bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE MORAL MURDERER. A (MORE) EFFECTIVE COUNTEREXAMPLE TO CONSEQUENTIALISM
Authors: Rivera‐López Eduardo
Published: August 2012

My aim in this paper is to provide an effective counterexample to consequentialism. I assume that traditional counterexamples, such as Transplant (A doctor should kill one person and transplant her organs to five terminal patients, thereby saving their lives) and Judge (A judge should sentence to death an innocent person if he knows that an outraged mob will otherwise kill many innocent persons), are not effective, for two reasons: first, they make unrealistic assumptions and, second, they do not pass the rule‐consequentialist institutional test. My example (The Moral Murderer), instead, assumes a realistic empirical framework and the relevant action does not undermine basic social institutions. On the contrary, it reinforces them. In The Moral Murderer, Tom (an adult male) is morally allowed to murder a person (preferably a woman) in order to be punished to death.
THE OBJECTS OF ACTION EXPLANATION
Authors: Sandis Constantine
Published: August 2012

This paper distinguishes between various different conceptions of behaviour and action before exploring an accompanying variety of distinct things that ‘action explanation’ may plausibly amount to viz. different objectives of action explanation. I argue that a large majority of philosophers are guilty of conflating many of these, consequently offering inadequate accounts of the relation between actions and our reasons for performing them. The paper ends with the suggestion that we would do well to opt for a pluralistic understanding of action and its explanations.
Psychosocial health information in free text notes of Swedish children’s health records
Authors: Ståhl Ylva , Granlund Mats , Simeonsson Rune , Andersson Gäre Boel , Enskär Karin
Published: August 2012

Background:  High‐quality documentation of children’s health is an important priority in health care given trends of declining mental health and reduced well‐being in children. There is a lack of information concerning psychosocial health in the standardized part of the national health record in the Child Health Service and the School Health Service in Sweden. Further, little is known if the free text notes in the health record, besides information on physical health, also include information on children’s psychosocial health. The aim of this study was to describe what is recorded concerning children’s health and development in free text notes.

Methods:  The study was based on a retrospective analysis of text using an inductive approach for qualitative analyses of content.

Results:  The analysis of the free text notes in the health records yielded seven categories: development, family, health problems, living habits, medical issues, preschool/school and leisure, and well‐being. The categories mainly covered psychosocial aspects of health and were not only about health and development problems of the child but also what was covered during the visits. The information was unevenly distributed across the ages. A stronger focus on the youngest age groups within a family and preschool setting is needed. There was novel information in the free text notes such as pain, general health, emotions, mother’s mental health and leisure activities, which was not covered in the standardized part of the health records.

Conclusion:  The free text notes mainly reflected a psychosocial perspective on health. The findings of this study suggest that requesting more information on children’s psychosocial health in the standardized part of the health records could contribute to more comprehensive and informative health records in the Child health Service and the School Health Service in Sweden.
To reduce technology prior discharge from intensive care – important but difficult? A grounded theory
Authors: Häggström Marie , Asplund Kenneth , Kristiansen Lisbeth
Published: August 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study was to provide a deeper understanding of the experience of intensive care staff regarding the reduction in the use of medical technology prior to patients’ transfer from the ICU.

Background:  The goal of ICU transitional care, provided for intensive care patients before, during and after the transfer from the ICU to another care unit, is to ensure minimal disruption and optimal continuity of care for the patient. To smooth this transition, there is a need to prepare for a less technological environment and therefore also a need for a gradual reduction in the use of monitoring equipment.

Method:  Group interviews and individual interviews, together with participant observations, were conducted with ICU staff in two hospitals in Sweden. The data were analysed using classic grounded theory.

Results:  The main concern was the ICU staff’s ambiguity regarding whether and how to reduce the use of medical technology devices. Insecurity about weaning patients from medical equipment combined with a lack of standardized routines made it difficult for staff to reduce the technical support. The core category describes how the ambiguity was solved primarily by ‘prioritizing control’. However, this often caused the ICU staff to use advanced technology while the patients were in the ICU until the ward staff arrived, even if this should have been handled otherwise. Why and how the ICU staff used the strategy of ‘prioritizing control’ is further explained in the categories ‘being affected by cultural/contextual aspects’, ‘searching for guidance and a shared understanding’ and ‘weighing advantages with more v s less technology’.

Conclusion:  It is important to consider ICU staff ambiguity concerning the reduction in technology and to establish strategies for a safe and structured transitional phase with step‐down procedures in which technology and monitoring is gradually reduced prior to transfer from ICU.
Irreversible river water quality and the concept of the reference condition
Authors: Mao Feng , Richards Keith
Published: August 2012

