bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Treatment Effect Mechanisms of the CAMBRA Randomized Trial in Reducing Caries Increment
Authors: Cheng J. , Chaffee B.W. , Cheng N.F. , Gansky S.A. , Featherstone J.D.B.
Published: October 2014

The Caries Management By Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) randomized controlled trial showed that an intervention featuring combined antibacterial and fluoride therapy significantly reduced bacterial load and suggested reduced caries increment in adults with 1 to 7 baseline cavitated teeth. While trial results speak to the overall effectiveness of an intervention, insight can be gained from understanding the mechanism by which an intervention acts on putative intermediate variables (mediators) to affect outcomes. This study conducted mediation analyses on 109 participants who completed the trial to understand whether the intervention reduced caries increment through its action on potential mediators (oral bacterial load, fluoride levels, and overall caries risk based on the composite of bacterial challenge and salivary fluoride) between the intervention and dental outcomes. The primary outcome was the increment from baseline in decayed, missing, and filled permanent surfaces (ΔDMFS) 24 mo after completing restorations for baseline cavitated lesions. Analyses adjusted for baseline overall risk, bacterial challenge, and fluoride values under a potential outcome framework using generalized linear models. Overall, the CAMBRA intervention was suggestive in reducing the 24-mo DMFS increment (reduction in ΔDMFS: −0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: –2.01 to 0.08; P = 0.07); the intervention significantly reduced the 12-mo overall risk (reduction in overall risk: –19%; 95% CI, −7 to −41%;], P = 0.005). Individual mediators, salivary log10 mutans streptococci, log10 lactobacilli, and fluoride level, did not represent statistically significant pathways alone through which the intervention effect was transmitted. However, 36% of the intervention effect on 24-mo DMFS increment was through a mediation effect on 12-mo overall risk ( P = 0.03). These findings suggest a greater intervention effect carried through the combined action on multiple aspects of the caries process rather than through any single factor. In addition, a substantial portion of the total effect of the CAMBRA intervention may have operated through unanticipated or unmeasured pathways not included among the potential mediators studied.
Process Memos
Authors: Parrott Heather Macpherson , Cherry Elizabeth
Published: October 2014

We have created a new teaching tool—process memos—to improve student writing. Process memos are guided reflections submitted with scaffolded assignments that facilitate a written dialogue between students and instructors about the process of writing. Within these memos, students critically assess available teaching tools, discuss their writing processes, pose lingering questions about the assignment, identify weaknesses in their writing, and give advice to future students. Using process memos ( N = 240) collected in spring 2014, we outline the benefits of process memos, including how this tool establishes a productive dialogue about writing and increases self-reflection among both students and instructors.
A new acceptance sampling plan using Bayesian approach in the presence of inspection errors
Authors: Fallahnezhad MS , Babadi A Yousefi
Published: October 2014

In acceptance sampling plans, the decisions on either accepting, rejecting the lot or inspecting all items in the lot is still a challenging problem. We developed a new acceptance sampling plan to decide about the received lot based on cost objective function in the presence of inspection errors. It is assumed that inspection is not perfect and type I and type II errors occur in the inspection process. The problem of acceptance sampling plan in the presence of inspection errors is modeled using decision tree approach, where the sample size and decision of accepting, rejecting or inspecting are decision nodes. Bayesian inference is used to update the probability distribution function of nonconforming proportion. Then the cost at terminal nodes is analysed and optimal decisions are determined using a backward recursive approach. A case study is solved for illustrating the application of the model and sensitivity analysis is carried out on the parameters of the proposed methodology and the behavior of model by changing the parameters is investigated. We also compared the proposed model with single sampling model. At the end, the model is generalized in order to consider different potential decisions that can be made in practice.
Passive cooling by phase change material usage in construction
Authors: Muthuvel S , Saravanasankar S , Sudhakarapandian R , Muthukannan M
Published: October 2014

This work examines the significance of using phase change material (PCM) in the construction works for conservation of energy. The objective of using PCMs is that the materials help in enhancing thermal performance of buildings as these have the advantage of high storage density with small temperature swing. Among various types of PCM, rice bran distilled fatty acid – grade A (RBDFA), which is a non-paraffin type was selected considering its thermal and physical parameters, particularly its melting point that falls between human comfort temperature range. Two types of investigations, numerical and experimental, were followed in the methodology to identify the thermal performance of building during PCM usage. The results indicated that inclusion of RBDFA in construction gives positive effect in maintaining less temperature variation at indoor.

