bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paleozoic and Mesozoic Basement Magmatisms of Eastern Qaidam Basin, Northern Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau: LA‐ICP‐MS Zircon U‐Pb Geochronology and its Geological Significance
Authors: Xuanhua CHEN , GEHRELS George , An YIN , Li LI , Rongbao JIANG
Published: May 2012

The eastern margin of the Qaidam Basin lies in the key tectonic location connecting the Qinling, Qilian and East Kunlun orogens. The paper presents an investigation and analysis of the geologic structures of the area and LA‐ICP MS zircon U‐Pb dating of Paleozoic and Mesozoic magmatisms of granitoids in the basement of the eastern Qaidam Basin on the basis of 16 granitoid samples collected from the South Qilian Mountains, the Qaidam Basin basement and the East Kunlun Mountains. According to the results in this paper, the basement of the basin, from the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin to the East Kunlun Mountains, has experienced at least three periods of intrusive activities of granitoids since the Early Paleozoic, i.e. the magmatisms occurring in the Late Cambrian (493.1±4.9 Ma), the Silurian (422.9±8.0 Ma‐420.4±4.6 Ma) and the Late Permian‐Middle Triassic (257.8±4.0 Ma‐228.8±1.5 Ma), respectively. Among them, the Late Permian – Middle Triassic granitoids form the main components of the basement of the basin. The statistics of dated zircons in this paper shows the intrusive magmatic activities in the basement of the basin have three peak ages of 244 Ma (main), 418 Ma, and 493 Ma respectively. The dating results reveal that the Early Paleozoic magmatism of granitoids mainly occurred on the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin and the southern margin of the Qilian Mountains, with only weak indications in the East Kunlun Mountains. However, the distribution of Permo‐Triassic (P‐T) granitoids occupied across the whole basement of the eastern Qaidam Basin from the southern margin of the Qilian Mountains to the East Kunlun Mountains. An integrated analysis of the age distribution of P‐T granitoids in the Qaidam Basin and its surrounding mountains shows that the earliest P‐T magmatism (293.6–270 Ma) occurred in the northwestern part of the basin and expanded eastwards and southwards, resulting in the P‐T intrusive magmatism that ran through the whole basin basement As the Cenozoic basement thrust system developed in the eastern Qaidam Basin, the nearly N‐S‐trending shortening and deformation in the basement of the basin tended to intensify from west to east, which went contrary to the distribution trend of N‐S‐trending shortening and deformation in the Cenozoic cover of the basin, reflecting that there was a transformation of shortening and thickening of Cenozoic crust between the eastern and western parts of the Qaidam Basin, i.e., the crustal shortening of eastern Qaidam was dominated by the basement deformation (triggered at the middle and lower crust), whereas that of western Qaidam was mainly by folding and thrusting of the sedimentary cover (the upper crust).
LA‐ICP‐MS Zircon U‐Pb Geochronology of Quartz Porphyry from the Niutougou Gold Deposit in Songxian County, Henan Province
Authors: Zhongliang WANG , Qingjie GONG , Xiang SUN , Fafu WU , Weixing WANG
Published: May 2012

The Niutougou gold deposit, located in the center of the Xiong'ershan gold district, western Henan Province, is a large gold deposit with many quartz porphyries found in the area. Based on the field geological investigation of quartz porphyry of Niutougou gold deposit and by using the cathodoluminescence (CL) images analysis and in situ LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb isotope dating method of zircons, the inner structure, trace element compositions and U‐Pb age of the zircons separated from quartz porphyry were analyzed and determined. Cathodoluminescence (CL) images of zircons show clear magmatic zonations. Trace element analyses of zircons reveal that all zircons show high concentrations of Th, U, and HREE, and the REE patterns of depletion in LREE, with a positive Ce anomaly. Zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb dating results show that the quartz porphyry in the Niutougou gold deposit was formed at 159.71±0.99 Ma (about 160 Ma), belonging to the product of magmatic activity in late Middle Jurassic. Combined with the geological characteristics of the Niutougou gold deposit, the formation age of the quartz porphyry and the analysis of the formation age of the granite body exposed in the Niutougou gold deposit, the study suggests that the metallogenic epoch of the Niutougou gold deposit may be Yanshanian in age.
Macroscopically‐Zoned Grandite from the Garnetite Skarn of Meka Presedla (Kopaonik Mountain, Serbia)
Authors: TANČIĆ Pavle , VULIĆ Predrag , KAINDL Reinhard , SARTORY Bernhard , DIMITRIJEVIĆ Radovan
Published: May 2012

