bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flammability of plastics: III. Reactions between antimony trioxide and organic halogenated flame retardants with reference to their performance in a crosslinked polyester resin
Authors: Learmonth G. S. , Thwaite D. G.
Published: March 2007

A number of halogenated flame retardants have been heated alone and with antimony trioxide at temperatures between 300 and 500°. Isothermal weight losses over various time periods have been followed. Quantitative analyses of reaction products from heating together both Cereclor 70/Sb2O3 and also PVC/Sb2O3 have shown antimony trichloride to be the main reaction product in each case.
Dispersions of polymeric acrylic soaps: III. Hydrogen‐bonding interactions in polymeric dispersions and polymer monolayers
Authors: Graham N. B. , Holden H. W. , Raymond F. L.
Published: March 2007

The ability of low molecular weight acrylic acid copolymers to form self‐dispersions of a maximum polymer content at partial, rather than complete, neutralisation has been qualitatively explained in terms of swelling of the particles with water. Studies on copolymers containing groups capable of strong interaction, such as amide or hydroxyl, combined with the tendencies of monolayers of related polymers to contract at particular pH values has suggested that an ion/polar group type of interaction is responsible for the decreased volume of the particles at the pH of maximum polymer content.
Fire performance of plastics in building
Authors: Scott K. A.
Published: March 2007

This paper describes part of the work at RAPRA which has been sponsored by the BPF Building Group. The safe use of plastics in building from the viewpoint of fire and the performance of plastics in the framework of existing regulations are considered and the relevance of some tests are discussed. Attention is also given to smoke and toxic products. Some important topics are not included, however, one notable omission being a consideration of expanded plastics for thermal insulation.
A new plastics material for engineering applications based on polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Asmus K. D. , Fleissner M.
Published: March 2007

Polyethylene terephthalate (PETP) forms the basis of a new plastics material, Hostadur®, which is suitable for mouldings in engineering applications which are subject to mechanical stress. The crystallisation behaviour of PETP is discussed as this is an important factor if economic processing by injection moulding is to be obtained. Short‐term properties of the material such as stiffness, strength and toughness were found to be good. Creep rupture strength, and fatigue strength under alternating stress, as well as other long‐term properties, were found to be better than with other thermoplastics such as polyamides and polyacetals.
Structural characterization of vulcanized natural rubber by latex state 13C NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Ukawa Jinta , Kawahara Seiichi , Sakai Junichiro
Published: March 2007

Structural characterization of vulcanized natural rubber was performed by high‐resolution latex‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy. The vulcanized natural rubber latex was prepared by vulcanization of high ammonia natural rubber latex with sulfur and sodium di‐n‐butyldithiocarbamate as vulcanizing agents. High resolution was attained for latex‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy even after vulcanization of the rubber latex, as is evident from no background in spectrum and narrow half width of signals, which were independent of vulcanization time. Small signals at 44 and 58 ppm in the carbon region were assigned by measurements of both distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT) and attached proton test (APT) to secondary, tertiary, and quaternary carbons of crosslinking points. The assignment was proved by high‐resolution solution‐state NMR spectroscopy of vulcanized liquid cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene as a model, in which DEPT, APT, 2‐dimensional 1H‐13C correlation (HETCOR), and 2‐dimensional heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) measurements were applied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1003–1009, 2007
The effect of atropine administered in the medial septum or hippocampus on high‐ and low‐frequency theta rhythms in the hippocampus of urethane anesthetized rats
Authors: Li Shaomin , Topchiy Irina , Kocsis Bernat
Published: March 2007

Cholinergic mechanisms are critical for the generation of hippocampal theta rhythm. Cholinergic innervation of the hippocampus originates from the medial septum (MS) and cholinergic receptors are expressed in both the MS and hippocampus. In this study, we compared the effects of the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine in the MS and the hippocampus on theta generation. Hippocampal theta rhythm was elicited by electrical stimulation of the pontine reticular formation using series of stimuli with varying intensities. Atropine was administered either systemically (50 mg/kg i.p.) or locally in the MS (microdialysis; 25 and 75 mM for 30 or 90 min) or in the hippocampus on one side (microinjection; 20 or 40 ug). The relative power at the peak theta frequency was calculated and averaged over episodes of low‐intensity and high‐intensity stimulations. We found that atropine drastically reduced theta rhythmic synchronization when injected in either location. After MS administration of atropine, however, high‐frequency theta elicited by high‐intensity stimuli was more resistant (58% and 67% decrease after 25 mM and 75 mM atropine, respectively) than slow theta elicited by low‐intensity stimuli (86% and 91% decrease). There was no significant difference between the powers of the two oscillations after hippocampal injections (70–75% decrease). We conclude that the theta suppressing effect of atropine involves both hippocampal and septal mechanisms and that low‐frequency theta as compared with fast theta rhythm is more sensitive to muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonism in the MS but not in the hippocampus. Synapse 61:412‐419, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alterations in GABAA receptor expression in neonatal ventral hippocampal lesioned rats: Comparison of prepubertal and postpubertal periods
Authors: Endo Kenichi , Hori Takafumi , Abe Shuzo , Asada Takashi
Published: March 2007

