bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical Treatment of Data and Extreme-Value Theory in Relation to Fatigue in Textiles
Authors: Prevorsek Dusan , Lyons W. James , Whitwell J. C.
Published: November 2015

The use of central measures of lifetime to characterize fatigue behavior is misleading, and more attention should be paid to early failures and expected minimum life. Differences in the dispersions of lifetimes between samples may lead to faulty conclusions if these are based on mean lifetimes. The possible dependence of dispersion on stroke is considered. Because of dispersion in fatigue data, it is necessary to test large numbers of specimens to make reliable predictions.

The inadequacy of observed central values as bases for judging the applicability of a distribution is discussed. Criticism leveled against the commonly used logarithmic-normal distribution is cited. Criteria are presented for the development of a lifetime distribution that takes into account the physical realities of the fatigue process.

Analytical expressions for a number of concepts in the statistics of fatigue are reviewed. The theory suggesting the application of the third asymptotic distribution is outlined. The distribution has been adapted to accumulated fatigue data on an acrylic fiber sample.
The Supercontraction in 9 M LiCl at 94°C of Chemically Modified Wool Fibers
Authors: Weigmann H. D. , Rebenfeld L.
Published: November 2015

B.A. Fleece wool fibers were chemically modified in order to study the influence of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups on supercontraction in 9 M LiCl at 94° C. The disulfide bonds were reduced with sodium thioglycolate solutions to form free sulfhydryl groups, and the free SH groups were blocked with N-ethylmaleimide. This had a significant effect on the rate of supercontraction, which was followed by a microscopic technique. A spontaneous re-elongation of the fibers was observed in the case of highly reduced fibers. The existence of linkages, other than disulfide bonds, that might tend to limit supercontraction was investigated by the addition of 0.1 N HCl to the supercontracting medium. The experimental results were interpreted in terms of a sulfhydryl-disulfide interchange mechanism.
The Mechanism by Which Oxidizing Agents Minimize Strength Losses in Wool Dyeing
Authors: Huson M. G.
Published: November 2015

Introducing potasium bromate (KBrO3), an oxidizing agent, during wool dyeing minimizes the decrease in tensile failure properties of the wool. The effect is more pronounced when the fibers are in a highly curved state, such as when the wool is in fabric form. An explanation for the protective effect of KBrO3 is proposed in terms of the uneven distribution of stress that occurs when fibers, set in a curved configuration, are subjected to a tensile strain. The effects of curvature and set on the physical properties of single wool fibers have also been investigated, using tensile tests and scanning electron microscopy, and lend support to this theory. Tensile modulus values are relatively unaffected by setting operations but are highly sensitive to the degree of curvature in the fiber. The decreased stiffness of the curved fibers is attributed to the disruption of a stable network of secondary bonds between the polypeptide chains.
Photolytic Behavior of Some Azo Pyridone Disperse Dyes on Polyester Substrates
Authors: Wang Ping Yueh , Wang Ing Jing
Published: November 2015

Photofading of four azo pyridone disperse dyes on polyester fabric and film has been investigated at 254 nm in the presence of air. The results of this research indicate that the same photodegradation products occur in a comparison of the fabric and the film. A photoreduction pathway is involved, which is confirmed by the presence of amines arising from the reduction of the azo group. The fading process follows first-order kinetics, depending on the dye structure. The reaction mechanisms are discussed briefly, and photodegradation products are determined with the aid of TLC comparisons with authentic samples and LC spectra.
Comparison of Filament-Core Spun Yarns Produced by New and Conventional Methods
Authors: Sawhney A. P. S. , Ruppenicker G. F. , Kimmel L. B. , Robert K. Q.
Published: November 2015

In recent years, we have been reporting our research on composite yarns of mostly cotton content produced on a modified ring spinning system. Recently, we reported an improved method of producing an all staple-core spun yarn, and we have applied the same method to filament-core spinning, obtaining a yarn of greatly improved quality. The new filament-core yarn has almost total core coverage, does not strip, and is about 10% stronger (probably due to its improved yarn structure) than a conventional filament-core yarn. This paper briefly describes the new and conventional core spinning methods and evaluates nylon filament-core/cotton-wrap yarns produced with them. There is also a comparison of the cover factor, strip resistance, and microscopic cross sections of a few other core yarns (with Kevlar, fiberglass, and polyester cores). A significant improvement in the cover factor of the new yarn suggests that it may be very useful for sewing threads; ropes; twines; cables; special military, industrial, and surgical fabrics; and other textiles in which the high strength, durability, and a 100% cotton surface (for ease of finishing or coating) are important.
Reducing HVI Strength Variability by Sensing Humidity
Authors: Taylor R. A. , Brown R. S. , Godbey L. C.
Published: November 2015

