bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitating the coping self-efficacy and psychological well-being of student rugby players
Authors: Laureano Cynthia , Grobbelaar Heinrich W , Nienaber Alida W
Published: July 2014

Research into the ‘dual careers’ (simultaneous academic and sport endeavours) of student-athletes is growing. There is a need to optimise student-athletes’ transition from high school to tertiary institutions. The aim of this study was, first, to determine the personal, academic, and sporting needs of student rugby players, and, second, to evaluate the effectiveness of a purposefully developed experiential-learning programme on the coping self-efficacy and psychological well-being of first-year university rugby players. Players were evaluated prior to and 1 month after the intervention. The experiential-learning programme group showed significant improvements in all the measured variables, whereas the non-experiential-learning programme control group’s scores remained unchanged. When corrected for the pre-test differences, the experiential-learning programme group outperformed the non-experiential-learning programme group in terms of problem-focussed coping, dealing with negative emotions and thoughts, obtaining support from family and friends, as well as overall happiness. The experiential-learning programme contributed to facilitating coping self-efficacy and psychological well-being of student rugby players.
Career Backgrounds of Municipal Party Secretaries in China
Authors: Kostka Genia , Xiaofan Yu
Published: July 2014

This article examines the career backgrounds of municipal Chinese Communist Party secretaries between 1990 and 2011. Based on an analysis of 898 cadre biographies and 32 interviews with local government officials during 2011 and 2013, this article shows that the majority of municipal party secretaries had spent their careers working at the provincial and municipal levels, while only few advanced up from the county. Our analysis finds that obstacles hindering leading county cadres from rising to the upper ranks of the municipal apparatus include age and education restrictions; limited positions at the municipal level; the lack of networks linking to provincial leaders; and provincial leaders’ appointment preferences. Limited career advancement opportunities for county cadres have important implications for understanding the incentive foundations of China’s bureaucracy. With only slim prospects for leading county cadres to rise to top municipal positions, the political incentives outlined in the cadre evaluation system might not be as effective in steering cadre behavior as currently claimed in the literature.
Targeted Physician Education Positively Affects Delivery of Nutrition Therapy and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Hurt Ryan T. , McClave Stephen A. , Evans David C. , Jones Chris , Miller Keith R. , Frazier Thomas H. , Minhas Mahad A. , Lowen Cynthia C. , Stout Allyson , Edakkanambeth Varayil Jithinraj , Matheson Paul J. , Franklin Glen A.
Published: July 2014

Background: Malnutrition is a continuing epidemic among hospitalized patients. We hypothesize that targeted physician education should help reduce caloric deficits and improve patient outcomes. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective trial of patients (n = 121) assigned to 1 of 2 trauma groups. The experimental group (EG) received targeted education consisting of strategies to increase delivery of early enteral nutrition. Strategies included early enteral access, avoidance of nil per os (NPO) and clear liquid diets (CLD), volume‐based feeding, early resumption of feeds postprocedure, and charting caloric deficits. The control group (CG) did not receive targeted education but was allowed to practice in a standard ad hoc fashion. Both groups were provided with dietitian recommendations on a multidisciplinary nutrition team per standard practice. Results: The EG received a higher percentage of measured goal calories (30.1 ± 18.5%, 22.1 ± 23.7%, P = .024) compared with the CG. Mean caloric deficit was not significantly different between groups (–6796 ± 4164 kcal vs −8817 ± 7087 kcal, P = .305). CLD days per patient (0.1 ± 0.5 vs 0.6 ± 0.9), length of stay in the intensive care unit (3.5 ± 5.5 vs 5.2 ± 6.8 days), and duration of mechanical ventilation (1.6 ± 3.7 vs 2.8 ± 5.0 days) were all reduced in the EG compared with the CG (P < .05). EG patients had fewer nosocomial infections (10.6% vs 23.6%) and less organ failure (10.6% vs 18.2%) than did the CG, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Implementation of specific educational strategies succeeded in greater delivery of nutrition therapy, which favorably affected patient care and outcomes.
Narratives of Participation in Autism Genetics Research
Authors: Singh Jennifer S.
Published: July 2014

This article provides empirical evidence of the social context and moral reasoning embedded within a parents’ decision to participate in autism genetics research. Based on in-depth interviews of parents who donated their family’s blood and medical information to an autism genetic database, three narratives of participation are analyzed, including the altruistic parent, the obligated parent, and the diagnostic parent. Although parents in this study were not generally concerned with bioethical principles such as autonomy and the issues of informed consent and/or privacy and confidentiality of genetic information, a critical analysis reveals contextual bioethics embedded within these different narratives. These include the negotiations of responsibility that parents confront in biomedical research, the misguided hope and expectations parents place in genomic science, and the structural barriers of obtaining an autism diagnosis and educational services. Based on these findings, this article demonstrates the limits of a principle-based approach to bioethics and the emergent forms of biological citizenship that takes into account the social situations of people’s lives and the moral reasoning they negotiate when participating in autism genetic research.
Assessing the Religious Roots of Volunteer Work in Middle and Late Life
Authors: Krause Neal
Published: July 2014

