cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Black Parents Strengths and Strategies (BPSS) Program: A Cultural Adaptation of the Strong-Willed Child Program

Prevention scientists have become increasingly more aware of the need to include populations of color in their research. Historically, effective universal, selective and indicated prevention models endorsed by major funders, such as the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), have been based on models targeting non-minority populations, often neglecting the specific needs of individuals and groups of color. While minority populations have long been overrepresented in disparity data in terms of economic conditions, mother-headed households, academic underachievement, and involvement with the criminal justice system, they have remained underrepresented in prevention scholarship (Kumpfer & Alvarado, 2003). Lawmakers and funders began to scrutinize evidence-based programs to consider racial, ethnic and cultural factors in the reduction of these epidemic-level social, health and academic problems (Kellam & Langevin, 2003).
A Hardware Monitor to Protect Linux System Calls

Internet-connected embedded systems have limited capabilities to defend themselves against remote hacking attacks. The potential effects of such attacks, however, can have a significant impact in the context of the Internet of Things, industrial control systems, smart health systems, etc. Embedded systems cannot effectively utilize existing software-based protection mechanisms due to limited processing capabilities and energy resources. We propose a novel hardware-based monitoring technique that can detect if the system calls of sophisticated embedded operating systems (e.g. Linux) deviate from the originally programmed behavior due to an attack. We present an FPGA-based prototype implementation that shows the effectiveness of such a security approach using a known Linux exploit. Our approach detects the attack with minimal overhead and without slowing processor operation.
On Stability of Specific Adhesion of Particles to Membranes in Simple Shear Flow

Adhesion of carrier particles to the luminal surface of endothelium under hemodynamic flow conditions is critical for successful vascular drug delivery. Endothelial cells line the inner surface of blood vessels. The effect of mechanical behavior of this compliant surface on the adhesion of blood-borne particles is unknown. In this contribution, we use a phase-plane method, first developed by Hammer and Lauffenburger [Biophysical Journal, 52, 475 (1987)], to analyze the stability of specific adhesion of a spherical particle to a compliant interface layer. We construct a phase diagram that predicts the state of particle adhesion, subjected to an incident simple shear flow, in terms of interfacial elasticity, shear rate, binding affinity of cell adhesive molecules, and their surface density. The main conclusion is that the local deformation of the flexible interface inhibits the stable adhesion of the particle. In comparison with adhesion to a rigid substrate, a greater ligand density is required to establish a stable adhesion between a particle and a compliant interface. The results can be used for the rational design of particles in vascular drug delivery.
Nucleophilic Addition to Singlet Diradicals: Heterosymmetric Diradicals

In the preceding paper, we examined the addition of nucleophiles to homosymmetric diradicals and showed that the reaction occurs with no symmetry restrictions or other electronic impediments. In this work, we examine the addition of nucleophiles to heterosymmetric diradicals, by using the addition of chloride to m-dehydrotoluene as a case study. Using CASPT2 and density functional theory calculations, we show that the addition of chloride to m-dehydrotoluene is predicted to be barrierless at the asymptotic limit if Cs symmetry is broken, and the reaction is allowed to proceed through a nonplanar geometry. A nonplanar cyclic allene acts as the transitioning structure between open-shell and closed-shell species for the addition of chloride, with a continuous and smooth changing of the wave function by the evolution of orbital and configuration interaction coefficients, such that there is no abrupt switch from diradical to closed-shell species along the reaction coordinate. The overall conclusion from our analysis is that both homosymmetric and heterosymmetric diradicals can undergo reaction with closed-shell reagents without a barrier, and one cannot rule out the direct addition of nucleophiles to diradicals when considering the reaction mechanism.
PFA(S) and automorphisms of P(N)/fin

Abstract Todorcevic introduced the forcing axiom PFA(S) and established many consequences. We contribute to this project. In particular, we show that forcing with the Souslin tree S, as postulated by PFA(S), will preserve that all automorphisms of the Boolean algebra P ( N ) / fin are trivial.
HF Channel Model at Sunrise with Dominant Galactic Noise

Based on recent results from solar physics and past measurements, we provide a new model for the noise encountered in the High Frequency (HF) channel when the main contribution comes from galactic noise. Our goal is to improve past modeling of the heavy tail part of the measured distribution. Our model is an additive mixture of a Gaussian interior with a Kappa exterior. At high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the model can be approximated as a Kappa distribution. This model benefits HF communication, planetary exploration, and possibly major earthquake prediction.
Abstract # 3196 Maternal sleep loss in postpartum associated with accelerated epigenetic aging

Objective: Research has linked poor sleep with biological aging in older adults. In the current analyses, we sought to test the hypothesis that mothers with significant sleep loss during the early postpartum period would exhibit accelerated epigenetic aging. Methods: Mothers were recruited as part of a larger study of pregnancy and postpartum health, called Healthy Babies Before Birth (HB3). Current analyses include 35 mothers (23–45 years) recruited from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA and followed through 12-months postpartum. Women provided blood samples for epigenetic assays at the 12-months postpartum visit. Self-reported short sleep ( .33. Conclusions: Shorter 6-months postpartum sleep duration predicted older epigenetic age (both IEAA and PEAA) at 12-months postpartum. These findings support the hypothesis that early postpartum sleep loss accelerates biological aging.
BDNF Actions in the Cardiovascular System: Roles in Development, Adulthood and Response to Injury.

