bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Integrative Framework of the Information Systems Development Process*
Authors: Sambamurthy V. , Kirsch Laurie J.
Published: June 2007

Despite more than 25 years of research on the processes and outcomes of information systems development in organizations, deficiencies exist in our knowledge about the effective management of complex systems development processes. Although individual studies have generated a wealth of findings, there is a need for a cumulative framework that facilitates interpretation of what has been learned and what needs to be learned about the process of information systems development. This paper reviews prior research on ISD processes and identifies the different types of contributions that have been made to our growing knowledge. More important, it generates a cumulative framework for understanding the process of ISD that could provide a valuable template for future research and practice.
Multicriteria Preference Disaggregation for Classification Problems with an Application to Global Investing Risk*
Authors: Doumpos Michael , Zanakis Stelios H. , Zopounidis Constantin
Published: June 2007

Mathematical programming and multicriteria approaches to classification and discrimination are reviewed, with an emphasis on preference disaggregation. The latter include the UTADIS family and a new method, Multigroup Hierarchical DIScrimination (MHDIS). They are used to assess investing risk in 51 countries that have stock exchanges, according to 27 criteria. These criteria include quantitative and qualitative measures of market risk (volatility and currency fluctuations); range of investment opportunities; quantity and quality on market information; investor protection (security regulations treatment of minority shareholders); and administrative “headaches” (custody, settlement, and taxes). The model parameters are determined so that the results best match the risk level assigned to those countries by experienced international investment managers commissioned byThe Wall Street Journal.Among the six evaluation models developed, one (MHDIS) classifies correctly all countries into the appropriate groups. Thus, this model is able to reproduce consistently the evaluation of the expert investment analysts. The most significant criteria and their weights for assessing global risk investing are also presented, along with their marginal utilities, leading to identifiers of risk groups and global utilities portraying the strength of each country's risk classification. The same method, MHDIS, outperformed the other five methods in a 10‐fold validation experiment. These results are promising for the study of emerging new markets in fast‐growing regions, which present fertile areas for investment growth but also
An Approximate Bayesian Algorithm for Combining Forecasts*
Authors: Li Kim‐Hung , Wong Heung , Troutt Marvin
Published: June 2007

In this paper we propose a consensus forecasting method based on a convex combination of individual forecast densities. The exact Bayesian updating of the convex combination weights is very complex and practically prohibitive. We propose a simple sequential updating alternative method based on function approximation. Several examples illustrate the method.
Discrete Sequential Search with Group Activities*
Authors: Wagner Bret J. , Davis Darwin J.
Published: June 2007

Equipment failures can have significant implications in terms of cost and customer satisfaction. Reducing the time required to find the cause of a failure can provide large cost savings and help preserve customer goodwill. Single‐item discrete sequential search models can be used to sequence the tasks in diagnostic search to minimize the expected time required to find the cause of the failure. We increase the utility of the single‐item discrete sequential search model by developing a formulation that includes simple precedence relationships as well as sequence dependent relationships defined by group activities. This formulation can be applied to a number of other problems including determining the sequence for multiple quality control tests on an item, scheduling oil well workovers to maximize the expected increase in oil production, and sequencing tasks in a research project where there is a technological risk associated with each task.
New Product Development Decision‐Making Effectiveness: Comparing Individuals, Face‐To‐Face Teams, and Virtual Teams*
Authors: Schmidt Jeffrey B. , Montoya‐Weiss Mitzi M. , Massey Anne P.
Published: June 2007

A total of 411 subjects participated in two decision‐making experiments in order to examine the effectiveness of new product development project continuation decisions. Using escalation of commitment theory, in Study 1, individual versus face‐to‐face team decision‐making effectiveness was compared. Study 2, an extension of Study 1, compared the new product development decision‐making effectiveness of individuals, face‐to‐face teams, and virtual teams. A virtual team is a geographically and temporally dispersed and electronically communicating work group. In Study 2, the virtual teams communicated asynchronously via groupware technology. Our findings suggest that teams make more effective decisions than individuals, and virtual teams make the most effective decisions.
Investigating the Level of End‐User Development and Involvement Among Time‐Based Competitors
Authors: Rondeau Patrick J. , Vonderembse Mark A. , Ragu‐Nathan T. S.
Published: June 2007

As global markets and technology change, time‐based competitors create product development and manufacturing practices that reduce response time and enhance customization capabilities. These practices require an information‐rich internal environment that is capable of flexible resource deployment and direct and continuous feedback. To build this environment, time‐based competitors are developing end‐user capabilities and involving them in information systems (IS) activities. Data collected from 265 manufacturers were used to determine if firms with high levels of time‐based product development and time‐based manufacturing practices also have high levels of end‐user involvement in IS‐related activities, end‐user training effectiveness, and end‐user computing skills. The results of this study support that contention.
Shop Performance Implications of Using Cells, Partial Cells, and Remainder Cells*
Authors: Kher Hemant V. , Jensen John B.
Published: June 2007

