cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Green Fluff”? The Role of Corporate Sustainability Initiatives in Effective Climate Policy: Comment on “Science‐Based Carbon Targets for the Corporate World: The Ultimate Sustainability Commitment, or a Costly Distraction?”

The commentary by Schendler and Trexler (2015) strikes us as an intriguing paradox. Schendler and Trexler see responses to the threat of global climate change beginning to move forward in the corporate world, but they fear these corporate initiatives will be a distraction from what is ultimately required. They emphasize the need for “greater government intervention.” An earlier text by Schendler and Toffel (2013) notes, and we agree, that “we're failing to deal with the problem at anywhere near sufficient scale.” But we feel that the article by Schendler and Trexler does not adequately acknowledge the importance of these corporate efforts as elements of initiation and leadership. Schendler and Trexler express the impatience that many of us feel regarding the continued failure of political progress at the national and international levels. But they do not embrace the thoughts attributed to the sixth century B.C. Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” They fail to acknowledge that, in democratic governments, there is the need for grass-roots support in order to develop and implement effective policy. Rather than distractions, individual and corporate efforts are generally necessary prerequisites for implementation of and receptiveness to government action. We agree that society is not dealing with climate change at anything approaching the needed scale and that, ultimately, a meaningful government and international response to climate change is required. The challenge is finding the way forward to achieve this outcome. In a first-best scenario, the global community would simply negotiate an effective international climate agreement. For more than 35 years, individual countries have collaborated to pursue this first-best scenario, starting with the first World Climate Conference in 1979 and continuing with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. But this “top-down” approach has yielded little success and even less hope, with global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increasing by more than 50% since adoption of the UNFCCC in 1992. While countries agree on the need for an international agreement, “there is disagreement on almost every aspect of the climate change problem. Countries approach the problem in different stages of development and from different development paths, and thus with different perspectives” (Cherry et al. 2014, 23).
Syntheses and In Vitro Anticancer Properties of Novel Radiosensitizers

Series of 4-(ethylsulfonyl)-1-halogen-2-nitrobenzene (3a-e) and 1-(4-halogen-3-nitrophenyl) propan-1-one (5a-d) analogs designed as novel radiosensitizers using bromonitropropiophenone and bromonitrobenzonitrile as lead compounds were synthesized. The anticancer activities of the compounds were evaluated in vitro using human prostate cancer (DU-145) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines and the MTT assay. From the series, six compounds (3b-e, 5b-c) exhibited potent growth inhibitory effects against both cell lines. The most active, compound 3d, is an iodosulfone and is significantly more potent than the lead compound 5c at 10 μm. Compounds were then compared with doxorubicin, a clinically used anticancer compound for breast and prostate cancers. Our most active compound 3d is more effective than doxorubicin at the dose level of 10 μm at 3 days after radiation, cell viabilities of 18%, 13% compared to 87%, 94% against MCF-7, and 15%, 20% compared to 60%, 75% against DU-145 without and with radiation, respectively. At 10 μm, compound 5c had no effects as compared to control, whereas compound 3d reduced DU-145 cell viability to 16% and that of MCF-7 cells to 9% even at 5 days after radiation. These results are very encouraging. Future studies include testing the compounds in vivo with and without radiation.
Does Graduate Business Education Contribute to Professional Accounting Success? (Retracted)

We investigate the value of graduate business education in learning tacit knowledge and achieving professional accounting success. Archival (n = 5,932) and survey (n = 2,941) data from managerial accountants employed at 2,525 North American companies in three industries (publishing, paper, and chemical) indicate that job performance evaluations (JPEs) of those who hold either a Master's of Accountancy (M.Acc.) or M.B.A. degree are generally higher than non‐master's (NM) degree accountants. We find some evidence that professionals with master's degrees, as compared to NM professionals, have higher levels of two forms of tacit managerial knowledge (TMK): self and others. The results also suggest that M.Acc. and M.B.A. degrees contribute to success differentially throughout the professionals' careers. Specifically, a M.Acc. degree provides greater benefit than a M.B.A. degree in the early and middle career years, while an M.B.A. degree provides greater benefit than a M.Acc. degree in later career years. The ...
Children Cover Your Eyes: Masculine Honor and the Role of Blind Patriotism in Teaching National Allegiance to Posterity

Identifying strongly with the nation could entail a willingness to criticize the country or a refusal to do so. The studies reported here examine the extent to which masculine honor inspires the latter and, in turn, motivates teaching allegiance to youth in a manner that could discourage national criticism. Whereas Study 1 provides an initial test of this idea by evaluating blind patriotism's ability to mediate the link between honor endorsement and general support for allegiance education (e.g., singing the National Anthem at school functions), Studies 2 and 3 do so more decisively by focusing on more severe outcomes such as punishing students who refuse to pledge loyalty to the United States. The predicted pattern of mediation occurred in every case, even when honor endorsers were experimentally induced to feel anger toward the country (Study 3). Explanations for this latter finding are discussed and include the role of identity fusion in honor endorsers’ commitment to the nation and the potential for real and enduring governmental threats to weaken or eliminate the pattern of mediation observed.
Triangular Helical Column for Centrifugal Countercurrent Chromatography

