bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking and Process Diagnostics of Land Models
Authors: Nearing Grey S. , Ruddell Benjamin L. , Clark Martyn P. , Nijssen Bart , Peters-Lidard Christa
Published: September 2018

We propose a conceptual and theoretical foundation for information-based model benchmarking and process diagnostics that provides diagnostic insight into model performance and model realism. We benchmark against a bounded estimate of the information contained in model inputs to obtain a bounded estimate of information lost due to model error, and we perform process-level diagnostics by taking differences between modeled versus observed transfer entropy networks. We use this methodology to reanalyze the recent Protocol for the Analysis of Land Surface Models (PALS) Land Surface Model Benchmarking Evaluation Project (PLUMBER) land model intercomparison project that includes the following models: CABLE, CH-TESSEL, COLA-SSiB, ISBA-SURFEX, JULES, Mosaic, Noah, and ORCHIDEE. We report that these models (i) use only roughly half of the information available from meteorological inputs about observed surface energy fluxes, (ii) do not use all information from meteorological inputs about long-term Budyko-type water balances, (iii) do not capture spatial heterogeneities in surface processes, and (iv) all suffer from similar patterns of process-level structural error. Because the PLUMBER intercomparison project did not report model parameter values, it is impossible to know whether process-level error patterns are due to model structural error or parameter error, although our proposed information-theoretic methodology could distinguish between these two issues if parameter values were reported. We conclude that there is room for significant improvement to the current generation of land models and their parameters. We also suggest two simple guidelines to make future community-wide model evaluation and intercomparison experiments more informative.
Evaluating TMPA Rainfall over the Sparsely Gauged East African Rift
Authors: Monsieurs Elise , Kirschbaum Dalia Bach , Tan Jackson , Maki Mateso Jean-Claude , Jacobs Liesbet , Plisnier Pierre-Denis , Thiery Wim , Umutoni Augusta , Musoni Didace , Bibentyo Toussaint Mugaruka , Ganza Gloire Bamulezi , Mawe Guy Ilombe , Bagalwa Luc , Kankurize Clairia , Michellier Caroline , Stanley Thomas , Kervyn Francois , Kervyn Matthieu , Demoulin Alain , Dewitte Olivier
Published: September 2018

Accurate precipitation data are fundamental for understanding and mitigating the disastrous effects of many natural hazards in mountainous areas. Floods and landslides, in particular, are potentially deadly events that can be mitigated with advanced warning, but accurate forecasts require timely estimation of precipitation, which is problematic in regions such as tropical Africa with limited gauge measurements. Satellite rainfall estimates (SREs) are of great value in such areas, but rigorous validation is required to identify the uncertainties linked to SREs for hazard applications. This paper presents results of an unprecedented record of gauge data in the western branch of the East African Rift, with temporal resolutions ranging from 30 min to 24 h and records from 1998 to 2018. These data were used to validate the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) research version and near-real-time products for 3-hourly, daily, and monthly rainfall accumulations, over multiple spatial scales. Results indicate that there are at least two factors that led to the underestimation of TMPA at the regional level: complex topography and high rainfall intensities. The TMPA near-real-time product shows overall stronger rainfall underestimations but lower absolute errors and a better performance at higher rainfall intensities compared to the research version. We found area-averaged TMPA rainfall estimates relatively more suitable in order to move toward regional hazard assessment, compared to data from scarcely distributed gauges with limited representativeness in the context of high rainfall variability.
Queer temporalities: The past, present and future of ‘gay’ migrants from India in Singapore
Authors: Baas Michiel
Published: September 2018

This article examines the temporal dimensions of migration trajectories by focusing on a small number of Indian migrants in Singapore who identify as gay. In particular it does so by examining the way ‘being gay’ factored into their decision to come to Singapore (the past), the way it plays a role in their ongoing trajectories (the present) and the way it gradually starts taking up a more prominent role in their plans for ‘the future’. Drawing upon queer migration studies as well as recent studies with a renewed focus on the temporalities of migration, this article argues that ‘queer temporalities’ need to be understood as doubly layered. On the one hand it relates to the im/possibility of a queer (migrant) future while on the other hand pointing at an issue a growing group of migrants in general are faced with: the way rights, opportunities and ‘futures’ are queered from mainstream society. While so far the attention with reference to this has mainly been focused on low skilled migrants who, as is the case also in Singapore, are often excluded from ever permanently staying on in their host nation, with the increasing fine-tuning of migration programmes, this article argues that we need to expand our attention to other groups of variously skilled migrants as well.
Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong: Between permanence and temporariness in everyday life
Authors: Boersma Maren
Published: September 2018

