bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vibration characteristics of glass fabric/epoxy composites with different woven structures
Authors: Xu Lei  , Wang Rui  , Zhang Shujie  , Liu Yong
Published: October 2010

We study the effects of woven structures on the vibration properties of the composites. Five typical weaving sets including the ordinary plain weaved and the warp interlocked were adopted in fabric processing. The composites plates with adequate thickness were prepared by epoxy resin curing, and their fiber volume fractions were examined. Dynamic mechanical analyzer and vibration test technique were used to reveal the dynamical behaviors of specimens in different frequencies of vibration. The result showed that the woven structure have a strong effect on the fiber volume fraction, resin-rich area, and the warp architectures of the composites, which determine the performances of the composites in vibration.
Residual strength of laminated composites after impact
Authors: Kamala Kannan V. , Rajadurai A. , Nageswara Rao B.
Published: October 2010

This article deals with the residual strength assessment on completely as well as partially penetrated laminated composites due to impact loads by idealizing the damage locations as holes and cracks. Modifications are made in the inherent flaw model (IFM) of Waddoups, Eisenman, and Kaminski (known as the WEK model) to correlate the fracture data of laminated composites. For velocities above complete penetration, the residual strength is identical to the static strength of the laminated composite with a hole having the same diameter as the impacting particle. For this case, the inherent flaw length ahead of the notch is correlated with notched and un-notched strengths through fracture parameters. For the case where the impact velocities are less than the penetration velocity, an empirical relation is proposed following the IFM for the residual strength in terms of kinetic energy of the impact. The adequacy of the modified IFM is demonstrated through comparison of fracture analysis results with tensile, compressive, and impact fracture strength of laminated composites containing holes and cracks.
Alignment of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a polyethylene matrix by extrusion shear flow: mechanical properties enhancement
Authors: Abu Bakar Sulong  , Park Joohyuk
Published: October 2010

This article discusses the effect of shear rates on the alignment of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a polyethylene (PE) matrix. Shear forces were applied with a self-constructed controllable shear extrusion system, and the degree of orientation of the MWCNTs was analyzed through image analysis of the microtome sectioned surfaces. Partially aligned MWCNTs in a PE matrix are successful fabricated in this study. It was found that the degree of alignment was increased by increasing shear rates, and an optimal shear rate was discovered. Tensile test results indicate that the mechanical properties of composites increase with an increasing degree of CNTs alignment. A partially aligned MWCNTs PE composite exhibited greater mechanical properties than randomly oriented MWCNTs. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that MWCNTs alignment by shear flow extrusion played a major role in mechanical property enhancement as compared to the crystallization effect of the polymer.
Effect of transport properties of fiber types on steel reinforcement corrosion
Authors: Kim B. , Boyd A.J. , Lee J.-Y.
Published: October 2010

This study investigated the transport properties of fiber types in concrete to evaluate their effect on the corrosion of steel reinforcement. The fibers used in this research are polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and hooked-end steel fiber (Steel). The addition of PVA fibers having relatively good resistance to transport properties indicated the best resistance to the initiation time of corrosion. On the other hand, the addition of PP fibers showed a relatively good resistance to corrosion, even though the specimen had a fast rate of absorption. The addition of hooked-end steel fibers that have the best ability to resist mass transport showed the earliest failure time. The localized corrosion effect of steel fibers from the repeated wet/dry cycles seems to have a considerable effect on the acceleration of corrosion nearby steel reinforcement. In addition, fiber types do not significantly resist further acceleration following the initiation of corrosion. It is worth noting that transport properties alone are not necessarily a good indicator of the effect of fibers on resistance to corrosion.
Dielectric and mechanical characterization of PVC composites with ground tire rubber
Authors: Orrit-Prat J. , Mujal-Rosas R. , Rahhali A. , Marin-Genesca M. , Colom-Fajula X. , Belana-Punseti J.
Published: October 2010

The mass manufacture of tires and the difficulty for their elimination or storage constitutes a serious environmental problem. At present, several methods for the recycling of tires are used, such as mechanical crushing, in which the steel vulcanized rubber and the fibers are separated; this rubber is being used in numerous applications like pavements, insulators, footwear, etc. This study proposes a second option for obsolete tires, demonstrating their utility as dielectrics. In order to do so, ground tire rubber (GTR) has been combined with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), to obtain a composite of a polymeric matrix reinforced with GTR. In order to determine the behavior of this composite material, the electrical and mechanical tests are presented as well as, more briefly, microstructure and thermal analyses, undertaken for the various mixtures of PVC with GTR (concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, and 70% GTR), and three GTR particle size categories (<200 μm, 200—500 μm, and >500 μm), in a range of temperatures that varied from 30° C to 130° C, and with frequencies from between 1 × 10-2 Hz and 3 × 106 Hz. The dielectric tests have allowed for an analysis of dielectric constant, dielectric loss factor, dielectric modulus, etc. On the other hand, the mechanical analysis has involved the Young’s modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, and toughness. Mechanical and dielectric results point out that below 20% of GTR the material features for mechanical or electrical applications are not significantly altered.
Estimate interface frictional coefficient of ceramic matrix composites from hysteresis loops
Authors: Longbiao Li  , Yingdong Song
Published: October 2010

