bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflections on Puccini's La Bohème
Authors: Madsen Clifford K. , Geringer John M.
Published: September 2008

A continuing line of research indicates that focus of attention is perhaps the most important attribute of actively participating in meaningful music listening and a model accounting for these findings has been developed. Music teachers are especially concerned with meaningful listening when having students discern important elements or attributes of music. Although newer listening devices offer sophisticated methods for continuous measurement, the educator usually does not have access to the advanced equipment used by researchers. This study is built on a previous investigation by examining the use of a paper-and-pencil drawing for recording aesthetic responses across time. The authors also asked the 50 university music major participants to reflect and write comments concerning their listening experiences. Findings indicate that a teacher using only a simple paper-and-pencil representation might be able to elicit and document an “overall emotional effect” that provides almost as much information as using more sophisticated measuring devices.
Analysis of Geometrical Parameters using a CAD System for a 3-D Braided Preform
Authors: Tea Jin Kang  , Kim Sungjun , Jung Kyungho
Published: September 2008

To estimate the precise mechanical properties of the three-dimensional (3-D) braided composite, a geometric study of a 3-D braided preform was performed. Describing yarn paths using third-order spline curves, which are close to the real pathway of the 3-D braided structure, the unit cells and the representative volume elements were determined. Finally, the CAD system for the 3-D circular braided preform was developed following these modeling sequences and applied to the parametric study of the preforms. A parametric study was conducted on the important geometric factors such as yarn retraction factor, yarn orientation angle, and yarn volume fraction and the theoretical maximum yarn volume fraction was determined. Using the developed CAD system, the relationships between processing variables and geometric parameters have been established.
Application of Stretch-breaking Force Analysis on Optimum Drafting Conditions in Tow-to-yarn Direct Spinning
Authors: Su Ching-Iuan , Huang Li-Ying , Cheng Shih-Pin
Published: September 2008

This study discusses the evaluation of stretch-breaking force and its CV% in the tow-to-yarn direct spinning with 12k oxidized filament tow. We aimed to describe a new method for determining suitable draft conditions in the direct spinning to obtain the best oxidized yarn quality. To correlate the stretch-breaking force and the yarn quality, oxidized direct spun yarns were spun on a modified laboratory spinning frame for one-step conversion of a tow-to-yarn system. Base on the correlation of stretch-breaking force CV and direct oxidized yarn quality, the drafting ratio and roller gauge corresponding to the lower unevenness (CV%) of the direct oxidized yarn could be chosen as the suitable draft condition in direct yarn spinning to obtain the best oxidized yarn quality. Obviously, the results revealed that the technique of stretch-breaking force could be applied on the optimum draft condition of tow-to-yarn direct spinning.
Simulating Liquid Flow through Virtual Glass Fiber Mats
Authors: Jaganathan S. , Maze B. , Vahedi Tafreshi H. , Pourdeyhimi B.
Published: September 2008

The focus of this paper is on simulating the in-plane and through-plane penetration of liquid water in virtual non-wovens. We consider a series of unsteady state two-phase (air—water) simulations performed in two-dimensional geometries obtained from a simulated three-dimensional glass fiber mat. The simulation planes are the cross-sectional planes in the horizontal and vertical directions. Simulations revealed that liquid penetration and spread depend strongly on the fiber orientation distribution as well as on the hydrophilic properties of the fibers. Our results are in good qualitative agreement with the available experimental data.
Objective Evaluation of Fabric Handle by Simple Measurement Methods
Authors: Sülar Vildan , Okur Ayşe
Published: September 2008

In this study, objective and subjective evaluations of fabrics were made to predict fabric handle in a simple way. The aim of this research was to select a suitable form of regression model and predict total handle value with a minimum number of parameters to make a practical approach by using simple laboratory measurements. For this purpose, a wide database of 71 worsted men's suitings was prepared by making subjective and objective evaluations. Subjective tests of primary handle attributes (softness-stiffness, thickness-thinness, and roughness-smoothness) and total handle were evaluated by an expert jury consisting of 18 members, and a subjective total handle value was also calculated using these data. Objective measurements consisted of fabric tensile, bending, shear, compression and surface properties, and pulling through a nozzle tests. A new surface roughness tester was used for measuring surface properties, and it was found that these roughness results might be useful for fabric handle prediction. Linear and log linear regression equations were tested by using 43 parameters. Consequently, some simple regression equations that were practical solutions were obtained to predict fabric handle. A very good result was obtained with a value of the adjusted R2= 0.88 with eight parameters (LOGP1, LOGB, T42, RΔq1, Rp2, Rq1, Rpmean, P1) from four different property blocks (pulling through a nozzle, bending, tensile, and surface), and in particular, the regression equations reaching an adjusted R2value over 0.80 are recommended.
Task-space PD Control of Robot Manipulators: Unified Analysis and Duality Property
Authors: Cheah C.C.
Published: September 2008

