cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relative importance of old and new decision specific experience in foreign ownership strategies: an exploratory study☆

Abstract In this paper, we examine the relative importance of old and recent decision specific experience for MNC's foreign ownership structure decision. Using established procedures to measure decision specific experience construct, we find, from data for Japanese MNCs for the period 1969–1991, empirical evidence that firms tend to rely on both old and recent decision specific experiences for their current ownership structure decision, but that they rely more on recent decision specific experience than on old decision specific experience, contrary to the conventional organizational learning view on the temporal importance of decision specific experience. Sub-sample analysis involving developed and developing countries indicates that both old and new decision specific experience are important for both groups of countries, but old (new) decision specific experience is marginally more important for investments made in developing (developed) countries.
Characterizing mega-city pollution with TES O 3 and CO measurements

Abstract. Concurrent tropospheric O 3 and CO vertical profiles from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) during the MILAGRO/INTEX-B aircraft campaigns over the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) allow us to characterize mega-city pollution. Outflow from the MCMA occurred predominantly at 600–800 hPa, evident in O 3 , CO, and NO x enhancements in the in situ observations. We examined O 3 , CO, and their correlation at 600–800 hPa from TES retrievals, aircraft measurements, and GEOS-Chem model results over the aircraft coverage (within a radius of ~700 km around MCMA). The enhancements in O 3 and CO seen in the in situ measurements are not apparent in TES data, due to the lack of TES coverage during several strong pollution events. However, TES O 3 and CO data are consistent with the aircraft observations on a daily mean basis (50–60 ppbv and 100–130 ppbv for O 3 and CO respectively). The O 3 -CO correlation coefficients and enhancement ratios (ΔO 3 /ΔCO) derived from TES data are in good agreements with those derived from the aircraft observations and GEOS-Chem model results ( r : 0.5–0.9; ΔO 3 /ΔCO: 0.3–0.4), reflecting significant springtime photochemical production over MCMA and the surrounding region.
The hidden history of US public service telecommunications, 1919‐1956

Purpose – The aim of this article is to show that US public‐service telecommunications, developing through a complex historical process, both engendered and depended on policies that compelled major changes in system development.Design/methodology/approach – The article contributes to the historiography of US telecommunications, and draws on archival sources and secondary scholarship.Findings – The article shows that public service policies for telecommunications gradually became dominant, as widespread opposition to AT&T's corporate power gained political traction beginning in the 1930s. Although substantially limited, public service policies came to encompass expansion of service, labor relations, and corporate patents.Originality/value – The article demonstrates that political conflict and crisis, not consensus, drove policy formation. It also shows that public service principles went far beyond the preferences of AT&T executives.
Rabbit retinal ganglion cells express functional α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

It is well known that cholinergic agents affect ganglion cell (GC) firing rates and light responses in the retinas of many species, but the specific receptor subtypes involved in mediating these ef...
Recent enhancements to OVERFLOW

The purpose of this paper is to highlight some recent enhancements that have been made to the Navier-Stokes code OVERFLOW. The enhancements we are concerned with are in three major areas: a multigrid method, for convergence acceleration; a lowMach preconditioning algorithm, for convergence acceleration and solution quality improvement for low Mach number flows; and a matrix dissipation algorithm for solution quality improvement. We will describe these methods and show examples of their efficacy.
Fisher's ratio-based criterion for finding endmembers in hyperspectral imagery

Endmember extraction has recently received considerable interest in hyperspectral imagery. However, several issues in endmember extraction may have been overlooked. The first and foremost is the term of using endmember extraction. Many algorithms claimed to be endmember extraction algorithms actually do not extract true endmembers but rather find potential endmember candidates, referred to as virtual endmembers (VEs). Secondly, how difficult for an algorithm to find VEs is primarily determined by two key factors, endmember variability and endmember discriminability. While the former issue has been addressed recently in the literature, the latter issue is yet explored and has not been investigated before. This paper re-invents a wheel by developing a Fisher’s ratio approach to finding VEs using Fisher’s ratio criterion which is defined by ratio of endmember variability to endmember discriminability.
Emerging silicon photonics technologies for multi-core platform architectures

The integration of emerging silicon photonics technologies with CMOS processes offers important advantages for the realization of scalable interconnection networks for both intra-chip and off-chip communication in next-generation multi-core computing platforms. The combination of electronic and optical communication technologies increases the number of architectural options to design both networks-on-chip and off-chip communication channels. The exploration of this broad design space requires the development of new models, methodologies, and tools to capture the physical and functional characteristics of photonic devices and enable their combination with electronic components to realize scalable and efficient interconnection networks. In this talk I will review recent progress in this research area by discussing the opportunities that are offered for system-level design and the challenges that remain to be addressed.
Reaction of CO2 with alkaline solid wastes to reduce contaminant mobility

