bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New smart conducting elastomer blends of Bi‐based superconductor ceramics nanoparticles reinforced natural rubber/low‐density polyethylene for double thermistors, antistatic protectors, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness applications
Authors: El‐Tantawy Farid , Aal Nadia Abdel , Al‐Ghamdi A.A. , El‐Mossalamy E.H.
Published: January 2009

A new conducting blend from natural rubber (NR), low‐density polyethylene (PE), and Bi‐based superconductor (BSCCO) nanoparticles was successfully formulated. Blends were prepared by means of an open two‐roll mill for five ratios (100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 NR/LDPE). The microstructures of the blends were examined in terms of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), bound rubber (BR), cross‐linking density (CLD), and Mooney viscosity (M100). The mechanical properties like hardness (H) shore A, tensile strength (TS), and elongation at break (EB) of the blends were studied. The applicability of the blends as double thermistors, i.e., positive and negative coefficient of resistivity (PTCR/NTCR), was examined. The applicability of the blend for antistatic charge dissipation was also tested. Finally, electromagnetic interference response of conducting NR/PE‐filled BSCCO in the frequency range 1–12 GHz has been studied. Shielding effectiveness of the conducting blends in the microwave range 8–12 GHz shows an attenuation of 44–60 dB for PE ≤10 wt%. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Dissolution mechanism of polymers in high pressure–high temperature n‐alkanes—Application to blends separation
Authors: Martini Raquel E. , Brignole Esteban A. , Barbosa Silvia E.
Published: January 2009

The use of a high temperature–high pressure near critical solvent is an interesting alternative to dissolve high‐molecular‐weight polyolefins with alkanes. This characteristic allows their separation from the blends with other polymers. In the present work, the polymer dissolution of commercial polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) in n‐alkanes at high pressure and high temperature is analyzed. The comprehension of the different polymer dissolution behaviors and solvent affinities clarifies the understanding of the mechanism of PP/PS physical blend separation under these conditions. The PP dissolution in n‐pentane and n‐heptane was interpreted in terms of chain disentanglement and solvent diffusion. A mathematical model is proposed to predict the experimental results and to calculate mass transfer coefficients in order to quantify the PS barrier effects. It is possible to assess the effect of the temperature on the pure PP solubilization using these coefficients. In blends separation, it was demonstrated that the PS, insoluble at the same conditions, hinders the PP diffusion. As the PS blend content increases, the separation efficiency decreases. Particularly, mass transfer coefficient increases with PP content while PS is the matrix (PS barrier decreases). Afterwards, PP has no ulterior barriers and mass coefficient remains constant. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of compost and casing treatments of insecticides against the sciarid Bradysia ocellaris (Diptera: Sciaridae) and on the total yield of cultivated mushrooms, Agaricus bisporus
Authors: Shamshad Afsheen , Clift Alan D , Mansfield Sarah
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND: Bradysia ocellaris (Comstock) is one of the major pests of cultivated mushrooms, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. The feeding of sciarid fly larvae causes damage to the cultivation substrates, compost and casing. A comparative study of insecticidal treatments incorporated into compost and casing against B. ocellaris was conducted during 2003–2004. Treatments with an organophosphate, diazinon, a pyrazole, fipronil, and an insect growth regulator (IGR), triflumuron, were incorporated into casing. Another IGR, cyromazine, was incorporated into compost. Insecticidal incorporation into compost and casing has been associated with reductions in mushroom yield. Therefore, the effect of these insecticidal treatments on the overall yield was evaluated.

RESULTS: A combined treatment, incorporation of cyromazine at 10 mg kg−1 into compost and of triflumuron at 20 mg kg−1 into casing, provided 100% control against B. ocellaris. There was no apparent reduction in yield as a result of incorporation of the tested chemicals into either compost or casing.

CONCLUSION: The results obtained from this study suggest that incorporation of insecticides into both compost and casing is required to control a moderate to high pressure of insect pests. There were no significant yield reductions as a result of the incorporation of pesticides in the Australian mushroom‐growing system. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Topiramate: new indication in migraine prophylaxis
Authors: Hadjikoutis Savvas
Published: January 2009

The indications for topiramate (Topamax) have recently been extended to include migraine prophylaxis. This New products review presents the trial data for its efficacy and safety and suggests its role in treatment. Copyright © 2006 Wiley Interface Ltd
Investigation of different catalytically active and passive materials for realising a hydrogen peroxide gas sensor
Authors: Näther Niko , Henkel Hartmut , Schneider Andreas , Schöning Michael J.
Published: January 2009

In this work, different materials have been investigated for the realisation of a calorimetric sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, a test equipment for the realisation of different H2O2 concentrations as well as H2O concentrations at different temperatures has been built. As catalytically active materials copper, and diverse manganese oxides have been characterised.

