bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the significance of the relationship between the North Atlantic Oscillation in early winter and Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies
Authors: Hu Zeng‐Zhen , Huang Bohua
Published: June 2006

This work investigates the association of Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) with the early winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The NAO is represented by two indices in November, December, and January. One (regional mean index) is defined as 500 hPa geopotential height difference between areal averages in low and high latitudes, while another (station index) is the sea level pressure difference between two stations. Although the two indices are highly correlated, they exhibit clearly different statistical associations with the antecedent Atlantic SSTA. The regional mean index in early winter is significantly correlated with a tripole pattern of SSTA in the Atlantic up to the preceding spring. Therefore its predictability may be claimed for up to 7–9 months. However there is little predictability for the station index beyond SSTA 2 months before the early winter. The interseasonal potential predictability shown in the regional mean index mainly results from the contribution of a few years that are not strong anomaly years according to the station index. That suggests that the potential predictability displayed in association with the regional mean index mainly results from the average of a few anomaly years. The SSTA contribution to the NAO predictability comes mostly from the North Atlantic and northern subtropical Atlantic. The association of equatorial Atlantic SSTA with the NAO for both indices is insignificant. There is no linear connection between the tropical Atlantic SSTA and the tripole SSTA pattern, and the tropical and North Pacific SSTA may be a factor affecting NAO predictability.
Regional climate change and its impact on photooxidant concentrations in southern Germany: Simulations with a coupled regional climate‐chemistry model
Authors: Forkel Renate , Knoche Richard
Published: June 2006

In order to investigate possible effects of global climate change on the near‐surface concentrations of photochemical compounds in southern Germany, nested regional simulations with a coupled climate‐chemistry model were carried out. The simulations with a horizontal resolution of 60 km for Europe and 20 km for central Europe were driven by meteorological boundary conditions provided by a long‐term simulation of the global climate model ECHAM4. Two time slices of about 10 years were compared, one representing the 1990s and one representing the 2030s. For the region of southern Germany the simulations show an increase of the mean summer temperature by almost 2° along with a decrease of cloud water and ice and a corresponding increase of the photolysis frequencies and the emissions of biogenic hydrocarbons. Under the model assumption of unchanged anthropogenic emissions this leads to an increase of the mean mixing ratios of most photooxidants. Because of the complex topography and the heterogeneous distribution of precursor emissions all parameters show pronounced regional patterns. The average daily maximum ozone concentrations in southern Germany increase for the considered scenario by nearly 10% in the summer months. Depending on the region, the increase of the mean daily maximum ranges between 2 and 6 ppb. As a consequence, the number of days when the 8‐hour mean of the ozone concentration exceeds the threshold value of 120 μg m−3 increases by 5 to 12 days per year.
Seasonal variations and profile measurements of photolysis frequencies j(O1D) and j(NO2) at the ECHO forest field site
Authors: Bohn B. , Koppmann R. , Rohrer F.
Published: June 2006

The Emission and Chemical Transformation of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (ECHO) project investigated formation, transport, and photochemistry of biogenic organic compounds in a deciduous forest. Within the project, filterradiometers were used to measure photolysis frequencies j(O1D) (O3 + hv → O2+ O(1D)) and j(NO2) (NO2 + hv → NO + O(3P)) at different levels of a tower set up in a small clearing in a forest at Jülich, Germany. The tower served as a measurement platform for instruments in two photochemistry field campaigns during the summer seasons of 2002 and 2003. Filterradiometer measurements were made throughout a complete vegetation cycle to give an extended characterization of the field site UV radiation conditions. At fully developed foliage, 3–7% of above‐forest values of j(O1D) and j(NO2) were obtained close to ground at the tower clearing, dependent on external conditions. In the course of the vegetation period, these ratios remained fairly constant. After fall of leaves, photolysis frequencies increased to about 33% of above‐forest values. Profile measurements in undisturbed forest showed a strong decrease of j(NO2) by about 90% within 5 m below canopy top (≈33 m) and a slowed decrease to typically 2% at ground level. At the tower clearing the decrease was more gradual reaching 50% of above‐canopy values approximately 10 m below canopy top under overcast conditions. With regard to photochemical conversion of biogenic compounds we estimated that degradation of the major reactive compound isoprene within the forest by OH and O3 was insignificant (<10%) if residence times were less than about 1 hour.
A new class of [2Fe-2S]-cluster-containing protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatases
Authors: Shepherd Mark , Dailey Tamara A. , Dailey Harry A.
Published: June 2006

Protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatase catalyses the insertion of ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX to form haem. These ferrochelatases exist as monomers and dimers, both with and without [2Fe-2S] clusters. The motifs for [2Fe-2S] cluster co-ordination are varied, but in all cases previously reported, three of the four cysteine ligands are present in the 30 C-terminal residues and the fourth ligand is internal. In the present study, we demonstrate that a group of micro-organisms exist which possess protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatases containing [2Fe-2S] clusters that are co-ordinated by a group of four cysteine residues contained in an internal amino acid segment of approx. 20 residues in length. This suggests that these ferrochelatases have evolved along a different lineage than other bacterial protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatases. For example, Myxococcus xanthus protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatase ligates a [2Fe-2S] cluster via cysteine residues present in an internal segment. Site-directed mutagenesis of this ferrochelatase demonstrates that changing one cysteine ligand into serine results in loss of the cluster, but unlike eukaryotic protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatases, this enzyme retains its activity. These data support a role for the [2Fe-2S] cluster in iron affinity, and strongly suggest convergent evolution of this feature in prokaryotes.
Involatile nanodroplets: An asymptotic analysis
Authors: Jarymowycz Lucien B. , Ortoleva Peter J.
Published: June 2006

The structure of nanometer-scale droplets of weakly volatile liquids arises through the interplay of strong intermolecular attraction, and core intermolecular repulsion, interfacial forces, and the large, negative chemical potential of the low density vapor with which it is in equilibrium. Using a van der Waals equation of state and a mesoscopic multiphase model, the structure of such nanodroplets is determined via an asymptotic analysis in terms of the ambient to critical temperature ratio. The structure of a spherical droplet is obtained as the solution of a simple “shooting” problem. The intradroplet pressure profile and a minimal droplet size are determined. The high pressure in the core of the droplet gives evidence for the preferred melting there for systems like water with a negative volume of melting. Our methodology can be generalized to multiphase droplets, as well as to composite structures wherein viruses or other nanoparticles are embedded.
Parametrization of solutions of the Lewis metric by a Painlevé transcendent III
Authors: Gariel J. , Marcilhacy G. , Santos N. O.
Published: June 2006

Without making use of the Ernst formalism we look directly for particular solutions of field equations describing stationary axisymmetric vacuum space–time using Weyl coordinates. The solutions that we obtain, by simple separation of variables, are parametrized in the general case by a III transcendent of Painlevé with two arbitrary constants.
Collective reaction behavior of an oscillating system coupled with an excitable reaction
Authors: Wang Jichang , Chen Yu
Published: June 2006

The collective reaction behavior of limit cycles coupled to a nonoscillatory forcing is investigated experimentally and computationally. The coupled chemical system is constructed by adding 1,4-cyclohexanedione (CHD), a species which is capable of forming an oscillator with acidic bromate, into the cerium-catalyzed Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction. Two levels of coupling exist in the system: (1) through autocatalytic reactions with bromine dioxide radicals and (2) via reactions with oxidized metal catalysts. Experiments illustrate that there is an optimum [1,4-CHD]/[cerium] ratio for inducing complex oscillations, whereas in the 1,4-CHD and malonic acid concentration phase plane two resonant ratios are observed for the onset of complex behavior. In addition, bromate, the oxidant for both suboscillators, also exhibits subtle influences on the complexity of the collective reaction behavior. The experimental observations are qualitatively reproduced with the Field-Körös-Noyes mechanism, modified to account for the coupling reactions with the 1,4-CHD-bromate system.
Femtosecond ground state recovery: Measuring the intersystem crossing yield of polyspirobifluorene
Authors: King S. M. , Rothe C. , Dai D. , Monkman A. P.
Published: June 2006

Measurement of the quantum yield of triplet formation has been made for the prototypical conjugated polymer polyspirobifluorene in solution and solid state. An updated method has been described based on femtosecond time resolved ground state recovery following photoexcitation of the polymer. The two components to the recovery of the ground state due to the decay of the singlet and triplet excited states are clearly visible and from these it is possible to calculate ΦT=0.05±0.01 in solution, this gives kisc=5.4×107s−1 which compares favorably with other conjugated polymers. In polymer films an increased triplet yield of ΦT=0.12±0.02 is found to be independent of temperature, the increased yield is attributed to triplet recombination from charged states.
Smectic, nematic, and isotropic phases in binary mixtures of thin and thick hard spherocylinders
Authors: Cinacchi Giorgio , Martínez-Ratón Yuri , Mederos Luis , Velasco Enrique
Published: June 2006

A second-virial Onsager theory, based on Parsons-Lee rescaling and suitably extended to deal with multicomponent systems and smectic phases, has been used to calculate the phase diagram of a collection of binary mixtures of thin and thick hard spherocylinders. In particular, two types of phase diagrams are investigated. First, a number of binary mixtures where the two components have the same total length have been considered; in addition, the phase diagram of a binary mixture where the two components have the same volume has been calculated. For the particles of one of the two components, the length of the cylindrical part and the diameter have always been set equal to 5 and 1, respectively. Spherocylinders of the same total length and different diameter tend to demix considerably as soon as the diameter ratio deviates from unity. This happens especially at high pressures, when at least the phase richer in the thicker component is smectic. In the case where the two components have equal volumes, demixing is further increased due to the disparity not only in particle diameter but also in particle lengths. The incorporation of inhomogeneous layered phases is seen to alter significantly the phase diagrams calculated if only homogeneous phases are allowed, since transitions to a smectic phase often preempt those to a nematic or an isotropic phase. The apparent versatility of the recent experimental techniques suggests that the phase diagram features predicted by the theory might be also observed in real systems.
Women and Classical Translation in the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Brown Hilary
Published: June 2006

