bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cylindrical meanderline radiofrequency coil for intravascular magnetic resonance studies of atherosclerotic plaque
Authors: Farrar Christian T. , Wedeen Van J. , Ackerman Jerome L.
Published: December 2004

In order to improve the performance of magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of atherosclerotic plaque the potential use of novel radiofrequency coil structures with sensitive detection volumes tailored to the geometry of the arterial wall was investigated. It was found that a cylindrical meanderline (zig–zag) coil design provides a sensitive volume that is restricted to a cylindrical shell, thereby maximizing the filling factor and signal‐to‐noise ratio for plaques while reducing the intense blood signal. The cylindrical meanderline coil has the added advantages of an open interior, which allows for unimpeded blood flow during scanning, and the potential to be expanded against the walls of the artery, thereby stabilizing the coil against the pulsatile blood flow and minimizing motion artifacts. The performance of cylindrical meanderline coils with theoretical simulations of the electromagnetic fields as well as with experimental images of test objects (phantoms) and human endarterectomy surgical specimens is demonstrated. This radically new RF coil geometry offers the potential to improve the efficiency of MR data acquisition in medical applications in which curved surfaces or slabs contain the material of interest. Magn Reson Med 53:226–230, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preliminary investigation of respiratory self‐gating for free‐breathing segmented cine MRI
Authors: Larson Andrew C. , Kellman Peter , Arai Andrew , Hirsch Glenn A. , McVeigh Elliot , Li Debiao , Simonetti Orlando P.
Published: December 2004

Segmented cine MRI generally requires breath‐holding, which can be problematic for many patients. Navigator echo techniques, particularly successful for free‐breathing coronary MRA, are incompatible with the acquisition strategies and SSFP pulse sequences commonly used for cine MRI. The purpose of this work is to introduce a new self‐gating technique deriving respiratory gating information directly from the raw imaging data acquired for segmented cine MRI. The respiratory self‐gating technique uses interleaved radial k‐space sampling to provide low‐resolution images in real time during the free‐breathing acquisition that are compared to target expiration images. Only the raw data‐producing images with high correlation to the target images are included in the final high‐resolution reconstruction. The self‐gating technique produced cine series with no significant differences in quantitative image sharpness to series produced using comparable breath‐held techniques. Because of the difficulties associated with breath‐holding, the respiratory self‐gating technique represents an important practical advance for cardiac MRI. Magn Reson Med 53:159–168, 2005. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sodium magnetic resonance imaging of chemotherapeutic response in a rat glioma
Authors: Schepkin Victor D. , Ross Brian D. , Chenevert Thomas L. , Rehemtulla Alnawaz , Sharma Surabhi , Kumar Mahesh , Stojanovska Jadranka
Published: December 2004

This study investigates the comparative changes in the sodium MRI signal and proton diffusion following treatment using a 9L rat glioma model to develop markers of earliest response to cancer therapy. Sodium MRI and proton diffusion mapping were performed on untreated (n = 5) and chemotherapy 1,3‐bis(2‐chloroethyl)‐1‐nitrosourea‐treated rats (n = 5). Animals were scanned serially at 2‐ to 3‐day intervals for up to 30 days following therapy. The time course of Na concentration in a tumor showed a dramatic increase in the treated brain tumor compared to the untreated tumor, which correlates in time with an increase in tumor water diffusion. The largest posttreatment increase in sodium signal occurred 7–9 days following treatment and correlated to the period of the greatest chemotherapy‐induced cellular necrosis based on diffusion and histopathology. Both Na MRI and proton ADC mapping revealed early changes in tumor sodium content and cellularity. This study demonstrates the possibility of Na MRI to function as a biomarker for monitoring early tumor treatment and validates the use of monitoring changes in diffusion MRI values for assessing tumor cellularity. Magn Reson Med 53:85–92, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A rigorous framework for diffusion tensor calculus
Authors: Batchelor P. G. , Moakher M. , Atkinson D. , Calamante F. , Connelly A.
Published: December 2004

In biological tissue, all eigenvalues of the diffusion tensor are assumed to be positive. Calculations in diffusion tensor MRI generally do not take into account this positive definiteness property of the tensor. Here, the space of positive definite tensors is used to construct a framework for diffusion tensor analysis. The method defines a distance function between a pair of tensors and the associated shortest path (geodesic) joining them. From this distance a method for computing tensor means, a new measure of anisotropy, and a method for tensor interpolation are derived. The method is illustrated using simulated and in vivo data. Magn Reson Med 53:221–225, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved signal to noise in high‐resolution magic angle spinning total correlation spectroscopy studies of prostate tissues using rotor‐synchronized adiabatic pulses
Authors: Zektzer Andrew S. , Swanson Mark G. , Jarso Samson , Nelson Sarah J. , Vigneron Daniel B. , Kurhanewicz John
Published: December 2004