As passive materials nickel as well as PFA (Perfluoralkoxylalkan) have been applied for constructing a reference sensor. The materials with the best performance have been chosen for the realisation of an H2O2 sensor in a TO (transistor outline) housing. The sensor has been characterised towards the H2O2 sensitivity and the disturbing factors H2O concentration and temperature. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth of GaN/AlGaN on 200 mm diameter silicon (111) wafers by MOCVD
Authors: Boyd Adam R. , Degroote Stefan , Leys Maarten , Schulte Frank , Rockenfeller Olaf , Luenenbuerger Markus , Germain Marianne , Kaeppeler Johannes , Heuken Michael
Published: January 2009

An AlGaN based high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structure was grown on 200 mm diameter (111) silicon by metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD). The growth was initiated by an AlN layer directly on Si. A level wafer temperature profile (±5 °C) was achieved throughout the process by use of a variable concentric heater profile. This was realised by monitoring the wafer temperature profile of the entire wafer in‐situ using pyrometry. Excellent uniformity, σ ∼ 1%, of each component layer was achieved across the wafer which was crack and slipline free material except for the outer 2 mm. This demonstrates the potential for growth of GaN based devices on 200 mm. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrical properties of InGaN‐Si heterojunctions
Authors: Ager Joel W. , Reichertz Lothar A. , Cui Yi , Romanyuk Yaroslav E. , Kreier Daniel , Leone Stephen R. , Yu Kin Man , Schaff William J. , Walukiewicz Wladyslaw
Published: January 2009

The electrical transport properties of n‐InxGa1–xN heterojunctions with Si(111) were investigated. InGaN films were grown by molecular beam epitaxy and either an AlN or Si3N4 buffer layer was used. For x in the range of 15‐45%, an ohmic junction is obtained with p‐type Si and a rectifying junction is formed with n‐type Si. The n‐InGaN/n‐Si heterojunction device functions as a solar cell. The series resistance is lower and the power conversion efficiency is higher for InGaN devices grown with an AlN buffer layer. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Density functional study of structural and electronic properties of maximum‐spin n+1Aun−1Ag clusters
Authors: Jiang Zhen‐Yi , Hou Yu‐Qin , Lee Kuo‐Hsing , Chu San‐Yan
Published: January 2009

The structures and relative stabilities of high‐spin n+1Aun−1Ag and nAun−1Ag+ (n = 2–8) clusters have been studied with density functional calculation. We predicted the existence of a number of previously unknown isomers. Our results revealed that all structures of high‐spin neutral or cationic Aun−1Ag clusters can be understood as a substitution of an Au atom by an Ag atom in the high‐spin neutral or cationic Aun clusters. The properties of mixed gold–silver clusters are strongly sized and structural dependence. The high‐spin bimetallic clusters tend to be holding three‐dimensional geometry rather than planar form represented in their low‐spin situations. Silver atom prefers to occupy those peripheral positions until to n = 8 for high‐spin clusters, which is different from its position occupied by light atom in the low‐spin situations. Our theoretical calculations indicated that in various high‐spin Aun−1Ag neutral and cationic species, 5Au3Ag, 3AuAg and 5Au4Ag+ hold high stability, which can be explained by valence bond theory. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for detecting UGT‐mediated bioactivation of drugs as theirN‐acetylcysteine adducts in human liver microsomes
Authors: Harada Hiroshi , Endo Takuro , Momose Yasunori , Kusama Hiroshi
Published: January 2009

The detection of the reactive metabolites of drugs has recently been gaining increasing importance.In vitrotrapping studies using trapping agents such as glutathione are usually conducted for the detection of reactive metabolites, especially those of cytochrome P450‐mediated metabolism. In order to detect the UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)‐mediated bioactivation of drugs, aninvitrotrapping method usingN‐acetylcysteine (NAC) as a trapping agent followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was developed in this study. After the test compounds (diclofenac and ketoprofen) had been incubated in human liver microsomes with uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA) and NAC, the NAC adducts formed through their acyl glucuronides were analyzed using LC/MS/MS with electrospray ionization (ESI). The NAC adduct showed a mass shift of 145 units as compared to its parent, and the characteristic ion fragmentations reflected the parent. This is a concise and high‐throughput method for evaluating reactive metabolites by UGT‐mediated bioactivation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface cleaning of germanium nanodot ionization substrate for surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Sato Hiroaki , Nemoto Atsushi , Yamamoto Atsushi , Tao Hiroaki
Published: January 2009

In surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI‐MS), a chemical background signal, arising from organic contaminants such as plasticizers, is frequently observed mainly under m/z ca. 600, which impairs the advantages of the matrix‐free approach. Silver salts, which are used for the cationization of aromatic compounds, are also difficult to remove completely after the measurements. In this study, surface cleaning techniques used in semiconductor processing were used to clean our developed silicon‐based SALDI substrate on which self‐assembled germanium nanodots (GeNDs) had been deposited (termed a GeND chip). An immersion cleaning method using acetone with sonication, and a sulfuric‐peroxide mixture (SPM) cleaning method using a mixture of H2SO4/H2O2/deionized water, were examined for their effectiveness in removing organic compounds and residual silver salts. Removal of both types of contaminants was successfully performed by SPM cleaning. The limit of detection for glutathione was improved from ca. 5 pmol without cleaning to ca. 50 fmol after the SPM cleaning. Since GeND chips can tolerate acidic cleaning and sonication due to their chemical inertness and rigid nanodot structures, they appear to be an ideal reusable SALDI substrate. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The interfacial feature of thermoplastic polystyrene composite filled with nitric acid oxidized carbon fiber
Authors: Li J. , Sun F. F.
Published: January 2009

