bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new approach for pre-stressing of rail-end-bolt holes
Authors: Maximov JT , Duncheva GV , Amudjev IM , Anchev AP , Ganev N
Published: February 2016

Bolted joint railroad is the subject matter of this paper. Rail joint elements are subjected to cyclic and impact loads as a result of the passage of trains, which causes the origination and growth of fatigue cracks occurring, in most cases, around the bolt holes. Fatigue failure around rail-end-bolt holes is particularly dangerous because it leads to derailment of trains and, consequently, to inevitable accidents. Moreover, the cracking at rail-ends, which starts from bolt hole surface, causes premature rails replacement. The presence of residual compressive hoop stresses around the bolted holes, which is achieved by prestressing of these holes, extends the fatigue life of bolted joint railroads. This article presents an innovative technology for pre-stressing of rail-end-bolt holes, implemented on a vertical machining centre of Revolver vertical (RV) type. Two consecutive operations are involved in the manufacturing technology process: formation of the hole by drilling, reaming and making of a chamfer through a new combined cutting tool; cold hole working by spherical motion cold working through a new tool equipment, which minimizes the axial force on the reverse stroke. The new technology introduces beneficial residual compressive stresses around the bolted holes thereby preventing the fatigue cracks growth and increasing the fatigue life of these openings.
Investigation of surface/subsurface integrity and grinding force in grinding of BK7 glass
Authors: Lin XH , Ke XL , Ye H , Hu CL , Guo YB
Published: February 2016

The surface/subsurface integrity and grinding force formed during grinding processes of have been researched on BK7 glass using a surface grinder with diamond grinding wheel. The values of surface roughness, subsurface damage and grinding force were measured and the morphology of surface roughness, and subsurface damage were observed with different grinding parameters. The experimental results show that the values of surface roughness, subsurface damage and grinding force increase with the increasing of feed rate and grinding depth and decreasing of wheel speed. The effects trend of grinding parameters on surface roughness, subsurface damage and grinding force are almost the same and the normal grinding force have great influence on surface roughness and subsurface damage, which agree well with theoretical analysis. These relationships can serve as a useful method for non-destructively predicting subsurface damage depth and a theoretical basis for proposing the appropriate grinding parameters to obtain better surface/subsurface integrity and high efficiency.
Passive control of nanoparticle of micropolar fluid past a stretching sheet with nanoparticles, convective boundary condition and second-order slip
Authors: Ibrahim Wubshet
Published: February 2016

This article deals with a second-order slip flow and magnetic field on boundary layer flow of micropolar fluid past a stretching sheet. Situation of nil normal flux of nanoparticles at the wall for the stretching flow is taken into account. By employing appropriate similarity transformation and non-dimensional variables, the governing non-linear boundary-value problems were reduced into coupled higher order non-linear ordinary differential equation. Then, numerical solution for velocity, angular velocity (microrotation), temperature, and concentration has been established. The equations were numerically solved using the function bvp4c from the matlab software for different values of governing parameters. Numerical results have been obtained and discussed for non-dimensional velocity, temperature, microrotation, the skin friction coefficient, and local Nusselt number using some fixed values of the governing parameters. The results indicate that the skin friction coefficient Cf increases as the values of slip parameter γ increase. However, the local Nusselt number − [Formula: see text] increases as thermophoresis parameter Nt, microrotation parameter β, and convective parameter Bi increase. The wall couple stress coefficient decreases as the values of governing parameters such as magnetic parameter M, material parameter β, and for both slip parameters γ and δ increase. A comparison with earlier investigations available in the literature has been done and an excellent agreement is achieved.
Fostering dignity in the care of nursing home residents through slow caring
Authors: Lohne Vibeke , Høy Bente , Lillestø Britt , Sæteren Berit , Heggestad Anne Kari Tolo , Aasgaard Trygve , Caspari Synnøve , Rehnsfeldt Arne , Råholm Maj-Britt , Slettebø Åshild , Lindwall Lillemor , Nåden Dagfinn
Published: February 2016

Background:

Physical impairment and dependency on others may be a threat to dignity.

Research questions:

The purpose of this study was to explore dignity as a core concept in caring, and how healthcare personnel focus on and foster dignity in nursing home residents.

Research design:

This study has a hermeneutic design.

Participants and research context:

In all, 40 healthcare personnel from six nursing homes in Scandinavia participated in focus group interviews in this study.

Ethical considerations:

This study has been evaluated and approved by the Regional Ethical Committees and the Social Science Data Services in the respective Scandinavian countries.

Findings:

Two main themes emerged: dignity as distinction (I), and dignity as influence and participation (II).

Discussion:

A common understanding was that stress and business was a daily challenge.

