bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Toothbrushing Frequency on Incidence and Increment of Dental Caries
Authors: Kumar S. , Tadakamadla J. , Johnson N.W.
Published: June 2016

Toothbrushing is considered fundamental self-care behavior for maintenance of oral health, and brushing twice a day has become a social norm, but the evidence base for this frequency is weak. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the effect of toothbrushing frequency on the incidence and increment of carious lesions. Medline, Embase, Cinahl, and Cochrane databases were searched. Screening and quality assessment were performed by 2 independent reviewers. Three different meta-analyses were conducted: 2 based on the caries outcome reported in the studies (incidence and increment) with subgroup analyses of categories of toothbrushing frequency; another included all studies irrespective of the caries outcome reported with the type of dentition as subgroups. Meta-regression was conducted to assess the influence of sample size, follow-up period, diagnosis level for carious lesions, and methodological quality of the articles on the effect estimate. Searches retrieved 5,494 titles: after removing duplicates, 4,305 remained. Of these, 74 were reviewed in full, but only 33 were eligible for inclusion. Self-reported infrequent brushers demonstrated higher incidence (odds ratio [OR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34 to 1.69) and increment (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.28; 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.44) of carious lesions than frequent brushers. The odds of having carious lesions differed little when subgroup analysis was conducted to compare the incidence between ≥2 times/d vs <2 times/d (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.74) and ≥1 time/d vs <1 time/d brushers (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.37 to 1.78). When meta-analysis was conducted with the type of dentition as subgroups, the effect of infrequent brushing on incidence and increment of carious lesions was higher in deciduous (OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.49 to 2.06) than permanent dentition (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.29 to 1.49). Findings from meta-regression indicated that none of the included variables influenced the effect estimate.
Infective endocarditis in patients on haemodialysis – possible strategies for prevention
Authors: Oun Hadi A , Price Andrew J , Traynor Jamie P
Published: June 2016

Background and aims

Infective endocarditis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients receiving haemodialysis for established renal failure. We carried out a prospective audit of patients developing infective endocarditis in a single renal unit.

Methods and results

From 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2013, we collected data on all cases of endocarditis occurring in patients receiving haemodialysis at Monklands Hospital, Airdrie. Twenty-nine patients developed endocarditis during our audit period. Twenty-three (79.3%) of the patients had pre-existing cardiac valve abnormalities such as regurgitation or calcification. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common microorganism cultured from the blood of 22 patients (75.9%). MRSA bacteraemia was identified in eight of these patients and all eight patients died during that first presentation. Different strategies were introduced within the unit during the audit period aiming to reduce the rate of bacteraemia. Since 2011, a successful strategy has been introduced under the auspices of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme. This led to our Staph aureus bacteraemia rate related to non-tunnelled venous catheters going from an average of 15 days between episodes to having had no episodes between 2 December 2011 and the end of the study period (760 days). This also appears to have had a positive impact on reducing the rate of endocarditis.

Conclusion

Infective endocarditis remains a devastating consequence of bacteraemia in patients receiving haemodialysis. An effective strategy aimed at reducing the rate of bacteraemia appears to have a similar effect on the rate of endocarditis.
Socio-spatial factors associated with ethnic inequalities in districts of England and Wales, 2001–2011
Authors: Lymperopoulou Kitty , Finney Nissa
Published: June 2016

This paper explores the changing geography of ethnic inequality in England and Wales drawing on data from the 2001 and 2011 censuses. Specifically, we use the 2011 Office for National Statistics (ONS) area classification to examine how ethnic inequalities within local areas with different demographic and socio-economic characteristics have changed over time. Local ethnic inequalities are examined through a set of indicators which capture differences in housing, health, employment and education between ethnic minority groups and the White British in local authority districts in England and Wales. The results suggest that ethnic inequalities are widespread and persistent, and highlight the different ways in which inequalities manifest for particular ethnic groups in different localities. Ethnic inequality in housing and employment is severe for most ethnic minority groups, particularly in large urban areas that have been traditional settlement areas for ethnic minorities. However, inequalities increased most over the decade 2001–2011 in rural and coastal areas that have low ethnic diversity levels and small ethnic minority populations. The paper considers these findings in relation to theories of service provision and racism, ethnic density, and immigrant adaptation.
A hedonic approach to burial plot value in French cemeteries
Authors: Faye Benoit , Channac Frédérique
Published: June 2016