The macroscopically‐zoned grandite from the garnetite skarn of Meka Presedla (Kopaonik Mountain, Serbia) was studied with optical microscopy, electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), Fourier transform infra‐red (FT–IR), and Raman methods. The EMPA results indicate that the main core–rim compositional variations (Ca2.93–2.97Mn0.05–0.06Mg0.00–0.01Al1.14–1.26Fe3+0.72–0.83 Ti0.00–0.02Si2.97–3.02O12) slightly differ along the zones, showing evidence for a quasi‐cyclic alternation of the oscillatory zoning nature. Among this, considerable variation is observed only by the Al–Fe3+ substitutions in the octahedral site. The EMPA also indicate that the grandite zones compositionally vary, mostly within ±1 and ±2 mol% of the homogeneity level range, that is, Grs64±1Adr36±1Sps2 (A), Grs62±1Adr38±1Sps2 (B), Grs59±2Adr40±2Sps2 (C), Grs58±2Adr41±2Sps2 (D), and Grs58±1Adr41±1Sps2 (E). Therefore, the investigated garnet can be considered as relatively highly homogeneous. The majority of compositions lie within the narrow miscibility region of 0.58±2<XGrs<0.64±1, without gaps, and with only three outliers near the zone boundaries of approximately 0.38<XGrs<0.52. FT–IR and Raman bands are almost constant within the zones and adequate to the chemical compositions. All of the zones should be considered as anhydrous. From the results, formation temperatures between ∼600 and 720°C, and pressures of ∼2–3 kbars, are derived. Among five possible causes for the slightly optical anisotropy of grandite, three were reconsidered, and consequently rejected.
Adsorption of Lead (II), Copper (II) on tourmaline from Altai mine in China's Sinkiang
Authors: Dengliang HE , Guangfu YIN , Faqin DONG , Wei ZHANG , Qingquan BIAN , yunxiang SI
Published: May 2012

Tourmaline from Altai mine in China's Sinkiang was used to remove lead (II), copper (II) from aqueous solution. The results demonstrate that tourmaline contains Na(Mg,V)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4, NaFe3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4. The data show that Tourmaline from Altai mine in China's Sinkiang can be used natural adsorbent for lead (II), copper (II). It is observed that the adsorption data fitted to the Langmuir isotherm. Furthermore, both Pb (II) and Cu (II) absorbed by tourmaline and tourmaline were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Laser Raman Spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray energy dispersive spectrometer, Transmission electron microscopy and Zeta potential.
Formation of Natural Bitumen and its Implication for Oil/gas Prospect in Dabashan Foreland
Authors: Rongxi LI , Shuwen DONG , Xue ZHANG , Ruijing ZHU
Published: May 2012

Natural bitumen is the evolutionary residue of hydrocarbon of sedimentary organic matter. Several kinds of bitumen with different occurrences, including bitumen in source rock, migration bitumen filled in fault, oil‐bed bitumen and paleo‐reservoir bitumen, are distributed widely in the Dabashan foreland. These kinds of bitumen represent the process of oil/gas formation, migration and accumulation in the region. Bitumen in source rock filled in fractures and stylolite and experienced deformation simultaneously together with source rock themselves. It indicated that oil/gas generation and expelling from source rock occurred under normal buried thermal conditions during prototype basin evolution stages prior to orogeny. Occurrences of bitumen in source rock indicated that paleoreservoir formation conditions existed in the Dabashan foreland. Migration bitumen being widespread in the fault revealed that the fault was the main channel for oil/gas migration, which occurred synchronously with Jurassic foreland deformation. Oil‐bed bitumen was the kind of pyrolysis bitumen that distributed in solution pores of reservoir rock in the Dabashan foreland depression, the northeastern Sichuan Basin. Geochemistry of oil‐bed bitumen indicated that natural gas that accumulated in the Dabashan foreland depression formed from liquid hydrocarbon by pyrolysis process. However, paleo‐reservior bitumen in the Dabashan forleland was the kind of degradation bitumen that formed from liquid hydrocarbon within the paleo‐reservior by oxidation, alteration and other secondary changes due to paleo‐reservior damage during tectonics in the Dabashan foreland. In combination with the tectonic evolution of the Dabashan foreland, it is proposed that the oil/gas generated, migrated and accumulated to form the paleo‐reservoir during the Triassic Indosinian tectonic movement. Jurassic collision orogeny, the Yanshan tectonic movement, led to intracontinental orogeny of the Dabashan area accompanied by geofluid expelling and paleo‐reservoir damage in the Dabashan foreland. The present work proposed that there is liquid hydrocarbon exploration potential in the Dabashan foreland, while there are prospects for the existence of natural gas in the Dabashan foreland depression.
Control Factors and Diversities of Phase State of Oil and Gas Pools in the Kuqa Petroleum System
Authors: Ling CHEN , Guangyou ZHU , Bin ZHANG , Zhigang WEN , Yonggang WANG
Published: May 2012

Based on the analysis of the hydrocarbon geochemical characteristics in the Kuqa petroleum system of the Tarim Basin, this study discusses the causes and controlling factors of the phase diversities and their differences in geochemical features. According to the characteristics and differences in oil and gas phase, the petroleum system can be divided into five categories: oil reservoir, wet gas reservoir, condensate gas‐rich reservoir, condensate gas‐poor reservoir and dry gas reservoir. The causes for the diversities in oil and gas phases include diversities of the sources of parent material, maturity of natural gas and the process of hydrocarbon accumulation of different hydrocarbon phases. On the whole, the Jurassic and Triassic terrestrial source rocks are the main sources for the hydrocarbon in the Kuqa Depression. The small differences in parent material may cause diversities in oil and gas amount, but the impact is small. The differences in oil and gas phase are mainly affected by maturity and the accumulation process, which closely relates with each other. Oil and gas at different thermal evolution stage can be captured in different accumulation process.
Ground Surface Ruptures and Near‐Fault, Large‐Scale Displacements Caused by the Wenchuan Ms8.0 Earthquake Derived from Pixel Offset Tracking on Synthetic Aperture Radar Images
Authors: Chunyan QU , Xinjian SHAN , Yunhua LIU , Guohong ZHANG , Xiaogang SONG , Guifang ZHANG , Liming GUO , Yufei HAN
Published: May 2012