Abstract The actions of BDNF in regulating neuronal development and modulating synaptic activity have been extensively studied and well established. Equally important roles for this growth factor have been uncovered in the cardiovascular system, through the examination of gene targeted animals to define critical actions in development, to the unexpected roles of BDNF in modulating the response of the heart and vasculature to injury. Here we review the compartmentally distinct realm of cardiac myocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and hematopoietic cells, focusing upon the actions of BDNF to modulate contractility, migration, neoangiogenesis, apoptosis and survival. These studies indicate that BDNF is an important growth factor which directs the response of the cardiovascular system to acute and chronic injury.
La predicación litúrgica islámica (juṭab) en un terreno de confrontación: chiíes y suníes, fatimíes y abasíes

In circumstances of political and religious conflict, the Islamic ritual sermon could be traumatic, especially when such sermons signaled a change in allegiance from a Sunni to a Shī‘ī ruler (or vice versa). For more than two centuries the Ismaili Fatimids confronted the Abbasids, each claiming for itself the right to be in invoked in the official sermon in the congregational mosques. One dramatic example of this change of loyalty is illustrated by a verbatim copy of what the preacher said on the occasion. This text, together with a few others that have been preserved, offer an opportunity to analysis this genre of preaching in a contested arena.
A point-process matched filter for event detection and decoding from population spike trains.

OBJECTIVE Information encoding in neurons can be described through their response fields. The spatial response field of a neuron is the region of space in which a sensory stimulus or a behavioral event causes that neuron to fire. Neurons can also exhibit temporal response fields (TRFs), which characterize a transient response to stimulus or behavioral event onsets. These neurons can thus be described by a spatio-temporal response field (STRF). The activity of neurons with STRFs can be well-described with point process models that characterize binary spike trains with an instantaneous firing rate that is a function of both time and space. However, developing decoders for point process models of neurons that exhibit TRFs is challenging because it requires prior knowledge of event onset times, which are unknown. Indeed, point process filters (PPF) to date have largely focused on decoding neuronal activity without considering TRFs. Also, neural classifiers have required data to be behavior- or stimulus-aligned, i.e. event times to be known, which is often not possible in real-world applications. Our objective in this work is to develop a viable decoder for neurons with STRFs when event times are unknown. APPROACH To enable decoding of neurons with STRFs, we develop a novel point-process matched filter (PPMF) that can detect events and estimate their onset times from population spike trains. We also devise a PPF for neurons with transient responses as characterized by STRFs. When neurons exhibit STRFs and event times are unknown, the PPMF can be combined with the PPF or with discrete classifiers for continuous and discrete brain state decoding, respectively. MAIN RESULTS We validate our algorithm on two datasets: simulated spikes from neurons that encode visual saliency in response to stimuli, and prefrontal spikes recorded in a monkey performing a delayed-saccade task. We show that the PPMF can estimate the stimulus times and saccade times accurately. Further, the PPMF combined with the PPF can decode visual saliency maps without knowing the stimulus times. Similarly, the PPMF combined with a point process classifier can decode the saccade direction without knowing the saccade times. SIGNIFICANCE These event detection and decoding algorithms can help develop neurotechnologies to decode cognitive states from neural responses that exhibit STRFs.
Quantifying Inter-Residue Contacts through Interaction Energies.

The validity and accuracy of protein modeling is dependent on constructing models that account for the inter-residue interactions crucial for protein structure and function. Residue interaction net...
Association of CYP1A1 rs1048943 Polymorphism with Prostate Cancer in Iraqi Men Patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between CYP1A1 gene rs1048943 polymorphism and the risk of Iraqi men with prostate cancer. Methods: In this research, we conducted a population-based approach that intersects high-throughput genotype information from different population of Iraq to estimate the frequency of genotypes associated with prostate cancer responsivenessOur study included a total of 100 patients and 150 healthy controls. rs1048943 genotyping has been investigated in Iraqi men in connection with prostate cancer. Results: We observed that individuals with the rs1048943 GA genotype had an increased risk of prostate cancer relative to those with the AA genotype ( OR 95% CI of 0.449 :95%CI 0.23-0.90; P = 0.002). We found in the dominant model that the rs1048943 GA and GG genotype displayed an increased risk of prostate cancer relative to the AA genotype ( OR 95% CI of 0.680 :95%CI 0.4-1.17; P = 0.018). Conclusion: Polymorphism RS 1048943 in the CYP1A1 gene is associated with the risk of developing prostate cancer and is possibly one of the most significant factors in its development.
Intersections of Stalking and Technology-Based Abuse: Emerging Definitions, Conceptualization, and Measurement