This paper considers the application of cellular manufacturing (CM) to batch production by exploring the shop floor performance trade‐offs associated with shops employing different levels of CM. The literature has alluded to a continuum that exists between the purely departmentalized job shop and the completely cellular shop. However, the vast majority of CM research exists at the extremes of this continuum. Here, we intend to probe performance relationships by comparing shops that exist at different stages of CM adoption. Specifically, we begin with a hypothetical departmentalized shop found in the CM literature, and in a stepwise fashion, form independent cells. At each stage, flow time and tardiness performance is recorded. Modeling results indicate that, depending on shop conditions and managerial objectives, superior shop performance may be recorded by the job shop, the cell shop, or by one of the shops between these extreme points. In fact, under certain conditions, shops that contain partially formed cells perform better than shops that use completely formed cells. Additional results demonstrate that in order to achieve excellent performance, managers investigating specific layouts need to pay especially close attention to changes in machine utilization as machine groups are partitioned into cells.
Modeling the Effects of a Service Guarantee on Perceived Service Quality Using Alternating Conditional Expectations (ACE)*
Authors: Sum Chee‐Chuong , Lee Yang‐Sang , Hays Julie M. , Hill Arthur V.
Published: June 2007

This paper addresses the dearth of empirical research on the relationship between service guarantee and perceived service quality (PSQ). In particular, we examine the moderating effects of a service guarantee on PSQ. While a recent study provided empirical evidence that service quality is affected by service guarantee and employee variables such as employee motivation/vision and learning through service failure, the nature and form of the relationships between these variables remain unclear. Knowledge of these relationships can assist service managers to allocate resources more judiciously, avoid pitfalls, and establish more realistic expectations. Data was obtained from employees and customers of a multinational hotel chain that has implemented a service guarantee program in 89 of its hotels in America and Canada. As the employee variables could affect performance in a non‐linear fashion, we relaxed the assumption of model linearity by using the Alternating Conditional Expectations (ACE) algorithm to arrive at a better‐fitting, non‐linear regression model for PSQ. Our findings indicate the existence of significant non‐linear relationships between PSQ and its determinant variables. The ACE model also revealed that service guarantee interacts with the employee variables to affect PSQ in a non‐linear fashion. The non‐linear relationships present new insights into the management of service guarantees and PSQ. Explanations and managerial implications of our results are presented and discussed.
The Critical Few Minutes in Scheduling Time‐Varying Queuing Systems
Authors: Martinich Joseph S.
Published: June 2007

For nonstationary queuing systems where demand varies over time, an important practical issue is scheduling the number of servers to be available at various times of the day. Widely used scheduling procedures typically involve adding servers at natural time points (e.g., on the hour or at half past the hour) during peak demand periods. Scheduling is often complicated by restrictions on the minimum amount of time (human) servers must work, the earliest (or latest) time a server is available, and limits on the maximum number of servers that can be used at any one time. This paper was motivated by experience with actual queuing systems that embodied such complications. For these systems common scheduling methods that used “natural” starting times for servers resulted in needlessly long customer waits. This research demonstrates that changing the starting times of servers by only a few minutes can have dramatic impacts on customer waiting times for extended periods. In addition, the results highlight the importance of server punctuality.
Leveraging the Strengths of Choice Models and Neural Networks: A Multiproduct Comparative Analysis*
Authors: Papatla Purushottam , Zahedi Mariam (Fatemeh) , Zekic‐Susac Marijana
Published: June 2007

Choice models and neural networks are two approaches used in modeling selection decisions. Defining model performance as the out‐of‐sample prediction power of a model, we test two hypotheses: (i) choice models and neural network models are equal in performance, and (ii) hybrid models consisting of a combination of choice and neural network models perform better than each stand‐alone model. We perform statistical tests for two classes of linear and nonlinear hybrid models and compute the empirical integrated rank (EIR) indices to compare the overall performances of the models.

We test the above hypotheses by using data for various brand and store choices for three consumer products. Extensive jackknifing and out‐of‐sample tests for four different model specifications are applied for increasing the external validity of the results. Our results show that using neural networks has a higher probability of resulting in a better performance. Our findings also indicate that hybrid models outperform stand‐alone models, in that using hybrid models guarantee overall results equal or better than the two stand‐alone models. The improvement is particularly significant in cases where neither of the two stand‐alone models is very accurate in prediction, indicating that the proposed hybrid models may capture aspects of predictive accuracy that neither stand‐alone model is capable of on their own. Our results are particularly important in brand management and customer relationship management, indicating that multiple technologies and mixture of technologies may yield more accurate and reliable outcomes than individual ones.
Optimal Design of the Online Auction Channel: Analytical, Empirical, and Computational Insights*
Authors: Bapna Ravi , Goes Paulo , Gupta Alok , Karuga Gilbert
Published: June 2007

