bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of phenolic constituents in Radix Salvia miltiorrhizae by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Zeng Guifeng , Xiao Hongbin , Liu Jianxun , Liang Xinmiao
Published: January 2006

The phenolic components from Radix Salvia miltiorrhizae Bunge, a well‐known herbal medicine (Dan‐Shen in Chinese), have been investigated by high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS). HPLC analyses were performed on a reversed‐phase C18 column using gradient elution. In the ESI mass spectra a predominant [M–H]− ion was observed in negative mode and provided molecular mass information. ESI‐MS/MS spectra of the [M–H]− ions were used for structural analysis, based on the spectra of standards. It was found that caffeic acid and its monomeric analogs containing a carboxyl group readily lost CO2, while dimers, trimers and tetramers of caffeic acid expelled successively danshensu or caffeic acid or their esters. Twenty‐eight phenolic compounds in S. miltiorrhizae were characterized, of which eight compounds were positively identified by comparison with standards. The remaining twenty phenolics for which standards were not available were tentatively identified based on their UV spectra and MS/MS fragmentation characteristics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
UV photodissociation of phospho‐seryl‐containing peptides: laser stabilization of the phospho‐seryl bond with multistage mass spectrometry
Authors: Lemoine Jérôme , Tabarin Thibault , Antoine Rodolphe , Broyer Michel , Dugourd Philippe
Published: January 2006

Protonated precursor ions of phosphorylated peptides containing a tyrosyl residue have been subjected to UV laser‐induced dissociation (LID) at a wavelength of 220 nm and to collision‐induced dissociation (CID) in an ion trap. As expected, neutral loss of the phosphate group is one of the predominant fragmentation channels during CID together with H2O elimination. In contrast, LID leads mainly to the homolytic cleavage of the tyrosyl side chain and a restrained loss of the phosphate group. Interestingly, the intensity of the dephosphorylated fragment ion is greatly minimized when CID is carried out next on the radical precursor ion of the singly and doubly charged species. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new solution for assigning cryptographic keys to control access in mobile agent environments
Authors: Chang Chin‐Chen , Lin Iuon‐Chang
Published: January 2006

A mobile agent is a technological promising product. It is an executive program that can migrate from host to host, performing tasks autonomously. However, in an open environment, the mobile agent has many potential threats. Security becomes a critical issue for the mobile agent. Recently, Volker and Mehradad have constructed a mobile agent structure and designed a key assignment strategy to prevent the sensitive data to from being accessed by an unauthorized host. However, their scheme requires a larger agent size and a higher computational cost. In this paper, we shall propose an efficient key assignment scheme to enhance the performance of Volker and Mehradad's scheme. Only few computations and a fixed and small storage are required in our proposed scheme. Furthermore, our scheme can achieve the dynamic key management efficiently. It can also be implemented simply and practically. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel self‐adaptive transmission scheme over an IEEE 802.11 WLAN for supporting multi‐service
Authors: Li Changle , Li Jiandong , Cai Xuelian
Published: January 2006

The IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) media access control (MAC) specification is a hybrid protocol of random access and polling when both distributed coordination function (DCF) and point coordination function (PCF) are used. Data traffic is transmitted with the DCF, while voice transmission is carried out with the PCF. Based on the performance analysis of the MAC protocol for integrated data and voice transmission by simulation, this paper puts forward a self‐adaptive transmission scheme to support multi‐service over the IEEE 802.11 WLAN. The simulation results show that, on the premise of satisfying the maximum allowable delay of packet voice, the self‐adaptive transmission scheme can improve the data traffic performance and increase the WLAN capacity through dynamic and appropriate adjustment of the protocol parameters. Especially, voice traffic is sensitive to delay jitter, and the self‐adaptive scheme can effectively decrease it. Finally, it is worth noting that the adaptive scheme is easy to be realized, whereas no change in the MAC protocol is needed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance analysis of cellular CDMA high‐speed data services
Authors: Chan Kevin K. H. , Zhuang Weihua , Yoon Young C.
Published: January 2006

This paper investigates the forward‐link peak and average data rates, throughput, and coverage of a cellular CDMA system for delivering high‐speed wireless data services. The analysis takes into account major aspects commonly found in the forward data channel and applies the generalized Shannon capacity formula for multi‐element antenna (MEA) systems. The study focuses on the physical layer and is flexible for various propagation environments, antenna configurations, multicode allocations, user distributions, and cell site configurations. Numerical results for various multicode allocations are presented for a system model with two‐tier interfering cells operating under a frequency selective slow fading channel with propagation environments specified in the Recommendation ITU‐R M.1225. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On efficacy of Rayleigh‐inverse Gaussian distribution over K‐distribution for wireless fading channels
Authors: Karmeshu  , Agrawal Rajeev
Published: January 2006

