bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Bridge Performance
Authors: DeWolf John T. , Lauzon Robert G. , Culmo Michael P.
Published: March 2007

Researchers and engineers at the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Department of Transportation have been using non-destructive field monitoring to evaluate a variety of bridges in the State. This has been done to answer questions on the performance of existing bridges, refine techniques needed to evaluate different bridge components, and develop approaches that can be used to provide a continuous picture of a bridge's structural integrity. This paper reports on some of the lessons learned in this continuing research. The field monitoring studies have supplemented the regularly scheduled visual inspection program. Without field data, it would be necessary to use simplified, conservative assumptions to define the actual behavior. The field monitoring efforts have resulted in savings to the state by eliminating or reducing the scope of planned renovations and replacements. This paper shows the need and benefits in using non-destructive evaluation to determine structural health.
Training as a Strategic Investment
Authors: Krohn Richard A.
Published: March 2007

The Problem and the Solution. Leaders in the field of human resource development (HRD) recognize the need to link H RD initiatives to the strategic economic goals of the organization Many organizations have invested heavily in training their workforce through training initiatives that can yield large returns on investment, only to see its highly skilled employees being hired away by its competition. The question being raised today is whether an organization can afford that risk. This chapter develops a model to forecast the strategic economic risk associated with investing in a training initiative
The Relative Extent of Physical Punishment and Abuse by Mothers and Fathers
Authors: NOBES GAVIN , SMITH MARJORIE
Published: March 2007

This article reviews the literature that compares the extent to which mothers and fathers administer physical punishment and perpetrate physical abuse. Studies that used similar methods usually show fair agreement, but some significant inconsistencies occur when different sources of information have been used. There is general agreement that mothers and fathers physically punish their children to similar extents. The picture regarding severe or abusive actions is less clear. Most parental self-report studies indicate that mothers are at least as likely as fathers to be responsible. However, according to most studies based on victims' reports, and on official or clinical records that take father absence into account, fathers are more often implicated. Possible reasons for these discrepancies include differences between definitions, biases in samples, and inaccurate reporting. Despite this lack of agreement, the evidence shows that fathers are responsible for a considerable proportion of violence to children.
Culturally Focused Batterer Counseling for African American Men
Authors: GONDOLF EDWARD W. , WILLIAMS OLIVER J.
Published: March 2007

According to clinical observations and research findings in other fields, cultural issues may explain the poor outcomes associated with African American men in conventional batterer counseling. Practitioner-researchers recommend culturally focused batterer counseling as an appropriate response to these issues. Culturally focused counseling includes a curriculum that identifies specific cultural topics, counselors that respond to emergent cultural issues, and racially homogeneous groups that encourage disclosure. The outcome research on culturally sensitive counseling and racially homogeneous counseling in general is, however, very limited and offers only tentative support for culturally focused batterer counseling. Only some very preliminary research has been conducted on culturally focused batterer counseling. Clinical trial evaluations that control for cultural identification are therefore needed to substantiate the effectiveness of culturally focused batterer counseling. Other components, such as specialized case management and community linkages and development, might be necessary to achieve a substantial improvement in counseling outcomes.
UV Curable Silicone Release Coatings and Controlled Release Additives
Authors: Stein Judith , Eckberg Richard P.
Published: March 2007

A background discussion of silicone release coatings is presented together with efforts to develop controlled release additives for photolytically cured systems A theory of release that correlates release, surface tension, and resin func tionality is presented Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling has been used to determine the location of CRAs in cured coatings The CRAs were found to be uniformly distributed throughout the coating without preferential segregation at the air or adhesive interfaces Tight release is not obtained without CRAs suggesting that a minimum concentration at the surface which is necessary, is not greater than that found in the bulk.
Studies of Adhesion Mechanisms Between PVC Coatings and Different Textile Substrates
Authors: Dartman Torbjorn , Shishoo Roshan
Published: March 2007

The adhesive bonds between a PVC coating and its fabric substrate are affected by the hydrophilic character of the material and the environmental condi tions under which the coating process is carried out. Work has been carried out at TEFO for the purpose of studying the influence of different sources of moisture on adhesion between PVC coating and substrates of polyester, nylon-based woven and knitted structures, and PES film. The results have been evaluated in accordance with the newly developed TEFO method for determining coating adhesion.
Recycling and Disposal of Industrial Fabrics
Authors: Krummheuer Wolf R. , Scobel Michael
Published: March 2007

This paper is about the recycling and disposal of industrial fabrics-processes whose importance is growing daily in our society.
Reactabond—New Adhesive Technology for Textile and Automotive Applications
Authors: Miles D.C.
Published: March 2007

