bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplementation of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol prevents arsenic-induced protein oxidation and DNA damage induced by arsenic in rats
Authors: Kadirvel R , Sundaram K , Mani S , Samuel S , Elango N , Panneerselvam C
Published: March 2008

Contamination of arsenic in drinking water is associated with several human diseases including cancer. It has been reported that oxidative stress plays a vital role in arsenic-induced biochemical and molecular alterations. The aim of the present study was to improve the understanding of arsenic-induced oxidative damage to proteins and to DNA and the role of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol in alleviating arsenic-induced damages in experimental rats. A significant increase in the levels of protein oxidation, DNA strand breaks, and DNA–protein cross-links was observed in blood, liver, and kidney of rats exposed to arsenic (100 ppm in drinking water) for 30 days. Co-administration of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol to arsenic-exposed rats showed a substantial reduction in the levels of arsenic-induced oxidative products of protein and DNA. The results of this study support that free radical–mediated toxic manifestations of arsenic and also suggest that ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol supplementation can improve the arsenic-induced molecular alterations.
Learning Leadership Online: A Synergy of the Medium and the Message
Authors: Cini Marie A.
Published: March 2008

Teaching leadership online is a new and often daunting enterprise for educators. However, the medium of computer conferencing is, in fact, useful for introducing students to the skills of self- and team-based leadership, particularly to prepare students for their future roles in virtual team-based organizations. Organizations of the future will thrive to the extent that employees at all levels in an organization can exercise leadership initiative and can effectively use information technology (Klenke, 1997; Heterick, 1996). This article describes the synergy that can be created when leadership education is adapted to the online environment and describes effective implementation strategies for instructors.
Stepping up to assume greater organizational leadership: How public relations professionals are poised to lead the telecommuting charge in the new millennium
Authors: Basso Joseph
Published: March 2008

The author explored the impact that telecommuting, or cybercommuting, has on the current corporate climate and details the need for a greater organizational leadership position for public relations professionals in managing the virtual office work force.

The author used information gathered from a qualitative study that detailed the job tasks and responsibilities associated with the telecommuter and analyzed the impact of technology in redefining the work environment.

Finally, the author, using a systems theory approach to detail how trained public relations professionals are ideally suited to take on greater organizational leadership roles in managing the telecommuting environment thus enabling organizations to reap greater benefits from the virtual office setting.
Local Newspaper Coverage of Health Authority Fairness During Cancer Cluster Investigations
Authors: Besley John C. , McComas Katherine A. , Trumbo Craig W.
Published: March 2008

This study explores local newspaper coverage of official cancer cluster investigations in seven different communities. The authors developed the underlying coding schema based on social-psychological research about how individuals assess the fairness of decision makers. The analysis therefore focuses on the degree to which news coverage describes science authorities as being procedurally just, which includes relational fairness and voice. The findings suggest that a significant amount of cancer cluster news coverage includes content consistent with procedural aspects of fairness. The authors also found substantial content suggesting that decision makers should “do more” to address community concerns. The authors hypothesize that such content may also be relevant to procedural justice. The discussion addresses the theoretical and practical use of additional research examining the media portrayal of scientific authorities as fair or unfair.
Regulation by Carbon Dioxide of Wound-induced Ethylene Biosynthesis in the Peel of Citrus Fruit
Authors: Zacarías L. , Alférez F.
Published: March 2008

The effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) on wound-induced ethylene biosynthesis in flavedo discs of mature orange fruits (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) is investigated. Wounding induced a marked and rapid increase on the rate of ethylene production, the content of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and on the in vivo ACC oxidase (ACO) activity. Incubation of flavedo discs in a 15% CO2 atmosphere suppressed activation of these processes. Wound-induced ethylene production was inhibited by CO2 in a concentration-dependent manner but ACO activity was enhanced at concentrations between 1% and 5%. Kinetic analysis of the interaction between CO2 and ACO activity indicated that high CO2 acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor. Removal of CO2 after 24 h incubation did not restore normal rates of ethylene production. CO2 partially counteracted the increase in ethylene production and ACO activity induced by a pretreatment with an ethylene action inhibitor (STS, silver thiosulfate). This suggested that part of CO2 action on ethylene biosynthesis might be due to interfering ethylene action. Collectively, the results indicated that ACS activity appeared to be the major regulatory step by which CO2 suppresses wound-induced ethylene production. ACO was differentially modulated by CO2, which is being stimulated at low concentrations and inhibited at high concentrations.
Correlation between Flavour Compounds and Sensory Properties of Potherb Mustard (Brassica juncea, Coss.) Pickle
Authors: Dayun Zhao  , Jian Tang  , Xiaolin Ding
Published: March 2008

