Discrimination in the 21st century: Are science and the law aligned?

Although scholars agree that traditional forms of discrimination have generally been supplanted by subtler interpersonal manifestations of discrimination, it is yet unknown whether targets of these behaviors or the American judicial branch recognize such negative behaviors as violations of extant law. Extending research and theory, we propose that denigrating messages toward women and ethnic minorities (i.e., microaggressions) emerge in workplace interactions and are sometimes interpreted as discrimination. Specifically, this research explores the presence, severity, and frequency of microaggressions that appear in a random sample of race and gender discrimination cases in federal court dockets since the year 2000. The results suggest that microinsults, microinvalidations, and microassaults are reported in a variety of discrimination claims. However, only overt and intentional forms of microaggressions (microassaults) increased the likelihood that decisions favored plaintiffs. Thus, there may be a disconnect between forms of discrimination perceived by claimants and how those forms are evaluated by the legal system that protects victims of discrimination. This potential misalignment of science and practice is discussed, as are directions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Treating traumatized OEF/OIF veterans: How does trauma treament affect the clinician?": Correction to Voss Horrell et al. (2011).

Reports an error in "Treating traumatized OEF/OIF veterans: How does trauma treatment affect the clinician" by Sarah C. Voss Horrell, Dana R. Holohan, Lea M. Didion and G. Todd Vance (Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2011[Feb], Vol 42[1], 79-86). The word “While” was erroneously inserted in the first sentence of the “Clinician Factors” section. The corrected sentence is provided in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2011-04544-011.) The authors of this article describe the rewards and challenges for clinicians treating veterans who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Issues of vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout are defined and reviewed, as are compassion satisfaction and posttraumatic growth. Patient, clinician, and organizational characteristics that are likely to affect clinicians working with this clinical population are discussed. Patient factors that may increase strain on clinicians are discussed such as age, likelihood of redeployment, comorbid conditions, attendance issues, and elevated risk for suicide and aggression. Clinician factors, such as theoretical orientation, training, supervision, military affiliation, personal trauma history, spirituality, social support, and self-care, are also discussed as possible risk and protective factors for vicarious trauma and burnout. Organizational influences, such as caseload size and diversity, clinician control and autonomy, use of evidence-based practices, availability of resources, rural isolation, and the philosophy of the clinic, are further discussed. Recommendations for ameliorating risks are discussed relative to each area and include allowing clinicians to plan their own appointments so as to balance their caseload of OEF/OIF veterans, attending to self-care practices, and having a supportive team with thorough training in evidence-based practices. Future empirical research is needed on risk and resiliency factors for clinicians working with traumatized OEF/OIF veterans given that this population is likely to grow. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Exact corotational shell for finite strains and fracture

The corotational method for frame-invariant elements is generalized to obtain a consistent large-strain shell element incorporating thickness extensibility. The resulting element allows arbitrary in-plane deformations and is distinct from the traditional corotational methods (either quadrature-based or element-based) in the sense that the corotational frame is exact. The polar decomposition operation is performed in two parts, greatly simplifying the linearization calculations. Expressions for the strain-degrees-of-freedom matrices are given for the first time. The symbolic calculations are performed with a well-known algebraic system with a code generation package. Classical linear benchmarks are shown with excellent results. Applications with hyperelasticity and finite strain plasticity are presented, with asymptotically quadratic convergence and very good benchmark results. An example of finite strain plasticity with fracture is solved successfully, showing remarkable robustness without the need of enrichment techniques.     

Optimization of FS Welding Parameters for Improving Mechanical Behavior of AA2024-T351 Joints Based on Taguchi Method

In the present study, the design of an experiment technique, the Taguchi method, has been used to optimize the friction stir welding (FSW) parameters for improving mechanical behavior of AA2024-T351 joints. The parameters considered were vertical downward forging force, tool travel speed, and probe length. An orthogonal array of L₉ (3⁴) was used; ANOVA analyses were carried out to identify the significant factors affecting tensile strength (Global Efficiency to Tensile Strength—GETS), bending strength (Global Efficiency to Bending—GEB), and hardness field. The percentage contribution of each parameter was also determined. As a result of the Taguchi analysis in this study, the probe length is the most significant parameter on GETS, and the tool travel speed is the most important parameter affecting both the GEB and the hardness field. An algebraic model for predicting the best mechanical performance, namely fatigue resistance, was developed and the optimal FSW combination was determined using this model. The results obtained were validated by conducting confirmation tests, the results of which verify the adequacy and effectiveness of this approach.     

Chemical Solution Deposition of Columnar-Grained Metallic Lanthanum Nitrate Thin Films

Columnar and (100)-oriented LaNiO₃ thin films were prepared on silicon substrates by a chemical solution deposition (CSD) process using a 0.05 M solution. By reducing the individual layer thickness to 10 nm, columnar LaNiO₃ films with a lateral grain size of ∼120 nm were obtained. The success of this approach required restricting the individual layer thickness to a value below the grain size observed for equiaxed films. This change in microstructure resulted in an improvement in conductivity. The columnar LaNiO₃ film with a thickness of 300 nm showed a resistivity of 4.5 × 10⁻⁵Ω·cm, which is lower by one order of magnitude than that of fine-grain equiaxed films that typically result from CSD methods.     

Client-specific counselor self-efficacy in novice counselors: Relation to perceptions of session quality.

Two versions of a counselor self-efficacy (CSE) measure were administered to 110 prepracticum counselors: a general version, assessing perceived capability to perform basic helping skills and manage the session process with clients generally; and a client-specific version, tapping capability to perform the same behaviors with a specific, current client. Client-specific CSE was found to (a) relate moderately to strongly with general CSE over the course of four counseling sessions, (b) increase significantly over sessions, and (c) account for unique variance in counselors' evaluations of the quality of their sessions. Although it was not a useful direct predictor of clients' session ratings, higher client-specific CSE was associated with greater congruence between counselors' and clients' perceptions of session quality. Implications for further research and training are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Group structuring techniques and their influence on process involvement in a group counseling training group.

Investigated the role of a group structuring technique developed by G. Egan (1973, 1976) on the amount and depth of process involvement in 2 8-member counseling training groups consisting of graduate students (aged 21–56 yrs). The primary hypothesis was that the structured group would have a higher amount and depth of process involvement scores across time than the no-structure group. Results partly support the conclusion that early structure significantly affects process involvement among group members. Findings also indicate that both groups showed strong gains in depth of process involvement over time. Results are discussed in terms of previous research by R. L. Bednar et al (see record 1974-25973-001) and C. Y. Crews and J. Melnick (see record 1976-21029-001). It is suggested that future research should explore interactions between interpersonal style differences of individual members and various structuring techniques. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)