bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of synthetic fibers as co-reinforcing agents in wood/PVC hybrid composites: effect on tribological properties
Authors: Yotkaew Parichat , Kositchaiyong Apisit , Wimolmala Ekachai , Rosarpitak Vichai , Sombatsompop Narongrit
Published: February 2014

Uses of natural wood/PVC composite products are increasing in various fields of construction and in building materials applications. This present work aimed to develop wood/PVC hybrid composite materials by incorporating synthetic fibers, namely E-glass, S-glass, and carbon fibers. Three different wood flours were also considered, including Xylia kerrii Craib & Hutch, Hevea brasiliensis, and Mangifera indica Linn. The mechanical, morphological, and wear properties were of interest. The results suggested that the addition of synthetic fibers significantly improved the flexural properties of wood/PVC composites, but only slightly affected their specific wear rate values, this effect being most pronounced with the incorporation of carbon fiber and when tested at longer sliding distance. The influence of different wood types showed no definite trend on the specific wear rates of the wood/PVC hybrid composites. Among different counterface materials used, a sandpaper counterface resulted in the highest specific wear rate, which involved a two-body abrasion mechanism. The results of this work indicated that S-glass fiber and XK wood were most suitable for co-reinforcing the wood/PVC composites in terms of wear-resistant applications.
Influence of π overlaminates on the mechanical behavior of all-composite adhesively bonded π joints
Authors: Zhang Jianyu , Zhao Libin , Qin Tianliang , Fu Yue , Fei Binjun
Published: February 2014

An all-composite out-of-plane adhesively bonded π joint is an effective structural connector for integrated aircraft structures. Its application can not only enable both the weight and assembly cost benefits, but also enhance the load-carrying capability. In composite π joints, the π shaped overlaminate is a significant kernel and thus attracts more attention of designers. With progressive damage analyses, the influences of π overlaminates with different configurations, lay-ups and geometric dimensions on the mechanical behaviors of composite π joints are obtained. The failure mechanisms and final failure loads of composite π joints with different π overlaminates are compared to provide more knowledge for the optimal design of such joints. Final failure loads stemmed from the static tensile experiments and physical failure phenomena of three types of π joints are presented. The good agreements between the numerical and experimental results not only validate the effectiveness of the numerical models, but also give evidence of the predicted tendency of strength improvement for composite π joints.
Comparison of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure of 8 versus 5 cm H2O on Outcome After Cardiac Operations
Authors: Hansen Jennifer K. , Anthony David G. , Li Liang , Wheeler David , Sessler Daniel I. , Bashour C. Allen
Published: February 2014

Purpose:

Postoperative positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) selection in patients who are mechanically ventilated after cardiac operations often seems random. The aim of this investigation was to compare the 2 most common postoperative initial PEEP settings at our institution, 8 and 5 cm H2O, on postoperative initial tracheal intubation time (primary outcome); cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU); hospital length of stay (LOS); occurrence of pneumonia; and hospital mortality (secondary outcomes).

Materials and Methods:

The electronic medical records of patients who were mechanically ventilated after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or combined CABG and valve operations were reviewed. Propensity score matching was used to compare patients with an initial postoperative PEEP setting of 8 cm H2O (n = 4722 [25.9%]) with those who had PEEP of 5 cm H2O (n = 13 535 [74.1%]) on the primary and secondary outcomes listed earlier.

Results:

There was no difference in initial postoperative intubation time between the PEEP of 8 cm H2O and the PEEP of 5 cm H2O patient groups (mean 11.9 vs 12.0 hours [median 8.2 vs 8.8 hours], P = .89). The groups did not differ on the occurrence of pneumonia (0.43% vs 0.60%, P = .25) nor on hospital mortality (0.47% vs 0.43%, P = .76). Aspiration pneumonia occurrence approached a significant difference (0.06% vs 0.21%, P value = .052), as did CVICU LOS (mean: 47.9 vs 49.8 hours [median: 28.5 vs 28.4 hours], P = .057), but were not statistically different. There was a slight but likely clinically unimportant difference in hospital LOS (7.7 vs 7.4 days, PEEP = 8 vs 5, P < .001).

Conclusion:

Patients being mechanically ventilated after cardiac operations with an initial postoperative PEEP setting of 8 versus 5 cm H2O differed significantly only on hospital LOS but the difference was likely clinically unimportant. Thus, use of 8 cm H2O PEEP in these patients without a clinical indication, although likely not harmful, does not seem beneficial.
Carboxyl functionalised MWCNT/polymethyl methacrylate bone cement for orthopaedic applications
Authors: Ormsby Ross W , Modreanu Mircea , Mitchell Christina A , Dunne Nicholas J
Published: February 2014

