cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Otud7a Knockout Mice Recapitulate Many Neurological Features of 15q13.3 Microdeletion Syndrome

15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome is characterized by a wide spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders, including developmental delay, intellectual disability, epilepsy, language impairment, abnormal behaviors, neuropsychiatric disorders, and hypotonia. This syndrome is caused by a deletion on chromosome 15q, which typically encompasses six genes. Here, through studies on OTU deubiquitinase 7A (Otud7a) knockout mice, we identify OTUD7A as a critical gene responsible for many of the cardinal phenotypes associated with 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome. Otud7a-null mice show reduced body weight, developmental delay, abnormal electroencephalography patterns and seizures, reduced ultrasonic vocalizations, decreased grip strength, impaired motor learning/motor coordination, and reduced acoustic startle. We show that OTUD7A localizes to dendritic spines and that Otud7a-null mice have decreased dendritic spine density compared to their wild-type littermates. Furthermore, frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) is reduced in the frontal cortex of Otud7a-null mice, suggesting a role of Otud7a in regulation of dendritic spine density and glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Taken together, our results suggest decreased OTUD7A dosage as a major contributor to the neurodevelopmental phenotypes associated with 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome, through the misregulation of dendritic spine density and activity.
Clostridium difficile Exposures, Colonization, and the Microbiome: Implications for Prevention

New studies have been published regarding the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile in topics such as asymptomatic C. difficile colonization, community-associated C. difficile infection, environmental contamination outside healthcare settings, animal colonization, and the interactions between C. difficile and the gut microbiome. In addition to summarizing these findings, this review offers a perspective on the potential impact of high-throughput sequencing and other potential techniques on the prevention of C. difficile.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:596-602.
Fracture Mechanisms in Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composites

Carbon nanotubes have been targeted for potential applications ranging from the next generation of computers and flat-panel displays to structural and functional materials. In addition to their wellknown stiffness (> 1 TPa) and strength (∼30 GPa) properties, carbon nanotubes also possess exceptionally high electrical and thermal conductivities, with the axial thermal conductivity near that of crystalline diamond. The unique mechanical and physical properties of nanotubes offer tremendous opportunity for the development of multi-functional composites [1, 2]. Full understanding of the thermo-mechanical behavior of nanotube-based composites, requires knowledge of the elastic and fracture properties of carbon nanotubes as well as interactions at the nanotube/matrix interface. Although this requirement is no different from that in conventional fiber composites [2], the scale of the reinforcement phase diameter has changed from micrometer (e.g. glass and carbon fibers) to nano-meter. The change in reinforcement scale poses new challenges in the development of processing techniques for these composites as well as characterization techniques and methodologies to measure their elastic and fracture behavior.
INTELLIGENCE-BASED DESIGN: A SUSTAINABLE FOUNDATION FOR WORLDWIDE ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION

Architectural theory as currently taught in modern universities throughout the world no longer provides a plausible basis for the discipline and practice of architecture. Students studying within this model are left to their own inventions if they hope to gain an architectural degree. Forced to formulate a body of work constrained by the paradigm of contemporary design, students learn to copy fashionable images without understanding their geometry; or simply invent forms that look as if they possess a contemporary sense of architecture. By their very nature, such forms are irrelevant to human needs and sensibilities. Contrary to what students are led to believe, this practice does not provide a broader base for creativity, but instead effectively restricts choices to a very narrow design vocabulary. Most architectural institutions continue to propagate a curricular model that has sustained their particular ideals and ideologies for decades. While many innovative didactic materials and ideas for revising the architectural curriculum are available today, they are often overlooked or ignored. If implemented, these new ideas could drastically improve the educational model, allowing students the world over to participate in a learning experience specific to their immediate and local context. By re-situating the education of an architect in more practical and contextual terms, we emphasize components of building design that relate directly to human existence, human perception, and the human values and beliefs that have for millennia served to establish culture and identity. A new model of learning is developed here for students wanting to make real architecture, and for educators and practitioners that seek the same. The following proposal is predicated on the knowledge of human interaction with the physical world and the necessity of corporeal engagement with the built environment. Furthermore, our model re-institutes values in the practice and education of architects, values that once sprang forth naturally from local cultures and traditions throughout the world, but which have in recent decades been usurped by the influence of global capital.
Differential effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptor antagonists on spinal release of amino acids after development of acute arthritis in rats