Hong Kong is residence to around 200,000 Filipina domestic workers who have migrated to the city in order to earn money for their families and futures. The employment of these migrants is organized through temporary two-year contracts. However, since many women stay for ‘multiple contracts’ in Hong Kong, their situation may be better characterized as permanently temporary. In this respect, scholars have coined the term ‘permanent temporariness’, signifying both a specific experience of temporal or circular migration, as well as a sort of disciplinary mechanism that informs people’s everyday lives. Lacking in these understandings, however, is a solid theoretical exploration of the temporal dimension. Based on ethnographic work, individual and group interviews, this article attempts to further the theoretical discussion on permanence and temporariness by focusing on the ‘lived time’ of Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong. The article discusses how temporariness and permanence are enacted and experienced in the everyday lives of Filipina workers, how these women reflect on and cope with this, and, how this informs everyday life decisions and negotiations with employers. The study indicates that engaging permanently in temporary labour involves many uncertainties that are reflected in the domestic workers’ experiences and decisions with respect to their migration trajectories.
Book Review: Bidyut Chakraborty, Indian Constitution: Text, Context and Interpretation
Authors: Sharma L.N.
Published: September 2018

Bidyut Chakraborty, Indian Constitution: Text, Context and Interpretation. Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2017, 373 pp., B-1 to B-3 (Select Bibliography) and 1–1 to 1–6 (index), ₹395.
Flexural properties of sandwich composite laminates reinforced with glass and carbon Z-pins
Authors: Selver Erdem , Kaya Gaye
Published: September 2018

This study aims to enhance the flexural properties of sandwich composites made from glass or carbon face and glass and carbon fibre Z-pin inserted extruted-polystyrene (XPS) foam cores. Carbon and glass pins were placed through XPS foams with two different column and row densities (15 and 30 mm). Results indicated that flexural loads, strength and modulus of glass/XPS and carbon/XPS sandwich composites significantly increased after inserting of glass and carbon rods. Core shear strengths and facing stresses of glass/XPS and carbon/XPS increased by increasing of carbon or glass rod densities. The rod type, rod density and face type of the sandwich composites are considered as significant parameters which affect the flexural behaviour of sandwich composites while using carbon rods enhanced flexural properties more than that of using glass rods due to better interfacial bonding.
Housing trajectories of immigrants and their children in France: Between integration and stratification
Authors: Acolin Arthur
Published: September 2018

Immigrants have been found to exhibit different housing tenure patterns from the rest of the population in a number of contexts. This article tests whether observed differences in tenure in France can be explained by differences in socio-demographic characteristics or whether unexplained differences might result from housing market mechanisms that affect immigrants differentially from the rest of the population, and extends this to the second generation. The article relies on data from TeO, a survey of 21,761 persons designed to oversample and identify immigrants and their children, providing information about the outcomes of children of immigrants that is otherwise lacking in French statistics. The results indicate that while immigrants are significantly less likely to be homeowners, even after controlling for compositional difference, the gap in homeownership between the second generation and the rest of the population is smaller and not statistically significant. This suggests a progressive integration in the housing market over time and over generations rather than overall stratified housing trajectories. Differences in terms of the share of social housing residents, the level of residential crowding, and housing and neighbourhood characteristics also decline across generations. However, children of immigrants from some non-European origins are experiencing higher levels of stratification than other groups, with continued significant differences in tenure.
Expanding Understanding of Community Health Worker Programs: A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Work, Satisfaction, and Livelihoods of CHWs in Madagascar
Authors: Brunie Aurélie , Mercer Sarah , Chen Mario , Andrianantoandro Tokinirina
Published: September 2018

With health worker shortages in rural areas, community health workers (CHWs) are instrumental to the sustainability of primary health care and to the ability to meet health needs. Identifying appropriate operational models and incentive structures is an important element of long-term success. This article reports on CHWs’ work demands and affective response to their volunteer work within the broader context of their livelihoods in Madagascar. A cross-sectional survey of 874 CHWs, called Agents de Santé Communautaire (ACs), from 14 districts across 5 regions was conducted in June 2015. Only 44% of ACs had cash savings. Subsistence farming was the main livelihood strategy; ninety-two percent of ACs were food insecure and 89% had experienced a shock in the past year. Overall, 77% of ACs financed commodity resupply through sales of health products and 18% from their personal savings; stock-outs at point of supply and financial and time constraints were the main reported challenges in getting health products. The average satisfaction score with AC work was 3 out of 4. This assessment from Madagascar helps unveil a more comprehensive view of the reality of CHWs’ lives. Managers need to take into account the potential implications of the demands of CHW work on already precarious livelihoods.
Dynamic response characteristics of water and methane during isobaric imbibition process in remolded coal containing methane
Authors: Yue Jiwei , Wang Zhaofeng , Chen Jinsheng
Published: September 2018