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a CO 2 treatment on the pH and soluble concentrations of inorganic contaminants in alkaline fly ash and spent shale solid wastes. A two-level (low and high), three-variable (moisture, time and pressure) statistical experiment was used to determine optimum CO 2 treatment conditions. Treated and untreated samples were subjected to solubility and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. CO 2 treatment conditions of 40 psi of pressure, 20% moisture and 120 h effectively precipitated calcite, and thus lowered the pH and leachable concentrations of certain inorganic contaminants (e.g. Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn, As and Se) in alkaline fly ash and spent shale samples. For instance, ≈64–89% reduction in the leachable concentration of Mn was observed for CO 2 treated samples. Our results suggest that reaction with CO 2 under slightly elevated pressures is an effective means of reducing the soluble concentrations of certain inorganic contaminants in alkaline solid wastes, which should prevent their migration from disposal environments into groundwater.
Secular changes in stature, weight, fatness, overweight, and obesity in urban African American adolescents from the mid-1950's to the mid-1990's.

The prevalence of obesity among American children and adults has increased over the past few decades. This paper reports secular changes in stature, weight, and fatness in three groups of urban African American adolescents between 11 and 15 years of age of comparable socioeconomic status, ethnic background, and region measured in the 1960's, 1970's, and 1990's. Adolescents measured in the 1990's were heavier and only somewhat taller than those measured in the 1960's and 1970's and significantly fatter than those measured in the 1970's. Adolescents measured in the 1990's were taller at younger ages (11–12 years) and markedly heavier, at all ages, than the NHANES I reference (Center For Disease Control, 1990). A threefold increase in males and a fourfold increase in females in the prevalence of obesity, defined by a BMI and triceps skinfold above the NHANES I 95th percentile occurred among these adolescents in the last two decades. Using the BMI only, the prevalence of overweight (1990's) was 17.6% based on the 95th percentile and 34.9% based on the 85th percentile of NHANES I (Must et al., 1991). These prevalence estimates exceed those derived from the first phase of NHANES III, 10.9% based on the 95th percentile and 22% based on the 85th percentile (NHES II and III) (Troiano, 1995). The alarming increase in overweight and obesity prevalence in this urban African American sample indicates that secular changes in adiposity are greater for certain subgroups of the U.S. population and that these groups may be at increased risk for future health problems. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 9:675–688, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Solution of progressively changing equilibrium equations for nonlinear structures

Abstract In the analysis of nonlinear structures by tangent stiffness methods, the equilibrium equations change progressively during the analysis. When direct methods of solving these equations are used, it may be possible to re-use a substantial part of the previously reduced coefficient matrix, and hence substantially reduce the equation solving effort. This paper examines procedures for re-solving equations when only selected parts of the reduced matrix need to be modified. The Crout and Cholesky algorithms are first reviewed for initial complete reduction and subsequent selective reduction of the coefficient matrix, and it is shown that the Cholesky algorithm is superior for selective reduction. A general procedure is then presented for identifying those parts of the coefficient matrix which remain unchanged as the structure changes. Finally, a general purpose in-core equation solver is presented, in which those parts of the previously reduced matrix which need to be modified are determined automatically during the solution process, and only these portions are changed. The equation solver is based on the Cholesky algorithm, and is applicable to both positive-definite and well conditioned non-positive-definite symmetrical systems of equations.
Faster symmetry discovery using sparsity of symmetries

Many computational tools have recently begun to benefit from the use of the symmetry inherent in the tasks they solve, and use general-purpose graph symmetry tools to uncover this symmetry. However, existing tools suffer quadratic runtime in the number of symmetries explicitly returned and are of limited use on very large, sparse, symmetric graphs. This paper introduces a new symmetry-discovery algorithm which exploits the sparsity present not only in the input but also the output, i.e., the symmetries themselves. By avoiding quadratic runtime on large graphs, it improves state-of- the-art runtimes from several days to less than a second.
Remote sensing in the Forest Service: the biennial conference on remote sensing and GIS in natural resource management--an historical overview

Since the first one in 1986, the US Forest Service has hosted a biennial conference on remote sensing for workers in natural resource management where they could exchange information about their projects and needs. This paper briefly reviews the history of the conference including an analysis of the subjects of the papers that have been given. An invitation to participate is extended to others who may be interested in how airborne reconnaissance, remote sensing, space based sensors, GIS, GPS, and research are used by Forest Service personnel in the management of natural resources.
Solid-State Sensors For Topographic Mapping

Throughout the world topographic maps are generally compiled by manually operated stereo plotters which recreate the geometry of two frame camera positions from which wide angle overlapping photographs were taken. Continuous imaging systems such as strip cameras, electro-optical scanners, or linear arrays (push brooms) also create stereo coverage from which, in theory, topography can be compiled. However, the instability of an aircraft in the atmosphere makes this approach impractical. The benign environment of space permits a satellite to orbit the earth with very high stability as long as no local perturbing forces are involved. A solid-state linear array sensor has no moving parts and creates no perturbing force on the satellite. Thus a linear array sensor in space promises to provide a new mapping tool. The importance of this concept should not be underestimated. The one dimensional data from linear array detectors lend themselves to digital processing and thus the concept of automated mapping in near real time can, in fact, become a reality.
The impact of obesity and age on quality of life in gynecologic surgery.