To characterise the flavour of the indigenous Chinese potherb mustard (Brassica juncea, Coss.) pickle, 28 samples representing two typical types with different brining storage time were sourced from 14 cities in the Yangtze River Delta Megalopolis area in China, either short time storage or long time storage pickles sampled from cities open markets. Pickle samples were assessed by descriptive sensory evaluation conducted using a trained panel and an established pickle flavour lexicon. Pickle samples were also analysed for flavour components, as expressed by physico-chemical parameters. The relationships between the flavour compounds and sensory properties of pickles were studied by the partial least squares (PLS) regression method. Results demonstrated that some latent variables both in the independent variables (physico-chemical parameters) and dependent variables (taste sensory attributes) can be extracted to build the PLS models for prediction. PLS1 regression of sensory data revealed that preference was predominantly related to umami taste, whereas umami taste was mainly related to free amino acid of glutamic acid and aspartic acid contents in the pickle juice. The biplot of PLS2 with all the samples and variables explained 100% of the X-variables (instrumental measurements) and 85% of the Y-variables (taste sensory attributes). The prediction abilities of the PLS models obtained yield good results for the prediction of taste sensory characteristics of potherb mustard pickle according to physico-chemical parameters analysis. However, the total instrumental analysing parameters collected for judgement of potherb mustard pickle quality was a rather large set of data, sensory values evaluated by trained panelists are relatively convenient to obtain. These results illustrated the application of multivariate analysis as an effective strategy for improving the quality of potherb mustard pickles.
Mathematical Modelling of Drying of Rough Rice in Stacks
Authors: Akal D. , Kahveci K. , Cihan A.
Published: March 2008

In this study, drying behaviour of rough rice stacks up to 30 cm is simulated with several models. The suitability of models is determined by the statistical analysis by examining the values of correlation coefficient, standard deviation and mean squared deviation. The results showed that the best model to explain the drying characteristics of rough rice stack is the Midilli et al. model and the coefficients and exponent in the Midilli et al. model could be expressed as functions of drying temperatures and stack height. Statistical analyses also showed that among the models with two coefficients, that of Page, and among the models with three coefficients, that of Verma et al. and diffusion approach were acceptable models in expressing the drying behaviour of rough rice in stacks. Among the models considered here, the geometric model appeared to be the worst fit.
Study on Sodium Caseinate Foam Stability by Multiple Light Scattering
Authors: Sceni P. , Wagner J.R.
Published: March 2008

Foams stability is a critical property for food applications. The main destabilisation processes of liquid foams are drainage, disproportionation and collapse. In the present work, destabilisation of foams prepared with sodium caseinate dispersions (2—10% w/w) were studied by multiple light scattering (Quick Scan). Results were corroborated by optical microscopy and a traditional volumetric method. Kinetics of drainage and collapse were fitted by the empirical equation α(t) = α max.tn/(tn+tn1/2) where α(t) refers to the volume of drainage liquid (α(t) = V(t)) at time t or the normalised area of collapse (α(t) = Ac(t)) at time t, while αmax refers to the maximum volume of drained liquid (αmax = Vmax) or the maximum collapse area (α max = Amax), n describes the sigmoidal character of the curve and t1/2 is the half-life of drainage or collapse, respectively. Disproportionation kinetics was fitted by the exponential decay model BS(t)=a+b exp(-t/k), where BS(t) is the backscattering as a function of time, b refers to the maximum BS and k is inversely related to BS fall rate. From the results obtained it was possible to obtain parameters for destabilisation kinetics and determine the global stability of foams, which increase with the protein concentration.
Effect of Heating on Onion (Allium cepa L.) Antiplatelet Activity and Pungency Sensory Perception
Authors: Cavagnaro P.F. , Sance M.M. , Galmarini C.R.
Published: March 2008

Onion, in its raw form, is recognized as an antiplatelet agent that may contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. In raw onions, the content of pyruvate, is significantly correlated with antiplatelet activity (AA) and the sensory perception of pungency. However, onion is generally cooked before consumption. Herein, we examine the effect of heating — using different boiling intensities — on the in vitro antiaggregatory activity (IVAA), the pyruvate concentration and the flavor (pungency) of crushed-onion samples. In general, heating is detrimental for onion AA. Boiling for 3 min has no significant effect on platelet aggregation, as compared to raw onion. Heating for 46 min completely suppresses IVAA, whereas samples boiled for > 20 min have pro-aggregatory effects. Significant differences in AA are found between the blood donors. Pyruvate content is not reduced after 30 min boiling. Pungency ratings decrease with the intensity of the heat treatment. Strong significant positive correlations are found between IVAA and pungency, but not between pyruvate and the former two variables. Our results suggest that: (i) in order to obtain the maximum health benefits onions should be eaten raw or moderately cooked, (ii) extensive heating may result in pro-aggregatory effects, (iii) pyruvate is not a good indicator of AA in cooked onions, (iv) the decrease in IVAA and pungency during onion cooking may be due to degradation of sulfur compounds (e.g. thiosulfinates) which are, likely, less tolerant than pyruvate to the high temperatures.
Instrumental Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) of Shelled Sunflower Seed Caramel Snack Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Gupta R.K. , Sharma Alka , Sharma R.
Published: March 2008

