bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation Actions before and after Two Earthquakes
Authors: Russell Lisa A. , Goltz James D. , Bourque Linda B.
Published: March 2007

This study examines the current state of preparedness among Los Angeles County and San Francisco Bay Area residents, determines the extent to which levels of preparedness have changed since the Sylmar earthquake in 1971, identifies the circumstances under which people have prepared, and assesses the extent to which respondents' overall perceptions of preparedness match their reports of preparedness activities. Since the 1970s, residents of the two areas have increased their level of survival activities substantially, but progress in home-hazard mitigation and family earthquake planning has generally remained constant and low. Pre-earthquake preparedness was predicted by home ownership, income, education, marital status, number of children at home, number of years in the neighborhood, and number of earthquakes experienced. In contrast, post-earthquake preparedness was predicted by proximity to the earthquake epicenter, earthquake-related experiences, fear, and levels of pre-earthquake preparedness.
Where Does Community Grow?
Authors: Coley Rebekah Levine , Sullivan William C. , Kuo Frances E.
Published: March 2007

This study examines how the availability of nature influences the use of outdoor public spaces in two Chicago public housing developments. Ninety-six observations were collected of the presence and location of trees and the presence and location of youth and adults in semiprivate spaces at one high-rise and one low-rise public housing development. Results consistentiy indicated that natural landscaping encourages greater use of outdoor areas by residents. Spaces with trees attracted larger groups of people, as well as more mixed groups of youth and adults, than did spaces devoid of nature. In addition, more dense groupings of trees and trees that are located close to public housing buildings attracted larger groups of people. These findings suggest that natural elements such as trees promote increased opportunities for social interactions, monitorng of outdoor areas, and supervision of children in impovershed urban neighborhoods.
Relations Between Psychology and Geography
Authors: Kitchin Robert M. , Blades Mark , Golledge Reginald G.
Published: March 2007

The special issue of Environment and Behavior, "Relations Between Environmental Psychology and Allied Fields," edited by Seymour Wapner (1995) contained seven articles explorng the links between environmental psychology and other subfields of psychology. The articles examined how environmental psychology with its emphasis on context "may serve to integrate psychology as a whole, and to brdge the gap between the interests of professionally ohentated and academic psychologists" (Wapner 1995, p. 5). This article expands on this theme by exploring and summarizing the links between psychology and the allied field of human geography. It is suggested that an integrative framework needs to be adopted to capture the ways that these two disciplines, (and others such as planning and anthropology), have become complementary, and by doing so have provided a broader theoretical conceptualization of environment and behavior interactions.
Study of Environmental Factors Associated with Primary Health Care
Authors: Pasquali Carlota T. , Hernandez Marisela H. , Munoz Carlos C.
Published: March 2007

The objective was to explore the health implications of the environment as observed in poor urban communities and their formal and informal health agents. Data were gathered through photographs, observational guides, and semistructured interviews. A contrast was observed between the housing interior cleanliness. There was an absence of urban environmental components that encourage leisure-time activities and/or cohesion in the community. No mention was made of the necessity for recreational environments. None of the group of informants was aware of how housing components other than those provided by the public services influence people's health. The people of the communities demonstrated some understanding of the environment/health relationship but focused on the global problems of barrios. Similar results were found among the informal health agents. The formal health team managed problems at the urban level, not at the individual-housing level, although they do present some more specific details.
The Role of Mystery in Perceived Danger and Environmental Preference
Authors: Herzog Thomas R. , Miller Edward J.
Published: March 2007

Mystery has been implicated as a positive contributor to both environmental preference and perceived danger/fear. We explored the relationships among mystery, danger, and preference as well as between them and two physical features of settings, openness and pathway curvature, in urban alleys and field/forest settings containing pathways. The major finding was that mystery was a positive predictor of both danger and preference even though the latter two variables were negatively related. Mystery, in turn, was positively related to pathway curvature and negatively related to openness. Setting category (alleys versus field/forest) was also a significant predictor of both danger (greater for alleys) and preference (greater for field/forest settings). Free-response data indicated that danger was a more common reaction than mystery for alleys, but the reverse was true for field/forest settings. The results highlight the paradoxical role that variables such as mystery can play in contributing to affective response, depending on the context in which the variables operate.
Social Ties, Environmental Perception, And Local Attachment
Authors: Mesch Gustavo S. , Manor Orit
Published: March 2007

This article investigates the determinants of place attachment. The community of limited liability argues that local attachment is the result of local relationships neighbors develop through time. The liberated community argues that only a minority of individual social ties are local. Therefore, people will not experience attachment. The authors argue that local attachment might result from a positive perception of the neighborhood environment. Using a randomly selected sample from one large city in Israel, the differential contributions of these models to the understanding of local attachment are investigated. The results show that attachment to place is expressed by a majority of urban residents. The higher the number of close friends and neighbors that are known and live nearby, the higher the attachment to the neighborhood. Perceptions of the local environment have a direct and independent effect on neighborhood attachment. Implications for the understanding of place attachment are discussed.
National and International News Agencies
Authors: Boyd-Barrett Oliver
Published: March 2007

