cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A precision translation stage for reproducing measured target volume motions.

The development of 4D imaging, treatment planning and treatment delivery methods for radiation therapy require the use of a high-precision translation stage for testing and validation. These technologies may require spatial resolutions of 1 mm, and temporal resolutions of 2 - 30 Hz for CT imaging, electromagnetic tracking, and fluoroscopic imaging. A 1D programmable translation stage capable of reproducing idealized and measured anatomic motions common to the thorax has been design and built to meet these spatial and temporal resolution requirement with phantoms weighing up to 27 kg. The stage consists of a polycarbonate base and table, driven by an AC servo motor with encoder feedback by means of a belt-coupled precision screw. Complex motions are possible through a programmable motion controller that is capable of running multiple independent control and monitoring programs concurrently. Programmable input and output ports allow motion to be synchronized with beam delivery and other imaging and treatment delivery devices to within 2.0 ms. Average deviations from the programmed positions are typically 0.2 mm or less, while the average typical maximum positional errors are typically 0.5 mm for an indefinite number of idealized breathing motion cycles and while reproducing measured target volume motions for several minutes.
High availability in optical networks: Introduction to the feature issue

The Journal of Optical Networking's (JON) feature issue, focuses on architectures, technologies, and theory for achieving high service availability in optical transport networks. The feature accepted 14 submissions for publication, these works reflect some important directions and objectives in optical networking research. These papers can be categorized under three themes, cost considerations in survivable optical networks, optimization in survivability design including resource sharing schemes, availability guarantees, and capacity efficiency, protection in IP/MPLS over WDM. J. Farkas, A. Paradisi, and C. Antal, in their paper, proposes and experimentally validates a low-cost, robust, and scalable Ethernet-over-fiber network architecture with fast recovery from both node and link failures. The paper submitted by M. Scheffel proposes an interesting sort of template or building-block approach to constructing the end-to-end topology of a service path.
Induction of p21/WAF1 and G1 cell-cycle arrest by the chemopreventive agent apigenin.

Apigenin is a plant flavonoid that has been shown to significantly inhibit ultraviolet-induced mouse skin tumorigenesis when applied topically and may be an alternative sunscreen agent for humans. A long-term goal of our laboratory is to elucidate the molecular mechanism or mechanisms by which apigenin inhibits skin tumorigenesis. In a previous publication, we characterized the mechanism by which apigenin induced G2/M arrest in keratinocytes. More recent studies in our laboratory have provided evidence that apigenin can induce G1 arrest in addition to arresting cells at G2/M. Here we describe the mechanism of the apigenin-induced G1 arrest in human diploid fibroblasts (HDF). Treatment of asynchronous HDF for 24 h with 10–50 μM apigenin resulted in dose-dependent cell-cycle arrest at both the G0/G1 and G2/M phases as measured by flow cytometry. The G0/G1 arrest was more clearly defined by using HDF that were synchronized in G0 and then released from quiescence by replating at subconfluent densities in medium containing 10–70 μM apigenin. The cells were analyzed for cell-cycle progression or cyclin D1 expression 24 h later. A dose of apigenin as low as 10 μM reduced the percentage of cells in S phase by 20% compared with control cultures treated with solvent alone. Western blot analysis of apigenin-treated HDF indicated that cyclin D1 was expressed at higher levels than in untreated cells, which signifies that they were arrested in G1 phase rather than in a G0 quiescent state. The G1 arrest was further studied by cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) immune complex–kinase assays of apigenin-treated asynchronous HDF, which demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of cdk2 by apigenin. Inhibition of cdk2 kiase activity in apigenin-treated cells was associated with the accumulation of the hypophosphorylated form of the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein as measured by western blot analysis. The cdk inhibitor p21/WAF1 was also induced in a dose-dependent manner, with a 22-fold induction of p21/WAF1 in 70 μM apigenin-treated cells. In conclusion, apigenin treatment produced a G1 cell-cycle arrest by inhibiting cdk2 kinase activity and the phosphorylation of Rb and inducing the cdk inhibitor p21/WAF1, all of which may mediate its chemopreventive activities in vivo. To our knowledge this is the first report of a chemopreventive agent inducing p21/WAF1, a known downstream effector of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. Mol. Carcinog. 19:74–82, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
HORMONAL REGULATION OF SOMATOMEDIN SECRETION BY FETAL RAT HEPATOCYTES IN CULTURE

