bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying the Multivariate Time-Rescaling Theorem to Neural Population Models
Authors: Gerhard Felipe , Haslinger Robert , Pipa Gordon
Published: May 2011

Statistical models of neural activity are integral to modern neuroscience. Recently interest has grown in modeling the spiking activity of populations of simultaneously recorded neurons to study the effects of correlations and functional connectivity on neural information processing. However, any statistical model must be validated by an appropriate goodness-of-fit test. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests based on the time-rescaling theorem have proven to be useful for evaluating point-process-based statistical models of single-neuron spike trains. Here we discuss the extension of the time-rescaling theorem to the multivariate (neural population) case. We show that even in the presence of strong correlations between spike trains, models that neglect couplings between neurons can be erroneously passed by the univariate time-rescaling test. We present the multivariate version of the time-rescaling theorem and provide a practical step-by-step procedure for applying it to testing the sufficiency of neural population models. Using several simple analytically tractable models and more complex simulated and real data sets, we demonstrate that important features of the population activity can be detected only using the multivariate extension of the test.
Regularized Parameter Estimation in High-Dimensional Gaussian Mixture Models
Authors: Ruan Lingyan , Yuan Ming , Zou Hui
Published: May 2011

Finite gaussian mixture models are widely used in statistics thanks to their great flexibility. However, parameter estimation for gaussian mixture models with high dimensionality can be challenging because of the large number of parameters that need to be estimated. In this letter, we propose a penalized likelihood estimator to address this difficulty. The [Formula: see text]-type penalty we impose on the inverse covariance matrices encourages sparsity on its entries and therefore helps to reduce the effective dimensionality of the problem. We show that the proposed estimate can be efficiently computed using an expectation-maximization algorithm. To illustrate the practical merits of the proposed method, we consider its applications in model-based clustering and mixture discriminant analysis. Numerical experiments with both simulated and real data show that the new method is a valuable tool for high-dimensional data analysis.
An Estimation of Generalized Bradley-Terry Models Based on the em Algorithm
Authors: Fujimoto Yu , Hino Hideitsu , Murata Noboru
Published: May 2011

The Bradley-Terry model is a statistical representation for one's preference or ranking data by using pairwise comparison results of items. For estimation of the model, several methods based on the sum of weighted Kullback-Leibler divergences have been proposed from various contexts. The purpose of this letter is to interpret an estimation mechanism of the Bradley-Terry model from the viewpoint of flatness, a fundamental notion used in information geometry. Based on this point of view, a new estimation method is proposed on a framework of the em algorithm. The proposed method is different in its objective function from that of conventional methods, especially in treating unobserved comparisons, and it is consistently interpreted in a probability simplex. An estimation method with weight adaptation is also proposed from a viewpoint of the sensitivity. Experimental results show that the proposed method works appropriately, and weight adaptation improves accuracy of the estimate.
Beyond the “Obama Effect”: Refining the Instruments of Engagement Through U.S. Public Diplomacy
Authors: Hayden Craig
Published: May 2011

The election of President Barack Obama in 2008 was hailed by many as a positive development for the image of the United States abroad. Yet the Obama presidency, by itself, does not constitute a public diplomacy strategy. This article addresses the state of U.S. public diplomacy at the start of the Obama administration and references how media reaction to Obama’s election provides insight into the role of the presidency in U.S. public diplomacy and its ability to translate popularity into tangible policy gains. Public diplomacy is considered in this article as both a communication strategy and foreign policy imperative that has been neglected as an institutional means to amplify the global popularity of the president and U.S. foreign policy objectives. The article argues that the confluence of Obama’s personal communication efforts and policy strategy and the global context of ubiquitous social media technologies indicates a productive moment for U.S. public diplomacy planners and policy advocates to capitalize on the president’s popularity through a reinvigorated strategy of engagement.
Change and Continuity in Concession and Victory Speeches: Race, Gender, and Age in the Closing Statements of the 2008 Presidential Campaign
Authors: Wayne Howell B.
Published: May 2011

Given the controversies related to race, gender, and age that characterized the 2008 campaign, and the uniquely historic outcome of the presidential election, one might expect deviations from rhetorical conventions associated with the concession and victory statements that marked the end of the campaign. This essay examines issues related to the race, gender, and age of Barack Obama, John McCain, and Sarah Palin that were manifest during the campaign and the ways McCain and Obama addressed those controversial issues in their respective concession and victory speeches. The candidates’ speeches maintained continuity with the generic aspects of concession and victory speeches. Within those generic constraints, McCain and Obama primarily addressed aspects of race. McCain implicitly addressed contemporary and continuing issues related to gender, whereas Obama did not, but neither candidate addressed issues related to age.
Listening to President Obama: A Short Examination of Obama’s Communication Practices
Authors: Sevin Efe , Kimball Spencer , Khalil Mohammed
Published: May 2011