Research reveals that older people do a significant amount of volunteer work. Moreover, a good deal of this volunteering takes place in religious institutions. The purpose of this study is to examine how social factors in the church influence the decision to volunteer. The analyses are conducted in two steps. First, data from a longitudinal nationwide survey of older people are used to show that increases in spiritual support (i.e., assistance from fellow church members that is designed to bolster religious beliefs and behaviors) are associated with increases in the frequency of volunteer work. Second, cross-sectional analyses from the same survey suggest that spiritual support is associated with volunteering in part because it promotes greater compassion. However, the magnitude of the relationship between compassion and volunteering is fairly modest.
The Influence of Fictive Kin Relationships and Religiosity on the Academic Persistence of African American College Students Attending an HBCU
Authors: Brooks Jada E. , Allen Katherine R.
Published: July 2014

Academic persistence among African American college students has become an important issue due to the consistent lack of increase in retention and graduation rates of these students attending 4-year institutions. Despite the importance of this issue in the field of education, little has been done to study how cultural factors may influence college students’ academic success. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the ways in which fictive kin relationships and religiosity impact academic persistence in African American college students. Fourteen African American college students attending a Historically Black University were interviewed for the study. Participants were juniors and seniors who were expected to graduate within 2 years. Findings suggest that both fictive kin relationships within the university setting and surrounding community and religiosity to include prayer and attending religious services are used as coping methods contributing to the academic persistence of African American students.
Implicit learning of L2 word stress regularities
Authors: Chan Ricky KW , Leung Janny HC
Published: July 2014

This article reports an experiment on the implicit learning of second language stress regularities, and presents a methodological innovation on awareness measurement. After practising two-syllable Spanish words, native Cantonese speakers with English as a second language (L2) completed a judgement task. Critical items differed only in placement of stress. We assessed participants’ awareness of the hidden stress regularities by verbal reports and a novel methodology: inclusion–exclusion production tasks adapted from Jacoby (1991) and from Destrebecqz and Cleeremans (2001). Participants who remained unaware of the underlying regularities nevertheless performed significantly above chance in identifying correctly pronounced novel words. We conclude that L2 word stress regularities may be learnt implicitly.
Beyond paradigm: The ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of classroom research
Authors: Whong Melinda , Gil Kook-Hee , Marsden Heather
Published: July 2014

This article reviews studies in second language classroom research from a cross-theoretic perspective, arguing that the classroom holds the potential for bringing together researchers from opposing theoretical orientations. It shows how generative and general cognitive approaches share a view of language that implicates both implicit and explicit knowledge, and that holds a bias towards implicit knowledge. Arguing that it is implicit knowledge that should be the object of research, it proposes that classroom research would benefit from incorporating insights from a generative understanding of language. Specifically, there is a need for a more nuanced view of the complexity of language in terms of linguistic domain, and the interaction between those domains. Generative second language acquisition research that shows developmental differences in terms of both linguistic domain and interface is reviewed. The core argument is a call for more attention to the ‘what’ of language development in classroom research and, by implication, teaching practice. As such, the language classroom is seen to offer potential for research that goes beyond paradigm to address both the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of language development.
Visual attention and quantifier-spreading in heritage Russian bilinguals
Authors: Sekerina Irina A , Sauermann Antje
Published: July 2014

It is well established in language acquisition research that monolingual children and adult second language learners misinterpret sentences with the universal quantifier every and make quantifier-spreading errors that are attributed to a preference for a match in number between two sets of objects. The present Visual World eye-tracking study tested bilingual heritage Russian–English adults and investigated how they interpret of sentences like Every alligator lies in a bathtub in both languages. Participants performed a sentence–picture verification task while their eye movements were recorded. Pictures showed three pairs of alligators in bathtubs and two extra objects: elephants (Control condition), bathtubs (Overexhaustive condition), or alligators (Underexhaustive condition). Monolingual adults performed at ceiling in all conditions. Heritage language (HL) adults made 20% q-spreading errors, but only in the Overexhaustive condition, and when they made an error they spent more time looking at the two extra bathtubs during the Verb region. We attribute q-spreading in HL speakers to cognitive overload caused by the necessity to integrate conflicting sources of information, i.e. the spoken sentences in their weaker, heritage, language and attention-demanding visual context, that differed with respect to referential salience.
Prevalence of preoperative anaemia in patients having first-time cardiac surgery and its impact on clinical outcome. A retrospective observational study
Authors: Kim CJ , Connell H , McGeorge AD , Hu R
Published: July 2014