Effective column space and stationary phase retention have been improved by changing the configuration of the helical column originally used for toroidal coil countercurrent chromatography. The use of an equilateral triangular core for the helix column doubles effective column space and retains the stationary phase over 40% of the total column capacity without increasing the column pressure. The present results suggest that the stationary phase retention and the peak resolution will be further improved using new column designs fabricated by a new technology called “laser sintering for rapid prototyping.”
Ethical conduct of humanitarian medical missions: II. use of photographic images.

T he overarching imperative for patient care when a physician volunteers to treat patients in another country is to respect the dignity of the individuals. Because of cultural differences and language barriers, the typical patient-physician relationship will likely not be possible in its fullest extent. Therefore, the physician must make an effort to gain the trust of the patient through nonverbal communication as well as verbal (likely through a translator). A pleasant, attentive approach to patients, with appropriate friendliness, interest, and respect, will be helpful in putting them at ease. One must be cautious, however, not to cross a boundary that lies within the cultural and/or religious fabric of the population. It is very important for the volunteer physician to be adequately prepared for interacting with patients by first studying the cultural and religious customs of the country and its people. Good intentions can be marginalized and future missions jeopardized through unwittingly inappropriate interactions with patients and their families. Often the host organization or host physicians can be helpful in providing advice and understanding on what can or cannot be done in this regard.
Triazolam and ethanol effects on human matching-to-sample performance vary as a function of pattern size and discriminability

Abstract The effects of placebo, triazolam (2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 μg/kg) and ethanol (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 g/kg) on perceptual-motor performance were examined using a visual pattern matching-to-sample procedure in which pattern size and comparison stimulus discriminability were systematically varied. Baseline response rates and accuracy increased as the discriminability of the comparison stimuli increased. At the highest dose, both drugs decreased response accuracy. This disruption of accuracy was attenuated by increasing the discriminability of non-matching stimuli. Triazolam produced dose-related decreases in response rate while ethanol produced only slight decreases at the highest baseline rates of responding. Thus, triazolam produced response rate slowing at relatively lower doses than ethanol.
A comparative study of framing immigration policy after 11 September 2001

Immigration policy studies often assume the relevance of path dependency or contingency. This study weighs institutional changes, party changes and media as factors potentially driving immigration policy shifts after 11 September 2001. In spite of change with each of these factors, immigration policy debate in the USA and Canada presents framing as a vehicle for absorbing exogenous shock while maintaining consistency in terms of immigration policy orientation. The USA and Canada converge after September 11 in filtering immigration through the lens of terrorism. However, in the longer run political representatives in Canada frame terrorism around human rights issues and thereby return immigration to its distinct and familiar policy orientation of openness and inclusiveness. Historically, border security, which has been narrowly defined in terms of illegal immigration, and the economy compete for salience around US immigration policy. After September 11 US representatives frame terrorism around security iss...
The cytoplasmic tails of claudins can influence tight junction barrier properties through effects on protein stability.

The tight junction seal formed between epithelial cells varies among tissues in both tightness and ionic charge selectivity. We recently demonstrated that the extracellular domains of the claudin family of proteins are determinants of both characteristics, but in that study other unidentified domains in the claudins clearly contributed to their physiological potency. To investigate the importance of the cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal domains in determining the degree to which a claudin can influence barrier properties, we constructed chimeras by exchanging the tails of claudin-2 and -4 and expressing them in MDCK II cells. Although swapping these domains had little effect on claudin localization, we found that the tail of claudin-2 could stabilize claudin-4, with a concomitant increase in both protein level and physiologic influence. This difference in stability was not an artifact of their chimeric structure, since metabolic radio-labeling experiments revealed that the half-life of endogenous claudin-2 is more than three times longer than claudin-4 (>12 h and ∼4 h respectively). Further, half-life was not affected by removing the carboxyl-terminal three amino acids, which form a PDZ-binding motif. The finding that cytoplasmic tails of claudins strongly influence stability reveals a potential mechanism by which cells can establish their tight junction protein composition and thus function.
Comparison of temporal pooling methods for estimating the quality of complex video sequences

