bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probing the effect of author self-citations on h index: A case study of environmental engineering
Authors: Huang Mu-Hsuan , Lin Wen-Yau Cathy
Published: July 2011

This study evaluates the impact of author self-citations on h index by exploring 583 authors whose works appear in key periodicals in environmental engineering. The findings show that authors’ h values have high correlation with authors’ article number, total cited count, and their rankings. There is also a high correlation with h index values and rankings of h values. The study indicates that self-citations have little impact on the values of h index and the h index rankings, whether or not articles with authors’ self-citation are included. Further investigations reveal that, for authors with high values in h index, the two h index values are both highly correlated and with significant difference either with self-citations or without. A similar pattern is seen in authors with low h values. The results suggest that there is no need to deliberately exclude self-citations in analysing or evaluating research performance in environmental engineering.
A prediction model for web search hit counts using word frequencies
Authors: Tian Tian , Chun Soon Ae , Geller James
Published: July 2011

A search engine user with a well-defined information need is not interested in getting thousands of hits, but a few hits that are all highly relevant to their search. Often search words need to be refined and augmented to narrow results to more relevant pages. However, an overly specific query may lead to no hits at all, while most typical queries lead to thousands or even millions of them, both undesirable outcomes. This paper suggests a query rewriting method for generating alternative query strings and proposes a hit count prediction model for predicting the number of search engine hits for each alternative query string, based on the English language frequencies of the words in the search terms. Using the hit count prediction model, different types of search strategies, such as a lowest hit count query preference, can be utilized to improve users’ search experience. We present an evaluation experiment of the hit count prediction model for three major search engines. We also discuss and quantify how far the Google, Yahoo! and Bing search engines diverge from monotonic behaviour, considering negative and positive search terms separately.
Jean-Luc Nancy on the political after Heidegger and Schmitt
Authors: Norris Andrew
Published: July 2011

It is commonly recognized that Jean-Luc Nancy’s efforts to elaborate a conception of ‘the political’ are based upon Heidegger’s thinking of die Tecknik, even as they seek to overcome the difficulties that beset Heidegger’s own politics. But few have noted that Nancy also seeks to critically engage Carl Schmitt’s conception of das Politische, according to which there is a metaphysical and practical need for a sovereign decision on friends and enemies if effective political community and law are to be possible. This article argues that recognizing that Nancy seeks to overcome Schmitt’s conception of the political throws into high relief his failure to address the actual subject matter of politics. In the end, Nancy remains too metaphysical to engage with the political.
Basic income, decommodification and the welfare state
Authors: Panitch Vida
Published: July 2011

According to Philippe Van Parijs, the superiority of an unconditional basic income (UBI) over conventional means-tested liberal welfare state programs lies in its decommodifying potential. In this article I argue that even if a UBI was sustainable at high enough a level to lessen the extent to which an individual is forced to sell his or her labor power in the market, it would nonetheless have the adverse and simultaneous effect of forcing that individual into further market transactions to satisfy his or her most basic needs. I conclude that the relative directness with which a welfare regime responds to basic needs qualifies as a crucial dimension of decommodification, and that the conventional liberal welfare state scores rather higher along this dimension than a UBI would.
Exploring the Support Role of Special Education Teachers After Hurricane Ike
Authors: McAdams Ducy Elizabeth , Stough Laura M.
Published: July 2011

This study explored the role of special education teachers of children with significant disabilities during Hurricane Ike. Grounded theory methods were used to analyze interview data of the teachers ( n = 4) who were employed in school districts directly affected by the hurricane. The five categories that emerged from the data were losses for students and families, losses for teachers, resource supports, communication supports, and supports to reestablish routines. Despite being affected by the storm themselves, the teachers provided essential support to their students and families throughout all phases of the disaster. The role of these teachers evolved to include instrumental and psychological supports, which has been documented in previous studies. These teachers’ roles differed in that they provided support while school was closed and included the disability-related needs of their students. Recommendations include that teachers receive training on the needs of students with significant disabilities and their families during natural disaster.
Recovery of Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria in Sinus Fungal Ball
Authors: Brook Itzhak
Published: July 2011

This case study with chart review describes the aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of specimens obtained from 47 patients with Aspergillus spp fungus ball. Bacteria were recovered from 32 of the 47 (68%) patients. Eighty‐six isolates, 29 aerobic and facultatives and 57 anaerobic, were recovered. Aerobic and facultatives only were recovered in 6 instances (19% of culture‐positive specimens), anaerobes only in 11 (34%), and mixed aerobes and anaerobes in 15 (47%). The predominant aerobes were Staphylococcus aureus (6 isolates), α‐hemolytic streptococci (5 isolates), Enterobacteriacae (4 isolates), and microaerophilic streptococci (4 isolates). The predominant anaerobes were Gram‐negative bacilli (26), Peptostreptococcus spp (14), and Fusobacterium spp. (10). Twenty‐two β‐lactamase–producing bacteria were recovered from 15 patients. These included all 6 S aureus and 2 Bacteroides fragilis group isolates, 4 of 10 of Fusobacteria, and 7 of 19 Prevotella and Porphyromonas. This study demonstrates the recovery of polymicrobial aerobic‐anaerobic flora in the sinuses of patients with fungus ball.
The Aleatory Encounter and the Common Name
Authors: Day Ronald E.
Published: July 2011

