cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of industrial heat treatments on the kinetics of inactivation of antimicrobial bovine milk xanthine oxidase.

Milk is a source of antimicrobial systems such as xanthine oxidoreductase, which has been proposed to modulate the oral and gut microbiota of infants. Heat treatments are applied to milk to ensure its microbial safety, however, the effects of heat on this antimicrobial enzyme are not known. The effects of batch pasteurization (BP), high-temperature short time (HTST), and ultra high temperature (UHT) on kinetics of inactivation of xanthine oxidase and its antimicrobial properties were determined. Xanthine oxidase activity was preserved by HTST (100%). Partial (8%) and nearly complete (95%) enzyme inactivation were observed for BP and UHT milks, respectively. Km values of 100 μM and Vmax values of 6.85, 5.12, 6.31, and 0.40 μmol/min/mg were determined for xanthine oxidase in raw, BP, HTST, and UHT milks, respectively. These results demonstrate that xanthine oxidase maintains apparent affinity and activity for its substrate when milk is treated by BP and HTST and yet the enzyme is inactivated with UHT. To investigate heat treatment-induced alterations in the biological activity of xanthine oxidase, heat treated milks were compared to raw milk for their ability to inhibit the growth of S. aureus. Raw, BP, and HTST milk xanthine oxidase efficiently inhibited S. aureus growth. However, these antibacterial properties were lost when milk was subjected to UHT. These results demonstrate that HTST and BP preserves bovine milk xanthine oxidase activity compared with UHT and that, the judicious selection of thermal treatments could be exploited to preserve the antimicrobial properties of bovine milk.
Justice-involved women's preferences for an internet-based Sexual Health Empowerment curriculum.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into justice-involved women's preferences for an internet-based Sexual Health Empowerment (SHE) curriculum. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyzed data from four focus groups conducted with 52 women in a minimum-security county jail in a Midwestern US city. Findings Women reported daily access to the internet while in the community and use of the internet for searching about health concerns. Four themes emerged in the discussion about preferences for an internet-based SHE curriculum, that it cover healthy sexual expression, how to access resources, video as an educational modality and a non-judgmental approach. Practical implications Justice-involved women are potentially reachable through internet-based health education. Their preferences for content and modality can be used to inform internet-based sexual health programming designed specifically for this population. Using this modality could offer easily disseminated, low-cost and consistent messaging about sexual health for a vulnerable group of women. Originality/value Though internet-based health education programming has been widely utilized in the general population, less attention has been paid to if and how these programs could be utilized with a vulnerable group of women who move between the justice system and communities. This exploratory study begins to fill that gap.
Analyzing Food Science Research for Publishing Characteristics as a Model for Understanding the Needs of Researchers

This paper provides a methodology to study the characteristics of the research output from a university department. The faculty publications and their cited references over a 10-year period were us...
Therapeutic Time-restricted Feeding Reduces Renal Tumor Bioluminescence in Mice but Fails to Improve Anti-CTLA-4 Efficacy.

Background/aim Dietary interventions like time-restricted feeding (TRF) show promising anti-cancer properties. We examined whether therapeutic TRF alone or combined with immunotherapy would diminish renal tumor growth in mice of varying body weights. Materials and methods Young (7 week) chow-fed or older (27 week) high-fat diet (HFD)-fed BALB/c mice were orthotopically injected with renal tumor cells expressing luciferase. After tumor establishment, mice were randomized to ad libitum feeding or TRF +/- anti-CTLA-4. Body composition, tumor viability and growth, and immune responses were quantified. Results TRF alone reduced renal tumor bioluminescence in older HFD-fed, but not young chow-fed mice. In the latter, TRF mitigated tumor-induced loss of lean- and fat-mass. However, TRF did not alter excised renal tumor weights or intratumoral immune responses and failed to improve anti-CTLA-4 outcomes in any mice. Conclusion Therapeutic TRF exhibits modest anti-cancer properties but fails to improve anti-CTLA-4 immune checkpoint blockade in murine renal cancer.
Land Use in Nevada

About 85% of the land in Nevada is federally managed. This chapter discusses the use of soils for rangeland, pasture, agricultural crops, forest products, wildlife habitat, and urban/suburban development. Table 15.1 Federal management of land in Nevada Agency Area (km2) % Bureau of Indian Affairs 5441 1.9 Bureau of Land Management 195017 68.1 Bureau of Reclamation 2577 0.9 Department of Defense 1145 0.4 Department of Energy 3436 1.2 Fish and Wildlife Service 9450 3.3 Forest Service 23482 8.2 National Park Service 3150 1.1 Private, state, other 42669 14.9 Total 286368 100
A refined continuity correction for the negative binomial distribution and asymptotics of the median

