bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elastodynamic Tailoring of Motion Conversion Mechanisms by Using Fiber Reinforced Composites
Authors: Prucz Jacky C. , Dacquisto Joseph , Smith James
Published: March 2007

A new analytical model has been developed in order to investigate the po tential benefits of using fiber-reinforced composites in motion conversion mechanisms of internal combustion engines. The model consists of a quasi-static lamination analysis of hollow, circular, filament-wound connecting rods, combined with an elastodynamic analy sis of a complete mechanism whose connecting rod is the only flexible link. A comprehen sive parametric study has been focused on the material system, lay-up and cross-sectional dimensions of the connecting rod. The results indicate that the operation of motion con version mechanisms can be improved significantly by employing connecting rods made of properly tailored composites, as an alternative to the commonly used steel alloys.
Interface Debonding in Fatigue Cycling of Glass Reinforced Plastics
Authors: Horstemeyer M.F. , Staab G.H.
Published: March 2007

The fatigue failure mechanisms of three unidirectional laminated compos ite material systems (consisting of a common fiber in varying resin matrices) were investi gated. Static tensions tests of the pure resins and composites in the axial direction were analyzed in conjunction with fatigue test data to determine failure characteristics. The resins with the highest strain energy density and ultimate strain exhibited the best fatigue properties. A comparison of fatigue curves for both pure resins and composites data showed that the dominant failure mechanism in fatigue is a combination of matrix cracking and interface debonding.
Effect of Fiber Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polystyrene Composites: III. Use of Mica and Sawdust as Hybrid Fiber
Authors: Maldas D. , Kokta B.V.
Published: March 2007

An attempt was made to discover the hybridization effect of surface-treated mica and wood flour on the mechanical properties of polystyrene composites. Both soft wood (spruce) and hardwood (aspen) species were used. The effect of various treatments of wood flour (e.g., coating with polystyrene + isocyanate or with a silane coupling agent as well as grafting), or composition of wood flour and mica, on the composites' mechani cal properties were examined. Mechanical properties vary with the change in wood spe cies as well as with the treatment of wood fiber, the composition of hybrid fibers and grades of polystyrene. Compared to non-treated wood fiber/mica-filled composites, me chanical properties of treated wood fiber/mica-filled composites improved.
Simulated Impact Damage in a Thick Graphite/Epoxy Laminate Using Spherical Indenters
Authors: Poe C.C.
Published: March 2007

The extent of fiber damage due to low-velocity impacts was determined for a 36-mm(1.4-in.)-thick graphite/epoxy laminate. The impacts were simulated by quasi- statically pressing spherical indenters against the laminates. Indenters of several diameters were used. The laminates were cut into smaller specimens, each containing a test site. The specimens were pyrolyzed to remove the epoxy, and the plies were separated and examined to determine the extent of fiber damage. Broken fibers were found in the outermost layers directly beneath the contact site. The locus of broken fibers resembled cracks. The cracks, which were more or less oriented in the direction of the fibers in the neighboring layers, initiated when the contact pressure exceeded a critical value. However, damage did not become visible on the surface until the pressure exceeded an even higher level. The maxi mum length and depth of the cracks increased with increasing contact pressure and in denter diameter. The length and depth of the cracks were predicted using theory of elas ticity and maximum stress criteria. The predictions and measurements were in good agreement.
The Influence of the Adhesion Bond between Matrix and Filler on the Tensile Strength of Particulate-Filled Polymers
Authors: Papanicolaou G.C. , Bakos D.
Published: March 2007

A theoretical model for the prediction of tensile strengths of particulate- filled polymers is proposed. According to this model each particle is divided into an in finite number of coaxial cylinders and by applying Cox's theory the mean stress developed in each section of the particle may be calculated. Further a modified rule of mixtures was applied where the degree of adhesion between matrix material and filler particles as well as the degradation of the mechanical behaviour of the matrix due to the existence of the particles is taken into account. Therefore, when tensile strengths of polymer and particles are known, tensile strength of the filled polymer corresponding to specific values of degree of adhesion as well as of the matrix degradation can be estimated by the model. Finally, the model was successfully applied to a series of published data.
A Consistent Engineering Methodology for the Treatment of Impact in Composite Materials
Authors: Cairns D.S. , Lagace P.A.
Published: March 2007

