bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences between More Divergent and More Rotational Types of Convectively Coupled Equatorial Waves. Part I: Space–Time Spectral Analyses
Authors: Yasunaga Kazuaki , Mapes Brian
Published: August 2011

Precipitation-related differences in different types of convectively coupled equatorial waves are examined here and in a companion paper. Here the authors show spectra and cross-spectra among tropical-belt time sections of satellite-derived surface rain, infrared brightness temperature Tb, precipitable water (PW), and Japan Meteorological Agency reanalysis of divergence and PW.

Cross-spectra between rain and divergence at 1000- and 200-hPa levels show significant coherence peaks oriented along the dispersion curves of Kelvin, n = 1 equatorial Rossby (ERn1), mixed Rossby–gravity (MRG), n = 0 eastward inertial gravity (EIGn0), and n = 1 and n = 2 westward inertial gravity (WIG) waves, as well as the spectral signatures of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and tropical depression (TD)-type disturbances. Middle-troposphere divergence (indicative of stratiform rain and half-depth convection involvement in the coupling) is coherent with rain for the higher-frequency and more divergent wave types (Kelvin, EIGn0, WIG) but shows little coherence with rain for more rotational disturbance types (ERn1, MRG, TD). These two broad families also exhibit different rain–PW phase lags, a result supportive of the notion that stratiform rain (which occurs in dry conditions after peak PW and rain) is more involved in the more divergent wave types.
Drift in Salinity Data from Argo Profiling Floats in the Sea of Japan*
Authors: Thadathil Pankajakshan , Bajish C. C. , Behera Swadhin , Gopalakrishna V. V.
Published: August 2011

In drift analysis of salinity sensors, one major problem is the difficulty in delineating sensor drift from water mass changes. In the present study, a new method is proposed for finding sensor drift that is free from water mass changes. The efficiency of this new method in finding out possible drift in the Argo salinity is demonstrated in the Sea of Japan (SOJ) by using the “near-linear” subsurface salinity structure of the SOJ. The new method is based on the time–space decorrelation scale. The salinity difference between two neighboring observations within the time–space decorrelation scale (SALD) is used to find out possible drift. Neighboring observations within the time–space decorrelation scale are referred to as matchups. The SALD derived from matchups between Argo floats and shipboard CTD observations from the SOJ shows linear drift. Although all four selected floats (5 yr completed) from the SOJ show linear drift (<0.001 PSS yr−1), the drift alone is not so significant to affect the objective of the Argo program in understanding climate variability. In the SOJ, SALD identified salinity error other than drift in good quality data that are flagged by the Argo delayed-mode quality control (ADMQC) method. Therefore, SALD could be used as an effective additional tool in the Argo data quality control. To examine the applicability of SALD in open ocean regions, in addition to confined basins such as SOJ, SALD was applied successfully to detect salinity error in Argo data from the subtropical North Pacific (SNP).
Wirewalker Dynamics
Authors: Smith Jerome A. , Pinkel Robert , Goldin Michael , Sun Oliver , Nguyen San , Hughen Tyler , Bui Mai , Aja Anthony
Published: August 2011

A wirewalker exploits the difference in vertical motion between a wire attached to a surface buoy and the water at the depth of a profiling body to provide the power to execute deep profiles: when the wire’s relative motion is upward, the profiler lets go; when it is downward, the profiler clamps on, and the weight attached at depth pulls the wire down, dragging the profiler downward against its buoyancy. The difference between the upward wire and profiler motion has to exceed the buoyancy-driven upward acceleration of the profiler body for this to work. Because the relative motion of the wire and water decreases as the surface is approached, the profiler might get stuck near the surface, especially when it is calm. However, two things mitigate this: 1) the system has a damped resonant response (~1.3 Hz), which induces relative motion between the buoy and water even at the surface; and 2) for waves too gentle to directly exceed the required acceleration, drag on the profiler can pull the clamped-together system down sufficiently that the buoy and wire without the profiler attached can suddenly release and bob upward faster than the profiler. For system parameters as estimated here, the latter requires submersion of less than 0.005 m below its equilibrium depth. Several such “bounces” can occur over a portion of the wave phase. These two effects explain why, in practice, the profiler does not stay long near the surface (although it does proceed downward a bit more slowly there).
How much time? Indigenous status and the sentenced imprisonment term decision in New South Wales
Authors: Bond Christine EW , Jeffries Samantha , Weatherburn Don
Published: August 2011

