bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction: The Role of Ideas and the End of the Cold War
Authors: Tannenwald Nina , Wohlforth William C.
Published: April 2005

The end of the Cold War helped to prompt new interest in the study of ideas in international politics. Once the province of a few dedicated researchers on the fringes of the discipline, scholarship on the role of ideas now occupies an important place in the mainstream of North American and especially European international relations research. The five articles in this special issue of the journal are intended to move the research agenda on ideas and the end of the Cold War to a new level of rigor. They develop new models of how ideas affected the outcome and, in so doing, take stock of this event to refine our understanding of how ideas work in international politics. Although we seek a deeper understanding of the end of the Cold War itself, we also use this seminal case to clarify and advance the debate over the role of ideas in international politics more generally.
The Sociology of New Thinking: Elites, Identity Change, and the End of the Cold War
Authors: English Robert
Published: April 2005

This article recounts the origins of Soviet “new thinking” as a case study of how Soviet intellectuals sought to redefine national identity in response to the West. It demonstrates that new thinking was fundamentally normative, not instrumental, insofar as it was developed in a period (1950s–1960s) when “socialism” was thought to be materially outperforming capitalism. It also demonstrates that new thinking decisively affected Soviet policy in the second half of the 1980s. Putting forth a socialization argument to show how newthinking ideas originated in the post-Stalin period within a community of intellectuals, the article charts the growing influence of these intellectuals through the 1970s and 1980s. In the mid-1980s, when Gorbachev became general secretary of the Communist Party and empowered many of the new thinkers as advisers, their liberal, Westernizing ideas played an indispensable role in shaping his reforms. The analysis focuses on mechanisms of identity change at two levels: that of the community of reformist intellectuals, and that of the Soviet Union itself. The analysis challenges realist and rationalist views that new thinking was largely instrumental. Until the Gorbachev era, Soviet reformers advocated new-thinking ideas often at the risk of their personal, professional, and institutional interests.
Knowledge, technology and nursing: The case of NHS Direct
Authors: Hanlon Gerard , Strangleman Tim , Goode Jackie , Luff Donna , O’Cathain Alicia , Greatbatch David
Published: April 2005

NHS Direct is a relatively new, nurse-based, 24-hour health advice line run as part of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The service delivers health advice remotely via the telephone. A central aspect of the service is the attempt to provide a standard level of health advice regardless of time, space or the background of the nurse. At the heart of this attempt is an innovative health software called CLINICAL ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (CAS). Using a number of qualitative methods, this article highlights how the interaction between the nursing staff and this technology is key to the service. The technology is based on management’s attempt to standardize and control the caller-nurse relationship. Thus the software can be seen as part of an abstract rationality, whereas how it is deployed by nurses is based on a practical rationality that places practice and experience first and sees the technology and protocols as tools.
The concrete particulars of the everyday realities of street children
Authors: Grundling Jan , Grundling Irma
Published: April 2005

The problem of street children in Namibia corresponds with that seen in other Third World countries where the economic and socioeconomic climate favours unemployment and poverty, resulting in cultural degeneration and desperate antisocial behavioural patterns. An example of this phenomenon is the growing numbers of street children who are not an integral part of a family, supportive neighbourhood or healthy surroundings. A recovery plan based on the concrete particulars of the everyday realities of these children is urgently required to reverse the situation. It demands a clear understanding of the problem within the specific context of Namibia. This article describes the general characteristics, behavioural patterns and causes of the phenomenon in order to enable the government to prevent, manage and provide an efficient service to households in Namibia so as to defuse and respond to those factors contributing to children living on the streets.
Failure Mechanics of a Composite Laminate Embedded with a Fiber Optic Sensor
Authors: Shivakumar Kunigal , Bhargava Anil
Published: April 2005

A fiber optic sensor (FOS) embedded perpendicular to the reinforcing fibers causes an ‘eye’-shaped defect. The length of the eye is about 16 times the fiber optic radius (RFOS) and the height is about 2RFOS. The eye contains fiber optics in the center surrounded by an elongated resin pocket. Embedding FOS causes geometric distortion of the reinforcing fiber over a height equal to 6-8 RFOS. This defect causes severe stress concentration at the root of the resin pocket, the interface (in the composite) between the optical fiber and the composite, and at 90 to the load direction in the composite. The stress concentration is calculated by the finite element modeling of a representative micrograph. The FE results agreed reasonably with the analytical and the experimental data in the literature for a similar problem. The stress concentration in the axial direction is about 1.44 and in the transverse direction at the interface is 0.165 and at the resin pocket is 0.171. Under tensile loading, the initial failure is by transverse matrix cracking (fiber splitting) at the root of the resin pocket, then it leads to final fracture by fiber breakage. Under compression loading, the failure initiation is by interfacial cracking due to large transverse tensile stress and the final fracture is by compression. The fracture stress calculated from the analysis using the maximum stress criteria agreed reasonably with the test data.
Authentic Second Language Interaction in an Instructional Setting: Assessing an Inter-Class Exchange Programme
Authors: Culhane Stephen F. , Umeda Chisako
Published: April 2005