Intimate partner violence, stalking, and technology-based abuse increasingly intersect as online surveillance has become more easily accessible. Despite the ubiquity of information communication technologies across all aspects of social life, definitions and measurement of stalking have not kept pace with this cultural shift. This article describes stalking and technology-based abuse across three samples of intimate partner violence survivors. Over a period of 6 years (2012–2018), data were collected from survivors of intimate partner violence (n = 1137) receiving services from domestic violence programs (including shelter). Three forms of data collection were employed across two studies: pen-and-paper surveys, web-based surveys, and qualitative semi-structured interviews. Data were combined and analyzed to document and compare women’s reports of stalking and technology-based abuse. Across the two quantitative samples, 62–72% of women reported experiencing direct stalking and 60–63% reported experiencing technology-based abuse by an intimate partner. Qualitative data are used to describe and contextualize women’s reports of stalking and technology-based abuse. Stalking and technology-based abuse are contingent upon the context, including frequency, duration, history of abuse, and patterns of behavior. Due to the subjective nature of online interactions, it is challenging to create definitions and measures that capture these forms of abuse. Indeed, survivors themselves may not have a clear understanding of the threshold at which monitoring behaviors become abusive. Researchers should work to better understand definitions, measurement, and consequences of technology-based abuse and stalking while advocates and legislators move toward creating legal protections for survivors.
Food safety in the classroom: Using the Delphi technique to evaluate researcher‐developed food safety curriculum aligned to state academic standards

High school students’ prevalence as food‐service industry employees and their lack of food safety knowledge make them prime candidates for food safety education. The researchers developed a food‐safety‐focused curriculum for high school students aligned with Indiana Academic Standards for Agriculture, Advanced Life Science: Food. The curriculum was designed to provide students with fundamental food safety concepts through experiential learning and incorporation of science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics (STEAM) activities in the context of different careers related to agriculture, especially in food science. This study uses the Delphi technique to evaluate the food safety curriculum, including the identification of barriers to incorporating the curriculum into classrooms. The Delphi technique uses an expert panel to generate consensus related to a topic. A panel of experts in the field of education evaluated the curriculum through three rounds of surveys containing questions related to six curriculum assessment topics. Experts rated the degree to which they agreed with statements about the curriculum using a 5‐point Likert scale and multiple‐choice questions. At the conclusion of the study, the cost to purchase materials for cooking labs was the only identified barrier to curriculum incorporation (62.5%). Experts agreed that the curriculum addressed academic standards (100%), was engaging for students (100.0%), was easy for teachers to use (89.5%), and successfully incorporated STEAM (100.0%), experiential learning (89.5%), and career‐education (78.9%). This study highlights the feasibility of providing food safety education to high school students in less traditional disciplines while promoting career development through the incorporation of experiential learning, STEAM, and career‐education components.
ModQuad-DoF: A Novel Yaw Actuation for Modular Quadrotors

In this work we introduce ModQuad-DoF, a modular flying robotic structure with enhanced capabilities for yaw actuation. We propose a new module design that allows a one degree of freedom relative motion between the flying robot and the cage, with a docking mechanism allowing rigid connections between cages. A novel method of yaw actuation that increases the structure control authority is also presented. Our new method for the structure yaw control relies on the independent roll angles of each one of the modules, instead of the traditional drag moments from the propellers. In this paper, we propose a controller that allows the ModQuad-DoF to control its position and attitude. In our experiments, we tested a different number of modules flying in cooperation and validated the novel yaw actuation method.
MSRE TRANSIENT BENCHMARKS USING SAM

