A discourse-theoretic perspective on the bioethical-legal framework of genetic counseling

The reflexive nature of reason and the unique relationship reason shares with autonomy in Kant's philosophy is the theoretical basis of this dissertation. The principle of respect for autonomy undergirds the two main legal and ethical tenets of genetic counseling, an emerging profession trying to accommodate the sweeping changes that have occurred in clinical genetics, clinical ethics, and case law applicable to medicine. These two tenets of the counseling profession, informed consent and nondirectiveness, both share a principlist interpretation of autonomy that I argue is flawed due to its connection to: instrumental forms of reasoning, empirical theories of action supporting rational choice, and a liberal paradigm of law. I offer an alternative bioethical-legal framework that is based in the Kantian tradition in law and ethics through the complex theories of Jurgen Habermas. Following Habermas's reconstruction of the mutually constituting notions of private and public autonomy, I will argue for a richer conceptualization of autonomy that can have significant implications for the legal and bioethical concepts supporting the profession of genetic counseling, and which can ultimately change counseling practice. ^

Reprint of "Seed availability in hay meadows: Land-use intensification promotes seed rain but not the persistent seed bank''

Intensification of land use in semi-natural hay meadows has resulted in a decrease in species diversity. This is often thought to be caused by the reduced establishment of plant species due to high competition for light under conditions of increased productivity. Sowing experiments in grasslands have found reliable evidence that diversity can also be constrained by seed availability, implying that processes influencing the production and persistence of seeds may be important for the functioning of ecosystems. So far, the effects of land-use intensification on the seed rain and the persistence of seeds in the soil have been unclear. We selected six pairs of extensively managed (Festuco-Brometea) and intensively managed (Arrhenatheretalia) grassland with traditional late cutting regimes across Switzerland and covering an annual productivity gradient in the range 176-1211 gm(-2). In each grassland community, we estimated seed rain and seed bank using eight pooled seed-trap or topsoil samples of 89 cm(2) in each of six plots representing an area of c. 150 m(2). The seed traps were established in spring 2010 and collected simultaneously with soil cores after an exposure of c. three months. We applied the emergence method in a cold frame over eight months to estimate density of viable seeds. With community productivity reflecting land-use intensification, the density and species richness in the seed rain increased, while mean seed size diminished and the proportions of persistent seeds and of species with persistent seeds in the topsoil declined. Stronger limitation of seeds in extensively managed semi-natural grasslands can explain the fact that such grasslands are not always richer in species than more intensively managed ones. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Litter breakdown and mineralization in a central African rain forest dominated by ectomycorrhizal trees

Based on litter mass and litterfall data, decomposition rates for leaves were found to be fast (k = 3.3) and the turnover times short (3.6 mo) on the low-nutrient sandy soils of Korup. Leaf litter of four ectomycorrhizal tree species (Berlinia bracteosa, Didelotia africana, Microberlinia bisulcata and Tetraberlinia bifoliolata) and of three non-ectomycorrhizal species (Cola verticillata, Oubanguia alata and Strephonema pseudocola) from Korup were left to decompose in 2-mm mesh bags on the forest floor in three plots of each of two forest types forest of low (LEM) and high (HEM) abundance of ectomycorrhizal (caesalp) trees. The litter of the ectomycorrhizal species decayed at a significantly slower rate than that of the non-ectomycorrhizal species, although the former were richer in P and N concentrations of the start. Disappearance rates of the litter layer showed a similar trend. Ectomycorrhizal species immobilized less N, but mineralized more P, than non-ectomycorrhizal species. Differences between species groups in K, Mg and Ca mineralization were negligible. Effect of forest type was clear only for Mg: mineralization of Mg was faster in the HEM than LEM plots, a pattern repeated across all species. This difference was attributed to a much more prolific fine root mat in the HEM than LEM forest. The relatively fast release of P from the litter of the ectomycorrhizal species suggests that the mat must allow an efficient uptake to maintain P in the forest ecosystem.

„Der Ewige“ als „Synthese“ des Stern. Der Gebrauch des Gottesnamens „der Ewige“ bei Franz Rosenzweig

In his famous final essay Franz Rosenzweig neglects to mention that he had referred to the expression “the Eternal” already in The Star of Redemp­tion. Through a comprehensive analysis of his writings, and in particular of his masterpiece, the article seeks to research thoroughly Rosenzweig’s use of this expression. The revelation of God’s name is a core issue in The Star of Redemption. While elaborating on the structure of the Star, Rosenzweig seeks to cap­ture the crucial meaning of God’s name by translating it as “the Eternal,” thereby enabling us to consider the thought of eternity as presenting the “synthesis” within the system of The Star of Redemption. Commonly perceived to convey an infinite progression of time, Rosenzweig’s understanding of the concept of eternity in The Star proves to be richer, including the idea of the everlasting as well as the notion of a constantly renewing presence. The article furthermore shows that the concept of the meaning of God’s name oriented at the present, as de­vised by Rosenzweig together with Martin Buber in their joint work of transla­tion, had already been articulated in The Star.

