bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unplanned readmissions in ENT
Authors: Rashid M , Khalil H
Published: September 2014

Emergency admissions have been defined as those that are not predicted and happen at short notice because of perceived clinical need. 1 Although far from a UK-only problem, in 2007–2008 approximately 65% of hospital beds in England were for emergencies (equivalent to 34 million bed days and 4.75 million emergency admissions). 2 The number of day-case procedures being performed in the UK is increasing steadily in keeping with government targets but unless readmission rates are addressed, this can only exacerbate the burgeoning emergency admission rate.
Do modern-day surgeons break the stereotype and show emotional intelligence in their leadership?
Authors: Stobbs N , Ward E
Published: September 2014

Emotional intelligence is a fairly novel concept. It is the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate between them, and to use the information to guide one’s thinking and actions. 1 Emotional intelligence is now a key model in leadership and management in the business sector, starting to filter through into healthcare and is beginning to feature in surgical college guidelines and training assessments. The theory behind emotional intelligence assumes that individuals with high emotional intelligence have better interpersonal and communication skills. 2 Therefore, because of stereotyped characteristics that surgeons are thought to have, one may hypothesise that surgeons have poor emotional intelligence. This review aims to understand what emotional intelligence is, and assess what evidence is available for reviewing surgeons’ emotional intelligence.
What a legacy!
Authors: Marx Clare
Published: September 2014

‘Baptism of fire @BBCr4today with John Humphreys @claremarx’

I didn’t expect the first day of my term of office to begin at 6.50am, facing John Humphreys for the Today programme – but why not? Where better to start as the new College President? My objective for the precious three minutes was not to talk about waiting lists, gallbladders and surgeons on the golf course, and I laboured to raise the pivotal role surgeons want to play in the challenges facing surgical services.
X-RAY VARIABILITY STUDY OF POLAR SCATTERED SEYFERT1 GALAXIES
Authors: Beuchert Tobias , Wilms Jörn , Kadler Matthias , Longinotti Anna Lia , Guainazzi Matteo , Miniutti Giovanni , De la Calle Ignacio
Published: September 2014

We study 12 Seyfert 1 galaxies with a high level of optical polarization. Optical light emerging from the innermost regions is predominantly scattered in a polar region above the central engine directly in our line of sight. These sources show characteristics of Seyfert 2 galaxies, e.g. polarized broad lines. The polarization signatures suggest a viewing angle of 45°, classifying them as intermediate Seyfert 1/2 types. The unified model predicts this line of sight to pass through the outer layer of the torus resulting in significant soft X-ray variability due to a strongly varying column density. The aim is to find evidence for this geometrical assumption in the spectral variability of all available historical observations of these sources by XMM-Newton and Swift.
USING PHOTOPLETHYSMOGRAPHY IMAGING FOR OBJECTIVE CONTACTLESS PAIN ASSESSMENT
Authors: Koeny Marcus , Blanik Nikolai , Yu Xinchi , Czaplik Michael , Walter Marian , Rossaint Rolf , Blazek Vladimir , Leonhardt Steffen
Published: September 2014

This work presents an extension to the known Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI), which provides an objective estimation of the current depth of analgesia. An adequate “measure” would facilitate so-called balanced anesthesia. Generally, ANI is computed using heart rate variability or rather beat-to-beat intervals based on an electrocardiogram (ECG). There are clinical situations where no ECG monitoring is available or required, but only photoplethysmography (PPG), e.g., in some cases in postoperative care or pain therapy. In addition, a combination of PPG and ECG for obtaining beat-to-beat intervals may lead to increased robustness and reliability for dealing with artifacts. This work therefore investigates the computation of ANI using standard PPG. In addition, new methods and opportunities are presented using contactless PPG imaging (PPGI). PPGI®enables contactless PPG recordings for deriving beat-to-beat intervals as well as analysis of local perfusion and wounds.
IMPACT OF STRAIN RATE ON MICROALLOYED STEEL SHEET BREAKING
Authors: Mihaliková Mária , Német Miroslav , Vojtko Marek
Published: September 2014

Strain rate is a significant external factor and its influence on material behavior in forming process is a function of its internal structure. The contribution is analysis of the impact of loading rate from 1.6 x 10-4 ms-1 to 24 ms-1 to changes in the fracture of steel sheet used for bodywork components in cars. Experiments were performed on samples taken from HC420LA grade strips produced by cold rolling and hot dip galvanizing. Material strength properties were compared based on measured values, and changes to fracture surface character were observed.
FRACTIONAL CALCULUS AND LAMBERT FUNCTION I. LIOUVILLE–WEYL FRACTIONAL INTEGRAL
Authors: Vojta Vladimír
Published: September 2014

The interconnection between the Liouville–Weyl fractional integral and the Lambert function is studied. The class of modified Abel equations of the first kind is solved. A new integral formula for the Gamma function and possibly new transform pairs for the Laplace and Mellin transform have been found.
Rock & Religion
Authors: Harju Bärbel
Published: September 2014

