cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct effects of progesterone and antiprogesterone on human sperm hyperactivated motility and acrosome reaction

Objective To study the direct effects of progesterone (P) and its antagonist RU486 (mifepristone) on sperm hyperactivation (HA) and acrosome reaction. Design Prospective evaluation of semen samples incubated in capacitation media with P and/or RU486. Setting University-affiliated tertiary care center. Patients Normal healthy volunteers. Interventions Semen samples were incubated in media with P or RU486 alone or in combination, and aliquots were taken at 10 minutes, 1, 5, and 24 hours for HA analyses by computer-aided sperm analysis system, and at 0, 5, and 24 hours for assessment of acrosome reaction by fluorescein-labeled Pisum sativum (pea) agglutinin. Main Outcome Measures HA and acrosome reaction. Results Sperm HA was significantly increased at 10 minutes by P both at 10 −7 M (9.27±1.59%; mean±SEM) and 10 −6 M (9.39±1.94%) when compared with untreated spermatozoa (5.62±1.59%). The stimulatory effect of P on sperm HA was transient because this was not observed after 1, 5, and 24 hours of incubation. The antiprogesterone RU486 (10 −6 M) alone had no effect and did not abolish the stimulatory effect of P on HA. The %HA was further enhanced by the addition of RU486 at 10 −6 M to P at 10 −7 M (12.43±3.31%) or P at 10 −6 M (13.52±4.10%); however, this effect was not significantly different from P alone. Coincubation of P or RU486 with spermatozoa during capacitation did not stimulate the acrosome reaction in the concentrations tested. Conclusion Progesterone directly stimulates human sperm HA transiently. Progesterone has no significant effect on acrosome reaction in capacitating spermatozoa. The effects of P are rapid and not counteracted by RU486, suggesting that the mechanism of action of P may not be mediated by specific P nuclear receptors.
Messianism in the Christian Kabbalah of Johann Kemper

A number of scholars have duly noted the complex and fascinating spiritual odyssey of Moses ben Aaron Kohen of Cracow who became Johann Kemper of Uppsala.1 The story of Kemper’s conversion to Christianity from Judaism in the latter part of the seventeenth century would have been interesting enough, but what adds to this intrigue is the fact that all of his compositions, which were written in Hebrew in the early decades of the eighteenth century, demonstrate beyond any doubt that he possessed complete mastery over traditional Jewish learning of both an exoteric and an esoteric nature. Indeed, the primary goal of Kemper’s treatises was to establish the truths of Christianity on the basis of Jewish sources, including most importantly the classical work of medieval Jewish esotericism, the Zohar, to show that the messianic faith of the Christians was in fact the truly ancient Kabbalah of Judaism. The polemical aspiration of Kemper is stated clearly in his compositions. Thus, on the title page to Kemper’s first work, his Hebrew translation and commentary to the Gospel of Matthew, which he called Me’irat Einayim, his literary intent is well communicated: Evangelium Matthaei, Jesus Christi Filii Dei Apostoli, Ex Syriaca in Sanctam Hebraeam linguam terse, polite & luculenter versum, non vero ut pridem in hanc translatum habetur. Porro, ut ex collatione Novae & Veteris Legis, Mosis nimirum Prophetarum & Hagiographorum, de earundem similitudine & harmonia constaret; fini ejus brevis commentarius adjectus est, titulo מאירת עינים Illuminatio Oculorum, quo validis, ab ipsis Talmudicis Doctoribus, aliisque religionis Judaicae Explanatoribus & Mystis petitis argumentis.2
The Rise and Rise of Wall Street and the City of London

The political gravitational pull of Wall Street and the City has given the banking and financial sectors continued leverage to make predatory sub-prime loans, to prevent the restoration of usury laws limiting interest rate charges, and to increase debt-to-capital ratios once thought dangerous and even lethal. Even post-Dodd-Frank, there is no firewall between investment and commercial banks, hedge funds and private equity firms remain unregulated and can legally access pension funds, and derivatives are again widely traded despite the meltdown they caused during the crash of 2007–2008. Meanwhile, banks have gotten even bigger than they were when they were too big to fail, avoiding antitrust laws that might have prevented the crises of 2007–2008 had they only been invoked.
Nde1 promotes diverse dynein functions through differential interactions and exhibits an isoform-specific proteasome association

Nde1 is a key regulator of cytoplasmic dynein, binding directly to both dynein itself and the dynein adaptor, Lis1. Nde1 and Lis1 are thought to function together to promote dynein function, yet mutations in each result in distinct neurodevelopment phenotypes. To reconcile these phenotypic differences, we sought to dissect the contribution of Nde1 to dynein regulation and explore the cellular functions of Nde1. Here we show that an Nde1-Lis1 interaction is required for spindle pole focusing and Golgi organization but is largely dispensable for centrosome placement, despite Lis1 itself being required. Thus, diverse functions of dynein rely on distinct Nde1- and Lis1-mediated regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, we discovered a robust, isoform-specific interaction between human Nde1 and the 26S proteasome and identify precise mutations in Nde1 that disrupt the proteasome interaction. Together, our work suggests that Nde1 makes unique contributions to human neurodevelopment through its regulation of both dynein and proteasome function.
Epistemic commitment and mood alternation: A semantic-pragmatic analysis of Spanish future-framed adverbials