Practical application: Phase change materials are substances capable of storing or releasing thermal energy as latent heat. Phase change material has wide applications in many fields, such as building envelope design to reduce ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption in buildings, solar energy utilization, waste heat recovery, thermo-regulated smart textiles, and active and passive cooling of electronic devices.
Persistence Motives in Irrational Decisions to Complete a Boring Task
Authors: Halkjelsvik Torleif , Rise Jostein
Published: October 2014

We explored a novel task paradigm where participants from the online work marketplace Amazon Mechanical Turk were given the choice to quit or continue an unfinished boring task for identical economic rewards. In Studies 1a and 1b, about half the participants chose to continue (corresponding to an average of 55 and 35 cents in foregone earnings). Participants’ self-reported reasons for continuing involved various types of persistence motives, reflecting a desire to persist or complete per se. Studies 2, 3a, 3b, and 3c ruled out the possibility that people continued because they enjoyed the task or believed there were additional rewards for continuing. Study 4 showed that the choice to quit/continue was associated with the manner in which the choice was presented (persistence test vs. decision-making test) and individual differences in dispositional persistence motives. The present data indicate that motivational forces independent of the focal reward may affect intertemporal decisions.
Creative city policy in the context of urban asymmetry
Authors: Anttiroiko Ari-Veikko
Published: October 2014

This article provides an overview of local governments’ opportunities to utilise creative city thinking in their local development policy. The aim is to shed light on how creative city approaches relate to structural urban asymmetry, i.e. how structural factors condition local governments’ efforts to translate creative city theories into urban development policies. For the analysis ideal types of creative city approaches are constructed to be analysed from a structural perspective. In the empirical part, three growth-oriented approaches of these ideal types – community, business and institutionally oriented creative city policies – are discussed by presenting three cases of Finnish creative communities, those of Helsinki, Tampere and Kaustinen. Analysis reveals that structural conditions affect the critical mass and resilience rather than the range of tools applied to creative city policy. Structural conditions are particularly relevant through their resonances in governance and policy outcomes and making synergetic specialisation possible.
Rapid calibration of a multi-sensorial humanoid’s upper body: An automatic and self-contained approach
Authors: Birbach Oliver , Frese Udo , Bäuml Berthold
Published: October 2014

This paper addresses the problem of calibrating a pair of cameras, a Microsoft Kinect sensor and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounted at the head of a humanoid robot with respect to its kinematic chain. As complex manipulation tasks require an accurate interplay of all involved sensors, the quality of calibration is crucial for the outcome of the intended tasks. Typical procedures for calibrating are often time-consuming, involve multiple people overseeing a series of subsequent calibration steps and require external tools. We therefore propose to auto-calibrate all sensors in a single, completely automatic and self-contained procedure, i.e. without a calibration plate. By automatically detecting a single point feature on each wrist while moving the robot’s head, the stereo cameras’, the Kinect’s infrared camera’s intrinsic and extrinsic and an IMU’s extrinsic parameters are calibrated while considering the arm joint elasticities and joint angle offsets. All parameters are obtained by formulating the calibration problem as a single least-squares batch-optimization problem. The procedure is integrated on DLR’s humanoid robot Agile Justin allowing to obtain an accurate calibration in around 5 minutes by simply “pushing a button”. The proposed approach is experimentally validated by means of standard metrics of the calibration errors.
Does the Organized Sexual Murderer Better Delay and Avoid Detection?
Authors: Beauregard Eric , Martineau Melissa
Published: October 2014

According to the organized–disorganized model, organized sexual murderers adopt specific behaviors during the commission of their crimes that contribute to avoiding police detection. The current study examines the effect of sexual murderers’ organized behaviors on their ability to both delay and/or avoid police detection. Using a combination of negative binomial and logistic regression analyses on a sample of 350 sexual murder cases, findings showed that although both measures of delaying and avoiding detection are positively correlated, different behavioral patterns were observed. For instance, offenders who moved the victim’s body were more likely to avoid detection but the victim’s body was likely to be recovered faster. Moreover, victim characteristics have an impact on both measures; however, this effect disappears for the measure of delaying detection once the organized behaviors are introduced. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Five-axis flank milling of impellers: Optimal geometry of a conical tool considering stiffness and geometric constraints
Authors: Lu YaoAn , Bi QingZhen , Zhu LiMin
Published: October 2014

Based on the Rayleigh–Ritz method, this article proposes an indicator to quantify the stiffness of a conical cutter for flank milling of impellers. Its validity is verified by the finite element analysis. A mathematical model is then developed to optimize the geometry of the conical cutter. The objective is to improve the stiffness of the cutter. Three kinds of geometric constraints are considered. First, the ball end of the cutter should be tangential to the hub surface. Second, the cutter should be interference-free with the adjacent blade. Finally, the machining error should satisfy the precision requirements. All these geometric constraints are characterized by the signed point-to-surface distance function. Based on the differential property of the distance function, a sequential linear programming method is applied to obtain the optimal geometry of the cutter along with the tool path. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm.
Design and implementation of the ultrasonic cold forging technology process for improving surface mechanical properties of 6XB2C cold-worked alloy steel tool
Authors: Abbasi Alireza , Amini Saeid , Emamikhah Afshin
Published: October 2014

