cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacologically induced erect penile length and stretched penile lengh are both good predictors of post-inflatable prosthesis penile length

Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) remains the gold standard for the surgical treatment of refractory erectile dysfunction; however, current literature to aid surgeons on how best to counsel patients on their postoperative inflated penile length is lacking. The aim of this study was to identify preoperative parameters that could better predict postoperative penile length following insertion of an IPP. Twenty men were enrolled in a prospective study examining penile lengths before and after IPP surgery. Patients with Peyronie’s disease were excluded from this analysis. Baseline preoperative characteristics, including body mass index, history of hypertension, diabetes, Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores and/or prior radical prostatectomy were recorded. All patients underwent implantation with a three-piece inflatable Coloplast penile prosthesis. We compared stretched penile length to pharmacologically induced erect lengths. Postoperatively, we measured inflated penile lengths at 6 weeks and assessed patients’ perception of penile size at 12 weeks. The median (±interquartile range) stretched penile length and pharmacologically induced erect penile length was 15 (±3) and 14.25 (±2) cm, respectively (P=0.5). Median post-prosthesis penile length (13.5±2.13 cm) was smaller than preoperative pharmacologically induced length (P=0.02) and preoperative stretched penile length (P=0.01). The majority of patients (70%) had a decrease in penile length (median loss 0.5±1.5 cm); however, this loss was perceptible by 43% of men. Stretched penile length and pharmacologically induced erect penile length were equally good predictors of postoperative inflated length (Spearman’s correlation 0.8 and 0.9, respectively). Pharmacologically induced erect penile length and stretched penile lengths are equal predictors of post-prosthesis penile length. The majority of men will experience some decrease in penile length following prosthesis implantation; however <50% report a subjective loss of penile length.
HLA-E Is the Ligand for the Natural Killer Cell CD94/NKG2 Receptors

CD94/NKG2 is a recently described receptor present on natural killer (NK) cells and certain T cells that is composed of the CD94 chain covalently associated with a member of the NKG2 family of molecules. Both chains are glycosylated members of the C-type lectin superfamily. The CD94/NKG2 receptors are functionally heterogenous depending on which NKG2 family member is associated with CD94. Initially, it was thought that CD94/NKG2 receptors recognized a broad array of HLA-A, -B and -C (classical), as well as the nonclassical HLA-G, MHC class I molecules. Instead, recent data have suggested that this receptor is specific for HLA-E complexed with a peptide derived from the signal sequence (residues 3–11) of certain classical MHC class I molecules. Position 2 (residue 4) in the signal sequence derived peptides appears pivotal in determining whether the HLA-E/peptide complex confers resistance to NK-mediated lysis. The potential roles that the CD94/NKG2-HLA-E receptor ligand interaction might play in infection and tumor development are discussed.
THE POLLS—TRENDSTHIRD PARTIES AND THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM

Since the late 1960s and early 1970s, there has been much discussion and concern about the stability and strength of the two-party system in America. After David Broder's (1971) declaration that "the party's over," a debate emerged among political scientists and observers over whether the Republicans and Democrats-and partisanship itselfwere indeed in decline. In large part, the focus on party decline has generated ample evidence of increasing voter independence since 1952 (e.g., Beck 1984; Nie, Verba, and Petrocik 1979; Wattenberg 1996), although some controversy remains about whether voters may actually be "covert partisans" (Keith et al. 1992, p. 23). For those looking at general public support for the party system, though, there has been less controversy. As Jack Dennis concluded in a 1975 article that looked at most of the available indicators of party system strength over time, "attitudes toward the parties and the evaluations of the importance of the party institution show, with few exceptions, a general state of low public regard and legitimation" (p. 218). While some have argued that the Republicans and Democrats have revitalized organizationally and have become increasingly competitive (e.g., Herrnson 1994; Reichley 1994), few would conclude that, generally speaking, the major parties and the two-party system are as sacred to the American public today as they once were. Recently, the discussion of party system instability has taken on a new twist with the emergence of Ross Perot and the increasing activity of third parties and independent candidates. While the candidacies of George Wallace and John Anderson in the 1968 and 1980 presidential elections attracted some attention to the existent strains in the system, it was not until Perot's surprising 19 percent showing in 1992 that the cracks in the two-party armor began to be fully apparent and alternatives to the Republicans and Democrats credibly considered. Following Perot, a number of political observers-Theodore Lowi (1994) and Gordon Black and Benjamin Black (1994) among them-began to ar-
Dynamic-gain-tilt-free S-band optical amplifiers employing silica-based phosphorous/alumina-codoped EDFs designed for multi-wavelength photonic networks

