bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Scandinavian Challenge
Authors: Benner Mats
Published: July 2003

The Scandinavian countries - Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland - have developed a particular model of welfare, employment and economic governance. It is based on universal access to tax-financed social services and social insurance, full employment secured by expansive macro-economic policies and active labour market policies, highly organized labour markets, corporatist interest mediation, and so on. This article surveys the response of the Scandinavian socio-economic model to the challenges of economic globalization and the rise of a knowledge-based economy. It has repeatedly been stated that this changing economic model `requires' labour market deregulations, tax cuts and privatizations of public services. The experience of the Scandinavian countries in the 1990s indicates that it is possible to retain traditional commitments to employment and social security by developing active policies for industrial renewal and support of innovation systems, technological development, scientific infrastructures and regional concentrations of industrial competence.
The Reality of Experts and the Imagined Lay Person
Authors: Maranta Alessandro , Guggenheim Michael , Gisler Priska , Pohl Christian
Published: July 2003

This article examines the role of lay persons in the thinking and working of experts in different fields at the borders of academic knowledge production. The status of lay persons has been studied in the Public Understanding of Science (PUS) research, which has shed light on the implicit assumptions of the deficit model that experts usually apply to lay persons. This deficit model has been consistently criticized for its inadequacy. The purpose of this article is not to contribute to this critique but to focus on the conceptions of the expertise of lay persons as a necessary prerequisite of science-based recommendations in the context of application. We call such conceptions `imagined lay persons' (ILP). We argue that such conceptions fulfil a functional purpose in the interaction between different fields in knowledge societies, and that such conceptions should not be checked against some alleged essential features of lay persons. Based on four different case studies of science centres, environmental science and consultations, as well as state regulations of genetically modified organisms, the authors examine the image of these imagined lay persons and what role they play in expertise.
The Realist Logic of International Society
Authors: Molloy Seán
Published: July 2003

The purpose of this article is to reassert the importance of realist thought in the international theory of Martin Wight. Following Hedley Bull, it has become prevalent in international relations theory to present Wight as a rationalist thinker, and international society as a rationalist principle that offers an alternative or third way in international relations. I argue that international society is actually Wight's attempt to integrate two perspectives on international relations — the Realist and the Rationalist. I argue that this relationship is asymmetric — that international society is the product of realist impulses and logic which force the creation of a series of secondary institutional and legal mechanisms that can channel but not control the desire for power in international relations.
Monetarism and the Masses
Authors: Marcussen Martin , Zølner Mette
Published: July 2003

The purpose of the article is to find out more about the informal rules that constrain the protagonists in a public discursive field. What are the rules? Under what conditions do they change? What consequences do they have for the way in which political elites frame their messages? With regard to the first question, we focus on the Danish Economic Monetary Union (EMU) referendum and identify rules at two different levels of analysis: causal ideas at the level of elites and deep-rooted cultural values at the level of the masses. In answering the second question about ideational change, we conclude that elite ideas pertaining to macro-economic policy-making are most likely to change in short periods that are generally perceived to be crisis situations. At the level of the masses, myths about `us' and `them' are more deeply institutionalized and more difficult to change. Finally, concerning the consequences that political elites can draw from the existence of constraining and enabling rules of the game on various levels, we conclude that, when they frame their purposes and visions, elites must take account of all these rules at the same time, even if they seem mutually contradictory. This last message may prove to be useful in the upcoming EMU referenda in Denmark, the United Kingdom and Sweden.
Greenland, US Bases and Missile Defence
Authors: Archer Clive
Published: July 2003

The US Thule Air Base in Greenland will need upgrading should President Bush's missile defence programme go ahead. This has already brought the US administration into three-sided negotiations between itself, Denmark and Greenland. The article looks at the historical background to the present negotiations and, using an adaptation of Putnam's `logic of two-level games', traces the move from one-level to two-level and three-level negotiations in previous negotiations and the ones now emerging. Over time, US dealings about their bases in Greenland have evolved from the one-level negotiations of 1941 and 1951 to the two-level game of the 1980s — with a smattering of early Greenlandic involvement — to the current three-level game. Should the US and Greenland face each other directly over the negotiating table, a new two-level game will begin with the Greenlanders in a stronger bargaining position than Denmark, according to a reading of Putnam.
The `War Against Terrorism'
Authors: Louw P. Eric
Published: July 2003