To determine which hormones might regulate fetal somatomedin (SM) secretion, we measured SM levels in conditioned medium from primary cultures of fetal rat hepatocytes. We employed a bioassay (3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA of chick embryo fibroblasts), a displacement assay (competition for binding of a radiolabeled rat IGF-II to the SM binding protein) for total somatomedin, and the radioimmunoassay for SM-C. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and dexamethasone were the most active hormones tested, as measured by the displacement assay. Rat growth hormone (rGH) was much less stimulatory. Human placental lactogen (hPL), glucagon and insulin had little or no effect. Stimulation of SM secretion by both EGF and dexamethasone was time- and dose-dependent. The maximal response occurred at 48 hours, at a concentration of about 1 × 10−7 M of either hormone. In the bioassay, the stimulation by EGF, but not dexamethasone, could be detected. The steroid had enhanced the secretion of a heat-labile inhibitor that completely masked the mitogenic activity of the increased SM levels. The fetal SM secreted exhibited immunological cross-reactivity with human SM-C, but the levels were 500-fold less than those measured by our displacement assay. This suggests that the predominant fetal rat SM is not SM-C. We conclude that EGF and dexamethasone, but not rGH or hPL, stimulated the secretion by fetal hepatocytes of a fetal SM which resembled IGF-II.
Learning from the U.S. National Assessment of Climate Change Impacts

The U.S. National Assessment of the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change was a federally coordinated nationwide effort that involved thousands of experts and stakeholders. To draw lessons from this effort, the 10 authors of this paper, half of whom were not involved in the Assessment, developed and administered an extensive survey, prepared a series of working papers, and conducted an invitational workshop in Washington, DC, on April 29, 2004. Considering all these sources, the authors conclude that the Assessment was largely successful in implementing its basic design of distributed stakeholder involvement and in achieving its basic objectives. Future assessments could be significantly improved if greater attention were devoted to developing a collective understanding of objectives, preparing guidance materials and providing training for assessment participants, developing a budgeting mechanism which would allow greater freedom in allocating resources across various assessment activities, and creating an environment in which assessments were part of an ongoing process.
Clinical Impact of United Versus Nonunited Fractures of the Proximal Half of the Ulnar Styloid Following Volar Plate Fixation of the Distal Radius

Purpose Distal radius fractures are often associated with a fracture of the ulnar styloid at its base. This study tested the null hypothesis that there is no difference in outcome between patients with union and nonunion of a fracture of the proximal half of the ulnar styloid 6 months after volar plate fixation of a fracture of the distal radius. Methods A total of 36 consecutive patients with fractures of both distal radius and the proximal half of the ulnar styloid enrolled in 1 of 2 clinical trials evaluating volar plate fixation of the distal radius had no treatment of the ulnar styloid fracture. Six months after surgery, wrist function was assessed using the Mayo wrist score and the Gartland and Werley score system, and arm-specific health status was measured using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire. Pain was assessed on a 10-point ordinal scale. Nonunion of the fracture of the proximal half of the ulnar styloid was defined as no signs of consolidation on 6-month postoperative radiographs. At the 6-month follow-up, patients were assessed for overall wrist function but not specifically for ulnar-sided wrist problems or stability. Results Sixteen ulnar styloid fractures had united, and 20 had not. There were no differences in demographic and injury characteristics. There were no significant differences in motion; strength; Gartland and Werley scores; Mayo scores; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores; or pain scores 6 months after fracture. Conclusions Nonunion of a fracture of the proximal half of the ulnar styloid has no effect on wrist function, pain, and upper extremity–specific health status 6 months after volar plate fixation of a fracture of the distal radius. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic III.
Total Parenteral Nutrition Alters Molecular and Cellular Indices of Intestinal Inflammation in Neonatal Piglets

Background: The adverse effects of TPN on systemic immunity are well-documented; however, the impact of IV feeding on neonatal intestinal immunity is unknown. Methods: A piglet TPN model was used to compare immune cell composition within the intestinal epithelium and lamina propria of parenterally and orally fed piglets. Results: Small intestinal weight of piglets maintained intravenously was reduced 50% after 7 days. Intestinal atrophy in piglets fed parenterally was evidenced by decreased width of intestinal villi and colon cuffs and reduced intestinal crypt depth. The numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were threefold greater within the lamina propria of jejunal and ileal villi of piglets supported intravenously. Inverse correlations were observed between villus height or width and T-lymphocyte numbers (r = -.80; p < .05). Major histocompatibility complex class II mRNA expression, an indicator of localized inflammation, was increased in the ileum and colon of piglets receiving parenteral nutrition. ...
Simulated intraclass correlation coefficients and their ztransforms

We examined three issues: (1) properties of the intraclass correlation coefficient (r 1); (2) normality of its z transform; and (3) Fisher's formula for the variance of z. To do this we simulated 1,000 samples of r 1 and of z for several values of p, both for equal and for unequal family sizes. Those samples permitted us to evaluate some of Fisher's remarks on the bias, variance, and normally of r 1 Furthermore, they showed us that all simulated z transforms were normally distributed with variances that agreed with the values calculated from a modification of Fisher's formula. Those last two results affirm the applicability of the z transform and of Fisher's modified formula to studies in human genetics involving unequal family sizes.
Effective Resistance and Inductance of 3-Conductor Shipboard Power Cables

