bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Giving Time Gives You Time
Authors: Mogilner Cassie , Chance Zoë , Norton Michael I.
Published: September 2012

Results of four experiments reveal a counterintuitive solution to the common problem of feeling that one does not have enough time: Give some of it away. Although the objective amount of time people have cannot be increased (there are only 24 hours in a day), this research demonstrates that people’s subjective sense of time affluence can be increased. We compared spending time on other people with wasting time, spending time on oneself, and even gaining a windfall of “free” time, and we found that spending time on others increases one’s feeling of time affluence. The impact of giving time on feelings of time affluence is driven by a boosted sense of self-efficacy. Consequently, giving time makes people more willing to commit to future engagements despite their busy schedules.
Honesty Requires Time (and Lack of Justifications)
Authors: Shalvi Shaul , Eldar Ori , Bereby-Meyer Yoella
Published: September 2012

Recent research suggests that refraining from cheating in tempting situations requires self-control, which indicates that serving self-interest is an automatic tendency. However, evidence also suggests that people cheat to the extent that they can justify their unethical behavior to themselves. To merge these different lines of research, we adopted a dual-system approach that distinguished between the intuitive and deliberative cognitive systems. We suggest that for people to restrict their dishonest behavior, they need to have enough time and no justifications for self-serving unethical behavior. We employed an anonymous die-under-cup task in which participants privately rolled a die and reported the outcome to determine their pay. We manipulated the time available for participants to report their outcome (short vs. ample). The results of two experiments support our prediction, revealing that the dark side of people’s automatic self-serving tendency may be overcome when time to decide is ample and private justifications for dishonesty are not available.
Memory and Cognitive Control in Task Switching
Authors: Richter Franziska R. , Yeung Nick
Published: September 2012

Cognitive control and memory are fundamentally intertwined, but interactions between the two have only recently received sustained research interest. In the study reported here, we used a novel paradigm to investigate how control influences memory encoding and, conversely, how memory measures can provide new insight into flexible cognitive control. Participants switched between classifying objects and words, then were tested for their recognition memory of items presented in this task-switching phase. Task switching impaired memory for task-relevant information but actually improved memory for task-irrelevant information, which indicates that control demands reduced the selectivity of memory encoding rather than causing a general memory decline. Recognition memory strength provided a robust trial-by-trial measure of the effectiveness of cognitive control that “predicted” earlier task-switching performance. It also revealed a substantial influence of bottom-up factors on between-task competition, but only on trials in which participants had to switch from one type of classification to the other. Collectively, our findings illustrate how cognitive control and bottom-up factors interact to simultaneously influence both current performance and future memory.
Three-dimensional free vibration analysis of multi-layered graphene sheets embedded in elastic matrix
Authors: Alibeigloo Akbar
Published: September 2012

Three dimensional vibration analysis of multi-layered graphene sheets embedded in polymer matrix is carried out employing nonlocal continuum mechanics. By using the Fourier series expansion in the in-plane axis, the governing equations in term of displacements can be obtained. By exerting the traction free surface boundary conditions to the eigenfrequency equation, natural frequencies are obtained. Accuracy of the present work is validated by comparing the numerical results with those obtained in the open literature. The effect of nonlocal parameter, length of square plate, aspect ratio, plate thickness and half wave numbers in the frequency behavior are examined.
Annihilation of high-amplitude periodic responses of a forced two degrees-of-freedom oscillatory system using nonlinear energy sink
Authors: Ahmadabadi Zahra Nili , Khadem Siamak E
Published: September 2012

This paper is devoted to the investigation of the role of a single degree-of-freedom (d.o.f) nonlinear energy sink (NES) with nonlinear damping characteristics in annihilating undesired periodic response regimes and simultaneously preserving strongly modulated responses (SMR) in a harmonically excited three d.o.f system consisting of two linear coupled oscillators and an NES attached to it. The NES parameters are tuned such that they are able to eliminate all undesired periodic branches and to have the SMR region in the vicinity of both modes of the system concurrently. The tuning procedure leads to a maximum SMR interval which is achievable using this type of the NES in the vicinity of each excited mode. According to the results, design requirements are achieved using this type of the NES for a two d.o.f primary system for the first time. But, further increase in the d.o.f of the system will lead to a restriction of the range of harmonic excitation amplitude of the first oscillator for which the design requirements would be satisfied.
Free and forced random vibration analysis of sandwich plates with thick viscoelastic cores
Authors: Mahmoudkhani Saeed , Haddadpour Hassan , Navazi Hossein M
Published: September 2012