Models capable of predicting product quality of shelled sunflower seed caramel snack have been developed using response surface methodology. The textural profile analysis was conducted on the snacks using a texture analyzer. The quality attributes measured were hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, chewiness, and resilience as a function of sugar and sunflower kernels content. The sugar and shelled seed proportions affect the textural characteristics of the product significantly (p<0.05). The values of hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, chewiness, and resilience varied from 2.048 to 42.030 N, 1.002 to 5.003, 1.138 to 1.69, 2.773 to 228.146N, and 0.301 to 0.779, respectively. The highest values of hardness and chewiness were attained for the product with 70:30 sugar and shelled sunflower seed proportion respectively. Similarly the highest values of cohesiveness, springiness and resilience were observed in 50 : 30, 50 : 40, and 50 : 50 proportions respectively. The lowest values of hardness and chewiness were observed in 50 : 50 (sugar: shelled sunflower seed) proportion respectively. Similarly the lowest values of cohesiveness were observed in 70: 50 whereas the lowest values of springiness and resilience were observed in 70 : 30 proportions respectively. Hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness trended to increase whereas springiness and resilience decreased with increase in sugar proportion.
Evaluation of Peanut Flour Fermented with Lactic Acid Bacteria as a Probiotic Food
Authors: Wang N.-F. , Shi Y.-H. , Sun J. , Le G.-W.
Published: March 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate the probiotic value of peanut flour fermented with lactic acid bacteria in vitro and in vivo. Four strains including Lactobacillus delbrueckii LD09, Lactobacillus casei LC35, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA51, and Lactobacillus plantarum P9 were screened for their growth and survival in peanut flour. Among all the strains, L. plantarum P9 grew to the highest cell population (9.48 log cfu/g) in peanut flour after 72 h fermentation at 37°C. After 28 days storage at 4°C, no marked change in the viable count of this strain was observed. Peanut flour fermented with L. plantarum P9 could also increase the content of crude protein and the degree of protein hydrolysis. In an in vitro system, the addition of protein from the fermented peanut flour greatly enhanced the survival of L. plantarum P9 in simulated gastric and bile juices. In vivo studies, supplementation with the fermented peanut flour in the diet of mice increased significantly the number of lactobacilli in the fecal samples compared to the control group. At the same time, the number of enterobacteria decreased significantly. These results indicated that peanut flour fermented with L. plantarum P9 strain could be a novel type of probiotic food.
Preparation and Characterization of Osmodehydrated Fruits from Lemon and Date By-products
Authors: Masmoudi M. , Besbes S. , Blecker C. , Attia H.
Published: March 2008

An osmotic dehydration process (ODP) was established in order to formulate osmodehydrated fruits from lemon and date by-products. ODP was conducted at 40°C, maintained using an oven, or a water bath with continuous stirring. The kinetics of the osmodehydration in a water bath showed a better mass transfer. Then, osmodehydrated fruit (ODF) preparations of about 40°Brix were formulated using different isotonic solutions (sucrose, glucose/sucrose, glucose, and date juice). All the formulated products showed better characteristics (lower acidity, higher sugar content, etc.) than the untreated lemon by-product. The isotonic solution composition influenced their physical characteristics such as microstructure and viscosity. In fact, ODF prepared in glucose and glucose/sucrose solutions presented more open structures, lower viscosities, and water holding capacities (WHC) than the others. The products were microbiologically stable during 3 months at 4°C. These results support the valorization of lemon and date by-products as ODF that could be consumed or incorporated as an ingredient in food formulations.
Oxidative Stability of Edible Vegetable Oils Enriched in Polyphenols with Olive Leaf Extract
Authors: Salta F.N. , Mylona A. , Chiou A. , Boskou G. , Andrikopoulos N.K.
Published: March 2008

