bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Young people ‘as risk’ or young people ‘at risk’: Comparing discourses of anti-social behaviour in England and Victoria
Authors: Hughes Nathan
Published: July 2011

Dominant discourses regarding concerns with anti-social behaviour in England and Victoria, Australia, reveal counterposed perspectives; the former positioning anti-social behaviour as an issue of law and order and an extension of concerns with crime and victimization, and the latter emphasizing concerns with the vulnerability of the perpetrator. These opposing perspectives inevitably give rise to markedly different policies and interventions. In England, an emphasis on the needs of the victim prioritizes the prevention of particular behaviours, whilst interventions in Victoria seek to address the needs of the perpetrator that are seen to contribute to or result from anti-social behaviour. To illustrate this contrast, the paper highlights the particular effects of these contradictory discourses on young people, and in doing so suggests a need to be wary of the impact of resultant approaches on those who may be most susceptible to committing anti-social behaviour, or to having their behaviour labelled as such.
Education, equality and human rights: Exploring the impact of devolution in the UK
Authors: Chaney Paul
Published: July 2011

Foremost amongst social policy interventions, state education has a singular and foundational role in the promotion of equality and human rights. This paper explores the way that such matters are addressed in the policy and law making programmes of the UK’s devolved administrations. It is argued that this is an appropriate locus of enquiry for the constitutional law establishing the devolved legislatures contains clauses empowering government to promote equality of opportunity; in the case of Wales and Northern Ireland, these are positive legal duties. Against the background of governments’ espousal of ‘mainstreaming’ equalities, analysis reveals that the respective administrations have made some advances in embedding the promotion of equality and human rights in the policy framework covering the schools curriculum, teacher training and inspections. Notwithstanding this, a number of issues and shortcomings are identified. Overall, the analysis reveals evidence of an ongoing ‘disconnect’ between the mainstreaming rhetoric and policy outcomes.
Moving children? Child trafficking, child migration, and child rights
Authors: O'Connell Davidson Julia
Published: July 2011

This article aims to contribute to the growing body of scholarly work that critically deconstructs dominant discourse on ‘trafficking’ and to the literature that documents and theorizes the gap between states’ spoken commitment to children’s rights and the lived experience of migrant children in the contemporary world. It contrasts the intense public and policy concern with the suffering of ‘trafficked’ children against the relative lack of interest in other ways that migrant children can suffer, in particular, suffering resulting from immigration policy and its enforcement. It argues that discourse on ‘child trafficking’ operates to produce and maintain exclusionary conceptions of who is normatively a child. These conceptions of the normative child then inform policy and practice that often punishes, rather than protects, children who do not conform to the imagined norm, and that simultaneously reinforces children’s existing vulnerabilities and creates new ones.
Assessing constipation in palliative care within a gastroenterology framework
Authors: Clark Katherine , Currow David C
Published: July 2011

Background:

Constipation is common and distressing in palliative care. Despite this, approaches to assessment and subsequent treatment are most remarkable for the numbers who fail adequate palliation.

Aim:

The primary aim of this paper is to summarise the current approaches to assessing constipation in palliative care, contrasting these approaches with those recommended by gastroenterologists in the assessment of resistant constipation in non-palliative care. The secondary aim is to suggest ways that the approaches used by gastroenterologist could be modified to be tolerable to palliative care.

Design:

A non-systematic review of the literature was undertaken.

Data sources:

The electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINHAL) were searched for English language articles that explored assessment of constipation in palliative care and evidence-based gastroenterology guidelines that summarised assessment and management of constipation.

Results:

Currently, the assessment of constipation in palliative care is predominantly based on people’s reports, physical examination and if further imaging is deemed necessary, a plain abdominal radiograph. However, data in non-palliative care patients refutes the usefulness of self-reported symptoms to localise whether problems are due to colon dysfunction or structures of defaecation. Plain radiographs are most useful to exclude a bowel obstruction only. In cases of resistant constipation, gastroenterology guidelines recommend an assessment approach that includes measuring colon transit time and an assessment of the structures that facilitate defaecation.

Conclusions:

Current approaches to assessing constipation in palliative care are very different to those recommended by gastroenterology guidelines. However, modified approaches may be tolerable to palliative care patients and offer the chance of developing targeted palliation.
Gender differences in prevalence of depression among patients receiving palliative care: The role of dependency
Authors: Hayes Richard D , Lee William , Rayner Lauren , Price Annabel , Monroe Barbara , Hansford Penny , Sykes Nigel , Hotopf Matthew
Published: July 2011

Background:

in community studies the prevalence of depression is higher in women than men; however, in palliative care settings this relationship is usually less strong, absent or reversed.

Aim:

to identify reasons for excess depression among men receiving palliative care.

Design:

cross-sectional study.

Setting/participants:

we interviewed 300 patients recruited from a large hospice in South East London. Depression was measured using the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorder.

