bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of SERVQUAL Model in Hospitals Located in Tier II Cities of India
Authors: A. Madhura Prabhu , Iyer Lakshmi Shankar
Published: January 2018

Service quality, being an assessment of services offered to a customer or the extent to which the services offered meets customers’ expectations, plays a significant role in healthcare industry. Patients pay hefty prices for the services they avail from specialty hospitals and they demand quality services. Hospitals have a larger challenge in delivering these services effectively to the patients. The current study helps us understand the role of information systems in service delivery process. Most of the hospitals have adopted healthcare information systems due to the benefit it provides. The study attempts to analyze the impact of information systems on service quality in the hospitals which are located in Tier II cities. The popular SERVQUAL model is adopted for this purpose. Patients who visit the hospitals were part of the respondent group. Gap score is found in order to observe the expected and actual experience of the patients based on five dimensions.
Determinants of Bribe in Informal Sector: Some Empirical Evidence from India
Authors: Sharma Chandan , Biswas Soumik
Published: January 2018

Payment of bribes, eviction and confiscation of goods are critical issues faced by the street vendors in Indian cities. In this context, this study attempts to empirically outline the determinants of bribe payment in this sector by drawing upon traditional literature on corruption. We conduct a primary survey in an industrial town in India. To empirically analyse the bribery models for the informal enterprises, we utilize several alternative specifications for a robustness check purpose. We also test a range of important factors that may cause bribery. Our analysis has offered some important results. First, we find that street vendors with higher business size are more likely to pay bribe and also likely to pay higher amount of bribe. Second, it is found that business-specific laws and regulations reduce the bargaining power of the street vendor. Vendors dealing in more regulated businesses like eateries, tobacco products are more likely to pay bribe. Third, it is found that vendors originating from distant places are likely to pay more bribe, and thus, the study support the proposition that corruption may create inequality, from which some groups can be more disadvantageous than others. Finally, contrary to the findings of traditional literature, the study finds that in the specific context, business age is positively related with bribe payment.
Overall Development of Countries along the Belt and Road
Authors: Hu Biliang , Pan Qingzhong
Published: January 2018

In light of recent interest in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the diverse cohort of Belt and Road Countries (BRCs) that fit into the BRI framework, we have conducted a study to measure and rank the overall development levels of the countries along path of the Belt and Road. We examine 65 countries along the BRI’s two principal axes—the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road—including China, Mongolia, and Russia, five countries in Central Asia, 19 countries in West Asia and North Africa, 19 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, 11 countries in Southeast Asia, and eight countries in South Asia.
Does Fiscal Deficit Affect Current Account Deficit in India? An Econometric Analysis
Authors: Banday Umer J. , Aneja Ranjan
Published: January 2018

The aim of this article is to examine the validity of the Keynesian proposition and Ricardian equivalence (RE) theorem for the developing country India over the period 1990–2015. The Mundell–Fleming model and Feldstein chain model which revolve around the Keynesian proposition argues it is budget deficit (BD) which influences current account deficit (CAD), with the increase in interest rate. While as RE theorem states that there is no relationship between BD and CAD, the decrease in tax rates will not increase the consumption because rational agents consider today’s deficit financing as tomorrow’s liabilities. The article initially investigates the theoretical foundation, followed by empirical literature, and uses various methods of econometrics to testify its validity. A co-integration and vector error correction model (VECM) model validates the existence of long-run relationship. The results of Granger causality test reveal the existence of bi-directional causality between BD and CAD and validates Keynesian proposition in India. Our results conclude that instability in macro variables such as inflation, exchange rate, interest rate and money supply (MS) causes CAD and BD which further have been proved by Cholesky decomposition method. However, it has been said in the global economic world that no one can escape the windfall effect of exchange rate volatility and rising prices, and such effects can be minimised but not eliminated.

JEL: E12, E31, E52, E62, E63, E41
Molecular detection and characterization of transient bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections in cattle commingled with ten BVDV persistently infected cattle
Authors: Peddireddi Lalitha , Foster Kelly A. , Poulsen Elizabeth G. , An Baoyan , Hoang Quoc Hung , O’Connell Catherine , Anderson Joseph W. , Thomson Daniel U. , Hanzlicek Gregg A. , Bai Jianfa , Hesse Richard A. , Oberst Richard D. , Anderson Gary A. , Leyva-Baca Ivan
Published: January 2018