Short-term exposure of small cotton specimens to nonstandard atmospheric conditions can cause errors in their strength measurements. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of local humidity changes on strength measurements. Two production model high volume instruments were equipped with humidity sensors near their specimen brushing stations. The system from one vendor was more sensitive to short-term humidity cycles (1.15 compared to 0.6 %gf/tex/%RH), while the other system was more sensitive to humidity changes including sample conditioning (1.81 compared to 1.42 %gf/tex/%RH). Both instruments showed a wide range of strength-humidity sensitivities for the 57 cottons surveyed.
Dyeing and Mechanical Properties of Cotton Modified for Cationic Dyes with Hydrophobic and Acidic Groups
Authors: Fukatsu Kazuhiko
Published: November 2015

Basic studies define the relationship between dyeability for cationic dyes and mechanical properties of chemically modified cotton fabric. Introduction of benzoyl and sulfonic acid groups provides either satisfactory dyeability for cationic dyes or color-fastness, and mechanical properties are reported as a function of the benzoate degree of substitution value. The general trend is toward increased breaking load and bending stiffness and decreased wrinkle recovery for the chemically modified fabrics, but within this trend there is latitude for selection of the degree of substituent groups to provide superior performance.
Effect of Textile Properties on the Bidirectional Solar-Optical Properties of Shading Fabrics
Authors: Grasso Maureen M. , Hunn Bruce D.
Published: November 2015

This paper presents an experimental approach to and preliminary results of measurements of bidirectional solar-optical properties of shading fabrics. Transmittance and reflectance profiles for three woven and three knitted fabrics are presented as a function of altitude and azimuth angle for selected incidence angles of simulated direct solar radiation. The woven fabrics exhibit transmittance profiles that are sharply peaked in line with the incident beam. At normal incidence, woven fabrics with transparent yarns result in high peak transmittance of approximately 41%, whereas opaque yarns and dense structures result in low peaks of 0.5–2%. All of the wovens tested exhibit low reflectances of 1–2%. Knitted fabrics also show sharply peaked transmittance profiles in line with the incident beam. However, the open knits have peak values of up to 63% at normal incidence, whereas opaque knits show peaks of only 1–4%. Peak reflectance values for all the knits were low at approximately 1–2%, even with metallized yarns.
Effects of Processing on the Bound and Free Fatty Acid Levels in Wool
Authors: Negri Andrew P. , Cornell Hugh J. , Rivett Donald E.
Published: November 2015

Bound and free fatty acids in degreased wool fibers were affected to varying degrees by processing treatments. Scouring and dyeing both removed significant amounts of bound and free fatty acids from wool. Free fatty acids were reduced by dissolution into the treatment liquor, whereas bound fatty acids were hydrolyzed under the hot aqueous conditions. Chlorination at pH levels below 3 released over 50% of the bound fatty acids. Chlorine treatments cleave only thioesters but not oxygen esters or amides under these conditions, indicating that a significant proportion of the bound fatty acid is linked to wool by a thio ester bond.
Quantitative Fiber Mixture Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Wortmann F.-J. , Wortmann G.
Published: November 2015

Labeling textile blends requires identification and quantification of their fibrous components. Blends of specialty animal fibers with sheep's wool are of special, practical importance; for these the light microscope is the traditional tool of analysis. To investigate the actual applicability of light microscopy for analyzing such blends as an alternative to the scanning electron microscope (SEM), we analyzed in detail the results of round trials conducted in the seventies. The results confirm that light microscopy, in general, is neither an objective nor a reproducible method for analyzing wool/specialty fiber blends. Though there was substantial progress with subsequent round trials, the data suggest that there is a fundamental statistical limit to the pass/fail rate, i.e., the ratio of correct versus incorrect analyses in a round trial that can be achieved by light microscopy. Even allowing for generous error limits, this effect leaves an intolerable element of chance for the correctness of analysis. Such performance is in pronounced contrast to that of the SEM method, where round trials have shown that laboratories that perform well reach analysis errors for specialty fiber/wool blends that are within or close to the natural error limits of microscopic analyses.
Finite Element Modeling of an Oriented Assembly of Continuous Fibers
Authors: Djaja R. G. , Moss P. J. , Carr A. J. , Carnaby G. A. , Lee D. H.
Published: November 2015

A micromechanical model of the large displacement behavior of a sliver of oriented helical fibers has produced algorithms for predicting and updating all five independent mechanical constants. The incorporation of the micromechanics in a finite-element model of a uniform rope of initially untwisted fibrous material is described. The response of the whole model to combined external and torsional stresses such as occur during twist insertion is then described. A detailed analysis of the stresses and strains in the deformed model shows that fiber packing in the yarn is predicted to quickly become non-uniform. The inner regions become most densely packed, and fibers there are subject to the highest stress levels. Fibers further from the center largely avoid being stressed by moving toward the yarn axis.
RotorRing Measurement of Fiber Cohesion and Bulk Properties of Staple Fibers
Authors: Ghosh Subhas , Rodgers James E. , Ortega Albert E.
Published: November 2015

