bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reaching out for strength within? ‘Social movement unionism’ in a small country setting
Authors: Parker Jane
Published: July 2011

Trade unions around the developed world face common challenges in terms of declining membership and influence, and ‘conventional’ union revival strategies have yielded limited success. A relatively recent innovation has been the embrace of ‘social movement unionism’ (SMU), which challenges traditional workplace conceptions of trade union roles via alliances with campaigning civil society organisations. This empirical study examines how SMU is conceived and applied in a small country context, focusing on the role of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. The findings suggest that SMU can appeal to trade union associations in smaller national (or regional) settings owing to a combination of institutional and size effects which concentrate networks. This has implications for unions and union federations interested in advancing both workplace and wider social justice concerns.
Innovation Types and Network Relationships
Authors: Partanen Jukka , Chetty Sylvie K. , Rajala Arto
Published: July 2011

We examine network relationships, particularly the type and strength of these relationships and how firms use them in order to commercialize different types of innovations. We conduct an in–depth case study of four small firms to provide insight on how and why a portfolio of network relationships (e.g., suppliers, distributors, customers, and research institutes) helps small new innovative firms to gain resources. We develop a framework of four innovation types and expand on how successful commercialization for each innovation type requires certain types and strength of relationships. Both types (systemic and autonomous) of radical innovations require strong collaborative ties with customers, whereas incremental innovations are commercialized through different types of downstream networks.
Beyond Cost: The Role of Intellectual Capital in Offshoring and Innovation in Young Firms
Authors: Musteen Martina , Ahsan Mujtaba
Published: July 2011

Using the intellectual capital perspective as a theoretical framework, we develop a conceptual model of offshoring of knowledge–intensive, complex work by young, entrepreneurial firms. We posit that the unique qualities of human, social, and organizational capital of such firms drive them to offshore complex, nonroutine activities to foreign vendors. In addition, we argue that offshoring of such activities can lead to innovation under certain intellectual capital configurations.
Regulation of the (pro)renin–renin receptor in cardiac remodelling
Authors: Mahmud Hasan , Silljé Herman H. W. , Cannon Megan V. , van Gilst Wiek H. , de Boer Rudolf A.
Published: July 2011

The (pro)renin–renin receptor [(P)RR] was discovered as an important novel component of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). The functional significance of (P)RR is widely studied in renal and vascular pathologies and has sparked interest for a potential role in cardiovascular disease. To investigate the role of (P)RR in cardiac pathophysiology, we aimed to assess (P)RR regulation in adverse cardiac remodelling of the failing heart. In particular, we evaluated the expression of (P)RR in different models of heart failure and across different species. Significantly increased levels of (P)RR mRNA were found in post‐myocardial infarcted (MI) hearts of rats (1.6‐fold, P < 0.05) and mice (5‐fold, P < 0.01), as well as in transgenic rats with overexpression of the mouse renin gene (Ren2) (2.2‐fold, P < 0.01). Moreover, we observed a strong increase of (P)RR expression in hearts of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients (5.3‐fold, P < 0.001). Because none of the tested commercially available antibodies appeared to detect endogenous (P)RR, a (P)RR‐specific polyclonal antibody was generated to study (P)RR protein levels. (P)RR protein levels were significantly increased in the post‐MI rat heart (1.4‐fold, P < 0.05) as compared to controls. Most interestingly in DCM patients, a significant 8.7‐fold (P < 0.05) increase was observed. Thus, protein expression paralleled gene expression. These results demonstrate that (P)RR expression is strongly up‐regulated both in rodent models of heart failure and in the failing human heart, hinting to a potential role for (P)RR in cardiac pathophysiology.
Is routine hysteroscopy during LLETZ a valuable additional procedure?
Authors: OTT JOHANNES , JATZKO BIRGIT , NEMETH ZOLTAN , WIRTH STEFAN , WAGNER GERHARD
Published: July 2011

We aimed to critically review our experience with the value and risks of a diagnostic hysteroscopy performed in addition to LLETZ. We retrospectively included 442 womentients undergoing LLETZ and additional routine diagnostic hysteroscopy. Women for whom concomitant diagnostic hysteroscopy was somehow indicated were excluded. We focused on complications and intrauterine abnormalities detected by hysteroscopy that had not been seen on preoperative vaginal ultrasound. In 28/442 (6.3%), hysteroscopy and/or histological examination of the specimen removed by curettage revealed an abnormal intrauterine finding (benign endometrial polyps, n=20; benign cervical polyps, n=2; small leiomyomas inside the uterine cavity, n=1; septate/arcuate/unicornuate, n=5). A total of 38 surgical complications (8.6%) occurred. The two adverse events related to diagnostic hysteroscopy were uterine perforations (0.5%). In conclusion, only a few benign findings of questionable clinical relevance were discovered. Thus, we do not consider an additional routine diagnostic hysteroscopy during LLETZ beneficial for the patient.
Anti‐HY Responses in Pregnancy Disorders
Authors: Christiansen Ole Bjarne , Steffensen Rudi , Nielsen Henriette Svarre
Published: July 2011

Citation Christiansen OB, Steffensen R, Nielsen HS. Anti‐HY‐Responses in Pregnancy Disorders. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66 (Suppl. 1): 93–100

Problem

Cellular and humoral immune responses against male‐specific minor histocompatibility (HY) antigens are important in the pathogenesis of graft‐versus‐host reactions and can be detected in women who have previously given birth to a boy. However, the importance of these responses for pregnancy outcome is unclear.

