bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflections on the Limits of Reflection: An Invitation to the Discursive Study of Religion
Authors: von Stuckrad Kocku
Published: October 2010

It has repeatedly been claimed that the study of religion should not essentialize “religion” as an object of study that exists “out there,” waiting for us to discover and understand “it.” Reflection on the contexts and hidden agendas of concepts of religion are part and parcel of scholarly activity. But can there be an end to such a circle of reflection? This paper argues that definitions of and approaches to religion are intrinsically linked to the episteme and the discourse of the time. After clarifying the terms “discourse,” “episteme,” and “field,” this dynamic is exemplified with the emergence of the academic field of “Western esotericism.” The paper concludes that rather than looking for a better definition of religion, the academic study of religion should focus on describing, analyzing, and demarcating the religious fields of discourse. These fields are both the object of study for scholars of religion and the scholars’ habitat.
The Trouble with Transcendence: Carl Schmitt’s “Exception” as a Challenge for Religious Studies
Authors: Yelle Robert
Published: October 2010

The Weimar- and Nazi-era legal theorist Carl Schmitt was one of the first to recognize that Max Weber’s theory of “disenchantment” encoded Protestant presuppositions. Despite his unsavory politics, I argue that Schmitt’s thesis—namely, that secular liberalism is a disguised and disenchanted “political theology” which depends on an exclusion of charismatic ruptures in the natural and moral orders—must be taken seriously. A genealogy of the prohibition of the miracle by the radical Reformation provides evidence for Schmitt’s contention that an ostensibly secular modernity, no less than its theological opponents, has had its own trouble with transcendence or the “exception.”
Negotiating Respectable Masculinity: Gender and Recognition in the Somali Diaspora
Authors: Kleist Nauja
Published: October 2010

Following years of civil war, many Somalis are displaced in Western countries as refugees or family re-unified persons. This situation has caused multiple losses of social position and upheavals in gender relations. Although both men and women are subject to these changes, Somalis describe the situations of men as more difficult. Taking departure in multi-sited fieldwork in Copenhagen, Somaliland and London, this article explores how Somalis negotiate respectable masculinity in the Diaspora, arguing that men’s difficulties are articulated as a transfer of male authority to the welfare state, reflecting female empowerment and male misrecognition. However, the focus on men’s loss can also be understood as processes of positioning and of re-instituting a ‘traditional’ gender baseline in which the positions of respectable versus failed masculinity are established. Finally, the article argues that Somali men negotiate and enact respectable masculinity through associational and community involvement, creating alternative social spaces of recognition.
African Americans, African Immigrants and Homeland-Diaspora Development in Africa
Authors: Alex-Assensoh Yvette M.
Published: October 2010

Mainstream understandings of nation-state development focus primarily on economic factors, consequently rendering invisible other viable ways, through which important development occurs in African societies. In extending the current theoretical framework beyond its focus on economics to encompass political, human capital and technological development, this article provides evidence linking African Americans to African attempts at development, first in Ethiopia, which remained uncolonised until 1938 and then through Ghana, which became the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain its independence from British colonial rule. The resulting theoretical payoff includes a broadened concept of development, which much more accurately represents and predicts reality. Empirically, the findings offer much-needed insight about the relationship, correspondence and differences between African historical Diaspora in the United States and more recent migration movements from African countries.
Negotiating Professionalism, Economics and Moral Obligation: An Appeal for Ethnographic Approaches to African Medical Migration
Authors: Sullivan Noelle C. , Dilger Hansjörg , Garcia David
Published: October 2010

This article provides a preliminary framework of useful methodologies and topics for future ethnographic research on medical migration from Africa to North America. We argue that medical professionals’ migrations must be understood in terms of their multiple struggles for meaning as they negotiate their professional and personal preferences in light of their desires to help rebuild ailing medical systems in their countries of origin. Our ethnographic interviews suggest that networks and family have been of critical importance to medical mobility, as well as providing a potential means of continued involvement in philanthropic investments in their countries of origin. Ultimately, we argue that economic perspectives on medical migration are insufficient, and leave out the complexities of balancing professionalism, personal goals and moral obligation to the country of origin.
Procheirisis: Porphyry Sent. 16 and Plotinus on the similes of the waxen block and the aviary
Authors: Berg Robbert van den
Published: October 2010

This paper studies Sentence 16 of Porphyry’s Pathways to the Intelligible. It is argued that it should be understood against the background of Plotinus’ discussions of the similes of the waxen block and the aviary from Plato’s Theaetetus. The first part of the paper concentrates on Plotinus’ reception of these similes. In the second part of the paper Plotinus’ discussions of the two similes are used to shed light on Sentence 16, in particular on the term προχείρισις. Furthermore it is argued that Porphyry does not reject Plotinus’ claim that, pace Aristotle, intellection does not require imaging.
The Criminal Victimization–Depression Sequela
Authors: Hochstetler Andy , DeLisi Matt , Jones-Johnson Gloria , Johnson W. Roy
Published: October 2010

