bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Order on Cross-Tabulations and Degrees of Association
Authors: Cibois Philippe
Published: September 2013

It is often argued that an order exists in a cross-tabulation when the table’s margins have such a structure. We can free ourselves from this point of view and clearly define an order on the table itself. As Louis Guttman noted previously in the case of scalogram analysis, one must often move rows and columns about to be able to create a scale. In this case, it is the order of the table’s structure which induces an order on the margins and not the reverse. However, Goodman and Kruskal, when they proposed the gamma index that defines the strength of an association in the ordered case, only use the margins’ order, and they have since then been followed by most researchers. One should return to the original intuition of Guttman and show that at least an approximate order is almost always present in a table. The ordered cross-tabulation generated by ordered questions is only one case among many others and conversely a table with a strong order structure induces an order on question modalities. With real examples, we show that the criteria are available to define an order on a table, that there are formalized methods to reveal the associated structure, that there are also different indices to measure the degree of association, and finally that there are tests to assess the level of significance.
Adaptive evolution of the osmoregulation-related genes in cetaceans during secondary aquatic adaptation
Authors: Xu Shixia , Yang Yunxia , Zhou Xuming , Xu Junxiao , Zhou Kaiya , Yang Guang
Published: September 2013

Background

Osmoregulation was a primary challenge for cetaceans during the evolutionary transition from a terrestrial to a mainly hyperosmotic environment. Several physiological mechanisms have been suggested to maintain the water and salt balance in cetaceans, but their genetic and evolutionary bases remain poorly explored. The current study investigated the genes involved in osmoregulation in cetaceans and compared them with their counterparts in terrestrial mammals to test whether adaptive evolution occurred during secondary aquatic adaptation.

Results

The present study analyzed the molecular evolution of 11 osmoregulation-related genes in 11 cetacean species, which represented all of the major cetacean clades. The results demonstrated positive selection acting on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT), SLC14A2, and aquaporin 2 (AQP2). This evidence for the positive selection of AQP2 and SLC14A2 suggests that the adaptive evolution of these genes has helped to enhance the capacity for water and urea transport, thereby leading to the concentration of urine, which is an efficient mechanism for maintaining the water balance. By contrast, a series of positively selected amino acid residues identified in the ACE and AGT (two key members of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, RAAS) proteins of cetaceans suggests that RAAS might have been adapted to maintain the water and salt balance in response to a hyperosmotic environment. Radical amino acid changes in positively selected sites were distributed among most internal and terminal branches of the cetacean phylogeny, which suggests the pervasively adaptive evolution of osmoregulation since the origin of cetaceans and their subsequent diversification.

Conclusions

This is the first comprehensive analysis of the molecular evolution of osmoregulation-related genes in cetaceans in response to selection pressure from a generally hyperosmotic environment. Four genes, i.e., AQP2, SLC14A2, ACE, and AGT were subject to positive selection in cetaceans, which suggests that cetaceans may have adapted to maintain their water and salt balance. This also suggests that cetaceans may have evolved an effective and complex mechanism for osmoregulation.
Factors predicting mood changes in oral contraceptive pill users
Authors: Shakerinejad Ghodratollah , Hidarnia Alireza , Motlagh Mohammad Esmaeil , Karami Khodabakhsh , Niknami Shamsoddin , Montazeri Ali
Published: September 2013

Background

Over 100 million women worldwide are using oral contraceptives pills (OCP) and mood changes were being as the primary reason for OCP discontinuation. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and predicting factors of mood changes in oral contraceptive pills users.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of 500 women aged 15–49 years old using low dose (LD) pills attending family planning centers in Ahwaz, Iran. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire including items on demographic, self-efficacy and mood change. Both univarate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between reported mood change and the independent variables.

Results

In all 406 women reported that they did experience OCP side effects. Of these, 37.7% of women (n =153) reported mood changes due to OCP use. The results of multiple logistic regression revealed that place of living (OR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.06-6.20, p = 0.03), not receiving information on OCP side effects (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.15-2.80, p = 0.009), and lower self-efficacy (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.80-0.94, p = 0.001) were significant predictors of mood changes.

Conclusion

The findings from this study indicated that the prevalence of reported mood changes due to OCP use among Iranian women appeared to be consistent with other studies. In addition the findings showed that receiving information on OCP side effects from health care workers and self-efficacy were important predicting factors for mood changes. Indeed implementing educational programs and improving self-efficacy among women are recommended.
Literature and Influence: A New Model for Introductory Literature Courses
Authors: Steinberg Gillian
Published: September 2013

The “Influence” model of introductory literature class focuses on a single central text, the works that influenced its composition, and works that developed from it, encouraging students to make connections among texts. Such a course model repositions power in the classroom by offering students the opportunity to participate in list creation.
Rhetorically Analyzing Online Composition Spaces
Authors: Ewing Laura A.
Published: September 2013