Commercially available oils (olive oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, and a vegetable shortening) were enriched in polyphenols, by adding olive leaf extract. Addition of the extract was performed in such way that the oils were enriched with 200 mg/kg polyphenols. Total polyphenols of both enriched and commercial oils were estimated by the Folin—Ciocalteau assay, while identification and quantification of individual simple phenolic compounds was performed by GC/MS and of oleuropein by HPLC analysis. The enrichment resulted in the supplementation of the commercial oils mainly with oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and quercetin. Antioxidant capacity and oxidative stability of the enriched oils and the commercial ones were assessed by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging assay and the Rancimat method, respectively. Both antioxidant capacity and oxidative stability were substantially improved for all the oils studied after supplementation. By the procedure adopted, oils rich in polyphenols, mainly in oleuropein, can be produced with olive leaf extract supplementation.
The European Project, Federalism and Evaluation
Authors: Stame Nicoletta
Published: March 2008

The US federalist system has been at the origin of evaluation in many ways: providing a laboratory for experimentation of innovative policies, and requiring evaluation of the growing federal intervention from the War on Poverty onwards. Evaluation approaches have been developed that took into consideration the multiple forms of collaboration activated by the federalist system.This experience offers a benchmark for considering evaluation of EU policies and programmes, as it has been elicited by the complex system of EU governance, encompassing both federalist trends — towards concentration of powers at the centre and towards autonomy at the lower levels. First, the article analyses the effects of the centralistic administrative culture of the EU on the way evaluations are conducted at the different levels. Second, it focuses on how the European value added is assessed in the evaluation of two main mechanisms of EU governance that imply a partnership between different jurisdictions: the Structural Funds programmes and the Open Method of Coordination.To do this, it discusses a growing literature of evaluations that utilize theories of power relations, from multilevel governance and network to principal—agent.
Evaluation Systems
Authors: Leeuw Frans L. , Furubo Jan-Eric
Published: March 2008

Increasingly, in the world of evaluation, `systems of evaluation' have been developed.This article outlines four criteria that help characterize such systems. One criterion is the existence of a distinctive epistemological perspective; another is that, in order to be labelled a system, evaluation activities are carried out by evaluators within organizational structures and institutions and not only (or largely) by `lonely' or sole-trader evaluators. Permanence is the third criterion and the fourth is that there is a focus on the intended use of results of evaluations. Examples of systems are the performance-monitoring system, the `experimentalist' system and the evaluation-accreditation system. Several problematic aspects of these systems are described, making it relevant to study them. One of these is the danger that evaluation systems breed (new) evaluation systems.Another problem is that these systems may produce largely routinized information relevant for day-to-day practices and single-loop learning processes, but which is of little relevance for fundamental reassessments of policies and programmes.
Improving Performance?
Authors: Nielsen Steffen Bohni , Ejler Nicolaj
Published: March 2008

This article focuses on what some sceptics see as disillusionment with conventional evaluation practice, in that many governments experience only limited use of evaluation findings.This has contributed to a significant increase in results-based performance measurement. Yet not everyone in the evaluation community welcomes this development.The authors make the point that significant complementarities exist between evaluation and performance measurement and therefore the boundaries between these practices may need to be redefined. In other words, evaluators will need to enter into a constructive dialogue with performance management practitioners. By investigating their methodological similarities and differences, the authors argue that evaluation studies and performance measurement are highly complementary forms of knowledge production. Finally, they argue that evaluation tools may in fact strengthen a number of the identified shortcomings of performance measurement systems when applied in performance management.
Balancing Independence and Responsiveness
Authors: Lonsdale Jeremy
Published: March 2008

This article examines the relationships of the National Audit Office (NAO) — the state audit institution (SAI) of the United Kingdom — with a range of third parties that shape the performance audit work the NAO undertakes. In particular, it considers from a practitioner perspective how the NAO has sought to balance its independence with the desire to be responsive to the expectations of others. It concludes that, while independence remains crucial to the credibility of the value for money auditor, examining the connections made by the NAO in its value for money work also helps to explain the hybrid discipline that performance auditing has become in recent years.
Playing in the Mud
Authors: Camic Paul M.
Published: March 2008

Health psychologists' use of the arts is an emerging area for research and practice. This article examines recent research findings and suggests strategies for incorporating the arts in health care across a wide range of clinical and community settings. Ethological theories support the evolutionary significance of the arts in human development and help form a foundation to understand the biopsychosocial processes involved in arts participation. This article builds upon this foundation and presents a wide range of arts and health interventions in the areas of health promotion and prevention, illness management, clinical assessment and improvement of the health care system.
The Impact of Participation in Performing Arts on Adolescent Health and Behaviour
Authors: Daykin Norma , Orme Judy , Evans David , Salmon Debra , McEachran Malcolm , Brain Sarah
Published: March 2008