Drawing on three waves of survey data, the authors examined the effects of criminal victimization on depression. First, the authors developed a structural equation model to determine whether criminal victimization predictsdepression. Second, recognizing that victimization is contingent on background factors, they tested whether victimization, conceptualized as an assigned treatment, has significant effects on depression, using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). In structural equation modeling equations, victimization predicts initial levels of depression and change in depression across waves. In the IPTW regression models, victimization had significant effects on levels of depression. There is considerable evidence to suggest that victimization influences depression, and investigators must be cautious when examining the temporal and selection issues surrounding the effects.
Comparative Effectiveness of California’s Proposition 36 and Drug Court Programs Before and After Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Evans Elizabeth , Li Libo , Urada Darren , Anglin M. Douglas
Published: October 2010

California’s voter-initiated Proposition 36 (Prop 36) program is often unfavorably compared with drug courts but little is empirically known about the comparative effectiveness of the two approaches. Using statewide administrative data, analyses were conducted on all Prop 36 and drug court offenders with official records of arrest and drug treatment. Propensity score matching was used to create equivalent groups, enabling comparisons of success at treatment discharge, recidivism over 12 months posttreatment entry, and the magnitude of behavioral changes. Significant behavioral improvements occurred for both Prop 36 and drug court offenders, but although more Prop 36 offenders were successful at discharge, more recidivated over a period of 12 months. Core programmatic differences likely contributed to the differences in outcomes. Policy implications are discussed.
Magnetic Facilities
Authors: Bichler Gisela , Malm Aili , Enriquez Janet
Published: October 2010

Facilities that draw youth from different communities are prone to become offender convergence settings and intercity crime generators. Applying network analysis to self-nominated hangouts of 5,082 delinquent youth residing in Southern California revealed specific facilities acting as regional convergence settings. A small number of magnetic locations (measured by popularity and breadth of appeal) enable the congregation and interaction of youth that would otherwise not be exposed to each other. As predicted, the sociocirculatory structure of place networks remains relatively constant over time. In-degree and betweenness centrality statistics offer a viable analytic strategy to identify facilities operating as stable regional convergence locations. Crime prevention programs invoking effective place management through ordinances may offer a way to publicly govern these private facilities.
Physiopathology of Dental Rickets in Vitamin D Receptor-ablated Mice
Authors: Descroix V. , Kato S. , Lézot F. , Berdal A.
Published: October 2010

1α25(OH)2vitaminD3 and its nuclear receptor, VDR, are essential for normal tooth development. However, the relative contributions of the direct vs. indirect effects of vitamin D action on odontogenesis are unclear. The aim of this study was to discriminate among the specific roles of 1α25(OH)2 vitaminD3, calcemia/phosphatemia, and the maternal environment in mouse VDR null mutants. Microradiographic, histological, and molecular analyses were conducted on adult mice under hypocalcemic/hypophosphatemic vs. normocalcemic/normophosphatemic conditions, and pups of first- (VDR-/- born to VDR+/- dams) vs. second-generation (VDR-/- born to VDR-/- dams) mice. In VDR-/- mice, crown morphogenesis was affected exclusively in second-generation pups. In first-generation adult VDR-/- mice, both enamel and dentin were affected, and pathologic features of root resorption in both apical and cervical regions were observed. Nutritional calcium and phosphate normalization completely rescued the root resorption and partially rescued the dentin and enamel phenotypes (altered cell differentiation and matrix protein expression). Analysis of these data illustrates the co-existence of different pathways of vitamin D action in tooth differentiation and biomineralization. These targeted and cumulative effects would generate the diverse and wide spectrum of dental rickets phenotypes.
APF and Dentifrice Effect on Root Dentin Demineralization and Biofilm
Authors: Vale G.C. , Tabchoury C.P.M. , Del Bel Cury A.A. , Tenuta L.M.A. , ten Cate J.M. , Cury J.A.
Published: October 2010

Because dentin is more caries-susceptible than enamel, its demineralization may be more influenced by additional fluoride (F). We hypothesized that a combination of professional F, applied as acidulated phosphate F (APF), and use of 1100-ppm-F dentifrice would provide additional protection for dentin compared with 1100-ppm-F alone. Twelve adult volunteers wore palatal appliances containing root dentin slabs, which were subjected, during 4 experimental phases of 7 days each, to biofilm accumulation and sucrose exposure 8x/day. The volunteers were randomly assigned to the following treatments: placebo dentifrice (PD), 1100-ppm-F dentifrice (FD), APF + PD, and APF+FD. APF gel (1.23% F) was applied to the slabs once at the beginning of the experimental phase, and the dentifrices were used 3x/day. APF and FD increased F concentration in biofilm fluid and reduced root dentin demineralization, presenting an additive effect. Analysis of the data suggests that the combination of APF gel application and daily regular use of 1100-ppm-F dentifrice may provide additional protection against root caries compared with the dentifrice alone.
Field Testing of an Integrated Surface/Subsurface Modeling Technique for Planetary Exploration
Authors: Furgale Paul , Barfoot Timothy D , Ghafoor Nadeem , Williams Kevin , Osinski Gordon
Published: October 2010