This article brings three divergent fields of expertise together to take a closer look at President Barack H. Obama’s first 2 years in office. From a theoretical perspective, the changes in the understanding of communication and their impacts on international affairs are discussed. From a domestic politics perspective, Obama’s policy making and practices for communicating these policies to the public are assessed. Obama’s record in responding to the demands and challenges of the 21st century are introduced from a foreign politics standpoint. It is now known that the promises given and the practices employed during the election campaigns encourage government transparency, open communication, and grassroots movements. The authors argue that it is up to the Obama presidency to fulfill the expectations of not only American citizens but also of the global public and address current issues through the aforementioned practices.
The Ghosts of Counseling Psychology: Is Counseling Research Really Dead?
Authors: Murdock Nancy L.
Published: May 2011

Scheel et al. offer an interesting analysis on the publication rate of counseling-related research articles in counseling psychology’s two major journals. In this reaction to their work, the author considers various aspects of their results and contemplates possible explanations for the decline of counseling-related publications.
Degradation of glass fiber-reinforced plastic composites containing nanoclay in alkaline environment
Authors: Zhu Hong-Gang , Leung Christopher K.Y. , Kim Jang-Kyo , Liu Ming-Yang
Published: May 2011

The durability of glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) composites made from neat epoxy and organoclay nanocomposite in the alkaline environment is studied. Accelerated tests are performed by immersing the composite plates in the alkaline solution at 60°C. The tensile test and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis test are performed to evaluate the residual tensile properties and thermo-mechanical properties of aged GFRPs, while Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, micro-indenter, and scanning electron microscopy are employed to characterize the deterioration of the matrix, fiber, and fiber–matrix interface in GFRPs. The tensile properties and storage modulus of the GFRP composites are reduced with increasing aging time. Interestingly, the reduction is significantly mitigated when the organoclay nanocomposite is used as the matrix material. Degradation of matrix material, weakening of fiber–matrix interfacial bonding, and corrosion of glass fibers contribute to the property reduction in both composites. The excellent barrier characteristics of organoclay in the matrix are responsible for the superior performance of the GFRPs made from nanocomposite matrix, which in turn reduces the degree of corrosion of glass fibers.
Synthesis, characterization and swelling behaviors of guar gum-g-poly(sodium acrylate-co-styrene)/vermiculite superabsorbent composites
Authors: Shi Xiaoning , Wang Wenbo , Wang Aiqin
Published: May 2011

A series of novel superabsorbent composites guar gum- g-poly(sodium acrylate- co-styrene)/vermiculite (GG- g-poly(NaA- co-St)/VMT) were prepared by the simultaneous graft copolymerization of guar gum (GG), partially neutralized acrylic acid (NaA), styrene (St) and vermiculite (VMT) using ammonium persulfate (APS) as the initiator and N,N′-methylene- bis-acrylamide (MBA) as the crosslinker. Fourier transform–infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy revealed that NaA and St had been grafted onto GG main-chain, and VMT participated in polymerization reaction. The simultaneous incorporation of St and VMT improved the surface pore structure, and VMT led to a better dispersion in the polymer matrix as shown by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Swelling results indicated that the inclusion of proper amount of St and VMT in the superabsorbents induced enhanced swelling capability, rate, and salt-resistant performance. Moreover, the composites showed good pH-stability in the solution of various pHs, and exhibited smart swelling–shrinking on–off swelling characteristic in physiological solution, which can be used as promising candidate for its applications in various fields.
Modeling of metal removal rate in machining of aluminum matrix composite using artificial neural network
Authors: Kumar K.L. Senthil , Sivasubramanian R.
Published: May 2011

Aluminum alloy reinforced with silicon carbide particles is a favored particulate metal–matrix composite which exhibits qualities like excellent strength-to-weight ratio, high thermal conductivity, hardness, and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Unfortunately, the same properties make them difficult both in manufacturing as well as machining. In this study, stir-cast A356/SiCp metal matrix composite is machined using electrochemical machining. Experiments are conducted by following Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array design of experiments. Four independent variables, namely applied voltage, electrolyte concentration, electrode feed rate, and amount of reinforcement, are chosen and the metal removal rate is determined. A multilayer artificial neural network with back-propagation technique is employed to model the experimental data. A comparison made between predicted values and experimental values reveals a close matching with an average prediction error of 6.48%.
Effects of titanate coupling agent on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/hydroxyapatite denture base composites
Authors: Tham W.L. , Chow W.S. , Mohd Ishak Z.A.
Published: May 2011

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) denture base composites were prepared using heat-processing polymers powder–liquid method, according to dental laboratory practice. The HA was pre-treated by isopropyl triisostearoyl titanate coupling agent (TCA) in order to improve the interfacial bonding between HA and PMMA. The effects of different concentration of titanate coupling agent (i.e., 2–8%) on the mechanical and morphological properties of PMMA were investigated. It was found that PMMA/2% TCA-treated HA composites exhibited higher flexural modulus and strength compared to PMMA/untreated HA composites. This is attributed to the enhanced interfacial interaction between PMMA and HA by the titanate coupling agent. However, for the PMMA/HA treated with 6% and 8% of TCA, the flexural properties was slightly reduced, which may associated to the plasticizing effects caused by excessive concentration of coupling agent. In addition, the fracture toughness properties of PMMA/5HA composites were influenced by the different concentration of TCA. The thermal properties of the PMMA/HA composites were enhanced by the treatment of titanate coupling agent.
Influence of surface modification of montomorillonite on properties of PVC nanocomposites
Authors: Shimpi N.G. , Mishra S.
Published: May 2011