Rats with neonatal ventral hippocampal lesions (NVHL) have been studied as a neurodevelopmental animal model of schizophrenia. NVHL rats exhibit postpubertal emergence of hyperresponsiveness to stress, suggesting increased mesolimbic dopamine (DA) activity. However, previous studies have not yielded clear evidence of this. Disturbances in the γ‐amino‐butyric acid (GABA)‐ergic system as well as the dopaminergic system are thought to be present in schizophrenia. To determine whether GABAA receptors play a role in the abnormal postpubertal behavior in NVHL rats, we compared changes in expression of mRNA of GABAA receptor subunits and in [35S] t‐butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S] TBPS) binding in the prepubertal and postpubertal periods. Male pups were lesioned with ibotenic acid at postnatal day 7 (PD 7), and in situ hybridization and quantitative autoradiography were then performed. In NVHL rats, α1 subunit mRNA expression in prefrontal cortex was decreased at PD 35 (prepubertal period; by 21.7%), but increased at PD 56 (postpubertal period; by 21.4%) when compared with sham controls. β2 subunit mRNA expression was increased in PFC in the postpubertal period (by 24.3%). β3 subunit mRNA expression was increased in the caudate‐putamen in the postpubertal period (by 37.2%). [35S] TBPS binding was increased in PFC only in the postpubertal period (by 17.7%). These findings suggest that dysfunction of the GABAergic system exists in NVHL rats. Furthermore, developmental and regional changes in GABAA receptor expression appear to occur in compensation for the attenuation of GABAergic system activity in NVHL rats. Synapse 61:357‐366, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The substitution of paper for bamboo and the new trend of literary development in the Han, Wei and early Jin Dynasties
Authors: Pingqiu ZHA
Published: March 2007

The time from the mid-late Eastern Han Dynasty to the early period of the Three Kingdoms witnessed the simultaneous use of both bamboo and paper and the transition from the former to the latter as the preferred medium for literature. Paper, as a newly developed medium, was an informal text vehicle at first and had a closer connection with popular and recreational texts. The breakdown of the Eastern Han Dynasty accelerated the process of the replacement of bamboo by paper. Broad room for writing and cheap cost for production by paper changed writing conventions, shortened the composing process, and enlarged the volume of texts; all these made for a freer and more direct expression of feelings and meanings. The innovation in text carrier directly broadened the influence of literature, raised its value, promoted “letter correspondence” as a literary genre and enhanced the quality of literature as a way of expressing one’s emotions. The change of text carrier led to the change in literary style, which gave rise to a more detailed study of literary genres. The enlargement of knowledge among intellectuals brought about the fashion of using dian 典 (words that have a historical context). With the rising status of paper, the status of recreational works also rose. Meanwhile, the transition between these two mediums disrupted the propagation of traditional works.
How literature was viewed by the Ming Dynasty authorities during the reigns of Longqing and Wanli
Authors: Zongqiang LUO
Published: March 2007

During the reigns of Longqing 隆庆 and Wanli 万历 of the Ming Dynasty, there were four celebrated premiers (Shoufu 首辅), who took literary works to mind for the benefit of their bureaucratic rule (Lizhi 吏治) and wanted to make literature serve politics. Among them, Xu Jie 徐阶 claimed that morality comes first and literature second on the basis of the Six Classics and various other schools of thought. Gao Gong 高拱 seriously forbade profuse rhetoric and punished those who played with it. Zhang Juzheng 张居正 often oriented his poetics to politics and polity. And Shen Shixing 申时行 also placed politics before poetry, and practicality before artistry. They were, however, quite different in their personal lives when they dealt with literature, and some were capable of beautiful writing with no moral preaching at all. Moreover, they were tolerant of popular literary style when it did not affect their political activities.
Ethanolysis of Refined Soybean Oil Assisted by Sodium and Potassium Hydroxides
Authors: Kucek Karla T. , César‐Oliveira Maria Aparecida F. , Wilhelm Helena M. , Ramos Luiz P.
Published: March 2007

The ethanolysis of refined soybean oil was investigated through a 23 experimental design that was carried out under the following levels: ethanol:oil molar ratios (MR) of 6:1 and 12:1, NaOH concentrations of 0.3 and 1.0 wt% in relation to the oil mass, and reaction temperatures of 30 and 70 °C. The ethanol:oil MR and the alkali concentration had an almost equivalent influence on the reaction yield, whereas the influence of increased reaction temperatures was very limited and higher catalyst concentrations led to greater yield losses due to the formation of soap. Ethyl ester yields of 97.2% were obtained at 70 °C, MR of 12:1 and 0.3 wt% NaOH. Replacement of 0.3 wt% NaOH by 1.0 wt% KOH under the same reaction conditions led to lower ester yields. Likewise the former, KOH provided the maximum ester yield (95.6%) at the highest molar ratio (12:1), with the reaction temperature having little influence on the catalyst performance. Ester yields beyond 98% were only achieved when a second ethanolysis stage was included in the process. In this regard, the application of 2 wt% Magnesol® after the first ethanolysis stage eliminated the need for water washing prior to the second ethanolysis stage and helped to generate a final product with less contaminating unreacted glycerides.
Antigen expression of cord blood derived stem cells under osteogenic stimulation in vitro
Authors: Jäger Marcus , Krauspe Rüdiger
Published: March 2007