Addition of water to the coal is actually an isobaric imbibition process. To study the dynamic response characteristics of water and methane, the isobaric imbibition process was stimulated by a self-designed experimental device which can eliminate the reabsorbing phenomenon. The results indicate that adding water can displace absorbed gas. The displacement mechanism is attributed to the capillary effect and competitive adsorption during isobaric imbibition process. A competitive adsorption phenomenon exists between gas molecules and water molecules. Since oxygen-containing functional groups in coal and the hydrogen bond of water, water can easily occupy high-energy sites and only the low-energy sites are available for methane. The imbibition quantity increases with increasing water content or adsorption equilibrium pressure. Moreover, the imbibition quantity would reach a maximum value. The relationship between water content and maximum imbibition quantity or the maximum imbibition rate can be described by a Langmuir function under the same adsorption equilibrium pressure. The maximum imbibition quantity increases with increasing adsorption equilibrium pressure under the same water content, which also can be described by a Langmuir function. However, the maximum imbibition rate decreases with increasing adsorption equilibrium pressures under the same water content, which can be described by an exponential function. Compared to the adsorption equilibrium pressure, the water content has a greater effect on the imbibition quantity and imbibition rate. This study revealed the mechanisms of the dynamic response characteristics of water and methane during isobaric imbibition process based on the transformation form of Hagen–Poiseuille equation, adsorption force of coal and gas and adsorption force of coal and water, which can provide a new method to control gas in deep coal seams.
ClosureFast endovenous radiofrequency ablation for great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein incompetence: Efficacy and anatomical failure patterns
Authors: Rodriguez-Acevedo Omar , Elstner Kristen E , Martinic Kui , Ibrahim RN Isabelle , Tomazini Martins Rodrigo , Arduini Fernando , Ibrahim Nabeel
Published: September 2018

Background

Recurrence rates and patterns after endovenous radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) are poorly documented.

Objective

To assess the incidence and anatomical recurrence patterns of saphenous vein reflux after ERFA.

Method

Two hundred patients previously treated with ERFA were recalled for clinical assessment and venous-duplex ultrasound at three years post-treatment.

Results

A total of 106 patients (68F, 38M) with a mean age of 49.4 years (SD +11.5y) were assessed. Mean follow-up was 42.1 months (SD + 20.1m). Further varicose veins were identified in 31 patients (29.2%). Recanalization/recurrence/failure was diagnosed in 16 patients (15.1%), including 18 trunks (8.7%), 13 great saphenous vein (6.3%) and 5 small saphenous vein (2.4%). Twenty-seven patients (25%) developed neo-incompetence in 31 trunks and 12 non-saphenous veins. All patients with truncal recanalization had a body mass index > 29 (range 29–42).

Conclusion

Disease progression was twice as high as the recanalization rate at three years post-treatment using ERFA in this study. Raised body mass index may be a contributing factor; however, further longitudinal studies are required. Patient self-selection bias may have also influenced our results.
Association of low socioeconomic status and physician assessment of disease severity with oral health-related quality of life in patients with systemic sclerosis: a pilot study from Croatia, a country in transition
Authors: Parat Katica , Radić Mislav , Borić Katarina , Perković Dijana , Biočina Lukenda Dolores , Martinović Kaliterna Dušanka
Published: September 2018

Objective

This study was performed to identify a possible association of the clinical parameters of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and the socioeconomic status (SES) with oral health-related quality of life (OHrQoL) as measured by the Oral Health Impact Profile 49 (OHIP 49), taking into account the effect of educational level (as a proxy of SES) on oral health.

Methods

Subjects were recruited from the Croatian SSc Center of Excellence cohort. Detailed dental and clinical examinations were performed according to standardized protocols. The associations of OHrQoL with disease characteristics and socioeconomic status were examined.

Results

Thirty-one consecutive patients with SSc were enrolled (29 women; mean age, 56.45 ± 13.60 years). OHIP 49 scores were significantly correlated with disease activity and severity. Furthermore, OHrQoL was positively correlated with skin involvement as evaluated by the modified Rodnan skin score. Impaired OHrQoL was positively correlated with the severity of general, skin, gastrointestinal, and joint/tendon involvement. The OHIP 49 score differed between patients who were positive and negative for anti-topoisomerase I antibody. Higher OHIP 49 scores were detected in patients with lower SES (primary school educational level).

Conclusion

Collaboration between rheumatologists and dental professionals is required to improve dental care and oral health outcomes of SSc.
Influence of dexmedetomidine and lidocaine on perioperative opioid consumption in laparoscopic intestine resection: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Andjelković Lea , Novak-Jankovič Vesna , Požar-Lukanovič Neva , Bosnić Zoran , Spindler-Vesel Alenka
Published: September 2018

Objective

The consumption of opioid analgesics could be reduced by the use of analgesics with different mechanisms of action. We investigated whether additional treatment with dexmedetomidine or lidocaine could reduce opioid consumption.