Ultrasonic cold forging technology is a mechanical process used to improve surface characteristics of materials by continual striking of the tool in a reciprocating motion. In this study, the proper geometrical shapes of the booster and the horn (collectively called “the concentrator”) were obtained through numerous simulations based on the frequencies produced, the power of an ultrasonic generator (about 20 kHz), and the mechanical vibrations transferred parallel to the axis of the ultrasonic head (transducer, booster, horn, and tool). Furthermore, a pneumatic system was designed using a simulated ultrasonic cold forging technology in order to supply the static load and to prevent tool backlash in the retracting motion. Post-ultrasonic cold forging technology mechanical tests revealed an improved hardness by 17% to a depth of 150 μm and an enhanced smoothness from an initial value of 0.6–0.132 μm in the compressed layers of the surface as a result of using the ultrasonic cold forging technology process.
Shaping the cutting ability of grinding wheels with zone-diversified structure
Authors: Nadolny Krzysztof
Published: October 2014

This article presents the results of experimental tests aimed at determining the influence of shaping the microgeometry of particular functional zones (rough and finish grinding) of the grinding wheel active surface in the dressing cut and what effect this would have on the results of the internal cylindrical grinding process of steel 100Cr6. Single-pass grinding processes and the grinding wheel used in them are described. Grinding wheels with zone-diversified structure, made from abrasive grains along the basis of Al2O3 (white fused alumina 99A and microcrystalline sintered corundum), are characterized, and the construction of a special device for precise shaping of the conic chamfer on the grinding wheel active surface is presented. The experimental test results form the basis for determining the influence of the chief dressing parameters (grinding wheel peripheral speed vsd, dressing axial feed rate vfd) on the selected machined surface roughness parameters ( Ra, Rz, RSm, Rdq), surface bearing ratio and grinding power P in the internal cylindrical traverse grinding process. It was proven that the most advantageous grinding results are obtained when using different dressing parameters for the conic rough grinding zone and the cylindrical finish grinding zone of the grinding wheel. When shaping the grinding wheel conic chamfer, increased values of the dressing feed rate vfd( cone) need to be used in order to reduce the grinding power. The most advantageous parameter values for describing the machined surface roughness were obtained with low values of axial table dressing feed rate vfd( cylinder), providing precise alignment and sharpening of the grinding wheel active surface cylindrical zone.
Whistleblower Policy— Time to Make it Mandatory
Authors: Dhamija Sanjay
Published: October 2014

The main objective of this study is to examine the implementation of whistleblower policy by Indian companies. As of today, having a whistleblower policy is a non-mandatory requirement for listed companies, the article analyses the extent and manner of implementation of whistleblower policy by large Indian companies. It also identifies the essential features a whistleblower policy should have in order to be really effective. Though a voluntary requirement, a large proportion of sample companies have adopted a whistleblower policy or variant thereof. However, there are wide variations in the contents of the whistleblower policy adopted by the sample companies. Majority of the sample companies have not made their policy available on their web sites. Likewise, majority of the companies do not permit anonymous whistleblowing. The findings and suggestions in this article may be used with advantage by the capital market regulator (Securities Exchange Board of India—SEBI) in prescribing the details to be included in a whistleblower policy. Indian companies will also find it useful while designing and implementing such a policy. This will also encourage further research in this area.
Assessing the Barriers to Trade in Services in South Asia
Authors: Banik Arindam , Bhaumik Pradip K.
Published: October 2014

This study aims to assess barriers to service trade in the education, health, telecom, transport, travel and tourism, and banking and insurance sectors of selected South Asian economies such as India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, including both trade and domestic restrictions. The analysis is focused on the computation of aggregate and modal service trade restrictiveness indices (STRIs) by sector, drawing on information gathered based on detailed questionnaires. The conclusions highlight that while significant regulatory reforms have taken place in certain (for example Telecom) service sectors over the last decade, a broad range of restrictions still remain. The most significant change in these service sectors has been the lifting or softening of the constraints imposed on foreign equity participation. Interestingly, the economies in terms of regulatory reforms are more open to non-South Asian economies and not so much open to each other. However, reforms have had varying degrees of impact on market structure depending on the country and the sector.
Economic Reforms, Capacity Utilization and Productivity Growth in Indian Manufacturing
Authors: Deb Arnab K.
Published: October 2014

In this study, we attempt to identify the channels through which economic reforms enhanced the productivity growth in total manufacturing sector in India. Because one possible channel is better utilization of plant capacity, we estimate the capacity utilization rate in Indian manufacturing. Empirical estimates show that the annual average capacity utilization rate in Indian manufacturing was lower over the post-reform years. However, after the reforms, the capacity utilization rate grew faster at the all-India level as well as for most of the major industrial states. Subsequent regression analysis confirms that there was evidence of a favourable impact of economic reforms on productivity growth in total manufacturing, beyond the positive impact of improved capacity utilization.
Relationship Dynamics in the Pineapple Supply Chain: Empirical Evidence from the Garo Hills of Meghalaya
Authors: Bhagat Deepak , Dhar U.R.
Published: October 2014

