bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Services of General Interest in EC Law: Matching Values to Regulatory Technique in the Public and Privatised Sectors
Authors: Scott Colin
Published: December 2004

All the European Union Member States have long traditions of state activity in providing key services (such as the utilities, health and education) to their citizens and underpinning both such direct provision and provision of services by non‐state actors with certain administrative or legal guarantees. In European Community doctrines they are referred to as ‘services of general interest’ within which is a narrower class of ‘services of general economic interest’. The diverse national public service traditions have been challenged both by the requirements of the single market and by other pressures such as fiscal crisis and broader public sector reform. This article examines the means by which services to which special principles should be applied can be identified and focuses on the range of sometimes contradictory values denoted by the term ‘services of general interest’, examining the range of regime types (based on hierarchical, competition‐based and community forms) by which those values might be pursued. The concluding section suggests that the matching of values to techniques should not be made according to the importance of the values to be pursued, but rather by reference to which techniques are likely to be effective given the configuration of interests and capacities and existing culture within the target domain.
Promoting the Information Society: The EU Directive on Electronic Commerce
Authors: Pearce Graham , Platten Nicholas
Published: December 2004

On 8 June 2000, the EU adopted the landmark ‘electronic commerce’ directive, a legal framework for the development of information society services. This article examines the rationale and evolution of EU policy for e‐commerce and the key features of the directive. These include establishing the responsibilities of service and intermediary service providers, procedures for concluding on‐line contracts and redress and enforcement mechanisms. It also explores the extent to which the directive clarifies the national law applicable to cross‐frontier transactions and the relationship between the directive and private international law. The directive makes an important contribution to encouraging trust in the new technologies by establishing an EU‐wide model for e‐commerce, but it is by no means clear that it goes far enough. The continuing divergence of consumer protection policies and uncertainties about jurisdiction, securing redress, the liabilities of service providers and the status of contracts based upon web‐site advertisements may continue to discourage the development of e‐commerce in the Community.
The Open Method of Coordination: A New Supranational Form of Governance?
Authors: Regent Sabrina
Published: December 2004

The open method of coordination (OMC) has emerged as a new policy instrument in the European context. While it was initially confined to the employment field, it has recently been applied to several other areas. The aim of this article is to provide a reconstruction of the OMC. The focus is in particular on the structure and process of the OMC, but also on the new approach to law that it proposes. The OMC differs from traditional EC methods but also from traditional soft‐law mechanisms. In order to highlight those original features, the paper analyses the key steps in the evolution of a strategy, the European employment strategy, which slowly became a new mode of governance.
Cosmopolitan Law
Authors: Eleftheriadis Pavlos
Published: December 2004

The European Union need not choose between the two options of a federalist constitution or a loose intergovernmental association of states. There is a third possibility. This is described by Kant as an order of perpetual peace, whereby states undertake to one another to be good republics, to join in a federation of peace, and to respect the rights of each other's citizens. For Kant this corresponds to a combination of principles of constitutional law, international law and, a new category, ‘cosmopolitan law’. If we adopt Kant's concepts we can see, first, that the international law of human rights has become some kind of cosmopolitan law of the international community and that, second, parts of European Community law can also be seen as cosmopolitan law for its member states. The features of cosmopolitan law are that it does not follow a conventional theory of sources of law, it does not respect traditional state sovereignty and does not require a hierarchy of institutions for its interpretation and application.
Membership and its Privileges: the WTO, Civil Society, and the Amicus Brief Controversy
Authors: Howse Robert
Published: December 2004

Abstract: In a series of rulings, beginning with the notorious Shrimp/Turtle dispute, the high court of the WTO, the so‐called Appellate Body, has ruled that it, as well as the panels of first instance, may, on a discretionary basis, accept and consider amicus curiae briefs from, inter alia, non‐governmental organisations and private individuals. This has been highly controversial and subject to wide and intense criticism by trade diplomats who are the political representatives of WTO Member states in Geneva; the officials have reacted with anger and hostility to the notion that governments are not exclusive gatekeepers of access to the WTO dispute settlement tribunals. This article shows that the decision that amicus briefs are admissible at the discretion of the adjudicator has a sound basis in the legal framework for WTO dispute settlement, as well as conforming to trends in the practice of international courts and tribunals more generally. The article examines various ‘due process’ issues concerning the modalities for acceptance and consideration of amicus briefs and how they have been so far dealt with by the Appellate Body, as well as how they are handled in certain proposals for reform of the legal framework of WTO dispute settlement, the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU).
An Expert System Approach to ISO 9000 Requirements for Foundry Operations
Authors: Moynihan Gary P. , Sudheer Ranjala , Batson Robert G. , Nichols William G.
Published: December 2004