Methods

We randomized 59 study participants into three groups and examined: (i) fentanyl consumption, (ii) consumption of piritramide, and (iii) cognitive function and neuropathic pain. The control group received continuous propofol infusion and fentanyl boluses. Continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg/h) was administered to the dexmedetomidine group and lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg/h) was administered to the lidocaine group.

Results

No reduction in fentanyl consumption was observed among the groups. However, we noted a significantly lower consumption of piritramide on the first and second postoperative day in the lidocaine group. Total consumption of piritramide was significantly lower in the lidocaine group compared with the control group.

Conclusions

Lidocaine and dexmedetomidine reduced intraoperative propofol consumption, while lidocaine reduced postoperative piritramide consumption. Clinical trial registration: NCT02616523
Spleen thickness can predict significant liver pathology in patients with chronic hepatitis B with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase or minimally raised alanine aminotransferase: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Junli , Du Xiaoxing , Zhou Zhihui , Lv Fangfang , Yu Yunsong
Published: September 2018

Objective

Liver biopsy is the gold standard test for assessment of liver pathology. This study was performed to assess the predictive value of spleen thickness for liver pathology and the role of routine follow-up procedures in significant liver pathology for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (PNALT) or minimally raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

Methods

Patients with CHB who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy were retrospectively reviewed. The relationship of liver pathology with age, ALT, hepatitis B e-antigen, and spleen thickness was statistically analyzed, and the predictive accuracy of spleen thickness was evaluated.

Results

In total, 80.65% of patients had significant necroinflammation and/or fibrosis. Nearly 60% of patients had splenomegaly, of which 89.12% had a histopathological grade of ≥G2 and/or S2. Spleen thickness was predictive of liver pathology, and significant histological findings increased as the hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level increased.

Conclusions

Spleen thickness is an effective predictor of liver pathology in patients with PNALT or minimally raised ALT. Additionally, the prevalence of significant histological findings tended to increase as the HBV DNA level increased. Patients with CHB and splenomegaly and a high HBV DNA level should be treated early with antivirals to improve liver pathology.
Predictive value of fasting blood glucose for serious coronary atherosclerosis in non-diabetic patients
Authors: Zhao Tong , Gong Hui-Ping , Dong Zhao-Qiang , Du Yi-Meng , Lu Qing-Hua , Chen Hui-Qiang
Published: September 2018

Objective

To determine if high fasting blood glucose (FBG) level is an independent predictor of serious coronary lesions in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

We enrolled 64 patients who had symptoms of chest discomfort and who underwent coronary angiography. FBG was determined from blood samples and the extent of coronary artery lesions was analyzed according to Gensini score. We examined the relationships among diabetes, FBG, and coronary artery severity.

Results

Diabetes and FBG were significantly and positively related to Gensini score. Diabetes, but not FBG, was independently correlated with the occurrence of a Gensini score >41. However, FBG was significantly associated with Gensini score >41 in non-diabetic patients.

Conclusion

Hyperglycemia is an independent predictor of severe CAD in non-diabetic patients. Clinicians should be aware of this and should carry out appropriate early interventions.
Effectiveness of D-mannose, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lactobacillus plantarum therapy in prevention of infectious events following urodynamic study
Authors: Milandri Riccardo , Maltagliati Matteo , Bocchialini Tommaso , Del Prete Chiara , Bianchi Giampaolo , Rocco Bernardo M , Micali Salvatore
Published: September 2018

Introduction and aim:

The urodynamic study is an invasive examination that allows a thorough evaluation of the functional activity of the lower urinary tract (bladder, urethra). The execution of urodynamic study exposes the patient to the risk of contracting infections of the lower urinary tract. Prevention of urinary tract infections consists in the avoidance of risk factors and prophylaxis with antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial measures. In this article, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a phytotherapeutic product composed of D-mannose, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Lactobacillus plantarum in the prevention of infectious events following invasive urodynamic examination.

Materials and methods:

We selected 100 female consecutive patients (age 19–87 years) that underwent urodynamic invasive procedure. We prescribed 14-day therapy with D-mannose, H. sabdariffa, and L. plantarum to these 100 patients after urodynamic invasive test. After that, we have examined urine cultures and urinary symptoms through telephone interviews and hospital outpatient visits to evaluate the possible presence of urinary tract infections.

Results:

Urinary tract infections were observed through urine culture in 13% of the selected patients; of the 13 urinary tract infections, 9 were observed in patients with urinary tract recurrent infections in the last year and the other 4 cases were associated with patients with no urinary infection in the last year. Three women reported some urinary symptoms and underwent antibiotic therapy. The other 10 cases were classified as asymptomatic bacteriuria. Three cases were related to patients presenting with pelvic organ prolapse. Eight cases were instead related to significant post-voiding residue (>100). Six patients with urinary tract infection reported constipation in the last year. All patients completed the prescribed therapy due to the affordable price of the product and no side effects have been reported.