Using administrative data from the higher and lower courts of New South Wales, this study examines whether Indigeneity: (a) exerts a direct effect on length of imprisonment term once other relevant sentencing variables are taken into account; (b) interacts with other relevant sentencing variables to influence prison length. Results show that being Indigenous significantly reduces the length of sentenced prison term in the lower courts but has no significant effect at the higher court level. Further, evidence of interactive effects by Indigenous status was scant. Only age differed significantly between Indigenous and non-Indigenous offenders at both court levels. In this case age had no effect on the length of sentence imposed on Indigenous defendants in the lower courts or higher courts but increased sentence length for non-Indigenous offenders at both court levels.
Theorizing structural and individual-level processes in desistance and persistence: Outlining an integrated perspective
Authors: Farrall Stephen , Sharpe Gilly , Hunter Ben , Calverley Adam
Published: August 2011

In this paper we outline our current thinking on the processes associated with desistance from crime. This work, conducted as part of the theoretical apparatus of a fifth sweep of interviews with a cohort of ex-probationers originally interviewed for the first time in the late 1990s – but which, by implication holds lessons for those researching people leaving prison – is an attempt to build an account of the processes which help to shape the speed, nature and direction of an individual’s efforts to avoid further offending. In it we develop an account of desistance which draws on thinking about macro-level structures and meso-level influences whilst retaining sufficient room for individual agency. Our account, whilst based on what we have learnt from the previous four sweeps of interviews with this cohort and other studies we have undertaken, nevertheless remains a ‘work in progress’. We describe briefly the design and aims of the fifth sweep of interviews towards the end of the article.
Exploring ‘near’: Characterizing the spatial extent of drinking place influence on crime
Authors: Groff Elizabeth
Published: August 2011

The important role of facilities in understanding crime patterns is widely recognized. Studies have demonstrated a connection between the presence of facilities such as bars, parks, schools and fast food restaurants and higher crime rates. Typically, these studies use a single distance threshold. Areas within the threshold are assumed to be related to the facility and those outside the threshold unrelated. But the choice of threshold in each study is usually an ad hoc decision based on the expertise of the researcher. Until recently, there has been no systematic evaluation of the methodology used to define those thresholds. This paper evaluates two methods for determining an empirically-based answer to the question ‘How close is “near”?’ The results of an example analysis testing the association of drinking places and crime in Seattle, Washington are reported. The two most common facility-based measures, Euclidean distance buffers and Street distance buffers are compared across two levels of aggregation and 18 separate distances. Findings indicate the geographic extent of increased crime around drinking places varies based on the type of buffer (Euclidean vs. Street distance) and the width of the distance bands (street block vs. 402 meter (quarter mile) increments). The geographic extent of the influence of drinking places on crime is best captured by street distance measures across street block distances (122 meter bands). Implications of these findings for theory and practice are discussed.
Financial sanctions and the justice system: Fine debts among New South Wales prisoners with a history of problematic substance use
Authors: Martire Kristy , Sunjic Sandra , Topp Libby , Indig Devon
Published: August 2011

Financial sanctions are considered a cost-beneficial alternative to incarceration for lesser offences, but their use has limitations. This study investigates the debt burdens of a group of offenders incarcerated in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and assesses associations with health and social functioning. Between October 2008 and June 2009, 156 participants of a reintegration programme operating in NSW prisons (the Justice Health Connections Project) completed face-to-face structured interviews concerning the nature, amount and impact of their debts. Copies of participants' NSW State Debt Recovery Office (SRDO) records were also obtained. Ninety-five per cent of participants reported debt to the SDRO. Participants who provided an estimate of their debt reported an average of $12,161 owed to the SDRO, compared to their verifiable average of $8,854. Eighteen per cent of participants with SDRO debt had incurred their earliest outstanding fine when they were younger than 18 years old. Sixty-four per cent perceived their SDRO debt as stressful; and 94 per cent reported that their debt was made worse by drugs (92%) and/or fine enforcement actions (50%). Based on the average Australian pension income and repayments of $15 per week, the average SDRO debt would take an ex-inmate 11 years to repay. Given the many challenges faced by these individuals upon re-entry to the community the additional strain imposed by unmanageable financial penalties should not be ignored. Steps are required to ensure that the criminal justice need for retribution is balanced against the benefit of having ex-prisoners re/join and contribute to a safe and law-abiding society.
Fostering cooperation with the police: How do ethnic minorities in Australia respond to procedural justice-based policing?
Authors: Murphy Kristina , Cherney Adrian
Published: August 2011