Results:

the higher prevalence of depression among men was not explained by a higher prevalence of particular types of cancer nor confounding by other covariates. Possible effect modifiers were examined. Depending on others for help with basic tasks (eating, dressing, washing or using the toilet) was a risk factor for depression in men only, with 37.8% of dependent men being depressed compared to 2.4% of similarly affected women (OR = 24.3, 3.1–193.2, p = 0.003). We observed a dose-response effect between the level of dependency and depression in men ( p for trend = 0.01).

Conclusion:

depending on others for help with basic tasks appears to contribute to the burden of depression among men with terminal illness. This gender-specific association may explain why the usual gender differences in depression prevalence are not observed in palliative care.
Process improvement in preparation of epoxy/carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Zhu Yue-Feng , Wei Guang-Hui , Wang Feng-Ying , Yin Jiang
Published: July 2011

In this article, carbon nanotubes were dispersed in epoxy resin matrix by directly mixing and using acetone as a solvent, respectively. Rheological properties of carbon nanotubes/epoxy suspension and neat epoxy were investigated. Composites containing carbon nanotubes of random, aligned, and staggered orientations were, respectively, prepared. Meanwhile, an electric field was applied to induce alignment of carbon nanotubes in epoxy resin. Test results revealed that dispersion method and other process parameters had significant impacts on mechanical properties of the composites. In comparison with directly mixing, using a solvent was considered to contribute to improvement of 10% on flexural strength and decrescence of more than 70% on the error bar of test data. Similarly, improved mechanical properties and enhanced reliability of measurment data were achieved by extending the vacuum time for the purpose of removing air bubbles completely. Scanning electron microscope images indicated that carbon nanotube aggregates and gas holes in composites could be reduced by dispersing carbon nanotubes via acetone and extending vacuum time to 2 h.
Influence of chemical foaming agent on the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of HDPE/wood flour/nanoclay composites
Authors: Kord Behzad , Varshoei Ali , Chamany Vahid
Published: July 2011

In this study, the effects of chemical foaming agent and nanoclay on the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of composites based on HDPE and WF were described. To meet this objective, the nanoclay, HDPE and the coupling agent were compounded and granulated and mixed with WF and blowing agent in a twin-screw extruder. Consequently, the foaming process was completed in the injection stage. The amount of WF was fixed at 50 wt% for all samples. For nanoclay (organomodified montmorillonite) and CBA (azodicarbonamide), different levels of 0, 2, 4, 6 per hundred resins (phr) and 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 phr were considered, respectively. Results indicate that the cell size and the average cell density of samples increased with the increase in the chemical foaming agent content. However, on addition of nanoclay to HDPE/WF composite foams, the cell size was decreased and their cell density increased. SEM confirmed that the chemical foaming agent and nanoclay contents had significant influence on density reduction of foamed composites. Finally, by increase in the chemical foaming agent content, the tensile modulus decreased and the water absorption and thickness swelling of HDPE/WF nanocomposite increased. The nanoclay dispersion quality is quite an important factor for the physical and mechanical properties of both foamed and unfoamed wood plastic nanocomposites. It was found that the optimal condition was attained by incorporating 0.5 phr foaming agent and 4 phr nanoclay in composite formulation.
Mortality From Bacterial Meningitis in Children in Kosovo
Authors: Namani Sadie , Milenković Zvonko , Kuchar Ernest , Koci Remzie , Mehmeti Murat
Published: July 2011

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infection responsible for high mortality. This prospective study of 277 pediatric bacterial meningitis cases was done to identify factors predicting death in children <16 years of age living and treated in a limited-resources country (Kosovo). Of the 277 children enrolled, 60 patients (22%) developed neurologic complications, and 15 children died (5%). The following variables were strongly correlated with mortality: altered mental status on admission (relative risk [RR] = 29.9), presentation of the initial cerebrospinal fluid as thick pus (RR = 29.9), prehospital seizures (RR = 23.5) and their recurrence >24 hours after admission (RR = 11.5), age <1 month (RR = 19.3), the use of inotropic agents (RR = 11.5), and admission after 5 days’ duration of illness ( P < .001). The mortality rate in children in Kosovo is similar to those reported from developing countries, and this is most likely due to the unfavorable living conditions.
Clinical Phenotype of 5 Females With a CDKL5 Mutation
Authors: Stalpers Xenia L. , Spruijt Liesbeth , Yntema Helger G. , Verrips Aad
Published: July 2011

Mutations in the X-linked cyclin dependent kinase like 5 ( CDKL5) gene have been reported in approximately 80 patients since the first description in 2003. The clinical presentation partly corresponds with Rett syndrome, considering clinical features as intellectual disability, hypotonia, and poor visual, language, and motor development. However, these patients do not meet the consensus criteria for Rett syndrome since they lack the clear period of regression. Furthermore, in contrast to Rett syndrome, patients with CDKL5 mutations, have seizures or infantile spasms starting in the first weeks of life. We present clinical phenotype of 5 girls having a mutation in the CDKL5 gene. All mutations are novel and are pathogenic since they either lead to a frameshift in the reading frame or affect a consensus splice site. Four of the mutations are detected de novo in the affected girl.
A welfarist critique of social choice theory
Authors: Lehtinen Aki
Published: July 2011