National news agencies tend not to excite the same scholarly or even the same popular attention as the international or `global' news agencies. Yet both international and national news agencies contribute to the simultaneous processes of globalization and localization. The number of major general news international agencies has reduced in recent years, while national news agencies are faced with a broad range of difficult challenges that may threaten the future viability of at least some of them. These challenges particularly have to do with relations between agencies and media owners, relations between agencies and the state, changes in the composition of the market as a result of growing media commercialization, concentration and globalization and new sources of competition in the supply of news. The range of possible defensive strategies includes diversification, redefining the relationship between national news agencies and national identity, linking up with the new global media conglomerates, partnerships between agencies, identification of new models for relating to the state and reassessment of the respective benefits and weaknesses of the cooperative model of news agency organization.
Media of the World and World of the Media
Authors: Tai Zixue
Published: March 2007

This article studies the rankings of the top 10 world events from 1988 to 1998 by 11 media representing eight countries and examines the similarities as well as differences between/across media and nations. Findings indicate that all media display biases of their own in their rankings of world events and are myopic to those stories that are culturally, geographically and psychologically close. Media from the same national settings show strikingly similar patterns in their evaluations of world news. The US media are the most provincial in their approach to world news while the USA is the top news-maker with all media. The study also reveals some general patterns among media from different national contexts in their approach to evaluating world events.
State-Building and Media Regime
Authors: Jamal Amal
Published: March 2007

This article analyses the complex mechanisms of media censorship, produced through both external and internal pressures, that are at work within Palestinian society. The article argues that there is an ongoing struggle for an open public sphere which is vital to Palestinian national development.
Integrated Communication Campaigns for Organizational Crisis Management in South Africa
Authors: Pratt Cornelius B. , Bloom Evan
Published: March 2007

An increasingly global, competitive environment makes organizational crises a reality. And integrated communication campaigns (ICCs) are a strategy for responding to - and for resolving - such crises. This article uses the case-study method to identify five normative implications for the use of ICCs as a crisis-management strategy. It then presents four challenges that practitioners who use ICCs will continue to confront well into the next millennium. They are (1) research strategies and outcomes assessments, (2) new communication technologies, (3) ethics and (4) professional orientation. Finally, it concludes that practitioners' strategic responses to those challenges will determine much of the effectiveness of their research, planning, programming and evaluation today - and in the next millennium.
Africa and the Global Information Infrastructure
Authors: M'Bayo Ritchard
Published: March 2007

The article proposes a model that could guide African telecommunications policymakers in planning for the development of telecommunications infrastructure. The key elements of the model are based on questions about the prospects, obstacles, preferences and policies relating to telecommunications in the emerging global information infrastructure. Acknowledging the preponderance of choices in terms of the services and service providers in the field of telecommunications, and the new attitude toward Africa as a potentially profitable telecommunications market, the article concludes that the future is bright for the continent.
Collaborating to Desegregate a “Black” School
Authors: Janssens Maddy , Seynaeve Katrien
Published: March 2007

This longitudinal action research examines the process of desegregation at a segregated school, relying on insights from stakeholder theory, collaboration theory, and the theory of social identity and intergroup relations. First, the school’s segregated mode was analyzed through understanding its identity as it was constituted in its stakeholder network. To understand the school’s context, conditions to collaborate with other schools in the same community were assessed. Given the school’s low power in the education system, the school tried to break through its segregated mode by developing an educational curriculum in which heterogeneity itself had a function and by developing collaborative relationships with groups outside the education system that were interested in desegregation.
The Unexpected Effects of a Sexual Harassment Educational Program
Authors: Bingham Shereen G. , Scherer Lisa L.
Published: March 2007

This study evaluated a sexual harassment program for staff and faculty employees at a metropolitan university. One hundred men and 97 women who participated in the program and 141 men and 178 women who did not participate responded to a self-report questionnaire through campus mail. Analysis of variance was used to test for effects of program participation and employee gender on five outcome variables. Results indicated that participants showed more knowledge about sexual harassment than did nonparticipants and had a stronger attitude that sexual behavior at work is inappropriate. Men had more favorable attitudes toward sexual behavior at work than did women. Moreover, program participation and employee gender interacted, indicating an adverse reaction to the program among male participants. Male participants were less likely than other groups to perceive coercive sexual harassment, less willing to report sexual harassment, and more likely to blame the victim. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Organizational Development and Change Management
Authors: Hornstein Henry
Published: March 2007