The focus of this study is on business‐to‐consumer (B2C) online auctions made possible by the advent of electronic commerce over an open‐source, ubiquitous Internet Protocol (IP) computer network. This work presents an analytical model that characterizes the revenue generation process for a popular B2C online auction, namely, Yankee auctions. Such auctions sell multiple identical units of a good to multiple buyers using an ascending and open auction mechanism. The methodologies used to validate the analytical model range from empirical analysis to simulation. A key contribution of this study is the design of a partitioning scheme of the discrete valuation space of the bidders such that equilibrium points with higher revenue structures become identifiable and feasible. Our analysis indicates that the auctioneers are, most of the time, far away from the optimal choice of key control factors such as the bid increment, resulting in substantial losses in a market with already tight margins. With this in mind, we put forward a portfolio of tools, varying in their level of abstraction and information intensity requirements, which help auctioneers maximize their revenues.
Effects of temperature on the fast‐start swimming performance of an Australian freshwater fish
Authors: Lyon J. P. , Ryan T. J. , Scroggie M. P.
Published: June 2007

Abstract –  The fast‐start swimming performance of juveniles of an Australian freshwater (warm‐water) fish, golden perch, was examined in the laboratory at six water temperatures ranging between 10 and 25 °C. Fast‐start swimming performance of fish was considerably reduced at temperatures less than 15.5 °C. Temperatures of less than 15 °C are typical of the thermal regime downstream of large dams in south‐eastern Australia, where conditions are more suited to introduced cold‐water fish species. We conclude that the swimming performance of native warm‐water fish such as golden perch is likely to be negatively affected by cold‐water releases from deep outlets in thermally stratified dams.
Freshwater protected areas: an effective measure to reconcile conservation and exploitation of the threatened European eels (Anguilla anguilla)?
Authors: Cucherousset J. , Paillisson J.‐M. , Carpentier A. , Thoby V. , Damien J.‐P. , Eybert M.‐C. , Feunteun E. , Robinet T.
Published: June 2007

Abstract –  For decades, the European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) population has been declining strongly despite several management attempts, so additional experiments need to be conducted on management measures. The use of freshwater protected areas has been advocated but their efficiency has never been assessed. In this study, we investigated whether the population structure and the silver eel (mature migrating stage) production differ in fished and protected areas within a marsh wetland (Brière, 7000 ha, Northwest France), using an intensive biological study (electrofishing and trapping) and a survey of the traditional fishery (licenses, questionnaires and creel surveys). First, we found that fishermen mainly targeted >320‐mm yellow eels (sedentary stage) using pots and square dipping nets and that harvest by fishermen was highly variable at different locations in the study area. Secondly, we found differences in the size‐class structures and mortality rates between protected and fished areas. Mortality rates of eels >320 mm was positively correlated with harvest by fishermen. Furthermore, the proportion of potentially migrating eels in the total population was found to be higher in the protected areas than in fished areas (6.38% vs. 1.42%, respectively). Thirdly, we found that protected areas potentially produce 8.4% of the total silver eel production whereas they only account for 2.4% of the aquatic habitat area. We estimated that a size adjustment of protected areas to 31.1% with maintaining the current fishery would produce 50% of the potential silver eel of a fully protected marsh. Protection of freshwater areas appears to be a promising management measure and a constructive consensual way to integrate the patrimonial and societal value of the traditional fishery and the international management plans for European eels. Furthermore, freshwater protective measures can be an effective local solution if they are integrated into the framework of freshwater biodiversity management and accompanied by other management measures that focus on all eel life stages.
The Probability of Rapid Climate Change: II
Authors: Challenor Peter
Published: June 2007

In Significance December 2004, Peter Challenor described the statistical problem associated with the possible collapse in the thermohaline circulation in the North Atlantic—“the shutting down of the Gulf Stream”. Here he brings us up to date with the latest results.
Is the Ref Blind? Crime and Punishment in English Premier League Football
Authors: Goddard John
Published: June 2007

Justice is traditionally portrayed as being blind; so are football referees, but for different reasons. For years, football managers have been complaining that referees are inconsistent, and biased in favour of home teams. Recently, a team of university researchers has investigated whether or not there is any factual or statistical basis for such claims. John Goddard describes their findings.
A Vision of Britain Through Time: Online Access to “Statistical Heritage”
Authors: Southall Humphrey
Published: June 2007

Statistics are not just for statisticians: planners, historians, schoolchildren and those researching their ancestry all want access to the records of the past. Humphrey Southall explains how data from our history have been made available to everyone who wants to know how the place that they live in has changed.
Head Over Heels in Debt?
Authors: Tapp Chris
Published: June 2007

The average household in the UK is in debt to the tune of nearly £9000—and that is not including the mortgage. Consumer borrowing, on credit cards, car and retail finance deals, overdrafts and unsecured personal loans was £4525 per average UK adult at the end of February 2007. Are we drowning in debt? Chris Tapp, Associate Director of Credit Action, reports.
Safety First?
Authors: Senn Stephen
Published: June 2007

