bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hair-Grooming Syncope in Children
Authors: Evans William N. , Acherman Ruben , Kip Katrinka , Restrepo Humberto
Published: July 2009

Objectives. This report describes children undergoing pediatric cardiology evaluation for syncope in which a hair-grooming trigger was determined as the stimulus. Methods. A review of our database revealed 1525 patients with syncope seen by our program of whom 111 had a hair-grooming trigger determined as a cause. Results. Of the 111 patients, 78% were girls. We found characteristic difference between boys and girls with boys experiencing syncope more during hair cutting whereas girls experienced syncope more during hair combing and brushing. Electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were performed as part of syncope evaluation and no significant abnormalities were found in either test in this patient group. Conclusions. This is the largest reported group of children presenting with syncope that had a hair-grooming trigger. Our data also include the first series of boys with the condition. The hair-grooming trigger appears to stimulate a benign form of neurocardiogenic reflex syncope.
Prevalence and Severity of Hypertensive Retinopathy in Children
Authors: Foster Bethany J. , Ali Huma , Mamber Silvia , Polomeno Robert C. , Mackie Andrew S.
Published: July 2009

The National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) report recommends a retinal exam seeking evidence of target organ damage in hypertensive children. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of hypertensive retinopathy among hypertensive children, evaluated by pediatric ophthalmologists in the “real world” clinical setting using direct ophthalmoscopy. The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the 83 children diagnosed with hypertension by a pediatric nephrologist between 1999 and 2006. Of the 35 children examined by an ophthalmologist within 12 months of the diagnosis of hypertension, only 3 (8.6%; 95% CI, 1.8%-23.1%) were diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy. Despite the fact that those selected for retinal examination were likely at higher risk for retinopathy, the prevalence of retinopathy was low, and only mild abnormalities were detected. Given the lack of evidence linking mild retinal abnormalities with adverse outcomes, the NHBPEP recommendation for retinal examinations in hypertensive children should be reconsidered.
Bashō’s Therapy for Narcissus: Nature as Intimate Other and Transpersonal Self
Authors: Adams Will W.
Published: July 2009

The mythical Narcissus alienated himself not only from other people but from the nonhuman beings and presences of the natural world. Gazing into a beautiful pond he saw merely his personal reflection and absolutely nothing of nature. A similar dissociation haunts our existence today, impoverishing both humankind and the rest of nature. The Zen poet Matsuo Bashō’s also had a famous encounter with an old pond, but in a radically different way. Guided by Bashō’s poetry together with the existential and transpersonal streams of Buddhist psychology, the present work explores how we may welcome nature as an intimate other and as our transpersonal self. Bashō’s therapy for Narcissus—and for us—illuminates the “normal” narcissism of our conventional ego-centered stance and fosters a nondual, participatory, eco-centered approach, one that is mutually enhancing for all participants in the shared earth community, human and otherwise.
Interaction Torque Control by Impedance Control of Space Robots
Authors: Pushparaj Mani Pathak  , Mukherjee Amalendu , Dasgupta Anirvan
Published: July 2009

This paper presents a control scheme for interaction torque control through impedance control at the interface of the end-effector and the environment. The impedance control is achieved by introduction of passive degrees of freedom (DOF) in the controller of the robotic system. Due to the interaction between the robot tip and the environment, the interaction torques act on the tip which gets transmitted through links to the base of the vehicle and the orientation of the vehicle changes. The orientation is restored back to the initial value using a reaction wheel as an attitude controller. The behavior of the space robot with torque and attitude controller is discussed.
Web Services-Based Parallel Replicated Discrete Event Simulation for Large-Scale Simulation Optimization
Authors: Yoo Taejong , Cho Hyunbo , Yücesan Enver
Published: July 2009

The exciting developments in the World Wide Web (WWW) have revived interest in computer simulation for modeling, particularly for conceiving simulation languages and building model libraries that can be assembled and executed over the Internet, and for analysis, particularly for developing simulation optimization algorithms for parallel experimentation. This paper contributes to this second stream of research by introducing a framework for Optimization via Simulation (OvS) through Parallel Replicated Discrete Event Simulation (PRDES). In particular, we combine Nested Partitions (NP) and Extended Optimal Computing Budget Allocation (EOCBA) to provide an efficient framework for PRDES experiments. The number of candidate alternatives to be evaluated can be reduced by the application of NP. EOCBA, a modification of the Optimal Computing Budget Allocation (OCBA) for PRDES, minimizes the number of simulation replications required to evaluate a particular alternative by allocating computing resources to potentially critical alternatives. We deploy web services technologies based on the Java Axis and .NET framework to create a viable infrastructure for heterogeneous PRDES systems. This approach, which receives increasing attention under the banners of `grid computing' and `cloud computing,' further promotes reusability, scalability, and interoperability. Experimental results with a prototype implementation not only furnish a proof of concept but also illustrate significant gains in simulation efficiency with PRDES. The proposed concept and techniques can also be applied to simulation models that require coordination and interoperation in heterogeneous environments, such as decentralized supply chains.
Extraction and characterization of pigment from Sclerotinia sp. and its use in dyeing cotton
Authors: Perumal K. , Stalin V. , Chandrasekarenthiran S. , Sumathi E. , Saravanakumar A.
Published: July 2009

