bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning From Paradoxes about Prediction and Planning in Self-Organizing Cities
Authors: Portugali Juval
Published: October 2008

Paradoxes have long been useful (and enjoyable) analytical tools; mainly due to their capability to expose things that are wrong when everything appears to be right. Zeno paradoxes are a good example of their use in antiquity, while in modern science theoretical physics stands as a domain where paradoxes are intensively used. This is not the case with cities and their planning, however. This article introduces paradoxes as useful means to study predictions in the context of cities and their planning. It discusses several city planning paradoxes and suggests seeing their origin in the complexity of cities and in the role played by cognitive maps and information exchange in complex, self-organizing cities.
Bucking the Tide in Family Violence Research
Authors: Straus Murray A.
Published: October 2008

This autobiographical article recounts a 60-year career on research and teaching, 40 of which focused on interpersonal violence against other family members. Much of that research was carried despite prevailing beliefs which characterized either the methodology or the theory to be wrong. The article illustrates four underling themes: iconoclasm; capitalizing on chance occurrences to select research topics; the conflict between ideology, evidence, and steps taken by critics to deny or discredit the results of my research; and the role of the personal history and the personality of the researcher in molding a scientific career.
Female Perpetration of Violence in Heterosexual Intimate Relationships
Authors: Williams Jessica R. , Ghandour Reem M. , Kub Joan E.
Published: October 2008

This article critically reviews 62 empirical studies that examine the prevalence of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence across three distinct populations (adolescents, college students, and adults). All studies were published between 1996 and 2006 and reported prevalence rates of physical, emotional, and/or sexual violence perpetrated by females in heterosexual intimate relationships. The highest rates were found for emotional violence, followed by physical and sexual violence. Prevalence rates varied widely within each population, most likely because of methodological and sampling differences across studies. Few longitudinal studies existed, limiting the extent to which we could identify developmental patterns associated with female-perpetrated intimate partner violence. Differences and similarities across populations are highlighted. Methodological difficulties of this area of inquiry as well as implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.
CERC as a Theoretical Framework for Research and Practice
Authors: Veil Shari , Reynolds Barbara , Sellnow Timothy L. , Seeger Matthew W.
Published: October 2008

Health communicators at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed an integrated model titled Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) as a tool to educate and equip public health professionals for the expanding communication responsibilities of public health in emergency situations. This essay focuses on CERC as a general theoretical framework for explaining how health communication functions within the contexts of risk and crisis. Specifically, the authors provide an overview of CERC and examine the relationship of risk communication to crisis communication, the role of communication in emergency response, and the theoretical underpinnings of CERC. The article offers an initial set of propositions based on the CERC framework and concludes with a discussion of future directions.
Public Support for Government Actions During a Flu Pandemic: Lessons Learned From a Statewide Survey
Authors: Paek Hye-Jin , Hilyard Karen , Freimuth Vicki S. , Barge J. Kevin , Mindlin Michele
Published: October 2008

To better inform public health officials during a flu pandemic, this study analyzes a representative statewide telephone survey among 1,602 adults to examine knowledge and perceptions about a flu pandemic, trust in government, and support for government actions in a flu pandemic. The findings show citizens do not understand what avian/bird flu is and how it evolves into a pandemic. They also seem to have divergent perceptions regarding the susceptibility and severity of a flu pandemic. More than half of the respondents trust the government to handle a flu pandemic and show strong support for many proposed government actions in a pandemic, except for offering non—fully approved drugs. The findings suggest public health and risk communicators should reinforce support for controversial actions through trust building and personalization of risks rather than mere education or publicity. Public education and engagement should also begin pre-pandemic and continue throughout all phases of the event.
Effective Communication During an Influenza Pandemic: The Value of Using a Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Framework
Authors: Reynolds Barbara , Quinn Sandra Crouse
Published: October 2008

During a crisis, an open and empathetic style of communication that engenders the public's trust is the most effective when officials are attempting to galvanize the population to take a positive action or refrain from a harmful act. Although trust is imperative in a crisis, public suspicions of scientific experts and government are increasing for a variety of reasons, including access to more sources of conflicting information, a reduction in the use of scientific reasoning in decision making, and political infighting. Trust and credibility—which are demonstrated through empathy and caring, competence and expertise, honesty and openness, and dedication and commitment—are essential elements of persuasive communication.
Evaluating Emergency Risk Communications: A Dialogue With the Experts
Authors: Thomas Craig W. , Vanderford Marsha L. , Crouse Quinn Sandra
Published: October 2008