Column chromatographic technique was used for improvement in d-spacing of montomorillonite using quaternary ammonium salt as an intercalent with a cation exchange capacity of 110 meq/100 g. The modified clay was then referred as organically modified montomorillonite (OMMT). Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) nanocomposites were prepared through direct melt compounding on a conventional twin screw extruder with variation in mass percentage of loadings (3–12%). Due to improved d-spacing of OMMT the polymer chains get exfoliated in between the plates of clay and dispersed uniformly. The properties of the nanocomposites were found to be appreciable up to 12 mass% loading of OMMT. Rheological data like torque, fusion time, viscosity, and shear rate were also recorded on Brabender Plasticorder. The improvement in properties with increase in amount of OMMT loading was evidenced from reduction in shear viscosity and torque. Also nanoclay is acting as a lubricating agent with packing effect, which reduces the torque with decrease in viscosity. Moreover, a strong interaction between PVC molecules and nanolayers, which leads to greater nucleation with, improved d-spacing. Due to the soft nature of OMMT and improvement in d-spacing, the processing of PVC becomes easier. Also it is noteworthy that nanoclay may be attributed as a nucleating agent.
Variable Preferences for Sexual Dimorphism in Stature (SDS) Might Not Be Universal
Authors: Sorokowski Piotr , Sorokowska Agnieszka , Fink Bernhard , Mberira Mara
Published: May 2011

In Western societies women prefer relatively taller men as potential partners, whereas men prefer women to be slightly shorter than them. Here we report data on relative height preferences in a traditional ethnic group, i.e. the Himba, in which men and women do not show such a strong preference. Thus our data challenges the view of a universal preference for taller men, by suggesting that height preferences may be influenced by environmental and ecological conditions.
Socialization Values in Stable and Changing Societies
Authors: Tulviste Tiia , Mizera Luule , De Geer Boel
Published: May 2011

Although socialization values have been consistently linked to sociocultural context, little is known about the question of to what extent societal change is reflected in socialization values. The present study’s aim was to address this research gap by comparing the short-term and long-term socialization values of mothers of adolescents from two different cultural groups (142 ethnic Estonian and 65 Russian-speaking mothers) living in a country of transition—Estonia—to those of 150 Swedish mothers residing in the relatively stable Sweden. The Child-Rearing Value Questionnaire consisted of two different tasks: (a) open-ended questions and (b) item ranking task. Answers to open-ended questions about valuable characteristics in the child in the present, in adulthood, and the mothers’ own characteristics they would like to pass to their children showed that the Swedish mothers’ short-term and long-term socialization values did not differ. The answers of Estonian and Russian Estonian mothers, in turn, appeared to reflect socialization value change in Estonia toward less emphasis on traditional values: The Estonian mothers mentioned conformity values and Russian Estonian mothers hard work less frequently when describing children in adulthood than when describing themselves. Both Estonian and Russian Estonian mothers stressed achievement when describing children in adulthood, whereas achievement and hard work were mentioned less frequently when describing children in the present. In the item-choosing task, the Swedish mothers were more likely than mothers living in Estonia to choose “belief in his/her abilities” among the three most important characteristics.
Social Anxiety and Holistic Cognition
Authors: Norasakkunkit Vinai , Kitayama Shinobu , Uchida Yukiko
Published: May 2011

Previous cultural psychological studies suggest that East Asians tend to think more holistically than Westerners and that these cultural differences in cognition are accounted for, in part, by psychological processes associated with a predominant social orientation of the self as independent in the West and as interdependent in the East. In addition to examining these self-construal variables as predictors of holistic cognition, the current study also examined the role that a self-focused manifestation of social anxiety ( social phobia tendencies) common in the United States and the role that an other-focused manifestation of social anxiety ( taijin kyofusho, or TKS tendencies) common in Japan play in holistic cognition. Samples of 142 Japanese and 125 Americans completed an instrument that measures degree of skill in holistic cognition and then completed measures of self-construal, social phobia, and TKS. The current study found that, in unpackaging cultural differences in holistic cognition, social phobia tendencies, given their self-focused nature, were associated with decreased levels of holistic cognition while TKS tendencies, given their other-focused nature, were associated with increased levels of holistic cognition. Thus, holistic cognition served as an important basic cognitive feature which distinguishes between the two culturally divergent versions of social anxiety. Furthermore, independent self-construal was found to be more strongly associated with the self-focused component of social anxiety while interdependent self-construal was only associated with the other-focused component of social anxiety.
Differential Language Effects on Numerical Skills in Second Grade
Authors: Krinzinger Helga , Gregoire Jacques , Desoete Annemie , Kaufmann Liane , Nuerk Hans-Christoph , Willmes Klaus
Published: May 2011