The incorporation of carboxyl functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT-COOH) into a leading proprietary grade orthopaedic bone cement (Simplex P™) at 0.1 wt% has been investigated. Resultant static and fatigue mechanical properties, in addition to thermal and polymerisation properties, have been determined. Significant improvements ( p ≤ 0.001) in bending strength (42%), bending modulus (55%) and fracture toughness (22%) were demonstrated. Fatigue properties were improved ( p ≤ 0.001), with mean number of cycles to failure and fatigue performance index being increased by 64% and 52%, respectively. Thermal necrosis index values at ≥44℃ and ≥55℃ were significantly reduced ( p ≤ 0.001) (28% and 27%) versus the control. Furthermore, the onset of polymerisation increased by 58% ( p < 0.001), as did the duration of the polymerisation reaction (52%). Peak energy during polymerisation increased by 672% ( p < 0.001). Peak area of polymerisation increased by 116% ( p < 0.001) indicating that the incorporation of MWCNT-COOH reduced the rate of polymerisation significantly. A non-significant reduction (8%) in percentage monomer conversion was also recorded. Raman spectroscopy clearly showed that the addition of MWCNT-COOH increased the ratio between normalised intensities of the G-Band and D-Band ( IG/ID), and also increased the theoretical compressive strain (−1.72%) exerted on the MWCNT-COOH by the Simplex P™ cement matrix. Therefore, demonstrating a level of chemical interactivity between the MWCNT-COOH and the Simplex P™ bone cement exists and consequently a more effective mechanism for successful transfer of mechanical load. The extent of homogenous dispersion of the MWCNT-COOH throughout the bone cement was determined using Raman mapping.
Periodontal ligament versus bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in combination with Bio-Oss scaffolds for ectopic and in situ bone formation: A comparative study in the rat
Authors: Yu Bo-Han , Zhou Qian , Wang Zuo-Lin
Published: February 2014

The aim of this study was to compare the osteogenic effects of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) versus bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) in combination with Bio-Oss scaffolds on subcutaneous and critical-size defects in the immunodeficient rat calvarium. PDLSCs and BMMSCs were obtained from the same canine donor. Twenty-four rats were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups ( n = 6 each): group A (no-graft negative control), group B (Bio-Oss positive control), group C (BMMSC/Bio-Oss test group), and group D (PDLSC/Bio-Oss test group). Eight weeks post-transplantation, ectopic and in situ bone regeneration was evaluated by micro-computed tomography (µ-CT), histology, histomorphometry, and immunohistochemistry. The stem cell/Bio-Oss constructs were significantly superior to the controls in terms of their ability to promote osteogenesis ( p < 0.01), while the PDLSC/Bio-Oss construct tended to be superior to the BMMSC/Bio-Oss construct. Thus, engineered stem cell/Bio-Oss complexes can successfully reconstruct critical-size defects in rats, and PDLSCs and BMMSCs are both suitable as seed cells.
Associations Between Dysfunctional Personality Traits and Intimate Partner Violence in Perpetrators and Victims
Authors: Sijtsema Jelle J. , Baan Lotte , Bogaerts Stefan
Published: February 2014

In the current study, the role of borderline and antisocial personality traits and psychological and physical forms of intimate partner violence were examined. Using self- and partner-reports, 30 perpetrators (28 males) and 30 victims (29 females) of partner violence, including 23 (former) couples, were interviewed. Results showed that perpetrators (i.e., males) were higher on antisocial personality traits than victims (i.e., females), but the two groups did not differ on borderline traits and self-reported violence. Moreover, borderline traits were associated with partner violence in general, whereas antisocial personality traits were associated with physical, but not psychological, partner violence. Analyses on (former) couples suggest that there is little congruence between perpetrators’ and victims’ reports of partner violence. In conclusion, the findings of the current study not only emphasized the complex nature of intimate partner violence but also showed that dysfunctional personality traits and gender play a significant role in both the display and reporting of partner violence.
The Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs and Lifetime Experiences of Sexual Victimization Among College Men
Authors: Snipes Daniel J. , Green Brooke A. , Benotsch Eric G. , Perrin Paul B.
Published: February 2014

The non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) has been linked with many negative outcomes in previous studies. Recent literature has begun to examine the role of NMUPD among sexual victimization survivors. The present study examined the associations between NMUPD, recreational drug use, and experiences of sexual victimization among college men. Undergraduate men ( n = 253) elected to take an online survey examining drug use and lifetime sexual victimization experiences. A total of 17% of the sample reported instances of being sexually victimized in their lifetime across four domains (being coerced, threatened, physically forced, or taken advantage of while incapacitated). Results indicate that, across all domains of sexual victimization, non-medical sedative use was robustly associated with sexual victimization in a multivariate model controlling for recreational drug use and demographics. No other non-medically used drug class (anxiolytics, pain medications, and stimulants) was associated with experiences of sexual victimization in the multivariate model. Results expand past literature by illustrating specific drug classes used by survivors of sexual victimization. Implications for interventions for male sexual victimization survivors are discussed.
Simultaneous Dyeing and Finishing of Silk Fabric With Natural Color and Itaconic Acid
Authors: Das Debasish , Datta Dibyendu Bikash , Bhattacharya Pinaki
Published: February 2014

