bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Some remarks in the dialogue on the future of theological education in South Africa
Authors: du Toit C.W. , du Toit Cornél 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe theological education debate in South Africa must be co-ordinated to make it meaningful for all parties involved. Factors influencing this debate are mentioned. Among these are obstacles in redefining African theology and relevant trends on an international and national level. The question of theological education cannot be dealt with in a credible way without reconsidering the nature of the university and the character of truth. Self-understanding in the theological profession challenges us to answer questions like theological integrity, the nature of a faculty for religion and theology, theological plurality and so on. The restructuring of curriculum necessitates revolutionary methods like the self-organising model of education to be considered. The article ends by looking at possible options open and action to be considered.
The role of religion in the process of nation-building: from plurality to pluralism
Authors: Lubbe G.J.A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis article argues that religious pluralism, unlike religious plurality, is not a given fact in any society. It constitutes a process in which different religious traditions learn to interact with each other. This process runs parallel to, and in many ways shares the problems and goals of any programme of nation-building. Only where religious pluralism is beginning to emerge will different religions be able to participate actively in the building of a new society. Without relating to each other, different religions will not be able to promote the idea of togetherness and harmony.
Researching a city's faiths- methodological notes from the coalface
Authors: Clasquin M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe author describes the qualitative methodology used by himself, Professor J S Krüger and Mr M S (Victor) Molobi in a research project on the religious spectrum of the city of Pretoria. The planning, data-gathering and data-processing stages of the project are discussed. The article describes the problems encountered during the project and how these were resolved by the research team.
Wie sê jy is Jesus? Die dialektiek tussen Christus vandag en Jesus van ouds
Authors: Craffert P.F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe publication of John Dominic Crossan's Jesus research prompted discussions not only amongst New Testament scholars, but also amongst theologians and believers. One such example is the volume of essays by Carlson and Ludwig on Jesus and faith. At least two aspects from that debate are taken seriously for further discussion. Firstly, who is Crossan's Jesus and what are some of the difficulties in his construction ofJesus? Secondly, what are the implications of Crossan's historical Jesus for theology and popular faith.
Responses to 'The piety of Afrikaans women'
Authors: Landman Christina 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe book The piety of Afrikaans women is placed in the context of the methodological discussion on religion feminism, that is religion feminism as it was discussed in Western Europe in the early 1990s. It is argued that in South Africa the book was not read against this background but as an onslaught on Afrikanerdom and as a liberal effort to alienate metaphysics from spirituality. Three reactions for and against the contents of the book are discussed. The first refers to local nationalism, the second to the political agenda of women's spirituality and the third to the relationship between spirituality and historical criticism.
Towards a Religious Recontextualisation of Reformed Christianity
Authors: Krüger Jacobus S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBy making explicit the perspective on infinity in terms of which Reformed religion will be viewed here, I will be able to explain my understanding of both the failure and the dignity of that branch of Christianity, and of its presence in South Africa. I shall neither protest loyally from within the confines of Reformed thinking and practice, nor berate from without, but map it on a wider metaphysical-mystical landscape. That will enable us to indicate its limitations as well as its redeeming qualities. I believe that Reformed religion may be re-assembled on the other side of such a critical interpretation. For that religion, if narrowed down dogmatically (as has traditionally been the case in South Africa), has bad consequences - not least for Reformed Christianity itself On the other hand, the Reformed view - if opened, as will be suggested here - may add significantly to the wider human religious discourse.
Christology On Two Fronts: a New Testament Model for Doing Christology in a Pluralistic Context
Authors: Mcgrath James F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe aims of this paper are threefold and may be summarized as follows: (1) to reflect on pluralism as a point of similarity - rather than a difference, as it is often thought to be - between the context in which the New Testament authors wrote and that in which we find ourselves today; (2) to reflect on the approach to christological reflection taken by the New Testament authors in relation to the pluralism of their day, which we will argue was one of interacting with two fronts': fidelity to the traditions which they inherited on the one hand and relevance to their context(s) on the other; and finally (3) to consider what light this may shed on our task today as we seek to reflect on the meaning of the traditions we have inherited in our contemporary context of religious pluralism. 1
Forum Gospel and Enculturation: the Long Road1
Authors: Osiek Carolyn 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe essential task of enculturation of the Gospel is not one of inserting an abstract entity called 'the Gospel' into a culture. Rather, the Gospel is and always has been radically enculturated, from the first preaching of Jesus through contemporary biblical interpretation. Enculturation means creating something new, and with a price to pay.