The effective resistance and inductance of 3-conductor shipboard power cables are measured at frequencies up to 800 cycles per second. The effects of conductor spacing, steel armor, and adjacent magnetic materials are described. The results indicate that the effective resistance is increased greatly as the conductor separation is reduced and that both the steel armor on the cables and other adjacent magnetic materials increase the effective resistance and inductance of the cable.
Random motility of swimming bacteria in restricted geometries

The effects of restricted geometries on the swimming behavior of Escherichia coli were examined. Videomicroscopy and image analysis techniques were used to measure single-cell motility parameters (cell velocity, tumbling probability, and turn angle) in microfabricated 2-D channels ranging from 2 to 20 μm in height. Macroscopic motility coefficients were calculated from the single-cell data and compared to literature values. These observations indicate that single-cell parameters remain nearly constant in confined spaces in which channel heights approach the size of the bacterium. The nearly constant swimming behavior of individual cells in confined geometries indicates that the macroscopic motility coefficient describing population behavior will be greater than the unrestricted value by a factor proportional to the dimensionality of the system.
Differences in sleep between black and white adults: an update and future directions

Meta-analyses and other previous reviews have identified distinct ethnic/racial differences in the quantity, quality, and propensity for sleep disorders between black and white adults. The present article reviews the meta-analytic evidence along with recent epidemiological, community, and clinical studies to clarify what is known and not known about sleep differences between these two groups. Black individuals tend to have poorer sleep continuity and quality, excessively short or long sleep duration, greater sleep variability, and greater risk of sleep apnea than white individuals. The data suggest that these differences are attenuated yet persist in the face of several relevant confounders such as socioeconomic status, occupational factors, neighborhood context, and comorbidities. However, little is known about the mechanisms that explain ethnic disparities in sleep. We propose a conceptual model of potential mediators for future testing as well as other questions in need of investigation.
Identification of the E. coli dnaK (groPC756) gene product

The E. coli dnaK (groPC756) gene product is essential for bacteriophage λ DNA replication. Bacterial DNA segments carrying this gene have been cloned onto a bacteriophage λ vector. The product of the dnaK gene has been identified on SDS polyacrylamide gels after infection of UV-irradiated E. coli cells. The dnaK gene codes for a polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 93,000-Mr. Transducing phages carrying amber mutations in the dnaK gene fail to induce the synthesis of the 93,000-Mr polypeptide chain upon infection of sup+ bacteria, but do so upon infection of supF bacteria. E. coli carrying the dnaK756 mutation are, in addition, temperature sensitive for growth at 43° C. It is shown that the dnaK756 mutation results in an overproduction of the dnaK gene product at that temperature.
A Framework for the E-Discovery of Social Media Content in the United States

People are using social networking sites SNS for day-to-day communications, outpacing email and texts. SNS are evidence gold mines subject to discovery in investigations, audits, and litigation. This paper examines the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure FRCP, which specifically address electronically stored information ESI, but not social content, as a unique form of evidence. A framework is presented to categorize legal cases according to the degree of e-discovery access granted. One conclusion is caveat usor.
A Note on Matrix Variate Normal Distribution

A characterization of the matrix variate normal distribution having identically distributed row vectors based on conditional normality is given.
Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for pelvic inflammatory disease

To examine the relationship between cigarette smoking and pelvic inflammatory disease we analyzed data from a hospital-based, case-control study of pelvic inflammatory disease. Case subjects were 197 women hospitalized with their first episode of pelvic inflammatory disease; control subjects were 667 women hospitalized with nongynecologic conditions. Logistic regression was used to control for potentially confounding factors, including number of recent sexual partners, frequency of intercourse, and previous episodes of gonorrhea. Compared with women who had never smoked, current cigarette smokers had a significantly elevated relative risk of pelvic inflammatory disease of 1.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.5). Similarly, former cigarette smokers had a significantly elevated relative risk of pelvic inflammatory disease of 2.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 4.2). However, a dose-response relationship was not observed. These results suggest that cigarette smoking is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. Whether or not this association is causal requires clarification. The high prevalence of cigarette smoking and the serious consequences of pelvic inflammatory disease make such clarification an important consideration for future research.
Solar heating of the Uranian mesopause by dust of ring origin

Abstract We have estimated the magnitude of an equatorial heat source due to submicrometer dust in the Uranian upper atmosphere under the assumption that the dust collects extra solar energy in the visible while being inhibited from radiating in the infrared. Dust at the orbit of Uranus that possesses the combined bulk optical properties of known materials can attain temperatures of up to 200 K. Thus dust is capable of providing a significant heat source at the mesopause level, where temperatures of from 150 to 200 K have been observed in ground-based occultations. Dust heating may explain heat sources observed only near the equator, for which there is some evidence in both the ground-based and UVS-derived temperature profiles. However, such dust is ruled out as a heat source for the thermospheric temperatures of 500–800 K measured by the Voyager UVS (ultraviolet spectrometer). The influx necessary to provide a significant heat source corresponds to the decomposition into submicrometer dust, averaged over the age of the solar system, of some 102 moons 10 km in diameter of density 1.5 g cm−3. Recent work indicates that this is a realistic average dust flux for the Uranian rings.
Observational constraints on non-Lorentzian continuum effects in the near-infrared solar spectrum using ARM ARESE data