Many models of image quality have been developed to predict the visibility of differences between pairs of still images. Various methods have been suggested for combining predictions generated for individual frames of a video sequence. To explore this issue, we have compared the objective quality predictions of three temporal pooling methods against viewer ratings of perceived video quality. The subjective data were obtained from a large group of viewers in an experiment performed by Cable Television Laboratories, Inc., that utilized extended-duration video sequences containing material of significant complexity. Objective quality measures obtained for each field of the sequences were pooled using three simple methods: histogram, Minkowski summation and exponentially-weighted Minkowski summation. The results demonstrated that, for sequence durations on the order of 1 min, the three pooling methods have similar ability to predict overall perceived video quality.
The Determination of Atomic Mass Doublets by Means of a Mass Spectrometer

A double-focusing mass spectrometer employing a 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} electrostatic analyzer followed by a 60\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} magnetic analyzer has been constructed having a resolution sufficiently great to permit mass difference measurements by the familiar doublet method. High stability is obtained by use of an auxiliary mass spectrometer tube which compensates for fluctuations in both the magnetic field and the source of potential for the deflecting and accelerating plates of the main spectrometer. Ion currents are measured electrically and data recorded automatically.The doublets determined and their values in ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ amu are as follows: ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$-${\mathrm{A}}^{40}$/2, 419.67\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.18; ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$-${\mathrm{Ne}}^{20}$, 307.21\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.39; ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{20}$-${\mathrm{A}}^{40}$/2, 112.80\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.18; ${({\mathrm{C}}^{12})}_{2}$${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$-${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$, 364.43\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.22; ${({\mathrm{N}}^{14})}_{2}$-${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$, 112.80\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.13; ${({\mathrm{C}}^{12})}_{3}$${\mathrm{H}}_{8}$-${({\mathrm{N}}^{14})}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$, 617.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9; ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$-${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$, 364.78\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.22; ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$-${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$, 125.86\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.13; ${({\mathrm{C}}^{12})}_{3}$${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$-${\mathrm{A}}^{40}$, 688.77\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.35; ${({\mathrm{C}}^{12})}_{3}$${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$-${\mathrm{Ca}}^{40}$, 685.39\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.46; ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{40}$-${\mathrm{A}}^{40}$, 3.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.8; ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$-${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$, 256.12\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.09; ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$-${\mathrm{A}}^{36}$/2, 267.02\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.40.
Inexpensive Technique for Production of C14 Alfalfa for Animal Feeding Experiments

For preparing C/sup 14/-labeled alfalfa, for use as a tracer in rumen metabolism studies, a special growth chamber, in which C/sup 14/O/sub 2/ of high specific activity was utilized in the photosynthetic process, is described and illustrated. The growth chamber was constructed of 3/8-in. clear Plexiglas held together by brass machine screws at 2-in. intervals. The Plexiglas edges were softened with ethylene dichloride before being fastened to form air-tight joints, and all seams were calked on the inside with a nonhardening calking compound as a precaution against leakage. A dehumidifier was placed in the chamber and water condensed by it was recirculated to the plants by an electric vertical immersion pump. Pressure changes within the chamber due to temperature and barometric fluctuations were absorbed by a spirometer. An air conditioner was positioned to blow into a canopy covering the chamber. Total cost of the chamber was approximates 0, including labor, all parts, accessories, and dehumidifier but excluding an air conditioner. A measured amount of BaC/sup 14/O/sub 3/ was used as a source of C/sup 14/O/sub 2/, which was generated by introduction of 85% phosphoric acid into a tube containing the carbonate. The quantities of C/sup 14/ used which was recoveredmore » in the dry wt of the total plant averaged 33.8%. The greatest recovery of C/sup 14/ was in the healthiest and most vigorously growing plants. The percentage of C/sup 14/ recovered in plant material was similar, whether all the C/sup 14/O/sub 2/ was released at periodic intervals during growth or only once. The chamber can also be used for labeling other plants in either soil or hydroponic culture. (BBB)« less
β‐Ionone reactions with the nitrate radical: Rate constant and gas‐phase products

The bimolecular rate constant of k (9.4 ± 2.4 × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 was measured using the relative rate technique for the reaction of the nitrate radical (NO3•) with 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one (β-ionone) at (297 ± 3) K and 1 atmosphere total pressure. In addition, the products of β-ionone + NO3• reaction were also investigated. The identified reaction products were glyoxal (HC(O)C(O)H), and methylglyoxal (CH3C(O)C(O)H). Derivatizing agents O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine and N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide were used to propose the other major reaction products: 3-oxobutane-1,2-diyl nitrate, 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-ene-carbaldehyde, 2-oxo-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)ethyl nitrate, pentane-2,4-dione, 3-oxo-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)butane-1,2-diyl dinitrate, 3,3-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-dione, and 4-oxopent-2-enal. The elucidation of these products was facilitated by mass spectrometry of the derivatized reaction products coupled with plausible β-ionone + NO3• reaction mechanisms based on previously published volatile organic compound + NO3• gas-phase mechanisms. The additional gas-phase products 5-acetyl-2-ethylidene-3-methylcyclopentyl nitrate, 1-(1-hydroxy-7,7-dimethyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1 H-inden-2-yl)ethanone, 1-(1-hydroxy-3a,7-dimethyl-2,3,3a,4,5,6,-hexahydro-1 H-inden-2-yl)ethanone, and 5-acetyl-2-ethylidene-3-methylcyclopentanone are proposed to be the result of cyclization through a reaction intermediate. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.*1 Int J Chem Kinet 41: 629–641, 2009
Bubble dynamics and oxygen transfer in a hypolimnetic aerator