An approach is formulated to treat the behavior of composites subjected to impact as the sequential effect of a number of events. The sequence for the analysis of im pact presented here is as follows. First, a global analysis of impact of the structure is con ducted. In this study, a plate is analyzed in a time marching scheme to properly account for nonlinearities during the impact event. This provides loads introduced into the struc ture during impact. These loads are then introduced into a local deformation and strain re sponse model just below the impactor to refine the analysis in the local region where damage occurs. Damage is predicted in the laminate on a ply-by-ply basis. Excellent agreement between the models and test data taken during the impact event is found. This is denoted as the Damage Resistance portion of the problem. Given the pre-existing damage, an analysis of the damaged structure is conducted. This entails using an average strain criterion for fiber-dominated fracture around the damage and a sublaminate buck ling analysis for compression loading. Good agreement is found between the analysis and experimental data. This is denoted as the Damage Tolerance portion of the problem. Finally, all of the models are combined to provide combined Damage Resistance/Damage Tolerance curves for useful design data.
Cure Characteristics of Sheet Molding Compound in Panels with Integrated Ribs
Authors: Kia Hamid G.
Published: March 2007

The cure characteristics of sheet molding compound (SMC) panels with integrated ribs were studied using a ribbed mold instrumented with 38 thermocouples, 15 pressure transducers, and 4 linear position transducers (LPTs). The experiments showed that the polymerization of the material opposite the ribs takes place later than the material in the adjacent areas. This delayed reaction was identified by a time lag in the occurrence of the peak exotherm for the material opposite the ribs. The significance of this observa tion is that because the polymerization of the material is accompanied by some degree of volume change, this time lag leads to a differential volume change in the neighboring regions which in turn leads to a higher degree of rib readout. In order to better understand the nature of this time lag, the effects of variation in the amounts of inhibitor and initiator, the preheating of the material, and the variation in the types of resin were investigated. It was observed that, for a given resin chemistry, reducing the amount of initiator or increas ing the amount of inhibitor in the formulation decreases the time lag. The preheating of the material, on the other hand, was found to increase the time lag. This is in contrast to the general belief that preheating can be beneficial to surface appearance. As to the varia tion in the chemistry of the resin, the data showed that the time lag for a given resin can not be predicted solely based on its peak exotherm time. Therefore, it was concluded that whenever a new type of resin is used, the time lag has to be measured directly.
Compressive Strength of Unidirectional Composites
Authors: Lo K.H. , Chim E.S.-M.
Published: March 2007

A simple equation which can describe the compressive behavior of uni directional composites has been derived. With this equation, the effects of resin stiffness, fiber anisotropy, fiber misalignment and waviness, fiber/matrix interface, and void content on composite compressive strength can be assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. Fur thermore, the equation can help determine the failure modes of composites under com pression.
Finite Element Free Vibration Analysis of Eccentrically Stiffened Composite Plates
Authors: Chattopadhyay B. , Sinha P.K. , Mukhopadhyay M.
Published: March 2007

Composite stiffened plates have been studied for free vibration by the finite element method in this paper. An isoparametric quadratic plate bending element has been employed for the relevant analysis. In the present formulation, stiffeners can be placed anywhere within the plate element and they need not necessarily follow nodal lines. In ad dition, isoparametric elements have advantages of accommodating curved boundaries and incorporating transverse shear deformation. Eccentrically stiffened laminates considered for the analysis have different shapes—such as rectangular, parallelogrammic, and annular sector. They have varied stiffener arrangements, cross-sectional properties and included angle. Results of natural frequencies obtained have been compared with those available. Parametric studies have also been carried out.
The Production and Mechanical Properties of Silicon Carbide and Alumina Whisker-Reinforced Epoxy Composites
Authors: Zhang Y. , Pickles C.A. , Cameron J.
Published: March 2007

In this paper, the flexural modulus and wear resistance of silicon carbide and alumina whisker-reinforced epoxy composites are reported. The composites were fab ricated from epoxy resins and whiskers which were produced in a plasma furnace. The resulting silicon carbide and alumina whisker-reinforced epoxy composites have low den sities, high flexural moduli and good wear resistance. The specific stiffnesses of these two composites with 16-18% weight fraction of whiskers were 1.59 and 1.50 (GPa/g/mm3) respectively. These values were 46 and 37 percent higher than that of the unreinforced epoxy resins. The silicon carbide and alumina whiskers which have low densities, high strength, high length to diameter ratios, and large surface area, are effective reinforcing agents for epoxy composites. Also, the factors that determine the flexural modulus of the composite are discussed.
Validation of Active Strain Measurements in Composites Using Mach-Zehnder Interferometry with Embedded Optical Fibers
Authors: Jensen D.W. , Cory John M.
Published: March 2007