Free vibrations and the transverse response of sandwich plates with viscoelastic cores under wide-band random excitation is studied with special attention to the so-called pumping, thickness-shear and stretching modes. The quadratic displacement field is adopted for all displacement components of the core to accurately capture the higher modes excited by the wide-band excitation. The Love-Kirchhoff plate theory is used for the face layers. The viscoelastic behavior of the core is modeled by the Golla–Hughes–McTavish method. An analytical solution using the normal mode method is provided for the simply supported boundary conditions by including a different family of modes. The effects of some geometric and material properties on the frequencies, damping ratios and also root mean square responses are explored. The participation of the through-the-thickness deformation in the bending mode vibration of the top layer is also investigated, which is found to be mostly resulting from the second order term of the transverse displacement expansion in symmetric configurations. Moreover, the alteration of the response with the exclusion of a different family of modes from the solution is investigated.
Application of the differential transformation method to vibration analysis of stepped beams with elastically constrained ends
Authors: Suddoung Kittisak , Charoensuk Jarruwat , Wattanasakulpong Nuttawit
Published: September 2012

The purpose of the present paper is to apply the differential transformation method (DTM) to deal with the vibration problem of stepped beams with general end supports and elastically constrained ends. The method demonstrates several advantages, such as rapid convergence, high accuracy, and computational stability. Unlike some approximate approaches which require correct assumed admissible function, the differential transformation method gives all natural frequencies and their mode shapes without any frequency missing. By using the DTM algorithms fully provided in this paper with general mathematical software packets, natural frequencies and mode shapes of these beams can be obtained easily for every boundary condition. Aspects such as boundary conditions, spring constant values, stepped beam types, step ratio and step location, which have a significant impact on frequencies and mode shapes, are taken into investigation in this paper.
Effects of Nonnursing Assistance on Home Visit Nurses’ Time Spent In Japan: One Group Repeated Pretest-Posttest Trial
Authors: Naruse Takashi , Taguchi Atsuko , Kuwahara Yuki , Nagata Satoko , Murashima Sachiyo
Published: September 2012

To determine means of improving the efficiency of home nursing services, we conducted an experimental pretest-posttest study to compare the time spent by home visiting nurses (HVNs) on providing care with or without assistance. HVNs’ job-related satisfaction levels were also compared. Forty-four clients in six visiting nursing offices in Fukuoka prefecture were selected for this study, which was conducted between July 2009 and January 2010. With assistance, HVNs’ total care time and time spent performing trivial tasks decreased and time spent on communicating or teaching increased. Furthermore, HVNs were more satisfied with providing care than with their usual visits. We conclude that introduction of a skill mix might improve home visiting nursing service efficiency through shortening the HVNs’ length of stay at a client’s home.
Ocular thelaziosis due to Thelazia callipaeda in a cat from northeastern Portugal
Authors: Rodrigues Filipa Teixeira , Cardoso Luís , Coutinho Teresa , Otranto Domenico , Diz-Lopes Duarte
Published: September 2012

Cases of feline thelaziosis have seldom been published in the scientific literature. We report the first autochthonous case of feline ocular thelaziosis in Portugal caused by Thelazia callipaeda and suggest that this infestation should be included among differential diagnoses of ocular diseases in cats from this country.
A case of scapular avulsion with concomitant scapular fracture in a cat
Authors: Perry Karen L , Lam Richard , Rutherford Lynda , Arthurs Gareth I
Published: September 2012

An 11-year-old cat was referred following vehicular trauma for evaluation and treatment of right thoracic limb lameness which was non-responsive to conservative management. Gait assessment revealed a severe weight-bearing right thoracic limb lameness, soft tissue swelling over the dorsal border of the scapula, crepitus upon direct palpation over the scapula and lateralisation of the scapula upon adduction of the distal limb allowing a diagnosis of scapular avulsion to be made. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a comminuted fracture of the right scapula and a tear of the serratus ventralis muscle. The scapular fractures involved the caudal scapular angle and therefore a circumcostal suture was not placed. Stabilisation was achieved through reattachment of the scapula to the serratus ventralis muscle with sutures placed through small holes in the dorsal and cranial borders of the scapula. Follow-up revealed resolution of lameness at 14 weeks postoperatively but non-union of the scapular fractures as evidenced by repeat CT. This case report details the medium-term outcome following this very unusual injury and contributes to the sparse literature regarding the progression of conservatively managed scapular fractures. It demonstrates that full return to function can occur following this injury even when radiographic union of the fracture is not achieved. To our knowledge this is the first report of this specific combination of injuries detailed with medium-term and advanced imaging follow-up.
The impact of a third language on executive control processes
Authors: Cedden Gulay , Şimşek Çiğdem Sağın
Published: September 2012

