bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corrosivity Test Methods for Polymeric Materials. Part 5- A Comparison of Four Test Methods
Authors: Kessel Stephen L. , Rogers Charles E. , Bennett James G. 
Published: March 2007

This is the fifth in a series of papers published by the Polyolefins Fire Performance Council, a unit of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. In this paper, four test methods are compared for their ability to evaluate smoke corrosivity of polymeric materials: 1) the proposed ASTM E05.21.70 radiant combustion/exposure standard test method, 2) the CNET corrosivity test stan dard being reviewed by ISO (DIS 11907-2), 3) the DIN 57 472 acid gas test stan dard, and 4) the proposed ASTM D09.21.04 cone corrosimeter standard test method. The ASTM E05.21.70, CNET, and ASTM D09.21.04 test methods directly de termine the corrosive effects of combustion gases, as they measure the resis tance changes in copper circuit targets exposed to the gases. The ASTM tests report the resistance change in terms of metal loss and the CNET test reports the resistance change in terms of % corrosivity factor. The DIN test standard determines the conductivity and pH changes of aqueous solutions through which combustion gases are passed. Twenty-four polymeric materials were evaluated for smoke corrosivity by these four test methods, so that the test methods could be reliably compared based on results from many types of polymeric materials. The polymeric materials evaluated are commercially available and they cover a broad range of compositions used for wire and cable insulation and jacketing. The ASTM E05.21.70, CNET, DIN and ASTM D09.21.04 tests are evaluated based on several criteria. Each test is evaluated on the basis of precision, or whether the test is repeatable, and accuracy, or whether the test differentiates corrosive potentials consistent with the expectations based on the known chem istry of the material compositions. To also determine accuracy, the ASTM E05.21.70, CNET, and D09.21.04 test methods are compared to the DIN 57 472 test method, as this test and similar acid gas tests are accepted standards that have been historically used to measure corrosive potential. Recommendations are made for improving the proposed test methods.
Supplementation of Breastfed Infants: Does Continuing Education for Nurses Make a Difference?
Authors: Iker Carolyn E. , Mogan Judith 
Published: March 2007

Supplementation of breastfed newborns in the first few days of life is a common practice that interferes with the establishment of lactation and is related to early cessation of breastfeeding. Quality assurance audit results at a large maternity hospital led to the development of a continuing education program to increase nurses' knowledge of breastfeeding and thereby reduce supplementation. An integrated quality assurance and research methodology was selected to analyze the impact of the education and yield results that would be more generalizable and interest a wider audience. Findings revealed no change in supplementation behavior occurred following a four-week education program. Only 33 percent of newborns in the study were unsupplemented during their hospital stay. Formula was the most often used supplement. Continuingeducation alone was not effective in changing behavior. As shown in the literature, post-course reinforcement of behavior needs to be built into the cost of the program to implement and sustain desired changes.
Breast Pads: Their Effectiveness and Use by Lactating Women
Authors: Griffiths Roberta J. 
Published: March 2007

The diversity of breast pads available and absence of data on their effectiveness led the Breastfeeding Association of South Africa to design laboratory simulation experiments measuring fluid retention and evaporative properties as indicators of pad surface dryness. Questionnaires distributed at four breastfeeding clinics were used to obtain data on mothers' use of pads and incidence of breast problems. The majority of mothers surveyed used a new disposable breast pad made by Johnson & Johnson. The experimental studies showed that this pad allowed no leaking and kept the breast markedly drier than other disposables. Exclusive use of these pads or cotton towelling pads did not produce a detectable increase in nipple problems. A home-made disposable breast pad using a nappy (diaper) liner encasing toilet paper was most effective at keeping the breast dry and offered good protection against leaking. Since it is economical and easy to use, it is recommended as a good alternative to expensive disposables. Clinging materials, e.g. gauze, cottonwool or paper, and panty liners, maintain excessive surface dampness and are not recommended. If used, two layers of nappy liner on the inner surface may enhance nipple dryness.
Series on Mises, Market Process and Socio-Cultural Changes. (Part 1
Authors: Block Walter 
Published: March 2007

