bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of various lubricants on the friction properties of sewing threads
Authors: Gurarda Ayca , Yukseltan Esra , Kaplangiray Binnaz Meric , Kanik Mehmet
Published: January 2013

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the effects of different types and amounts of lubricants on the friction properties of sewing threads. In this work, four types of sewing threads, CO, PET-spun, core-spun (PET/PET) and core-spun (PET/CO) were used. Three different lubricant types and lubricant feeding rates (0.5, 1 and 2 g/min) were applied to the sewing threads.

The results of the research show that the type and amount of lubricant have important effects on the friction of the sewing threads. The friction coefficient values of all sewing thread types with paraffin-based lubricant were the lowest among the lubricants. As the amount of paraffin wax in the lubricants increased, the fiber/metal friction forces slightly decreased. To obtain the lowest friction coefficient, a 0.5 g/min lubricant feeding rate and a 2.5–3% lubricant amount should be used for sewing threads.
Bioactivation of PET woven fabrics using alginate biopolymer and the bacteriocin nisin
Authors: Behary Nemeshwaree , Kerkeni Ahmed , Perwuelz Anne , Chihib Nour-Eddine , Dhulster Pascal
Published: January 2013

Bioactive antibacterial PET (polyethylene terephthalate) woven fabrics were produced by fixing a thin alginate coating with entrapped nisin at the PET fiber surface. These textiles may find applications in the field of hygiene or food packaging. In the first part of the study, thin solid alginate films (without nisin) capable of forming hydrogels in aqueous medium were deposited at the PET fiber surface and the properties of the resulting textiles characterized. Methods using padding with CaCl2 solution before or after sodium alginate deposition, with or without a prior PET fiber surface activation with air atmospheric plasma, were used. The following properties of the functionalized PET textile were tested: the durability and cohesion of the alginate film to the fiber surface, in water and in dry conditions under friction; the surface properties of the functionalized textile; and the water and moisture absorption capacity of the alginate films. These properties depend on the film adhesion to PET fibers and on the degree of alginate crosslinking. Entrapped bioactive nisin in the alginate film imparted antibacterial properties to the woven polyester fabric against Staphylococcus aureus. However, differences in inhibition zone were due to the method of alginate film formation, which had an impact on the rate of release of nisin.
Effect of needle length, electrospinning distance, and solution concentration on morphological properties of polyamide-6 electrospun nanowebs
Authors: Hekmati Amir Houshang , Rashidi Abosaeed , Ghazisaeidi Reza , Drean Jean-Yves
Published: January 2013

Nowadays, thanks to the electrospinning process, polymeric fibers in nanoscale diameters (10–500 nm) are easily producible. During the last decade, the electrospinning technique has been greatly investigated and developed. One of the most important fields of study on the electrospinning process is the influence of effective parameters on electrospun nanofibers and nanoweb properties. In this study, using polyamide-6 (PA-6)/formic acid polymer solution, three important parameters of the electrospinning process, including polymer solution concentration, needle-tip-to-collector distance, and needle length, were precisely studied. The solution concentration is a very important parameter that affects the nanowebs’ homogeneity and nanofibers’ diameter evenness. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the electrospun nanowebs showed that among five polymer solution concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%), 25 wt% was more suitable and provided the homogeneity and reproducibility of PA-6 nanowebs. It has been found that the needle-tip-to-collector distance had a considerable influence on the nanofibers’ diameter and the nanoweb collection zone. Morphological investigation and statistical studies showed that the nanofibers’ diameter increased with the reduction of the needle-tip-to-collector distance. Moreover, the average diameter of the nanoweb collection zone decreased by the reduction of this distance. The effect of needle length on the nanofibers’ morphology and nanowebs’ collection zone was investigated. Statistical analysis of the obtained results revealed that the increase of needle length significantly increased the average nanofibers’ diameter. Inversely, the diameter of the nanoweb collection zone reduced when needle length increased. All previously mentioned studies helped to define the optimal electrospinning condition to produce the bead-free, non-branched, and homogeneous PA-6 electrospun nanofibers and nanowebs.
Content and Attributions of Caregiver Racial Socialization as Predictors of African American Adolescents’ Private Racial Regard
Authors: Williams Justin L. , Smalls-Glover Ciara
Published: January 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of adolescents’ beliefs about socialization from caregivers (“attributions”) on the link between racial socialization and private regard. This research addresses the paucity of literature on adolescent attributions as a context for the relation between socialization and private regard. The independent roles of racial barrier, racial pride, and self-worth messages were examined. Adolescents’ attributions were defined as beliefs that race-based messages were coming from a parent-child relationship characterized by love, autonomy, and care. Moderation analyses on the sample of 88 African American and biracial youth (ages 11-14 years) revealed that for adolescents who placed more emphasis on a positive relationship quality as the purpose for receiving socialization, self-worth messages were associated with higher private regard. The findings support the importance of attending to adolescents’ attributions for socialization and the impact that it has on fostering positive feelings about being African American.
The World of Cross-Cultural Research
Authors: VanTassel-Baska Joyce
Published: January 2013