The 12 May 2008 Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake produced surface displacements along the causative fault, the Yingxiu‐Beichuan Fault, which are up to several meters near the fault. Because of the large gradient, satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometric data are strongly incoherent; the usual SAR interferometry method does not allow such displacements to be measured. In the present study, we employed another approach, the technique based on pixel offset tracking, to solve this problem. The used image data of six tracks are from the Advanced Land Observing Satellite, Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS/PALSAR) dataset of Japan. The results show that the entire surface rupture belt is 238 km long, extending almost linearly in a direction of 42° north–east. It is offset left laterally by a north–west‐striking fault at Xiaoyudong, and turns at Gaochuan, where the rupture belt shifts toward the south by 5 km, largely keeping the original trend. In terms of the features of the rupture traces, the rupture belt can be divided into five sections and three types. Among them, the Beichuan–Chaping and Hongkou–Yingxiu sections are relatively complex, with large widths and variable traces along the trend. The Pingtong–Nanba and Qingping–Jingtang sections appear uniform, characterized by straight traces and small widths. West of Yingxiu, the rupture traces are not clear. North of the rupture belt, surface displacements are 2.95 m on average, mostly 2–3.5 m, with 7–9 m the maximum near Beichuan. South of the rupture belt, the average displacement is 1.75 m, dominated by 1–2 m, with 3–4 m at a few sites. In the north, the displacements in the radar line of sight are of subsidence, and in the south, they are uplifted, in accordance with a right‐slip motion that moves the northern wall of the fault to the east, and the southern wall to the west, respectively. Along the Guanxian–Jiangyou Fault, there is a uplift zone in the radar line of sight, which is 66 km long, 1.5–6 km wide, and has vertical displacements of approximately 2 m, but no observable rupture traces.
“Unerschütterlich”: Kafka's Proceß, Wittgenstein's Tractatus, and the Law of Logic
Authors: Schuman Rebecca
Published: May 2012

This paper offers an “analytic analysis” (that is, one that uses both the sources and methodology of the early analytic tradition in philosophy) of Kafka's Der Proceß. Specifically, the author uses the formal logic Ludwig Wittgenstein charted out in the Tractatus logico‐philosophicus to show that while Josef K.'s arrest, trial and “execution” may seem unjust or even invalid when we refuse to consider pre‐existing or self‐determined guilt, Kafka's portrayal of logical contradiction actually reveals the proceedings to be entirely logically valid. The author accomplishes this through an identification of several key contradictions in Kafka's text combined with an exploration of Wittgenstein's proof (using truth‐tables) that contradictions, though senseless (sinnlos), still belong to logical symbolism. Thus, while the Law (das Gesetz) of the novel's enigmatic and terrifying Court (das Gericht) remains as inscrutable as ever, Der Proceß does indeed heed another sort of law‐the laws of formal logic.
Cognitive Poetics and Common Ground in a Multicultural Context: The Poetry of Zehra Çirak1
Authors: William Jennifer Marston
Published: May 2012

This essay explores how a cognitive‐literary approach offers valuable tools for interpreting multicultural poetry. By considering the poetry of Zehra Çirak through the lens of selected cognitive‐poetic principles, it becomes clear that this approach allows for a balanced focus on both the universal and the culturally specific elements of her work. Rather than directly addressing the author's ethnicity, or issues of Turkish‐German identity, many of Çirak's poems instead invite the reader to take on the role of outsider or Other, serving as a reminder that everyone and everything becomes “foreign” when placed in unfamiliar contexts. A cognitive‐poetic examination of conceptual metaphors, image schemas and prototypes, deixis, and the construction of text worlds in her poetry sheds light on the ways in which Çirak creates common ground for readers of diverse backgrounds.
Factors associated with nurses’ perceptions of patient safety culture in China: a cross‐sectional survey study
Authors: Feng Xianqiong , Bobay Kathleen , Krejci Janet Wessel , McCormick Barrett L.
Published: May 2012

Objective: To explore nurses’ perceptions of patient safety culture and factors associated with those perceptions.

Methods: This study used a quantitative methodology with a cross‐sectional design. A convenience sample was used to recruit 248 nurses. Data were collected at a Chinese university hospital between August and October 2008.

Results: More than half (61.3%) of nurses had positive perceptions of patient safety culture. Nurses responded most positively to two dimensions: teamwork within units and organizational learning. Nurses responded most negatively to staffing and non‐punitive response to errors. Four factors were found to be associated with patient safety culture: nurses’ perception of managers’ trustworthiness (P < 0.001), organizational safety prioritization (P < 0.001), length of unit nursing experience (P = 0.004), and managers’ safety commitment (P = 0.023).