Women in Germany first began to take up their pens in substantial numbers during the eighteenth century. One area where they apparently did not leave their mark was in the translation of classical literature, despite a wave of interest in the classics in the literary world at large. However, this article sheds new light on women's involvement in this field. It focuses on a handful of women who translated from Greek or Latin, namely Luise Gottsched (1713–62), Fräulein von Erath (?–1776) and Ernestine Christine Reiske (1735–98). It looks at the conditions in which they did so, at their presentation of the texts, and at contemporary reactions to their work. It shows that women could only make their way in this area in exceptional cases, and that they usually exercised a considerable degree of caution. Yet, in some rare instances, translation gave women a new freedom. A translator could put her name to works of a surprising nature, such as philosophy and erotica. Adopting the detached stance of translator meant she could publish texts which women at the time would probably never have dared to write themselves. Thus, the act of translation could open up new spheres of literary activity for women.
Wars and Rumours of Wars: Questions of Authenticity in German Patriotic Poetry 1870–1
Authors: Webster William
Published: June 2006

Franz von Ditfurth's Historische Volks‐ und volksthümliche Lieder des Krieges von 1870–1871 presents contemporary ‘popular’ patriotic poetry as a counterpoint to the overwhelming mass of ‘educated’ verse published during the Franco‐Prussian War. The distinctions drawn between ‘Kunstpoesie’ and ‘Volksdichtung’ are called into question by Ditfurth's somewhat problematic choice of material, but the questions he raises were important enough to have been debated by Wilhelm Raabe and Wilhelm Jensen, following the appearance in 1871 of Jensen's Lieder aus Frankreich. (The poems it contained were explicitly ascribed to a serving soldier but had actually been composed by the non‐combatant Jensen.) In response to Raabe's accusation of deception, Jensen insisted on the quality of his work and averred that it would have been received less enthusiastically if his authorship had been known. The organisation, direction, tone and quality of Jensen's collection are discussed and subsequently set against a volume of ‘genuine’ poems from the front: Julius Wolff's Aus dem Felde (also 1871). The conclusion places the controversy over Jensen's volume in the context of the centuries‐old discussion of ‘authenticity’ in literature.
Arthritogenicity of collagen type II is increased by chlorination
Authors: Westman E , Lundberg K , Erlandsson Harris H
Published: June 2006

During inflammation, activated neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages produce and release myeloperoxidase (MPO). MPO converts hydrogen peroxide to hypochlorous acid, a highly reactive and oxidizing agent. Proteins subjected to hypochlorous acid become chlorinated. We analysed how chlorination of the cartilage antigen collagen type II (CII) affects its immunogenic and arthritogenic properties by studying immune responses to chlorinated CII in comparison to immune responses to CII and by studying the development of arthritis in rats immunized with CII–Cl. CII–Cl immunization of LEW.1AV1 rats caused a 100% incidence of arthritis with a mean maximum score of 9·2 (maximal score possible 16). The same dose of non-chlorinated CII did not induce arthritis at all. Rats immunized with CII–Cl developed high anti-CII–Cl IgG titres and also developed IgG antibodies recognizing the non-chlorinated form of CII. Analysis of cytokine mRNA expression in lymph nodes 10 days after immunzation revealed an increased expression of interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA and interleukin (IL)-1β mRNA in CII–Cl-immunized rats compared to CII-immunized rats. Thus, chlorination of CII increased its immunogenicity as well as its arthritogenicity. As neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages are abundant cells in arthritic joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chlorination might be a mechanism by which immunoreactivity to CII is induced and by which chronic joint inflammation is supported.
Pretreatment assessment and predictors of hepatitis C virus treatment in US veterans coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus
Authors: Backus L. I. , Boothroyd D. B. , Phillips B. R. , Mole L. A.
Published: June 2006