This paper reconsiders the discussion on ordinal utilities versus preference intensities in voting theory. It is shown by way of an example that arguments concerning observability and risk-attitudes that have been presented in favour of Arrow’s Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives (IIA), and against utilitarian evaluation, fail due to strategic voting. The failure of these two arguments is then used to justify utilitarian evaluation of outcomes in voting. Given a utilitarian viewpoint, it is then argued that strategy-proofness is not normatively acceptable. Social choice theory is criticised not just by showing that some of its most important conditions are not normatively acceptable, but also by showing that the very idea of imposing condition on social choice function under the assumption of sincere behaviour does not make much sense because satisfying a condition does not quarantee that a voting rule actually has the properties that the condition confers to it under sincere behaviour. IIA, the binary intensity IIA, and monotonicity are used as illustrations of this phenomenon.
Synthesis and thermal behavior of novel poly(thiourea-amide)s derived from 1-(4-aminobenzoyl)-3- (3-aminophenyl) thiourea
Authors: Kausar Ayesha , Zulfiqar Sonia , Ishaq Muhammad , Ahmad Zahoor , Sarwar Muhammad Ilyas
Published: July 2011

The novel difunctional monomer, 1-(4-aminobenzoyl)-3-(3-aminophenyl) thiourea (ABAPT), was synthesized by the reduction of NBNPT (1-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl) thiourea). The characterization of the monomers was carried out using spectroscopic and elemental analyses. A series of novel aromatic and aromatic-aliphatic poly (thiourea-amide)s (PAMDs) were obtained through the condensation of ABAPT with various diacid chlorides (terephthaloyl, isophthaloyl, sebacoyl and adipoyl chloride). Structural elucidation of the resulting polyamides was carried out by FTIR, 1H- and 13C-NMR techniques along with solvent miscibility, viscosity, molecular weight, crystallinity, non-flammable and thermal studies. The polymers bearing phenylthiourea moieties in the backbone were obtained in quantitative yield. PAMDs having inherent viscosities of 1.02-1.32 dL g−1 exhibited good organosolubility in amide solvents ( N, N-dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and N-methylpyrrolidone). X-ray diffraction studies specified crystalline behavior of new polyamides. Gel permeation chromatography measurements disclosed Mw around 34 000-65 000. The thermogravimetric analyses and limiting oxygen index measurements indicated that aromatic polyamides were stable up to 500 °C and were adequately flame retardant. Moreover, their glass transition temperatures were found to be 265-273 °C.
Peripheral milling of thin titanium plates: modelling, analysis, and process planning
Authors: Landers R G , Galecki G , Young K , Hanks R
Published: July 2011

This paper presents research conducted to model and analyse the peripheral milling of thin titanium plates. Impact tests are performed and the vibration characteristics of a thin titanium plate modelled empirically. The force process is described by a mechanistic model and experimental data are used to determine the model parameters. The particle swarm optimization technique is used to determine the parameters of the plate vibration and force process models, which are combined to create a complete model of the thin titanium plate peripheral milling operation. The models are validated experimentally and excellent agreement is shown between the simulation and experimental results. A process planning scheme for peripheral milling of thin titanium plates is developed and applied. In this scheme integer numbers of widths-of-cut and depths-of-cut are used and the optimal helix angle and feed are computed for each combination of width-of-cut and depth-of-cut. The process planning test case revealed that the optimal material removal rate decreases as the width-of-cut decreases, the optimal helix angle is independent of the width-of-cut, and the optimal feed increases as the width-of-cut decreases. The test case also revealed that the optimal material removal rate is independent of depth-of-cut, the optimal helix angle increases as the depth-of-cut decreases, and the optimal feed increases as the depth-of-cut decreases.
Modelling production ramp-up of engineering products
Authors: Ball P D , Roberts S , Natalicchio A , Scorzafave C
Published: July 2011

Companies that introduce new products quickly have been shown to be better performers. The effectiveness of the new product introduction process is critical to their performance. Production ramp-up is a necessary phase of new product introduction, and both planning and execution need careful consideration, especially for engineered products, which are generally typified by design, purchasing, and production complexity. Better understanding of the issues, and more effective modelling of options, should lead to more predictable and quicker ramp-up. Examination of the literature, however, reveals that little attention has been paid to this area. What knowledge does exist tends to concentrate on specific aspects such as capacity or learning or costs. This paper reviews the ramp-up literature in general, along with the specific components in more detail, to establish how current work can be combined to develop the architecture for a modelling tool for engineering product ramp-up. The contribution of the paper is to provide a wider view of ramp-up, to present it as a topic worthy of consideration in its own right, and to introduce a prototype modelling tool that can aid the investigation and solutions of the issues that the paper raises.
Improvement in productivity in SiC grinding
Authors: Agarwal S , V Rao P
Published: July 2011