An approach to estimate fiber/matrix interface frictional coefficient of ceramic matrix composites under fatigue loading is developed by means of hysteresis loops. The Coulomb friction law is adopted to describe the interface shear stress in the debonded region. The matrix crack space and interface debonded length are obtained by matrix statistical cracking model and fracture mechanics interface debonding criterion. The hysteresis loops of four different cases are derived based on the damage mechanisms of fiber sliding relative to matrix in the debonded region during unloading and subsequent reloading. The hysteresis loss energy corresponding to different cycle is formulated in terms of interface frictional coefficient. By comparing the experimental hysteresis loss energy with computational values, the interface frictional coefficient of three different ceramic matrix composites under fatigue loading is derived.
Electroactive actuation and conductive behavior of polyaniline-impregnated blood compatible nanocomposites
Authors: Bajpai A.K. , Bajpai J. , Soni S.N.
Published: October 2010

Novel electrically conducting and biocompatible composite hydrogel materials comprising polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles dispersed in a polyvinyl alcohol—g—poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) matrix were prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline. The prepared ionic nanocomposites were evaluated for their water-uptake capacity in distilled water and electrolyte solutions. While structural confirmation and crystalline nature of the synthesized graft copolymer was sought by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques, respectively, morphology and dimension of PANI particles embedded into the colored optically semi-transparent polymer films were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Electrical conductivity of composite hydrogels containing different percentages of PANI was determined by the LCR meter while the electroactive behavior of composite hydrogel swollen in electrolyte solution was investigated by effective bend angle measurements. Considering the potential of electrically conductive nanocomposite materials in biomedical applications, the in vitro blood compatibility of nanocomposites was investigated by employing several established in vitro test procedures.
Extraction of bamboo microfibrils and development of biocomposites based on polyhydroxybutyrate and bamboo microfibrils
Authors: Krishna Prasad Rajan  , Veena N.R. , Maria Hanna J. , Rajan Rathish , Skrifvars Mikael , Joseph Kuruvilla
Published: October 2010

This investigation deals with the detailed procedure for the extraction of microfibrils from raw bamboo. The microfibrils obtained from raw bamboo were characterized using scanning electron microscope and the average diameter of the fibrils was found to be 10 μm. These microfibrils were then incorporated into polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) matrix using conventional plastic processing equipments. The impact strength values of the resulting composites indicate that there is an optimum loading of microfibrils in the PHB matrix, beyond which the effect of fibril loading is not significant.
Effect of preparation on morphology-properties relationships in SAN/EPDM/PCC composites
Authors: Vrsaljko Domagoj , Hrnjak-Murgić Zlata , Blagojević Sanja Lučić , Leskovac Mirela , Kratofil Krehula Ljerka , Ptiček Siročić Anita , Katančić Zvonimir , Kovačević Vera , Jelenčić Jasenka
Published: October 2010

Mechanical and morphological properties of composites containing styrene—acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer, ethylene— propylene—diene (EPDM) polymer, and different types of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) were investigated and their properties were analyzed in regard to PCC surface properties and the way of sample preparation (with or without use of a masterbatch (MB)). Contact angles of test liquids on PCC samples were measured in order to determine surface free energies of filler and to predict strength of filler—polymer interactions. Filler—polymer interactions play a significant role in determining preferential localization of the filler in the composite. The tensile and impact strength results of the composites without the MB show much higher values than composites prepared with the MB. Significant decrease of tensile strength is observed for the samples prepared with the MB due to change in morphology, which is elongated dispersed EPDM particles in SAN matrix, compared to the samples prepared without the MB that have droplet morphology.
Comparison of rice husk-filled polyethylene composite and natural wood under weathering effects
Authors: Rahman W.A.W.A. , Lee Tin Sin  , Rahmat A.R. , Isa N.M. , Salleh M.S.N. , Mokhtar M.
Published: October 2010

The weathering performance of rice husk-filled high-density polyethylene (RHPE) and natural wood was investigated in this study. The injection molded RHPE, in column end-cap (CECap) shapes, was exposed to both natural and accelerated weathering attacks. The durability of RHPE was compared to Kempas wood (Koompassia malaccensis) and neat polyethylene. Wood underwent the greatest losses in properties among the specimens. Four months of outdoor weathering turned the color of RHPE CECap into silvery grey. When the exposure time increased, the color of RHPE composite faded faster than neat polyethylene. The wood surface darkened and RHPE surface flaked off after being exposed to accelerated weathering conditions. Prolonged weathering exposure caused loss of impact strength of the RHPE composites. In general, RHPE is more resistible to weathering attacks as compared to Kempas wood.
A contribution to the analysis of the intrinsic shear behavior of fabrics
Authors: Hivet G. , Duong A.V.
Published: October 2010

