System and rapidity dependence of baryon to meson ratios at RHIC

The rapidity and centrality dependence of baryon to meson ratios in Au$+$Au, Cu$+$Cu and p$+$p collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV at RHIC is presented. The $\bar{p}/\pi^{-}$ ratios are founded to be independent of collision system at a fixed $$ at mid- and forward rapidities.Comment: Talk at Quark Matter 2005 Conference in Budapest, Hungary. 4 pages, 4 figure

Parton energy loss, saturation, and recombination at BRAHMS

Particle production as observed with the BRAHMS experiment at RHIC is presented. Preliminary baryon/meson ratios and nuclear modification factors at different rapidities will be discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, Lake Louise Winter Institute 2005 proceedin

Impact of Ingredient Branding on the Hotel Brand: Spillover Effect of Branded Amenities

Ingredient branding is a popular marketing strategy, in which a brand uses a different branded product as a component in the main one. Utilizing ingredient branding, a host brand can benefit from the positive evaluation of a component brand that customers are already aware of. Although the hotel industry has applied a substantial number of other brands as internal factors, there has been little awareness or research on ingredient branding. The main purpose of the study was to investigate 1) whether ingredient branding has a positive impact on a hotel brand equity and 2) whether the effect varies for different types of hotels. The study was based on 472 samples collected from an online survey. The study examined the impact of branded amenities on hotel brand equity based on six dimensions: perceived quality, brand image, loyalty, satisfaction, behavior intentions, and perceived value. The study also demonstrated that the spillover effect varies by types of hotels and willingness to pay extra charges induced by branded amenities. The results indicate that branded amenities had significant impacts on all six dimensions of hotel brand equity, and the effects were diverse for different hotel classes. A midscale hotel benefited the most by ingredient branding while an economy hotel had lower effects compared to a midscale hotel despite overall positive impacts. On the contrary, a luxury hotel barely had an advantage of branded amenities, although there were statistical significances on three factors of brand equity (i.e., perceived intention, loyalty, perceived quality). The study provides managerial implications for each type of hotel

Spatiotemporal Effects of Dietary Bioactives on Lgr5+ Stem Cells during Colon Tumorigenesis

To better understand how the stem cells respond to environmental factors such as diet and carcinogen, we investigated the chemo-protective effects of dietary agents (n-3 PUFA and curcumin) on DNA damage response in colonic stem cells isolated from Lgr5-EGFP-IRES-CreER^T2 knock in mice injected with AOM. We demonstrated that n-3 PUFA and curcumin synergize to promote targeted apoptosis of damaged Lgr5⁺ stem cells in part by enhancing p53 signaling in Lgr5⁺ stem cells at the tumor initiation stage. In addition, at the pre-tumor stage of tumorigenesis in colon cancer, we demonstrated n-3 PUFA and curcumin combination synergistically reduces nuclear -catenin levels in aberrant crypt foci, a surrogate marker of colon cancer. In order to assess the dose-dependency of n-3 PUFA and curcumin action, we also calculated the median effective concentration and the Human equivalent dose of n-3 PUFA + curcumin required to remove DNA damaged Lgr5⁺ stem cells by targeted apoptosis. In order to further elucidate the effects of oncogenesis on the biophysical properties of the colonocyte plasma membrane at the pre tumor stage, we generated CDX2P-CreER^T2 –Apc^580S/+; KrasLSL-^G12D/+ (ACK) transgenic mice. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that oncogenic Apc and Kras increase plasma membrane order by perturbing cholesterol homeostasis and promoting cell proliferation. Genes associated with cholesterol uptake and de novo synthesis of cholesterol are enhanced in ACK mice. This process is associated with the upregulation of Myc signaling, a well-known upstream mediator of cholesterol homeostasis. Our preliminary findings also indicate that the addition of exogenous cholesterol can dose-dependently promote cell proliferation in colonic cell lines and mouse colonic organoids. In complementary experiments, we also investigated the chemo-protective effects of dietary agents on cholesterol homeostasis and plasma membrane order in ACK mice. Our findings indicate that perturbed plasma membrane order and cholesterol homeostasis is ameliorated by n-3 PUFA + curcumin feeding. In summary, our results indicate for the first time that fish oil plus curcumin synergistically reduce colon cancer risk in part by modulating (i) p53 signaling in Lgr5+ stem cells, and (ii) plasma membrane properties implicated in the regulation of the colon cancer cells and tumor development