For studying performance characteristics of radio channels, the knowledge about the probability density function (pdf) of fading–shadowing effects is essential. K‐distribution corresponding to Rayleigh–gamma distribution (RGD) is widely used to approximate a more realistic Rayleigh–lognormal distribution (RLD) which does not have a closed form expression. A new composite Rayleigh‐inverse Gaussian distribution (RIGD), an alternative to K‐distribution, is analyzed with regards to its suitability and effectiveness in radio channels. Detailed investigations are made to study the performance characteristics of RIGD and K‐distribution (RGD) in terms of Kullback–Leibler (KL) measure of divergence. Based on these investigations, it is found that RIGD is better suited for capturing fading–shadowing aspects of radio channels instead of K‐distribution. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal dynamic transport selection for wireless portable devices
Authors: Younis Mohamed , Sardesai Amit , Yesha Yaacov
Published: January 2006

Recent technological advances in mobile computing and wireless communication have made portable devices, such as PDA, laptops, and wireless modems to be very compact and affordable. On the other hand, wireless networks have gained such wide popularity that new network infrastructure is continually introduced. It is thus likely that many of the future portable devices will be equipped with multiple wireless modems such as Bluetooth and 802.11 WLAN, in order to increase device inter‐operability. The availability of multiple modems can leverage the performance of the communication traffic generated by the applications, for example Internet access. We envision a tool for managing the device connection through these modems. At the core of this tool is an optimization engine that splits packet traffic across a subset of the available transports so that user's performance metrics are maximized. This paper describes a mathematical model for such an optimization problem considering its applicability to small portable devices. Relevant quality of service (QoS) parameters such as bandwidth, average delay, and energy consumption are covered in the model. The mathematical formulation is validated using a simulated environment. The experimental results have demonstrated the effectiveness of our model and captured the inter‐relationship among the quality parameters. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demand‐driven server and service location in third generation mobile networks
Authors: Mateus Geraldo Robson , Goussevskaia Olga , Loureiro Antonio A. F.
Published: January 2006

In this paper, we formulate and solve the problem of how to dynamically distribute network resources in third‐generation mobile telecommunication systems, aiming to minimize the equipment maintenance and service provision costs. A mobility simulator was implemented in order to represent a hypothetical city, which was populated with different groups of users, whose mobility behavior and demand for different kinds of services was generated in order to simulate a typical 24‐h day behavior. Given the generated demand at a certain period of time, a server allocation is made in order to attend it. This is done by modeling the system as an integer‐programming problem and by, afterwards, running an optimization algorithm on it. The output from the optimization process was used to reconfigure the system by activating the selected servers and deactivating the others. The problem turned out to be NP‐hard, so a heuristic method was necessary in order to solve it. We chose the Lagrangean relaxation technique to do the task, and obtained good results in terms of the solution proximity to the optimum. The performed experiments demonstrated the model's sensitivity to different kinds of parameters, such as user mobility, demand distribution over time and space, time of day, type of area where events occur, and the relation between fixed and variable costs of the system. A significant system cost reduction was also achieved. The proposed approach allows a personalized and demand driven resource distribution. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A performance evaluation of distributed dynamic channel allocation protocols for mobile networks
Authors: Boukerche Azzedine , El‐Khatib Khalil , Huang Tingxue
Published: January 2006

Technological advances coupled with the proliferation of wireless devices among mobile users require efficient resource management and reuse of the scare radio spectrum allocated to wireless and mobile communication systems. Several channel allocation protocols based on a mutual exclusion paradigm have been developed. However, very little data have been reported to compare these protocols. In this paper, we review four of the best known distributed dynamic channel and resource allocation algorithms based on the mutual exclusion paradigm. While the first three channel alloctaion protocols (Caoet al., Choyet al. and Prakashet al.) are based on the co‐channel interference, the fourth protocol, which is known as DDRA, adopts the co‐group interference approach. We present an extensive set of simulation experiments to evaluate and compare the performance of these four protocols using realistic scenarios. Our results indicate clearly that DDRA algorithm has shown the shortestresponse timeand highestblocking rateamong all of the four channel allocation protocols. Caoet al. algorithm exhibits a betterblocking ratewhen compared to the three other schemes. This is due to the fact that it reuses communication channels optimally. Last, but not least, we discuss the basic fault tolerant machanisms that can be used to enhance further these protocols while dealing with the base stations, mobile hosts, or links' failure. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EM‐based iterative receiver for coded MIMO systems in unknown spatially correlated noise
Authors: Mo Wei , Wang Zhengdao , Dogandžić Aleksandar
Published: January 2006