Abstract This paper presents S-band optical amplification using silica-based phosphorous (P)/alumina (Al)-codoped EDF. As a result of the glass composition examination, both the sufficiently high concentration of P and the slight concentration of Al have been shown to be desirable for effective S-band amplification. Employing the best EDF with P of 11 weight (wt)% and Al of less than 1 wt%, two types of S-band EDFAs have been demonstrated. In the four-stage configuration EDFA without gain flattening filters, a gain enhancement of about 9 dB has been achieved over the wavelength range of 1491–1502 in comparison with conventional Al-codoped EDF. In the gain-flattened eight-stage configuration, the power conversion efficiency of 11.5% has been achieved, which is about twice of that of the previous work using the Al codoped EDF. Moreover, the gain ripple over the wavelength range of 1495–1520 nm has consistently been less than 1.3 dBp-p over the 8-dB dynamic range under the automatic level control. Namely, the dynamic-gain-tilt-free operation without any active control scheme has been demonstrated for the first time to the best of our knowledge.
A Novel Nuclear Receptor Heterodimerization Pathway Mediated by Orphan Receptors TR2 and TR4

A unique heterodimerization pathway involving orphan receptors TR2 and TR4 is demonstrated. TR2 and TR4 preferentially form heterodimers in solution as well as on DNA elements containing a direct repeat-5 (DR5). The in vitrointeraction between TR2 and TR4 is demonstrated by the yeast and the mammalian two-hybrid interaction assays, the pull-down assay, and the gel mobility shift assay. The in vivo interaction is demonstrated by following the intracellular localization of fusion receptors tagged with a green fluorescent protein. The dimerization is mediated by the ligand binding domains, and the three leucine residues on helix 10 of TR2 are critical for this interaction. In addition, coexpression of these two receptors exerts a much stronger repressive activity on a DR5-containing reporter than expressing either receptor alone. In the developing testis, TR2 and TR4 are coexpressed in the same testicular cell populations and exhibit a parallel pattern of expression along development. The preferential heterodimerization between TR2 and TR4 and their coexistence in specific germ cell populations suggest a physiological role of TR2/TR4 heterodimers in germ cell development.
Writing Development Over Time: Examining Preservice Teachers' Attitudes and Beliefs About Writing

Since writing ability has been found to be a key indicator of school success and successful participation in the workplace, it is important for preservice teachers to receive effective preparation in the area of writing. Reflecting on personal writing experiences allows preservice teachers to examine their own attitudes and beliefs about writing and the effects their attitudes and beliefs may have on their pedagogical decisions in the future. This article describes the findings from two focus groups conducted with preschool and elementary preservice teachers during which participants examined their attitudes towards writing that have developed over time and their plans for future writing instruction. The following three broad themes emerged related to key influences in the development of positive and negative attitudes towards writing: (a) having writing published or showcased increases positive attitudes towards writing, (b) creative opportunities and process-oriented teaching strategies provide the most...
Calcium-induced interaction of phospholipid vesicles and bilayer lipid membranes

The interaction of unilamellar phospholipid vesicles with bilayer lipid membranes has been studied by observing the electrical conductance of the planar membrane. The presence of phosphatidylcholine vesicles as well as phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylserine (1 : 1) vesicles on one side compartment of the bilayer membrane, but not phosphatidylserine vesicles, causes discrete fluctuations in the phosphatidylserine membrane conductance, which is also increased by at least an order of magnitude. These events are dependent on vesicle concentration as well as the presence of Ca2+. The results are interpreted in terms of the incorporation of domains of phosphatidylcholine into the membrane, which confer a higher conductance state.
Does the presence of thrombus seen on a coronary angiogram affect the outcome after percutaneous coronary angioplasty? An Angiographic Trials Pool data experience.

Abstract OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine whether pre-existing angiographic thrombus was associated with adverse in-hospital and six-month outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions. BACKGROUND There are conflicting data about whether pre-existing thrombus is an independent predictor of adverse in-hospital and short-term outcome after coronary interventions. METHODS The Angiographic Trials Pool, a data set derived from eight prospective randomized trials, was analyzed. The study population consisted of 7,917 patients who underwent coronary interventions between 1986 and 1995. Two trials were excluded because they did not collect information regarding thrombus. Patients from the other six trials were divided on the basis of the presence or absence of thrombus. RESULTS In patients with (n = 2,752) and without (5,165) thrombus, in-hospital mortality following angioplasty was low (0.8 vs. 0.6%, p = 0.207). Several adverse outcomes were higher in patients with thrombus: death/myocardial infarction (8.4 vs. 5.5%, p ≤ 0.001), in-hospital abrupt closure (5.9 vs. 3.9%, p ≤ 0.001) and an in-hospital composite of death, myocardial infarction and/or repeat revascularization (15.4 vs. 11.2%, p ≤ 0.001). Six-month mortality was low and comparable between the two groups (2.1 vs. 1.8%, p = 0.34), but the incidence of six-month death/myocardial infarction was higher in patients with thrombus (11.7 vs. 8.7%, p ≤ 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous coronary angioplasty can be performed with low mortality in patients with pre-existing thrombus, although these patients are at higher risk of in-hospital and six-month death/myocardial infarction. Continued efforts are required to optimize the outcome in these high risk patients.
Clinical significance of central nervous system involvement at diagnosis of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia: a single institution's experience