The selection of optimum machining conditions, during ceramic grinding, is of great concern in manufacturing industries these days. The increasing quality demands, at higher productivity levels, require the ceramic grinding process to be executed more efficiently. Specifically, the material removal rate needs to be maximized while controlling the surface quality. Despite extensive research on the ceramic grinding process, determining the desirable operating conditions in industrial setting still relies on the skill of the operators and trial-and-error methods. In the present work, an attempt has been made to optimize the grinding conditions for maximum material removal rate using a multi-objective function model, with surface roughness and tangential grinding force as user definable constraints. Experiments were carried out to study the effect of various parameters namely the depth of cut, table feed, grit size, and grit density on the surface roughness and tangential grinding force. Mathematical models were developed using the experimental data considering only the significant parameters. In order to optimize the grinding conditions for maximum material removal rate, a genetic algorithm (GA) code was developed. The manufacturer’s constraints, based on the functional requirements of the components for maximum production rate, have been included in the GA code.
Energy economy analysis of the G-Wiz: a two-year case study based on two vehicles
Authors: Chaudhari A R , Thring R H
Published: July 2011

This paper presents the data recorded from two G-Wiz Reva electric vehicles (EVs) over a period of two years and approximately 8000 km on each vehicle. The analysis of the vehicle data demonstrates that the range of the vehicle obtained for a certain state-of-charge (SOC) drop was not consistent. The results show that the main factor affecting the available range was irregular vehicle usage. The recharge energy consumption patterns of the vehicle were identified and it was demonstrated that infrequent vehicle usage increased energy consumed by the vehicle. A maximum range of 66.8 km was achieved when the vehicle was regularly used, but this fell to 42.8 km when it was infrequently used. The energy economy when the vehicle was regularly used was 8.3 km/kWh. Additionally, the analysis results identify the need to determine discharge rate of the vehicle batteries to determine the precise effects on the available range and energy consumption of the vehicle.
Development of a driver model to study the effects of real-world driver behaviour on the fuel consumption
Authors: McGordon A , Poxon J E W , Cheng C , Jones R P , Jennings P A
Published: July 2011

The real-world fuel economy of vehicles is becoming increasingly important to manufacturers and customers. One of the major influences in this is driver behaviour, but it is difficult to study in a controlled and repeatable manner.

An assessment of driver models for studying real-world driver behaviour has been carried out. It has been found that none of the currently existing driver models has sufficient fidelity for studying the effects of real-world driver behaviour on the fuel economy of the individual vehicle.

A decision-making process has been proposed which allows a driver model with a range of driving tasks to be developed. This paper reports the initial results of a driver model as applied to the conceptually straightforward scenario of high-speed cruising. Data for the driver model have been obtained through real-world data logging.

It has been shown that the simulation driver model can provide a good representation of real-world driving behaviour in terms of the vehicle speed, and this is compared with a number of logged driver speed traces. A comparison of the modelled fuel economy for logged and driver model real-world drivers shows good agreement.
Late-Holocene bats of Mé Auré Cave, New Caledonia: Evidence of human consumption and a new species record from the recent past
Authors: Hand Suzanne J. , Grant-Mackie Jack A.
Published: July 2011

Flying-foxes and smaller, insectivorous bats, as well as birds, frogs, lizards, rodents and humans, are among Holocene vertebrate remains recovered from a cave near Mé Auré on the central southwestern coast of Grande Terre, the main island of New Caledonia, southwest Pacific. New Caledonia is one of the world’s most critically endangered biodiversity hotspots whose native terrestrial mammals consist of nine bat species, six of which are endemic. The Mé Auré Cave deposit accumulated over a period of some 3000 years, from before colonization of the area by people to the present. In the deposit’s upper levels, bat remains approximate the modern New Caledonian fauna – with the notable exception of the first record of a leaf-nosed bat from these islands – and probably represent bats that lived and died in the cave as well as those brought in as prey by barn owls. In the lowest levels, only flying-foxes are represented, their corroded teeth and other evidence suggesting they were cooked and eaten by people. Our data indicate that at least one insectivorous bat species has become extinct during the last 250 years in New Caledonia. Alternatively, it is possible that this leaf-nosed bat continues to be part of the threatened extant New Caledonian bat fauna but has yet to be recorded by modern faunal surveys.
Systemic Applications of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy: An Interview With Glasser Scholars
Authors: Robey Patricia , Burdenski Thomas K. , Britzman Mark , Crowell Jeri , Cisse Gloria Smith
Published: July 2011