In the Water Framework Directive (WFD), ‘water quality’ now refers to a comprehensive assessment of the state of aquatic ecosystems (whether fluvial or lacustrine), which are evaluated by their deviation from a pre‐determined historically‐based reference condition. However, the WFD does not consider theoretically whether water quality can be expected to recover to a historical condition; it simply assumes that it is possible for quality to be reversed. The main aim of this paper is to ask, in the particular case of the river system, whether its quality is practically reversible or not. By examining empirical evidence and external stresses, we argue that river water quality is more likely to be irreversible. Consequently, there is a dilemma: historical reference states are insufficient if river water quality is irreversible, but a clear quality management goal is needed. To resolve this problem, we suggest that future monitoring practice may need to pay more attention to the river aquatic ecosystem dynamics.
Protease inhibitor‐based triple therapy in chronic hepatitis C: guidelines by the French Association for the Study of the Liver
Authors: Leroy Vincent , Serfaty Lawrence , Bourlière Marc , Bronowicki Jean‐Pierre , Delasalle Patrick , Pariente Alexandre , Pol Stanislas , Zoulim Fabien , Pageaux Georges‐Philippe
Published: August 2012

The recent marketing authorizations and hence availability of the new protease inhibitors, telaprevir and boceprevir, have profoundly changed the management of chronic hepatitis C patients. Guidelines for the use of these new drugs as part of a triple therapy, in combination with the standard therapy of peginterferon plus ribavirin, are proposed. The guidelines have been drawn up and evaluated by a meeting of the French Association for the Study of the Liver, posted online for comments, and extensively reviewed by international experts. The current published data on the various treatment strategies are reviewed.

The guidelines address the majority of patient profiles including treatment‐naïve patients and patients with failure of previous treatment. They recommend which patients should be treated with triple therapy and consider the results of triple therapy including the factors that are predictive of response. They consider the circumstances in which the length of triple therapy can be shortened and the advantages of a peginterferon plus ribavirin lead‐in phase. Virological monitoring, stopping criteria, the evaluation of resistance to protease inhibitors, practical treatment management, treatment adherence and the management of side effects are discussed and simple guidelines proposed.
A systematic comparison of summary characteristics for quantifying point patterns in ecology
Authors: Wiegand Thorsten , He Fangliang , Hubbell Stephen P.
Published: August 2012

Many functional summary characteristics such as Ripley's K function have been used in ecology to describe the spatial structure of point patterns to aid understanding of the underlying processes. However, their use is poorly guided in ecology because little is understood how well single summary characteristics, or a combination of them, capture the spatial structure of real world patterns. Here, we systematically tested the performance of combinations of eight summary characteristics [i.e. pair correlation function g(r), K‐function K(r), the proportion E(r) of points with no neighbor at distance r, the nearest neighbor distribution function D(r), the spherical contact distribution Hs(r), the kth nearest‐neighbor distribution functions Dk(r), the mean distance nn(k) to the kth neighbor, and the intensity function λ(x)]. To this end we used point pattern data covering a wide range of spatial structures including simulated (stationary) as well as real, possibly non‐stationary, patterns on tree species in a tropical forest in Panamá. To measure the information contained in a given combination of summary characteristics we used simulated annealing to reconstruct the observed patterns based only on the limited information provided by this combination and assessed how well other characteristics of the observed pattern were recovered.

We found that the number of summary characteristics required to capture the spatial structure of stationary patterns varied between one (for patterns with near random structures) and three (for patterns with complex cluster and superposition structures), but with a robust ranking g(r), Dk(r), and Hs(r) that was largely independent on pattern idiosyncrasies. Stationary summary characteristics [with ranking g(r), Dk(r), Hs(r), E(r)] captured small‐ to intermediate scale properties of non‐stationary patterns, but for describing large‐scale spatial structures the intensity function was required. Our finding revealed that the current practice in ecology of using only one or two summary characteristics bears danger that essential characteristics of more complex patterns would not be detected. The technique of pattern reconstruction presented here has wide applications in ecology.
Maxillary Sinus‐Floor Elevation with Nanoporous Biphasic Bone Graft Material for Early Implant Placement
Authors: Mertens Christian , Wiens Daniel , Steveling Helmut G. , Sander Anja , Freier Kolja
Published: August 2012

Background

Insufficient bone height in the posterior maxilla is caused by bone atrophy after tooth extraction and continued pneumatization of the maxillary sinus. To allow for implant placement in this area, external sinus‐floor elevations are performed. For this indication, the application of various bone graft materials can be a reliable alternative to autologous bone.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyze a nanoporous bone graft material under the condition of early implant treatment in sinus floor elevations.

Materials and Methods

Sixty‐six patients received 94 individual external sinus‐floor elevations as a precondition for implant surgery. As grafting material, a synthetic, nanoporous bone graft material consisting of a mixture of nano‐hydroxyapatite and nano‐β‐tricalciumphosphate crystals, combined with blood from the defect side, was used. Depending on the remaining vertical bone height, implant placement was performed either simultaneously with bone augmentation or consecutively in a delayed approach. After a 4‐month healing period, the patients received 218 implants and were followed up clinically, radiographically, and histologically. To quantify the bone situation at implant placement, immunohistochemical analysis using tenascin‐C was performed.

Results

We achieved an average vertical bone increase of 8.28 mm (SD, 2.59) for the one‐stage approach and 10.99 mm (SD, 1.73) for the two‐stage approach after sinus‐floor elevation. The augmented areas showed mean resorption rates of 10.32% (one stage) and 10.82% (two stages) of vertical graft during the observation period. Immunohistochemical analysis after 4 months of healing showed high tenascin activity, indicating bone growth. Good primary stability was achieved during implant placement. Mean peri‐implant marginal bone loss was 0.45 mm (SD, 0.31).