»Reborn to be wild!« - seit Ende der 1960er Jahre verkünden wiedergeborene Christen diesen Schlachtruf zu den Klängen von Rock- und Popmusik. Heute existiert in den USA nicht nur eine vielfältige und millionenschwere christliche Musikindustrie; auch im musikalischen Mainstream gelingt es christlichen Künstlern zunehmend, sich erfolgreich zu etablieren. Mit dem genuin amerikanischen Phänomen Christian Pop untersucht Bärbel Harju ein facettenreiches Spannungsfeld an der Schnittstelle von Religiosität und Kommerz. Auf der Basis einer Fülle an Interviews und Primärquellen wird Christian Pop so erstmals umfassend in der amerikanischen Kulturgeschichte verankert.
Die Welt der Patente
Authors: Mersch Christian
Published: September 2014

Nicht zuletzt der fortwährende Patentstreit zwischen den Konzernen Apple und Samsung zeigt: Patente rücken zunehmend in das Bewusstsein von Managern und Öffentlichkeit. Angesichts der zunehmenden Bedeutungsaufwertung von Patenten in der modernen Gesellschaft überrascht es, dass sich die Soziologie bis jetzt nur wenig mit Patenten beschäftigt hat. Christian Mersch schließt diese Forschungslücke und eröffnet dabei überraschende globalisierungstheoretische und historische Perspektiven auf die Welt der Patente. Das Buch ermöglicht den Lesern zudem einen neuartigen und fruchtbaren Zugang zu Niklas Luhmanns Systemtheorie, der abstrakte Begrifflichkeiten in der systematischen Anwendung auf den konkreten Forschungsgegenstand Patent anschaulich werden lässt.
Queere Ritter
Authors: Hornung Annabelle
Published: September 2014

Obwohl die Geschichte des Grals seit dem Mittelalter unterschiedlich erzählt und rezipiert wird, bleibt eines auffällig: In den Gralsromanen wird Geschlecht und Begehren auf besondere Art und Weise verhandelt. Anhand von Werken wie »Parzival«, »Crône« und »Prosa-Lancelot« fördert Annabelle Hornung neue Lesarten des Zusammenhangs zwischen Geschlecht und Begehren wider die heteronormative Ordnung zutage und geht ihnen mithilfe des analytischen Instrumentariums der Queer und Gender Studies nach.
Juden und Zigeuner im europäischen Geschichtstheater
Authors: Rüthers Monica
Published: September 2014

In Analogie zu den stadträumlichen Inszenierungen jüdischer Kultur, den »Jewish Spaces«, gewinnnen zunehmend auch »Gypsy Spaces« an Gestalt. Roma-Festivals sind populär, während gleichzeitig die Angst vor einer »Roma-Invasion« grassiert. Monica Rüthers geht der Entstehungsgeschichte und den Funktionen dieser neuen Folklore im gegenwärtigen Europa nach. Sie vergleicht das jüdische Kulturfestival in Krakau mit der Zigeunerwallfahrt in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer und passt beide Räume in die kulturellen Topografien Europas ein. Die Analyse dieser Anlässe erlaubt die Frage, ob solche Räume auch emanzipatorisches Potenzial entfalten können. Es zeigt sich: Im Umgang mit dem Fremden spiegelt sich der Prozess der europäischen Integration.
Das intermediale Gemäldezitat
Authors: Berger Andrea Ch.
Published: September 2014

Zahlreiche zeitgenössische Texte und Romane beschäftigen sich mit den realen sowie fiktiven Gemälden der beiden Malerpersönlichkeiten Vermeer und Caravaggio. Mit dem »intermedialen Gemäldezitat« entwickelt Andrea Ch. Berger in diesem Buch ein theoretisches Konzept, das zur systematischen Analyse der unterschiedlichen Verweismöglichkeiten, die die künstlerischen Charakteristika dieser beiden Maler für literarische Texte ermöglichen, fruchtbar gemacht werden kann. Damit schreibt sich die Studie nicht nur in die Intermedialitäts- und die Bild-Text-Diskussion ein, sondern ergänzt diese auch um ein theoretisches Instrumentarium für weitere Untersuchungen.
Tarkowskijs Gehirn
Authors: Mayer Michael
Published: September 2014

Inspiriert von Andrej Tarkowskijs Filmkunst versucht dieses Buch, das Kino der Moderne als Ort einer Konversion von Subjektivität lesbar zu machen - als Ort, wo die Akteure des Films wie auch die Rezipienten des Kinos eine »Mutation« durchlaufen, eine radikale Verwandlung ihres Selbst- und Weltverhältnisses. Motive wie Melancholie, Langeweile, Leiden an Zeit und Erschöpfung gelten dabei als Vorzeichen eines »schwachen Subjekts«. Michael Mayer macht Gilles Deleuzes Begriff des Zeit-Bildes als praktische Kategorie erkennbar, bei der die Spezifik des Filmbildes auf das »schwache Vermögen« seiner Wahrnehmbarkeit verweist - und er zeigt: Diese Wahrnehmung ist die der Passibilität.
Allerhand Übergänge
Authors: Krappmann Jörg
Published: September 2014

Die Definition der Prager deutschen Literatur als humanistischer Gegenpol zur nationalistischen Provinzliteratur bestimmte lange Zeit die Forschung zur Literatur aus Böhmen und Mähren. Jörg Krappmann legt einen neuen Ansatz vor, der diese Dichotomie durch einen interkulturellen Blick auf die Region als Konstrukt entlarvt. Er zeigt: Der binnendeutsche Kulturtransfer erweist sich als intensiver als bisher angenommen. Dadurch entstehen neue Perspektiven für die Rezeption der ästhetischen Moderne und des Naturalismus als Epochen des Übergangs. Zugleich wird ein Plädoyer für eine Erweiterung des Kanons und eine Revision der Literaturgeschichte gehalten.
Neues Landschaftstheater
Authors: Bieri Martin
Published: September 2014