Abstract Following induction of acute knee joint arthritis in rats, an increase in the release of amino acids in the spinal dorsal horn occurs in two phases: (1) at the time of injection for all amino acids tested; and (2) a late prolonged phase for aspartate (Asp) and glutamate (Glu) (3.5–8 h). In the present study, the increased late phase release of Glu was reversed by posttreatment of the spinal cord with the N- methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, AP7, but not with the non-NMDA receptor antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). Asp late phase release in arthritic animals was unaffected by posttreatment of the spinal cord with either AP7 or CNQX. Arthritic animals became hyperalgesic to radiant heat stimuli by 4 h and this hyperalgesia was reversed by both CNQX and AP7. During the paw withdrawal latency (PWL) test for heat hyperalgesia, there was an increase in the glycine (Gly) and serine (Ser) concentrations in the dorsal horn. This increase in Gly and Ser was blocked by both CNOX and AP7. Indications of inflammation in arthritic animals posttreated with AP7, including increased joint circumference and temperature, were similar to animals that did not receive antagonists. Arthritic animals posttreated with CNQX, however, showed a reduction in the degree of joint swelling. Thus, both non-NMDA and NMDA receptors appear to play a role in the processing of the information evoked by stimuli in the periphery. The arthritis-induced release of Gly and Ser during the PWL test for heat hyperalgesia appears to be dependent on activation of both non-NMDA and NMDA receptors. In contrast, the data indicate that continued increased release of Glu in the late phase, normally observed following induction of arthritis, is dependent on NMDA but not on non-NMDA receptor activation. The continued increased release of Asp, however, appears to be independent of non-NMDA and NMDA receptor activation 5 h following initiation of events activated by induction of arthritis.
The anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds by a denitrifying bacterium. Radioisotope and mutant studies.

1. Pseudomonas PN-1, grown anaerobically on a benzoate-nitrate medium, produced 14CO2 from either carboxyl-labelled or uniformly ring-labelled 14C-benzoate upon aerobic or anaerobic incubation. Anaerobic catabolism required either nitrite or nitrous oxide as terminal electron acceptor. Twice as much 14CO2 was formed anaerobically. 14CO2 was produced in equal amounts from carboxyllabelled or ring-labelled 14C-benzoate on aerobic incubation whereas anaerobically more 14CO2 was released from carboxyl-labelled 14C-benzoate. 2. Cells grown anaerobically on p-hydroxybenzoate-nitrate medium released 14CO2 from 14C-benzoate only on anaerobic incubation with nitrite or nitrous oxide. More 14CO2 was produced from 7-14C-benzoate than ring-labelled 14C-benzoate. No 14CO2 was formed aerobically even with nitrite added. Protocatechuate or catechol did not trap any radioactivity when added to cells oxidizing ring-labelled 14-benzoate anaerobically. 3. A mutant, induced by nitrosoguanidine treatment, was isolated which grew aerobically but not anaerobically on p-hydroxybenzoate.
Arrhythmia Evaluation and Management

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may present with a number of arrhythmias. Although not unique, arrhythmias in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy require management approaches that may differ from other populations. Standard permanent pacemaker indications can be seen, but unique applications and implantation considerations pertain to this population. Ventricular and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias may be experienced by patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, treatment for which must be tailored to the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy substrate. In this article, permanent pacemaker indications, techniques and special considerations, and specific management issues of ventricular and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, are discussed.
Community cultural wealth and immigrant Latino parents

We examined the accounts of Latino immigrant parent’s perceptions of the contributions they made to their children’s educational persistence. A community cultural wealth model was used and our resu...
Planting gardens to support insect pollinators

Global insect pollinator declines have prompted habitat restoration efforts, including pollinator-friendly gardening. Gardens can provide nectar and pollen for adult insects and offer reproductive resources, such as nesting sites and caterpillar host plants. We conducted a review and meta-analysis to examine how decisions made by gardeners on plant selection and garden maintenance influence pollinator survival, abundance, and diversity. We also considered characteristics of surrounding landscapes and the impacts of pollinator natural enemies. Our results indicated that pollinators responded positively to high plant species diversity, woody vegetation, garden size, and sun exposure and negatively to the separation of garden habitats from natural sites. Within-garden features more strongly influenced pollinators than surrounding landscape factors. Growing interest in gardening for pollinators highlights the need to better understand how gardens contribute to pollinator conservation and how some garden characteristics can enhance the attractiveness and usefulness of gardens to pollinators. Further studies examining pollinator reproduction, resource acquisition, and natural enemies in gardens and comparing gardens with other restoration efforts and to natural habitats are needed to increase the value of human-made habitats for pollinators.
Knowledge Spillovers and Strategic Entrepreneurship