This study reports on collaboration between second language (L2) instructors of English and Japanese. Learners and speakers of each language were brought together on a regular basis to serve as models, partners, group members, and supportive peers to assist each other’s language learning efforts. ANOVA analyses were used to contrast students in the programme with others in regular classes on reported frequency of L2 use beyond the instructional setting, friendship patterns maintained within the first language (L1) and L2, three aspects of motivation for second language acquisition, and attitudes held toward culturally different others (ATCD). Significant differences were found between students inside and outside the programme on four of the variables analyzed. Multiple regressions were then used to assess the impact of six predictor variables (L1-USE, first L1-FR and L2-FR language friendship patterns, two aspects of SLA motivation, and ATCD) on reported levels of L2 use outside of the classroom. Four of the predictors were found to be significant to the equation, which accounted for approximately 28% of the variance in L2 use. The findings suggest regular immersion in an authentic L2 environment created within an instructional setting may assist learners in developing stronger motivation to use a L2, augment tendencies toward friendships between learners and members of a L2 speech community, and assist in development of more positive attitudes toward culturally different others.
Learning Strategies in Reading and Writing: EAP Contexts
Authors: Baker William , Boonkit Kamonpan
Published: April 2005

Presently, the importance of culture and context is becoming a significant feature of research in the field of learning strategies. To date, there has been little research into learning strategies utilized for reading and writing in Asian EAP (English for Academic Purposes) contexts, and in particular in the Thai context. With this in mind, this research investigated learning strategies employed by undergraduate students at a Thai university studying EAP reading and writing courses. The research aimed to identify the most frequently used strategies and different strategy use between ‘successful’ and ‘less successful’ learners. Learning strategies were classified following Oxford’s (1990) six category taxonomy and an additional category of negative strategies. The results revealed metacognitive, cognitive and compensation as the most frequently used strategies overall. Differences in strategy use for successful and less successful readers and writers were also demonstrated. A number of affective and social strategies were identified in the quantitative analysis which needed further investigation. Furthermore, various strategies investigated in earlier learner strategy research seemed, based on this research, to be culturally inappropriate in the Thai context.
English in Brunei Darussalam: Portrait of a Vital Language with an Elusive Role
Authors: Poedjosoedarmo Gloria
Published: April 2005

English has been an important language of education in Brunei since the inception of public education there but, as is often the case when a language becomes a second language within a country, it is taking on some unique local characteristics, despite official condemnation of such developments. Can the desired balance of roles between English and Malay be maintained without either language unduly influencing the other? And what of the roles of the local versus international varieties of English? These and other questions about English in Brunei will be explored in this article.
English in Myanmar
Authors: Fen Wong Soon
Published: April 2005

This paper provides an overview of the development of English in Myanmar. It begins by tracing the changing role and status of English and Myanmar from the colonial period, which has had an impact on the current education structure. The paper outlines the structure of the education system and the recent reforms that reflect the rising importance of English as Myanmar engages more with her neighbours and the changing world.
Extending the ONESAF Testbed into a C4ISR Testbed
Authors: Giampapa Joseph A. , Sycara Katia , Owens Sean , Glinton Robin , Seo Young-Woo , Yu Bin , Grindle Charles E. , Lewis Michael
Published: April 2005

This article describes how the modeling and simulation environment of the OneSAF Testbed Baseline (OTB) v1.0 has been extended to enable the testing of heterogeneous algorithms that are being designed for real-world C4ISR applications. This has been accomplished by building an architecture that extends functional and logical components of the OTB system in the following ways: the use of the OTB Compact Terrain Database for terrain analysis and preliminary threat assessment, the addition of the RETSINA-OTB Bridge for the real-time query and control of OTB entities, and the addition of new DIS-based sensor entities for interoperation with Command and Control algorithms, to name a few. This article illustrates how to make a few small but general extensions to a modeling and simulation system to create a larger testbed system with minimum impact on the native system and with great potential for the range of applications that can exploit it.
Design of Distributed Simulation Environments: A Unified System-Theoretic and Logical Processes Approach
Authors: Nutaro James , Sarjoughian Hessam
Published: April 2005