The impact of a child's unexpected hospitalization upon Taiwanese parents' situational anxiety

Background. The parents of a sick child likely experience situational anxiety due to their young child being unexpectedly hospitalized. The emotional upheaval may be great enough that their anxiety inhibits them in providing positive support to their hospitalized child. Because anxiety affects psychological distress as well as behavioral distress, identifying parental distress helps parents improving their coping mechanisms. ^ Purpose. The study compared situational anxiety levels between Taiwanese fathers and mothers and focused on differences between parental anxiety levels at the beginning of the child's unplanned hospitalization and at time of discharge. The study also identified factors related to the parents' distress and use of coping mechanisms. ^ Methods. A descriptive, comparative research design was used to determine the difference between the anxiety levels of 62 Taiwanese father-mother dyads during the situational crisis of their child's unexpected hospitalization. The Mandarin version (M) of Visual Analog Scale (VAS-M), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-M), and the Index of Parent Participation/Hospitalized Child (IPP/HC-M) were used to differentiate maternal and paternal anxiety levels and identify factors related to the parents' distress. Questionnaires were completed by parents within 24-36 hours of the child's hospital admission and within 24 hours prior to discharge. A paired t-test, two sample t-test, and linear mixed regression model were used to test and support the study hypothesis. ^ Results. The findings reveal that the mothers' anxiety levels did not significantly differ from the fathers' anxiety level when their child had a sudden admission to the hospital. In particular, parental state anxiety levels did not decrease during the child's hospital stay and subsequent discharge. Moreover, anxiety levels did not differ between parents regardless of whether the child's disease was acute or chronic. The most effective factor related to parental situational anxiety was parental perception of the severity of the child's illness. ^ Conclusions. Parental anxiety was found to be significantly related to changes in their perception of the severity of their child's illness. However, the study was not able to illustrate how parental involvement in the child's hospital care was related to parental perception of the severity of their child's illness. Future studies, using a qualitative approach to gamer more information as to what variables influence parental anxiety during a situational crisis, may provide a richer database from which to modify key variables as well as the instruments used to improve the quality of the data obtained. ^

Women physicians' specialty choices

Three hypotheses have been offered to explain the historical specialty selection by women physicians. They are: (1) women choose the specialty for which the training requirements and working conditions interfere least with their commitments to marriage and children; (2) women tend to select the more "feminine" specialties such as pediatrics and psychiatry, and to avoid the "masculine" fields such as surgery; and (3) women have been deliberately excluded from male-dominated fields such as surgery. While the above hypotheses may be true to a greater or lesser degree, none of them has been adequately tested.^ The major study hypotheses are as follows: (1) female physicians' choice of specialty is influenced by the following reasons: (a) family responsibilities; (b) sex role expectations; and (c) sex discrimination; (2) female physicians' choice of specialty is also influenced by their age and ethnicity; and (3) the primary reasons for choosing a given specialty vary by type of specialty.^ The reasons for specialty selection will be explored based on a survey of women graduates of one of the oldest medical schools in the United States, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas (n = 930). The survey response rate was 75.3% (700 respondents).^ The results for the first study hypothesis showed that fewer than 14% of the respondents agreed that sex role expectations, sex discrimination and family responsibilities played a role in their choice of specialty. Fifty nine percent of the respondents disagreed with the idea that sex role expectations influenced specialty selection and 64% disagreed that family responsibilities had an effect on the selection of their specialty. Around half (49%) were uncertain of the influence of sex discrimination. It was concluded that sex discrimination, sex role expectations and family responsibilities did not have a major impact on specialty selection.^ With respect to the second hypothesis, age was significant in Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology and Psychiatry. Women physicians in Internal Medicine and Obstetrics/Gynecology were significantly younger (less than 45 years old) while physicians in Psychiatry were significantly older (45 years or older) than other specialties studied.^ The third hypothesis was confirmed: the reasons for choosing a given specialty varied by specialty.^ Respondents' comments written on the survey provided insight into other possible reasons for specialty selection including exploration of the role of mentoring and job satisfaction.^ The retrospective cross-sectional study design used in this study does not adequately capture the fact that different reasons may be given for the choice of specialty at different points in time, e.g., as the time of choosing a residency program versus several years into the future.^ In conclusion, approaches that explore the range of reasons that women elect to enter and stay within a given specialty must be explored to gain richer understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of women physicians' professional lives. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) ^