In this paper, we prove a local limit theorem and a refined continuity correction for the negative binomial distribution. We present two applications of the results. First, we find the asymptotics of the median for a Negative Binomial (r,p) random variable jittered by a Uniform (0,1), which answers a problem left open in Coeurjolly \& Trepanier (2020). This is used to construct a simple, robust and consistent estimator of the parameter $p$, when $r > 0$ is known. Second, we find an upper bound on the Le Cam distance between negative binomial and normal experiments.
Board political ties and firm internationalization

Abstract How do political ties of the board directors influence firm internationalization? Board political ties have both the buffering effect (beneficial) and the binding effect (generating costs and obligations towards the government) in emerging economies where firms may strongly depend on the government. We propose that these two effects may coexist in emerging economies, and thus the benefits of board political ties exceed the costs only at a certain level of board political ties. We predict that such joint influence of these two effects on firms' ability and motivation to internationalize may result in a U-shaped relationship. We test this prediction with a sample of Chinese firms. We further predict and test for moderating effects of slack resources and structural holes in firms' ego network of interlocking directors, which allow firms to access key resources via alternative means.
Beyond category-supervision: instance-level contrastive learning models predict human visual system responses to objects

Anterior regions of the ventral visual stream have substantial information about object categories, prompting theories that category-level forces are critical for shaping visual representation. The strong correspondence between category-supervised deep neural networks and ventral stream representation supports this view, but does not provide a viable learning model, as these deepnets rely upon millions of labeled examples. Here we present a fully self-supervised model which instead learns to represent individual images, where views of the same image are embedded nearby in a low-dimensional feature space, distinctly from other recently encountered views. We find category information implicitly emerges in the feature space, and critically that these models achieve parity with category-supervised models in predicting the hierarchical structure of brain responses across the human ventral visual stream. These results provide computational support for learning instance-level representation as a viable goal of the ventral stream, offering an alternative to the category-based framework that has been dominant in visual cognitive neuroscience.
Archives as Spaces of Radical Hospitality

Deploying feminist notions of embodied, relational archival practices, this article critically defines and creatively unites both ‘radical’ and ‘hospitality’ as a tool for enacting generosity in ar...
Hospitalization outcomes among brain metastasis patients receiving radiation therapy with or without stereotactic radiosurgery from the 2005-2014 Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

The purpose of this study was to compare hospitalization outcomes among US inpatients with brain metastases who received stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and/or non-SRS radiation therapies without neurosurgical intervention. A cross-sectional study was conducted whereby existing data on 35,199 hospitalization records (non-SRS alone: 32,981; SRS alone: 1035; SRS + non-SRS: 1183) from 2005 to 2014 Nationwide Inpatient Sample were analyzed. Targeted maximum likelihood estimation and Super Learner algorithms were applied to estimate average treatment effects (ATE), marginal odds ratios (MOR) and causal risk ratio (CRR) for three distinct types of radiation therapy in relation to hospitalization outcomes, including length of stay (' ≥ 7 days' vs. ' < 7 days') and discharge destination ('non-routine' vs. 'routine'), controlling for patient and hospital characteristics. Recipients of SRS alone (ATE = - 0.071, CRR = 0.88, MOR = 0.75) or SRS + non-SRS (ATE = - 0.17, CRR = 0.70, MOR = 0.50) had shorter hospitalizations as compared to recipients of non-SRS alone. Recipients of SRS alone (ATE = - 0.13, CRR = 0.78, MOR = 0.59) or SRS + non-SRS (ATE = - 0.17, CRR = 0.72, MOR = 0.51) had reduced risks of non-routine discharge as compared to recipients of non-SRS alone. Similar analyses suggested recipients of SRS alone had shorter hospitalizations and similar risk of non-routine discharge when compared to recipients of SRS + non-SRS radiation therapies. SRS alone or in combination with non-SRS therapies may reduce the risks of prolonged hospitalization and non-routine discharge among hospitalized US patients with brain metastases who underwent radiation therapy without neurosurgical intervention.
Geographical assessment of open pond algal productivity and evaporation losses across the United States

Abstract This study presents a geographical and temporal assessment of the evaporation losses for commercial-scale production of algae biomass through a dynamic integrated thermal and biological modeling framework. Evaporation losses were calculated through a validated dynamic thermal model which predicts temperature with an accuracy of −0.96 ± 2.72 °C and evaporation rates with a 1.46 ± 5.92% annual accuracy. The biological model was validated with experimental data representing the current state of technology and shows an average error of −4.59 ± 8.13%. The integrated thermal growth model was then utilized to simulate the evaporation losses for biomass production of a 400-hectare algae farm at 198 different locations across the United States over a period of 21 years. This foundation is integrated with life cycle methodology to determine the blue water footprint of algal biomass, proteins, and biofuels. Results show the water consumption of cultivation can be reduced through cultivation in the Gulf Coast region compared to other US locations, where the average blue water footprints of the three simulated pathways were determined to be 155 m3 water tonne−1 biomass, 371 m3 water tonne−1 algal proteins, and 11 m3 GJ−1 biofuel. The blue water footprints of algal biomass were found to be comparable to those of wheat, sorghum, and corn. In terms of proteins, algal proteins are the least water-intensive being two times more water-efficient than proteins from soybeans. When compared to petroleum-based fuels, results emphasize the need for more water-efficient strategies to reduce the blue water footprint of algal biofuel production. This work also incorporates a novel temperature tolerance assessment to identify the geographically specific temperature limits for algal strains in a commercial-scale facility. Results highlight the importance of high temporal and spatial resolution when modeling culture temperature, evaporative loss, and algae growth rate.
Zincian daubreelite from the Kota-Kota and St. Mark's enstatite chondrites.

