bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telephone-Based Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Improves Dementia Caregivers’ Quality of Life
Authors: Meichsner Franziska , Töpfer Nils F. , Reder Maren , Soellner Renate , Wilz Gabriele
Published: January 2019

The present study examined the effects of a telephone-based cognitive behavioral intervention on dementia caregivers’ quality of life (QoL). A total of 273 caregivers were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The intervention comprised 12 telephone sessions of individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) over 6 months. At baseline, postintervention, and 6-month follow-up, QoL was assessed with the World Health Organization QoL-BREF, which measures perceived QoL for the domains physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment as well as overall QoL and satisfaction with general health. Intention-to-treat analyses using latent change models were performed. At postintervention, intervention group participants reported better overall QoL and satisfaction with general health as well as better physical and psychological health compared to control group participants. Together with existing evidence, the results suggest that the telephone CBT intervention does not only reduce impairments but also fosters improvements in health-related QoL.
Fog server deployment technique: An approach based on computing resource usage
Authors: Lee Jung-Hoon , Chung Sang-Hwa , Kim Won-Suk
Published: January 2019

Cloud computing is a type of Internet-based computing that allows users to access computing resources that are connected to the Internet anytime and anywhere. Recently, as the Internet-of-Things market using the cloud has grown, a tremendous amount of data has been generated, and services requiring low latency are increasing. To solve these problems, a new architecture called fog computing has been proposed. Fog computing can process data on a network device close to the user, drastically reducing the bandwidth required from the network and providing near real-time response. However, not much research has been done on which network devices should be used to deploy the fog server. In this article, we propose a fog server deployment technique to minimize the data movement path in a fog computing environment and a technique to make full use of the computing resources of a fog device through a vector bin packing algorithm in a situation where many services are concentrated on one network device. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can reduce the data movement distance and maximize the utilization of the computing resources of the fog device.
iBeacon indoor localization using trusted-ranges model
Authors: Vy Tuan D , Shin Yoan
Published: January 2019

In this article, we propose an efficient approach to address mobile indoor localization using received signal strength from iBeacon combined with trusted-ranges model. In order to overcome the inconsistency of radio signal propagation, the trusted-ranges model supplies reliable ranges of received signal strength values from a certain number of nearest neighbor iBeacon nodes by classifying received signal strength values into various levels of range. By observing the signal propagation, the trusted-ranges model is built to provide important information for the training phase. Based on this, a partition scheme is applied to effectively determine the position of mobile devices. The experimental results show fast, robust, and accurate localization performance in the proposed method.
Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging for Intraoperative Quantitative Assessment of Intestinal Blood Perfusion During Colorectal Surgery: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Kojima Shigehiro , Sakamoto Tsuguo , Nagai Yuko , Matsui Yutaka , Nambu Kyojiro , Masamune Ken
Published: January 2019

Background. The main limitation of perfusion assessment with indocyanine green fluorescence angiography during colorectal surgery is that the surgeon assesses the quality of perfusion subjectively. The ideal intestinal viability test must be minimally invasive, objective, and reproducible. We evaluated the quantitativity and reproducibility of laser speckle contrast imaging for perfusion assessment during colorectal surgery. Methods. This was a prospective, nonrandomized, pilot study of 8 consecutive patients who underwent elective left-sided colorectal resection. Laser speckle perfusion images at the site of proximal transection of the bowel were obtained intraoperatively. We tested the hypothesis that laser speckle contrast imaging was able to quantitatively identify areas of diminished intestinal perfusion after devascularization and assessed the reproducibility of this method. Results. All surgical procedures were uneventful and blood flow measurements were successfully made in all patients. None of the patients developed postoperative complications related to the anastomosis and stoma. Data analyses were successfully optimized to perform quantitative regional perfusion assessments in all cases. The bowel tissue blood flows of the anal side region adjacent to the transection line were significantly lower than those of the oral side region adjacent to the transection line after ligation of marginal vessels ( P = .012). Interrater reliability was high (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.989), and a Bland-Altman plot showed few differences of mean flux data between 2 investigators. Conclusion. Laser speckle contrast imaging is feasible for real-time assessment of bowel perfusion with quantitativity and excellent reproducibility during colorectal surgery without administration of any contrast agents.
Creating “Memorable Moments” to Excite the Intramural Sports Experience
Authors: Gaskins David A. , King Todd W.
Published: January 2019

While intramural sports contests do not enjoy the same widespread media exposure and attention as collegiate and professional athletics, they still produce special memories for the participants. It is the fun, stress release, joy of teamwork, thrill of competition, opportunity to escape the monotony of everyday life, and the emotional arousal which are generated by recreational sports programs that are the reasons why people participate. The “memorable moments” concept examines strategies on marketing implication and maintaining programmatic quality.

