cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethical Capitalism and the Next Paradigm Shift in Corporate Governance

Professor Lynn Stout devoted her entire academic life to enacting a seismic paradigm shift within the field of Corporate Governance by displacing shareholder value as the be-all and end-all of corporate purpose. Stout’s Copernican revolution bravely challenged the established homo economicus model of neoclassical economic theory by suggesting that human action is not driven by self-interested rational choice theory. With her unique understanding of the nature of corporations, the scope of corporate action, and the complexities of individual and social preferences, she postulated a second paradigmatic shift, one of corporations as “time-machines”. Stout argued that corporations can and should “pursue long-term, open-ended projects that benefit multiple human generations”. Unimpeded by misconceptions of shareholder primacy – or shareholder absolutism – and of rational choice theory, it became apparent to Stout that corporations, specifically large public corporations (LPCs), are uniquely positioned to address such issues as intergenerational equity and intergenerational efficiency. This paper argues that time has proven Lynn Stout to be right all along. Even before COVID-19, the idea that corporations should not be driven solely to maximize shareholder value was finally gaining momentum, particularly with the increased global awareness of climate change, and the global outcry against a growing income inequality. In a recent press release by the Business Roundtable, nearly 200 Chief Executive Offices (CEOs) of America’s most prominent companies made a commitment to pursue a new business model: one for the benefit of all stakeholders – broadly understood – that embraces dignity, and that allows for everyone the pursuit of a more meaningful life. While in a strict legal sense this statement falls short of a letter of intent and is more akin to a non-binding declaration, its significance is paramount. Corporate America has given its first steps towards redefining what ought to be the purpose of a corporation, beyond shareholder primacy and the pursuit profits, and is doing so by finally moving away from the glamorized neo-classical economic idea that “greed is good”. The devastating social-economic impact of COVID-19, the scope and severity of which is still unknown, has furthered highlighted the shortcomings of our current corporate governance models, and have increased the calls for a new form of Ethical Capitalism.
A mechanistic understanding of channel evolution following dam removal

Abstract Studies of post-disturbance recovery in alluvial channels have considered form- and/or process-based paradigms to describe pathways to dynamic equilibrium. Yet, an integrated understanding of the covariation between form and process as well as the mechanisms that drive the recovery of each remains incomplete. We used a small (4 m tall) upland dam removal in New England as a natural experiment to investigate the timing and arc of a channel's return to dynamic equilibrium conditions, using both form- and process-based perspectives. We observed rapid post-removal adjustments in the former reservoir and downstream channels, then relative stability after a 2-year flow that occurred 6 months post-removal. This pattern, previously described as the “two-phase” model of channel recovery, was the result of temporal variations in the ratio of Shields values at the ‘bankfull’ flow (θQ2) to critical Shields (θcr). Immediately post-dam removal, elevated sediment flux was driven by the high ratio of θQ2 to θcr that resulted from decreased θcr values and elevated θQ2 values. As fine-grained sediments were winnowed, θcr quickly recovered back to typical values within weeks to months. Subsequent adjustments to channel geometry by higher flows (i.e., the 2-year flow) redistributed bed shear stress and facilitated the relaxation of θQ2 so that θQ2: θcr ≈ 1, the threshold channel criterion. Despite the rapid return to process-based equilibrium, nearly 3 years post-removal the former reservoir reach remains morphologically immature with respect to reach-scale characteristics of natural channels. Our results indicate that process-based recovery is rapid, facilitated by relatively frequent, modest flows, and dependent on the adjustment of the characteristic bed grain size (d50) to reflect prevailing hydraulics. In contrast, the slower attainment of form-based equilibrium depends on the timing of less frequent flows equal to and/or larger than the bankfull discharge as well as extrinsic channel controls such as local valley topography and the availability of recruitable large wood.
Nutrition and connective tissue disease.

ABSTRACT Despite an incomplete overall understanding, nutrition plays an important role in connective tissue disease. Assessment of patients with connective tissue disease for nutritional status and metabolic disturbances may significantly contribute to patient outcomes. Several studies have indicated the multifactorial role of macronutrients, micronutrients, and supplements in the setting of connective tissue disease. There is additional evidence regarding the roles of weight, obesity, and malnutrition. This contribution reviews a growing body of data regarding nutrition in the development and treatment of various connective tissue diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatomyositis (DM), and systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Disclosure standards and communication norms: Evidence of voluntary disclosure standards as a coordinating device for capital markets