This article reports the validation of active strain measurements in a vibrating composite lattice structure using Mach-Zehnder interferometry with embedded optical fibers. Optical fibers were used as internal strain sensors by embedding them in a highly flexible graphite/bismaleimide lattice structure to experimentally determine the dynamic response of the lattice. This is an extension of work previously reported on the natural response of a graphite/bismaleimide lattice structure with an optical fiber attached to the surface. The advanced composite lattice structure is a half-scale model of the alumi num grid used for active control studies at the Air Force Astronautics Laboratory. One- inch wide strips form the five-by-five grid geometry of the dynamically scaled composite lattice, which is 30 inches square overall with a nominal thickness of 0.037 inch. The lon gitudinal and transverse members employ the same seven-ply [03/90]s stacking sequence with respect to their length. At the intersections, the layers alternate. The scaled lattice structure was fabricated from G40-600/5245C graphite/bismaleimide prepreg tape. The paths of the embedded optical fibers were optimized for strain sensing of the first seven natural modes using a finite element model. Two optical fibers were embedded, one on each side of the neutral axis of the lattice, along "L"-shaped paths forming mirror images of each other. One of the optical fibers was spliced into the sensor arm of a modified Mach-Zehnder interferometer (which provides a voltage proportional to sensor elonga tion) to supply real-time integrated strain data. The lattice structure was cantilevered verti cally from a specially designed vise and vibrated at each of its first five natural frequencies by an oscillating magnetic field. In addition, many modes were excited simultaneously with the use of an impact hammer. The natural frequencies and modal amplitudes of the lattice structure were measured using the embedded optical fiber for both excitation methods. The experimental results were confirmed with noncontact proximity sensors. Results demonstrate that embedded optical fibers can be used as internal strain sensors to provide reliable indications of the dynamic response of a randomly vibrating flexible lat tice structure.
Analysis of Micromechanical and Microstructural Effects on Compression Behavior of Unidirectional Composites
Authors: Caiazzo A.A. , Sullivan B.J. , Rosen B.W.
Published: March 2007

It is well known that a variety of factors have an influence on the compres sion strength of unidirectional organic matrix composites. For example, for failure as a result of microfilament buckling, the strength can be shown [1] to be directly related to both the matrix shear stiffness as well as the fiber volume fraction. Other factors can also have a significant effect on the compression strength. These include the presence of a fiber/matrix interface [2], the degree of fiber misalignment [3], compression strain-to- failure of the fibers [4], and the nonlinear stiffness of the matrix material [5]. Recent ex perimental results [2,6-8] have led to the definition of parameters which can be used in performing analyses capable of determining the most significant microstructural and micromechanical aspects of the compression strength of carbon fiber composites. Mathe matical models which utilize both closed form analytical techmques as well as approx imate finite element methods have been constructed to assess the effects of interphases, nonlinear matrix stiffness, a distribution of fiber misalignments representative of actual composites, and the compression strain-to-failure of carbon fibers. Comparisons of calculated strengths and failure modes with available data have been made to verify the an alytical approach.
The Organizational Characteristics of Senior Centers in America
Authors: Krout John A.
Published: March 2007

This paper examines data on the facilities, organization, and budget of a sample of 755 senior centers from 31 states. The large majority of these centers report being located in one-story facilities that do not seriously limit their operation. The majority of centers make no direct payment for their facilities, and are subunits of larger, multi-site organizations. Some regional variations on these characteristics are uncovered, but size of place differentials are stronger and more consistent with centers in rural areas reporting smaller facilities and budgets.
Chain Ownership and Long-Term Health Care Facility Performance
Authors: Ullmann Steven G.
Published: March 2007

The increase in the number of chain-affiliated facilities is causing major structural change in the long-term health care industry. In order to assess the impact of chain ownership on performance, a sample of 265 skilled nursing facilities is analyzed using data from the 1977 National Nursing Home Survey. Descriptive analysis indicates differences in facihty costs and characteristics related to chain ownership. Multiple regression analysis indicates that once facility characteristics are controlled for, no further significant cost differences attributable to chain affiliation are found. Implications of the empirical results are discussed.
The Developmentally Disabled Elderly: Concerns of Service Providers
Authors: Roberto Karen A. , Nelson Raymond E.
Published: March 2007

We examined the availability of servicesfor the developmentally disabled elderly and the concerns expressed by the service provider. We compared agencies which traditionally served individuals with developmental disabilities versus those serving the elderly populations. Although both types of agencies recognized the needfor services, concern was raised as to who would provide them and how the two groups would blend.
Measuring Adaptive Behavior in Elderly Developmentally Disabled Clients
Authors: Kerby Dave S. , Wentworth Robin , Cotten Paul D.
Published: March 2007