ISO 9000 certification is becoming an important competitive factor for foundries. Considerable organizational effort and expertise are needed to achieve this certification, which may be too time‐consuming and expensive for many small to medium‐sized companies. This paper will present the development of an object‐oriented system to support the ISO certification process, with particular emphasis on clause 4.20 (use of statistical techniques). Recommendations for the design and implementation of each statistical tool are provided by the system, as well as training examples of suitable process monitoring and improvement procedures. The system runs on a microcomputer platform and was constructed utilizing Visual BASIC.
ASHSD‐II: A computational model for litigation support
Authors: Pal Kamalendu , Campbell John
Published: December 2004

Abstract:
In this paper a hybrid knowledge‐based system which exploits both rule‐based reasoning (RBR) and case‐based reasoning (CBR) is presented. The issues of RBR and CBR in general in the context of legal knowledge‐based systems and legislation in rule form and previously‐decided cases in an interconnected graph form are discussed. It is possible for the user to select either reasoning method (RBR or CBR), or indicate no preference. The rule base of this system consists of two types of rule. The first type of rule determines which options are legally applicable. The second type indicates how the courts are likely to act within the range of options available, which is determined by the first type of rule. When CBR is selected, the system uses the features of previously‐decided cases to select the most similar cases to the situation that is described in the input and displays their details of decisions. In case of the selection of no preference option, the system applies RBR and CBR method separately, and then presents results based on an automated relative rating of the qualities of the RBR (based on the second type of rules) and CBR advice. These ideas have been implemented in a prototype system, known as Advisory Support for Home Settlement in Divorce (ASHSD‐II).
A blackboard system approach to electromagnetic sensor data interpretation
Authors: Peers S.M.C.
Published: December 2004

Abstract:
A prototype system for automated defect classification and characterisation of automotive or other components involving two separate inspection sensors, vision and electromagnetic, was developed. This paper concentrates on the development work and issues related to the electromagnetic sensor.

In particular, the issues relating to knowledge acquisition and knowledge representation are discussed. For instance, one of the problems which arose during the development work was that it appeared that the reasoning carried out unconsciously by a human was more complex than had been realised and not easily encapsulated as high level knowledge.

A blackboard architecture was used to integrate the different areas of expertise required for each sensor to interpret the results of the inspections. The main issue here was in the effective use of the blackboard architecture for intelligent data fusion at all levels to improve interpretation.
Civic Socialization in Public and Fundamentalist Schools*
Authors: Godwin R. Kenneth , Godwin Jennifer W. , Martinez‐Ebers Valerie
Published: December 2004

Objective. Critics of schools governed by fundamentalist religions are concerned that these schools will not socialize students to the attitudes and values appropriate for citizens of a pluralistic liberal democracy. Among these values are support for democratic norms, political tolerance, moral reasoning and autonomy, duty to community, and acceptance of nontraditional lifestyles. This article examines the empirical basis for the critics' concerns.

Methods. Using difference‐of‐means tests and multivariate regression, we compare students in the 10th and 12th grades attending regular public and fundamentalist Christian schools.

Results. The 10th‐grade comparisons of the two sets of students confirm many of the expectations of critics of fundamentalist schools. By the 12th grade, however, the students in fundamentalist schools have surpassed students in regular public schools on many of the desired attitudes and values, but the fundamentalist school students remain less accepting of nontraditional lifestyles.

Conclusion. For the most part, fundamentalist Christian high schools do as well or better than regular public schools in socializing their students to the values appropriate to citizenship in liberal democracies.
The Wise Man Builds His House Upon the Rock: The Effects of Inadequate School Building Infrastructure on Student Attendance*
Authors: Branham David
Published: December 2004

Objective. This article looks at the effect of school infrastructure on student attendance and drop‐out rates.

Methods. Using the school as the unit of analysis, Tobit analysis is performed to analyze 226 Houston Independent School District schools.

Results. The quality of school infrastructure has a significant effect on school attendance and drop‐out rates. Students are less likely to attend schools in need of structural repair, schools that use temporary structures, and schools that have understaffed janitorial services.

Conclusions. School districts who wish to maximize attendance and minimize drop‐out rates should avoid temporary solutions to school building inadequacies and provide students, teachers, and administrators with quality permanent structure schools, and quality janitorial staffs to maintain those schools.
Kids Voting and Political Knowledge: Narrowing Gaps, Informing Votes*
Authors: Meirick Patrick C. , Wackman Daniel B.
Published: December 2004

Objectives.Kids Voting USA is a program designed to educate schoolchildren about the democratic process and foster their political socialization. This article set out to explore the consequences of the Kids Voting program for political knowledge, knowledge gaps, and attitude‐behavior consistency.

Methods.A sample of seventh and eighth graders in an urban school district were surveyed before (N=385) and shortly after (N=648) the 2000 general election.