Was ist eine Landschaft heute? Das Buch findet hierauf eine Antwort, indem es von zeitgenössischem Theater erzählt. Der Begriff »Landschaft« hat eine lange kunstgeschichtliche Tradition voller unaufgelöster Widersprüche. Unklar ist im Kern sogar, ob die Wahrnehmung von Landschaft der Kunst vorausgeht oder erst durch sie entsteht. Der Band leistet einen kritischen Beitrag zu dieser Debatte und trägt dazu bei, mithilfe von zeitgenössischem Theater Landschaft heute neu zu entdecken. Vorgestellt wird die Arbeit der freien Theatergruppe »Schauplatz International«, deren Stücke tradierte Wahrheiten des Theaters in Frage stellen und zugleich versuchen, zeitgenössische Landschaften abzubilden.
Mittelalter Computer Spiele
Authors: Heinze Carl
Published: September 2014

Ob »Assassin's Creed«, »Anno 1404« oder »Medieval II: Total War« - es gibt einige populäre Computerspiele, die ›authentische Vergangenheitserfahrungen‹ und die ›eigenmächtige Veränderung der Geschichte‹ versprechen. Carl Heinze zeichnet nach, mit welchen präsentativen Strategien das Historische im Computerspiel vorgestellt wird und um welche Vergangenheit(en) es dabei überhaupt geht. Er klärt die Frage, was man sinnvollerweise unter einem ›historischen Computerspiel‹ verstehen sollte. In Einzelanalysen wird geprüft, wie spezifische Kombinationen von Computer, Mittelalter und Spiel aussehen können und welche Geschichtsbilder dadurch jeweils evoziert werden.
Hegemonie und Populismus in Putins Russland
Authors: Casula Philipp
Published: September 2014

Die kontroversen Diskussionen um die politische Entwicklung in Russland seit der Machtübernahme durch Wladimir Putin im Jahr 2000 reißen nicht ab. Der Abbau demokratischer Rechte, wirtschaftliches Wachstum und Stabilität werden als Kennzeichen der Putin'schen Herrschaft hervorgehoben. Philipp Casula fokussiert in seiner Analyse hingegen auf die Genese des politischen Diskurses im Zeitraum 2000-2008 und erarbeitet dessen hegemoniale und populistische Tendenzen mithilfe der Ansätze von Ernesto Laclau. Die Studie wirft ein neues Licht auf die russische politische Entwicklung und produziert Erklärungen für die Regime-Stabilität Russlands unter Putin jenseits üblicher transformationstheoretischer Modelle.
Gendering 9/11
Authors: Nachtigall Andrea
Published: September 2014

Wie tragen spezifische Geschlechterkonstruktionen dazu bei, den »Krieg gegen den Terror« und die deutsche Kriegsbeteiligung zu legitimieren? In Kriegsdiskursen werden nicht nur nationale, sondern auch geschlechtliche Identitäten und Bilder entworfen und (neu) verhandelt. Andrea Nachtigall zeigt anhand der Berichterstattung deutscher Printmedien über den 11. September 2001 und den Afghanistankrieg, wie die mediale Deutung der Ereignisse mit der Konstruktion von Geschlecht einhergeht. Kritisch beleuchtet werden insbesondere Funktion und Mobilisierbarkeit von Geschlecht im Kontext von Krieg und »Terror«. Die materialreiche Studie verdeutlicht zudem den Nutzen feministischer und genderbezogener Analysen (nicht nur) für die Politikwissenschaft.
Preparation and characterization of polyamide-6/CaCO3 hybrid hollow fiber membranes
Authors: Jiang Zhao-Hui , Xiao Chang-Fa , Hu Xiao-Yu
Published: September 2014

Polyamide-6(PA6)/CaCO3 hollow fiber membranes were prepared by gel spinning from PA6/CaCO3/diluent system followed by cold-stretching. In virtue of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it is observed that the membrane present an asymmetric structure consisting of a dense skin, cellular cross-section and porous inner-surface. The porous structure was obtained by combining thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process with interfacial micro-void mechanism, which has been seldom applied in membrane formation. Therefore, multi-porous structure derived from TIPS pores and interfacial micro-void. The Effects of CaCO3 content, fixed-length heat-setting on properties of hollow fiber membranes such as water permeability, porosity, bubble point pore diameter were investigated. In three different CaCO3 contents, the membrane with 30wt% CaCO3 has the best comprehensive performance. In addition, fixed-length heat-setting was favorable to produce membrane with higher water permeability.
Synthesis of two AMPS-based polymerizable room temperature ionic liquids and swelling difference between their co-polymeric gels with HEMA
Authors: Yang Xuejiao , Fang Yanxiong , Li Xinming , Zhang Kun , Cui Yingde , Zhang Buning , Yin Guoqiang
Published: September 2014