Public writing spaces, such as blogs and social media sites, are expanding quickly with new websites, web applications, and other interfaces constantly available to users. As these digital composing spaces continue to expand, it is important that writers are capable of operating within them, yet many composition students lack the rhetorical awareness to present effective arguments in multimodal digital interfaces. To address this issue, the author designed a project to introduce students to public writing while reflecting on the implications of the permanence of their writing, the searchability of these public spaces, and their responsibility as writers. This project began by asking students to reflect on their own online personae, be it through Facebook profiles, personal blogs, or online class forums. Utilizing websites like Yelp and YouTube offered students the opportunity to see how others present themselves online and the effectiveness of composers in these digital spaces. Taught in an online course format, this project demonstrates how writing can live outside of the traditional classroom space and contribute to the students’ community. For the writing teacher, it creates the occasion to delve into students’ understandings of ethics in online writing while illustrating the rhetorical components necessitated by composing in digital media.
FRACTURE PHENOMENON IN SIMULATION OF BIMETALLIC RODS EXTRUSION PROCESS
Authors: Ryzińska Grażyna
Published: September 2013

Mechanical behaviour of metallic material is different during its deformation as monometallic one in comparison with deformation as a component of composite. The different flow characteristics of two materials enhance the inhomogeneity of the extrusion process. This lead to poor tolerance throughout the extrudate fracture of the core or fracture of the sleeve. The concept of FEM Marc Mode has been presented with results which may indicate the possibility of assessment of existing fracture criteria for composite material. The present study shows that prediction based on the criterion including σmax, σ average , ε average , εf is reflected in experimental results. Fracture phenomena dependency occurring on geometrical arrangement of billet has been presented. The values of Ri/R0 ratios were lower the probability of fracture occurrence was higher.
MICRO-HARDNESS EVOLUTION OF Al-ALLOY AA 3004, PROCESSED BY EQUAL CHANNEL ANGULAR PRESSING
Authors: Izairi Neset , Ajredini Fadil , Ristova Mimoza , Vevecka-Priftaj Afërdita
Published: September 2013

Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) is a very interesting method for modifying the microstructure in producing materials with ultrafine grain in sub-micrometer or nanometre range. Experiments demonstrate that these ultrafine structures may exhibit, by comparison with large - grained polycrystals, major differences in some fundamental properties. A nanostructured AA 3004 alloy was used to investigate the evolution of microhardness and microstructure on the cross-sectional plane X, after processing by ECAP at room temperature for up to six passes. The measurements show the average microhardness increases significantly after two passes with additional increases in subsequent passes. Microhardness values increase by more than two times after 6 passes. There is a reduction in grain size from of ~ 50μm in the initial condition to ~ 12 μm after 6 passes. The results also show that the microstructure and the microhardness evolve with increasing strain so that, after a total of 6 passes, the structure is almost homogenous throughout the cross-sectional plane of the billet.
ALUMINIUM LOOS IN THE PROCESS OF Ti-6Al-7Nb SMELTING
Authors: Oleksiak Beata , Blacha Leszek , Siwiec Grzegorz , Folęga Piotr
Published: September 2013

In the paper, results of experimental smelting of the Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy in a vacuum induction furnace are presented. The experiments were performed at 5-1000 Pa and 1973-2023 K. For the analysed alloy, a significant impact of pressure on aluminium loss was observed. Pressure reduction in the device from 1000 Pa to 5 Pa was accompanied by Aluminium content decrease from the initial value of 5.5 % mass to a value even below 3.2 % mass. Moreover, aluminium elimination was enhanced when the smelting temperature increased. Additionally, values of a so-called evaporation coefficient (Ω) were determined. In terms of titanium and niobium, ΩAl/Ti and ΩAl/Nb values suggest that, thermodynamically, aluminium loss may result from its intense evaporation from the investigated alloy.
DEFORMATION BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS OF POLYSTYRENE KRASTEN171 WITH MONTMORILLONITE NANOFILLERS
Authors: Mihaliková Mária , Ambriško Ľubomír , Német Miroslav
Published: September 2013

The paper is focused on the experimental investigation of the montmorillonite nanofillers effect on deformation properties of polystyrene KRASTEN 171. The combination of a low amount of clay with dispersed polymeric phase may cause synergistic effects leading to very fair balance of mechanical behaviour in some cases. The paper analyses the effect of nanocomposites and type of the material on the individual measured parameters, relations between them, strength and deformation behaviour. Deformations were evaluated by non-contact videoextensometry method. The results show that doping of the base material polystyrene with nanofillers particles has an effect on the plastic deformation increments.
Small Animal Review
Authors: Tennant Bryn
Published: September 2013

Introduction: Providing clear guidance on the fate of newlydiagnosed diabetic cats can be difficult. This review addresses some of those concerns.
Clinical forum: canine localised adult-onset demodicosis
Authors: Wright Ian , Bate Simon , Mctaggart Donald , Cox Alistair
Published: September 2013