Conclusion:

Therefore, and according to the health personnel, maintaining human dignity requires slow caring in nursing homes, as an essential approach.
Child Welfare Research and Training
Authors: Smith Brenda D. , Vandiver Vikki L.
Published: February 2016

In this response to David Stoesz’ critique, “The Child Welfare Cartel,” the authors agree that child welfare research and training must be improved. The authors disagree, however, with Stoesz’ critique of social work education, his assessment of the most-needed forms of child welfare research, and his depiction of the goals and activities of the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI). Rather than contributing to child welfare challenges and problems, the authors argue that the NCWWI is leading efforts to address the challenges.
Functional Family Therapy for Young People in Treatment for Nonopioid Drug Use
Authors: Filges Trine , Andersen Ditte , Jørgensen Anne-Marie Klint
Published: February 2016

Objectives:

This review evaluates the evidence on the effects of functional family therapy (FFT) on drug abuse reduction for young people in treatment for nonopioid drug use.

Data and Analysis:

We followed Campbell Collaboration guidelines to conduct a systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized trials.

Results:

The search yielded two studies that met inclusion criteria. Only one study provided numerical results on the effect of FFT on drug use reduction.

Conclusions:

There is insufficient evidence to allow any conclusion to be drawn on the effect of FFT for young people in treatment for nonopioid drug use. There is a need for more research and particularly for more methodologically rigorous studies in the field of treatment for young drug users.
Comparing smartphone camera adapters in imaging post-operative cataract patients
Authors: Sanguansak Thuss , Morley Katharine , Morley Michael , Kusakul Suwat , Lee Ramon , Shieh Eric , Yospaiboon Yosanan , Bhoomibunchoo Chavakij , Chai-ear Siriwatana , Joseph Anthony , Agarwal Isha
Published: February 2016

Introduction

The goal of this study is to compare image quality and clinical confidence for managing post-operative cataract patients based on anterior segment smartphone images obtained in real-world settings using four types of adapters: (a) macro lens (ML), (b) ML with augmented light-emitting diode (LED) illumination (ML-LED), (c) no adapter (NA) and (d) slit lamp (SL) adapter.

Methods

Anterior segment images were obtained from 190 eyes after cataract surgery using an eight-megapixel iPhone 6 smartphone camera with four adapters: ML, ML-LED, NA, and SL. Smartphone images were subjectively rated by ophthalmologists as acceptable or not acceptable for: (a) image quality for evaluating the anterior segment structures and (b) reader confidence in clinically managing post-operative patients based on smartphone images.

Results

NA, ML-LED, and SL had the highest scores for image quality with 100%, 93.7%, and 86.3% judged as acceptable, respectively. NA, SL, and ML-LED were also rated highest in clinical confidence with 100%, 98%, and 93.2% having acceptable levels, respectively. ML was judged lowest in both image quality (61.1% acceptable) and clinical confidence (37.4% acceptable).

Discussion

This study represents the first effort to compare different smartphone camera adapters’ ability to image the anterior segment of the eye in a real-world setting. Our study shows that ML-LED, NA, and SL adapters were acceptable for visualizing anterior segment structures to physician readers in 86–100% of cases. When coupled with visual acuity, intro-ocular pressure and history, these images can result in acceptable clinical confidence in 93–100% of cases.
Occult peripheral artery disease is common and limits the benefit achieved in cardiac rehabilitation
Authors: Tam Marty C , Longenecker Chris T , Chow Chen , Vest Marianne , Sukeena Richard , Madan Mohan Sri K , Carman Teresa , Parikh Sahil A , Josephson Richard A
Published: February 2016

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has proven morbidity and mortality benefits in cardiovascular disease, which directly correlates with exercise performance achieved. Many patients in CR exercise at sub-optimal levels, without obvious limitations. Occult lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) may be a determinant of diminished exercise capacity and reduced benefit obtained from traditional CR. In this prospective study of 150 consecutive patients enrolled in Phase II CR, we describe the prevalence of PAD, the utility of externally validated screening questionnaires, and the observed impact on CR outcomes. Abnormal ankle–brachial indices (ABI) (<0.9 and >1.4) were observed in 19% of those studied. The Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire was insensitive for detecting PAD by low ABI in this population, and the Walking Impairment Questionnaire and a modified Gardner protocol demonstrated a lack of typical symptoms with low levels of activity. Importantly, at completion of traditional CR, exercise improvement measured in metabolic equivalents (METs) was worse in those with a low ABI compared to those with a normal ABI (+1.39 vs +2.41 METs, p=0.002). In conclusion, PAD is common in patients in Phase II CR and often clinically occult. Screening based on standard questionnaires appears insensitive in this population, suggesting a need for a broad-based screening strategy with ABI measurements. In this study, undiagnosed PAD significantly attenuated improvements in exercise performance, which potentially has bearings on future clinical events.
School-based social skills training for preschool-age children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Radley Keith C , Hanglein Jeanine , Arak Marisa
Published: February 2016