Conclusion

After a mean observation time of 21.45 months, the biomaterial showed good osseointegration and bone stability radiographically. Adding to this the positive histological and immunohistochemical findings, we conclude that, after a relatively short 4‐month healing period, the biomaterial showed predictable results.
A Comparison of Manual and Electrical Mallet in Maxillary Bone Condensing for Immediately Loaded Implants: A Randomized Study
Authors: Crespi Roberto , Capparè Paolo , Gherlone Enrico
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The aim of this clinical study was to compare electrical versus hand mallet in osteotome‐assisted surgery for maxillary bone condensing in immediately loaded implant procedure.

Materials and Methods

Edentulous patients in maxillary premolar and molar regions with type III or IV bone were enrolled in this prospective clinical study. The patients were randomly divided in two groups: in the test group (magnetic mallet group [MMG]), the implant site was prepared with osteotomes pushed by electrical mallet, while in the control group (hand mallet group [HMG]), the implant site was performed with osteotomes pressed by hand mallet. Implants were immediately loaded. Intraoral digital radiographic measurements were reported at 6, 12, and 24 months.

Results

Fifty patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty‐five patients were included in MMG and 25 patients in the HMG. One hundred thirty‐eight dental implants were placed. In 12 cases, six in MMG and six in HMG, sinus elevation was performed. After 24‐month follow‐up, a survival rate of 94.93% was reported (MMG and HMG reported a survival rate of 97.10 and 92.75%, respectively, not statistically significant [P > .05]). In control group, two patients claimed benign paroxysmal positional vertigo following the use of osteotomes with hand hammer. Marginal bone levels remained stable over time for both groups, and no statistically significant differences were found. After 12 months, the bone height increased in both groups and, at 24 months, was stable. Statistical analysis reported no significant differences between test and control groups.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated a stable marginal bone levels over time and a significant increase in bone height between 6 and 12 months in osteotome technique. The use of electrical mallet provided some essential clinical advantages for the patients during surgical procedure in comparison with hand mallet.
Elders with implant overdentures: a 22‐year clinical report
Authors: Alsabeeha Nabeel H.M.
Published: August 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00628.x

Elders with implant overdentures: a 22‐year clinical report

Objective: To report on the long‐term survival and prosthodontic maintenance of two edentulous adults with mandibular overdentures supported by hydroxyapatite (HA)‐coated implants.

Background: Mandibular implant overdentures are a successful treatment option with positive impact on the quality of life of elderly edentulous adults. Long‐term survival of the implants requires continued rigorous prosthodontic maintenance.

Clinical report: Two elderly edentulous adults with mandibular overdentures supported by 2 HA‐coated implants were presented for prosthodontic rehabilitation after 22 years of placement. The implants were osseo‐integrated and surviving at presentation based on accepted criteria. The mandibular implant overdentures suffered recurrent loss of retention and stability. Prosthodontic treatment involving the replacement of defective attachment systems and construction of new sets of mandibular implant overdentures opposing complete maxillary dentures is presented.

Conclusion: The long‐term survival of mandibular 2‐implant overdentures requires continued prosthodontic maintenance. A conservative approach in the rehabilitation of two older edentulous adults with mandibular 2‐implant overdentures was described including proper selection of attachment systems.
Examining factors that influence the adoption of health‐promoting behaviours among people with venous disease
Authors: Miller Charne , Kapp Suzanne , Donohue Lisa
Published: August 2012

People living with venous disease are encouraged to make a number of behaviour modifications to facilitate healing and to prevent a recurrence of a venous leg ulcer. This investigation sought to examine factors described in the literature that shape the effectiveness of multi‐component education programs and conduct a secondary analysis of data to examine relationships between various health behaviours for people with a venous leg ulcer who participated in a standardised e‐learning education program. This study found few statistically significant and typically minor relationships between health behaviours after participants had completed the education program. No significant differences were identified by participant gender, age or need for a carer, for either the number of health behaviours performed after the education or the number of behaviour changes made during the education. Participants performing few of the recommended health‐promoting behaviours prior to the education achieved more behaviour change than those already engaged in the sought after activities [F(2,154) = 16·038,P= 0·000]. The notable lack of associations between the performance of the health‐promoting behaviours places emphasis on the need for comprehensive investigation of the moderators and mediators of multi‐faceted behaviour change to promote wound healing and chronic disease management.
Screening patients at risk for diabetic foot ulceration: a comparison between measurement of vibration perception threshold and 10‐g monofilament test
Authors: Richard Jean‐Louis , Reilhes Lise , Buvry Stéphanie , Goletto Monique , Faillie Jean‐Luc
Published: August 2012

The aim is to compare the frequency of increased vibration perception threshold (VPT) with abnormal 10‐g Semmes‐Weinstein monofilament (SWF) testing in a non‐selected diabetic population, and to assess the agreement between these two screening methods. VPT was measured using a neurothesiometer at the pulp of the hallux and 10‐g SWF was applied on three plantar sites on each foot according to the guidelines of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot, in 400 consecutive diabetic patients. VPT was considered as abnormal if ≥25 V and SWF was considered as abnormal if the patient was unable to feel ≥2 applications at a single site.

