Selection Procedure Utilized by Second-class School Districts in Making Appointments to the Principalship in Washington State

One hundred fifty-eight (158) superintendents of second-class school districts in Washington State were surveyed to determine the selection procedures utilized in the appointment to the principalship. A survey questionnaire was developed and divided into five steps of the selection procedure. The results of the survey questionnaire indicate that the selection procedure varies tremendously and no consistent procedures were found among the school district superintendents surveyed

Preliminary evaluation of water quality in tidal creeks of Virginia\u27s Eastern Shore in relation to vegetable cultivation

In response to concerns raised about the impacts of vegetable cultivation using plastic ground covers on water quality, we have initiated a broad-scale, systematic study of water quality in seaside tidal creeks of Virginia\u27 s Eastern Shore. Our objective was to determine if acute toxicity associated with heavy metals or pesticides was more prevalent in tidal creeks with drainage areas which include this agricultural practice than in those which do not. Though such correlations do not confirm cause and effect, they may serve as the basis for future, more targeted investigations and for some immediate changes in land management practices which, regardless of the specific cause, are likely to produce some remediation. Eleven study sites, located in six different watersheds, were selected to evaluate acute toxicity (from heavy metals and organic pesticides. Land use patterns and acreage within each watershed was determined from aerial photographs. The amount of vegetable plasti-culture in the watersheds of the study sites ranged from 0-13% of total acreage. An assay for heavy metals, based upon enzyme inhibition in a bacterial strain, was used to determine if up to seven metals (including copper) were present at acutely toxic levels. Both water samples and aqueous extracts of sediment samples were tested. A continuous series of 96 hr in situ bioassays using the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, were conducted from Aug. I, 1996 - Sept. 22, 1996 at each station to assay for toxicity from organic pesticides. Grass shrimp are known to be quite sensitive to insecticides and the in situ bioassay approach provides a continuous means of monitoring for toxic events

M2 macrophages exhibit higher sensitivity to oxLDL-induced lipotoxicity than other monocyte/macrophage subtypes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In obesity, phenotypic switches occur in macrophage populations such that the predominantly M2-polarised anti-inflammatory state seen in lean individuals changes to a predominantly M1-polarised pro-inflammatory state in those who are obese. However, the mechanisms by which these phenotypic shifts occur have not yet been fully elucidated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The effects of oxLDL (1-40 μg/ml; 24 h) on several parameters relevant to the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR)-mediated lipotoxic effects of oxLDL (disruption of ER Ca²⁺handling; activation of the UPR transcription factor XBP-1; upregulation of the UPR target genes BiP and CHOP; apoptosis; cell viability) were investigated in human primary monocyte-derived macrophages, and also in monocyte-macrophages derived from the THP-1 monocytic cell line. A consistent pattern was observed: M2-polarised macrophages were more sensitive to the lipotoxic effects of oxLDL than either non-polarised macrophages or non-differentiated monocytic cells. Specifically, M2-polarised macrophages were the only cell type to undergo significantly increased apoptosis (Primary cells: 1.23 ± 0.01 basal; THP-1-derived: 1.97 ± 0.12 basal; <it>P </it>< 0.05 in both cases) and decreased cell viability (Primary cells: 0.79 ± 0.04 basal; THP-1-derived: 0.67 ± 0.02 basal; <it>P </it>< 0.05 in both cases) when exposed to oxLDL levels similar to those seen in overweight individuals (ie. 1 μg/ml).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We propose that the enhanced susceptibility of M2-polarised macrophages to lipotoxicity seen in the present <it>in vitro </it>study could, over time, contribute to the phenotypic shift seen in obese individuals <it>in vivo</it>. This is because a higher degree of oxLDL-induced lipotoxic cell death within M2 macrophages could contribute to a decrease in numbers of M2 cells, and thus a relative increase in proportion of non-M2 cells, within macrophage populations. Given the pro-inflammatory characteristics of a predominantly M1-polarised state, the data presented here may constitute a useful contribution to our understanding of the origin of the pro-inflammatory nature of obesity, and of the pathogenesis of obesity-associated inflammatory disorders such as Type 2 Diabetes and atherosclerosis.</p