To determine the clinical significance of central nervous system (CNS) involvement at the time of diagnosis of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we analyzed clinical features and outcomes of 290 patients treated consecutively on four institutional trials (AML80, AML83, AML87, and AML91). CNS status was classified as CNS1 (no blast cells in CSF; n=205), CNS2 ( /=5 WBC/mul CSF with blast cells, or signs of CNS involvement; n=48). Patients with CNS3 status were significantly younger than others (P=0.016) and significantly more likely to have the favorable cytogenetic features t(9;11), t(8;21), or inv(16) (P<0.001). The CNS3 group had a significantly greater probability (+/-s.e.) of 5-year event-free survival (43.7+/-7.0%) than did the CNS1 (27.8+/-3.2%, P=0.015) and CNS2 (24.3+/-7.5%, P=0.032) groups. However, after adjustment for favorable genetic features, there was no significant difference in EFS between the CNS3 and the combined CNS1+CNS2 groups (P=0.075). In all, 10 of 151 patients treated on AML80 and AML83, but none of 139 treated on AML87 and AML91, had primary CNS relapse. CNS involvement had no adverse prognostic significance, and patients with CNS2 status had similar outcome to CNS1 patients in this large group of pediatric patients with AML, treated at a single institution.
Coexistence of Myeloproliferative Neoplasm and Plasma-Cell Dyscrasia

Abstract Introduction Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) include polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), and are characterized by clonal proliferation of hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow. There are numerous case reports and reviews reporting patients with coexisting MPN and plasma-cell disease such as multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Methods We report 15 patients treated at our institution over a 5-year period (January 2008 to December 2012) with a diagnosis of both an MPN and MGUS or MM. We also reviewed and summarized published case reports and studies describing the coexistence of these two disease entities. Results Most patients (12/15) had an MPN diagnosis made before or at the same time as the MGUS/MM diagnosis. Eventually, 2 patients developed a lymphoid leukemia, 1 patient developed lymphoma, and 1 patient developed acute myeloid leukemia, raising the question of whether patients with coexistence of myeloid- and lymphoid-derived neoplasms are more prone to leukemic or lymphomatous transformation. We did not find any treatment-related effect that could have contributed to the development of coexisting MGUS or MM and MPN. Of the 7 patients with an abnormal karyotype, 3 patients had trisomy 8. Conclusion At present, management strategies are aimed at treating the MPN and regularly monitoring the MGUS for transformation to an overt plasma-cell malignancy. However, for patients who develop overt MM, management is focused more on treating the myeloma and monitoring the MPN. It has not yet been definitively shown that these 2 entities arise from a common-ancestor hematopoietic stem cell.
Diverse endogenous light chains contribute to basement membrane reactivity in nonautoimmune mice transgenic for an anti-laminin Ig heavy chain.

Basement membrane proteins are targeted in a variety of pathologic autoimmune responses, yet little is known regarding the origins and regulation of this subset of pathogenic lymphocytes. To examine the generation and fate of B cells reactive with a matrix autoantigen, nonautoimmune C57BL/6 mice were rendered transgenic for a nephrotropic lupus anti-laminin immunoglobulin (Ig) H chain, termed LamH-Cμ. We previously reported recovery of two distinct phenotypes among LamH-Cμ-transgenic mice: progeny of founders M6 and M29 contained abundant transgene-expressing B cells but little anti-laminin Ig, whereas spontaneous autoreactivity was readily recovered from the M7 lineage that expressed minimal B-cell mIgM. To explore the spectrum of autoreactivity generated in vivo by different LamH-Cμ-endogenous L-chain combinations, we determined in vitro and in vivo antigen reactivity and L-chain V-region sequences of 17 LamH-Cμ-transgenic anti-laminin Igs. The results reveal a heterogeneous population of anti-laminin Igs with different fine specificities encoded by diverse endogenous L chains, encompassing nine different Vk gene families, 11 Vk genes, and three Jk genes. Many of the L chains are identical to known or putative unmutated germline Vk genes used to encode Igs reactive with self and foreign antigens in nonautoimmune and genetically autoimmune-prone mouse strains. These observations confirm that the LamH-Cμ H chain plays a dominant role in determining anti-laminin reactivity, and indicate that nonautoimmune B6 mice are fully capable of generating a diverse pool of basement-membrane-reactive B cells using unmutated Ig genes. When interpreted in the context of the divergent M6/M29 and M7 transgenic mouse phenotypes, our findings further suggest that these matrix-reactive lymphocytes are not spontaneously activated in vivo under normal circumstances.
Investigation of approximate methods for calculation of the diffuse radiation configuration view factor between two spheres

