bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women's Identity in a Country in Rapid Social Change: The Case of Educated Black South African Women
Authors: van Vlaenderen Hilde , Cakwe Mandisa
Published: March 2007

African societies are currently going through a period of accelerated social change, charac terised by increasing population, rapid urbanisation, high regional, national and inter national migration and the assimilation of western values. These changes are increasingly eroding the clear gender role divisions, characteristic of traditional African society, leaving women with a greater personal responsibility to develop their identities. This article focuses on the identity formation of a group of South African black women in a process of rapid social change. The study involved interviews with 10 black African professional women from a rural background. The data from the interviews were analysed using the grounded theory approach.

The study revealed that the women's emergent identity was characterised by a strong feeling of independence as well as a commitment to their families. They largely rejected the traditional African gender roles and embraced an identity that encompassed both male and female roles in the family, taking upon them a heavy burden of responsibilities. In an attempt to find support and to valuate their newly emerging identities, they created a new reference group, consisting of like-minded women.
Image of Self in the Sikh Community: Continuity of the Core and Global Presence
Authors: Kapur Preeti , Misra Girishwar
Published: March 2007

This article explores the social, psychological and historical processes through which the Sikh community has categorised and differentiated itselffrom other communities to form a distinct self. It traces the socio-historical circumstances that have shaped and helped consolidate the Sikh community's distinctive features including dress code, symbols, and a political ideology. The identity of this community has evolved through a series of struggles spanning a period of five centuries. This has contributed the qualities of adaptation and resilience to the Sikh psyche. The self-construal of the Sikh community is constituted by spiritual, heroic and aes thetic images. It has a core that shares certain religious, social and cultural attributes and maintains strong ties with its past while its adaptability helps accepting new challenges and seeking new opportunities and modes of expression. This unique blending of continuity and change has helped the indigenous and local Sikh community to have a global presence.
Child Survival and Health and their Linkages with Psycho-social Factors in the Home and Community1
Authors: Saraswathi T.S.
Published: March 2007

The study aimed at identifying the crucial psycho-social factors in the child's immediate environment in the poverty context, that influence child survival and health. Secondary data on 200 infants (0-36 months) and their families were analysed. The data base included information on 51 environmental, familial, maternal and child related factors and 3 dependent variables, namely, child mortality, infant morbidity and nutritional status. Data on infant morbidity and nutritional status were analysed by age and gender. The analyses involved step-wise multiple regression and formulation and testing of the best fit predictor equation. Factors associated with child mortality presented the clearest picture in terms of maximum amount of variance explained with a minimum set of predictor variables (74 per cent of the variance explained by 11 variables). The crucial variables associated with child mortality and infant morbidity were related to feeding practices, family composition, mother's education or highest education in the family and immunisation.
Cultural Beliefs and Family Care of the Children with Disability
Authors: Dalal Ajit K. , Pande Namita
Published: March 2007

This study investigates cultural beliefs about physical disability prevalent in a rural community in India. An equal number of respondents (n = 32 each) of Allahabad district were drawn from families having a child with a disability and those having no member with a disability. Interviews were conducted to study disability related attitudes, perceptions and practices. The results reveal that the families with disabled children expressed fatalistic attitudes and external dependence, that is, expected external agencies to cater to their rehabilitation needs. The implications of these findings for developing rehabilitation programmes in rural areas are discussed.
Re-presenting Protest and Resistance on Stage: Avvai
Authors: Padma V.
Published: March 2007

This article asks how theatre practice may be gendered using not just protest but also resistance as a way of addressing women's oppression. Drawing upon her long experience as a theatre activist, the author traces the various experiments that were made to 'explore alternative images, symbols, metaphors and representation which help construct various forms of [female] subjec tivity' in Tamil theatre. The most recent of these is Avvai, written by Inquilab and directed by the author. In this revisionist account, the historical/mythic poet Avvai, contrary to the prevalent image of her as an old, wise, celibate woman, is rendered as a young, sensuous, creative, 'free' person, a wandering bard. Through a particular understanding of the Sangam era in Tamil his tory, Avvai's inner world as woman, poet and performer, and her external world of community and of politics are represented in ways that satisfy the requirements of a theatre of feminist resistance.
Gender Bias in Resource Allocation in India: Where do Household Models and Empirical Evidence Intersect?
Authors: Jose Sunny
Published: March 2007