This is the second in a multi-volume series devoted to the work of Ludwig von Mises. (The first was Block, 1992.) In the 'Scope' statement which sets out the philosophical vision of Cultural Dynamics, this journal announces its interest in 'theoretical ... studies that focus on dynamic aspects of socio-cultural phenomena, and (in) dynamic models and theories'. Elaborating upon this theme, the editors of Cultural Dynamics express interest in 'processes, changes, evolutions and histories of knowledge, social and cultural phenomena'. Among other traditions, they declare their intention 'to provide a forum for discussions about particular paradigms and theories whose focus it is to describe and model such phenomena' e.g. on 'praxeological ... theories'. It is my contention that Austrian economics in general,1 and the writings of Ludwig von Mises in particular, are paradigmatically suitable avenues of discourse for Cultural Dynamics. Austrianism is not for nothing known as the 'praxeological school', since it sees the study of economics as a chain of apodictic or necessary reasoning, starting from a few broad basic empirical generalizations.2 The Austrians are noteworthy for relegating static analysis to a minor footnote, and elevating process, or dynamics, to central stage, which is very much in keeping with the concerns of Cultural Dynamics.3 The present collection of papers is inclusive of the Austrian emphasis on praxeology and dynamics, but is by no means limited to these central concerns. Rather, these contributions range widely, and are representative of the broad range of Austrian economic interests. They are organized under three headings: methodology, macroeconomics and microeconomics.
The British reaction to dementia praecox 1893-1913. Part 1
Authors: Ion R.M. , Beer M.D. 
Published: March 2007

Emil Kraepelin introduced the concept of dementia praecox in 1893. The eventual acceptance of the concept brought a degree of clarity and order previously unknown to psychiatric nosology. The pre-Kraepelin era had been dominated by concepts such as mania, melancholia and adolescent insanity. After Kraepelin these ideas were abandoned in favour of the two great concepts of dementia praecox and manic depressive insanity, both of which remain active within modern psychiatry in the fonn of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This two-part study focuses on the early British reaction to Kraepelin's concept, from 1893, when he first introduced it, to 1913 when it gained general recognition. It examines the struggle experienced by the proponents of dementia praecox before the concept's acceptance by most British psychiatrists in 1913. It argues that both clinical/professional and linguistic factors influenced the British response to dementia praecox. Part 1 of this study describes the backdrop to the development of Kraepelin's ideas and examines the response to the concept in the British psychiatric textbooks and journals of the period. Part 2 will explore reaction to the concept in the professional meetings of the period, and will also examine and evaluate the key issues arising from the debate. 1. In this paper, unless otherwise stated, all references to Kraepelin's work are to the English translations of his books.
Supporting the Employment of Mothers: Policy Variation Across Fourteen Welfare States
Authors: Gornick Janet C. , Meyers Marcia K. , Ross Katherin E. 
Published: March 2007

This article compares 14 OECD countries, as of the middle-to-late 1980s, with respect to their provision of policies that support moth ers' employment: parental leave, child care, and the scheduling of public education. Newly gathered data on 18 policy indicators are pre sented. The indicators are then standardized, weighted, and summed into indices. By differ entiating policies that affect maternal employ ment from family policies more generally, these indices reveal dramatic cross-national differences in policy provisions. The empirical results reveal loose clusters of countries that correspond only partially to prevailing welfare-state typologies. For mothers with preschool-aged children, only five of the 14 countries provided reasonably complete and continuous benefits that sup ported their options for combining paid work with family responsibilities. The pattern of cross-national policy variation changed no tably when policies affecting mothers with older children were examined. The indices provide an improved measure of public support for maternal employment. They are also useful for contrasting family benefits that are provided through direct cash transfers with those that take the form of sup port for mothers' employment. Finally, these policy findings contribute to the body of schol arship that seeks to integrate gender issues more explicitly into research on welfare-state regimes.
Working for women's Empowerment: Issues before the Agency that Catalyses Change
Authors: Dutt Shushmita C. 
Published: March 2007

NGOs have played key roles in catalysing change within development activities in India. It is widely perceived that NGOs have a greater capacity to reach the grassroots, even in case of women's organisation. However, such groups working with women need to ensure that class, caste and ethnic differences are included in their analyses of women and development. Postmodern thinking has fostered a growing awareness of an absence of race and class analysis in mainstream feminist discourse on development. Mahila Smakhya (MS), an organisation working in several states of India, empha sises development with gender equity. There is no single, unique set of policy or action recommendations that can achieve this. One effective way to do this may be to create space for the voices of 'ordinary' men and women to be heard within the policy domain so that commonalties and conflicts between different groups of women and men are made clear and taken into account in the policy development process. This paper looks at MS's success in Madhya Pradesh.
Some Methodological Problems in Sport Sociology Literature
Authors: Phillips John C. 
Published: March 2007

