bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenging Ethnocentric Explanations of Domestic Violence
Authors: CRICHTON-HILL YVONNE
Published: March 2007

Theories describing domestic violence toward women are predominantly ethnocentric in that they are largely based on western notions of family and family life. Invariably, strategies responding to domestic violence are also based on values that are reflective of their cultural origin. The Duluth power and control wheel, a model that has been adopted universally as a tractable strategy for managing male aggression, is identified as having significant gaps within the analysis when reviewed from a Samoan perspective. This article provides a critique of the Duluth model and explores the knowledge requirements for social workers working with Samoan women who have been abused by Samoan men. Suggestions for working with Samoan women and their communities are offered at the service, legal, and educational levels. This article argues that further research is required to ascertain the nature of domestic violence for Samoan women in New Zealand and more work is required with Samoan communities to determine the nature of service provision. It further argues that a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence as well as an understanding of the unique dynamics of Samoan culture are necessary.
Race and Ethnicity Assessment in Baseball Card Markets
Authors: Fort Rodney , Gill Andrew
Published: March 2007

There is a growing literature investigating fan discrimination revealed in markets for sports memorabilia. Such estimates miss the mark for two reasons. First, simply measuring race as a binary variable may be less insightful than an alternative measure. Second, although it is the race perceptions of market participants that matter, past studies rely exclusively on researcher race/ethnicity assessment. The authors provide an estimation framework using continuous, market participant reports of race/ethnicity. The results show that past race/ethnicity results in card markets suffer from errors in variables and that continuous, market participant reports of race/ethnicity provide (carefully defined) "better" estimation results. The authors find that race/ethnicity matters and in a way is consistent with a model of statistical discrimination by those baseball fans who trade in the card market. The discrimination is against Black and Hispanic hitters and Black pitchers but not against Hispanic pitchers.
Quality of Care, Nurse Staffing, and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Sochalski Julie
Published: March 2007

Widespread reports of declining levels of quality of care and patient safety in hospitals, an escalation in calls for legislation mandating minimum nurse staffing ratios, and growing levels of nurse burnout and a looming nursing shortage have focused attention on the working conditions that nurses face and their implications for patient outcomes. This article reports on the preliminary results of an international study on how nurse staffing levels and the nursing practice environment affect the quality of care and patient outcomes in hospitals. Surveys of staff nurses working in acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania reveal that one out of every five staff nurses reported the quality of care on their unit as fair or poor. Workload played a role in these quality assessments, but it was the consequences of workload, such as the reports of unfinished nursing at the end of the last shift and the frequency of adverse events among patients, that played a much more prominent role.
Educational Model of Community Partnerships for Health Promotion
Authors: Ravella Patricia C. , Thompson Linda S.
Published: March 2007

The efficacy of the community partnership model is well supported in the literature. The university system affords the appropriate infrastructure for successful educational partnerships within culturally diverse communities. This proposed model has global implications. By creating a new cadre of professional and paraprofessional family health care providers, it provides a viable process for resolving the current nursing shortage and simultaneously meeting the goals of Healthy People 2010. The sharing of academic expertise and resources empowers individual community members to improve the quality of health care decisions for themselves and their families while promoting the necessary leadership skills required to significantly affect policy changes. Evaluating this model through a formalized process will add to the existing body of literature documenting the value of specific interventions and ultimately facilitate policy changes for the new millennium.
Community-Based Nursing Centers: Challenges and Opportunities in Implementation and Sustainability
Authors: Oros Marla , Johantgen Meg , Antol Susan , Heller Barbara R. , Ravella Patricia
Published: March 2007

The development and sustainability of a nursing center within the chaotic health care system of the last decade has required skill, experience, commitment, and the willingness to be flexible and responsive to the changing environment. The University of Maryland School of Nursing has been successful over the last several years in the development of Open Gates Health Center, a storefront clinic in inner-city Baltimore. Valuable lessons are shared that can support the development of new centers and the enhancement of existing ones. As nursing centers mature into the mainstream health care delivery system, they must maintain the capacity to preserve their fundamental commitment to meeting community needs. To better position themselves, nursing centers must demonstrate that they provide comprehensive quality health care in an efficient and effective manner. Moreover, nurse practitioners must work to be on the panels of both medical assistance and commercial health maintenance organizations to secure reimbursement for their services.
Coating Base for Synthetic Leather Manufacture*
Authors: Von Langinthal W. , Sinn G.
Published: March 2007

Bonded fabrics are a reasonable substitute tor leather because, like leather they give good isotropic performance, good tear strength, and stitch tear resistance. The web required for making synthetic leather based on bonded fabrics is made from five denier fibers The base material may be coated with either PVC or urethane coating, using the transfer process. While most of the synthetic leathers used today are used by the shoe industry, it may be expected that there will be a great increase in the garment and fancy leather goods industries.
Fabric Properties Relevant To Artificial Leatherlike Materials
Authors: Newton Alan
Published: March 2007

