bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aspects of Xunzi's Engagement with Early Daoism
Authors: Stalnaker Aaron
Published: February 2007

Xunzi borrows several significant ideas originating in the Zhuangzi and the
''Neiye'' chapter of the Guanzi, adapting them to solve problems in his own
theories of mind and self-cultivation. This reworking occurs in three main
areas. First, he uses some of the psycho-physical terminology of the ''Neiye''
but alters its cosmological background and thus its implications for selfcultivation.
Second, largely for rhetorical effect he adopts the language of
shen and shenming from both texts, but uses them to argue for the potency of
the Confucian Way rather than some ineffable cosmic Dao. Third, and most
significantly, he takes and transforms the terminology of emptiness, unity,
and tranquility, using them in new ways within his own Confucian vision to
solve important philosophical problems generated by his own positions.
Filiality versus Sociality and Individuality: On Confucianism as "Consanguinitism"
Authors: Liu Qingping
Published: February 2007

Confucianism is often valued as a doctrine that highlights both the individual and social dimensions of the ideal person, for it indeed puts special emphasis on such lofty goals as loving all humanity and cultivating the self. Through a close and critical analysis of the texts of the Analects and the Mencius, however, it is attempted to demonstrate that because Confucius and Mencius always take filial piety, or, more generally, consanguineous affection, as not only the foundation but also the supreme principle of human life, the individual and social dimensions are inevitably subordinated to and substantially negated by the filial precisely within the Confucian framework, with the result that Confucianism in essence is neither collectivism nor individualism, but "consanguinitism."
Teaching at the Desk: Toward a Reference Pedagogy
Authors: Elmborg James K.
Published: February 2007

This article proposes that we use constructivist learning
theory—primarily composition theory—to develop a pedagogy
for the reference desk. This approach implies that reference is a form
of teaching, and that to maximize their educational effectiveness,
academic librarians need to approach reference transactions as academic
conferences where teaching and learning take place.
Linguistic Markers of Recovery: Theoretical Underpinnings of First Person Pronoun Usage and Semantic Positions of Patients
Authors: Van Staden C. W
Published: February 2007

This paper presents the philosophical theory underpinning
an empirical study that found changes in the semantic usage of first
person pronouns by recovering psychotherapy patients.
The philosophical theory provided semantic variables that could serve as
markers of recovery. It derived from the semantic theory by Gottlob Frege
and the logic of relations, and accounts for the meaning expressed
by the first person pronouns as distinct from their syntax and pragmatic
symbolization. This distinction is worthwhile because empirical evidence
was found for change in the meaning expressed by these pronouns during
recovery, but not for change in their syntax or pragmatic symbolization.
Philosophical work on the concepts of illness and recovery was used to
deduce that the semantic variables are markers of recovery in general
rather than in psychotherapy only. As with the empirical study, the
semantic variables were shown to change as follows when someone recovers:
occupancy of alpha positions is taken up and occupancy of omega positions
is relinquished.
Potential applications of these findings were examined by which the
tracking of the semantic variables may serve to improve the clinician's
understanding of a patient, monitor a patient's progress, and enhance
recovery.
The Public Discourse of U.S. Graduate Employee Unions: Social Movement Identities, Ideologies, and Strategies
Authors: Rhoades Gary , Rhoads Robert A
Published: February 2007

This paper analyzes the public discourse of graduate student employee unions in the United States. Drawing on extensive archives from ten graduate employee unions' Web sites, it examines their publicly presented identities (marginalized workers and future professionals), ideologies (traditional and/or professional unionism with little focus on social justice), and strategies (disruptive protest and professional politics locally). National networks of graduate student unions suggest that local activities can be understood as part of a national social movement.
Believing Is Seeing: The Influence of Beliefs and Expectations on Posttenure Review in One State System
Authors: O'Meara KerryAnn
Published: February 2007

This study examines the influence of beliefs and expectations on the first year implementation of posttenure review in one state system. The findings indicate that beliefs and expectations concerning posttenure review's origins, purposes, and usefulness, strongly influenced participants' experience of the process, as well as posttenure review's impact on professional development,
performance, and retirement decisions.
Buddy, Can you Spare a Paradigm?: Reflections on Generational Shifts and Latin American History
Authors: Weinstein Barbara
Published: February 2007

“So, just how did you get interested in Latin America anyway?” Latin Americanists who don't have a recognizably Spanish or Portuguese surname are routinely asked this question by acquaintances, distant relatives, recently hired colleagues, and even by that most dreaded of airline passengers, the garrulous fool in the next seat. I don't have a convenient response—I can't claim to be the daughter of missionaries (my last name is a dead giveaway on that account), nor of diplomats or corporative executives posted to São Paulo when I was a young girl. I did have two great aunts from Minsk who took a boat to “America” and ended up in Buenos Aires, but that's a rather slim biographical reed on which to rest my decision to become a Latin Americanist.
Guest Editor's Introduction
Authors: Eakin Marshall C.
Published: February 2007