The quality of interfacial interaction is dictated by the surface chemistry of the carbon fibers and the composition of the matrix. The composition of polystyrene was modified by the addition of maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted polystyrene. The surface properties of the various matrix formulations were characterized by contact angle. Carbon fibers were modified by oxidation in nitric acid. The surface composition of the carbon fibers was characterized. The interaction between modified polystyrene and the carbon fibers was studied by single fiber pull‐out tests. The best adhesion behavior was achieved between polystyrene containing grafted MAH and nitric acid oxidation carbon fibers. The addition of MAH‐grafted polystyrene to the unmodified polystyrene caused the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) to increase. The IFSS of this fiber‐matrix combination allowed for the full utilization of the tensile strength of polystyrene. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The skin barrier function: a micro‐PIXE study
Authors: Simon M. , Barberet P. , Moretto P. , Bacqueville D. , Mavon A. , Seznec H.
Published: January 2009

Human body is perpetually subjected to environmental exposures as sun, natural, urban or industrial pollutions and societal exposures. Skin is the main physiological barrier facing to these different stresses; however its response mechanisms are still not well understood. Skin models are thus necessary to understand skin physiology and behavior in normal conditions or under stress. Because of the large natural interindividual variability and of some difficulties in obtaining human skin biopsies, we have been developing and characterizing different skin models such as reconstructed epidermis in vitro, native pigskin and human keratinocyte cells. These models allow us to study the mechanisms involved in ion homeostasis in correlation with structural organization and biological responses. In the present study, we have characterized the pig ear skin model using micro‐particle induced x‐ray emission (PIXE) analysis with the aim of evaluating the distribution of inorganic ions under normal or stress conditions together with the transepidermal penetration of external agents, such as aluminum oxides. The nuclear microprobe analysis allowed us to validate the culture conditions of the tissue and we have shown an alteration of the inorganic ion patterns after exposure to a chemical compound (sodium dodecyl sulfate) known for its deleterious effects on the barrier function. Finally, we have shown no transepidermal penetration of aluminum oxides after different exposures to cosmetic formulations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evolution of satellite lines
Authors: Mukoyama T. , Uda M. , Kövér L. , Berényi Z. , Cserny I. , Drube W.
Published: January 2009

Evolution of the photoionized KLL Auger satellite line for 3d transition metals was studied. The intensity ratio of the satellite line relative to the main 1D2 (KL2L3) diagram line was measured for Cu and Ni as a function of incident photon energy and the theoretical models based on the adiabatic approximation were fitted to the experimental data. The Thomas model, the Vatai model and the model of Roy et al. were considered. In addition, we modified the model of Roy et al. and developed a new model. Comparison of these four models was made and their difference was discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Young Adults and Riding Position: Factors that Affect Mortality Among Inpatient Adult Motorcycle Casualties: A Major Trauma Center Experience
Authors: Leong Quor Meng , Tsung Shyen Karen Go , Appasamy Vijayan , Chiu Ming Terk
Published: January 2009

Background

In Singapore, road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the second most common cause of deaths in trauma. Motorcycle casualties account for 54% of all fatalities. Studies have shown that the mean age of motorcycle casualties is significantly younger than that of other RTA victims.

Methods

We reviewed the mortality of all motorcycle casualties ≥16 years admitted to an acute hospital as emergencies from January 2004 to December 2006. To determine the impact of age on mortality, we divided our patients into two groups, one ≤21 years (younger group) and another >21 years (older group). A subset analysis based on riding position (driver versus passenger) was performed to determine the inpatient mortality rate in these two groups.

Results

There were 96 (14%) patients in the younger group and 586 (86%) patients in the older group. The mortality rate for younger motorcycle casualties was significantly higher (14.6% versus 8%; p = 0.04). Also, there were significantly more passengers in the younger group (25% versus 8.4%; p = 0.0001). The mortality rate among young passengers was significantly higher than that among young drivers (29.2% versus 9.7%; p = 0.019). Likewise, the mortality rate of the young passengers was also significantly higher than that among older passengers (29.2% versus 10.2%; p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Young motorcycle casualties have a significantly higher mortality rate than older motorcycle casualties. Young passengers have the highest mortality rate and contribute significantly to the death rate among young motorcycle casualties.
Value of Laparoscopic Appendectomy in the Elderly Patient
Authors: Kirshtein Boris , Perry Zvi Howard , Mizrahi Solly , Lantsberg Leonid
Published: January 2009

Background

Acute appendicitis (AA) in elderly patients (60 years of age and older) is a challenging problem associated with significant morbidity and mortality when perforation is present. We hypothesized that laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) would enable an earlier correct diagnosis and have advantages in elderly patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for suspected AA. Data of elderly patients were compared to data of younger patients (18 to <60 years of age).

