bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social Security Reform: Start With the Facts
Authors: Patterson Martha Priddy 
Published: March 2007

Before beginning the debate on much-needed changes to the Social Security system, reform investigators need to look at the facts before attempting to develop solutions, says the author. Too many people—and even some members of Congress—do not understand what protections besides retirement income the Social Security benefit provides and who it provides for, she argues. Once these facts are understood, projections of future program costs become critical in steering the debate. Under the Social Security Board of Trustees' best estimates to date, by the year 2013, Social Security payments will exceed income. By the year 2032, Social Security assets will be depleted. Though these projections are not certainties, "we need to act now," says the author. Should we change the entire system, or will modifying it be enough? Reviewing various reform proposals, the author states that, whatever options are being considered in the Social Security reform debate, employer-provided plans and individual savings are critical to any retirement planning program. In weighing and ultimately adopting the new proposals, "compensation and benefits managers can play a special role," says the author, and "facts, not rhetoric, must be the starting focus."
Reliability and Validity of the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire Administered by Telephone
Authors: Roccaforte William H. , Burke William J. , Bayer Barbara L. , Wengel Steven P. 
Published: March 2007

Effective, economical, and reliable means of screening subjects for cognitive impairment when personal contact is not feasible could facilitate epidemiologic studies and longitudinal assessment. The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) is a 10-item examination that has been found reliable and valid in distinguishing demented subjects from cognitively intact subjects when given face to face. The current study assessed the utility of a telephone version of the SPMSQ in patients evaluated in an outpatient geriatric assessment program. Mean scores for both test versions decreased with dementia severity and correlated significantly. Mean score differences between the two versions were not affected by reports of hearing impairment or the time interval between test administration. Both test versions correlated significantly with the Mini-Mental State Examination. In distinguishing demented “from nondemented subjects, sensitivity and specificity were .74 and .79 for the telephone test and .74 and .91 for the face-to-face test, respectively.
Extraversion Strategies within a Peripheral Research Community: Nigerian Scientists' Responses to the State and Changing Patterns of International Science and Development Cooperation
Authors: Lebeau Yann 
Published: March 2007

Labelled 'giant of Africa'in the 1970s on account of its promising human and natural resources, Nigeria entered in the early 1980s in an unprecedented period of recession following the domination of corruption over government operations, the fall of the oil market price and the introduction of a structural adjustment programme in 1986. Despite its potential wealth, Nigeria is ranked today as part of the world 's thirty least developed countries. This has, of course, had severe repercussions on institutions of higher learnirg and the scientific community through the twin effects of the deterioration of working con ditions and that of the purchasing power of the academic staff. However, our study, based on visits in nine of the most prestigious research institutions and interviews with forty-five scientists working there, reveals that, contrary to all expectations, research has not died. It has, rather, been transformed in various ways along the survival strategies evolved by scientists and the needs of the international community.
HIV Vaccine Development in Asia
Authors: Excler Jean-Louis 
Published: March 2007

HIV vaccine development in Asia was initiated eight years ago in Thailand and has since proven to be very active and successful. Thailand has played and is still playing a major role in leadership and has catalysed numerous initiatives with the constant support and active participation of the WHO-UNAIDS HIV Vaccine Inittative. Strong political commitment, willingness to streng hen national capacity building, and an open mind to international collaboration have been key elements of success. HIV vaccine development in Thailand is not an isolated activity disconnected from HIV pre vention and care, two keystrategies implemented by the Royal Thai Government. The HIV Vac cine Development National Plan has been successful as part of a comprehensive National Plan for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care. Thai researchers are now on the frontline and acting as peer advisers on HIV prevention and care, including HIV vaccine development not only for South-East Asian but also for African countries. India is newly involved in HIV vaccine development. National and international collaborative initiatives between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the US Vaccine Trial Network with Johns Hopkins University (funded by the US National Institute of Health) and more recently the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative have been launched, although they are still at very early stages of development. The National AIDS Control Organisation and ICMR have expressed strong political willingness and long-term commitment to HIV vaccine development for India. Strengthening national capacity building and reinforcement of national infrastructures are, however, preliminary conditions for a successful Indian programme.
International Cooperation and Support of Higher Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Benedek Wolfgang 
Published: March 2007