The prevalence of anaemia is increasing globally. It has a close association with perioperative blood transfusion which, in turn, results in an increased risk of postoperative complications. Undesirable effects are not only limited to short-term, but also have long-term implications. Despite this, many patients undergo cardiac surgery with undiagnosed and untreated anaemia. We designed a retrospective, observational study to estimate the prevalence of anaemia in patients having cardiac surgery in Auckland District Health Board, blood transfusion rates and associated clinical outcome. Two hundred of seven hundred and twelve (28.1%) patients were anaemic. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion rates were significantly higher in the anaemic group compared to the non-anaemic group (160 (80%) vs. 192 (38%), p-value <0.0001, RR (CI 95%) 2.133 (1.870-2.433)). Transfusion rates for fresh frozen plasma (FFP), cryoprecipitate and platelets were also higher in the anaemic group. Anaemia was significantly associated with the development of new infection (14 (7%) vs. 15 (2.9%), p-value 0.0193, RR (CI 95%) 2.389 (1.175-4.859)), prolonged ventilation time (47.01 hours vs. 23.59 hours, p-value 0.0076) and prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay (80.23 hours vs. 50.27, p-value 0.0011). Preoperative anaemia is highly prevalent and showed a clear link with significantly higher transfusion rates and postoperative morbidity. It is vital that a preoperative management plan for the correction of anaemia should be sought to improve patient safety and outcome.
The effect of footplate neuromuscular electrical stimulation on venous and arterial haemodynamics
Authors: Varatharajan Lavanya , Williams Katherine , Moore Hayley , Davies Alun Huw
Published: July 2014

Objective

This pilot study aims to determine the effect of the Revitive™ footplate neuromuscular electrical stimulation device on venous and arterial haemodynamic changes in healthy individuals.

Method

The blood flow (cc/min) and time averaged mean velocity (cm/s) of the superficial femoral vein and artery were measured using ultrasound at baseline, 15 min during, and immediately after cessation of the 30 min stimulation cycle. Data were analysed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test.

Results

Venous and arterial duplex ultrasound haemodynamic measurements were taken in 10 and 20 healthy volunteers, respectively. Mean age 38.7 (range 21–64), ankle brachial pressure index 0.9–1.0. At 15 min, there was a significant increase in venous median blood flow (88.3 cc/min, p = 0.014) and an increase in time averaged mean velocity (1.13 cm/s, p = 0.065) compared to baseline. Similarly, there was a significant increase in arterial median blood flow (38.7 cc/min, p < 0.0001) and time averaged mean velocity (2.21 cm/s, p = 0.0003) at 15 min compared to baseline. There was no significant difference in venous or arterial measurements compared to baseline after stimulation cessation.

Conclusions

Blood flow and time averaged mean velocity increased during neuromuscular electrical stimulation but returned to baseline once stimulation had stopped. By improving blood flow, neuromuscular electrical stimulation has the ability to enhance venous return, counteract venous stasis and improve limb arterial inflow.
Bitblox: Printable digital materials for electromechanical machines
Authors: MacCurdy Robert , McNicoll Anthony , Lipson Hod
Published: July 2014

As additive manufacturing of mechanical parts gains broad acceptance, efforts to embed electronic or electromechanical components in these parts are intensifying. We discuss recent work in printable electronics and introduce an alternative, which we call Bitblox. Bitblox are small, modular, interconnecting blocks that embed simple electromechanical connectivity and functionality. Not all blocks are identical; instead the unique combinations and positions of Bitblox within an assembly determine the mechanical and electrical properties of the assembly. We describe the design details of Bitblox, compare them to similar materials, and demonstrate their use in a working three-dimensional printer through several examples.
An origin state method for communication constrained cooperative localization with robustness to packet loss
Authors: Walls Jeffrey M. , Eustice Ryan M.
Published: July 2014

This paper reports on an exact, real-time solution for server–client cooperative localization over a faulty and extremely bandwidth-limited underwater communication channel. Our algorithm, termed the origin state method, enables a ‘server’ vehicle to broadcast its navigation information to multiple ‘client’ vehicles over a bandwidth-limited and faulty communication channel. The server’s broadcasted pose-graph can be used in conjunction with an estimator on the client to exactly reproduce the corresponding server–client centralized estimate. We present an evaluation over an extensive real-time field implementation of the proposed algorithm for a multi-agent autonomous underwater vehicle network using underwater acoustic modems to communicate in a synchronous-clock transmission framework.
The Hawkish Dove: Evolution and the Logic of Political Behaviour
Authors: Lopez Anthony C.
Published: July 2014