Task-space regulation of robots is classified into two basic approaches, namely transpose Jacobian regulation and inverse Jacobian regulation. This paper shows that, despite the distinct differences between inverse Jacobian and transpose Jacobian regulation problems, there is a unified approach for the analysis and design of the transpose Jacobian and inverse Jacobian PD controllers for non-redundant robots. Based on the unified analysis, we show that there is a fundamental property in the task-space regulation problem, namely the duality property. The results on the duality property show that the transpose Jacobian matrix can be replaced by the inverse Jacobian matrix and vice versa. The two basic transformations, the transpose Jacobian and the inverse Jacobian, are said to be dual. The task-space PD controllers are implemented on an industrial robot and experiment results are presented.
3D Perception and Environment Map Generation for Humanoid Robot Navigation
Authors: Gutmann Jens-Steffen , Fukuchi Masaki , Fujita Masahiro
Published: September 2008

A humanoid robot that can go up and down stairs, crawl underneath obstacles or simply walk around requires reliable perceptual capabilities for obtaining accurate and useful information about its surroundings. In this work we present a system for generating three-dimensional (3D) environment maps from data taken by stereo vision. At the core is a method for precise segmentation of range data into planar segments based on the algorithm of scan-line grouping extended to cope with the noise dynamics of stereo vision. In off-line experiments we demonstrate that our extensions achieve a more precise segmentation. When compared to a previously developed patch-let method, we obtain a richer segmentation with a higher accuracy while also requiring far less computations. From the obtained segmentation we then build a 3D environment map using occupancy grid and floor height maps. The resulting representation classifies areas into one of six different types while also providing object height information. We apply our perception method for the navigation of the humanoid robot QRIO and present experiments of the robot stepping through narrow space, walking up and down stairs and crawling underneath a table.
Feature Depth Observation for Image-based Visual Servoing: Theory and Experiments
Authors: De Luca Alessandro , Oriolo Giuseppe , Robuffo Giordano Paolo
Published: September 2008

In the classical image-based visual servoing framework, error signals are directly computed from image feature parameters, allowing, in principle, control schemes to be obtained that need neither a complete three-dimensional (3D) model of the scene nor a perfect camera calibration. However, when the computation of control signals involves the interaction matrix, the current value of some 3D parameters is requiredfor each considered feature, and typically a rough approximation of this value is used. With reference to the case of a point feature, for which the relevant 3D parameter is the depth Z, we propose a visual servoing approach where Z is observed and made available for servoing. This is achieved by interpreting depth as an unmeasurable state with known dynamics, and by building a non-linear observer that asymptotically recovers the actual value of Z for the selected feature. A byproduct of our analysis is the rigorous characterization of camera motions that actually allow such observation. Moreover, in the case of a partially uncalibrated camera, it is possible to exploit complementary camera motions in order to preliminarily estimate the focal length without knowing Z. Simulations and experimental results are presented for a mobile robot with an on-board camera in order to illustrate the benefits of integrating the depth observation within classical visual servoing schemes.
Islamism and the roots of liberal rage
Authors: Kundnani Arun
Published: September 2008

As the neoconservative idea of a clash of civilisations is increasingly challenged, a number of liberal writers — Paul Berman, Nick Cohen, Martin Amis, Andrew Anthony, Bernard Henry-Lévy and Christopher Hitchens — are rethinking the `war on terror' as a cold war against Islamism, defined as a totalitarian political movement analogous to fascism or Stalinism. Europe is the new front line in this battle for the `hearts and minds' of Muslims and, it is argued, violations of certain human rights are necessary in the name of defending liberal freedoms. Yet such an analysis fails to comprehend the complex dynamics of Islamism in Europe. Members of a new generation of European Muslims are creating a globalised Islamic identity that is distanced from the ethnic cultures of their parents — a process that is more likely to lead to new forms of democratic activism than to political violence unless diverted from this course by counter-productive policies.
Veiled bodies — naked racism: culture, politics and race in the Sun
Authors: Khiabany Gholam , Williamson Milly
Published: September 2008

