First Record of \u3ci\u3eOchlerotatus Japonicus\u3c/i\u3e (Diptera: Culicidae) in St. Joseph County, Indiana

A single female specimen of Ochlerotatus japonicus (Theobald)(formerly Aedes japonicus), the Asian bush mosquito, was captured in St. Joseph County, IN on 29 July 2004. This is the first report of that species in northern Indiana. Additional specimens were subsequently collected, indicating probable establishment throughout the county

CNO Ship Availability Maintenance Team Workload and Manning

NPS NRP Executive SummaryThis project conducts a lean systems engineering assessment of the foundations of CNO availabilities. Specifically, it develops process representations of the components of both Availability Duration Scorecards (ADSs) and Availability Duration Projections (ADPs) and conducts quantitative assessments of the major aspects of CNO availabilities that may result in inaccurate estimates of maintenance durations. This research explores the major drivers of availability durations, with specific focus on maintenance manning and maintenance workload. The analysis will identify the primary drivers of availability duration overruns, to include an assessment of items that may not be captured in existing ADSs and ADPs, and highlight opportunities to modify future availability duration projections to improve accuracy and thereby aid scheduling, budgeting, and workload decision making.Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)ASN(RDA) - Research, Development, and AcquisitionThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

CNO Ship Availability Maintenance Team Workload and Manning

NPS NRP Project PosterThis project conducts a lean systems engineering assessment of the foundations of CNO availabilities. Specifically, it develops process representations of the components of both Availability Duration Scorecards (ADSs) and Availability Duration Projections (ADPs) and conducts quantitative assessments of the major aspects of CNO availabilities that may result in inaccurate estimates of maintenance durations. This research explores the major drivers of availability durations, with specific focus on maintenance manning and maintenance workload. The analysis will identify the primary drivers of availability duration overruns, to include an assessment of items that may not be captured in existing ADSs and ADPs, and highlight opportunities to modify future availability duration projections to improve accuracy and thereby aid scheduling, budgeting, and workload decision making.Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)ASN(RDA) - Research, Development, and AcquisitionThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Quantitative Wood Anatomy—Relating Anatomy to Transverse Tensile Strength

The tension perpendicular-to-grain properties of eight North American hardwood species were determined and related to their anatomy. Stereological techniques based on countings of points and intersections were used to quantitatively characterize the anatomy of each species. Modulus of elasticity and proportional limit stress values were found to be more dependent on specific gravity than anatomy. However, the properties associated with failure were closely associated with anatomical features. Earlywood vessel area fraction negatively influenced radial maximum stress and strain, whereas the ray width and area fraction were positively related to the maximum radial properties. Analysis showed that the rays significantly affected the transverse stiffness

An Objective Study of II Peter

II Peter has been a very controversial epistle. To use the term, \u27has been\u27, takes us as far back as the second century, for the early church fathers were sceptical of its value and authenticity and some have claimed that it came near not being part of the New Testament canon. You will note that this study is not a commentary but rather an introduction to the problems that have arisen concerning this epistle

Combined antiproliferative activity of imatinib mesylate (STI-571) with radiation or cisplatin in vitro

Little is known about the interaction of novel anticancer drugs with other treatment modalities. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of combining imatinib mesylate (STI-571) with radiation or cisplatin on the survival of two human solid tumor cell lines – SKNMC cells derived from Ewing sarcoma and breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Methods: Cell proliferation was determined using the sulphorodamine B cytotoxicity assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed with flow cytometry. Apoptosis was determined using a commercial cell death ELISA plus kit. Phosphorylated AKT, which has been suggested to be involved in radiation resistance, was detected by Western blot analysis. Results: Exposure of SKNMC cells to STI-571 resulted in a dose-dependent antiproliferative effect and a decrease in phosphorylated AKT expression. There was no evidence of apoptosis. The combination of STI-571 with radiation or cisplatin had an additive antiproliferative effect in SKNMC cells (60% reduction in cell number). A similar effect was observed in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Conclusion: STI-571 improves the outcome of cisplatin or irradiation treatment in vitro. AKT pathway may play a role in the additive effect of STI-571 and irradiation.Цель: оценить антипролиферативный эффект иматиниба (STI-571) в комбинации с облучением или цисплатиной по отношению к двум клеточным линиям – клеткам линии SKNMC, полученным из саркомы Эвинга, и клеткам рака молочной железы человека линии MCF-7. Методы: для оценки пролиферации клеток применяли метод анализа цитотоксичности с использованием сульфородамина B. Для анализа распределения клеток по фазам клеточного цикла применяли метод проточной цитометрии, апоптоза – с применением коммерческого набора для проведения ИФА. Уровень фосфорилированной киназы АКТ, предположительно связанной с радиорезистентностью, определяли методом Вестерн-блот анализа. Результаты: инкубация клеток SKNMC STI-571 приводила к дозозависимому антипролиферативному эффекту и снижению фосфорилирования AKT, но не апоптозу клеток. Комбинированное применение STI-571 и обления или цисплатины оказывало дополнительное антипролиферативное воздействие на клетки линии SKNMC (60% уменьшения количества клеток). Аналогичные эффекты отмечали на клетках линии MCF-7. Выводы: обработка опухолевых клеток STI-571 усиливает эффект обления и цисплатины in, причем таковой может быть опосредован сигнальным каскадом AK