Reality therapy is a pragmatic and effective approach in counseling that is supported by choice theory, which provides an explanation for human behavior and motivation. Choice theory and reality therapy (CTRT) are usually considered to be useful in individual counseling but can be adapted for systemic applications. In this interview, Glasser Scholars discuss how they have successfully applied CTRT in their work with families, couples, and groups.
Combined analytical and experimental approaches to rotor components stress predictions
Authors: Chierichetti M , McColl C , Palmer D , Ruzzene M , Bauchau O
Published: July 2011

A combined analytical and experimental approach is introduced to estimate the dynamic response of complex systems from a limited number of measurements. The method is based on the concept that modal information is sufficient to extrapolate the complete map of the response from experimental data through the reconstruction of modal loads. The capabilities of the algorithm are first verified via well-controlled lab experiments on a thin-walled aluminium-rotor blade. Numerical results from a comprehensive UH-60 multibody model are then compared with available experimental data. Significant improvements in the accuracy of the predicted results are achieved when simple airloads models are employed as inputs.
A dynamic model of an overhung rotor with ball bearings
Authors: Cakmak O , Sanliturk K Y
Published: July 2011

A ball bearing comprising rolling elements, inner and outer rings, and a cage structure can be described as a multi-body system (MBS). In order to predict the dynamic behaviour and resonance characteristics of a rotor–ball bearing system, it can be modelled and analysed as a MBS with flexible and rigid parts. In this study, a ball bearing is modelled with MBS approach using MSC ADAMS commercial software. The Hertzian theory is used for modelling the contact dynamics between the balls and the rings. The ball bearing model is then assembled with the rotor model which comprised a shaft and a disc positioned at the free end of the shaft. The ball bearing model is used with both flexible and rigid shaft assumptions in order to highlight the differences between the two cases. For the flexible shaft case, the MBS model also included a finite element model of the shaft. As expected, it is necessary to include the flexibility of the shaft in the model in order to to predict the changes in the modal characteristics of the system as a function of the rotor speed. Furthermore, including the gyroscopic effects leads to observe the forward and backward travelling modes with different natural frequencies.

The effects of the bearing diametral clearance and localized defects on the inner and outer rings are modelled and analysed using the model developed. Also, the effects of the rotor unbalance on the vibration level of the whole system are examined. A test rig – consisting of two ball bearings, a shaft, and a disc – is also designed and developed so as to validate the theoretical model using experimental data. Order tracking and modal analyses are carried out and Campbell diagrams are obtained. Finally, the theoretical and the experimental results are compared and a refined MBS model is obtained for further analyses.
Effects of antihypertensive treatment on endothelial function in postmenopausal hypertensive women. A significant role for aldosterone inhibition
Authors: Rossi Rosario , Nuzzo Annachiara , Iaccarino Daniele , Lattanzi Antonella , Origliani Giorgia , Monopoli Daniel Enrique , Modena Maria Grazia
Published: July 2011

Introduction: Endothelial dysfunction is a well-demonstrated independent predictor of cardiovascular events in hypertensive postmenopausal women. Accordingly, it is plausible that improving endothelial function could represent an adjunctive target for antihypertensive treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of pharmacologic treatment on endothelial function in the specific population of hypertensive postmenopausal women.

Methods: A total of 320 consecutive hypertensive postmenopausal women underwent a high-resolution ultrasound study of the brachial artery at baseline and after six months, while ‘optimal’ control of blood pressure (maintenance of blood pressure values below 140/90 mmHg at all follow-up visits) was achieved using antihypertensive therapy. Endothelial function was measured as flow-mediated dilation, using ultrasound method.

Results: After six months of treatment, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) had significantly improved in the majority of patients (n = 257 [80.3% of the entire population]; FMD = 8.1 ± 1.0% at baseline vs. 10.6 ± 1.5% after follow-up; p < 0.001), but it had not changed or worsened in others (n = 63 [19.7%]; FMD = 8.2 ± 1.2% at baseline vs. 7.6 ± 1.0% after six months; p = ns). Improvement of endothelial function, at multivariate analysis, resulted independently associated with the use of aldosterone inhibitors (odds ratio = 2.15; 95% confidence interval: 1.55–2.75; p = 0.001).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a significant improvement in endothelial function may be obtained after six months of an optimal antihypertensive therapy. Among all hypertensive postmenopausal women that achieved an optimal control of blood pressure during follow-up, the use of drugs that inhibit aldosterone receptors was associated with an improvement of endothelial function, beyond the ‘optimal’ blood pressure control.
Power and energy transduction analysis of piezoelectric wafer-active sensors for structural health monitoring
Authors: Lin Bin , Giurgiutiu Victor
Published: July 2011

