bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transmodal Sensorimotor Networks during Action Observation in Professional Pianists
Authors: Haslinger B. , Erhard P. , Altenmüller E. , Schroeder U. , Boecker H. , Ceballos-Baumann A. O.
Published: February 2005

Audiovisual perception and imitation are essential for musical learning and skill acquisition. We compared professional pianists to musically naive controls with fMRI while observing piano playing finger–hand movements and serial finger–thumb opposition movements both with and without synchronous piano sound. Pianists showed stronger activations within a fronto-parieto-temporal network while observing piano playing compared to controls and contrasted to perception of serial finger–thumb opposition movements. Observation of silent piano playing additionally recruited auditory areas in pianists. Perception of piano sounds coupled with serial finger–thumb opposition movements evoked increased activation within the sensorimotor network. This indicates specialization of multimodal auditory– sensorimotor systems within a fronto-parieto-temporal network by professional musical training. Musical “language,” which is acquired by observation and imitation, seems to be tightly coupled to this network in accord with an observation– execution system linking visual and auditory perception to motor performance.
Mirror Neurons Responding to Observation of Actions Made with Tools in Monkey Ventral Premotor Cortex
Authors: Ferrari Pier Francesco , Rozzi Stefano , Fogassi Leonardo
Published: February 2005

In the present study, we describe a new type of visuomotor neurons, named tool-responding mirror neurons, which are found in the lateral sector of monkey ventral premotor area F5. Tool-responding mirror neurons discharge when the monkey observes actions performed by an experimenter with a tool (a stick or a pair of pliers). This response is stronger than that obtained when the monkey observes a similar action made with a biological effector (the hand or the mouth). These neurons respond also when the monkey executes actions with both the hand and the mouth. The visual and the motor responses of each neuron are congruent in that they share the same general goal, that is, taking possession of an object and modifying its state. It is hypothesized that after a relatively long visual exposure to tool actions, a visual association between the hand and the tool is created, so that the tool becomes as a kind of prolongation of the hand. We propose that tool-responding mirror neurons enable the observing monkey to extend action-understanding capacity to actions that do not strictly correspond to its motor representations. Our findings support the notion that the motor cortex plays a crucial role in understanding action goals.
Pronominal Reference in Sentences about Persons or Things: An Electrophysiological Approach
Authors: Hammer Anke , Jansma Bernadette M. , Lamers Monique , Münte Thomas F.
Published: February 2005

German pronouns (erMALE/masculine, sieFEMALE/feminine) that refer to a person are determined by the biological gender (MALE/FEMALE) and/or syntactic gender (masculine/feminine) of the person. Pronouns (ermasculine, siefeminine) that refer to a thing are determined by the syntactic gender of this thing (Garten [garden]masculine, Tasche [hand-bag]feminine). The study aimed to investigate whether semantic integration, syntactic integration, or both are involved in establishing co-reference between pronoun and subject/antecedent in sentences. Here we focused on two event-related potential components: the SPS/P600, related to syntactic violation and reanalysis, and the N400 component, related to semantic integration problems. In one condition, a person was introduced as antecedent and later referred to by a pronoun, which either agreed in biological/syntactic gender or not (biological/syntactic gender violation). In a second condition, a thing was introduced as antecedent and the corresponding pronoun either agreed in syntactic gender or not (syntactic gender violation). Results at critical pronouns showed a P600 effect for incongruent compared with congruent pronouns in both conditions with a centro-parietal maximum. This effect was larger for the person compared to the thing condition. We interpreted this finding as reflecting a syntactic integration process that can be influenced by conceptual/semantic and syntactic information of the antecedent type. Furthermore, at the word following the pronoun, we observed an N400 for the thing but not for the person condition. We suggest, supported by the results of a control experiment, that this effect reflects continuous integration processes for things, whereas for persons the integration seems to be finished at pronoun position.
Cortical Representations of Personally Familiar Objects and Places: Functional Organization of the Human Posterior Cingulate Cortex
Authors: Sugiura Motoaki , Shah Nadim J. , Zilles Karl , Fink Gereon R.
Published: February 2005