Assessing the level of functioning of elderly clients is important in allocating services and in ensuring that the least restrictive environment is achieved. We examine the relationship between adaptive behavior and level of care, using placement level as an index of level of care. Subjects were 25 elderly clients, aged 55 to 77 years (M= 66.2), having a life-long diagnosis of mental retardation, and living in state-operated facilities. We used three scales of adaptive behavior: the Vineland, the AAMD, and the AFABS, a recently developed scale for the elderly. We conclude that adaptive behavior is a major factor in predicting level of care and that the Adult Functional scale has several advantages over other scales when assessing an elderly population.
The Context of Change: Disorientation Following Intra-Institutional Relocation
Authors: Pruchno Rachel A. , Resch Nancy L.
Published: March 2007

Levels of disorientation following either intra-institutional relocation or no relocation were compared for a sample ofpeople resident in a nursing home from April to October, 1983, and a second, independent sample who were either moved or not moved between December 1985 and June 1986. Results of separate logistic regression analyses indicated no differences in disorientation dependent on move status for the first sample, but significant differences for the second group. Among the latter group, nonmovers demonstrated the highest levels of disorientation. Results are interpreted as a function of the larger contexts in which the moves were made. Suggestions are made regarding issues of concern for administrators of long-term care facilities faced with the responsibility of relocating nursing home residents.
Reactions of the Elderly in New Zealand to Nuclear War and Other Nuclear Issues
Authors: Taylor Antony J. W. , Patten M. Dean
Published: March 2007

The present dearth of research on the attitudes and responses of the elderly to social issues led to the application of a brief scale to an elderly group of 101 New Zealand men to measure their attitudes and knowledge about nuclear issues. A large proportion of the elderly were worried about the possibility of nuclear war and ranked it highly in a list of concerns. Half of the elderly thought that a nuclear war within 15 years was likely and only a small proportion felt that they could exert some influence to prevent nuclear war. The disquiet about nuclear war and its effects also extended to attitudes and beliefs about nuclear power and food irradiation. We compared responses of the elderly to those of a sample of 158 adolescent males to the same scale. Responses of the adolescents were very similar. A major difference was that the adolescents thought that the consequences of a nuclear war for New Zealand would be more severe.
What Do Discharge Planners Plan? Implications for Older Medicare Patients
Authors: Wacker Robbyn R. , Kundrat Mary A. , Keith Pat M.
Published: March 2007

This research examines the discharge-planning process, specifically assessing the extent to which components critical to effective discharge planning are implemented in acute-care settings. We surveyed 16 discharge planners in rural and metropolitan hospitals. The analysis examined the degree to which discharge-planning programs incorporate client-centered planning activities, collect information about the client's care deficits, use community services to support the client on discharge, and the extent of interdepartment involvement in discharge planning. Results indicated that the majority of planners were client centered in their planning ; however, a complete assessment of the client's resources and care deficits did not occur on admission. We discuss implications for discharge planning.
The Men Who Care: An Analysis of Male Primary Caregivers Who Care for Frail Elderly at Home
Authors: Chang Cyril F. , White-Means Shelley I.
Published: March 2007

The geriatric care literature has paid little attention to a small, yet sizable group of informal caregivers—men who care for a frail elderly relative at home. This lack of attention to male caregivers is not surprising because caregiving is traditionally regarded as a "woman's job," usually assumed by a grown daughter or daughter-in-law of the care recipient. This study finds that 27% of the informal caregivers surveyed by the 1982 to 1984 National Long-Term Care Demonstration (the channeling study) are men. Male caregivers are predominantly the husbands of frail, elderly women, and they are more willing to abandon gender roles than are other male caregivers. Further, male caregivers in general appear to be healthier, more satisfied with life, more active in the labor market, and report less financial and physical stress from caregiving than do female caregivers. With the exception of spouses, our findings support the existing literature regarding the existence of strong gender differences in caregiving tasks and efforts.
Research and Implications for Practice: Religion, Well-Being/Morale, and Coping Behavior in Later Life
Authors: Holt Marilyn K. , Dellmann-Jenkins Mary
Published: March 2007

With primary emphasis on more recent research, this article seeks to promote a greater awareness among gerontology professionals of the importance of religion to older persons and the potential of religion as a resource for improving elders'quality of life. The multidimensional nature of religious behaviors and the role of religion in the morale/well-being and coping of older persons is discussed Implications for professionals involved in service provision for older persons as well as directions for future research are presented
The Dynamics of Political Participation Among the Urban Elderly
Authors: Jirovec Ronald L. , Erich John A.
Published: March 2007

This study examined patterns of political participation among a sample of community-based, urban elderly adults. The data revealed an ongoing pattern of high voting turnout and moderate involvement in campaign activities, community groups, and personalized contacts with legislators. When compared with the previous 25 years, the frequency of party identification and issue group membership increased in old age, whereas all other nonvoting forms of political activity declined Implications are discussed in terms of empowerment, intergenerational conflict, and party alignments.
The Impact of an Educational Program on Provision of Services to Ethnically Diverse Elders
Authors: Gamel Nona , Yeo Gwen
Published: March 2007