Tissue engineering strategies have become a promising option for treating musculoskeletal defects in future. Cord blood includes mesenchymal stem cells which are able to differentiate into several cell lines under lineage specific stimulation including osteoblasts, chondroblasts and adipoblasts. In this study the antigen pattern of cord blood stem cells cultivated onto a porous porcine collagen I/III scaffold is investigated. The cultures were stimulated with osteogenic mixture (dexamethasone, ascorbic acid, glycerolphosphatate [DAG]) over 21 days in vitro. The following antigens and markers served for immuncytochemical evaluation: bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, osteonectin, osteopontin, cartilage proteoglycan, chondrogenic oligomeric matrix protein, collagen I/II/III/X, CD13, CD 31, CD34, CD44, CD45, CD105, fibroblast growth factor receptor 2, vascular endothelial growth factor, vimentin and von‐Kossa and HE stainings. We showed that a collagen I/III scaffold is an appropriate cellular carrier for cord blood progenitor cells and allows for an osteoblastic differentiation. Moreover there were differences in antigen pattern, dependent on the location of the adherent cells. CD105 and VEGF were only expressed at the bottom of the biomaterial. Future investigations should show the role of cytomechanical forces in the differentiation of cord blood derived progenitor cells and also if a cell‐loaded collagen I/III scaffold is appropriate to stimulate bone regeneration in vivo.
Acylase 1 expression in rat intestinal crypt—villus axis
Authors: Cigna Natacha , Nicoletti Cendrine , Durand Anne , Chaix Jean Claude , Giardina Thierry , Perrier Josette
Published: March 2007

Acylase 1 was investigated at the cellular level in the rat small intestine along the enterocyte—differentiation axis. As confirmed by microscopic analysis, villus tip cells and crypt cells of rat jejunal mucosa were successfully separated using the Weiser method. The proliferating undifferentiated crypt cells showed much higher ACY 1 activity levels than the villus cells, with a 6.4‐fold decrease as the cells migrated and differentiated along the crypt—villus axis. RT‐PCR studies on mRNA extracted from isolated cells showed that ACY 1 mRNA was mainly expressed in crypt cells, reaching levels that were 12‐fold higher than those recorded in other cell types along the whole enterocyte differentiation axis. It was concluded that the expression of ACY 1 in the intestinal crypt cells is regulated at the mRNA level. Immunohistochemistry revealed the expression of ACY 1 in the absorbing lineage cells from the ileal and colonic crypts and the absence of ACY 1 in the mucus producing goblet cells. These findings proposed ACY 1 as a new marker transcript for absorbing cells of intestinal crypt, which can be used to monitor the process of intestinal N‐α‐acetylated protein metabolism.
Anti‐oxidation and immune responses in mice upon exposure to manganese superoxide dismutase expressed in silkworm larvae, Bombyx mori L
Authors: Yue Wan‐Fu , Li Guang‐Li , Liu Jian‐Mei , Sun Jian‐Tong , Sun Hong‐Xiang , Li Xing‐Hua , Wu Xiao‐Feng , Miao Yun‐Gen
Published: March 2007

With manganese superoxide dismutase expressed in silkworm larvae, Bomby mori L, we investigate the effects of silkworm larvae powder containing SOD on the antioxidation and the immune system of mouse. The contents of MDA both in mice plasma or liver organ treated with silkworm larvae powder containing manganese superoxide dismutase were reduced compare to control. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities both in plasma or liver organ of the treated mice were significantly higher than that of both control and bromobenzene treated mice (group‐BM), suggesting the silkworm larvae powder containing SOD play a positive role in anti‐oxidation in mice. This experiment was also designed to investigate the effects of silkworm larvae powder containing SOD on the immune system of mouse, focused on hemolysin response, hemagglutination against SRBC and the activity of natural killer (NK) cells. All treated mice showed significant increase in hemolysin response to SRBC and demonstrated an activation of NK cell function by the SOD‐contained silkworm larvae powder, which suggest a promotion in humoral immunity. The results suggested the SOD expressed in silkworm maybe have potential application in medicine.
Stobadine inhibits doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis through a caspase‐9 dependent pathway in P815 mastocytoma cells
Authors: Ümit Bağríaçík E. , Uslu Kadriye , Yurtçu Erkan , Stefek Milan , Karasu Çimen
Published: March 2007

Doxorubicin (DOXO), a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, induces apoptosis in transformed and non‐transformed cells. The apoptotic effect of DOXO has been linked to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidants may be effective in the prevention of DOX‐induced apoptosis. In the present study we investigated the effects of stobadine, a pyridoindole antioxidant in a DOXO‐induced apoptosis model of P815 cells by flow cytometric analyses and by measuring caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 activities. Pretreating cells with stobadine significantly increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis rate. Inhibition in apoptosis was observed at maximum levels following treatment of cells with 10−7M stobadine as evident from flow cytometric analyses. The antiapoptotic effect of stobadine was further confirmed by inhibition of caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 activities. We found that the antioxidative effects of stobadine were comparable to the effects of a well known antioxidant, N‐acetyl l‐cysteine (NAC).
The tracing study of developing entorhino‐hippocampal pathway
Authors: Deng Jin‐Bo , Yu Dong‐Ming , Wu Ping , Li Ming‐Shan
Published: March 2007