The recognition of both personally familiar objects and places involves nonspatial memory retrieval processes, but only personally familiar places are represented as space. Although the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) is considered to process both types of such memories, its functional organization is poorly understood. In this event-related fMRI study, normal subjects judged familiar/unfamiliar pictures in four categories: familiar places (FP), familiar objects (FO), unfamiliar places (UP), and unfamiliar objects (UO), thus constituting a two-factorial design. A significant main effect of stimuli with greater activation in the place (FP and UP) than object (FO and UO) trials was observed bilaterally in several medial temporo-occipito-parietal regions, including the caudal PCC (cPCC) and parahippocampal gyrus. The reverse comparison revealed greater activation in the lateral inferior occipito-temporal junctions and intraparietal sulci bilaterally. A significant main effect of familiarity with greater activation in the familiar (FP and FO) than unfamiliar (UP and UO) trials was observed in the mid-dorsal PCC (mPCC), retrosplenial cortex, posterior precuneus, and the left intraparietal sulcus. Activation specific to the FP trials (as assessed by the interaction) was observed in the right posterodorsal PCC (pPCC) only. Together with data from previous functional imaging studies, the results suggest a functional segregation of human PCC with differential involvement of pPCC in spatial representations of personally familiar places and of the mPCC and retrosplenial cortex in episodic retrieval of personally familiar places and objects. Activation of the left intraparietal sulcus may reflect retrieval of memories related to object manipulation.
A Dissociation between the Representation of Tool-use Skills and Hand Dominance: Insights from Left- and Right-handed Callosotomy Patients
Authors: Frey Scott H. , Funnell Margaret G. , Gerry Valerie E. , Gazzaniga Michael S.
Published: February 2005

The overwhelming majority of evidence indicates that the left cerebral hemisphere of right-handed humans is dominant both for manual control and the representation of acquired skills, including tool use. It is, however, unclear whether these functions involve common or dissociable mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that the disconnected left hemispheres of both right- and left-handed split-brain patients are specialized for representing acquired tool-use skills. When required to pantomime actions associated with familiar tools (Experiment 2), both patients show a right-hand (left hemisphere) advantage in response to tool names, pictures, and actual objects. Accuracy decreases as stimuli become increasingly symbolic when using the left hand (right hemisphere). Tested in isolation with lateralized pictures (Experiment 3), each patient's left hemisphere demonstrates a significant advantage over the right hemisphere for pantomiming tool-use actions with the contralateral hand. The fact that this asymmetry occurs even in a left-handed patient suggests that the left hemisphere specialization for representing praxis skills can be dissociated from mechanisms involved in hand dominance located in the right hemisphere. This effect is not attributable to differences at the conceptual level, as the left and right hemispheres are equally and highly competent at associating tools with observed pantomimes (Experiment 4).
Revisiting Previously Searched Locations in Visual Neglect: Role of Right Parietal and Frontal Lesions in Misjudging Old Locations as New
Authors: Mannan Sabira K. , Mort Dominic J. , Hodgson Tim L. , Driver Jon , Kennard Christopher , Husain Masud
Published: February 2005

Right-hemisphere patients with left neglect often demonstrate abnormal visual search, re-examining stimuli to the right while ignoring those to the left. But re-fixations alone do not reveal if patients misjudge whether they have searched a location before. Here, we not only tracked the eye movements of 16 neglect patients during search, but also asked them to click a response button only when they judged they were fixating a target for the very first time. “Re-clicking” on previously found targets would indicate that patients erroneously respond to these as new discoveries. Lesions were mapped with high-resolution MRI. Neglect patients with damage involving the right intraparietal sulcus or right inferior frontal lobe “re-clicked” on previously found targets on the right at a pathological rate, whereas those with medial occipito-temporal lesions did not. For the intraparietal sulcus patients, the probability of erroneous re-clicks on an old target increased with time since first discovering it; whereas for frontal patients it was independent of search time, suggesting different underlying mechanisms in these two types of patient. Re-click deficits correlated with degree of leftward neglect, mainly due to both being severe in intraparietal cases. These results demonstrate that misjudging previously searched locations for new ones can contribute to pathological search in neglect, with potentially different mechanisms being involved in intraparietal versus inferior frontal patients. When combined with a spatial bias to the right, such deficits might explain why many neglect patients often re-examine rightward locations, at the expense of items to their left.
Aspiring for Islamic Reform: Southeast Asian Requests for Fatwās in al-Manār
Authors: Burhanudin Jajat
Published: February 2005

Against the general background of the transmission of Muhammad 'Abduh's ideas about reform to Southeast Asia, as reflected in al-Manār, I examine requests for fatwās relating to affairs in the archipelago. These requests emanated from three groups: Southeast Asian students in the Middle East, Arabs living in Southeast Asia, and indigenous Southeast Asian readers of al-Manār. The fatwās examined here relate to three themes: Islam and modernity, religious practices, and aspirations for religious reform. I conclude that al-Manār created a new mode of discourse for Southeast Asian Islam in which the mustaftī and the muftī were not pupils and teachers but fellow discussants of reform in societies undergoing similar challenges.
Fatwā, Purification and Dynamization: A Study of Tarjīh in Muhammadiyah
Authors: Anwar Syamsul
Published: February 2005