Objective This study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the effect of early stage endometrial cancer, age, and obesity on quality of life (QOL). Study design Women undergoing surgery for endometrial cancer or an adnexal mass determined at surgery to be benign (controls) were enrolled preoperatively and followed for 6 months. Results Seventy-nine women completed the study. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G) scores increased significantly in all women; however, significant differences by patient weight and age were obtained. Obesity was associated with decreased physical FACT-G and SF-36 scores. Older women had lower SF-36 physical scores, higher emotional scores, and less change over time. Conclusion Women with early endometrial cancer had similar changes in QOL as those who received surgery for benign disease. Obese and elderly women had domain alterations. Given the aging population and rising incidence of obesity, these results emphasize the need for QOL interventions in postoperative gynecologic care of these patients.
Even Teachers Get the Blues: Recognizing and Alleviating Language Teachers' Feelings of Foreign Language Anxiety

ABSTRACT Many foreign language students report feeling anxious about language learning. This paper argues that many nonnative foreign language teachers experience foreign language anxiety and that this anxiety can have negative consequences for language teaching. It discusses how anxiety affects teachers' feelings of selfconfidence, use of the target language, and instructional choices and offers suggestions for increasing teachers' target language confidence.
The effect of transformer maintenance parameters on reliability and cost: a probabilistic model

Abstract Transformer is an equipment common to most power systems. Preventive maintenance is performed to extend the equipment lifetime. Models relating probability of failure to maintenance activity are proposed in [Panida Jirutitijaroen, Chanan Singh, Oil-immersed transformer inspection and maintenance: probabilistic models, in: Proceedings of the 2003 North American Power Symposium Conference, pp. 204–208]. The model parameters which are mean time in each stage, inspection rate of each stage, and probabilities of transition from one stage to others, have an effect on reliability and cost of maintenance. In order to establish a cost-effective maintenance process, analysis of model parameters should be conducted thoroughly. This paper develops detailed models relating maintenance parameters to reliability and cost and then investigates the effect of varying model parameters. Simulation results from the proposed model are shown and corroborated by mathematical analysis of a simpler equivalent model. The analysis covers mean time to the first failure, maintenance cost, inspection cost, and failure cost.
The methylation of transfer RNA in Escherichia coli

Abstract Analysis of both RNA pulse-labeled in vivo with L-[Me-3H]methionine and pools of methyl-accepting RNA from normally growing Escherichia coli indicates that methylation, by and large, takes place on molecules of the same size as mature tRNA rather than on longer precursor molecules. Two forms of such methyl-accepting tRNAs have been detected. One form, co-fractionating on methylated albumin—kieselguhr columns with mature tRNA, is apparently similar in structure to mature tRNA. The other form, fractionating similarly on methylated albumin columns to transfer RNA molecules lacking the modified nucleoside pseudouridine (prepared by substituting 5-fluorouracil for uracil in tRNA), apparently lacks this modified nucleoside. Using model substrates similar to the cellular substrates described above, kinetic studies were performed both in vitro and in vivo to determine whether there is a random or an ordered formation of the individual methylated bases in E. coli tRNA. Results indicate that, with the possible exception of 2-methyladenine formation, E. coli tRNA methylating enzymes act in random sequence in catalyzing the methylation of tRNA.
An application of a hybrid approach to modeling a flexible manufacturing system

Both analytic and simulation models were used to analyze the capabilities and requirements of an automated circuit card manufacturing system. Analytic models were used to determine the sensitivity of the measures of effectiveness (MOEs) to various design parameters. This analysis gave approximate results and bounded the range of input parameters for the simulation model. A detailed simulation model was required for use during both the design and production phases of the project. This simulation model incorporated only those variables to which the MOEs are most sensitive, and provided additional features to observe system behavior. The benefits and appropriate uses for each class of models are discussed.
Program of Studies on Africa, Columbia University, New York

This Program is one of the five area studies operating in conjunction with the School of International Affairs at Columbia. It consists entirely of graduate work, and offers a Certificate in African Studies, which must be taken together with a post-graduate degree; this normally requires two years' residence at the University. The aim is to educate a limited number of highly qualified graduate students concerning the peoples and problems of tropical Africa especially, and to give them knowledge in depth of a particular area of the continent. Through this training, students will be prepared for careers dealing with African political, social, and economic affairs. The program also hopes to perform a national service by increasing American understanding of our relations with the new states of Africa.
Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric determination of aniline in food oils associated with the Spanish toxic oil syndrome

