cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proving Customary Law in Uganda: Roadmaps and Roadblocks

Approaches and methods of proof of customary law in Uganda reflect bias against customary law. Unlike statutory law and common law, judges are not charged with the responsibility of knowing customary law. Instead, customary law is treated as a factual element to be proven in each individual case. The unique treatment of customary law raises concerns about efficiency, inconsistency and the development of community awareness. Two recent Ugandan cases concern the matter of proving customary law. In the 2008 Supreme Court of Uganda judgment in Kampala District Land Board and George Mitala v. Venansio Babweyaka et al., Civil Appeal No. 2 of 2007 then Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki offered a roadmap on the methods for proving customary law. Odoki listed various means of proving customary law including books, testimony and judicial notice. In the 2010 judgment Mifumi (U) Ltd and 12 Others v. Attorney General, Constitutional Petition No. 12 of 2007 the Constitutional Court offered another opinion that speaks to the matter of proving customary law. A careful review and comparison of the language and approaches in these two contemporaneous cases paints a telling picture of the the blurred and shifting state of proving customary law in Uganda. It is time to shift from the ad hoc approach of proving customary law to an approach that will promote consistency in the law and enhance the efficiency of proving customary law. It is also important that judges and society members know the law. Finally there is a need for evidentiary method to be open the mutability of customary law. There are opportunities for improving the evidentiary approach of proving customary law through the use of judicial notice and written literature. These avenues can be leveraged by the judiciary without legislative action. Such avenues can also be developed in a way that empowers customary law to change over time. While legislative reform is another possibility for improving the evidentiary status of customary law, the present political environment makes any such formal modification of the law unlikely this decade. Instead, Ugandan appellate courts are in the best position to improve the way that customary law is proven and established.
Structure and function of the signal peptide

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the structural, as well as the functional, aspects of the signal peptide and discusses is the way by which it is able to guide protein translocation through the cytoplasmic membrane. The signal peptide is generally composed of approximately 20 amino acid residues and is able to direct protein translocation through the membrane. It appears that all information necessary to initiate protein secretion resides in the structure of the signal peptide. Many secretory proteins have been characterized, and the amino acid sequences of their signal peptides have been determined. In the prokaryotic system, the existence of the signal peptide was first shown for the major outer membrane lipoprotein. Since then, the existence of the signal peptide has been shown for many other prokaryotic secretory proteins. A comparison of the general structure of different signal peptides demonstrates that, independent of their origin, they share more characteristics than expected from such a diverse population of proteins. The chapter also discusses models for protein secretion. To assess the functional role of the signal peptide, two approaches have been taken. Both draw on the use of mutations that alter the functions of the signal peptide. The first approach is to isolate and to characterize signal peptide mutants that are defective in secreting proteins across the membrane. The second method is the directing of specific mutations in a signal peptide of a protein in question. In eukaryotes, several factors are known to interact with the signal peptide, whereas, in prokaryotes, the only component that has been clearly demonstrated to interact with the signal peptide is the signal peptidase.
Assessment of Transition Readiness in Adolescents and Young Adults with Heart Disease.

Objectives To evaluate transition readiness, including perceived knowledge deficits, self-efficacy, and self-management behaviors, in 13- to 25-year-olds with congenital heart disease or heart transplant and to examine the relationships between transition readiness assessment, information seeking behavior, and quality of life (QOL). Study design In this cross-sectional study, patients (n = 164) completed the Transition Readiness Assessment and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory using an e-tablet, web-based format at a routine clinic visit. Results Median patient age was 18.1 years (range 13.0-25.5). Average perceived knowledge deficit score (% of items with no knowledge) was 25.7% (range 0%-75%). On a 100-point scale, the mean score was 72.0 ± 17.2 for self-efficacy and 49.7 ± 17.5 for self-management. Knowledge deficits were negatively correlated with self-efficacy (r = −0.45, P P P = .01) and higher perceived self-efficacy scores (r = 0.41, P Conclusions Transition knowledge deficits are common and associated with decreased self-efficacy and self-management skills in adolescents and young adults with heart disease. Greater transition knowledge and perceived self-efficacy are associated with better psychosocial QOL. Routine assessment of transition readiness is recommended to facilitate recognition of deficits and interventions to promote successful transition outcomes.
Families of children with Prader-Willi syndrome : Stress-support and relations to child characteristics

This study examined stress-support in 42 families of 3 to 18-year-old children with Prader-Willi syndrome. Parents were asked about themselves and their families, their child with Prader-Willi syndrome, family supports, and family stress. Compared to reported stress levels in families of children with mixed etiologies of retardation, parents of children with Prader-Willi syndrome showed higher levels of parent and family problems, and comparable levels of pessimism. Parents of children with Prader-Willi syndrome listed other family members and friends as their main supporters; often such supporters lived outside of the respondent's town or city. Although the child's age, IQ, and degree of obesity were not related to familial stress, families experienced greater stress when the child showed more behavior problems overall, more externalizing and internalizing problems, and more problems on five of the nine narrow-band domains of Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist.
The Struggle over Ownership: How the Reform of State-owned Enterprises Changed China

