bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Burāq: Views from the East and West
Authors: Buckley Ron
Published: August 2013

Abstract

The burāq is the beast on which the Prophet Muḥammad is said to have ridden on his night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem (the isrāʾ) and occasionally on his ascension through the heavens (the miʿrāğ). This article examines the notion of the burāq within both Muslim and Western non-Muslim sources. It shows the evolution of the relatively simple descriptions of the burāq as found in the early Muslim sources to the later embellished and colourful accounts. It also investigates the role the burāq plays in more general Muslim discussions concerning the isrāʾ and the miʿrāğ. As for Western non-Muslim approaches, the article demonstrates how the burāq was initially used in anti-Islamic polemic, subsequently became an object of fascination, and in later times has become a topic of more impartial academic study.
Phonemic and tonal analysis of Yongning Na*
Authors: MICHAUD Alexis , MICHAUD Alexis
Published: August 2013

The Na language spoken in the village of Yongning, close to the border between Yunnan and Sichuan, has been classified as an Eastern Naxi dialect in the pioneering survey conducted by Chinese linguists. It is also referred to as 'Mosuo'. The phonemic and tonal analysis presented here on the basis of first-hand fieldwork aims to serve as a basis for linguistic documentation and research, from the accurate transcription of recorded materials to fine-grained synchronic and diachronic investigations. The ultimate aim is an in-depth understanding of Na, Naxi and other closely related language varieties, including an account of their historical relationships and their links with other Tibeto-Burman languages.
The parallelism between NPs and clauses in terms of pragmatic effects on word order
Authors: LU Bingfu , LU Bingfu
Published: August 2013

This article argues that the two word order typologies at the clause level (V, S, O) and at the noun phrase level ([D]emonstrative, [A]djective, [N]oun) are both crucially motivated by the same two principles, that is, the principle of Semantic Head-Proximity (SHP) and the pragmatic Identifiability Precedence Principle (IPP). The interaction of the SHP and the IPP can explain several major left-right asymmetries of word order variation, such as the observation that the order of pre-nominal modifiers is usually fixed while that of post-nominal ones is fairly variable. In particular, to comprehensively account for the order of modifiers, an extended IPP is posited, which states that the higher the degree of identifiability (definiteness, etc.) a modifier contributes to its matrix NP, the stronger is its tendency to appear earlier.
Reconstructing Old Chinese uvulars in the Baxter-Sagart system (Version 0.99)'
Authors: SAGART Laurent , BAXTER William H. , SAGART Laurent , BAXTER William
Published: August 2013

This paper discusses the reconstruction of uvular and labio-uvular stops in Old Chinese, originally proposed by Pan Wuyun. The following two improvements are proposed: (1) the Old Chinese non labialized voiced uvular stop evolved to Middle Chinese y- (???) rather than hj- (???) in Pan's theory (which implies that Middle Chinese y- has two sources in Old Chinese: *1- and *G-); (2) uvulars and labio-uvulars evolve to MC velars when preceded by a minor syllable. This explains why velars and uvulars frequently alternate in phonetic series. The article also explores the evolution of (labio)uvulars in the context of different prefixes.
Phonology and sketch grammar of Kri, a Vietic language of Laos
Authors: ENFIELD N. J. , DIFFLOTH Gérard , ENFIELD N. J. , DIFFLOTH Gérard
Published: August 2013

This article presents a first sketch of Kri, a Vietic (Austroasiatic) language spoken in upland Laos. This previously undescribed language is of special interest not only in so far as it adds to the typological sample of the world's languages, but also in so far as its complex phonological system adds to our understanding of the historical development of Vietic and Austroasiatic, and more generally to the process of tonogenesis. Kri syllables are defined both in terms of segments and segmental slots, as well as in terms of register ('heavy' versus 'light') and what we call 'terminance' (voiced, voiceless, checked). Register and terminance have this in common with tone that they all involve laryngeal features. The description also contains a sketch of the main morphosyntactic features of the language.
Description de tr3ɨ en Khmer contemporain
Authors: THACH Joseph Deth , PAILLARD Denis , PAILLARD Denis , THACH Joseph Deth
Published: August 2013

Le verbe tr3ɨ en khmer présente une très grande diversité d'emplois. Cet article propose une étude "unitaire" de tr3ɨ. Sur la base d'une description systématique des cinq grandes classes d'emplois ("nécessité", "conformité", "détrimental", "passif" et "toucher"), il est possible de mettre en évidence un ensemble de contraintes et de régularités d'ordre syntaxique et sémantique qui rendent compte de la diversité des emplois du verbe tr3ɨ tout en conservant l'identité sémantique stable du verbe.
On the formation of concessive conjunctions RAN and RAN'ER
Authors: LI Luxia
Published: August 2013