This study aims to investigate whether the representation of a third language in the mind provides an advantage in executive control processes compared to bilinguals. To this end 10 high proficient bilingual Turkish–English and 10 high proficient trilingual Turkish–English–German speakers were given a language control demanding task and participants’ response times (RTs) and the accuracy of their responses were analyzed. The results showed that the bilingual group responded to their L2 (English) statistically slower than their L1 (Turkish) while the trilingual group did not show any difference in RTs in their three languages. It is also found that the trilingual participants were far more accurate in their responses. Based on these results it is hypothesized that a third language system represented in the mind might have the effect of promoting experience or regulation costs of the executive control system.
Bilinguality and bimodality: Comparing linguistic and visual acculturation in artists’ letters and their works
Authors: Gardner-Chloros Penelope
Published: September 2012

In this paper the letters of bilingual artists are proposed as a new source of evidence for understanding the relationship of bilinguality with individual identity. This approach is first situated within a more qualitative tradition in sociolinguistics, which allows the speaker’s individuality to be understood in more depth. Thanks to having two modes of expression, linguistic and artistic, bimodal bilinguals provide new insights into the impact of being immersed in a new culture and language. A sample of the correspondence of two 19th century bicultural and bilingual artists, Lucien Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh, is analysed. Comparisons are made between their linguistic style, especially their code-switching, and their biculturality as manifested in the artistic field. Their works, like their use of language, show the intermingling of influences of their culture of origin and that of their adoption. It is suggested on the basis of this study that investigating bimodal bilingualism may provide a bridge to help us understand the connections between language, identities and the way different cultural experiences are brought together.
“With a tongue forked in two”: Translingual Arab writers in Israel
Authors: Tannenbaum Michal
Published: September 2012

Members of the Arab minority in Israel comprise about 20% of the Israeli population and differ from the Jewish majority in their nationality, religion and language. Though legally enjoying equal rights, they suffer discrimination in a variety of areas. Relationships between Jews and Arabs have been conflictual since long before Israel’s establishment as an independent state, and to this day are marked by suspicion and at times hostility. For most Arabs who are citizens of Israel, their sense of identity is complex and often described as placing them “between hammer and anvil” due to their unique position within Israeli society, their connectedness to the Palestinian cause and their relationship with the surrounding Arab countries. This identity also involves linguistic aspects: Arabs in Israel speak Arabic as their first language and study in a separate educational system in Arabic. Hebrew, the language of the Jewish majority, is studied as a second language from second grade onwards and matriculation exams in Hebrew are compulsory. Israeli Arabs largely master Hebrew, though many view it as a language of conflict or even of oppression. This paper deals with four Israeli Arab novelists and poets who chose to write in Hebrew, focusing on interfaces of linguistic, sociological, psychological and political aspects and on patterns of language usage in their writings. Their works suggests a new channel for exploring the broader context of Jewish–Arab relationships in Israeli society and contributes new insights on the potential of the linguistic angle to shed light on minority–majority relationships.
Bi-musicality in modern Japanese culture
Authors: Tokita Alison
Published: September 2012

This paper explores bi-musicality in modern Japan, and compares it with bilinguality at societal and individual levels. It considers the usefulness and limitations of the comparison of language and music. It establishes a model of musical competence as a preliminary to considering bi-musical competence, and schematizes the differences between Japanese and Western musical cultures for this purpose. In considering the relevance of bilingualism to the development of bi-musicality as an aspect of bi-culturality, I will argue that bilingualism as such is not so relevant to Japanese music, because early in Japan’s modern period Western music was effectively ‘translated’ into Japanese culture. The application of the concept of bi-musicality to music in modern Japan offers a new perspective on Japan’s musical modernity.

The discussion will focus first on the societal level, that is, Japan as a bi-musical culture. Then some individual case studies will be presented of people whose bi-musicality has been central to their musical activity. This will lead to some tentative conclusions about the extent and nature of bi-musicality in Japan.
Impact of Relative Humidity on Thermal Comfort in a Warm Environment
Authors: Jing Shenglan , Li Baizhan , Tan Meilan , Liu Hong
Published: September 2012

Relative humidity is an important environmental factor that could affect thermal comfort in a building. The influence of relative humidity on thermal comfort was studied in an environment chamber. Twenty subjects, ten males and ten females, were engaged in the study and were exposed to nine combinations of air temperature and relative humidity. Skin temperatures on different parts of the body were monitored, and their thermal sensation was evaluated by questionnaire while their thermal environments were measured during the chamber tests. These results were evaluated by statistical analyses which indicate that for higher temperature, relative humidity could have a significant effect on skin temperature and thermal sensation. Higher humidity could cause a negative effect on the subject’s thermal comfort. To avoid causing discomfort, the relative humidity limit should be taken into consideration and there should be a humidity limit specified by the appropriate building code for the acceptable air temperature range to allow an appropriate control of indoor environment.
An Air Distribution Index for Assessing the Thermal Comfort and Air Quality in Uniform and Nonuniform Thermal Environments
Authors: Almesri I. , Awbi H. B. , Foda E. , Sirén K.
Published: September 2012