Two polymerizable room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL), AMPS-BA and AMPS-DMAEMA, were synthesized by neutralization of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) with butylamine (BA) and 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), respectively, in acetone, followed by evaporation of the solvent under a reduced pressure at room temperature. The RTILs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry to determine their glass transition temperatures (Tg). Co-polymeric gels of the RTILs with 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) were prepared by aqueous solution polymerization using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAm) as a cross-linker and ammonium persulfate as an initiator. The superabsorbency of the gels in water and various organic solvents was gravimetrically investigated. The results showed that the Tg of AMPS-BA and AMPS-DMAEMA was -47.7°C and -45.8°C, respectively. Poly(AMPS-BA-co-HEMA) gels exhibited superabsorbency in both water and various organic solvents, while poly(AMPS-DMAEMA-co-HEMA) gels did not swell in any liquids. The mechanism for the swelling difference between poly(AMPS-BA-co-HEMA) gels and poly(AMPS-DMAEMA-co-HEMA) gels was critically discussed.
Influence of KMnO4 concentration and treatment time on PAN precursor and the resulting carbon nanofibers’ properties
Authors: Zargham Shamim , Bazgir Saeed , Katbab Ali Asghar , Rashidi Abosaeed
Published: September 2014

Electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were impregnated with KMnO4 under varying conditions of concentration and time. The morphological structures, chemical and thermal properties were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The original and preoxidized samples were stabilized and carbonized for characterization with SEM and FTIR. The coloration, weight gain and solubility in N,N-dimethylformamide were also evaluated. A clear peak at 2340 cm-1 corresponding to MnO4–C=N conjugation, together with a wide peak at 1650 cm-1, was revealed in the FTIR spectrum of the preoxidized samples. Based on the DSC results, the cyclization reactions in the preoxidized samples were accelerated by initiating the exothermic reaction at lower temperatures. The modified samples had higher reaction times and ΔH values, broad exotherms, lower initial induction time and lower Ti values than the untreated ones.
Recombinant HDL (Milano) protects endotoxin-challenged rats from multiple organ injury and dysfunction
Authors: Zhang Xinbo , Wang Luya , Chen Baosheng
Published: September 2014

Endotoxemia, the systemic inflammatory host response to infection, leads to severe septic shock and multiple organ injury and dysfunction syndrome (MOPS), which cause mortality. Apolipoprotein A-IMilano (apoAIM), a naturally occurring cysteine mutant of apoAI with dimers as its effective form, showed an enhanced cardiovascular protective activity compared with wild-type apoAI (apoAIwt). To investigate the role of recombinant high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) reconstituted with apoAIM (rHDLM) on endotoxemia and MOPS, we examined the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and protective effects of this cysteine mutant against organ injury in endotoxin-challenged rat models compared with rHDLwt. In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that pretreatment with rHDLM significantly attenuated liver and renal dysfunction and histopathological features of lung injury in endotoxin-challenged endotoxemia rats. Administration of rHDLM to endotoxemia rats dramatically suppressed proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecule increase in tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1. In addition, rHDLM pretreatment inhibited lipid peroxidation and enhanced total antioxidant capacity in vivo. In comparison with rHDLwt, rHDLM showed enhanced capacity on anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant functions. In summary, administration of rHDLM protected endotoxin-challenged endotoxemia and MOPS through enhanced anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
Polymerization of 1,3-butadiene with neodymium chloride tripentanolate/triisobutylaluminum binary catalyst system: effect of aging time and reaction temperature
Authors: Enríquez-Medrano Francisco Javier , López Luis Alexandro Valencia , de Santiago-Rodríguez Yair Agustín , Corral Florentino Soriano , Caballero Hened Saade , Quintanilla María L. López , de León-Gómez Ramón Díaz
Published: September 2014

1,3-Butadiene monomer was polymerized at 40°C and 60°C by means of a catalyst comprising neodymium (Nd) chloride/1-pentanolate/triisobutylaluminum (TIBA) in cyclohexane as solvent; the catalyst system was aged at 5 and 30 min. The effects on conversion, catalytic activity and polymer final properties were evaluated. The obtained polybutadienes (PBs) were characterized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques and the results were discussed in terms of the effect of aging time and reaction temperature.
Ultraviolet or atomic irradiation effect on the polyimide composite lubricating coating
Authors: Zhao Gai , Ding Qingjun , Wang Qihua , Peng Hanmin
Published: September 2014

The molybdenum sulfide/lanthanum fluoride/polyimide (MoS2/LaF3/PI) coating was synthesized and irradiated by ultraviolet (UV) or atomic oxygen (AO). The friction and wear behavior were evaluated sliding against GCr15 steel balls (ASTM A295:1998) using a ball-on-disk tribology test rig. This paper aims to discuss these issues. The chemical structure of the irradiated surface was examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The worn morphologies of the coatings and counterpart were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to reveal the wear mechanism. Experimental results indicated that the height and position of the characteristic functional groups and the coefficient of friction of the PI coating changed and the wear rate value decreased after UV or AO irradiation. The effect of LaF3 combined with MoS2 on the tribological properties of the coating and wear mechanism under different irradiated conditions is discussed.
Effect of chemical modification on slip resistance and mechanical properties of rubber
Authors: Mohan Ranganathan , Sundaresan Raja , Das Bhabendra Nath
Published: September 2014

