bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linear and non‐linear simulations of feedback control in plane Poiseuille flow
Authors: McKernan J. , Papadakis G. , Whidborne J. F.
Published: June 2008

This paper examines the performance of optimal linear quadratic state and output feedback controllers in stabilizing two‐dimensional perturbations in a plane Poiseuille flow. The synthesis of the controllers is based on a linearized model of the flow using a new set of interpolating polynomials in the wall‐normal direction, which automatically satisfy the homogeneous Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions at the walls and eliminate spurious eigenvalues. The controllers are implemented into a non‐linear Navier–Stokes solver, which is modified to compute the evolution of the flow perturbations. Two cases are examined, one with small initial disturbances that do not violate the linearity assumptions and the other with much larger disturbances that trigger the non‐linear convection terms. For the smallest disturbances, the solver accurately reproduced the results of the linear simulations of open‐ and closed‐loop systems. The simulations for the larger disturbances without control showed a rapid initial growth but the flow soon reached a saturated state in agreement with previous findings in the literature. The large initial growth is a consequence of the non‐normal nature of the system dynamics. The state feedback and output feedback controllers were able to reduce significantly the perturbation energy. For the larger disturbances, the energy calculated from the state variables is well below the energy evaluated by direct integration of the velocity field. This is probably due to the non‐linear terms transferring energy to harmonics of the considered wavenumber, which are not sensed by the linear controller. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some speculations on the Paleogene and Neogene tectonics of Jamaica
Authors: Draper Grenville
Published: June 2008

Many neotectonic structures (<15 Ma) in Jamaica are best understood as reactivations (or inversion) of Paleogene structures (65–22 Ma). In the Paleocene, Jamaica underwent crustal extension which formed north‐northwest‐trending listric normal faults, including those of the Wagwater Belt which occupied a half‐graben formed over the northeast‐dipping Wagwater Fault. From the Middle Eocene (45 Ma) to Late Oligocene (23 Ma), further subsidence (possibly thermally induced following lithospheric thinning) resulted in the accumulation of a carbonate bank. Beginning in the Early to Middle Miocene, the tectonic regime changed to one of active east–west‐trending, left‐lateral, strike‐slip motion that persists to the present day. New east–west‐trending faults formed during this phase, but secondary northeast–southwest shortening produced in this regime reactivated many of the older, Paleogene north‐northwest‐trending structures. In eastern Jamaica, oblique thrust motion is concentrated on the Wagwater Fault, tectonically inverting the Wagwater Belt. The Long Mountain anticline may be a fault propagation fold over a thrust that branched from the main Wagwater Fault surface. Motion on the Silver Hill Plantain Garden Fault system resulted in the northward rotation of the Blue Mountain Block around an approximately horizontal axis and revealing the upper crustal structure of eastern Jamaica. In the central part of Jamaica, north‐northwest‐trending faults divide the terrane into a series of blocks. Evidence of right‐lateral, horizontal‐slip on some of the faults and palaeomagnetic results may suggest a domino‐style, anticlockwise rotation around vertical axis by about 10°. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alcohol-induced alterations in hepatic microtubule dynamics can be explained by impaired histone deacetylase 6 function
Authors: Shepard Blythe D. , Joseph Rohan A. , Kannarkat George T. , Rutledge Tara M. , Tuma Dean J. , Tuma Pamela L.
Published: June 2008

We have been using polarized, hepatic WIF-B cells to examine ethanol-induced liver injury. These cells polarize in culture and maintain numerous liver-specific activities including the ability to metabolize alcohol. Previously, we found that microtubules were more highly acetylated and more stable in ethanol-treated WIF-B cells and that increased microtubule acetylation required ethanol metabolism and was likely mediated by acetaldehyde. This study was aimed at identifying the mechanism responsible for increased microtubule acetylation. We examined the expression of two known microtubule deacetylases, histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) and Sirtuin T2 (SirT2), in WIF-B cells. Immunoblotting, immunofluorescence microscopy, and assays using the SirT2 inhibitor nicotinamide revealed that WIF-B cells do not express SirT2. In contrast, HDAC6 was highly expressed in WIF-B cells. Addition of trichostatin A (TSA), an HDAC6 inhibitor, induced microtubule acetylation to the same extent as in ethanol-treated cells (approximately threefold). Although immunofluorescence labeling revealed that HDAC6 distribution did not change in ethanol-treated cells, immunoblotting showed HDAC6 protein levels slightly decreased. HDAC6 solubility was increased in nocodazole-treated cells, suggesting impaired microtubule binding. Direct microtubule binding assays confirmed this hypothesis. The decreased microtubule binding was partially prevented by 4-methyl pyrazole, indicating the effect was in part mediated by acetaldehyde. Interestingly, HDAC6 from ethanol-treated cells was able to bind and deacetylate

exogenous

tubulin to the same extent as control, suggesting that ethanol-induced tubulin modifications prevented HDAC6 binding to

endogenous

microtubules.