The Stanford Geriatric Education Center cosponsored a conference to train service providers to work more effectively with a culturally diverse population of elders. At the end of the conference, participants identified specific new strategies their agencies should implement to increase their effectiveness with ethnic elders. A telephone follow-up 6 months later reached 44 of the 55 participants. They reported an average of 6 implemented strategies from an average of 10 originally identified; 86% reported 2 or more strategies implemented. Over half of the respondents reported successfully recruiting and promoting new ethnic staff and volunteers.
Type Size and Performance of the Elderly on the Wonderlic Personnel Test
Authors: Rosenstein Rebecca , Glickman Albert S.
Published: March 2007

Corporations concerned with fair employment practices often use selection instruments. The purpose of this study was to determine if an enlarged-print version of the Wonderlic Personnel Test would significantly improve the scores of elderly subjects. One hundred sixteen individuals between the ages of 40 and 84 served as subjects in the experiment. Although print size was not significantly related to the overall score on the test, older individuals tended to score lowerthan their younger counterparts. The results of this study cast doubt on the validity of the age adjustments recommended for the Wonderlic and demonstrate the need for further research in this area.
Design for a Longitudinal Study of the Impact of an Enhanced Environment on the Functioning of Frail Adults
Authors: Fonda Stephanie Jo , Maddox George L. , Clipp Elizabeth , Reardon Joyce
Published: March 2007

The article documents the development of an assisted living facility for low to moderate income, frail, older adults in Durham, North Carolina, and describes the research plan designed to assess longitudinally the impact of this facility on the functioning of its residents. The backbone of the conceptualization and development of this facility is an ongoing cooperative relationship among a research team at Duke Umversity's Center for Aging, the Durham Housing Authority, the Durham Department of Social Services, and related community agencies. These researchers and practitioners also worked together to create the research plan, which consists of characterizing resident health and functioning every 6 months using the Service Outcome Screen and the Community Alternatives Program assessment and characterizing the environment annually with Rudolf Moos' Multiphasic Environmental Assessment Procedure. Finally, this article reports preliminary observations about this new assisted living facility, including features of its environ ment and aggregate characteristics of its residents, and discusses future plans for monitoring their functional status and comparing them to older adults in other settings.
Meal Patterns of Older Adults in Rural Communities: Life Course Analysis and Implications for Undernutrition
Authors: Quandt Sara A. , Vitolins Mara Z. , DeWalt Kathleen M. , Roos Gun M.
Published: March 2007

Mealfrequency and composition data were collected in home interviews from a random sample of 556 adults age 55 to 96 years from two rural Kentucky counties Only 65% consumed three meals every day, and less than one third regularly snacked. Factor analysis distinguished patterns of hot, cooked meals from cold, uncooked meals at each meal; patterns varied by sociodemographic characteristics. Qualitative data from in-depth interviews with key infor mants provide context for understanding the influence of life course experiences These data show both continutty of local rural meal patterns and changes informants attribute to life course transitions—the most salient related to family, work, and health status. Knowledge of how meals are patterned and how patterns are distributed can inform efforts to correct or prevent nutritional problems, particularly undernutrition. We suggest ways in which these findings can be applied in programs to improve the nutritional status of elders.
Status Offenders: Which Side of the Road
Authors: White Joseph
Published: March 2007

The definition of a "status offender," and the proper way to handle those children labelled as "status offenders," has become a great concern in recent years. Those who oppose placing children accused of status offenses in "detention" centers argue that the child's constitutional right of due process is being violated; that the juvenile court's intervention is both ineffective and inappropriate; and that a private agency would be better able to deal with the child's problems. Others argue that the government does have a right to control the behavior of juveniles and that these children are only brought before the court after all other alternatives have failed. This article offers a new definition of a status offenders definition which looks at how the child came to be confined, not who he is-and discusses the usefulness of this new definition.
Volunteer Program Effectiveness: The Reduction of Recidivism
Authors: Cook Thomas J. , Scioli Frank P.
Published: March 2007

The results reported in this article are part of a larger study which entailed an evaluation of the extant research literature on the effectiveness of citizen Volunteer Programs in the area of Courts and Corrections. The focus in this paper was narrowed to a specific measure of program effectiveness: Recidivism. The research literature was first screened in terms of its technical quality, and those research reports which met acceptable methodological standards were then analyzed in terms of their policy relevant findings on the recidivism measure. Several conclusions were discussed in the paper. Primary among these is that the overall research on the topic of recidivism is inconclusive as to the effectiveness of Volunteer Programs relative to non-Volunteer (e.g., regular probation) program alternatives. The research to date is, simply put, too thin to reveal any clear research trend. This conclusion is discussed within the context of evaluative research in the area of criminal justice as a whole. The reader is reminded of the lack of clear-cut research trends within the general area of criminal justice research.
Drop Outs and Rejects: An Analysis of the Prison Guard's Revolving Door
Authors: Jacobs James B. , Grear Mary P.
Published: March 2007