While there has been much interest in developing ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology for rover-based planetary exploration, relatively little work has been done on the data collection process. Starting from the manual method, we fully automate GPR data collection using only sensors typically found on a rover. Further, we produce two novel data products: (1) a three-dimensional, photorealistic surface model coupled with a ribbon of GPR data, and (2) a two-dimensional, topography-corrected GPR radargram with the surface topography plotted above. Each result is derived from only the onboard sensors of the rover, as would be required in a planetary exploration setting. These techniques were tested using data collected in a Mars analogue environment on Devon Island in the Canadian High Arctic. GPR transects were gathered over polygonal patterned ground similar to that seen on Mars by the Phoenix Lander. Using the techniques developed here, scientists may remotely explore the interaction of the surface topography and subsurface structure as if they were on site.
Paranasal Sinus Masses of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis)
Authors: Fox K. A. , Wootton S. K. , Quackenbush S. L. , Wolfe L. L. , LeVan I. K. , Miller M. W. , Spraker T. R.
Published: October 2010

This article describes 10 cases of paranasal sinus masses in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis canadensis). Among 21 bighorns that were examined from 11 herds in Colorado, 10 individuals (48%) from 4 herds (36%) had masses arising from the paranasal sinuses. Affected animals included 9 of 17 females (53%) and 1 of 4 males (25%), ranging in age from approximately 2 years to greater than 10 years. Defining gross features of these masses included unilateral or bilateral diffuse thickening of the respiratory lining of the maxillary and/or frontal sinuses, with abundant seromucinous exudate in the affected sinus cavities. Defining histologic features of these masses included chronic inflammation and proliferation of mesenchymal and epithelial cells of the mucosa and submucosa. Epithelial changes included hyperplasia of mucosal epithelium, hyperplasia of submucosal glands and ducts, and neoplasia (adenocarcinoma). Mesenchymal changes included submucosal myxedema, submucosal fibroplasia/fibrosis, bone destruction, and neoplasia (myxomatous fibroma). Specific immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction for Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus and enzootic nasal tumor virus were performed with negative results.
The impact of music festival attendance on young people’s psychological and social well-being
Authors: Packer Jan , Ballantyne Julie
Published: October 2010

Although the social, emotional, physical and cognitive benefits of engagement in music are well known, little research has been conducted on the psychological benefits of music in the context of music festivals. This article draws on theoretical constructs from the field of positive psychology to interpret the impact of music festival attendance on participants’ psychological and social well-being. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from a focus group and questionnaire survey with young festival-goers aged 18—29 years. Four facets of the music festival experience were identified that were associated with well-being outcomes. These are explored and discussed with reference both to participants’ focus group comments and statistical analysis of questionnaire responses. A conceptual model is presented in order to guide further research in this area, and enable both festival organizers and attendees to take optimal advantage of the potential of music festivals to impact positively on young adults’ psychological and social well-being.
Spine Abnormalities Depicted by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Adolescent Rowers
Authors: Maurer Marvin , Soder Ricardo Bernardi , Baldisserotto Matteo
Published: October 2010

Background: Most lesions of the spine of athletes, which often are detected incidentally, do not cause important symptoms or make the athletes discontinue their physical activities. To better understand the significance of these lesions, new imaging studies have been conducted with asymptomatic athletes in several sports, aiming to detect potentially deleterious and disabling abnormalities.

Purpose: To compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lumbar spine findings in a group of asymptomatic adolescent rowers and in a control group of adolescents matched according to age and sex who do not practice any regular physical activity.

Study Design: Cohort study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: Our study evaluated 44 asymptomatic adolescent boys distributed in 2 groups of 22 rowers and 22 control subjects. All the examinations were performed using a 0.35-T open-field MRI unit and evaluated by 2 experienced radiologists blinded to the study groups. Each MRI scan was analyzed for the presence of disc degeneration/desiccation, herniated or bulging disc, pars interarticularis stress reaction, and spondylolysis. The Student t test and the Fisher exact test were used for statistical analyses.

Results: Nine rowers (40.9%) had at least 1 abnormality detected by MRI in the lumbar spine, whereas only 2 participants (9.1%) in the control group had at least 1 MRI abnormality ( P = .03). Seven disc changes (31.8%) and 6 pars abnormalities (27.3%) were found in the group of elite rowers. In the control group, 3 disc changes (13.6%) and no pars abnormalities were found in the MR scans. The comparison between groups showed statistically significant differences in stress reaction of the pars articularis.