In a previous issue of this journal, Adam Goodwin (2010) argued that applications of ‘orthodox’ evolutionary theory in international relations are reductionist, necessarily privilege an individualist ontology, and doom social theorising to the false assumption that humans are by nature selfish and competitive. As an alternative, Goodwin presents Kropotkin’s Mutual Aid framework both for overcoming the reductionism of ‘orthodox’ evolutionary theory and for establishing a holist ontology cantered around the autonomy of social forms. I argue that Goodwin’s representation of ‘orthodox’ evolutionary theory is in fact far from orthodoxy and instead rests on misunderstandings both of how natural selection operates and what it operates to produce – adaptations. I show that modern evolutionary theory rests on neither individualist nor holist ontologies, and instead demonstrates that humans are by nature neither hawkish nor dovish. I provide examples on the evolution of cooperation and war to demonstrate that modern evolutionary theory can explain a range of pro- and anti-social behaviours and that fears of biological reductionism in international relations are misplaced.
Micromechanical modeling on the rate-dependent viscoplastic behavior of polymer composites with thermal residual stress effect
Authors: Zhai Zhi , Chen XueFeng , He ZhengJia , Ye JunJie , Zhu XiaoJun
Published: July 2014

The research focuses on the effect of thermal residual stress on the rate-sensitive viscoplastic behavior of polymer matrix composites with various fiber cross-sectional shapes. Micromechanical analysis was then conducted to incorporate the inelastic deformation and thermal residual stress into the micromechanical properties of a repeating cell and obtained the macromechanical response of polymer matrix composites by using homogenization theory. The responses of AS4/Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) with circular, square, and elliptical fibers are predicted by the method above at 10−5, 10−1, and 100/s with respect to 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90° off-axis angles. The results show that the viscoplastic difference of the response for various fiber shapes becomes more evident with the increase of strain rate. The effect of thermal residual stress varying with off-axis angle is similar to the sinusoidal curve. Besides, the thermal residual stress provides the largest effect on the response with square fiber and the smallest effect on the response with elliptical fiber, which of the effect decreases with the strain rate increasing.
Correlation between physical properties, microstructure and thermo-mechanical behavior of PPS-based composites processed by stamping
Authors: Blond D , Vieille B , Gomina M , Taleb L
Published: July 2014

This work focuses on the influence of stamping process on physical (glass transition temperature, and degree of crystallinity) and mechanical properties (Young’s modulus, tensile and compressive strengths, and in-plane and interlaminar shear strengths) of polyphenylenesulfide-based carbon fiber fabric laminates under severe environmental conditions (120℃ and hygrothermal ageing). The results show that stamping as well as hygrothermal ageing increase the glass transition temperature and the degree of crystallinity. Mechanical investigations coupled with fractography studies highlight significant improvements in both interlaminar and compressive properties. Finally, stamping can be considered as a second thermo-compression of consolidated laminates, and the resulting changes in the microstructure can be correlated with higher mechanical properties of polyphenylenesulfide-based laminates under severe conditions.
Study on multi-section, nonlinear model of flashover in a long–narrow confined space
Authors: Zhao Weifeng , Zong Ruowen , Gao Jiaxin , Liao Guangxuan
Published: July 2014

The particularity in building structures of long–narrow spaces makes it different from the study of flashover model from the conventional theory. In this article, based on the nonlinear dynamics theory, a multi-section model was proposed to analyze the phenomenon of flashover. In this model, long–narrow confined space was divided into several sections, and each section was further divided into two zones, as hot smoke layer and cold air layer. The continuity equation and energy equation for each control volume defined from thermal smoke layer were established. The critical radius for the onset of flashover has been determined theoretically. In this article, a comparison with experiment for a multi-section, nonlinear model of flashover is presented, and the modeling results are compared with the experimental data which were obtained through a batch of fire tests in a reduced scale, long–narrow confined space. The theoretical calculation results agree reasonably well with measured results, in which the critical temperature and fire radius of flashover can be predicted. In general, for the polypropylene cribs, the predicted results are broadly consistent with the experimental results when the fire radius is below this critical value, but for heptane and wood cribs, the predicted value is a little higher. However, the model is useful in predicting the critical fire radius and temperature for flashover. In this article, the relationship between the characteristic parameters of fuel and the critical radius of fire source has also been investigated, which is linear growth.
Role of the Dopaminergic System in the Development of Myopia in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Nebbioso Marcella , Plateroti Andrea Maria , Pucci Bruna , Pescosolido Nicola
Published: July 2014

This review summarizes the experimental evidence that supports the role of dopamine in the regulation of ocular axial growth. The most important functions attributed to dopamine are light adaptation and regulation of the retinal circadian rhythm. An increase of the retinal levels of dopamine activates D1 and D2 dopaminergic receptors present throughout the retina, generating a signal that inhibits axial growth once the eye has reached emmetropization. Researchers induced form-deprivation myopia in animal models in order to assess the different changes of ocular axial growth. Other studies have shown that phenylethylamine is an endogenous precursor-neurotransmitter capable of modulating the activity of dopamine. Considering the role of the dopaminergic system in the development of myopia (in children and adolescents) and the fact that phenylethylamine improves the consequences of a dopamine deficit, it would be interesting to study the effect of phenylethylamine on the regulation of axial growth, which represents the genesis of myopia.
A Cycle of Violence? Examining Family-of-Origin Violence, Attitudes, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration
Authors: Eriksson Li , Mazerolle Paul
Published: July 2014

