bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blue Dart Express Limited
Authors: Bhatnagar S.C. , Ranganathan C.
Published: January 2017

This case study describes the operations of Blue Dart Express Limited and documents the development of major IT applications by the company during 1987 to 1997. The company has been investing nearly one per cent of its revenue on developing IT applications during this period. The case describes the evolution of a consignment tracking application on which the current operations of Blue Dart are completely dependent. In 1997, the company was reviewing its plans for the next five years. The company plans to use the emerging information technology to enhance the existing applications and to widen the geographic scope of the application. The case lists some of the issues faced by Malcolm, the chief architect of the successful tracking system, in proposing the size and scope of t he next IT plan to the top management.

Readers are invited to send their responses on the case to Vikalpa Office.
Indian Management Research
Authors: Sarkar Mitali
Published: January 2017

This section features abstracts of articles covering empirical studies, experiences, ideas, and theories published in Indian and international journals. Sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, this service is intended to facilitate Indian management research.

Authors desirous of having their publications considered for inclusion in this feature may please send reprints of their articles to Vikalpa Editorial Office.
Privatization, Performance, and Efficiency: A Study of Indian Banks
Authors: Sathye Milind
Published: January 2017

Enhancing efficiency and performance of public sector banks (PSBs) is a key objective of economic reforms in many countries including India. It is believed that private ownership helps improve efficiency and performance. Accordingly, the Indian government started diluting its equity in PSBs from early 1990s in a phased manner. Has the partial privatization of Indian banks really helped improve their efficiency and performance? International evidence on impact of privatization is mixed. Though the issue is important in the Indian context, no study to the author's knowledge has addressed it so far. The present study, thus, fills an important gap.

The data required for the study were obtained from Performance Highlights of Banks, a publication of the Indian Banks' Association. The author could readily obtain publications for five years — 1998-2002; his analysis is, thus, restricted to these five years. The financial performance of the banks was measured using the standard financial performance measures such as return on assets. The efficiency of banks was measured using accounting ratios, e.g., deposits per employee. Two main approaches are generally used to evaluate the impact of privatization on firm performance: ‘Synchronic’ approach in which the performance of state-owned firms is compared with the firms that were privatized or with the firms that were already in private ownership. ‘Historical’ approach, in which ex-ante and ex-post privatization performance of the same enterprise is compared.

Given that the data are available for only five years, the author uses the synchronic approach. Since the dataset is not large enough to allow the use of more robust multivariate statistical procedures, he confines himself to the use of the difference of means test.

This study reveals the following: Financial performance of partially privatized banks (measured by return on assets) and their efficiency (measured by three different ratios) were significantly higher than that of the fully public banks. In the matter of quality of advances (measured by the ratio of non-performing assets to net advances), significant difference was not found in these two groups. Of course, there is no quick fix for this problem. Partially privatized banks also seem to be catching up fast with fully private banks as no significant difference was found in financial performance and efficiency between them. On comparing the strategies of privatization in India with the other countries, India was found to adopt the strategy of initial public offerings like Poland. This strategy failed in Poland but seems to have succeeded in India. Gradual privatization and well-developed financial markets seem to have contributed to Indian success.
Superior-Subordinate Relationships and Satisfaction in Indian Small Business Enterprises
Authors: Afza Mainuddin
Published: January 2017

This paper has used the hierarchy-based power system by French and Raven (1959) for researching the motivational potential in small business manufacturing enterprises. Studies in this area have been conducted but most of them are in the US, a country that is characterized by favourable demographic and other infrastructural environmental factors. However, this study used data from small business enterprises in India which is a fast developing economy though it does not yet have the logistics and the techno-economic infrastructure like the one in the US.

One primary objective of this study was to see if the findings from an emerging economy are different from those of developed countries. Another objective was to get insights into the hierarchical motivation dynamics in the Indian enterprises. Indian environment is different from the US' in two important respects: the existence of high power-distance in the organizational hierarchies (as opposed to low power-distance in the US), and the market life cycle driven maturity level of Michel Porter's (1985) industry forces. The ultimate objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between bases of leader power and several criterion variables such as commitment, satisfaction, intent to leave, and compliance.

Some of the findings of the study are as follows: The power bases are influential predictors in the US, a society that is characterized by high level of individualistic materialism, low power-distance, and strong entrepreneurial mental behaviour. In India, the power bases are likely to be even more influential because of the society's unique socio-cultural characteristics. India's social environment is high on power-distance that commands loyalty and possibly accountability in small business sector. The influence of Confucian philosophy and Gandhi's values are likely factors that differentiate India's culture base from that of the US.

