Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
New Forms (new + form)
Selected AbstractsA New Form of Chinese Human Resource Management?INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 4 2001Labour-Management Relations in Chinese Township, Personnel, Village Enterprises: A Case-Study Approach Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs) in China have in the last decade played an increasingly important role in the Chinese economy, employing over 120 million workers. This article examines their human resources, personnel and labour-management relations, based on in-depth case studies of a selected number of TVEs located in southern China, reflecting the influence of diversification, local labour-market conditions and marketisation. [source] Type V Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A New Form of Brittle Bone Disease,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 9 2000Francis H. Glorieux Abstract Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is commonly subdivided into four clinical types. Among these, OI type IV clearly represents a heterogeneous group of disorders. Here we describe 7 OI patients (3 girls), who would typically be classified as having OI type IV but who can be distinguished from other type IV patients. We propose to call this disease entity OI type V. These children had a history of moderate to severe increased fragility of long bones and vertebral bodies. Four patients had experienced at least one episode of hyperplastic callus formation. The family history was positive for OI in 3 patients, with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. All type V patients had limitations in the range of pronation/supination in one or both forearms, associated with a radiologically apparent calcification of the interosseous membrane. Three patients had anterior dislocation of the radial head. A radiodense metaphyseal band immediately adjacent to the growth plate was a constant feature in growing patients. Lumbar spine bone mineral density was low and similar to age-matched patients with OI type IV. None of the type V patients presented blue sclerae or dentinogenesis imperfecta, but ligamentous laxity was similar to that in patients with OI type IV. Levels of biochemical markers of bone metabolism generally were within the reference range, but serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary collagen type I N-telopeptide excretion increased markedly during periods of active hyperplastic callus formation. Qualitative histology of iliac biopsy specimens showed that lamellae were arranged in an irregular fashion or had a meshlike appearance. Quantitative histomorphometry revealed decreased amounts of cortical and cancellous bone, like in OI type IV. However, in contrast to OI type IV, parameters that reflect remodeling activation on cancellous bone were mostly normal in OI type V, while parameters reflecting bone formation processes in individual remodeling sites were clearly decreased. Mutation screening of the coding regions and exon/intron boundaries of both collagen type I genes did not reveal any mutations affecting glycine codons or splice sites. In conclusion, OI type V is a new form of autosomal dominant OI, which does not appear to be associated with collagen type I mutations. The genetic defect underlying this disease remains to be elucidated. [source] Detecting New Forms of Network Intrusion Using Genetic ProgrammingCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 3 2004Wei Lu How to find and detect novel or unknown network attacks is one of the most important objectives in current intrusion detection systems. In this paper, a rule evolution approach based on Genetic Programming (GP) for detecting novel attacks on networks is presented and four genetic operators, namely reproduction, mutation, crossover, and dropping condition operators, are used to evolve new rules. New rules are used to detect novel or known network attacks. A training and testing dataset proposed by DARPA is used to evolve and evaluate these new rules. The proof of concept implementation shows that a rule generated by GP has a low false positive rate (FPR), a low false negative rate and a high rate of detecting unknown attacks. Moreover, the rule base composed of new rules has high detection rate with low FPR. An alternative to the DARPA evaluation approach is also investigated. [source] The MST and the EZLN Struggle for Land: New Forms of Peasant RebellionsJOURNAL OF AGRARIAN CHANGE, Issue 3 2009LEANDRO VERGARA-CAMUS In this article, the author reviews some of the conclusions of the literature on peasant rebellions in the light of current land struggles of the Landless Rural Workers' Movement (MST) in Brazil and the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) in Chiapas, Mexico. The author argues that conventional explanations of peasant rebellions are inappropriate for the analysis of current land struggles in Latin America in the midst of the process of neoliberal globalization. Neither struggle can be characterized as ,quasi-feudal', nor as conservative reactions, but instead should be interpreted as attempts to create a basis for self-subsistence and autonomy. Consequently, the author proposes Marx's concept of alienated labour as an alternative explanatory concept, because it highlights one of the main objectives of the members of the MST and the EZLN, which is the control over their livelihood through a struggle for their re-peasantization. [source] Trips Principles, Reciprocity and the Creation of Sw'-Genens-Type Intellectual Property Rights for New Forms of TechnologyTHE JOURNAL OF WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, Issue 6 2003Guido Westkamp First page of article [source] New Forms of Damage in NegligenceTHE MODERN LAW REVIEW, Issue 1 2007Donal Nolan Although damage is an essential component of negligence liability, important extensions of the categories