In 1981, a new disease, known today as the toxic oil syndrome (TOS), descended upon the people of Spin. A strong association between TOS and contaminated food oil was established early. Subsequent investigations implicated food oils containing rapeseed oil denatured with aniline. However, little aniline was found in the oils; some other etiologic agent in the oil had apparently produced the illness. Many researchers have investigated these oils, but the specific etiologic agent has not been identified. Significant progress in this research has been hampered by the difficulty in identifying the specific oil samples that produced illness in specific TOS cases. In 1984, the Spanish Government invited the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to participate in its research efforts to study the TOS problem. One of the authors was detailed to Spain to assist in the study of the illness. Part of their work in this area has been an attempt in their laboratories to classify a group of blind-coded case and control oils according to selected chemical measurements. They report here a newly developed method for determining aniline in these oils and the results of these analyses.
Undergraduate Perceptions of Information Use: The Basis for Creating User-Centered Student Information Literacy Instruction

Current information literacy pedagogy, usually tied to a particular set of skills, does not adequately address the needs of learners. Using a phenomenographic method, this study reveals the three ways that undergraduate students conceptualize information use. Knowing how undergraduates understand information use allows educators to create enhanced learning environments.
The proactive brain: using analogies and associations to generate predictions

Rather than passively 'waiting' to be activated by sensations, it is proposed that the human brain is continuously busy generating predictions that approximate the relevant future. Building on previous work, this proposal posits that rudimentary information is extracted rapidly from the input to derive analogies linking that input with representations in memory. The linked stored representations then activate the associations that are relevant in the specific context, which provides focused predictions. These predictions facilitate perception and cognition by pre-sensitizing relevant representations. Predictions regarding complex information, such as those required in social interactions, integrate multiple analogies. This cognitive neuroscience framework can help explain a variety of phenomena, ranging from recognition to first impressions, and from the brain's 'default mode' to a host of mental disorders.
Crystal structure changes during isothermal crystallization, cooling and heating of linear polyethylene

The dynamic process of crystal structure change during isothermal crystallization, cooling and heating of linear polyethylene with different molecular weight and polydispersity was followed by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WARD) measurement. From the WARD data, variations of unit cell parameters a and b and changes in crystallinity were estimated. During isothermal crystallization, both cell parameters were found to decrease with time, suggesting that the crystal structure was becoming more perfect. With an increase in molecular weight or crystallization temperature, the rate of crystal perfection and the attainable crystallinity were found to decrease. This behavior can be explained by the formation of thicker lamellae, which probably have a lower degree of defects and a reduced surface-to-volume ratio in the crystals. Upon cooling and heating, the cell parameters appeared to contract and expand accordingly. The thermal contraction and expansion of parameter a is considerably larger than that of b, which probably results from the weaker intra-chain interactions along the a-axis, which is perpendicular to the spherulite growth direction.
Interleukin-10 protects against lethality of intra-abdominal infection and sepsis

The aim of this study was to determine whether interleukin-10 would alter locally derived and systemic proinflammatory cytokine expression and protect from the lethality of cecal ligation and puncture. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Group 1 underwent cecal manipulation. Groups 2 and 3 underwent cecal ligation and puncture. Group 2 received intraperitoneal saline injections beginning 1 hour after cecal ligation and puncture and every 3 hours thereafter for 24 hours. Group 3 received intraperitoneal interleukin-10 one hour after cecal ligation and puncture and every 3 hours thereafter. Animals were killed at 6 and 24 hours after cecal ligation and puncture or sham operation. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorhent assay. TNF-α messenger RNA expression was determined by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction using β-actin as the internal standard. There was a twofold increase (P <0.001) in TNF-α mRNA in the liver at 6 and 24 hours after cecal ligation and puncture when compared to rats treated with interleukin-10. There was a twofold increase (P <0.05) in TNF-α mRNA in the lung observed only at 24 hours after cecal ligation and puncture when compared to rats treated with interleukin-10. Serum levels of TNF-α were elevated at 6 hours in control animals, and this effect was abolished by the administration of interleukin-10. There was no difference in mortality rates at 6 hours (0% for all groups); however, at 24 hours 57% (4/7) mortality was observed in group 2 vs. 0% (0/20) in groups 1 and 3. Interleukin-10 given after the onset of cecal ligation and puncture protects against the lethality of intra-abdominal sepsis.
Process costing of the microchip

The CMOS microchip is the workhorse of the semiconductor industry. The manufacturing model was formed with practical processing times, number of machines, steps of manufacturing process, labour cost and time required, construction costs, land costs, etc. as input parameters. This cost model attempts to analyse costs and calculate the cost per chip. Different sections of costs have been individually analysed in turn to reflect their impact on the finished product. A simulation model has been run to reflect an actual semiconductor manufacturing scenario. Simulation model is also used to estimate labour time and cost required for the process. The cost was calculated based on yield, number of chips/wafer and total expenditure by the fabrication unit. A simulation model was created in Arena 6.0 professional version, which allows the user to make changes to the model to reflect the changes in the fabrication unit.
Cardiovascular health and the menopause - an approach for gynecologists: an overview.