Little is known about the causes of cross-cultural specifics of numerical development. The authors examined effects of inversion (a linguistic effect) on three different numerical tasks in 220 second graders from France, Wallonia, Flanders, Germany, and Austria tested for the standardization of the dyscalculia test TEDI-MATH. Results revealed that performance differences between countries are only partly attributable to language effects, but group differences in recognition of unit- and decade-digits and subtraction are more likely due to curricular effects. As expected, language effects due to the inversion principle could be observed in writing Arabic numbers to dictation affecting performance both specifically as well as in a generalized way being present in different error types. These results clearly show that numerical skills do not develop in a unitary fashion and that cross-cultural differences can be due to several factors.
Cultural Variation in Numeration Systems and Their Mapping Onto the Mental Number Line
Authors: Bender Andrea , Beller Sieghard
Published: May 2011

The ability to exactly assess large numbers hinges on cultural tools such as counting sequences and thus offers a great opportunity to study how culture interacts with cognition. To obtain a more comprehensive picture of the cultural variance in number representation, this article argues for the inclusion of cross-linguistic analyses. It scrutinizes the specific counting systems of Polynesian and Micronesian languages that were once derived from an abstract and regular system by extension in three dimensions. The linguistic origins, cognitive properties, and cultural context of these specific counting systems are analyzed, and their implications for the nature of a (putative) mental number line are discussed.
Bisphosphonates Inhibit Expression of p63 by Oral Keratinocytes
Authors: Scheller E.L. , Baldwin C.M. , Kuo S. , D’Silva N.J. , Feinberg S.E. , Krebsbach P.H. , Edwards P.C.
Published: May 2011

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), a side-effect of bisphosphonate therapy, is characterized by exposed bone that fails to heal within eight weeks. Healing time of oral epithelial wounds is decreased in the presence of amino-bisphosphonates; however, the mechanism remains unknown. We examined human tissue from individuals with ONJ and non-bisphosphonate-treated controlindividuals to identify changes in oral epithelium and connective tissue. Oral and intravenous bisphosphonate-treated ONJ sites had reduced numbers of basal epithelial progenitor cells, as demonstrated by a 13.8 ± 1.1% and 31.9 ± 5.8% reduction of p63 expression, respectively. No significant differences in proliferation rates, vessel density, or macrophage number were noted. In vitro treatment of clonal and primary oral keratinocytes with zoledronic acid (ZA) inhibited p63, and expression was rescued by the addition of mevalonate pathway intermediates. In addition, both ZA treatment and p63 shRNA knock-down impaired formation of 3D Ex Vivo Produced Oral Mucosa Equivalents (EVPOME) and closure of an in vitro scratch assay. Analysis of our data suggests that bisphosphonate treatment may delay oral epithelial healing by interfering with p63-positive progenitor cells in the basal layer of the oral epithelium in a mevalonate-pathway-dependent manner. This delay in healing may increase the likelihood of osteonecrosis developing in already-compromised bone.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Exposure‐Response of Albinterferon Alfa‐2b
Authors: Riggs Matthew M. , Bergsma Timothy T. , Rogers James A. , Gastonguay Marc R. , Subramanian G. Mani , Chen Cecil , Devalaraja Matt , Corey Alfred E. , Sun Haiying , Yu Jing , Stein Daniel S.
Published: May 2011

Albinterferon alfa‐2b (albIFN) has been studied for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). A population pharmacokinetics model was developed using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling. Efficacy/safety exposure‐response relationships were assessed for subcutaneous albIFN doses (900–1800 μg once every 2 or 4 weeks) administered for either 24 weeks (HCV genotypes 2/3) or 48 weeks (genotype 1), plus daily oral ribavirin. Sustained virologic response (SVR) exposure‐response was modeled using logistic regression. Adverse event incidence was tabulated versus exposure quartiles. First‐order absorption rate constant (0.0148 h−1), apparent clearance (38.9 mL/h), and apparent volume of distribution (11.6 L) had interindividual variances (coefficient of variation) of 21%, 34%, and 24%, respectively. Residual variance estimates were 27% (coefficient of variation) and 1.51 ng/mL (standard deviation). For the only explanatory covariate—body weight—exposure decreased as weight increased. Important SVR predictors included baseline HCV RNA, fibrosis score, and black race (genotype 1); SVR was minimally related to exposure. Most adverse events had similar incidence rates across exposure quartiles. Some adverse events had a higher incidence in the upper exposure quartile without evidence of exposure‐response across the lower quartiles. Given the lack of consistent efficacy/safety exposure‐response relationships, further investigation is necessary to optimize albIFN dosing.
Pharmacodynamic Modeling of the Effects of Lanreotide Autogel on Growth Hormone and Insulin‐Like Growth Factor 1
Authors: Garrido María J. , Cendrós Josep‐María , Ramis Joaquim , Peraire Concepción , Obach Rosendo , Trocóniz Iñaki F.
Published: May 2011