The results of this study are quite consistent with many of the findings of more recent studies done in the US. There were some differences between the findings of the present and other recent studies which may be attributed to the type of professionals who participated in this study and the socio-economic and power-distance driven cultural differences between the US and India. One important limitation of the present study is that the relationships discussed are correlational, not causal. Experimental studies are needed to investigate causal links between the bases of leader power and criterion variables. Moreover, further studies of superior-subordinate relationships and their effects on motivation and compliance using India's culture factors are needed to determine the relevance and applicability of US-based studies in India.
Simplifying the Six Sigma Toolbox through Application of Shainin DOE Techniques
Authors: Sharma Sunil , Chetiya Anuradha R
Published: January 2017

The success of a Six Sigma programme in an organization depends to a large extent on the success of the Six Sigma projects, which in turn depends on how the team handles the problem and whether the right combination of tools is being applied to address the root cause. The Six Sigma toolbox consists of a wide range of tools comprising, on the one hand, simple and commonly used tools like flow charts, Pareto analysis, and cause-and-effect diagram and the more advanced statistical tools like design of experiments, regression analysis and many more, on the other hand. While the simple tools are easy to apply, understand, and analyse, engineers perceive the more advanced tools difficult to comprehend. Design of experiments (DOE) is one such tool. Two well-known approaches of design of experiments are the Classical DOE, pioneered by Sir Ronald A Fisher and the Taguchi approach, pioneered by Dr Genichii Taguchi.

A third approach to experimental design—the Shainin DOE techniques, offered by Dr Dorian Shainin—can be considered as a very good alternative to the other approaches. They are much simpler than the factorial designs, response surface designs, and orthogonal arrays of the conventional approaches of DOE, but at the same time are recognized as being very powerful and effective in solving the chronic quality problems that plague most manufacturers. Shainin DOE basically works at eliminating suspected process variables by mostly using seven different tools, viz., Multi-Vari Charts Component Search Paired Comparison Variable Search Full Factorials B vs. C (Better vs. Current) Analysis Scatter Plots or Realistic Tolerance Parallelogram Plots.

Though not very well documented, these tools have proved to be the key drivers in the success of many companies, e.g., Motorola.

This article examines two projects of a leading automotive and general lighting lamp manufacturing company, in which a combination of the standard Six Sigma tools and Shainin tools has been successfully used to address the root cause of the problems. The advantage of using Shainin tools is that: Very small sample sizes are required to analyse the problem. Often samples as small as 2 or 3 are enough to make statistically valid conclusions. Statistical software is not required to analyse the data. In fact, Shainin DOE does not even require knowledge of complex statistical tools. It involves employees at all levels, including workers and junior staff in problem solving that was hitherto a domain of senior technical experts. Also, the success of the projects had a very positive effect on the morale of the employees in terms of convincing them that Six Sigma is not all about using complex statistical tools.
Role of Burnout in the Relationship between Job Demands and Job Outcomes among Indian Nurses
Authors: Kar Suryatapa , Suar Damodar
Published: January 2017

Burnout is a severe psychological strain that occurs in response to prolonged exposure to stress at work and has adverse individual and organizational consequences. It has reached a critical stage among today's workforce with a high occurrence among human service professionals. Although avid studies on burnout have been made worldwide, the same among the nursing profession still needs more attention. The goals of this study are to understand how various nursing specific job demands have impact on nurses� burnout and to see if burnout has a role in their job commitment and intentions to turnover. Through a structured questionnaire, data were collected from 862 nurses working in 24 private and public hospitals across six cities in India. Descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analyses, path analyses, and mediator analyses tested the hypotheses. The results reveal the following: Workplace demands such as role conflict, role ambiguity, work load, work-home conflict, shift work attitudes, job complexity, physical environment, and organizational politics are positively associated with emotional exhaustion. While role ambiguity, organizational politics, and job complexity are important predictors of depersonalization, role ambiguity and organizational politics have lowered personal accomplishment. While perception of organizational politics is found to be the most important predictor of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, role ambiguity is the most important predictor of reduced personal accomplishment. While emotional exhaustion and reduced personal accomplishment are responsible for decreased commitment, emotional exhaustion and depersonalization initiate the intentions to turnover.

Finding of the study provided empirical evidence that tri-components of burnout mediate the relationships between job demand and outcome variables. Emotional exhaustion is the most important mediator between job demand and outcome variables.

In the context of the nursing profession, the above-mentioned job demands can be minimized. Also, early screening for burnout components can help in mitigating their adverse impacts on commitment and turnover of nurses through targeted strategies.
Does Equity Research Induced Buying Have Investment Value? Evidence from an Emerging Market
Authors: Sayed Samie A , Chaklader Barnali
Published: January 2017

This research investigates the contribution (if any) of sell side analysts towards profitable investment decisions for investors in India. A sample of 1,000 target prices issued with buy ratings issued between 2007 and 2011 is used to investigate if investors have benefitted from these target price forecasts. The accuracy of target price forecasts is assessed by investigating if target price forecasts have been achieved anytime during the forecast horizon of one year.

