bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unexpected Behaviour of Pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde Thiosemicarbazonatocopper(II) Entities in Aqueous Basic Medium – Partial Transformation of Thioamide into Nitrile
Authors: Gómez‐Saiz Patricia , Gil‐García Rubén , Maestro Miguel A. , Pizarro José Luis , Arriortua María Isabel , Lezama Luis , Rojo Teófilo , García‐Tojal Javier
Published: July 2005

Unusual species are obtained from the HL/CuII/NO3– system (HL = pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) in basic aqueous solutions. A partial desulfurization process occurs for 1:1 Cu/HL molar ratio which gives rise to the precipitation of the mixed ligand [Cu(L)(LCN)] (1) complex [HLCN = C7H6N4, (pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene)hydrazinecarbonitrile]. This compound contains CuII ions in a square‐pyramidal environment. On the other hand, distorted octahedral [Cu(L)2] (2) entities are isolated in excess of the thiosemicarbazone ligand. Desulfurization of the thiosemicarbazone is detected even at physiological pH values. However, this reaction does not take place in absence of CuII ions, and HL·2.25H2O (3) or HL·H2O are obtained in these conditions. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
First Propargyl Azides Bearing Strong Acceptor Substituents and Their Effective Conversion into Allenyl Azides: Influence of the Electronic Effects of Substituents on the Reactivity of Propargyl Azides
Authors: Fotsing Joseph Rodolph , Banert Klaus
Published: July 2005

We have succeeded in the synthesis of propargyl azides containing 1‐ or 3‐phenylthio functionalities. The selective oxidation of their sulfur atoms to sulfoxides and sulfones allows access to the first propargyl azides bearing acceptor substituents. Interestingly, the prototropic rearrangement of the latter propargyl azides leads to the formation of allenyl azides with relatively high stabilities and with moderate to good yields. Propargyl azides containing phenylthio functionalities react in the presence of nucleophiles to afford the expected N‐unsubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles via short‐lived allenyl azides. These results are entirely different from those of the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones, which react under the analogous conditions either to produce the corresponding bis(triazolo)pyrazine derivatives or to yield newly substituted vinyl azides. The latter compounds can successfully be used as starting material providing access to azirines. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
A Concise Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Cyclohexenones: A One‐Pot, Five‐Step Domino Reaction
Authors: Christophe Carole , Billard Thierry , Langlois Bernard R.
Published: July 2005

β‐Trifluoromethylated aromatic enones can undergo, in one pot, a five‐step domino process leading, with good yields, to 5‐trifluoromethylated cyclohexenones that constitute valuable functionalized fluorinated building‐blocks. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Neural substrates for functionally discriminating self‐face from personally familiar faces
Authors: Platek Steven M. , Loughead James W. , Gur Ruben C. , Busch Samantha , Ruparel Kosha , Phend Nicholas , Panyavin Ivan S. , Langleben Daniel D.
Published: July 2005

Understanding the neurobiological substrates of self‐recognition yields important insight into socially and clinically critical cognitive functions such as theory of mind. Experimental evidence suggests that right frontal and parietal lobes preferentially process self‐referent information. Recognition of one's own face is an important parameter of self‐recognition, but well‐controlled experimental data on the brain substrates of self‐face recognition is limited. The goal of this study was to characterize the activation specific to self‐face in comparison with control conditions of two levels of familiarity: unknown unfamiliar face and the more stringent control of a personally familiar face. We studied 12 healthy volunteers who made “unknown,” “familiar,” and “self” judgments about photographs of three types of faces: six different novel faces, a personally familiar face (participant's fraternity brother), and their own face during an event‐related functional MRI (fMRI) experiment. Contrasting unknown faces with baseline showed activation of the inferior occipital lobe, which supports previous findings suggesting the presence of a generalized face‐processing area within the inferior occipital‐temporal region. Activation in response to a familiar face, when contrasted with an unknown face, invoked insula, middle temporal, inferior parietal, and medial frontal lobe activation, which is consistent with an existing hypothesis suggesting familiar face recognition taps neural substrates that are different from those involved in general facial processing. Brain response to self‐face, when contrasted with familiar face, revealed activation in the right superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal and inferior parietal lobes, and left middle temporal gyrus. The contrast familiar vs. self produced activation only in the anterior cingulate gyrus. Our results support the existence of a bilateral network for both perceptual and executive aspects of self‐face processing that cannot be accounted for by a simple hemispheric dominance model. This network is similar to those implicated in social cognition, mirror neuron matching, and face‐name matching. Our findings also show that some regions of the medial frontal and parietal lobes are specifically activated by familiar faces but not unknown or self‐faces, indicating that these regions may serve as markers of face familiarity and that the differences between activation associated with self‐face recognition and familiar face recognition are subtle and appear to be localized to lateral frontal, parietal, and temporal regions. Hum. Brain Mapping, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Xanthone Receptors as Oxyanion‐Hole Mimics in Artificial Enzymes
Authors: Simón Luis , Muñiz Francisco M. , Sáez Silvia , Raposo César , Sanz Francisca , Morán Joaquín R.
Published: July 2005