The in-plane shear behavior of textile performs is the most studied mechanical property because this mode of deformation is necessary for forming on double curvature surfaces. The resulting mechanical behavior is complex and specific considering the possibilities of relative movements between yarns and fibers. Two main tests are used: the hinged framework or ‘picture frame’ and the tensile test at 45° or ‘bias test’. Nevertheless, the results obtained by different labs using these two tests on the same fabric can be significantly different. Using a simplified analytical model of the picture frame test and a specific instrumented picture frame that enables us to track and adjust yarns tensions and to measure the strain field through optical measurements, this article analyzes and explains the origin of these discrepancies and concludes in dealing with the association between the experimental test used and the intrinsic in-plane shear behavior of a fabric.
Magnetomechanical behavior of Fe/PU magnetorheological elastomers
Authors: Chokkalingam Ramalingam , Rajasabai Senthur Pandi  , Mahendran Manickam
Published: October 2010

The elastic modulus and axial stiffness of the iron/polyurethane (Fe/PU) magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) have been investigated by a custom-made magnetic coil attached with a conventional universal testing machine. The size of the particle and sample dimension used in this study are 15 μm and 75 × 12 × 12 mm3, respectively. It has been observed that the regular arrangement of magnetic moments in Fe and its suspension in MREs leads to the enhancement of load-bearing capacity. Tensile behaviors of aligned and unaligned elastomer are compared and it is seen that the aligned elastomer has high stiffness than the unaligned elastomer. As a result, the stress amplitude increases and it indicates that the stiffness of the MREs can be increased by applying magnetic field. The atomic force microscopy confirms the presence of columnar structure of the magnetic moment in MREs. The MREs actuator is shown to be the ideal candidate for applications that require large strain at a specific high frequency.
Evaluations of some properties of exterior particleboard made from oil palm biomass
Authors: Hashim Rokiah , Wan Noor Aidawati Wan Nadhari  , Sulaiman Othman , Hiziroglu Salim , Sato Masatoshi , Kawamura Fumio , Tay Guan Seng  , Sugimoto Tomoko , Tanaka Ryohei
Published: October 2010

This study investigated some physical and mechanical properties of experimental particleboard panels manufactured from different parts of oil palm including bark, leaves, fronds, and trunk consisting of mid-part and core-part using phenol formaldehyde adhesive. Two types of panels with target densities of 0.80 and 1.0 g/cm 3 were manufactured using pressure levels of 5 and 12 MPa, respectively. Both types of panels were pressed at a temperature of 180°C for 20 min. The findings indicated density and pressure level had an influence on the overall properties of the panels. Samples from the core-part had the highest modulus of rupture (MOR) values followed by those panels made from fronds and bark particles. Such samples satisfied MOR characteristics for particleboard type 13 listed in the Japanese Standard. Similarly, panels made from mid-part and leaves also showed satisfactory MOR values for particleboard type 8 based on the same standard. All panels met the IB strength requirement for type 8 except panels made from leaves made at a target density of 1.0 g/cm 3 pressed at 12 MPa. None of the samples satisfied the thickness swelling requirements. The scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study indicated positive effect of the resin on interfacial bonding between the particles. Different parts of oil palm may have potential to manufacture exterior particleboard panels with acceptable strength properties. Dimensional properties of the samples need to be enhanced by using different chemicals such as wax or application of various treatments including heat treatment.
Properties of sugarcane bagasse/ poly(vinyl chloride) composites after various treatments
Authors: Wirawan Riza , Sapuan S.M. , Yunus Robiah , Abdan Khalina
Published: October 2010

The properties of sugarcane filled poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites after various treatments were studied. The studied chemical treatments were fiber treatment with benzoic acid, fiber treatment with sodium hydroxide, and the incorporation of poly[methylene(polyphenyl) isocyanate] (PMPPIC) as coupling agent. Results showed that chemical-treated composites obtain higher tensile strength and modulus as compared to untreated sugar-free bagasse/PVC composite. Among the three chemical treatments, the incorporation of PMPPIC gave the highest tensile strength and modulus. Both tensile strength and modulus of treated composite, however, are lower than those of untreated sugarcane bagasse (SB)-filled composite when unwashed bagasse, which contained sugar, was used. It is suspected that sugar may contribute to the tensile strength and modulus of the composite and hence, the SB can be used as reinforcing agent without further chemical treatment.
Preparation and thermal properties of epoxy composites filled with negative thermal expansion nanoparticles modified by a plasma treatment
Authors: Rongjin Huang  , Zhen Chen  , Xinxin Chu  , Zhixiong Wu  , Laifeng Li
Published: October 2010