Events in the 1980s became the driving force behind state-owned enterprise (SOE) restructuring in the 1990s and beyond. In particular, the 1992 decision to seek listings for state-owned enterprises overseas had a tremendous impact on China's politics, economy and society. It may have been inevitable that the financial surgery on state enterprises would have serious social consequences. The assumptions behind this effort to create national champions, however, also defined the limitations on the Chinese government's response to the 2008 global financial crisis that broke out on the thirtieth anniversary of the 'reform and opening' policy. While SOE reform may not be the single most important determinant of how China has developed, it has had a unique directional impact by implanting the core of the Western financial system inside the Chinese state. This paper seeks to briefly review the evolution of corporate reform and show how Western capitalism has made its broader impact.
Automata theory: its past and future

This paper briefly reviews key advances in automata theory since 1960. It focuses on why certain lines of inquiry were followed, why others were not, and why some works were deemed more valuable to the discipline than others. I also compare the field today to what it was in 1960, with an eye toward areas in which the biggest breakthroughs are likely to occur in the future. Theoretical computer science may be poised for another period of significant advance, similar to that which occurred in the 1960's and 70's
Impedance spectroscopic analysis of Functionalized Graphene/silicon Schottky Diode sensor

The sensor response of Functionalized Graphene chemiresistor and Graphene/p-Si Schottky Diode has been analyzed by DC amperometric measurement and AC impedance spectroscopy (IS) for the first time. The diode sensor exhibited more than one order higher sensitivity compared to the chemiresistor sensor for both pristine and functionalized condition. Considering only diode senor, Pt nanoparticle functionalization enhanced its performance by 4 times for NH 3 exposure. To understand the diode sensing mechanism, the AC IS responses of both the sensors was analyzed using an equivalent circuit model, and the extracted equivalent circuit parameters at different conditions has been evaluated.
The roles of urocortins 1, 2, and 3 in the brain

Abstract: The neuropeptides urocortin 1, urocortin 2, and urocortin 3 share a family resemblance. Each shows some sequence identity with the stress-related neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), high affinity for the CRF 2 receptor, predominantly subcortical distributions and anorectic properties when administered centrally. In substantive ways, however, the peptides differ from one another. Urocortin 1 differs pharmacologically, as it also exhibits affinity for the CRF 1 receptor and CRF-binding protein. Brain distributions also differ. Urocortin 1 shows predominant correspondence with hindbrain CRF 1 and CRF 2 receptors and a much more limited correspondence with forebrain CRF receptors. In contrast, urocortin 3 shows almost exclusive correspondence with forebrain CRF 2 receptors unique from those innervated by urocortin 1 projections. Urocortin 2 is synthesized in yet another set of hypothalamic and brainstem nuclei, distinct from those that prominently express urocortin 1 and urocortin 3. Brain urocortins may be involved in the regulation of diverse functions, including: osmotic balance; activity of the somatotropic and pituitary-gonadal neuroendocrine axes; modulation of arousal, attention, anxiety-like behavior, and learning and memory; control of autonomic functions, including cardiovascular and gastrointestinal responses; and the regulation of energy balance, both in terms of food intake and energy expenditure. Commonly described as being stress mediators for their structural resemblance to CRF, available evidence suggests that the type 2 urocortins, urocortin 2 and urocortin 3, do not share the activating and anxiogenic-like properties of stress- or CRF-induced CRF 1 receptor activation. The endogenous role of each urocortin in the autonomic/energy balance components of stress-related responses remains to be determined.
On minimizing the number of test points needed to achieve complete robust path delay fault testability