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in Molten Salter Reactors (MSRs) for their potential advantages compared to reactors that rely on solid fuel. In response to such interest, the System Analysis Module (SAM) was enhanced to include MSR-specific modeling features including a delayed neutron precursor drift model and a modified point kinetics model. This paper discusses the validation of these features using the experiments conducted in the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE). These experiments include the pump start-up and coast-down tests at zero power and a thermal convection test. For the zero power tests, the change in pump speeds induces flow rate changes in the core that impact the precursor concentrations. This introduces a neutron imbalance and requires the adjustment of the control rods to counter-balance this effect. SAM was used to evaluate the precursor concentration in the core as a function of time, and the resulting changes in reactivity were evaluated through the modified point kinetics equation. The results show good agreement with the experimental data. It should be noted that the pump performance curve used in this analysis was re-constructed based on the initial water test data of the fuel pump. The steady-state pump curve is assumed to be applicable to transient flow operations. The thermal convection test was conducted by shutting off the pumps, reducing the inlet core temperature for 360 minutes, and allowing the power to be adjusted by the inherent feedbacks of the system. The power level during this transient was evaluated by SAM as a function of time.
Examining the Feasibility of Quantifying Receptor Availability Using Cross-Modality Paired-Agent Imaging

The ability to noninvasively quantify receptor availability (RA) in solid tumors is an aspirational goal of molecular imaging, often challenged by the influence of non-specific accumulation of the contrast agent. Paired-agent imaging (PAI) techniques aim to compensate for this effect by imaging the kinetics of a targeted agent and an untargeted isotype, often simultaneously, and comparing the kinetics of the two agents to estimate RA. This is usually accomplished using two spectrally distinct fluorescent agents, limiting the technique to superficial tissues and/or preclinical applications. Applying the approach in humans using conventional imaging modalities is generally infeasible since most modalities are unable to routinely image multiple agents simultaneously. We examine the ability of PAI to be implemented in a cross-modality paradigm, in which the targeted and untargeted agent kinetics are imaged with different modalities and used to recover receptor availability. Eighteen mice bearing orthotopic brain tumors were administered a solution containing three contrast agents: (1) a fluorescent agent targeted to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), (2) an untargeted fluorescent isotype, and (3) a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) for MRI imaging. The kinetics of all three agents were imaged for 1 h after administration using an MRI-coupled fluorescence tomography system. Paired-agent receptor availability was computed using (1) the conventional all-optical approach using the targeted and untargeted optical agent images and (2) the cross-modality approach using the targeted optical and untargeted MRI-GBCA images. Receptor availability estimates between the two methods were compared. Receptor availability values using the cross-modality approach were highly correlated to the conventional, single-modality approach (r = 0.94; p < 0.00001). These results suggest that cross-modality paired-agent imaging for quantifying receptor availability is feasible. Ultimately, cross-modality paired-agent imaging could facilitate rapid, noninvasive receptor availability quantification in humans using hybrid clinical imaging modalities.
Summary of the Status of the Nimbus-7 SMMR

This report describes the present state of calibration of the Nimbus-7 SMMR, and its relevance to retrievals of sea surface temperatures (SST).
An Unusual Right to Left Shunt: A case report

Persistent Left Superior Venacava (PLSVC) is the most common venous anomaly affecting the thoracic venous system. If present, the usual site of drainage of a PLSVC is the right atrium via the coronary sinus. Here, we present a case of PLSVC which drained into left atrium instead. The patient, thus, had right to left shunt, making him persistently hypoxemic despite supplementary oxygen. This condition is extremely uncommon and can be easily overlooked if not specifically searched for.
Organizing signal transduction through A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs).

A fundamental role for protein-protein interactions in the organization of signal transduction pathways is evident. Anchoring, scaffolding and adapter proteins function to enhance the precision and directionality of these signaling events by bringing enzymes together. The cAMP signaling pathway is organized by A-kinase Anchoring Proteins (AKAPs). This family of proteins assembles enzyme complexes containing the cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA), phosphoprotein phosphatases, phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and other signaling effectors to optimize cellular responses to cAMP and other second messengers. Selected AKAP signaling complexes will be highlighted in this review.
Cat and Mouse: Industries', States' and NGOs' Forum - Shifting in the Battle Over Intellectual Property Enforcement