Conclusion:

We propose that lower HDAC6 levels combined with decreased microtubule binding lead to increased tubulin acetylation in ethanol-treated cells. (Hepatology 2008.)
Non‐spatial expertise and hippocampal gray matter volume in humans
Authors: Woollett Katherine , Glensman Janice , Maguire Eleanor A.
Published: June 2008

Previous work suggests that spatial expertise in licensed London taxi drivers is associated with differences in hippocampal gray matter volume relative to IQ‐matched control subjects. Here we examined whether non‐spatial expertise is associated with similar hippocampal gray matter effects. We compared medical doctors who, like taxi drivers, acquire a vast amount of knowledge over many years, with IQ‐matched control subjects who had no tertiary education. Whole brain analysis of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans using voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) failed to identify any differences in gray matter volume between the groups, including in the hippocampus. Moreover, amount of medical experience that ranged from 0.5 to 22.5 yr did not correlate with gray matter volume in the hippocampus or elsewhere in the brain. We conclude that intensively acquiring a large amount of knowledge over many years is not invariably associated with hippocampal gray matter volume differences. Instead it would seem that hippocampal gray matter volume effects are more likely to be observed when the knowledge acquired concerns a complex and detailed large‐scale spatial layout. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enzymatic metabolites of lycopene induce Nrf2‐mediated expression of phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes in human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Lian Fuzhi , Wang Xiang‐Dong
Published: June 2008

Lycopene can be cleaved by carotene 9′,10′‐oxygenase at its 9′,10′ double bond to form apo‐10′‐lycopenoids, including apo‐10′‐lycopenal, ‐lycopenol and ‐lycopenoic acid. The latter has been recently shown to inhibit lung carcinogenesis both in vivo and in vitro, however, the mechanism(s) underlying this protection is not well defined. In the present study, we report that treatment with apo‐10′‐lycopenoic acid, in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, results in the nuclear accumulation of transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2) protein in BEAS‐2B human bronchial epithelial cells. The activation of Nrf2 by apo‐10′‐lycopenoic acid is associated with the induction of phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes including heme oxygenase‐1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, glutathione S‐transferases, and glutamate–cysteine ligases in BEAS‐2B cells. Furthermore, apo‐10′‐lycopenoic acid treatment increased total intracellular glutathione levels and suppressed both endogenous reactive oxygen species generation and H2O2‐induced oxidative damage in BEAS‐2B cells. In addition, both apo‐10′‐lycopenol and apo‐10′‐lycopenal induced heme oxygenase‐1 gene expression in BEAS‐2B cells. These data strongly suggest that the anti‐carcinogenic and antioxidant functions of lycopene may be mediated by apo‐10′‐lycopenoids via activating Nrf2 and inducing phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
WUA training and support in the Kyrgyz Republic
Authors: Johnson Sam H. , Stoutjesdijk Joop
Published: June 2008

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the disbanding of state farms, on‐farm irrigation was in chaos. Many republics replaced their production brigades with water user associations (WUAs). In the Kyrgyz Republic, with World Bank support, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) established WUAs to take over on‐farm irrigation operation and maintenance (O&M). To ensure these were participatory, in 2002 the Republic passed a WUA Law. To date 451 WUAs have been legally registered under this law. As farmers had no experience with participatory associations, an intensive capacity development program was critical for success. Within the DWR WUA Support Units (SUs) at the central (1), provincial (7) and district (40) level were formed. International consultants and Central SU staff members provided more than 3000 days of training for staff members of SUs. In turn, SUs have provided more than 47 000 days of training for WUAs. Interactions with SUs and intensive training have strengthened WUA boards and encouraged member participation. Monitoring data documents increased the efficiency of water delivery, while fees paid by WUA members have increased annually in every province. WUAs have now formed 14 WUA federations responsible for off‐farm O&M. The success of these federations requires advanced capacity development for leaders and management staff. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capacity development for smallholder irrigation in Kenya
Authors: Mati Bancy M.
Published: June 2008

This paper presents the experiences on capacity development for irrigation in Kenya, drawing from a study of seven smallholder irrigation schemes, namely: New Mutaro, Emening, Mitunguu, Ng'uuru Gakirwe, Lari, Mukuria‐Kyambogo and Isiolo River Water Users Association. These schemes were selected for their apparent success in irrigation management, sustainability and poverty reduction among the beneficiaries. Although the seven schemes had diverse innovations and enterprises, common drivers of success were identified as: (i) introduction of new knowledge/technology, (ii) availability of markets, (iii) good governance structures, (iv) funding for infrastructure development, and (v) targeted capacity development. It was also found that initial investment costs for smallholder irrigation schemes ranged from about US $198 to $1744 per ha, which is much lower than reported for large public schemes. Generally, all the schemes had recorded improved food security and incomes, with net earnings ranging from US $200 to $1200 per month for single‐crop enterprises. Capacity development had played a major role in the positive performance of the schemes. However, the respective schemes had experienced different modes of capacity building, which included government extension services, NGOs, private sector, research institutes, out‐grower support schemes and farmer‐to‐farmer learning. This paper focuses on the role of capacity development. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identity and access: How to protect your business
Authors: Bi Lily
Published: June 2008