Spatiotemporal Effects of Dietary Bioactives on Lgr5+ Stem Cells during Colon Tumorigenesis

To better understand how the stem cells respond to environmental factors such as diet and carcinogen, we investigated the chemo-protective effects of dietary agents (n-3 PUFA and curcumin) on DNA damage response in colonic stem cells isolated from Lgr5-EGFP-IRES-CreER^T2 knock in mice injected with AOM. We demonstrated that n-3 PUFA and curcumin synergize to promote targeted apoptosis of damaged Lgr5⁺ stem cells in part by enhancing p53 signaling in Lgr5⁺ stem cells at the tumor initiation stage. In addition, at the pre-tumor stage of tumorigenesis in colon cancer, we demonstrated n-3 PUFA and curcumin combination synergistically reduces nuclear -catenin levels in aberrant crypt foci, a surrogate marker of colon cancer. In order to assess the dose-dependency of n-3 PUFA and curcumin action, we also calculated the median effective concentration and the Human equivalent dose of n-3 PUFA + curcumin required to remove DNA damaged Lgr5⁺ stem cells by targeted apoptosis. In order to further elucidate the effects of oncogenesis on the biophysical properties of the colonocyte plasma membrane at the pre tumor stage, we generated CDX2P-CreER^T2 –Apc^580S/+; KrasLSL-^G12D/+ (ACK) transgenic mice. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that oncogenic Apc and Kras increase plasma membrane order by perturbing cholesterol homeostasis and promoting cell proliferation. Genes associated with cholesterol uptake and de novo synthesis of cholesterol are enhanced in ACK mice. This process is associated with the upregulation of Myc signaling, a well-known upstream mediator of cholesterol homeostasis. Our preliminary findings also indicate that the addition of exogenous cholesterol can dose-dependently promote cell proliferation in colonic cell lines and mouse colonic organoids. In complementary experiments, we also investigated the chemo-protective effects of dietary agents on cholesterol homeostasis and plasma membrane order in ACK mice. Our findings indicate that perturbed plasma membrane order and cholesterol homeostasis is ameliorated by n-3 PUFA + curcumin feeding. In summary, our results indicate for the first time that fish oil plus curcumin synergistically reduce colon cancer risk in part by modulating (i) p53 signaling in Lgr5+ stem cells, and (ii) plasma membrane properties implicated in the regulation of the colon cancer cells and tumor development

How Consumers Assess Multiple Cues: The Role of Dual Processing System on Hotel Booking Decisions