Western science has played a fundamental role in the creation of the modern world.1 The emergence of modern science in Europe in the Renaissance accompanied and helped propel European overseas expansion.2 It played an important role in the conquest and colonization of Latin America, and in the "second conquest" in the aftermath of independence in the nineteenth century. Despite its importance, the history of science in Latin America has been inadequately cultivated, especially in comparison to themes such as land tenure, labor systems, slavery, and political power. A few Latin American nations-most notably Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, and Venezuela-have venerable traditions in the publication of works on the history of science that in some cases date back to the beginnings of the discipline in the early twentieth century.3 Only in recent years, however, have North American scholars begun to turn their attention to the history of Latin American science rather than the more intensely studied scientific traditions of Europe and the United States
Does human attractin have DP4 activity?
Authors: Friedrich Daniel , Hoffmann Torsten , Bär Joachim , Wermann Michael , Manhart Susanne , Heiser Ulrich , Demuth Hans-Ulrich
Published: January 2007

Mutations in the mouseATRNgene, which encodes attractin, offer links between this protein and pigmentation, metabolism, immune status and neurodegeneration. However, the mechanisms of attractin action are not understood. The protein was first identified in humans in a circulating form in serum. A protease activity was postulated similar to the membrane-bound ectoenzyme DP4/CD26. In the last decade, both DP4/CD26 and attractin were controversially described to be the major source of human serum DP4 activity. We purified attractin from human plasma, and found that the DP4-like activity of the preparation shows nearly identical kinetic properties to that of recombinant human DP4. In contrast, the native electrophoretic behavior of this activity is clearly different from human and porcine DP4, but co-migrates with the protein band identified as attractin by Western blotting and N-terminal sequencing. Nevertheless, a DP4 impurity could be demonstrated in purified plasma attractin and the activity could be removed by ADA affinity chromatography, resulting in a homogenous attractin preparation without DP4 activity. These results are substantiated by expression of different attractin isoforms, in which no DP4 activity was found either. This indicates that the multidomain protein attractin acts as a receptor or adhesion protein rather than a protease.
Nef protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 binds its own myristoylated N-terminus
Authors: Hoffmann Silke , Jonas Esther , König Simone , Preusser-Kunze Andrea , Willbold Dieter
Published: January 2007

HIV-1 Nef is a small protein (approx. 25 kDa) that is posttranslationally modified by myristoylation. To explain its complex activities, a ‘Nef-cycle’ is discussed, which postulates different molecular conformations of Nef. Using recombinant full-length non-myristoylated Nef and synthetic peptides, we demonstrate by fluorescence titration experiments that a peptide representing the myristoylated N-terminus of Nef is specifically bound by Nef. A non-myristoylated N-terminal fragment of Nef or a myristoylated control peptide does not bind to Nef. These results are the first direct experimental evidence of the existence of a myristate-binding pocket in Nef, a prerequisite of the postulated ‘closed’ Nef conformation.
Hydrophobic bile salts trigger ceramide formation through endosomal acidification
Authors: Becker Stephan , Reinehr Roland , Grether-Beck Susanne , Eberle Andrea , Häussinger Dieter
Published: January 2007

Hydrophobic bile salts activate NADPH oxidase through a ceramide- and PKCζ-dependent pathway as an important upstream event of bile salt-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. The mechanisms underlying bile salt-induced ceramide formation have remained unclear to date and thus were studied in rat hepatocytes. Proapoptotic bile salts, such as taurolithocholylsulfate (TLCS), lowered the apparent pHveswithin seconds from 6.0 to 5.6 in an FITC-dextran-accessible endosomal compartment that also contains acidic sphingomyelinase. Simultaneously, a rapid decrease inN-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-methoxyquinolinium bromide (MQAE) fluorescence was observed, suggestive of an increase in cytosolic [Cl-], which is known to activate vacuolar-type H+-ATPase. No vesicular acidification or increase in cytosolic [Cl-] was found in response to the non-apoptotic bile salt taurocholate or the anti-apoptotic bile salt tauroursodesoxycholate. Inhibition of TLCS-induced endosomal acidification by bafilomycin or 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid largely abolished the TLCS-induced ceramide-formation and downstream ceramide-dependent processes, such as p47phox-serine phosphorylation, NADPH oxidase activation, CD95 activation and apoptosis. These responses were also abolished after knockdown of acidic sphingomyelinase in rat hepatocytes. In conclusion, hydrophobic, proapoptotic bile salts stimulate ceramide formation through chloride-dependent acidification of endosomes, with subsequent activation of acidic sphingomyelinase. Our data suggest that changes in ion homeostasis underlie the stimulation of ceramide formation in response to hydrophobic bile acids as an important upstream event of bile salt-induced apoptosis.
The staphostatin family of cysteine protease inhibitors in the genus Staphylococcus as an example of parallel evolution of protease and inhibitor specificity
Authors: Dubin Grzegorz , Wladyka Benedykt , Stec-Niemczyk Justyna , Chmiel Dorota , Zdzalik Michal , Dubin Adam , Potempa Jan
Published: January 2007

