bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cutting through red tape: non-therapeutic circumcision and unethical guidelines
Authors: Shaw David
Published: November 2009

Current General Medical Council (GMC) guidelines state that any doctor who does not wish to carry out a non-therapeutic circumcision (NTC) on a boy must invoke conscientious objection. This paper argues that this is illogical, as it is clear that an ethical doctor will object to conducting a clinically unnecessary operation on a child who cannot consent simply because of the parents’ religious beliefs. Comparison of the GMC guidelines with the more sensible British Medical Association guidance reveals that both are biased in favour of NTC and subvert standard consent procedures. It is further argued that any doctor who does participate in NTC of a minor may be guilty of negligence and in breach of the Human Rights Act. In fact, the GMC guidance implies that doctors must claim conscientious objection if they do not wish to be negligent. Both sets of guidelines should be changed to ensure an objective consent process and avoid confusion over the ethics of NTC.
Splitting hairs over the definition of murder: Thomas Aquinas and the doctrine of double effect
Authors: Papanikitas Andrew
Published: November 2009

A recent article in the March 2009 edition of Clinical Ethics stated that, ‘In the Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas discusses how murder may be justified in self defence’, provided that killing is not intended. This statement is open to challenge on historical and semantic grounds, with respect to the writings of the 13th Century Roman Catholic philosopher Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274). A better appreciation of Aquinas' writings on this topic could inform the debate relating to medical end-of-life decisions. The normatively loaded word ‘murder’ is not applicable to Aquinas' conclusion on unintended homicide, nor is it applicable to unintended homicide in current law, which is by definition not murder.
Psychological and psychiatric morbidity in lichen sclerosus in a cohort recruited from a genitourinary medicine clinic
Authors: Shasi P B , Chapman H T , Evans D T P , Jaleel H
Published: November 2009

Forty-five cases of lichen sclerosus (LS) were retrospectively found between 2000 and 2008 among those attending an associate university teaching hospital sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic (genitourinary [GU] medicine clinic) and 26 responders of the 45, to a questionnaire about psychological morbidity and psychiatric morbidity, were evaluated. Sixteen percent of the patients were worried about the possibility of infecting their partners with the condition, despite counselling to the contrary. Twenty-seven percent felt that the condition's cosmetic appearance adversely affected libido. There was moderate to severe anxiety at one time or another in 58% while 27% experienced depression at one time or another; 19% admitted to insomnia as a result of the condition; 23% were stressed while 11.5% were worried about starting a new relationship. LS has a profound effect on mental health. Selected patients with LS may benefit from routine referral to a clinical psychologist, within the sexually transmitted disease setting to elaborate and institute coping strategies.
Sorting of Drosophila small silencing RNAs partitions microRNA* strands into the RNA interference pathway
Authors: Ghildiyal Megha , Xu Jia , Seitz Hervé , Weng Zhiping , Zamore Phillip D.
Published: November 2009

In flies, small silencing RNAs are sorted between Argonaute1 (Ago1), the central protein component of the microRNA (miRNA) pathway, and Argonaute2 (Ago2), which mediates RNA interference. Extensive double-stranded character—as is found in small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)—directs duplexes into Ago2, whereas central mismatches, like those found in miRNA/miRNA* duplexes, direct duplexes into Ago1. Central to this sorting decision is the affinity of the small RNA duplex for the Dcr-2/R2D2 heterodimer, which loads small RNAs into Ago2. Here, we show that while most Drosophila miRNAs are bound to Ago1, miRNA* strands accumulate bound to Ago2. Like siRNA loading, efficient loading of miRNA* strands in Ago2 favors duplexes with a paired central region and requires both Dcr-2 and R2D2. Those miRNA and miRNA* sequences bound to Ago2, like siRNAs diced in vivo from long double-stranded RNA, typically begin with cytidine, whereas Ago1-bound miRNA and miRNA* disproportionately begin with uridine. Consequently, some pre-miRNA generate two or more isoforms from the same side of the stem that differentially partition between Ago1 and Ago2. Our findings provide the first genome-wide test for the idea that Drosophila small RNAs are sorted between Ago1 and Ago2 according to their duplex structure and the identity of their first nucleotide.
Online Wiki Collaboration By Teachers of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Kilham Chris
Published: November 2009

Ashared understanding of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and a coordinated approach to teaching diagnosed students is essential because of the complex learning needs of this cohort. This research examines the ways in which special educators used wiki technology to create a working document and to share and develop their perspectives about fundamental autism constructs. The teachers appreciated the flexibility and convenience of wikis in a postgraduate course and collaboratively authored a working document. This suggested the wiki facilitated the development of a community of practice. Analysis of wiki comments further showed that, despite considerable experience in face-to-face communication, the teachers did not construct transparent protocols to guide the online decision-making process so did not fully exploit the capacity of this technology. Teachers had confidence in the privacy of a password-protected site but did not consider that the collaborative e-learning tool would be gainfully used by students on the spectrum because of their social and communication deficits. Nevertheless, teachers envisaged potential benefits if wikis were to be adopted by school staff.
Engagement of Children With Autism in Learning
Authors: Keen Deb
Published: November 2009