Contrary to many Chinese linguists who regard the historical development of the conjunctions rán and rán'ér as identical, I argue that the two are in fact distinct. Through a thorough analysis of occurrences of these conjunctions in twelve texts from the Archaic and Mediaeval Chinese periods, I show that ran, originally a verbal demonstrative occurring between clauses that are not semantically coherent, grammaticalized into a conjunction under the influence of the context. The conjunction rán'ér shows a distinct pathway of grammaticalization: it originally derived from instances of collocation of the demonstrative rán and the conjunction ér, and underwent lexicalization to be reanalyzed as a word. I argue that the context is very important in the process of grammaticalization of the two conjunctions.
Epistemic modality or how to express likelihood in Burmese*
Authors: VITTRANT Alice , AUWERA Johan Van der , VITTRANT Alice , VAN DER AUWERA Johan
Published: August 2013

Cet article a pour objectif de présenter une étude de la modalité épistémique, en birman. S'appuyant sur un large corpus, i.e. la traduction d'un roman d'Harry Potter, cette étude s'intéresse à la traduction des valeurs épistémiques de may, might,
could,
maybe en birman. D'autres études sur la modalité basées sur des corpus parallèles ont prouve leur utilité (van der Auwera & al 2005), et ce travail devrait permettre de confirmer (ou d'infirmer) les analyses proposées précédemment sur le sujet (Vittrant 2005): absence d'adverbes épistémiques, utilisation massive d'un marqueur irréalis et recours à des constructions complexes idiomatiques. En outre, cet article présente des donnees sur une langue rarement prise en compte dans les études typologiques.
From obligation to future? A diachronic sketch of the syntax and the semantics of the auxiliary verb dang ???
Authors: MEISTERERNST Barbara , MEISTERERNST Barbara
Published: August 2013

In this paper the syntax and the semantics of the modal auxiliary verb dāng ??? and its diachronic development from a full verb into a modal auxiliary verb, and a future marker are at issue. It will be demonstrated that dang predominantly expresses the root modal values of obligation and necessity and that epistemic and future readings are subject to different syntactic constraints. Additionally, the data will show that although dang seems to exhibit typical features of grammaticalisation in its development from a full verb into a modal auxiliary verb and eventually into a future marker, its development differs considerably from the grammaticalisation processes proposed in the linguistic literature.
On the arboreal acarofauna of Hungary: Some new and rare species of prostigmatic mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Tydeidae, Iolinidae and Stigmaeidae)
Authors: RIPKA GEZA , LANIECKA IZABELLA , KAZMIERSKI ANDRZEJ
Published: August 2013

Eleven arboreal prostigmatic mites from the families Tydeidae, Iolinidae and Stigmaeidae (Prostigmata) are recorded from Hungary. Among them, 8 species are new for science: Tydeus narolicatus Kazmierski and Ripka sp. nov., T. martae Kazmierski sp. nov., T. clavimaculatus Kazmierski sp. nov., Lorryia hungarica Laniecka and Ripka sp. nov., L. sanctikingai Ripka and Laniecka sp. nov., L. bathorii Ripka and Kazmierski sp. nov., Neopronematus solani Laniecka and Kazmierski sp. nov., and Mediolata ronaldi Laniecka sp. nov. Neopronematus lundqvisti Sadeghi et al., 2012 is a new species for fauna of Hungary.
A new species of the genus Trichoformosomyia Townsend from Malaysia (Diptera: Tachinidae)
Authors: TACHI TAKUJI
Published: August 2013

A new species of Trichoformosomyia, T. abbreviata sp. nov., is described from Sabah, Malaysia. Trichoformosomyia sauteri Baranov is redescribed and it is newly recorded from China, Vietnam and Japan. A key to the three known species of Trichoformosomyia is given and monophyly of the genus is briefly discussed based on adult morphology.
Molecular approach to identify sibling species of the Ceriodaphnia cornuta complex (Cladocera: Daphniidae) from Australia with notes on the continental endemism of this group
Authors: SHARMA PRANAY , KOTOV ALEXEY A.
Published: August 2013

Taxonomy of the genus Ceriodaphnia Dana, 1853 (Cladocera: Daphniidae) has been uncertain for a long time, the species richness was often underestimated due to (1) a morphological similarity among the species and (2) their great morphological inter- and intra- populational variability. Support for this conclusion comes from the first analysis of three molecular markers for Australian representatives of this genus, two mitochondrial (COI and 16s) and one nuclear (28s) genes. Sequence analysis indicates the existence of three sibling Australian species belonging to the complex. Further work is required to establish species boundaries and investigate potential morphological diagnoses. Comparison of COI sequences with all other published sequences from the genus Ceriodaphnia revealed no common clades among continents pointing to the regional endemism within this group, which could suggest its Mesozoic differentiation.
A 10-yr Climatology of Tibetan Plateau Vortices with NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis
Authors: Feng Xinyuan , Liu Changhai , Rasmussen Roy , Fan Guangzhou
Published: August 2013