This article discusses the relation between the concepts of the Epicurean void and the aleatory encounter in Louis Althusser’s late philosophy and the concepts of kairòs and the common name (or common concept; nome comune) in Antonio Negri’s later work. It is important to consider the political efficacy of nome comune in the context of ontological commitments such as the Althusserian void and Negri’s “postmodern” landscape of “total subsumption,” among other reasons because common concepts play important social and political mediating roles in both modern broadcast media and in more recent ranked information retrieval, crowd-sourced information aggregation, and computer mediated communication.
Leadership, peer relationship, and transformational organizational culture: A relational approach to a Taiwan college music faculty sample
Authors: Ji Chang-Ho C. , Chuang Ching-Mien
Published: July 2011

This paper explores how leadership and peer relation relate to the propensity of college music departments to develop transformational organizational culture. Our theory of relational leadership and peer relation has initially allowed us to formulate expectations for the affirmative impacts of professional and personal leadership and peer relation on the expansion of transformational culture. The samples are taken from the full-time college professors in Taiwanese music departments. The results demonstrate the significant importance of professional leadership and peer relation to the growth of transformational culture; however, the intimate personal relations fail to make contributions to the prediction. The larger implication is that professionalism in leadership and peer relationships is a major determinant of music department disposition in bolstering transformational organizational culture.
Integrating motivation, risk-taking and self-identity: A typology of ICT enterprise development narratives
Authors: Mills Colleen , Pawson Kylie
Published: July 2011

This article describes an original typology of enterprise development narratives that emerged from a study of the motivation, risk-taking and self-identity of nascent ICT (information and communications technology) entrepreneurs. The typology provides a multifaceted and integrated framework for appreciating an entrepreneur’s quest to align ‘who I am and what I do’ and achieve what we are calling the ‘self-enterprise fit’. As such, it promises to provide a valuable framework for (re)locating the ‘psychology of entrepreneurship’ in entrepreneurs’ experiences of enterprise development so that our understanding of new entrepreneurs’ approaches to enterprise development is enhanced and business assistance can be more effectively targeted.
Employment systems in small firms: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Verreynne Martie-Louise , Parker Polly , Wilson Marie
Published: July 2011

This exploratory study draws upon the perspectives of employees and managers from 50 small Australian firms to build a more complete and nuanced view of the interaction of human resources and capabilities with firm performance. Specifically, it uses a mixed methods multilevel design that elicits employee perspectives of employment systems and chief executive officer (CEO) assessments of firm performance. Results show that higher performing firms had better rated employment systems, with a cluster of human resource practices which included greater informality, employee engagement and participation. The views of employees were more discriminating and diagnostic than those of CEOs. The article discusses the implications of these findings for the study of employment systems and human resource management in small firms.
The acquisition of phonetic details: Evidence from the production of English reduced vowels by Korean learners
Authors: Han Jeong-Im , Hwang Jong-Bai , Choi Tae-Hwan
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acquisition of non-contrastive phonetic details of a second language. Reduced vowels in English are realized as a schwa or barred- i depending on their phonological contexts, but Korean has no reduced vowels. Two groups of Korean learners of English who differed according to the experience of residence in English-speaking countries and a group of English native speakers were asked to produce English reduced vowels in word-initial, word-internal and word-final positions. The mean duration ratios, and the mean values and distribution patterns of F1/F2 of the reduced vowels were compared between the three groups, which revealed that Korean learners without residence experience tended to produce each variant of English reduced vowels as the corresponding full vowels, whereas those with experience displayed similar patterns to the natives. The present results suggest that it is possible for second language (L2) learners to learn the statistical properties in L2.
Review article: A tree in the wood: A review of research on L2 Chinese acquisition
Authors: Yang Zhao
Published: July 2011

There has been considerable research in Chinese as a second language (L2) in recent years, particularly in its morphological and syntactic aspects. This article reviews research in these aspects with reference to the broader discipline of second language acquisition (SLA) and suggests that L2 Chinese research has contributed to SLA through verification, modification or posing challenges to research findings in the L2 acquisition of other languages. On the basis of these studies, the author points out the limits of current L2 Chinese research and discusses the prospects for future development, arguing that L2 Chinese is to be investigated against hypotheses based on other L2s so that theoretical contributions can be made to the discipline of SLA.
Handedness and ‘open-earedness’: Strong right-handers are less likely to prefer less popular musical genres
Authors: Christman Stephen D.
Published: July 2011

