicity are needed. Although significant advances have been made in the understanding of Mb interactions with other biomolecules, further investigation is needed to understand the physical and chemical nature of these interactions. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 18, 2342–2351.
Beyond the lamppost: Optimal prevention and control of the Brown Tree Snake in Hawaii

Abstract We develop an integrated model for the prevention and control of an invasive species. The generality of the model allows its use for both existing and potential threats to the system of interest. The deterministic nature of arrivals in the model enables clear examination of the tradeoffs inherent when choosing between prevention and control strategies. We illuminate how optimal expenditure paths change in response to various biological and economic parameters for the case of the Brown Tree Snake in Hawaii. Results suggest that it is more advantageous to spend money finding the small population of snakes as they occur than attempting to prevent all future introductions. Like the drunk that looks for his keys only where the light is, public policy may fail to look “beyond the lamppost” for snakes that have already arrived but have not yet been detected. Actively searching for a potential population of snakes rather than waiting for an accidental discovery may save Hawaii tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in future damages, interdiction expenditures, and control costs.
A comparative study on the virulence of Mycoplasma arthritidis and "Mycoplasma hominis, type 2" strains in rats.

SummaryThe arthritogenic properties of 2 strains of M. hominis, type 2, were demonstrated. The virulence of these was comparable to that of M. arthritidis, strain ATCC 14124, but was less than that of a recent rat isolate, strain PN. The results support the identity of M. hominis, type 2, with the rat species, M. arthritidis.
The iron gatekeeper: keys to the front and back doors

The duodenal mucosa serves as a gatekeeper for iron entry into the body, permitting absorption of dietary iron in quantities sufficient to match body requirements. Because there are no significant physiologically regulated means for iron excretion in humans, homeostasis depends on tight regulation
Broadening the horizons of scene gist recognition: aerial and ground-based views

Numerous studies in the last decade have used ground-based views of scenes to investigate the process of scene gist recognition. Conversely, few if any studies have investigated scene gist recognition of aerial (i.e., satellite) views. This study asks the question, how much of what we know about scene gist recognition from ground-based views directly translates to aerial views? Fifty-two participants were randomly assigned to Aerial and Ground-based conditions, with processing times (SOA) and scene categories varied within-subjects. Stimuli were monochrome photographs from 10 categories: 5 Natural: coast, desert, forest, mountain, river; 5 Man-made: airport, city, golf-course, residential, stadium. Aerial images were from Google Earth©. Both target and mask images were presented for 24 ms, with SOAs of 24-94 ms plus a no-mask condition. Participants then chose between all 10 categories. As predicted, ground-based views were recognized more accurately than aerial views. However, contrary to predictions, aerial view recognition did not benefit more from additional processing time than ground-based view recognition. Aerial view performance with no mask was worse than ground-based view performance at 24 ms SOA. Thus, gist perception of aerial views is more data (information) limited than resource (time) limited, perhaps because they are “accidental views” (Biederman, 1987). An additional analysis collapsed all 10 basic level categories into 2 superordinate level “Natural” and “Man-made” categories. For ground-based views, Natural categories were consistently high, whereas Man-made categories benefited from additional processing time. However, for aerial views, both Natural and Man-made categories benefited equally from additional processing time. Nevertheless, confusion matrices for the 10 basic level categories and responses showed a correlation of .80 across the Aerial and Ground-based views, suggesting that discriminability between categories is similar across aerial and ground-based views. Further research will investigate what information both aerial and ground-based views contain, and what information aerial views lack.
Rapid hyperpolarized 3He diffusion MRI of healthy and emphysematous human lungs using an optimized interleaved-spiral pulse sequence.

Purpose To develop and validate an interleaved-spiral diffusion pulse sequence capable of hyperpolarized 3He MR imaging of the whole lung in less than 10 seconds. Materials and Methods Hyperpolarized 3He diffusion measurements were performed in seven healthy volunteers and five patients with emphysema using an interleaved-spiral pulse sequence that provided 11 contiguous 15-mm thick coronal ADC maps, with an in-plane resolution of 3.9 mm, covering the whole lung in 5.5 seconds. The resulting means and SDs of ADC values were compared statistically to those from a gradient-echo pulse sequence with identical resolution and diffusion-weighting gradients that acquired five ADC maps in 10.5 seconds. Results High-quality diffusion-weighted interleaved-spiral images covering the whole lung were obtained, and showed no significant susceptibility-induced image degradation compared to corresponding gradient-echo images. On a subject-by-subject basis, the means and SDs of ADC values for the interleaved-spiral technique were not statistically different from those for the gradient-echo technique. The mean ADC values from the two techniques were highly correlated on a section-by-section basis (R = 0.99). Conclusion The interleaved-spiral diffusion pulse sequence permits rapid acquisition of contiguous ADC maps covering the whole lung during a short breath-hold period, and provides ADC values that are statistically equivalent to those from standard gradient-echo techniques. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;17:581–588. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
CLASSIC MAYA TEXTILE PRODUCTION: INSIGHTS FROM MOTUL DE SAN JOSÉ, PETEN, GUATEMALA

