bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A kinetic study on isothermal crystallization of palm oil by solid fat content measurements
Authors: Ng W. L. , Oh C. H.
Published: July 2007

Isothermal crystallization of plam oil was studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as well as by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry to monitor its solid fat content (SFC). The temperature of crystallization (Tc) varied from 0 to 30°C, depending on the method used. The plot of %SFC vs. time at 25°C was sigmoidal in shape. However, at lower temperatures, two consecutive curves were clearly visible. Results from DSC experiments showed the following interesting features. At each Tc, the crystals produced were of different compositions. From 0 to 8°C, the thermogram showed three peaks, with the first two peaks (I and II) sharp, and the third (III) rather broad. At elevated temperatures up to 20°C, peak II disappeared totally while peak III tended to shift toward peak I. Above 20°C, both peaks shifted downward to longer times. Peak I continued to be broadened, and then suddenly disappeared at Tc above 24°C. The melting thermograms of the crystals obtained above and below this cut‐off point were distinctly different. Kinetic studies on isothermal crystallization based on the data of SFC measurements showed that the data fit well into the Avrami‐Erofeev equation with n=3 over the first 70% of the crystallization.
Comparison between two procedures for stereospecific analysis of triacylglycerols from vegetable oils—I: Olive oil
Authors: Damianl P. , Santinelli F. , Simonetti M. S. , Castellini M. , Rosi M.
Published: July 2007

Two methods for stereospecific analysis of triacylglycerols are compared. Procedure A, based on stereospecific phosphorylation ofsn‐1,2‐diacylglycerols to phosphatidic acids, and procedure B, based on separation of the diastereomeric 1,2(2,3)‐diacylglycerol urethane derivatives by high‐performance liquid chromatography on silica, were applied to olive oil triacyl‐sn‐glycerols. Statistical evaluation of the results showed good reproducibility, and Student'st‐test indicates no statistical differences between the two considered procedures, although some small differences were observed and discussed. Fifteen samples of extra‐virgin olive oil, produced in the same region (Umbria, Italy), were analyzed with the two considered procedures.
Determination of wool wax in raw wool by raman spectroscopy
Authors: Church Jeffrey S. , Davie Ashley S. , James David W. , Leong Wah‐Hing , Tucker Daryl J.
Published: July 2007

A Raman spectroscopic method for the determination of wool wax content in raw wool has been developed. The analyses were performed on 250‐mg wool samples by using a spectral component band resolution method. The method has a moderate sample throughput rate, is non‐destructive and does not require the use of solvents. Samples ranging between 0.5 and 31% (w/w) wool wax were analyzed. The results obtained were compared with those obtained by a solvent extraction method. If the nonextractable lipid content of the wool is considered, the results of the Raman spectral and extraction methods were in excellent agreement. From a practical standpoint, the minimum detection limit of the method is 3% wax. In general, the precision of the Raman spectroscopic method was better than that obtained for the extraction method.
The preparation and antioxidant activity of BHA bonded to porous glass
Authors: Clark B. C. , Chafin T. C. , Hunter G. L. K.
Published: July 2007

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) has been bonded to porous glass beads, thus utilizing its functional characteristics while preventing it from entering the final food products. The glass‐bonded BHA has been tested in lard and found to have only one percent of the free BHA activity, which can be attributed to stereochemical shielding effects. Evidence is presented strongly indicating that the observed activity resulted from BHA bonded to glass, although activity resulting from BHA leached from the glass could not be conclusively ruled out.
A Simplified Technique for Translaryngeal Tracheostomy (TLT). A Preliminary Report
Authors: Katsaragakis S. , Theodorou D. , Drimousis P. , Stamou K. M. , Koutras A. , Kapralou A. , Bramis J.
Published: July 2007

Objective

In this prospective observational study we present preliminary results of a modification of the translaryngeal tracheostomy technique that was introduced by Fantoni in 1997. The study was conducted in a five‐bed surgical intensive care unit of a university teaching hospital.

Patients and Methods

The study included 14 consecutive surgical patients (8 men, 6 women) who underwent a modified translaryngeal tracheostomy in a 6‐month period. In our modification of the technique, we keep the basic principle of the inside‐to‐outside approach of the Fantoni technique, and combine it with a blind needle insertion, as reported in the classic subcricoid retrograde intubation technique. The technique that we use involves two medical doctors and a nurse.

Results

Mean patient age was 68.9 years (range: 31–85 years) and mean APACHE II score was 15.8 (range: 6–31). Mean operative time for the procedure was 15.2 min (range: 11.5–22 min). Eight of the patients died during the postoperative course in the ICU from causes relevant to their surgical pathology. One patient survived to be discharged from the ICU but died of an acute myocardial infraction later in the same hospital stay. Five patients survived to be discharged from the hospital.