Recently, Pomeranz and Reddy (1994), presented a test point insertion method to improve path delay fault testability in large combinational circuits. A test application scheme was developed that allows test points to be utilized as primary inputs and primary outputs during testing. The placement of test points was guided by the number of paths and was aimed at reducing this number. Indirectly, this approach achieved complete robust path delay fault testability in very low computation times. In this paper, we use their test application scheme, however, we use more exact measures for guiding test point insertion like test generation and RD fault identification. Thus, we reduce the number of test points needed to achieve complete testability by ensuring that test points are inserted only on paths associated with path delay faults that are necessary to be tested and that are not robustly testable. Experimental results show that an average reduction of about 70% in the number of test points over the approach of Pomeranz and Reddy can be obtained.
Negative regulation of STE6 gene expression by the alpha 2 product of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract The alpha 2 product of the alpha mating type locus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is proposed to be a negative regulator of a set of dispersed genes concerned with specialized properties of a cells. This set of genes includes those, termed a-specific STE genes (STE2, STE6, and STE14), which are required for mating by a cells but not by alpha cells. We cloned the STE6 gene to determine whether its expression is limited to a cells and, if so, whether its expression is inhibited in alpha cells by the alpha 2 product. Expression of STE6 was assayed in two ways: by blot hybridization, RNA and by beta-galactosidase activity in strains carrying a STE6-lacZ hybrid gene. We found that STE6 expression was limited to a cells and was negatively regulated by the alpha 2 product. STE6 RNA was not detectable in strains containing the wild-type alpha 2 gene product. Expression of STE6 was at least 150-fold lower in alpha cells than in a cells, based on beta-galactosidase activities in a and alpha cells carrying the STE6-lacZ gene. These results confirmed that the alpha 2 product is a negative regulator of gene expression and showed that it acts at the level of RNA production. We also examined the phenotype of a mutant carrying an insertion mutation of the STE6 gene, the ste6::lacZ allele. In addition, an a-specific defect in mating, this mutant was greatly reduced (but not completely deficient) in a-factor production. Other phenotypes characteristic of a cells--Barrier activity, agglutination, and response to alpha-factor--were normal. STE6 thus appears to be necessary for biosynthesis of a-factor.
The impact of health insurance reform on the law governing the physician-patient relationship.

AS THE health care cost and access crises deepen, 1 and with the arrival of a new administration in Washington, health insurance reform looks increasingly inevitable. However, despite widespread recognition that change is needed, many fear that reform will lead to increased regulation, a decline in the quality of care, and an erosion of physician autonomy and patient choice. This need not be the case. Although reform will undoubtedly change the legal climate in which health care is practiced, it may prove no more corrosive of the physician-patient relationship than continuation of the decentralized system we now have. For editorial comment see p 3479. PROPOSED REFORMS The number and variety of reforms that have been proffered is truly staggering. 2 Nevertheless, three broad categories warrant special consideration: single-payer proposals, employment-based proposals, and tax credit/insurance reform proposals. An example of the single-payer model is the proposal put forward by Rep Marty
Schizophrenia: A psychosomatic disorder?

Abstract Opinions regarding the nature of schizophrenia form a spectrum ranging from the belief that the condition is purely mental or psychologic involving an overwhelmed ego, to the Opinion that it is organic, probably an inherited metabolic abnormality resulting from a toxic disturbance of the brain. No demonstrable structural changes in the brain have been shown in controlled neuropathologic studies. Despite the extensive investigations of the condition, there have been relatively few individuals who have considered the possibility that schizophrenia might be a true psychosomatic disorder, that is, a condition in which the function of an organ (the brain) is disturbed or abnormal because of emotional stress or conflict, and in which the symptoms are the result of the organ's dysfunction. This paper proposes this thesis for further consideration.
John Kenneth Galbraith's Contributions to the Theory and Analysis of Speculative Financial Markets

Although separated from his systematic analyses of modern corporate capitalism and its institutional culture, John Kenneth Galbraith's theory of speculative manias that informed his analyses of the great bubbles of 1929 and 1987 stand as a vital part of his legacy to modern economics. In this paper, we put his contributions to our understanding of speculative financial markets into historical perspective, and explain how the current relevance of the insights that he provided has been enhanced by the combination of the growing dependency of the retirement plans of Americans on fluctuating stock prices, institutional developments in the financial sector, and government policies of financial deregulation and bailouts of failing financial institutions and funds.
Growing up with Grief: Revisiting the Death of a Parent over the Life Course

In the era of managed care, evidence-based practice, and short term, solution focused interventions, clinicians in agency based settings generally do not have the luxury of long-term contact with bereaved children. Although a substantial, yet controversial, literature argues that children cannot fully resolve early loss until adulthood, limited attention is given to how children's understandings of early loss shift as their cognitive capacities mature. This article argues the emotional experience of grief shifts: 1) as children grapple with both normative life changes and the tasks of mourning, and 2) as their cognitive and emotional development allow them to understand and question aspects of their deceased parent's life and death in new ways. This article will present an overview of longitudinal and cross-sectional research on the long-term impact of childhood grief. We then suggest the ways bereaved children and adolescents revisit and reintegrate the loss of a parent as their emotional, moral, and cog...
Realtime control system for the Keck Interferometer Nuller: methods and maintenance

The real-time control system for the Keck Interferometer Nuller provides the N-band fringe tracking capabilities of the instrument, as well as correcting for atmospheric dispersion in the system. There are three closed-loop servos for controlling the N-band path, as well as two K-band servos which provide open-loop control. A system of synchronized "gates" allows all N-band fringe trackers to operate simultaneously, making it possible to interleave servo corrections with data collection. Several methods of improving servo performance and maintenance of control schemes are discussed.
Gaseous plume detection in hyperspectral images: a comparison of methods