Summary.  The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cares for many human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus (HIV/HCV)‐coinfected patients. VA treatment recommendations indicate that all HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients undergo evaluation for HCV treatment and list pretreatment assessment tests. We compared clinical practice with these recommendations. We identified 377 HIV/HCV‐coinfected veterans who began HCV therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and 4135 HIV/HCV‐coinfected veterans who did not but were in VA care at the same facilities during the same period. We compared laboratory and clinical characteristics of the two groups and estimated multivariate logistic regression models of receipt of HCV treatment. Overall, patients had high rates of receipt of tests necessary for HCV pretreatment assessment. Patients starting HCV treatment had higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lower creatinine, higher CD4 counts and lower HIV viral loads than patients not starting HCV treatment. In the multivariate model, positive predictors of starting HCV treatment included being non‐Hispanic whites, having higher ALTs, lower creatinines, higher HCV viral loads, higher CD4 counts, undetectable HIV viral loads and receiving HIV antiretrovirals. A history of chronic mental illness and a history of hard drug use were negative predictors. Most HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients received the necessary HCV pretreatment assessments, although rates of screening for hepatitis A and B immunity can be improved. Having well‐controlled HIV disease is by far the most important modifiable factor affecting the receipt of HCV treatment. More research is needed to determine if the observed racial differences in starting HCV treatment reflect biological differences, provider behaviour or patient preference.
Identification of novel defective HCV clones in liver transplant recipients with recurrent HCV infection
Authors: Iwai A. , Marusawa H. , Takada Y. , Egawa H. , Ikeda K. , Nabeshima M. , Uemoto S. , Chiba T.
Published: June 2006

Summary.  Patients with recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation usually have a high viral load and are generally resistant to interferon (IFN)‐α2b plus ribavirin (RBV) therapy. However, it remains unclear whether pretreatment viral titre determines the effectiveness of combination therapy, especially in patients with a high viral load. The aim of this study was to identify the viral factors associated with a sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy in patients with recurrent hepatitis C after living‐donor liver transplantation. Twenty‐three patients with recurrent hepatitis C received combination therapy of IFN‐α2b plus RBV. SVR was achieved in 7 of the 23 patients (30.4%). Predictive factors for SVR included a 2 log10 decline in Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA at 2 weeks after the start of therapy and disappearance of HCV RNA at 4 or 24 weeks after the start of therapy. As the pretreatment high viral load showed no association with SVR, we asked whether other viral factor was associated with the response to the combination therapy in transplant recipients. We found the several novel defective HCV clones in 4 of 12 recipients’ sera. All defective HCV clones had deletions in the envelope region. Interestingly, no patients with defective clones showed a prompt decrease in HCV RNA after the start of IFN‐α2b plus RBV therapy. Thus, early decline in serum HCV RNA after treatment was closely associated with SVR. The circulating defective HCV clones are present and might be associated with the response to the combination therapy in patients with recurrent hepatitis after liver transplantation.
Can common species provide valuable information for conservation?
Authors: WHITELEY ANDREW R. , SPRUELL PAUL , ALLENDORF FRED W.
Published: June 2006

To demonstrate the importance of genetic data for multispecies conservation approaches, we examined the distribution of genetic variation across the range of the mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) at microsatellite and allozyme loci. The mountain whitefish is a common species that is particularly well suited for accurately revealing historical patterns of genetic structure and differs markedly from previously studied species in habitat requirements and life history characteristics. As such, comparing the population genetic structure of other native fishes to similar data from mountain whitefish could inform management and conservation strategies. Genetic variation for mountain whitefish was hierarchically distributed for both allozymes and microsatellites. We found evidence for a total of five major genetically differentiated assemblages and we observed subdivision among populations within assemblages that generally corresponded to major river basins. We observed little genetic differentiation within major river basins. Geographic patterns of genetic differentiation for mountain whitefish were concordant with other native species in several circumstances, providing information for the designation of conservation units that reflect concordant genetic differentiation of multiple species. Differences in genetic patterns between mountain whitefish and other native fishes reflect either differences in evolutionary histories of the species considered or differences in aspects of their ecology and life history. In addition, mountain whitefish populations appear to exchange genes over a much larger geographic scale than co‐occurring salmonids and are likely to be affected differently by disturbances such as habitat fragmentation.
Unusual case of pentastomiasis mimicking liver tumor
Authors: Machado Marcel Autran C , Makdissi Fabio F , Canedo Leonardo F , Martino Rodrigo B , Crescentini Fábio , Chieffi Pedro P , Bacchella Telesforo , Machado Marcel C C
Published: June 2006

Pentastomiasis is a rare zoonotic disease. Almost all recorded cases of human pentastomiasis had been incidental findings at autopsy. We report an unusual case of human pentastomiasis mimicking liver tumor successfully treated by liver resection. This clinical presentation is uncommon and it was probably caused by a pentastomid that exited its cyst and migrated to the liver causing an infarct that was mistaken as a primary liver tumor. Diagnosis could not be made before the surgery. This is the first reported case of human pentastomiasis in Brazil.
Orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma model with a controlled and reproducible tumorigenicity
Authors: Okubo Hironao , Takei Yoshiyuki , Serizawa Nobuko , Enomoto Nobuyuki , Ikejima Kenichi , Sato Nobuhiro
Published: June 2006

Background:  To explore therapeutic strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) there is a need for a suitable and reproducible animal model. However, most models produced thus far have drawbacks such as high rates of artificial tumor dissemination and complexity of the implantation technique. To circumvent these issues, we selected an appropriate HCC cell line coupled with a simple modality to prevent unintended tumor cell dissemination.