Conclusions

The modified translaryngeal tracheostomy seems to be as reliable and safe as the original technique. In addition, the modified technique is faster and can be performed without the use of an endoscope.
Density‐mediated indirect effects of a common prey tadpole on interaction between two predatory bugs: Kirkaldyia deyrolli and Laccotrephes japonensis
Authors: Ohba Shin‐ya , Nakasuji Fusao
Published: July 2007

This paper suggests that the nymphs of a specialist predator, Kirkaldyia (=Lethocerus) deyrolli (Belostomatidae: Heteroptera), are indirectly affected by their tadpoles’ prey. K.deyrolli nymphs and the predator Laccotrephes japonensis (Nepidae: Heteroptera) adults coexist in rice paddy fields. It was predicted that the difference in tadpole density may influence the K. deyrolli nymph survival rate. We first compared survival rates of the first instar nymphs of K. deyrolli in June (high tadpole density period) and July (low tadpole density period). Secondly, we investigated the survival rate of K. deyrolli nymphs at different tadpole densities and under the presence or absence of L. japonensis adults to examine whether higher tadpole density moderates predation pressure from L. japonensis adults to K. deyrolli nymphs, e.g., density‐mediated indirect effects. As a result of the comparison, the survival rate of K. deyrolli nymphs in June was higher than that in July. For the field experiment, the slopes between the survival rate of K. deyrolli nymphs and tadpole density were positive under both predator presence and absence. However, the slope under the presence of a predator was steeper than that under absence of the predator (“predator‐by‐tadpole density interaction” was significant). These results suggest that a higher tadpole density in June provides an abundant food resource for K. deyrolli nymphs and also moderates predation pressure from L. japonensis.
A Unified Approach to Power Calculation and Sample Size Determination for Random Regression Models
Authors: Shieh Gwowen
Published: July 2007

The underlying statistical models for multiple regression analysis are typically attributed to two types of modeling: fixed and random. The procedures for calculating power and sample size under the fixed regression models are well known. However, the literature on random regression models is limited and has been confined to the case of all variables having a joint multivariate normal distribution. This paper presents a unified approach to determining power and sample size for random regression models with arbitrary distribution configurations for explanatory variables. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed method and Monte Carlo simulation studies are also conducted to assess the accuracy. The results show that the proposed method performs well for various model specifications and explanatory variable distributions.
A Comparison of Heuristic Procedures for Minimum Within-Cluster Sums of Squares Partitioning
Authors: Brusco Michael J. , Steinley Douglas
Published: July 2007

Perhaps the most common criterion for partitioning a data set is the minimization of the within-cluster sums of squared deviation from cluster centroids. Although optimal solution procedures for within-cluster sums of squares (WCSS) partitioning are computationally feasible for small data sets, heuristic procedures are required for most practical applications in the behavioral sciences. We compared the performances of nine prominent heuristic procedures for WCSS partitioning across 324 simulated data sets representative of a broad spectrum of test conditions. Performance comparisons focused on both percentage deviation from the “best-found” WCSS values, as well as recovery of true cluster structure. A real-coded genetic algorithm and variable neighborhood search heuristic were the most effective methods; however, a straightforward two-stage heuristic algorithm, HK-means, also yielded exceptional performance. A follow-up experiment using 13 empirical data sets from the clustering literature generally supported the results of the experiment using simulated data. Our findings have important implications for behavioral science researchers, whose theoretical conclusions could be adversely affected by poor algorithmic performances.
The mind as the essence of words: A linguistic philosophical analysis of the classification teaching of Yongming Yanshou
Authors: Zhongwei WU
Published: July 2007

Along with the Chan’s “linguistic turn”, the significance of sutras, which were despised and even regarded as the obstacle to complete enlightenment, became accepted by the Chan. Due to Yanshou’s contributions, the principle that emphasized the diversity of teaching in terms of the relationship between meaning and expression in the Sui and Tang Dynasties has been changed into a system which stressed the importance of the root/branches relationship of the mind and words. According to Yanshou, the conflict between the Chan and doctrinal teachings is resolved by highlighting the significance of words. Yanshou’s work greatly inspired the Chan’s interest in words in the Song Dynasty.
Several modalities of the body-mind relationship in traditional Chinese philosophy
Authors: Xuezhi ZHANG
Published: July 2007

Ancient Chinese philosophers were inclined to preserve the doctrine of a unified body and mind rather than to engage in a discussion on the separation of the two. In addition, most traditional Chinese philosophers stressing in particular the function of mind. Based on the tradition of believing in the concept of qi, they traced the cause of their spiritual activities to the natural effect of the qi. The modalities display a phenomenological characteristic that looks at mental activities lightly, and examines language and action as a natural revelation of material force, qi.
What is “the ineffable” exactly?
Authors: Hong LI , Donghui HAN
Published: July 2007

“The ineffable” in Wittgenstein’s Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is an essential term that has various interpretations. It could be divided into two types, namely, positive and negative, or real and fake. The negative or fake type can be clarified by logical analysis, while the positive or real type can be understood only through philosophical critique. Both the positive and negative types consist of infinity or absoluteness, but the infinity is subject to distinctions in meaning and logic.
Theories of complexity and their problems
Authors: Poser Hans
Published: July 2007