Exposure to violence in the family-of-origin has consistently been linked to intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in adulthood. However, whether the transmission of violence across generations is role- and gender-specific still remains unclear. The current study examined the effects of experiencing child abuse and observing parental violence on IPV perpetration among a sample of male arrestees ( N = 303). The differential effects of observing violence perpetrated by same-sex (father to mother), opposite-sex (mother to father), and both parents on subsequent IPV perpetration were examined. Logistic regression analyses showed that while observing father-only violence and bidirectional interparental violence was predictive of IPV perpetration, observing mother-only violence and direct experiences of child abuse was not. These findings suggest that the transmission of violence across generations is both role- and gender-specific and highlight the importance of examining unique dimensions of partner violence to assess influences on children. The study further examined whether attitudes justifying wife beating mediate the effect of exposure to violence and subsequent IPV perpetration. Results showed that although attitudes were predictive of perpetration, these attitudes did not mediate the relationship.
Person-in-Context
Authors: Posick Chad , Zimmerman Gregory M.
Published: July 2014

The correlation between victimization and offending (i.e., the victim–offender overlap) is one of the most documented empirical findings in delinquency research, leading researchers to investigate potential contingencies in this relationship. A small number of studies have found evidence of contextual variation in the victim–offender overlap, but these studies have produced conflicting results as to whether urban context amplifies or attenuates this relationship. To add clarity to this body of literature, the present study uses a nationally representative sample of adolescents from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to investigate potential variation in the victim–offender overlap across school context. Results indicate that victimization is positively and significantly related to offending in all school contexts but that the relationship between victimization and offending is stronger in non-urban schools than in urban schools. Results also indicate that negative emotionality may play a key role in unpacking the mechanisms through which context moderates the victim–offender overlap.
Thinking Clearly About Violent Cognitions
Authors: Nunes Kevin L. , Hermann Chantal A. , Maimone Sacha , Woods Mandie
Published: July 2014

The purpose of the current study was to explore whether measures such as the Violence Scale of the Revised Measures of Criminal Attitudes and Associates (MCAA-R-V) and the Criminal Attitudes to Violence Scale (CAVS) assess attitudes toward violence (i.e., evaluation of violence) and whether attitudes and the cognitions assessed by the MCAA-R-V and CAVS are independently associated with violent behavior. Participants (568 undergraduate students) completed the MCAA-R-V and the CAVS, as well as measures of evaluation of violence, evaluation of violent people, identification of self as violent, and past violent behavior. Exploratory factor analyses revealed that the MCAA-R-V and CAVS items formed correlated but distinct factors from the items of the evaluation of violence, evaluation of violent people, and identification of self as violent scales. Regression analyses indicated that evaluation of violence and identification of self as violent correlated with violent behavior independently of the MCAA-R-V and CAVS. Our results suggest that attitudes toward violence may be distinct from other cognitions often referred to as “attitudes” in the criminological literature, and both attitudes and these other cognitions may be relevant for understanding violent behavior.
Aggressive Situational Cues Among Israeli Security Personnel
Authors: Bensimon Moshe
Published: July 2014

The present study enriches our knowledge on the relationship between security personnel and situational cues that may provoke aggression, such as arms and uniforms. The study examined 259 security personnel who completed an aggression questionnaire (AGQ). The study aimed (a) to compare the tendency toward aggression of security personnel who carry or do not carry arms and/or wear a uniform and (b) to compare the tendency toward aggression of men and women security personnel who carry or do not carry arms and/or wear a uniform. The findings indicated no main effect for aggression cueing classification. However, uniformed men had higher scores of physical aggression than women, and women scored significantly higher on anger than men when not carrying any aggressive cues. The findings also revealed that in general, men security personnel reported much higher physical aggression than women, while women showed slightly higher means of verbal aggression than men. The findings are discussed in light of the gender theory and research.
Does Self-Blame Moderate Psychological Adjustment Following Intimate Partner Violence?
Authors: Reich Catherine M. , Jones Judiann M. , Woodward Matthew J. , Blackwell Náthali , Lindsey Leslie D. , Beck J. Gayle
Published: July 2014

This study explored whether self-blame moderates the relationship between exposure to specific types of abuse and both poor general psychological adjustment (i.e., self-esteem) and specific symptomatology (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) among women who had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Eighty female IPV survivors were involved in this study. Results indicated that self-blame was negatively associated with self-esteem for physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Self-blame moderated physical abuse, such that high levels of physical abuse interacted with high levels of self-blame in their association with PTSD. Nonsignificant models were noted for psychological and sexual abuse in association with self-blame and PTSD. These findings support the conceptualization that self-blame is associated with both general and specific psychological outcomes in the aftermath of IPV. Future research examining different forms of blame associated with IPV might further untangle inconsistencies in the self-blame literature.
Prevalence of Victimization and Exposure to Violence in a Sample of Hispanic Americans
Authors: Miller Holly Ventura , Lopez Kristina M.
Published: July 2014

