This thesis aims to contribute to the study of how established political parties deal with an increasingly popular radical right parties, focusing on the case of Sweden and the Sweden Democrats (SD). Swedish parties have had a different approach compared to established parties in other European countries, when being challenged by the radical right. The trend has been that the major parties have formed government with support of the radical right and also adapting some of their political positions, in order to regain lost voters. Although, in the case of Sweden, the initial strategy of the major parties was to distance themselves from SD:s policies, while also making efforts to isolate them from positions of power and minimizing their influence in all levels of government.  Anders Backlund (2020) has studied the case of Sweden and argues, with the use of the modified spatial theory (Meguid 2008), that the initially rejective strategy of the major parties towards SD, might have forced them to adapt their policies to a large extent further down the line. The thesis explores Sweden as a least-likely case for a theory-testing purpose. Through the means of a combination of qualitative and quantitative content analysis the election manifestos from all parliamentary parties in Sweden, from the last five elections are being analyzed. The thesis tries to explain to what extent, and in what manner, the parliamentary parties have adapted their policies to those of SD – and furthermore, to what degree these adaptations can be explained in terms of the strategic pursuit of votes.  The Sweden Democrats are placed far out on the TAN-scale, on the socio-cultural political conflict dimension GAL-TAN – where TAN stands for Tradition, Authoritarianism and Nationalism. Therefore, the extent to which the remaining parties have included policies related to TAN in their election manifestos is examined. The result shows that most parties in Sweden increasingly have included policies related to TAN in their election manifestos for the more recent elections – hence showing an adaptation to both SD:s policy suggestions and their way to formulate issues. Especially the parties that have been shown to lose particularly many voters to SD, but also the parties that are not competing for their votes to any bigger extent, exhibit a political conformity in the direction of SD.  The thesis strengthens the modified spatial theory by highlighting how Swedish parties swiftly have modified their strategy of handling SD – from initial rejection, to adaptation of rhetoric and policy. The thesis further contributes a few theoretical adjustments, to more fully explain how all major Swedish parties have managed their strategies when facing the increasing popularity of SD.

No description available.

The federally endangered tan riffleshell (<I>Epioblasma florentina walkeri</I>) is restricted to only one known reproducing population, in Indian Creek, Tazewell County, Virginia. Attempts to recover this species by augmenting relic populations throughout its historic range are aided through knowledge of its population biology and requirements in culture environments. Infestations of host fish (fantail darters, <I>Etheostoma flabellare</I>), obtained from four river drainages, with tan riffleshell glochidia showed that significantly more juveniles transformed per fish from infestations on fantail darters from Indian Creek (mean = 59.22 ± 10.01) than on fantail darters from the Roanoke River (mean = 9.45 ± 10.64) (p = 0.024). Number of juveniles from fantail darters collected from Elk Garden and the South Fork Holston River were not significantly different from those of either Indian Creek fish or Roanoke River fish. These results support the hypothesis that mussel-host fish relationships are likely mediated by fish immune responses. Furthermore, this study suggests that this compatibility has resulted from coadaptation between the tan riffleshell and fantail darter populations in Indian Creek. The tan riffleshell population in Indian Creek was estimated to be 1078 adults (95% CI= 760 - 1853), using Schumacher's modification of Schnabel's maximum likelihood estimator. The sex ratio and size distribution of males and females were approximately equal. Specimen ages, determined from thin-sections of shells, showed that mussels aged by external annuli on shells likely underestimates the true ages of individuals. Appropriate culture conditions for this species were examined using juveniles of the wavyrayed lampmussel (<I>Lampsilis fasciola</I>) as a surrogate. In the first experiment, juvenile growth and survival was compared between four substratum types (fine sediment, < 120μm; fine sand, 500 μm-800 μm; coarse sand, 1000 μm-1400 μm; and mixed sediment, < 1400 μm) and two light treatments in open versus covered recirculating