A rotor‐synchronized WURST‐8 adiabatic pulse scheme was compared to the conventional MLEV‐17 hard pulse scheme for isotropic mixing in total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) studies of intact human prostate tissues under high‐resolution magic angle spinning (HR‐MAS) conditions. Both mixing schemes were extremely sensitive to the rotational resonance condition and dramatic reductions in signal to noise were observed when pulse durations deviated from 1/(spin rate). A significant increase in cross‐peak intensities was observed using rotor‐synchronized WURST‐8 adiabatic pulses versus those observed using the rotor‐synchronized MLEV‐17 hard pulse scheme in both solution and tissue. In tissue, absolute signal intensities ranged from 1.5× to 10.5× greater (average: 4.75×) when WURST‐8 was used in place of MLEV‐17. Moreover, the difference was so dramatic that several metabolite cross peaks observed using WURST‐8 pulses were not observed using MLEV‐17 pulses, including cross peaks corresponding to many of the choline‐ and ethanolamine‐containing metabolites. Due to the complex modulation of TOCSY cross peaks for multiply coupled spins and the shorter T2 relaxation times of tissue metabolites, maximum cross‐peak intensities occurred at shorter mixing times than predicted by theory. In summary, a WURST‐8 adiabatic mixing scheme produced significantly greater absolute cross‐peak signal intensities than MLEV‐17 hard pulse mixing, and maximum cross‐peak intensity versus mixing time must be established for specific spin systems and T2 relaxation times. Magn Reson Med 53:41–48, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Super‐KdV equation: classical solutions and quantization
Authors: Kulish Petr P. , Zeitlin Anton M.
Published: December 2004

The supersymmetric extension of the Korteweg‐de Vries equation (super‐KdV) is considered. The direct and inverse scattering problems are studied and the N‐soliton solutions are obtained. The quantization of this dynamical system is introduced and possible application of the quantum inverse scattering method is also dicussed. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
KKT Systems in Operative Planning for Gas Distribution Networks
Authors: Ehrhardt Klaus , Steinbach Marc C.
Published: December 2004

Operative planning in gas networks with prescribed binary decisions yields large scale nonlinear programs defined on graphs. We study the structure of the KKT systems arising in interior methods and present a customized direct solution algorithm. Computational results indicate that the algorithm is suitable for optimization in small and medium‐sized gas networks. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Topology Optimization for Continuum Structure with Decreasing Mass
Authors: Kutylowski R.
Published: December 2004

This paper deals with the proper distribution of material in a structure whose available mass decreases in the working time, i.e. part of the structure undergoes degradation and loses mass. This means, the other part of the structure must bear the load. Therefore the structure's mass should be redistributed to replace the degraded material. The present analysis is carried out for the so‐called smart structures which are able to shift their mass within a certain previously fixed area and this research falls within the analysing and decision system. Minimization of the mean compliance under the mass constraints with the artificial approach for updating the material properties is used [1], [2]. As a numerical realization of the problem FEM examples are presented. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Photocuring kinetics of UV‐initiated free‐radical photopolymerizations with and without silica nanoparticles
Authors: Cho Jung‐Dae , Ju Hyoung‐Tae , Hong Jin‐Who
Published: December 2004

We used photodifferential scanning calorimetry to investigate the photocuring kinetics of UV‐initiated free‐radical photopolymerizations of acrylate systems with and without silica nanoparticles. Two kinetics parameters—the rate constant (k) and the order of the initiation reaction (m)—were determined for hybrid organic–inorganic nanocomposite systems containing different amounts of added silica nanoparticles (0–20 wt %) and at different isothermal temperatures (30–100 °C) using an autocatalytic kinetics model. The kinetic analysis revealed that the silica nanoparticles apparently accelerate the cure reaction and cure rate of the UV‐curable acrylate system, most probably due to the synergistic effect of silica nanoparticles during the photopolymerization process. However, a slight decrease in polymerization reactivity that occurred when the silica content increased beyond 15 wt % was attributed to aggregation between silica nanoparticles. We also observed that the addition of silica nanoparticles lowered the activation energy for the UV‐curable acrylate system, and that the collision factor for the system with silica nanoparticles was higher than that obtained for the system without silica nanoparticles, indicating that the reactivity of the former was greater than that of the latter. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 658–670, 2005
Radical polymerization behavior of a vinyl monomer bearing five‐membered cyclic carbonate structure and reactions of the obtained polymers with amines
Authors: Ochiai Bungo , Matsuki Masahiro , Nagai Daisuke , Miyagawa Toyoharu , Endo Takeshi
Published: December 2004

Radical polymerization behavior of a vinyl substituted cyclic carbonate, 4‐phenyl‐5‐vinyl‐1,3‐dioxoran‐2‐one (1), is described. Radical polymerization of 1 proceeded through selective vinyl polymerization to produce polymers bearing carbonate groups in the side chain, in contrast to that of an oxirane analogue of 1, 1‐phenyl‐2‐vinyl oxirane that proceeds via the selective ring‐opening fashion. Although the homopolymerization of 1 produce polymers in relatively lower yield, copolymerizations effectively provided cyclic carbonate‐containing copolymers. Nucleophilic addition of primary amines to the resulting homopolymers and copolymers produced the corresponding multifunctional polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 584–592, 2005
M‐theory and gauged supergravities
Authors: Roest D.
Published: December 2004

