bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scoping indoor airborne fungi in an excellent indoor air quality office building in Hong Kong
Authors: Kwok Wai Mui  , Wai Yee Chan  , Ling Tim Wong  , Pui Shan Hui
Published: March 2010

This study aims to investigate the differences in indoor airborne fungal exposure between a selective subset of air-conditioned offices within a building classified with excellent indoor air quality (IAQ) in Hong Kong and typical offices in Hong Kong and other countries. Assessments of the indoor and outdoor fungal exposure levels and compositions, and indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) fungi count ratios were conducted in 82 offices of a building with excellent IAQ. The indoor airborne fungi were detected in 97.6% air samples with airborne fungi count (AFC) ranged from 2 to 92 CFU m—3, and with a mean I/O ratio of 0.5. It was reported that the indoor AFC was significantly lower than other typical offices in Hong Kong and other countries. Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium and yeast were dominant indoors but an outdoor dominant fungi Alternaria was not detected in the offices. This study reveals that better control of thermal conditions and proper maintenance of the air-conditioning system would lower the AFC. In addition, a significantly higher relative abundance (RA) of Aspergillus and lower RA of Cladosporium were also reported. It presents a useful reference for IAQ assessment regarding the quantification of airborne fungal exposure in air-conditioned offices in a building with excellent IAQ.

Practical application: An assessment of exposure levels to common indoor airborne fungi, such as Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium and yeast in Hong Kong air-conditioned offices reveals that an excellent office environment with good thermal and IAQ control would associate with a significantly lower airborne fungi count. A significant different pattern of indoor airborne fungi were observed that a significantly higher relative abundance of Aspergillus and lower relative abundance of Cladosporium were reported.
An analysis of industry capability for the implementation of a software-based compliance approach for the UK Building Regulations 2006
Authors: Raslan R. , Davies M.
Published: March 2010

In support of the movement towards the integration of modelling in the building design process, a unified software-based methodology for the demonstration of compliance with energy performance standards was introduced in the UK Building and Approved Inspectors (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (England and Wales). This paper reports the conclusions drawn from a longitudinal two-stage industry survey undertaken at key implementation stages of the methodology to gauge industry adaptability in accommodating the new requirements followed by subsequent in-depth interviews with relevant professionals to explore the challenges associated with application and enforcement. Key findings include shortcomings in the technical capabilities of accredited software, the quantification of the effect of their shortcomings on user assessment of the methodology and the lack of clarity and consistency of enforcement.

Practical application: This work provides an analysis of the adaptive capability of the UK construction industry in accommodating integrated energy performance modelling as a legislative requirement associated with performance based standards. The analysis of firsthand feedback from practitioners involved in the implementation of the new regulatory requirements provides both an overview of key industry indicators and detailed insights into the practical implementation and enforcement of the methodology, the feedback of which is used to establish future priorities and improvements for future regulatory revisions.
Variability of sprinkler response time index and conduction factor using the plunge test
Authors: Tsui A. , Spearpoint MJ
Published: March 2010

In order to predict sprinkler activation time, the response time index (RTI) and the conduction factor (C factor) may be required. This paper describes the use of a wind tunnel to determine both quantities for different types of sprinklers and to identify appropriate distributions for RTI values that could be used as part of an activation modelling sensitivity analysis. Sprinklers were tested with their yoke arms perpendicular and the parallel to the airflow, which gave the lowest and highest RTI, respectively. The results were analysed using the ANOVA method and the two-sided t-test. Analysis suggests that a normal distribution can be used to describe the RTI and that mean and standard deviation values for sprinkler activation design calculations are 95 ± 5 and 164 ± 10 (m.s)1/2 for a standard response sprinkler in the perpendicular and parallel orientations, respectively and 45 ± 6 (m.s)1/2 and 103 ± 19 (m.s)1/2 for a fast response sprinkler in the perpendicular and parallel orientations, respectively.

Practical application: Sprinkler systems are the primary means of providing fire suppression in buildings. The likely time of operation of a sprinkler to a developing fire is of interest to designers and to calculate this time it is necessary to know the activation characteristics of the sprinkler. These characteristics depend on the type of sprinkler, its installation and the variability of individual sprinklers. This paper presents wind tunnel test results and suggested statistically derived values for the response time index and conduction factor for several types of sprinkler.
Measured and simulated air pressure conditions in Finnish residential buildings
Authors: Kalamees T. , Kurnitski J. , Jokisalo J. , Eskola L. , Jokiranta K. , Vinha J.
Published: March 2010