Textile fabrics vary considerably in their properties according to their method of manufacture, in addition to the influence of the proper ties of the constituent fibres. The possibilities open to the designer are greater with woven and knitted fabrics than with non-woven fabrics, but all types of fabric can offer advantages in some directions. The traditional fabrics based on yarns were designed to have flexibility, in addition to high strength, whereas non-woven fabrics behave more like conventional engi neenng materials in that an increase in strength normally results in an increase in stiffness. The reason for this is that there are less mechanisms of deformation possible in non-wovens because of their production from fibre webs without the intermediate formation of yarns.
Adhesion and Tear Resistance of Coated Fabrics from Polyester and Nylon
Authors: Mewes Herbert
Published: March 2007

The objective of this presentation is to show the different types of bonding agents that are used for coating with vinyl and rubber to obtain a high level of adhesion by chemical bonding. There is no doubt that today a lot of bonding agents for all the different coatings are available. This article points out that adhesion and tear propagation resistance are influenced by a number of parameters. Only under specific conditions does tear resistance exhibit a clear dependence on adhesion. To produce a high quality coated fabric, the coater has to know about these de pendencies ; this article may provide guidance for him.
Developments in the Compounding Industry for Textile Coating
Authors: Wilkinson Les
Published: March 2007

This article discusses developments in compounding for the textile coating industry. In particular, the subject is approached from a sales and marketing perspective, indicating how PVC is being replaced and highlighting the effects of the changes in legislation and the opportunities that are there for the industry to exploit.
Antibacterial, Deodorizing, and UV Absorbing Materials Obtained with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Coated Fabrics
Authors: Saito Mitumasa
Published: March 2007

Ultra fine particle zinc oxide from Sumitomo Cement Co. is a multi functional material with antibacterial, deodorizing, and UV absorbing properties. The company has dispersed ultra fine zinc oxide into various types of vehicles that are classified into water-based and organic solvent-based types.
Breathable Protective Clothing with Hydrophilic Thermoplastic Elastomer Membrane Films
Authors: Schledjewski Ralf , Schultze Dirk , Imbach Klaus-Peter
Published: March 2007

Thermoplastic elastomers offer many interesting properties. This paper introduces the material class of TPE and describes their application in breathable laminates for garment improvement, especially protection garments. The most important production and manufacturing processes will be discussed and the relevant properties will be presented. Special attention will be given to the TPU as an important raw material for breathable TPE-films.
Policy Conflict and the Structure of Interest Communities
Authors: NOWNES ANTHONY J.
Published: March 2007

Drawing on data from a survey of 595 state interest representatives this article asks: Is policy conflict widespread in state interest communities or is it rare due to the isolation of interest organizations in relatively placid niches? Two contending perspectives frame the current debate on this issue. Whereas Browne maintains that balkanization characterizes interest communities, Salisbury and his colleagues suggest that many policy domains feature substantial intergroup interaction, conflict, and cooperation. In all, the data witness relatively high levels of conflict among groups and between groups and other political actors and thus confound the expectations of Browne's niche theory. Nevertheless, the data do not invalidate niche theory. Rather, they suggest that some policy domains are more likely to be characterized by niche politics than others and that the federal government provides more incentives than state governments for groups to seek niches.
Opting Out
Authors: Frantzich Stephen E.
Published: March 2007

Voluntary departure from Congress through retirement is the second most common method of opening positions for new members. The susceptibility to retirement is quite predictable. The decision to retire involves assessing one's ability to do the job, the desirability of the job, and one's vulnerability to involuntary departure. Statistical evidence and interview data indicate that a lessened job desirability leads to most retirement from Congress. As a source of change in the system, retirement removes some of the most conservative and least active members while umquely opening the door to the most liberal new members. Retirement is neither random in its antecedents nor its consequences.
Judicial Demand—Screening and Decisions on the Merits
Authors: Baum Lawrence
Published: March 2007

The relationship between policy makers' demand-screening decisions and their responses to demands that have been given full consideration can be examined in courts which possess discretionary jurisdiction. Some empirical evidence on these courts suggests that their case-screening decisions and decisions on the merits are closely linked, based on the same criteria-the merits of lower-court decisions—applied in the same way. This conception is tested for the California Supreme Court for 1970-1974 through an examina tion of the relationship between votes to accept cases and votes to reverse lower-court decisions in the same cases. Only a weak relationship is found. The weakness of this relationship is explained by the role of "non-merits" criteria for screening decisions and by the fluidity of justices' assessments of the merits.
Illusions of Ticket-Splitting
Authors: Feigert Frank B.
Published: March 2007

