RELATION OF RHEUMATIC-LIKE CARDIAC LESIONS OF THE MOUSE TO LOCALIZATION OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL CELL WALLS

Mice injected intraperitoneally with isolated cell wall fragments of Group A streptococci develop a carditis similar to that previously observed in mice injected with crude extracts of this organism. Neither the soluble cytoplasmic components of Group A streptococcal cells nor the nonfragmented cell walls produced carditis in this experimental model. Fluorescein and 125I-labeled antibodies specific for Group A streptococcal cell wall antigens were used to demonstrate that, for 5 wk after injection, cell wall material is localized around the sites of active lesions in the heart. In addition, the cell wall antigen accumulates in the liver, spleen, mediastinal lymph nodes, and the adjacent loose connective tissue, where it persists for at least 10 wk

Analysis of the ongoing process for privatizing utility systems in the Navy

In December 1997, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued Defense Reform Initiative Directive #9 directing the Military Departments to develop a plan for privatizing all utility systems except those needed for unique security reasons or when privatization is uneconomical. The utilities privatization program is designed to get DoD out of the business of owning, operating and maintaining utility systems. DoD consumes 70 percent of all the energy consumed by the federal government. This costs DoD nearly $6-billion a year, with$2.4- billion of that in infrastructure maintenance. Privatization of DoD utility systems can generate an estimated savings of $327- million annually in reduced infrastructure costs. These savings can be reallocated to DoD's core competencies: warfighting and warfighting support. This thesis analyzed two case studies to help identify emerging problems facing utilities privatization in the Navy and determine their impact to the ongoing implementation process. Three major problems were identified: (1) variance in determination of Fair Market Value, (2) variance in economic analyses, and (3) applicability of State Utility Commissions' authority over utility systems located on DoD installations.http://archive.org/details/analysisofongoin109459254U.S. Navy (U.S.N.) author.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Employer Perceptions of Graduates of the United States Land Grant University System\u27s Workforce Preparation

The purpose of this study was to analyze the perceptions of employers of land-grant college graduates regarding their preparation for entry-level positions in the agricultural sector in relation to specific competencies. Overall it was found that land grant university graduates were prepared in the areas of interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, technology, decision-making, and management skills, in addition to technical competence. In order to ensure that Land-Grant college graduates reach higher levels of preparation in the aforementioned areas, it was recommended in general that curriculum revisions be made