Early engagement with the world around us provides opportunities for learning and practising new skills and acquiring knowledge critical to cognitive and social development. Children with autism typically display low levels of engagement, particularly in their social world, which limits the opportunities for learning that occur for their typically developing peers. An investigation of the literature on engagement suggests a lack of consensus about definition and measurement that may undermine the usefulness of this construct to educators. This article argues that the engagement construct can assist educators in the development and implementation of effective teaching interventions for children with autism.
Proto-political conceptions of Iraq in late Ottoman times
Authors: Visser Reidar
Published: November 2009

This article criticizes the so-called artificiality paradigm concerning the emergence of the modern state on Iraq, according to which the kingdom of Iraq that came into being in 1921 was nothing but a random collection of Ottoman provinces that had little in common. On the basis of
documents from the late Ottoman period, the article shows that the opposite appears to be the case: In many ways, the modern state of Iraq had regional antecedents that predated the British invasion in 1914. The article shows that for long periods before 1914 there existed a pattern of administrative
centralization of Basra, Baghdad and Mosul under Baghdad as a paramount regional capital, that this regional entity was often described as Iraq in administrative and diplomatic correspondence, and that the local inhabitants often referred to Iraq in a patriotic sense.
Mosul, the Ottoman legacy and the League of Nations
Authors: Shields Sarah
Published: November 2009

This article looks into the workings of the special Commission on Mosul sent by the League of Nations after World War I. The Commission was assigned to determine whether the province of Mosul should be part of the new Republic of Turkey or of British mandatory Iraq. Its chief guiding
principal was the new notion of national self-determination. Yet the people of Mosul, like other Ottoman communities, had belonged to multiple groups simultaneously, identifying by family, location, occupation and faith. Such plural notions of identity were inconsistent with the nation-state
model that had recently been reified by the League of Nations. The effort to define affiliations based on a European taxonomy that emphasized ethnicity and nation clashed with Mosulis' older Ottoman-style affiliations, proved initially confusing and then quite frustrating to the Commissioners.
Export Product Strategy Fit and Performance: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Hultman Magnus , Robson Matthew J. , Katsikeas Constantine S.
Published: November 2009

This study investigates the issue of balancing the benefits gained through standardized strategies with those achievable when adapting to local conditions. Building on previous work that has explored the role of contingency theory and the concept of strategic fit in international marketing strategy, the authors posit that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the export product strategy adaptation decision. Using a sample of Swedish exporters, they find support for the hypothesis that an array of forces from the macro-, micro-, and internal environments drives product adaptation, which affects the nature of product strategy fit and its performance outcomes. In terms of the performance relevance of product strategy fit, sociocultural environment, technological environment, marketing infrastructure, stage of product life cycle, scope of exporting experience, and duration of exporting experience all matter. However, the pattern of significant and nonsignificant findings cautions against excessive aggregation of environmental variables in conceptualizing environment–product strategy fit to performance linkages. The authors conclude with a discussion of implications of the findings for theory building and management practice.
When Does International Marketing Standardization Matter to Firm Performance?
Authors: Schilke Oliver , Reimann Martin , Thomas Jacquelyn S.
Published: November 2009

The topic of standardization of international marketing programs represents an important issue faced by managers of global firms and has attracted significant research attention. Although previous research has established that standardization enhances performance outcomes, more recent theorizing suggests that this may not always be the case. However, empirical investigators have paid little systematic attention to moderating conditions. The major purpose of this article is to investigate the organizational factors that moderate the standardization–performance relationship and, thus, to explore the types of firm for which standardization is particularly beneficial. The authors examine survey data from 489 firms, and their results indicate that the standardization–performance link is significantly stronger for large firms with a homogeneous product offering, high levels of global market penetration, a cost leadership strategy, and strong coordination capabilities. The authors conclude that managers evaluating the adequacy of a standardization strategy should consider the list of contingencies advanced in this research.
Export Market-Oriented Behavior and Export Performance: Quadratic and Moderating Effects under Differing Degrees of Market Dynamism and Internationalization
Authors: Cadogan John W. , Kuivalainen Olli , Sundqvist Sanna
Published: November 2009

In general, findings in the market orientation research stream indicate that market orientation has a positive linear relationship with business success, and managers have been urged to be more market oriented, regardless of the firm's current market orientation level. The authors develop a theory that predicts that the relationship between market orientation and business performance is an inverted U shape, such that high levels of market orientation may reduce performance. The authors’ empirical study of firms’ export market-oriented (EMO) activities in their export operations finds support for the hypothesized inverted U-shaped relationship between EMO behavior and export sales performance. They show that the inverted U-shaped relationship becomes greater in magnitude (more pronounced) as market dynamism increases and that the optimal value of EMO behavior (i.e., the value that generates the highest performance return) decreases as market dynamism increases and increases as exporting firms’ internationalization increases. Therefore, they conclude that management's task is not to aim for ever-increasing levels of market orientation but to manage market orientation so that its level is optimal given the firm's environment and the international diversification strategy being pursued.
Structural studies of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) SH3 domain in complex with a peptide ligand: role of the anchor residue in ligand binding
Authors: Batra-Safferling Renu , Granzin Joachim , Mödder Susanne , Hoffmann Silke , Willbold Dieter
Published: November 2009