An online travel agency (OTA) is an important channel for hotels to generate new reservations. To make booking decisions, people collect and evaluate available information. Hotels try to provide effective information to persuade customers to book their hotel deals; however, not all information is manageable by the hotels. This research evaluates the effects of information on OTA websites with an approach based on the origins of the information. Depending on the origin, multiple cues can be categorized by two types, controllable and uncontrollable cues. A controllable cue is information that hotels can maintain, whereas an uncontrollable cue is not manageable because third parties such as OTAs or customers own the information. Based on this concept, the research examines the effects of a controllable cue according to the associated uncontrollable cue. The dual-processing theory is applied to understand shifting evaluations of multiple cues by adopting a priming method to manipulate thinking modes. This dissertation consists of two experimental studies to investigate the integrated effects of multiple cues as a function of the dual-processing system. Study 1 focuses on a combination of multiple cues including an endorsement-controllable cue and applies affective priming to activate different emotions prior to the hotel booking decision phase. Study 1 utilized a 2 uncontrollable cue (high vs. low customer rating) x 2 controllable cue (well-known vs. unknown brand) x 2 priming (positive vs. negative). Study 2 added a risk-controllable cue instead of an endorsement cue to demonstrate its combined effects with the same uncontrollable cue. The influence of the dual-processing system was tested using procedural priming. A 2 uncontrollable cue (high vs. low customer rating) x 2 controllable cue (scarcity vs. none) x 2 priming (hotel-related vs. irrelevant) design was utilized. In both studies, decision confidence was included as a covariate to control the influence of the relationship between the internal factor and dependent variables. Study 1 demonstrates that customer ratings determine the role of hotel brand. The positive effect of brand is amplified as a critical factor when customer rating is low. However, the effect of hotel brand nullifies when the hotel has a high customer rating. Positive emotions caused by affective priming lead more favorable evaluations than negative emotions. The findings of study 2 indicate that the evaluations of multiple cues can be altered by the value of the uncontrollable cue and procedural priming to activate the modes of processing information. Customer ratings rule over the effects of scarcity. Scarcity is perceived as a positive cue to increase the value of the hotel when customer rating is high. However, it is considered a negative cue to decrease hotel evaluations with a low rating. A heuristic process activated by irrelevant priming strengthens the value of the high rating while a systematic process triggered by hotel-related priming increases the value of a scarcity message. The findings of this research provide systematic approaches to understand the effects of multiple cues on OTA websites. Theoretical foundations are provided to understand the cue assessment mechanisms to support the findings. Industrial applications based on the findings of this research are suggested. This research emphasizes the importance of understanding uncontrollable cues and evaluation modes, shifted by emotions and task-relevance, to produce the best marketing strategies on OTA websites

Using Course Assessments to Train Teachers in Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavioral Intervention Plan Techniques

As the need to train more teachers to work in inclusive classrooms increases, college instructors should identify and implement course assessments measuring their effectiveness in training practices. Skills in managing the challenging behaviors of students with disabilities, such as autism and emotional disturbances are important for teachers worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of a course assessment to develop Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). The course assessment used in this study was developed, revised, and then implemented to evaluate participants‘ knowledge to identify, assess and develop plans to improve challenging behaviors of students with behavior disabilities. The course assessment was used in training teachers who currently hold general education certification in obtaining special education training. All participants were new teachers, previously certified in childhood education, and seeking additional certification in special education. Results show there were significant differences across the years of implementation of the study. The paper includes recommendations for other institutions of higher education to utilize similar course assessments into their teacher training programs

Multiple Functions of Nm23-H1 Are Regulated by Oxido-Reduction System

Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK, Nm23), a housekeeping enzyme, is known to be a multifunctional protein, acting as a metastasis suppressor, transactivation activity on c-myc, and regulating endocytosis. The cellular mechanisms regulating Nm23 functions are poorly understood. In this study, we identified the modifications and interacting proteins of Nm23-H1 in response to oxidative stress. We found that Cys109 in Nm23-H1 is oxidized to various oxidation states including intra- and inter-disulfide crosslinks, glutathionylation, and sulfonic acid formation in response to H2O2 treatment both in vivo and in vitro. The cross-linking sites and modifications of oxidized Nm23-H1 were identified by peptide sequencing using UPLC-ESI-q-TOF tandem MS. Glutathionylation and oxidation of Cys109 inhibited the NDPK enzymatic activity of Nm23-H1. We also found that thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) is an interacting protein of Nm23-H1, and it binds specifically to oxidized Nm23-H1. Oxidized Nm23 is a substrate of NADPH-TrxR1-thioredoxin shuttle system, and the disulfide crosslinking is reversibly reduced and the enzymatic activity is recovered by this system. Oxidation of Cys109 in Nm23-H1 inhibited its metastatic suppressor activity as well as the enzymatic activities. The mutant, Nm23-H1 C109A, retained both the enzymatic and metastasis suppressor activities under oxidative stress. This suggests that key enzymatic and metastasis suppressor functions of Nm23-H1 are regulated by oxido-reduction of its Cys109