Darwin and the Human Future: New Order out of Chaos

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Untangling Partnership and Domination Morality

Riane Eisler’s (1987) cultural transformation theory is an effective framework for understanding many of the constructs that shape society. This article uses Eisler’s theory to explain the formation of morality and the construction of conscience. It contrasts partnership morality and domination morality, and describes the factors that shape our tendency to embrace one or the other. The article helps us understand that we have a choice, and invites us to choose partnership morality

Lattice and Energy Band Engineering in AlInGaN/Ga Heterostructures

We report on structural, optical, and electrical properties of AlxInyGa1−x−yNGaNheterostructures grown on sapphire and 6H–SiC substrates. Our results demonstrate that incorporation of In reduces the lattice mismatch, Δa, between AlInGaN and GaN, and that an In to Al ratio of close to 1:5 results in nearly strain-free heterostructures. The observed reduction in band gap,ΔEg, determined from photoluminescence measurements, is more than 1.5 times higher than estimated from the linear dependencies of Δa and ΔEg on the In molar fraction. The incorporation of In and resulting changes in the built-in strain in AlInGaN/GaN heterostructures strongly affect the transport properties of the two-dimensional electron gas at the heterointerface. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of strain energy band engineering for GaN-based electronic applications

Early dynamic changes to monocytes following major surgery are associated with subsequent infections

BackgroundPost-operative infections are a common cause of morbidity following major surgery. Little is understood about how major surgery perturbs immune function leading to heightened risk of subsequent infection. Through analysis of paired blood samples obtained immediately before and 24 h following surgery, we evaluated changes in circulating immune cell phenotype and function across the first 24 h, to identify early immune changes associated with subsequent infection.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational study of adult patients undergoing major elective gastrointestinal, gynecological, or maxillofacial surgery requiring planned admission to the post-anesthetic care unit. Patients were followed up to hospital discharge or death. Outcome data collected included mortality, length of stay, unplanned intensive care unit admission, and post-operative infections (using the standardized endpoints in perioperative medicine–core outcome measures for perioperative and anesthetic care criteria). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated prior to and 24 h following surgery from which cellular immune traits including activation and functional status were assessed by multi-parameter flow cytometry and serum immune analytes compared by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsForty-eight patients were recruited, 26 (54%) of whom developed a post-operative infection. We observed reduced baseline pre- and post-operative monocyte CXCR4 and CD80 expression (chemokine receptors and co-stimulation markers, respectively) in patients who subsequently developed an infection as well as a profound and selective post-operative increase in CD4+ lymphocyte IL-7 receptor expression in the infection group only. Higher post-operative monocyte count was significantly associated with the development of post-operative infection (false discovery rate < 1%; adjusted p-value = 0.001) with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.84 (p < 0.0001).ConclusionLower monocyte chemotaxis markers, higher post-operative circulating monocyte counts, and reduced co-stimulatory signals are associated with subsequent post-operative infections. Identifying the underlying mechanisms and therapeutics to reverse defects in immune cell function requires further exploration

Assessment of elliptic flame front propagation characteristics of iso-octane, gasoline, M85 and E85 in an optical engine

Premixed fuel–air flame propagation is investigated in a single-cylinder, spark-ignited, four-stroke optical test engine using high-speed imaging. Circles and ellipses are fitted onto image projections of visible light emitted by the flames. The images are subsequently analysed to statistically evaluate: flame area; flame speed; centroid; perimeter; and various flame-shape descriptors. Results are presented for gasoline, isooctane, E85 and M85. The experiments were conducted at stoichiometric conditions for each fuel, at two engine speeds of 1200 rpm (rpm) and 1500 rpm, which are at 40% and 50% of rated engine speed. Furthermore, different fuel and speed sets were investigated under two compression ratios (CR: 5.00 and 8.14). Statistical tools were used to analyse the large number of data obtained, and it was found that flame speed distribution showed agreement with the normal distribution. Comparison of results assuming spherical and non-isotropic propagation of flames indicate non-isotropic flame propagation should be considered for the description of in-cylinder processes with higher accuracy. The high temporal resolution of the sequence of images allowed observation of the spark-ignition delay process. The results indicate that gasoline and isooctane have somewhat similar flame propagation behaviour. Additional differences between these fuels and E85 and M85 were also recorded and identified

The moral brain.

Abstract. This article probes the evolutionary origins of moral capacities and moral agency. From this it develops a theory of the guidance system of higher mind (GSHM). The GSHM is a general model of intelligence whereby moral functioning is integrated with cognitive, affective, and conative functioning, resulting in a flow of information between eight brain levels functioning as an evaluative unit between stimulus and response. The foundation of this view of morality and of caring behavior is Charles Darwin's theory, largely ignored until recently, of the grounding of morality in sexual instincts which later expand into parental love. Also, Paul MacLean made these same connections in his development of the triune brain theory, which was founded on observations of both sexual and affectionate responses from stimulation of limbic and paleocortical areas (that is, not the most primitive areas) of monkey brains. This article relates the revolutionary theories of Darwin and of MacLean together for the first time in an way intended to be accessible to a range of social and natural scientists. The GSHM builds on and expands both of their work to develop a theory of the processing within our brains of information screened by a sequence of systems, social, future, moral, developmental, and managerial "sensitivities." Darwin's and MacLean's observations and the GSHM theory developed here argue against the old strict distinction between "lower" emotional processes and "higher" rational processes. In fact, MacLean, Karl Pribram, and others have found that emotional responses are closely tied to reason through the functions of the prefrontal cortex. Prefrontal function is closely related to the development of moral sensibility and judgment. In particular, it is the connections between prefrontal cortex and other brain areas that allow us to make deliberate choices to be or not to be caring. These same connections allow us to learn culturally sensitive signals for when to release or inhibit our cooperative or aggressive tendencies (both of which can be elicited by sexual displays in monkeys as well as humans). These are closely tied to the social instinct in animals, and to the socialization that children receive from their parents (whom the clinical psychologist Alan Schore has described as providing a "substitute prefrontal cortex" for their very young children). Higher levels of the GSHM model such capabilities as thinking beyond the current social situation to "what could be" and dialectical synthesis of apparent opposites, which are what allow humans the freedom to design social realities to fit our moral sensibilities

Untangling Partnership and Domination Morality

Riane Eisler’s (1987) cultural transformation theory is an effective framework for understanding many of the constructs that shape society. This article uses Eisler’s theory to explain the formation of morality and the construction of conscience. It contrasts partnership morality and domination morality, and describes the factors that shape our tendency to embrace one or the other. The article helps us understand that we have a choice, and invites us to choose partnership morality