Staphostatins constitute a family of staphylococcal cysteine protease inhibitors sharing a lipocalin-like fold and a unique mechanism of action. Each of these cytoplasmic proteins is co-expressed from one operon, together with a corresponding target extracellular cysteine protease (staphopain). To cast more light on staphostatin/staphopain interaction and the evolution of the encoding operons, we have cloned and characterized a staphopain (StpA2aurCH-91) and its inhibitor (StpinA2aurCH-91) from a novel staphylococcal thiol protease operon (stpAB2CH-91) identified inS.aureusstrain CH-91. Furthermore, we have expressed a staphostatin fromStaphylococcus warneri(StpinBwar) and characterized its target protease (StpBwar). Analysis of the reciprocal interactions among novel and previously described members of the staphostatin and staphopain families demonstrates that the co-transcribed protease is the primary target for each staphostatin. Nevertheless, the inhibitor derived from one species ofStaphylococcuscan inhibit the staphopain from another species, although theKivalues are generally higher and inhibition only occurs if both proteins belong to the same subgroup of eitherS. aureusstaphopain A/staphostatin A (α group) or staphopain B/staphostatin B (β group) orthologs. This indicates that both subgroups arose in a single event of ancestral allelic duplication, followed by parallel evolution of the protease/inhibitor pairs. The tight coevolution is likely the result of the known deleterious effects of uncontrolled staphopain action.
The His-Pro-Phe motif of angiotensinogen is a crucial determinant of the substrate specificity of renin
Authors: Nakagawa Tsutomu , Akaki Jyunji , Satou Ryousuke , Takaya Masatoshi , Iwata Hideyuki , Katsurada Akemi , Nishiuchi Kazuhiro , Ohmura Yoshihiro , Suzuki Fumiaki , Nakamura Yukio
Published: January 2007

The amino acid sequence His-Pro-Phe as N-terminal residues 6–8 of the natural renin substrate, angiotensinogen, is conserved among species. We investigated whether this His-Pro-Phe motif functions as the determinant of the substrate specificity of renin. Mutant angiotensinogens in which the Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu sequence at positions 5–10 of wild-type angiotensinogen was replaced by either His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Leu or Ala-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His were cleaved by renin at the C-terminal side of residues 9 and 11, respectively, while wild-type angiotensinogen was cleaved at residue 10. A triple Ala substitution for the His-Pro-Phe motif of angiotensinogen prevented its cleavage by renin. In contrast, triple Ala substitution for residues 9–11, including the natural site of cleavage by renin, allowed cleavage between the two Ala residues at positions 10 and 11. Furthermore, the 33-residue C-terminal peptide of human megsin, which carries a naturally occurring His-Pro-Phe sequence, was cleaved by renin at the C-terminal side of the His-Pro-Phe-Leu-Phe sequence. These results indicate that the His-Pro-Phe motif of angiotensinogen is a crucial determinant of the substrate specificity of renin. By binding to a corresponding pocket on renin, the His-Pro-Phe motif may act as a molecular anchor to recruit the scissile peptide bond to a favorable site for catalysis.
Optional rather than Mandatory EU Company Law: Framework and Specific Proposals
Authors: Hertig Gerard , McCahery Joseph A
Published: January 2007

A significant debate rages within the EU about whether to give firms the choice to opt in or out of corporate law provisions. Both sides agree that more flexibility and adaptability of legal rules to business needs is crucial. Nevertheless, and not surprisingly, many still view EU mandatory harmonization efforts as an opportunity to upgrade Member State corporate law.

This article shows that bringing options to the forefront of EU company law may significantly reduce costs for small and medium-sized firms and provide clear benefits to public companies. With respect to implementing such a regime, we advocate the step-by-step adoption of legal options, beginning with the implementation of a limited number of specific EU provisions that firms can select as an alternative to the corresponding Member State statutory or case law.
Legislative Situation of Corporate Groups in Spanish Law
Authors: Girgado Pablo
Published: January 2007

Despite the fact that the Spanish legal system continues without a specific regulation about the corporate groups, the recent legislative reforms are paid growing attention in some punctual matters. Namely the notion of groups is revised in the recent Amendment of Art. 42 Commercial Code in late 2003. So are the references to groups in some of the provisions of the new Bankruptcy Act of 9 July 2003. This legislation seems to clash with the orientations of the Forum Europaeum. Although it has not been reflected legislatively, the article takes into account the Proposal for a Corporation Code as well, which offers a specific and a complete regulation of groups, due to the great significance in coming set of laws.
Carrot and Stick – The EU's Response to New Securities Trading Systems
Authors: Kumpan Christoph
Published: January 2007

Major developments like globalisation, technological progress and institutionalisation have influenced and changed today's world. In capital markets they have stirred the emergence of new securities trading systems called ATS which offer investors platforms to trade securities. These new systems provided considerable challenges for regulators. The major concerns raised in connection with ATS were that their existence led to market fragmentation, that transparency was impaired, that access to the systems could either be unfairly denied or be granted too easily, that they could facilitate market abuses, and that their stability could be an issue.

In the European Union provisions for ATS were developed step by step until in 2004 the EU enacted the new Directive on Markets in Financial Instruments (MiFID) which contains a complex and detailed regulation of multilateral and bilateral ATS. By introducing the operation of a multilateral trading facility (MTF) as an investment service the EU acknowledged the existence and benefits of multilateral ATS. The rules for MTF resemble those for regulated markets – the category for traditional stock exchanges. However, they are more flexible and less detailed leaving more room for self-regulation. By introducing rules for so called systematic internalisers the EU also allowed the establishment of bilateral ATS. However, the provisions for systematic internalisers are much stricter than those for MTF and will likely stifle their development.
White Knights and Black Knights – Does the Search for Competitive Bids always Benefit the Shareholders of “Target” Companies? –
Authors: Mucciarelli Federico M
Published: January 2007

According to the EC Directive on Takeover Bids, defensive measures should be authorised by the general meeting of the target company. The incumbent board can, nonetheless, search for a competing bid, a so-called “white knight”. The rationale underpinning this exception is that competing bids always benefit target's shareholders. In this paper I will tackle this rationale, arguing that even competing bids could generate a pressure to tender on target's shareholders and, therefore, in this case should not be considered as a benefit for them.
The Effectiveness of Corporate Governance in One-Tier and Two-Tier Board Systems – Evidence from the UK and Germany –
Authors: Jungmann Carsten
Published: January 2007

