bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extrusion of physically foamed rubber profiles
Authors: Michaeli Walter , Westermann Kira , Sitz Sarah
Published: July 2011

Foaming of rubber profiles offers savings potential with respect to component weight, material consumption, and costs. Physical blowing agents are superior to chemical blowing agents in terms of economy, ecology, and efficient processing. The application of gear pumps in foam extrusion of ethylene propylene diene rubber compounds using nitrogen as blowing agent significantly improves the process stability due to minimized variations of process pressures. Experimental investigations show that the amount of blowing agent injected has a significant influence on density, foam structure, and surface roughness. Besides, the foam structure depends on die pressure and used materials. In addition to nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water are suited as well for the use as physical blowing agents.
Fabrication of Al–Si/graphite composites and their structure–property correlation
Authors: Rajaram G. , Kumaran S. , Rao T. Srinivasa
Published: July 2011

In this study, mechanical and wear behaviors of aluminum silicon alloy and its composites reinforced with graphite (3 wt.%) particulates have been investigated. In order to improve the wettability of graphite with matrix alloy, graphite particulates were ball milled with Cu and Ni by weight percent (1% each) and preheated to 400°C and then incorporated into the molten metal. Tensile properties of composites were better than those of the matrix alloys. Wear rate of composites was lower than that of matrix alloys for given applied stress and varying sliding distance. The wear mechanism was understood from the scanning electron microscopic images of worn-out surfaces and wear debris.
Assigning Credit to Organizational Leaders
Authors: Zemba Yuriko , Young Maia J
Published: July 2011

Prior research has shown that Japanese blame organizational leaders more harshly than Americans: Americans blame organizational leaders based on the behavior of individual leaders, whereas Japanese blame leaders based both on the behavior of individual leaders and that of the organization. This finding can be explained by a cultural difference in cognitive orientation to focus on the causal influence of groups but also by a cultural difference in value to subordinate individual goals to group goals. By asking Japanese and American respondents to make credit judgments for positive organizational incidents, the current work tests these two rival explanations. Results support the view that group-based crediting occurs because of perceivers’ cognitive orientation to perceive group causality. Implications of this cultural difference and the judgmental processes are discussed.
Longitudinal Assessment of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Hyposalivation
Authors: Laaksonen M. , Ramseier A.M. , Rovó A. , Jensen S.B. , Raber-Durlacher J.E. , Zitzmann N.U. , Waltimo T.
Published: July 2011

Hyposalivation is a common adverse effect of anti-neoplastic therapy of head and neck cancer, causing impaired quality of life and predisposition to oral infections. However, data on the effects of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on salivary secretion are scarce. The present study determined stimulated whole-saliva flow rates in HSCT recipients in comparison with a healthy control group. Stimulated whole-saliva flow rates of 228 allogeneic HSCT recipients (134 males, 94 females; mean age, 43 yrs) were examined pre-HSCT and 6, 12, and 24 months post-HSCT. Healthy individuals (n = 144; 69 males, 75 females; mean age, 46 yrs) served as the control group. Stimulated saliva flow rates (mL/min) were measured and analyzed statistically, stratifying for hematological diagnoses and conditioning therapy. Hyposalivation (≤ 0.7 mL/min) was found in 40% (p < 0.00001), 53% (p < 0.00001), 31% (p < 0.01), and 26% (n.s.) of the recipients pre-HSCT, and 6, 12, and 24 months post-HSCT, respectively, whereas 16% of the control individuals had hyposalivation. Severe hyposalivation (≤ 0.3 mL/min) was found in 11%, 18%, 4%, and 4% of the recipients pre-HSCT, and 6, 12, and 24 months post-HSCT, respectively. Additionally, conditioning regimen and sex had an impact on saliva flow. In conclusion, hyposalivation was observed to be a common but generally reversible complication among HSCT recipients.
Simulation-based workforce assignment considering position in a social network
Authors: Celik Nurcin , Xi Hui , Xu Dong , Son Young-Jun , Lemaire Robin , Provan Keith
Published: July 2011

The goal of this paper is to propose a novel modeling framework to help project managers devise optimal workforce assignments that consider both short- and long-term aspects of projects that must be completed through a multi-organizational social network. The proposed framework is comprised of an evaluation module and an assignment module. Each time a workforce assignment is performed, the Decision Evolution Procedure of the evaluation module first calculates the position value between each pair of currently available workforce members based on various social networking parameters such as trustworthiness, influence, reputation, and proximity. Second, by using these position values, the Extended Regular Equivalence Evaluation algorithm from the evaluation module computes the regular and structural equivalence values between each pair of workforce members. Finally, the assignment module selects an optimal workforce mix that maximizes both the short-term performance (productivity) as well as the long-term performance (workforce training, and robustness) of the project organizations. Agent-based simulation and multi-objective optimization techniques are leveraged for the evaluation module and the assignment module, respectively. The proposed framework is illustrated and successfully demonstrated using the software enhancement request process in Kuali, a multi-organizational alliance-based software development project involving 12 universities.
Temperament styles of Indian and USA children
Authors: Oakland Thomas , Singh Kuldeep , Callueng Camelo , Singh Puri Gurmit , Goen Akiko
Published: July 2011