Canine demodicosis: a case in practice

This clinical forum considers a case of demodicosis encountered by the author in practice. The case raises particular challenges in terms of management and treatment options. A series of questions regarding this case were asked of specialists from different disciplines relevant to the case, and their views summarised.
Osteochondrosis dissecans of the canine shoulder
Authors: Morris Andy , Anderson Angus
Published: September 2013

This article describes the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) of the caudal aspect of the humeral head in an eight-month-old Border Collie. OCD of the canine shoulder is a frequent cause of forelimb lameness in the dog. A typical presentation of lameness and pain on shoulder extension or flexion is seen in young mediumto giant-breed dogs, but it should be considered in almost all forelimb lameness work-ups. For most cases, management consists of excision of the cartilage flap and careful curettage or forage of the underlying subchondral bone to promote fibrocartilage. For all cases, a mild degenerative joint disease will ensue; however, with appropriate management, a good long-term prognosis can be expected in the majority of cases.
Practical hints and tips for oncological surgery
Authors: Bowlt Kelly , Murphy Sue , Stewart Jennifer
Published: September 2013

Oncological surgery can potentially cure more cancer patients than any other form of treatment, so correct planning is imperative. This article offers hints and tips on how to achieve an optimal outcome for your patient.
Environmental Awareness in the Atomic Age
Authors: Rothschild Rachel
Published: September 2013

The U.S. military first sponsored ecological research during World War II to monitor the release of radioactive effluent into waterways from plutonium production. The Atomic Energy Commission later expanded these investigations to include studies of radioactive fallout at the Nevada and Marshall Island test sites, particularly after the Fukuryu Maru (Lucky Dragon) accident in 1954. The public outcry against nuclear testing from this accident, which contaminated nearby inhabited islands with radioactive fallout, resulted in a considerable influx of funding for environmental science at the Atomic Energy Commission. Many biologists who conducted these studies on nuclear fallout and waste for the Atomic Energy Commission began to develop concerns about radioactive pollution in the environment from the long-term, cumulative effects of nuclear waste disposal, the use of atomic bombs for construction projects, and the potential ecological devastation wrought by nuclear war. Their new environmental awareness prompted many Atomic Energy Commission ecologists to try to draw congressional attention to the dangers that nuclear technology posed to the environment. It also spurred reforms in the education and training of ecologists to meet the challenges of the atomic age through the new subfield of “radioecology” as well as research into problems of environmental pollution more broadly.
Wilhelm Weinberg’s Early Contribution to Segregation Analysis
Authors: Stark Alan , Seneta Eugene
Published: September 2013

Wilhelm Weinberg (1862–1937) is a largely forgotten pioneer of human and medical genetics. His name is linked with that of the English mathematician G. H. Hardy in the Hardy–Weinberg law, pervasive in textbooks on population genetics since it expresses stability over generations of zygote frequencies AA, Aa, aa under random mating. One of Weinberg’s signal contributions, in an article whose centenary we celebrate, was to verify that Mendel’s segregation law still held in the setting of human heredity, contrary to the then-prevailing view of William Bateson (1861–1926), the leading Mendelian geneticist of the time. Specifically, Weinberg verified that the proportion of recessive offspring genotypes aa in human parental crossings Aa × Aa (that is, the segregation ratio for such a setting) was indeed p=14. We focus in a nontechnical way on his procedure, called the simple sib method, and on the heated controversy with Felix Bernstein (1878–1956) in the 1920s and 1930s over work stimulated by Weinberg’s article.
Reconciling conflicting perspectives for biodiversity conservation in the Anthropocene
Authors: Kueffer Christoph , Kaiser-Bunbury Christopher N
Published: September 2013

We introduce a framework – based on experiences from oceanic islands – for conserving biodiversity in the Anthropocene. In an increasingly human‐dominated world, the context for conservation‐oriented action is extremely variable, attributable to three largely independent factors: the degree of anthropogenic change, the importance of deliberate versus inadvertent human influence on ecosystems, and land‐use priorities. Given this variability, we discuss the need to integrate four strategies, often considered incompatible, for safeguarding biodiversity: maintaining relicts of historical biodiversity through intensive and continuous management; creating artificial in situ, inter situ, and ex situ conservation settings that are resilient to anthropogenic change; co‐opting novel ecosystems and associated “opportunistic biodiversity” as the wildlands of the future; and promoting biodiversity in cultural landscapes by adapting economic activities.
Islamic Perceptions of Medication with Special Reference to Ordinary and Extraordinary Means of Medical Treatment
Authors: Malik Mohammad Manzoor
Published: September 2013