We present iterative channel estimation and decoding schemes for multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) Rayleigh block fading channels in spatially correlated noise. An expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm is utilized to find the maximum likelihood (ML) estimates of the channel and spatial noise covariance matrices, and to compute soft information of coded symbols which is sent to an error‐control decoder. The extrinsic information produced by the decoder is then used to refine channel estimation. Several iterations are performed between the above channel estimation and decoding steps. We derive modified Cramer–Rao Bound (MCRB) for the unknown channel and noise parameters, and show that the proposed EM‐based channel estimation scheme achieves the MCRB at medium and high SNRs. For a bit error rate of 10−6and long frame length, there is negligible performance difference between the proposed scheme and the ideal coherent detector that utilizes the true channel and noise covariance matrices. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An encapsulated haemogregarine from the evileye pufferfish in South Africa
Authors: Smit N.J. , Davies A.J.
Published: January 2006

Developmental stages of a haemogregarine were found within polychromatocytes and erythrocytes in Giemsa-stained blood smears from six evileye pufferfish (Amblyrhynchotes honckenii) caught at Koppie Alleen in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa. This unusual haemogregarine, Haemogregarina (sensu lato) koppiensis sp. nov., was characterized by encapsulated gamonts with recurved tails, features more common in haemogregarines infecting amphibian and reptilian erythrocytes than in those from fish. Haemogregarina koppiensis is only the third species of fish haemogregarine to have been described from South Africa.
Large-scale patterns in the community structure and biodiversity of freeliving nematodes in the Bohai Sea, China
Authors: Guo Y. , Somerfield P.J. , Warwick R.M. , Zhang Z.
Published: January 2006

Freeliving marine nematodes were sampled on two occasions from an extensive grid of 20 stations in the Bohai Sea and its approaches. Differences within stations between sampling periods were small, resulting from small changes in abundance of dominant species. Differences between stations were significant, and were used to cluster stations into groups with similar species composition. These station groupings revealed a weak faunal gradient leading from the mouth of the Huanghe (Yellow River) to the Bohai Strait. Analyses relating faunal composition to environmental variables showed that there were significant differences in environmental variables between faunally-defined groups of stations. The variables most closely correlated with community structure were silt/clay and sand, depth, phaeopigment concentrations below the sediment surface, organic content and arsenic. These reflect natural processes within the Bohai Sea. A suite of univariate measures were related to distance from the river mouth, with a major discontinuity about 120 km into the Bohai Sea. Comparison of values of the biodiversity measures average taxonomic distinctness (Δ+) and variation in taxonomic distinctness (Λ+) suggest that the meiobenthos of the Bohai Sea as a whole is not under major pollution stress.
Larval development of a barnacle, Balanus spongicola (Cirripedia: Balanidae) reared in the laboratory
Authors: Korn Olga M. , Elfimov Aleksey S. , Skreptsova Natalya V.
Published: January 2006

The naupliar development of the barnacle Balanus spongicola is described, from larvae reared in the laboratory. The planktotrophic nauplii of B. spongicola reached the cyprid stage 11 days after hatching, at 20°C, and only eight days after hatching, at 25°C. Larval development includes six naupliar and one cyprid stage, following the typical pattern of the thoracican Cirripedia. Naupliar stages have a broad pear-shaped cephalic shield with a straight anterior margin and a pair of fairly short posterior spines in stages IV–VI. Dorsal and marginal spines are absent. Frontolateral horns are of medium length, directed forward from stage III. Small teeth on the median labral lobe found in some warm-water species are only weakly pronounced. The arrangement of abdominal spines and larval setation are in the usual balanoid pattern. The larvae of B. spongicola share some features with earlier described nauplii of Solidobalanus fallax, a non-native UK species inhabiting British waters. Balanus spongicola, however, possess more typical balanoid larvae. Its nauplii are more elongated (the cephalic shield is longer than broad). Thoraco-abdominal processes and posterior shield spines in B. spongicola are shorter than those in S. fallax. The abdominal process remains shorter than the dorsal thoracic spine until stage VI in B. spongicola but becomes nearly equal in S. fallax.
Weight–length relationships of 25 bivalve species (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from the Algarve coast (southern Portugal)
Authors: Gaspar M.B. , Santos M.N. , Vasconcelos P.
Published: January 2006

Weight–length relationships of some of the most abundant bivalve species from the Algarve coast (southern Portugal) captured during several exploratory fishing surveys carried out during 2000 on a soft bottom in the subtidal zone down to 25 m depth are reported. For this study a total of 7429 individuals were sampled, belonging to 25 bivalve species in nine families. The most represented families were Mactridae and Veneridae with six species, immediately followed by the families Cardiidae (five species) and Donacidae (three species). The results revealed that most species presented isometric (11 species) or positive allometric relationships (11 species), while only a small minority of species displayed negative growth (three species).
Effects of environmental variables on burial depth of two infaunal bivalves inhabiting a tidal flat in southern Chile
Authors: Lardies Marco Antonio , Clasing Elena , Navarro Jorge M. , Stead R.A.
Published: January 2006