Knowledge spillovers provide a source for the development of entrepreneurial opportunities; however, in many cases there is a knowledge filter that hinders the development of new knowledge into entrepreneurial activity. Therefore, knowledge spillover entrepreneurship acts as a conduit for allowing new knowledge to reach its market potential in the face of knowledge filters. The presence of entrepreneurial-induced spillovers provides a key component for regional and metropolitan growth and economic development. Keywords: strategic entrepreneurship; knowledge filter; knowledge; spillover; economic development
Dual Cell Links for Battery-Balancing Auxiliary Power Modules: A Cost-Effective Increase of Accessible Pack Capacity

This article focuses on the design of a half-full bridge (HFB) balancing link that can reduce the cost of redistributive battery balancer in electrified vehicle applications by combining the functionalities of a battery balancer and auxiliary power module (APM). The benefits of redistributive balancing are quantified based on existing datasets of commercial battery cells. The power rating for the electric vehicle's APM and balancing capability are discussed. A HFB module prototype is designed to validate the proposed concept. How to reduce the current ripple on the battery cells is presented in order to minimize the degradation of the cells due to highly dynamic current. Nickel-manganese-cobalt cells are installed on the module to investigate the balancing performance in real life. The efficiency map is also given for the prototype. Compared with existing balancing methods, the improvement under the same driving cycle is shown in the long-term simulation.
Development, validation and feasibility study of a remote basic skills assessment for wheelchair service providers.

AIM The purpose of this study was to develop, validate and conduct a feasibility study of three remote basic skills assessment modalities for wheelchair service providers (WSP) including an online case study quiz (m1), an in-person skills assessment (m2) and a video conference skills assessment (m3). METHODS We conducted a literature review; developed and validated 3 basic skills assessments; and conducted a feasibility study of each modality. RESULTS The literature review revealed that a validated remote basic skills assessment for WSP that reflects all World Health Organization (WHO) 8 wheelchair service provision steps did not exist. We recruited a total of 12 participants for the feasibility study. Two participants dropped out of the study prior to completing a second testing modality. Related to test performance, the results show that our first hypothesis was rejected because only m1 mean score was comparable to the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) Basic Knowledge Test (SD = 0.44). This is in contrast with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test results that show a statistically significant difference between these two modalities. We are therefore not confident that the knowledge test was an appropriate comparison to m1 skills assessment. Hypothesis two was not rejected. The feasibility results reveal 86% success. CONCLUSION M1, 2 and 3 have the potential to serve as remote basic skills assessments. However, according to both test performance and feasibility criteria, we believe that m2 has the highest potential to be included in certification processes for basic wheelchair service providers, like the one offered by ISWP.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONA universal remote basic skills assessment that can be accessed across the globe, especially in remote locations where a skilled and experienced provider is not available, is needed.Such test can be an asset to training or professional organisations like ISWP as a way to test WSP competency or to warrant certification.WSP clinical knowledge and skills are essential for the prescription of an appropriate wheelchair to avoid physical harm, abandonment of the device and unnecessary expenses.Properly prescribed wheelchairs allow people with impaired mobility to gain increased ability to perform ADLs, participate in communities, and reduce secondary medical complications such as upper limb repetitive strain injuries, pain, and/or pressure sores.
Following the money: uses and limitations of FEC campaign finance data

Disclosure requirements under US federal campaign finance laws and subsequent court rulings have created greater transparency into the financing of campaigns that allow election watchdog groups to monitor and track the flow of money to and by outside groups. These requirements also have generated an extensive new source of quantitative data for scholars to use. Because of the substantial increase in spending by outside groups, it is both timely and important to examine the influence of independent expenditures on election outcomes, political behavior, and fairness in the democratic process. To evaluate and understand the impact of this spending, researchers must be aware of the scope and limitations of the campaign finance data collected by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). This article provides scholars who would like to use FEC data to answer some of these questions with an introduction to the data source, a discussion of how other scholars have used the data, and a case study to generate guidance on the challenges and potential solutions associated with accessing and analyzing these data.
Towards Sample Efficient Agents through Algorithmic Alignment.

In this work, we propose and explore Deep Graph Value Network (DeepGV) as a promising method to work around sample complexity in deep reinforcement-learning agents using a message-passing mechanism. The main idea is that the agent should be guided by structured non-neural-network algorithms like dynamic programming. According to recent advances in algorithmic alignment, neural networks with structured computation procedures can be trained efficiently. We demonstrate the potential of graph neural network in supporting sample efficient learning by showing that Deep Graph Value Network can outperform unstructured baselines by a large margin in solving the Markov Decision Process (MDP). We believe this would open up a new avenue for structured agent design. See this https URL for the code.
The dawn of the nickel age of superconductivity