The context in which the current `debate' about Muslim women and the veil is taking place, in Britain and elsewhere in Europe, is that of the new orthodoxy, the `clash of civilisations'. This attempts to explain much of the world's political turmoil in terms of a clash between the (`secular modern') West and the (`traditionalist religion') Islam. The increased visibility of veiled bodies in Britain today has stirred a response that draws on long-standing orientalist oppositions and reworks them in the current climate of the `war on terror', connecting them to parallel racist discourses about `threats' to British culture. Sections of the British media have homogenised the variety of Muslim veiling practices and have presented the veil as an obstacle to meaningful `communication'; an example of Islamic `refusal' to embrace `modernity'. Veiled women are considered to be ungrateful subjects who have failed to assimilate and are deemed to threaten the `British' way of life. This paper reviews the debate over the veil in Britain in the context of British foreign policy, attacks on civil liberties, the further marginalisation of poor communities and the politicisation of British Muslims, where the veil is an increasingly political image of both difference and defiance.
Health Information Technology in Nursing Homes
Authors: Liu Darren , Castle Nicholas G.
Published: September 2008

This study describes nursing homes' use of Minimum Data Set (MDS) software and identifies features that are available in the most commonly used software packages. Data came from the On-line Survey, Certification and Reporting system and a national survey of nursing home administrators ( N = 2,899) conducted in 2005. Results show that 2,397 (82.7%) of nursing homes used third-party MDS software, and more than 85% of those facilities purchased the software from one of five vendors. Advanced features in the software were available to most (87% to 98%) of the facilities; however, most features were not being used all the time. Findings are instructive in showing the use of health information technology in nursing homes. Nursing homes are often viewed as technologically impaired. With respect to MDS software, many nursing homes are using quite advanced health information technology.
Federal Credit Programs and Local Economic Performance
Authors: Shaffer Sherrill , Collender Robert N.
Published: September 2008

Several theories of externalities and asymmetric information suggest a positive role for government programs to assist credit markets, though potential distortions by special interests carry attendant dangers. The authors examine the empirical association between funding by several federal government programs and subsequent economic performance, measured six ways, for U.S. metropolitan areas during the 1990s. Significant differences are found across programs and performance measures. Observed trade-offs suggest a need to compare policy objectives with acceptable costs in many cases. Overall, the results are consistent with theoretical predictions and with some standard policy objectives.
Science related information in European television: a study of prime-time news
Authors: León Bienvenido
Published: September 2008

According to the few studies carried out on this subject, in spite of its importance and interest for the audience, science has been a marginal topic in television news, and has presented several problems of quality. This article presents the main results of a comparative research on science in European television, focusing on the main prime-time news programs of the leading public and the leading commercial channel, in the five largest countries. A sample of two weeks (2676 stories) was analyzed, with an outcome of 218 science related stories, which were coded (topic, length, explicit news values, contextual information and scientific explanation). Results indicate that the number and airtime of science related stories have increased, compared to a decade ago, but still do not seem to match the interest that citizens declare to have in science. The quality of the information broadcast seems relatively acceptable, although it still needs to be improved in some aspects, for which new formats of news programs would be helpful.
Congruency within rural social networks as an indicator of interpersonal influence on risk judgments: the great stir caused by BSE in a village in northern Germany
Authors: Lehmkuhl Markus J.
Published: September 2008

In the following survey, congruency within a sample of 150 rural social networks ascertained by comparing independently gathered data is used as an indicator of interpersonal influence concerning BSE-related current knowledge and consumption habits. Our findings suggest that friends, relatives and acquaintances mutually orientated each other about what was worth knowing about BSE. Concerning the behavioral dimension of risk judgments, our findings indicate that social networks obtained within the village explored have activated collective resistance against fear. This is explained by the character of the risk source. Positive attitudes towards conventional farming obviously contributed to the social identity of villagers. The devaluation of conventional farming as a source of societal threat by the mass media touched on an integral part of the self-definitions of villagers and activated resistance within their social networks. It is argued that a central point in explaining the role of interpersonal influence in risk judgments is not only the dimension of risk judgments but the character of the risk source. If attitudes concerning a risk source contribute positively to one's identity, the devaluation of the risk source by mass media coverage may enhance the probability of collective resistance against fear.
The meanings of genomics: a focus group study of “interested” and lay classifications of salmon genomics
Authors: Tansey James D. , Burgess Michael
Published: September 2008

Risk researchers have traditionally examined technologies that have become stigmatized in the public realm. In this study, we examine a prior cognitive phenomenon, which assumes that technologies are classified according to the non-scientific taxonomies that individuals use to make sense of the world. We describe the coarse taxonomies revealed during five focus groups involving expert and non-expert participants. The study suggests that in discussions of salmon genomics, participants consistently conflate genomic research with transgenic applications. The authors discuss the implications of this phenomenon for public policy.
Topology Optimized Design, Microfabrication and Characterization of Electro-Thermally Driven Microgripper
Authors: Rubio Wilfredo M. , Silva Emilio C.N. , Bordatchev Evgueni V. , Zeman Marco J.F.
Published: September 2008