This article examines the relationship between warfare and the media, arguing that both terrorists and conventional warfare planners in the Pentagon factor communications and public relations into their planning. In this regard, the article sketches out how the Pentagon developed a new genre of `public relations-ized' warfare - warfare planned, not only as a military exercise, but as a televisual media event. Similarly, it will be argued that those attacking the World Trade Center deployed an understanding of terrorism as a `media event', and a grasp of how USA politics (and warfare) has been `media-ized'. This understanding was used by al-Qaeda to provoke the USA into the `War against Terrorism'. This war created a number of public relations problems for the Pentagon. The Pentagon's response to these problems is examined.
Framing the NATO Air Strikes on Kosovo Across Countries
Authors: Yang Jin
Published: July 2003

Using a frame analysis technique, this study compares the way in which Chinese media, represented by the People's Daily Online and the China Daily, and US media, represented by the New York Times and the Washington Post, covered the NATO air strikes in 1999. The content analysis of 200 news stories reveals that Chinese newspapers and US newspapers adopted two different media frames in recounting the large-scale military action. While the Chinese newspapers framed the air strikes as an intervention of Yugoslavia's sovereignty and territory, the US newspaper framed the air strikes as a humanistic aid to Albanians to stop the ethnic cleansing initiated by Serbians. The general corresponding reflections of government attitudes toward the air strikes in the newspapers indicate a considerable influence of national interest on media frames in newspapers. The author concludes that in international news reportage, national interest often outweighs other factors to play an active role in framing media texts.
Guardians of Culture, Development Communicators, or State Capitalists?
Authors: Pashupati Kartik , Sun Hua Lin , McDowell Stephen D.
Published: July 2003

This article compares television policy in India and China in the broadcast and DBS areas. First, the authors examine some of the arguments traditionally used to justify state ownership of media, namely development communication, nation-building and combating cultural imperialism. Second, they present a historical review of broadcast television policy in India and China. The authors argue that the governments of both India and China have assumed the roles of state capitalists, while using the rhetoric of development communication and nation-building to justify state control of television. Finally, the article describes Indian and Chinese policy responses to the satellite television challenge, and discusses implications for future research.
Localizing the Global
Authors: Weber Ian
Published: July 2003

Globalization of Asian markets has focused attention on the flow of western cultural products into Asian countries as they attempt to manage global economics at a local level. Countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and China have responded to what is deemed western cultural hegemony by initiating protectionist media policies to limit perceived negative influences of foreign cultural imperialism on their societies and maintain appropriate levels of cultural autonomy. China, in particular, introduced a raft of media and cultural policy changes throughout the mid- and late 1990s in preparation for its entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2001, as a way of balancing modernization and tradition under the banner of `spiritual civilization'. The key to these strategies is the limiting inappropriate western cultural products, while simultaneously strengthening its domestic television industry through a range of strategies, including the selective importation of products from culturally sensitive overseas Chinese and favoured western television programme suppliers. This article examines the strategies employed from 1995-2002 by four television operators (CETV, AOL Time Warner, News Corporation and MTV) to access China's highly regulated mediascape. These strategies are defined by the common element of localization, which links into the main tenets of the Chinese government's spiritual civilization programme. However, these localizing strategies manifested in many and varied ways, as organizations attempted to adhere to the government's discursive construction of `common cultural tradition' and `common economic philosophy'. The success in forging the local (values) with the global (economics) relies on the government's ability to create, mediate and sustain social perceptions of Chinese modernity through the discursive construction of what Appadurai refers to as `imagined worlds'. Today, the concept of an `imagined China' is reflected in the flexible frameworks found in China's current cultural and economic management models, evoked through the formalization and implementation of spiritual civilization and which manifest within government media policy and regulations.
Reporting the News from the World's Rooftop
Authors: Ramaprasad Jyotika , Kelly James D.
Published: July 2003

Modeled partly after Weaver and Wilhoit's study of the American journalist, this study provides a profile of Nepalese journalists at an interesting time in Nepal's history, when democracy has been restored and media freedom has been prevalent for almost a decade. The profile covers demographic, work-related and attitudinal variables from a convenience sample of 132 journalists in Kathmandu and Pokhara representing all the major newspapers and radio stations and the government television station. The questionnaire was borrowed from an earlier study carried out in post-independence Tanzania because of its fit to Nepal's media context. A quantitative analysis of the roles the journalists perceived for themselves revealed four factors: development journalism (positive coverage of leaders, country, events); citizen education (inform and educate public on political matters); public advocate (investigate leaders and give voice to people); and culture (entertain, provide cultural fare). Another interpretation of development journalism (focus on development projects and welfare of diverse oppressed groups) emerged as a role in answers to an open-ended question about other functions of the press. As Nepalese society is in transition from a monarchy with a government-controlled press that defined a role for the media in national development to a multi-party democracy with a free press, its journalists are balancing the roles that they have been socialized in with those of a free press.
Psychiatric Morbidity Among Housemaids in Kuwait III: Vulnerability Factors
Authors: Zahid Muhammad Ajmal , Fido Abdullahi , Alowaish Rashed , Mohsen Mohamed Abd El-Motaal , Razik Mohammed Abdul
Published: July 2003

Background: Housemaids are a relatively homogenous immigrant subgroup in terms of their gender; ethnic origin; and socio-cultural, educational and occupational background. Psychiatric morbidity among housemaids is two to five times higher than the native female population.