This study introduces a new Air Distribution Index ( ADI)New to assess the ventilation performance in uniform and nonuniform thermal environments. The index comprises parameters for assessing the indoor thermal comfort and air quality in occupied spaces. The thermal comfort assessment was carried out using a virtual thermal manikin that is adjusted by a model of human thermoregulation and coupled with a psychological comfort model. The virtual manikin was used in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code to simulate tests in an environmental chamber that were largely conducted under thermally neutral conditions with mixing ventilation (MV) or displacement ventilation (DV) systems. Eight human subjects were used in the study that included measurement of their skin temperature, local and overall thermal sensation votes during their exposure to the MV and DV systems. The results from CFD predictions were compared with measurements in the test chamber. The predicted ( ADI)New parameters, such as the thermal comfort, the ventilation effectiveness for both heat and contaminant removals as well as the local mean age of air, were compared with measured values in the chamber and found to be in good agreement. The results demonstrate that ( ADI)New is a useful index for evaluating the performance of a ventilation system under uniform thermal environment and can also be applied to nonuniform environment.
Effects of User Density Levels on Recreational Walking Experiences
Authors: Muderrisoğlu Haldun , Aydin Sükran Özkan , Ak Kıvanç , Eroğlu Engin
Published: September 2012

Over the past 25 years, attempts to increase the quality of visitor experiences have been a priority in outdoor recreational areas for planners and managers. Recreation planners should determine acceptable usage levels for an area before making planning decisions. Physical, economical, ecological and social carrying capacity of that area must be determined, in order to assess acceptable usage levels. In this study, the influence of the characteristics of the area on visitor perception of user density levels was evaluated. The activity of walking was chosen to determine the perception of the user density level. Walking was chosen because it is a recreational activity that can be performed easily and frequently by visitors of outdoor recreational areas without any need for experience. Factors affecting the perception and effects of the user density level on visitors were examined from urban recreational areas to rural recreational areas. According to our results, characteristics of the recreational area and changes in the perception of suitable user density levels varied according to the recreational activities performed in an area. Specifically, rural recreation users tolerated less user density. In contrast to the expected, female users preferred lower user density.
Transport Phenomena in a Cross-Flow Hollow Fibre Membrane Bundle Used for Liquid Desiccant Air Dehumidification
Authors: Huang Si-Min , Zhang Li-Zhi , Pei Li-Xia
Published: September 2012

The transport phenomena in a hollow fibre membrane bundle for liquid desiccant air dehumidification were investigated. In the bundle, the liquid desiccant solution flows inside the fibres and the process air flows across the fibre bundle; where air is dehumidified by moisture permeation through the membrane. This study investigated the fluid flow and conjugate heat and mass transfer in the cross-flow hollow fibre membrane bundle by considering the interactions between the neighbouring fibres. Two regularly packed arrangements: in-line and staggered, were considered. Due to the periodicity of the fluid flow and heat and mass transfer across the bundle, two representative periodic unit cells, which simultaneously include 2 to 3 neighbouring fibres, were selected as the calculation domains. The equations governing the fluid flow and heat and mass transfer in the two cross-flow streams (solution and air) in the membranes, were solved together with the heat and mass diffusion equations. The friction factor and the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers on both the air and the solution sides were then calculated and experimentally validated. The results were compared to those available data calculated from the free surface model.
A Study of Environmental Perception Patterns of the Visually Impaired and Environmental Design
Authors: Huang Chih-Hong , Yu Shu-Chuan
Published: September 2012

Blind or visually impaired people use senses other than vision to obtain spatial information and to solve the problem of wayfinding. Therefore, the conditions of the physical environment can have a profound impact on their wayfinding performance. In this study, we use Q methodology to investigate the correlation between the subjective awareness and physical environment of the blind or visually impaired people. The outcomes of this study indicate that habits and experiences are sufficient and required for environmental perceptions. Architectural elements in the environment can provide the blinds or visually impaired people with a 2D plane and 3D spatial and functional significances. The most effective architectural element provides clues which can include: changes in materials, the level of the terrain slope, the arrangement of architectural elements for obstacle perception, appropriate space for creating echoes, and the order of architectural elements. Environmental designers are expected to create a friendly environment for the blinds or visually impaired people by optimally using the architectural elements in the designed environment based on the study outcomes.
Operative Conditions Evaluation for Efficient Building Retrofit—A Case Study
Authors: Silva Sandra M. , Silva Pedro P. , Almeida Manuela , Bragança Luís
Published: September 2012

