bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Analysis for Active Control of Circular Saw Vibrations
Authors: Fengfeng Xi  , Wang Xiaochun George , Zhong Qin
Published: March 2007

Addressed in this paper is modeling and analysis for active control of circular saw vibrations. A method is put forward based on finite element modeling. It starts with modeling of a circular saw in the body- fixed frame, where vibration analyses including natural frequencies and modes can be readily obtained by a standard finite element analysis package. To consider the rotation of a circular saw, the finite element model is transformed to the space-fixed frame, where vibration mode shapes remain the same while natural frequencies are affected by the product of the rotation speed and the order of the mode shape. Upon normalization, the vibration equations can be expressed in terms of natural frequencies and modes, from which a state-space control model can be obtained. The model developed has shown a good agreement between simulation and experimental results. Furthermore, the model is used to design an online state estimator using the Kalman filter as well as an active vibration controller-based linear-quadratic-Gaussian method.
A Hybrid Model of a Small Autofurling Wind Turbine
Authors: Bikdash Marwan , Da Chen  , Harb Maher
Published: March 2007

Most small wind turbines are designed to autofurl in high winds under aerodynamic and gravity forces to provide overspeed protection. Although autofurling is a proven technology with a long history, this totally passive mechanism is unfortunately not well understood and can perhaps be improved through careful analysis and redesign. Moreover, including an active yaw actuator such as a linear motor to supplement the passive autofurling mechanism by supplying a yaw moment can improve the turbine performance in high winds and strengthen the protection function. This paper proposes a mathematical model of small wind turbines and their autofurling mechanism and discusses a fuzzy model of the aerodynamics based on learning from extensive simulations using YawDyn.
The Effects of Centripetal and Coriolis Forces on the Dynamic Response of Light Bridges Under Moving Loads
Authors: Michaltsos G.T. , Kounadis A.N.
Published: March 2007

This paper deals with the linear dynamic response of a simply supported light (steel) bridge under a moving load-mass of constant magnitude and velocity including the effect of the centripetal and Coriolis forces, which always are neglected. The individual and coupling effect of these forces in connection with the magnitude of the velocity of the moving load are fully discussed using a solution method based on an author's older publication. A variety of numerical results allows us to draw important conclusions for structural design purposes.
On the OGY Control of an Impact-Friction Oscillator
Authors: Begley C.J. , Virgin L.N.
Published: March 2007

An earlier paper by the same authors examined the dynamic behavior of an impact-friction oscil lator. It was shown that a variety of highly complex behavior was possible including chaos, and the results of numerical simulation were verified experimentally Because friction is so common in mechanical applica tions and has a relatively profound effect on behavior, it is logical to consider whether friction forces can be used to advantage in such engineering systems. The Ott-Grebogi-Yorke (OGY) method is used here to control the impact oscillator using friction force as the control parameter.
Active Isolation Using a Kalman Estimator—Based Controller
Authors: El-Sinawi Ameen , Kashani Reza
Published: March 2007

A novel feed-forward active vibration/shock isolation scheme that is based on the use of a Kalman estimator (KE) has been developed. It does not require real-time adaptation and yet maintains its effectiveness when the attributes (such as the frequencies) of the disturbance change. The proposed controller is always second order, regardless of the complexity of the structure under control. In addition to feeding forward the measured base acceleration, the acceleration at the location of interest on the structure is measured and fed back through the KE gain. Using numerical and experimental data, the KE-based controller is demonstrated to be highly effective in reducing the transmission of the base excitation to the structure.
Identification of Transient Vibration Characteristics Using Absolute Harmonic Wavelet Coefficients
Authors: Chancey Valeta Carol , Flowers George T.
Published: March 2007

Traditional vibration analysis methods for rotating machinery consider steady state or near steady state behavior. Perhaps a key to identifying the source of some complex behaviors lies in characterizing the transients associated with such phenomena. In an effort to develop a means of identifying transient vibration characteristics, harmonic wavelet analysis was explored. Simplified vibratory models were studied using harmonic wavelet analysis, and observations of the characteristics associated with particular behaviors were made. A relationship between the transient vibration patterns and the absolute value of the harmonic wavelet coefficients for a particular level was identified as a promising means of characterizing such behavior. Some example cases are presented to illustrate the proposed methodology.
Open-Loop Resonance-Cancellation Control for a Base-Excited Pendulum
Authors: Soper R. Randall , Lacarbonara Walter , Chin Char-Ming , Nayfeh Ali H. , Mook Dean T.
Published: March 2007