How good is your Internet security? What procedures do you have to protect your most valuable electronic assets? As e‐business grows, so does the need for identity and access management (IAM). But what exactly is IAM, and how can it protect your business? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The four horsemen of tech: Has another bubble burst?
Authors: Tokic Damir
Published: June 2008

After the subprime mortgage bubble burst, people started looking around to see if other disasters were on the horizon. In the high‐tech sector, the stocks of four companies—Google, Apple, Research in Motion, and Amazon.com—provided strong market leadership during 2007. But following their steep rise in the second half of 2007, the stocks of these “new four horseman of tech” suffered a sharp correction. Has another bubble burst? If so, what does it mean for the broader market? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Send your smart cards to graduate school
Authors: Mooney J. Lowell , Wright Harry R. , Newman Robert C.
Published: June 2008

A smart card looks and feels like a simple credit card but it is actually a minicomputer without a display screen or keyboard. And due to their proliferation in corporate environments, smart cards represent a major security risk. How can you reduce that risk while still reaping their benefits? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Myth of best practices
Authors: Sanwal Anand
Published: June 2008

Does your company aspire to be its industry leader? The author hopes so, because to be world class, a company must be a leader.

However, many companies still seem content to follow the lead of others when it comes to making key organizational decisions. And one of the most damaging follower afflictions, the author argues, is a disease he calls “best practicism.”

Does your company suffer from this malady? Why is it so bad—and what can you do about it? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What's the return on your security investment?
Authors: UcedaVelez Tony
Published: June 2008

What's the return on your company's investment in security? Few companies provide an adequate picture of value for security and compliance— because they simply don't know how to measure or present it.

It's time for companies to discover their return on security investment (ROSI), argues the author. Otherwise, security solutions will be only expensive bandages and not cost‐effective remedies. The author explains how to measure and apply ROSI in your company. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immobilization of penicillin G acylase on a composite carrier with a biocompatible microenvironment of chitosan
Authors: Jin Xin , Wu Qi , Chen Qing , Chen Chun‐Xiu , Lin Xian‐Fu
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND: Penicillin G acylase (PGA) has been used extensively in the β‐lactam antibiotics industry. As a biocatalyst, it is better to use immobilized enzymes than free enzymes, therefore, the immobilization of PGA on a composite carrier consisting of an adsorbent resin and biocompatible chitosan were investigated.

RESULTS: First, FT‐IR, BET and SEM analysis confirmed the structure of the composite carrier. Then, the immobilization process was optimized. The activity of the immobilized PGA on the chitosan–resin (IP‐CsR) was about 1300 U (g dry carrier)−1 with a protein loading of about 27 mg (g dry carrier)−1. Compared with the immobilized PGA on unmodified resin (IP‐R), the specific activity of IP‐CsR was enhanced about 2‐fold. The operational, thermal and pH stability were investigated. IP‐CsR maintained more than 75% initial activity after 35 cycles, while IP‐R was active for only 10 cycles. The half‐life at 50 °C increased from 75 to 300 min and the most stable pH was changed from 8.0 to 5.5.

CONCLUSION: A novel composite carrier containing a biocompatible chitosan was very effective for PGA immobilization. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Bax mRNA therapy using cationic liposomes for human malignant melanoma
Authors: Okumura Kenya , Nakase Minoru , Inui Madoka , Nakamura Shinnosuke , Watanabe Yoshihiro , Tagawa Toshiro
Published: June 2008

Background

Bax is a pro‐apoptotic molecule that functions as a tumor suppressor and Bax gene therapy has been examined for various cancers. Gene transfer by mRNA lipofection is more efficient than plasmid DNA lipofection and, in the present study, we examined the anti‐tumor effects in human malignant melanoma cells (HMGs) using Bax mRNA lipofection.

Methods

Bax protein expression, cell growth inhibition, caspase‐3 activity and apoptosis were examined in vitro. Liposome‐Bax mRNA was applied locally once every 5 days for a total of five times to peripheral HMG tumors transplanted in nude mice. Tumor growth inhibition was evaluated by measuring the tumor volume and apoptosis was detected using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay.

Results

Enhanced expression of Bax protein was observed following Bax mRNA transfer and cell survival was 59.8%. Caspase‐3 activity and TUNEL‐positive cells increased significantly following Bax mRNA lipofection compared to Bax plasmid transfer. In mice, tumor growth increased only slightly during liposome‐Bax mRNA administration and the tumor volume on day 30 (10 days after completion of administration) was 36.7% of that in the saline control group. By contrast, Bax plasmid transfection resulted in little change in tumor growth compared to controls.

Conclusions

Bax mRNA therapy using liposomes has stronger anti‐tumor effects than Bax gene therapy using a plasmid, and the results suggest that Bax mRNA lipofection may be a viable treatment for malignant melanoma. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A retrovirus‐based system to stably silence GDF‐8 expression and enhance myogenic differentiation in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells
Authors: Yang Zhuo , Zhang Jingwu , Cong Haolong , Huang Zenghong , Sun Lunquan , Liu Changmei , Tien Po
Published: June 2008

Background

Myostatin, also called GDF‐8, a secreted growth and differentiating factor that belongs to the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily, is a known negative regulator of myogenesis in vivo. Overexpression of GDF‐8 contributes to the lack of differentiation in human rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells. We investigated whether a retrovirus‐based RNA interference (RNAi) system against GDF‐8 expression in human RMS cells would enhance myogenic differentiation.