Aims: To determine the possible pre-immigration risk factors for prospective psychiatric breakdown among the housemaids.

Methods: The sample consisted of all the housemaids ( N = 197) hospitalised during the two-year study period. The controls comprised all the newly arrived housemaids ( N = 502). The measures obtained included demographic characteristics and previous history of physical illness, psychiatric illness, hospitalisation and family history of psychiatric disorder.

Results: More than a quarter of the hospitalised group broke down within one month of their arrival. The hospitalised group had a significant excess of Sri Lankan housemaids; non-Muslims; those with less than four years of education and those with a previous history of physical illness, psychiatric illness or hospitalisation.

Conclusions: A number of potential risk factors results in premature repatriation of housemaids on mental health grounds. Preventive measures involving recruitment procedures and pre-departure orientation courses are needed to minimise the expatriate failure among the housemaids.
Traditional Chinese Religious Beliefs and Superstitions in Delusions and Hallucinations of Chinese Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Yip Kam-shing
Published: July 2003

Religious beliefs and superstitions have an important impact on the psychopathology of psychiatric patients. Traditional Chinese religious beliefs and superstitions, such as fortune telling, Buddhist gods, Taoist gods, historical heroic gods and ancestor worship, have important influence on subjective psychotic experiences, in particular delusions and hallucinations. By means of empirical phenomenological case narration, the writer shows that all these traditional Chinese religious beliefs and superstitions tend to affect the contents, manifestation and meaningfulness of delusion and hallucination. They also serve as a means to replace clients' self-identity. They appear in the form of a supernatural force to resolve all difficulties, cause of troubles and misfortune, stress and coping mechanisms.
Violence, Self-Harm, Victimisation and Homelessness in Patients Admitted to an Acute Inpatient Unit in South Australia
Authors: Ash David , Haynes John , Braben Peter , Galletly Cherrie
Published: July 2003

Objectives: To measure the incidence of traumatic and potentially socially disruptive events prior to admission to a psychiatric hospital.

Method: One hundred and nineteen patients were interviewed and further information was obtained from case notes. Data were collected concerning rates of violence, self-harm, threats of violence or self-harm, physical assault and homelessness.

Results: The patients' mean age was 35 years, 70% were male and 77% were currently single. More than half were legally detained. The most common diagnoses were substance abuse disorders, schizophrenia and related psychoses and mood disorders. Eighteen per cent of patients were physically violent at the time of admission. They were more likely to have a diagnosis of substance abuse. Significantly more men (30%) than women (8%) made threats of violence. Eighteen per cent of patients had physically harmed themselves. Significantly more women (70%) than men (40%) had threatened to harm themselves. Eight per cent of patients had been physically assaulted prior to admission. Twenty-seven per cent of patients were homeless.

Conclusion: These patients were severely disabled with high rates of comorbidity. Socially disruptive behaviours were common, and almost a quarter of the patients were homeless. This study highlights the need for development of targeted services in the community.
Common Mental Disorders Among Primary Care Attenders in Vellore, South India: Nature, Prevalence and Risk Factors
Authors: Pothen M. , Kuruvilla A. , Philip K. , Joseph A. , Jacob K. S.
Published: July 2003

Objective: The study examined the nature and prevalence of and the factors associated with common mental disorders in primary care in Vellore, South India.

Method: Consecutive attenders ( N = 327) to a primary health care facility were recruited.

Results: One hundred and eleven (33.9%) subjects satisfied criteria for common mental disorders. Depression was the common presentation (83.8%). Indicators of low socio-economic status (being in debt, inability to buy food, having less than three square meals per day) and illiteracy were significantly associated with caseness.