The fruiting body of a cup fungus was collected from a compost pit containing fresh cow dung amended with biodynamic herbal preparations. The fungus was identified as Sclerotinia sp. by following standard procedures. The mycelial growth of S clerotinia sp. on cow pat pit manure was monitored for 90 days and on day 5 pin head primordia were observed and matured into individual fruiting bodies (0.5 cm diameter each, 1 gram fresh weight) on day 20. The fruiting body started yielding dark green spores and the spore deposits were seen on the top surface of the fruiting body. The spores are liberated from the fruiting bodies when they receive an external stimulus. The Sclerotinia sp. spore was elliptical in shape and was 2 µm in size when examined under phase contrast microscope at 40x. The dark green spore of Sclerotinia sp. excretes a pinkish red pigment in distilled water (pH 6.5). Spectrophotometer scanning (200—800 nm) of the pigment showed three peaks: 507 nm (optical density (O.D.) 0.554), 525 nm (O.D. 0.629), and 545 nm (O.D. 0.567). The pigment had high protein content (0.332 mg/ml) but no deductible amount of carbohydrates or lipids. Stability of the pigment was tested at various temperatures (40—100°C) and no change in its original color was observed under UV—visible spectral scan analysis. Pigment from Sclerotinia sp. changed its original pinkish red color at various pH values (pH 2.0, 3.0, and 14.0). The antibacterial activity of this pigment extract was tested on seven different bacteria of which a zone of inhibition was observed for E. coli. The pigment from Sclerotinia sp. applied on cotton yarns pretreated with different mordants gave different color shades, which were confirmed using the standard color code index.
Cometabolic Decolorization of the Reactive Azo Dye Orange II by Geobacillus stearothermophilus UCP 986
Authors: Evangelista-Barreto Norma S. , Albuquerque Clarissa D. , Vieira Regine Helena S. F. , Campos-Takaki Galba M.
Published: July 2009

The decolorization of solutions containing the textile reactive dye Orange II by the bacteria Geobacillus stearothermophilus (UCP 986) was investigated. The experiments were statistically evaluated by two-level-four factor (2 4) full factorial design, as aeration, azo dye concentration, inoculum size, and culture media. The best results were with Luria Bertani (LB) medium under aeration, and the decolorization efficiency meant that 96—98% of the azo dye was removed after 24 h of incubation. The efficiency of LB medium in color reduction was due to a co-metabolic process. Sulphanilic acid (4-aminobenzene sulphonic acid) was not detected. The testing for toxicity using the brine shrimp Artemia salina showed the absence of toxic metabolites during the decolorization process; however, when the concentration of the dye and agitation were high (0.050 mM and 150 rpm) the shrimp showed high mortality rates (LC50 (lethal dose — assay concentration able to cause 50% of death) 49.28% v/v). The parameters such as culture medium and agitation are significantly important to the decolorization of the Orange II process. G. stearothermophilus (UCP 986) showed a high biotechnology potential for textile bioremediation of azo dye under the co-metabolic process.
Effects of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatments on Some Physical Properties of Wool Fibers
Authors: Karahan Hatice Aylin , Özdogğan Esen , Demir Asli , Koçum Ismail Cengiz , Öktem Tülin , Ayhan Hakan
Published: July 2009

Knitted wool fabrics were treated with argon and air atmospheric plasma. Pilling, bursting strength, thermal resistance, thermal conductivity, air permeability, water vapor permeability and friction properties were investigated. The surfaces of untreated and plasma-treated wool fabrics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy to compare the morphological changes. The outcomes showed that atmospheric plasma treatments affected the physical properties of wool fabrics such as thermal properties, water vapor permeability, air permeability and friction properties. While there was an increase in thermal resistance, water vapor permeability and friction properties; pilling tendency, bursting strength, thermal conductivity and air permeability values decreased.
The Performance of Kapok/Down Blended Wadding
Authors: Peng Cui  , Wang Fu-Mei , Anjun Wei  , Kongwei Zhao
Published: July 2009

The thermal, bulk and compression properties of two types of kapok/down blended wadding made by our patent technology were investigated in this paper. By studying the relationship between the wadding properties and the content of specific combinations of kapok, divergent down and down fibrils, it was concluded that the comprehensive ability of the wadding to retain warmth increased with the increasing content of kapok, with resultant higher bulkiness. From our observations, the lumen of kapok collapsed gradually during multiple compressions, which compromised some performance aspects of kapok. Further investigation revealed that the performance attenuation of divergent down was less than that of kapok and the fibrils cut from divergent down.
A Proposal for a New Size Label to Assist Consumers in Finding Well-fitting Women’s Clothing, Especially Pants: An Analysis of Size USA Female Data and Women’s Ready-to-wear Pants for North American Companies
Authors: Faust Marie-Eve , Carrier Serge
Published: July 2009