A new open-loop control strategy applied to a planar pendulum subjected to the most severe com bination of base excitations, horizontal motion at the primary-resonance frequency, and vertical motion at the principal-parametric resonance frequency is developed. The control action is typical of many single-input control systems; the control authority in one direction (horizontal) is high, and the control authority in the or thogonal direction (vertical) is zero in a linear sense. Although the action of the controller is linearly orthog onal to part (vertical or parametric) of the system excitation, effects are transferred to this direction through nonlinear actuator action. Proper enhancement of the control input allows the nonlinear action to provide con trol authority over the parametric excitation. The dynamics at reduced orders, determined by a multiple-scales perturbation analysis, suggest the appropriate form for the control enhancement. The normal form of the sys tem provides information about how each parameter of the enhancement affects the steady-state pendulation of the system. In this case, heuristic arguments are used to reduce the dimension of the unknown enhance ment design parameters to a manageable size. The maximum pendulation angle of the steady-state motion of the system is one of the appropriate metrics for the system response; here it is used as the cost function for evaluation of the optimal enhancement gains. Because the size of the design parameter set has been re duced, a simple grid search is employed to find the optimal control. Relative to simple linear cancellation of the disturbance, the proposed approach reduces the response of the system by an order of magnitude for typical disturbance cases.
The Feasibility of Active and Passive Pulse Control for Flexible Structures
Authors: Abdel-Rohman Mohamed , Al-Khaleefi Abdul Lateef
Published: March 2007

Pulse control is based on the idea of triggering the control action in the form of pulses that durate whenever the structure response exceeds a certain limit. Previous studies on pulse control have ignored the pulse effect on the acceleration response of structures. The pulse action was considered to be implemented using jets or actuators at certain locations. A complete setup for the control mechanism was not considered. In this paper, an implementation for a pulse-control mechanism using slack tendons is offered. The feasibility of active and passive pulse control compared with continuous passive or active feedback control is studied with respect to deflection, acceleration, and control energy consumption. The study is carried out considering the control of a one-story flexible portal frame as an illustrative example.
Control by Passive TMD of Wind-Induced Nonlinear Vibrations in Cable Stayed Bridges
Authors: Abdel-Rohman Mohamed , Askar Hasan
Published: March 2007

This paper investigates the effect of using a tuned mass damper (TMD) on the wind-induced nonlinear response of cable stayed bridges. It is shown how to determine the optimal mass of the passive tuned mass damper to obtain the highest damping in the bridge.
Computation of Ground Vibrations Generated by Accelerating and Braking Road Vehicles
Authors: Krylov Victor V.
Published: March 2007

The problem of ground vibration generation by accelerating and braking road vehicles is considered theoretically for vehicles accelerating (decelerating) with a constant acceleration a from rest to a constant speed, or braking to a stop from a constant speed. According to the low-frequency approximation considered, an accelerating or braking vehicle of mass M is modelled as a point horizontal traction force Fx = aM applied to the ground and moving along with the vehicle. Frequency spectra of the vertical component of the ground vibration velocity are investigated as functions of acceleration, final (initial) speed of the vehicle, ground attenuation, Poisson ratio, and radiation angle Θ relative to the direction of the vehicle movement. It is shown that, in contrast to vehicles travelling on uneven roads, the ground vibrations generated by accelerating and braking vehicles are characterised by directivity patterns V(Θ), which show, in particular, that there is no radiation in the directions perpendicular to the direction of vehicle movement.
Chaotic Behaviors of a Two-Member Truss
Authors: Yang Yeong-Bin , Wu Yean-Seng
Published: March 2007

In the literature, comparatively few research works have been conducted on the chaotic behaviors of civil engineering structures. By taking a symmetric two-member truss as an example in this paper, one can demonstrate that it is possible for the truss to display certain chaotic phenomena, considering only the effect of geometric nonlinearity. This paper starts with the derivation of the equation of motion for the truss subjected to a vertical harmonic load, which appears to be a general form of the Duffing equation. The fourth-order Runge-Kutta method is then employed to solve for the time-history response. Based on the following two facts, it is confirmed that chaos can occur with the truss under certain loading conditions: (1) the motion of the truss is very sensitive to small changes in initial conditions; (2) strange attracters can be identified using the Poincaré plot. Both the Lyapunov numbers and fractal dimensions calculated for the truss also confirm the occurrence of chaos. From the chaos boundary curves plotted for the truss, one observes that chaos can occur for a wide range of parameter values encountered.
Rotor Synchronous Response Control: Approaches for Addressing Speed Dependence
Authors: Knospe C.R. , Tamer S.M. , Fittro R.
Published: March 2007

Three new approaches to the design of synchronous response controllers for magnetic-bearing- supported rotors operating over a range of speeds are developed. Previously reported methods have the disadvantage of requiring either on-line estimation or gain scheduling via a look-up table. Both of these approaches increase controller complexity and cost. The controllers presented herein are either robust to operating speed variation or are gain scheduled via a simple function. In either case, the implementation of the synchronous response control algorithm is greatly simplified and, in some cases, may be achieved with simple analog circuits. An example problem is considered, and four synchronous response controllers are synthesized. Extension of the synthesis methods to provide robustness with respect to plant uncertainty is straightforward and is briefly examined.
Simulation and Identification of Nonstationary Systems Using Linear Time-Frequency Methods
Authors: Dalianis S.A. , Hammond J.K. , White P.R. , Cambourakis G.E.
Published: March 2007

