bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants affecting organizations' intent to adopt e-tailing: a study based on innovation theories
Authors: To L. March
Published: October 2004

Online retailing (e-tailing), which is believed as a major technological innovation has aroused significant attention both in literature and business. Nevertheless, while there are abundant adoption studies from consumer perspectives, few studies provide concrete analysis of organizational views. To study organizations' behavior of the e-tailing adoption, the well-known innovation theories (e.g. [1], [2].) provide a valuable base for investigation. However, the major problematic issue in previous innovation theories is the inconsistent findings across studies. A determinant found significantly to an innovation adoption in one study can be insignificant in another study regarding the same innovation typology. It is suggested that more insights in research design be added to the theories before they are employed.The objective of this study is to provide a critical review in order to summarize and explain those inconsistent finding; and to propose a framework with new theoretical relationships to investigate the determinants affecting firms' intent of "e-tailing" adoption. It is indicated that the past inconsistent findings can be caused by mismatch between specificity and generality within a study; and inattention to some interactive relationships among the identified determinants [3]. With respect to the issues, a theoretical framework is proposed to test the new relationships among the four determinants namely 1) Perceived Characteristics of Innovation (PCI), 2) Characteristic of Environment, 3) Characteristic of Organization and 4) Characteristic of Top Management. Hierarchical Regression Analysis is used to test the model with variables entered into the regression equation by the assigned steps.It is expected that a firm who perceives better of e-tailing i.e. relative advantage and compatibility will have better attitude toward its adoption and have higher adoption intention. Besides these, higher competitive pressure, lower channel pressure, bigger firm size, more available IT infrastructure and innovative top management are expected to positively correlate with the intention. However, the real co-relational strengths of those relationships should be moderated by the firm's attitude toward the adoption. For example, competitive pressure is likely to make a firm more innovative in overall; however, whether a company is really willing to adopt a particular innovation would be affected by its attitude toward that innovation. Positive (negative) attitude can increase (decrease) the intention. This moderating effect, which has not addressed by past innovation theories, can explain the inconsistent findings.Figuring out what determinants affect the adoption of e-tailing among organizations provides significant implications. It is useful for managers to evaluate those internal and external factors of their firms. It helps managers position their firms for the decision of online marketing.
Can students improve their undergraduate schievements and get accepted to graduate school?
Authors: Benaya Tamar , Zur Ela
Published: October 2004

The Open University of Israel offers an MSc program in Computer Science for students with an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and a grade point average of at least 80. We will describe an experiment which we began a year ago in which we give an opportunity to those students who do not meet the requirements (average lower than 80) to improve their achievements.
Managing the programming tail
Authors: Ford Lindsey
Published: October 2004

We describe a way of dealing with those students in a class learning programming that are unable to keep up with the rest.
Design of MCQ test
Authors: Fone William
Published: October 2004

This paper is concerned with the use of semiotics to improve the design of multiple choice question (MCQ) tests. Improving the feedback to candidates of MCQ tests by using a speech circuit that introduces autopoietic redundant information to filter noise is discussed.
A suite of tools for teaching concurrency
Authors: Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: October 2004

This poster describes a suite of new or improved tools for teaching concurrent and distributed computation. The tools are written in Java for portability and are freely available at the address http://stwww.weizmann.ac.il/g-cs/~benari/software.htm, under the GNU General Public License. (Some tools invoke other programs which have different licensing arrangements.)
Using the synergies between the object-oriented paradigm and mathematics in joint mathematics/computer science programs
Authors: Conrad Marc , French Tim
Published: October 2004

Whilst the object oriented paradigm and its instantiation within programming languages such as Java has become a ubiquitous part of both the commercial and educational landscapes, its usage as a visualisation technique within Mathematics undergraduate programmes of study has not been widely recognised. By regarding the object oriented paradigm as a medium for conceptual exploration (rather than merely as a tool) the aim is to show how the close conceptual links between object orientation and certain mathematical structures such as rings and groups can be more fully realised, using the ready-made Java package com.perisic.ring [2]. The package provides classes for abstract rings and can in addition be used as a reference model for other mathematical objects such as groups or vector spaces [3].The intention behind the approach offered here is to build upon these enabling foundations so as to reveal the fundamental synergies that exist between the various entities that are central to the OO paradigm (such as Abstract Data Types) and abstract mathematical structures (such as Rings and Groups). By inviting students to revisit certain fundamental OO constructs and techniques (such as classes, polymorphism, encapsulation and inheritance) within the context of pure mathematics, students may perhaps gain a deeper insight into mathematical abstractions and related algebraic structures. The idea is to generally reinforce students' learning and to generally enhance their mathematical maturity through a process of "live engagement" with a familiar and indeed ubiquitous OO paradigm.It is clear that for some authors at least, the use of Java in Mathematics is seen to be purely pragmatic: i.e. merely as a convenient tool used to engineer a graphical user interface or to explore distributed programming [1]. However there has been a heated on-going debate that has sought to identify whether the "correct" use of a computer and other automated devices such as calculators, genuinely aids students' learning and analytical abilities, or whether such usage may actually be detrimental to the development of mathematical maturity [1]. We prefer to believe that Java may have a deeper role to play. However, rather than directly seeking to contribute to this pedagogic debate between "reformers" and "traditionalists" our aim here is to show how (conceptually) the two discipline areas are mutually synergistic. In particular we show how gaining a deeper insight into, and understanding of, object oriented techniques can in fact provide an ideal pedagogic opportunity for our undergraduate target audience to better visualise, hence understand, certain abstract mathematical concepts and entities.
Treemap visualizations for CS2
Authors: Kosa Martha J. , Boshart Mark A.
Published: October 2004

