bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do Job Corps performance measures track program impacts?
Authors: Schochet Peter Z. , Burghardt John A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSince the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act, performance measurement systems based on short‐term program outcomes have been increasingly used to assess the effectiveness of federal programs. This paper examines the association between program performance measures and long‐term program impacts, using nine‐year follow‐up data from a recent large‐scale, national experimental evaluation of Job Corps, the nation's largest federal job training program for disadvantaged youths. Job Corps is an important test case because it uses a comprehensive performance system that is widely emulated. We find that impacts on key outcomes are not associated with measured center performance levels. Participants in higherperforming centers had better outcomes; however, the same pattern holds for comparable controls. Thus, the performance measurement system is not achieving the goal of ranking and rewarding centers on the basis of their ability to improve participant outcomes relative to what these outcomes would have been otherwise. © 2008 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Cognitive and non‐cognitive predictors of success in adult education programs: Evidence from experimental data with low‐income welfare recipients
Authors: Leininger Lindsey Jeanne , Kalil Ariel 
Published: June 2008

AbstractUsing data on approximately 2,000 low‐income welfare recipients in a three‐site random‐assignment intervention conducted in the early 1990s (the NEWWS), we examine the role of cognitive and non‐cognitive factors in moderating experimental impacts of an adult education training program for women who lacked a high school degree or GED at the time of random assignment. Both cognitive and noncognitive skills (in particular, locus of control) moderate treatment impacts. For the sample as a whole, assignment to an education‐focused program had a statistically significant (albeit modest) 8 percentage point impact on the probability of degree receipt. For those with low cognitive skills, virtually all of these program impacts were eliminated. However, non‐cognitive skills play a substantively important role such that women with high cognitive skills but low non‐cognitive skills are only half as likely to earn a degree as their counterparts with high skills of both types. © 2008 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
A new and highly efficient formaldehyde absorbent of polyoxymethylene
Authors: Sun Tianju , Lai Yong , Ye Lin , Zhao Xiaowen 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA new type of highly efficient formaldehyde (FA) absorbent of polyoxymethylene (POM), hexamethylenediamine–formaldehyde polycondensates (HF) was prepared by the condensation reaction of hexamethylenediamine (HA) and FA. The effects of the synthetic technique including FA/HA molar ratio, reaction temperature and dispersant dosage on the thermal stability of POM/HF were studied, and finely divided, slightly branched HF polycondensates with high molecular weight and relatively high processing thermal stability were obtained. The thermal stabilization effect of HF on POM was studied through the isothermal weight loss analysis, FA emission amount (FEA) measurement, and balance torque analysis, which showed that HF had better thermal stabilization effect on POM than the commonly used FA‐absorbent melamine (MA). In order to improve the crystallization performance and mechanical properties of POM, the nucleation effect of HF on POM was studied by means of polarized light microscopy (PLM), isothermal and nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), indicating that HF had remarkable nucleation effect on POM. The investigation of mechanical properties showed that the addition of HF could improve the impact toughness of POM to a certain degree. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of copolymerizable one‐component type II photoinitiator
Authors: Xiao Pu , Shi Suqing , Nie Jun 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA copolymerizable one‐component Type II photoinitiator (CMEBP), based on 4‐hydroxybenzophenone (HBP), epichlorohydrin, morpholine, and acryloyl chloride, was synthesized and its structure was confirmed by 1H‐NMR. The properties of CMEBP were investigated with UV spectroscopy and photo‐differential scanning calorimetry (photo‐DSC). The maximum of UV absorption red‐shifted significantly compared to benzophenone (BP). Photopolymerization results of tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA) indicated that CMEBP had larger maximum rate of polymerization than that of BP/triethanolamine (TEOHA) and HBP/triethylamine (TEA), larger final double bond conversion than that of HBP/TEA, but lower than that of BP/TEOHA. The rate of polymerization, final conversion increased and the induction period shortened with increase in CMEBP concentration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of three‐dimensional structure controllable nanofibers by electrospinning
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Feng , Yang Dong‐Zhi , Nie Jun 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe size of “bowl‐like” structures woven by nanofibers could be controlled by adjusting the distance from the nozzle to a modified collector and the voltage applied to the electrospinning device. More interestingly, the nanofibers in the side wall of the “bowl” could vibrate up and down with the changing of the voltage. This voltage‐induced vibration might have potential applications for bio‐mimic process and micro‐motor devices. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imidazolium‐modified clay‐based ABS nanocomposites: a comparison between melt‐blending and solution‐sonication processes