Fiber cohesion and bulk properties and their consistency have a significant influence on yarn manufacturing processes and yarn quality. These critical properties depend on several staple fiber properties, including staple length, finish type and level, fiber geometries, crimp type and level, fiber additives, degree of fiber entanglements, and surface roughness. In order to ensure high processing performance and good yarn quality, it is necessary to understand how various staple fiber properties affect fiber cohesion and bulk. A method has been developed using a modified RotorRing instrument to monitor changes in staple fiber cohesion and bulk. The modified RotorRing yields three measurements, fiber-to-metal and fiber-to-fiber opening energy and the bandwidth of the ribbon formed inside the rotor. The method successfully and accurately detects differences in selected nylon and polyester fibers with different crimp/bulk levels, and the correlations between the modified RotorRing and traditional crimp measurements are examined. In addition, differences in crimp/bulk properties induced during the nylon staple processing operation are detected by the modified RotorRing responses. The results indicate that different crimp variables influence the three RotorRing measurements differently, and these independent responses show that the modified RotorRing method is indeed a potential tool for understanding the total effect of crimp variables on fiber cohesion and crimp/bulk and for monitoring the resulting yarn's properties and quality.
Interaction between High Speed Nylon Fiber and Unlubricated Ceramic Textile Guides
Authors: Ramsey P. M. , Page T. F.
Published: November 2015

The friction and wear behavior of alumina and titania textile guides in contact with high speed, dry nylon filaments has been studied using a novel, on-line, friction measuring device. The titania guides were worn very quickly to produce smooth grooves, which resulted in a large increase in fiber-guide friction. The alumina guides showed no appreciable wear during the short 1 hour tests, but a large amount of polymer deposit was produced. The morphology of the deposit was determined by the alumina guide topography. The smoother guides were smeared with polymer over the contact region. This adhesive wear process again resulted in a smoothing of the guide surface and a large rise in friction. By contrast, the rougher guides produced small particles of polymer debris by an abrasive wear process. These particles collected in a “tail region” beyond the fiber exit point. Because this did not affect the guide surface in the contact region, friction remained fairly constant during the test, but at the expense of some damage to the surfaces of the filaments. From a friction viewpoint, and if the filament damage is acceptable, this is the preferred guide surface for such an application.
Influence of Ageing and Lint Accumulation on the Fastening Strength of Hook and Loop Fasteners
Authors: Taylor Alison R. , Johnson Nigel A. G. , Dowdell Bruce
Published: November 2015

Two possible causes of deterioration in the fastening performance of hook and loop fasteners have been investigated. The performance, quantified by various shear and peel forces, fell by less than 20% over 5000 cycles of repeated opening and closing. On the other hand, accumulated lint caused a serious loss of performance, which was nearly a linear function of the mass of lint among the hooks.
Effects of Yarn and Fabric Construction on Spirality of Cotton Single Jersey Fabrics
Authors: Tao Jiang , Dhingra R. C. , Chan C. K. , Abbas M. S.
Published: November 2015

Spirality arising from loop distortion in single-jersey knitted fabrics is discussed. Test methods for measuring fabric spirality in knitted fabrics are outlined. Results of an experimental investigation are statistically analyzed considering the effects of yarn/fabric construction factors on the spirality behavior of laboratory produced single-jersey fabrics. The study reveals that the steady-state loop shape for the washed/tumbledried knitted specimens is not unique. Accordingly, the construction factors considered in the statistical analyses are yarn linear density, yarn twist factor, fabric tightness factor, and fabric loop shape. The analyses reveal the importance of the yarn twist factor as well as the fabric tightness factor in promoting fabric spirality. Multiple linear regression equations of practical importance for predicting fabric spirality are derived from the experimental results.
Absorption Kinetics of Direct Dye on Cotton from Finite Baths
Authors: Hsiung Han-Hsing , Chen Cheng-Chi
Published: November 2015

Absorption time curves from finite baths are determined for untreated and cross-linked cotton fabrics dyed with Direct Red 81 under different conditions. A new method is described for kinetic analysis of absorption time curves. Structural coefficients, electrical coefficients, and dyeing rate constants are determined from the time curves. Crosslinking reduces the electrical coefficients, dyeing rate constants, and activation energy, but increases the structural coefficients (decreases the pore size). The structural coefficient is only affected by crosslinking in this study. The electrical coefficient and dyeing rate constant values are affected very little by dye concentration in aqueous solution in the cases of crosslinked and untreated cotton. However, both electrical coefficient and dyeing rate constant are affected by dyeing temperature and liquor ratio in the two cases.
Compatibility of Outer and Fusible Interlining Fabrics in Tailored Garments Part I: Desirable Range of Mechanical Properties of Fused Composites
Authors: Fan J. , Leeuwner W. , Hunter L.
Published: November 2015