Coating textiles with heat reactable adhesive powders provides finished articles that are termed by the garment industry as fusible interlinings. The combining of two or more substrates by in line processing is referred to as lami nates. The history of such textile structures dates back to the early 1950s where acrylic and polyurethane wet adhesive systems were developed mainly for laminat ing while a company in the UK (Staflex, Ltd.) started to develop a coated textile with the use of dry powders suitable for fusing into garments. In these early years the interlining exerted a dimensional control as well as controlled stiffness/bulk to a garment part, which is not necessarily the case in today's world where interlinings have been reduced in weight and the wide use of nonwovens has reduced the pos sibility for enhanced bulk.
An Analysis of Simultaneous Heat and Water Vapour Transfer through Waterproof Breathable Fabrics
Authors: Ruckman J.E.
Published: March 2007

Perforated metal cylinders were used to investigate simultaneous heat and water vapour transfer through breathable fabrics. The analysis of the condensa tion problem made use of the heat loss and water vapour loss lines obtained from ex periments. An attempt was made to solve the problem of condensation within a clothing system by adjusting a saturation line and water vapour concentration line. For the best results to avoid condensation it was suggested that the innermost fabric near the human body should possess excellent breathability and low thermal resis tance, the outer fabric interfacing with the environment should possess the lowest breathability and highest thermal resistance and the properties of the wadding in be tween should fall between these extremes.
Blending Different Molecular Weight Distributions: Its Effect on Extrusion Coating
Authors: Edwards Ray , Beall Whitney Kay
Published: March 2007

In extrusion coating, polyethylenes of different molecular weight distributions (MWDs) require different extrusion conditions to provide thin coat ings. Those with broad MWDs coat to their thinnest at lower extruder output rates and slower line speeds. Those with narrow MWDs draw down best at higher extruder outputs and faster line speeds. Blends of the two MWD extremes show interesting coating performances.
Precision Placement of Thin Polymeric Silicone Films Within Fabrics
Authors: Meirowitz Randy
Published: March 2007

This unique patented technology allows for the precision place ment of thin polymeric films around fibers, crossover points, and filling in or leav ing open interstitial spaces within fabrics. The choice of polymer, substrate, and placement of polymer allows for improvement of properties, such as breathable barrier performance, controlled porosity, resistance to fluids, and adhesion/release behavior. This technology has found applications including apparel, automotive, aerospace, and medical. The benefits in these applications are delivered in a process that has no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and yields inert residual materi als. Examples of materials and comparative performances will be discussed
Development of Highly Breathable and Effective Blood/Viral Barrier Laminates of Microporous Films, Staple Fibers and Nonwovens
Authors: Wadsworth Larry C. , Allen H. Charles
Published: March 2007

In recent years it has been widely known that 3-ply laminates consisting of an inner core of microporous (MP) film and outer layers of spunbond (SB) or meltblown (MB) nonwovens will pass the test for resistance to penetration of synthetic blood (ASTM F 1670); whereas, SB/MB/SB (SMS) laminates will generally not pass this test. Only recently have manufactures begun to make the claim that laminates of MP film with SB and MB nonwovens pass the more rigor ous test for resistance to blood-borne virus (ASTM F1671). Nevertheless, lami nates developed at the Textiles and Nonwovens Development Center (TANDEC) through sponsorship from Cotton Incorporated, which consistently pass both ASTM F1670 and ASTM F 1671, were first disclosed at INDA-TEC '95.
Recent and Future Trends for High Performance Fabrics Providing Breathability and Waterproofness
Authors: Kramar Luciano
Published: March 2007

This paper presents a summary of an on-going multi-client programme undertaken by D&K Consulting SA covering "Breathable and Water proof Fabrics." The reports for Western Europe and the U.S. markets have already been published and the analysis of selected Asian countries is planned for this year.

The whole programme is largely based on extensive field industrial interviews with raw material suppliers, converters and fabric producers, garment and accesso ries manufacturers, as well as with selected organised retailers.
How Voting is Like Taking an Sat Test
Authors: WATTENBERG MARTIN P. , McALLISTER IAN , SALVANTO ANTHONY
Published: March 2007

Millions of American voters fail to complete their ballots each election year. These voters present a puzzle: After having incurred the costs of going to the polls, why do they choose not to vote on some of the items on the ballot? This paper considers voter rolloff between presidential and House races in an effort to understand the reasons why some voters abstain selectively. We consider this question by analyzing House rolloff based on aggregate data from the 1990s and national survey data from the 1980s. The results indicate that voters skip House contests not because they are lacking in education or members of minority groups, but rather because they do not have enough information to cast a vote. This finding offers new insight into how rolloff voters approach a ballot: They treat voting as if it were a test, picking out the questions that they can answer.
Nationalization of the American States
Authors: Kemp Kathleen A.
Published: March 2007

This paper describes a test of the nationalization thesis that the American states have become similar in their policies and that variance in states' policies has decreased to the point where no significant policy differences remain. A time series analysis of states' expenditures in four policy areas reveals that relative variation remains unchanged and that absolute variation increases in all policy areas during the 1958-1974 period. In addi tion, a time series analysis of the effect of region on policy variation provides no support for the argument that the process of diffusion results in a stable state of policy uniformity across time.
The Impact of Presidential Coattails on Outcomes of Congressional Elections
Authors: Edwards George C.
Published: March 2007