Whereas high-temperature superconductivity in cuprates has been studied for 30 years, during the past year it has been reported in nickelates. This raises new questions for physicists and chemists about the mechanism of superconductivity — despite the electronic similarities of Cu and Ni, it seems that nickelate superconductivity requires consideration of a second orbital. Whereas high-temperature superconductivity in cuprates has been studied for 30 years, during the past year it has been reported in nickelates. This raises new questions for physicists and chemists about the mechanism of superconductivity.
Noble Intent Is Not Enough To Run Veterans Court Mentoring Programs: A Qualitative Study of Mentors’ Role Orientation and Responsibilities

Mentoring is a key component of veterans treatment courts, a diversionary problem-solving court for justice-involved military veterans. Mentoring programs are unique to veterans’ courts; no other problem-solving courts systematically include them as critical components of their court programming. Despite their prominence in veterans courts, little is known about mentor program operations and court expectations for mentors’ roles and responsibilities. This study examines mentors’ roles and responsibilities as perceived by mentees, mentors, and veterans treatment court staff. Using in-depth interview data from respondents from each of these groups, supplemented by observational data from court hearings and pre-court meetings, we identify three types of mentoring styles: enforcers, sponsor/advocates, and friend. We find a lack of clarity in mentors’ roles and responsibilities, which negatively impacted mentor-mentee relationships and mentors’ relationships with the court. The three mentoring styles identified in this study offer veterans treatment courts a framework to shape and refine the mentor role and guide future efforts to provide standardized training for mentors.
Communication methods between outpatients with limited-English proficiency and ancillary staff: LASI study results.

Abstract Objective Describe communication methods between primary care ancillary staff, including front desk administrative staff and medical assistants (MAs), and patients with limited-English proficiency (LEP). Methods Patients with LEP completed a telephone survey after a primary care visit including questions about communication with ancillary staff (n = 1029). To inform practice improvements and lend qualitative perspective to these quantitative data, we subsequently conducted semi-structured interviews with ancillary staff and physicians. Results Professional interpreter use was minimal with ancillary staff ( Conclusions Use of professional interpretation by front desk staff and MAs was minimal. This led many patients with LEP to ‘get by’ with limited English when communicating with ancillary staff, in turn increasing burden on the physician visit. Practice implications Future interventions should focus on increasing use of professional interpretation by outpatient ancillary staff when communicating with LEP patients.
The No-Nonsense Guide to Research Support and Scholarly Communication: by Claire Sewell, London, Facet Publishing, 2020, 184 pp., $81.99, ISBN 978-1-78330-393-9

The intersection of born-digital scholarly resources, global policies mandating open access, and new publishing models has ushered in a golden era for research and information sharing. For professi...
Outcomes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients treated with neoadjuvant stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) or conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT).

e16209Background: Hypothesis: Neoadjuvant SBRT can improve survival when compared to CFRT in PDAC patients who received chemotherapy. Past retrospective studies have shown improved outcomes of defi...
Integrating international linguistic minorities in emergency planning at institutions of higher education.

Research concerning the behavior of international linguistic minorities at institutions of higher education during disasters is very limited. Many international groups suffer from discrimination based on language (linguicism) during disasters—their stories are not being told, and their voices are not being heard. The main objective of our study is to develop new knowledge about disaster-related behaviors of international linguistic minorities at institutions of higher education with a view toward enhancing overall campus emergency planning. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect and analyze data; 62 subjects from the international community at University of Florida (UF), including foreign employees, international students, and foreign dependents, were surveyed shortly after the hurricane Dorian alert on campus. Additionally, 10 subjects from the UF international community were interviewed. The data analysis sought to provide insights into one main question: What were the key challenges facing international linguistic minorities at UF campus during the hurricane Dorian alert? Three comprehensive groups of challenges were found; disaster knowledge deficit and false perceptions, generic emergency communication, and inadequate disaster preparedness. The research findings provide insight into the experience of culturally different groups and offer practical and critical policy insights that help in developing more efficient disaster mitigation plans, and disaster risk-reduction strategies.
Personalized Pricing and Quality Differentiation