The implementation of energy efficiency measures into the existing building stock is essential to meet the 2020 targets set by the European Union (EU) Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and reinforced with the “EPBD-recast”. Thus, energy refurbishment of existing buildings is fundamental to achieve these goals. However, energy issues should not be the only concerns since the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is also as important. When planning a building retrofit it is then necessary to consider the energy efficiency requirements as well as the IEQ. To do so, the main problems of the existing buildings should be identified. This work presents a study carried out in a large office building to identify the main pathologies related to the energy efficiency and to the IEQ. The main objective of this study was to characterize the actual situation of a building that represents a great number of the Portuguese office buildings in order to identify the principal problems that occurs in this type of buildings, to support the development of a refurbishment project of the building that can optimize both the energy efficiency and the relevant parameters to the IEQ and that are also solutions with potential to be used in other buildings.
Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of the Halogenated Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted from the Office Equipment Items
Authors: Kowalska Joanna , Gierczak Tomasz
Published: September 2012

Indoor sources of the halogenated volatile organic compounds (halogenated VOCs) emissions into the office air were identified in this study. Mixtures of the organic pollutants emitted from 16 plastics samples or from finishing materials were analysed. The VOCs emitted from the samples were acquired in a small environmental test chamber with the clean air circulation system, at 296 ± 2 K. The VOCs emitted were collected on three-layer adsorption tubes. Identification of the emitted VOCs was based on thermal desorption (TD) combined with the capillary gas chromatography – mass spectrometry technique (GC/MS). The tests identified several organic pollutants and most of these VOCs were chlorinated organic compounds: tetrachloroethene (identified in 68.7% samples), bromo-dichloromethane (in 56.2% samples), chlorobenzene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene (both in 43.7% samples). Concentration levels were compared for halogenated compounds and for some other VOCs (e.g., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes). The largest emission level was found for toluene (≤181.6 µg m−3) and styrene (≤24.5 µg m−3). The electric wall switch was found to be the most important source of halogenated VOCs and a 16.4 µg m−3 (about 10.3% of TVOC emitted). The felt-backed carpet was the second most abundant (11.1 µg m−3), about 11.9% of TVOC.
Experimental and Computational Investigation of CO Production and Dispersion in an Automotive Repair Shop
Authors: Asimakopoulou Eleni K. , Kolaitis Dionysios I. , Founti Maria A.
Published: September 2012

Carbon monoxide (CO), a highly toxic gas, is produced during the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. In indoor environments, high CO concentrations constitute a serious occupational health hazard; this is especially true in the case of automotive repair shop (ARS) employees who are exposed on a daily basis to vehicle exhaust streams. The present study focuses on the experimental investigation and numerical simulation of CO production and dispersion inside an ARS facility. Detailed measurements of CO concentration, vehicle traffic and ventilation system velocities are performed; the obtained data are appropriately formulated to provide quantitative information for modelling purposes. A detailed Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation of the developing transient flow-field is performed. The numerical results are validated using the experimental data; an overall good qualitative and quantitative agreement is achieved. Aiming to improve the energy efficiency of the mechanical ventilation system, three alternative scenarios are investigated; it is shown that the utilization of a dynamic ventilation system may result in significant energy consumption benefits, while, at the same time, CO concentrations remain below the values suggested by current occupational health legislation. The obtained results may be utilized to assist the design of mechanical ventilation systems for ARS facilities.
Investigating Daylight Quality Using Self-Shading Strategy in Energy Commission Building in Malaysia
Authors: Nikpour Mansour , Kandar Mohd Zin , Mosavi Elahe
Published: September 2012

There are a lot of office buildings without strategies for daylight utilization. Different strategies are suggested for better use of daylight. Self-shading strategy has been suggested to eliminate direct solar radiation to minimise energy use for cooling in offices but, the amount of daylight penetrating into the building can be reduced. In this research, the effectiveness of self-shading strategy on daylight is investigated through experimental method. Daylight parameters are measured in two individual office rooms in Energy Commission Building as a model of self-shading buildings. The objective is to investigate daylight quality in individual office room based on different criteria such as work plane illuminance, relative daylight ratio, surface luminance have been compared with recommended values. Finding of this research demonstrates that by employing self-shading strategy, the amount of daylight that enters the space could reduce but by applying other strategies like light shelves and venetian blinds, with self-shading strategy, acceptable performance in terms of daylight quality can be achieved. These strategies can be employed for future design of office buildings to reduce energy consumption for lighting as well as to comply with the goal of sustainable architecture.
Investigating Different Aesthetic Preferences Between Architects and Non-architects in Residential Façade Designs
Authors: Ghomeshi Mohammad , Jusan Mahmud Mohd
Published: September 2012