Presidential coattails are frequently addressed in American politics, but we know little about their impact on the outcomes in elections for the House. Yet it is here that they are most significant. If presidential coattails do affect congressional elections, they can be the cause of increased support for the president (from new representatives of his party) and increased support for policy change (from representatives of a new generation). This research examines the relationship between how well a president runs in a congressional district and the success of the congressional candidate of his party in winning the district. The analysis is done for each of the six presidential elections from 1952 through 1972, and is done separately for the North and South as well as for the country as a whole. In every instance, constituency party strength is controlled in order to isolate the impact of the presidential candidate on the congressional outcome. The basic conclusions are that presidential coattails have had a declining impact on the outcomes in congressional elections since 1952 and that in recent elections their impact has declined to the vanishing point. This, it is argued, is primarily due to the increasing lack of competitiveness of congressional districts.
Jury Size
Authors: Roper Robert T.
Published: March 2007

As defined by the Supreme Court, trial by an impartial jury of one's peers is a procedural due process right; however, the Court has frequently been called on to establish its opera tive parameters. This project evaluates the "simulated impact" of Court decisions which outline an optional reduction in jury size from twelve to below twelve members. The direc tion of a jury's verdict is the most obvious and consequently the most studied of its output (i.e., does a jury find the defendant guilty, not guilty, or is it unable to reach a verdict?). This research evaluates the impact of a jury's size on a surrogate measure of "correctness" —the accuracy of evidence recall. The findings demonstrate very little relationship be tween a juror's ability to recall accurately evidence and the size of his/her jury.
Policy Preferences of Party Elites and Masses
Authors: Montjoy Robert S. , Shaffer William R. , Weber Ronald E.
Published: March 2007

This study examines the sharing of public policy preferences between American state political party elites and party followers in the mass public on ten matters of state policy. Employing responses from about 1600 county political party chairmen in the 50 states and responses of party followers in several national-level surveys, we find meaningful differences between Democratic and Republican party elites, with the Democratic chairmen consistently more liberal on the ten matters of state policy than the Republican chairmen. Smaller differences in policy preferences, generally, are reported between the Democratic and Republican followers in the mass public. Spatially, the Democratic elite, the Democratic mass, and the Republican mass are grouped together near a centrist position on the policy questions, while the Republican elite is positioned at a distance in the conservative direction on most of the ten matters of state policy.
The Fiction of Congressional Elections as Presidential Events
Authors: Ragsdale Lyn
Published: March 2007

Contemporary research suggests that voters often base midterm congressional election choices on their evaluations of the president. In short, midterm congressional elections are seen as referenda on presidential popularity. The referendum notion does not, however, adequately address nonpresidential variables, which may be key determinants of the vote. Employing a longitudinal analysis of House and Senate voting in the 1970, 1974, and 1978 elections, this study considers the relative, simultaneous effects of presidential popularity, congressional incumbency, party identification, and voters' perceptions of the candidates. The results indicate that presidential popularity is a relatively weak predictor of individual congressional voting decisions, when nonpresidential variables are also considered. The impact is slightly greater in 1970 and 1974 than in 1978. There also appears to be a somewhat larger effect for Senate than House voting. Yet in all instances, the nonpresidential variables are the major predictors of the congressional vote.
Ain'T Misbehavin
Authors: Uslaner Eric M.
Published: March 2007

Members of the House of Representatives appear to be extremely concerned about the potential effects of issue voting on their reelection drives while Senators do not seem similarly worried. Are these views realistic? Using data from the 1978 Center for Political Studies National Election Study, this article develops a model of the maximum amount of issue voting that can be found in congressional elections. For the House and Senate, issue positions of the voter and attributed stands to the Democratic and Republican candidates are employed on six issues: (1) federal job guarantee, (2) rights of the accused, (3) rights of minorities, (4) federal medical insurance, (5) womens' roles, and (6) liberalism-conservatism. The maximum issue voting on these issues is found to be potentially damaging, but more threatening to Senators than to House members because the latter are more electorally secure in the first place. More substantial degrees of policy voting are found for the House on the most important national problem and the most important issue in the campaign (both as identified by the respondent); however, the former issues favor the Democrats overall while the latter help Republican candidates and effectively cancel each other out at least in national aggregates. The conclusion is that Senators have more to fear from issue voting than do House members.
Perquisite Employment in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1960-1976
Authors: Born Richard
Published: March 2007