Studies of ticket-splitting have been based on flaws of evidence and conception, whether using aggregate or survey data. A common basis for error has been the "two-office split- result" approach. Errors devolving from this approach, for example, assume that split congressional districts or split gubernatorial/ state legislative alignments are indeed based on ticket-splitting. Survey studies, with rare exception, suffer from the problem of voter recall, reliability of reported information, and the "missing GOP vote" explanation. Both aggregate and survey studies commonly either ignore the incomplete problem or understate it significantly. However, the high number of incomplete ballots suggests, along with other data, that ticket-splitting is not necessarily widespread or increasing. Approaches to remedy these problems are suggested.
Public Awareness of Congressional Representatives
Authors: Tedin Kent L. , Murray Richard W.
Published: March 2007

The ability of the mass public to recall the name of the incumbent congressional repre sentative is compared to the ability to recognize their congressman's name. Name recog nition is substantially higher than name recall. The implications for the study of congres sional elections are discussed.
Dimensions of the Tax Revolt
Authors: Scott Wilbur J. , Grasmick Harold G. , Eckert Craig M.
Published: March 2007

This study presents data from a community survey of Oklahoma City which suggests that the putative tax rebellion is neither as massive nor as homogeneous as some observers contend. The data support Buchanan's contention that the widespread support for tax reduction has occurred because the costs, defined in terms of potential cutbacks in government expenditures, are not specified in the proposed legislation. In addition, the findings suggest that people vary in what costs they are willing to incur in order to lower taxes. Some people support tax reduction out of a desire to limit welfare spending and others out of a desire to reduce spending on collective goods. We suggest that the former represents a traditional, conservative response to liberal welfare legislation. However, we identify the latter as a new interest group in American politics which cross-cuts traditional lines of cleavage.
Presidential and Congressional Voters Compared
Authors: Wolfinger Raymond E. , Rosenstone Steven J. , McIntosh Richard A.
Published: March 2007

Turnout in midterm elections is about 18% lower than turnout in presidential contests. No scholars have explored in detail which types of people are most affected by this less salient electoral context. In this article we examine the similarities and differences between the 1972 and 1974 voters. We address this question with data from the Current Population Surveys conducted by the Bureau of the Census in November 1972 and November 1974. Because of the very large number of respondents, we are able to make unusually precise estimates of the effect of particular demographic variables on voting. The most prominent characteristic of a midterm election is its lower turnout; education, occupation, and income are equally strong predictors of turnout as in presidential contests. Contrary to the prevailing wisdom, the demographic composition of the midterm electorate (with the exception of age) is virtually the same as the larger presidential year electorate.
Group Identification, Values, and the Nature of Political Beliefs
Authors: Conover Pamela Johnston , Feldman Stanley
Published: March 2007

What determines the political beliefs people hold? In this article, we investigate the role ofvalues and group identifications in structuring political beliefs. Viewing both as aspects of self-identity, we use Q methodology to discover overall patterns of personal and political values, and group identifications. We find that distinctive patterns of both elements of self-identity are identifiable, and that values and group identifications are interrelated. Furthermore, both have a substantial effect on issue positions that are independent of party and ideological self-identification.
Electoral Stress and Revenue Structures in the American States
Authors: Lowery David
Published: March 2007

While frequently used to explain the origin and development of fiscal structures, the concept of "fiscal illusion" has proven remarkably soft when use for purposes that go beyond the most general interpretations of fiscal politics. This results in part because of the lack of any agreement on precisely which revenue mechanisms are illusionary; nearly all of the revenue sources available to state and local governments have been identified as illusionary in one way or another. If all or nearly all revenue sources are used as tools of fiscal illusion, then the concept is of little use in explaining interstate variation in fiscal structures. This article attempts to assess which, if any, of 11 revenue mechanisms or characteristics of the tax system as a whole are used as tools of fiscal illusion by testing the hypothesis that use of illusionary mechanisms is positively related to the level of "electoral stress" in a state. That is, if politicians under electoral pressure do manipulate fiscal instruments in order to generate fiscal illusions, we would expect greater reliance on illusionary mechanisms under conditions of more extreme electoral pressure than under conditions of minimal electoral pressure. The hypothesis is tested with state revenue and electoral data for 46 continental states for the periods 1960 to 1977 and 1977 to 1982.
Policymaking in the American States
Authors: Browne William P.
Published: March 2007