This paper attempts to examine whether the predictions of the neo-classical economic models concerning intra-household resource allocation converge or conflict with the empirical findings on gender bias in resource allocation in India. While differentials in resource allocation are consistent with unitary models, biases and conflicts in resource allocation are not. Also, they suggest that women's earnings may enhance their well-being as a part of a rise in household welfare. Bargaining models and em pirical studies acknowledge the scope for, as well as the prevalence of, conflicts and gender bias in resource allocation. Further, both bargaining models and empirical studies suggest that women's earnings and education may enhance their bargaining power and thereby lead to favourable resource allocation. Thus, both have some amount of convergence. However, both models assume away the differences in individuals' interests and abilities, and their impingement on resource allocation decisions. Further, both models undermine the varying influence of sociocultural norms on household members in terms of hierarchy, power and resource allocation. Convergence and con flict have policy and welfare implications.
South African Science in Transition
Authors: Mouton Johann
Published: March 2007

Our main argument in this paper is that South African science is currently experiencing the third major transitional period in its long and interesting history. With the advent of a free and democratic South Africa in 1994, a new era dawned for science as well. We argue, in the main body of the paper, that it is appropriate to refer to this as the third transitional phase in the history of South African science. Two parallel challenges face the new government: first, to democratise the science system; second, to ensure that the national system of innovation is indeed sufficiently competitive to take its rightful place within a globalising science system. The paper discusses in some detail how South African science has attempted to address these two challenges over the past eight years. It concludes with an assessment of the current tensions and challenges in the national system of innovation.
Growing Science in Thai Soil: Culture and Development of Scientific and Technological Capabilities in Thailand
Authors: Hongladarom Soraj
Published: March 2007

This paper proposes a way of integrating modern science and technology into the fabric of Thai culture. Such an attempt is necessary for their development in such a country like Thailand because science and technology do not exist in a vacuum, but are deeply interrelated with various external factors in a culture. But if this is the case, then any attempt to promote and develop science and technology in a Third World country needs to take the culture and historical tradition of that particular country into consideration. Finding a way to integrate the culture of modern science and technology with the local one is also necessary as an antidote for the feeling of alienation, apparently felt by many in Thailand nowadays, that results from imposing modern ideas from outside without careful consideration. It is argued that the integration can only be accomplished effectively by, metaphorically speaking, 'growing' them out of indigenous soil. This means that elements within the culture need to be found as a starting point for devel opment into modern science and technology that are capable of serving the goals and values of the members of the culture.
Productive Inertia and Technical Change
Authors: Bye Pascal
Published: March 2007

How can we evaluate the direction and dynamics of technical change? Indicators or analyses are often based on the immediate causes such as innovation, investment in R&D, or on the anticipated effects such as improved competitiveness and creation of new products. Anxious to demonstrate the economic or social benefits, the forecast ing impact is often reduced to risky comparisons between these two sets of data. This recording of change takes into account only the immediate situation, that is, the short-term. But technical change is first and foremost the product of the long history of societies. The recording of variations, the introduction of variables considered as exogenous, even if it facilitates the introduction of rationality into the choice which presides over change, in no way enables us to understand its origins and the evolution.

It is essential that we restore the dimension of time to technical change and to consider it as the product of contradictory forces. In this paper it is proposed that the relationship between changes and non-changes in techniques includes the idea of inertia. Although changes are manifest and justify the analyses which have been devoted to them, non-changes have rarely been taken into consideration. The role of inertia appears even more clearly when the rate of growth slows down, as social values are called into question, as price or regulatory systems are transformed. These considerations have an impact on the formulation of technological policies. They permit a redefinition of industrial innovation strategies in a context which should permit their social and economic insertion.
Strategic Alliances in Information Technology and Developing Country Firms: Policy Perspectives
Authors: Vonortas Nicholas S.
Published: March 2007

Inter-firm strategic alliances deserve a much more prominent place in the public debate on industrial restructuring and economic growth than they have enjoyed until now. Alliances provide a useful mechanism to assist the establishment of competitive indigenous IT industries and to mobilise the necessary financial resources and technological expertise needed to upgrade lagging infrastructure. Alliances, however, are only one of many potential policy instruments. In order to be successful in their role as facilitators of access to technology, capital and markets, alliances must be complemented by an appropriate domestic economic environment. Ultimately, this environment will affect the incentives of firms to upgrade to higher value-added activities and to seek out appropriate collaborators. Certain policy 'complications' that alliances introduce also deserve serious consideration.
Central Asians in Mongol China: Experiencing the 'Other' from Two Perspectives
Authors: Brose Michael C.
Published: March 2007