Src homology 3 (SH3) domains are mediators of protein-protein interactions. They comprise approximately 60 amino acid residues and are found in many intracellular signaling proteins. Here, we present the crystal structure of the SH3 domain from phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in complex with the 12-residue proline-rich peptide PD1R (HSKRPLPPLPSL). The crystal structure of the PI3K SH3-PD1R complex at a resolution of 1.7 Å reveals type I ligand orientation of the bound peptide with an extended conformation where the central portion forms a left-handed type II polyproline (PPII) helix. The overall structure of the SH3 domain shows minimal changes on ligand binding. In addition, we also attempted crystallization with another peptide ligand (PD1) where the residue at anchor position P-3 is a tyrosine. The crystals obtained did not contain the PD1 ligand; instead, the ligand binding site is partially occupied by residues Arg18 and Trp55 from the symmetry-related PI3K SH3 molecule. Considering these crystal structures of PI3K SH3 together with published reports, we provide a comparative analysis of protein-ligand interactions that has helped us identify the individual residues which play an important role in defining target specificity.
Biochemical characterization of human Ecdysoneless reveals a role in transcriptional regulation
Authors: Kim Jun Hyun , Gurumurthy Channabasavaiah Basavaraju , Band Hamid , Band Vimla
Published: November 2009

Ecdysoneless (Ecd) is an evolutionarily conserved protein and its function is essential for embryonic development inDrosophilaand cell growth in yeast. However, its function has remained unknown until recently. Studies in yeast suggested a potential role of Ecd in transcription; however, Ecd lacks a DNA-binding domain. Using a GAL4-luciferase reporter assay and a GAL4 DNA-binding domain fusion with Ecd or its mutants, we present evidence that human Ecd has a transactivation activity in its C-terminal region. Importantly, further analyses using point mutants showed that a single amino acid change at either Asp-484 or Leu-489 essentially completely abolishes the transactivation activity of Ecd. We further demonstrate that Ecd interacts with p300, a histone acetyltransferase, and coexpression of Ecd with p300 enhances the Ecd-mediated transactivation activity. Ecd localizes to both nucleus and cytoplasm and shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm; however, it exhibits strong nuclear export. Based on previous yeast studies and evidence provided here, we suggest that Ecd functions as a transcriptional regulator. Our results indicate an important function of human Ecd and provide a basis to explore the transcriptional partners of Ecd.
The oxygen-independent coproporphyrinogen III oxidase HemN utilizes harderoporphyrinogen as a reaction intermediate during conversion of coproporphyrinogen III to protoporphyrinogen IX
Authors: Rand Katrin , Noll Claudia , Schiebel Hans Martin , Kemken Dorit , Dülcks Thomas , Kalesse Markus , Heinz Dirk W. , Layer Gunhild
Published: November 2009

During heme biosynthesis the oxygen-independent coproporphyrinogen III oxidase HemN catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of the two propionate side chains on rings A and B of coproporphyrinogen III to the corresponding vinyl groups to yield protoporphyrinogen IX. Here, the sequence of the two decarboxylation steps during HemN catalysis was investigated. A reaction intermediate of HemN activity was isolated by HPLC analysis and identified as monovinyltripropionic acid porphyrin by mass spectrometry. This monovinylic reaction intermediate exhibited identical chromatographic behavior during HPLC analysis as harderoporphyrin (3-vinyl-8,13,17-tripropionic acid-2,7,12,18-tetramethylporphyrin). Furthermore, HemN was able to utilize chemically synthesized harderoporphyrinogen as substrate and converted it to protoporphyrinogen IX. These results suggest that during HemN catalysis the propionate side chain of ring A of coproporphyrinogen III is decarboxylated prior to that of ring B.
Bovine β-lactoglobulin acts as an acid-resistant drug carrier by exploiting its diverse binding regions
Authors: Barbiroli Alberto , Beringhelli Tiziana , Bonomi Francesco , Donghi Daniela , Ferranti Pasquale , Galliano Monica , Iametti Stefania , Maggioni Daniela , Rasmussen Patrizia , Scanu Sandra , Vilardo Maria Caterina
Published: November 2009

