bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of iron oxide nanoparticle size on electromagnetic properties of composite nanofibers
Authors: Bayat Masoumeh , Yang Heejae , Ko Frank
Published: September 2017

Electrically conductive and magnetically permeable carbon nanofiber-based composites were developed using the electrospinning with subsequent heat treatment. The composite nanofiber contains a variable composition of magnetite nanoparticles with two different size regimes, ranging from superparamagnetic (10–20 nm) to ferromagnetic (20–30 nm). The composite nanofibers are then characterized using Scanning/Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffractometry, Raman Spectroscopy, four-point probe, and a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device. Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effectiveness of pristine carbon nanofibers as well as electromagnetic composite nanofibers are examined in the X-band frequency region. Higher degree of graphitization, electrical conductivity, and magnetic strength are obtained for nanocomposites containing larger magnetite nanoparticles (20–30 nm). A transition from superpartamagnetic to ferromagnetic characteristics is observed during nanocomposite processing. Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effectiveness of as high as 68 dB (in the working frequency of 10.4 GHz) is observed for composite nanofibers fabricated with larger magnetite nanoparticles carbonized at 900℃.
Parasagittal meningioma: A not so benign entity
Authors: Byard Roger W
Published: September 2017

While the majority of intracranial meningiomas have an indolent clinical course, sudden and unexpected death may rarely occur. Two cases are reported to demonstrate rapid clinical deterioration resulting in death in individuals with large, grade I, parasagittal meningiomas. Case 1 was a 46-year-old man with a history of headaches and epilepsy who suddenly collapsed and died. A large right frontal parasagittal meningioma with haemorrhage had compressed the brain and lateral ventricle, causing tonsillar herniation. In case 2, a previously well 83-year-old woman presented with a one-week history of progressive dysphagia and dysphasia. She suffered rapid deterioration and was prescribed comfort care. A right-sided parasagittal meningioma had compressed the right superior and middle frontal gyri with posterior displacement and compression of the right precentral gyrus. If a meningioma is found at autopsy, the possibility of a lethal effect should be considered, and evidence of neurofibromatosis type 2 or other associated heritable conditions checked for.
Micro-nanostructure-based super-hydrophobic surface on cotton fabric
Authors: Gao Jing , Liu Jun , Xu Ruifang , Guo Huiwen , Wang Lu , Pan Ning
Published: September 2017

Inspired by the super water repellency owing to the hierarchal micro- and nano-structural features observed in nature, we constructed similar hierarchal surfaces in both micro and nano sizes on cotton fabrics via a two-step sol-gel method. Silica sol-gel particles were prepared by the modified Stöber method of hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate as a precursor. Through adjusting the volume of NH3·H2O, particles of various sizes were obtained. Using the dip-pad-dry-cure method, the cotton fabrics were finished with the silica sol gels of micro- and nano-sizes, and followed by low surface energy modification of hexadecyltrimethoxysilane. The results showed that the thus structured surface made the cotton fabrics much more hydrophobic with a water contact angle near 162O, close to that of the lotus leaf.
A modeling study of micro-cracking processes of polyurethane coated cotton fabrics
Authors: Güneşoğlu Sinem , Yüceer Mehmet
Published: September 2017

Polyurethane (PU) coating became popular in recent decades to achieve water resistance in clothing fabrics with enhanced visual properties. But reduced breathability of coated fabric is a setback for the clothing industry; therefore, there have been various attempts to achieve breathable water-resistant coatings. A new and facile method of enhancing breathability of PU-coated fabrics, which has been called micro-cracking, has been recently studied and highly encouraging outcomes have been obtained for the use of the process in industry. But when any process is considered to have industrial applications, it is essential to conduct not only the optimization but also modeling studies to find out whether the outputs are predictable; the process is controllable and allows us to see how the results are affected by process parameters. This work conducts a modeling study of micro-cracking processes of PU-coated samples to complete this evaluation. For this purpose, an artificial neural network (ANN) and a least square support vector model (LS-SVM) are developed for the prediction of various properties of PU-coated fabrics after micro-cracking. The results showed that the effects of micro-cracking process on various properties of coated fabric could be predicted through ANN or LS-SVM modeling; specifically, the ANN exhibited better performance in the test set of the data. Thus, it is concluded that the results and the measurements were found to be compatible for defining the process as an industrial alternative.
If we are flâneurs, can we be cosmopolitans?
Authors: van Leeuwen Bart
Published: September 2017