The Mongols utilised personnel from several Central and West Asian subject states as administrators in China, where they constituted a separate class (Semuren). They also occupied a unique position be tween the Mongols and the Chinese since they were conquerors but also subjects. As such, they present an interesting example of alterity in the Mongol empire. Many Semuren successfully straddled both sides of that divide, thriving simultaneously as political and cultural elites. This paper examines those Semuren through the lens of alterity, and argues that the strategies they adopted to craft their identity were based in, and took advantage of, their bi-polar alterity.
HIVIAIDS and the Workplace: Challenges and Responses
Authors: D'Cruz Premilla
Published: March 2007

HIV infection is characterized by various psychosocial features, namely, a gradual, long-drawn, incapaci tating, stigmatising and terminal nature. Undoubtedly, it presents numerous implications for various aspects of life. In terms of the workplace, complex ramifications are identifiable. HIV/AIDS increases costs, reduces productivity and investment, and influences labour participation. It also results in different kinds of dis crimination against positive people, such as denial of appointments and promotions, dismissals, isolation and abuse. Organizations have demonstrated a range of responses, depending essentially on their financial and human resource capacities. Overall, the attempt should be towards humanistic and empowering responses.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S PARTICIPATION IN SPORT IN NORTHERN IRELAND
Authors: Trew Karen , Kremer John , Gallagher Anthony M. , Scully Deirdre , Ogle Shaun
Published: March 2007

This paper reports the findings of a survey of 2295 young people aged from 7 to 17 years, who were attending 119 schools in Northern Ireland. The survey was concerned with the level, extent, antecedents and consequences of sport participation. Four sports (soccer, swimming, netball and Gaelic football) accounted for just over half of the nominated `top sports'. The differences and similarities in the patterns of sport participation among students at Catholic and Protestant schools highlighted the importance of structural factors as well as personal and demographic variables in promoting and maintaining the voluntary involvement of young people in sport.
Quality Matters in Transnational Education: Undergoing the GATE Review Process. An Australan-Asian Case Study
Authors: McBurnie Grant
Published: March 2007

Monash University offers transnational education programs to some 4,000 students based in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore. The University's transnational programs have been twice reviewed (in 1996 and 1999) by the international quality assurance body Global Alliance for Transnational Education (GATE). Based upon the experience of Monash, this article looks at the "nuts and bolts"practicalities of what is involved for an institution undergoing review by GATE, including. conducting the initial self-review; composing the "Dossier" required by GATE; and preparing for the interview schedule. In light of the GATE reviews and the University's ongoing self-evaluation, the article also reflects upon some of the key issues in transnational education: cultural appropriateness of curriculum and pedagogy; the relationship between provider and host; and the provision of education resources.
Changes of ERASMUS under the Umbrella of SOCRATES
Authors: Teichler Ulrich
Published: March 2007

The largest program in Europe for the promotion of student mobility, ERASMUS, was expected to undergo major changes when it became a subprogram of SOCRATES, the umbrella program of the European Union for various educational activities inaugurated in 1995. Subsequently, though the number of mobile students supported increased, the emphasis of the programs shifted toward teaching staff exchange and curricular innovation. Moreover, the managerial thrust was substantially revised. Funds were not provided to networks of cooperating departments, but to individual institutions of higher education that were required to guarantee the quality of exchange through bilateral contracts with partner institutions and demonstrate the role their SOCRATES-supported activities should play in the context of the institutional policy through the formulation of a European policy statement. The SOCRATES 2000 Evaluation Study provides evidence that the changes during the first years of implementation were less substantial than called for. The quality of student exchange remained more or less stable in spite of substantial decline for support per student. The number of mobile teachers increased considerably, but the duration of the teaching period abroad became shorter. Moderate strengthening of institutional policies and some extension of curricular innovation activities could be observed.
RATIONALITY AND STABILITY IN THE THEORY OF MOVES
Authors: Woerdman Edwin
Published: March 2007

According to Brams' Theory of Moves (TOM), mutual cooperation will emerge in the Prisoner's Dilemma Game (PDG) from all initial states (except initial state (2,2)). Contrary to this result, only applying the rules of TOM to the PDG (including the precedence norm) yields mutual defection from all initial states (except initial state (3,3)). It appears that TOM achieves the cooperative outcomes by introducing a concept of voluntary cooperation (magnanimity) and an interpretation of self-interest (the Two-Sidedness Convention), which are both based on collective rationality. Specifically, these elements of TOM ignore the conflict between individual and collective rationality, which characterizes the dilemma of the PDG. In addition, the PDG in TOM is not internally stable in the case of uncertainty with regard to the starting point of the game.
PATTERNS OF COALITIONS IN EXCHANGE NETWORKS
Authors: Bonacich Phillip
Published: March 2007