Abstract The view factor calculated by a numerical integration procedure is used to evaluate the error involved by using the view factor obtained by various approximate methods, such as: a) the well known spherical point sources approximation, b) a spherical point source approximation utilizing the reciprocity relationship, and c) the closed form integration over the spherical surface, where the cones from any point subtend the other sphere. The approximation (c) is shown to be identical to (b) if the viewed sphere is replaced by an infinitesimal sphere. The regions where the approximate method is accurate to within 1% are determined. Detailed results obtained by numerical integration are presented for the region close to zero separation where all the approximate methods are inaccurate.
DAC at 50: The Second 25 Years

This paper is based on an invited talk presented at the 50th DAC. It provides an interesting analysis of the past 25 years of the EDA industry and the Design Automation Conference by dividing this period into five distinct eras of technological advancements.
Phacoemulsification in eyes with corneal opacification

We describe a technique in which transcorneal illumination with a fiber-optic light probe is used to safely perform phacoemulsification in cataractous eyes with dense corneal opacification. The technique was used in 3 eyes of 3 patients. No surgical complications occurred, and all eyes had improved visual acuity. Indications and further refinement of the technique and instrumentation are discussed.
The impact of solid–fluid interaction on transient stress wave propagation due to Acoustic Emissions in multi-layer plate structures

Abstract In this work the effect of a solid–fluid interaction on stress wave propagation within a composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) was investigated. A modeling approach capable of adequately capturing the multi-physics nature of the solid–fluid interaction is presented, and then validated through comparison to experimental waveforms and time–frequency distributions. With a validated modeling approach, a numerical study on stress wave propagation in COPV structures was undertaken. It was found that the compressibility of the pressurizing media used during the pressure testing of COPVs has an effect on the leakage of the propagating Lamb modes, as well as alternative direct paths that may propagate within the fluid. Results regarding the effects of the most common microstructural deformation mechanisms that occur in composite materials on the detected Lamb modes, as well as on the direct fluid path arrival are presented. Finally, the impact of source depth on the detected Lamb modes and the direct fluid path arrival was investigated. It was found that information gleaned from the direct fluid path arrival may have the potential for aiding Modal Acoustic Emission practices in source mechanism identification, determination of source orientation, as well as source depth estimation.
A Little Jeitinho in Brazil: A Case Study on International Management:

As more and more American companies have expanded into parts of the world where the moral and ethical values are different from those in the United States, it has become increasingly important for U.S. companies and individuals considering overseas employment to be able to assess adaptability to different cultures. One method for evaluating such flexibility is through a case study that challenges participants to confront difficult moral and ethical dilemmas business people are likely to encounter during foreign assignments. This case study concerns one such dilemma that faces many business people in South America: whether to participate in the practice of bribing officials "to get things done."
Molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 infection in neonatal target cells

HIV-1-infected neonates and infants have a higher viral load and progress to symptomatic AIDS more rapidly than their own infected mothers, as well as other infected adults, with differences in clinical manifestations, recurrent bacterial infections and CNS disorders. Two major reasons have been attributed to this differential HIV pathogenesis and disease; the relative immaturity of the neonate’s immune system and it’s inability to contain the highly replicating and mutating HIV-1, and the more efficient replication of HIV-1 in neonatal cells than in adult target cells. In this context, it has been demonstrated that HIV-1 replicates more efficiently in neonatal (cord) blood monocytes/macrophages and T lymphocytes – including naive and memory T lymphocytes – compared with adult blood cells. We have also determined the mechanisms of the differential HIV-1 replication in cord versus adult blood monocytes/macrophages and T lymphocytes (naive and memory), finding that it was influenced at the level of HIV-1 ge...
Disturbances of Attachment and Parental Psychopathology in Early Childhood

As the field of attachment has expanded over the past four decades, the perturbations in the relational context which give rise to disturbances of attachment are increasingly, though by no means conclusively, understood. In Part I, this article reviews the historical and current state of research regarding normative attachment classification, the diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder, and the proposed categories of Secure Base Distortions and Disrupted Attachment Disorder. In Part II, the article explores the role of parental psychopathology and the manner in which disturbed caregiver self-regulation leads to disturbances in the mutual regulation between caregiver and infant. The question of the relationship between particular types of maternal pathology and particular forms of attachment disturbance is examined through recent research on the association between maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Atypical Maternal Behavior, and child scores on the Disturbances of Attachment Interview (DAI). The authors present original research findings to support that the presence and severity of maternal violence-related PTSD were significantly associated with secure base distortion in a community pediatrics sample of 76 mothers and preschool-age children. Clinical implications and recommendations for treatment of attachment disturbances conclude the article.
FREE SPHINGOSINES IN ORAL EPITHELIUM

Free sphinogosines, intermediates in the biosynthesis of ceramides and inhibitors of protein kinase C, have been found to be present in significant concentrations in epidermis and oral epithelia of the pig (Sus scrofa). Concentrations of sphingosines were higher in the outer portion of epidermis (4.4 mg/g), palatal epithelium (3.9 mg/g) and buccal epithelium (0.7 mg/g) compared to the inner portion of the epithelia (1.0, 0.9 and 0.4 mg/g, respectively). Free sphingosines may provide antimicrobial activity at the epithelial surfaces, and the sphingosine gradient may modulate epithelial differentiation.
Tackling the Investment Decision as a "Newsvendor Problem"

The newsvendor model is a classic approach to determining how to set appropriate inventory levels for products whose value is perishable. While the newsvendor analysis does not yield the richness of data found in a simulation-based model, newsvendor analysis provides a relatively simple way to determine inventory levels.
Foreign body aspiration in a child with unilateral lung aplasia.