Zincian daubreelite from Kota-Kota and St. Mark enstatite chondrites, discussing appearance, occurrence and composition of mineral
Traumatic herniation of the buccal fat pad. Report of a case.

Abstract The masticatory fat pad is a structure frequently encountered during intraoral surgical approaches to the mandibular ramus. An unusual case of herniation of the fat pad secondary to minor trauma is presented.
Transfection of KB Cells by Liposomes Containing Adenovirus Type 2 DNA

Abstract Adenovirus type 2 DNA was entrapped in liposomes which were then used to transfect KB cells with an efficiency of ~4,000 plaques per μg of encapsulated DNA.
Tumor board formats: "fascinating case" versus "working conference"

Abstract Background and Methods. To test the hypothesis that a “working conference” (WC; tumor board format in which any case requiring multispecialty input is presented for discussion) was preferable to a “fascinating case” (FC; only “interesting” or “unusual” cases presented) format, tumor board format at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center was changed from FC to WC. Results. The number of cases presented in tumor board reflected this change. For example, for the period from 1990 to 1991 (prior to the change), 63 of 557 registered cases (11%) were presented in tumor board. By 1992‐1993, 206 of 547 registered cases (38%) were presented. This increase was highly significant (p <0.001). Three years after the format change, the authors surveyed 22 regular participants of the tumor board, many of whom had been participants prior to the change. Of those surveyed, 77% preferred the WC to the FC format, and 18% preferred a combined format. Most of those surveyed felt that the WC format was more helpful...
Strategic Management and HRM

Excerpt] The purpose of this chapter is to discuss this intersection between Strategic Management and HRM, what we know, and future directions for SHRM research. We will begin by briefly discussing the concept of strategy and the popularization of the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm. Next we will address its role in creating the link between HRM and Strategic Management including key questions that the RBV has raised in relation to SHRM. We will then examine the current state of affairs in SHRM; the progress made, and key questions and concerns occupying the attention of SHRM researchers. Finally, we will conclude with our views on future directions for SHRM research.
What Can Political Economists Learn From Economic Sociologists? A Case Study of NASDAQ

This article discusses what insights economic sociology brings to a political economy of communication. By using NASDAQ at its initial stage as a case study, this article suggests that economic sociological work influenced by science and technology studies (STS) sheds light on a political economic understanding of financial information by taking neoclassical economic claims more seriously and by understanding how those claims became reality. However, political economists have to be cautious of sociological economists' inattentiveness to power in the financial markets. Nonetheless, STS writings may have alluded to how power could be studied through the concept of “macroactors.”
In vivo detection of human hepatoma secreting hepatitis B surface antigen in nude mice with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies that recognize distinct epitopes

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), produced by a human hepatoma which had been transplanted into athymic nude mice, was specifically detected in vivo by 131I-labeled monoclonal antibodies (McAb) directed against distinct epitopes of HBsAg (anti-HBs). Significantly higher levels of radioactivity were present in the hepatoma secreting HBsAg when compared to either a non-HBsAg producing epidermoid tumor or most other tissues obtained from nude mice treated with the 131I-labeled anti-Hbs McAb. A radiolabeled control McAb that did not recognize HBsAg failed to discriminate between either the HBsAg positive and negative tumors or other tissues from nude mice. These data demonstrate the in vivo immunological specificity of anti-HBs McAb for HBsAg associated with a hepatoma tumor.
Pest risks associated with importing wood to the United States1

Increasing world trade in unmanufactured wood articles has amplified the risks of inadvertent introduction of pests into new environments. Previous introductions of non-native invasive organisms into the United States have resulted in severe outbreaks with economic and ecological disruption in forests. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the USDA Forest Service have developed a pest risk assessment process that attempts to identify the risks associated with importation of unmanufactured wood articles. Assessments have been completed for importation into the United States of logs from Russia, New Zealand, Mexico, and South America. The results of these assessments are considered in developing regulatory approaches to preventing introductions of non-native invasive organisms.
Topological Invariance under Line Graph Transformations