A hypolimnetic aerator operating in one of the City of Norfolk's water supply reservoirs was tested. Dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles, water flow rate, and gas-phase holdup were measured over a wide range of applied air flow rates. A model that was developed to predict oxygen transfer in a Speece Cone was modified to conform to the conditions of the hypolimnetic aerator. By varying a single parameter (the initial bubble size) the model was found to provide a close fit to the experimental DO profiles as well as the observed gas-phase holdup. The model was used to show that a doubling in oxygen transfer may be achieved if initial bubble size is reduced from 5 mm to 2.5 mm. Knowing the initial bubble size, it should be possible to predict water velocity by incorporating the effect of momentum. Further work is now underway to test this approach and to examine the possibility of extending this generalized model to cover the range of hypolimnetic aeration and oxygenation devices.
Architecture of an open object-oriented database management system

The architecture of the open object-oriented database (OODB) management system, its requirements, and its computational model, which builds database functionality as an extensible collection of transparent extensions to existing programming languages, are described. The way in which open OODB's system architecture is decomposed into a kernal meta-architecture and a collection of modules implementing specific behavioral extensions is discussed. The potential risks of the open OODB architecture are reviewed. >
Cancer cell stiffness: Integrated roles of three-dimensional matrix stiffness and transforming potential

While significant advances have been made toward revealing the molecular mechanisms that influence breast cancer progression, much less is known about the associated cellular mechanical properties. To this end, we use particle-tracking microrheology to investigate the interplay among intracellular mechanics, three-dimensional matrix stiffness, and transforming potential in a mammary epithelial cell (MEC) cancer progression series. We use a well-characterized model system where human-derived MCF10A MECs overexpress either ErbB2, 14-3-3ζ, or both ErbB2 and 14-3-3ζ, with empty vector as a control. Our results show that MECs possessing ErbB2 transforming potential stiffen in response to elevated matrix stiffness, whereas non-transformed MECs or those overexpressing only 14-3-3ζ do no exhibit this response. We further observe that overexpression of ErbB2 alone is associated with the highest degree of intracellular sensitivity to matrix stiffness, and that the effect of transforming potential on intracellular stiffness is matrix-stiffness-dependent. Moreover, our intracellular stiffness measurements parallel cell migration behavior that has been previously reported for these MEC sublines. Given the current knowledge base of breast cancer mechanobiology, these findings suggest that there may be a positive relationship among intracellular stiffness sensitivity, cell motility, and perturbed mechanotransduction in breast cancer.
Managed relocation: a nuanced evaluation is needed.

Managed relocation (aka ‘assisted colonization’ and ‘assisted migration’ [1,2]) aims to save species from the effects of climate change by purposefully transporting them to areas where they have not previously occurred, but where they are expected to survive as temperatures increase. In a recent Opinion article in TREE [3], Ricciardi and Simberloff suggest that ‘assisted colonization is tantamount to ecological roulette and should probably be rejected as a sound conservation strategy by the precautionary principle.’ We disagree for three primary reasons.
E-ZPass: Case Study of Institutional and Organizational Issues in Technology Standards Development

During the past 5 years seven toll agencies operating in the greater New York metropolitan area have combined to develop a regionally compatible electronic toll collection system, called E-ZPass. The members of the E-ZPass Interagency Group (IAG) collectively process more than 1 billion toll transactions per year, two-thirds of all toll revenue collected in the United States. E-ZPass illustrates the degree of interagency cooperation necessary for interoperability, as well as some of the challenges to achieving consensus on technical and institutional issues. The IAG faced numerous institutional and organizational issues during the development of the E-ZPass specification. These included separate procurement procedures and requirements of the participating agencies, differences in agency missions, the pace of technological change, and parallel standard-setting efforts at the national level. In the large-scale procurement of cutting-edge technology, the IAG's regionally cooperative effort is unprecedented a...
The role of monocytes and macrophages in delayed xenograft rejection

