bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinic-Level Population Health Intervention by PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residents to Optimize Medication Management in a Self-Insured Employer Health Plan Population
Authors: Vande Griend Joseph , Fixen Danielle R. , Fixen Cy W. , Zupec Jason , Saseen Joseph J.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Postgraduate year 2 ambulatory care pharmacy residents (PGY2 residents) may be able to improve healthcare quality by providing clinical pharmacy services provided to self-insured employer health plan patients. The objectives of this study are to describe this care delivery in a family medicine clinic, and to identify patients most likely to benefit from the service.

Methods:

From October 1, 2014 till June 30, 2015, comprehensive medication review was completed by PGY2 residents for patients insured by CU Anthem at the University of Colorado Westminster Family Medicine. For patients with medication-related problems (MRPs), a note was sent to the provider before the patient visit. Patient characteristics were compared in those who received a clinical pharmacy note with those who did not.

Results:

Sixty-eight MRPs were identified in 39 notes; 40 (58.8%) recommendations were implemented. The following Clinical Pharmacy Priority (CP2) score criteria were identified more frequently in patients with MRPs: age ≥65 years, diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure ≥140/90, hemoglobin A1c >7.9%, and ≥6 items on the medication list.

Conclusion:

PGY2 residents identified and resolved numerous clinically relevant MRPs. Patient-specific criteria can be utilized to target self-insured employer health plan patients who are likely to have clinically relevant MRPs.
Rewarding Work: Cross-National Differences in Benefits, Volunteering During Unemployment, Well-Being and Mental Health
Authors: Kamerāde Daiga , Bennett Matthew R
Published: March 2017

Owing to increasing labour market flexibilization, a growing number of people are likely to experience unemployment and, as a consequence, lower mental health and well-being. This article examines cross-national differences in well-being and mental health between unemployed people who engage in voluntary work and those who do not, using multilevel data from the European Quality of Life Survey on unemployed individuals in 29 European countries and other external sources. This article finds that, regardless of their voluntary activity, unemployed people have higher levels of well-being and mental health in countries with more generous unemployment benefits. Unexpectedly, the results also suggest that regular volunteering can actually be detrimental for mental health in countries with less generous unemployment benefits. This article concludes that individual agency exercised through voluntary work can partially improve well-being but the generosity of unemployment benefits is vital for alleviating the negative mental health effects of unemployment.
‘Lost in space’
Authors: Lockett Nigel , Quesada-Pallarès Carla , Williams-Middleton Karen , Padilla-Meléndez Antonio , Jack Sarah
Published: March 2017

While entrepreneurship education increasingly uses various means to connect students to the ‘real world’, the impact of social networking on learning remains underexplored. This qualitative study of student entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom and Sweden shows that their entrepreneurial journey becomes increasingly complex, requiring skills and knowledge not solely developed through formal or non-formal learning. Social networks, and associated informal learning, are shown to be critical in developing social capital important to a student’s entrepreneurial progress. This study exposes a key value of social networking and encourages educators to embed in the curriculum activities that facilitate informal learning.
Synthesis and characterization of porous polyimide films containing benzimidazole moieties
Authors: Li Jianwei , Zhang Guangcheng , Jing Zhanxin , Li Jiantong , Zhou Lisheng , Zhang Hongming
Published: March 2017

In this study, a series of porous polyimide films containing benzimidazole units were prepared through a phase separation process. The dibutyl phthalate was selected as porogen. The copolyimides were prepared by the reaction of 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride with two diamines of 2-(4-aminophenyl)-5-aminobenzimidazole (BIA) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether with various molar ratios. The resultant porous polyimide films exhibit optimum cell-size distributions. The effects of BIA on morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties of the porous films were explored. It was found that as the BIA content reached up to 30 mol%, the porous copolyimide film demonstrates remarkable thermal stability and admirable mechanical properties with the glass transition temperature of 294°C, 5% weight loss temperature in argon flow up to 545°C, and a tensile strength of 48 MPa. The incorporation of BIA into the polyimide chains brought the highly rigid structures and strong intermolecular interactions, resulting in the enhancement in the thermal stability and the mechanical properties.
Synthesis and characterization of copolyimides containing fluorine and silicon surface-modifying agents
Authors: Connell John W , Wohl Christopher J , Crow Allison M , Kim William T , Shanahan Michelle H , Doss Jereme R , Lin Yi
Published: March 2017