This article presents a systematic investigation of power and energy transduction in piezoelectric wafer-active sensors (PWAS) for structural health monitoring (SHM). After a literature review of the state-of-the-art, we developed a predictive modeling of the multi-physics power and energy transduction between structurally guided waves and PWAS in closed-form analytical expressions. The model assumptions include: (a) one-dimensional axial and flexural wave propagations; (b) ideal bonding (pin-force) connection between PWAS and structure; and (c) ideal excitation source at the transmitter PWAS and fully resistive external load at the receiver PWAS. Both wave propagation method for an infinite beam and normal mode expansion method for a finite beam were considered. Frequency response functions were developed for voltage, current, complex power, active power, etc. The power and energy analysis for single PWAS transmitter, single PWAS receiver and a complete PWAS pitch-catch setup were considered. The numerical simulation and graphical charts show the trends in the power and energy flow behavior of PWAS for SHM. The peaks and valleys of power can be exploited for optimum design for PWAS SHM applications.
Putting the theory of Kanataron:non into practice: Teaching Indigenous governance
Authors: Doxtater Thohahoken Michael
Published: July 2011

Within a context of 150 years of external Canadian government interference in their local affairs, a northeastern North American Mohawk community called ‘Kanata’ is steeped in a tradition for resisting external Canadian government control. A two-year study of governance by the people of Kanata used action research with critical learning methods to investigate the feasibility of returning to traditional decision-making processes. The tribal council formed a research team to produce workshops, focus groups, interviews, and simulations using cultural forms recognizable to the participants. Using the collaboratively designed research methods the research demonstrated that individuals had knowledge of their governance heritage and willingly learned detailed aspects of the governing process. The research also determined that Kanata's people were pragmatic and understood that a return to traditional governance faced longstanding rivalries and divisions in the community. The research identified the view among the participants that teaching smaller groups consensus-building begins with the leadership of the tribal council using the traditional decision-making model.
The Blow Book, Performance Magic, and Early Animation: Mediating the Living Dead
Authors: Williamson Colin
Published: July 2011

This article explores the history of early animation and modern magic in light of discourses on the cinema’s capacities for bringing inanimate objects (including the still photograph) to life. The cinema’s early encounter with a metamorphic magic book known as a blow book, which is constructed like a flip book without sequential imagery, will be considered in order to specify the terms of one form of animation and its structures of illusion and belief. The principles of modern magic will also be addressed to explain the significance of a number of trick films that featured the blow book directly as a means of demonstrating the animating ‘powers’ of the cinema. This analysis will challenge the use of animation as an umbrella concept within cinema and media studies, and provide a basis for beginning to think through the return of new media studies to 19th-century magic as a model for understanding digital illusions.
Magic Lantern, Dark Precursor of Animation
Authors: Lamarre Thomas
Published: July 2011

This article works through a contrast between the magic lantern and movie projector, focusing on Meiji Japan (1868—1912) as a pivotal site in order to address the relation between cinema and animation, historically and ontologically. Using Simondon’s notion of technical objects to transform Foucault’s notion of dispositif into a theory of technical paradigms, the author finds that the difference between cinema and animation is not primarily one of materials but of qualities of movement. An exploration of the projection-image ( utsushie) of the magic lantern suggests that cinema and animation share a technical paradigm, linked to electromagnetism, one that is shadowed by Cartesian technism. Modifying Deleuze’s emphasis on any-instant-whatever and on time as the virtual of the cinematic movement-image, this study finds that cinema and animation share a dark precursor, any-matter-whatever. Because animation stays close to any-matter-whatever, it offers a direct experience of life-in-matter, and anticipates the any-medium-whatever of the digital.
A Trick Question: Are Early Animated Drawings a Film Genre or a Special Effect?
Authors: Gauthier Philippe
Published: July 2011

By abandoning a linear understanding of film history, the author revisits animated film history by placing its emergence within the lineage of trick films. Analysis of discourses on the first animated cartoons — such as the critical and publicity discourses found in trade papers — reveals that these films were seen like any other trick films, not as a distinct type. How, then, can we explain the popularity of the first animated cartoons in the mid-1910s when trick films had almost disappeared? How can we account for the popularity of a variety of ‘trick films’ —animated drawings — precisely when these same trick films had almost ceased to exist? This article addresses these issues by looking at the process by which a major shift occurred in the way we look at the earliest animated drawings. More precisely, the author tries to outline the context of the transition from the perception that animated drawings were trick films to their eventual consecration as a genre within the institution.
Optimizing expected holding cost in cellular manufacturing systems with stochastic extensions
Authors: Ghezavati V R , Saidi-Mehrabad M , Jabal-Ameli M S , Makui A
Published: July 2011