Public cooperation with police is essential for the control of crime and disorder. Hence, understanding factors that shape public cooperation with the police is important. However, Australian and international studies show that police find it difficult to elicit cooperation from ethnic communities, this made difficult by the fact that ethnic groups display low levels of trust and confidence in the police. This study examines the role that procedural justice plays in fostering minority group perceptions of police legitimacy and their willingness to cooperate with police. Using survey data collected from 1204 Australian citizens, this study tests whether procedurally fair policing can enhance perceptions of police legitimacy and nurture cooperation among ethnic minorities in Australia. Findings reveal that procedural justice predicts views of police legitimacy more so than instrumental factors for both minority and majority group members. The results also suggest that ethnicity moderates the effect of procedural justice on cooperation; specifically, procedural justice is shown to be less effective for nurturing cooperation among ethnic minorities than majority group members. A group identity perspective is used to explain these findings. The findings also have implications for how the police can foster better relationships with ethnically diverse communities.
Co-Offending Among Prison Inmates
Authors: Roxell Lena
Published: August 2011

The objective is to study the nature of co-offending among individuals who have previously spent time together in prison. Are new contacts established during a prison term that then result in co-offending subsequent to release? This question is examined on the basis of register data relating to all individuals released from Swedish prisons during a 6-month period ( n = 3,930). The data show that 2% of the group were suspected of co-offending subsequent to having spent time together in prison. The findings are discussed on the basis of theoretical perspectives focusing on trust, contacts with other offenders, the size of the criminal networks involved, and criminal capital.
Capitalisation of Fiscal Variables and Land Scarcity
Authors: Stadelmann David , Billon Steve
Published: August 2011

Fiscal packages usually capitalise into house prices. Yet if enough land for construction is available, housing developers could supply new houses and capitalisation may disappear. This paper provides a theoretical model in which income taxes and public services capitalise at lower rates when housing supply elasticity increases. Using an empirical linear interaction model, we estimate the impact of available land for construction on capitalisation rates with a panel of Swiss communities. Results indicate that fiscal variables do not capitalise differently in communities where housing supply is constrained by land availability. Thus, land availability is a necessary but not sufficient condition for capitalisation to disappear.
‘Gentrification with Justice’: An Urban Ministry Collective and the Practice of Place-making in Atlanta’s Inner-city Neighbourhoods
Authors: Hankins Katherine , Walter Andy
Published: August 2011

Scholars and policy-makers have increasingly sought to understand the relationship between poverty and place in the inner city. This paper examines the spatiality of an anti-poverty strategy called ‘gentrification with justice’ and implemented by an urban ministry collective in three neighbourhoods in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This place-based approach centres on the movement of middle-class ‘strategic neighbours’ into impoverished neighbourhoods as a way to transform the local socio-spatial dialectic of poverty. The urban ministry collective draws upon notions of diverse community, social justice, the ‘where’ of faithful practice and a faith-governed market in seeking to redevelop neighbourhoods. Based on archival analysis and semi-structured, in-depth interviews with leaders and members of the urban ministry collective, this paper provides a deeper understanding of the place-making role that faith-motivated actors play in local contexts of poverty.
The effects of whole body vibration therapy on bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lau Ricky WK , Liao Lin-Rong , Yu Felix , Teo Tilda , Chung Raymond CK , Pang Marco YC
Published: August 2011

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was undertaken to determine whether whole body vibration improves bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults.

Data sources: Sources included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, PubMed, Science Citation Index and the reference list of each eligible article.

Review methods: Article search and selection was performed independently by two researchers. The methodological quality of each selected article was rated by the PEDro scale.

Results: Thirteen randomized trials (18 articles) totalling 896 subjects fulfilled the selection criteria. Four were considered to have good or excellent methodological quality and the rest were rated as fair. Meta-analyses revealed that whole body vibration has no significant effect on hip or lumbar spine bone mineral density in older women when compared with no intervention or active exercise ( P > 0.05). Whole body vibration, however, had a significant treatment effect on knee extension dynamic strength (standardized mean difference = 0.63, P = 0.006), leg extension isometric strength (standardized mean difference = 0.57, P = 0.003), and functional measures of leg muscle strength such as jumping height (standardized mean difference = 0.51, P = 0.010) and performance in sit-to-stand (standardized mean difference = 0.72, P < 0.001) among older adults compared with no intervention.

Conclusion: Whole body vibration is beneficial for enhancing leg muscle strength among older adults. However, the review suggests that whole body vibration has no overall treatment effect on bone mineral density in older women. No randomized trial has examined the effects of whole body vibration on bone mineral density in older men.
Effect of combined exercise training on physical and metabolic fitness in adults with intellectual disability: a controlled trial
Authors: Calders Patrick , Elmahgoub Sami , de Mettelinge Tine Roman , Vandenbroeck Chris , Dewandele Inge , Rombaut Lies , Vandevelde Annemie , Cambier Dirk
Published: August 2011

Objective: Investigating the effect of combined aerobic and strength training on metabolic and physical fitness in adults with intellectual disabilities compared to endurance training and no training.