Abstract In Spanish subordinate adverbial clauses containing cuando and a present-tense verb, it is assumed that the indicative is used for actions prior to or simultaneous with speech time, while the subjunctive is the only option for unrealized actions. However, in Porteno Spanish, the indicative may occur in future-framed adverbials, as in (1), conveying pragmatic meaning not otherwise encoded in the grammar. (1) Te aviso cuando llego [I]. ‘I'll let you know when I arrive.’ Here I pair naturally-occurring data with constructed examples evaluated by native-speaker respondents to identify the contextual factors conditioning variable mood selection. I demonstrate that, although native-speaker acceptance of the indicative is highly variable, the indicative is felicitous with immediate and temporally-specific actions, and when epistemic certainty is conveyed. The subjunctive, on the other hand, is preferred for distant and unrestricted future actions, or when the speaker is uncertain that the action will occur. These findings reveal previously unattested nuances in Spanish mood variation and lead to a conception of mood choice as a gradient means of conveying pragmatic information about speaker epistemic commitment. Furthermore, I argue for the importance of qualitative analyses that carefully examine and control for the role of context in laying the groundwork for subsequent quantitative analyses.
An Engineering Manager's Guide for Commonly Used Change Management Approaches—From One Practitioner's Experience

This paper describes, how based on this author's experience in project management, the three most commonly used change management approaches can help to effectively plan and execute a project. The ADKAR model, the Lewin model, and Kotter's 8 step change model are each evaluated in this context. Strategies, applications, and implications are provided at different organizational levels for project planning and implementation.
Advanced nanodielectric material development and scaling for use in compact ultra-high voltage capacitor prototypes

The dielectric material employed in this effort is a proprietary nanocomposite material, MU100. The material was initially developed to shrink high frequency high voltage dielectric loaded antennas; however, due to its unique material characteristics, the nanocomposite has shown promise in development of high voltage capacitors. Previous work has shown small-scale samples of the high permittivity nanocomposite material to have an average dielectric strength of 220 kV/cm with peak breakdown fields in excess of 328 kV/cm. When scaling up to realize application specific voltages, failure modes become more pronounced due to volume effects of the nanocomposite and field enhancement factors at the electrode dielectric interfaces. This work describes how the material was increased in volume from small samples up to compact capacitor prototypes capable of repeatable performance at 250 kV to in excess of 500 kV with lifetimes greater than 104 shots.
Bioinstrumentation: Basic Information

The discovery of reliable, sensitive, friendly and real time methods to detect the effect on humans and to the environment of chemical/physical exposure are of paramount importance. The great revolution in the clinical testing which is still time-consuming today will be replaced in the near future by Lab-on-a chip devices in which small volumes of blood or fluid are simultaneously subjected to multiple measurements. Microarray analysis chips will also “come into hospitals” and these new techniques will provide rapid information on the genes and proteins present in patient samples. Information from these microarrays may someday predict a patient’s susceptibility to disease before the symptoms manifest, or an individual’s response to drugs before they are taken. These instruments will increase “personalized” medical care by allowing physicians to ask and answer a spectrum of questions.
Mechanical and thermal considerations for the superconducting magnet to normal conductor magnet warm-to-cold transitions of the RHIC accelerator

The RHIC accelerator, designed for maximum flexibility, allows for the insertion within the superconducting magnet lattice of specialty magnets of the normal conductor type. The beam character may then be customized at each of the experimental crossing points. This facility requires a beam tube transition from a cryogenic environment to ambient and back again. The “Warm-to-Cold Transition” is the system of mechanical and electrical components which permit this to occur. Discussed herein are: the systems mechanical degrees of freedom, shrinkage allowances, thermal and pressure induced stresses, cryogenic heat load, superconducting bus splices, and design considerations for each of the eight major assemblies.
Effects of Probiotics on Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease in Adult Patients Receiving Prolonged Parenteral Support: A Tertiary Care Center Experience.