Complexity theories are on the way to establish a new worldview— processes instead of objects, history and uniqueness of everything instead of repetition and lawlikeness are the elements. These theories from deterministic chaos via the dissipative structures, the theory of catastrophes, self organization and synergetics are mathematical models, connected with a new understanding of science. They are characterized by new fundamental commitments of sciences. But at the same time, they are characterized by epistemic boundaries.
The methodological significance of scientific metaphor
Authors: Guichun GUO
Published: July 2007

The essential significance of scientific metaphor lies in applying the general metaphorical theory to specific interpretations and elaborations of scientific theories to form a methodology of scientific explanation. It is a contextual grasp of objective reality. A given metaphorical context and its grasp of the essence of reality can only be valid when the context is continually restructured. Taking the context as a whole, the methodological characteristic of scientific metaphor lies in the unity of understanding and choice, experience and concepts, semantic structures and metaphorical domains, rationality and irrationality. As a form of thinking based on reasons, scientific metaphor plays an important role in invention, representation, explanation, evaluation, and communication.
A Kinetic and Mechanistic Study on the Oxidation of Hydroxy Acids by N‐Bromophthalimide in the Presence of a Micellar System
Authors: Patil Sangeeta , Katre Y. R. , Singh Ajaya Kumar
Published: July 2007

The kinetics of oxidation of some α‐hydroxy acids viz. Tartaric acid (TA) and Malic acid (MA) by N‐bromophthalimide (NBP) were studied in the presence of a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), in perchloric acid medium at 313 K. The oxidation of TA and MA by N‐bromophthalimide in the presence of CTAB is faster than in the absence of surfactant. The rate of oxidation of hydroxy acids was found to be in the order: TA > MA. First order kinetics with respect to NBP was observed in the oxidation of both hydroxy acids. The kinetics results indicate that the first order kinetics in hydroxy acids at lower concentrations tends towards a zero order at its higher concentrations. Inverse fractional order in [H+] and [phthalimide] were noted throughout its tenfold variation. With a progressive increase in [CTAB], the rate of reaction increased, reaches a maximum value and then constancy in kΨ was observed. Variation of [Hg(OAc)2] and ionic strength (μ) of the medium did not bring about any significant change in the rate of reaction. The applicability of different kinetic models viz. the Piszkiewicz cooperative model, the Raghvan and Srinivasan model, and the Menger–Portnoy model were tested to explain the observed micellar effects. The effect of [CTAB] on the activation parameters was explored to rationalize the micellar effect. The values of rate constants observed at four different temperatures were utilized to calculate the activation parameters. A suitable mechanism consistent with the experimental findings has been proposed. The index of cooperativity and the micelle binding constant have been calculated.
Borealin is repressed in response to p53/Rb signaling
Authors: Date Dipali A. , Jacob Cara J. , Bekier Mike E. , Stiff Andrew C. , Jackson Mark W. , Taylor William R.
Published: July 2007

Rb/E2F regulates many genes that encode proteins required for the cell cycle. Using affymetrix microarrays we previously identified genes regulated by the Rb proteins p130 and p107, many of which are involved in the cell cycle. Several genes with unknown functions were also repressed by p130 and p107, of which some have recently been found to have various roles in mitosis, the spindle checkpoint and cytokinesis. This study focuses on the regulation of borealin/dasra/cdca8, which encodes a recently discovered member of the chromosomal passenger complex. It is recorded that borealin is a cell cycle regulator, down‐regulated in response to p53/Rb‐signaling, and up‐regulated in many types of cancerous tissues.
BRS‐3 activation transforms the effect of human bronchial epithelial cells from PGE2 mediated inhibition to TGF‐β1 dependent promotion on proliferation and collagen synthesis of lung fibroblasts
Authors: Wang Yue , Zhang Ming , Tan Yurong , Xiang Yang , Liu Huijun , Qu Fei , Qin Ling , Qin Xiaoqun
Published: July 2007

Airway re‐modelling in asthma usually results in an irreversible weakness of pulmonary ventilation, however, its initiating or controlling mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we hypothesize that signal communication between airway epithelial cells and sub‐mucosal fibroblast cells may play an important role in the maintenance of structure homeostasis in a physiologic condition and in initiation of airway remodelling in a stressed condition. To test the hypothesis, a co‐cultured system of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) and human lung fibroblasts (HLF) were designed to observe the effects of BEC, in the normal state or in a BRS‐3 activated state, on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of HLF. The results showed that the proliferation activities of both BEC and HLF inhibited each other under the normal state. BRS‐3‐activated BEC can transform the reciprocal inhibition into promoting effects. The secretion of TGF‐β1 increased and the synthesis of PGE2 decreased from BRS‐3‐activated BEC, which were correlated with the proliferation and collagen synthesis of HLF. The proliferation activities of HLF were weakened by co‐culture with TGF‐β1 antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) treated BEC. It was concluded that, in the normal state, BEC inhibits the activities of fibroblasts through release of PGE2 to maintain the airway homeostasis; however when stressed, for example by BRS‐3 activation, BEC promote the activities of fibroblasts mediated by TGF‐β1, thereby facilitating the airway re‐modelling.
Extracellular and transmembrane region of a podocalyxin‐like protein 1 fragment identified from colon cancer cell lines
Authors: Ito Tetsuo , Maki Noboru , Hazeki Osamu , Sasaki Kazuki , Nekooki Munenori
Published: July 2007