In 1991, the population of Bosnia-Herzegovina (B-H) was about 4.4 million, of which 45.7% were ethnic Muslimo (Bosnicak/), 51.4% Serbs, and 17.5% Croats. As a result of the war, there were more than 2 million refugees and displaced persons, only 250,000 of which were able to return to their homes (about 550,000 people were killed and 240,000 wounded). The war was finally ended by NATO airstrikes and the Peace Agreement (negotiated in Day-ton, Ohio), which was signed on December 14, 1995 in Paris Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina consits of two entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, itself made up of ten cantons, along with the Republika Srpska. After elections on September 14, 1996, it wad not until January 1997 that the new Parliament finally met and the Government was formed. However, the> new government has very weak competencies, and answers to a presidency consisting of one representative from each of the three major ethnic groups, with a rotating chairmanship. To stabilize peace, an Implementation Force (IFOR), which, since December 1996 has been called the Stabilization Force (SFOR), was placed in B-H. Additionally, a civilian peace-implementation authority was created in the form of the "Office of the High Representative." The overall reconstruction needs (costs) of B-H have been estimated to be more than US$500 million.
Comment on Jankowski's “Punishment in Iterated Chicken and Prisoner's Dilemma Games”
Authors: Banks Jeffrey S. 
Published: March 2007

The forum consists of comments on previously published papers and responses by authors. Unlike the Comment section in many other academic journals, the Forum includes solicited as well as unsolicited contributions. We encourage debates by actively seeking points of view contrary to those expressed in articles published in the journal. The Forum section is intended to promote an open and critical debate that contributes to the intellectual vitality and further development of rational-choice-based theory and research. Forum contributions should follow the form used by Rationality and Society and should not exceed five double-spaced pages.
How “Rational” is the Choice of “Rational Choice”?
Authors: ESSER HARTMUT 
Published: March 2007

The Forum consists of comments on previously published papers and responses by authors. Unlike the Comment section in many other academic journals, the Forum includes solicited as well as unsolicited contributions. We encourage debates by actively seeking points of view contrary to those expressed in articles published in the journal. The Forum is intended to promote an open and critical debate that contributes to the intellectual vitality and further development of rational-choice-based theory and research. Forum contributions should follow the form used by Rationality and Society and should not exceed five double-spaced pages.
EDITOR'S NOTE
Authors: Brinton Mary C. 
Published: March 2007

The Forum consists of comments on previously published papers and responses by authors. Unlike the Comments section in many other academic journals, the Forum includes solicited as well as unsolicited contributions. We encourage debates by actively seeking points of view contrary to those expressed in articles published in the journal. The Forum is intended to promote an open and critical debate that contributes to the intellectual vitality and further development of rational-choice-based theory and research. Forum contributions should follow the form used by Rationality and Society and should not exceed five double-spaced pages.
Chronic Sorrow in Women With Chronically Mentally Disabled Husbands
Authors: Hainsworth Margaret A. , Busch Priscilla V. , Eakes Georgene G. , Burke Mary L. 
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND: Chronic sorrow was described by Olshansky (1962) to explain a perva sive, psychologic reaction that he observed in parents of mentally retarded children. He believed that the sorrow was a normal, not a neurotic, response to their situation and relatedly, thought clinicians would intervene differently with these parents if they held a similar belief. The Nursing Consortium for Research on Chronic Sorrow (NCRCS), of which the authors are members, has conducted multiple studies to ex pand the understanding of chronic sorrow as a normal state associated with chronic or life-threatening conditions, occurring both in the individual with the condition and in family members. These NCRCS investigators have provided evidence supporting the premise that chronic sorrow is likely to occur in various chronic situations. OBJECTIVES: This study explored whether women with chronically mentally disabled husbands experienced feelings of chronic sorrow in their lives. DESIGN: Using content analysis, the transcriptsfrom interviews with 11 women were coded using the Burke/NCRCS Chronic Sorrow Questionnaire (Caregiver version) as a guide. RESULTS: All 11 women experienced feelings of chronic sorrow. Feelings of chronic sor row occurred periodically over an extended time when some event reminded partici pants of their long-term situation. Subjects identified personal strategies for coping with feelings of chronic sorrow and nursing activities that had been helpful to them. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study are consistent with those of other studies on chronic sorrow. Subjects identified the role of the nurse as teacher/expert as most important for helping women with chronic sorrow, specifically by providing them with knowledge that is current and specific. From these findings, interventions can be developed to increase the psychologic comfort of these caregivers. (J AM PSYCHIATR NURSES Assoc [1995]. 1, 120-124)
Weatherization of Residences: Criteria for Thermal Insulation
Authors: Rossiter Walter J. , Mathey Robert G. 
Published: March 2007

The Department of Energy (DoE) requested the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) to review and update criteria for materials and products to be included in the DoE Weatherization Assistance Program. This program was established by Congressional legislation in 1976 and was directed toward providing financial assistance to low-income individuals for retrofitting residences to conserve energy. In most cases, only energy-saving materials and products for which standards and specifications are available are to be included in the Program. In late 1983, DoE proposed rule changes to the Program which made it necessary to update existing criteria and establish, as appropriate, new criteria. Criteria were developed for retrofit materials and products included in the DoE Weatherization Assistance Program. These materials and products were thermal insulation, storm windows and doors, replacement windows and doors, caulks and sealants, weatherstripping, vapor retarders, clock ther mostats, and replacement glazing. The criteria were based on a consideration of factors such as thermal performance, fire safety, durability, quality, confor mance to building codes, use, and ease of installation. This paper presents the criteria for thermal insulations developed in the study. The criteria are based on conformance to existing specifications and standards. Fire safety requirements for thermal insulations are recommended with regard to the use and locations where they are installed.
Advanced Evacuated Thermal Insulations: The State of the Art
Authors: Fine H. Alan 
Published: March 2007