Abstract Since the early 1980s advocates seeking to ratchet up levels of intellectual property (IP) protection have shifted forums both vertically and horizontally in order to achieve their goals. They have shifted vertically, from multilateral to regional to bilateral levels, and they have shifted horizontally across diverse international organizations. Those who seek to ration access to IP are engaged in an elaborate cat and mouse game with those who seek to expand access. As soon as one venue becomes less responsive to a high protectionist agenda, IP protectionists shift to another in search of a more hospitable venue. Forum-shifting can refer to several distinct dynamics, all of which are designed to yield preferred results by changing the game. Parties might move an agenda from one forum to another, exit a forum altogether (e.g. the US exiting UNESCO in the 1980s), or pursue agendas simultaneously in multiple forums. According to Peter Drahos, “forum shifting means that some negotiations are never really over.” Strong states like the U.S. shift forums to optimize their power and advantages and minimize opposition. The IP enforcement agenda is just the latest in a series of strategic forum shifts. Yet “weaker” parties, such as developing countries and public advocacy non-governmental organizations (NGOs), also deploy forum-shifting strategies in their efforts to reshape the rules. Laurence Helfer’s most recent analysis follows the process between TRIPs and the access to medicines campaign . He traces two key cycles: first the adoption of TRIPs; followed by the access-to-medicines campaign’s desired amendments to TRIPs in WTO; and concludes that the latter was a victory for the “weak” . By contrast Daniel Drezner traces three cycles: the adoption of TRIPs; the Doha Declaration; and the amendment to TRIPs for countries that have no domestic generic drug manufacturing capability. He concludes that this last cycle demonstrates that the “strong” states with large markets ultimately prevail. This paper does not seek to “prove” either of these two analysts “right” or “wrong”, but rather to demonstrate the importance of tracking regime complexity and highlighting both policy and analytic implications of such analysis. This paper extends these cycles forward into time and traces the process of contestation within and across forums.
Forecasting of housing stock returns and housing prices: Evidence from the endurance index of housing investor sentiment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to create an endurance index of housing investor sentiment and use it to forecast housing stock returns. This study performs not only in-sample and out-of-sample forecasting, like many previous studies did, but also a true forecasting by using all lag terms of independent variables. In addition, an evaluation procedure is applied to quantify the quality of forecasts. Design/methodology/approach – Using a binomial probability distribution model, this paper creates an endurance index of housing investor sentiment. The index reflects the probability of the high or low stock price being the close price for the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Housing Sector Index. This housing investor sentiment endurance index directly uses housing stock price differentials to measure housing investor reactions to all relevant news. Empirical results in this study suggest that the index can not only play a significant role in explaining variations in housing stock returns but also have decen...
Abusing the Trade Laws: An Antitrust Perspective

The U.S. trade laws provide domestic firms with remedies against foreign firms which employ unfair trade practices. A party can initiate an antidumping or countervailing duty proceeding simply by filing a petition alleging that it has been injured by foreign competition. Normally, petitions for relief under the trade laws should not subject domestic firms to antitrust liability. However, firms which enter collusive settlements with foreign competitors and bring frivolous trade actions for collateral purposes should not escape antitrust scrutiny. This article examines the antitrust risks firms face when they abuse the trade laws, and the application of the Noerr-Pennington and sham litigation doctrines to the bringing of trade actions.
Chapter 12 Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer in the Studies of Integrin Activation

Publisher Summary The activation of integrin receptors is essential for leukocytes to reach the sites of inflammation from the circulation. Like many other proteins that form the component parts of membrane structures, integrins are not fixed in a particular conformation. Instead, they reversibly equilibrate between the bent, low-affinity and extended, high-affinity conformation, with several apparent intermediate conformations. Recent advances in fluorescence microscope techniques provide various methods to define the structure and function of integrins on the living cell surface. One of the most widely used fluorescence techniques to measure dynamic integrin activation with nanometer resolution is Forster (or fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (FRET). Advances in optics, image processing, highly sensitive photodetectors, and the development of mutant forms of green fluorescent protein (GFP) have improved the application of FRET microscopy to the study of complex processes in living specimens. This chapter discusses the different techniques that utilize fluorescent biomolecules along with the technical aspects and limitations of each method. In particular, it focuses on FRET microscopy and its applications to studying leukocyte integrin activation. Many of the techniques that are described here are accessible to the nonspecialized research laboratory.
Biogeochemistry of phosphorus, iron, and trace elements in soils as influenced by soil-plant-microbial interactions

Publisher Summary The rhizosphere, a thin layer of soil adjacent to roots of living plants, is a chemically complex and microbiologically dynamic segment of the soil. At any given time, it accounts for a small fraction of the bulk soil in the root zone. All the surface soils, at one time or another, may be under the influence of roots. The rhizosphere receives exudates from roots, supports a dense and diverse population of microorganisms, and its chemistry is affected by the organic substances exuded by plant roots and by metabolites produced from microbial degradation of the organic substrates. The extraction of nutrients such as potassium ions by plants often initiates the weathering of primary minerals to secondary minerals. The biogeochemical activities in the rhizosphere have profound influence on evolution of soils. They induce dissolution of not readily soluble plant nutrients and potentially toxic elements and accelerate the weathering of clay minerals affecting the soil ability to accommodate plant nutrients and to attenuate toxic elements.
Finding level-ancestors in dynamic trees

We examine the problem of answering ancestor queries on tree; that is, questions of the form "what is the i th ancestor of vertex v?" We solve this problem when the tree is static with linear preprocessing time and constant time per query (a previously known result), and when the tree is growing by the addition of leaves (the addleaf operation) and addition of new roots (addroot operations), where updates and queries take constant amortized time. In both cases, the machine model is the RAM with logarithmic word size.
Double Trouble: Collateral Shareholder Litigation Following Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Investigations