Fifty-three cattle of unknown serologic status that were not persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) were commingled with 10 cattle that were PI with different strains of BVDV, and were monitored for an extended commingle period using a reverse-transcription real-time PCR (RT-rtPCR) BVDV assay on various sample types. Transient infections with BVDV were also assessed by virus isolation, virus neutralization (VN) assays, and direct buffy coat 5′-UTR sequencing. Infections were demonstrated in all cattle by RT-rtPCR; however, the detection rate was dependent on the type of sample. Buffy coat samples demonstrated a significantly greater number of positive results ( p ≤ 0.05) than either serum or nasal swab samples. Presence of elevated BVDV VN titers at the onset inversely correlated with the number of test days positive that an individual would be identified by RT-rtPCR from buffy coat samples, and directly correlated with the average Ct values accumulated over all RT-rtPCR test days from buffy coat samples. Both single and mixed genotype/subgenotype/strain infections were detected in individual cattle by direct sample 5′-UTR sequencing. A BVDV-2a strain from a PI animal was found to be the predominant strain infecting 64% of all non-PI cattle; BVDV-1b strains originating from 3 PI cattle were never detected in non-PI cattle. Although direct sample 5′-UTR sequencing was capable of demonstrating mixed BVDV infections, identifying all strains suspected was not always efficient or possible.
High mortality in foals associated with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Abortusequi infection in Italy
Authors: Grandolfo Erika , Parisi Antonio , Ricci Antonia , Lorusso Eleonora , de Siena Rocco , Trotta Adriana , Buonavoglia Domenico , Martella Vito , Corrente Marialaura
Published: January 2018

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Abortusequi is frequently reported as a cause of abortion in mares and neonatal septicemia and polyarthritis in Asian and African countries, but only sporadically in Europe and the United States. We report an outbreak of S. Abortusequi in foals in Italy, characterized by high mortality. In a herd of Murgese horses, 10 of 34 newborns died at birth and a further 7 died, after developing severe clinical signs, during the first 10 d of life. Tissue specimens from different organs of 2 dead foals, synovial fluids from 4 sick foals, and vaginal and rectal swabs from their dams were cultured. A total of 16 isolates, all as pure cultures, were obtained and identified as Salmonella. The isolates exhibited the same antimicrobial resistance pattern and the same sequence type, ST251, a type that has been associated with S. Abortusequi. Six of 16 isolates were serotyped and found to be S. Abortusequi 4,12:-:e,n,x. Equine practitioners should be aware of S. Abortusequi infection as a cause of neonatal mortality in foals.
Linear epitopes in African swine fever virus p72 recognized by monoclonal antibodies prepared against baculovirus-expressed antigen
Authors: Heimerman Mallory E. , Murgia Maria V. , Wu Ping , Lowe Andre D. , Jia Wei , Rowland Raymond R.
Published: January 2018

Protein p72 is the major capsid protein of African swine fever virus (ASFV) and is an important target for test and vaccine development. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were prepared against a recombinant antigenic fragment, from amino acid (aa) 20–303, expressed in baculovirus. A total of 29 mAbs were recovered and tested by immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) staining on ASFV Lisbon-infected Vero cells. Six antibodies were IFA-positive and selected for further characterization. Epitope mapping was performed against overlapping polypeptides expressed in E. coli and oligopeptides. Based on oligopeptide recognition, the mAbs were divided into 4 groups: mAb 85 (aa 165–171); mAbs 65-3 and 6H9-1 (aa 265–280); mAbs 8F7-3 and 23 (aa 280–294); and mAb 4A4 (aa 290–303). All mAbs were located within a highly conserved region in p72. This panel of antibodies provides the opportunity to develop new assays for the detection of ASFV antibody and antigen.
Patient Experiences and Opinions of a Behavioral Activation Group Intervention for Depression
Authors: O’Neill Laura , Samaan Zainab , McCabe Kathleen , Tabak Terri Ann , Key Brenda , Litke Kathryn , Whattam Jeff , Garrick Laura , Chalmers Sandra , Xie Feng , Thabane Lehana , Patel Yogita , Shahid Hamnah , Zielinski Laura , Vanstone Meredith
Published: January 2018

Purpose:

Major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability worldwide. This study is part of a mixed methods pilot trial, exploring the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of providing behavioral activation (BA) treatment in a group format.

Methods:

Using an applied, descriptive approach, qualitative data were collected from individual interviews (18) and focus groups (5) at multiple data points throughout the trial and feedback given to group facilitators, who adapted the program accordingly.

Results:

Group BA is an effective and acceptable treatment format when a client-centered, flexible approach is utilized. This contrasted with findings from the comparison intervention, a peer support group, from which participants reported no benefit.

Conclusions:

Group BA is beneficial in a fiscally responsible evidenced-based health-care culture. Comparator groups need to be carefully selected. Engaging patient and clinician perspectives when designing and implementing new clinical interventions is vital in informing future research and social work practice.
Identifying Psychosocial Risk Factors Among Families of Children With Craniofacial Conditions
Authors: Crerand Canice E. , Kapa Hillary M. , Litteral Jennifer , Pearson Gregory D. , Eastman Katherine , Kirschner Richard E.
Published: January 2018

Objective:

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool–Craniofacial Version (PAT-CV), a screening instrument for psychosocial risk in families of children with craniofacial conditions, and to examine risk classification of patients in a craniofacial population.

Design:

Prospective, cross-sectional, single-center study.

Setting:

Interdisciplinary cleft lip and palate/craniofacial center at a US children’s hospital.