: Despite the development of successful strategies for averting hyperacute rejection (HAR) in both small and large animal xenograft models, a delayed xenograft rejection (DXR) ultimately occurs. This process is characterized by endothelial cell activation and graft infiltration with activated monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. We evaluated the role of monocytes and macrophages in a guinea pig-to-rat model of DXR. Our results suggest that specific interactions between these cells and the xenograft occur that result in their activation, since adoptive transfer of xenoactivated splenocytes significantly accelerated both DXR and allograft rejection, while adoptive transfer of alloactivated splenocytes did not. Furthermore, while normal splenocytes caused antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of xenogeneic endothelial cells, xenoactivated splenocytes caused significantly greater endothelial cytotoxicity by antibody-independent mechanisms. Both normal and xenoactivated splenocytes were significantly less cytotoxic if adherent cells, consisting predominantly of monocytes and macrophages, were first removed. In vivo recipient macrophage depletion, using liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate, did not influence DXR and this may indicate that nonphagocytic circulating monocytes may be more important in DXR. However, adoptive transfer of splenocytes from a macrophage depleted, xenoactivated donor did not accelerate xenograft rejection, while splenocytes from a nondepleted xenoactivated donor did, thereby supporting the importance of monocytes and macrophages in this I phase of xenograft rejection.
Numerical simulations of a storm‐generated island‐trapped wave event at the Hawaiian Islands

[1] The structure and generation of subinertial trapped waves at the Hawaiian Islands are investigated using a primitive equation model with realistic bathymetry, stratification, and wind forcing. The strongest wave event measured on the island of Hawaii during the 1980s is selected as a case study. An extratropical cyclone traveling to the east provided the forcing. Three model runs are considered: a single island and a chain of islands forced by synoptic-scale winds and a chain of islands with enhanced winds to simulate features of the mesoscale forcing. Each model run documents the establishment of high and low surface elevation anomalies (0.05 m amplitudes) on opposite sides of the island of Hawaii due to convergences and divergences in the surface wind-driven current. Predicted along-shelf current amplitudes exceed 0.4 m/s, with the strongest currents near the surface and weak amplitudes (<0.1 m/s) below 100 m depth. Following the storm, a gravest mode island-trapped wave with a 59 hour period progresses around the island for at least five wave cycles. Although the storm itself lasts only 2 days, the rotation of the wind field in time reinforces the gravest mode wave at the island of Hawaii. A similar forced pattern is established at the other major islands; however, the free wave response is much weaker than at Hawaii because of a mismatch in the forcing and resonant wave mode frequencies. In comparison to tide gauge measurements and a current meter record from the northwest coast of Hawaii, the model shows similar time dependence, although amplitudes are underpredicted by approximately a factor of 2. Increasing the wind speeds near Hawaii yields closer agreement with the observations. Exchange of wave energy between the islands is weak (<10%) but noticeable, particularly in determining the decay rate of the Hawaii island-trapped wave.
Anionic synthesis of chain-end functionalized polymers

The use of living, alkyllithium-initated anionic polymerization to prepare chain-end functionalization reactions is discussed. The scope and limitations of termination reactions with a variety of electrophilic species is illustrated for carbonation, hydroxyethylation, amination, and sulfonation. The methodology of using substituted 1,1-diphenylethylenes to provide a general, quantitative functionalization method is outlined and illustrated with examples of phenol end-functionalization and amination.
Sulfonamide Blood Levels Following Deposition Under the Bladder Peritoneal Reflection

ConclusionBlood levels following the placement of 5 g of sulfanilamide in 30 patients and 5 g sulfathiazole in 2 under the bladder peritoneal reflection did not exceed tolerance ranges. Ordinarily, good absorption can be expected from this site but the erratic and unpredicted rates make this an unsatisfactory route for establishing effective blood levels.
Force characteristics of a modular squeeze mode magneto-rheological element

While few publications exist on the behavior of Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid in squeeze mode, devices using squeeze mode may take advantage of the very large range of adjustment that squeeze mode offers. Based on results obtained through modeling and testing MR fluid in a squeeze mode rheometer, a novel compression-adjustable element has been fabricated and tested, which utilizes MR fluid in squeeze mode. While shear and valve modes have been used exclusively for MR fluid damping applications, recent modeling and testing with MR fluid has revealed that much larger adjustment ranges are achievable in squeeze mode. Utilizing squeeze mode, a compression element, or MR Pouch, was developed consisting of a flexible cylindrical membrane with each end fastened to a steel endplate (pole plates). The silicone rubber pouch material was molded in the required shape for use in the squeeze mode rheometer. This flexible membrane allows for the complete self-containment of MR fluid and because the pouch compensates for volume changes, there is no need for dynamic seals and associated surface finish treatments on the steel components. An electromagnet incorporated in the rheometer passes an adjustable magnetic field axially through the pole plates and MR fluid. Test results show the device was capable of varying the compression force from less than 8lbs to greater than 1000lbs when the pole plates were 0.050" apart. Simulations were compared against test data with good correlation. Possible applications of this technology include primary suspension components, auxiliary suspension bump stops, and other vibration isolation components, as MR Pouches are scalable depending on the application and force requirements.
The amino acid sequence of alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) myoglobin phylogenetic implications