Conclusions: Subjects with common mental disorders are commonly seen in primary health care settings. Illiteracy and poverty are associated with caseness. Primary health care research and policy needs to focus on common mental disorders.
Emotional and Somatic Distress in Eastern North Carolina: Help-Seeking Behaviors
Authors: Bloch Richard M. , Pandurangi Anand , Aderibigbe Yekeen A.
Published: July 2003

Socio-demographic and cultural factors have been reported to shape help-seeking behavior. However, not much effort has been made to determine the effects of these factors on help-seeking among rural populations. A telephone survey using random-digit dialing was used to explore socio-demographic characteristics and ethnic differences in the types of professionals sought for unexplained somatic and emotional problems ( N = 1161) in rural eastern North Carolina. Ethnic differences in comfort with participating in support groups were also examined. The effect of a large natural disaster, Hurricane Floyd and subsequent flooding, on help-seeking choices and comfort with support groups was also assessed. Results showed that the rural population makes a sharp distinction between somatic symptoms and stress-related symptoms. This distinction seemed more pronounced for European-Americans than for African-Americans. In general African-Americans selected help-seeking from clergy more often than European-Americans, although for unexplained somatic symptoms this difference was fostered by Hurricane Floyd with its flooding. African-Americans showed markedly increased comfort with support groups after the hurricane, while European-Americans showed no changes in comfort with support groups as a function of the hurricane. The effects of Hurricane Floyd on African-Americans are interpreted as reflecting an increased salience of community support for African-Americans, significantly through the Baptist Church. Training of clergy should include recognition of stress-related somatic and emotional symptoms and the potential for an important referral role, especially following disasters.
From Whence Comes Mental Illness Stigma?
Authors: Watson Amy C. , Ottati Victor , Corrigan Patrick
Published: July 2003

Background: This paper seeks to answer two fundamental questions: What is the basis of the current form of mental illness stigma? and Why do western cultures stereotype people with mental illness as dangerous, incompetent and blameful, rather than something else?

Material and discussion: We argue that a motivational model called system-justification offers several benefits for answering these questions. System-justification portrays stigma as a way of making sense of economic and political differences between the majority and stigmatized subgroups. We contrast system-justification with two cognitive models of stigma that seem to have strong support from naïve psychology: mental illness stigma results as the normal perception of a group of people who are dangerous and/or blameworthy and there is a kernel of truth to the stigmatizing attitudes about people with mental illness. Although research supporting the latter two models is mixed, there are significant limitations to the models, as well as concerns that normal perception and kernel of truth might actually promote stigma.

Conclusions: As an alternative, system-justification combines three paradigms that suggest its worthiness for future research: 1) a review of historical and economic forces that influence social phenomena; 2) the need of humankind to understand these forces and organize them into a unitary framework; and 3) the cognitive mechanisms that are essential for this comprehension. Implications of this model for stigma change are discussed.
Successful Policy Implementation: The Route to Building Self-Confident Government
Authors: Giacchino Stephen , Kakabadse Andrew
Published: July 2003

This article addresses self-confident government from the viewpoint of the need for improved policy implementation practices. It draws upon the findings of recent research undertaken in Malta with the purpose of identifying what factors influenced the successful implementation of a major policy decision and the manner in which these factors affected success. Based upon data collected through both documentary research and interviews with the key players involved in the implementation of the policy under review, 18 factors of success were identified. Although they all played a different and important role in enabling the government to deliver on its promise, central to the issue of success was the manner in which Government organized itself to deliver this policy initiative. The three decisive factors in this regard were: (1) the decision taken to locate political responsibility for the initiative in the Office of the Prime Minister; (2) the presence of a strong project management/team dynamic; and (3) the type and level of commitment shown to the policy initiative which, in itself, was heavily moderated by the former two factors. The article discusses the implications of these three critical factors on the successful outcome of the policy initiative and makes recommendations for their application to future policy initiatives and for the organization of self-confident government.
From Command and Control to Self-Confidence in Government: Meeting the Challenge in Doncaster
Authors: Batty Clare , Hilton John
Published: July 2003

This article compares some themes of change management theory against the practical experience of a large UK local authority as it attempts to move from `command and control' leadership to a more assertive, self-confident style of local government. This move is a response both to changing national legislation and local demand arising from a significant corruption scandal. The concept of `command and control' management is compared with that of self-confidence within the context of organizing for government, both central and local. The nature of self-confident government is then examined more closely in an attempt to answer some central questions — what is self-confidence, what sustains it and what benefits does it offer? These questions are then considered against the practical experience of a large metropolitan authority in England. The local pressures for organizational and cultural change, including those arising out of recent municipal corruption, are discussed along with the developing local responses. The article then considers the change issues that are arising for local service managers and the role of developing self-confidence in adapting and expanding their capabilities into the future. Some key learning points are identified.
Conceptual and Practical Considerations in Alternative Service Delivery
Authors: Wilkins John K.
Published: July 2003