Evaluating emergency risk communications is fraught with challenges since communication can be approached from both a systemic and programmatic level. Therefore, one must consider stakeholders' perspectives, effectiveness issues, standards of evidence and utility, and channels of influence (e.g., mass media and law enforcement). Evaluation issues related to timing, evaluation questions, methods, measures, and accountability are raised in this dialogue with emergency risk communication specialists. Besides the usual evaluation competencies, evaluators in this area need to understand and work collaboratively with stakeholders and be attuned to the dynamic contextual nature of emergency risk communications. Sample resources and measures are provided here to aid in this emerging and exciting field of evaluation.
Transdisciplinary Research and Evaluation for Community Health Initiatives
Authors: Harper Gary W. , Neubauer Leah C. , Bangi Audrey K. , Francisco Vincent T.
Published: October 2008

Transdisciplinary research and evaluation projects provide valuable opportunities to collaborate on interventions to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Given team members' diverse backgrounds and roles or responsibilities in such projects, members' perspectives are significant in strengthening a project's infrastructure and improving its organizational functioning. This article presents an evaluation mechanism that allows team members to express the successes and challenges incurred throughout their involvement in a multisite transdisciplinary research project. Furthermore, their feedback is used to promote future sustainability and growth. Guided by a framework known as organizational development, the evaluative process was conducted by a neutral entity, the Quality Assurance Team. A mixed-methods approach was utilized to garner feedback and clarify how the research project goals could be achieved more effectively and efficiently. The multiple benefits gained by those involved in this evaluation and implications for utilizing transdisciplinary research and evaluation teams for health initiatives are detailed.
Enhancing Promotional Strategies Within Social Marketing Programs: Use of Web 2.0 Social Media
Authors: Thackeray Rosemary , Neiger Brad L. , Hanson Carl L. , McKenzie James F.
Published: October 2008

The second generation of Internet-based applications (i.e., Web 2.0), in which users control communication, holds promise to significantly enhance promotional efforts within social marketing campaigns. Web 2.0 applications can directly engage consumers in the creative process by both producing and distributing information through collaborative writing, content sharing, social networking, social bookmarking, and syndication. Web 2.0 can also enhance the power of viral marketing by increasing the speed at which consumers share experiences and opinions with progressively larger audiences. Because of the novelty and potential effectiveness of Web 2.0, social marketers may be enticed to prematurely incorporate related applications into promotional plans. However, as strategic issues such as priority audience preferences, selection of appropriate applications, tracking and evaluation, and related costs are carefully considered, Web 2.0 will expand to allow health promotion practitioners more direct access to consumers with less dependency on traditional communication channels.
The interpersonal dynamics of call-centre interactions: co-constructing the rise and fall of emotion
Authors: Hood Susan , Forey Gail
Published: October 2008

In this article we investigate how speakers contribute to the interactive rise and fall of emotion in problematic interactions in a data set of in-bound telephone conversations collected from call centres in the Philippines. These interactions are between the Filipino Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) and American clients who initiate the calls to seek information, clarification, or resolution to a problem. The study draws on Appraisal theory (Martin and White, 2005) to analyse the contribution of the caller and the CSR to initiating, maintaining and adjusting the interpersonal intensity of the interaction. Findings point to a limited reliance on explicit attitude on the part of both speakers, with attitude more often implied rather than expressed explicitly. Of note, too, is the interdependence of the attitudinal choices on the part of each speaker, and the role that concessive contractors such as just, already, once, yet and actually , as well as moments of silence can play in the management of the emotive intensity. While we intend the outcomes to make a contribution to professional training in the industry, we also look beyond that context to contribute in theoretical and methodological terms to the analysis of interactions in other contexts where problems need to be resolved through talk.
Mg2+ content control of aragonite whisker synthesised from calcium hydroxide and carbon dioxide in presence of magnesium chloride
Authors: Hu Z. S. , Shao M. H. , Li H. Y. , Cai Q. , Ding S. G. , Wei X. P. , Deng Y. L.
Published: October 2008

This research is concerned with thermodynamic control of inorganic whisker synthesis in existence of some additives. The polymorphism and morphology control of calcium carbonate (CC) is an active research area because of wide applications of CC. Magnesium chloride has been used to improve the formation of aragonite whisker synthesised from Ca(OH)2 and CO2. However, the reaction kinetics and the purity of final products affected by MgCl2 have not been theoretically studied. In the present research quantitative thermodynamic calculation showed that MgCl2 can decrease relative supersaturation by several orders of magnitude and so is favourable to the formation of aragonite. High reactant ratio of MgCl2/Ca(OH)2 will give a marked decrease in pH within the transformation of Ca(OH)2 into Mg(OH)2, but a small decrease in pH in the following CaCO3 formation, which is disadvantageous to the control of the synthesis with pH. Both solid Mg(OH)2 and MgCO3 may exist in aragonite product, but can be avoided by pH control. Maximum MgCO3 content in aragonite product is <1·00 wt-% and MgCO3 can be removed by slightly decreasing pH using excessive CO2 adsorption, which will result in a negligible decrease in Ca2+ conversion and an increase in carbonate ion concentration. High carbonate ion concentration, unfortunately, is disadvantageous to the reuse of MgCl2 solution. The present study gives a guidance of synthesising aragonite in the presence of inorganic salts such as MgCl2.
Transient liquid phase bonding of Gamma Met PX: Microstructure and mechanical properties
Authors: Butts D. A. , Gale W. F.
Published: October 2008