The entorhino‐hippocampal pathway is the major excitatory input from neurons of the entorhinal cortex on both ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampus/dentate gyrus. This fiber tract consists of the alvear path, the perforant path and a crossed commissural projection. In this study, the histogenesis and development of the various subsets of the entorhino‐hippocampal projection have been investigated. DiI, DiO, Fast Blue tracing and calretinin immunocytochemistry as well as were carried out with pre and postnatal rats at different developmental stages. The alvear path and the commissural pathway start to develop as early as embryonic day E16, while the first perforant afferents reach the stratum lacunosum‐moleculare of the hippocampus at E17 and at outer molecular layer of the denate gyrus at postnatal day 2. Retrograde tracing with DiI identifies entorhinal neurons in layer II–IV as the developmental origin of the entorhino‐hippocampal pathway. Furthermore, calretinin immunocytochemistry revealed transitory Cajal‐Retzius cells in the stratum lacunosum‐moleculare of the hippocampus from E16. DiI labeling of entorhinal cortex fibers and combined calretinin‐immunocytochemistry reveal a close relationship between Cajal‐Retzius cells and entorhinal afferents. This temporal and spatial relationship suggests that Cajal‐Retzius cell serves as a guiding cue for entorhinal afferents at early cortical development.
The use of fetal bovine serum as delivery vehicle to improve the uptake and stability of lycopene in cell culture studies
Authors: Lin Chen-Yu , Huang Chin-Shiu , Hu Miao-Lin
Published: March 2007

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) has commonly been used to deliver carotenoids to cells but the use of THF is associated with cytotoxicity and low uptake efficiency of carotenoids. Here, we used fetal bovine serum (FBS) as the delivery vehicle for lycopene in comparison with THF, THF containing 0·0025 % butylated hydroxytoluene (THF/BHT), methyl-β-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD) and micelles in two human prostate cancer cell lines, DU145 and PC-3. Lycopene (10 mm) solubilized in THF/BHT and then diluted in FBS at ratios of 5 and 10 gave the highest lycopene uptake in DU145 cells. Using a dilution factor of 10, we found that lycopene (10 μm) carried in FBS in a cell-free system led to significantly less loss of lycopene than in THF, THF/BHT and M-β-CD within 24 h of incubation. Lycopene solubilized in micelles was more stable than that in FBS within 24 h, but the micelle itself led to marked cytotoxicity to DU145 cells. Lycopene at 10 μm in FBS led to significantly higher uptake of lycopene in both cell lines than that in THF, THF/BHT or M-β-CD within 24 h of incubation. When FBS was replaced with lipoprotein-deficient serum, the uptake of lycopene by DU145 cells was markedly decreased and was not significantly different from that of THF or THF/BHT. These results demonstrate that FBS is superior to THF, THF/BHT, M-β-CD and micelles as a delivery vehicle for lycopene in prostate cell lines and that the lipoprotein of FBS is likely responsible for the improved stability and cellular uptake of lycopene.
Young Trudeau: Son of Quebec, Father of Canada,
1919–1944
Authors: Koyzis David T.
Published: March 2007

Young Trudeau: Son of Quebec, Father of Canada,
1919–1944, Max and Monique Nemni, translated by William
Johnson, Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 2006, pp. 352.

The authors of the present work, the first in a projected three-volume
biography of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, have done Canadians a lasting service
in publishing a meticulously researched account that shatters a number of
longstanding myths surrounding the late prime minister's early years.
Max and Monique Nemni are retired academics who were friends and admirers
of Trudeau. When in his final years they approached him about writing a
biography, he offered his full co-operation, including unprecedented
access to his personal papers dating back to childhood.
L'extrême-gauche plurielle. Entre démocratie
radicale et révolution
Authors: Labelle Gilles
Published: March 2007

L'extrême-gauche plurielle. Entre démocratie
radicale et révolution, Philippe Raynaud, Paris, Ed.
Autrement, 2006, 206 p.

Si le candidat d'extrême-droite Jean-Marie Le Pen a pu
participer au deuxième tour de l'élection
présidentielle d'avril 2002, c'est entre autres, assez
paradoxalement, parce que des candidats d'extrême-gauche
avaient grugé suffisamment de voix au candidat socialiste Lionel
Jospin pour l'empêcher d'aller au-delà du premier
tour. Comparée aux autres démocraties libérales, la
France aurait donc un profil atypique, non pas du fait de la force, chez
elle, de l'extrême-droite (celle-ci est aussi très
présente dans beaucoup d'autres pays européens), mais
plutôt du fait de la présence d'une “ gauche de la
gauche ” qui recueille un nombre significatif de voix et a un poids
certain dans la vie politique du pays.
L'action politique des mouvements sociaux
d'aujourd'hui : Le déclin du politique comme
procès de politisation?
Authors: Robert Stéphanie
Published: March 2007

L'action politique des mouvements sociaux
d'aujourd'hui : Le déclin du politique comme
procès de politisation?, Denis, Serge. Édité par
Guy Laforest,, Coll. Prisme. Québec: Presses de
l'Université Laval, 2005.