Cemeteries are typical urban fixtures occupying a vast portion – at least 0.5% – of municipal territories. However, urban economists have generally neglected this topic to date. Our paper establishes the main determinants of pricing for burial plots, excluding columbaria. We analyse the prices proposed by 185 cemeteries from 42 large French cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. We use a specified Ln-Ln hedonistic model. Our results highlight the complexity of cities’ pricing, as these strategies imply the combination of several determinants, such as the main features of the burial concessions (term, surface area, location within the boundaries of the cemetery, etc.), the environment defined within and outside the cemetery (type of cemetery, cemetery’s surface area, existence of verdant areas, etc.) and various other urban features (population structure, real estate prices, purchasing power).
Schoolyard Politics
Authors: Mallinson Daniel J.
Published: June 2016

Bullying is a vexing social and policy problem in the United States. Education scholars consistently advocate for comprehensive antibullying policies; however, the forty-nine states that have adopted antibullying programs vary in their embrace of this approach. This article addresses the question of why this is the case. First, it provides a new measure of bullying policy comprehensiveness using item response theory. Second, it examines how social and demographic characteristics, as well as neighbor-state policies, relate to this new measure. I find that a state’s support for enumerated groups and the availability of slack financial resources are the strongest explanations for variation in antibullying measures. There is also weak evidence consistent with a backlash effect, whereby states whose neighbors have more comprehensive policies adopt less comprehensive legislation. Thus, bullying policies are driven, in part, by state responsiveness to vulnerable populations but are also constrained by the realities of finite resources.
Disability, perceived discrimination and political participation
Authors: Mattila Mikko , Papageorgiou Achillefs
Published: June 2016

Disability affects the lives of hundreds of millions across the world. People with disabilities often experience discrimination and unequal treatment. Sometimes the mere categorization of people into groups, that is, ‘healthy’ vs. ‘disabled’, is enough to trigger discriminatory behaviour against people with disabilities. Previous studies show that in general disabilities depress political participation. However, the effect of disability-based discrimination on participation has received little scholarly attention. We study how perceptions of discrimination affect three forms of political participation: voting; contacting politicians; and participating in demonstrations. Results show that disability decreases voting, especially when associated with perceptions of discrimination. The analysis points in the opposite direction when the other two forms of political participation are analysed. People with disabilities are more likely to partake in demonstrations and contact politicians than non-disabled. Thus, disability-based discrimination is not always a hindrance to participation. It sometimes further motivates people with disabilities to participate.
Influence of Health Literacy on HRQoL in Patients After PCI
Authors: Son Youn-Jung , Yu Hye Yon
Published: June 2016

Among increased concerns about the adverse health outcomes of inadequate health literacy, it still remains unclear how health literacy influences health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the impact of health literacy on HRQoL in PCI patients at 6 months after discharge. This study used a self-reported questionnaire to assess health literacy, medication knowledge, and HRQoL in 238 patients. In hierarchical linear regression, health literacy was the strongest predictor of HRQoL after adjusting confounding factors (β = .23, p = .003). In addition, this study showed that medication knowledge acted as a partial mediator between health literacy and HRQoL. In conclusion, adequate health literacy is a contributing factor to better HRQoL in patients after PCI, and health literacy can lead to improved HRQoL in PCI patients through the acquisition of sufficient medication knowledge.
Why Gaia is not a God of Totality
Authors: Latour Bruno
Published: June 2016

Biology and politics have always been permeable to one another, trading metaphors back and forth. This is nowhere more blatant than when people claim to talk about ‘the planet’ as a whole. James Lovelock’s concept of Gaia has often been interpreted as a godlike figure. By reviewing in some detail a critical assessment of Lovelock’s Gaia by one scientist, Toby Tyrrell, the paper tries to map out why it is so difficult for natural as well as social scientists not to confuse Gaia with some sort of Providence.
Developing Students’ Cultural Intelligence Through an Experiential Learning Activity
Authors: Kurpis Lada Helen , Hunter James
Published: June 2016

Business schools can increase their competitiveness by offering students intercultural skills development opportunities integrated into the traditional curricula. This article makes a contribution by proposing an approach to developing students’ cultural intelligence that is based on the cultural intelligence (CQ) model, experiential learning theory, and contact theory. This study empirically tests the effectiveness of the proposed approach by developing and conducting a cost-efficient, easy-to-implement experiential learning activity where marketing students and advanced English as a Second Language students interview each other about consumer behavior differences. The activity led to a perceived increase in cultural knowledge, motivation, and confidence in the students’ ability to communicate with people from other cultures. Overall, students deemed the activity a valuable part of their education. Students’ CQ was positively correlated with the self-reported (perceived) prior experience-based and studies-based intercultural competence. Compared with domestic students, international students scored higher only on the Cognitive dimension of CQ.
Win, lose, or draw in the fog of civil war
Authors: Greig J Michael , Mason T David , Hamner Jesse
Published: June 2016