An investigation of microstructural development and structure–property relationships of transient liquid phase (TLP) bonded current generation γ-TiAl alloy, known as Gamma Met PX, is presented. This joining technique employed a composite interlayer consisting of a non-melting constituent (TiAl alloy) and a liquid forming constituent (copper). The microstructures of the bonds, identified using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, are correlated with room temperature mechanical performance. These studies suggested that joints can retain properties similar (i.e. >90%) to that of the bulk material when employing a suitable composite interlayer, bonding conditions and post-bond heat treatment. Additionally, comparisons are drawn between wide gap TLP bonding of an earlier generation γ-TiAl alloy, Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb (at.-%), and wide gap TLP bonding of Gamma Met PX.
Surveillance for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in China from 2006 to 2007
Authors: Shi Qi , Gao Chen , Zhou Wei , Zhang Bao-Yun , Chen Jian-Ming , Tian Chan , Jiang Hui-Ying , Han Jun , Xiang Ni-Juan , Wang Xiao-Fang , Gao Yong-Jun , Dong Xiao-Ping
Published: October 2008

Background

Human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (HTSE), or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), is a group of rare and fatal diseases in central nervous system. Since outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and variant CJD, a worldwide CJD surveillance network has been established under the proposition of WHO. In China, a national CJD surveillance system has started since 2002. The data of CJD surveillance from 2006 to 2007 was analyzed.

Methods

Total 12 provinces are included in CJD surveillance system. The surveillance unit in each province consists of one or two sentinel hospitals and the provincial CDC. All suspected CJD cases reported from CJD surveillance were diagnosed and subtyped based on the diagnostic criteria for CJD issued by WHO.

Results

Total 192 suspected CJD cases were reported and 5 genetic CJD, 51 probable and 30 possible sporadic CJD (sCJD) cases were diagnosed. The collected sCJD cases distribute sporadically without geographical clustering and seasonal relativity and the highest incidences in both probable and possible sCJD cases appeared in the group of 60–69 year. The most common three foremost symptoms were progressive dementia, cerebellum and mental-related symptoms. The probable sCJD patients owning both typical EEG alteration and CSF protein 14-3-3 positive have more characteristic clinical syndromes than the ones having only one positive. The polymorphisms of codon 129 of all tested reported cases shows typical patterns of Han Chinese as previous reports, that M129M are predominant whereas M129V are seldom.

Conclusion

Chinese CJD patients possessed similar epidemiological and clinical characteristics as worldwide.
1,3-Digerma-2-gallata- and -indataallenic Anions: The First Compounds with Ge=Ga or Ge=In Double Bonds
Authors: Nakata Norio , Izumi Rika , Lee Vladimir Ya , Ichinohe Masaaki , Sekiguchi Akira
Published: October 2008

The novel allenic anions consisting of two germanium atoms and a gallium or indium atom, 1,3-digerma-2-gallata- and -indataallenic anions, [(t-Bu2MeSi)2Gt-Bu2)2]−·[Li+(thf)4] (3a: M=Ga, 3b: M=In) were synthesized by the reaction of the dilithiogermane, (t-Bu2MeSi)2GeLi2 (2) with 0.5 equiv of GaCl3 or InCl3. A crystal structure analysis of 3b showed that the >Ge–In–Ge< framework is bent (158.451(14)°) with the two Ge=In bond lengths (2.5453(4) and 2.5387(4) Å).Ge(SiMe
Reconfirmation of Recognition Site in Composites of Imprinted β-Cyclodextrin Polymer/Solid Support as Stationary Phase of HPLC
Authors: Nagaoka Suguru , Song Shi-hui , Sumaoka Jun , Komiyama Makoto
Published: October 2008

β-Cyclodextrin (β-CyD) was imprinted to a tripeptide H–Phe–Lys–Phe–NH2 on the surface of modified silica-gels, alumina, and Poly-HEMA [poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate)]. In spite of notable differences in surface charges and other physicochemical properties of these solid supports, all the imprinted β-CyD polymers showed notable imprinting effects, confirming the overwhelming roles of ordered assemblies of β-CyD for the molecular recognition.
Modification Effect of SCN− Ions on the Morphology of α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Lv Baoliang , Xu Yao , Wu Dong , Sun Yuhan
Published: October 2008

Based on the concentration difference of exposed dangling Fe3+ ions on different crystal facets, an “oriented dissolution” along2O3 was carried out via a redox reaction between coordinative ions SCN− and exposed Fe3+ ions. It is a new effective route to modify the morphology of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.direction of α-Fe
A Novel One-step Photocatalytic Synthesis of Benzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one with C-doped TiO2 Nanoparticle
Authors: Wang Huqun , Zhang Zhimin , Chang Wenfu
Published: October 2008