Le constat d'une fracture du rapport entre
l'électorat et les grands partis politiques n'est plus
à faire. Des analyses sociopolitiques calculent les taux
d'abstention au vote et les expliquent par les
désarticulations entre les aspirations des
électeurs/électrices et les politiques
d'orientation néolibérale adoptées
récemment par les partis au pouvoir (Sommier, Le renouveau des
mouvements contestataires à l'heure de la mondialisation,
2003). On parle de “ désenchantement ”
démocratique (Perrineau, Le désenchantement
démocratique, 2003). Ce contexte incite d'aucuns à
parler de “ dépolitisation ” d'un électorat
qui se tournerait vers les mouvements sociaux afin de trouver une issue
à ce marasme. Est-ce la fin de la politique traditionnelle ou un
nouveau départ?
Courts and Federalism: Judicial Doctrine in the United States,
Australia, and Canada
Authors: Esselment Anna
Published: March 2007

Courts and Federalism: Judicial Doctrine in the United States,
Australia, and Canada, Gerald Baier, Vancouver and Toronto: UBC
Press, 2006, pp. 207.

Is everything old new again? Gerald Baier's insightful book
brings back into the mainstream a long neglected examination of federalism
from the perspective of judicial review. His analysis of the courts'
impact on the development of federalism involves a detailed study of
division of powers jurisprudence in the United States, Australia, and
Canada. In each of these countries, Baier argues, the decisions of the
highest courts continue to affect the shape of federalism, but his central
claim turns on how these decisions are made. For Baier, judicial doctrine
plays a significant role in influencing the reasoning of the courts and
must be considered an independent variable worthy of study in its own
right. Many scholars have debated the significance of doctrine on judicial
decision making. However, Baier takes issue with scholars who, on the one
hand, have characterized doctrine as a tool of objectivity and certainty,
and those, on the other hand, who view doctrine as entirely political in
nature (27). For Baier, doctrine is neither of these but it is
“distinctly legal in character” and it is this legal reasoning
that shapes outcomes (27).
The Courts
Authors: Hirschl Ran
Published: March 2007

The Courts, Ian Greene, The Canadian Democratic Audit Series;
Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 2006, pp. xvii, 182.

This book is another welcome addition to the Canadian Democratic Audit
Series. It sets out to assess the democratic credentials of Canada's
judiciary—a most significant branch of government in post-1982
Canada. The book's approach is refreshing in several respects.
Instead of the traditional focus on the well-rehearsed debate over the
questionable democratic credentials of judicial review, the book attempts
to evaluate the adequacy of the Canadian court system in relation to three
basic tenets of democracy: participation, inclusiveness, and
responsiveness. Unlike most accounts of Canadian political institutions,
it pays due attention to elements of the court system beyond the Supreme
Court of Canada. In so doing, Greene is able to assess more accurately
whether the Canadian judiciary as a whole is living up to that set of
reasonable democratic expectations.
The Liberal Conscience: Politics and Principle in a World of
Religious Pluralism
Authors: Mellon James G.
Published: March 2007

The Liberal Conscience: Politics and Principle in a World of
Religious Pluralism, Lucas Swaine, New York: Columbia University
Press, 2006, pp. xxii, 215.

The Liberal Conscience by Lucas Swaine represents a response
from a liberal to those who affirm a theocratic conception of the good.
Swaine distinguishes between logic and rhetoric, between that which should
persuade and that which is likely to persuade. He suggests that a
justification of liberal principles founded on conscience should persuade
honest theocrats and Swaine makes the case that this should matter to both
liberals and theocrats. The liberal, who founds a justification of liberal
principles in conscience and accommodates those whose conscience forces
them to seek exemption from certain conventional norms, in Swaine's
view, is acting in a manner consistent with the authentic spirit of
liberal principles. A liberal democratic state reflecting such a spirit,
Swaine argues, is in a stronger position logically to expect theocrats to
view it as a legitimate political authority. Otherwise, it is
presumptuous, he suggests, for a liberal democratic state to expect the
allegiance of theocrats.
Bienvenue dans le désert du réel
Authors: Lemieux René
Published: March 2007

Bienvenue dans le désert du réel,, Slavoj
Žižek,, Édition Flammarion, 2005.

Le statut de Slavoj Žižek dans les universités
américaines est ambigu. D'une part, sa popularité ne
cesse de grandir – comme le démontrent le succès de
ses livres et l'affluence à ses conférences –
d'autre part, rarement pris au sérieux par ses pairs, il est
relégué à l'univers des cultural
studies. Élève de Jacques-Alain Miller,
Žižek offre une vision originale de la politique où
il mélange psychanalyse, commentaires philosophiques de haute
voltige, anecdotes tirées de l'actualité,
interprétations et réinterprétations de sujets divers
allant du cinéma à la critique d'art, souvent avec un
humour peu caractéristique des milieux universitaires. Après
son Plaidoyer en faveur de l'intolérance
(Éditions Climats, 2004) qui critiquait la fausse tolérance
pratiquée par la société libérale et
multiculturelle, son essai Bienvenue dans le désert du
réel, traduit récemment en français, a
été écrit dans l'urgence après les
attentats du 11 septembre, au lendemain de l'invasion
américaine de l'Afghanistan. Žižek
présente dans ce livre la suite de certaines thèses
qu'il avait déjà évoquées. Il remet non
seulement en question le caractère “
d'événement ” attribué au 11 septembre
– pour lui, rien n'aurait vraiment changé – mais
il revisite l'opposition que les théoriciens politiques
décrivent (et imposent) entre l'Occident et son Autre
islamique : ces deux entités ne sont pas antagonistes, elles
appartiennent au contraire à la même dynamique capitaliste
mondiale et font le jeu de l'immobilisme. L'alternative doit
être pensée en dehors des oppositions. Ce que cherche donc
à faire Žižek, c'est moins d'offrir une
thèse en remplacement de celles qui existent déjà que
de réfuter celles-ci, en montrant l'identité
intrinsèque d'opinions qu'on prétend être
différentes.
Villes, Régions et Universités : Recherches,
Innovations et Territoires
Authors: Champagne Éric
Published: March 2007