This article presents a framework for distributed simulation that is based on system-theoretic and logical-process concepts. The framework describes a three-part worldview for developing simulation models. These are modeling formalisms, abstract simulators, and computational environments. A unified view of time and causality allows for the application of system-theoretic notions of causality within a distributed simulation environment. Within this framework, the authors introduce a unified notion of causality for use in parallel simulations. Furthermore, they describe an approach for developing distributed simulation models that evolve from modeling constructs to simulation algorithms and their implementations. The framework is exemplified using the discrete event system specification (DEVS) modeling formalism, its abstract simulator, and a parallel algorithm that implements the abstract simulator.
Challenges of Model Interoperation in Military Simulations
Authors: Hofmann Marko A.
Published: April 2005

The need for interoperability between different military simulation systems is growing fast, as the complexity of modern war fighting rises above the handling capacity of monolithic models. The development of consistent model federations has therefore become as important as the development of new (interoperable) models. However, complex military simulation systems belong to the class of model-based information systems, and the paramount aspects of such information systems are abstraction and idealization from reality. Experiments with the high-resolution combat simulation system, COSIMAC, and some modules implementing basic command and control functionality have shown that there are pressing challenges for coupling model-based information systems above the currently manageable levels. The results of this contribution indicate that technical, syntactic, and obvious semantic (lexicographic) coupling preconditions are not sufficient to guarantee a successful interaction.
Extensible Battle Management Language as a Transformation Enabler
Authors: Sudnikovich William P. , Pullen J. Mark , Kleiner Martin S. , Carey Scott A.
Published: April 2005

This article addresses a new approach to the longstanding problem of interoperating military command and control with combat simulations. There is great potential benefit in such a capability, both for more effective training and as a “what if” capability during military operations. The authors describe the Battle Management Language (BML), an unambiguous means of describing military operations to people, simulations, and robotic forces. The process that developed the BML and its extension into the realm of Web services are described. The new capability is projected to be an enabler for the ongoing transformation activities in the U.S. Department of Defense. Integrated with the Command and Control Information Exchange Data Model (C2IEDM), BML, as extended through Web services, provides a path to improved interoperability within and among U.S. military services and their allied/coalition partners.
Design of a Satellite Cluster System in Distributed Simulation
Authors: Lee Jong Sik , Luu Thong , Konangi Vijay K.
Published: April 2005

This article presents the design and development of a satellite cluster system that supports an interfederation communication in High Level Architecture (HLA)-compliant distributed simulation. The interfederation communication enables the execution of a complex, large-scale cluster system of distributed satellites that share the dispersed data assets among satellite components collaboratively. After a brief review of the HLA bridge for interfederation communication, the authors discuss the design issues related to a satellite cluster system that provides cluster management, interfederation communication, and communication data management. They analyze system performance and scalability for centralized and decentralized configurations. The empirical results on the heterogeneous OS distributed system indicate that the satellite cluster system is effective and scalable due to the use of interfederation communication and the reduction of data transmission.
An Approach for the Unified Time Management Mechanism for HLA
Authors: Huang Jiung-yao , Tung Ming-Chih , Hui Lin , Lee Ming-Che
Published: April 2005

The High Level Architecture (HLA) is the IEEE 1516 standard to model and design a distributive simulation environment. It establishes a common distributed simulation framework, which facilitates the interoperability and reuse of simulation components. However, some HLA services are very low level and difficult to use, especially when a simulation is designed with a particular time synchronization mechanism. This article describes an agent interface, called Smart Time Management (STM). The capabilities of the STM include the following: taking over the event’s time-stamp tagging work, maintaining a lookahead value, and unifying different time advance approaches provided by the HLA runtime infrastructure. In addition, it adopts the time warp mechanism for optimistic simulation. In conclusion, the STM presents a unified and scalable middle layer to allow the user to construct an HLA federation with a unanimous Time Management interface when solving the synchronization issue.
Distributed Simulation and Simulation Practice
Authors: Robinson Stewart
Published: April 2005

The possibilities of distributed simulation have been discussed for well over a decade, yet there is only limited evidence of its implementation, particularly within industry. The reasons for this are discussed by identifying the potential applications of distributed simulation and linking these to the ways in which simulation is practiced. The extent to which distributed simulation is a demand led or technology led innovation is discussed. A possible contradiction between distributed simulation and good modeling practice is also identified, that is, the ability to develop large/complex models against the recommendation to develop simple models. This leads to three conclusions: not everyone needs distributed simulation, distributed simulation is both demand and technology led, and the possibilities of distributed simulation are both beneficial and dangerous to modeling practice.
Display of search results in Hebrew: a comparison study between Google and LCC&K interface
Authors: Drori Offer , Tamir Ehud
Published: April 2005

