bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preventing and Responding to Atrocity Crimes in Africa: Interrogating the African Response in Darfur
Authors: Nmehielle Vincent O. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThere has been much scholarly and public debate regarding whether the ongoing atrocities in Darfur constitute “genocide”. This article posits that, irrespective of the description given to the mass atrocities taking place in the Sudan, there needs to be a more formidable response and intervention by the world community. As part of this, the author examines the African Union (AU) engagement with the Darfur crisis, within the context of Sudan’s membership in the AU. Contending that Darfur is the first litmus test of how the AU is different from its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity, he argues that Darfuris would only realize the benefits of the new regional body if perpetrators of egregious human rights violations are brought to justice.
Voluntary Codes of Conduct for Religious Persuasion: Effective Tools for Balancing Human Rights and Resolving Conflicts?
Authors: Svendsen Are L. , Bless Rainer O. , Richards Matthew K. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAttempts by people of faith to persuade others to their beliefs can provoke conflicts—even violence—in communities intent on protecting their privacy and identity. Both advocates and targets claim the protection of competing human rights, which must be balanced. Voluntary codes of conduct offer a viable alternative to government regulation. This article evaluates twenty-one codes and identifies which have greatest potential for conflict-resolution. Effective codes balance competing rights consistent with international law norms, respect multiple traditions, and address a general audience. They motivate compliance, provide a platform for dialogue, and promote the pluralism necessary to freedom of conscience. In contrast, codes focused on a single faith’s or network’s own constituencies are less likely to prevent or resolve conflicts because they tend to advocate a sectarian view and sometimes violate international law. Like aggressive state regulations, these codes can perpetuate rather than prevent conflict.
Bringing “Fullness” to Naomi: Centripetal Nationalism in The Book of Ruth
Authors: Mangrum Benjamin 
Published: June 2011

AbstractMany interpretations of the Book of Ruth read the relationship between the Judean woman and her Moabitess daughter-in-law as the expression of an inclusive school of thought within Israel’s attempts to define itself. The foreigner, in this view, becomes accepted into the covenant people of God, demonstrating Israel’s multi-ethnic horizons and Yahweh’s universal concern. Yet this essay uncovers the presence of an ideological subtext undergirding the narrative: the nations, represented in the character of Ruth, are the means for Judah’s exaltation—an ideological position that I expose through a literary reading of the narrative. This reading has concomitant implications for the book’s Sitz-im-Leben. This article focuses primarily on two episodes in the narrative, 3:14-18 and 4:13-17, exposing the underlying centripetal ideology that anticipates the restoration and exaltation of Judah through the gifts (or “fullness”) brought in by the nations.
International versus domestic explanations of administrative reforms: the case of Turkey
Authors: Sezen Seriye 
Published: June 2011

This article examines administrative reforms in Turkey, highlighting its domestic and international explanations and outcomes. First, it briefly reviews the fundamental administrative reforms implemented in the early republican and following periods. Thereafter, some proponents of reforms and their outcomes are analysed with influencing actors. Then, the national or international actors that influenced current reforms and their relative impacts are discussed. The article argues that administrative reforms in Turkey are an appropriate example of policy transfer because reform policies are mainly encouraged by external actors such as the EU, the IMF, and the World Bank. However, the role of internal actors such as governments, business circles and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should not be ignored. Moreover, it can be asserted that the reform process is significantly affected by conflicts of interest among internal actors. Although the Turkish case could be considered an appropriate transfer practice of new public management (NPM) in terms of formal regulations, a thorough examination of their outcomes and challenges reveals that it is time to substitute the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach with ‘different sizes for everyone’. Points for practitioners Because every reform attempt derives mainly from political motives, administrative reform cannot be considered a solely technical or operational process. Hence, it not only directly or indirectly has an impact on all aspects of social life, but it is also affected by the historical, political, economic and cultural past of the relevant country. Practitioners should be aware of this and should take into consideration a set of societal factors apart from the purely administrative techniques, if they want to avoid failure, and to achieve efficiency.
Innovations in democratic governance: how does citizen participation contribute to a better democracy?
Authors: Michels Ank 
Published: June 2011