A novel approach was proposed to synthesize benzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one by photoreduction of o-nitrophenol and cyclization with urea using C-doped TiO2 nanoparticles as photocatalyst which was prepared by a modified sol–gel method using glucose as carbon source.
Collision-Induced Dissociation Studies of Alkali Metal Adducts of Tetracyclines and Anti-Viral Agents by Electrospray Ionization, Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange and Multiple Stage Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Kamel Amin , Munson Burnaby
Published: October 2008

The collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra were obtained for the X+-adducts (X = Na+ or Li+) of five tetracyclines, four pyrimidine and three purine derivatives and their fully D-exchanged species in which the labile hydrogens were replaced by deuterium by either gas- or liquid-phase exchange. The CID spectra were obtained for [M + Na]+ and [M + Li]+ and the exchanged analogs, [M(D) + Na]+ and [M(D) + Li]+, and compositions of product ions and mechanisms of decomposition were determined by comparison of the MS n spectra of the undeuterated and deuterated species. Metal ions are bound to the base of purine and pyrimidine anti-viral agents and dissociate primarily to give the metal complexes of the base [B + X]+. For vidarabine monophosphate, however, the metal ions are bound to the phosphate group, resulting in unique and characteristic cleavage reactions not observed in the uncomplexed system and dissociate through the loss of phosphate and/or a phosphate metal ion complex. The [B + X]+ of these anti-viral agents are relatively stable and show little or no fragmentation compared to [B + H]+. The CID of [B + X]+ of guanine derivatives occurs mainly through elimination of NH3 and that of trifluoromethyl uracil dissociates primarily through the loss of HF. For tetracyclines, metal ions are bound to ring A at the tricarbonylmethyl group and dissociate initially by the loss of NH3/ND3 from [MH + X]+ and [MD – X]+. The CID spectra of [M + X]+ of tetracyclines are somewhat similar to those of [M + H]+. The dominant fragments from the metal complexes of these compounds are charge remote decompositions involving molecular rearrangements and the loss of small stable molecules. Additionally, tetracyclines and the anti-viral agents show more selectivity towards the Li+ ion than the corresponding complexes with Na+ or K+.
Letter: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Mass Spectrometry Analysis of the Mycotoxin Aurofusarin
Authors: Neuhof Torsten , Köppen Robert , Koch Matthias , Nehls Irene
Published: October 2008

High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) can be used for simultaneous quantification of various mycotoxins in contaminated food samples. Therefore, multi-mycotoxin methods have been developed in the last couple of years. To enlarge these methods for further analytes, we have developed a LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of the mycotoxin aurofusarin. Additionally, further LC-MS n experiments were performed to demonstrate the fragmentation pattern of aurofusarin. Applicable multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions of aurofusarin were found and optimized by parameter variation of the tandem mass spectrometer. The applicability of the developed method was tested by analysis of naturally contaminated wheat.
Internal Energy Effects on the Ion/Molecule Reactions of Ionized Methyl Isocyanide
Authors: Flammang Robert , De Winter Julien , Gerbaux Pascal , Nguyen Vinh Son , Nguyen Minh Tho
Published: October 2008

Electron ionization of methyl isocyanide in various chemical ionization conditions is reported and, depending on the energy conditions used, different ion/molecule reactions are observed. It is proposed, on the basis of combined quantum chemical (DFT) calculations and tandem mass spectrometric experiments, that a common intermediate could be a cumulenic ionized dimer dissociating in the ion source following two energy depending competitive channels, a loss of a hydrogen atom and a loss of a methyl group. Proposed structures for new cumulenic ions are supported by collision experiments in the high (collisional activation) or/and low (collision-induced dissociations) translational energy regime.
Determination of Bencycloquidium Bromide, a Novel Anticholinergic Compound, in Rat Tissues by Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Xu Qin , Ding Li , Liu Wen-Ying , Li Rong-Shan , Song Qing-Xin , Chen Xiao-Ping
Published: October 2008