Different aesthetic preferences between designers and laypersons can be a problem in designing a building. User satisfaction is one of the main problems for the architect, which can be caused by differences in the cognitive and physical bases of opinions between architects and laypersons. An important factor for architects is to understand how laypersons would judge different physical cues that are aesthetically used in building façades. This study aims to identify the different cognitive properties between architects and laypersons. Previous studies have concentrated on conceptual properties, instead of cognitive properties of buildings. Although few studies have been concentrating on what might be called formal aesthetics, none of them focused on residential apartment façades. This study attempts to identify the differences between architects and laypersons in terms of aesthetic evaluation of building façade using quantitative survey. As a result, it can be concluded that although there are differences between architects and non-architects in aesthetics evaluation, both groups have scored certain similar physical cues. Findings of this research could help architects to form a better understanding of what laypersons would prefer in their ideal design.
Fungi in Water-Damaged Buildings of Vilnius Old City and Their Susceptibility Towards Disinfectants and Essential Oils
Authors: Levinskaitė L. , Paškevičius A.
Published: September 2012

The work deals with fungal contamination in water-damaged buildings of Vilnius old town. The investigation focused on indoor moulds on walls and in the air as well as on their susceptibility towards six chemical biocides and seven essential oils. It was revealed that mould contamination was higher on the walls covered with wallpaper than on the painted walls and those decorated with rough porous materials. Fungi from Penicillium, Aspergillus and Cladosporium genera were prevailing both on the wall surfaces and in the indoor air. Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus versicolor were the most frequently occurring fungi on the walls and in the air, followed by P. aurantiogriseum, P. simplicissimum, A. niger and Cladosporium sphaerosphermum. All the tested chemical antimicrobial agents showed activity against the fungi, and the strongest effect was demonstrated by Biosheen and Boramon. From the essential oils, the highest antifungal activity was manifested by the essential oils from clove tree followed by Siberian fir and common caraway. It is worth noting that P. chrysogenum, C. sphaerosphermum and Alternaria alternata were more sensitive to the clove tree essential oil than to the tested chemicals.
Dynamics and robust control of underwater vehicles for depth trajectory following
Authors: You S-S , Lim T-W , Kim J-Y , Choi H-S
Published: September 2012

This paper addresses the robust control synthesis of diving/climbing manoeuvres for underwater vehicle in the vertical plane. First, a new state–space representation for the vehicle dynamics is presented, and the corresponding problem formulation is clearly stated. Next, the two-controller set-up using a H∞-loop shaping design is employed to deal with the bottom following capability and robustness issues. Then the reduced order control system with a Hankel norm is evaluated in the frequency domain. In addition, the preview control approach is used to improve the overall tracking performance for undersea manoeuvres. The specific control tasks include the tracking of a set of depth profiles or ocean floors. Simulation results show that control objectives are effectively accomplished in spite of model uncertainties. Finally, it is found that the proposed control methodology is suitable for the depth trajectory following applications over a wide range of operating conditions.
Tracking the Civic Subject in the Media Landscape
Authors: Dahlgren Peter
Published: September 2012

Research on media and democracy mobilizes a range of conceptual versions of the subject. This is often done implicitly, or out of habit, with a specific model becoming established in any given research tradition. This presentation argues that different theories of the subject can have different implications for our understanding of citizenship and democracy. The text surveys a number of versions, deriving from a large and heterogeneous literature, and organizes them under the themes of rationalism, reflexivity, transparency, and contingency. No one version is offered as the ultimate one, since all have something to offer and at the same time have their limitations. However, it is suggested that greater awareness should be put on how we conceptualize the civic subject in our research, no least in regard to issues having to do with affect, the limits of reflexivity and self-transparency, the role of the unconscious, and the importance of contingency.
Differences in Growth on Math Curriculum-Based Measures Using Triannual Benchmarks
Authors: Keller-Margulis Milena A. , Mercer Sterett H. , Shapiro Edward S.
Published: September 2012

Recent research on annual growth measured using curriculum-based measurement (CBM) indicates that growth may not be linear across the year and instead varies across semesters. Numerous studies in reading have confirmed this phenomenon with only one study of math computation yielding a similar finding. This study further investigated the presence of differences in growth across triannual benchmarks using math computation and concepts and applications CBMs. Results indicated that there are differences in growth across semesters at certain grade levels with only first-grade computation and fourth-grade concepts and applications yielding linear growth. The practical implications for understanding student growth and for setting progress goals are addressed and future directions for research are suggested.
Concrete–Semiconcrete–Abstract (CSA) Instruction
Authors: Sealander Karen A. , Johnson Gae R. , Lockwood Adam B. , Medina Catherine M.
Published: September 2012