Binding of fluorine-containing drugs to bovine β-lactoglobulin, the most abundant whey protein in bovine milk, was investigated by means of 19F NMR and mass spectrometry. The stoichiometry of the binding and its stability in acidic medium, where β-lactoglobulin is folded and stable, were also studied, along with competition from molecules that can be regarded as analogs of physiological ligands to bovine β-lactoglobulin. Conditional binding data were combined with protein structural information derived from circular dichroism and limited proteolysis studies. Spectroscopic techniques were also used to assess whether the bound drugs stabilize the protein structure against denaturation by chaotropes or temperature at various pH values. The results obtained provide evidence for the presence of multiple binding regions on the protein, with a specific and different affinity for structurally different classes of hydrophobic drugs and, more generally, that bovine β-lactoglobulin can bind and protect against low pH values various classes of drugs of pharmaceutical relevance.
A novel matrix metalloprotease-like enzyme (karilysin) of the periodontal pathogen Tannerella forsythia ATCC 43037
Authors: Karim Abdulkarim Y. , Kulczycka Magdalena , Kantyka Tomasz , Dubin Grzegorz , Jabaiah Abeer , Daugherty Patrick S. , Thogersen Ida B. , Enghild Jan J. , Nguyen Ky-Anh , Potempa Jan
Published: November 2009

Proteases ofTannerella forsythia, a pathogen associated with periodontal disease, are implicated as virulence factors. Here, we characterized a matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-like enzyme ofT. forsythiareferred to as karilysin. Full-length (without a signal peptide) recombinant karilysin (49.9 kDa) processed itself into the mature 18-kDa enzyme through sequential autoproteolytic cleavage at both N- and C-terminal profragments. The first cleavage at the Asn14-Tyr15 peptide bond generated the fully active enzyme (47.9 kDa) and subsequent truncations at the C-terminus did not affect proteolytic activity. Mutation of Tyr15 to Ala generated a prokarilysin variant that processed itself into the final 18-kDa form with greatly reduced kinetics. Inactive prokarilysin with the mutated catalytic Glu residue (E136A) was processed by active karilysin at the same sites as the active enzymes. Karilysin proteolytic activity and autoprocessing were inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline and EDTA. Calcium ions were found to be important for both the activity and thermal stability of karilysin. Using CLiPS technology, the specificity of karilysin was found to be similar to that of MMPs with preference for Leu/Tyr/Met at P1′ and Pro/Ala at P3. This specificity and the ability to degrade elastin, fibrinogen and fibronectin may contribute to the pathogenicity of periodontitis.
Grammar and Interaction: Reported Discourse and Subjunctive in German
Authors: Golato Andrea
Published: November 2009

The present study investigates the relationship between grammar and interaction, specifically, the forms and interactional functions of direct and indirect discourse in spoken German. The study demonstrates that quotatives and the grammatical form of quotes are context-sensitive; that is, depending on the current actions (either providing background information, telling stories, telling troubles, or giving explanations), interactants select different quotation formats. The use of the subjunctive or Konjunktiv is only one of several quotation formats used by speakers in interaction for very specific social purposes; these social purposes are oriented to as such by coparticipants.
Konzeptionierungen des Prädikativums in der Indogermania
Authors: Lühr Rosemarie
Published: November 2009

Copular complements of Indo-European languages can be expressed either through a more static, nominal concept or through a more transient, verbal one. This is a twofold paradigm, which is realized in a different manner for each of the individual Indo-European languages, for instance by the presence or lack of a copular verb or word order. In Vedic for example the predicative adjective occurs before the noun and therefore stands for a nominal concept, comparable with the position of the attributive adjective. But Vedic has also a special kind of word formation which differentiates between the two concepts, i.e. the two distinct accent patterns for the nomen agentis formed with-tar-, the acrostatic and the hysterodynamic pattern. The acrostatic accent, the more verbal pattern, retains unmodified elements of the basic verb whereas the hysterodynamic pattern requires a complement as genitivus
obiectivus and therefore represents a more nominal concept. The acrostatic type can be related to a stage level predicate and the hysterodynamic one to an individual level predicate. Vedic therefore yields a very important contribution to the study of the properties which are predicated over the referent of the subject.
„Polemik satt und Wahlkampf pur" - Das postnominale Adjektiv im Deutschen
Authors: Dürscheid Christa
Published: November 2009

The goal of this paper is to uncover the characteristic properties of postnominal adjectives and to describe selected samples in the generative framework of X-bar theory. After a descriptive account of the data we will classify the superficially similar constructions into eight subgroups and point out the factors determining the function of adjectives as attributes, predicates or adverbials. The focus of the generative analysis is on the syntax of those uninflected bare adjectives which immediately follow the modifyee without intonational break as attributive modifiers, as for example constructions of the type
Preparation of a Large Size Granular Specimen Using a Rainer System with a Porous Plate
Authors: Choi Sung-Kun , Lee Moon-Joo , Choo Hyunwook , Tumay Mehmet T. , Lee Woojin
Published: November 2009