First, a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) method for quantification of bencycloquidium bromide (BCQB) in rat tissue homogenates was developed and validated, which would support investigation on drug distribution into tissues in animal models. 1-ethyl-bencycloquidium bromide was used as the internal standard (IS). Sample preparation in tissue homogenates was achieved by using solid phase extraction on a 3 mL C18-cartridge column. Chromatographic separation was analyzed on a Hanbon Lichrospher 5-C18 column. The mobile phase consisted of methanol–40 mM ammonium acetate buffer–formic acid (75:25:0.25, v/v/v) which was pumped at 1.0 mL min−1. BCQB was determined using electrospray ionization in a single quadrupole mass spectrometer. LC-ESI-MS was performed in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode using target ions at m/z 330.2 for BCQB and m/z 344.2 for the IS. The assay was linear from 3.015 ng mL−1 to 301.5 ng mL−1 of BCQB in rat tissue (liver, kidney, lung, trachea, heart, spleen, stomach, intestines, brain, muscle, testicle, ovary and fat) homogenates. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 3.015 ng mL−1 of BCQB in all tissue homogenates. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the entire standard curve ranges for tissue homogenates. The method was used to successfully quantify BCQB in rat tissue homogenates for a tissue distribution study of BCQB in rats after intranasal administration.
An academic medical centre's programme to develop clinical pathways to manage health care: focus on acute decompensated heart failure
Authors: Lombardo Dawn , Bridgeman Tania V , De Michelis Nathalie , Nunez Molly
Published: October 2008

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health issue and acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a leading cause of hospitalization in the USA. The United States health care delivery system is bound by regulatory agencies requiring strict compliance to key clinical indicators, which are publicly reported. Clinical pathway development is a systematic approach to managing health care that involves a high degree of collaboration between patients, physicians, nurses and various health-care team professionals. The University of California, Irvine Medical Center (UCIMC) developed an evidence-based multidisciplinary pathway for patients with ADHF. This clinical pathway incorporates universally proven assessment and treatment measures in ADHF. Adjunctive to this process are patient and nursing guides to the ADHF pathway. Utilization of this pathway has been shown to significantly impact clinical performance by early identification of potential negative clinical outcomes. Clinical pathways, such as the ADHF pathway, promote clinical excellence in caring for acute and chronic diseases states.
Introducing clinical pathways as a strategy for improving care
Authors: Feuth Sander , Claes Leonie
Published: October 2008

This article describes the way in which Catharina Hospital introduced clinical pathways to its workforce. The hospital, one of the largest non-academic teaching hospitals in The Netherlands, developed the first clinical pathway in 2004. Since then, clinical pathways have been presented as a strategic tool for improving care. In preparation for an organization-wide project, a team investigated and adapted the methodology as designed by the Clinical Pathway Network to the specific situation of Catharina Hospital. Staff were educated, which in return provided project teams with methodology and tools for development. Started small, the aim of the project is to achieve a snowball effect in the use of clinical pathways. Having started in 2006, six pathways are currently under construction, more of which are considered for development. An evaluation of the methodology and results in the summer of 2007, showed that the method was of great help in optimizing care processes and developing multidisciplinary agreements.
Network Formation and the Structure of the Commercial World Wide Web
Authors: Katona Zsolt , Sarvary Miklos
Published: October 2008

We model the commercial World Wide Web as a directed graph that emerges as the equilibrium of a game in which utility maximizing websites purchase (advertising) in-links from each other while also setting the price of these links. In equilibrium, higher content sites tend to purchase more advertising links (mirroring the Dorfman-Steiner rule) while selling less advertising links themselves. As such, there seems to be specialization across sites in revenue models: high content sites tend to earn revenue from the sales of content, whereas low content ones earn revenue from the sales of traffic (advertising). In an extension, we also allow sites to establish (reference) out-links to each other and find that there is a general tendency to establish reference links to sites with higher content. Finally, we explore network formation in the presence of search engines and find that the higher the proportion of people using them, the more sites have an incentive to specialize in certain content areas. Our results have interesting practical implications for search-engine optimization, the pricing of online advertising, and the choice of Internet business models. They also shed light on why Google can use the web's link structure to rank sites by content.
Supermarket Pricing Strategies
Authors: Ellickson Paul B. , Misra Sanjog
Published: October 2008

Most supermarket firms choose to position themselves by offering either everyday low prices (EDLP) across several items or offering temporary price reductions (promotions) on a limited range of items. While this choice has been addressed from a theoretical perspective in both the marketing and economic literature, relatively little is known about how these decisions are made in practice, especially within a competitive environment. This paper exploits a unique store level data set consisting of every supermarket operating in the United States in 1998. For each of these stores, we observe the pricing strategy the firm has chosen to follow, as reported by the firm itself. Using a system of simultaneous discrete choice models, we estimate each store's choice of pricing strategy as a static discrete game of incomplete information. In contrast to the predictions of the theoretical literature, we find strong evidence that firms cluster by strategy by choosing actions that agree with those of its rivals. We also find a significant impact of various demographic and store/chain characteristics, providing some qualified support for several specific predictions from marketing theory.
Component Procurement Strategies in Decentralized Assemble-to-Order Systems with Time-Dependent Pricing
Authors: Fang Xiang , So Kut C. , Wang Yunzeng
Published: October 2008