Conclusion:

Our study about the administration of D-mannose, H. sabdariffa, and L. plantarum after invasive urodynamic examination underlined how this phytotherapeutic product can reduce the risk of bacteriuria and urinary tract infection in women.
Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in Greek Nurses
Authors: Tsilika Eleni , Galanos Antonis , Polykandriotis Tzanis , Parpa Efi , Mystakidou Kyriaki
Published: September 2018

Background

Psychosocial well-being in the workplace may increase retention of oncology nurses, while a lack of social support has been a predictor of occupational stress in nurses.

Purpose

To further explore this phenomenon by examining the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in Greek nurses working in oncology and mental health settings.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of 150 nurses (70 oncology nurses and 80 mental health nurses) from the area of greater Athens who joined the study. The scale was translated to Greek using the “forward-backward” procedure. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support’s internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α), stability (intraclass correlation coefficient), factor structure (factor analysis), and convergent validity (correlation with Ways of Coping Questionnaire) were examined.

Results

A three-factor (significant others, family, and friends) model was confirmed. The subscales representing the three factors demonstrated excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s αs > .90) and stability intraclass correlation coefficient (>.90).

Conclusions

The measure is reliable and valid, and it can be used to assess nurses’ social support; the results of such an assessment could be helpful when selecting strategies for assisting nurses.
Water absorption behavior of heat-treated and untreated red balau saw dust/LDPE composites: Its kinetics and effects on mechanical properties
Authors: Lafia-Araga Ruth A , Hassan Aziz , Yahya R , Rahman N Abd , Salleh Fauzani Md
Published: September 2018

The hygroscopic nature of wood limits the use of wood thermoplastic composites (WTC) in outdoor industrial and domestic applications. To reduce this tendency, red balau saw dust was heat treated at 180 and 200°C for 1 h and compounded with Low Density Poly(ethylene) (LDPE) into 20 and 37 wt% and then molded into test specimens by injection molding. Samples were immersed in distilled water at room temperature for 4 months. Heat-treated wood composites showed remarkable water resistance relative to untreated ones. Wood composites made from wood treated at 180 and 200°C exhibited almost similar water absorption pattern. Reduced water absorption of heat-treated wood composites relative to untreated ones indicates that heat treatment has resulted in a degree of modification of the wood. Most of the composites displayed the Fickian mode of water absorption with n values close to 0.5. Also, the diffusion coefficient reduced with wood content in untreated wood composites due to interaction of water with the polar groups in wood through hydrogen bonding. Untreated wood composites exhibited poorer mechanical properties with water immersion as a result of degradation due to moisture. The mechanical properties of the heat-treated wood composites were not adversely affected with water absorption. Therefore, heat treatment can reduce the proneness to water absorption in WTCs and alleviate the detrimental effects on mechanical properties.
Visual servoing framework using Gaussian process for an aerial parallel manipulator
Authors: Cho Sungwook , Shim David Hyunchul
Published: September 2018

This paper proposes a Gaussian process based visual servoing framework for an aerial parallel manipulator. Our aerial parallel manipulator utilizes the on-board eye-in-hand vision sensor system attached on the end-effector of three-degrees-of-freedom parallel manipulator. There are three major advantages: small, light in weight, and linearity with respect to the host vehicle rather than the serial manipulator, but it has a critical drawback that its workspace is too small to perform the mission itself during the hovering. In order to overcome the limited workspace problem and perform the mission more actively, proposed visual servoing framework is proposed to generate relative body velocity commands of the host vehicle by using the interpolated and extrapolated feature path between the initial and desired features to fed into the underactuated aerial parallel manipulator. It can generate not only numerical stable but also feasible control input. Furthermore, it can overcome the weakness of the traditional image-based visual servoing such as singularities, uncertainties, and local minimums during calculating image Jacobian under the large disparity environment between the target and the unmanned aerial vehicle. As a result of the proposed contribution, we show that our contribution is reliable to perform the picking-and-replacement autonomously, and it shows that it can be applied in the large displacement environments throughout the flight test.
Perceived High-performance Work System and Employee Performance: Role of Self-efficacy and Learning Orientation
Authors: Jyoti Jeeven , Dev Manisha
Published: September 2018

The present study focuses on exploring the role of self-efficacy between high-performance work system (HPWS) and learning orientation. Further, the role of learning orientation between HPWS and employee performance (EP) has also been evaluated. Additionally, the impact of HPWS on employee performance when moderated by self-efficacy and mediated by learning orientation has been studied. The model has been tested in the service sector (banking sector). The data obtained have been duly validated with the help of confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modeling has been used for hypotheses testing. The results indicate that self-efficacy moderates the relationship between the HPWS and learning orientation. In addition, learning orientation mediates the relationship between the HPWS and employee performance relationship. The results further reveal that the learning orientation mediates the interaction effect of HPWS and self-efficacy on employee performance (moderated mediation). Finally, the managerial implications, limitations and scope for future research have been discussed.
Women Investors: A Literature Review
Authors: Vohra Tina , Kaur Mandeep
Published: September 2018