Regulated intramembrane proteolysis of membrane proteins has been shown to play an important role in cell differentiation and in the pathogenesis of diseases. The aim of the present study was to identify novel peptides generated by intramembrane proteolysis. The peptides were identified in serum‐free cultured (SFC) media from various cell lines by surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (SELDI‐TOF‐MS). A 2315‐Da peptide found only in medium from SFC colon cancer cell lines was identified and shown to consist of a portion of both the extracellular and transmembrane regions of human podocalyxin‐like 1. This protein fragment was not found in lung or pancreatic cancer cell lines by immunoprecipitation‐SELDI tests using an antibody specific to this fragment, suggesting that this human podocalyxin‐like protein 1 fragment may be unique to colon cancer cell lines.
Buprenorphine injection to the stellate ganglion in the treatment of upper body chronic pain syndromes
Authors: Goebel Andreas , Lawson Andrew , Allen Steve , Glynn Chris
Published: July 2007

Background: The injection of low dose buprenorphine to the sympathetic ganglia, termed “GLOA”, Ganglionide Local Opioid Analgesia, is used to treat chronic pain in several European centres. It is not known whether the clinically observed GLOA effect in chronic pain syndromes is due to a specific effect of buprenorphine at the ganglia. We assessed whether GLOA, plus intramuscular saline, was more efficacious than the reverse, saline injection to the stellate plus intramuscular buprenorphine, termed SSB.

Methods: We devised a randomized, double‐blinded, controlled crossover trial to treat patients with chronic upper body pain syndromes. Patients first received either GLOA or SSB. Pain was assessed using pain diaries both before injection and over the first 8h and 6days afterwards, and was expressed as relative pain intensity post versus pre‐injection pain.

Results: The median relative pain intensity after injections did not differ between GLOA and SSB. Four patients reported a low, <50%, relative pain level over the first 8h after SSB only. Four patients did not complete the trial and were excluded. One patient with cardiomyopathy became acutely diaphoretic and fatigued after GLOA, his vital signs however remained stable.

Conclusions: We failed to show a superiority of GLOA over SSB. Our results suggest it unlikely that the clinically observed effect after a single GLOA injection is due to a specific action of buprenorphine at the stellate ganglion. The efficacy of GLOA is hereby questioned. The use of GLOA in patients with cardiomyopathy should be cautioned. Trial registration: ISRCTN59287260; http:www.controlled‐trials.com/
Cloning and characterization of microRNAs from Brassica napus
Authors: Wang Lei , Wang Ming-Bo , Tu Jin-Xing , Helliwell Christopher A. , Waterhouse Peter M. , Dennis Elizabeth S. , Fu Ting-Dong , Fan Yun-Liu
Published: July 2007

A library containing approximately 40,000 small RNA sequences was constructed for Brassica napus. Analysis of 3025 sequences obtained from this library resulted in the identification of 11 conserved miRNA families, which were validated by secondary structure prediction using surrounding sequences in the Brassica genome. Two 21 nt small RNA sequences reside within the arm of a pre‐miRNA like stem–loop structure, making them likely candidates for novel non‐conserved miRNAs in B. napus. Most of the conserved miRNAs were expressed at similar levels in a F1 hybrid B. napus line and its four double haploid progeny that showed marked variations in phenotypes, but many were differentially expressed between B. napus and Arabidopsis. The miR169 family was expressed at high levels in young leaves and stems, but was undetectable in roots and mature leaves, suggesting that miR169 expression is developmentally regulated in B. napus.
Neutrophilia and elevated serum cytokines are implicated in glycogen storage disease type Ia
Authors: Kim So Youn , Chen Li-Yuan , Yiu Wai Han , Weinstein David A. , Chou Janice Y.
Published: July 2007

Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD‐Ia) patients deficient in glucose‐6‐phosphatase‐α manifest a disturbed glucose homeostasis. We hypothesized that disturbed glucose homeostasis might affect myeloid functions. Here, we show that GSD‐Ia mice exhibit normal neutrophil activities but have elevated myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow and spleen. Interestingly, GSD‐Ia mice exhibit a persistent increase in peripheral blood neutrophil counts along with elevated serum levels of granulocyte colony stimulating factor and cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant. Taken together, our results suggest that a loss of glucose homeostasis can compromise the immune system, resulting in neutrophilia. This may explain some of the unexpected clinical manifestations seen in GSD‐Ia.
Automated Protein Crystallization Trials Using the Thermo Scientific Matrix Hydra II eDrop
Authors: Murthy Tal , Wang Yongcheng , Reynolds Colin , Boggon Titus J.
Published: July 2007