This Supplement brings together the proceedings from a Schering-sponsored symposium entitled Cardiovascular Health and the Menopause – an Approach for Gynecologists, held in October 2005 at the 11t...
Early Acceptance of Renal Allografts in Mice Is Dependent on Foxp3+ Cells

Mouse renal allografts have a remarkable ability to promote acceptance across full major histocompatibility complex incompatibilities in certain strain combinations without immunosuppression. The mechanism is unknown but is believed to involve immunoregulation. This study tests whether Foxp3 + T-regulatory cells are responsible in the early phase of graft acceptance, using B6.Foxp3 DTR mice that express diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) in Foxp3 + cells. The administration of DT to B6.Foxp3 DTR recipients with accepted DBA/2 kidneys, 3 weeks to 3 months after transplantation, caused a marked depletion of Foxp3 cells and triggered acute cellular rejection, manifested by a sudden increase in blood urea nitrogen within a week. None of the controls showed an increase in blood urea nitrogen, including DT-treated B6 wild-type recipients of DBA/2 kidneys or B6.Foxp3 DTR recipients of isografts. Accepted DBA/2 allografts showed prominent lymphoid sheaths around arteries containing numerous CD3 + Foxp3 + cells, CD4 + cells, dedritic cells, and B cells, which was independent of CCR4. The lymphoid sheaths disintegrate after Foxp3 depletion, accompanied by widespread CD8 interstitial mononuclear inflammation, tubulitis, and endarteritis. The Foxp3 depletion caused an increased frequency of donor-reactive cells in the spleen by interferon (IFN) γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assays and increased expression of the maturation markers, CD86 and IA b , on dendritic cells in the spleen and kidney. We conclude that Foxp3 + cells are needed to maintain acceptance of major histocompatibility complex–incompatible renal allografts in the first 3 months after transplantation and may act by inhibiting DC maturation.
Eukaryotic UDP-Galactopyranose Mutase (GLF Gene) in Microbial and Metazoal Pathogens

Galactofuranose (Galf) is a novel sugar absent in mammals but present in a variety of pathogenic microbes, often within glycoconjugates that play critical roles in cell surface formation and the infectious cycle. In prokaryotes, Galf is synthesized as the nucleotide sugar UDP-Galf by UDP-galactopyranose mutase (UGM) (gene GLF). Here we used a combinatorial bioinformatics screen to identify a family of candidate eukaryotic GLFs that had previously escaped detection. GLFs from three pathogens, two protozoa (Leishmania major and Trypanosoma cruzi) and one fungus (Cryptococcus neoformans), had UGM activity when expressed in Escherichia coli and assayed in vivo and/or in vitro. Eukaryotic GLFs are closely related to each other but distantly related to prokaryotic GLFs, showing limited conservation of core residues around the substrate-binding site and flavin adenine dinucleotide binding domain. Several eukaryotes not previously investigated for Galf synthesis also showed strong GLF homologs with conservation of key residues. These included other fungi, the alga Chlamydomonas and the algal phleovirus Feldmannia irregularis, parasitic nematodes (Brugia, Onchocerca, and Strongyloides) and Caenorhabditis elegans, and the urochordates Halocynthia and Cionia. The C. elegans open reading frame was shown to encode UGM activity. The GLF phylogenetic distribution suggests that Galf synthesis may occur more broadly in eukaryotes than previously supposed. Overall, GLF/Galf synthesis in eukaryotes appears to occur with a disjunct distribution and often in pathogenic species, similar to what is seen in prokaryotes. Thus, UGM inhibition may provide an attractive drug target in those eukaryotes where Galf plays critical roles in cellular viability and virulence.
Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis fimbrillin: size, amino-terminal sequence, and antigenic heterogeneity.