Research shows that strong right-handedness is associated with decreased cognitive flexibility and decreased tendencies to update beliefs, arising from decreased interhemispheric interaction. In the current study, strong right-handedness was associated with decreased overall liking of less popular musical genres (with the specific genres of bluegrass and reggae attaining significance) and marginally increased preference for more popular genres (with popularity being indexed by recording industry sales figures), providing further evidence for decreased cognitive flexibility in strong right-handers and suggesting that strength of handedness is an important factor in individual differences in musical preferences.
Early Criminal Recidivism Among Mentally Disordered Offenders
Authors: Lund Christina , Forsman Anders , Anckarsäter Henrik , Nilsson Thomas
Published: July 2011

Criminal recidivism was studied during 2 years in a Swedish population–based cohort ( N = 318) of mentally disordered male offenders who had undergone a pretrial forensic psychiatric investigation, been convicted in subsequent trials, and been sentenced to forensic psychiatric treatment (FPT; n = 152), prison ( n = 116), or noncustodial sanctions ( n = 50). Recidivism was analysed in relation to index sanctions, levels of supervision, diagnoses, and criminological factors. Significantly lower recidivism in the FPT group was related to lower crime rates during periods at conditional liberty in this group alone, and recidivism was significantly more common among offenders with at least one of the two diagnoses of substance abuse disorder and personality disorder than among those with psychotic or other mental disorders alone. Age at index crime and number of previous crimes emerged as significant predictors of recidivism. The results of this study suggest that the relapse rates depend as much on level of supervision as on individual characteristics.
Flow resistance in alluvial channels
Authors: Robert André
Published: July 2011

There have been numerous fluvial studies of flow resistance in alluvial channels during the last few decades. Significant progress has been made towards predicting flow resistance (and therefore velocity) for a given discharge. These past applications rely heavily on the characterization of particle sizes and the effects of changing relative submergence on flow resistance estimates. Different types of equations have been shown to provide reasonably good estimates in specific environments. Major difficulties arise from characterizing mobile beds, bed topography and its evolution and how these factors control rates of change of average velocity as discharge rises along a given river reach. Different issues can be recognized as a function of the spatial and temporal scales of investigation. A case can made that more emphasis should be placed upon reach-scale investigations. Detailed studies of bed topography, its maintenance, its evolution (at the reach scale) and its interactions with macroturbulence structure and sediment transport would ultimately provide valuable information and improved knowledge on both flow resistance processes and applications (predictions). Moreover, technological means now allow detailed characterization of bed topography and flow fields of large river systems. Such promising avenues should be further pursued with the goal of providing not only a better understanding of flow-bed-sediment transport interactions in large river systems but also a better understanding of flow stage variations, flood hazards, flow resistance estimates and therefore partitioning of depth and velocity as discharge rises along major river systems.
Synchrotron strain scanning for residual stress measurement in cold-drawn steel rods
Authors: Ruiz-Hervias J , Atienza J M , Elices M
Published: July 2011

Cold-drawn steel rods and wires retain significant residual stresses as a consequence of the manufacturing process. These residual stresses are known to be detrimental for the mechanical properties of the wires and their durability in aggressive environments. Steel makers are aware of the problem and have developed post-drawing processes to try and reduce the residual stresses on the wires. The present authors have studied this problem for a number of years and have performed a detailed characterization of the residual stress state inside cold-drawn rods, including both experimental and numerical techniques. High-energy synchrotron sources have been particularly useful for this research. The results have shown how residual stresses evolve as a consequence of cold-drawing and how they change with subsequent post-drawing treatments. The authors have been able to measure for the first time a complete residual strain profile along the diameter in both phases (ferrite and cementite) of a cold-drawn steel rod.
Exploiting the features of energy-dispersive synchrotron diffraction for advanced residual stress and texture analysis
Authors: Genzel Ch , Denks I A , Coelho R , Thomas D , Mainz R , Apel D , Klaus M
Published: July 2011

Responding to a growing interest from the materials science community for residual stress, texture, and microstructure analysis, strong efforts are made to enhance existing and develop novel methods that allow for fast in-situ studies at elevated temperature, measurements under external load, or residual strain, and stress scanning with high spatial resolution. In the paper, energy-dispersive diffraction using high-energy white synchrotron radiation is shown to provide some distinct advantages concerning residual stress and texture analysis, which mainly arise from the fact that the energy-dispersive diffraction mode allows for the measurement of complete diffraction patterns under fixed but arbitrary scattering angles, 2θ. A new two-detector set-up for simultaneous in- and out-of-plane diffraction analysis, which has been put into operation recently at the energy-dispersive materials science beamline EDDI at BESSY II, is introduced by using the examples of real-space residual stress and texture depth profiling on mechanically treated polycrystalline materials as well as of the in-situ study of (residual) stress evolution in a thin film at elevated temperature. It will be demonstrated that the individual measuring problems require the application of different geometrical slit configurations to define the pathways of the diffracted beams.
High-energy synchrotron diffraction study of a transformation induced plasticity steel during tensile deformation
Authors: Kromm A , Brauser S , Kannengiesser T , Rethmeier M
Published: July 2011

Energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction offers the possibility for measurement and evaluation of diffraction spectra containing information of various diffraction lines of all contributing crystalline phases of a material. Combined strain imaging and diffraction analysis was conducted during the tensile test of a low alloyed transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel in order to investigate the transformation induced plasticity, strain hardening, and load partitioning effects. Optical strain imaging allowed for determination of localized true strains from three-dimensional deformations measured in situ. High-energy synchrotron radiation has permitted diffraction analysis in transmission mode to gather information from the material interior. Phase-specific stress evolution during loading could be observed applying the sin2ψ technique during certain load steps. The strains of the individual lattice planes were determined in different locations under varying angles between loading and perpendicular direction. Using energy-dispersive methods it was also possible to determine the transformation behaviour during elastic and plastic regime taking into account a large number of diffraction lines. The results show that the approach practised here enables one to pull together macroscopic and phase-specific microscopic material behaviour in order to improve existing models for prediction of complex load situations.
Rigorously defined hemicrania continua presenting bilaterally
Authors: Southerland Andrew M , Login Ivan S
Published: July 2011

Background: Hemicrania continua (HC) is a headache syndrome characterized by continuous, unilateral head pain, autonomic features, and a complete therapeutic response to indomethacin. Although HC is classified as a unique entity among primary headache disorders, it clearly shares features with other primary headaches, including trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, and chronic daily headaches, such as chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headache. In addition, the diagnosis is often delayed secondary to a relatively low incidence and the occurrence of some phenotypic variability as found in previous case series.

Case: A 62-year-old woman presented with 5 months of unremitting, bilateral headache with significant autonomic symptoms during exacerbations of pain. Neurological examination and imaging studies were normal. After failure to respond to numerous previous therapeutic medicines and interventions, she experienced complete resolution following administration of indomethacin and eventual remission on sustained treatment.

Conclusion: This case demonstrates that hemicrania continua with requisite autonomic features can occur in a purely bilateral form. Although the definitive aspects of HC continue to evolve, a bilateral headache meeting the current criteria warrants a therapeutic trial of indomethacin.
Long-term Results After Arthroscopic Shoulder Stabilization Using Suture Anchors
Authors: van der Linde Just A. , van Kampen Derk A. , Terwee Caroline B. , Dijksman Lea M. , KleinJan G. , Willems W. Jaap
Published: July 2011

Background: Arthroscopic stabilization using suture anchors is widely used to restore stability after anterior shoulder dislocations and is associated with low recurrence rates in short-term follow-up studies.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term follow-up after arthroscopic stabilization for traumatic recurrent anterior instability using suture anchors with emphasis on both redislocations and subjective shoulder function.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: We included 67 consecutive patients with 70 affected shoulders. After 8 to 10 years, patients were asked to report the presence and course of their redislocations. Subjective shoulder function was addressed using the Oxford Instability Score (OIS), the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), and the Simple Shoulder Test (SST). Patients rated their health status using the Short Form-36 (SF-36).

Results: Sixty-five patients with 68 affected shoulders (97%) were evaluated for follow-up; 35% reported a redislocation. Median shoulder function scores were 16 of 12 to 60, 22 of 0 to 210, and 12 of 0 to 12 for the OIS, WOSI, and SST, respectively. There was a significant difference in subjective function between patients with and without recurrent instability, respectively, 16 versus 24 for the OIS ( P = .004), and 16 versus 47 for the WOSI ( P = .05). We found a trend for an inverse relationship between the number of suture anchors and recurrent instability, with 2 having a higher recurrence rate than 3 or more ( P = .06). Another trend was found with the presence of a Hill-Sachs defect slightly increasing the risk of a redislocation ( P = .07).