This work investigates synthesis and identification methods for nonstationary systems. Use of the time or frequency domains individually has limitations in many applications. Analysis in two domains jointly—that is, time frequency (TF)—gives us the potential to describe complex system behavior. A localized transfer function in time and frequency can describe time-variant filters. Operations between the TF expansion of an input signal and the two-dimensional transfer function of a system are equivalent to filtering in the TF plane. Simple analytic examples explain the basic methods and are applied to simulated and real data. Models of evolving systems are realized parametrically and nonparametrically in the TF domain.
Resonance Theory of Elastic Head Waves Propagating in a Solid Layer in Tight Contact With a Thick Solid Base
Authors: Shoumian Yu  , Pihua Yang  , Tian Yu
Published: March 2007

The boundary value problem of elastic wave propagation in the case of a plane solid layer I in tight contact with a thick solid base II with a monopole sonic source placed in layer I is treated analytically by the standing wave method. Solution in the form of contour integrals with the amplitudes in 2 x 2 matrix form are obtained. An inspection of the solution shows that it contains all well-known component waves except the head waves. Particular interest is put on these latter waves. Three kinds of head waves (P, S, and S1) are obtained. The S1 wave is newly predicted, which propagates with the shear wave velocity of the soft layer I. It may be considered as the candidate for the "late S wave" observed in earthquakes. The resonance frequencies of the three head waves are obtained, and the motion of the free surface is also described for the three cases.
The Control of an Impacting Flexible Link Using Fuzzy Logic Strategy
Authors: Boghiu Dan , Marghitu Dan B.
Published: March 2007

This article deals with the control of a repetitive impacting elastic link in rotational motion. A fuzzy logic controller was designed and employed to suppress the vibrations resulting after the impact with an external rigid body. The momentum balance method and an empirical coefficient of restitution were used in the collision of the two bodies. It was shown that the controller had a good behavior for different ranges of the restitution coefficient.
Sufficient Condition for Second-Order Linear Systems Having No Zeros
Authors: Wu Ying-Jeng Engin , Chou Jyh-Horng
Published: March 2007

Some of the model independent controllers such as the virtual passive controller require a minimum- phase system to start with the controller design process (Morris and Juang, 1994). Recently, Lin and Juang (1995) have presented some sufficient conditions for second-order linear systems to be minimum phase. How ever, if a second-order linear system has no zeros, then we can directly make a conclusion by using the defini tion of minimum phase (Chen, 1984), and thus we need not apply the sufficient conditions of Lin and Juang to determine whether this second-order linear system is minimum phase. Therefore, the purpose of this note is to propose a sufficient condition for second-order linear systems to have no zeros. Note that the work by Lin and Juang is very significant and excellent. It is hoped that the content of this note may serve as a complement of their work.
A Comparison of Numerical Methods Applied to a Fractional Model of Damping Materials
Authors: Shokooh Arsalan , Suárez Luis
Published: March 2007

The use of fractional derivatives in the constitutive equations of systems with damping materials provides a powerful tool for modeling these systems because the model does not exhibit many of the short comings of those based on integer-order derivatives. The resulting equations of motion possess closed-form solutions only for single-degree-of-freedom systems and only for a small number of loadings. For practical applications, therefore, the equations of motion must be solved using numerical methods. This paper presents two numerical schemes to solve single-degree- and multi-degree-of-freedom systems with fractional damp ing subjected to a number of commonly used loading conditions. The techniques employed are based on the central difference method and the average acceleration method. Whenever possible, the numerical results are compared with the analytical solutions. The results of the two numerical methods are essentially identical, with the exact solutions for zero initial conditions, but differ for nonzero conditions and large damping. For small damping, the average method has the advantage of its simpler formulation, especially with regard to the starting values. For arbitrary damping, however, the central difference method, in view of its robustness, is the preferred method.
Application of Repetitive Control to Vibration Attenuation in Certain Engineering Structures
Authors: Prell Allen P. , Tsao Tsu-Chin , Bergman Lawrence A.
Published: March 2007

The application of repetitive control to the problem ofattenuation of vibration in a class of engineer ing structures excited by periodic disturbances occurring at a fundamental frequency and its integer multiples is examined. The internal model principle is employed to design controllers for a single degree of freedom structure as well as for a Euler-Bernoulli beam. The beam system is examined experimentally.
Managed Behavioral Health Care Patients and Their Nursing Care Problems, Level of Functioning, and Impairment on Discharge
Authors: Dee Vivien , van Servellen Gwen , Brecht Mary-Lynn
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal reports of the effects of managed care restrictions suggest an erosion of medical and nursing care. Yet, few substantive data are available to indi cate that patients fare better or worse.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the characteristics of a large hospital's managed behavioral health population in relation to observed nursing care needs, level of patient function ing on admission and discharge, and length of stay.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective medical chart review was conducted on inpatients under managed behavioral health care contracts admitted and discharged between April 1995 and January 1996.