A plateau vortex refers to a shallow meso-α-scale cyclonic vortex that is usually confined to near-surface levels (500 hPa) over the Tibetan Plateau during warm seasons. It is the major precipitation-producing weather system over the plateau, but the knowledge of its climatology and understanding of generation mechanisms are limited because of the lack of adequate observations in this harsh mountainous region. In this study, the high-resolution NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis data have been used to perform a statistical survey of these vortices over 10 warm seasons (April–October of 2000–09). The purpose is to document their climatological features, including genesis, size, life cycle, propagation, and diurnal variation.Results show that ~103 plateau vortices occur on average every year. Most are detected from May through August, with the maximum monthly count in July. The primary area of origin exhibits a west–east orientation in correspondence with a large-scale confluence zone, and the most concentrated source lies in the area of 33°–36°N, 84°–90°E in the high elevated central and western plateau. Significant diurnal variations are observed, characteristic of a preferential genesis during late afternoon to evening hours and a late night dissipation peak. The vortex events have an average life span of ~15 h and an average horizontal dimension (effective diameter) of ~280 km. In accordance with the steering environmental flow, an overwhelming majority travel eastward with a mean translation speed of ~10 m s−1. A small fraction of systems (approximately nine cases annually) move off the plateau, predominantly from the eastern edge.
Tornadogenesis in a High-Resolution Simulation of the 8 May 2003 Oklahoma City Supercell
Authors: Schenkman Alexander D. , Xue Ming , Hu Ming
Published: August 2013

A 50-m-grid-spacing Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) simulation of the 8 May 2003 Oklahoma City tornadic supercell is examined. A 40-min forecast run on the 50-m grid produces two F3-intensity tornadoes that track within 10 km of the location of the observed long-track F4-intensity tornado.

The development of both simulated tornadoes is analyzed to determine the processes responsible for tornadogenesis. Trajectory-based analyses of vorticity components and their time evolution reveal that tilting of low-level frictionally generated horizontal vorticity plays a dominant role in the development of vertical vorticity near the ground. This result represents the first time that such a mechanism has been shown to be important for generating near-surface vertical vorticity leading to tornadogenesis.

A sensitivity simulation run with surface drag turned off was found to be considerably different from the simulation with drag included. A tornado still developed in the no-drag simulation, but it was much shorter lived and took a substantially different track than the observed tornadoes as well as the simulated tornadoes in the drag simulation. Tilting of baroclinic vorticity in an outflow surge may have played a role in tornadogenesis in the no-drag simulation.
Warm Conveyor Belts in the ERA-Interim Dataset (1979–2010). Part II: Moisture Origin and Relevance for Precipitation
Authors: Pfahl Stephan , Madonna Erica , Boettcher Maxi , Joos Hanna , Wernli Heini
Published: August 2013

The role of moisture for extratropical atmospheric dynamics is particularly pronounced within warm conveyor belts (WCBs), which are characterized by intense latent heat release and precipitation formation. Based on the WCB climatology for the period 1979–2010 presented in Part I, two important aspects of the WCB moisture cycle are investigated: the evaporative moisture sources and the relevance of WCBs for total and extreme precipitation. The most important WCB moisture source regions are the western North Atlantic and North Pacific in boreal winter and the South Pacific and western South Atlantic in boreal summer. The strongest continental moisture source is South America. During winter, source locations are mostly local and over the ocean, and the associated surface evaporation occurs primarily during 5 days prior to the start of the WCB ascent. Long-range transport and continental moisture recycling are much more important in summer, when a substantial fraction of the evaporation occurs more than 10 days before the ascent. In many extratropical regions, WCB moisture supply is related to anomalously strong surface evaporation, enforced by low relative humidity and high winds over the ocean. WCBs are highly relevant for total and extreme precipitation in many parts of the extratropics. For instance, the percentage of precipitation extremes directly associated with a WCB is higher than 70%–80% over southeastern North America, Japan, and large parts of southern South America. A proper representation of WCBs in weather forecast and climate models is thus essential for the correct prediction of extreme precipitation events.
A Parametric Wind–Pressure Relationship for Rankine versus Non-Rankine Cyclostrophic Vortices
Authors: Wood Vincent T. , White Luther W.
Published: August 2013

A parametric tangential wind profile model is presented for depicting representative pressure deficit profiles corresponding to varying tangential wind profiles of a cyclostrophic, axisymmetric vortex. The model employs five key parameters per wind profile: tangential velocity maximum, radius of the maximum, and three shape parameters that control different portions of the profile. The model coupled with the cyclostrophic balance assumption offers a diagnostic tool for estimating and examining a radial profile of pressure deficit deduced from a theoretical superimposing tangential wind profile in the vortex. Analytical results show that the shape parameters for a given tangential wind maximum of a non-Rankine vortex have an important modulating influence on the behavior of realistic tangential wind and corresponding pressure deficit profiles. The first parameter designed for changing the wind profile from sharply to broadly peaked produces the corresponding central pressure fall. An increase in the second (third) parameter yields the pressure rise by lowering the inner (outer) wind profile inside (outside) the radius of the maximum. Compared to the Rankine vortex, the parametrically constructed non-Rankine vortices have a larger central pressure deficit. It is suggested that the parametric model of non-Rankine vortex tangential winds has good potential for diagnosing the pressure features arising in dust devils, waterspouts, tornadoes, tornado cyclones, and mesocyclones. Finally, presented are two examples in which the parametric model is fitted to a tangential velocity profile, one derived from an idealized numerical simulation and the other derived from high-resolution Doppler radar data collected in a real tornado.
Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Critical Limb Ischemia With Below the Knee Disease: Japan Below-the-Knee Artery Treatment Subanalysis
Authors: Suzuki Kenji , Iida Osamu , Yamauchi Yasutaka , Nakano Masatsugu , Soga Yoshimitsu , Kawasaki Daizo , Tazaki Junichi , Yamaoka Terutoshi , Suematsu Nobuhiro , Shintani Yoshiaki , Miyashita Yusuke , Inoue Naoto , Meguro Taiichiro
Published: August 2013

