bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conflicting Norms: Liturgical Procedure and the Separation of Divine Law from Human Law (England, Eleventh Century)
Authors: Boureau Alain
Published: March 2007

In this essay the author argues that it was through liturgical tradition that medieval clerics were able to claim a distinctive sphere of canonical rights. By the late eleventh century 'liturgy opened a way towards a medieval speci ficity, the attention paid to procedure, to the formal conditions required for a valid legal process'. In his study of the case of William of Saint-Calais, Bishop of Durham who was accused of treason against King William II Rufus in 1088, the author points out that the discovery of procedure by means of liturgical expressions was 'not only the consequence of a lack of a written body of procedural formulas; it derived from a monastic culture; shared by William and his opponents.
The Sight of Blood: Christ as a Delinquent in the Late Middle Ages
Authors: Groebner Valentin
Published: March 2007

What did people in the late Middle Ages see when they beheld images of the crucified Christ? In the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, representations of the tormented body of Christ were surrounded by other vivid represen tations of physical violence: scenic portrayals of the Passion in religious plays; secular executions carefully staged in a religious context and referring to justice; and forgiveness and order restored via the display of the body of the executed. Based on visual reproductions of Christ's body, all these represen tations, however, posed problems of interpretation and control: How was it possible to differentiate between the true Christ and satanic Doppelgängers and impostors?
Kalhana's Rājataranginī: A Gender Perspective1
Authors: Rangachari Devika
Published: March 2007

This is a study of the treatment of gender in the Rājatarańginī, a twelfth century chronicle of Kashmir by the poet Kalhana. The significance of this text, not just as an exemplar of the Indian historical chronicle tradition, but, more importantly, as an indicator of gender norms and notions in early medieval Kashmir is stressed. The article shows that Kalhana treats women as historically relevant figures, revealing their power and presence in the royal court culture and in the non- royal milieu. To this end, he adopts a deliberately ambiguous attitude towards women in his work whereby he repeatedly juxtaposes accounts of their influence with stereotyped comments on them. The article also stresses the indifference displayed towards the gendered aspects of the Rājatarańginī in most studies on it, thereby rendering a crucial feature of the text invisible.
Fiction versus Defamation: The Quarrel over The Romance of the Rose
Authors: Softerer Helen
Published: March 2007

Today's charges of blasphemy against Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasreen have pre-modern precedents and testify to the controversial power of fiction. This article explores the dynamics of one of the earli est European scandals over vernacular literature, The Romance of the Rose. It examines the social context of the fifteenth century Parisian court: why Christine de Pizan mounted a critique of a time-honoured romance then and there and how the local humanists, Jean de Montreuil and Gonthier Col, defended it. Their verbal struggle is an exercise in blaming, and it culminates in the accusation of blasphemy: not against the fiction, but against Christine's effort to assess the public merits of a work, in the manner of the censor in republican Rome. The article highlights two different principles in this much-studied affair: defamation and the sovereignty or majesty of fiction.
Antiretroviral Treatment in Resource-limited Settings
Authors: Pontali Emanuele , Vareldzis Basil , Perriens Jos , Narain Jai P.
Published: March 2007

The number of people affected by HIV is bound to increase all over the world, including Asia. This will require an additional effort to cope with the needs of those infected Provision of care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS and to their families will become crucial in decreasing the burden on families and on communities, and consequently on the most affected countries. Provision of care will progressively include the use of antiretrovirals even in resource-limited settings, with support provided by local political commitment and by donors. Therefore, it is necessary that these drugs be properly and rationally used. In this regard the WHO—at all levels— continues to advocate for a larger access toAR Vs and to provide the necessary support to member countries for implementing HIV/AIDS care programmes that include the use of antiretrovirals.
Improving Distance Learning of Midwives in Indonesia
Authors: Iswandi Evodia A.
Published: March 2007

A nalysis of data from West Java, Indonesia, from 25 community midwives who par ticipated in a distance learning programme in 1996 and 35 community midwives who did not participate showed that the distance learning trained community mid wives demonstrated significantly better knowledge than the untrained community midwives with a difference of the mean knowledge scores of 24.5 (p < 0.001). In con trast, the mean total skills score of the untrained community midwives (65.5) was slightly higher than the distance learning trained community midwives (63.8), but this difference was not statistically significant. Even when the analysis was restricted to midwives with two years experience, no difference in mean total skills scores was observed. However, the mean total skills score of the untrained community midwives dropped from 65.5 to 62.8, and for the distance learning trained community mid wives it increased from 63.8 to 64.8. The average number of deliveries were signi ficantly higher for the untrained community midwives (6.0) in comparison to this distance learning trained community midwives (3.0 p < 0.001). Some suggestions are given to improve quality of training and programme management, based on the fundings.
Post-Seattle Environment: Developing Countries at the Crossroads
Authors: Kumar Mehta Pradeep
Published: March 2007