Epoxy composites filled with negative thermal expansion nanoparticles, Mn3(Cu0.6Si 0.15Ge0.25)N, modified by a plasma treatment were prepared. Thermal expansion properties and thermal conductivities of the Mn3(Cu 0.6Si0.15Ge0.25)N/ epoxy composites were investigated within the temperature range of 77—300 K. Compared to neat epoxy resin, Mn3(Cu0.6Si0.15Ge0.25)N/epoxy composites show remarkably lower coefficient of thermal expansions (CTEs) and higher thermal conductivities. Especially for the composite with 32 vol.% of Mn3(Cu0.6Si0.15Ge0.25)N, the reduction of CTE value up to 42% in the temperature range of 77—195 K, and the thermal conductivities are 2.8 and 4 times as large as those of the neat epoxy resin at 298 and 77 K, respectively.
On the mechanical performance of noncrimp fabric H-shaped adhesively bonded joints
Authors: Tserpes K.I. , Cinquin Jacques , Pantelakis Sp.
Published: October 2010

Adhesive bonding is contemplated as an alternative method to mechanical fastening for joining composite aerostructures. Ongoing research in this area is focused on the development of new bonding techniques and joining elements. In this article, the mechanical performance of the novel noncrimp fabric (NCF) H-shaped adhesively bonded joints subjected to tension, shear and four-point bending loading conditions was investigated by both experimental tests and numerical modeling. The H profiles were manufactured by employing the preforming and injection molding methods, while bonding of the assembled parts was carried out using a novel stepwise procedure which leads to a high bonding quality. Investigation was conducted by means of mechanical testing and a mesomechanical model based on the FE method and the progressive damage modeling approach. In the model, both adhesive failure (debonding) and failure of the NCF material is considered. In the tension and shear load cases, the joint failed due to extensive debonding attributed to adhesive shearing, while in the four-point bending load case, due to failure of the H element. In all three load cases, the experimental and numerical results compare well thus, providing establishment of the numerical model in simulating the performance of textile structural parts. Finally, the effort presented herein is rated as successful since new adhesive bonded joints of high mechanical performance are proposed.
Mechanical properties of spacer fabric-reinforced composites knitted from glass yarn
Authors: Pamuk Gulsah , Ceken Fatma , Bulent Murat Icten  , Karakuzu Ramazan
Published: October 2010

In this study, to investigate the tensile, compression, and impact strengths of weft-knitted spacer fabric-reinforced composites made from glass yarn, first the glass yarn was knitted on industrial flat knitting machine and two types of spacer preforms were produced. Then, mechanical tests were applied to examine the strengths of the composites manufactured from spacer preforms. As a result, it is concluded that making tuck stitches in short and long needles improves locking of upper and lower layers of the spacer fabric; also the minority of crossover points in the second type of the spacer fabric generate a very stiff and high strength spacer fabric preform.
One Woman’s Near Destruction and Reemergence From Psychiatric Assault
Authors: Breeding John , Scogin Evelyn
Published: October 2010

Evelyn Scogin is a 52-year-old woman with a vast range of life experience and accumulated wisdom. She has worked in special education for decades, including many years as a teacher. Evelyn has been on social security disability for about four years, and has not worked for five. Her disability was, like so many of the astounding 1 in 50 of her fellow adult Americans, on psychiatric grounds (Whitaker, 2005), the result of intense iatrogenic damage caused by her treatment at the hands of the mental health system by polypharmacy and electroshock. This article tells a powerful and inspiring story about one woman’s near destruction and inspiring reemergence from damage caused by psychiatric polypharmacy and electroshock. Because of her very hard work and good support, Evelyn is now acting powerfully and assertively in the world, liberated from her role as a mental patient, and from all psychiatric drugs and related “treatments.”
The Effects of Alcohol Intoxication on Violent Versus Other Offending
Authors: Felson Richard B. , Staff Jeremy
Published: October 2010

The role of alcohol intoxication in different types of criminal behavior was examined using data from a nationally representative sample of inmates ( N = 16,698). An attempt was made to isolate the effects of intoxication on violent criminal behavior by controlling for chronic alcohol use and prior offending. The results suggested that intoxication plays its strongest role in homicide and physical and sexual assault but that it also plays a role in robbery and burglary. Dosage effects also provided supporting evidence: The more intoxicated the offender, the greater the effect. However, alcohol played a role in homicide and physical assault even when offenders drank in moderation. The evidence was most consistent with the idea that alcohol has stronger effects on offenses that involve personal confrontation and are therefore more risky. Evidence also suggested that alcohol effects are stronger for dispute-related violence in part because victims are also likely to be intoxicated.
Correlates and Actuarial Models of Assaultive Prison Misconduct Among Violence-Predicted Capital Offenders
Authors: Cunningham Mark D. , Sorensen Jon R. , Vigen Mark P. , Woods S.O.
Published: October 2010