Walter Benjamin’s and Charles Baudelaire’s personage of the flâneur can be interpreted as a representation of the ambivalent attraction to the strange and unknown in the experience of anonymous city life, so characteristic for the modern age. To what extent can we interpret this role of the flâneur – given its essential qualities in these writings – as a representation of world citizenship? The thesis is that the flâneur is more a cosmopolitan in the cultural than in the moral sense of the term. To live up to the demanding moral ideal of world citizenship, the flâneur needs to change: from detached observation to more meaningful forms of inter-cultural engagement. Hence the flâneur offers some clues for the kind of ethos that is required for a cosmopolitan subjectivity as well as for how it falls short.
Junkies and Jim Crow: The Boggs Act of 1951 and the Racial Transformation of New Orleans’ Heroin Market
Authors: Tallaksen Amund R.
Published: September 2017

This article details the origin and passage of the Boggs Act of 1951, as well as a similar drug law passed at the state level in Louisiana. Both laws featured strict mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, which led to a demographic transformation of New Orleans’ heroin markets in the early 1950s: As New Orleans’ Italian-American Mafiosi retreated from the lower echelons of the heroin economy, entrepreneurial African Americans took their place. In turn, many black leaders came to support both stricter drug laws and increased police focus on crime in black neighborhoods. This demand was rooted in African Americans’ frustration with the New Orleans Police Department and its Jim Crow practice of ignoring intra-racial black crime. It also became important for black leaders to distance themselves from the “criminal element”—an otherwise potent political symbol for white segregationists.
Errors in micro-electro-mechanical systems inertial measurement and a review on present practices of error modelling
Authors: Bhardwaj Renu , Kumar Neelesh , Kumar Vipan
Published: September 2017

Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology-based accelerometers and gyroscopes are small size, mass produced, low cost inertial sensors, which are now being used in aerospace, underwater vehicles, automotive, robotics, mobiles, gaming consoles, prosthetic devices and many other applications. MEMS inertial sensors are available in many grades in market and selecting the appropriate grade sensor is very important. Owing to interaction of different types of energies, different noises are generated in MEMS devices; these noises cause significant change in output and the first section of this paper illustrates that. In application, where MEMS inertial sensors are used, the accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility of inertia measurement is probed primarily by complex testing, using extensive range of physical stimuli. Noises in inertial measurement are generally dealt by designing a unit measurement model. Noises are treated as additive error in linear unit model and are modelled using various techniques so that errors can be compensated to improve the accuracy. This paper reviews the theory, framework and methodology used in the error model of a MEMS inertial sensor and stochastic modelling of measurement. Experimental results from the most commonly used Allan variance techniques are discussed. Error modelling methodology, consisting of testing and calibration methods, designing thermal model, stochastic modelling and parameter estimation techniques, is illustrated. Figures and tables under each section summarize features, merits, limitation and future research scope. This paper should serve as a single reference for researchers and engineers working on application specific system design and instrumentation using MEMS inertial sensors. Conclusion from the study should help in selecting the appropriate grade of sensor as well as the best error modelling as per the trade-off existing between accuracy and development cost of error modelling.
Passivity and pinning control of coupled neural networks with and without time-varying delay
Authors: Ren Shun-Yan , Wu Jigang , Wang Shu-Xue , Huang Yan-Li
Published: September 2017

This paper is devoted to the study of two kinds of coupled neural networks with different dimensions for input and output vectors, that is, the case with and without time-varying delay. On one side, we analyse the passivity of these coupled neural networks by employing some inequality techniques and a Lyapunov functional approach. On the other side, by designing appropriate pinning control schemes, several conditions are derived, which can make sure that the considered networks are passivity. Finally, numerical examples are given to confirm the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Culture and Food Practices of African American Women With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sumlin Lisa L. , Brown Sharon A.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The goals of this descriptive ethnographic study were to (1) describe the day-to-day selection, preparation, and consumption of food among African American women (AAW) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); (2) identify their typical food selections and consumption practices when dining out at restaurants and at social gatherings (ie, church functions, holidays); (3) highlight the valued behaviors and beliefs that influence these women’s food practices; and (4) determine how social interactions influence those food practices.

Methods

Symbolic interactionism, a sensitizing framework, guided this study. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit 20 AAW from 35 to 70 years of age diagnosed with T2DM who shopped and prepared meals for their families and attended church functions where food was served. Data collection consisted of one-on-one interviews and observations of participants during church fellowship dinners, grocery shopping, and food preparation. A social anthropological approach to content analysis was used to describe behavioral regularities in food practices.

Results

Informants exhibited a constant struggle in food practices, particularly within the home setting. Difficulties in making dietary modifications resulted from conflicts between the need to change dietary practices to control diabetes and personal food preferences, food preferences of family members, and AAW’s emotional dedication to the symbolism of food derived from traditional cultural food practices passed down from generation to generation.