It is shown that the line graph transformation G ↦ L(G) of a graph G preserves an isomorphic copy of G as the nerve of a finite simplicial complex K which is naturally associated with the Krausz decomposition of L(G). As a consequence, the homology of K is isomorphic to that of G. This homology invariance algebraically confirms several well known graph theoretic properties of line graphs and formally establishes the Euler characteristic of G as a line graph transformation invariant.
Innovation in child welfare: The adoption and implementation of Family Group Decision Making in Pennsylvania

article i nfo This paper explores what system factors influenced the adoption of Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) in Pennsylvania and what the perceived barriers and facilitators of adoption and sustainability are according to the individualsinvolved in FGDM. A mixed methods design isemployed, using geographic autocorrelation modeling and analysisof qualitative data aboutbarriers and facilitators. The findingsrevealthat maltreatment and poverty ratesandthesizeofthepopulationofchildrenarenon-significantpredictorsofacountyusingFGDM,buthavinga FGDM pilot grant is a significant predictor, along with having had a system of care initiative. Population density and number of caseworkers also are significant, if weaker, predictors; population density became insignificant once the two largest counties, Philadelphia and Allegheny were removed from the model. Having a neighboring county that practices FGDM e.g. the neighborhood effect is the most powerful predictor (z=8.98,p<0.000001) and contributes a sizeable effect. The individuals working in counties new to FGDM perceive that adoption required additional resources such as more staff, money and training. The survey results from counties that recently adopted FGDM compared to counties that have more experience with FGDM suggest that leadership becomes even more important in maintaining progress in FGDM implementation compared with leadership needed to begin FGDM. The findings suggest that to facilitate the adoption of FGDM, funders should look to strategically place new programs close to established programs, provide start-up funding and utilize networks established through system collaboration activities. Continued research in the nature of innovation in child welfare practice using theories and analyses more commonly associated with sociology and economics may better inform the child welfare systems change efforts.
Multiple protein-DNA interactions over the yeast HSC82 heat shock gene promoter

We have utilized DNase I and micrococcal nuclease (MNase) to map the chromatin structure of the HSC82 heat shock gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The gene is expressed at a high basal level which is enhanced 2-3-fold by thermal stress. A single, heat-shock invariant DNase I hypersensitive domain is found within the HSC82 chromosomal locus; it maps to the gene's 5' end and spans 250 bp of promoter sequence. DNase I genomic footprinting reveals that within this hypersensitive region are four constitutive protein-DNA interactions. These map to the transcription initiation site, the TATA box, the promoter-distal heat shock element (HSE1) and a consensus GRF2 (REB1/Factor Y) sequence. However, two other potential regulatory sites, the promoter-proximal heat shock element (HSE0) and a consensus upstream repressor sequence (URS1), are not detectably occupied under either transcriptional state. In contrast to its sensitivity to DNAase I, the nucleosome-free promoter region is relatively protected from MNase; the enzyme excises a stable nucleoprotein fragment of approximately 210 bp. As detected by MNase, there are at least two sequence-positioned nucleosomes arrayed 5' of the promoter; regularly spaced nucleosomes exhibiting an average repeat length of 160-170 bp span several kilobases of both upstream and downstream regions. Similarly, the body of the gene, which exhibits heightened sensitivity to DNase I, displays a nucleosomal organization under both basal and induced states, but these nucleosomes are not detectably positioned with respect to the underlying DNA sequence and may be irregularly spaced and/or structurally altered. We present a model of the chromatin structure of HSC82 and compare it to one previously derived for the closely related, but differentially regulated, HSP82 heat shock gene.
Generalized averaging and noise levels in evoked responses

A formal relationship between the mean square noise level in an evoked potential experiment, the number of averages and the autocorrelation function of the noise is derived. The generalized averaging process is recast as a filter applied to the noise signal. This filter is computed for a number of different types of evoked potential experiments in which various weighting factors and stochastic stimulation times are allowed. Although the variance in noise level estimates can be large, there is a general trend for noise reduction to occur more slowly than the expected 1/N when the total time over which averaging occurs is small in comparison to the correlation time of the noise. When the total averaging time exceeds the temporal extent of the autocorrelation function, the expected 1/N behavior is observed.
Transform method of processing for speckle strain gauge measurements

We have developed a highly sensitive method for measuring thermal expansion, mechanical strain, and creep rates. We use the well known technique of observing laser speckle with a pair of linear array cameras, but employ a novel data processing approach that provides estimates of the time rate of in-plane strain. Our approach is appropriate for assessing very small strain rates in hostile environments. It provides simultaneous global estimates of the strain at both small and large gauge sizes. This may be of importance in studying materials with different short- and long-range orders. General advantages of our technique are compact design, modest resolution requirements, insensitivity to surface microstructure changes (as seen with oxidation), and insensitivity to zero mean noise processes such as turbulence and vibration. We detail the results of a number of experiments and of a simulation of vibration. These tests are intended to demonstrate the performance advantages of the transform method of processing speckle strain gauge data.
Renal peripelvic multicystic lymphangiectasia.