Understanding the effects that monomer chemistries have on material properties allows for fine tuning of polymer synthesis for current and future applications. In order to develop polymeric-based coatings that have minimal surface adhesion characteristics when exposed to a variety of contaminants, a more thorough understanding of fundamental structure–property relationships is needed. In the aeronautics field, one concept to improve fuel efficiency of future aircraft is to modify the wing design to enable laminar flow. There is a concern that contaminants such as insect residue and other debris will adhere to airflow surfaces and have sufficient height to disrupt laminar flow thereby increasing drag with concomitant loss of fuel efficiency. One potential solution would be a polymer surface or coating that prevents or minimizes adhesion of such contaminants. As part of a structure–property relationship study involving modification of surface properties, a series of copolyimides containing both fluorine and silicon surface-modifying agents (SMAs) were prepared and characterized. Based on knowledge of structure–property relationships with polyimides containing either type of SMA, it was hypothesized that the combination of two different SMAs may lead to unique surface properties as the two SMAs competed for surface area at the polymer–air interface. Copolyimides for this study were prepared through a multistep synthesis using an aromatic dianhydride with equimolar amounts of diamino functionalities comprised of an aromatic diamine along with two SMAs. Films were cast from copoly(amide acid) solutions that were subsequently thermally imidized under a nitrogen atmosphere. Polyimide films and coatings were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, contact angle goniometry, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to determine chemical, thermal, and surface properties. Select samples were subject to high velocity insect impacts in a small-scale wind tunnel and the resulting residues were characterized for height and surface area and compared to those of a control surface.
A new sound quality metric for the design of engine exhaust mufflers
Authors: Reddy Kuppam Pruthvi Kumar , Fatima Shahab , Mohanty Amiya R
Published: March 2017

In this paper, a study is made to determine the critical dimensions in the design of a family of reactive mufflers which significantly affect the sound quality of the tailpipe radiated noise. The sound quality parameters of the tailpipe noise such as the loudness level, the roughness and the tonality are measured, and a new sound quality metric is developed which can be used as an index to predict the performance of a muffler. The new sound quality metric was based on the evaluations of the synthesized tailpipe noise by a jury consisting of a few undergraduate and postgraduate students at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Using the new sound quality metric, the parameters with the most influence on the design of the muffler can be determined. It was found that the length and the open area ratio of a concentric-tube resonator muffler have the highest impact on the tailpipe noise sound quality.
Experimental investigation on ignition limits of plasma-assisted ignition in the propane–air mixture
Authors: Yu Jinlu , He Liming , Hu Zhi , Zhang Qian , Xiao Yang , Jiang Yongjian , Wu Yong
Published: March 2017

In recent past, the plasma-assisted ignition has been explored for applications on a variety of engines. The plasma ignition has been shown to possess special advantages such as reducing the ignition delay time, improving the reliability, and reducing the NOx emissions. By using a plasma jet ignition experimental system, the plasma jet ignition of argon-discharge arc has been investigated. Owing to the characteristics of high temperature, the mixture can be easily ignited by the plasma jet. Through the propane–air mixture ignition experiments, the ignition limits of the plasma jet and spark ignition are investigated. The results show that the plasma jet ignition could extend the ignition limits of propane–air mixture obviously. The ignition limit extends with the increase in the air flow rates. The average ignition limit (the gap between rich and lean limit) of spark ignition and plasma jet ignition are 2.34 and 2.57, respectively. The average ignition limit of the propane–air mixture extends by 9.8%. The plasma jet ignition limit extends with increasing arc current, and the degree of extending plasma jet ignition limit increases with increasing air flow rates. The average ignition limits of 5.7 A and 20.3 A are 2.57 and 2.79, respectively. The average ignition limit of the propane–air mixture extends by 8.5%. The plasma jet ignition limit extends with increasing argon flow rates. The average ignition limits of 200 L/h and 250 L/h are 2.79 and 3.08, respectively. The average ignition limit of the propane–air mixture extends by 10.4%.
Understanding the nature and scale of risks in Karonga, Malawi
Authors: Manda Mtafu , Wanda Elijah
Published: March 2017

The urban centre of Karonga in Malawi experiences many large and small disasters, including earthquakes, strong winds and floods. Inhabitants also face such everyday risks as unsafe water, poor-quality sanitation and widespread use of dirty fuels within households. However, the nature and scale of the risks are poorly understood. Based on data from 380 systematically selected households in Karonga, this paper explores the frequency and impacts of small and large disasters and everyday risks, finding informal settlements in flood zones to be most affected. Impacts vary according to differences in levels of income, planning and housing status, access to water, sanitation and the type of energy used by households. Attempts to reduce and respond to disaster risk are affected by weak governance structures. The knowledge can create the basis for capacity building at both the community and local government levels.
Impact of Quality Certification on IPO Underpricing: Evidence from India
Authors: Dhamija Sanjay , Arora Ravinder Kumar
Published: March 2017