In the USA, Canada and Europe labels that disclose garments’ composition, origin, commercial brand or price at point of sale are required. No law governs garment size labels and underlying measurements. Standard size chart determination is not an easy task and has always been challenging for national institutes of standardization, manufacturers and retailers. Moreover, size standards are voluntary, therefore those who initiate garment orders can decide whether or not to adhere to national standards. Since size labels and standards are voluntary, some of the buyers or their intermediaries prefer to target specific ‘silhouette and shape’ markets by adapting their measurements, while others play the vanity sizing card. Confusion occurs as companies in North America all use the same numerical size labeling systems. The research discussed in this paper demonstrates that manufacturers in North America size garments (pants) according to their own, specific target markets (which differ from one another), to cover most of the population; they then label these garments with reference to a single numerical code size labeling system which leads to chaos in the market place. Besides being challenging for the apparel industry, the size label system creates an ambiguous situation for the consumer who cannot rely on the size label to identify a good fitting garment, and thus is spending undue time trying clothes. We conclude that the time has come to standardize the size label in order to provide better fitting clothes for ready-to-wear.
Fiber to Fabric Processability of Silver/Zinc-loaded Nanocomposite Yarns
Authors: Dastjerdi Roya , Mohammad Reza Mohaddes Mojtahedi  , Ahmad Mousavi Shoshtari  , Khosroshahi Ali , Abdol Javad Moayed
Published: July 2009

In this research, investigating the possibility of producing, fiber to fabric processing and also characterization of antibacterial organic/inorganic polypropylene (PP) filament yarns for permanent antimicrobial efficiency has been presented. The development of bacteriostatic filament yarn has been realized from mixing of virgin PP granule and various blending contents of silver/zinc-concentrated masterbatch. After producing as-spun filament yarns by a pilot plant melt spinning machine at the take-up speed of 2,000 m/ min, samples were drawn, textured and finally weft knitted. Physical and structural properties of as-spun and drawn yarns with constant and variable draw ratios were investigated and also tensile and crimp properties of textured yarns were evaluated. Tenacity and modulus of modified as-spun and drawn yarns were significantly higher than the pure PP. The investigation of antimicrobial activity showed a high percentage of biostatic efficiency on the modified samples.
Automatic Identification of Ramie and Cotton Fibers Using Characteristics in Longitudinal View, Part I: Locating Capture of Fiber Images
Authors: Wang Rong Wu , Wu Xiong Ying , Wang Shan Yuan , Xu Bugao
Published: July 2009

This paper introduces a new fiber imaging system that can automatically capture a series of microscopic fiber images in the longitudinal view to form a panoramic image of long-fiber segments for reliable identifications of blended fibers. The panoramic image shows thumbnails of long fibers without missing or duplicating any segments on the sample slide. Firstly, the sample slide is scanned quickly in the X- and Y-axes to capture sequential images of fibers and to register the locations of each image. Secondly, a panoramic image is formed by stitching the sub-images together according to their positions. Thirdly, the panoramic image is analyzed to calculate the skeletons of long-fiber segments, which provide simple representations of fiber shapes and locations, and to register the locations of individual segments for the second scan of the slide. Finally, the triaxial motorized stage transports the slide to the location of each registered segment, readjusts the focus, and captures high quality images for the formal analysis. The entire capturing process is fully automated, and the panoramic view permits efficient image capturing for the reliable identification of ramie and cotton mixed fibers.
Multidirectional Stitched Layered Aramid Woven Fabric Structures and their Experimental Characterization of Ballistic Performance
Authors: Kadir Bilisik A. , Turhan Yildiray
Published: July 2009

The aim of the research was to develop light and enhanced energy absorbed layered ballistic structures. For this reason, various ballistic structures were developed. These structures form two groups: multiaxially stitched and unstitched. Each group further consists of four structure types: (i) 14-layer Kevlar 29 woven fabric; (ii) 14-layer Kevlar 129 woven fabric; (iii) 7-layer Kevlar 29 fabric and 7-layer Kevlar 129 fabric; and (iv) 12-layer Kevlar 29 fabric oriented with respect to basic fabric direction at an angle of ±45° and 2-layer Kevlar 129 fabric. The Kevlar 29 and 129 fibers were considered to have 2.9 and 3.4 GPa tensile strengths and 70 and 99 GPa tensile modulus values, respectively, and the properties of the fibers were equalized in fabric form, but the Kevlar 129 fiber had a lower unit weight fabric (g/m2 ). Each of the developed structures were affected by five types of threat: 0.22, 0.38 round nose, 9 mm full metal jacketed, 0.357 jacketed soft point and 7.62 full metal jacketed projectiles. The results show that there were no significant energy absorption differences between multiaxis stitched and unstitched structures. However, conical depths upon impact on the multiaxis stitched structures were small compared to those of the unstitched structures. This result might be useful, especially in the design of soft vest applications.
Predicting Seam Performance of Commercial Woven Fabrics Using Multiple Logarithm Regression and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Hui Chi Leung , Ng Sau Fun
Published: July 2009