RESULTS: On discharge, patients showed improvement on all behavioral subsystem rat ings, with statistically significant differences in dependency, affiliative, aggressive- protective, achievement, and restorative subsystems. Patients with longer stays were significantly more impaired than patients with shorter stays on discharge Global As sessment of Functioning scores.

CONCLUSION: Expansion of the database to derive meaningful conclusions about the impact of managed care on the resolution of nursing care problems is discussed. (J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc [1998]. 4, 57-66)
Internet Recruiting in the Banking Industry
Authors: Pearce C. Glenn , Tuten Tracy L.
Published: March 2007

The Internet has brought about changes in the job search and application process. For this article, recruiters at several large commercial banks in the US were inter viewed on the usage of Internet recruiting tools. The interviews identified a number of trends that are fairly uniform across these banks, including the following:

1. Recruiters are using the Internet at an increasing rate.

2. While job site services are popular, most recruiters we interviewed preferred using the corporate Website.

3. The percentage of Internet-recruited applicants actually hired varies widely and is still a small percentage of the whole.

4. Diversity programs are not hampered by Internet recruiting.
How Male, Female, and Mixed-Gender Groups Regard Interaction and Leadership Differences in the Business Communication Course
Authors: Winter Janet K. , Neal Joan C. , Waner Karen K.
Published: March 2007

Research on leadership and teams suggests that men and women exhibit different leadership and interpersonal communication styles. A review of literature and a survey of students in upper-level business communication courses at Central Mis souri State University provide evidence for five strategies to assist students in deal ing with team-interaction situations:

1. Instruct students in techniques to avoid groupthink and to promote and handle competition

2. Offer students ideas on and methods for reaching agreement in a timely manner

3. Vary the subject of group writing assignments to allow each student to be per ceived as an expert

4. Encourage all students to be active participants in the group process

5. Emphasize the importance of good writing skills to both males and females

Finally, further research is needed regarding the "natural leader" role, the role of competition in groups, and the effect of perceptions of tasks as either "feminine" or "masculine."
Cross-cultural Service Learning: American and Russian Students Learn Applied Organizational Communication
Authors: Stevens Betsy
Published: March 2007

In an unusual cross-cultural endeavor, American and Russian students engaged in service learning as part of an organizational communication class in which they applied their skills to assist non-profit organizations. American students worked with a nursing home to plan a public relations event and the Russian students gave a party for children at an orphanage in Tomsk, Russia.

Students worked in teams and accomplished assigned responsibilities. Both groups produced a public relations event and each contacted the press seeking news cover age. The Americans surveyed stakeholders about the effectiveness of the organiza tion's ability to communicate with its constituents. The Russians went about their project differently (they participated in the course online) .
Assessing Business Communication Assignments of English-as-Second-Language Students
Authors: Lewis Stephen D. , McGrew Linda G. , Adams C. Nathan
Published: March 2007

As the US population becomes more diverse, the enrollment of English-as-Second- Language (ESL) students in colleges and universities continues to expand. This diversity may sometimes lead to problems for business communication teachers who must assess the written communication skills of students who may not be fluent in English. To address these problems, we conducted a nationwide survey of business communication teachers, soliciting input on how ESL students' written communication skills were assessed. Respondents were asked to identify areas where their assessments of ESL students might differ from their assessments of stu dents whose first language was English. Comparisons were made based upon teachers' gender, age, number of years of teaching experience, and geographic location where they teach. Although some grading leniency was shown toward ESL students in specific areas, generally the respondents indicated that they do not assess business communication assignments any differently based upon the stu dents' primary language usage.
Faculty Perceptions of Communication Skills and Needs of Business School Undergraduates in Singapore
Authors: Wharton Glenn
Published: March 2007

In Singapore in 2000, the government launched a Speak Good English Movement to improve English language skills and to limit the use of Singlish (a local variety of English) by promoting the use of (Standard) English among the general popula tion. This campaign was motivated by govemment perception and media reports of a decline in English language skills.