Germany and the UK are paradigms of systems in which the control of managing directors of companies either lies in the hand of a separate supervisory board (two-tier system) or is an additional task of the board itself (one-tier system). This paper provides for an empirical test of the effectiveness of both systems of corporate governance. The analysis of the financial performance and board turnover of the largest companies listed on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt and London over a total of 400 financial years establishes that both systems are effective means of control. Yet the analysis also demonstrates that it is not possible to assign superiority to either of them. Therefore, the often raised question as to whether one of the two systems will finally prevail and whether there will be ultimate convergence of both systems, has to be answered in the negative. As the discussion of the strengths and weaknesses will show, however, there is still scope for improvements in each of the two board models.
The Innoventif Case of the ECJ 1.6.2006, C-453/04
Authors: Vossius Oliver
Published: January 2007

Due to reference of the Landgericht (County Court) Berlin, the ECJ ruled that advance payments on the cost of publication of branch offices of foreign companies in Germany do not infringe the freedom of establishment granted by the European Treaty – even if this implies the costly publication of extensive objects of the company. Such ruling could have been avoided by distinguishing between the objects of the main office and the (more specific and hence shorter) objects of the branch, making use of extensive German case law. The judgement of the ECJ gives rise to the question whether the Court wishes to limit the consequences of its past rulings on freedom of establishment of companies or not. Moreover the proportionality of registration and publication of extensive objects of companies in Germany should be discussed in consideration of its limited usefulness and the slimmer approaches of other jurisdictions. To put it in a nutshell, the case illustrates the need for convergence and harmonization of European company law.
On uniform approximation in real non-degenerate Weil polyhedron
Authors: Petrosyan Albert I.
Published: January 2007

It is proved that any function holomorphic in a real, non-degenerate Weil polyhedron
Dual pairs of orthogonal systems of rational matrix-valued functions on the unit circle
Authors: Lasarow Andreas
Published: January 2007

We analyse certain dual pairs of orthogonal systems of rational matrix-valued functions with poles not located on the unit circle. The rational matrix-valued functions belonging to such kind of pairs are recursively connected similar as the functions of the first and the second kind in the classical theory of orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle. We present some basic facts on these dual pairs and, in particular, we show that the rational matrix-valued functions in question admit specific integral representations.
Density in cos πρ theorems for δ-subharmonic functions
Authors: Fenton Peter C.
Published: January 2007

Suppose that
Maximum principles for energy stationary hypersurfaces
Authors: Winklmann Sven
Published: January 2007

We consider critical immersions of singular variational integrals of the type
Pointwise approximation by Bernstein–Kantorovich quasi-interpolants
Authors: Liu Lixia , Shi Ling , Guo Shunsheng
Published: January 2007

Recently, some new quasi-interpolants have been introduced to accelerate the convergence of the classical approximation operators. In this paper we consider Bernstein–Kantorovich quasi-interpolants
On a boundary value problem for an elliptic equation in the unit disk
Authors: Babayan A. O.
Published: January 2007

We consider a boundary value problem in the unit disk for an elliptic equation of order
Uranium(VI) complexation by humic acid under neutral pH conditions studied by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Sachs S. , Brendler V. , Geipel Gerhard
Published: January 2007

The complexation of U(VI) with Aldrich humic acid (HA) was studied at pH 7 under exclusion of CO2. Using two independent laser-induced spectroscopic methods, time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) and TRLFS with ultrafast pulses (fs-TRLFS), the formation of the ternary U(VI) mono hydroxo humate complex UO2(OH)HA(I) by reaction of UO2OH+with HA was studied. Assuming that all proton exchanging functional groups of the HA are able to contribute to the complex formation, a mean stability constant of 6.58 ± 0.24 was derived for UO2(OH)HA(I). Alternatively, the analytical data were evaluated based on the metal ion charge neutralization model resulting in a complexation constant of 6.95 ± 0.10 and a loading capacity of 0.76 ± 0.28. An overall complexation constant of logβ0.1M= 14.89 ± 0.54 was calculated for the total reaction of U(VI) with HA starting from the non-hydrolyzed UO22+ion. This value agrees very well with literature data. Taking into account the UO2(OH)HA(I) complex, the speciation of U(VI) in presence of HA was recalculated. It was found, that the formation of UO2(OH)HA(I) can significantly influence the U(VI) distribution in the environmentally relevant pH region. As a consequence, the mobility of U(VI) in natural aquifer systems could be enhanced.
Application of radioactive tracer technique on industrial grade ion exchange resins Indion-830 (Type-1) and Indion N-IP (Type-2)
Authors: Lokhande R. S. , Singare P. U. , Patil A. B.
Published: January 2007

The radioactive 131I was used as a tracer to study the kinetics of iodide ion-isotopic exchange reactions. The experiment was performed to study the effect of temperature, concentration of ionic solution, and amount of ion exchange resin on kinetics of exchange reactions. It was observed that under different experimental conditions, the initial rate and the amount of iodide ions exchanged calculated for Indion N-IP Type-2 resin were higher than that for Indion-830 Type-1 resins. It is expected that the same technique can be employed to assess the efficiency of various ion exchangers under different operating conditions.
Diffusive transport of neptunium and plutonium through compacted sand-bentonite mixtures under anaerobic conditions
Authors: Yamaguchi Tetsuji , Nakayama S. , Nagao S. , Kizaki M.
Published: January 2007