of actionable damage occur with little or no analysis or even acknowledgement of the fact. In this article, consideration is given to a number of new forms of actionable damage which appear either to have received recognition by the courts in recent years, or to be close to receiving such recognition. The article is divided into three core sections, dealing with negligent imprisonment, wrongful conception and educational negligence. The principal conclusions are that redress for negligent imprisonment is best achieved through recognition of imprisonment as actionable damage in negligence; that an unwanted pregnancy is a form of personal injury, albeit an unusual one; that the conventional sum award in wrongful conception cases is best analysed as compensation for a diminution in the parents' autonomy; and that while untreated learning disorders are now treated by the courts as a form of personal injury, in the absence of such a disorder educational under-development ought not to be recognised as actionable damage in its own right. [source] The Symbolic Narrative of "Anti-Management" or How Managers-to-be Express Their Resistance to the New Forms of WorkANTHROPOLOGY OF WORK REVIEW, Issue 4 2000Angela ProcoliArticle first published online: 28 JUN 200 First page of article [source] Stabilization of New Forms of the Intermetallic Phases ,-LnNiGe2 (Ln: Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) in Liquid Indium.CHEMINFORM, Issue 18 2004J. R. Salvador Abstract For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text. [source] The Concept of Solidarity: Emerging from the Theoretical Shadows?BRITISH JOURNAL OF POLITICS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, Issue 1 2007Lawrence Wilde The concept of solidarity has been relatively neglected by social scientists since Durkheim's pioneering work in the late 19th century. The discipline of politics has been guilty of overlooking this ,subjective' element of community life, but recent works by Stjernø and Brunkhorst reflect a growing awareness of the theoretical significance of the concept. Whereas early liberal attempts to theorise solidarity took the nation state to be the appropriate community for its realisation, the emergence of globalisation raises the possibility of human solidarity developing in the global community. Traditional forms of solidarity have been dissipated by the social changes accompanying globalisation, but they were often locked into the defence of particular interests. New forms may be emerging to rekindle the broader vision of human solidarity. Recent work by writers such as Habermas, Honneth, Rorty and Touraine focuses on widening and deepening democratic participation and/or the articulation of our ethical obligations in various ways. It is argued here that these perspectives need to be supplemented by a radical humanist approach grounded in a normative theory of human self-realisation. [source] Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESEARCH REVIEW, Issue 1 2004Paul J. Hagerman Abstract Carriers of fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) premutation alleles (55 to 200 CGG repeats) are generally spared the more serious neurodevelopmental problems associated with the full-mutation carriers (>200 repeats) of fragile X syndrome. However, some adult male premutation carriers (55,200 repeats) develop a neurological syndrome involving intention tremor, ataxia, dementia, parkinsonism, and autonomic dysfunction. In excess of one-third of male premutation carriers over 50 years of age develop the fragile X- associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). FXTAS also represents a new form of inclusion disease, with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions found throughout the brain in both neurons and astrocytes. Because FXTAS appears to be relatively specific to male premutation carriers, who are known to possess elevated levels of FMR1 mRNA, the neuropathology may arise as a consequence of a toxic gain-of-function of the mRNA itself, although this proposal requires additional direct testing. One of the critical needs at present is a better estimate for the prevalence of this disorder, because FXTAS is likely to be underdiagnosed in the adult movement disorders clinics. MRDD Research Reviews 2004;10:25,30. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Interobserver agreement in endoscopic evaluation of reflux esophagitis using a modified Los Angeles classification incorporating grades N and M: A validation study in a cohort of Japanese endoscopistsDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 4 2008H. Miwa SUMMARY., The Los Angeles classification system is the most widely employed criteria associated with the greatest interobserver agreement among endoscopists. In Japan, the Los Angeles classification system has been modified (modified LA system) to include minimal changes as a distinct grade of reflux esophagitis, rather than as auxiliary findings. This adds a further grading M defined as minimal changes to the mucosa, such as erythema and/or whitish turbidity. The modified LA system has come to be used widely in Japan. However, there have been few reports to date that have evaluated the interobserver agreement in diagnosis when using the modified LA classification system incorporating these minimal changes as an additional grade. A total of 100 endoscopists from university hospitals and community hospitals, as well as private practices in the Osaka-Kobe area participated in the study. A total of 30 video clips of 30,40 seconds duration, mostly showing the esophagocardiac junction, were created and shown to 100 endoscopists using a video projector. The participating endoscopists completed a questionnaire regarding their clinical experience and rated the reflux esophagitis as shown in the video clips using the modified LA classification system. Agreement was assessed employing kappa (,) statistics