Silk fabric was simultaneously modified with itaconic acid and Allium cepa and itaconic acid and Terminalia arjuna in presence of potassium sodium tartrate as esterification catalyst and potassium peroxodisulfate as free radical polymerization catalyst using a dip-dry-iron-cure technique. Treatment of silk with 6% itaconic acid, 6% potassium sodium tartrate, 0.5% K2S2O8 and any of the above mentioned dyes with subsequent spin drying at 70°C followed by ironing of dried fabric at 70°C and curing of ironed fabric at 140°C for 5 minutes produced most balanced improvements in respect of depth-of-shade, wrinkle recovery, colourfastness to light, wash and rubbing with retention of more than 88% of the original strength. IR analysis of dyed silk fabric indicated that treatment of silk with itaconic acid and either of the above dyes under dual influence of esterification catalyst and free radical polymerization catalyst led to some degree of cross-linking of chains polymers of silk.
Magical Realism in Olga Tokarczuk’s Primeval and Other Times and House of Day, House of Night
Authors: Wampuszyc Ewa V.
Published: February 2014

This article analyzes the magical realist mode of writing in two novels by Polish author Olga Tokarczuk: Primeval and Other Times (1996) and House of Day, House of Night (1998). While Tokarczuk herself rejects the label “magical realism,” her novels exhibit such key magical realist characteristics as disruption of rationally ordered time and space, the rejection of dominant historical and cultural narratives, an exploration of alternate epistemological forms of inquiry, and literalization of language, metaphor, and imagination. In Primeval, Tokarczuk presents a world that exists at the intersection between cyclical (mythical) and linear times; in House the novel asserts historical order through the dominance of space over time. In both novels, Tokarczuk’s poetics of the Word (Logos) becomes key to establishing a sense of magical realism in the texts. By using these and other magical realist narrative techniques, Tokarczuk deftly questions dominant discourses of Polish history and culture, such as that of the “Recovered Territories” or the power of religious faith. The presence of the magical realist mode in Tokarczuk’s work has important implications for the study of magical realism in general and Polish literary studies in particular.
Towards a Conceptualization of Casual Protest Participation
Authors: Mercea Dan
Published: February 2014

There is currently an empirical gap in the literature on protest participation in liberal democracies, which has overwhelmingly focused on Western Europe and North America at the expense of Eastern Europe. To contribute to closing that gap, this article reviews findings from a multi-method field study conducted at FânFest, the environmental protest festival designed to boost participation in Save Roşia Montană, the most prominent environmental campaign in Romania. In contrast to its Western counterparts, Romania has seen markedly lower levels of involvement in voluntary organizations that are a key setting for mobilization into collective action. Concurrently, experience with participation in physical protests is limited amongst Romanians. Specifically, the article probes recent indications that social network sites provide new impetus to protest participation as an instrumental means of mobilization. Dwelling on a distinction between experienced and newcomers to protest, results indicate that social network site usage may make possible the casual participation of individuals with prior protest experience who are not activists in a voluntary organization. Whilst this finding may signal a new participatory mode hinging on digitally networked communication, which is beginning to be theorized, it confounds expectations pertaining to a net contribution of social network site usage to the participation of newcomers to protest.
The Hub and the Spokes
Authors: Scott Janelle , Jabbar Huriya
Published: February 2014

The rise in the influence of and spending by educational philanthropists and foundations over the past two decades, especially in the area of market-based reforms, such as charter schools, vouchers, and merit pay, is evident across the United States. Largely due to philanthropic investments, relatively new educational intermediary organizations (IOs) have also been growing in size, scope, and influence. These new IOs have sought to implement market-based reforms in key urban school districts, frequently based on ideological stances and/or evidence of their efficacy. As yet, researchers have not conceptualized the unique position of foundations in the landscape of intermediary organizations, market-based reforms, and evidence production and utilization. Drawing from a 3-year (2011-2014) study of IOs, research utilization, and policymaking in the case of “incentivist” reforms, we find that foundations are uniquely situated in the reform landscape as a central actor, at the “hub” of intermediary activity as a funder of IOs, but also as a “spoke” in the wheel that helps to mobilize and, in many ways, direct the activities of the IOs. We discuss the implications of the role of foundations in research production, promotion, and utilization for research and policymaking.
Ideological Think Tanks in the States
Authors: Ness Erik C. , Gándara Denisa
Published: February 2014

This study takes an inventory of a particular type of intermediary organization ascendant within the state-level higher education policy: ideological think tanks. Our inventory identifies 99 think tanks: 59 affiliated with the conservative State Policy Network and 40 with the Progressive States Network. The analysis shows that state-level conservative think tanks (CTTs) are more tightly connected to national networks than are progressive think tanks (PTTs). By narrow margins, CTTs are also better funded and have more robust higher education policy activity than PTTs. The two most common policy issues—state funding and costs and affordability—represent higher education issues of equal salience to conservative and progressive organizations but from contrasting ideological perspectives. This inventory of the landscape of ideological think tanks’ activity and their supply of information has implications for future research that might examine policymakers’ demand for and utilization of ideological think tank information and services.
Regional Educational Policy Analysis
Authors: Finnigan Kara S. , Holme Jennifer Jellison , Orfield Myron , Luce Tom , Diem Sarah , Mattheis Allison , Hylton Nadine D.
Published: February 2014