Using a 40-item questionnaire, this study investigated whether faculty at a large Singapore business school shared similar perceptions of inadequate communi cation skills, in this case among undergraduates, and also sought to explain their perceptions. The findings indicate that the faculty perceived undergraduate com munication skills to be in need of improvement, thus lending support to employer and government criticism. An analysis of survey responses revealed some probable underlying causes for faculty perceptions, including an apparent lack of real com mitment to the improvement of such skills.
The University of Puerto Rico Business Communication Program: Philosophy, Scope, and Materials
Authors: Mergal Margaret Z. , Wolf Morris Philip
Published: March 2007

Almost every issue of the ABCA Bulletin and of the Journal of Business Communication explores problems concerning people for whom English is a native language. The authors of this article, however, invite ABCA atten tion to another area of teaching and research opportunities that probably will attract increasing professional attention and administrative funding relatively soon. The area considered here is that of business communication involving people whose lives are influenced by the society and culture of the continental United States but whose native languages are other than English.
Make Your Technical Reports "People Oriented"
Authors: Humphrey Susan R. , Williamson Gerald F.
Published: March 2007

Must a technical report be a pyrotechnic display of intricate facts, figures, and tables? Far too many engineering personnel submit logically complete, technically correct reports--which efficiently put the reader to sleep. Analysis of the technical report shows that its functional parts are designed for different classes of readership, each having different needs and technical skill levels. Writing your material while focussing on its intended audience instead of a piece of equipment, will vastly increase reader comprehension and minimize the stereotyped image of the dull report. Also, the resultant time saved for the reader represents a cost saving which justifies the slight extra attention given by the writer.
Proposal for a Master of Business Administration in Business Communication
Authors: Hildebrandt Herbert W.
Published: March 2007

A statement prepared by the Graduate Studies Committee of the American Business Communication Asso ciation. Leland Brown, Richard C. Hansen, Richard C. Huseman, William J. Lord, Jr., John D. Pettit, Jr., Michael Porte, Norman B. Sigband, Francis W. Weeks, Robert M. Wendlinger, Richard A. Hatch, and Herbert W. Hildebrandt, Chairman.
Undergraduate Studies Committee Proposes a Business Communication Award
Authors: Kallaus Norman F.
Published: March 2007

The Undergraduate Studies Committee of ABCA presented a 35-page report to the Board of Directors at its annual meeting December 28. The following is an excerpt from that report which outlines one recommendation of the committee to the Board. Serving with Chairman Kallaus were: William H. Baker, Vice Chairman, Brigham Young University; Ivel A. Craddock, Louisiana State University; Frank P. Dobyns, Business Executive, New York City; Robert W. Rasberry, Southern Methodist University; Edward G. Thomas, (author of this excerpt), Cleveland State University; and J. Karl Worthington, Utah Technical College.
The Man-Machine Interface: Verbiage in the Computer Age
Authors: Saliskas Joan
Published: March 2007

Joan Saliskas has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois. She spent several of her graduate years as a teaching assistant in the Division of Business and Technical Writing while Fran Weeks was Director of the division. Upon graduation, she spent one year as a Visiting Lecturer in the same division—after which she abandoned academe and joined a large hotel corporation as a "Documentation Specialist" in the Information Systems Division of their International Headquarters located in Washington, D.C. Thus her interest in computer jargon.
Three Sales Letter Themes: Taste It, Try It, Touch It
Authors: Bayless Marsha L. , Irvine Christine Monica , Murray Mary Ellen
Published: March 2007

Sales letters are one type of persuasive letter often assigned in the business communication classroom. This article dis cusses three approaches that require the student to either taste a product, try out an item, or touch an object before writing the sales letter to a prospective audience. The article describes pre-assignment activities, the assignment, and student reaction to the activities. Samples of handouts and student work are included.
Integrating Business Communication Skills into a Buyer-Behavior Course Project
Authors: Wunsch Alan P. , Tomkovick Chuck
Published: March 2007

Marketing educators have long recognized the need for strengthening their students' business communication skills. Recruiters routinely consider superior communica tions skills as essential hiring criteria when filling entry- level marketing positions. Additionally, marketing students consistently rate communication-intensive business courses as among those most helpful to them in preparing for their business careers. This paper discusses an undergraduate buyer-behavior course project targeted at improving stu dents' business communication skills through a team- teaching project. The paper highlights the value of integrating written, oral, and electronic communications pedagogy with buyer-behavior course instruction and then outlines the project from a "how-to-do-it" perspective.
Incorporating Electronic Mail into the Business Communication Course
Authors: Nantz Karen S. , Drexel Cynthia L.
Published: March 2007

E-mail is the primary communication vehicle for the information superhighway. Unfortunately, e-mail education is focusing on the hardware and software issues without regard for the requisite communication skills. To be effective electronic communicators, students need training in understanding the electronic organizational hierarchy and electronic communication volume and costs; selecting the appropriate media; and evaluating message permanence, security, ownership, and privacy. Including targeted exercises in the business communication class can enhance students' understanding of e-mail.
Defining Institutional Problems: A Heuristic Procedure
Authors: McComiskey Bruce
Published: March 2007