for multiple raters. The , -value for all 91 endoscopists was 0.094, with a standard error of 0.002, indicating poor interobserver agreement. The endoscopists showed the best agreement on diagnosing grade A esophagitis (0.167), and the poorest agreement when diagnosing grade M esophagitis (0.033). The , -values for the diagnoses of grades N, M, and A esophagitis on identical video pairs were 0.275,0.315, with a standard error of 0.083,0.091, indicating fair intraobserver reproducibility among the endoscopists. The study results consistently indicate poor agreement regarding diagnoses as well as fair reproducibility of these diagnoses by endoscopists using the modified LA classification system, regardless of age, type of practice, past endoscopic experience, or current workload. However, grade M reflux esophagitis may not necessarily be irrelevant, as it may suggest an early form of reflux disease or an entirely new form of reflux esophagitis. Further research is required to elucidate the pathophysiological basis of minimal change esophagitis. [source] Two new iniopterygians (Chondrichthyes) from the Mississippian (Serpukhovian) Bear Gulch Limestone of Montana with evidence of a new form of chondrichthyan neurocraniumACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 2009Eileen D. Grogan Abstract The Iniopterygia are Palaeozoic chondrichthyans whose morphology and relationships are poorly understood. The morphology of two new taxa of Iniopterygidae, Rainerichthys zangerli and Papilionichthys stahlae, from the Upper Mississippian of Montana is now described. They exhibit the iniopterygian synapomorphy of dorsolaterally placed pectoral fins. They also display a laterally compressed head and body, a homocercal tail, and a single aspinous dorsal fin originating at approximately mid-body. These taxa differ in upper dental elements, bony cranial plates, body squamation, buccopharyngeal denticles, cranial linking cartilages, palatoquadrate shape, pterygoid articulation, pectoral axis and pectoral girdle shape, and in the robustness of branchial and suprascapular cartilages. The neurocranium is unique among known chondrichthyans in presenting anterior ethmosphenoid and posterior otico-occipital units separated by an intracranial joint. A complete otico-occipital fissure is found posteriorly. One to two pairs of upper parasymphysial whorls and one median lower premandibular symphysial whorl are present. Symphysial whorls were mobile and the cranial complex appears to have been kinetic. Cladistic assessment places these new taxa as basal chondrichthyans below the divergence of the Elasmobranchii and the Euchondrocephali. The range of morphology within known iniopterygians supports rapid diversification and niche specialization in this group of atypical chondrichthyans. [source] Geographic Scale and Grass-Roots Internationalism: The Liverpool Dock Dispute, 1995,1998,ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2000Noel Castree Abstract: In the context of ongoing debates over the effects of "globalization" on organized labor and, specifically, recent experiments in labor internationalism, this paper examines the geography of the Liverpool dock dispute, 1995,98. The dispute has rarely been subject to a serious analysis of its causes and trajectory. This is surprising since it was not only the most protracted industrial dispute in recent British history but also the hub of a relatively novel form of transnational labor organizing: namely, a form of grass-roots internationalism organized largely outside the formal apparatuses of national and international unionism. In the paper I focus on the nature and dynamics of this "grass-roots internationalism" with a view to making two claims that have a wider thematic and theoretical relevance to the study of labor geographies. First, contrary to an emerging new orthodoxy in labor geography (and labor studies more generally), the Liverpool case in fact suggests that the necessity for labor to "up-scale" solidarity and struggle in the 1990s is much overstated. Second, the Liverpool case suggests that international labor organizing is only efficacious when considered in relation to two scales of struggle often thought increasingly irrelevant or ineffectual in a globalizing world: the local and the national. Thus, while those few analysts who have cited the Liverpool dispute, basing their assessments on secondhand knowledge, have held the dockers up as exemplars of a new form of labor internationalism, in this paper I suggest the need for a more complex and contingent appreciation of the multiscalar dynamics of labor struggles. In short, we have not yet reached the stage, even in a globalizing world, where labor's "spatial fixes" must be preeminently supranational. [source] Functional transitions of F0F1 -ATPase mediated by the inhibitory peptide IF1 in yeast coupled submitochondrial particlesFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 10 2004Mikhail Galkin The mechanism of inhibition of yeast F0F1 -ATPase by its naturally occurring protein inhibitor (IF1) was investigated in submitochondrial particles by studying the IF1-mediated ATPase inhibition in the presence and absence of a protonmotive force. In the presence of protonmotive force, IF1 added during net NTP hydrolysis almost completely inhibited NTPase activity. At moderate IF1 concentration, subsequent uncoupler addition unexpectedly caused a burst of NTP hydrolysis. We propose that the protonmotive force induces the conversion of IF1-inhibited F0F1 -ATPase into a new form having a lower affinity for IF1. This form remains inactive for ATP hydrolysis after IF1 release. Uncoupling simultaneously releases ATP hydrolysis and converts the latent form of IF1-free F0F1 -ATPase back to the active form. The relationship between the different steps of the catalytic cycle, the mechanism of inhibition by IF1 and the interconversion process is