Bacterial fimbriae mediate cell adhesion and are important in colonization. Fimbrial proteins from strains of Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis isolated from different individuals were compared for their size, amino-terminal sequence, and antigenic diversity. Two major protein components of the crude fimbrial preparations differed in apparent molecular mass, ranging from 41 to 49 kDa for the fimbrillin monomer and from 61 to 78 kDa for the other major protein. The amino-terminal sequence of the antigenically related group of proteins of the fimbrillin monomer in the 41- to 49-kDa range showed significant homology; however, minor sequence heterogeneity was observed, mainly in residues 4 to 6. One of the observed amino-terminal sequences, AFGVGDDESKVAKLTVMVYNG, resembled the deduced sequence of P. gingivalis 381 (D.P. Dickinson, M. K. Kubiniec, F. Yoshimura, and R.J. Genco, J. Bacteriol. 170:1658-1665, 1988). Fimbriae from all the strains of P. gingivalis showing this sequence contained a fimbrillin monomer of 43 kDa and showed a strong reaction with both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies directed to the fimbriae from P. gingivalis 2561 (381). Fimbriae from strains showing amino-terminal sequence variations in residues 4 to 6 (i.e., substitution of VGD with either E or NAG) were more diverse in their molecular sizes. Most of these variant fimbriae showed weak reactions with the polyclonal antibodies and no reaction with the monoclonal antibodies induced to the fimbriae of strain 2561. No correlation could be established between the molecular size and immunological reactivity of the fimbrillin monomer of P. gingivalis strains. Strains 9-14K-1 and HG 564 not only showed markedly different sequences from the other three amino-terminal sequences but also did not react with either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies to the fimbriae of strain 2561. Strains W50, W83, and AJW 5 failed to show any immunological reactivity with the antibodies to fimbrillin or fimbriae of strain 2561. Fimbriae from different strains revealed different immunologic reactions with rabbit antisera to each of the synthetic peptides of residues 59-78 (peptide I), 79-100 (peptide J), and 91-108 (peptide E) of strain 381. These results suggest that P. gingivalis fimbrillin subunits have size, sequence, and antigenic heterogeneity among the strains and that these differences may be important in the function and immune reactivities of the fimbriae.
Correlation range query for effective recommendations

Efficient correlation computation has been an active research area of data mining. Given a large dataset and a specified query item, we are interested in finding items in the dataset that are within certain range of correlation with the query item. Such a problem, known as the correlation range query, has been a common task in many application domains. In this paper, we identify piecewise monotone properties of the upper and lower bounds of the ? coefficient, and propose an efficient correlation range query algorithm, called CORAQ. The CORAQ algorithm effectively prunes many items without computing their actual correlation coefficients with the query item. CORAQ also attains completeness and correctness of the query results. Experiments with large benchmark datasets show that this algorithm is much faster than its brute-force alternative and scales well with large datasets. As case studies, real-world datasets from recommendation applications are analyzed to demonstrate that CORAQ can help effectively identify interesting items to recommend to users.
EFFECTS OF BARYON-MESON INTERMEDIATE STATES ON BARYON MASSES

The mass shifts of experimentally well-known baryons due to meson-baryon self-energy loops are calculated, and their impact on the observed splitting of the baryon spectrum is studied. Configuration-mixed wave functions adapted from a `relativized' model are used with the 3P0 model to provide predictions for the strength and analytical momentum dependence of the strong vertices. Intermediate states include all the lightest pseudoscalar and vector mesons and corresponding baryons required to provide a complete set of spin-flavor symmetry related baryon-meson states. The sum over intermediate-state baryons is extended to include the second (N=3) band of negative-parity excited states, to provide the most complete calculation of its kind to date. It is found that with reduced-strength one-gluon-exchange interactions between the quarks, roughly half of the splitting between the nucleon and Delta ground states arises from loop effects. The effects of such loops on the spectrum of negative-parity excited states are also studied, and it is found that the resulting splittings are sensitive to configuration mixing caused by the residual interactions. With the extensive set of intermediate baryon-meson states used, a reasonable correspondence is found between model masses and the bare masses required to fit the masses of the states extracted from data analyses.
The Caenorhabditis elegans unc-78 gene encodes a homologue of actin-interacting protein 1 required for organized assembly of muscle actin filaments

Assembly and maintenance of myofibrils require dynamic regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. In Caenorhabditis elegans, UNC-60B, a muscle-specific actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin isoform, is required for proper actin filament assembly in body wall muscle (Ono, S., D.L. Baillie, and G.M. Benian. 1999. J. Cell Biol. 145:491–502). Here, I show that UNC-78 is a homologue of actin-interacting protein 1 (AIP1) and functions as a novel regulator of actin organization in myofibrils. In unc-78 mutants, the striated organization of actin filaments is disrupted, and large actin aggregates are formed in the body wall muscle cells, resulting in defects in their motility. Point mutations in unc-78 alleles change conserved residues within different WD repeats of the UNC-78 protein and cause less severe phenotypes than a deletion allele, suggesting that these mutations partially impair the function of UNC-78. UNC-60B is normally localized in the diffuse cytoplasm and to the myofibrils in wild type but mislocalized to the actin aggregates in unc-78 mutants. Similar Unc-78 phenotypes are observed in both embryonic and adult muscles. Thus, AIP1 is an important regulator of actin filament organization and localization of ADF/cofilin during development of myofibrils.
Language-based information-flow security