Although regional equity scholars have demonstrated how cross-jurisdictional collaboration on transportation, housing, and employment can promote opportunity for low-income families, few have paid serious attention to the potential of regional educational policy to improve opportunity for children. This study seeks to address this gap by examining inter-district “collaboratives” or cooperative agreements between school districts within a metropolitan area. These collaborative arrangements address two inter-related demographic shifts: the rising level of segregation in public schools and the shift from within district segregation to between-district segregation. This article examines three regional collaboratives (Rochester, NY, Omaha, NE, and Minneapolis, MN) that involve varying degrees of cooperation, funding, and legal force. Drawing on 60 in-depth interviews across the three sites, this analysis considers how each program’s design features interact with local political dynamics to shape the degree to which these collaboratives are able to achieve policy goals.
Doing Borrowed Time: The State, the Law and the Coercive Governance of ‘Undeserving’ Debtors
Authors: Roberts Adrienne
Published: February 2014

This paper documents the shift toward increasingly coercive means of collecting debt from working class and poor borrowers, with a specific focus on incarceration. Placing this trend within an historical trajectory, it is argued that the law has always been central to creating and securing the social relations of debt as class relations. While the abolition of debtors’ prisons in the 19th century helped to shift struggles between debtors and creditors out of public view and into the depoliticized realm of ‘the law’, a number of factors have led to its reappearance in the contemporary era. These include (1) changes to bankruptcy legislation that have given creditors greater power over debtors, (2) the emergence of the debt-buying industry and (3) the growing privatization, decentralization and commercialization of the state, which have transformed it into a creditor that relies on its power to punish to compel payment from some of the poorest debtors.
Confounding Anti-racism: Mixture, Racial Democracy, and Post-racial Politics in Brazil
Authors: Da Costa Alexandre Emboaba
Published: February 2014

In this article, I analyze the particularity of post-racial ideology in Brazil. I examine recent deployments of mixture and racial democracy as re-articulations of historically hegemonic versions of these ideologies that minimize the problem of racism, deny its systemic nature, and deem ethno-racial policies as threats to achieving nonracial belonging and citizenship. Drawing on scholarship on race and racism from the United States, Brazil, and elsewhere in Latin America, I delineate a relational framework for analyzing the post-racial and apply this framework to three examples of post-racial ideology. Through these examples, I illustrate the problematic logics shaping aggressive investments in the post-racial as future promise to the detriment of addressing the unequal effects racial difference presents for inclusion/exclusion today. The article asserts the necessity of mounting transnational and interdisciplinary theoretical, epistemological, and practical strategies to challenge the ways post-racial ideologies rearticulate racial hierarchies, maintain racial subordination, and delimit social change.
Reconceptualizing Debt Bondage: Debt as a Class-Based Form of Labor Discipline
Authors: LeBaron Genevieve
Published: February 2014

This article challenges the tendency to conceptualize contemporary debt bondage as an individualized relationship between employer and victim. It highlights the systemic relations of inequality that underpin debt bondage in advanced capitalist countries, focusing on temporary migrant workers in the United States. It advances two interlocking arguments. First, that debt bondage in the US market is rooted in processes of ‘neoliberalization’ that have left dispossessed populations few alternatives but to sell themselves into coercive labor markets. Second, that debt operates as a class-based form of power that disciplines all sectors of the labor market, albeit in variegated forms and degrees. Far from an archaic or non-capitalist social relation, debt bondage must be understood as a profitable strategy of labor discipline anchored in state regulatory frameworks that have bolstered the power of employers and facilitated predatory and privatized forms of credit and lending as solutions to poverty and unemployment.
Chain microstructure of soluble copolyimides containing moieties of aliphatic and aromatic diamines and aromatic dianhydrides prepared in molten benzoic acid
Authors: Batuashvili Mariya Ruvimovna , Tsegelskya Anna Yurievna , Perov Nikolay Sergeevich , Semenova Galina Konstantinovna , Abramov Igor Gennadievich , Kuznetsov Alexander Alexeevich
Published: February 2014