As the world becomes smaller in a small field like gifted education, cross-cultural research gives us a unique opportunity to understand top students and academic interventions in a deeper way. In this article, the author describes the importance of cross-cultural research as a way to serve gifted children globally. A description of a well-articulated research plan; a list of topics of interest to the field that could provide important data for gifted education policy, practice, and future research; and a case study of a successful cross-cultural research study are included to provide a basis for building a research agenda.
The Militarization of American Professional Sports
Authors: Jenkins Tricia
Published: January 2013

This article investigates how “war-speak” is incorporated into both sports media coverage and athletic rituals. It posits that while the militarization of American sporting events may help to comfort a nation in crisis and afford the Armed Forces a valuable recruitment tool, it simultaneously encourages a coercive patriotism that is morally problematic for many athletes and fans, especially during wartime. Likewise, although the use of war metaphors in sports media coverage provides exciting and dramatic language for players and sportscasters, it also devalues the war experience by trivializing its horrors and helps to sell the concept of war as sport.
Macrolide Therapy for Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Pynnonen Melissa A. , Venkatraman Giri , Davis Greg E.
Published: January 2013

Objective

The objective of this study was to systematically review patient‐reported outcomes of long‐term macrolide therapy, compared with any other treatment, for adults with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Data Sources

EMBASE and PubMed databases were searched in October 2011.

Review Methods

A total of 1216 citations were screened initially by a single author, 23 full‐text manuscripts were evaluated by 2 authors using structured data abstraction forms to assess for inclusion criteria and study quality, and 3 studies were included in the final review.

Results

This review finds that 3 prospective clinical studies have evaluated the effect of macrolide therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis. Based on the limited data, there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of long‐term macrolide therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis.

Conclusion

Further clinical research is needed to determine whether there may be a subgroup effect based on the underlying inflammatory disease process.
Value‐Based Analysis of Routine Pathologic Septal and Inferior Turbinate Specimens
Authors: Daniero James J. , Chu Jaemi S. , O’Hara Brian J. , Pribitkin Edmund A.
Published: January 2013

Objective

To determine the frequency and clinical relevance of unanticipated histopathologic results in routine sinonasal surgery and evaluate the necessity for histologic processing of nasal septal cartilage, bone, and inferior turbinate specimens.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

A retrospective review of surgical pathology reports on adult patients undergoing sinonasal surgery during a 5‐year period from 2005 to 2010 was performed. All cases with the preoperative diagnosis of sinonasal neoplasia, autoimmune disease, or directed septal biopsies were excluded from review.

Results

A total of 1194 pathology reports were reviewed from 1172 individual patients. This included histopathologic evaluation of 1194 septal cartilage and bone specimens and 714 inferior turbinate specimens. None of the patients had unanticipated histopathologic findings that were clinically significant.

Conclusion

Many surgeons obtain histopathologic diagnoses on all tissue removed from a patient. Based on our institutional case series, histopathology of the septum and inferior turbinates in routine sinonasal cases may not be necessary. A value‐based approach to processing grossly unremarkable septal and turbinate tissue by waiving histologic processing and subsequent microscopic evaluation could provide significant cost savings.
Hyperthermic perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative temperature are independent predictors of acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery
Authors: Newland RF , Tully PJ , Baker RA
Published: January 2013

Acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with increased mortality, requirement for dialysis, and longer intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay. Rewarming during CPB and poor oxygen delivery have been associated with AKI; however, the role of temperature management on AKI has not been clearly defined. This study aims to evaluate the role of hyperthermia during CPB and the temperature upon admission to the ICU on AKI following cardiac surgery, using the RIFLE (renal Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of renal function and End-stage renal disease) criteria.

To determine whether CPB hyperthermia (measured as the cumulative time the arterial outlet temperature >37°C) and ICU admission temperature were independent risk factors for AKI, data from 1393 consecutive adult patients undergoing isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), valve repair and/or replacement and valve/CABG procedures was analysed using a logistic multivariate model. After testing for interaction, we incorporated covariates having a p-value <0.1. AKI was defined according to the RIFLE criteria as an increase in serum creatinine >50% from baseline to peak value postoperatively. Overall, 12.3% of patients developed AKI with a 4.5-fold increase in in-hospital mortality. Variables found to be independent predictors of AKI included CPB hyperthermia (Odds ratio [OR] 1.03 per minute increase [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.05]; p = 0.01), ICU admission temperature ([OR] 1.44 per degree increase [(CI) 1.13-1.85]; p<0.001), minimum CPB haemoglobin ([OR] 0.83 per g/dL increase [(CI) 0.71-0.97]; p = 0.02), use of intra-aortic balloon pump ([OR] 2.69 [(CI) 1.24-5.82]; p = 0.01) and ICU readmission ([OR] 3.13 [(CI) 1.73-5.64]; p<0.001).