Alternative service delivery (ASD) is a Canadian phenomenon that spread, surfaced important issues and made a wider impact. ASD refers to the many and varied organizational forms and delivery mechanisms governments use to achieve their objectives. It is anchored in a spectrum of options that mirrors the diversity of the nation, its governments and its public institutions. Innovations sustain the capacity to serve the public interest and to leverage efficiency, accountability and renewal. They embrace a strategy of collaboration across sectors and boundaries to overcome impediments to change and to transform service delivery. Countless spin-offs cascade throughout the Canadian public sector. Many governments benchmark the international scene and adapt innovations to their settings. Respect for situation and reciprocal learning facilitate the transfer of good practice. Lessons learned from ASD experiences across Canada and in countries like Tanzania, Latvia and New Zealand improve the prospects of `getting service delivery right'.
Technology and Improved Service Delivery: Learning Points from the Malaysian Experience
Authors: Karim Muhammad Abdul
Published: July 2003

There is a rising tide of `digital' citizens now clamouring for more and better government services and these expectations have profound implications on the delivery of services. Many governments have thus undertaken major transformation processes that maximize the utilization of information and communication technologies through e-government initiatives aimed at facilitating a collaborative and efficient administrative environment and enhance delivery of government services. Challenges facing e-government are varied and multi-faceted and require innovative uses of technologies to ensure that services can be provided to citizens in a seamless fashion. The article also describes the Malaysian experience in implementing e-government by highlighting several of the key programmes undertaken and the lessons learned. It is also imperative for governments to actively and continuously monitor and measure e-government outcomes against targeted key performance indicators as well as to leverage on international benchmarking to assess their position globally in order to identify and address major gaps.
The Northern Ireland Civil Service under Direct Rule and Devolution
Authors: Carmichael Paul , Osborne Robert
Published: July 2003

Although the United Kingdom is usually regarded as a unitary state in the mould of the Westminster model, in reality, complete political integration and administrative standardization have never existed. Recent political devolution consolidates an increasingly diverse and asymmetrical pattern of territorial governance. Frequently, however, notwithstanding some notable exceptions, this differentiation within the UK's governmental arrangements is overlooked in much of the literature. To help correct this oversight, this article reports on the longstanding differences in the public administration arrangements of one of the UK's smaller component countries, Northern Ireland. Specifically, the article focuses on the role of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and charts some of the key characteristics and trends that have emerged under both the period of Direct Rule from London (since the end of the Stormont devolution in 1972) and in the newly-restored devolved settlement that was introduced in 1999, following the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
The Impact of Differentiation and Differential on Hong Kong's Career Public Service
Authors: Brewer Brian
Published: July 2003

The public administration principles characteristic of many Commonwealth countries served as the foundations for building the Hong Kong civil service. These have continued to operate in line with the `one country two systems' concept under which Hong Kong has been administered, since 1997, as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. Career employment, hierarchy and public service values combined to provide an overarching unity to a system that nevertheless has developed considerable differentiation over time. This article examines the developments that are currently modifying Hong Kong's public sector. The discussion draws on documentary sources and a recently completed qualitative study on the experiences and perspectives of senior Hong Kong managers working in a dozen government departments and agencies. The discussion addresses questions about whether greater differentiation across government departments, in combination with increasing differential within these organizations, will ultimately bring about the demise of the traditional civil service system.
Great-Power Decentralization and the Management of Global/Local Economic Policy and Relations: Lessons in Fluidity from the People's Republic of China
Authors: Orban Edmond , Xiaoyuan Chen , Koehn Peter H.
Published: July 2003

This article compares the practice of great power federalism in terms of global/local economic policy and relations in a context of expanding regional influence and transcontinental reach. The authors contrast China's recent decentralization experience with that of the FRG and the United States with respect to management of productive ventures, regulation of the economy, trade and commerce, fiscal relations, monetary policy and labor mobility. The three great-power states manage their complex and far-reaching economies through systems of multi-level governance that exhibit elements of convergence at the same time as each is headed in a defining direction. German federalism is making room for supranational involvement, US federalism emphasizes new managerialism at all levels of government and China's post Mao de facto federalism is launching provincial and sub-provincial governments on a booming economic trajectory. China's recent performance is particularly impressive given the size of its population and the extent to which its economy has been transformed and energized. In key respects, China's administrative system is the most decentralized and fluid. The effective participation of Chinese sub-national entities in transterritorial economic undertakings is particularly striking. China's experience suggests that the requisite energy and capacity to tackle trans-national economic challenges might lie at the sub-national level. Given the shifting nature of global pressures and local priorities, the extra-organizational sensitivities and linkages of sub-national public managers must include proximate and distant economic conditions, central government overseers and trans-national actors. In this dynamic context, the most fluid forms of federalism are likely to have an edge.
UK Local Government: The Impact of Modernization on Departmentalism
Authors: Cole Michael , Fenwick John
Published: July 2003