We present a pedagogical discussion of the emergence of gauged supergravities from M‐theory. First, a review of maximal supergravity and its global symmetries and supersymmetric solutions is given. Next, different procedures of dimensional reduction are explained: reductions over a torus, a group manifold and a coset manifold and reductions with a twist. Emphasis is placed on the consistency of the truncations, the resulting gaugings and the possibility to generate field equations without an action. Using these techniques, we construct a number of gauged maximal supergravities in diverse dimensions with a string or M‐theory origin. One class consists of the CSO gaugings, which comprise the analytic continuations and group contractions of SO(n) gaugings. We construct the corresponding half‐supersymmetric domain walls and discuss their uplift to D‐ and M‐brane distributions. Furthermore, a number of gauged maximal supergravities are constructed that do not have an action.
Peptide models XLV: Conformational properties of N‐formyl‐L‐methioninamide and its relevance to methionine in proteins
Authors: Láng András , Csizmadia Imre G. , Perczel András
Published: December 2004

The conformational space of the most biologically significant backbone folds of a suitable methionine peptide model was explored by density functional computational method. Using a medium [6‐31G(d)] and a larger basis set [6‐311++G(2d,2p)], the systematic exploration of low‐energy backbone structures restricted for the “L‐region” in the Ramachandran map of N‐formyl‐L‐methioninamide results in conformers corresponding to the building units of an extended backbone structure (βL), an inverse γ‐turn (γL), or a right‐handed helical structure (αL). However, no poly‐proline II type (ϵL) fold was found, indicating that this conformer has no intrinsic stability, and highlighting the effect of molecular environment in stabilizing this backbone structure. This is in agreement with the abundance of the ϵL‐type backbone conformation of methionine found in proteins. Stability properties (ΔE) and distinct backbone–side‐chain interactions support the idea that specific intramolecular contacts are operative in the “selection” of the lowest energy conformers. Apart from the number of different folds, all stable conformers are within a 10 kcal.mol−1 energy range, indicating the highly flexible behavior of methionine. This conformational feature can be important in supporting catalytic processes, facilitating protein folding and dimerization via metal ion binding. In both of the biological examples discussed (HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase and PcoC copper‐resistant protein), the conformational properties of Met residues were found to be of key importance. Spatial proximity to other types of residues or the same type of residue seems to be crucial for the structural integrity of a protein, whether Met is buried or exposed. Proteins 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Small‐world network approach to identify key residues in protein–protein interaction
Authors: del Sol Antonio , O'Meara Paul
Published: December 2004

We show that protein complexes can be represented as small‐world networks, exhibiting a relatively small number of highly central amino‐acid residues occurring frequently at protein–protein interfaces. We further base our analysis on a set of different biological examples of protein–protein interactions with experimentally validated hot spots, and show that 83% of these predicted highly central residues, which are conserved in sequence alignments and nonexposed to the solvent in the protein complex, correspond to or are in direct contact with an experimentally annotated hot spot. The remaining 17% show a general tendency to be close to an annotated hot spot. On the other hand, although there is no available experimental information on their contribution to the binding free energy, detailed analysis of their properties shows that they are good candidates for being hot spots. Thus, highly central residues have a clear tendency to be located in regions that include hot spots. We also show that some of the central residues in the protein complex interfaces are central in the monomeric structures before dimerization and that possible information relating to hot spots of binding free energy could be obtained from the unbound structures. Proteins 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reliability Engineering Practice in the Light Duty Dodge Ram Truck Chassis Program
Authors: Ling Jing , Hsieh Paul , Cowing Thomas
Published: December 2004

In this paper, we demonstrate how we set up and executed an integrated reliability engineering process with the engineering team in the Light Duty (LD) Dodge Ram (DR) Truck chassis program. Organizationally, the LD DR chassis team consists of core engineering groups and supporting representatives from other related disciplines. The reliability engineer is a member of the team and he is the reliability advocate and leader. The integrated reliability engineering process was customized and implemented in the LD DR chassis program. Many of the tools developed by the company corporate quality office, such as design failure modes and effect analysis (DFMEA), design verification plan and reporting (DVP&R), and finite element analysis (FEA), were used in supporting the reliability engineering process. An array of technical enablers such as Test Matrix and ReliUp were also developed for supporting the implementation of the reliability engineering process. In the execution, the reliability engineer led the engineering team to set up reliability targets, develop reliability work plans, facilitate up‐front design analysis, review and integrate reliability test planning. The reliability engineer also set up the failure reporting, analysis and corrective action system (FRACAS) and managed reliability growth with the team. From the implementation, we have learned several things: (1) an integrated engineering team is crucial in order to develop a product better, quicker and cheaper; (2) a good team leader is the key to product reliability; (3) a capable reliability engineer is the catalyst to a reliability engineering process; (4) the best culture in which to achieve reliability is the delicate balance between ‘inside‐out’ and ‘outside‐in’; and (5) achieving reliability is far more important than measuring reliability. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Economic Design of ―x Charts: A Proactive Approach
Authors: Weheba Gamal S. , Nickerson David M.
Published: December 2004