Correlates of prison violence and the classification accuracy of an actuarial model were examined from retrospective review of the disciplinary records of former death row inmates in Texas ( N = 111) who had been predicted to commit future violence at trial and subsequently obtained relief from their death sentences between 1989 and 2008. Correlates of “potentially” violent infractions included age (inversely), intellectual capability (inversely), prior violent crime arrest, and gun-only weapon used in murder (inversely). An actuarial scale constructed from the sample was modestly (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.690) associated with combined violence on death row and in the broader prison population, as were scales constructed previously from other samples (AUC = 0.609 to 0.656). Although AUCs for serious assaults in three models were relatively high (AUC = 0.799 to 0.831), low base rates result in these actuarial scales having high false positive rates (e.g., 76%) in identifying offenders who will commit serious prison assaults.
The Role of Perceived Religious Similarity in the Quality of Mother-child Relations in Later Life: Differences Within Families and Between Races
Authors: Sechrist Jori , Suitor J. Jill , Vargas Nicholas , Pillemer Karl
Published: October 2010

Despite evidence of the importance of value similarity in predicting parentadult child relations, little attention has been given to the unique role of religious similarity. Using 1,407 dyads nested within 390 families, the authors examine whether religious similarity predicts the quality of mother-child relations in later life and whether the strength of this association differs by race. Consistent with the authors’ hypotheses, religious similarity was found to be an important factor in predicting both closeness and conflict, particularly in Black families. These findings suggest that it may be important to give greater attention to religion when studying patterns of interaction and support in the later years, especially among Black families.
Sex differences in parental preferences over a child’s mate choice: A daughter’s perspective
Authors: Dubbs Shelli L. , Buunk Abraham P.
Published: October 2010

Although parental influence over mate choice is important to human mating decisions, it is often overlooked within evolutionary psychology. Based on evolutionary theory, we predict that, while both parents likely influence a child’s mate choice, daughters will perceive having a low quality partner (i.e., traits indicating poor parental investment, a lack of creativity, and physical unattractiveness) would be more unacceptable to their mother when compared with the father. However, daughters will perceive having a partner with traits indicating low social status as more unacceptable to their father when compared with the mother. The results supported the hypotheses.
Predicting friendship quality with rejection sensitivity and attachment security
Authors: Özen Ayça , Sümer Nebi , Demir Melikşah
Published: October 2010

We examined the interplay between friends’ rejection sensitivity (RS) and attachment security in predicting friendship quality. Three competing hypotheses were tested concerning friendship quality, the unique effects of attachment anxiety, avoidance, and RS, as well as the moderating and mediating effects of RS. Results from emerging adults in Turkey ( N = 407) revealed that unlike attachment anxiety and avoidance, RS had neither a unique nor a mediated effect on friendship quality. However, RS moderated the effect of attachment avoidance on friendship quality. These findings’ implications are discussed considering the role of RS in the link between attachment security and friendship quality.
Context and companionship in children’s short-term versus long-term friendships
Authors: Troutman David R. , Fletcher Anne C.
Published: October 2010

Children ( N = 341) and their mothers participated in interviews when children were in fourth and fifth grades. Mothers and children worked together to identify children’s friends across various contexts of their lives. Children rated the companionship of each friendship and friendships were coded as either short term or long term. Higher levels of companionship were associated with increased odds of a friendship being long term, as was a friendship being maintained within the contexts of neighborhood, family friend, relative-as-friend, and efforts of parents. A friendship being maintained in more contexts was associated with increased odds of the friendship being long term. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for the understanding and support of children’s friendships.
Student–teacher relationships and students’ willingness to seek help for school violence
Authors: Yablon Yaacov B.
Published: October 2010

Students’ willingness to seek help from a teacher to deal with four different forms of violence (physical, relational, verbal, and use of weapon) was studied. The role of positive teacher–student relationships and whether such relationships mediate students’ perceptions of the teacher’s ability to assist were assessed. Findings pointed to only partial mediation in physical, relational, and verbal violence and no mediation in the case of weapon use. Girls and younger students were more willing to seek help for all forms of violence. The importance of relationships with teachers for dealing with school violence is discussed.
The experience and communication of envy among siblings, siblings-in-law, and spouses
Authors: Yoshimura Christina G.
Published: October 2010

For this study 109 spouse/sibling/sibling-in-law triads reported the degree of envy, communication of envy, and triggers of envy experienced in the triadic system. The relationship between envy and relational satisfaction and closeness was also assessed. Envy was largely experienced differentially in each relationship type. Siblings reported more occurrences of envy than did the siblings-in-law or spouses. Spouses were more likely than siblings or siblings-in-law to use communicative responses to envy. The sibling-in-law relationship shared similarities with both spousal and sibling relationships. Relational closeness and satisfaction for all relationships in the triad were correlated. Envy was not related to relational closeness and was inversely related to relational satisfaction for siblings and spouses only.
Stress reactivity to co-rumination in young women’s friendships: Cortisol, alpha-amylase, and negative affect focus
Authors: Byrd-Craven Jennifer , Granger Douglas A. , Auer Brandon J.
Published: October 2010