Acromegaly arises from excessive levels of growth hormone (GH), many of whose effects are mediated by stimulation of secretion of insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1). Synthetic somatostatin analogues inhibit GH secretion. The objective of the study was to develop a population pharmacodynamic model describing the relationship between serum concentrations of lanreotide (CP) and its GH and IGF‐1 effects in patients with acromegaly receiving lanreotide Autogel (LA) at doses of 60, 90, or 120 mg by deep subcutaneous route every 28 days. Data were analyzed from 104 patients. The GH and IGF‐1 profiles were fit simultaneously using the population approach with NONMEM. The GH vs CP and the IGF‐1 vs GH relationships were described using inhibitory Imax and Emax models, respectively. Results indicated that lanreotide cannot abolish GH completely. CP levels of 3.4 ng/mL are required to achieve percentages of hormonal control (GH and IGF‐1) of 21% and 36% in not treated and previously treated patients. If the focus is only GH, a CP of 3.4 ng/mL corresponds to 33% and 56% controlling rates. Simulations showed that there is a possible clinical benefit if the highest dose of 120 mg LA is administered to patients who are not well controlled by lower doses of LA.
Influence of a Fat‐Rich Meal on Bioavailability of Extended‐Release and Immediate‐Release Propiverine
Authors: Siegmund Werner , Siegert Joachim , Richter Klaus , Schnabel Frieder , Feustel Cornelia , Kirch Wilhelm
Published: May 2011

The muscarinic receptor antagonist propiverine is unique insofar as extended‐release (ER) tablets are of higher bioavailability than immediate‐release (IR) tablets; this is caused by lower “first‐pass” elimination of propiverine via CYP3A4 and efflux transporters in the distal small intestine and colon. Food may influence gastrointestinal transiting and, in turn, may affect regional absorption of propiverine IR and ER. Therefore, food effects on disposition of 30 mg IR and 45 mg ER were measured in a randomized, open, 4‐period interaction study in 24 healthy participants. In fasting participants, ER had higher bioavailability than IR (Frel = 169%, P = .03). Fat‐rich meal did not change the disposition of ER markedly (AUC0‐∞ ratio, 1.00 [90% confidence interval (CI), 0.90–1.11], Cmax ratio, 0.97 [0.87–1.09]). However, Cmax and renal Ae of the major N‐oxidized metabolite (M‐5) significantly increased, whereas t1/2 decreased. By eating a fat‐rich meal before administration, the differences in absorption of IR and ER were nearly abolished (AUC0‐infin; ratio for propiverine, 1.12 [90% CI, 0.95–1.33]; AUC0‐∞ ratio for M‐5, 0.89 [0.82–0.95]). In conclusion, propiverine ER has higher bioavailability than IR and no positive food effect because it reaches, independently of food, intestinal absorption areas with lower metabolism and efflux transport, which results in constant absorption rates.
Characterization of the Microanatomy and Histopathology of Placentas From Aborted, Stillborn, and Normally Delivered Alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and Llamas (Lama glama)
Authors: Schaefer D. L. , Bildfell R. J. , Long P. , Löhr C. V.
Published: May 2011

From 2002 to 2007, 101 camelid abortions and stillbirths were submitted to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University (84 alpacas [ Vicugna pacos], 13 llamas [ Lama glama], 4 unknown). For most cases ( n = 67), a cause was not determined by routine testing. Eighty-five submissions included placenta for microscopic examination, of which 55 were from abortions to unknown causes (idiopathic). Microscopic features of placentas from abortion/stillbirth were compared with those from 19 camelids delivered normally (6 alpacas, 12 llamas, 1 unknown) and with those from 4 alpaca fetuses of known gestational age collected during the dam’s necropsy. The most common microscopic findings in abortion/stillbirth placentas were mineralization ( n = 57) and mucinous edema ( n = 27) of the chorioallantoic stroma. One or more of these features were also observed in 22 of 23 placentas from normal pregnancies/deliveries and therefore interpreted as incidental findings. The comparison of alpaca placentas after matching for gestational parameters (crown–rump length, weight, days of gestation; n = 41) revealed hypoplasia of placental villi in 5 of 22 idiopathic abortions and in 1 abortion due to umbilical torsion; hypoplasia was further suspected in an additional 6 abortions of unknown cause and 2 abortions of known cause. The identified villous hypoplasia is assumed to have resulted in placental insufficiency. When placental insufficiency is included as cause, idiopathic abortions are reduced from 66.2 to 47.9% of alpaca cases with histopathologic examination of placenta and from 66.3 to 52.5% of alpaca and llama abortions overall. This study also permitted the generation of a linear regression curve correlating alpaca fetal crown–rump length with fetal age.
Surfing on the edge of chaos: Nonlinear science and the emergence of a doctrine of preventive war in the US
Authors: Lawson Sean
Published: May 2011

This article argues that during the 1990s, military professionals and civilian defense experts in the US used concepts and metaphors from nonlinear science to translate tenets of 1980s battlefield strategy and tactics into theories of international politics and foreign policy that posited the necessity of speed and offense in the face of a supposedly more chaotic and dangerous post-Cold War world. Ultimately, the most militaristic of the lessons supposedly learned from and justified by the ‘new sciences’ made their way to the highest reaches of the US Department of Defense under President G.W. Bush, and served as a foundation for acting quickly and preventively against ‘gathering threats’. In addition to allowing us to understand better the origins of the ‘Bush Doctrine’, this paper improves our understanding of the relationship between the sciences and the state/military in the post-Cold War US — in particular the role of scientific metaphor in national security discourses that have focused on the challenges and opportunities of new information and communication technologies.
Evaluation of different numerical approaches for a ventilated tunnel fire
Authors: Miloua Hadj , Azzi Abbes , Hui Ying Wang
Published: May 2011