Research on the growing U.S. Hispanic population has increased in recent years, although much of this work has examined differences between the foreign- and native-born or between Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Fewer studies have explored within-group differences (Mexican vs. Puerto Rican vs. Cuban, etc.) and none have assessed variability in the prevalence of victimization across these diverse groups. Unfortunately, the available evidence is somewhat inconclusive regarding the prevalence of victimization among Hispanics and relative to other demographic groups such as Whites and Blacks. This study first aims to provide clarification as to the prevalence of Hispanic victimization relative to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). Then, we assess within-group differences for the Hispanic subsample for each of the victimization measures. Using Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we estimate the prevalence of various forms of criminal victimization and exposure to violence for Hispanics, NHW, and NHB. Results suggest that significant differences exist between Hispanics and both NHW and NHB. More specifically, Hispanics were less likely to report most of the victimization outcomes than either group. Significant differences in victimization were also observed between Hispanic subgroups. Generally, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans were most likely to report victimization whereas Cubans and Chicanos (with the exception of property crime) were least likely to report victimization.
A Comparison of Risk Factors for Alcohol-Involved and Alcohol-Uninvolved Sexual Aggression Perpetration
Authors: Kingree J. B. , Thompson Martie
Published: July 2014

Much research has found that alcohol use is associated with sexual aggression (SA) perpetration among male college students. To increase understanding of this association, the present study examined whether other established risk factors for SA perpetration in this population were associated differentially with incidents that were preceded by alcohol use and incidents that were not preceded by alcohol use. The sample included 638 male college students who completed self-report measures of seven risk factors and SA perpetration during their first and second years of enrollment at a large, public university in the southeastern United States. A multivariate, multinomial logistic regression model revealed none of the seven factors increased risk for both alcohol-involved and alcohol-uninvolved SA perpetration. The model did identify binge drinking as a risk factor for alcohol-involved SA perpetration and impulsivity, rape myth attitudes, and hostility toward women as risk factors for alcohol-uninvolved perpetration. If these results can be replicated, then they would suggest that different risk factors should be targeted to optimize the effect of preventive interventions on the occurrence of the two types of SA perpetration.
Aligning Compensation Systems With Organization Culture
Authors: Madhani Pankaj M.
Published: July 2014

Organization culture and compensation system design function as complementary elements in achieving the strategic goals of the organization. When compensation systems are not aligned with organization culture, it causes many unintended consequences. This research study looks at the impact of organization culture on compensation and vice versa. Various frameworks provided in this article will help managers in effectively managing compensation costs as well as enhancing performance of the organizations. The organization culture can be shaped by the type of compensation system used and the kinds of behaviors and outcomes the organization chooses to reward and punish. When culture and compensation structure (fixed pay vs. variable pay) are synchronized, the culture acts as an asset and generates competitive advantage. Depending on how compensation system is designed, developed, communicated and managed, it can positively or negatively influence an organization’s culture. This research identifies compensation strategies for various types of organization culture and suggests the best-case scenario for optimal performance.
Design optimization of a synchronal rotary multiphase pump
Authors: Yang Xu , Zhang Jiang , Hu Xu , Qu Zongchang
Published: July 2014

Design optimization analyses of a synchronal rotary multiphase pump (SRMP) were performed to improve the pump performance. A comprehensive mathematical model of the SRMP was first developed to calculate various pump performance parameters, including the volume flow rate, shaft power consumption, and pump efficiency. The accuracy of the established model was verified by comparisons between the simulated and experimental results. A design optimization procedure coupled with the mathematical model was then developed by employing a direct search optimization technique-complex method. The optimization calculations for the optimum pump performance and the relevant design variables were implemented under three kinds of operating conditions that differed in their inlet gas volume fractions (GVFs). The calculated results showed that the pump efficiency was effectively improved by the set of optimum design variables obtained in the optimization search. The optimum design variables differed with inlet GVF. Under the condition of a lower inlet GVF, the optimum design variables inclined to values that gave a higher mechanical efficiency. When the inlet GVF increased, the effect of leakage loss on the pump efficiency increased, and as a result the optimum design variables inclined to values that gave a higher volumetric efficiency. The research results suggest that a narrow but taller cylinder is better for the operating condition of a lower inlet GVF and a wide but shorter cylinder is better for the operating condition of a higher inlet GVF.
Extreme fuel-rich combustion characteristics of RBCC embedded rocket engine with gas-liquid shear coaxial injectors in continuously varying mixture ratios
Authors: Li Qinglian , Cheng Peng , Kang Zhongtao , Zhang Xinqiao
Published: July 2014