discussed. [source] Multiple genomic alterations on 21q22 predict various TMPRSS2/ERG fusion transcripts in human prostate cancersGENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 11 2007Wennuan Liu A number of TMPRSS2/ERG fusion transcripts have been reported since the discovery that recurrent genomic rearrangements result in the fusion of TMPRSS2 and ETS family member genes. In this article we present evidence demonstrating that multiple genomic alterations contribute to the formation of various TMPRSS2/ERG transcripts. Using allele-specific analysis of the data generated from the GeneChip 500K SNP array we observed both hemizygous and homozygous deletions occurring at different locations between and within TMPRSS2 and ERG in prostate cancers. The 500K SNP array enabled us to fine map the start and end of each deletion to specific introns of these two genes, and to predict a variety of fusion transcripts, including a new form which was confirmed by sequence analysis of the fusion transcripts in various tumors. We also inferred that translocation is an additional mechanism of fusion for these two genes in some tumors, based on largely diploid genomic DNA between TMPRSS and ERG, and different fusion transcripts produced in these tumors. Using a bioinformatics approach, we then uncovered the consensus sequences in the regions harboring the breakpoints of the deletions. These consensus sequences were homologous to the human Alu-Sq and Alu-Sp subfamily consensus sequences, with more than 80% homology. The presence/absence of Alu family consensus sequence in the introns of TMPRSS2 and ERG correlates with the presence/absence of fusion transcripts of theses two genes, indicating that these consensus sequences may contribute to genomic deletions and the fusion of TMPRSS2 and ERG in prostate cancer. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Southern African social movements at the 2007 Nairobi World Social ForumGLOBAL NETWORKS, Issue 1 2009MILES LARMER Abstract How relevant is the anti-globalization movement to the ideas and activities of social movements seeking to achieve economic justice and greater democratic accountability in southern Africa? Case study research in four southern African countries (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Swaziland) indicates that, while aspects of the anti-globalization approach resonate with civil society and social movement actors (for example, an emphasis on mass participation and the internationalization of campaigning), the global social justice movement frequently displays the characteristics of globalization. These include: unaccountable decision-making; profound (yet largely unacknowledged) inequality of access to resources; and an imposed and uniform organizational form that fails to consider local conditions. The World Social Forum (WSF) held in Nairobi in January 2007 provided many southern African social movement actors with their first opportunity to participate in the global manifestation of the anti-globalization movement. The authors interviewed social movement activists across southern Africa before and during the Nairobi WSF about their experiences of the anti-globalization movement and the Social Forum. An assessment of the effectiveness of this participation leads to the conclusion that the WSF is severely limited in its capacity to provide an effective forum for these actors to express their grievances and aspirations. However, hosting national social forums, their precise form adapted to reflect widely varied conditions in southern African states that are affected by globalization in diverse ways, appears to provide an important new form of mobilization that draws on particular elements of anti-globalization praxis. [source] Innovative Governance and Development in the New Ireland: Social Partnership and the Integrated ApproachGOVERNANCE, Issue 1 2004J. D. House Since the mid-1980s, the economy of the Republic of Ireland has displayed a remarkable turnaround. Its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown at a faster rate than any developed country in the world. The government's deficit has been cut severely and the debt-to-GDP ration sharply reduced. Average incomes have risen significantly, and the unemployment rate reduced dramatically. This article documents these changes. Its main purpose, however, is to provide a plausible explanation for the "Irish miracle." While many factors have been important,support for the Economic Union's regional development programs, a favorable tax structure, locational and language advantages for attracting multinational corporations, strong education and training programs,these factors in themselves do not explain the emergence of the "Celtic tiger." They were in place before the mid-1980s when Ireland was suffering from a fiscal, economic, and political crisis. Instead, the article argues, it was the creative and innovative response of Irish leaders in government, industry, and labor movement and community organizations to the crisis, and the subsequent institutionalization of this response in a new form of governance, that has been the catalyst for the Irish success story. Based on the thorough background research of the Economic and Social Research Council, a farsighted group of leaders developed a strategic plan in 1987 that provided a blueprint for constructive economic and social change. This was then formally instituted for wage restraint on the part of labor in return for income tax and social supposed provisions by government. Irish social Partnership is modeled to some extent on Northern European corporatism. The article reviews corporatism as an early form of innovative governance, using classical corporatism in Sweden and competitive corporatism in the Netherlands to illustrate how this approach has evolved over the years. Dutch economic success in recent years is due in part to its new form of corporatism that has