Method of study

Review of the current knowledge about the impact of anti‐HY immunity on pregnancy outcome in terms of risk of miscarriage, placental abruption and low birth weight.

Results

Women with secondary recurrent miscarriage (RM) more often have given birth to a boy compared with a girl prior to a series of miscarriages (P < 0.0001) and a firstborn boy seems significantly to reduce the chance of a subsequent live in these patients (P = 0.0003). Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles known to restrict CD4 T‐cell‐mediated anti‐HY responses were investigated among 358 patients with secondary RM and 203 of their children born prior to the miscarriages. The chance of a subsequent live birth in secondary RM patients with firstborn boys compared with firstborn girls was significantly lower in women with HY‐restricting HLA class II alleles [OR: 0.17 (0.1–0.4), P = 0.0001]. In patients without these alleles, the chance of live birth was similar in those with firstborn boys and girls, respectively. In early pregnancy, both antibodies against HLA and HY antigens were found with increased prevalence in secondary patients with RM and in particular in those with a firstborn boy compared with controls (P = 0.005). The presence of these antibodies was associated with a low subsequent live birth rate, and the presence of HY antibodies was associated with a low male/female ratio (12% boys versus 88% girls) in subsequent live births (P = 0.03). Register‐based population studies suggested that births of boys also are associated with subsequent adverse obstetric outcomes also in the background population.

Conclusion

Findings strongly indicate that aberrant maternal immune reactions against fetal HY antigens playing a role in secondary RM and other pregnancy complications. We propose pathogenetic pathways for these conditions that in our view best explain the findings.
Epigenetics – the Key to Understand Immune Responses in Health and Disease
Authors: Janson Peter C. , Winqvist Ola
Published: July 2011

Citation Janson PC, Winqvist O. Epigenetics – the Key to Understand Immune Responses in Health and Disease. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66 (Suppl. 1): 72–74

Problem  Development of alternative CD4+ T cells provides flexibility to the immune system. This is crucial for the initiation of appropriate effector mechanisms to protect against various pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, tumors, and parasites.

Method of study  Review of research on the epigenetic regulation of T‐cell subsets.

Results  Studies of the epigenetic modulation of T‐cell subset function/dysfunction during the past years have increased our understanding of how the alternative effector populations arise and how their identity is maintained during clonal expansion.

Conclusions  The recent advances in epigenetic research within the field of immunology have also raised questions on how immunology is regulated during pregnancy and early life and how epigenetic regulation of the immune system during prenatal development is related to diseases later in life such as autoimmunity and allergy.
Regional, socioeconomic and urban‐rural disparities in child and adolescent obesity in China: a multilevel analysis
Authors: Chen Tian‐Jiao , Modin Bitte , Ji Cheng‐Ye , Hjern Anders
Published: July 2011

Aim:  To study socio‐demographic patterns of obesity in Chinese children and adolescents.

Methods:  Data came from the 2005 cycle of the Chinese National Survey on Student’s Constitution and Health. In all, 231 326 subjects aged 7–18 years, distributed across 622 schools and 30 provinces, were analysed. Multilevel modelling was used to estimate variations at individual, school area and province levels.

Results:  The prevalence of obesity varied enormously across different areas. Young people living in high socioeconomic and urban areas had higher body mass index (BMI) and higher odds of overweight and obesity than those living in lower socioeconomic and rural areas. Subjects living in provinces with a higher standard of living, as indicated by less perinatal mortality, lower Engel coefficient, and higher personal expenditure on health had higher BMI and higher odds of overweight and obesity than those living in less affluent provinces. An interaction between gender and urbanicity revealed that boys in urban areas were especially prone to obesity.

Conclusion:  In contrast to most present‐day high income countries, obesity among young people in China is associated with affluence and urban residence. Intervention and strategy for obesity prevention should be targeting high socioeconomic families in urban areas, perhaps with particular focus on boys.
Drama and Empathy in Medical Education
Authors: Matharu Kabir S. , Howell Jessica , Fitzgerald Faith
Published: July 2011

Increasingly, undergraduate and graduate programs in medical humanities are exploring the ability of the arts to elucidate the human condition as it relates to patient care. At the University of California, Davis, students and faculty from both the Department of Medicine and English Literature have convened for informal readings of scenes from dramatic works. This paper discusses the use of excerpts from Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night and Berry Barta’s Journey into That Good Night in a medical education setting. Medical students participated in staged readings of these plays, which were filmed and then screened for a group of 30 medical students in order to elicit discussion. Topics included how individuals deal with illness differently and how prospective physicians could address similar clinical scenarios. Medical students contributed to a fluid, evolving project in which they oftentimes struggled to play a character but appreciated the opportunity to do so and to observe their peers in a similar fashion. Future plans for the project include further staged readings and presentations to larger groups of students with the intent of incorporating these activities into the medical school curriculum.
Through the Looking‐Glass: Joyce’s ‘Circe’, Flaubert’s Madame Bovary and the Poetics of Vision
Authors: Mimran Masha
Published: July 2011