Though early research in supply chain management focused mostly on transactional exchange, recent studies have shown a shift in focus from transactional to relational exchange. The research studies in traditional agricultural supply chains also followed a similar pattern. As a result, very little empirical information is available on the factors that affect the quality of the relationship between the supply chain players (partners) in the traditional agriculture supply chains. The focus of early research was mainly on the economics of channels and the structure of social relations within the chain members was somewhat ignored. This research study aims at studying the relationship dynamics in supply chain of pineapple in Garo hills of Meghalaya (India) from a smallholder’s perspective. Although the study began with 270 small growers to identify pineapple supply chains of the study area, the final study (relationship analysis) was limited to 167 small growers who sell to wholesalers. Factor analysis followed by regression analysis was conducted to identify and analyze the principal factors expressing relationships in pineapple supply chain. The study finds that cooperation, trust and a caring attitude from wholesaler influence the satisfaction of smallholder pineapple growers in a positive way. However, power dependence and the opportunistic behaviour of the wholesaler affects the satisfaction of smallholder pineapple farmers in a negative way.
Teamwork a Key Driver in Organizations and Its Impact on Job Satisfaction of Employees in Indian Public and Private Sector Organizations
Authors: Sharma Jai Prakash , Bajpai Naval
Published: October 2014

Despite an increasing number of studies on teamwork, no unifying work is focused on the measurement of the degree of difference in teamwork in a public sector organization and a private sector organization in the Indian context. Teamwork decreases job satisfaction, motivation and performance, and increases absenteeism and turnover intensions. We hypothesized that there is a significant difference in the degree of teamwork in public sector and private sector organization. Data were collected from 250 employees consisting of managerial and non-managerial staff from both public sector and private sector organizations. The results showed that employees in public sector organizations have a greater degree of teamwork in comparison to private sector employees. In addition job satisfaction increases or decreases with the increase or decrease in teamwork. The purpose of this study is to invoke teamwork in private sector organizations. Obtained results were in the line of the hypotheses. In terms of teamwork, a significant difference is noticed between public sector and private sector organizations. As expected, public sector employees have exhibited a higher degree of teamwork as compared to private sector employees. Most importantly, salary satisfaction is being proven as the catalyst for enhancing the job satisfaction level of employees.
Commodity Futures Indices and Traditional Asset Markets in India: DCC Evidence for Portfolio Diversification Benefits
Authors: Lagesh M.A. , Kasim C. Mohammed , Paul Sunil
Published: October 2014

This article investigates the potential for portfolio diversification benefits of commodity futures in the Indian context. For this purpose, we have estimated dynamic conditional correlations (DCC) between returns of four commodity futures indices and traditional asset class indices such as stock index, long-term bond index and Treasury bill index, separately for the pre-crisis and crisis period using the DCC–GARCH model and daily data ranging from June 2005 to September 2011. Empirical results reveal that there exist very low dynamic conditional correlations between commodity futures indices returns and traditional asset indices returns, an evidence illustrating the potential for portfolio diversification benefits of commodity futures. Commodity futures become more segmented from the traditional asset market; thus they can be effectively used for strategic asset allocation. Further, the conditional correlation between agriculture commodity future returns with long-run and short-run bond returns declined during the crisis period. Similarly, the conditional correlations of commodity futures indices returns (agriculture, energy and metal) with the stock index declined in periods of high volatility in the equity markets. These two findings indicate that the diversification benefits of commodity futures are most realized when the risks in traditional asset markets rise.
Banking Sector Development and Economic Growth in India
Authors: Tripathy Sasikanta , Pradhan Rudra P.
Published: October 2014

This article investigates short-run as well as long-run relationships, and also causality relationships between banking sector development and the economic growth of India for which empirical analysis is performed using annual data. We use a new data set of banking sector development indicators to argue that banking sector development substantially affected economic growth. We find strong evidence that banking sector development caused economic growth in the Indian economy, especially in the period between 1960 and 2011, covering 52 years of the post-independence period for India.
Impact of Firm-specific Attributes on Shareholder Value Creation of Indian Companies: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Narang Sweety , Kaur Mandeep
Published: October 2014