It has long been recognized that poor quality can only result in higher costs. Yet, the idea of reducing cost through better quality is not fully realized. Current models for the economic design of control charts provide strategies to maintain existing quality levels. In this research, a comprehensive cost model is developed to incorporate two cost functions. A reactive function, which accounts for all quality related costs incurred while maintaining a stable level of the process, and a proactive function, which accounts for the cost of process improvement. Using incremental economics, the two cost functions are assembled to allow an evaluation of process improvement alternatives based on their economic worth. Procedures for obtaining economically optimum designs for controlling the process mean are developed and designed experiments are utilized to investigate model performance over a wide range of input parameters. The results indicate that the model is sensitive to changes in 13 parameters, especially when the magnitude of the process shift is small. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Waiting for Cardiac Surgery—Support Experienced by Next of Kin
Authors: Ivarsson Bodil , Sjöberg Trygve , Larsson Sylvia
Published: December 2004

Background: Next of kin (NoK) play a crucial role for patients waiting for cardiac surgery.

Aim: To describe experience of support, in the form of important events, by next of kin while their intimates were waiting for a heart operation.

Methods: The design was qualitative and the “critical incident” technique was used. Incidents were collected via interviews with 23 next of kin to patients waiting for heart surgery and the informants were chosen by the patient themselves.

Findings: In all, 224 important events, both positive and negative, were identified in the interviews and two main areas emerged in the analysis: internal factors and external factors. Positive internal factors were associated with finding strength, whereas negative factors were associated with uncomfortable feelings. Positive external factors were associated with participating in care and receiving attention, whereas negative factors were associated with dissatisfaction with the health-care organization and failing social network.

Conclusion: This study shows that next of kin experienced positive support when they received attention and information and felt involvement in the care. An important implication for the health-care professionals and public authorities is the understanding of the experience of support expressed by next of kin, to provide them with optimal information and support.
Immunodetection of partially glycosylated isoforms of α‐dystroglycan by a new monoclonal antibody against its β‐dystroglycan‐binding epitope
Authors: Pavoni Ernesto , Sciandra Francesca , Barca Stefano , Giardina Bruno , Petrucci Tamara Corinna , Brancaccio Andrea
Published: December 2004

The α/β dystroglycan (DG) complex links the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton. The extensive glycosylation of α‐DG is believed to be crucial for the interaction with its extracellular matrix‐binding partners. We characterized a monoclonal antibody, directed against the β‐DG‐binding epitope (≈positions 550–565), which recognizes preferentially hypoglycosylated α‐DG. In Western blot, the antibody was able to detect a number of partially glycosylated α‐DG isoforms from rat brain and chicken skeletal muscle tissue samples. In addition, we demonstrated its inhibitory effect on the interaction between α‐ and β‐DG in vitro and preliminary immunostaining experiments suggest that such hypoglycosylated α‐DG isoforms could play a role within cells.
PDZ‐binding motifs are unable to ensure correct polarized protein distribution in the absence of additional localization signals
Authors: Milewski Michał I. , Lopez Andrea , Jurkowska Monika , LaRusch Jessica , Cutting Garry R.
Published: December 2004

The C‐terminal PDZ‐binding motifs are required for polarized apical/basolateral localization of many membrane proteins. To determine the specificity of the PDZ‐binding motifs in establishing cellular distribution, we utilized a 111‐amino acid region from the C‐terminus of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) that is able to direct apical localization of fused reporter proteins. Substitution of the C‐terminal PDZ‐binding motif of CFTR with corresponding motifs necessary for basolateral localization of other membrane proteins did not lead to the redistribution of the fusion protein to the basolateral membrane. Instead, some fusion proteins remained localized to the apical membrane, whereas others showed no specific distribution. The specificity of the PDZ‐based interactions was substantially increased when specific amino acids located upstream of the classical PDZ‐binding motifs were included. However, even the presence of a longer C‐terminal motif from a basolateral protein could not ensure basolateral distribution of the fusion protein. Our results indicate that the C‐terminal PDZ‐binding motifs are not the primary signals for polarized protein distribution, although they are required for targeting and/or stabilization of protein at the given location.
Deletion analysis in the catalytic region of the 10–23 DNA enzyme
Authors: Zaborowska Zaneta , Schubert Steffen , Kurreck Jens , Erdmann Volker A.
Published: December 2004

In this study, the functional relevance of the core nucleotides of the RNA cleaving 10–23 DNA enzyme (DNAzyme) was investigated. Systematic deletion studies revealed that DNAzymes lacking thymine at position 8 (T8) retain catalytic activity comparable to that of the wild‐type enzyme. Deletion of the adjacent cytosine at position 7 (C7) also resulted in a highly active enzyme and even the double deletion mutant C7/T8 displayed cleavage activity, although the catalytic rate under multiple turnover conditions was found to be reduced by one order of magnitude. The identification of non‐essential nucleotides in the catalytic core might help to stabilize the DNAzyme against nucleolytic degradation and to overcome problems in elucidating its three‐dimensional structure.
The C‐terminal chromodomain‐like module in the integrase domain is crucial for high transposition efficiency of the retrotransposon MAGGY
Authors: Nakayashiki Hitoshi , Awa Tomoko , Tosa Yukio , Mayama Shigeyuki
Published: December 2004