In this study, a rainer system capable of forming a large homogeneous granular specimen is introduced. A series of laboratory tests is carried out in order to study the performance of the proposed system. The features of the rainer system used in this study are the adoption of a porous plate and the air-pluviation without changing the deposition intensity. Without a porous plate, the rainer induces an insignificant density increase with increasing drop height, providing a dense to very dense specimen. However, the rainer with a porous plate produces a medium dense to dense specimen, with a drastic density increase at drop heights of 10–40 cm and a progressively reduced rate of density increase at larger drop heights. It is shown that the density obtained by using a porous plate rainer with a 70 cm drop height is similar to that achieved by using a conventional rainer with a 10 cm drop height. It is concluded that the use of a conventional rainer that adopts a porous plate significantly widens the range of density achievable even without an alteration in the deposition intensity. It is also concluded that using the rainer with a porous plate significantly improves the vertical and horizontal homogeneities of the specimen. The relative density evaluated from the measured cone resistance appears to provide a reasonable estimation at depths of 40–80 cm. The profile of shear wave velocity measured using bender elements seems to accurately reflect the vertical non-uniformity of the specimen.
Wilusa: Reconsidering the Evidence
Authors: Pantazis Vangelis D.
Published: November 2009

The detailed examination of the sources presented here have indicated that the prevailing opinion, according to which Wilusa is to be identified with Homeric (F)ilios and Taruisa with Troas, should be abandoned. In our opinion, Wilusa was most probably an inland vassal state between Hatti, Lukka, Seha and Millawanda. Its only possible location, being in full agreement with the Hittite texts, should be in the upper course of the Meander. It is not mere coincidence that in this specific area a pre-Hellenic toponym, that is very similar to Wilusa, survived as the seat of a bishop until the early Christian period, namely Ilouza (’Ίλουζα). Wilusa/Ilouza should be identified with the prehistoric city of Beycesultan, where one of the most important administrative centres of the Bronze Age and subsequently an Early Christian city flourished. Accordingly, the next member of Aššuwa coalition T(a)ruisa can tentatively be identified with the pre-Hellenic site of Trysa, in south Lycia.
The Regulation Helmet of the Phalanx and the Introduction of the Concept of Uniform in the Macedonian Army at the End of the Reign of Alexander the Great
Authors: Juhel Pierre
Published: November 2009

A few lines from the Middle Roman Empire chronicler Julius Africanus reveal that Alexander had the Macedonian army adopt the Lacedaemonian helmet, the ubiquitous pilos. Numismatic iconography of the end of Alexander’s reign confirms the words of Julius Africanus. The pilos is the forerunner of the kônos, the pre-eminent helmet of the Macedonian army during the Hellenistic period. The introduction of the pilos is part of the re-equipment of Macedonian troops during the Asian campaign, made possible by the immense treasures amassed by the Great King. It is probably between the years 330/329 and 325 BC, that the Macedonian army was thus equipped or re-equipped from head to toe. In addition to a standard type helmet, various other clues seem to support the theory of introduction of a uniform amidst the Macedonian army under the reign of Alexander the Great, particularly within the infantry.
On the Origin of Greek Cavalry Shields in the Hellenistic Period
Authors: Nefedkin Alexander K.
Published: November 2009

There are two main hypotheses about the adoption of the shield by the Hellenistic cavalry. Some scholars think that the Greeks borrowed the shield from Italy via Pyrrhus’ army, others suppose that it was borrowed from the Galatians. However, the hypotheses are theoretical, without proven arguments. According to the iconography, in the Hellenistic epoch the majority of Greek mounted shield-bearers were armed with large round shields of four various kinds, and a few of them carried oblong shields. The round shield was untypical for the Celts and therefore the Greeks borrowed it not from them but from Italy. As the dates of monuments depicting the cavalrymen have not been precisely determined, one can say only that the adoption happened during the third century BC. The Graeco-Macedonian cavalry had been using oblong shields of the Celtic type since the 270s BC. However, as far as we know, this type of shield was not widespread among the Hellenistic cavalry.
Robust efficient hedging for American options: The existence of worst case probability measures
Authors: Trevino Aguilar Erick
Published: November 2009

Our problem here starts when the seller of an American option H has an initial capital c and aims to control shortfall risk by optimally trading in the market. We consider the case where the initial capital c is smaller than the superhedging cost of H. Thus, it is meaningful to consider efficient strategies of partial hedging. We investigate in the American case the approach of Föllmer and Leukert of efficiently hedging European options. At the same time, we consider situations where the model R is ambiguous. This implies that the seller´s preference is going to be represented by a robust loss functional, involving a whole class of absolutely continuous probability measures Q. We apply a construction due to Föllmer and Kramkov on the existence of Fatou-convergent sequences of convex combinations of supermartingales, to show that optimal strategies minimizing such a functional exist. We then show that the robust efficient hedging problem can be reduced into a non-robust problem of efficient hedging with respect to a worst case probability measure Q
*∈Q, if Q satisfies a compactness condition and H is essentially bounded.
Minimum risk equivariant estimator in linear regression model
Authors: Jurecková Jana , Picek Jan
Published: November 2009