Different xanthone‐based receptors (2–10) for lactones and lactams have been prepared, and the feasibility of these compounds to mimic the known enzymatic ‘oxyanion‐hole’ structure is discussed. The self‐association of the receptors was found to pose a serious drawback for complex formation. X‐Ray crystal structures of receptor dimers allowed us to understand the reasons for their self‐association and to improve the design of the catalysts. The catalytic activity of the receptors has been tested towards the nucleophilic addition of pyrrolidine to unsaturated lactones. Since the resulting complexes were very weak in organic solvents, new receptors were developed for lactams, which showed better stabilities, and their catalytic activities were studied.
First [4+2] Cycloadditions Involving the Olefinic Bond of an ‘Aldoketeniminium Salt’ (=N‐Alk‐1‐enylideneaminium Salt)
Authors: Mahuteau‐Betzer Florence , Ding Ping‐Yu , Ghosez Léon
Published: July 2005

‘Keteniminium triflates’ (=N‐alk‐1‐enylideneaminium trifluoromethanesulfonates; [MeN(Ts)CHC NR1(R2)]+TfO−) generated in situ from Nα‐tosylsarcosinamides MeN(Ts)CH2CONR1(R2) unexpectedly react with cyclopenta‐1,3‐diene and cyclohexa‐1,3‐diene to give Diels–Alder reactions across the CC bond of the cumulene. The use of Nα‐tosylsarcosinamides derived from chiral pyrrolidines allows the direct preparation of trinorbornenone derivative 6 in high enantiomer purity.
The interaction of selected semiconducting biomaterials with platelet‐rich plasma and whole blood
Authors: Shih Chun‐Che , Shih Chun‐Ming , Su Yea‐Yang , Gerhardt Rosario A. , Lin Shing‐Jong
Published: July 2005

Copper and silicon are used as biomaterials in various forms. Silicon is a well‐known semiconductor and has two distinct types (n‐type and p‐type), depending on the dopants used. The oxides (e.g., CuO and Cu2O) on the copper surface also behave as semiconductors. The electrochemical properties of these two selected semiconducting biomaterials were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and open‐circuit potential (OCP) in an aerated Ringer's solution at 37°C. Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood from a healthy human donor were used to determine the degree of interaction with the selected semiconducting materials in vitro. Morphologies of adherent platelets and blood on these two biomaterials were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental results indicated that the degree of interaction is a function of the electrochemical properties of these two biomaterials. Platelets and blood were found to react strongly with p‐type biomaterials while little or no sign of interaction with n‐type biomaterials was demonstrated. The difference in PRP and whole blood reactions between p‐type and n‐type semiconductors was quantified to be significant as p < 0.05. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2005
Controlled copolymerization of vinyl acetate with 1‐alkenes and their fluoro derivatives by degenerative transfer
Authors: Borkar Sachin , Sen Ayusman
Published: July 2005

The degenerative transfer copolymerization of vinyl acetate with ethene and higher 1‐alkenes, as well as their fluoro derivatives (RfCHCH2), under mild conditions was carried out using AIBN as the initiator and ethyl iodoacetate as the control agent. The obtained random copolymers were fairly high in alkene content, with high molecular weights and relatively narrow polydispersities. The quasi‐living nature of the copolymerization allowed the synthesis of a block terpolymer by sequential addition of two different 1‐alkene comonomers to a vinyl acetate copolymerization system. The fluorinated side chains of vinyl acetate/fluoro alkene copolymers segregate toward the air‐side of thin films, resulting in advancing water contact angle as high as 114°. 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3728–3736, 2005
Stabilizer‐free dispersion copolymerization of maleic anhydride and vinyl acetate. I. Effects of principal factors on microspheres
Authors: Xing Chang‐Min , Yang Wan‐Tai
Published: July 2005

A novel dispersion copolymerization of maleic anhydride (MAn) and vinyl acetate (VAc) without adding stabilizer is developed, which gives uniform copolymer microspheres with tunable sizes. Some principal factors affecting the microspheres, such as reaction time, monomer concentration and feed ratio, reaction media, and cosolvent, were investigated. It was found that the stabilizer‐free dispersion copolymerization of MAn and VAc is a rapid process, and the particle size grows in accordance with the evolution of polymerization. The chemical composition of the copolymer microspheres was characterized by FT‐IR and 13C NMR spectroscopies. Over a wide range of monomer concentrations, the microspheres can always be formed and stably dispersed, with uniform sizes ranging from 180 nm to 740 nm. The yield of copolymer microspheres reaches a maximum at 1:1 feed ratio of MAn to VAc, owing to the alternating copolymerization between the binary monomers by a known charge‐transfer‐complex mechanism. However, the diameter of microspheres drastically increases when MAn content is enhanced. Only some specific alkyl ester solvents, such as n‐butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, n‐amyl acetate, are desirably fit for this unique stabilizer‐free dispersion polymerization. Furthermore, we found that when some acetone is added as a cosolvent, the copolymer microspheres can still be formed, with much larger diameters. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3760–3770, 2005
Copolyimides containing alicyclic and fluorinated groups: Solubility and gas separation properties
Authors: Bas Corine , Mercier Régis , Sanchez‐Marcano José , Neyertz Sylvie , Albérola N. Dominique , Pinel Eliette
Published: July 2005

