Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resource Use Efficiency of U.S. Electricity Generating Plants During the So2 Trading Regime: A Distance Function Approach

This paper measures resource use efficiency of electricity generating plants in the United States under the SO2 trading regime. Resource use efficiency is defined as the product of technical efficiency and environmental efficiency, where the latter is the ratio of good output (electricity) to bad output (SO2) with reference to the best practice firm, i.e., one that is producing an optimal mix of good and bad outputs. This concept of environmental efficiency is similar to that of output oriented allocative efficiency. Using output distance functions we compare three methods for the calculation of resource use efficiency, namely, stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), deterministic parametric programming and nonparametric linear programming. This paper reveals the strengths and weaknesses of these methods for estimating efficiency. Both SFA and linear programming approaches can estimate the efficiency scores. For plants in the dataset the overall geometric mean of the three methods for technical efficiency, environmental efficiency and resource use efficiency is 0.737, 0.335 and 0.248, respectively. The rank correlation coefficient between technical efficiency, environmental efficiency and resource use efficiency is 0.213, 0.617 and 0.877, respectively. The regression analyses of performance across plants shows units in phase I of the SO2 trading programme are negatively related to measures of economic and environmental performance. This suggests that the market for SO2 allowances, per se, may not be minimizing compliance cost. We also find that a decrease in SO2 emission rates not only increases environmental efficiency but also leads to an increase in resource use efficiency. This finding concurs with the hypothesis that enhancement in the environmental performance of a firm leads to an increase in its overall efficiency of resource use as well.
Heterogeneity of tumor endothelial cells

Tumor blood vessels play important roles in tumor progression and metastasis. Thus, targeting tumor blood vessels is an important strategy for cancer therapy. Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) are the main targets of anti‐angiogenic therapy. Although tumor blood vessels generally sprout from pre‐existing vessels and have been thought to be genetically normal, they display a markedly abnormal phenotype, including morphological changes. The degree of angiogenesis is determined by the balance between the positive and negative regulating molecules that are released by tumor and host cells in the microenvironment. Reportedly, tumor blood vessels are heterogeneous with TECs differing from normal endothelial cells (in contrast to the conventional view). We recently compared characteristics of different TECs isolated from highly and low metastatic tumors. We found TECs from highly metastatic tumors had more proangiogenic phenotypes than those from low metastatic tumors. Elucidating the variety of TEC phenotypes and identifying TEC molecular signatures should lead to more complete understanding of the mechanisms of tumor progression, discovery of new therapeutic targets, and development of biomarkers. This review considers current studies on TEC heterogeneity and discusses the therapeutic implications of these findings.
Nucleotide excision repair and photoreactivation in the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii, Beauveria nivea, Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces farinosus and Verticillium lecanii

Aims: To compare the DNA repair capabilities of the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) bassiana to the EPF Beauveria brongniartii, Beauveria nivea, Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces farinosus, Verticillium lecanii, and the fungi Aspergillus niger and Neurospora crassa.
A Markup Model for Forecasting Inflation for the Euro

We develop a small model for forecasting inflation for the euro area using quarterly data over the period June 1973 to March 1999. The model is used to provide inflation forecasts from June 1999 to March 2002. We compare the forecasts from our model with those derived from six competing forecasting models, including autoregressions, vector autoregressions and Phillips-curve based models. A considerable gain in forecasting performance is demonstrated using a relative root mean squared error criterion and the Diebold-Mariano test to make forecast comparisons. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aspects of Acculturation Stress among International Students Attending a University in the USA

Acculturation stress reported by 130 international students attending a university in Utah for about 2 yr. was examined. On the Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students, few students reported experiencing acculturation stress, but responses to four open-ended questions indicated many students perceived experience of acculturation stresses related to discrimination, feelings of loneliness, and academic concerns. The contrast of findings for the scale scores and the open-ended questions indicate the complexity of assessing international students' acculturation experiences of living and studying in the USA and suggest the usefulness of complementary methodologies for assessing such experience.
On the Transient Response of a Complementary (npn $+$ pnp) SiGe HBT BiCMOS Technology

The single-event transient (SET) response of a third-generation bulk C-SiGe ( npn + pnp) BiCMOS platform is investigated for the first time. Pulsed-laser, two-photon absorption experiments show that the pnp SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor (SiGe HBT) exhibits a significant reduction in sensitive area as well as an improved transient response compared with the npn SiGe HBT. Ion-strike simulations on 3-D TCAD, C-SiGe HBT models agree with experimental findings, showing a reduction in overall transient duration and collected charge for the pnp SiGe HBT. These improvements in device-level SETs are attributed to the n-well isolation layer present in the vertical material stack of the pnp HBT. These results suggest that precision analog, RF/mm-wave, and high-speed digital applications utilizing unhardened, high-performance bulk pnp SiGe HBTs should benefit from an inherently improved SEE response.
From OLI to OLMA: Incorporating Higher Levels of Environmental and Structural Complexity into the Eclectic Paradigm