Participants:

Parents/caregivers (n = 242) of 217 children ages 1 month to 17 years being treated for a congenital syndromic or nonsyndromic craniofacial condition completed the PAT-CV and validating measures from July 2015 to July 2016. The PAT-CV was completed by 121 caregivers a second time to assess test-retest reliability.

Main Outcome Measures:

PAT-CV, Child Behavior Checklist, Adult Self-Report, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Craniofacial Experiences Questionnaire, and Family Environment Scale.

Results:

Construct validity of the PAT-CV was supported by significant correlations ( P < .001) between PAT-CV total and subscale scores and the validated measures. PAT-CV total scores categorized 59.9% of families within the universal risk group, 32.3% within the targeted risk group, and 7.8% within the clinical range. Good criterion validity was indicated by significantly higher scores ( P < .0001) obtained on the validated measures for those in the targeted and clinical risk groups. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.86) and test-retest reliability for the PAT-CV total score ( r = 0.77, P < .0001) were acceptable.

Conclusions:

The PAT-CV appears to be a reliable and valid screening instrument for psychosocial risk. Accurate identification of risk and implementation of appropriate interventions may contribute to improvements in medical and psychosocial outcomes.
Combination Therapy Versus Exercise and Orthotic Support in the Management of Pain in Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cinar Eda , Saxena Shikha , Uygur Fatma
Published: January 2018

Background:

This study aimed at estimating the effectiveness of two commonly used modalities—extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT)—each combined with usual care (exercises and orthotic supports) in comparison to only usual care to relieve pain in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF).

Methods:

Participants with PF were randomly allocated into 3 groups: ESWT (n = 25), LLLT (n = 24), and control (n = 17). All participants received a home exercise program with orthotic support. The ESWT group received 2000 shock waves with 0.02 mJ/mm2 for 3 sessions, once a week; LLLT group received gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser with 850 nm wavelength for 10 sessions, 3 times a week. Pain was measured by Foot Function Index-pain subscale (FFI-p) and Numerical Rating Scale for pain (NRS-p). The scores were recorded at baseline, third week, and third month after the treatment. Analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results:

There was a significant improvement in pain over the 3 months in all groups on both FFI-p ( P < .001) and NRS-p ( P < .001). In NRS-p, LLLT group had significantly lower pain than ESWT ( P = .002) at the third week and control ( P = .043) and ESWT ( P = .003) at third month. In FFI-p total score, ESWT group had higher pain than LLLT ( P = .003) and control ( P = .035) groups at third week and LLLT ( P = .010) group at third month.

Conclusion:

When LLLT and ESWT were combined with usual care, LLLT was found to be more effective than ESWT in reducing pain in PF at short-term follow-up.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, comparative study.
Role of the Deltoid Ligament in Syndesmotic Instability
Authors: Massri-Pugin Jafet , Lubberts Bart , Vopat Bryan G. , Wolf Jonathon C. , DiGiovanni Christopher W. , Guss Daniel
Published: January 2018

Background:

The deltoid ligament (DL) is the principal ligamentous stabilizer of the medial ankle joint. Little is known, however, about the contribution of the DL toward stabilizing the syndesmosis. The aim of this study was to arthroscopically evaluate whether the DL contributes to syndesmotic stability in the coronal plane.

Methods:

Eight above-knee cadaveric specimens were used in this study. A lateral hook test was performed by applying 100 N of lateral force to the fibula in the intact state and after sequential transection of the DL, anterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL), interosseous ligament (IOL), and posterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL). At each stage, distal tibiofibular diastasis was measured arthroscopically at both the anterior and posterior third of the incisura and compared to stress measurements of the intact syndesmosis. Measurements were performed using probes ranging from 0.1 to 6.0 mm, with 0.1-mm increments.

Results:

There was no significant increase in diastasis at either the anterior or posterior third of the tibiofibular articulation after isolated DL disruption, nor when combined with AITFL transection. In contrast, a significant increase in diastasis was observed following additional disruption of the IOL (anterior and posterior third diastasis, P= .012 and .026, respectively), and after transection of all 3 syndesmotic ligaments (anterior and posterior third diastasis, P=.001 and .001, respectively).

Conclusion:

When evaluating the syndesmosis arthroscopically in a cadaveric model under lateral stress, neither isolated disruption of the DL nor combined DL and AITFL injuries destabilized the syndesmosis in the coronal plane. In contrast, the syndesmosis became unstable if the DL was injured in conjunction with partial syndesmotic disruption that included the AITFL and IOL.