OBJECTIVE To present a case of foreign body aspiration in a child with unilateral lung aplasia and successful removal of the foreign body by bedside flexible bronchoscopy. DATA SOURCE Case details were obtained from medical records. STUDY SELECTION Eighteen-month-old girl with unilateral lung aplasia. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Demographic details (age) and clinical and biochemical data (blood gas) were obtained from medical records. An 18-mo-old girl with the diagnosis of right lung aplasia, who underwent aortopexy in the newborn period for severe respiratory distress, presented with acute-onset respiratory distress. The patient was treated with bronchodilators and steroids without success and rapidly progressed to respiratory failure. Flexible bronchoscopy done at the bedside showed a foreign body completely obstructing the left main bronchus. The rigid bronchoscopy was unsuccessful in extracting the foreign body because of the complex airway anatomy. The foreign body was successfully extracted by basket forceps via a flexible bronchoscope, and the patient recovered remarkably within few hours of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS Because foreign body aspiration in a child with a unilateral lung can result in abrupt respiratory compromise and death, a high index of suspicion is necessary when these children present with acute respiratory symptoms. Although rigid bronchoscopy is the procedure of choice for the removal of foreign bodies, flexible bronchoscopy may be necessary for patients with abnormal airway anatomy.
A 2-D finite element method for water infiltration in a subfreezing snowpack with a moving surface boundary during melting

Abstract The Galerkin finite element method was applied to solve the equations governing the physical processes of snowmelting and infiltration of meltwater in a subfreezing snowpack. The numerical model formulation is presented. The solution domain was discretized into 3-node triangular elements. However, the snowpack melting was calculated by 2-node linear elements accompanied by the corresponding 4-node quadrilateral elements along the melting surface within the same meshing system. Equations which govern the surface melting, the water flow, the local and the global heat conductions were coupled and solved within the same time step. The nodes on the moving snow surface were allowed to move to allow for the snowpack thinning during melting. The hydraulic and thermal properties of snow were updated based on the snow bulk density change due to meltwater refreezing. Various simulations were presented and compared for the purpose of identifying dominant effects of the physical system under complex snowmelting scenarios. The model is able to simulate the growth of thin ice crusts near the snowpack surface. The sensitivity analysis shows that the cold content of snow is the major influencing factor which controls the space-time behavior of water infiltration in a subfreezing snowpack.
A case study in planning staff development. What do teachers really need

Through individual interviews and small focus groups, teachers, support staff, parents, students and administrators participated in a training needs assessment (TNA). The purpose of the TNA was to seek information about actual or current performance of teachers signing skills, the optimal performance desired, feelings, causes of performance problems and possible solutions from a variety of perspectives. All TNA participants provided information about how the program may help to motivate, facilitate and enhance teachers' communication skills in the classroom. The use of the TNA was an effort to collaborate with teachers rather than criticize them for their level of signing skills. The case study demonstrated that staff development alone was not the remedy for performance problems and that other factors contributed to teacher performance.
Structure of acostatin, a dimeric disintegrin from Southern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix), at 1.7 Å resolution

Disintegrins are a family of small (4–14 kDa) proteins that bind to another class of proteins, integrins. Therefore, as integrin inhibitors, they can be exploited as anticancer and antiplatelet agents. Acostatin, an αβ heterodimeric disintegrin, has been isolated from the venom of Southern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix). The three-dimensional structure of acostatin has been determined by macromolecular crystallography using the molecular-replacement method. The asymmetric unit of the acostatin crystals consists of two heterodimers. The structure has been refined to an R_(work) and R_(free) of 18.6% and 21.5%, respectively, using all data in the 20–1.7 A resolution range. The structure of all subunits is similar and is well ordered into N-terminal and C-terminal clusters with four intramolecular disulfide bonds. The overall fold consists of short β-sheets, each of which is formed by a pair of antiparallel β-strands connected by β-turns and flexible loops of different lengths. Conformational flexibility is found in the RGD loops and in the C-terminal segment. The interaction of two N-terminal clusters via two intermolecular disulfide bridges anchors the αβ chains of the acostatin dimers. The C-terminal clusters of the heterodimer project in opposite directions and form a larger angle between them in comparison with other dimeric disintegrins. Extensive interactions are observed between two heterodimers, revealing an αββα acostatin tetramer. Further experiments are required to identify whether the αββα acostatin complex plays a functional role in vivo.
Social issues in organizations

