bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Concept of Moral Obligation: Anscombe contra Korsgaard
Authors: Alvarez Maria , Ridley Aaron
Published: November 2007

A number of recent writers have expressed scepticism about the viability of a specifically moral concept of obligation, and some of the considerations offered have been interesting and persuasive. This is a scepticism that has its roots in Nietzsche, even if he is mentioned only rather rarely in the debate. More proximately, the scepticism in question receives seminal expression in Elizabeth Anscombe's 1958 essay, ‘Modern Moral Philosophy’, a piece that is often paid lip-service to, but—like Nietzsche's work—has only rarely been taken seriously by those wishing to defend the conception of obligation under attack. This is regrettable. Anscombe's essay is powerful and direct, and it makes a forthright case for the claim that, in the absence of a divine law conception of ethics, any specifically moral concept of obligation must be redundant, and that the best that can be hoped for in a secular age is some sort of neo-Aristotelianism. Anscombe is right about this, we think. And, among those who disagree, one of the very few to have taken her on at all explicitly is Christine Korsgaard, whose Kantianism of course commits her to the view that the concept of moral obligation is central, with or without God. Here, we try to show that Korsgaard loses the argument.
A new verifiable measure of centennial geomagnetic activity: Modifying the K index method for hourly data
Authors: Mursula K. , Martini D.
Published: November 2007

The K indices have long been a very important way to estimate geomagnetic activity. However, they have some basic and practical problems which restrict their reliability and applicability for long‐term (centennial) studies. Here we discuss these problems, modify the K method and construct a new, straightforward, easily verifiable and homogeneous index, the so called Ah index, which is based on digital, hourly data and is dedicated for centennial studies. The local Ah indices correlate with the local K and ak indices very well and extend them typically by several decennia. Ah indices at all studied stations verify that geomagnetic activity has increased during the last century. However, the amount of centennial increase varies greatly with latitude, being largest at high latitudes, smaller at low latitudes and, unexpectedly, smallest at mid‐latitudes. The centennial increase in the aa index is roughly twice larger than in the Ah index at similar mid‐latitudes. This is due to the erroneous scaling of the aa index in the late 1950s, requiring aa to be revised. The global Ah index correlates uniquely well with the Ap index, better than aa or the not‐K based IHV (Inter‐Hourly Variability) index. Thus Ah yields the most accurate extension of the Ap index by roughly 30 years.
Utilization of spectral bin microphysics and bulk parameterization schemes to simulate the cloud structure and precipitation in a mesoscale rain event
Authors: Lynn B. , Khain A.
Published: November 2007

Sea breeze convection in Florida on 27 July 1991, accompanied by squall line formation, was simulated using MM5 with various microphysical schemes, including the Hebrew University spectral (bin) microphysics (SBM) and three recently developed bulk model parameterizations. The bulk schemes are the Seifert full two‐moment scheme (FTMS), the Reisner‐Thompson two‐moment ice scheme (TMIS), and the Thompson two‐moment ice scheme. The results were evaluated using observed rainfall and radar reflectivity, including radar derived contour frequency with altitude diagrams (CFAD). The SBM simulated quite well the time evolution of average and maximum rainfall amounts. A comparison of a CFAD derived from observations and CFADs derived from model calculated radar reflectivity suggests that the SBM simulates the three‐dimensional structure of squall line convection and stratiform mixed phase cloud more realistically than the bulk parameterization schemes. However, the Thompson scheme shows a qualitative improvement over the other bulk parameterization schemes in the simulation of the three‐dimensional structure of the squall line as indicated by comparison of its CFAD with the observed. All of the new bulk models simulate precipitation better than the earlier bulk parameterization schemes, but each still produces too much precipitation during too short periods of time and underestimates the area covered by stratiform clouds.
NOx emission trends for China, 1995–2004: The view from the ground and the view from space
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Streets David G. , He Kebin , Wang Yuxuan , Richter Andreas , Burrows John P. , Uno Itsushi , Jang Carey J. , Chen Dan , Yao Zhiliang , Lei Yu
Published: November 2007

A rapid increase of NO2 columns over China has been observed by satellite instruments in recent years. We present a 10‐a regional trend of NOx emissions in China from 1995 to 2004 using a bottom‐up methodology and compare the emission trends with the NO2 column trends observed from GOME and SCIAMACHY, the two spaceborne instruments. We use a dynamic methodology to reflect the dramatic change in China's NOx emissions caused by energy growth and technology renewal. We use a scenario analysis approach to identify the possible sources of uncertainties in the current bottom‐up inventory, in comparison with the satellite observation data. Our best estimates for China's NOx emissions are 10.9 Tg in 1995 and 18.6 Tg in 2004, increasing by 70% during the period considered. NOx emissions and satellite‐based NO2 columns show broad agreement in temporal evolution and spatial distribution. Both the emission inventory data and the satellite observations indicate a continuous and accelerating growth rate between 1996 and 2004 over east central China. However, the growth rate from the emission inventory is lower than that from the satellite observations. From 1996 to 2004, NOx emissions over the region increased by 61% according to the inventory, while a 95% increase in the NO2 columns measured by satellite was observed during the same period. We found good agreement during summertime but a large discrepancy during wintertime. The consistency between the summertime trends suggests that the bias cannot be due to systematic error of activity data or emission factors. The reasons for the discrepancy cannot yet be fully identified, but possible explanations include an underestimation in seasonal emission variations, variability of meteorology, NOx injection height, and the increasing trend of sulfate aerosols.
Mesoscopic nanoshells: Geometry-dependent plasmon resonances beyond the quasistatic limit
Authors: Tam Felicia , Chen Allen L. , Kundu Janardan , Wang Hui , Halas Naomi J.
Published: November 2007