Conclusion: With a follow-up of 97%, about one third of the stabilized shoulders experienced at least one redislocation after 8 to 10 years. The presence of a Hill-Sachs defect and the use of less than 3 suture anchors might increase the chance of a redislocation. Patients without a redislocation have a significantly better shoulder function compared with patients with a redislocation.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament
Authors: Voos James E. , Mauro Craig S. , Wente Todd , Warren Russell F. , Wickiewicz Thomas L.
Published: July 2011

The optimal treatment of posterior cruciate ligament ruptures remains controversial despite numerous recent basic science advances on the topic. The current literature on the anatomy, biomechanics, and clinical outcomes of posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is reviewed. Recent studies have quantified the anatomic location and biomechanical contribution of each of the 2 posterior cruciate ligament bundles on tunnel placement and knee kinematics during reconstruction. Additional laboratory and cadaveric studies have suggested double-bundle reconstructions of the posterior cruciate ligament may better restore normal knee kinematics than single-bundle reconstructions although clinical outcomes have not revealed such a difference. Tibial inlay posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions (either open or arthroscopic) are preferred by many authors to avoid the “killer turn” and graft laxity with cyclic loading. Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction improves subjective patient outcomes and return to sport although stability and knee kinematics may not return to normal.
A Habermasian Analysis of a Process of Recognition of Prior Learning for Health Care Assistants
Authors: Sandberg Fredrik
Published: July 2011

This article discusses a process of recognition of prior learning for accreditation of prior experiential learning to qualify for course credits used in an adult in-service education program for health care assistants at the upper-secondary level in Sweden. The data are based on interviews and observations drawn from a field study, and Habermas’s theory of communicative action is used for analysis. The main findings suggest that the students do not fully understand the assessment process or how their prior learning was transformed into credits. This reflects the teacher’s strategic actions and the lack of mutual understanding. Examples are sketched about how the process could be developed using the theory of communicative action. From a Habermasian perspective, this process is also criticized as promoting an assimilation of lifeworld-grounded experiences to the system. This form of recognition of prior learning does not seem to satisfy important goals and ideals in adult education and learning.
The Uncertain Future of Slovenian Exceptionalism
Authors: Guardiancich Igor
Published: July 2011

The political-economy literature has so far almost unanimously regarded Slovenia as the social-democratic exception in Central and Eastern Europe, due to a combination of highly consensual democratic institutions, low party polarization, strong social partners, and developed social dialogue. However, the situation, since the fall of the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia (LDS), which governed in 1992–2004, seems to be swiftly changing. Polarization has increased, union legitimacy declined, and social dialogue—especially in the aftermath of the 2007–2009 financial crisis—has all but collapsed. The 2010 pension reform is an archetypical example of how Slovenia now much more resembles its quarrelsome Eastern neighbours than the idealized exception that political scientists usually point at.
Mechanical Properties of Poly(ether ether ketone) Composites Reinforced by Carbon Nano-Platelet Chains and Nanoalumina
Authors: Joseph S. , Bambole V.A. , Mahanwar P.A.
Published: July 2011

Carbon nanoplatelet and nanoalumina reinforced PEEK nanocomposites were fabricated by twin-screw extrusion followed by injection molding. The effect of the filler loading on mechanical properties, morphology, dielectric strength, and thermal stability of the composites has been analyzed. The mechanical properties were found to increase with nanoplatelet content up to 1% loading (optimum filler content) and after that, due to agglomeration of filler, slight decrease in properties were observed. For alumina-filled systems mechanical properties increased with increasing filler content due to the well-dispersed fillers in the composites. The modulus and toughness of alumina-filled composites were higher than platelet-filled composites.
Internal Friction of Polymer Composites with Nanosilicas Fabricated by Ultraviolet Irradiation
Authors: Xu G.C. , Yao B.H. , Xing H.L. , Zhang X.M.
Published: July 2011

The internal friction behavior of the nanocomposite polymer was studied using a multifunction internal friction apparatus. It is shown that the internal friction peak in the polymer has relaxation feature and the peak height is almost independent of frequency for the polymer without nanosilica. Nevertheless, the peak height in the polymer with nanosilica increases not only with increasing vibration frequency, but also with increasing nanosilica content, which results from the stronger interaction between nanosilica with polymer chains. For the nanocomposite polymer with 3 wt.% nanosilica, the activation energy of polymer chain motion is higher than that of neat copolymers.
Effect of nanoparticles loading on properties of polymeric composite based on Hemp Fiber/Polypropylene
Authors: Kord Behzad
Published: July 2011

In this study, the effect of layered nanoparticles on physical, mechanical, fire, and dynamic mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/hemp fiber was investigated. Composites based on PP, hemp fiber, nanoclay, and maleic anhydride-grafted PPs were made by melt compounding and then injection molding. Results revealed that the tensile modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break of composites increased with an increase of nanoparticles loading up to 3% and then decreased. However, the impact strength decreased with the increase in nanoclay loading. Also, significant reduction in water absorption and swelling thickness has been shown with increasing nanoparticles loading. The dynamic mechanical behavior and fire properties of composites were improved by the addition of nanolayered silicates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests clarify that the nanoparticles in the hemp fiber/PP samples are not exfoliated, and the dispersion is in need of improvement. Finally, this project has shown that the PP/hemp fiber composites treated with layered nanoparticles will be desirable as building materials due to their improved dimensional and fire stability and strength properties.
Preparation and characterization of lignocellulosic material filled polyethylene composite foams
Authors: Kord Behzad
Published: July 2011