It has commonly been argued that freshman House members elected since the mid-1960s have been unusually aggressive in tending to their districts, but those making this case have relied upon impressionistic evidence. The analysis performed in this study shows that a generational change did indeed occur in the mid-1960s; freshman use of perquisites with value in cultivating constituent support has risen relative to that of veteran incumbents. Such disproportionate perquisite reliance by the "new generation," though, does not seem to continue for more than about three terms in office. But even during the first-term period of most intensive perquisite employment, there is no evidence to demonstrate that this aggressiveness has been a source of more recent freshmen's greater electoral success.
Public Opinion and Policy Change in the American States
Authors: Lowery David , Gray Virginia , Hager Gregory
Published: March 2007

This article explores the relationship between public opinion and nonincremental policy change by extending the analysis of Wright et al. (1985, 1987). We develop a two-step model in which we first relate the level of a relevant outcome measure of a policy to the degree of opinion liberalism, the strategy of Wright and his colleagues. Then we posit that policy shocks will move the policy system into greater policy-opinion congruence. The model is tested for two policy areas that have undergone nonincremental change over the late 1970s and early 1980s: tax policy and education policy.
Political Ambition Among Men and Women State Party Leaders
Authors: Clark Janet , Hadley Charles D. , Darcy R.
Published: March 2007

While differences between men and women in political behavior have declined, women remain underrepresented in public office in America. Studies indicate that even women in elite positions in political parties have less ambition for elective office than their male counterparts. This article examines the countersocialization theory to see whether politically ambitious women undergo significantly different experiences from non-ambitious women and from ambitious men or whether factors leading to political ambition are the same for both men and women. Men and women state convention delegates in 1984 were asked questions regarding their desire for future elective public offices and their past political experiences. There was a significant difference in the level of political ambition of male and female delegates. However, the causes of political ambition appear to be diffuse, and factors leading to political ambition are similar for both men and women.
Unions and Municipal Decline
Authors: Lewis Gregory B. , Stein Lana
Published: March 2007

This article compares the impact of unionization on changes in municipal employment, salaries, and personnel expenditures for growing and declining cities. Between 1974 and 1984, unions appear to have had similar impacts on small, medium, and large cities experiencing either stress or growth. Unions accelerated salary growth but retarded the expansion of employment.
Voter Turnout in the 1986 Congressional Elections
Authors: Southwell Priscilla L.
Published: March 2007

This article investigates whether certain contextual factors can have a demobilizing effect on voter turnout in congressional elections. Probit analysis of the full model of the voting decision reveals that the contextual factors of campaign expenditures and party contact are important determinants of voter turnout, in addition to the standard socioeconomic and social-psychological variables of age, education, and partisan intensity. These results also suggest that individuals who are disillusioned with both senate candidates are more likely to refrain from voting. The author concludes that the effect of campaign activities on voter turnout is often mixed; expensive media campaigns can deflate turnout and cancel out other, more mobilizing, contextual factors.
Institutional Legitimacy, Policy Legitimacy, and the Supreme Court
Authors: Mondak Jeffery J.
Published: March 2007

As they relate to the Supreme Court, institutional legitimacy and policy legitimacy have most frequently been studied in isolation. In this article, a holistic framework is proposed and examined. The political capital hypothesis holds that the Supreme Court can introduce institutional support in its efforts to generate legitimacy for particular policies, but that the Court risks its institutional backing by advancing controversial edicts. Therefore, institutional legitimacy functions as an expendable political capital with which the Supreme Court can confer some increment of policy legitimacy. Two experiments are conducted to test this dynamic, with results providing strong support for the hypothesized process of legitimation.
Citizen-Initiated Contacting
Authors: Traut Carol Ann , Emmert Craig F.
Published: March 2007

One major way citizens interact with local government is through individual contacts with public officials. Applying multivariate analysis to data from a 1985 study of three Florida cities, the authors find that need (defined as perceptions of government mis- or inaction) and awareness of whom to contact best explains contacting by people who clearly attach no larger social significance to their acts (particularized-referent contactors). On the other hand, social-referent contactors (those who see their contacts as affecting both themselves and others) are more likely to be people with both higher socioeconomic status and a greater sense of need.
Constraint or Accommodation
Authors: Forgette Richard
Published: March 2007

Have the congressional budget committees' spending targets provided stringent budget constraints for appropriators? That is, are these budget targets below or above the levels that appropriators would have agreed to in the absence of the budget process? The author estimates a model based on appropriations data from before budget reforms were enacted to forecast budget appropriations figures in the postreform era. He then compares these predicted budget figures with actual Budget Committee targets (602[b] suballocations) to assess the degree of budget restraint. The author concludes from the analysis that the budget process has not generally operated as a procedural spending restraint on House appropriators, although the targets have been constraining in the early 1990s and have served a partisan role for congressional Democrats in redirecting spending priorities from defense to domestic nondefense appropriations.
Length of Congressional Tenure and Federal Spending
Authors: Moore Michael K. , Hibbing John R.
Published: March 2007