I examine here contemporary iftā practices in Muhammadiyah, Indonesia ' s leading organisation for modernist Muslims, with special attention to Majelis Tarjih, the body charged with issuing its fatwās since 1927. After explaining Muhammadiyah's ideology, and the working method of Majelis Tarjih and the authority of its decisions, I examine and discuss several fatwās relating to syncretic practices in Indonesia and one fatwā about whether a woman may serve in a position of authority over men. I argue that the fatwās issued by Majelis Tarjih demonstrate how Muhammadiyah promotes a more dynamic understanding of religion among its members and within Indonesian society at large, an understanding that often differs from traditionalist views espoused in classical fiqh books.
The Fatwā Debated? Shūrā in one Indonesian Context
Authors: Laffan Michael
Published: February 2005

In July 2002 I attended a series of consultative iftā sessions, known as Bahsul Masail, held at a general meeting convened by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), an Islamic organisation that represents traditionalist fiqh in Indonesia. Based upon close observation of the sessions, I show how consultation with the lay membership of NU impacted upon four fatwās drafted by the executive. These fatwās discuss NU's guiding principle, its definition of the Ahl al-Sunna wa'l-Jamā'a, the call for Sharīa to be adopted by the state, and the permissibility of suicide bombs as a weapon of war. I argue that although the NU membership may apply pressure to discuss an issue or to call for a fatwā and their voices may well alter the phrasing of a fatwā, the resulting declarations are largely shaped by the political concerns of its executive board.
Breaking the Interpretive Monopoly: A Re-Examination of Verse 4:34
Authors: Mubarak Hadia
Published: February 2005

As verse 4:34 is central to the Qurānic paradigm on gender relations, the question of "wife-beating" has become a contentious issue in Islamic scholarly discourse. Does "wadribuhunna", a verb in imperative form that is read to authorize the "beating", "striking", or "scourging" of a wife, actually give husbands divine sanction to beat their wives? If so, upon what basis or authority does one derive such a meaning? First, this paper examines the historical development of certain misogynistic concepts that became embedded in Islamic academic discourse as a result of the classical exegetes' commentary on this verse, which were undoubtedly influenced by the patriarchal paradigm of the medieval period from which they were produced. Second, this paper utilizes the classical exegetes' own purported methodology to reinvestigate the meanings of this verse in a way that can reconcile its practical application with the Qurān's egalitarian ideals and Islam's conception ofGod's absolute justice.
Qur'ān, Gender and Interpretive Possibilities
Authors: Wadud Amina
Published: February 2005

Verily All men and women who have surrender themselves unto Allah and all believing men and believing women and all truly devout men and devout women, and all men and women who are true to their word and all men and women who are patient in adversity and all men and women who humble themselves before Allah and all men and women who give in charity and all self-denying men and all self-denying women and all men and women who remember Allah unceasingly, for all of them has Allah readied forgiveness of sins and a mighty reward.
Women Reading the Qur'¯n: Religious Discourse and Islam
Authors: Guardi Jolanda
Published: February 2005

Can a woman be a Muslim and a feminist? This is the question that most often comes up from the public when we pause to analyze the latest women's readings of the sacred text of Islam. Here I'll try to answer this question, thanks to the help of some Muslim experts in Qur'ānic hermeneutics. With a reading that demonstrates how Muslim women can fight for freedom within the exegeses of the Qur'ān, contrary to what conservative (because they've given it a patriarchal reading) as well as progressive (because they believe it's necessary to depart from the text to approach various nuances of secularism) Muslims believe possible. The "door of interpretation" has definitely been re-opened.
Gender Biases in Qur'ānic Exegesis: A Study of Scriptural Interpretation from a Gender Perspective
Authors: Umar Nasaruddin
Published: February 2005

This paper scrutinizes some gender biases residing in Scriptural exegesis—especially Qur'ānic interpretations—that exist and grow in Muslim societies. Most Muslims believe that the existing Qur'ānic exegesis is taken for granted, so it cannot be examined any more. As a matter of fact, an interpretation is man-made, which is not eternal. An interpretation is a product of an exegete. Therefore, Muslims actually can create many approaches to understanding the Qur'ān. However, this does not imply that the methodological approach utilized here is solely suitable for the Qur'ān. Perhaps, other Scriptures and religions can benefit from this approach. And when we talk about Scripture, we cannot avoid relating it to other subjects such as religion, culture, norms, values, language and so on. Since the Scripture is a part of religion, then the religion also becomes subject to examination. However, this study will only focus on the Scriptural exegesis, while the topic of religion will be used only when it is necessary.
"Do Not Search for Another King, One Whom God Has Not Given You": Questions on the Elevation of Zär'ä Ya'eqob (1434-1468)
Authors: Derat Marie-Laure
Published: February 2005