The recent failure of the Seattle ministerial conference has raised several questions on the future of the global trading environ ment and the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in it. A large segment of the global population desires a moratorium on the newer issues to be brought under the WTO while the developed world is all for strengthening and widening the WTO's activities. The developing countries (DCs), in particular, have expressed wide-ranging apprehensions regarding the function ing of the WTO. It is in this context that the present article examines the factors contributing to the Seattle failure and its consequences. It suggests a three-forked strategy for the DCs in the course of the forthcoming ministerial conference and thereafter. The strategy includes exposing weaknesses and drawbacks of the Uruguay round agreements; highlighting protec tionist behaviour of the developed world and continuing with their fight against the non-trade related issues. Unite or perish will be the ultimate mantra for the DCs' success in the global negotiations.
Marketing Control and Export Success: An Exploratory Study of Exporting Firms in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Ogunmokun Gabriel , Li Ling-yee
Published: March 2007

This paper provides the results of an exploratory study that examined whether there are significant differ ences between the levels of strategic marketing-mix control practised by exporting firms when they were successful in their export ventures versus when they were unsuccessful. The study found that export success is significantly related to the extent to which the home office managers control marketing-mix activities in their foreign export markets.
THE FORBIDDEN ZONE
Authors: Nielsen Jan Toftegaard
Published: March 2007

This article presents results from the first sports-specific sexual abuse study in Denmark. The aim of the study was to focus on the interpersonal relations between coaches and athletes and establish if and where boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable coach behaviour could be drawn. Furthermore it wanted to cast light on the process and types of behaviour expected to lead to sexual abuse. It should be emphasized that, in order to describe the attitudes and experiences of various kinds of coach behaviour, samples among both athletes and coaches have been used. Findings show a divergence in the way coaches and athletes respectively perceive and experience interactions of an instructional and non-instructional nature. The results of the questionnaire among athletes showed that 2 percent of athletes ( N=3) were survivors of sexual abuse within sport. A considerable proportion of athletes reported that they had experienced various types of inappropriate coach behaviour during their sports careers. The second questionnaire, representing coaches at recreational through to elite sports level, revealed a widespread ignorance of legal regulations governing this area and documented that coaches had lax attitudes towards being intimate with athletes: 3 percent of coaches ( N=6) openly admitted that they had been intimately involved with athletes under 18 years. The results of this study reinforce and support the grooming process theory earlier set out in social work research, and emphasize risk factors. They also raise possible strategies for prevention which could be of particular relevance to the Danish sports context.
Increasing Enginering Student Participation in Study Abroad: A Study of U.S. and European Programs
Authors: Klahr Sabine C. , Ratti Umberto
Published: March 2007

It is generally assumed that undergraduate students in any major benefit significantly from study abroad, with respect to personal, academic, and pre-professional development. For students in all professional programs, and for engineering students in particular, it has become increasingly important to acquire global competency. As nations become more economically interdependent, the engineering profession increasingly involves international bids and projects, demands interaction with international colleagues because of rapid advances in technological developments, and requires engineers to gain an awareness of world events and the global economy as well as acquire intercultural under-standing. However, engineering graduates generally do not have the necessary skills to work in an international environment, as few engineering students gain international experience by either studying or interning abroad as part of their education. Engineering students encounter a number of barriers preventing them from taking advantage of international study. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of and compare the types of initiatives in the United States and Europe designed to increase the numbers of engineering students participating in international study, and to present recommendations to remove the barers to study abroad encountered by engineering students. The authors are aware that international experience as part of an engineering undergraduate education is a matter of great concern, and that a number of actions are being implemented to facilitate increased mobility. This paper contributes to these current and future initiatives.
Monitoring the Quality and Progress of Internationalization
Authors: Knight Jane
Published: March 2007

This article emphasizes the importance of monitoring and evaluating internationalization initiatives and introduces some preliminary measures to track the progress and quality of different elements and strategies of internationalization. It examines the notions of quality and quality assessment as they relate to internationalization. The concept of internationalization tracking measures is introduced as one approach that institutions can consider to monitor and review their internationalization strategies. A framework and an example of draft tracking measures are put forward for discussion and testing. These measures are still a work in progress. They need to be pilot tested, analyzed, and refined. Institutions need to think about developing a series of tracking measures that are relevant and useful to their own priorities and stage of development. Some of the proposed tracking measures will be more useful than others. Additional tracking measures will need to be developed.
Studies in International Education: A Research Perspective
Authors: de Wit Hans
Published: March 2007

This article seeks to place studies in international education " within the broader context of educational science, and to contribute to the improvement of the theoretical basis of analysis and research methods of international education.