Marxism, Morality and Ideology the Marxist Moral Paradox and the Struggle for Social Justice
Authors: Mothlabi Mokgethi B.G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThere is a certain paradox inherent in Marx's criticism of morality. On the one hand, he rejects morality as a form of bourgeois ideology which serves mainly to justify the status quo. The status quo in question is one which is mainly detrimental to ordinary working people, while favouring property owners as well as owners of the means of production. In this sense Marx's condemnation of morality resembles his condemnation of religion, which he saw as the opium of the people. On the other hand, Marx employs morally significant language to challenge what he regards as the evils of capitalism and their destructive effects on the working class. It becomes clear from all this that capitalism cannot be seen as purely an economic matter. Insofar as it affects the lives and well-being of people, it is also a moral issue and deserves to be judged accordingly. How Marx steers between his seeming rejection of morality and, at the same time, using it to criticise capitalism is the main concern of this article. In the process, Marx's concept of ideology is explained while the focus and motivation of his social critique is also briefly considered.
Goal setting in Dutch paediatric rehabilitation. Are the needs and principal problems of children with cerebral palsy integrated into their rehabilitation goals?
Authors: Nijhuis Bianca JG , Reinders-Messelink Heleen A , de Blécourt Alida CE , Boonstra Anne M , Calamé Esther HM , Groothoff Johan W , Nakken Han , Postema Klaas 
Published: April 2008

Objective: To evaluate whether the needs and principal problems of children with cerebral palsy (CP) as formulated in their interdisciplinary rehabilitation reports are integrated into the goal descriptions and whether this depends on the nature of the needs and problems. Design: Descriptive multiple-case study. Setting: Five Dutch paediatric rehabilitation facilities. Subjects: The rehabilitation profiles of 41 children with cerebral palsy aged between 4 and 8 years. Methods: The raw text data were extracted and organized, after which two raters independently linked the extracted content to the categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY). Matches between needs, problems and goals were identified by ICF-CY code comparisons. Results: The Cohen's kappas for ICF-CY encoding were all in the range of `fair to good' (0.52—0.78). For five children (12%) no needs had been formulated and the reports of 10 (24%) were excluded from further analyses as they lacked a principal goal. In the 31 reports analysed, 29 (23%) need constructs and 46 (46%) problem constructs were incorporated into the goals. Of the total of 95 goal constructs 49 (52%) were not related to either a need or a problem construct. No clear relationship could be established between the type of needs and problems and their inclusion or exclusion in the principal goals. Conclusion: Overall, the integration of the needs and principal problems of children with their rehabilitation goals was not optimal. However, integration was difficult to objectify because needs, problems and goals were poorly documented.
Impact of EMG-triggered neuromuscular stimulation of the wrist and finger extensors of the paretic hand after stroke: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Meilink A. , Hemmen B. , Seelen Ham , Kwakkel G. 
Published: April 2008

Objective: To assess whether EMG-triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation (EMG-NMES) applied to the extensor muscles of the forearm improves hand function after stroke. Design: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Methods: A computer-aided literature search up to June 2006 identified articles comparing EMG-NMES of the upper extremity with usual care. Methodological quality was rated on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale (PEDro), and the Hedges' g model was used to calculate the summary effect sizes (SES) using fixed or random models depending on heterogeneity. Results: Eight studies, selected out of 192 hits and presenting 157 patients, were included in quantitative and qualitative analyses. The methodological quality ranged from 2 to 6 points. The meta-analysis revealed non-significant effect sizes in favour of EMG-NMES for reaction time, sustained contraction, dexterity measured with the Box and Block manipulation test, synergism measured with the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment Scale and manual dexterity measured with the Action Research Arm test. Conclusion: No statistically significant differences in effects were found between EMG-NMES and usual care. Most studies had poor methodological quality, low statistical power and insufficient treatment contrast between experimental and control groups. In addition, all studies except two investigated the effects of EMG-NMES in the chronic phase after stroke, whereas the literature suggests that an early start, within the time window in which functional outcome of the upper limb is not fully defined, is more appropriate.