The basic components of a “memorable moment” are intangible elements and include enjoyment or exhilaration, personal value, and something that is atypical. While intangibles result from the competition itself a variety of specific tangible techniques such as a public address announcer, spectator seating, campus media coverage, special promotions and activities, a national anthem, game programs, commercial sponsorship, and videotaping, can be employed to further emphasize and complement these aspects.

The implementation of these tangibles and increasing the attractiveness of the participatory experience has tremendous positive marketing implications. The foremost advantage is the excitement and heightened awareness of programs that is engendered through expanded word-of-mouth. Tangibles also assist in improving visibility of programs and facilitates elevated recognition and exposure throughout the institution. The benefits of these effects often translated into more participants, greater receptiveness toward budget requests, improved networking opportunities both within and outside the institution, and enhanced respect from upper-level administrators.

Although the “memorable moments: concept offers numerous exceptional strengths, its implementation also requires certain important commitments and programming adjustments. Timelines and advance planning are even more crucial when programs include additional enhancements. Furthermore, financial and personnel requirements are increased as well as the time and coordination necessary for special game logistical arrangements. Potential problems and issues must also be addressed. Rescheduling requests, inclement weather, spectator control for large crowds, and decisions related to determining which activities or games will receive special attention, what degree of auxiliary features will be utilized, and how to ensure the “memorable moments” remain something special are the most prominent topics to be considered.

The reasons for participating in intramural sports are many and varied. However, fun, enjoyment, and the thrill of competition are usually at the heart of the decision to become involved in these activities. “Memorable moments” represents an excellent strategy to inspire and magnify thee feelings among participants while also displaying the program on center stage in an extraordinary marketing medium.
Emotional Intelligence: How Much do you Know?
Authors: O'Dell Irma , Glover Regina B.
Published: January 2019

Directors are bombarded daily with personnel management issues. The most efficient way to handle personnel management issues is to prevent them. This article proposes emotional intelligence as an additional vehicle to aid in prevention. Emotional intelligence is a term coined by Yale psychologist Peter Salvoy and is described by University of New Hampshire's John Mayer as understanding one's own feelings, the power to control them and empathy for the feelings of others. The key for more successful managers is to select and/or develop employees who are empathetic and team builders.
Efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke due to cervical artery dissection: A 15-year consecutive case series
Authors: Bernardo Francisco , Nannoni Stefania , Strambo Davide , Puccinelli Francesco , Saliou Guillaume , Michel Patrik , Sirimarco Gaia
Published: January 2019

Background

Limited observational data are available on endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke due to cervical artery dissection. Three studies comparing endovascular treatment with standard medical therapy or intravenous thrombolysis in cervical artery dissection-related acute ischemic stroke did not demonstrate superiority of endovascular treatment. Efficacy and the choice of endovascular treatment technique in this setting remain to be established.

Aims

To assess the potential efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment compared to intravenous thrombolysis alone or to no revascularization treatment in our center.

Methods

We selected all consecutive patients with cervical artery dissection-related acute ischemic stroke and intracranial occlusion from the Acute STroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne between 2003 and 2017. We compared clinical and neuroimaging data of patients treated by endovascular treatment versus patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis or patients without revascularization treatment. Safety analysis included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, major radiological hemorrhages (parenchymal hematoma 1, parenchymal hematoma 2, and subarachnoid hemorrhage) and mortality within seven days. We assessed favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) at three months using a binary logistic regression model.

Results

Of the 109 patients included, 24 had endovascular treatment, 38 received intravenous thrombolysis alone, and 47 had no revascularization treatment. Endovascular treatment patients had a higher rate of recanalization at 24 h. Major radiological hemorrhages occurred more often in endovascular treatment patients (all with bridging therapy) than in patients without revascularization treatment (p = 0.026), with no differences in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or mortality within seven days. Favorable clinical outcome at three months did not differ between groups (endovascular treatment versus intravenous thrombolysis p = 0.407; endovascular treatment versus no revascularization treatment p = 0.580).