Abstract Uncertainties exist in the magnitude of the water vapor continuum at solar wavelengths and many models do not include a solar continuum. We assess whether the neglect of the continuum in some models could explain a significant amount of the excess solar absorption found by several recent studies, in which the observed atmospheric solar absorption is significantly greater than that modeled. Towards this goal, we constrain the magnitude of the near-infrared water vapor continuum absorption using observations from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Enhanced Shortwave Experiment (ARESE). Narrowband irradiances measured by two independent Multifilter Rotating Shadowband Radiometers (MFRSRs) are used to infer the clear-sky transmission by water vapor in the 0.94 μ m band. Over 16 000 such observations are compared to non-continuum (i.e., a pure Lorentzian model) and continuum calculations using a correlated- k distribution model, which shows excellent agreement with a line-by-line model and uses coincident measurements of the pressure, temperature and water vapor profiles. Continuum calculations use the CKD super-Lorentzian formulation. The data suggest the need for a far wing continuum in the 0.94 μ m band with an absorption that falls between that computed for pure Lorentzian lines and the CKD continuum. A sensitivity analysis presents the effects of uncertainties in parameters affecting the calculations, including those in the line parameters, continuum magnitude and atmospheric state. Upper estimates for the absorption of broadband solar radiation by the continuum, beyond that computed for pure Lorentzian far wings, are only 1 to 2 W m −2 for a diurnal (24 h) average, and 4 to 6 W m −2 for local noon. Thus, uncertainties in or the neglect of the water vapor continuum at solar wavelengths are not likely explanations for excess absorption of the order of 15 to 30 W m −2 (diurnal average).
Quantifying low rates of summertime sublimation for buried glacier ice in Beacon Valley, Antarctica

A remnant of Taylor Glacier ice rests beneath a 40-80 cm thick layer of sublimation till in central Beacon Valley, Antarctica. A vapour diffusion model was developed to track summertime vapour flow within this till. As input, we used meteorological data from installed HOBO data loggers that captured changes in solar radiance, atmospheric temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature, and soil moisture from 18 November 2004-29 December 2004. Model results show that vapour flows into and out of the sublimation till at rates dependent on the non-linear variation of soil temperature with depth. Although measured meteorological conditions during the study interval favoured a net loss of buried glacier ice (~0.017 mm), we show that ice preservation is extremely sensitive to minor perturbations in temperature and relative humidity. Net loss of buried glacier ice is reduced to zero (during summer months) if air temperature (measured 2 cm above the till surface) decreases by 5.5oC (from -7oC to -12oC); or average relative humidity increases by 22% (from ~36% to 58%); or infiltration of minor snowmelt equals ~0.002 mm day -1 . Our model results are consistent with the potential for long-term survival of buried glacier ice in the hyper-arid stable upland zone of the western Dry Valleys.
Sleep disorders in children.

Purpose of reviewChildhood sleep disorders are one of the most prevalent complaints in the pediatrician's office. Infant sleep rhythm complaints from new mothers reach 46%, while childhood obstructive sleep apnea has a prevalence of 2% and adolescent insomnia with daily consequences surpasses that p
ZFP100, a component of the active U7 snRNP limiting for histone pre-mRNA processing, is required for entry into S phase.

Metazoan replication-dependent histone mRNAs are the only eukaryotic mRNAs that are not polyadenylated. The cleavage of histone pre-mRNA to form the unique 3′ end requires the U7 snRNP and the stem-loop binding protein (SLBP) that binds the 3′ end of histone mRNA. U7 snRNP contains three novel proteins, Lsm10 and Lsm11, which are part of the core U7 Sm complex, and ZFP100, a Zn finger protein that helps stabilize binding of the U7 snRNP to the histone pre-mRNA by interacting with the SLBP/pre-mRNA complex. Using a reporter gene that encodes a green fluorescent protein mRNA ending in a histone 3′ end and mimics histone gene expression, we demonstrate that ZFP100 is the limiting factor for histone pre-mRNA processing in vivo. The overexpression of Lsm10 and Lsm11 increases the cellular levels of U7 snRNP but has no effect on histone pre-mRNA processing, while increasing the amount of ZFP100 increases histone pre-mRNA processing but has no effect on U7 snRNP levels. We also show that knocking down the known components of U7 snRNP by RNA interference results in a reduction in cell growth and an unsuspected cell cycle arrest in early G1, suggesting that active U7 snRNP is necessary to allow progression through G1 phase to S phase.
Maternal Immunization with Influenza or Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine for Passive Antibody Protection in Young Infants