We consider a contract manufacturer who procures multiple components from independent suppliers to produce an assemble-to-order customized product for a client. The unit price of the product depends on the manufacturer's delivery lead time. We explore how the manufacturer can use a vendor-managed consignment inventory (VMCI) scheme to manage the underlying risk and coordinate independent suppliers' decisions on the production quantities of their components under demand uncertainty. We formulate the problem as a Stackelberg game played by the manufacturer against her component suppliers to determine her pricing policy for suppliers' consignment inventories. We further develop an efficient algorithm for finding the manufacturer's optimal pricing scheme. Our results provide useful insights for managing components in these types of assemble-to-order environments and for understanding how component production cost and procurement lead times affect individual firms' performance in decentralized assembly channels.
Least-Squares-basierte Ableitungsschätzung: Theorie und Einstellregeln für den praktischen Einsatz Least Squares based Derivative Estimation: Theory and Tuning Rules for the Practical Application
Authors: Mai Philipp , Hillermeier Claus
Published: October 2008

In diesem Artikel wird das bekannte Ableitungsschätzverfahren mittels Least-Squares, welches auf polynomialer Approximation des verrauschten Messsignals beruht, im Hinblick auf seine stochastischen Eigenschaften und die auftretende Zeitverzögerung untersucht. Anhand des fehlertoleranten Aufschwingens des Inversen Pendels werden die Ergebnisse experimentell bestätigt.
Retooling for the Future: Launching the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence's Laboratory, 1980–1986
Authors: Westfall Catherine
Published: October 2008

In the early 1980s, David Shirley tried to launch a new synchrotron light source for materials science at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL). Building accelerators was LBL's stock-in-trade. Yet with the Advanced Light Source (ALS) nothing proceeded as in the past. Whereas nuclear and high energy physicists had been happy when funding was procured for new machines, materials scientists were irritated to learn that Shirley had brokered a deal with Presidential Science Advisor George Keyworth to fund the ALS. Materials scientists valued accelerators less because materials science had benefitted less from large-scale devices; such devices were therefore uncommon in their field. The project also faced competition and the criticism that LBL managers wanted it only to help their laboratory weather the threatening times that came with Ronald Reagan and his promise to cut the size of government (and in fact that was a part of the rationale). The ALS also suffered because Shirley's deal was ill-suited for Washington in the 1980s. Scientists were less influential than in previous decades and a more robust federal bureaucracy controlled funding. Other ALS advocates eventually crafted a convincing scientific justification, recruited potential users, and guided the proposal through materials science reviews and the proper Washington channels. Although one-on-one deal making à la Ernest Lawrence was a relic of the past, Shirley did bargain collectively with other directors, paving the way for ALS funding and a retooling of the national laboratories and materials science: in the 1990s and 2000s the largest Department of Energy accelerators were devoted to materials science, not nuclear or high-energy physics.
Academic Outings
Authors: Callahan Sara B. Dykins
Published: October 2008

This essay is an exploration of my personal experiences with poverty and identity negotiation, specifically framed within and through my educational experiences. It is the beginnings of an answer to Denzin's (2003:259) call for a “performative politics that leads the way to radical social change.” Scholars often ignore class subjectivities and lived experiences of class. I have chosen to employ critical autoethnographic inquiry in the form of a layered account to understand my lived experiences and my positionality, simultaneously inviting the reader to enter into the discourse.
Father's Blessing: Ethnographic Drama, Poetry, and Prose
Authors: Tillmann Lisa M.
Published: October 2008

This article consists of ethnographic drama, poetry, and prose. Following interpretivist traditions focusing on how individuals make sense of and make meaning from their lived experience, the author, a heterosexual woman, travels with a gay male friend/participant to visit his estranged father, a retired Air Force pilot and elder in the Mormon Church. The work attempts to show the dialogic construction, negotiation, and transformation of identities and relationships.
When the Management of Grief Becomes Everyday Life: The Aftermath of Murder
Authors: Goodrum Sarah
Published: October 2008

This study examines how others indicate that our emotions violate social norms and how people feel about and respond to those indications. The data come from in‐depth interviews with thirty‐two people who had recently lost a loved one to murder (“bereaved victims”). Through the symbolic interaction process, bereaved victims came to appreciate the burden their grief imposed on others, and some of them took steps to minimize that burden. Despite their awareness of the burden, however, many of the bereaved expected others to express heartfelt sympathy for their loss. Instead, people offered inappropriate (and even hurtful) responses, including avoiding the topic of their loss, offering unnecessarily dramatic responses to the loss, and telling them to move on. The responses suggest that current feeling rules and emotion norms surrounding grief do not reflect the true extent of bereaved people's actual experiences, creating awkward situations for potential supporters and the bereaved.
Urinary Mutagenicity in Chemical Laboratory Workers Exposed to Solvents
Authors: Varella Soraya D. , Rampazo Raquel A. , Varanda Eliana A.
Published: October 2008