Thermal insulation with thermal resistivities of at least 20 (h ft 2 F/ Btu in.) have been shown to have the potential for significant energy conservation if employed in residential and commercial refrigerator/freezers Many materials and systems have been proposed which may be incorporated into refrigerator/freezers to achieve this potential. The current state of the art for advanced evacuated insulations which may achieve resistivities of 20 was established by reviewing data on many materials available in the open literature on the dependence of the thermal performance on internal pressure. The costs for the powdered, fiber, foam and multilayer materials were then obtained from the manufacturer of the products Possible candidate materials for m- clusion into refrigerator/freezers are described and ranked based upon their thermal properties and costs. Several materials were found that may be used to make super-insulation panels with material costs of less than $1.00 per board foot, if a plastic laminate is used for the container required to maintain the necessary vacuum. Materials falling in this category included. Beverly silica dust, open-cell polyurethane foam, fine perlite, 2.7 lb/ft3 fiberglass and 3.6 lb/ft3 fiberglass opacified with vapor-deposited alu minum, precipitated silica, and mixtures of precipitated silica and fly ash. Mate rial costs approaching $3.00 per board foot will result if metallic contamment is required.
Introduction to the Third International Workshop on Long-Term Thermal Performance of Cellular Plastic Insulation
Authors: Bomberg Mark , Kumaran Kumar 
Published: March 2007

Methodology for the evaluation of long-term thermal performance of cellular plastics is being developed under a collaboration of North American foam industry with the National Research Council of Canada. The mechanism of this col laboration includes a joint research project between the Society of Plastics Industry and the NRC Canada. To evaluate long-term thermal performance (LTTP) of cellular plastics the aging process must be accelerated. This can be done either by means of elevated tempera ture or by the use of thin layers of the foam. The first approach changes the permeability and solubility coefficients of different gases to such a degree that pre dicting the foam performance under field conditions is difficult. Only the thin layer approach is used in the SPI/NRC project, though the relation between aging of thin layers and that of full board is treated differently, depending on the foam uniformity. When unfaced foam is homogenous enough to permit a sim ple arithmetic operation, known as the scaling technique, this relation can be used to calculate foam aging for layers with different thicknesses. When, however, the cel lular structures of skin and core layers differ significantly, or the foam is provided with impermeable facers, then the scaling technique is not appropriate and the aging models (models of heat and mass transfer) must be used There is, however, a number of material characteristics needed as the input to these models, and the manner in which these material characteristics are generated decides upon the scope of application of this methodology. Therefore, much of this research relates to the methods of material characterization. This presentation outlines the main elements of methodology developed under the SPI/NRC project and highlights future research needs.
A Case of Cladding Problems Highlights the Need for a Holistic Approach to the Facility Design
Authors: Lstiburek Joseph William 
Published: March 2007

The building envelope design of a computer center facility requires a specialized knowledge because of the specific requirements for pressurization and humidification of the indoor space. A computer center facility, coded in this report as a CC facility, was located in a cold climate. It experienced a cladding failure related to inappropriate design of the building envelope. The indoor air coming in contact with the cladding material produced condensed moisture on the back side of the granite panels. The condensed moisture ran down and accumulated in the "trough" as well as in "gutters" installed to collect condensate. With insufficient drainage, the condensed water overflowed to the interior and caused significant damage to interior surfaces. Furthermore, repeated freeze/thaw cycles cre ated expansion forces which created outward displacement of the granite panels and a hazard of the failure of the granite cladding. The author conducted an investigation which identified specific problem areas, recommended remedial measures concerning problems relating to condensation, corrosion, mold, and other moisture problems at the CC facility. This paper is written in two parts, one reporting the field study and the other dis cussing the failure mechanisms in context of a broader overview of building science principles.
The Effective Diffusivity of Cyclopentane and n-Pentane in PU and PUIR Foams by Thin-Slice Gravimetric Analysis
Authors: Booth J. Richard , Bhattacharjee Deb 
Published: March 2007