Theorists using the eclectic paradigm have drastically restricted their analytic scope to the firm and its subsidiaries, rarely exploring more finely grained firm structures, such as business processes. By contrast, organisational theorists examining multinational firm behaviour have employed a richly differentiated array of firm structural forms though without developing a precise delineation of the international business environment. Eclectic researchers are adept at handling environmental, but not structural, complexity, while the reverse seems true for organisational theorists. This study extends the eclectic paradigm by incorporating higher levels of environmental and structural complexity through two methods: (1) a deconstruction of the multinational firm into business processes; and (2) a more complete definition of the international business environment, called geovalent elements. The paper argues that an enhanced eclectic paradigm called OLMA (for Ownership, Location, Mode of entry, and Adjustment) provides the complete set of concepts needed for studying the modern multinational firm.
Immigrants’ experiences of nature-based recreation in New Zealand

This study addresses recreational behaviours of immigrants and ethnic minorities, with a focus on nature-based recreation in national and regional parks. The study comprised a survey questionnaire that compared immigrants with New Zealand-born citizens. The study was motivated in part by research undertaken internationally that demonstrates different recreational behaviours for ethnic minorities and for those of recent migrant status. This paper reports on five aspects: frequency of use; nature of the recreation party; constraints to participation; important features of natural areas; and benefits of visiting natural areas. The data revealed statistically significant differences based on migrant status and ethnicity for a range of recreation-related variables. The migrant and ethnic minority cohort in this study had lower incomes than New Zealand-born respondents. This may suggest that marginality and ethnicity need to be considered together as explanatory variables for recreational behaviour.
Base Rates of Postconcussion Syndrome by Method of Symptom Report

This study compared the base rate of postconcussion syndrome (PCS) symptoms using three different assessment methods in a nonclinical sample. Seventy-three university students with no history of brain injury or neurological disease reported symptoms experienced during the previous 2 weeks in response to an open-ended question, a structured interview (simulated), and the British Columbia Postconcussion Symptom Inventory (BC-PSI). Statistically significant differences (all p < .001, d = 1.80–3.93, large effect sizes) were found between the number of symptoms reported on all assessment methods, such that participants reported the most PCS symptoms on the BC-PSI (M = 9.45, SD = 2.52), followed by the structured interview (M = 5.58, SD = 2.02), and the open-ended question (M = 1.86, SD = 1.00). Further, 100%, 92.1%, and 25.4% of the sample reported three or more ICD-10 Category C PCS symptoms on the BC-PSI, structured interview, and open-ended question, respectively. Findings suggest that method of assessment influences PCS base rates, such that symptom elicitation decreases relative to the reduction in prompting associated with each assessment method. Therefore, different diagnostic conclusions may be drawn depending on method of assessment used. Clinicians need to consider how their chosen assessment method may be influencing the symptoms reported by their patients.
Psychiatric morbidity in psoriasis patients: a pilot study.

Sir, Psoriasis is a relatively common, chronic, inflammatory, and hyperproliferative skin disease that affects 1.4%–2.0% of the population. The skin and the central nervous system are embryologically related, and they share several hormones, neurotransmitters, and receptors. The skin plays a key role as a sensory organ in the socialization processes throughout the life cycle. Numerous skin changes are seen in response to emotional stimuli, and skin appearance greatly influences body image and self-esteem. It has been reported that psychological stress perturbs the epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis, thus acting as a precipitant for psoriasis. Psychiatric and psychosocial factors play an important role in several skin diseases and the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in these patients is also very high. Most of the data available on psychosocial dysfunction and psychiatric morbidity in psoriasis is from the West. Only a few studies are available from India.
Non-transferrin bound iron and neutropenia after cytotoxic chemotherapy.

AIMS--To investigate and characterise the appearance of non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) in the serum of patients after cytotoxic chemotherapy and to compare this with the onset and duration of neutropenia. METHOD--Non-transferrin bound iron was measured by a bleomycin assay in patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy for treatment of acute leukaemia or lymphoma. RESULTS--NTBI was detected after 26 of 27 courses of chemotherapy and lasted for a mean of 14.5 days. The presence of NTBI correlated with the serum iron binding saturation, but not with serum ferritin. Neutropenia occurred after all courses of chemotherapy and lasted for a mean of 20.0 days. NTBI and neutropenia occurred concurrently after 23 courses of chemotherapy, and had a mean joint duration of 9.5 days. CONCLUSIONS--NTBI is consistently present in the serum of patients after cytotoxic chemotherapy, often at the same time as the patient is neutropenic. This may be an additional risk factor for the development of infective episodes after chemotherapy.
Comparing Corruption in the Laboratory and in the Field in Burkina Faso and in Canada