Abstract Renal peripelvic multicystic lymphangectasia is an unusual benign peripelvic fluid collection. The sonographic appearance, etiology, and differential diagnosis of peripelvic fluid collections are reviewed.
Detection of enteroviruses near deep marine sewage outfalls

Abstract At the present time there are approximately 160 million gallons per day of municipal sewage being discharged into the waters off the southeastern coast of Florida. Present in these sewage effluents are human pathogenic viruses whose fate in marine waters is not completely understood. Virus surveillance in waters receiving domestic wastewater discharge has concentrated on estuarine areas where water quality and depth are significantly different from the deep marine outfalls. Using the membrane filter adsorption technique, viruses were detected in the vicinity of deep marine outfalls discharging both raw and chlorinated, secondarily treated sewage.
Diabetes, race, and functional limitations in older U.S. men and women

Aims The presence of diabetes is associated with increased odds of difficulties in functional tasks but it remains unclear if the burden is similar by race.
Cardiovascular and muscle tone changes produced by microinjection of cholinergic and glutamatergic agonists in dorsolateral pons and medial medulla.

Abstract Cardiovascular and muscle responses l -glutamic acid (Glut) and cholinergic agonists injected into the dorsolateral pontine tegmentum and medial medullary reticular formation (MMRF) were examined in unanesthetized, decerebrated cats. Glut, or cholinergic agonists acetylcholine (ACh) or carbachol (Carb), were injected into pons and MMRF at sites from which electrical stimulation produced bilateral suppression of muscle tone. Glut injection in MMRF produced hypotension without change in heart rate at doses as low as 1 mM. At higher doses (0.1–0.4 M), Glut induced hypotension with bradycardia in 23 out of 40 injections in both pons and MMRF. High concentrations of microinjected Glut decreased muscle tone or produced complete atonia in pons and rostral MMRF. Both N-methyl- d -aspartic acid (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptor blockers attenuated or completely blocked the cardiovascular response, while only non-NMDA antagonists blocked muscle inhibition to Glut injection. Microinjection of cholinergic agonists produced consistent hypotension in all of the injections in pons and MMRF, however, the heart rate response was variable with increase (27/42), decrease (2/42), or no change (13/42) in rate seen. Cholinergic injection produced muscle atonia in pons and caudal MMRF but not in rostral MMRF. Both muscle and cardiovascular responses were blocked by atropine but not by hexamethonium. The time course of muscle atonia and cardiovascular change differed in most of the experiments. We conclude that muscle tone suppression and cardiovascular response to Glut or cholinergic agonists use different receptor mechanisms and possibly different neurons. However, the co-localization of these mechanisms suggests that neuronal networks in the medial medulla and dorsolateral pons coordinate motor and cardiovascular responses.
state-by-state variation in emergency versus elective colon resections: Room for improvement

BACKGROUND: Compared with elective surgical procedures, emergency procedures are associated with higher cost, morbidity, and mortality. This study seeks to investigate potential state-by-state variations in the incidence of emergent versus elective colon resections. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all adult patients (aged >=18 years) included in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2005 to 2009 who underwent hemicolectomy (right or left) or sigmoidectomy was conducted. Discharge-level weights were applied, and generalized linear models were used to assess the odds of a patient undergoing emergent versus elective colon surgery nationally and for each state after adjusting for patient and hospital factors. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated with the national average as the reference. RESULTS: The final study cohort included 203,050 observations composed of 83,090 emergent and 119,960 elective colectomies. The state with the highest unadjusted proportion of emergent procedures was Nevada (53.6%), whereas Texas had the lowest (2.8%). Compared with the national average, the adjusted odds of undergoing emergency colectomy remained highest in Nevada (OR, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.54–1.87) and lowest in Texas (OR, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.36–0.51). CONCLUSION: Substantial state variations exist in rates of emergency colon surgery within the United States. Identification of these differences suggests significant variations in practice and a potential to decrease the number of emergent colon operations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and epidemiologic study, level III.
Differential effects of Tyr-MIF-1, MIF-1, and naloxone on peptide YY-induced hyperphagia.