The minimum risk equivariant estimator (MRE) of the regression parameter vector
β
in the linear regression model enjoys the finite-sample optimality property, but its calculation is difficult, with an exception of few special cases. We study some possible approximations of MRE, with distribution of the errors being known or unknown: A finite-sample approximation uses the Hájek–Hoeffding projection or the Hoeffding–van Zwet decomposition of an initial equivariant estimator of
β
, a large-sample approximation is based on the asymptotic representation of the same. A nonparametric approximation uses the expected value with respect to the conditional empirical distribution function, developed by Stute (1986). The only possible approximation avoiding a difficult calculation of conditional expectations is the asymptotic approximation, based on the score function of the underlying distribution of the errors.
Jupiter's Aeneid: Fama and Imperium
Authors: Hejduk Julia
Published: November 2009

The conflict between Jupiter and Juno in the Aeneid is commonly read as a battle between the forces of order (masculinity, rationality, good) and chaos (femininity, irrationality, evil). The present article argues that this schematization, though morally and aesthetically satisfying, fails to account for most of the data. Virgil's Jupiter is in fact concerned solely with power (imperium) and adulation (fama), despite persistent attempts by readers—and characters in the poem—to see him as benign. By systematically discussing every appearance of Jupiter in the poem, the article seeks to correct the distorted or incomplete views of the god that arise from selective examination. The first section looks at Jupiter's own speeches to illustrate his motivations. The second section demonstrates how these motivations, though frequently misconstrued by the human characters, are confirmed by the glimpses of Jupiter focalized through the omniscient narrator. The third discusses the implications of this portrait of Jupiter for Virgil's vision of Rome and of human happiness.
The Pen and the Sword: Writing and Conquest in Caesar's Gaul
Authors: Osgood Josiah
Published: November 2009

Julius Caesar was remembered in later times for the unprecedented scale of his military activity. He was also remembered for writing copiously while on campaign. Focusing on the period of Rome's war with Gaul (58–50 BCE), this paper argues that the two activities were interrelated: writing helped to facilitate the Roman conquest of the Gallic peoples. It allowed Caesar to send messages within his own theater of operations, sometimes with distinctive advantages; it helped him stay in touch with Rome, from where he obtained ever more resources; and it helped him, in his Gallic War above all, to turn the story of his scattered campaigns into a coherent narrative of the subjection of a vast territory henceforward to be called “Gaul.” The place of epistolography in late Republican politics receives new analysis in the paper, with detailed discussion of the evidence of Cicero.
Assessing the Public's Views in Research Ethics Controversies: Deliberative Democracy and Bioethics as Natural Allies
Authors: Kim Scott Y. H. , Wall Ian F. , Stanczyk Aimee , De Vries Raymond
Published: November 2009

In a liberal democracy, policy decisions regarding ethical controversies, including those in research ethics, should incorporate the opinions of its citizens. Eliciting informed and well-considered ethical opinions can be challenging. The issues may not be widely familiar and they may involve complex scientific, legal, historical, and ethical dimensions. Traditional surveys risk eliciting superficial and uninformed opinions that may be of dubious quality for policy formation. We argue that the theory and practice of deliberative democracy (DD) is especially useful in overcoming such inadequacies. We explain DD theory and practice, discuss the rationale for using DD methods in research ethics, and illustrate in depth the use of a DD method for a longstanding research ethics controversy involving research based on surrogate consent. The potential pitfalls of DD and the means of minimizing them as well as future research directions are also discussed.
Ethics Review in a Developing Country: A Survey of South African Social Scientists' Experiences
Authors: Mamotte Nicole , Wassenaar Douglas
Published: November 2009

We report the findings of a preliminary study of social science researchers' experiences of ethics review from a developing country perspective. Social science researchers' experiences of ethics review were coded as negative (42.6%), positive (21.3%), or mixed (36.2%). Ethics review was primarily experienced as negative for pragmatic reasons such as slow turnaround time, inadequate review and problems with the centralization of review. Our finding that South African researchers experience the same problems and frustrations with RECs as developed country researchers affirms that South Africa's problems with ethics review are not due to it being a less developed system, but to general review practices as they arise naturally in institutions. Developing countries thus have a unique opportunity to learn from the reported dissatisfactions and mistakes of developed countries, to avoid procedures that have hindered ethics review of much social science research in developed countries, and to fashion their own review procedures in ways that are more appropriate to key ethical issues arising in social science research and local conditions and resources.
Effects of dietary fumonisin B1 on the onset of puberty, semen quality, fertility rates and testicular morphology in male rabbits
Authors: Ewuola E O , Egbunike G N
Published: November 2009