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder display impairments in social interactions and communication that appear at early ages and result in short- and long-term negative outcomes. As such, there is a need for effective social skills training programs for young children with autism spectrum disorder—particularly interventions capable of being delivered in educational settings. The study evaluated the effects of the Superheroes Social Skills program on accurate demonstration of social skills in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Two preschool-age children with autism spectrum disorder participated in a weekly social skills intervention. A multiple probe design across skills was used to determine the effects of the intervention. Both participants demonstrated substantial improvements in skill accuracy. Social skills checklists also indicated improvements in social functioning over baseline levels.
Socioeconomic status and intelligence quotient as predictors of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder and in their siblings
Authors: Rosa Mireia , Puig Olga , Lázaro Luisa , Calvo Rosa
Published: February 2016

Previous studies have shown high rates of comorbid disorders in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, but failed to compare them with general population and few of them have identified predictors of comorbidity. This study compared the rates of psychiatric disorders in 50 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, 24 of their siblings, 32 controls from general population and 22 of their siblings. Children and adolescent with autism spectrum disorder and their siblings had higher rates of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder compared to controls. Lower socioeconomic status and intelligence quotient were the main risk factors. The contribution of socioeconomic status and intelligence quotient to increase the risk of developing comorbidity in autism spectrum disorder and psychopathology in their siblings deserves further study.
The impact of maternal, child, and family characteristics on the daily well-being and parenting experiences of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Pruitt Megan M , Willis Kelcie , Timmons Lisa , Ekas Naomi V
Published: February 2016

This study utilized a daily diaries method to explore the global factors that impact daily general affect and daily parenting interactions of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Eighty-three mothers of a child with autism spectrum disorder between the ages of 3 and 13 years completed global assessments of maternal depressive symptoms, child autism spectrum disorder symptom severity, and family functioning. Mothers then reported on their daily negative and positive affect as well as their daily positive and frustrating parenting interactions for 14 consecutive days. The results indicated that higher levels of maternal depressive symptoms were related to decreased daily positive affect, whereas greater child social motivation impairments were related to increased daily positive affect. Only maternal depressive symptoms were associated with increased daily negative affect. Furthermore, higher levels of family cohesion were related to increased daily positive parenting interactions. Finally, higher maternal depressive symptoms as well as family rigidity were related to increased daily frustrating parenting interactions. Implications for interventions focused on the family system are discussed.
Maternal experience of Lego Therapy in families with children with autism spectrum conditions: What is the impact on family relationships?
Authors: Peckett Helen , MacCallum Fiona , Knibbs Jacky
Published: February 2016

This study aimed to explore mothers’ experience of implementing Lego Therapy at home within the family. Following a Lego Therapy training session, mothers carried out hourly sessions with their child with an autism spectrum condition and the child’s sibling, once a week, for 6 weeks. Mothers were interviewed following the intervention, and the data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Themes emerged around improved family relationships, a positive impact on the child as an individual, and changed maternal, sibling and child perspectives. Challenging and facilitative aspects also emerged, as did some ambivalence about the impact of the intervention in the wider context. The findings are supportive of previous Lego Therapy studies and have implications for strengths-based service provision.
Parent and health care provider perspectives related to disclosure of autism spectrum disorder in pediatric emergency departments
Authors: Muskat Barbara , Greenblatt Andrea , Nicholas David B , Ratnapalan Savithiri , Cohen-Silver Justine , Newton Amanda S , Craig William R , Kilmer Christopher , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie
Published: February 2016

Children and youth with autism spectrum disorder presenting in emergency departments face potential cognitive, sensory, and behavioral challenges, and it is crucial for providers to be aware of their unique needs. However, disclosure of a child’s autism spectrum disorder can be complex for parental caregivers and is not well understood. This qualitative study utilized a grounded theory approach and analyzed data from 28 parents and 16 health care providers related to autism spectrum disorder disclosure within two Canadian pediatric emergency departments. Study results indicated that participants identified benefits and risks of disclosure. Encouraging understanding, expediting service, and preparing health care providers for working with children with autism spectrum disorder were identified as benefits of disclosure. Risks related to disclosure included potential negative attributions toward the children and parental discomfort in disclosing a diagnosis in front of the children. Parents discussed the health care encounters they experienced following disclosure and provided recommendations for improving the disclosure process in the emergency department. It is recommended that future research explore the experiences of parents who choose not to disclose their child’s autism spectrum disorder. Greater awareness of the disclosure experience and the development of resources and tools to support communication between parents and health care providers are also recommended.
Struggling to care: A discursive-material analysis of negotiating agency among HIV-positive MSM
Authors: Canoy Nico A , Ofreneo Mira Alexis P
Published: February 2016