Computer science instructors periodically need to update their classroom examples and programming assignments in order to reflect changes in current practice in the field and to discourage copying by students. As experienced CS2 instructors, we regularly face this challenge. The topics in our CS2 course are standard and include recursion, lists, stacks, queues, and trees (including B-trees as well as standard binary search trees and AVL trees). Our students use Java (including GUIs). We have experimented with having students use and write programs to visualize various data structures. The students have written programs to visualize search trees using the traditional approach in which ovals represent nodes and lines represent links. They have also written programs to visualize search trees via a Web browser [2]. We propose an alternate visualization technique based on treemaps. We believe that treemaps are a rich source for classroom examples and assignments for CS2 instructors. Trees are useful for storing hierarchical data, and they are naturally recursive. A tree is either empty, or it has a root node with subtrees. A root is connected to its subtrees by links or branches. We had an idea to draw a tree in a square, which would be split into multiple rectangles, one for each node in the tree. As we moved down a level in the tree, we toggled the direction of the split in the rectangles from vertical to horizontal or vice versa. The root node's size in the current rectangle corresponded to its relative weight in the current subtree. The structure of the tree could be inferred by the relationships among the rectangles and their relative widths and heights. We drew several of these embeddings by hand and noted that the patterns resembled art by the Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrian [6]. We then implemented this visualization using the Java Power Tools [4] library and noted that this visualization can be enriched with colors and graphical patterns, as in the Kaleidoscope example [3]. Our idea is an active research area in computer graphics [7]. However, it still appears to be a novel teaching idea for CS2. Ben Shneiderman [5] was the first to study two-dimensional space-filling representations of trees; he called them "treemaps". His motivating problem was to visualize directories in order to determine disk utilization. His algorithm was similar to our algorithm. XML documents can also be visualized using his algorithm and others [1]. Our goal is to synthesize this treemap visualization literature [1, 5] into classroom materials for CS2 instructors.
A classroom experiment for teaching automata
Authors: Hamada Mohamed , Shiina Kazuhiko
Published: October 2004

In this work we focus on an experiment held at an automata class room to test the effectiveness of using simulators. We developed our own simulator. We also tested two other existing simulators to find whether simulators are useful as a teaching tool in automata classes.
Graduate students learning strategies through research collaboration
Authors: Argollo Eduardo , Hanzich Mauricio , Mostaccio Diego , Bianchini Germán , Fritzsche Paula , Bonàs Ferran , Luque Emilio , Moure Juan Carlos , Rexachs Dolores
Published: October 2004

It is already known that the learning process can be accelerated with the mixture of theoretical classes and experimental work. This paper describes an interesting experiment with that combination in the teaching of computer architecture for Ph.D. students in collaboration with a researcher in a real design investigation. As the work progressed, a simple cyclical methodology arose as reference for future works.
Introducing undergraduates to programming using robots in the general education curriculum
Authors: Leska Chuck
Published: October 2004

This paper outlines some of the relevant components of our first offering of the Programming with Robots course and ideas we have for enhancing the "GenEdness" of the course.
Enhancing student learning through collaboration
Authors: Ratcliffe Mark , Holloway Jonathan , Ellis Wayne
Published: October 2004

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that collaborative working has much to offer the learning process. Though it is used in many different disciplines, its use is curtailed largely due to the fact that many feel that the assessment is rather subjective and often unfair. It is difficult to identify individual contributions within a team. Some students can avoid making any real contributions whilst being carried, or hiding behind, stronger group members. Stronger group members can become disillusioned without the benefit of appropriate recognition.It is important to overcome the problem of assessing group work. One of the most powerful is the use of VorteX, a recent development undertaken in Aberystwyth that provides real time collaboration aimed specifically at novice programmers offering: remote collaborative working, individual contribution metrics, animated replays of the entire group work, and scope for potentially any group working exercise. VorteX has been used with great success on a number of first year projects as demonstrated by the following quote:"I found the experience both enjoyable and insightful. Initially I was a little apprehensive at not knowing who I was working with. What I really found interesting about the experience was that it was almost like plugging straight into my colleague's heads, in effect bypassing or filtering out all the visual "noise" associated with day-to-day communication. This permitted us to operate mainly on an intellectual level. Working in this way allowed Student-X [a profoundly deaf student] to interact with us on an equal footing without the usual communication problems and physical barriers enabling him to work freely and express his ideas effortlessly.Significance and Relevance of the Topic: Many academics share the opinion that collaborative work is of significant value. Unfortunately the available methods of assessment make it hard to use to its full potential. This demonstration will introduce new ideas that will make assessment much fairer and less subjective.
An assistive technology project for an HCI course
Authors: Liffick Blaise W.
Published: October 2004