Recently, interest in gaseous effluent detection, identification, and quantification has increased for both commercial and government applications. However, the problem of gas detection is significantly different than the problems associated with the detection of hard-targets in the reflective spectral regime. In particular, gas signatures can be observed in either emission or absorption, are both temperature and concentration dependent, and are viewed in addition to the mixed background pixel signature from the ground. This work applies standard hard-target detection schemes to thermal hyperspectral synthetic imagery. The methods considered here are Principal Components Analysis, Projection Pursuit, and a Spectral Matched Filter. These methods will be compared both quantitatively and qualitatively with respect to their applicability to the gas detection problem. Comparison to truth outputs from the synthetic data provides an accurate quantitative measure of the algorithmic performance. Principle Components and Projection Pursuit are shown to have similar performance, and both are better than the Spectral Matched Filter. Additionally, both Principal Components and Projection Pursuit demonstrate the ability to separate regions of absorption and emission in the plume.
Maintaining authenticity and integrity at cultural world heritage sites.

To be considered for listing as a World Heritage site, properties must meet the conditions of “integrity” and/or “authenticity” and be of “outstanding universal value.” Identifying and maintaining ...
Activation of NF-κB in CD8+ Dendritic Cells Ex Vivo by the γ134.5 Null Mutant Correlates with Immunity against Herpes Simplex Virus 1

The γ(1)34.5 protein of herpes simplex viruses (HSV) is essential for virulence. Accordingly, an HSV mutant lacking γ(1)34.5 is attenuated in vivo. Despite its vaccine potential, the mechanism by which the γ(1)34.5 null mutant triggers protective immunity is unknown. In this report we show that vaccination with the γ(1)34.5 null mutant protects against lethal challenge from wild-type virus via IκB kinase in dendritic cells (DCs), which sense virus-associated molecular patterns. Unlike mock-treated DCs, DCs primed with the γ(1)34.5 null mutant ex vivo mediate resistance to wild-type HSV after adoptive transfer into naive mice. Furthermore, the γ(1)34.5 null mutant activates IκB kinase, which facilitates p65/RelA phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, resulting in DC maturation. While unable to produce infectious virus in DCs, this mutant virus expresses early and late genes. In its abortive infection, the γ(1)34.5 null mutant induces protective immunity more effectively in CD8(+) DCs than in CD8(-) DCs. This is mirrored by a higher level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-12 secretion by CD8(+) DCs than CD8(-) DCs. Remarkably, inhibition of p65/RelA phosphorylation or nuclear translocation in CD8(+) DCs disrupts protective immunity. These results suggest that engagement of the γ(1)34.5 null mutant with CD8(+) DCs elicits innate immunity to activate NF-κB, which translates into protective immunity.
Bilevel programming for steady-state chemical process design. II: Performance study for nondegenerate problems

Abstract A simplified model of a process that produces aniline from nitrobenzene is optimized using the active set and relaxation methods developed in Part I. Han's Sequential Quadratic Programming method is used to solve the conventional nonlinear programs for both methods. The performance of each approach is examined for two cases. The chosen starting point for the first case does not require the sequence of iterates to traverse a phase boundary to reach the optimum. In this case, we compare the performance of each of our methods with the other, and with the performance of a more traditional “modular” approach. The results demonstrate that each of the new methods is competitive with the traditional one. The chosen starting point for the second case requires a phase envelope to be crossed to reach the solution. Although each method is able to reach the solution in a comparable number of iterations, the computation time required by the relaxation is nearly 50% more than that for the active set method. This aditional effort is attributed to the nature of the nonlinear programs solved for the relaxation approach.
A Comparison of Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine in the Chick Goiter-Prevention Test

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE discovery of an unknown iodinated compound as a regular constituent of plasma and thyroid tissue (Gross et al., 1950) led to the discovery of triiodothyronine by Gross and Pitt-Rivers (1952). It has been established that triiodothyronine possesses all of the thyroid hormone qualities of thyroxine when tested in a variety of species (Gross and Pitt-Rivers, 1954). Moreover, triiodothyronine has proven to be from 3 to 7 times more potent than thyroxine in preventing thiouracil-induced thyroid goiter in rats (Gross and Pitt-Rivers, 1953; Tomich and Wollett, 1954). Since the above studies have been largely restricted to mammals, it seemed of some interest to determine the potency of triiodothyronine in terms of thyroxine in the fowl by means of the goiter prevention test. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experiments were performed on Single Comb White Leghorn cockerels maintained on commercial laboratory chow (containing 5 ppm. iodide) and caged under 24-hour infra-red illumination… .
Innovative Methods for Removal of PCR Inhibitors for Quantitative Detection of Plesiomonas shigelloides in Oysters by Real-Time PCR