In recent issues of the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, Farias and Johnson and Worren, Ruddle, and Moore have engaged in a dialogue about the validity of discarding organizational development as a profession in preference for creating a new one called “change management. ” The former say such a move is premature, whereas the latter advocate this shift. The article supports Farias and Johnson and suggests that it is inappropriate to cast aside a profession simply because business has failed to heed its counsel.
Needs and Outcomes in an Executive Development Program
Authors: Bernthal Paul , Cook Kevin , Smith Audrey
Published: March 2007

The processes and outcomes associated with an executive assessment program for development were evaluated in a field setting. Data concerning the activities of 104 executive-level managers were drawn from three sources: program participants, development team leaders, and professional assessors. Factors affecting program processes and outcomes were grouped into two classes, personal and situational. Development activity and outcomes showed positive relationships to several personal factors, especially motivation, self-efficacy, and preference for intrinsic incentives. Development activity also showed positive relationships to situational factors, especially interpersonal support. Additional analyses examined how rater perspective affected measures of development and how different operationalizations of development might alter conclusions. Implications for promoting the success of an executive assessment and development program were discussed.
Defining and Measuring Employee Empowerment
Authors: Herrenkohl Roy C. , Judson G. Thomas , Heffner Judith A.
Published: March 2007

The study had three objectives: to define employee empowerment, to develop a measure of the concept, and to examine the measure’s validity. A working definition was specified and a 140-item measure developed. The measure was administered to 698 employees of a high technology company located in the Midwest. Responses were factor analyzed and an 8-factor solution was identified as best representing the concepts underlying the responses. A validity study examined the ability of the 8 dimensions to differentiate among 28 workgroups, identified independently either as more empowered or as less empowered. Two dimensions, fairness of the recognition system and decisions about work processes, clearly contributed to discriminating between the two types of groups. A third dimension, clarity of company goals, was a somewhat less clear contributor. Reasons why some dimensions discriminated more from less empowered groups whereas others did not are discussed.
Free Vibrations of Multilayer Anisotropic Cylindrical Shells
Authors: Bert C.W. , Baker J.L. , Egle D.M.
Published: March 2007

A theoretical analysis is presented for determining the free vibra tional characteristics of thin-walled, circular cylindrical shells with layers of anisotropic elastic material arbitrarily laminated either sym metrically or unsymmetrically about the shell middle surface. An arbitrarily laminated, anisotropic version of Love's first-approximation shell theory is used to formulate the coupled equations of motion. An exact solution with a classical checkerboard nodal pattern is found for the case of a shell with specially orthotropic layers arbitrarily laminated and with freely supported ends. For a boron/epoxy composite cylinder, the significant effect of omitting bending-stretching coupling is demonstrated and various lamination arrangements are investigated. Also, a general solution is presented for the axisymmetric modes of an arbitrarily laminated anisotropic shell. Finally, an approximate solution, using a combination of two helical-nodal-pattern modes, is obtained for the unsymmetric modes of the same general class of shell with a supported boundary condition.
Simple Bending Analysis of Laminated Plates by Large-Deflection Theory
Authors: Pao Y.C.
Published: March 2007

A closed-form solution is presented for the problem of laminated plates subjected to simple bending by the application of the nonlinear von Karman equations of heterogeneous anisotropic plates. The coupling effect between in-plane extension and transverse bending of cross-ply and angle-ply laminates on the cross-sectional distortion of the bent plates is studied. The results of the cases of two-layer com posite of orthotropic material are obtained, it shows that cross-ply of layers with high tensile moduli ratio can greatly reduce the peak-to- trough deflection of the cross section of a bent laminated plate.
Plastic Behavior of Some Composite Materials*
Authors: Huang Wu-Cheng
Published: March 2007

Based on the simplest deformation theory of plasticity, an attempt is made to predict the overall plastic behavior of two-phase reinforced composites under polyaxial stresses. An ideal composite is considered in which the inclusions are rigid and the matrix is a power-law work- hardening material; it is hoped that such a model may adequately describe a composite comprised of elastic inclusions and an elastic- plastic matrix when the plastic strain is sufficiently large. The theory is developed by considering a two-phase isotropic composite under polyaxial stresses; and with the use of the self-consistent scheme, a detailed result is obtained for a unidirectional fibrous reinforced com posite under transverse stresses. With the introduction of the elastic behavior predicted by the self-consistent model, a semi-empirical prediction of the overall transverse elastic-plastic uniaxial stress-strain curve over the full strain range is made for a unidirectional fibrous reinforced composite comprised of rigid fibers and an elastic-plastic matrix.
Composite Hugoniot Synthesis Using the Theory of Mixtures
Authors: Davis R.O. , Cottrell M.M.
Published: March 2007

The contemporary theory of mixtures is employed to predict the re sponse of composites to shock loading. The composite may consist of any finite number of constituents. Jump equations expressing balance of mass, momentum, and energy for each of the constituents are presented, following the approach of Kelly [1]. These equations are then specialized to apply to a uniaxial shock wave running into undisturbed material The resulting theory is shown to encompass constituents which undergo phase transfor mations and exchange thermal energy within the shock surface.
Effect of Fibre Orientation and Laminate Geometry on the Dynamic Properties of CFRP
Authors: Adams R.D. , Bacon D.G.C.
Published: March 2007

Theoretical predictions have been made of the effect of fibre orienta tion and laminate geometry on the flexural and torsional damping and modulus of fibre reinforced composites. Materials with fibres at + θ (off- axis), ±θ (angle-ply), 0/90° (cross-ply) and a general plate were in vestigated.