In the last decades of the nineteenth century reading fiction to articulate a scientific diagnosis breeds a hybrid genre of scientific diagnosis that is both literary and medical. Just as medicine turns to fiction, thus blurring the boundaries between diagnosis and literary criticism, scientific discourses bring about artistic innovations in the novel which assimilates, mimics, and catalogs the discourses of the emerging sciences. In Madame Bovary, Flaubert’s attempt to move away from the romantic tradition is paralleled with his interest in integrating contemporary medical discourses into the narrative of Emma’s story such as hysteria. Like Flaubert, James Joyce does not remain indifferent to the emerging medical discourses. Indeed, in Joyce’s Ulysses, as one enters ‘Circe’s’ theatre of perversions, one leaves the hostile corps médical of ‘Oxen in the Sun’ only to familiarize oneself with yet another kind of linguistic laboratory that is not immune to the tyranny of the medical gaze. Looking at both Flaubert and Joyce, this article reassesses the possible conversations prompted by the dynamic exchange between the scientific and the literary discourses and explores ways in which the assimilation of the sciences of the Modern novel departs from yet remodels that of the realist narrative. Establishing a conversation between Flaubert, Joyce, and Krafft‐Ebing, I look at how the conversations between fiction and the sciences generate the ‘medicalization of fiction in the novel and the fictionalization of medical discourses.’ This cross‐fertilization between the two disciplines, I suggest, reshapes the ways in which the novel internalizes the concept of the medical gaze in the sciences.
All Talk: Robert Zemeckis’s Beowulf, Wealtheow, and Grendel’s Mother
Authors: Schipper Bill
Published: July 2011

Robert Zemeckis’ film version of Beowulf changes the Old English epic poem in a number of significant ways. He collapses the action of the poem into a single narrative arc; he modifies the relationships among some of the chief characters, most notably in two ways: both Hrothgar and Beowulf are married to Wealtheow, the latter after Hrothgar commits suicide; and both men have affairs with Grendel’s mother, and father children with her, with the result that in Zemeckis’ version, Hrothgar is the father of Grendel, and Beowulf is the father of the dragon. The result is that the movie has as its central concerns marriage, infidelity, and family secrets, in which Wealtheow plays the role of the silent, angry wife, and Grendel’s mother the dangerous femme fatale who undermines domestic stability, rather than a fundamental conflict between good (represented by the heroic Beowulf) and evil (represented by Grendel, his mother, and the dragon).
Resistance to Genocide in the Postmodern Beowulf
Authors: Norris Robin
Published: July 2011

The Anglo‐Saxon poem Beowulf concludes with the extinction of both the heroes and the monsters of the text. The poet even problematizes individual survival, which leads to exile, revenge, and further violence. Although the four recent film adaptations of Beowulf refer to the poem as the ultimate monument to their hero, they also self‐consciously postmodernize the text by blurring the boundary between monster and human. Yet because the films both fetishize individual survival and refuse to exterminate either the humans or the monsters, they do not accurately reflect the violence of the poem.
Presidents, Polarization, and Divided Government
Authors: COHEN JEFFREY E.
Published: July 2011

This article tests two models of extremism versus moderation in presidential policy stances, a party activist theory and a congressional context theory. The party activist theory argues that, due to the electoral and nomination reforms of the mid‐1970s, party activists became increasingly important and powerful in their parties. As activists tend to be more policy extreme than rank‐and‐file voters, and grew more extreme over the past several decades, this theory predicts presidents will also be more policy extreme in the postreform than the prereform era. The congressional context theory focuses on divided government and polarization. It argues that policy‐minded presidents must moderate their policy positions during divided government because they need support from the opposition party. However, polarization erects barriers and disincentives for presidential moderation, offsetting the moderating tendencies of divided government. Using data on presidential policy positions from the 1950s through the early 2000s, I test both theories, finding support for the congressional context but not the party activist theory.
Assessing Congressional Responses to Growing Presidential Powers: The Case of Recess Appointments
Authors: BLACK RYAN C. , LYNCH MICHAEL S. , MADONNA ANTHONY J. , OWENS RYAN J.
Published: July 2011

In 2007, the U.S. Senate moved into permanent session to stop President George W. Bush from making recess appointments. This article examines this episode. We argue that Congress is only able to effectively check presidential unilateral powers when the president's use of such powers creates high political costs for a sufficient number of members such that congressional collective action is possible. Using case studies and multivariate analysis, we show that Bush used recess appointments far more than his predecessors, creating high political costs for Senate Democrats and driving them to find an innovative way to check the power of the president.
Bedrails and vulnerable older adults: how should nurses make ‘safe and sound’ decisions surrounding their use?
Authors: Shanahan Denise J.
Published: July 2011

Aim and objectives.  This paper examines the available evidence and uses ethical principles to answer how nurses should make safe and sound decisions surrounding the use of bedrails.

Background.  Bedrails are frequently observed in practice. They are designed as safety devices but there is evidence of indiscriminate and misuse with vulnerable adults.