Results

Fifty‐four LA were performed in elderly patients and 423 in younger patients. Patients over the age of 60 years had more co‐morbidities and required more frequent use of anticoagulants. Preoperative imaging (ultrasound or computerized tomography) was significantly more frequent in elderly patients (36% versus 15%), and was associated with a higher rate of confirmation of acute appendicitis (78% versus 55%), which allowed a decrease in the rate of negative surgical explorations to 4.1% in elderly patients compared to 10.2% in younger patients. Complicated appendicitis and conversions were more frequent in the elderly patients. This resulted in prolonged operative time and longer hospital stay for this group. The overall complication rate was equivalent in the two groups, without differences in the occurrence either of infectious complications or of complications related to surgical site. There were no deaths following appendectomy in our series.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic appendectomy is safe in the elderly population and is not associated with any increase in morbidity. The high incidence of complicated appendicitis in elderly patients affects operative time and length of hospital stay following laparoscopic appendectomy, and it can also lead to an increased rate of conversion to an open procedure. Use of preoperative abdominal computerized tomography scan is mandatory in elderly patients to provide an early diagnosis and to decrease unnecessary surgical exploration when acute appendicitis is suspected.
Herbivory‐induced extrafloral nectar increases native and invasive ant worker survival
Authors: Lach Lori , Hobbs Richard J. , Majer Jonathan D.
Published: January 2009

Ascertaining the costs and benefits of mutualistic interactions is important for predicting their stability and effect on community dynamics. Despite widespread designation of the interaction between ants and extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) as a mutualism and over 100 years of studies on ant benefits to plants, the benefits to ants have never been experimentally quantified. The success of invasive ants is thought to be linked to the availability of carbohydrate‐rich resources, though reports of invasive ant visits to EFNs are mixed. In two laboratory experiments, we compared worker survival of one native (Iridomyrmex chasei) and two invasive ant species (Linepithema humile and Pheidole megacephala) exposed to herbivorized or non‐herbivorized EFN‐bearing plants (Acacia saligna) or positive and negative controls. We found that non‐herbivorized plants did not produce any measurable extrafloral nectar, and ants with access to non‐herbivorized plants had the same survival as ants with access to an artificial plant and water (unfed ants). Ants given herbivorized plants had 7–11 times greater worker survival relative to unfed ants, but there were no differences in survival between native and invasive ants exposed to herbivorized plants. Our results reveal that ants cannot induce A. saligna extrafloral nectar production, but workers of both native and invasive ant species can benefit from extrafloral nectar as much as they benefit from sucrose.
Gene flow is maintained by polyandry and male dispersal in the army antEciton burchellii
Authors: Jaffé Rodolfo , Moritz Robin F. A. , Kraus F. Bernhard
Published: January 2009

The combination of haplodiploidy, complementary sex determination and eusociality constrains the effective population size (Ne) of social Hymenoptera far more than in any other insect group. Additional limitations onNeoccur in army ants since they have wingless queens and colony fission, both of which are factors causing restricted maternal gene flow and high population viscosity. Therefore, winged army ant males gain a particular significance to ensure dispersal, facilitate gene flow and avoid inbreeding. Based on population genetic analyses with microsatellite markers, we studied a population of the Neotropical army antEciton burchellii, finding a high level of heterozygosity, weak population differentiation and no evidence for inbreeding. Moreover, by using sibship reconstruction analyses, we quantified the actual number of male contributing colonies represented in a queen's mate sample, demonstrating that, through extreme multiple mating, the queens are able to sample the genes of males from up to ten different colonies, usually located within an approximate radius of 1 km. We finally correlated the individual mating success of each male contributing colony with the relative siring success of individual males and found a significant colony‐dependent male fitness component. Our results imply that the dispersal and mating system of these army ants seem to enhance gene flow and minimise the deleterious effects associated with small effective population size.
Abnormal bradykinin signalling in fibroblasts deficient in the PIP2 5‐phosphatase, ocrl1
Authors: Suchy S. F. , Cronin J. C. , Nussbaum R. L.
Published: January 2009

The oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (Lowe syndrome) is an X‐linked disorder of phosphatidylinositol metabolism characterized by congenital cataracts, renal proximal tubulopathy and neurological deficits. The disorder is due to the deficiency of the phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2) 5‐phosphatase, ocrl1. PIP2 is critical for numerous cellular processes, including cell signalling, actin reorganization and protein trafficking, and is chronically elevated in patients with Lowe syndrome. The elevation of PIP2 cells of patients with Lowe syndrome provides the unique opportunity to investigate the roles of this phospholipid in fundamental cellular processes. We previously demonstrated that ocrl1 deficiency causes alterations in the actin cytoskeleton. Since actin remodelling is strongly activated by [Ca+2], which increases in response to IP3 production, we hypothesized that altered calcium signalling might contribute to the observed abnormalities in actin organization. Here we report a specific increase in bradykinin‐induced Ca+2 mobilization in Lowe fibroblasts. We show that the abnormal bradykinin signalling occurs in spite of normal total cellular receptor content. These data point to a novel role for ocrl1 in agonist‐induced calcium release.
Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the US Military Population
Authors: Wolf Jennifer Moriatis , Mountcastle Sally , Owens Brett D.
Published: January 2009