Urinary Mutagenicity in Chemical Laboratory Workers Exposed to Solvents: Soraya D. Varella, et al. Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Araraquara, State University of São Paulo (UNESP), Brazil—Solvents represent an important group of environmental pollutants to which people are exposed daily in the workplace. The physico chemical properties of solvents may result in disturbances to cellular structures, including damage to DNA. However, the effects of mixtures of solvents are not well known. Mutations caused by environmental agents are related to cancer development and other degenerative diseases. The work in a research laboratory that uses several types of solvents is equally predisposed to these hazards. In this study, we evaluated the mutagenicity of urine from 29 subjects exposed occupationally to solvents in a chemistry research laboratory and 29 subjects without occupational exposure (controls). Urine samples were collected in polyethylene containers at the end of the work shift. For the concentration and extraction of urine samples the XAD‐2 resin was used with acetone as an eluting agent. Several strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA100, TA98, TA97a, TA1535, YG1024) should be used to assess mutagenic susceptibilities among workers exposed to organic solvents. Different doses of extract (1.5; 3.0; 6.0 and 12.0 ml equivalents of urine per plate) were tested on S. typhimurium strains TA100 and YG1024, with and without metabolic activation. The mutagenic activity, measured in Salmonella typhimurium YG1024 with S9 mix, was significantly greater in urine from workers than from controls (p≤0.05). These results indicate the relevance of using biomarkers to assess the risk of occupational exposure to organic solvents.
Evaluation of an Internet‐Based Self‐Help Program for Better Quality of Sleep among Japanese Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Suzuki Etsuji , Tsuchiya Masao , Hirokawa Kumi , Taniguchi Toshiyo , Mitsuhashi Toshiharu , Kawakami Norito
Published: October 2008

Evaluation of an Internet‐Based Self‐Help Program for Better Quality of Sleep among Japanese Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial: Etsuji Suzuki, et al. Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences—The effectiveness of Internet‐based self‐help programs for insomnia is still unclear. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of an Internet‐based self‐help program for better quality of sleep among adult workers. Forty‐three volunteers were recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=21) or a waiting‐list group (n=22). The intervention group participated in a two‐week Internet‐based program, including selecting and daily practicing sleep‐related target behaviors and monitoring those behaviors along with sleep quality. At the same time, each participant received automatically generated, personalized messages and reports both daily and weekly. A total of 12 intervention group participants and 18 waiting‐list group participants completed questionnaires at baseline, post‐intervention, and at a 3‐wk follow‐up. Subjective sleep quality was measured by a self‐reported questionnaire developed for this study. The sleep quality score increased in the intervention group at post‐intervention, with a significant interaction effect [F(1,28)=5.19, p=0.031]. Sleep‐related behaviors also greatly increased in the intervention group at post‐intervention, with a significant interaction effect [F(1,28)=7.14, p=0.012]. Sleep‐onset latency reduced in the intervention group at follow‐up, with a marginally significant effect [F(1,28)=3.52, p=0.071]. The Internet‐based self‐help program improves subjective sleep quality and sleep‐onset latency among adult workers.
Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts in a Nationwide Sample of Operational Norwegian Ambulance Personnel
Authors: Sterud Tom , Hem Erlend , Lau Bj⊘rn , Ekeberg Øivind
Published: October 2008

Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts in a Nationwide Sample of Operational Norwegian Ambulance Personnel: Tom Sterud, et al. Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway—This is the first paper on suicidal ideation and attempts among ambulance personnel. This study aimed to investigate levels of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among ambulance personnel, and to identify important correlates and the factors to which ambulance personnel attribute their serious suicidal ideation. A comprehensive nationwide questionnaire survey of 1,180 operational ambulance personnel was conducted. Measurements included: Paykel's Suicidal Feelings in the General Population questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, the Subjective Health Complaints Questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Job Satisfaction Scale, the Basic Character Inventory, and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale. Lifetime prevalence ranged from 28% for feelings that life was not worth living to 10.4% for seriously considered suicide and 3.1% for a suicide attempt. Serious suicidal ideation was independently associated with job‐related emotional exhaustion (feelings of being overextended and depleted of resources) (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.0) and bullying at work (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.02–2.7), younger age, not married/cohabitant, depression symptoms, low self‐esteem and the personality trait reality weakness. In general, suicidal thoughts were hardly attributable to working conditions, since only 1.8% of ambulance personnel attributed suicidal ideation to work problems alone. In conclusion, ambulance personnel reported a moderate level of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Although serious suicidal ideation was rarely attributed to working conditions in general, this study suggests that job‐related factors like emotional exhaustion and bullying may be of importance.
Consuming a Cathedral
Authors: Martikaien Tuomas
Published: October 2008

