Toward the study of women and politics in the Arab world: The debate and the reality

This article deals with the subject of political roles of women in the Arab world. It argues that, while the conditions of women are not uniform in the region, there are some general common factors that inhibit women’s participation in the political process. The article also addresses the subject of Islamic determinants—or lack thereof—of the status of women in Arab society. An analysis of the feminist debate is presented, and some trends are identified. The analysis focuses on the interaction between Islam and culture in an attempt to determine the role of each in the oppression of women. A critique of the antifeminist and “Islamic feminist’ viewpoints is included. The article offers some methodological suggestions for the comparative study of women and politics in the Arab world, with special emphasis on: voting, legalistic/constitutional method, informal vs. formal politics, and the impact of modernization. The conclusion is predicated on the belief in the limitations of a feminist struggle within the parameters of religion, any religion—in this case Islam.     

In Conclusion: Current Themes in Bereavement and Widowhood Research

A number of important themes and controversies emerged from the preceding papers. These include (a) what kinds of losses lead to grief; (b) how long grief lasts; (c) how to conceptualize "recovery," (d) the nature of "normal" grief; (e) whether bereavement has lasting effects on health; and (f) what characteristics of the individual, the relationship, or the nature of the death create a greater risk for poor outcome of bereavement. Consideration of these issues should help develop more effective strategies for intervention with sufferers, and social policies sensitive to the needs of those at greatest risk.     

矿井掘进工作面安全评价的灰色聚类方法

本文用灰色聚类方法[1]讨论了煤矿掘进工作面安全评价问题,提出了一种新的安全评价方法─灰色聚类综合法。同时,本文对灰色聚类的算法作了改进,改进后的算法便于记忆和应用。     

The effects of davis-bacon on labor cost and union wages

Two issues have seriously hampered studies of the impact of the Davis-Bacon Act. The first is that one must make assumptions about what the distribution of wages would be in the absence of the statute. It is shown that cost estimates are quite sensitive to these assumptions. The second is that while Davis-Bacon determinations may increase nonunion wages, they are also likely to increase the bargaining power of unions leading to higher union wages. Simply estimating the impact on nonunion wages therefore underestimates the true effect. Union wages are both determined by and a determinant of Davis-Bacon wages. It is found that Davis-Bacon determinations exert a significant influence on the union’s ability to gain higher wages. I would like to thank Joseph DiMasi and David Alexander for comments and discussion on an earlier version of this paper. Special thanks are due an anonymous referee for his support and suggestions.     

Identity and Ideas: A Roundtable on Identity Politics

This roundtable discussion examines the issue of identity politics and how identity influences and is influenced by gay/queer politics and theory. The participants discuss how identity politics affects political organizing and activism, how different identity communities can build coalitions, how the language related to identity is evolving, and how sexual attractions and practices interact with identity. The discussants look at how the influx into the gay and lesbian movement of new groups that challenge traditional identity boundaries—e.g., bisexuals and transgendered people—is affecting the movement. Finally, the discussants examine how “idea-based” politics may supplant identity-based politics as a new inclusive paradigm.     

Analytical approach for determining the cost optimum raw material quality level

In this paper, the expected cost of a raw

material quality characteristic is determined and

the cost optimum quality level is found. A series

of piecewise linear functions is used torepresent a general cost function. Examples are given in

which the distributions of quality characteristics are treated as being either

uniform or normal. The relationship between a raw

material characteristic and manufacturing cost is

assumed to be known

Determining cost optimum quality level Manitoba