This presentation describes a project for a standard undergraduate human-computer interaction (HCI) course that incorporates issues related to users who are disabled. It is part of the 2-year project "Integrating Assistive Technology into an Undergraduate Computer Science Curriculum from an HCI Approach," funded by the National Science Foundation.
A simple implementation of a queue with a circularly linked list
Authors: Sher David B.
Published: October 2004

This Tips and Techniques sections will demonstrate that teaching about queues implemented as circularly linked lists becomes easy when an extra link is used.
Interesting basic problems for CS1
Authors: Gal-Ezer Judith , Lanzberg Dvir , Shahak Daphna
Published: October 2004

In this paper, we recommend using "real world" problems, instead of "toy problems", in CS1 to enhance the students' motivation.
Introducing undecidability
Authors: Gal-Ezer Judith , Lanzberg Dvir , Shahak Daphna
Published: October 2004

In this paper we suggest introducing undecidability to students in relatively early stages of their studies, in a way we used succefully in recent semesters.
A proposed design patterns extension for the blueJ IDE
Authors: Paterson James H. , Haddow John
Published: October 2004

In this tip we describe a proposed extension to the BlueJ IDE to encapsulate knowledge of patterns in the IDE and to help students explore them and learn how to make use of them.
Oxidized linoleic acid regulates expression and shedding of syndecan-4
Authors: Houston Michelle , Julien Matheau A. , Parthasarathy Sampath , Chaikof Elliot L.
Published: October 2004

Syndecan-4, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan that is widely expressed in the vascular wall and as a cell surface receptor, modulates events relevant to acute tissue repair, including cell migration and proliferation, cell-substrate interactions, and matrix remodeling. While syndecan-4 expression is regulated in response to acute vascular wall injury, its regulation under chronic proatherogenic conditions such as those characterized by prolonged exposure to oxidized lipids has not been defined. In this investigation, arterial smooth muscle cells were treated with 13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (HPODE) and 13-hydroperoxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, oxidized products of linoleic acid, which is the major oxidizable fatty acid in LDL. Both oxidized fatty acids induced a dose-dependent, rapid upregulation of syndecan-4 mRNA expression that was not attenuated by cycloheximide. This response was inhibited by pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine, catalase, or MEK1/2 inhibitors, but not by curcumin or lactacystin, known inhibitors of NF-κB. These data suggest that oxidized linoleic acid induces syndecan-4 mRNA expression through the initial generation of intracellular hydrogen peroxide with subsequent activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway via MEK1/2. Notably, the HPODE-induced enhancement of syndecan-4 mRNA was accompanied by accelerated shedding of syndecan-4. In principle, alterations in both the cell surface expression and shedding of syndecan-4 may augment a variety of proatherogenic events that occur in response to oxidized lipids.
Ciglitizone inhibits cell proliferation in human uterine leiomyoma via activation of store-operated Ca2+ channels
Authors: Kim Byoung Ywong , Cho Chi-Heum , Song Dae-Kyu , Mun Kyo-Cheol , Suh Seong-Il , Kim Sang-Pyo , Shin Dong-Hoon , Jang Byeong-Churl , Kwon Taeg Kyu , Cha Soon-Do , Bae Insoo , Bae Jae Hoon
Published: October 2004

This study investigated the acute effects of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ ligand, ciglitizone, on cell proliferation and intracellular Ca2+ signaling in human normal myometrium and uterine leiomyoma. Changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were measured with fura-2 AM, and cellular viabilities were determined by viable cell count and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide reduction assay. Ciglitizone (100 μM) induced greater inhibition of cell proliferation in uterine leiomyoma than in myometrium. Ciglitizone also dose-dependently increased [Ca2+]i in both myometrium and uterine leiomyoma; these [Ca2+]i increases were inhibited by PPAR-γ antagonists and raloxifene. Ciglitizone-induced [Ca2+]i increase showed only an initial peak in normal myometrial cells, whereas in uterine leiomyoma there was a second sustained [Ca2+]i increase as well. The initial [Ca2+]i increase in both myometrium and uterine leiomyoma resulted from the release of Ca2+ by the sarcoplasmic reticulum via activation of ryanodine receptors. The second [Ca2+]i increase was observed only in uterine leiomyoma because of a Ca2+ influx via an activation of store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCCs). Cell proliferation was inhibited and secondary [Ca2+]i increase in uterine leiomyoma was attenuated by cotreatment of ciglitizone with a SOCC blocker, lanthanum. The results suggest that ciglitizone inhibits cell proliferation and increases [Ca2+]i through the activation of SOCCs, especially in human uterine leiomyoma.
Are second messengers crucial for opening the pore associated with P2X7 receptor?
Authors: Faria R. X. , DeFarias F. P. , Alves Luiz Anastácio
Published: October 2004