This exploratory study attempts to discover the impact of firm-specific characteristics on the shareholder value of the listed companies in India. Apart from this, it seeks to explore whether the significant firm attributes are common to both the dimensions of shareholder value, that is, accounting-based (economic value added (EVA)) as well as market-based dimensions (market value added (MVA) and Tobin’s Q). The data for this study consists of panel data of 100 companies in India covering the financial years from 1997–1998 to 2008–2009. Multiple regression analysis is employed to study the relationship. The study reveals that investors tend to reward the companies which have higher profitability, lower market risk, efficient resource management, high leverage, more liquidity, higher marketing expenditures and robust market capitalization. Evaluating shareholder value on the basis of accounting and market-based dimensions, the study identifies that the selected corporate attributes explain about 34 per cent of the variation in the accounting-based surrogate EVA, whereas they account for more than 55 per cent variation in the firm’s shareholder value when it is measured on the basis of market-based surrogates, MVA and Tobin’s Q. The primary limitations of this study are the size of its sample and non-inclusion of other variables (for example, market, environmental, regulatory, etc.) which may have an effect on the shareholder value. As maximizing shareholder value has become the widely accepted corporate objective the world over, its enhancement has become the key responsibility of corporate executives and managers.
Macroeconomic Modelling of Emerging Scenarios for India’s Twelfth Five-Year Plan
Authors: Bhide Shashanka , Parida Purna Chandra
Published: October 2014

India’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2012–13 to 2016–17) emphasises ‘faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth’. The GDP growth target for the Plan was initially fixed at 9 per cent and later revised to 8 per cent against the backdrop of significant contraction of domestic output during the first two years of the Plan period. The Plan document has set a target of achieving a 2 percentage point reduction in poverty per annum. However, the document has cautioned that achieving the revised growth target also needs special efforts and structural reforms in the economic, social and political systems. For the first time, the Planning Commission has proposed to work on ‘scenario planning’ for the 12th Plan. It has proposed three scenarios: ‘The Flotilla Advances’, ‘Muddling Along’ and ‘Falling Apart’. The main thrust of scenario analysis is to highlight the need for specific interventions in policy to achieve the goals of the Plan. Using the macroeconometric model developed by the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in India, the study finds that GDP growth rate will decline significantly under the Falling Apart scenario compared with the other two scenarios. As a result, poverty reduction is expected to be marginal under this scenario. The Falling Apart scenario will also lead to an unsustainable fiscal and current account deficit situation over the medium term. The other important finding of the study is that investment in social infrastructure (education and health) and physical infrastructure would not only achieve higher economic growth but also sustain it in the long term and both infrastructures have a similar impact on growth.

JEL Classification: B22, O21, E37
Determinants of Yields on Government Securities in India
Authors: Dua Pami , Raje Nishita
Published: October 2014

This article examines the determinants of government yields in India using weekly data from April 2001 through June 2012. The analysis covers treasury bills with residual maturity of 15–91 days and government securities of residual maturity 1, 5 and 10 years. The empirical estimates show that a long-run relationship exists between each of these interest rates and the policy rate, rate of growth of money supply, inflation, interest rate spread, foreign interest rate and forward premium. At the same time, the empirical results show that the relative importance of the determinants varies across the maturity spectrum. The normalised generalised variance decompositions suggest that the policy rate and the rate of growth of high powered money are more important in explaining the proportion of variation in shorter-term interest rates than the longer-term rates. The weight of the forward premium also diminishes as we move towards higher maturity interest rates. The inflation rate becomes relatively less important in explaining variations in the yields as the maturity of the security increases. The yield spread, on the other hand, is more important in explaining the longer-term rates. The results also show that a large proportion of the variation in the rates on the 5-year and 10-year government securities is attributed to the interest rate itself, suggesting that the unexplained variation may be a result of cyclical factors that are relatively more important for longer-term rates but are not captured by the yield spread and are omitted from the estimations in this article due to the high frequency of data employed here.

JEL Classification: C5, E43
Macroeconomic Policy: Implications for Inclusive Growth
Authors: Goyal Ashima
Published: October 2014

This article addresses the issue of past and future types of monetary-fiscal coordination that can deliver inclusive growth and low inflation in the Indian context. After India’s Independence, monetary policy was subordinated to planned development and, therefore, implicitly directed at inclusion. But large areas of the economy were still not monetised, and the modern sector was small. So inclusion was about expanding the sphere of the modern economy. Once a populous emerging market (EM) crosses a critical threshold and high catch-up growth is established, higher labour mobility blurs the distinction between the formal and informal sectors. A macroeconomics of the aggregate economy becomes both necessary and feasible. Since monetary policy affects a larger part of the economy, it can directly affect inclusion by affecting the pace of job creation. But bottlenecks that raise costs, pushing up the price at which any level of output is available, can force monetary tightening. If fiscal policies are redesigned for active inclusion that expands human capacity, makes more productive labour available, and reduces wasteful distortions, monetary policy can better support the objective of inclusive growth. The change in the type and efficacy of government policies designed for inclusion required has become politically and technologically feasible.