A series of polyimides with alicyclic and fluorinated moieties previously synthesized were studied for gas separation applications. The solubility behavior of polyimides in various solvents was analyzed through the solubility parameter approach. Permeability coefficients and ideal selectivities were determined for common gases, that is, He, H2, O2, and N2. Polyimide permeabilities were correlated to an improvement of the soluble character and were increased by the introduction of both alicyclic and fluorinated structures. The effect of the casting solvent on gas separation properties was also pointed out. It was found that it is enhanced with increasing diameters for the gas molecules. Finally, some correlations between permeability coefficients and microstructural parameters were discussed. The probability of correlation appears to be also dependent on the diameter and on the polarizability of the gas molecule. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2413–2426, 2005.
Herbicidal cyanoacrylates with antimicrotubule mechanism of action
Authors: Tresch Stefan , Plath Peter , Grossmann Klaus
Published: July 2005

The herbicidal mode of action of the new synthetic cyanoacrylates ethyl (2Z)‐3‐amino‐2‐cyano‐4‐ethylhex‐2‐enoate (CA1) and its isopropyl ester derivative CA2 was investigated. For initial characterization, a series of bioassays was used indicating a mode of action similar to that of mitotic disrupter herbicides such as the dinitroaniline pendimethalin. Cytochemical fluorescence studies including monoclonal antibodies against polymerized and depolymerized tubulin and a cellulose‐binding domain of a bacterial cellulase conjugated to a fluorescent dye were applied to elucidate effects on cell division processes including mitosis and microtubule and cell wall formation in maize roots. When seedlings were root treated with 10 µM of CA1 or CA2, cell division activity in meristematic root tip cells decreased within 4 h. The chromosomes proceeded to a condensed state of prometaphase, but were unable to progress further in the mitotic cycle. The compounds caused a complete loss of microtubular structures, including preprophase, spindle, phragmoplast and cortical microtubules. Concomitantly, in the cytoplasm, an increase in labelling of free tubulin was observed. This suggests that the herbicides disrupt polymerization and microtubule stability, whereas tubulin synthesis or degradation appeared not to be affected. In addition, cellulose labelling in cell walls of root tip cells was not influenced. The effects of CA1 and CA2 were comparable with those caused by pendimethalin. In transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing a green fluorescent protein‐microtubule‐associated protein4 fusion protein, labelled arrays of cortical microtubules in living epidermal cells of hypocotyls collapsed within 160 min after exposure to 10 µM CA1 or pendimethalin. Moreover, a dinitroaniline‐resistant biotype of goosegrass (Eleusine indica (L) Gaertn) with a point mutation in α‐tubulin showed cross‐resistance against CA1 and CA2. The results strongly indicate that the cyanoacrylates are a new chemical class of herbicide which possess the same antimicrotubule mechanism of action as dinitroanilines, probably including interaction with the same binding site in α‐tubulin. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
ToF‐SIMS observation of PTFE surfaces modified by α‐particle irradiation
Authors: Fisher Gregory L. , Ohlhausen James A. , Wetteland Christopher J.
Published: July 2005

The surface structure of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) upon α‐particle irradiation has been investigated at doses in the range of 1 × 107 to 1 × 1011 Rad and compared with the surface structure of the unirradiated polymer. Both neat and 25% fiberglass content PTFE were studied. The samples, maintained at nominal room temperature, were irradiated in vacuum by 5.5 MeV 4He2+ ions generated in a tandem accelerator beam line. Static time‐of‐flight SIMS (ToF‐SIMS) was employed to probe chemical changes at the surface as a function of the irradiation level.

In general, the data are indicative of increased cross‐linking at α‐doses less than 1 × 109 Rad, followed by increased fragmentation and unsaturation at α‐doses greater than 1 × 109 Rad. Throughout the irradiation regime, scission is a constant factor promoting cross‐linking, branching, and unsaturation. However, at α‐doses greater than 1 × 1010 Rad, extreme structural degradation of the polymer becomes evident and is accompanied by conversion to oxygen‐functionalized and aliphatic compounds. Thus, for PTFE in an α‐particle field, an upper exposure limit of ∼1010 Rad is essential for nominal retention of molecular structure. Finally, a quantitative relationship between α‐dose and characteristic fragment ion intensity is developed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cloning and functional analysis of the orotidine‐5′‐phosphate decarboxylase gene (PbrURA3) of the pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Authors: Reinoso Cristina , Sorais Françoise , Niño‐Vega Gustavo A. , Fermiñán Encarnación , San‐Blas Gioconda , Domínguez Angel
Published: July 2005