Conclusions: To improve patient safety culture, nurse managers should focus on the identified factors and adopt multiple strategies. Specifically, nurse mangers should try to build trust with nurses, demonstrate sincere safety commitments, and set patient safety as a true priority.
Market Good Flexibility in Capacity Auctions
Authors: Hall Nicholas G. , Liu Zhixin
Published: May 2012

We consider the allocation of limited production capacity among several competing agents through auctions. Our focus is on the contribution of flexibility in market good design to effective capacity allocation. The application studied is a capacity allocation problem involving several agents, each with a job, and a facility owner. Each agent generates revenue by purchasing capacity and scheduling its job at the facility. Ascending auctions with various market good designs are compared. We introduce a new market good that provides greater flexibility than those previously considered in the literature. We allow ask prices to depend both on agents’ utility functions and on the number of bids at the previous round of the auction, in order to model and resolve resource conflicts. We develop both optimal and heuristic solution procedures for the winner determination problem. Our computational study shows that flexibility in market good design typically increases system value within auctions. A further increase is achieved if each agent is allowed to bid for multiple market goods at each round. On average, the multiple flexible market goods auction provides over 95% of the system value found by centralized planning.
Does Higher Transparency Lead to More Search in Online Auctions?
Authors: Haruvy Ernan , Popkowski Leszczyc Peter T. L. , Ma Yu
Published: May 2012

In a controlled field experiment, we examine pairs of auctions for identical items under different conditions. We find that auction design features that are under the control of the auctioneer—including information transparency, number of simultaneous auctions, and the degree of overlap between simultaneous auctions—affect bidder search and choice. Clickstream data show that a significant relationship between information transparency and price dispersion can be linked to search. Specifically, the effect of information transparency on price dispersion is fully mediated by lookup behavior. Combining these findings, we make auction design recommendations regarding the provision of product and value information.
Evaluation of cytologic findings in feline conjunctivitis
Authors: Hillström Anna , Tvedten Harold , Källberg Maria , Hanås Sofia , Lindhe Anna , Holst Bodil Ström
Published: May 2012

Background

Cytologic examination of smears prepared from ocular swabs of conjunctiva from cats with conjunctivitis permits identification of the type of inflammation and possibly specific microorganisms. Results of studies of the diagnostic utility of cytology for detection of infectious causes of feline conjunctivitis have been inconsistent.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to describe cytologic findings in cats with conjunctivitis and to compare those findings with results ofPCRanalysis for feline herpesvirus (FHV‐1),Chlamydophila felis(C felis),andMycoplasma felis(M felis).

Methods

Conjunctival smears from 88 cats with conjunctivitis and 10 healthy control cats were stained with a Romanowsky stain and evaluated for the type of inflammation and evidence of an infectious agent.PCRanalysis forFHV‐1,Cfelis, andMfeliswas performed.

Results

Infectious agents identified byPCRanalysis wereFHV‐1 in 9 cats (10%),Cfelisin 8 cats (9%), andMfelisin 6 cats (7%). Inclusions interpreted as chlamydial inclusions were found in all cytologic smears from cats positive forCfelisbyPCRanalysis and in 3PCR‐negative cats. Inclusions interpreted asMycoplasmaorganisms were found in 3 of 6 cats that werePCR‐positive forMfelisand in 1PCR‐negative cat.FHV‐1 inclusion bodies were not detected on cytologic examination.

Conclusions

Cytologic examination can be diagnostic forCfelisinfection when many typical inclusions are present. Cytologic examination was unreliable in diagnosingMfelisinfection, and viral inclusions ofFHV‐1 were not found in specimens stained withRomanowsky stains.
Is it possible to use expired tubes for routine biochemical analysis in dogs?
Authors: Domingos Margarida Canelas , Médaille Christine , Concordet Didier , Briend‐Marchal Alexandra
Published: May 2012

Background

Expired collection tubes may be used inadvertently and resampling is not always possible. To date, studies have not been conducted in veterinary medicine to determine whether or not biochemical measurements obtained from specimens collected into expired tubes are accurate enough for clinical decision‐making.

Objectives

The aims of this preliminary study were to assess the impact of measuring routine plasma biochemical analytes in canine specimens collected in expired tubes and to investigate the relationship between post‐expiration time and the magnitude of errors.

Methods

Blood specimens were collected from 61 dogs and aliquoted equally into tubes containing lithium heparin and gel. One tube was within the expiration date, and the other tube was up to 11 months post‐expiration. Plasma was separated within 1 hour of specimen collection, and concentrations of urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, magnesium, calcium, phosphates, sodium, potassium, chloride, total
CO2

, and fructosamine and activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ‐glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, amylase, and lipase were analyzed immediately and results compared.

Results

For most analytes there was no significant difference between results from specimens collected in non‐expired and expired tubes. For ALP and lipase activities and fructosamine and total
CO2

concentrations, significant differences were found, and results obtained for fructosamine and total
CO2

from specimens in expired tubes may have led to erroneous interpretations. The effect of time since expiration was constant over time.