Both tests were normal in 240 patients (60%) and both abnormal in 78. In 21 patients, only SWF was abnormal whereas only VPT was abnormal in 61. As a whole, 160 patients (40%) were considered at risk for foot ulceration by VPT and/or SWF. Agreement between the two screening methods was only moderate with a kappa coefficient of 0·52 (95% CI: 0·43–0·60). Using VPT as a predictor for foot ulceration, the number of patients at risk is much higher than identified by SWF. This discrepancy might have potential effects on costs and prevention policies.
Gauze‐based negative pressure wound therapy: a valid method to manage pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Fraccalvieri Marco , Fierro Maria Teresa , Salomone Marco , Fava Paolo , Zingarelli Enrico M , Cavaliere Giovanni , Bernengo Maria G , Bruschi Stefano
Published: August 2012

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon ulcerative, non‐infective chronic inflammatory skin disorder of unknown aetiology. Systemic therapies are necessary to control the associated medical diseases, and, due to the inflammatory nature of PG, topical or systemic immunosuppressant agents are effective, but wound healing is usually slow. Negative wound pressure therapy (NPWT) has become an important tool for the management of complex skin ulcers, and usage in PG has been recently described in the literature: we present four cases of classic PG in which NPWT in association with systemic therapy achieved wound healing and a drastic pain reduction.
General Practitioners’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices in the Management of Sexual Dysfunction—Results of the Portuguese SEXOS Study
Authors: Alarcão Violeta , Ribeiro Sofia , Miranda Filipe Leão , Carreira Mário , Dias Teresa , Garcia e Costa Joaquim , Galvão-Teles Alberto
Published: August 2012

Introduction

Evidence shows that sexual dysfunctions (SDs) are very prevalent in both sexes and that they share risk factors with many other conditions. It is known that only a minority of people experiencing sexual problems seek treatment, but the role of the general practitioner (GP) in SD diagnosis and treatment is relatively unexplored. No study has been conducted in Portugal in order to identify GPs’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding SD and only a small amount of similar studies from other countries have been published.

Aim

To characterize GPs’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs concerning SD; practices of SD management in daily practice; self-perceived competence in discussing and treating SD; and need for training.

Methods

Cross-sectional study using confidential self-administered questionnaires applied to GPs working in Primary Health Care Units in the Lisbon region.

Main Outcome Measures

The questionnaire collected information concerning GPs’ knowledge and perceptions regarding SD, training and practice in sexual health, criteria for initiating discussion and treatment, and the adoption of guidelines.

Results

A total of 50 questionnaires (30 females) were obtained (73.5% response rate). On average, the 50 participants were 52 ± 8.6 years old, had 21 ± 8.2 years of family practice, and followed 1,613 ± 364 patients. The degree in medicine was never considered as an extremely adequate source of information both for male and female SD. Lack of time to obtain relevant information for clinical practice and to deal with sexual health issues were perceived as important barriers in initiating a discussion with the patient, as well as lack of academic training and experience in this area.

Conclusions

GPs expressed a high need for continuous training in this area and more than half considered that their degree was not an adequate source of training. These results indicate that there is a need for both pregraduate and postgraduate training in this area.
Inhibitory effect of Astragalus membranaceus root on matrix metalloproteinase-1 collagenase expression and procollagen destruction in ultraviolet B-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts by suppressing nuclear factor kappa-B activity
Authors: Hong Min Jung , Ko Eun Bit , Park Seong Kyu , Chang Mun Seog
Published: August 2012

Objectives

The root of Astragalus membranaceus, regarded as a tonic in traditional Korean medicine, has been prescribed for long periods to treat chronic illness by boosting the immune system. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation causes damage to skin connective tissue by degrading collagen, which is a major structural component of the extracellular matrix. Such damage is considered to be a cause of the wrinkling observed in premature ageing of the skin. This study has investigated the photo-protective effect of A. membranaceus on UVB radiation-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activity in human dermal fibroblasts.

Methods

Hs68 fibroblast cells cultured with various concentrations of A. membranaceus were exposed to UVB (40 mJ/cm2). Activation of NF-κB P65 and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and type 1 procollagen were measured by Western blotting. Translocation of NF-κB P65 and MMP-1 regulation were also examined by immunocytochemistry.

Key findings

Western blotting and immunocytochemistry results showed that A. membranaceus inhibited UVB-induced translocation of NF-κB P65 and MMP-1 expression. The data suggested that A. membranaceus restored type 1 procollagen synthesis by inhibiting NF-κB P65 activity and MMP-1 expression in UVB-exposed human dermal fibroblasts.

Conclusion

A. membranaceus is a candidate for use in skin protection from UVB-induced skin inflammation and photoageing.
Design and evaluation of the MAMMI dedicated breast PET
Authors: Moliner L. , González A. J. , Soriano A. , Sánchez F. , Correcher C. , Orero A. , Carles M. , Vidal L. F. , Barberá J. , Caballero L. , Seimetz M. , Vázquez C. , Benlloch J. M.
Published: August 2012

Purpose:

A breast dedicated positron emission tomography (PET) scanner has been developed based on monolithic LYSO crystals coupled to position sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PSPMTs). In this study, we describe the design of the PET system and report on its performance evaluation.