Avoiding arterial outlet hyperthermia may help decrease AKI following cardiac surgery using CPB. Both intraoperative and postoperative temperature management strategies should be the focus of future randomised studies to determine optimal interventions.
Cost-Effectiveness of Adjuvant FOLFOX and 5FU/LV Chemotherapy for Patients with Stage II Colon Cancer
Authors: Ayvaci Mehmet U. S. , Shi Jinghua , Alagoz Oguzhan , Lubner Sam J.
Published: January 2013

Purpose. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin (5FU/LV), and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) compared with 5FU/LV alone and 5FU/LV compared with observation alone for patients who had resected stage II colon cancer. Methods. We developed 2 Markov models to represent the adjuvant chemotherapy and follow-up periods and a single Markov model to represent the observation group. We used calibration to estimate the transition probabilities among different toxicity levels. The base case considered 60-year-old patients who had undergone an uncomplicated hemicolectomy for stage II colon cancer and were medically fit to receive 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. We measured health outcomes in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and estimated costs using 2007 US dollars. Results. In the base case, adjuvant chemotherapy of the FOLFOX regimen had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $54,359/QALY compared with the 5FU/LV regimen, and the 5FU/LV regimen had an ICER of $14,584/QALY compared with the observation group from the third-party payer perspective. The ICER values were most sensitive to 5-year relapse probability, cost of adjuvant chemotherapy, and the discount rate for the FOLFOX arm, whereas the ICER value of 5FU/LV was most sensitive to the 5-year relapse probability, 5-year survival probability, and the relapse cost. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicates that the ICER of 5FU/LV is less than $50,000/QALY with a probability of 99.62%, and the ICER of FOLFOX as compared with 5FU/LV is less than $50,000/QALY and $100,000/QALY with a probability of 44.48% and 97.24%, respectively. Conclusion. Although adjuvant chemotherapy with 5FU/LV is cost-effective at all ages for patients who have undergone an uncomplicated hemicolectomy for stage II colon cancer, FOLFOX is not likely to be cost-effective as compared with 5FU/LV.
Carrotmob and Anti-consumption
Authors: Hutter Katharina , Hoffmann Stefan
Published: January 2013

The carrotmob—often defined as an inverse boycott—is a new, fast-diffusing form of pro-environmental consumption focusing on societal issues. Organized by activists, consumers swarm a predefined store and collectively buy its products. In return, the company engages in pro-environmental actions. This is the first study that empirically analyzes consumer attitudes toward carrotmob and participation intention. The article compares the drivers of carrotmob and anti-consumption (e.g., ecological consumer boycotts). Both forms of consumer activism are triggered by ecological concern. However, carrotmobbing differs because participants do not have to sacrifice their preferred consumption patterns. Study 1 ( n = 437) demonstrates that willingness to make sacrifices moderates the impact of ecological concern on attitudes toward the carrotmob. Study 2 ( n = 153) establishes external validity by modifying the carrotmob target. As expected, the carrotmob is an alternative consumption option attractive for consumers unwilling to make sacrifices in expressing their environmental concerns.
The Overlap Between Offending Trajectories, Criminal Violence, and Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Piquero Alex R. , Theobald Delphine , Farrington David P.
Published: January 2013

This article investigates the overlap between offending trajectories, criminal violence, and intimate partner violence (IPV) and the factors associated with these behaviors. Knowledge on these questions is relevant to theory and policy. For the former, this article considers the extent to which specific theories are needed for understanding crime, criminal violence, and/or IPV, whereas for the latter, it may suggest specific offense- and offender-based policies. We use data from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development that traces the offending, criminal violence, and IPV of males to age 50. Findings show that there is significant overlap between criminal violence and IPV, high-rate offending trajectories have increased odds of criminal violence and IPV, and early childhood risk factors have no additional effect on criminal violence and IPV in adulthood over and above the offending trajectories.
Nonfatal Suicidal Behavior Among Women Prisoners
Authors: Tripodi Stephen J. , Onifade Eyitayo , Pettus-Davis Carrie
Published: January 2013