A discursive-materialist framework of agency asserts the mutual constitution of agency within cultural discursive, economic, and embodied material structures. Understanding how HIV-positive men who have sex with men in the Philippines negotiate agency vis-a-vis wider social structures, we utilized Foucault’s care of the self to locate agency in relationships with the self, others, and the broader world. Using data from narratives of 20 Filipino HIV-positive men who have sex with men, we analyzed the negotiation of agency as HIV-positive as embedded in the unique discursive terrain of Roman Catholicism and the economic materiality of a developing country. Three main processes of negotiating agency are elaborated: (1) questioning the spiritual self and the sexual body in the relationship with the self, (2) navigating interpersonal limits to care giving in the relationship with others, and (3) reclaiming human dignity in health care in the relationship with the broader world. Theoretical insights on the discursive and material constitution of healing in light of discursive and material challenges are discussed.
Producing, ratifying, and resisting support in an online support forum
Authors: Kaufman Samantha , Whitehead Kevin A
Published: February 2016

Previous research examining online support forums has tended to focus either on evaluating their effectiveness while paying limited or no attention to the details of the interactions therein, or on features of their social organization, without regard to their effectiveness in fulfilling their stated purposes. In this article, we consider both the interactional features of a forum and participants’ treatment thereof as being effective (or otherwise), thus adopting a view of effectiveness grounded in participants’ proximate orientations and actions. Our analysis demonstrates some ways in which participants produce ratified displays of empathy in response to troubles expressed by another, as well as considering some designedly supportive actions that are treated by their recipients as unsupportive or antagonistic. Our findings indicate some structural features of such forums that facilitate the production of support, while suggesting that claims of knowledge tend to be treated as a basis of resistance to ostensibly supportive actions.
Teachers’ views of the impact of school evaluation and external inspection processes
Authors: Hopkins Elizabeth , Hendry Helen , Garrod Frank , McClare Siobhan , Pettit Daniel , Smith Luke , Burrell Hannah , Temple Jennifer
Published: February 2016

The research explores the views of teachers about how their teaching is evaluated by others. The tensions between evaluations motivated by the drive to improve practice (school self-evaluation) and evaluation related to external accountability (external evaluation – inspection) are considered, linked to findings and ideas reported in the literature. The study was undertaken using interviews (which included reflection on critical incidents during inspection) and incorporated the use of drawings as a research tool. Much of the data gathering and analysis were undertaken by five Third-Year undergraduate Education Studies students working under the direction and tutorage of the author (Hopkins). The findings validated those reported in the literature about the negative experiences of external evaluation (inspection) and point towards ways in which these might be reduced. The use of drawings alongside semistructured interviews proved to be a particularly powerful means of eliciting teachers’ thinking and feeling. The involvement of undergraduates as co-researchers provided them with a rich and authentic opportunity to gain insights into the professional world of teachers which they were preparing to join.
Do Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Enjoy Export-Led Growth? A Comparison of Two Small South Asian Economies
Authors: Shafiullah Muhammad , Navaratnam Ravinthirakumaran
Published: February 2016

The export-led growth (ELG) hypothesis suggests that there is a strong positive linear relationship between a country’s exports and economic growth. For many years, theoretical and empirical studies have examined the causal relationship between exports and economic growth and found that this relationship is one of interdependence rather than of unilateral causation. The purpose of this article is to empirically re-examine the ELG hypothesis in the context of two small South Asian countries: Bangladesh for the period of 1980–2011 and Sri Lanka for the period of 1984–2011. Using a model that controls for a host of domestic and international factors, this article tests the ELG hypothesis by employing the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds test for cointegration and the Granger causality tests. The empirical results confirm the validity of the ELG hypothesis for both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Food Demand in Pakistan
Authors: Hayat Naveed , Hussain Anwar , Yousaf Hazrat
Published: February 2016