Analysts are found to meet their target price forecasts with 57.6 percent accuracy which is better than 55.6 percent target price accuracy reported from 16 countries. This implies that analysts perform in line with global analyst performance. The findings support the proposition that analyst recommendations with buy ratings have investment value in India and investors can benefit by tracking buy recommendations issued by analysts.

The research was developed further and factors affecting target price accuracy for buy recommendations were investigated through regression analysis of panel data. Promoter holding was found to have a significant and negative impact on target price accuracy. This implies that analysts produce less accurate results with companies in which promoters have bigger role in managing company�s resources and share prices. Stocks with high promoter holding indicate the possibility of insider trading to outsmart the market. Further, regression analysis reveals that price to book is significantly and positively linked with target price accuracy. Fund managers believe that emerging market stocks tend to trade at premium to book values as companies have successfully managed their ROE better than cost of capital. The authors infer that analysts outperform with buy ratings on stocks with higher ROE than cost of capital. Analyst optimism was found to significantly reduce target price accuracy. The results with respect to analyst optimism are in line with the results reported from developed markets like Germany. Past research suggests that higher analyst optimism is possibly associated with trade generation and brokerage revenues out of retail clients. The regression results are supported by a battery of tests associated with panel data.

The authors conclude by suggesting that investors, to some extent, can rely on equity research in India for profit-making investment decisions in stocks. The key message is that equity research induced buying has investment value in India.
Segmentation of Bank Customers by Loyalty and Switching Intentions
Authors: Kaur Gurjeet , Sharma R D , Mahajan Neha
Published: January 2017

In a highly competitive world, it is imperative to understand why customers switch, as switching has a significant impact on a firm's performance. Just as satisfied customers are not necessarily loyal, dissatisfied customers do not always exit (Yanamandram & White, 2006). Even then much attention has been diverted towards growing relationships as compared to ending of the same (Akerlund, 2005; Halinen & Tahtinen, 2002).

This study aimed at predicting customer switching through various relational and switching factors, viz., quality, value, satisfaction, trust, commitment, loyalty, switching costs and barriers, particularly in the context of Indian private banking. Further, the study investigated those traits of the customers, which would facilitate bank managers in formulating different retention strategies. The main findings of the study are: Majority of respondents have no intentions to switch their prime bank, but at the same time these respondents cannot be classified as true loyals. There exist two groups of respondents, i.e., ‘loyal stayers’ and ‘spurious stayers’. A direct relationship exists between ‘customer switching intentions’ on the one hand and ‘quick and effective responses to service failures’, ‘core services up to expectations’, ‘reasonable prices’, ‘switching costs’ and ‘switching barriers‘ on the other.

Thus, banks need to undertake the following initiatives, which would be useful for increasing customer retention among bank customers: Promote commitment by implementing and demanding higher standards of conduct from the bank employees. Develop schemes/services that provide value to their customers in a sustained way and maintain them overtime in order to generate competitive advantage. Satisfy its customers, which can be implemented only when customers' needs are known. Hence, every bank should have a separate R&D department, which can pursue market surveys on continual basis. Concentrate on the core service delivery and recovery, so as to seek competitive advantage. Focus on CRM strategies and develop wide-ranging relationships with their customers so as to make it difficult for them to switch their bank. In order to build profitable relationships, firms should not attempt to attract all customers in the market indiscriminately, but focus on those who are more valuable to the company.
Determination of a Low Frequency Noise Source's Parameters by a Space Intensity Sensor
Authors: Ivannikov A.N. , Pavlov V.I. , Holodova S.V.
Published: January 2017

The aim of this paper is to present the basic equations and the first results of an experimental investigation using the space intensity sensor. We offer a multi-element acoustic sensor that gives the opportunity to find the source's parameters (distance between the observer and the source, direction to the source, power of its radiation, its multipole type). It is very important for the diagnosis of natural low frequency sources. The results of the measurements of the sound multipole source's parameters are presented. The test's experimental data correspond well to the real controlled parameters.
The New Type of Constrained Vibration-Damping Coating
Authors: Magdenkov Vladimir A.
Published: January 2017

Samples of new self-adhesive, constrained vibration-damping coatings (VDC) and layers for “sandwich” type plates for damping flexural waves in plates are described. These coatings consist of aluminium foil, perforated cardboard and layers of self-adhesive viscoelastic material. The results of measurements of the temperature-frequency characteristics of the loss factor of flexural waves in plates which are damped with these coatings are given. Methods of calculation of viscoelastic characteristics of multi-layer constructions are considered. The peculiarities of use of constrained and hard vibration damping coatings are investigated on the first natural frequencies while damping flexural waves of plates and beams, clamped at their edges.
Development of a Comprehensive Method of Health Hazard Assessment for Exposure to Repeated Mechanical Shocks
Authors: Morrison J.B. , Martin S.H. , Robinson D.G. , Roddan G. , Nicol J.J. , Springer M.J-N. , Cameron B.J. , Albano J.P.
Published: January 2017