Air pressure conditions in typical Finnish residences are analysed using data from field measurements and computer simulations. Field measurements were conducted in three two-storey detached houses and in two five-storey apartment buildings. The effects of air tightness, ventilation performance, air leakage distributions, and outdoor environmental conditions on air pressure conditions in a detached house were simulated with a multi-zone simulation model using the IDA ICE simulation program. Despite of common design assumption, negative air pressure difference indoors, the results show that there is almost always a positive and negative air pressure difference across the building envelope in detached houses and apartment buildings. For detached houses, the design value of the air pressure difference across the building envelope for moisture convection analysis should be at least ±10 Pa. In the most critical cases (airtight building envelope with unbalanced ventilation), the air pressure difference across the building envelope may rise up to ±30 Pa. To control extremely high air pressure differences in airtight houses, balancing ventilation systems are very important. As in new low-energy houses the airtight building envelope and mechanical supply and exhaust ventilation become the standard solution; the interaction between HVAC systems and building envelope should be carefully designed.

Practical application: Based on field measurements and computer simulations the design value of air pressure difference across the building envelope is determined for Finnish dwellings. Results underline the importance of balancing of ventilation in airtight house otherwise is not possible to control extremely high air pressure differences. If ventilation system should control the air pressure difference, building envelope should be airtight, because in normal and leaky houses (n50>41/h) the differences in ventilation airflows are too small and they have only a minor influence on the air pressure difference.
Locating Scientific Citizenship: The Institutional Contexts and Cultures of Public Engagement
Authors: Bickerstaff Karen , Lorenzoni Irene , Jones Mavis , Pidgeon Nick
Published: March 2010

In this article, we explore the institutional negotiation of public engagement in matters of science and technology. We take the example of the Science in Society dialogue program initiated by the UK’s Royal Society, but set this case within the wider experience of the public engagement activities of a range of charities, corporations, governmental departments, and scientific institutions. The novelty of the analysis lies in the linking of an account of the dialogue event and its outcomes to the values, practices, and imperatives—the institutional rationality—of the commissioning organization. We argue that the often tacit institutional construction of scientific citizenship is a critical, and relatively undeveloped, element of analysis—one that offers considerable insight into the practice and democratic implications of engaging publics in science and science policy. We also present evidence indicating that over time the expanding ‘‘capacities’’ associated with dialogue can act in subtle ways to enroll other elements of institutional architectures into more reflexive modes of thinking and acting. In the concluding section of the article, we consider the ways in which research and practice could (and we believe should) engage more squarely with facets of institutional context and culture.
Spousal support for personal goals and relationship satisfaction among women during the transition to parenthood
Authors: Salmela-Aro Katariina , Nurmi Jari-Erik , Saisto Terhi , Halmesmäki Erja
Published: March 2010

The aim of this three-wave cross-lagged longitudinal study was to examine the prospective relationships between women’s goal-related spousal support and their relationship satisfaction during the transition to parenthood. Two-hundred and forty-six Finnish women who were either married or cohabited (45% primiparous; 55% multiparous) filled in questionnaires on personal projects (Little, 1983) and related spousal support, relationship satisfaction (Spanier, 1976), and background data three times: in their early pregnancy; one month before childbirth; and three months after childbirth. Among the primiparous women the results showed a cumulative cycle of goal-related spousal support and relationship satisfaction: goal-related spousal support in early pregnancy predicted higher relationship satisfaction just before childbirth, and, vice versa, relationship satisfaction in early pregnancy predicted higher goal-related spousal support just before childbirth. In turn, among the multiparous women only relationship satisfaction predicted goal-related support later on. In addition, the results showed that women perceived low spousal support for individualistic goals, such as self-related goals, and high support for shared goals, such as family-related goals.
The Gap of Legitimacies Syndrome: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Levy Yagil
Published: March 2010

Since the 1970s, military policies in liberal democracies have been potentially affected by the gap of legitimacies syndrome, that is, the widening of the gap between high levels of political legitimacy for using force and low levels of social legitimacy for making the attendant sacrifices. Military policies are stretched between the poles of these values. While a high level of legitimation for using force encourages bellicosity, the attenuated legitimacy of sacrifice permits only low-cost military build-ups, both in economic and human terms. Deviations from this approach may recreate legitimacy problems. EU countries, as well as Canada and Australia, have managed to adopt a policy without a legitimacy gap by limiting their use of force, but, as countries that often activate their armed forces, the US and Israel have remained very much affected by this syndrome.
Institutions of Violence, Great Power Authority, and the War on Terror
Authors: Löwenheim Oded , Steele Brent J.
Published: March 2010