Background:

A strong association exists between diabetes mellitus and critical limb ischemia.

Methods and Results:

We performed endovascular therapy on 1060 limbs in 884 patients with below knee lesions only. The patients were divided into diabetes (DG) and nondiabetes groups (NDG). Limb salvage was poorer in the DG (79% vs 89%, P = .0061). No significant difference was observed in mortality, amputation-free survival (AFS), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Multivariate analysis revealed diabetes status, infection, poor activity of daily living (ADL), younger age, and procedure failure as independent predictors of major amputation in DG. In the NDG, procedure failure was the predictor, and younger age and poor ADL showed tendency of major amputation.

Conclusions:

Mortality, AFS, and TVR showed no significant difference between the 2 groups, but major amputation was more frequent in DG. Not only revascularization but also infection and diabetes control were very important for limb salvage in DG.
Peripheral Artery Disease Is an Independent Predictor of Mortality After Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation in Patients With Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Skeik Nedaa , McGriff Deepa M. , Katsiyiannis William T. , Sullivan Timothy M. , Mugglin Andrew S. , Retel Linda M. , Hauser Robert G.
Published: August 2013

The impact of peripheral artery disease (PAD) on survival in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients is poorly understood. Thus, we assessed the risk of PAD in our adult ICD patients with left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction [EF] ≤35%). Survival was estimated with Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test; a Cox proportional hazards model assessed the effects of clinical variables on survival. Average age and EF of 1399 patients were 67.0 ± 12.1 years and 23.8% ± 7.2%, respectively. The ICD patients with PAD had significantly worse survival than those without (unadjusted P < .0001). The multivariate predictors of survival at implant were (hazard ratio, HR [95% confidence interval]) age (HR 1.05 [1.04-1.07] P < .0001), PAD (HR 2.07 [1.53-2.80] P < .0001), class III/IV heart failure (HR 1.36 [1.06-1.76] P = .016), creatinine 1.4-2.0 mg/dL (HR 1.36 [1.05-1.76] P = .019), and creatinine ≥2.0 mg/dL (HR 2.01 [1.42-2.85] P < .0001). The PAD is an independent predictor of mortality and should be considered in the preimplant risk assessment.
Antiplatelet Treatment in the Secondary Prevention of Coronary and Cerebrovascular Disease
Authors: Ntalas Ioannis V. , Milionis Haralampos J. , Kei Anastazia A. , Kalantzi Kallirroi I. , Goudevenos John A.
Published: August 2013

Ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease remain major health problems with associated mortality and quality-of-life consequences. Antiplatelet agents, including thienopyridines and the new P2Y12 inhibitors, have been shown to improve survival in the secondary prevention setting. We review the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of previous established as well as novel antithrombotic agents in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a special focus on cerebrovascular disease.
Mutual Information Item Selection Method in Cognitive Diagnostic Computerized Adaptive Testing With Short Test Length
Authors: Wang Chun
Published: August 2013

Cognitive diagnostic computerized adaptive testing (CD-CAT) purports to combine the strengths of both CAT and cognitive diagnosis. Cognitive diagnosis models aim at classifying examinees into the correct mastery profile group so as to pinpoint the strengths and weakness of each examinee whereas CAT algorithms choose items to determine those strengths and weakness as efficiently as possible. Most of the existing CD-CAT item selection algorithms are evaluated when test length is relatively long whereas several applications of CD-CAT, such as in interim assessment, require an item selection algorithm that is able to accurately recover examinees’ mastery profile with short test length. In this article, we introduce the mutual information item selection method in the context of CD-CAT and then provide a computationally easier formula to make the method more amenable in real time. Mutual information is then evaluated against common item selection methods, such as Kullback–Leibler information, posterior weighted Kullback–Leibler information, and Shannon entropy. Based on our simulations, mutual information consistently results in nearly the highest attribute and pattern recovery rate in more than half of the conditions. We conclude by discussing how the number of attributes, Q-matrix structure, correlations among the attributes, and item quality affect estimation accuracy.
Provisional Recommended Weight Limits for Manual Lifting During Pregnancy
Authors: Waters Thomas R. , MacDonald Leslie A. , Hudock Stephen D. , Goddard Donald E.
Published: August 2013

Objective:

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Revised Lifting Equation (RNLE) was adapted to derive recommended weight limits (RWLs) for pregnant workers and to develop corresponding guidelines for clinicians.