Over recent decades, many countries have gained experience with referendums, citizens’ forums, citizens’ juries, collaborative governance, participatory budgeting, and other models in which citizens have a more direct say. Citizen participation is usually considered a valuable element of democratic citizenship and democratic decision-making. Many theorists claim that citizen participation has positive effects on the quality of democracy. This article examines the probability of these claims for a large number of cases in different Western countries. Four types of democratic innovation are distinguished and evaluated according to the extent to which they realize positive effects on democracy. The findings show that citizen involvement has a number of positive effects on democracy: it increases issue knowledge, civic skills, and public engagement, and it contributes to the support for decisions among the participants. The analysis also makes it clear that the contribution of participation to democracy differs according to type of democratic innovations; deliberative forums and surveys appear to be better at promoting the exchange of arguments, whereas referendums and participatory policy making projects are better at giving citizens influence on policy making and involving more people. But, as I try to argue, since these positive effects are perceptible only to those taking part and the number of participants is often small or particular groups are underrepresented, the benefits to individual democratic citizenship are far more conclusive than the benefits to democracy as a whole. Points for practitioners This article distinguishes four types of democratic innovation and, for each type, examines the effects of citizen participation on the quality of democracy. It offers a systematic analysis of the contribution of participation to elements of democracy, such as influence on decision-making, inclusion, skills and virtues, deliberation, and legitimacy. The analysis points to a number of positive effects on democracy, but the findings also show that the contribution of participation to democracy differs according to the type of democratic innovations.
Modelling the effects of maintenance on the degradation of a water-feeding turbo-pump of a nuclear power plant
Authors: Baraldi P , Compare M , Despujols A , Zio E 
Published: June 2011

This work addresses the modelling of the effects of maintenance on the degradation of an electric power plant component. This is done within a modelling framework previously proposed by the authors, of which the distinguishing feature is the characterization of the component living conditions by influencing factors (IFs), i.e. conditioning aspects of the component life that influence its degradation. The original fuzzy logic-based modelling framework includes maintenance as an IF; this requires one to jointly model its effects on the component degradation together with those of the other influencing factors. This may not come natural to the experts who are requested to provide the if-then linguistic rules at the basis of the fuzzy model linking the IFs with the component degradation state. An alternative modelling approach is proposed in this work, which does not consider maintenance as an IF that directly impacts on the degradation but as an external action that affects the state of the other IFs. By way of an example regarding the propagation of a crack in a water-feeding turbo-pump of a nuclear power plant, the approach is shown to properly model the maintenance actions based on information that can be more easily elicited from experts.
A Revisit to High-pressure Transitions of Pyridine: A New Phase Transition at 5 GPa and Formation of a Crystalline Phase over 20 GPa
Authors: Yasuzuka Takaharu , Komatsu Kazuki , Kagi Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
A new high-pressure phase transition of pyridine at 5.0 GPa was found using Raman and IR spectroscopy. Application of pressure over 20 GPa induced irreversible polymerization of pyridine, and a yellow-brownish solid material was recovered at ambient condition. The X-ray diffraction pattern revealed that the recovered solid material contained a crystalline phase in contrast to amorphization of other aromatic compounds in a similar pressure region.
Synthesis and Properties of Aliphatic Waterborne Polyurethanes with High Ionic Concentration
Authors: Peng Ya , Zhao Guangbin , Wang Ke , Tong Rongbai , Sun Fei , Mei Fangfang , Lu Shoutao 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
A series of aliphatic waterborne polyurethane (WPU) dispersions with high ionic concentration were synthesized by prepolymer mixing. The resultant structure–property relationships were investigated. It was revealed that there was a new microphase besides the phase separation between the soft and the hard domains. The new microphase separation found in the hard domains was formed by aggregation of the ionic groups characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis, FTIR characterization, and thermal gravimetric analysis.
From mammals to viruses: the Schlafen genes in developmental, proliferative and immune processes
Authors: de la Casa-Esperón Elena 
Published: June 2011

AbstractTheSchlafengenes have been associated with proliferation control and with several differentiation processes, as well as with disparate phenotypes such as immune response, embryonic lethality and meiotic drive. They constitute a gene family with widespread distribution in mammals, where they are expressed in several tissues, predominantly those of the immune system. Moreover, horizontal transfer of these genes to orthopoxviruses suggests a role of the viralSchlafensin evasion to the host immune response. The expression and functional studies of this gene family will be reviewed under the prism of their evolution and diversification, the challenges they pose and the future avenues of research.
Direct chromogenic substrate immuno-capture activity assay for testing of factor VII-activating protease
Authors: Stephan Sina , Schwarz Herbert , Haude-Barten Anja , Sidelmann Johannes J. , Fischer Bodo , Althaus Harald , Hahn Martin , Kappel Andreas , Ehm Matthias , Vitzthum Frank 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background: The Marburg I (MRI) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the factor VII-activating protease (FSAP) gene has been associated with thrombophilia and atherosclerotic disease. PCR is used to detect the SNP. Also, the specific FSAP activity to cleave single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) serves as a surrogate for PCR testing. Development of further assays is indicated in order to increase testing opportunities for future studies.