A concrete–semiconcrete–abstract (CSA) instructional approach derived from discovery learning (DIS) was embedded in a direct instruction (DI) methodology to teach eight elementary students with math disabilities. One-minute abstract-level probes were the primary metric used to assess student performance on subtraction problems (minuends 0–9). A single-subject, multiple-baseline across-participants design was used to identify the differential effects of discontinuing instruction at crossover (i.e., the point when the correct response rate exceeded the incorrect response rate). Results indicate that the commonly accepted practice of teaching an entire CSA unit of lessons may not be the most efficacious approach for classroom teachers. Instead, through daily data collection and application of the “crossover decision rule” (discontinue rule), teachers can selectively target those students appropriate for additional concrete- and/or semiconcrete-level instruction and those students for whom continued practice at the abstract level is more appropriate. Implications for teaching computational skills are examined.
Embedding the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Framework Into the Complex Array of Practices Within Alternative Education Settings
Authors: Jolivette Kristine , McDaniel Sara C. , Sprague Jeffrey , Swain-Bradway Jessica , Ennis Robin Parks
Published: September 2012

Alternative education (AE) programs and schools usually serve distinct populations of students with educational disabilities and mental health or other needs. AE program staff often employ a range of curricula, interventions, and strategies that form an eclectic approach to addressing student needs. This may result in practices that are misaligned, contraindicated, or improperly implemented and lead to poor outcomes. In addition, this eclectic approach may not be implemented in an organized, tiered manner that ensures all students’ access to a continuum of supports and services. In this article, a decision-making process for staff in AE settings to adopt and embed positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) practices is presented. This process is rooted in the PBIS framework of systems, data, and practices, and in a public health model of team-based decision making. The authors submit that this approach could be used across a variety of AE program models.
The Role of Assessment in Informing Our Decision-Making Processes
Authors: Woods-Groves Suzanne , Hendrickson Jo M.
Published: September 2012

Assessment permeates many aspects of our educational society. With the passage of federal legislation (i.e., No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004), assessment in the form of accountability is ever present in our K–12 educational system. Current assessment practices should be used in an iterative process that is fueled and influenced by data-based decisions. This article provides illustrations of and a rationale for how current educational assessment practices can influence decision-making processes at the state and district, school, program, and classroom levels.
Impact of a Teacher Mentorship Program on Mentors’ and Mentees’ Perceptions of Classroom Practices and the Mentoring Experience
Authors: Mathur Sarup R. , Gehrke Rebecca , Kim Seong Hee
Published: September 2012

Teachers’ perceptions of their classroom practices were examined within the framework of a year-long mentorship experience in a K-12 public school district. A total of 43 mentors and 41 newly hired mentees completed an online survey developed by the authors that focused on teacher perceptions of classroom decisions and practices during one school year and their overall mentorship experiences. A 2 × 2 factorial ANOVA was conducted and showed significant differences. Mentors perceived the greatest benefit of mentoring to be the opportunity to reflect, whereas mentees found mentorship experiences beneficial in increasing their knowledge of classroom, school, and district assessment practices. Limitations of the study and implications for the use of mentoring supports to improve day-to-day teacher decisions and practice are presented.
Effects of Feedback-Based Visual Line-Orientation Discrimination Training for Visuospatial Disorders After Stroke
Authors: Funk Johanna , Finke Kathrin , Reinhart Stefan , Kardinal Mareike , Utz Kathrin S. , Rosenthal Alisha , Kuhn Caroline , Müller Hermann , Kerkhoff Georg
Published: September 2012

Background. Patients with right or more rarely left parietotemporal lesions after stroke may have profound visuospatial disorders that impair activities of daily living (ADL) and long-term outcome. Clinical studies indicate improvements with systematic training of perception. Studies of perceptual learning in healthy persons suggest rapid improvements in perceptual learning of spatial line orientation with partial transfer to nontrained line orientations. Objective. The authors investigated a novel feedback-based perceptual training procedure for the rehabilitation of patients after stroke. Methods. In an uncontrolled trial, 13 participants showing profound deficits in line orientation and related visuospatial tasks within 12 to 28 weeks of onset performed repetitive feedback-based, computerized training of visual line orientation over4 weeks of treatment. Visual line-orientation discrimination and visuospatial and visuoconstructive tasks were assessed before and after training. Results. The authors found ( a) rapid improvements in trained but also in nontrained spatial orientation tests in all 13 participants, partially up to a normal level; ( b) stability of the obtained improvements at 2-month follow-up; ( c) interocular transfer of training effects to the nontrained eye in 2 participants suggesting a central, postchiasmatic locus for this perceptual improvement; and ( d) graded transfer of improvements to related spatial tasks, such as horizontal writing, analog clock reading, and visuoconstructive capacities but no transfer to unrelated measures of visual performance. Conclusions. These results suggest the potential for treatment-induced improvements in visuospatial deficits by feedback-based, perceptual orientation training as a component of rehabilitation after stroke.
Linking the Rights of Peasants to the Right to Food in the United Nations
Authors: Edelman Marc
Published: September 2012