Abstract Tyr-MIF-1 (Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH 2 ) and MIF-1 (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH 2 ) act as opiate antagonists in various behavioral systems including ingestion. Central injection of peptide YY (PYY) elicits a powerful feeding response in satiated rats, and the opioid antagonist naloxone decreases eating in a variety of conditions including PYY-stimulated eating. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of Tyr-MIF-1 and MIF-1 as opiate antagonists on a naloxone-sensitive PYY model of hyperphagia. Naloxone at doses of 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, SC, decreased hyperphagia induced by 2.4 μg PYY injected in the PVN. MIF-1 and Tyr-MIF-1 had no effect on PYY-induced eating at doses comparable to naloxone (0.1 to 10.0 mg/kg, IP). These results suggest that in this model of eating behavior, Tyr-MIF-1 and MIF-1 do not act as opiate antagonists.
Defect generation and propagation in mc-Si ingots: Influence on cell-to-cell performance variation

This paper describes results of our study aimed at understanding mechanism(s) of dislocation generation and propagation in multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) ingots, and evaluating their influence on the solar cell performance. This work was done in two parts: (i) Measurement of dislocation distributions along various bricks, selected from strategic locations within several ingots; and (ii) Theoretical modeling of the cell performance corresponding to the measured dislocation distributions. Solar cells were fabricated on wafers of known dislocation distribution, and the results were compared with the theory. These results show that cell performance can be accurately predicted from the dislocation distribution, and the changes in the dislocation distribution are the primary cause for variations in the cell-to-cell performance. The dislocation generation and propagation mechanisms, suggested by our results, are described in this paper.
Mapping Latin America: A Cartographic Reader. Jordana Dym and Karl Offen, eds. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011. xx and 338 pp.; maps, ills., notes, bibliog., index. $39.00 paper (ISBN 978-0-226-618210); $134.00 cloth (ISBN 978-0-226-618227); $31.00 electronic (ISBN 978-0-226-921815)

Are maps important in Latin American countries? As an Anglophone geographer who has traveled extensively in the region, I am immersed in maps and use them constantly. Yet, in my experience, at leas...
An explicit equation for deposition velocity

A non-linear, first-order differential equation for the transport and dry deposition of particles within a vegetative canopy is derived from the mass conservation equation. This equation yields limiting solutions that are widely applicable and encompass several earlier studies in the literature.
Comparison of algorithms for bivariate normal probability over a rectangle based on self-validated results from interval analysis ∗

Comparison of algorithms for computing probabilities and percentiles is often carried out in an effort to identify the best algorithm for various applications. One requirement when conducting comparative studies is some useable source of “satisfactory approximations to correct answers” to use as a basis when making accuracy comparisons. This paper reports success in applying elements of interval analysis to obtain a self-validating computational method for Bivariate Normal Probabilities. Results from applying this method can be used to provide a basis for accuracy studies of algorithms for Bivariate Normal probabilities. A study to compare several methods for computing probabilities over rectangles for this probability distribution, using the self-validated bases values, was carried out. The paper reports a choice of best method.
Stem Cell Factor Induction Is Associated With Mast Cell Accumulation After Canine Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion

Background—Myocardial infarction is associated with an intense inflammatory reaction leading to healing and scar formation. Because mast cells are a significant source of fibrogenic factors, we investigated mast cell accumulation and regulation of stem cell factor (SCF), a potent growth and tactic factor for mast cells, in the healing myocardium. Methods and Results—Using a canine model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, we demonstrated a striking increase of mast cell numbers during the healing phase of a myocardial infarction. Mast cell numbers started increasing after 72 hours of reperfusion, showing maximum accumulation in areas of collagen deposition (12.0±2.6-fold increase; P<0.01) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. The majority of proliferating cells were identified as α-smooth muscle actin–positive myofibroblasts or factor VIII–positive endothelial cells. Mast cells did not appear to proliferate. Using a nuclease protection assay, we demonstrated induction of SCF mRNA w...
Low-order tensor approximations for electronic wave functions: Hartree-Fock method with guaranteed precision.

Here we report a formulation of the Hartree–Fock method in an adaptive multiresolution basis set of spectral element type. A key feature of our approach is the use of low-order tensor approximations for operators and wave functions to reduce the steep rise of storage and computational costs with the number of degrees of freedom that plague finite element computations. As a proof of principle we implemented Hartree–Fock method without explicit storage of the full-dimensional wave function and with guaranteed precision (microhartree precision for up to 14 electron systems is demonstrated). Even for the one-electron method the use of low-order tensor approximation reduces storage relative to the full representation, albeit with modest increase in cost. Preliminary tests for explicitly-correlated two-electron (six-dimensional) wave function suggest a factor of 50 savings in storage. At least correlated two-electron methods should be feasible with our approach on modern workstations with guaranteed precision.
Adrenergic Influences on the Distal Purkinje System of the Canine Heart