Geochemistry on smectites in sediment cores CRP-1 and CRP-2 from the Ross Sea, Antarctica

TEM (transmission electron microscopy) observations and microanalyses on smectite microparticles in the sediments of the CRP-2A core were carried out to determine their origin (authigenic or detrital) and the source rocks. Smectites are dioctahedral and are Fe-rich members of the nontronite-beidellite series. They generally display both flaky and hairy shapes, but no large compositional difference between the two forms was observed. Flaky smectites are detrital while hairy smectites probably formed in situ through the reorganisation of previous flaky particles. The source rocks for smectites are probably represented by the McMurdo Volcanic Group to the south, but also by the Ferrar Dolerites and Kirkpatrick Basalts in the Transantarctic Mountains. CRP-2A smectites are Fe and Mg richer than those of the coeval or not coeval levels of the CIROS-I, DSDP 270 and 274 cores. The average compositions of smectite in CRP-1 and CRP-2A cores show a downcore trend toward more alluminiferous terms, which might reflect the increase of the chemical weathering processes on the continent.

Elemental and isotope compositions of lipids, kerogens and asphaltenes from samples of DSDP Hole 41-368

The thermal effects of three (one major and two minor) Miocene diabase intrusions on Cretaceous black shales from DSDP site 41-368 have been analyzed. A concentration gradient was observed, especially for the hydrocarbons, decreasing towards the major intrusion and between the three sills. The thermally-altered samples in the proximity of and between the sills contained elemental sulfur and an excess of thermally-derived pristane over phytane. whereas, the unaltered sediments contained no elemental sulfur, and more phytane than pristane. A maximum yield of the extractable hydrocarbons was observed at a depth of 7 m below the major sill. Two classes of molecular markers were present in this bitumen suite. The first was sesqui-, di- and triterpenoids and steranes. which could be correlated with both terrigenous and autochthonous sources. They were geologically mature and showed no significant changes due to the thermal stress. The second class was found in the altered samples, which contained only polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons with low alkyl substitution and sulfur and oxygen heterocyclic aromatic compounds. These compounds were derived from pyrolytic reactions during the thermal event. Kerogen was isolated from all of these samples, but only traces of humic substances were present. The H/C, N/C, d13C, d34S and dD all exhibit the expected effects of thermal stress. The kerogen becomes more aromatized and richer in 13C, 34S and D in the proximity of and between the sills. Maturation trends were also measured by the vitrinite reflectance and electron spin resonance, where the thermal stress could be correlated with an elevated country rock temperature and an increased degree of aromaticity. The effects of in situ thermal stress on the organic-rich shales resulted in the generation and expulsion of petroliferous material from the vicinity of the sills.

Lipids in ocean particulate matter and bottom sediments

Lipid contents both in particulate matter and bottom sediments decreases with passage from the shelf toward the open ocean. Lipid concentration in particulate matter collected by a separator (Ls) decreases by a factor of 7 (from 7.05 to 0.95 % of dry matter), while in particulate matter collected on filters (Lf) it decreases by a factor of 13 (from 78 to 6 µg/l) in the vicinity of the Limpopo River and by a factor of 6 (from 74 to 13 µg/l) in the vicinity of the Zambezi River. Concentration of Lf also decreased with depth. In the upper sediment layers lipid concentration was 0.0028-0.039% of dry matter; all mud samples were richer in lipids, than sand samples. During sedimentogenesis there is an increase in proportion of lipids relative to other classes of organic matter, proportion of low-polarity compounds increases among the lipids, and proportion of hydrocarbons rises among these compounds. Sediments inherit composition of particulate matter to the greatest degree in the vicinity of river mouths.

Organic geochemical character of selected cores at DSDP Hole 75-530A

The Albian/Cenomanian strata in Hole 530A are organically richer than are the post-Cenomanian strata. Organic matter is thermally immature and appears to be of dominantly marine origin with either variable levels of oxidation or variable amounts of terrestrial input. Geochemical data alone cannot establish whether the black shales present in Hole 530A represent deposition within a stagnant basin or within an expanded oxygen-minimum layer

Medea(s)

Se trata de un 'Artículo-Recensión' sobre una extensísima Antología de trabajos acerca de la figura y el mito de Medea en las literaturas clásicas, y también en las modernas (con un énfasis especial en la española del Siglo de Oro), recopilados y editados por Aurora López y Andrés Pociña, catedráticos ambos de Literatura latina en la Universidad de Granada. Aunque el aspecto descriptivo predomina a lo largo del artículo, el autor de este articulo no ha renunciado a ofrecer una valoración personal de muchos trabajos. El volumen en cuestión es de una variedad extraordinaria; pero, según el presente comentarista, su hilo conductor hay que buscarlo en determinados rasgos de la Medea senequiana, mucho más que en su modelo euripideo. La obra maestra del griego nos resulta más compleja, pero quizás más lejana también. En cambio, Séneca es rico en virtualidades que todavía no han sido plenamente explotadas.