The objective of this study is to examine the feasibility of two combustion models combined with a large-eddy simulation for a full-scale ventilated tunnel fire. The numerical model solves 3D, time-dependent Navier—Stokes equations, coupled with submodels for soot formation and thermal radiation transfer. Turbulent combustion process is modeled by an eddy dissipation concept (EDC) and mixture fraction (MF) approach by using two chemical reaction steps to CO prediction. The predicted temperature in the smoke and flame shape was compared through a Blind method to the experimental data of Apte et al. [Apte VB, Green AR and Kent JH. Pool fire plume flow in a large-scale wind tunnel. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Fire Safety Science, July 8-12, Edinburgh, UK: Elsevier; 1991, pp. 425—434] and Fletcher et al. [Fletcher DF, Kent JH, Apte VB and Green AR. Numerical simulations of smoke movement from a pool fire in a ventilated tunnel. Fire Safety J 1994; 23(4): 305—325]. The predicted results of Fletcher et al. [Fletcher DF, Kent JH, Apte VB and Green AR. Numerical simulations of smoke movement from a pool fire in a ventilated tunnel. Fire Safety J 1994; 23(4): 305—325] with k-ε model and of Gao et al. [Gao PZ, Liu SL, Chow WK and Fong NK. Large eddy simulations for studying tunnel smoke ventilation. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech 2004; 19(6): 577—586] with large-eddy simulation, both based on a single chemical reaction, are also included. Two boundary conditions, such as adiabatic wall and heat loss inside wall, were applied on the tunnel structure. Both the EDC and MF approaches are shown to possess the ability to predict the general behavior of the experimentally determined temperature field as the heat loss inside the tunnel walls is taken into account. While, it is felt that EDC is more convenient for simulation of a large-scale under-ventilated tunnel fire where the CO and soot yields required by using MF approach, vary significantly with the air to fuel ratio by mass.
Botulinum Toxin Type A on Oral Health in Treating Sialorrhea in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Wu Katie Pei-Hsuan , Ke Jyh-Yuh , Chen Chung-Yao , Chen Chia-Ling , Chou Ming-Yen , Pei Yu-Cheng
Published: May 2011

Intrasalivary gland injection of botulinum toxin type A is known to treat sialorrhea effectively in children with cerebral palsy. However, oral health may be compromised with escalating dose. In this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled pilot trial, the authors aim to determine the therapeutic effect of low-dose, ultrasonography-controlled botulinum toxin type A injection to bilateral parotid and submandibular glands on oral health in the management of sialorrhea. Twenty children diagnosed with cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The treatment group received botulinum toxin type A injections, whereas the control received normal saline in the same locations. The authors evaluated subjective drooling scales, salivary flow rate, and oral health (salivary compositions and cariogenic bacterial counts). A significant decrease was found in salivary flow rate at the 1- and 3-month follow-up in the botulinum toxin—treated group. The authors suggest that current protocol can effectively manage sialorrhea while maintaining oral health.
Ethics in Health Care Services for Young Persons With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Authors: Larivière-Bastien Danaë , Racine Eric
Published: May 2011

In this article we review and discuss some of the key ethical and social challenges that young persons with cerebral palsy face in health care delivery. We identify and explain these challenges, some of which are rarely discussed in contemporary medicine and biomedical ethics, partly because they are not considered genuine “ethical” challenges per se. Most of these challenges are heavily shaped by broader social context and institutional practices, which highlights the importance of nonbiological aspects of the care of young persons with cerebral palsy from an ethics standpoint.
A Case of Neurobrucellosis Presenting With Isolated Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Yilmaz Sanem , Serdaroglu Gul , Gokben Sarenur , Tekgul Hasan
Published: May 2011

Despite being a treatable and preventable zoonosis, brucellosis is still endemic in certain areas of the world. Nervous system involvement is a rare but an important complication of brucellosis in childhood. Neurobrucellosis should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of any kind of neurological signs, particularly in endemic areas. The authors present a patient with neurobrucellosis who presented with isolated intracranial hypertension without any other systemic symptoms of brucellosis.
YouTube Videos as a Teaching Tool and Patient Resource for Infantile Spasms
Authors: Lim Fat Mary Jane , Doja Asif , Barrowman Nick , Sell Erick
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this study was to assess YouTube videos for their efficacy as a patient resource for infantile spasms. Videos were searched using the terms infantile spasm, spasm, epileptic spasm, and West syndrome. The top 25 videos under each term were selected according to set criteria. Technical quality, diagnosis of infantile spasms, and suitability as a teaching resource were assessed by 2 neurologists using the Medical Video Rating Scale. There were 5858 videos found. Of the 100 top videos, 46% did not meet selection criteria. Mean rating for technical quality was 4.0 of 5 for rater 1 and 3.9 of 5 for rater 2. Raters found 60% and 64% of videos to accurately portray infantile spasms, respectively, with significant agreement (Cohen κ coefficient = 0.75, P < .001). Ten videos were considered excellent examples (grading of 5 of 5) by at least 1 rater. YouTube may be used as an excellent patient resource for infantile spasms if guided search practices are followed.
Reorganization of the Right Arcuate Fasciculus Following Left Arcuate Fasciculus Resection in Children With Intractable Epilepsy
Authors: Goradia Dhruman , Chugani Harry T. , Govindan Rajkumar Munian , Behen Michael , Juhász Csaba , Sood Sandeep
Published: May 2011