The Royal Statistical Society working party on medical studies on human volunteers made its report on March 13th this year, a year to the day after the disastrous TGN1412 trial left six volunteers gravely ill. Stephen Senn, who chaired the working party, reflects.
My Statistician could have Painted that! A Statistical Inquiry into Modern Art
Authors: Simkin Mikhail
Published: June 2007

How good are modern artists? Is great abstract art by modern masters a true expression of genius, or could a child, or a chimpanzee—or a statistician—do better? Mikhail Simkin makes a statistical inquiry into masterpieces and doodles to find out.
RANK‐AND‐FILE MILITANCY AND POWER: REVISITING THE TEAMSTER STRUGGLE WITH THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE YEARS LATER
Authors: Schiavone Michael
Published: June 2007

This article argues that militancy, union democracy, and rank‐and‐file intensive tactics play a crucial role in collective bargaining, and that by embracing these tactics unions achieve better collective bargaining agreements than they otherwise would have attained. I do this by examining the Teamsters for a Democratic Union, its efforts to democratize the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the effects these have had on collective bargaining. I compare the Teamsters before and after Ron Carey's reforms, and under James Hoffa, Jr.'s presidency. I analyze the Teamsters negotiations/collective bargaining agreements with United Parcel Service (UPS), as this is the Teamsters' highest profile campaign and the U.S.' largest collective bargaining agreement. I focus on the 1997 and 2002 negotiations/agreements, but I provide a brief overview of the 1990 and 1993 agreements to put the 1997 agreement in context. In addition to demonstrating the benefits of militancy, union democracy, and rank‐and‐file intensive tactics in collective bargaining, I argue that the 1997 UPS campaign is a model for unions on how to effectively create a bottom–up contract campaign.
A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE SUITABILITY AND LIMITATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS IN FAMILY COURT
Authors: Erickson Steven K. , Lilienfeld Scott O. , Vitacco Michael J.
Published: June 2007

Psychologists are frequently consulted by the courts to provide forensic evaluations in a variety of family court proceedings. As part of their evaluations, psychologists often use psychological tests to assess parents, guardians, and children. These tests can have profound effects on how psychologists arrive at their opinions and are often cited in their reports to the court. However, psychological tests vary substantially in their suitability for these purposes. Most projective tests in particular appear to possess little scientific merit for evaluations within family court proceedings. Despite these serious limitations, expert testimony derived from evaluations using both projective and objective tests is often admitted uncontested. This article reviews the psychometric properties of psychological tests that are widely used in family court proceedings, cautions against their unfettered use, and calls upon attorneys to inform themselves of the limitations of evaluations that incorporate these tests.
ROCK‐PAPER‐SCISSORS: PLAYING THE ODDS WITH THE LAW OF CHILD RELOCATION
Authors: Duggan W. Dennis
Published: June 2007

This article offers for inspection the proposition that the adversarial evidence‐based litigation process is unsuitable for resolving custody cases in general and relocation cases in particular. It analyzes the leading cases from New York, Massachusetts, California, England, Canada, and Australia. It reaches a conclusion that no jurisdiction has devised a legal standard or formula that enables a judge to predict the future best interest of a child if that child is allowed to relocate with one parent away from the other. For this reason, the court has a duty to offer as sophisticated and friendly a settlement process and atmosphere as possible. However, knowing that judges will still be required to resolve these difficult cases because they often seem impervious to settlement, the article offers thirty‐six factors that a court should consider in all move‐away cases. By relying on each of these factors that is relevant to the case, the parents will have an understanding of why the decision was made the way it was and it will also allow for effective appellate review.
PARTICIPANTS’ EVALUATIONS OF ASPECTS OF THE LEGAL CHILD CUSTODY PROCESS AND PREFERENCES FOR COURT SERVICES
Authors: Leite Randall W. , Clark Kathleen
Published: June 2007

Domestic relations courts continue to experience large caseloads. As the volume of cases in which families are in crisis continues to grow, policy makers, practitioners, judges, and attorneys struggle to meet the growing demand and seek more effective ways to address the needs and issues of those who are engaged in child custody processes. The present study provides an examination of parent attitudes concerning various aspects of the legal process and preferences concerning a variety of court‐based family services and interventions.
INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF A PSYCHOLOGICAL MODEL FOR JUDICIAL DECISION MAKING IN CONTINUING RESTRAINING ORDERS
Authors: Ballou Mary , Tabol Charity , Liriano Dorcas , Vazquez‐Nuttall Kim , Butler Christine , Boorstein Beverly W. , McGovern Sheila
Published: June 2007

Probate and family court judges are increasingly called upon to make rapid decisions regarding the continuance of restraining orders. These decisions are often made without the benefit of adequate background information or an awareness of which psychological and behavioral factors are most relevant. This action‐oriented research project develops a model that brings psychosocial factors to consideration for judges making decisions regarding the continuance of restraining orders. While further evaluation of the model is needed, the project's unique methodology highlights the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, multiple methods of inquiry, and the consideration of real‐world needs and constraints in developing decision‐making tools.
“I WANT MY MOMMIES”: THE CRY FOR MINI‐DOMAS TO RECOGNIZE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN OF SAME‐SEX COUPLES*
Authors: Goldhaber Oren
Published: June 2007