Plant diversity in a calcareous wooded meadow – The significance of management continuity
Authors: Aavik Tsipe , Jõgar Ülle , Liira Jaan , Tulva Ingmar , Zobel Martin 
Published: April 2008

AbstractQuestions: What is the contribution of management continuity during the last 30–40 years to variation in species diversity and composition of a calcareous wooded meadow plant community? Is tree cover related to species diversity and composition of the herbaceous layer? What are the effects of local soil gradients on species diversity?Location: Laelatu calcareous wooded meadow, Western Estonian coastal zone.Methods: Plant community composition was assessed in 150 1 m × 1 m plots, located at 30 sites with known management history within Laelatu meadow (7 ha). Light and soil conditions and relative altitude were measured at each plot. DCA was used to analyse variation in species composition and general linear mixed models to analyse the effects of management and environmental parameters on diversity.Results: Management continuity was the primary determinant of plant community composition, followed by light conditions and soil parameters. Species richness, diversity and evenness are positively dependent on management continuity. Spatial autocorrelation is important as well. Diversity started to decline under the tree canopy where 50% or less irradiation reached the level of the herbaceous layer. We did not find significant effects of soil conditions on small‐scale diversity.Conclusions: Management continuity, together with the cover of the tree layer, are the most important determinants of diversity. Despite grassland stands with different management history are located side by side, the regeneration of diversity and composition of plant communities after restoring regular management practices is a slow process.
Farm price and income policy: lessons from history
Authors: Tweeten Luther , Zulauf Carl 
Published: April 2008

AbstractU.S. farm commodity support programs encompass nearly three quarters of a century and three quarters of a trillion taxpayer dollars. One dividend from that effort is to learn lessons. Farm commodity programs have steadfastly maintained a primary objective of supporting the incomes of a relatively few producers of a relatively few commodities. Nonetheless, farm programs have not been static but have adapted to changing economic and political parameters. Changes in agricultural policy tend to coincide with extremes in the food supply–demand balance. Farm program income transfers leak from their intended beneficiaries to other asset owners. Economic rents, once institutionalized, retain political momentum that sustains the rents. The rise of pressure from the World Trade Organization to provide only non‐market‐distorting payments may challenge the continued viability of these lessons; however, the lessons also caution against discounting the extant political influence of the farm lobby. [EconLit N500, Q180]. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding consumer interest in product and process‐based attributes for fresh produce
Authors: Bond Craig A. , Thilmany Dawn , Keeling Bond Jennifer 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe choices consumers make about fresh produce, such as where it is purchased and what they are willing to pay, are likely influenced by a range of private and public attributes. This study uses factor and cluster analysis techniques to explore the preferences of consumers who responded to a 2006 national survey to determine the dimensions over which consumers make purchasing decisions and to identify key market segments. Analysis is based on a variety of survey questions relating to preferences for various fresh produce traits and process attributes, as well as willingness to pay for a subset of these attributes. We find that although there is only a small degree of correlation between tested variables, four consumer clusters can be identified as market segments: Urban, Assurance Seekers, Price Conscious Consumers, Quality and Safety Consumers, and Personal Value Buyers. Each cluster values both private and public attributes, though with differing intensities and focus. [EconLit citations: Q130, D120]. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flexible towpreg preparing carbon fiber‐reinforced phenolic resin composites
Authors: Li Wei , Chen Zhenhua , Li Jin , Chen Xianhong 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe current article describes a novel approach to produce the carbon fiber/phenolic matrix composites. The composites are focused on the carbon fibers and interfacial behavior. The washed, oxidized, and flexible towpreg‐treated carbon fiber is investigated by tensile strength. To relate the interfacial behavior with the characteristics of the components, the surface free energy of the carbon fibers is carried out by capillarity. Thereafter, the tensile strength of carbon fiber strands, the interlaminar shear strength, and the flexure strength are measured. The results show that appropriate treatments could effectively improve the mechanical properties. Interfacial adhesion between the carbon fibers with phenolic resins being fractured under deformation and the dispersed resins on the flexible towpreg carbon fiber are, respectively, studied by scanning electron microscopy and optical microscope. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Measuring interdiffusion at an interface between two elastomers with tapping‐mode and contact‐resonance atomic force microscopy imaging
Authors: Bresson Bruno , Portigliatti Maude , Salvant Benoit , Fretigny Christian 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDespite the common use of tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy to image composites or polymer blends, very few studies have focused on the measurement of the interdiffusion at an interface between two polymers in contact. In this study, we show how to assess the interphase between two polymers with two methods. First, stable and robust tapping conditions are established, and the problem of the phase contrast is discussed. Second, a contact‐resonance method is presented: the tip in contact with the sample is electrostatically excited at its resonance frequency by a self‐controlled oscillator. The gain and frequency images allow us to measure the interdiffusion width. Both methods (using high and weak mechanical solicitation) give the same assessment of the interdiffusion width. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis of a new photoreactive gelatin with BTDA and HEMA derivatives