helped it become globally competitive. It is argued, however, that Irish social partnership goes beyond continental corporatism in several important ways. It is more inclusive, covering a large array of social interests; it is more strategic, with a well-articulated integrated approach to social and economic development that is self-corrective and articulated in a new national agreement every three years; and it is more firmly institutionalized in both government and nongovernment agencies in the country. Social partnership and the integrated approach have become part of the culture of the new Ireland. This innovative form of governance underlies the Irish turnaround and augurs well for the future. It can also serve as a model, with appropriate modification tailor-made to each case, for other jurisdictions hoping to emulate Ireland's success. [source] The European Union after 9/11: The Demise of a Liberal Democratic Asylum Regime?GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION, Issue 1 2005Carl Levy This article examines the domestic and international pressures since 11 September 2001 on the liberal democratic asylum regime practised within the European Union. It looks at three areas of confrontation. The pressures exerted upon national governments by anti-immigrant and anti-asylum seeker/refugee far right populist parties. It examines the attempts by the European Union and its member states to arrive at a Common European Asylum System in light of policy developments over the past 20 years, and places these long-standing processes within the events of 11 September 2001. It discusses whether or not the liberal democratic tradition of asylum embodied in the Geneva Convention of 1951 been sacrificed to the dual pressures of the electoral victories of the far right in Europe and a new form of terrorism that threatens European societies. [source] Examining the Impact of Opportunity Bursaries on the Financial Circumstances and Attitudes of Undergraduate Students in EnglandHIGHER EDUCATION QUARTERLY, Issue 2 2009Anne West Notwithstanding the expansion of higher education across the OECD, there continues to be concern about the levels of participation amongst those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In response to this, a new form of financial support for students from low-income families, the ,opportunity bursary', was introduced for a limited period in England from 2001/02. Surveys of two cohorts of opportunity-bursary applicants were carried out and these suggested possible psychological, behavioural and economic impacts. Fewer opportunity-bursary recipients than non-recipients reported that part-time work had interfered with their studies and more reported that the bursary had made them less worried about meeting the costs of going to university. There was some evidence that the scheme led to increased retention in the first year of university study; it also appeared to lead to lower levels of debt, in particular bank overdrafts or credit card debt. [source] Collectivism versus individualism in Dutch employment relationsHUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, Issue 1 2004Jan De Leede From a very centralistic and collectivistic tradition after World War Two, Dutch employment relations now show a trend towards radical decentralisation and individualisation. What might be the consequences of this trend for labour relations? Do developments still fit within a movement towards ,organised decentralisation' or will the existing system of labour relations be hollowed out and destroyed? And what will be the consequences for ER management at company level? We present empirical data on how companies deal with their decentralised and individualised employment relations. It appears that, in the main areas such as labour contracts, working time arrangements, reward systems and development plans, decentralisation and individualisation are taking place. It has also become clear that management as well as workers support this and that a new form of negotiation between them is developing at workplace level, resulting in what we call ,third contracts' that are additional to the initial labour contract and the collective agreement. Our results also highlight the pragmatic way in which companies deal with these decentralised and individualised employment relations, which, nevertheless, remain linked to the national and collective levels of bargaining. Within the multilevel system of Dutch employment relations a new balance between collectivism and individualism is emerging. [source] Short cycle time systems developmentINFORMATION SYSTEMS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2004Richard Baskerville Abstract. An analysis of two studies in the US and Denmark reveals that short cycle time systems development is a new form that can be clearly distinguished among other forms. The distinction consists of a package of five systems development practices. These practices include a focus on completion speed, release-oriented parallel prototyping, adherence to a fixed architecture, negotiable quality, and an ideal workforce. The package is consistent with amethodical development concepts. Systems are not built in a single project that completes with a delivery, but rather are continually ,growing' to adapt to an organizational emergence. [source] Reducing admission times in the endoscopy unitINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 4 2006Deborah Dobree-Carey RGN Pre-procedural admission of outpatients to a day-case endoscopy facility is time-consuming. Collecting and recording routine but necessary information distracts nurses from spending time that could be used to counsel patients. This study assessed whether patients can record some pre-procedural details and whether such self-recording quickens nurse admission times. A new admission document was devised and posted to patients. Patients completed personal/administrative