Coalitions between positions can alter the distribution of power in exchange networks. Hypotheses based on Bonacich and Bienenstock's (1997) latent class model for coalitions in exchange networks are tested using a new experimental paradigm for exchange networks, one that equally suggests both exchange and coalitions. This paradigm is based on the initial distribution of resources among participants. Pairs of positions combine their complementary resources to transact (exchange) and, on the other hand, sets of positions can use their monopoly control of resources to form coalitions. The results support the Bonacich and Bienenstock hypotheses but suggest that an additional factor may be involved: sets of actors who are alternative partners, and hence competitors, may also form coalitions even when these coalitions are not predicted by the latent class model.
When Do Norms Emerge by Human Design and When by the Unintended Consequences of Human Action?
Authors: Opp Karl-Dieter
Published: March 2007

Although it is well known that social norms may emerge by human design or as an unintended outcome of uncoordinated human action, little work has been done addressing the conditions under which each of these processes occurs. This article suggests propositions focusing on this question, applies them in explaining the emergence of a no-smoking norm and tests some of them with a factorial survey. The data show that there is the expected strong negative effect of externality through smoking on the acceptance of a no-smoking norm and on sanctioning behavior. Involvement in social networks of non-smokers does not have any effect on sanctioning behavior and only a minor effect on the acceptance of a no-smoking norm. These results are not in line with the strong emphasis on the importance of social networks for the emergence of norms in the literature. Explanations of these findings are suggested.
Rationality and Formal Theory
Authors: FARARO THOMAS J.
Published: March 2007

Following a certain tradition in action theory within sociology, Smelser argues that maximization and rational calculation should be treated as variables, not as postulates. He also argues that under critical pressures, rational choice theory is developing into a nonfalsifiable doctrine. These two claims suggest two general issues that are treated in this article: one connected with the function of formal theoretical principles in a science and the other connected with the specific role of optimization arguments in social theory.
Rationality, Optimality, and Choice
Authors: PRENDERGAST CHRISTOPHER
Published: March 2007

The article responds to Hartmut Esser's essay, “The Rationality of Everyday Behavior. A Rational Choice Reconstruction of the Theory of Action by Alfred Schütz,” which also appears in this issue. The author provides historical and contextual evidence in support of Esser's thesis that Schutz's theory of action converges with rational choice theory in fundamental respects. He is more critical of Esser's second purpose, however, which is to subsume Schutz's theory of action under the framework of subjective expected utility theory. Prendergast argues that the two-step selection rule that Esser devises to this end reduces rational choice to a tautology.
Theories of Gender Stratification
Authors: FIORENTINE ROBERT
Published: March 2007

Gender stratification theories are reviewed in light of their causal assumptions, empirical evidence, and “agency” and “equity” implications. Agency involves the relative capacity of the individual to influence occupational outcomes; equity pertains to the perceived fairness of occupational rewards. It is concluded that the empirical support for the structural functionalist, structural barriers, cognitive, normative barriers, and normative alternative theories of gender stratification is either contradictory, equivocal, or limited. Further compounding the mixed empirical record is that the method used by many proponents of the structural barriers approach to measure sex discrimination is based on a logical fallacy that confuses outcome with process. Finally, the theories make quite divergent assumptions concerning agency and equity. These differences lead to contradictory conclusions about the degree that individuals, and particularly women, can control their occupational destiny, the possibility of increased gender egalitarianism, and the logic and efficacy of conservative, liberal, and radical political agendas.
Rational Rhetoric in Politics
Authors: ANTHONY DENISE L. , HECKATHORN DOUGLAS D. , MASER STEVEN M.
Published: March 2007

During the debate over ratifying the U.S. Constitution, both the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists offered inconsistent arguments. They violated principles of transitivity (e.g., statements such as “A furthers B” and “B furthers C” coexist with the statement “A hinders C”). Using cognitive mapping to extract the network of causal assertions offered during the debate, and transaction resource theory to identify game-theoretic structures in these maps, including coordination, bargaining, and social dilemma games, we find that violations of transitivity have only two sources. They arise in bargaining games, where concessions not only entail costs but also reduce the prospect for a costly conflict, and social dilemmas, where cooperation not only entails individual costs but also increases the amount of public good produced. Thus conflicting valuations of concessions and cooperation generate an ambivalence that is reflected in transitivity violations. Hence these violations serve as markers within the maps that indicate the presence of either bargaining games or social dilemmas. These games also reflect situations in which debaters have incentives to engage in strategic manipulation of information.
APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEPTIVE
Authors: Gartner Scott Sigmund , Segura Gary M.
Published: March 2007