This study attempts an exposition of different perceptions of obligation to medical treatment that have emerged from the Islamic theological understanding and how they contribute to diversity of options and flexibility in clinical practice. Particularly, an attempt is made to formulate an Islamic perspective on ordinary and extraordinary means of medical treatment. This distinction is of practical significance in clinical practice, and its right understanding is also important to public funded healthcare authorities, guardians of the patients, health and life insurance institutions, and employers who provide health care coverage to their employees. Not only these parties, but also lawyers and justice administration functionaries such as public prosecutors and judges are in need of understanding this distinction to deal with relevant litigations. The distinction could be made regarding terminally ill patients and non-terminally ill patients separately. The essential factors that matter in making the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary means of treatment are: (1) patient capacity (2) expert advice, and (3) nature of medication. Regarding terminally ill patients, medical treatment can become extraordinary because of (1) patient capacity and (2) nature of medication. In both these case the deciding condition applies: the expert advice taken from a group of physicians. In regards to non- terminally ill patients, extraordinary medical treatment includes three cases: (1) treatment that is known to be useless and futile, (2) treatment that endangers the life or cause more harm than what it removes, and (3) useful treatment, but the patient is unable to bear the cost. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v4i2.16373 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2013; 4(2) 22-33
The Epistemological Import of Informed Consent in Clinical Research
Authors: Adenugba Oluwaseun Adeola
Published: September 2013

This paper attempts to establish the epistemological import and limits of informed consent in clinical research. It points out that informed consent is a necessary requirement in clinical research because it ensures adequate participation of care receivers in issues relating to their health. Besides ensuring that care receivers have knowledge of whatever medical intervention they are consenting to, informed consent, as an ideal, provides assurance that care receivers and others are neither coerced nor deceived. While the question of the value of informed consent in health care delivery is not so much controverted, in contest is the question of whether or not complete and wholly specifically informed consent can indeed be realized in medical intervention. Two orientations are identified in this debate. One insists that an individual will be able to make an informed decision and make reasonable choices amongst alternatives when fully informed. The other orientation sees as an epistemic illusion, achieving full informed consent, and rather opts for informed request. This paper examines this debate by clarifying the notion of informed consent, its components and its nexus with knowledge. The position of the paper is that informed consent is not only an ethical ideal in clinical research and health care; it is also an epistemic virtue that must be continuously strived towards. This paper establishes that health care receivers can only have an epistemic claim of their medical situation if all requirements of informed consent in health care delivery such as provision of adequate information, the risk and benefits of treatment, avoidance of vague/ambiguous statements, voluntariness, etc. are met. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v4i2.16374 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2013; 4(2) 34-40
Research involving Human Subjects - Ethical Perspective
Authors: Fakruddin Md , Mannan Khanjada Shahnewaj Bin , Chowdhury Abhijit , Mazumdar Reaz Mohammed , Hossain Md Nur , Afroz Hafsa
Published: September 2013

Research involving human subjects are important to develop new therapeutics for the betterment of the human race. To take part in such research as volunteers is moral duty of any human. But such experiments should be justifiable and minimal risky for the participants. History of unethical research involving humans led to the development of many guidelines to make such research ethical as well as to gain maximum possible output. Several guidelines have been formulated to ensure research with human participants ethical. All the guidelines emphasize on one thing in particular- informed consent of the human subjects. Other considerations include rational benefit-harm ration, beneficence, justice, adequate research design and approval from proper authorities. All these guidelines aim to prevent any unethical research involving humans against their will. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v4i2.16375 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2013; 4(2) 41-48
Fudo: An East Asian Notion of Climate and Sustainability
Authors: Baek Jin
Published: September 2013

My paper discusses an East Asian notion of climate and its significance for sustainability. A particular reference is the environmental philosophy of Tetsuro Watsuji (1889–1960), a Japanese philosopher who reflected upon the meaning of climate, or “fudo” in the Sino-Japanese linguistic tradition. Watsuji sees fudo not merely as a collection of natural features—climatic, scenic, and topographical—of a given land, but also as the metaphor of subjectivity, or “who I am”. Furthermore, this self-discovery through fudo is never private but collective. By referring to a phenomenological notion of “ek-sistere”, or “to be out among other ‘I’s”, Watsuji demonstrates the pervasiveness of a climatic phenomenon and the ensuing inter-personal joining of different individuals to shape a collective sustainable measure in response to the phenomenon. My paper lastly concretizes the significance of fudo and its inter-personal ethical basis for sustainability by dwelling upon cross-ventilation in Japanese vernacular residential architecture. Cross-ventilation emerges only through what Watsuji calls “selfless openness” between different rooms predicated upon the joining of different ‘I’s soaked in hotness and humidity. Watsuji’s fudo thus offers a lesson that without considering the collective humane characteristic of a natural climatic phenomenon, any sustainable act is flawed and inefficient.
Microwave Assisted Dyeing of Polyester Fabrics with Disperse Dyes
Authors: Al-Mousawi Saleh , El-Apasery Morsy , Elnagdi Mohamed
Published: September 2013