In this study, the capability of artificial neural networks and multiple logarithm regression methods for modeling seam performance of commercial woven fabrics based on seam puckering, seam flotation and seam efficiency were investigated. The developed models were assessed by verifying Mean Square Error (MSE) and Correlation Coefficient ( R-value) of test data prediction. The results indicated that the artificial neural network (ANN) model has better performance in comparison with the multiple logarithm regression model. The difference between the mean square error of predicting in these two models for predicting seam puckering, seam flotation, and seam efficiency was 0.0394, 0.0096, and 0.0049, respectively. Thus, the ANN model was found to be more accurate than MLR, and the prediction errors of ANNs was low despite the availability of only a small training data set. However, the difference in prediction errors made by both models was not significantly high. It was found that MLR models were quicker to construct, more transparent, and less likely to overfit the minimal amount of data available. Therefore, both models were effectively predicting the seam performance of woven fabrics.
Separation of Clustered Fibers in Cross-sectional Images using Image Set Theory
Authors: Wan Yan , Yao Li , Xu Bugao , Wu Xiongying
Published: July 2009

Fiber cross-sectioning often creates fiber clusters in microscopic images, in which fibers touch or overlap each other. Prior to any geometrical analysis, it is critical to separate touching/ overlapping fibers so that the features of individual fibers, not fiber clusters, can be identified. Automatic separation of irregular, complex fiber cross-sections remains challenging in image analysis for fiber characterization and measurements. This paper introduces an algorithm based on the image set theory to separate clustered fibers in cross-section images. An image is partitioned into three subsets, fiber edges, fiber interiors, and background. The Euclidean distances between edge pixels and interior pixels are used to assign the edge pixels to specific interiors. The assignment leads to the divisions among the merged edge pixels. The experimental results demonstrated that the new algorithm can optimally separate clustered fibers of various cross-sectional shapes, including W-shaped and cross-shaped fibers.
New York State Housing Policy in Postwar New York City
Authors: Botein Hilary
Published: July 2009

In postwar New York State, a powerful partnership among state government, the private sector, and quasi-public authorities resulted in the development of thousands of units of high-density middle-income housing located in New York City and a much smaller amount in other New York State cities. This housing was intended to counterbalance affordable suburban homes that were luring the middle class out of the city. This article describes this initiative and focuses on the contributions made by Nelson A. Rockefeller, governor of New York State between 1959 and 1973. The state made creative use of bond financing and public benefit corporations, raising capital with unsecured moral obligation bonds. New York State’s housing finance mechanisms facilitated a model of housing development that was prescient in its insistence on melding public and private, which is now the dominant strategy for affordable housing development in the United States.
Jeremiah's Scroll and Linked Zones of Communication
Authors: Matthews Victor H.
Published: July 2009

The story of Jeremiah's Scroll and its journey (Jer 36) uses a spatial strategy to link together a set of four separate and distinct locations. They function as part of a chain of events and a series of staged readings. Using a dictated scroll and a professional scribe as his surrogates, the prophet is able to reach into the most restricted realms of authority. His message to the people of Jerusalem will follow a path from his own hidden chambers to the temple complex and on to the office suite in the royal palace. Eventually, the scroll will be read before the king in his private audience chamber completing a journey that has forged a chained linkage of readings and evoked a variety of reactions. What becomes clear in these linked scenes is the manner in which significant space can be manipulated and shaped to achieve the aims of the storyteller.
Matthew's Birth Story: An Early Milepost in the History of Jewish Marriage Law
Authors: Zaas Peter
Published: July 2009

The New Testament's initial narrative, the Matthean birth story, though immensely well-known, can still provide some surprises. One of its novel elements is its presumption that Joseph requires a divorce in order to sever his betrothal to Mary, pregnant with another's child. That betrothal constitutes a marriage and requires a get to terminate is a commonplace in the law of the Mishna, but appears nowhere in the laws of the written Torah: Matthew, though notoriously anti-Pharisee, is promoting the Pharisaic interpretation of marriage law, and is probably the earliest source available to us for this interpretation. This brief essay suggests some of the new ways that an examination of its contribution to the history of Jewish law provides, to look at this familiar passage.
The Politics of Patronage and the Politics of Kinship: The Meeting of the Ways
Authors: Osiek Carolyn
Published: July 2009