Diffusive transport of neptunium, plutonium, tritiated water (HTO), Cs+and I-in compacted sand-bentonite mixtures was studied by a through-diffusion method. Experiments for Np were performed in the presence of carbonate where Np is stable as NpIV(CO3)2(OH)22-and those for Pu in the presence of fulvic acid where the Pu is stable as fulvic complexes. These experiments were performed under Ar (pO2< 10-6atm). Effective diffusivity (De) values of (1.81 ± 0.03) × 10-10, (1.8 ± 0.8) × 10-10, (5.1 ± 0.8) × 10-11and (9.0 ± 4.1) × 10-11m2s-1were obtained for HTO, Cs+, I-and Np(CO3)2(OH)22-, respectively. The ratio of theDeto the diffusivity in bulk of the water was around 0.1 for Np(CO3)2(OH)22-, HTO and Cs+, which is consistent with the pore diffusion model. Observed diffusive transport of Pu was much smaller than those of HTO, Cs+, I-and Np(CO3)2(OH)22-probably because Pu was present as colloidal forms and that confined pore space in the compacted sand-bentonite mixtures does not allow diffusive transport of colloidal plutonium.
Positron emission intensities in the decay of64Cu,76Br and124I
Authors: Qaim Syed M. , Bisinger T. , Hilgers K. , Nayak D. , Coenen Heinz H.
Published: January 2007

The relatively long-lived positron emitters64Cu (t1/2= 12.7 h),76Br (t1/2= 16.2 h) and124I (t1/2= 4.18 d) are finding increasing applications in positron emission tomography (PET). For precise determination of their positron emission intensities, each radionuclide was preparedviaa charged particle induced reaction in a “no-carrier-added” form and with high radionuclidic purity. It was then subjected toγ-ray and X-ray spectroscopy as well as to anticoincidence beta andγγ-coincidence counting. The positron emission intensities measured were:64Cu (17.8 ± 0.4)%,76Br (58.2 ± 1.9)% and124I (22.0 ± 0.5)%. The intensity of the weak 1346 keVγ-ray emitted in the decay of64Cu was determined as (0.54 ± 0.03)%. Some implications of the precisely determined nuclear data are discussed.
A novel method for n.c.a.64Cu production by the64Zn(d, 2p)64Cu reaction and dual ion-exchange column chromatography
Authors: Kozempel Ján , Abbas Kamel , Simonelli Federica , Zampese Marco , Holzwarth Uwe , Gibson Neil , Lešetický Ladislav
Published: January 2007

A novel production method for n.c.a.64Cu based on deuteron irradiation of64Zn is presented. The production takes place through the64Zn(d, 2p)64Cu reaction using a deuteron beam of 19.5 MeV energy on highly enriched64Zn disks. An average yield over three irradiations of 31 MBq/μA h (850 μCi/μA h) and saturation yield of 575 MBq/μA (15.5 mCi/μA) at the end of the beam (EOB) was measured by γ-ray spectrometry. Two of the three runs, of low irradiation charge, were used for radiochemistry. The copper isotopes were separated from other radionuclidic impurities by the combination of cation and anion exchange chromatography. An average radiochemical yield of 90% was estimated for the two runs performed in this study, and the specific activity as determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry was about 4 MBq/μg, 2 hours after EOB. An extrapolation of the present results to production conditions (50 μA, 10 h) indicates approximately 8 GBq/μg (220 mCi/μg) of specific activity. The overall uncertainty in these values is estimated to 15%.
Rapid sequential determination of americium and plutonium in sediment and soil samples by ICP-SFMS and alpha-spectrometry
Authors: Varga Zsolt , Surányi Gergely , Vajda Nóra , Stefánka Zsolt
Published: January 2007

An improved sample preparation method for the determination of americium and plutonium in sediment and soil samples by inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) and alpha-spectrometry is described. The developed procedure involves a selective CaF2 co-precipitation for pre-concentration and matrix removal followed by a sequential extraction chromatographic separation. The average chemical recovery of sample preparation was between 81–94% for both americium and plutonium. The method development also focused on the elimination of possible interferences in mass spectrometric analysis caused by molecular ions (e.g.
238U 1H+, 204Pb 36Ar+ or 208Pb 16O2
+) employing the suitable matrix separation prior to ICP-SFMS analysis coupled with a desolvation sample introduction system. For 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Pu and 241Am limits of detection of 15, 9.2, 14 and 23 fg g-1 was achieved by ICP-SFMS, respectively. The applied sample preparation and measurement can be carried out within 6 h for one batch of samples. Results of certified reference materials (IAEA-384 and IAEA-385) analysed by the two different measurement techniques agreed well with the recommended or information values.
Investigation of the hydrolysis of plutonium(IV) by a combination of spectroscopy and redox potential measurements
Authors: Yun J.-I. , Cho H.-R. , Neck Volker , Altmaier M. , Seibert A. , Marquardt Christian M. , Walther Clemens , Fanghänel Thomas
Published: January 2007