Dyeing of polyester fabrics with thienobenzochromene disperse dyes under conventional and microwave heating conditions was studied in order to determine whether microwave heating could be used to enhance the dyeability of polyester fabrics. Fastness properties of the dyed samples were measured. All samples dyed with or without microwave heating displayed excellent washing and perspiration fastness. The biological activities of the synthesized dyes against Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria, yeast and fungus were also evaluated.
The Mirror: Advice on Presence and Awareness (dran pa dang shes bzhin gyi gdams pa me long ma)
Authors: Norbu Chögyal
Published: September 2013

“The Mirror: Advice on the Presence of Awareness” (dran pa dang shes bzhin gyi gdams pa me long ma) is a short text that describes the essence of the Dzogchen teaching (rdzogs chen, total perfection). Concerning the way to establish this point of view (lta ba), the main point is to have a direct understanding through the experience of our primordial state of pure presence, beyond any mental or intellectual construction. With regard to meditation (sgom pa), this involves practicing in order to be sure to understand our own true nature, the non-dual condition of the calm state (the essence of the mind) and movement (its natural energy). Behavior (spyod pa) is the integration of meditation in all our daily activities, continuing in the state of pure presence in every circumstance of life. This is the total realization.
Modern Testing of Wood-Based Panels, Process Control, and Modeling
Authors: Barbu Marius C. , Hasener Jörg , Bernardy Gregor
Published: September 2013

The fast development of the wood-based panels industry during the last decades resulted in a substantially increased production capacity of manufacturing lines. The utilization of advanced manufacturing systems created a large output of different panel types with a production of more than 1,000 m3 per day on at least 300 days within a year. Therefore, it is important to take into account the new requirements for an on-line control of the manufacturing process. Only on-line Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technologies are able to survey, detect, and forecast the quality of the raw materials, level of production parameters, and development of the panel properties. Main parameters like moisture content, resination level, mat area weight, thickness, and density profile influence the final properties of the panels. For over a decade there has been no other choice to control these and other process parameters than NDT methods using microwave (water content), IR (moisture and color), X-ray (mat and board area weight and density profile), ultrasound (blisters or density variation), etc. The determination of the effective resin content on the wood particle or the density, temperature, and moisture development during the hot pressing are further requirements for the future production units. The on-line measurement of free formaldehyde remaining after resin curing and other volatile substances from wood and resin seems to be a further subject of major interest. The intelligent implementation and integration, use, and understanding of on-line NDT methods in wood panel manufacturing is a big challenge that includes a better understanding of the overall process and its limits, an updated state of the art of knowledge, as well as an open and continuous dialog between the equipment producers, board manufactures, and users that could be another important key for the development of an environmentally friendly modern wood-based panel industry in the world.
Surface and Subsurface Quality Evaluation of Engineered Wood Products by Ultrasonic Means
Authors: Beall Frank C. , Reis Henrique
Published: September 2013

The use of ultrasonic techniques to evaluate the properties of engineered wood-based materials is discussed with respect to research to date and the use of more advanced techniques. The latter is critical because of the rapid evolution from solid wood to reconstituted structural materials. In addition, although considerable research has been done, there have been few introductions into manufacturing. This chapter traces the history of the use and latest developments of ultrasonics in several key areas, particularly the measurement of adhesive curing and quality in composites and laminates, and detection of flaws in solid wood materials. The techniques reviewed apply to product development, material properties, process control, product quality assessment, and evaluation of products in service.
Inventory of Experimental Works on Cutting Tools’ Life for the Wood Industry
Authors: Méausoone Pierre-Jean , Aguilera Alfredo
Published: September 2013

Woodworking is based on a trinomial machine/piece/tool. For maximum quality of the manufactured piece, it is important not to separate this trinomial, but the limited life of tools prevents that permanent contact. This phenomenon is due to the wear of the cutting parts of the tools. The prevention of wear is based on two methods. The first is to anticipate the end point of tool wear, changing these after a fixed period, no matter what. The other school is to recognize the tool wear at the event: the tools are changed once they are really worn out, finding faults on manufactured parts. A worn tool generates pieces with non-compliant quality or even unusable. A deeper understanding of wear and its consequences would change the tool at the right time. The tool wear for wood is due to several phenomena interacting with each other. The first dominating phenomenon is a corrosive attack that decreases the mechanical strength of the surface. The second is an abrasive attack whose work is facilitated by the reduced resistance of the surface. Repeated shocks can be in the degradation of the cutting edge, temperature acting as amplifier to wear. Understanding of the wear patterns can characterize the life of tools by wear measurement to find ways to extend this period with development of tool coatings, while maintaining optimal conditions for woodworking to get the best finish.
New Approaches to Information Quality in the Digital Environment
Authors: Rockembach Moisés
Published: September 2013