Age, gender, and cross-national differences of children ages 8- through 16-years-old in India ( n = 400) and the United States of America ( n = 3,200) are examined on four bipolar temperament styles: extroversion-introversion, practical-imaginative, thinking-feeling, and organized-flexible styles. In general, Indian children prefer extroverted to introverted, practical to imaginative, feeling to thinking, and organized to flexible styles. Gender differences among Indian children are significant only on extroversion-introversion. Age differences are found on thinking-feeling and organized-flexible styles. Cross-national differences are found on only one of the four bipolar styles: practical-imaginative. In contrast to children in the United States of America, those in India are more likely to prefer practical styles. Sample limitations (e.g. non-representativeness and small size relative to the population) limit the generalization of these data.
Recognizing and treating Rett syndrome in schools
Authors: Wanzek Megan , Jenson William R. , Houlihan Daniel
Published: July 2011

A review of the literature on Rett syndrome (RS) for school-based professionals is presented from a behavioral perspective. A description of RS is provided, including distinctive physical, behavioral, and emotional features, diagnostic criteria for classic and formes frustes forms of RS, and stages of the disorder. The similarities and differences between RS and autism are reviewed. Controversies regarding the classification of RS are presented, including whether RS should be classified as a neurological or psychiatric condition and whether RS should remain classified as a pervasive developmental disorder. Last, a variety of options for the treatment of RS are discussed.
Acknowledging the Skeletons in Our Closet
Authors: Gunn Gregory R. , Wilson Anne E.
Published: July 2011

Just as with threats to personal identity, people defend against social identity threats. In the context of intergroup injustice, such defensiveness undercuts collective guilt and its prosocial consequences. The current research examines whether group affirmation allows perpetrator groups to disarm threat without undermining guilt. In Study 1, men accepted greater guilt for gender inequality after affirming the ingroup. Given the distinction between collective guilt and collective shame, Studies 2–4 assessed both emotions and revealed that Canadians accepted greater guilt and shame over the mistreatment of Aboriginals following group affirmation. In Study 3, group affirmation also moderated the relation of each emotion with reparatory attitudes. When controlling for each other, collective shame predicted compensation in a nonaffirmation control condition whereas guilt predicted compensation once identity threat had been disarmed by group affirmation. In Study 4, the effect of group affirmation on the collective emotions was mediated by defensive appraisals of the injustice.
Light Microscopic Sciatic Nerve Changes in Control Beagle Dogs from Toxicity Studies
Authors: Whitney Katharine M. , Schwartz Sterman Annette J. , O’Connor Jackie , Foley George L. , Garman Robert H.
Published: July 2011

Although the dog is a common choice among nonrodent species in evaluation of compound safety for regulatory submission, information regarding the incidence of spontaneous or incidental microscopic changes in canine peripheral nerve is limited. A retrospective examination was performed of routine histologic preparations of sciatic nerve from eighty-one control dogs in toxicity studies ranging from ten days to three months in duration. Spontaneous background changes included digestion chambers, foci of vacuolation, nerve fibers circumscribed by proliferating Schwann cells (bands of Büngner), and small foci of myelin aggregation. The latter accounted for 91% of the microscopic changes and were noted in all sections examined. These changes were quantified, and the number per square millimeter of evaluable nerve tissue was determined for each slide. Densities of foci varied among the slides examined; no age- or sex-related trends were apparent. In addition, anatomic features of peripheral nerves including nodes of Ranvier, Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, Renaut bodies, and effects resulting from sectioning plane were noted. By demonstrating the range of effects observed within control animals, these observations provide a basis for recognition of possible compound-related effects in routine nerve preparations from dogs included in toxicity studies.
Subjective social mobility: Definitions and expectations of ‘moving up’ of poor Moroccan women in the Netherlands
Authors: van den Berg Marguerite
Published: July 2011

Social mobility is most commonly measured in terms of occupational prestige or educational attainment. Alternative approaches to social mobility can mostly be found in qualitative research. However, these approaches also often conceptualize social mobility as attainment of occupational status or educational degrees. Interpreting the narratives of Moroccan migrant women in the Netherlands, alternative definitions of social mobility are discerned that go beyond formal schooling or paid work and which contribute to a broader definition of class and ‘social upgrading’. What is striking is how the women subscribe to dominant definitions of mobility for their children and have alternative definitions for themselves that are grounded in their social context.
Global governance, economic migration and the difficulties of social activism
Authors: Grugel Jean , Piper Nicola
Published: July 2011

There has been a gradual shift towards greater global governance of labour migration, a development paralleled by the mushrooming of migrant and civil society associations concerned to uphold a rights-based approach to migration. Yet the emergent global governance structures offer few opportunities for advocacy by migrant and civil society organizations. This article explores the reasons why social activism by or on behalf of economic migrants remains difficult. The article focuses in particular on the obstacles in the way of access to global institutions and to migrant voice, the complexity and ambiguity of the increasingly multi-sited governance structure and the difficulties of placing rights at its centre, all of which mean that formal mechanisms of global governance with regard to migration remain exclusionary and migrant activism part of the critical resistance to contemporary globalization rather than an insider element of governance.
A ‘special attachment’: Voice and the relational aspect of loyalty
Authors: Pauksztat Birgit , van Duijn Marijtje AJ , Wittek Rafael
Published: July 2011