Clinical relevance:

Disruption of the DL appeared to destabilize the syndesmosis in the coronal plane when associated with partial disruption of the syndesmosis (AITFL and IOL).
Borderline: The Ethics of Fat Stigma in Public Health
Authors: Pausé Cat
Published: January 2018

This article argues that public health campaigns have an ethical obligation to combat fat stigma, not mobilize it in the “war on obesity.” Fat stigma is conceptualized, and a review is undertaken of how pervasive fat stigma is across the world and across the lifespan. By reviewing the negative impacts of fat stigma on physical health, mental health, and health seeking behaviors, fat stigma is clearly identified as a social determinant of health. Considering the role of fat stigma in public health, and the arguments made for using stigmatisation in public health campaigns to promote population health, it is concluded that it is a violation of public health ethics to use stigma as a tool in combatting fatness. The article concludes by making recommendations of how public health in New Zealand can combat, rather than reinforce, fat stigma.
Urban Development and the Growth with Equity Framework: The National Football League Stadium in Downtown Los Angeles
Authors: Saito Leland
Published: January 2018

In political economy, research on growth coalitions and regime theory concludes that progressive coalitions representing lower-income residents and effectively working for policy change at the local level involving development are unlikely since they lack the resources necessary to build and maintain strong coalitions with long-term influence with elected officials. In Los Angeles, a coalition representing the homeless filed a lawsuit in 2012, which involved one of the most powerful developers in the region, and reached a favorable settlement. Given the strength of growth interests and factors working against redistributive policies, I ask the question, how did the coalition muster the political influence and resources necessary to compel the developer to settle the lawsuit? I contend that the settlement is evidence of a progressive coalition in the region that is working to establish a growth with equity framework and that the coalition has established political influence with local officials.
The value of fixed rasburicase dosing versus weight-based dosing in the treatment and prevention of tumor lysis syndrome
Authors: Boutin Alyssa , Blackman Alison , O’Sullivan David M , Forcello Nicholas
Published: January 2018

Background

Rasburicase is a recombinant urate oxidase enzyme used for the treatment and prevention of tumor lysis syndrome. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of indication-based, low-dose rasburicase administration compared to the Food and Drug Administration-approved weight-based dosing.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study utilizing data from a tertiary medical center including patients admitted from 2012 to 2016, who received at least one dose of rasburicase. The primary outcome was achieving a uric acid level less than 7.5 mg/dl after a single dose of rasburicase in the preprotocol (Food and Drug Administration-approved weight-based dosing) and postprotocol (indication-based, low-dose) groups. Secondary outcomes included the change in uric acid levels between the pre- and postprotocol groups, adherence to the new institutional protocol, need for repeat rasburicase doses, and a cost analysis.

Results

Sixty-four patients received at least one dose of rasburicase between 1 January 2012 and 1 December 2016. Twenty-seven (79.4%) doses in the preprotocol group and 28 (82.4%) doses in the postprotocol group successfully achieved a uric acid level less than 7.5 mg/dl after a single dose of rasburicase (p=1.000). The average total monthly cost of rasburicase was reduced by 59.9% after adoption of the new protocol.

Conclusions

Indication-based, low-dose rasburicase displayed significantly more value when compared to weight-based dosing as shown by achieving cost savings without compromising clinical efficacy.
Benefits of Using High-Volume–Low-Pressure Tracheal Tube in Children Undergoing Congenital Cardiac Surgery: Evidence From a Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Chand Rakesh , Roy Chowdhury Saibal , Rupert Emmanuel , Mandal Chandan Kumar , Narayan Pradeep
Published: January 2018

Background. In the past 2 decades, usage of high-volume–low-pressure microcuffed tracheal tubes in smaller children has increased. However, there is paucity of evidence of its usage in smaller children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to assess if microcuff endotracheal tubes in neonates and younger children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery is associated with better outcomes than uncuffed tubes. Methods. We carried out this single-center, prospective, randomized study between June and November 2016. Eighty patients were randomized into those receiving microcuff tracheal tubes and conventional uncuffed tubes. Primary outcome was stridor postextubation. Secondary outcomes measured included number of tube changes, volume of anesthetic gases required, and cost incurred. Results. The 2 groups were comparable in terms of baseline characteristics and duration of intubation. Incidence of stridor was significantly higher in conventional uncuffed tubes (12 [30%] vs 4 [10%]; P = .04) and so was the number of tube changes required (17/40 [42.5%] vs 2/40 [5%]; P ≤ .001). Tube change was associated with more than 3-fold risk of stridor (odds ratio = 3.92; 95% confidence interval = 1.23-12.43). Isoflurane (29.14 ± 7.01 mL vs19.2 ± 4.81 mL; P < .0001) and oxygen flow requirement ( P < .0001) and the resultant cost (7.46 ± 1.4 vs 5.77 ± 1.2 US$; P < .0001) were all significantly higher in the conventional uncuffed group. Conclusion. Microcuff pediatric tracheal tube is associated with significantly lower incidence of stridor, tube changes, and anesthetic gas requirement. This leads to significant cost reduction that offsets the higher costs associated with usage of a microcuff tracheal tube.
Meningitis Vaccination, Knowledge, and Awareness Among YMSM in Chicago
Authors: Phillips Gregory , Johnson Amy K. , Adames Christian N. , Mustanski Brian
Published: January 2018