Methods.  The OVID MEDLINE, BNI and CINAHL databases were searched using key words dignity or autonomy and old[er] or elder[s/ly]), people, adult[s], patient[s], client[s] or user[s], and bed rails, bed guards, cot sides or side rails (and associated variations). Additionally United Kingdom legislation, professional codes of practice and national patient safety agency resources were also searched.

Results.  Bedrail use needs careful consideration. The published evidence can be confusing and contradictory. Nurses have a duty to provide care which promotes respect for patient’s autonomy, integrity and dignity for which individualised assessment is essential. Additionally overt consideration of beneficence, non‐maleficence and justice supports decision making.

Conclusions.  Protection and promotion of respect for autonomy, integrity and dignity especially with older adults must be evidenced in practice. The use of an ethical framework can enable nurses to make transparent and defensible decisions about the appropriate use of bedrails, thereby fulfilling professional, moral, and legal requirements.

Implications for practice.  Bedrail use has implications beyond falls prevention. Protection and promotion of respect for autonomy, integrity and dignity with older adults must be considered in decision‐making. Physical safety must be assessed as part of a holistic assessment. Nurses may need support and training to ensure ‘safe and sound’ surrogate decision‐making in practice.
Neo‐Traditional Salafi Qur’an‐Sunna Hermeneutics1 and Its Interpretational Implications
Authors: Duderija Adis
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this article is to outline the delineating features of a Qur’an‐Sunnah hermeneutic of one of the contemporary Muslim schools of thought, here named Neo‐traditional Salafism (NTS).The first section of the article provides a brief discussion of the main representatives of NTS. In the second part NTS is positioned in relation to the broader Islamic tradition. This is done so with respect to the relative status and authenticity of various sources of legal authority in the Islamic tradition and with a special attention given to the concept of Sunna. In the third part of the article NTS’ Sunna hermeneutic is examined more closely and its interpretational implications are noted. The fourth section describes the NTS approach to Qur’anic hermeneutics and its interpretational implications. The author argues that in terms of their methodology of interpretation of the Qur’an‐Sunnah NTS is closely related to that of the pre‐modern ahl‐hadith school of thought as both NTS and ahl‐hadith hermeneutic are characterized by a philologically centred interpretational orientation; textual ‘intentionalism’, i.e. the subscription to a voluntaristic view of law, ethics, morality and ontology; the belief in the fixed, stable nature of the meaning of the Qur’anic text residing in totality in the mind of its Originator, the interpretational marginalization of Qur’anic revelationary background; a ‘voluntarist–traditionalist’ view of the relationship between reason and revelation; textual segmentalist approach to the Qur’anic content and the illegitimacy of a hermeneutically priviledged aims (maqasid) and social benefit (maslaha) based approach to Qur’anic interpretation.
Detection of Preclinical Body Fluid Retention in Established Heart Failure Patients During Follow‐Up by a Digital Weight Scale Incorporating a Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer
Authors: Kataoka Hajime
Published: July 2011

This study examined the characteristics of asymptomatic worsening heart failure (HF) events and validated the role of a novel HF monitoring method (measuring body weight [BW] and percent body fat [BF%]) to identify such worsening HF events. A clinician determined worsening HF status by evaluating symptoms, physical signs, and pleural effusion on ultrasonography. A criterion of significant fluid weight gain was defined as BW gain ≥1.5 kg with a concomitant decrease in BF%. A total of 74 HF patients were included. During a mean follow‐up of 20.8 months, 1588 visits were evaluated. A total of 79 worsening HF events occurred in 50 patients, in which worsening was symptomatic in 46 events (58%) and asymptomatic in 33 events (42%). Novel method eliminated 42 of 73 (58%) false‐positive indications of worsening HF events based only on the BW criterion (≥1.5 kg) without excluding true worsening HF events. The test characteristics of this method in the diagnosis of overall HF events were sensitivity 65.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54.3–76.1), specificity 97.9% (95%, CI 97.1–98.6), positive predictive value 62.7% (95% CI, 51.3–73.0), and negative predictive value 98.2% (95% CI, 97.4–98.8). Preclinical fluid retention occurs frequently in established HF patients, and novel monitoring method can specifically identify preclinical worsening HF. Congest Heart Fail. 2012;18:37–42. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
You Wore Me Down: Self‐Control Strength and Social Influence
Authors: Burkley Edward , Anderson Darshon , Curtis Jessica
Published: July 2011

The ability to effectively regulate one’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior is at the heart of human agency. Numerous insights in self‐regulation have recently been gained utilizing the strength, or limited‐resource, model of self‐control. Much of this work has focused on the intrapersonal impact of self‐control; however, an emerging body of work has begun to shift attention toward the interpersonal realm with similar success. In this article, we review the role that regulatory strength has in social influence. Work from persuasion, compliance, and conformity demonstrate that (1) resisting social influences consumes regulatory resources and (2) when these resources are depleted, people become more susceptible to social influences. We conclude by highlighting important implications that remain unanswered and suggest potential areas of future development.
Securitizing America: Strategic Incapacitation and the Policing of Protest Since the 11 September 2001 Terrorist Attacks
Authors: Gillham Patrick F.
Published: July 2011