Obtaining suitable crystals for X-ray diffraction experiments is one of the rate-limiting steps in macromolecular crystallography. Robotic platforms that can increase throughput are highly desirable for crystal screening operations. The Thermo Scientific Matrix Hydra II eDrop is a liquid handling robot capable of dispensing sub-microliter and microliter volumes of solutions. Equipped with single-channel noncontact microdispenser, 96-channel syringe-based contact microdispenser and user-friendly ControlMate software, the Thermo Scientific Matrix Hydra II eDrop is appropriately designed for crystal screening experiments. The microdispensers are used in a single operational process to rapidly dispense sub-microliter volumes of liquids for automated crystallization plate setup. In this report, we discuss the design of the Thermo Scientific Matrix Hydra II eDrop. We also discuss an automated protocol for macromolecular crystallization trials that has successfully been used to produce crystals of a membrane protein, the rhomboid family intramembrane protease, GlpG. (JALA 2007;12:213–8)
A Laboratory Information Management System for High-Throughput Experimental Lipidomics: Minimal Information Required for the Analysis of Lipidomics Experiments (MIALE)
Authors: Byrnes Robert W. , Fahy Eoin , Subramaniam Shankar
Published: July 2007

Sequencing of the human genome has opened the way and provided the impetus for building a comprehensive picture of a mammalian cell. Significant efforts are underway in the fields of genomics and proteomics to identify all genes and proteins in a given organism. The goal is a complete map of the genes, gene products, and their interaction networks in a functioning cell. The next step in establishing a comprehensive picture of a cell will be to integrate the cell's metabolome with the rapidly developing genomic and proteomic maps. A cell's metabolome, however, is such an enormous and complex entity that characterizing it can only be approached in sections. Our group of laboratories, the LIPID MAPS consortium, has focused on the lipid section of the metabolome. We have implemented a Lipid Metabolites and Pathways Strategy, termed LIPID MAPS, that applies a global integrated approach to the study of lipidomics in cells and tissues. This paper describes key aspects of the design, implementation, and accessibility features of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) which serves the LIPID MAPS consortium. This software serves as a model system for integrating experimental information obtained by laboratories participating in metabolomics studies. (JALA 2007;12:230–8)
Jonathan Edwards's Freedom of the Will and his defence of the impeccability of Jesus Christ
Authors: Fisk Philip J
Published: July 2007

It is in Jonathan Edwards's Freedom of the Will (1754) that he reconciles impeccability and freedom of the will in the human soul of Jesus Christ, even when Jesus is in a state of trial. But how does he shape a synthesis between these two attributes without duplicity, and at the same time avoid theological and christological barbs, whether Arminian or Hobbist, Nestorian or Apollinist? For Edwards, the Son of God did not surrender impeccability when he undertook to fulfil – in human nature, and in a state of trial – intra-trinitarian promises, promises made not only by the Father to the Son, but by the Son to the Father. Edwards views the habits of the heart of Jesus Christ progressing in holiness from the moment of his incarnation. He understands the excellencies that the Son of God brought to the human nature in the incarnation in no way to have added to nor to have diminished the impeccable holy disposition of his person. A key to interpreting the holy habits of Jesus’ heart is, according to Edwards, to view the source of the impeccability of the soul of Jesus as lying in its essence, not in a cause outside his person; it lies in the very disposition of his heart.
The moral theology of John Paul II: Protestant reading
Authors: Smith Stephanie
Published: July 2007

This work critically examines the moral theology of Karol Wojtyla/John Paul II. In his writings as Wojtyla, and later as John Paul II, the theme of human dignity served as the starting point for his moral theology. This article first describes his conception of human dignity as influenced by Thomist and by phenomenological sources. The Thomist philosophy of being provided Wojtyla with an optimistic view of the epistemic and moral capacity of human persons. Wojtyla argued that because of the analogia entis, humans gain epistemic access to the normative order of God as well as the moral capacity to live in accordance with the law of God. Built upon the foundation of his Thomist assumptions, Wojtyla's phenomenological research enriched his insight into human dignity by arguing in favour of the formative nature of human action. He argued that human dignity rested also in this dynamism of personhood: the capacity not only to live in accordance with the normative order but to form oneself as virtuous by partaking in virtuous acts or to form one's community in solidarity through acts of participation and self-giving. After presenting his moral theology, this article then engages critically with his assumptions from a Protestant perspective. I argue that, while human dignity provides a powerful and beneficial starting point for ethics, his Thomist ontology of being/substance and the optimistic terms in which he interprets human dignity ultimately undermine his social programme. I propose that an ontology of relation provides a better starting point for interpreting human dignity and for appealing for acts of solidarity in the social realm.
Context, continuity, and discontinuity in Hans Schwarz's survey of nineteenth- and twentieth-century theology
Authors: Jodock Darrell
Published: July 2007