This article examines the policymaking roles and interactions of governors, legislators, administrators, and lobbyists in state politics. It analyzes their policy involvement in terms of whether they fit a conceptual model of subsystem politics. These data are compared to various policy outcome measures of four state governments in the issue area of aging; Florida, Iowa, Michigan, and New Jersey. While the policy data from some states is suggestive of those results postulated in subsystem theory, the patterns of institutional involvement and interaction vary widely. All, however, suggest more clustered, rather than encompassing, patterns of influence and participation within this policy area.
Testing the Regulatory Threat Hypothesis
Authors: Erfle Stephen , McMillan Henry , Grofman Bernard
Published: March 2007

We argue that during the 1979 oil crisis major domestic oil companies held down price increases of politically sensitive oil products relative to their foreign counterparts to reduce the probability of adverse government action. To test this "regulatory threat" hypothesis, we compare the reaction of unregulated fuel oil prices to political pressure. We measure political pressure with the level of U.S. television coverage of energy issues. We find that media coverage influenced U.S. home heating oil prices charged by domestic oil companies, but not foreign oil companies. In contrast, for the less politically sensitive residual fuel oil, media coverage did not influence prices of either domestic or foreign oil companies.
Specifying the Impact of Incumbency On State Legislative Elections
Authors: Breaux David
Published: March 2007

Prior research, based on the analysis of aggregate-level state legislative election data, has documented a decline in the marginality of state legislative districts. Over the past twenty or so years, state legislators, much like congressional incumbents, have been winning reelection by larger margins of the vote. By taking advantage of district-level, state legislative election data, the research presented here specifies the relative impact of incumbency on district marginality, while controlling for statewide party trends. More specifically, it follows the lead of congressional elections studies, examining the impact of retirement slump and sophomore surge on the legislative district vote. In general, the legislative district vote reflects both a retirement slump and a sophomore surge, with the magnitude of their impact being conditioned by the level of contested incumbent victories in a state.
Is Political Action Heroic?
Authors: Fried Amy
Published: March 2007

Although contemporary American political discourse often refers to heroic action, scholars have paid little attention to the concept of heroism Because individuals' understandings of politics are constituted and reflected by the prosaic terms at their disposal, inattention to the concept of heroism interferes with our ability to comprehend citizens' values and the political culture. In addition, although Tocqueville is often cited as a prescient observer of American life, empirical analysts have neglected Tocquevillean individualism. In response, this article analyzes four subjective views of heroism, with particular attention to the relative importance of public and private life. Some perspectives find greatness in both spheres, whereas other conceptualizations sequester one from the other. Implications for the state and study of political culture are discussed.
The Partisan Consequences of Congressional Redistricting
Authors: Squire Peverill
Published: March 2007

In an earlier examination of redistricting plans in the 1970s, the author found little evidence that gerrymanders were successful. A similar examination of gerrymanders in the 1980s finds that in many states they worked. The parties that drew the lines usually won more seats than they had before redistricting and they almost always held the seats created for them. In addition, redistricting parties usually got a higher percentage of seats than percentage of the vote. The author argues that a general decline in the competitiveness of House races accounts for the increased success of gerrymanders in the 1980s.
Bill and Al's Excellent Adventure
Authors: Abramowitz Alan I.
Published: March 2007

In this article I descnbe a model for forecasting the outcomes of U.S. presidential elections. The model uses three predictors: the incumbent president's approval rating at midyear, the annual rate of growth of real gross domestic product during the first half of the election year, and the length of time that the president's party has held the White House. The time factor most clearly distinguishes this model from other presidential forecasting models. Using this model, it is possible to forecast the outcome of the presidential race in early August with greater accuracy than most final preelection polls. Based on the president's approval rating in mid-May (55%) and the rate of economic growth during the first quarter of 1996 (2.8%), the model yields a conditional forecast of a decisive victory for Bill Clinton in November with approximately 56% of the major party vote.
Reelection and Congressional Support
Authors: Hamman John A. , Cohen Jeffrey E.
Published: March 2007

We discuss circumstances whereby presidents dispense distributive benefits to enhance their reelection chances and cultivate congressional support. Presidents do this by influencing bureaucratic decision making within those subsystems to strategically time federal project announcements to coincide with presidential and congressional elections. We test these conten tions and find support for them. We conclude that the traditional theory of distributive politics is not so much invalid as incomplete. Our findings show that presidents can play more strategic roles within the distributive policy arena than existing theory suggests.
Effects of Motor Voter Legislation
Authors: Franklin Daniel P. , Grier Eric E.
Published: March 2007

The 1992 presidential election featured nine states and the District of Columbia with effective motor voter laws on the books. In 1996 all states will be required to have similar motor voter procedures. We conduct a multivariate analysis to compare turnout differences, partisan behav ior, and registration levels in motor voter and non-motor voter states. We find that rates of voter registration and turnout are significantly higher in motor voter states than in other states. In addition, it appears that these newly registered voters are just as likely to vote as other registered voters. We find no significant partisan advantage for either party in motor voter states.
Educating for Compassion: Detoxifying Death for Physicians' CME Curriculum
Authors: Remen Rachel Naomi , Wade Mary
Published: March 2007