This study describes a Health Hazard Assessment (HHA) method for evaluating exposures to repeated shocks in tactical ground vehicles (TGV). This method will predict the risk of injury to the crew of a TGV given its acceleration signature. The HHA will identify both acute and chronic health risks resulting from either a single shock, or prolonged exposure due to travel over rough terrain. The HHA is based partly on existing models, human response and injury data, as well as partly on experimental data obtained from volunteers exposed to a range of shock profiles and to prolonged repeated shock exposures. The HHA consists of three components: dynamic response models which predict seat-to-spine transmission of acceleration; a dose-recovery model for exposure to repeated shocks based on fatigue failure theory and subjective tolerance data; and an injury risk model based on the cumulative probability of failure. A biomechanical model was also developed which analyses spinal compression in response to shock. This model does not form part of the HHA model, but will provide an independent evaluation of the HHA using the experimental data from this study. The components of the HHA are outlined and some test results presented.
Vibration Control of a Flexible Arm with Active Constrained Layer Damping
Authors: Tawfeic S. R. , Baz A. , Ismail A. A. , Azim O. A. , Karar S. S.
Published: January 2017

The vibration of a single link flexible manipulator is attenuated using the Active Constrained layer damping (ACLD) treatment. The ACLD treatment consists of a viscoelastic layer sandwiched between two piezo-electric layers acting as constraining layers with sensing and actuation capabilities. The shear deformation of the visco-elastic layer is controlled to enhance the energy dissipation mechanism and attenuate the vibration of the flexible manipulator.

A finite element model is used to describe the dynamics of the system. A third order polynomial is used to describe the lateral displacement of the manipulator and a second order polynomial is used to describe the longitudinal displacements of the different layers of the manipulator. An appropriate control law is used to control the system. The Coupled Modal Strain energy technique is used to compute the equivalent viscous damping ratios for the elastic layer using the loss factor data of the material. The theoretical predictions of the model are compared with the experimental performance of a manipulator fully treated with a Dyad 606 visco-elastic layer sandwiched between two layers of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezo-electric films. The results obtained clearly demonstrate the attenuation capabilities of the Actively-Controlled Constrained Layer Damping.
An Investigation and Assessment of Annoyance of Low Frequency Noise in Dwellings
Authors: Mirowska Mariana
Published: January 2017

Appliances installed in residential buildings such as transformers, air-conditioners and freezers are often sources of low frequency noise. Although sound levels inside dwellings from these sources are low, the dwellers evaluate the noise as annoying. This paper presents the results of an investigation of annoying low frequency noise in dwellings. Measurement results are shown and methods of annoyance assessment are discussed.
Experimental study on the microscopic characteristics affecting methane adsorption on anthracite coal treated with high-voltage electrical pulses
Authors: Zhu Chuan-jie , Lu Ximiao , Lin Bai-quan , Yan Fa-zhi , Guo Chang , Hong Yi-du , Zhang Xiang-liang
Published: January 2017

The low gas permeability of coal formations with limited coal pores and fractures leads to difficulty in coalbed methane exploration. High-voltage electrical pulse has a potential application in enhanced coalbed methane recovery. In this study, we discuss the microscopic characteristics of anthracite coals treated by high-voltage electrical pulse. We find that C, O, and other coal elements constituting oxygenic groups, which mainly account for gas adsorption, decreased slightly after high-voltage electrical pulse treatment, indicating that elemental variation may have little influence on gas adsorption. The scanning electron microscopy and low-pressure nitrogen gas adsorption (LP-N2GA) results show that the cumulative micropore volumes of high-voltage electrical pulse-treated coals were much larger than those of original coals. The mercury intrusion porosimetry results show that the cumulative macropore volumes, which act as gas migration channels in coal increased. Additionally, high-voltage electrical pulse-treated coals were found to have smaller entrapment areas, indicating that gas migration was enhanced.
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified by polyaniline for the removal of alizarin yellow R from aqueous solutions
Authors: Wu Kaiyue , Yu Jingang , Jiang Xinyu
Published: January 2017

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) encapsulated by polyaniline (PANI) were synthesized by in situ polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the synthesized composites (O-MWCNTs/PANI), and the surface area was calculated by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. The removal capacity of alizarin yellow R (AYR) with O-MWCNTs/PANI was further investigated. Experiments were conducted to optimize the adsorption conditions, including contact time, pH, initial concentration of AYR and temperature. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity for AYR was 884.80 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics and the adsorption isotherm could be better described by the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm, respectively. Energy changes revealed that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous in nature. Additionally, the O-MWCNTs/PANI showed higher adsorption capacity than pristine MWCNTs or PANI. Therefore, O-MWCNTs/PANI would be applied as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of dye from water.
Analysis of Double Layer Grids with Material Non-Linearities–A Practical Approach
Authors: Hanaor A.
Published: January 2017