Conclusions

When specimens are processed within 1 hour of collection, results of routine biochemical measurements of blood collected in lithium heparin tubes remain clinically valid for up to 11 months after expiration of tubes for the majority of analytes, except for ALP, lipase, fructosamine, and total
CO2

.
Differences in hematologic variables in rats of the same strain but different origin
Authors: Kampfmann Iris , Bauer Natali , Johannes Sigrid , Moritz Andreas
Published: May 2012

Background

Wistar rats are frequently used in toxicologic studies; however, the impact of animal source on hematologic reference intervals (RI) is not known.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare hematologic data of Wistar rats obtained from 2 breeders and to calculate preliminary RI for the Sysmex XT‐2000iV hematology analyzer.

Methods

Blood collected in EDTA from 75 10–13‐week‐old rats (male, n = 38; female, n = 37) from breeder 1 and 60 rats (male, n = 30; female, n = 30) from breeder 2 was analyzed using a Sysmex XT‐2000iV hematology analyzer. Results were analyzed for differences using a t‐test or Mann–Whitney U‐test. Sex‐specific 95% RI were calculated for rats from both breeders.

Results

Significant breeder‐specific differences were found for WBC, RBC, platelet, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, and reticulocyte counts and MCV, MCH, MPV, and plateletcrit for both sexes, and for HCT and hemoglobin concentration for female rats. The greatest differences (P < .0001) between rats from breeders 1 and 2, respectively, were found for WBC (female: 2.2–5.9 × 109/L vs 4.2–9.4 × 109/L 38; male: 3.4–9.5 vs 6.4–14.4 × 109/L), lymphocyte (female: 1.7–4.8 × 109/L vs 3.4–8.2 × 109/L; male: 2.6–7.8 vs 5.2–12.4 × 109/L), and platelet (female: 591–836 × 109/L vs 804–1282 × 109/L; male: 573–998 × 109/L vs 861–1247 × 109/L) counts.

Conclusion

Differences in hematologic RI between Wistar rats obtained from different breeders underscore the need to evaluate untreated control animals for comparison, rather than using historical RI, to detect compound‐related effects in preclinical safety studies. Valid RI for control animals are needed and should be verified when using a new supplier to avoid misinterpretation of data. Low reference limits for some variables, such as WBC counts, in rats from one source may preclude their use in studies in which detection of leukopenia is required.
Comparison of citrated native and kaolin‐activated samples for thrombelastographic analysis in healthy dogs
Authors: Flint Sarah K. , Wood R. Darren , Abrams‐Ogg Anthony C.G. , Kruth Stephen A. , Bersenas Alexa
Published: May 2012

Background

Thrombelastographic (TEG) analysis is a test of global hemostasis in veterinary medicine; however, there have been limited comparisons of analysis of citrated native and kaolin‐activated samples.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the variation in TEG variables between citrated native and kaolin‐activated whole blood samples and to establish reference intervals for both sample types.

Methods

Citrated whole blood samples were obtained from 40 healthy dogs. Thirty minutes after collection, TEG analysis was performed simultaneously on samples with and without kaolin‐activation. Reaction time (R), clotting time (K), angle (α), maximum amplitude (MA), global clot strength (G), and clot lysis at 30 minutes (LY30) were recorded, and the concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) was calculated for each sample type.

Results

Significant differences between results obtained for kaolin‐activated and native samples were obtained for R (mean difference −1.3 minute, P = .0009), K (−0.7 minute, P = .0003), α (+5.1º, P = .002), MA (+2.4 mm, P = .002), and G (+568 dyn/cm2, P = .0009). LY30 was not different between methods. There was substantial agreement between methods for G (ρc = .69) and MA (ρc = .65), moderate agreement for R (ρc = .45) and α (ρc = .44), fair agreement for K (ρc = .29), and slight agreement for LY30 (ρc = .04).

Conclusions

The TEG variables were significantly altered by kaolin activation; however, some agreement between sample types suggests a consistent bias. In citrated whole blood activated with kaolin, clot formation time is shortened and the amplitude of the tracing is increased, resulting in a TEG tracing that appears to indicate relative hypercoagulability compared with that obtained using native citrated whole blood samples.
Toward an Understanding of the Relationship Between Classroom Climate and Performance in Postsecondary French: An Application of the Classroom Climate Inventory
Authors: Gascoigne Carolyn
Published: May 2012

This article investigates the relationship between classroom climate and performance in postsecondary French as it is generated by student‐to‐student connections and interaction, rather than instructor‐to‐student interaction. The study applies an instrument originally developed to measure classroom climate in native language public speaking courses, entitled the Connected Classroom Climate Inventory, to the postsecondary context. Expanding upon a pilot study involving 33 participants, the present investigation involved 252 students across multiple levels of French language study. Classroom climate scores are examined across level of language study and compared to performance as measured by final course grades. Given the results of the literature review, the pilot, and present study, this article reapplies findings from research in small group dynamics to the language learning classroom.
The Impact of Mobile Technology on Low‐Income Communities in Lebanon
Authors: Hamade Samir
Published: May 2012

This article attempts to study the impact of mobile technology, as represented by mobile phones, on low income communities, as represented by farmers in the Bekaa Valley, the largest farmland of Lebanon. It aims to identify areas where the mobile phone has a positive impact on farmers' lives, family, friends, work, finance, and health; and areas where the mobile phone has a negative impact on farmers' lives, in addition to identifying some important associations among the variables.