Hans Schwarz begins his Theology in a Global Context: The Last Two Hundred Years in (or around) 1800. That date provides an appropriate point of departure, because about then a significant shift in outlook occurred, which marked the beginning of a new era in theology. The shift was from a static to a developmentalist view of the past and included a resulting emphasis on the contextual or historically rooted character of any theological proposal.
Language, policy and the construction of a torture culture in the war on terrorism
Authors: JACKSON RICHARD
Published: July 2007

Torture has been widely practiced by US forces as an officially-sanctioned information gathering strategy in the war on terrorism. At the same time, public attitudes have exhibited a growing tolerance towards the torture of terrorist suspects. This article examines the role of elite political discourse in constructing and sustaining the conditions necessary for the acceptance and normalisation of torture. It argues that a focus on elite discourse is crucial for understanding how torture comes to be practised because discourses set the logic and parameters of policy formulation and create the wider social legitimacy that is required to enact policy, thereby facilitating the construction of a broader torture-sustaining reality. The study’s findings highlight the role of ideational factors in policy analysis and have important normative implications.
Optimising the use of virtual and conventional simulation: a clinical and economic analysis
Authors: McJury M. , Foran B. , Conway J. , Dixon S. , Wilcock K. , Brown G. , Robinson M.H.
Published: July 2007

Background and purpose: Currently, optimal use of virtual simulation for all treatment sites is not entirely clear. This study presents data to identify specific patient groups for whom conventional simulation may be completely eliminated and replaced by virtual simulation.

Sampling and method: Two hundred and sixty patients were recruited from four treatment sites (head and neck, breast, pelvis, and thorax). Patients were randomly assigned to be treated using the usual treatment process involving conventional simulation, or a treatment process differing only in the replacement of conventional plan verification with virtual verification. Data were collected on set-up accuracy at verification, and the number of unsatisfactory verifications requiring a return to the conventional simulator. A micro-economic costing analysis was also undertaken, whereby data for each treatment process episode were also collected: number and grade of staff present, and the time for each treatment episode.

Results: The study shows no statistically significant difference in the number of returns to the conventional simulator for each site and study arm. Image registration data show similar quality of verification for each study arm. The micro-costing data show no statistical difference between the virtual and conventional simulation processes.

Conclusions: At our institution, virtual simulation including virtual verification for the sites investigated presents no disadvantage compared to conventional simulation.
Glacial and interglacial eolian dust dispersal patterns across the Chinese Loess Plateau inferred from decomposed loess grain‐size records
Authors: Prins Maarten A. , Vriend Mirjam
Published: July 2007

Previous studies have indicated that a genetically meaningful decomposition (unmixing) of loess grain‐size distributions can be accomplished with the end‐member modeling algorithm EMMA. The independent decomposition of two series of loess grain‐size records from the NE Tibetan Plateau and Loess Plateau spanning the last glacial‐interglacial cycle indicates that the two data sets are described by very similar mixing models. The average mixing model presented here is regarded as representative for the vast loess region in northern China and allows quantification of the contribution of three loess components to the loess grain‐size distributions. A genetic interpretation and the paleoclimatic significance of the average mixing model have been provided by comparison of the modeled loess components with modern dust samples in terms of their grain‐size distribution and flux rates, and by the distribution patterns of the loess components across the Loess Plateau reconstructed for the last two glacial‐interglacial cycles. The sandy and silty loess components represent the coarse dust fraction supplied by saltation and short‐term suspension processes over the proximal part of the Loess Plateau during major dust outbreaks in spring and early summer. The low‐level winter monsoon (northwesterly wind system) is the likely transporting agent for these dust events. A clayey loess component represents the fine dust component supplied over the entire Loess Plateau by long‐term suspension processes during major dust outbreaks and as part of a background supply system. The clayey loess component in the glacial loess deposits is dominantly supplied during major dust outbreaks by the northwesterly winter monsoon, whereas the clayey loess component in the interglacial paleosols is mainly supplied by non‐dust‐storm processes, possibly with a significant contribution by the high‐level subtropical jet stream (westerly winds).
Martian surface mineralogy from Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité on board the Mars Express spacecraft (OMEGA/MEx): Global mineral maps
Authors: Poulet F. , Gomez C. , Bibring J.‐P. , Langevin Y. , Gondet B. , Pinet P. , Belluci G. , Mustard J.
Published: July 2007