The study examines the impact of quality certification of initial public offerings (IPOs) arising out of lead manager’s reputation, grading by credit rating agencies, presence of anchor investors and the reputation of auditors on the level of IPO underpricing. The mean initial excess return that measures the level of IPO underpricing is 22 per cent based on a sample of 399 IPOs made by Indian companies during the period from April 2005 to March 2015. Contrary to expectations, nearly 37 per cent of the IPOs do not provide a positive initial excess return. Univariate analysis reveals that except for IPO grading, the other quality certification variables do not make a significant impact on the level of underpricing. Graded issues are more fairly priced compared to non-graded issues. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the capital market regulator, has recently done away with mandatory grading of IPOs. As graded issues have been observed to improve pricing efficiency, SEBI should reconsider its decision and reintroduce compulsory IPO grading. Multivariate analysis, that includes other variables, such as issue size, level of subscription and promoters holding, reveals that the two variables that have a significant influence on initial excess returns from IPOs are the issue size and the level of oversubscription of the IPO.
An Empirical Analysis of the Effect of a Retailers Loyalty Programme on Their Customers’ Loyalty
Authors: Chhabra Sakhhi
Published: March 2017

Traditionally, marketing has focused on acquiring customers and gaining market share rather than on retaining existing customers. With increasing competition, there is a need for developing more sophisticated activities in order to retain the existing customers. Consequently, loyalty programmes (LPs) are being employed as a strategic business goal in order to gain customers’ loyalty. In this research, the main aim is to find whether these LPs affect customers’ loyalty towards the retailer by closely analyzing the loyalty card members of a leading Indian departmental store in Delhi. Quantitative research (regression and correlation) was conducted in the form of a questionnaire to test a model whereby the effect of value perception of the LP is tested on programme loyalty and the effect of programme loyalty is then tested on brand and store loyalty that together make the consumer a loyal customer. A total of 120 questionnaires were collected and the findings reveal that LPs do affect customers’ loyalty towards the retailer but they are not the sole factor in a customer’s loyalty development. The study is unique as it confirms the customers’ loyalty towards a retailer taking into account both attitudinal and behavioural aspects of loyalty. Apart from testing the model, other elements such as habit, convenience, offers, incentives and reputation are tested as well. Results of the study ascertain that customers focus heavily on the variety of offers, incentives and habit as other reasons for developing customer loyalty. Thus, LPs work for companies but they have to take the whole package into consideration.
An Empirical Comparison between Societal Expenditure and Marketing Expenditure on Bank’s Performance
Authors: Mandal Kaushik , Banerjee Sujata
Published: March 2017

Marketing expenditure plays a crucial role in determining performance since promotion mix generates market shares and revenues for the brands. But, nowadays, the impact of promotional expenditure is appeared to be non-responsive to influence the revenue and profitability as the consumers are now having ample scopes of escaping advertisement. Moreover consumers prefer the products that are associated with some social cause. Hence the purpose of this paper is to compare the impact of societal and marketing expenditure on profitability. To attain the purpose, we have employed empirical results of various Indian banks by developing a model using profit after tax (PAT), societal and marketing expenses. In particular, we have considered log-linear model as it fits better for all the banks when compared with the linear model. Further, we have compared the profit elasticity between societal and marketing expenses. Finally, association between the profit performance status and the comparative profit contribution at equal expenditure has been tested by employing non-parametric χ² test and Cramer’s V. Result proves the efficiency of ‘expenditure in social concern’ compared to ‘Expenditure in traditional marketing tools’ and hence it suggests for adopting alternative route, that is, societal means of promotion for better customer connect.
A Comparison of China’s “Ivy League” to Other Peer Groupings Through Global University Rankings
Authors: Allen Ryan M.
Published: March 2017

This article analyzes the People’s Republic of China’s elite-making higher education policies that began in the early 1990s, notably with the 211 Project and then 985 Project, which led to the formation of the C9 League, a group of nine leading institution’s dubbed China’s “Ivy League.” This elite grouping is compared with other Chinese universities in terms of global rankings from 2003 to 2015 to ascertain the separation by these top tiered institutions. Furthermore, the C9 League will be compared with other global elite coalitions in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom over the same period. University rankings, despite considerable criticism, have provided the Chinese leadership with key benchmarks for their vision of world-class higher education. This article finds that the C9 League has made some separation from other Chinese universities and has also caught up with its Western peers (notably passing Canada’s U15) in terms of international rankings.
Research-Supported Treatment and Organizational Culture and Climate’s Impact on Child Welfare Outcomes
Authors: Patterson David A. , Hales Travis W. , Maguin Eugene , Dulmus Catherine N.
Published: March 2017

Objective:

Research-supported treatments (RSTs) are considered the gold standard of client care. Investigating how to best implement and sustain RSTs in real-world practice is important. The present study addressed a gap in the literature concerning the relative contribution of RSTs and culture and climate to client outcomes in community-based child welfare services.