Women in the last trimester of pregnancy were given trivalent inactivated influenza virus vaccine (TIV; A/Sichuan/H3N2, A/Taiwan/H1N1, B/Victoria) or tetanus toxoid (TT). Maternal blood was drawn before immunization and at delivery (median, 5 weeks later); infant blood was obtained within 5 days of birth and 2 months later. Antibody responses to TIV and TT were determined by microneutralization assay and ELISA. T cell response was determined by lymphocyte proliferation. Maternal seroconversion to vaccine antigens was found to one or more influenza antigen in all TIV recipients and to TT in 9 of 13 TT recipients. Significantly higher IgG antibodies to maternal vaccine antigens were present in cord and infant serum. Significant blastogenic responses were seen to influenza A and B in maternal cells of TIV-immunized women but not in cord or infant lymphocytes. Maternal immunization resulted in higher infant levels of vaccine-specific IgG antibody but not in the transfer of specific T lymphocyte response(s) or production of neonatal IgM antibody.
Multi-Objective Optimal Energy Consumption Scheduling in Smart Grids

A major source of inefficiency in power grids is the underutilization of generation capacity. This is mainly because load demand during peak hours is much larger than that during off-peak hours. Moreover, extra generation capacity is needed to maintain a security margin above peak load demand. As load demand keeps increasing and two-way communications are enabled by smart meters (SMs), demand response (DR) has been proposed as an alternative to installing new power plants in smart grids. DR makes use of real-time schemes to allow users to modify their load demand patterns according to their energy consumption costs. In particular, when load demand is high, energy consumption cost will be high and users may decide to postpone certain amount of their consumption needs. This strategy may effectively reduce the peak load demand and increases the off-peak demand, and hence could increase existing generation capacity utilization and reduce the need to install extra generation plants. In this paper, we consider a third-party managing the energy consumption of a group of users, and formulate the load scheduling problem as a constrained multi-objective optimization problem (CMOP). The optimization objectives are to minimize energy consumption cost and to maximize a certain utility, which can be conflicting and non-commensurable. We then develop two evolutionary algorithms (EAs) to obtain the Pareto-front solutions and the e-Pareto front solutions to the CMOP, respectively, which are validated by extensive simulation results.
Atomistic simulation of point defects and dislocations in bbc transition metals from first principles

Using multi-ion interatomic potentials derived from first-principles generalized pseudopotential theory, we have been studying point defects and dislocations in bcc transition metals, with molybdenum (Mo) as a prototype. For point defects in Mo, the calculated vacancy formation and activation energies are in excellent agreement with experimental results. The energetics of six self-interstitial configurations in Mo have also been investigated. The split dumb-bell is found to have the lowest formation energy, as is experimentally observed, but the corresponding migration energy is calculated to be 3--15 times higher than previous theoretical estimates. The atomic structure and energetics of screw dislocations in Mo are now being investigated. We have found that the ``easy`` core configuration has a lower formation energy than the ``hard`` one, consistent with previous theoretical studies. The former has a distinctive 3-fold symmetry with a spread out of the dislocation core along the directions, an effect which is driven by the strong angular forces present in these metals.
The irrelevance of detail in and computable general equilibrium model

Abstract We eliminate many complicated features of a computable general equilibrium model, and reevaluate several reforms of capital taxation. Results of the simple model are surprisingly similar. Welfare gains depend more on a key unknown elasticity than on all the additional modeling complications combined.
Work in progress - the “eyes” have it: The use of affective imagery to capture perceptions

This work in progress introduces an innovative database tool that develops valid, reliable and interesting surveys for the visualizers generation. Undergraduate researchers use affective imagery survey techniques to create a pilot study database and tool to assess the perceptions of the IT discipline.
Variable pricing business solutions in a decomposed business environment

Evolving business models and technology advances have facilitated the creation of innovative pricing strategies. Variable pricing represents the ability to configure a pricing schedule from a set of pricing options such as fixed cost, usage, shared benefit, and performance. The objective of variable pricing is to improve a pricing schedule for the mutual benefits of the provider and consumer, based on an evaluation of criteria that results in the setting of a price as a function of the expected value to be derived, as well as the time and materials used. In this paper, we focus on the variable pricing of 'business solutions', which is abstractly defined as the capabilities that enable or add value to the purposes of an enterprise. In a decomposed business environment, the structure of a business is partitioned into discrete business components that are assigned specific purposes and are endowed with resources to meet them. Business components interact to achieve business goals, and do so by exposing their capabilities through business services they offer. Business services have suitable levels of granularity offering constituent units of function, which, when selectively chosen and composed, form business solutions. We assert that business services are also suitable units for variable pricing, the implication being that pricing for a given business solution is an evaluation of the variable pricing of its assemblage of business services. The benefits of this 'variable price composition' approach offer greater accuracy for the pricing plan, coupled with increased flexibility to compose, modify, calculate and articulate pricing for business solutions.
Confucian Moral Realism