The annual pattern of burial depth in natural populations of the infaunal bivalves Tagelus dombeii (Tellinacea) and Venus antiqua (Veneracea) is described in relation to annual food availability in both the water column and the sediment and abiotic factors (temperature and salinity) at Coihuín tidal flat, in southern Chile. A field experiment in which burial depth was measured in situ each month (over 14 months), with the aid of a fixed-length nylon thread attached to the shell. For T. dombeii the results showed a significant increase in burial depth with increasing bivalve size and syphon weight. Tagelus dombeii had a mean burial depth of 17·5 cm, which was three times more than in V. antiqua (5·30 cm). The burial depth dynamics for both species displayed a strong correlation with food availability in the water column. Approximately 60% of the variability in burial depth in T. dombeii and V. antiqua was explained by concentration of chlorophyll-a in the water column. Food concentration on the sediment surface did not effect burial depth, i.e. deposit feeding seems to be of minor significance in either species.
Lipid composition of the hydrothermal vent clam Calyptogena pacifica (Mollusca: Bivalvia) as a trophic indicator
Authors: Allen Catherine E. , Tyler Paul A. , Van Dover Cindy L.
Published: January 2006

Specimens of the chemoautotrophic symbiont-bearing hydrothermal vent clam Calyptogena pacifica were collected from hydrothermal vents at the Endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Total lipid was extracted from gill, foot and mantle tissues, and lipid class and fatty acid composition determined by thin layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC–FID), gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). An abundance of n–7 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), especially in the gill, reflected the large contribution of chemoautotrophic symbiotic bacteria to the nutrition of this clam. The absence of n–8 MUFA suggests that C. pacifica does not contain methanotrophic symbiotic bacteria. Low levels of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) such as 20:5 n–3 and 22:6 n–3 were detected in C. pacifica and their presence is attributed to a source other than chemoautotrophic symbiotic bacteria. Significant levels of non-methylene interrupted dienoic fatty acids and eicosatrienoic acid (20:3) were also detected in C. pacifica and it is suggested that these fatty acids are synthesized from n–7 MUFA as alternatives to HUFA. In contrast to shallow water bivalves, elevated levels of triglyceride were detected in the gills compared to the mantle.
Distribution and feeding ecology of the seastars Leptasterias polaris and Asterias vulgaris in the northern Gulf of St Lawrence, Canada
Authors: Gaymer Carlos F. , Himmelman John H. , Johnson Ladd E.
Published: January 2006

Extensive field observations were made in the Mingan Islands, northern Gulf of St Lawrence, to evaluate spatial and temporal variations in the use of habitat and prey resources by two major subtidal predators, the seastars Leptasterias polaris and Asterias vulgaris. Although both seastars have similar size structures and generally overlapped in their spatial and temporal distribution, the degree of overlap varied in different sites and appeared to be related to prey abundance, substratum type and slope. Three general patterns were observed: (1) both species aggregating in shallow water and decreasing in numbers with depth; (2) the two species showing inverse depth distributions; and (3) both seastars occurring in low numbers across the subtidal zone. Temporal changes in availability of the preferred prey of the two seastars, the mussel Mytilus edulis, appeared to be a major factor affecting their abundance and distribution. The two seastars occurred together in dense aggregations on mussel beds in shallow water. They consume similar-sized mussels until the number of mussels becomes reduced when A. vulgaris, but not L. polaris, begins to select larger mussels. Once a mussel bed is decimated, the seastars appear to move away, possibly in search of other beds. Intensive seastar foraging limits the distribution of mussels to a few metres in depth. Below the mussel zone, the two seastars are spatially segregated at a small spatial scale (1 m2 quadrat) and select different alternative prey, L. polaris feeding mainly on the crevice-dwelling clam Hiatella arctica and A. vulgaris on the ophiuroid Ophiopholis aculeata. The size partitioning of the preferred prey in shallow water, and spatial segregation and selection of different alternative prey at greater depths may reflect mechanisms permitting the two seastars to coexist.
Bahía Engaño: a north Patagonian nursery area for the smoothhound shark Mustelus schmitti (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae)
Authors: Van der Molen Silvina , Caille Guillermo
Published: January 2006

Mustelus schmitti (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) studied in the present work were caught incidentally in the shrimp fishery of the south of Bahía Engaño (Patagonia, Argentina). This bay is a shallow water, high productivity coastal area where shrimps and small fish are abundant throughout the warmer months. Young of M. schmitti are found in the bay from late spring to mid autumn. The analysis of stomach contents showed that the young feed mainly on crustaceans; the shrimp Artemesia longinaris being the main prey item. The bay serves as a nursery area for M. schmitti, and the length range and umbilical scars present in all the specimens studied revealed that the individuals were newborns.At Bahía Engaño, fishing trawls in the intertidal and surf zone are common, and ∼80% of the total number of species caught is considered as by-catch. The newborns and juvenile M. schmitti are an important element of this by-catch. Since the reproductive potential of the smoothhound shark is low, the protection of these newborns and juveniles from fishing pressure is of great importance.
The retention of fish larvae in estuaries: among-tide variability at Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, USA
Authors: Joyeux Jean-Christophe
Published: January 2006