Methods:

MAMMI is a breast PET scanner based on monolithic LYSO crystals. It consists of 12 compact modules with a transaxial field of view (FOV) of 170 mm in diameter and 40 mm axial FOV that translates to cover up to 170 mm. The patient lies down in a prone position that facilitates maximum breast elongation. Quantitative performance analysis of the calculated method for the attenuation correction specifically developed for MAMMI, and based on PET image segmentation, has also been conducted in this evaluation. In order to fully determine the MAMMI prototype's performance, we have adapted the measurements suggested for National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU 2‐2007 and NU 4‐2008 protocol tests, as they are defined for whole‐body and small animal PET scanners, respectively.

Results:

Spatial resolutions of 1.6, 1.8, and 1.9 mm were measured in the axial, radial, and tangential directions, respectively. A scatter fraction of 20.8% was obtained and the maximum NEC was determined to be 25 kcps at 44 MBq. The average sensitivity of the system was observed to be 1% for an energy window of (250 keV–750 keV) and a maximum absolute sensitivity of 1.8% was measured at the FOV center.

Conclusions:

The overall performance of the MAMMI reported on this evaluation quantifies its ability to produce high quality PET images. Spatial resolution values below 3 mm were measured in most of the FOV. Only the radial component of spatial resolution exceeds the 3 mm at radial positions larger than 60 mm. This study emphasizes the need for standardized testing methodologies for dedicated breast PET systems similar to NEMA standards for whole‐body and small animal PET scanners.
Proteasome Inhibition Alleviates SNARE-Dependent Neurodegeneration
Authors: Sharma Manu , Burré Jacqueline , Südhof Thomas C.
Published: August 2012

Neurodegeneration in a mouse model is abrogated by proteasome inhibitors that reverse impaired SNARE-complex assembly.
A strategy to reduce illicit drug use is effective in elite Australian football
Authors: Harcourt Peter R , Unglik Harry , Cook Jill L
Published: August 2012

Background

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prescribes that drug testing is conducted in sports competitions to detect drug use in athletes. This testing includes performance-enhancing drugs as well as illicit substances such as marijuana, amphetamines and cocaine. Illicit drugs are tested for on match days but not on non-match days. Some athletes are known to use illicit substances for recreational purposes, away from competition times and this poses a serious health and welfare issue not addressed by the usual sport drug testing regimes. This paper reports the results of the first 7 years of an illicit drug-testing programme that included non-match day testing in the elite Australian Football competition, the Australian Football League (AFL).

Methods

Players in the AFL were tested for illicit drugs both in-competition and out-of-competition. Players were selected for illicit substance tests either randomly or targeted based on previous test history or time since previous test. The number of tests conducted was increased each year from 2005 to 2011 and testing was focused on high-risk times during non-competition periods.

Results

There were no positive match day tests. There was a significant reduction in positive tests (19–6) for illicit drugs during non-competition periods over the 7 years (p<0.0001). The reduction in positive tests may be related to player education, the greater number of tests conducted and the harm minimisation approach of the illicit drug policy.

Conclusions

An illicit drugs programme using a harm minimisation strategy can work effectively alongside a sport's WADA compliant Anti-Doping Code.
Designing for distractions: a human factors approach to decreasing interruptions at a centralised medication station
Authors: Colligan Lacey , Guerlain Stephanie , Steck Susan E , Hoke Tracey R
Published: August 2012

Objective

To decrease interruptions around a centrally-located, centralised, open paediatric medication station.

Methods

Several established human factors methodologies were used to study paediatric medication administration, including cases with ‘walk through’ and verbal protocols; semi-structured interviews, including critical incident analysis; hierarchical task analysis; and observation.

Results

Inexpensive barriers were constructed that protected the tasks likely to lead to errors if interrupted. Meanwhile, sight lines were maintained preserving a family-friendly sense of accessibility of nurses, staff situation awareness and collegiality. Interruptions were significantly reduced and staff attitudes towards the station were significantly improved.

Discussion

Targeted barriers may prove useful in other interruptive and chaotic hospital workspaces. They do not require costly training, can be achieved inexpensively and may reduce distractions and interruptions during tasks vulnerable to error. Additionally, the human factors methodologies employed can be applied to other safety improvement projects.
LIGHT-FRONT HAMILTONIAN AND PATH INTEGRAL QUANTIZATION OF VECTOR SCHWINGER MODEL WITH A PHOTON MASS TERM
Authors: KULSHRESHTHA USHA
Published: August 2012