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common disease. Its epidemiology has been evaluated previously, mostly in regional populations or in working groups, with an incidence between 1.5 and 3.5 per 1,000 person-years. We studied this diagnosis in the US military population, with the hypothesis that this young population would have a lower incidence of CTS than previously reported in general populations. The Defense Medical Epidemiology Database notes all medical encounters for all US military personnel and maintains the number of all personnel on active duty each year. We queried the database using the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, code 354.0 (CTS) and analyzed the personnel presenting for initial visits for the years 1998–2006. Multivariate Poisson analysis was performed, controlling for rank, gender, age, and race. The raw incidence of CTS in the US military was 3.98 per 1,000 person-years, in a population of 12,298,088 person-years. Females had a significantly higher incidence of CTS than males, with an adjusted incidence rate ratio of 3.29. CTS incidence increased by age, with the age group ≥40 years having a significantly higher incidence. Additionally, military rank was found to be an independent risk factor for CTS, with rates higher in senior officer and enlisted groups. This suggests that occupational requirements have an effect on CTS within the military. We showed a comparable incidence of CTS between the US military and general population, with a significantly higher female cohort with a diagnosis of CTS. Increased age and advanced rank were risk factors for CTS.
Some controllability results for the 2D Kolmogorov equation
Authors: Beauchard K. , Zuazua E.
Published: January 2009

In this article, we prove the null controllability of the 2D Kolmogorov equation both in the whole space and in the square. The control is a source term in the right-hand side of the equation, located on a subdomain, that acts linearly on the state. In the first case, it is the complementary of a strip with axisxand in the second one, it is a strip with axisx.

The proof relies on two ingredients. The first one is an explicit decay rate for the Fourier components of the solution in the free system. The second one is an explicit bound for the cost of the null controllability of the heat equation with potential that the Fourier components solve. This bound is derived by means of a new Carleman inequality.
Functional analysis of spfD gene involved in DNA phosphorothioation in Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0‐1
Authors: Yao Fen , Xu Tiegang , Zhou Xiufen , Deng Zixin , You Delin
Published: January 2009

DNA phosphorothioation is widespread in many bacterial species. By homology analysis of the dnd gene cluster in Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0‐1, a spfBCDE gene cluster involved in DNA phosphorothioation was localized. Disruption of the spfD gene, a dndD homolog, caused the loss of the Dnd phenotype and demonstrated the involvement of spfD in DNA phosphorothioation in P. fluorescens Pf0‐1. The ATPase activity of SpfD suggests that SpfD could hydrolyze ATP to provide the energy required in the DNA phosphorothioate modification process.
Kaempferol is an estrogen‐related receptor α and γ inverse agonist
Authors: Wang Junjian , Fang Fang , Huang Zhiyan , Wang Yanfei , Wong Chiwai
Published: January 2009

PGC‐1 alpha (uniprotkb:Q9UBK2) and ERR gamma (uniprotkb: P62508) bind (MI:0407) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)
LINEAGE BASED DIFFERENCES IN GRANDPARENTAL INVESTMENT: EVIDENCE FROM A LARGE BRITISH COHORT STUDY
Authors: POLLET THOMAS V. , NELISSEN MARK , NETTLE DANIEL
Published: January 2009

Evolutionary theory suggests that maternal grandparents will invest more in their grandchildren than paternal grandparents, due to the difference between the certainty of maternity and the uncertainty of paternity. Most tests of this prediction have tended to use retrospective ratings by grandchildren rather than examining grandparental behaviour. Using a large-scale data set from the UK (n>7000), significant differences are shown between maternal and paternal grandparents in terms of frequencies of contact with their newborn grandchildren, while controlling for a wide range of other variables. Maternal grandparents also provided a significantly wider range of financial benefits than paternal grandparents. Maternal grandparents were also more likely to provide essentials and gifts and extras for the baby. Multiple correspondence analysis showed that contact frequencies systematically related to other measures of grandparental investment, indicating that contact frequencies are a useful proxy measure to examine overall investment. Findings are discussed with reference to the paternity uncertainty hypothesis.
Macro-scale description of transient electro-kinetic phenomena over polarizable dielectric solids
Authors: YOSSIFON G. , FRANKEL I. , MILOH T.
Published: January 2009