We develop an analytical framework to investigate the competitive implications of personalized pricing (PP), whereby firms charge different prices to different consumers based on their willingness to pay. We embed PP in a model of vertical product differentiation and show how it affects firms' choices over quality. We show that firms' optimal pricing strategies with PP may be nonmonotonic in consumer valuations. When the PP firm has high quality, both firms raise their qualities relative to the uniform pricing case. Conversely, when the PP firm has low quality, both firms lower their qualities. Although many firms are trying to implement such pricing policies, we find that a higher-quality firm can actually be worse off with PP. While it is optimal for the firm adopting PP to increase product differentiation, the non-PP firm seeks to reduce differentiation by moving in closer in the quality space. While PP results in a wider market coverage, it also leads to aggravated price competition between firms. Because this entails a change in equilibrium qualities, the nature of the cost function determines whether firms gain or lose by implementing such PP policies. Despite the threat of first-degree price discrimination, we find that PP with competing firms can lead to an overall increase in consumer welfare.
Impact of Pharmacotherapy on Insomnia in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Insomnia is a pervasive sleep disorder affecting numerous patients across diverse demographical populations and comorbid disease states. Contributing factors are often a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social components, requiring a multifaceted approach in terms of both diagnosis and management. In the setting of Alzheimer’s disease, insomnia is an even more complicated issue, with a higher overall prevalence than in the general population, greater complexity of contributing etiologies, and differences in diagnosis (at times based on caregiver observation of sleep disruption rather than subjective complaints by the individual with the disorder), and requiring more discretion in terms of treatment, particularly in regard to adverse effect profile concerns. There also is growing evidence of the bidirectional nature of sleep disruption and Alzheimer’s disease, with insomnia potentially contributing to disease progression, making the condition even more paramount to address. The objective of this review was to provide the clinician with an overview of treatment strategies that may have value in the treatment of disturbed sleep in Alzheimer’s disease. Nonpharmacological approaches to treatment should be exhausted foremost; however, pharmacotherapy may be needed in certain clinical scenarios, which can be a challenge for clinicians given the paucity of evidence and guidelines for treatment in the subpopulation of Alzheimer’s disease. Agents such as sedating antidepressants, melatonin, and site-specific γ-aminobutyric acid agonists are often employed based on historical usage but are not necessarily supported by high-quality trials. Newer agents such as dual orexin receptor antagonists have demonstrated some promise but still need further evaluation.
Reducing Children's Preoperative Fear with an Educational Pop-up Book: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective Preoperative education empowers children to approach surgery with positive expectations, and providers need efficient, child-focused resources. This study aimed to evaluate an interactive pop-up book as a tool for explaining surgery, managing preoperative anxiety, and strengthening coping strategies. Study design Prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting Pediatric outpatient surgery center. Methods Patients ages 5 to 12 undergoing outpatient surgery read a pop-up book about anesthesia (intervention) or received standard care (control). Patients self-reported their preoperative fear, pain expectations, views of the procedure and preoperative explanations, and coping strategies. Outcomes also included observer-rated behavioral anxiety and caregiver satisfaction. Results In total, 148 patients completed the study. The pop-up book had a significant, large effect in reducing patients' fear of anesthesia induction (Cohen's d effect size = 0.94; P Conclusion The educational pop-up book offers a child-focused resource that helps alleviate children's preoperative fears, encourages positive coping, and improves caregivers' perceptions of the experience. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04796077).
Input Files and Output Styles

In this chapter we discuss how to collect AXIOM statements and commands into files and then read the contents into the workspace. We also show how to display the results of your computations in several different styles including TEX, FORTRAN and monospace two-dimensional format.1
Scintiangiographic and Probe Systems in the Detection of Cardiac Shunts

Radionuclide angiography has been used in the evaluation of pediatric patients with suspected congenital heart disorders for almost seven years. 1–4 The procedure derives its popularity by virtue of requiring nothing more arduous than an intravenous injection of a bolus of99mTc pertechnetate (a physiologically inactive agent), followed by imaging with a scintillation camera. This extremely safe and relatively simple technique, which is associated with a comparatively low radiation-absorbed dose, shows promise in screening children with heart murmurs of undetermined etiology or patients with suspicious chest radiographs prior to deciding on the necessity of cardiac catheterization. This essentially noninvasive test can be of particular value in differentiating between hemodynamically insignificant murmurs and murmurs resulting from left-to-right shunts that may necessitate catheterization, a procedure that, in addition to being associated with a certain risk, is considerably more expensive. Radionuclide angiography can be useful on occasion in evaluating neonates in whom it may be difficult to differentiate between primary pulmonary disorders and congenital heart defects. Furthermore, because of the simplicity of the technique, children can be followed after various surgical corrective procedures without requiring frequent repeat catheterizations to evaluate their postoperative status.
Injection of Energetic Ions During the 31 March 0630 Substorm

The geomagnetic storm beginning on March 31, 2001 was characterized by high solar wind speeds and long intervals of strongly-southward interplanetary magnetic field. These conditions led to high levels of magnetospheric convection and significant distortion in the inner magnetosphere. During a period of particularly intense driving by the solar wind, an ∼0630 UT substorm onset was observed to inject energetic particles into relatively low L-values in the premidnight regions of the inner magnetosphere. In this work we present the results of MHD/particle simulations of the storm, focusing on the period immediately surrounding the 0630 substorm. We analyze the characteristics of the global field prior to onset, and the evolution and effect of the subsequent dipolarization on the keV protons injected from the plasma sheet into the inner magnetosphere. We find good qualitative agreement between global observations of the injection event and the results of the MHD/particle simulations, and suggest that a weak field region in the near-Earth tail may have served as a source region for the more energetic particles injected in the premidnight regions of the magnetosphere.
Molecular Optics in Intense Fields: From Lenses to Mirrors