MAGGY is a Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposon, which was identified in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Some Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposons, including MAGGY, contain a chromodomain‐like module (CLM) in the C‐terminus of the integrase domain. We have made a series of MAGGY mutants to examine the role of the CLM in the transposition activity of the element. Introduction of a mutation at different positions in the MAGGY integrase revealed that a loss or alteration of the CLM resulted in a drastic decrease in the transposition activity of the element. Our results indicate that the CLM may confer high transposition activity to the element.
‐independent rescue from apoptosis by stilbene derivatives in rat cardiomyocytes
Authors: Tanabe Shigeru , Wang Xiaoming , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Uramoto Hiromi , Okada Yasunobu
Published: December 2004

Apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes induced by staurosporine is prevented by a stilbene derivative (DIDS), which is a known blocker of both exchangers and Cl− channels. To clarify its target, staurosporine‐induced activation of caspase‐3, DNA laddering and cell death were examined in cultured rat cardiomyocytes. Removal of ambient , which minimizes the function of exchangers, failed to affect the preventive effect of DIDS on apoptosis. A carboxylate analog Cl− channel blocker, which does not block exchangers, also inhibited apoptotic events. Thus, rescue by DIDS of cardiomyocytes from apoptosis is mediated by blockage of Cl− channels.
Involvement of ATP synthase residues αArg‐376, βArg‐182, and βLys‐155 in Pi binding
Authors: Ahmad Zulfiqar , Senior Alan E.
Published: December 2004

αArg‐376, βLys‐155, and βArg‐182 are catalytically important ATP synthase residues that were proposed to be involved in substrate Pi binding and subsequent steps of ATP synthesis [Senior, A.E., Nadanaciva, S. and Weber, J. (2002) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1553, 188–211]. Here, it was shown using purified Escherichia coli F1‐ATPase that whereas Pi protected wild‐type from reaction with 7‐chloro‐4‐nitrobenzo‐2‐oxa‐1,3‐diazole, mutations βK155Q, βR182Q, βR182K, and αR376Q abolished protection. Therefore, in ATP synthesis initial binding of substrate Pi in open catalytic site βE is supported by each of these three residues.
A text book treatment of calculating returns on non‐traditional portfolios
Authors: Hancock G.D.
Published: December 2004

This paper addresses a gap in traditional portfolio literature by providing techniques for identifying returns on non‐traditional portfolios.

Futures contracts require daily cash flows over the holding period; these cash flows determine the rate of return. The security deposit represents a tied investment since the funds are not available for other uses and do not earn a risk adjusted return. To initiate a short option or a short stock position also requires a cash outflow. The cash outflow or equity deposit effectively constitutes an investment since the trader postpones consumption in a risky medium that does not guarantee the return of the funds.

By identifying the amount of the investment and rates of returns, it is possible to extend normative investment analysis to non‐traditional portfolio holdings. This paper introduces four propositions to aid in this process.
The Diffusion of Christianity in the Third Century AD as a Case-Study in the Theory of Cultural Selection
Authors: RUNCIMAN W. G.
Published: December 2004

Explanation of the growth of Christianity in the third century Roman Empire has long been controversial. However, recent game-theoretic research shows how a strategy of unconditional altruism such as Christianity formally enjoined can, under certain conditions, resist invasion by defectors, free-riders and cheats. It is accordingly plausible to suggest that in the particular environment of the third century Empire this uniquely distinguishing feature of Christianity accounts for much of its otherwise surprising degree of success.
Autorité de chaire et modèle de chair. L'influence respective de G. Simmel et W. I. Thomas sur “ La ville ” de Robert Park
Authors: LANNOY PIERRE , RUWET COLINE
Published: December 2004

Sociology can be introduced to students not as a story of “great men” but as a practice shaped by the social relations that made it possible. (R.W. Connell, “Why Is Classical Theory Classical?”)
Europe's Linguistic Challenge
Authors: VAN PARIJS PHILIPPE
Published: December 2004

The irreversible adoption of English as Europe's lingua franca raises at least four serious issues of linguistic justice: unequal language-based economic rents, unequal share in the burden of language learning, unequal capacity to influence, and unequal respect for the associated identities. In each case, the nature of the problem is spelt out and solutions are proposed, on the background of an analysis of the micro-mechanisms that underlie the dynamics of secondary language learning and multilingual interaction.
Conversing with the Dead: The Militia Movement and American History
Authors: MULLOY DARREN
Published: December 2004

If one forgets the past, he will not be prepared for the future.

The Militia of Montana

YES! TODAY JUST AS YESTERDAY.