This article presents a systematic and logical study of the topology optimized design, microfabrication, and static/dynamic performance characterization of an electro-thermo-mechanical microgripper. The microgripper is designed using a topology optimization algorithm based on a spatial filtering technique and considering different penalization coefficients for different material properties during the optimization cycle. The microgripper design has a symmetric monolithic 2D structure which consists of a complex combination of rigid links integrating both the actuating and gripping mechanisms. The numerical simulation is performed by studying the effects of convective heat transfer, thermal boundary conditions at the fixed anchors, and microgripper performance considering temperature-dependent and independent material properties. The microgripper is fabricated from a 25 μm thick nickel foil using laser microfabrication technology and its static/dynamic performance is experimentally evaluated. The static and dynamic electro-mechanical characteristics are analyzed as step response functions with respect to tweezing/actuating displacements, applied current/power, and actual electric resistance. A microgripper prototype having overall dimensions of 1 mm (L) × 2.5mm (W) is able to deliver the maximum tweezing and actuating displacements of 25.5 μm and 33.2 μm along X and Y axes, respectively, under an applied power of 2.32 W. Experimental performance is compared with finite element modeling simulation results.
Wing Shape Control through an SMA-Based Device
Authors: Barbarino S. , Ameduri S. , Lecce L. , Concilio A.
Published: September 2008

Based on numerical and experimental analyses, this article proposes an application of the smart structure concept aimed at realizing a bump on an airfoil profile, finalized to reduce transonic drag, through the use of shape memory alloys (SMAs). The ability of morphing the wing profile is functional to maximize the aerodynamic efficiency in different mission conditions. The use of the so-called smart materials allows a favorable actuation performance per weight ratio, also leading to simple and integrated devices. Currently, to model their mechanical behavior is still an open issue and this work presents some original ideas about this. Numerical results and experimental tests herein presented, demonstrate the efficacy of the developed concept device, calling for further studies on real structures; their correlation also validate the implemented simulation procedure.
Semi-active Damage Identification for a Composite Structural Missile Component using Minimal Passive Sensing with Data-driven Models
Authors: Stites Nick , Adams Douglas E.
Published: September 2008

Cost, complexity, and weight restrictions often constrain industrial structural health monitoring (SHM) systems to the use of one sensor. Often, this one sensor is passive, i.e., it only measures the structural response. Therefore, new SHM techniques that utilize only one passive sensor along with advanced data interrogation methods are needed. A semi-active damage detection technique is described in this study that utilizes passively estimated forces and response measurements to update data-driven frequency-response-function (FRF) models of a filament-wound missile casing that is used as a test structure. During a damaging impact, the structural response is influenced by both the healthy and damaged structure properties. As a result, the magnitudes of the estimated FRFs can exhibit a splitting phenomenon at the natural frequencies of the healthy and damaged structure, and this phenomenon is evident in the experimental data. The updated FRFs are used with an active damage detection technique to quantify the damage. The normalized differences in the damaged and healthy FRFs and the shift of the natural frequencies of the structure quantify damage in this study. The shift of the natural frequencies more accurately quantifies the damage caused by four experimental impacts than the normalized differences in the FRFs.
Influence of Parameter Variations on the Braking Torque of a Magnetorheological Prosthetic Knee
Authors: Jonsdottir F. , Thorarinsson E.T. , Palsson H. , Gudmundsson K.H.
Published: September 2008

Microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees, which rely on magnetorheological (MR) technology, have the potential to increase the comfort and quality of life of amputees. The focus of this study is on a prosthetic knee which is currently on the market and manufactured by the company Ossur Inc. The knee uses magnetic fields to vary the viscosity of the MR fluid, and thereby its flexion resistance. The torque transmissibility of the knee greatly depends on the magnetic field intensity in the MR fluid. The objective of this study is to investigate the strength of the magnetic field and the braking torque in the knee, for a few selected design parameters, and to determine which changes can be made to the existing design in order to maximize the torque output. The magnetic field in the fluid is evaluated by finite element analysis and the torque is calculated by using a Bingham visco-plastic model. A parametric study is carried out for several design parameters where the effect of variation in each parameter on the braking torque is observed. The results of this study give a valuable insight into which parameters should be prioritized for future changes of the knee, with regard to strength and comfortability.
Eliminating Environmental or Operational Influences in Structural Health Monitoring using the Missing Data Analysis
Authors: Kullaa Jyrki
Published: September 2008