JEL Classification: E63, E31, O11, O23
Brazil–Africa Relations: The Strategic Importance of the South Atlantic
Authors: Pereira Analúcia Danilevicz
Published: October 2014

Historically considered a commercial region on the tracks of Europe, Latin America and Africa, the South Atlantic resumes its geo-economic and geopolitical importance due to its great natural resources, as well as the turnaround of geo-politics towards the South. Although it has had great importance since the colonial era, it is only since the Oil Crisis in the 1970s that this ocean had its prominence re-dimensioned, boosting the debate of limited maritime borders, but mainly of the exploration of its natural resources. The incapacity of the two current inter-oceanic waterways—Suez and Panama—to respond to demands of receiving larger ships increased the pressures on the area. Besides the oil reserves and the ecosystems located in the South Atlantic, there is a diversity of other resources that might benefit the economic development of the countries lying on both margins. As the economic importance of the South Atlantic increases, the international pressures on the region grow proportionally. In this sense, the guarantee of economic rights comes along, for the countries of both margins, with the counterpart of duties and responsibilities of a political nature, environmental and of public security, so that the effective control and the maintenance of state sovereignty can be possible. In this perspective, this study seeks to evaluate the development and the potentiality of the Brazilian relations with the African countries in the context of the South Atlantic.
Book Review: Ian Shapiro and Kahreen Tebeau (Eds), After Apartheid: Reinventing South Africa?
Authors: Surjitkumar N.
Published: October 2014

Ian Shapiro and Kahreen Tebeau (Eds), After Apartheid: Reinventing South Africa?, University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville and London, 2011, pp. 376, ISBN-978-0-8139-3097-8.
Two-step transfer function calculation method and asymmetrical piecewise-linear vibration isolator under gravity
Authors: Wang Xing , Zheng Gangtie
Published: October 2014

Piecewise-linear isolators are widely used in spacecraft for satisfying ever more stringent vibration requirements of high precision payloads. This paper focuses on ground tests of such isolators, with special consideration of gravitational asymmetry and mount flexibility. With asymmetrical equivalent isolator parameters derived with the extended equivalent linearization method, a two-step transfer function calculation method is proposed for enhancing the computation efficiency in dealing with studies where huge amount of computations are required, such as design parameter studies. The asymmetrical effect due to the gravity is presented by the movement of dynamic equilibrium positions as well as the softening and hardening characteristics of frequency responses. The effects and differences of the rigid mount and flexible mount, which respectively correspond to the shake table test and the whole spacecraft structure ground test, are studied with various design parameters. Numerical results show that the preload is an important factor in determining such effects and differences.
Toxicodynamic and Toxicokinetic Descriptors of Combined Chromium (VI) and Nickel Toxicity
Authors: Minigaliyeva Ilzira A. , Katsnelson Boris A. , Privalova Larisa I. , Gurvich Vladimir B. , Panov Vladimir G. , Varaksin Anatoly N. , Makeyev Oleg H. , Sutunkova Marina P. , Loginova Nadezhda V. , Kireyeva Ekaterina P. , Grigoryeva Ekaterina V. , Slyshkina Tatyana V. , Ganebnykh Eugenia V. , Grebenkina Svetlana V.
Published: October 2014

After repeated intraperitoneal injections of nickel and chromium (VI) salts to rats, we found, and confirmed by mathematical modeling, that their combined subchronic toxicity can either be of additive type or depart from it (predominantly toward subadditivity) depending on the effect assessed. Against the background of moderate systemic toxicity, the combination under study proved to possess a marked additive genotoxicity assessed by means of the random amplification of polymorphic DNA test. We also demonstrated that chromium and nickel reciprocally influenced the retention of these metals in some organs (especially in the spleen) but not their urinary excretion in this study.
Angiotensin II, via angiotensin receptor type 1/nuclear factor-κB activation, causes a synergistic effect on interleukin-1-β-induced inflammatory responses in cultured mesangial cells
Authors: Alique Matilde , Sánchez-López Elsa , Rayego-Mateos Sandra , Egido Jesús , Ortiz Alberto , Ruiz-Ortega Marta
Published: October 2014

Introduction:

The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is an important regulator of the inflammatory response. Angiotensin II (Ang II) activates the NF-κB pathway linked to renal inflammation. Although both AT1 and AT2 receptors are involved in Ang II-mediated NF-κB activation, the biological processes mediated by each receptor are not fully characterized. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is an important macrophage-derived cytokine that regulates immune and inflammatory processes, activating intracellular pathways shared with Ang II, including the NF-κB.

Materials and methods:

In vitro studies were done in primary cultured rat mesangial cells. NF-κB pathway was evaluated by phosphorylated levels of p65/IκB and DNA binding activity. The Ang II receptor subtype was determined by pretreatment with AT1 and AT2 antagonists.