Shoe sole material, design, tread pattern and surface modifications influence slip resistance while walking and running. Thermoplastic styrene-butadine-styrene rubber, commercially known as TPR, is one of the materials widely used as shoe soles. This type of sole is subjected to chemical treatment known as halogenation to increase adhesion characteristic with the upper. The coefficient of friction (COF) is the ratio between the horizontal force and the vertical force when tested with the help of slip resistance test equipment SATRA STM 603. It is also known that footwear outsole surface modification affects COF at the footwear floor interfaces. In this study, plain TPR shoe sole samples were surface modified by treating with 2.0 wt% trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCI) in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). The effect of surface modifications was studied by water contact angle measurements, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), surface roughness and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface modified sole samples were also tested for other mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness and abrasion resistance to find out the extent of changes in those essential functional properties. It was observed that surface modification of TPR sole increased COF and reduced strength, elasticity and abrasion resistance properties. However, there was no significant change in hardness.
Burqa and the human umwelt
Authors: Khan Amarah Niazi , Staiano-Ross Kathryn
Published: September 2014

We all construct models of the world by which we make sense of the phenomena we encounter. But rarely is the model of the women who wear the burqa considered. We hold that the world must be perceived through the body of the other before meaning can be assessed. We argue that the burqa is not an object, but a set of human relationships. It has no singular interpretant by which it can be understood. It is a highly nuanced semiosic phenomenon that we believe can best be understood by placing the burqa within a specific human umwelt.
Three Kantian Strands in Frege’s View of Arithmetic
Authors: Bar-Elli Gilead
Published: September 2014

On the background of explaining their different notions of analyticity, their different views on definitions, and some aspects of Frege’s notion of sense, three important Kantian strands that interweave into Frege’s view are exposed. First, Frege’s remarkable view that arithmetic, though analytic, contains truths that “extend our knowledge”, and by Kant’s use of the term, should be regarded synthetic. Secondly, that our arithmetical (and logical) knowledge depends on a sort of a capacity to recognize and identify objects, which are given us in particular ways, constituting their senses (Sinne). Third, that there is a sense in which Frege’s view of definitions and explications gives new substance to Kant’s leading idea of analyticity, namely, the containment of a truth or a concept in another. In all these, Frege’s view does not endorse the Kantian strands as they are, but gives them special and sometimes quite sophisticated twists.
Richard Tieszen, After Gödel. Platonism and Rationalism in Mathematics and Logic
Authors: Cantu Paola
Published: September 2014

Oxford: Oxford University Press 2011, x + 245 pp. £44.00 (hardcover). ISBN 978-0-19-960620-7.
Artificial Neural Network Modeling of Grinding of Ductile Cast Iron using Water Based SiO2 Nanocoolant
Authors: M.M. Rahman, K. Kadirgama and Azma Salwani Ab Aziz
Published: September 2014

This paper presents optimization of the grinding progress of ductile cast iron using water-based SiO2 nanocoolant. Conventional and water-based nanocoolant grinding was performed using a precision surface grinding machine. The study is aimed to investigate the effect of table speed and depth of cut on the surface roughness and material removal rate (MRR). Mathematical modeling is developed using the response surface method. An artificial neural network model is developed for predicting the surface roughness and MRR. Multi-layer perception and a batch back propagation algorithm are used. MLP is a gradient descent technique to minimize the error through a particular training pattern in which it adjusts the weight by a small amount at a time. From the experiment, the depth of cut is directly proportional to the surface roughness, but the table speed is inversely proportional to the surface roughness. The higher the value of the depth of cut, the lower the value of MRR, and vice versa for the table speed. It is concluded that the surface quality together with the material removal rate are the most affected by the depth of cut(s) and table speed.
Modal Analysis of Dissimilar Plate Metal Joining with Different Thicknesses using MIG Welding
Authors: M. M. Hatifi, M. H. Firdaus and  A. Y. Razlan
Published: September 2014

This paper presents a study of the dynamic behavior of joining hybrid parts, stainless steel and aluminum alloy, by MIG welding. The objective is to analyze the effect of welding on dissimilar plates of stainless steel and aluminum. A finite element model of joining stainless steel and aluminum alloy by welding was built using a structural threedimensional (3D) solid modeling element. Impact testing using hammer excitation and accelerometer response measuring techniques was conducted to measure the vibration properties of the hybrid parts. The natural frequency and the mode shape graph from experimental modal analysis were then compared with the results that were obtained from finite elements (FE) and showed good agreement. Joining welding gives effect to dynamic properties (mode shape) of modal analysis, especially mode 1,3 (bending pattern) and mode 4 (second twisting). The results show significant points about the effect of MIG welding of dissimilar plate in terms of their dynamic properties compared to welding of the same material. Through comparison of the simulation results and the experimental measurements, it can be assumed that, besides the welding-brazing process, other key manufacturing processes such as cladding, buttering and heat treatment should also be taken into account to accurately predict the dynamic properties in the whole range of dissimilar metal joining.
Effect of Compression Ratio on the Performance of Different Strategies for the Gas Turbine
Authors: Thamir K. Ibrahim and M.M. Rahman
Published: September 2014