Current standard security practices do not provide substantial assurance that the end-to-end behavior of a computing system satisfies important security policies such as confidentiality. An end-to-end confidentiality policy might assert that secret input data cannot be inferred by an attacker through the attacker's observations of system output; this policy regulates information flow. Conventional security mechanisms such as access control and encryption do not directly address the enforcement of information-flow policies. Previously, a promising new approach has been developed: the use of programming-language techniques for specifying and enforcing information-flow policies. In this paper, we survey the past three decades of research on information-flow security, particularly focusing on work that uses static program analysis to enforce information-flow policies. We give a structured view of work in the area and identify some important open challenges.
Cost Effective Diagnosis and Treatment of Coronary Disease J. David Talley, MD, Patrick D. Mauldin, PhD, Edmund R. Becker, PhD, eds. J. Willis Hurst, MD, series ed. Topics in Clinical Cardiology. 227 pp. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1997. $69.00. ISBN 0-683-30302-3.

As the modern treatment of cardiovascular disorders becomes more and more expensive, greater emphasis will be placed on cost containment and outcome measures. We are clearly in the midst of a medical economic revolution as managed-care organizations make up an increasing portion of third-party payers. In addition, as the Medicare system confronts future bankruptcy as the baby boomers become senior citizens, cost containment will become an absolute necessity. So follows this timely book on the economics of treatment of cardiovascular disease, edited by a cardiologist (Dr J. David Talley) and 2 epidemiologists (Drs Patrick D. Mauldin and Edmund …
A lobular, ammonia-oxidizing bacterium, Nitrosolobus multiformis Nov. Gen. Nov. sp.

Nitrosolobus multiformis is a lobular shaped, previously undescribed ammonia-oxidizing bacterium. The organism is ubiquitous and was isolated from soil samples obtained in various parts of the world. Its lobular nature and its internal, partially compartmentalized cytoplasm makes it morphologically unique and easily distinguishable from all other microorganisms. Physiological compartmentalization also occurs and is characterized by glycogen deposition in the peripheral compartments of the cell. The cells are obligate chemoautotrophs using CO2 and ammonia as primary carbon and energy sources. Its obligate chemoautotrophic nature stems primarily from a metabolic deficiency. Even though the cells cannot be grown on an organic medium the cells still have a slight heterotrophic potential and are able to oxidize and assimilate minute amounts of acetate in the absence of an inorganic energy source.
Using clinical variables to guide surgical site infection detection: A novel surveillance strategy

Background Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a common and expensive health care–associated infection, and are used as a health care quality benchmark. As such, SSI detection is a major focus of infection prevention programs. In an effort to improve on conventional surveillance methods, a simple algorithm for SSI detection was developed using clinical variables not traditionally included in National Healthcare Safety Network definitions. Methods A case-control study was conducted among surgeries performed at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System between January 2008 and December 2009. SSI cases were matched to controls without SSI. Clinical variables (administrative, microbiological, pharmacy, radiology) were compared between the groups to determine those that best identified SSI. Results A total of 70 SSIs were matched to 70 controls. On multivariable analysis, variables significantly associated with SSI identification were wound culture order, computed tomography scan/magnetic resonance imaging order, antibiotic order within 30 days after surgery, and application of a relevant International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision code. Among patients with no SSI identifiers, 98% were correctly classified as having no SSI. Among patients with multiple SSI identifiers, 97.1% were correctly identified as having SSI. The area under the curve for this model was 0.87. Conclusion We have derived a novel surveillance algorithm for SSI detection with excellent operating characteristics. This algorithm could be automated to streamline infection control efforts.
Loss of MicroRNA-155 Protects the Heart From Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy

Rationale: In response to mechanical and pathological stress, adult mammalian hearts often undergo mal-remodeling, a process commonly characterized as pathological hypertrophy, which is associated with upregulation of fetal genes, increased fibrosis, and reduction of cardiac dysfunction. The molecular pathways that regulate this process are not fully understood. Objective: To explore the function of microRNA-155 (miR-155) in cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling. Methods and Results: Our previous work identified miR-155 as a critical microRNA that repressed the expression and function of the myocyte enhancer factor 2A. In this study, we found that miR-155 is expressed in cardiomyocytes and that its expression is reduced in pressure overload–induced hypertrophic hearts. In mouse models of cardiac hypertrophy, miR-155 null hearts suppressed cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac remodeling in response to 2 independent pathological stressors, transverse aortic restriction and an activated calcineurin transgene. Most importantly, loss of miR-155 prevents the progress of heart failure and substantially extends the survival of calcineurin transgenic mice. The function of miR-155 in hypertrophy is confirmed in isolated cardiomyocytes. We identified jumonji, AT rich interactive domain 2 (Jarid2) as an miR-155 target in the heart. miR-155 directly represses Jarid2, whose expression is increased in miR-155 null hearts. Inhibition of endogenous Jarid2 partially rescues the effect of miR-155 loss in isolated cardiomyocytes. Conclusions: Our studies uncover miR-155 as an inducer of pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and suggest that inhibition of endogenous miR-155 might have clinical potential to suppress cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
Political Support, Political Skepticism, and Political Stability in New Democracies: An Empirical Examination of Mass Support for Coups d’Etat in Peru