This is the first of a three-part series of papers reporting on the development of an objective method of selecting compatible fusible interlinings for different outer fabrics to achieve superior garment handle and drape in tailored garments. Part I reports on the experimental work that establishes the desirable range of mechanical properties of fused composites for the front parts of tailored jackets, excluding the lapels and collars. A control chart for the mechanical properties of fused composites for these garment parts is proposed for objectively evaluating the compatibility of the outer and fusible interlining fabrics. Part II studies the relationship between the mechanical properties of the fused composites and their constituent fabrics and fusible interlinings. Part III proposes a method of selecting compatible fusible interlinings based on FAST fabric objective measurement results.
Measuring Fiber Orientation in Nonwovens Part IV: Flow Field Analysis
Authors: Pourdeyhimi B. , Dent R.
Published: November 2015

This paper addresses the development of the image analysis technique of flow field analysis to evaluate local orientation in a fibrous assembly. The algorithms are evaluated using simulated images presented in Part I of the series. The results are compared with those from the tracking and Fourier methods presented in Parts II and III.
Compatibility of Outer and Fusible Interlining Fabrics in Tailored Garments Part II: Relationship between Mechanical Properties of Fused Composites and Those of Outer and Fusible Interlining Fabrics
Authors: Fan J. , Leeuwner W. , Hunter L.
Published: November 2015

Part II of this series reports on an experimental investigation to establish the relationship between mechanical properties of fused composites and those of the outer and fusible interlining fabrics. A set of equations is proposed to predict low stress mechanical properties of fused composites from those of the outer and fusible interlining fabrics based on fast fabric objective measurements.
Tensile and Tensile Stress Relaxation Properties of Wool/Cotton Plied Yarns
Authors: Inoue Mari , Niwa Masako
Published: November 2015

The basic objective of this work is to understand the effects of humidity and the ratio of wool and cotton fiber on the initial tensile and tensile stress relaxation properties of plied yarns. These low strain properties relate directly to the fabric hand, appearance, and formability of clothing. We have found that wool/cotton plied yarns have high hygroscopicity, high water absorption properties, and a low stress relaxation rate at high relative humidity. Also, we have adapted the power law to provide a relation between wool fiber content and the values of tensile resilience and stress relaxation rate. Their values are then estimated from the values of tensile resilience and stress relaxation rate of the constituent fibers and the blend composition.
Reducing Yarn Hairiness with an Air-Jet Attachment During Winding
Authors: Wang Xungai , Miao Menghe
Published: November 2015

The winding process tends to promote yarn hairiness, a detrimental effect that can be significantly reduced by adding a properly arranged air-jet nozzle. This paper examines the mechanisms of hairiness reduction with an air jet during winding. The results indicate that the direction of the majority of protruding fibers and that of the air vortex play an important role. They also suggest that yarn hairiness can be best reduced if the gyrating air current lowers the twist level before the yam enters the jet, and if the air flow spirals along the yarn in a general direction opposite that of the yarn traverse to suppress the majority of protruding fiber ends. Wrapping of protruding fiber ends around the yarn and removal of “wild fibers” by the swirling air current are believed to be responsible for the reduction in yarn hairiness, and tucking of fiber ends into the yarn structure may also occur under certain conditions.
Objective Rating of Seam Pucker Using Neural Networks
Authors: Park Chang Kyu , Kang Tae Jin
Published: November 2015

An objective method of evaluating seam pucker in woven fabrics during garment manufacturing is studied using artificial neural networks. An automatic sewing machine and new measurement system with a laser sensor are presented. For objective evaluation of seam pucker using aatcc standards, two artificial neural networks are constructed from pattern recognition and learning. An error backpropagation model is adopted for the neural networks. The puckered shape of a sewn fabric is converted into the numerical data on three-dimensional coordinates by the laser scanning system. Measurement data in a parallel direction with the seam line are transformed into power spectra on the frequency domain using fast Fourier transformation. The power spectra then generate the specified patterns for neural networks. Finally, the neural networks evaluate seam pucker the same way as the aatcc rating of well trained human experts.
Correlating Optical and Kinetic Deviations from Ideality in Fiber Reactive Dye Mixtures
Authors: Snyder W. , Berkstresser G. , Smith B. , Beck K. , McGregor R. , Jasper W.
Published: November 2015

Kinetic and optical behaviors of Cibacron™ Yellow R, Scarlet 2GE, and Blue TRE are studied individually and in mixtures. In mixtures, these dyes deviate from their individual behaviors. A method for determining these deviations and for correlating the optical and kinetic deviations is demonstrated. This method is valuable because it allows the kinetic behavior of dyes in mixtures to be characterized from simple optical measurements.
Impact Cutting of Wool
Authors: King Marcus J.
Published: November 2015