Method:

Using data collected from 55 programs within a single, large child and family human services agency, this study examined whether programs with less productive cultures and climates were able to implement RSTs and realize successful client outcomes.

Results:

In contrast to findings of the existing literature, programs with less productive culture and climate scores implemented RSTs and yielded successful client outcomes.

Conclusions:

Given the choice between maltreated children being treated in a program with good culture and climate or one that provides RSTs, the best selection for improved outcomes would be the one offering RSTs.
“Proud I Am Negative”
Authors: Dacus Jagadisa-devasri , Voisin Dexter R. , Barker Judith
Published: March 2017

HIV incidence among black men who have sex with men (BMSM) is at epidemic proportions. However, the vast majority of studies have focused on risk factors related to HIV infections with a dearth of research on resiliency and how BMSM maintain seronegativity. Using three focus groups ( N = 29) comprised of BMSM in New York City, this study explored psychosocial factors and practices related to maintaining seronegativity. Major themes included having spirituality and/or religious beliefs, access to social supports that held positive expectations, and having personal agency by engaging in seroadaptive harm reduction practices. Overall, findings highlight the importance of addressing HIV stigma, supporting the need for BMSM to be validated, and creating safe spaces that allow them to discuss the challenges related to remaining HIV-negative.
Chinese Young Men’s Construction of Exemplary Masculinity: The Hegemony of Chenggong
Authors: Liu Fengshu
Published: March 2017

Using interviews with twenty-five male Beijingers in their final year of upper secondary school, this article shows that their construction of masculinities in all cases revolves around the importance of chenggong (outstanding accomplishment). They perceived chenggong as a prerequisite for the “the good life,” “the good person,” and “the good man.” But striving for chenggong entails much personal cost. Chenggong’s strong assertion by all these young men, notwithstanding intragroup differences, may indicate its contemporary hegemonic status. Suggested explanations are: the general importance of exemplary norms in China, the influence of neoliberalism and consumerism (and the attendant individualism) in post-Mao China, and their being “only children” from urban and mostly middle-class background; in particular, there is the competitive advantage which men derive from their prospective chenggong in a marriage market where a strong hypergamy norm for women is combined with a discourse of “natural sex differences” and notorious sex ratio imbalances.
Compression of structural foam materials – Experimental and numerical assessment of test procedure and specimen size effects
Authors: Rajput Moeen S , Burman Magnus , Köll Joonas , Hallström Stefan
Published: March 2017

This study was initiated based on the observation that standardized test methods for flatwise compression of foam materials, give significantly different test results for the measured moduli, and that these standards to date lack adequate instructions on how the strain should be measured and what specimen size should be used. A brief review of previous work shows that existing test methodologies provide significantly different results for the compressive moduli of foams depending on how the strains are measured. A thorough experimental study of the out-of-plane compressive properties is conducted on three different closed-cell foam materials, where strains measured with two different extensometer placements, and with digital image correlation, come out significantly differently. A parametric study is also performed showing that the results vary considerably with in-plane specimen dimensions, indicating effects of finite size and localized strain at edges. Both stochastic amorphous and homogenized finite element models of foam back the experimental observations by illustrating the effects of finite size and various boundary conditions on the measured properties.
Peripheral arterial disease preoperatively may predict graft failure and mortality in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Patel Salma I , Chakkera Harini A , Wennberg Paul W , Liedl David A , Alrabadi Fadi , Cha Stephen S , Hooley Darren D , Amer Hatem , Wadei Hani M , Shamoun Fadi E
Published: March 2017

Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing kidney transplant often have diffuse atherosclerosis and high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates. We analyzed the correlation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), here quantified by an abnormal ankle–brachial index (ABI) measured within the 5 years prior to kidney transplant, with graft failure and mortality rates (primary end points) after adjusting for known cardiovascular risk factors (age, sex, smoking history, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, known coronary artery disease or heart failure, years of dialysis). Of 1055 patients in our transplant population, 819 had arterial studies within the 5 years prior to transplant. Secondary end points included myocardial infarction; cerebrovascular accident; and limb ischemia, gangrene, or amputation. Low ABI was an independent and significant predictor of organ failure (OR, 2.77 (95% CI, 1.68–4.58), p<0.001), secondary end points (HR, 1.39 (95% CI, 0.97–1.99), p<0.076), and death (HR, 1.84 (95% CI, 1.26–2.68), p=0.002). PAD was common in this population: of 819 kidney transplant recipients, 46% had PAD. Low ABI was associated with a threefold greater risk of graft failure, a twofold greater risk of death after transplant, and a threefold greater risk of secondary end points. Screening for PAD is important in this patient population because of the potential impact on long-term outcomes.
Intimacy negotiated: The management of relationships and the construction of personal communities in the lives of bisexual women and men
Authors: Toft Alex , Yip Andrew Kam-Tuck
Published: March 2017