High turnover among prison guards has long been noted as a problem plaguing corrections. This study indicates that turnover among rank and file employees results from organizational and cultural strains within the formal organization. A sample survey of 55 former prison guards indicates that the most significant variable in explaining the termination of their prison work is race. Young urban black guards tend to find themselves in conflict with the top echelon in the custodial force while the white recruits have difficulty normalizing relations with the minority inmates.
Nine Reasons to go Slow on Bail Bond Reform
Authors: Williams Virgil L.
Published: March 2007

The problems of bail bond systems are similar in most states and the proposed solutions are much the same. Bail bond reform by means of establishing an OR (own recognizance) system is becoming a national trend. Once a reform of this kind does become popular with criminal justice personnel, there is a danger that we will stop studying it and assume that it must be good because other states and the federal government are doing it. It is very easy to believe that change itself is progress.

Alabama is struggling to join the national trend to overhaul its bail bond system. This paper starts with a brief description of a small empirical study done for the purpose of providing a rationale for introducing reform legislation. This study is used as a vehicle to illustrate how the problems and process of bail bond reform are national in scope.

The discussion of the national issues of bail bond reform is conceptually divided into three broad categories of problems: (I) bureaucracy issues; (2) cost effectiveness issues; and, (3) justice issues. Bureaucracy issues express concern about government casually displacing and destroying the private bail bond industry without studying the possible impact of such action. Cost effectiveness issues stress that the burden of cost will be shiftedfrom offender to taxpayer. Furthermore, the costs per arrestee are apt to be high and the total costs extremely high. Advocates of reform should, at a minimum, be prepared to tell taxpayers what the rejorm will cost. Justice issuesfocus on the court delay, as discussed by district court judges in testimony before Congress and the possibility that OR may, make criminal courts even less efficient than they are now. The issues raised in this paper deserve study before the private bail bond industry is destroyed.
Police Occasions: A Study of Interaction Contexts
Authors: Sanders William B.
Published: March 2007

Drawing on the works of Erving Goffman (1963, 1971), police interaction was observed in terms of social occasions. In contrast to studies of police discretion that focus on the individual behaviors of the demeanor of the social actor, this study attempts to locate the interaction context through the dimensions of social occasions. Forms of interaction were hypothesized to be dependent on the social occasion in which the police and citizens found themselves and not solely on the basis of the actors' demeanor. The findings, based on 291 observations recorded on observations schedules in a small citY with a high crime/police-mobilization rate, bore out the relationship, even though not in the expected direction. Equally important was the fact that there was a significant relationship between the type of occasion and the likelihood of the police being called leading to speculation that crime and disorder are related to the forms of social occasions in specific dimensions.
What do We Expect of Criminal Justice? Critical Questions of Sanction Policy, Sentencing Purpose and the Politics of Reform
Authors: Talarico Susette M.
Published: March 2007

Sentencing decisions are among the most critical in the criminal justice system. Thev' have obvious consequences for the person convicted, equalli' important implications for the efficiency of criminal law and direct bearing on the structure of the criminal justice system. Current debate about sentencing policy centers on suggestions for system change; change that would affect the entire criminaljustice system.

Recognizing the established fact of sentencing disparities and questioning the rehabilitative orientation of the indeterminate/indefinite sentencing model, social scientists, legal authorities, practitioners and politicians advance a variety ofpolicl' proposals. These proposals build on both substantive and procedural reforms for criminal law and range from the introduction of flat or definite sentencing to modifications of the existing indefinite systems.

This article directs attention to these proposals and assesses the theoretical assumptions about law and government that underlie the different policy proposals. In the course of the analysis, particular attention is directed to the administrative implications for corrections, the organizational implications of different reform schemes and the political and constitutional issues raised in alternative sentencing proposals.
Correctional Management of Offenders by Line Staff: Implications of a Behavioral Model
Authors: Reed Thomas E. , Goodrick David D. , Quinlan Patrick T.
Published: March 2007