Individuals across the globe have become increasingly active in financial markets. The advent of new technology, the availability of various financial products, the liberalization of the economy and the support of an efficient banking system have all facilitated the participation of investors in Indian financial markets. Household savings form a significant part of investments in any economy. In Indian context, the percentage of savings is quite high. The high percentage of savings in India is primarily on account of the savings made by women in India. The role of women in investment decision-making in India cannot be ignored. Therefore, the objective of the study is to provide insights into the characteristics that act as strengths and weaknesses of women and to bring out the opportunities and threats faced by them as investors. In the present study, the diverse literature available worldwide on investment decisions of women has been explored and analysed. The findings of the study revealed that women are holistic thinkers, balanced, intuitive and quality conscious. They adopt a futuristic approach and perform in-depth research prior to investing. They are good savers and at the same time self-controlled. All these characteristics acts as their strengths while undertaking investment decisions. On the other hand, risk aversion, conservative attitude, lower levels of financial knowledge, lack of confidence, too much dependence on guidance from others, reluctant to cause unnecessary change in status quo, poor health and religiousness are their weaknesses. The microfinance, financial literacy and women empowerment initiatives intend to provide opportunities for their growth and development whereas a lesser amount of pay, shorter and interrupted employment history, and exclusion from informal networks act as threats to women’s financial well-being. The study suggests that the endeavours made by women and the support from the society is needed in order to convert the weaknesses and threats of women into their strengths and opportunities for them, thereby improving their participation in financial markets.
Domestic and International Information Linkages for Indian Commodities Market in the Pre- and Post-CTT Periods
Authors: Kumar Muneesh , Agrawal Tarunika Jain , Sehgal Srishti
Published: September 2018

This article investigates the impact of commodity transaction tax, in effect from 1 July 2013, on the information linkages for the Indian commodity market. We use daily data on five sample commodities—gold, aluminium, copper, zinc, and crude oil from 1 May 2010 to 31 August 2016. MCX has been used as a reference commodity exchange for India, while we use COMEX and DGCX for gold, LME and SHFE for base metals, and NYMEX and ICE for crude oil for international comparison. Price discovery has been evaluated using static and dynamic cointegration procedures, while volatility spillover has been evaluated based on BEKK-GARCH and Diebold Yilmaz models. We find that CTT imposition has weakened the price discovery and volatility spillover process, thus reducing the price and hedging efficiency of the Indian commodities market. For gold and crude oil, the information linkages have been severely hampered, owing to their international character. For base metals, MCX takes greater time for information transmission. International information linkages seem to have been more adversely impacted, owing to lower cost competitiveness of Indian commodities market. The findings of the study are pertinent for the policymakers, commodity exchanges, and other stakeholders.
Assessment of the Activities of Food Crop Gleaners in Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Ebewore Solomon Okeoghene
Published: September 2018

The study examined the activities of food crop gleaners in Delta State, Nigeria. It describes and assesses the socio-economic characteristics of food crop gleaners, crops gleaned, reasons adduced by gleaners for carrying out their activities, perceived benefits and factors affecting the activities of gleaners. Primary survey was conducted on 126 respondents selected through snowball sampling. The results obtained showed that most of the respondents were females (93.3%) and widows (65.0%), 90 per cent were over 50 years old, about 77.5 per cent had low-level education (either no formal or primary education); also about 67.5 per cent of the gleaners earn income below 5,000 naira per month. Hunger (98.33%), avoidance of wastage (74.17%), lack of land by gleaners for farming (98.33%) and to eke out a living (85.00%) were the main reasons adduced by the respondents for gleaning. The major constraint militating against the activities of the gleaners were scarcity of leftover crops on farm, discrimination against the gleaners, economic hardships in the country and biological factors. Regression result showed that four explanatory variables, namely gender, marital status, monthly income and household size were significant; unmarried females; low-income earners and those with large household were more involved in gleaning.
Evaluators and the enhanced Commonwealth performance framework
Authors: Morton David , Cook Brad
Published: September 2018