In this article we determine the nature of the relationship between congressional tenure and the distribution of federal outlays. A popular assumption is that this relationship is a strong one, with senior members of Congress obtaining a disproportionate share of federal dollars for their own constituents. In fact, the argument that senior members are able to perform this feat is suspected to be a factor in the defeat of a term limit initiative in Washington state in 1991. Term limits, it was argued at the time, would put the state of Washington at a disadvantage in the race for favorable federal treatment. Previous empirical research, however, has found little evidence that legislative tenure matters in the distribution of federal dollars, thus throwing into question the validity of popular assumptions about the importance of congressional tenure. By analyzing data at both the state and congressional district levels, we help to specify the conditions under which legislative experience does and does not lead to the acquisition of additional federal dollars.
Knowledge of Politics and Sense of Subjective Political Competence
Authors: Bennett Stephen Earl
Published: March 2007

In this article I use pooled data from the 1988 and 1992 National Election Studies to explore the relationship between knowledge of politics and belief that one can understand the political universe. Although the 2 are related, the association is weaker than might be anticipated. Moreover, the meaning of the belief that one is sometimes confused by political affairs varies according to how well-informed citizens are. Among those who are largely ignorant of politics, admitting that public affairs are sometimes baffling seems to constitute a confession of political incapacity. For those who are well-informed, however, stating that one sometimes finds politics confusing is related to lack of trust in political leaders. Finally, among the well-informed, at least, believing that one sometimes cannot understand politics is related to lower rates of electoral participation.
Black and Latino Socioeconomic and Political Competition
Authors: McClain Paula D. , Tauber Steven C.
Published: March 2007

Using 1980s data, McClain and Kamig (1990) examined the extent of socioeconomic and political competition between Blacks and Latinos in 49 cities that had a population over 25,000 with at least 10% Blacks and 10% Latino. That research found a positive correlation between Blacks and Latinos on socioeconomic indicators, but it discovered the emergence of political competition between the 2 groups. Using 1990s data, this article examines political and socioeconomic competition in the 45 cities from the earlier data set that still met McClain and Karnig's criteria. The authors have found that although there is still a positive covariation on socioeconomic indicators, the intensity of this relationship has diminished. On the political dimension, Black and Latino competition now may be displaced by increasing competition between Whites and Latinos. We conclude tentatwely that a decade has made a difference in terms of socioeconomic and political competition between Blacks and Latinos.
An Agent and Two Principals
Authors: BRENT JAMES C.
Published: March 2007

Principal-agent theory recently has been used to analyze responses of the U.S. Court of Appeals to search and seizure decisions of the Supreme Court. This article examines what happens when agents (the U.S. Court of Appeals) are faced with the dilemma of following the conflicting commands of two principals (the Supreme Court and Congress). These conflicting commands take the form of the Court's decision in Employment Division, Department of Human Resources v. Smith (1990) and the congressional attempt to overturn this decision in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) of 1993. The results of the multivariate analysis demonstrate that even after controlling on legal (case-fact) and political variables, the U.S. Court of Appeals became more hostile to religious free exercise claims after Smith and became more receptive to such claims after the passage of RFRA. The lower courts appear willing to act as the agents of both the Supreme Court and Congress.
Maximizing “Minimal Effects”
Authors: BEST SAMUEL J. , HUBBARD CLARK
Published: March 2007

Previous research on televised presidential debates tends to minimize their effectiveness as agents of mass attitude change, suggesting that they serve merely to reinforce existing preferences. Much of this work, though, stems from analyses of vote decisions during the closing stages of the general election campaign when preferences are anchored by 9 months of prior information. Using an experimental design that controls for debate viewership, we assess the impact of an early primary season debate—when voters possess limited information and potentially malleable political attitudes—on a broad range of political predispositions. The results demonstrate that debates possess the capacity to influence viewers' campaign engagement, issue appraisals, and candidate evaluations, suggesting that the impact of debates may be dramatically understated.
The Politics of Dissents and Concurrences on the U.S. Supreme Court
Authors: WAHLBECK PAUL J. , SPRIGGS JAMES F. , MALTZMAN FORREST
Published: March 2007

Why do justices author or join separate opinions? Most attempts to address the dynamics of concurrence and dissent focus on aggregate patterns across time or courts. In contrast, we explain why an individual justice chooses to author or join a separate opinion. We argue that separate opinions result from justices' pursuit of their policy preferences within both strategic and institutional constraints. Using data from the Burger Court (1969 to 1985 terms), we estimate a multinomial logit model to test the influence of these factors on justices' decisions to join or author a regular concurrence, a special concurrence, or a dissent, as opposed to joining the majority opinion. Our results show that this choice reflects the justices' conditional pursuit of their policy preferences. We also disentangle the decision to join or author separate opinions, and we find that the latter decision is also influenced by the time remaining in the Court's term.
Psychointegrators: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on the Therapeutic Effects of Hallucinogens
Authors: Winkelman Michael
Published: March 2007