The influences of dietary fumonisin B1(FB1), a metabolite ofFusarium verticillioides, on the onset of puberty, semen quality, fertility rates and testicular morphology in male rabbits (bucks) were studied. Forty male rabbits were randomly assigned and fed four diets containing 0.13, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mg FB1/kg, constituting diets 1 (control), 2, 3 and 4 respectively, for a period of 175 days in a completely randomized design. During the last week of the feeding trial, two untreated female rabbits were mated to each of the four treated bucks per treatment to assess the fertility rate of the treated bucks. Onset of puberty in animals fed diets 3 and 4 was significantly (P<0.05) delayed by some 9–12 days. The weight at puberty, sperm concentration and total sperm/ejaculate were not significantly influenced by the dietary FB1. Sperm mass activities, motility and live spermatozoa of the rabbits' semen significantly (P<0.05) declined with an increase in the dietary FB1. The highest sperm cell abnormalities were recorded in the animals fed 10.0 mg/kg FB1, while the least was observed in the control animals. The conception rate, litter size and embryo survival rate were statistically the same among the dietary treatments. Embryo mortality was significantly (P<0.05) higher in rabbits fed diets 3 and 4 than in others. Testicular elements were significantly (P<0.05) impaired by the toxin in rabbits fed 7.5 and 10.0 mg FB1/kg. This suggests that LOAEL of 7.50 mg/kg FB1delayed puberty, impaired semen quality and spermatogenesis and induced embryo mortality without a statistically adverse effect on the fertility rates of male rabbits.
Estimating Divergence Parameters With Small Samples From a Large Number of Loci
Authors: Wang Yong , Hey Jody
Published: November 2009

Most methods for studying divergence with gene flow rely upon data from many individuals at few loci. Such data can be useful for inferring recent population history but they are unlikely to contain sufficient information about older events. However, the growing availability of genome sequences suggests a different kind of sampling scheme, one that may be more suited to studying relatively ancient divergence. Data sets extracted from whole-genome alignments may represent very few individuals but contain a very large number of loci. To take advantage of such data we developed a new maximum-likelihood method for genomic data under the isolation-with-migration model. Unlike many coalescent-based likelihood methods, our method does not rely on Monte Carlo sampling of genealogies, but rather provides a precise calculation of the likelihood by numerical integration over all genealogies. We demonstrate that the method works well on simulated data sets. We also consider two models for accommodating mutation rate variation among loci and find that the model that treats mutation rates as random variables leads to better estimates. We applied the method to the divergence of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans and detected a low, but statistically significant, signal of gene flow from D. simulans to D. melanogaster.
The Genetics of Postmating, Prezygotic Reproductive Isolation Between Drosophila virilis and D. americana
Authors: Sweigart Andrea L
Published: November 2009

Many studies have demonstrated the rapid diversification of reproductive genes that function after mating but before fertilization. This process might lead to the evolution of postmating, prezygotic barriers between species. Here, I investigate the phenotypic and genetic basis of postmating, prezygotic isolation between two closely related species of Drosophila, Drosophila virilis and D. americana. I show that a strong barrier to interspecific fertilization results in a 99% reduction in progeny production. A genetic interaction among maternal and paternal alleles at only a few loci prevents the fertilization of D. virilis females by D. americana males. These loci are autosomal and isolation acts recessively; the fertilization incompatibility is caused by at least two loci in the maternal D. virilis parent in combination with at least three loci in the paternal D. americana parent. These findings, together with results from classical experiments, suggest that male–female coevolution within D. americana may have driven postmating, prezygotic isolation between species.
Severe Thrombocytopenia in the NICU
Authors: Baer Vickie L. , Lambert Diane K. , Henry Erick , Christensen Robert D.
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: Severe thrombocytopenia (platelets ≤ 50000/μL) in a NICU patient can have significant consequences; however, previous reports have not focused exclusively on NICU patients with counts this low.

METHODS: We identified all patients with severe thrombocytopenia who were cared for in the Intermountain Healthcare level III NICUs from 2003–2007.

RESULTS: Among 11281 NICU admissions, severe thrombocytopenia was identified in 273 (2.4%). Just over 30% of these presented in the first three days of life. Half presented by day 10, 75% by day 27, and 95% by day 100. The prevalence was inversely related to birth weight. Cutaneous bleeding was more common in patients with platelet counts of <20000/μL; however, no statistically significant correlation was found between platelet counts and pulmonary, gastrointestinal, or intraventricular bleeding. The most common explanations for severe thrombocytopenia were acquired varieties of consumptive thrombocytopenia. Platelet transfusions (median 5, range 0–76) were administered to 86% of the patients. No deaths were ascribed to exsanguinations. The mortality rate did not correlate with the lowest platelet count but was proportionate to the number of platelet transfusions.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of severe thrombocytopenia in the NICU is inversely proportional to birth weight and most cases are acquired consumptive thrombocytopenias. We speculate that very low platelet counts are a causal factor in cutaneous bleeding, but pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and intraventricular bleeding are less influenced by the platelet count and occur primarily from causes other than severe thrombocytopenia. The lowest platelet count does not predict the mortality rate but the number of platelet transfusions received does.
Best-Practice Guidelines for Physical Activity at Child Care
Authors: McWilliams Christina , Ball Sarah C. , Benjamin Sara E. , Hales Derek , Vaughn Amber , Ward Dianne S.
Published: November 2009