Background It has been hypothesized that dysbiosis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of probiotics on IFALD in patients receiving parenteral support, namely home parenteral nutrition (HPN) and home intravenous fluids (HIVFs). Methods We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients with intestinal failure who received HPN or HIVF for >2 weeks at our tertiary center between January 2005 and August 2016. We excluded patients 30 days). Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used in this study. Results A total of 282 patients who received parenteral support were included. Eighty-five percent of our sample received PN. A total of 78 (27.7%) patients used probiotics. The prevalence of IFALD in patients who used probiotics was 35.9% vs 54.4% in patients who did not use probiotics, P = .005. In multivariable analysis, only small-bowel length of 10-90 cm and HPN use showed a significant impact on IFALD, odds ratio (OR) = 4.394 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.635-11.814; P = .003) and OR = 4.502 (95% CI 1.412-14.351; P = .011), respectively. Conclusion Our study revealed that the prevalence of IFALD was comparable among the probiotic users and nonusers. Only small bowel length of 1090 cm and HPN use showed a significant impact on IFALD.
Degradation of Films of Block Copolymers: Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are used to study the degradation of films of copolymers in a selective solvent for one of the blocks. Simulations were designed to mimic the hydrolyti...
Macrophage Dysregulation and Impaired Skin Wound Healing in Diabetes

Monocytes (Mo) and macrophages (Mɸ) play important roles in normal skin wound healing, and dysregulation of wound Mo/Mɸ leads to impaired wound healing in diabetes. Although skin wound Mɸ originate both from tissue resident Mɸ and infiltrating bone marrow-derived Mo, the latter play dominant roles during the inflammatory phase of wound repair. Increased production of bone marrow Mo caused by alterations of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) niche and epigenetic modifications of HSPCs likely contributes to the enhanced number of wound Mɸ in diabetes. In addition, an impaired transition of diabetic wound Mɸ from “pro-inflammatory” to “pro-healing” phenotypes driven by the local wound environment as well as intrinsic changes in bone marrow Mo is also thought to be partly responsible for impaired diabetic wound healing. The current brief review describes the origin, heterogeneity and function of wound Mɸ during normal skin wound healing followed by discussion of how dysregulated wound Mɸ numbers and phenotype are associated with impaired diabetic wound healing. The review also highlights the possible links between altered bone marrow myelopoiesis and increased Mo production as well as extrinsic and intrinsic factors that drive wound macrophage dysregulation leading to impaired wound healing in diabetes.
Effect of Prehabilitation in Older Adults Undergoing Total Joint Replacement: an Overview of Systematic Reviews

To review and discuss the findings of systematic reviews that synthesized the evidence on the effect of preoperative exercises (prehabilitation) on postoperative functional recovery in older adults undergoing total knee or hip joint replacement. Ten systematic reviews (8 meta-analyses) were included in this review. Findings from the systematic reviews indicated that prehabilitation decreases length of hospital stay but does not improve postoperative functional recovery in older adults undergoing joint replacement. Individual studies in the systematic reviews varied considerably in prehabilitation protocol, assessment timepoints, and outcome measures. Most importantly, systematic reviews did not assess the outcomes pre-post prehabilitation, as this timepoint was not addressed in most individual studies. Therefore, it is not known whether the prehabilitation programs improved outcomes preoperatively. There is a need to develop comprehensive prehabilitation protocols and systematically assess the preoperative and postoperative effectiveness of prehabilitation protocols on functional outcomes (i.e., self-reported and performance-based) in older adults undergoing total joint replacement.
Retrospective study on rib fractures: smoking and alcohol matter for mortality and complications.

Background Rib fractures and substance use are both common in trauma patients, but there is little data on how smoking and alcohol use may be associated with outcomes in these patients. We assessed the association between smoking or alcohol use disorder (AUD) and outcomes in patients with rib fractures. Methods We used institutional databases to conduct a retrospective review of patients with rib fractures at the only American College of Surgeons-verified adult level 1 trauma center in a rural state between 2015 and 2019. The key exposure variables were smoking and AUD. The key outcome variables were mortality and pulmonary complications (pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and pneumothorax). We used multivariable regression for analysis and directed acyclic graphs to identify variables for adjustment. Results We identified 1880 eligible patients with rib fractures, including 693 (37%) who were smokers and 204 (11%) who had AUD. Compared with non-smokers, smokers were younger, more often male, and had lower mortality rates. Regression showed that smokers had a lower likelihood of mortality (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.87; p=014). Likelihood of pneumonia, ARDS, and pneumothorax was not different between smokers and non-smokers. Compared with patients without AUD, patients with AUD were older, more often male, and had higher likelihood of pneumonia and lower likelihood of pneumothorax. Regression showed that patients with AUD had higher likelihood of pneumonia (OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.24 to 2.68; p=0.002) and lower likelihood of pneumothorax (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.75; p=0.002). Discussion In trauma patients with rib fractures treated at a level 1 trauma center over 5 years, smoking was associated with decreased risk of mortality. These findings have implications for risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with rib fractures. Level of evidence III
Support4Families: A Proposed Intervention Model to Support Families of Individuals Returning Home From Incarceration:

Leaving incarceration and returning home (i.e., reentry) affects individuals and their families; 90% of individuals releasing from prison rely on family for critical reentry supports. Although posi...
Realism and International Relations