Conclusions

In this single-center cohort of cervical artery dissection-related acute ischemic stroke with intracranial occlusion, endovascular treatment with prior intravenous thrombolysis may increase the risk of major radiological but not symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Despite the lack of clear superiority in our cohort, endovascular treatment should currently not be withheld in these patients.
A day of unfinished mourning: Historicizing commemorative practices of Bleiburg among the Croatian diaspora in Argentina
Authors: Židek Nikolina
Published: January 2019

The Croatian post-Second World War diaspora in Argentina developed a specific identity due to the historical context of its exile (the war defeat of the Nazi-aligned Independent State of Croatia, the postwar killings of the defeated troops and the civilians at Bleiburg, Austria, with subsequent death marches in 1945—commonly referred to as “Bleiburg,” and the eventual forced migration) that served as a baseline of its identity across generations. While in Communist Yugoslavia Bleiburg was practically a taboo, the efforts to preserve its memory were carried out by the Croatian political exiles in Argentina as of 1947. This article explores historical memory practices of Bleiburg among the Croatian diaspora in Argentina. Based on an analysis of written, photographic, and audiovisual material, as well as personal testimonies, the study identifies five major periods of memory of the Croatian diaspora in Argentina from 1947 until today. The results of the study show a tendency of double and cumulative victimization: while the first generation was framed as victims of the postwar killings and exile, the post-memory generation also perceives itself as long-term victims of Tito’s Yugoslavia because of being born in Argentina. There is an intergenerational transmission of memory throughout the described five periods, and the real change of generations occurs when the survivors perish and new memory entrepreneurs take over the commemorations. The post-memory generation framed commemorations in such a way that they serve to reinforce their identity and enable them to resignify their community history, while maintaining their sense of uniqueness toward both the country where they were born and the country their grandparents were forced to leave.
Out-of-office blood pressure measurement for the diagnosis of hypertension in pregnancy: Survey of Canadian Obstetric Medicine and Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists
Authors: Tran KC , Potts J , Robertson J , Ly K , Dayan N , Khan NA , Chan W
Published: January 2019

Background

Multiple hypertension guidelines recommend out-of-office measurements for the diagnosis of hypertension in non-pregnant adults, whereas pregnancy guidelines recommend in-office blood pressure measurements. The objective of our study was to determine how Canadian Obstetric Medicine and Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists measure blood pressure in pregnancy.

Methods

An email survey was sent to 69 Canadian Obstetric Medicine and Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists in academic centers across Canada to explore the practice patterns of blood pressure measurement in pregnant women.

Results

The response rate was 48%. The majority of respondents (63.6%) preferred office blood pressure measurement for diagnosing hypertension, but relied on home blood pressure readings for ongoing monitoring and management of hypertension during pregnancy (59.4%). The preferred method of out-of-office blood pressure measurement was home monitoring; 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was not used due to limited availability and cost.

Conclusions

There is wide practice variation in methods of measuring blood pressure among Canadian specialists managing hypertension in pregnancy.
Null effect of scratches made by curling rocks
Authors: Shegelski Mark RA , Lozowski Edward
Published: January 2019

There is disagreement in the literature as to whether scratches made by curling rocks affect the motion of subsequent curling rocks. The aim of this investigation is to provide unequivocal experimental evidence to resolve this disagreement. Such evidence has been obtained by comparing the curl distances (total lateral deflections) of rocks sliding over ice with no scratches to curl distances of rocks sliding over ice completely covered with scratches made by previous curling rocks. The result of this simple experiment is that there is no appreciable difference in the curl distances between the two ice conditions. The conclusion is that the scratches made by curling rocks do not affect the motion of other curling rocks and that the lateral deflection of curling rocks cannot solely be due to scratches made by curling rocks.
Advancing the Use of CGM Devices in a Non-ICU Setting
Authors: Wang Meng , Singh Lakshmi G. , Spanakis Elias K.
Published: January 2019

Improvements in glycemic control using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have been demonstrated in the outpatient setting. Among hospitalized patients the use of CGM is largely investigational, particularly in the non-ICU setting. Although there is no commercially available closed-loop system, it has recently been evaluated in the non–critical care setting. Both CGMs and closed-loop systems may lead to improved glycemic control, decreased length of stay, reduced risk of adverse events related to severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Limitations of inpatient use of CGM and closed-loop systems include lack of FDA approvals, inexperience with this technology, and costs related to supplies. Significant investment may be necessary for hospital staff training and for development of infrastructure to support inpatient use. Additional limitations for CGM systems includes potential inaccuracy of interstitial glucose measurements due to medication interferences, sensor lag, or sensor drift. Limitations for closed-loop systems also includes need for routine monitoring to detect infusion site issues as well as monitoring to ensure adequate insulin supply in reservoir to avoid abrupt cessation of insulin infusion leading to severe hyperglycemia. Hospital staff must be familiar with trouble-shooting and conversion to alternative mode of insulin delivery in the event of insulin pump malfunction. Given these complexities, implementation of closed-loop systems may require involvement of an endocrinology team, limiting widespread adoption. This article reviews current state of CGM and closed-loop system use in the non-ICU setting, available literature, advantages and limitations, as well as suggestions for future CGM design, specifically for the inpatient setting.
The Relationships Between Time in Range, Hyperglycemia Metrics, and HbA1c
Authors: Beck Roy W. , Bergenstal Richard M. , Cheng Peiyao , Kollman Craig , Carlson Anders L. , Johnson Mary L. , Rodbard David
Published: January 2019

Background:

As the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) increases, there is a need to better understand key metrics of time in range 70-180 mg/dL (TIR70-180) and hyperglycemia and how they relate to hemoglobin A1c (A1C).