Finding clean and safe energy is the greatest challenge to meeting the requirements of a green environment. These requirements given way the long time governing authority of steam turbine (ST) in the world power generation, and gas turbine (GT) will replace it. It is therefore necessary to predict the characteristics of the GT and optimize its operating strategy by developing a simulation system. Several configurations of GT plants are proposed by thermal analysis. The integrated model and simulation code for exploiting the performance of GT plants have been developed using MATLAB code. The performance codes for heavy-duty GT power plants were validated with the Bassily model and the results have been satisfactory. Results of performance enhancing strategies show that higher power output occurs in the intercooler-reheat GT (IHGT) strategy (286 MW). At a compression ratio of 12.4 in the intercooler-regenerativereheat GT (IRHGT) strategy, the highest (best) thermal efficiency obtained was 50.7%. In the IHGT, the lowest thermal efficiency obtained was 22% to 39.3% in the presence of a compression ratio between 3 and 30. The lowest fuel consumption (0.14 kg/kWh) occurred in the IRHGT strategy. Compression ratios are thus strongly influenced by the overall performance of the GT.
An Experimental Investigation of the Effective Parameters on Wet Washing of Biodiesel Purification
Authors: A. Abbaszadeh, B. Ghobadian, G. Najafi and T. Yusaf
Published: September 2014

The purity level of biodiesel has a strong effect on fuel properties and on engine life. Therefore, a purification step is necessary. Generally, there are two accepted methods for purifying biodiesel: wet washing and dry washing. In this research, the effective parameters on wet purification of biodiesel were investigated. Three types of biodiesel wash water (tap water, distilled water and water with 3% phosphoric acid), three wet washing temperatures (30, 45 and 60ºC), and three levels of water to biodiesel ratios (0.5, 1 and 1.5 v/v) were used. In order to perform the wet washing of biodiesel, a bubble washing technique was used. The catalyst, soap and water residue were considered as the criteria to choose the optimum water washing condition and were measured after the wet washing of crude biodiesel. The results showed that the best condition for catalyst and soap removal from biodiesel are acidified water, a temperature of 60ºC and a water to biodiesel ratio of 1.5 (v/v). Also, the least amount of water residue in the final purified biodiesel was observed when using tap water at a temperature of 60ºC and a water to biodiesel ratio of 0.5 (v/v).
Experimental Study on Surface Integrity in End Milling of Hastelloy C-2000 Superalloy
Authors: N. H. Razak, M. M. Rahman and K. Kadirgama
Published: September 2014

This paper presents an experimental study of surface integrity in end milling of Hastelloy C-2000. The experiment was carried out using two different cutting inserts under wet conditions – namely physical vapor deposition coated carbide with TiAlN and uncoated carbide. Design of experiment was implemented with a Box-Behnken design. The surface integrity of the workpiece was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical element changes were inspected by an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) test. The surface integrity of Hastelloy C-2000 was better when machining with coated carbide compared to uncoated carbide cutting inserts, mainly because the coating layer of coated carbide acted as a protecting layer to the cutting tool insert. Surface defects such as feed marks, surface tearing, plucking, cracking and adhered chips were found during the machining process. The chemical element changes happened due to the adhesion and diffusion mechanisms which were identified using SEM and EDX.
The LRIG family: enigmatic regulators of growth factor receptor signaling
Authors: Simion Catalina , Cedano-Prieto Maria Elvira , Sweeney Colleen
Published: September 2014

The leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains (LRIG) family of transmembrane proteins contains three vertebrate members (LRIG1, LRIG2 and LRIG3) and one member each in flies (Lambik) and worms (Sma-10). LRIGs have stepped into the spotlight as essential regulators of growth factor receptors, including receptor tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases. LRIGs have been found to both negatively (LRIG1 and LRIG3) and positively (Sma-10 and LRIG3) regulate growth factor receptor expression and signaling, although the precise molecular mechanisms by which LRIGs function are not yet understood. The most is known about LRIG1, which was recently demonstrated to be a tumor suppressor. Indeed,in vivoexperiments reinforce the essential link between LRIG1 and repression of its targets for tissue homeostasis. LRIG1 has also been identified as a stem cell marker and regulator of stem cell quiescence in a variety of tissues, discussed within. Comparably, less is known about LRIG2 and LRIG3, although studies to date suggest that their functions are largely distinct from that of LRIG1 and that they likely do not serve as growth/tumor suppressors. Finally, the translational applications of expressing soluble forms of LRIG1 in LRIG1-deficient tumors are being explored and hold tremendous promise.
Reproducibility and feasibility of right ventricular strain and strain rate (SR) as determined by myocardial speckle tracking during high-intensity upright exercise: a comparison with tissue Doppler-derived strain and SR in healthy human hearts
Authors: Lord Rachel N , George Keith , Jones Helen , Somauroo John , Oxborough David
Published: September 2014

This study aimed to establish feasibility for myocardial speckle tracking (MST) and intra-observer reliability of both MST and tissue velocity imaging (TVI)-derived right ventricular (RV) strain (ε) and strain rate (SR) at rest and during upright incremental exercise. RV ε and SR were derived using both techniques in 19 healthy male participants. MST-derived ε and SR were feasible at rest (85% of segments tracked appropriately). Feasibility reduced significantly with progressive exercise intensity (3% of segments tracking appropriately at 90% maximum heart rate (HRmax)). Coefficient of variations (CoVs) of global ε values at rest was acceptable for both TVI and MST (7–12%), with low bias and narrow limits of agreement. Global SR data were less reliable for MST compared with TVI as demonstrated with CoV data (systolic SR=15 and 61%, early diastolic SR=16 and 17% and late diastolic SR=26 and 31% respectively). CoVs of global RV ε and SR obtained at 50% HRmax were acceptable using both techniques. As exercise intensity increased to 70 and 90% HRmax, reliability of ε and SR values reduced with larger variability in MST. We conclude that RV global and regional ε and SR data are feasible, comparable and reliable at rest and at 50% HRmax using both MST and TVI. Reliability was reduced during higher exercise intensities with only TVI acceptable for clinical and scientific use.
Lady Six Sky and the Definition of Ritual Space at Naranjo
Authors: Doyle James Alan
Published: September 2014