No methodological critique should be seen as an attack on an existing study. Rather such critiques should be seen as a call to a community of scholars to re- examine or reassess work that may have seemed "finished." In view of the rela tively low esteem accorded to sport sociology (at least in the United States) it may be proper to emphasize that the problems discussed above are by no means limited to the area of sport sociology. Indeed, they are to be found in the most respectable literature of fields more in the "mainstream" of sociology (see Deutscher, 1973; Hirschi and Selvin, 1967). Hopefully, a continuing concern for better methodology among sport sociologists will help us to draw on the methodological wisdom of "general sociology" and other related fields without repeating the errors that have been made by scholars in those fields. A number of recent papers and exchanges in this journal and elsewhere have marked an apparent growth of interest in methodological issues among sport socio logists (e.g., Loy and Seagrave, 1974; Albonico and Pfister-Binz, 1971; McPherson, 1975: Wohl, 1975). This trend, especially the emergence of exchanges and discus sions regarding the relative merit of different methodological approaches (cf. Wohl, 1975 and McPherson, 1975; Lenk and Lüschen, 1975), may be seen as a sign of maturation of sport sociology as a field of inquiry. Given the nature of sport sociology such exchanges also provide an opportunity for cross-national and cross- disciplinary communication that is, perhaps, unparallelled in any other social science field. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the more significant works in the field in terms of certain methodological problems they present. It should be noted at this time that this review could not be comprehensive given the extensive literature that exists. The material selected is characterized by two general criteria: 1) it is important in terms of its substantive or theoretical content; 2) it represents an interesting methodological problem. Hopefully this paper will contribute to the apparent growth in consciousness of methodological issues among sport sociolo gists — and, perhaps further exchanges as well.
Socio-Linguistic Research in Sociology of Sport
Authors: Artiomov R.N. 
Published: March 2007

This article deals with the necessity to include socio-inguistic research in the entire complex of problems related to sport. Socio-linguistic research makes it possible to watch the developmental process of sport, approaching it from a variety of points of view. The social structure exerts a direct influence on the language structure, the lan guage in turn exerts its influence on the general level of development of the team and individual. The article presents the ways in which the sports language is taking shape. Subject of the discussion, using as an example an etymological analysis of borrowing terminology from foreign languages, is the process of the taking shape of sports ter minology.
Spectator Activity of Workers in Sports
Authors: Matveyev L.P. , Milstein O.A. , Moltchanov S.W. 
Published: March 2007

Sports sociology has been paying increasingly more attention over the past two decades to fans and in a wider sociological aspect — to the role played by sportsmen in shaping the public opinion, social moods and social consciousness. In this article, the authors point to some general regularities and the specific qualities of the fan's entertainment activeness, peculiarity of his commitment to the world of sports. All of these processes are reviewed by means of a group of workers, as this category of people represents the most typical group of sports fans. Moreover the principle of the mutual interrelation between the job and recreation, of the impact of the worker's position upon the form and character of spending leisure time have helped define the starting theoretical and methodological assumptions of the study. In all, the authors elucidate the subjective and objective aspects of the enter tainment activeness of workers in sports and their interdependence on the social conditions of work and recreation. They cite four basic characteristics on which the social behaviour of the fan hinges: ways of obtaining the sports information, sex, evaluation of a sports spectacle, self-evaluation of the individual's engagement in sports.
The Sociological Explanatory Value of the Term Sport for Adults
Authors: Schulke Hans-Jürgen 
Published: March 2007

With the obvious increase of sports activities, especially in industrialized countries, a differentiation of contents takes place. This is expressed by various denominations for sports realities: top-class sport, competitive sport, performance sport, mass sport, leisure time sport, sport in schools, preschool sport, sport at universities, qualification in sports, club sport, military sport, sport at factories, sport for children, sport for youth, sport for adults, sport for older people etc. The basis for these various denominations are different aspects of order and, therefore, they often do not exactly separate these various spheres and they are not precise according to the contents. In this connection we must also see the relatively new denomination "sport for adults". This term means that sport more and more looses its primarily "juvenalatic" character and — as a consequence of increasing importance for the physical-psychological reproduction of working. power also after school time. Moreover, the term "sports for adults" seems to facilitate a direct access to sports practice, because in sports organizations ge nerally a clear cut is made between youth age and adult age. Under sociological aspect the term "sports for adults" as a separate sphere still remains unsatisfactory for the explanation of sports reality. In the so far attempts for ranking, age is used as a calendaric or biological difference, but not as a sociolcgical category. Under this aspect, the paper deals with two main problems: 1. Theoretical-methodological aspects. In this section the thesis is described and explained that the position of adult people in the social process of production and reproduction is an essential feature for the status "adult". Therefore, sports motivations and activities, but also sports passivity, so widely spread among adults (learning inhibition), may be interpreted by general socio-economic laws. On the other hand, the term 'adult" is so general that concrete processes in sports practice of adults hardly can be explained satisfactorily (i.e. arising of sports activity or overcoming of passivity). Therefore, we hold the opinion to further classify sports for adults according to professional activity and position in order — following the dialectics of the general and specific — to better use the laws of sports for adults. 2. Exemplary description of a special sphere of sports for adults: sports for students. The relevance of sports for students for the topic "sports for adults" consists in the fact that sports for students lies i nthe intersection of youth age and adult status. After a sociological determination of the status "student" sports habits and their changes with students are compared to those of adults, sports organization processes are described, and the contents of their sports activity are interpreted. The thesis is underlined that sports for students may be a "station for early recognition" of future developments in sports for adults.
Is there any Value in Sports? About the Ethical Significance of Sport Activities
Authors: Bockrath Franz , Franke Elk 
Published: March 2007