We have studied the temporal evolution of electro-kinetic flows in the vicinity of polarizable dielectric solids following the application of a ‘weak’ transient electric field. To obtain a macro-scale description in the limit of narrow electric double layers (EDLs), we have derived a pair of effective transient boundary conditions directly connecting the electric potentials across the EDL. Within the framework of the above assumptions, these conditions apply to a general transient electro-kinetic problem involving dielectric solids of arbitrary geometry and relative permittivity. Furthermore, the newly derived scheme is applicable to general transient and spatially non-uniform external fields. We examine the details of the physical mechanisms involved in the relaxation of the induced-charging process of the EDL adjacent to polarizable dielectric solids. It is thus established that the time scale characterizing the electrostatic relaxation increases with the dielectric constant of the solid from the Debye time (for the diffusion across the EDL) through the ‘intermediate’ scale (proportional to the product of the respective Debye- and geometric-length scales). Thus, the present rigorous analysis substantiates earlier results largely obtained by heuristic use of equivalent RC-circuit models. Furthermore, for typical values of ionic diffusivity and kinematic viscosity of the electrolyte solution, the latter time scale is comparable to the time scale of viscous relaxation in problems concerning microfluidic applications or micro-particle dynamics. The analysis is illustrated for spherical micro-particles. Explicit results are thus presented for the temporal evolution of electro-osmosis around a dielectric sphere immersed in unbounded electrolyte solution under the action of a suddenly applied uniform field, combining both induced charge and ‘equilibrium’ (fixed charge) contributions to the zeta potential. It is demonstrated that, owing to the time delay of the induced-EDL charging, the ‘equilibrium’ contribution to fluid motion (which is linear in the electric field) initially dominates the (quadratic) ‘induced’ contribution.
Wegener's granulomatosis presenting as acute systemic vasculitis following 20 years of limited tracheobronchial disease
Authors: Peters J E , Salama A D , Ind P W
Published: January 2009

Objective:

We report a patient with a 20-year history of apparently idiopathic airways stenoses, who presented with an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated, acute, systemic vasculitis with necrotising glomerulonephritis, subsequently diagnosed as Wegener's granulomatosis.

Methods:

We present a case report and a review of the world literature on airway stenosis in Wegener's granulomatosis.

Results:

To our knowledge, this is the first report of Wegener's granulomatosis manifesting as local airway disease for such a prolonged period, before transforming into a systemic vasculitis.

Conclusions:

This case highlights the need for physicians to be alert to the possibility of Wegener's granulomatosis as a cause of apparently idiopathic airway stenosis, and to be aware that systemic disease may occur in very long-standing, limited Wegener's granulomatosis.
Indeterminacy by underspecification
Authors: DALRYMPLE MARY , KING TRACY HOLLOWAY , SADLER LOUISA
Published: January 2009

We examine the formal encoding of feature indeterminacy, focussing on case indeterminacy as an exemplar of the phenomenon. Forms that are indeterminately specified for the value of a feature can simultaneously satisfy conflicting requirements on that feature and thus are a challenge to constraint-based formalisms which model the compatibility of information carried by linguistic items by combining or integrating that information. Much previous work in constraint-based formalisms has sought to provide an analysis of feature indeterminacy by departing in some way from ‘vanilla’ assumptions either about feature representations or about how compatibility is checked by integrating information from various sources. In the present contribution we argue instead that a solution to the range of issues posed by feature indeterminacy can be provided in a ‘vanilla’ feature-based approach which is formally simple, does not postulate special structures or objects in the representation of case or other indeterminate features, and requires no special provision for the analysis of coordination. We view the value of an indeterminate feature such ascaseas a complex and possibly underspecified feature structure. Our approach correctly allows for incremental and monotonic refinement of case requirements in particular contexts. It uses only atomic boolean-valued features and requires no special mechanisms or additional assumptions in the treatment of coordination or other phenomena to handle indeterminacy. Our account covers the behaviour of both indeterminate arguments and indeterminate predicates, that is, predicates placing indeterminate requirements on their arguments.
The role of psychoacoustic similarity in Japanese puns: A corpus study
Authors: KAWAHARA SHIGETO , SHINOHARA KAZUKO
Published: January 2009

A growing body of recent work on the phonetics–phonology interface argues that many phonological patterns refer to psychoacoustic similarity – perceived similarity between sounds based on detailed acoustic information. In particular, two corresponding elements in phonology (e.g. inputs and outputs) are required to be as psychoacoustically similar as possible (Steriade 2001a, b, 2003; Fleischhacker 2005; Kawahara 2006; Zuraw 2007). Using a corpus of Japanese imperfect puns, this paper lends further support to this claim. Our corpus-based study shows that when Japanese speakers compose puns, they require two corresponding consonants to be as similar as possible, and the measure of similarity rests on psychoacoustic information. The result supports the hypothesis that speakers possess a rich knowledge of psychoacoustic similarity and deploy that knowledge in shaping verbal art patterns.
Specificational sentences and the influence of information structure on (anti-)connectivity effects
Authors: LAHOUSSE KAREN
Published: January 2009