Results:

In mesangial cells the simultaneous presence of Ang II and IL-1β caused a synergistic activation of the NF-κB pathway and a marked upregulation of proinflammatory factors under NF-κB control, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The AT1, but not AT2, antagonist abolished the synergistic effect on NF-κB activation and proinflammatory genes caused by coincubation of Ang II and IL-1β.

Conclusions:

These data indicates that Ang II, via AT1/NF-κB pathway activation, cooperates with IL-β to increase the inflammatory response in mesangial cells.
Relationship between CYP11B2-344T>C polymorphsim and atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis
Authors: Fu Xiaodan , Ma Xiangyu , Zhong Li , Song Zhiyuan
Published: October 2014

Introduction:

The aldosterone synthase ( CYP11B2)-344T>C gene polymorphism has been reported to influence the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in many studies; however, the results remain controversial and ambiguous.

Materials and methods:

We therefore carried out a meta-analysis of published case-control studies to investigate the association between CYP11B2-344T>C polymorphism and AF susceptibility. Electronic searches were conducted on links between this variant and AF in several databases. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for homozygous, dominant model, recessive model and allele were calculated to estimate the strength of associations in fixed and random effect models. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed.

Results:

A total of nine case-control studies were identified. The C allele was associated with an increased susceptibility risk of AF compared with the T allele among hypertension populations (OR=1.26; 95% CI=1.09–1.45). The contrast of homozygotes and the recessive model produced the same pattern of results as the allele contrast. In the hypertension population, a significant association was found for the genetic models that were examined.

Conclusions:

Our pooled data suggest a significant association exists between CYP11B2-344T>C polymorphism and AF among hypertension populations.
Expanding and Sustaining Integrated Health Care–Community Efforts to Reduce Diabetes Disparities
Authors: Chin Marshall H. , Goddu Anna P. , Ferguson Molly J. , Peek Monica E.
Published: October 2014

To reduce racial and ethnic disparities in diabetes care and outcomes, it is critical to integrate health care and community approaches. However, little work describes how to expand and sustain such partnerships and initiatives. We outline our experience creating and growing an initiative to improve diabetes care and outcomes in the predominantly African American South Side of Chicago. Our project involves patient education and activation, a quality improvement collaborative with six clinics, provider education, and community partnerships. We aligned our project with the needs and goals of community residents and organizations, the mission and strategic plan of our academic medical center, various strengths and resources in Chicago, and the changing health care marketplace. We use the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Finding Answers: Disparities Research for Change conceptual model and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to elucidate how we expanded and sustained our project within a shifting environment. We recommend taking action to integrate health care with community projects, being inclusive, building partnerships, working with the media, and understanding vital historical, political, and economic contexts.
An American Indian Community Implements the Chronic Care Model
Authors: Langwell Kathryn , Keene Catherine , Zullo Matthew , Ogu Linda Chioma
Published: October 2014

The chronic care model (CCM) has been initiated most frequently in clinical settings with outreach to the community to obtain involvement and guidance. Implementation of the CCM by communities that reach out to clinicians and develop linkages and coordination to improve care for community members with chronic conditions is less frequently observed. This commentary describes the implementation of the CCM by the Eastern Shoshone Tribe of the Wind River Indian Reservation. The design emphasized community-based leadership, with the Tribe having the primary role in developing and implementing culturally tailored community self-management supports, improving linkages with Indian Health Service (IHS) clinicians and cultural knowledge of providers, and developing a coalition of organizations with additional resources to create a more comprehensive system of diabetes care for Tribal members with diabetes.

Results indicate that community-initiated implementation of the CCM can be an effective strategy for creating a comprehensive community-clinical system of care for community members with diabetes. Overall, by the fourth implementation year, approximately 25% of Tribal members with diabetes had participated in the program and 28% of people on the Diabetes Registry had HbA1c levels above 9.0 compared to 32% before the Wind River ARDD program.

The success of the Wind River program suggests that community-driven approaches are a valuable strategy in our nation’s efforts to eliminate health disparities and ensure equal and fair access to quality health care for all citizens.
Cross-Site Evaluation of the Alliance to Reduce Disparities in Diabetes
Authors: Lewis Megan A. , Bann Carla M. , Karns Shawn A. , Hobbs Connie L. , Holt Sidney , Brenner Jeff , Fleming Neil , Johnson Patria , Langwell Kathryn , Peek Monica E. , Burton Joseph A. , Hoerger Thomas J. , Clark Noreen M. , Kamerow Douglas B.
Published: October 2014