Methods

A retrovirus‐based RNAi system was developed that utilized the U6‐RNA polymerase III promoter to drive efficient expression and deliver the GDF8‐specific short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) in human RMS cell A204. In this system, the retrovirus vector was integrated into the host cell genome and allowed stable expression of shRNAs. GDF‐8 expression was determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis. An 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to determine the cell proliferation. Myogenic differentiation markers were monitored by western blotting analysis. Cell cycle and apoptosis was determined by propidium iodide staining and analysed in a flow cytometer.

Results

In the siGDF8 A204 cell pools, the levels of both GDF‐8 mRNA and protein were dramatically reduced by this RNAi system. In differentiation conditions, inhibition of myostatin synthesis led to enhanced cell cycle withdrawal, consequently stimulated myogenic differentiation and increased the rate of tumor cell apoptosis.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that deactivation of myostatin by using retrovirus‐based RNAi thus may be useful for therapy in rhabdomyosarcomas. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis of glucuronide‐conjugated anabolic steroid metabolites: method validation and interlaboratory comparison
Authors: Hintikka Laura , Kuuranne Tiia , Leinonen Antti , Thevis Mario , Schänzer Wilhelm , Halket John , Cowan David , Grosse Joachim , Hemmersbach Peter , Nielen Michel W. F. , Kostiainen Risto
Published: June 2008

Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS) method for simultaneous and direct detection of 12 glucuronide‐conjugated anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) metabolites in human urine is described. The compounds selected were the main metabolites detected in human urine after dosing of the most widely abused AAS in sports, e.g. methandienone, methenolone, methyltestosterone, nandrolone and testosterone, and certain deuterium‐labeled analogs of these metabolites. Sample preparation and the LC–ESI–MS/MS method were optimized, validated, and the overall process was implemented and the results between seven laboratories were compared. All the metabolites were extracted simultaneously by solid‐phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by LC–ESI–MS/MS with positive ionization mode and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Recovery of the SPE for the AAS glucuronides was 89–100% and ten out of twelve compounds had detection limits in the range of 1–10 ng/ml in urine. The results for inter/intraday repeatability were satisfactory and the interlaboratory comparison with authentic urine samples demonstrated the ease of method transfer from one instrument setup to another. When equivalent triple quadrupole analyzers were employed the overall performance was independent from instrument manufacturer, electrospray ionisation (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and liquid chromatohraphic (LC) column, whereas major differences were encountered when changing from one analyzer type to another, especially in the analysis of those AAS glucuronides ionized mainly as adducts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can glycans unveil the origin of glycoprotein hormones?—human chorionic gonadotrophin as an example—
Authors: Ramírez‐Llanelis R. , Llop E. , Ventura R. , Segura J. , Gutiérrez‐Gallego R.
Published: June 2008

Doping with (glyco)protein hormones represent an extremely challenging, analytical problem as nearly all are constitutively present at low concentrations that fluctuate according to circadian or alternative periodical, or external stimuli. Thus the mere concentration in a biological sample is only resolutive when this surpasses extreme values. As the vast majority of these molecules are produced by recombinant DNA technology it is believed that the exogenous molecules could bear the signature of the host cell. In particular, these could comprise structural differences originated from co or post‐translational differences. In this study we have employed both proteomics and glycomics strategies to compare recombinant and urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin in order to evaluate this hypothesis. As anticipated the recombinant hormone could be shown to contain N‐glycolyl neuraminic acid, a sialic acid that cannot be produced by humans. Furthermore, differences were observed in the overall glycosylation, in particular the presence of abundant hybrid‐type glycans that were much less pronounced in the recombinant species. These differences were determined to occur predominantly in the α‐subunit for which antidoping strategies focussed on these elements could be used for both chorionic gonadotrophin and lutrophin as they share the same α‐subunit. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative DFT study on the role of conformers in the ruthenium alkylidene‐catalyzed ROMP of norborn‐2‐ene
Authors: Naumov Sergej , Buchmeiser Michael R.
Published: June 2008