Conventional wisdom holds that high levels of system support serve as an attitudinal barrier to democratic breakdown. In unconsolidated democracies, however, where democratic norms are regularly violated, the authors hypothesize that a healthy dose of political skepticism toward the political system, neither extreme rejection nor uncritical support of the system, would be associated with greater attitudinal resistance to breakdown in the form of a military coup. Using survey data from Peru, the authors confirm this expectation, showing that the relationship between system support and approval of military coups follows a V-curve pattern. This research fails to find support for the contention that a greater involvement in associational life or a greater degree of interpersonal trust predispose people to reject coups. The authors found other factors, such as rejection of the use of direct tactics for political purposes, support for the incumbent, and age, that are better predictors of coup support and rejection.
A ketogenic diet increases brain insulin-like growth factor receptor and glucose transporter gene expression

A ketogenic diet suppresses seizure activity in children and in juvenile rats. To investigate whether alteration in brain IGF activity could be involved in the beneficial effects of the ketogenic diet, we examined the effects of this diet on IGF system gene expression in the rat brain. Juvenile rats were fed one of three different diets for 7 d: ad libitum standard rat chow (AL-Std), calorie-restricted standard chow (CR-Std), or a calorie-restricted ketogenic diet (CR-Ket). The calorie-restricted diets contained 90% of the rats' calculated energy requirements. The AL-Std diet group increased in weight, whereas the two CR groups merely maintained their weight during the 7-d diet. Glucose levels were significantly reduced in both CR groups compared with the AL-Std group, but only the CR-Ket group developed ketonemia. IGF1 mRNA levels were reduced by 30-50% in most brain regions in both CR groups. IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) mRNA levels were decreased in the CR-Std group but were increased in the CR-Ket diet group. Brain IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-2 and -5 mRNA levels were not altered by diet, but IGFBP-3 mRNA levels were markedly increased by the ketogenic diet while not altered by calorie restriction alone. Brain glucose transporter expression was also investigated in this study. Glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 mRNA levels were quite low and not appreciably altered by the different diets. Parenchymal GLUT1 mRNA levels were increased by the CR-Ket diet, but endothelial GLUT1 mRNA levels were not affected. Neuronal GLUT3 expression was decreased with the CR-Std diet and increased with the CR-Ket diet, in parallel with the IGF1R pattern. These observations reveal divergent effects of dietary caloric content and macronutrient composition on brain IGF system and GLUT expression. In addition, the data may be consistent with a role for enhanced IGF1R and GLUT expression in ketogenic diet-induced seizure suppression.
The Importance of Regulation-Induced Innovation for Sustainable Development

This article explores the complex relationship between environmental regulation, innovation, and sustainable development within the context of an increasingly globalizing economy. The economic development, environment, and employment aspects of sustainable development are emphasized. We contend that the most crucial problem in achieving sustainability is lock-in or path dependency due to (1) the failure to envision, design, and implement policies that achieve co-optimization, or the mutually reinforcing, of social goals, and (2) entrenched economic and political interests that gain from the present system and advancement of its current trends. The article argues that industrial policy, environmental law and policy, and trade initiatives must be ‗opened up' by expanding the practice of multi-purpose policy design, and that these policies must be integrated as well. Sustainable development requires stimulating revolutionary technological innovation through environmental, health, safety, economic, and labor market regulation. Greater support for these changes must also be reinforced by ‗opening up the participatory and political space' to enable new voices to contribute to integrated thinking and solutions.
Distributed Averaging in Dense Wireless Networks

We consider the effect of network throughput on the convergence of a specific class of distributed averaging algorithms, called consensus algorithms. These algorithms rely on iterative computation of the desired average by message passing among the nodes. It is thus assumed that the rate of convergence should benefit from greater network connectivity. However, one must also account for the additional network resources that establishing such a connectivity would entail. In this paper, we study this problem in the context of randomly-placed consensus-seeking nodes that are connected through a dense wireless network, i.e., whose capacity is interference-limited. By analyzing the outage of each communication link along with results from mixing times of Markov chains, we obtain scaling laws for the mixing times of fastest-converging consensus topologies over such networks.