This study analyzes the household food demand followed by projecting the future level of demand of selected food commodity groups in Pakistan. It uses Pakistan Panel Household Survey (PPHS) for the year 2010, conducted by Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). The linear approximation/almost ideal demand system (LA/AIDS) model is used to estimate the demand elasticities, while a simple growth model is used for food demand projections. The empirical results reveal that food grains, pulses, ghee, sugar and vegetables are necessities, while milk and meat are luxuries. Pulses and vegetables, ghee and meat, milk and sugar are identified as gross complements on the basis of uncompensated cross-price elasticities. The uncompensated cross-price elasticities of food grains indicate the substitutive relationship between different food items, such as pulses, meat and vegetables. An increase in the household income will induce a substantial expansion in household demand for milk and meat products, but the consumption of these foods will decline if household size grew, ceteris paribus.
Mobile technology appropriation in a distant mirror: Baroquization, creolization, and cannibalism
Authors: Bar François , Weber Matthew S. , Pisani Francis
Published: February 2016

Appropriation is the process through which technology users go beyond mere adoption to make technology their own and to embed it within their social, economic, and political practices. The appropriation process is a negotiation about power and control over the configuration of technology, its uses, and the distribution of its benefits. The negotiation surrounding technology appropriation echoes earlier creative tensions in the New World regarding the appropriation of cultural objects and ideas from abroad. This article reviews existing theoretical approaches to the study of technology appropriation and draws inspiration from three Latin American cultural traditions, baroquization, creolization, and cannibalism. It proposes a new theoretical framework that informs an in-depth study of the social, economic, and political impacts of technology appropriation.
Masticating ‘quality’ and spitting the bits out
Authors: Jones Liz , Rossholt Nina , Anastasiou Thekla , Holmes Rachel
Published: February 2016

This article considers what the repercussions are when the concept of ‘quality’ is examined within the epistemological and ontological theoretical shifts that are afforded by post-humanism. In particular, Braidotti’s configuring of thinking as ‘nomadic activity’ and the need for ‘process ontology’, together with Massumi’s ideas relating to ‘activist philosophy’, create the necessary conceptual space for thinking differently. The article takes as a point of departure ethnographic data that has emerged from the twin locations of Norway and England, which broadly centres on some of the practices, habits and mundanities that are associated with Norwegian and English children (aged between two and four) eating food whilst attending their barnehagene or ‘preschool’ setting. It is within the milieu of eating that the authors take up the challenge of confronting ‘quality’, where they question whether it is possible to put to one side a universal standard so as to consider other potentialities. Inevitably, the authors conclude with more questions than answers.
Optimum selection of nano- and microsized filler for the best combination of physical, mechanical, and wear properties of dental composites
Authors: Kumar Shiv R , Patnaik Amar , Bhat I K , Singh Tej
Published: February 2016

This research work examined series of dental composite materials containing nano-fillers (nanoalumina, nanosilica, and nanozirconia) and micro-filler (gypsum) to determine their effect on the physical, mechanical, and wear properties. The proportions of the silanized fillers varied from 0 to 3 wt.% in an acrylate based (50 wt.% BisGMA, 49 wt.% TEGDMA, 0.2 wt.% Camphorquinone, and 0.8 wt.% ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate by weight) matrix. The physical, chemical, and mechanical tests such as void content, polymerization shrinkage, water sorption, hardness, compressive strength, and flexural strength (FS) were performed. Three body abrasive wear tests were performed in a dental wear simulator machine under varying load, speed, and temperature conditions. The finding of research indicated that the dental composite filled with 3 wt.% silanized nanozirconia exhibited maximum hardness, maximum FS, and maximum wear resistance whereas, dental composite filled with 2 wt.% silanized nanoalumina filler indicated maximum compressive strength. Gray relational analysis method was applied to rank the dental composite using several performance defining attributes. These results indicated that the best combination of mechanical and wear properties were exhibited by dental composite filled with 3 wt.% silanized nanozirconia.
Teaching and learning qualitative methods through the dissertation advising relationship: Perspectives from a professor and a graduate
Authors: Turner George W , Crane Betsy
Published: February 2016

Mastery of qualitative research and its methods can be a challenge for doctoral students who often have had more academic course exposure and practical experience with quantitative research. Qualitative courses frequently provide a theoretical preliminary understanding, but it is the rich “on-the-ground” experience of doing research that synthesizes the learning, allowing a student to fully appreciate qualitative research as their own. This article presents the experience of a doctoral advisor and a student in the process of coaching a qualitative dissertation. Individual reflexivity, dialogic meaning making, and meeting notes from the dissertation process comprise the data sources for this inquiry. The instructor’s teaching approach is discussed as well as the student’s knowledge, values, and skills employed during the learning process. Additionally, two ethical dilemmas encountered by the student are examined, as well as use of a newly minted special education PhD as a qualitative research consultant. Technological tools such as Skype and Dropbox were used to bridge the geographical distance between their locations. Both the advisor and student offer insight into the experience, highlighting what worked well for them, lessons learned, and recommendations for future student/instructor dyads. The student finished his dissertation in four semesters, and won an “Outstanding Dissertation” Award, and is now cowriting subsequent journal articles with his dissertation chair. Thus, it is concluded that teaching qualitative research during the dissertation process creates a bridge between graduate course work and the practical application of qualitative methodology, in order to transition doctoral students to early career PhD-level researchers.
Hierarchies of knowledge: Analyzing inequalities within the social work ethnographic research process as ethical notions in knowledge production
Authors: Mikkonen Enni , Laitinen Merja , Hill Cath
Published: February 2016