Latent variable models can be used to eliminate the environmental or operational effects from the data without measuring the underlying variables and resulting in an increased reliability of damage detection. A method is proposed, which also utilizes the available environmental or operational variables. The method is based on the missing data analysis, in which each feature is estimated in turn using the other features and also the available environmental or operational variables. As damage detection is solely based on the measuremets, training data from the undamaged structure under different environmental or operational conditions are needed. Compared to many other latent variable models, the main advantage of the proposed method is that there are no parameters to be adjusted. The main disadvantage is a higher run time. The method is verified in a numerical study of a vehicle crane with a varying configuration and in an experimental study of a bridge structure under environmental variations. All damage cases were detected using the proposed approach, whereas no indications of damage resulted using the features directly. The importance of the measured environmental or operational variables for damage detection was found to be low, because the features typically consisted all the relevant information.
Electrical Impedance Tomographic Methods for Sensing Strain Fields and Crack Damage in Cementitious Structures
Authors: Hou Tsung-Chin , Lynch Jerome P.
Published: September 2008

Cement-based composites (for example, concrete) are brittle materials that crack when loaded in tension. Current strategies for crack detection are primarily based upon visual inspection by an inspector; such approaches are labor-intensive and expensive. Direly needed are sensors that can be included within a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for automated quantification of crack damage. This study explores the use of cementitious materials as their own sensor platform capable of measuring mechanical behavior under loading. Fundamentally, this self-sensing functionality will be based upon electro-mechanical properties. First, the piezoresistivity of cementitious composites is quantified so as to establish the material as a multifunctional system capable of self-sensing. Second, electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is proposed for measuring internal strain fields using only electrical measurements taken along the boundary of the structural element. An inherent advantage of EIT is that it is a distributed sensing approach offering measurement of strain fields across 2D or 3D. Furthermore, the approach is well suited for imaging cracks which appear as conductivity reductions in EIT-derived conductivity maps. Finally, to validate the accuracy of the EIT technique, it is applied to fiber reinforced cementitious composite elements loaded by axial tension-compression cycles and 3-point bending.
Effective Piezoelectric Coefficients of Ferroelectric Thin Films on Elastic Substrates
Authors: Zalachas Nicolas , Laskewitz Bernd , Kamlah Marc , Prume Klaus , Lapusta Yuri , Tiedke Stephan
Published: September 2008

In micro-electromechanical systems consisting of a piezoelectric thin film on a substrate, due to the clamping by the substrate, the effective piezoelectric film properties are different from the bulk material behavior. However, it is of particular difficulty to determine the transverse piezoelectric parameters for such a system. A simple theoretical model by Muralt et al. (1996) allows calculation of the transverse piezoelectric coefficients in terms of the bulk parameters of the piezoelectric material. Relying on the assumption of a rigid wafer this model is a reasonable first approximation, but on the other hand, for the high accuracy needed in technical applications, it may not always be sufficient. Therefore, a more complex theoretical model for a piezoelectric thin film on an elastic substrate was derived, which delivers more realistic results for the transverse piezoelectric coefficients. This model takes the elasticity of the substrate into account, while the PZT layer is fully covered by an electrode and the vertical displacements are suppressed at the bottom of the substrate. In this way, the model represents a system of infinite lateral extent with no overall bending. As the next step, finite element simulations were carried out to verify the simple theoretical model and the new developed model, and there was a good agreement between the theoretical models and the numerical results. Furthermore, a parametric study was performed considering the influence of various bulk material parameters. Finally, the newly proposed theoretical model was compared to more realistic models where the PZT layer possesses an isolated electrode spot instead of being covered fully by an electrode. Different options were used for the boundary conditions at the bottom of the substrate. First, the same boundary conditions as for the new theoretical model were chosen (suppression of the vertical displacements at the bottom of the substrate). Second, the bottom of the substrate was free to move such that overall bending was no longer prevented. As the main result, the comparison to the new theoretical model taking into account the elastic substrate showed only negligible differences, and, thus, it is suggested for the determination of the effective piezoelectric parameters of piezoelectric layers on elastic substrates.
Thin Film Piezoelectric Actuators with Nonuniform Thickness for Reducing Actuating Shear Stress Concentration
Authors: Zengtao Yang  , Yuantai Hu  , Jiashi Yang
Published: September 2008

We show that the actuating shear stress under a thin film piezoelectric actuator can be modulated by varying the film thickness, and that this effect can be used to reduce the shear stress concentration near the actuator edges while keeping the actuating effectiveness.
Distance Learning in Graduate Music Teacher Education
Authors: Walls Kimberly C.
Published: September 2008