Sixty-eight tides were sampled consecutively to study the retention of fish larvae transported into estuaries. The experiment was conducted at Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, USA, in March 1996. The inlet is primarily tide-driven and meteorological forcing has a minor influence. Four species of winter-spawning fish were abundant in the samples: Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus; Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus; spot, Leiostomus xanthurus; and pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides. Across-shore winds significantly affected flow and physico-chemical characteristics of the water. Across-shore winds also positively influenced the larval retention provided larvae did not present a clear tidal rhythm of vertical migration within the water column and that winds pushed in the water during flood tides. The retention of larvae migrating vertically in respect to the direction of the flow was independent of meteorological forcing of the water.
MOCNESS estimates of the size and abundance of a pelagic gonostomatid fish Cyclothone pallida off the Bahamas
Authors: McClain Craig R. , Fougerolle Martin F. , Rex Michael A. , Welch Jim
Published: January 2006

Depth patterns of size and abundance in a pelagic bristlemouth fish Cyclothone pallida (Stomiformes: Gonostomatidae) are reported. Sampling was conducted during the day and night at two sites in the Bahamas using a Multiple Opening and Closing Net and Electronic Sensing System (MOCNESS). All samples show peak abundance in the 500–700 m depth range irrespective of time or sampling location. The mean and variance of body length increased with depth, and size–depth patterns do not significantly differ among samples. Results suggest that these populations of C. pallida do not exhibit diel vertical migration.
Bivalve molluscs, Mytilus trossulus and Hiatella arctica, as facultative epibionts of the crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, infested by the rhizocephalan, Sacculina polygenea
Authors: Isaeva Valeria , Kulikova Valentina , Kasyanov Vladimir
Published: January 2006

At the period of sexual reproduction of the rhizocephalan parasite, Sacculina polygenea, the sacculinized crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, can serve as a temporary carrier for juvenile bivalve molluscs, Mytilus trossulus and Hiatella arctica as facultative epibionts. Such epizoans are never found on the crabs without the rhizocephalan externae or scars produced by the externae. The correlation between sacculinization and the bivalve epibionts is presumably due to maternal ‘brooding care’ with altering grooming behaviour of the crabs infested by S. polygenea.
The presence of putative sulphur-oxidizing bacteria colonizing the periostracal secretion in the endosymbiont-bearing bivalve Loripes lucinalis
Authors: Johnson M.A. , Fernandez C.
Published: January 2006

Loripes lucinalis, a small bivalve belonging to the Lucinacea superfamily living in reducing coastal sediments, possesses chemoautotrophic sulphur-oxidizing bacteria in its gill. Here, a population of putative sulphur-oxidizing bacteria is described colonizing the bivalve's inner periostracal secretion. The bacteria were particularly abundant in the vicinity of the anterior and posterior inhalant syphons. Most of the bacteria observed were oval to rod-shaped and measured 3·9±1·2 μm on average. Histology and negative transmission electron microscopy staining revealed that these bacteria contain refractile spherules similar to those seen in the endocellular gill symbionts of L. lucinalis.
The expansion of agriculture in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: SIMON MARCELO FRAGOMENI , GARAGORRY FERNANDO LUIS
Published: January 2006

Recent increase in the rate of deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon has inflamed discussion about the causes of forest loss, with a special focus on agriculture. This paper studies the expansion of agriculture in the Brazilian Amazon from 1976 to 2001 based on the eight most important products (cattle, bananas, beans, cassava, coffee, maize, rice and soybeans). A biological delimitation of the Amazon based on a map of Brazil's biomes was adopted in order to avoid inclusion of non-forested areas in the analysis. Intense spatial changes in Brazilian agriculture have occurred, with the emergence of new production centres for soybeans and cattle. Several of these regions are located nearby or inside the Amazon's limits. Livestock and soybean cropping in Brazil are consistently moving north. The contribution of the Amazon to Brazilian agriculture rose significantly during the last decades, reaching 28.9% of cassava, 21.3% of banana, 14.2% of rice and 20.0% of cattle production in Brazil in 2001 (three-year average). Cropped area and production in the Amazon have grown at higher annual rates than in the rest of the country for almost all items analysed, supporting the view that the region is a new frontier of Brazilian agriculture. Most recent trends point to a vigorous demand for new land, which will consequently imply a predicted increase in forest clearing.
Exploring the use of Viagra in place of animal and plant potency products in traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: VON HIPPEL WILLIAM , VON HIPPEL FRANK A. , CHAN NORMAN , CHENG CLARA
Published: January 2006

Recently, conservationists have debated whether consumers of animal and plant potency products used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) might be switching to Viagra, consequently consuming fewer of these animals and plants. To address this question, a survey examined the medical decisions of male consumers of TCM in Hong Kong who were over the age of 50. As predicted, these consumers reported selectively switching to Western medicines to treat ED, but not to treat other health ailments. These findings provide support for the possibility that Viagra may have conservation benefits for certain species.
Recognized and Violated by International Law: The Human Rights of the Global Poor
Authors: POGGE THOMAS
Published: January 2006