Results.Kids Voting exposure was positively related to political knowledge at Time 2 even after controlling for demographics, scholastic achievement, and attention to campaign news. There was no evidence that knowledge gaps widened between Time 1 and 2; in fact, African Americans and those with low initial knowledge gained the most. As political knowledge increased, party ID and issue attitudes became more predictive of candidate preference. Kids Voting exposure, too, was positively related to consistency between party ID and candidate preference, a relationship that was partially mediated by political knowledge.

Conclusions.Political knowledge among these adolescents appeared to function much the way it does in adults: it equipped them to make political decisions that better reflected their attitudes. Kids Voting seems to contribute to this process, through knowledge and perhaps other avenues, without increasing knowledge gaps.
Immigration from Mexico into the Math/Science Pipeline in American Education*
Authors: Crosnoe Robert , Lopez‐Gonzalez Lorena , Muller Chandra
Published: December 2004

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to explore generational differences in math/science enrollment and achievement among Mexican‐American students and the role of family and school contexts in these differences.

Methods. We applied survey regression techniques to data from 12,020 adolescents in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.

Results. Native‐born Mexican‐American students had lower math/science enrollment than their peers, especially after differences in family and school contexts were taken into account. Mexican‐American immigrants had lower achievement when enrolled in such classes, but this was explained by their greater level of family and school disadvantages.

Conclusions. Persistence and success in the math/science pipeline, a mechanism of social mobility in the modern economy, would likely be enhanced in the fast‐growing population of Mexican‐American students by improvements in family resources and school organization.
School Size and the Interpersonal Side of Education: An Examination of Race/Ethnicity and Organizational Context*
Authors: Crosnoe Robert , Johnson Monica Kirkpatrick , Elder Glen H.
Published: December 2004

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to extend research on the connection between school size and student outcomes by examining how school size was related to interpersonal processes and whether the interpersonal effects of school size varied by race/ethnicity.

Methods. We applied multilevel modeling techniques to a sample of 14,966 students in 84 schools from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.

Results. Increasing school size was associated with decreasing student attachment to school and to teachers as well as extracurricular participation. Student attachment and teacher bonding diminished with increasing school size at a decreasing rate (reaching minimums in schools with between 1,700–2,000 students), but extracurricular participation dropped at a steady rate. These patterns did not differ substantially by race/ethnicity.

Conclusions. The size of the educational institution influences interpersonal dynamics among actors in the institution and does so similarly across student groups. More generally, this research demonstrates the importance of organizational characteristics for social life.
The Continuing Consequences of Segregation: Family Stress and College Academic Performance*
Authors: Charles Camille Z. , Dinwiddie Gniesha , Massey Douglas S.
Published: December 2004

Objectives. We seek to determine whether the high levels of African‐American residential segregation experienced have continuing academic consequences. Because segregation works to concentrate poverty and the social problems associated with it, the friends and relatives of African‐American students face an elevated risk of stressful life events, which undermine grade performance.

Methods. We use data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Freshmen to measure the frequency with which members of students' social networks experienced stressful events during their freshman and sophomore years of college, comparing whites, Asians, Latinos, and African Americans from integrated neighborhoods with those coming from segregated neighborhoods.

Results. African‐American students from segregated neighborhoods experience higher levels of family stress than others. This stress is largely a function of violence and disorder in segregated neighborhoods. Students respond by devoting more time to family issues and their health and grades suffer as a result.

Conclusions. Racial segregation is a structural feature of U.S. society that has continuing power to undermine the academic achievement of students long after they have seemingly left segregated living behind.
College Freshmen at Risk—Social Problems at Issue: An Exploratory Study of a Texas/Mexico Border Community College*
Authors: Garza Cecilia , Landeck Michael
Published: December 2004

Objective. The objective of this article is to explore the factors that place college freshmen at risk of dropping classes in mid‐semester.

Methods. Data for this study are from interviews done with 283 male students and 281 female students using a questionnaire that was developed from an initial focus group with 130 students.

Results. The findings indicate that many of the explanations for dropping a class are not caused by the performance of the faculty member teaching the course and are also not correlated to the lack of institutional commitment to student development.

Conclusion. These results suggest that peer influence is strong at the freshman‐college level and that a multitude of problems, many external to academics, is exerting a significant influence on students' decision to withdraw prematurely from college credit courses.
Progress Toward Title IX Compliance: The Effect of Formal and Informal Enforcement Mechanisms*
Authors: Stafford Sarah L.
Published: December 2004

Objective. This article examines the factors that determine whether an intercollegiate athletic program is in compliance with Title IX, the statute requiring gender equity in educational programs.

Methods. I conduct a series of econometric regressions that examine the compliance status of Division I institutions as well as the progress they have made toward compliance.

Results. Large institutions and institutions with a lower percentage of female undergraduates are more likely to be in compliance. Institutions with football programs are less likely to be in compliance as are schools in the south. The effect of football revenues, operating budgets, and NCAA sanctions varies across division as well as compliance area.