The plasmon response of a spherical metallic shell becomes significantly more complex as its size is increased beyond the quasistatic limit. With increasing size and decreasing aspect ratio (r1∕r2), higher order multipolar modes contribute in a more dominant manner, and two distinct core-shell geometries exist that provide the same dipole plasmon resonance, with differing relative multipolar contributions in their overall spectral response. With further increase in particle size, the geometric tunability of the core-shell structure disappears, and in the infinite radius limit the plasmon response is consistent with that of a thin metallic film.
Multiconfigurational self-consistent field and multireference internally contracted configuration interaction studies on the excited states of weakly bonded NO2 dimer (N2O4)
Authors: Li Yumin
Published: November 2007

In this paper, the vertical excitation energies of total of 32 states of N2O4 including the lowest two singlet states and two triplet states of each of the Ag, B3u, B2u, B1g, B1u, B2g, B3g, and Au symmetries were calculated at multiconfigurational self-consistent field (MCSCF) and the multireference internally contracted configuration interaction (MRCI) levels of theory on the active space (15o,16e) with aug-cc-pVDZ basis set. The potential energy curves of the eight singlet states(1Ag1, 1B3u1, 1B2u1, 1B1g1, 1B1u1, 1B2g1, 1B3g1, and 1Au1) and eight triplet states (1Ag3, 1B3u3, 1B2u3, 1B1g3, 1B1u3, 1B2g3, 1B3g3, and 1Au3) were calculated at MCSCF and MRCI levels of theory on the active space (15o,16e) with aug-cc-pVDZ basis set along the N–N distance. The vertical excitation energies of 1B3u1, 1B2u1, and 1B1u1 states with nonzero transition moment are 4.60eV (269.6nm), 6.06eV (204.6nm), and 7.71eV (160.8nm), respectively, at MRCI level of theory. The photodissociation asymptotics were assigned as NO2(XA12)+NO2(XA12) for ground state 1Ag1 and the 1B1u3 state, NO2(XA12)+NO2(1A22) for the 1B1g1, 1B1g3, 1Au1, and 1Au3 states, NO2(XA12)+NO2(1B12) for the 1B3u1, 1B3u3, 1B2g1, and 1B2g3 states, and NO2(XA12)+NO2(1B22) for the 1B2u1, 1B2u3, 1B3g1, and 1B3g3 states.
Light focusing via Rowland concave surface of photonic crystal
Authors: Khoo E. H. , Liu A. Q. , Cheng T. H. , Li J. , Pinjala D.
Published: November 2007

This letter investigates the focusing characteristics of lightwaves emitted from photonic crystal waveguide aperture using a concave corrugated surface. Based on Rowland’s theory, the concave structure is applied to the photonic crystal output surface. The field distribution pattern of the emitted lightwaves demonstrates the focusing effect. The focusing distance agrees with Rowland’s theory. By optimizing the surface structures, the focused beam has a full wave at half maximum width of 1.6a. This suggests that the concave corrugated surface could substitute conventional optical lens for focusing and coupling subwavelength devices. Similarly, by inverting the surface structures, the lightwaves splits at the same focusing location.
Time-domain study of vortexlike interface mode in metamaterials
Authors: Wang Youzhen , Zhang Yewen , He Li , Li Hongqiang , Chen Hong , Liu Fuqiang , Caloz Christophe
Published: November 2007

The properties of vortexlike interface mode in metamaterials are experimentally studied using time-domain measurement. Vortices are illustrated in the interface between a conventional right-handed transmission line (RH TL) and a composite right/left-handed transmission line (CRLH TL). Time-domain experiment obtained the phase velocities of the two lines, which agrees well with the simulation and theoretical results. The group delay from the CRLH TL to the RH TL is experimentally shown much longer than that of the conventional microstrip coupler, which indicates that vortex mode leads to slow propagation.
Observation of the transition from a Townsend discharge to a glow discharge in helium at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Luo Haiyun , Liang Zhuo , Lv Bo , Wang Xinxin , Guan Zhicheng , Wang Liming
Published: November 2007

Dielectric barrier discharge in helium at atmospheric pressure was studied by taking fast images of the discharge during one current pulse using an intensified charge couple device. It was observed that there appears a weakly luminous layer close to the anode at the very beginning of the discharge, then the luminous area gradually expands into the entire gap as the anode layer moves toward the cathode, and finally a highly luminous layer forms close to the cathode at the time around the maximum of the current pulse. The evolution of the discharge pattern indicates a transition from Townsend discharge to glow discharge.
Task-specific change of unconscious neural priming in the cerebral language network
Authors: Nakamura Kimihiro , Dehaene Stanislas , Jobert Antoinette , Le Bihan Denis , Kouider Sid
Published: November 2007