The impact of a graduate distance learning music teacher education program on the professional development of in-service music teachers is evaluated through telephone interviews of 16 program graduates, a questionnaire completed by 29 current students, and a questionnaire completed by 10 graduating students. Emergent themes are development of teaching philosophy, changes in teaching practice, personal growth, and high program satisfaction. Philosophy changes are generally reported in vague terms. Graduates' classroom methods, curriculum, assessment, and technology integration practices are widely affected. Program attributes that enhance learning and satisfaction include increased interaction among music teachers, positive faculty—student interaction, real-world tasks, quality of learning, and technology integration. Assignments requiring asynchronous communication, multimedia creation, or online research increase interaction and real-world applicability.
The Role of Integrated Curriculum in Music Teacher Education
Authors: Barry Nancy H.
Published: September 2008

Curricular integration has become an increasingly important component of many school reform initiatives, particularly at the elementary school level. Despite the important philosophical and political implications of this trend, there is relatively little literature on the impact of integrated curriculum for music learning and none dealing specifically with the implications of integrated curriculum on music teacher education. The purpose of this article is to review key issues surrounding the topic of integrated curriculum with special attention to implications for music teacher education. A one-way model in which music is used to reinforce content in other academic areas is what commonly passes for integration. A two-way integrated curriculum in which music and other subject areas are included and honored in a meaningful and appropriate manner provides a rich, comprehensive learning experience that can cross boundaries of culture and individual student differences, resulting in a productive and motivating experience for learners and yielding unique opportunities for teachers.
“Firecrackers” and “Duds”
Authors: Draves Tami J.
Published: September 2008

The purpose of this qualitative research study is to examine the perspective of the cooperating music teacher in the student teaching experience. Three cooperating music teachers serve as participants in the study: one high school and elementary band director, one middle school choral director, and one elementary through high school orchestra director. Data are collected through interviews and e-mail prompts and then coded and analyzed for emerging themes. Power emerges as a strong theme. When discussing relationships with student teachers, cooperating teachers describe how power is shared; the power structures are defined by the researcher on a continuum from student—teacher relationship to team-teaching relationship to a collaborative partnership. Generally, the cooperating music teachers find the more collaborative partnerships to be the most satisfying.
The Art Education Philosophy of June King McFee and the Implications for Music Education
Authors: Steele Natalie
Published: September 2008

This article discusses the art education philosophy of June King McFee and implications of this philosophy for music education and music teacher education. There is much to be learned from other fields of study, especially the arts, which can be applied to music to expand current beliefs and practices. Basic tenets of this philosophy include a focus on the individual through cultural awareness; music experience; expressiveness and creativity; communication; relationships between student, teacher, and music; and the need for a comprehensive music education. Included is a discussion of the application of McFee's philosophy to music teaching as well as teacher education.
A Latent Variable Analysis of Couple Closeness, Attributions, and Relational Satisfaction
Authors: Cropley Carrie J. , Reid Scott A.
Published: September 2008

Evidence has shown that couple closeness is positively correlated with relational satisfaction, but explanatory constructs have not been identified. Also, much research on relational satisfaction tests individual psychological correlates of satisfaction outside of couple interdependence. The latent variable model makes it possible to test such interdependencies at the individual, dyadic, and cross-individual levels. The authors predicted that the positive association between closeness and satisfaction would be partially mediated by attributional charity for positive and negative partner behavior. Using the latent variable model, they found that couples who had mutually high perceptions of closeness reported mutual satisfaction and made more positive attributions for partner behavior. However, when only one partner perceived high closeness, there were no effects on that partner's attributions or satisfaction. Findings suggest that relational satisfaction is contingent not just on individuals'perceptions, but also on the implicit communication of attributional charity that depends on couple interdependence.
End-of-Life Decision Making: A Preliminary Outline for Preparing Counselors to Work With Terminally Ill Individuals
Authors: Duba Jill D. , Magenta Mary
Published: September 2008

End-of-life care is continuously becoming an issue of paramount importance given an increase in medical advances, the aging of the population, and the movement toward contributing toward a quality of life among terminally ill patients. However, there is a dearth in literature related to this topic specifically in terms of preparing counselors to become competent in working with such clients who are facing death and who may be seeking ways of hastening their death. The authors provide learning objectives related to this area as well as ways of infusing such objectives into the counselor education curriculum.
Infidelity in Asian Indian Marriages: Implications for Counseling and Psychotherapy
Authors: Madathil Jayamala , Singh Sandhu Daya
Published: September 2008

Although Asian Indians and their families may be generally silent on the topic of infidelity, many of them experience it on a continuing basis. In this article, the authors will discuss several cultural and social factors that might cause or influence a person's experience of infidelity. Several culturally sensitive counseling strategies will be presented that may be used to address the issues relating to infidelity while working with Asian Indian couples and families. It is hoped that familiarity with cultural norms, as well as concerns related to confidentiality could improve a clinician's ability to assess and provide services in a culturally competent manner.
An Integrative Approach to Treating Infidelity
Authors: Snyder Douglas K. , Baucom Donald H. , Gordon Kristina C.
Published: September 2008