A practical approach is presented, for the analysis of space trusses involving non-linear member behaviour, with particular attention to buckling. In its application to double layer grids, the method takes advantage of the well-defined yield lines formed by yielding or buckling members. The method, which is ‘exact’, employs a piecewise linearized strut characteristic, which may be obtained either experimentally or by established analytical procedures. The flexibility based algorithm is extremely efficient and easy to implement through modifications to any existing linear analysis program.
Initial experience with xenograft bioconduit for the treatment of complex prosthetic valve endocarditis
Authors: Roubelakis Apostolos , Karangelis Dimos , Sadeque Syed , Yanagawa Bobby , Modi Amit , Barlow Clifford W , Livesey Steven A , Ohri Sunil K
Published: January 2017

Introduction:

The treatment of complex prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) with aortic root abscess remains a surgical challenge. Several studies support the use of biological tissues to minimize the risk of recurrent infection. We present our initial surgical experience with the use of an aortic xenograft conduit for aortic valve and root replacement.

Methods:

Between October 2013 and August 2015, 15 xenograft bioconduits were implanted for complex PVE with abscess (13.3% female). In 6 patients, concomitant procedures were performed: coronary bypass (n=1), mitral valve replacement (n=5) and tricuspid annuloplasty (n=1). The mean age at operation was 60.3±15.5 years. The mean Logistic European system for cardiac operating risk evaluation (EuroSCORE) was 46.6±23.6. The median follow-up time was 607±328 days (range: 172-1074 days).

Results:

There were two in-hospital deaths (14.3% mortality), two strokes (14.3%) and seven patients required permanent pacemaker insertion for conduction abnormalities (46.7%). The mean length of hospital stay was 26 days. At pre-discharge echocardiography, the conduit mean gradient was 9.3±3.3mmHg and there was either none (n=6), trace (n=6) or mild aortic insufficiency (n=1). There was no incidence of mid-term death, prosthesis-related complications or recurrent endocarditis.

Conclusions:

Xenograft bioconduits may be safe and effective for aortic valve and root replacement for complex PVE with aortic root abscess. Although excess early mortality reflects the complexity of the patient population, there was good valve hemodynamics, with no incidence of recurrent endocarditis or prosthesis failure in the mid-term. Our data support the continued use and evaluation of this biological prosthesis in this high-risk patient cohort.
Freezing episodes in hemiparetic stroke: results of a pilot survey
Authors: Bussin J L , Abedin H , Tallis R C
Published: January 2017

Objective: To determine whether freezing episodes commonly occur in patients who have had a hemiparetic stroke.

Design: A postal questionnaire sent to 108 patients who had been admitted to our Stroke Unit with a hemiparesis due to an acute ischaemic stroke or a primary intracerebral haemorrhage.

Results: Ninety-three questionnaires were returned, of which 14 were unsuitable for analysis as the patients were unable to walk. The remaining 79 questionnaires were analysed (response rate 73%). Twenty-six (33%) patients reported freezing episodes while walking.

Conclusions: Freezing episodes have been underappreciated in patients who have had a hemiparetic stroke. This is potentially important as these patients may benefit from some of the rehabilitation techniques currently being developed for patients with cerebral multi-infarct states who have similar gait problems. Future studies should be more widely based and designed to characterize the nature of the freezing episodes and their relationship to the location of the lesion.
Lumbar spine range of motion as a measure of physical and functional impairment: an investigation of validity
Authors: Nattrass Caroline L , Nitschke Julie E , Disler Peter B , Chou Michael J , Ooi Kathleen T
Published: January 2017

Objective: To investigate the validity of the spinal range of motion models outlined in the second and fourth editions of the American Medical Association Guides to the evaluation of permanent impairment (AMA Guides), for assessing the percentage impairment in chronic low back pain patients.

Design: Cross-sectional validation study. Setting: Outpatient department in the Rehabilitation Medicine Unit. Subjects: A volunteer sample of 34 subjects participated in the study, 21 females and 13 males, with a mean age of 47.7 years (1 SD =12.1) and 40.1 years (1 SD = 11.1), respectively. Subjects had chronic low back with or without leg pain of at least six months’ duration. Subjects were recruited by medical practitioners and physiotherapists through the Rehabilitation Unit at the Essendon Campus of Royal Melbourne Hospital. Main outcome measures: Lower back range of motion measured with a long arm goniometer and a dual inclinometer, Waddell Physical Impairment Scale, Waddell Disability Index, Oswestry Disability Index.

Results: Both range of motion measurement methods demonstrated poor validity and do not bear any consistent relationship to the level of physical or functional impairment in subjects with chronic low back pain.

Conclusions: There was no evidence for a relationship between low back range of motion and impairment, and thus it would appear illogical to evaluate impairment in chronic low back pain patients using a spinal range of motion model when aiming to measure or compensate disability.
Shoulder joint replacement for osteoarthrosis in association with thalidomide-induced phocomelia
Authors: Newman Raymond J
Published: January 2017

The natural history of thalidomide-induced phocomelia has not yet been established since only 35 years have elapsed since the problems associated with this drug became evident.