This paper argues that the difference between connectivity and anti-connectivity effects in specificational copular sentences is heavily influenced by semantics and information structure. It shows that anti-connectivity effects with respect to binding disappear when the influence of information structure is neutralized, whereas anti-connectivity effects with respect to scope result from the semantics of specificational sentences. These data lead to the conclusion that anti-connectivity effects cannot be used as evidence against a syntax-based approach to specificational sentences and binding, that the analysis of specificational sentences should include both a syntactic and a semantic device, and that the syntactic analysis of specificational sentences should rely crucially on their information structure. I present and adopt Heycock & Kroch's (2002) analysis for specificational sentences, in which connectivity effects result from the assembling of ground and focus. The fact that connectivity effects are also exhibited by verb–object–subject word order in French and Spanish, which is marked for the ground-focus partition, is presented as an important piece of independent evidence in favor of this analysis.
̔Ως δἰ ἡμῶν in 2 Thess 2.2 als Hinweis auf einen verlorenen Brief
Authors: Becker Eve-Marie
Published: January 2009

Die These des Beitrags ist, dass die Wendung ‘ὡς δι᾽ ἡμῶν’ in 2 Thess 2.2 nicht als direkter Hinweis auf den 1 Thess zu verstehen sei, sondern dass sich hier vielmehr der pseudonyme Verfasser mit einer nicht mehr erhaltenen brieflichen Fehlinterpretation des 1 Thess auseinandersetzt und sich so indirekt um eine ‘richtige’ Deutung des 1 Thess bemüht. Im Unterschied zu 2 Thess 2.2 ist 2 Thess 2.15 als direkter Hinweis auf die—nach Meinung des Verfassers—‘richtige’ Paulus-Lehre, d.h. den 1 Thess oder den vorliegenden 2 Thess, zu verstehen. Mit dieser These schlägt der Artikel zugleich eine differenzierte Typologie der paulinischen und pseudo-paulinischen Diskurse vor.
Utilitarianism and Respect for Human Life
Authors: Sprigge T. L. S.
Published: January 2009

Bentham and Mill and probably most utilitarians (though Sidgwick is in part an exception) have a good deal in common with Hobbes and Spinoza as moral thinkers. For they share a commitment to deriving ethics from the actual and normal motivitations of human beings as creatures of the natural world rather than, like Kant and many religious moralists, from some transcendent realm to the requirements of which natural man has a duty to submit without expecting any help therefrom in the satisfaction of his natural inclinations. In the present context I shall call all such thinkers ethical naturalists, though I do not mean this expression in any very precise technical sense, only to indicate a commitment to somehow deriving morality from natural fact.
J. S. Mill and Political Violence
Authors: Williams Geraint
Published: January 2009

The most common view of Mill sees him as the classic liberal and one key element in this liberalism is said to be that his thought ‘rests on the belief that the use of reason can settle fundamental social conflicts’. He is seen by a leading authority as ‘the rationalist, confident that social change could be effected by the art of persuasion and by the simple fact that men would learn from bitter experiences’. To point out that at various times in his life Mill supported the use of violence in political life is insufficient in itself to challenge this basic view. However, if it can be shown that Mill's support for political violence adds up to a coherent justificatory theory then Mill's standing as the model liberal upholder of reason might need to be revised. Or at least the commonly assumed opposition between reason and violence will need to be re-examined. Are there circumstances in which the use of violence rather than persuasion is the rational course? In looking at Mill's response to events in France, America, Ireland, and Canada as well as his attitude to British politics it is clear that there are numerous examples of his support for the use of violence: ‘I do not scruple to say that I have sympathised more or less ardently with most of the rebellions, successful and unsuccessful, which have taken place in my time’. Our present concern is to see whether he developed any general principles whereby such violence could be shown to be legitimate.
Freedom and Virtue in Politics: Some Aspects of Character, Circumstances and Utility from Helvétius to J. S. Mill
Authors: Smith G. W.
Published: January 2009

Writing in the foreword to Allan Bloom's The Closing of the American Mind and speaking of his upbringing in Chicago between the wars Saul Bellow attests that

…as a Midwesterner, the son of immigrant parents, I recognized at an early stage that I was called upon to decide for myself to what extent my Jewish origins, my surroundings [‘the accidental circumstances of Chicago’], my schooling, were to be allowed to determine the course of my life. I did not intend to be wholly dependent upon history and culture. Full dependency must mean that I was done for. The commonest teaching of the civilized world in our time can be stated simply: ‘Tell me where you come from and I'll tell you what you are’.
Self-Reform as Political Reform in the Writings of John Stuart Mill
Authors: Eisenach Eldon J.
Published: January 2009

Students of Mill's political theory know that he was both a political reformer and a social philosopher. An important part of Mill's life involved political struggles over the electoral franchise and schemes of parliamentary representation, the legal and social emancipation of women, land law and economic policy, and freedom of speech and the press. When turning to his best known writings such asOn Liberty, Considerations on Representative Government, Principles of Political EconomyandThe Subjection of Women, issues of reform intrude at almost every point. Even his more philosophical writings—Utilitarianism, An Examination of Sir William Hamilton's PhilosophyandSystem of Logic— can be seen as attacks on or supports for those theories of man and society which Mill sees as hindering or furthering ‘the improvement of mankind’. Moreover, Mill's subsidiary careers as a journalist, editor of theLondon and Westminster Reviewand member of parliament further demonstrate his commitment to political reform.
Sympathy and Self-Interest: The Crisis in Mill's Mental History
Authors: Green Michele
Published: January 2009