Affiliation, Aggression, and Selectivity of Peer Relationships in Meadow and Prairie Voles

Relationships between adult peers are central to the structure of social groups. In some species, selective preferences for specific peers provide a foundation for consistent group composition. These preferences may be shaped by affiliation toward familiar individuals, and/or by aversion to unfamiliar individuals. We compared peer interactions in two vole species that form selective preferences for familiar same-sex individuals but differ in mating system. Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) form pair bonds with mates and may reside in family groups. Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are promiscuous breeders that form communal winter groups in the wild, and exhibit greater social behavior in short day (SD) lengths in the laboratory. We characterized affiliative, anxiety-like, and aggressive interactions with familiar and novel same-sex conspecifics in meadow and prairie voles housed in summer- or winter-like photoperiods. Species differences in affective behaviors were pronounced, with prairie voles exhibiting more aggressive behavior and less anxiety-like behavior relative to meadow voles. Meadow voles housed in short (vs. long) day lengths were more affiliative and more interactive with strangers; prosocial behavior was also facilitated by a history of social housing. Prairie voles exhibited partner preferences regardless of sex or day length, indicating that selective peer preferences are the norm in prairie voles. Prairie vole females formed preferences for new same-sex social partners following re-pairing; males were often aggressive upon re-pairing. These data suggest that preferences for familiar peers in prairie voles are maintained in part by aggression toward unfamiliar individuals, as in mate partnerships. In contrast, social tolerance is an important feature of meadow vole peer affiliation, demonstrated by low aggression toward unfamiliar conspecifics, and consistent with field data on winter tolerance

An assessment of health hazard/health risk appraisal.

A state-of-the-art review of a widely-used health promotion technique, the health hazard/health risk appraisal (HHA/HRA), was conducted. The review included preparing a 212-item annotated bibliography, compiling an inventory of 217 programs that have used HHA/HRA, holding discussions with HHA/HRA developers and users, conducting formal site visits to 15 HHA/HRA programs, and consultation with experts on epidemiology, biostatistics, and behavioral science as well as developers and users of HHA/HRA. Programs use HHA/HRA primarily as a promotional device, as a tool for structuring education about health-related behaviors, and as a motivational device for stimulating behavioral change. The scientific basis for HHA/HRA risk predictions is problematic, but their arithmetic imprecision is of less concern than insufficiency of the scientific evidence for certain behavioral recommendations, and inaccuracies in client-supplied data. Widely-held beliefs in HHA/HRA's efficacy for motivating behavioral change cannot be substantiated from available evidence, nor can the assumed absence of adverse effects. The importance of this particular health promotion technique appears to have been exaggerated

Affiliation, Aggression, and Selectivity of Peer Relationships in Meadow and Prairie Voles

Relationships between adult peers are central to the structure of social groups. In some species, selective preferences for specific peers provide a foundation for consistent group composition. These preferences may be shaped by affiliation toward familiar individuals, and/or by aversion to unfamiliar individuals. We compared peer interactions in two vole species that form selective preferences for familiar same-sex individuals but differ in mating system. Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) form pair bonds with mates and may reside in family groups. Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are promiscuous breeders that form communal winter groups in the wild, and exhibit greater social behavior in short day (SD) lengths in the laboratory. We characterized affiliative, anxiety-like, and aggressive interactions with familiar and novel same-sex conspecifics in meadow and prairie voles housed in summer- or winter-like photoperiods. Species differences in affective behaviors were pronounced, with prairie voles exhibiting more aggressive behavior and less anxiety-like behavior relative to meadow voles. Meadow voles housed in short (vs. long) day lengths were more affiliative and more interactive with strangers; prosocial behavior was also facilitated by a history of social housing. Prairie voles exhibited partner preferences regardless of sex or day length, indicating that selective peer preferences are the norm in prairie voles. Prairie vole females formed preferences for new same-sex social partners following re-pairing; males were often aggressive upon re-pairing. These data suggest that preferences for familiar peers in prairie voles are maintained in part by aggression toward unfamiliar individuals, as in mate partnerships. In contrast, social tolerance is an important feature of meadow vole peer affiliation, demonstrated by low aggression toward unfamiliar conspecifics, and consistent with field data on winter tolerance