In order to achieve stable and effective transition between the operation modes in a rocket-based-combined-cycle engine (RBCC), the embedded rocket engine should be capable of throttling continuously in a wide range of operation conditions. A kerosene/GO2 RBCC embedded rocket engine with gas–liquid shear coaxial injectors was designed to investigate the combustion characteristics under varying operation conditions. Throttling cold test, static hot test, and throttling hot tests in varying mixture ratios (0.102–0.221) were conducted with a throttleable venturi and a throttleable sonic nozzle. In these tests, the mixture ratio was adjusted in two ways: one is to linearly decrease the fuel mass flow rate with a constant oxygen mass flow rate, and the other is to increase the oxygen mass flow rate with a constant fuel mass flow rate. Results indicate that the combustion efficiency and the characteristic velocity increase along with the mixture ratio, but show a different growth rate depending on the mixture ratio adjustment method. To specify, characteristic velocity and combustion efficiency of hot test throttled by increasing oxygen mass flow rate grow faster. And in the range of mixture ratios ( Φ<0.25), the combustion efficiency obtained by both adjustment methods is lower than 55%. The flame behaviors are influenced significantly by the oxygen mass flow rate, and a reasonable explanation is that increasing oxygen mass flow rate can significantly increase the spray angle and decrease the mean diameter. And the flame behaviors can influence the discharge coefficient of the kerosene injector. Furthermore, the discharge coefficient decreases along with the decrease of kerosene mass flow rate in both hot and cold tests.
Augmented robust control of a free-floating flexible space robot
Authors: Yu Xiao-Yan
Published: July 2014

The flexibility of the joints and links of space robots is considerable, arising from elasticity of the joints and links. Controlling such a robot is more complex than controlling rigid one due to the interactions of rigid and flexible motion. Only a single actuation signal could be applied at each joint, whilst it has to control the motion of the link joint, the flexure of both the joints itself, and the attached link for a flexible space robot. To investigate such an underactuated flexible-link flexible-joint space robot, a free-floating space manipulator with one flexible link and two flexible revolute joints was presented in this paper. The dynamical Lagrange equation was established, and a singularly perturbed model has been formulated. The model consisted of a rigid subsystem, a flexible-link fast subsystem, and a flexible-joint fast subsystem. Based on the two-time-scale separation of the manipulator dynamics, a reduced-order controller was designed. This controller consisted of a rigid control component and two fast control components. Based only on the possible bound of the uncertainty, an augmented robust control law was constructed for the rigid counterpart of the flexible-link flexible-joint robot. The flexible-joint fast subsystem controller would stabilize the elastic vibrations at the joints, and the flexible-link fast subsystem controller would damp out the vibration of the flexible link. Numerical simulations showed that the link and joint vibrations had been stabilized effectively with good tracking performance.
Treatment selection in a randomized clinical trial via covariate-specific treatment effect curves
Authors: Ma Yunbei , Zhou Xiao-Hua
Published: July 2014

For time-to-event data in a randomized clinical trial, we proposed two new methods for selecting an optimal treatment for a patient based on the covariate-specific treatment effect curve, which is used to represent the clinical utility of a predictive biomarker. To select an optimal treatment for a patient with a specific biomarker value, we proposed pointwise confidence intervals for each covariate-specific treatment effect curve and the difference between covariate-specific treatment effect curves of two treatments. Furthermore, to select an optimal treatment for a future biomarker-defined subpopulation of patients, we proposed confidence bands for each covariate-specific treatment effect curve and the difference between each pair of covariate-specific treatment effect curve over a fixed interval of biomarker values. We constructed the confidence bands based on a resampling technique. We also conducted simulation studies to evaluate finite-sample properties of the proposed estimation methods. Finally, we illustrated the application of the proposed method in a real-world data set.
Does McNemar’s test compare the sensitivities and specificities of two diagnostic tests?
Authors: Kim Soeun , Lee Woojoo
Published: July 2014

McNemar’s test is often used in practice to compare the sensitivities and specificities for the evaluation of two diagnostic tests. For correct evaluation of accuracy, an intuitive recommendation is to test the diseased and the non-diseased groups separately so that the sensitivities can be compared among the diseased, and specificities can be compared among the healthy group of people. This paper provides a rigorous theoretical framework for this argument and study the validity of McNemar’s test regardless of the conditional independence assumption. We derive McNemar’s test statistic under the null hypothesis considering both assumptions of conditional independence and conditional dependence. We then perform power analyses to show how the result is affected by the amount of the conditional dependence under alternative hypothesis.
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases at Endsleigh Gardens, Euston – 1920–1939
Authors: Cook GC
Published: July 2014