A quantitative assay for Plesiomonas shigelloides in pure culture and oysters based on the real-time polymerase chain reaction (Rti-PCR) was developed. The methodology involved the treatment of oyster tissue homogenates with formaldehyde, differential centrifugation, and treatment of samples with activated charcoal coated with Pseudomonas fluorescens. With seeded oyster tissue homogenates, without formaldehyde or coated charcoal treatments, the lowest level of detection for P. shigelloides was 1 × 107 genomic targets per gram of tissue, equivalent to 2.5 × 105 genomic targets per Rti-PCR. The addition of 4% formaldehyde to tissue homogenates reduced the minimum level of detection of P. shigelloides to 1 × 105 genomic targets per gram of tissue, equivalent to 2.5 × 103 genomic targets per real-time PCR. The treatment of tissue homogenates with only activated charcoal coated with P. fluorescens reduced the minimum level of detection of P. shigelloides to 1 × 104 genomic targets per gram, equivalent to 2.5 ×...
Persistence and integration: Two consequences of a sliding integrator

The detection of a silent interval, or gap, placed in the temporal center of a gated noise burst was investigated. The gated noise masker ranged from 2 to 400 msec in duration. For long noises, the duration, Δ, of the just-detectable gap remained fixed at about 2.8 msec. Progressively shortening the duration of the noise did not affect Δ until the duration was approximately 20 msec; thereafter, decreasing the noise duration improved detectability of the gap. In a second experiment, continuous noise filled the temporal gap, although the decibel difference between the noise in the gap and the noise surrounding the gap was always at least 5 dB. The level of noise filling the gap did not greatly affect Δ. The third experiment was similar to the first, except that the signal was a click rather than a gap. The results for both gaps and clicks were fitted by a model assuming a sliding integrator.
School and Educational Psychologists: Creating New Service Models

The authors discuss the delivery of psychological and instructional services to students with special needs and also emerging strategies for providing ancillary psychological services, teaching stu...
Biomechanical response of ribs under quasistatic frontal loading.

Objective: The goal of the present study was to identify rib-level differences in fracture characteristics for individual ribs subjected to anterior–posterior loading. Methods: Twenty-seven individual ribs were extracted from levels 2 to 10 from 3 postmortem human subjects (2 females and one male) and subjected to anterior–posterior loading at a quasistatic (2 mm/s) loading rate. The ribs were placed in a fixture that provided a pinned boundary condition at each extremity, and each specimen was loaded to failure. Reaction force and strains on the internal and external cortical surfaces of the ribs were measured. Results: Rib 2 was found to be 3 to 4 times stiffer than rib 3, whereas all other ribs were comparable in stiffness to rib 3. Fracture forces, fracture displacement, and work to fracture showed no clear rib-level trends, although the young male subject consistently exhibited higher fracture force and work values than the elderly female subjects for a given rib level. The cortical strains on the ex...
Differential roles of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1 β in lipopolysaccharide-induced brain injury in the neonatal rat

Increasing data provide support for the hypothesis that inflammatory cytokines mediate inflammation-induced injury to developing white matter. In the present study, roles of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) in mediating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced brain injury were investigated by co-administration of LPS with IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) or TNFalpha antibody in the 5-day-old rat brain. Intracerebral injection of LPS and other agents was performed in a stereotaxic apparatus at the location of 1.0 mm posterior and 1.0 mm lateral to the bregma, and 2.0 mm deep to the skull surface at the left hemisphere. Brain injury was examined in brain sections 3 and 11 days after LPS injection. LPS-induced inflammatory responses were evidenced by great increases in TNFalpha and IL-1beta concentrations in the neonatal rat brain 6 h after LPS injection. White matter rarefaction was observed in 71% (five out of seven) of the rat brains 3 days after LPS injection and bilateral ventricle dilation was found in 71% (five out of seven) of the P8 rat brains and in 100% of the P16 rat brains (four out of four). These alterations were not found in the control rat brains. No apparent histological changes in gray matter were observed in the LPS-injected rat brains. LPS injection also resulted in injuries to oligodendrocytes (OLs) and hypomyelination, as indicated by reduced immunostaining for O4 and myelin basic protein (MBP). Increased astrogliosis, as indicated by increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining, was also observed in the LPS-injected, but not the control rat brain. Co-administration of LPS with IL-1ra, but not with TNFalpha antibody, significantly attenuated LPS-induced white matter injury, as indicated by decreases in ventricle dilation, white matter rarefaction, GFAP positive staining and by improved O4 and MBP immunostaining. Co-administration of LPS with IL-1ra significantly reduced LPS-induced elevation of caspase-3 activity in the rat brain. While TNFalpha antibody had no effect on LPS-induced elevation of caspase-3 activity, co-administration of LPS with TNFalpha antibody partially, but significantly, decreased LPS-stimulated increase in IL-1beta in the neonatal rat brain. These data suggest that IL-1beta may play an important role in mediating LPS-induced brain injury and TNFalpha may have complicated, probably dual, effects in LPS-induced brain injury.
Internal eliminated sequences are removed prior to chromosome fragmentation during development in Euplotes crassus.