This article suggests that institutions of violence in the international system sanction Great Power (GP) authority in this system. We argue that the degree to which Great Powers (GPs) construe various threats as challenges to their international authority informs their use of force against the sources of these threats. Serious challenges to GP authority prompt punishment not only to achieve rational and utilitarian ends (such as secession of harm or deterrence), but also to reproduce authority and reify it. We examine in this respect the US-led War on Terror and argue that the US response to the 9/11 terror attacks was largely constituted by the acute and unprecedented challenge to America’s GP authority that these attacks symbolized. We conclude by reflecting upon the dilemmas the United States now faces to its GP authority.
The Mutability of Biotechnology Patents
Authors: Carolan Michael S.
Published: March 2010

This article details how patent law works to create discrete, immutable biological ‘objects’. This socio-legal maneuver is necessary to distinguish these artifacts from the unwieldy (and thus unpatentable) realm of the natural world. The creation of ‘objects’ also serves the interests of capital, where a stable, unchanging, immutable object goes hand in hand with commodification. Yet this stabilization is incomplete. Pointing to a variety of different examples, this article illustrates how biotech patents do not speak to specific, immutable things. Biotech patents, rather, are better understood as ontologically fluid (though, as discussed, this fluidity can only occur within limits), which is to say their identity cannot be ‘fixed’ — or, at least, not without undermining the very existence of today’s biotechnology regime. The article concludes by speaking briefly about how this mutability is perpetuating certain inequalities, particularly between holders of various property forms.
The Remainders of Race
Authors: Amin Ash
Published: March 2010

Prompted by the speed with which, in certain historical moments, the hard-won achievements of anti-racism can be comprehensively undone, this article reflects on the mechanisms that keep racial coding and judgement close to the surface, ready to spring into action. It reads the intensity of race in a given present in terms of the play between vernacular legacies of race-coded reception of visible difference and the conjunctural mobilizations of race by biopolitical regimes — state-regulated systems of governing populations — to maintain collective order. The article explains the contemporary trend in the West towards the ‘racialization of everything’ as the product of mutually reinforcing mischief between vernacular and biopolitical racism. It closes with a discussion of the implications of such conjunctural tightness, one which questions the effectiveness of humanist arguments that have come to the fore in recent years focusing on practices of recognition and reconciliation.
Examining Demographic and Situational Factors on Animal Cruelty Motivations
Authors: Hensley Christopher , Tallichet Suzanne E. , Dutkiewicz Erik L.
Published: March 2010

Because of the limited number of studies that have examined the motives for childhood animal cruelty, researchers continue to suggest that further systematic study is needed. In a replication of the Hensley and Tallichet study and based on survey data from 180 inmates at one medium- and one maximum-security prison in a southern U.S. state, the present study seeks to further develop this understanding by examining the impact of demographic and situational factors on a range of animal cruelty motivations. Of the 180 inmates, 103 (57%) committed acts of animal cruelty. Logistic regression analyses revealed that respondents who committed childhood animal cruelty out of anger were less likely to cover up their behavior and to be upset by their actions but were more likely to have repeated it. Those who committed animal cruelty to shock others were more likely to reside in urban areas and to have done it alone. Furthermore, respondents who committed animal cruelty for sexual reasons were more likely to have covered up their actions and to have engaged in it repeatedly.
Novel Treated Pine Needle Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites and Their Characterization
Authors: Malkapuram Ramakrishna , Kumar Vivek , Yuvraj Singh Negi
Published: March 2010

This study evaluates the thermal stability of pine needle fiber reinforced polypropylene composites up to 30 wt% fiber loading, which is one of the important parameters for the processing, and also to investigate the effect of compatiblizer on thermal properties of treated pine needle fiber polypropylene (TPNF/PP) composites. The thermal stability of the composites were determined with TGA, DTG and DSC under identical conditions. The thermal stability of TPNF/PP composites decreased with the increase of TPNF. No significant changes occurred in the melting temperature of PP with the increase in TPNF loading. The chemical composition of treated pine needle fiber was also determined. The effect of 2% and 6% MA-g-PP content in the composites shows the char yield reduction at 525°C compared with composites without MA-g-PP content. DSC analysis shows that as the TPNF loading increases crystallinity reduces. TPNF/PP composite behaves like V-2 category of the UL-94 test. Functional groups present in the TPNF/PP composites were detected by FTIR spectroscopy.
Effect of Moisture Absorption on Mechanical Properties of Chopped Natural Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite
Authors: Deo Chittaranjan , Acharya S.K.
Published: March 2010