troughs (2.8 m). Juveniles in fine sediment substratum and covered troughs fared poorest, with 7% survival and growth to only 0.86 mm in length after 16 wk. Juveniles in mixed sediment and open troughs fared best, with 26% survival and growth to 1.09 mm after 16 wk. Additionally, juveniles in fine sand in covered troughs had significantly higher survival (23.1%) than juveniles in fine sediment (p = 0.04), and juveniles in fine sand survived consistently better between light treatments than in the other substrata. There were no significant differences among the other treatments. A second experiment was performed to determine whether juveniles were responding directly to the presence of light or whether only the increased autochthonous production improved growth and survival. One-half of each of three 2.8 m troughs were covered with 50% shade cloth, while the other sides were left open to ambient light. Additionally, the best and worst sediments from the first experiment (fine sand and fine sediment) were used again to verify the results from the previous experiment. In this case, juveniles in both sides of the troughs grew equally well, but juveniles in the open sides had significantly poorer survival (open mean: 1.78%, sd = 5.01; covered mean: 7.4%, sd = 5.01) (p = 0.046). Fine sediment yielded significantly higher growth of juveniles than fine sand (p = 0.009), with shell lengths of 2.63 mm (sd = 0.075) in fine sediment and 1.94 mm (sd = 0.102) in fine sand. The differences in survival and growth between the two experiments were attributed to differential numbers of chironomids and platyhelminths, which are predators of young juveniles. Additionally, the fine sediment was more tightly packed in the first experiment than in the second, which may have restricted movement and subsequently reduced survival. Light alone likely did not affect juvenile survival and growth; rather, it was seemingly the greater abundance of aufwuchs available as food. This hypothesis was corroborated by a juvenile behavior experiment, which showed that juveniles did not act differently when in tanks not exposed to light versus those open to ambient light. / Master of Science

Um procedimento de separação e pré-concentração em sistemas de análises em fluxo acoplado a espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização em chama (FI-FAAS) é proposto para a determinação de Cu(II), Ni(II) e Cd(II). Diferentes adsorventes (XAD-7, sílica-gel e sílica funcionalizada C18) foram avaliados para a imobilização do reagente 1-(2-tiazolilazo)-2-naftol (TAN) que forma complexos com diversos íons metálicos. A avaliação e seleção do adsorvente baseou-se em isotermas de adsorção (Langmuir, Freundlich e Dubinin- Radushkevich (D-R)) e estudos de dessorção. O modelo de Langmuir indicou que a -2 -1 sílica-gel adsorve uma quantidade maior de TAN (1,81±0,08)x10-2 g g-1 em relação à XAD-7 (4,05±0,51)x10-3 g g-1 e à sílica funcionalizada C18 1,58x10-2 g g-1 . Pelo modelo de Freundlich, foi verificado que a superfície da XAD-7 apresenta elevada heterogeneidade energética dos sítios de adsorção evidenciado pelo parâmetro n de 2,57±0,08 contra 1,01±0,02 para sílica-gel. A constante de Freundlich foi de -1 (0,232±0,023) e (2,27±0,59) g g-1 para XAD-7 e sílica-gel, respectivamente. O modelo de D-R revelou que ocorre fisissorção para ambos os adsorventes. Estudos de dessorção permitiram concluir que a XAD-7 modificada apresentou a menor massa de TAN dessorvida em comparação com a sílica-gel, nas condições de acidez a serem empregadas nas etapas de retenção e eluição dos íons metálicos. Desta forma, XAD-7 imobilizada com o TAN foi selecionada para pré-concentração dos metais no sistema de análises em fluxo. Utilizando um amostrador temporizado eletronicamente, as variáveis vazão e concentração do eluente, pH de retenção, vazão e tempo de pré-concentração da amostra foram avaliadas. Na etapa de amostragem, os íons metálicos foram pré-concentrados por 300 s na forma de complexos com o TAN, empregando vazão de amostra de 6,2 mL min-1 e pH 7,5. A eluição foi efetuada com 0,2 mol L-1 HNO3 e vazão de 6,2 mL min-1 . O limite de detecção e o fator de enriquecimento foram estimados em 0,20 µg L-1 e 68; 1,5 µg L-1 e 15 e 0,060 µg L-1 e 44 para Cu(II), Ni(II) e Cd(II), respectivamente. Os coeficientes de variação foram estimados em 3,2%, 5,6% e 3,6% para Cu(II), Ni(II) e Cd(II), respectivamente. O procedimento proposto para FI não é adequado para a pré-concentração de metais em amostras contendo altas concentrações de íons cloreto, devido à formação de cloro-complexos, que prejudicam a formação de complexos com TAN na fase sólida. / A flow-based procedure for separation and preconcentration coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-FAAS) is proposed for determination of Cu(II), Ni(II) e Cd(II). Different sorbents (XAD-7, silica gel and C18 bonded silica) were evaluated for the immobilization of the reagent 1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN), which reacts with several metal ions yielding complexes. The evaluation and selection of the adsorbent was based on adsorption isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R)) as well as desorption studies. The Langmuir model indicated that silica gel uptakes higher amount of TAN (1.81±0.08)x10-2 g g-1 as compared to (4.05±0.51)x10-3 g g-1 for XAD-7 and (1.58x10-2 ) g g-1 for C18 bonded silica. Based on the Freundlich model, it was verified that XAD-7 surface presented high energetic heterogeneity of the adsorption sites evidenced by the parameter n of 2.57±0.08 against 1.01±0.02 to silica gel. The Freundlich constant was 0.232±0.023 -1 and 2.27±0.59 g g-1 for XAD-7 and silica gel, respectively. The D-R model revealed that physical sorption occurred for both adsorbents. The modified XAD-7 showed the lowest desorbed mass in comparison to silica gel, in the same acidity conditions employed for retention and eluting steps of the metal ions. XAD-7 modified with TAN was thus selected to concentrate metal ions in the flow system. Using a time-based sample loading, the variables like eluent flow rate and concentration; pH in the retention step, sample flow rate and loading sample time were investigated. In the sampling step, the metal ions were preconcentrated for 300 s in the form of TAN complexes, employing a sample flow rate of 6.2 mL min-1 and pH 7.5. The elution was carried out with 0.2 mol L-1 HNO3 and flow rate of 6.2 mL min-1 . The detection limits and enrichment factors were estimated as 0.2 µg L-1 and 68; 1.5 µg L-1 and 15 and 0.060 µg L-1 and 44 for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The coefficients of variation were estimated as 3.2%, 5.6% and 3.6% for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The proposed procedure is not appropriate for the preconcentration of metals in samples containing high chlorides concentrations due to the formation of chloride-complexes that hinder the formation of the TAN-complexes on the solid phase.

Submitted by Edileide Reis (leyde-landy@hotmail.com) on 2013-05-16T12:26:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Sandra Maria Gomes.pdf: 880349 bytes, checksum: b794d1f6df5ec4831c5aaf9de86c81b5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Alda Lima da Silva(sivalda@ufba.br) on 2013-05-28T18:35:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Sandra Maria Gomes.pdf: 880349 bytes, checksum: b794d1f6df5ec4831c5aaf9de86c81b5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-05-28T18:35:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sandra Maria Gomes.pdf: 880349 bytes, checksum: b794d1f6df5ec4831c5aaf9de86c81b5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / A dicotomia arte elevada e arte popular industrial foi, em grande parte, o elemento que opôs os movimentos modernista e pós-modernista no século XX. Se o modernismo caracterizou-se por se posicionar politicamente contra a cultura de massa, vista como representativa do capitalismo burguês, o pós-modernismo apresenta-se numa relação mais flexível com a indústria de massa. A arte contemporânea mistura elementos provenientes da indústria cultural serializada com textos da herança clássica ocidental, através de práticas intertextuais, intersemióticas e paródicas. Quando mistura o elemento industrial ao objeto canônico, a arte pós-moderna enfraquece a dicotomia popular / erudito, diluindo as fronteiras que separam os objetos em classes hierárquicas de alta e baixa cultura. Dentre as artes pós-modernas o romance contemporâneo tem papel fundamental na diluição dessa fronteira, pois, através da experimentação intersemiótica e da renovação das formas narrativas, põe em funcionamento uma intensa prática auto-reflexiva que problematiza a nossa forma de compreender a experiência e força a ultrapassagem de modelos estéticos estabelecidos. A inserção de referências a obras de arte dos vários períodos da arte clássica ocidental (Antiguidade Greco-Romana, Renascimento, Barroco, Neo-Classicismo) funciona como contraponto ao desconforto, inquietação, fragmentação e multiplicidade da vida moderna, por trazerem à tona modos de representação de tempos em que o homem era a medida de todas as coisas do mundo. O romance espanhol Corazón tan blanco do escritor Javier Marías é um caso de narrativa romanesca que movimenta signos tanto da indústria da imagem ? televisão, cinema e vídeo ? quanto da tradição clássica da pintura ocidental. As pinturas de Velásquez e Rembrandt, as gravuras de Dürer, o drama shakespeareano Macbeth conferem erudição ao romance e insuflam o diálogo arte clássica e romance popular na representação do mal-estar e perplexidade do homem diante do indiferente e opressivo mundo contemporâneo. / Salvador