Google search engine is one of the most popular search engines used on the Internet today. It is used to display search results in English, but also in other languages as well. In this paper, we focus on display of search results in Hebrew. Search results retrieved from textual databases may be presented in several ways. In commercial search engines, the most common method is the presentation of a list that includes the titles of the retrieved documents, and, sometimes, the first few lines of each document and additional information. A series of studies at the Hebrew University examined the impact of different textual elements presented to the user on the effectiveness of the search. In the current experiment, presentation of search results in the Google-based interface was compared to presentation of search results in the LCC&K (Line in Context, Categories & Keywords) interface that was developed consequent to the findings of a previous series of studies. Both interfaces displayed the search results in Hebrew and addressed a Hebrew-speaking population. The outcome of the experiment shows that although Hebrew is considered to be a complex language considering its morphology aspects, there is little difference between the results obtained in a previous experiment that was conducted in English and the current experiment that was conducted in Hebrew. This paper will address the experimental process and its findings.
Individuality, deliberation and welfare in Donald Winnicott
Authors: Gerson Gal
Published: April 2005

This paper expands on the political vision embedded in Donald Winnicott’s psychoanalytic work. It comments on Winnicott’s notion that individuality is produced by society, and adds that such production inevitably involves power asymmetry. It is argued that Winnicott values rights and property as communicative devices rather than as private enclosures held against society. However, it is also maintained that Winnicott thinks that social deliberation itself depends on a preceding objective instance that may be referred to as justice. Lastly, aspects of Winnicott’s outlook that touch on ideas of welfare and distribution are examined, especially those concerning the relationships between the market and social agencies, and between the household and the state. It is suggested that these attributes point to an affinity Winnicott has with a progressive liberal trend dating back to Mill, the later manifestation of this liberalism being evident in the design of the 20th-century welfare state. It is concluded that it is for this polity that Winnicott wrote his psychological theory.
Effects of Anisotropy and Multiaxial Loading on the Wrinkling of Sandwich Panels
Authors: Fagerberg Linus , Zenkert Dan
Published: April 2005

The works that have been already published on sandwich face wrinkling consider isotropic or almost isotropic sandwich configurations. Hence, only the critical wrinkling load needs to be evaluated in the principal compressive stress direction. This is insufficient for a sandwich panel with a higher degree of anisotropy. This paper presents a method for estimating the wrinkling behavior of highly anisotropic sandwich panels under biaxial loading. The method is based on the assumption that wrinkling occurs at the angle where the ratio of applied load to sustainable wrinkling loads reaches a global maximum. In addition to the description of the analytical theories, the paper presents comparisons with finite element calculations and testing of real sandwich configurations. The results indicate that the derived model works excellently both for uni- and biaxial loadings, though a small factor of safety is required as with all other standard wrinkling theories.
Effect of Temperature on the Low-velocity Impact Behavior of Composite Sandwich Panels
Authors: Erickson Matthew D. , Kallmeyer Alan R. , Kellogg Kenneth G.
Published: April 2005

Composite sandwich panels constructed from glass-fiber-reinforced facesheets surrounding both foam-filled and nonfilled honeycomb cores are impacted using a drop-weight impactor at three energy levels and three temperatures. The effects of core material, temperature, and impact velocity on the absorbed energy, peak impact force, and damage mechanisms were studied. The foam-filled samples were subsequently subjected to four-point bend tests to investigate the effect of impact velocity and temperature on the damage tolerance and residual strength of the composites. It was found that the temperature can have a significant effect on the energy absorbed and maximum force encountered during impact, although the effect of the impact temperature on the residual bending stiffness and strength of the composites was mixed. In addition, the nature of the core material greatly influenced the damage mechanisms and impact force transfer in the honeycomb sandwich composites.
Cu–Pd/β-Zeolites as Highly Selective Catalysts for the Hydrogenation of Nitrate with Hydrogen to Harmless Products
Authors: Nakamura Kyosuke , Yoshida Yasuyuki , Mikami Ikkou , Okuhara Toshio
Published: April 2005

Cu–Pd/β-zeolites (BEA) are excellent catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of NO3− with H2 to harmless products. 1.2 wt % Cu–1.0 wt % Pd/BEA shows a high selectivity for N2 + N2O (14 and 80% at 278 K, respectively), while suppressing NH3 production (6%, 3 ppm from 200 ppm of NO3−). By coupling the catalyst to Pd/AC, any N2O produced could be entirely converted to N2.
Peculiar Magnetic Transition Behaviour Around 208 K in One-dimensional Nickel(III) Chain Complex [1-(4′-Vinylbenzyl)pyridinium][Ni(mnt)2] (mnt2− = Maleonitriledithiolate)
Authors: Dang Dongbin , Ni Chunlin , Bai Yan , Tian Zhengfang , Ni Zhaoping , Wen Lili , Meng Qingjin , Gao Song
Published: April 2005