This essay explores heuristic uses of Kenneth Burke's pen tad of dramatistic terms for defining institutional problems. Answering questions about institutional problems arranged according to Burke's pentad, students learn to incorporate multiple perspectives into their problem statements provid ing with them a socially inclusive foundation for problem solving reports.
An Integrated Approach to Introducing Research Methods in Required Business and Technical Writing Courses
Authors: Loehr Linda
Published: March 2007

This paper presents a classroom-tested method of present ing a variety of research materials and methods for optimal effectiveness. The integrated approach offers the opportunity for both instructors and their students to share responsibil ity for creating updated and useful courses that explore communication issues and offer practice in research. The suggested approach is multidimensioned but flexible and modular for ease in adaptation.
Teaching Managerial Communication to ESL and Native-Speaker Undergraduates
Authors: curry Mary Jane
Published: March 2007

Management students need to learn both analytic and communication skills to be successful in the university and at work. Communicative methods used to teach English as a Second Language (ESL), such as collaborative learning, dialogue journals, peer review, and oral presentations, can be adapted readily to teaching analytical and communication skills to native and nonnative speakers of English. ESL strategies work well to enable learners to analyze readings and form and communicate well-developed opinions in the context of case studies and media critiques used in business communication.
Using Consulting Projects to Teach Critical- Thinking Skills in Business Communication
Authors: Muir Clive
Published: March 2007

There is more to successful communication than learning the styles and proce dures often found in the traditional business communication syllabus. In this article, I discuss the benefits of using a critical-thinking approach to helping students to understand the complex social and political environment in which business communication is practiced. I explain how communication consult ing projects can be used to examine the context of organizational communica tion. Finally, I discuss the implications for teaching business and technical communication using a real-world, critical approach.
Written Language Skills of Entry-Level Accountants as Assessed by Experienced CPAs
Authors: Nelson Sandra J. , Moncada Susan , Smith Douglas C.
Published: March 2007

Experienced CPAs were surveyed to examine the perception of the written lan guage skills of entry-level accountants. The results suggest that written lan guage fundamentals in word selection and usage, sentence and paragraph construction, and other grammar and mechanics remain a problem for entry- level accountants.
Teaching Students How to Write to Avoid Legal Liability
Authors: Clark Thomas
Published: March 2007

Business commmtmication often has significant legal consequences. Students thus need to learn how to avoid legal liability in their writing. Teaching such skills provides a practical and interesting application of key business commu nication principles and encourages students to improve their ability to analyze audiences by looking at the language of business messages "through the eyes of the prosecution."
Group Work and Electronic Meeting Systems: From Boardroom to Classroom
Authors: Tullar William L. , Kaiser Paula R. , Balthazard Pierre A.
Published: March 2007

In the business community, collaborative efforts of work teams have led to a dramatic increase in the number of group meetings. Business managers, seek ing more efficient and effective methods of managing diverse contributions, have increasingly used information technology to supportgroup work. The same need to improve group communication is relevant to today's classroom, where new technologies can transform the classroom from a traditional instructor-centered environment to a student-centered environment where stu dents actively participate in intellectual discourse. Results from field and labo ratory studies about business usage of electronic meeting systems (EMS) can be applied to the classroom setting. We offer an overview of available tools and suggest some classroom activities. EMS-supported courses provide many new opportunities to foster learning. Students participate, participate more equally, and report a highly satisfying experience.
Trends in Business Curricula: The View from AACSB
Authors: Ryan Cathy
Published: March 2007

Note: This commentary reflects a phone conversation with Charles Hickman, Director of Products and Special Services, AACSB (The International Associa tion for Management Education—formerly American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business) on 16 November 1998. Our conversation ranged over sev eral topics pertinent to communications requirements in AACSB schools. We are grateful to Mr. Hickman for allowing us to summarize his views in this issue.
Quality Evaluation of Canned Whole Tomatoes
Authors: Porretta S.
Published: March 2007

The physico-chemical properties of commercial canned whole tomatoes (i.e., peeled tomatoes with about 30% tomato juice as packing medium) and the contribution of various analytical parameters to some sensory attributes were evaluated using multivariate statistical analysis. In addition, cluster analysis was used to determine the existence of significant qualitative differences between the old and famous San Marzano variety (as described on the commercial labels by the manufacturers) and traditional (without any specification on the tomato variety) canned whole tomatoes.
Contribution to the Study of the Aromatic Potential of Three Muscat Vitis Vinifera Varieties: Identification of New Compounds
Authors: Mariño N. Carro , Tamames E. López , Jares Y C.M. García
Published: March 2007