Design: A controlled trial with patients receiving either combined (COM), endurance (END) or no training (C).

Setting: Two centres for intellectual disabilities (Sterrenhuis, Brasschaat and Emiliani, Lokeren, Belgium).

Subjects: Forty-five adults with intellectual disabilities (mean age: 42 (9,2), mean body mass index (BMI): 24 (3,9), mean IQ: 56 (5,6)).

Intervention: Combined exercise training ( n = 15) and endurance training ( n = 15) twice a week for 70  minutes per session for 20 weeks and no training ( n = 15). Groups were matched for age, sex and intellectual disability.

Main measures: Lipid profile, physical fitness (primary); blood pressure and body composition.

Results: Compared to no training, combined exercise training has significant positive effects on total cholesterol levels, aerobic capacity, muscle strength and resting systolic blood pressure, while endurance exercise training has significant effects on aerobic capacity and resting systolic blood pressure. Compared to endurance training, combined exercise training resulted in a significant better evolution of total cholesterol (mean differences: −18 versus −3 mg/dl), 1RM upper (+6 versus +1  kg) and lower limb (+25 versus +8  kg) and abdominal muscles (+15 versus +1  kg), hand grip strength (+9 versus +2  kg), muscle fatigue resistance (+11 versus +5  sec), sit-to-stand (+5 versus +2/30   sec) and systolic blood pressure (−15 versus −10 mmHg).

Conclusion: This study revealed a tendency towards more beneficial effects of combined exercise training in adults with intellectual disability.
Effects of new, individually adjusted, progressive balance group training for elderly people with fear of falling and tend to fall: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Halvarsson Alexandra , Olsson Elisabeth , Farén Elin , Pettersson Anna , Ståhle Agneta
Published: August 2011

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a new, individually adjusted, progressive and specific balance group training programme on fear of falling, step execution, and gait in healthy elderly people with fear of falling and tend to fall.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: The study was conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden.

Subjects: Fifty-nine community dwelling elderly people were recruited by advertisement, and allocated at random to an intervention group ( n = 38) or a control group ( n = 21).

Intervention: Individually adjusted, progressive and specific balance group training was given three times a week for three months. The training incorporated elements included in, and required for, independent activities of daily living, and for reactions to loss of balance during dual or multiple tasks.

Main measures: Fear of falling was assessed with Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I). The reaction time of step execution was measured with the step-execution test, and gait was measured with GAITRite®.

Results: After three months the intervention group showed significant positive changes in the FES-I ( P = 0.008), in the step-execution phase of dual-task performance ( P = 0.012), and in gait at preferred speed during single-task performance; in cadence ( P = 0.030) and, at fast speed, in velocity ( P = 0.004) and cadence ( P = 0.001). Significant decreases were also found for the likelihood of depression after participating in the training programme.

Conclusion: This new balance training programme is feasible and leads to decreased fear of falling, decreased time for step execution during dual-task performance and increased velocity during fast walking.
Development and evaluation of a combined story and fact-based educational booklet for patients with multiple brain metastases and their caregivers
Authors: Kitamura Chris , Ng Dawn , Chung Andrew , Bezjak Andrea , Garraway Corsita , Mclean Michael , Nyhof-Young Joyce , Wong Rebecca
Published: August 2011

The aim of our study was to design and evaluate the impact on informational satisfaction of a combined story and fact-based educational booklet designed for patients with multiple brain metastases. Phase A evaluated the preference of participants for combined, fact, or story-based writing style. Based on these results, a resource was developed using a combined story and fact-based approach. Patients with newly diagnosed brain metastases and their caregivers read the booklet. Satisfaction was evaluated using the Information Satisfaction Questionnaire and Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. Anxiety was evaluated before and after reading using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Ninety-one patients participated in this study. In Phase A, 51% of patients expressed a preference for the combined story and fact-based approach. In phase B, participants expressed high satisfaction for both the informational content and the overall satisfaction towards the pamphlet. The level of anxiety before reading the booklet was lower for caregivers than patients. Anxiety score was increased in the caregiver group after reading the booklet. This was unchanged in the patient group. Both patients and caregivers endorsed the resource. The increase in anxiety in caregivers suggests the tool has been effective in conveying serious prognostic implications.
A novel approach based on digital image analysis to evaluate refined delamination factor for E-Glass 21xK43 Gevetex/LY556/DY063 epoxy composite laminates
Authors: Nagarajan V A , Sundaram S , Rajadurai J S
Published: August 2011