Vision-inducing plants ("hallucinogens") are important in many societies, evoking powerful emotional, psychological, cognitive, religious, spiritual, therapeutic and political reactions. These substances' psychophysiological properties shape cross- cultural similarities in patterns of use and experiences, while political factors shape their cultural desirability. Neurological studies illustrate that common effects are based in intervention in serotonergic neurotransmission. Effects upon neural, sensory, emotional, and cognitive processes stimulate integrative information processing, justifying a new term-"psychointegrators." Psychointegrators disin hibit sensory and emotional processes. They stimulate systemic integration of brain information-processing functions, enhancing integration of limbic system self and emotional dynamics with neocortical processes. Their therapeutic applications are reviewed from perspectives of cross-cultural and clinical studies.
Garden Cities and Suburbs: At Home and Abroad
Authors: Miller Mervyn
Published: March 2007

Garden cities and garden suburbs were a dominant theme in community planning throughout the twentieth century. Ebenezer Howard’s garden city at Letchworth and Henrietta Barnett’s garden suburb at Hampstead, London, attracted international renown and emulation, beginning before 1914. The design standards proved adaptable to private development, model industrial villages, public housing, and state new towns. Today, the ideas of Howard, Raymond Unwin, and John Nolen are providing the basis for sustainable development and the New Urbanism movement. This review seeks to draw out the continuum between Howard’s garden city model and changing urban paradigms of the twentieth century.
Philadelphia’s Planner: A Conversation with Edmund Bacon
Authors: Garvin Alexander
Published: March 2007

Architect, city planner, educator, and writer, Edmund N. Bacon (1910 -) orchestrated revitalization of downtown Philadelphia after World War II and served as one of the most articulate voices for a vigorous urban planning process in American cities. As executive director of Philadelphia’s City Planning Commission from 1949 to 1970, he created Penn Center, restored Society Hill, and preserved open space throughout the revitalized center city. His widely read book, Design of Cities (1967), has greatly influenced the way cities are understood and planned. Architect Alexander Garvin explores the influences on Bacon’s many contributions to twentieth-century planning through a conversation with the exuberant urbanist.
Assessing Motor Deficits in Neurological Rehabilitation: Patterns of Instrument Usage
Authors: van Wijck Frederike M.J. , Pandyan Anand D. , Johnson Garth R , Barnes Michael P.
Published: March 2007

To describe current patterns in the use of clinical scales and measurement tech nology for the assessment of motor deficits in neurological rehabilitation. Question naire, sent to the 2,556 members of the World Forum for Neurological Rehabilita tion, distributed over 75 countries. Sixty-eight questionnaires were returned. Generally, participants indicated that the centres where they were based used a num ber of different clinical assessment scales (median, three), most frequently with a small proportion of patients. The (Modified) Ashworth Scale, the FIM, and the Fugl-Meyer were used most frequently. Only 35 respondents stated that their centre used one or more scales in >75% of their patients, but the choice of such routinely applied in struments varied between centres. The application of measurement technology was re stricted, with video and goniometry being used most frequently. The main barriers to more frequent use of assessment tools were perceived to be a lack of resources, infor mation, and training. The (albeit limited) results from this survey suggest that the assessment of motor deficits in neurological rehabilitation is currently mostly qualita tive and lacks standardisation. More resources and education are required to support a more routine application of assessment tools and to integrate measurement tech nology further in neurological rehabilitation to assist in the process of quantification of outcomes. Key Words: Motor deficits—Neurological rehabilitation—Outcome as sessment—Standardisation—Measurement technology.
An Electromechanical Gait Trainer for Restoration of Gait in Hemiparetic Stroke Patients: Preliminary Results
Authors: Hesse S. , Werner C. , Uhlenbrock D. , Frankenberg S.V. , Bardeleben A. , Brandl-Hesse B.
Published: March 2007

Modem concepts of gait rehabilitation after stroke favor a task-specific repeti tive approach. In practice, the required physical effort of the therapists limits the re alization of this approach. Therefore, a mechanized gait trainer enabling nonambula tory patients to have the repetitive practice of a gait-like movement without overstraining therapists was constructed. This preliminary study investigated whether an additional 4-week daily therapy on the gait trainer could improve gait ability in 14 chronic wheelchair-bound hemiparetic subjects. The 4 weeks of physiotherapy and gait-trainer therapy resulted in a relevant improvement of gait ability in all subjects. Velocity, cadence, and stride length improved significantly (p < 0.01). The kinesio logic electromyogram of selected lower-limb muscles revealed a more physiologic pat tern. The confounding influence of spontaneous recovery, the lack of a control group, and the double amount of therapy limit the clinical relevance of this study. Never theless, the gait trainer seems feasible as an adjunctive tool in gait rehabilitation after stroke; further studies are needed. Key Words: Qait trainer—Hemiparesis—Stroke— Treadmill training—Electromyography.
Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Terson's Syndrome—Visual Outcome and Impact on Postintracranial Hemorrhage Rehabilitation
Authors: Zborowska Bogna , Poon Alexander , Retsas Con
Published: March 2007