This paper focuses on two neglected facets of political mobilization among members of repressed social groups: some people pay costs for membership in advance of any political activity; and external recognition of an individual as a group member is uncertain. Using these propositions, we create a rational choice, decision-theoretic model of the choices to identify and mobilize with three major implications. First, we should expect to observe a higher degree of mobilization from the self-identified members of invisible groups, such as atheists and gays, than from the entire population of visible groups, such as women and racial minorities. But, this apparent higher level of mobilization is an artifact of a self-selection process; when comparing true total group populations, invisible group members actually mobilize at lower rates. This result addresses the apparent problem that, frequently, more people appear to be politically active than would be expected from collective action theorists' `five percent Rule'. Second, most attempts to root out and repress invisible groups are likely to lead to greater mobilization by members. Third, visible groups are more likely to receive support from non-group members than groups whose membership is unidentifiable, due to the likelihood and consequences of erroneous attribution of group membership to these allies.
CONVEX PREFERENCES AND POWER INEQUALITY IN EXCHANGE NETWORKS
Authors: Whitmeyer Joseph M.
Published: March 2007

Early theorizing of power in exchange networks, by Homans and Emerson, was based explicitly on the principle that the more of a resource an actor acquires, the less the actor will value additional units of the resource. However, no previous empirical studies of effects of exchange network structure on power have embodied this principle. Generalizing the principle to convexity of actors' preferences, this study is the first to do so. This study experimentally tests the prediction that under specified conditions power inequalities will result in a Line3 ( A linked to B linked to C) exchange network where actors' preferences are convex although the network is not characterized by the structural property of exclusion. That is, in the experimental network, linked actors divide pools of resources under exchange rules that mean that all actors can exchange with benefit with all other actors to whom they are linked. Payoffs to resources are specified by a function that operationalizes convexity of preferences. Results support the prediction: the central actor is advantaged in this situation. These results imply that convexity of preferences should be incorporated into theory and research concerning power in exchange networks.
Building Bridges to Promote Globalization in Nursing: The Development of a Hermanamiento
Authors: Ross Carl A.
Published: March 2007

The establishment of a hermanamiento (sister school) partnership between Duquesne University School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, and the School of Nursing at the Polytechnic University in Managua, Nicaragua, is described. Also discussed is the Regis Group Model, under which the hermanamiento was developed, and suggestions of how to develop a similar international nursing partnership. One component of a comprehensive model for international partnership and collaboration is presented in detail. The activities and goals that were established and implemented by both schools of nursing provide a philosophic and transcultural backdrop on which the program was based.
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool: A Synthesis of Findings
Authors: Jeffreys Marianne R.
Published: March 2007

The initial and ongoing assessment of students’self-efficacy perceptions (confidence) concerning culture care of diverse individuals is a valuable component in transcultural nursing education. The Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool (TSET) was designed as a diagnostic tool to measure and evaluate students’ transcultural self-efficacy perceptions for performing general transcultural nursing skills among diverse client populations. This article summarizes the steps in the TSET’s development and evaluation, synthesizes reliability and validity findings from a series of psychometric investigations, and discusses future research and educational applications in transcultural nursing using the TSET.
Maintaining Caregiving at Home: A Culturally Sensitive Grounded Theory of Providing Care in Thailand
Authors: Subgranon Rarcharneeporn , Lund Dale A.
Published: March 2007

Grounded theory methodology was used to generate a substantive theory that describes and explains the caregiving process of Thai caregivers for their elderly stroke relatives. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 20 family caregivers living in Chachoengsao province, Thailand, by using interviews, observations, and the primary researcher’s memos. The central idea emerging from the data was maintaining caregiving at home that encompassed these seven contextual situations: (a) caregiving as an integral part of life; (b) caregiving as an unavoidable task; (c) caregiving with love, sympathy, and attachment; (d) family and kinship support; (e) community support; (f) managing treatment; and (g) managing problems and difficulties. Culture, tradition, and religion dominated throughout these situations. Application of the theory is discussed relative to providing culturally sensitive nursing education, intervention, and research.
Partnering with a Sister City Organization for an International Service-Learning Experience
Authors: Riner Mary E. , Becklenberg Amy
Published: March 2007

A partnership was established between Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis and the Bloomington, Indiana-Posoltega, Nicaragua Sister City International organization to provide an international service-learning course in nursing. The course evolved over 4 years from an independent study for a single student to an elective course taken by 10 students. Student-learning activities included the following: developing relationships with community residents, providing prenatal classes, supporting nursing scholarships, and participating as interdisciplinary, multicultural team members. Partnering with our local Sister City International organization provided a rich opportunity for nursing students to learn about and participate with Nicaraguan and international health care workers in meeting population health needs in stable and refugee environments.
Response to Published Article: Nursing Diagnosis
Authors: Field Lucy
Published: March 2007