Methods:

Analyses were conducted utilizing datasets from four randomized trials encompassing 545 adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who had central-laboratory measurements of A1C. CGM metrics were calculated and compared with each other and A1C cross-sectionally and longitudinally.

Results:

Correlations among CGM metrics (TIR70-180, time >180 mg/dL, time >250 mg/dL, mean glucose, area under the curve above 180 mg/dL, high blood glucose index, and time in range 70-140 mg/dL) were typically 0.90 or greater. Correlations of each metric with A1C were lower (absolute values 0.66-0.71 at baseline and 0.73-0.78 at month 6). For a given TIR70-180 percentage, there was a wide range of possible A1C levels that could be associated with that TIR70-180 level. On average, a TIR70-180 of 70% and 50% corresponded with an A1C of approximately 7% and 8%, respectively. There also was considerable spread of change in A1C for a given change in TIR70-180, and vice versa. An increase in TIR70-180 of 10% (2.4 hours per day) corresponded to a decrease in A1C of 0.6%, on average.

Conclusions:

In T1D, CGM measures reflecting hyperglycemia (including TIR and mean glucose) are highly correlated with each other but only moderately correlated with A1C. For a given TIR or change in TIR there is a wide range of possible corresponding A1C values.
Topical Corticosteroid Pretreatment Mitigates Cellular Damage After Caustic Injury to the Nasal Upper Airway Epithelium
Authors: Huang Zhenxiao , Velasquez Nathalia , Nguyen Alan , Ye Ting , Le Wei , Bravo Dawn T. , Hwang Peter H. , Zhou Bing , Nayak Jayakar V.
Published: January 2019

Background

Topical corticosteroids are currently employed to reduce established airway inflammation; their prophylactic use might help limit cellular damage against harmful stimuli.

Objectives

To determine the effects of a prophylactic topical application of budesonide (BD) on an in vivo nasal epithelium injury model induced by trichloroacetic acid (TCA).

Methods

C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to intranasal TCA topical application. Three groups received topical intranasal BD, saline solution, or no intervention prior to a single topical exposure to TCA. Controls were not exposed to TCA. Whole nasal cavity coronal sections were analyzed at 1, 3, and 6 days postinjury at tissue and cellular levels using histopathological analysis, immunofluorescent staining, and fresh tissue RNA microarray analysis.

Results

Prophylactic topical corticosteroid exposure protected the nasal epithelium from acute damage, maintaining epithelial thickness and cell survival. Six days following TCA exposure, epithelial and cellular changes were less pronounced on the BD-treated group compared to all exposure groups. The microarray analysis was used to evaluate the gene transcripts in all treatment groups. Ciliary tip protein, Sentan, and submucosal protein S100b were identified as potential factors in epithelial airway protection; immunofluorescent staining corroborated their presence and location within the respiratory epithelium.

Conclusion

Topical corticosteroid treatment to the nasal epithelium can mitigate several of the early deleterious effects of acute epithelial damage in experimental airway injuries caused by TCA. These findings suggest a novel, direct cytoprotective effect of corticosteroids on the nasal epithelium, and the potential of expanding the use of prophylactic periprocedural topical corticosteroids for respiratory epithelial tissues.
Mortality in US veterans with pulmonary hypertension: a retrospective analysis of survival by subtype and baseline factors
Authors: Trammell Aaron W. , Shah Amit J. , Phillips Lawrence S. , Michael Hart C.
Published: January 2019

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) occurs when the pulmonary vasculature is itself diseased or becomes affected secondarily by comorbid conditions, commonly left heart or lung disease. The high prevalence of chronic cardiopulmonary conditions among patients served by Veterans Health Administration (VHA) suggests this population may be particularly susceptible to PH. We sought to identify clinical features and outcomes in veterans diagnosed with PH. We utilized the VHA Corporate Data Warehouse to identify veterans diagnosed between January 1, 2003 and September 30, 2015, assess relevant patient characteristics and their survival time. The effects of PH subtype and baseline factors on outcome were estimated by Cox modeling. There were 110,564 veterans diagnosed with PH during the study period. These veterans were predominantly male, had median age 70.2, and had a high burden of comorbid conditions. PH was frequently due to left heart and/or lung disease. Average survival after PH diagnosis was 3.88 years. Compared with other types, PH due to left heart disease, lung disease or both had shorter survival. This large retrospective study of veterans demonstrates the significance of PH due to left heart and/or lung disease which was common and had high risk of death. Multi‐comorbidity was common and added to risk. These findings underscore the need for risk assessment tools for subjects with non‐Group 1 PH and novel management strategies to improve their outcome. This study details the largest retrospective cohort assembled for evaluation of secondary PH and allows hypothesis‐generating inquiries into these common conditions that are rarely prospectively studied.
Echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic function in the setting of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Agrawal Vineet , Byrd Benjamin F. , Brittain Evan L.
Published: January 2019