We report the visual outcomes and change in the Modified Barthel Index Score (BIS) in four patients with Terson's syndrome treated with vitrectomy. A retrospective study of four patients with Terson's syndrome from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, was carried out. Assessment of visual acuity and physical disability pre- and post-vit rectomy using the Snellen Chart and the Barthel Index, respectively, was performed. All four patients were found to have improved visual acuity and BIS post vitrectomy. Improved vision from treatment of vitreous hemorrhage decreases the disability after intracranial hemorrhage and Terson's syndrome. Early diagnosis and management would shorten the rehabilitation process and improve the quality of life. Ophthalmo logic management depends on the severity of vitreous hemorrhage, whether it is uni lateral or bilateral, and its impact on patient's daily function. Key Words: Terson's syn drome—Subarachnoid hemorrhage—Vitreous hemorrhage—Vitrectomy—Visual acuity—Modified Barthel Score Index.
Blown Film Bubble Collapsing Improvement
Authors: Knittel Rick
Published: March 2007

The forces exerted on the blown film bubble during the collapsing process are not uniformly distributed around the bubble. Standard collapsing geometry and the fric tional drag coefficient can be modified to improve this force distribution and reduce the force level. The net result to the film product is better flatness, even distribution of film mechanical properties, and improved thickness uniformity. Furthermore, it provides a film which greatly reduces the wrinkles and distortions which frequently occur when printing and laminating film.
Material Characterization and Thermoforming of Polyethylene Terephthalate Film for Electrical Insulation
Authors: Carey D.A. , Smith Bradley R.
Published: March 2007

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine as-received glass transition, crystallization, and melting temperatures of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A Box-Behnken experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of form ing temperature, forming rate, and heat-set temperature on shrinkage, tear resistance, and thermal properties. At a forming temperature of 88°C and heat-set temperature of 180°C, good-quality PET parts were produced with an optimum forming time between 0.5 min and 5.0 min. In addition, inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectroscopy (ICAP) was used to determine the catalyst system for PET sheets obtained from two vendors.
Optimization of HMW-HDPE Film Properties Utilizing IBC Systems
Authors: Pendley Michael W. , Wobser Michael D.
Published: March 2007

Blown film producers continue to increase output rates with HMW-HDPE resins through the use of Internal Bubble Cooling (IBC) and air collars. It is believed the film's physical properties are affected by various pro cessing parameters such as output rates, neck height, BUR, and iris position. This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between these factors at various film thicknesses and to provide guidance for optimizing physical properties of the film using an IBC/air collar system.
Forthcoming Features: Information and Communications Technologies and the Sociology of the Future
Authors: Golding Peter
Published: March 2007

This article explores the social impact of new information and communication technologies (ICTs). It argues that they are best understood, not as heralding a substantially new `information society', but as significant technologies emerging in but inherently part of late modernity. This argument is developed by examining themes from post-materialism, globalisation and information society theories. It is suggested there are two types of technology, those changing and extending existing processes and those facilitating wholly new activities, and that recent innovations in information and communication technology are rather better construed as the former. By examining empirically questions of identity, inequality, power and change the recent and future impact of ICTs is explored, and it is argued that current trends suggest increasing convergence (economic and organisational as much as technological), differentiation and deregulation.
The Effects of Honors Program Participation on Experiences of Good Practices and Learning Outcomes
Authors: Seifert Tricia A , Pascarella Ernest T , Colangelo Nicholas , Assouline Susan G. (Susan Goodsell)
Published: March 2007

Using multi-institution data and a longitudinal, pretest-posttest design, this study investigated the impact of honors programs on student experiences of good practices in undergraduate education as well as cognitive development in the first year of college. We found students in honors programs advantaged in terms of the good practice measures related to the in-class college experience. Additionally, we found significant positive effects of honors programs on critical thinking, mathematics, and composite cognitive development. We also found conditional effects in which honors programs participation seemed to have a greater impact for men and students of color on some learning outcomes.
Myeloperoxidase–Positive Inflammatory Cells Participate in Bile Duct Damage in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Through Nitric Oxide–Mediated Reactions
Authors: Wu Chih-Te , Eiserich Jason P. , Ansari Aftab A. , Coppel Ross L. , Balasubramanian Sripriya , Bowlus Christopher L. , Gershwin Eric M. , Van De Water Judy
Published: March 2007