Recently a response was received from a Journal reader regarding Leininger's article entitled “Issues, Questions and Concerns Related to the Nursing Diagnosis Cultural Movement From a Transcultural Nursing Perspective” (1990, 2,(1) Summer). Since we normally have not included such responses (except letters), the Editorial Board decided to include Ms. Feild's thoughtful response. We believe that such a response will expand the readers thinking about an important issue in nursing. Moreover, we believe that transcultural nursing experts can make a unique and important contribution to the nursing diagnosis movement in order to help nurses gain fresh insights and a comparative and an expanded perspective about nursing diagnoses. We have therefore, added this Response To Published Article section to achieve this goal. We appreciate Ms. Feild's thoughtful response for the Journal of Transcultural Nursing. Lucy Feild, M.S., R.N., C.S. is a doctoral student, School of Nursing, Boston College.
Transcultural Nursing and Health Care Issues in Urban and Rural Contexts
Authors: Wenger Anna Frances Z.
Published: March 2007

The distinction between urban and rural health care has been based largely on population density, with little attention given to contextual meaning of patterns related to the lifeways of the people. When considering sociocultural factors, the differentiation becomes more complex. In this paper some of the transcultural nursing issues and challenges are discussed in relation to cultural context and health care trends in urban and rural settings. Four urban-rural health-related issues with transcultural dimensions are examined. Migration patterns, diversity among rural communities, utilization of services, and change related to intervention strategies are identified as transcultural nursing knowledge and practice in relation to urban and rural contexts.
Characteristics of Spirituality in the Lives of Women in a Rural Appalachian Community
Authors: Burkhardt Margaret A.
Published: March 2007

The aim of this study was to add to nursing's knowledge base relative to spirituality by exploring how women in rural Appalachia experience and describe spirituality in their daily lives. Data was gathered through participant observation in a small rural community in West Virginia, including in-depth interviews of five women from the community. Characteristics of spirituality included belief in God or Greater Source, prayer/meditation, and a sense of relationship or connectedness with others, nature and oneself. The dominant theme which emerged relative to these relationships was that of self-reliance or inner strength. Spirituality for these women relates to the whole of life and is relational.
Faculty Experiences Teaching Native Americans in a University Setting
Authors: Dickerson Suzanne Steffan , Neary Mary Anne
Published: March 2007

Nursing faculty told their stories about the beginnings of a Native American Family Nurse Practitioner Recruitment Program. Through hermeneutical analysis, the authors’ findings reveal a strong academic worldview, active in maintaining professional standards. This traditional view tends to override efforts to provide individualized programs that are culturally relevant to the Native American worldviews. By understanding the value conflicts active in this study, nursing faculty can begin dialogue to create new learning experiences that are more culturally relevant.
The Use of Folk Healing and Healers by Six Latinos Living in New England: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Zapata Jeiny , Shippee-Rice Raelene
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this qualitative study is to describe Latinos’ use of folk medicine and the values associated with it in the context of mainstream health care. The research questions focused on the meaning of folk medicine in the Latino culture and how participants made decisions regarding the use of folk medicine or modern biomedicine. Interviews were conducted with six Latinos living in a New England city who had used folk medicine. Three themes were identified: being sick, healers and healing, and faith and believing. The participants in this study valued their cultural folk medicine and folk healers. However, none relied exclusively on folk medicine. All used mainstream health care providers for specific purposes. A major reason for not using mainstream health care providers more frequently was the perceived lack of holistic care and the use of medicines that are not natural.
Specific Deterrence and Sentence Length
Authors: WEINRATH MICHAEL , GARTRELL JOHN
Published: March 2007

Researchers have assessed the effect of longer prison sentences by conducting aggregate-level studies of general deterrence. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the specific deterrent effects of longer custody sentences on individual offenders. The authors evaluated the effect of sentence length on drunk driving recidivism by using official records in a retrospective research design. A sample of 514 incarcerated drunk drivers we are followed up for 24 to 45 months in Alberta, Canada. The study searched for possible sentencing thresholds, the optimum sentence length at which point deterrent effects are maximized, and used multivariate statistical analysis to control for possible confounding background variables. The authors observed that sentence length exerted consistent deterrent effects on repeat drunk driving, even for chronic offenders. Shorter sentences were less effective in discouraging drunk driving recidivism, while sentences longer than 6 months did not produce additional benefits.
Domestic Violence
Authors: KINGSNORTH RODNEY F. , MacINTOSH RANDALL C. , BERDAHL TERCEIRA , BLADES CARRIE , ROSSI STEVE
Published: March 2007