About 60 components of the free and bound fractions of the aroma of three Vitis vinifera grape cultivars (i.e., Muscat d'Alexandrie, Muscat d'Hambourg, and Muscat de Frontignan) were determined. Free and bound fractions were isolated by selective retention on a nonionic resin (Amberlite XAD-2). The free fraction was directly analyzed by means of gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC and GC-MS). The analysis of the bound fraction was performed following two methods: (1) by enzymttic hydrolysis, to release the volatile aglycons and (2) by TFA (trifluoroacetylation) of the glycosidic compounds. Several glycosidic compounds were identified as glucosides, arabinosides, rutinosides, and apiosides, which constitute an important grape aroma reserve.
Note: Color development rate in dulce de leche
Authors: Pauletti M.S. , Castelao E. , Sabbag N. , Costa Y S.
Published: March 2007

The time necessary to obtain the characteristic dulce de leche color at different temperatures was studied. Samples were held at constant temperature until they reached a standard prescribed color. Sensorial analysis of the final color of the samples was performed in order to detect any difference. Results showed that color among samples was not significantly different (p = 0.95). Arrhenius equation was used to correlate the kinetics results. Variance analysis showed a very good correlation of experimental data (r2 = 0.98). The apparent activation energy values for both studied systems were similar (13.88–14.45 kcal mol–1) but somewhat smaller than those given by other authors for similar systems. The global rate constant value of color formation process at any temperature was slightly larger when the protein/carbohydrate ratio was higher.
Changes in concentration of nitrogenous compounds during fermentation of white grape musts at pilot plant scale/Cambios en la concentración de compuestos nitrogenados durante la fermentación de mosto a escala piloto
Authors: Dizy M. , Polo M.C.
Published: March 2007

Five vinifications were performed in 500 L tanks using two musts of the Malvar white grape variety. Four vinifications were carried out with or without the addition of sulphur dioxide by spontaneous fermentation and by a mixed culture of yeasts (Kloeckera apiculata, Torulaspora delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var ellipsoideus). A fifth experiment was performed with the addition of sulphur dioxide and the inoculation of a commercial active dry yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae 71 B). The decrease in amino acids during fermentation was similar in all the experiments carried out on the same must in which there was no malolactic fermentation, regardless of the species of yeast conducting the fermentation, the free amino acid content of the corresponding must or whether sulphur dioxide was added to the musts or not. There was a smaller decrease in free amino acid concentration in wines where malolactic fermentation took place. This could be related to the release of amino acids from the wines' peptides by the peptidase activity of lactic acid bacteria.
A variable restrictive valve as an extra independent control variable for food extrusion processes/Uso de una válvula de restricción como variable independiente de control para procesos de extrusion
Authors: Schonauer S. , Moreira R.
Published: March 2007

A choke valve was introduced in the die neck of a twin-screw food extruder to explore the rela tionship between the total die resistance and product quality attributes. This provided the oppor tunity to investigate the control valve as an additional degree of freedom for control of the process. The valve was capable of artificially increasing energy consumption, specific mechanical energy (SME), by adding a restriction factor to the die system. The SME manipulation resulted in controlled change in bulk density, softness and water solubility index (WSI) of the extrudate.
Review : Bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria associated with meat products / Revisión: Bacterias lácticas productoras de bacteriocinas asociadas a productos cárnicos
Authors: Aymerich M.T. , Hugas M. , Monfort J.M.
Published: March 2007

Meat consumption is of great economical importance. Several lactic acid bacteria associated with meat products are important natural bacteriocin producers. Bacteriocins are proteinaceous antag onistic substances considered to be important in the control of spoilage and pathogenic microor ganisms. This review aims to present the current state of the art in terms of bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria associated with fresh and fermented meat products, describe the biochemical and genetic characteristics of their bacteriocins and the potential use of bacteriocins production of meat products.
Note. Chemical composition of the nogal de Barquisimeto (Caryodendron orinocense, euphorbiaceae) seeds
Authors: Padilla F.C. , Alfaro M.J. , Chávez J.F.
Published: March 2007

Caryodendron orinocense, Karst., called in Venezuela nogal de Barquisimeto, is an euphorbiaceous tree which grows at the base of the Andes mountains in Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia, and which has potential as a food source. The fruit is a capsule containing three seeds, with an average weight of 10.2 g for the whole seed or 'nut' and an average weight of the edible portion of 4.9 g. The chemical composition (iron, phosphorus, sodium, potasium, thiamine, riboflavin, ascorbic acid and carotenes) and the antinutritional factors of the whole mature seeds were determined. The seeds presented neither trypsin inhibitors nor haemaglutinating activity. The edible portion contained 33.85% crude fat, and 17.16% protein (N x 6.25) on a dry weight basis and the following amounts of iron, calcium, thiamin and riboflavin: 22.36, 303.91, 0.24 and 0.2 mg/ 100 g, respec tively. These results suggest that the Caryodendron seeds have potential as a source of oil and proteins. Further studies are recommended.
New strategies for minimally processed foods. The role of multitarget preservation/Nuevas estrategias para los alimentos mínimamente procesados. La conservación "multiblanco"
Authors: Alzamora S.M. , Tapia M.S. , Chanes J. Welti
Published: March 2007