A genomic clone encoding the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase gene (PbrURA3) was isolated by screening a subgenomic plasmid DNA library of this fungus, using a PCR amplification product of the gene as a probe. Sequence analysis revealed that the gene contains an open reading frame of 855 bp with a single intron (162 bp), and encodes a putative 285 amino acids polypeptide of estimated molecular weight 31.1 kDa and isoelectric point 6.5. The deduced amino acid sequence predicted a 73.4% identity with orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase of Aspergillus nidulans. Functionality of the gene was demonstrated by transformation into a Saccharomyces cerevisiae ura3 null mutant. The PbrURA3 gene sequence has been submitted to GenBank database under Accession No. AJ133782. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morphometry of the Basal Plate Superficial Uteroplacental Vasculature in Normal Midtrimester and at Term
Authors: Salafia Carolyn M. , Pezzullo John C. , Charles Adrian K. , Ernst Linda M. , Maas Elizabeth M. , Gross Benita , Pijnenborg Robert
Published: July 2005

Uteroplacental (UP) vascular arterial pathology has been associated with pregnancy complications. UP arterial structure has been characterized in placental bed biopsies, at the decidual-myometrial junction. Basal plate UP arteries, which are delivered with the placenta and thus routinely available, are not well characterized. We compared basal plate UP arterial segment morphometry in cases of elective termination of a clinically normal pregnancy at 11 to 24 weeks and of term birth. This study was done in a community-based obstetric service in New York City. UP arteries were identified in placentas of 20 midtrimester (MT) cases and 17 term (TERM) cases. We measured 336 UP artery cross-sections from 46 TERM and 290 MT cases. The basal plate UP artery path length was calculated as the distance between (x,y) coordinates of estimated centers of lumen cross-sections. Basal plate thickness near UP arteries, UP artery cross-sectional areas, vascular luminal eccentricity, and radial standard deviation were directly measured off digital images. Nonparametric and parametric methods compared groups, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. In TERM cases, the basal plate thickness near UP arteries was 1.8-fold thinner ( P = 0.002) and mean basal plate path lengths were 2.13-fold shorter ( P < 0.0001) than in MT cases. Mean TERM UP artery cross-sectional area was 3.15-fold larger, the major axis was 1.95-fold larger, and the minor axis was 1.75-fold larger than in MT arteries ( P = 0.001 to 0.008). Our data demonstrate that basal plate UP arteries (delivered with the placenta) are less tortuous, with shorter path lengths and larger areas as gestation advances. Normative morphometric data may allow improved diagnostics of placentas from complicated pregnancies.
Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood: A Report of 50 Cases
Authors: Krous Henry F , Chadwick Amy E. , Crandall Laura , Nadeau-Manning Julie M.
Published: July 2005

Sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC) is rare, with a reported incidence in the United States of 1.5 deaths per 100,000 live births compared with 56 deaths per 100,000 live births for sudden infant death syndrome in 2001. The objectives of this study include a proposal for a general definition for SUDC and presentation of 36 cases of SUDC and 14 cases of sudden unexpected death in childhood. Cases were accrued through referrals or unsolicited via our Web page ( www.sudc.org ). Our analyses tentatively suggest a SUDC profile characterized by cases being 1 to 3 years in age, predominantly male, and frequently having a personal and family history of seizures that are often associated with a fever. A history of recent minor head trauma is not uncommon. They are usually born at term as singletons and occasionally have a family history of sudden infant death syndrome or SUDC. Most are found prone, often with their face straight down into the sleep surface. Minor findings are commonly seen at postmortem examination but do not explain their deaths. Comprehensive review of the medical history and circumstances of death and performance of a complete postmortem examination including ancillary studies and extensive histologic sampling of the brain are critical in determining the cause of death in these cases of sudden unexpected childhood death. Legislation enabling research and formation of a multicenter research team is recommended to unravel the mystery of SUDC.
Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis in the Liveborn: Series of 32 Autopsies
Authors: Rodríguez María M. , Bruce Jocelyn H. , Jiménez Xavier F , Romaguera Rita L. , Bancalari Eduardo , García Otto L. , Ferrer Peter L.
Published: July 2005

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) or generalized soft tissue edema and cavity effusions may be due to cardiovascular diseases, congenital infections, genitourinary malformations, thoracic masses, placental conditions, chromosomal abnormalities, and idiopathic. We report 32 cases of NIHF from among 429 neonates who underwent autopsies (incidence 7.45%). Sixteen cases (50%) had cardiovascular disease; all were due to low output cardiac failure; 7 had structural congenital heart disease. Three of the children with congenital heart disease also had chromosomal abnormalities: 2 had trisomy 18 and 1 had Noonan syndrome. Among myocardial conditions were five subjects with cardiomyopathies (1 of each of the following types): oncocytic, dilated, endocardial fibroelastosis, cardiac glycogenosis, and carnitine deficiency; 3 had myocarditis, and 1 had cardiac rhabdomyomas. Congenital infections were due to cytomegalovirus in 3 cases, bacteria in 2, and parvovirus in 1. The mechanism of NIHF in these cases might be a combination of decreased myocardial contractility due to myocarditis and fetal anemia. Genitourinary diseases were present in 5 newborns: Two had congenital nephrotic syndrome, 1 had VACTER association, 1 had prune-belly syndrome, and 1 had urogenital sinus malformation. Intrathoracic lesions were found in 2 babies (pulmonary sequestration and diaphragmatic hernia). One twin died of volume overload due to twin transfusion syndrome. Only 2 newborns were classified as idiopathic. Our study shows that cardiovascular diseases that lead to heart failure or impaired venous return are more common in the liveborn (50%), whereas congenital infections are more common in the stillborn with NIHF.
Domain coupling in a multimodular cellobiohydrolase CbhA from Clostridium thermocellum
Authors: Kataeva Irina A. , Brewer John M. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Ljungdahl Lars G.
Published: July 2005