In this paper, we examine how the emergence of voluntary disclosure standards can alter the nature of information available to capital market participants. Using industry-specific dictionaries of sustainability terms contained in voluntary disclosure standards developed by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), we find a significant increase in earnings call sustainability disclosures following the release of SASB standards, particularly for firms that had little or no coverage of sustainability issues historically. This trend begins around the time when SASB released a provisional disclosure standard for a given company’s industry and continues in the years after. We also find a stronger impact of SASB standards on sustainability disclosures of firms operating in industries with high uncertainty around sustainability reporting. Overall, these results inform our understanding of the conditions under which standards created in response to market forces are likely to affect voluntary disclosures and communication norms.
Clostridium perfringens as a Water Quality Indicator

Clostridium perfringens and the more general group to which it belongs, "sulfite-reducing, spore forming anaerobes," are considered with regard to their use as health effects, water quality indicators. The groups are examined with regard to their identification, their importance, the characteristics which impinge on their use as indicators, monitoring applications, available evaluation data, and enumeration methods. C. perfringens has specific and limited applications as a water quality indicator. It appears to be the fecal indicator of choice for measuring remote or intermittant pollution and in situations where resistance to disinfectants and environmental stress is at a premium.
Muscarinic receptor subtype determines vulnerability to amyloid β toxicity in transfected cos-7 cells

Research has suggested that there are age-related increases in neuronal sensitivity to insult from oxidative stress (OS) and that the CNS alterations seen in Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are superimposed upon declining nervous and vascular systems. Since muscarinic receptors (mAChR) may be important in regional sensitivity, regulation of micro- circulation, and in various aspects of both neuronal (AbetaPP processing) and vascular functioning, we postulated that the various mAChR subtypes may show differential sensitivity to OS. Indeed, recent findings indicated that M1, M2, or M4 AChR-transfected COS-7 cells showed greater OS sensitivity [as reflected in Ca2+ buffering (i.e., the ability to extrude or sequester Ca2+ following oxotremorine-induced depolarization)] than those transfected with M3 or M5 AChR when exposed to dopamine. Interestingly, the results from the present study indicate that similar findings were also observed when the cells were exposed to Abeta 25-35 and Abeta 1-40 showed similar effects on M1 and M3 AChR. No effects were seen with Abeta 35-25 or Abeta 40-1. Thus, cells transfected with M1, M2 or M4 AChR showed greater disruptions in calcium regulation (as assessed via fluorescent imaging analysis prior to and following 750 microm oxotremorine) than those transfected with M3 or M5 AChR. We also examined the effects of calcium channel antagonists (e.g., Nifedipine) or antioxidants (vitamin E) in protecting against the deleterious effects of Abeta. Results are discussed in terms of differences in MAChR structure that could lead to selective Abeta effects and the possible implications on memory and AbetaPP processing.
ISWAR: An Imaging System with Watermarking and Attack Resilience

With the explosive growth of internet technology, easy transfer of digital multimedia is feasible. However, this kind of convenience with which authorized users can access information, turns out to be a mixed blessing due to information piracy. The emerging field of Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems addresses issues related to the intellectual property rights of digital content. In this paper, an object-oriented (OO) DRM system, called “Imaging System with Watermarking and Attack Resilience” (ISWAR), is presented that generates and authenticates color images with embedded mechanisms for protection against infringement of ownership rights as well as security attacks. In addition to the methods, in the object-oriented sense, for performing traditional encryption and decryption, the system implements methods for visible and invisible watermarking. This paper presents one visible and one invisible watermarking algorithm that have been integrated in the system. The qualitative and quantitative results obtained for these two watermarking algorithms with several benchmark images indicate that high-quality watermarked images are produced by the algorithms. With the help of experimental results it is demonstrated that the presented invisible watermarking techniques are resilient to the well known benchmark attacks and hence a fail-safe method for providing constant protection to ownership rights.
Fuzzy ART for Relatively Fast Unsupervised Image Color Quantization

The use of Fuzzy Adaptive Resonance Theory (FA) is explored for the unsupervised color quantization of a color image. The red, green and blue color component values of a given color image are passed as input instances into FA which then groups similar colors into the same class. The average of all of the colors in a given class then replaces the pixel values whose original colors belonged to that class. The FA unsupervised clustering is capable of realizing color quantization with competitive accuracy and arguably low computation time.
Data-Driven Modeling of Complex Systems

The observation of the dependencies between the data and the conditions of the observation always was and is a primary source of knowledge about complex dynamics. We discuss direct program-driven analysis of these data dependencies with the goal to build a model directly in computer and thus to predict the dynamics of the object based on measured data. The direct generalization of data dependencies is a critical step in building data-driven models.
Interpreting Honor Crimes: The Institutional Disregard Towards Female Victims of Family Violence in the Middle East

Despite international efforts to combat violence against women, women in some parts of the Middle East continue to suffer the most extreme form of degradation – honor crimes. These women are also victims of systematic discrimination due to the institutional failure to protect them against violence. This paper explores how the institutional disregard toward perpetrators of honor crimes are rooted in conventional values and policies that are justified by social norms and existing penal codes. Last, the paper will offers areas of further inquiry which could help to understand this phenomenon in terms of gender threat and social control towards women.
EDAC events during the LADEE mission