The hydrolysis of tetravalent plutonium in 0.5 M HCl/NaCl has been investigated by a combination of spectroscopy and redox potential measurements in the concentration range from 10-5to 4×10-4M and at pHc0.3–2.1. Redox potentials were both measured and calculated from the plutonium oxidation state distributions using well-known equilibrium constants for the redox reactions of plutonium. The plutonium oxidation states in solution were quantified by spectroscopy. Thepevalues calculated from the plutonium redox couples Pu(V)/Pu(VI) and PuO2(am,hyd)/Pu(V) were found to be consistent with the measuredpevalues whereas those calculated from the Pu(III)/Pu(IV) couple were found to deviate, suggesting that the formation constants selected in recent reviews for the mononuclear hydroxide complexes of Pu(IV) are overestimated. Combining the redox potentials and the spectroscopically determined Pu(III) and Pu(IV) concentrations, the formation constants of the first, second, and third mononuclear hydroxide complexes Pu(OH)n4-natI=0.5 M and 23 ± 2 °C are calculated and corrected to zero ionic strength using the specific ion interaction theory (SIT): logβ°11= 14.0 ± 0.2, logβ°12= 26.8 ± 0.6, and logβ°13= 38.9 ± 0.9.
Effect of alkyl substituents on extraction properties and solubility of calix[4]arene dialkylphosphine oxides
Authors: Smirnov Igor , Karavan M. D. , Babain V. A. , Kvasnitskiy I. , Stoyanov E. , Miroshnichenko S.
Published: January 2007

The extraction properties of calix[4]arenes, substituted by CH2P(O)Alk2-group on the upper rim were studied. Extraction of Am and Eu by solutions of these substituted calix[4]arenes in m-nitrobenzotrifluoride, dichloroethane, methylen chloride and p-xylene from nitric acid was performed. It was shown that extraction efficiency of calix[4]arenes from the diluted (C ≤ 0.3 M) nitric acid decreases according to substituent type at phosphorus atom in the following order: butyl ≈ propyl > ethyl > methyl. Such behavior is not typical for corresponding monodentate compounds, so it was preliminary called Anomalous Alkyl Effect (AAE). In order to find out the reasons of this effect the influence of calixarene structure, changing of diluent and the distribution of extractant between water/nitric acid and organic phases were studied. We have stated that CIP-45 (with ethyl substituents at phosphorus atom) transfers into water and nitric acid (C ≤ 0.3 M) from m-nitrobenzotrifluoride solution for more than 80%. CIP-45 also transfers from dichloroethane solution: about 100% transfers into water and less than 10% transfers into 0.01 M HNO3. This compound fully transfers from p-xylene even into 0.3 M HNO3 solution. Less than 5% of CIP-67 (with propyl substituents at phosphorus atom) transfer from organic phase (in any of used diluent) into water/nitric acid. IR-spectroscopy investigations of CIP-45 aqueous solutions displayed that the main reason of the extraction efficiency decreasing of these substituted calix[4]arenes from the diluted nitric acid may be the formation of calixarene hydrate. This hydrate is soluble in water, but already in diluted HNO3 it transforms into water insoluble solvate.
Film, NS-Vergangenheit und Geschichtswissenschaft. Von Holocaust zu Der Untergang
Authors: Bösch Frank
Published: January 2007

Vorspann

Dass Spielfilme über den Nationalsozialismus die Erinnerungskultur prägen, ist kaum zu bestreiten. Insbesondere die TV-Serie „Holocaust“ gilt als eine Zäsur, die zugleich zahlreiche neue Forschungen provozierte. Wie entwickelte sich die filmische Erinnerungskultur seit „Holocoust“ bis heute? Und in welcher Beziehung standen diese Filme zur Geschichtswissenschaft?
Die Vertreibung von Wissenschaftlern aus den deutschen Universitäten 1933–1945
Authors: Grüttner Michael , Kinas Sven
Published: January 2007

Vorspann

Die nationalsozialistische Personalpolitik an den deutschen Hochschulen und der erzwungene Exodus vieler Wissenschaftler sind ein zentrales Thema der Zeitgeschichtsforschung. Noch nie aber sind die Folgen dieses gleichermaßen brutalen wie systematischen Eingriffs von oben so präzise rekonstruiert worden wie in dieser Untersuchung. Sie ist nicht nur eine eindrucksvolle Bilanz zahlreicher Detailstudien, sie basiert auch auf ausgedehnten Archivrecherchen der beiden Autoren.
Otto Kirchheimers Parlamentarismuskritik in der Weimarer Republik. Ein Fall von Linksschmittianismus?
Authors: Bavaj Riccardo
Published: January 2007

Vorspann

Gibt es Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen Konservativer Revolution und Frankfurter Schule? Angesichts ihrer ähnlich ausgeprägten Abneigung gegenüber dem Liberalismus ist die Frage, welche Anleihen ein Walter Benjamin oder ein Jürgen Habermas bei dem umstrittenen Weimarer Staatsrechtler Carl Schmitt genommen haben, bis heute umstritten. Ebenso gilt dies für das politische Denken des linkssozialistischen Schmitt-Schülers Otto Kirchheimer, über den bislang aber relativ wenig bekannt ist. Vor diesem Hintergrund untersucht Riccardo Bavaj Kirchheimers intellektuelle Entwicklung von seiner Promotion im Jahr 1928 bis zur nationalsozialistischen Machtübernahme 1933.
Das faschistische Italien und die Endlösung 1942/43
Authors: Knox MacGregor
Published: January 2007