Stimulation of the P2X7 receptor by ATP induces cell membrane depolarization, increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and, in most cases, permeabilization of the cell membrane to molecules up to 900 Da. After the activation of P2X7, at least two phenomena occur: the opening of low-conductance (8 pS) cationic channels and pore formation. At least two conflicting hypotheses have been postulated to reconcile these findings: 1) the P2X7 pore is formed as a result of gradual permeability increase (dilation) of cationic channels, and 2) the P2X7 pore represents a distinct channel, possibly activated by a second messenger and not directly by extracellular nucleotides. In this study, we investigated whether second messengers are necessary to open the pore associated with the P2X7 receptor in cells that expressed the pore activity by using the patch-clamp technique in whole cell and cell-attached configurations in conjunction with fluorescent imaging. In peritoneal macrophages and 2BH4 cells, we detected permeabilization and single-channel currents in the cell-attached configuration when ATP was applied outside the membrane patch in a condition in which oxidized ATP and Lucifer yellow were maintained within the pipette. Our data support Ca2+ as a second messenger associated with pore formation because the permeabilization depended on the presence of intracellular Ca2+ and was blocked by BAPTA-AM. In addition, MAPK inhibitors (SB-203580 and PD-98059) blocked the permeabilization and single-channel currents in these cells. Together our data indicate that the P2X7 pore depends on second messengers such as Ca2+ and MAP kinases.
Integrin mechanotransduction stimulates caveolin-1 phosphorylation and recruitment of Csk to mediate actin reorganization
Authors: Radel C. , Rizzo V.
Published: October 2004

To identify the role of caveolin-1 in integrin mechanotransduction, we exposed bovine aortic endothelial cells to 10 dyn/cm2 of laminar shear stress. Caveolin-1 was acutely and transiently phosphorylated with shear, occurring downstream of β1-integrin activation as the β1-integrin blocking antibody JB1A was inhibitory. In manipulating Src family kinase (SFK) activity with knockdown of Csk or type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1) treatment, we observed coordinate increase and decrease in shear-induced caveolin-1 phosphorylation, respectively. Hence, shear-stimulated caveolin-1 phosphorylation is regulated by SFKs. Shear-induced recruitment and phosphorylation of caveolin-1 occurred at β1-integrin sites in a β1-integrin- and SFK-dependent manner. Csk, described to interact with pY14-caveolin-1 and integrins, bound to an increased pool of phosphorylated caveolin-1 after shear corresponding with elevated Csk at β1-integrin sites. Like caveolin-1, treatment with JB1A and PP1 attenuated shear-induced Csk association with β1-integrins. Csk function was assayed with transfection of a caveolin-1 phosphorylation domain peptide. The peptide attenuated shear-induced association of Csk at β1-integrin sites, as well as colocalization of Csk with paxillin and phosphorylated caveolin-1. Because integrin and Csk activity regulate cytoskeletal reorganization, we evaluated the role of this mechanism in shear-induced myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. Knockdown of Csk expression was sufficient to reduce MLC diphosphorylation due to shear. Disruption of Csk-integrin association by peptide treatment was also inhibitory of the MLC diphosphorylation response. Together these data indicate that integrin activation with shear stress results in SFK-regulated caveolin-1 phosphorylation that, in turn, mediates Csk association at integrin sites, where it plays a role in downstream, shear-stimulated MLC diphosphorylation.
Hemodynamic and biochemical adaptations to vascular smooth muscle overexpression of p22phox in mice
Authors: Laude Karine , Cai Hua , Fink Bruno , Hoch Nyssa , Weber David S. , McCann Louise , Kojda Georg , Fukai Tohru , Schmidt Harald H. H. W. , Dikalov Sergey , Ramasamy Santhini , Gamez Graciela , Griendling Kathy K. , Harrison David G.
Published: October 2004

Protein levels and polymorphisms of p22 phox have been suggested to modulate vascular NAD(P)H oxidase activity and vascular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We sought to determine whether increasing p22 phox expression would alter vascular ROS production and hemodynamics by targeting p22 phox expression to smooth muscle in transgenic (Tg) mice. Aortas of Tg p22smc mice had increased p22 phox and Nox1 protein levels and produced more superoxide and H2O2. Surprisingly, endothelium-dependent relaxation and blood pressure in Tg p22smc mice were normal. Aortas of Tg p22smc mice produced twofold more nitric oxide (NO) at baseline and sevenfold more NO in response to calcium ionophore as detected by electron spin resonance. Western blot analysis revealed a twofold increase in endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein expression in Tg p22smc mice. Both eNOS expression and NO production were normalized by infusion of the glutathione peroxidase mimetic ebselen or by crossing Tg p22smc mice with mice overexpressing catalase. We have previously found that NO stimulates extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD) expression in vascular smooth muscle. In keeping with this, aortic segments from Tg p22smc mice expressed twofold more ecSOD, and chronic treatment with the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester normalized this, suggesting that NO regulates ecSOD protein expression in vivo. These data indicate that chronic oxidative stress caused by excessive H2O2 production evokes a compensatory response involving increased eNOS expression and NO production. NO in turn increases ecSOD protein expression and counterbalances increased ROS production leading to the maintenance of normal vascular function and hemodynamics.
Modeling Neuromuscular Modulation inAplysia.III. Interaction of Central Motor Commands and Peripheral Modulatory State for Optimal Behavior
Authors: Brezina Vladimir , Horn Charles C. , Weiss Klaudiusz R.
Published: October 2004