Heart failure due to diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension are frequent comorbid conditions with significant morbidity and mortality. Identifying the presence and etiology of diastolic dysfunction in the setting of pulmonary hypertension remains challenging despite profound therapeutic and prognostic implications. Additionally, there is little guidance in identifying and parsing etiology of diastolic dysfunction in patients found to have pulmonary hypertension. This review discusses the complex interplay between left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. With an explicit focus on the use of echocardiography for determination of diastolic dysfunction and etiology of pulmonary hypertension, this review also provides a comprehensive review of the literature and provides a framework by which to assess diastolic dysfunction echocardiographically in the setting of pulmonary hypertension.
Oesophageal obstruction due to trichobezoars in two cats
Authors: Woerde Dennis J , Hoffmann Karon L , Kicinski Anne , Brown Narelle L
Published: January 2019

Case series summary

This case series describes two cats diagnosed with oesophageal obstruction due to trichobezoars. Both cases presented for acute dyspnoea, with thoracic radiographs revealing changes consistent with oesophageal foreign material causing ventral displacement of the trachea. Endoscopic removal was unsuccessful and both cases required surgical intervention. Case 1 died within 24 h of trichobezoar removal, likely from aspiration pneumonia. Case 2 developed laryngeal collapse 10 days after trichobezoar removal and required a permanent tracheostomy. Case 2 has been followed up for >1 year without any further complications.

Relevance and novel information

There is minimal published information on oesophageal trichobezoars in cats. These cases provide information on presentation, radiographic findings and complications associated with oesophageal trichobezoars. The intention of this case series is to increase the index of suspicion for this syndrome among clinicians treating feline patients.
Cognitive function predicts work disability among multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Kavaliunas Andrius , Tinghög Petter , Friberg Emilie , Olsson Tomas , Alexanderson Kristina , Hillert Jan , Karrenbauer Virginija Danylaite
Published: January 2019

Background

In multiple sclerosis various aspects of cognitive function can be detrimentally affected. More than that, patients´ employment and social functioning is likely to be impacted.

Objective

To determine whether work disability among multiple sclerosis patients could be predicted by the symbol digit modalities test.

Methods

A register-based cohort study was conducted. Individual data on work disability, operationalised as annual net days of sickness absence and/or disability pension were retrieved at baseline, when the symbol digit modalities test was performed, after one-year and 3-year follow-up for 903 multiple sclerosis patients. The incidence rate ratios for work disability were calculated with general estimating equations using a negative binomial distribution and were adjusted for gender, age, educational level, family composition, type of living area and physical disability.

Results

After one year of follow-up, the patients in the lowest symbol digit modalities test quartile were estimated to have a 73% higher rate of work disability when compared to the patients in the highest symbol digit modalities test quartile (incidence rate ratio 1.73, 95% confidence interval 1.42‒2.10). This estimate after 3-year follow-up was similar (incidence rate ratio 1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.40‒2.02).

Conclusion

Cognitive function is to a high extent associated with multiple sclerosis patients’ future work disability, even after adjusting for other factors.
Inclusion of Children With Disabilities in Physical Education in Zimbabwean Primary Schools
Authors: Majoko Tawanda
Published: January 2019

Since Zimbabwe adopted inclusion in 1994 in alignment with the world, the number of children with disabilities educated in regular schools has significantly increased. Teachers experience diverse challenges when including children with disabilities in physical education (PE) in regular classrooms. This qualitative study carried out individual interviews, document analysis and nonparticipant observations with 24 Zimbabwean primary school teachers to explore pedagogical practices for including children with disabilities in PE in regular classrooms. A comparative approach of organizing individual interviews, document analysis and observation data with continual adjustment was used throughout the analysis. Although participants had individual and institutional concerns, including inadequate preparation and resources, about the inclusion of children with disabilities in PE in regular classrooms, they had positive dispositions toward it. Knowing individual children, having positive social relationships with children, fostering positive social relationships among children, supporting collaborative structures and cultures, and utilizing adapted instruction facilitated the inclusion of children with disabilities in PE in regular classrooms. Individual and institutional capacity building, including comprehensive preservice and in-service teacher training and the passage and enforcement of specific policies and legislation on inclusion, could enhance the inclusion of children with disabilities in PE in regular classrooms. This study serves as a baseline for future studies on the subject.
Investigating Early Childhood Teachers’ Perceptions of a Preschool Yoga Program
Authors: Wolff Kenya , Stapp Alicia
Published: January 2019