A new ion-pair complex, [VBzPy][Ni(mnt)2], where [VBzPy]+ = 1-(4′-vinylbenzyl)pyridinium and mnt2− = maleonitriledithiolate, has been synthesized. The cations and anions stack into completely separated columns and Ni(III) ions form a uniformly spaced one-dimensional (1-D) zigzag chain within a [Ni(mnt)2]− column in solid state. Magnetic susceptibility and DSC measurements revealed that there exists a first-order phase transition at approximately 208 K.
Barium Hexaaluminate as a Novel Promising Support for Ruthenium-based Ammonia Synthesis Catalysts
Authors: You Zhixiong , Inazu Koji , Balint Ioan , Aika Ken-ichi
Published: April 2005

High-surface area (49 m2/g) barium hexaaluminate (BHA) has been successfully synthesized by reverse microemulsion method. The BHA supported Ru catalyst showed significantly higher activity and structural stability than Ba-promoted Ru catalyst supported on MgO under ammonia synthesis conditions.
Surface enthalpy of goethite
Authors: Mazeina Lena , Navrotsky Alexandra
Published: April 2005

High-temperature oxide-melt solution calorimetry and acid-solution calorimetry were used to determine the heat of dissolution of synthetic goethite with particle sizes in the range 2–75 nm and measured surface areas of 30–273 m2/g (27–240 × 103 m2/mol). Sample characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller method and thermogravimetric analysis. Water content (structural plus excess water) was determined from weight loss after firing at 1100°C. Calorimetric data were corrected for excess water assuming this loosely adsorbed water has the same energetics as bulk liquid water. The enthalpy of formation was calculated from calorimetric data using enthalpies of formation of hematite and liquid water as reference phases for high-temperature oxide-melt calorimetry and using enthalpy of formation of lepidocrocite for acid-solution calorimetry. The enthalpy of formation of goethite can vary by 15–20 kJ/mol as a function of surface area. The plot of calorimetric data vs. surface area gives a surface enthalpy of 0.60±0.10 J/m2 and enthalpy of formation of goethite (with nominal composition FeOOH and surface area = 0) of −561.5±1.5 kJ/mol. This surface enthalpy of goethite, which is lower than values reported previously, clarifies previous inconsistencies between goethite-hematite equilibrium thermodynamics and observations in natural systems.
Characteristics of the minerals associated with gold in the Shewushan supergene gold deposit, China
Authors: Hong Hanlie , Tie Liyun
Published: April 2005

The mineralogical properties of goethite and clay minerals from the Shewushan supergene gold deposit have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results show that in the weathering zone of the Shewushan supergene gold deposit the mineral assemblage is mainly composed of quartz, kaolinite, halloysite, minor illite and goethite. The coexistence of these minerals is apparently indicative of weak laterization. The Al content in goethite from XRD data is ∼10.0%, suggesting formation by weak desilicification. Observation by TEM shows that the flakes of clay minerals with larger particle size usually have extremely rounded outlines, indicating intensive dissolution of clay minerals. Halloysite is derived from the decomposition of kaolinite and the micrographs of curling, tubular, and club-shaped halloysite strongly suggest significant hydration and thus a water-saturated environment. Both the XRD data of goethite and the micrographs of the clay minerals show that the environment in Shewushan is characteristic of high [H2O] activity and high [SiO2] activity. The high dynamic hydraulic conditions may facilitate the downward migration of the primary gold particles during their mechanical concentration, resulting in the accumulation of gold in the lower portion near the water table.
Modeling the response of pyrophyllite interlayer to applied stress using steered molecular dynamics
Authors: Katti Dinesh R. , Schmidt Steven R. , Ghosh Pijush , Katti Kalpana S.
Published: April 2005

Pyrophyllite is the precursor to other smectite-group minerals which exhibit swelling. The mineral structure of pyrophyllite can lead to other minerals in the smectite group, including montmorillonite, through appropriate isomorphous substitutions. In this work, an atomic model of the pyrophyllite interlayer was constructed. The response of the interlayer was evaluated using steered molecular dynamics simulations. In steered molecular dynamics, external forces were applied to individual atoms to study the response of the model to applied forces. In this work, forces are applied to the surface clay atoms to evaluate the displacement vs. applied stress in the interlayer between clay layers. This paper describes the construction of the model, the simulation procedure, and the results of the simulations which show that under the applied loading, deformation occurs mainly in the interlayer. The clay layers show relatively little deformation. The results show that the relationship between applied stress and displacement of the interlayer is linear. The stress-deformation relationship for the interlayer is presented.
Exorcizing history: Radiance and the abject Aboriginal mother
Authors: Nolan Marguerite
Published: April 2005

This article considers different readings of 1997 film, Radiance, directed by indigenous Australian, Rachel Perkins. It argues that there is a tension between psychoanalytically informed universalist readings of the film, which are linked to the genre of melodrama, and specific
readings of the film in the context of contemporary debates about Australia's colonial history, with specific reference to the stolen generations. This article suggests that these two kinds of readings coalesce around the representation of the dead mother, who is depicted in classically abject
terms, and the resulting ambivalence is resolved through both the image of her exorcism and a series of displacements that elide Australia's colonial past.
AbuSayyafGroup (ASG)
Authors: Bale Jeffrey M.
Published: April 2005