Women entering prison report high rates of childhood victimization. Women in prison also report higher rates of nonfatal suicidal behavior (self-reported suicide attempts) than women in the general population and similar rates to their male counterparts despite having significantly lower suicide rates than males in the general population. Yet, there is a dearth of research that addresses the relationship between childhood victimization and suicidality for women prisoners in the United States. The purpose of this study is (a) to assess the relationship between childhood victimization and nonfatal suicidal behavior for a random sample of women prisoners; (b) to investigate predictive differences between childhood physical victimization, childhood sexual victimization, childhood neglect, and childhood support; and (c) to determine whether women prisoners with higher frequencies of childhood victimization and neglect are more likely to have attempted suicide than women prisoners with lower frequencies. Results indicate that childhood victimization, neglect, and lack of support are all significantly associated with nonfatal suicidal behavior among women prisoners. Frequency of childhood neglect had a larger effect size than frequency of childhood physical victimization, childhood sexual victimization, and lack of support. The results of this study add to the growing body of literature on childhood victimization and suicidality in general, and nonfatal suicidal behavior for prisoner populations in particular. The article ends with a discussion on clinical implications; particularly the finding that frequency of childhood victimization, childhood neglect, and lack of childhood support matters when determining the risk of suicidality.
The challenges for science journalism in the UK
Authors: Murcott Toby H.L. , Williams Andy
Published: January 2013

Science journalists in the UK face a number of significant challenges, some shared by journalists in general and some specific to the reporting of science. The world of journalism is changing rapidly as online media grow, squeezing resources and putting pressure on journalists to produce maximum output on minimum resources. The effect is to threaten to shift the role of science news production away from science journalists to public relations (PR) professionals, and to reduce the essential democratic role of the journalist holding the spenders of public money to account. Evidence for this is offered from recent research into the state of science journalism in the UK, and from a BBC-commissioned report into the impartiality of new science coverage in the UK by the state broadcaster.
Pilot-scale tests of an innovative ‘serial self-turning reactor’ composting technology in Thailand
Authors: Sungsomboon Praj-ya , Chaisomphob Taweep , Bongochgetsakul Nattakorn , Ishida Tetsuya
Published: January 2013

Composting facilities in Thailand have faced various operational problems, resulting in the emission of odours, incomplete digestion of waste organics, and higher than desired costs. Composting technologies imported from developed countries tend to be sized for larger communities and are otherwise not suited for the rural communities that comprise more than 80% of all communities in Thailand. This article addresses the research and development of a novel composting technology aimed at filling this observed need. The study was divided into two parts: (1) the development of a new composting technology and fabrication of a prototype configuration of equipment; and (2) scale-up and study on a pilot-scale using real rubbish. The proposed technology, called ‘serial self-turning reactor (STR)’, entailed a vertical flow composting system that consisted of a set of aerobic reactors stacked on a set of gravity fed turning units. In-vessel bioreactor technology enables the operator to control composting conditions. The researchers found that a tower-like STR results in flexibility in size scale and waste processing residence time. The pilot-scale experiments showed that the proposed system can produce good quality compost while consuming comparatively little energy and occupying a compact space, compared to traditional land-intensive windrow composting facilities.
Digested sewage sludge gasification in supercritical water
Authors: Zhai Yunbo , Wang Chang , Chen Hongmei , Li Caiting , Zeng Guangming , Pang Daoxiong , Lu Pei
Published: January 2013

Digested sewage sludge gasification in supercritical water was studied. Influences of main reaction parameters, including temperature (623–698 K), pressure (25–35 Mpa), residence time (10–15 min) and dry matter content (5–25 wt%), were investigated to optimize the gasification process. The main gas products were methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and traces of ethene, etc. Results showed that 10 wt% dry matter content digested sewage sludge at a temperature of 698 K and residence time of 50 min, with a pressure of 25 MPa, were the most favorable conditions for the sewage sludge gasification and carbon gasification efficiencies. In addition, potassium carbonate (K2CO3) was also employed as the catalyst to make a comparison between gasification with and without catalyst. When 2.6 g K2CO3 was added, a gasification efficiency of 25.26% and a carbon gasification efficiency of 20.02% were achieved, which were almost four times as much as the efficiencies without catalyst. K2CO3 has been proved to be effective in sewage sludge gasification.
Advantages and disadvantages of a municipal solid waste collection service for citizens of Hanoi City, Vietnam
Authors: Kawai Kosuke , Osako Masahiro
Published: January 2013