Civil war outcome studies have used expected utility logic to identify factors that affect actors’ estimates of the probability of victory, the payoffs from victory vs defeat, and the accumulated costs of fighting until victory is achieved. Tests have used static measures of national attributes and war characteristics, measured prior to the war or at its end. We use UCDP Georeferenced Event Data from 73 civil conflicts in Africa to estimate how changes in government and rebel tactical choices on where and when to fight battles affect expected utility estimates and, therefore, civil war outcomes.
Gender Microaggressions as a Gateway to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault
Authors: Gartner Rachel E. , Sterzing Paul R.
Published: June 2016

A problem with the current conceptualization of youth sexual violence is its exclusion of chronic, “low-severity” forms of violence known as gender microaggressions. A review of the sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender microaggression literatures is undertaken to identify the unique and overlapping characteristics of each construct. A theoretically grounded conceptualization of youth sexual violence is presented with gender microaggressions, sexual harassment, and sexual assault existing along a continuum from chronic, low-severity to infrequent, “high-severity” offenses. In this reconceptualization, gender microaggressions exist as a unique form of youth sexual violence and function as a potential “gateway mechanism” to legally actionable offenses.
Breastfeeding in Obese versus Normal-Weight German Mothers of Various Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Grube Matthias , Keitel-Korndörfer Anja , Bergmann Sarah , Wendt Verena , von Klitzing Kai , Petroff David
Published: June 2016

Background:

To a large extent, breastfeeding practices depend on cultural norms. It is thus of particular importance to examine these practices in various settings, especially when considering the effect of complex factors, such as body mass index (BMI) or socioeconomic status.

Objective:

This study aimed to compare the breastfeeding practices of obese mothers with those of normal weight, taking into account social and economic status.

Methods:

Obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and normal-weight (18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2) mothers with children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years were recruited for this study in Leipzig, Germany, via newspaper ads and other means. Kaplan-Meier curves for portraying breastfeeding over time were analyzed using Cox regression after checking the proportional hazards model.

Results:

Eighty obese and 70 normal-weight mothers were recruited. Significantly fewer obese mothers breastfed (84%) than normal-weight mothers (96%) (95% confidence interval [CI] for the difference is 3 to 22 percentage points, P = .02). Even after adjusting for the level of education and family income, breastfeeding duration was significantly shorter (2.7 months; 95% CI, 0.8-4.6 months; P = .005) in the obese group than in the normal-weight group.

Conclusion:

Our findings demonstrate that even at the earliest stages, breastfeeding behavior of obese mothers differs from that of normal-weight mothers.
Knowing Death Well: Intimate and Contextual Death Competence among End-of-Life Laborers
Authors: Erickson Karla A.
Published: June 2016

End-of-life workers, regardless of occupational status, work against a transformed culture of death and dying. Against that backdrop of technological brinkmanship, segregation of aging and dying from other aspects of life, and a cultural denial of death’s inevitability, end-of-life workers develop competence and expertise; however, that competence varies, shaped by the training and occupational status of its purveyors. Based on three years of participant observation and interviews with end-of-life laborers, I identify two types of death competence—intimate and contextual—that develop at different levels of the occupational hierarchy. One situates death philosophically and morally, the other garners insight from the body to sustain elders’ personhood in the face of diminishing capacities. These ways of knowing are valuable in a death-denying culture. Surfacing the less apparent expertise of nurse’s aides also contributes to existing social theory about death competence and raises questions about occupational knowledge more generally.
What Explains Differences in Availability of Community Health-Related Services for Seniors in the United States?
Authors: Warner Mildred E. , Xu Yuanshuo , Morken Lydia J.
Published: June 2016

Objective: This study analyzes the links between planning, the built environment, and availability of health-related community services across U.S. urban and rural communities. Method: We analyze the first national survey of health-related community services for seniors (2010 Maturing of America), covering 1,459 U.S. cities and counties. We tested the influence of morbidity (diabetes and obesity), city management, socioeconomic characteristics, planning and the built environment, metro status, and government finance. Results: Community health-related services are more common in places that plan for and involve seniors in planning processes. Places with higher need and government capacity also show higher levels. Service levels in rural communities are not lower after controlling for other population characteristics. Morbidity measures (diabetes and obesity) do not explain differences in service availability. Discussion: Policies promoting planning for aging and elder involvement in the planning process have the greatest impact on the level of community health-related services for seniors.
Geometric considerations in the capture of localized flow reversal in centrifugal compressor vaneless diffusers using steady state simulations
Authors: Clarke Chris , Marechale Russell , Engeda Abraham , Cave Michael
Published: June 2016