Monitoring thermal conductivity changes in thin-sliced cellular plastics has drastically reduced the time required to evaluate the long-term aging of insulating foams. Monitoring the weight changes of closed-cell thin-slices provides data which can be analyzed to determine the effective diffusivity of atmospheric and blowing agent gas components. The effective diffusivity of atmospheric gases are about two orders of magnitude larger than that of permanent insulating blowing agents. This large difference in effective diffusivity allows each gas to be determined independently. Specimens of polyurethane (PU) and polyurethane modified polyisocyanurate (PUIR) foam were prepared using cyclopentane or n-pentane in the PUIR foams.
Moisture Management of EIFS Walls— Part 1: The Basis for Evaluation
Authors: Bomberg Mark , Kumaran Kumar , Day Kevin 
Published: March 2007

The Canadian approach to design accepts the presence of some con struction deficiencies and calls for a multiple-line of defense Until now, such a design has been based on the qualitative assessments rooted in experience, i.e., tradition, and involved little integration with the newly emerging analytical tools, e.g., advanced hygrothermal models. The relation between the design and climatic conditions acting on a building is not well established. Research should be undertaken to clarify the rela tionship between climate and the moisture performance of a given wall assembly, i.e., to enhance the predictability of moisture performance for different wall assemblies when constructed with some deficiencies and exposed to a given climate. To improve the correlation between climatic conditions and design practice, mois ture management of a building envelope must involve the flow-through principles. The flow-through approach is, however, much more difficult than the currently used approach with barriers. The flow-through approach requires performing computer calculations of moisture balance of all layers of the wall with regard to heat, air and moisture transport over an entire year. This is the critical element of the integrated moisture management strategy. Four papers are being written to facilitate the use of analytical tools into EIFS wall
Alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E)—the Natural Antioxidant for Polyolefins
Authors: Laermer S.F. , Zambetti P.F. 
Published: March 2007

The antioxidant effect of alpha-tocopherol (ATP) in biological systems, where it is better known as vitamin E, has been well-documented. However, the potential use of ATP as a stabilizer in polymers had had only limited evaluation, so several studies were commissioned to obtain reliable and relevant data pertaining to the capability of ATP as a polymer additive. Data showed that ATP offers several distinct advantages in polymer stabiliza tion. Besides its environmental safety, it is also an excellent processing stabi lizer and, in combination with synergistic additives, a superior color stabilizer. Thermal stability of the product is excellent, with no significant weight loss un til almost 300°C. Migration into food product, a critical concern with most other additives, is negligible because of ATP's limited volatility and is also of little concern because of its GRAS (FDA's "generally recognized as safe") status. Furthermore, even the breakdown products (mostly tocopherol quinone compounds) are harmless.
Permeation of Ethyl Acetate Vapor Through Silica Deposited Polyethylene Terephthalate Film and Composite Structures
Authors: Sajiki Takashi , Giacin Jack R. 
Published: March 2007

The effect of temperature and relative humidity on the permea tion of ethyl acetate vapor through silica deposited polyethylene terephthalate film (SiOx PET) and composite structures was studied by a quasi-isostatic proce dure. For comparison, the permeation of ethyl acetate vapor through an ethyl ene/vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), and an EVOH laminate structure was also determined. Permeability studies were carried out at 50, 65 and 76 ° C with a constant vapor concentration of 300 μg/cc (mass/volume). Results of permeation studies at 65 ° C showed that the transmission profile curve of the EVOH film followed typical Fickian behavior, while the SiOx PET film exhibited atypical behavior during the initial transport period. For the first 24 hours, permeation through SiOx PET was not detectable. Following this initial induction period, a significant increase in the transmission rate was observed; and after 96 hours, mass transport was at steady state. At steady state, the rate of permeation through the SiOx PET was lower than that of the EVOH film. SiOx PET film showed relatively high temperature dependence ( Ep = 22.1 kcal/mole) and a low transmission rate. PET also showed relatively high tem perature dependence (23.2 kcal/mole). Based on the activation energy, the EVOH film exhibited very significant temperature dependency ( Ep = 48.8 kcal/mole). In over 500 hours of continuous testing, there was no measurable permeation of ethyl acetate vapor through the SiOx PET and EVOH films at 22°C, 56% RH. However, at 87% RH, the EVOH film exhibited a permeation rate of 3.14 x 10-11 kg/m 2·sec for ethyl acetate vapor, while the SiOx PET film was not influenced by sorbed water vapor and showed no measurable permeation of the organic permeant. Analysis by optical microscopy on the SiOx surface showed no effect of temper ature on the structural integrity of the SiOx coating, as evidenced by the absence of cracks or crazing of the SiO x coating. While the functional role of the silica coating is not fully understood, the following mechanism is proposed. For the silica deposited PET film, the barrier properties of the structure are governed by defects, non-homogeneity of both the surface coating thickness and composition, or preferential diffusion paths-all of which can contribute to the observed permeability rates. The permeability of the polymer layers imme diately adjacent to the silica coating are thus critical in determining the effect of such defects.