This paper describes the moisture absorption behavior and its effect on mechanical properties of Lantana camara fiber reinforced epoxy composite. Composite samples reinforced with different wt% of fibers were prepared by hand lay-up technique. Increase in tensile and flexural strength was observed with increase in fiber content up to 30%. Moisture absorption tests were carried out in three different environmental conditions (steam, saline water and sub-zero temperature). The moisture diffusivity constant and equilibrium moisture uptake were calculated. Moisture absorption of the studied composites was proved to follow the kinetics of a Fickian diffusion process. Tensile and flexural strength of composite were found to decrease with moisture absorption. After the mechanical tests, fracture characteristics analysis of the tested specimens was carried out to reveal a reasonable interaction between the reinforcement and matrix.
Environmental toxins and Parkinson’s disease: Putative roles of impaired electron transport chain and oxidative stress
Authors: Abdulwahid Arif Ibrahim , Ahmad Khan Haseeb
Published: March 2010

Despite recent advancements in the biomedical fields, the etiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is still poorly understood, though the crucial roles of oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial respiration have been suggested in the development of PD. The oxidative modification of the proteins of mitochondrial electron transport chain alters their normal function leading to the state of energy crisis in neurons. Exposure of environmental chemicals such as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and rotenone in mouse produces the symptoms akin to PD and therefore these neurotoxins are commonly used in experimental studies on PD. Another environmental toxin, paraquat (a commonly used herbicide) has also been implicated with the onset of PD. The neurotoxicity of these chemicals is accompanied by the blockade of electron flow from NADH dehydrogenase to coenzyme Q. The agents with the ability to improve mitochondrial respiration and ATP production have been shown to exert beneficial effects in PD patients as well as in the animal models of PD. This review summarizes the current research implicating the impairment of mitochondrial respiratory chain and the role of environmental toxins in the pathogenesis of PD.
The persistence of the subjective in neuropsychopharmacology: observations of contemporary hallucinogen research
Authors: Langlitz Nicolas
Published: March 2010

The elimination of subjectivity through brain research and the replacement of so-called ‘folk psychology’ by a neuroscientifically enlightened worldview and self-conception has been both hoped for and feared. But this cultural revolution is still pending. Based on nine months of fieldwork on the revival of hallucinogen research since the ‘Decade of the Brain,’ this paper examines how subjective experience appears as epistemic object and practical problem in a psychopharmacological laboratory. In the quest for neural correlates of (drug-induced altered states of) consciousness, introspective accounts of test subjects play a crucial role in neuroimaging studies. Firsthand knowledge of the drugs’ flamboyant effects provides researchers with a personal knowledge not communicated in scientific publications, but key to the conduct of their experiments. In many cases, the ‘psychedelic experience’ draws scientists into the field and continues to inspire their self-image and way of life. By exploring these domains the paper points to a persistence of the subjective in contemporary neuropsychopharmacology.
Profitable failure: antidepressant drugs and the triumph of flawed experiments
Authors: McGoey Linsey
Published: March 2010

Drawing on an analysis of Irving Kirsch and colleagues’ controversial 2008 article in PLoS [Public Library of Science] Medicine on the efficacy of SSRI antidepressant drugs such as Prozac, I examine flaws within the methodologies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have made it difficult for regulators, clinicians and patients to determine the therapeutic value of this class of drug. I then argue, drawing analogies to work by Pierre Bourdieu and Michael Power, that it is the very limitations of RCTs — their inadequacies in producing reliable evidence of clinical effects — that help to strengthen assumptions of their superiority as methodological tools. Finally, I suggest that the case of RCTs helps to explore the question of why failure is often useful in consolidating the authority of those who have presided over that failure, and why systems widely recognized to be ineffective tend to assume greater authority at the very moment when people speak of their malfunction.
Neuroscience, power and culture: an introduction
Authors: Vrecko Scott
Published: March 2010

In line with their vast expansion over the last few decades, the brain sciences — including neurobiology, psychopharmacology, biological psychiatry, and brain imaging — are becoming increasingly prominent in a variety of cultural formations, from self-help guides and the arts to advertising and public health programmes. This article, which introduces the special issue of History of the Human Science on ‘Neuroscience, Power and Culture’, considers the ways that social and historical research can, through empirical investigations grounded in the observation of what is actually happening and has already happened in the sciences of mind and brain, complement speculative discussions of the possible social implications of neuroscience that now appear regularly in the media and in philosophical bioethics. It suggests that the neurosciences are best understood in terms of their lineage within the ‘psy’-disciplines, and that, accordingly, our analyses of them will be strengthened by drawing on existing literatures on the history and politics of psychology — particularly those that analyze formations of knowledge, power and subjectivity associated with the discipline and its practical applications. Additionally, it argues against taking today’s neuroscientific facts and brain-targetting technologies as starting points for analysis, and for greater recognition of the ways that these are shaped by historical, cultural and political-economic forces.
Random walk simulations of fossil proxy data
Authors: Blaauw Maarten , Bennett K.D. , Christen J. Andrés
Published: March 2010