Recent work in computational neuroethology has emphasized that “the brain has a body”: successful adaptive behavior is not simply commanded by the nervous system, but emerges from interactions of nervous system, body, and environment. Here we continue our study of these issues in the accessory radula closer (ARC) neuromuscular system of Aplysia. The ARC muscle participates in the animal's feeding behaviors, a set of cyclical, rhythmic behaviors driven by a central pattern generator (CPG). Patterned firing of the ARC muscle's two motor neurons, B15 and B16, releases not only ACh to elicit the muscle's contractions but also peptide neuromodulators that then shape the contractions through a complex network of actions on the muscle. These actions are dynamically complex: some are fast, but some are slow, so that they are temporally uncoupled from the motor neuron firing pattern in the current cycle. Under these circumstances, how can the nervous system, through just the narrow channel of the firing patterns of the motor neurons, control the contractions, movements, and behavior in the periphery? In two earlier papers, we developed a realistic mathematical model of the B15/B16-ARC neuromuscular system and its modulation. Here we use this model to study the functional performance of the system in a realistic behavioral task. We run the model with two kinds of inputs: a simple set of regular motor neuron firing patterns that allows us to examine the entire space of patterns, and the real firing patterns of B15 and B16 previously recorded in a 21/2-h-long meal of 749 cycles in an intact feeding animal. These real patterns are extremely irregular. Our main conclusions are the following. 1) The modulation in the periphery is necessary for superior functional performance. 2) The components of the modulatory network interact in nonlinear, context- and task-dependent combinations for best performance overall, although not necessarily in any particular cycle. 3) Both the fast and the slow dynamics of the modulatory state make important contributions. 4) The nervous system controls different components of the periphery to different degrees. To some extent the periphery operates semiautonomously. However, the structure of the peripheral modulatory network ensures robust performance under all circumstances, even with the irregular motor neuron firing patterns and even when the parameters of the functional task are randomly varied from cycle to cycle to simulate a variable feeding environment. In the variable environment, regular firing patterns, which are fine-tuned to one particular task, fail to provide robust performance. We propose that the CPG generates the irregular firing patterns, which nevertheless are guaranteed to give robust performance overall through the actions of the peripheral modulatory network, as part of a trial-and-error feeding strategy in a variable, uncertain environment.
Shrinkage of Somatosensory Hand Area in Subjects With Upper Extremity Dysmelia Revealed by Magnetoencephalography
Authors: Stoeckel M. Cornelia , Pollok Bettina , Witte Otto W. , Seitz Rüdiger J. , Schnitzler Alfons
Published: October 2004

The effect of peripheral lesions on cerebral somatosensory representations is well studied for experimentally induced amputations and deafferentations acquired later in life. However, few studies have investigated the brain's capacity for plastic changes in congenital malformations. We studied somatosensory-evoked fields to electrical stimulation of the bordering fingers in 10 subjects with upper extremity dysmelia in comparison with 10 control subjects using a 122-channel whole-head magnetometer. The number of developed fingers varied between two and four in the affected subjects. We localized finger representations in the primary somatosensory cortex and calculated Euclidian distances to estimate the size of the somatosensory hand area. Euclidian distances were significantly smaller in dysmelic subjects (5.7 mm) than in control subjects (11.6 mm) and were related to the number of the developed fingers on the contralateral hand. In contrast, individual finger representations were not found to be reduced. We suggest that the shrinkage of the somatosensory hand area might be related to the congenital nature of the malformation, to the smaller anatomical hand size in the affected subjects, and/or to use-dependent effects due to impaired hand function.
Dopamine Enhances Spatiotemporal Spread of Activity in Rat Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Susanta , Gonzalez-Islas Carlos , Hablitz John J.
Published: October 2004