Conclusions. The results of the analysis indicate that current enforcement mechanisms have been relatively ineffective at increasing compliance and that some change either in enforcement or compliance standards is warranted. Additionally, a one‐size‐fits‐all enforcement approach is unlikely to be effective.
Cytopathology in Austria
Authors: Breitenecker G. , Dinges H. P. , Regitnig P. , Wiener H. , Vutuc Ch.
Published: December 2004

Cervical cancer screening developed rapidly during the 1970s. Today, approximately 1.5 million smears are taken annually, so 50% of the target population are screened every year, 30% are cytologically underserved (24% never had a smears, 6% only once). This figure correlates with the fact that there are still 30% deaths from cervical cancer compared with 1960. Since 1998 a voluntary quality assurance programme was introduced by the Austrian Society of Cytology, based on comparison of results reported from participating laboratories.
Benign mucocele‐like lesion of the breast: how to differentiate from mucinous carcinoma before surgery
Authors: Cheng L. , Lee W.‐Y. , Chang T.‐W.
Published: December 2004

The aim of the study was to improve the pre‐operative diagnosis of mammary mucinous lesions. All mucinous lesions detected by fine needle aspiration (FNA) and confirmed by histological examination were reviewed by cytological findings, mammographic appearances and sonographic findings. Twenty aspirates had corresponding pathology, including 12 mucinous carcinomas, two mucocele‐like lesions (MLL) with atypical ductal hyperplasia, three MLL with ductal hyperplasia and three simple MLL. Simple MLL and mucocele‐like with ductal hyperplasia showed scant cellularity, no or rare intact single tumour cells, monolayered arrangement and absence of nuclear atypia. In contrast, most mucinous carcinomas showed higher cellularity, more single tumour cells, three‐dimensional clusters, and mild to marked nuclear atypia. However, MLL with atypical ductal hyperplasia showed cytological features overlapping with mucinous carcinoma. MLL had a non‐specific mammographic appearance and showed a cystic lesion on sonography. Mucinous carcinoma appeared as a solid mass on sonography and as a distinct nodule on mammography. Based on the combination of FNA cytology and image findings, benign MLL can be correctly distinguished from mucinous carcinoma before surgery.
FH clinical phenotype in Greek patients with LDL‐R defective vs. negative mutations
Authors: Dedoussis G. V. Z. , Skoumas J. , Pitsavos C. , Choumerianou D. M. , Genschel J. , Schmidt H. , Stefanadis C.
Published: December 2004

Background  Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is caused by mutations in the low‐density lipoprotein receptor gene and the gene encoding apolipoprotein B‐100, affecting one in 500 individuals.

Methods  One hundred and eighty‐three Greek FH patients were screened for mutations on the LDLR and ApoB genes.

Results  We identified mutations in 67 probands and 11 relatives. Sixteen mutations located in eight different exons and the promoter of the LDLR were discovered. Among them 10 were missense mutations (C6W, S265R, A370T, Q363P, D365E, V408M, A410T, A517T, G528D, G571E), two were nonsense mutations (Q363X and C660X), three were splice defects (2140 + 5G→A and 2140 + 9C→T, 1706 – 10G→A), and one was a nucleotide substitution (− 45delT) on the promoter. None of the subjects carried any apoB mutation. The detection rate of mutations in this study was 43%. From the above mutations, A410T, A519T and the splice site defects 2140 + 9C→T were detected for the first time in the Greek population. Among them V408M, G528D, C6W and S265R account for 73% of heterozygous FH probands. V408M mutation is more common in Central West, while C6W is more common in Central East. Separating the patients into two groups (receptor defective and receptor negative) we found that the receptor negative group had higher levels of total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher prevalence of tendon xanthomas compared with the receptor‐defective group.

Discussion  The homogenous molecular basis of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Greece facilitates the application of a DNA diagnostic strategy based on the origin of the patient. The early mutation analysis would add valuable information on the severity of the disease.
Enhanced external counterpulsation improves skin oxygenation and perfusion
Authors: Hilz M. J. , Werner D. , Marthol H. , Flachskampf F. A. , Daniel W. G.
Published: December 2004

Background Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) augments diastolic and reduces systolic blood pressures. Enhanced external counterpulsation has been shown to improve blood flow in various organ systems. Beneficial effects on skin perfusion might allow EECP to be used in patients with skin malperfusion problems. This study was performed to assess acute effects of EECP on superficial skin blood flow, transdermal oxygen and carbon dioxide pressures.

Materials and methods We monitored heart rate, blood pressure, transdermal blood flow as well as oxygen and carbon dioxide pressures in 23 young, healthy persons (28 ± 4 years) and 15 older patients (64 ± 7 years) with coronary artery disease before, during and 3 min after 5 min EECP. Friedman test was used to compare the results of 90‐s epochs before, during and after EECP. Significance was set atP < 0·05.