Young women typically use same-sex friendships as a source of social support during times of stress. However, friendship interactions that are characterized by co-rumination, excessive problem discussion and negative affect focus, while related to quality friendships, are also related to internalizing symptoms. The goal of the current study was to better understand how the hypothalamic—pituitary—adrenal axis (salivary cortisol) and sympathetic nervous system (salivary alpha-amylase, sAA), react to co-rumination. Observed co-rumination predicted increased cortisol responses while negative affect focus during problem discussion predicted increases in both cortisol and sAA. These findings suggest that dual system activation may be at least one physiological pattern that links co-rumination to increased internalizing symptoms, even in the context of a high-quality friendship.
The context-dependent nature of small firms’ relations with support agencies: A three-sector study in the UK
Authors: Edwards Paul , Sengupta Sukanya , Tsai Chin-Ju
Published: October 2010

Strategic networking is widely seen to be important for small firms, but most attention has been given to the operation of networks rather than the nature of links with firms’ strategies and resources. The article addresses these links through a study of 89 firms in three sectors.Variations in their involvement in external relationships are the focus. Previous theory suggests that product market conditions and firms’ internal structures, such as reliance on family labour, will explain the level of involvement. The evidence supports some of these ideas but also shows that the context of the sector is central. For firms, the lesson is to develop distinct kinds of external relationship, depending on the firm’s context and strategic position. The policy implication is that business support agencies need to be sensitive to these highly specific contextual factors.
The effect of eccentric and concentric calf muscle training on Achilles tendon stiffness
Authors: Morrissey Dylan , Roskilly Anna , Twycross-Lewis Richard , Isinkaye Tomide , Screen Hazel , Woledge Roger , Bader Dan
Published: October 2010

Objective: To compare in vivo effects of eccentric and concentric calf muscle training on Achilles tendon stiffness, in subjects without tendinopathy.

Methods: Thirty-eight recreational athletes completed 6 weeks eccentric (6 males, 13 females, 21.6 ± 2.2 years) or concentric training (8 males, 11 females, 21.1 ± 2.0 years). Achilles tendon stiffness, tendon modulus and single-leg jump height were measured before and after intervention. Exercise adherence was recorded using a diary.

Results: All data are reported as mean ± SD. Groups were matched for height and weight but the eccentric training group were more active at baseline ( P < 0.05). Tendon stiffness was higher in the eccentrically trained group at baseline compared to the concentrically trained group (20.9 ± 7.3 N/mm v 13.38 ± 4.66 N/mm; P = 0.001) and decreased significantly after eccentric training (to 17.2 ( ± 5.9) N/mm ( P = 0.035)). There was no stiffness change in the concentric group ( P = 0.405). Stiffness modulus showed similar changes to stiffness. An inverse correlation was found between initial, and subsequent, reduction in stiffness (r = −0.66). Jump height did not change and no correlation between stiffness change and adherence was observed in either group ( r = 0.01).

Conclusions: Six weeks of eccentric training can alter Achilles tendon stiffness while a matched concentric programme shows no similar effects. Studies in patients with Achilles tendinopathy are warranted.
Influence of magnetic knee wraps on joint proprioception in individuals with osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Chen Chung-Yao , Fu Tieh-Cheng , Hu Ching-Fang , Hsu Chih-Chin , Chen Chia-Ling , Chen Chih-Kuang
Published: October 2010

Objective: To determine the effects of magnetic knee wraps (MKWs) on joint position sense (JPS) in individuals with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

Setting: Rehabilitation clinic of a tertiary hospital.

Subjects: Fifty volunteers with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis participated and 33 (66%) completed the trial; only one (2%) withdrew due to study-related adverse effects.

Interventions: Knee wraps with a static magnetic field (35 mT) were compared with control knee wraps for 12 weeks.

Main measures: The main outcome measure was JPS at first, fourth, and twelfth week while applying of the knee wrap, quantified as the ability to replicate target knee joint angles. The secondary outcome was the Comprehensive Osteoarthritis Test (COAT) total score.

Results: In the intention-to-treat analysis with an alpha-level of 0.05, 12-week application of the MKWs did not significantly reduce the mean absolute error (MAE) of JPS ( n = 18; P = 0.627); contrarily, the MAE was found to decrease significantly after wearing the sham MKWs ( n = 20; P = 0.01). The COAT total score gradually improved in both groups ( P < 0.05). When comparing the improvement of MAE and COAT total score at each follow-up between two groups, no significant differences were found; the maximal difference in the improvement of MAE between two groups was noted at week 12 (mean difference: 1.2°; 95% confidence interval −0.4 to 2.9; P = 0.144). In the per-protocol analysis, the study group showed better improvement in the COAT total score at week 12 ( P = 0.033).