Alliance programs implemented multilevel, multicomponent programs inspired by the chronic care model and aimed at reducing health and health care disparities for program participants. A unique characteristic of the Alliance programs is that they did not use a fixed implementation strategy common to programs using the chronic care model but instead focused on strategies that met local community needs. Using data provided by the five programs involved in the Alliance, this evaluation shows that of the 1,827 participants for which baseline and follow-up data were available, the program participants experienced significant decreases in hemoglobin A1c and blood pressure compared with a comparison group. A significant time by study group interaction was observed for hemoglobin A1c as well. Over time, more program participants met quality indicators for hemoglobin A1c and blood pressure. Those participants who attended self-management classes and experienced more resources and support for self-management attained more benefit. In addition, program participants experienced more diabetes competence, increased quality of life, and improvements in diabetes self-care behaviors. The cost-effectiveness of programs ranged from $23,161 to $61,011 per quality-adjusted life year. In sum, the Alliance programs reduced disparities and health care disparities for program participants.
National Human Resource Development in Brazil
Authors: Nery-Kjerfve Tania , Kim Sehoon , Kim Minjung , McLean Gary N.
Published: October 2014

National Human Resource Development (NHRD) has received much attention from scholars since the concept was first introduced in the 1980s. Although the concept of NHRD is still under academic debate with regard to its definition and scope, the number of case studies presenting NHRD policies in various countries has been growing. The purpose of this article was to present a case study comparison of NHRD in Brazil and South Korea. We examined features and aspects of NHRD in both countries, taking into account their historical, economic, political, and social contexts. In addition, we examined the role played by the state in creating and promoting NHRD policies toward economic and social transformation in South Korea and Brazil. Findings in this article provide implications not only for countries that adopt NHRD strategies but also for countries that may need to utilize HRD for their sustainable national development.
The limping child
Authors: Jacob Nebu C , Mathew Rammya
Published: October 2014

A limp is defined as an asymmetric gait, and it is a deviation from the normal gait pattern expected for a child's age. A limp can be secondary to pain, weakness or deformity, with the hip being the anatomical site of origin in the majority of cases. This article reviews the common and important hip problems that can present with the onset of a limp in a child.
The antibacterial effect of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond®) skin adhesive
Authors: Rushbrook Jeremy L , White Grace , Kidger Lizi , Marsh Philip , Taggart Thomas FO
Published: October 2014

Dermabond® is a tissue adhesive commonly used for wound or surgical incision closure. Its use has previously been associated with a reduction in wound infection, and it has been thought to act as a physical barrier to bacteria accessing the wound. This study aimed to establish whether the Dermabond® adhesive demonstrated any intrinsic antimicrobial properties. Solidified pellets of Dermabond® were placed on standardised Agar plates cultured with a variety of pathogens. Inhibition of growth was demonstrated against Gram-positive bacteria. Culture swabs taken from the inhibition rings demonstrated no growth, suggesting that Dermabond has a bactericidal mechanism of action.

Based on the design of this study, the results suggest that Dermabond® demonstrates bactericidal properties against Gram-positive bacteria. Its use for wound closure following surgical intervention may reduce postoperative wound infection by Gram-positive organisms.
The Impact of Superior Labral Anterior to Posterior Lesions on Functional Status in Shoulder Instability
Authors: Gaudelli Cinzia , Hébert-Davies Jonah , Balg Frédéric , Pelet Stéphane , Djahangiri Ali , Godbout Véronique , Rouleau Dominique M.
Published: October 2014

Background:

Type IV superior labral anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions, which are superior labral detachments associated with Bankart tears, are reported to occur in up to 25% of recurrent shoulder instability patients. However, the clinical implications of this finding are debatable.

Purpose:

To determine whether there are any functional differences between anterior instability patients with and without type IV SLAP lesions at the time of presentation and at short-term follow-up after surgical intervention.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A prospective, multicenter database was established to follow the clinical evolution of patients with shoulder instability. Patients were diagnosed as having a type IV SLAP lesion at the time of arthroscopic Bankart surgery (SLAP+). These patients were compared with a group of patients who simply had a Bankart lesion (SLAP–). The 2 groups had their functional outcomes (Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index [WOSI]; Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [QuickDASH]; and Walch-Duplay) compared prior to surgery and 1 year postoperatively.

Results:

A total of 103 subjects were included in the study; of these, 56 (43 men, 13 women) completed 1-year follow-up. Twenty-three subjects had a type IV SLAP tear, and most had this repaired along with their Bankart lesion. At baseline, SLAP+ subjects had inferior QuickDASH scores compared with SLAP– subjects (37.8 vs 29.0) as well as poorer pain subscores on both the WOSI and QuickDASH. At 1-year follow-up, however, there were no significant differences in any of the outcome measures.

Conclusion:

A type IV SLAP lesion can be expected in 22% of patients with recurrent shoulder instability. This finding implies that at baseline, the patient will have slightly worse functional scores related to pain. However, following surgical management of the labral pathology, these patients will have equivalent functional outcomes at short-term follow-up.

Clinical Relevance:

With surgical management of the superior and anteroinferior labrum, patients with type IV SLAP lesions will do as well as those with only Bankart tears. Thus, the presence of SLAP lesions should not alter the decision to provide surgical management and should not change the prognosis for a specific patient.