Information quality considers the value of information and also the negative variants of information, the disinformation (intentional) and the misinformation (non-intentional). The evidential model is composed of six elements (type of information, organic context, organic memory, interactivity, situation, information needs), which result in varying levels of evidence and more information quality in the digital environment.
Actor Network Theory Applied to Organizational Change
Authors: Páscoa Carlos , Tribolet José
Published: September 2013

There are various models proposed in the literature to analyze trajectories of enterprise change projects in terms of success and failure. Yet, only the Actor-Network Theory (ANT) perspective considers the interaction factors among network actors and actants. In 2009, with an initiative started in 2007, the Portuguese Air Force developed and carried on a Change project. The aim of this project was to obtain better information to support decision processes. This chapter proposes the ANT for approaching the Portuguese Air Force change process initiative as a case study. In doing so, it provides valuable insight in terms of both local and global actor networks, which surround the initiative.
Towards a New Framework for Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Authors: Mandal Santanu
Published: September 2013

Recent disruptions in global supply chains have led to increased interest in supply chain risk management investigation. On the other hand, increased environmental regulation has urged firms to compulsorily have their routine operations environmental friendly. Last few years, researchers have investigated these two streams as distinct but have mentioned them to be related in the long run. The current study attempts to bridge this gap of allied literature by conceptually arguing that it to arrive at sustainability in supply chain operations, firms must co-integrate their supply chain risk management and green practices in supply chain. While risk management broadly aims to reduce the exposure to a risky situation coupled with minimizing the negative impact of disruption of firm performance; green practices aims to make operational, tactical and strategic operations of the firm environment friendly. Based on sufficient theoretical tenets from related literature, the study attempts to develop a theoretical model linking supply chain risk management, green supply chain practices and sustainable supply chain. In doing so, the study provides an indicative list of various risk classifications and proposed risk mitigating strategies till date. Finally, the study indicates managerial implications and suggests further research opportunities.
An assessment of teaching strategies used by lecturers at a nursing college in Mpumalanga
Authors: Maunye T. J. , Meyer S. M. , Van Velden C. E.
Published: September 2013

The need for the utilization of various teaching strategies by lecturers when facilitating learning cannot be overemphasized. The aim of this study was to establish if lecturers at a Nursing College in Mpumalanga were using teaching strategies that could facilitate the personal development of nursing learners. A quantitative approach was followed for this study. The participants of the study were all lecturers at a Nursing College in Mpumalanga. Data was gathered by means of a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe and summarize data regarding the type of teaching strategies used and the recommendations that could enhance the utilization of various teaching strategies. The data revealed that the teaching strategies mostly utilized required active participation of the learners namely: formal/informal writing of assignments; learner-led class presentation; group sessions; clinical case studies; role-playing and clinical rounds. Inclusion of certain strategies such as problem-based learning, structured accompaniment and computer literacy for learners could enhance the personal development of nursing learners. Although lecturers did use some of the teaching strategies that could enhance the personal development of nursing learners, staff development regarding the utilization of various teaching strategies was highlighted as an important factor to be considered. Other findings revealed that lack of resources have a negative influence on the utilization of various teaching strategies.
Managerial guidelines to support parents during the hospitalisation of their children in a private paediatric unit
Authors: Verwey M. , Jooste K.
Published: September 2013

The purpose of this article is to describe managerial guidelines to support parents with the hospitalisation of their child in a private paediatric unit. The hospitalisation of a child is regarded as a major stressor for both parents and child. The role of the family in participating in a child's illness is slowly being recognised (Kibel & Wagstajf, 2001:544), but the South African government per se has not yet issued any formal reports on parental participation in the hospitalisation process. The study explored and describedthe nursing care experiences of parents regarding the hospitalisation of their child in a paediatric unit;managerial guidelines to support parents with their lived experiences of their child’s hospitalisation in a paediatric unit. To achieve the purpose and the objectives of the research, an interpretive-phenomenological qualitative approach was used in the research design and methods. Research was conducted through unstructured individual interviews, narrative diaries and field notes and data were analysed through open-coding (Tesch,1990). Parents were asked to respond to the question “How did you experience your child’s hospitalisation in the paediatric ward”, followed by probing when the responses of the parents were ambiguous.
The Ephesian elders come to Miletus: An Annaliste reading of Acts 20:15�18a
Authors: Wilson Mark
Published: September 2013