Extending Hirschman’s ‘Exit—Voice—Loyalty’ framework, the authors distinguish between attitudinal and relational aspects of loyalty. They hypothesize that co-workers’ support for voice will moderate the effect of relational, but not attitudinal loyalty on voice. In line with the study’s hypotheses, multilevel analyses of survey data on 204 voice actions (concerning three issues) of 121 employees in a Dutch public sector organization showed that the effect of relational loyalty (operationalized as social relations) on voice depended on context and issue. When department members perceived serious problems, relational loyalty decreased the likelihood of voice for one of the issues. For another issue, relational loyalty increased the likelihood of voice when department norms encouraged voice. By contrast, attitudinal loyalty (operationalized as organizational commitment) had no effect on voice.
Spontaneous Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis in Captive “Moustached Tamarins” (Saguinus mystax)
Authors: Michaud C. R. , Ragland D. R. , Shea K. I. , Zerfas P. M. , Kastenmayer R. J. , Claire M. C. St. , Elkins W. R. , Gozalo A. S.
Published: July 2011

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare human disease characterized by accumulation of surfactant in alveoli without generating an inflammatory response. Lung lesions resembling pulmonary alveolar proteinosis were observed in 7 adult tamarins (5 males and 2 females). Gross lesions were characterized by areas of discoloration, slight bulging over the lung parenchyma, and occasional consolidation. Histologic examination of tamarin lung samples revealed intra-alveolar accumulation of amorphous, amphophilic, periodic acid–Schiff-positive, finely granular to dense material. In some cases, type II pneumocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia were observed with pleural and septal thickening and fibrosis. Large numbers of intra-alveolar foamy macrophages were noted surrounding and/or in the vicinity of the lesions. Immunohistochemical analysis of the lung lesions using polyclonal (surfactant proteins A, B, and C) and monoclonal (surfactant protein D) antibodies revealed the granular material to be composed largely of surfactant protein B, followed by surfactant protein A. Surfactant proteins C and D were present in lesser quantities, with the latter observed surrounding the lipoproteinaceous deposits. Transmission electron microscopy of the affected lungs showed numerous, irregularly shaped osmiophilic lamellar bodies in type II pneumocytes. The cytoplasm in alveolar macrophages was expanded, containing ingested surfactant with swollen mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Thoracic radiographs, available in 1 animal, depicted the lesions as small multifocal opacities randomly distributed in cranial and diaphragmatic lung lobes. This is, to the authors’ knowledge, the first report of spontaneous pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in nonhuman primates.
Modeling the behavior of fiber suspensions in the molding of polymer composites
Authors: Londoño-Hurtado Alejandro , Osswald Tim A. , Hernandez-Ortíz Juan Pablo
Published: July 2011

Mechanistic simulations of fiber suspensions to predict final fiber orientation distribution in the molding of fiber-reinforced composites have been developed. The mathematical algorithm models fibers as chains of connected rigid beads. Parameters such as fiber volume fraction, number of beads per fiber, and fiber flexibility can be modified to model diverse processing conditions. This article focuses on the extensional flow of short fiber suspensions at high fiber concentrations. Simulation results were compared with predictions obtained with the Folgar—Tucker model. It was found that for the case of short fiber suspensions, fiber orientation is well predicted by the Folgar—Tucker model with the interaction constant CI in close agreement with a model proposed by Phan-Thien et al. It was also found that fiber—matrix separation increases with the increase of fiber aspect ratio. The mathematical model presented in this study provides a tool to predict defects and to model orientation distribution in the processing of fiber-reinforced composites.
Religiosity and Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Foreign-Born Hispanics in the United States
Authors: Heathcote John D. , West Joshua H. , Cougar Hall P. , Trinidad Dennis R.
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this study was to test the association between religiosity and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a sample of foreign-born Hispanic adults, even when excluding prayer as a form of CAM. Data were collected using a self-report Spanish-language survey. Study participants consisted of 306 respondents between the ages of 18 and 79. Most were born in Mexico (56.3%), followed by South America (24.6%), and then Central America (7.4%). Dependent variable measures included mainstream and traditional CAM utilization. Religiosity was measured using eight items representing ritual, consequential, ideological, and experimental domains. After controlling for the potentially confounding influences of age, gender, and income, respondents who reported higher levels of religiosity also reported greater utilization of mainstream and traditional CAM. Previous studies have included prayer as a form of CAM therapy, making it difficult to test the CAM—religiosity association. In this study, even when prayer was not included as a CAM therapy, religiosity was associated with CAM.
Time in U.S. Residency and the Social, Behavioral, and Emotional Adjustment of Latino Immigrant Families
Authors: Martinez Charles R. , McClure Heather H. , Eddy J. Mark , Wilson D. Molloy
Published: July 2011