Social issues in organizations represents one of the most often discussed underpinnings in information systems research throughout the tenure of the IS field. Social issues are those research topics most aligned with the human factor in terms of information systems planning, development and utilization. This minitrack was designed to include all aspects of social issues that are impacted by information technology affecting organizations and inter-organizational structures. This includes the conceptualization of specific social issues and their associated constructs, proposed designs and infrastructures, empirical validation of social models, and case studies illustrating socialization success and failures. Key topics for this minitrack cover areas as diverse as ethics, culture, relationships, human interaction, security, and design. This year, 14 papers were submitted resulting in 6 papers accepted and grouped into two theme areas: (1) trust and relationships and (2) technology acceptance model research.
Fuzzy-neuro Health Monitoring System for HVAC system variable-air-volume unit

For Indoor Smart Grids (ISG), the proper operation of building environmental systems is essential to energy efficiency, so automatic detection and classification of abnormal conditions is important. The application of computational intelligence tools to a building's environmental systems that include the Building Automation System (BAS) and Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) loads, is used to develop Automatic Building Diagnostic Software (ABDS) Tools for health monitoring, fault detection, and diagnostics. A novel Health Monitoring System (HMS) for a Variable Air Volume Unit is developed using fuzzy logic to detect abnormal operating conditions and to generate fault signatures for various fault types. Artificial Neural Network software is applied to fault signatures to classify the fault type. The HMS is tested with simulated data and actual BAS data. The system created was demonstrated to recognize faults and to accurately classify the various fault signatures for test faults of interest.
Identification of Essential Residues in the Type II Hsp40 Sis1 That Function in Polypeptide Binding

Sis1 is an essential yeast Type II Hsp40 protein that assists cytosolic Hsp70 Ssa1 in the facilitation of processes that include translation initiation, the prevention of protein aggregation, and proteasomal protein degradation. An essential function of Sis1 and other Hsp40 proteins is the binding and delivery of non-native polypeptides to Hsp70. How Hsp40s function as molecular chaperones is unknown. The crystal structure of a Sis1 fragment that retains peptide-binding activity suggests that Type II Hsp40s utilize hydrophobic residues located in a solvent-exposed patch on carboxyl-terminal domain I to bind non-native polypeptides. To test this model, amino acid residues Val-184, Leu-186, Lys-199, Phe-201, Ile-203, and Phe-251, which form a depression in carboxyl-terminal domain I, were mutated, and the ability of Sis1 mutants to support cell viability and function as molecular chaperones was examined. We report that Lys-199, Phe-201, and Phe-251 are essential for cell viability and required for Sis1 polypeptide binding activity. Sis1 I203T could support normal cell growth, but when purified it exhibited severe defects in chaperone function. These data identify essential residues in Sis1 that function in polypeptide binding and help define the nature of the polypeptide-binding site in Type II Hsp40 proteins.
Oxygen self-diffusion in diopside with application to cooling rate determinations

Abstract The kinetics of oxygen self-diffusion in a natural diopside have been measured over the temperature range 700–1250°C. Experiments were run under hydrothermal conditions using 18 O-enriched water. Profiles of 18 O/( 16 O+ 18 O) versus depth into the crystal were obtained using an ion microprobe. At 1000 bars (100 MPa) confining pressure, the Arrhenius relation for diffusion parallel to the c crystallographic direction yields a pre-exponential factor ( D 0 ) = 1.5 × 10 −6 cm 2 /s and an activation energy ( Q ) = 54 ± 5 kcal/g-atom O (226 kJ/g-atom O) over the temperature range of the experiments. Diffusion coefficients parallel to the c crystallographic direction are ≈ 100 times greater than perpendicular to c . The oxygen self-diffusion coefficient obtained for diopside is ≈ 1000 times less than that for diffusion in feldspars, and ≈ 100 times less than that for quartz at 800°C, transport parallel to the c axis. Closure temperatures calculated for oxygen diffusional exchange in natural diopside are significantly higher than for quartz or feldspars. Measurable oxygen isotope exchange in diopside by diffusion would require geological settings with very high temperatures maintained for very long durations. The oxygen diffusional exchange kinetics in diopside presented in this paper find important applications in studies of meteoric hydrothermal circulation systems and the time-temperature history of high-grade regionally metamorphosed terrains. Examples considered include the Outer Unlayered Gabbro, Cuillins Gabbro Complex, Isle of Skye, Scotland, and the granulite-grade Turpentine Hill Metamorphics near Einasleigh, Queensland, Australia.
Adrenocortical response to the 48-hour ACTH test in myxedema and hyperthyroidism.