The drilling of components made from composites is a widely performed machining process; however, any damage created in this operation may drastically reduce the component’s performance. Generally, a delamination factor is calculated using data obtained from the analysis of optical measurements in order to establish the level of this damage. A comparison between conventional and adjusted delamination factors is presented and a refined delamination factor is proposed. The accuracy of the proposed criterion is validated using experimental results.
Online condition-based shaft faults diagnosis with multiscale entropy
Authors: Pan Y-H , Wang C , Lin W-Y , Wang Y-H , Young H-T , Lee K-T
Published: August 2011

The conventional approach for online monitoring of a machine’s operating condition is based on linear time–frequency analysis and is therefore limited by the point that the vibrations are non-linear and non-stationary in nature. This problem has been addressed by the proposal of the multiscale entropy (MSE) approach to non-linear time series analysis. This paper proposes an online feature extractor to allow the vibration signal of shafts experiencing different problems to be differentiated using the MSE approach.
Build orientation analysis for minimum cost determination in FDM
Authors: Ingole D S , Deshmukh T R , Kuthe A M , Ashtankar K M
Published: August 2011

The main idea behind this paper is to highlight efforts made to improve the application potential of the fused deposition modelling (FDM) process by producing the rapid prototyping parts at minimum cost. Build orientation analysis for prismatic, curved boundary, and complex-shaped parts is carried out. The mathematical model is formulated to estimate the total cost of part preparation in FDM. Optimal part build orientation and the values of parameters resulting in the minimum total cost of parts preparation are identified. The parts produced by the FDM rapid prototyping process are considered for build orientation analysis. The concept can be extended for parts produced with any layered manufacturing process. This is the first attempt to deal with diversified types of part geometries and formulate a universal cost model applicable for all types of parts to determine minimum cost in FDM.
Non-linear analysis of smart annular plates using cylindrically orthotropic piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composite
Authors: Panda Satyajit
Published: August 2011

This article deals with geometrically non-linear finite element analysis of substrate annular plates integrated with the annular patches of the piezoelectric fiber reinforced composite (PFRC) material. The PFRC material is a cylindrically orthotropic smart composite material in which the piezoelectric fibers are circumferentially reinforced in the epoxy matrix material. The annular PFRC patches are activated by the externally applied voltage across their thickness and act as the distributed actuators for controlling the non-linear deformations of the substrate annular plates. Based on the first-order shear deformation theory and the von Karman non-linear strain–displacement relations, the non-linear governing finite element equations of equilibrium of this electro-elastic coupled problem are derived employing the principle of minimum potential energy. The governing non-linear finite element equations are then solved using direct iteration method. The numerical illustrations reveal the significant control authority of the cylindrically orthotropic annular PFRC patches in counteracting the non-linear deformations of the substrate annular plates. The numerical illustrations also reveal that for the constant circumferential stretch of the annular PFRC patches, if their radial span is less than that of the substrate annular plate, then the radial location of the annular patches attached to the top surface of the substrate plate plays an important role for their effective control authority. Along with this location, the minimum radial length of the annular PFRC patches is also assessed without affecting the performance of the overall smart plate significantly.
Proverbs and formulaic sequences in the language of elderly people with dementia
Authors: Lindholm Camilla , Wray Alison
Published: August 2011

Some types of formulaic (routine and familiar) language seem to remain fairly intact in people with language and memory disturbances, making it a useful tool for both testing language skills and supporting language retention and use. Proverbs can reasonably be considered a subset of formulaic language, and while it is known that the ability to understand proverbs is compromised in dementia, completing them ought to be relatively easy, if proverbs are stored holistically like other kinds of formulaic language. However, this study reports how three people with dementia often struggled to complete proverbs in a game used in a day-care centre to stimulate the memory and language skills. By examining their responses and relating them to the causes of formulaic language patterns, it is argued that these games are not as appropriate a tool for stimulating memory and language skills as might be first thought. Although they do provide a much-needed opportunity for sustained patient-carer interaction that transcends the basic delivery of physical care needs, the games contravene some of the guidelines offered by Orange (2001) regarding the best way to support people with Alzheimer’s Disease in constructive interaction.
Post-acquisition structuring of CEO pay packages: Incentives and punishments
Authors: Spraggon Martin , Bodolica Virginia
Published: August 2011