In this paper I construct Confucian moral realism as a metaethical theory that is compatible with, or even derivable from, traditional Confucianism. The paper is at once interpretative and constructive. In my analysis, Confucians can establish the realist's claims on moral properties because they embrace the view of a moralistic universe. Moral properties in Confucian ethics not only are presented as objective, naturalistic properties, but also are seen as ‘causally efficacious’. There are several theses commonly endorsed by contemporary moral realists. I will explain how many of the remarks by Confucius, Mencius, in Yijing, The Great Learning and The Doctrine of the Mean can be understood as implicit endorsements of these theses. I will also analyze the theses specific to Confucian moral realism. The paper will end with a brief defense of this form of realism.
Clinical experience with guanfacine in 2‐ and 3‐year‐old children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

La pharmacotherapie en pediatrie chez les enfants de deux a trois ans n'est pas un domaine bien explore. Les agents psychotropes (surtout ceux n'ayant pas ete approuves par les autorites sanitaires americaines pour l'utilisation dans ce groupe d'âge) ne devraient etre prescrits qu'apres une evaluation clinique minutieuse et apres avoir considere avec soin d'autres alternatives de traitement. Cet article decrit les experiences cliniques avec la guanfacine chez quatre enfants de deux et trois ans souffrant d'un trouble hyperactif de manque d'attention. Les quatre enfants ont repondu a de petites doses de guanfacine par des ameliorations dans leur comportement et une agressivite et un comportement destructeur diminues. Utilisee en petites doses, avec un suivi minutieux, la guanfacine peut s'averer extremement precieuse pour le traitement des enfants ayant des comportements agressifs et destructuers.
STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF CIRCULAR PERMUTATION ON THE ACTIVE SITE OF OLD YELLOW ENZYME.

Circular permutation of the NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase Old Yellow Enzyme from Saccharomyces pastorianus (OYE1) can significantly enhance the enzyme’s catalytic performance. Termini relocation into four regions of the protein (sectors I–IV) near the active site has proven effective in altering enzyme function. To better understand the structural consequences and rationalize the observed functional gains in these OYE1 variants, we selected representatives from sectors I–III for further characterization by biophysical methods and X-ray crystallography. These investigations not only show trends in enzyme stability and quaternary structure as a function of termini location but also provide a possible explanation for the catalytic gains in our top-performing OYE variant (new N-terminus at residue 303; sector III). Crystallographic analysis indicates that termini relocation into sector III affects the loop β6 region (amino acid positions: 290–310) of OYE1, which forms a lid over the active site. Peptide back...
Personality and depressive symptoms: Stress generation and cognitive vulnerabilities to depression in a prospective daily diary study

Personality and psychopathology have long been associated, however the mechanisms that account for this link are less understood. Stress generation was examined as a potential mechanism to explain the association between personality traits, especially negative emotionality, and depressive symptoms. In addition, the moderating influence of cognitive vulnerabilities to potentiate the relation between stressors and depressive symptoms was investigated. These hypothesized processes were evaluated in a prospective daily diary study in which young adults (N=210) completed baseline measures of personality, dysfunctional attitudes, negative cognitive style, and depressive symptoms. The participants then recorded their levels of depressive symptoms and the occurrence of stressors daily for 35 days. Negative Emotionality-Stress Reaction (NEM-SR) predicted initial levels and trajectories of depressive symptoms and stressors over time. Daily stressors partially mediated the longitudinal association between baseline NEM-SR and trajectories of daily depressive symptoms. Both dysfunctional attitudes and negative cognitive style interacted with these additional stressors to predict prospective fluctuations of daily depressive symptoms.
The Chicken or the Egg: Examining Temporal Precedence Among Attitudes, Injunctive Norms, and College Student Drinking

Objective:The present study was designed to test for projection, conformity, or reciprocal associations among attitudes, injunctive norms, and drinking. Assuming that these constructs are not independent, we proposed three possible trajectories. A conformity model would suggest that injunctive norms should temporally precede drinking or attitudes. Alternatively, a projection model would suggest that attitudes or alcohol use would precede injunctive norms. Furthermore, by examining the processes over three time points, the current study would also examine whether both conformity and projection processes were at work, indicating reciprocal relationships.Method:participants included 249 college students (63.1% female), who participated as a control group in a larger intervention trial. Structural equation modeling was used to examine cross-sectional and prospective associations among injunctive norms, attitudes, and drinking across each of the three time points.Results:Findings demonstrated three significant...
Role of particulate contamination on friction and wear and durability of load/unload and padded picosliders

The role of particulate contamination on friction and wear at the head-disk interface (HDI) for load/unload (L/UL) picosliders and contact-start-stop padded picosliders is studied. L/UL picosliders performed better than padded picosliders in the presence of particulate contamination and in a clean environment. Disk wear was higher for harder and smaller sized particles. Disk wear decreases with an increase in disk speed in the presence of smaller particles as these can escape more easily through the HDI at higher speeds. Track following causes more and earlier disk damage as compared to sweeping. In the case of padded picosliders, HDI contamination causes wear of pads eventually leading to partial or complete removal of pads.
Effects of Non-Digestible Carbohydrates on the Growth of Estrogen-Dependent Human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Tumors Implanted in Ovariectomized Athymic Mice