This research introduces a new application of mathematical modelling for designing cellular manufacturing systems integrated with group scheduling aspects under uncertain conditions. The mixed 0–1 quadratic model is able to optimize group scheduling decisions under lower satisfaction of cell formation decisions. In this way, the required processing time of parts on machines is assumed to be uncertain and also is explained by a discrete set of scenarios. This model tries to optimize the expected scheduling cost in cells plus the subcontracting cost for exceptional operations. In addition, the objectives associated with the cell formation decisions are regarded as constraints by considering the bounded objective technique, one of the multi-objective decision-making techniques. The scheduling problem in a cellular manufacturing framework is treated as group scheduling problem, which assumes that all parts in a part family are processed in the same cell and no intercellular transfer is needed. An efficient modified simulated annealing technique is proposed to solve this complex problem under an optimization rule as a subordinate section. This integrative combination algorithm is compared with global solutions and a heuristic algorithm introduced in the literature. Finally, the performance of the algorithm is verified through some test problems.
A frozen time receding horizon control for a linear continuous time-varying system
Authors: Oh M-H , Park I-W
Published: July 2011

In this study a frozen time receding horizon control (RHC) for a linear continuous time-varying system and its stability conditions, which can be obtained easily, are proposed. As the frozen future states are considered in the frozen time RHC, its control law is obtained by the time-invariant Riccati equations solved by forward iteration, which differ from the conventional RHC. The stability of the proposed control law can be ensured by the conventional time-invariant stability condition of RHC with the additional conditions of design matrices, such as the matrix inequality condition and the horizon-based stability condition. Therefore, the proposed control law can be applied to real physical systems effectively, in comparison with the conventional time-varying RHC, and its performance is proved by numerical simulation.
Mandibular Actinomyces osteomyelitis complicating florid cemento-osseous dysplasia: case report
Authors: Smith Miller H , Harms Paul W , Newton Duane W , Lebar Bill , Edwards Sean P , Aronoff David M
Published: July 2011

Background

Apart from neoplastic processes, chronic disfiguring and destructive diseases of the mandible are uncommon.

Case Presentation

We report, perhaps for the first time, the simultaneous occurrence of two such conditions in one patient, in a case that emphasizes the importance of bone biopsy in establishing the correct diagnosis. Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (FCOD) is a chronic, disfiguring condition of the maxillofacial region. This relatively benign disease is primarily observed in middle-aged women of African ancestry. Cervicofacial actinomycosis is an uncommon and progressive infection caused by bacilli of the Actinomyces genus that typically involves intraoral soft tissues but may also involve bone. The accurate diagnosis of actinomycosis is critical for successful treatment. A diagnosis of osteomyelitis caused by Actinomyces bacteria was diagnosed by bone biopsy in a 53 year-old African-American woman with a longstanding history of FCOD after she presented with a new draining ulcer overlying the mandible.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of actinomycosis arising in the setting of FCOD, and the importance of bone biopsy and cultures in arriving at a definitive and timely diagnosis.
A novel method for prenylquinone profiling in plant tissues by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Martinis Jacopo , Kessler Felix , Glauser Gaetan
Published: July 2011

Background

Prenylquinones are key compounds of the thylakoid membranes in chloroplasts. To understand the mechanisms involved in the response of plants to changing conditions such as high light intensity, the comprehensive analysis of these apolar lipids is an essential but challenging step. Conventional methods are based on liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet and fluorescence detection of a single or limited number of prenylquinones at a time. Here we present an original and rapid approach using ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-APCI-QTOFMS) for the simultaneous profiling of eleven prenylquinones in plant tissues, including α-tocopherol, phylloquinone, plastochromanol-8 and plastoquinone-9.

Results and discussion

Mass spectrometry and chromatography parameters were optimized using pure standards. Sample preparation time was kept to minimum and different extraction solvents were evaluated for yield, ability to maintain the redox state of prenylquinones, and compatibility with chromatography. In addition to precise absolute quantification of 5 prenyllipids for which standards were available, relative quantification of 6 other related compounds was possible thanks to the high identification power of QTOFMS. Prenylquinone levels were measured in leaves of Arabidopsis grown under normal and high light intensities. Quantitatively, the obtained results were consistent with those reported in various previous studies, demonstrating that this new method can profile the full range of prenylquinones in a very short time.

Conclusion

The new profiling method proves faster, more sensitive and can detect more prenylquinones than current methods based on measurements of selected compounds. It enables the extraction and analysis of twelve samples in only 1.5 h and may be applied to other plant species or cultivars.
H3K9me3-binding proteins are dispensable for SETDB1/H3K9me3-dependent retroviral silencing
Authors: Maksakova Irina A , Goyal Preeti , Bullwinkel Jörn , Brown Jeremy P , Bilenky Misha , Mager Dixie L , Singh Prim B , Lorincz Matthew C
Published: July 2011

Background

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are parasitic sequences whose derepression is associated with cancer and genomic instability. Many ERV families are silenced in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) via SETDB1-deposited trimethylated lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9me3), but the mechanism of H3K9me3-dependent repression remains unknown. Multiple proteins, including members of the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) family, bind H3K9me2/3 and are involved in transcriptional silencing in model organisms. In this work, we address the role of such H3K9me2/3 "readers" in the silencing of ERVs in mESCs.