Governments of municipalities in Vietnam experiencing dynamic economic growth and dramatic population increases have been struggling to manage increased amounts of municipal solid waste (MSW). This study aimed to clarify the advantages and disadvantages of the current MSW collection service for citizens of the four central districts of Hanoi city, Vietnam, by conducting interviews with 200 households and 200 business entities regarding their satisfaction with the service. The survey results showed that Hanoi city provides an economical collection service with sufficient frequency and at appropriate times for citizens. However, a number of citizens complained about unsanitary conditions in the area surrounding their residence. Business entities had sufficient motivation to sell recyclable waste (RW) to the informal sector, not only to derive revenue from selling RW, but also to reduce the amount of MSW generated, thus reducing the MSW collection fee. Households were not motivated to reduce MSW by selling RW to the informal sector because they paid a fixed collection fee. As a result, an improvement in living standards in the near future is expected to contribute to increasing the amount of MSW generated from households.
Evaluation of healthcare waste treatment/disposal alternatives by using multi-criteria decision-making techniques
Authors: Özkan Aysun
Published: January 2013

Healthcare waste should be managed carefully because of infected, pathological, etc. content especially in developing countries. Applied management systems must be the most appropriate solution from a technical, environmental, economic and social point of view. The main objective of this study was to analyse the current status of healthcare waste management in Turkey, and to investigate the most appropriate treatment/disposal option by using different decision-making techniques. For this purpose, five different healthcare waste treatment/disposal alternatives including incineration, microwaving, on-site sterilization, off-site sterilization and landfill were evaluated according to two multi-criteria decision-making techniques: analytic network process (ANP) and ELECTRE. In this context, benefits, costs and risks for the alternatives were taken into consideration. Furthermore, the prioritization and ranking of the alternatives were determined and compared for both methods. According to the comparisons, the off-site sterilization technique was found to be the most appropriate solution in both cases.
Fibronectin in the palatine tonsil as a susceptibility marker in Egyptian rheumatic families
Authors: Gazia Maha Abo , Tousson Ehab , El-Fatah Mokhtar Abd , Shoheib Ahmed S
Published: January 2013

Rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are the multisystem autoimmune sequel of group A streptococci (GAS) infection of the upper respiratory passages, mainly tonsillopharyngitis. The major receptor on the surface of human palatine tonsil for GAS is fibronectin (FN; adhesin receptor). Early detection of RF susceptibility is considered as an important aim of this study. Therefore, the present study aimed to use FN immunoreactivity (FN-ir) as a marker for early detection of rheumatic susceptible children with palatine tonsil crypts surface epithelium. A total of 30 palatine tonsillar specimens were obtained from children aged from 3 to 15 years. Histological studies showed moderate vascular changes and more than four apparent epithelial disruptions in the crypt epithelium. FN-ir showed a significant increase in FN in the basal layers of surface epithelium, subepithelial connective tissue and interfollicular areas. Tonsils of children in rheumatic families showed significant increase in FN in subepithelial connective tissue areas with more than one apparent crypt epithelial disruption compared to normal children. We can conclude that FN plays a central role in the RF and differentially distributed in the functional compartments of the palatine tonsil in children with RHD, so FN-ir can be used as a marker for rheumatic susceptibility.
Occupational exposure to pentachlorophenol causing lymphoma and hematopoietic malignancy for two generations
Authors: Zheng Ruizhi , Zhang Qian , Zhang Qinghe , Yang Linsheng , Zhang Zhihua , Huang Fen
Published: January 2013

Objective:

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is characterized as likely carcinogen of lymphoma and hematopoietic neoplasm. But the carcinogenicity to human was uncertain based on population studies. A systematic review was conducted to explore two kinds of associations, one was between the workers exposed to PCP with lymphoma and hematopoietic neoplasm, the other was between childhood lymphoma and leukemia with their parents exposed to PCP.

Methods:

Systematic search for epidemiologic studies was carried out and the data were collected from MEDLINE database and from the reference lists of relevant studies. Data were extracted from 20 included studies published between 1986 and 2012.

Results:

The meta-analysis suggested a significant association between lymphoma and workers’ occupational exposing to PCP, for the pooled odds ratio = 2.57 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.52–4.35). The subgroup analysis indicated significant association for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but not for Hodgkin’s disease. The cohort studies also showed comparatively higher relative risk (RR) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Two of the cohort studies found increased RR as the cumulative exposure time added. Another cohort study discovered that the white males had significantly elevated non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma mortality (SMR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.15–3.17), and males of other races had increased leukemia mortality (SMR = 4.57, 95% CI = 1.25–11.7). For the relationship of childhood leukemia and parental exposure to PCP, three published studies suggested an increased risk of childhood leukemia because of their parental exposure to PCP at the preconception period.

Conclusion:

Our review provided the evidence that occupational exposure of workers to PCP might increase the risk of lymphoma and hematopoietic neoplasm in themselves and in their children.
A Community Service for High-Risk Mentally Disordered Sex Offenders
Authors: Craissati Jackie , Blundell Rachel
Published: January 2013

There is sparse literature on mentally disordered sex offenders, and little is published on treatment participation and outcomes for this group. This article aims to describe the characteristics of a cohort of high-risk mentally disordered—largely personality disordered—sex offenders at risk in the community in southeast London.