Little is known about contributors to positive social, behavioral, and emotional adjustment among foreign-born youth at different stages of adapting to life in the United States. Using baseline data from the Adolescent Latino Acculturation Study ( N = 217), this article examines the effects of time in residency on parent adjustment, family stress, parenting practices, and youth behavioral and socioemotional outcomes among Latino immigrant parents and youth (Grades 6 to 10) who have lived in the United States between 1 and 12 years. Results of cross-sectional analyses show that immigrant families with less time in residency may experience higher levels of distress that diminish in intensity over time and that youth problem behaviors increase and academic outcomes worsen with increased exposure to life in U.S. society. Time in residency, parent adjustment, and parenting practices each demonstrated unique and unmediated effects on youth outcomes. Results highlight specific vulnerabilities for families in states with emerging immigrant populations that often have few supports for the successful integration of recent immigrant families.
Minnesota’s Affordable Homes Program
Authors: Northcutt Bohmert Miriam , Duwe Grant
Published: July 2011

The Affordable Homes Program (AHP) is a prison work crew program managed by the Minnesota Department of Corrections (MNDOC). To examine whether AHP has increased postrelease employment, lowered recidivism, and reduced costs to the State of Minnesota, this study uses a retrospective, quasi-experimental design in which propensity score matching was used to control for observable selection bias. The results show that during the 1998-2008 period, AHP (a) built 285 affordable homes, (b) significantly increased offenders’ odds of obtaining postrelease employment in the construction field, and (c) produced US$13.1 million in costs avoided. It did not, however, significantly reduce recidivism.
The Impact of Mental Health Services Implementation on Juvenile Court Placements
Authors: Stout Bruce D. , Holleran David
Published: July 2011

A growing body of research indicates that the majority of juveniles in the justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder. With juvenile justice systems typically inadequately equipped to meet the treatment needs of these juveniles, increasing reliance is being placed on intersystem cooperation between the juvenile justice and adolescent mental health systems. The system of care (SOC) model has become a popular strategy for fostering intersystem coordination and collaboration and for diverting youth from the justice system to the mental health system. Local-level data from the first state to implement a SOC model on a statewide basis are analyzed. Interrupted time series analysis is used to assess whether implementation of an SOC is associated with a decrease in out-of-home placements ordered by the juvenile justice system. In 11 of 14 court jurisdictions no significant decreases in court-ordered out-of-home placements associated with SOC implementation are observed. The implications of the findings from this study for juvenile justice policy implementation are discussed.
Measuring Dreaming as a beyond Waking Experience in Rogers's Conceptual Model
Authors: Watson Juanita
Published: July 2011

This article describes the development of an instrument, the Assessment of Dream Experience. This instrument was developed within the context of Rogers's conceptual model, the science of unitary human beings, and was designed to measure dreaming as a beyond waking experience. A detailed description of the instrument and its psychometric properties is presented. Recommendations for future use are provided.
Preparation, characterization, and properties of novel bisphenol-A type novolac epoxy-polyurethane polymer with high thermal stability
Authors: Lin Jing , Yang Qiuzhuan , Wen Xiufang , Cai Zhi-Qi , Pi Pihui , Zheng Da-Feng , Cheng Jiang , Yang Zhuoru
Published: July 2011

In this study a series of modified bisphenol-A type novolac epoxy resins (MNEPs) were synthesized from bisphenol-A type novolac epoxy resin (NEP) and propionic acid (PA) by a one-step ring-opening reaction process in the presence of tetramethylammonium bromide as catalyst. Fourier transform infrared and 1 H-NMR were employed to confirm the chemical structures of the MNEPs. The spectra results indicated that MNEPs with different hydroxyl contents were obtained successfully by different ring-opening rates of NEP. In addition, Intercross-linked epoxy-polyurethane composites (MNEP-PUs) were also obtained by curing reaction among MNEP, cross linker polyisocyanate IL1351 and phthalic anhydride(PHA). The thermal stability of MNEP-PUs and the conventional polyol PU A450/IL1351 were determined and compared. The thermal analysis demonstrated that the obtained MNEP-PUs exhibited much better thermal stability than the conventional polyurethane system A450/IL1351, and the thermal stability of MNEP-PUs was correlated to the content of MNEP. Moreover, physico-chemical properties of MNEP-PUs such as pencil hardness, adhesive attraction, solvent resistance were reported. It demonstrated that incorporating MNEP into MNEP-PUs as inherent hardness of MNEP-PUs could greatly improve pencil hardness, adhesive attraction, water, acid and alkali resistance of MNEP-PUs.
Silica-containing fluorinated poly(amide-imide) hybrid films
Authors: Hamciuc Corneliu , Carja Ionela-Daniela , Hamciuc Elena , Vlad-Bubulac Tachita , Musteata Valentina-Elena
Published: July 2011