Bringing into dialogue conceptual literature on bisexuality, intimacy, and personal community, this article illuminates the lived experiences of 80 bisexual women and men in the UK. The data were collected through questionnaire and individual interview. The article discusses two empirical themes, beginning with the participants’ narratives on their engagement with the dominant sexual and gender order – which hegemonizes ‘monosexuality’ and ‘compulsory monogamy’ – in their negotiation of relational intimacy. This is followed by an exploration of the features and functions of their personal communities, especially the significance of friendships. The article argues that, despite the ambivalence and misperception surrounding bisexuality, the participants enacted creative agency in negotiating intimacy and social support in their everyday lives.
The racialization of electoral fairness in the 2008 and 2012 United States presidential elections
Authors: Appleby Jacob , Federico Christopher M.
Published: March 2017

President Obama’s historic status as the nation’s first African American president has led to a “spillover” of racialization in the form of a strengthened relationship between racial attitudes and beliefs and judgments about policies he is associated with. We argue that even basic perceptions of the fairness of the presidential election became racialized in 2008 and 2012. Consistent with this, data from two national surveys revealed that Whites high in racial resentment and racial-stereotype endorsement were less likely to believe the 2008 and 2012 elections were conducted fairly, especially among those for whom the election result was unwelcome, that is, Republicans and conservatives. We find that this result is specific to years that Obama was on the ballot, suggesting a unique role for Obama’s candidacy in boosting the impact of racial attitudes and beliefs.
Improving Quality of Work life for Care Providers by Fostering the Emotional well-being of Persons with Dementia: A Cluster-randomized Trial of a Nursing Intervention in German long-term Care Settings
Authors: Berendonk Charlotte , Kaspar Roman , Bär Marion , Hoben Matthias
Published: March 2017

We tested the feasibility of a nursing intervention (DEMIAN) in routine care and its effects on care providers’ job satisfaction, motivation, and work strain.

This cluster-randomized trial was conducted in 20 German long-term care facilities. We randomly assigned 20 facilities to an intervention group (84 care providers, 42 residents with dementia) or a control group (96 care providers, 42 residents with dementia). Intervention group providers received two training days on the intervention; 68 providers attended both training days. Sixty two providers completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires.

Trained providers created individualized mini-intervention plans for participating residents. Control group residents received ‘usual care’. Intervention group providers stated that the intervention was feasible and helped them improve emotional well-being of residents with dementia. We found significantly decreased time pressure and decreased job dissatisfaction for intervention group providers.

DEMIAN is an effective and pragmatic contribution to implementing person-centred care in long-term care, with positive effects on providers’ working conditions.
A case study of lighting Turkish historic mosques using LEDs: Semsi Ahmet Pasha Mosque
Authors: Erdem Atılgan L , Enarun D
Published: March 2017

There are more than 86,000 mosques in Turkey, 6733 of these being historic mosques. This study aims at developing a novel LED lantern for enhancing the interior illumination of Turkish historic mosques while providing significant energy savings. In order to accomplish this, an LED lantern design is carried out, the photometric results of which are analysed using the world renowned architect Sinan’s Semsi Ahmet Pasha Mosque from 1580 as a model. With this lantern, the target is to maintain the recommended illuminances and comfort conditions in the interior of historic mosques while achieving substantial energy savings and, at the same time, preserving the historic structure of the mosque. The study promotes the utilization of modern technologies and brings a novel, energy efficient and sustainable approach to Turkish historic mosques.
Glucose variability aggravates cardiac fibrosis by altering AKT signalling path
Authors: Ying Changjiang , Liu Ting , Ling Hongwei , Cheng Mingyue , Zhou Xiaoyan , Wang Shanshan , Mao Yizhen , Chen Lei , Zhang Runze , Li Wei
Published: March 2017

Objective:

To study the effect of blood glucose variability on cardiac fibrosis and its mechanism in a model of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Methods:

A total of 45 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, control diabetes mellitus and fluctuated blood glucose groups. Fluctuated blood glucose was induced by daily subcutaneous insulin and intraperitoneal glucose injections at different time points. Blood lipids and glycosylated haemoglobin A1c were assessed. Super oxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde level in rat heart homogenates were determined by assay kit. Structural cardiac tissue changes were observed by haematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson’s trichrome staining. Collagen type 3, fibronectin, phosphorylated Ser/Thr protein kinase, phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (caspase-3) and tumour necrosis factor-α levels were determined by western blot.