Cellobiohydrolase A (CbhA) from Clostridium thermocellum is composed of an N‐terminal carbohydrate‐binding domain 4 (CBD4), an immunoglobulin‐like domain (Ig), a glycoside hydrolase 9 (GH9), X11 and X12 domains, a CBD3, and a dockerin domain. All domains, except the Ig, bind Ca2+. The following constructs were made: X12, X11X12, CBD3, X11X12‐CBD3, Ig, GH9, Ig‐GH9, Ig‐GH9‐X11X12, and Ig‐GH9‐X11X12‐CBD3. Interactions between domains in (1) buffer, (2) with Ca2+, or (3) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal unfoldings of all constructs were irreversible. Calcium increased T
d and cooperativity of unfolding. Multi‐domain constructs exhibited more cooperative unfolding in buffer and in the presence of EDTA than did individual domains. They denatured by mechanism simpler than expected from their modular architecture. The results indicate that domain coupling in thermophilic proteins constitutes a significant stabilizing factor.
La compétence civique. Comment les citoyens informés
contribuent au bon fonctionnement de la démocratie.
Authors: Ndiaye Papa Samba
Published: July 2005

La compétence civique. Comment les citoyens informés
contribuent au bon fonctionnement de la démocratie., Henry Milner.,
Laval : Les Presses de l'Université Laval, 2004, 388 p.

Pourquoi assiste-t-on à une crise de la participation ?
Pourquoi le taux d'abstention aux élections augmente-t-il
à chaque échéance électorale dans les
démocraties contemporaines? Les explications avancées
varient, mais le livre d'Henry Milner en suggère une nouvelle,
à savoir le faible degré de connaissance civique des
citoyens. L'auteur compare quinze pays industrialisés allant
de l'Amérique du Nord à l'Europe occidentale en
passant par l'Australie et la Nouvelle Zélande.
Histoire de l'OTAN
Authors: Sabourin Louis
Published: July 2005

Histoire de l'OTAN, Charles Zorgbibe, Paris : Editions Complexe,
2002, 283 pages.

Au moment où l'OTAN élargit le nombre de ses
adhésions du côté de l'Europe de l'Est et
redéfinit sa mission au regard de la montée du terrorisme et
des conflits en ex-Yougoslavie, en Afghanistan et en Irak, il serait sage
de lire l'Histoire de l'OTAN de Charles Zorgbibe. Il s'agit
d'un ouvrage quasi prémonitoire qui, en plus de dégager
les origines et les fondements de l'Alliance atlantique,
réussit à illustrer son évolution et surtout à
mettre en lumière ses problèmes et ses perspectives ainsi
qu'à dégager les motifs qui font de l'OTAN une
organisation à la fois indispensable et controversée dans le
monde de l'après-guerre froide.
Political Philosophy and the God of Abraham
Authors: Seaton Paul
Published: July 2005

Political Philosophy and the God of Abraham, Thomas L. Pangle,
Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003, pp. 263

In the beginning was Leo Strauss with his trailblazing Platonizing
exegeses of Genesis, “On the Interpretation of Genesis” and
“Jerusalem and Athens.” Strauss begat many strong and
independent minds who commented on the text. Hillel Fradkin and Robert
Sacks were two of the earliest, as was Leon Kass. Kass recently published
a hefty commentary on the entirety of Genesis, The Beginning of
Wisdom (New York: Free press, 2003).
America Alone: The Neo-Conservatives and the Global World
Order
Authors: Breckenridge George
Published: July 2005

America Alone: The Neo-Conservatives and the Global World Order,
Stefan Halper and Jonathan Clarke, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2004, pp. 339

George Will, the American Tory commentator, recently wrote in
Newsweek that “neoconservatives alarm almost everyone who
isn't one—and especially dismay real
conservatives” (emphasis in original). America Alone is a
forceful expression of that dismay by two authors with impeccable
conservative credentials. Halper served in the Nixon, Ford, and Reagan
administrations and is director of the Donner Atlantic Studies Programme
at Cambridge University; Clarke, a former British foreign service officer,
is a fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington. Their book is both a
comprehensive, well documented, no-holds-barred attack on neo-conservative
foreign policy—its advocacy of force as a first resort, its
unilateralism, its exclusive focus on the Middle East, its total lack of
realism—and a defence of what they consider the mainstream
Republican foreign policy tradition, which promotes American values and
interests using the whole palette of diplomatic, economic, and cultural
instruments, as well as military force. The authors are appalled at how
neo-conservative policy has squandered the world's post-9/11
sympathy and led to America's isolation from most of its traditional
allies. As “limited government conservatives” they are alarmed
at the effect of the neo-conservative siege mentality (“World War
IV”) on domestic policy and politics, since a “state of
constant warfare has the effect of transferring power to the center”
(30). They deeply resent the neo-conservatives' claim to
Reagan's legacy by creating “a false history” (chapter 5)
and argue persuasively that Reagan's foreign policy was solidly in
the Republican realist tradition.
Integrating Cognitive and Rational Theories of Foreign Policy
Decision Making
Authors: Tchantouridze Lasha
Published: July 2005