Results Enhanced external counterpulsation increased heart rate and mean blood pressure. During EECP, transdermal oxygen pressure and concentration of moving blood cells increased while transdermal carbon dioxide pressure and velocity of moving blood cells decreased significantly in both groups. After EECP, transdermal carbon dioxide pressure was still reduced while the other parameters returned to baseline values.

Conclusions Improved skin oxygenation and carbon dioxide clearance during EECP seem to result from the increased concentration and reduced flow velocity, i.e. prolonged contact time, of erythrocytes. The increased concentration of moving blood cells and the decreased velocity of moving blood cells at both tested skin sites indicate peripheral vasodilatation.
Methylene blue attenuates lung injury after mesenteric artery clamping/unclamping
Authors: Weinbroum A. A.
Published: December 2004

Background  This controlled, experimental study was designed to assess the effects of intratracheal and intravenous methylene blue on reperfusion lung injury following superior mesenteric artery clamping/unclamping.

Materials and methods  Superior mesenteric arteries of 144 anaesthetized adult male Wistar rats (n = 12/group) were clamped for 1 h. Ten minutes before unclamping, methylene blue or its vehicle was administered intratracheally or intravenously, followed by a 3 h‐respiratory assessment and postexperimental assessment of survival.

Results  Intravenous 3 and 9 mg kg−1 but not higher methylene blue doses, and intratracheal 6‐mg kg−1 but not lower doses, significantly (P < 0·05) reduced the 100% increase in plateau pressure, 30% reduction in PO2/FiO2, fourfold augmented bronchoalveolar lavage‐retrieved volume and the increased polymorphonuclear leukocytes/bronchoalveolar cells’ ratio associated with unclamping of the superior mesenteric artery. Lung tissue polymorphonuclear leukocytes count, total xanthine oxidase activity and wet‐to‐dry‐weight ratio were also normal in these dose‐treated groups. These effective regimens were also associated with longer animal survival.

Conclusions  Intratracheal methylene blue mitigates lung reperfusion injury following superior mesenteric artery clamping/unclamping at a similar magnitude as an intravenous regimen. This finding is a novel potential use of methylene blue in vivo.
Gene flow between populations of two invertebrates in springs
Authors: Brändle Martin , Westermann Ilka , Brandl Roland
Published: December 2004

1. Using allozymes, we analysed genetic structure of the freshwater gastropodBythinella dunkeriand the freshwater flatwormCrenobia alpina. The two species are habitat specialists, living almost exclusively in springs. The sampled area in Hesse (Germany) covers a spatial scale of 20 km and includes two river drainages. From the biology of the two species we expected little dispersal along rivers. However, the possibility exists that groundwater provide suitable pathways for dispersal.

2. InB. dunkeriheterozygosity decreased from west to east. For some alleles we found clines in this geographic direction. These clines generated a positive correlation between geographic distance and genetic differentiation. Furthermore patterns of genetic variation within populations suggested that populations may have been faced with bottlenecks and founder effects. If populations are not in population genetic equilibrium, such founder effects would also explain the rather high amount of genetic differentiation between populations (10%).

3. ForC. alpinathe mean number of alleles decreased with increasing isolation of populations. Genetic differentiation between populations contributed 19% to the total genetic variation. Genetic differentiation was not correlated to geographic distance, but compared withB. dunkerivariability of pairwise differentiation between pairs of populations was higher inC. alpina.

4. OverallB. dunkeriappears to be a fairly good disperser, which may use groundwater as dispersal pathway. Furthermore populations seem to be not in equilibrium. In contrastC. alpinaforms rather isolated populations with little dispersal between springs and groundwater seems to play no important role for dispersal.
Are alien fish a reliable indicator of river health?
Authors: Kennard M. J. , Arthington A. H. , Pusey B. J. , Harch B. D.
Published: December 2004

1. The ability of many introduced fish species to thrive in degraded aquatic habitats and their potential to impact on aquatic ecosystem structure and function suggest that introduced fish may represent both a symptom and a cause of decline in river health and the integrity of native aquatic communities.

2. The varying sensitivities of many commonly introduced fish species to degraded stream conditions, the mechanism and reason for their introduction and the differential susceptibility of local stream habitats to invasion because of the environmental and biological characteristics of the receiving water body, are all confounding factors that may obscure the interpretation of patterns of introduced fish species distribution and abundance and therefore their reliability as indicators of river health.

3. In the present study, we address the question of whether alien fish (i.e. those species introduced from other countries) are a reliable indicator of the health of streams and rivers in south‐eastern Queensland, Australia. We examine the relationships of alien fish species distributions and indices of abundance and biomass with the natural environmental features, the biotic characteristics of the local native fish assemblages and indicators of anthropogenic disturbance at a large number of sites subject to varying sources and intensities of human impact.