Recognition of international education " as a special research area is, given its growing importance in practice and in research, inevitable and necessary. The Journal of Studies in International Education can play a role in establishing it as a means of communication and dissemination between researchers and practitioners. The start of the Journal is a marking point, not only because of its scholarly and global perspective, hut also because of its ability to position the study of international education in a specific place and platform within the broad field of educational research.
Internationaliasation of Undergraduate Education: The UTS Initatitve
Authors: Brill Rhondda
Published: March 2007

Rapid change, challenging world issues, cultural diversity international trade and improved telecommunications are just some of the forces driving universities to internationalise undergraduate education. Graduates of the future will need not only the knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional or practical fields but also a range of competencies which enable them to operate effective/v across cultures in an interdependent world. The University of Technology, Sydney has responded to the demand for internationalisation with the development of a combined degree model which allows undergraduates to undertake a professional degree program in conjunction with an International Studies Program. The components of the International Studies Program allow students to study the language, learn about the society and experience living and studying in the country or region of their major The design of the International Studies Program addresses many of the issues raised in the international education literature.
Modeling Preparatory Commitment and Non-repeatable Decisions
Authors: Morgan Stephen L.
Published: March 2007

For many decisions with uncertain outcomes, prior preparation determines the payoffs received following choices. The payoff to an investment in human capital, for example, is a function of the ability to benefit from the course of training undertaken, and this ability is at least partly a function of one's self-regulated prior preparation. How should we use rational choice theory to model a goal-directed individual's preparatory commitment toward a consequential future decision if we cannot assume that preferences are fixed, that individuals engage in perfect information-processing, and that their expectations obey statistical decision theory? Introducing the concept of prefigurative commitment while invoking a stochastic decision tree for forecasts of future behavior, I show how a bounded rationality information-processing and evaluation mechanism generates courses of preparatory commitment decisions that differ from those that would result from strict adherence to orthodox decision theory. Throughout the development of the model, I discuss how the stochastic decision-tree framework can enhance sociological models of educational attainment.
Walking out of Social Traps
Authors: MACY MICHAEL W.
Published: March 2007

Theoretical and experimental studies of the iterated Prisoner's Dilemma have yielded a central insight into the logic of cooperation: the principle of reciprocity. However, previous models, based on either rational-actor or evolutionary processes of optimization, entail unduly restrictive assumptions. This essay proposes a behavioral alternative in which reciprocity is interpreted as operant conditioning - rewarding cooperation and punishing defection. The proposed stochastic learning model shows how players with no grasp of the structure of their relationship can escape social traps via random walk. Insights drawn from the two-person problem are then extended to multilateral encounters.
Rational Organization
Authors: COLEMAN JAMES S.
Published: March 2007

The theory of formal organization has been burdened, particularly in sociology, by a conceptual flaw deriving from Max Weber's theory of bureaucracy. Weber's assumption that the functional rationality of an organization is achieved by a structurally rationalized authority system is shown to be incorrect through the use of a number of examples. Principles for the design of a functionally rational organization are specified in the concluding section of the article.
The Rational Choice Perspective
Authors: SMELSER NEIL J.
Published: March 2007

This essay attempts a theoretical assessment of the rational choice perspective, a central tenet in economics that has received wide application in recent decades in the other behavioral and social sciences. The analysis proceeds by several steps: (a) a specification of the historical contexts (economic, political, and ideological) of the rise and consolidation of the perspective in economics, (b) a description of the theoretical essentials of the perspective, (c) an outline of the major theoretical objections and criticisms of the perspective, (d) an identification of the major responses to the criticisms on the part of economists and others, including orthodox defense, aggrandizement, qualification, and theoretical extension and refinement, and (e) a concluding assessment of these several trends, which advances the proposition that rational choice theory—like psychoanalysis, Marxism, and funtional analysis—has experienced a kind of theoretical degeneration.
The Rationality of Everyday Behavior
Authors: ESSER HARTMUT
Published: March 2007

This article argues that Alfred Schütz, one of the founders of the interpretative paradigm in sociology, developed a theory of action whose basic structure is compatible with subjective expected utility theory (i.e., a specific variant of rational choice theory. Alfred Schütz's view with respect to the characteristics of everyday action—the individual orientation toward routines and structures of relevance—is modeled in terms of subjective expected utility theory. In this perspective, these characteristics appear as the result of an action-preceding rational choice in the process of the cognition of situations, under the conditions of bounded rationality.
POLITICAL ACTION VERSUS VOLUNTARISM IN SOCIAL DILEMMAS AND AID FOR THE NEEDY
Authors: Baron Jonathan
Published: March 2007