Drawing on various measures of personality dysfunction—including key developmental variables, a self-report personality disorder questionnaire Millon Clinical Multi-axial Inventory-III ( MCMI-III) and psychopathy as measured by the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV)—the researchers describe the characteristics of a cohort of mentally disordered sex offenders referred to the Challenge project. Follow-up data for those placed in treatment are reported and include consideration of treatment completion and reconviction: the relationship between personality dysfunction and a dynamic measure of risk are also explored.

Of the 137 participants, 53% were placed in the community treatment project. Seventy five percent completed treatment, and were followed up for an average of 40 months. Eleven percent were sexually reconvicted, 3% violently reconvicted. Community failure was best predicted by a combination of static risk and personality-related variables.
An Investigation Into the Relationship Between Values and Commitment
Authors: Stride Helen , Higgs Malcolm
Published: January 2013

The concept of values “fit” has been a significant theme in the management literature for many years. It is argued that where there is alignment of staff and organizational values a range of positive outcomes are encountered. What is unclear is how this translates into the charity sector. This study explores the phenomenon of values alignment in two U.K. charities. Questionnaires were used to measure staff values, perceptions of organization values, and staff commitment. Drawing on the work of Finegan, an interaction term is used as a proxy for fit. Analyses of data from 286 participants indicated that it was the perceptions of organization values that had the greatest impact on staff commitment. The alignment of staff values and perceptions of organization values only had a degree of effect within one of the charities. This challenges the dominant view on such alignment and the implications of this are discussed.
Being a mother and father in international adoption in Spain: Towards the child’s wellbeing
Authors: Bertran Marta
Published: January 2013

This article analyses the subjective experiences of adoptive parenthood among Spanish parents with regard to becoming and feeling like a father and mother. The article is based on analysis of data from group discussions held with pre- and post-adoptive parents in Catalonia, Spain, as part of a wider study of family, education and belonging on national and international adoption in Spain. Adoptive families start with parental knowledge and practices that were not created for the unique features of their families. Some adoptive parents who express difficulties in exercising their parenthood question the relevance of parental practices, the construction of parental bonds and the socially accepted concept of ‘child’.
Remaining life prognostics of rolling bearing based on relative features and multivariable support vector machine
Authors: Chen Xuefeng , Shen Zhongjie , He Zhengjia , Sun Chuang , Liu Zhiwen
Published: January 2013

Life prognostics are an important way to reduce production loss, save maintenance cost and avoid fatal machine breakdowns. Predicting the remaining life of rolling bearing with small samples is a challenge due to lack of enough condition monitoring data. This study proposes a novel prognostics model based on relative features and multivariable support vector machine to meet the challenge. Support vector machine is an effective prediction method for the small samples. However, it only focuses on the univariate time series prognosis and fails to predict the remaining life directly. So multivariable support vector machine is constructed for the life prognostics with many relative features, which are closely linked to the remaining life. Unlike the univariate support vector machine, multivariable support vector machine considers the influences among various variables and excavates the potential information of small samples as much as possible. Besides, relative root mean square with ineffectiveness of the individual difference is used to assess the bearing performance degradation and divided the stages of the whole bearing life. The simulation and run-to-failure experiments are carried out to validate the novel prognostics model. And the results demonstrate that multivariable support vector machine utilizes many kinds of useful information for the precise prediction with practical values.
Interlimb relation during the double support phase of gait: An electromyographic, mechanical and energy-based analysis
Authors: Sousa Andreia SP , Silva Augusta , Tavares João Manuel RS
Published: January 2013

The purpose of this study is to analyse the interlimb relation and the influence of mechanical energy on metabolic energy expenditure during gait. In total, 22 subjects were monitored as to electromyographic activity, ground reaction forces and VO2 consumption (metabolic power) during gait. The results demonstrate a moderate negative correlation between the activity of tibialis anterior, biceps femoris and vastus medialis of the trailing limb during the transition between mid-stance and double support and that of the leading limb during double support for the same muscles, and between these and gastrocnemius medialis and soleus of the trailing limb during double support. Trailing limb soleus during the transition between mid-stance and double support was positively correlated to leading limb tibialis anterior, vastus medialis and biceps femoris during double support. Also, the trailing limb centre of mass mechanical work was strongly influenced by the leading limbs, although only the mechanical power related to forward progression of both limbs was correlated to metabolic power. These findings demonstrate a consistent interlimb relation in terms of electromyographic activity and centre of mass mechanical work, being the relations occurred in the plane of forward progression the more important to gait energy expenditure.
Social capital and inclusion in rural public libraries: A qualitative approach
Authors: Griffis Matthew R. , Johnson Catherine A.
Published: January 2013