Method:  KDH‐8 cells were inoculated into the rat liver. To prevent tumor cell leakage, a human fibrinogen/thrombin‐coated collagen patch was attached on the site after withdrawal of the needle. In some animals, ligation of the hepatic artery was performed.

Results:  Early after injection, all rats (n = 60) developed a solitary nodule. Successful inoculation was observed in all animals with a leakage (dissemination) rate of 0%. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a well‐demarcated low density mass accompanied with a central necrosis that mimicked a typical CT image of human HCC. Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated a vascularized property of the tumor. Tumor volumes increased with time, reaching 3299.5 ± 290.0 mm3 at day 28 after inoculation. Thus the formed KDH‐8 hepatoma was pathologically classified into a poorly differentiated HCC demarcated with surrounding connective tissue. After hepatic arterial ligation, tumor growth was impeded with an inhibition of 59.1 and 70.4% (day 21 and 28, respectively).

Conclusions:  The current orthotopic hepatoma model enables a controlled and reproducible tumorigenicity and displays properties and histopathology resembling human HCC. It may be a useful tool in the investigation of antiangiogenic and anticancer therapeutics.
Putting the Five‐Factor Model Into Context: Evidence Linking Big Five Traits to Narrative Identity
Authors: Raggatt Peter
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT
The study examined relationships between the Big Five personality traits and thematic content extracted from self‐reports of life history data. One hundred and five “mature age” university students (M=30.1 years) completed the NEO PI‐R trait measure, and the Personality Web Protocol. The protocol examines constituents of identity by asking participants to describe 24 key “attachments” from their life histories (significant events, people, places, objects, and possessions). Participants sorted these attachments into clusters and provided a self‐descriptive label for each cluster (e.g., “adventurous self”). It was predicted that the thematic content of these cluster labels would be systematically related to Big Five trait scores (e.g., that labels referring to strength or positive emotions would be linked to Extraversion). The hypothesized links were obtained for each of the Big Five trait domains except Conscientiousness. Results are discussed with a view to broadening our understanding of the Five‐Factor Model in relation to units of personality other than traits.
AN ECONOMY ILL‐SUITED TO YOUNGER WORKERS: CHILD AND YOUTH WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION IN COLONIAL QUEENSLAND, 1886–1901
Authors: Bowden Bradley
Published: June 2006

This article explores the extent and significance of child and youth work in late 19th century Australia. It demonstrates that, while demographic changes meant that almost half the population was aged 19 years or less, this age cohort never comprised more than 18 per cent of the recorded workforce. It is argued that this under‐representation reflects the fact that children and youths were ill‐suited to the work demands of most colonial occupations. They did not threaten the position of adult males in the key areas of the economy such as construction, heavy engineering, pastoral work, mining and transport.
‘LAYIN’ LOW AND SAYIN’ NUFFIN’: AUSTRALIA’S POLICY TOWARDS BRITAIN’S SECOND BID TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (1966–67)
Authors: Benvenuti Andrea
Published: June 2006

This article examines the problems and challenges which confronted the Australian government in its response to Britain’s second attempt to join the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1967. While an adequate body of literature exists on Australia’s policy towards Britain’s first application to the EEC (1961–63), the Australian government’s response to the 1967 bid has been completely ignored by historians. This article, therefore, aims to make a historical contribution to the understanding of Australia’s policy towards Britain’s ‘turn to Europe’.
Electronic books: children’s reading and comprehension
Authors: Grimshaw Shirley , Dungworth Naomi , McKnight Cliff , Morris Anne
Published: June 2006

This study investigates the differences in children’s comprehension and enjoyment of storybooks according to the medium of presentation. Two different storybooks were used and 132 children participated. Of these, 51 children read an extract from The Magicians of Caprona, about half reading an electronic version with an online dictionary, and the rest reading a printed version with a separate printed dictionary. The remaining 81 children read an extract from The Little Prince, 26 reading an electronic version, 26 reading the same but with narration and 29 reading a printed version. No dictionary was supplied with this storybook. The type of medium did not significantly affect the children’s enjoyment of either storybook, and while it took them longer to read the electronic versions, this difference was only significant for The Little Prince. For both storybooks, comprehension scores were higher for retrieval‐type questions than for inference ones. The use of the online dictionary in the electronic condition of The Magicians of Caprona was significantly greater than that for the printed dictionary in that condition. The provision of narration in the electronic version of The Little Prince led to significantly higher comprehension scores than when narration was absent.
THE SUPERNATURAL AS LANGUAGE GAME
Authors: Klein Terrance W.
Published: June 2006