Intimate emotional and sexual relationships outside of marriage or a committed relationship occur with high frequency in both community and, particularly, clinical populations. Infidelity is the most frequently cited cause of divorce and is described by couple therapists as among the most difficult problems to treat. In this article, the authors describe a three-stage model for helping couples move past an affair, including (a) dealing with the initial impact, (b) exploring contributing factors and finding meaning, and (c) reaching an informed decision about how to move on—whether together or apart. This intervention draws on the theoretical and empirical literature regarding traumatic response as well as interpersonal forgiveness and incorporates empirically supported interventions from both cognitive-behavioral and insight-oriented approaches to treating couple distress. Preliminary empirical findings support the efficacy of this affair-specific intervention.
Combining Ethical Considerations With Recruitment and Follow-Up Strategies for Partner Violence Victimization Research
Authors: Logan TK , Walker Robert , Shannon Lisa , Cole Jennifer
Published: September 2008

In general, the literature on research ethics and the literature on recruitment and retention of research participants tend to be separated by different purposes and principles. This article uses multiple methods to compile information about research ethics with vulnerable participants as well as with recruitment and follow-up strategies, including (a) literature reviews, (b) key informant interviews, (c) focus group interviews, (d) a pilot study to test ideas for study implementation, and (e) documentation of recruitment and follow-up efforts for a longitudinal study of 757 women with partner violence victimization experiences. This article shows how considering research ethics may actually enhance recruitment and follow-up strategies with women experiencing partner violence victimization.
Intersections of Harm and Health
Authors: Thomas Kristie A. , Joshi Manisha , Wittenberg Eve , McCloskey Laura A.
Published: September 2008

Eight focus groups of women with recent exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) were conducted to elicit women's descriptions of how IPV affects their health. Their shared narratives reveal a complex relationship with three main points of intersection between IPV and health: IPV leading to adverse health effects; IPV worsening already compromised health; and women's illness or disability increasing dependency on abusive partners, thereby lengthening the duration of IPV exposure. Women describe bidirectional and cyclical ways through which IPV and health intersect over time. Service providers, including physicians, need to better understand the myriad ways that abuse affects women's health.
Danger Zone
Authors: Parker Tracee , Rogers Kellie , Collins Meghan , Edleson Jeffrey L.
Published: September 2008

Supervised visitation centers (SVCs) have developed rapidly across the United States. Increasingly, courts are restricting contact between abusive intimate partners and their children by ordering visitation or exchanges to occur at SVCs. This article describes some of the key lessons the authors learned over 18 months of planning and then another 18 months of implementation at a SVC developed specifically to serve families for whom domestic violence was their primary reason for referral. The authors have organized their experiences around five major themes: (a) battered women in supervised visitation, (b) how battering continues during supervised visitation, (c) how rules at the SVC evolved over the first 18 months of implementation, (d) the importance of well-trained visit monitors, and (e) the need to embed SVCs within a larger context of coordinated community responses to domestic violence.
Understanding Violence Against Chinese Women in Hong Kong
Authors: Ko Ling Chan  , Brownridge Douglas A. , Tiwari Agnes , Fong Daniel Y. T. , Leung Wing-Cheong
Published: September 2008

This study examines risk factors of intimate partner violence against women in a cohort of Chinese women drawn from a large representative sample in Hong Kong. Data from a cross-section of 1,870 women are analyzed. Prevalence rates of women's self-reports of violence by their intimate partners and conflict with in-laws are computed and compared in terms of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The results show that in-law conflict was the characteristic most significantly associated with women's reports of violent victimization. This suggests that in-law conflict should be included in the screening and assessment of risk for intimate partner violence.
Is the Receptivity of Substance Abuse Prevention Programming Affected by Students' Perceptions of the Instructor?
Authors: Stephens Peggy C. , Sloboda Zili , Grey Scott , Stephens Richard , Hammond Augustine , Hawthorne Richard , Teasdale Brent , Williams Joseph
Published: September 2008

Drawing on the elaboration likelihood model of persuasive communication, the authors examine the impact of the perceptions of the instructor or source on students' receptivity to a new substance abuse prevention curriculum. Using survey data from a cohort of students participating in the Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention Study, the authors use structural equation modeling to determine the effects of the perceptions students have of their program instructor on measures of the targeted program mediators and the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana. They test these instructor effects after each component of a two-part curriculum is administered (during the seventh and ninth grades). They find that the perceptions of the instructor significantly affect refusal, communication and decision-making skills, normative beliefs, perceived consequences of use, and substance use. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for school-based prevention programming and indications for further research.
`We expect to report on significant progress in our product pipeline in the coming year': hedging forward-looking statements in corporate press releases
Authors: McLaren-Hankin Yvonne
Published: September 2008