This article reports a systematic review of literature published between 1994 and 2004 on the effects of performing arts for health in young people aged 11—18. The review includes research on music, performance, drama and dance in community settings and non-curricular mainstream education. A total of 17 electronic databases were searched and 3670 papers identified, 104 of which met relevance criteria. Full text scrutiny of 85 papers was undertaken and 14 of these were identified for review. The research was heterogeneous, making overall synthesis of results inappropriate. The review demonstrates that research on the impact of the performing arts on young people is at a relatively early stage.
Love Medicine for the Dying and Their Caregivers
Authors: Lander Dorothy A. , Graham-Pole John R.
Published: March 2008

We present a body of evidence for love medicine, originating in the shamanic physical/spiritual healing arts, embodying end-of-life (EOL) palliation through relationships of loving, artful witness between caregivers and receivers. We base the conclusions of our professional (doctor) and familial (spouse) practices on the practitioner/research methodology, Appreciative Inquiry , focused on life-affirming experiences, and epitomizing love medicine in `building' relationship through artful narratives between caregiver and receiver (experiential model), to complement `taking' clinical histories (biomedical model). Our witness to these healing effects, supported by relevant literature, builds a body of evidence for the power of love in EOL care.
Love Stories about Caregiving and Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Mcintyre Maura , Cole Ardra
Published: March 2008

Love Stories is a spoken-word performance created from data gathered from family caregivers about their experiences of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. We present the Love Stories script with an accompanying methodological commentary and put forward a framework of `Loving Research' based on a model of dementia care proposed by the late Tom Kitwood. Kitwood proposed a five-part model of psychological needs of people with dementia centred on the fundamental and universal human yearning for love. Loving care brings to the person with dementia opportunities for attachment, identity, inclusion, occupation and comfort. Loving Research, we argue, brings these same qualities to readers, viewers and research participants.
Using the Arts in Teaching and Learning
Authors: Thomas Elizabeth , Mulvey Anne
Published: March 2008

Perspectives have emerged within health psychology that focus on the social constitution of health and emphasize community development and social change strategies to reduce human suffering and improve quality of life. Education and training are needed to build student capacity in these areas. Our analysis, grounded in theoretical, empirical, and experiential evidences, suggests that the arts may play a leading role in building this student capacity for community research and action. Major themes are that the arts promote student understandings of the values, goals, and practices of community-based work and enable meaningful student roles in community-based partnerships. Narrative accounts of our use of creative writing, visual arts, poetry, film, and theater in classroom and community-based practice with students illustrate these themes.
Health Psychology and the Arts
Authors: Murray Michael , Gray Ross
Published: March 2008

Critical approaches within health psychology continue to explore new methods of working and new theoretical ideas from other disciplines. One area that remains under-explored is the potential links with the arts. This special issue contains a selection of empirical and theoretical reports on the linkages between health psychology and the arts. It includes arts and health projects in clinical, community and educational contexts; projects with young and old people, projects with people from different social and ethnic background and projects using different forms of art. This article introduces the special issue and uses a dialogic format to consider some of the broader issues.
Impact of Music Therapy to Promote Positive Parenting and Child Development
Authors: Nicholson Jan M. , Berthelsen Donna , Abad Vicky , Williams Kate , Bradley Julie
Published: March 2008

The effectiveness of a 10-week group music therapy program for marginalized parents and their children aged 0—5 years was examined. Musical activities were used to promote positive parent—child relationships and children's behavioral, communicative and social development. Participants were 358 parents and children from families facing social disadvantage, young parents or parents of a child with a disability. Significant improvements were found for therapist-observed parent and child behaviors, and parent-reported irritable parenting, educational activities in the home, parent mental health and child communication and social play skills. This study provides evidence of the potential effectiveness of music therapy for early intervention.
Lost in Translation
Authors: Putland Christine
Published: March 2008

Reflecting a wider preoccupation with `evidence-based-policy', the effectiveness of community-based arts practice designed to promote individual and community level health and well-being is in the spotlight. Evidence is said to remain elusive despite the proliferation of initiatives and government investment. Responses to this issue can broadly be characterized as health perspectives (calling for more scientific approaches to evaluation research that go beyond anecdote and opinion) and arts perspectives (concerned about reductive measures and narrowly prescribed social outcomes). This article seeks to advance an intersectoral dialogue by highlighting the tensions within present approaches and canvassing alternative frameworks.
Experiencing Music Therapy Cancer Support
Authors: Rykov Mary H.
Published: March 2008