The amino acid sequence of myoglobin from cardiac muscle of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) was established by alignment of overlapping peptides and dansyl-Edman degradation. The chain initiating methonine seems to be retained. Thus, this molecule has 154 amino acid residues rather than 153 as in other tetrapod myoglobins. Maximum parsimony analysis indicated that alligator myoglobin diverges more from both bird and mammal myoglobins than these latter do from each other. The phylogenetic implications are discussed with respect to a possible diphyletic origin for diapsid reptiles.
The two types of correction of absorbed dose estimates for internal emitters

BACKGROUND Two types of correction for absorbed dose (D) estimates are described for clinical applications of internal emitters. The first is appropriate for legal and scientific reasons involving phantom-based estimates; the second is patient-specific and primarily intended for radioimmunotherapy (RIT). METHODS The Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) relationship (D) = S A is used, where S is a geometric matrix factor and A is the integral of source organ activities. Internal consistency of the data and the size of organ systems in the humanoid phantom must be assured in both types of estimation. RESULTS The first dose estimate correction (I) is one whereby computations refer to one or another standard (e.g., MIRD-type) phantom. In this case the S value remains as given, but the measured patient A data must be standardized. The correction factor is the phantom's ratio of organ mass to whole-body mass divided by the same ratio for the volunteer or patient. The second dose estimate correction (II) is patient-specific. While the A value is unchanged for this application, a correction term is provided for the phantom-derived S matrix. The dominant (nonpenetrating radiation) component of this correction factor can be obtained via the ratio of the patient to phantom organ masses. In both corrections, we recommend that true organ sizes, necessary in each method of estimation, be determined in a separate sequence of anatomic images. CONCLUSIONS In both dose estimation corrections, true sizes of the patient's or volunteer's internal organs must be obtained. Correction due to organ mass size can be severalfold and is probably the dominant uncertainty in the internal emitter absorbed dose calculation process. Cancer 2002;94:1231–4. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10290
Rating Electronic Games Violence is in the Eye of the Beholder

Commercial ratings assist parents in monitoring their children's media experiences. Exposure to media violence may affect attitudes and behavior, and rating systems should accurately reflect the presence of violent content. Validity indicators for commercial rating systems are examined, including consistency with consumer perceptions. Violent electronic games are a contemporary media phenomenon. A comparison of commercial ratings for popular electronic games with consumer perceptions of game content indicates that, for games with obviously nonviolent or very violent content, there is agreement between consumers and the commercial system. However, there is considerable disagreement about notable violent content in games with cartoon-type violence. Recommendations include incorporating consumer perceptions into a comprehensive, content-based, informational rating system for all entertainment media.
Sympathetic nervous system and glioma growth

C-6 glioma cells possess beta-adrenergic receptors on the cell surface. Activation of beta-adrenergic receptors with beta-adrenergic agonists increases intracellular levels of cAMP and leads to differentiation of C-6 glioma cells in vitro. The present study shows that growth of C-6 glioma tumor in rats with ablated sympathetic nervous system is augmented as compared to controls. Lack of normal noradrenergic stimulation of C-6 glioma cells may lower intracellular cAMP and allow unrestricted growth of this tumor.
Transcriptional regulation of multidrug resistance in breast cancer.

The development of cross-resistance to many natural product anticancer drugs, termed multidrug resistance (MDR), is one of the major reasons why cancer chemotherapy ultimately fails. This type of MDR is often associated with over-expression of theMDR1 gene product, P-glycoprotein (Pgp), a multifunctional drug transporter. The expression of MDR in breast tumors is related to their origination from a tissue that constitutively expresses Pgp as well as to the development of resistance during successive courses of chemotherapy. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that regulate the transcriptional activation ofMDR1 may afford a means of reducing or eliminating MDR. We have found thatMDR1 expression can be modulated by type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), opening up the possibility of modulating MDR by selectively down-regulating the activity of PKA-dependent transcription factors which upregulateMDR1 expression. High levels of type I PKA occurs in primary breast carcinomas and patients exhibiting this phenotype show decreased survival. The selective type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitors, 8-Cl-cAMP and Rp8-Cl-cAMP[S] may be particularly useful for downregulating PKA-dependent MDR-associated transcription factors, and we have found these compounds to downregulate transient expression of a reporter gene under the control of severalMDR1 promoter elements. Thus, investigations of this nature should not only lead to a greater understanding of the mechanisms governing the expression of MDR, but also provide a focus for pharmacologic intervention by a new class of inhibitors.
Reduction clitoroplasty in females with hypertrophied clitoris.