Villes, Régions et Universités : Recherches,
Innovations et Territoires., Sous la direction de Hudon, Raymond et
Jean-Pierre Augustin,, Les Presses de l'Université Laval,
Québec, 2005, 385 p.

Ce livre est un compte rendu particulièrement fidèle des
deuxièmes Rencontres Champlain-Montaigne entre la ville de Bordeaux
en France et celle de Québec au Canada, qui se sont tenues en 2002.
Ces rencontres se veulent un forum d'échanges portant sur les
relations entre les universités et les partenaires
socioéconomiques de leurs espaces régionaux respectifs.
Elles ont été établies dans le contexte des relations
bilatérales entre ces deux villes qui prévalent depuis leur
jumelage en 1962. Depuis 2000, un protocole de coopération a
été signé entre l'Université Laval, le
Pôle universitaire de Bordeaux, la ville de Québec, la ville
de Bordeaux, le Conseil régional de concertation et
développement de la région de Québec et le Conseil
régional d'Aquitaine. Les premières Rencontres
Champlain-Montaigne se sont déroulées à Québec
en 2001. Elles avaient déjà pour thème les villes,
les régions et les universités et
s'intéressaient tout particulièrement aux acteurs et
à leurs pratiques. La seconde édition de ces rencontres les
inscrit donc dans la durée et confirme l'intérêt
pour le même sujet. Ces deuxièmes rencontres abordent
toutefois la question du point de vue de la recherche, des innovations et
de la dimension territoriale.
The Power of Greed: Collective Action in International
Development
Authors: Stevenson Michael
Published: March 2007

The Power of Greed: Collective Action in International
Development, Michael Rosberg, Edmonton: University of Alberta Press,
2005, pp. 299.

This book has a title that promises interesting and provocative
content. It is published by the press of one of Canada's major
universities. It is written by a Canadian who, after graduating from a US
university with a fine reputation in development studies, accumulated
years of field experience with development projects in Colombia and
Belize. It is sad, therefore, that this volume supports the adage against
judging a book by its cover.
Temporal bone study of development of the organ of Corti: correlation between auditory function and anatomical structure
Authors: Bibas A G , Xenellis J , Michaels L , Anagnostopoulou S , Ferekidis E , Wright A
Published: March 2007

Objective:

To study the development of the organ of Corti in the human cochlea, and to correlate our findings with the onset of auditory function.

Material and methods:

Step sections of 81 human fetal temporal bones were studied, from eight weeks of gestation to full term.

Results:

By the end of the 10th week, the tectorial membrane primordium could be traced even in the most apical turns. Individual hair cells became identifiable at the basal turn at 14 weeks. At the same time, a small but well formed oval space was observed between the inner and outer hair cells in the basal turn. This does not correspond to the tunnel of Corti, as is erroneously quoted in the literature, as the individual pillar cells develop at later stages. Between 14 and 15 weeks, Hensen's cells were recognised for the first time. Individual pillar cells were identifiable at 17 weeks and the tunnel of Corti opened at 20 weeks. By 25 weeks, the cochlea had reached its adult size, but continued to develop until full term.

Discussion and conclusions:

A temporal coincidence of different developmental events is responsible for early fetal audition at 20 weeks, including growth of pillar cells, opening of the tunnel of Corti and regression of Kollicker's organ, with the subsequent formation of the inner spiral sulcus and then separation of the tectorial membrane. The fine structures of the organ of Corti continue to develop well after the 25th week, and this may well alter the mechanical properties of the vibrating parts of the cochlea, which may in turn account for the frequency shift observed in preterm infants. These changes will have to be taken into account in the development of prenatal hearing screening tests.
Stridor: an unusual presentation of lateral medullary syndrome
Authors: Vaidyanathan S , Capper R , Chadha D
Published: March 2007

We report an unusual case of lateral medullary syndrome which presented with symptoms of acute upper airway obstruction mimicking angioneurotic oedema. Although dysphonia and dysphagia are common symptoms of lateral medullary syndrome, we have found no other reports of this condition presenting as stridor. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for central causes of common otolaryngological symptoms in the absence of local signs.
Endoscopic removal of foreign body from the anterior cranial fossa
Authors: Thomas S , Daudia A , Jones N S
Published: March 2007