I portray health-related research outcomes in an arts-informed representation that disrupts the traditional discursive-scholarly format of journal writing to privilege better the participants' accounts and communicate these experientially. The representation uncovers meaning through alternative ways of communicating and conveys the ineffable quality of music in a manner that may be understood through and beyond words. This expands the convention of health-related research outcomes, including ways of knowing, what can be known and how this can be represented. I elaborate my intentions for this experiential report, discuss theoretical underpinnings of this methodology and describe a music therapy support group model.
`Click here': the impact of new media on the encoding of persuasive messages in direct marketing
Authors: Cheung Ming
Published: March 2008

With the increasing popularity of the Internet, email marketing has become a convenient and dynamic mode of communication that enables business organizations and personal sellers to promote their products or services at a much lower cost and with a potentially more global reach. This article aims to examine the impact of new media on the encoding of persuasive messages in sales emails as a channel of direct marketing, and the extent to which the use of new media influences the overall interactional or social strategy of credibility enhancement and persuasion in the context of sales promotion. A genre analysis based on a modified move scheme proposed in this study was conducted on 160 sales letters (80 emails and 80 prints) randomly selected from a database of 10,972 sales letters collected from 36 categories of recipients in Hong Kong over a six-month period. Similarities and differences in discourse structures were found across the two corpora, and discussions were made with reference to a conceptual framework titled the Lingual-Belief Interaction Model proposed by the author. The model addresses the role of text, context, and interface in sales email study on the one hand, and the interplay of belief, interaction, and language in persuasive communication on the other. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 specialist and corporate informants in the field of sales promotion communication to verify the results of analysis.
An implicature for um: signaling relative expertise
Authors: Lange Patricia G.
Published: March 2008

Many scholars characterize um as an involuntary emission that is devoid of meaning. Other scholars classify um as a non-linguistic signal that conveys certain messages or resolves a conversational problem, such as determining next speaker. Um is often assumed to signal `powerless language' because it displays speaker uncertainty. Yet an examination of real-time, written conversation in two online communities shows that participants sometimes use an um to mark an obvious flaw in prior talk. In the examples below, um may be used to mark talk as flawed on the basis of information that is available (although not necessarily known) to both parties. When um becomes associated with marking obvious flaws in prior talk, interlocutors may trade on this meaning and deploy an um to display for themselves a higher position of relative expertise, vis-à-vis their interlocutors, within local micro-social hierarchies of knowledge.
Evidentiality in Chinese newspaper reports: subjectivity/objectivity as a factor
Authors: Hsieh Chia-Ling
Published: March 2008

This article aims to discover the principle that underlies correlations between choices of evidential qualification and the communicative purposes of Chinese newspaper reportage along the dimension of subjectivity/objectivity. Distributional comparisons of data from the China Times news website reveal a pragmatic distinction between evidential subclasses. Reportatives predominate in politics and business news, where objectivity carries higher weight, while in less objectivity-oriented reports as local news, sensories are of greater frequency. The latter is also prevalent as journalists reflect on a reported event. The level of evidential subjectivity thus varies significantly with the nature of evidence. An evaluation drawn from shared belief tends to be experienced as less subjective than one built upon what is accessible to the journalist alone. This suggests the use of evidentiality as reflective of the stance of the newspaper media.
Research article abstracts in applied linguistics and educational technology: a study of linguistic realizations of rhetorical structure and authorial stance
Authors: Phuong Dzung Pho
Published: March 2008

The abstract found at the beginning of most journal articles has increasingly become an essential part of the article. It tends to be the first part of the article to be read and, to some extent, it `sells' the article. Acquiring the skills of writing an abstract is therefore important to novice writers to enter the discourse community of their discipline. Based on 30 abstracts from three journals, the present study aims at exploring not only the rhetorical moves of abstracts in the fields of applied linguistics and educational technology, but also the linguistic realizations of moves and authorial stance in different abstract moves. The results show that there are three obligatory moves in abstracts in these two disciplines — Presenting the research, Describing the methodology, and Summarizing the results. The results also indicate that a combination of certain linguistic features such as grammatical subjects, verb tense and voice can help distinguish moves in the abstract. The findings of the study have some pedagogical implications for academic writing courses for graduate students, especially students from non-English backgrounds.
`You're still sick!' Framing, footing, and participation in children's medical play
Authors: Buchbinder Mara H.
Published: March 2008

Building on foundational work in activity theory and cultural psychology, this article examines children's play to discern how biomedical practices and understandings of illness are negotiated, modeled, and reproduced among children dealing with a parent's cancer. Using discourse analytic methods, I analyze a videotaped playroom interaction involving three preschool-age girls, all of whom have a parent with cancer, and myself. The article employs notions of `frame' and `footing' (Bateson, 1972; Goffman, 1974) to illustrate fantasy and reality as overlapping and embedded frames of experience that organize children's playroom activities in distinctive ways. The shifting alignments and participation structures within the playroom environment illuminate the strategic ways in which children laminate personal experience onto the play frame. Through attention to children's talk and embodied action, I show how children key different interactional frames to expand the realm of epistemological and cognitive resources available to them as they seek cultural understanding.
Beyond the tourist gaze?
Authors: Janes Dominic
Published: March 2008