Concerned citizens have two responses to situations that require sacrifice for the greater good, such as social dilemmas or provision of aid for the needy. One is voluntary sacrifice. The other is to take political action, in order to change the rules so that others will sacrifice in the same way. For a somewhat selfish and rational utilitarian, under specified assumptions, I show that political action is sometimes worthwhile and superior to voluntarism. This situation is more likely to obtain when the actor is moderately selfish (as opposed to being totally selfish or unselfish), and when: cost of political action is low; cost of cooperation is high; the situation involves aid for the needy and the proportion of potential beneficiaries is large; variability in willingness to cooperate is low; some people are already cooperating, but not too many; or the benefit/cost ratio of contributing increases with the number of contributors.
THE IMPACT OF GENERAL ATTITUDE ON DECISIONS
Authors: Bamberg Sebastian , Kühnel Steffen M. , Schmidt Peter
Published: March 2007

In this paper, a two-step model of human decisions is formulated and tested. In the first step, a frame becomes active that determines both the feasible set of alternatives and the criteria that are used to choose an alternative. In the second step, these criteria are applied to select a specific alternative. Our model enables the integration of psychological attitude research within the rational-choice approach. General attitudes affect frame setting, but they have no direct effect on the choice of an alternative. The two-step model is supported by empirical data. In a panel study it could be demonstrated that two different frames are active within a sample of students that determine their travel decisions of their ways from home to university. The general attitude toward travel policies influence the frames. Environmental aspects are salient within one frame but not within the other one.
Adapting a Measure of Acculturation for Cross-Cultural Research
Authors: Cruz Felicitas A. Dela , Padilla Geraldine V. , Agustin Elaine O.
Published: March 2007

Although Filipino Americans are projected to become the largest Asian American ethnic group in this millennium, no acculturation measure existed for this group. This article describes a systematic and replicable process used in adapting and modifying A Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (ASASH) for use with Filipino Americans. It depicts the multiple and iterative steps of translation and back translation to produce A Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans (ASASFA) in English and in Tagalog—the Philippine national language. Also, it describes the methods undertaken for the measures to achieve linguistic and cross-cultural validity through content, technical, experiential, semantic, and conceptual equivalence. With the dearth of linguistically and culturally valid measures for immigrant populations, the adaptation of valid measures developed for other cultures remains a viable option.
Developing Cultural Competence in the Baccalaureate Nursing Student: A Population-Based Project with the Hutterites
Authors: Fahrenwald Nancy L. , Boysen Roxann , Fischer Cheryl , Maurer Rebecca
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this article is to articulate the process of educating baccalaureate students to apply culturally competent, population-based nursing care to the Hutterites. The Hutterites are a German dialect-speaking, ethnoreligious population. Campinha-Bacote’s culturally competent model guided the student learning process. Groups of students developed culture-specific, population-based assessment models to identify the health-related needs of the Hutterites. One example of a Hutterite health assessment model that was derived from Dever’s epidemiologic model and Purnell and Paulanka’s model for cultural competence is presented. Priority health needs of Hutterite colonies are described, and examples of health programs are given. Recommendations for working with the Hutterite population as part of an undergraduate public health nursing course are put forth. The culturally congruent process of teaching and learning for nursing students can be applied to other health-related professions and adapted to other cultural contexts.
Pica: Sorting it out
Authors: Boyle Joyceen S. , Mackey Marlene C.
Published: March 2007

Pica, a culture-bound illness, has occurred for centuries. The ingestion of nonfood substances such as starch, cornstarch, clay, dirt, and other material is fairly common, although the distribution of the condition varies by cultural and socioeconomic factors. The underlying cause of pica is not known, although the condition often is associated with pregnancy. There is conflicting evidence about the association of nutrient deficiencies and pica. This article presents a clinical example of pica in a pregnant 33-year-old African American woman. Implications for culturally appropriate care are discussed.
Prior Offense Type and the Probability of Incarceration
Authors: VIGORITA MICHAEL S.
Published: March 2007

Although prior record has consistently been shown to be a significant factor in the decision to incarcerate, little attention has been paid to the multidimensional nature of prior record and how the importance given to these dimensions by judges vary in relation to the current offense type and sentencing jurisdiction. This article first examines the multidimensional nature of prior record, revealing dimensions related to risk and stakes as measured by prior offense type, aggregate prior events, and prior disposition. The analysis then demonstrates how the effects of these dimensions and other variables are dependent on the current offense type and sentencing jurisdiction. Methodological, theoretical, and political implications are discussed.
Drug Traffickers as Social Bandits
Authors: EDBERG MARK C.
Published: March 2007