This article analyzes two convergent processes: (1) the increasing specification of the right to food in international law; and (2) the efforts of transnational agrarian social movements, notably Vía Campesina, to have the United Nations adopt an instrument on the rights of peasants. Because one-seventh of humanity suffers from hunger and because the right to food has wide support among UN member states and is essential for the enjoyment of all other rights, it has become a magnet for diverse kinds of rights claims. Vía Campesina has elaborated a draft instrument that has received growing attention in the UN Human Rights Council. Several of the claimed rights, however, are contentious and have generated opposition from powerful UN member states.
A non-interventional study of biosimilar granulocyte colony-stimulating factor as prophylaxis for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in a community oncology centre
Authors: Verpoort Karl , Möhler Thomas M.
Published: September 2012

Objectives:

Prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduces the severity of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Biosimilar G-CSF is now approved for use, based on comparable efficacy, safety and quality with the originator product.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review of patients’ charts following the switch from originator G-CSF (Neupogen®) to biosimilar G-CSF (Zarzio®/Filgrastim Hexal®) in a large community oncology practice. A total of 77 consecutive patients with cancer who received biosimilar G-CSF were reviewed, as were 25 patients who received originator G-CSF at the same centre.

Results:

The median age of patients in the biosimilar G-CSF cohort was 67 years (range 20−83). In this cohort 48% had chemotherapy with a febrile neutropenia risk of >20%. Biosimilar G-CSF was given as primary prophylaxis in 52% and as secondary prophylaxis in 48% of patients. Age and febrile neutropenia in medical history or in previous chemotherapy were factors that triggered the use of G-CSF in patients with a febrile neutropenia risk of <20%. One patient developed febrile neutropenia. Neutropenia led to chemotherapy dose reductions in five patients (6.5%) and discontinuation in two patients (2.5%). No unexpected safety findings were observed. Patient characteristics were generally similar in the originator G-CSF cohort. Only 24% of patients had a febrile neutropenia risk >20% and 36% received primary prophylactic G-CSF. One patient developed febrile neutropenia. Neutropenia led to chemotherapy dose reductions in two patients (8%) and discontinuation in two patients (8%).

Conclusions:

Biosimilar G-CSF was effective and prevented dose reductions/discontinuation in the majority of patients. Biosimilar G-CSF was considered clinically comparable to its reference product.
The Effect of Instruction on Teacher Perceptions of Competence When Including Students With Special Needs in Music Classrooms
Authors: Hammel Alice M. , Gerrity Kevin W.
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of professional development instruction on teacher perceptions of competence when including students with special needs in music classrooms. Subjects for the study were in-service music educators ( N = 43) enrolled in an online graduate-level course specifically created to address the skills and knowledge needed to effectively include students with special needs in classroom activities. The researchers conducted this inquiry using the one-group pretest–posttest design. A paired-samples t test revealed that a −5.6 difference between pretest and posttest means was significant ( p < .05). Comments were also solicited from the participants to further explain the effect of instruction. Areas in which participants expressed the most growth were related to transparency, knowing both students’ rights and teachers’ obligations, and modifying teaching strategies and the learning environment.
Music’s Representation in Early Childhood Education Journals
Authors: Bond Vanessa L.
Published: September 2012

In this review of literature, the author explored the representation of music in early childhood education researcher and practitioner journal articles. Thirty-eight pertinent journal articles were identified in a keyword search for “music” in eight journals. The search was limited to a 5-year period, 2005–2010. Article summaries were categorized into seven themes: extramusical benefits, music strategies, musical parenting, musical practices at home, musical lives of children, musical practices at school, and integration. The majority of articles reviewed addressed extramusical benefits of music instruction in early childhood classrooms. Implications of the literature review are discussed and suggestions for adding to this literature are shared.
Preparation and characterisation of nickel–nano-B4C composite coatings
Authors: Jiang J B , Zhang L , Zhong Q D , Zhou Q Y , Wang Y , Luo J
Published: September 2012

Ni–B4C composite coatings on carbon steel surfaces with various contents of nano-B4C particulates were prepared by electrodeposition in Ni plating bath containing nano-B4C particulates. Microhardness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Tafel and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were used to compare pure nickel coating and Ni–B4C composite coatings. The microhardness of Ni–B4C coatings is higher than that of pure Ni coating, together with the microhardness of the composite coatings increases with the increase of the content of nano-B4C particulates. The effects of various contents of nano-B4C particulates on the corrosion resistance were investigated and it was found that the best anticorrosion property of Ni–B4C composite coatings is at 6 g L−1 B4C in the bath formulation.