The issue of departmentalism has been a recurring theme in discussions about UK local government. In this article the implications of the Labour Government's modernization agenda for departmentalism in local authorities are considered and assessed. In particular, the potential impact of the political management reforms, Best Value, the rise of the regulation agenda and community governance and partnership working is discussed. An analysis of executive committees, scrutiny committees and Best Value investigations in the shire counties and the London boroughs and a case study of Devon County Council are used to support this discussion. The article concludes that the modernization agenda is exerting pressure towards more cross-departmental models of working.
Regulation of the Audiovisual and Telecommunications Sector in Italy: From Community Challenge to National Issue
Authors: Verdier-Bonchut Virginie
Published: July 2003

Regulation of the telecommunications and audiovisual sector is a legal, economic and even political necessity. While its exercise by an allegedly independent (administrative) authority is recognized by the Community institutions and all member states, its role and powers differ from country to country. From this point of view, Italy is an atypical case. The authority for guarantees in communication, Agcom, which was a result of Community demands, is the only structure (within the member states) that incorporates the principle of convergence. However, while this is, undeniably, a legal process and, above all, complies with the wishes of the Community, Agcom must face up to many criticisms and these once again give rise to a discussion of the role of the independent (administrative) authorities within the administration.
International Social and Economic Justice and On-line Advocacy
Authors: Queiro-Tajalli Irene , Campbell Craig , McNutt John
Published: July 2003

Social work is unusual among the professions for its commitment to advocacy on behalf of the poor, the dispossessed and the disadvantaged. International human rights and the promotion of social and economic justice are clearly a part of this mission. The article addresses an emerging aspect of advocacy by examining the nexus between international social and economic justice issues and the social work response. It addresses the revolution in advocacy methods created by information technology. These new techniques can offer a wealth of opportunities to further develop the international advocacy component of the social work profession. The impacts these new methods can have on the creation of justice on a global level are discussed.
Using Single-system Research Designs to Evaluate Practice
Authors: Artelt Thomas , Shek Daniel T.L. , Thyer Bruce A.
Published: July 2003

The use of single-system research designs (SSRDs) has the potential to help social workers empirically evaluate the outcomes of practice. Descriptions of using SSRDs to evaluate social work practice are provided. SSRDs have the potential to help social workers in Chinese contexts to provide scientifically credible evidence to others that social services benefit the people.
Women's Rape Perceptions in Beirut, Lebanon
Authors: Wehbi Samantha
Published: July 2003

In this article the findings from a recent research project on women's perceptions of rape in Beirut are presented. This study, which relied on interviews, participant observation and a review of newspaper articles, illustrates that when a sexual incident involves strangers or the use of physical force, or occurs within the bounds of arranged marriage, it is more likely to be perceived as rape, not as consensual sex.
Global Poverty
Authors: Seipel Michael M.O.
Published: July 2003

Poverty has plagued humanity for generations. Even today roughly 1.3 billion people in developing countries live in abject poverty as measured by the international income threshold. Despite the progress made in reducing poverty in the last 50 years, there are growing trends that threaten to increase poverty. This article examines the nature and scope of poverty and makes several recommendations to reduce it.
Life and Death Decisions
Authors: Bane Audra , Brown Lesli , Carter Joy , Cote Chris , Crider Karin , de la Forest Suzanne , Livingston Michelle , Montero Darrel
Published: July 2003

This article examines American public opinion towards genetic engineering, genetic testing and abortion. The findings indicate that the American public is increasingly ambivalent regarding these procedures. Contextually, these findings are discussed in the light of changing social and political attitudes towards genetic engineering, genetic testing and abortion.
Roles and Opportunities for Social Work Intervention in Expatriate Work Environments
Authors: Choi Soochan
Published: July 2003

By applying synergistic systems approaches, the present study has examined social work services for foreign-based US employees and their families in order to facilitate a successful adjustment in overseas assignments. A clear understanding of the key elements that constitute the expatriate's adjustment procedure is essential in implementing the practical roles occupational social workers can play in the global workplace today. On the basis of the recognition of the difficulties of cross-cultural adjustment, industrial social workers can utilize their expertise particularly in the processes of selection, training, support in overseas systems and repatriation to maximize an effective and efficient foreign expatriation.
Refugees' Responses to Mental Health Screening
Authors: Ovitt Nancy , Larrison Christopher R. , Nackerud Larry
Published: July 2003