Through a broad discussion on the full monumental program at Naranjo during the reigns of Lady Six Sky and her son K'ak Tiliw Chan Chaak, this article provides new information about the role of women in Late Classic Maya civilization (AD 600-900). A detailed exploration of the distinct trends in the monumental program from 682-741 AD supports the primary argument for Lady Sky Six’s underlying importance in ritual representation. The author finds considerable evidence that suggests the transfer of power from mother to son during the latter years of Lady Sky Six. A concluding discussion of Naranjo focuses on spatial analysis of the monuments spread across the site core in relation to dual-gendered ritual space, as well as contrasting martial and mythological imagery.
The State of the Union: A History of the Labor Movement at Vanderbilt University
Authors: Carlisle Jennifer M
Published: September 2014

This article will document the historical context of the labor movement at Vanderbilt University in order to explain the nature and interaction of the labor union with central administration over the past forty years. Recognizing the lack of scholarly attention to the labor movement in Paul Conkin’s Gone with the Ivy (1985) and Peabody College (2002) and Dale Johnson’s Vanderbilt Divinity School (2001), the author contributes to the academic literature by providing a broad overview of the historical background and current state of the labor movement. As the largest employer in Davidson County and a major contributor to the state of Tennessee’s economic development, the relationship of University administrators and labor representatives has a large impact on the condition of surrounding labor movements, particularly in the city of Nashville’s low-wage service workers sector. In providing a brief chronological synopsis of the labor movement and the role of female involvement in the union, the author concludes by providing a context for contemporary labor negotiations.
Value, Morality, and Ethics
Authors: Feigerle Dustin Marcus
Published: September 2014

What is the nature, origin, and ontological status of what we call 'value'? This article argues that value does not exist objectively, but is a purely non-objective phenomenon. Most importantly, I seek to clarify the concept of value and change the orientation of value toward the individual by considering Mackie, Ross, Spinoza, Hobbes, and recent theories regarding group selection. Finally, I conclude by asserting that any form of "greater good" must rest on and be considered at the level of the individual.
The Language of Ideology: Lingual Manipulation of Readers in German Literature of the Third Reich
Authors: Press Steven Michael
Published: September 2014

In recognizing more than just hyperbole in their critical studies of National Socialist language, post-war philologists Viktor Klemperer (1946) and Eugen Seidel (1961) credit persuasive words and syntax with the expansion of Hitler's ideology among the German people. This popular explanation is being revisited by contemporary philologists, however, as new historical argument holds the functioning of the Third Reich to be anything but monolithic. An emerging scholarly consensus on the presence of more chaos than coherence in Nazi discourse suggests a new imperative for research. After reviewing the foundational works of Mein Kampf (1925) and Myth of the Twentieth Century (1930), the author confirms Klemperer and Seidel’s claim for linguistic manipulation in the rise of the National Socialist Party. Most importantly, this article provides a detailed explanation of how party leaders employed rhetorical language to promote fascist ideology without an underlying basis of logical argumentation.
Philosophical Arguments for Increased Aid to Developing Countries
Authors: Morris Gabriel Scott
Published: September 2014

The wealth disparity between developed and developing countries has resulted in widespread poverty and frequent support of terrorism in the developing world. However, developed countries have given only tenths of a percent of their respective gross national products recently to close this wealth gap. A better understanding of this situation requires a philosophical inquiry into the moral and practical implications of providing increased aid to developing countries. First, the author argues there is a moral obligation for people in developing countries to increase developing country aid. Second, the author argues that this increase in developing country aid will decrease the cumulative presence of world poverty and will improve the world economy. To emphasize these benefits, the author employs deontological and contemporary analysis techniques in the context of five potential objections to reinforce the need for increased developing country aid.
Le Carnavalesque: La Passion Par Rapport à la Theorie de Mikhail Bakhtin
Authors: Montesi Jennifer L
Published: September 2014

According to the theory of Mikhail Bakhtin, the carnival of the Middle Ages and Renaissance played a significant role in medieval culture because it permitted the expression of the carnival spirit, a fundamental tendency of humanity that was hidden from public view in daily activities. In contrast with the ordinary life of mankind, the carnival world was a “second world” and “upside-down world” where laws, social structure, and religious authority ceased to exist. It was a place for unadulterated passion where free and familiar contact between individuals and exceptional creativity promoted the formation of new modes of communication and personal relationships. The expression of carnival spirit was necessary for the survival of humanity such that, upon the demise of the carnival, the same passionate desires of the carnival were transferred to the domain of literature and art. Through an examination of menippean literature, as well as the collective works of Francois Rabelais and Fyodor Dostoevsky, this article provides extensive support in favor of the carnival’s influence on literary works that surrounded the demise of the carnival in popular culture.
Herman Melville’s Politics of Imperialism: Colonizing and De-Colonizing Spaces of Ethnicity
Authors: Blumenthal Rachel A.
Published: September 2014