Two series of high-molecular-weight copolyimides CPI-1 and CPI-2 containing five-membered imide cycles have been prepared by high-temperature polycondensation in molten benzoic acid (BA) at 140°C from a pair of aromatic/aliphatic diamines (9,9-bis(4-amino)fluorene (AFL) and 1,12-dodecamethylene diamine (DDA)) and one dianhydride (4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (in CPI-1 series) or (1,3-phenylene)-bis(4-oxyphtalic anhydride) (in CPI-2 series)) using different order of the components loading. The diamines moiety distribution in chain was analyzed by means of high resolution carbon nuclear magnetic resonance. It is found that CPI-1 and CPI-2 samples prepared using one-shot comonomers/intermonomer loading have random moieties distribution, whereas the samples prepared using stepwise addition of dianhydride to the mixture of two diamines have multiblock (MB) chain microstructure. Thus, despite complicated scheme of CPIs synthesis in molten BA including several reactions, the process as a whole displays a feature typical for ideal one-stage interbipolycondensation of symmetrical components with independent groups. The average block length increases when DDA and dianhydride are added together slowly to AFL solution in molten BA. The phase morphology of CPI-2 was studied by means of differential scanning calorimeter. The data obtained demonstrate symptoms of microphase separation in nascent powders of MB CPI-2.
High-effective preparation of ultrafine poly-(l-lactide-co-∊-caprolactone-diOH) fibers containing silver nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Mengzhu , Song Lihua , Wang Yongpeng , Cheng Zhiqiang , Li Junfeng
Published: February 2014

A novel method utilizing combination of N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to reduce silver (Ag+) ions in situ in ultrafine poly-(l-lactide-co- ∊-caprolactone-diOH) (PCLA) fibers was developed. Compared with traditional solvent reduction method, the new method exhibited much higher efficiency. UV–visible spectra indicated that the addition of UV irradiation could shorten the reaction time dramatically. Transmission electron microscope and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results demonstrated that the new method had produced a larger number of uniform Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). After statistical analysis, their mean size was determined as 6.96 nm, which was smaller than that of traditional AgNPs. In addition, as a biodegradable polymer, PCLA was first used to carry AgNPs. It was found that PCLA can be a stabilizing agent of Ag+ ions. Therefore, the formation mechanism of AgNPs with larger number and smaller size can be determined.
National identity in a foreign context: Irish women accounting for their children’s national identity in England
Authors: Ní Maolalaidh Méabh , Stevenson Clifford
Published: February 2014

Social psychologists have attempted to capture the ideological quality of the nation through a consideration of its taken-for-granted quality, whereby it forms an unnoticed ‘banal’ background to everyday life and is passively absorbed by its members in contrast to its ‘hot’, politically created and contested nature. Accordingly, national identity is assumed to be both passively absorbed from the national backdrop and actively acquired through national inculcation. This raises the question of how national identity is expressed, transmitted and acquired in a foreign context, where the banal national backdrop is unavailable to scaffold identity and the national resources for identity transmission may be unavailable. The present article addresses this gap by examining the situation of Irish women raising children in England. Critical discursive analyses of the 16 interviews revealed that all women treated their children’s national identity and the issue of transmitting identity as dilemmatic: passive transmission risks children passively absorbing English, but active transmission contravenes the assumed naturalness of national identity and can furthermore conflict with children’s own personal choice. These results point to the complex interaction between the management of national identity and the broader personal and national context within which this occurs.
‘200 years of white affirmative action’: White privilege discourse in discussions of racial inequality
Authors: Hastie Brianne , Rimmington David
Published: February 2014

Since the seminal work of McIntosh, research on multiple forms of privilege (race, gender, sexuality, (dis)ability, class, religion) has expanded, with a particular focus on how inducing recognition of privilege can build support for equality. However, evidence has been mixed on whether interventions increase support for policies designed to redress inequality. The present study looks at how respondents use arguments about privilege in naturalistic discussions, in this case, 357 online comments regarding a US Supreme Court ruling of racial discrimination. In particular, we can see how four cumulative strategies build to allow the presentation of racial privilege: connecting past to current inequality; constructing ongoing unequal treatment as contributing to current disadvantage; reclaiming ‘liberal’ arguments for ‘liberal’ ends; and defining group differences as consisting of both disadvantage and privilege. These strategies can be deployed to build a privilege discourse to contest inequality and racism. This provides potential strategies for privilege-based interventions to achieve their aims in increasing support for equality policies.
A cognitive account of expertise: Why Rational Choice Theory is (often) a fiction
Authors: Muntanyola-Saura Dafne
Published: February 2014

This paper arises from the need to explain expert decision-making in professional environments from a plural and interdisciplinary perspective. An extended review of Rational Choice Theory (RCT) from its first developments to current trends makes explicit the mismatch between RCT and empirical work settings. A review of recent theories on the cognitive abilities of agents makes clear the lack of integration between findings in evolutionary psychology, cognitive science, perceptual psychology and neurology, and those proposed by RCT. We will examine the causes for the failure of Good Old Fashioned Artificial Intelligence (GOFAI), the strongest empirical program for testing RCT premises. Contributions from the cognitive and social sciences put forward the weaknesses of analytical sociology at all four levels: the biological, the psychological, the epistemological, and the ontological. Alternative explanations from contemporary cognitive science will be put forward.
Which materialism? Questioning the matrix of psychology, neurology, psychoanalysis, and ideology critique
Authors: de Vos Jan
Published: February 2014