The article is a case study of activities taking place in the most important church of Finland, the Cathedral of Turku. The article seeks possibilities to understand contemporary religious change by using theoretical ideas developed in the sociology of consumption. This is done through analysing four cases of how the cathedral has been commodified in different situations. The cases are a celebrity wedding, a dance performance, a marketing brand and a city festival. The results show that even traditional Christian communities have adapted to consumer society and that the ideas developed in the sociology of consumption are useful in understanding current religious change.
Watching Birds and People
Authors: Rothstein Mikael
Published: October 2008

This article explores ornithology as a hidden resource in anthropological field work. Relating experiences among the Penan forest nomads of Sarawak, Borneo, the author describes how his personal knowledge of bird life paved the way for good working relations, and even friendship, with the Penan. Representing two very different cultures simple communication between the scholar on duty and the Penan community was difficult indeed, but the birds provided a common ground that enabled the two parties to exchange experiences, knowledge and skills. In certain ways the author's fieldwork-based project relates to the Penan’s religious interpretation of birds, but the article is primarily concerned with the fact that a mutual understanding was created from this common ground, and that our thoughts on fieldwork preparations may be taken further by such experiences.
Brazilian Ayahuasca Religions
Authors: Wright Robin
Published: October 2008

This article reviews the forthcoming issue of FIR containing an important collection of articles on the origins and developments of religious movements and, later, research movements focused on a powerful psychoactive beverage consisting of the mixture of certain vines (ayahuasca) and leaves (chacrona) found mainly in Western Amazonia. The religious interpretations resulting from the ritual ingestion of the beverage have produced the most varied practices and beliefs, beginning with the indigenous peoples and mestizo herbalists, then migrant rubber-tappers from northeastern Brazil; in the 1960s, urbanites from major cities in Brazil and Europe seeking alternative forms of religious inspiration; and, in the 1990s, a group of Brazilian researchers who have combined anthropological and religious understanding of the phenomena along with legal expertise for the protection of the religious freedom necessary for the religions’ developments. With the diversification and globalization of these new religious movements, the article points to new directions for field research in these religions.
Using trenches to reduce tunnelling vibrations
Authors: Rahman M. E. , Orr T. L. L.
Published: October 2008

Wave barriers are often used in engineering practice to reduce the ground vibrations induced by man-made sources such as traffic and machine foundations. In this paper, the results of a numerical study, with three-dimensional finite elements coupled with infinite elements, are presented to examine the effectiveness of open and backfilled trenches as wave barriers in reducing the ground surface vibrations due to tunnelling activities. The effects of the geometrical dimensions of the trenches and material properties of the backfill on the reduction of ground vibrations are studied. It is found that the percentage reduction in the vibration velocities increases with increasing depth of the trenches, and softer backfill materials yield a better screening effect than stiffer materials.
Seepage control for Satpara dam, Pakistan
Authors: Malik Z. M. , Tariq A. , Anwer J.
Published: October 2008

The Satpara dam project is an earth core rockfill embankment proposed over moraines in northern Pakistan. This paper presents a perspective of the proposed under-seepage control measures improvised in the dam design through landscape development and foundation conditions, highlighting the field observations and in situ tests. Details are presented of optimisation studies involved in the decision on a solution for the foundation treatment of the dam, comprising a combination of an impervious upstream blanket with a partial cut-off for effective under-seepage control. The dataset of recorded permeabilities from the field tests ranges from 0·001 to 0·000 000 1 m/s. Estimates of uncertainties in the recorded permeability values have been explored, based on both statistics and judgement. A foundation model has been developed in RockWorks, using the closest point algorithm. Multivariate sensitivity analyses with combinations of blanket thickness, cut-off depth and position were carried out in SEEP/W to establish a composite under-seepage control design for the permeable foundations. Due importance was given to the computed hydraulic gradients throughout the analyses, but the final, optimal solution also had to involve other practical considerations: the practical modes of failure and their consequences, remedial possibilities and the practical construction potential associated with the measures adopted for under-seepage control.
Refining shear strength characteristic value using experience
Authors: Baxter D. J. , Dixon N. , Fleming P. R. , Cromwell K.
Published: October 2008

Determination of characteristic values for soil properties forms a critical step in the foundation design process. The refinement of such values to account not only for site-specific data but also for existing knowledge and previous experience can result in more efficient design and increased confidence. This paper presents a logical, pragmatic approach for the selection of characteristic values of shear strength for the design of piled foundations within the context of Eurocode 7. The process of refining conceptual models of geotechnical properties in a quantitative, objective manner to include previous knowledge and wider experience is described and demonstrated through case study examples. The result of applying the updating methods is to achieve a revised mean that is a weighted average of the site data and the prior knowledge; the weighting is a function of the variability of each set of data. Such refinement relies upon a quantification of previous knowledge: mean values, trends, variations and distributions of data are required, and in this paper a dataset for undrained shear strength of London Clay is presented and applied to case study examples. Application of the techniques described leads to a better estimate of the ground properties and a reduction in the risk attached to a design solution.