This article discusses ethnographic/qualitative research concerning the ways in which drug trafficking and drug traffickers are portrayed and interpreted in northern Mexico and the border region via a recently popularized form of the traditional narrative music genre called the corrido. The research links the drug trafficker persona to historical issues/values associated with the Sierra and border areas, including long-standing patterns of smuggling, a tradition of independence, and conflicting relationships with both Mexican and U.S. authorities. The construction of traffickers as social bandits or heroes varies by social group and between rural and urban areas. In any case, the “celebretization” of drug traffickers described in this article highlights the ambivalent relationship between drug trafficking, historical conflicts between the United States and Mexico, and socioeconomic and cultural factors. Cross-cultural comparisons are also made regarding drug trafficker portrayals in the United States.
Fine Tuning Social Control: Electronic Monitoring and Surrogate Homes for Drug Using Parolees
Authors: Williams Frank P. , Shichor David , Wiggenhorn Allan H.
Published: March 2007

The concept of surrogate homes shows promise in overcoming some of the reliability and validity problems of electronic monitoring. Not only is there the capability of double-checking potentially spurious electronic signals, but the surrogate home family can provide information on the activity of the parolee as well. Because of the active participation of surrogate home members in the PATH program, technical and equipment problems were greatly decreased. Initial results from the PATH program suggest that the combination of monitoring and surrogate homes may even be effective for drug-using parole violators, a category of offender with notoriously high recidivism rates.
Inquisitive Cops, Investigative Stops and Drug Courier Hops: Returning to the Scene of the Crime
Authors: Robin Gerald D.
Published: March 2007

This article presents an integrated overview and commentary on the constitutional, sociological and programatic issues and developments germane to nabbing drug couriers through the two principal mechanisms which do not primarily rely on chance observation, prior information ("intelligence") or unembellished discretion: drug courier profile stops and bus sweeps. Attention is also given to "voluntary encounters" with drug courier suspects and to "consent searches." The article focuses on the employment of profiles in their main settings (airports, bus stations, on the highway), the underlying rationale bridging the Supreme Court's line of opinions on the topic, the key concepts and tenets which are central to forging legal doctrine facilitating investigatory encounters, and the status of (non-profile) suspicionless police contacts with passengers as a means for screening drug carriers.
Hong Kong After 1997: Transnational Organized Crime in a Shrinking World
Authors: Dombrink John , Song John Huey-Long
Published: March 2007

This paper examines the transnational nature of organized crime in Hong Kong and its impact on other countries under the forthcoming reversion of Hong Kong to China in 1997. The "push" and "pull" factors are offered to explain the dilemma tnads and organized crime in Hong Kong are faced in determining whether they will stay or leave. The speculation that Chinese Triads and organized crime will fill the same role as traditional organized crime in the United States is disputed.
Criminal Profiling
Authors: COOK PATRICK E. , HINMAN DAYLE L.
Published: March 2007

Criminal profiling is a useful investigative technique that combines art and science. This article provides a brief overview of profiling that includes discussions of definitions of profiling, the training and expertise necessary to do profiling, how profiling can be helpful in criminal investigations, the types of crimes that lend themselves to profiling, and the profiling process. The current scientific status of profiling is reviewed, and suggestions are made for future research establishing the reliability and validity of the technique, and updating and expanding the database from which the behavioral analyses in profiling are deduced.
Cazuelas
Authors: O'DAY PATRICK , VENECIA REX
Published: March 2007

The mosaic of Mexican organized crime is incredibly complex, with layers of criminal elements combining with different governmental jurisdictions in a multitude of ways to achieve economies of scale and thereby maximize the efficiency of the criminal enterprise. To reduce the problem to a manageable size, one particular community is studied in depth to understand more clearly not only the dynamics of police-criminal interaction, but also to put in relief the tensions within an organized crime family and the problems that can arise from it. In addition, the recapitalization of what had been a dying community is assessed to shed light on what could be positive aspects of the drug trade. It is hoped that such a microanalysis will be useful for policing on both sides of the border, as well as for future macroeconomic research.
The Dynamics of Helical Shape Memory Actuators
Authors: Baz A. , Iman K. , Mccoy J.
Published: March 2007