This article explores the link between ethical issues and inequalities in social work, ethnographic research processes. It suggests that, although the issue of inequality in social work research has been well documented, it has not been analyzed sufficiently as an ethically important factor in the building and maintaining of research relationships and consequently in the production of knowledge. Furthermore, it discusses how equality and social justice can be promoted in social work research, at both a practical and ideological level, and it aims to investigate how socioeconomic and gender inequalities between the researcher and research participants can lead to epistemological inequalities and can affect knowledge production from an ethical perspective. The analysis in this piece is based on six months of ethnographic fieldwork with two female communities in rural Nepal from 2012 to 2013 and employs a systematic, qualitative analysis of this specific research process. It identifies five ethical notions and their connections to the knowledge production process: “recognizing hidden and silenced knowledge,” “reflecting on the limits of understanding and knowing,” “understanding social hierarchies among research participants,” “understanding gender inequality and patriarchal restrictions,” and “producing good” in the research process. It illustrates that research relationships are characterized by different modalities of power and hierarchy and advocates for reflexivity in the research process, self-reflexivity of the researcher, and the recognition of ethical responsibility. While this study relates to a specific context, parallels can be drawn and related to general social work research.
The Role of a Skills Learning Support Program on First-Generation College Students’ Self-Regulation, Motivation, and Academic Achievement: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Wibrowski Connie R. , Matthews Wendy K. , Kitsantas Anastasia
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to assess the impact of the Skills Learning Support Program (SLSP) aimed to support entering first-generation college students’ motivational beliefs, use of self-regulatory strategies, and academic achievement. The study included 137 students from ethnically diverse cultural backgrounds who were in need of academic, counseling, and financial support. In addition, the study gathered academic data on 739 admitted students who did not participate in the program for comparison. The SLSP students were asked to respond to a number of scales assessing their self-regulation and motivational beliefs at the beginning and end of their freshmen year. Comparison academic data were also collected for all students during the next 4 years until graduation. It was hypothesized that students who participated in the SLSP would experience an increase in their academic self-regulation and motivation by the end of the first year. In addition, it was expected that students in the SLSP group would show similar or higher levels of achievement and graduation rates when compared with other freshman students admitted the same year. Findings revealed that students who enrolled in SLSP reported higher levels of motivation and study skills from the pretest to the posttest assessments. In addition, students enrolled in the program exhibited levels of academic achievement similar to or higher than regularly admitted college freshman during their first year and as they approached graduation. However, these differences in the two groups diminished by the time students graduated. These findings may have important implications for instructors, students, and college administrators.
How the Mall Made Walnut Creek
Authors: Owen Lance
Published: February 2016

In 1951, the San Francisco Bay Area suburb of Walnut Creek welcomed the construction of a major shopping center adjacent to their downtown area—a configuration that would lead municipal planners to prioritize retail development for their city. Walnut Creek’s nonlinear path to retail dominance over the next several decades exemplifies not only the increasingly multivariate climate surrounding suburban retail development in the latter half of the twentieth century but also the increasingly autonomous role of municipal planners who have used retail as a versatile component of suburban spatial development in an age of metropolitan flux.
Characterization and wear performance of boride phases over tool steel substrates
Authors: Vera Cárdenas Edgar E , Lewis Roger , Martínez Pérez Armando I , Bernal Ponce Jose Luis , Pérez Pinal Francisco J , Domínguez Martín Ortiz , Rivera Arreola Eduardo D
Published: February 2016

This research work was conducted to characterize boride phases, obtained from the powder-pack process, on AISI H13 and D2 steel substrates, and investigate their tribological behavior. The boriding was developed at a temperature of 1273 K with an exposure time of 8 h. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were conducted on the borided material to characterize the presence of the FeB, Fe2B, and CrB phases and the distribution of heavy elements on the surface of the substrates. The adherence of the boride layers was evaluated, in a qualitative form, through the Daimler-Benz Rockwell-C indentation technique. Sliding wear tests were then performed using a reciprocating wear test machine. All tests were conducted in dry conditions at room temperature. A frequency of 10 Hz and 15-mm sliding distance were used. The applied Hertzian pressure was 2.01 GPa. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe and analyze the wear mechanisms. Additionally, the variation of the friction coefficient versus the number of cycles was obtained. Experimental results showed that the characteristic wear mechanism for the borided surface was plastic deformation and mild abrasive wear; for unborided substrates, cracking and spalling were observed.
Policing paedophilia: Assembling bodies, spaces and things
Authors: Campbell Elaine
Published: February 2016