Methods: A direct chromogenic substrate immuno-capture activity assay for FSAP (FSAP dcs activity assay) was established. Performance characteristics of the FSAP dcs activity assay were compared to the FSAP scu-PA activity assay.

Results: The FSAP dcs activity assay detects FSAP activity from 25% to 150% of the norm. Total CVs ranged from 6% to 10% for FSAP wild type samples and 9%–18% for MRI samples. Correlation between the FSAP dcs and scu-PA activity assays was low (R=0.7). The FSAP dcs activity determined the presence of the MRI FSAP alloenzyme with a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% [95% confidence interval (CI): 89.6%–100%] and 96.2% (95% CI: 93.2%–97.4%), respectively, whereas the specific FSAP dcs activity increased specificity to 99.0% (95% CI: 97.2%–99.6%).

Conclusions: The specific FSAP dcs activity represents a reliable method for the detection of the FSAP MRI alloenzyme. Due to the limited correlation between the FSAP dcs and scu-PA activity assays, these different measurands may exhibit different utility in research and clinical applications. Thus, the FSAP dcs activity assay can represent a valuable complement or alternative for FSAP testing in future studies.
QoS Provisioning for TT-TR Based OBS Ring Networks
Authors: Peng Limei , Kim Young-Chon , Tang Wan , Youn Chan-Hyun 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Optical burst switching (OBS) is one of the most promising switching technologies. This paper studies the efficient OBS ring network using the TT-TR based node architecture. The TT-TR based OBS ring network can use the network resources very efficiently, but the network performance is restricted due to the limited network resources. Moreover, different network demands have different network resource requirements. It is very important to satisfy their different requirements while using the limited network resources efficiently. In this paper, Quality of Service (QoS) provisioning mechanisms are studied to solve the above mentioned problems. Two kinds of network services, namely the real-time traffic and the best-effort traffic, are considered in this paper. The real-time service is delay-sensitive that should be transmitted in a real-time manner and cannot tolerate high transmission delay; while the best-effort traffic has no strict limitation in transmission delay or loss, but the best effort are made to improve their transmission reliability. According to their different servicing requirements, different QoS provisioning mechanisms are proposed to serve them in the OBS unidirectional and bidirectional ring networks, respectively. The proposed mechanisms are evaluated and analyzed through simulation. The simulation results show that even though the proposed mechanisms cannot get absolute zero-delay or zero-loss for real-time traffic or best-effort traffic, their different requirements for delay or loss are satisfied to some significant degree.
An Efficience Scheme to Reduce Burst Loss Rate and Supporting Differentiated Services in All-Optical Networks
Authors: Garg Amit Kumar 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Due to their one-way resource reservation mechanism, Optical Burst Switching (OBS) networks experience high bursts (thus packets) loss rate. In OBS networks, the contention is resolved either by dropping one of the contending bursts or more efficiently by dropping from one of the contending bursts only the parts that overlap with the other bursts. In both situations, only one data source will suffer the data loss in favor to the other. In this paper, an efficient scheme to reduce burst loss rate has been proposed in conjunction with an appropriate mechanism to provide differentiated service in order to support the quality of service (QoS) requirements of different applications. Simulation results show that the performance of the proposed scheme is better than existing mechanisms in terms of reducing burst (packets) loss. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme provides an accurate fit for the performance of the highest traffic class and lower bounds for the other traffic classes that are tighter than earlier known results.
Phase Noise Influence in Optical OFDM Systems employing RF Pilot Tone for Phase Noise Cancellation
Authors: Jacobsen Gunnar , Kazovsky Leonid G. , Xu Tianhua , Popov Sergei , Li Jie , Zhang Yima , Friberg Ari T. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
For coherent and direct-detection Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) systems employing radio frequency (RF) pilot tone phase noise cancellation the influence of laser phase noise is evaluated. Novel analytical results for the common phase error and for the (modulation dependent) inter carrier interference are evaluated based upon Gaussian statistics for the laser phase noise. In the evaluation it is accounted for that the laser phase noise is filtered in the correlation signal detection. Numerical results are presented for OFDM systems with 4 and 16 PSK modulation, 200 OFDM bins and baud rate of 1 GS/s. It is found that about 225 km transmission is feasible for the coherent 4PSK-OFDM system over normal (G.652) fiber.
The Transporting Property of Hybrid SCM/Ethernet PON
Authors: Ji Wei , Ren Yongpeng 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
SCM/Ethernet PON is the hybrid PON, which two wavelengths transport downstream services simultaneously. With the high rate of Ethernet PON and the high subcarrier frequency of SCM PON, the two down-stream wavelengths of hybrid PON are interactional seriously. This paper mainly analysis the impacts of Cross-power Modulation and Dispersion in SCM/Ethernet PON, rewards the relationship of BER and the modulation frequency, modulation index, and the average optical power.
An Agenda for Occupational Therapy's Contribution to Collaborative Chronic Disease Research
Authors: Hand Carri L. , Letts Lori J. , von Zweck Claudia M. 
Published: June 2011