From 1920 until 1939, London’s Hospital for Tropical Diseases sponsored by the Seamen’s Hospital Society was located at Endsleigh Gardens, Euston. Unfortunately, written records of that era were destroyed in air raids on Greenwich in 1940 and 1941. Oral reminiscences documented in this paper help remedy this loss.
Ectopic Thyroid Tissue in the Adrenal Gland
Authors: Casadei Gian Piero , Bertarelli Claudia , Giorgini Eleonora , Cremonini Nadia , de Biase Dario , Tallini Giovanni
Published: July 2014

Foci of ectopic thyroid tissue are uncommon. Most sites of thyroid ectopia are confined to the neck region. The presence of ectopic thyroid tissue outside the migration pathway of the primitive thyroid in other locations is exceptional. Given that any disease of the thyroid gland may also affect ectopic thyroid tissue, pathologists has to recognize benign or malignant conditions that may develop in the ectopic focus. We present the case of a 32-year-old woman with ectopic thyroid parenchyma in the adrenal gland. Clinically, postoperative thyroid ultrasound echography and computed tomography scans did not reveal any thyroid tumor. The ectopic tissue was a cyst bordered by mature follicular thyroid structures and was histologically benign, without the molecular alterations associated with malignant tumors of follicular cell derivation (BRAFV600E, N-RAS, H-RAS, K-RAS). Review of the literature reveals that adrenal ectopic thyroid tissue is nearly always cystic and has distinctive pathologic features.
Use of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in the Treatment of Anemia in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure
Authors: Lindquist Desirae E. , Cruz Jennifer L. , Brown Jamie N.
Published: July 2014

Objective:

To determine the efficacy and safety of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) for the treatment of anemia in patients with systolic heart failure.

Data Sources:

A search of MEDLINE (1946-January 2014) and EMBASE (1947-January 2014) was conducted using the search terms erythropoietin and systolic heart failure. In addition, bibliographies of relevant articles were reviewed for additional citations.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

All English language randomized controlled trials evaluating clinical outcomes or adverse events when using ESAs in the setting of systolic heart failure were included.

Data Synthesis:

A total of 9 studies were reviewed. All studies examining hematological parameters found a statistically significant increase in hemoglobin levels with active treatment versus placebo. Of the 7 trials evaluating exercise tolerance or capacity, only 4 demonstrated statistically significant improvement in these measures in patients receiving ESAs, whereas the remainder showed no clinical benefit. Four studies examined quality-of-life measures. Although numerical improvements were observed in most trials, statistical significance was reached in only 2 trials. A nonsignificant trend for decreased mortality in patients treated with darbepoetin with a similar adverse event profile compared to placebo was shown in one study; however, the largest trial to date showed no benefit in all-cause mortality or heart failure-related hospitalizations with the use of ESAs. Additionally, a statistically significant increase in the number of cerebrovascular events and thrombotic events was found.

Conclusion:

There is inconclusive evidence to suggest that the use of ESAs in treating anemia in patients with heart failure is beneficial. Although ESAs demonstrated a clear ability for increasing hemoglobin levels, the data regarding clinical outcomes such as exercise parameters, quality of life, and hospitalizations are conflicting. In addition, a mortality benefit has not been shown; therefore, the potential for improved symptomatology must be weighed against the potential for adverse events.
A study on the isolation performance of trichiral lattices with gradient geometry
Authors: Shiyin Xu , Xiuchang Huang , Hongxing Hua
Published: July 2014

This paper investigates the vibration transmission and isolation performance of the trichiral structures with uniform and gradient geometry parameter. The method combining Bloch’s theorem and the finite element method (FEM) are applied to study the dispersion characteristic of the trichiral structure. The effect of geometry parameters on the distribution of the band gap is analyzed. On this basis, a trichiral structure with gradient geometry parameters is presented and FEM is exploited to evaluate the dynamic response under the harmonic excitation. The results demonstrate that vibration transmission displays significant attenuation in the frequency range corresponding to the band gap. The distribution of the band gap is determined by the cell parameters and can be tuned to any desired frequency range. The harmonic response analysis suggests that a gradual variation in cell size distribution makes the structure realize vibration suppression in a wider frequency band, which cannot be achieved by the uniform structure.
Vibration modeling of carbon-nanotube-based biosensors incorporating thermal and nonlocal effects
Authors: Wang Kaifa , Wang Baolin
Published: July 2014

The vibration behavior of a bridged single walled carbon nanotube with a bio-mass adsorbed at various positions subjected to temperature change is investigated. The frequency equation of the sensor is derived analytically based on nonlocal Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. The relationship between the vibration frequency, the temperature change, the nonlocal parameter, the attached bio-mass and its location was obtained. Results without temperature change are compared with available results of analytical and molecular mechanics. It is found that the influence of thermal effect on the frequency and sensitivity of the biosensor is significant if its length-to-diameter ratio is large. On the other hand, the effect of nonlocal parameter on the frequency and sensitivity of the biosensor increases if its length-to-diameter ratio decreases.