Conclusion: Disc disease and pars interarticularis stress reaction are prevalent abnormalities of the lumbar spine of high-performance rowers.
Strategies for Repair of Radial Tears Close to the Meniscal Rim—Biomechanical Analysis with a Cyclic Loading Protocol
Authors: Herbort Mirco , Siam Sami , Lenschow Simon , Petersen Wolf , Zantop Thore
Published: October 2010

Background

Lateral meniscectomy contributes to early-onset osteoarthritis. Biomechanical properties of sutures repairs for complete radial meniscal tears remain unknown.

Hypothesis

Double horizontal suture techniques for repair of radial meniscal tears with a shorter distance from the meniscal rim provide significantly higher structural properties than do comparable single-suture techniques with a wider distance from the meniscal rim.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

In 55 fresh-frozen porcine menisci, standardized complete radial meniscal tears were repaired with different distances from the meniscal rim and tear edges and with different numbers of sutures. In group A, the suture was 4 mm from the tear and 8 mm from the meniscal rim; group B, 2 mm from tear; group C, 2 mm from tear, 12 mm from rim; group D, double-loop technique, 2 mm from tear, 5 mm and 10 mm from rim; group E, longitudinal tear sutured with 1 loop, 8 mm from rim, and 4 mm between stitches. The specimens were cyclically loaded 1000 times between 5 and 20 N and loaded to failure.

Results

All repaired constructs survived the cyclic loading protocol. Compared with the single-loop techniques, the double-loop technique (group D) showed a significantly higher maximum load and yield load and significantly lower displacement after 1000 cycles. Compared with group B, group C had a higher displacement after 1000 cycles (P < .05), and its stiffness showed a descriptive negative trend (P = .09). Displacement after cycling testing in group C was higher than in groups B and D (P < .05).

Conclusion

Repair of radial meniscal tears with a second suture and shorter distance from the meniscal rim has a positive influence on primary stability. Different distances from tear edges apparently have no influence on structural properties.

Clinical Relevance

Horizontal sutures for repair of radial meniscal tears provide high stability and can be enhanced with a second horizontal suture and shorter distance from the meniscal rim.
In Other Sources
Authors: Konrad Moira , Bartholomew Audrey L. , Hudson Melissa E. , Kelley Kelly R. , Toms Ozalle M. , Rowe Dawn A. , Keesey Susan , Fleming Shannon , Fishley Katelyn M.
Published: October 2010

This column provides brief summaries of transition-related articles published in 2009 in other professional journals. The 63 articles include descriptive, experimental, and qualitative research as well as program descriptions, conceptual articles, and practitioner pieces. All areas of Kohler’s taxonomy for transition programming were addressed: family involvement, interagency collaboration, program structure, student development, and student-focused planning.
Patterns of Workplace Supervisor Support Desired by Abused Women
Authors: Perrin Nancy A. , Yragui Nanette L. , Hanson Ginger C. , Glass Nancy
Published: October 2010

The purpose of this study was to understand differences in patterns of supervisor support desired by female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and to examine whether the pattern of support desired at work is reflective of a woman’s stage of change in the abusive relationship, IPV-related work interference, and IPV-related job reprimands or job loss. We conducted interviews in Spanish or English with adult women working in low-income jobs who had been physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner/ ex-partner in the past year ( N = 133). Cluster analysis revealed three distinct clusters that form a hierarchy of type of support wanted: those who desired limited support; those who desired confidential, time-off, and emotional support; and those who desired support in wide variety of ways from their supervisor. The clusters appeared to reflect stages of behavior change in an abusive relationship. Specifically, the limited-support cluster may represent an early precontemplation stage, with women reporting the least interference with work. The support-in-every-way cluster may represent later stages of change, in which women are breaking away from the abusive partner and report the greatest interference with work. Women in the confidential-, time-off-, and emotional-support cluster are in a transition stage in which they are considering change and are exploring options in their abusive relationship. Understanding the hierarchy of the type of support desired, and its relationship to stages of change in the abusive relationship and work interference, may provide a strong foundation for developing appropriate and effective workplace interventions to guide supervisors in providing support to women experiencing IPV.
Differential Therapeutic Outcomes of Community-Based Group Interventions for Women and Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: McWhirter Paula T.
Published: October 2010

Two community-based group therapies, emotion focused versus goal oriented, are compared among women exposed to intimate partner violence ( n = 46) and their children ( n = 48) aged between 6 and 12 years. A series of repeated measures analyses are employed to evaluate the effects of time from baseline to postintervention following random assignment. Main and treatment effects for women provide support for the relative effectiveness in increasing quality of social support in the emotion-focused intervention and in the reduction of both family conflict and alcohol use for the goal-oriented intervention.
Violence Against Teachers: Prevalence and Consequences
Authors: Wilson Catherine M. , Douglas Kevin S. , Lyon David R.
Published: October 2010