Authors: Modesti M. , Besco S. , Lorenzetti A. , Zammarano M. , Causin V. , Marega C. , Gilman J. W. , Fox D. M. , Trulove P. C. , De Long H. C. , Maupin P.H. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAcrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) nanocomposites containing imidazolium‐modified montmorillonite have been prepared by melt‐blending (MB) and solution‐sonication in order to study the effects of processing on the morphology and properties of the polymer/clay composites. The structure‐property relationships of the prepared composites have been studied by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), mechanical testing, dynamic‐mechanical analyses (DMA), thermal gravimetrical analyses (TGA), fluorescence probe confocal microscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy (FS). X‐Ray and TEM show that both nanocomposites have a mixed intercalated/exfoliated structure. Fluorescence probe confocal microscopy reveals that the sonicated sample has a more homogeneous dispersion: this result is confirmed by the values of elongation at break and flexural elastic modulus measured for the composites. Fluorescence spectroscopy has also been used to investigate the distribution of clay in the composites and results indicate that clay layers in ABS are preferentially located in the styrene‐acrylonitrile (SAN) phase, independent of the dispersion process used. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polytriazole via an ‘A2 + B3’ approach based on click chemistry
Authors: Xie Jianda , Hu Lihua , Shi Wenfang , Deng Xiaoxu , Cao Zhuangqi , Shen Qishun 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: The ‘A2 + B3’ type of polymerization has been demonstrated to be an alternative route towards hyperbranched polymers. Some highly crosslinked hyperbranched polymers have been prepared via copper(I)‐catalyzed click reactions of multivalent azides and alkynes. To obtain hyperbranched polymers without gelation and develop the A2 + B3 type of polymerization based on click reactions, the specific reaction conditions need to be investigated.RESULTS: In this work, a hyperbranched polytriazole (hb‐PTA) was synthesized through the A2 + B3 approach using a click reaction. 4‐N,N′‐bis(2‐azidoethyl)amino‐4′‐nitroazobenzene and 1,3,5‐tris(alynyloxy)benzene were synthesized for use as the A2 and B3 monomers, respectively. This was a ‘one‐pot’ polymerization carried out using a slow‐addition method. The obtained hb‐PTA was soluble in common organic solvents. The molecular structure was characterized using 1H NMR, Fourier transform infrared and gel permeation chromatography analyses. The degree of branching of hb‐PTA was determined to be around 0.50.CONCLUSION: The hb‐PTA was successfully synthesized via the A2 + B3 approach based on a click reaction. The polymerization conducted in dilute solution adopting slow addition of A2 to B3 resulted in hb‐PTA in the absence of gelation. The obtained hb‐PTA exhibited high thermal stability. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Blending polypropylene with glycidyl methacrylate‐containing polymer to improve adhesion to elastomers
Authors: Paul Shreya , Verenich Svetlana , Pourdeyhimi Behnam 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most widely used polyolefins but gets restricted in surface applications due to its non‐polar nature. Surface properties of films made of PP were modified to improve their adhesion to elastomeric polymers such as thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), especially to Pebax® [poly(ether‐block‐amide)].RESULTS: Surface modification of PP was brought about by blending it with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)‐containing polymer to increase its surface energy. Films of modified PP were analyzed to determine the blending efficiency and characterized using contact angle measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Molecular dynamics simulations were done to determine surface and bulk properties of PP blended with GMA. The computational results correlated very well with the experimental data and revealed that the changes in the surface energy can be linked to the position of the functional group within the sample. T‐Peel tests indicated a 2.4 times increase in adhesion to Pebax® and only 1.7 times increase in adhesion to TPU compared to unmodified PP.CONCLUSION: The surface energy and enhanced adhesion proved that PP was successfully modified and its surface made more polar. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable lactic acid‐based polymers by chain extension
Authors: Gu ShuYing , Yang Ming , Yu Tao , Ren TianBin , Ren Jie 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), coming from renewable resources, can be used to solve environmental problems. However, PLA has to have a relatively high molecular weight in order to have acceptable mechanical properties as required in many applications. Chain‐extension reaction is an effective method to raise the molecular weight of PLA.RESULTS: A high molecular weight biodegradable lactic acid polymer was successfully synthesized in two steps. First, the lactic acid monomer was oligomerized to low molecular weight hydroxyl‐terminated prepolymer; the molecular weight was then increased by chain extension using 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate as the chain extender. The polymer was characterized using 1H NMR analysis, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the obtained polymer had a Mn of 27 500 g mol−1 and a Mw of 116 900 g mol−1 after 40 min of chain extension at 180 °C. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the low molecular weight prepolymer was 47.8 °C. After chain extension, Tg increased to 53.2 °C. The mechanical and rheological properties of the obtained polymer were also investigated.CONCLUSION: The results suggest that high molecular weight PLA can be achieved by chain extension to meet conventional uses. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Photophysical properties of fluorene‐based copolymers synthesized by connecting twisted biphenyl units with fluorene via para‐ and meta‐linkages