The question of a possible validity of competitive action is discussed in form of a pro-contra dialogue. With reference to the basic differentiation between value and norm ethical questions, F. Bockrath disputes an original value-relation of sport activities in a deontological sense. Amongst other points of reference, he justifies his argumentation by pointing out to the axiological differentiation of "object of values" and "values of objects". In this context he also denies the assumption that the moral significance of sport activities may be deduced from the rules of competition alone as regulative conditions of their existence. In his replication, E. Franke develops the idea of a contractual validity of competitive actions. One of its ethical significant features of construction is the "agonal principle". The conditions of competition correspondingly are not merely an external, formal limitation of action but have a specific constitutive meaning - they make it possible to compare competitive actions to non-verbal performative acts.
Anytime Learning and Adaptation of Structured Fuzzy Behaviors
Authors: Bonarini Andrea 
Published: March 2007

We present an approach to support effective learning and adaptation of behaviors for autonomous agents with reinforcement learning algorithms. These methods can identify control systems that optimize a reinforcement program, which is, usually, a straightforward representation of the designer's goals. Reinforcement learning algorithms usually are too slow to be applied in real time on embodied agents, although they provide a suitable way to represent the desired behavior. We have tackled three aspects of this problem: the speed of the algorithm, the learning procedure, and the control system architecture. The learning algorithm we have developed includes features to speed up learning, such as niche-based learning, and a representation of the control modules in terms of fuzzy rules that reduces the search space and improves robustness to noisy data. Our learning procedure exploits methodologies such as learning from easy missions and transfer of policy from simpler environments to the more complex. The architecture of our control system is layered and modular, so that each module has a low complexity and can be learned in a short time. The composition of the actions proposed by the modules is either learned or predefined. Finally, we adopt an anytime learning approach to improve the quality of the control system on-line and to adapt it to dynamic environments. The experiments we present in this article concern learning to reach another moving agent in a real, dynamic environment that includes nontrivial situations such as that in which the moving target is faster than the agent and that in which the target is hidden by obstacles.
Bibliography of Cross-Cultural Research Methods
Authors: Ember Carol R. 
Published: March 2007

This bibliography is part of a larger effort at the Human Relations Area Files to compile and consolidate information on cross-cultural compar isons. The present bibliography focuses largely on papers and books which are primarily methodological or have substantial methodological components that address regional or worldwide comparisons of societies based on secondary sources. I have also included articles which propose a cross-cultural sample. Because I consider this to be an on-going effort, I welcome readers to offer additions and update their work. It would be most helpful if individu als could send reprints of their articles; the Human Relations Area Files maintains an archive of cross-cultural research studies. I wish to thank the National Science Foundation for partial support of this project (BNS- 8911173) and all those authors who have already responded to requests for verification and updating. At the Human Relations Area Files, I wish to thank Victoria Crocco for her help with correspondence and typing, as well as Melvin Ember, David Levinson, M. Marlene Martin, and Timothy O'Leary.
Language Training for Enhanced Horizontal Communication: A Challenge for MNCs
Authors: Charles Mirjaliisa , Marschan-Piekkari Rebecca 
Published: March 2007

Horizontal communication between subsidiaries of the same multinational corpo ration (MNC) is a Problem faced by staff as the demands for communicating across borders are pushed downwards in the organizational hierarchy. Although the choice of English as the common corporate language alleviates some of the hor izontal communication problems, it does not solve them all-particularly not when many subsidiaries are located in non-English speaking countries. In that situation, horizontal communication between subsidiaries can be a significant casualty. In a study of communication within a Finland-based MNC, Kone Elevators, interviews with staff globally revealed problems not only for non-native speakers, but also for native speakers of English. Illustrative interview data suggests that cor porate training schemes should focus on the broad spectrum of international com munication rather than on increasing a systematic knowledge of any one language.