Various human rights are widely recognized in codified and customary international law. These human rights promise all human beings protection against specific severe harms that might be inflicted on them domestically or by foreigners. Yet international law also establishes and maintains institutional structures that greatly contribute to violations of these human rights: fundamental components of international law systematically obstruct the aspirations of poor populations for democratic self-government, civil rights, and minimal economic sufficiency. And central international organizations, such as the WTO, the IMF, and the World Bank, are designed so that they systematically contribute to the persistence of severe poverty.
Cosmopolitan Justice, Responsibility, and Global Climate Change
Authors: CANEY SIMON
Published: January 2006

It is widely recognized that changes are occurring to the earth's climate and, further, that these changes threaten important human interests. This raises the question of who should bear the burdens of addressing global climate change. This paper aims to provide an answer to this question. To do so it focuses on the principle that those who cause the problem are morally responsible for solving it (the ‘polluter pays’ principle). It argues that while this has considerable appeal it cannot provide a complete account of who should bear the burdens of global climate change. It proposes three ways in which this principle needs to be supplemented, and compares the resulting moral theory with the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’.
Darfur and the ‘Odious Scourge’: The Commission of Inquiry's Findings on Genocide
Authors: SCHABAS WILLIAM A.
Published: January 2006

The report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur, set up pursuant to a UN Security Council resolution, is an important contribution to the evolving law of genocide. The Commission concluded that genocide had not been committed, but that the case should be referred to the International Criminal Court for prosecution as crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Commission did not find significant evidence of genocidal intent. It looked essentially for a plan or policy of the Sudanese state and, in its absence, concluded that genocide was not being committed. The Commission endorsed the ‘stable and permanent groups’ approach taken by one trial chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). On this point, it exaggerated the acceptance of this interpretation, which has been ignored by other trial chambers of the international tribunals. However, the Commission found that the better approach to determination of the groups covered by the Convention is subjective, and that the targeted tribes in Darfur meet this criterion.
The Sutherland Report
Authors: DENTERS ERIK
Published: January 2006

In early 2005 a Consultative Board presented a report (the Sutherland Report) on the functioning of the WTO and means to improve its efficiency. The author summarizes the Board's key findings and reflects on its main recommendations. The Board discusses sovereignty and globalization in the context of the world trading system. In addition it finds that the WTO needs to reconsider its institutional framework and some concepts underlying the organization. The Board particularly urges the WTO to address the erosion of the most-favoured-nation treatment through the proliferation of the preferential trade agreements. Transparency and civil society, dispute settlement, decision-making, efficiency, and the role of the Director-General and the secretariat are also discussed. The author concludes that the Board focuses on economic consequences of trade liberalization but fails to address the harmful effects of globalization. He agrees with the Board that institutional reform is required, but concludes that it would have been helpful if the Board had offered clearer direction on how to improve the decision-making process.
SCHEMA THERAPY: THE NEXT GENERATION, BUT SHOULD IT CARRY A HEALTH WARNING?
Authors: James Ian A.
Published: January 2006

Cognitive behaviour therapists working in the field over the last 10 years will have witnessed a shift to more
schema focused forms of therapy. While these approaches have been introduced to treat people with personality
disorders, they have also had a strong influence on the treatment given to people suffering from Axis I disorders.
Indeed, it is my impression that many therapists are now of the opinion that they are not doing proper cognitive
behaviour therapy (CBT) unless they have undertaken a detailed history of a patient's early childhood and, along the
way, unearthed a couple of core beliefs. This paper outlines some of the pitfalls concerning the shift of emphasis
towards schema focused techniques. While it is acknowledged that schema work is a development of “traditional”
CBT, it is proposed that schema therapy is being employed without adequate assessment of its appropriateness, especially when used in primary care settings with people with no prior history of psychiatric problems. This paper provides
some anecdotal details about therapists' difficulties in using schema techniques. These examples stress the need for
good supervision, highlighting the responsibility of therapists to ensure that the patient receives the most appropriate
form of therapy. This work recognizes the importance of schema focused approaches, but suggests that they are being
used too pervasively, and too often by people with neither sufficient training, nor adequate grounding, in the empirically
validated “traditional” CBT approaches.
SOCIAL PHOBIA: COMMENTS ON THE VIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF AN ANALOGUE RESEARCH STRATEGY AND BRITISH NORMS FOR THE FEAR OF NEGATIVE EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE
Authors: Stopa Lusia , Clark David M.
Published: January 2006