In his recent study on Ionia, A. Greaves adopts an Annaliste approach following the pioneering work of Fernand Braudel. Greaves attempts to move beyond a text-based understanding of sites and events by also considering the related landscape and geographical data. This study adopts Greaves� methodology in examining a text in Acts related to the Ionian cities of Ephesus and Miletus. Acts 20:15�18a records that Paul bypassed Ephesus, but later summoned the Ephesian elders to meet him in Miletus. This summons sets up one of Paul�s most important speeches and the only one in Acts delivered to a Christian audience. This study will examine the landscape and geography related to this stage of Paul�s third journey as well as the journey of the Ephesian elders to Miletus. It will also look at how recently published Bible atlases have incorrectly illustrated this segment of Paul�s journeys. An Annaliste reading will bring fresh insights into Paul�s travel habits and his decision making related to ministry as depicted in this pericope in Acts.
Thin terrestrial sediment deposits on intertidal sandflats: effects on pore water solutes and juvenile bivalve burial behaviour
Authors: Hohaia A. , Vopel K. , Pilditch C. A.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Changes in land use and climate increase the supply of terrestrial sediment (hereafter, TS) to coastal waters worldwide but the effects of these sediments on benthic ecosystem functioning are not well known. Past experiments with defaunated, intertidal sediment suggested a link between the de-oxygenation of sediments underlying a thin (mm) layer of TS and reduced burial rates of juvenile macrofaunal recruits. We examined this link predicting that surficial TS deposits will still negatively affect burial when applied to sediments that are initially well oxygenated due to bioturbation (C) or depleted of organic matter (D). We observed the behaviour of post-settlement juveniles of the tellinid bivalve Macomona liliana on the surface of four treatments; C, D, and the same sediments to which we added a thin layer of TS (CTS, DTS). Pore water analyses confirmed that the diffusive impedance of the 1.7–1.9 mm TS deposit decreased the oxygenation of the underlying intertidal sediment (CTS) but not that of the depleted sediment (DTS). Unexpectedly, (1) the application of a TS deposit significantly increased but not decreased the probability of burial, irrespectively of treatment, and (2) juveniles more likely buried into C than into D. We attribute the failure to document a negative effect of TS on the recruits' burial to the activity of the resident macroinfauna (CTS) or the absence of organic matter (DTS). Our results underline the important role of the resident macrofauna in mediating the stress response of benthic ecosystems.
Effects of vegetation structure on biomass accumulation in a Balanced Optimality Structure Vegetation Model (BOSVM v1.0)
Authors: Yin Z. , Dekker S. C. , van den Hurk B. J. J. M. , Dijkstra H. A.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. A myriad of interactions exist between vegetation and local climate for arid and semi-arid regions. Vegetation function, structure and individual behavior have large impacts on carbon-water-energy balances, which consequently influence local climate variability that, in turn, feeds back to the vegetation. In this study, a conceptual vegetation structure scheme is formulated and tested in a new carbon-water-energy coupled model to explore the importance of vegetation structure and vegetation adaptation to water stress on equilibrium biomass states. Surface energy, water and carbon fluxes are simulated for a range of vegetation structures across a precipitation gradient in West Africa and optimal vegetation structures that maximizes biomass for each precipitation regime are determined. Two different strategies of vegetation adaptation to water stress are included. Under dry conditions vegetation tries to maximize the Water Use Efficiency and Leaf Area Index as it tries to maximize carbon gain. However, an important negative feedback mechanism is found as the vegetation also tries to minimize its cover to optimize the surrounding bare ground area from which water can be extracted, thereby forming patches of vertical vegetation. Under larger precipitation, a positive feedback mechanism is found in which vegetation tries to maximize its cover as it then can reduce water loss from bare soil while having maximum carbon gain due to a large Leaf Area Index. The competition between vegetation and bare soil determines a transition between a "survival" state to a "growing" state.
Biodegradation of Malachite Green by Extracellular Laccase Producing Bacillus thuringiensis RUN1
Authors: Olumide D. Olukanni  , Aliu Adenopo  , Ayodeji O. Awotula  , Akinniyi A. Osuntoki
Published: September 2013

A bacteria strain Bacillus thuringiensis RUN1identifiedby 16s RNA gene phylogenetic analysiswas used to decolorize malachite green, a triphenylmethane dye in a simulated wastewater. The ability of the organism to produce extracellular laccase and degrade the dye were also investigated. Results showed that the organism decolorized (84.67 ± 1.19 %) malachite green at 40 mgl-1 within 6 h; and the decolorization was associated to laccase production by the organism experimentally. Laccase activity increased as the decolorization process progressed, with the highest activity value of 0.1043 ± 0.02 U/min/ mg protein recorded after 24 h of incubation using ABTS as substrate. In addition, FTIR analysis showed that the strain actually degraded the dye. It was therefore concluded that this strain of Bacillus thuringiensis will be relevant in the biotreatment of industrial effluent containing malachite green and in the production of laccase, an industrially important enzyme.
Transitions between subclasses of bullying and victimization when entering middle school
Authors: Williford Anne , Boulton Aaron J. , Jenson Jeffrey M.
Published: September 2013