Yoga for young children has become a growing area of interest in early childhood settings across the United States. Evidence suggests that yoga has the ability to improve young children’s physical development, executive functioning, self-regulation, and can aid in decreasing stress and anxiety. While the scope of research on yoga for young children has primarily focused on the experiences and outcomes of the children who participate, far less is known about the experiences and perceptions of teachers who have engaged in such programs with their students. This study utilized a qualitative case study to investigate teachers’ perceptions of yoga in a school setting. It took place at a laboratory preschool in North Mississippi over the course of 6 months from January to June 2017. A variety of qualitative research methods were employed to garner data including semi-structured interviews, classroom visits, and observations of weekly yoga classes. Findings from the study revealed teachers perceive the benefits of yoga to be increased physical development, self-regulation, and socioemotional skills, along with behavioral and cognitive benefits in the classroom. In addition, teacher buy-in was found to be critical to program success, as the teachers who perceived yoga positively were more willing to incorporate it into their classroom, thus extending its benefits. Of particular interest were reports by preschool teachers of students who continued to use yoga in their daily lives and retain many of the skills learned in yoga even months after they had taken yoga classes.
Environment-Readiness Entrepreneurship Intention Model: The Case of Estonians and the Russian-Speaking Minority in Estonia
Authors: Kallas Elina
Published: January 2019

The entrepreneurship intention research is mainly focused on individual related features, and the aspects of the external environment are not sufficiently considered. The present article aims to present and empirically test the Environment-Readiness Entrepreneurship Intention (EREI) Model, which consists of the perception of the environment (namely, political, economic socio-cultural) and an evaluation of readiness (motivation, attitudes, competencies) to start up a business by potential entrepreneurs. To test the model, the EREI Questionnaire was developed and tested in Estonia on a sample of Estonians and the Russian-speaking minority population. The results of the analysis indicate that the EREI Model shows the following empirical evidence: a higher satisfaction with the external environment and a higher level of readiness lead to higher entrepreneurship intention. There are also significant differences in how the EREI Model manifests for the majority and minority populations. Based on the results, an ethnic minority entrepreneurship obstruction hypotheses is introduced.
Utilization of the Transtheoretical Model to Determine the Qualitative Impact of a Tribal FASD Prevention Program
Authors: Lowrey Olivia , Ciampaglio Kaitlyn , Messerli Jamie L. , Hanson Jessica D.
Published: January 2019

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to damaging effects on an infant’s health, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Project Changing High-risk alcOhol use and Increasing Contraception Effectiveness Study (CHOICES), a program developed to reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancies through decreased alcohol consumption and increased birth control use, has been implemented with success in a variety of populations. The CHOICES program was structured to align with the transtheoretical model (Stages of Change), a popular public health model. Although studies have described the Stages of Change in the context of a variety of health behaviors, none have addressed the qualitatively distinct characteristics of each stage in the context of American Indian (AI) women’s alcohol and birth control use. A framework analysis of 203 participants’ written responses during their experience in the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) CHOICES Program was conducted. As a conceptual framework, the transtheoretical model of behavior change was applied to the participants’ experiences, with two staff reading the open-ended responses and coding based on the stage of change. Participants’ responses suggest qualitatively distinct stages as well as a progression through the stages for both behaviors during the course of the program. Many participants mentioned their children, education, and work as inspiration to decrease their unhealthy behaviors. Common barriers to behavior change were found across both behaviors. The open-ended responses uncover common themes in the experiences of the participants. These results can help inform future programs which hope to address the needs of AI communities.
Analyses of Rhetorical Moves and Linguistic Realizations in Accounting Research Article Abstracts Published in International and Thai-Based Journals
Authors: Amnuai Wirada
Published: January 2019