The authors evaluated postsurgical reorganization of the arcuate fasciculus longitudinally using diffusion tensor imaging in 10 children with intractable epilepsy, whose resections included the left arcuate fasciculus. Evaluation of fractional anisotropy before and after surgery (mean follow-up: 7.5 months) showed a significant increase ( P = .002) in the right arcuate fasciculus during follow-up. There was marked enlargement of the right arcuate fasciculus postsurgically in 8 patients. The change in right arcuate fasciculus fractional anisotropy values showed a positive correlation with interval between resection and postsurgical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ( P = .044). Comparison of 10 age-matched controls to patients pre- and postsurgery showed significantly reduced presurgery fractional anisotropy in the left ( P = .018) and right ( P = .036) arcuate fasciculus and no difference in postsurgery fractional anisotropy in the right arcuate fasciculus ( P = .399) in patients. These findings suggest a compensatory reorganization in the right arcuate fasciculus in children with intractable epilepsy following left arcuate fasciculus resection.
A Comprehensive Look at the Tip Wage
Authors: Bouvier Robinson Terrence
Published: May 2011

The Fair Labor Standards Act allows an employer to count tips received by employees as a credit toward the employer’s minimum wage requirements. This practice is especially prevalent in the restaurant and hospitality industry. In the past, some employers have been lax in their understanding of and compliance with the complicated regulations surrounding the tip wage and tip-pooling arrangements. Recently, however, employers have been hit with wage and hour investigations and legal actions and found themselves subject to significant liability. Employers, both large and small, are regularly shocked and amazed to find out that the wage policies they have had in place for years without any problem are in fact illegal and that they are now faced with paying doubled back wages for a 2-year and sometimes 3-year period. This article describes the regulations and how employers can avoid the pitfalls.
Employee Perceptions and the Motivation of Nonmonetary Incentives
Authors: Morrell Daniel L.
Published: May 2011

Nonmonetary incentive programs have been gaining notice recently because of the current economic downturn and the lack of financial resources necessary to support traditional monetary incentive programs. Nonmonetary incentive programs not only benefit employers through lower costs but also benefit employees by increasing their intrinsic motivation toward the job. However, how such programs are received by employees may vary greatly depending on employee perceptions related to internal and external pay equity, organizational justice, perceived managerial discretion and perceived organizational hardship. Compensation managers need to address these perceptions head-on to increase the success of nonmonetary incentives.
Distinguishing Blocking From Attenuation in Visual Selective Attention
Authors: Yiǧit-Elliott Serap , Palmer John , Moore Cathleen M.
Published: May 2011

Sensory information must be processed selectively in order to represent the world and guide behavior. How does such selection occur? Here we consider two alternative classes of selection mechanisms: In blocking, unattended stimuli are blocked entirely from access to downstream processes, and in attenuation, unattended stimuli are reduced in strength but if strong enough can still access downstream processes. Existing evidence as to whether blocking or attenuation is a more accurate model of human performance is mixed. Capitalizing on a general distinction between blocking and attenuation—blocking cannot be overcome by strong stimuli, whereas attenuation can—we measured how attention interacted with the strength of stimuli in two spatial selection paradigms, spatial filtering and spatial monitoring. The evidence was consistent with blocking for the filtering paradigm and with attenuation for the monitoring paradigm. This approach provides a general measure of the fate of unattended stimuli.
The Ease-of-Processing Heuristic and the Stability Bias
Authors: Kornell Nate , Rhodes Matthew G. , Castel Alan D. , Tauber Sarah K.
Published: May 2011

Judgments about memory are essential in promoting knowledge; they help identify trustworthy memories and predict what information will be retained in the future. In the three experiments reported here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying predictions about memory. In Experiments 1 and 2, single words were presented once or multiple times, in large or small type. There was a double dissociation between actual memory and predicted memory: Type size affected predicted but not actual memory, and future study opportunities affected actual memory but scarcely affected predicted memory. The results of Experiment 3 suggest that beliefs and judgments are largely independent, and neither consistently resembles actual memory. Participants’ underestimation of future learning—a stability bias—stemmed from an overreliance on their current memory state in making predictions about future memory states. The overreliance on type size highlights the fundamental importance of the ease-of-processing heuristic: Information that is easy to process is judged to have been learned well.
Banking on a Bad Bet
Authors: James Greta , Koehler Derek J.
Published: May 2011