Conclusion: The 35-mT MKWs could not significantly influence knee JPS in individuals with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis.
Musical narratives: A study of a young child’s identity work in and through music-making
Authors: Barrett Margaret S.
Published: October 2010

The investigation of infants’ and young children’s early musical engagement as singers, song-makers, and music-makers has provided some insight into children’s early vocal and musical development. Recent research has highlighted the vital role of interactive vocalization or ‘communicative musicality’ in infants’ general development, including their health and well-being, and early identity work. Little research has investigated how these early vocalizations and musical interactions are taken up and used by young children as they construct an emergent identity as a musical and sociocultured being. This article draws on a three-year longitudinal project that has investigated the role of invented song-making and music engagement in 18 young children’s (aged approximately 18–48 months) identity work and self-making. Data sources employed within a narrative inquiry design included parent-maintained video and paper diaries of song-making and music engagement, interviews with parents and other care-givers, and researcher observations of children in musical activity. Processes of narrative analysis and analysis of narrative were employed to analyse these data and provide a narrative account of the ways in which one 2-year-old child fashions a self through her engagement with known and invented song and music-making over a 12-month period. Findings suggest that invented song and music-making build on young children’s experiences of ‘communicative musicality’ and provide narrative structures in which young children perform and enact multiple ways of being through musical storying and story-telling.
Measuring distinct types of musical self-efficacy
Authors: Ritchie Laura , Williamon Aaron
Published: October 2010

This research examines the specific nature of self-efficacy beliefs within music. Separate questionnaires assessing self-efficacy for musical learning and self-efficacy for musical performing were developed and tested, and the reliability of the new questionnaires was demonstrated using internal reliability tests and exploratory factor analysis. A sample of 250 conservatoire and university music students completed the two questionnaires and provided self-ratings of musical skills and attributes. The learning and performing questionnaires produced robust Cronbach alphas of .82 and .78, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a single underlying factor within each questionnaire, and the stability of these questionnaires over time was established through the absence of significant differences in test—retest scores over a period of two to four weeks. Conservatoire students’ self-efficacy for musical learning was higher than that of university students, whereas there were no significant differences between conservatoire and university students in self-efficacy for musical performing. The two questionnaires also showed different patterns of correlations with a range of self-assessed musical skills and attributes, further demonstrating their distinctiveness. These results, which underline the need for differentiation in musical self-efficacy, highlight the importance of specificity and correspondence when measuring self-efficacy beliefs. The implications for measuring self-efficacy within other domains are discussed.
Older amateur keyboard players learning for self-fulfilment
Authors: Taylor Angela
Published: October 2010

This article investigates self-reported music learning experiences of 21 older amateur pianists and electronic keyboard players. Significant changes in their lives and the encouragement of friends were catalysts for returning to or taking up a keyboard instrument as an adult, although not all returners had positive memories of learning a keyboard instrument as children. Most participants had experience of learning democratically in a group, obtaining benefits that usually outweighed the drawbacks of limited time available for individual tuition. Those who also engaged with other musical activities used them to enhance their keyboard skills or used their keyboard learning profitably in them. As an outcome of their learning, the participants were able to sustain a personal and social musical identity. The findings suggest that the interaction and interdependence of music learning, musical motivation and musical identity construction can foster the personal growth needed for achieving self-fulfilment as a mature adult.
Listeners’ perceptual and emotional responses to tonal and atonal music
Authors: Daynes Helen
Published: October 2010

Research in music and emotion has largely focused on responses to tonal music on isolated occasions. This article presents a novel approach to the study of music and emotion that investigates the effects of familiarity on listeners’ responses to tonal and atonal music. A mixed-methods longitudinal design was adopted to enable access to the familiarization process. Nineteen student participants (10 musicians; nine non-musicians) embarked on the study. Participants used a range of quantitative and qualitative self-report mechanisms to record their emotional responses to music by Clementi, Schoenberg and Berio over a two-week familiarization period. Results suggested that with increased familiarity, participants showed greater understanding of the musical structure and increased awareness of details in the music, which impacted on the emotional triggers identified by participants. There was evidence for increasing anticipation of emotional events with familiarity. The musical language also showed profound effects: participants found it more difficult to identify the musical structure of the atonal pieces than the tonal pieces; emotional responses to the atonal pieces were lower than those for the tonal piece, and these effects were greatest for non-music students. The implications of these results are discussed.
Perception of six basic emotions in music
Authors: Mohn Christine , Argstatter Heike , Wilker Friedrich-Wilhelm
Published: October 2010