We investigate the external validity of corruption experiments by conducting the same experiment in three different environments: a laboratory in a developed country, a laboratory in a developing country and the field in a developing country. In the experiment, a candidate proposes a bribe to a grader to obtain a better grade. We find the direction and magnitude of several treatment effects to be statistically indistinguishable across the three environments. In particular, increasing the graders’ wage reduces the probability of accepting the bribe but promotes reciprocation. Our results therefore provide evidence that laboratory experiments on corruption can have empirical relevance.
Comparison of the Cariostatic Effects between Regimens to Administer Oolong Tea Polyphenols in SPF Rats

The cariostatic effect of oolong tea polyphenols administered according to several regimens was examined in specific pathogen-free (SPF) Sprague-Dawley rats given both a diet containing 20% sucrose and infected with S. sobrinus 6715. The crude preparation (OTE) of oolong tea polyphenols showed the most prominent effect on caries reduction in SPF rats when OTE was administered in the drinking water beginning 1 day prior to the inoculation of S. sobrinus 6715, when compared with chromatographically isolated polyphenol fractions (OTF1 and OTF6) of OTE. Reduction in caries development was found even when OTE was given 1 day after inoculation of the organism. OTE was shown to significantly inhibit dental caries in rats at the concentrations of either more than 5 μg/ml in drinking water or more than 10 μg/g in diet. OTF1 and OTF6 also showed significant inhibition of caries induction, with the minimum inhibitory concentration of OTF6 being 50 μg/ml in drinking water and the minimum inhibitory concentration of OTF1 being 100 μg/g in diet. These results indicate that cariostatic activity of OTE was effective even after the establishment of S. sobrinus in the oral cavity and was more effective in drinking water than in diet. Furthermore, OTE may contain some anticaries substances that affect the virulence of S. sobrinus other than glucosyltransferases.
Petrous Jugular Malposition (Diverticulum)

Jugular bulb anatomy is variable. A “high-riding” bulb extending into the tympanic cavity is a well-described anomaly. Petrous jugular malposition (diverticulum) (PJMD), however, is rare. The relationship between PJMD and clinical symptoms is questionable because the differentiation between PJMD as an anatomic variant and pathologic process is unproved. A literature review reveals 14 previously documented cases. We report an additional four cases. Diagnostic and management dilemmas are discussed, with the importance of high-resolution CT Stressed.
Managing creativity: a Japanese model

Executive Overview Dr. Min Basadur visited several major companies in Japan to conduct comparative research on organizational creativity. Unexpected insights emerged during interviews with Japanese managers and are the basis for this article. These managers knew a great deal about North American motivational theory and how to implement it. Employee creativity is managed through deliberate structural means, not to effect direct economic outcomes, but to develop motivation, job satisfaction, and teamwork. Contrasts to North American suggestion systems are made.
Serum vitamin D levels and markers of severity of childhood asthma in Costa Rica.

RATIONALE Maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy has been inversely associated with asthma symptoms in early childhood. However, no study has examined the relationship between measured vitamin D levels and markers of asthma severity in childhood. OBJECTIVES To determine the relationship between measured vitamin D levels and both markers of asthma severity and allergy in childhood. METHODS We examined the relation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (the major circulating form of vitamin D) and markers of allergy and asthma severity in a cross-sectional study of 616 Costa Rican children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. Linear, logistic, and negative binomial regressions were used for the univariate and multivariate analyses. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of the 616 children with asthma, 175 (28%) had insufficient levels of vitamin D (<30 ng/ml). In multivariate linear regression models, vitamin D levels were significantly and inversely associated with total IgE and eosinophil count. In multivariate logistic regression models, a log(10) unit increase in vitamin D levels was associated with reduced odds of any hospitalization in the previous year (odds ratio [OR], 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.004-0.71; P = 0.03), any use of antiinflammatory medications in the previous year (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.05-0.67; P = 0.01), and increased airway responsiveness (a < or =8.58-mumol provocative dose of methacholine producing a 20% fall in baseline FEV(1) [OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.024-0.97; P = 0.05]). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that vitamin D insufficiency is relatively frequent in an equatorial population of children with asthma. In these children, lower vitamin D levels are associated with increased markers of allergy and asthma severity.
Comparison of Dyes for Easy Detection of Extracellular Cellulases in Fungi