Vorspann

Es unterliegt keinem Zweifel, dass italienische Diplomaten und Offiziere im besetzten Griechenland, Kroatien und Südfrankreich tausende Juden vor der Deportation in die deutschen Vernichtungslager bewahrt haben. Heftig umstritten aber sind die Motive, die sie dabei leiteten. MacGregor Knox, einer der besten Kenner der Materie, schafft hier Klarheit und zeigt, dass sich der Mythos von den „anständigen Italienern“ nicht länger aufrechterhalten lässt.
Vom Fremdarbeiter zum Gastarbeiter. Die Anwerbung italienischer Arbeitskräfte für die deutsche Wirtschaft (1938–1973)
Authors: Sala Roberto
Published: January 2007

Vorspann

Anfangs bildeten die Italiener das Hauptkontingent unter den „Gastarbeitern“ in Westdeutschland. Sie kamen auf eigene Faust, mit einer Art Visum, vor allem aber nach einem staatlich-kontrollierten Anwerbeverfahren in die Bundesrepublik, dessen Wurzeln in das Dritte Reich zurückreichten. Seit Mitte der sechziger Jahre mussten die Arbeitsämter und die Unternehmer das Scheitern dieses Modells konstatieren. Roberto Sala schildert die historischen Hintergründe und die konfliktreiche Entstehungsgeschichte des Anwerbeverfahrens, und er macht deutlich, dass es vor allem die Liberalisierung des Arbeitsmarkts in der Europäischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft war, die den deutsch-italienischen Regelungen den Boden entzog.
Serum adiponectin levels, insulin resistance, and lipid profile in children born small for gestational age are affected by the severity of growth retardation at birth
Authors: Evagelidou Eleni N , Giapros Vasileios I , Challa Anna S , Kiortsis Dimitrios N , Tsatsoulis Agathocles A , Andronikou Styliani K
Published: February 2007

Objective: Insulin resistance has been linked to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR); adiponectin is a protein with insulin-sensitizing properties. This study was designed to test whether being born small for gestational age (SGA) has an effect on blood levels of adiponectin and leptin, insulin resistance parameters, and lipid profile in pre-puberty, taking into consideration the severity of IUGR.

Methods: Serum levels of adiponectin, leptin, total cholesterol (t-CHOL), high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A-1 (Apo A-1), Apo B and Apo E, lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), fasting glucose, and insulin (Ins), the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and anthropometric indices were evaluated in 70 children aged 6–8 years, born appropriate for gestational age (AGA; n = 35) and SGA (n = 35), matched for age, gender, height, and BMI. SGA children were divided into two subgroups according to the severity of IUGR: SGA<3rd percentile (n = 20), and SGA 3rd–10th percentile (n = 15). They were also subdivided in two subgroups, those with (n = 25) and those without (n = 10) catch-up growth, considering their actual height corrected for mid-parental height.

Results: SGA children had higher Ins and HOMA-IR than AGA children (Ins, 42 ± 23 vs 32 ± 11 pmol/l; HOMA-IR, 1.30 ± 0.8 vs 0.92 ± 0.3; P<0.05). No significant difference in serum leptin was found between the SGA and the AGA groups but adiponectin showed a trend to be higher in SGA children (13.6 ± 5.7 vs 10.8 ± 5.9 μg/ml respectively). SGA children without catch-up growth had higher adiponectin (15.6 ± 8.5 μg/ml, P<0.05) than AGA children. Among the SGA children, the subgroup <3rd percentile had higher Lp(a) than the subgroup 3rd–10th percentile (P<0.05). An independent positive correlation between adiponectin and Lp(a) was observed in SGA children (R = 0.59, P<0.01).

Conclusion: SGA children, although more insulin resistant, had similar or higher adiponectin levels than matched AGA children in pre-puberty. The severity of IUGR appears to affect their metabolic profile during childhood.
A föníciai kereskedelem és művészet szerepe Kréta szigetén a IX-VII. században
Authors: Niederreiter Zoltán
Published: February 2007

A görög világban a keletről érkezett elefántcsont
faragványok és a feldolgozásra kerülő nyersanyag értéke mindenkor kiemelkedő
jelentőségű volt. Az elefántcsontot Homéros kilenc alkalommal említi meg,
kincsként elsődlegesen a hatalmi szférába helyezve, ahol a gazdagságot és a
tisztaságot szimbolizálta. A tárgyak birtoklása presztízsértékű volt a
tulajdonosaik számára. Szerepük azonban nemcsak a tulajdonosok, az uralkodó
réteg körében volt jelentős, hiszen az elefántcsont faragványok formakincse és
gazdag dekorációja a kortárs mesterek alkotására, a görög művészetre is hatott.
Az ekkor születő figurális ábrázolások a távoli keleti világ művészetének
hatása alatt álltak, a keleti ikonográfiából és tárgytípusok közül kölcsönző
görög mesterek azonban új stílust hoztak létre. A motívumokat, dekoratív és
figurális ábrázolásokat mintakönyvként használták fel, de a modelleket saját
képi világuk és művészi ízlésük szerint értelmezték újra.
Thermal decomposition of nanoparticulate Ca(OH)2-anomalous effects
Authors: Sato T. , Beaudoin J. J. , Ramachandran V. S. , Mitchell L. D. , Tumidajski P. J.
Published: January 2007