When Zär'ä Ya'eqob became king of Ethiopia in 1434, he was far from being the only candidate for the office. One of his homilies, The Epistle of Humanity, relates that he was opposed by a group led by Beht wäddäd and former Tegré Mäkwanenn Isayeyyas, and including many members of his own family. This episode is essential to an understanding of the policy of Zär'ä Ya'eqob in the first years of his reign, when he tried to establish his authority in Tigré and especially in Aksum by means of a consecration ceremony, the foundation of monasteries, and the nomination of a liqä Aksum. The first version of the chronicle of Zär'ä Ya'eqob, however, scarcely mentions this episode while the second version totally conceals it. The different ways the homily and the royal chronicle deal with the beginning of Zär'ä Ya'eqob's reign inform us about Ethiopian royal historiography.
Ad Hominem Reviews and Rejoinders: Their Uses and Abuses
Authors: Strenski Ivan
Published: February 2005

Authors as well as reviewers can become subject to the charge of ad hominem argumentation, both in the review in question, and in rejoinders to the original review. However, the nature of the ad hominem review is neither precisely defined nor understood. This is especially the case insofar as post-modern sensibilities incline us to see the review as a rhetorical entity as well as a logical one. The principal forms of ad hominem argument are identified, discussed and considered in terms of their logical and rhetorical validity in the review.
Effect of Mold Temperature on High-resilience Cold-cure Flexible Polyurethane Foam Surface Texture
Authors: Abdul-Rani A. M. , Hopkinson N. , Dickens P. M.
Published: February 2005

Flexible polyurethane foam is often molded directly into preheated tools for foaming reaction which expands to fill the mold cavity. The foam that is directly in contact with the mold surface cures as the foam skin. Parts frequently have surface defects ranging from shrink marks, to voids, to mottling, and knit lines. There are many possible causes such as applying too much or too little release agent, or mold surface not cleaned and conditioned as required before the foaming process. Uneven mold temperatures are also suspected to be a cause of surface defects, especially in high-resilience (HR) cold-cure polyurethane foam systems. A specially designed mold capable of maintaining tight temperature tolerance is built to produce foam samples at varying temperatures. The effects of mold surface temperature on the foam surface texture are studied and analyzed. The effect of processing temperature on the macro and micro surface texture is examined. It is shown that the processing temperature has a significant effect on the foam surface texture. Three-dimensional topographical analysis of foam surface texture has discovered a trend from samples produced at varying temperatures from 30 to 80 C. This research is funded by EPSRC and assisted by Collins and Aikman UK, and Rojac Tooling Technologies Ltd.
Investigation for the Reduction of In-plane Compressive Strength in Preconditioned Thin Composite Panels
Authors: Zhou G. , Rivera L. A.
Published: February 2005

This paper investigates the effects of precondition characteristics on the residual compressive strength (RCS) of 16-ply carbon/epoxy panels through the establishment of their compressive and buckling response characteristics. The preconditions of varying sizes include impact damage and embedded artificial delaminations of both circular and elliptical shapes. A sequence of prebuckling, local and global buckling, and postbuckling is found in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. The possibility of delamination propagation is examined using the response characteristics on the basis of the sequences. A damage threshold is found at the 25% panel width or 455mm 2damage area. Both the global buckling loads and the RCSs suffer substantial degradation but in a different manner, depending on the threshold. For small damages, the global buckling loads are unaffected but the RCSs suffer substantial degradation, though there is little evidence for the delamination propagation. For large damages, while the global buckling loads are reduced moderately with an increase of the damages due likely to the unstable global buckling-to-postbuckling transition, the RCSs do not suffer further reduction, though evidence is found for the delamination propagation. These panels fail soon after the unstable global bucklingtopostbuckling transition. Panels with multiple delaminations suffer a greater reduction in RCS than the impact-damaged panels. A combination of the delamination size and number is shown to have the most dominant effect on the RCSs. It is demonstrated that the present method of embedding artificial delaminations proves to be very useful for studying the RCS of impact-damaged panels via the establishment of response characteristics and their links to the effects of the preconditions on them.
Information resources project management communication: personal and environmental barriers
Authors: Johansen Jane , Gillard Sharlett
Published: February 2005

Knowledge is more than the retrieval of sets of information: it is the task of explaining them and contextualizing them and empowering the information to change the face or workings of a corporation. Placed in this sophisticated role, 20th century project managers now find themselves revolutionizing the concept of what information and information management means to themselves and their corporations. The Information Resources Project Manager (IRPM), the program/project manager leading a multi-departmental or multi-organizational ad hoc project, is becoming the maker of meaning and can become the driver of organizational learning. The task undertaken by IRPMs often may be to help their organizations make sense of their interpretations of their environment. To flourish in this role, the IRPM must constantly be aware of the barriers to effective communications. This brief theoretical review of communications barriers serves as a checklist for the IRPM whose attention must be directed more and more heavily to audience and the very humanness of communications.
CQ: the Communication Quotient for IS professionals
Authors: Service Robert W.
Published: February 2005