Vector Schwinger model with a mass term for the photon, describing 2D electrodynamics with massless fermions, studied by us recently [U. Kulshreshtha, Mod. Phys. Lett. A22, 2993 (2007); U. Kulshreshtha and D. S. Kulshreshtha, Int. J. Mod. Phys. A22, 6183 (2007); U. Kulshreshtha, PoS LC2008, 008 (2008)], represents a new class of models. This theory becomes gauge-invariant when studied on the light-front. This is in contrast to the instant-form theory which is gauge-non-invariant. In this work, we study the light-front Hamiltonian and path integral quantization of this theory under appropriate light-cone gauge-fixing. The discretized light-cone quantization of the theory where we wish to make contact with the experimentally observational aspects of the theory would be presented in a separate paper.
A CONTRIBUTION TO CONTINUAL SOFTWARE SERVICE IMPROVEMENT BASED ON THE SIX-STEP SERVICE IMPROVEMENT METHOD
Authors: MARKOVIĆ VIDAN , MAKSIMOVIĆ RADO
Published: August 2012

The end users' expectations for the software services are increasing. With new technologies, e.g. cloud computing and software as a service trend, the quality of the services through a full product life cycle, together with the cost of services, are key factors in making the competitive advantage in new markets. In most cases in today's business, there is always the Service Level Agreement (SLA) that has to be maintained as well. Therefore, there is a clear need for taking into consideration the complexity of the programmed solution, that is the basis of the given service, probability of an error occurrence, and all costs that will be associated with operating the service. In this paper, the important elements of the quality of the software that is considered a service to a business function are analyzed. The proposal of the six step method, which could be utilized in continuous quality improvements, is given. With this method, it is possible to better understand the root reasons for a specific service's behavior. Understanding service behavior is the key prerequisite for service improvement. The method encapsulates systematic approach in comparative analysis of the defined parameters of each service, with the same parameters of other services that belong to the same rank. These relative comparisons are proposed to be done in drill-in cycles until getting to the point of clear understanding of what makes one service better than the other and vice versa, in the given business environments. Each single conclusion on each level of cycled comparative measurements would trigger improvement action at that level. This method also provides the management with better tools to perform adequate human resources capacity planning for each software service for the given time frame. An example of the method utilization on one selected use case is given as well.
THE APPLICATION OF A HIERARCHICAL TREE METHOD TO ONTOLOGY KNOWLEDGE ENGINEERING
Authors: SUN SHENGTAO , LIU DINGSHENG , LI GUOQING
Published: August 2012

Ontology technologies have been widely studied for their capabilities of semantic description and knowledge inference in a variety of application domains. The main obstacle for the advancement of ontologies is the immature building methods and construction principles. It is challenging to discover how to tune a large complete ontology to small applications and build domain ontologies pragmatically. This paper proposes a hierarchical tree method that provides guidelines to the building of a hierarchical geo-ontology and corresponding construction rules for different levels of ontologies. This hierarchical ontology construction method can be used to realize lower-level ontology building based on the restrictions of the upper-level ontology. It can also connect different levels of ontologies into a hierarchical structure. Based on the resulting hierarchical tree structure, the management and usage of ontologies becomes feasible and more efficient. Furthermore, to better elaborate the hierarchical relationships among the concepts surrounding the basic tree structure, this paper introduces Class Meta-Information (CMI) to OWL (Ontology Web Language) and uses Hierarchical Identification (HID) to draw conclusion on concepts' hierarchical relations. Examples, experimental simulation and comparative analyses are given to explain further the applications of this hierarchical tree method in the areas of ontology engineering.
MARKOV THEOREM FOR FREE LINKS
Authors: MANTUROV VASSILY OLEGOVICH , WANG HANG
Published: August 2012

The notion of free link is a generalized notion of virtual link. In this paper we define the group of free braids, prove the Alexander theorem, that all free links can be obtained as closures of free braids and prove a Markov theorem, which gives necessary and sufficient conditions for two free braids to have the same free link closure. Our result is expected to be useful for study of the topology invariants for free knots and links.
THE STICK NUMBER FOR THE SIMPLE HEXAGONAL LATTICE
Authors: MANN CASEY E. , MCLOUD-MANN JENNIFER C. , MILAN DAVID P.
Published: August 2012

This work is motivated by a paper of Huh and Oh, in which the authors prove that the minimum number of sticks required to form a knot in ℤ3 is 12. In this article the authors prove that the stick number in the simple hexagonal lattice is 11. Moreover, the stick number of the trefoil in the simple hexagonal lattice is 11.
CONTROLLING ABOVE-THRESHOLD DISSOCIATION BRANCHING RATIOS OF HD+ WITH FEMTOSECOND LASER PULSE TRAIN
Authors: SU QIAN-ZHEN , YU JIE , YUAN KAI-JUN , CONG SHU-LIN
Published: August 2012

Above-threshold dissociation (ATD) process of the molecular ions HD+ steered by a femtosecond laser pulse train (LPT) is investigated theoretically using the time-dependent quantum wave packet method. Energy-dependent distributions of ATD fragments are analyzed by using an asymptotic-flow expression in the momentum space. It is found that fragment kinetic energy spectra shift to low energy region with increasing pulse number of LPT. The photofragment branching ratio between the 1sσg and 2pσu dissociation channels is sensitive to the pulse number of LPT. The momentum distribution of the ATD fragments is discussed in detail.
EFFECT OF TORSION ANGLE ON THE RECTIFYING PERFORMANCE IN THE DONOR-BRIDGE-ACCEPTOR SINGLE MOLECULAR DEVICE
Authors: XIA CAI-JUAN , ZHANG YING-TANG , LIU DE-SHENG
Published: August 2012