The physician can play a leadership role in detoxifying death for the patient, the family, and the professional staff. However, physicians commonly manifest avoid ance and other dysfunctional behaviors when dealing with death. Dysfunctional physician behaviors around death are not rooted in cognitive understanding and are resistant to conventional didactic approaches (SUPPORT Principal Investigators, 1995). Physician responses to end-of-life patients are affected by the power of childhood memories, personal beliefs, attitudes and unexamined conclusions drawn from medical training. To affect behavioral change, a curriculum was developed that creates an intensive community of inquiry among physician peers to examine existing beliefs in depth and to motivate, validate, and support new behaviors. The curriculum on Detoxifying Death for Physicians was implemented 12 times over a three-year period. Physicians from the United States and Canada, representing a wide range of specialties and practice styles, participated in the curriculum. Participants reported significant attitudinal and behavioral change in the direction of increased comfort in caring for patients at the end of life and in discussing death and dying with colleagues. The Institute for the Study of Health and Illness's (ISHI) experience with this multimodal curriculum suggests that it is possible for mature physicians to significantly alter their attitudes and behaviors toward end-of-life patients through participation in an intensive educational process. It also suggests that change may be a function of the depth and integrity of the educational process rather than the length of exposure to the curriculum.
Botanical Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH
Authors: Brammer Debra L.
Published: March 2007

This article discusses the use of botanicals normally classified as women's botan icals in treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as both an alternative and as an adjunct to pharmaceutical treatment. Benign prostatic hyperplasia occurs in a majority of American males by the age of 60. Biomedical treatment has some limitations and drawbacks. Surgery has the potential to leave the patient with urinary incontinence or impotence. Pharmaceutical treatment may not provide complete relief of symptoms. Addition of alternative nutritional and botanical treatment under the guidance of a trained naturopathic physician can provide additional relief of symptoms and reduction of inflammation for patients.
Collaborative Relationships of Alternative Practitioners and Physicians in Israel: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Shuval Judith T.
Published: March 2007

This study considers social contexts in which complementary and biomedical health care providers practice in common organizational structures. The empirical data are drawn from Israel where there has been an ongoing proliferation in the number and variety of practitioners as well as in the consumers of complementary medicine.
Unit Management of Depression of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Using Cognitive Remediation Strategies: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Mendoza Robert J. , Pittenger David J. , Weinstein Cheryl S.
Published: March 2007

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often progressive neurologic disorder char acterized by cerebral and spinal cord lesions. Patients with advanced MS often re quire continuous supervision in a long-term skilled nursing facility. Many of these pa tients experience clinical levels of depression. For this experiment, we randomly assigned MS patients living in a skilled nursing facility to either a control condition or an extended treatment protocol. The protocol consisted of assigning individual cer tified nursing assistants (CNAs) to each patient, in-service training for the CNAs, and the use of memory notebooks. All patients completed the short version of the Beck Depression Inventory and several measures of cognitive functioning at the start and end of the study. The results indicate statistically and clinically significant improve ments in the depression of patients in the treatment but not in the control condi tion. These results led to recommendations for the treatment of MS patients living in long-term skilled nursing facilities and for additional research. Key Words: Multiple sclerosis—Long—term care—Depression—Memory notebooks—Cognition.
Measuring Subluxation of the Hemiplegic Shoulder: Reliability of a Method
Authors: Snels Ingrid A. K. , Beckerman Heleen , ten Kate Joke J. , Lankhorst Gustaaf J. , Bouter Lex M.
Published: March 2007

Objective: Subluxation of the shoulder after stroke can be measured according to the method described by Van Langenberghe and Hogan. Methods: To evaluate the reliability of this method, the shoulder radiographs of 25 patients were available for this study. Two independent raters each assessed these radiographs twice. Results: The intrarater reliability was good: percentage of agreement was 88 and 84%, weighted κ, 0.69 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.38-1 0] and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.60-0.95) for raters 1 and 2, respectively. The interrater reliability was poor: percentage of agree ment was 36 and 28%, κ, 0.11 (95% CI, 0.0-0.31) and 0.09 (95% CI, 0.0-0.23) in sessions 1 and 2, respectively. Subsequently the original method was adjusted by com bining two categories (no subluxation and beginning subluxation) into one ("no clin ically important subluxation"). Conclusions: After this adjustment of the categories, the interrater reliability improved [percentage of agreement, 72%, and κ, 0.49 (95% CI, 0.18-0.80)], but did not reach acceptable values. Key Words: Hemiplegic shoul der pain—Subluxation—Measurement.
Fluorocarbon Elastomer Processing Aid in Film Extrusion of Linear Low Density Polyethylenes
Authors: Rudin Alfred , Worm Allan T. , Blacklock John E.
Published: March 2007

