Wrinkling caused in wearing and laundry procedures is one of the most important performance properties of a fabric. Visual examination performed by trained experts is a routine wrinkle evaluation method in textile industry, however, this subjective evaluation is time-consuming. The need for objective, automatic and efficient methods of wrinkle evaluation has been increasing remarkably in recent years. In the present thesis, a wavelet transform based imaging analysis method was developed to measure the 2D fabric surface data captured by an infrared imaging system. After decomposing the fabric image by the Haar wavelet transform algorithm, five parameters were defined based on modified wavelet coefficients to describe wrinkling features, such as orientation, hardness, density and contrast. The wrinkle parameters provide useful information for textile, appliance, and detergent manufactures who study wrinkling behaviors of fabrics. A Support-Vector-Machine based classification scheme was developed for automatic wrinkle rating. Both linear kernel and radial-basis-function (RBF) kernel functions were used to achieve a higher rating accuracy. The effectiveness of this evaluation method was tested by 300 images of five selected fabric types with different fiber contents, weave structures, colors and laundering cycles. The results show agreement between the proposed wavelet-based automatic assessment and experts’ visual ratings. / text

Recent surveys have found that Afro-Venezuelans vote disproportionately for Hugo Chávez as President. This paper seeks to explain why Chávez has received significant support from non-white voters. I argue that this support is not only due to his mixed racial background, but more importantly due to the tangible benefits from the Chávez regime in the form of policies directed specifically at redressing racial discrimination and class inequalities. These policies include legislation against racial discrimination, educational reform, the mass enfranchisement of Afro-Venezuelan voters, and the recruitment of Afro-Venezuelan political leaders within the Chávez administration. / text

A dual functional chromogenic calix[4]arene, which contains both hydroxy azophenols and triazoles for colorimetric sensing and cationic recognition, respectively, has been synthesized. This system was further functionalized with dimethallylsilane to permit grafting to a glass surface. This grafting may be used to produce a surface modified glass slides that act as reusable ion-selective colorimetric sensors. UV/Vis spectral studies revealed that this compound is capable of binding the calcium cation in aqueous media and producing an easily detectable color change. The same is true for the modified surface setup. For the free receptor in acetonitrile solution, the absorption maximum undergoes a red shift from 390 nm to 496 nm upon exposure to calcium cations. In the case of the modified surface, exposure to acetonitrile solution of calcium perchlorate leads to a change in color from orange to red. Washing with acetone serves to remove the metal cations from the calix[4]arene-functionalized glass and restore the original orange color. The system is then ready for reuse. Specifically, following treatment with acetone, the glass may be submerged in a metal solution once again. In the case of exposure to calcium salts, this re-exposure results in a color change analogous to what was seen for a pristine system. In accord with design expectations, this process may be repeated several times. On the basis of this reproducibility, we think this system meets the reusability requirements necessary for the development of a practical sensor device. / text

As helpful as social support can be, the reality is that some attempts to offer support are more helpful than others. In trying to be supportive, we can make things better, but we can also make things worse (Brashers et al., 2004; Burleson & Samter, 1985; Goldsmith, Lindholm, & Bute, 2006; Goldsmith & Fitch, 1997). In everyday situations, simply bringing up a sensitive topic may cause negative emotions for a conversational partner or remind them of a topic that they are trying not to think about. In addition, it is possible to say something that makes a person feel worse about the way they are handling a delicate situation. This dissertation applies Burleson and Samter’s (1985) social support framework, a model of Verbal Person Centeredness (VPC), to the context of grief. This dissertation examines what types of grief support are most effective, and looks at whether, in some instances, more sophisticated message are not the most comforting. This dissertation will examine whether closeness operates as a moderator, making moderately sophisticated messages of support more effective than highly sophisticated ones in some situations, such as instances in which the person offering support is less close to the bereaved. It is hypothesized that this will happen due to threats to the bereaved’s sense of independence or autonomy (Brown & Levinson, 1987). Hence, in some instances, it may be more helpful for people offering support to use moderately sophisticated messages. Although experimental data from this dissertation did not support an interaction between closeness of target and helper and perceived effectiveness of support message, data from open-ended questions did suggest that individuals prefer moderately sophisticated messages from less close others (e.g., coworkers). Other themes from open-ended questions provide additional details about the type of support people in grief might desire.