The purpose of the Lunar Atmosphere Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission was to measure the density, composition and time variability of the lunar dust environment. The spacecraft was designed with modular common structural components that could be connected together to form the spacecraft. Spacecraft components were largely chosen from “off-the-shelf” sensors, actuators and avionics. The flight software was also designed using a layered modular approach leveraging model-based design concepts. High-level spacecraft control modules were autocoded from Simulink and integrated with reused executive and services modules and a small number of new hand-coded elements such as the software to control memory scrub hardware. The successful mission launched Sept 6, 2013 and was de-orbited and impacted the moon's surface on April 18, 2014. The spacecraft had 3 primary science instruments, the Lunar Dust Experiment, Neutral Mass Spectrometer, and the Ultra Violet Spectrometer. The mission also had a Laser Communications payload that set a record download rate of 622 MPS from the moon orbit. Over the course of the mission, LADEE had to tolerate a varying space radiation environment during a period of relative solar maximum and multiple passes through the Earth's Van Allen Radiation Belt. In order to mitigate this challenging environment, the Integrated Avionics Unit (IAU) chosen for the mission (a Broadreach Engineering RAD-750) implemented memory scrub in hardware. Software developed for the mission initialized and controlled the Error Detection and Correction (EDAC) circuitry and categorized and reported on errors that occurred during flight. The payloads, sensors and actuators each had varying degrees of tolerance to space radiation events, and events on these pieces of hardware were also tracked. This paper discusses the avionics and software for resilience to radiation events, and characterized the types of events during the course of LADEE's mission.
Volume Rendering of Segmented Tubular Objects

This paper describes a new method of combining ray casting with segmented tubular objects, such as blood vessels, for purposes of clinically useful display. The method first projects segmented tubes using a modified z-buffer that additionally records information about the objects projected. A subsequent step selectively volume renders only through the object volumes recorded by the z-buffer. In common with traditional "block" volume rendenng the actual image data is shown, of importance when the boundary of a segmented object is uncertain. Unlike traditional "block" volume rendering, the approach permits user manipulation of objects, operates rapidly, and provides depth information even for maximum intensity projection. Although our methods were developed for display of the intracerebral vasculature, the approach is applicable to volume rendermg of tubular objects throughout the body.
The importance of clinical research: the role of thermogenesis in human obesity

The hypothesis that human obesity is caused by deficient thermogenesis has been proposed by many investigators throughout the 20th century. Supporting evidence was obtained from epidemiologic studies of dietary intake, animal models with aberrant brown adipose tissue (BAT) function, and genetic studies of human polymorphisms of genes involved in BAT function. Supporting evidence was also obtained from clinical studies of the thermogenic effect of meals, but these measures capture only a short portion of the day and may miss some of the thermogenic effect. To capture the effects throughout the day and to move the studies out of the metabolic ward, investigators have used the doubly labeled water (DLW) method to measure total daily energy expenditure. DLW studies have not supported the above hypothesis. Increases in total energy expenditure (TEE) during overfeeding have been small (0.9 +/- 0.8 MJ/d) and account for an average of only 18 +/- 18% of the excess energy intake. Most of this increase is in the resting metabolic rate. Moreover, these studies showed little variation in the changes in resting metabolic rate or in thermogenesis from meals during overfeeding. Instead, the component that is most variable and that accounts for the variability in weight gain during overfeeding is the energy expended in physical activity. This component of TEE deserves greater attention in future studies. These studies of thermogenesis have shown the importance of clinical research as part of a comprehensive approach to understanding the etiology of human obesity.
2‐(2‐Methoxyethoxy)‐ethyl 2‐(Chlorosulfonyl)benzoate

[866942-11-2] C12H15CLO6S (MW 322.76) InChI = 1S/C12H15ClO6S/c1-17-6-7-18-8-9-19-12(14)10-4-2-3-5-11(10)20(13,15)16/h2-5H,6-9H2,1H3 InChIKey = TVQUWKKLSJIKOI-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent used to form a leaving group that is selectively reactive toward a variety of reagents including Ti(IV) halides and azides, metal halide salts, and positron-emitting metal fluorides) Solubility: soluble in methylene chloride, ethyl ether, alcohol and most other organic solvents; not soluble in H2O. Form Supplied in: colorless oil; not currently commercially available. Handling, Storage and Precautions: protection from moisture and heat significantly extends the shelf life of this rather stable reagent. With refrigeration, this reagent can be stored for 6 months or more with no decomposition. Although its toxicity has not been studied, this sulfonyl chloride reagent is likely to be harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the skin.
Adsorption of glycols, sugars, and related multiple -OH compounds onto activated carbons. 1. Adsorption mechanisms