Dopaminergic modulation of prefrontal cortex (PFC) is important for neuronal integration in this brain region known to be involved in cognition and working memory. Because of the complexity and heterogeneity of the effect of dopamine on synaptic transmission across layers of the neocortex, dopamine's net effect on local circuits in PFC is difficult to predict. We have combined whole cell patch-clamp recording and voltage-sensitive dye imaging to examine the effect of dopamine on the excitability of local excitatory circuits in rat PFC in vitro. Whole cell voltage-clamp recording from visually identified layer II/III pyramidal neurons in rat brain slices revealed that, in the presence of bicuculline (10 μM), bath-applied dopamine (30–60 μM) increased the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) evoked by weak intracortical stimulus. The effect was mimicked by the selective D1 receptor agonist SKF 81297 (1 μM). Increasing stimulation resulted in epileptiform discharges. SKF 81297 (1 μM) significantly lowered the threshold stimulus required for generating epileptiform discharges to 83% of control. In the imaging experiments, bath application of dopamine or SKF 81297 enhanced the spatiotemporal spread of activity in response to weak stimulation and previously subthreshold stimulation resulted in epileptiform activity that spread across the whole cortex. These effects could be blocked by the selective D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (10 μM) but not by the D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride (5 μM). These results indicate that dopamine, by a D1 receptor–mediated mechanism, enhances spatiotemporal spread of synaptic activity and lowers the threshold for epileptiform activity in local excitatory circuits within PFC.
The People's Health Movement: A People's Campaign for "HEALTH FOR ALL—NOW!"
Authors: Narayan Ravi , Schuftan Claudio
Published: October 2004

The People's Health Assembly and the People's Health Movement have been a civil society effort to counter the ill effects of globalization on health and health care. The Assembly, through an interactive dialogue, developed the People's Charter for Health as a tool for advocacy and a call for radical action. Consisting of a wide range of action initiatives, the People's Charter for Health, now translated into over forty languages, is helping to promote a movement that involves geographical circles of health professionals and activists that organize street-level rallies, policy debates and dialogues, and public education. The movement's advocacy efforts with the WHO and other major international health players and health campaigns are all focused on the goal of "Health for All—Now!"
The Globalization of Health: Risks, Responses, and Alternatives
Authors: Harris Richard , Seid Melinda
Published: October 2004

This essay provides a summary and synthesis of the wealth of information, analysis, and conclusions provided by the other contributors to this collection of essays on globalization and health. The major themes addressed are the health risks and health effects of globalization, the responses to these risks and effects at the national and global levels, and the alternatives to the present patterns of globalization in which the health of billions of people around the world and the planet's ecological sustainability are threatened.
The Social Dimension of Globalization and Health
Authors: Badawi Aboubakr
Published: October 2004

Contrary to the hopes created by globalization, most observers report a substantial degradation of living standards, social protection, and basic social services, such as education, employment and health. This paper discusses the social dimensions of globalization with special focus on its impact on health services. Six main issues are addressed, namely, commercial exploitation of health plants, monopoly of health commodities, new food hazards, unfair implementation of intellectual property rights, marketing of tobacco and similar health threatening items, and the brain drain from developing countries. Specific recommended actions are presented, aiming for globalization that is more favorable to the poor.
Globalization and Health: The Paradox of the Periphery
Authors: Murray Christine
Published: October 2004

The impact of globalization on health is complex, both positively and negatively. Benefits include improved medical technology and services, but globalization also has promoted patterns of dependency, development, settlement, and lifestyles that have been detrimental to health. This paper draws examples from the small island nations of the Pacific to show how globalization impacts environmental health, health service delivery, and lifestyles. It shows that, paradoxically, in the smallest and most remote nations the negative impacts of globalization are felt most strongly in urban areas where living standards might appear to be highest.
Access to Healthcare via Telehealth: Experiences from the Pacific
Authors: Smith Roy
Published: October 2004

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have been fundamental in the evolution of the myriad of processes broadly encapsulated under the rubric of globalization. This article looks at how ICT developments have been applied to the provision of healthcare in remoter parts of the world, especially the Pacific region. This discussion includes a brief overview of how Internet infrastructure and connectivity have spread across the region. This overview, in turn, involves a discussion of the use of, and potential for, elements of telehealth and telemedicine relevant to Pacific island communities. Both the micro and macro aspects of this topic are considered. These aspects relate to the individual level of patient care within these communities, the manner in which broader influences within the global political economy can affect both the type of illness and disease requiring treatment, and also the level of healthcare available.
Globalization, Health, and the Free Trade Regime: Assessing the Links
Authors: Labonte Ronald
Published: October 2004

Globalization can be defined as the increased interconnectedness of peoples and nations through technology, trade, and finance, reinforced by an increasing number of multilateral institutions and rules. Globalization can bring health benefits, but is also associated with health risks. Its direct and indirect links to health present a complex puzzle. This essay provides a framework to help in unpacking the links, including a review of some of the evidence of health impacts along the pathways. Particular attention is given to trade agreements and their potential effects on national regulatory abilities to create healthy living, working, and environmental conditions.
Globalization of Risks for Chronic Diseases Demands Global Solutions
Authors: Yach Derek , Beaglehole Robert
Published: October 2004