Posited on the asymmetric features of equity ownership and stock option pay, this article examines the extent to which acquisition activities affect boards of directors’ decisions to restructure the incentive design of executive compensation packages in the post-acquisition period. For a recent dataset of 148 deals between 1996 and 2009, the article finds that acquirers’ overpayment for target firms and equity financing are likely to require scapegoating, particularly under conditions of intervening poor performance and stronger board vigilance, inducing directors to respond to CEOs’ overly risky and suboptimal selection of acquisition terms by enlarging the proportion of equity ownership disincentives at the expense of stock option incentives in executive pay contracts. By linking the incidence of large acquisition deals to an altered agency problem, the article proposes an alternative way to gauge how corporate boards enact their monitoring responsibilities based on CEOs’ recent past strategic choices.
Differentiated Writing Interventions for High-Achieving Urban African American Elementary Students
Authors: Geisler Jennifer L. , Hessler Terri , Gardner Ralph , Lovelace Temple S.
Published: August 2011

African American students are overrepresented in special education and underrepresented in gifted education. This is in large part due to students’ poor performance in core academic areas such as reading, math, and writing. Differentiating instruction in early grades could assist in closing the writing performance gap between African American and majority students, with the intended outcome of increasing the likelihood of students achieving their academic potential. Research-based strategies that improve fluency and vocabulary—potentially improving writing quality—include students counting the total number of words they have written and self-monitoring their progress. We examined the effects of self-counting (which included viewing graphs of the word counts students had written) and student use of synonym lists (which provided alternative words for students to use in their writing) on the length and quality of writing of 5 high-achieving urban African American first graders whose instruction took place in a first/second-grade split classroom. All 5 students demonstrated improved writing outcomes. The results of this study support the use of differentiated interventions for high-achieving students in order to better increase the likelihood that they will achieve in written expression at a level commensurate with their abilities.
Intellectual Estuaries: Connecting Learning and Creativity in Programs of Advanced Academics
Authors: Beghetto Ronald A. , Kaufman James C.
Published: August 2011

Academic learning and creativity should be overlapping goals that can be simultaneously pursued in programs of advanced academics. However, efforts aimed at nurturing creativity and academic learning sometimes are represented as two related but separate paths; this separation is unnecessary and can undermine the development of creative and academic potential. The idea that programs of advanced academics have “two paths” (one for creativity and one for academic learning) needs to be replaced with a new metaphor, and appropriate pedagogical strategies need to be developed to support that new metaphor. In order to facilitate this process, educators will need to broaden their traditional conceptions of learning and creativity to include interpretive perspectives on learning and creativity. A new metaphor, intellectual estuary, illustrates the notion that streams of creative and academic interpretations can converge and thrive when educators in programs of advanced academic simultaneously support learning and creativity. Possible pedagogical strategies that utilize intellectual estuaries include exploratory talk and Socratic seminars.
Teaching Effectiveness, Course Evaluation, and Academic Performance: The Role of Academic Delay of Gratification
Authors: Bembenutty Héfer
Published: August 2011

Academic delay of gratification is a significant and positive predictor of students’ final course grades, even after controlling for the effect of their rating of the course, expected grade, and degree of interest, importance, and utility of the academic task. Students’ expected course grades are by far the strongest predictor of their final course grades. This suggests a student's expected grade in a course is associated with academic achievement in that course. Because expectation of grades alone should not be the focus of students’ motivation, students need to learn how to use other factors to motivate themselves and to develop learning strategies that support mastery and a mastery orientation. Students’ ratings of a course are not a significant predictor of their final course grades, which suggests that students’ perception of the course are not directly associated with the grades they obtained in the course. This suggests that academic delay of gratification helps students to orchestrate their academic progress, enactment of goals, task completion, and eventual academic achievement. Judging by its role in predicting students’ final course grades, academic delay of gratification explains a statistically significant amount of variance in students’ academic achievement.
Effects of Summer Academic Programs in Middle School on High School Test Scores, Course-Taking, and College Major
Authors: Li Yan , Alfeld Corinne , Kennedy Rebecca Prince , Putallaz Martha
Published: August 2011