A practical laboratory procedure was developed to assess the effects of a fluoro carbon elastomer processing aid on the extrusion behaviour of several linear low den sity polyethylenes (LLDPEs) that are used for tubular film manufacture. The elastomer, Dynamar* Polymer Processing Additive PPA 2231, is a copolymer of vinylidene difluoride and hexafluoropropene and appears to act as a die lubricant. Data obtained with various concentrations of PPA 2231 in three different LLDPEs showed that this additive can reduce processing problems, such as draw resonance and melt fracture. The additive also appears to improve extrusion efficiency (lbs. output/hr/hp).
Barrier Plastics in Rigid Form/Fill/Seal Aseptic Plastic Packaging
Authors: Mechura Frank J.
Published: March 2007

Aseptic packaging of food is rapidly advancing due to three factors: energy savings in processing, better food quality and lower packaging material costs. The CONOF- FAST* System utilizes coextruded plastic products in the lidding and body materials to form and label aseptic fill and seal packages. Factors affecting container perfor mance are delineated and discussed; and a description of probable applications is provided along with market forecasts.
Effect of Resin Additives on Corona Treatment of Polyethylene
Authors: Schwab Fred C. , Kadash M.A.
Published: March 2007

A systematic study was made of seven common polyolefin resin stabilizers. Surface analysis techniques were used to characterize the surfaces of films containing these additives. Films were evaluated before and after corona treatment. Results of this study showed that a surprising number of additives are surface active. In some cases these additives have a dramatic effect on the surface chemistry produced by corona treatment, yet they do not affect subsequent ink adhesion. Conversely, an additive may not significantly affect the corona treatment chemistry but yet still reduce the adhesion performance of the film product.
Radiation Cured, Thermoplastic Elastomer Films Based on "Macromolecular Monomers" for Heat Activated Adhesives
Authors: Kerr S.R.
Published: March 2007

Radiation curable, 100% convertible liquid formulations based on "Macromolecu lar Monomers" perform as thermoplastic elastomers when polymerized by ultraviolet light or electron beam radiation. Dissolved in acrylate monomer bases, these films are flexible, tack-free and perform admirably as heat activated adhesives. Suitable macromolecular monomers (macromonomers) are high molecular weight polystyryl polymers that are terminated at only one end with a functional methacrylate end-group.
Packaging Evaluations of MXD-6 Nylon (Meta-Xylylene Diamine/Adipic Acid)
Authors: Watanabe Takehiko
Published: March 2007

A new polymer, MXD-6, has been made from meta-xylylene diamine and adipic acid. Biaxially oriented film produced from this polymer has been evaluated for several packaging uses; it has excellent thermal properties and provides a good barrier to gases and moisture. Together with its high clarity and good processability, these properties make MXD-6 nylon film suitable as a base substrate of laminated film structures for use in lidding and pouches—especially when the film is exposed to retort conditions.
Recent Advances in Infrared Measurement of Coextruded Webs
Authors: Marchand Hector E. , Sipos Peter
Published: March 2007

Continuing advances in resin development and plastics processing in recent years have resulted in many companies using several coextrusion processes for a wide variety of products. The typical processor is now being squeezed by increasing com petition on one side, greater technological demands on another side, and the uncer tainty of future petrochemical prices on the third. When producing complex struc tures including layers for barrier, structural, and/or sealant properties, the producer is always trying to balance the scales between product cost and product performance. A method to perform on-line measurement and control of coextrusion components/ layers would be of great help to the processor in improving product quality while reducing the extrusion of excess polymer.

Recent technological advances in infrared measurement technology have helped to turn this desire into reality. This paper describes the principles of infrared mea surement technology, and then shows how the new sensor technologies are solving many of the limitations of the older IR sensors.
Controlled Humidity for Oxygen Barrier Determinations
Authors: Kollen Wendell , Gray Dean
Published: March 2007