Realism and International Relations provides students with a critical yet sympathetic survey of political realism in international theory. Using six paradigmatic theories - Hans Morgenthau, Kenneth Waltz, the Prisoners' Dilemma, Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Hobbes - the book examines realist accounts of human nature and state motivation, international anarchy, system structure and the balance of power, international institutions, and morality in foreign policy. Donnelly argues that common realist propositions not only fail to stand up to scrutiny but are rejected by many leading realists as well. He argues that rather than a general theory of international relations, realism is best seen as a philosophical orientation or research program that emphasizes - in an insightful yet one-sided way - the constraints imposed by individual and national egoism and international anarchy. Containing chapter-by-chapter guides to further reading and discussion questions for students, this book offers an accessible and lively survey of the dominant theory in International Relations.
The application of machine learning techniques to the prediction of erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a multifactorial disorder that can cause significant distress for men. Risk factor identification may allow for future ED prevention or delay onset. The goal of this investigation is: 1) to evaluate different machine learning approaches for prognosticating ED and, 2) to analyze the degree of importance of ED risk factors. The investigated machine learning approaches include: 1) logistic regression as a statistical method, 2) multilayer feedforward backpropagation neural networks (an artificial neural-network tool), 3) the fuzzy K-nearest neighbor classifier as a fuzzy logic method; 4) support vector machine (SVM), a relatively new machine learning process, and 5) conventional discriminant function analysis. The overall results obtained indicate that the artificial neural network method yields the highest ROC-AUC, and that it has produced the most reliable model for prognosticating ED when compared to the other investigated models.
Cyber security in smart DC microgrid operations

Microgrids are low voltage electric distribution grids with modular distributed energy sources and controllable loads. The DC microgrids avoid DC to AC and AC to DC conversion and minimize transmission and distribution losses. Dynamic energy management systems enhance utilization of renewable energy sources and ensure uninterrupted supply of power to critical loads. Like the traditional transmission and distribution grid, AC and DC microgrids are vulnerable to cyber attacks. Further research is required on the cyber security to leverage the promises and potentials of DC microgrids. This paper discusses security vulnerabilities and some solutions for DC microgrids.
Falconry: Legal Ownership and Sale of Captive- Bred Raptors

In the late 1960's and early 1970's regulation of raptors'nin North America underwent an intensive regulatory and legislativenmetamorphosis. In five short years, birds of prey, historicallynidentified en famile as vermin, became the most regulatednwildlife on the continent. The flagship federal statutesnwere the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA)nand Migratory Bird Treaty Act Amendment of 1972 (MBTA).3 This legislationneffectively prohibited...
Molecular and Genetic Organization of The Antennapedia Gene Complex of Drosophila melanogaster

Publisher Summary The molecular and developmental analyses of the Antennapedia complex have shown that it differs from the Bithorax complex in two striking ways. First, interposed among the homeotic loci of the ANT-C is a group of genes that, while important in the ontogenic process, are not homeotic in character. The second and perhaps more interesting difference lie in the spatial patterns of expression of the homeotic genes of the ANT-C that is necessary in the head. The three functional units of the BX-C are expressed in overlapping domains in the trunk of the animal. The entirety of the ANT-C has been cloned, and antisera has been raised to the protein products of all of the genes for which mutations exist. With these reagents in hand and with the ease of manipulation of the genome available in Drosophila, many questions about the roles of these genes in development can be answered.
Design and analysis of a two-dimensional camera array

I present the design and analysis of a two-dimensional camera array for virtual studio applications. It is possible to substitute conventional cameras and motion control devices with a real-time, light field camera array. I discuss a variety of camera architectures and describe a prototype system based on the “finite-viewpoints” design that allows multiple viewers to navigate virtual cameras in a dynamically changing light field captured in real time. The light field camera consists of 64 commodity video cameras connected to off-the-shelf computers. I employ a distributed rendering algorithm that overcomes the data bandwidth problems inherent in capturing light fields by selectively transmitting only those portions of the video streams that contribute to the desired virtual view. I also quantify the capabilities of a virtual camera rendered from a camera array in terms of the range of motion, range of rotation, and effective resolution. I compare these results to other configurations. From this analysis I provide a method for camera array designers to select and configure cameras to meet desired specifications. I demonstrate the system and the conclusions of the analysis with a number of examples that exploit dynamic light fields. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Crystal structure of yeast phenylalanine transfer RNA. II. Structural features and functional implications.

Abstract The structural features of yeast phenylalanine transfer RNA are analyzed and documented in detail, based on atomic co-ordinates obtained from an extensive crystallographic refinement of the crystal structure of the molecule at 2.7 A resolution (see preceding paper). We describe here: the relative orientation and the helicity of the base-paired stems; more definitive assignments of tertiary hydrogen bonds involving bases, riboses and phosphates; binding sites for magnesium hydrates, spermine and water; iriter-molecular contacts and base-stacking; flexibility of the molecule; conformational analysis of nucleotides in the structure. Among the more noteworthy features are a considerable irregularity in the helicity of the base-paired stems, a greater flexibility in the anticodon and aminoacyl acceptor arms, and a “coupling” among several conformational angles. The functional implications of these structural features are also discussed.
Overview of the Soho Mission