As a programmer, analyst, IS executive, and professor it is clear to me that it is becoming more difficult to communicate, not easier. It would seem that with all of the current communications technologies this statement does not make sense. However, the more sophisticated society gets, the more sophisticated communications must become. Information technologies have made it faster and easier to get messages out to vast numbers of people, but they have increased the danger that any message will be misunderstood. IS/IT professionals often exemplify this problem through personal and organizational communications. The purpose of this article is to provide useful information for those wishing to improve their personal and organizational communications and move up in the organizational ranks. This goal is accomplished by presenting the Communication Quotient (CQ) as a measurable and improvable type of intelligence.
The emerging discourse of knowledge management: a new dawn for information science research?
Authors: Jashapara Ashok
Published: February 2005

Information science has played a limited role in providing fresh insights into the emerging interdisciplinary discourse of knowledge management. There are opportunities and challenges posed by the new discourse. An analysis of the knowledge management literature within information science journals shows a need for a wider academic perspective and a more philosophically grounded one. As the current knowledge management discourse is fragmented, we propose an integrative, interdisciplinary framework that would be useful for resituating knowledge management among scholars and practitioners. The principal pillars of this theoretical framework are organizational learning; systems and technology; and culture and strategy. Current criticisms of the knowledge management discourse are closely examined. The notions of knowledge sharing, social capital and organizational learning processes provide fundamental insights into knowledge management. These processes are explored from a social, cognitive and technological perspective.
Towards a strategic information architecture (SIA) and its initial application
Authors: Pai Jung-Chi , Lee Gwo-Guang
Published: February 2005

As e-business strategies have increasingly attracted the attention of industrial managers, information architecture (IA) is considered as an important blueprint for implementing a successful e-strategy. Furthermore, numerous information architectures have been proposed in recent years by researchers. However, these architectures focus on information systems (IS) and information technology (IT) perspectives, but neglect integration with the information management (IM) strategy. As the complexity of IS/IT applications in an e-business environment grows, effective IM strategy should be considered in developing information architectures. This study proposes a strategic information architecture (SIA) that integrates IS, IT and IM strategy while the IM strategy stresses three dimensions of business conditions and capabilities to cope with IS and IT strategy, including organizational structure, managerial activities and information use. The proposed SIA was initially assessed in a large hospital in Taiwan to examine its usefulness. The implications for IS practice and directions for future research are also discussed.
CDS/ISIS: the second decade
Authors: Hopkinson Alan
Published: February 2005

Reviews the development of UNESCO's CDS/ISIS information retrieval software over the past ten years, including the impact of the Internet, the development of CDS/ISIS for Windows and CDS/ISIS for DOS, efforts to provide continuing support for the software and the implementation of international standards in CDS/ISIS. Refers to the work of the late Giampaolo Del Bigio in developing the software. Discusses the roles of CDS/ISIS User Groups and distributors and training programmes. Notes that CDS/ISIS on CD-ROM is still useful in organizations without adequate Internet access. Identifies the available software documentation and the relationship between CDS/ISIS and integrated library systems. Discusses the future of the software and concludes that ‘CDS/ISIS deserves to survive since it enables less wealthy institutions in any part of the world to join the information society'.
Information and Communication Technology Applications in Development: India as a role model for other developing countries
Authors: Manohar B. Murali
Published: February 2005

India presents a good example of the applications of information and communication technology (ICT) for other developing countries. Presents case studies of three state-sponsored and two corporate initiatives in India dealing with ICT applications in: the E-Seva e-governance project in Andhra Pradesh; the online ticket booking facility at Indian Railways; online student counseling in educational administration; the E-choupal information services for farmers provided by Indian Tobacco; and telemedicine at Apollo Hospitals for facilitating delivery of quality healthcare services to people in remote areas. Concludes with recommendations on policy aspects to be considered by other developing countries.
E-Journal Publishing in Malaysia: from single journal system to publishing through a host
Authors: Ngah Zainab Awang , Fong Ang Tan , Abdullah Abrizah
Published: February 2005

Currently, 13 Malaysian e-journals are found on the Web. Focuses on the Electronic Journal of the University of Malaya (EJUM),which hosts the ejournals Malaysian Journal of Computer Science (MJCS), Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science (MJLIS),and Journal of Problem-Based Learning (JPBL). EJUMis modelled for uniformity in terms of searching, retrieval and display of search results. Independence is ensured for each journal in terms of editorial policy, style of publication and content. Through EJUM, academic publishers can be involved in electronic publishing. Publishers are able to archive older issues, automate the editorial and refereeing process, and receive subscribers' access reports. Users have varied search and retrieval options and a profiling service to alert them of new articles. This host allows refereed journal publishers to ‘park' within the system free of charge.
Feuds and Legacies
Authors: Kiong Tong Chee
Published: February 2005