By applying nonequilibrium Green's function formalism combined with first-principles density functional theory, we investigate the effect of torsion angle on the rectifying performance in the donor-bridge-acceptor single molecular device. The influence of HOMO–LUMO gaps and the spatial distributions of molecular orbitals on the electronic transport through the molecular device are discussed in detail. The theoretical results show that the torsion angle plays an important role in the rectifying behavior of such devices. By changing the torsion angle, namely changing the magnitude of the intermolecular coupling effect, a different rectifying behavior can be observed in these systems. The results can provide fundamental guidelines for the design of functional molecular devices to a certain extent.
PRODUCT ROTATIONAL ANGULAR MOMENTUM POLARIZATION IN REACTIONS D + FCl(v = 0,j = 0) → DCl + F, DF + Cl
Authors: YIN SHUHUI , GUO MINGXING , ZOU JINGHAN , XU XUESONG , CHE LI , LI LEI , GAO HONG
Published: August 2012

A comparative quasi-classical trajectory study on the product alignment and orientation of reactions D + FCl (v,j) → DCl + F , DF + Cl are carried out on a recently computed 12A′ ground-state surface reported by Deskevich et al. The reaction probabilities, integral and differential cross-sections as a function of collision energy are presented. The differential cross-sections and 〈P2(j′ ⋅ k)〉 are governed by different reaction mechanisms for these two reactions. P(θr) and P(ϕr) distributions of products DCl and DF at four selected collision energies of 5, 10, 16 and 30 kcal/mol indicate that DCl and DF product molecules are not only aligned, but also oriented along y-axis. By comparing the P(θr) and P(ϕr) distributions of reactions H + FCl (v = 0,j = 0) → HCl + F and H + FCl (v = 0,j = 0) → HF + Cl , mass factor has some influence on stereodynamics of the title reactions, but the features of PES should have major influence on the difference between dynamics of reactions D + FCl (v = 0,j = 0) → DCl + F and D + FCl (v = 0,j = 0) → DF + Cl .
A QUASSICLASSICAL TRAJECTORY STUDY OF THE REACTANT STATE RESOLVED STEREODYNAMICS OF THE REACTIONC+OH(v,j) →CO+H
Authors: WEI QIANG
Published: August 2012

Quassiclassical trajectory (QCT) calculations have been performed for the radical–radial reaction C + OH (v,j) → CO + H on the ab initio potential energy surface of [Zanchet et al., J. Phys. Chem. A110: 12017, 2006] in order to study the stereodyanmics of the title reaction. The product rotational angular momentum (j′) polarization in the (k,k′) scattering frame has been determined for selected rovibrational state of OH at the collision energies from 0.05 eV to 1.0 eV. The j′ distribution of product CO is found to display both alignment and orientation. Furthermore, the j′ in the k – k′ scattering frame were found to be very sensitive to the reactant OH rotational state, but not sensitive to the reactant OH vibrational state.
A DFT ANALYSIS OF THE MOLECULAR STRUCTURES AND VIBRATIONAL SPECTRA OF 4,4′-SULFONYLDIPHENOL
Authors: FÖRNER WOLFGANG , BADAWI HASSAN M.
Published: August 2012

We have studied the structural properties and vibrational spectra of Bisphenol S (4,4′-sulfonyldi-phenol) with the help of Density Functional Calculations using a 6-311G∗∗ basis set. In addition we recorded experimental spectra in our laboratory. With the help of the GaussView program we could provide a complete assignment of the vibrational lines to the calculated normal modes of the molecule. The calculated and experimental vibrational spectra agree rather well with each other and we found the properties of Bisphenol S to be rather similar to the sulfa drug dapsone studied earlier. Interestingly, the electron donating power of an OH aubstituent at a phenyl ring seems to be less effective than that of an NH2 (in dapsone) substituent, because in Bisphenol S the relative intensity of the ring breathing line in the Raman spectrum appears to be much larger than in dapsone. We reach this conclusion about the electron donating powers of susbtituents, because in an early study on chlorine substituted anilines we have found that the larger the electron density in the ring becomes, the more the relative intensity of that line diminishes.
A THEORETICAL STUDY OF DACTYLYNE STEREOISOMERS: A MARINE NATURAL PRODUCT FROM APLYSIA DACTYLOMELA
Authors: FARROKHNIA MARYAM , NABIPOUR IRAJ , BARGAHI AFSHAR
Published: August 2012