In recent years, digital vigilantism, often dubbed ‘paedophile hunting’, has grabbed media headlines in the US, UK and Europe. Though this novel style of policing carries no legal or moral authority, it is nonetheless ‘taking hold’ within a pluralised policing landscape where its effectiveness at apprehending child sex offenders is capturing public attention. While the emergence of digital vigilantism raises normative questions of where the boundaries of citizen involvement in policing affairs might be drawn, this paper is concerned with firstly, how this kind of citizen-led policing initiative comes into being; secondly, how it emerges as an identifiable policing form; and thirdly, how it acquires leverage and makes its presence felt within a mixed economy of (authorised) policing actors, sites and technologies. The paper sets out a detailed case study of a ‘paedophile hunter’ in action, read through a provocative documentary film, first broadcast on mainstream UK television in October 2014. This lays the groundwork for thinking through the cultural relations of digital vigilantism, and how this proliferating mode of policing practice is engendered and mobilised through affective connectivities, performative political imaginaries and culturally-mediated dialogical praxis. In seeking an entry point for theorising emergent policing forms and their connectedness to other policing bodies, spaces and things, the paper concludes with a thumbnail sketch of assemblage thinking.
How cynical can ideal theory be?
Authors: James Aaron
Published: February 2016

This article characterizes the aims of a practice-based method of justification and explains why its form of “ideal theory” need to only assume that a group of agents “ideationally” endorse an aim or end. Our interpretation of a practice, according to its aims or ends, can thus be quite realistic about the selfish or corrupt motives of any particular agent. This helps to answer “selectorate theory” cynics that view rules (in trade, etc.) as equilibrium solutions among elites optimizing for their personal “political survival.” Even when that is so, reason can still have an audience in politics in the “ideational” recognition of values (e.g. as upheld in the classical theory of free trade).
Realism, moralism, models and institutions
Authors: Bertram Christopher
Published: February 2016

This article distinguishes between three methodologies for thinking about justice: principle-based, model-based and ‘realist’, concentrating mainly on the differences between the first two. Both model-based and realist approaches pride themselves on taking institutions seriously and argue that institutions make a fundamental difference to justice. This claim is at best not proven, and it may be possible to account for the difference that institutions make to what justice requires while retaining a non-institutional account of what justice is.
Bleeding in early pregnancy
Authors: Supramaniam Prasanna Raj , Khan Neveen , Suri Sangeeta
Published: February 2016

One of the most-common early pregnancy conditions encountered by GPs is vaginal bleeding. It occurs in approximately 20–25% of all known pregnancies, and although the majority of women present to their local Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit, a significant proportion will still be seen in the primary care setting. Therefore, an understanding of how to manage and assess these women is essential.
Waste dumps in local communities in developing countries and hidden danger to health
Authors: Anetor Gloria O
Published: February 2016

Aim:

The rapid industrialisation and urbanisation fuelled by a fast-growing population has led to the generation of a huge amount of waste in most communities in developing countries. The hidden disorders and health dangers in waste dumps are often ignored. The waste generated in local communities is usually of a mixed type consisting of domestic waste and waste from small-scale industrial activities. Among these wastes are toxic metals, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), halogenated organic compounds, plastics, remnants of paints that are themselves mixtures of hazardous substances, hydrocarbons and petroleum product–contaminated devices. Therefore, there is the urgent need to create an awareness of the harmful health effect of toxic wastes in developing countries, especially Nigeria.

Method:

This is a review aimed at creating awareness on the hidden dangers of waste dumps to health in local communities in developing countries. Many publications in standard outlets use the following keywords: cancer, chemical toxicity, modern environmental health hazards, waste management and waste speciation in PubMed, ISI, Toxbase environmental digest, related base journals, and some standard textbooks, as well as the observation of the researcher between 1959 and 2014.

Results:

Studies revealed the preponderance of toxic chemicals such as Pb, Cd, As and Hg in dump sites that have the risk of entering food chain and groundwater supplies, and these can give rise to endemic malnutrition and may also increase susceptibility to mutagenic substances, thereby increasing the incidence of cancer in developing countries.

Conclusion:

Industrialisation and urbanisation have brought about a change in the waste that is generated in contemporary communities in developing countries. Therefore, there is the need to embrace speciation and sound management of waste, probably including bioremediation.