After 2 years of operation the Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité (OMEGA) imaging spectrometer on board Mars Express has acquired data coverage of the Martian surface with spatial resolution varying between 300 m and 4.8 km, depending on the pericenter altitude of the spacecraft's elliptical orbit. We report the global surface distributions of some minerals using the OMEGA observations in the visible and near infrared (VNIR) wavelength domains (0.35–2.5 μm). Global maps of ferric phases, mafic minerals (pyroxenes and olivines), and hydrated minerals have been derived from spectral parameters. The limits of detection in terms of abundance for some minerals of different grain size distributions are given. The distribution of pyroxenes is in general agreement with the mineral maps of previous telescopic and space observations. The Fe3+ absorption feature in the visible wavelength region is present everywhere on the surface. The spectra of the bright regions compare with anhydrous nanophase ferric oxides. Terrains with water‐bearing minerals cover a very small fraction of the Martian surface. Olivine (Mg‐rich compositions) is detected in more extensive regions of the pyroxene‐rich zones than previously reported. Olivine with higher iron content and/or larger grain size (>100 μm) is only detected in isolated areas. The mineralogy of the northern low‐albedo regions is discussed in the light of these mineral maps. Chemical alteration or oxidation during extrusion producing a coating or varnish of anhydrous ferric phases over a dark basaltic surface best accounts for the VNIR spectral properties of these regions, although a glassy composition resulting from impact is also considered.
Controls on the variability of net infiltration to desert sandstone
Authors: Heilweil Victor M. , McKinney Tim S. , Zhdanov Michael S. , Watt Dennis E.
Published: July 2007

As populations grow in arid climates and desert bedrock aquifers are increasingly targeted for future development, understanding and quantifying the spatial variability of net infiltration becomes critically important for accurately inventorying water resources and mapping contamination vulnerability. This paper presents a conceptual model of net infiltration to desert sandstone and then develops an empirical equation for its spatial quantification at the watershed scale using linear least squares inversion methods for evaluating controlling parameters (independent variables) based on estimated net infiltration rates (dependent variables). Net infiltration rates used for this regression analysis were calculated from environmental tracers in boreholes and more than 3000 linear meters of vadose zone excavations in an upland basin in southwestern Utah underlain by Navajo sandstone. Soil coarseness, distance to upgradient outcrop, and topographic slope were shown to be the primary physical parameters controlling the spatial variability of net infiltration. Although the method should be transferable to other desert sandstone settings for determining the relative spatial distribution of net infiltration, further study is needed to evaluate the effects of other potential parameters such as slope aspect, outcrop parameters, and climate on absolute net infiltration rates.
Complex electric fields near the lunar terminator: The near‐surface wake and accelerated dust
Authors: Farrell W. M. , Stubbs T. J. , Vondrak R. R. , Delory G. T. , Halekas J. S.
Published: July 2007

The lunar near‐surface electric field in the vicinity of the terminator is very complex, with a surface polarity change from dayside‐positive to nightside‐negative potentials and the formation of intensely negative potentials due to the low plasma density and increased temperatures in the trailing lunar wake region. Presented is a preliminary map of the terminator near‐surface E‐field magnitude and a discussion of dust dynamics in this E‐field structure, with intense vertical fields tending to give rise to vertically directed dust trajectories (aligned with the surface normal). Application of this process of wake‐generated surface E‐fields and dust to the more complicated topography at the lunar landing site of Apollo 17 is then used to explain the detection of fast moving (∼500 m/sec) but nightside‐directed dust in the region. We suggest that local solar wind orographic effects occurring at lunar sunrise/sunset can create a plasma void on the anti‐sunward side of obstructing features and associated wake‐generated surface E‐fields can then be the source of the nightside‐directed grains.
Infrasound from thunder: A natural seismic source
Authors: Lin Ting‐L. , Langston Charles A.
Published: July 2007

A small array consisting of five three‐component short‐period surface seismometers, a three‐component borehole seismometer, and five infrasound microphones was built to investigate thunder‐induced ground motions. Data from two thunder events with similar N‐wave waveforms but different horizontal slownesses are chosen as examples of data collected by the array. These impulsive acoustic waves excited P and S reverberations in the near surface that depend on both the incident wave horizontal slowness and the velocity structure in the upper 30 meters at the site. Although the depth of the borehole is relatively shallow compared to a seismic wave wavelength, velocity amplitude in the radial component decays as much as 63 percent with depth but vertical component amplitudes are unaffected consistent with air‐coupled Rayleigh wave excitation. Naturally occurring thunder appears to be a useful seismic source to empirically determine site resonance characteristics for hazards assessments.
Warped product spaces and geodesic motion in the neighborhood of branes
Authors: Dahia F. , da Silva Lúcio F. P. , Romero Carlos , Tavakol Reza
Published: July 2007

We study the classical geodesic motions of nonzero rest mass test particles and photons in five-dimensional warped product spaces. We show that it is possible to obtain a general picture of these motions using the natural decoupling that occurs in such spaces between the motions in the fifth dimension and the motion in the hypersurfaces. This splitting allows the use of phase space analysis in order to investigate the possible confinement of particles and photons to hypersurfaces in five-dimensional warped product spaces. Using such an analysis, we find a novel form of quasiconfinement which is oscillatory and neutrally stable. We also find that this class of warped product spaces locally satisfy the Z2 symmetry by default. The importance of such a confinement is that it is purely due to the classical gravitational effects, without requiring the presence of brane-type confinement mechanisms.
Enhanced sampling via strong coupling to a heat bath: Relationship between Tsallis and multicanonical algorithms
Authors: Morishita Tetsuya , Mikami Masuhiro
Published: July 2007