details and information about drugs and allergies and brought the document with them when attending for outpatient endoscopy. Endoscopy nurses anonymously timed 100 admissions, 50 using the new admission form and 50 using the old admission form. Overall, the median (range) time to admit using the old form was 6 (3,15.5) min. Using the new form, the median time to admit was lower at 4 (0.5,10) min. No patient completing the new form reported any particular difficulties. An admission document that patients partially complete at home leads to a faster pre-procedural admission in the endoscopy unit. This allows more nursing time to discuss patients' anxieties and answer patient queries, helps to prevent delays and facilitates increased capacity in the endoscopy unit. [source] The Liapunov's second method for continuous time difference equationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 15 2003P. PepeArticle first published online: 10 OCT 200 Abstract Among many other cases such as economic and lossless propagation models, continuous time difference equations are encountered as the internal dynamics in a class of non-linear time delay systems, when controlled by a suitable state feedback which drives the output exponentially to zero. The Liapunov's second method for these infinite dimensional systems has not been extensively investigated in the literature. This paper has the aim of filling this gap. Liapunov's second method theorems for checking the stability and the asymptotic stability of this class of infinite dimensional systems are built up, in both a finite and an infinite dimensional setting. In the finite dimensional setting, the Liapunov function is defined on finite dimensional sets. The conditions for stability are given as inequalities on continuous time. No derivatives are involved, as in the dynamics of the studied systems. In the infinite dimensional setting, the continuous time difference equation is transformed into a discrete time system evolving on an infinite dimensional space, and then the classical Liapunov theorem for the system in the new form is written. In this paper the very general case is considered, that is non-linear continuous time difference equations with multiple non commensurate delays are considered, and moreover the functions involved in the dynamics are allowed to be discontinuous, as well as the initial state. In order to study the stability of the internal dynamics in non-linear time delay feedback systems, an exogenous disturbance is added, which goes to zero exponentially as the time goes to infinity. An example is considered, from non-linear time delay feedback theory. While the results available in the literature are inconclusive as far as the stability of that example is concerned, such stability is proved to hold by the theorems developed in this paper, and is validated by simulation results. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Motility: mobility as capitalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2004Vincent Kaufmann Social and territorial structures form intricate relations that transcend a social stratification or spatial focus. Territorial features and geographic displacements are structuring principles for society, as societal features and social change effect the structure and use of territory. Based on our examination of the conceptual and theoretical links between spatial and social mobility, we propose a concept that represents a new form of inequality. Termed ,motility', this construct describes the potential and actual capacity of goods, information or people to be mobile both geographically and socially. Three major features of motility , access, competence and appropriation , are introduced. In this article, we focus on conceptual and theoretical contributions of motility. In addition, we suggest a number of possible empirical investigations. Motility presents us with an innovative perspective on societal changes without prematurely committing researchers to work within structuralist or postmodern perspectives. More generally, we propose to revisit the fluidification debate in the social sciences with a battery of questions that do not begin and end with whether or not society is in flux. Instead, we introduce a field of research that takes advantage of the insights from competing paradigms in order to reveal the social dynamics and consequences of displacements in geographic and social space. Les structures sociales et territoriales forment des relations complexes qui dépassent toute stratification sociale ou convergence spatiale. Les caractéristiques territoriales et déplacements géographiques sont, pour la société, des principes structurants, tout comme les caractéristiques sociétales et le changement social font naître la structure et l'usage d'un territoire. A partir d'un examen des liens conceptuels et théoriques entre les mobilités spatiale et sociale, cet article propose un concept traduisant une nouvelle forme d'inégalité: appelé,motilité', il décrit le potentiel et l'aptitude réelle des marchandises, informations ou individus àêtre mobiles sur un plan tant géographique que social. Trois traits essentiels de la motilité, accès, compétence et appropriation , sont présentés. Si l'article s'attache aux contributions conceptuelles et théoriques de la motilité, il suggère aussi plusieurs axes possibles d'études empiriques. La motilité offre une perspective novatrice sur les changements sociétaux, sans engager prématurément les travaux de recherches sur des rails structuralistes ou post-modernes. Plus généralement, il s'agit de revisiter le débat sur la fluidification en sciences sociales à l'aide d'une batterie de questions qui, ni au début ni à la fin, ne demande si la société est fluctuante ou non. En revanche, l'article propose un domaine de recherches qui exploite les réflexions tirées de paradigmes concurrents afin de révéler la dynamique sociale