Wool fibers are “impact cut” with a rotating blade made from piano wire at various positions along the fibers. The force transmitted to the base of the fibers decreases markedly when a critical velocity (from 140 to 270 m/s) is exceeded, with corresponding improvement in the cut surface. The velocity of the wire required for impact cutting varys according to the length of the fiber above and below the impact position; fibers with long lengths above the wire impact position are impact cut at lower wire velocities than shorter fibers. Fibers impact cut above the critical wire velocity are cut by tensile failure of the fiber, produced by the inertia of the fiber being accelerated by the impacting wire. To prevent damage to the fiber tip, the feed rate of the cutter into the wool should be high. Impact cutting may be a viable means of harvesting wool from skins or even live sheep.
Topology of Three-Dimensionally Braided Fabrics Using Pultruded Rods as Axial Reinforcements
Authors: Kuo Wen-Shyong
Published: November 2015

This paper examines the topology of two-step braided fabrics incorporating rigid rods in the axial direction. Fabricated by pultrusion, the 1-mm diameter rods are composed of unidirectional Kevlar fibers and vinylester resin. A modified two-step braiding set-up designed to incorporate the rods is developed. In comparison with conventional three-dimensional fabric composites, using the rods can significantly reduce the level of crimp in both axial and braiding yarns. Crimp-induced problems such as irregular fabric patterns can be effectively improved. The resulting composite geometry parameters are experimentally characterized. According to the micrographs, rods that are placed in an orderly way greatly improve yarn compactness. The braiding yarn paths are modeled by the minimum length criterion. Using this criterion, the braiding processes are simulated, taking into account yarn jamming conditions. The interlacing pattern and the length of the fabric convergence cone are examined. The topology is described in terms of physically measurable parameters, and the effects of yarn size, rod spacing, and pitch length on the resulting fabric geometry are analyzed.
Influence of Alkyl Chain Length of Dialkyldimethylammonium Bromide on Disperse Dyeing of Nylon 6 Fibers
Authors: Kim Ik-Soo , Kono Kenji , Takagishi Toru
Published: November 2015

The effect of the alkyl chain length of dialkyldimethylammonium bromide (dad-mab) on disperse dyeing of nylon 6 fibers is investigated. Both dyeing rate and saturation value of 1,4-diaminoanthraquinone (1,4-daa) improve with decreasing alkyl chain length of dadmab, dadmab does not lower the glass transition temperature Tg of nylon 6. The apparent solubility of 1,4-daa increases with increasing alkyl chain length of dadmab, but the adsorption of dadmab on nylon 6 fibers decreases with its increasing alkyl chain length. It is likely that the interaction of dadmab with nylon 6 or with the dye influences the dyeing properties of the fibers.
On-Line Measurement of Fabric Bending Behavior
Authors: Zhou Naiyue , Ghosh Tushar K.
Published: November 2015

In order to develop an on-line system to characterize fabric bending rigidity, four potential loop shapes are proposed. Loop shapes are chosen such that they can be formed under dynamic conditions. Results from theoretical models of these loops show the nature of the response of loop shapes to varying fabric bending behaviors. Two candidate loop shapes are identified for further investigation under nonlinear and dynamic conditions.
Predicting the Mechanical Properties of Nonwoven Geotextiles with the Finite Element Method
Authors: Liao Tianyi , Adanur Sabit , Drean Jean-Yves
Published: November 2015

A new computer model is developed to predict the tensile behavior of nonwoven fabrics from the stress-strain behavior of their constituent fibers and distributions of fiber orientation angles. The finite element method is used to calculate the numerical solution of stress and strain distribution in different regions of the samples during tensile deformation. Stress-strain curves of fabrics are simulated. Tensile testing is done on several nonwoven fabrics to verify the simulated results, which are in a good agreement with those obtained from tensile experiments.
Effect of a Dual Function Finish Containing an Antibiotic and a Fluorochemical on the Antimicrobial Properties and Blood Repellency of Surgical Gown Materials
Authors: Cho Jeong-Sook , Cho Gilsoo
Published: November 2015

In order to provide 100% cotton fabric and 55/45% woodpulp/polyester spunlaced nonwoven fabric with barriers against microorganisms and blood, samples are treated with gentamicin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and a fluorochemical compound using the pad-cure method. The antimicrobial activity of the samples is analyzed quantitatively by measuring the number of colonies of Klebsiella pneumonia, and qualitatively using the parallel streak method with Staphylococcus aureus. Blood repellency is assessed with spray and impact penetration tests using both synthetic and human blood. Samples treated with both the antibiotic and the fluorochemical (dual finish) show a high reduction rate in the number of colonies grown and clear zones of inhibition, which is the same as the antimicrobial properties of the samples treated with antimicrobial finishing agent only. The blood repellency of dual finished nonwoven fabrics is superior to that of dual finished cotton. The optimum concentration of the fluorochemical for synthetic blood repellency is 5% owf.
New Interpretation of the Fibrogram
Authors: Chu Youe-Tsyr , Riley C. Roger
Published: November 2015