Intracranial foreign bodies are typically removed via a craniotomy, which carries significant peri-operative risks. Nasal endoscopy for removal of intracranial foreign bodies is rare and has been attempted only a few times. Here, we describe a case in which nasal endoscopy was employed to successfully remove an air rifle pellet from the anterior cranial fossa, with subsequent repair of the associated cerebrospinal fistula. We thus advocate nasal endoscopy as an alternate line of management for the removal of foreign bodies from the anterior cranial fossa when possible, due to its significantly lower associated morbidity, provided adequate neurosurgical backup is available if required.
Computational linguistics for design, maintenance, and manufacturing
Authors: SEGERS NICOLE , LECLERCQ PIERRE
Published: March 2007

Although graphic representations have proven to be of value in computer-aided support and have received much attention in both research and practice (Goldschmidt, 1991; Goel, 1995; Achten, 1997; Do, 2002), linguistic representations presently do not significantly contribute to improve the information handling related to the computer support of a design product. During its life cycle, engineers and designers make many representations of a product. The information and knowledge used to create the product are usually represented visually in sketches, models, (technical) drawings, and images. Linguistic information is complementary to graphic information and essential to create the corporate memory of products. Linguistic information (i.e., the use of words, abbreviations, vocal comments, annotations, notes, and reports) creates meaningful information for designers and engineers as well as for computers (Segers, 2004; Juchmes et al., 2005). Captions, plain text, and keyword indexing are now common to support the communication between design actors (Lawson & Loke, 1997; Wong & Kvan, 1999; Heylighen, 2001; Boujut, 2003). Nevertheless, it is currently scarcely used to its full potential in design, maintenance, and manufacturing.
Answering engineers' questions using semantic annotations
Authors: KIM SANGHEE , BRACEWELL ROB H. , WALLACE KEN M.
Published: March 2007

Question–answering (QA) systems have proven to be helpful, especially to those who feel uncomfortable entering keywords, sometimes extended with search symbols such as +, *, and so forth. In developing such systems, the main focus has been on the enhanced retrieval performance of searches, and recent trends in QA systems center on the extraction of exact answers. However, when their usability was evaluated, some users indicated that they found it difficult to accept the answers because of the absence of supporting context and rationale. Current approaches to address this problem include providing answers with linking paragraphs or with summarizing extensions. Both methods are believed to be sufficient to answer questions seeking the names of objects or quantities that have only a single answer. However, neither method addresses the situation when an answer requires the comparison and integration of information appearing in multiple documents or in several places in a single document. This paper argues that coherent answer generation is crucial for such questions, and that the key to this coherence is to analyze texts to a level beyond sentence annotations. To demonstrate this idea, a prototype has been developed based on rhetorical structure theory, and a preliminary evaluation has been carried out. The evaluation indicates that users prefer to see the extended answers that can be generated using such semantic annotations, provided that additional context and rationale information are made available.
A WORLD-SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE ON THE ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOHISTORY OF THE MESOAMERICAN/LOWER CENTRAL AMERICAN BORDER
Authors: Carmack Robert M. , Salgado González Silvia
Published: March 2007

The authors challenge the argument by other world-system scholars that Lower Central America fell outside the Mesoamerican world-system during the late Postclassic period. Drawing on ethnohistoric and archaeological information, it is argued that native peoples along the Pacific Coast of Central America from El Salvador to the Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica) are best understood as part of the Mesoamerican periphery. The Central American peoples south of Nicoya formed both a chiefly world-system of their own and part of the Mesoamerican frontier by engaging in networks of trade and preciosity exchanges with the coastal Mesoamericans in Nicoya and Nicaragua. Support for this argument is based primarily on two “microhistoric” case studies of peoples located on both sides of the Mesoamerican/Lower Central America border, specifically the Chorotegans of the Masaya/Granada area of Nicaragua and the Chibchans of the Diquis/Buenos Aires area of Costa Rica. Archaeological information on sites in both areas and documentation from Spanish colonial sources that refer to native peoples in these areas strongly indicate that the Masaya/Granada peoples were active participants in the Mesoamerican regional network. In contrast, information from the Diquis/Buenos Aires area for this period reveals only weak Mesoamerican ties but strong relations with a Chibchan intersocietal network of chiefdoms.
LATE FORMATIVE ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE SAYULA BASIN OF SOUTHERN JALISCO
Authors: Valdez Francisco , Emphoux Jean Pierre , Acosta Rosario , Ramírez Susana , Reveles Javier , Schöndube Otto
Published: March 2007

A regional study of the settlement patterns in the Sayula Basin (Jalisco) has recently found Late Formative sites with related Shaft Tomb Period funerary evidence. This article presents the habitation and mortuary deposits of two sites, and it discusses the possible subsistence patterns that combined agriculture with the seasonal exploitation of salt deposits in the region as a basis of daily interaction in a developing rank society.
THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM, ASSET RETURNS, AND THE BUSINESS CYCLE
Authors: BOILEAU MARTIN , BRAEU REBECCA
Published: March 2007