Data collected from 731 teachers were used to examine the consequences of violence directed toward teachers while in the workplace. Analyses showed that the majority of respondents ( n = 585, 80.0%) had experienced school-related violence—broadly defined—at one point in their careers. Serious violence (actual, attempted, or threatened physical violence) was less common, but still common enough to be of concern ( n = 202, 27.6%). Violence predicted physical and emotional effects, as well as teaching-related functioning. In addition, a model with fear as a potential mediator revealed that both fear and violence were independently predictive of these negative outcomes. Finally, analyses showed that, in general, women reported higher levels of physical symptoms compared to men. We discuss the implications of violence against teachers in terms of personal consequences and the implications for mental health professionals working in an educational setting.
“Do You Want Somebody Treating Your Sister Like That?”: Qualitative Exploration of How African American Families Discuss and Promote Healthy Teen Dating Relationships
Authors: Akers Aletha Y. , Yonas Michael , Burke Jessica , Chang Judy C.
Published: October 2010

The article discusses a study conducted between December 2007 and March 2008 that involved 19 gender-stratified focus groups with African American parents and adolescents from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, to explore the process and content of parent—adolescent communication about sex. Discussions about intimate partner violence (IPV) and healthy relationships emerge inductively as critical topics in these conversations. The authors use a grounded theory approach to content analysis to identify and organize themes related to discussions on these topics. A total of 125 participants from 52 families are recruited for the study. Family history of child sexual abuse often motivates discussions. Mothers are described as the primary parent discussing sexual issues with children. Fathers primarily role model ideal male partnership behavior for sons and daughters. Parents seek to prevent daughters from experiencing sexual abuse or emotional manipulation by partners and focus on instilling a sense of responsibility to and respect for romantic partners in sons. Parents prioritize and express the need for tools to influence their adolescent’s socialization as romantic partners. Mothers and fathers approach this process differently. Family-focused interventions to prevent unhealthy relationships can build on parent’s efforts.
Children’s Experiences of Domestic Violence: Developing an Integrated Response From Police and Child Protection Services
Authors: Stanley Nicky , Miller Pam , Foster Helen Richardson , Thomson Gill
Published: October 2010

Police notifications of incidents of domestic violence to child protection services constitute an acknowledgement of the harm that domestic violence inflicts on children. However, these notifications represent a substantial demand on child welfare services and the outcomes for children and victims of domestic violence have been questioned. This paper presents findings from the first UK study to examine these notifications in depth and examines the interface between the police and child protection services in responding to domestic violence incidents. The research reports on police interventions in 251 incidents of domestic violence involving children; the communication of information to child protection services and the subsequent filtering and service response. Social workers found that notifications conveyed little information on children’s experiences of domestic violence. Forty per cent of families notified had had no previous contact with child protection services in that area, but those cases most likely to receive social work assessment or intervention were those where the case was already open. Notifications triggered a new social work intervention in only 5% of cases. The study also identified a range of innovative approaches for improving the co-ordination of police and child protective services in relation to children’s exposure to domestic violence. Arrangements that maximized opportunities for police and social workers to share agency information appeared to offer the best option for achieving informed decisions about the appropriate level of service response to children and families experiencing domestic violence.
Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Branched All-aromatic Liquid Crystal Thermosets
Authors: Iqbal Mazhar , Dingemans Theo J.
Published: October 2010

In order to improve the melt processability of all-aromatic reactive liquid crystal oligomers and to allow solution processing, a series of branched liquid crystalline oligomers end-capped with reactive phenylethynyl end-groups were explored. 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (HIA) was used as a trifunctional, A2B-type monomer, and the concentration of HIA in the polymer backbone was varied from 2.5 to 50 mol.%. The incorporation of a small concentration of HIA, i.e. 2.5 mol.%, has the tendency to reduce the crystal-to-nematic (K—N) transition, whereas an HIA concentration of 50 mol.% resulted in an isotropic polymer. A fully cured liquid crystal thermoset based on terephthalic acid (TA), hydroquinone (HQ), isophthalic acid (IA) and 10 mol.% HIA, labeled TA/HQ/IA/HIA(10)-5K p, showed a high glass-transition temperature ( Tg) of 300 °C, which is an increase of ∼80 °C over its linear counterpart. The thermal stability of all cured polymers was excellent both in air and nitrogen atmosphere ( Td(5%) > 450 °C). Room temperature storage moduli varied from 2.3—5.1 GPa and most thermosets display moduli of 1 GPa or higher at 200 °C. The branched oligomers showed stable nematic mesophases, and after a 1 h cure at 370 °C a nematic thermoset was obtained exhibiting a fixed nematic texture. Although branching had a positive effect on lowering the Tm (K—N) and increasing the after cure Tg, the reactive oligomers remained insoluble. In addition, branching has a negative effect on the stress—strain behavior. Room temperature tensile strengths are in order of 38 MPa and the films fail at 3% elongation.
Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Degradation Study of Terpolymer-derived from p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, Diaminonaphthelein with Formaldehyde
Authors: Masram Dhanraj T. , Kariya Kiran P. , Bhave Narayan S.
Published: October 2010