Background. To meet the needs of adults with chronic diseases, Canadian health care is moving toward more interdisciplinary, collaborative practice. There is limited high-quality evidence to support practice in this area. Occupational therapists can play a significant role in this area of practice and research. Purpose. To develop an agenda of priority areas within collaborative chronic disease research to which occupational therapy can make a contribution. Methods. The project involved literature and Internet review, a consensus meeting with a range of stakeholders, a surveyofoccupationaltherapists, andsynthesisoffindingstocreatearesearchagenda. Findings. An interdisciplinary and intersectoral group of stakeholders identified seven main priority areas. One priority is specific to occupational therapy while the remaining six cross disciplines. Implications. The research agenda can support funding applications and encourage interdisciplinary research collaboration to ultimately produce research evidence that can benefit people with chronic diseases.
Cultural Competence in Occupational Therapists Working in Early Intervention Therapy Programs
Authors: Wray Eleanor L. , Mortenson Patricia A. 
Published: June 2011

Background. Cultural competence promotes equity in health care outcomes and ensures that occupational therapists support clients in culturally relevant daily activities. However, it is unclear to what extent occupational therapists in early intervention therapy (EIT) settings practise cultural competence. Purpose. To explore how occupational therapists working in EIT settings work towards cultural competence in practice. Methods. Qualitative methods in the ethnographic tradition were used to explore five occupational therapists' experiences of working with culturally diverse clients. Findings. Four major themes emerged from the data: (1) learning about culture; (2) applying cultural knowledge; (3) reflecting on culture; (4) family-centred partnerships. The first three themes occurred as a dynamic learning process within the context of family-centred partnerships. The findings corresponded with existing models; however, discussions lacked critical examination of power relationships. Implications. Occupational therapists could develop cultural competence further by engaging in reflexive practice and taking actions to promote equity in healthcare outcomes.
Error estimate for a fully discrete spectral scheme for Korteweg-de Vries-Kawahara equation
Authors: Koley Ujjwal 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
We are concerned with convergence of spectral method for the numerical solution of the initial-boundary value problem associated to the Korteweg-de Vries-Kawahara equation (Kawahara equation, in short), which is a transport equation perturbed by dispersive terms of the 3rd and 5th order. This equation appears in several fluid dynamics problems. It describes the evolution of small but finite amplitude long waves in various problems in fluid dynamics. These equations are discretized in space by the standard Fourier-Galerkin spectral method and in time by the explicit leap-frog scheme. For the resulting fully discrete, conditionally stable scheme we prove an L
2-error bound of spectral accuracy in space and of second-order accuracy in time.
Assessing the quality of classification models: Performance measures and evaluation procedures
Authors: Cichosz Paweł 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
This article systematically reviews techniques used for the evaluation of classification models and provides guidelines for their proper application. This includes performance measures assessing the model’s performance on a particular dataset and evaluation procedures applying the former to appropriately selected data subsets to produce estimates of their expected values on new data. Their common purpose is to assess model generalization capabilities, which are crucial for judging the applicability and usefulness of both classification and any other data mining models. The review presented in this article is expected to be sufficiently in-depth and complete for most practical needs, while remaining clear and easy to follow with little prior knowledge. Issues that receive special attention include incorporating instance weights to performance measures, combining the same set of evaluation procedures with arbitrary performance measures, and avoiding pitfalls related to separating data subsets used for evaluation from those used for model creation. With the classification task unquestionably being one of the central data mining tasks and the vastly increasing number of data mining applications — not only in business, but also in engineering and research — this is expected to be interesting and useful for a wide audience. All presented techniques are accompanied by simple R language implementations and usage examples, which — whereas created to serve the illustration purpose mostly — can be actually used in practice.