ABSTRACT The response of urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OH-CS) and 17- ketosteroids (17-KS) to the standard 48-hour intravenous ACTH test was investigated in 12 patients with hyperthyroidism and in 9 with myxedema. Control values for urinary 17-OH-CS were low in myxedema and slightly elevated in hyperthyroidism. Control values for urinary 17-KS were low in both myxedema and hyperthyroidism. In hyperthyroidism, there was a normal response of urinary 17-OH-CS excretion on the first day of ACTH stimulation but no further increase on the second day. This indicates some degree of impairment of adrenocortical reserve. In myxedema, the patients could be classified into 2 categories. One group exhibited a subnormal urinary steroid response on both days of ACTH stimulation, whereas the other group showed a normal response on the first day but a supra-normal response on the second day; moreover the elevated urinary 17-OH-CS persisted on the day following cessation of ACTH. It is suggested that in hyperthyroi...
Buoyant Density Studies of Chloroplast and Nuclear Deoxyribonucleic Acid from Control and 3-Amino-1,2,4-Triazole-treated Wheat Seedlings, Triticum vulgare

The isolation of chloroplast and nuclear DNA from dark- and light-grown, control- and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole-treated wheat seedlings, Triticum vulgare, is described. Contrary to a previous report, we found that chloroplast and nuclear DNA had similar buoyant densities (1.702 grams per cubic centimeter) and that they could not be resolved by buoyant density centrifugation in CsCl. Difference in renaturation behavior of the chloroplast and nuclear DNA was used as the criterion for distinguishing one from the other. Only chloroplast DNA readily renatured whereas nuclear DNA renatured only slightly. Light-grown, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole-treated plants were found to lack detectable quantities of chloroplast DNA whereas treated, dark-grown plants contained plastid DNA. We suggest that 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole affects the accumulation of chloroplast DNA by inhibiting the formation of chloroplast membranes, enzymes, and pigments.
Building facade detection, segmentation, and parameter estimation for mobile robot stereo vision

Building facade detection is an important problem in computer vision, with applications in mobile robotics and semantic scene understanding. In particular, mobile platform localization and guidance in urban environments can be enabled with accurate models of the various building facades in a scene. Toward that end, we present a system for detection, segmentation, and parameter estimation of building facades in stereo imagery. The proposed method incorporates multilevel appearance and disparity features in a binary discriminative model, and generates a set of candidate planes by sampling and clustering points from the image with Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC), using local normal estimates derived from Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to inform the planar models. These two models are incorporated into a two-layer Markov Random Field (MRF): an appearance- and disparity-based discriminative classifier at the mid-level, and a geometric model to segment the building pixels into facades at the high-level. By using object-specific stereo features, our discriminative classifier is able to achieve substantially higher accuracy than standard boosting or modeling with only appearance-based features. Furthermore, the results of our MRF classification indicate a strong improvement in accuracy for the binary building detection problem and the labeled planar surface models provide a good approximation to the ground truth planes.
Integrin α8β1 Is Critically Important for Epithelial–Mesenchymal Interactions during Kidney Morphogenesis

We present genetic evidence that integrins regulate epithelial–mesenchymal interactions during organogenesis. Mice with a mutation in the α8 gene do not express the integrin α8β1 and exhibit profound deficits in kidney morphogenesis. In wild-type animals, inductive interactions between the ureteric epithelium and metanephric mesenchyme are essential for kidney morphogenesis. In α8 mutant homozygotes, growth and branching of the ureteric bud and recruitment of mesenchymal cells into epithelial structures are defective. Consistent with these phenotypes, α8 expression is induced in mesenchymal cells upon contact with the ureter. Since none of its previously identified ligands appears likely to mediate the essential functions of α8β1 in kidney morphogenesis, we have used an α8β1–alkaline phosphatase chimera to localize novel ligand(s) in the growing ureter. The distribution of these ligand(s) makes them strong candidates for regulators of kidney morphogenesis.
Renal response to saline infusion in chicks of Leach's storm petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa)

The renal response to infusion of three different saline solutions was studied in chicks of Leach's storm petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa). Each of the solutions (125 mmol·1-1 NaCl at 5.3 ml·h-1, 250 mmol·l-1 NaCl at 2.6 ml·h-1, and 550 mmol·l-1 NaCl at 1.2 ml·h-1) provided the same delivery of Nacl but in different volumes of water. Birds infused with 125 mmol·l-1 NaCl had a glomerular filtration rate of 25.7 ml·h-1, a urine flow rate of 4.4 ml·h-1, and excreted 71% of the infused Na+ load in the urine. With infusion of 250 mmol·l-1 NaCl, the glomerular filtration rate was unchanged (23.3 ml·h-1), but urine flow rate was reduced to 0.93 ml·h-1 and only 35% of the Na+ load was excreted in the urine. Infusion of 550 mmol·l-1 NaCl induced a sharp decrease in glomerular filtration rate (to 3.8 ml·h-1) and urine flow rate (to 0.08 ml·h-1), and only 1.4% of the infused Na+ was excreted in the urine. The contribution of different nephron populations to filtration was assessed by the pattern of staining of glomeruli by alcian blue infused during the last 30 min of the saline infusion. The numbers of stained glomeruli did not differ between birds infused with 125 and 250 mmol·l-1 NaCl (59000 and 55000 glomeruli per kidney, respectively), and the patterns of staining were similar for birds in these two groups. Birds infused with 550 mmol·l-1 NaCl had lighter staining overall and fewer stained glomeruli (37000 per kidney). This absence of staining was predominant in the smaller size classes of glomeruli, suggesting a selective shutdown of smaller (reptilian-type) nephrons during times of osmotic challenge in these birds. This may be part of an overall suite of water-conserving strategies employed by these chicks during their long confinement with irregular feeding in the nesting burrow.
Distribution of cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity within the stomatogastric nervous systems of four species of decapod crustacea.