A wealth of palaeoecological studies (e.g. pollen, diatoms, chironomids and macrofossils from deposits such as lakes or bogs) have revealed major as well as more subtle ecosystem changes over decadal to multimillennial timescales. Such ecosystem changes are usually assumed to have been forced by specific environmental changes. Here, we test if the observed changes in palaeoecological records may be reproduced by random simulations, and we find that simple procedures generate abrupt events, long-term trends, quasi-cyclic behaviour, extinctions and immigrations. Our results highlight the importance of replicated and multiproxy data for reliable reconstructions of past climate and environmental changes.
Bradycardia and hypotension in mianserin intoxication
Authors: Koseoglu Zikret , Kara Banu , Satar Salim
Published: March 2010

Cardiotoxicity is an important adverse effect of tricyclic antidepressants. But cardiac side effects after intoxication with the tetracyclic mianserin are rare. In this paper, we describe a case in which bradycardia and hypotension occured due to mianserin overdose. A 37-year-old woman was admitted to the medical intensive care unit for self-poisoning with 30 tablets of 10 mg mianserin 2 hours before her admission. The patient denied taking any other drugs. Four hours after her admission, bradycardia and hypotension occurred and she began to suffer from giddiness. Atropine and theophylline were given. On the second and third day, her heart rate and blood pressure were normal. Based on this case, we estimate the probability of bradycardia and hypotension in mianserin intoxication and the significance of closely monitoring the patient.
The Relationship between Entrepreneurial Activities, National and Regional Development and Firm Efficiency—Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM)-based Evidence from Croatia
Authors: Pfeifer Sanja , Sarlija Natasa
Published: March 2010

This study analyses the dynamics, structure and connections between entrepreneurial activity, economic development and firm efficiency. While the usual presumption on the relationship between these variables implies straightforward, linear and positive impacts, empirical evidence shows that those impacts are significant, more complex and less straightforward. The evidence of entrepreneurial activity in Croatia shows that the early stages of entrepreneurship development are very dynamic and volatile. Furthermore, significant inter-regional differences exist in entrepreneurial activity, firm performance and economic development across six Croatian regions. Correlations between entrepreneurial activity, firm performance and economic development are significant but depend on whether the entrepreneurial activity is opportunity or necessity based. This study confirms the theoretical presumption about complex and multilayered connections between different types of entrepreneurship activity and economic development.
A Social Entrepreneurship Bibliography
Authors: Trivedi Chitvan
Published: March 2010

This bibliography is an attempt to list the most relevant material on the topic of ‘social entrepreneurship’ published within the past two decades. The Academic Search Complete and Web of Science databases were used to conduct a literature search using the keywords ‘social enterprise’, ‘social entrepreneurship’ and ‘social entrepreneur’. The literature search was limited to peer-reviewed journal articles and books published between 1989 and 2009. Since academic interest in social entrepreneurship is a relatively new phenomenon, very little research in this area was conducted before 1989. Two seminal pre-1989 articles were included in this list: Banks (1972), who first coined the term ‘social entrepreneur’ in the context of the sociology of social movements; and Drucker (1979), who first introduced the concept of ‘social enterprise’ while advocating ethical responsibilities of corporations. Only articles and books in which ‘social entrepreneurship’, ’social enterprises’ or ‘social entrepreneurs’ were the main focus and had an important role in either the formulation of an empirical study or the development of a conceptual framework were included in this list. Articles that merely mentioned these terms or in which these concepts did not play a major role were not included. Mention may be made of online resources, such as technical reports, unpublished manuscripts, conference papers and white papers. All but two such articles, Dees (2001) and Alter (2004), were excluded from this list. The artcile by Dees (2001) titled, ‘The meaning of “social entrepreneurship”’, is a significant conceptual contribution to the field and has been cited 211 times since its publication online. Alter’s article (2004) that presents a typology of social enterprises is yet another important theoretical contribution and has been cited 35 times since it was published online.

It is hoped that this systematic and thorough listing of relevant work in the area of social entrepreneurship will be of assistance to scholars in a field in which the literature, to date, has been fragmented and disjointed. It will be much appreciated if the unintentional omission of any relevant articles and books is brought to the attention of the author.
The Political—Technical Divide and Collaborative Management in Brazil’s Taquari Basin
Authors: Safford Thomas G.
Published: March 2010