The enhanced Commonwealth performance framework was introduced on 1 July 2015 under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. It should allow the Australian Parliament and public to understand the proper use of public resources, whether the accountable authorities of Commonwealth entities and companies are achieving their purposes and who is benefitting from Commonwealth activity. Demonstrating the achievement of purposes amounts to demonstrating outcomes and impacts. It requires Commonwealth entities and companies to move past an over-reliance on input- and output-focused performance measures. There is a clear role for evaluators in helping entities make this important adjustment. The opportunities lie in helping a larger cross-section of the Commonwealth public service understand and use the evaluators’ toolbox – for example, program theory and qualitative analysis – to improve the quality of published performance information available to the Commonwealth’s stakeholders. The evaluation community has the opportunity to become a centre of key expertise, and to make a critical contribution to building the capability of ‘performance professionals’ across the public sector.
Comparison of Efficacy between Ramipril and Carvedilol on Limiting the Expansion of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Mouse Model
Authors: Park Sang Min , Hong Myeong-Ki , Kim Se Hoon , Jung Subin , Kim Bo Kyoung , Choi Donghoon
Published: September 2018

Objective:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common condition that may be life-threatening when it is unrecognized. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of ramipril and carvedilol on limiting AAA expansion in mouse model.

Methods and Results:

A total of 36 experimental AAA mouse model was induced with the continuous infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II) in 20-week-old male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. They were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups and fed orally for 8 weeks; saline alone, ramipril (2.5 mg/30g/d), or carvedilol (3.125 mg/30g/d), respectively. Aortic diameter (AD) was measured by micro-computed tomography, and the level of biomarkers of aortic tissue such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) was evaluated. After treatment, AD of both ramipril and carvedilol group was smaller than in the saline group. The percentage change of AD in both ramipril and carvedilol groups was significantly smaller than that of the saline group. Pathologic examination revealed relatively well-preserved aortic walls in the ramipril group compared to the carvedilol and saline groups. The level of MCP-1 was markedly decreased in both the ramipril and carvedilol groups compared to the saline group. The level of TIMP-1 was higher in the carvedilol group when compared to either the saline or ramipril groups.

Conclusions:

Ramipril and carvedilol treatment shows similar efficacy in limiting AAA expansion in mouse model. Future clinical research would be warranted to validate these results.
Understanding Outcomes in Behavior Change Interventions to Prevent Pediatric Obesity: The Role of Dose and Behavior Change Techniques
Authors: JaKa Meghan M. , French Simone A. , Wolfson Julian , Jeffery Robert W. , Lorencatto Fabianna , Michie Susan , Levy Rona L. , Langer Shelby L. , Sherwood Nancy E.
Published: September 2018

Background. Behavioral interventions to prevent pediatric obesity have shown inconsistent results across the field. Studying what happens within the “black box” of these interventions and how differences in implementation lead to different outcomes will help researchers develop more effective interventions. Aim. To compare the implementation of three features of a phone-based intervention for parents (time spent discussing weight-related behaviors, behavior change techniques used in sessions, and intervention activities implemented by parents between sessions) with study outcomes. Methods. A random selection of 100 parent–child dyads in the intervention arm of a phone-based obesity prevention trial was included in this analysis. Sessions were coded for overall session length, length of time spent discussing specific weight-related behaviors, number of behavior change techniques used during the sessions, and number of intervention-recommended activities implemented by the parents between sessions (e.g., parent-reported implementation of behavioral practice/rehearsal between sessions). The primary study outcome, prevention of unhealthy increase in child body mass index (BMI) percentile, was measured at baseline and 12 months. Results. Overall session length was associated with decreases in child BMI percentile ( b = −0.02, p = .01). There was no association between the number of behavior change techniques used in the sessions and decreases in child BMI percentile ( b = −0.29, p = .27). The number of activities the parents reported implementing between sessions was associated with decreases in child BMI percentile ( b = −1.25, p = .02). Discussion. To improve future interventions, greater attention should be paid to the intended and delivered session length, and efforts should be made to facilitate parents’ implementation of intervention-recommended activities between sessions (ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT01084590).
Exploratory Study of Associations Between DNA Repair and Oxidative Stress Gene Polymorphisms and Cognitive Problems Reported by Postmenopausal Women With and Without Breast Cancer
Authors: Merriman John D. , Sereika Susan M. , Conley Yvette P. , Koleck Theresa A. , Zhu Yehui , Phillips Mary L. , Bertocci Michele A. , Brufsky Adam M. , Bender Catherine M.
Published: September 2018

Purpose:

Women with breast cancer report varying frequencies of cognitive problems during adjuvant systemic therapy. This variability suggests latent subgroups. Therefore, we identified latent subgroups of self-reported cognitive problems among postmenopausal women with and without breast cancer. We explored associations between membership in these subgroups and (a) demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics and (b) variations in candidate gene polymorphisms.

Methods:

We evaluated frequency of cognitive problems using the Patient Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory. Growth mixture modeling identified latent subgroups over 18 months of adjuvant systemic therapy and at matched time points for women without cancer ( N = 331). We evaluated for differences among subgroups in demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics and in 41 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 10 candidate genes involved in DNA repair and oxidative stress pathways ( n = 199). We modeled associations between genotypes and subgroup membership using multinomial logistic regression.