In child custody cases, courts will look to the best interests of a child to maintain visitation/custody rights only with the child's biological parent, not third parties. However, with a same‐sex couple, it is inevitable that one parent will not be the biological parent. Thus, when that parent is in a mini‐DOMA state, where same‐sex couples from non‐mini‐DOMA states do not have to be recognized, that parent will be viewed as a third party and lose all visitation/custody rights if the couple separates. This note advocates that mini‐DOMAs allow both the biological and nonbiological parents of a same‐sex couple to have visitation/custody rights of their children if it would be in the best interest of the children to do so.
MAXIMUM COMPONENTS INTEGRATION FOR IMAGE PROCESSING: AN APPLICATION OF ULTRASOUND FOR DETECTION OF SMALL OBJECTS IN CONTAINERS
Authors: ZHAO BOSEN , BASIR OTMAN A. , MITTAL GAURI S.
Published: June 2007

Detection of small objects, those that lie on the bottom or stick to the wall of containers, constitutes a challenging issue for ultrasonic detection techniques. This is because echo signals from the object are fused with that of the inner surface of the container when subjected to ultrasound scanning. This study proposes a maximum component integration method based on the short‐time Fourier transform algorithm to detect these objects. Experiments were conducted using glass fragments of about 2 × 2 × 2 mm3 to test the proposed method. Compared with other signal‐processing methods (statistical calculations, backscattered amplitude integral and maximum frequency calculation), this method is able to make selective and full use of multiecho information, and hence demonstrated to have improved detection ability to the extent that it can detect small glass fragments contained inside glass containers. Principles are introduced for choosing the optimized WINDOW size and signal size to be processed when applying this method.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN SINGLE‐SCREW EXTRUSION PROCESSING OF FULL FAT AFRICAN BREADFRUIT (TRECULIA AFRICANA) BLENDS
Authors: NWABUEZE TITUS UGOCHUKWU , IWE MADUEBIBISI OFO
Published: June 2007

Full fat African breadfruit, corn and defatted soy blends with moisture content range of 6.20–7.50% (wet basis) were extruded in a single‐screw Brabender laboratory extruder (DCE 330, Brabender Instruments Inc., South Hackensack, NJ) at varying independent process variables of feed composition (fc), feed moisture (fm) and screw speed. A central composite design was employed to study the effects of these variables and extrusion cooking on several quality characteristics of the center point blend, and energy input as torque and specific mechanical energy (SME). SME is relevant in that the more the energy applied, the greater the degradation of starch while torque is directly correlated with power usage. Extrusion cooking significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected bulk density, water absorption, water solubility and nitrogen solubility indices. Torque and SME ranged from 4.00 to 8.50 N·m and 216 to 376 kJ/kg, respectively. Regression analysis of data generated of experimental data showed that fc had significant (P ≤ 0.05) quadratic effect on both energy measurements. Screw speed and fm showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) linear effects on SME while screw speed alone showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) linear effect on torque. At 160‐rpm screw speed and 85% fc, the torque value was maximum (8.50 N·m). Maximum SME value of 376.72 kJ/kg was obtained at 85% fc, 24% fm and 120‐rpm screw speed. Economically, therefore, extruded products made from blends of breadfruit, corn and soy flours will require lower extruder power usage given the fat and fm levels. Findings of this research might be useful to processors for better process control and optimal energy utilization when extruding these or related blends in a single‐screw extruder.
KINETICS OF BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION FROM WHEAT MILLING BY‐PRODUCTS
Authors: NEVES MARCOS ANTONIO DAS , SHIMIZU NAOTO , KIMURA TOSHINORI , SHIIBA KIWAMU
Published: June 2007

An overview of the potential application of wheat milling by‐products as substrate for bioethanol production is presented. In order to select a suitable microorganism, model fermentations were conducted using glucose and dry baker's yeast. The overall ethanol yield was nearly stable (ca. 0.35 g/g), independent of mash glucose concentration; mashes with 100 g glucose/L resulted in an overall ethanol productivity of 3.48 g/L·h. Slurries containing low‐grade wheat flour (LG) (100, 200 or 300 g/L) were used for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with Zymomonas mobilis. Fermentation performance was evaluated based on ethanol concentration (P), productivity (Qv), yield (YP/S), production rate (Qp) and glucose consumption rate (Qs). Mashes containing 200 g LG/L produced about 52 g ethanol/L, with Qvof 2.17 g/L·h. Based on the relatively high fermentation rate of LG, reaching peak ethanol productivity within ca. 9 h of SSF, considerable savings on fermentation time was achieved. Using Z. mobilis for LG fermentation, P was about 30% higher than that obtained with Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
HIGH‐PRESSURE DESTRUCTION KINETICS OF SPOILAGE AND PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN RAW MILK CHEESE
Authors: SHAO Y. , RAMASWAMY H.S. , ZHU S.
Published: June 2007