Results:

Compared with the control group, cardiac fibrosis and oxidative stress in heart tissue were aggravated in diabetic rats, which were more pronounced in glucose variability rats. However, the expression levels of AKT and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta were not significantly different in three groups, but the expression levels of phosphorylated Ser/Thr protein kinase and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta were significantly decreased in the control diabetes mellitus and fluctuated blood glucose groups compared to control group, and levels in the fluctuated blood glucose group were significantly less than in the control diabetes mellitus group. In addition, the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B and caspase-3 in both the control diabetes mellitus and fluctuated blood glucose groups were higher than in the control group, with the highest levels measured in the fluctuated blood glucose group.

Conclusion:

Blood glucose variability can aggravate heart tissue fibrosis, possibly involving oxidative stress by inhibiting AKT signalling path.
Nurses Improve Their Communities’ Health Where They Live, Learn, Work, and Play
Authors: McCollum Meriel , Kovner Christine T. , Ojemeni Melissa T. , Brewer Carol , Cohen Sally
Published: March 2017

Nurses are often recognized for their volunteer efforts following disasters and international humanitarian crises. However, little attention is paid to the activities of nurses who promote a culture of health in their communities through local volunteer work. In this article, we describe nurses’ perceptions of how they promote health in their communities through formal and informal volunteer work. Using 315 written responses to an open-ended question included in a 2016 survey of the career patterns of nurses in the U.S., we utilized conventional content analysis methods to code and thematically synthesize responses. Two broad categories of nurse involvement in volunteer activities arose from the participants’ responses to the open-ended question, “Please tell us what you have done in the past year to improve the health of your community”: 17% identified job-related activities, and 74% identified non-job-related activities. 9% of respondents indicated they do not participate in volunteer work. Job-related activities included patient education, educating colleagues, and “other” job-related activities. Non-job-related activities included health-related community volunteering, volunteering related to a specific population or disease, family-related volunteering, church activities, health fairs, raising or donating money, and travelling abroad for volunteer work. Nurses are committed to promoting a culture of health in their communities both at work and in their daily lives. Leveraging nurses’ interest in volunteer work could improve the way nurses engage with their communities, expand the role of nurses as public health professionals, and foster the social desirability of healthful living.
Social Context and Value-Based Care
Authors: Thurman Whitney A. , Harrison Tracie
Published: March 2017

Racial disparities in health are persistent and pervasive in the United States. Researchers and policymakers have known for decades that access to health care is not sufficient for addressing health disparities because of the socially situated roots of the disparities. We argue that the lack of progress in alleviating health disparities is the result of a lack of overarching framework to guide both policymakers and researchers in their efforts. We propose Amartya Sen’s capabilities approach as a theoretical framework that is expansive enough to address both the social context in which health occurs as well as the quality of health care provided. In this article, we use a subset of veterans receiving care from the Veterans Health Administration to review the theoretical concepts that link social inequalities with health disparities. Next, we provide empirical evidence of disparities in health based on race within the Veterans Health Administration, and we then provide a theoretical explanation for those disparities that exist at a system level. We close with a detailed examination of the applicability of the capabilities approach in addressing health disparities in the United States.
Concordance of Several Subcellular Interactions Initiates Alzheimer’s Dementia: Their Reversal Requires Combination Treatment
Authors: Fessel W. J.
Published: March 2017

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease involves multiple pathways that, at the macrolevel, include decreased proliferation plus increased loss affecting neurons, astrocytes, and capillaries and, at the subcellular level, involve several elements: amyloid/amyloid precursor protein, presenilins, the unfolded protein response, the ubiquitin/proteasome system, the Wnt/catenin system, the Notch signaling system, mitochondria, mitophagy, calcium, and tau. Data presented show the intimate, anatomical interactions between neurons, astrocytes, and capillaries; the interactions between the several subcellular factors affecting those cells; and the treatments that are currently available and that might correct dysfunctions in the subcellular factors. Available treatments include lithium, valproate, pioglitazone, erythropoietin, and prazosin. Since the subcellular pathogenesis involves multiple interacting elements, combination treatment would be more effective than administration of a single drug directed at only 1 element. The overall purpose of this presentation is to describe the pathogenesis in detail and to explain the proposed treatments.
Influence of Epidemiologic and Patient Behavior–Related Predictors on Amputation Rates in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Shin Jin Yong , Roh Si-Gyun , Lee Nae-Ho , Yang Kyung-Moo
Published: March 2017