Dactylyne is an acetylenic dibromochloro ether from the Persian Gulf sea hare, Aplysia dactylomela. As a result of its unique structure and nontoxic nature; it has been known as a promising pharmacological substance of marine origin. A theoretical study of dactylyne and its stereoisomers, initiated in the hope of understanding more details of its action, is reported here. In the present research, for the first time, a density functional theory (DFT) calculation has been performed on the stereoisomers of dactylyne to determine the most stable configurations in gas phase. The HOMO–LUMO gap, global softness, chemical potential, and electrophilicity index have been calculated for the most stable stereoisomers at the B3LYP level of theory. These DFT-based global reactivity descriptors have been applied to demonstrate the reactive nature of compounds. Moreover, results from the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis have been employed to support the finding of more reactive stereoisomers. The investigation has indicated that the configuration of stereoisomers has some effects on their electronic and structural properties which control their global reactivity. It is also shown that the most probable interaction sites of dactylyne are in its unsaturated region. In the second part of our study, the effects of some typical substituents on dactylyne reactivity have been investigated theoretically and it has been shown that the strong electron donor groups increase the reactivity of dactylyne more than withdrawing substituent. However, creation of an ionic compound highly influences on reactivity descriptors.
A DFT STUDY ON THE ROLE OF DIFFERENT OH GROUPS IN THE RADICAL SCAVENGING PROCESS
Authors: SADASIVAM K. , JAYAPRAKASAM R. , KUMARESAN R.
Published: August 2012

The molecular properties of robinetin and melanoxetin which are the two naturally occurring flavonoid compounds have been studied theoretically by means of density functional theory approach (DFT) at the level of B3LYP/6-311G(d,p). The analysis of computed bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE), proton dissociation enthalpy (PDE), proton affinity (PA), electron transfer enthalpy (ETE) values for both the flavonoid compounds indicate the role of B-ring for the significant antioxidant characteristics and the instability of the A-ring. It also concerns the dominant role of BDE mechanism for antioxidant activity than PDE, PA and ETE mechanisms. Ionization potential (IP) is also found to be trustworthy in the study of antioxidant activity and the computed IP magnitudes are in agreement with the values of synthetic food additives. Further, the various molecular descriptors along with the plot of frontier molecular orbitals and Mulliken spin population analysis have been obtained and the validity of Koopmans' theorem is also verified with reference to antioxidant behavior.
MOLECULAR MODELING OF THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HISTONE DEACETYLASE 8 AND INHIBITORS
Authors: HUANG DAWEI , LI XIAOHUI , XIU ZHILONG
Published: August 2012

Inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) have become an attractive class of anticancer agent. To understand the interaction between HDAC8 and inhibitors, including "pan-" inhibitors that inhibit many HDACs isoforms and selective inhibitors with no linker domain, docking and molecular dynamics simulation were conducted. Docking results showed the presence of π-π interactions between "linkerless" inhibitors and the aromatic amino acid residues of HDAC8 in the active site. Binding between HDAC8 and inhibitors was also stabilized by hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction. In molecular dynamics simulations, the zinc ion was shown to coordinate one more atom of HDAC8-"linkerless" inhibitor complexes than HDAC8-"pan-" inhibitor complexes. Persistent hydrogen bonds also existed between Tyr306 of HDAC8 and some inhibitors. When inhibitors with large cap groups bound to the active pocket of HDAC8, Phe152 and Met274 shifted from their initial positions and the entrance of the active pocket became more open, resulting in the formation of sub-pocket. Hydrophobic interactions contributed most favorably to the binding free energy between HDAC8 and inhibitors. Lys33, Asp178, Asp267, Tyr306 and Leu308 of HDAC8 were favorable for binding with all inhibitors.
FORCE CONTROL OF THE REDUNDANT LEG OF A BIPED ROBOT TO PRODUCE LARGE INERTIAL EFFECTS FOR CROSSING OBSTACLES
Authors: DOUBLIEZ PAUL-FRANÇOIS , BRUNEAU OLIVIER , OUEZDOU FETHI BEN
Published: August 2012

This paper proposes an energy control method for dynamic obstacle crossing by a planar biped. This approach was tested in a simulation where it was found to enable the biped robot to cross obstacles of different heights, due to inertial forces, by leaning with the front foot on the obstacles. The propulsion energy of the system is produced by the rear leg, which is endowed with four actuated degrees-of-freedom (hip, knee, ankle, toes), and is controlled by force control with four degrees-of-freedom in the non-singular case, and three degrees-of-freedom in the singular case. This paper identifies ten geometric, energetic and servo-control parameters necessary for dynamic obstacle crossing. The methodology presented allowed the dynamic crossing of an obstacle up to 20 cm high, at which point the joint torque limit for the propelling ankle was reached.
A SURVEY OF VISION-BASED ARCHITECTURES FOR ROBOT LEARNING BY IMITATION
Authors: BANDERA J. P. , RODRÍGUEZ J. A. , MOLINA-TANCO L. , BANDERA A.
Published: August 2012

Learning by imitation is a natural and intuitive way to teach social robots new behaviors. While these learning systems can use different sensory inputs, vision is often their main or even their only source of input data. However, while many vision-based robot learning by imitation (RLbI) architectures have been proposed in the last decade, they may be difficult to compare due to the absence of a common, structured description. The first contribution of this survey is the definition of a set of standard components that can be used to describe any RLbI architecture. Once these components have been defined, the second contribution of the survey is an analysis of how different vision-based architectures implement and connect them. This bottom–up, structural analysis of architectures allows to compare different solutions, highlighting their main advantages and drawbacks, from a more flexible perspective than the comparison of monolithic systems.