Several different experimental methods were used to understand better the mechanisms of adsorption of glycerol, glycols, and sugars from dilute aqueous solution onto activated carbons. From batch equilibrium experiments, the affinity and capacity (25 C) of carbons for single and multiple {single{underscore}bond}OH compounds were greatest for solutes having larger positive deviations from solution ideality. Carbons with progressively oxidized surfaces exhibited reduced uptakes for all multiple {single{underscore}bond}OH solutes. Larger isosteric heats of adsorption on carbons were measured for compounds with fewer {single{underscore}bond}OH groups or higher molecular weight. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the volatility of the adsorbed multiple {single{underscore}bond}OH solute was reduced by higher molecular weight and solute hydrophobicity. Collectively, these findings show that the adsorption mechanism is characterized by: (1) attractive dispersion interactions between surface and solute, (2) solution-phase nonidealities, and (3) secondary, competitive interactions of the solute {single{underscore}bond}OH group(s) or surface oxygen groups with water.
Hourly Coordination of Electric Vehicle Operation and Volatile Wind Power Generation in SCUC

In this paper, the coordinated integration of aggregated plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) fleets and renewable energy sources (wind energy) in power systems is studied by stochastic security-constrained unit commitment (Stochastic SCUC) model, which minimizes the expected grid operation cost while considering the random behavior of the many PEVs. PEVs are mobile and distributed devices with deferrable options for the supply/utilization of energy at various times and locations. The increased utilization of PEVs, which consume electricity rather than fossil fuel for driving, offers unique economic and environmental opportunities, and brings out new challenges to electric power system operation and planning. The storage capability of PEVs could help power systems mitigate the variability of renewable energy sources and reduce grid operation costs. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) enables PEVs to have bi-directional power flows once they are connected to the grid, i.e., they can either inject power to, and draw power from, the grid which adds further complexity to power system operations. PEVs signify customers' random behavior when considering their driving patterns, locational energy requirements, topological grid interconnections, and other constraints imposed by the consumers. Numerical tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for analyzing the impact of PEVs on the grid operation cost and hourly wind energy dispatch.
Experiments on the Automaticity of Political Beliefs and Attitudes

Political science has long relied on explicit responses in order to understand what and how people think. New research in the cognitive sciences suggests that this reliance on conscious considerations provides but a partial picture of how citizens think and reason. Given the limitations of conscious working memory and the growing evidence that much of human cognition occurs outside of awareness, the defining empirical assumption of modern public opinion research—that citizens can tell us what is on their minds—seems increasingly suspect. Moreover, social science is particularly challenged by the sensitivity of their topics, which in turn raises social and personal desirability concerns about self-report data. In order to overcome these limitations, we propose an implicit experimental approach. We contend that implicit measures enable us to measure some of the automatic and affective responses and predispositions that influence thoughts and behaviors outside of conscious awareness.
Dynamic location and entry mode selection of multinational manufacturing facilities under uncertainty: A chance-constrained goal programming approach

As the global marketplace continues to expand, the firm's location strategy should shift from domestic to international. An international location problem is different from the traditional domestic location problem in that the former is influenced by a greater variety of uncontrollable, unpredictable, and dynamic factors than is the latter. These factors may include political conditions, expropriation risks, trade regulations, currency exchange rates, cultural differences, and global distribution channel structures. Consequently, the international location problem is more diverse, volatile and complex. Nevertheless, a vast majority of the location literature overlooked many important international aspects. To help the multinational firm formulate viable location strategies in the changing world marketplace, this paper proposes multiple-period, multiple-plant, multiple-objective, and stochastic location model.
Transformation of cyclohexene on palladium catalysts : activity and deactivation

The transformation of cyclohexene on palladium catalysts can take place via two competitive processes: disproportionation and dehydrogenation. A study conducted over a broad temperature range revealed that disproportionation prevails at low temperatures and dehydrogenation at high temperatures. When the reaction develops under continuous-flow conditions (viz. in a tubular reactor connected online to a mass spectrometer), a transition temperature exists for each catalyst above which hydrogen is formed in detectable amounts. Metal catalysts are strongly deactivated during the transformation of cyclohexene. This led us to examine the process by performing thermal programmed experiments, desorptions and thermal oxidations, which showed catalyst deactivation in this process to be the result of surface adsorption of benzene and carbon deposition. Finally, desorption and subsequent oxidation were found to effectively regenerate the catalysts, which thus regained their initial activity.
EOSINOPHILIC CYSTITIS IN A CHILD PRESENTING WITH A BLADDER MASS