Resin pHDNF has been synthesized by the condensation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and diaminonaphthelein with formaldehyde in the presence of catalyst hydrochloric acid in 1 : 1 : 2 molar proportions of reactants. The purity of newly synthesized terpolymer has been tested and confirmed by the thin layer chromatography (TLC) technique. Detailed thermal degradation studies of the pHDNF resin have been carried out to ascertain its thermal stability. The thermal degradation curve was examined in order to determine their mode of decomposition, order of reaction, apparent activation energy, frequency factor, free energy change, entropy change and apparent energy change. The Freeman—Carroll and Sharp—Wentworth methods were applied for the calculation of kinetic parameters and the data from the Freeman—Carroll method was been used to determine various thermodynamic parameters. The terpolymer resin was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and UV-visible spectral studies. The number-average molecular weight of the resin was determined by non-aqueous conductometric titration.
Acute oral toxicity and neurobehavioural toxicological effects of hydroethanolic extract of Boophone disticha in rats
Authors: Gadaga Louis L , Tagwireyi Dexter , Dzangare Janet , Nhachi Charles F B
Published: October 2010

Boophone disticha (B. disticha) has been used systemically in traditional medical practice in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries for the management of various central nervous system conditions including hysteria. Abuse of the plant by teenagers in Zimbabwe for its claimed hallucinogenic effects has also been reported, with the advent of serious toxicity in some cases. In the present work, we describe the acute toxicity and neurotoxicological effects of a freeze dried hydro-ethanolic plant extract of the bulb of B. disticha. Thirty-three adult (6—12 weeks old), non-pregnant female Sprague Dawley rats were used for the oral LD50 estimation. Animals were given doses of 50, 120, 240, 360, 500 and 700 mg/kg and were observed using a modified Functional Observation Battery (FOB) for behavioural toxicity. The estimated oral LD50 of the plant extract was between 120 and 240 mg/kg. For doses of 240 mg/kg and less, signs of toxicity began approximately 10 minutes after gavage, and the most prominent initial signs were head tremors (at 50 mg/kg) and body tremors, severe body tremors(>360 mg/kg) followed by convulsions. Generally, symptoms of toxicity lasted approximately 2 hours for doses of 240 mg/kg and less; and 3 hours for doses over 240 mg/kg for animals that survived. These results point to a rapid gastrointestinal absorption of the active principles in the plant extract. The most prominent neurotoxicological effects were increased flaccid limb paralysis and spastic hind-limb paralysis. Tachypnoea was noted at low doses and higher doses produced laboured breathing. The retropulsion observed with higher doses could indicate the reported hallucinogenic effects of the plant extract.
Lipotab, a polyherbal formulation, attenuates isoprenaline-induced left ventricular remodeling and heart failure in rats
Authors: Sharma Anu , Mediratta Pramod K , Sharma Krishna K , Fahim Mohammad
Published: October 2010

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Lipotab, a polyherbal formulation on isoprenaline (ISO)-induced left ventricular (LV) remodeling and heart failure (HF). HF in Wistar albino rats was produced by two consecutive injections of ISO (150 mg/kg, s.c.) at an interval of 24 h. After 15 days of 2nd ISO injection, HF was indicated by rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), lowering of maximal rate of rise of LV pressure divided by LV systolic pressure (LVdP/dtmax/P; cardiac contractility) and maximal rate of fall of LV pressure (LVdP/dtmin), fall in cardiac output (CO), cardiac hypertrophy (heart to body weight ratio) and histopathological changes in heart. HF rats showed a significant increase in serum malondialdehyde (MDA), reduction in serum reduced glutathione (GSH) content and a significant rise in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level. Prior treatment with Lipotab (275 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was significantly able to preserve LV functions. Post treatment with Lipotab (275 mg/kg/day, p.o.) also improved LV functions but did not prevent the fall in LVdP/ dtmin, CO and cardiac hypertrophy. Lipotab significantly prevented fall in GSH levels, rise in level of MDA and TNF-α in serum of HF rats. Histopathological examination confirmed hemodynamic and biochemical findings. Results of the present study indicate that Lipotab prevents ISO-induced LV remodeling and consequent HF in rats through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
A comparison of classification algorithms for the identification of smoke plumes from satellite images
Authors: Wan V. , Braun WJ , Dean CB , Henderson S.
Published: October 2010