4. Alien fish species were found to be widespread and often abundant in south‐eastern Queensland rivers and streams, and the five species collected were considered to be relatively tolerant to river degradation, making them good candidate indicators of river health. Variation in alien species indices was unrelated to the size of the study sites, the sampling effort expended or natural environmental gradients. The biological resistance of the native fish fauna was not concluded to be an important factor mediating invasion success by alien species. Variation in alien fish indices was, however, strongly related to indicators of disturbance intensity describing local in‐stream habitat and riparian degradation, water quality and surrounding land use, particularly the amount of urban development in the catchment.

5. Potential confounding factors that may influence the likelihood of introduction and successful establishment of an alien species and the implications of these factors for river bioassessment are discussed. We conclude that the potentially strong impact that many alien fish species can have on the biological integrity of natural aquatic ecosystems, together with their potential to be used as an initial basis to find out other forms of human disturbance impacts, suggest that some alien species (particularly species from the family Poeciliidae) can represent a reliable ‘first cut’ indicator of river health.
Aquatic plants are open flexible structures – a reply to Sukhodolov
Authors: Sand‐Jensen Kaj
Published: December 2004

1. Aquatic plant stands are flexible, mesh‐like open structures that undergo modification in shape and experience a cascade of declining flow velocities and micro‐scale Reynolds numbers with increasing distance into the stands. It is not possible to define or measure the frontal area of this open flexible plant structure. Total wetted area was used as a reference area for drag because it can be measured with high accuracy and it was the most suitable measure of plant size impeding the flow and absorbing light for photosynthetic production. What is important is that it is made absolutely clear which type of reference area that is used.

2. Numerous important relationships in biology are open to discussion because of differences in dimensions between variables. Relating dimensionless drag coefficients to dimensionless Reynolds numbers resolve such discussions, but defining Reynolds numbers cause other problems. Relating drag coefficients to macro‐scale Reynolds numbers would result in exactly the same form of relationship as to water velocity because macro‐scale Reynolds numbers changed in direct proportion to water velocity in the experiments, while kinematic viscosity and characteristic length within species remained constant.
Behavioural, academic and neuropsychological profile of normally gifted Neurofibromatosis type 1 children
Authors: Descheemaeker M.‐J. , Ghesquière P. , Symons H. , Fryns J. P. , Legius E.
Published: December 2004

In the present study the neuropsychological, academic and social‐emotional profiles were examined in Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) children

Subjects  17 NF1 children (ages 7–11) with NF1 without serious medical problems and with a full scale IQ (FSIQ) above 70.

Methods  Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children‐Revised (WISC‐R), academic tests and an exhaustive neuropsychological test battery were administered in all children. Parents and teachers filled out the Child Behavioural Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher Report Form (TRF), respectively, the NF1 children the Experienced Competence Scale for Children (ECSC).

Results and discussion  Nearly 50% (8/17) of the children showed learning disabilities, when corrected for IQ in the academic evaluations. Isolated impaired literacy skills, particularly spelling problems, were most frequent (4/8), whereas a pure arithmetic learning disability was rare (1/8). Three children presented both learning disabilities. Results on academic and neuropsychological tests did not fit the well‐known types of learning disabilities – nonverbal learning disability (NLD) and dyslexia. Nearly all NF1 children showed visual perceptual and executive dysfunctions. In this study, teachers more frequently reported behavioural problems in NF1 children than parents, as opposed to literature data in a general population. The correspondence of the perception of internalizing problems between the children and teachers was greater than between children and their parents. No correlation was found between the performances on the WISC‐R, specific neuropsychological results, academic performances and behavioural problems. The Deficiency in Attention, Motor and Perception (DAMP) concept seems most appropriate in order to describe the neuropsychological deficits and their repercussions on behavioural and academic performances seen in NF1 children.
Catatonia in autism: a distinct subtype?
Authors: Ghaziuddin M. , Quinlan P. , Ghaziuddin N.
Published: December 2004

Catatonia is a life‐threatening disorder characterized by motor abnormalities, mutism, and disturbances of behaviour, which is increasingly being diagnosed in persons with autism. In this report, we describe the presentation and course of catatonia in an adolescent with autism who responded to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The illness started with depressive symptoms, but the predominant feature was one of extreme obsessive slowing and immobility. We propose that catatonia should be ruled out as a cause of regression sometimes seen in adolescents with autism, and that catatonia of autism may index a distinct subtype with a particularly poor outcome.
In vitro dentine permeability evaluation of HEMA‐based (desensitizing) products using split‐chamber model following in vivo application in the dog
Authors: DURAN I. , SENGUN A. , YILDIRIM T. , OZTURK B.
Published: December 2004