In almost all cases, very good agreement was obtained between the theoretical prediction and the experimental results. Some limitations of plate theory for the torsion of angle-ply laminates were revealed and discussed.
Fatigue Resistance of a Uniaxial S-Glass/Epoxy Composite at Room and Liquid Helium Temperatures
Authors: Tobler Ralph L. , Read David T.
Published: March 2007

Tension-tension axial fatigue tests of a uniavial glass filament-reinforced epoxy were conducted at 295 K and 4 K. The fatigue life was found to be an order of magnitude greater at 4 K than at 295 K. These results are believed to be the first 4 K fatigue data reported for a composite material. Key words: Cryogenics; fatigue, fiber composites: liquid helium; low tem perature tests; mechanical properties.
Some New Results on Edge Effect in Symmetric Composite Laminates
Authors: Wang A.S.D. , Crossman Frank W.
Published: March 2007

An improved numerical (finite element) procedure is developed to investigate the stress field in symmetrically laminated composites of finite dimensions. Emphasis is placed on assessing the singular behavior of stresses in regions close to ply-interfaces and the exposed free edge. An accurate evaluation of these stresses will help to better understand the failure process of composite laminates. Mechanical load in the form of uniaxial tension and environmental variables such as temperature and humidity exposures are considered in the formulation. Results tor lam inates under uniaxial tension are presented in this paper; thermal and hygroscopic stresses will be reported in a subsequent paper.
The Effect of Stress Concentration on the Reliability of Composite Materials
Authors: Wetherhold Robert C.
Published: March 2007

A model is presented for predicting reliability of brittle composite structures with complex multiaxial stress states. This model allows all of the stress components to con tribute to the probability of material fracture. The model is applied to an off-axis geometry and to a center through-hole off-axis geometry using several different material systems. Results for the off-axis geometry demonstrate the importance of using the correct specimen configuration when performing a reliability analysis. Stresses induced by the end-constraint may cause an over prediction of reliability or an underutilization of material strength, depending on the overall stiffness and strength characteristics of the material. Results for the center-notched off-axis geometry demonstrate the effect of strength variability on the localization of fracture prob ability. Low variability materials exhibit a localization of high probability of failure regions, implying a high repeatability of fracture initiation site. High variability materials exhibit a smoothing of the high failure probability regions, which denotes less sensitivity to the stress concentration. Regions which contribute heavily to a loss in structure reliability may be identified before testing, so that a redesign may be effected.
A Dynamic Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Study of Stressed Kevlar® 49/Epoxy Composites
Authors: Lee J.S. , Fellers J.F. , Tang M.Y. , Lin J.S.
Published: March 2007

The failure mechanisms of Kevlar® 49 fibers, epoxy resin and uniaxial Kevlar® 49 fiber reinforced epoxy composites under tensile loads have been studied using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The behavior of specimens of uniaxial Kevlar® 49 fiber reinforced epoxy with various angles between the fiber direction and the tensile load axis was examined using an Instron Mechanical Tester. SAXS showed the Kevlar® 49 fibers fail due to increases in the volume fraction of microvoids and enlargement of larger microvoids along the fiber axis direction. These changes in microvoids arise from the effect of Poisson's ratio being less than 0.5. Hydrolytic degradation of Kevlar® 49 fibers leads to roughening of the surfaces and decreases in the mass densities. The epoxies and the composites failed in a catastrophic dynamic process, the crack originating from surface flaws or air bubbles entrapped in the epoxies during the curing process. The SEM investigations on the failed composites revealed fiber-splits and fiber-pullouts. The results of mechanical tests showed the composite moduli, the composite ultimate strengths and the elongations at break decrease as the angle between the fibers and loading axis increase. The maximum work theory provides a good fit with the experimental ultimate strength results of the com posites.
On the Application of the Maximum Stress Failure Criterion to Off-Axis and Angle-Ply Laminates
Authors: Gerstle F.P. , Reedy E.D.
Published: March 2007