The purpose of these experiments was to examine the effects of norepinephrine and propranolol on distal Purkinje fibers of the canine heart. Previous studies have indicated that action potential duration is normally greatest in distal Purkinje fibers 3-4 mm from the Purkinje-muscle junction. In such preparations, premature beats initiated either proximal or distal to the area of maximal action potential duration may propagate with delay or block. Our experiments were performed on the right bundle branch and the distal Purkinje fibers of dog hearts and used standard microelectrode techniques. Premature beats with a coupling interval comparable to the duration of action potentials at the area of maximal duration were conducted with delay. Earlier beats were confined to fibers proximal to the area of maximal action potential duration. Norepinephrine (1 x 10-5M) increased action potential duration in some fibers, consistently prolonged the functional refractory period of distal Purkinje fibers, and produced a marked delay in the propagation of early premature beats. Propranolol (0.25-1.0 mg/liter) shortened action potential duration, shortened the functional refractory period of distal fibers, and reduced or abolished conduction delay and block of early premature beats. These observations suggest that the unique properties of the Purkinje-muscle junction may contribute to the genesis of arrhythmias and that this region is an important site of action of propranolol. The action of propranolol on the Purkinje-muscle junction was dose dependent.
Conflict, Conquest, and Conversion: Two Thousand Years of Christian Missions in the Middle East

Despite the growing number of publications on Christian missions in the Middle East, no single volume has till now endeavored to provide a comprehensive history of missions in the region that inclu...
Auditors in a changing regulatory environment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how corporate responsibility, at the best of times, is taken for granted, and at the worst of times, becomes a much maligned concept.Design/methodology/approach – Describes how the regulatory landscape is rapidly changing and outlines several conditions that must exist or be achieved to ensure the stability of financial institutions through a better system of regulation and monitoring and rapid intervention, where intervention is called for.Findings – There is a need for greater clarity as to the role of auditors and as to the expectations of regulators.Originality/value – Highlights how, for regulators, auditors and stakeholders, the issue of the role of auditors in a changing regulatory climate is an important subject that deserves special consideration.
“Dangerous” patients: A survey of one forensic facility and review of the issue

Abstract This article describes the perceived bases for determinations of dangerousness regarding a representative sample of patients, primarily insanity acquittees, confined on the grounds of “dangerousness” (and mental disorder) at a secure forensic facility. Accordingly, the article seeks to elucidate various considerations that often are — and perhaps should be — involved in clinical assessments of dangerousness regarding the population under consideration, and the various forms by which perceived — and judicially determined — dangerousness manifested itself in the study population. Some possible implications of the findings for certain policies regarding the confinement of mentally disordered individuals — particularly insanity acquittees — on the grounds of “dangerousness” are also discussed.
A first-principles study of the site preference of Cr in B2 NiAl

Abstract First-principles calculations were performed to study the site preference of Cr in B2 NiAl. The Wagner–Schottky model was adopted to predict the finite temperature site occupancy behavior of Cr in B2 NiAl. Our calculations show that the site preference of Cr in B2 NiAl varies strongly with both alloy composition and temperature.
N-4-Hydroxyphenylretinamide Enhances Retinoic Acid-Induced Differentiation and Retinoylation of Proteins in the Human Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Cell Line, NB4, by a Mechanism That May Involve Inhibition of Retinoic Acid Catabolism

Abstract All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) induces differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells bothin vitroandin vivoand is an alternative to cytotoxic chemotherapy in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. However, despite a complete remission rate of about 90%, most patients relapse and are resistant to further treatment with RA. This resistance primarily is due to an increased systemic catabolism of RA. In this study we examined the catabolism of RA by the human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4 and the human myeloid leukemia cell line HL60. NB4 cells converted RA to 4-hydroxy-RA, 4-oxo-RA and more polar unidentified retinoids at a much greater rate than HL60 cells. Exposure of NB4 cells to RA induced RA catabolism. We found that 4-hydroxyphenylretinamide (4-HPR) inhibited the catabolism of RA. This inhibition was dose-dependent and greater, on a molar basis, than the inhibition seen with the cytochrome P450 inhibitor, ketoconazole, or two synthetic retinoids, Ch55 and Am80. 4-HPR alone was a poor inducer of differentiation of NB4 cells. However, it markedly enhanced RA-induced differentiation and increased the level of retinoylation, the covalent binding of RA to proteins. These results suggest some retinoid analogs, including 4-HPR, may have clinical utility because of their ability to increase the biological half-life of RA.
TNF-alpha is required for late ischemic preconditioning but not for remote preconditioning of trauma.

Abstract Background Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and remote IPC are cardioprotective phenomena in which ischemia of the myocardium or of a remote tissue, respectively, induces cardioprotection. Despite clinical evidence that surgical trauma can remotely affect myocardial infarction, to date there are no basic science studies addressing the effect of nonischemic trauma at distant sites upon cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of nonischemic remote surgical trauma upon infarct size after myocardial I/R and to determine the effects of TNF-α ablation upon cardioprotective phenomena. Materials and methods A minimally traumatic mouse model was used to ascertain the effect of remote nonischemic surgical trauma upon I/R injury. TNF-α knockout mice were employed to determine the effect of TNF-α ablation. Results Carotid artery vascular surgery remotely exacerbates cardiac I/R injury increasing infarct size by 287% (remote cardiac injury or RCI). Nonischemic, nonvascular trauma (abdominal incision) results in remote preconditioning of trauma (RPCT), decreasing infarct size by 81% (early phase) and 40% (late phase) relative to controls. Finally, TNF-α is required for late IPC but is not necessary for RCI or for RPCT. Conclusions We show that late IPC is TNF-α-dependent and describe two unique TNF-α-independent remote effects of nonischemic trauma upon myocardial infarction. Understanding the mechanism of these remote effects will allow the development of novel therapies for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. RPCT and TNF-α ablation have an additive protective effect suggesting that combinations of complementary approaches may be a useful strategy for maximizing the clinical efficacy of cardioprotective therapies.
The effects of fiscal policy on consumption in recessions and expansions