There has been a growing interest in the rhetorical move structure of research articles (RAs). Research studies reveal that articles written by native and nonnative English speakers show some similarities and differences in their rhetorical structure and linguistic features across disciplines. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the rhetorical moves of English RA abstracts, which were written by authors from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Sixty RA abstracts from two corpora (international corpus and Thai corpus) in the field of accounting were analyzed using Hyland’s framework. The abstracts written by authors of different nationalities and published in internationally scholarly journals were collected for the international corpus, whereas the counterpart consisted of abstracts written by Thai authors and published in indexed Thailand-based journals. Both similarities and differences in terms of rhetorical move and linguistic realizations were found. The use of tenses and voices was quite different not only between the two corpora but also from the previous studies. The findings will provide practical and detailed description of the RA abstracts’ structures of the two corpora. This may lead to pedagogical implications for teaching students how to write accounting English RA abstracts effectively.
Preventing Unintentional Injuries to Children Under 5 in Their Homes: Palestinian Mothers’ Perspectives
Authors: Alrimawi Intima , Watson Michael Craig , Hall Carol , Saifan Ahmad Rajeh
Published: January 2019

Unintentional injuries are a growing global public health problem, causing mortality, morbidity, and disability among children. The rates of injuries were highest among children under the age of 5 years, and this forms a significant burden on health care systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Mothers have a major role to play in the prevention of home injuries, as expressed in many international reports. There is a paucity of research in this area regarding Palestine. Therefore, this study aimed to explore mothers’ perceptions about the prevention of home injuries among children aged under 5 and the potential factors that might influence their injury prevention practices. A qualitative approach was followed, whereby 12 mothers from three settings (rural, refugee camp, and urban) in Ramallah District were purposively selected to participate in this study. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews, and the derived data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study findings suggested that there are many similarities between the perspectives of mothers within the three settings. Most of them had a positive attitude toward preventing home injuries. However, many environmental factors affected their practice, including low economic status, the physical environment of the house, the social environment (e.g., fatalism), and the political environment. The study concluded that the causes of in-home injuries in Ramallah District are embedded within the families’ social and economic status and are influenced by the surrounding environment. Consequently, it supports the use of multiple intervention strategies within a holistic approach that acknowledges these factors to help prevent future home injuries.
College Students’ Multitasking Behavior in Online Versus Face-to-Face Courses
Authors: Lepp Andrew , Barkley Jacob E. , Karpinski Aryn C. , Singh Shweta
Published: January 2019

This study compared college students’ multitasking in online courses with their multitasking in face-to-face courses and explored the significance of potential predictors of multitasking in each setting. Students taking both online and face-to-face courses completed surveys assessing multitasking in each setting, self-efficacy for self-regulated learning (SE:SRL), Internet addiction, multitasking tendency, age, and sex. Multitasking was significantly greater in online than face-to-face courses. Internet addiction was positively associated with multitasking in online and face-to-face courses. Multitasking tendency was positively and age was negatively associated with multitasking during online courses only; SE:SRL was negatively associated with multitasking during face-to-face courses only. In conclusion, multitasking was greatest during online courses. Furthermore, there were different sets of predictors for students’ multitasking in online courses compared with face-to-face courses. This implies that multitasking in online and face-to-face courses are different phenomena and therefore may require different pedagogical methods to successfully minimize multitasking behaviors.
Uncharacteristic foreign policy behavior: Sharon’s decision to withdraw from Gaza
Authors: Kesgin Baris
Published: January 2019

When leaders depart from their long-held, publicly known policy positions, one possible explanation is changes in their personality. This paper inquires about one example: Ariel Sharon’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Middle East observers long believed that Sharon was one of the last Israelis to cede any territory to Palestinians; alas, that became the decision to mark Sharon’s reign as prime minister. The “bulldozer” decided to evacuate the homes he had built. Assuming that Gaza disengagement implied a significant reassessment of Sharon’s previously held policy preferences, this paper asks if Sharon changed. Using leadership trait analysis, the paper develops two profiles of Sharon, before and during his premiership. Sharon is then profiled in three phases during his tenure: first term, second term until the announcement of disengagement, and until the end of his tenure. In making his decision, Sharon temporarily became a complex thinker, yet did not change in his distrust or develop empathy to the Palestinians. The findings suggest that leaders can experience a fundamental but temporary change to implement radically different decisions, and confirm that leaders’ traits are stable over time.
Shareholder Value Creation: A Review of the Theoretical and Empirical Literature
Authors: Venugopal Merugu , Ravindar Reddy M.  , Bhanu Prakash Sharma G.
Published: January 2019

The article attempts to study in detail the significance of shareholder value creation in the companies in emerging markets and reviews the research articles and studies available in categories such as importance, empirical evidence and drivers of shareholder value creation. The purpose of this article is to give an insight into shareholder value in the first section followed by the empirical evidence and drivers of the shareholder value. For this purpose of review, the article considers various studies made on shareholder value creation published by various recognised and other recognised sources. It is observed that shareholder value creation is the most important objective in this competitive business environment to maintain the long-term relationship with the investors. The empirical evidence attempts to prove that value-based measures outperform the traditional accounting measures. The article tries to investigate the need for finding the superior measure among the shareholder value performance measures and recommends the need for reviewing the traditional performance methods.
Co-integration Between Sensex and Other Popular Indices: A Decadal Study
Authors: Bhatia Parul , Ramasubramanian Hemalatha
Published: January 2019