We explored the impact of task context on subliminal neural priming using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The repetition of words during semantic categorization produced activation reduction in the left middle temporal gyrus previously associated with semantic-level representation and dorsal premotor cortex. By contrast, reading aloud produced repetition enhancement in the left inferior parietal lobe associated with print-to-sound conversion and ventral premotor cortex. Analyses of effective connectivity revealed that the task set for reading generated reciprocal excitatory connections between the left inferior parietal and superior temporal regions, reflecting the audiovisual integration required for vocalization, whereas categorization did not produce such backward projection to posterior regions. Thus, masked repetition priming involves two distinct components in the task-specific neural streams, one in the parietotemporal cortex for task-specific word processing and the other in the premotor cortex for behavioral response preparation. The top-down influence of task sets further changes the directions of the unconscious priming in the entire cerebral circuitry for reading.
Genetic variation in the cysteine biosynthesis pathway causes sensitivity to pharmacological compounds
Authors: Kim Hyun Seok , Fay Justin C.
Published: November 2007

Complex traits are the product of multiple genes with effects that depend on both the genetic and environmental background. Although this complexity makes a comprehensive genetic analysis difficult, identification of even a single gene provides insight into the biochemical and/or signaling pathway underlying a trait. However, it is unknown whether multiple pathways, and consequently multiple genes, must be identified to adequately understand a trait's molecular basis. Using crosses between three natural isolates of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, we mapped sensitivity to a number of pharmacologically active compounds to a single nonsynonymous polymorphism in cystathione-β-synthase (
CYS4
), which is required for the first committed step in the cysteine biosynthesis pathway. Drug sensitivity is mediated by a deficiency in cysteine and consequently glutathione production, because drug sensitivity is abrogated by cysteine or glutathione supplementation. Within a diverse panel of 60 natural yeast isolates, the drug-sensitive
CYS4
allele is rare, and glutathione supplementation failed to alleviate drug-dependent growth defects in two other drug-sensitive strains. These results implicate the cysteine/glutathione biosynthesis pathway as a significant, but not the sole contributor to pharmacological variation in yeast.
Climate change and the effects of temperature extremes on Australian flying-foxes
Authors: Welbergen Justin A , Klose Stefan M , Markus Nicola , Eby Peggy
Published: November 2007

Little is known about the effects of temperature extremes on natural systems. This is of increasing concern now that climate models predict dramatic increases in the intensity, duration and frequency of such extremes. Here we examine the effects of temperature extremes on behaviour and demography of vulnerable wild flying-foxes (
Pteropus
spp.). On 12 January 2002 in New South Wales, Australia, temperatures exceeding 42°C killed over 3500 individuals in nine mixed-species colonies. In one colony, we recorded a predictable sequence of thermoregulatory behaviours (wing-fanning, shade-seeking, panting and saliva-spreading, respectively) and witnessed how 5–6% of bats died from hyperthermia. Mortality was greater among the tropical black flying-fox,
Pteropus alecto
(10–13%) than the temperate grey-headed flying-fox,
Pteropus poliocephalus
(less than 1%), and young and adult females were more affected than adult males (young, 23–49%; females, 10–15%; males, less than 3%). Since 1994, over 30 000 flying-foxes (including at least 24 500
P. poliocephalus
) were killed during 19 similar events. Although
P. alecto
was relatively less affected, it is currently expanding its range into the more variable temperature envelope of
P. poliocephalus
, which increases the likelihood of die-offs occurring in this species. Temperature extremes are important additional threats to Australian flying-foxes and the ecosystem services they provide, and we recommend close monitoring of colonies where temperatures exceeding 42.0°C are predicted. The effects of temperature extremes on flying-foxes highlight the complex implications of climate change for behaviour, demography and species survival.
Crystal structure of an archaeal Ski2p‐like protein from Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Nakashima Takashi , Kakuta Yoshimitsu , Yao Min , Tanaka Isao , Kimura Makoto
Published: November 2007

The Ski complex composed of Ski2p, Ski3p, and Ski8p plays an essential role in the 3′ to 5′ cytoplasmic mRNA degradation pathway in yeast. Ski2p is a putative RNA helicase, belonging in the DExD/H‐box protein families and conserved in eukarya as well as in archaea. The gene product (Ph1280p) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 shows sequence homology with Ski2p, sharing 22.6% identical amino acids with a central region of Ski2p. In order to gain structural information about the Ski2p‐like RNA helicase, we overproduced Ph1280p in Escherichia coli cells, and purified it to apparent homogeneity. Ph1280p exhibits DNA/RNA‐dependent ATPase activity with an optimal temperature at ∼90°C. The crystal structure of Ph1280p has been solved at a resolution of 3.5 Å using single‐wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) and selenomethionyl (Se‐Met)‐substituted protein. Ph1280p comprises four subdomains; the two N‐terminal subdomains (N1 and N2) fold into an RecA‐like architecture with the conserved helicase motifs, while the two C‐terminal subdomains (C1 and C2) fold into α‐helical structures containing a winged helix (WH)‐fold and helix‐hairpin‐helix (HhH)‐fold, respectively. Although the structure of each of the Ph1280p subdomains can be individually superimposed on the corresponding domains in other helicases, such as the Escherichia coli DNA helicase RecQ, the relative orientation of the helicase and C‐terminal subdomains in Ph1280p is significantly different from that of other helicases. This structural feature is implicated in substrate specificity for the Ski2‐like helicase and would play a critical role in the 3′ to 5′ cytoplasmic mRNA degradation in the Ski complex.
The hypothetical protein Atu4866 from Agrobacterium tumefaciens adopts a streptavidin‐like fold
Authors: Ai Xuanjun , Semesi Anthony , Yee Adelinda , Arrowsmith Cheryl H. , Choy Wing‐Yiu , Li Shawn S.C.
Published: November 2007