The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) can be traced back to 1989. It is a violence‐prone separatist group in the southern Philippines that has carried out numerous acts of terrorism, including indiscriminate bombings of public places, murders, and kidnappings‐for ransom of both Philippine nationals and foreigners. The ASG was established by Abdurrajak Abubakar Janjalani. The ASG is said to be loosely organized into a cellular structure under the direction of an Executive Committee headed by a Caliph (Janjalani). As of 2004 no one associated with the ASG has publically expressed any interest in obtaining or using chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. ASG is listed on the U.S. government's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, but as a collective entity, it is very unlikely to resort to weapon of mass destruction attacks. It does not have a high level of technical and operational capabilities. However, some of its members may be drawn into the orbit of other organizations.
Agricultural Bioterrorism (Agricultural Biosecurity, Agroterrorism)
Authors: Casagrande Rocco
Published: April 2005

Agricultural bioterrorism is defined as the intentional spread of pathogens of livestock or crops in order to cause economic harm. This definition is used here to distinguish agricultural bioterrorism from bioterrorist attacks on the food supply. In practice, the distinction can be fuzzy. The distinction, however artificial, is valuable because biological attacks on agriculture differ markedly from attacks on the food supply or direct biological attacks on civilians. Agricultural bioterrorism has received relatively little attention until recently. Agriculture is a vital sector in the U.S. The United States Department of Agriculture has always been concerned with outbreaks of disease among livestock and plant disease. However, it current resources are strained by naturally occurring outbreaks and appear to be insufficient to respond to pathogens purposely introduced. The article gives information on why U.S. agriculture is vulnerable, qualities of agricultural pathogens that enhance its capacity as weapons, and the consequences of an agricultural attack. Technical barriers to prevent such attacks are minimal and terrorists can be considered motivated to carry out such attacks. No successful large‐scale attacks have been reported to‐date. The article ends with a discussion of what the United States efforts are to prevent such attacks.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Bioterrorism Preparedness Program
Authors: Strikas Raymond A. , Sinclair Maureen F. , Morse Stephen A.
Published: April 2005

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is intimately involved in a number of aspects of bioterrorism defense. It lists the “Critical Agents” of concern; works with local and state health departments to ensure adequate preparedness; oversees the Laboratory Response Network, in place to facilitate the rapid identification of threat agents; has worked with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, now managed by HHS and the Department of Homeland Security as the Strategic National Stockpile; maintains the Director's Emergency Operations Center (DEOC), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's central public health incident management center for coordinating and supporting staff, information, and other assets; has implemented the U.S. smallpox vaccination program; and collaborates on an international level to prevent biological warfare and bioterrorism. In addition, the CDC carries out its baseline public health responsibilities, including combating infections diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Each of these areas is discussed in order to provide a general overview of CDC activities in the bioterrorism sphere.
Equine Encephalitis, Venezuelen, and Related Alphaviruses
Authors: Morse Stephen S.
Published: April 2005

Alphaviruses are classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as Category B agents, or of second highest priority with respect to public health and national security. The viruses exist throughout the world, and natural outbreaks among horses and humans are common. Generally, this disease is fatal in horses but only incapacitating in humans. Western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus has been researched and developed as a biological weapon by state‐level programs in the past. Its potential as a terrorist threat agent remains unclear.
Ethnic Weapons
Authors: Zilinskas Raymond A. , Carus W. Seth
Published: April 2005

An ethic weapon is one that can be defined as a weapon that will cause high morbidity and/or mortality rates among a targeted human population, which can be specified on the basis of ethnic or racial characteristics. Little or no damage can be caused to other populations. This article discusses the feasibility that scientists working for terrorist groups might successfully develop such weapons. Most probably such weapons would not be available for ten years and such a weapon would not be sufficiently specific to offer any advantage over other nonspecific biological weapons.
Preparation and properties of a slow release NP compound fertilizer with superabsorbent and moisture preservation
Authors: Guo Mingyu , Liu Mingzhu , Hu Zheng , Zhan Falu , Wu Lan
Published: April 2005

A slow‐release NP compound fertilizer with superabsorbent and moisture preservation was prepared by carboxyl methyl starch, acrylic acid, ammonia, urea, diammonium phosphate, and so on. The effects of the amount of initiator, crosslinker, and the degree of neutralization of acrylic acid on water absorbency were investigated and optimized. The product was characterized by FTIR, ICP, and element analysis, and the results showed that the product contained 22.6% nitrogen element and 7.2% phosphor (shown by P2O5) element. Its water absorbency was about 85 (g · g−1) times its own weight in tap water. We also investigated the water retention property of the product and the slow release behavior of N and P in the product. The results showed that the product had a good water retention capacity and slow release property. The mechanism of the release of N and P in water was also investigated. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2132–2138, 2005
Development of thermoregulating textile materials with microencapsulated phase change materials (PCM). II. Preparation and application of PCM microcapsules
Authors: Shin Younsook , Yoo Dong‐Il , Son Kyunghee
Published: April 2005