This article describes a behavioral model of the criminal process (Reed & Gaines, Note 1) to help clarify the primary objectives, behavioral processes, and basic skills involved in the correctional management of offenders by line staff. The model views managerial decisions and actions as learned responses to three societal mandates that are communicated through images of offenders as criminals, persons, and citizens. These mandates are treated as competing criminal justice and correctional goals which define the primary objectives and roles of line staff: (a) to control criminals, (b) to help them as individual persons, and (c) to protect rights afforded them as citizens. According to the model, efficient performance of this complex role depends upon knowledge and skills related to three conceptually distinct behavioral processes or sequential steps: Step 1: Effective use of cues associated with images of criminals to be controlled, ofpersons with needs, and of citizens with rights. Step 2: Accurate classification/labeling decisions of offenders' behavior, requests, and needs. Step 3: Appropriate management behavior that is coordinated with organizational developments and systems supports. Training, research, and staff evaluation implications of the model are discussed in terms of the current lack of clear goals in corrections and seven suggested standards for job performance that are based upon behavioral principles.
Risk and the Timing of Recidivism in Three Cohorts of Prison Releasees
Authors: Flanagan Timothy J.
Published: March 2007

In recent years several methods have been developed to assess the timing of recidivism among offenders released from correctional programs. These methods have been used for some time in biomedical and engineering sciences, but applications to the study of criminal recidivism are relatively new. In this article, one of these methods, survival analysis, was used to examine the comparative performance of three groups of offenders released from a state prison system and followed for five years after release. The comparison of survival distributions showed that paroleesfailed at a slower pace than inmates released by conditional release or by the maximum expiration of the term. These findings were maintained when the a priori risk of recidivism was controlled, suggesting that selection effects were not wholly responsible for the more favorable performance of the parole group.

In the second part of the study, the survival distributions for the parole group were compared across risk levels. The findings suggested that if a critical period of probability of failure exists, the timing of this period varies with characteristics of the offender.

The implications of the findings for resource allocation, correctional population and program planning, parole policy, and program evaluation methodology are discussed.
Blacks in Prison: A Profile
Authors: Goetting Ann , Howsen Roy Michael
Published: March 2007

From a 1979 nationwide self-report survey of 11,397 inmates in state penal institutions, 5,385 of them black, a profile of black inmates based on comparisons with their white counterparts is constructed. Areas of analysis include: personal characteristics, drug use, current offense and sentence, probation and incarceration history, conformity to prison rules, prison recreation and work activities, and interaction withfamily members andfriends outside ofprison. Implications for racial discrimination in the prison setting are explored, and the need for treatment, facility, and program reform is noted.
Explaining the Fear of Crime among International Students from Developing Countries: A Revised Model
Authors: Sundeen Richard. A.
Published: March 2007

This article examines thefear ofstreet crime among international students enrolled in a large urban university. The purpose of the article is to report whetherfactors generallyfound to be associated with thefear of crime in the United States (U.S.) are the samefor international students studying here, or if there are characteristics or experiences unique to international students that add to a model which attempts to explain the fear of cime. The results from a multiple regression analysis show thatfour variables were strongly correlated with feelings of safety in one's neighborhood. Two of them are unique to international students: number of months in the U.S. andfrequency of participation in cultural events and activities. The other two were comparative danger of one's neighborhood and perceived likelihood of local protection.
A Note on the Historical Relationship between the Economy and Police Organizational Activities
Authors: Surette Raymond
Published: March 2007

Works which have examined the relationship between economic conditions and the criminal justice system have usually attempted to explain criminality within specific, short term time periods. Conclusions based upon these efforts have been mixed and ambiguous. This present study uses Chicago Police Department variables as indicators of organizational activities and investigates the duration andpersistence of relationships between selected economic conditions andpolice organizational measures. Nearly 100 years of annual City of Chicago data are examined in a two step, lagged, time series regression analysis. The findings show that a persistent historical relationship exists between vagrancy arrests and economic conditions but does not exist between felonylmisdemeanor arrests or number of police employees and economic conditions. This present study suggests supportfor the previousfindings of Chambliss (1964, 1976), Wellford (1974), and Land and Felson (1976), and reveals the necessity of further model development in specifying the historical interaction between the economy and the criminal justice system. Lastly, it points to the value of developing and analysing long term historical data bases.
Legal Culture: A Re-Examination of the Adversarial Perspective
Authors: Crank John
Published: March 2007

Analysts of courtroom processes typically focus on the predictive power of legal and extra-legal determinants upon actual case outcomes. The present research, by looking at practitioner responses to hypothetical felony cases, focuses on adversariness and local legal culture as predictors of attitudes toward case disposition time and sentencing. First, we examine Church's (1982) findings regarding legal cultures with the inclusion of statistical conrols, absent in his analysis. Second, we examine four issues salient to practitioners: preferred pace of litigation, preferred sentence for guilty pleas, attitudes toward 'just deserts", and practitioner interpersonal relations. Using the Eisenstein and Jacob (1977) typology of workgroup goals, indicants of these issues are separated into two categories: expressive and instrumental. We find that instrumental aspects are most strongly predicted by courtoom identity, in support of local legal culture. On the other hand, expressive aspects are most affected by practiioner type, in support of the adversarial model.
Socioeconomic Predictors of Crime in Rural Georgia
Authors: Arthur John A.
Published: March 2007