Scholarship on patronage in the ancient Mediterranean world abounds but is not unanimous in its understanding of how the patronage system worked, how it was present in the pre-Roman Greek world, and what were the differences, if any, in how it functioned in the Roman West and East. Moreover, little is known about how the system worked among non-elites. In two of Paul's relationships, with Philemon and with Phoebe (Rom 16:1-2), we can see the informal patronage system at work among friends with common community ties.
Nonmarital Romantic Relationship Commitment and Leave Behavior: The Mediating Role of Dissolution Consideration
Authors: VanderDrift Laura E. , Agnew Christopher R. , Wilson Juan E.
Published: July 2009

Two studies investigated the process by which individuals in nonmarital romantic relationships characterized by low commitment move toward enacting leave behaviors. Predictions based on the behavioral, goal, and implementation intention literatures were tested using a measure of dissolution consideration developed for this research. Dissolution consideration assesses how salient relationship termination is for an individual while one's relationship is intact. Study 1 developed and validated a measure of dissolution consideration and Study 2 was a longitudinal test of the utility of dissolution consideration in predicting the enactment of leave behaviors. Results indicated that dissolution consideration mediates the association between commitment and enacting leave behaviors, is associated with taking more immediate action, and provides unique explanatory power in leave behavior beyond the effect of commitment alone. Collectively, the findings suggest that dissolution consideration is an intermediate step between commitment and stay/leave behavior in close relationships.
Is Love Colorblind? Political Orientation and Interracial Romantic Desire
Authors: Eastwick Paul W. , Richeson Jennifer A. , Son Deborah , Finkel Eli J.
Published: July 2009

The present research examined the association of political orientation with ingroup favoritism in two live romantic contexts. In Study 1, White participants had sequential interactions with both a White and Black confederate and reported their romantic desire for each. In Study 2, both White and Black participants speed-dated multiple potential romantic partners and reported whether they would be interested in meeting each speed-dating partner again. In both studies, White participants' political conservatism positively predicted the strength of the ingroup-favoring bias: White conservatives were less likely than White liberals to desire Black (interracial) relative to White potential romantic partners. In contrast, Black participants' political conservatism negatively predicted the strength of the ingroup-favoring bias: Consistent with system-justification theory, Black conservatives were more likely than Black liberals to desire White (interracial) relative to Black potential romantic partners. Political orientation may be a key factor that influences the initiation of interracial romantic relationships.
Deconstructing the “Reign of Error”: Interpersonal Warmth Explains the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Anticipated Acceptance
Authors: Stinson Danu Anthony , Cameron Jessica J. , Wood Joanne V. , Gaucher Danielle , Holmes John G.
Published: July 2009

People's expectations of acceptance often come to create the acceptance or rejection they anticipate. The authors tested the hypothesis that interpersonal warmth is the behavioral key to this acceptance prophecy: If people expect acceptance, they will behave warmly, which in turn will lead other people to accept them; if they expect rejection, they will behave coldly, which will lead to less acceptance. A correlational study and an experiment supported this model. Study 1 confirmed that participants' warm and friendly behavior was a robust mediator of the acceptance prophecy compared to four plausible alternative explanations. Study 2 demonstrated that situational cues that reduced the risk of rejection also increased socially pessimistic participants' warmth and thus improved their social outcomes.
Offering Chemotherapy and Hospice Jointly: One Solution to Hospice Underuse
Authors: Salz Talya , Brewer Noel T.
Published: July 2009

Purpose . Patients with advanced lung cancer typically receive chemotherapy at the cost of receiving care that may promote quality of life more effectively. The authors examined whether offering chemotherapy and hospice concurrently, a clinically appropriate but often unavailable option, might resolve this problem. Method. Adult smokers (N = 198) completed an Internet-based survey in which they imagined having advanced lung cancer. Participants rated the effectiveness of 4 treatments (supportive care alone, chemotherapy with supportive care, hospice, and chemotherapy with hospice) at achieving 4 goals of treatment (extending survival, controlling symptoms, avoiding side effects, and promoting quality of life at the end of life). Results. Reflecting utilization patterns of lung cancer patients, few respondents preferred supportive care alone (10%) or hospice (19%), and many preferred chemotherapy (29%). The most common choice was concurrent chemotherapy and hospice (42%). Treatments that involved chemotherapy were seen as the most effective at extending survival, whereas treatments that involved hospice were seen as most effective at promoting quality of life. Effectiveness ratings were weakly related to preferences for hospice, moderately related to preferences for chemotherapy with supportive care, and strongly related to preferences for chemotherapy and hospice together. Conclusions. These findings suggest that interest in hospice may be low because, offered without chemotherapy, hospice is perceived as ineffective at controlling symptoms and avoiding side effects. Chemotherapy and hospice together may be a preferred option for treating advanced lung cancer. Furthermore, preferences for chemotherapy and hospice together best reflect the values people placed on the goals of treatment.
The Half-Cycle Correction: Banish Rather Than Explain It
Authors: Barendregt Jan J.
Published: July 2009