It has been commonly reported that the maximum stress failure theory predicts that the tensile stress (applied at 0°) needed to produce fiber failure in low angle off-axis (α) and angle-ply (±α) tensile specimens exceeds the unidirectional tensile strength. We point out that for small angles the usual strength analysis of the off-axis tensile specimen does not employ the stress state found in the region where fracture is ex pected to initiate. Consequently, the customary analysis is suspect. We also show, con trary to previously published results, that classical plate theory used in conjunction with the maximum stress failure criterion does indeed predict that the strength of an angle-ply laminate decreases with increasing angle when fiber failure dominates.
Degradation in Strength of Laminated Composites Subjected to Intense Heating and Mechanical Loading
Authors: Griffis C.A. , Nemes J.A. , Stonesifer F.R. , Chang C.I.
Published: March 2007

An analytical procedure is presented for predicting the loss in integrity of composite structures subjected to simultaneous intense heating and applied mechanical loads. An in tegral part of the method is a nonlinear, two-dimensional, finite difference thermal analysis which considers the effects of surface ablation, re-irradiation losses, and temperature-dependent thermophysical properties. Another important feature of the structural survivability model is a flat-plate finite element code, based on the Mindlin theory, which is coupled to a maximum stress failure criterion. Predictions from the analysis methodology are compared with experimental results obtained on 24, 48, and 96 ply graphite epoxy tension specimens which were spot-irradiated at various intensity levels.
The Effects of Pin Elasticity, Clearance, and Friction on the Stresses in a Pin-Loaded Orthotropic Plate
Authors: Hyer M.W. , Klang E.C. , Cooper D.E.
Published: March 2007

The effects of pin elasticity, clearance, and friction on the stresses around the hole edge in a pin-loaded orthotropic plate are studied. Two pin stiffnesses, two clearance levels, two friction levels and two laminates, a (0/±45/90) s and a (02/±45) s are studied. The cir cumferential distribution of the stresses for a variety of cases are presented. The effects of pin elasticity, clearance, and friction on the load capacity of the plate are assessed by comparing the load capacity of the plate with the capacity when the pin is rigid, perfectly fitting, and frictionless. The maximum bearing and circumferential tensile stresses at the hole edge are used as indicators of capacity. The rigid, perfect-fit, frictionless case is chosen as a comparison case since this situation has been assumed in many previous studies of this type. The results indicate that clearance and friction significantly affect the distribution and magnitude of the stresses in a way that, in general, degrades the load capacity. Inclusion of pin elasticity increases the predicted load capacity slightly.
Closed Form Solutions for the Interlaminar Stress Field in Angle-Ply and Cross-Ply Laminates
Authors: Kassapoglou Christos , Lagace Paul A.
Published: March 2007

The solution to the problem of interlaminar stresses at a straight free edge in a com posite laminate is obtained in closed form for two special and important cases: angle-ply and cross-ply laminates. These solutions are derived using the Force Balance Method and the principle of minimum complementary energy. The results are favorably compared to the predictions of other analyses found in the literature. The solution procedure is found to be simpler and more efficient than other analytical methods. In addition, for some special cases of cross-ply laminates, the solution is shown to be identical to the predictions of a modified plate theory that includes through-the-thickness stretching.
A Mathematical Model to Predict the Thermal Response of Decomposing, Expanding Polymer Composites
Authors: Henderson J.B. , Wiecek T.E.
Published: March 2007

A one-dimensional transient thermal model has been developed to predict the thermal response of a decomposing, expanding polymer composite exposed to high temperatures. Both the decomposition and thermochemical expansion, as well as the storage of decom position gases in the solid material were considered in the formulation of the model. The accuracy of the model was evaluated by comparing predicted and experimental tempera ture profiles for a widely used glass-filled phenolic. The predicted temperatures agreed with the measured values with an average difference of 15.7°C and a standard deviation of 36.9°C.
Effects of Large Deflection and Transverse Shear on Response of Rectangular Symmetric Composite Laminates Subjected to Acoustic Excitation
Authors: Mei Chuh , Prasad C.B.
Published: March 2007

Nonlinear equations of motion of symmetrically laminated anisotropic plates are derived considering von Karman strains and transverse shear effects. Using a single-mode Galerkin procedure, a nonlinear modal equation is obtained and a direct equivalent linearization method is employed for solution of this equation. The response of acoustic excitation of moderately thick composite panels is then studied. Further, the effects of transverse shear on the large deflection vibration of laminates under random ex citation are studied. Mean-square deflections and mean-square inplane stresses are ob tained for symmetric graphite-epoxy laminates. Using equilibrium equations and con tinuity conditions, the mean-square transverse shear stresses are calculated with results obtained useful in the sonic fatigue design of composite aircraft panels. The analysis is presented in detail for simply supported plates with analogous equations for a clamped case also obtained.
Automation of Thermoplastic Composite Processing
Authors: Andersen Bruce J. , Colton Jonathan S.
Published: March 2007