During the 1970s, the predominant strategy of protest policing shifted from ‘escalated force’ and repression of protesters to one of ‘negotiated management’ and mutual cooperation with protesters. Following the failures of negotiated management at the 1999 World Trade Organization demonstrations in Seattle, law enforcement quickly developed a new social control strategy, referred to here as ‘strategic incapacitation’. The US police response to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks quickened the pace of police adoption of this new strategy, which emphasizes the goals of ‘securitizing society’ and isolating or neutralizing the sources of potential disruption. These goals are accomplished through (1) the use of surveillance and information sharing as a way to assess and monitor risks, (2) the use of pre‐emptive arrests and less‐lethal weapons to selectively disrupt or incapacitate protesters that engage in disruptive protest tactics or might do so, and (3) the extensive control of space in order to isolate and contain disruptive protesters actual or potential. In a comparative fashion, this paper examines the shifts in United States policing strategies over the last 50 years and uses illustrative cases from national conventions, the global justice movement and the anti‐war movement to show how strategic incapacitation has become a leading social control strategy used in the policing of protests since 9/11. It concludes by identifying promising questions for future research.
The reflective peephole method: Ruralism and awkwardness in the ethnography of rural China
Authors: Steinmüller Hans
Published: July 2011

Starting with Arthur Smith’s metaphor of the ‘peephole method’, this article explores the issues of ruralism and awkwardness which underlie much ethnographic fieldwork in rural China. In the first part, the continuing influence of ruralism—the idea that the Chinese countryside represents the ‘real’ China—is discussed. This idea is based on a radical conceptual separation of the countryside and the city, which denies modern everydayness to the countryside. If we accept that the modern everyday is now present in rural China and that ordinary people are aware of ruralism and its opposites (urbanism and modernity), we need to find research methods suitable to address the entanglement and the social uses of ruralist and modernist representations in everyday life. In the second part of the article, I argue that the ‘reflective peephole method’ could be such a method. Starting from the awkwardness I felt in my own fieldwork in south‐western Hubei Province, I argue that the dilemmas of the ‘peephole method’ might be a good starting point for reflecting on the intensified ambiguity of moral discourse and action in contemporary rural China.
Adherence to medication for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: does time frame matter?
Authors: Khoza Star , Oladapo Abiola O , Barner Jamie C
Published: July 2011

Objectives

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication users frequently take ‘drug holidays’ during the summer months. The study objective was to compare ADHD medication adherence for the school year (SY, 270 days) and for the entire year (EY, 365 days) by medication type, medication class and duration of action.

Methods

Continuously enrolled Texas Medicaid children (≤18 years) who had two or more prescription claims for an ADHD medication served as the study population. SY (1 September–31 May) and EY (1 January–31 December) prescription claims were extracted from July 2002 to December 2008.

Key findings

Overall mean (±SD) adherence for SY (n = 50 842) and EY (n = 62 789) time frames was 62.2% (±26.2%) and 49.8% (±30.3%), respectively. The overall frequency of patients who were adherent (medication possession ratio, ≥80%) was higher during SY (28.3%) than during EY (22.1%). Regarding medication type, mean adherence for immediate-release stimulants (52.8 versus 37.2%), extended-release stimulants (63.7 versus 52.1%), pro-drug stimulants (63.5 versus 47.6%) and non-stimulants (62.9 versus 52.5%) was higher during SY than EY, respectively. Regarding medication class, mean adherence for stimulants (62.1 versus 49.4%) and non-stimulants (62.9 versus 52.5%) was higher during SY than EY. Similarly, regarding duration of action, mean adherence for short-acting agents (52.2 versus 37.2%) and long-acting agents (63.4 versus 52.2%) was higher during SY than EY, respectively.

Conclusions

Patients were more adherent during the SY compared to the EY. Due to unique patient medication-taking behaviors, ADHD medication adherence differs depending on the time frame used.
Modeling of the Stress–Birefringence–Stretch Behavior in Rubbers Using the Gent Model
Authors: Idrissa A. K. Mossi , Ahzi S. , Rémond Y. , Gracio J.
Published: July 2011

In this paper, we discuss the application of different stress–optic laws for rubbers to predict the birefringence evolution and the stress–stretch relationship. The main focus of this work is to propose a new formulation for the stress–birefringence relationship using the Gent theory for rubber elasticity. The Gent constitutive model for the stress–stretch response has been shown to provide a nearly equivalent rubber elastic behavior as that of the widely used eight-chain model. By combining the simpler stress–stretch relationship from the Gent model with a Gaussian network theory for birefringence, we propose a simplified stress–optic relationship. We show that our obtained results are in accord with the existing experimental results at large strains. Our proposed simplified formulation and results allow us to conclude that the Gent theory can be extended to predict optical anisotropy evolution under large strains and that these predictions are nearly equivalent to the more complex formulation based on the eight-chain model.
A Rate-Sensitive Plasticity-Based Model for Machining of fcc Single-Crystals—Part II: Model Calibration and Validation
Authors: Kota Nithyanand , Rollett Anthony D. , Ozdoganlar O. Burak
Published: July 2011