Atu4866 is a 79‐residue conserved hypothetical protein of unknown function from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Protein sequence alignments show that it shares ≥60% sequence identity with 20 other hypothetical proteins of bacterial origin. However, the structures and functions of these proteins remain unknown so far. To gain insight into the function of this family of proteins, we have determined the structure of Atu4866 as a target of a structural genomics project using solution NMR spectroscopy. Our results reveal that Atu4866 adopts a streptavidin‐like fold featuring a β‐barrel/sandwich formed by eight antiparallel β‐strands. Further structural analysis identified a continuous patch of conserved residues on the surface of Atu4866 that may constitute a potential ligand‐binding site.
Analysis of anemotropism in the mushroom Psilocybe cubensis
Authors: Badham Edmond R. , Kincaid Dwight T.
Published: November 2007

The bending of the growing basidiocarp of Psilocybe cubensis into air flow (anemotropism) was investigated. Basidiocarps were placed in a wind tunnel under controlled conditions and anemotropism was evaluated in relation to the physical dimensions of the mushroom and to certain environmental factors. Six lines of evidence are presented demonstrating that the cause of the bending is a greater water loss from the windward side than from the leeward side of the mushroom. Dehydration may result in unequal growth owing to differential production or activity of a hypothetical growth factor or because of a differential in turgor pressure.
Positional inconsistency between preprophase microtubule band and final cell plate arrangement during triangular subsidiary cell and atypical hair cell formation in two Triticum species
Authors: Galatis B. , Apostolakos P. , Katsaros C.
Published: November 2007

On the leaf epidermis of two Triticum species examined, an intervening cell of a stomatal or a hair row often flanks on one side two guard cell mother cells (GMC's) and usually functions twice as a subsidiary cell mother cell (SMC). In many of these cells and rarely in SMC's corresponding to one GMC, a triangular subsidiary cell (SC) instead of a lens-shaped one is formed. Some of these SC's in median paradermal sections appear triangular in form, while in internal and (or) external ones they exhibit a lenslike shape. In all SMC's investigated in which a triangular SC was expected to be formed, the preprophase microtubule band (PMB) occupied the usual position adjacent to the inducing GMC, except for instances in which the transverse wall of the SMC intersected the lateral wall of the GMC or was opposite its transverse wall. Therefore, during triangular SC formation a limited portion of the junction region of the cell plate with the parent walls is predicted by the PMB. In such cases the premitotic polarizing process in the SMC's and consequently the mutual disposition between the PMB and the mitotic spindle is disturbed. The PMB's of the hair cell mother cells (HMC's) are not so densely grouped as those of the SMC's, sometimes occupying an extensive portion along the walls. They were localized at the expected positions at the polar end of the cells. Only in few instances were atypical PMB's organized. However, the cell plate separating the hair cells (HC's) sometimes diverges and fuses with the parent walls at unpredictable positions far from the PMB cortical zone, except for a small part of it adjacent to one longitudinal anticlinal wall of the HMC. In addition, the preprophase–prophase nucleus often occupied an eccentric position in relation to the PMB or more rarely was situated outside it. Sometimes it exhibited a particular orientation. Moreover, mitotic spindles inclined in relation to the PMB plane were frequently observed. The above phenomena seem to be the result of the interference of a transverse polarizing stimulus with an axial one or of the establishment of an aberrant polarity in the HMC's for unknown reasons. The observations suggest that the spatial inconsistency between PMB and final cell plate arrangement in the cells investigated is an exception to the rule, caused by the disturbance of the mutual disposition and orientation between PMB cortical zone and mitotic spindle; these phenomena follow the disorder of the polarizing process of the cells. The PMB cortical zone seems to be effective only when the cell plate edges reach a critical distance from it.
The surface coating on gametophytes of Ophioglossum engelmannii
Authors: Whittier Dean P. , Peterson R. L.
Published: November 2007

The surfaces of gametophytes of Ophioglossum engelmannii from axenic culture were examined with electron microscopy and histochemistry. A thick granular coating covers the surface of mature regions of the gamctophyte. Although the apex of the gametophyte is free of the coating, deposition begins on the surface walls just basipetal to the apical region. The outer tangential wall of surface cells is strongly positive with periodic acid – Schiff's (PAS) staining and the coating is somewhat PAS positive. The outer portion of the outer tangential cell wall and the coating are positive for polyphenols substances. Lipid materials appear to be absent from the coating and the wall. The coating may help to protect these subterranean gametophytes from the biota of the soil.
Some effects of self-, cross-, and open-pollinations in Picea pungens
Authors: Cram W. H.
Published: November 2007

Self-fertility of Picea pungens Engelm. ranged from 0 to 176 seeds per cone for 72 trees. Self-pollinations reduced the average seed yields to 40 and 23% of the respective cross-, and open(wind)-pollinations. Selfing decreased the germination for nonstratified seed to 71% of that for cross-pollinated seed, whereas the germination of stratified selfed and crossed seed varied from 80 to 100%. Selfing also depressed the growth of 1- to 5-year-old seedlings.
What Do Synergies Do? Effects of Secondary Constraints on Multidigit Synergies in Accurate Force-Production Tasks
Authors: Zhang Wei , Scholz John P. , Zatsiorsky Vladimir M. , Latash Mark L.
Published: November 2007