Background:

In the past three decades there has been a large increase in the number of women employed outside the home and remaining in the workforce during pregnancy. Practical authoritative guidelines based on accumulated evidence are needed to inform allowable work activity levels for healthy pregnant workers.

Method:

Empirically based lifting criteria established by NIOSH to reduce the risk of overexertion injuries in the general U.S. working population were evaluated for application to pregnant workers. Our evaluation included an extensive review of the literature linking occupational lifting to maternal and fetal health. Decision logic and supporting literature are presented, along with computational details.

Results:

Provisional RWLs for pregnant workers were derived from the RNLE, along with guidelines for clinicians. The guidelines advise against pregnant workers lifting below midshin and overhead.

Conclusion:

Based on our review of the available evidence, we present lifting thresholds that most pregnant workers with uncomplicated pregnancies should be able to perform without increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal health consequences. Except for restrictions involving lifting from the floor and overhead, the provisional guidelines presented are compatible with NIOSH lifting recommendations adopted in the early 1990s for the general working population.

Application:

Implementation of these provisional guidelines could protect millions of female workers in the workplace from fetal and maternal lifting-related health problems.
The Effect of Keyboard Key Spacing on Typing Speed, Error, Usability, and Biomechanics, Part 2
Authors: Pereira Anna , Hsieh Chih-Ming , Laroche Charles , Rempel David
Published: August 2013

Objective:

The objective was to evaluate the effects of vertical key spacing on a conventional computer keyboard on typing speed, percentage error, usability, forearm muscle activity, and wrist posture for both females with small fingers and males with large fingers.

Background:

Part 1 evaluated primarily horizontal key spacing and found that for male typists with large fingers, productivity and usability were similar for spacings of 17, 18, and 19 mm but were reduced for spacings of 16 mm. Few other key spacing studies are available, and the international standards that specify the spacing between keys on a keyboard have been mainly guided by design convention.

Method:

Experienced female typists ( n = 26) with small fingers (middle finger length ≤ 7.71 cm or finger breadth of ≤ 1.93 cm) and male typists ( n = 26) with large fingers (middle finger length ≥ 8.37 cm or finger breadth of ≥ 2.24 cm) typed on five keyboards that differed primarily in vertical key spacing (17 × 18, 17 × 17, 17 × 16, 17 × 15.5, and 18 × 16 mm) while typing speed, error, fatigue, preference, forearm muscle activity, and wrist posture were recorded.

Results

Productivity and usability ratings were significantly worse for the keyboard with 15.5 mm vertical spacing compared to the other keyboards for both groups. There were few significant differences on usability ratings between the other keyboards. Reducing vertical key spacing, from 18 to 17 to 16 mm, had no significant effect on productivity or usability.

Conclusions:

The findings support the design of keyboards with vertical key spacings of 16, 17, or 18 mm.

Applications:

These findings may influence keyboard design and standards.
Compressive strength of honeycomb-stiffened graphite/epoxy sandwich panels with barely-visible indentation damage
Authors: Czabaj Michael W , Zehnder Alan T , Davidson Barry D , Singh Abhendra K
Published: August 2013

This study examines the parametric effects of core density, core thickness, face-sheet stacking sequence, and indentor diameter on the compressive strength of aluminum honeycomb-core sandwich panels stiffened with eight-ply, quasi-isotropic, graphite/epoxy face sheets. The sandwich panels contained damage at the threshold of visual detectability created through quasi-static indentation with 25.4 mm or 76.2 mm-diameter spherical indentors. During compression-after-indentation testing, failure occurred due to: dent deepening followed by localized, compressive micro-buckling of fibers in the 0° plies; localized buckling of the near-free-surface sub-laminates; or unstable dent growth in the direction lateral to the applied compressive load. Regardless of failure mode or face-sheet type, the compression-after-indentation strength increased with increasing core thickness and with decreasing core density. Additionally, panels containing face sheets with the 0° plies near the mid-plane and 45° angle change between subsequent plies exhibited greater undamaged compressive strength and higher compression-after-indentation strength relative to panels containing 90° angle changes between subsequent plies and 0° plies near the free surface. The compression-after-indentation strength was found to be relatively unaffected by the indentor diameter size and the resulting variations in the face sheet and core damage. These results imply that precise representation of the damage state in models to predict the post-indentation response of sandwich panels may not be necessary in order to make accurate average residual strength predictions.
Quasi-static, low-velocity impact and ballistic impact behavior of plain weave E-glass/phenolic composites
Authors: Jordan Joseph B , Naito Clay J , Haque Bazle Z (Gama)
Published: August 2013