This paper presents an experimental and theoretical study of the dynamic and thermal characteristics of SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY (SMA) actuators. The actua tors are made of a NIckel-TItanium (NITINOL) wires formed in the shape of helical coils that are capable of generating large deflections when subjected to low voltage excitations. The deflections produced are accompanied by significant forces resulting from the unique phase transformation of the NITINOL alloy as it is heated past its transition temperature.
Exploitation of Chaos for Active Control: An Experiment
Authors: Spano M.L. , Ditto W.L. , Rauseo S.N.
Published: March 2007

We have implemented a control scheme to exploit chaotic behavior in a physical system. The method of control requires only small time-dependent perturbations of a single system parameter and does not require model equations for the dynamics. We have demonstrated the power of the method by controlling an experimental chaotic system around unstable periodic orbits and exploiting the underlying chaos to switch the motion between these orbits at will. The robustness of the method is tested by adding white noise to our experimental system during control to obtain information on the effect of noise on control failures.
The Stress Driven "Rearrangement" Instability in Crystalline Films
Authors: Grinfeld Michael A.
Published: March 2007

It has been demonstrated that, in the absence of surface tension, a flat boundary of non-hydrostatically stressed elastic solids is always unstable with respect to "mass rearrangement". Specific mechanisms of the rearrangement can be different, for instance: (a) melting-freezing or vaporization-sublimation processes at liquid-solid or vapor-solid phase boundaries, (b) surface dif fusion of particles along free or interface boundaries, and (c) adsorption-desorption of atoms in epi taxial crystal growth. In this paper, the role of this instability in the problems of epitaxy is discussed; in particular, the new opportunities delivered by this instability are considered for realistic explana tion of the recently discovered phenomena of dislocation-free Stranski-Krastanow pattern of epitax ial growth. These phenomena cannot be interpreted in the framework of traditional viewpoints, since, according to the classical theory, the Stranski-Krastanow pattern develops as the result of pro liferation of misfit dislocations appearing at the interface "crystalline film-substrate".
Approximation Methods for Control of Structural Acoustics Models with Piezoceramic Actuators
Authors: Banks H.T. , Fang W. , Silcox R.J. , Smith R.C.
Published: March 2007

The active control of acoustic pressure in a 2-D cavity with a flexible boundary (a beam) is considered. Specifically, this control is implemented via piezoceramic patches on the beam which produce pure bending moments. The incorporation of the feedback control in this manner leads to a system with an unbounded input term. Approximation methods in the context of an LQR state space formulation are discussed and numerical results demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach in computing feedback controls for noise reduction are presented.
ER Fluid Applications to Vibration Control Devices and an Adaptive Neural-Net Controller
Authors: Morishita Shin , Ura Tamaki
Published: March 2007

This article describes several applications of electro-rheological (ER) fluid to vibra tion control actuators and an adaptive neural-net control system suitable for the controller of ER ac tuators. ER fluid is a kind of colloidal suspension, and has a notable characteristic feature in that its apparent viscosity can be controlled in response to applied electric field strength. Viscosity can be varied in a wide range and the response time is very short, as short as several milliseconds. Accord ing to previous studies, one promising application is a controllable damper. In the present article, four applications are proposed: a shock absorber system for automobiles, a squeeze film damper bearing for rotational machines, a dynamic damper for multi-degree-of-freedom structures and a vibration isolator. Furthermore, an adaptive neural-net control system, composed of a forward model network for structural identification and a controller network, was introduced for the control system of these ER actuators. As an example study of intelligent vibration control systems, an experi ment was conducted in which the ER dynamic damper was attached to a beam structure and con trolled by the present neural-net controller so that the vibration in several modes of the beam was reduced with a single dynamic damper.
Stress Reduction in an Isotropic Plate with a Hole by Applied Induced Strains
Authors: Sensharma Pradeep K. , Palantera Markku J. , Haftka Raphael T.
Published: March 2007

Recently there has been much interest in adaptive structures that can respond to a varying environment by changing their properties. Shape memory alloys and piezoelectric materials can be used as induced strain actuators to reduce stresses in the regions of stress concentration. The objective of our work was to find the maximum possible reduction in the stress concentration factor in anisotropic plate with a hole by applying induced strains in a small area near the hole.
Design and Implementation of an Associative Memory with Smart Pixels
Authors: Yu T.C.B. , Mears R.J.
Published: March 2007