Raw milk cheese samples were individually inoculated with Escherichia coli K‐12, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes, and subjected to high‐pressure (HP) treatments (200–400 MPa) in both pressure hold and pressure pulse modes. Pressure inactivation of E. coli K‐12 at 350 MPa (5 min) at different temperatures demonstrated a strong temperature effect when temperature was 40C and above. Pressure destruction kinetics and pressure sensitivity were evaluated at 25C (where the temperature effect was minimal). HP treatment generally demonstrated a step‐change pressure pulse effect followed by a holding time destruction that was well described by a first‐order model (R2 > 0.90) with higher pressures resulting in a faster rate of microbial reduction (smaller D values). The associated D values at an intermediate pressure of 300 MPa were 4.4, 14.5 and 3.6 min for E. coli K‐12, E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes, respectively, with E. coli O157:H7 thus demonstrating a higher‐pressure resistance than the other two. The corresponding pressure zp values were 156, 128 and 82 MPa, and ΔV≠(Arrhenius volume change of activation) values were −3.6, −4.4 and −7.0 (×10−5 m3/mole), respectively. Pulse mode treatments showed similar pressure resistance trends to pressure hold mode, but were not effective for E. coli O157:H7.
THE FOULING AND CLEANING OF ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES DURING THE FILTRATION OF MODEL TEA COMPONENT SOLUTIONS
Authors: WU DAN , BIRD MICHAEL R.
Published: June 2007

Proteins and polyphenols are the principal fouling constituents in the ultrafiltration (UF) of black tea liquor. The aim of this study was to determine the relative importance of individual components in the fouling process, to investigate any synergetic interactions that were occurring and to compare the cleaning characteristics of different fouled membranes. A 30‐kD molecular weight cutoff polysulfone UF membrane in dead‐end mode was challenged with model solutions of tea components. Model solutions consisted of tea proteins, theaflavins (TFs), thearubigins and caffeine. Sodium hydroxide was used as a cleaning reagent. Permeate flux decline curves were presented for single components and mixtures. Individual component transfer fluxes and rejections were also presented. An unexpected finding was that protein in a mixture with TFs could permeate the membrane to a degree, while a protein solution in the absence of the polyphenol was completely rejected. The inspection of membranes fouled by different solutions revealed different foulant morphologies. Membrane cleaning with 0.2 wt % sodium hydroxide was generally found to be effective.
Understanding the Mechanism of Action of the Novel SSAO Substrate (C7NH10)6(V10O28)·2H2O, a Prodrug of Peroxovanadate Insulin Mimetics
Authors: Yraola Francesc , García‐Vicente Silvia , Marti Luc , Albericio Fernando , Zorzano Antonio , Royo Miriam
Published: June 2007

A new vanadium salt, hexakis(benzylammonium) decavanadate (V) dihydrate (C7NH10)6(V10O28)·2H2O (1), has been synthesized as well as characterized chemically and biologically. Anin vitroenzyme assay revealed that compound1is oxidized to the same extent as a combination of benzylamine and vanadate by the enzyme semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), and therefore can be considered an SSAO substrate. It also stimulates glucose uptake in isolated rat adipocytes in a dose‐dependent manner. We describe here the results of51V‐NMR experiments that, combined with thein vitroresults, corroborate that compound1could act as a prodrug of di‐peroxovanadate ([V(OH)2(OO)2(OH)2]2−) insulin mimetics.
A lack of foresight? Jurisdictional uncertainties in the regulatory interface between the HFEA, the UK Stem Cell Bank and beyond
Authors: Morgan Ryan
Published: June 2007

Much of the legal attention surrounding human embryonic stem (ES) cell research within the UK has, to date, focused on cloning techniques. Whilst this is both understandable and appropriate given litigation on this topic, there has been less focus on other areas. This paper identifies and analyses areas of incoherence and deficiency within the regulatory architecture governing human ES cell derivation and research within the UK. This is not merely a theoretical exercise, as there are indications that many of the policy objectives currently being pursued in this area have, at best, a shaky jurisdictional basis. It is all too easy to recall that lobby groups have challenged the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, the legislative foundation for embryo research and most infertility treatment, on the basis of jurisdictional uncertainty and statutory interpretation. Whilst many pro-life campaigners are opposed to ES cell research on ethical grounds, the arguments utilised thus far in relation to litigation have been entirely legal, involving issues of statutory interpretation and whether the regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), or the Department of Health have acted ultra vires the 1990 Act. This paper will reveal that there are a number of further areas which might be open to attack on this basis.
Comparison between measured and calculated dynamic wedge dose distributions using the anisotropic analytic algorithm and pencil‐beam convolution
Authors: Caprile Paola , Venencia Carlos Daniel , Besa Pelayo
Published: June 2007