Eosinophilic cystitis is a rare disorder in children. Fewer than 25 cases have been described in the literature. We report a case of eosinophilic cystitis in a boy who presented with severe irritative voiding symptoms and an infiltrative bladder lesion. CASE REPORT A 3-year-old boy was referred for evaluation of possible neurogenic bladder. Approximately 3 weeks before presentation progressive dysuria developed with urinary frequency every 20 minutes. Urological history and physical examination were unremarkable. Urinalysis showed proteinuria, while renal and bladder ultrasound revealed a severely thickened bladder wall and normal kidneys (fig. 1). Voiding cystourethrogram demonstrated no reflux, a thickened, irregular bladder wall and a normal urethra. Computerized tomography confirmed a thick bladder wall, suggesting an infiltrative process. Cystoscopy showed a normal trigone and ureteral orifices but there was diffuse thickening throughout the rest of the bladder wall. Biopsy revealed eosinophilic cystitis with characteristic eosinophilic infiltration of the bladder wall (fig. 2). Complete blood count demonstrated peripheral eosinophilia. The patient was treated with 6 weeks of tapered prednisone starting at 20 mg (5 mg/ml solution) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis. He had complete immediate symptomatic relief. Followup ultrasound at 6 weeks showed regression of the infiltrative process in the bladder wall (fig. 2). At 2 months he was asymptomatic off of all medications. Skin testing of common allergens was negative.
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Nucleosome Winding and Unwinding

Nucleosome post-translational modifications (PTMs), histone variants, and cofactors can activate and repress transcription of the DNA they package. Modified and variant nucleosomes are thought to regulate transcription by two mechanisms acting independently or in concert: “Tuning” the DNA binding affinity, or recruiting additional cofactors. To truly understand the regulation of nucleosome packaging processes, it is essential to deconvolute the effects of cofactor recruitment from the effects of changes in binding affinity. To distinguish these two mechanisms, we use single molecule optical trap measurements of nucleosomes under force to measure the kinetics of transitions between nucleosome states. Using a system of known phenotypic response (the sin mutant nucleosomes) we find that nucleosome variations affect the transition rates between states of nucleosome unwinding. From these rates, we are able to determine the free energy difference induced by a nucleosome variation, thus correlating a phenotypic response with rates and energy and giving mechanistic meaning to chromatin “loosening”. Our measurement of the energy serves as a benchmark against which the kinetics and free energies of nucleosomes containing histones with PTMs, variants, or cofactors may be compared to in future studies.
In-game assessments increase novice programmers' engagement and level completion speed

Assessments have been shown to have positive effects on learning in compulsory educational settings. However, much less is known about their effects in discretionary learning settings, especially in computing education and educational games. We hypothesized that adding assessments to an educational computing game would provide extra opportunities for players to practice and correct misconceptions, thereby affecting their performance on subsequent levels and their motivation to continue playing. To test this, we designed a game called Gidget, in which players help a robot find and fix defects in programs that follow a mastery learning paradigm. Across two studies, we manipulated the inclusion of multiple choice and self-explanation assessment levels in the game, measuring their impact on engagement and level completion speed. In our first study, we found that including assessments caused learners to voluntarily play longer and complete more levels, suggesting increased engagement; in our second study, we found that including assessments caused learners to complete levels faster, suggesting increased understanding. These findings suggest that including assessments in a discretionary computing education game may be a key design strategy for improving informal learning of computing concepts.
Prevalence of normal resting left ventricular function with normal rest electrocardiograms

This study examined the prevalence of normal resting left ventricular function in 2,275 patients referred for technetium-99m sestamibi stress imaging. The strongest predictor of normal left ventricular function was a normal electrocardiogram at rest.
Energy Loss to a Cold Background Gas. I. Higher Order Corrections to the Fokker-Planck Operator for a Lorentz Gas

The relaxation of an isotropic distribution of test particles in a homogeneous background gas is considered when the mass ratio is not necessarily very small. For the most part, the temperature of the background gas molecules is assumed to be zero, although a method is presented for including nonzero-temperature effects. The Boltzmann collision integral is represented by an infinite-series differential operator which, for all force laws, reduces to the usual Fokker-Planck equation when terms of second order in the mass ratio are discarded. For the case of Coulomb interactions, the usual Fokker-Planck equation is obtained if either the second-order mass-ratio terms or the terms of order $\frac{1}{\mathrm{ln}\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$ are discarded. A random-walk analysis is used to obtain a differential operator which agrees with the infinite-series differential operator when third-order terms in the mass ratio are discarded. When the background-gas temperature approaches zero, the usual Fokker-Planck equation predicts that an initial delta-function distribution will always remain a delta function during the relaxation process; whereas it is shown that both the random-walk analysis and the infinite-series differential operator give exact values for the dispersion of the initial delta function.
Detection of Lewis a antigenic determinants in Chinese medicinal herbs.