A unipolar binary bidirectional associative memory (UBBAM) has been designed to associate input and output vectors in a manner of a content addressable memory. The neural network thus formed does not require inhibitory neurons and is well suited for optoelectronic implementa tion. The performance of the UBBAM has been shown to match that of the original BAM. The key device in the implementation of the UBBAM is a Smart Advanced Spatial Light Modulator (SASLM1), a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FELC) SLM driven by a silicon CMOS backplane. The smart pixel of the SASLM serves as a local processing unit which sets the state of its FELC modula tor according to some function of the optical signals incident upon the pixel's photodetector. The ac tion of each smart pixel is hence akin to a neuron's soma, and a matrix of such smart pixels therefore forms a powerful parallel processing hardware, significant in representing neuron fields, in real time, with minimal off-chip control and processing. The UBBAM model, the SASLM1 smart pixels and a proposed optical system will be described in this paper.
Piezoelectric Crystal vs Point Force Excitation of Beams and Plates
Authors: Xia Pan  , Hansen Colin H.
Published: March 2007

A point force equivalent to a pair of piezo actuators on a beam or plate has been ex pressed in terms of the ratio of applied moment to applied force which has been called an "equiva lence ratio". This ratio may be calculated on the basis of equal induced r.m.s. beam or plate displace ment amplitude or on the basis of equal power transmission at some axial location x downstream of the actuators. Over a large range of actuator sizes, locations and excitation frequencies, it has been shown that the power transmission equivalence ratio is a constant for any x, and the displacement equivalence ratio is independent of location x if x is in the far field of the source. Therefore, it is pos sible to simulate the far field vibration produced by a pair of piezoelectric crystals, attached in the same location on opposite surfaces of a rectangular section beam or plate, with a single applied force.
Conducting Polymers: Properties and Applications
Authors: Unsworth Joe , Conn Costa , Zheshi Jin  , Kaynak Akif , Ediriweera Rohana , Innis Peter , Booth Norman
Published: March 2007

There are over 100 conducting polymers which have been synthesised by chemists with a wide range of specific electrical conductivities. Many of these polymers are suitable for elec tronic device fabrication. Semi-conducting and conducting polymers have potential for application in several areas. In this paper electronic and microwave properties are explored. Fabrication of elec tronic and microwave devices can be achieved with these special polymers which are not possible with say silicon or gallium arsenide. Wide area flexible electronic junctions can be fabricated. Polymers have low density, hence conductivity to weight ratio can be higher than metals. Optical transparency together with electrical conduction has been achieved.

This article presents an overview of the results of investigations undertaken within the Centre for Materials Technology (CMT) in this area over the past 4 years. This includes work on monomer and polymer synthesis, molecular structure-property relationships, electromagnetic shielding, thermal, optical and junction properties.
Children’s Learning Groups
Authors: Yamaguchi Ryoko
Published: March 2007

This study explores the importance of the group context in the emergence of leadership, dominance, and group effectiveness in children’s cooperative learning groups. Using achievement goal orientation as a framework, six groups performed a math task under a mastery condition, whereas four groups performed a math task under a performance condition. Under the performance condition, group members exhibited more dominance and negative behaviors, whereas under the mastery condition, group members exhibited more leadership and positive behaviors. Also, under the performance condition, groups were not as effective in cooperatively completing the math task because of negative communication, member dissonance, and isolation, whereas under the mastery condition, groups were more effective, demonstrating positive communication, group cohesion, and a shared responsibility in completing the math task. Implications for classroom practice are discussed.
The Effects of a Group-Based Social Support Intervention on Cardiovascular Reactivity
Authors: Anthony Jennifer L. , O’Brien William H.
Published: March 2007

This study examined the affect of social support intervention on decreasing psychological and physiological stress. Fifty-seven college students, who scored below the median on functional, structural, and satisfaction measures of social support, were recruited. They were randomly assigned to a social support intervention group or a wait-list control group. The social support treatment condition consisted of 1-hour sessions designed to increase levels of structural and functional support. Participants completed self-report inventories measuring daily stress, physical symptoms, depression, anxiety, and social support both prior to and after treatment. After, participants participated in a laboratory-based psychophysiological assessment that measured their cardiovascular reactivity to a social stressor. Results did not suggest the beneficial effects of a social support intervention on physiological and psychological stress. Both groups showed improvement on most measures. The possible reasons for this are length and content of the intervention, the selection criteria of participants, and group process variables.
Laboratory Design and Group Process as Determinants of the Outcome of Sensitivity Training
Authors: Smith Peter B.
Published: March 2007

A study of 10 British and American sensitivity training workshops is reported. Outcome was assessed in terms of reported self-benefit and in terms of benefit to one's relations with others not present, using an own-control design. Data concerning the design and conduct of the workshops were gathered from the trainers. Maximal gain on the own benefit criterion was found when the principal learning group in the workshop focused on sharing feelings arising from life and past experiences, whereas subsidiary groupings used structured exercises. In contrast, gain on the relationship benefit criterion was greatest when sessions were less differentiated and when the trainers interpreted or clarified what was taking place. It is proposed that these differing patterns of change occur because they embody separate models of workshop learning processes. The pattern maximizing own benefit entails a splitting between a warm and intimate group and a setting in which one works in a more structured manner. The pattern maximizing relationship benefit integrates experiences within different parts of the workshop and thus makes it easier for the trainee to utilize what is gained in settings outside the workshop.
The Interaction of Leader and Member Characteristics in the Leader-Member Exchange (Lmx) Model of Leadership
Authors: Mcclane William E.
Published: March 2007