summary  The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro dentine permeability evaluation of 2‐Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)‐based desensitizing products using split‐chamber model following in vivo application in the dogs for three experimental time periods of 1 week, 1 month and 3 months. Buccal enamel of upper and lower canines of nine young dogs was removed and flat dentinal surface was obtained using a water‐cooled diamond bur. The dentinal surface divided into four quarters, three experimental and a control. Health‐Dent and Gluma Desensitizing agent and Single bond were applied to respective quarters of one tooth, according to manufacturers’ instructions. The last quarters were left as control without any applications. For the each experimental period, 10 dentine samples from each group including control were used to measure the hydraulic conductance values. The dentine discs were placed pulp‐side down in a split‐chamber device in which the plastic spacers containing the rubber 0 rings have a surface area of 1 mm2 and permeability was measured by fluid filtration. The data were expressed as hydraulic conductance (Lp). Differences in dentine permeability obtained for the desensitizing agents against the control were tested for statistical significance using Kruskal–Wallis one‐way anova and Bonferroni‐adjusted Mann–Whitney U‐tests. Differences in permeability in three time periods for each desensitizing agent were analysed using Friedman's anova and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. All desensitizing applications caused decreased Lp values compared with the control Lp value at the end of 1 week. In the 1‐month samples, between the Lp values of Single bond and control, no statistical difference was found (P > 0·05). At the end of the 3‐month period, the Gluma Desensitizing agent had the lowest the Lp value (P < 0·05). The result of this study is that the topical application of desensitizing agents led to decrease in dentine permeability in the dog model. The Gluma Desensitizing agent provide the more lasting tubule‐occluding effect than the other material tested in this model.
Precision of fit and clinical evaluation of all‐ceramic full restorations followed between 0·5 and 5 years
Authors: NAERT I. , VAN DER DONCK A. , BECKERS L.
Published: December 2004

summary Currently CAD‐CAM systems are rapidly gaining importance in dental practice as some of their products aim to combine aesthetics with strength and are free of metals. This study reports on the crown adaptation, marginal fit and clinical behaviour of 300 all‐ceramic full coverage restorations (Procera®, Gothenburg, Sweden) placed in one clinical centre and followed up to 5 years. The marginal fit and coping adaptation before and after luting was determined by direct measurement as well as after sectioning in a laboratory study. Three hundred all‐ceram restorations were installed in 165 patients between 1994 and 1998. Before the end of 2000, patients were recalled to assess their restorations, using the California Dental Association quality evaluation index, their own appreciation, as well as the reaction towards the periodontium. The in vitro data revealed a mean marginal adaptation of 30 μm, before and after luting of the Al203‐coping onto the tooth. However, at the deepest part of the chamfer, the distance increased to 135 μm. In the clinical study only one restoration fractured, while in 6% small porcelain infractions occurred. After polishing the latter, no persistent patient complaints remained. At the last recall visit 1·8% of the margins were rated unacceptable. Dentists rated 72 and 78% of the restorations excellent for surface, colour and anatomic form respectively. Eighty‐seven per cent of the patients rated their restorations more than 7/10 on an ordered analogue scale for aesthetics as well as for function.
Mandibular antegonial and ramus notch depths and condylar bone change
Authors: ALI I. M. , YAMADA K. , HANADA K.
Published: December 2004

summary  The present study sought to clarify the relationship between antegonial and ramus notch depths and condylar bone change, and analyse the effects of such change on craniofacial structure. The study sample was of 28 pre‐orthodontic patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, who underwent helical computed tomography to diagnose their TMJ pathology. Craniofacial structures were compared between 14 subjects with bilateral condylar bone change (BBC group: two male and 12 female) and 14 subjects with no bone change (NBC group: two male and 12 female). Sella‐nasion‐point B (SNB) and point A‐nasion‐point B (ANB) angles were significantly smaller in BBC than in NBC, with ramus height and mandibular body lengths significantly shorter in BBC than in NBC. The BBC lower facial height and SN‐Go‐Ar angle, as well as antegonial and ramus notch depths, were significantly greater than in NBC, and the mandible was significantly more retruded in BBC than in NBC. These results showed that condylar bone change might be related not only to mandibular size (e.g. retrusion) but also to mandibular outline (including antegonial and ramus notch depth).
A detailed look at 7 million years of genome evolution in a 439 kb contiguous sequence at the barley Hv‐eIF4E locus: recombination, rearrangements and repeats
Authors: Wicker Thomas , Zimmermann Wolfgang , Perovic Dragan , Paterson Andrew H. , Ganal Martin , Graner Andreas , Stein Nils
Published: December 2004

Six overlapping BAC clones covering the Hv‐eIF4E gene region in barley were sequenced in their entire length, resulting in a 439.7 kb contiguous sequence. The contig contains only two genes, Hv‐eIF4E and Hv‐MLL, which are located in a small gene island and more than 88% of the sequence is composed of transposable elements. A detailed analysis of the repetitive component revealed that this chromosomal region was affected by multiple major duplication and deletion events as well as the insertion of numerous transposable elements, resulting in a complete reshuffling of genomic DNA. Resolving this highly complex pattern resulted in a model unraveling evolutionary events that shaped this region over an estimated 7 million years. Duplications and deletions caused by illegitimate recombination and unequal crossing over were major driving forces in the evolution of the Hv‐eIF4E region, equaling or exceeding the effects of transposable element activities. In addition to a dramatic reshuffling of the repetitive portion of the sequence, we also found evidence for important contributions of illegitimate recombination and transposable elements to the sequence organization of the gene island containing Hv‐eIF4E and Hv‐MLL.
Immunomodulation of function of small heat shock proteins prevents their assembly into heat stress granules and results in cell death at sublethal temperatures
Authors: Miroshnichenko Sergey , Tripp Joanna , Nieden Uta zur , Neumann Dieter , Conrad Udo , Manteuffel Renate
Published: December 2004