Melamine–formaldehyde microcapsules containing eicosane were prepared by in situ polymerization. The characterization of the microcapsules, including the particle size and size distribution, morphology, thermal properties, and stability, was carried out. The prepared microcapsules were added to polyester knit fabrics by a conventional pad–dry–cure process to develop thermoregulating textile materials. The morphology, thermal properties, and laundering properties of the treated fabrics were also investigated. The microcapsules were spherical and had melamine–formaldehyde shells containing eicosane. The microcapsules were strong enough to secure capsule stability under stirring in hot water and alkaline solutions. The heat storage capacity increased as the concentration of the microcapsules increased. The thermoregulating fabrics had heat storage capacities of 0.91–4.44 J/g, which depended on the concentration of the microcapsules. The treated fabrics retained 40% of their heat storage capacity after five launderings. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2005–2010, 2005
Conducting polymer composites of zinc‐filled urea–formaldehyde
Authors: Pinto Gabriel , Maaroufi Abdel‐Karim
Published: April 2005

This article is concerned with the preparation and characterization of composite materials prepared by the compression molding of mixtures of zinc powder and urea–formaldehyde embedded in cellulose powder. The morphologies of the constituent, filler, and matrix were investigated by optical microscopy. The elaborated composites were characterized by density, which was compared with calculated values, and the porosity rate was deduced. Further, the hardness of samples remained almost constant with increasing metal concentration. The electrical conductivity of the composites was less than 10−11 S/cm unless the metal content reached the percolation threshold at a volume fraction of 18.9%, beyond which the conductivity increased markedly, by as much as eight orders of magnitude. The obtained results interpreted well with the statistical percolation theory. The deduced critical parameters, such as the threshold of percolation, the critical exponent t, and the packing density coefficient were in good accord with earlier studies. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2011–2015, 2005
Block copolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) and methyl acrylate using potassium diperiodatocuprate(III)
Authors: Liu Yinghai , Bai Libin , Zhang Rongyue , Li Yanxiang , Liu Yuanwei , Deng Kuilin
Published: April 2005

Block copolymers of methyl acrylate (MA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have been obtained using a novel redox system—potassium diperiodatocuprate(III)[DPC]/PEG system in alkaline aqueous medium. Block copolymers with a high percentage of blocking were obtained, which indicated that the DPC/PEG redox system was an efficient initiator for this blocking. Effects of different conditions (concentration of reactants, temperature, concentration of the DPC, and reaction time) on the total conversion, percentage of blocking, and intrinsic viscosity were examined. The effects of different monomers and various PEGs with different molecular weight on the total conversion were also examined. A mechanism is proposed to explain the generation of radicals and the initiation of block compolymerization. Some basic properties of the block copolymers were also studied by thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscope. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2139–2145, 2005
Preparation and pervaporation performance of 3,3‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl] phthalide based polyimide membranes
Authors: Wang Y. C. , Tsai Y. S. , Lee K. R. , Lai J. Y.
Published: April 2005

A series of novel solvent‐soluble polyimides based on the diamine of 3,3‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl] phthalide (BAPP) were prepared. The effects of the dianhydride structures on the pervaporation performance of aqueous alcohol mixtures through these polyimide membranes were studied. The BAPP‐based polyimide membranes exhibited water permselectivity during all process runs. The permeation rate increased with the addition of bulky groups to the polyimide backbone. The effects of the feed solution concentration, feed solution temperature, and carbon atom number of the feed alcohol on the pervaporation performance were also investigated systematically. Optimum pervaporation results, a separation factor of 22 and a permeation rate of 270 g/m2 h, were obtained for a 90 wt % feed aqueous ethanol solution through a 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride polyimide membrane at 25°C. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2046–2052, 2005
Preparation of ultra‐low‐density microcellular materials
Authors: Richez Alexandre , Deleuze Hervé , Vedrenne Patrick , Collier Remy
Published: April 2005

Microcellular polymeric materials can be obtained by the polymerization of a high‐internal‐phase emulsion. These materials are good candidates as targets toward inertial confinement fusion. This application requires severe specifications, including a very low density and a small cell size. In this study, we examined the influence of parameters such as emulsification conditions, surfactant nature, and the presence of a porogen on the obtainment of those requirements. It was possible to obtain microcellular polymeric foams with apparent densities as low as 0.0126 g/cm3. However, it was difficult to obtain very low material density and still maintain a small average pore size. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2053–2063, 2005
Phase behavior of ternary polymer blends with favorable interactions
Authors: Hsu Wen‐Ping
Published: April 2005

Atactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (aPMMA) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) with a weight‐average molecular weight of 360,000 g/mol were found to be immiscible on the basis of preliminary studies. Poly(styrene‐co‐vinyl phenol) (MPS) with a certain concentration of vinyl phenol groups is known to be miscible with both aPMMA and PVP. Is it possible to homogenize an immiscible aPMMA/PVP pair by the addition of MPS? For this question to be answered, a ternary blend consisting of aPMMA, PVP, and MPS was prepared and measured calorimetrically. The role of MPS between aPMMA and PVP and the effects of different concentrations of vinyl phenol groups on the miscibility of the ternary blends were investigated. According to experimental results, increasing the vinyl phenol contents of MPS has an adverse effect on the miscibility of the ternary blends. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2064–2070, 2005
Dielectric behavior and properties of a cyanate ester containing dicyclopentadiene. I
Authors: Hwang Hann‐Jang , Li Chun‐Hung , Wang Chun‐Shan
Published: April 2005

2,6‐Dimethyl phenol dicyclopentadiene dicyanate ester (DCPDCY) was synthesized through the reaction of 2,6‐dimethyl phenol dicyclopentadiene novolac and cyanogen bromide. The proposed structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, mass spectrometry, NMR spectrometry, and elemental analysis. DCPDCY was then cured by itself or cured with bisphenol A dicyanate ester (BADCY) to form triazine structures. The thermal properties of the cured DCPDCY resins were studied with differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), dielectric analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis; these data were compared with those of BADCY. The cured DCPDCY resins exhibited a lower dielectric constant (2.58 at 1 MHz), a lower dissipation factor (20.2 mU at 1 MHz), less thermal stability (the 5% degradation temperature and char yield were 430°C and 32.1%, respectively), a lower glass‐transition temperature (266°C by thermomechanical analysis and 271°C by DMA), a lower coefficient of thermal expansion (22.5 ppm before the glass‐transition temperature and 124.9 ppm after the glass‐transition temperature), and less moisture absorption (0.88% at 48 h) than BADCY, but they showed higher moduli (6.28 GPa at 150°C and 5.35 GPa at 150°C) than the bisphenol A system. The properties of the cured cocyanate esters (DCPDCY and BADCY) lay between those of cured BADCY and DCPDCY, except for the moduli. The moduli of some cocyanate esters were even higher than those of cured BADCY and DCPDCY. A positive deviation from the Fox equation was observed for cocyanate esters. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2079–2089, 2005
Effects of propionyl content on the morphology, mechanical properties, and biodegradability of esterified cassava starch/polycaprolactone blends
Authors: Wootthikanokkhan J. , Santikunakorn S.
Published: April 2005

The chemical structure of cassava starch was modified via an acylation with two different reaction systems: propionic anhydride in an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and propionic anhydride in dimethyl sulfoxide/triethylamine mixtures. The acylation was carried out by the variation of reaction parameters to generate modified starches with a variety of propionyl contents. After that, the modified starch was blended with polycaprolactone (PCL) at a 30/70 weight composition in a twin‐screw extruder. The results from the tensile testing of the various modified starch/PCL blends show that the moduli and tensile stresses of the materials were higher than those of the unmodified starch/PCL blend. The elongation values of the modified starch/PCL blends, however, decreased with the propionyl content. Scanning electron micrographs of the blends containing modified starch with 62 and 80% propionyl were also different from those of blends containing modified starch with 16 and 28% propionyl in term of phase contrast. Finally, the rate of biodegradation of the blends decreased with increasing propionyl content. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2154–2162, 2005
Polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–styrene–acrylic elastomer terpolymer blends with enhanced interfacial adhesion and surface gloss
Authors: Seo Y. S. , Kim J. H. , Kim C. K. , Lee Ryul , Keum J. K.
Published: April 2005

A blend of bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) and an acrylonitrile–styrene–acrylic elastomer (ASA) terpolymer with high surface gloss and excellent interfacial properties was developed for automobile applications. Because PC and the styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer that formed the matrix in the PC/ASA blend were not miscible, two different types of compatibilizers were examined to improve the compatibility of the blend. A diblock copolymer composed of tetramethyl polycarbonate and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was more effective than PMMA in increasing interfacial adhesion between PC and SAN. The surface gloss of the PC/ASA blend was always lower than that of the pure ASA included in the blend because of PC existing at the surface of the injection‐molding specimen. The PC/ASA blend with optimum surface gloss and enhanced interfacial adhesion was developed through the control of the molecular weight of PC and the compatibilizer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2097–2104, 2005