Intimate partner aggression—what have we learned? Comment on Archer (2000).

This commentary on J. Archer (see record 2000-15524-001) identifies limitations at the level of the primary data, the formal meta-analysis, and the interpretations of the results. Highlighted are concerns with the conceptual dichotomy that is the foundation of the analysis, how aggression was conceptualized and defined, and the methodological problems in the studies included in the database that were not neutralized by the meta-analysis. These include inadequate measurement of contextual factors and injury outcomes, scaling issues, and sampling concerns. The authors question the degree to which the field is advanced by this meta-analysis when the results are placed in the context of these limitations. Following American Association for the Advancement of Science directives (I. Lerch, 1999), the authors believe that inadequate attention was paid to the policy implications of the conclusions raising the potential to undermine societal efforts to eradicate violence against women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Theoretical foundations of dynamic program slicing

This paper presents a theory of dynamic slicing, which reveals that the relationship between static and dynamic slicing is more subtle than previously thought. The definitions of dynamic slicing are formulated in terms of the projection theory of slicing. This shows that existing forms of dynamic slicing contain three orthogonal dimensions in their slicing criteria and allows for a lattice-theoretic study of the subsumption relationship between these dimensions and their relationship to static slicing formulations.     

Clients’ experiences giving gifts to therapists.

Nine therapy clients were interviewed regarding their experiences of giving gifts to therapists. Data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research. In describing a specific event when they gave a gift that was accepted, participants described having a good relationship with the therapist and usually identified their therapy concerns as relationship or family struggles or both. Most bought a relatively inexpensive gift they thought their therapist would like and gave it during a nontermination session to express appreciation or mark an important life event. Most participants acknowledged mixed emotions when giving the gift and noted that any discussion of the gift was brief and did not explore its deeper meaning. Nevertheless, most participants perceived that gift events positively affected them and their therapists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A search based approach to fairness analysis in requirement assignments to aid negotiation, mediation and decision making

This paper uses a multi-objective optimisation approach to support investigation of the trade-offs in various notions of fairness between multiple customers. Results are presented to validate the approach using two real-world data sets and also using data sets created specifically to stress test the approach. Simple graphical techniques are used to visualize the solution space. The paper also reports on experiments to determine the most suitable algorithm for this problem, comparing the results of the NSGA-II algorithms, a widely used multi objective evolutionary algorithm, and the Two-Archive evolutionary algorithm, a recently proposed alternative.     

Enhanced Chemiluminescence as an Indicator of Water Quality

The enhanced chemiluminescence test is based upon monitoring the emission of light from an enhanced chemiluminescence reaction in the presence of an environmental sample and comparing it with a similar reaction using a de-ionized water control sample. The presence of polluting materials can be detected by changes in the intensity and the kinetics of light emission. This trial demonstrated that the effects of components within a sewage-works' effluent are detected by enhanced chemiluminescence and that this test has moderately close correlation with parallel bacterial determinations. A high correlation was achieved between the performances of two commercially available enhanced chemiluminescence reagents, and these reagents responded consistently to the effects of a sewage-works' effluent on the quality of a small river.     

Constructed Wetlands: A Strategy for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment at Small Treatment Works

The use of sub-surface flow constructed wetlands planted with Phragmites australis (the common reed) for the treatment of sewage is now widespread in the UK. The strategy for the use of reed-beds by a major UK water utility is reviewed in terms of whether the process (a) is appropriate within the rural environment, (b) offers satisfactory performance, and (c) meets criteria for sustainability. Its use for secondary, tertiary and storm-water treatment is considered. Odour generation has been a concern for secondary treatment reed-beds and has been measured and modelled to identify the required minimum distance to properties to eliminate any possibility of odour nuisance.     

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - DRAWING THE BOUNDARIES

Sustainable development and the Water Framework Directive demand stakeholder engagement and more specifically, public participation if they are to be successful. Indeed, signatories to the Aarhus Convention adopt a rights-based approach and guarantee rights of access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to Justice in environmental matters. This paper explores the justification and need to involve the public in the decision-making process. It discusses the issues involved, the approach and technologies that can support and facilitate the participation process and the benefits that can How from such involvement. It draws on practical experience gained from a long-term mapping and consultation project carried out for the Countryside Agency. Key points of interest and learning from the consultation process are discussed and recommendations are given for future public participation exercises.     

A K‐12/University Partnership: Creating Tomorrow's Engineers*

Supported by the National Science Foundation, the GK‐12 Fellows program at the University of Colorado at Boulder explores innovative ways for engineering graduate students to use engineering as the vehicle to provide K‐12 classroom instruction and hands‐on experiences that integrate physical sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology. Engineering “Fellows” fill a crucial gap in the two‐way exchange of content and pedagogy between the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the K‐12 community of learners. The active presence of real world, engineering role models in K‐12 classrooms improves the quality of math and science content, and introduces engineering to teachers and young students as a potential career path. Working through the University's graduate program legitimizes K‐12 outreach as a valid, and satisfying, academic endeavor for graduate students.