In his introduction to Scoles’ book “Atomic and Molecular Beam Methods” [1], Fenn points out that atomic beams, which preceded molecular beams, were developed in, and for several decades confined to, physics departments. Today, however, notes Fenn, molecular beams have considerably more applications than their atomic precedents and much of their more recent development took place in chemistry departments [1]. Several papers in the present volume illustrate his point.
Marketing's Corporate Responsibility

In this article, we examine the pressures on corporations to pursue more socially responsible actions, especially in their marketing activities. We review conceptual perspectives on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how these perspectives apply in the marketing context, to corporate commitment to CSR, and to the relationship between CSR and firm performance. We then describe challenges and opportunities presented by CSR in practice, including recent cases in which companies have been pressured to improve their CSR performance, and initiatives pursued by companies – individually or collectively – to leverage their CSR commitment to advantage. We conclude with some observations about the future of CSR and marketing, arguing that CSR is likely to remain a critical elements of corporoate strategy and marketing. Keywords: codes of conduct; consumerism; environment; globalization; labor; nongovernmental organizations; responsibility; stakeholder; sustainability; societal marketing
Regulation of Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry in the Vascular Endothelium by the G Protein-coupled Estrogen Receptor 1 (LB570)

The novel G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER/GPR30) has been found to participate in numerous cardiovascular functions. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is an essential mechanism that is required for many endothelial cell functions. We found that activation of GPER using the GPER specific agonist G1 causes a dose-dependent inhibition of SOCE in primary vascular endothelial cells. Heterologous of GPER in HEK 293 cells is associated with substantial decreases in the total Ca2+ signal triggered by thapsigargin, and a 40% decrease in the rate of SOCE. Knockdown of GPER in endothelial cells using antisense directed against GPER increases SOCE by approximately 50% compared to cells transfected scrambled oligo. Interestingly, GPER specific antagonist G15 triggers total Ca2+ signals via SOCE by releasing the same internal Ca2+ stores as does thapsigargin. In primary endothelial cells, GPER forms a complex with the stromal interaction molecule 1 (Stim1), an essential molecular switcher of SOCE. In additio...
Work effort effects in the classical labor supply model

This paper considers an extension of the classical static labor-leisure choice model to allow for an on-the-job leisure choice. The key result is that an income-compensated wage increase, while theoretically increasing hours worked, will likely increase on-the-job leisure.
Monitoring Discrete Event Systems Using Petri Net Embeddings

In this paper we discuss a methodology for monitoring failures and other activity in discrete event systems that are described by Petri nets. Our method is based on embedding the given Petri net model in a larger Petri net that retains the functionality and properties of the given one, perhaps in a non-separate (that is, not immediately identifiable) way. This redundant Petri net embedding introduces "structured redundancy" that can be used to facilitate fault detection, identification and correction, or to offer increased capabilities for monitoring and control. We focus primarily on separate embeddings in which the functionality of the original Petri net is retained in its exact form. Using these embeddings, we construct monitors that operate concurrently with the original system and allow us to detect and identify different types of failures by performing consistency checks between the state of the original Petri net and that of the monitor. The methods that we propose are attractive because the resulting monitors are robust to failures, they may not require explicit acknowledgments from each activity, and their construction is systematic and easily adaptable to restrictions in the available information. We also discuss briefly how to construct nonseparate Petri net embeddings.
The Untold Story of Sun Capital: Disguised Dividends

This article argues that portfolio companies controlled by private equity firms routinely misclassify "monitoring fees" paid to the firms as deductible compensation when in fact they are non-deductible dividends. In order to properly deduct amounts paid as compensation, the payor must make the payments with compensatory intent. However, the monitoring fee agreements often belie this intent. In nearly all cases, the fee agreements provide for large periodic fees over lengthy periods of time for future services described only in nebulous terms. The amount of fees are set well before it is known whether there will in fact be any need for these services (above and beyond what the portfolio company’s traditional management will be able to provide). The private equity firm is often explicitly granted the unilateral power to determine how much, if any, time or effort it must devote to these services, and the contracts usually specifically disclaim any minimum performance requirement (either in terms of hours worked or other performance metric). In addition, many monitoring fee agreements allow the private equity firm to unilaterally cancel the agreement at any time and for any reason yet still get paid the full value of the contract. Furthermore, when a consortium of private equity funds engages in a takeover, the monitoring fees are commonly shared among their sponsors in accordance with each fund’s proportional share ownership in the portfolio company. These factors, and others that are typically present, are flatly inconsistent with an intent to pay compensation. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find an arm’s length compensation-for-services arrangement that includes any of these terms. On the other hand, these factors all support dividend characterization. When combined with the common "management fee offset" provision found in private equity fund limited partnership agreements, these factors make clear that monitoring fees are in fact payments made by portfolio companies to benefit shareholders in their capacity as shareholders. In other words, monitoring fees are non-compensatory payments that benefit shareholders, also known as dividends.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of various madder species on wool fibers: the role of pseudopurpurin in the interpretation of the spectra