Amputation of patients with diabetic foot is a major issue worldwide, particularly from a medical and economic standpoint. This meta-analysis aimed to identify significant risk factors of high amputation rate among epidemiologic and patient behavior–related predictors in diabetic patients. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Seven variables were extracted from the included studies and evaluated based on amputation rate. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of the studies. The search strategy identified 101 publications. After screening, 33 articles were selected for review. Male sex and smoking were identified as significant risk factors of high amputation rate of diabetic foot. Although further investigation of long-term and randomized controlled studies is needed, we identified 2 variables as significant risk factors for high amputation rate in diabetic patients in this meta-analysis.
Optimization coverage conserving protocol with authentication in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Sun Zeyu , Li Longxing , Li Xuelun , Xing Xiaofei , Li Yuanbo
Published: March 2017

In the k-coverage process of target nodes, substantial data redundancy occurs, which leads to the phenomenon of congestion, reducing the network communication capability and coverage as well as accelerating network energy consumption. Therefore, this article proposes an Optimization Coverage Conserving Protocol with Authentication. This protocol provides a solution to obtain the largest coverage probability for multi-nodes. In the optimization and authenticated calculation, the protocol provides the calculation method and verification process of the expected value of multi-node coverage; when the moving target nodes are continuously covered, this protocol provides a process to solve for the focused target nodes; when there is redundancy coverage, this article provides a process to calculate the coverage probability when any sensor node is covered by a redundant node. Furthermore, through comparisons of the coverage quality and network lifetime with other algorithms, the performance indexes of this protocol have been substantially increased by the simulation experiment, which verified the effectiveness and viability of the protocol in this article.
Mechanical properties and drawing process of multilayer carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic sheets with various prepreg thicknesses
Authors: Ho Yu-Chien , Sasayama Hideki , Yanagimoto Jun
Published: March 2017

In this study, multilayer carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic sheets with various pre-impregnated thicknesses were developed. Specimens were fabricated by the hand lay-up process from standard and thin-ply unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy resin prepreg sheets, which were also cured in an autoclave. Tensile tests from room temperature to 120°C and interlaminar shear strength tests at room temperature were first conducted to investigate the mechanical behavior of the laminated carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic sheets. Furthermore, with a view to increase the formability, in this study, a state-of-the-art drawing process for laminated carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic sheets at an elevated temperature was investigated, and the drawing ratio was also determined for the case of elliptical cup drawing. To achieve this, the relation between the punch load and stroke, and the distribution of thickness were determined by measurement. To clarify the forming behavior in this case, evaluation of the effect of increasing the number of drawing steps was performed to investigate the deformation history. The microstructures showed reduced delamination with increasing radius of the punch. The experimental results obtained in this study are expected to help designers perform the press forming of multilayer carbon fiber/epoxy resin sheets.
Localized fault detection of sun gears based on windowed synchronous averaging in the angular domain
Authors: Wang Zhile , Guo Yu , Wu Xing , Na Jing
Published: March 2017

The vibration transmission paths between the fixed-mounted accelerometer and the meshing points of the sun gear’s local fault gear tooth is time varying in a planetary gearbox. Consequently, the conventional time synchronous averaging used in vibration-based fault detection of fixed-axis gearboxes is invalid for the localized fault detection of sun gears. To address the noise reduction, the windowed synchronous averaging originally introduced by McFadden can be employed to extract the useful components and reduce the effect of transmission paths. However, the speed fluctuation makes the above method inapplicable in real-world applications. In order to improve the robustness of windowed synchronous averaging under the speed fluctuation condition, a non-separation version of the windowed synchronous averaging in the angular domain is proposed in this article to address the speed fluctuation. In this scheme, the windowed time-domain signal is resampled at constant angular increments by the computed order tracking, which converts the non-stationary signal in the time domain into the stationary one in the angular domain. Then, the windowed angular-domain signal is processed by the synchronous averaging. In this way, the frequency blur and waveform distortion caused by rotating speed fluctuations can be eliminated. Experiments are conducted to verify the validity of the proposed method.
Numerical investigation on the shock-wave and flow structures in a transonic contra-rotating axial compressor
Authors: Liu Hanru , Wang Yangang , Xian Songchuan , Zhang Jun
Published: March 2017

Numerical simulation has been conducted on a transonic contra-rotating axial compressor to investigate the shock wave and flow characteristics under various operation conditions. Results indicate that the shock-wave structure in the downstream rotor (Rotor 2) of transonic contra-rotating axial compressor is more complex than that in the upstream rotor (Rotor 1). Under the choke condition, a double shock-wave structure appears in the Rotor 2 leading to serious loss. Moving to the design condition, a single shock wave appears at the root and middle sections of blade of Rotor 2, while a normal and an oblique shock wave arise at the blade tip. Under the near-stall condition, the shock structure has no obvious difference from other conditions at the blade root of Rotor 2 but it becomes further off-body at the middle blade. During the switch of transonic contra-rotating axial compressor from the choke to the near-stall condition, the separation bubble on the pressure surface of Rotor 2 decreased gradually due to the increasing aerodynamics load. The suction surface experiences the weakest separation at the design point. Alternatively, the tip leakage flow becomes stronger with maximum loss at the near-stall condition. The radial matching of the meridional passage of Rotor 2 with the routing flow parameters is the potential optimization aspect.
The contradiction in the Prevent Duty: Democracy vs ‘British values’
Authors: Wolton Suke
Published: March 2017