For a variety of reasons related to pre- and post-migration factors, refugees experience a high rate of mental health problems. The early detection of these problems among refugees arriving in the United States benefits those individuals, the agencies that sponsor them and the communities that absorb them. The development of culturally-sensitive mental health screening instruments to identify pathology among refugees has been the focus of some research. This study explores the reactions of eight Bosnian refugees who were administered the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 as part of a mental health screening during the resettlement process. Through structured interviews with this sample, the authors elicited qualitative data about the mental health screening, from which preliminary conclusions were drawn about including such screening in the resettlement process.
Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Polyhydroxy Butyrate-Based Polyurethane Foams
Authors: Lin Hong-Ru , Kuo Chun-Jung , Lin Yiu-Jiuan
Published: July 2003

A series of polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB)-based polyurethane (PU) foams were synthesized by reacting a mixture of PHB and polycaprolactone triol (PCLt) with an aliphatic diisocyanate, in the presence of water as blowing agent. The effects of PHB content on the polymerization kinetics and thermal properties of the foams were investigated. It is found that the polymerization rate of the foams decreases in the presence of PHB due to high viscosity of the melts induced by this material. The presence of PHB also increases the glass transition temperatures of the foams as well as the hard segments of the backbone chains. These changes can be mediated by controlling the concentration of the catalyst as well as the amount of polyethylene glycol (PEG) added. In addition, exposure of PHB-based PU foams to an enzyme medium showed a progressive degradation of PHB during the experiment. The thermal analysis was employed to quickly and accurately measure the removal of PHB from the polymer matrix.
Effect of Viscosity on Low Density Foaming of Poly(Ethylene-Co-Octene) Resins
Authors: Gendron Richard , Vachon Caroline
Published: July 2003

Foaming of low density poly(ethylene-co-octene) resins by injection molding is the result of various reactions occurring during the process. This includes simultaneous decomposition of the chemical blowing agent and cross-linking of the polymer matrix during curing in the mold, followed by foaming after mold opening. Dynamic rheology as well as elongational viscosity were investigated for compounds prepared from resins with different melt indices and various cross-linking agent levels, and these results were linked to the morphology and density of the corresponding foams. Rheological requirements were finally defined quantitatively for this set of conditions.
Vapor-Phase Thermal Conductivity of Binary Mixtures of Cyclopentane and R134a with R365mfc
Authors: Marrucho I. M. , Oliveira N. S. , Dohrn R.
Published: July 2003

The thermal conductivity of mixtures of R365mfc (1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane), with R134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) and cyclopentane were measured using a transient hot-wire method, in the pressure range between 0.1013 and 0.7 MPa and temperatures between 311 and 413 K. The composition of the measured mixtures was 93.0% R365mfc + 7.0% R134a (kg/kg), 27.0% R365mfc + 73.0% R134a (kg/kg) and 62.8% R365mfc + 37.2% Cyclopentane (kg/kg). The Wassiljewa mixing rules modified by Mason and Saxena and the Extended Corresponding States Theory were used to correlate and to predict the experimental results obtained, with an average absolute deviation of 1.8 and 10%, respectively.
Visual Observations of Batch and Continuous Foaming Processes
Authors: Taki Kentaro , Nakayama Takashi , Yatsuzuka Taichi , Ohshima Masahiro
Published: July 2003

The visual observations of batch and continuous foaming processes were conducted to understand the bubble nucleation and bubble growth behaviors in polymers. The batch foaming was performed using a newly developed high-pressure cell, where two sapphire windows were equipped on the walls so as to observe the early stage of bubble nucleation and growth behaviors with the help of a high-speed digital camera and microscope. In the batch process, homo polypropylene was foamed at different pressure release rates using CO2 as a physical blowing agent to see the effects of operating condition on the bubble nucleation and growth rates. The in situ observation could identify that (1) the bubble nucleation and growth occur simultaneously, (2) the influence region, where the nucleation was suppressed, exists around bubbles, and (3) the nucleation rate and the growth rate increase as the pressure release rate increases. The continuous foaming was performed using a different visualization unit, which consists of an autoclave and an extrusion slit-die with quartz windows. It was found that the nucleation mechanism in the continuous foaming, i.e., extrusion foaming, was different from that of batch foaming. In the continuous extrusion foaming, the nucleation could be induced by flow and/or shear stress, and by cavitations brought by the surface roughness of the wall.
Calculation of Residual Stresses of Cross-Ply Laminates
Authors: Lahtinen Hannu
Published: July 2003