This paper reports on the qualitative findings of a three-year study of public libraries and social capital conducted in Ontario, Canada. The study sought to establish whether library use was related to levels of social capital. This paper focuses on the rural phase of the study. The researchers visited five rural libraries, all in the southwestern region of the province. The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with library staff members and regular library users. The data suggest that while rural libraries have high potential to create social capital, the overlap of social networks in rural communities renders the library’s influence redundant. Moreover, many of the mechanisms that help libraries increase a sense of social cohesion and inclusion among users can also result in exclusion, even if unintentionally.
GREENIFY
Authors: Lee Joey J. , Ceyhan Pinar , Jordan-Cooley William , Sung Woonhee
Published: January 2013

The literature on climate change education recommends social, accessible action-oriented learning that is specifically designed to resonate with a target audience’s values and worldview. This article discusses GREENIFY, a real-world action game designed to teach adult learners about climate change and motivate informed action. A pilot study suggests that the game fostered the creation of peer-generated user content, motivated informed action, created positive pressure, and was perceived as a fun and engaging experience.
A Simulation of International Climate Regime Formation
Authors: Kauneckis Derek L. , Auer Matthew R.
Published: January 2013

The literature on pedagogical methods in international affairs includes a number of international politics simulations. We present the material for an in-class simulation exercise on international climate negotiations that attempts to help students understand the importance of theory as well as the substantive issues surrounding climate policy. Simulations have been proposed as a means of providing an engaging classroom experience and a more diverse learning experience. The exercises presented here focus on developing student research skills, analyzing data to present a realistic policy position and understanding the process of institutional regime formation. At the end of the simulation, students are asked to relate their own negotiation experiences back to the theoretical material discussed during the semester. An assessment was conducted of student expectations prior to the simulation exercise and compared with post-simulation experiences. Students reported the greatest positive difference between their expected learning outcome and actual experience with the simulation in terms of learning information about specific country assignments, overall enjoyment of the activity, and understanding the material covered in the course. The greatest negative difference between expectations and experience were reported for understanding international negotiations more generally and current international events. The article outlines the full content for an in-class simulation and its’ implementation as well as results from an evaluation of its use. The simulation provides students with a better understanding of the complexity of international negotiations over climate policy while outlining key theoretical concepts in international relations and comparative public policy.
Cross-Validation of Mental Health Recovery Measures in a Hong Kong Chinese Sample
Authors: Ye Shengquan , Pan Jia-Yan , Wong Daniel Fu Keung , Bola John Robert
Published: January 2013

Objectives: The concept of recovery has begun shifting mental health service delivery from a medical perspective toward a client-centered recovery orientation. This shift is also beginning in Hong Kong, but its development is hampered by a dearth of available measures in Chinese. Method: This article translates two measures of recovery (mental health recovery measure and the recovery subscale of peer outcomes protocol) and one measure of recovery-promoting environments (recovery self-assessment) into Chinese and investigates their psychometric properties among 206 Hong Kong Chinese people with severe mental illness. Result: Multifactor solutions from earlier studies were not replicated; our evidence pointed to one-factor solutions. Since all recovery measures demonstrated high internal consistency reliability (.92 to .96), we analyzed total scale scores. Conclusion: Moderately high correlations among the recovery measures (.33 to .56) provide some support for construct validity, yet further investigation of recovery measures in a Chinese population is needed.
Examining Needs and Referrals to Mental Health Services for Children in Residential Care in Spain
Authors: Sainero Ana , Bravo Amaia , del Valle Jorge F.
Published: January 2013

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of mental health disorders in children living in residential care and their use of therapeutic services, including the relationship between these factors and social-family and intervention process variables, as well as the relationship among the disorders identified by professionals and the detection of disorders by means of a screening instrument. We studied a sample from the Autonomous Community of Extremadura in Spain made up of 264 children ages 6 to 18 years. Data collected from residential care workers on the children’s characteristics and the existence of disorders and possible treatments were used, as well as the Child Behavioral Checklist as a screening instrument. In addition, the case social workers provided information on social-family and intervention process variables. Results show that 26% of the children in residential care were receiving or had received treatment for mental health disorders. Seventeen percent of the total presented mental disability, and in half of these cases, they were also being treated for mental disorder. The screening test, however, detected that cases with clinical range accounted for 44% of the children and that there was considerable bias in relation to referrals for treatment.
Cross-Cultural Variation in Mate Preferences for Averageness, Symmetry, Body Size, and Masculinity
Authors: Pisanski Katarzyna , Feinberg David R.
Published: January 2013