A recent surge in government enforcement of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) has increased opportunities for private plaintiffs to bring collateral civil actions. In response to FCPA investigations, shareholders now routinely file derivative suits, securities fraud class actions, or both. Collateral shareholder lawsuits may allege, for example, that the directors violated their fiduciary duties by failing to oversee the company and avoid or detect the FCPA violation or that the company misled shareholders by not disclosing the conditions that led to the violation. To date, FCPA-based shareholder litigation has enjoyed limited success, with many actions dismissed at early stages of the lawsuits. Nevertheless, a number of the suits have been settled, some for amounts exceeding the government penalties paid by the company for the FCPA violations.Shareholder litigation based on company behavior that violates the FCPA is significant for several reasons. In the FCPA context, the threat of private litigation increases the impact of an FCPA violation by increasing a company’s liability. Moreover, parallel shareholder litigation may also subtly expand FCPA liability by functioning as an FCPA private right of action. FCPA-related shareholder lawsuits may also be of more general doctrinal significance. Allegations that directors failed to fulfill their fiduciary duties of oversight may constitute “Caremark claims,” which inform the fundamental duties of corporate managers. Similarly, shareholder allegations of inaccurate books and records and inadequate accounting controls may be brought as securities fraud class action suits based on the company’s misleading disclosure. Both corporation and securities law cases, in the FCPA context, may disturb the uneasy allocation of state and federal regulation of business associations.This article examines recent shareholder litigation based on company behavior that violates the FCPA. Part II introduces the FCPA and the current surge in its enforcement. Part III examines the increase in shareholder actions based on FCPA violations. Parts IV and V analyze shareholder derivative and securities fraud class action lawsuits, respectively, in terms of what shareholders are alleging and how their suits are faring. Part VI draws preliminary conclusions about the legal consequences of increased collateral shareholder litigation based on FCPA violations.
Shaping of ultrabroad bandwidth pulses: toward single-cycle control of optical fields

We demonstrate the shaping of ultrabroad bandwidth femtosecond optical pulses with temporal resolution approaching 10 fsec and explore the limitations of femtosecond ultrabroad bandwidth pulse shaping. Using a commercially available liquid crystal spatial light modulator within a reflective optics pulse shaping apparatus, we synthesize a variety of complex waveforms and show that it is possible to compensate for large amounts of high order phase dispersion by appropriate cubic and quartic phase modulation of the pulse. Finally, we theoretically examine inherent limitations of pulse shaping. Surprisingly, Fourier transform pulse shaping techniques are robust and can be used for pulses with 5 fsec durations, beyond the current capabilities of ultrafast laser systems.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
NAMING THE OTHER: HOW DOMINANT CULTURE PRIVILEGE AND ASSIMILATION AFFECT SELECTED UNDERREPRESENTED POPULATIONS AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

In this article we report on our review of articles published in the Community College Journal of Research and Practice (CCJRP) from 1990 to 2000 regarding certain underrepresented populations. Using the data and perspectives provided by CCJRP contributors, we show how dominant culture privilege and assimilation characterize various aspects of community college culture. We also identify specific problems noted by CCJRP contributors and describe their recommendations to counter the marginalization and underrepresentation of selected racial, ethnic, and cultural minorities on campus.
Mentoring, a program for training new IT staff

Mentor [men-tawr, -ter] noun 1. a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. 2. an influential senior sponsor or supporter.Experiential learning is one of the best ways to train your new information technology (IT) staff including the student staff. In an IT environment, however, scheduling the required participants and having a formalized training session for all topics may seem impossible. Retention levels increase if the participants can "engage" in the activities rather than just watching the content online, reading documents or participating in a lecture-style-PowerPoint session. Mentoring can be utilized in a dynamic training environment such as training new IT staff.At Grinnell College, we have taken advantage of mentoring as our main type of IT training provided to IT staff, including the student staff, Technology Consultants (TCs). There are many advantages of using a mentor system to train new staff as it not only allows a real-time training experience, but also builds relationships with the current staff. Through the use of mentor and mentee orientation, mentoring guides, scheduled mentored shifts and evaluations, our mentoring program has proven to be successful in training new staff members.The IT mentor program has evolved into a successful part of training at Grinnell College and seems to be a way to have new staff members engage in their new duties immediately, while pacing new information in an organized and appropriate way; along with building relationships with new team members.
On the spin separation of algebraic two-component relativistic Hamiltonians: Molecular properties