Um procedimento de separação e pré-concentração em sistemas de análises em fluxo acoplado a espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização em chama (FI-FAAS) é proposto para a determinação de Cu(II), Ni(II) e Cd(II). Diferentes adsorventes (XAD-7, sílica-gel e sílica funcionalizada C18) foram avaliados para a imobilização do reagente 1-(2-tiazolilazo)-2-naftol (TAN) que forma complexos com diversos íons metálicos. A avaliação e seleção do adsorvente baseou-se em isotermas de adsorção (Langmuir, Freundlich e Dubinin- Radushkevich (D-R)) e estudos de dessorção. O modelo de Langmuir indicou que a -2 -1 sílica-gel adsorve uma quantidade maior de TAN (1,81±0,08)x10-2 g g-1 em relação à XAD-7 (4,05±0,51)x10-3 g g-1 e à sílica funcionalizada C18 1,58x10-2 g g-1 . Pelo modelo de Freundlich, foi verificado que a superfície da XAD-7 apresenta elevada heterogeneidade energética dos sítios de adsorção evidenciado pelo parâmetro n de 2,57±0,08 contra 1,01±0,02 para sílica-gel. A constante de Freundlich foi de -1 (0,232±0,023) e (2,27±0,59) g g-1 para XAD-7 e sílica-gel, respectivamente. O modelo de D-R revelou que ocorre fisissorção para ambos os adsorventes. Estudos de dessorção permitiram concluir que a XAD-7 modificada apresentou a menor massa de TAN dessorvida em comparação com a sílica-gel, nas condições de acidez a serem empregadas nas etapas de retenção e eluição dos íons metálicos. Desta forma, XAD-7 imobilizada com o TAN foi selecionada para pré-concentração dos metais no sistema de análises em fluxo. Utilizando um amostrador temporizado eletronicamente, as variáveis vazão e concentração do eluente, pH de retenção, vazão e tempo de pré-concentração da amostra foram avaliadas. Na etapa de amostragem, os íons metálicos foram pré-concentrados por 300 s na forma de complexos com o TAN, empregando vazão de amostra de 6,2 mL min-1 e pH 7,5. A eluição foi efetuada com 0,2 mol L-1 HNO3 e vazão de 6,2 mL min-1 . O limite de detecção e o fator de enriquecimento foram estimados em 0,20 µg L-1 e 68; 1,5 µg L-1 e 15 e 0,060 µg L-1 e 44 para Cu(II), Ni(II) e Cd(II), respectivamente. Os coeficientes de variação foram estimados em 3,2%, 5,6% e 3,6% para Cu(II), Ni(II) e Cd(II), respectivamente. O procedimento proposto para FI não é adequado para a pré-concentração de metais em amostras contendo altas concentrações de íons cloreto, devido à formação de cloro-complexos, que prejudicam a formação de complexos com TAN na fase sólida. / A flow-based procedure for separation and preconcentration coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-FAAS) is proposed for determination of Cu(II), Ni(II) e Cd(II). Different sorbents (XAD-7, silica gel and C18 bonded silica) were evaluated for the immobilization of the reagent 1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN), which reacts with several metal ions yielding complexes. The evaluation and selection of the adsorbent was based on adsorption isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R)) as well as desorption studies. The Langmuir model indicated that silica gel uptakes higher amount of TAN (1.81±0.08)x10-2 g g-1 as compared to (4.05±0.51)x10-3 g g-1 for XAD-7 and (1.58x10-2 ) g g-1 for C18 bonded silica. Based on the Freundlich model, it was verified that XAD-7 surface presented high energetic heterogeneity of the adsorption sites evidenced by the parameter n of 2.57±0.08 against 1.01±0.02 to silica gel. The Freundlich constant was 0.232±0.023 -1 and 2.27±0.59 g g-1 for XAD-7 and silica gel, respectively. The D-R model revealed that physical sorption occurred for both adsorbents. The modified XAD-7 showed the lowest desorbed mass in comparison to silica gel, in the same acidity conditions employed for retention and eluting steps of the metal ions. XAD-7 modified with TAN was thus selected to concentrate metal ions in the flow system. Using a time-based sample loading, the variables like eluent flow rate and concentration; pH in the retention step, sample flow rate and loading sample time were investigated. In the sampling step, the metal ions were preconcentrated for 300 s in the form of TAN complexes, employing a sample flow rate of 6.2 mL min-1 and pH 7.5. The elution was carried out with 0.2 mol L-1 HNO3 and flow rate of 6.2 mL min-1 . The detection limits and enrichment factors were estimated as 0.2 µg L-1 and 68; 1.5 µg L-1 and 15 and 0.060 µg L-1 and 44 for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The coefficients of variation were estimated as 3.2%, 5.6% and 3.6% for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The proposed procedure is not appropriate for the preconcentration of metals in samples containing high chlorides concentrations due to the formation of chloride-complexes that hinder the formation of the TAN-complexes on the solid phase.