Elected officials and managers are both integral players in natural resource management. Politicians and technicians recognize that interdependencies exist, but finding organizational models that effectively integrate the distinct political and technical aspects of these endeavors remains a challenge. In Brazil’s Taquari Basin, leaders formed a watershed-based intermunicipal consortium in an attempt to achieve such integration. The experience of this consortium shows that organizing management around watersheds does not naturally lead to political—technical integration. The institutional separation of political and technical activities within this consortium’s structure generated divergent beliefs about appropriate functions for a watershed-based organization, ultimately impeding collaboration. Efforts to overcome these differences were largely unsuccessful, as the communication strategies employed were based on flawed understandings of the interests and objectives of politicians and technicians, respectively. This study draws on conceptual frameworks from organizational sociology to uncover the social forces that both facilitate and impede collaboration across the political—technical divide.
Implementation of the New Hospice Conditions of Participation: One Hospice Agency’s Experience
Authors: Havens Lang Susan , Cotten Chaquanna
Published: March 2010

In May 2005, Medicare proposed its first comprehensive revisions of the hospice conditions of participations (CoPs) in the then-23-year history of the Hospice Medicare Benefit. After 3½ years of industry comments and government revisions, the final revised CoPs became effective December 2, 2008. This long journey created uncertainty for many hospices’ planning process and operations. This article recounts the experience of one mid-sized hospice’s now nearly 2-year planning and implementation process and the lessons learned.
Toward a New Federal Role in Infrastructure Investment: Using U.S. Sovereign Wealth to Rebuild America
Authors: Little Richard G.
Published: March 2010

As the United States emerges from the economic collapse of 2008, the question of how to address years of chronic underinvestment in infrastructure remains a pressing issue. Taken together, annual investment in public and quasi-public infrastructure systems of 4% to 6% of GDP ($500-$700 billion) will probably be necessary for the foreseeable future, but in an era of trillion-dollar deficits, no funding source is projected to have the capacity to generate funds sufficient for infrastructure investment at these levels. At the same time, there is a clear and immediate need for public and institutional pension funds to invest in instruments that can generate stable, long-term, and low-risk returns on equity. This article attempts to weave together the concurrent needs for infrastructure investment and improved returns to U.S. pension plans and begin a dialogue on a conceptual approach that could have the capacity to supply significant additional capital for infrastructure while at the same time addressing the needs of U.S. retirement systems to obtain higher returns with minimal risk. The core idea of the proposal is to use a combination of public and institutional pension funds, individual retirement accounts, and other private investment capital, together with Social Security Trust Funds to capitalize a National Infrastructure Bank that would provide senior debt to fund projects and programs supported by user fees or other reliable and sustainable revenue streams. This proposal is viewed as a new and novel way of raising the massive amounts of capital that will be necessary to recapitalize America’s infrastructure.
Toward a National Strategic Investment Framework
Authors: Pisano Mark , Mazmanian Daniel A. , Little Richard G. , Linder Alison , Perry Bev
Published: March 2010

America is entering a tumultuous period unrivaled in recent history. We are facing a disruption of our economy only rivaled by the Great Depression. We need to come to grips with our reliance on foreign oil that is at the heart of our national security problems. We are confronted with the challenge of global survival because of climate change. Finally, our economic growth over the past several decades has left many in America behind. These were the key issues in the recent presidential election, which was essentially an 18-month national visioning process that established societal goals of reducing CO2, decreasing dependence on imported oil, and increasing economic well-being for all Americans. The goals established through this extensive national debate and election started a transformation process that will enable America to overcome the enormous challenges we face and initiate an investment program that will continue for decades and through this century. The societal goals, articulated in broad scope, must now be translated by the President and Congress into explicit performance standards and policy directives, which will, in turn, be applied within each of the nation’s megaregions to create a “Strategic Investment Framework” to meet the national vision and goals. Our global competitors are keenly focused on how to envision and build this new 21st-century society. We must do the same.
Southern California’s Crown Jewels: Historical Governance and Finance Lessons
Authors: Erie Steven P. , MacKenzie Scott A.
Published: March 2010

This study offers an historical overview of how major public infrastructure projects were accomplished in the Los Angeles region in the absence of a formal regional general-purpose government. This study’s focus is on the governance and financing of Southern California’s “crown jewels”—water, port, and airport megaprojects crucial to the region’s improbable yet phenomenal 20th-century growth. Specifically, the authors (a) review scholarly debates regarding regional governance arrangements and their effectiveness; (b) assess the role of public infrastructure projects in the region’s historical development and looming 21st-century challenges; (c) analyze the performance, governance, and finance challenges of a regional agency—the Metropolitan Water District—versus municipal agencies—the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, and Los Angeles International Airport; (d) evaluate a failed regional initiative—the Southern California Regional Airport Authority; and (e) extrapolate the historical lessons to be gleaned from the region’s 20th-century strategic investment framework.
Boom to Bust or Bust to Boom? Following the Effects of Weed and Seed Zoning in New Britain, Connecticut, from 1995 to 2000
Authors: Costanza S.E. , Helms Ronald , Ratansi Shamir , Kilburn John C. , Harmon John E.
Published: March 2010