An experimental model of a new automated pre-preg lay-up process is developed to determine the effects of process parameters on the consolidation and quality of parts made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) reinforced with carbon fibers (APC-2). Temperature, tape velocity, and applied pressure affect the degree of consolidation of the laminates produced using this process. The consolidation's dependence on applied pressure is clearly demonstrated. A threshold pressure of approximately 275 kPa (40 psi) exists for APC-2, below which consolidation does not occur. This threshold is followed by a sharp increase in consolidation up to an applied pressure of 900 kPa (130 psi), and a much slower rate of increase in consolidation for pressures in excess of 900 kPa. The effect of velocity is qualitatively explored. The results of the experiment are discussed with reference to the development of robotic lay-up cells and continuous processes for the production of quasi-isotropic laminated sheet.
Fabrication and Mechanical Properties of an Optically Transparent Glass Fiber/Polymer Matrix Composite
Authors: Olson James R. , Day Delbert E. , Stoffer James O.
Published: March 2007

A composite with substantial optical transparency was produced by rein forcing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with unidirectional borosilicate glass fibers. Optical transparency of the composite was achieved by matching the refractive index ( n D) of the glass fiber and polymer matrix to within ±0.002. The optical transmission of the composite decreased with increasing volume percentage of glass fibers. Composites con taining 30 volume percent of unidirectional 12 μm diameter fibers had a transmission at 589.3 nm of 20 percent measured through a 10 mm thickness. Composites containing 30 volume percent of 56 μm diameter fibers had an optical transmission of 45 percent. Type written text could be clearly read through the composite when it was laid directly on a printed page. Composites with 40 volume percent fiber had a flexural strength of 600 MPa which is six times greater than that of pure PMMA. The flexural modulus for the same composite was 18 MPa which is nine times greater than the 2 MPa measured for pure PMMA. The work of fracture was 110 kJ/m 2 or more than double the 45 kJ/m2 for pure PMMA. Suggestions are made for further improvements in the optical properties.
On Flow through Aligned Fiber Beds and Its Application to Composites Processing
Authors: Åström B. Tomas , Pipes R. Byron , Advani Suresh G.
Published: March 2007

In process modeling of continuous fiber composites, matrix flow through aligned fiber beds is traditionally described by Darcy's law, which relates matrix flow rate to matrix pressure gradient, matrix viscosity, and fiber bed permeability. This phenome nological relationship was originally derived for macroscopically isotropic beds of spheri cal or sphere-like particles. Hence it is necessary to establish the conditions under which this relationship may be extended to fiber beds, which are approximately transversely iso tropic. A review of previous work on steady-state Newtonian fluid flow through isotropic porous media is used as a foundation to explore the validity of extending Darcy's law to flow through beds of aligned fibers. Theoretical analyses are compared to experimental results obtained from flow through real fiber beds and ideal beds of regularly spaced cylinders. Functional relationships for flow of generalized Newtonian fluids through iso tropic sphere beds are also reviewed, and their extension to aligned fiber beds is suggested as a first order approximation. The findings are discussed in terms of the usefulness and accuracy of the reviewed and suggested flow rate-pressure drop relationships in process modeling of continuous fiber composites.
A Model for Predicting Damage in Graphite/Epoxy Laminated Composites Resulting from Low-Velocity Point Impact
Authors: Hyung Yun Choi  , Chang Fu-Kuo
Published: March 2007

An investigation was performed to study the impact damage of graphite/epoxy laminated composites caused by a low-velocity foreign object. The impact damage in terms of matrix cracking and delaminations resulting from a point-nose impac tor was the primary concern. A model was developed for predicting the initiation of the damage and the extent of the final damage as a function of material properties, laminate configuration and the impactor's mass. The model consists of a stress analysis and a failure analysis. A transient dynamic finite element analysis was adopted for calculating the stresses and strains inside the composites during impact resulting from a point-nose im pactor. Failure criteria were proposed for predicting the initial intraply matrix cracking and the size of the interface delaminations in the composites. Experiments were also per formed to verify the model and the computer simulations. The predictions agreed fairly well with the test data.
Influence of In-Plane Shear Nonlinearity on Buckling and Postbuckling Responses of Composite Plates and Shells
Authors: Hu Hsuan-Teh
Published: March 2007

Based on linear and nonlinear in-plane shear formulations for fiber- composite laminate materials, finite-element buckling analyses for composite plates under uniaxial compression and biaxial compression and for composite shells under end com pression and hydrostatic compression are presented. It has been shown that the nonlinear in-plane shear has significant influence on the buckling and postbuckling responses of composite plates and shells, specially for those with [45/-45]2S layup.
A Design-for-Manufacture Methodology for Incorporating Manufacturing Uncertainties in the Robust Design of Fibrous Laminated Composite Structures
Authors: Chao L.P. , Gandhi M.V. , Thompson B.S.
Published: March 2007