The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, SOHO, was launched on 2 December 1995, and started its nominal operation at the L1 Sun-Earth Lagrangian point in April 1996. Since the day of launch, SOHO observes the Sun without interruption, permantly pointed to the center of the Sun within 10 arcsec. The different types of data obtained by the SOHO instruments are described with particular emphasis on synoptic data, that is the most relevant contribution of SOHO to SOLERS 22. Also some of the most significant results obtained with SOHO data and published at the time of writing this paper are presented as an indication of the performance of the instruments: a unique determination of the sound speed and rotation splitting of the oscillation frequencies in the solar interior confirms the presence of a sheared and less dense transition layer just underneath the convection zone; for the first time, supergranulation has been mapped under the photosphere; the frequently observed explosive events in the transition region and corona have been clearly identified most of the time with bidirectional flows, thus being possibly explained as the result of magnetic reconnection; the anomalous component of the galactic cosmic rays is modulated by the 22 year solar cycle, i.e., it depends on the solar magnetic field global polarity.
Multicultural Education as Social Activism

Multicultural Education as Social Activism. Christine E. Sleeter. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1996. 284 pp.
Examining the Effects of Agency Accreditation on Police Officer Behavior

The policy of accreditation of criminal justice organizations has grown over the last four decades. Some advocates for accreditation claim that it facilitates organizational change at all levels of the organization. To date, however, little empirical research has examined these claims, especially within criminal justice agencies. While accreditation leads agencies to adopt formal policies, the previous literature on street-level bureaucrat behavior would suggest rank-and-file employees are unlikely to follow these formal policies as intended. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) is the accrediting body for law enforcement agencies in North America, and part of the formal policies CALEA accreditation requires regard engagement in community oriented policing. The present study examined whether officers on CALEA accredited agencies differed from officers with agencies not seeking accreditation, with regard to their engagement in community policing activities. The findings revealed that agency accreditation was not associated with the degree to which officers engaged in community oriented policing activities.
CD2ϵ and CD3ξ cytoplasmic domains can independently generate signals for T cell development and function

Abstract To determine whether CD3s and CD3s; proteins have unique roles in TCR-dependent functions, chimeric genes encoding the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the human IL-2 receptor a chain (Tac) fused to a cytoplasmic domain of either the CD3s or CD3ξ chain were Introduced as transgenes Into both normal and RAG2 -defkaent (RAG2 -1 ) mice. Developmental arrest of T lineage cells at the CD4, CD8 double-negative stage in the transgenic RAG −/− thymus was released to the CD4, COO double-positive (DP) stage by in vivo cross-linking of We or TTξ with anti-Tac antibody. In TTϵ + or TTξ + , RAG2 −/− mice, in vitro cross-linking of TTϵ and TTξ Induced DP thymocyte cell death and prolifenition of mature single-positive T cells. Overall, no qualitative differences were observed between TTe- and TTξ-mediated functions, suggesting that different CD3 components deliver qualitatively similar signals in inducing TCR-dependent functions.
Deformation Profiles in Solid State Extrusion of High Density Polyethylene

The deformation mode on solid (crystalline) state extrusions for a series of high density polyethylenes (HDPE) has been investigated as a function of extrusion draw ratio (EDR) and molecular weight (Mw). The effects of extrusion temperature, rate, die entrance angle and lubrication have also been studied. The deformation flow profiles were observed by printing a lateral line pattern on the flat surface of the initially split billet and also by inserting colored HDPE filaments into split and unsplit billets perpendicular to the extrusion direction. It was found that the mode of deformation changed from a flat or even concave form through an undulant shape to a shear parabolic shape with increasing EDR for polyethylenes with Mw<150,000. For higher-Mw, polyethylenes, the flat or concave flow pattern observed at very low EDR changed to a W-shape pattern which has not been previously reported. The extrusion variables did not alter significantly these deformation patterns.
Retention of verbal information by rehearsal in relation to the fluency of verbal output in aphasia

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to determine if aphasic subject groups differentiated by the fluency of their verbal output employed rehearsal as a strategy for maintaining verbally coded information in primary memory. A task based upon the Brown-Peterson paradigm was administered to 10 fluent aphasic patients, 10 nonfluent aphasic patients, 10 right-brain-damaged patients, and 10 nonneurological patients. The findings indicate that the nonfluent aphasic patients did not rehearse the verbal information while the fluent aphasic, right-brain-damaged, and nonneurological patients did rehearse. In addition, both fluent and nonfluent aphasic patients encoded significantly less information into the memory system initially and performed worse on the task overall than right-brain-damaged and nonneurological patients.
Service Quality Expectations: Exploring the Importance of SERVQUAL Dimensions from Different Nonprofit Constituent Groups