Previous studies have suggested that increased nitric oxide (NO)–mediated products are found in the livers of subjects with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), but the mechanisms involved remain enigmatic. We took advantage of immunohistochemistry and several unique monoclonal antibodies to study inflammatory cells responsible for the generation of NO, the enzymes responsible for NO production, the expression of 3–nitrotyrosine, and the presence of CD68+ and/or myeloperoxidase (MPO)+ cells. We examined a total of 113 liver specimens, including 64 with PBC, 19 with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), 6 with non–A, non–B hepatitis, 6 with alcoholic liver disease, 4 with cryptogenic cirrhosis, 4 with biliary atresia, and 10 normal subjects. Twenty–two percent of PBC had elevated expression of 3–nitrotyrosine in their bile duct epithelial cells (BECs) (P = .0316). Furthermore, the BECs in PBC also demonstrated apoptotic changes. MPO–positive inflammatory cells were also noted adjacent to the basement membrane. In contrast, the liver of normal subjects showed few apoptotic changes in the bile ducts, with no evidence of MPO staining in the portal area. Furthermore, sections from livers of subjects with stage I or stage II PBC demonstrated significantly increased inflammatory cell infiltration (P = .0064) and elevated 3–nitrotyrosine expression in BECs (P = .0246) compared with stage III and IV. The presence of 3–nitrotyrosine was closely associated with infiltrating CD68– and/or MPO–positive cells. There was also a stage–associated difference in the presence of bile duct infiltrating cells and 3–nitrotyrosine in PBC with an increase dominant in early stage disease. In conclusion, NO and reactive oxygen species, collectively determined as 3–nitrotyrosine, are associated with bile duct destruction in PBC and are particularly prevalent in early stage disease.
T2 Hyperintensity Along the Cortico–Spinal Tract in Cirrhosis Relates to Functional Abnormalities
Authors: Córdoba Juan , Raguer Nuria , Flavià Montserrat , Vargas Víctor , Jacas Carlos , Alonso Juli , Rovira Alex
Published: March 2007

Magnetic resonance has shown T2 hyperintensity along the cortico–spinal tract in the brain of cirrhotic patients. This abnormality, which is reversible after liver transplantation, appears to correspond to mild edema. Because astrocytic edema present in hepatic encephalopathy may be responsible for neuronal dysfunction, we studied whether T2 hyperintensity along the cortico–spinal tract may relate to functional abnormalities. Twenty patients with cirrhosis underwent neuropsychologic tests, neurophysiologic study of the cortico–spinal tract with transcranial magnetic stimulation, and 1H–magnetic resonance. The study was repeated 6 months after liver transplantation (n = 15) and was compared with a control group of healthy subjects (n = 11). Cirrhotic patients exhibited increased T2 signal and several functional abnormalities along the cortico–spinal tract (increased central motor conduction time, increased motor cortical threshold, and decreased motor–evoked potential amplitude). Functional abnormalities reversed after liver transplantation and were associated with normalization of T2 cortico–spinal hyperintensity and with improvement of minimal hepatic encephalopathy. In conclusion, T2 hyperintensity along the cortico–spinal tract in cirrhosis relates to functional abnormalities that are reversible after liver transplantation. These findings suggest that mild cerebral edema along the cortico–spinal pathway may cause neuronal dysfunction. These results support the participation of astrocytic edema in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. (Hepatology 2003;38:1026-1033).
Mri Angiography Is Superior to Helical Ct for Detection of Hcc Prior to Liver Transplantation: An Explant Correlation
Authors: Burrel Marta , Llovet Josep M. , Ayuso Carmen , Iglesias Carmela , Sala Margarita , Miquel Rosa , Caralt Teresa , Ayuso Juan Ramon , Solé Manel , Sanchez Marcelo , Brú Concepció , Bruix Jordi
Published: March 2007

Helical computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used for staging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prior to curative treatments but underestimate tumor extension in 30% to 50% of cases when compared with pathologic explants. This study compares a new technology, MRI angiography (MRA), with triphasic helical CT in detection of HCC. Fifty cirrhotic patients, 29 with HCC, undergoing liver transplantation were analyzed. MRA was performed with a 3–D breath–hold fast spoiled gradient–echo sequence by using an effective section thickness of 2 to 2.5 mm. The gold standard was the pathologic examination (liver cut into 5–mm slices). One hundred twenty–seven lesions were identified at the explant: 76 HCC, 13 high–grade dysplastic nodules, 31 macroregenerative nodules, 7 hemangiomas. Diameter of the main HCC nodules was 29 ± 14 mm and 11 ± 7 mm for the 47 additional nodules. On a per nodule basis, sensitivity of MRA was superior to CT (58/76 [76%] vs. 43/70 [61%], respectively, P = .001). Sensitivity of MRA for detection of additional nodules decreased with size (>20 mm: 6/6 [100%]; 10-20 mm: 16/19 [84%]; <10 mm: 7/22 [32%]) and was superior to CT for nodules 10 to 20 mm (84% vs. 47%, P = .016). Nonspecific hypervascular nodules >5 mm at MRA were HCC in two thirds of the cases. In conclusion, MRA has a high diagnostic accuracy for HCC ≥ 10 mm and is more sensitive than triphasic helical CT in nodules sized 10 to 20 mm. MRA is the optimal technique for HCC staging prior to curative therapies. (Hepatology 2003;38:1034-1042).