Le traité des Catégories d’Aristote est l’une des premières œuvres de la philosophie occidentale traduite en chinois. Introduit par les jésuites en Chine au XVIIème siècle, sa traduction fut une confrontation entre la pensée gréco-chrétienne et la pensée chinoise. Elle nous renseigne sur le rapport entre la langue et la pensée. Le premier chapitre est un aperçu de l’environnement historico-culturel dans lequel cette traduction a été réalisée. Le deuxième chapitre présente notre méthode et nos outils de travail. Nous expliquons, dans le troisième chapitre, le titre de l’ouvrage en chinois : il est censé être la traduction du mot « logique », mais il est composé de mots qui renvoient à des doctrines philosophiques chinoises traitant de problèmes fondamentalement différents de ceux dont s’occupe la logique aristotélicienne. Les quatrième et cinquième chapitres constituent un commentaire de la traduction chinoise du premier chapitre du traité aristotélicien. Les différences linguistiques entre le chinois et les langues indo-européennes se révèlent tant sur le plan lexical que sur le plan grammatical. Nous terminons notre travail par une discussion sur la traduction du verbe « être ». Notre objet est de montrer que ce qui est perdu dans la traduction est moins le sens du mot « être » que sa syntaxe et le mode de pensée qui lui est lié. Étudier les intraduisibles en philosophie, c’est découvrir les différentes façons de thématiser et de problématiser, qui caractérisent chaque système de pensée. Cette étude de philosophie comparée gréco-chinoise espère contribuer à la réflexion sur la pluralité linguistique et culturelle. / Aristotle’s Categories is one of the first Western philosophical texts translated into Chinese. Since Jesuit missionaries introduced scientific thoughts into China in the 17th century, Chinese literati have shown a strong interest in the demonstration method that was originated in Aristotelian logic. This dissertation presents a detailed study of the Chinese translation Ming li tan, with the aim of addressing several issues on the relationship between language and thought. Chapter 1 is an overview of the historical and cultural environment in which the translation took place. Chapter 2 presents our approach to comparative philosophy. Chapter 3 discusses the translation of the title “Ming li tan”. The term “ming li” is used as a translation of the word “logic”, but is actually composed of terms referring to Chinese philosophical doctrines which deal with problems fundamentally different from those of the Aristotelian logic. Chapters 4 and 5 provide a detailed commentary of the Chinese translation of the first chapter of Categories, focusing in particular on three notions: homonym, synonym and paronym. We conclude our work with a discussion on the translation of the verb “to be” and its derivatives (e.g., being, substance), and explain the reasoning behind its various Chinese renditions. Our central claim is that what is lost in translation is less the literal meaning of word “to be” than its syntax and the way of thinking underlying the use of this word. The focus on translation provides a unique approach to studying linguistic relativism and linguistic and cultural pluralism. A good understanding of these issues is crucial for improving the intercultural dialogue.

The purpose of this study is to increase knowledge about gender differences in ideological orientations in Europe. We use quantitative methods and survey data from European Social Survey (ESS) to examine 25 countries in Europe over time and investigate if there is a correlation between gender equality and the gender gap in self-placement on the political left-right scale. The study examines how the political gender gap has developed through time, and how the trends differ between men and women. The study also examines how gender equality has evolved over time in comparison to the gender gap in political ideology. Furthermore, it examines whether different ideological dimensions might affect self-placement on the left-right scale for men and women. The results show that the gender gap has increased in general across Europe. However, there is substantial variation across the countries. In several countries, the gender gap in ideological orientations decreases over time. The study found different tendencies in how the gender gap has been changing through time in relation to how gender equality has developed. We also found that some ideological factors have a greater effect on women’s self-placement compared to men’s and vice versa.