. Two Chinese medicinal herbs, Leonurus sibiricus L. and Carthamus tinctorius L., were found to have high levels of Lewis a (Lea)-like determinants. The water-soluble extracts specifically inhibited hemagglutination, hemolysis, and lymphocyte cytotoxicity directed against Lea. They did not inhibit Leb nor other specificities detected on lymphocytes, resulting from the interaction of Lewis, Secretor, and ABO systems such as A1Leb and A1Led. The activity was nondialyzable, resistant to boiling and proteolytic enzymes, but was destroyed by periodate. It was suprising that an Lea substance, previously found in human secretions, was also present in flower abstracts.
On Measuring Intergroup Inequality

This article develops an alternative measure for use in comparing two income distributions. The measure builds on the argument that under certain conditions inequality and dissimilarity are not the same thing, and this difference can be used to develop a measure of “crossover.” As far as we know, no analyst has developed a statistical measure that can determine the size of crossover (overlap) between two cumulative distribution functions. The measure is then applied to racial income distribution data in the United States. The results show some of the “styles” of crossover that vary from bottom-up to top-down patterns. We argue that the overlap information generated by this measure can provide insight into who benefits by trends in intergroup convergence that is not gained when using existing intergroup inequality measures.
A Comparison of Lateral Calibration Techniques for Quantitative Friction Force Microscopy

A comparison of two lateral force calibration techniques for friction force microscopy is presented. We used methods developed by Ogletree et.al. [1] and Ruan and Bhushan [2] to measure the friction response between the atomic force microscope (AFM) probe and a silicon sample and to obtain lateral force calibration factors. The factors were used to characterize the friction behavior and interfacial shear strength of a silicon nitride (Si3 N4 ) probe-ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) interface.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Autoeroticism, sexual satisfaction, and sexual adjustment among university females: Past and current patterns

A review of the research literature reveals a general paucity of rigorous scientific analyses of masturbatory behavior in adult females. The availability of a data base from a pilot study concerned with self‐perceptions of the orgasmic response during masturbation and sexual intercourse has provided the opportunity to investigate the role of masturbation in the sexual repertoire of university female students. This data base also permitted an assessment of what differences, if any, exist among those respondents who are currently masturbating, have masturbated but not currently masturbating, and have never masturbated. Questionnaire data were obtained from 512 never‐married, female university students enrolled in lower and upper division courses in anthropology, biology, psychology, and sociology. Respondents in the currently masturbating group were more likely to have experienced their first orgasm via masturbation, to have had greater success in achieving orgasm via masturbation, and to enjoy masturbating...
Gonadal function in patients with Down syndrome

Gonadal function was evaluated in 100 home-reared persons with Down syndrome (DS) including 53 boys and men and 47 girls and women. In order to definitively evaluate gonadal function in our subjects, all patients with abnormal thyroid function were excluded from endocrine analysis. Among the men, the frequency of hypospadias and cryptorchidism was similar to that of the general population. In both men and women, the ages for the onset and completion of puberty were also normal. However, among adult men with DS, the mean stretched penile length and the mean testicular volume were significantly below the mean value of normal men. In the 23 men with DS, the mean serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were significantly elevated above the mean for normal men. By contrast, the mean plasma level of testosterone (T) was normal, suggesting a diagnosis of partial gonadal deficiency. Among the 14 women in the study, 6 had primary gonadal dysfunction. In prepubertal children, serum FSH levels in 3 boys and 5 girls were more than 2 SD above the mean for normal children, while serum levels of LH in 3 boys and 2 girls were abnormally elevated. When gonadal function was evaluated in male infants, serum levels of FSH were above the normal in 6 of 11 subjects. Serum LH was abnormally elevated in 3 of 8 female infants. Our data argue that primary gonadal deficiency is common in DS, that it is progressive from birth to adolescence, and that it is clearly manifest in adult patients.
Collaborative Software Development in Support of Fast Adaptive AeroSpace Tools (FAAST)

A collaborative software development approach is described. The software product is an adaptation of proven computational capabilities combined with new capabilities to form the Agency's next generation aerothermodynamic and aerodynamic analysis and design tools. To efficiently produce a cohesive, robust, and extensible software suite, the approach uses agile software development techniques; specifically, project retrospectives, the Scrum status meeting format, and a subset of Extreme Programming's coding practices are employed. Examples are provided which demonstrate the substantial benefits derived from employing these practices. Also included is a discussion of issues encountered when porting legacy Fortran 77 code to Fortran 95 and a Fortran 95 coding standard.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass/Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/Left Heart Bypass: Indications, Techniques, and Complications