Minimally processed foods represent a problem from the point of view of microbiological safety, since their processing implies a loss of extrinsic and intrinsic preservation factors. This paper analyzes the microbiological status of minimally processed foods and the prospects to extend their microbiological safety by the hurdles technology. Some issues to be taken into account for this technology are also considered
Influencia de la clarificación por sedimentación en el contenido de ácidos grasos en mostos garnacha y Viura y su evolución durante la fermentación / Influence of clarification by sedimentation on the content of fatty acids in garnacha and Viura musts and their changes during the fermentation
Authors: Torrea Goñi D. , García Sotro A. , Ancín Azpilicueta C.
Published: March 2007

The influence of static sedimentation of garnacha and Viura musts on the concentration of fatty acids and their changes during fermentation is evaluated. A non-sedimented must was used as a control sample. The sedimentation of garnacha must reduced the concentration of saturated fatty acids (mainly stearic acid), although it did not totally eliminate any single one. During the first half of the fermen tation (up to 50% of sugar consumption) the medium-chain fatty acids excreted their highest concen tration in the sample being clarified. The long-chain fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated, were consumed in both samples, although the saturated acids showed a higher rate of consumption in the contrul sample (57%) than in the sedimented sample (10%). The polyunsaturated fatty acids were consumed at a high rate in both samples. During the second half of the fermentation (from 50% sugar consumption until the end of the fermentation) the consumption of long-chain fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated, was similar in the control sample and in the sedimented sample. The clarification of the Viura must reduced all the above unsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic (84%). In the first half of the fermentation, the consumption of long-chain fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated, was greater in the control sample than in the sedimented sample; the same oc curred during the second half of the fermentation.
Textural and structural changes of dehydrofreeze-thawed strawberry slices: Effects of different dehydration pretreatments / Cambios texturales y estructurales de rodajas de fresa deshidratadas y descongeladas: Efectos de diferentes pretratamientos de deshidratación
Authors: Sormani A. , Maffi D. , Bertolo G. , Torreggiani D.
Published: March 2007

Partial removal of water through air dehydration, dewatering-impregnation-soaking in concentrated solutions (DIS) or their combination, has been applied to strawberry slices before freezing in order to reduce structural cullapse after thawing. The changes produced at the structural level have been studied through both texture and microscopic analysis, so defining the structure-texture relation ships in the freeze-thawed fruit. Tissues subjected to DIS in a 60% (w/w) glucose solution for 4 hours at room temperature showed structural damage to the cell walls and cell ruptures, which are in agree ment with the observed decrease of texture. After thawing, the pre-dehydrated strawberry slices showed a much better tissue organization than the strawberry frozen without pretreatment. Air dry ing and the combination DIS-air drying gave the highest texture improvement of the fruit after thaw ing. A good agreement was obtained between structural and textural changes observed after both pre-dehydration and freeze-thawing of strawberry slices.
Primary Care in the Home: The Time is Now!
Authors: Rinke Lynn T. , Holt Stephen W.
Published: March 2007

The Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia is the first home health agency to provide primary health care in the home. A team of advanced practice nurses working with a physician provides much-needed medical care in patients' homes. Medicare B and other payors are reimbursing the organization for these services. This collaborative primary health care model integrates multiple health services and provides them to patients. This article describes the conception and implementation of this unique health service delivery model.
The Concept of Caring and Its Relationship to the Pregnant Chemically Dependent Woman
Authors: Straw Diane P.
Published: March 2007

The United States is facing a major crisis caused by the impact that drug and alcohol abuse is having on families, particularly women and children. Moreover, many chemically dependent women have inadequate financial resources, lack affordable housing, and have nonmarketable job skills. Many of them are single parents with inadequate support systems. Prevention of substance abuse among women of childbearing age and early intervention in this population is needed to reduce the incidence of children born drug affected and to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. Since pregnancy is a time of change and pregnant women are more open to engage in positive health practices, nurses working with chemically dependent pregnant women are in a good position to teach and encourage health promoting behaviors and positive parenting by offering support in the form of caring behaviors when these patients come in for prenatal care. Caring for the drug dependent pregnant woman requires sensitivity and awareness on the part of the nurse of both the circumstances and feelings such a woman brings to the health-care environment. The nurse's caring and understanding can greatly influence continued participation in care.
Drug-induced mental status changes
Authors: McPherson Mary Lynn
Published: March 2007

Drug-induced mental status changes may include depression, psychosis, confusion, delirium, vivid dreams, nightmares, hallucinations, dementia, and confusion, among others. This review is devoted to a discussion of the major drug classes that may cause alterations in mental function and methods that are useful in detecting and minimizing the risk of this occurring.