Comparative quantum chemical calculations on the reaction pathways for the formation of ruthena(IV)cyclobutanes from both 1st‐ and 2nd‐generation Grubbs catalysts of the general formula RuX2(L)(L′)(CH2) (L = PCy3 or 1,3‐dimesityl‐4,5‐dihydroimidazolin‐2‐ylidene, L′ = PCy3) and norborn‐2‐ene (NBE) were carried out on the B3LYP/LACVP** level in dependence on the ligand X = I, Br, Cl, and F. The mechanism proposed by Straub for the formation of (one) active and (three) inactive NBE–Ru–carbene complexes for non‐cyclic alkenes was applied to the cyclic alkene NBE. In RuX2(PCy3)2(CH2), the inactive NBE–Ru–carbene complex is energetically more stable than the active one; however, in RuX2(IMesH2)(PCy3)(CH2), the active NBE–Ru–carbene complex is more stable than the inactive one. In due consequence, the possible rate limiting barrier for the conversion of the NBE–Ru–carbene complex into the corresponding metallocyclobutane (MCB) is systematically larger in the case of 1st‐generation Grubbs catalysts than of 2nd‐generation Grubbs catalysts due to an additional re‐arrangement for the formation of an active π‐complex from the more stable (inactive) conformer. This correlates with the observed reactivity of both types of initiators. There is a strong influence of the ligands L and X on the conformational properties and relative stabilities of the 14‐electron intermediates, which has a direct effect on the distribution of the inactive and active conformations of the corresponding Ru–carbene–NBE complexes. A direct correlation between the conformational properties of the 14‐electron intermediates and the relative stabilities of the active Ru–carbene–NBE complexes was observed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Usage of high‐performance mattresses for transport of Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphin
Authors: Suzuki Miwa , Hirako Ken , Saito Shinji , Suzuki Chie , Kashiwabara Takeshi , Koie Hiroshi
Published: June 2008

Ground transport can be a stressful operation for dolphins if the long period of restraint causes damage to internal organs, especially to the lung, generated by their own weight. Buoyancy is deprived from dolphins under moist transport, in which dolphins are transported on mattresses. Upgrading mattresses is an effective way to modify the transportation method so as to compensate for the loss of buoyancy. In Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), we tried to find mattresses that performed well at distributing the dolphins' weight and preserved their pulmonary function. When using EV‐17 (thickness, 50 mm) put on EE‐20 (thickness, 50 mm), a wider support area, less extreme changes in pressure, and lower maximum pressures were observed compared with other mattress systems tested. On this mattress system, lower breathing rates, lower heart rates, and higher exhaled CO2 concentrations were shown compared with using standard mattresses. These results suggest that the performance of the combination of EV‐17 and EE‐20 is better than that of the standard mattress in terms of the cardiopulmonary function of dolphins. Zoo Biol 27:331–340, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DELIVERY AND POSSESSION IN THE PASSING OF TITLE
Authors: Merrett Louise
Published: June 2008

The dilemma facing the law when two innocent parties have suffered at the hands of a wrongdoer is well known and arises acutely in the context of the sale of goods. Typically, in the classic simple three party situation: the owner of goods either gives goods to or has goods stolen by a rogueseller who purports to sell them to an innocent third party buyer. Both the owner and buyer of the goods may well have a personal claim against the seller, but if the seller has either disappeared or has no money that personal claim may well be worthless. As a result, the question of who is entitled to the goods themselves is likely to determine which party will suffer as a result of the seller's actions. The crucial issue is who in this situation is entitled to the goods: this is a question of conflict of title or priority. Who has a better title to the goods, the owner or the buyer?
From Hilary of Poitiers to Peter of Blois: a Transfiguration journey of biblical interpretation
Authors: Stevenson Kenneth
Published: June 2008

The Transfiguration narratives have received considerable attention from New Testament scholars, but so far very little has been written about them from the point of view of their reception-history. The purpose of this article is to examine the ways in which they have been interpreted in the Latin West from the time of Hilary of Poitiers in the fourth century to Peter of Blois in the early thirteenth. Among these writers, from the big names like Jerome to the lesser known figures like Peter of Celle, a varied tapestry emerges where light allegory plays an important part, whether in the symbolisms given to the choice of the three disciples, Peter, James and John, or to the dazzling clothes of Christ as baptismal – a particular insight of Bede, which keeps recurring in subsequent writers and preachers. Unlike the East, where the Transfiguration became a major festival on 6 August from the seventh century onwards, the Latin West was slow to absorb it; but it was given particular impetus by Peter the Venerable, Abbot of Cluny, in the twelfth century. Whether read as narrative in connection with Lent (‘glory before cross’), or as a festival in its own right, the Transfiguration emerges as an unusually rich source of biblical interpretation that poses real challenges to the use of the religious imagination today. And it provides a significant contribution to the development of a balanced view of reception-history in our own time.
Differing and changing attitudes in the Jewish exegetical tradition to the fulfilment of the biblical land covenant
Authors: Rosen Jeremy
Published: June 2008

It is commonly supposed that religions treat their sacred texts with a degree of rigidity and literality. The fact is that every and any text can be read and understood differently. This essay, written from a Jewish perspective, examines the biblical statements about the Promised Land and looks at how the promises to the early “fathers” have been understood at different times. Together with the Divine commitments came a reciprocal human obligation. It was the perceived abrogation by the Children of Israel of their side of the bargain that was seen as the reason for Exile after the First Destruction. By the time of the Second Destruction Christianity made new claims about the nature of the Holy Land and declared itself the New Israel and the successors of the Chosen People. In response to this and to the depredations of Exile, Judaism once again reinterpreted and adapted the original texts and the first wave of interpretation to meet different circumstances.