The original theory of the fibrogram as developed by Hertel more than fifty years ago has served as the basis of all subsequent cotton length measurements. Hertel's mathematical derivation is based on the assumptions that the sampling probability of each fiber in forming a fiber beard is proportional to its length and the holding point along the fiber is random. Since the longer fibers have a greater probability of being sampled, the length distribution in the fiber beard is biased toward the longer fibers. Thus the mean length of the fiber beard must be greater than that of the original fiber sample. This appears to be correct for fiber beards prepared using sliver clamps. For fiber beards prepared using a fibrosampler, however, the length measurements of the original fiber samples and samples removed from the comb show that the measured length differences are too small to satisfy the original assumptions. If we modify Hertel's assumptions so that all fibers have an equal probability to be caught by the needles on the comb, then the fiber length distributions will be the same for both the original fiber sample and the fiber beard. This implies that fibers are sampled by the fibrosampler in clumps rather than individually. The mathematical techniques used by Hertel in deriving the relationships between various curves and fiber properties may be modified for this assumption, providing a different interpretation of the fibrogram.
Micromechanics of a Planar Hybrid Fibrous Network
Authors: Pan Ning , Chen Julie , Seo Moon , Backer Stanley
Published: November 2015

A micromechanical approach is proposed in this work to predict the initial tensile response under uniaxial loading of a bonded two-dimensional fibrous network consisting of two kinds of fibers. The probabilities and statistical distributions of the hybrid bonding points and free fiber lengths between the bonding points in the structure are first derived, and the deformations of both the fiber segment and the bonding area of a typical microelement of the network are analyzed and calculated. The analysis of an arbitrary microelement is then extended statistically to an intermediate level of the structure, the mesodomain, through which the macroscopic deformations of the structure are computed. Ultimately, the general expressions of elastic moduli and Poisson's ratios for a hybrid fibrous network are obtained. A parametric study examines the relationships between fiber mechanical and dimensional properties, fiber volume fractions of the two fiber types, fiber orientation distributions and the properties of the bonding areas, and the tensile behavior of the structure for an ideal planar fiber network.
Urban encounters limited: The importance of built-in boundaries in contacts between people with intellectual or psychiatric disabilities and their neighbours
Authors: Bredewold Femmianne , Tonkens Evelien , Trappenburg Margo
Published: November 2015

People with intellectual disabilities or psychiatric disorders who live in ordinary neighbourhoods often have little contact with fellow residents without disabilities. Recent research suggests that we should not strive for warm contacts based on familiarity and shared values between utterly different groups in urban areas. Daily life between people with and without disabilities is described as a process in which boundaries are negotiated. This study builds on that observation. It was based in a middle sized town in the Netherlands and consists of a survey among people with intellectual or psychiatric disabilities and neighbourhood residents (not being support staff or relatives of people with disabilities); semi structured interviews and participant observation. We found that fruitful encounters between different groups depend on built-in boundaries in contacts. Positive encounters occur when roles are clear and boundaries do not have to be negotiated because they are given. Both parties benefit from boundaries and fixed roles: people with disabilities do not need social reflexivity or intricate social skills to find their way in the situation; people without disabilities can end the contact without being rude. In line with previous research we also found that positive neighbourhood contacts are usually light and superficial and result in conviviality rather than long term relationships.
The Problem of Understanding
Authors: Wrighton Donald
Published: November 2015

Teny Pinkard's discussion of explanation in science and history raises some issues important for social science generally, as well as for history. I would like to focus on his analysis of the relationship between explanation and understanding, with the aim of reopening an issue which his treatment appears to have closed. In doing so, I hope to encourage further analysis of the problem of how we ‘understand’. My own discussion of this issue will be brief, moving only a little beyond Pinkard's. Primarily. I hope to show that ‘understanding’ is in fact a problem, and one that cannot merely be viewed as secondary to an analysis of ‘explanation’.
God in Gotham: Tim Keller’s theology of the city
Authors: Myatt William
Published: November 2015

The mass exodus of white evangelicals from urban life after World War II created numerous injustices for the minority populations that remained in the city. Evangelical missiologists have attempted to remedy these injustices in recent decades by organizing a return to the city. Although the theological leaders organizing this return are aware of the injustices associated with the initial urban exodus, they do not typically evaluate how classic, evangelical theologies perpetuate the cultural rhythms creating the injustices in the first place. One such theology may be found in the writings of Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, in New York City. This article carries out a detailed analysis of Keller’s recent work, Center City, to evaluate the adequacy of his theology as a corrective to the social injustices of the evangelical exodus from the city in a post-World War II era.
Technology and Structure: The Concrete, Abstract, and Activity Systems of Organizations
Authors: Rousseau Denise M. , Cooke Robert A.
Published: November 2015