Madder has been used as a textile dye and pigment in works of art since antiquity. Madder dyes from different botanical species are characterized by different series of anthraquinone derivatives. The occurrence of one or more of these compounds in various relative amounts may provide a useful indication of the plant species used to obtain the dye. In this work, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was applied to the analysis of textile fibers dyed with madder from two different botanical species, Oldenlandia umbellata L. and Rubia tinctorum L. The resulting SERS spectra were interpreted in light of the actual composition of the madder dyes as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Interestingly, the SERS spectra were found to exhibit very distinctive spectral features depending on the different anthraquinone derivatives present in the dyes. In particular, the SERS spectrum of O. umbellata L. was found to match the spectrum of alizarin, while the SERS spectrum of R. tinctorum L. was surprisingly dominated by signals due to the less studied anthraquinone compound pseudopurpurin. With this study, we demonstrate that SERS spectra may offer valuable information regarding the major coloring constituents present in different madder species. Moreover, our work shows that not only can SERS be used successfully to differentiate among closely related anthraquinone derivatives, but also that this technique is particularly suitable for the detection of pseudopurpurin, leading to the identification of this compound in a number of works of art. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The formation mechanisms of growth twins in polycrystalline Al with high stacking fault energy

Abstract Growth twins are scarcely observed in metals with high stacking fault energy, such as pure Al. In this study, however, we report the observation of growth twins in sputtered polycrystalline Al films on amorphous substrates and a majority of these growth twins are inclined to the growth direction (inclined twins). Although the fraction of twinned grains is low in general, it increases monotonically with increasing film thickness, reaches a maximum at the film thickness of 80 nm, and decreases gradually thereafter in the thicker films. The nucleation mechanism for the inclined twins is compared with that of the parallel growth twins in Al. Different twin formation mechanisms are discussed. This study provides an alternative perspective to evaluate the formation of growth twins in metals with high stacking fault energy.
The consequences of noncooperation for the target of third party instigated aggression

Abstract Consequences for a new target as a function of noncooperation was investigated in the instigative aggression paradigm. Subjects instigated partners to aggress against an opponent by suggesting what shock intensity to deliver. The partner was either cooperative (i.e., complied with the suggestion) or noncooperative (i.e., refused to set high shocks). Subsequently, subjects were given the opportunity to be directly aggressive by actually setting the shocks themselves. During this phase a new target who was nonprovocative was introduced. Subjects aggressed alone, in the presence of their partner, or in the presence of a new person. Results revealed that noncooperation reduced the level of instigative aggression and carried over to the second phase of the experiment. Subjects who had had cooperative partners were more aggressive toward the new target than were subjects who had had noncooperative partners. The presence or absence of the partner was not significant.
Isolation and assay of the toxic component from the crystals ofBacillus thuringiensis var.israelensis

The 25-Kdal fragment of the 28-Kdal toxic protein extracted fromBacillus thuringiensis var.israelensis crystals was found to be responsible for the insecticidal, cytolytic, hemolytic, and mouse-lethal activities of the crude toxin extract. This activity was found to have no relation to the hemolysin produced by other strains ofB. thuringiensis. This protein was rich in the amino acids Asp and Glu, but did not contain Cys.
Computer modelling of gross muscle dynamics.