A steady state simulation procedure is proposed to capture localized flow reversal inside of a centrifugal compressor vaneless diffuser. The procedure was performed on 12 compressor stages of varying geometry for speed lines of 13,100, 19,240, and 21,870 r/min. The simulations were run for all points from choke to surge including the experimentally determined rotating stall onset point. The experimental data and geometry were provided by Solar Turbines Inc. San Diego, CA. It was found possible to capture localized flow reversal inside of a vaneless diffuser using a steady state simulation. The results showed that using a geometric parameter, comparing the diffuser width, b4, to the impeller blade pitch distance, dpitch, it could be determined whether or not a steady state simulation could capture localized flow reversal. For values of b4/dpitch beneath 0.152 flow reversal could not be captured. But, for values of b4/dpitch above 0.177 localized flow reversal was captured. For values between 0.152 and 0.177, no conclusions could be drawn. Where possible, experimental data were compared against the diffuser inlet and outlet numerical profiles and the meridional contour plot. These comparisons served to validate the approach used in this article. These validations showed that the procedure defined herein is accurate and trustworthy within a specific range of geometric and flow characteristics. There are two other conclusions. First, the b4/dpitch parameter helps to define the type of flow breakdown. For b4/dpitch below 0.152, the flow breaks down in the circumferential direction, but for values of b4/dpitch above 0.177, the flow breaks down in the span-wise direction. Second, the simulations were able to capture instances of localized flow reversal before rotating stall onset. This concludes that localized flow reversal is not the determining factor in rotating stall onset as has been suggested by other investigators.
Comparative study of alternative biofuels on aircraft engine performance
Authors: Azami Muhammad Hanafi , Savill Mark
Published: June 2016

Aviation industries are vulnerable to the energy crisis and simultaneously posed environmental concerns. Proposed engine technology advancements could reduce the environmental impact and energy consumption. Substituting the source of jet fuel from fossil-based fuel to biomass-based fuel will help reduce emissions and minimize the energy crisis. The present paper addresses the analysis of aircraft engine performance in terms of thrust, fuel flow and specific fuel consumption at different mixing ratio percentages (20%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 80%) of alternative biofuel blends already used in flight test (Algae biofuel, Camelina biofuel and Jatropha biofuel) at different flight conditions. In-house computer software codes, PYTHIA and TURBOMATCH, were used for the analysis and modeling of a three-shaft high-bypass-ratio engine which is similar to RB211-524. The engine model was verified and validated with open literature found in the test program of bio-synthetic paraffinic kerosene in commercial aircraft. The results indicated that lower heating value had a significant influence on thrust, fuel flow and specific fuel consumption at every flight condition and at all mixing ratio percentages. Wide lower heating value differences between two fuels give a large variation on the engine performances. Blended Kerosene–Jatropha biofuel and Kerosene–Camelina biofuel showed an improvement on gross thrust, net thrust, reduction of fuel flow and specific fuel consumption at every mixing ratio percentage and at different flight conditions. Moreover, the pure alternative of Jatropha biofuel and Camelina biofuel gave much better engine performances. This was not the case for the Kerosene–Algae blended biofuel. This study is a crucial step in understanding the influence of different blended alternative biofuels on the performance of aircraft engines.
Dexmedetomidine increases acetylation level of histone through ERK1/2 pathway in dopamine neuron
Authors: Hu S-P , Zhao J-J , Wang W-X , Liu Y , Wu H-F , Chen C , Yu L , Gui J-B
Published: June 2016

Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist with sedation, anesthetic sparing, analgesia, sympatholytic, and neuroprotective properties. This study evaluated neuroprotective effects of dexmedetomidine on dopamine neurons correlated to histone acetylation via extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway. Animals were randomly assigned to four groups and treatments were given as onetime doses: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; n = 6), dexmedetomidine 1 mg/kg ( n = 6), 10 mg/kg ( n = 6), and 100 mg/kg ( n = 6). Acetylation histone protein levels and ERK protein levels in rats dopamine neuron from striatum were determined by Western blotting after various doses of dexmedetomidine (1, 10, and 100 mg/kg) treatments. The messenger RNA expression related to signal transduction coupled to 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (5-HTR) in striatum was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Dexmedetomidine administration increased expression of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and histones H3 acetylation. PD098059, an inhibitor of pERK1/2, almost completely blocked dexmedetomidine-induced histones H3 acetylation. In addition, bioinformatics analysis in combination with qRT-PCR demonstrated that dexmedetomidine could regulate the genes that are related to signal transduction coupled to 5-HTR via α2-adrenoceptor. Our results define dexmedetomidine as a modulator of histones H3 acetylation via ERK1/2 signaling pathway in dopamine neuron from striatum, which may provide clues for the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of dexmedetomidine.
The information-seeking behaviour of Kuwaiti judges
Authors: Mansour Essam , Ghuloum Husain
Published: June 2016