Abstract. For many in the Anglo‐American tradition of language analysis, Ludwig Wittgenstein, the great progenitor of twentieth‐century philosophy of language, showed conclusively that theological terms lack any referent in reality and therefore represent a discourse that can do no more than manifest the existential attitudes that speakers take toward reality as a whole. To think that such terms represent more is to be bewitched by the use of language. Is it possible, however, that theological language references a fundamental human drive? In this article I reexamine the dyad of nature and supernature from the perspective of Wittgenstein's philosophy. Perhaps surprisingly, Wittgenstein's thought on the subject offers much more than his famous, terse aphorism at the conclusion of his first masterwork, the Tractatus Logico‐Philosophicus ([1921] 1961, 74, §7): “What we cannot speak about we must pass over in silence.” Furthermore, the basic Tractarian drive to determine the relationship between language and reality, which is redirected but not extinguished in Wittgenstein's second, divergent, opus, the Philosophical Investigations ([1953] 1967), may be the place for a renewed examination of what the supernatural means in human discourse. Does talk of God give expression to the fundamental transcendence of human knowledge? Is it a language game we can eschew?
SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION AS THE AWAKENING OF GLOBAL CONSCIOUSNESS: A DIMENSIONAL SHIFT IN THE TECHNOLOGY OF MIND
Authors: Gangadean Ashok K.
Published: June 2006

Abstract. Great spiritual and philosophical traditions through the ages have sought to tap and articulate the grammar or logic of the fundamental unified field that is the common generative ground of our diverse worldviews, religions, cultures, ideologies, and disciplinary languages. I suggest that we are in the midst of a profound dimensional shift in our rational capacity to process reality, and I seek to articulate the implications of this evolutionary shift to global reason and awakened consciousness for all aspects of our human and rational enterprise. It is clear that we are in the midst of an unprecedented shift in the human condition—a global renaissance that affects every aspect of our cultural lives, self‐understanding, experience, and world making. This evolutionary transformation, when seen through the dilated global lens, has been emerging through the ages on a global scale. I suggest that this advance in our technology of mind is of an order of magnitude that is so radical and comprehensive that the very concept of a person, of what it means to be human, of our encounter with Reality, and of all our hermeneutical arts including the sciences are likewise taken to a higher, global, dimension. I explore this emergent grammar of spiritual transformation to global, dialogic, integral, and holistic consciousness, the global awakening of reason, scientific knowing, and the holistic worldview.
TELEOLOGY PAST AND PRESENT
Authors: Wattles Jeffrey
Published: June 2006

Abstract. Current teleology in Western biology, philosophy, and theology draws on resources from four main Western philosophers. (1) Plato's Timaeus shows how to interpret the universe as the handiwork of a purposive Creator who subordinates secondary, necessary, causes to primary, intelligent, causes. (2) Aristotle's Physics sets forth purpose as implicit in the nature of things. Purposes of different sorts inhere in different types of being, and everything has a natural function. Living things grow to actualize the potentials of the goal whose principle they bear within themselves. (3) Kant's Critique of Judgment denies that purpose is anything that human beings can know, strictly speaking. Nevertheless, purpose is a concept we must use to make sense of biological systems. (4) Hegel's Philosophy of Nature articulates organic systems as dialectically including and transcending mechanical and chemical systems. Teleological themes persist, in different ways, in contemporary discussions; I consider two lines of criticism of traditional teleology—by Richard Dawkins and Stephen Jay Gould—and one line that continues traditional teleology in an updated way—by Holmes Rolston, III.
Introduction: Governing Regulatory Interaction: the Normative Question
Authors: Mayer‐Schönberger Viktor , Somek Alexander
Published: June 2006

Abstract:  The demise of the Keynesian National Welfare State and its transformation into a more competitive and interactive unit of governance has given rise to an increased interest in the processes that are shaping the legal framework for markets. For several decades, one force has been taken to be tantamount to the law of nature governing the interaction between jurisdictions, namely, the force of regulatory competition. However, this model is open to severe criticism of its emphasis on efficiency. First, elected decision‐makers may not be interested in efficiency gains regardless of where the resulting distributive consequences may fall. Second, we suggest the theory of regulatory competition has a federalist bias that potentially blinds it to institutional alternatives. The model also rests on unexamined normative premises. Research has shown that competition is only one mode of regulatory behaviour. Cooperation and information flows play important roles in shaping regulatory activity as well. We contend that a more satisfactory model of regulatory interaction needs to take into account a variety of agents, standards, and systems. In devising such an alternative model, a satisfactory theory would have to understand the multiplicity of relevant agents beyond the narrow confines of the traditional nation‐centred federal model. Standards guarding regulatory interaction would—not dissimilar to competition law—have to state its own limitations.
The World Trading System, the International Legal System and Multilevel Choice
Authors: Trachtman Joel P.
Published: June 2006

Abstract:  This article develops a theory of multilevel choice of regulatory jurisdiction based on normative individualism, and suggests how certain features of the World Trade Organization (WTO) might be understood in terms of this theory. The WTO has some capacity for positive integration, as demonstrated in, for example, the harmonised minimum standards for intellectual property protection contained in the TRIPS agreement. Yet the WTO has generally not been used as a site for re‐regulation in areas congruent with its de‐regulation. However, in a limited way, and in particular contexts, it provides certain incentives for re‐regulation at other sites. For example, both the SPS Agreement and the TBT Agreement encourage the formation of harmonised rules. These agreements require Member States to use international standards as a basis for their measures, with important exceptions.
Onychomycosis in Icelandic children
Authors: Sigurgeirsson B , Kristinsson KG , Jonasson PS
Published: June 2006

Background  Onychomycosis is a rare disorder in children. Few studies exist on the incidence or prevalence of onychomycosis in children.