The aim of the essay is to describe the different theological approaches to the texts in the context of historical events. Simplistic assumptions and reading do not do justice to the complexity and variety of religious reactions to identical sources even within the same tradition.
The Muslim Samson: medieval, modern and scholarly interpretations
Authors: Rippin Andrew
Published: June 2008

The biblical figure of Samson (Judges 13: 1–16: 31) is not mentioned by name in the Quran. He was, however, incorporated by medieval Muslims such as al-Ṭabarī and Tha‘labī into the quranic prophetic world. How and why that was accomplished is the initial focus of this paper. While the medieval ability to find Samson in the text of scripture was admittedly limited, the attempt does illustrate the process of fitting scripture into a pre-existing world view itself composed on the basis of a variety of competing priorities. That world view does not always agree with the biblical text, nor with the full dimension of the living traditions of Judaism and Christianity; rather, the overall cultural framework of the Islamic tradition necessitated a range of interpretive strategies, dictated by the demands of the interpretive situation. Putting this medieval interpretive process in focus provides a context for discussing some modern Muslim views of Samson, about whom it is sometimes proclaimed proudly that he is not to be found in scripture. Why that position should be taken proves revealing of the process and the priorities of modern quranic interpretation. Marked by the abandonment of the value of tradition, contemporary interpretive strategies involve the same hermeneutical processes found in the medieval approach – the fitting of world views to the text of scripture – with the primary difference to be located in the rejection of the accumulative nature of the interpretive enterprise. Finally, the role of modern “secular” scholarship interacts with Muslim tradition by its focus on the boundaries of a strict scriptural text as the source of Islam. The scholarly focus on the textual is seen in a world view not of confessional dogma but one that still supports a confessional position that is also textually focused. It pretends to an appearance of being “scientific”. Scholarship plays its own political role within the process of modern interpretation.
The Mahābhārata as national history and allegory in modern tales of Abhimanyu
Authors: Lothspeich Pamela
Published: June 2008

During a renaissance of Hindu mythology in the late colonial period, the Mahābhārata in particular was embraced as the essential account of the nation's ancient past. In the many literary retellings of the period, epic history is often recast as national history, even as the epic narratives themselves are inscribed with allegorical significance. Such is the case in the many poems and plays on the subject of Abhimanyu and his nemesis Jayadrath, including the most famous example in Hindi, Maithilisharan Gupta's narrative poem, Jayadrath-vadh (The slaying of Jayadrath, 1910). In this essay I situate Gupta's poem within the genre of paurāṇik or mythological literature and read the poem against the Abhimanyu-Jayadrath episode as found in the critical edition of the Sanskrit Mahābhārata to illustrate how Gupta both modernizes the poem and imbues it with nationalist ideology. I ultimately argue that Gupta's Abhimanyu is like a freedom fighter battling an imperial goliath, and his wife, Subhadra, a model for women dedicated to the cause. I also discuss some of the subsequent literature on Abhimanyu which was inspired by Gupta's classic work, and which also re-envisions the story in terms of contemporary political circumstances.
Resonant enhancement of electron energy by frequency chirp during laser acceleration in an azimuthal magnetic field in a plasma
Authors: Singh K.P. , Malik H.K.
Published: June 2008

Electron acceleration by a chirped laser pulse in an azimuthal magnetic field in a plasma has been studied. The betatron resonance saturates and the electrons start losing energy beyond a specific point of time without a frequency chirp. The resonance can be maintained for a longer duration and the energy of the electrons can be enhanced if a suitable frequency chirp is introduced. The duration of interaction increases for a lower plasma density or a lower initial electron energy which causes increase in the electron energy gain. The value of magnetic field required for resonance increases with an increase in plasma density and with a decrease in initial electron energy.
Ubiquity and large intersections properties under digit frequencies constraints
Authors: BARRAL JULIEN , SEURET STÉPHANE
Published: June 2008

We are interested in two properties of real numbers: the first one is the property of being well-approximated by some dense family of real numbers {xn}n≥1, such as rational numbers and more generally algebraic numbers, and the second one is the property of having given digit frequencies in some b-adic expansion.

We combine these two ways of classifying the real numbers, in order to provide a finer classification. We exhibit sets S of points x which are approximated at a given rate by some of the {xn}n, those xn being selected according to their digit frequencies. We compute the Hausdorff dimension of any countable intersection of such sets S, and prove that these sets enjoy the so-called large intersection property.
Wie beeinflussen Testleiter die HAWIK-IV-Befunde?
Authors: Lipsius Maike , Petermann Franz , Daseking Monika
Published: June 2008

Psychometrische Testverfahren wie Intelligenztestbatterien sind aufgrund ihrer Komplexität bei der Durchführung, Auswertung und Interpretation in hohem Maße fehleranfällig. Dies kann sich negativ auf die Aussagekraft dieser Testverfahren auswirken. Es wird an einigen Beispielen des HAWIK-IV ( Petermann & Petermann, 2007 ) gezeigt, wie gravierend sich Fehler des Testleiters auf das Testergebnis auswirken können. Weiterhin werden Tipps für eine fehlerfreie Durchführung und Auswertung des HAWIK-IV zur Verfügung gestellt.
Selbst- und Fremdbeurteilung von Verhaltensauffälligkeiten bei Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Thiels Cornelia , Schmitz Gerdamarie S.
Published: June 2008