Given the multiplicity of “customers” in the nonprofit sector, the need for nonprofits to ensure that quality service delivery matches customer expectations is difficult yet paramount. Nonprofit organizations serve several constituent groups: the service recipient, donor, volunteer, and general public at large. While each constituent group may not be perceived as a customer in the general sense, each group is making quality assessments that may affect performance evaluations, donations, volunteerism, and brand equity decisions. Hypothesis support was found, distinguishing between the importance of the different SERVQUAL dimensions and the perspective roles played within the nonprofit scenarios. Respondents playing the role of volunteer rated Empathy and Assurance highest and Tangibles lowest. Respondents playing the role of donor rated Reliability and Tangibles highest and Empathy lowest. Respondents playing the role of recipients rated Empathy and Responsiveness highest and Tangibles lowest. Finally, res...
The Quest for Relevance in Agricultural Economics

tional disciplinary organizations and others who would drastically reshape them to better handle our problems and issues. Wolfle has recently argued in Science [24], I think mistakenly, that the traditional disciplinary department has so outlived its usefulness that it is now time to "honor its achievements with a ceremonial and sentimental retirement party." Similarly, some administrators defend traditional disciplinary structures while others would abandon disciplines in favor of problem-solving, issue-oriented organizations. Individual academicians, staff members, students, and legislators are all uncertain and uneasy. They vacillate between traditional academic interests and efforts to serve society while exerting random, chaotic pressures on administrators [23]. In short, we are in a period of general uneasiness in which our entire intellectual establishment is under close critical examination. Agricultural economics, while less bothered with unproductive student disruptions than many other disciplines, is no exception with respect to the thinking of its productive, hardworking students, its faculties, staffs, and administrators. The same conflicting quests for social relevance and disciplinary excellence affect our
Flexible new optics facilities with electronics and computer systems integration in a renovated building at a smaller state university

A renovated facility is being used for a broad-based and flexible approach to teaching optics and optical systems at the undergraduate and M.S. levels. The range of topics included in the curriculum is from conventional geometrical and physical optics to laser physics, optical transformations, electro-optical devices, remote sensing and digital image processing. Emphasis of this paper is on the design and use of the new facilities, and the interrelationships of the various areas presented. The optics complex contains conventional optics teaching laboratory space with soft walls, an electronics teaching laboratory, a holography laboratory with darkroom, and a remote sensing computer simulation modeling and digital image processing laboratory. Moreover, a machine vision facility is a computer networked extended part of the digital image processing systems in an operational mode involving interfaced flexible machine cells. These cells are robotics interfaced in a flexible manufacturing system that is capable of process and machine part prototyping computer networked with a CAD system.
802-5 High Homocysteine Concentrations: An Independent Risk Factor for Coronary Atherosclerosis in Women

Background High plasma homocysteine concentration is a significant risk factor for premature vascular disease in men, but the role in determining coronary disease risk in women remains unclear. Methods Risk factors, including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and diabetes were recorded in 228 patients (175 men, 53 women) with angiographically documented coronary disease (≥70% stenosis of at least one major coronary vessel), and 223 healthy controls (181 men, 42 women), Fasting total plasma homocysteine was measured in all subjects. A high homocysteine concentrations was defined as a level greater than the 80th percentile, adjusted for gender. Results In univariate analysis, homocysteine correlated with age, but not smoking, hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. Homocysteine values and odds ratios based upon multivariate analysis were: Women Men Patients Controls Patients Controls Age 62 ± 12* 53 ± 10 61 ± 11* 51 ± 10 Homocysteine Level(μmol/L) 127 ± 4.4* 102 ± 4.9 13.1 ± 4.3* 11.3 ± 30 Percent High Homocysteine 55*,† 20 35* 20 Odds Ratio 3.2* NA 1.9* NA Confidence Interval 1.2-8.4 NA 11-33 NA * p < 0.01 vs controls † p < 0.05 vs male patients Full-size table Table options View in workspace Download as CSV Conclusions Mean homocysteine concentrations are higher in women with coronary disease than age and sex matched controls. High homocysteine levels are more frequently seen in women than men and confer an independent three-fold incremental risk of CAD.
Genomic single-nucleotide polymorphisms confirm that Gunnison and Greater sage-grouse are genetically well differentiated and that the Bi-State population is distinct

ABSTRACT Sage-grouse are iconic, declining inhabitants of sagebrush habitats in western North America, and their management depends on an understanding of genetic variation across the landscape. Two distinct species of sage-grouse have been recognized, Greater (Centrocercus urophasianus) and Gunnison sage-grouse (C. minimus), based on morphology, behavior, and variation at neutral genetic markers. A parapatric group of Greater Sage-Grouse along the border of California and Nevada (“Bi-State”) is also genetically distinct at the same neutral genetic markers, yet not different in behavior or morphology. Because delineating taxonomic boundaries and defining conservation units is often difficult in recently diverged taxa and can be further complicated by highly skewed mating systems, we took advantage of new genomic methods that improve our ability to characterize genetic variation at a much finer resolution. We identified thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among Gunnison, Greater, and Bi-Sta...
Projection and iterated projection methods for nonliear integral equations