The duty to monitor ‘the failure to uphold British Values’ in the Prevent strategy, introduced in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, is itself an attack on British democracy. This article explains the contradictory nature of the Prevent Duty. First, the current state of democracy in Britain is examined and contrasted to a common teaching topic, the Suffragettes. Under Prevent, Suffragettes’ extremist tactics place a burden on teachers to explain how terrorist activities may have once been legitimate. Second, Prevent’s focus on extremism and radicalization assumes a moral consensus, which is confirmed by its incorporation into the Safeguarding agenda. The article, however, argues that fear of radicalization does not create a new moral universal. Democracy involves a struggle to influence parliament both in expanding the suffrage in the 19th century and in the contemporary discussion of political power. Prevent’s insistence on the importance of democracy, while denying the contestation of ideas which is integral to the working of a democracy, further evacuates the concept. Democracy is described as separate from the struggles that created it, a ‘value’ that everyone shares, rather than a means by which the majority can struggle to construct policy.
Formal reliability analysis of oil and gas pipelines
Authors: Ahmad Waqar , Hasan Osman , Tahar Sofiène , Hamdi Mohamed Salah
Published: March 2017

Depending on the operational environment, installation location, and aging of oil and gas pipelines, they are subject to various degradation mechanisms, such as cracking, corrosion, leaking, and thinning of the pipeline walls. Failure of oil and gas pipelines due to these degradation mechanisms can lead to catastrophic events, which, in the worst case, may result in the loss of human lives and huge financial losses. Traditionally, paper-and-pencil proof methods and Monte Carlo based computer simulations are used in the reliability analysis of oil and gas pipelines to identify potential threats and thus avoid unwanted failures. However, paper-and-pencil proof methods are prone to human error, especially when dealing with large systems, while simulation techniques primarily involve sampling-based methods, i.e., not all possible scenarios of the given systems are tested, which compromises the accuracy of the results. As an accurate alternative, we propose to use a higher-order-logic theorem proving for the reliability analysis of oil and gas pipelines. In particular, this paper presents the higher-order-logic formalization of commonly used reliability block diagrams (RBDs), such as series, parallel, series–parallel, and k-out-of- n, and provides an approach to utilize these formalized RBDs to assess the reliability of oil and gas pipelines. For illustration, we present a formal reliability analysis of a pipeline transportation subsystem used between the oil terminals at the Port of Gdynia, Poland, and Dębogórze.
Automatic control of the microaerial vehicles’ attitude and position
Authors: Lungu Romulus , Lungu Mihai
Published: March 2017

The paper focuses on two automatic systems for the attitude and position’s control of the microaerial vehicles—insect type by using a nonlinear dynamic model, which describes the motion of microaerial vehicles with respect to the Earth tied frame. The attitude control is adaptive type, with the estimation of the inertia moments’ matrix and of the dynamic damping coefficients’ matrix in two variants: by means of the attitude vector or by using the quaternion vector. The new resulting control architectures use a vector for the control of the microaerial vehicles’ attitude, a proportional-derivative linear dynamic compensator, an error vector (whose elements are the estimated deviations of the inertia moments and dynamic damping coefficients with respect to the real ones), and the Lyapunov theory. In the two variants of the adaptive control, the control law is represented by the command aerodynamic moments and the wing rotation’s command vector, respectively; the control law for the microaerial vehicle position’s control is deduced in the same way. The two obtained control systems are validated by complex numerical simulations.
Path generation for flying robots in mountainous regions
Authors: Kosari Amirreza , Maghsoudi Hossein , Lavaei Abolfazl
Published: March 2017

In this paper, a new path planning method is proposed to resolve the problem of two-dimensional terrain following flight of flying robots in mountainous regions. The performance criteria considered for this mission design could include either the minimum vertical acceleration or the minimum flying time. To impose the terrain following/terrain avoidance constraints, various approaches such as least square method, Fourier series method, Gaussian estimation method, and Chebyshev orthogonal polynomial are explored. The resulting optimal control problem is discretized by employing a numerical technique namely direct collocation and then transformed into a nonlinear programming problem. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated by extensive simulations, and particularly, it has been verified that this method is able to produce a solution that satisfies all hard constraints of the underlying problem.