Integrating Cognitive and Rational Theories of Foreign Policy Decision
Making, Alex Mintz, ed., New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002, pp. 175

Heuristic method uses formal reasoning that is based on experience,
often because there is no precise and/or relevant algorithm available.
Heuristic reasoning is guided by trial and error. It is convincing without
being rigorous. Heuristic method is basically a rule of thumb or other
simplifications that allow drawing conclusions without being certain.
Thermal time for phenological development of four maize hybrids grown off-season in a subtropical environment
Authors: TOJO SOLER C. M. , SENTELHAS P. C. , HOOGENBOOM G.
Published: July 2005

A common method to describe maize phenology during the vegetative phase is to determine the number of leaves. The thermal interval between the appearance of successive leaves, called the phyllochron, is critical for predicting the duration of vegetative development. In general, there is a high correlation between the final number of initiated leaves and the duration from sowing to silking. The development of a crop depends on temperature and photoperiod and genetic response to these environmental factors, thus bio-meteorological indices are needed to describe this process. The goal of this study was to obtain a better understanding of the phyllochron and its impact on the final number of leaves. A second objective was to evaluate three thermal indices for predicting the duration of sowing to silking and silking to physiological maturity for four maize hybrids grown off-season in a subtropical region of the Southern Hemisphere (São Paulo State, Brazil). The modified general thermal index (mGTI) was compared with the classical thermal time concept (TT) with two sets of cardinal temperatures, including TT(10) with 10 °C as minimum base temperature (Tb) and TT(8) with 8 °C as Tb. Three field experiments that included four hybrids with different relative maturity ratings were conducted during the autumn and winter growing seasons of 2001 and 2002 at the University of São Paulo, in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. Phenology was recorded daily. Also, an independent evaluation of three methods for estimating phenology was conducted with data obtained from the variety trials of the ‘Instituto Agronômico’ for four regions of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The results indicated that the value for the phyllochron was about 50 °Cd/leaf until approximately the appearance of the 12th leaf, and then declined. For estimating the planting to silking period, the TT(10) method resulted in a coefficient of variation (CV) of 2·01%, while for TT(8) the CV was 1·37% and for mGTI the CV was 1·04%. For the period from silking to physiological maturity, the CV was 2·91% for the TT(10), 2·64% for the TT(8) and 2·01% for the mGTI method. All CVs were very small, suggesting that there was only a slight difference between algorithms. It can be concluded from this study that the mGTI can be used for estimating both silking and physiological maturity dates for maize grown off-season in subtropical regions of Brazil because it resulted in the smallest CV. However, additional studies with different maize hybrids are necessary to confirm the advances in estimating the main phenological phases for maize based on the mGTI.
Simulation of milk production by dairy cows fed sugarcane top-based diets with locally available supplements under Indian conditions
Authors: BEHERA U. K. , KEBREAB E. , DIJKSTRA J. , ASSIS A. G. , FRANCE J.
Published: July 2005

A model of sugarcane digestion was applied to indicate the suitability of various locally available supplements for enhancing milk production of Indian crossbred dairy cattle. Milk production was calculated according to simulated energy, lipogenic, glucogenic and aminogenic substrate availability. The model identified the most limiting substrate for milk production from different sugarcane-based diets. For sugarcane tops/urea fed alone, milk production was most limited by amino acid followed by long chain fatty acid availability. Among the protein-rich oil cake supplements at 100, 200 and 300 g supplement/kg total DM, cottonseed oil cake proved superior with a milk yield of 5·5, 7·3 and 8·3 kg/day, respectively. This was followed by mustard oil cake with 5·1, 6·5 and 7·6 kg/day, respectively. In the case of a protein-rich supplement (fish meal), milk yield was limited to 6·6 kg/day due to a shortage of long chain fatty acids. However, at 300 g of supplementation, energy became limiting, with a milk yield of 6·7 kg/day. Supplementation with rice bran and rice polishings at 100, 200 and 300 g restricted milk yield to 4·3, 4·9 and 5·5 and 4·5, 5·3 and 6·1 kg/day, respectively, and amino acids became the factor limiting milk production. The diet comprising basal sugarcane tops supplemented by leguminous fodder, dry fodder (e.g. rice or wheat straw) and concentrates at levels of 100, 200 and 300 g supplements/kg total diet DM proved to be the most balanced with a milk yield of 5·1, 6·7 and 9·0 kg/day, respectively.
TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN NIGERIA: PERCEPTION OF CAUSE, TREATMENT AND REFERRAL PRACTICES FOR SEVERE MALARIA
Authors: OKEKE T. A. , OKAFOR H. U. , UZOCHUKWU B. S. C.
Published: July 2005