New silica-containing hybrid films were prepared using a fluorinated poly(amide-imide) having hydroxyl groups and tetraethoxysilane, via the sol–gel technique. The polymer was synthesized by solution polycondensation reaction of a mixture of two diamines, 4,4′-diamino-4′′-hydroxy-triphenylmethane and 1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene (molar ratio 3/7), with a fluorinated diacid chloride containing imide rings, 2,2-bis[ N-(4-chloroformylphenyl)phthalimidyl]hexafluoroisopropane. To improve the compatibility between the polymer and silica, the pendant hydroxyl groups of the polymer were reacted with 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate. The hybrid films were flexible, tough, and exhibited high thermal stability, having the initial decomposition temperature above 420 °C. The surface morphology of the hybrid films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Dynamic mechanical analysis and dielectric spectroscopy revealed subglass transitions, γ and β, and an α relaxation corresponding to the glass transition temperature. Electrical insulating properties were evaluated on the basis of dielectric constant and dielectric loss and their variation with the frequency and temperature. The values of the dielectric constant at 10 kHz and 20 °C were in the range of 3.18–3.48. The influence of the silica content on the polymer properties was examined.
Phenylethynyl-endcapped oligomides with low melt viscosities and high Tgs: effects of the molecular weights
Authors: Su Cao-ning , Ji Mian , Fan Lin , Yang Shi-yong
Published: July 2011

Phenylethynyl-endcapped imideoligomers (oligomides) with low melt viscosities and high glass transition temperatures ( Tg) were prepared by the high temperature polycondensation of 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxcylic anhydride (a-BPDA), 4,4′-methylenebis(2,6-dimethylaniline) (MBDA) and 4-phenylethynyl-phthalic anhydride (4-PEPA). Experimental results indicated that the oligomides were mixtures of biphenylethynyl-endcapped imide oligomers with different degrees of polymerization (DP = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4), corresponding to the molecular weights ( Mn) of 737 to 2787 determined by MALDI-TOF. The melt viscosities of the oligomide were reduced by lowering the calculated molecular weight (Calc’d Mn). The thermally cured polyimide neat resins showed glass transition temperatures ( Tg) of > 400 °C and 5% weight loss temperature ( T5) of > 499 °C. It was also found that the mechanical properties of the thermally cured polyimide neat resins were dependent on the Calc’d Mn values of the oligomide, and improved gradually with increasing Calc’d Mn.
Non-linear investigation of an asymmetric disk brake model
Authors: Spelsberg-Korspeter G , Hochlenert D , Hagedorn P
Published: July 2011

Among design engineers, it is known that breaking symmetries of a brake rotor can help to prevent squeal. From a modelling point of view, in the literature brake squeal is almost exclusively treated using models with a symmetric brake rotor, which are capable of explaining the excitation mechanism but yield no insight into the relation between rotor asymmetry and stability. In previous work, it has been demonstrated with linear models that the breaking of symmetries of the brake rotor has a stabilizing effect. The equations of motion for this case have periodic coefficients with respect to time and are therefore more difficult to analyse than in the symmetric case. The goal of this article is to investigate whether due to the breaking of symmetries also, the non-linear behaviour of the brake changes qualitatively compared to the symmetric case.
Dynamic analysis of piston secondary motion in an internal combustion engine under non-lubricated and fully flooded lubricated conditions
Authors: McFadden P D , Turnbull S R
Published: July 2011

A dynamic model is presented for the internal combustion engine in which the primary motion of the pistons is determined by the gas pressure in the cylinders rather than by an assumed steady rotation of the crank, and the secondary motion of the pistons is determined by the interaction of the pistons with the cylinder walls under non-lubricated and fully flooded lubricated conditions. Results are presented for the simulation of a single-cylinder engine and show clearly the variations in the secondary translation and rotation of the piston throughout the engine cycle for the non-lubricated condition, and the significant damping of such secondary motions in the fully flooded lubricated condition.
Application of S transform and morphological pattern spectrum for gear fault diagnosis
Authors: Li B , Zhang P-L , Wang Z-J , Mi S-S , Liu D-S
Published: July 2011

Time–frequency representations (TFR) have been intensively employed for analysing vibration signals in gear fault diagnosis. However, in many applications, TFR are simply utilized as a visual aid to detect gear defects. An attractive issue is to utilize the TFR for automatic classification of faults. A key step for this study is to extract discriminative features from TFR as input feature vector for classifiers. This article contributes to this ongoing investigation by applying morphological pattern spectrum (MPS) to characterize the TFR for gear fault diagnosis. The S transform, which combines the separate strengths of the short-time Fourier transform and wavelet transforms, is chosen to perform the time–frequency analysis of vibration signals from gear. Then, the MPS scheme is applied to extract the discriminative features from the TFR. The promise of MPS is illustrated by performing our procedure on vibration signals measured from a gearbox with five operating states. Experiment results demonstrate the MPS to be a satisfactory scheme for characterizing TFRs for an accurate classification of gear faults.
Inhomogeneity of temperature distribution through thickness of the aluminium strip during hot rolling
Authors: Rezaei Ashtiani H R , Bisadi H , Parsa M H
Published: July 2011