We used the two available calculation algorithms of the Varian Eclipse 7.3 three‐dimensional (3D) treatment planning system (TPS), the anisotropic analytic algorithm (AAA) and pencil‐beam convolution (PBC), to compare measured and calculated two‐dimensional enhanced dynamic wedge (2D EDW) dose distributions, plus implementation of the dynamic wedge into the TPS. Measurements were carried out for a 6‐MV photon beam produced with a Clinac 2300C/D linear accelerator equipped with EDW, using ionization chambers for beam axis measurements and films for dose distributions. Using both algorithms, the calculations were performed by the TPS for symmetric square fields in a perpendicular configuration. Accuracy of the TPS was evaluated using a gamma index, allowing 3% dose variation and 3 mm distance to agreement (DTA) as the individual acceptance criteria. Beam axis wedge factors and percentage depth dose calculation were within 1% deviation between calculated and measured values. In the non‐wedged direction, profiles exhibit variations lower than 2% of dose or 2 mm DTA. In the wedge direction, both algorithms reproduced the measured profiles within the acceptance criteria up to 30 degrees EDW. With larger wedge angles, the difference increased to 3%. The gamma distribution showed that, for field sizes of cm or larger, using an EDW of 45 or 60 degrees, the field corners and the high‐dose region of the distribution are not well modeled by PBC. For a cm field, using a 60‐degree EDW and PBC for calculation, the percentage of pixels that do not reach the acceptance criteria is 28.5%; but, using the AAA for the same conditions, this percentage is only 0.48% of the total distribution. Therefore, PBC is not reliable for planning a treatment when using a 60‐degree EDW for large field sizes. In all the cases, AAA models wedged dose distributions more accurately than PBC did.

PACS numbers: 87.53.Bn, 87.53.Dq, 87.53.Kn
Comment on "From Plant Traits to Plant Communities: A Statistical Mechanistic Approach to Biodiversity"
Authors: Roxburgh Stephen H. , Mokany Karel
Published: June 2007

Shipley
et al
. (Reports, 3 November 2006, p. 812) developed a quantitative method for predicting the relative abundance of species from measured traits. We show that the method can have high explanatory power even when all trait and abundance data are randomly and independently generated, because of a mathematical dependence between the observations and predictions. We also suggest a potential solution to this problem.
Global Prevalence of Double Benioff Zones
Authors: Brudzinski Michael R. , Thurber Clifford H. , Hacker Bradley R. , Engdahl E. Robert
Published: June 2007

Double Benioff zones provide opportunities for insight into seismogenesis because the underlying mechanism must explain two layers of deep earthquakes and the separation between them. We characterize layer separation inside subducting plates with a coordinate rotation to calculate the slab-normal distribution of earthquakes. Benchmark tests on well-established examples confirm that layer separation is accurately quantified with global seismicity catalogs alone. Global analysis reveals double Benioff zones in 30 segments, including all 16 subduction zones investigated, with varying subducting plate ages and stress orientations, which implies that they are inherent in subducting plates. Layer separation increases with age and is more consistent with dehydration of antigorite than chlorite.
Expansion of Industrial Logging in Central Africa
Authors: Laporte Nadine T. , Stabach Jared A. , Grosch Robert , Lin Tiffany S. , Goetz Scott J.
Published: June 2007

Industrial logging has become the most extensive land use in Central Africa, with more than 600,000 square kilometers (30%) of forest currently under concession. With use of a time series of satellite imagery for the period from 1976 to 2003, we measured 51,916 kilometers of new logging roads. The density of roads across the forested region was 0.03 kilometer per square kilometer, but areas of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea had values over 0.09 kilometer per square kilometer. A new frontier of logging expansion was identified within the Democratic Republic of Congo, which contains 63% of the remaining forest of the region. Tree felling and skid trails increased disturbance in selectively logged areas.
God as Genetic Engineer
Authors: Carroll Sean B.
Published: June 2007

The Edge of Evolution
. The Search for the Limits of Darwinism.
By Michael J. Behe
. Free Press, New York, 2007. 331 pp. $28, C$33.99. ISBN 9780743296205.

To support belief in intelligent design, Behe argues that random mutation and natural selection cannot account for the important changes in the history of life on Earth.
Molecular Characterization and Distribution of Genes Encoding Members of the Type III Effector NleA Family among Pathogenic
Escherichia coli
Strains
Authors: Creuzburg Kristina , Schmidt Herbert
Published: June 2007

In this study, we investigated the occurrence of the previously described gene
nleA
4795
and variants of
nleA
, putatively encoding non-locus-of-enterocyte-effacement-encoded type III effector proteins with functions that are unknown.
nleA
variants were detected in 150 out of 170 enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
strains and enterohemorrhagic
E. coli
strains, two of them being
eae
negative. Besides the known variants
nleA
4795
, Z6024, and the
espI
-like gene, 11 novel
nleA
variants with different lengths and sequence identities at the deduced amino acid level (between 71% and 96%) have been identified. Whereas most of the serogroups associated with more severe disease were quite homogenous with respect to the presence of a particular
nleA
variant, other serogroups were not. Moreover, Southern blot hybridization revealed that certain strains carry two copies of
nleA
in their chromosome, frequently encoding different variants. In most cases, the open reading frame of one of the copies was disrupted, usually by an insertion element. Furthermore, transmission of the type III effector-encoding gene could be shown by transduction of
nleA
-carrying bacteriophages to a laboratory
E. coli
strain.
Assessment of
Candida glabrata
Strain Relatedness by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis and Multilocus Sequence Typing
Authors: Lin Chi-Yang , Chen Yee-Chun , Lo Hsiu-Jung , Chen Kuo-Wei , Li Shu-Ying
Published: June 2007