Sexual selection has greatly influenced the evolved biology, psychology, and culture of humans and favors individuals who choose healthy and fertile mates. Physical traits that cue quality are generally preferred and perceived as attractive. However, because such traits often involve cost-benefit trade-offs, mate preferences are expected to vary among cultures as a function of local ecology and social environment and among individuals as a function of one’s personal experiences and life history. As such, it is essential to understand how ontogenetic and environmental factors influence mate preferences that may be locally adaptive and context specific. Here the authors review a growing body of comparative research, demonstrating predictable patterns in men’s and women’s preferences for facial averageness, facial symmetry, stature, body mass, and facial and vocal masculinity or femininity both between and within cultures. The authors consider potential factors influencing variation in preferences that include resource availability, disease prevalence, paternal investment, visual experience, and cultural norms.
Hypoxia Biomarkers, Oxidative Stress, and Circulating Microparticles in Pediatric Patients With Thalassemia in Upper Egypt
Authors: Elsayh Khalid I. , Zahran Asmaa M. , El-Abaseri Taghrid B. , Mohamed Amany O. , El-Metwally Tarek H.
Published: January 2013

This study aimed to investigate the oxidative stress, hypoxia biomarkers, and circulating microparticles (MPs) in β thalassemia major. The study included 56 children with thalassemia and 46 healthy controls. Hypoxia biomarkers, oxidative stress biomarkers, and total plasma fragmented DNA (fDNA) were detected by the standard methods. The MPs were assessed by flow cytometry. Hypoxia and oxidative stress biomarkers, fDNA, and MPs were higher and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was lower in patients with thalassemia than the controls. In splenectomized patients and those who had complications, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), malondialdehyde, fDNA, endothelial, platelet, and activated platelet MP levels were higher while, TAC was lower than the nonsplenectomized patients. In conclusion, the increased tissue hypoxia, oxidative stress in β thalassemia, and its relationship with DNA damage and MPs release could explain many complications of thalassemia and may have therapeutic implications. The VEGF could serve as an important indicator for adequacy of blood transfusion in thalassemia.
The Influence of Sources in the Reading of Mathematical Text
Authors: Weber Keith , Mejia-Ramos Juan Pablo
Published: January 2013

In a recent article published in this journal, Shanahan, Shanahan, and Misischia investigated the differences in how chemists, historians, and mathematicians read text specific to their disciplines. Unlike the chemists and historians, the pair of mathematicians in this study did not consider sources when reading and evaluating their text. In this response, we contend that most mathematicians regularly do consider sources when reading mathematical arguments and papers. We summarize the results of four empirical studies, which suggest that this is the case.
Developing A Measurement Scale for Event Image
Authors: Deng Claire Qian , Li Mimi , Shen Han
Published: January 2013

The main purpose of this study is to measure and explore the dimensionality of the event image by using the case of 2010 Shanghai World Expo. After literature review, this study used Keller’s framework of brand image as the conceptual base, followed the free associations method to identify the preliminary items, adopted expert opinions to further revise the items, used the exploratory factor analysis to explore the underlying structure of the event image, and adopted the confirmatory factor analysis to further validate the measurement scale. Finally, five dimensions including 17 items were extracted. They are labeled as Benefit, Facility, Service, Theme, and Event Content. The results of the current study were relatively consistent with some conceptual frameworks and to some extent confirmed previous empirical studies, which could provide useful implications for both future research and industry practice.
The Symbolic Meanings of Physical Boundaries
Authors: McKee Robert J.
Published: January 2013

When a wall was constructed in West Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of an interstate expansion project, residents on both sides of the wall interpreted its meanings differently. For the predominantly African American residents of West Las Vegas, the wall signified 80 years of oppression and exclusion by officials with the City of Las Vegas. For residents on the other side, the wall served to close off a blighted section of the city from downtown Las Vegas and especially from tourists. This critical ethnographic project documents the socially constructed and differentially interpreted meanings the wall signified for residents on both sides. This article concludes that a lack of meaningful social interaction among the residents on the opposing sides may be responsible for the differentially interpreted meanings of the wall and for the community of West Las Vegas.
Seeing the Romanian Transition in Cinematic Space
Authors: Andreescu Florentina C.
Published: January 2013

This article focuses on the space of the nation as presented in the films produced in Romania during the communist, transition to democracy, and democratic eras. The author’s analysis addresses cinematic space, the rules that exist within it, the authority of the space, as well as the specific ways in which certain identities are created and integrated in such cinematic spaces. The author traces the persistence of a number of spaces in films produced under different political regimes, transformations or substitutions of spaces, as well as the changes of rules and authorities. The article illustrates the way political, economic, and social changes are represented or imagined in the cinematic space. Special attention is directed to the relationship between the city and the countryside and to how this relationship has changed over time.