Malaria remains one of the main causes of mortality among young children in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria traditional healers play an important role in health care delivery and the majority of the population depend on them for most of their ailments. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of traditional healers regarding causes, symptoms, treatment of uncomplicated malaria and referral practices for severe malaria with a view to developing appropriate intervention strategies aimed at improving referral practices for severe malaria. A qualitative study was carried out in Ugwogo-Nike, a rural community in south-east Nigeria, which included in-depth interviews with 23 traditional healers. The traditional healers believed that the treatment of severe malaria, especially convulsions, with herbal remedies was very effective. Some traditional healers were familiar with the signs and symptoms of malaria, but malaria was perceived as an environmentally related disease caused by heat from the scorching sun. The majority of traditional healers believed that convulsions are inherited from parents, while a minority attributed them to evil spirits. Most (16/23) will not refer cases to a health facility because they believe in the efficacy of their herbal remedies. The few that did refer did so after several stages of traditional treatment, which resulted in long delays of about two weeks before appropriate treatment was received. The fact that traditional healers are important providers of treatment for severe malaria, especially convulsions, underlines the need to enlist their support in efforts to improve referral practices for severe malaria.
Attachment and invasion ofToxoplasma gondiiandNeospora caninumto epithelial and fibroblast cell linesin vitro
Authors: LEI YING , DAVEY M. , ELLIS J. T.
Published: July 2005

Attachment and invasion ofToxoplasma gondiiandNeospora caninumto a cat and a dog fibroblast cell line and 2 epithelial cell lines (a cat kidney and Vero) were comparedin vitrousing fluorescence antibody methodology. In addition, trypsin treatment of tachyzoites was used to determine whether protein molecules were essential to the process of invasion. The results show that bothT. gondiiandN. caninuminvaded all 4 cell lines, and that pre-treatment ofT. gondiitachyzoites with trypsin caused an increase in the ability of the parasite to invade these host cells. FurthermoreT. gondii, in comparison toN. caninum, invaded all 4 cell lines at greater levels. The results here support the conclusion that bothT. gondiiandN. caninumhave the ability to invade a variety of cell types including both dog and cat cells, and questions the utility of Vero cells as an appropriate host cell forin vitrostudies on the biology of these taxa.
Similarity in logical reasoning and decision-making
Authors: Arló-Costa Horacio
Published: July 2005

Normative accounts in terms of similarity can be deployed in order to provide semantics for systems of context-free default rules and other sophisticated conditionals. In contrast, procedural accounts of decision in terms of similarity (Rubinstein 1997) are hard to reconcile with the normative rules of rationality used in decision-making, even when suitably weakened.
Empirical dissociations between rule-based and similarity-based categorization
Authors: Ashby Gregory , Casale Michael B.
Published: July 2005

The target article postulates that rule-based and similarity-based categorization are best described by a unitary process. A number of recent empirical dissociations between rule-based and similarity-based categorization severely challenge this view. Collectively, these new results provide strong evidence that these two types of category learning are mediated by separate systems.
Molecular mechanisms of synaptic consolidation during sleep: BDNF function and dendritic protein synthesis
Authors: Bramham Clive R.
Published: July 2005

Insights into the role of sleep in the molecular mechanisms of memory consolidation may come from studies of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, such as long-term potentiation (LTP). This commentary posits a specific contribution of sleep to LTP stabilization, in which mRNA transported to dendrites during wakefulness is translated during sleep. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor may drive the translation of newly transported and resident mRNA.
Motor memory: Consolidation–based enhancement effect revisited
Authors: Doyon Julien , Carrier Julie , Simard Alain , Tahar Abdallah Hadj , Morin Amélie , Benali Habib , Ungerleider Leslie G.
Published: July 2005

Following Karni's seminal work, Walker and other researchers have recently provided gradually convincing evidence that sleep is critical for the consolidation-based enhancement (CBE) of motor sequence learning. Studies in our laboratory using a motor adaptation paradigm, however, show that CBE can also occur after the simple passage of time, suggesting that sleep effects on memory consolidation are task-related, and possibly dependent on anatomically dissociable circuits.
Old wine (most of it) in new bottles: Where are dreams and what is the memory?
Authors: Greenberg Ramon
Published: July 2005

I discuss how the work in Walker's article adds to the considerable body of research on dreaming, sleep, and memory that appeared in the early days of modern sleep research. I also consider the issue of REM-independent and REM-dependent kinds of learning. This requires including emotional issues in our discussion, and therefore emphasizes the importance of studying and understanding dreams.
The discontinuity between rules and similarity
Authors: Dominey Peter F.
Published: July 2005

In arguing for a rules-similarity continuum, Pothos should demonstrate that a single process or mechanism (a neural network model, for example) can handle the entire continuum. Pothos deliberately avoids this exercise as beyond the scope of the current research. In this context, I will present simulation, neuropsychological, neurophysiological, and experimental psychological results, arguing against the continuity hypothesis.
Rules, similarity, and threshold logic
Authors: Duch Wlodzislaw
Published: July 2005