The idea for separating the algebraic exact two-component (X2C) relativistic Hamiltonians into spin-free (sf) and spin-dependent terms [Z. Li, Y. Xiao, and W. Liu, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 154114 (2012)] is extended to both electric and magnetic molecular properties. Taking the spin-free terms (which are correct to infinite order in α ≈ 1/137) as zeroth order, the spin-dependent terms can be treated to any desired order via analytic derivative technique. This is further facilitated by unified Sylvester equations for the response of the decoupling and renormalization matrices to single or multiple perturbations. For practical purposes, explicit expressions of order α(2) in spin are also given for electric and magnetic properties, as well as two-electron spin-orbit couplings. At this order, the response of the decoupling and renormalization matrices is not required, such that the expressions are very compact and completely parallel to those based on the Breit-Pauli (BP) Hamiltonian. However, the former employ sf-X2C wave functions, whereas the latter can only use nonrelativistic wave functions. As the sf-X2C terms can readily be interfaced with any nonrelativistic program, the implementation of the O(α²) spin-orbit corrections to sf-X2C properties requires only marginal revisions of the routines for evaluating the BP type of corrections.
Quantitative Interpretation of Human Biomonitoring Data

Biomonitoring, the measurement of chemicals in human tissues and fluids, is becoming commonplace, and biomonitoring data has proved to be an important resource for identifying the presence of chemicals, both natural and synthetic, in human populations. However, the concentrations of the chemicals detected in human samples are generally very low, typically in the parts per billion (ppb) or parts per trillion (ppt) range, and the degree of risk posed by these chemicals depends on whether the exposure levels approach those known to cause toxicity in test animals or people. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to relate a measured concentration of a chemical in a human tissue or fluid to the administered doses used in animal toxicity studies. As the number of chemicals identified in human tissues increases, so does the challenge for providing a risk context for the observed concentrations. Moreover, the challenges associated with interpretation of biomonitoring data on different classes of chemicals can be quite different. This review focuses on the use of pharmacokinetic modeling, and in particular, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, to support the interpretation of human biomonitoring data from the perspective of exposure reconstruction and risk characterization. A general approach, referred to as reverse dosimetry, is described for estimating the distribution of exposure levels in the environment that could give rise to measured biomarker concentrations in a population. These exposure distributions can be compared to regulatory exposure guidance values or no-effect levels in toxicity studies to put potential risks in context.
Substrate selection and larval settlement by Cupelopagis vorax

Cupelopagis vorax was sampled for one year with a glass slide sampler. Slides were collected every two weeks and the numbers and locations of settled individuals noted. Reproductive condition of the collected rotifers was recorded. The population appeared suddenly and rapidly attained peak numbers. C. vorax shows a distinct preference for the underside of horizontally-oriented surfaces. Sexual reproduction occurred when the number of settling individuals was maximum.
General N-Body Theory of Nonrelativistic Quantum Scattering

The two-Hilbert-space theory of scattering is reviewed with particular reference to its application to nonrelativistic multichannel quantum- mechanical scattering theory. In Part I the abstract assumptions of the theory are collected, transition operators (both on- and off-energy-shell) are defined, the dynamical equations that determine the off-shell transition operators are presented and their real-energy limits examined, and the convergence of sequences of approximate transition operators is established. A section on how to incorporate group symmetries into the formalism reports new work. The material of Part I is relevant to a variety of both classical and quantum scattering systems. In Part II attention is directed specifically to N-body nonrelativistic quantum scattering systems in which the particles interact via short-range pair potentials. A method of constructing approximate transition operators is presented and shown to satisfy all the abstract assumptions of Part I. The dynamical equations that determine the half-on-shell approximate transition operators are shown to be coupled one-dimensional integral equations that have compact kernels and unique solutions when considered as operators on a Hilbert space of Holder continuous functions. Moreover, the on-shell parts of those approximate transition amplitudes are shown to converge to the exact on-shell amplitudes as the order of the approximation increases. Detailed formulas for the kernels of the integral equations are written down for systems of particles that are distinguishable and for systems containing identical particles. Finally, some important open problems are described.
A Review of the Evidence: Health Effects of Personal Care Products

Olivia was a former runway model For 16 years during her fashion career, she wore more makeup and hair products than most women use in lifetime. Even when she wasn't worning, Olivia kept her hair coiffed and her nails polished at all times. She becamepregnant and continued her beauty regimen, includ- ing frequent to the beauty salon for hair styling and manicures. Later her son was born at 30 weeks gestation with hypospadus. Olivia was surprised to learn afterward that genital malformations such as hypospadius have been a ted with phtha- lates, an ingradient hairspray and ail polish (Malkan, 2007). Could her son's prenatal exposure to chemicals in beauty products have increased his risk for hypospadius?
Relationship between Exercise Capacity and Brain Size in Mammals