Medea(s)

Se trata de un 'Artículo-Recensión' sobre una extensísima Antología de trabajos acerca de la figura y el mito de Medea en las literaturas clásicas, y también en las modernas (con un énfasis especial en la española del Siglo de Oro), recopilados y editados por Aurora López y Andrés Pociña, catedráticos ambos de Literatura latina en la Universidad de Granada. Aunque el aspecto descriptivo predomina a lo largo del artículo, el autor de este articulo no ha renunciado a ofrecer una valoración personal de muchos trabajos. El volumen en cuestión es de una variedad extraordinaria; pero, según el presente comentarista, su hilo conductor hay que buscarlo en determinados rasgos de la Medea senequiana, mucho más que en su modelo euripideo. La obra maestra del griego nos resulta más compleja, pero quizás más lejana también. En cambio, Séneca es rico en virtualidades que todavía no han sido plenamente explotadas.

XRF scanning, pollen and spores of ODP Site 108-659

Pliocene vegetation dynamics and climate variability in West Africa have been investigated through pollen and XRF-scanning records obtained from sediment cores of ODP Site 659 (18°N, 21°W). The comparison between total pollen accumulation rates and Ti/Ca ratios, which is strongly correlated with the dust input at the site, showed elevated aeolian transport of pollen during dusty periods. Comparison of the pollen records of ODP Site 659 and the nearby Site 658 resulted in a robust reconstruction of West African vegetation change since the Late Pliocene. Between 3.6 and 3.0 Ma the savannah in West Africa differed in composition from its modern counterpart and was richer in Asteraceae, in particular of the Tribus Cichorieae. Between 3.24 and 3.20 Ma a stable wet period is inferred from the Fe/K ratios, which could stand for a narrower and better specified mid-Pliocene (mid-Piacenzian) warm time slice. The northward extension of woodland and savannah, albeit fluctuating, was generally greater in the Pliocene. NE trade wind vigour increased intermittently around 2.7 and 2.6 Ma, and more or less permanently since 2.5 Ma, as inferred from increased pollen concentrations of trade wind indicators (Ephedra, Artemisia, Pinus). Our findings link the NE trade wind development with the intensification of the Northern Hemisphere glaciations (iNHG). Prior to the iNHG, little or no systematic relation could be found between sea surface temperatures of the North Atlantic with aridity and dust in West Africa.

Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of disturbed and undisturbed Arctic lakes, Northwest Territories

1. Global warming is predicted to cause changes in permafrost cover and stability in the Arctic. Zones of high ion concentration in regions of ice-rich permafrost are a reservoir of chemicals that can potentially be transferred to fresh waters during thawing. Consequently, input of enriched runoff from the thaw and sediment and vegetation from the landscape could alter lakes by affecting their geochemistry and biological production. 2. Three undisturbed lakes and five lakes disturbed by retrogressive permafrost thaw slumps were sampled during late summer of 2006 to assess the potential effects of thermokarst shoreline slumping on water and sediment chemistry, the underwater light regime, and benthic macrophyte biomass and community structure. 3. Undisturbed lakes had sediments rich in organic material and selected micronutrients, while disturbed lakes had sediments richer in calcium, magnesium and strontium, greater transparency of the water column, and a well-developed submerged macrophyte community. 4. It is postulated that enriched runoff chemistry may alter nutrient availability at the sediment-water interface and also the degradation of organic material, thus affecting lake transparency and submerged macrophytes. The results suggest that retrogressive permafrost slumping can significantly affect food webs in arctic tundra lakes through an increase in macrophyte biomass and development of a more complex benthic habitat.

Medea(s)

Se trata de un 'Artículo-Recensión' sobre una extensísima Antología de trabajos acerca de la figura y el mito de Medea en las literaturas clásicas, y también en las modernas (con un énfasis especial en la española del Siglo de Oro), recopilados y editados por Aurora López y Andrés Pociña, catedráticos ambos de Literatura latina en la Universidad de Granada. Aunque el aspecto descriptivo predomina a lo largo del artículo, el autor de este articulo no ha renunciado a ofrecer una valoración personal de muchos trabajos. El volumen en cuestión es de una variedad extraordinaria; pero, según el presente comentarista, su hilo conductor hay que buscarlo en determinados rasgos de la Medea senequiana, mucho más que en su modelo euripideo. La obra maestra del griego nos resulta más compleja, pero quizás más lejana también. En cambio, Séneca es rico en virtualidades que todavía no han sido plenamente explotadas.