Authors: Lu Ping , Zhang Haiquan , Li Mao , Zheng Yan , Ma Yuguang , Chen Xinfang , Tamai Naoto 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Wide bandgap semiconducting polymers are of great interest in the development of organic and polymeric emissive materials for display purposes since they can be used to generate light of all colors either by irradiation of luminescent dyes or by energy transfer to emissive dopants. The aim of the present work is to construct new fluorene‐based semiconducting polymers with a wide bandgap.RESULTS: A novel polyfluorene derivative, poly[(9,9‐dihexyl‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐(5,7‐dihydrodibenz[c,e]oxepin)], with a wide bandgap, was synthesized by connecting rigidly twisted biphenyl monomers with dihexylfluorene via para‐linkages and it was compared with poly[(9,9‐dihexyl‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐(spirocyclohexane‐1,6′‐dibenzo[d,f][1,3]dioxepin)], which has meta‐linkages. Both polymers emit in the ultraviolet and blue regions. Electronic spectral absorption data and electrochemical measurements demonstrate that ca 40° torsion angle of the biphenyl units induces an increase in the HOMO–LUMO gap of 0.18 eV, and that meta‐linkage of the twisted segment in the polymer induces another increase of 0.24 eV compared to polydihexylfluorene.CONCLUSION: The new twisted biphenyl compounds are efficient segments to tune the bandgaps of conjugated polymers. The two fluorene‐based copolymers have wide bandgaps and exhibit potential as host materials. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Interfacial polymerization of an epoxy resin and carboxylic acids for the synthesis of microcapsules
Authors: Pascu Oana , Garcia‐Valls Ricard , Giamberini Marta 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Microencapsulation technology promises new applications such as intelligent microstructures, phase change materials and self‐healing composites. Microcapsule synthesis and characterization have been researched extensively; however, the well‐known polymerization between epoxy resins and carboxylic acids has not been used to prepare microcapsules.RESULTS: Microcapsules were prepared by interfacial polymerization of an oil‐in‐water emulsion which contained a commercial epoxy resin and multifunctional carboxylic acids. The microcapsules obtained were characterized using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Experiments performed at lower stirring rates led to larger microcapsules, in the range 100–400 µm, while higher stirring rates resulted in microcapsules in the range 10–50 µm.CONCLUSIONS: Microcapsules can be prepared by interfacial polymerization of epoxy resins, an extensively studied and widely used class of polymers. By means of NMR characterization we gained insight into the mechanism of polymerization at the interface wherein products coming from the more hindered ring opening as well as from intermolecular transesterification are identified. The presence of a crosslinker affects the morphology of the external microcapsule surface. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Demographics and professional practices of school psychologists: A comparison of NASP members and non–NASP school psychologists by telephone survey
Authors: Lewis Michael F. , Truscott Stephen D. , Volker Martin A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA national telephone survey was conducted to examine potential differences between National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) members and non–NASP member school psychologists. Identified schools were contacted by telephone and the researchers asked to speak with the school psychologist. A sample of 124 practicing school psychologists was obtained. Overall, 57.3% (n = 71) of respondents were NASP members, and 42.7% (n = 53) were not. In most respects, current results were similar to NASP‐member‐only surveys. Current results suggest that previous studies overestimated the proportion of NASP members among school psychologists and may have underestimated the total number of school‐based practitioners. Significant differences between NASP members and nonmembers were found in ethnicity, national certification, professional organization membership, and use of Curriculum Based Measurement. Results are discussed in the context of previous national surveys. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A survey investigating school psychologists' measurement of treatment integrity in school‐based interventions and their beliefs about its importance
Authors: Cochrane Wendy S. , Laux John M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA survey of individuals holding the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential was conducted via the Internet to gather information regarding their measurement of treatment integrity in school‐based interventions and their beliefs about its importance. A sample of 806 self‐selected professionals holding the NCSP credential provided data about the extent to which they measure treatment integrity and the methods they used to measure it when developing interventions via one‐to‐one and group/team consultation. Results showed that 97.6% agreed that measurement of treatment integrity was a key factor to consider and to include when evaluating interventions and when using intervention data for special education eligibility decisions. Few, however, reported regularly documenting it in one‐to‐one (only 11.3%) or group/team consultation (only 1.9%). Recommendations for how school psychologists and other school staff can increase their measurement of treatment integrity in school‐based interventions are offered. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vocational assessment of secondary students with disabilities and the school psychologist
Authors: Fives Christopher J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAlthough much progress has been made in the identification and remediation of academic learning difficulties, less attention has been given to the career development of students with disabilities. Through their psychoeducational evaluations school psychologists are in an excellent position to provide useful information about the vocational functioning of these students. Some school practitioners may be hesitant to contribute fully to the vocational assessment process because they are unfamiliar with vocational behavior literature. In an effort to encourage greater involvement, the school psychologist's role as member of a career assessment team is discussed, and vocational theory and research concerning interest, ability, and personality characteristics are reviewed. Assessment and data integration strategies are offered. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessing giftedness in children: Comparing the accuracy of three shortened measures of Intelligence to the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition
Authors: Newton Jocelyn H. , McIntosh David E. , Dixon Felicia , Williams Tasha , Youman Elizabeth 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis study examined the accuracy of three shortened measures of intelligence: the Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability, Third Edition Brief Intellectual Ability (WJ III COG BIA) score; the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale, Fifth Edition Abbreviated IQ (SB5 ABIQ); and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test IQ Composite (K‐BIT) in predicting giftedness as assessed by the SB5 Full Scale IQ score (SB5 FSIQ). Participants were 202 third grade students who were individually administered the SB5, WJ III, and K‐BIT. Four scores (SB5 ABIQ, K‐BIT, WJ III COG BIA, and SB5 FSIQ) were extracted. Correlational analyses revealed positive, significant relationships among the four scores. Discriminant function analyses, conducted to examine the accuracy of the three shortened measures of intelligence in predicting giftedness, revealed that overall, the WJ III score was the most accurate, and the K‐BIT score was the least accurate in identifying giftedness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
General education teacher judgments of their low‐performing students' short‐term reading progress
Authors: Graney Suzanne Bamonto 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis study investigated the accuracy of classroom teachers' judgments of the reading progress of their low‐performing students. Participants were 36 second grade teachers and students in their lowest reading groups (n = 150). Student progress was monitored weekly using reading‐curriculum‐based measurement (R‐CBM) procedures. After 6 weeks, teachers were asked to rate their students' progress. Expert judges later reviewed the teachers' R‐CBM graphs and rated the individual and group progress based on the graphs. Teacher ratings did not correlate with expert ratings or the R‐CBM slope estimates. Expert ratings correlated highly with slope estimates. Teachers' estimates of progress were significantly higher than expert judges' ratings, indicating that teachers may overestimate student progress. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Associations between peer‐perceived status and aggression in young adolescents
Authors: Walcott Christy M. , Upton Amber , Bolen Larry M. , Brown Michael B. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDifferent functions within different forms of aggression were examined in relation to peer‐perceived preference and popularity among middle school students. Two hundred and three 7th grade students were nominated by a subset of their grade mates based on indices of likeability, popularity, and aggressiveness. Both linear and curvilinear associations were examined. Lower peer preference, but higher popularity, was associated with increased levels of all types of aggression, supporting the need to differentiate the relationship between aggression and these two facets of peer status. Relational aggression was associated with both low and high levels of popularity. Overt aggression was related to low peer preference and, to a lesser degree, high peer preference. It appears that what separates low‐ and high‐status students is not the presence of aggression per se, but how effectively their displays of aggression achieve their social goals. Findings are discussed in respect to social dominance theory, and implications for practice are considered. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Child race and gender as moderators of the association between teacher–child relationships and school adjustment
Authors: Murray Christopher , Waas Gregory A. , Murray Kelly M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis investigation examines teacher and child perceptions of teacher–child relationships and early school adjustment among children (N = 157) in low‐income urban schools. Consistent with prior research, findings indicated that teacher–child relationships were associated with early school adjustment; however, the strength of this association varied depending on perspective (i.e., teacher vs. student) and by student characteristic. Associations between predictor and criterion variables were stronger for within‐rater perspectives than across raters. Children's race moderated the association between teacher–child relationships and early school adjustment when examining data from the same source (i.e., teacher) and across raters (i.e., teacher and student). Gender did not moderate these associations. The implications of these findings for future research focused on understanding teacher–child relationships are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A mechanistic dichotomy in concerted versus stepwise pathways in hydride and hydrogen transfer reactions of NADH analogues
Authors: Yuasa Junpei , Fukuzumi Shunichi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA mechanistic dichotomy of one‐step versus stepwise pathways in hydride and hydrogen transfer reactions of NADH analogues is discussed including the relation between two pathways: a continuous change versus a discontinuous change of the mechanism. Examples of stepwise electron–proton–electron transfer through a charge transfer (CT) complex in hydride transfer from NADH analogues to hydride acceptors are presented including the detection and the reactivity of the intermediate, that is, radical cations of NADH analogues. The relation between stepwise versus one‐step mechanisms of hydride and hydrogen transfer reaction of NADH analogues is also clarified by showing examples of the change of the mechanism including the borderline. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.