The key purpose of this study is to show the information-seeking behaviour of Kuwaiti judges. Being one of the few studies about the information needs and information-seeking behaviour conducted in Arab and developing countries, this study is a pioneer one among many studies conducted in information seeking, especially with this significant group of information users. The authors tried to investigate this seeking behavior in terms of Kuwaiti judges’ thoughts, perceptions, motivations, techniques, preferences, tools and barriers met when seeking information. The authors employed a questionnaire, with a response rate of 77.2%. This study showed that most Kuwaiti judges were likely to be older, educated and with a work experience ranging from new to old. There was a statistically reliable significant difference between Kuwaiti judges’ demographic characteristics and some sources of information, such as books, encyclopedias, references and mass media. Kuwaiti judges were using information moderately to make decisions, to be in line with current events, to collect statistics and to do specific/general research. The office and home were the most frequent location from which Kuwaiti judges were accessing information. Their efficiency level in the English language was described to be moderately good, and a number of them confirmed that their efficiency level in French was not bad. The assistance provided by colleagues, followed by consultants, translators, secretaries and librarians were found to be the strongest types of assistance needed when seeking information. Mobile apps, followed by PCs, information networks (the Internet) and information databases were the highest technology tool used. Printed materials, followed by non-printed and audiovisual materials were the most preferred information formats used. The use of languages, the recency of information and the place of information, the deficit in the library’s role to deliver information were at least significant barriers to Kuwaiti judges when seeking information.
Dietary micronutrient intake and atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lourdudoss C , Elkan A-C , Hafström I , Jogestrand T , Gustafsson T , van Vollenhoven R , Frostegård J
Published: June 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of dietary micronutrient intake in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

This study included 111 SLE patients and 118 age and gender-matched controls. Data on diet (food frequency questionnaires) were linked with data on Systemic Lupus Activity Measure, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and carotid atherosclerotic/echolucent plaque (B-mode ultrasound). Dietary micronutrient intake were compared between SLE patients and controls and in relation to lupus activity and atherosclerosis in SLE. Associations between micronutrient intake and plaque were analyzed through logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Micronutrient intake did not differ between patients and controls, and between lower and higher lupus activity, apart from the fact that phosphorus was associated with SLEDAI > 6. In SLE patients, some micronutrients were associated with atherosclerotic plaque, left side. Lower intake of riboflavin and phosphorus was associated with atherosclerotic plaque, left side (odds ratio (OR) 3.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–8.40 and OR 4.36, 95% CI 1.53–12.39, respectively). Higher intake of selenium and thiamin was inversely associated with atherosclerotic plaque, left side (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09–0.89 and OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08–0.80, respectively). In addition, higher intake of thiamin was inversely associated with echolucent plaque, left side (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.84). Lower intake of folate was inversely associated with bilateral echolucent plaque (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.13–0.99).

Conclusions

SLE patients did not have different dietary micronutrient intake compared to controls. Phosphorus was associated with lupus activity. Riboflavin, phosphorus, selenium and thiamin were inversely associated with atherosclerotic plaque, left side in SLE patients, but not in controls. Dietary micronutrients may play a role in atherosclerosis in SLE.
Rethinking and Redefining the Determinants of Corporate Profitability
Authors: Batra Roopali , Kalia Ashima
Published: June 2016

Today, the economic scenario has become highly turbulent and competitive, with the companies being exposed to multitude of risks. Increasingly, companies are in a twirl of shrinking profits and diminishing market capitalization. The question as to why some firms succeed while others fail to compete and evolve through chaotic times is today one of the most important issues of organization studies. The present research addresses the value and impact of firm-specific factors on the corporate profitability. It aims at understanding and analyzing the pervasive relationship between the firm-specific factors of firm size, liquidity and capital structure (financial leverage). A sample of 50 Indian companies was selected randomly from the companies listed on Bombay Stock Exchange. Correlation and multiple regression technique were used to analyze the relationship among these firm-specific factors and corporate profitability. Correlation and regression results reveal a significant positive relationship between firm size and corporate profitability. With an increase in the scale of investment, the company’s profits showed an upstream. Capital structure exhibits a significant negative relationship with corporate profitability, consequently with an increase in debt-equity ratio, the company’s profits showed a downstream. However, liquidity had an insignificant negative association with profitability. The value of this research lies in highlighting those specific firm factors that need to be revamped to augment corporate profits. The research has strong implications for industry practitioners. Increasing the scale of the business can act as an added boon to the firm. However, increasing leverage and liquidity to higher degrees may be a big bane. The pervasive relationship that exists between different firm-specific factors and corporate profits highlights the need to revamp, redesign and rebuild the firm size, capital structure and working capital management.
Evolution of reporting and control for churches and charities in the United States: A study of the Southern Baptist Convention Annuals, 1845–2010
Authors: Heier Jan Richard
Published: June 2016