Attempts by organizational researchers to conceptualize and explicate the concepts of technology and structure have been subject to inconsistencies and misspecifications. These problems stem from the absence of an integrative framework that considers these concepts simultaneously. Such a framework is developed here, rooted both in the theoretical work on technology and structure and in systems theory. This framework specifies the qualitatively different components that constitute technology in organizations, the hierarchical arrangement of these components, and the nature of organizational structuring. The components considered are those associated with the concrete (living and nonliving), the abstract, and the activity systems that characterize organizations. These system components are integrated into a model of technology and structure. Implications of this model for the management of technological and structural change are discussed.
An Interview with Eddie Ellis
Authors: Goodman Don , Smith Maggie
Published: November 2015

Edwin (Eddie) Ellis is President of the Community Justice Center, Inc., an anti-crime research, education, and advocacy organization located on 125th Street in Harlem, New York. A target of the FBI's Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) for his Black Panther Party activities, Ellis served 25 years in various New York State prisons. While he was in prison, he earned a Masters degree from New York Theological Seminary, a Bachelor's from Marist College and a paralegal degree from Sullivan County Community College. Widely recognized as a writer, lecturer, and community activist, Ellis is credited with the successful public dissemination of the research findings of the Think Tank, a group of prisoners from Greenhaven Correction Facility which established that 75% of the prisoners in New York State come from seven neighborhoods in New York City. Eddie Ellis is a fellow of the Bunche Dubois Institute for Public Policy at Medgar Evers College/CUNY, serves on the Board of Directors of Center for Law and Justice in Albany, NY, is a member of the Drug Policy Task Force, The Vera Institute IRB, and the National Criminal Justice Commission. This interview took place in the offices of the Community Justice Center on August 6, 1997.
Gifted Males Pursuing Careers in Elementary Education: Factors That Influence a Belief in Self
Authors: Hébert Thomas P.
Published: November 2015

This article on identity development and its impact on career selection examines the experiences of 6 gifted males in a university setting. Through a multiple case study research design, the lives of 6 gifted, male, undergraduate students were examined to understand how their life experiences influenced their decision to pursue elementary education as a career. Major findings included the gifted males' strong belief in self, which incorporated empathy and psychological androgyny. Data analysis on the participants identified the following factors influencing the strong belief in self: formative experiences with difficult issues during childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood; exposure to male teachers as appropriate career models; and open-minded parents who provided emotional support. Implications of the findings are presented with suggestions for meeting the psychosocial needs of intelligent, young men pursuing careers in elementary education.
Equitable Access to Excellence: Opportunities for Gifted Education to an Underrepresented Population through Open Enrollment
Authors: Awaya Allen
Published: November 2015

Gifted education has served the educational community as a leader in curriculum designed for promoting excellence in our nation's classrooms. The apparent lack of equitable opportunities for entrance into gifted programs for certain segments of the school population have, justifiably, brought criticism of elitism. Inappropriate identification procedures create underrepresentation in programs. This paper describes a gifted program that identified students after entry into the program. Students are judged suitable for gifted education only after they have had the opportunity to develop and exhibit behaviors within a gifted classroom environment. The result has been student opportunities and achievements that span the chasm between excellence and equity.
Underachievement versus Selective Achievement: Delving Deeper and Discovering the Difference
Authors: Neumeister Kristie L. Speirs , Hébert Thomas P.
Published: November 2015

Through a qualitative research design, this study examined the differences between underachievement and selective achievement in a gifted university student. The findings indicated that, while the participant demonstrated behaviors typically associated with underachievement, his self-regulation and metacognitive abilities suggested a different image. These findings highlight a need to consider the attitudes and motivations behind the student's behavior when considering how to approach incidences of fluctuating academic performance of high-ability students.
The Effects of Middle School Teachers’ Beliefs on Classroom Practices
Authors: Brighton Catherine M.
Published: November 2015

The students in 21st-century public middle schools axe increasingly diverse in terms of language proficiency, cultural and ethnic representation, and varied levels of poverty; and, yet, they are being educated in a political climate that encourages mainstreaming special education and gifted services in the regular classroom. Given this context, this study sought to examine 48 middle school content-area teachers’ beliefs about teaching in diverse classrooms to determine how these beliefs affected their willingness and capacity to differentiate their instruction and assessment. A qualitative study design incorporating grounded theory methodology (Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Strauss & Corbin, 1990) was employed. Four teacher beliefs emerged from interview, observation, and document data that conflict with the philosophy undergirding differentiation. Each belief is presented with supporting evidence from the data and discussed in terms of its relationship to effective differentiated classroom practices.
Addressing the Achievement Gap between Minority and Nonminority Children by Increasing Access to Gifted Programs
Authors: Olszewski-Kubilius Paula , Lee Seon-Young , Ngoi Mephie , Ngoi Daphne
Published: November 2015