The half-cycle correction is often used in discrete Markov models to estimate state membership. This article shows that the correction, in addition to being unintuitive, actually produces the wrong results in many circumstances. These include quality-adjusted life year (QALY) weights and unit costs that differ by cycle. The half-cycle correction is also incompatible with discounting of the obtained stream of state membership. It is furthermore shown that the life table method of estimating state membership obtains correct results under these circumstances and is also much more transparent. The article concludes that the half-cycle correction should be dropped in favor of the life table method.
Modeling and Experimental Characterization of an Untethered Magnetic Micro-Robot
Authors: Pawashe Chytra , Floyd Steven , Sitti Metin
Published: July 2009

Here we present the control, performance and modeling of an untethered electromagnetically actuated magnetic micro-robot. The microrobot, which is composed of neodymium—iron—boron with dimensions 250 μm 1 130 μm 1 10 μm , is actuated by a system of six macro-scale electromagnets. Periodically varying magnetic fields are used to impose magnetic torques, which induce stick—slip motion in the micro-robot. These magnetic forces and torques are incorporated into a comprehensive dynamic model, which captures the behavior of the micro-robot. By pivoting the micro-robot about an edge, non-planar obstacles with characteristic sizes comparable to the robot length can be surmounted. Actuation is demonstrated on several substrates with different surface properties, in a fluid environment, and in a vacuum. Observed micro-robot translation speeds can exceed 10 mm s-1 .
Stability of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale: A Multidimensional Item Response Model and Rasch Analysis
Authors: Lin Ma  , Green Kathy E. , Cox Enid O.
Published: July 2009

The purpose of this study was to explore the longitudinal structural and measurement invariance of the 17-item Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) using a multidimensional item response model and the unidimensional Rasch model in contrast to prior work employing classical test theory. Participants ( n = 177) were assigned to three interventions and assessed at three time points. The structural analyses found that a 3-factor model fit better than a 1-factor or a 2-factor model using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Schwartz’s Bayesian information criterion (BIC) though not with the AICPC or the BIC PC. With respect to item fit, differential item functioning (DIF) and correlation of item logit positions, the PGCMS was quite stable. However, Items 4 and 5 were problematic in terms of fit. The internal consistency reliabilities of three factors were also relatively lower than desirable at one point and adequate at others.
Facilitating the Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders in School-Age Children
Authors: Wilkinson Lee A.
Published: July 2009

Recent special education trends suggest that students with autism spectrum disorders are underrepresented in our schools’ special education programs. The increased awareness and prevalence of autism, together with the clear benefits of early intervention and special education, have created an urgent need for school-based professionals to identify children who may have an autism spectrum disorder. Screening is an important first step for securing the appropriate educational services. The aim of this article is to provide school professionals with a review of five screening instruments that hold promise for identifying school-age children in need of a more in-depth diagnostic assessment.
Comparison of Measures of Risk for Recidivism in Sexual Offenders
Authors: Looman Jan , Abracen Jeffrey
Published: July 2009

Data for both sexual and violent recidivism for the Static-99, Risk Matrix 2000 (RM 2000), Rapid Risk Assessment for Sex Offense Recidivism (RRASOR), and Static-2002 are reported for 419 released sexual offenders assessed at the Regional Treatment Centre Sexual Offender Treatment Program. Data are analyzed by offender type as well as the group as a whole. Overall, the Static-2002 performed best for both outcomes, although differences between measures were not significant. The one exception to this was the RRASOR, which overall performed poorly. For rapists, the Static-2002 performed best for sexual recidivism, and the Risk Matrix 2000 performed best for violent recidivism. None of the measures performed well in predicting recidivism for child molesters. The components of the Static-2002 were examined in a regression analysis predicting sexual recidivism. Persistence of Sexual Offending and Age at Release were the only significant predictors for the group as a whole and for rapists. For child molesters, only the Deviant Sexual Interests component was significant. Results are discussed in terms of the current debate concerning age and risk for reoffence.
Private Family Ownership and the Agency Costs of Debt
Authors: Steijvers Tensie , Voordeckers Wim
Published: July 2009

This article presents empirical evidence on the agency costs of debt in private family firms by examining the explicit (interest rate) as well as implicit (business and personal collateral) bank loan price simultaneously. Using a cross sectional sample of lines-of-credit of the NSSBF database, family firms appear to be more likely to pledge personal collateral which suggests that agency costs of debt are higher in family firms. Hence, personal collateral seems to be a better instrument than interest rates or business collateral for financial institutions to cope with the specific agency problems (e.g. self-control problems and negative effects of parental altruism) in family firms.
Attitudes towards redistributive spending in an era of demographic ageing: the rival pressures from age and income in 14 OECD countries
Authors: Busemeyer Marius R. , Goerres Achim , Weschle Simon
Published: July 2009