Juxtaposing the materialistic claims of the neurological turn in the psy-sciences in conjunction with the seemingly opposed virtual turn in society more broadly, this article explores the quadruple matrix of psychology/psychoanalysis/neurology/ideology critique. Assuming the challenge of materialism (“ il faut absolutement être materialiste”), the various vicissitudes to which the components of the matrix are subjected to as they become trapped within the materialist–virtual vortex, are explored. It is argued that the failure to adopt a true materialist stance causes the various components of the matrix to collapse into one another. The central question of the paper: “can a psychoanalytic materialistic perspective offer a way out?” is answered, largely via a critical dialogue with Adrian Johnston, by arguing that psychoanalysis deals with a decentred materiality, a materiality of the object a.
The governing of the self/the self-governing self: Multi-rater/source feedback and practices 1940–2011
Authors: Slater Rory , Coyle Adrian
Published: February 2014

This article argues for a more critical contextualisation of multi-rater/source feedback mechanisms applying Foucault’s conceptual template of technologies of objectification and subjectivity/self, as they relate to a mode of “self” government that is intricately entwined with psychological knowledge and expertise. An in-depth genealogical analysis is presented that traces the genesis of two prominent forms of multi-rater/source feedback mechanisms between 1940 and 2011: the educational innovation of the T-Group and the contemporary human resource practice of 360-degree feedback. We conclude that such practices have functioned to enfold individuals within relations of power and signification that impact upon individual self-governance, subjectivity, and identity. As such, the application of 360-degree feedback within contemporary organisational models is emblematic of a programme of government that relies for its effectiveness on the self-regulatory and self-developing capacities of the individual at work.
Livelihoods of theory: The case of Goffman’s early theory of the self
Authors: Morawski Jill
Published: February 2014

Although theory rich, contemporary psychologists have no consensual understanding of what constitutes a theory or how theory should be used, revised, and appraised. Likewise neglected are ways that a theory is taken up in specific research domains and how a theory can change over time. In response to calls for renewing psychology’s appreciation of theory, this article introduces an understanding of theory as vivacious and biographically complex. A dynamic perspective affords means to explore how a theory travels, is taken up in different times and places, and changes. So appreciating theory’s liveliness reveals not only what premises of humans are valued at a given time or within a given research domain, but uncovers vestigial features that were abandoned but might be valuable to contemporary theory work. Theory’s livelihood and travel is illustrated here by Erving Goffman’s early work on the self and its uses by Henry Riecken, Robert Rosenthal, and E. E. Jones.
Relative importance of hydrological and climatic controls on Holocene paleoenvironments inferred using diatom and pollen records from a lake in the central Hudson Bay Lowlands, Canada
Authors: Friel Charlotte E , Finkelstein Sarah A , Davis Anthony M
Published: February 2014

Postglacial paleoenvironmental changes and landscape development in the Hudson Bay Lowlands in subarctic Canada were inferred using sediment properties and diatom and pollen assemblages in the sediments of a lake raised above the surrounding peatlands in an ice-marginal landform. Coarse-grained, inorganic sediments at the base of the Lake AT01 core suggest a high-energy periglacial environment, following isostatic emergence from Hudson Bay around 6840 cal. BP. Initial diatom assemblages dominated by Fragilaria spp., and pollen of Shepherdia canadensis, indicate early successional conditions in a recently deglaciated environment. Around 6200 cal. BP, tychoplanktonic Fragilarioid diatoms are replaced by large benthics. Coincident increases in Equisetum spores, Cyperaceae pollen and sediment organic matter suggest the establishment of a more productive macrophyte-rich shallow lake. While the Holocene Thermal Maximum and subsequent Neoglacial may have contributed to these shifts, pollen and diatom records suggest only subtle responses to Holocene climatic changes. A core chronology inferred from radioisotopes suggests a hiatus in sediment accumulation between 3650 and 200 cal. BP. Peaks in carbonate inferred from loss-on-ignition and increases in bulk density in that section of the core suggest some effect of erosional or thermokarst processes, or the breaching of a sandbar, now a remnant island in the lake, in the drainage of the lake and ensuing hiatus. Sediment accumulation resumed within the past two centuries; diatom assemblages in the uppermost section are characterized initially by benthic diatoms of smaller valve size compared with the pre-hiatus assemblages. More recently, increases in the planktonic diatom Cyclotella stelligera are recorded, signaling significant environmental changes.
Snowfall time-series reconstruction in Italy over the last 300 years
Authors: Enzi Silvia , Bertolin Chiara , Diodato Nazzareno
Published: February 2014