Debates about globalization and health focus almost exclusively on communicable diseases. However, chronic diseases— especially cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes—now constitute the bulk of the global burden of disease. This chapter provides updated information on trends in the major macro-determinants of chronic diseases such as urbanization, globalization, and aging. Further, it summarizes evidence of the impact of known risk factors for chronic diseases such as tobacco, diet/nutrition, physical activity, and alcohol. Reasons for failure to invest in prevention are outlined and the importance of implementing available knowledge about preventive and therapeutic strategies is stressed.
Radical Ecology and Class Struggle: A Re-Consideration
Authors: Shantz Jeff
Published: October 2004

An essential tension underlying much thinking about social movements is the relationship between so-called “new” social movements, such as radical ecology, and “older” movements such as those involving industrial workers. Indeed, analyses of class have posed a difficult challenge for much radical green thought. This paper discusses new social movement and radical ecology theories to identify perspectives that may pose obstacles to an articulation between radical ecology and industrial workers. Addressed also are approaches which seek to overcome these obstacles by theorizing radical ecology in terms of class analysis. Especially helpful are Marxist approaches as well as what I term green syndicalism, a view that combines radical unionism and ecology. The work of Judi Bari and Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Local 1 is offered as one fruitful attempt to bring a class perspective to ecological theory and practice.
The Discursive Transformation of Marx's Communism into Soviet Diamat
Authors: Paolucci Paul
Published: October 2004

Many assume the Soviet Union represented a social experiment emanating from Marx's thought. If this is so, then the abuses and failures of the Soviet system are also assumed to be the result of flaws in Marx's ideas. However, if a direct causal relationship between Leninist-Stalinism and Marx's communism is not accepted, it should be possible to demonstrate that a qualitative transformation of Marx's thought occurred after his death. This transformation, rather than Marx's own theories, culminated in the development of an authoritarian bureaucratic state. A field of associated statements exists that allows us to trace this transformation in which communist politics was altered into a rigid and formulaic dialectic stripped of Marx's flexibility, humanism and concerns over alienation and freedom.
The Pareto Theorem Restated and Examined: Democracy and Conservative Imposition of Morality by Law
Authors: Zafirovski Milan
Published: October 2004

In this paper, I restate and examine the Pareto Theorem in light of recent developments in American society. The Pareto Theorem postulates a direct association between government's interference in private life and power abuse, thus undemocratic outcomes. The Italian sociologist Vilfredo Pareto originally formulated the Theorem with reference to America. Pareto observed the US government's persistent predilection to impose morality by law and so directly interfere with private lives, resulting in extensive power abuses. The paper extends this observation to argue that such coercive imposition of morality reflects America's permanent conservative revolution with its peculiar dualism or contradiction between oppression in moral life and anarchy in economy. It argues that this contradictory combination of moral tyranny and economic license links American conservatism with traditional despotism and modern authoritarianism. This restatement of the Pareto Theorem aims at denying the scholarly and democratic legitimacy of neo-conservative analyses and projects in the US. Since the Pareto Theorem is almost unknown in American social theory and virtually unexamined in empirical research, this article is among the first endeavors in this direction, thus filling in a void in the literature.
Is "Soft" Beautiful? Another Perspective on Law, Institutions, and Integration in the CIS
Authors: Dragneva Rilka
Published: October 2004

This article examines the state of international relations between the former Soviet republics post-1991 as structured within the Commonwealth of Independent States ("the CIS") in terms of their institutional elements and the key causal factors behind them. In doing so, it seeks to complement the existing research written predominantly out of binary or normative perspectives by accounting for the intricate mix between the legal and the political within and among the member states and by focusing on the functional value and rationality of the CIS in its current format. Using the conceptual framework of legalization of international relations for its analysis, the article reveals a complex picture of the relations within the CIS, whereby no single model but, rather, a set of institutional patterns or regimes can be distinguished. The analysis shows that these regimes are characterized by the prevalence of "soft" or "softened" (as opposed to "hard") legal institutions. The argument made here is that "soft" forms of integration offer specific advantages while mitigating some disadvantages of "hard" forms, particularly in relation to dealing with sovereignty sensitivities, uncertainty and complexity, accommodating diversity, and reducing contracting costs. In this sense, reforming the CIS can be better conceptualized in terms of finding the right mix between "hard" and "soft" legalization of its institutions to correspond to its needs and realities at this moment.
"There Was no such Thing as the 'Newtonian Revolution,' and the French Initiated it." Eighteenth-century Mechanics in France before Maupertuis
Authors: Shank Michael
Published: October 2004

Two linked arguments are offered in this paper. The first half argues that I.B. Cohen's notion of the "Newtonian Revolution" in mechanics needs to be revised in light of the recent historical work of Michel Blay, Henk Bos, and Niccolò Guicciardini. It further suggests a new way of thinking about the history of French mathematical mechanics in the decades around 1700 that follows as a consequence of these historical revisions. The second half of the paper builds upon these revisions by offering a cultural explanation for the particularly French approach to mechanics that was developed after 1690. Specifically, it suggests that the broad circulation and influence of the philosophy of Nicolas Malebranche in France between 1680 and 1715 exemplifies the ways that French culture contributed to the development of its particular approach to mechanics.
Feldspar crystallization under magma-mixing conditions shown by cathodoluminescence and geochemical modelling – a case study from the Karkonosze pluton (SW Poland)
Authors: Słaby E. , Götze J.
Published: October 2004