This article is about the relative impact of age and income on individual attitudes towards welfare state policies in advanced industrial democracies; that is, the extent to which the intergenerational conflict supercedes or complements intragenerational conflicts. On the basis of a multivariate statistical analysis of the 1996 ISSP Role of Government Data Set for 14 OECD countries, we find considerable age-related differences in welfare state preferences. In particular for the case of education spending, but also for other policy areas, we see that one's position in the life cycle is a more important predictor of preferences than income. Second, some countries, such as the United States, show a higher salience of the age cleavage across all policy fields; that is, age is a more important line of political preference formation in these countries than in others. Third, country characteristics matter. Although the relative salience of age varies across policy areas, we see — within one policy area — a large variance across countries.
Migration and welfare state solidarity in Western Europe
Authors: Mau Steffen , Burkhardt Christoph
Published: July 2009

In recent decades Western Europe has had to face increasing migration levels resulting in a more diverse population. As a direct consequence, the question of adequate inclusion of immigrants into the welfare state has arisen. At the same time it has been asked whether the inclusion of non-nationals or migrants into the welfare state may undermine the solidaristic basis and legitimacy of welfare state redistribution. Citizens who are in general positive about the welfare state may adopt a critical view if migrants are granted equal access. Using data from the European Social Survey (2002/2003) for European OECD Countries we examine the relationship between ethnic diversity and public social expenditure, welfare state support and attitudes towards immigrants among European citizens. The results indicate only weak negative correlations between ethnic diversity and public social expenditure levels. Multilevel regression models with support for the welfare state and attitudes towards the legal inclusion of immigrants as dependent variables in fact reveal a negative influence of ethnic diversity. However, when controlling for migration in combination with other contextual factors, especially GDP, the unemployment rate and welfare regime seem to have a mediating influence.
Investing in human capital? The determinants of private education expenditure in 26 OECD countries
Authors: Wolf Frieder , Zohlnhöfer Reimut
Published: July 2009

By employing multiple regression analysis, the article identifies the social, economic and political determinants of overall private education expenditure and private spending on tertiary education in 26 OECD countries, testing hypotheses derived from theories of comparative public policy. We find that overall private education expenditure is higher in federal countries and under Conservative parties in government, while it is lower where voters prefer state-centred solutions, where Catholicism is strong and where a Church tax exists. Analysing private expenses for tertiary education only, these findings reappear with one exception: the size of the student population, which is without substantive effect on general private education expenditure, yields the largest single effect in the tertiary sector.
If work is out of sight. Activation and citizenship for new refugees
Authors: Hagelund Anniken , Kavli Hanne
Published: July 2009

Activation has become an important paradigm for social policies in Europe. New migrants and refugees especially constitute a category with particular problems in accessing the labour market, and have thus become a prime target group for activation in some countries. The article addresses the tension between aims of employment and economic self-sufficiency, and social inclusion and participation in a wider sense. Using data from the implementation of the Norwegian introductory programme for newly arrived refugees, we analyse local caseworkers' attempts at negotiating this tension when working with clients whose labour market prospects are conceived of as poor. Two distinct frameworks of interpretation, with distinct consequences for practical implementation, are identified: an activation discourse where the main emphasis is on labour market inclusion; and a citizenship discourse which broadens the goals to include other forms of social participation.
The Role of Openness to Cognitive Diversity and Group Processes in Knowledge Creation
Authors: Mitchell Rebecca , Nicholas Stephen , Boyle Brendan
Published: July 2009

This study examines how group member beliefs regarding cognitive differences influence ability to create knowledge. Specifically, this study explores whether the impact of openness to cognitive diversity on knowledge creation is a result of associated collaborative behaviors. To investigate this theory, it is assessed whether the behaviors of debate and decision comprehensiveness mediate the relationship between openness to cognitive diversity and knowledge creation. The results of a survey of 98 workplace teams support the hypotheses that the impact of openness is consequent to the emergence of behavioral patterns that facilitate open and rigorous discussion and contribute to the understanding of the psychosocial and behavioral variables underpinning knowledge creation.
Symptom Variability During Repeated Measurement Among Hospice Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Lasheen Wael , Walsh Declan , Hauser Katherine , Gutgsell Terence , Karafa Mathew T.
Published: July 2009