Snow events are not a rare episode in Mediterranean area, especially in northern and hilly areas of Italy. However, snowfall occurring quasi-simultaneously in the whole peninsula is extraordinary. This study collects, reconstructs, and analyzes the extraordinary snowfall episodes that occurred simultaneously in the whole Italian peninsula since 1709. This is the longest snowfall time series in the central Mediterranean area. The data, obtained by several documentary sources (from ancient archival to online databases), have been analyzed using different statistical tests, in order to explore normality, homogeneity, and stationarity. The results are characterized by a time-series stationarity with a quasi 60- and 100-year-dominant oscillation. No clear trend in the snowfall episode records is found. The 60-year cycle roughly matches with global-scale oscillations linked to natural forces, such as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and the winter North Atlantic Oscillation. Particular attention was directed to analyze the impact of snowfall on pre-industrial society, underlining the differences among northern and central regions, where snow was a more usual phenomenon, and its impact was mainly on transports of supplies or exceptionally on buildings, and southern regions, where it had a stronger impact also on orchards and cattle.
Coastal forest and Miombo woodland history of the Vilankulo region, Mozambique
Authors: Ekblom Anneli , Risberg Jan , Holmgren Karin
Published: February 2014

The present day distribution of Miombo savanna-woodland in Mozambique has been attributed to an expansion due to the clearing of original coastal forests through agriculture and use of fire. Here, we test this hypothesis using palaeoecological data from Lake Nhauhache, situated in the Vilankulo region. Our analysis shows that Brachystegia, one of the main constituents of the Miombo, has varied over time, and its variability seems to be driven by hydrological changes related to climatic variability rather than by land-use changes. The analyses show that Brachystegia was most common during ad 200–700 when a marshy forest/shrub community was dominant. After ad 700, this community changes to a dominance of Syzygium and Fagara linked to gradually rising water levels. Brachystegia remains in low abundance and fluctuating over time. From ad 1000, a general decline in trees/shrubs in favour of grasses concurs with an increase in grass pollen (possibly cereal) and charcoal, most probably as a result of farming activities. The decline in tree taxa was probably exacerbated by periodic droughts after c.ad 1200 as indicated by the diatom assemblage. In the period ad 1700 to late 1800, arboreal pollen is well represented, and this is concurrent with the diatom record suggesting high lake levels.
Impact of public domain resources on public libraries in the United States
Authors: Arendt Anne , Fife Dustin
Published: February 2014

Ownership and rights issues relating to electronic resources can be a source of angst, confusion and litigation. This is due in part to the automatic copyright many individuals receive, including in the United States, upon creation of an original work. However, there are options available for relaxing these rights. One of these options is Creative Commons Zero. Essentially, Creative Commons Zero permits originators of materials of varying sorts to opt to put their creations into the public domain – waiving all copyright and intellectual rights. The ability for originators of works to place these items into the public domain affects not just that individual, but also all others who might make use of the resources or be affected by others who make use of the resources. One area likely to be both directly and indirectly impacted is libraries. After all, a public library is accessible by the public and contains a collection of materials or records kept for reference or borrowing and is generally funded from public sources. In the United States there are approximately 9225 public libraries (administrative entities) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (US Census Bureau, 2009). Based on the above, this document researches the awareness, complexity and effects of Creative Commons Zero and related licenses on libraries as perceived by library directors and managers across the United States. In order to accomplish this, a quantitative survey was administered in an anonymous web-based format.
Cervical cancer screening by high risk HPV testing in routine practice: results at one year recall of high risk HPV-positive and cytology-negative women
Authors: Mistro Annarosa Del , Frayle Helena , Ferro Antonio , Callegaro Susanna , Sole Annamaria Del , Stomeo Anna , Cirillo Emanuela , Fedato Chiara , Pagni Silvana , Barzon Luisa , Zorzi Manuel
Published: February 2014

Objective

Cervical cancer screening by human papillomavirus (HPV) testing requires the use of additional triage and follow-up analyses. We evaluated women’s compliance with and the performance of this strategy in a routine setting.

Setting

Five cervical service screening programmes in North-East Italy.

Methods

Eligible women aged 25-64 invited for a new screening episode underwent HPV testing for high risk types (hrHPV by Hybrid Capture 2) and cytology triage. Women with positive HPV and cytology results were referred for colposcopy; women with positive HPV but negative cytology results were referred to 1-year repeat hrHPV testing.

Results

Of 46,694 women screened by HPV testing up to December 2011, 3,211 (6.9%) tested hrHPV positive; 45% of these had a positive triage cytology. Those with negative cytology were invited for 1-yr repeat testing. Compliance with invitation was 61.6% at baseline and 85.3% at 1-yr repeat. Rate of persistent hrHPV positivity was 58% (830/1,435). Colposcopy performed in women with a positive hrHPV test at 1-yr repeat accounted for 36% of all colposcopies performed within the screening programmes. Cumulatively, a histological high-grade lesion was detected in 276 women (5.9‰ detection rate), 234 at baseline (85%), and 42 (15%) at 1-yr repeat.

