Design strategy for microalloyed ultra-ductile magnesium alloys

This article describes a design strategy deployed in developing ultra-ductile Mg alloys based on a microalloying concept, which aims to restrict grain growth considerably during alloy casting and forming. We discuss the efficiency of the design approach, and evaluate the resulting microstructural and mechanical properties. After processing, the so-designed alloys ZQCa3 (Mg–3Zn–0.5Ag–0.25Ca–0.15Mn, in wt.%) and ZKQCa3 (Mg–3Zn–0.5Zr–0.5Ag–0.25Ca–0.15Mn, in wt.%) reveal very fine grains (<10 µm), high ductility (elongation to fracture of up to 30%) at moderate strength or high strength (ultimate tensile strength of up to 350 MPa) at reasonable ductility. These properties are explained based on thermodynamic modelling, microstructure analysis including transmission electron microscopy studies, and microstructural and mechanical testing after annealing, and are compared to a related commercial alloy (ZK31).     

Collective contributions to career efficacy in adolescents: A cross-cultural study

This study extended the concept of collective efficacy to supplement the variable of career self-efficacy to predict vocational exploration and commitment among adolescents. We developed a Collective Contributions to Career Efficacy Scale (CCCE) to measure adolescents' perceived contributions from parents, teachers, and peers on their career-related matters. A total of 1175 high school students from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Michigan participated in the study by completing the CCCE, the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale (CDSE-SF), and the Vocational Exploration and Commitment Subscale (VEC). Using multi-sample Structural Equation Modeling, we found that the effect of CCCE on VEC was mediated by CDSE. Although we found cultural differences in the overall level of the vocational measures among the Hong Kong, Shanghai, and American students, the mediation model was confirmed in all three groups of students.     

Social comparison influences on disciplinary panels: a brief qualitative study in Kenyan secondary schools

This study investigated the influences of social comparisons on group polarization in decision making among members of selected Kenyan secondary school disciplinary panels. Ten participants from 10 selected secondary school disciplinary panels were involved. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative data on the experiences of the participants regarding the influences of social comparisons on their decision-making behaviours during participation in their schools’ disciplinary hearing meetings. The results revealed that in the dynamic interactions among disciplinary panel members during disciplinary hearing meetings, the panel members engaged in social comparisons among themselves, leading to their shifts in decision-making behaviours in favour of consensus in group decisions or group polarization in decision making.     

Spielsucht – Alkoholabhängigkeit: „Zwei Süchte,eine Behandlung?“

While alcoholism has been undisputedly classified for decades as an addiction in diagnostic manuals like ICD -10 and DSM -IV, the classification of pathological gambling has not been definitively resolved, although alcohol dependence and pathological gambling have many addiction criteria in common. The course of gambling addiction is typically characterized by an initial phase, a critical habituation phase, and a phase of despair. While a gambling addiction may rapidly progress to chronic dependence within a year, the development of chronic alcohol dependence requires many years of misuse. For gambling addicts, external influence plays a considerable role (trigger situation) on the entry into gambling. For the majority of players, the initial contact comes from third parties, while for problem gamblers the social character of an invitation as a maintaining factor has less influence than for alcoholics. There are differences especially in the expression of comorbidities and the consequences of the addiction. For problem gamblers, these are more psychological than social, while secondary disorders are significant for alcoholics.     

Buddhism: Mistranslations,misconceptions and neglected territory

Ajaan Sujin, a prominent Thai lay teacher of Theravada Buddhism, interprets abhidhammic theory in a manner that, in my view, approaches the teachings of Emptiness as presented in the Prajñā-pāramitā-sūtras and in the Madhyamaka-kārikā. This paper presents an overview of Ajaan Sujin's teachings and compares them with Emptiness as expressed in the Diamond Sūtra, the Heart Sūtra, and the Madhyamaka-kārikā, as well as from a few well-known secondary sources. Core distinctions between the two theories do remain, primarily that for Ajaan Sujin dhammas do have characteristics and nibbāna is distinct from samsāra; thus I have termed Ajaan Sujin's teachings ‘Theravada Emptiness’. While it may seem that these distinctions are too great to overcome in bridging the gap between abhidhammic theory and Emptiness, a direct comparison between the wording of certain sections and the overall correspondence of vocabulary, practice, and other conceptions, serves to narrow the divide created by these distinctions.     

“I control my own emotions for the sake of the team”: Emotional self-regulation and interpersonal emotion regulation among female high-performance curlers

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine emotional self-regulation and interpersonal emotion regulation within a team of competitive athletes.DesignInstrumental case study approach (Stake, 1995).MethodData collection involved multiple semi-structured interviews with all four members of a female high-performance curling team, as well as observation of team meetings, practices, and games over the entire season.ResultsAnalyses produced the main themes of emotional self regulation (body language and self-censorship) and interpersonal emotional regulation (providing positive and/or technical feedback, humour, cueing teammates about their emotions, prosocial actions and indirect actions). We also identified factors influencing emotional regulation (length of time together, team dynamics/cohesion, context, social norms and team roles, and seeking support outside the team).ConclusionsAthletes were aware of and took into account social and contextual factors (e.g., social norms and role on team) when regulating emotions in a team context, and they also identified challenges associated with emotional regulation within the team. Findings highlight the complex interplay between athletes' emotions, emotional expression, and self-regulation to achieve multiple goals (e.g., positive performances, positive social relationships), as well as the importance of examining interpersonal processes related to emotion and emotion regulation within team sports.     

Community without memory? In search of an ecclesiology of liberation in the company of people with dementia

The increasing prevalence of dementia among members of the Christian Churches prompts a re-evaluation of Christian ecclesiology. This is particularly true for the ecclesiology born of the theologies of liberation, because of the emphasis it places upon conscious participation in the historical life of the community. The present article draws on stories of people with dementia as recorded by themselves and those close to them; by reflection upon these stories, it seeks to re-think the character of the Church in the face of this challenge, and so to offer a richer interpretation of its identity as a community of liberation.