This paper presents what is considered to be the first case of osteoarthrosis in such an individual treated by shoulder joint replacement.

Joint arthoplasty is almost certainly going to become an integral part of the life-long rehabilitation process in such affected individuals.
Abnormality of spontaneous brain activities in patients with chronic neck and shoulder pain: A resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Yu Cheng-xin , Ji Ting-ting , Song Hao , Li Bo , Han Qiang , Li Liang , Zhuo Zhi-zheng
Published: January 2017

Objectives

Chronic gneck and shoulder pain (CNSP) is a common clinical symptom of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Several studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) have reported that most chronic pain diseases are accompanied by structural and functional changes in the brain. However, few rs-fMRI studies have examined CNSP. The current study investigated cerebral structural and functional changes in CNSP patients.

Methods

In total, 25 CNSP patients and 20 healthy volunteers participated in the study. 3D-T1W and rs-fMRI images were acquired. Voxel-based morphometry analysis was applied to structural images, and regional homogeneity (ReHo) was extracted from rs-fMRI. Statistical analysis was performed on post-processing images and ReHo parameter maps.

Results

The results revealed no significant differences in brain structure between the two groups. In the patient group, ReHo values were significantly increased in the bilateral middle frontal gyrus and decreased in the left insula, superior frontal gyrus, middle cingulate gyrus, supplementary motor area, right postcentral gyrus, and superior parietal lobule.

Conclusions

This initial structural and rs-fMRI study of CNSP revealed characteristic features of spontaneous brain activity of CNSP patients. These findings may be helpful for increasing our understanding of the neuropathology of CNSP.
Effects of genetic factors to inhaled corticosteroid response in children with asthma: a literature review
Authors: Duong-Thi-Ly Huong , Nguyen-Thi-Thu Ha , Nguyen-Hoang Long , Nguyen-Thi-Bich Hanh , Craig Timothy J. , Duong-Quy Sy
Published: January 2017

Numerous studies have examined the association between pharmacogenetic effects and the response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with asthma. In fact, several single nucleotide polymorphisms of a number of candidate genes have been identified that might influence the clinical response to ICS in children with asthma. Their direct or indirect effects depend on their role in the inflammatory process in asthma or the anti-inflammatory action of corticosteroids, respectively. Among the genes identified, variants in T-box 21 ( TBX21) and Fc fragment of IgE receptor II ( FCER2) contribute indirectly to the variability in the response to ICS by altering the inflammatory mechanisms in asthma, while other genes such as corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 ( CRHR1), nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 ( NR3C1), stress induced phosphoprotein 1 ( STIP1), dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), glucocorticoid induced 1 (GLCCI1), histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC), ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3 (ORMDL3), and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) directly affect this variability through the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of ICS. The results to date indicate various potential genetic factors associated with the response to ICS, which could be utilized to predict the individual therapeutic response of children with asthma to ICS. Clinical trials are underway and their results are greatly anticipated. Further pharmacogenetic studies are needed to fully understand the effects of genetic variation on the response to ICS in children with asthma.
Digestive and urologic hemorrhage after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: Data from a Chinese stroke center
Authors: Chang Hong , Wang Xiaojuan , Yang Xin , Song Haiqing , Qiao Yuchen , Liu Jia
Published: January 2017

Objective

Intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is considered the most effective treatment method for AIS; however, it is associated with a risk of hemorrhage. We analyzed the risk factors for digestive and urologic hemorrhage during rt-PA therapy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients with AIS who underwent intravenous thrombolysis with rt-PA during a 5-year period in a Chinese stroke center. Data on the demographics, medical history, laboratory test results, and clinical outcomes were collected.

Results

338 patients with AIS were eligible and included. Logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that gastric catheter was significantly correlated with digestive hemorrhage, while age and urinary catheter were significantly correlated with urologic hemorrhage. Most hemorrhagic events were associated with catheterization after 1 to 24 hours of rt-PA therapy.

Conclusions

In summary, gastric and urinary catheters were correlated with digestive and urologic hemorrhage in patients with AIS undergoing rt-PA therapy. Well-designed controlled studies with large samples are required to confirm our findings.
Biomechanical characteristics of skeletal muscles and associations between running speed and contraction time in 8- to 13-year-old children
Authors: Završnik Jernej , Pišot Rado , Šimunič Boštjan , Kokol Peter , Blažun Vošner Helena
Published: January 2017

Objective

To investigate associations between running speeds and contraction times in 8- to 13-year-old children.

Method

This longitudinal study analyzed tensiomyographic measurements of vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles’ contraction times and maximum running speeds in 107 children (53 boys, 54 girls). Data were evaluated using multiple correspondence analysis.