The Michigan Militia

When the militia movement emerged in the United States during the mid 1990s its members were widely seen as simply the latest practitioners of what Richard Hofstadter famously called “the paranoid style in American politics.” There was much comfort to be had in this characterization. It fitted the militia movement into a long-standing model for understanding right-wing extremism in American life, one in which the principal characteristics of such extremism were readily understood: conspiratorial, Manichean, absolutist – if not apocalyptic – and, of course, paranoid. The problem with this approach, though, is that it tends to discourage any examination of mainstream culture's role in the creation or sustaining of those defined as extremists. It downplays the extent to which the pool of ideological resources employed by the extreme right exists not just on the margins of American life, but also in the very fabric of the American ideology. Little attempt is made to explore the extent to which the ideas and beliefs of these “extremists” are related to, and are drawn from, key periods in US history: from the American Revolution, the period of the constitutional settlement or the settling of the American West, for example. Yet such ideas and beliefs are absolutely central to how groups like the militias see themselves and the world around them.
The minstrels and trumpeters of Edward IV: some further thoughts
Authors: RASTALL RICHARD
Published: December 2004

In her article on Edward IV's household minstrels Helen Marsh Jeffries asked many pertinent questions and went much of the way towards answering them. There is more information available than she suggested, however, so that some of her speculations were unnecessary and others less well informed than they might have been. The royal minstrels, far from being ignored by scholars, have been discussed as thoroughly as the evidence allows by the historian Rosalind Conklin (now Conklin Hays) and myself. I should therefore like here to take up some of the ideas contained in her article, to add to her commentary and to place some of her comments in context. This process will not always result in a clearer picture, but it will perhaps paint a fuller and more helpful one in some respects.
When comparative advantage is not enough: business costs in small remote economies
Authors: ALAN WINTERS L. , MARTINS PEDRO M. G.
Published: December 2004

This paper uses a newly collected dataset on business costs to investigate empirically whether small and remote economies are inherently uncompetitive. Although in theory these economies can overcome their small size by specialising and trading, this may not be enough to generate acceptable incomes because they face a combination of diseconomies of small scale and high transaction costs. We conclude that there are almost certainly some very small economies for which this is true. These economies are likely to become less attractive for commercial activities as globalization proceeds and their current trade preferences are eroded. The policy solution is not protection, however, but proactive policies from the international community.
The system of gas dual pricing in Russia: compatibility with WTO rules
Authors: RIPINSKY SERGEY
Published: December 2004

The gas dual-pricing system in Russia has been a highly contentious issue in the context of the ongoing negotiations on the accession of Russia to the WTO. At present the domestic price for gas in Russia is set by the Government at a level several times lower than the freely negotiated export price. In the view of the European Union and other WTO Members such a policy is not permitted under WTO disciplines, while Russia persists in viewing the existing dual-pricing system as WTO consistent. The article pursues a legal assessment of the issue, demonstrating that although the Russian gas pricing system can be considered a subsidy, this subsidy is non-actionable under the WTO rules. This means that Russia has merit in its attempt to keep the gas pricing system in place after it accedes to the WTO.
Potential implications of mandating choice in corporate defined benefit plans
Authors: MITCHELL OLIVIA S. , MULVEY JANEMARIE
Published: December 2004

The evolution of hybrid conversions has prompted a number of high-profile legal challenges. In response, policymakers have attempted to force companies transitioning from a traditional DB to a hybrid plan to offer all workers the open-ended choice of remaining in the old DB plan, versus switching to the new hybrid plan. This paper evaluates ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ under these plan conversions and estimates the cost to plan sponsors of such a mandate. We find that mandating choice could increase plan sponsors' pension expenses above their current cost for traditional defined benefit plans. In the end, rising costs of pensions could endanger plan sponsorship altogether. Policymakers seeking to mandate pension choice should take into account these possible undesirable outcomes of such a law.
Kompensatorische Plastizität bei blinden Menschen
Authors: Röder Brigitte , Rösler Frank
Published: December 2004

Zusammenfassung: Studien mit blinden Menschen stellen eine ausgezeichnete Möglichkeit dar, die Adaptivität des Zentralnervensystems im Humanbereich zu untersuchen. Fallen Eingänge aus einem Sinneskanal aus, ist das System stärker auf die Leistung der verbleibenden Modalitäten angewiesen. Hier stellt sich die Frage, ob bzw. inwieweit der Verlust eines Sinneskanals durch die verbleibenden Modalitäten kompensiert werden kann. In einer Reihe von Studien wurden kompensatorische Leistungen u.a., für die auditive und taktile Wahrnehmung, räumliche Kognitionen, Sprache und Gedächtnis untersucht. Um Aufschluss über die neuronalen Grundlagen behavioraler Adaptivität blinder Menschen zu erhalten, wurde dabei die Gehirnaktivität mit Hilfe ereigniskorrelierter Potenziale und der funktionellen Magnet-Resonanz-Tomographie gemessen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Gehirn auf den Verlust eines Sinnessystems mit einer Steigerung der Verarbeitungseffizienz in einer Reihe perzeptuell-kognitiver Funktionen reagiert. Neuronale Veränderungen wurden sowohl innerhalb der intakten Sinnessysteme beobachtet (intramodale Plastizität) als auch über die Modalitätsgrenzen hinweg (intermodale Plastizität).
Wind jets and wind waves off the Pacific coast of northern Japan under winter monsoon captured by combined use of scatterometer, synthetic aperture radar, and altimeter
Authors: Shimada Teruhisa , Kawamura Hiroshi
Published: December 2004