In this study, the effects of foaming agent loading on the physical, mechanical and morphological properties of composites were investigated. Composites based on high-density polyethylene, rice husk flour, foaming agent and coupling agent were melt compounded using twin-screw extruder. The samples were foamed via a batch process using a compression molding machine at180°C. The mass ratio of rice husk flour to high-density polyethylene was controlled at 40:60 for all blends. The concentration was set to vary between 0, 1, 2 and 3 per hundred resins (phr) for foaming agent. The amount of coupling agent was fixed at 2% for all formulations. Results indicated that the cell size and average cell density of samples increased with an increase of foaming agent content. Also, by increasing the chemical foaming agent content the density, tensile modulus and flexural strength of the rice husk flour filled high-density polyethylene composites were decreased. However, the water absorption and thickness swelling of the composites increased by addition of the foaming agent. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the chemical foaming agent had a significant effect on the density reduction of foamed composites. This project has shown that the strategy of foaming wood plastic composites can be a good solution to overcome the high density of these composites.
Crossing Borders: Building Radical Economic Subjectivities along the USA/Mexico Border from Sites of Privilege
Authors: Rice Julie Steinkopf , Cummins Emily R. , Willeford Aprildawn
Published: July 2011

Research examining radical economic subjectivity processes involved in creating alternative economies remains extremely scarce. We address this lacuna by employing qualitative techniques including semi-structured interviews and participant observation to examine advocates who work to provide economic alternatives to economically dislocated communities along the USA/Mexico border. Theoretically we use a poststructural feminist perspective to illuminate the contradictions and complexities involved in how these advocates negotiate and often work against their interests arising from class, race, and geopolitical privileges. Contributions of this study include demonstrating the utility of a poststructural feminist approach to global political economic issues that extend beyond a focus upon gender. This theoretical approach provides insights into the complex relations radical economic subjects have to the state; the importance of critical self-reflection in building solidarity across different social locations; and the complexities related to language barriers and representation of the subaltern.
The Moral Regulation of the Second Europe: Transition, Europeanization and the Romanians
Authors: Arfire Ramona
Published: July 2011

The article describes the latest Europeanization as chronopolitics based on moral regulation and liberal othering. It is argued that the moralization of post-communist identities is a most ominous, authoritarian feature of the transition and Europeanization of eastern Europe. The role of the cultural elite is discussed using the example of the Romanian transition.
Experimental investigation on the scroll refrigeration compressor with external cooling
Authors: Sun S , Zhao Y , Li L , Liu H , Bu G , Wang Z
Published: July 2011

To improve the performance of scroll refrigeration compressor, an external cooling structure scroll compressor was designed and researched. A prototype with cooling structure was developed and tested. The thermodynamic model including the leakage, heat transfer, and friction was set up to simulate the working process of scroll compressor with external cooling. Experimental results show that coefficient of performance value of the prototype is improved by 0.31, the cooling capacity increases by 1281 W (12.9 per cent) and the discharge temperature reduces by 44 °C (41 per cent) maximally when the water cooling is used. Increasing the water flowrate improves the volumetric efficiency and enhances the heat transfer between water and scroll compressor. When the rotational speed of compressor goes up, the volumetric efficiency increases remarkably while the quantity of heat transfer rises slowly. The simulated results have good coincidence with the experimental ones.
Adaptive neural network tracking control of robot manipulators with prescribed performance
Authors: Xie X-L , Hou Z-G , Cheng L , Ji C , Tan M , Yu H
Published: July 2011

In this paper, a controller for robot manipulators is proposed to guarantee the tracking error of the systems bounded by predefined decreasing boundary. In this control scheme, a multi-layer neural network is used to approximate the unknown non-linear items, and the robustifying control term is used to compensate the approximation errors. The adaptive laws of weights of the neural network and robustifying control term are derived based on the Lyapunov stability analysis, so that, under appropriate assumptions, the transient and steady-state error bounds can be guaranteed. Compared with the existing work, the adaptable parameters in the proposed method do not need an off-line training procedure for better approximation. Simulations performed on a two-link robot manipulator illustrate the developed controller and demonstrate its performance.
Monitoring malfunction in multirobot formation with a neural network detector
Authors: Wang C , Shang W , Sun D
Published: July 2011