Abstract A mathematical model incorporating mechanical and physiological parameters of an idealized bone-muscle system has been devised. When the model is numerically integrated by digital computer, the movement of a limb under the action of a muscle is simulated. The concept of the method and its application to the often suggested dichotomy between adaptation of muscle attachments for either speed or strength is presented. It is found that for most comparisons the model predicts an optimum set of attachment sites for maximizing any one given dynamic movement parameter. The optimum moment arm for high velocity of movement is relatively small, that for greatest power somewhat larger, and that for producing a specified motion in the least time larger still. These and other predictions of the model are compared to the actual disposition of muscles in living organisms.
Use of hafnium dioxide in multilayer dielectric reflectors for the near uv

We measured the refractive index of layers of hafnium dioxide that were prepared by evaporation in a vacuum. It is transparent to wavelengths as short as 230 nm. Its refractive index at 300 nm was as high as 2.10 or as low as 1.90, depending upon the conditions of evaporation. Tests at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory indicate that its laser damage threshold is approximately 2 J/cm2 at a wavelength of 355 nm. Multilayer dielectric mirrors were prepared using hafnium dioxide and silicon dioxide. The radiant reflectance exceeded 99% at a wavelength of 320 nm.
Somatic mutation of the MEN1 gene in parathyroid tumours.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common disorder with an annual incidence of approximately 0.5 in 1,000 (ref. 1). In more than 95% of cases, the disease is caused by sporadic parathyroid adenoma or sporadic hyperplasia. Some cases are caused by inherited syndromes, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1; ref. 2). In most cases, the molecular basis of parathyroid neoplasia is unknown. Parathyroid adenomas are usually monoclonal3,4, suggesting that one important step in tumour development is a mutation in a progenitor cell. Approximately 30% of sporadic parathyroid tumours show loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for polymorphic markers on 11q13, the site of the MEN1 tumour suppressor gene4–8. This raises the question of whether such sporadic parathyroid tumours are caused by sequential inactivation of both alleles of the MEN1 gene9. We recently cloned the MEN1 gene and identified MEN1 germline mutations in fourteen of fifteen kindreds with familial MEN1 (ref. 10). We have studied parathyroid tumours not associated with MEN1 to determine whether somatic mutations in the MEN1 gene are present. Among 33 tumours we found somatic MEN1 gene mutation in 7, while the corresponding MEN1 germline sequence was normal in each patient. All tumours with MEN1 gene mutation showed LOH on 11q13, making the tumour cells hemi- or homozygous for the mutant allele. Thus, somatic MEN1 gene mutation contributes to tumorigenesis in a substantial number of parathyroid tumours not associated with the MEN1 syndrome.
A model of endowment-constrained demand for food in an agricultural economy with empirical applications to Bangladesh

Abstract This paper explores the relationship between distribution of assets and systematic undernutrition in rural populations. A formal theoretical model is developed to explore the impact of short-term price changes on the nutrition of various economic classes. An empirical simulation model is developed for rural Bangladesh using data from the agricultural census, the land occupancy survey and two household demand surveys. This model links endowments like land, labor and livestock to demand for food using prices and incomes and intermediate variables. The results suggest that the landless would consume about half their minimum requirements even if production were 50% above requirements and prices remained stable. When prices rise the picture gets much worse. Of course this analysis precludes assistance from better-off neighbors or the state but it demonstrates conclusively how much of starvation is due to income and asset distribution rather than shortfalls in food availability per capita. Increased production of food while providing some necessary conditions for eliminating starvation do not provide sufficient conditions. Prices and incomes have to be taken into account.
Long-term captopril therapy in congestive heart failure: Serial hemodynamic and echocardiographic changes☆

Abstract Ten patients with refractory congestive heart failure (CHF) were followed serially for systemic hemodynamic (radionuclide techniques) and M-mode echocardiographic changes during long-term captopril therapy with optimum doses. After 1 week of maintenance captopril therapy, all patients were clinically improved. This was associated with a significant ( p 3 dynes/cm 2 ). At the end of 2 months of maintained therapy, mean blood pressure reduction was −12 ± 4 mm Hg ( p p p p 3 dynes/cm 2 , p
The effect of inspiratory flow rate regulation on nebulizer output and on human airway response to methacholine aerosol

Abstract Increased inspiratory flow rate has been demonstrated to decrease pulmonary deposition of inhaled aerosols. To study the effect of inspiratory flow rate regulation on the physiologic response to an active substance administered by aerosol, we compared the effect of high unregulated flow rate (66 to 212 L/min) with regulated low flow rate (20 to 35 L/min) on nebulizer output and on the pulmonary response to methacholine in patients with asthma. Four No. 646 DeVilbiss nebulizers were used in sequence with a nebulization dosimeter to deliver tenfold incremental concentrations of methacholine aerosol (mass median aerodynamic diameter=1.52 μm; geometric standard deviation=1.96) ranging from 0.025 to 25 mg/ml. When flow was unregulated, nebulizer output was not greater than when flow was regulated, but coefficients of variation of output were significantly greater ( p 20 on the two unregulated days was significantly different ( p = 0.01), whereas the PD 20 on the two flow regulated days was not significantly different ( p > 0.05). We conclude that regulation of inspiratory flow rate at rates within the range of tidal breathing significantly decreases variability in nebulizer output and variation of pulmonary responses to methacholine challenge.