From its inception in 1845, the Southern Baptist Convention has always had a theologically-based stewardship focus regarding its donated funds and developed financial controls early on that required audits and bonding of church officials. This stewardship focus has been maintained over its 165-year history. Finally, the Convention’s Meeting Annuals show a comprehensive view of the evolution of accounting control and reporting for religious and secular not-for-profit organizations from simple double entry accounting methods to more sophisticated GAAP-based financial reporting.
Accounting and charity: How to read the “pink” in accounting in the first half of the twentieth century through a real life case
Authors: Baldarelli Maria G , Del Baldo Mara
Published: June 2016

In this article, we seek to answer the following research question: how can the ‘pink’ in accounting be read within the Aiuto Materno e Infantile di Rimini (Mother and Child Help) Institute during the period 1914 to 1950? The research design is structured on deductive and inductive levels and includes analysis of the literature about gender accounting and studies of the San Giuseppe per l’Aiuto Materno e Infantile di Rimini (currently named Fondazione S. Giuseppe) Institute. This organization was set up at the beginning of the twentieth century by a woman, Sister Soleri, and a doctor, Professor Del Piano, to protect mothers and children.
The Turkish Tea Garden
Authors: Wohl Sharon
Published: June 2016

This article examines the history, use, and significance of the Turkish Tea Garden or Cay Bahcesi, positing that these gardens offer unique democratic spaces for public discourse set within the polis. The article unpacks the historical, cultural, and symbolic features of these gardens, and the role these shared spaces play in Turkey’s multivalent civic environment. It employs Ray Oldenburg’s notion of “third space” to consider how these gardens provide inclusive settings for a culturally diverse citizenry. Furthermore, the article considers how these spaces act as repositories of shared memory, mediating conflict that appears in other societal spheres. The gardens are presented as uniquely “sacred” third spaces, distinct from the “profane” third spaces characterized by Oldenburg.
Maintaining Partisan ties
Authors: Greene Zachary , Haber Matthias
Published: June 2016

Parties coordinate on a range of activities. They invite leaders from other parties to their national meetings, run joint electoral platforms and even form parliamentary factions and coalition governments. The implications of regular cooperation such as the case of pre-electoral coalitions (PECs) for party positioning are unexplored. Parties form PECs to reduce competition for voters with ideologically close competitors and to signal their ability to cohesively govern. Building on this logic, we argue that parties’ preferences converge in PECs to demonstrate their ability to govern together and diverge when parties observe that this tactic has failed to attract voter support in past elections. We demonstrate support for our approach using data on electoral coalition participation, party positions and parties’ internal speeches. Additional evidence from an extreme case of an enduring electoral coalition in Germany shows that PECs have dramatic effects on parties’ positions.
Recognition memory and source memory in autism spectrum disorder: A study of the intention superiority and enactment effects
Authors: Grainger Catherine , Williams David M , Lind Sophie E
Published: June 2016

It is well established that neurotypical individuals generally show better memory for actions they have performed than actions they have observed others perform or merely read about, a so-called ‘enactment effect’. Strikingly, research has also shown that neurotypical individuals demonstrate superior memory for actions they intend to perform in the future (but have not yet performed), an effect commonly known as the ‘intention superiority effect’. Although the enactment effect has been studied among people with autism spectrum disorder, this study is the first to investigate the intention superiority effect in this disorder. This is surprising given the potential importance this issue has for general theory development, as well as for clinical practice. As such, this study aimed to assess the intention superiority and enactment effects in 22 children with autism spectrum disorder, and 20 intelligence quotient/age-matched neurotypical children. The results showed that children with autism spectrum disorder demonstrated not only undiminished enactment effects in recognition and source memory, but also (surprisingly for some theories) typical intention superiority effects. The implications of these results for theory, as well as clinical practice, are discussed.
Study on the dynamic performance of tilt rotor supported by spherical roller bearings
Authors: Yang Jiapeng , Zeng Hua , Zhu Tongqing , An Qi
Published: June 2016