A comparison is made between the salt solution sandwich and wet/dry mixed gas methods of humidifying and controlling moisture in film samples while being tested for oxygen barrier properties on a flowing gas coulometric permeation analyzer. Measurements of the oxygen barrier proper ties, as a function of humidity, of film samples that have moisture dependent permeability are used to assess the effectiveness of each method to control the moisture. Barrier tests are specifically performed on high barrier multilayer films of EVOH (32% ethylene)/polyethylene at 10 and 23 ° C and on moderate barrier monolithic films of nylon 6/6 at 15 and 23°C at humidities ranging from 0 to 100% R.H. permitting comparisons at two barrier levels and at differ ing temperatures. Details and critical issues of each method are presented and discussed. Measured barrier properties obtained with both methods of hu midification are compared. Conclusions on the effectiveness and application of the humidifying methods are presented. Additionally, because of their somewhat unusual behavior and high technical interest, the barrier properties of the two sample films and their dependence on humidity are specifically noted and discussed.
Change in Crystallinity During Heat Sealing of Cast Polypropylene Film
Authors: Nicastro L.C. , Paik J.S. , Keown R.W. , Metznert A.B.
Published: March 2007

The crystallinity of a heat sealed region of corona treated poly propylene film was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The profile of thermograms of a film's sealed region diners from that of an unsealed region. The percent crystallinity of the heat sealed polypropylene increased after heat sealing. Crystallinity increased with a rise in sealing temperature. However, the heat sealing dwell time and pressure had little effect on the in crease in crystallinity.
Properties of Ultra Low Density Polyethylenes
Authors: Woo L. , Ling T.K. , Westphal Stanley
Published: March 2007

With the new metallocene catalyst technology, ethylene copoly mers of unprecedented lower densities are being introduced rapidly. Since these very low density polyolefins offer interesting mechanical properties, a systematic investigation into their thermal and mechanical properties was made. It was found, for example, that despite the low densities achieved, wide compositional variations existed between materials. A comparison was also made between the thermal mechanical properties with optical properties, with the conclusion that compositional homogeneities are required for good optical properties.
A Blown Film Comparison Between Conventional Lldpe and Pop Polymers
Authors: Butler Thomas I. , Shih Yaw Lai  , Patel Rajen
Published: March 2007

The introduction of a new family of substantially linear poly olefin copolymers made using the Insite* technology process and marketed under the Affinity* Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) tradename offers polymers with different structure-fabrication-property relationships compared to conven tional linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) polymers. The objective of this paper is to compare the blown fabrication characteristics of a constrained ge ometry catalyst technology (CGCT) polymer to a conventional LLDPE polymer with the similar melt index and density.
Alfred Schutz and the `Objectifying Attitude'
Authors: Harrington Austin
Published: March 2007

Alfred Schutz argues that social scientists should interpret social life from the standpoint of the subjective meanings of ordinary actors, while themselves maintaining a detached, `objectifying' attitude. This defence of the objectifying stance in social research has been criticised by some commentators, notably by Jürgen Habermas, on the grounds that it contradicts the phenomenological theory of intersubjectivity and interpretive participation from which Schutz sets out. Habermas in particular argues that validity in social science consists in the pursuit of normative dialogue between researchers and laypeople with a view to `consensus' over beliefs and values. This article disputes any such charge of inconsistency in Schutz by arguing that while social-scientific knowledge may originate from communication in the lifeworld, it cannot itself involve a `communicative' or `dialogical' attitude to the subjects of research.
Consumption and the Problem of Variety: Cultural Omnivorousness, Social Distinction and Dining Out
Authors: Warde Alan , Martens Lydia , Olsen Wendy
Published: March 2007

In the light of the work of Pierre Bourdieu, this paper begins by reviewing an argument that Western populations no longer recognise any fixed cultural hierarchy and that, instead, individuals seek knowledge of an increasingly wide variety of aesthetically equivalent cultural genres. Contrasting versions of this argument are isolated. Data concerning the frequency of use of different commercial sources of meals and the social characteristics of customers using different types of restaurant in England are examined. An attempt is made to infer the social and symbolic significance of variety of experience and, in particular, of familiarity with diverse ethnic cuisines. The findings are interpreted in terms of the complex role of consumption in personal assurance, communicative competence and social distinction. It is maintained that the pursuit of variety of consumer experience is a feature of particular social groups and that some specific component practices express social distinction.
Trust, Confidence and Voluntary Organisations: Between Values and Institutions
Authors: Tonkiss Fran , Passey Andrew
Published: March 2007

Recent debates within social and political theory, and within the public sphere more generally, reveal growing concern with issues of `trust'. While forms of voluntary association frequently are cited as prime examples of trust relations, they rarely provide a focus for such debates. In this paper we examine current developments within the voluntary sector in Britain, arguing that the relation of voluntary organisations to questions of trust is increasingly problematic. In particular a tension exists between trust relations based on principles of voluntarism and linked to shared values, and relations of confidence that are mediated by institutional and contractual forms. After surveying recent theoretical accounts of trust and confidence, we consider the relevance of these debates to the British voluntary sector. We then draw on a range of quantitative and qualitative research on the voluntary sector to examine how trust and confidence are negotiated with a number of key constituencies: the general public; government and institutional funders; business; and users or beneficiaries. Our argument is that, while resources of trust are linked to their core values, voluntary organisations are increasingly governed by formal measures designed to promote confidence.
`One Day at a Time' and other Slogans for Everyday Life: The Ethical Practices of Alcoholics Anonymous
Authors: Valverde Mariana , White-Mair Kimberley
Published: March 2007