Consider the nonlinear operator equation $x = {\mathcal {K}}(x)$ with $\mathcal {K}$ a completely continuous mapping of a domain in the Banach space $\mathcal {X}$ into $\mathcal {X}$ and let $x^ * $ denote an isolated fixed point of $\mathcal {K}$. Let $\mathcal {K}_n $, $n \geqq 1$ denote a sequence of finite dimensional approximating subspaces, and let $P_n $, be a projection of $\mathcal {X}$ onto $\mathcal {X}_n $ The projection method for solving $x = {\mathcal {K}}(x)$ given by$x_n = P_n \mathcal {K}(x_n )$, and the iterated projection solution is defined as $\tilde{x}_n = \mathcal {K}(x_n )$. We analyze the convergence of $x_n $ and $\tilde x_n $ to $x^ * $, giving a general analysis that includes both the Galerkin and collocation methods. A more detailed analysis is then given for a large class of Urysohn integral operators in one variable, showing the superconvergence of $\tilde x_n $ to $x^ * $.
Chimeric West Nile/dengue virus vaccine candidate: Preclinical evaluation in mice, geese and monkeys for safety and immunogenicity

A live attenuated virus vaccine is being developed to protect against West Nile virus (WN) disease in humans. Previously, it was found that chimeric West Nile/dengue viruses (WN/DEN4 and WN/DEN4Delta30) bearing the membrane precursor and envelope protein genes of WN on a backbone of dengue type 4 virus (DEN4) with or without a deletion of 30 nucleotides (Delta30) in the 3' noncoding region of the DEN4 part of the chimeric genome were attenuated and efficacious in mice and monkeys against WN challenge. Here, we report the generation of a clinical lot of WN/DEN4Delta30 virus and its further preclinical evaluation for safety and immunogenicity in mice, geese and monkeys. The vaccine candidate had lost neuroinvasiveness in highly sensitive immunodeficient mice inoculated intraperitoneally and had greatly reduced neurovirulence in suckling mice inoculated intracerebrally (IC). Compared to the wild-type WN parent, the chimeric virus was highly restricted in replication in both murine and human neuroblastoma cells as well as in brains of suckling mice. The WN/DEN4Delta30 virus failed to infect geese, indicating that chimerization of WN with DEN4 completely attenuated WN for this avian host. This observation suggests that the WN/DEN4 chimeric viruses would be restricted in their ability to be transmitted from vaccinees to domestic or wild birds. In monkeys, the WN/DEN4Delta30 vaccine candidate was highly immunogenic despite its low level of replication with undetectable viremia. Furthermore, the WN/DEN4Delta30 vaccine virus was safe and readily induced neutralizing antibodies against WN in monkeys immune to each of the four serotypes of dengue virus. These studies confirm the attenuation of WN/DEN4Delta30 for non-human primates, including dengue-immune monkeys, and demonstrate both a highly restricted replication (>10(8)-fold decrease) in the brain of mice inoculated IC and an absence of infectivity for birds, findings that indicate this vaccine should be safe for both the recipient and the environment.
A theoretical study of the effect of electric charges on the efficiency with which aerosol particles are collected by ice crystal plates

Two theoretical models are presented which allow computing the efficiency with which electrically charged aerosol particles of radius 0.001 ≤ r ≤ 10 μm are collected by electrically charged plate-like ice crystals of radius 50 ≤ ac ≤ 640 μm in air of various relative humidities and of 700 mb and −10°C. Particle capture due to thermophoresis, diffusiophoresis, Brownian diffusion, inertial impaction, and electrostatic forces is considered. It is shown that Brownian diffusion dominates the capture process by ice crystals if r ≤ 0.01 μm, while inertial impaction controls the capture process if r > 0.1 μm. For aerosol particles of 0.01 ≤ r ≤ 0.1 μm, the collection efficiency is controlled by phoretic forces. Electrical forces significantly affect the collection of aerosol particles in the size range of 0.01 ≤ r ≤ 5 μm. Trajectory analysis demonstrates that electrically charged and uncharged aerosol particles are preferentially captured at the rim of plate-like ice crystals. Electrically neutral ice crystals of NRe < 50 capture particles only on the underside of the ice crystal. Ice crystals which are electrically charged collect aerosol particles by rear capture if NRe ≤ 0.5.
Production of Ansamycin Polyketide Precursors in Escherichia coli

For the heterologous production of ansamycin polyketides such as rifamycin and geldanamycin in Escherichia coli, a number of unusual but important tools must be engineered into the bacterium. Here we demonstrate efficient production of the starter unit 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid (AHBA) and the methoxymalonyl extender unit in E. coli. Previous work has demonstrated the production of the ansamycin starter unit AHBA in E. coli in low yield. It was shown that the low yield is primarily due to acetylation of AHBA into N-acetyl-AHBA. Three methods for minimizing this side reaction were evaluated. First, a putative N-arylamine-acetyltransferase (NAT) was deleted from the E. coli chromosome, although this did not alter N-acetyl-AHBA production. Next, E. coli grown in media devoid of glucose yielded a nearly equal mixture of AHBA and N-acetyl-AHBA. Lastly, the NAT inhibitor glycyrrhizic acid was shown to further inhibit the acetylation reaction. The entire set of genes for synthesizing the methoxymalonyl extender unit was transferred from the geldanamycin producer Streptomyces hygroscopicus into E. coli. The pathway specific ACP isolated from the resulting recombinant strain was found to predominantly occur as methyoxymalonyl-ACP. Together, these findings set the stage for engineered biosynthesis of ansamycin polyketides in E. coli.
Analysis of polymorphisms in AT-rich domains of neuregulin 1 gene in schizophrenia