Serogroup C invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) outbreaks in men who have sex with men (MSM) have been occurring with greater frequency in urban areas across the United States. An effective vaccine for IMD is available and is recommended for MSM in outbreak settings. Particular subgroups of MSM have been disproportionately represented in outbreaks, specifically young, Black, and HIV-positive MSM. As little is known about the knowledge, awareness, and vaccination status of young MSM, we sought to describe this and explore racial/ethnic differences. Data were collected from an established cohort study—RADAR—of 16- to 29-year-old MSM recruited through previous cohort studies and/or by being a partner or peer of a current study member. A total of 486 young MSM (YMSM) responded to 13 IMD-related questions. Approximately half of the sample correctly identified how IMD is spread and 58.6% accurately responded that vaccination was the best prevention method; however, more than 60% of participants felt they were at no risk of getting meningitis and only 49% self-reported vaccination. Additionally, White YMSM were significantly more likely to be vaccinated and to have accurate knowledge and risk perception of IMD compared with Black YMSM. Findings have important implications for disease control, outbreak management, and intervention development.
HybPhyloMaker: Target Enrichment Data Analysis From Raw Reads to Species Trees
Authors: Fér Tomáš , Schmickl Roswitha E
Published: January 2018

Hybridization-based target enrichment in combination with genome skimming (Hyb-Seq) is becoming a standard method of phylogenomics. We developed HybPhyloMaker, a bioinformatics pipeline that performs target enrichment data analysis from raw reads to supermatrix-, supertree-, and multispecies coalescent-based species tree reconstruction. HybPhyloMaker is written in BASH and integrates common bioinformatics tools. It can be launched both locally and on a high-performance computer cluster. Compared with existing target enrichment data analysis pipelines, HybPhyloMaker offers the following main advantages: implementation of all steps of data analysis from raw reads to species tree reconstruction, calculation and summary of alignment and gene tree properties that assist the user in the selection of “quality-filtered” genes, implementation of several species tree reconstruction methods, and analysis of the coding regions of organellar genomes.

Availability:

The HybPhyloMaker scripts, manual as well as a test data set, are available in https://github.com/tomas-fer/HybPhyloMaker/ . HybPhyloMaker is licensed under open-source license GPL v.3 allowing further modifications.
Direct Oral Anticoagulant Use in Valvular Heart Disease
Authors: Anderson Sarah L , Marrs Joel C
Published: January 2018

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are indicated by the European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The role of DOACs in patients with AF and concomitant valvular heart disease (VHD) is less clear. Recent subanalyses of randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have evaluated the role of DOACs in patients with AF and VHD. Patients with native aortic valve disease, tricuspid valve disease, or mitral regurgitation will be the primary focus as these represent the majority of VHD represented in the DOAC AF trials. Limited data exist on the role in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, mechanical heart valves, and mitral valve repair. This review provides the current clinical and scientific data pertaining to the safety and efficacy of DOAC use in patients with VHD.
How to Discern Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides From Follicular Mucinosis Using a Pediatric Case
Authors: Emge Drew A. , Lewis Daniel J. , Aung Phyu P. , Duvic Madeleine
Published: January 2018

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a variant of mycosis fungoides (MF) with folliculotropic, atypical lymphocytes that may or may not have mucin deposition surrounding the hair follicle. Follicular mucinosis (FM) is a primary or secondary finding in FMF, lupus, or collagen vascular diseases that is only a histological process of mucin deposition surrounding the hair follicles. We present a case of a 6-year-old boy who had features of both FMF and primary follicular mucinosis (PFM). The case reveals key insights on FMF with concurrent FM in pediatric patients and how to differentiate between FMF and PFM.
Orbital Life on the International Space Station
Authors: Damjanov Katarina , Crouch David
Published: January 2018

The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest object in the earth’s orbit and currently the only environment that harbors human life outside the planet. This habitable satellite operates as a sophisticated scientific laboratory and is a complex and costly technological endeavor in expanding our extraplanetary presence. The ISS constitutes a unique living space—a sociotechnical arrangement that encloses humans and nonhumans in a highly regulated and experimental setting that anticipates the orbital order of terrestrial ways of life. This article draws upon Michel Foucault’s work on power and space to frame the ISS as a form of “heterotopia” and explore it as a site in which technologically inflected inscriptions of the human incubate distinct material and social relations. It suggests that these orbital effects configure the practices underpinning the strategic spatialization of life and its governance beyond the globe.
Ethics of ambivalence in corporate branding
Authors: Wegerer Philipp , Munro Iain
Published: January 2018