The degree of crystallinity and particle size of Ca(OH)2inclusions in a hydrated cement matrix influence their rate of dissolution in aggressive media such as distilled water. Durability of cement-based systems (e.g. resistance to leaching and carbonation) is generally dependent on the dissolution characteristics of the products – a process leading to increased permeability and porosity. Relevant features of nano-scale Ca(OH)2particles are explored using thermal analysis. Different forms of Ca(OH)2with varying degrees of crystallinity and surface area were prepared using Ca(OH)2and CaCO3as starting materials. They were decomposed and the hydrated CaO formed at different conditions. The nitrogen surface area values of Ca(OH)2ranged from 3.7 to 31.1m2/g. The presence of two separate and distinct thermal decomposition events (in derivative form of thermogravimetric analysis results) was observed, depending on the degree of crystallinity. Endotherms occurred at temperatures of about 426°C and 454°C. Binary mixtures of Ca(OH)2with substantially different degrees of crystallinity exhibited a well-defined thermal decomposition doublet. The height of each endotherm peak was dependent on the mass proportions of each mixture component. Factors, including thermodynamic considerations, affecting the character of the decomposition behaviour of Ca(OH)2are discussed.
The influence of temperature levels on chloride diffusion through mortar
Authors: Nguyen T. S. , Lorente S. , Carcasses M.
Published: January 2007

This work documents the effect of different temperature levels on chloride penetration through a saturated CEM-I mortar. The temperatures studied were 5, 21 and 35°C. In addition to experiments, a model based on multi-ionic diffusion is proposed. It is highlighted that the temperature level has no impact on the chloride binding during immersion tests in NaCl solution, for marine environment concentrations. The chloride diffusivity, which is temperature dependent, can be calculated by the Arrhenius equation. Finally, experimental results were compared with good agreement to the numerical concentration profiles obtained by solving the continuity equation for each present ionic species coupled to the current law.
The effect of the heat-treatment regime on the properties of reactive powder concrete
Authors: Cwirzen A.
Published: January 2007

The influence of the curing regime on the mechanical properties and microstructure of ultra-high-strength mortar was studied. Nine different curing procedures were applied in which the start and duration of the heat treatment were varied. The studied mortars had a water-to-binder ratio of 0.17 and additions of amorphous silica fume and fine quartz filler. The microstructure and microchemistry were investigated by electron scanning microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The results revealed that longer heating times increased the degree of hydration, refined the microstructure and resulted in higher ultimate compressive strength. Very late and very early application of the heat treatment caused a lower degree of hydration and a smaller long-term increase of compressive strength. The scanning electron microscopy investigation revealed the formation of one hydration rim around anhydrous cement particles and the presence of a hollow shell in all investigated specimens.
Mass transport properties of mature wasteform grouts
Authors: Wong H. S. , Buenfeld N. R. , Hill J. , Harris A. W.
Published: January 2007

Release of gases from intermediate level radioactive wastes encapsulated in cement-based wasteform grouts is a major concern during the interim storage, transportation and operational stage of a phased geological repository system. The ability of the wasteform grout to retain radioactive gases depends on its mass transport properties, which evolve with age, water saturation degree and any degradation. This paper reports the gas diffusion, gas permeation and water absorption (sorptivity) coefficients of two mature wasteform grouts containing 75% pulverised fuel ash or 75% blast furnace slag. Some of the slag grouts were found to be affected by microcracking, and these were subsequently examined using backscattered electron microscopy and quantified using a specifically developed image analysis procedure. Prior to transport testing, samples were conditioned in a realistic manner to a range of water saturation levels (10–100%). The mass transport properties were found to be highly dependent on the degree of water saturation, in particular for samples conditioned at relative humidity greater than 55%. The microcracks have a significant effect on permeability, but less influence on diffusion and water absorption. Implications of the results on the effectiveness of these grouts for radioactive waste containment are presented.
The chemical activation of pozzolanic reaction of fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FC3R) in lime pastes
Authors: Payá J. , Monzó J. , Borrachero M. V. , Velázquez S.
Published: January 2007

Previous work has shown the effectiveness of certain chemical activators, especially sodium sulphate, in improving the pozzolanic activity of fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FC3R)/lime pastes, monitored by means of calcium hydroxide (CH) consumption. The influence of several chemical activators on the development of mechanical strength is described, namely sodium sulphate, calcium chloride, sodium hydroxide and NaOH– gypsum mixture. Since the study was performed in pastes, prismatic test specimens of 1 cm × 1 cm × 6 cm were used, which were proposed by Köch–Steinegger for durability studies of cement pastes. In order to evaluate the results, these were compared with the mechanical strength of mortars, and excellent correlations were obtained. The sodium sulphate activator gave very high compressive strengths, especially at early curing ages, although at longer curing ages, the paste without activator yielded satisfactory strength.
Axial load behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubular columns
Authors: De Nardin S. , El Debs A. L. H. C.
Published: January 2007

This paper reports an experimental study of concrete-filled steel tubular columns. Six short columns subjected to concentric load were tested. Columns of square, circular and rectangular cross-sections with two steel tube thicknesses were considered. The experimental results showed that the ductility of high-strength concrete increases when confined by a steel tube, but the load-carrying capacity remains the same. The confinement effect does not increase the capacity of the columns because the axial strain of the high-strength concrete core is low up to the point where the column reaches its ultimate load. A model to predict the load against strain behaviour was proposed and the pre-peak and post-peak behaviours of concrete-filled steel columns axially loaded could be predicted from the behaviours of steel tube and concrete core.