Research has indicated that the child care center is a very strong predictor of preschool-aged children's physical activity levels, making this an important setting to help young children obtain physical activity that is appropriate for their health and development. However, some evidence suggests that organized child care may not adequately support children's physical activity needs. Although many organizations provide recommendations, guidelines, or standards for motor skill development and physical activity opportunities, no set of guidelines exist that directly target the overall physical activity environment at child care. Because of the lack of comprehensive recommendations, the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-assessment for Child Care best-practice guidelines for healthy weight development were created on the basis of an extensive review of existing guidelines, research evidence, and expert review. The purpose of this article is to present these physical activity best-practice guidelines and provide data on how these guidelines compare to current practice in a large sample (N = 96) of child care centers in North Carolina. These best-practice guidelines include recommendations for 8 unique components of the child care environment, including active opportunities, fixed play environment, portable play environment, sedentary opportunities, sedentary environment, staff behavior, staff training/education, and physical activity policies. Our results showed that only a few of the best-practice guidelines were achieved by a majority of the 96 North Carolina child care centers that participated in this study. Establishing comprehensive guidelines for physical activity at child care could result in higher activity levels and healthier children, but more research is needed.
Promoting Early Literacy in Pediatric Practice: Twenty Years of Reach Out and Read
Authors: Zuckerman Barry
Published: November 2009

Reach Out and Read (ROR) is the first pediatric, evidence-based strategy to prevent problems of early childhood development and learning. With a start in a single clinic in Boston City Hospital in 1989, doctors working in >4000 clinics and practices gave ∼5.7 million new books to >3.5 million children in all 50 states in 2008. ROR also has become a model for a different way of thinking about parent education during primary care encounters, based less on telling and more on creating real-time learning experiences. ROR flourished because of (1) the growth of pediatric interest in child development, (2) local leadership of pediatric champions as well as nonmedical supporters, coordinators, and volunteers, (3) evidence of effectiveness, and (4) public financial support attributable to strong bipartisan support in Congress, led by Senator Edward Kennedy. Since ROR started, an increasing amount of research confirms the importance of reading aloud for the development of language and other emergent literacy skills, which in turn helps children get ready for school and leads to later success in reading. Future goals include continued growth until all low-income children are reached with pediatric advice and books, a national campaign led by physicians encouraging all parents to read to their children every day, additional evidence-based, parent information to increase the effectiveness of parents reading to children, quality-improvement efforts to achieve the full potential, and global expansion.
Recent Results for All-Dry-Processed CdTe/CdS Solar Cells
Authors: Dhere Ramesh , Duenow Joel , Duda Anna , Glynn Stephen , Li Jian , Metzger Wyatt K. , Moutinho Helio , Gessert Timothy
Published: November 2009

Several wet-processing steps are used in fabricating high-efficiency CdTe/CdS solar cells. These steps can hinder in-line processing; thus, developing an all-dry processing option is attractive for a manufacturing-friendly process. In this study, we systematically modified the baseline process used in our laboratory to replace CdS deposited by chemical-bath deposition (CBD) with sputter-deposited CdS and Cu-doped graphite paste back-contact with Cu-doped ZnTe deposited by radio-frequency sputtering. In addition to CdTe deposited by close-spaced sublimation, we also used conventionally evaporated CdTe. The results show that replacing only CBD CdS with oxygenated CdS deposited by sputtering produces devices with performance comparable to baseline devices if the front bilayer SnO2 is replaced by a Cd2SnO4/ZnSnO alloy. Replacing the graphite paste back-contact with sputter-deposited Cu-doped ZnTe resulted in device performance comparable to baseline devices. Incorporating both dry processing steps gave performance comparable to the devices with sputtered CdS with a SnO2 front contact. We used capacitance-voltage and minority-carrier lifetime measurements to analyze the factors affecting device performance and we present the results here.
Utilizing Polarization Induced Band Bending for InGaN Solar Cell Design
Authors: Jampana Balakrishnam R , Ferguson Ian T , Opila Robert L , Honsberg Christiana B
Published: November 2009

Strong polarization effects observed in III-nitride materials can invert the surface carrier type. The corresponding band bending can be used to design InGaN solar cells. Similar surface inversion was observed in the past with silicon-based Schottky-barrier solar cells, but was limited by Fermi level pinning. The formation of two-dimensional electron gas by polarization fields in III-nitrides has been reported. Using a similar idea, the growth of a thin AlN capping layer on p-InGaN has resulted in band bending, hence depletion region, under the surface that can be used separate any generated photo-carriers. Hall measurements at different depths on these structures confirm the inversion of surface carrier type. Solar cells based on this concept have resulted in an open circuit voltage of 2.15 V and short circuit current of 21.8 μA.
Outdoor characterisation of High Efficiency Luminescent Solar Concentrators
Authors: Pravettoni Mauro , Virtuani Alessandro , Kenny Robert P. , Farrell Daniel J , Chatten Amanda J. , Barnham Keith W.J.
Published: November 2009

This work presents recent results on outdoor characterisation of high efficiency luminescent solar concentrators. Outdoor measurements at 25�C and corrected to 1000 W/m2 have been compared with indoor characterization according to the international standards for conventional photovoltaic devices. Dependence of electrical parameters with temperature is also shown, together with results of various 1-day monitoring campaigns of luminescent concentrators performance under varying irradiance conditions. Results highlight the importance of those devices as potentially cheap, residential concentrating systems.