We used the framework of the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) hypothesis to explore changes in the structure of variability in multifinger force-production tasks when a secondary task was introduced. Healthy young subjects produced several levels of the total force by pressing with the four fingers of the hand on force sensors. The frame with the sensors rested on the table ( Stable condition) or on a narrow supporting beam ( Unstable conditions) that could be placed between different finger pairs. Most variance in the finger mode space was compatible with a fixed value of the total force across all conditions, whereas the patterns of sharing of the total force among the fingers were condition dependent. Moment of force was stabilized only in the Unstable conditions. The finger mode data were projected onto the UCM computed for the total force and subjected to principal component (PC) analysis. Two PCs accounted for >90% of the variance. The directions of the PC vectors varied across subjects in the Stable condition, whereas two “default” PCs were observed under the Unstable conditions. These observations show that different persons coordinate their fingers differently in force-production tasks. They converge on similar solutions when an additional constraint is introduced. The use of variable solutions allows avoiding a loss in accuracy of performance when the same elements get involved in another task. Our results suggest a mechanism underlying the principle of superposition suggested in a variety of human and robotic studies.
A One-Layer Recurrent Neural Network with a Discontinuous Activation Function for Linear Programming
Authors: Liu Qingshan , Wang Jun
Published: November 2007

A one-layer recurrent neural network with a discontinuous activation function is proposed for linear programming. The number of neurons in the neural network is equal to that of decision variables in the linear programming problem. It is proven that the neural network with a sufficiently high gain is globally convergent to the optimal solution. Its application to linear assignment is discussed to demonstrate the utility of the neural network. Several simulation examples are given to show the effectiveness and characteristics of the neural network.
Animated Cell Biology: A Quick and Easy Method for Making Effective, High-Quality Teaching Animations
Authors: O'Day Danton H.
Published: November 2007

There is accumulating evidence that animations aid learning of dynamic concepts in cell biology. However, existing animation packages are expensive and difficult to learn, and the subsequent production of even short animations can take weeks to months. Here I outline the principles and sequence of steps for producing high-quality PowerPoint animations in less than a day that are suitable for teaching in high school through college/university. After developing the animation it can be easily converted to any appropriate movie file format using Camtasia Studio for Internet or classroom presentations. Thus anyone who can use PowerPoint has the potential to make animations. Students who viewed the approximately 3-min PowerPoint/Camtasia Studio animation “Calcium and the Dual Signalling Pathway” over 15 min scored significantly higher marks on a subsequent quiz than those who had viewed still graphics with text for an equivalent time. In addition, results from student evaluations provided some data validating the use of such animations in cell biology teaching with some interesting caveats. Information is also provided on how such animations can be modified or updated easily or shared with others who can modify them to fit their own needs.
Meeting Report: Teaching Signal Transduction
Authors: Kramer IJsbrand , Thomas Geraint
Published: November 2007

In July, 2005, the European Institute of Chemistry and Biology at the campus of the University of Bordeaux, France, hosted a focused week of seminars, workshops, and discussions around the theme of “teaching signal transduction.” The purpose of the summer school was to offer both junior and senior university instructors a chance to reflect on the development and delivery of their teaching activities in this area. This was achieved by combining open seminars with restricted access workshops and discussion events. The results suggest ways in which systems biology, information and communication technology, Web-based investigations, and high standard illustrations might be more effectively and efficiently incorporated into modern cell biology courses.
The Comprehensibility of Government Forms and Pamphlets with Special Reference to Means Tested Benefits
Authors: Lewis Alan
Published: November 2007

There is an enormous number of variously shaped and sized forms at present in use in the civil service. Expressions of bewilderment on attempting to fill out the more obtuse of these are commonplace. While in some cases these difficulties could be viewed as trivial it is argued that badly designed and worded forms, particularly those destined for the general public, result in the production of inaccurate and incomplete information which in turn can greatly increase administrative costs. It is also conceivable, especially in the case of applications for means tested benefits, that incomprehensible forms can have a deleterious effect on the incidence of successful claims. This paper presents a critical review of the experimental literature pertaining to the comprehensibility question both from independent researchers and those attached to local and central government departments and a plea, cognisant of some of the difficulties, for the more rapid implementation of these recommendations.
Two Faces of Community Action
Authors: Malpass Peter
Published: November 2007

The first face of community action is a challenge to the decision-making autonomy of the established authorities. Its second face is its use by the authorities to create and maintain consent for their policies. These two faces are to be understood in the context of the political process of local government. The article argues that bureaucratic power cannot be assumed, but rather should be seen as the (predictable) outcome of competition for power involving councillors, officials and community groups. A competitive model of local government is outlined and used to show that the authorities have specific interests in the two faces of community action, leading them to favour certain forms of public participation and to seek to prevent other forms.
County/District Relations in Shire and Metropolitan Counties in the field of Town and Country Planning: A Comparison
Authors: Leach Steve , Moore Nicholas
Published: November 2007

This article explores the reasons behind the variation in the quality of relationships between counties and districts in England and Wales, concentrating on the field of town and country planning, but within the context of a more general appraisal of the links between county and district. Three major types of influence are discussed: the attitude of the authorities concerned to the 1974 reorganisation; the political/technical power balance within authorities; and the nature of the formal and quasi-formal agreements at the county/district interface. The impact these factors have on the nature of county/district relationships in shire and metropolitan counties is compared in the light of the different sets of responsibilities and power balance in the two situations. The article is based on a range of interviews in selected authorities in England and Wales.
Pacific Image PrimeFilm PF3600 Pro 35mm Film Scanner
Authors: Smith Steve
Published: November 2007