Abstract There is constantly a better understanding of the variety of congenital malformations of the genitalia which comes under the heading of intersexual abnormalities. Prompt recognition of these anomalies can now lead to correct sex assignment shortly after birth, minimizing the anatomical, psychological and social problems for these individuals in later life. For female babies born with an enlarged clitoris, total clitorectomy has become an established procedure. It has been shown that the clitoris is not essential for adequate sexual function, but its preservation would seem to be desirable if this could be achieved while maintaining satisfactory appearance and function. Operations to reduce or cover the enlarged clitoris without removing it have been suggested in the past, 1–3 Certain drawbacks of these procedures have prompted our search for a surgical technique which would preserve the clitoris in its anatomical position, yet permit the reconstruction of normal female contours during the important growing years of childhood. An operation has been devised which we believe meets these requirements. Our experience with this procedure over the past five years and its postoperative evaluation in female patients is reported here.
Mechanism of precocious puberty in McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS)

The hypotheses to explain precocious puberty in the MAS include premature pubertal gonadotropin secretion, and autonomous ovarian estradiol (E2) secretion without gonadotropin (LH and FSH) activation. We have used the observation that luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs suppress LH and FSH to prepubertal levels (Clin Res 29:504A,1981) to test the hypothesis of autonomous ovarian E2 secretion in MAS. A 5 y/o female presented with classic MAS (cafe-au-lait spots, polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, and precocious puberty). She was treated with D-Trp6-Pro9-NEt-LHRH (LHRHa), 4 μg/kg/s.c. daily, a regimen which decreases LH, FSH and E2 to prepubertal levels in all females with idiopathic precocious puberty (IPP). Results (mean±SE) are shown below. LHRH-stimulated gonadotropins remained <3mIU/ml throughout therapy. In contrast to IPP, this patient with MAS had marked cyclic E2 elevations during LHRHa therapy with no change of gonadotropins. E2 appeared to correlate with ovarian cyst size by ultrasound. We conclude that in MAS changes in ovarian estradiol secretion appear to be independent of changes in plasma gonadotropin concentration.
Oxygen-linked hydrogen ion binding of canine blood.

Decrease in hemoglobin oxygen saturation without change of true blood baseexcess results in an increase in calculated base-excess because of differences in acidity between oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin. We have determined the mean ± SE canine base-excess correction coefficient to be 0.43±0.01 mmol base per mmol heme, a value approximately 34% higher than the corresponding value for human hemoglobin.
Silicones in Chesapeake Bay sediments

Abstract Sediment samples from the upper reaches to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay were analysed for extractable organic silicon (silicone) content. Organic silicon in the sediments ranged from less than 0.2 to some 36 ppm, w/w. In general, silicone tended to accumulate in high depositional areas: the northern bay, and along the shores to the south. While present, anthropogenic inputs in terms of defined source were not clear. It appears that processes in the bay act to rapidly remove silicone from the water column, probably on a function of the flocculation/precipitation of seston, especially in the northern area.
How Stress Management Improves Quality of Life after Treatment for Breast Cancer.

The range of effects of psychosocial interventions on quality of life among women with breast cancer remains uncertain. Furthermore, it is unclear which components of multimodal interventions account for such effects. To address these issues, the authors tested a 10-week group cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention among 199 women newly treated for nonmetastatic breast cancer, following them for 1 year after recruitment. The intervention reduced reports of social disruption and increased emotional well-being, positive states of mind, benefit finding, positive lifestyle change, and positive affect for up to 12 months (indeed, some effects strengthened over time). With respect to mechanisms tested, the intervention increased confidence in being able to relax at will. There was also evidence that effects of the intervention on the various outcomes examined were mediated by change in confidence about being able to relax. Thus, this intervention had beneficial effects on diverse aspects of quality of life after treatment for breast cancer, which appear linked to a specific stress management skill taught in the intervention.
A short circuit in thermohaline circulation: A cause for northern hemisphere glaciation?

The cause of Northern Hemisphere glaciation about 3 million years ago remains uncertain. Closing the Panamanian Isthmus increased thermohaline circulation and enhanced moisture supply to high latitudes, but the accompanying heat would have inhibited ice growth. One possible solution is that enhanced moisture transported to Eurasia also enhanced freshwater delivery to the Arctic via Siberian rivers. Freshwater input to the Arctic would facilitate sea ice formation, increase the albedo, and isolate the high heat capacity of the ocean from the atmosphere. It would also act as a negative feedback on the efficiency of the “conveyor belt” heat pump.
Status and Gender: The Paradox of Progress in an Age of Narcissism

As women have gained status in Western cultures in the last few decades, they have increasingly endorsed stereotypically masculine instrumental/assertive traits. However, men have also endorsed these traits at a higher frequency and show only a weak trend toward embracing more stereotypically feminine expressive/communal traits. Overall, Western cultures have moved toward valuing instrumental/assertive traits and devaluing expressive/communal traits. The paradox of progress is that women’s status has increased at the same time that the expressive/communal traits traditionally ascribed to them have become devalued. Groups aiming to empower girls and women should consider scaling back the emphasis on instrumental/assertive traits and teaching both genders the value of expressive/communal traits.
35-MeV Proton Inelastic Scattering from Low-Lying States in 207 Pb