We show that Tsallis and multicanonical statistical mechanics are equivalent under specific conditions and that they describe a system strongly coupled to a heat bath. The concept of the strong coupling to a heat bath, in which energy fluctuation is larger than that in the canonical ensemble [J. Chem. Phys. 119, 7075 (2003)], plays a key role in relating Tsallis formalism to multicanonical formalism. The equivalence between these formalisms allows us to obtain an appropriate q parameter in the Tsallis algorithm to enhance the sampling in the phase space in a manner similar to the multicanonical algorithm. An enhanced sampling in the configurational space by use of the strong coupling formalism is demonstrated in a Lennard-Jones fluid.
Marked differences in volume phase transitions between gel and single molecule in DNA
Authors: Mayama H. , Nakai T. , Takushi E. , Tsujii K. , Yoshikawa K.
Published: July 2007

Volume phase transitions of a DNA gel and a single giant DNA chain caused by spermidine3+ (SPD3+) were investigated. The change in volume for the single DNA (V∕V0∼10−5) was four orders of magnitude greater than that for the DNA gel (∼10−1), while the critical SPD3+ concentration for the gel (1.8mM) was one order of magnitude greater than that of the single DNA (0.12–0.25mM) at the same pH 6.86. We tried to describe mean-field theories with virial expansion, which is valid for the coil-globule transition of a single polymer chain, for the volume phase transitions to explain the reason why such marked differences appeared. Considering the degree of the ordering of Kuhn segments arising from the gel network structure together with the chain length of cross-linked polymer chains, the volume phase transitions were described and then the significant differences were reproduced quantitatively. We concluded that the network structure plays a significant role in the volume phase transition of the gel.
Critical thoughts on computing atom condensed Fukui functions
Authors: Bultinck Patrick , Fias Stijn , Van Alsenoy Christian , Ayers Paul W. , Carbó-Dorca Ramon
Published: July 2007

Different procedures to obtain atom condensed Fukui functions are described. It is shown how the resulting values may differ depending on the exact approach to atom condensed Fukui functions. The condensed Fukui function can be computed using either the fragment of molecular response approach or the response of molecular fragment approach. The two approaches are nonequivalent; only the latter approach corresponds in general with a population difference expression. The Mulliken approach does not depend on the approach taken but has some computational drawbacks. The different resulting expressions are tested for a wide set of molecules. In practice one must make seemingly arbitrary choices about how to compute condensed Fukui functions, which suggests questioning the role of these indicators in conceptual density-functional theory.
Analysis of the electromagnetic fields and electron acceleration in the bubble regime of the laser-plasma interaction
Authors: Xie Bai-Song , Wu Hai-Cheng , Wang Hongyu , Wang Nai-Yan , Yu M. Y.
Published: July 2007

An analytical model for the electromagnetic fields in the bubble regime of the interaction of ultrahigh-intensity laser with plasma is given. The two-dimensional model is based on the results of particle-in-cell simulation and includes the bubble front region. It is used to consider the generation of dense ultrashort quasimonoenergetic high-energy electron bunches. The resulting bunch parameters agree fairly well with those from the simulation.
Thermal stability of surface freezing films in Ga-based alloys: An x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy study
Authors: Halka V. , Freyland W.
Published: July 2007

We have investigated the thickness and surface structure of surface freezing films in Ga–Bi and Ga–Pb alloys over a wide temperature range between room temperature and the respective surface freezing transitions by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). For the example of a Ga–Bi alloy dilute in Bi, XPS measurements show that the surface freezing film has a nearly constant value of ∼25Å between the surface freezing temperature of 130°C and room temperature if the sample is cooled slowly (5K∕h). On heating to 130°C the film thickness exhibits a clear hysteresis on melting. On quenching the alloy sample (>100K∕h) the film thickness increases by almost a factor of 10. These observations indicate that the surface freezing films are metastable. The surface structure of the surface freezing films of various Ga-rich Ga–Bi and Ga–Pb alloys has been probed for the first time by STM at different temperatures below and above the bulk eutectic point. Atomically resolved STM images show the surface structures of pure Bi (0001) and Pb (111), respectively, at room temperature. On heating above the eutectic temperature the surface structure of the films does not change significantly as judged from the size and thickness of Pb or Bi terraces. These observations together with the film thickness variation with temperature indicate that the surface freezing films behave like a metastable independent surface phase. These results together with the wetting characteristics of these alloys suggest that surface freezing in these systems is a first order surface phase transition between wetting and metastable surface freezing films. The energy barrier for nucleation is strongly reduced due to a lowering of the interfacial energy if the nucleus is completely immersed in the respective wetting layer.