Pacific Image's PrimeFilm PF3600 Pro Film Scanner occupies a noman's-land between consumer- and commercial-grade film scanners. Its specifications are comparable to the 4000dpi film scanners from Nikon and Minolta, its cost closer to 2700dpi scanners like the HP PhotoSmart. It is an intriguing option for institutions with small collections of 35mm slides or negatives.
Preservation Management of Digital Materials: A Handbook by Maggie Jones and Neil Beagrie
Authors: Meyer Lars
Published: November 2007

Libraries, archives and museums must find strategies to preserve the digital materials (objects) that they acquire or create. Traditional preservation measures, such as providing good storage and access conditions for paper-based materials, are not viable in the long term for digital materials that are subject to inoperability because of rapid hardware and software obsolescence.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Authors: Palmer Suzy Szasz
Published: November 2007

I am pleased to devote this issue to the subject of digitization as a preservation reformatting method, and thank the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) for granting permission to reprint their important report,
A Critique of “Recognizing Digitization as a Preservation Reformatting Method”
Authors: Hart Andrew
Published: November 2007

After reading successive drafts and the final version of
It's Time to Recognize the Technologies That Are in Place
Authors: Nadal Jacob
Published: November 2007

A few years ago, one of my students told me about their first experience with the Internet. They saw an http address printed in a magazine advertisement, went to the computer lab and, after speaking to a consultant about what exactly they should do, visited the Web site. They surfed around from there and, having seen some of the much-touted wonders of this revolutionary Internet, thought that it was, in his own words, “about right.”
Refinement of thermodynamic data on GaN
Authors: Jacob K.T. , Singh Shwetank , Waseda Y.
Published: November 2007

Although GaN is one of the important electronic materials of this decade, thermodynamic data for this compound are not known with sufficient reliability. The limited information available is not internally consistent. Measured in this study are high-temperature heat capacities using a differential scanning calorimeter and Gibbs energies of formation employing a solid-state electrochemical technique. The solid-state cell was based on single-crystal CaF2 as the electrolyte and Ca3N2 as the auxiliary electrode to convert the nitrogen chemical potential established by the equilibrium between Ga and GaN into an equivalent fluorine potential. The heat capacity of GaN at ambient pressure can be represented by the equation: CoP / J mol−1 K−1 = 74.424 − 0.00106T + (46720/T2) − (685.9/T0.5), in the temperature range from 350 to 1075 K. The standard Gibbs energy of formation of GaN in the range from 875 to 1125 K can be expressed as: ΔfGo/ J mol−1 (±465) = −128,749 + 115.029 T. This corresponds to a decomposition temperature of 1119 ± 4 K for GaN in pure nitrogen at standard pressure. On the basis of these new measurements and a critical assessment of information that is available in the literature, a refined set of data for GaN in the temperature range from 298.15 to 1400 K is presented.
CA72-4 antigen levels in serum and peritoneal washing in gastric cancer: correlation with morphological aspects of neoplasia
Authors: Fernandes Leonardo Landim , Martins Lourdes Conceição , Nagashima Carlos Alberto , Nagae Ana Cibele , Waisberg Daniel Reis , Waisberg Jaques
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: Determining levels of tumor markers in peritoneal washing enables likelihood of peritoneal recurrence to be ascertained in patients with high marker levels, thereby allowing provision of more accurate adjuvant treatment and postoperative follow up. AIM: To analyze the relationship between levels of tumor marker CA72-4 in serum and peritoneal washing, and morphological aspects of gastric carcinoma. METHOD: This study analyzed 32 consecutively-operated patients with gastric carcinoma, who underwent subtotal, total or palliative gastrectomy. The variables studied were CA72-4 levels in serum and peritoneal washing, lesion site, stage, degree of cell differentiation, operation performed, and number of extirpated and involvement lymph nodes. Of the 32 patient sample, 21 (65.6%) were male and 11 (34.4%) female. Mean age was 62.6 ± 14.2 years (29 to 91 years). Following anesthetic induction, peripherical venous blood was collected through percutaneous punction of an upper limb vein. After the procedure, 50 mL of physiologic solution at 37ºC was introduced into the cul-de-sac. A 10 mL volume of this liquid was aspirated from the cavity and the peritoneal washing tested for CA72-4 levels. Normal values for CA72-4 levels in serum were considered <7 U/mL and high levels as >7U/mL, whilst for the peritoneal washing normal levels were <0.61 U/mL, and abnormal >0.61 U/mL. RESULTS: Mean pre-operative serum levels for CA72-4 were 6.55 U/mL ± 15.30 (0.3 to 75.30 U/mL) whilst the mean level of CA72-4 in peritoneal washing was 8.50 U/mL ± 26.72 (0.3 to 142.00 U/mL); correlation between these levels was significant. Lymph nodes involvement by the gastric carcinoma correlated significantly with higher CA72-4 levels in both serum and peritoneal wash. There was no statistically significant correlation between serum level of CA72-4 and invasion into serosa by the gastric carcinoma. There was however, significant correlation between peritoneal washing levels of CA72-4 and involvement of serosa by gastric carcinoma. There was also a significant correlation between more advanced stages of gastric carcinoma and higher levels of CA72-4 in the peritoneal washing, although serum levels of CA72-4 and more advanced stage of gastric neoplasia showed no significant correlation. Degrees of cellular differentiation in the gastric carcinoma did not differ significantly with CA72-4 levels in serum or peritoneal washing. CONCLUSION: High levels of CA72-4 in peritoneal washing correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis and serosa involvement by the neoplasia, and also with more advanced stage of gastric carcinoma. The levels of CA72-4 in the blood correlated significantly with lymph node involvement by the gastric carcinoma, but not with serosa invasion or more advanced stage of neoplasia.
Fenóis, peroxidase e polifenoloxidase na resistência do cafeeiro a Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Mazzafera Paulo , Gonçalves Wallace , Fernandes José Afonso Righetti
Published: November 2007