For a range of precision machining and micromachining operations, the crystallographic anisotropy plays a critical role in determining the machining forces. Part II of this work presents the calibration and validation of the rate-sensitive plasticity-based machining (RSPM) model developed in Part I. The five material parameters, including four hardening parameters and the exponent of rate sensitivity, for both single-crystal aluminum and single-crystal copper are calibrated from the single-crystal plunge-turning data using a Kriging-based minimization approach. Subsequently, the RSPM model is validated by comparing the specific energies obtained from the model to those from a single-crystal cutting test. The RSPM model is seen to capture the experimentally observed variation of specific energies with crystallographic anisotropy (orientation), including the mean value, symmetry, specific trend, amplitude, and phase of the peak specific energy. The effects of lattice rotation, hardening, and material-parameter variations on the predicted specific energies is then analyzed, revealing the importance of both lattice rotation and hardening in accurately capturing the specific energies when cutting single-crystals. Using the RSPM model, the effects of crystallographic orientation, rake angle and friction angle on specific energies are also analyzed. Lastly, a simplified model that uses Merchant’s shear angle, thereby circumventing the minimization procedure, is constructed and evaluated.
Identification of C
4
-Dicarboxylate Transport Systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosaPAO1
Authors: Valentini Martina , Storelli Nicola , Lapouge Karine
Published: July 2011

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
utilizes preferentially C
4
-dicarboxylates such as malate, fumarate, and succinate as carbon and energy sources. We have identified and characterized two C
4
-dicarboxylate transport (Dct) systems in
P. aeruginosa
PAO1. Inactivation of the
dctA
(PA1183) gene caused a growth defect of the strain in minimal media supplemented with succinate, fumarate or malate, indicating that DctA has a major role in Dct. However, residual growth of the
dctA
mutant in these media suggested the presence of additional C
4
-dicarboxylate transporter(s). Tn
5
insertion mutagenesis of the
ΔdctA
mutant led to the identification of a second Dct system, i.e., the DctPQM transporter belonging to the
tr
ipartite
A
TP-independent
p
eriplasmic (TRAP) family of carriers. The
ΔdctA ΔdctPQM
double mutant showed no growth on malate and fumarate and residual growth on succinate, suggesting that DctA and DctPQM are the only malate and fumarate transporters, whereas additional transporters for succinate are present. Using
lacZ
reporter fusions, we showed that the expression of the
dctA
gene and the
dctPQM
operon was enhanced in early exponential growth phase and induced by C
4
-dicarboxylates. Competition experiments demonstrated that the DctPQM carrier was more efficient than the DctA carrier for the utilization of succinate at micromolar concentrations, whereas DctA was the major transporter at millimolar concentrations. To conclude, this is the first time that the high- and low-affinity uptake systems for succinate DctA and DctPQM have been reported to function coordinately to transport C
4
-dicarboxylates and that the alternative sigma factor RpoN and a DctB/DctD two-component system regulates simultaneously the
dctA
gene and the
dctPQM
operon.
LATTICE BOLTZMANN STUDY OF ELECTROHYDRODYNAMIC DROP DEFORMATION WITH LARGE DENSITY RATIO
Authors: LI ZHI-TAO , LI GAO-JIN , HUANG HAI-BO , LU XI-YUN
Published: July 2011

The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) has been applied to electrohydrodynamics (EHD) in recent years. In this paper, Shan–Chen (SC) single-component multiphase LBM is developed to study large-density-ratio EHD problems. The deformation/motion of a droplet suspended in a viscous liquid under an applied external electric field is studied with three different electric field models. The three models are leaky dielectric model, perfect dielectric model and constant surface charge model. They are used to investigate the effects of the electric field, electric properties of liquids and electric charges. The leaky dielectric model and the perfect dielectric model are validated by the comparison of LBM results with theoretical analysis and available numerical data. It shows that the SC LBM coupled with these electric field models is able to predict the droplet deformation under an external electric field. When net charges are present on the droplet surface and an electric field is applied, both droplet deformation and motion are reasonably predicted. The current numerical method may be an effective approach to analyze more complex EHD problems.
A SIMPLE NEURON NETWORK BASED ON HEBB'S RULE
Authors: ZHANG GUI-QING , YU ZI , YANG QIU-YING , CHEN TIAN-LUN
Published: July 2011

A weighted mechanism in neural networks is studied. This paper focuses on the neuron's behaviors in an area of brain. Our model could regenerate the power-law behaviors and finite size effects of neural avalanche. The probability density functions (PDFs) for the neural avalanche size differing at different times (lattice size) have fat tails with a q-Gaussian shape and the same parameter value of q in the thermodynamical limit. Above two kinds of behaviors show that our neural model can well present self-organized critical behavior. The robustness of PDFs shows the stability of self-organized criticality. Meanwhile, the avalanche scaling relation of the waiting time has been found.
INSTANTANEOUS INFORMATION ALWAYS STABILIZES?
Authors: ZHANG YANG , HUANG WEIHONG
Published: July 2011