A test of the ability to perceive six basic emotions (happiness, anger, disgust, surprise, sadness, and fear) in music was presented to 115 participants. Eighteen musical segments, lasting 3–5 seconds, were designed for this test using a variety of solo instruments. The results show that six basic emotions are perceivable in musical segments previously unknown to the listeners, although there was large variability in the percentage of correct classification of each of the segments comprising each emotion, and happiness and sadness were easier to classify than the other emotions. Moreover, the ability to classify musical emotions was not related to childhood or youth musical instruction or personality traits (assessed by NEO-PI-R).
Attitudes and Beliefs Predicting Taiwanese Older Adults’ Intentions to Attend Strength and Balance Training Programs
Authors: Lin Shih-Fan , Lee Jerry W. , Modeste Naomi , Johnson Eric G.
Published: October 2010

While strength and balance training (SBT) programs are effective in preventing falls, older adults rarely participate. A cross-sectional study design was used to explore factors that influence their decisions to attend SBT programs. Questionnaires were collected that measured theory of planned behavior constructs from 221 community-dwelling Taiwanese older women between the age of 55 and 94. Results suggest that (a) benefits of SBT programs such as increasing independence in daily life, (b) participation approval and involvement from the older adults’ family members, and (c) SBT programs conducted in familiar places strengthened potential participants’ positive attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, respectively. Health care professionals should consider incorporating these factors in the recruitment materials or the actual design of SBT programs to enhance older adults’ decision to attend and increase the recruitment rate of such programs.
Nursing Assistant Views on Nursing Home Regulatory Inspection
Authors: Chung Gawon
Published: October 2010

Nursing assistants provide more than 80% of direct care to residents. However, it is unknown whether or not they clearly understand the purpose of nursing home regulation and incorporate regulatory standards in their care delivery process. This study uses qualitative methods to explore their experiences with nursing home inspection. Findings suggest that the subtle nuances of human interaction between nursing assistants and residents tend to be overlooked in the midst of enforcing highly strict and detailed regulatory standards that mainly focus on visible outcomes of care. In addition, the state survey might deepen the chasm between nursing assistants and nursing home administration so that the hierarchical culture of mistrust and ritualism continues in nursing homes. To resolve such problems, it is critical to rethink the impact of nursing home regulation at the level of direct interactions between nursing assistants and residents and to consider increasing nursing assistant involvement in the inspection process.
Independent and Combined Association of Physical Activity and Cardiac Disease on Mortality Risk in the Very Old
Authors: Äijö Marja , Parkatti Terttu
Published: October 2010

Objectives: This study investigated physical activity as a predictor of all-cause mortality among 75- and 80-year-old people with and without chronic cardiac disease over a 10-year follow-up period. Method: Using the Evergreen Project data, four study groups were formed according to the respondent’s self-reported level of physical activity as well as chronic cardiac diseases: active without cardiac disease (control group = ANCD), active with cardiac disease (ACD), sedentary without cardiac disease (SNCD), and sedentary with cardiac disease (SCD). Results: In the analyses, the ACD (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.02-2.81) and the SNCD (1.76, 1.14-2.73) groups had almost one and a half times greater risk of dying than the control group, while the SCD group had almost three times (2.77, 1.80-4.26) greater risk of dying than the control group. Discussion: Among the older people with cardiac disease, a physically active lifestyle was associated with lower mortality.
Converging citizens? Nanotechnology and the political imaginary of public engagement in Brazil and the United Kingdom
Authors: Macnaghten Phil , Guivant Julia S.
Published: October 2010

This paper offers a comparative analysis of two public engagement exercises, conducted concurrently in the UK and Brazil. Following an account of how public engagement is situated in the political imaginary of the UK and Brazil, we set out a theoretical framework for such comparison, highlighting questions of narrative, political culture and civic epistemology. We then set out key differences in response, considering Brazilian citizen responses as prototypically more positive of (nano)technology, and as more amenable to and accepting of Enlightenment master narratives of technoscientific progress. UK citizen responses, by contrast, were more tragic, and more informed by resistant narratives of technoscientific failure. Although such distinctions are not absolute, they are nevertheless significant. We conclude by pointing to a set of analytical and normative challenges for how the science and technology studies analyst is to understand the politically contingent character of public engagement in the governance of science and technology.
Preserving the Self: The Process of Decision Making About Hereditary Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Risk Reduction
Authors: Howard A. Fuchsia , Balneaves Lynda G. , Bottorff Joan L. , Rodney Patricia
Published: October 2010

Women who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) gene mutations have up to an 88% lifetime risk of breast cancer and up to a 65% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. Strategies to address these risks include cancer screening and risk-reducing surgery (i.e., mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy). We conducted a grounded theory study with 22 BRCA1/2 mutation-carrier women to understand how women make decisions about these risk-reducing strategies. Preserving the self was the overarching decision-making process evident in the participants’ descriptions. This process was shaped by contextual conditions including the characteristics of health services, the nature of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk-reduction decisions, gendered roles, and the women’s perceived proximity to cancer. The women engaged in five decision-making styles, and these were characterized by the use of specific decision-making approaches. These findings provide theoretical insights that could inform the provision of decisional support to BRCA1/2 carriers.