Quasi-static, low-velocity impact (LVI) and ballistic impact loading conditions were used to find the material properties and dynamic responses of E-glass/phenolic composites. Standard American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) tests were used to find the density, Poisson’s ratio, tensile, compressive and shear strengths, and the elastic and shear moduli of the material. The quasi-static punch shear and crush strength tests were used to find the punch shear and crush strengths of the material. LVI tests were conducted to obtain force versus time curves for various loading conditions. Ballistic testing was conducted using a right circular cylinder (RCC) to find the V50 ballistic limit and the depth of penetration of the RCC at various impact velocities. The experimental results of this investigation can be used for structural design and to validate numerical solutions for both LVI and ballistic impact events.
Thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of hexagonal boron nitride–reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Zhou Wenying , Zuo Jing , Zhang Xiaoqian , Zhou Anning
Published: August 2013

Flaky hexagonal boron nitride particles-reinforced epoxy composites were prepared. The investigation on the thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of hexagonal boron nitride/epoxy composites indicated that the incorporation of silane coupling agent-treated hexagonal boron nitride into epoxy slightly improved the glass transition temperature and the thermal stability of the composites; the epoxy containing silane treated hexagonal boron nitride exhibited higher thermal conductivity compared to the untreated ones. The dielectric permittivity increased slowly with an increase in hexagonal boron nitride content, as well as with a decrease in frequency. The obtained 50 wt% hexagonal boron nitride–filled epoxy composite had a low dielectric permittivity (less than 5.4) and dielectric loss (less than 0.02) in all frequencies ranging from 10−1 to 107 Hz, a high volume resistivity of 6.3 × 1014 Ω·cm, and a high dielectric strength of 16 kV/mm, together with moderate mechanical properties, which are of great significance for practical electrical materials applications.
Jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites and comparison with the glass and neat epoxy composites
Authors: Raghavendra Gujjala , Ojha Shakuntala , Acharya SK , Pal SK
Published: August 2013

The aim of this paper is to replace the traditional fiber composites with a natural-fiber composite in perception of tribological and mechanical accepts. A systematic study has been carried out to investigate jute fiber properties when incorporated into epoxy matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis has also been carried out for jute and epoxy for thermal property analysis. For a comparison purpose epoxy and glass fiber composites are prepared. The investigation reveals that, due to incorporation of jute into polymer epoxy shows better properties than the resins alone; but the properties are inferior to those of glass reinforced in terms of mechanical. When considering the tribological application, the jute fiber shows superior properties than neat and glass-reinforced epoxy composites. The worn out samples were studied using scanning electron microscope.
Occupational licensing in intermediate-skill occupations: The case of drivers in the land transport industry
Authors: Cooney Richard
Published: August 2013

This article examines the outcomes of occupational licensing in a set of large, intermediate-skill occupations in the land transport industry. The article explores the significance of licensing systems in these occupations and finds that land transport drivers are licensed for conformance and that conformance licensing systems are very different from those of the high-skill licensing systems extant in the professions. Conformance licensing places little emphasis upon the development of skill and expertise, and the regulatory institutions of the occupation have no role in skill development. Occupations licensed for conformance are regulated by heterogeneous, external institutions that are concerned with the enforcement of minimum task standards of performance to avoid harm and loss. Conformance licensing does not create an occupational monopoly and there is little evidence of high returns to licence-holders in conformance occupations.
Third-party facilitators in interest-based negotiation: An Australian Case Study
Authors: Macneil Johanna , Bray Mark
Published: August 2013

This article proposes a new theoretical framework to explain the role of third-party facilitators in interest-based negotiation, and applies the framework in a qualitative case study of a collective bargaining process at an aluminium smelter in Australia. The theoretical framework describes the activities of third parties in terms of the objectives they seek to meet to support bargaining, and the consulting approach they deploy to do so. The case study demonstrates that third parties undertake a range of distinct activities to facilitate bargaining between management and unions, dominated by, although not limited to, a ‘process’ approach to consulting. Moreover, third parties support the development of three types of relationship: their own with the individual parties, as well as relationships between the parties and within each party. While the framework needs confirmation in future research, the article offers rare insights into how third parties participate in interest-based negotiation.
Private equity and labour management in Australia: The case of Myer
Authors: Westcott Mark , Pendleton Andrew
Published: August 2013

Private equity has been controversial because of its apparent impact on labour and employment. Analysis of the effects has generated mixed results in the literature, and the reasons for this divergence remain unclear. The article considers whether labour regulation, business strategy and the role of labour in the process of value creation moderate the impact of private equity ownership on labour. It does so by examining the case of Myer, one of the largest private equity buyouts in Australia to date. The article examines the range of initiatives taken by management after the buyout. It is found that the business strategy, the state of the business and the nature of labour’s contribution are all key influences on what happens to labour after private equity buyouts. By contrast, the potential to take advantage of the weakening of labour regulation in Work Choices to make major changes was not exploited by management.
Gender-based undervaluation and the equal remuneration powers of Fair Work Australia
Authors: Healy Joshua , Kidd Michael P
Published: August 2013