Results

A gender difference existed between the vastus lateralis contraction times and running speeds. The running speed was less dependent on vastus lateralis contraction times in boys than in girls. Analysis of biceps femoris contraction times and running speeds revealed that running speeds of boys were much more structurally associated with contraction times than those of girls, for whom the association seemed chaotic.

Conclusion

Joint category plots showed that contraction times of biceps femoris were associated much more closely with running speed than those of the vastus lateralis muscle. These results provide insight into a new dimension of children’s development.
Total intravenous anesthesia produces outcomes superior to those with combined intravenous–inhalation anesthesia for laparoscopic gynecological surgery at high altitude
Authors: Xu Rui , Zhou Shuqin , Yang Jin , Li Haiyan , Zhang Qingguo , Zhang Guohong , Xu Shiyuan , Peng Qing
Published: January 2017

Objective

We compared efficacy and adverse outcomes following totally intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) versus combined intravenous–inhalation anesthesia (CIVIA) on hemodynamics and postoperative recovery following laparoscopic gynecological (LG) surgery at high altitudes.

Methods

We enrolled 80 ASA I or II patients scheduled for LG surgery and randomly assigned them to TIVA with propofol (group P, n = 40) or CIVIA with isoflurane (group I, n = 40). Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, pulse oxygen saturation, and partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide were measured at various time points. Outcome measures were interval to spontaneous ventilation, eye opening, return to consciousness, extubation, operating room duration. Intraoperative awareness and postoperative nausea/vomiting were assessed at follow-up.

Results

No differences in hemodynamic parameters were detected in either group. Group P had a significantly shorter postoperative anesthetic recovery time and lower incidence of postoperative nausea/vomiting.

Conclusion

TIVA is superior to CIVIA for GL surgery at high altitudes.
Once Again: The Structure of the Narrative of Solomon's Reign
Authors: Williams David S.
Published: January 2017

Scholars have proposed two primary structures for 1 Kgs 3.1-11.13: on the one hand, a bipartite structure of two parallel stories (chs. 3–8; 9–11); and on the other, a concentric/chiastic structure which focuses on the building and dedication of the Temple in chs. 6–8. A review of linguistic (verbal) evidence supports the position that the fundamental structure is one of two parallel stories. Further examination, however, suggests that key observations associated with the proposal of a concentric/chiastic structure may be synthesized with the notion of parallel stories. Such an understanding enriches our appreciation of the text, by revealing a web of connections in the narrative, suggesting a tightly woven and sophisticated account.
Links Engage Readers of Online Crime Stories
Authors: Ketterer Stan
Published: January 2017

Readers spent more time reading and gained more knowledge when they read online crime stories that included links than when they read online crime stories without links.
Online Journalists Embrace New Marketing Function
Authors: Brill Ann M.
Published: January 2017

This study of online journalists at 12 daily newspapers found that understanding the audience, competing with other media and providing content for the widest possible audience were important.
Acquisition by Gannett Changes Paper's Editorials
Authors: Hallock Steve
Published: January 2017

Analysis of the editorials in The Lousiville Courier-Journal before and after its 1986 sale to Gannett reveals little change in editorial ideology or frequency, but it shows a reduced emphasis on local issues.
Bureau, Wire Reporters Write More Balanced Stories
Authors: Fico Frederick , Freedman Eric
Published: January 2017

A comparison of news stories about Michigan gubernatorial races in 1998 and 2002 shows the challenger received more attention than the incumbent in 1998, while neither dominated the news in 2002.
More Control, but Not Clarity in Non-Linear Web Stories
Authors: Lowrey Wilson
Published: January 2017

Non-linear Web stories have a positive effect on the degree of perceived control, a negative effect on the amount of feedback and no significant effect on the degree of perceived credibility.
Newspaper Coverage Limited for State Supreme Court Cases
Authors: Hale F. Dennis
Published: January 2017

Coverage of state supreme court cases by major dailies in 32 states can best be described as little or none. Typical coverage in a three-month period was one staff-produced story about one case.
Foreign Reporting Enhanced by Parachute Journalism
Authors: Erickson Emily , Hamilton John Maxwell
Published: January 2017

Interviews with editors and reporters at 50 daily newspapers found that 45 papers practiced ad hoc reporting trips abroad, thus substantiating that parachute journalism is a growing trend.
Female Journalists More Likely to Leave Newspapers
Authors: Reinardy Scott
Published: January 2017

A survey of 715 U.S. newspaper journalists reveals women report higher levels of exhaustion and lower levels of professional efficacy than do men. Among women 27 and younger, 30 percent say they intend to leave the field.
Sense of Community Differs for Print, Online Readers
Authors: Mersey Rachel Davis
Published: January 2017

A comparison of readers of The Arizona Republic to readers of its online news site suggests the Internet may not be as powerful in building a sense of community as is the print edition.
Sports Reporters' Attitudes about Ethics Vary Based on Beat
Authors: Hardin Marie , Zhong Bu
Published: January 2017