Wind jets and wind waves off the Pacific coast of northern Japan under the east Asian winter monsoon are investigated using scatterometer, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and altimeters. First, we depict two prevailing wind flow patterns associated with the northwesterly winter monsoon. They are derived by averaging QuikSCAT wind vectors when the 850‐hPa pressure level wind directions are within 260°–290° and 290°–330°, respectively. Wind jets and wakes are formed in different regions depending on the approach angle of wind to the topographic features. Second, using high‐resolution satellite observations of QuikSCAT and ERS‐2 SAR for wind, and TOPEX/Poseidon and ERS‐2 radar altimeter for significant wave height, we present two case studies corresponding to the two prevailing wind flow patterns in order to investigate wind wave development under orographically modified winds. Combined use of QuikSCAT and SAR allows us to capture the surface wind transition from the shore to the offshore. They verify that the wind jets and wakes are extensions of terrestrial gaps and blockages. Variations of significant wave height observed by the altimeters are compared with those of surface wind derived from QuikSCAT and SAR along the altimeter ground tracks. The positions of local maxima and minima of significant wave height and squares of wind speeds coincide with each other. This demonstrates an important role of coastal topography in wind modification and the resulting offshore wind wave development.
Hydrocarbon source signatures in Houston, Texas: Influence of the petrochemical industry
Authors: Jobson B. T. , Berkowitz C. M. , Kuster W. C. , Goldan P. D. , Williams E. J. , Fesenfeld F. C. , Apel E. C. , Karl T. , Lonneman W. A. , Riemer D.
Published: December 2004

Observations of C1‐C10 hydrocarbon mixing ratios measured by in situ instrumentation at the La Porte super site during the TexAQS 2000 field experiment are reported. The La Porte data were compared to a roadway vehicle exhaust signature obtained from canister samples collected in the Houston Washburn tunnel during the same summer to better understand the impact of petrochemical emissions of hydrocarbons at the site. It is shown that the abundance of ethene, propene, 1‐butene, C2‐C4 alkanes, hexane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, isopropylbenzene, and styrene at La Porte were systematically affected by petrochemical industry emissions. Coherent power law relationships between frequency distribution widths of hydrocarbon mixing ratios and their local lifetimes clearly identify two major source groups, roadway vehicle emissions and industrial emissions. Distributions of most aromatics and long chain alkanes were consistent with roadway vehicle emissions as the dominant source. Air mass reactivity was generally dominated by C1‐C3 aldehydes. Propene and ethene sometimes dominated air mass reactivity with HO loss frequencies often greater than 10 s−1. Ozone mixing ratios near 200 ppbv were observed on two separate occasions, and these air masses appear to have been affected by industrial emissions of alkenes from the Houston Ship Channel. The La Porte data provide evidence of the importance of industrial emissions of ethene and propene on air mass reactivity and ozone formation in Houston.
On tracer correlations in the troposphere: The case of ethane and propane
Authors: Wang Yuhang , Zeng Tao
Published: December 2004

To investigate the reasons for and the utilities of tropospheric tracer correlations, we examine the interrelationship between ethane and propane on the basis of the observations at northern middle and high latitudes (TOPSE) and over the tropical Pacific (PEM‐Tropics B) and the corresponding global three‐dimensional chemical transport model (GEOS‐CHEM) simulations. We chose to examine the correlation between propane and ethane/propane ratio because it is more sensitive to mixing and is less dependent on temperature than that between ethane and propane. We show that the correlation generally follows the one determined by chemical (loss) kinetics and that the deviation from the kinetics slope reflects the difference between ethane and propane in the effect of mixing relative to chemical loss. At northern middle and high latitudes the model is generally in agreement with the observations in February and March but simulates a wrong seasonal change of the correlation from March to May. The model appears to overestimate the transport from lower to middle latitudes and the horizontal transport and mixing at high latitudes in May. Over the tropical Pacific the model reproduces well the observed two‐branch structure of the correlation. The discrepancy between observed and simulated correlation slope values appears to reflect an underestimate of continental convective transport at northern middle latitudes and an overestimate of latitudinal transport into the tropics. In addition, we show that the correlation can be used to define the subset of observations, in which the coupling between chemistry and transport is simulated reasonably well in the model. Using the subset of observed and simulated data for inverse modeling would reduce (systematic) biases introduced by systematic model transport errors. On the basis of this subset (March at middle latitudes and February–April at high latitudes), we find that the model underestimates the emissions of ethane and propane by 14 ± 5%.
Stardust encounters comet 81P/Wild 2
Authors: Tsou P. , Brownlee D. E. , Anderson J. D. , Bhaskaran S. , Cheuvront A. R. , Clark B. C. , Duxbury T. , Economou T. , Green S. F. , Hanner M. S. , Hörz F. , Kissel J. , McDonnell J. A. M. , Newburn R. L. , Ryan R. E. , Sandford S. A. , Sekanina Z. , Tuzzolino A. J. , Vellinga J. M. , Zolensky M. E.
Published: December 2004