The impact of information improvement on local stability is examined for continuous dynamics. It is conventionally believed that removal of uncertainty always brings additional stability to an existing equilibrium. This paper shows that the relation between information and equilibrium stability may not be monotonic. Removal of information lag may sometimes destabilize the otherwise stable continuous model. Economic applications to Cournot and Bertrand competition are examined where the role of improved information on stability is shown to be cost-structure specific. Elimination of lags may cause stability loss. The conclusion drawn on two-dimensional continuous dynamics is briefly generalized to multidimensional system.
THE RELATIVE-PROFIT-MAXIMIZATION OBJECTIVE OF PRIVATE FIRMS AND ENDOGENOUS TIMING IN A MIXED OLIGOPOLY
Authors: LU YUANZHU
Published: July 2011

This paper investigates whether the relative-profit-maximization objective of private firms affects endogenous timing in a mixed oligopoly in the linear demand case. Assuming firms have constant marginal costs and symmetric private firms are more efficient than the public firm, it is found that such an objective does not affect endogenous timing compared with the absolute-profit-maximization case. When the equilibrium involves the public firm acting as a leader, social welfare increases compared with the level in the absolute-profit-maximization case. When the equilibrium involves the public firm acting as a follower, social welfare remains unchanged.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN REMITTANCE BEHAVIOR: EVIDENCE FROM VIETNAM
Authors: NIIMI YOKO , REILLY BARRY
Published: July 2011

This paper investigates the role of gender in remittance behavior among migrants using the 2004 Vietnam Migration Survey data. The gender dimension to remittance behavior has not featured strongly in the existing literature and our findings thus contain novel appeal. In addition, we use estimates from both homoscedastic and heteroscedastic tobit models to decompose the raw gender difference in remittances into treatment and endowment components. We find little evidence that gender differences in remittances are attributable to behavioral differences between men and women, and this finding is invariant to whether the homoscedastic or heteroscedastic tobit is used in estimation.
EVOLUTION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC AND DIRAC PERTURBATIONS AROUND A BLACK HOLE IN HOŘAVA GRAVITY
Authors: VARGHESE NIJO , KURIAKOSE V. C.
Published: July 2011

The evolution of electromagnetic and massless Dirac perturbations in the spacetime geometry of Kehagias–Sfetsos (KS) black hole in the deformed Hořava–Lifshitz (HL) gravity is investigated and the associated quasinormal modes (QNMs) are evaluated from time domain integration data. We find a considerable deviation in the nature of field evolution in HL theory from that in the Schwarzschild spacetime and QNM region extends over a longer time in HL theory before the power-law tail decay begins. The dependence of the field evolution on the HL parameter α is also studied. In the time domain picture we find that the length of QNM region increases with α. But the late-time decay of field follows the same power-law tail behavior as in the case of Schwarzschild black hole.
MICROSTRUCTURE AND WEAR RESISTANCE OF LASER-TREATED Ni–P–Al2O3 ELECTROLESS DEPOSITION COMPOSITE COATING
Authors: KONG FANZHI , YAO JIANHUA , HU XIAODONG
Published: July 2011

A uniform Ni–P–Al2O3 electroless plating layer was produced on medium carbon steel and then scanned by high-power continuous wave CO2 laser beam. The entire coating is divided into three regions: laser-strengthened region, transition zone, and heat-affected zone. The strengthened coating shows good performance characterized by uniform components and refined microstructures. The main phase is comprised of Ni3P with some non-equilibrium phases. The reinforced particles, Al2O3 , are homogeneously dispersed in the coating. Its abrasive resistance also increases because of the Al2O3 particles.
ANALYSIS AND COMPENSATION OF STIFFNESS IN CNC MACHINE TOOL FEED SYSTEM
Authors: WANG BAOSHENG , ZUO JIANMIN , WANG MULAN
Published: July 2011

Based on the elastic mechanics theory, the mathematical models of axial stiffness and torsion stiffness are constructed in accordance with single end thrust and two ends thrust. The effects of stiffness on dead band error are analyzed. With the analysis of displacement deviation induced by axial stiffness and angular displacement deflection caused by torsion stiffness, a formula to calculate the dead band error is presented. A model for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tool feed system with stiffness is established. By applying computer simulation, dynamic performances, static performances and steady-state error of the system are analyzed. To reduce the effect of stiffness on the system, the feedforward control method is used to compensate stiffness. The simulation analysis shows the result that dynamic and static performances are improved, as well as steady-state error of the system is reduced by more than 58% with this approach.
RESEARCH ON TEMPERATURE FIELD NUMERICAL SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENT IN LASER QUENCHING PROCESS
Authors: WANG YANTAO , ZHU BIN
Published: July 2011

The numerical simulation and experiment method for temperature field research in the laser quenching process is proposed. First, several assumptions of the laser quenching process are discussed for the research convenience. The simulation process is analyzed by the Laser Heat-Treatment-2 software, which is developed in FORTRAN. A discrete simulation process and results are given through the setting of different parameters in the laser quenching process. Finally, the experimental study is carried out to demonstrate the validity of the simulation results.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTRIC SPINDLE'S DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-SPEED GRINDER
Authors: LI C. H. , HOU Y. L. , DU C. , DING Y. C.
Published: July 2011