Abstract The hypotrichous ciliated protozoa undergo a massive genome rearrangement process after their sexual cycle. One frequent type of rearrangement is the removal of DNA sequences (internal eliminated sequences; IESs) from internal regions of DNA molecules. In this study, we characterized the removal of IESs in Euplotes crassus. Southern hybridization analyses combined with cytological observations indicated that IES removal is an early event in macronuclear development, occurring during the polytene chromosome stage and prior to the chromosome fragmentation process. The results are consistent with IES removal occurring via an intramolecular DNA breakage and rejoining process.
Glueball mass calculations on an array of computers

Abstract We have calculated the mass of the 0 + glueball in SU(2) pure gauge theory in 4 dimensions, with very high statistics. The computation was done on an array of microprocessors with nearest-neighbor connections which run concurrently. We discuss, in detail, the implementation of the pure gauge algorithm for SU(2) and SU(3) and also the algorithm for calculating arbitrarily shaped Wilson loops on the array. The extension of these algorithms to the inclusion of dynamical fermions is also discussed. Finally, we present the results of our variational calculation of glueball masses which are in agreement with published results.
Reduction of ethanol-induced ocular abnormalities in mice through dietary administration of N-acetylcysteine.

Abstract N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a derivative of the amino acid l -cysteine, which, previously, has been shown to protect against ethanol-induced apoptosis during early development. Ongoing research demonstrates that NAC is also proving clinically beneficial in reducing oxidative stress–mediated lung, liver, and kidney damage, with protection likely resulting from a NAC-mediated increase in glutathione levels. In the present study, the hypothesis that coadministration of NAC and ethanol by means of liquid diet on days 7 and 8 of pregnancy in mice would reduce ethanol's teratogenicity was tested. For this work, adult nonpregnant female mice were acclimated to a liquid diet containing ethanol for 16 days, withdrawn from the ethanol, bred, and then returned to the liquid diet containing 4.8% ethanol and/or either 0.5 or 1-mg NAC/mL diet on their seventh and eighth days of pregnancy. At the concentrations used, the mice received NAC dosages of approximately 300 or 600 mg/kg/day and achieved peak blood ethanol concentrations (BEC) that averaged approximately 200 mg/dL. There was no difference in BEC between the ethanol-alone and ethanol plus 600 mg/kg NAC group. After maternal euthanasia, gestational day (GD) 14 fetuses were removed, fixed, weighed, and examined for the presence and severity of ocular abnormalities, a readily assessed endpoint that results from GD 7 and 8 ethanol exposures. Although the lower dosage of NAC (300 mg/kg) resulted in a decrease in the incidence of ocular defects in both the left and right eyes, this reduction was not statistically significant. However, doubling the NAC concentration did yield a significant change; as compared with the group treated with ethanol alone, the incidence of ocular abnormalities was diminished by 22%. These results show the potential of an orally administered compound with proven clinical efficacy to reduce ethanol's teratogenic effects and support the premise that oxidative damage plays an important mechanistic role in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
From the clarity of ideas to the validity of judgments: Kant's farewell to epistemic perfectionism

Against the standard interpretation of Kant's ‘Copernican revolution’ as the prioritization of epistemology over ontology, I argue in this paper that his critique of traditional metaphysics must be seen as a farewell to the perfectionism on which early modern rationalist ontology and epistemology are built. However, Kant does not simply replace ‘perfection’ with another fundamental concept of normativity. More radically, Kant realizes that it is not simply ideas but only the relation of ideas that can be subject to norms, and thus he shifts the focus from the reality of ideas to the validity of judgments. Section 1 of this paper clarifies the pre-Kantian role of the concept of perfection and examines Kant's critical response to that concept. Section 2 identifies Kant's point of departure from the Cartesian ‘way of ideas.’ Section 3 explains the key problem of his novel account of epistemic normativity. I conclude that Kant's anti-perfectionism must be seen as the driving force behind his ‘Copernican revol...
A parallel packet switch with multiplexors containing virtual input queues

A packet switch with parallel switching planes is a parallel packet switch (PPS). A PPS can scale-up to faster line speeds than can a single-plane switch. It is an open problem to design a PPS that is feasible to implement using existing low-cost hardware components where no component runs faster than line speed. A PPS must be able to internally load balance traffic, have packet delays comparable to a reference single-plane switch, and provide QoS (bandwidth, delay, and loss guarantees) to flows. We investigate a new architecture for a PPS that uses virtual input queues (VIQ) in the output multiplexors to achieve packet-level load balancing. A VIQ at an output multiplexor consists of one FIFO queue for each input. For K planes and N ports, our VIQ PPS requires KN cells of buffering in the input demultiplexors and 2NK+2K cells of buffering in the output multiplexors to achieve guaranteed loss-free operation and in-order cell delivery. Using simulation models, the new VIQ PPS is shown to offer improved delay performance compared to existing PPS designs. For balanced and unbalanced loads the VIQ PPS is stable where a reference iSLIP single-plane switch is unstable.
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Mouse Model dy/dy Has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy by Echocardiography † 137

Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Mouse Model dy/dy Has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy by Echocardiography † 137
Primary prevention and health promotion in mental health.