Für die Selbst- und Fremdbeurteilung von Verhaltensauffälligkeiten bei Kindern und Jugendlichen gibt es die Achenbach-Skalen, die anhand inhaltsgleicher Items triadische Informationen (Kinder, Eltern, Lehrer) liefern. Dieses Verfahren wurde bei 583 Mädchen und 474 Jungen im Alter von zehn bis 17 Jahren eingesetzt. Zur Bestimmung der Urteilskongruenz zwischen den drei Informationsquellen wurden Korrelationen auf der Ebene von acht Syndromskalen sowie auf der Ebene von zwei Störungsdimensionen (internalisierend und externalisierend) berechnet. Die Zusammenhänge fallen erwartungsgemäß niedrig aus. Dennoch ergibt sich eine substanzielle Vorhersage der beiden Dimensionen bei Kindern, wenn man die entsprechenden Urteilsdimensionen von Eltern und Lehrern in einem Strukturgleichungsmodell kombiniert. Dabei zeigte sich eine bessere Vorhersage bei den Mädchen als bei den Jungen. Es wird empfohlen, Eltern- und Lehrerurteile zu kombinieren und Vorhersagen auf Syndrom- und Dimensionsebene getrennt nach Geschlechtern zu berechnen.
Nichtsprachliche Lernstörung: Eine unspezifische oder richtungsweisende Klassifikation?
Authors: Knievel Julia , Petermann Franz
Published: June 2008

Die nichtsprachliche Lernstörung stellt eine Subgruppe von Lernstörungen dar, die in Kanada und den USA in der praktischen Arbeit mit Kindern einen wichtigen Platz eingenommen hat. Die nichtsprachliche Lernstörung umfasst verschiedene kognitive Defizite, die sich primär auf visuelle und taktile Schwierigkeiten beziehen, aber auch Beeinträchtigungen in der Flexibilität des Denkens und der Psychomotorik berücksichtigen. Durch die Verwendung dieser Klassifikation ist es möglich, eine Gruppe von lerngestörten Kindern zu beachten, die in den internationalen Klassifikationsrichtlinien keine Entsprechung finden. Die Entwicklung, die Ursachen und die Diagnostik dieser Störung werden vorgestellt und kritisch beleuchtet. Der Nutzen dieser Klassifikation wird hinterfragt und auf der Basis aktueller diagnostischer Anforderungen diskutiert. Vorschläge für die Weiterentwicklung und Anpassung der Klassifikation an deutsche Standards werden vorgenommen.
Hochbegabungsdiagnostik: HAWIK-IV oder AID 2
Authors: Holocher-Ertl Stefana , Kubinger Klaus D. , Hohensinn Christine
Published: June 2008

Es werden die beiden Intelligenz-Testbatterien HAWIK-IV und AID 2 in Bezug auf Hochbegabungsdiagnostik gegenübergestellt. Ausgegangen wird von zwei Modellen der Hochbegabungsdiagnostik. Dem traditionellen Ansatz einerseits – (kognitive) Hochbegabung liegt vor bei einem IQ > 130 – und dem „Wiener Diagnosemodell zum Hochleistungspotenzial“ andererseits. Letzteres postuliert in Anlehnung an das „Münchner Hochbegabungsmodell“ zusätzlich zu Begabungsfaktoren, wie vor allem der Intelligenz, bestimmte Persönlichkeits- sowie Umweltmerkmale als Moderatoren der Leistungsmanifestation. Die Abhandlung von HAWIK-IV und AID 2 ergibt, dass keine von beiden Testbatterien beiden Modellen gleichermaßen gerecht wird, sondern der HAWIK-IV eher im Sinne der traditionellen Hochbegabungsdiagnostik einsetzbar ist, der AID 2 besonders gut für eine förderungsorientierte Diagnostik im Sinne des „Wiener Diagnosemodells zum Hochleistungspotenzial“. Somit muss in der Praxis zuerst entschieden werden, welchem Modell man sich verpflichtet fühlt, um danach die optimale Intelligenz-Testbatterie auszuwählen.
Pressure‐volume‐temperature relations in MgO: An ultrahigh pressure‐temperature scale for planetary sciences applications
Authors: Wu Zhongqing , Wentzcovitch Renata M. , Umemoto Koichiro , Li Baosheng , Hirose Kei , Zheng Jin‐Cheng
Published: June 2008

In situ crystallography based on diamond anvil cells have been extended to the multimegabar regime. Temperatures in these experiments have crossed the 2500 K mark. Yet, current high pressure‐temperature (PT) standards of calibration produce uncertainties that inhibit clear conclusions about phenomena of importance to planetary processes, e.g., the postperovskite transition in Earth's mantle. We introduce a new thermal equation of state (EOS) of MgO which appears to be predictive up to the multimegabar and thousands of kelvin range. It is obtained by combining first principles local density approximation quasi‐harmonic (QHA) calculations with experimental low‐pressure data. This EOS agrees exceptionally well with shock compression data. The postspinel and postperovskite phase boundaries recalculated using our EOS match seismic observations. The latter, in particular, supports the idea that postperovskite transforms back to perovskite before the core‐mantle boundary. The recalculated experimental Clapeyron slope of the postperovskite transition is also more consistent with those obtained by first principles calculations.
Overland flow velocity and roughness properties in peatlands
Authors: Holden Joseph , Kirkby Mike J. , Lane Stuart N. , Milledge David G. , Brookes Chris J. , Holden Vincent , McDonald Adrian T.
Published: June 2008