We examined the effects of depressive symptoms, antisocial attitudes, and perspective‐taking empathy on patterns of bullying and victimization during the transition from late elementary (4th grade to 5th grade) to middle school (6th grade) among 1,077 students who participated in the Youth Matters (YM) bullying prevention trial. Latent transition analysis was used to establish classes of bullying, victimization, bully‐victimization, and uninvolvement. The intervention had a positive impact on children as they moved from elementary to middle school. More students in the YM group transitioned from the involved statuses to the uninvolved status than students in the control group during the move to middle school. Elementary school bullies with higher levels of depressive symptoms were less likely than other students to move to an uninvolved status in the first year of middle school. Students who held greater antisocial attitudes were more likely to be a member of the bully‐victim status than the uninvolved status during the move to middle school. Perspective‐taking empathy, however, was not a significant predictor of status change during the transition to middle school. Implications for school‐based prevention programs during the move to middle school are noted. Aggr. Behav. 40:24–41, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel self‐crosslinking film from hydrogenated carboxylated nitrile rubber latex
Authors: Han Yang , Mao Lixin , Meng Hongwei , Zhang Liqun , Yue Dongmei
Published: September 2013

A new type of self‐crosslinking latex film was prepared from hydrogenated carboxylated nitrile‐butadiene rubber (HXNBR) latex by diimide reduction. The properties of the HXNBR rubber, including film surface morphology, physical properties, thermal stability and ageing properties, were investigated. FTIR spectroscopy was used to confirm the HXNBR structure, from which the degree of hydrogenation can be obtained. The morphology of the film surface was monitored by atomic force microscopy, which confirmed that HXNBR latex can form a continuous film with good cohesive properties from self‐crosslinking latex particles. The self‐crosslinking provided the latex film with excellent tensile strength. The thermal stability was improved after hydrogenation, as indicated by thermogravimetric methods. The activation energy for degradation was determined by Coats‐Redfern plots. Hot air oven thermal ageing confirmed that the oxidation resistance increased as the degree of hydrogenation increased. All these results showed that HXNBR latex can form a self‐crosslinking film with better mechanical properties, and heat and oxidation resistance than those of XNBR latex film in a wide range of film applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39865.
Effect of expandable graphite particle size on the flame retardant, mechanical, and thermal properties of water‐blown semi‐rigid polyurethane foam
Authors: Li Yi , Zou Jing , Zhou Shengtai , Chen Yang , Zou Huawei , Liang Mei , Luo Wenzhou
Published: September 2013

Different particle size of expandable graphite (EG) were incorporated into water‐blown semi‐rigid polyurethane foams (SPFs), which acted as the fire shield, in order to enhance the fire retardant properties. In this study, the particle size of EG was systematically varied from 70 µm to 960 µm. The effect of EG particle size on the density, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of SPFs was also investigated. Results showed that EG with smaller particle size showed almost no effect on the fire retardant properties of SPFs while the larger particle size of EG could effectively enhance it. It was observed that the flame retardancy of the composite improved with the increase of EG size which was attribute to the formation and densification of isolation layer with the increase in volume of expanded graphite. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of EG/SPF composites increased linearly by two steps with the increase in EG particle size. Horizontal burning test confirmed the above conclusion. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that EG particles and its size exhibited minor effect on the thermal stability of the SPF composites. Moreover, SPF filled with medium particle size of EG (about 400 µm) exhibited a poor compression performance compared with the others. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39885.
What is the diagnosis for this rash?
Authors: Singh Namrata , Saurabh Shireesh
Published: September 2013

Key Clinical Message

The etiology of rash in a given patient can be so varied. Good history‐taking is very important to prevent unnecessary work‐up. In this patient with Churg‐Strauss syndrome, the rash was due to “coining,” a traditional practice followed in Southeast Asian community and had no relation to her underlying disease.
Gold Catalysis Opens Up a New Route for the Synthesis of Benzimidazoylquinoxaline Derivatives from Biomass‐Derived Products (Glycerol)
Authors: Climent María J. , Corma Avelino , Iborra Sara , Martínez‐Silvestre Sergio
Published: September 2013

Process intensification by using well‐defined solid catalysts able to perform one‐pot multistep reactions is one of the open fronts in heterogeneous catalysis. This is even more relevant if new, more efficient synthesis routes are open. Herein, a gold catalyst was used to synthesize benzimidazoylquinoxalines compounds by two efficient and selective novel methods in a multistep one‐pot methodology. The first method involved the synthesis of benzimidazoylquinoxaline compounds with the same substituents in both heterocycles through oxidation–cyclization of glycerol with o‐phenylenediamine derivatives, whereas the second one allowed the synthesis of benzimidazoylquinoxalines compounds with different substituents in each aromatic ring through coupling of o‐phenylenediamine derivatives with glyceraldehyde in a first stage to produce the benzimidazol compound as an intermediate, followed by an oxidation–cyclization with another o‐phenylenediamine compound in a second stage. Both stages were performed by using gold nanoparticles supported on nanoparticulated ceria (Au/CeO2) as the catalyst and air as the oxidant, in absence of any homogeneous reagent. A reaction mechanism has been proposed.