Rules and similarity are two sides of the same phenomenon, but the number of features has nothing to do with transition from similarity to rules; threshold logic helps to understand why.
Rules and similarity as conscious contents with distinctive roles in theory
Authors: Dulany Donelson E.
Published: July 2005

Difficulty of distinguishing rules and similarity in categorization comes from reliance on relatively simple manipulation-response designs and a style of modeling with abstract parameters, rather than assessment of intervening and controlling mental states. This commentary proposes a strategy in which rules and similarity would be distinguished by their different roles in a theory interrelating reportable conscious contents in deliberative categorization.
Filling one gap by creating another: Memory stabilization is not all-or-nothing, either
Authors: Peigneux Philippe , Destrebecqz Arnaud , Hotermans Christophe , Cleeremans Axel
Published: July 2005

Walker proposes that procedural memory formation involves two specific stages of consolidation: wake-dependent stabilization, followed by sleep-dependent enhancement. If sleep-based enhancement of procedural memory formation is now well supported by evidence obtained at different levels of cognitive and neurophysiological organization, wake-dependent mechanisms for stabilization have not been demonstrated as convincingly, and still require more systematic characterization.
New perspectives on sleep disturbances and memory in human pathological and psychopharmacological states
Authors: Piggott Margaret A. , Perry Elaine K.
Published: July 2005

Matthew Walker's article has prompted us to consider neuropsychiatric disorders and pharmacological effects associated with sleep alterations, and aspects of memory affected. Not all disorders involving insomnia show memory impairment, and hypersomnias can be associated with memory deficits. The use of cholinergic medication in dementia indicates that consideration of the link between sleep and memory is more than academic.
Digging beneath Rules and Similarity
Authors: Markman Arthur B. , Blok Sergey , Kim Kyungil , Larkey Levi , Narvaez Lisa R. , Stilwell C. Hunt , Taylor Eric
Published: July 2005

Pothos suggests dispensing with the distinction between rules and similarity, without defining what is meant by either term. We agree that there are problems with the distinction between rules and similarity, but believe these will be solved only by exploring the representations and processes underlying cases purported to involve rules and similarity.
Rules and similarity processes in artificial grammar and natural second language learning: What is the “default”?
Authors: Robinson Peter
Published: July 2005

Are rules processes or similarity processes the default for acquisition of grammatical knowledge during natural second language acquisition? Whereas Pothos argues similarity processes are the default in the many areas he reviews, including artificial grammar learning and first language development, I suggest, citing evidence, that in second language acquisition of grammatical morphology “rules processes” may be the default.
Avoiding foolish consistency
Authors: Sloman Steven
Published: July 2005

In most cases, rule-governed relations and similarity relations can indeed be distinguished by the number of relevant features they require. This criterion is not sufficient, however, to explain other properties of the relations that have a more dichotomous character. I focus on the differential drive for consistency by inferential processes that draw on the two types of relations.
Rule and similarity as prototype concepts
Authors: Smith Edward E.
Published: July 2005

There is a continuum between prototypical cases of rule use and prototypical cases of similarity use. A prototypical rule: (1) is explicitly represented, (2) can be verbalized, and (3) requires that the user selectively attend to a few features of the object, while ignoring the others. Prototypical similarity-use requires that: (1) the user should match the object to a mental representation holistically, and (2) there should be no selective attention or inhibition. Neural evidence supports prototypical rule-use. Most models of categorization fall between the two prototypes.
Sleep is for rest, waking consciousness is for learning and memory – of any kind
Authors: Vertes Robert P.
Published: July 2005

Although considerable attention has been paid to the possible involvement of sleep in memory processing, there is no substantial evidence for it. Walker describes a phenomenon of consolidation-based enhancement (CBE), whereby performance on select procedural tasks improves with overnight sleep; that is, without additional practice on the tasks. CBE, however, appears restricted to a few tasks, and even with these tasks CBE is not confined to sleep but also occurs during wakefulness. Sleep serves no unique role in this process. At best, CBE is a slow, time-dependent process of consolidation that begins with task acquisition in waking and can under some circumstances extend to sleep.
In search of radical similarity
Authors: Vilarroya Oscar
Published: July 2005

It is difficult to see how one can support the continuum between rules and similarity, as Pothos proposes. A similarity theory could dispense with the rules end of the continuum. The only thing that we need is one (or more than one) theory of similarity that goes beyond the stimulus-carrying information and behavioristic restrictions that have usually been attributed to similarity theories.
Past, present, and the future: Discussions surrounding a new model of sleep-dependent learning and memory processing
Authors: Walker Matthew P.
Published: July 2005

Following on from the target article, which presented a new model of procedural skill memory development, in this response I will reflect on issues raised by invited commentators and further expound attributes of the model. Discussion will focus on: evidence against sleep-dependent memory processing, definitions of memory stages and memory systems, and relationships between memory enhancement, sleep-stages, dreaming, circadian time, and sleep-disorders.