Background A great deal of experimental research supports strong associations between exercise, cognition, neurogenesis and neuroprotection in mammals. Much of this work has focused on neurogenesis in individual subjects in a limited number of species. However, no study to date has examined the relationship between exercise and neurobiology across a wide range of mammalian taxa. It is possible that exercise and neurobiology are related across evolutionary time. To test this hypothesis, this study examines the association between exercise and brain size across a wide range of mammals.
P2Y2 Receptor-mediated Lymphotoxin-α Secretion Regulates Intercellular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The proinflammatory cytokine lymphotoxin-α (LTA) is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms that regulate its expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are poorly understood. The ability of exogenous nucleotides to stimulate LTA production was evaluated in VSMC by ELISA. The P2Y2 nucleotide receptor (P2Y2R) agonist UTP stimulates a strong and sustained release of LTA from WT but not P2Y2R−/− SMC. Assessment of LTA gene transcription by LTA promoter-luciferase construct indicated that LTA levels are controlled at the level of transcription. We show using RNAi techniques that knockdown of the actin-binding protein filamin-A (FLNa) severely impaired nucleotide-induced Rho activation and consequent Rho-mediated LTA secretion. Reintroduction of FLNa in FLNa RNAi SMC rescued UTP-induced LTA expression. In addition, we found that UTP-stimulated LTA secretion is not sensitive to brefeldin A, which blocks the formation of vesicles involved in protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, suggesting that P2Y2R/filamin-mediated secretion of LTA is independent of the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi secretory vesicle route. Furthermore, UTP selectively induces ICAM-1 expression in WT but not SMC expressing a truncated P2Y2R deficient in LTA secretion. These data suggest that P2Y2R recruits FLNa to provide a cytoskeletal scaffold necessary for Rho signaling pathway upstream of LTA release and subsequent stimulation of ICAM-1 expression on vascular smooth muscle cells.
Induction of sister chromatid exchange and micronuclei in primary cultures of rat and human hepatocytes by the peroxisome proliferator, Wy-14,643

Abstract The ability of peroxisome proliferators to induce hepatocellular carcinomas in rodents has been known since the mid 1970's, but the mechanism of tumor formation is still poorly understood. In this study, we have used primary cultures of both rat and human hepatocytes to address the question of whether the peroxisome proliferator, [4-chloro-6-(2,3-xylidino)-2-pyrimidinylthio] acetic acid (Wy-14,643), causes genotoxic damage in hepatocytes as measured by sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronuclei formation, and chromosomal aberrations. We have found that in rat hepatocytes the number of SCEs per chromosome increased in a dose-dependent manner from a background level of 0.7 to a maximum of 1.1 in cells exposed for 48 h to 100 μM of Wy-14,643. In contrast, no increase in SCE frequency was observed in rat hepatocytes exposed to Wy-14,643 for 3 h. A dose-dependent increase in micronuclei formation was also seen in the 48 h but not in the 3 h cultures. The maximum frequency of micronuclei formation after a 48 h exposure occurred at 20 μM Wy-14,643 and was 2.3 times that for control cells. At this concentration of Wy-14,643, the frequency of chromosomal aberrations was increased by more than 10-fold. A 48 h exposure to Wy-14,643 also significantly increased micronuclei formation in human hepatocytes, but it was less effective than in rat hepatocytes. To investigate the potential role of peroxisome proliferation in these genotoxic responses, we measured the activities of palmitoyl-CoA β-oxidase in hepatocytes exposed for 48 h to Wy-14,643. A dose-dependent increase in palmitoyl-CoA β-oxidase activity was observed in rat hepatocytes, but notin human hepatocytes. The SCE frequency in rat hepatocytes correlated well with the degree of peroxisome proliferation, however, the increased formation of micronuclei in both rat and human hepatocytes occurred by a mechanism that appeared to be independent of peroxisome induction. In summary, these results demonstrate that the peroxisome proliferator, Wy-14,643, causes genotoxic damage in primary cultures of both rat and human hepatocytes.
Sonographic assessment of the incompetent cervix during pregnancy

C ervical examination is important in the evaluation of the pregnant cervix. Digital assessment of cervical dilatation, effacement, consistency, and position are indispensable in the diagnosis of cervical incompetence, preterm labor, and term labor. Since 1979, when Sarti et al 1 described the use of transabdominal sonographic examination of the uterine cervix, sonography has been advanced as a means of obtaining objective, accurate, precise, reproducible, reliable, dynamic, and detailed assessment of the cervix during pregnancy. Sonographic examination allows visualization of the internal cervical os and the portion of the cervix that lies above the vaginal fornices, providing information that is inaccessible to digital examination.