Is the short-term study abroad experience, particularly when undertaken with a self-contained group of international students such as on a `semester abroad programme' accredited by a US university, little more than glorified tourism? This study investigates some of the ways in which a group of American students developed their understanding of British culture, not just by studying it together with their peers, but also by living in the country for a semester. The results suggest that these students learned both within and out of the classroom; they were not simply adding information during the semester, but also reflecting about their own views and attitudes, such that the study abroad experience was not, for most of them, simply about the passive reception of pre-packaged tourist images; it changed their views of Britain, of America and of themselves.
A practical and reflexive liberal-humanist approach to international mindedness in international schools
Authors: Tamatea Laurence
Published: March 2008

This article explores the response to cultural diversity and international mindedness at international schools in Malaysia and Brunei. It shows that the curriculum at these schools is set within a liberal-humanist framework, which some might suggest facilitates the project of `Westernization'. It argues, however, that under the (local) circumstances in which the schools are set, this liberal-humanist framing, despite its limitations, is perhaps the most effective approach to the achievement of international mindedness.
Overseas educational experience of Chinese students
Authors: Tan Weihua , Simpson Ken
Published: March 2008

During the past decade, tertiary education providers in the English-speaking Western world have enjoyed the significant economic and societal benefits that result from a substantial level of participation by students originating from the People's Republic of China. However, a sharp decline in student numbers between 2003 and 2007 has prompted many institutions to question the extent to which their educational products and services are appropriate to the needs of this important market segment. This paper examines the experiences of 160 Chinese students at a New Zealand tertiary institution, and concludes that their impressions of quality are formed by a range of contributing service dimensions that incorporate both `hard' and `soft' elements. Analysis of the scope, scale and importance of these dimensions indicates that, while programme content and tuition quality remain vitally important to Chinese students, institutional performance could benefit from a greater degree of emphasis on the students' interpersonal experiences while studying abroad.
Conducting Effective Tailgate Trainings
Authors: Harrington David , Materna Barbara , Vannoy Jim , Scholz Peter
Published: March 2008

The California Department of Health Services' Occupational Health Branch and others have identified the construction industry as being at high risk for injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Effective tailgate trainings (brief job site safety meetings) can be a powerful tool to promote hazard awareness and safe work practices. The authors found that many contractors and supervisors conducted ineffective tailgate trainings. They developed the BuildSafe California Project to assist contractors to have more effective programs by holding 25 training-of-trainers sessions reaching 1,525 participants. The needs assessment, intervention, and evaluation results from the first 18 trainings are presented. Eighty-six percent of the participants found the program “very helpful.” Participants used the materials and made improvements in the quality and frequency of trainings. Supervisors must be skilled at conducting tailgate trainings as part of their responsibilities. There is a serious need to provide more culturally appropriate safety training in a workforce increasingly made up of Latino workers.
Evaluation of the Walkable Neighborhoods for Seniors Project in Sacramento County
Authors: Hooker Steven P. , Cirill Lisa A. , Geraghty Anne
Published: March 2008

The Walkable Neighborhoods for Seniors project was implemented to foster the creation and promotion of safe and accessible neighborhood walking routes for seniors. This article describes a case study of the efforts put forth by a local task force jointly managed by the Sacramento County Department of Health Services and WALK Sacramento. To facilitate environmental and policy changes that would enable and encourage walking by older adults, these local lead agencies implemented several strategies including organizing a community task force with broad professional and civic representation, conducting environmental audits of selected walking routes, creating walking groups, and advocating for environmental and policy change. Evaluation processes yield information on successes, challenges, and lessons learned that could be applied to similar efforts undertaken by community organizations to improve the walkability of neighborhoods for older adults.
Why Be Smoke-Free? A Qualitative Study of Smoke-Free Restaurant Owner and Manager Opinions
Authors: Johnson Hans H. , Becker Craig , Inman Lynn , Webb Karen , Brady Cindy
Published: March 2008

This qualitative study captured the opinions of the owners and managers of smoke-free restaurants. The purpose of this study, initiated by local citizens who were members of a group called Healthy Alamance, was to identify the motivations and experiences of restaurant owners and managers who had committed to smoke-free indoor environments. Telephone interviews were attempted with all 80 owners/managers of smoke-free restaurants in Alamance County, North Carolina, and 87.5% of these restaurant owners/managers completed the interview. The investigators isolated economic factors, customer demands and considerations, and environmental issues as the three principal categories describing smoke-free restaurant owners’ and managers’ motivations for becoming smoke free. The results from this study can be used to assist communities working toward the development of a smoke-free restaurant campaign.
Optimization of Parameters for the Production of Needlepunched Nonwoven Geotextiles
Authors: Rawal Amit , Anand Subhash , Shah Tahir
Published: March 2008