Temperature distribution and inhomogeneity of its through thickness of the strip play an essential role in hot rolling processes, where both the strip and work-roll behaviour are affected strongly by these temperature fields and the microstructural and mechanical properties through thickness of hot rolled strip depend on this temperature inhomogeneity within the strip being deformed during hot rolling. In this investigation, a mathematical model was developed to predict the thermal history and inhomogeneity of temperature through thickness of an aluminium alloy strip undergoing single-stand hot plate rolling using the commercial finite element (FE) package, ABAQUS/Explicit in three dimensions. To estimate the reliability of the numerical analysis, the FE model was validated using experimental roll force and torque data and also temperature history at the centre-line of strip; good agreement was found between the two sets of predicated and experimental results. The effects of various process parameters, such as rolling speed, interface heat-transfer and friction coefficients between strip and work roll, initial thickness of the strip, and work-roll temperature and diameter on the temperature inhomogeneity, is considered.
Empirical and normative ethics
Authors: Jonasson Lise-Lotte , Liss Per-Erik , Westerlind Björn , Berterö Carina
Published: July 2011

The aim of this study was to synthesize the concepts from empirical studies and analyze, compare and interrelate them with normative ethics. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the Health and Medical Service Act are normative ethics. Five concepts were used in the analysis; three from the grounded theory studies and two from the theoretical framework on normative ethics. A simultaneous concept analysis resulted in five outcomes: interconnectedness, interdependence, corroboratedness, completeness and good care are all related to the empirical perspective of the nurse’s interaction with the older patient, and the normative perspective, i.e. that found in ICN code and SFS law. Empirical ethics and normative ethics are intertwined according to the findings of this study. Normative ethics influence the nurse’s practical performance and could be supporting documents for nurses as professionals.
Musically puzzling I: Sensitivity to overall structure in the sonata form?
Authors: Granot Roni Y. , Jacoby Nori
Published: July 2011

Previous studies have suggested that listeners are not sensitive to the overall tonal structure of musical pieces. This assumption is reexamined in the current study in an active musical puzzle task, with no time constraints, focusing on the presumably most directional musical form – the sonata form. In our first study (reported here, and referred to as “the Mozart study”), participants with varying levels of musical training were presented with disordered sections of Mozart’s piano sonata K. 570/I in B flat major and asked to rearrange the ten sections into a musically logical coherent whole. A second study (to be reported in Musicae Scientiae issue 16[1]) replicated the task in a different group of participants who listened to Haydn’s piano sonata, Hob: XVI-34/I in E minor. In contrast with previous studies, we do not focus on listeners’ ability to recover the original sonatas. Rather, we explore emergent patterns in their responses using new types of analysis. Our results indicate that listeners show: (1) Some sensitivity to the overall structure of A-B-A’ around the non-stable B section; (2) Non- trivial sensitivity to overall “directionality” through a new type of analysis (“distance score”); (3) Correct grouping and placement of developmental sections possibly related to listener’s sensitivity to musical tension; (4) Sensitivity to opening and closing gestures, thematic similarity and surface cues and; (5) No sensitivity to global harmonic structure.
Poverty and Disability Among Indian Elderly
Authors: Pandey Manoj K.
Published: July 2011

This article analyzes the depth of poverty and examines the possible association between disability and poverty among Indian elderly. The analysis is based on the 58th round of the National Sample Survey Organisation data surveyed in 2002. The analysis finds high levels of poverty and income inequality among elderly persons with disabilities. It also finds that differences in the income levels vary significantly across different age groups, gender, social groups, and educational status. Furthermore, the estimation results confirm that the likelihood of disability among economically disadvantaged elderly persons is higher than those with average to above average incomes.
Development and Testing of a Span-Extending Morphing Wing
Authors: Vocke Robert D. , Kothera Curt S. , Woods Benjamin K.S. , Wereley Norman M.
Published: July 2011

Recent developments in morphing aircraft research have motivated investigation into conformal morphing systems, that is, shape change without discrete moving parts or abrupt changes in the airfoil profile. In this study, implementation of a continuous span morphing wing is described. The system consists of two primary components: (1) zero-Poisson ratio morphing core and (2) fiber-reinforced elastomeric matrix composite skin with a nearly zero-Poisson ratio in-plane. The main goal for improved air vehicle efficiency was a nominal 100% change in area of the active wing section with less than 2.54 mm out-of-plane deflection under representative aerodynamic loading. Objectives of this study included exploring fabrication techniques for advanced morphing core shapes (i.e., having airfoil-shaped cross-section), exploiting customizable design parameters of in-house fabricated skin and core material, designing a prototype wing structure such that integration with a candidate UAV was feasible, and experimentally evaluating a laboratory prototype. As a result of this study, the ability to physically build and test a viable airfoil structure capable of increasing its planform area by 100% (doubling span with constant chord) was demonstrated on a prototype hardware demonstration article. Satisfying objectives of designing, fabricating, and testing a prototype morphing wing section capable of 100% span extension, while maintaining constant chord, a wind tunnel test highlighted the resulting viable aerodynamic surface in a wind tunnel test up to 130 km/h wind speeds. The prototype wing in its resting condition had a span of 61.0 cm, which could be extended to 122.0 cm, with less than 2.54 mm out-of-plane deflection in dynamic pressures consistent with the maximum speed, 130 km/h, of a candidate unmanned aerial vehicle platform. In meeting these goals, the morphing core was successfully transitioned from a simple 1D concept into a complex, cambered airfoil with sufficient free volume to house an actuation system. A refined elastomer matrix composite skin fabrication technique was also devised and experimentally validated on skins of various thicknesses and overall dimensions.
Scaling of Performance, Weight, and Actuation of a 2-D Compliant Cellular Frame Structure for a Morphing Wing
Authors: Lesieutre G.A. , Browne J.A. , Frecker M.I.
Published: July 2011