Differential cross sections for the excitation of the first four excited states in /sup 207/Pb via the inelastic scattering of 35-MeV protons have been compared with microscopic-model predictions. The effects of noncentral forces in a valence orbital model have been investigated and contributions from exchange and core polarization are important. Addition of an imaginary part to the microscopic form factor was also investigated and gave the best predictions of observed transition strengths. (auth)
On-line calibration of traffic prediction models

A methodology for the on-line calibration of the speed-density relationship is formulated as a flexible state-space model. Applicable solution approaches are discussed and three of them (extended Kalman filter (EKF), iterated EKF, and unscented Kalman filter (UKF) are selected and presented in detail. An application of the methodology with freeway sensor data from two networks in Europe and the U.S. is presented. The improvement in the estimation and prediction of speeds due to on-line calibration (compared with the speeds obtained from the off-line calibrated relationship) is demonstrated. The EKF provides the most straightforward solution to this problem, and indeed achieves considerable improvements in estimation and prediction accuracy. The benefits obtained from the -more computationally expensive-iterated EKF algorithm are shown. An innovative solution technique (the UKF) is also presented. The UKF has a number of unique qualities and advantages over the EKF, including no assumption of analytical representation of the model and no need for explicit computation of derivatives. Empirical results suggest that the UKF outperforms the other two solution techniques in prediction accuracy.
Renal palmitate transport: possible sites for interaction with a plasma membrane fatty acid-binding protein

In previous studies from this laboratory [14], a mediated transport system for long chain fatty acids was observed in rat renal basolateral membrane vesicles. Transport was measured in the absence of albumin and indicated the presence of a Na+ independent anion exchange mechanism. The present experiments were done to characterize renal transport of fatty acids derived from fatty acid-albumin complexes. 3H-palmitate uptake by brush border (BBMV) and basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) isolated from rat renal cortex was determined using a rapid filtration technique. All incubation media contained 100 µM 3H-palmitate complexed to 100 µM bovine serum albumin. Up to 65% of initially bound fatty acid-albumin complexes were displaceable by washing with solution containing 0.1% albumin. Total palmitate uptake was measured as the remaining non-displaceable radioactivity. In BBMV in low ionic strength (300 mM mannitol) or ionic buffers (100mM mannitol + 100mM NaCl or KCl), total palmitate uptake at 15sec did not differ from equilibrium (60 min) values of 10–11 nmoles/mg protein. Uptake was primarily due to binding. A similar pattern was seen with BLMV in 300mM mannitol buffer. In BLMV in 100 mM NaCl or KCl buffers, equilibrium uptake was 10-fold lower than at 15 sec. This suggests binding followed by cation-dependent translocation. If a putative FABPPM is involved in transport only, its presence should be confined to BLMV.
Computation of spherical harmonic expansion coefficients via FFT's

Abstract A method for numerically expanding an arbitrary function on the sphere in a series of spherical harmonics which makes use of the speed of a fast Fourier transform is described. Discussions of the operation count, storage requirements, accuracy, and an algebraic and a numerical example are included. A comparison with straightforward integration is made throughout. Also, a new method for evaluating the spherical harmonics is discussed.
Measurement of oxidation in plasma Lp(a) in CAPD patients using a novel ELISA

Measurement of oxidation in plasma Lp(a) in CAPD patients using a novel ELISA. Background LGE 2 is produced by the cyclooxygenase- or free radical-mediated modification of arachidonate and is formed during the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) with subsequent adduction to lysine residues in apo B. We have developed a sensitive enzyme-linked sandwich immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection and measurement of LGE 2 -protein adducts as an estimate of oxidation of plasma LDL and Lp(a). Methods The assay employs rabbit polyclonal antibodies directed against LGE 2 -protein adducts that form pyrroles, and alkaline phosphatase-conjugated polyclonal antibodies specific for apo B or apo (a). It demonstrates a high degree of specificity, sensitivity and validity. Results Epitopes characteristic for LGE 2 -pyrroles were quantified in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) that had undergone continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and in a gender- and age-matched control population. In addition to finding that both LDL and Lp(a) levels were elevated in CAPD patients, we also found that plasma Lp(a) but not LDL was more oxidized in CAPD patients when compared to corresponding lipoproteins from healthy subjects. Using density gradient ultracentrifugation of plasma samples, we found that modified Lp(a) floats at the same density as total Lp(a). Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that oxidation of plasma Lp(a) is a characteristic of ESRD patients undergoing CAPD. This ELISA may be useful for further investigations on oxidation of lipoproteins in the circulation of specific patient populations.