Results:

We identified three latent subgroups: more frequent, persistent, and almost never. Receipt of chemotherapy plus anastrozole, depressive symptoms, and baseline neuropathic symptoms increased the odds of belonging to the more frequent subgroup. Anxiety and depressive symptoms increased the odds of belonging to the persistent subgroup. With covariates controlled for, carrying the ERCC5 rs873601 G minor allele increased the odds of reporting more frequent cognitive problems.

Conclusions:

Chemotherapy plus anastrozole, depressive symptoms, and presence of neuropathic symptoms may predict more frequent cognitive problems during systemic therapy that later resolve. Mood dysregulation before therapy may predict persistent cognitive problems during therapy. ERCC5 genotype may influence frequency of cognitive problems after controlling for these risk factors.
The Multiple Lives of Affect: A Case Study of Commercial Surrogacy
Authors: Holzberg Billy
Published: September 2018

This article intervenes into contemporary scholarship on affect by bringing different affect theories into the same analytical frame. Analysing commercial surrogacy in India through three different conceptualizations of affect found in the work of Michael Hardt, Sara Ahmed and Brian Massumi reveals how affect emerges as a malleable state in the practice of, as a circulatory force in the debates around, and as an ephemeral intensity in the spontaneous resistance to surrogacy. Based on this analysis, I suggest that integrating different theories of affect enables more holistic examinations of corporeal regulation by opening our understanding to the multiple lives of affect that operate on the level of political economy, cultural signification and material intensity simultaneously.
A multivariate regression to predict daylighting and energy consumption of residential buildings within hybrid settlements in hot-desert climates
Authors: Ayoub Mohammed
Published: September 2018

Over recent decades, Egypt has experienced unprecedented growth of urban residential regions causing deterioration to indoor environmental quality. This research is a part of an ongoing study of building performance with different physical configurations and façades. It aims to quantify the daylighting and energy consumption of residential buildings in the hot-desert hybrid settlements of Alexandria. The methodological approach involves performing computational simulations to construct a dataset covering several influencing factors, which are exploited to develop multivariate linear regression models. This yields five equations used as proxies for predicting building performance in the early stages of the design. The developed models are validated and the predicted data, accompanied by insignificant errors, are found to be in a good agreement with simulation results, indicating that these models can explain the variation in the building performance. These measures, supported by an additional analysis of residuals, confirm the strength of selected variables and suitability of developed models to fit the dataset. This can aid architects and decision makers to assess a preliminary building performance by considering factors of heavily obstructed environment and façade configurations without the need to perform exhaustive analysis.
Book Review: Bates, R.H. 2017: The Development Dilemma: Security, Prosperity, and a Return to History
Authors: Ahmed Iqbal
Published: September 2018

Bates, R.H. 2017: The Development Dilemma: Security, Prosperity, and a Return to History. Princeton, NJ and Oxford: Princeton University Press. 200 pp. £22.95 (Hardback). ISBN-10: 0691167354. £18.04 (e-book). ISBN-13: 978-0691167350.
Taking a livelihood perspective to building urban water resilience: Potential and challenges in Addis Ababa
Authors: Habtemariam Liku Workalemahu , Tufa KetemaAbebe , Herslund Lise Byskov , Mguni Patience
Published: September 2018

This article explores how livelihoods in two typical communities, condominium housing and urban agriculture cooperatives, in Addis Ababa manage water resources and green spaces in order to identify key challenges and potentials for building water-resilient livelihoods. Results show that livelihoods in the two communities are heavily affected by water stress. Being dependent on natural assets makes the farming community vulnerable, but also more flexible than people in condominiums who are locked into a malfunctioning water infrastructure. However, there is potential for building water-resilient livelihoods, if broader policy frameworks are bottom-linked with locally specific situations using landscape-based stormwater management.
ProjecTables: Augmented CNC tools for sustainable creative practices
Authors: Rasmussen Troels A , Merritt Timothy
Published: September 2018

Computer numerical control (CNC) cutting machines have become essential tools for designers and architects enabling rapid prototyping, model building, and production of high-quality components. Designers often cut from new materials, discarding the irregularly shaped remains. We introduce ProjecTables, a visual augmented reality system for interactive packing of model parts onto sheet materials. ProjecTables enables designers to (re)use scrap materials for computer numerical control cutting that would have been previously thrown away, at the same time supporting esthetic choices related to wood grain, avoiding surface blemishes, and other relevant material properties. We conducted evaluations of ProjecTables with design students from Aarhus School of Architecture, demonstrating that participants could quickly and easily place and orient model parts reducing material waste. Contextual interviews and ideation sessions led to a deeper understanding of current work practices and sustainability issues with computer numerical control cutting machines and identified useful features for interactive packing to reduce waste while supporting esthetic concerns for exhibition quality design projects.