To evaluate which dye is effective in a plate assay for detecting extracellular cellulase activity produced by fungi, four chromogenic dyes including remazol brilliant blue, phenol red, congo red, and tryphan blue, were compared using chromagenic media. For the comparison, 19 fungal species belonging to three phyla, ascomycota, basidiomycota, and zygomycota were inoculated onto yeast nitrogen-based media containing different carbon substrates such as cellulose (carboxylmethyl and avicel types) and cellobiose labeled with each of the four dyes. Overall, the formation of clear zone on agar media resulting from the degradation of the substrates by the enzymes secreted from the test fungi was most apparent with media containing congo red. The detection frequency of cellulase activity was also most high on congo red-supplemented media. The results of this study showed that congo red is better dye than other three dyes in a plate assay for fungal enzyme detection.
An Efficient Implementation of the Agrawal  Model for Lightning-Induced Voltage Calculations Using Circuit Simulation Software

One of the popular, simple, and accurate field-to-wire coupling models for studying transmission-line lightning interaction is the Agrawal model . In this model, the coupling mechanisms are represented by distributed sources along the line, wherein each distributed source is due to the horizontal component of the illuminating electric field at that point on the line. These sources give rise to the propagating scattered voltage along the line, while the total voltage at any instant at a given point along the line is the sum of scattered voltage and the voltage at that point due to the illuminating vertical component of the electric field. There is a difficulty in applying the Agrawal model with the built-in transmission-line models of various circuit simulation software such as the Alternate Transients Program-Electromagnetic Transients Program , PSpice , Simpow , PSS/E , etc., as the voltage source due to the horizontal component of the electric field in the Agrawal model is in series with the line impedance , and not in between two transmission-line segments. In this paper, a simple circuit approach for efficient implementation of the Agrawal model using any circuit simulation software that has built-in transmission-line models is proposed.
Performance measurement system for lean manufacturing: a perspective from SMEs

Many organisations – be it small or medium or large-scale enterprises – are attempting to transform their organisation using the principles and philosophies of World-Class Manufacturing (WCM), such as Total Quality Management (TQM) and Theory of Constraints (TOC). Managers in some of these organisations feel that they have not achieved the desired benefits after the implementation. One of the most commonly quoted reasons in the literature is improper understanding of Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) and its corresponding metrics by them. To resolve such issues, researchers have proposed various PMS for TQM, TOC, etc. But very little research has been carried out to understand the performance measures and PMS for an organisation under a Lean Manufacturing (LM) environment. Hence, in this paper, an attempt has been made to propose a conceptual PMS framework for LM. One of the distinctive features of the proposed framework is that it can be suitably customised even for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Signs of inflammation in both symptomatic and asymptomatic muscles from patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis

Objectives: To determine whether muscle weakness is correlated with inflammation, expression of interleukin 1α (IL1α) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II antigens on muscle fibres. Methods: Biopsy specimens from clinically symptomatic (proximal muscles) and asymptomatic (all distal but two proximal) muscles in eight patients with polymyositis, three patients with dermatomyositis and six healthy controls were analysed by immunohistochemistry for the presence of T cells and macrophages, and expression of IL1α and of MHC class I and II antigens. Results were evaluated by conventional light microscopy and by computerised image analysis. Results: Inflammatory infiltrates with T cells and macrophages were observed to an equal degree in both symptomatic and asymptomatic muscle. The numbers of capillaries with IL1α expression were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the symptomatic and asymptomatic muscles of patients than in controls. The total IL1α expression per tissue section assessed by computerised image analysis was significantly higher in symptomatic muscles but not in asymptomatic muscles compared with that in controls. Neither the number of IL1α-positive capillaries nor the total IL1α expression differed significantly between symptomatic and asymptomatic muscles. Expression of MHC class I and II antigens on muscle fibres was detected in both symptomatic and asymptomatic muscles but rarely in healthy controls. Conclusions: Presence of inflammatory infiltrates, T cells and macrophages, and expression of MHC class I and II antigens and of IL1α on muscle fibres were independent of clinical symptoms, and were present to an equal degree in both proximal and distal muscles. Thus, other factors seem to determine the development of clinical symptoms. One such factor could be variations in physical demands.
Challenges and Solutions of 2-D (3-D) Device Doping Process and Doping Profiling Metrology

The appearance of 3-D devices and structures, including FinFET, DRAM access device pillar, 4f2 DRAM vertical transistor, and 3D VNAND cell pillar, has changed the doping technologies and doping profiling metrologies. This change also implies that novel concepts for 3-D dopant and carrier profiling measurements are necessary. 1.5-D SIMS can be used to study dopant incorporation in 3-D structures. Scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM) and electron holography (EH) methods have been developed and well-established on 2-D cross-sectional doping profiling measurements. Although SSRM and electron holography approaches are inherently 2-D, extensions towards 3-D structures are capable either by the dedicated design of test structures or by the approaches of mechanical slicing and polishing. Good correlations between 2-D (3-D) doping profiling measurements and device performance have been demonstrated. Thanks to the new 2-D (3-D) doping profiling measurements, plasma doping (PLAD) process has been demonstrated beneficial on 3-D device manufacturing.