We evaluate whether the spirit of capitalism improves the ability of the real business cycle model to explain the main features of both asset return and the business cycle. In our model, the spirit of capitalism is embodied in the assumption that individuals have preferences for financial wealth. Our simulation results suggest that this assumption may improve the model's ability to explain the risk-free rate puzzle but not the equity premium puzzle. This assumption also markedly deteriorates the model's ability to account for the main features of the business cycle.
Stability Due to Peripheral Halogenation in Phthalocyanine
Complexes
Authors: Koshino Masanori , Kurata Hiroki , Isoda Seiij
Published: March 2007

The effect of peripheral halogenation is examined based on analytical
transmission electron microscopy and thermal analyses of two chemical
family structures, specifically the vanadyl-phthalocyanine family (VOPcX:
X = H16, F14.5) and the copper-phthalocyanine family
(CuPcX: X = H16, F16, Cl16,
Cl8Br8), focusing on the process of molecular
changes and crystalline disintegrations. To clarify the molecular
transformations, electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is applied to
two fluorinated phthalocyanines (VOPcF14.5 and
CuPcF16), by monitoring mass changes as well as energy loss
near edge structures (ELNES). The elemental mass of both
VOPcF14.5 and CuPcF16 remain constant up to 0.5
C·cm−2, except in the case of mass reduction
attributed to oxygen loss occurring in VOPcF14.5. It is
expected that the released oxygen will induce higher radiation damage in
VOPcF14.5. Although mass variation is not observed in
CuPcF16, it is found from ELNES that the π resonant system
of nitrogen is more radiation sensitive than that of carbon. These results
imply that the electron sensitivity in VOPcX is triggered by eliminated
oxygen or, thus, an induced larger empty space, whereas the sensitivity of
CuPcX is dominated only by a large intermolecular empty space resulting in
the following bond alterations. It is also found that the decomposition
temperature (Td) measured by thermal analyses
and the characteristic dose (D1/e) are
exponentially correlated to the “effective molecular
occupancy” (Oe) evaluated as a volume
function of molecules in unit cells. By measuring
Td and/or
Oe, we discuss the durability of peripheral
halogenation with respect to the radiation damage.
Continental magmatism, volatile recycling, and a heterogeneous mantle caused by lithospheric gravitational instabilities
Authors: Elkins‐Tanton Linda T.
Published: March 2007

Removal of the lower lithosphere (mantle lithosphere with or without portions of the crust) through ductile gravitational instabilities can produce magma under continents. Using numerical experiments approximating the rheology of continental crust and lithosphere and underlying asthenosphere and using phase equilibria from the literature, I investigate the topographic and magmatic results of lithospheric gravitational instabilities, along with the fate of the sinking material. Lithospheric removal, commonly referred to as delamination regardless of the mechanism, may allow asthenospheric material to rise and to melt adiabatically, and this asthenosphere can conductively heat portions of the lithosphere previously at lower temperatures. The size and rheology of the sinking material greatly influence the resulting surface topography as well as whether or not melting occurs. The sinking material may devolatilize as it reaches higher temperatures and pressures, just as a subducting slab does, triggering further melting. Gravitational instabilities are possible causes of nonmagmatic basins, continental magmatism of varying volume and composition in the absence of subduction, areas of high heat flow and uplift, and creation of an upper mantle heterogeneous in major and trace elements and volatiles. Magmatism can be simultaneous with topographic subsidence and possibly with subsequent uplift. In those cases that produce magma, melting can occur over a depth range from ∼30 to 200 km, though anomalously hot mantle is required to reach the volume of flood basalts.
Direct evidence for prolonged magnetic reconnection at a continuous x‐line within the heliospheric current sheet
Authors: Gosling J. T. , Eriksson S. , Phan T. D. , Larson D. E. , Skoug R. M. , McComas D. J.
Published: March 2007

Observations by 5 spacecraft of an exceptionally broad (1.85 × 106 km) Petschek‐type reconnection exhaust within the heliospheric current sheet, HCS, in the solar wind at 1 AU on 31 August and 1 September 2001 provide convincing direct evidence for prolonged (at least 5 hours) magnetic reconnection at a continuous X‐line in the solar wind. At least 1.2 × 1024 ergs of magnetic energy were extracted from the HCS in this event and converted to kinetic and thermal energy of the exhaust plasma. The reconnection produced field lines disconnected from the Sun and may have originated inside the point where the solar wind became super‐Alfvénic, thereby slightly reducing the amount of open magnetic flux present in the heliosphere.
A comparison of homogeneity tests for regional frequency analysis
Authors: Viglione A. , Laio F. , Claps P.
Published: March 2007

The assessment of regional homogeneity is a critical point in regional frequency analysis. To this end, many homogeneity tests have been proposed, even though a general comparison among them is still lacking. Commonly used homogeneity tests, based on L moments ratios, are considered here in a comparison with two rank tests that do not rely on particular assumptions regarding the parent distribution. The performance of these tests is assessed in a series of Monte Carlo simulation experiments. In particular, the power and type I error of each test are determined for different scale and shape parameters of the regional parent distributions. The tests are also evaluated by varying the number of sites belonging to the region, the series length, the type of the parent distributions and the degree of heterogeneity. We find that L moments based tests are more powerful when the samples are slightly skewed, while the rank tests have better performances in case of high skewness. On the basis of these findings we propose a simple method to guide the choice of the homogeneity test to be used for the different possible cases.