We examine the inter-relationship between India, the USA, Japan, China, France, Dubai and Germany using multivariate co-integration techniques. The study has investigated co-movements between these world indices from 2009 to 2018. During this period, it was found using Johansen co-integration that these indices were co-integrated in the long run. However, in the vector error correction model, long-run causality could not be found. Thereafter with Wald-χ2 diagnostics, it was found that short-run linkages existed among Indian and rest of the world markets in the study. Therefore, the seven indices may be concluded to have causal relationship in the short run and co-integrating association in the long run.
Building Commitment in Supplier–Retailer Relationship in Developing Economies: The Case of Tanzania
Authors: Nandonde Felix Adamu
Published: January 2019

This article investigates the establishment of commitment in developing economies between suppliers and retailers. Previous studies in supplier–retailer commitment relationship used data only from one side. Furthermore, knowledge of institutions governing relational exchanges was limited. Network relationship theory and cross-case analysis of sixteen cases that comprised retailers and suppliers were used. The study shows that affective and behavioural commitments are important in understanding the level of relationship between retailers and suppliers in Tanzania. Implications of the study and areas for further research were provided.
Interlocking practices and their influence in the home
Authors: Breadsell Jessica , Eon Christine , Morrison Greg , Kashima Yoshihisa
Published: January 2019

When people move into sustainable houses, they bring practices with them that have temporally evolved along with their daily lives. A common misconception is that change to individuals’ resource use can be persuaded without consideration of previous practices. However, it has been observed that energy efficient or smart buildings do not always perform as expected due to a lack of occupant skills, time or motivations. The successful adoption of technology is dependent on the understanding of these underlying practices, which should be considered at the building planning stage. The recently developed concept of the Home System of Practice was employed in this research to study home dwellers through living laboratory mixed methods, allowing for an in-depth examination of their daily lives, routines, habits and practices. The personal hygiene, thermal comfort, clothes drying, garden watering and waste practices of 14 households were examined. Results identified Home System of Practices with different degrees of interlocking and highlighted how various combinations of meaning, skill and technology elements of a practice as well as contextual influences can affect resource use. These insights can be used by urban planners to facilitate a co-creation process with end-users and develop innovative solutions to enable resource reduction while ensuring that resident needs and comfort are maintained.
Subaerial sulfate mineral formation related to acid aerosols at the Zhenzhu Spring, Tengchong, China
Authors: Luo Lianchao , Wen Huaguo , Zheng Rongcai , Liu Ran , Li Yi , Luo Xiaotong , You Yaxian
Published: January 2019

The Zhenzhu Spring, located in the Tengchong volcanic field, Yunnan, China, is an acid hot spring with high SO42−concentrations and intense acid aerosol generation. In order to understand the formation mechanism of sulfate minerals at the Zhenzhu Spring and provide a better insight into the sulfur isotope geochemistry of the associated Rehai hydrothermal system, we investigated the spring water hydrochemistry, mineralogy and major-element geochemistry of sulfate minerals at the Zhenzhu Spring together with the sulfur-oxygen isotope geochemistry of sulfur-containing materials at the Rehai geothermal field and compared the isotope results with those in other steam-heated environments. Subaerial minerals include a wide variety of sulfate minerals (gypsum, alunogen, pickeringite, tamarugite, magnesiovoltaite and a minor Mg–S–O phase) and amorphous SiO2. The δ34S values of the subaerial sulfate minerals at the Zhenzhu Spring varied subtly from –0.33 to 1.88‰ and were almost consistent with the δ34S values of local H2S (–2.6 to 0.6‰) and dissolved SO42−(–0.2 to 5.8‰), while the δ18O values (–8.94 to 20.1‰) were between that of the spring waters (–10.19 to –6.7‰) and atmospheric O2(~23.88‰). The results suggest that most of the sulfate minerals are derived from the oxidation of H2S, similar to many sulfate minerals from modern steam-heated environments. However, the rapid environmental change (different ratio of atmospheric and water oxygen) at the Zhenzhu Spring accounts for the large variation of δ18O. The formation of subaerial sulfate minerals around the Zhenzhu Spring is related to acid aerosols (vapour and acid water droplets). The intense activity of spring water around vents supply the aerosol with H2SO4(H2S oxidation and acid water droplets formed by bubble bursting) and few cations. Deposition of the acid sulfate aerosol forms the acid condensate, which attacks the underlying rocks and releases many cations and anions to form subaerial sulfate minerals at the Zhenzhu Spring.