Alcoholics Anonymous has developed an oral tradition for teaching people to alter their relation to their own desires and their own freedom fundamentally, teaching that is done through practice rather than through ideas. Our study of AA's innovative organisational tools for building long-lasting mutual-help groups shows that the same tools that build the organisation also exemplify and embody the organisation's ethical worldview. To that extent, AA's group practices are worth studying not only from the point of view of learning about bottom-up, non-expert-led networks but also to shed light on the development of a popular pragmatist ethics in which little techniques - anonymity, the focus on the 24-hour cycle, etc. - deconstruct the Kantian distinction between means and ends.

This study of the everyday ethics of AA members argues that AA's unique role in the history of popular ethical practices can be traced to several original features. First, AA incorporates elements of the disease model of alcoholism while remaining fundamentally a spiritual programme, thus mapping an important hybrid terrain often ignored by students of medicalisation. Secondly, AA was able to steer away from the political controversies about temperance, prohibition, and control of alcoholic beverages that had made the old temperance movement founder. Thirdly and most importantly, AA uniquely managed to combine the once-in-a-lifetime experience of total transformation that is characteristic of religious conversion with the development of a series of slogans and mental techniques for dealing with the `trivial' details of life. This paper first outlines the hybrid terrain of AA, between medicine and religion, and then examines a few of the techniques that are at the core of AA's success, including anonymity, the Higher Power, and the twenty-four hour cycle.
Working Utopias and Social Movements: An Investigation Using Case Study Materials from Radical Mental Health Movements in Britain
Authors: Crossley Nick
Published: March 2007

This paper introduces the concept of `working utopias' (WUs) and explores their relation to social movements. WUs are used in a variety of ways by social movements, it is argued, and they play a central role in the reproduction and advancement of movements. They reproduce the movement habitus and illusio, extend and reproduce networks, generate new forms of knowledge and practice, and serve, to some extent at least, as `proof' of the validity of movement claims. Two utopias from within radical mental health movements are focused upon in the paper: the Kingsley Hall therapeutic community and the `Trieste experiment'. The significance of these working utopias is explored by way of interviews with movement activists who have been involved with them in various ways.
The Practice Integrated Learning Sequence: Linking Education With the Practice of Medicine
Authors: Lanzilotti Salvatore S. , Finestone Albert J. , Sobel Eugene , Marks Allan D.
Published: March 2007

The Practice Integrated Learning Sequence (PILS) is an office-based, practice-related Continuing Medical Education (CME) process that incorporates the practice of medicine into an educational program. In this research, the PILS process was used in an educational program for the management of hypertension involving 1,013 physicians. Program data suggest that the PILS process can help physicians assess their practice needs by evaluating their practice behaviors in comparison to objective criteria. The results suggest the importance of designing CME programs that facilitate physicians' use and development of self-directed learning skills, particularly self-evaluation.
The Facilitation of the Life-World Transformation
Authors: Wildemeersch Danny , Leirman Walter
Published: March 2007

This article contributes to the theoretical discussions about 'perspective transformation'(Mezirow, 1978). Referring to the continental tradition, the concept of life-world is introduced. This concept clarifies the interrelatedness of the action, reflection, person, and context dimensions of socialization processes and adult learning. Transformation of the life-world is analyzed. Three developmental stages are distinguished: the self-evident, threatened, and transformed life-world. The importance of this transformation in relation to adult education is explored and the developmental stages related to the task, relation, and growth-dimensions of educational processes. This results in a framework that clarifies both the theory and practice of adult education.
Sects and Cults
Authors: Marty Martin E.
Published: March 2007

Sects and cults constitute a third Christian force, in addition to Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, in contemporary America. Sects are particularist groups with a basically negative orientation. Cults tend to be positively oriented and to be organized around a charismatic leader. Any discussion of the various religious groups in the United States must take into account the differences in context, rather than the differences in content, between them. Religious context largely determines whether or not religious groups are in the mainstream of historical development. The principal distinction between sects or cults and denominations is that sects or cults are established to achieve the spatial and psychic context of isolation. The denominations currently adapt to middle-class beliefs and values. The sects and cults are uneroded, unexposed, intransigent, and withdrawn. They provide a haven from social interpenetration and complexity. They do not wish to be assimilated into the mainstream of religious thought and practice. The sects and cults, in almost every particular, provide a counter current in the mid-twentieth century religious revival.—Ed.