Through their participation in a seventh-grade talent search in 19961997, students qualified to attend a summer program at Duke University's Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP). Of the North Carolina students in this group, some attended at least one summer program in middle school and others had qualified for but did not attend a summer program at Duke TIP. The two groups did not differ significantly on gender, parent education level, or ethnicity. Some positive effects of Duke TIP summer programs were found on later academic achievement and educational choices using both standardized objective measures and self-reports of high school and college academic experiences. We found that students who participated in a Duke TIP math program in middle school did indeed take more AP math courses in high school, but there were no effects for other types of advanced math classes or for any other subjects. Additionally, compared to Search Only students, students who took a math/science course at Duke TIP were more likely to major in math/science in college. More Duke TIP students than Search Only students aspired to earn a doctorate. Anecdotally, we also have heard from many former Duke TIP participants how much Duke TIP has affected their lives, and it is noteworthy that we are now able to empirically document some of these effects.
College Freshmen's Perceptions of Their High School Experiences
Authors: Hudley Cynthia , Moschetti Roxanne , Gonzalez Amber , Cho Su-Je , Barry Leasha , Kelly Melissa
Published: August 2011

Among academically talented students, SES and racial group membership predict both college expectations and matriculation, and youth less often attend and complete postsecondary education if their parents did not go to college. For successful adjustment to college, significant adults during high school matter more than they might imagine. Talking to teachers and counselors had strong relationships with social and academic adjustment as well as with positive attitudes for all students. Interestingly, the more participants talked to teachers in high school, the more academically competent they felt in college, and this relationship was especially strong for first-generation students. Such findings suggest that “getting ready” experiences may prepare students to more effectively balance the multiple developmental tasks they face as college students on the threshold of adulthood. This preparation may be especially important for persistence among vulnerable populations, including first-generation students, who spend the least time of any group talking to teachers outside class. Students in low-income, urban communities may be in reasonable proximity to a community, vocational, or 4-year college; students in rural schools may more often see relatively few opportunities for higher education. An academically oriented high school peer group also may prepare students to become socially engaged on the college campus. These preliminary findings are a strong argument for policies and practices that bring all new college students together in personalized social interactions as quickly as possible rather than focusing on groups perceived to be “at risk.”
Profiles of State-Supported Residential Math and Science Schools
Authors: Jones Brent M.
Published: August 2011

Unless we sharply increase the training of homegrown math and science talents, we may suffer negative economic and technological consequences. One means of addressing this challenge has been through specialty schools devoted to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) training. In 1980, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics pioneered a successful program for high-achieving youth: the state-supported residential math and science school. Almost 30 years later, 15 similar schools have been created, including residential schools in Maine, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and Arkansas; and early college entrance academies in Texas, Missouri, and Georgia. Students are appropriately supervised and actively participate in athletics and a wide range of clubs and organizations. Admission is necessarily selective as students negotiate a challenging curriculum of advanced biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, as well as humanities and electives. Laboratory mentors guide students in research, results of which may be published or presented at colloquia. A select few projects are entered into the Intel Science Talent Search, Siemens-Westinghouse Science and Technology competitions, or other competitive programs. Performances are encouraging. Students pursue learning at an accelerated pace, saving considerable time and expenses. Graduates enroll in college, many at selective institutions, ensuring a boost in the number and quality of domestic mathematicians, scientists, and engineers.
The Development and Validation of the Science Learning Assessment (SLA): A Measure of Kindergarten Science Learning
Authors: Samarapungavan Ala , Mantzicopoulos Panayota , Patrick Helen , French Brian
Published: August 2011

The Science Learning Assessment (SLA) is an individually administered, instructionally sensitive science assessment for kindergarten students. The SLA is a 24-item objective test, broken down into two subtests. The Scientific Inquiry Processes subtest consists of 9 items designed to measure young children's functional understanding of the nature and processes of scientific inquiry. The Life Science Concepts subtest consists of 15 items designed to measure children's understanding of specific science concepts related to living things and the physical world. Our results on SLA items that assess life science concepts indicate that kindergarten children are able to develop a rich knowledge base about living things. The results of the SLA indicate that even young children can begin to develop an understanding of scientific inquiry with appropriate instructional support. Our findings are consistent with recent work by researchers such as Metz (2004), who argue for a richer conception of children's developmental capacities in the context of science instruction. As educators develop new science curricula and programs to address the lack of rich and challenging science instruction in the early grades, there is a need to document what children learn from such efforts. In order to develop research-based and pedagogically effective science curricula, we need assessments with clearly described theoretical and psychometric characteristics. The SLA is one example of such an assessment that can be used to aggregate and compare learning outcomes, as well as to provide empirical information on kindergarten children's capacities for science learning.
Getting Ahead: Current Secondary and Postsecondary Acceleration Options for High-Ability Students in Indiana
Authors: Peters Scott J. , Mann Rebecca L.
Published: August 2011