This paper discusses the viability of an analogue research design for studying key processes in social phobia
by comparing individuals who score high and low on the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE: Watson & Friend,
1969). Research indicates remarkable consistency in the processes that distinguish patients with social phobia from
controls and high FNE volunteers from low FNE volunteers. Unfortunately, all existing FNE norms are based on
North American populations. The present paper presents British student norms and suggests possible cut-off points for
defining groups for analogue research. Advantages of the analogue strategy include rapid piloting of new paradigms
and the use of more complex experimental designs that require substantial sample sizes. Limitations of analogue
research are also highlighted.
A SMALL STUDY OF TRAINING IN MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING: DOES ONE WORKSHOP CHANGE CLINICIAN AND CLIENT BEHAVIOR?
Authors: Miller William R. , Mount Kathy A.
Published: January 2006

Professional training in motivational interviewing, as on many other topics, is often delivered via a one-time
clinical workshop. To what extent do practitioners actually acquire skillfulness through such training? Twenty-two
counselors participated in training, of whom 15 completed a study of changes in practice behavior up to 4 months
after a motivational interviewing workshop. In addition to self-report questionnaires, they provided taped practice
samples before and after training, which were coded for counselor and client behavior. On paper-and-pencil measures,
participants reported large increases in motivational interviewing skills. Observational measures reflected more modest
changes in practice behavior that were often retained 4 months after training. Clients, however, did not show the
response changes that have been found to be predictive of better outcomes with motivational interviewing. While
practice behavior changed to a statistically significant extent, the effect of training was apparently not large enough to
make a difference in client response. Possible implications for training and quality control of psychotherapies are
considered.
CONTROLLING ANGRY AGGRESSION: A PILOT GROUP INTERVENTION WITH PERSONALITY DISORDERED OFFENDERS
Authors: McMurran Mary , Charlesworth Philip , Duggan Conor , McCarthy Lucy
Published: January 2006

In this paper, we describe the progress of four male, legally-detained personality disordered offenders in a
group treatment programme for angry aggression. “Controlling angry aggression” is a 15-session, structured, cognitive-behavioural programme that is part of a wider integrated, multidisciplinary treatment programme run within a
specialist personality disorder treatment unit. Psychometric tests showed that three of the four patients improved over
the course of the treatment programme. Behaviour ratings of staff and patients concurred, allowing confidence in
patients' self-report of anger. No change in behaviour was evident over time for any patient, but initial low rates of
aggression allowed little room for improvement. Self-monitored anger and aggression scores did vary markedly over
time, and since behaviour remains stable despite anger, this indicates that these patients can control their behaviour.
One patient did not improve, and reasons for this are examined, concluding with a reminder of the need for rigorous
selection of patients for treatment programmes.
Word Structure Effects in German and British Reading Beginners 1Dieser Beitrag wurde unter der geschäftsführenden Herausgeberschaft von Joachim C. Brunstein akzeptiert.
Authors: Lange-Küttner C.
Published: January 2006

Abstract: Due to the late developmental onset of reading, it appears to be more malleable than other cognitive functions. In the present study, German- and English-spoken reading beginners were compared with respect to reading of words with increasingly novel word structure. A clear gradual effect of word novelty was found in English speakers only, while in German pupils a gradual word novelty effect was absent. For German reading beginners rhymed words were more difficult than scrambled words, probably because of the ambiguity of rhymed words being familiar and novel at the same time, with only the word onset distinguishing them from proper words. Another difference was that English speakers showed fast reading routines of familiar and rhymed words, while normally schooled German pupils read familiar words slower. This was different in German children with preschool education, who read familiar and rhymed words at the same speed as British pupils, and novel words even faster. Simultaneously their reading accuracy of novel words was further improved. Differences in response patterns to word structure were remarkably robust, although the amount of difference between word types could be varied both in English and in German pupils.
Bewirkt ein kognitives Training das, was es bewirken soll?
Authors: Marx Edeltrud
Published: January 2006

Zusammenfassung: Im vorliegenden Experiment wurden die Annahmen überprüft, dass ein Training des induktiven Denkens das induktive Denken und ein Konzentrationstraining die Konzentrationsleistung fördert. 37 Schülerinnen und Schüler der ersten Klassen einer Sprachheilschule wurden nach Zufall auf zwei Gruppen verteilt. Eine Gruppe wurde mit einem Training zum induktiven Denken gefördert, während die andere an einem Konzentrationstraining teilnahm. Vor und nach den Trainings wurden Intelligenzleistungen mit dem CFT1 und Konzentrationsleistungen mit dem d2 erhoben. Entgegen der Erwartung förderte das Denktraining stärker als das Konzentrationstraining die Leistungen sowohl im CFT1 als auch im d2. Die Effekte waren nach drei Monaten sogar noch ausgeprägter. Das Ergebnismuster legt die Vermutung nahe, dass sich die Förderung einer höheren kognitiven Fähigkeit positiv auf elementarere Prozesse auswirken kann, wohingegen eine Förderung relativ elementarer Prozesse keine Auswirkungen auf höhere kognitive Prozesse zeitigt.
Comparison of ionosonde and incoherent scatter drift measurements at the magnetic equator
Authors: Woodman Ronald F. , Chau Jorge L. , Ilma Ronald R.
Published: January 2006