In this study, 80
Candida glabrata
isolates from intensive care unit and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients were typed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and mating type class determination. Among the 25 patients with multiple isolates, 19 patients (76%) contained multiple isolates exhibiting identical or highly related PFGE and MLST genotypes, which may indicate the maintenance or microvariation of one
C. glabrata
strain in each patient. However, isolates from six patients (24%) displayed different sequence types, PFGE genotypes, or mating type classes, which may indicate colonization with more than one clone over time or strain replacement. High correlations among PFGE genotypes, sequence types, and mating types were found (
P
< 0.01). MLST exhibited less discriminatory power than PFGE with BssHII. The genotypes, sequence types, and mating type classes were independent of anatomic sources, drug susceptibility, and HIV infection status.
Measles Virus-Specific CD4 T-Cell Activity Does Not Correlate with Protection against Lung Infection or Viral Clearance
Authors: Pueschel Karen , Tietz Annette , Carsillo Mary , Steward Michael , Niewiesk Stefan
Published: June 2007

Acute measles in children can be prevented by immunization with the live attenuated measles vaccine virus. Although immunization is able to induce CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as neutralizing antibodies, only the latter have been correlated with protective immunity. CD8 T cells, however, have been documented to be important in viral clearance in the respiratory tract, whereas CD4 T cells have been shown to be protective in a mouse encephalitis model. In order to investigate the CD4 T-cell response in infection of the respiratory tract, we have defined a T-cell epitope in the hemagglutinin (H) protein for immunization and developed a monoclonal antibody for depletion of CD4 T cells in the cotton rat model. Although the kinetics of CD4 T-cell development correlated with clearance of virus, the depletion of CD4 T cells during the primary infection did not influence viral titers in lung tissue. Immunization with the H epitope induced a CD4 T-cell response but did not protect against infection. Immunization in the presence of maternal antibodies resulted in the development of a CD4 T-cell response which (in the absence of neutralizing antibodies) did not protect against infection. In summary, CD4 T cells do not seem to protect against infection after immunization and do not participate in clearance of virus infection from lung tissue during measles virus infection. We speculate that the major role of CD4 T cells is to control and clear virus infection from other affected organs like the brain.
The Amino Terminus of Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Glycoprotein E Is Required for Binding to Insulin-Degrading Enzyme, a VZV Receptor
Authors: Li Qingxue , Krogmann Tammy , Ali Mir A. , Tang Wei-Jen , Cohen Jeffrey I.
Published: June 2007

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein E (gE) is required for VZV infection. Although gE is well conserved among alphaherpesviruses, the amino terminus of VZV gE is unique. Previously, we showed that gE interacts with insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and facilitates VZV infection and cell-to-cell spread of the virus. Here we define the region of VZV gE required to bind IDE. Deletion of amino acids 32 to 71 of gE, located immediately after the predicted signal peptide, resulted in loss of the ability of gE to bind IDE. A synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 24 to 50 of gE blocked its interaction with IDE in a concentration-dependent manner. However, a chimeric gE in which amino acids 1 to 71 of VZV gE were fused to amino acids 30 to 545 of herpes simplex virus type 2 gE did not show an increased level of binding to IDE compared with that of full-length HSV gE. Thus, amino acids 24 to 71 of gE are required for IDE binding, and the secondary structure of gE is critical for the interaction. VZV gE also forms a heterodimer with glycoprotein gI. Deletion of amino acids 163 to 208 of gE severely reduced its ability to form a complex with gI. The amino portion of IDE, as well an IDE mutant in the catalytic domain of the protein, bound to gE. Therefore, distinct motifs of VZV gE are important for binding to IDE or to gI.
Reversible Inhibition of the Fusion Activity of Measles Virus F Protein by an Engineered Intersubunit Disulfide Bridge
Authors: Lee Jin K. , Prussia Andrew , Snyder James P. , Plemper Richard K.
Published: June 2007

In search of target sites for the development of paramyxovirus inhibitors, we have engineered disulfide bridges to introduce covalent links into the prefusion F protein trimer of measles virus. F-Edm-452C/460C, predicted to bridge head and stalk domains of different F monomers, shows a high degree of proteolytic maturation and surface expression, predominantly as stable, dithiothreitol-sensitive trimers, but no fusion activity. Reduction of disulfide bridges partially restores activity. These findings underscore the importance of reversible intersubunit interactions between the stalk and head domains for F activity. Noncovalent small molecules mimicking this behavior may constitute a potent strategy for preventing paramyxovirus entry.