We investigate gender-based wage undervaluation in light of Fair Work Australia’s major recent decision for social and community service workers. Using regression methods, we demonstrate that wages for employees in female-dominated occupations are significantly lower than for comparable employees in male-dominated and integrated occupations. This undervaluation is present for both male and female employees, and persists after controlling for industry of employment. We then estimate the undervaluation within industry and juxtapose the results with evidence on the industry distribution of award reliance, a proxy for Fair Work Australia’s equal remuneration powers. There is not a strong relationship within industries between the extent of gender-based undervaluation and award reliance. This suggests that ‘equal remuneration for work of equal or comparable value’ is unlikely to be achieved universally by Fair Work Australia without substantial spillovers between awards and non-award agreements.
Present at the creation: The strange eventful birth of the Amalgamated Metal Workers’ Union
Authors: Kirby The Hon Michael
Published: August 2013

The author was one of the counsel who assisted in achieving the amalgamation of the three industrial organisations of employees that formed the Amalgamated Metal Workers’ Union in 1972. In this article, based on an address to a dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of this event, he describes the hard-fought battles that preceded amalgamation, including contested proceedings before the High Court of Australia in ex parte Bevan (1972) 172 CLR 1, the Commonwealth Industrial Court in Drinkwater v Amos (1972) 20 FLR 359 and the Arbitration Commission. From these experiences, he derives lessons about the role of courts and tribunals in industrial relations, the role of well-targeted industrial advocacy, the advantages of the old system of conciliation and arbitration and the need to simplify the system of amalgamation. He also reflects on the idealistic quality of union leadership in 1972 and contrasts this with some cases today.
When have violent civil conflicts spread? Introducing a dataset of substate conflict contagion
Authors: Black Nathan
Published: August 2013

The spread, diffusion, spillover, or contagion of violent civil conflict – including insurgencies, coups, or other internal armed conflict – across international borders is of great concern to civil war scholars and international security policymakers alike. For instance, great power military interventions are often predicated in part on the belief that if a given conflict is not stopped now, it may spread and destabilize an entire region. Nevertheless, our understanding of this phenomenon of ‘substate conflict contagion’ is hindered by the lack of a comprehensive and accurate universe of cases. In this article I introduce an original dataset of cases and non-cases of substate conflict contagion between 1946 and 2007. The key difference between my dataset and other datasets of this phenomenon is that I require in my definition of contagion not only the spatial and temporal proximity of two conflicts, but also a documented causal link between them. After introducing the dataset and the process by which it was constructed, I show that substate conflict contagion by my definition is significantly less common than previous scholarship and policymaker rhetoric suggest, and that its correlates – and potentially the best methods with which to measure those correlates – are different from prior research as well. Policy implications are considered, and applications of this dataset for future conflict research are explored.
How do experts reporting for the legal process validate symptoms? The results of a survey
Authors: Allcott Drew , Anderson Stuart , Friedland Daniel , Leng Nicholas , Gross Michael , Skelton-Robinson Martin , Weller Malcolm
Published: August 2013

This article examines the views of experts from a range of disciplines and how they view symptoms given to them by claimants in matters of personal injury or medical negligence assessments. The survey was carried out in 2009 and looks at current practice and attitudes from a number of different disciplines. The survey included questions looking at what percentage of cases were thought to be genuine, symptoms most likely to be elaborated, methods for assessing symptom validity, and documentary evidence required for a report. This article highlights the importance of looking at symptom validation in the legal process.
Study on unnatural childhood deaths presented to North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka
Authors: Kitulwatte Indira D , Edirisinghe PAS
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Unnatural childhood deaths are not only associated with intense trauma and separation distress, but also relate to a sense of neglect to protect children from harm. Accurate information on causes and circumstances of such deaths through a process of medico-legal investigations is essential in creating an awareness among the policy makers and educators/caregivers, to prevent these tragic deaths.

Objective

The aim of the study was to determine the causes and the circumstances of unnatural deaths of children among the medico-legal autopsy population presented to North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka.

Study design

A retrospective descriptive study was carried out based on Reports of Postmortem Examination performed in a Tertiary Care Hospital, on children who died of unnatural causes during the period from 2009 to 2011.

Results

Out of 48 unnatural childhood deaths, 24 (50%) children were older than 10 years of age. The most frequent circumstance of death was accidental 39 (81%), while the most frequent cause of death was drowning 16 (33%). Fifteen died due to accidental drowning while one was a homicidal drowning. Suicidal deaths were found only among the children older than 16 years of age. Fifty-four percent of the accidental deaths had taken place at or around the home.