Aim: In this prospective study, we explored symptom variability in patients with cancer during repeated measurements. Methods: Patients with cancer admitted to an inpatient hospice completed a daily questionnaire throughout their admission. The questionnaire consisted of 5 visual analogue scales (VAS) for anxiety, depression, nausea, pain, and sedation and 3 verbal rating scales (VRS) for depression, pain, and vomiting. Data from those who completed 5 consecutive days were used for the primary analysis. We used all available data points to compare VAS and VRS. An index was developed to assess for daily symptom variability. Results/Discussion: A total of 125 hospice inpatients were enrolled; 46 (38%) completed 3 consecutive daily questionnaires and 30 (24%), 5 days. We found (1) a statistically significant decrease in severity of symptoms present on admission, (2) new symptoms developed, (3) consequently overall symptom prevalence on days 1 and 5 appeared unchanged, (4) high daily symptom variability as demonstrated by the variability index and also changing daily symptom interrelationships, (5) demographic characteristics influenced symptom patterns on admission and subsequently, (6) severe pain predicted more frequent and severe symptom burden only on admission, (7) severe depression predicted more frequent and severe symptom burden on admission and thereafter, (8) VAS scores for depression and pain did not correspond with discrete VRS categories (mild, moderate, severe). Conclusions: (1) Symptom studies in advanced disease while difficult to conduct yield valuable information, (2) symptom relationships changed daily; strict timing of data collection is crucial for data analysis, (3) symptom monitoring following admission is an overlooked measure of risk assessment, (4) symptom prevalence studies alone for treatment follow-up may be misleading, (5) depression is an important predictor of symptoms and need to be more aggressively assessed and treated, (6) demographic characteristics may help identify symptom patterns and better direct treatment, (7) VRS rather than VAS was more reliable for assessing symptoms in hospice cancer patients.
New Multiaxial HCF Criteria Based on Instantaneous Fatigue Damage Tracing in Components with Complicated Geometries and Random Non-Proportional Loading Conditions
Authors: Shariyat M.
Published: July 2009

Majority of the available high-cycle fatigue (HCF) criteria have been proposed based on definition of an equivalent stress. Although these criteria have shown good agreements with results of the fatigue tests performed in particular conditions, majority of them do not consider all effects that have to be taken into account: mean normal and shear stresses, phase shift and different or random frequencies of the stress components, relative time locations of the extrema of the time histories of the stress components, etc. In the present article, based on the microscopic fatigue failure observations reported by some prominent references, new HCF criteria are proposed in three categories to overcome the mentioned shortcomings: (1) critical plane approach; (2) energy approach; and (3) integral approach. A relevant fatigue life assessment algorithm is also proposed and results of the prominent criteria are compared with results of the proposed criteria as well as the experimental results prepared by the author. To introduce a comprehensive study, the criteria are evaluated for components with complicated geometries under proportional, non-proportional, and random loadings. Results reveal that predictions of the proposed energy and integral approaches are more accurate.
Size Effect in Thermally Damaged Concrete
Authors: Di Luzio Giovanni , Muciaccia Giovanni , Biolzi Luigi
Published: July 2009

Detailed experimental observations and numerical simulations are presented for the evaluation of residual properties of high-strength concrete specimens after exposure to high temperatures. Heated and nonheated notched four-point bending specimens were tested at ambient conditions approximately 1 month after exposure to the high temperature. Residual strength and post-peak response were monitored using a closed-loop load frame, and the fracture process zone was observed using Electronic Speckle Interferometry. The symmetric over-nonlocal formulation of a microplane model was used for interpreting the experimental investigation. The size-effect results were used to identify the true tensile strength and the initial fracture energy corresponding to the peak and the initial post-peak slope of a linear cohesive crack law. This study reveals that the material ductility increases with the thermal damage, which is explained by the increase of the fracture process zone size and the characteristic length.
Adult Attachment, Cognitive Distortions, and Views of Self, Others, and the Future Among Child Molesters
Authors: Wood Eric , Riggs Shelley
Published: July 2009

A conceptual framework derived from attachment theory was tested examining adult romantic attachment; views of self, world/others, and the future; and cognitive distortions in a sample of 96 child molesters receiving sex offender treatment and 92 nonoffending males. Results showed a significant main effect for child molester status, with nonoffending controls reporting fewer negative perceptions of self, others, and the future; and fewer cognitive distortions regarding adult—child sex. With the exception of views of others, significant interactions were also found between child molester status and attachment categories. However, the patterns of interactions were theoretically counterintuitive and illustrated areas for future research. Overall, the findings supported theoretically based hypotheses, suggesting that attachment theory may be useful in the conceptualization and treatment of child molesters.
The Egoism and Altruism of Intergenerational Behavior
Authors: Wade-Benzoni Kimberly A. , Tost Leigh Plunkett
Published: July 2009

Some of the most important issues in society today affect more than one generation of people. In this article, the authors offer a conceptual overview and integration of the research on intergenerational dilemmas—decisions that entail a tradeoff between one’s own self-interest in the present and the interests of other people in the future. Intergenerational decisions are characterized by a combination of intertemporal (i.e., behaviors that affect the future) and interpersonal (i.e., behaviors that affect other people) components. Research on intergenerational dilemmas identifies factors that emerge from these dimensions and how they interact with each other to influence intergenerational beneficence. Critically, phenomena that result from the intersection of these two dimensions—such as immortality striving through legacy creation—are especially important in distinguishing intergenerational decisions from other related decision contexts.