Feldspars from the Karkonosze pluton (SW Poland) display many features compatible with magma mixing. The mixing hypothesis has been tested using a geochemical mass balance law resulting in two possible paths of magma hybridization. Based on the results of the geochemical calculation, feldspar samples have been chosen along both mixing lines for cathodoluminescence (CL) investigation which was used as the main tool for the reconstruction of their crystallization path. Changes in the conditions of nucleation and crystallization of the feldspars as well as their movement within the magma chamber have been recognized due to different luminescence characteristics. These changes in the conditions of crystallization obtained by CL allow a precise determination of the genetic affinity of the samples to more mafic or more felsic environments.

The results of the present study proved CL to be a valuable tool for the study of crystal-growth morphologies in a dynamic, turbulent environment and also as a geochemical tool for the reconstruction of various petrogenetic mechanisms (e.g. magma hybridization). Accordingly, the combination of CL with geochemical modelling provides corresponding information about magma evolution in an open system.
Complex colour and chemical zoning of sodalite-group phases in a haüynophyre lava from Mt. Vulture, Italy
Authors: Di Muro A. , Bonaccorsi E. , Principe C.
Published: October 2004

The haüynophyre emitted from a parasitic vent of the Vulture stratovolcano is a S- and Cl-rich, leucitemelilite- bearing lava flow containing an unusually large amount of sodalite-group minerals (>23 vol.%). Mineralogical and chemical study of phenocrysts has led to the identification of black haüynes, blue lazurites and of Cl-rich white or black noseans. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirms the occurrence of nosean having a low symmetry (P23). Raman spectra and XRD data show that S is fully oxidized to SO4in black haüynes and in white noseans, while it is partly reduced to form S3–groups in blue lazurites, which also contain H2O molecules. Structural and chemical data strongly question the validity of the Hogarth and Griffin (1976) method widely used to resolve the ratio S6+/S2–in sodalite-group phases from EMPA data. Among euhedral phenocrysts, large lazurites are only faintly zoned. All other phases show variable core-rim chemical zoning and many phenocrysts are partially resorbed and/or colour-zoned. Black haüynes have highly variable S/Cl and slightly lower SiO2/Al2O3ratios, larger FeTOT contents and more compatible trace elements than lazurites. Thin opaque noseansodalite rims surrounding all crystals are interpreted as a result of rapid crystallization driven by exsolution of a S-scavenging fluid phase. We suggest that the extreme complexity of the mineralogical assemblage reflects variableaSiO2andaH2Oof the silicate melts.
The minor intrusions of Assynt, NW Scotland: early development of magmatism along the Caledonian Front
Authors: Goodenough K. M. , Young B. N. , Parsons I.
Published: October 2004

The Assynt Culmination of the Moine Thrust Belt, in the northwest Scottish Highlands, contains a variety of Caledonian alkaline and calc-alkaline intrusions that are mostly of Silurian age. These include a significant but little-studied suite of dykes and sills, the Northwest Highlands Minor Intrusion Suite. We describe the structural relationships of these minor intrusions and suggest a classification into seven swarms. The majority of the minor intrusions can be shown to pre-date movement in the Moine Thrust Belt, but some appear to have been intruded during the period of thrusting. A complex history of magmatism is thus recorded within this part of the Moine Thrust Belt. New geochemical data provide evidence of a subduction-related component in the mantle source of the minor intrusions.
Discussion on Wang et al. (2000) ‘Chemistry of Hf-rich zircons from the Laoshan I- and A-type granites, Eastern China’, Mineralogical Magazine, 64, 867–877
Authors: Kempe U. , Gruner T. , Renno A. D. , Wolf D. , René M.
Published: October 2004

Wang et al. (2000) presented interesting new data on the occurrence of Hf-rich zircon in peralkaline granitic rocks. It is shown that the knowledge of the Hf distribution in zircon is important for the understanding of Zr/Hf ratios defined by whole-rock analysis. However, the processes leading to the unusual Zr/Hf fractionation are still poorly constrained. Some aspects are discussed further here. Analysis of available data demonstrates that extremely low Zr/Hf ratios found in topaz- and rare-metal bearing granites may be either a primary signature of some evolved granitic melts or, alternatively, they are produced during albitization of the rocks. Topaz- and rare-metal bearing granites may be P-rich and contain zircon moderately enriched in Hf (2—9 wt.% HfO2). Another group is P-poor and the Hf content in accessory zircon is high (up to 35 wt.% HfO2). Both types of intrusions may occur within a single orogen as demonstrated by the example of the Hercynian magmatism in the Erzgebirge/Krušné hory region (Germany/Czech Republic).