It has been proposed that ionosondes can be used to measure vectorial nighttime ionospheric drifts at F region altitudes. These measurements have been validated at mid and high magnetic latitudes on campaign basis. Here we report concurrent F‐region drift measurements made at Jicamarca (11.95°S, 76.87°W), under the magnetic equator, using the main Incoherent scatter radar (ISR) and a digisonde portable ionosonde (DPS). As far as the vertical drift measurements, we show a fair agreement between the two techniques at periods when convection dominates other factors (e.g., around pre‐reversal enhancement). At other times, production and recombination dominate, and DPS vertical drifts are not reliable. For the horizontal drift component, we limited our measurements to the zonal component. We find poor agreement, being worse at times when the E region electron density is high (e.g., during the day). The amplitude of DPS zonal velocities are significantly larger than ISR zonal drifts. During the day, we find that the DPS zonal drifts are in better agreement with the drift velocity of the long wavelength equatorial electrojet (EEJ) instabilities. This is to be expected since, the diffraction pattern on the ground – to which any reflection HF drift technique will be sensitive to – is mainly, if not solely, dependent on the electron density structure at EEJ heights, where the electron irregularity density is sufficiently high to diffract the phase front of the F region reflected wave.
Validation of Aura MLS HOx measurements with remote‐sensing balloon instruments
Authors: Pickett H. M. , Drouin B. J. , Canty T. , Kovalenko L. J. , Salawitch R. J. , Livesey N. J. , Read W. G. , Waters J. W. , Jucks K. W. , Traub W. A.
Published: January 2006

Satellite measurements of OH and HO2 obtained by the Aura MLS instrument are compared to the balloon‐borne BOH and FIRS‐2 instruments. All measurements are also compared with constrained photochemical model calculations. On average, both balloon measurements of OH agree with MLS within 17% over 25–40 km and the measurements agree with the model within 12%. The three measurements for column of OH above 40 km agree within 8% and the mean is 12% below the model. Measurements of HO2 from FIRS‐2 and MLS agree on average within 23% over 25–40 km and the differences are generally within the experimental precision. The HO2 measurements agree with the model within 14%. Measurements of HO2 for the column over 40–60 km agree within 16% and the mean measured column agrees with the model within the experimental precision. Our observations do not appear to indicate a “HOx dilemma.”
Effects of soil structure destruction on methane production and carbon partitioning between methanogenic pathways in tropical rain forest soils
Authors: Teh Yit Arn , Silver Whendee L.
Published: January 2006

Controls on methanogenesis are often determined from laboratory incubations of soils converted to slurries. Destruction of soil structure during slurry conversion may disrupt syntrophic associations, kill methanogens, and/or alter the microsite distribution of methanogenic activity, suppressing CH4 production. The effects of slurry conversion on methanogenesis were investigated to determine if disruption of aggregate structure impacted methanogenesis, substrate utilization, and C partitioning between methanogenic pathways. Soils were collected from the tropical rain forest life zone of the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico, and exposed to different physical disturbances, including flooding and physical homogenization. Slurry conversion negatively impacted methanogenesis. Rates of CH4 production declined by a factor of 17 after well‐aggregated soils were converted to slurries. Significantly more 13C‐acetate was recovered in CO2 compared to CH4 after slurry conversion, suggesting that methanogens consumed less acetate after slurry conversion and may have competed less effectively with other anaerobes for acetate. Isotopic data indicate that the relative partitioning of C between aceticlastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways was unchanged after slurry conversion. These data suggest that experiments which destroy soil structure may significantly underestimate methanogenesis and overestimate the potential for other microorganisms to compete with methanogens for organic substrates. Current knowledge of the factors that regulate methanogenesis in soil may be biased by the findings of slurry‐based experiments, that do not accurately represent the complex, spatially heterogeneous conditions found in well‐aggregated soils.
Influence of river meandering dynamics on riparian vegetation pattern formation
Authors: Perucca E. , Camporeale C. , Ridolfi L.
Published: January 2006

The present work investigates how the dynamics of meandering rivers influence the formation of riparian vegetation patterns. To this aim, a model coupling river dynamics and riparian vegetation evolution was developed. Meandering dynamics were simulated with a fluid dynamical model using shallow water equations on an erodible bed. The riparian vegetation model takes into account some of the main actions caused by the river, i.e., water table oscillations, floods, and sedimentation. A logistic law and an exponential decay were used to model the increase and decrease in the biomass, respectively, consequent to river migration. The numerical simulation by the model highlights how river dynamics are able to induce typical vegetation patterns that are similar to some real riparian landscapes (some examples are shown). The results also show the role of (1) the relevant river‐vegetation interactions and (2) the temporal scales of vegetation evolution and river migration.