Structural parameters are important factors that affect the dynamic performance of the electrical spindle of high-speed grinder. In this study, the influences of the electric spindle's major structural parameters on its dynamic characteristics are investigated. Based on the transfer-matrix method and taking into consideration the gyroscopic couple, the shear, the variable cross-section, and other influential factors, a dynamic model is established for the multidisk rotor of the rotor-bearing system of the electric spindle. The critical speeds of first three orders, the modes of variation, and other dynamic characteristic parameters of the electric spindle are programmed and calculated. The influences of the axial pre-tightening force of the bearing, the span of the fulcrum bearing as well as the changes in the front and rear overhangs on the critical speed of the rotor-bearing system on the electric spindle and their pattern of changes are analyzed. The results show that the span of the fulcrum bearing and the overhang have significant influences on the critical speed within a certain range, and the study provide the basis and guidance for the structural design and performance optimization of the electric spindle.
QUASI-CYCLIC CODES FROM CYCLIC-STRUCTURED DESIGNS WITH GOOD PROPERTIES
Authors: KOUKOUVINOS CHRISTOS , SIMOS DIMITRIS E.
Published: July 2011

In this paper, one-generator binary quasi-cyclic (QC) codes are explored by statistical tools derived from design of experiments. A connection between a structured cyclic class of statistical designs, k-circulant supersaturated designs and QC codes is given. The mathematical structure of the later codes is explored and a link between complementary dual binary QC codes and E(s2)-optimal k-circulant supersaturated designs is established. Moreover, binary QC codes of rate 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6 and 1/7 are found by utilizing a genetic algorithm. Our approach is based on a search for good or best codes that attain the current best-known lower bounds on the minimum distance of linear codes, formulated as a combinatorial optimization problem. Surveying previous results, it is shown, that our codes reach the current best-known lower bounds on the minimum distance of linear codes with the same parameters.
Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein: Complex Particles in Cardiac Energy Metabolism
Authors: Niu You-Guo , Evans Rhys D.
Published: July 2011

The heart is a major consumer of energy and is able to utilise a wide range of substrates including lipids. Nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were thought to be a favoured carbon source, but their quantitative contribution is limited because of their relative histotoxicity. Circulating triacylglycerols (TAGs) in the form of chylomicrons (CMs) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) are an alternative source of fatty acids and are now believed to be important in cardiac metabolism. However, few studies on cardiac utilisation of VLDL have been performed and the role of VLDL in cardiac energy metabolism remains unclear. Hearts utilise VLDL to generate ATP, but the oxidation rate of VLDL-TAG is relatively low under physiological conditions; however, in certain pathological states switching of energy substrates occurs and VLDL may become a major energy source for hearts. We review research regarding myocardial utilisation of VLDL and suggest possible roles of VLDL in cardiac energy metabolism: metabolic regulator and extracardiac energy storage for hearts.
Metastatic Spreading of Community AcquiredStaphylococcus aureusBacteraemia
Authors: Fabio Giovanna , Carrabba Maria , Mellace Luca , Hu Cinzia , Spagnoli Diego , Cappellini Maria Domenica
Published: July 2011

A 29-year-old woman presented to the Fondazione IRCCS “Cà Granda” Ospedale Maggiore, a tertiary care university hospital in Milan (Italy), with skin lesions, fever, myalgia, joint pain and swelling, and a one-week history of low back pain. The diagnosis wasStaphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) bacteraemia spreading to skin, bones, and joints and a lumbosacral epidural abscess L5-S2. Neither initial focus nor predisposing conditions were apparent. The antibiotic therapy was prolonged for six-weeks with the resolution of fever, skin lesions, articular inflammation, and the epidural abscess. Community-acquiredS. aureusinfections can affect patients without traditional healthcare-associated risk factors, and community acquisition is a risk-factor for the development of complications. Raised awareness ofS. aureusbacteraemia, also in patients without healthcare-associated risk factors, is important in the diagnosis, management, and control of this infection, because failure to recognise patients with serious infection and lack of understanding of empirical antimicrobial selection are associated with a high mortality rate in otherwise healthy people.
Erythropoietin: Recent Developments in the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Carelli Stephana , Marfia Giovanni , Di Giulio Anna Maria , Ghilardi Giorgio , Gorio Alfredo
Published: July 2011

Erythropoietin (EPO), originally identified for its critical function in regulating production and survival of erythrocytes, is a member of the type 1 cytokine superfamily. Recent studies have shown that EPO has cytoprotective effects in a wide variety of cells and tissues. Here is presented the analysis of EPO effects on spinal cord injury (SCI), considering both animal experiments concerning to mechanisms of neurodegeneration in SCI and EPO as a neuroprotective agent, and some evidences coming from ongoing clinical trials. The evidences underling that EPO could be a promising therapeutic agent in a variety of neurological insults, including trauma, are mounting. In particular, it is highlighted that administration of EPO or other recently generated EPO analogues such as asialo-EPO and carbamylated-EPO demonstrate interesting preclinical and clinical characteristics, rendering the evaluation of these tissue-protective agents imperative in human clinical trials. Moreover the demonstration of rhEPO and its analogues’ broad neuroprotective effects in animal models of cord lesion and in human trial like stroke, should encourage scientists and clinicians to design clinical trials assessing the efficacy of these pharmacological compounds on SCI.