The detection of the malfunction of an individual robot is an essential issue in the control of multirobot systems. In this paper, a malfunction is defined in terms of a robot’s motion performance. A monitoring system to detect robot malfunctions is developed in the form of a centralized high-level planner. The monitoring system collects data on the positions and any formation errors of each robot and evaluates working performance in terms of current and past states. A back-propagation neural-network-based controller is developed to evaluate the status of the robots, i.e. working or failed. The neural network is trained using both positive and negative examples. Simulations and experiments are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
A dose-dependent relationship between mercury exposure from dental amalgams and urinary mercury levels: a further assessment of the Casa Pia Children’s Dental Amalgam Trial
Authors: Geier DA , Carmody T , Kern JK , King PG , Geier MR
Published: July 2011

Dental amalgams are a commonly used dental restorative material, and amalgams are about 50% mercury (Hg). In our study, urinary Hg levels was examined in children of age 8–18 years, with and without dental amalgam fillings, from a completed clinical trial (parent study) that was designed to evaluate the potential health consequences of prolonged exposure to Hg from dental amalgam fillings. Our study was designed to determine whether there was a significant dose-dependent correlation between increasing Hg exposure from dental amalgams and urinary Hg levels. Hg exposure depends on the size and number of teeth with dental amalgams. Overall, consistent with the results observed in the parent study, there was a statistically significant dose-dependent correlation between cumulative exposure to Hg from dental amalgams and urinary Hg levels, after covariate adjustment. Further, it was observed that urinary Hg levels increased by 18% to 52% among 8 to 18 year old individuals, respectively, with an average exposure to amalgams, in comparison to study subjects with no exposure to amalgams. The results of our study suggest that dental amalgams contribute to ongoing Hg exposure in a dose-dependent fashion.
Metal mercury poisoning in two boys initially treated for brucellosis in Mashhad, Iran
Authors: Sasan MS , Hadavi N , Afshari R , Mousavi SR , Alizadeh A , Balali-Mood M
Published: July 2011

Elemental mercury (Hg) is the only metal which evaporates in room temperature and its inhalation may cause toxicity. Hg poisoning may occur by mishandling the metal, particularly in children who play with it. Wide-spectrum of the clinical presentations of chronic Hg poisoning may cause misdiagnosis, particularly when history of exposure is unknown. We report two cases of accidental Hg poisoning, which initially had been diagnosed and treated for brucellosis. The patients were two brothers (7 and 14 years old) who presented with pain in their lower extremities, sweating, salivation, weight loss, anorexia and mood changes on admission. Meticulous history taking revealed that they had played with a ball of Hg since 3 months before admission. The level of urinary Hg was 125.9 and 54.2 9 g/L in the younger and older brother, respectively (normal ≤25 g/L). The patients were successfully treated by dimercaprol and discharged in good condition 24 days after admission. These cases are being reported to emphasize the importance of acrodynia as a differential diagnosis for brucellosis in endemic areas.
Apparent life-threatening events in infants and homeopathy: An alternative explanation
Authors: Oberbaum M , Samuels N , Ben-Arye E , Amitai Y , Singer SR
Published: July 2011

Background: A recent report showed increased frequency of apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) in infants treated with the homeopathic medication GaliCol-Baby (GCB). The premise was that the ALTEs resulted from toxic effects of the drug’s components. We examine an alternative explanation. Method: The toxicological literature was searched for known reactions to the various GCB components, noting doses and reported symptoms. Dosage quantities and severity of reaction to the GCB were ranked independently by two groups of physicians, and a dose–response curve was generated. Reported toxic doses and symptoms were compared with those of the GCB series. The homeopathic literature was searched as well to determine the propensity of the GCB components to cause ALTE symptoms, when given in homeopathic doses to healthy volunteers (proving). Results: Doses ingested in the GCB series were 10–13 orders of magnitude smaller than those reported to cause toxic reactions in humans. There was poor correlation between symptoms with GCB and toxic profiles of the components. A nonsignificant, inverse relationship between dose and severity of reaction was observed. Conversely, four GCB components (in homeopathic doses) had a high propensity to produce at least one of five symptoms which define ALTE, two of which had intermediate to high propensity to produce three symptoms. Conclusions: It is unlikely that the ALTE following ingestion of GCB was a toxic reaction to any of the drug’s component. Homeopathic theory may explain this linkage, though further research is needed to understand the pathogenic effects of highly diluted homeopathic compounds.
The relationship among acute-phase responce proteins, cytokines, and hormones in various gastrointestinal cancer types patients with cachectic
Authors: Kemik O , Kemik AS , Begenik H , Erdur FM , Emre H , Sumer A , Purisa S , Tuzun S , Kotan C
Published: July 2011