Recent research within the field of organization studies has begun to map out the social and political effects of ethical branding on consumers, employees and society, yet the relationship between employees and brands is still an under-developed area of research. The aim of this article is to investigate how an ethical brand is perceived by its employees and to reveal contradictions that emerge from employee accounts of company brand ethics. The analysis identifies three areas of ‘ethical ambivalence’ in these accounts, notably: (1) the high employee identification with the brand in contrast to their ignorance of its specific values and practices; (2) the aim of the brand pedagogy to change consumer consciousness, and the admission that this had little effect in practice; and (3) the ambivalence in the stated aim to ethically transform the industry in contrast to maintaining an exclusive market niche. This article provides both an empirical contribution to research on company branding that reveals the contradictions in the employee accounts of their company’s brand ethics and a theoretical contribution introducing the notion of ‘ethical ambivalence’ to explain these contradictions, which shows how such ambivalence permits only a very restricted level of critical reflection about ethical issues. This article highlights the limits of critique at work in a company where it is difficult to differentiate between genuine moral concern and the repetition of simple brand messages.
Experimental study of the fretting wear behavior of Inconel 690 alloy under alternating load conditions
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Yu , Cai Zhen-Bing , Peng Jin-Fang , Liu Jian-Hua , Zhu Min-Hao , Du Run , Yuan Xin-Lu , Ren Ping-Di
Published: January 2018

This study investigated the fretting wear behavior of the nuclear power material Inconel 690 alloy. An improved PLINT high-temperature fretting tester was used on an Inconel 690 tube against a 1Cr13 cylinder at different temperatures (25 ℃ and 300 ℃) under alternating load conditions. The fretting-wear mechanism and the kinetic characteristic of Inconel 690 alloy were analyzed. Results showed that the fretting running behavior was closely related to the normal excitation frequency. In parallelogram shaped Ft– D curves, the friction fluctuates periodically, and accordingly the fretting was running in the slip regime. The steady-state friction force at room temperature in air was higher than that at 300 ℃. Moreover, the damage behavior of the fretting for Inconel 690 alloy strongly depended on the normal load, displacement amplitude, temperature, and excitation frequency in atmospheric environment. A superposition effect of fretting wear behavior was discovered because of the combined effect of alternating normal and tangential forces; thus, delamination became more significant. Abrasive wear and delamination were the major mechanisms in Inconel 690 alloy at room temperature in ambient air. The dominant mechanisms at 300 ℃ were the abrasive wear, oxidation wear, and delamination.
A new elliptical microcontact model considering elastoplastic deformation
Authors: Wen Yuqin , Tang Jinyuan , Zhou Wei , Zhu Caichao
Published: January 2018

A new elliptical microcontact model considering elastoplastic deformation is proposed to overcome the shortcomings of the existing elastoplastic microcontact model. A new low-order interpolation function is used to describe the relationship between the normal deformation of asperity and the mean contact pressure in the elastoplastic deformation stage, and a smooth, continuous, monotonic change curve of the mean contact pressure is obtained. Then, the contact of rough surfaces is studied based on the new elastoplastic elliptical microcontact model and the height distribution of asperity. The calculated results are compared with those obtained from the existing rough surface contact models and the comparisons show that: (1) the change curve for the average contact pressure in the new model is smooth, continuous, and monotonic; (2) the calculation results of the new model are consistent with the numerical results based on the finite element method; (3) the new model is helpful to study the rough surface contact analysis of the elliptical micro-convex body.
Fatty acid binding protein-4 is associated with disability in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Bove Riley , Healy Brain C , Musallam Alexander , Soltany Pejvak , Diaz-Cruz Camilo , Sattarnezhad Neda , Glanz Bonnie I , Kivisäkk Pia , Miller Karen K , Chitnis Tanuja
Published: January 2018

Background:

Increased adiposity is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) and is associated with increased disability scores. Adipokines may mediate the effects of adiposity on MS disease course.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to examine the association between the adipokines (leptin and fatty acid binding protein-4, FABP4) and clinical course in individuals with MS.

Methods:

Subjects (18–65 years) with relapsing-remitting MS or clinically isolated syndrome and <10 year disease duration were selected from a longitudinal clinical study. Cross-sectional and longitudinal models assessed the relationship between two adipokines (leptin and FABP4) and disease severity in women and men, adjusting for age, disease duration and disease type, Vitamin D level, testosterone level, and as well by body mass index (BMI).

Results:

Mean age of subjects ( N = 163, 56% women) was 39.3 years. Higher FABP4 levels were associated with higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores in women in both univariate and multivariate analyses (odds ratio: 1.30; p = 0.005). In men, higher FABP4 level was significantly associated with change in EDSS over time (estimate: 0.0062; p = 0.035). We found no association of FABP4 levels with time to next relapse or a measure of processing speed.