The distribution of cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity was studied in the stomatogastric nervous systems, pericardial organs, and haemolymph of four species of decapod Crustacea, by using immunocytochemical and radioimmunoassay techniques. Whereas cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity was found within the stomatogastric nervous systems of all four species, its distribution in each is unique. Two species (Panulirus interruptus and Homarus americanus) have cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity within fibers and neuropil of the stomatogastric ganglion (STG); two other species (Cancer antenarius and Procambarus clarkii) do not. Further, the cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity within the STGs of Panulirus and Homarus arise from distinct structures; from a projection of anterior ganglia in Panulirus, and from somata within the posterior motor nerves in Homarus. The staining in the other ganglia of the stomatogastric nervous system also shows some interspecies variability, although it appears to be more highly conserved than staining within the STG. These differences in staining were confirmed by measuring the amount of CCK-like peptide present in tissue extracts of ganglia by radioimmunoassay. In contrast to the variable staining within the STG, all four species have cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity within the neurosecretory pericardial organs and thoracic segmental nerves. This cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity is contained within fibers and within varicosities that coat the surface of these structures. The location of this staining and the presence of detectible levels of CCK-like peptide in the haemolymph suggests that CCK-like peptides in decapod Crustacea may be utilized as neurohormones.
Capture Efficiency of Barbed versus Barbless Artificial Flies for Trout

Abstract I examined the capture efficiency of artificial flies fished with barbed and barbless hooks in various coldwater fisheries throughout California. Capture efficiency was defined as the proportion of trout (family Salmonidae) landed to the total number of trout hooked while angling. Waters were selected based on high catch per unit effort along with trout species present in an effort to increase the probability of encounters and the species represented. Artificial flies were standardized by J-style hooks and three artificial fly types (dry, nymph, and streamer). In an effort to reduce bias, anglers were not told what hook type (i.e., barbed or barbless) they were using and were not allowed to handle or visually inspect flies. A total of 1,617 trout were landed with a mean total length of 213 mm and a range of 64–660 mm. Mean capture efficiency (and ranges) was 76% (38–100%) for anglers using barbed flies and 63% (0–100%) for anglers using barbless flies. Results show that anglers using barbless fli...
Radical Criminology and Marxism: A Fallible Relationship:

Two kinds of skepticism-increasingly prevalent in recent social commentary -have spread to criminology. The skepticism of science subjects all ideas to relentless questioning. Another kind of skepticism is colored by political partisanship. In various forms, radical criminology has gained new visibility recently. This paper welcomes this development when it conveys scientific skepticism beyond the "gadfly" functions of partisan skepticism. Among the versions of radical criminology, the Marxist approach blurs the distinction between the two kinds of skepticism and has other characteristics which illustrate the special difficulties for radical criminologists endeavoring to develop a genuine critical theory. Marx had little interest in criminology, requiring his disciples to tear his concepts out of context. Marxian thought has its own contradictions. Consequently, radical criminology is ambivalent in its rejection of liberal values, in presenting subjectivism as the equivalent of scientific analysis of crim...
Elemental analysis of metals under water using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been evaluated for the detection of metals located under water. Repetitive laser sparks were formed on the metals by focused pulses from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm). Using repetitive single sparks (RSS) at 10 Hz, only weak elemental emission signals were generated from even strongly emitting species at high concentrations (e.g. Al(I) from commercially pure aluminum). The spectrum in these cases was dominated by spectrally broad emissions (continuum radiation) from the plume ( T K ). The use of a repetitive spark pair (RSP), however, produced a plasma ( T ∼ 8,880 K ) on the second pulse useful to monitor the elemental composition of the metals. In the RSP, a pair of pulses was focused on the metals at 10 Hz with the separation between pulses adjusted from 30 to 180 μs. The pulse pair was generated from a single laser. Only a weak dependence of the emission intensities on the separation between the pulses of the spark pair was observed although signal enhancements over two orders of magnitude were obtained compared to the RSS. Using the RSP, detection limits of 367, 520, 1200, and 1190 ppm were obtained for Cr, Cu, Mn, and Si in steel. Using time-resolved imaging of the laser plumes/plasmas formed on the metal samples under water, some characteristics of the excitation process were evaluated. It was determined that the first pulse of the RSP forms a large bubble or vapor cavity (maximum diameter ∼ 8 mm) on the metal surface which is then interrogated by the second pulse. The second pulse then forms a plasma resulting in excitation similar to that produced by a single laser spark formed on metal in air.