The remarkable economic performance of the Southeast Asian region has provoked debates among social scientists. One key area of contention is whether there is a particular form of capitalism to account for the East Asian phenomenon. Most of the studies conducted, however, have focused either on national industrial policies and market forces or on a broad cultural explanatory view, such as recourse to Confucianism or Asian values. This article, building on work done by these scholars, seeks to look at not only the effectiveness of business networks in the expansion of businesses, but more importantly, and an area that has been largely unexplored, the drawbacks of Asian business networking. Some questions that the article sets out to answer include: Are there any issues of conflict and inheritance that are exclusive to Chinese family business? If yes, what are they and why are these issues unique to Chinese family business? Is there a particular way that Chinese businesses deal with these issues? Most studies on Chinese family firms and business networks have focused on ‘success’. This article seeks to study business failures, focusing on issues of conflict and inheritance. In a sense, it looks at the ‘dark side’ or dysfunctions of family business, filling an important gap in the current research literature. Using extensive case study interviews conducted in Singapore and Malaysia, as well as fieldwork in China, the article examines the intricate processes in running a family enterprise as well as the nature and management of conflicts.
Where Did It Go Wrong?
Authors: Pardi Tommaso
Published: February 2005

In 1989, the Japanese carmaker Toyota established in Burnaston (UK) their first European transplant. Expected to become one of the most efficient auto factories in Europe and to be as successful as the American transplants set up by the company during the 1980s, Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) has failed to fulfil these expectations, cumulating in 10 years of production losses of more than £600 million and since 1999 falling into a serious crisis, which has put into question the internal compromise between the actors of the firm. The article traces back the trajectory of TMUK from its foundation up to the present crisis. It shows how the crisis emerged progressively from the initial shortcomings of the hybridized employment relationship of the transplant, and how it deepened under the difficult economic conditions faced by the company on the European market. The article also introduces an alternative theoretical approach based on the notion of the ‘productive model’ developed by the GERPISA international research network, which aims to deconstruct the functionalist idea of a unique and superior Japanese model transferable everywhere and by everybody, and to re-establish the Japanese transplants as full historical objects and as social and political organizations.
An Experimental Study of the Effect of the Aspect Ratio on the Critical Velocity in Longitudinal Ventilation Tunnel Fires
Authors: Lee Sung Ryong , Ryou Hong Sun
Published: February 2005

In this study, the critical velocity was investigated with various aspect ratios (0.5, 0.667, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0) of the tunnel cross-section in tunnel fires. Reduced-scale experiments were carried out under the Froude scaling using ethanol pool fire. Temperatures were measured under the ceiling and vertical direction along the center of the tunnel. The effects of aspect ratio on critical velocity were analyzed from smoke movement. It has been found that the critical velocity increases with aspect ratio, where the aspect ratio is height/ width for a tunnel of rectangular cross-section. This study used new dimensionless velocity and dimensionless heat release rate parameters considering aspect ratio of the tunnel. The critical velocity varied with the one-third power of the heat release rate for under-medium fires. The results of this study are compared with other small-scale and full-scale experiments. A good agreement has been obtained.
Halogenated Flame Extinguishants – Some Additional Support for the Physical Mechanism
Authors: Larsen Eric R.
Published: February 2005

In previous papers it was argued that the halogens, as flame extinguishants, act as heat sinks in the same manner as nitrogen although they do enter the combustion chemistry. Thus they act, as extinguishants, as heat sinks although, because of their fuel content, they may also add energy to the system.
Evaluation of the In Vitro Drug Release from Resorbable Biocompatible Coatings for Vascular Stents
Authors: Sharkawi Tahmer , Leyni-Barbaz Daniel , Chikh Nabil , Mcmullen Jean Norbert
Published: February 2005

The objective of this work was to prepare a biocompatible and degradable polymer coating for vascular stents that would release a restenosis inhibitor for a sustained period of time. To do so, two film processing techniques were compared using poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLAGA) polymers as well as the effect of the polymer composition, film thickness and drug loading on the in vitrorelease of dexamethasone from a stent model. Stainless steel square plates (SSSP) were either dipor spraycoated with different polymer proportions of PLA of two different molecular weights (25,000 and 120,000) and PLAGA with a molecular weight of 48,000 with specific drug content and film thickness. The release study was carried out over four months by placing the coated SSSP in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS) pH 7.4. The surface topography of the coated stents was investigated throughout the study by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Analyses were performed on samples before and after the release study. Dip coating produced a much slower release profile than the spray-coated films. None of the dip-coated SSSP samples achieved a β 50% release in 100 days while most of the spray-coated films released 100% of their load in β 120 days. The polymer composition affected the release profile with the dip-coated film with blended homopolymer films releasing more drug than films composed entirely of one homopolymer; however, this difference was not seen with the spray coated films. Drug loading and film thickness did not show a difference in drug release with the spray-coated films. DSC and AFM results showed progression, with time, in the polymer film degradation and erosion. This study demonstrated that it is feasible to coat a stent model with a biocompatible material and that this coating can release a restenosis inhibitor over time. The release from the biocompatible matrix can be modified by using different processing techniques and the release can be engineered to a desired release profile by blending different molecular weight homopolymers in dip-coated films. On the other hand, spray coating with different molecular weight fractions of the same homopolymer did not produce significant release profiles.
Mitomycin-C-loaded Alginate Carriers for Bladder Cancer Chemotherapy: In Vivo Studies
Authors: Erogğlu Muzaffer , Öztürk Eylem , Özdemύr Nalan , Denkbapi Emύr Bakύ , Doğan Isin , Acar Abuzer , Güzel Murat
Published: February 2005