Obtaining accurate measures of exposure to forest fire smoke is important for the assessment of health risk. Estimating exposure from air quality monitors is challenging because of the sparseness of the monitoring networks in remote areas. However, satellite imagery offers a novel and data-rich tool to provide visual information on smoke plumes. We will discuss statistical techniques for obtaining estimates of forest fire smoke plumes using classification algorithms on data from satellite imagery in order to develop automated processes for identifying exposure. The aim is to identify whether such methods may offer a high-resolution approach that provides a reliable estimate of smoke and a more thorough caption of the spatial distribution of smoke from fires than is currently available.
A comparison of methods for sample size estimation for non-inferiority studies with binary outcomes
Authors: Julious Steven A , Owen Roger J
Published: October 2010

Non-inferiority trials are motivated in the context of clinical research where a proven active treatment exists and placebo-controlled trials are no longer acceptable for ethical reasons. Instead, active-controlled trials are conducted where a treatment is compared to an established treatment with the objective of demonstrating that it is non-inferior to this treatment. We review and compare the methodologies for calculating sample sizes and suggest appropriate methods to use. We demonstrate how the simplest method of using the anticipated response is predominantly consistent with simulations. In the context of trials with binary outcomes with expected high proportions of positive responses, we show how the sample size is quite sensitive to assumptions about the control response. We recommend when designing such a study that sensitivity analyses be performed with respect to the underlying assumptions and that the Bayesian methods described in this article be adopted to assess sample size.
When Social Identities Collide: Commentary on “Gender in the Management Education Classroom”
Authors: Patton Eric
Published: October 2010

This commentary to “Gender in the Management Education Classroom” (Bilimoria, O’Neil, Hopkins, & Murphy, 2010) employs social identity and self-categorization theory to analyze the incident described in the article. In any MBA classroom, students are dealing with multiple group memberships. Similar to workplace settings, when the focus is on diversity, categorization processes can lead to challenging situations in the classroom. Practical considerations and institutional influences in dealing with diversity-based conflict in the classroom are also discussed.
The Missed Promotion: An Exercise Demonstrating the Importance of Organizational Justice
Authors: Caza Arran , Caza Brianna Barker , Lind E. Allan
Published: October 2010

Treating employees fairly produces many positive outcomes, but evidence suggests that managers’ efforts to be fair are often unsuccessful because they emphasize the wrong aspects of justice. Managers tend to emphasize distributive justice, though employees may be most concerned with procedural and interactional justice. Organizational justice theory offers a framework for correcting this problem and assisting managers in their efforts to be fair. To this end, the authors describe the Missed Promotion exercise, a two-person role-play for introducing students to organizational justice theory. It provides a way to have students experience the importance of organizational justice, while teaching them about the three dimensions of justice and why managers often fail to be perceived as fair. Although the Missed Promotion exercise is simple enough to be completed in a single class session with students of any level, it reliably produces realistic responses and experiences, which allows for a useful discussion of the role of organizational justice in managerial fairness.
Implications of the Functional Integration of Adult-Born Hippocampal Neurons in Anxiety-Depression Disorders
Authors: David Denis J. , Wang Jingwen , Samuels Benjamin Adam , Rainer Quentin , David Indira , Gardier Alain M. , Hen René
Published: October 2010

Adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus has gained considerable attention as a cellular substrate for both the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. Overall, the studies of adult hippocampal neurogenesis are still in their infancy because most of them explore only one stage of this process. Importantly, given the built-in homeostatic mechanisms that act at each stage during the progression from stem cells to mature neurons (proliferation, differentiation, maturation, survival), it is very difficult to extrapolate the efficiency of a drug on adult neurogenesis from analysis of one stage alone. Here, we review the most significant data on hippocampal neurogenesis, focusing on the importance of studying each stage of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and also on the importance of choosing the appropriate mouse strain to perform the experiment. Specifically, strains with a high number of basal proliferating cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus should be used only under stressed conditions to detect the effects of antidepressants on adult neurogenesis. We also discuss how adult hippocampal neurogenesis could be involved in affective state disorders such as depression and anxiety. Finally, we reveal that the behavioral effects of fluoxetine are mediated through both neurogenesis-dependent and -independent actions.
Investigation of Traffic-induced Vibrations on Masonry Buildings in Turkey and Countermeasures
Authors: Korkmaz K.A. , Ay Z. , Keskin S.N. , Ceditoglu D.
Published: October 2010

Masonry buildings are a common low-rise residential building type in Turkey. These buildings are generally built by the owner with nonengineering background and mostly they are not well designed buildings. Traffic induced vibrations are one of the important damage reasons for these types of buildings. In the present study, masonry buildings were investigated with regard to vehicle loads. Different modeling types and conditions were employed in the analyses. Loading cases and soil conditions were investigated for determination of the structural behavior of masonry buildings. Furthermore, a passive barrier effect was investigated by considering a damping trench at a certain distance from the building surface with and without stabilization materials implanted for damping the vibrations caused by vehicles. As a result of the study, traffic induced vibrations on structural behavior of masonry buildings were found critical and the damping trench was a considerable countermeasure for that vibration.
FAT-based Adaptive Sliding-Mode Control for a Piezoelectric-actuated System
Authors: Liang Jin-Wei , Chen Hung-Yi , Tsu Yu-Ting
Published: October 2010