Conclusion

Accidents accounted for the majority (or greatest number) of tragic childhood deaths. The presence of drowning as the most common cause of death indicates that an immense responsibility lies with the parents and caregivers to prevent such deaths.
The chronology of third molar root mineralization in south Indian population
Authors: Maled Venkatesh , Manjunatha B , Patil Karthikeya , Balaraj BM
Published: August 2013

The aim of present study was to determine the chronology of third molar root mineralization and to establish south Indian reference data. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was undertaken by evaluating 192 intraoral periapical radiographs in order to assess the root mineralization status of the mandibular third molar of south Indian individuals (101 males and 91 females) between the age of 13 and 25. The evaluation was carried out using the seven-stage developmental scheme of Kullman et al. (1992). The range, mean age, standard deviation, Student t test and percentile distributions are presented for each stage of mineralization. Statistically significant differences between males and females were not found. All individuals from this study with mature third molar roots were at least 18 years of age. For medicolegal purposes, the likelihood of whether a south Indian individual is older than 18 years or not was determined.
Split-replicates correlation of water content in cotton
Authors: Montalvo J , Von Hoven T , Rodgers J
Published: August 2013

The range of water content in US cottons equilibrated to moisture equilibrium at standard textile testing conditions and analyzed by standard Karl Fischer Titration is small, <0.8%. This presents a challenge in obtaining accurate test data to calibrate fast sensors. A dozen raw cottons, nine American and three international, were analyzed for water by standard Karl Fischer Titration. The number of replicates analyzed, blending, and two conditioning systems – either standard room or closed chamber in the standard room with salt solution to control humidity – were examined. Split-replicates correlation within samples, by splitting out either half the available number or three replicates at a time, was used as the measure of correlation. The split-correlation results depended on the number of replicates, mixing of the laboratory sample, and method of conditioning. These results suggest that good correlations are possible when mean water content is the dependent variable in regressions with fast sensor data. This improved understanding of the correlation behavior, which is important for optimal application of methods to measure water in samples equilibrated to moisture equilibrium.
Competition over High-income Workers: Job Growth and Access to Labour in Atlanta
Authors: Matsuo Miwa
Published: August 2013

Access to a large labour pool (labour pooling) leads to local economic concentrations through agglomeration economies. However, these concentrations may be self-limiting by reducing labour availability through competition over high-skill workers. This paper examines whether labour pooling and labour availability of workers with different incomes account for local job growth in the Atlanta metropolitan area between 2000 and 2006. Workers’ income is employed to account for the human capital of workers, including education and skills. It is found that the availability of high-income workers is the only positive significant factor for job growth and the spatial size of the effect is larger than the traffic analysis zone (neighbourhood scale). In contrast, no labour pooling indicators show a positive association with job growth. The finding casts doubt on labour pooling effects at the intraregional level and suggests avenues for further research on local-area agglomeration economies.
Territorial Tactics: The Socio-spatial Significance of Private Policing Strategies in Cape Town
Authors: Paasche Till F , Yarwood Richard , Sidaway James D
Published: August 2013

This paper analyses the policing strategies of private security companies operating in urban space. An existing literature has considered the variety of ways that territory becomes of fundamental importance in the work of public police forces. However, this paper examines territory in the context of private security companies. Drawing on empirical research in Cape Town, it examines how demarcated territories become key subjects in private policing. Private security companies are responsible for a relatively small section of the city, while in contrast the public police ultimately have to see city space as a whole. Hence, private policing strategy becomes one of displacement, especially of so-called undesirables yielding a patchworked public space associated with private enclaves of consumption. The conclusions signal the historical resonances and comparative implications of these political–legal–security dynamics.
Socio-technical Change and the Politics of Urban Infrastructure: Managing Energy in Berlin between Dictatorship and Democracy
Authors: Moss Timothy
Published: August 2013

This paper reconstructs the trajectory of energy efficiency policies in Berlin from the 1920s to today in order to illustrate how the shifting political and socioeconomic conditions of a city can shape urban energy provision and consumption. Taking a long-term perspective on the relationship between urban transitions and energy policy, it investigates how the geo-political turbulence, regime diversity and socioeconomic volatility experienced by 20th-century Berlin influenced strategies of electricity generation and use in the city. Drawing on different ways of conceptualising change to socio-technical systems in the literature, the paper’s findings present a more differentiated picture of urban energy transitions than notions of path dependency and transition pathways imply, highlighting the importance of non-linear trends, political contestation and crisis discourses in and beyond the city and their relevance for reconfiguring urban energy systems today.
Investigating the Role of Prior Knowledge in Tourist Decision Making
Authors: Sharifpour Mona , Walters Gabrielle , Ritchie Brent W. , Winter Caroline
Published: August 2013

To date, limited research has investigated the effects of tourist prior knowledge as a multidimensional construct on their perceived risk. This research is one of the first studies to investigate the relationships among tourists’ risk perceptions and various types of their prior knowledge, namely subjective knowledge, objective knowledge, prior visitation, and past international travel experience. The research also investigates the nature of the relationship between tourist prior knowledge, risk perceptions, and their subsequent information search behavior. Using structural equation modeling, the results reveal that while objective knowledge did not significantly reduce or increase the risk associated with traveling to the Middle East, subjective knowledge appeared to have the strongest influence on tourist risk perceptions. The results of this study further suggest that while various dimensions of perceived risk may elicit the use of different information sources, prior knowledge also plays a role alongside risk perceptions in determining the information sources used. Implications at both theoretical and practical levels are also discussed.