After a transurethral resection (TUR), chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy is usually applied for 6 to 36 weeks to prevent the recurrence of tumoral tissue. These therapies have many problems, so an alternative pharmacotherapeutic agent delivery system that would supply suitable drug levels for specific time periods was explored. A model pharmacotherapeutic agent, mitomycin-C, delivery system was prepared by using alginate, a mucoadhesive polymer, as the carrier. The alginate carriers were prepared by precipitation and cross-linked with ethylene glycol diglycydyl ether. The alginate carrier precipitation medium (CaCl2), cross-linker and mitomycin-C/alginate ratio were varied to obtain desired attachment to the inner wall of the bladder and provide optimum release rate of the agent. The carrier was cylindrically formed to facilitate insertion for in vivostudies. The mitomycin-C-loaded alginate carriers were implanted into the bladder of New Zealand rabbits. Swelling ratios of the alginate carriers varied from 20% to 45% based on precipitation medium and cross-linker concentration. Ultrasonographic and histopathological findings showed that alginate implants could be kept in position for 1 week.
Gel Beads Composed of Chitosan and Polyacids and Their Blood Compatibility
Authors: Paneva D. , Manolova N. , Rashkov I. , Danchev D.
Published: February 2005

Chitosan gel beads were prepared as a model for new chitosan materials and their blood compatibility was evaluated in vitroin human pool plasma and in human whole blood. The one-stage method for the preparation of monolithic beads consisted of performing a template polymerization of 2-acryloylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) or copolymerization of AMPS and acrylic acid. Monolithic beads of semi-interpenetrating networks chitosan/copolymer were prepared in the presence of a cross-linking agent. The equilibrium degree of swelling of the beads was dependent on the composition. Reservoir-type beads consisting of a chitosan core and a coating of polyelectrolyte complex with anticoagulant activity and chitosan were also prepared. The reservoir-type beads and the monolithic beads showed improved compatibility with blood in comparison with the uncoated chitosan beads.
Psychological injury in the two World Wars: changing concepts and terms in German psychiatry
Authors: Kloocke Ruth , Schmiedebach Heinz-Peter , Priebe Stefan
Published: February 2005

This paper describes how German psychiatrists in two World Wars treated psychologically injured soldiers, and the concepts of related illnesses which they developed. The literature is reviewed, and symptomatolgy of patients and therapeutic practice in the wars are compared. By 1916 German psychiatrists had already established a concept of illness that continued to be used until World War II and beyond, albeit with a changing terminology. The vague term ‘war neurosis’ was commonly used, but covered different, partly overlapping concepts. Psychiatrists considered the disorder as a psychogenetic reaction based on an individual predisposition and denied a causal link between the experience of war and subsequent psychopathology. It may be concluded that psychiatrists developed theoretical models and practical treatment methods in a manner that met the social and military requirements of the time.
History of ‘Spiritist madness’ in Brazil
Authors: Moreira-Almeida Alexander , de Almeida Angélica A. Silva , Neto Francisco Lotufo
Published: February 2005

Spiritism is widely accepted in Brazil and influences psychiatric practice, especially through religious-oriented hospitals. However, during the first half of the twentieth century it was considered an important cause of mental illness. This paper first reviews opinions on ‘Spiritist madness’, written by the most eminent psychiatrists of the time, and then discusses the epistemological factors that have contributed to the conflict between medicine and Spiritism. We critically examine the appropriateness of the methods used in the debates, and how this has led to inferences about associations and causal relationships.
Some traits of Norwegian pre-medical social reactions to madness
Authors: Blomberg Wenche
Published: February 2005

A three-phase development of institutions for the mad is suggested, mainly on the basis of studies in Norwegian legal history archives. The discrepancy between two reports of 1812 and 1828 indicates a different watershed in the Norwegian history of psychiatry from the mythical royal decree of 1736.
Lobotomy in Norwegian psychiatry
Authors: Tranøy Joar , Blomberg Wenche
Published: February 2005