The results show that more than 38 percent of farmers own a mobile phone. The benefits of having a mobile phone are improved work, better income, improved family and social ties, more freedom and independence, better health, and better finance. High cost and accessibility were the two major drawbacks. Owning a mobile phone is associated with education, better work, better income, better health, and better finance. It is independent of gender and income. The study recommends that telecommunication companies in the area should expand their services to low‐income communities, improve coverage, and reduce cost.
Israel and Post‐Mubarak Egypt: Perils of Historical Analogy
Authors: Yossef Amr
Published: May 2012

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has perceived the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 as a replica of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Drawing on the apparent similarities between the two revolutions—both made against dictators who reigned over secular, Western‐oriented regimes advocating coexistence with Israel, and both having Islamists as the best‐organized opposition force—Netanyahu appears to have concluded that the outcome for Israel would be the same: the advent of an aggressive Islamist regime in Cairo that would initiate a larger conflict. Based on this historical analogy, the Netanyahu government has adopted policies that are meant to help Israel defend against the potential deterioration in relations with Egypt. However, looking at Iran 1979 to draw on lessons about Egypt 2011 is misleading and does not take into account the significant differences that would rather lead Egypt to preserve the peace. This article analyzes Netanyahu's employment of this historical analogy and examines other appropriate lessons that Israel could draw from Iran's Islamic revolution, and proposes that Israel should instead engage the Egyptian revolution and reach a peace deal with the Palestinians so that it avoids misperception and maintains the Egyptian–Israeli peace.
Negotiating Difference in a Muslim Society: A Longitudinal Study of Islamic and Secular Discourses in Turkey
Authors: Kanra Bora , Ercan Selen Ayirtman
Published: May 2012

This article explores the changes in attitudes among Islamic and secular groups in Turkey through an analysis of their discourses regarding Islam, democracy, secularism, and dialogue. We present the findings of a longitudinal study (Q study) conducted in Turkey in 2002 and 2007. The time period under investigation marks the first uninterrupted five‐year‐long term of an Islamic‐leaning government, Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AKP, Justice and Development Party), in office since the inception of the Turkish Republic in 1923. We suggest that the continuous electoral success of the AKP has played an important role in shaping Islamic and secular discourses in the Turkish public sphere. In contrast with its predecessor, the AKP has employed a rights‐based paradigm when defining the place of Islam in a secular society. This, we suggest, has softened the divide between Islamic and secular discourses in Turkey. In this article, after defining the core characteristics of both discourses that remained the same in both 2002 and 2007, we focus on the major shifts in discourses that have occurred during these five years. Our research reveals that during this time, both Islamic and secular discourses underwent important shifts with respect to Islam's place in a democratic society. We interpret the AKP's discursive shift toward a rights‐based paradigm and the increasing emphasis on dialogue in both Islamist and secular discourses as promising signs for expanding the scope for democratic polity in Turkey.
Oil and the House of Saud: Analysis of Saudi Arabian Oil Policy
Authors: Pierce Jonathan J.
Published: May 2012

This article analyzes the process of how the Government of Saudi Arabia determines oil policy. It focuses on oil production because it accepts that the Saudis are “price takers” rather than “price setters.” It applies economic and political explanations as determinants of how much oil is produced. Two periods of Saudi oil policy are compared—1987–1991 and 1997–2001—using open‐source data from various newspapers and newsletters. The article concludes that oil production in Saudi Arabia is, in large measure, a function of Saudi Arabian estimates of how its oil reserves may provide long‐term revenue and political stability at the risk of short‐term economic gains.
Paradoxes of Iranian Messianic Politics
Authors: Shahi Afshin
Published: May 2012

Shi‘ite Messianism has been accommodated constitutionally and has been portrayed as an indispensable aspect of political culture under the Islamic Republic. If the state is using the concept as a form of legitimacy, the concept is standardized in accordance with the prevailing perspectives of the political system. Thus, if there are other emerging grassroots messianic narratives incompatible with the political ideology, they could undermine the legitimacy of the state. This article examines the emerging paradoxes in a climate in which the state uses messianism as a legitimacy tool but, at the same time, is unable to monopolize the concept primarily for its own use. This article will assess a situation in which the state and the grassroots are struggling in order to maintain dominance over ideas that advocate millenarianism. There will be a critical discussion on how the politics of the Shi‘ite Messianism have proved to be contradictory, and the dilemmas over the politicization of Mahdism will be identified.
The Gender Confidence Gap in Fractions Knowledge: Gender Differences in Student Belief–Achievement Relationships
Authors: Ross John A. , Scott Garth , Bruce Catherine D.
Published: May 2012

Recent research demonstrates that in many countries gender differences in mathematics achievement have virtually disappeared. Expectancy‐value theory and social cognition theory both predict that if gender differences in achievement have declined there should be a similar decline in gender differences in self‐beliefs. Extant literature is equivocal: there are studies indicating that the male over female advantage in self‐efficacy and beliefs about math learning is as strong as ever and there are studies reporting an absence of gender differences in belief. Using data from 996 grades 7–10 Canadian students, we found that gender differences in beliefs continued, even though gender differences in achievement were near zero. Gender differences, favoring males, were larger for self‐beliefs (math self‐efficacy and fear of failure) and weaker for functional and dysfunctional beliefs about math learning. There were also gender differences in the structure of a model linking beliefs about math, beliefs about self and achievement.
Molecular approaches for viable bacterial population and transcriptional analyses in a rodent model of dental caries
Authors: Klein M.I. , Scott‐Anne K.M. , Gregoire S. , Rosalen P.L. , Koo H.
Published: May 2012