There is, in Herman Melville’s works, a constant struggle to situate the narrative within the context of a racial and ethnic “Other.” Melville’s narrators—almost invariably white, Euro-American males—appear at times in tense opposition to, and at other times in social harmony with, the African, Native American, Polynesian, and Oriental presences in his texts. In essence, Melville situates these non-white characters against the dominantly-raced narrator as racial “Others.” This ethnic “othering” entails a dangerous politics of racial separation, hierarchizing, and colonization, yet simultaneously allows for and even encourages a social critique of nineteenth-century white American imperialist attitudes toward non-white peoples. Indeed, this is what makes Melville such a difficult figure to decipher both literarily and historically. By marking these races as alien and “other,” indeed by striving to “mark” them at all, Melville at once conducts a constructive anthropological study as well as sets the destructive foundation for a race-driven, American imperialist project aimed at alienated and “othered” races. Indeed, Melville constructs for his readership a difficult paradox; his texts on the one hand call for white intervention and colonization of ethnic and racial spaces, and on the other, they illuminate the counter-productivity of such colonization. What, then, was Melville’s relationship to the ongoing imperialist project of nineteenth-century America? To reach an answer to this question we will examine Melville’s political relationship to two Pacific Ocean land groups (the Marquesan Islands and the Sandwich Islands), establish a pattern to his paradoxical imperialist and anti-imperialist philosophies, and finally, construct a model of his international, inter-ethnic political philosophy.
Quiet Rebellion: Emmy Hennings and the Politics of Subversion
Authors: Marcrum II Charles Terry
Published: September 2014

Amidst the clamor and upheaval of World War I, Zurich proved to be fertile ground for a blossoming literary and artistic movement dedicated to the eradication of the social, political, and creative norms which allowed the war to come about, through a campaign of abstraction and reduction into Nichtigkeit (Nothingness). This was Dada. The means by which this campaign was made operational were varied, as were the many artists and writers who placed themselves on the front lines. One such artist, Emmy Hennings, has, in recent years, become the subject of increased examination and debate, due to her problematic and twice-marginalized position as both a woman and a liberated avant-garde within a still-repressive Wilhelmine society. Under intense scrutiny is the question of whether Hennings served as a leader of the Zurich Dada movement, or as a passive follower, operating under her husband’s able direction; whether she used the Dada movement as a platform on which to voice her contrary opinions or simply as an outlet for politically and socially indifferent self-expression, as some modern scholars contend.
Acoustical Properties of Speech as Indicators of Depression and Suicidal Risk
Authors: Landau Michael Joshua
Published: September 2014

Acoustical properties of speech have been shown to be related to mental states such as remission and depression. The objective of this project was to relate the energy in frequency bands with the severity of the mental state using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Recorded speech was obtained from male and female subjects with mental states of remission, depression, and suicidal risk. These subjects had recorded automated and spontaneous speech samples. Multiple regression analysis was used to relate the independent energy band ratio variables with the dependent BDI scores, and thus allow the determination of equitable BDI scores for future patients. For the male group, the square of the 3rd energy band and the cross-product of the 2nd and 3rd energy band were prominent in both the reading and interviewed groups. Therefore the equation with the 2nd lowest Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) score was chosen for the reading male group, and the 1st lowest AIC score was chosen for the interviewed male group. For the female group, the square and cross-product of the 1st and 2nd energy bands were prominent in both the reading and interviewed groups. Therefore the 2nd lowest AIC score was chosen for the reading female group, and the 1st lowest AIC score was chosen for the interviewed female group. The clinician could thus determine the patient’s mood or state of mind by comparing the estimated BDI score with the ranges of total BDI scores: remitted 0 – 20, depressed 15 – 38, suicidal 38 – 46.

Keywords: speech, mental states, power spectra, multiple regression, information theoretic criterion
Protecting Society from Child Sex Offenders: A Proposal for Lowering Recidivism Rates Through an Analysis of the Prevailing Social Policy and Methodology of the U.S and Denmark
Authors: Kravitz Evan J
Published: September 2014

This paper examines the current philosophy and methodology utilized in the United States and Denmark in dealing with child sex offenders and proposes post-release approaches that will reduce recidivism rates in order to better protect society in the future. After analyzing current classifications of child sex offenders, labeling theory is rejected in favor of a novel classification of offenders based on their victimization. The unreliability of current measures of recidivism rates is explored and proposals are set forth to reconfigure recidivism rates to effectively measure the value of post-release protocols. A study of the current laws and social policy of the U.S. and Denmark follows along with a critical analysis of post-release sanctions and treatments. I conclude with a proposal for a post-release protocol that should minimize recidivism of child sex offenders and provide the greatest protection to society.
Courting the Youth Vote in 2008: The Obama Effect
Authors: Bohl Lindsey C
Published: September 2014

This paper examines a few of the numerous factors that may have led to increased youth turnout in 2008 Election. First, theories of voter behavior and turnout are related to courting the youth vote. Several variables that are perceived to affect youth turnout such as party polarization, perceived candidate difference, voter registration, effective campaigning and mobilization, and use of the Internet, are examined. Over the past 40 years, presidential elections have failed to engage the majority of young citizens (ages 18-29) to the point that they became inclined to participate. This trend began to reverse starting in 2000 Election and the youth turnout reached its peak in 2008. While both short and long-term factors played a significant role in recent elections, high turnout among youth voters in 2008 can be largely attributed to the Obama candidacy and campaign, which mobilized young citizens in unprecedented ways.