Plântulas dos cultivares Mundo Novo, de Coffea arabica, suscetível, e Apoatã, de Coffea canephora, resistente, foram inoculadas com ovos de Meloidogyne incognita raça 2, e avaliadas em duas fases do ciclo de desenvolvimento do parasito, isto é, na de penetração de larvas e na de fêmeas com ovos. Não foram observadas diferenças quanto ao desenvolvimento radicular e da parte aérea entre plântulas inoculadas e não inoculadas, nas duas avaliações. Nos dois cultivares, houve aumento no teor de fenóis nas plântulas inoculadas na primeira avaliação, e, na segunda, apesar de os valores terem sido maiores, foram iguais entre plântulas inoculadas e seus respectivos controles. O 'Mundo Novo' apresentou sempre maior conteúdo de fenóis que o 'Apoatã' e somente houve aumento na sua atividade de peroxidase na primeira avaliação. Na segunda, a atividade dessa enzima foi maior do que na primeira, porém igual entre plântulas inoculadas e seus controles. O 'Apoatã' sempre teve maior atividade de peroxidase, e apenas houve aumento da atividade de sua polifenoloxidase na primeira avaliação, sendo que nesse cultivar a atividade dessa enzima sempre foi maior do que no 'Mundo Novo'. Cromatografias em camada delgada de celulose mostraram que em nenhum deles houve variações quantitativas de fenóis entre as plantas inoculadas e não inoculadas. Ambos, 'Mundo Novo' e 'Apoatã', apresentaram 23 compostos fenólicos em comum e, nove e onze não comuns respectivamente.
Utilização do etefom e do tidiazurom na desfolha do algodoeiro e na deiscência de seus frutos
Authors: Paulo Edison Martins , Fujiwara Mamor , Dodo Shizuo
Published: November 2007

Estudou-se o efeito do etefom nas doses de 0,96, 1,44 e 1,92kg/ha, do tidiazurom, a 0,075kg/ha, e de misturas contendo 0,48 + 0,05, 0,96 + 0,05 e 1,44 + 0,05kg/ha de etefom e de tidiazurom, respectivamente, na desfolha do algodoeiro e na deiscência e seus frutos. Avaliações realizadas aos 7 e aos 14 dias após a pulverização dos produtos e de suas misturas indicaram que os mesmos, excetuando-se a dose 0,96kg/ha isolada de etefom e aos 7 dias após a aplicação, promoveram sensível desfolha do algodoeiro. O etefom acelerou a deiscência dos capuchos do algodoeiro a partir da dose 1,44kg/ha, o que não se observou para o tidiazurom. Os resultados indicaram que os produtos, quando aplicados conjuntamente, não possuem ação antagônica. Os diversos tratamentos não diferiram estatisticamente entre si na produção de algodão.
Acúmulo de massa seca e teores de elementos químicos em três cultivares de soja em função da correção da acidez do solo de Itararé (SP)
Authors: Ramos Waldir Josué , Mascarenhas Hipólito Assunção Antonio , Bataglia Ondino Cleante , Igue Toshio , Tanaka Roberto Tetsuo
Published: November 2007

Com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento de três cultivares de soja (IAC-9, UFV-1 e Cristalina), realizou-se, durante o ano agrícola de 1986/87, um experimento na Estação Experimental de Itararé, em cambissolo álico com A proeminente. Durante o inverno, essa área vinha sendo utilizada, desde 1979, para o estudo de níveis de calagem (0, 3, 6, 9 e 12t/ha de calcário dolomítico) em três cultivares de trigo. O calcário foi reaplicado nas mesmas quantidades em março de 1983. Na semeadura de soja, efetuou-se apenas adubação com fósforo e potássio. Devido à ocorrência de baixas temperaturas noturnas (média de 12°C) nos primeiros dez dias de fevereiro de 1987, verificou-se a formação de poucos primórdios florais e a ausência de pegamento de vagens. Assim sendo, somente foi possível a avaliação de fitomassa seca produzida, que apresentou uma resposta quadrática aos níveis de calcário aplicados, nos três cultivares. O 'Cristalina' foi o que menos produziu massa, diferindo dos outros dois. Com o aumento do índice de saturação por bases, elevou-se o teor de nitrogênio e fósforo nas folhas nos três cultivares. Independente desse índice, que esteve entre 6 e 50%, o teor de cálcio nas folhas não variou em nenhum dos cultivares, mostrando a sua alta capacidade de extração do solo.
Angiosperm disjunction "Campos rupestres - restingas": a re-evaluation
Authors: Alves Ruy José Válka , Cardin Leonora , Kropf Marcela Stuker
Published: November 2007