Textiles in ancient Mesoamerica served as a critical economic resource and symbolic display of status, wealth, and social affiliation. The economic significance of textiles can be explored, in part, by the archaeological identification and distribution of production tools: spinning and weaving implements. In the Maya area, however, few studies have examined the organization of textile production, and systematic documentation of tool distributions is lacking. This paper reviews previous archaeological research on Maya textile production and introduces new data from the Classic-period site of Motul de San Jose, Guatemala. These data complement current understandings of Classic Maya household economies by stressing the relative economic autonomy of households from the state in textile production and the heterogeneity of productive strategies within and between different households. Such heterogeneity is expressed, at least in the case of Motul de San Jose, by more intensive or larger-scale production conducted by large, elite households than by small, commoner households. This finding implies that textile production for tribute was not a central concern among lower-status groups in this area as it was among many Postclassic- and Contact-period commoners in Mesoamerica. Rather, Classic-period Maya royal and elite individuals were able to bolster further their economic and social standings through textile production because they had easier access to resources or surplus labor found in or associated with their own households.
Chemical potential of pairs in long and short microbridges

Abstract Current-voltage characteristics of microbridges with length long and short compared to the coherence length have been studied. Microprobes implanted inside the bridge region reveal information about interactions between neighboring phase slip centers and fluctuation-induced broadening of the pair average potential step.
Some aspects of the effect of gravity on the superfluid transition in 4 He

After a brief review of the experimental study of the effect of gravity on the superfluid transition, various options are discussed for choosing a reference superfluid-transition temperature for a sample in the presence of gravity where there is no unique transition. Thereafter some presently feasible experiments are discussed, which could be substantially improved in a microgravity environment.
Ligands “activate” integrin αIIbβ3 (platelet GPIIb-IIIa)

Integrin alpha IIb beta 3 (platelet GPIIb-IIIa) binds fibrinogen via recognition sequences such as Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD). Fibrinogen binding requires agonist activation of platelets, whereas the binding of short synthetic RGD peptides does not. We now find that RGD peptide binding leads to changes in alpha IIb beta 3 that are associated with acquisition of high affinity fibrinogen-binding function (activation) and subsequent platelet aggregation. The structural specificities for peptide activation and for inhibition of ligand binding are similar, indicating that both are consequences of occupancy of the same site(s) on alpha IIb beta 3. Thus, the RGD sequence is a trigger of high affinity ligand binding to alpha IIb beta 3, and certain RGD-mimetics are partial agonists as well as competitive antagonists of integrin function.
Significance of ring porosity in analysis of a Sangamon flora

Abstract Trees with ring-porous wood are limited to the higher latitudes and form an important component of the vegetation of North America. Analysis of the occurrence of trees with this wood type in North America east of the Rockies shows that they make up an increasing percentage of the upland tree flora as precipitation decreases. The northern limit of ring-porous trees is probably related to winter temperature extremes and a mechanism of avoiding frost damage based on supercooling of cellular water. Percent of ring-porous species has the potential for use in the reconstruction of paleoclimates. As an example, the calculated value for the Toronto Don Beds flora, which dates from the last (Sangamon) interglacial period, is only slightly greater than that of the present-day flora and thus suggests that the interglacial climate in this region was much the same or only somewhat different from today's. The differences were probably related to lower winter temperatures or lower frequency of winter temperature extremes. The climatic requirements of zonal vegetation and individual species indicate that summer temperatures were not higher than at present. The extralocal species must be evaluated carefully since nonclimatic considerations may be important in explaining their presence.
Expression of α-7 nAChRs on spinal cord–brainstem neurons controlling inspiratory drive to the diaphragm

In the present study, we determined whether alpha-7 subunit containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed by neurons within the pre-Botzinger complex (pre-BotC), bulbospinal, and phrenic motor nuclei in the rat. alpha-7 Immunohistochemistry combined with cholera toxin B (CTB), a retrograde tracer was used to detect expression of alpha-7 nAChRs by phrenic motor and bulbospinal neurons. Neurokinin-1 receptor immunoreactivity was used as a marker for pre-BotC neurons. Of the CTB-positive neurons in the phrenic nuclei, 60% exhibited immunoreactivity for alpha-7 nAChRs. Of the bulbospinal neurons in the paramedian reticular nuclei (PMn), gigantocellular nuclei (Gi), raphe nuclei, rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and nucleus tractus solitarius, 20-50% were found to express alpha-7 nAChR immunoreactivity. Of the peudorabies virus (PRV) labeled bulbospinal neurons in PMn, Gi, raphe and RVLM, 9-12% co-expressed alpha-7 nAChRs. Immunoreactivity for alpha-7 nAChRs was also detected in 57% of the neurokinin-1 receptor containing neurons presumed to reside in pre-BotC. These findings suggest that nicotinic cholinergic regulation of the chest wall pumping muscles may occur at multiple levels of the central nervous system.