John Stuart Mill's crisis of 1826 has received a great deal of attention from scholars. This attention results from reflection on the importance of the crisis to Mill's mature thought. Did the crisis signal rejection or revision of Benthamism? Or did it have little or no effect on Mill's view of his intellectual inheritance? Ultimately, an interpretation of the cause and resolution of the crisis is integral to an understanding of the nature of Mill's moral and social philosophy. Scholars, in their zeal to understand Mill's crisis, have suggested various reasons for both the onset of the crisis and the recovery. Yet Mill's own perception of his crisis has often been overlooked or rejected.
No Laughing Matter: John Stuart Mill's Establishment of Women's Suffrage as a Parliamentary Question
Authors: Robson Ann
Published: January 2009

Of all my recollections connected with the H of C that of my having had the honour of being the first to make the claim of women to the suffrage a parliamentary question, is the most gratifying as I believe it to have been the most important public service that circumstances made it in my power to render. This is now a thing accomplished.…
‘One Very Simple Principle’
Authors: Riley Jonathan
Published: January 2009

John Gray, much influenced by Isaiah Berlin and building on work by the late John Rees and the late Fred Berger, has recently stated three ‘fatal’ objections which virtually all analysts seem to find persuasive against John Stuart Mill's classic doctrine of liberty. First, Gray thinks it ‘an obvious objection to Mill's project that conceptions of harm vary with competing moral outlooks, so that no Principle of Liberty whose application turns on judgements about harm can expect to resolve disputes between exponents of opposed moral perspectives’. Even if we overlook Mill's strange silence in the matter and supply him with a reasonable definition of harm (such as damage to certain vital human interests or rights), it remains clear that the liberty principle ‘is not, and cannot be, the very simple principle Mill sought’. For ‘Mill's principle is in its very nature radically incomplete. It tells us what we may not do, but not what we ought to do.’ To know when liberty should in fact be restrained, ‘we must look to other principles—chiefly the Principle of Utility itself’. But if general utility alone can ‘tell ushow muchliberty may be given up forhow muchharm-prevention’, then ‘there can be no question of adherence to [an] exceptionless principle such as Mill's Principle of Liberty’. Thus, even if we believe that Mill's version of utilitarianism is coherent, his judgements about the regulation of conduct must depend on a highly complex and controversial moral doctrine.
John Stuart Mill and Royal India
Authors: Moore Robin J.
Published: January 2009

Though John Stuart Mill's long employment by the East India Company (1823–58) did not limit him to drafting despatches on relations with the princely states, that activity must form the centrepiece of any satisfactory study of his Indian career. As yet the activity has scarcely been glimpsed. It produced, on average, about a draft a week, which he listed in his own hand. He subsequently struck out items that he sought to disown in consequence of substantial revisions made by the Company's directors or the Board of Control. He also listed items that achieved publication (mostly only in part) as parliamentary papers and they amount to about ten per cent of his drafts. The two lists, published in the most recent volume of his Collected Works, reveal, at the least, the ‘political’ despatches from which he did not seek to dissociate himself. The despatches were not entirely his work and authorship in the conventional sense may not be assumed. They were the product of an elaborate process, in which many hands were engaged. At worst, they were his work in much the same way that an Act of Parliament is the work of the Crown Solicitor who drafts the bill. At best they were his as are the drafts of a civil servant who believes in policy statements that he prepares for his political masters. The greatest English philosopher and social scientist of the nineteenth century was, in his daily occupation, an employee. His Company was charged with initiating policies for the Indian states and they were subject to the control of a minister of the Crown.
Act Utilitarianism and Decision Procedures
Authors: Frazier Robert L.
Published: January 2009

A standard objection to act utilitarian theories is that they are not helpful in deciding what it is morally permissible for us to do when we actually have to make a choice between alternatives. That is, such theories are worthless as decision procedures. A standard reply to this objection is that act utilitarian theories can be evaluated solely as theories about right-making characteristics and, when so evaluated, their inadequacy as decision procedures is irrelevant. Even if somewhat unappealing, this is an effective reply to the standard objection.
The Distinction Between Criterion and Decision Procedure: A Reply to Madison Powers
Authors: Griffin James
Published: January 2009

Madison Powers raises the difficult problem of repugnant desires. The problem is not only difficult but pervasive, more pervasive even than Powers says. He notes that it affects hedonist, eudaimonist, and desire-fulfilment forms of utilitarianism; but it also affects the form of utilitarianism that uses a list of irreducibly plural values, so long as one of the values on the list is pleasure or happiness, and it can affect non-utilitarian positions as well for the same reason.