Non-digestible carbohydrates (NDC(4)) have been used as a low-calorie sweetener and prebiotics that stimulate the growth of certain intestinal bacteria that support healthy colon conditions. In this study, we examined the dietary effect of commercially available NDCs on estrogen receptor positive (ER+) human breast cancer. We conducted a feeding study of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs), Fibersol 2 (F2; digestion resistant maltodextrin), Hi-Maize (HM; high amylose cornstarch), and Frutafit (FF; a range of powdered inulins) (5% in diet, w/w) to evaluate their effects on the growth of ER(+) human breast cancer (MCF-7) tumors in the presence of 17β-estradiol (E(2)) using an athymic xenograft model. F2, HM, and FOSs supplementation significantly reduced E(2)-stimulated MCF-7 tumor growth by inhibiting cellular proliferation (Ki-67) and increasing apoptosis (M30) in tumors. F2, HM, and FOSs treatments also lowered serum E(2) level and reduced uterine weight compared to the control diet. NDCs treatments downregulated relative mRNA expression of the E(2)-responsive gene markers pS2, bcl2, bcl-xL, and cyclin D1 in MCF-7 tumors. In conclusion, the NDC intake may have a protective effect against ER(+) tumors by inhibiting cellular proliferation and increasing apoptosis.
The Role of Natural Enemies in the Germination and Establishment of Pachira (Malvaceae) Trees in the Peruvian Amazon

Seeds from Pachira brevipes from white-sand forest and Pachira insignis from clay forest were placed in a reciprocal transplant experiment that manipulated herbivore presence. Pachira insignis experienced 80 percent leaf loss in both habitats from herbivores, causing 79 percent mortality in white-sand compared with 47 percent in clay in just 3mo. Pachira brevipes suffered pathogen attack in both habitats that killed 90 percent of its establishing seedlings. Natural enemies thus strongly influence seedling recruitment of these two Pachira species in these forests and appear to have the largest impact within the seedlings’ first few months.
Polyhedral virus diseases affecting the larvae of the privet hawk moth ( Sphinx ligustri )

During June 1951 a quantity of eggs of the privet hawk moth were obtained in Cambridge. On emergence from the egg it was noticed that a number of the young larvae had died, some immediately after emerging, others after a period of a few days. In some cases the young larvae died before they had got completely clear of the egg shell. Examination of these larvae showed that all had died of a polyhedral virus disease.
Preparatory electroimmunodiffusion for making precipitins to selected native antigens.

Miniaturized two-dimensional single electroimmunodiffusion (2-D EID) was used to produce directly and simply minute quantities of purified human serum antigens complexed with their precipitins. These complexes injected in incomplete Freund adjuvant readily primed rabbits for vigorous selective production of precipitins to the complexed antigens when the animals later were boosted with whole human serum. This procedure of priming animals with portions of electroimmunodiffusion-produced arcs of antigen-antibody precipitate and later boosting them with crude antigen mixture thus provides a simple, effective means for preparing antisera with chosen restricted specificities without preliminary, frequently difficult conventional biochemical purifications of antigens. The technique was unexpectedly sensitive, readily detecting native associations between certain serum antigens (e.g., between albumin and both β-lipoprotein and α2-macroglobulin). Thus rabbits primed with nearly 100,000-fold differences in quantiti...
Playground to Boardroom: Bullies in Our Midst

When people think of a bully, what often comes to mind is the big kid at school who took their lunch money or tormented them on the playground. Many children, 28% of those in grades six through twelve, have had some experience with bullying; as the victim, the witness or, unfortunately the perpetrator (Policies and Laws, 2013). Sadly, we continue to hear of children who unable to deal with the bullying they face, tragically take matters into their own hands. Parents, educators and legislators have banded together to address this difficult issue and offer protection for our children. Although no federal law specifically addressing bullying exists, all fifty states in the U.S. have some form of policy, law or combination of both to address bullying for children in school (Policies and Laws, 2013). One could hope that by tackling bullying early in life, it would end prior to adulthood and entry into the workforce. Regrettably, the numbers indicate otherwise. Bullying is alive and well at work and causing pain; emotional and financial. This paper offers employers and employees a definition of workplace bullying, its costs, legislation regarding bullying and how to address and prevent this problem in their organization.
Electron Transfer as a Potential Cause of Diacetyl Toxicity in Popcorn Lung Disease

Bronchiolitis obliterans, a serious lung disease, arises in microwave popcorn plant workers who are exposed to butter-flavored volatiles, particularly diacetyl. Findings indicate that chronic inhalation of butter-flavoring volatiles compromises lung epithelial barrier function (Fedan et al. 2006).
Surgery for Peptic Ulcer Disease in sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic Review of Published Data.