Abstract This paper explores in a yearly panel of nineteen OECD countries from 1970–2002 the effects of fiscal policy changes on private consumption in recessions and expansions. In the presence of binding liquidity constraints on households, fiscal policy is more effective in boosting private consumption in recessions than in expansions. The effect is more pronounced in countries characterized by a less developed consumer credit market. This happens because the fraction of individuals that face binding liquidity constraints in a recession will consume the extra income generated following an unanticipated tax cut or government spending increase.
Variability of radiation-induced segregation in iron–chromium–nickel alloys

Abstract This work examines the variability in grain boundary segregation measurements in proton irradiated iron–chromium–nickel alloys made using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS). Variability occurs in segregation measurements made on different boundaries in the same sample and made on different samples irradiated under the same conditions. Variability occurs in each measurement technique, but is greater for AES. A portion of the greater variability in the AES measurements occurs because only the concentrations calculated from AES measurements are sensitive to changes in the shape of the energy intensity peak. A statistical analysis technique for testing the consistency of experimental conditions demonstrated that the variability is not attributable to uncertainty in irradiation temperature, dose, or material condition. Finally, the analysis of grain boundary composition distributions in Fe–20Cr–9Ni indicates that attempts to minimize environmental cracking by controlling grain boundary composition need to focus on both the average grain boundary compositions and the shape of the concentration distributions.
A Gaussian approximation scheme for computation of option prices in stochastic volatility models

Abstract We consider European options on a price process that follows the log-linear stochastic volatility model. Two stochastic integrals in the option pricing formula are costly to compute. We derive a central limit theorem to approximate them. At parameter settings appropriate to foreign exchange data our formulas improve computation speed by a factor of 1000 over brute force Monte Carlo making MCMC statistical methods practicable. We provide estimates of model parameters from daily data on the Swiss Franc to Euro and Japanese Yen to Euro over the period 1999–2002.
Unitarity in Efimov’s theory

In a series of papers EFI~OV (1) and his col laborators have invest igated a novel idea for constructing au S-matr ix which is applicable to both renormalizablc and nonrenormalizablc iuteract ions. This method makes i t possible to t rea t , with ease, part icles with high spin ( >~ 1), four-fermion interact ions or the quantum theory of gravi ta t ion without encountering any infinities. Since the Bogol iubov-Parasiuk renormalizat ion of these interact ions, if applicable, is open ended and analyt ic renormalizat ion (3) has not ye t been appl ied extensively to these cases, i t seems therefore highly desirable to examine this method further . Efimov's approach dispenses with field equation and gives the S-matr ix directly (3) ; s tar t ing with a s tandard Feynman graph the method consists in the following replacement of the p ropaga tor :
Crafting the message: Controlling content on agency Web sites

Abstract While much research has focused on the new opportunities that government Web sites offer for greater citizen involvement and improved agency efficiency, less attention has been given to agency decisions about what to post on these Web sites. Here we use interviews with content managers in seven federal agencies to investigate the political and institutional influences behind decisions about Web content. We analyze the approval processes for new content and the emerging governance structures for evidence of greater centralization and political control or greater decentralization and autonomy for Web posters. In the end, it appears that institutional factors persist to influence content governance.
Effects of Sterilizing Gamma Irradiation on Bloodspot Newborn Screening Tests and Whole Blood Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus Measurements

Sterilizing irradiation of the US mail has been proposed as a method to prevent delivery of viable anthrax spores. Because newborn screening samples (bloodspots) and cyclosporine and tacrolimus specimens (whole blood) are delivered routinely through the mail, we studied whether sterilizing gamma irradiation could affect these test results. Specimens were exposed to 18 kGy gamma irradiation (100 hours x 18,000 rad/h), a "kill dose" for Bacillus pumilus spore strips. Irradiation had no significant effect on whole blood cyclosporine or tacrolimus results, but it had a degradative effect on bloodspot phenylalanine, hemoglobins, biotinidase, galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase, thyroxine, and thyrotropin. Such irradiation potentially could cause false-negative results for the detection of phenylketonuria and likely would lead to an increase in secondary testing for hemoglobin variants, but it is unlikely to lead to false-negative or false-positive results for the remaining newborn screening tests. These experiments cannot rule out possible greater effects by larger doses or other types of irradiation.