Doctor of Philosophy / Genetics Interdepartmental Program / Bikram S. Gill / Leaf rust, caused by fungus Puccinia triticina, is an important foliar disease of wheat worldwide. Breeding for race-nonspecific resistant cultivars is the best strategy to combat this disease. Aegilops tauschii, D genome donor of hexaploid wheat, has provided resistance to several pests and pathogens of wheat. To identify potentially new adult plant resistance (APR) genes, 371 geographically diverse Ae. tauschii accessions were evaluated in field with leaf rust (LR) composite culture of predominant races. Accessions from Afghanistan only displayed APR whereas both seedling resistance and APR were common in the Caspian Sea region. Seventeen accessions with high APR were selected for production of synthetic hexaploid wheat (SHW), using ‘TetraPrelude’ and/or ‘TetraThatcher’ as tetraploid parents. Six SHWs were produced and evaluated for APR to LR and resistance to tan spot at seedling stage. Genetic analysis and mapping of APR introgressed from accession TA2474 was investigated in recombinant inbred lines (RIL) population derived from cross between SHW, TA4161-L3 and spring wheat cultivar, ‘WL711’. Genotyping-by-sequencing approach was used to genotype the RILs. Maximum disease severity (MDS) for LR was significantly correlated among all experiments and APR to LR was highly heritable trait in this population. Nine genomic regions significantly associated with APR to LR were QLr.ksu-1AL, QLr.ksu-1BS, QLr.ksu-1BL.1, QLr.ksu-1BL.2, QLr.ksu-2DS, QLr.ksu-2DL, QLr.ksu-5AL, QLr.ksu-5DL and QLr.ksu-6BL. Association of QLr.ksu-1BL.1 with marker Xwmc44 indicated this locus could be slow-rusting APR gene, Lr46/Yr29. QTLs detected on 2DS, 2DL and 5DL were contributed by TA4161-L3 and are novel, along with QLr.ksu-5AL. Tan spot, caused by necrotrophic fungus, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, has recently emerged as a damaging disease of wheat worldwide. To identify QTLs associated with resistance to Race 1 of P. tritici-repentis, F[subscript]2:3 population derived from cross between SHW, TA4161-L1 and winter wheat cultivar, ‘TAM105’ was used. Two major effect QTLs, QTs.ksu-1AS.1 and QTs.ksu-7AS were significantly associated with tan spot resistance and contributed by TA4161-L1. QTs.ksu-7AS is a novel QTL and explained 17% of the phenotypic variation. Novel QTLs for APR to LR and tan spot identified in SHWs add new variation for broadening the gene pool of wheat and providing resources for breeding of durable resistant cultivars.

The mean strengths of the wintertime stratospheric polar vortices are known to be related to the phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in the tropical stratosphere from circulation statistics - the "Holton-Tan relationship". The principal topic of this thesis is improving understanding of the mechanism behind the QBO's influence. Following the example of previous studies, the QBO influence on the Northern Hemisphere (NH) extratropics on monthly time scales in an observational reanalysis is examined, and is shown to closely resemble the stratospheric Northern annular mode (NAM). It is argued that this may not be informative about the mechanism, as the response could be NAM-like for many different mechanisms. It is suggested that examining the transient response of the NH extratropics to forcing by the QBO would be much more informative, particularly on time scales of a few days. In a primitive equation model of the middle atmosphere, the long-term stratospheric NH response to imposed zonal torques is often found to be NAM-like under perpetual January conditions, with wave feedbacks making a very important contribution. However, the response in runs with a seasonal cycle is not NAM-like. Investigation of the transient responses indicates the wave feedbacks are qualitatively similar in each case but only strong enough under perpetual January conditions to make the long-term response NAM-like. This supports the hypothesis that feedbacks from large-scale dynamics tend to make the stratospheric response to arbitrary forcings NAM-like, and therefore indicates that the long-term response is not generally useful for understanding forcing mechanisms. Examining the short-term transient response to known torques is found to be more successful at inferring information about the torques than several other previously proposed methods. Finally, the short-term transient response of the NH extratropics to forcing by the easterly QBO phase in a general circulation model is found to be consistent with the proposed mechanism of Holton and Tan (1980), indicating that this mechanism plays a role in the Holton-Tan relationship.