Authors: Ding Fan‐Chun , Hsu Shan‐hui , Chiang Wen‐Yen 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA novel bio‐affinitive, photocuring, and membrane‐forming gelatin derivative was synthesized in this study. This process was based on the amide formation between carboxylic acid and the amine in methanol–water media using dicyclohexyl‐carbodiimide (DCC) as a condenser. Gelatin and glycine were the sources of amine in the model reaction. Since there were two anhydride groups in each 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetra‐carboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) molecule, two 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) molecules were used to induce the ring‐opening reaction of BTDA and release two carboxylic acid groups. The resulting photoreactive gelatin was called GE‐BTHE, of which the photoreactive component was the ketone groups of BTDA and HEMA that played the role of double bond supplier. This photoreactive gelatin could be converted from the transparent liquid phase into swollen membrane by a 6‐min irradiation of high pressure mercury lamp. The most efficient irradiation was at 267 nm and the highest degree of swelling of the cured GE‐BTHE membrane could reach 5.9. The elongation from the dried gel remained 5–10%, i.e., relatively elastic. The properties of this gelatin derivative were investigated using amide formation analysis, calculation of the gel content and the swelling ratio, and monitoring of the photocuring process. The GE‐BTHE synthesized in this study should be very potential in applications such as protective wound dressings and hemostatic absorbents for minimally invasive surgery. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Thermal expansion of fumed silica/cyanate ester nanocomposites
Authors: Goertzen William K. , Kessler M. R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe thermal expansion behavior of a cyanate ester matrix reinforced by fumed silica nanoparticles with average primary particle diameters of 12 and 40 nm was investigated with thermomechanical analysis. All nanocomposites showed decreased coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) in comparison with the neat bisphenol E cyanate ester resin, but the 12‐nm fumed silica nanocomposites had lower CTEs than the 40‐nm nanocomposites for equal volume fractions. The largest decrease in CTE was 27.0% for 20.7 vol % 40‐nm fumed silica. When the data were compared to applicable theory, the best fit of the data was given by Schapery's upper limit and Shi's model. Estimates of the interphase volume fraction and effective thickness surrounding the nanoparticles were made with the results of Shi's model, and the results showed that the interphase volume fraction was larger for the 12‐nm fumed silica nanocomposites, given an equal fraction of silica. The glass‐transition temperature of the nanocomposites from thermomechanical analysis varied only slightly with the volume fraction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis of pH dependent chitosan‐EPI hydrogel films and their application for in vitro release of promethazine hydrochloride
Authors: Seki Yoldaş , Yurdakoc Kadir 
Published: April 2008

AbstractChitosan‐epichlorohydrin hydrogel films (ChitEPI) were synthesized by using chitosan in the presence of epichlorohydrin (EPI) as a crosslinking agent at various amounts. SEM, FTIR, TGA, and DSC analysis were conducted for the characterization of the hydrogels. The DSC measurements indicate that ChitEPI hydrogels did not exhibit better thermal stability when compared to chitosan. Swelling behavior of Chitosan‐EPI hydrogel film is pH dependent and showed a reversible swelling behavior with a fast response. The hydrogels were used for in vitro release of promethazine hydrochloride (PHCl) in pH = 1.2 and pH = 7.4 phosphate buffer solutions (PBS). The release of PHCl synthesized from hydrogels at pH = 7.4 is quite low while at pH = 1.2, the highest value was observed as 49% for ChitEPI600. It has been also found that PHCl release from ChitEPI thin films is mainly controlled by diffusion control mechanism. ChitEPI hydrogels may be used for the delivery of drug in stomach and gastrointestinal tract. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Comparative study of silica‐, nanoclay‐ and carbon black‐filled EPDM rubbers
Authors: Tan Haisheng , Isayev Avraam I. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSilica‐, nanoclay‐, and carbon black (CB)‐filled ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) mixtures were prepared and subsequently vulcanized. Rheological properties and cure characteristics of the mixtures and mechanical properties of vulcanizates were measured. Rheological property measurements indicated the storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex dynamic viscosity of silica‐filled EPDM mixtures were much higher than those of CB‐filled EPDM mixtures while tan δ values were lower. The optimum cure time of silica‐ and nanoclay‐filled EPDM mixtures increased with filler loading, whereas the values for CB‐filled mixtures slightly decreased with loading. The hardness, modulus, elongation at break, and tensile strength of all the vulcanizates increased with increasing filler loading. The elongation at break of CB‐filled EPDM vulcanizates increased insignificantly with CB loading. Among the three fillers, the increase of the tensile strength and elongation at break was most significant for silica‐filled EPDM vulcanizates. Remarkably, for 30 phr silica‐filled EPDM vulcanizates, a tensile strength and elongation at break of 23.5 MPa and 1045% was achieved, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008