Cardiopulmonary bypass has revolutionized the ability to provide cardiorespiratory support and has advanced the field of cardiac surgery. This invention has given surgeons the ability to perform many procedures that were not possible previously. The concept and development of cardiopulmonary bypass has been pioneered by numerous legendary surgeons. Cardiopulmonary bypass, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and left heart bypass have revolutionized our ability to operate on the heart, great vessels, and aorta in addition to providing means of short-term support for reversible causes of cardiac and/or respiratory failure. The success of these approaches is dependent upon excellent communication between the surgeon, perfusionist, and anesthesiologist as well as constant vigilance and troubleshooting by the caregivers.
Cysteine and Disulfide Scanning Reveals a Regulatory α-Helix in the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Aspartate Receptor

Abstract The transmembrane, homodimeric aspartate receptor of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimuriumcontrols the chemotactic response to aspartate, an attractant, by regulating the activity of a cytoplasmic histidine kinase. The cytoplasmic domain of the receptor plays a central role in both kinase regulation and sensory adaptation, although its structure and regulatory mechanisms are unknown. The present study utilizes cysteine and disulfide scanning to probe residues Leu-250 through Gln-309, a region that contains the first of two adaptive methylation segments within the cytoplasmic domain. Following the introduction of consecutive cysteine residues by scanning mutagenesis, the measurement of sulfhydryl chemical reactivities reveals an α-helical pattern of exposed and buried positions spanning residues 270–309. This detected helix, termed the “first methylation helix,” is strongly amphiphilic; its exposed face is highly anionic and possesses three methylation sites, while its buried face is hydrophobic. In vivo and in vitro assays of receptor function indicate that inhibitory cysteine substitutions are most prevalent on the buried face of the first methylation helix, demonstrating that this face is involved in a critical packing interaction. The buried face is further analyzed by disulfide scanning, which reveals three “lock-on” disulfides that covalently trap the receptor in its kinase-activating state. Each of the lock-on disulfides cross-links the buried faces of the two symmetric first methylation helices of the dimer, placing these helices in direct contact at the subunit interface. Comparative sequence analysis of 56 related receptors suggests that the identified helix is a conserved feature of this large receptor family, wherein it is likely to play a general role in adaptation and kinase regulation. Interestingly, the rapid rates and promiscuous nature of disulfide formation reactions within the scanned region reveal that the cytoplasmic domain of the full-length, membrane-bound receptor has a highly dynamic structure. Overall, the results demonstrate that cysteine and disulfide scanning can identify secondary structure elements and functionally important packing interfaces, even in proteins that are inaccessible to other structural methods.
Wither Couple/Family Therapy?

Attention is called to disturbing developments in insurance reimbursement that threaten the practice of therapy involving more than one person. This can be seen as part of the movement to marginalize psychotherapy as first-line treatment and replace it with the inappropriate and excessive (and often exclusive) use of medication.
Changes in conjugative enzyme activity and acetaminophen metabolism in young and senescent male F-344 rats following prolonged exposure to buthionine sulfoximine

This study examined how advanced age affects glucuronide and sulfate conjugation of acetaminophen after prolonged exposure to L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO) in male Fischer 344 rats. Young (4-5 month) and senescent (21-22 month) rats received 11 doses of BSO (2 mmol/kg) at 12-h intervals via a gastric cannula. Hepatic metabolism was assessed in vivo by measuring the products of reactions mainly responsible for acetaminophen elimination, namely the formation of the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates. Selected drug-metabolizing enzyme activities were also determined in vitro. BSO treatment increased the partial clearance to acetaminophen glucuronide by 90% and 41% in young and old rats, respectively, and similarly, induced p-nitrophenol and 1-naphthol UDP-glucuronosyl transferase activities to a greater extent in young versus senescent animals. Thus, the induction of these UDP-glucuronosyl transferase activities by BSO is preserved in senescent animals. Although the partial clearance to acetaminophen sulfate was decreased in senescent control rats compared to young controls, BSO treatment decreased the in vivo rate of sulfation in both age groups. Similar to previous findings with the Sprague-Dawley strain, BSO treatment did not induce hepatic cytochrome P-450 content or activity or cytosolic p-nitrophenol sulfotransferase activity in young and senescent Fischer 344 rats.
A Comparison of Web-Based Versus Print-Based Decision Aids for Prostate Cancer Screening: Participants’ Evaluation and Utilization