Gifted education programs at the secondary level have yet to receive as much attention as those at the primary and elementary levels. The 2007 State of the States Report found that AP courses remain the most common means of addressing the needs of high-ability high school students. This study presents the current state of high-ability programming in Indiana high schools with special attention to dual-credit and IB programs. Survey data were collected on the policies and offerings of 87% of the state's school corporations. The data suggest that even though almost 90% of corporations offer dual-credit courses and 4% offer IB programs, AP courses remain the primary source of high school programming. The data also indicate that 70% of school corporations require students to exhibit high levels of performance in past coursework or on standardized tests to participate in these programs. Implications for such requirements are that they may prevent underachieving high-ability students from gaining access to the coursework from which they would benefit to be successful in an academic setting.
Describing Students Involved in the Search Phase of the College Choice Process: A Cluster Analysis Study
Authors: Shaw Emily J. , Kobrin Jennifer L. , Packman Sheryl F. , Schmidt Amy Elizabeth
Published: August 2011

The media often communicates the existence of two distinct types of college applicants: the frenzied, overachieving, anxious student who applies to many institutions and the underprepared, less advantaged student who is not at all familiar with the application process. Although these two groups likely do exist, they are far from the norm of college applicants who are better exemplified as at least a few groups of students who can be classified based on relevant characteristics. We identified five unique clusters of students: Privileged High Achievers/Athletes, Disadvantaged Students, Average Students Needing More Guidance, Mostly Female Academics, and Privileged Low Achievers. These clusters differed from each other based on variables including: academic performance, demographic characteristics, home and school characteristics, participation in school activities, and the number and types of higher education institutions to which they apply. An understanding of these descriptive clusters, comprised of students with similar backgrounds and goals for higher education, is a necessary first step in developing more thoughtful and inclusive enrollment management and college preparation practices.
Guidelines for Developing an Academic Acceleration Policy. National Work Group on Acceleration
Authors: Colangelo Nicholas , Assouline Susan G. , Marron Maureen A. , Castellano Jaime A. , Clinkenbeard Pamela R. , Rogers Karen , Calvert Eric , Malek Rosanne , Smith Donnajo
Published: August 2011

As an educational intervention, academic acceleration is decidedly effective for high-ability students. The research support for acceleration that has accumulated over many decades is robust and consistent and allows us to confidently state that carefully planned acceleration decisions are successful. Both grade-based and content-based acceleration are effective interventions in academic and social-emotional domains for high-ability students. Grade-accelerated students generally outperform their chronologically older classmates academically, and both groups show approximately equal levels of social and emotional adjustment. Accelerated students should be expected to achieve, relative to their new grade peers, at a high level that is generally comparable to their performance in the previous grade. Such students are typically among the top 10% in a class, and they should be expected to remain in the top 10% throughout their academic careers. To be clear, there is no evidence that acceleration has a negative effect on a student's social-emotional development. Each school district should have a written acceleration policy stating that acceleration is an appropriate and effective intervention for select highly able students who have demonstrated high performance in one or more academic areas. The policy should be characterized by accessibility, equity, and openness. It should provide guidelines for the implementation of acceleration, including administrative matters, to ensure fair and systematic use of accelerative opportunities and recognition for participation in those accelerative opportunities. Finally, the policy should provide guidelines for preventing nonacademic barriers to the use of acceleration as an educational intervention and include features that prevent unintended consequences of acceleration.
Academic Self-Perceptions of Ability and Course Planning Among Academically Advanced Students
Authors: Rudasill Kathleen Moritz , Callahan Carolyn M.
Published: August 2011

Despite advancement toward gender equity, few women enter the male-dominated fields of science and technology, and few men venture into traditionally female professions, such as nursing or early childhood education. This study was an examination of the contribution of gender to the academic self-perceptions of ability and related coursework plans for high school and college across academically advanced students. Participants were academically advanced students ( N = 447) from grades 5 to 12. Findings revealed that girls’ self-perceptions of ability scores were higher than boys’ scores in the area of humanities, boys planned to take more math courses than girls, and academically advanced students’ self-perceptions of ability correlated with their future coursework plans. These findings have implications for practice and research in schools. The relationship between students’ self-perceptions of ability and their plans for future course taking points to the importance of encouraging exploration of a wide array of career trajectories so that students do not inadvertently build roadblocks to certain careers. Teachers and counselors should encourage students to make course plans based on interests and ideas for possible careers rather than based on what they believe to be appropriate for boys or girls. Findings point to future research that (a) examines why girls seem less interested in math/science coursework, (b) includes measures of academic ability to understand how academic skill relates to academic self-perceptions and coursework planning, and (c) investigates the role of gender stereotypes on academically advanced students’ career plans.