Probability matching is the tendency to match choice probabilities to outcome probabilities in a binary prediction task. This tendency is a long-standing puzzle in the study of decision making under risk and uncertainty, because always predicting the more probable outcome across a series of trials (maximizing) would yield greater predictive accuracy and payoffs. In three experiments, we tied the predominance of probability matching over maximizing to a generally adaptive cognitive operation that generates expectations regarding the aggregate outcomes of an upcoming sequence of events. Under conditions designed to diminish the generation or perceived applicability of such expectations, we found that the frequency of probability-matching behavior dropped substantially and maximizing became the norm.
Numerical Simulation of Ductile Fracture in Cylindrical Tube Impacted Against a Rigid Surface
Authors: Gautam Sachin S. , Dixit P. M.
Published: May 2011

Impact of tubes has an extensive application in crashworthiness. Analytical and numerical studies on axial impact of tubes have been carried out mostly at low-to-moderate impact velocities at which only the buckling of tubes is observed. However, experimental observations show that tubes fracture when the impact velocity is high. The objective of this article is to study the fracture of cylindrical tubes impacted against a rigid surface by numerical simulation. First, through-the-thickness fracture at the impacted end is simulated at the impact velocity of 350 m/s. Then, a detailed parametric study is carried out with respect to various parameters like the friction coefficient, tube thickness, tube length, and impact velocity. With an increase in the friction coefficient, the spread of fracture is more toward the outer edge. Further, the spread of fracture toward the inner edge takes place in an inclined manner. At higher tube thickness, the spread of fracture ceases after some time without reaching the inner edge. The tube length is found to have no effect on the fracture. It is observed that the fracture spreads faster with the impact velocity.
Parameters for an Elasto-Plasto-Damage Model for the Stress–Strain Behavior of Cohesive Soils
Authors: Al-Shayea Naser A , Mohib Khuram R.
Published: May 2011

This article presents a constitutive model for cohesive soils that exhibits the post-peak strain-softening behavior. The model combines the elements of plasticity with damage mechanics to simulate the stress–strain behavior. The total strain increment is composed of an elasto-damage strain increment and a plastic strain increment. The post-peak stress drop is captured by the elasto-damage formulation, while the plasticity is superimposed beyond the elastic range. The elasto-damage strain increment is found using the elasto-damage formulation, while the plastic strain increment is found using either the Drucker–Prager classical plasticity model or as a function of the damage strain. To calibrate this model, an experimental program was conducted on a cohesive soil at different densities and water contents. The various physical and mechanical properties of this soil were determined. Triaxial compression tests, unconfined compression test, and hydrostatic tests were performed, in order to obtain the model parameters at different conditions. These parameters were used to calibrate the model, which was coded in FORTRAN computer programs to simulate the stress–strain behavior of cohesive soils. The model was verified and found to be a good predictor of the response of cohesive soil for the selected stress path.
Rehabilitating Terrorists Through Counter-Indoctrination: Lessons Learned From The Saudi Arabian Program
Authors: Lankford Adam , Gillespie Katherine
Published: May 2011

For years, experts have agreed that Saudi Arabia runs the best terrorist rehabilitation program around the world. However, recent events, including Al Qaeda’s December 25, 2009, attempt to blow up Northwest Flight 253, which put 289 innocent lives in danger and was apparently planned by a program graduate, have raised serious doubts. This study reexamines the leading social—psychological explanations for terrorist indoctrination to determine whether Saudi Arabia’s rehabilitation program seems properly designed to reverse the indoctrination process. By identifying both the elements of indoctrination that the Saudi Arabian program appears to counter and the elements which it fails to address, this study provides new recommendations for how terrorist rehabilitation programs can be significantly improved around the world.
Health Promotion and Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents in Turkey
Authors: Ortabag Tulay , Ozdemir Serpil , Bakir Bilal , Tosun Nuran
Published: May 2011

Adolescents experience the onset and development of several health-related behaviors. The purpose of this study is to determine health risk and promotion behaviors of adolescents between the ages of 11 and 19 who were attending and to test the reliability and validity analysis of the Turkish version of Adolescent Health Promotion Scale (AHPS). The study was a cross-sectional survey and the sample consisted of 1,351 participants. A questionnaire that included demographic information, health risk behaviors, and AHPS was used to collect data. In the current study, the Cronbach’s α coefficient for the AHPS was calculated as .92. Female students had significantly higher mean total scale scores than males ( p < .05). The 11–14 age group had a statistically significant higher scale total mean score than the 15–19 age group ( p = .001). International directives highlight the important function nurses fulfill in health promotion. Nurses may play a key role in school health services.
Law Enforcement Officers’ Attitudes About Domestic Violence
Authors: Gover Angela R. , Pudrzynska Paul Dagmar , Dodge Mary
Published: May 2011

This exploratory study examines attitudes about domestic violence among officers from a large urban police department. Additionally, this study examines whether attitudes vary according to officer characteristics. A total of 309 police officers responded to a survey that explored their attitudes and perceptions of domestic violence incidents. The results show that officers are well versed in handling domestic violence, though self-reports indicate that police personnel who respond to the calls are concerned about their limited amount of discretion. Additionally, when comparing attitudes based on officer characteristics, more similarities are found than differences. Implications for future research are discussed.