Project EXCITE is a collaborative program of a university-based gifted center and local school districts designed to prepare gifted minority elementary and middle school students for advanced tracks in math and science in high school. This paper describes the characteristics and components of the EXCITE program and gives data regarding the academic and school achievement of participating students over the past 3 years. Results showed that most of the students were retained in the program, earned high grades in math and science in school and performed well on state criterion-referenced tests in math and science. There was a 300% increase of minority children qualifying for an advanced math class in grade 6 after 2 years of involvement in the program.
Psychological Characteristics of Academically Gifted Adolescents Attending a Residential Academy: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Cross Tracy L. , Adams Cheryll , Dixon Felicia , Holland Jason
Published: November 2015

Students attending a state-supported residential academy for academically gifted adolescents (N = 139) completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (MMPI-A; Butcher et al., 1992) upon entrance to document their psychological characteristics. The same students completed a postadministration of the MMPI-A at the end of their 2nd year at the school. Results indicated that the gifted students were quite similar to the normative group of adolescents on the MMPI-A. While several statistically significant changes were observed over time, the effect-size calculations accounted for only a modest percentage of the variance in all cases. Scores on the 2nd administration of the MMPI-A declined among the majority of students who manifested elevated scores on the initial administration.
The Structure of Social Coping among Chinese Gifted Children and Youths in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan David W.
Published: November 2015

This study examined the structure of social coping across 2 age groups of 716 Chinese gifted children and youths based on 7 social coping strategies assessed by the Chinese Social Coping Questionnaire. To evaluate whether these strategies could be applied adequately to younger as well as older students, 3 models hypothesizing different degrees of equivalence across the 2 age groups were tested using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. Despite the similarities, there was suggestive evidence that the 7 social coping strategies might correlate differentially and to various degrees with each other for the two different age groups. Subsequent second-order confirmatory factor analyses separately conducted for the 2 age groups indicated that 2 overall strategies of social-interaction coping and minimizing-differences coping between self and peers encompassed the 7 specific social coping strategies. Implications of the findings, including subtle differences in the interpretation of discounting popularity by older and younger students, are discussed.
How Talented Students in a Rural School District Experience School Mathematics
Authors: Howley Aimee , Pendarvis Edwina , Gholson Melissa
Published: November 2015

This study examined the mathematics experiences of talented children in an impoverished rural school district located in a coal-mining area of Appalachia. Using interview methods, the researchers explored the children's ideas about the nature of mathematics, their perceptions of the mathematics instruction they received at school, and their engagement with mathematical ideas at home and in the community. Findings centering around 3 themes suggested that the children's experience was constrained by the presentation of mathematics as a discipline focused on calculation and bound by rules. Students' view of mathematics was further limited by a narrow conception of its usefulness. The study found, however, that the children received support for mathematics learning from their families and from the teacher of the gifted. Notably, instruction provided in the gifted program was reported as being more advanced, more challenging, and more engaging than what was offered in regular classrooms.
An Emerging Professional Identity: Influences on the Achievement of High-Ability First-Generation College Females
Authors: Neumeister Kristie L. Speirs , Rinker Julie
Published: November 2015

Using a qualitative interview design, this study examined factors contributing to the academic achievement of gifted first-generation college females. Findings indicated an emerging professional identity as the primary influence on achievement. The participants' high ability served as a passport to accessing coursework, extracurricular experiences, and high-achieving friends who helped shape this emerging professional identity. Personal characteristics developed from their working-class backgrounds, including independence and a strong work ethic, were also found to be influential. Finally, the participants expressed a desire to explore their identities, even when this meant forming values different from those of their families and hometown communities. Implications of these findings are discussed, including suggestions for future research and recommendations for parents, counselors, and educators of gifted first-generation college females.
Code Switching among Bilingual and Limited English Proficient Students: Possible Indicators of Giftedness
Authors: Hughes Claire E. , Shaunessy Elizabeth S. , Brice Alejandro R. , Ratliff Mary Anne , McHatton Patricia Alvarez
Published: November 2015

Code switching includes the use of complete sentences, phrases, and borrowed words from another language (Brice & Brice, 2000). It is a common linguistic phenomenon noted among bilingual populations. In order to code switch effectively, students must possess a high level of understanding of the 2 cultures, as well as a deep understanding of the underlying structures and purposes of 2 language systems. Code switching, rather than reflecting the traditional view of a disadvantaged and semiliterate background, actually reflects an intellectual advantage. However, code switching has not commonly been perceived as a positive trait by schools, teachers, or the majority culture. Assessments for nomination and identification of giftedness have traditionally been either single-language oriented or use concepts and behaviors that are reflective of the majority culture. This article explores some of the aspects of code switching and possible resultant behaviors of bilingual children who are gifted.