A typical mission profile for a fixed-wing aircraft consists of several idealized phases: takeoff, climb, cruise, dash, loiter, descent, and landing. Corresponding to each phase of flight and associated weight is a specific wing configuration that yields optimal performance. Conventional aircraft employ a single fixed structure (with movable control surfaces), one that is necessarily a compromise. Morphing structures technology provides the possibility of making large global changes to the wing shape, ideally enabling optimum performance over a larger range of flight conditions. Although structural and actuator weights necessarily increase with morphing capability, overall performance gains can offset these subsystem weight increases with fuel savings or by enabling new aircraft missions. A 2-D compliant cellular truss structure was designed to replace the fixed internal structure of a wing; this structure is able to achieve large changes in span and thus planform area and aspect ratio. The capability of this design was determined for aircraft of varying scale. At RC model scale, approximately 0.5—5 kg (1—10 lb), the wing structure is capable of an 85% decrease in the planform area with a structural weight of 2.9% of the gross weight. As the gross weight of the aircraft increases, the achievable span reduction decreases while the structural weight fraction increases. For 50 and 500 kg (100 and 1000 lb) aircraft, the decrease in planform area is 74% and 48%, respectively. At 50 kg (100 lb), the wing structure comprises 7.4% of the gross weight, while at 500 kg (1000 lb), this increases to 8.9%. The difference between the weight of the morphing structure and a similar passive structure is a weight penalty: the trade-off required for the ability to morph. Actuation systems, including a single actuator and a system of parallel actuators, were also considered for their ability to deform the structure. The weight fraction of the actuators required to deform the structure was found to increase with increasing gross weight. A system of parallel actuators was found to have a significant advantage over a single actuator, especially at higher gross weights. The benefit of morphing increases with gross weight but structural morphing capability decreases with gross weight. This suggests, for a given structural paradigm, that there is a gross weight for which morphing is most advantageous and practical.
Does Narrative Exposure Therapy Reduce PTSD in Survivors of Mass Violence?
Authors: McPherson Jane
Published: July 2011

Purpose: This review examines the effectiveness of narrative exposure therapy (NET) , a short-term intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in survivors of mass violence and torture, who have often suffered multiple traumas over several years. Methods: Randomized control trials were reviewed if they measured PTSD outcome and were published in English-language, peer-reviewed journals since 2000. Eight studies reviewed here report results with 482 diverse participants, including Sri Lankan children, Rwandan orphans, adult African refugees, and elderly Romanian prisoners. Results: NET produces a significant decrease in PTSD as compared to other treatments, waitlist, or treatment as usual (TAU) . Study strengths include treatment fidelity, use of standard measures, and experimental design. Applications to Practice: Preliminary evidence supports use of NET; evidence may be strengthened by larger trials, independent researchers, and further attention to blinding. Social workers who are concerned with refugee mental health should be trained to use effective methods.
Interviews on End-of-Life Care With Older People
Authors: Pleschberger Sabine , Seymour Jane E. , Payne Sheila , Deschepper Reginald , Onwuteaka-Philipsen Bregje D. , Rurup Mette L.
Published: July 2011

Qualitative research provides important insights into the experiences and perspectives of older people on end-of-life issues, but such research is methodologically and ethically complex. We offer a set of reflections from six end-of-life care studies conducted with older people in four European countries: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The reflection process was informed by four full-day meetings between the authors and referral to sources including the study interview guides, summary “pen portraits” about key issues encountered in the interviews, and key sections of the interview transcripts. We identified as major challenges accessing people, the introduction of end-of-life issues in an interview, managing emotions, the presence of companions, and reciprocity. Formal ethical review committees rarely take into account these complex issues. We concluded that is it necessary to maintain an ongoing reflexive stance to enhance qualitative research practice in the intersecting fields of aging and end-of-life studies.
Cancer Patients’ Preferences for Control at the End of Life
Authors: Volker Deborah L. , Wu Hung-Lan
Published: July 2011