Objective  To examine the epidemiology of childhood onychomycosis in Iceland during the period 1982–2000.

Methods  Results from all mycological samples taken from children in Iceland from 1982 to 2000 were examined. Information about the requesting physician, unique social security number, date of birth, sex, results of culture and microscopy were registered. Growth of a dermatophyte was taken as an indication of a case of onychomycosis.

Results  During the period 1982–2000 a total of 493 samples from 408 Icelandic children, aged 0–17 years, were examined. Dermatophytes were cultured from 148 (30.0%) samples. During the period 1982–85, the mean annual incidence of positive cultures was 1.65 per 100 000, increasing to 21.30 per 100 000 for the years 1996–2000. Trichophyton rubrum was the dominating organism and was found in 102/148 cases positive for the growth of a dermatophyte. The incidence of positive dermatophyte cultures increased with age and was found in eight children aged 0–4, and in 57 children aged 10–14 years.

Conclusion  Onychomycosis is rare in children, but increases with age. It seems that onychomycosis increased during the study period, but it is not clear if this was due to a true increase in the prevalence of onychomycosis or an increased awareness of onychomycosis, or both.
The effects of hazard zone information on judgements about earthquake damage
Authors: Crozier Michael , McClure John , Vercoe Jessica , Wilson Marc
Published: June 2006

This study investigates the extent to which people's views on the causes and preventability of earthquake damage might be influenced by their degree of exposure to hazard as well as what information they have been given about the hazard. The results show that the provision of hazard zoning information influences judgements on preventability and causes of damage, but this effect depends on the degree of hazard faced by residents. In low hazard zones, information leads to the view that causes are manageable, whereas in high hazard zones information may induce a degree of fatalism. The use of public information in risk management needs to take into account the degree of risk faced by the recipients.
Erectile Dysfunction in Hypercholesterolemic Atherosclerotic Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice
Authors: Behr-Roussel Delphine , Darblade Benoit , Oudot Alexandra , Compagnie Sandrine , Bernabé Jacques , Alexandre Laurent , Giuliano François
Published: June 2006

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular diseases share the same risk factors. Although the use of hypercholesterolemic rabbit models has proven to be useful to illustrate the link between ED and hypercholesterolemia, the cost of daily maintenance of the animals and necessity for important amounts of drug have limited their use.

Aim

We aimed to develop a new model of atherosclerosis-associated ED in a well-known experimental model of atherosclerosis, the apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mouse.

Methods

Erectile function was evaluated by recording frequency-dependent increases in intracavernous pressure following electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve in 26-, 32-, and 38-week-old ApoE KO mice fed a Western-type diet and age-matched C57BL6/J anesthetized mice. Atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated by planimetry in oil red O-stained aortas.

Results

We found that in contrast to C57BL6/J mice, ApoE mice displayed atherosclerotic lesions covering 22% of the aortic luminal surface at 26 weeks of age and increasing to 27% and 35% at 32 weeks and 38 weeks of age, respectively. The amplitude of erectile responses to electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve was markedly impaired in 26-week-old ApoE KO mice as compared with age-matched C57BL6/J mice. Impairment in erectile function persisted in ApoE KO mice 32 and 38 weeks of age.

Conclusions

The ApoE KO mouse, a well-characterized model to study disorders associated with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in cardiovascular research, could therefore be suitable for investigation of disease-modifying effects of new therapeutic strategies aiming to target both atherosclerosis and ED.
Incentives and Investor Expectations
Authors: O'Byrne Stephen F. , Young S. David
Published: June 2006

This article argues that the Expectations‐Based Management (EBM) measure proposed by Copeland and Dolgoff (in the previous article) is essentially the same measure that EVA companies have used for years as the basis for performance evaluation and incentive compensation. After pointing out that the analyst‐based measures cited by Copeland and Dolgoff do not provide a basis for a workable compensation plan, the authors present the outline of a widely used expectations‐based EVA bonus plan. In so doing, they demonstrate the two key steps in designing such a plan: (1) using a company's “Future Growth Value”—the part of its current market value that cannot be accounted for by its current earnings— to calibrate the series of annual EVA “improvements” expected by the market; and (2) determining the executive's share of those improvements and thus of the company's expected “excess” return.