Utilizing a random sample of 455 cases, this article analyzes the impact of interracial/ethnic dyads on domestic violence case processing through the Sacramento County Criminal Court system during the period July 1, 1995, to June 30, 1996. The following five outcome measures were identified for analysis: (a) the decision to file charges, (b) the decision to file cases as felonies versus misdemeanors, (c) the decision to fully prosecute versus case dismissal, (d) whether a case was convicted on felony or misdemeanor charges, and (e) the length of sentence imposed. Logistic and linear regression analysis revealed no effect of interracial/ethnic dyads on any of these decision points. The variables (legal and extralegal) that shape each outcome are identified and discussed.
The Privatization of Corrections Movement: A Decade of Change
Authors: Hanson Linda S. Calvert
Published: March 2007

The American correctional system has come under sig nificant strain during the past decade. Escalating correc tional costs and institutional crowding have motivated a number of jurisdictions to turn to the private sector in their efforts to meet such difficulties. This paper chronicles the development taking place during the 1980s in the private corrections industry. The analysis focuses upon legisla tive action and growth in the number of contracts for private facility management.
Measuring Attitudinal Change of Boot Camp Participants
Authors: Hunter Robert J. , Burton Velmer S. , Marquart James W. , Cuvelier Steven J.
Published: March 2007

Boot camp programs have gained enormous popularity over the past several years as a means of handling criminal offenders in the community. The benefits of using boot camps for offenders is evidenced primarily in cost savings over the use of imprisonment. This study sought to examine the benefits to offenders through the degree of positive attitudinal change in offenders themselves, the program, authority figures, services within the program, and offenders' perceptions of their future. Our findings reveal that participation in a local-level program generated significant and positive attitudinal change in probationers completing the program. Suggestions for future evaluation research within boot camp programs are made.
Youth Gangs In Southern New Mexico: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Mays G. Larry , Winfree L. Thomas , Jackson Stacey
Published: March 2007

The 1980's experienced a resurgence of gang activity and gang research in the United States. Some of this gang activity was drug related (especially the sale of drugs as an organized criminal enterprise). Much of the recent law enforcement attention and research has focused on Southern California. However, the whole U.S.-Mexico border has been a fertile area for gang activity for decades. In fact, some Southwestern Hispanic gangs now have third-generation members. This article examines gang activity in Las Cruces, New Mexico, a community of 62,000 located approximately 45 miles from El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Extensive interviews were conducted in three high schools with twenty-two students identified by school officials as being "gang affiliated". This article will discuss their standing in school, home situation, and many of the factors motivating their gang involvement.
The Effectiveness of a Shock Incarceration Program and a Minimum Security Prison in Changing Attitudes toward Drugs
Authors: LUTZE FAITH E. , MARENIN OTWIN
Published: March 2007

Shock incarceration programs, or boot camp prisons, have been advocated as one means to deal with the recent massive influx of drug offenders into the criminal justice system. The study compares the attitudes of prisoners ( N = 103) in a minimum security facility and inmates ( N = 267) in a prison boot camp toward alcohol, marijuana, and hard drugs (measured by acceptability scales) over a 6-month period. The findings reveal that shock incarceration appears to be an effective program in changing attitudes toward the use of alcohol but has little impact on attitudes toward illicit drug use. It also appears that an inmate's history of alcohol and drug use has a greater influence on attitudinal change than does prison setting.
Transnational Drugs Law Enforcement
Authors: RONDEROS JUAN G.
Published: March 2007

This article illustrates how issues of sovereignty, jurisdiction, and criminal justice traditions preclude the possibility for international law enforcement homogenization in the near future. It does so by taking as an example some of the cultural-legal difficulties that arise when two countries such as Canada and Colombia attempt to engage in large-scale transnational law enforcement. In addition to the more philosophical issues of sovereignty are the numerous legal and cultural differences that make collaborative law enforcement extremely difficult. Many terms that North Americans take for granted prove to be problematic. For example, even the term law enforcement as used in Canada does not have an equivalent in Colombian law. An answer may lie in the acceptance of new definitions of sovereignty and new negotiated forms of multinational policing.
Modern Adaptive Real-Time Controllers for Actively Reacting Flexible Structures
Authors: Melcher J. , Wimmel R.
Published: March 2007

This paper describes modern controllers, which are based on digital real- time filters, powerful adaptation algorithms and high speed signal processor systems. Such controllers are required for active shape and vibration control on large flexible space structures.
Application of Smart Structures to Aircraft Health Monitoring
Authors: Hickman G.A. , Gerardi J.J. , Feng Y.
Published: March 2007