This article reports on the findings of a study of so-called `forward-looking statements' in a corpus of corporate press releases, focusing in particular on the mechanisms of hedging involved. Forward-looking statements are an important characteristic of corporate press releases in which companies make predictions about the future in an attempt to demonstrate to stakeholders that the company is making progress and that its prospects are good. Such statements are explicitly mentioned in a disclaimer which often accompanies corporate press releases and are noted to involve risks and uncertainties. This article aims to identify those lexicogrammatical forms which are typically used in forward-looking statements in press releases, including those used for the purpose of hedging, and also to try to identify the function(s) of hedging in the selected data. The data analysis points to a range of forms which function as hedges in the data. These are discussed and exemplified and, drawing on Hyland's (1998a) model in particular, an attempt is made to consider what function(s) the hedges serve.
Assessing suitability for adoptive parenthood: hypothetical questions as part of ongoing conversation
Authors: Noordegraaf Martine , van Nijnatten Carolus , Elbers Ed
Published: September 2008

Social workers with the Dutch Child Protection Board use hypothetical questions as a means to assess the suitability of prospective adoptive parents for adoption. In particular, while talking about the future, prospective adoptive parents are assessed on their educational skills, knowledge and awareness with regard to adoption-specific problems. In our study we analysed the preliminary conversational work that has to be done in order to pose a hypothetical question. We distinguished between 1) patterns that start with an eliciting question as a way of collecting topics with which to build a hypothetical question, and 2) patterns that start with a retrieving question, using themes from earlier conversation. Follow up questions are part of the preparatory work and form a bridge between the elicitation of topics and the actual hypothetical question. These follow up questions can be asked both before and after the introduction of the hypothetical question. Follow-up questions in post-position allow the social worker to challenge parents' answers to hypothetical questions.
College Student Civic Development and Engagement at a Hispanic Serving Institution
Authors: Geertz González Roger
Published: September 2008

This study compares the civic development and engagement of Cuban American and non-Hispanic White college students at a large, urban Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The findings indicate that both ethnic groups civically develop and engage in similar ways at Hispanic Serving Institution. However, when it comes to political discussions, there are minor differences between both ethnic groups.
Bridging the Communication Gap Between Afro-Latino and African American Individuals
Authors: Vargas Manuel P. , Kuhl Paul E.
Published: September 2008

This article describes a curriculum initiative intended to lay the foundational knowledge for a dialogue between Afro-Latinos and African Americans living in the United States. Afro-Latinos trace their roots to Africa and Latin America; although their physical characteristics are similar to those of African descent, their ethnic backgrounds differ. This initiative targets the preservice teacher who represents the best hope to start such dialogue. Furthermore, the article recommends appropriate instructional materials.
Texas Community Colleges and Characteristics of a Growing Undocumented Student Population
Authors: Jauregui John A. , Slate John R. , Stallone Brown Michelle
Published: September 2008

In this study, the researchers examine the undocumented student population in Texas community colleges. The data indicate steady yearly increases in the number of undocumented students and in their percentage of the total student enrollment. The relationships between undocumented student enrollment, college size, and overall Hispanic student enrollment also are studied, and the implications of these findings are discussed.
Deposition process, microstructure and mechanical behaviours of RF magnetron sputtered (Ti,Al)N thin films
Authors: Yang H. S. , Lu Y. H. , He X. , Xiong X. T. , Qiao L. J. , Wang Y. B.
Published: September 2008

Thin films of (Ti,Al)N with different Al contents were co-deposited using one Ti and one Al targets by radio frequency (RF) pulsed magnetron sputtering. Their composition, microstructure, nanohardness, surface morphology and deposition process were investigated by energy dispersive spectrometer system, X-ray diffraction, nanoindentation, atomic force microscopy and optical emission spectrum. A face cubic centred (fcc) TiN (B1) structure was found in the thin films when Al target power was low. When Al target power was increased, an additional hexagonal AlN (B4) structure appeared. With increasing Al content, the resulting films gradually changed from B1 structure to that of B4, accompanying with decrease of the lattice constant of B1 structure. Simultaneously, the preferred orientation of B4 structural thin films gradually transformed from (111) to (200). The mode of thin films transformed from island to fibre, subsequently to column with increasing Al target power. Optical emission spectrum analysis indicated that Al target surface reached non-metal sputtering mode earlier than that of Ti target under the same deposition parameters, which resulted in a lower sputtering rate of Al target than Ti target and loss of Al content in (Ti,Al)N thin films.