Patient decision aids facilitate informed decision making for medical tests and procedures that have uncertain benefits. To describe participants’ evaluation and utilization of print-based and web-based prostate cancer screening decision aids that were found to improve decisional outcomes in a prior randomized controlled trial. Men completed brief telephone interviews at baseline, one month, and 13 months post-randomization. Participants were primary care patients, 45-70 years old, who received the print-based (N = 628) or web-based decision aid (N = 625) and completed the follow-up assessments. We assessed men’s baseline preference for web-based or print-based materials, time spent using the decision aids, comprehension of the overall message, and ratings of the content. Decision aid use was self-reported by 64.3 % (web) and 81.8 % (print) of participants. Significant predictors of decision aid use were race (white vs. non-white, OR = 2.43, 95 % CI: 1.77, 3.35), higher education (OR = 1.68, 95 % CI: 1.06, 2.70) and trial arm (print vs. web, OR = 2.78, 95 % CI: 2.03, 3.83). Multivariable analyses indicated that web-arm participants were more likely to use the website when they preferred web-based materials (OR: 1.91, CI: 1.17, 3.12), whereas use of the print materials was not significantly impacted by a preference for print-based materials (OR: 0.69, CI: 0.38, 1.25). Comprehension of the decision aid message (i.e., screening is an individual decision) did not significantly differ between arms in adjusted analyses (print: 61.9 % and web: 68.2 %, p = 0.42). Decision aid use was independently influenced by race, education, and the decision aid medium, findings consistent with the ‘digital divide.’ These results suggest that when it is not possible to provide this age cohort with their preferred decision aid medium, print materials will be more highly used than web-based materials. Although there are many advantages to web-based decision aids, providing an option for print-based decision aids should be considered.
The caput medusae of hypercoagulability

Thrombosis may be the most common cause of death in the United States. Virchow postulated, approximately 150 years ago, that intravascular thrombosis was caused by changes of the vessel wall, by reduction in blood flow, and by alteration of the chemical composition of the blood. The hypercoagulability component of the Virchow triad has, until recently, been poorly defined. During the past 40 years, a number of acquired and congenital hypercoagulable disorders have been described so that currently the cause for thrombotic events can be determined in many patients. The hypercoagulable-related thromboses are usually venous but may, less often, be arterial, and the thromboses often are the cause of significant morbidity and mortality. The vascular surgeon often participates in the management of hypercoagulable disorders. This review of hypercoagulable disorders is presented with the hope that the early recognition of these disorders will lead to the appropriate diagnosis and proper management of hypercoagulable-related thromboses.
The Significance of Dose Rate in Assessing the Hazards of Domestic Radon Exposure

Both miner-based epidemiological data and animal studies suggest that lung cancer induction from radon-progeny alpha-particle exposure depends on the exposure rate, and increases as the exposure rate decreases. This phenomenon has been interpreted to imply that radon risks per unit dose from domestic exposure (which occur at low exposure rates) will be underestimated by risk estimates derived from miner studies (which are at higher exposure rates). There is, however, another variable affecting this phenomenon, namely the absolute cumulative exposure to radon progeny. On basic biophysical grounds, it is argued that when the cumulative exposure is sufficiently low that multiple traversals of target cells are rare, the exposure rate effect disappears. This is the case for typical domestic radon exposures but not for most miner exposures; thus, although risk estimates from miner data refer to higher dose rates, based on dose rate consideration alone they may well overestimate, rather than underestimate, domestic radon risks. Although the data are limited, both miner-based epidemiological data and animal studies appear to follow the trend described here.
"Complete" system monitoring of polymer matrix composites

In situ, real time analysis of the chemical interactions occurring within the interphase of fiberglass fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites (PMCs) has been accomplished through utilization of fiber optic sensors. The fiber size, as well as the composition of the thin cladding, closely approximates industrial fiberglass fibers, which allows the fibers to function simultaneously as model fiber-reinforcements and evanescent wave sensors. Using this sensor technology, the current research has shown that reactions occurring between the fiber surface, adsorbed silane coupling agent, and polymer can be monitored using FT-NIR spectroscopy. Two PMC systems have been chosen to demonstrate the ability to monitor complex interphase chemistry in situ and in real time.
Power and the Control of Capital

This essay reviews three recent books on the political economy of finance in postcolonial Asia and Latin America and suggests a framework for examining the relationship between political power and varying patterns of control over investment resources. The stress is on the constraints different controllers of capital can impose on state leaders, the conditions under which policymakers can subvert these constraints, and how conflicts within the state over the trajectory of policy are mediated by who (or what) supplies critical investment resources and the institutional channels through which the resources flow.
Performance on the “aggression machine”: Motivation to help or harm?

An experiment was conducted to investigate the motives underlying Ss’ performance on the aggression machine. Results indicated that under the standard “learning” instructions devised by Buss, the amount of shock directed by Ss against a confederate was positively related to their expressed desires to help this individual and make the experiment a success. Thus, altruistic motives appeared to exert an important effect upon their behavior. When the experiment was described as an investigation of the effects of shock upon physiological reactions, however, the influence of such motives upon Ss’ behavior was apparently eliminated. The implications of these findings for the laboratory study of human aggression are discussed.