Background: Acute-phase response proteins (APRPs), cytokines, and hormones have been claimed to be an independent, important factor of cancers. We suggest that in gastrointestinal system cancers, changes in APRP, cytokines, and hormones are associated.Methods: C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), midkine, vascular endothelial growth factor-A(VEGF-A), VEGF-C, VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1), leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin serum levels are studied in 148 gastrointestinal system cancer types and 40 healthy controls.Results: We found statistically significant differences and correlations between groups. We found significantly higher serum CRP, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGFR1, and leptin concentrations in patients with esophageal, gastric, pancreas, colon, and rectum cancers than controls ( p < 0.001, p < 0.0001). But, we found lower levels of the serum albumin, midkine, adiponectin, and ghrelin in patients with esophageal, gastric, pancreas, colon, and rectum cancers compared to control subjects ( p < 0.05, p < 0.001).Conclusions: Cachexia in gastrointestinal system cancer types is associated with changes in APRP, cytokines, and hormone concentrations. This may be reflected between the outcomes in malignancies and the biomarkers.
Antagonism of stimulation-produced analgesia by naloxone and N-methyl-D-aspartate: role of opioid and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors
Authors: Mehta AK , Halder S , Khanna N , Tandon OP , Sharma KK
Published: July 2011

The present study aims to investigate the influence of electrical stimulation of periaqueductal gray (PAG) following peripheral nerve injury and its modulation by naloxone and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). Chronic neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve, and subsequently a cannula was implanted in the PAG area for the purpose of electrical stimulation and intra-PAG drug administration. Intra-PAG administration of morphine, ketamine, and their combination were found to elicit antinociceptive response on hot-plate test. Electrical stimulation of PAG was also observed to demonstrate decreased pain response on hot-plate test, and this effect was reversed by the administration of naloxone, NMDA, and their combination, when injected into the PAG area. These findings suggest that apart from the opioid receptors, probably NMDA receptors also have a role to play in stimulation-produced analgesia.
From the laboratory to the factory, by way of the countryside: Fifty years of Italian scientific cinema (1908–1958)
Authors: de Ceglia Francesco Paolo
Published: July 2011

The history of the Italian scientific documentary is not very well known nor, with the exception of the pioneer efforts in cinema, is it contemplated in the more complete studies of the evolution of the genre. This article aims to outline the ground covered by Italian scientific cinema in the first 50 years of its existence, from the pioneering works by Roberto Omegna to the industrial documentaries of the 1950s.
‘Who do ‘‘they” cheer for?’ Cricket, diaspora, hybridity and divided loyalties amongst British Asians
Authors: Fletcher Thomas
Published: July 2011

This article explores the relationship between British Asians’ sense of nationhood, citizenship, ethnicity and some of their manifestations in relation to sports fandom: specifically in terms of how cricket is used as a means of articulating diasporic British Asian identities. Norman Tebbit’s ‘cricket test’ is at the forefront of this article to tease out the complexities of being British Asian in terms of supporting the English national cricket team. The first part of the article locates Tebbit’s ‘cricket test’ within the wider discourse of multiculturalism. The analysis then moves to focus on the discourse of sports fandom and the concept of ‘home team advantage’ arguing that sports venues represent significant sites for nationalist and cultural expression due to their connection with national history. The article highlights how supporting ‘Anyone but England’, thereby rejecting ethnically exclusive notions of ‘Englishness’ and ‘Britishness’, continues to be a definer of British Asians’ cultural identities. The final section situates these trends within the discourse of hybridity and argues that sporting allegiances are often separate from considerations of national identity and citizenship. Rather than placing British Asians in an either/or situation, viewing British ‘Asianness’ in hybrid terms enables them to celebrate their traditions and histories, whilst also being proud of their British citizenship.
What does seeing the performer add? It depends on musical style, amount of stage behavior, and audience expertise
Authors: Huang Jennifer , Krumhansl Carol Lynne
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of musical style, amount of stage behavior, audience expertise, and modality of presentation on structural, emotional, and summary ratings of piano performances. Twenty-four musically trained and 24 untrained participants rated two-minute excerpts of pieces by Bach, Chopin, and Copland, each performed by the same pianist, who was asked to vary his stage behavior from minimal to natural to exaggerated. Participants rated the performances under either audio-only or audiovisual conditions. The composer’s style had a consistently strong effect on the performance evaluations, highlighting the importance of careful repertoire selection. Moreover, the preferred degree of stage behavior depended on the style. The interaction between expertise, modality, and stage behavior revealed that non-musicians perceived differences across the three degrees of stage behavior only audiovisually and not in the audio-only condition. In contrast, musicians perceived these differences under both audiovisual and audio-only conditions, with the lowest ratings for minimal stage behavior. This suggests that varying the degree of stage behavior altered the quality of the performance. In addition, participants were asked to select two emotions that best characterized each performance. They preferentially chose more subtle emotions from Hevner’s (1936) Adjective Circle over the five general emotions of happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and tenderness traditionally used in music cognition studies, suggesting that these five emotions are less apt to describe the emotions conveyed through musical performance.