A disjunct distribution pattern between the extrazonal formations of the campos rupestres (rocky grasslands) in the Espinhaço mountain range and the restingas (coastal strand vegetation) in Brazil has been proposed repeatedly for several flowering-plant species. In order to validate this distribution pattern, available data from the literature and major herbaria were compiled and evaluated. Some of these species also occur in campos rupestres on mountain ranges in Goiás state, campos de altitude (high altitude grasslands) of the Serra do Mar, and on geologically homologous rocky formations of the Guyana shield. Species that were also recorded for distinct zonal formations like cerrado, caatinga and forests were excluded from the pattern. The campo rupestre-restinga disjunction proved valid for 9 of 56 investigated species (16%). Explanations put forth by different authors for this unusual disjunction pattern are compared in the light of geological and climatological evidence.
Constipação crônica na infância: quanto estamos consultando em Gastroenterologia Pediátrica?
Authors: Machado Nilton Carlos , Carvalho Mary de Assis
Published: November 2007

OBJETIVO: Comparar dois períodos em relação ao atendimento de constipação crônica - Tempo A (1992 a 1995) e Tempo B (2002 a 2005), avaliando o número de consultas por problemas gastrintestinais; o número e a porcentagem de consultas de crianças com constipação crônica; e o número de atendimentos de crianças com constipação crônica por período de atendimento. MÉTODOS: No Tempo A, 359 pacientes foram atendidos em um período de quatro horas por semana. No Tempo B, 624 pacientes foram atendidos em três períodos de quatro horas, totalizando 12 horas por semana. RESULTADOS: Houve aumento no número absoluto de pacientes, no número de consultas por problemas gastrintestinais (2,8 vezes) e no número de consultas por constipação crônica (2,6 vezes) no Tempo B, em relação ao Tempo A. Houve manutenção na proporção de consultas por constipação crônica: média de 35,6% no Tempo A e 34,6% no Tempo B. Ocorreu aumento no número de períodos de atendimento no Tempo B (2,9 vezes maior), com igual número de consultas por período de atendimento (média de 17,4 no Tempo A e 16,6 no Tempo B) e de consultas por constipação crônica por período de atendimento (média de 6,1 no Tempo A e 5,5 no Tempo B). CONCLUSÕES: O aumento no número absoluto, e não na proporção de atendimentos por constipação crônica, pode ter ocorrido pela manutenção da prevalência populacional deste distúrbio, gerando demanda contida de encaminhamento pelo pediatra generalista. O despreparo do pediatra generalista para o atendimento deste problema poderia levar a um aumento no número de encaminhamentos aos pediatras especialistas.
Síndrome metabólica em adolescentes com sobrepeso e obesidade
Authors: Souza Marilisa Stenghel F. , Leme Renata Barco , Franco Ruth Rocha , Romaldini Ceres Concílio , Tumas Rosana , Cardoso Ary Lopes , Damiani Durval
Published: November 2007

OBJETIVO: Estudar a prevalência da síndrome metabólica em adolescentes acompanhados em ambulatório de obesidade. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 84 adolescentes com idades entre dez e 19 anos, divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com o escore Z do índice de massa corpórea (Z IMC), sendo um o grupo de adolescentes com sobrepeso (GSP) e o outro, o grupo de adolescentes obesos (GOB). GSP: Z IMC>1 e <2 (1,6±0,2, 13M/13F), e GOB: Z IMC>2 (2,4±0,6, 32M/26F). Três ou mais dos critérios a seguir foram considerados no diagnóstico da síndrome metabólica e avaliados pelo teste do qui-quadrado entre os grupos: Z IMC>2; triglicérides em jejum >130mg/dL; lipoproteína de alta densidade <35mg/dL; glicemia em jejum >100mg/dL ou homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA) >2,5; elevação da pressão arterial acima do percentil 90 ajustada para gênero, estatura e idade. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da síndrome metabólica esteve significantimente elevada nos adolescentes obesos (GOB: 40% versus GSP: 4%, p=0,0008). O grupo GOB mostrou maiores valores referentes a insulinismo (54% versus 19%, p=0,003), HOMA (66% versus 38%, p=0,01) e trigliceridemia (21% versus 4%; p=0,04). CONCLUSÕES: É importante que o pediatra fique atento aos sinais de síndrome metabólica em adolescentes obesos. A detecção precoce pode ser feita por meio de simples parâmetros e permite a adoção de medidas preventivas para o desenvolvimento da doença cardiovascular em adolescentes.
O valor material e simbólico da renda renascença
Authors: Albuquerque Else de F. , Menezes Marilda
Published: November 2007

O município de Camalaú, situado no Cariri paraibano, destaca-se pela fabricação da renda renascença. Em toda a região, essa atividade assume grande importância econômica que pode ser observada, dentre outros aspectos, na quantidade de mulheres que trabalham na confecção da renda; há cerca de quatro mil mulheres que se dedicam simultaneamente à agricultura familiar e ao artesanato, segundo dados do Banco do Nordeste. Devido a fatores como a falta de políticas públicas para a agricultura familiar, a concentração fundiária e o agravamento das condições de produção dos agricultores em períodos de escassez de chuvas, tem havido o impulsionamento do crescimento dessa atividade na região. Um dado relevante a ser observado é a participação de homens na feitura da renda, uma vez que essa é uma atividade considerada de mulher. Neste artigo analisamos a atividade artesanal como uma fonte de renda, perpassada por relações de gênero, atentando para a importância da renda renascença como atividade de homem e de mulher e a sua feitura no cotidiano das mulheres, em que se entrelaçam trabalho, socialização de crianças e vivência lúdica.