An Adaptive Optics Survey of Stellar Variability at the Galactic Center

We present a $\approx 11.5$ year adaptive optics (AO) study of stellar variability and search for eclipsing binaries in the central $\sim 0.4$ pc ($\sim 10''$) of the Milky Way nuclear star cluster. We measure the photometry of 563 stars using the Keck II NIRC2 imager ($K'$-band, $\lambda_0 = 2.124 \text{ } \mu \text{m}$). We achieve a photometric uncertainty floor of $\Delta m_{K'} \sim 0.03$ ($\approx 3\%$), comparable to the highest precision achieved in other AO studies. Approximately half of our sample ($50 \pm 2 \%$) shows variability. $52 \pm 5\%$ of known early-type young stars and $43 \pm 4 \%$ of known late-type giants are variable. These variability fractions are higher than those of other young, massive star populations or late-type giants in globular clusters, and can be largely explained by two factors. First, our experiment time baseline is sensitive to long-term intrinsic stellar variability. Second, the proper motion of stars behind spatial inhomogeneities in the foreground extinction screen can lead to variability. We recover the two known Galactic center eclipsing binary systems: IRS 16SW and S4-258 (E60). We constrain the Galactic center eclipsing binary fraction of known early-type stars to be at least $2.4 \pm 1.7\%$. We find no evidence of an eclipsing binary among the young S-stars nor among the young stellar disk members. These results are consistent with the local OB eclipsing binary fraction. We identify a new periodic variable, S2-36, with a 39.43 day period. Further observations are necessary to determine the nature of this source.Comment: 69 pages, 28 figures, 12 tables. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Perinatal germ cell development and differentiation in the male marmoset (Callithrix jacchus):similarities with the human and differences from the rat

STUDY QUESTION: Is perinatal germ cell (GC) differentiation in the marmoset similar to that in the human? SUMMARY ANSWER: In a process comparable with the human, marmoset GC differentiate rapidly after birth, losing OCT4 expression after 5–7 weeks of age during mini-puberty. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Most of our understanding about perinatal GC development derives from rodents, in which all gonocytes (undifferentiated GC) co-ordinately lose expression of the pluripotency factor OCT4 and stop proliferating in late gestation. Then after birth these differentiated GC migrate to the basal lamina and resume proliferation prior to the onset of spermatogenesis. In humans, fetal GC differentiation occurs gradually and asynchronously and OCT4(+) GC persist into perinatal life. Failure to switch off OCT4 in GC perinatally can lead to development of carcinoma in situ (CIS), the precursor of testicular germ cell cancer (TGCC), for which there is no animal model. Marmosets show similarities to the human, but systematic evaluation of perinatal GC development in this species is lacking. Similarity, especially for loss of OCT4 expression, would support use of the marmoset as a model for the human and for studying CIS origins. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION: Testis tissues were obtained from marmosets (n = 4–10 per age) at 12–17 weeks' gestation and post-natal weeks 0.5, 2.5, 5–7, 14 and 22 weeks, humans at 15–18 weeks' gestation (n = 5) and 4–5 weeks of age (n = 4) and rats at embryonic day 21.5 (e21.5) (n = 3) and post-natal days 4, 6 and 8 (n = 4 each). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS: Testis sections from fetal and post-natal marmosets, humans and rats were collected and immunostained for OCT4 and VASA to identify undifferentiated and differentiated GC, respectively, and for Ki67, to identify proliferating GC. Stereological quantification of GC numbers, differentiation (% OCT4(+) GC) and proliferation were performed in perinatal marmosets and humans. Quantification of GC position within seminiferous cords was performed in marmosets, humans and rats. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE: The total GC number increased 17-fold from birth to 22 post-natal weeks in marmosets; OCT4(+) and VASA(+) GC proliferated equally in late gestation and early post-natal life. The percentage of OCT4(+) GC fell from 54% in late fetal life to <0.5% at 2.5 weeks of age and none were detected after 5–7 weeks in marmosets. In humans, the percentage of OCT4(+) GC also declined markedly during the equivalent period. In marmosets, GC had begun migrating to the base of seminiferous cords at ∼22 weeks of age, after the loss of GC OCT4 expression. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: There is considerable individual variation between marmosets. Although GC development in marmosets and humans was similar, there are differences with respect to proliferation during fetal life. The number of human samples was limited. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The similarities in testicular GC differentiation between marmosets and humans during the perinatal period, and their differences from rodents, suggest that the marmoset may be a useful model for studying the origins of CIS, with relevance for the study of TGCC. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This work was supported by Grant G33253 from the Medical Research Council, UK. No external funding was sought and there are no competing interests

Mixing genetically and morphologically distinct populations in translocations: Asymmetrical introgression in a newly established population of the boodie (Bettongia lesueur)

The use of multiple source populations provides a way to maximise genetic variation and reduce the impacts of inbreeding depression in newly established translocated populations. However, there is a risk that individuals from different source populations will not interbreed, leading to population structure and smaller effective population sizes than expected. Here, we investigate the genetic consequences of mixing two isolated, morphologically distinct island populations of boodies (Bettongia lesueur) in a translocation to mainland Australia over three generations. Using 18 microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial D-loop region, we monitored the released animals and their offspring between 2010 and 2013. Despite high levels of divergence between the two source populations (FST = 0.42 and ϕST = 0.72), there was clear evidence of interbreeding between animals from different populations. However, interbreeding was non-random, with a significant bias towards crosses between the genetically smaller-sized Barrow Island males and the larger-sized Dorre Island females. This pattern of introgression was opposite to the expectation that male–male competition or female mate choice would favour larger males. This study shows how mixing diverged populations can bolster genetic variation in newly established mammal populations, but the ultimate outcome can be difficult to predict, highlighting the need for continued genetic monitoring to assess the long-term impacts of admixture