Conclusions

Compliance with hrHPV-based screening programmes was high both at baseline and at 1-yr repeat. Compared with the randomized trials, a higher proportion of triage cytology was read as positive, and only a small number of high-grade lesions were detected among the group of hrHPV positive cytology negative women who repeated testing 1-yr after baseline.
Condom use in prevention of Human Papillomavirus infections and cervical neoplasia: systematic review of longitudinal studies
Authors: Lam Janni Uyen Hoa , Rebolj Matejka , Dugué Pierre-Antoine , Bonde Jesper , von Euler-Chelpin My , Lynge Elsebeth
Published: February 2014

Objectives

Based on cross-sectional studies, the data on protection from Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections related to using male condoms appear inconsistent. Longitudinal studies are more informative for this purpose. We undertook a systematic review of longitudinal studies on the effectiveness of male condoms in preventing HPV infection and cervical neoplasia.

Methods

We searched PubMed using MeSH terms for articles published until May 2013. Articles were included if they studied a change in non-immunocompromized women’s cervical HPV infection or cervical lesion status along with the frequency of condom use.

Results

In total, 384 abstracts were retrieved. Eight studies reported in 10 articles met the inclusion criteria for the final review. Four studies showed a statistically significantly protective effect of consistent condom use on HPV infection and on regression of cervical neoplasia. In the remaining four studies, a protective effect was also observed for these outcomes, although it was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Consistent condom use appears to offer a relatively good protection from HPV infections and associated cervical neoplasia. Advice to use condoms might be used as an additional instrument to prevent unnecessary colposcopies and neoplasia treatments in cervical screening, and to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
Sexuality Education in Malaysia
Authors: Khalaf Zahra Fazli , Low Wah Yun , Merghati-Khoei Effat , Ghorbani Behzad
Published: February 2014

This research explored the perspectives of Malaysian professionals on the issues and barriers affecting the implementation of sexuality education in Malaysia. This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 15 key professionals working in the field of sexuality and reproductive health in Malaysia. Thematic analysis was selected to analyze data. Barriers to sexuality education were perceived from 5 aspects: feasibility, acceptability, accountability, strategies, and community unawareness. Respondents believed that implementing national sexuality education is a time-consuming project. They regarded Malaysian multicultural society as a barrier to national sexuality education, and they believed that school-based sexuality education is not easily accomplished in Malaysia; also abstinence-only policy restricts the access of young people to accurate information. Lack of community involvement was perceived as a key concern to sexuality education. Campaigning to promote awareness of families, teachers, community leaders, and policy makers are recommended to help establishing national sexuality education in Malaysia.
The impact of the economic crisis on joblessness in Turkey
Authors: Bahçe Seçil A Kaya , Memiş Emel
Published: February 2014

This study explores the impacts of the 2008–2009 economic crisis on joblessness in Turkey, incorporating into the analysis the marginally attached who would like to work if the opportunity existed, but are not actively searching for a job. We find that women were more likely than men to have a marginally attached status over the whole period of analysis, and during the time of the crisis, the number of marginally attached grew significantly faster for women than for men. The transition probability for the employed to become marginally attached and move out of the labour force rose substantially more for women than it did for men. The results obtained have important implications. Using conventional criteria, it is not possible to identify the degree of motivation to work or search for work in the case of women in Turkey, where the possibilities of shifting the care of burden to someone else or an institution are very limited, as a result of inadequate provisioning of public care services.
School Nurses’ Experiences With Motivational Interviewing for Preventing Childhood Obesity
Authors: Bonde Ane Høstgaard , Bentsen Peter , Hindhede Anette Lykke
Published: February 2014

Motivational interviewing is a counseling method used to bring about behavior change; its application by school nurses for preventing obesity in children is still new. This study, based on in-depth interviews with 12 school nurses, shows how school nurses adapted motivational interviewing and integrated it into their daily practice along with other methods they knew from the past. Three dilemmas for school nurses were revealed: when the child was severely overweight and the parents did not perceive this as a problem, when the child and the parents were at different stages of motivation to change, and when applying an individualized approach such as motivational interviewing for preventing a complex societal problem, in this instance obesity. The study raises an important issue to consider, with implications for school nursing and obesity prevention: motivational interviewing as either a counseling method or a prevention strategy.
Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Myeloma
Authors: Crowley Maeve P. , Eustace Joseph A. , O’Shea Susan I. , Gilligan Oonagh M.
Published: February 2014

Myeloma has a well-described association with venous thromboembolism (VTE). There are few dedicated studies investigating the incidence and risk factors. Many assessment scores have been suggested to estimate the risk of VTE in patients with cancer but these have been validated in solid organ tumors. The records of patients with myeloma attending a university hospital between January 2007 and December 2012 were reviewed to investigate the incidence of VTE and the associated risk factors. In all, 217 patients with a mean (standard deviation) age at diagnosis of 65 (12) years were included. Of 217 patients, 12% had an episode of VTE, 69% received at least 1 immunomodulatory agent, and 95% had low or intermediate risk of VTE according to the Khorana score. Venous thromboembolism was a frequent occurrence in this cohort. Patients had many risk factors for VTE but no one was predictive. As myeloma outcomes continue to improve, a dedicated prospective study is warranted to investigate the most appropriate thromboprophylaxis strategy.