Linkage analysis and association studies have pointed to neuregulin 1 (NRG1) as the prime candidate for 8p-linked schizophrenia (SZ). However, so far, no specific functional alleles in the gene's exons, intron–exon junctions and promoters have been identified that are unequivocally associated with SZ. In this study, we analyzed several NRG1 polymorphisms that affect ATTT motifs and AT-rich regions of the gene. We have previously identified a number of such polymorphisms in the promoters of other SZ and bipolar disorder (BD) candidate genes and found positive associations to several of them. In addition, allele specific differences in the binding of brain proteins have been found for many of the polymorphisms. A case control design was used to compare allele frequencies in Caucasian and African American patients with SZ and controls. In the African American group, a significant difference was found in the allele and genotype distribution for several of the markers and haplotype blocks located in the 5′- and 3′-ends of the gene. The most significant result was obtained for rs6150532, an insertion/deletion variant in a conserved region of an intron that separates two small, alternatively spliced exons. Allele-specific and developmental differences were detected in the binding of a brain protein using newborn rat pups when probes containing the two rs6150532 alleles were used in electromobility gel shift assays. There were no significant differences in allele or genotype distribution found for any of the markers in the Caucasian sample. Although the samples size is relatively small, the findings support a role for NRG1 in SZ in African Americans and suggest that polymorphic differences in regions of the gene that recognize AT-binding proteins may be a factor in disease pathogenesis. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Impact of an Online Survivorship Primer on Clinician Knowledge and Intended Practice Changes

The number of adult cancer survivors in the USA is expected to double by the year 2050. A call for increased survivorship care and provider training came from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in the form of a landmark report in 2006. A shortage of physicians complicates the burden of survivorship care. The purpose of this effort was to design, develop, and evaluate a fully accredited, evidence-based continuing medical education (CME) and continuing education (CE) intervention to address the established knowledge gap for breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivorship education. Delivered through the Medscape Education (WebMD) platform, the course covered epidemiology, survivor issues, and currently available guidelines using illustrative patient cases. Knowledge gain was evaluated using a pretest–posttest design. Program evaluation was assessed by survey. Additional areas examined included post-intervention inquiry regarding expected changes to clinical practice. The results of this educational intervention demonstrated the effectiveness of internet-based CME/CE for cancer survivorship. Learning gain was significant (p < 0.0005). Effect size (d = 1.71) suggested extremely high practical significance, as the difference between the means was larger than 1 standard deviation. Significant knowledge gains were observed for each survivorship knowledge question across all clinical specialties studied. Nearly 100 % of participants agreed that the course contributed to survivorship care and was organized effectively. Participants reported that the course was designed effectively (97.2 %), and 68.1 % responded in favor of adopting alternative communication strategies with patients and families upon completion of the course.
Software architecture and mobility: a perfect marriage or an uneasy alliance?

Developments in the area of software architecture over the past decade have pushed it to the forefront of a number of critical software engineering activities: modeling, design, analysis, simulation, implementation, deployment, and evolution. Architecture is advocated as an effective conceptual tool for addressing the many challenges of developing large, complex, distributed systems. Largely in parallel to these developments, significant advances have also been made in the domain of mobile computing. Many mobile systems are also large, complex, and distributed, yet a majority of the advances in this domain appear not to have resulted from an explicit software architectural focus. Despite this, architecture appears to offer clear benefits in this domain, as evidenced by some recent approaches. In this talk, I will overview the state-of-the-art in the area of mobile computing, with a specific focus on the role software architecture should and does play in this domain. I will highlight the characteristics of software architectures as well as specific architecture-based approaches that make them particularly suitable to developing mobile systems. I will also highlight several impediments, both real and perceived, to the wholesale adoption of architectural principles in this area.
The eigenmatrix of the linear association scheme on R (2, m )

Abstract Let R(r,m) be the r th order Reed-Muller code of length 2 m . For −1⩽r⩽s⩽m , the action of the general affine group AGL (m,2) on R(s,m)/R(r,m) defines a linear association scheme on R(s,m)/R(r,m) . In this paper, we determine the eigenmatrix of the linear association scheme on R(2,m) (=R(2,m)/R(−1,m) ). Our approach relies on the Mobius inversion and detailed calculations with the general linear group and the symplectic group over GF (2) . As a consequence, we obtain explicit formulas for the weight enumerators of all cosets of R(m−3,m) . Such explicit formulas were not available previously.