Abstract Despite frequent pleas for mental health programs to devote more resources to primary prevention, mental health programs remain overwhelmingly oriented to treatment. Prevention is given low priority because many psychiatrists who are leaders in the mental health field are focused on a medical-pathological model of prevention that has limited usefulness in mental health and because the guidelines for a social-behavioral model are not always clear. A model for conceptualizing and programming of primary prevention and promotion in all of the human services is offered with special attention to mental health functioning. Strategies for both primary prevention and promotion may be directed to individuals or to the environment, but, in either case, the targets and the strategies must be clearly identified. Prevention strategies are directed toward persons under some specific stress or risk, while promotion activities are directed to persons in normal situations of growth and development. For either prevention or promotion, the most widely effective strategies are those that require the least personal cost and effort—usually the strategies that are directed toward the environment. Prevention and promotion both depend on clear assessment of the stresses and needs and must be evaluated. Programs are often too global or too diffuse to be effective or credible. Working in closed social systems and sharp evaluation will help correct these problems.
Predicting suitable environments and potential occurrences for coelacanths (Latimeria spp.)

Extant coelacanths (Latimeria chalumnae) were first discovered in the western Indian Ocean in 1938; in 1998, a second species of coelacanth, Latimeria menadoensis, was discovered off the north coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia, expanding the known distribution of the genus across the Indian Ocean Basin. This study uses ecological niche modeling techniques to estimate dimensions of realized niches of coelacanths and generate hypotheses for additional sites where they might be found. Coelacanth occurrence information was integrated with environmental and oceanographic data using the Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Production (GARP) and a maximum entropy algorithm (Maxent). Resulting models were visualized as maps of relative suitability of sites for coelacanths throughout the Indian Ocean, as well as scatterplots of ecological variables. Our findings suggest that the range of coelacanths could extend beyond their presently known distribution and suggests alternative mechanisms for currently observed distributions. Further investigation into these hypotheses could aid in forming a more complete picture of the distributions and populations of members of genus Latimeria, which in turn could aid in developing conservation strategies, particularly in the case of L. menadoensis.
Rules for Nuclear Localization Sequence Recognition by Karyopherinβ2

Karyopherinbeta (Kapbeta) proteins bind nuclear localization and export signals (NLSs and NESs) to mediate nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, a process regulated by Ran GTPase through its nucleotide cycle. Diversity and complexity of signals recognized by Kap betas have prevented prediction of new Kap beta substrates. The structure of Kap beta 2 (also known as Transportin) bound to one of its substrates, the NLS of hnRNP A1, that we report here explains the mechanism of substrate displacement by Ran GTPase. Further analyses reveal three rules for NLS recognition by Kap beta 2: NLSs are structurally disordered in free substrates, have overall basic character, and possess a central hydrophobic or basic motif followed by a C-terminal R/H/KX(2-5)PY consensus sequence. We demonstrate the predictive nature of these rules by identifying NLSs in seven previously known Kap beta 2 substrates and uncovering 81 new candidate substrates, confirming five experimentally. These studies define and validate a new NLS that could not be predicted by primary sequence analysis alone.
Uterine artery embolization versus occlusion for uterine leiomyomas: a pilot randomized clinical trial.

Abstract Study Objective To compare perioperative pain and institutional use for women undergoing transcatheter uterine artery embolization (UAE) and transcatheter uterine artery occlusion (UAO) for the treatment of heavy uterine bleeding associated with uterine leiomyomas. Design A pilot double-blind, randomized clinical trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). Setting Large, university-affiliated community hospital with multiple residency programs including obstetrics and gynecolgoy and radiology. Patients Premenopausal women with heavy uterine bleeding related to uterine leiomyomas were enrolled. Interventions Either a standard UAE with microspheres or UAO using vascular coils was used. The main outcome measures were analgesic use, institutional stay, and postprocedural numeric pain scales. Measurements and Main Results Sixteen women were enrolled and 14 underwent study procedures (UAE n = 8, UAO n = 6). Baseline Aberdeen Menorrhagia Severity Scale scores, also known as the Ruta scores, were similar in each group (UAE = 54, UAO = 53). Median preprocedural uterine volume was similar for each group (UAE = 557 mL, UAO = 612 mL). The median postprocedural pain scale was less for UAO than UAE (UAO 1, UAE 5; p Conclusion Transcatheter UAO is a promising alternative transcatheter technique for the treatment of symptoms related to uterine leiomyomas, with less postprocedural pain, reduced requirements for analgesics, and shorter hospital stays than transcatheter UAE. Although the results of the study are promising, larger-scale trials with longer follow-up are needed to both confirm these results and evaluate the long-term efficacy of transcatheter UAO.
Pilot evaluation of experimental flight trajectories in the near-terminal area