Peptic ulcer disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a significant burden in low- and middle-income countries. However, there is limited information regarding management of peptic ulcer disease in these countries. This study describes surgical interventions for peptic ulcer disease in sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic review was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and African Index Medicus for studies describing surgical management of peptic ulcer disease in sub-Saharan Africa. From 55 published reports, 6594 patients underwent surgery for peptic ulcer disease. Most ulcers (86 %) were duodenal with the remainder gastric (14 %). Thirty-five percent of operations were performed for perforation, 7 % for bleeding, 30 % for obstruction, and 28 % for chronic disease. Common operations included vagotomy (60 %) and primary repair (31 %). The overall case fatality rate for peptic ulcer disease was 5.7 % and varied with indication for operation: 13.6 % for perforation, 11.5 % for bleeding, 0.5 % for obstruction, and 0.3 % for chronic disease. Peptic ulcer disease remains a significant indication for surgery in sub-Saharan Africa. Recognizing the continued role of surgery for peptic ulcer disease in sub-Saharan Africa is important for strengthening surgical training programs and optimizing allocation of resources.
Racial Differences in Processes of Care at End of Life in VA Medical Centers: Planned Secondary Analysis of Data from the BEACON Trial.

Abstract Background: Racial differences exist for a number of health conditions, services, and outcomes, including end-of-life (EOL) care. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine differences in processes of care in the last 7 days of life between African American and white inpatients. Methods: Secondary analysis was conducted of data collected in the Best Practices for End-of-Life Care for Our Nation's Veterans (BEACON) trial (conducted 2005–2011). Subjects were 4891 inpatient decedents in six Veterans Administration Medical Centers. Data were abstracted from decedents' medical records. Multi-variable analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between race and each of 18 EOL processes of care controlling for patient characteristics, study site, year of death, and whether the observation was pre- or post-intervention. Results: The sample consisted of 1690 African American patients (34.6%) and 3201 white patients (65.4%). African Americans were less likely to have: do not resuscitate (DNR) o...
An Inference System for Horn Clause Logic with Equality: A Foundation for Conditional E-Unification and for Logic Programming in the Presence of Equality

In this extended abstract of a full paper we present an inference system for Horn clause logic with equality which is complete not only refutationally but also with respect to the answer substitutions returned, without using functional reflexivity axioms or paramodulating at variable positions. It is goal directed in the sense that—as in SLD resolution—inference rules are only applied to the goal statement. We present the inference system (which subsumes those used for SLD-resolution and for general E-unification), prove its soundness and completeness, and then suggest how this approach forms the appropriate foundation for the study of inference systems (like logic programming interpreters) which return answer substitutions.
Electronic States in Dilute Ternary Blend Organic Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

Electronic states and electronic excitations in a molecular solid such as an organic bulk heterojunction solar cell either may reflect the properties of individual molecules or may be delocalized over several molecules, exhibiting alloy properties of the average composition. Measurements of a variety of dilute ternary blend organic solar cells based on either two polymer donors and one fullerene acceptor or one polymer donor and two fullerene acceptors provide information about the degree of localization in different situations. In the two polymer case, where the polymers are well intermixed, excitons have molecular characteristics. Despite their localization, excitons from the dilute low band gap component readily diffuse to the heterojunction interface and generate mobile charge, and their diffusion is attributed to rod percolation. Mobile holes are delocalized, and the blend concentration dependence suggests delocalization over about 10 polymer molecules. In contrast, with poorly intermixed polymers, l...
Xylose as a Cataractogenic Agent.

SummaryYoung rats given a diet containing 35% xylose developed cataractous changes within approximately the same length of time as did litter mates receiving a similar diet containing 35% galactose. Controls receiving glucose showed no lenticular changes. It is suggested that the cataractogenic activity of sugars may be dependent upon certain molecular configurations.
Reversible Hydrogen Storage in a LiBH4–C60 Nanocomposite

Reversible hydrogen storage in a LiBH4:C60 nanocomposite (70:30 wt %) synthesized by solvent-assisted mixing has been demonstrated. During the solvent-assisted mixing and nanocomposite formation, a chemical reaction occurs in which the C60 cages are significantly modified by polymerization as well as by hydrogenation (fullerane formation) in the presence of LiBH4. We have determined that two distinct hydrogen desorption events are observed upon rehydrogenation of the material, which are attributed to the reversible formation of a fullerane (C60Hx) as well as a LiBH4 species. This system is unique in that the carbon species (C60) actively participates in the hydrogen storage process which differs from the common practice of melt infiltration of high surface area carbon materials with LiBH4 (nanoconfinement effect). This nanocomposite demonstrated reversible hydrogen storage properties as well as the ability to absorb hydrogen under mild conditions (pressures as low as 10 bar of H2 or temperatures as low as...