This survey of 263 sports reporters found that reporters on the high school beat are often the youngest and most inexperienced and are more likely to believe they can operate with a more relaxed code of ethics than their counterparts.
Gender Diversity Absent in Expert Sources for Elections
Authors: Freedman Eric , Fico Frederick , Durisin Megan
Published: January 2017

Stories covering 11 races for the U. S. Senate in 2006 overwhelmingly relied on male “horse race” and issue experts in the largest newspapers in each state. Female experts cited were more likely to first appear deeper in a story than were males.
Too Many Technical Details Hinder Recall of Poll Results
Authors: Wichmann Wolfgang
Published: January 2017

The findings support the hypothesis that poll reports that include many technical details about how the polling methods were encoded and stored were less successful than information in poll reports that included fewer technical details.
Dailies Still Do ‘Heavy Lifting’ in Government News, despite Cuts
Authors: Lacy Stephen , Fico Frederick G. , Baldwin Thomas , Bergan Daniel , Wildman Steven S. , Zube Paul
Published: January 2017

This content analysis finds that daily newspapers continue to inform citizens about important government matters, despite cuts in resources. Articles in dailies contain more sources with greater diversity than do articles in weeklies.
Journal's Health Care Plan Coverage Free of Murdock's Conservative Bias
Authors: Bedingfield Sid
Published: January 2017

This study investigates the relative news slant in the Wall Street Journal's coverage of health care reform in view of the owner's conservative bias and finds Rupert Murdock's newspaper was no more negative toward Obama's plan than was The New York Times' coverage.
News Staffs Use Twitter to Interact with Readers
Authors: Boyle Kris , Zuegner Carol
Published: January 2017

This study examines how 70 U.S. mid-size newspapers use Twitter and suggests news staffs may not be using this social medium to the best advantage. Most are using automated feeds, tweeting the same headlines—shovel-ware—as in the newspapers.
Online News Readers Get Different News Mix than Print
Authors: Maier Scott R. , Tucker Staci
Published: January 2017

A comparison of the digital and print newspapers in Seattle and Minneapolis indicates that online readers get a different mix of top news stories. Online newspapers focused on old-style news—crime, disaster and sports—while print offered more on politics, environment and education.
Despite Assumption of Bias NYTimes, WSJ Photos Neutral
Authors: Koh Heungseok
Published: January 2017

A study of photographic coverage of political candidates in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal in the 2010 mid-term election reveals fairly equal coverage of both Democrats and Republicans. Both newspapers were found to be balanced in their treatment of the candidates.
Storytelling Techniques Improve Reading Experiences
Authors: Zerba Amy
Published: January 2017

This experiment tested four storytelling reading methods for young adults. Techniques such as text chunking, adding local datelines and why-you-should-care boxes improved reading experiences. The addition of recent context, background and definitions also raised recall scores.
Newspaper Tobacco Advertising Focuses on Cessation
Authors: Willis Erin , Schauster Erin , Rodgers Shelly , Everett Kevin
Published: January 2017

A content analysis of tobacco and tobacco control advertisements that ran in Missouri newspapers during a five-year period showed that the frequent topic was tobacco cessation, followed by messages about politics, health effects and smoking ordinances and restrictions.
Newspapers, TV News Offer More Online Innovation
Authors: Weiss Amy Schmitz , Wulfemeyer Tim
Published: January 2017

This study examines the content of news media homepages to determine what online innovations are offered. It found newspaper and local television stations incorporated more multimedia features on their homepages than did news radio stations.
Journal's Sports Innovations Evolve Slowly over Time
Authors: Carvalho John
Published: January 2017

This content analysis questions claims that Hearst developed the modern sports section by examining sports coverage in the first six years of his ownership of the New York Journal. Instead, most innovations were not incorporated until several years later.
Ethnic and Age Differences Reduce Political Discussion
Authors: Jeffres Leo W. , Lee Jae-Won , Jian Guowei , Yoon Sukki , Atkin David J.
Published: January 2017

A survey of U.S. households finds people involved in neighborhood communication networks are more likely to engage in political discussions, and the likelihood is greater among people with higher levels of education but lower among those with greater ethnic or age diversity.
Newspapers' Annual Reports Show Chains Profitable
Authors: Edge Marc
Published: January 2017

The death of newspapers was widely predicted at the height of the 2008–09 economic crisis. An examination of financial data for publicly traded newspaper companies in the United States and Canada, however, shows that their business model is highly adaptable, as all remain profitable.
Coverage of Japan's Tsunami Included Few Social Media Sources
Authors: Fontenot Maria , Luther Catherine A. , Coman Ioana
Published: January 2017

Comparison of sources used by four major U.S. and Japanese newspapers that covered Japan's tsunami finds each nation's newspapers relied equally on non-official and official sources. However, few sources came from social media outlets.