In this paper, a function approximation technique (FAT) based adaptive controller is proposed for the tracking control of a piezoelectric-actuated X—Y table. Owing to the highly nonlinear behavior associated with the actuator, control problems involving a piezoelectric-actuated system are challenging. Moreover, a universal and effective hysteresis model for the piezoelectric actuator (PA) is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. Thus, a model-free method is proposed in this study to tackle the problem. The study formulates the dynamic equation of the system using an unknown time-varying function. The latter is then approximated using a linear combination of orthogonal Haar wavelets. Therefore, the time-varying nature of the system’s dynamics and uncertainties is handled by the FAT levering on the Haar wavelet. The stability of the closed-loop system is assured by an updating law which is derived from Lyapunov stability theory. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design.
Force reconstruction for low velocity impacts using force and acceleration measurements
Authors: Yuning Zhang  , Sharf Inna
Published: October 2010

Contact and impact dynamics modeling of rigid bodies continues to be an intensive research area, as new applications of contact dynamics simulation develop in engineering practice. Yet, relatively few studies are dedicated to the experimental investigation of rigid-body impacts and associated issues. In this manuscript we report our findings for a sphere to flat impact experiments conducted for a range of low impact velocities, such as those that may be encountered in multibody systems. A unique feature of our investigation is that the impact forces between the impacting objects are reconstructed from force and acceleration measurements, the latter obtained from an accelerometer mounted on the impacted surface body. It is noted that when the impacted body is free to move during impact, it may experience high accelerations which must be taken into account. The reconstructed impact force responses are compared to those predicted with the dynamics model of the experimental scenario, which in turn is based on a nonlinear compliant model of the impact force. The experiments, in addition to generating novel impact measurements, provide a number of insights into both the study of impacts and the impact response.
Construction of reduced order controllers for nonlinear systems with periodic coefficients
Authors: Gabale A. , Sinha S.C.
Published: October 2010

This study provides a methodology for reduced order controller design for nonlinear dynamic systems with time-periodic coefficients. The proposed methodology is quite general in a sense that it can be easily modified for nonlinear systems with constant coefficients. The equations of motion are represented by quasi-linear differential equations in state space, containing a time-periodic linear part and nonlinear monomials of states with periodic coefficients. The Lyapunov—Floquet (L-F) transformation is used to transform the time-varying linear part of the system into a time-invariant form. Eigenvalue decomposition of the time-invariant linear part can then be used to identify the dominant/nondominant dynamics of the system. The nondominant states of the system are expressed as a nonlinear, time-periodic, manifold relationship in terms of the dominant states. As a result, the original large system can be expressed as a lower order system represented only by the dominant states. A reducibility condition is derived to provide conditions under which a nonlinear order reduction is possible. Then a proper coordinate transformation and state feedback can be found under which the reduced order system is transformed into a linear, time-periodic, closed-loop system. This permits the design of a time-varying feedback controller in linear space to guarantee the stability of the system. The case of systems with constant coefficients is treated as a subset of its periodic counterpart. In this case one does not have to use the L-F transformation; moreover, the manifold and all other transformations are purely spatial. The proposed methodology is illustrated by designing a two dimensional reduced order controller for a 4-degrees of freedom, inverted pendulum subjected to a periodic force for which the equations of motion are time-periodic. An example involving a 2-dof spring-mass-damper system is also presented which yields the equations of motion with constant coefficients.
Development of a new and effective modal identification method - mathematical formulations and numerical simulations
Authors: Lin R.M.
Published: October 2010

A new effective and efficient time domain modal analysis is presented in this paper. Based on the theoretical expansion of free decay response functions of damped structures, the method is formulated to utilize measured free-decay response data to efficiently form an equivalent derived eigensystem. Rigorous mathematical derivation will show that modal parameters (natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes) of a damped test structure can be determined from the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the derived equivalent eigensystem. Scaling of the resulting mode shapes so that they become so called A-normalized will be explored. General guidelines for selection of user-selectable algorithm parameters are also discussed to maximize the benefit of the proposed method. Another important theoretical development associated with the new method is a new concept of modal confidence factor (MCF) for the examination of identification results. The practical applicability and validity of the proposed method and the new MCF will be demonstrated through various numerical case studies. The concepts of equivalent derived eigensystem and MCF associated with the proposed method are new and have been demonstrated to be very effective. The identification results obtained are very accurate as compared with their exact counterparts and the method is very efficient in computational implementations.