Overland flow is an important component of peatland hydrology. Hydrological models of peatlands are being developed that require estimates of flow velocity and its controls. However, surprisingly little is known about overland flow velocities in peatlands. Some peatlands have also been drained using open ditches, and these need to be incorporated into flow models. This paper presents field data on the velocity of overland flow and drain flow in upland peatlands. The relationships between flow velocity, vegetation cover, slope, and water depth are explored. Sphagnum provided a significantly greater effective hydraulic roughness to overland flow than peatland grasses. In all cases, a significant break in process occurred for flows with water depths of around 1 cm so that there were two components of the roughness curve. This is consistent with partial submergence theory for very shallow flows where resistance increases with depth as the soil surface first becomes fully submerged. While each surface cover type should be considered separately, the results also suggest that a first‐order estimate of Darcy‐Weisbach roughness and mean velocity can be based on a single parameter for each surface cover. This paper presents an empirical overland flow velocity forecasting model that can be applied to peatlands. The model combines the partially submerged component for flows with water depths below 1 cm with the fully submerged component for flows with depths up to 5 cm, which are representative of the depths of flows that occur across peatlands.
Reverse convection potential saturation during northward IMF
Authors: Wilder F. D. , Clauer C. R. , Baker J. B. H.
Published: June 2008

We report the results of an investigation of the reverse convection potentials in the day side high latitude ionosphere during periods of steady northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). While it has been shown that the polar cap potential in the ionosphere exhibits non‐linear saturation behavior when the IMF becomes increasingly southward, it has yet to be shown whether the high latitude reverse convection cells in response to increasingly northward IMF exhibit similar behavior. We use solar wind data from the ACE satellite from 1998 to 2005 to search for events in the solar wind when the IMF is northward and the interplanetary electric field is stable for more than 40 minutes. We then use bin‐averaged SuperDARN convection data and apply a spherical harmonic fit to calculate the average potential pattern for each northward IMF bin. Results show that the reverse convection cells do, in fact, exhibit non‐linear saturation behavior. The saturation potential is approximately 20 kV and is achieved when the electric coupling function reaches between 18 and 30 kV/RE.
Light dependency of nitrogen fixation in a coastal cyanobacterial mat
Authors: Severin Ina , Stal Lucas J
Published: June 2008

The fixation of nitrogen in cyanobacterial mats situated along the littoral gradient on a Dutch barrier island was investigated by using a high-resolution online, near-real-time acetylene reduction assay. Light-response curves of nitrogenase activity yielded a variety of physiological parameters that changed during a day–night cycle. The fitted parameters were used to calculate nitrogen fixation from the incident natural irradiance over several days in two different mat types. Mats occurring in the higher regions of the littoral were composed of a diverse community of cyanobacteria, consisting of both heterocystous and non-heterocystous filamentous species, whereas closer to the low water mark the mats contained mainly non-heterocystous filamentous cyanobacteria. Although the daily cycles of nitrogenase activity differed considerably between the two types of mats, the daily integrated rates of nitrogen fixation were the same. Moreover, the daily integrated nitrogen fixation seemed to be independent from the daily incident photon flux. The measurements further suggest that different types of diazotrophic cyanobacteria become active at different times of the day and that the composition of the mat community affects maximal and daily patterns of nitrogenase activity. Notwithstanding the apparent light independence of nitrogen fixation, the light-response curves as well as light action spectra unequivocally showed that cyanobacteria were the predominant nitrogen-fixing organisms in these mats. It is concluded that the diversity of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria leads to an optimization of this process.
Diffusible amyloid oligomers trigger systemic amyloidosis in mice
Authors: Senthilkumar Sivanesan , Chang Edwin , Jayakumar Rajadas
Published: June 2008

AA (amyloid protein A) amyloidosis in mice is markedly accelerated when the animals are given, in addition to an inflammatory stimulus, an intravenous injection of protein extracted from AA-laden mouse tissue. Previous findings affirm that AA fibrils can enhance the in vivo amyloidogenic process by a nucleation seeding mechanism. Accumulating evidence suggests that globular aggregates rather than fibrils are the toxic entities responsible for cell death. In the present study we report on structural and morphological features of AEF (amyloid-enhancing factor), a compound extracted and partially purified from amyloid-laden spleen. Surprisingly, the chief amyloidogenic material identified in the active AEF was diffusible globular oligomers. This partially purified active extract triggered amyloid deposition in vital organs when injected intravenously into mice. This implies that such a phenomenon could have been inflicted through the nucleation seeding potential of toxic oligomers in association with altered cytokine induction. In the present study we report an apparent relationship between altered cytokine expression and AA accumulation in systemically inflamed tissues. The prevalence of serum AA monomers and proteolytic oligomers in spleen AEF is consistent to suggest that extrahepatic serum AA processing might lead to local accumulation of amyloidogenic proteins at the serum AA production site.