Conclusion:

FABP4 levels may be associated with increased disability in both men and women with MS independent of effects of BMI and other hormones. Future studies should expand these analyses and further explore downstream mechanisms of adiposity-related effects in MS.
Who do you believe? Political parties and conspiracy theories in Pakistan
Authors: Siddiqui Niloufer
Published: January 2018

In authoritarian states, emerging democracies, and well-established democracies alike, alternative accounts that contest official state narratives are common. Why do people believe such accounts even in the absence of supporting evidence? While this question has been explored in the United States, relatively little research has assessed it in other contexts. Through a survey experiment carried out in Pakistan, this article tests the impact of cues by political parties on belief in such conspiracy theories. The results provide evidence in favor of partisan cueing: When alternative narratives are endorsed by political parties viewed favorably by the respondent, they are more likely to be believed. I suggest that political parties are able to capitalize on misinformation and a lack of trust in official institutions for tactical advantage. Results differ by subgroup: Higher income and urban respondents are swayed more by their own party source than are lower income and rural individuals.
It is time for a closer look: The demise of regional party branches
Authors: Collignon Sofia
Published: January 2018

Traditionally, decentralization has been linked with the stability of the party system because it helps parties to succeed in national elections. Yet, previous research has frequently obviated the intertwined nature of multilevel party competition. This research takes a closer look at parties’ subnational electoral trajectories while arguing that decentralization increases the risk of new party demise by making subnational elections more attractive for all kinds of parties to compete in. The argument is tested applying survival analysis to the electoral trajectories of 1235 regional branches of political parties in 12 European countries. Results show that contrary to what has been stated previously on the literature, decentralization increases the risk of parties disappearing. This effect fades away the older and more consolidated the party becomes, and it is of particular relevance for regionalist parties. These findings have important implications for the literature on second-order elections and multilevel party competition.
Binge-watching motivates change: Uses and gratifications of streaming video viewers challenge traditional TV research
Authors: Steiner Emil , Xu Kun
Published: January 2018

In this article, we explore how binge-watching culture and technology are changing the ways viewers understand and interact with television. We propose that the motives and rituals of binge-viewers can be used to expand uses and gratifications (U&G) theory. We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews to gather thick descriptions of why people binge-watch, how they binge-watch, and how they feel about binge-watching. The findings indicate that (1) viewers’ primary motivations for binge-watching are catching up, relaxation, sense of completion, cultural inclusion, and improved viewing experience; (2) the portability and navigability of streaming video technology influence binge-watching rituals; and (3) viewers are ambivalent about their binge-watching. Based on the findings, we propose that a viewer attentiveness spectrum is a more accurate descriptor of contemporary TV watching than the passive/active dichotomy. We further argue that the changing motives and rituals of TV viewers can be used to bolster the quantitative surveys often employed in U&G research and to address the lingering criticisms of U&G theory.
The effect of the global financial crisis on preventable hospitalizations among the homeless in New York State
Authors: White Brandi , Ellis Charles , Jones Walter , Moran William , Simpson Kit
Published: January 2018

Objective

Periods of economic instability may increase preventable hospitalizations because of increased barriers to accessing primary care. For underserved populations such as the homeless, these barriers may be more pronounced due to limited resources in the health care safety net. This study examined the impact of the global financial crisis of 2007–2008 on access to care for the homeless in New York State.

Methods

Hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) were used as a proxy measure for primary care access. Admissions for ACSCs were identified in the New York State Inpatient Database from 2006 to 2012. Hospitalization rates for ACSCs were calculated for the homeless and nonhomeless. Multivariable linear regression was used to investigate the impact of the financial crisis on hospitalization rates for ACSCs.

Results

The findings indicate that during the financial crisis, homeless adults had significantly higher preventable hospitalizations than nonhomeless adults, and the uninsured homeless had significantly higher preventable hospitalizations when compared to other homeless subgroups. After the financial crisis, preventable hospitalizations for the homeless stabilized but remained at higher rates than those for the nonhomeless.

Conclusions

These findings are important to developing health policies designed to provide effective care for underserved population such as the homeless.
The motivation, constraint, behavior relationship: A holistic approach for understanding international student leisure travelers
Authors: Xie Li , Ritchie Brent W
Published: January 2018

Although motivations, constraints, and negotiation strategies influence travel decision-making, few studies have explored them together in a holistic way. This article explored these factors through testing the constraint-effects-mitigation (CEM) model in the tourism context of international university students’ travel. A questionnaire was administered to 373 international university students studying in Australia. The CEM model was only partially supported. Intrapersonal constraints had a stronger influence on travel intention than interpersonal and structural constraints. Behavioral negotiation strategies had a stronger effect on intention than cognitive strategies. Negotiation only partially mediated the relationship between constraints and intention. Practical implications and future research recommendations are also outlined.
Waiting for multidisciplinary chronic pain services: A prospective study over 2.5 years
Authors: Burke Anne LJ , Mathias Jane L , Denson Linley A
Published: January 2018

Despite many patients waiting more than 2 years for treatment at publicly funded multidisciplinary chronic pain services, waitlist studies rarely examine beyond 6 months. We investigated psychological adjustment and health-care utilisation of individuals ( N = 339) waiting ≤30 months for appointments at an Australian tertiary pain unit. Outcomes were relatively stable during the first 6 months, but long-term deteriorations in pain-related interference, distress and pain acceptance were evident, albeit with sex differences. Sexes also differed in uptake of new treatments. Medication use increased over time, but pain severity and medication relief did not. Results suggest that early intervention is important, especially for women.
Adolescent and caregivers’ experiences of electronic adherence assessment in paediatric problematic severe asthma
Authors: Stewart Amy C , Gannon Kenneth N , Beresford Fran , Fleming Louise
Published: January 2018