et les conséquences des déplacements dans l'espace géographique et social. [source] Growing cohesive communities one favour at a time: social exclusion, active citizenship and time banksINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003Gill Seyfang Community currencies have been put forward as a grassroots tool to promote social inclusion through community self-help and active citizenship. ,Time banks' are a new form of community currency in the UK which are receiving government support. Time credits are earned for each hour of voluntary service given, and can be used to purchase services from other members in return. This article discusses new findings from the first national study of time banks to assess their impacts and potential. An evaluative framework is employed which describes social inclusion as comprising effective economic, social and political citizenship rights. Evidence is presented from a national survey of time banks and from an in-depth case study of Rushey Green Time Bank, situated in a health care setting in a deprived area of south London. Time banks are found to be successful at engaging socially excluded and vulnerable groups of people in community activities , many for the first time , boosting their confidence, social networks, skills and well-being, as well as opening up possibilities for challenging inequitable social institutions and creating spaces where different values prevail. Their potential as tools for democratic renewal, promoting civic engagement and active citizenship is discussed. Les ,unités de valeur' communautaires sont considérées comme des outils essentiels pour encourager l'inclusion sociale grâce à une entraide communautaire et une citoyenneté active. Les ,banques de temps' constituent une nouvelle forme d'unité de valeur communautaire au Royaume-Uni, avec le soutien du gouvernement. Des crédits de temps, acquis pour chaque heure de bénévolat donnée, peuvent servir à acheter en retour des prestations auprès d'autres membres. L'article examine les résultats de la première étude nationale sur les banques de temps afin d'en estimer l'impact et le potentiel. Un cadre d'évaluation est appliqué, définissant l'inclusion sociale comme un ensemble de droits effectifs, à la fois économiques, sociaux et de citoyenneté politique. Des indications sont fournies par une enquête nationale sur les banques de temps, et par une étude de cas approfondie de la Rushey Green Time Bank portant sur les services médicaux dans une zone défavorisée du sud de Londres. Ces banques réussissent à impliquer dans des activités communautaires des groupes de population , souvent pour la première fois , socialement exclus et vulnérables, renforçant leurs réseaux sociaux, confiance, compétences et bien-être, tout en leur offrant des possibilités d'affronter des institutions sociales inéquitables et en créant des espaces où prévalent d'autres valeurs. L'article traite aussi du potentiel des banques de temps comme outil de renouveau démocratique, stimulant engagement civique et citoyenneté active. [source] Spatially varied flow in non-prismatic channels.IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 1 2002I: dynamic equation canal d'irrigation; modélisation; écoulement spatialement varié; équation de transfert; analyse numérique; expérimentation Abstract The bottom width of channels carrying spatially varied flow with increasing discharge is usually flared in the flow direction. This produces a non-prismatic section. This paper, based on the law of linear momentum conservation, presents a new form of the governing dynamic equation for flow in such circumstances. In addition to the computed water surface profile, the proposed equation affects the position of the control section and its flow depth as well. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. RÉSUMÉ La largeur du lit de cours d'eau, variée spatialement par l'augmentation du débit, influence la direction de l'écoulement. Cette procédure crée une coupe irréguliére de cours d'eau. Cet article présente une nouvelle forme de l'équation dynamique dans cette situation de l'écoulement. La méthodologie est basée sur la loi de conservation linéaire de momentum. L'équation proposée est capable de calculer le profil de niveau de l'eau. Elle affecte aussi sur la situation de coupe de contrôle et la profondeur de l'écoulement. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] To what extent do investors in a financial market anchor their judgments excessively?JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DECISION MAKING, Issue 4 2009Evidence from the Hong Kong horserace betting market A naturalistic study was employed to explore a new form of "basic anchoring." In particular, we examined the degree to which decision makers in a financial market, the horserace betting market, anchored their probability judgments excessively on a factor present in the environment at the time the judgments were made and which was relevant and informative to the judgment: the advantage afforded by a horse's barrier-position (BP). The results demonstrated that under certain conditions bettors anchored excessively on BP information revealed at previous race meetings, but not on the most recent race outcomes. In fact, bettors appeared to use the most recent race outcomes appropriately when forming probability estimates; but only when the results were in line with, what were likely to be, their expectations of BP advantage. Bettors with varying levels of expertise were shown to be subject to excessive anchoring, although greater expertise was generally associated with less excessive anchoring. The paper concludes that the manner and degree of basic anchoring in real-world environments is complex. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Development, characterization, and validation of porous carbonated hydroxyapatite bone cementJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009Pei-Fu Tang Abstract Carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) bone cement is capable of self-setting and forming structures similar to mineralized bone. Conventional CHA leaves little room for new bone formation and delays remodeling. The purposes of this study were to develop porous CHA (PCHA) bone cement and to investigate its physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, biodegradation, and in vivo bone repair potential. Vesicants were added to modify CHA, and the solidification time, porosity, and pore size of the PCHA cements were examined. The cytotoxicity and bone repair potential of PCHA were tested in a rabbit bone defect model and assessed by x-ray, histological examination, and mechanical testing. The porosity of the modified PCHA was 36%; 90.23% of the pores were greater than 70 ,m, with a calcium/phosphate ratio of 1.64 and a solidification time of 15 minutes. The PCHA did not affect bone cell growth in vitro, and the degrading time of the PCHA was two and four times faster in vitro and in vivo when compared to CHA. In the bone defect model, the amount of new bone formation in the PCHA-treated group was eight times greater than that of the CHA group; the compressive strength of the PCHA setting was relatively weak in the first weeks but increased significantly at 8 to 16 weeks compared to the CHA group. The PCHA has stable physicochemical properties and excellent biocompatibility; it degrades faster than CHA, provides more porous spaces for new bone ingrowths, and may be a new form of bone cement for the management of bone defects. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2009 [source] Type V Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A New Form of Brittle Bone Disease,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 9 2000Francis H. Glorieux Abstract Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is commonly subdivided into four clinical types. Among these, OI type IV clearly represents a heterogeneous group of disorders. Here we describe 7 OI patients (3 girls), who would typically be classified as having OI type IV but who can be distinguished from other type IV patients. We propose to call this disease entity OI type V. These children had a history of moderate to severe increased fragility of long bones and vertebral bodies. Four patients had experienced at least one episode of hyperplastic callus formation. The family history was positive for OI in 3 patients, with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. All type V patients had limitations in the range of pronation/supination in one or both forearms, associated with a radiologically apparent calcification of the interosseous membrane. Three patients had anterior dislocation of the radial head. A radiodense metaphyseal band immediately adjacent to the growth plate was a constant feature in growing patients. Lumbar spine bone mineral density was low and similar to age-matched patients with OI type IV. None of the type V patients presented blue sclerae or dentinogenesis imperfecta, but ligamentous laxity was similar to that in patients with OI type IV. Levels of biochemical markers of bone metabolism generally were within the reference range, but serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary collagen type I N-telopeptide excretion increased markedly during periods of active hyperplastic callus formation. Qualitative histology of iliac biopsy specimens showed that lamellae were arranged in an irregular fashion or had a meshlike appearance. Quantitative histomorphometry revealed decreased amounts of cortical and cancellous bone, like in OI type IV. However, in contrast to OI type IV, parameters that reflect remodeling activation on cancellous bone were mostly normal in OI type V, while parameters reflecting bone formation processes in individual remodeling sites were clearly decreased. Mutation screening of the coding regions and exon/intron boundaries of both collagen type I genes did not reveal any mutations affecting glycine codons or splice sites. In conclusion, OI type V is a new form of autosomal dominant OI, which does not appear to be associated with collagen type I mutations. The genetic defect underlying this disease remains to be elucidated. [source] Intra- and extra-oral halitosis: finding of a new form of extra-oral blood-borne halitosis caused by dimethyl sulphideJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 9 2007Albert Tangerman Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to unravel the origen and cause of intra-oral and extra-oral halitosis. Material and Methods: We studied 58 patients complaining of halitosis, using gas chromatography of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) in mouth and nose breath, organoleptic scoring of mouth and nose breath, Halimeter® readings of mouth air and tongue-coating inspection. Subjects had no precence or history of periodontitis. Result: Of 58 patients, 47 patients had halitosis of oral origin, six had halitosis of extra-oral origin and five had no halitosis (halitophobia). A strong correlation was found between the degree of intra-oral halitosis as measured by organoleptic scoring of mouth breath and the concentration of the VSCs hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) in mouth breath. Taking into account the much larger odour index of CH3SH, it was concluded that CH3SH is the main contributor to intra-oral halitosis. In all six cases of extra-oral halitosis, halitosis was caused by the presence of elevated levels of dimethyl sulphide (CH3SCH3) in mouth and nose breath. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that the VSC, CH3SH and to a lesser extent H2S are the main contributors to intra-oral halitosis and that CH3SCH3 is the main contributor to extra-oral or blood-borne halitosis, due to a hitherto unknown metabolic disorder. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||