Lobotomy is still a hidden chapter in the history of Norwegian psychiatry. The main reasons, which are discussed here, may have been the role of Ørnulv Ødegård at Gaustad Hospital in Oslo and the links between health authorities and the power élite in Norwegian psychiatry.
Optimal Location of Actuators and Sensors in Active Vibration Control
Authors: Bruant I. , Proslier L.
Published: February 2005

Several studies have been conducted in order to find the optimal location of actuators and sensors in the active vibration control of structures. In this paper, a modified optimization criterion is proposed for these two optimization problems, ensuring good observability or good controllability of the structure, and considering residual modes to limit the spill-over effects. Its efficiency is shown by the comparison with the classical criteria, illustrated for a simply supported beam and a rectangular plate. In these two applications, the number of active elements is discussed, using or neglecting the residual modes.
A Comparison between SISO and MIMO Modal Analysis Techniques on a Membrane Mirror Satellite
Authors: Ruggiero Eric J. , Inman Daniel J.
Published: February 2005

The future of space satellite technology lies in the development of ultra-large, ultra-lightweight space structures, orders of magnitude greater in size than the current satellites. Such large crafts will increase communication and imaging capabilities from orbits. Many such proposed ultra-flexible satellites are inflated structures. To get these ultra-large structures in space, they will have to be stored within the Space Shuttle cargo bay and then inflated on-orbit. However, the highly flexible and pressurized nature of these ultra-large spacecraft poses several daunting vibration and control problems. Disturbances (i.e., on-orbit maneuvering, guidance and attitude control, and the harsh environment of space) wreck havoc with the on-orbit stability, pointing accuracy, and surface resolution capability of the inflated satellite. Fortunately, recent advances in integrated smart material systems promise to provide solutions to these problems.

Recent research into the use of Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC®) devices integrated into the dynamic measurement and vibration control of inflated structures has had promising results (Wilkie et al., 2000). These piezoelectric-based devices possess a superior electro-mechanical coupling coefficient making them superb actuators and decent sensors in dynamic analysis applications. Initially, research was performed on an inflated torus using single-input, single-output (SISO) testing techniques. Since then, steps have been taken to outline a new, multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) testing technique for these ultra-large structures. This study applies these results to an inflated torus with bonded membrane mirror to extract modal parameters, such as the damped natural frequencies, associated damping, and mode shapes within the frequency bandwidth of interest for these structures (5–200 Hz). Further, the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the inflated torus and membrane mirror is accentuated through a comparison of SISO and MIMO modal analysis techniques, and a discussion of the nonlinear results follows.

The purpose of this work is to apply the results from prior works to an inflated torus with bonded membrane mirror to accomplish the following three goals: (1) to establish a baseline dynamic characterization of the test structure using SISO modal analysis techniques;(2) to perform a MIMO modal analysis of the test structure to identify natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios, and compare these MIMO results to the SISO analysis; and(3) to use the discrepancies between the two testing technique results as a platform for discussing the nonlinear nature of the test structure. In the future, the results of this work may form the premise for an autonomous, self-contained system that can both identify the vibratory characteristics of an ultra-large, inflated space craft and apply an appropriate control algorithm to suppress any unwanted vibration – all while on-orbit.
Decision Support System for Selecting Collaborative Product Development Partners
Authors: Yoshimura Masataka , Izui Kazuhiro , Kida Shusaku
Published: February 2005

Collaboration is becoming a new current paradigm for product manufacturing, as computer networks facilitate collaboration with partners located in widely distributed locations. Computer network technologies allow a large number of candidate partners to be examined for possible collaboration, so that the most suitable partner, or partners, can be selected from a broader, more diverse group than previously possible. In order to take best advantage of the collaboration paradigm, the precise method for selecting collaborative product development partners is an important technological point. Failed multicompany collaboration projects can do serious harm to the member companies on a number of fronts, in terms of financial cost, loss of prestige, loss of market share, and so on. The optimal collaboration partners should be selected from a group of candidates, so that production of new products can be achieved at a minimum cost, both financial and in terms of effort and expended resources. This paper proposes a decision supporting method for selecting an optimum collaborative product development partner from a group of potential partners. First, the effectiveness of collaborative product development and the need for a partner selection method is clarified. Next, a method for selecting the most suitable product development partner is constructed. Here, technologies that are required for developing the new product are classified into two groups: (1) technologies that have already been developed, and (2) technologies that must be newly developed. The proposed method first excludes unsuitable candidate partners, based on their achievement level concerning existing required technologies, and then selects the most suitable partner from the standpoint of technologies that must be newly developed. Finally, a case study is given to demonstrate the utility of the proposed method.