Residual stresses in composite laminates are primarily caused by the difference between the volume change in the polymer matrix and the reinforcing fibres. In resins, volume changes are produced by the chemical shrinkage during the cure and by thermal expansion through the whole manufacturing process. In the laminate plane the resin volume change is restricted, which causes quite large dimension change in thickness direction. In addition, global and local structures of the laminate are engaged such that they together determine the laminate temperature, degree of cure and dimension change histories. Unlike most existing work, which model the laminates either in global or in local level only, a calculation procedure of the residual stresses is developed using both the global and the local model. A perfect coupling between the models has not been reached, but the residual stresses in the local structure are obtained by using the results of the global structure as boundary conditions. The computations address that the local stresses in the resin and fibres differ remarkably from the macro scale stresses in the laminate layers. Also, it is necessary to model the laminate in three dimensions, because the residual stresses in the resin are closely related to the changes in the laminate thickness.
Study on the Mechanical Properties of Marine FRP Laminates
Authors: Lee Ya-Jung , Chung Cheng-Hsien
Published: July 2003

Marine glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) laminates, such as M-R laminates, have various tensile and flexural mechanical properties. This phenomenon holds not only for laminates composed of various fibers, but also for laminates composed of a single type fiber. Therefore, this paper will use both a theoretical and a numerical model to calculate the tensile and flexural Young's moduli, to elucidate the mechanism that explains the discrepancy. According to this, the numerical model of GFRP laminates made from a single type of fiber can be established from the data of material experiments, which are easily performed in the laboratory. The mechanical properties of laminates composed of different types of fibers can then be predicted precisely by this numerical model without further material experiments.
Simplified Modeling of the Dynamic Gel Time and/or the Dynamic Gel Temperature for a Thermosetting Resin or Composite
Authors: Sudduth Richard D.
Published: July 2003

The simple analytical model developed in this study has been found to give a successful engineering estimate of when gel will occur during the cure cycle of a thermosetting resin. This simple analytical model provides a quick result that appears to be equivalent to similar results obtained with much more complicated computer programs. The replacement of the Arrhenius activation energy with the reaction release energy in the relationship between the isothermal temperature and the time to reach gel significantly contributed to the simple analytical solution that was able to be developed in this study.

Resins used in both autoclave processing and Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) processing were evaluated in this study. It was found that the calculated Dynamic Gel Temperatures were much higher and the calculated Dynamic Gel Times were much longer for the autoclave resins than for the VARTM resins at the same heating rate. The VARTM resins also appeared to be more exothermic on a relative scale than the autoclave resins.

Several multiple step cure cycles were evaluated for two Hercules resins. In general the agreement between the measured and calculated Dynamic Gel Temperatures was very good. In addition, two cure cycles for Hexcel F-263 composites were calculated and autoclave evaluated for dynamic gel time and the resulting mechanical properties. For Cure Cycle I the autoclave pressure was not applied until after dynamic gel had been reached. For Cure Cycle II the dynamic gel was achieved after the pressure was introduced into the autoclave. The short beam shear strength Cure Cycle I was nearly one-half the strength of the composite generated with Cure Cycle II. In addition, the void content of the composite for Cure Cycle I was approximately four times higher than the composite for Cure Cycle II.

This study has clearly shown that if the time-temperature history of a cure cycle is known, then the dynamic gel analysis developed in this study should be able to predict when a particular resin formulation will gel. The importance of the correct prediction of when the gel time occurs in a cure cycle was also clearly shown.
Numerical Analysis of Controlled Injection Strategies in Resin Transfer Molding
Authors: Shojaei Akbar , Ghaffarian S. Reza , Karimian S. Mohammad-Hossien
Published: July 2003

Minimization of mold filling time without losing the part quality is an important issue in the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. Among the various methods to achieve this, resin injection through multiple injection gates has become a practical way. However, inappropriate injection methods lead to numerous air entrapments, high inlet pressure and fiber mat deformation. In this study, a processing parameter called Maximum Permissible Injection Pressure (MPIP) is introduced. This parameter is used as a constraint in all injection strategies utilized to study the mold filling process. A switching injection strategy at single gate injection is also proposed based on the concept of MPIP. In this strategy, resin injection at a specified gate is switched from constant flow rate to constant pressure, leading to a low inlet pressure during the filling process. According to the concept of switching injection, two different multiple gate injection strategies including sequential switching injection and simultaneous adjusted switching injection are investigated for complicated mold geometries. A computer code based on the Control Volume Finite Element Method (CV/FEM) is developed to study the mold filling process in all cases. The validity of the computer code used is checked by experiment and close agreement is found between numerical simulation and experimental observations. The results show that the simultaneous adjusted switching injection methods lead to maximum reduction in filling time, low inlet pressure and minimum number of vents.