Tilt rotor supported by rolling bearings is often used in mechanical equipment. In the past, researches on dynamic performance of bearing-rotor were mainly carried out for horizontal rotor, but there is insufficient reported research on the tilting rotors. In this paper, the dynamic performance of a tilt rotor supported by spherical roller bearings is studied. Through the dynamics analysis of the rotor, a transfer matrix dynamics model for the tilt rotor is established. The stiffness and damping calculation model of spherical roller bearings is built. With a calculation example, the effects of tilting angles and some rotor structure parameters on the system’s dynamic performance are studied numerically. The results obtained show that with the increase in the tilt angle, the critical speed of the rotor decreases, and the amplitude increases in the vertical direction of the shaft. With the same tilting angle, the smaller the distance from the disc to the middle point of the rotating shaft, the larger the amplitude of the vibration mode and the amplitude difference compared to that of the rotor without inclination. The unbalanced response amplitude curves of the rotor distribute asymmetrically because of the rotor’s inclination. The bigger the inclination angle, the more obvious is the asymmetry distribution.
On the models of erosive wear of ductile materials
Authors: Tyfour Wa’il R , Hayajneh Mohammed T , Qasaymeh Jawad M
Published: June 2016

As the mechanism by which material is lost from ductile surfaces during solid particle erosion is still a matter of scientific debate, the work presented in this paper is aimed at trying to shed more light on the mechanism by which material is detached from ductile surfaces during solid particle erosion. Moreover, validating some of the most widely accepted models that predict erosive wear rate will form part of the paper. A specially designed test rig was used to facilitate test condition of an extensive experimental program. Results of the test program showed that plastic strain accumulation is largely responsible for material loss from ductile surfaces, even at cute impact angles. The key to this finding is the drop of erosive wear upon impact angle reversal indicates. It has been shown that none of the most widely accepted models of erosive wear could explain the result obtained under condition of impact angle reversal.
Cultural competence and cultural humility: A critical reflection on key cultural diversity concepts
Authors: Danso Ransford
Published: June 2016

Cultural competence has commanded respectable attention since its introduction in cross-cultural discourse. Cultural competence has been presented as a framework capable of promoting culturally sensitive practice and for training cross-cultural workers. However, a smorgasbord of definitions and conceptualizations has generated intense controversy around the construct, with many questioning its relevance or ability to address structural problems. Disenchantment has led to calls to jettison and replace cultural competence with cultural humility. This paper presents a critical reflection on cultural competence and cultural humility, including critiquing the critiques of cultural competence.

Findings

A critically reflective analysis suggests that semantic appeal does not necessarily give cultural humility a utilitarian edge over the construct it seeks to supplant. Cultural humility appears not to add more value to social work practice than cultural competence. From a social work perspective, cultural humility is essentially a repackaging of anti-oppressive practice; the fundamental ideas underpinning cultural humility have previously been developed and are foundational principles of anti-oppressive social work practice and education. Critical analysis also reveals that many of the critiques of cultural competence lack analytical rigour.

Applications

Deep-level theoretical analyses can lead to innovative perspectives that allow for critical re-examination of extant methodological approaches and promote culturally empowering social work practices in our super-diverse, postmodern world. Rather than dismissing long-standing, potentially effective theoretical and practice tools with happy abandon, adapting them in light of current developments would help move social work to a new, enlightened level of relevance in working with diversity and difference.
Hidden challenges: Sex offenders legislated into homelessness
Authors: Levenson Jill S
Published: June 2016

Zoning laws that prevent sex offenders from living within close proximity to schools and other places where children congregate have proliferated over the past 10 years. In many communities, few dwellings are compliant with these laws, causing sex offenders to become homeless. First, a brief history of residence restriction laws will be provided and then the research around their impact and effectiveness will be summarized, followed by empirically supported recommendations for reform.

Findings

Legislating individuals into homelessness is not sound social policy, nor is it humane. These laws do not conform to what is known about patterns of sexual perpetration and victimization, and thus do little to prevent recidivistic sexual violence. In fact, these policies may undermine the very factors shown by research to be associated with positive reentry and reduced recidivism.

Applications

The grand challenge of social justice requires social workers to advocate on behalf of those who are marginalized in our communities including criminal offenders. Research-based policy reform can result in improved public safety outcomes and social justice in our communities.
Investigating the relationship among extracurricular activities, learning approach and academic outcomes: A case study
Authors: Chan Yiu-Kong
Published: June 2016