Results

We demonstrate that despite the reported function of HP1 proteins in H3K9me-dependent gene repression and the critical role of H3K9me3 in transcriptional silencing of class I and class II ERVs, the depletion of HP1α, HP1β and HP1γ, alone or in combination, is not sufficient for derepression of these elements in mESCs. While loss of HP1α or HP1β leads to modest defects in DNA methylation of ERVs or spreading of H4K20me3 into flanking genomic sequence, respectively, neither protein affects H3K9me3 or H4K20me3 in ERV bodies. Furthermore, using novel ERV reporter constructs targeted to a specific genomic site, we demonstrate that, relative toSetdb1, knockdown of the remaining known H3K9me3 readers expressed in mESCs, includingCdyl,Cdyl2,Cbx2,Cbx7,Mpp8,Uhrf1 and Jarid1a-c, leads to only modest proviral reactivation.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results reveal that each of the known H3K9me3-binding proteins is dispensable for SETDB1-mediated ERV silencing. We speculate that H3K9me3 might maintain ERVs in a silent state in mESCs by directly inhibiting deposition of active covalent histone marks.
Phase Reversal of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Triggered by Gracilis Tract Stimulation: Case Report of a New Technique for Neurophysiologic Dorsal Column Mapping
Authors: Simon Mirela V. , Chiappa Keith H. , Borges Lawrence F. , Nuwer Marc R. , Deletis Vedran
Published: July 2011

Background and Importance:

Reliable visual identification of the median raphae, essential for the preservation of function of the posterior dorsal columns during intramedullary spinal cord tumor resection, is not possible in many cases, because of distorted local anatomy. In such cases, intraoperative neurophysiologic mapping of the dorsal columns offers invaluable information to the surgeon, and guides the myelotomy. We hereby describe such a new technique.

Clinical Presentation:

A 41 -year-old man with a C3-C4 intramedullary spinal cord tumor underwent successful myelotomy and tumor resection. Dorsal column mapping was performed by use of an 8-contact minielectrode strip placed on the dorsal spinal cord. Direct electrical stimulation was applied via 2 adjacent contacts of the strip at a time, in an attempt to stimulate in succession the left and right dorsal columns. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were recorded after each stimulation, via scalp electrodes. A sharp change in polarity of the recorded scalp SSEPs (phase reversal) indicated when the stimulation of the opposite dorsal column occurred. Myelotomy was performed in between the minielectrode contacts identified as being situated closest to the raphe. The posterior tibial SSEPs were continuously monitored during and after myelotomy and until the dura closure. No changes from premyelotomy SSEPs were present. Postoperatively, the patient had preservation of the posterior column function.

Conclusion:

SSEP phase-reversal technique is a promising new method to identify the neurophysiologic midline in intramedullary tumor resection. Fast and easy to perform, its final role in neurophysiologic dorsal column mapping awaits confirmation in future applications.
A Sox10 enhancer element common to the otic placode and neural crest is activated by tissue-specific paralogs
Authors: Betancur Paola , Sauka-Spengler Tatjana , Bronner Marianne
Published: July 2011

The otic placode, a specialized region of ectoderm, gives rise to components of the inner ear and shares many characteristics with the neural crest, including expression of the key transcription factor Sox10. Here, we show that in avian embryos, a highly conserved cranial neural crest enhancer, Sox10E2, also controls the onset of Sox10 expression in the otic placode. Interestingly, we show that different combinations of paralogous transcription factors (Sox8, Pea3 and cMyb versus Sox9, Ets1 and cMyb) are required to mediate Sox10E2 activity in the ear and neural crest, respectively. Mutating their binding motifs within Sox10E2 greatly reduces enhancer activity in the ear. Moreover, simultaneous knockdown of Sox8, Pea3 and cMyb eliminates not only the enhancer-driven reporter expression, but also the onset of endogenous Sox10 expression in the ear. Rescue experiments confirm that the specific combination of Myb together with Sox8 and Pea3 is responsible for the onset of Sox10 expression in the otic placode, as opposed to Myb plus Sox9 and Ets1 for neural crest Sox10 expression. Whereas SUMOylation of Sox8 is not required for the initial onset of Sox10 expression, it is necessary for later otic vesicle formation. This new role of Sox8, Pea3 and cMyb in controlling Sox10 expression via a common otic/neural crest enhancer suggests an evolutionarily conserved function for the combination of paralogous transcription factors in these tissues of distinct embryological origin.
A finite element-based on-line model for the prediction of roll force and roll power in a round-oval-round pass rolling sequence
Authors: Kim Y K , Moon C H , Hwang S M
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a precision online model for the prediction of the roll force and roll power in a round–oval (or oval–round) pass rolling sequence, which is most commonly employed in rod and wire mills. The approach uses the concept of ideal rolling, to reduce the number of the dimensionless parameters with which the model is constructed. The prediction accuracy of the proposed model is examined through comparison with the predictions from a finite element model. The prediction accuracy is also examined through comparison with measurements made in POSCO No. 3 wire and rod mill.