Culturing methods are the primary approach for microbiological analysis of plaque biofilms in rodent models of dental caries. In this study, we developed strategies for the isolation of DNA and RNA from plaque biofilms formed in vivo to analyse the viable bacterial population and gene expression. Plaque biofilm samples from rats were treated with propidium monoazide to isolate DNA from viable cells, and the purified DNA was used to quantify total bacteria and the Streptococcus mutans population via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and specific primers; the same samples were also analysed by counting colony‐forming units (CFU). In parallel, RNA was isolated from plaque‐biofilm samples (from the same animals) and used for transcriptional analyses via reverse transcription‐qPCR. The viable populations of both S. mutans and total bacteria assessed by qPCR were positively correlated with the CFU data (P < 0.001; r > 0.8). However, the qPCR data showed higher bacterial cell counts, particularly for total bacteria (vs. CFU). Moreover, S. mutans proportion in the plaque biofilm determined by qPCR analysis showed strong correlation with incidence of smooth‐surface caries (P = 0.0022, r = 0.71). The purified RNAs presented high RNA integrity numbers (>7), which allowed measurement of the expression of genes that are critical for S. mutans virulence (e.g. gtfB and gtfC). Our data show that the viable microbial population and the gene expression can be analysed simultaneously, providing a global assessment of the infectious aspect of dental caries. Our approach could enhance the value of the current rodent model in further understanding the pathophysiology of this disease and facilitating the exploration of novel anti‐caries therapies.
Impact of a debate on pharmacy students' views of online pharmacy practice
Authors: Bussières Jean-François , Delicourt Anais , Belaid Nedjma , Quirion Marie-Pierre , Desroches Julien , Bégin Josiane , Fragasso-Marquis Anne-Marie , Lamarre Diane
Published: May 2012

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of a debate on pharmacy students' perceptions, using online pharmacy practice as the debate topic.

Methods

This is a quasi-experimental interrupted time-series study. A 60 min debate was organized as a lunchtime meeting. A four-category Likert scale questionnaire (fully agree, partially agree, partially disagree, fully disagree) measured the debate participants' level of agreement with 25 statements (main issues associated with online pharmacy) in the pre-phase (before the debate), post-phase 1 (after the debate) and post-phase 2 (6 months after the debate). One hundred and seventy-seven students were recruited (response rate of 100% in the pre-phase and post-phase 1, 31% in post-phase 2). Four questions measured the perceptions of the students on this pedagogical technique.

Key findings

The overall proportion of respondents in favour of online pharmacy practice showed little variation among the three phases. However, on average (mean ± SD) 43 ± 8% of the respondents changed their opinion, 21 ± 7% reversed their opinion, 22 ± 4% nuanced their opinion and 1 ± 1% radically changed their opinion. Respectively 98% (post-phase 1) and 96% (post-phase 2) of the respondents were of the opinion that debate was a very useful teaching formula in their pharmacist training and 79 and 66% thought debate significantly changed their opinion of the issue.

Conclusions

Few data have been collected on the use of debates as part of healthcare professional training. The impact of a debate on how pharmacy students feel about online pharmacy practice is described.
Public knowledge and awareness of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors: a cross-sectional study of 1000 Jordanians
Authors: Mukattash Tareq L , Shara Mohd , Jarab Anan S , Al-Azzam Sayer I , Almaaytah Ammar , Al Hamarneh Yazid N
Published: May 2012

Objective

To assess the level of the current knowledge and understanding of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Jordan's general public, their behaviour towards CVD and the factors associated with different CVD knowledge levels.

Methods

The data in the present study were collected using an interview-administered questionnaire. One thousand members of the general public were interviewed face to face. CVD knowledge was computed as a continuous variable.

Key findings

The present study reports limited public knowledge and awareness of CVD. Participants were more likely to have better CVD knowledge scores if they were non-smokers, always or often paid attention to their diet, reported having an ‘about right’ weight, occupied a very high socioeconomic level, held a university degree and had positive family history of CVD. Participants indicated that the community pharmacists had to play a role in helping patients manage their prescribed medicines; however, they did not recognise the community pharmacists' role in other areas of CVD prevention and management.