Learning effectiveness requires an understanding of the relationship among extracurricular activities, learning approach and academic performance and, it is argued, this helps educators develop techniques designed to enrich learning effectiveness. Biggs’ Presage–Process–Product model on student learning has identified the relationship among individual difference, learning approaches and academic achievement in higher education. Studies have typically revealed that the deep approach is positively associated with academic achievement. It is argued that extracurricular activities enhance students’ confidence in their ability which in turn encourages deep learning. Comparatively little is known about such relationship. The main aims of this study are to examine the effect of the learning approach on academic outcomes and the effect of extracurricular activities on the learning approach and academic outcomes. A total of 131 full-time students participated in this research using Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire to examine the fit of the variables to hypothesised model. The results indicate a positive relationship between deep approach and academic outcomes. Students with active involvement in extracurricular activities are more likely to use the deep approach.
What’s used and what’s useful? Exploring digital technology use(s) among taught postgraduate students
Authors: Henderson Michael , Finger Glenn , Selwyn Neil
Published: June 2016

This article explores the digital technologies that taught postgraduate students engage with during their studies, what these technologies are used for and how useful they are perceived to be. The article draws upon data gathered from a survey of 253 masters and postgraduate diploma/certificate students across two universities in Australia. Analysis of these data contrasts the varied use(fulness) of ‘official’ university technologies such as learning management systems and library resources against ‘unofficial’ technologies such as Wikipedia, Twitter, Facebook and free/open education resources. In particular, the data highlight notable differences between students by subject area, domicile, mode of study and academic performance. The data also highlight the perceived benefits of this technology use – with students primarily finding digital technology useful in terms of supporting the logistics of university study rather than matters of learning per se. The article concludes by considering what is missing from these current forms of technological engagement, particularly in comparison with wider discourses about the educational potential of recent digital technologies.
Intending to benefit from wrongdoing
Authors: Goodin Robert E , Pasternak Avia
Published: June 2016

Some believe that the mere beneficiaries of wrongdoing of others ought to disgorge their tainted benefits. Others deny that claim. Both sides of this debate concentrate on unavoidable beneficiaries of the wrongdoing of others, who are presumed themselves to be innocent by virtue of the fact they have neither contributed to the wrong nor could they have avoided receiving the benefit. But as we show, this presumption is mistaken for unavoidable beneficiaries who intend in certain ways to benefit from wrongdoing, and who have therefore done something wrong in forming and acting on such an intention.
Sensitivity analysis of higher order coherent spectra in machine faults diagnosis
Authors: Yunusa-Kaltungo Akilu , Sinha Jyoti K
Published: June 2016

In an earlier study, the poly-coherent composite higher order spectra (i.e. poly-coherent composite bispectrum and trispectrum) frequency domain data fusion technique was proposed to detect different rotor-related faults. All earlier vibration-based faults detection involving the application of poly-coherent composite bispectrum and trispectrum have been solely based on the notion that the measured vibration data from all measurement locations on a rotating machine are always available and intact. In reality, industrial scenarios sometimes deviate from this notion, due to faults and/or damages associated with vibration sensors or their accessories (e.g. connecting cables). Sensitivity analysis of the method to various scenarios of measured vibration data availability (i.e. complete data from all measurement locations and missing/erroneous data from certain measurement locations) is also examined through experimental and industrial cases, so as to bring out the robustness of the method.
Early Sentence Productions of 5-Year-Old Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Authors: Binger Cathy , Kent-Walsh Jennifer , King Marika , Webb Eliza , Buenviaje Elijia
Published: June 2016

Four 5-year-old children with receptive language within normal limits and who required augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) received instruction in producing six different semantic–syntactic structures (three treatment and three generalization targets). Participants accessed single-meaning graphic symbols using an AAC app on an iPad to create their messages. A single-case, multiple probe across targets design was used to assess the progress of each participant, and supplementary measures including self-corrections and error types were analyzed. Three participants mastered all six targets during baseline, with a fourth mastering four of six targets in baseline. In contrast to prior reports, findings from the current study indicate that some young children who require AAC can learn to produce rule-based messages using single-meaning graphic symbols rapidly and with minimal instruction. Careful attention to participant characteristics and task demands are required in future research to further refine approaches to teaching young participants to produce rule-based graphic symbol messages.
Work Engagement
Authors: Eldor Liat
Published: June 2016

This article proposes a theoretical model linking the relatively new concept of work engagement to three major domains of employees’ lives—work, personal life, and community—and demonstrates the added value of engagement to each of these domains, above and beyond other well-known concepts in the employee–organization relationship. We propose that promoting work engagement among employees provides organizations with a competitive advantage. Moreover, we maintain that work engagement also creates added value beyond the boundaries of the workplace and has the potential to enrich other major areas in an employee’s life. When compared with similar work-related attitudes such as job involvement and job satisfaction, the work engagement concept also provides added value to organizations, their employees, and their community beyond these similar concepts. This article addresses the paucity of structured literature on the multiple facets and added value of work engagement within organizations and beyond, and presents a comprehensive, holistic model for improving engagement in work that human resource development practitioners can implement.