The Consolidation of the White Southern Congressional Vote

This article explores the initial desertion and continued realignment of about one-sixth of the white voters in the South who, until 1994, stood by Democratic congressional candidates even as they voted for Republican presidential nominees. Prior to 1994, a sizable share of the white electorate distinguished between Democratic congressional and presidential candidates; since 1994 that distinction has been swept away. In 1992, a majority of white southern voters was casting their ballot for the Democratic House nominee; by 1994, the situation was reversed and 64 percent cast their ballot for the Republican. Virtually all categories of voters increased their support of Republican congressional candidates in 1994 and the following elections further cement GOP congressional support in the South. Subsequent elections are largely exercises in partisanship, as the congressional votes mirror party preferences. Republicans pull nearly all GOP identifiers, most independents, and a sizeable minority of Democratic identifiers. Democrats running for Congress no longer convince voters that they are different from their party’s presidential standard bearers—a group that has consistently been judged unacceptable to overwhelming proportions of the southern white electorate.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Characterization and petrologic interpretation of olivine-rich basalts at Gusev Crater, Mars

Rocks on the floor of Gusev crater are basalts of uniform composition and mineralogy. Olivine, the only mineral to have been identified or inferred from data by all instruments on the Spirit rover, is especially abundant in these rocks. These picritic basalts are similar in many respects to certain Martian meteorites (olivine-phyric shergottites). The olivine megacrysts in both have intermediate compositions, with modal abundances ranging up to 20&ndash;30%. Associated minerals in both include low-calcium and highcalcium pyroxenes, plagioclase of intermediate composition, iron-titanium-chromium oxides, and phosphate. These rocks also share minor element trends, reflected in their nickel-magnesium and chromium-magnesium ratios. Gusev basalts and shergottites appear to have formed from primitive magmas produced by melting an undepleted mantle at depth and erupted without significant fractionation. However, apparent differences between Gusev rocks and shergottites in their ages, plagioclase abundances, and volatile contents preclude direct correlation. Orbital determinations of global olivine distribution and compositions by thermal emission spectroscopy suggest that olivine-rich rocks may be widespread. Because weathering under acidic conditions preferentially attacks olivine and disguises such rocks beneath alteration rinds, picritic basalts formed from primitive magmas may even be a common component of the Martian crust formed during ancient and recent times.Additional co-authors: PR Christensen, BC Clark, JA Crisp, DJ DesMarais, T Economou, JD Farmer, W Farrand, A Ghosh, M Golombek, S Gorevan, R Greeley, VE Hamilton, JR Johnson, BL Joliff, G Klingelhöfer, AT Knudson, S McLennan, D Ming, JE Moersch, R Rieder, SW Ruff, PA de Souza Jr, SW Squyres, H Wnke, A Wang, A Yen, J Zipfe

Discarded livers tested by normothermic machine perfusion in the VITTAL trial:Secondary end points and 5-year outcomes

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) enables pretransplant assessment of high-risk donor livers. The VITTAL trial demonstrated that 71% of the currently discarded organs could be transplanted with 100% 90-day patient and graft survivals. Here, we report secondary end points and 5-year outcomes of this prospective, open-label, phase 2 adaptive single-arm study. The patient and graft survivals at 60 months were 82% and 72%, respectively. Four patients lost their graft due to nonanastomotic biliary strictures, one caused by hepatic artery thrombosis in a liver donated following brain death, and 3 in elderly livers donated after circulatory death (DCD), which all clinically manifested within 6 months after transplantation. There were no late graft losses for other reasons. All the 4 patients who died during the study follow-up had functioning grafts. Nonanastomotic biliary strictures developed in donated after circulatory death livers that failed to produce bile with pH &gt;7.65 and bicarbonate levels &gt;25 mmol/L. Histological assessment in these livers revealed high bile duct injury scores characterized by arterial medial necrosis. The quality of life at 6 months significantly improved in all but 4 patients suffering from nonanastomotic biliary strictures. This first report of long-term outcomes of high-risk livers assessed by normothermic machine perfusion demonstrated excellent 5-year survival without adverse effects in all organs functioning beyond 1 year (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02740608).</p

In the dedicated pursuit of dedicated capital: restoring an indigenous investment ethic to British capitalism

Tony Blair’s landslide electoral victory on May 1 (New Labour Day?) presents the party in power with a rare, perhaps even unprecedented, opportunity to revitalise and modernise Britain’s ailing and antiquated manufacturing economy.* If it is to do so, it must remain true to its long-standing (indeed, historic) commitment to restore an indigenous investment ethic to British capitalism. In this paper we argue that this in turn requires that the party reject the very neo-liberal orthodoxies which it offered to the electorate as evidence of its competence, moderation and ‘modernisation’, which is has internalised, and which it apparently now views as circumscribing the parameters of the politically and economically possible