The achievement of a death consistent with personal preferences is an elusive outcome for most people with cancer. Maintaining a sense of control is a core component of a dignified death; however, control might be a Western bioethical notion with questionable relevance to culturally diverse groups. Thus, the purpose of our study was to explore the meaning of control and control preferences in a group of racially and ethnically diverse patients with an advanced cancer diagnosis. Using a hermeneutic, phenomenological approach, we interviewed 20 patients with advanced cancer and uncovered two themes: (a) preferences for everyday control over treatment decisions, family issues, final days of life, and arrangements after death, vs. (b) awareness that cancer and death are controlled by a higher power. Although the sample included non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans, and Hispanics, participants shared common views that are characteristic of American cultural norms regarding the value of autonomy.
Nursing the Patient With Developmental Disability in Hospital
Authors: Hemsley Bronwyn , Balandin Susan , Worrall Linda
Published: July 2011

Our aim in this narrative inquiry was to understand the roles of paid carers supporting adults with developmental disability and complex communication needs in hospital, from the perspectives of 15 paid carers, 15 adults with developmental disability, and 15 hospital nurses. Results demonstrated that paid carers have an important role in supporting the adult with disability, providing information, delivering basic care, and facilitating communication. Stories reflected paid carer volunteerism; lack of orientation of carers and hospital staff to the paid carers’ roles; blurred role boundaries between paid carers, family carers, and nurses; and paid carers being uncertain about their own responsibilities for staff and patient safety. New policies and practice guidelines are needed to guide both health and disability services in clarifying paid carer roles and role boundaries, and to enable paid carers and hospital staff to work together effectively on the ward in the care of adults with developmental disability.
The MicroRNA Contribution to Learning and Memory
Authors: Konopka Witold , Schütz Günther , Kaczmarek Leszek
Published: July 2011

Learning and memory refer to an animal’s ability to respond adequately to environmental signals that may be negative (aversive learning) or positive (appetitive learning) in nature. The extremely elaborate connectivity network of neurons in the brain is capable of governing animals’ reactions (e.g., by enhancing or weakening single or multiple synapses). Such circuit plasticity is largely believed to be the very essence of memory formation. It has been suggested that long-term memory, in contrast to short-term memory, requires de novo protein synthesis and can be prevented by protein synthesis inhibitors. The local protein translation in dendrites allows neurons to selectively rebuild only those synapses that have been activated. However, substrates of protein synthesis (i.e., mRNA) have to be kept suppressed until they are needed. MicroRNAs—short, non-protein-coding RNA regulatory sequences that guide an RNA-induced silencing complex to target mRNAs—seem to be perfect candidates in fulfilling this function in neurons. In this article, the authors discuss the recently recognized role of microRNAs as regulators of memory formation and endurance.
Platelet and Monocyte Activation in Acute Ischemic Stroke—Is There a Correlation With Stroke Etiology?
Authors: Oberheiden Tom , Nguyen Xuan Duc , Fatar Marc , Elmas Elif , Blahak Christian , Morper Nicole , Dempfle Carl Erik , Hennerici Michael , Borggrefe Martin , Kälsch Thorsten
Published: July 2011

An upregulation of platelet CD40 ligand (CD40L) and CD62P has been described in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and among patients with acute cerebral ischemia. Correlation between platelet and monocyte activation and the etiology of ischemic stroke were examined in 41 patients with acute ischemic stroke. Compared to 10 controls, all patients with stroke showed a significantly elevated platelet expression of CD40L ( P < .001) and had significantly higher amounts of platelet–monocyte aggregates ( P = .002). Plasma levels of interleukin 7 were significantly lower in patients with stroke compared to controls ( P = .006). Patients with small artery disease had a significantly higher platelet CD40L expression than patients with cardioembolic stroke ( P = .029). Plasma levels of soluble CD40L were significantly higher in patients with large artery disease compared to patients with cardioembolic stroke ( P = .047). In conclusion, patients with acute ischemic stroke show an upregulation of platelet CD40L and an activation of cellular coagulation with highest activation in the large artery disease subgroup.
Early Coagulopathy in Patients With Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Fransson Maria , Rydningen Hans , Henriksson Anders E.
Published: July 2011

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is associated with a high mortality despite surgical management. Earlier reports indicate that a major cause of immediate intraoperative death in patients with ruptured AAA is related to hemorrhage due to coagulopathy. Acidosis is, besides hypothermia and hemodilution, a possible cause of coagulopathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of coagulopathy and acidosis preoperatively in patients with ruptured AAA in relation to the clinical outcome with special regard to the influence of shock. For this purpose, 95 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for AAA (43 ruptured with shock, 12 ruptured without shock, and 40 nonruptured) were included. Coagulopathy was defined as prothrombin time (international normalized ratio [INR]) ≥1.5 and acidosis was defined as base deficit ≥6 mmol/L. Mortality and postoperative complications were recorded. The present study shows a state of acidosis at the start of surgery in 30 of 55 patients with ruptured AAA. However, only in 7 of 55 patients with ruptured AAA a state of preoperative coagulopathy was demonstrated. Furthermore, in our patients with shock due to ruptured AAA only 2 of 12 deaths were due to coagulopathy and bleeding. Indeed, our results show a relatively high incidence of thrombosis-related causes of death in patients with ruptured AAA, indicating a relation to an activated coagulation in these patients. These findings indicate that modern emergency management of ruptured AAA has improved in the attempt to prevent fatal coagulopathy.