This article addresses the effects of weed and seed zoning operations on arrests and calls for assistance in New Britain, Connecticut, during the 24-month before and 36-month after the inception of operations. Data are taken from New Britain police dispatch statistics and applied to a study of arrests and citizen calls for assistance across 738 U.S. Census block collection units (BCUs). The article employs tests of significance to assess the overall effects of zoning on these police activities across pre- and post-intervention periods and uses both weighted displacement quotient (WDQ) and exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) models to test for possible displacement associated with zoning. Results indicate that weed and seed zoning was significantly associated with displacement of arrest activity in pre- and post-intervention time periods but displayed no relationship with displacement of calls for assistance (CFAs). Though WDQ analyses do not indicate proximity effects, local indicators of spatial association (LISA) maps show noteworthy changes in the spatial clustering of arrest activity over time. Of principal concern here is the idea that weed and seed may prompt changes in the geography of crime without actually reducing crime rates. An ancillary concern is whether significantly higher arrest rates within weed and seed zones represent advances in community policing.
Symmetrical vibration modes of composite sandwich plates
Authors: Lopatin AV , Morozov EV
Published: March 2010

This article is concerned with the modeling and analysis of symmetrical vibrations of composite sandwich panels. The vibration problem is solved for the sandwich plate with identical composite facings and orthotropic core. The solution is based on the use of the model that takes into account compressive and shear stiffnesses, and nonlinear distribution of transverse normal displacements over the core thickness. The equation is obtained for the calculation of symmetric vibration frequency of the sandwich plate with simply supported facings. The effects of elastic, geometric, and inertia parameters on the frequencies of symmetric vibrations are investigated.
Hedley Bull and Just War: Missed opportunities and lessons to be learned
Authors: Williams John
Published: March 2010

This article explores the reasons for the absence of a systematic engagement with the tradition of Just War in the political theory of Hedley Bull, despite his recognition of war as a key institution of international society and his engagement with normative aspects of International Relations and the thought of Hugo Grotius, a key figure in the Just War tradition. Developing work arguing for Bull’s highly problematic reading of Grotius, the article considers the impact of philosophical and methodological aspects of Bull’s work to explain his rejection of Just War and to argue that this rejection is neither plausible nor beneficial to Bull’s engagement with war as an institution. Additionally, the article considers the potential for and benefits of engagement between English School theory and the Just War tradition for efforts within the English School to more effectively establish its normative dimension.
US professional military education and democratization abroad
Authors: Ruby Tomislav Z. , Gibler Douglas
Published: March 2010

United States Professional Military Education (US PME) has commonly been blamed for training some of the worst abusers of human rights — Latin American dictators and thugs like Argentina’s Leopoldo Galtieri and Panama’s Manuel Noriega, Timorese counterinsurgents, and even some officers who would eventually serve the Taliban in Afghanistan. We test this conventional wisdom using both large-N analyses and case studies of Argentina, Greece, and Taiwan. Our large-N results suggest that US PME trained foreign officers prove to be an important stabilizing force during times of democratic transition. Our case studies uncover very few cases of US PME officers linked to human rights abuses; interestingly, in each of our cases, the US PME trained officers provided the initial infrastructure needed to begin domestic military education programs that encouraged civilian control of the military in emerging democracies.
Pathways to Postoperative Hostility in Cardiac Patients
Authors: Ai Amy Lee , Pargament Kenneth , Kronfol Ziad , Tice Terrence N. , Appel Hoa
Published: March 2010

Using structural equation modeling, we estimated major pathways from preoperative distress, indicated by anxiety and other factors, to postoperative hostility in cardiac patients. Sequential interviews were conducted before and after surgery. Standardized medical and surgical indices were selected from a national database. Results showed that preoperative spiritual struggle mediated indirect effects of anxiety and anger coping on Interleukin-6 (IL-6) immediately before surgery. The link between spiritual struggle and IL-6 further mediated the indirect effects of anxiety and anger coping on postoperative hostility. Anger coping mediated the harmful influence of anxiety and counteracted the protection of positive religious coping on adjustment.
Dimensionality of Coping
Authors: Kapsou Margarita , Panayiotou Georgia , Kokkinos Constantinos M. , Demetriou Andreas G.
Published: March 2010

The construct of coping has received increasing attention over the past years in relation to psychological and physical health, yet its dimensional and conceptual understanding is not consistent across theoretical models. The present study investigates the dimensionality of coping in a sample of 1127 Greek-speaking adults using the Brief-COPE. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a structure comprised of eight factors, four of which were broader, and included active/positive, avoidant, support seeking and negative emotional approaches. Results indicated adequate psychometric characteristics for the Greek translation of the Brief-COPE for this population. Associations between coping strategies with gender, education, and psychological symptomatology are also discussed.
Transformational teaching and physical activity
Authors: Morton K.L. , Keith S.E. , Beauchamp M.R.
Published: March 2010