Research efforts at Innovative Dynamics have produced sensors and signal processing software that can be integrated into an advanced Health Monitoring System (HMS) to increase the safety of aging aircraft. HMS is a unique distributed system based on "smart structures" technology. By monitoring the vibration signature of a structure, HMS determines structural abnormalities using a network of sensor arrays and distributed processors. Pattern recognition techniques are utilized to classify the sensor signals and determine the type of defect. The memory of the system is formed through a learning pro cess in which a systematic series of experiments is presented to the system.
A Self-Sensing Piezoelectric Actuator for Collocated Control
Authors: Dosch Jeffrey J. , Inman Daniel J. , Garcia Ephrahim
Published: March 2007

A technique has been developed which allows a single piece of piezoelec tric material to concurrently sense and actuate in a closed loop system. The motivation behind the technique is that such a self-sensing actuator will be truly collocated and has applications in active and intelligent structures, such as vibration suppression. A theoreti cal basis for the self-sensing actuator is given in terms of the electromechanical consti tutive equations for a piezoelectric material. In a practical implementation of the self- sensing actuator an electrical bridge circuit is used to measure strain. The bridge circuit is capable of measuring either strain or time rate of strain in the actuator.

The usefulness of the proposed device was experimentally verified by actively damping the vibration in a cantilever beam. A single piezoceramic element bonded to the base of the beam functioned both as a distributed moment actuator and strain sensor. Using a rate feedback control law, the first mode of vibration was suppressed, reducing the settling from 35 seconds to 2.5 seconds. Using a positive position feedback law the first two modes of vibration were suppressed; the first mode settling time was reduced from 35 to 0.3 sec onds and the second mode settling time was reduced from 7 seconds to 0.9 seconds.
Reflection and Transmission of Waves from an Interface with a Phase-Transforming Solid
Authors: Abeyaratne Rohan , Knowles James K.
Published: March 2007

This paper is concerned with waves in a composite elastic bar, the left half of which is composed of a linearly elastic material, while the nonlinearly elastic material of the right half can undergo a phase transition. We assume that a wave in the left portion of the bar is incident upon the interface between the two materials, and we investigate the question of whether the phase transition can be exploited to augment or diminish the strength of the reflected or transmitted wave.
System Parameters of Output Feedback Controlled Flexible Structures
Authors: Fabunmi James A.
Published: March 2007

The combined system consisting of the baseline flexible structure modified by the system of active controllers is considered as a unified dynamical system. Techniques based on computer algebra are used to derive expressions for the transfer functions of the modified system, using the known transfer functions of the baseline flexible structure and the feedback gains of the active controller. The roots of the characteristic polynomial of this transfer function give the system resonant frequencies and damping parameters. Using the computer algebraic system MACSYMA, expressions for these parameters that are ex plicitly dependent on the output feedback gains of the active controller are presented. These results permit the parametric study of the placement of the resonant frequencies and damping parameters of the combined system as functions of the feedback gains. Numeri cal examples are used to illustrate the application of these results to the calculation of active controller feedback gains based on the requirement that certain modes have specified modal damping while the closed-loop frequencies remain unchanged.
A Method for Solving Inverse Kinematics of Variable Structure Truss Arm with High Redundancy
Authors: Yokoi Kazuhito , Komoriya Kiyoshi , Tanie Kazuo
Published: March 2007

A method of solving the inverse kinematic problem for highly redundant degrees of freedom truss arm is proposed. The method is based on the compliance control technique. One special feature of the method is that it can provide an analytical formula tion of the inverse kinematic solution. The other is that it enables the control of end- effector compliance as well as the position and the orientation control. The pseudo-inverse Jacobian matrix with a weight matrix which is popularly used to solve the inverse kine matics with redundancy also provides the equivalent result to the proposed methods. The difference between them is that the pseudo-inverse approach provides a solution only for the position control and has no extension to the compliance control. In the paper, first, the forward kinematics will be formulated. Secondly, the inverse kinematic solution will be derived based on the compliance control technique. Thirdly, the end-effector compliance control and the arm configuration control will be addressed. Finally, the effectiveness of the method is confirmed through simulation experiments.
Design of Actuators Based on Biased Magnetostrictive Rare Earth-Iron Alloys
Authors: Lhermet Nicolas , Claeyssen Frank , Wendling Philippe , Grosso Gilles
Published: March 2007

To design successfully magnetostrictive devices (sonar, large-force linear motors, large-torque rotating motors, high-speed hydraulic valve actuators, or active damping devices), it is crucial to control the largest dynamic strain amplitude as much as possible in order to use the full potential of Terfenol-D. To get these giant strains, a high magnetic bias is required.