Stardust successfully encountered comet 81P/Wild 2 on 2 January 2004 at a distance of 236.4 ± 1 km. All encounter investigations acquired valuable new and surprising findings. The time‐of‐flight spectrometer registered 29 spectra during flyby and measured the first negative ion mass spectra of cometary particles. The dust detectors recorded particles over a broad mass range, 10−11 to 10−4 g. Unexpectedly, the dust distribution along Stardust's flight path was far from uniform, but instead occurred in short “bursts,” suggesting in‐flight breakup of fragments ejected from the nucleus. High‐resolution, stunning images of the Wild 2 surface show a diverse and complex variety of landforms not seen from comets 1P/Halley and 19P/Borrelly or icy satellites of the outer solar system. Longer‐exposure images reveal large numbers of jets projected nearly around the entire perimeter of the nucleus, many of which appear to be highly collimated. A triaxial ellipsoidal fit of the Wild 2 nucleus images yields the principal nucleus radii of 1.65 × 2.00 × 2.75 km (± 0.05 km). The orientations and source locations on the nucleus surface of 20 highly collimated and partially overlapping jets have been traced. There is every indication that the expected samples were successfully collected from the Wild 2 coma and are poised for a return to Earth on 15 January 2006.
Late Pleistocene/Holocene slip rate of the Zhangye thrust (Qilian Shan, China) and implications for the active growth of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Hetzel Ralf , Tao Mingxin , Stokes Stephen , Niedermann Samuel , Ivy‐Ochs Susan , Gao Bo , Strecker Manfred R. , Kubik Peter W.
Published: December 2004

We derive a slip rate for a thrust at the central Qilian Shan mountain front by combining structural investigations, satellite imagery, topographic profiling, luminescence dating, and 10Be exposure dating. The seismically active Zhangye thrust transects late Pleistocene alluvial fan deposits and forms a prominent north facing scarp. The fault consists of two segments that differ in orientation, scarp height, and age. A series of loess‐covered terraces records the uplift history of the western thrust segment. Loess accumulation on all terraces started at 8.5 ± 1.5 kyr and postdates terrace formation. Gravels from the highest terrace yielded a 10Be exposure age of 90 ± 11 kyr, which dates the onset of faulting. With a displacement of 55–60 m derived from fault scarp profiles, this yields a vertical slip rate of 0.64 ± 0.08 mm yr−1. Along the eastern thrust segment, three 10Be ages from the uplifted alluvial fan constrain that faulting started at ∼31 ± 5 kyr. Together with a displacement of 25–30 m this leads to a vertical faulting rate of 0.88 ± 0.16 mm yr−1. A dip estimate of 40° to 60° for the fault plane combined with lower and upper limits of ∼0.6 and ∼0.9 mm yr−1 for the vertical slip rate gives minimum and maximum horizontal shortening rates of 0.4 and 1.1 mm yr−1 across the Zhangye thrust. Our results are consistent with geologic and GPS constraints, which suggest that NNE directed shortening across the northeastern Tibetan Plateau is distributed on several active faults with a total shortening rate of 4 to 10 mm yr−1.
A method for evaluating the importance of system state observations to model predictions, with application to the Death Valley regional groundwater flow system
Authors: Tiedeman Claire R. , Ely D. Matthew , Hill Mary C. , O'Brien Grady M.
Published: December 2004

We develop a new observation‐prediction (OPR) statistic for evaluating the importance of system state observations to model predictions. The OPR statistic measures the change in prediction uncertainty produced when an observation is added to or removed from an existing monitoring network, and it can be used to guide refinement and enhancement of the network. Prediction uncertainty is approximated using a first‐order second‐moment method. We apply the OPR statistic to a model of the Death Valley regional groundwater flow system (DVRFS) to evaluate the importance of existing and potential hydraulic head observations to predicted advective transport paths in the saturated zone underlying Yucca Mountain and underground testing areas on the Nevada Test Site. Important existing observations tend to be far from the predicted paths, and many unimportant observations are in areas of high observation density. These results can be used to select locations at which increased observation accuracy would be beneficial and locations that could be removed from the network. Important potential observations are mostly in areas of high hydraulic gradient far from the paths. Results for both existing and potential observations are related to the flow system dynamics and coarse parameter zonation in the DVRFS model. If system properties in different locations are as similar as the zonation assumes, then the OPR results illustrate a data collection opportunity whereby observations in distant, high‐gradient areas can provide information about properties in flatter‐gradient areas near the paths. If this similarity is suspect, then the analysis produces a different type of data collection opportunity involving testing of model assumptions critical to the OPR results.