Conclusion

The present study reports that the general public in Jordan has limited knowledge and awareness of CVD. In planning to positively impact CVD prevention and management, community pharmacists must develop and promote effective and accessible services.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Kapitza Conductance Prediction of Si/Au Systems Using the New Full 2NN MEAM Si/Au Cross-Potential
Authors: Abs da Cruz Carolina , Chantrenne Patrice , Kleber Xavier
Published: May 2012

Superlattices made by superposing dielectric and metal nanolayers are of great interest as their small size restricts the thermal energy carrier mean free path, decreasing the thermal conductivity and thereby increasing the thermoelectric figure of merit. It is, therefore, essential to predict their thermal conductivity. Potentials for Au and Si are discussed, and the potential of second nearest-neighbor modified embedded atom method (2NN MEAM) is chosen as being the best for simulating heat transfer in Si/Au systems. Full 2NN MEAM Si/Au cross-potential parameterization is developed, and the results are compared with ab initio calculations to test its ability to reproduce local density approximation (LDA) calculations. Volume-constant (NVT) molecular dynamics simulations are performed to deposit Au atoms on an Si substrate by physical vapor deposition, and the results of the intermixing zone are in good agreement with the Cahn and Hilliard theory. Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are performed for an average temperature of 300 K to determine the Kapitza conductance of Si/Au systems, and the obtained value of 158 MW/m 2 K is in good agreement with the results of Komarov et al. for Au deposited on isotopically pure Si- 28 and natural Si, with values ranging between 133 and 182 MW/m2 K.
Thermal Investigation Into Power Multiplexing for Homogeneous Many-Core Processors
Authors: Prakash Gupta Man , Cho Minki , Mukhopadhyay Saibal , Kumar Satish
Published: May 2012

In this paper, a proactive thermal management technique called “power multiplexing” is explored for many-core processors. Power multiplexing involves redistribution of the locations of active cores at regular time intervals to obtain uniform thermal profile with low peak temperature. Three different migration policies namely random, cyclic, and global coolest replace have been employed for power multiplexing and their efficacy in reducing the peak temperature and thermal gradient on chip is investigated. For a given migration frequency, global coolest replace policy is found to be the most effective among the three policies considered as this policy provides 10 °C reduction in peak temperature and 20 °C reduction in maximum spatial temperature difference on a 256 core chip. Power configuration on the chip is characterized by a parameter called “proximity index” which emerges as an important parameter to represent the spatial power distribution on a chip. We also notice that the overall performance of the chip could be improved by 10% using global multiplexing.
Unsteady Flow of Third Grade Fluid With Soret and Dufour Effects
Authors: Hayat T. , Awais M. , Asghar S. , Obaidat S.
Published: May 2012

Unsteady flow of a third grade fluid in the presence of Soret and Dufour effects is considered. Employing similarity transformations, the governing equation for the velocity, concentration, and temperature fields is presented. The computations for the corresponding problems are performed by using a homotopy analysis method (HAM). The associated behavior of the flow parameters is discussed and important conclusions have been pointed out.
Design of an Active Ankle-Foot Prosthesis Utilizing a Four-Bar Mechanism
Authors: Bergelin Bryan J. , Voglewede Philip A.
Published: May 2012

This article discusses the design and testing of a powered ankle prosthesis. This new prosthesis mimics nonamputee (normal) ankle moments during the stance phase of gait through the use of an optimized spring loaded four-bar mechanism. A prototype prosthesis based on the optimization was designed, fabricated, and tested. The experimental results achieved 93.3% of the simulated theoretical ankle moment giving substantial evidence that this approach is a viable in designing powered ankle prostheses.
The Impulsive Action Integral for Rigid-Body Mechanical Systems With Impacts
Authors: Yunt Kerim
Published: May 2012

There is a missing link in analytical mechanics which shows that general impactive processes are obtained by extremizing some sort of action integral for which momentum and energy are not necessarily conserved. In this work, the conditions under which general nonconserving impacts become a part of an extremizing solution for mechanical systems, which are scleronomic (not explicitly time depending) and holonomic, are investigated. The stationarity conditions of an impulsive action integral are investigated and the main theorem is proven. The general momentum balance and the total energy change over a collisional impact for a mechanical scleronomic holonomic finite-dimensional Lagrangian system are obtained in the form of stationarity conditions of a modified action integral under a regularity condition on the impactive transition sets.
Optimization of Natural Air Cooling in a Vertical Channel of Electronic Equipment
Authors: Nishino Yasushi , Ishizuka Masaru , Hatakeyama Tomoyuki , Nakagawa Shinji
Published: May 2012

The natural convection cooling capability in a compact item of electronic equipment was investigated quantitatively by experiment and numerical simulation with a simple channel model. The optimization of the channel sizes, especially the clearance between heated walls, was discussed. The channel model, which consists of a vertical duct of rectangular section, was applied as the experimental model of electronic equipment in this study. The channel model consists of two heated copper walls and two transparent acrylic walls. The clearance between the copper walls of the channel was varied from 5 mm to 15 mm. Temperature measurement on the copper wall surfaces and velocity measurement of natural air flow in the channel by using a particle image velocimetry (PIV) were conducted for a few clearances of the channel. Numerical simulation was also carried out, with a model following the experimental setup, for more detailed discussion of various clearances of the channel. The relationship between the clearance and the temperature rise of the walls or velocity profile was investigated. The correlation between the Rayleigh number and the Nusselt number was obtained from measured temperature. The natural cooling capability and the velocity profiles depend on the clearance between the copper walls. When the wall clearances are more than 15 mm, the cooling is not enhanced. On the other hand, in the case that the clearance becomes less than 7 mm, the cooling capability becomes significantly lower. Consequently, it is clarified that the clearance from 8 mm to 10 mm is the best size for natural cooling from the view point of the space and the capability.