One of the major objections to the use of EVA, or any single‐period measure, as the basis for a performance evaluation and incentive comp plan is its inability to reflect the longer‐run consequences of current investment and operating decisions. The authors close by presenting a solution to this “delayed productivity of capital” problem in the form of an internal accounting approach for dealing with acquisitions and other large strategic investments.
Interrelationships among Native Peoples, Genetic Research, and the Landscape: Need for Further Research into Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues
Authors: Tano Mervyn L.
Published: June 2006

During the past four years, the International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management has sponsored and co-sponsored a series of discursive roundtables on the ethical, legal, social, and cultural implications of genetic research on Indian tribes and Indian people. The deliberations of the tribal leaders, legal scholars, researchers, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and others who participated in these roundtables laid out a range of barriers to informed tribal participation in genetic research and proposed a policy, legal, and scientific research agenda to fill gaps in knowledge and to otherwise support indigenous peoples' decision-making on genetic research issues.

An understanding of Native American attitudes toward genetic research on their community cannot be fully understood absent an appreciation of the interrelationship among native peoples, genetic research, and the landscape, contaminated as it is by governmental and other factors. The deliberations described herein present invaluable insights into tribal attitudes toward genetic research that have application to ethical, legal and social aspects of forensic DNA databanks, sample collection and retention, and, in particular, issues of secondary non-forensic uses of such DNA.
The Impact of DNA Exonerations on the Criminal Justice System
Authors: Berger Margaret A.
Published: June 2006

The emergence of post-conviction DNA testing has had profound effects on the American criminal justice system. Although changes in the formal legal landscape are readily noticeable, the DNA exonerations have also produced other consequences that may have potentially more significance. To comprehend and assess the influence of post-conviction DNA testing one must examine more than just the law on the books. After some introductory material, Part I of this essay looks at repercussions DNA exonerations are having on the basic operation of the criminal justice system, Part II examines new statutes that govern procedures for post-conviction DNA testing requests, and Part III briefly considers how these current developments may affect Supreme Court jurisprudence.

Post-conviction DNA testing has evolved in little more than a decade. Before 2000, only two states, New York and Illinois, had statutes that authorized post-conviction DNA testing. In other jurisdictions, no formally authorized procedures existed that allowed inmates to make requests for DNA testing of crime scene evidence.
Pediatric Assent: Subject Protection Issues among Adolescent Females Enrolled in Research
Authors: O'Lonergan Theresa , Zodrow John J.
Published: June 2006

Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) in the medical community are generally lasting longer due to a number of factors, including an increase in the total volume of biomedical research, expanded federal regulatory requirements, and a rise in patient interest in participating as research subjects. Leading national and international initiatives promote clinical research in children. The primary impetus for these initiatives is the need for adequate data for clinical application of new products and treatment approaches in the pediatric population. Clinical investigations must maintain ethical conduct as an essential component of pediatric research.

Ethical issues associated with clinical research in general have received prominent public and scientific attention. Of particular interest is informed consent, orassent, as applied to pediatrics. There is little practical guidance concerning pediatric assent from legal and ethical disciplines; the law has played only a small role in few cases.
A Comparative Study of Optimal Design for an Inkjet Printer Tube With and Without Performance Variations
Authors: Thielman Jeff , Ge Ping
Published: June 2006

As a new generation of printing technology, thermal inkjet (TIJ) has been widely adopted to meet the increasing demand for high printing quality and efficiency at an affordable price. High air barrier tubes play an important role in the reliable operation of the printhead in a commercial thermal inkjet printer. Desired tube qualities include low stiffness and low pressure drop, along with others. Tube stiffness and pressure drop can be lowered through the selection of proper tube layer configuration, geometry, and material properties. However, the existing tube design practice is highly heuristic and design results are not optimal. In this work, using TIJ design as a real world example, a comparative study is conducted to support the use of formal methods in design applications previously governed by heuristic/trial-and-error approaches. Two cases using different optimization strategies are investigated: Case A—performance-based optimization strategy; and Case B—robust design-based optimization strategy. A comparison of their results with the current practice shows that the optimization strategies can greatly improve the efficiency of the current tube design process. More important, the optimization strategy with variation consideration yields robust results and provides much richer design knowledge to support designers with various experiences to make better decisions.
Structural Optimization Using Function-Oriented Elements to Support Conceptual Designs
Authors: Takezawa Akihiro , Nishiwaki Shinji , Izui Kazuhiro , Yoshimura Masataka
Published: June 2006

This paper presents a new structural optimization method that supports decision-making processes to obtain innovative designs at the conceptual design phase. This method is developed based on structural and function-oriented elements, such as frame and panel elements that have specific functions. For each of the frame elements, the rotational angle denoting the principal direction of the second moment of inertia is included as a design variable, and a procedure to obtain the optimal angle is derived from Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions. For the panel elements, two types of panel elements are introduced based the assumed stress method. Several examples are provided to show the utility of the methodology presented here for mechanical design engineers.