Recommendation:

The populations in the local communities need regulatory agencies who are health educators as positive change agents.
The effects of downward line extension on brand trust and brand attachment
Authors: Magnoni Fanny
Published: February 2016

This research uses the theoretical framework of the brand–consumer relationship to shed new light on the impact on the brand of downward extension of the line. The results of two experiments show that the weaker the fit-quality between the downward extension and the brand on the one hand, and the more the consumer identifies with the brand on the other, the more brand trust and brand attachment deteriorate. The consumer’s objective familiarity with the brand and the prestigious character of the brand concept moderate these effects. Finally, the change in trust generated by the extension influences the change in attachment.
Relational Accountability in Indigenizing Visual Research for Participatory Communication
Authors: Thomas Verena , Eggins Joys , Papoutsaki Evangelia
Published: February 2016

This article argues that an indigenous approach to communication research allows us to re-think academic approaches of engaging in and evaluating participatory communication research. It takes as its case study the Komuniti Tok Piksa project undertaken in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The project explores ways in which visual methods when paired with a community action approach embedded within an indigenous framework can be used to facilitate social change through meaningful participation. It involves communities to narrate their experiences in regard to HIV and AIDS and assists them in designing and recording their own messages. Local researchers are trained in using visual tools to facilitate this engagement with the communities.
Integration of Religion and Spirituality With Social Work Practice in Disability Issues
Authors: Higashida Masateru
Published: February 2016

This case study examines the integration of religion and spirituality (RS) into disability issues from the perspective of social work in Sri Lanka. Participant observation was applied in the model administrative division of the national community-based rehabilitation (CBR) program in Anuradhapura from February 2013 to January 2015. Theravada Buddhists constitute more than 99% of the population in the area studied. The participation opportunities included group activities, home visits to disabled people, and informal interviews with stakeholders. This study used the author’s field notes, which were based on the participant observation. By applying qualitative analysis, episodes and narratives were summarized into two main categories: RS-related activities and secondary RS-related phenomena. We found that the possible functions of RS practices, by disabled people and the other stakeholders, were alternative education, promotion of participation, and a sense of unity. These findings suggest that integration can be the practice to reconstruct RS aspects in disability issues.
Geoengineering, Scientific Community, and Policymakers
Authors: Pereira Joana Castro
Published: February 2016

Besides mitigation and adaptation, geoengineering has been emerging as a new approach to deal with the challenges posed by anthropogenic climate change. However, the various definitions and designations for the concept and its clusters, as well as their unclear boundaries with the concepts of mitigation and adaptation, distort and invalidate the existence of a valuable debate in both academic and public contexts. Identifying the current overlaps, and making a comparative analysis with two previous proposals for the categorization of responses to anthropogenic climate change, this article presents a new categorization proposal directed to promote the essential rapprochement between the scientific community and policymakers. This proposal removes the term geoengineering, pointing out the advantages of a debate specifically oriented toward each method in particular. It is also explained how each category should be envisaged, rethinking the importance of international cooperation and stressing the decisive impact that public awareness could play in dealing with this challenge.
Dialogic Pedagogy and Educating Preservice Teachers for Critical Multiculturalism
Authors: Abd Elkader Nermine
Published: February 2016

The study investigates the potentials of educating preservice teachers for critical multiculturalism through dialogic pedagogy. The study findings suggest that dialogic pedagogy experienced some successes in encouraging preservice teachers to revise their worldview about certain topics in the multicultural curriculum about which they were not initially open to dialogue. The study should contribute to the literature of dialogic pedagogy and multicultural education in terms of suggesting more democratic educational approaches toward teaching the controversial topics of the multicultural curriculum.
Empathy, Social Dominance Orientation, Mortality Salience, and Perceptions of a Criminal Defendant
Authors: Crawley Donna , Suarez Richard
Published: February 2016

In two studies, participants completed measures of trait empathy and social dominance orientation, read a summary of a hit and run trial, and provided reactions to the case. In Study 1, the three randomly assigned conditions included a prompt to empathize with the victims, the empathy prompt with a mortality salience manipulation, and a control condition. Participants high in trait empathy were harsher in their judgments of the defendant than were low empathy participants, particularly after having read the mortality salience prompt. The results indicated that mortality salience had triggered personality differences. Participants high in social dominance assigned harsher sentences across conditions. Study 2 involved the same paradigm, but the prompts were presented on behalf of the defendant. Despite the pro-defendant slant, the pattern of results was similar to Study 1. Differences by trait empathy were more apparent among participants experiencing mortality salience, and social dominance was related to sentence choices. There were no indications in either study of mortality salience increasing bias against defendants in general or increasing racial bias.