Although about half of all rape victims are adolescents, the bulk of the research on sexual victimization is focused on college or community samples of adult women. As such, little is known about adolescent risk of sexual victimization. Adolescence is an important developmental phase in life, in which an individual undergoes major social and biological changes. These changes may make them more susceptible to environmental characteristics, such as family climate, compared to adults. Environmental factors may influence risk taking among adolescents, which may increase the risk of sexual victimization. The theory of social support can be useful in understanding why some young individuals are sexually victimized and others are not. Data for the analysis is derived from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The current study uses the in-home interviews from Wave I, Wave II, and Wave IV of Add Health. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between social support, risky behavior, and sexual victimization. Specifically, whether risky behavior mediates the relationship between adolescent sexual victimization and social support will be examined.

Students with learning disabilities (LDs) represent 9% of students attending college, and college administrators must comply with a large number of federal requirements outlining the provision of educational services for students with LDs, including offering support groups. Nurse-facilitated support groups, held within the university setting, could provide effective social support, increasing likelihood of college success among students with LDs. The purpose of this project was to develop a plan for implementing nurse-facilitated support groups for students with LDs within the student health services (SHS) department at a university designed to improve their coping skills on personal, social, and academic levels. Guided by the Logic Model, a plan for implementing nurse-facilitated support groups within the SHS department was developed and presented to university stakeholders. Components of the plan included a support group structure, curriculum, evaluation tools, steps for piloting the program, and a proposed timeline for implementing the program. The stakeholders acknowledged the potential benefits of initiating a program of nurse-facilitated support groups for students with LDs to assist in attaining their academic goals. However, additional analysis of the program and refining and other disabilities to assist in attaining their academic goals; however, additional analysis of the program and refining the proposed student self-evaluation tool were needed before implementing the program. Nurses in a SHS department staff are effective support group facilitators for students with LDs. This study holds the potential for positive social change by enhancing personal, social, and academic coping skills with nurse-facilitated support groups who may help students with LDs reduce their risk of experiencing burnout and enhance the likelihood of academic success.

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Background: 250 children develops cancer in Sweden every year and 75 percent of these children survives. History show that the treatment for cancer has improve. Every child has at least one parent who is affected and who is associated with suffering during the child's cancer diagnosis. Aim :The aim was to illuminate parents' experiences of living with a child with cancer diagnosis. Method: A literature-based study. Qualitative content analysis of 10 qualitative articles. Results: The results are presented in four main themes: "The feeling of powerlessness", "The need of support", "Lives ups and downs" and "Changed life". Conclusion: The results show that parents of a child with cancer diagnosis describe many different emotions and a changed life. The parents feel powerless and have need of support in various forms. Parents get a new life to adapt to and see life and every day as unique.

Background: Intestinal diseases that can cause a person to receive a stoma may include colorectal cancer, Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe experiences of living with intestinal stoma. Method: A qualitative literature study in which eleven scientific articles have been analyzed according to Fribergs (2006a) analysis model. Result: The result was based on two categories which are experiences of altered body image, and experienced changes in social life. The result showed that patients with stoma felt that their body image changed and it was hard to accept the altered body image and thereby self image. Difficulties in controlling emissions, odor and leakage contributed to the experience of loss of control with limited social life as a result. The stoma also resulted in a change in everyday life which required careful planning. The sexual activity was affected due to altered body image. Despite the constraints of everyday life support, a functioning self care and acceptance contributed to a better quality of life. Conclusion: It can be concluded it's clear from the result that it is important for the patient to receive accurate information both before and after ostomy to get an adequate picture of what it means to live with a stoma. By supporting the patient and customizing information and creating a patient-centered care quality of life can significantly improve.

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the potential utility of online social networking in enhancing participation in, and maintenance of, a university-based exercise program through the provision of social support. Ninety-one employees previously enrolled in an exercise program were surveyed. Participants were asked about their online social networking habits and their opinions on the possible use of online social networks to increase social support for and adherence to an exercise program. Respondents already belonging to a social networking site (SNS) (79%) were optimistic about the utility, particularly after their exercise program, while those who do not belong to an SNS were less positive. The findings imply that using online social networking to add social support both during and after an exercise program could be effective. / text