A design-for-manufacture methodology is proposed herein which incor porates manufacturing uncertainties into an optimal design algorithm for structures fabri cated with fibrous composite laminated materials. This article is the first of its kind to de velop a methodology that is focused upon addressing this crucial void in composite materials technologies because variations in the manufacturing parameters are responsible for variations in the properties of the resulting engineered macrostructure and also the principal mechanical properties of the final product. The objective function for this class of stochastic optimization problems and the corresponding probabilistic constraints, which are the kernel of the formulation, are transformed into equivalent deterministic quantities using a Taylor's series expansion and principles of probability and statistics. Although these optimization tools are well-known in the optimal design literature for monolithic materials, their application to design-for-manufacture strategies for composite materials is unique. An illustrative example involving the transient response of a laminated fibrous polymeric composite cantilevered beam demonstrates the significance of employ ing the proposed methodology for optimizing the performance characteristics of a com posite structure characterized by random parameters. The random parameters employed in this example for the fabrication of the composite laminate are ply thickness, fiber orienta tion, and fiber volume fraction.
Delamination Growth in Composite Plates Subjected to Transverse Loads
Authors: Doxsee L.E. , Rubbrecht P. , Li L. , Verpoest I. , Scholle M.
Published: March 2007

Experiments were performed to study the growth of damage in fibre rein forced cross-ply carbon/epoxy composite plates subjected to transverse loads. The plates were repeatedly loaded and unloaded, with the maximum displacements of each loading cycle greater than or equal to the previous cycle. After certain loading cycles, the extent of damage was measured by a combination of C-scanning, optical microscopy, and radiog raphy. The critical strain energy release rate for delamination growth was determined by relating the delamination area to the amount of energy dissipated by the formation of that delamination.
Thermal Conductivity of Hybrid Short Fiber Composites
Authors: Dunn M.L. , Taya M. , Hatta H. , Takei T. , Nakajima Y.
Published: March 2007

A combined analytical/experimental study has been undertaken to in vestigate the effective thermal conductivity of hybrid composite materials. The analysis utilizes the equivalent inclusion approach for steady state heat conduction (Hatta and Taya, 1986), through which the interaction between the various reinforcing phases at finite con centrations is approximated by the Mori-Tanaka (1973) mean field approach. The multiple reinforcing phases of the composite are modeled as ellipsoidal in shape and thus can simulate a wide range of microstructural geometry ranging from thin platelet to con tinuous fiber reinforcement. The case when one phase of the composite is penny-shaped microcracks is studied in detail. Multiphase composites consisting of a Kerimid matrix and Al 2O3 short fibers and Si3N4 whiskers were fabricated and after a careful study of their microstructure, their thermal conductivities were measured. Analytical predictions are shown to be in good agreement with experimental results obtained for the Al2O 3/Si3N4/ Kerimid short fiber composites.
Analysis of Interpersonal Structures in Literary Works Of Three Historical Periods
Authors: Adamopoulos John
Published: March 2007

Using factor-analytic methodology, the structure of interpersonal interaction was explored in three different historical periods approximately 1,000 years apart. Frequencies of various dyadic interactions were recorded in a sample from the Iliad, in Beowulf, and in 7he Red Badge of Courage. Results generally supported claims that interpersonal structures are universal, but also suggested the existence of an evolutionary process toward more formalized interpersonal relations.
Infant Crying and Fussing
Authors: Landau Rivka
Published: March 2007

The study investigated infants' rates of fussing and crying in five environments in the following situations: An entire observation day in the child's natural surroundings, in the presence of familiar people, when alone, and when the main caretaker was requested to elicit a smiling response from the infant. Observed were 96 male infants aged 2, 4, 7, and 11 months from urban middle and lower class, kibbutz, Bedouin, and institutional environments in their natural surroundings for the equivalent of a complete waking day. Our findings indicated that prompt reaction to most infants' cries and fussing was associated with a higher rate of these responses in everyday life and during a pleasant encounter with the mother. Rates of infants' fussing were found to be higher when alone than in presence of familiar people.
Beliefs about Memory in the Aged
Authors: Noesjirwan Jenny , Gault Una , Crawford June
Published: March 2007

Beliefs about memory in the aged were measured across two cultures (58 Sumatrans and 62 residents of Sydney, Australia) for both young (20-59 years) and old (60+) subjects. Sixteen items of common knowledge were selected and matched by back translation to measure (a) beliefs about capacity of old people to remember the items and (b) beliefs about the importance of remembering the items. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance followed by multiple univariate analyses where required. There were strong cultural differences in the items regarded as important by the cultures, with Sumatrans rating as more important items dealing with cultural personal self-sufficiency. Memory performance attributed to the old was directly related to the rated importance of items. Age differences were found for attributed memory but not for judgments of importance. The old rated their own performance as higher than that attributed to them by the young. Contrary to expectations, memory performance attributed to the old in Sumatra was lower than in Australia. The results suggest that there is a general negative stereotype concerning memory among the aged for these cultures. However, such perceived memory is highly selectivive and it is suggested that old people may indeed be more selective and choose to remember that which is defined by the culture to be important.
Children's Concepts of Death
Authors: Florian Victor , Kravetz Shlomo
Published: March 2007