In this study, the interaction of leader and member characteristics is explored for its impact on the leader-member relationship. Some support was found for the importance of the interaction of leader and member characteristics: leaders with high needfor power accorded more negotiating latitude to members with high need for power, whereas leaders with low power motive accorded more negotiating latitude to members with low need for power. By contrast, no support was fou nd for the hypothesized interactive effects of leader and member genider, need for achievement, least preferred co-worker, or locus of control on member negotiating latitude. Thiese results suggest that leader-member "fit" may be defined primarily on the basis of congruence between the leader and member in how they use power and influence.
Recognition of Expertise in Decision-Making Groups
Authors: Littlepage Glenn E. , Silbiger Holly
Published: March 2007

Two studies examined the effects of group size and participation requirements on group performance, expertise, and recognition of group expertise. In Study 1, 324 college students were assigned to work units of 1, 2, 5, or 10 persons. They answered a 20-item multiplechoice quiz covering a variety of topics and assigned point values to items to reflect confidence in the answer. Dependent variables were an overall performance score that reflected point values assigned to correct items, number of correct items (expertise), and percentage of possible points given the number of correct items (recognition of group expertise). Results indicate that all three dependent variables were increased by group size. In Study 2, 216 subjects were assigned to 2-or 10-person groups that used procedures to equalize participation. Results suggest that the procedures affected participation patterns in 10-person groups but did notaffectperformance measures. Skewedparticipation patterns that are typical of moderately sized or large groups did not inhibit performance or recognition of group expertise. Findings of both studies suggest that recognition of expertise is an important component of group performance and that it is augmented by group size.
The Influence of Task Type and Designated Leaders on Developmental Patterns in Groups
Authors: Wheelan Susan A. , Kaeser Robert M.
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this research was to explore developmental patterns in groups with and withoutformal leaders and with different tasks. Six groups operating within a group relations conference participated in the study. In general, the groups were found to be more alike than diferent in tenms of developmentalpatterms across or within sessions. Where differences did occur group duration, rather than task type orthe presence orabsence of designated leaders, seemed to accountfor those diferences.
Examining the Relationship Between Listening Effectiveness and Leadership Emergence
Authors: Johnson Scott D. , Bechler Curt
Published: March 2007

This study examined the relationship between listening effectiveness and leadership emergence in the task-oriented small group. Subjects were 51 undergraduate students in lO classroom groups assigned as zero-history, leaderless work groups. The groups met together for 12 weeks prior to participating in the study. Groups were videotaped conducting a decisionmaking discussion, and members later completed a recall instrument, a listeningperceptions instrument, and a leadership-perceptions instrument. Three sets of coders viewed the taped discussions and coded listening effectiveness, leadership behavior, and recall. Results show strong, positive relationships among all variables except recall, indicating that emergent leaders typically display more effective listening skills than the other members.
Microsimulators in Medical Education: An Overview
Authors: Christensen Ulrik Juul , Heffernan Drew , Barach Paul
Published: March 2007

Four types of educational simulators are available for medical education: simple (part task) and complex microsimulators, and simple and complex macrosimulators (full-scale simulators). There has been a tendency to see full-scale simulators as the ideal solution for all educational simulation needs. However, each of the above groups has different strengths and weaknesses in achieving educational goals. Microsimulators are a complementary tool to full-scale macrosimulators. Their role in medical education will become increasingly important because it is now possible to make intelligent, autonomous microsimulators. Using a combination of microsimulators and macrosimulators will allow a wide range of cognitive and behavioral skills to be addressed. The development of microsimulators should—as soon as the realism is sufficient—focus on the intelligent, educational feedback in the debriefing. This challenge for microsimulators may become their greatest asset in medical education.
Promoting Strategic Competence: What Simulations Can Do for You
Authors: Saliés Tânia Gastão
Published: March 2007

This article integrates major outcomes of a simulation-based approach to teaching foreign language and links it to learners’attainment of strategic competence. According to existing research, curricula inspired by the approach seem to promote favorable conditions for language acquisition. If language teachers design simulations that help learners to assess the characteristics of the language situation, set communicative goals, plan responses, and control the execution of their plans, they help learners to become strategically competent and pave the way to communicative competence.