Advanced cockpit avionics systems now under development at NASA Langley Research Center will provide the means for effectively utilizing MLS technology to achieve a number of important objectives in the near-terminal airspace. A simulator study has recently been completed at NASA Langley Research Center in which guest pilots from a number of airlines were asked to fly curved ground tracks designed to avoid population centers in four airport communities. Eight two-man crews comprised of commercial line pilots, and three NASA crews each evaluated a total of eight departures and eight approaches on the basis of such factors as workload, safety, passenger acceptance, controllability, and piloting skill. Various physical measurements were also made, including cross-track errors, altitude errors, bank angles, and fuel flow rates. Half of the trajectories were curved and designed to be population-minimal, and half were designed to represent conventional ground tracks. The objective of the study was to determine if statistically significant differences could be detected between curved and conventional ground tracks on the basis of these parameters.
Study of relative color stability and corrosion resistance of commercial copper alloys exposed to hand contact and synthetic hand sweat

Abstract Commercial purity copper and four commercial copper alloys were studied to determine their color stability during prolonged hand contact and their corrosion resistance in synthetic sweat containing 0.8% sodium chloride and 3% acetic acid. The hand baton test showed that alloys C752 and C706 with high nickel content remained shiny after two years of exposure to hand contact whereas C110 and alloys C260 and C510 became dark and dull. Glancing Angle X-ray Diffraction showed the presence of cuprous oxide Cu 2 O on the copper alloys with a thickness between 50 and 230 nm, as determined by chronopotentiometry. The dark appearance of C110, C260 and C510 after hand contact was the consequence of the reflection of light from a rough and porous surface, as verified by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The nickel in the copper alloys kept the alloys shiny with good color stability by keeping a smoother surface. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy showed that copper C110 and brass C260 had the best corrosion resistance, followed by C510 and alloys C706 and C752 had the lowest corrosion resistance, all tested in synthetic sweat. The nickel containing alloys corroded approximately 40 times faster than the C110 in the synthetic sweat. This suggests that the color stable surface of the Cu–Ni samples on the hand baton was the result of higher corrosion rates in hand sweat rather than better corrosion resistance. SEM studies of the samples after immersion, however, revealed very different surfaces and microstructures compared to the hand baton test. The laboratory test protocol could be improved by incorporating cyclic tests (wet and dry) and adding a rubbing component to better mimic actual hand contact.
Projector phone use: practices and social implications

Phones with integrated pico projectors are starting to be marketed as devices for business presentations and media viewing, and researchers are beginning to design projection-specific applications and interaction techniques to explore a broader array of possible uses. To begin to document how people use projector phones outside the laboratory, we present the results of a 4-week exploratory field study of naturalistic use of commodity projector phones. In our analysis, we consider how context, such as group size, relationships, and locale, influences projector phone use. A key observation is that users can readily exploit the new facilities of these devices to author interesting effects by employing representational techniques such as superimposition, scaling, translation, and motion. Thus, even the "basic" projector phone platform affords novel interaction modalities. Finally, we discuss the social implications of projector phone use for privacy and control, extrapolating from our observations to envision a future in which these devices are ubiquitous. With ubiquity, projector phone use may become problematic in public settings, motivating new rules of etiquette and perhaps laws, yet it may also engender new forms of creative expression.
Learning to write letters: Examination of student and letter factors

Abstract Learning to write the letters of the alphabet is an important part of learning how to write conventionally. In this study, we investigated critical factors in the development of letter-writing skills using exploratory item response models to simultaneously account for variance in responses due to differences between students and between letters. Letter-writing skills were assessed in 415 preschool children aged 3 to 5 years. At the student level, we examined the contribution of letter-name knowledge, letter-sound knowledge, and phonological awareness to letter-writing skills. At the letter level, we examined seven intrinsic and extrinsic factors in understanding how preschool children learn to write alphabet letters: first letter of name, letters in name, letter order, textual frequency, number of strokes, symmetry, and letter type. Results indicated that variation in letter-writing skills was accounted for more by differences between students rather than by differences between letters, with most of the variability accounted for by letter-name knowledge and age. Although significant, the contribution of letter-sound knowledge and phonological awareness was relatively small. Student-level mechanisms underlying the acquisition of letter-writing skills are similar to the mechanisms underlying the learning of letter sounds. However, letter characteristics, which appear to play a major role in the learning of letter names and letter sounds, did not appear to influence learning how to write letters in a substantial way. The exception was if the letter was in the child’s name.