This paper examines the impact of socioeconomic conditions on property and violent crimes in the 13 predominantly rural counties that form east-central Georgia, using data from 1975 to 1985. The results of the regression analysis serve to reemphasize the importance of socioeconomic variables such as unemployment, poverty, race, and family dependence on government assistance in predicting both property crime and violent crimes. The results suggest that the empirical measures of the independent variables prove to be particularly effective predictors of rural property crimes-more so than violent crimes. This certainly appears to be the case even when cross-sectional and longitudinal data are analyzed. The success of the predictors in explaining property crime rates can be attributed largely to their predictive power in regard to the modal types of property crimes that occur in American society. Theoretical and methodological limitations and policy implications of these findings are discussed. Finally, the need for more studies focusing on socioeconomic conditions and patterns of offending in the rural counties of Georgia is discussed. Such studies will have to account for the impact that uneven socioeconomic development across different regions of the state has on crime.
A Murder "Wave"? Trends in American Serial Homicide 1940-1990
Authors: Jenkins Philip
Published: March 2007

This study employs a historical and quantitative analysis to test the widespread suggestion that serial murder activity in the United States has increased dramatically since the late 1960s. The crime of serial murder appears to have occurred infrequently between 1940 and 1964, but a rapid acceleration is observable from about 1965. The rate of increase far exceeds the general upsurge in violent crime that occurred about that time. Also, the growth in activity cannot be explained simply in terms of changes in recording or reporting practices. In explaining the transition, particular emphasis is placed on factors such as demographic structure and aspects of the "youth culture" of the 1960s. It is also tentatively suggested that changes in the mental health system may have played an important role.
The effect of waste composition on leachate and gas quality: a study in South Africa
Authors: Blight G.E. , Fourie A.B. , Shamrock J. , Mbande C. , Morris J.W.F.
Published: March 2007

South Africa has a system of graded landfilling standards that takes account of climatic conditions, waste type and the rate of deposition of waste. At present, waste is classified into general, i.e., municipal solid waste and low and high hazard wastes. Many of the hazardous wastes are liquids, and these are codisposed with general wastes at restricted, fully lined and drained sites. The characteristics of the municipal or general wastes differ, depending on the income level of the originating community and the source of the energy they use. The major source of variation lies in the relative proportions of putrescible matter. There is presently no differentiation between general wastes, based on composition. However, it may be possible to relax standards when low putrescible content general waste is landfilled, and this is the issue addressed in this paper. Experiments, using waste from low and middle income communities, are being conducted using small and large field test cells or lysimeters and laboratory lysimeters. Preliminary results indicate significant differences in the quality of leachate from the two waste types. The characteristics for gas generation also differ significantly. It will be necessary to continue long-term monitoring of the test cells and lysimeters to determine differences in the long term analyses of leachate and gas and the long-term total contaminant load of the wastes. The results may influence future landfilling standards, but on present evidence, this will be unlikely.
Report: comparison of environmental impacts from solid waste treatment and disposal facilities
Authors: Tsiliyannis C.A.
Published: March 2007

Releases of pollutants to the environment were determined on the basis of per tonne municipal solid waste (MSW) received for three widely implemented technologies: (1) landfilling with energy recovery; (2) waste to energy; and (3) mechanical separation to refuse-derived fuel (RDF)/compost with RDF incineration for energy recovery. All three technologies were considered with a nominal capacity of 1000 tonnes MSW per day. The analysis was based on the solid waste composition of Athens, Greece, and the facilities were assumed to meet EU Directives and to include the proper disposal of residues. It was found that landfilling with energy recovery produces slightly higher air pollution and greenhouse gas releases, mainly owing to the emission of uncollected biogas. Released leachate rates are at a ratio of 5:1:2 for landfilling with energy recovery, waste to energy and mechanical separation to RDF/compost with RDF incineration for energy recovery, respectively. Landfilling with energy recovery does not produce air emissions of toxic metals, but releases dioxins and furans at the same levels as the other two methods; polychlorinated biphenyls are also released by landfilling with energy recovery, mainly due to electricity production from biogas. Mechanical separation to RDF/compost with RDF incineration for energy recovery produces lower releases per tonne MSW for most pollutants, but the pollutants are more widely dispersed in soils, groundwater and the atmosphere. The methodology used is not significantly affected by uncertainties and may be used for the further evaluation of environmental impacts and the assessment of integrated MSW management schemes.