Needlepunched nonwoven geotextiles are widely used for various civil engineering applications. These applications are required to perform more than one function, i.e., filtration, separation, protection, drainage, and reinforcement. Reinforcement is a complex phenomenon and strongly depends upon the fabric's dimensional and mechanical properties in addition to the soil—geotextile interaction. In this study, the effect of process parameters including web area density, punch density, and depth of needle penetration has been investigated on dimensional (area density and thickness) and mechanical (puncture resistance and tensile strengths in the machine and cross-machine directions) properties of needlepunched nonwoven geotextiles. These process parameters are then empirically related with the fabric properties using multiple regression technique. The anisotropic characteristics of needlepunched nonwoven geotextiles tensile properties have also been discussed.
Theoretical Prediction on Tensile Model of Wool/Spandex Core-spun Yarn
Authors: Min Dang  , Shanyuan Wang  , Guanjun Liu
Published: March 2008

With the innovation of spinning method and Lycra® fiber, wool elastic core-spun yarn is applied for more industrial end-uses, which make it meaningful to study the mechanical property of wool/spandex core-spun yarn. Tensile property of staple yarns has been studied by many researchers. However, no research is reported on the tensile property of elastic core-spun yarn. In this paper, a new approach is introduced to calculate and predict tensile property of a wool/ spandex core-spun yarn. The theoretical model introduces a fiber utilization coefficient β to specify the slippage length of fiber. The force on a single fiber is first worked out and then these fiber forces are combined to obtain forces acting on each element. Yarn stress—strain curve is obtained on the basis of wool fiber tensile curve and yarn cross-section structure. Factors, such as dimensions and properties of fiber and yarn, fiber slippage effect, and fiber orientations in the yarn are included in the model. Comparisons of experimental and theoretical tensile curves show that the theoretical model has very good agreement with experimental curves. So this method is valid in predicting the tensile behavior of the wool/spandex core-spun yarn.
Paraffin Wax Emulsion as Water Repellent for Cotton/Polyester Blended Fabric
Authors: Abo-Shosha M.H. , El-Hilw Z.H. , Aly A.A. , Amr A. , Nagdy Al Said I. El.
Published: March 2008

Paraffin wax emulsion is prepared by emulsifying paraffin wax (PW) in water using stearic acid (SA) and triethanolamine (TEA) emulsifying system. A mother emulsion is prepared at different concentrations of PW (10.5—19.1%w/w) and SA (4.5—13%w/w) neutralized to different extents by TEA (25—100% degree of neutralization). Upon treating 50/50 cotton/polyester fabric with a padding solution containing 50 g/L of different mother emulsions, its water repellency does not exceed the value of 50. Aluminum chloride proves to be the best deactivating agent of the hydrophilicity of the emulsifying agent among other salts including barium chloride, zinc sulfate, and aluminum sulfate. Optimum emulsion ingredients are found to be PW (10.5%w/w), SA (4.5% w/w), TEA (2.4% w/w, to attain full neutralization of SA), and SA/AlCl3 molar ratio (1/1). Treating the fabric with the deactivated emulsion results in enhancing its water repellency rating (up to 80), decreasing its surface roughness, and increasing its stiffness. A scanning electron micrograph of the treated fabric shows the deposition of the emulsified wax on the fabric surface. Treating the fabric with the emulsion in the presence of a fluorochemical finish, namely Nuva FB of Clariant, proves that the first can be used as an extender for the second. Raising the drying temperature to 160·C gives rise to a water-repellency rating of 100.
Experimental Verification of the Method of Deformation Analysis of Coated Plain-Weave Fabrics By Biaxial Tensile Tester
Authors: Minami Hirokazu , Nakahara Yoshio
Published: March 2008

Method for deformation analysis of coated plain- weave fabrics which have nonlinear mechanical properties has been reported on this journal [1]. Following this, in this paper, biaxial tensile tester developed by the authors and the crucial specimen for the tester are introduced.

And convergence properties of solution given by application of the method on the crucial specimen model of calculation are studied concerning to the coarseness of subdivision of finite ele ment and to the number of steps of iterative calculation.

Finally, the methods are verified comparing biaxial stress-strain curves given by the calculation and the measurement.

As a result, it is concluded that the method can be progressed toward the application to deformation analysis of membrane structures.