The concept of death in childhood develops as a cognitive process influenced by environmental factors. A total of 337 ten-year-old children belonging to the four major religious groups in Israel filled out Smilansky's (1981) Development of Death Concept Questionnaire. The groups' responses to this questionnaire revealed differences in the degree to which they had internalized the Western scientific concept of death, with the Jewish and Christian children's responses showing more internalization of this concept than the Moslem and Druze children's responses. Interpretation of the findings based on the situational, cultural, and socialization patterns that possibly differentiate among these groups were suggested and discussed.
Romantic Jealousy and Romantic Envy
Authors: Hupka Ralph B. , Buunk Bram , Falus Gábor , Fulgosi Ante , Ortega Elsa , Swain Ronny , Tarabrina Nadia V.
Published: March 2007

Factor analyses and Procrustes rotations of the responses of 1194 female and 877 male university students in seven countries to a 69-item Likert-type questionnaire revealed cross-cultural commonalities and differences for romantic jealousy and romantic envy. However, when mean ratings of the questionnaire items were categorized as indicating agreement or disagreement with the items, the evidence for cross-cultural invariance of jealousy and envy was less impressive. The stronger cross-cultural invariance found with factor-analytic data was interpreted as evidence that the issues of concern in jealousy and envy situations are similar across nations. The weaker invariance found with the ratings of the items was taken as evidence that events arousing those issues of concern differ across nations.
Correlates of a Culture-of-Poverty Measure
Authors: Twomey Alan T. , De Lacey Philip
Published: March 2007

The notion of Lewis's culture of poverty (COP) was applied to analysis of some behavioral characteristics of Australian rural White and Aboriginal children. Aboriginal children scored higher than nearby White children on a COP Scale, were more often absent from school, and scored lower on teacher-estimated school-ability ratings and on language and classification tests. The negative relationship between COP level and language performance also applied to the White children in a somewhat similar environment. The COP hypothesis was shown to be a useful device for extending understanding of certain school-related behaviors of some low-socioeconomic minority culture children.
Stereotyping the Stereotyper a Mexican American Perspective
Authors: Casas J. Manuel , Ponterotto Joseph G. , Sweeney Michael
Published: March 2007

A total of 28 Spanish-speaking and 17 English-speaking Mexican American couples were interviewed to assess their perceptions of the stereotypes that they believed ascribed to them by Anglo-Americans. Additionally, the degree of the subjects' perceptions was examined as a function of subject gender, level of education, language spoken, and ethnic self-identification. In general, the subjects perceived the stereotypes ascribed to them by Anglo-Americans to be negative. The variable "education" was found to distinguish significantly (p < .01) subjects' perceptions of Anglo stereotypes toward Mexican Americans; with the less educated subjects perceiving themselves to be stereotyped more negatively by the larger Anglo society. Directions for future research are suggested.
Comparative Acculturation of Southeast Asian and Hispanic Immigrants and Sojourners
Authors: Wong-Rieger Durhane , Quintana Diana
Published: March 2007

The research compared the acculturation of two ethnic groups residing in Oklahoma as a function of their cultural background, permanent status, and other pre-and postmigratory factors. Four groups, Southeast Asian refugees, Hispanic immigrants, Southeast Asian sojourners, and Hispanic sojourners were administered the Multicultural Acculturation Scale. The Hispanic immigrants tended to be more assimilated than the Southeast Asian immigrants, who tended to maintain a strong ethnic orientation. Both Hispanic and Southeast Asian sojourners were biculturally oriented. All groups were more assimilated in their work and place of residence than in their friendships, daily activities, and self-identification. Ethnic networks seemed to play an important role in reducing assimilation. Hispanic sojourners seemed to be most satisfactorily adapted, and Southeast Asian immigrants, least so. For all groups, biculturalism appeared to be the most satisfactory form of acculturation, followed by assimilation and then separation.
On the Universality of Social Psychological Theories
Authors: Pepitone Albert , Triandis Harry C.
Published: March 2007

As prescribed by the culture of natural science, theories of social psychology are essentially intraindividual mechanisms or information-processing structures that, when activated by stimulus conditions, determine cognitive and behavioral responses. Such theories are conceived to operate independently of the sociocultural context in which people exist. We argue that without being connected to the biology of the organism, or to features of the ecology or social structure that are common to humankind, there is no a priori basis for assuming such theories to be universal. Further, for theories to be universal, the meaning of the stimulus conditions has to be constant across cultures, but since culture is the ultimate source of meaning, we cannot take meaning constancy for granted. On the other hand, cross-cultural variations in social behavior may be "surface" expressions of deep structure norms that are universal. Finally, we examine universalistic conceptual frameworks and models, which provide dimensions along which cultural comparisons can be made, to suggest and test general hypotheses.