The conformational dynamism and aggregate state of small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) may be crucial for their functions in thermoprotection of plant cells from the detrimental effects of heat stress. Ectopic expression of single chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies against cytosolic sHSPs was used as new tool to generate sHSP loss‐of‐function mutants by antibody‐mediated prevention of the sHSP assembly in vivo. Anti‐sHSP scFv antibodies transiently expressed in heat‐stressed tobacco protoplasts were not only able to recognize the endogenous sHSPs but also prevented their assembly into heat stress granula (HSGs). Constitutive expression of the same scFv antibodies in transgenic plants did not alter their phenotype at normal growth temperatures, but their leaves turned yellow and died after prolonged stress at sublethal temperatures. Structural analysis revealed a regular cytosolic distribution of stress‐induced sHSPs in mesophyll cells of stress‐treated transgenic plants, whereas extensive formation of HSGs was observed in control cells. After prolonged stress at sublethal temperatures, mesophyll cells of transgenic plants suffered destruction of all cellular membranes and finally underwent cell death. In contrast, mesophyll cells of the stressed controls showed HSG disintegration accompanied by appearance of polysomes, dictyosomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum indicating normalization of cell functions. Apparently, the ability of sHSPs to assemble into HSGs as well as the HSG disintegration is a prerequisite for survival of plant cells under continuous stress conditions at sublethal temperatures.
Genome‐wide analysis of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenases in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wakao Setsuko , Benning Christoph
Published: December 2004

In green tissues of plants under illumination, photosynthesis is the primary source of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), which is utilized in reductive reactions such as carbon fixation and nitrogen assimilation. In non‐photosynthetic tissues or under non‐photosynthetic conditions, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway contributes to basic metabolism as one of the major sources of NADPH. The first and committed reaction is catalyzed by glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). We characterized the six members of the G6PDH gene family in Arabidopsis. Transit peptide analysis predicted two cytosolic and four plastidic isoforms. Five of the six genes encode active G6PDHs. The recombinant isoforms showed differences in substrate requirements and sensitivities to feedback inhibition. Plastidic isoforms were redox sensitive. One cytosolic isoform was insensitive to redox changes, while the other was inactivated by oxidation. The respective genes had distinct expression patterns that did not correlate with the activity of the proteins, implying a regulatory mechanism beyond the control of mRNA abundance. Two cytosolic and one plastidic isoform were detected in vivo using zymograms, and the respective genes were identified using T‐DNA insertion lines. The activity of a plastidic isoform was detected in all tissues including photosynthetic tissues despite its sensitivity to reduction observed in vitro. Genomic data, gene expression, and in vivo enzyme activity data were integrated with in vitro biochemical data to propose in vivo roles for individual G6PDH isoforms in Arabidopsis.
Identification and characterization of a new conserved motif within the presequence of proteins targeted into complex diatom plastids
Authors: Kilian Oliver , Kroth Peter G.
Published: December 2004

Several groups of algae evolved by secondary endocytobiosis, which is defined as the uptake of a eukaryotic alga into a eukaryotic host cell and the subsequent transformation of the endosymbiont into an organelle. Due to this explicit evolutionary history such algae possess plastids that are surrounded by either three or four membranes. Protein targeting into plastids of these organisms depends on N‐terminal bipartite presequences consisting of a signal and a transit peptide domain. This suggests that different protein targeting systems may have been combined during establishment of secondary endocytobiosis to enable the transport of proteins into the plastids. Here we demonstrate the presence of an apparently new type of transport into diatom plastids. We analyzed protein targeting into the plastids of diatoms and identified a conserved amino acid sequence motif within plastid preprotein targeting sequences. We expressed several diatom plastid presequence:GFP fusion proteins with or without modifications within that motif in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and found that a single conserved phenylalanine is crucial for protein transport into the diatom plastids in vivo, thus indicating the presence of a so far unknown new type of targeting signal. We also provide experimental data about the minimal requirements of a diatom plastid targeting presequence and demonstrate that the signal peptides of plastid preproteins and of endoplasmic reticulum‐targeted preproteins in diatoms are functionally equivalent. Furthermore we show that treatment of the cells with Brefeldin A arrests protein transport into the diatom plastids suggesting that a vesicular transport step within the plastid membranes may occur.