This study explored the experiences of adolescents and their caregivers regarding adherence to inhaled corticosteroids which are assessed through an electronic monitoring device (EMD). These devices are increasingly being used for assessing medication adherence, yet there is little information about patient’s experience of these tools. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight adolescents with severe asthma, aged 11–15 years, who were electronically monitored as part of their care, along with their caregivers. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: ‘they were trying to help me get better’, ‘checking up and catching out’ and ‘who is responsible?’ The themes highlighted differences in priorities between participant groups, the impact of monitoring on the healthcare relationship and the dilemma of transferring responsibility for asthma management to adolescents. The findings suggest it is important for healthcare professionals to engage with patient’s preferences and priorities when introducing EMDs.
The democratic drama of whistleblowing
Authors: Olesen Thomas
Published: January 2018

While major cases of whistleblowing may not be an everyday occurrence, their effects are often wide-ranging, celebrated, and controversial. Given this potent cocktail, the whistleblower is conspicuously undertheorized within sociology and social theory. Research today takes place mainly within management, business, psychology, law, and public administration studies. While some of this work does draw on sociological theory, we lack a general theory that combines attention to the historical context of whistleblowing, the nature of its critique and intervention, and the democratic meanings with which it is associated. This article offers such a framework. The argument consists of three components. First, whistleblowing is historically tied to the decline of authority in the 1960s and the 1970s. Second, building on field and systems theory, the whistleblower is seen as a field transgressor who, with a democratic intent, exposes information ‘belonging’ to a specific field in the public sphere. Third, in doing so, he/she is cast as both a hero and a villain in a democratic drama about the moral-political foundations of society.
Police recording of custodial interrogations
Authors: Bang Brandon L , Stanton Duane , Hemmens Craig , Stohr Mary K
Published: January 2018

The Supreme Court of the United States recognized in its seminal case Miranda v Arizona, 384 US 436 (1966) that police used overly coercive techniques during custodial interrogations to obtain confessions. Yet, post Miranda, police officers still utilize legal coercive and deceptive techniques during custodial interrogations. Unfortunately, some of these techniques have proven to be so coercive that they lead to false confessions and innocent people being convicted for crimes they did not commit. Some states have taken measures to protect the accused during custodial interrogations and require the police to record custodial interrogations under certain conditions. The policies and procedures that mandate interrogation recording vary in scope and by state. This article sheds light on the different statutes and policies implemented at the state level that regulate custodial interrogation recording.
Effect of mixing parameters, postcuring, and stoichiometry on mechanical properties of fiber reinforced epoxy–clay nanocomposites
Authors: Sharma Bikramjit , Chhibber Rahul , Mehta Rajeev
Published: January 2018

The influence of processing variables was experimentally studied for glass fiber reinforced epoxy–clay nanocomposites manufactured using vacuum-assisted wet layup method. The tensile strength, flexural strength, and interlaminar shear strength of these nanocomposites were significantly influenced by the processing variables including the temperature of resin–clay mixture, speed of homogenization, and ultrasonic probe amplitude during premixing of clay minerals in epoxy. The glass transition temperature of glass fiber reinforced composites increased with incorporation of clay minerals in epoxy. Also, the postcuring of the laminates was carried out at three different temperatures, e.g. 100, 130, and 150 ℃ for 3 h. A decrease in tensile modulus, tensile strength, and flexural strength of nanocomposites postcured at 130 and 150 ℃ was observed. Also, the use of non-stoichiometric epoxy resin and hardener ratios had an adverse effect on mechanical properties of fiber reinforced epoxy–clay nanocomposites. In fiber reinforced composites incorporating clay minerals, a uniform dispersion of clay minerals besides a strong interfacial adhesion between clay minerals and polymer and optimum conditions of curing of matrix is a crucial aspect for improved performance over conventional fiber reinforced composites.
European integration as a threat to social security: Another source of Euroscepticism?
Authors: Baute Sharon , Meuleman Bart , Abts Koen , Swyngedouw Marc
Published: January 2018

This study investigates whether citizens' concerns about the EU's impact on social security are a distinct source of Euroscepticism. By analysing data from the European Values Study 2008, we show that citizens differentiate between domain-specific fears about European integration (i.e. about social security, national sovereignty, culture, payments and jobs), meaning that they cannot be reduced completely to a general fear about European integration. Furthermore, socioeconomic determinants and ideological position are more important in explaining citizens' fear about the EU's impact on social security than in explaining their generalised fear of European integration. In countries with higher social spending, citizens are more fearful of European integration in general, however, social spending does not affect fears about social security more strongly than it affects other EU-related fears.