Drawing from transformational leadership theory, this research examined adolescent perceptions of transformational teaching within school-based physical education. In Study 1, focus groups with 62 adolescents examined perceptions of physical education teachers’ behaviors. In Study 2, follow-up semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 purposively sampled students. Findings revealed that behaviors within physical education settings can be understood within a conceptual framework that includes transformational teaching. In addition, students who perceived their teachers to utilize transformational behaviors described more adaptive responses. Issues concerning theory development and the application of transformational teaching to physical activity and health promotion settings are considered.
Exposure Makes the Heart Grow Less Fond!
Authors: Geyskens Kelly , Soetens Barbara , Roets Arne
Published: March 2010

Prior research has provided conflicting evidence on the question of whether exposure to food temptations directs attention towards or away from food cues. In this study, the effects of exposure to food temptations on attention processing were investigated using an exogenous cueing paradigm. The results show that exposure to food temptations led participants to direct their attention away from food cues. This effect was found after exposure to pictures of food as well as real food temptations. These findings suggest that food temptations activate a tendency to avoid food stimuli, regardless of the restraint and disinhibition levels of the participants.
Answering Patient Questions about the Role Lifestyle Factors Play in Cancer Onset and Recurrence
Authors: Miles Anne , Simon Alice , Wardle Jane
Published: March 2010

This qualitative study examined how cancer specialists answer patient questions about what might have caused their cancer. Findings showed that while they were often candid about the role of smoking and drinking in cancer onset and that of diet in cancer recurrence, body weight and exercise were rarely mentioned. Any reluctance to discuss the role of lifestyle factors in cancer onset and recurrence arose from a desire to minimize patient distress, limitations in specialists’ knowledge of the causes of cancer and perceived inadequacy of the available causal explanations when risk factors are multiple and probabilistic.
Addressing end of life care issues in a tertiary treatment centre: lessons learned from surveying parents’ experiences
Authors: Midson Rosie , Carter Bernie
Published: March 2010

Much of the work in children’s hospitals is rightly focused on treatments aimed towards cure but this means that death is often seen as a failure and, as such, it may not be discussed or acknowledged as a possibility until very late in a child’s stay in hospital. However, this reluctance can deny the child and their family the opportunity to be informed, prepare and make choices. A survey of the care received by parents whose child had died in a children’s tertiary treatment centre led to a greater understanding of the parents’ experiences and the ways in which care could be enhanced. Parents talked of the way in which the geography of the hospital could be disruptive and dislocating and yet they often had no place to be alone or in private. Communication was identified as a core issue with many parents being positive about the quality and timing of communication. However, other parents expressed a preference for more preparation about the possibility that their child might die. Some parents had positive experiences of follow-up visits after their child’s death, whilst others remained frustrated and some felt this visit had made them re-live the experiences. The importance of kind, supportive and consistent care was clearly evidenced by the parents when they spoke about their feelings and emotions. The findings helped to develop and implement an End of Life Care Pathway and a pathway tool which aimed to enhance parents’ experiences and to improve care. A further survey was triggered by the concern that the pathway was not being fully utilized and it became apparent that, despite the tool, staff were still reluctant to provide anticipatory guidance, even though many practical aspects of care scored well. The need for good communication that prepares parents for the eventuality that their child might or will die is one of the clearest lessons from the second survey. This is important as anticipatory guidance opens up parents — and children’s — choices, and their opportunities to be involved and make decisions. More work needs to be undertaken in relation to continuing education of clinical staff, raising awareness of the resources available and empowering families by providing information.
Gender moderates the self-regulatory consequences of suppressing emotional reactions to sexism
Authors: Johnson Sarah E. , Mitchell Melissa A. , Bean Meghan G. , Richeson Jennifer A. , Shelton J. Nicole
Published: March 2010

This study examined whether members of low-status, stigmatized groups are less susceptible to the negative cognitive consequences of suppressing their emotional reactions to prejudice, compared with members of high-status, non-stigmatized groups. Specifically, we examined whether regulating one s emotional reactions to sexist comments—an exercise of self-regulation—leaves women less cognitively depleted than their male counterparts. We hypothesized that the greater practice and experience of suppressing emotional reactions to sexism that women are likely to have relative to men should leave them less cognitively impaired by such emotion suppression. Results were consistent with this hypothesis. Moreover, these results suggest that our social group memberships may play an important role in determining which social demands we find depleting.