Conclusions

African American women are the gatekeepers for family food practices, holding the keys to healthy dietary practices. This study helps to fill the research gap regarding cultural dietary food practices within this population.
A Systematic Review of Assistive Technology for Individuals With Intellectual Disability in the Workplace
Authors: Morash-Macneil Virginia , Johnson Friggita , Ryan Joseph B.
Published: September 2017

Research has shown that assistive technology (AT) can help support employment skills for individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs). The authors of this review examined the effectiveness of various types of AT support for individuals with ID in the workplace with a focus on the participant’s independent ability to demonstrate a specific employment skill. Ten articles published between 2006 and 2016 met inclusionary criteria set forth for this review. Overall, AT support resulted in medium to highly effective effect size gains (PND 91%; standardized mean difference 2.84; Tau-U 0.902), indicating effects were generally meaningful. Findings from these studies indicate AT was successful for increasing work performance of individuals with ID in respect to productivity, navigation, time management, and task completion. This review also provides an analysis of findings, discussion on limitations, and recommendations for future research.
Gender Mistrust and Intimate Partner Violence During Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Authors: Copp Jennifer E. , Giordano Peggy C. , Manning Wendy D. , Longmore Monica A.
Published: September 2017

Recent research has demonstrated that gender mistrust influences the formation and stability of intimate relationships. However, several scholars have noted that individuals form unions despite high levels of mistrust. Yet limited work has examined the implications of gender mistrust for relationship quality, including the experience of intimate partner violence. Furthermore, few quantitative studies have examined correlates of gender mistrust, particularly with regard to identifying factors associated with changes in feelings of mistrust over time. Using the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study, we examined longitudinal predictors of gender mistrust among a sample of adolescents and young adults ( n = 4,466 observations) and found that although parents’ gender mistrust and sociodemographic characteristics were associated with initial levels of mistrust, individuals’ own relationship experiences further shaped trajectories of gender mistrust over time. Additionally, feelings of mistrust corresponded to heightened odds of intimate partner violence perpetration, and this association appeared especially salient for women.
Cutaneous Candidiasis in a Gottingen Minipig: A Potential Pitfall in Preclinical Studies
Authors: Ramot Yuval , Obaya Ana , McNamara Alice , Nyska Abraham
Published: September 2017

The Göttingen minipig is often used in preclinical toxicity studies. Therefore, knowledge of spontaneously occurring pathologies is important to differentiate them from test drug–related effects. We report on a Göttingen minipig, which developed exudating widespread dermatitis during a preclinical toxicity study with a subcutaneously injected drug. The lesions were resistant to topical and oral antibacterial medications. Skin cultures were positive for Candida albicans, and treatment was changed to topical antifungal cream with quick resolution of the skin lesions. Cutaneous candidiasis in pigs has been rarely reported in the literature, and this is the first report on such condition in preclinical toxicity studies. Knowledge of this condition, which is not drug related, is important, especially in toxicity studies involving subcutaneous injections that are commonly accompanied by inflammatory skin reactions.
Moderately high-protein enteral formula improved retinol-binding protein in tube-fed patients: A multicentre open study
Authors: Pisprasert Veeradej , Shantavasinkul Prapimporn Chattranukulchai , Rattanachaiwong Sornwichate , Lepananon Tanarat , Komindr Surat
Published: September 2017

Background:

Long-term inadequate dietary consumption may increase the possibility of malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. Enteral nutrition (EN) is a beneficial support that could help to maintain nutritional status and gut function.

Aim:

Our aim was to evaluate the effect of moderately high-protein enteral formula containing fibre on nutritional status, and its safety.

Method:

A total of 23 tube-feeding-dependent adult patients were included in this multicentre, open-label study. The patients were fed with the study formula for 7–12 days or equal to the required nutritional support period, during which we performed physical examinations and assessed nutritional status. The primary endpoint was the statistical difference in nutritional status after the treatment, and the secondary outcome was the desirable safety profile.

Results:

A significant improvement in cumulative energy balance after intervention was observed ( p = 0.008). However, the differences in nutritional status, weight and BMI before and after the intervention do not reach statistical significance. Retinol-binding protein (RBP), a marker for nutritional status, increased from baseline levels. Few cases of diarrhoea and constipation had been reported during the study as a safety concern.

Conclusions:

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of an enteral feed formulation containing fibre. The patients were nourished with the studied formulation via tube feeding for a short period without serious adverse events. After the intervention, the significant increase in cumulative energy balance was observed. However, an extended period of the intervention may be required to attain the significance in other indicators for nutritional status.
Prognostic value of perfusion CT in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment with sorafenib: comparison with mRECIST in longitudinal follow-up
Authors: Kaufmann Sascha , Thaiss Wolfgang M , Schulze Maximilian , Bitzer Michael , Lauer Ulrich , Nikolaou Konstantin , Horger Marius
Published: September 2017

Background

Targeted therapies are of increasing clinical importance and classic radiologic therapy response-criteria often fail to detect early therapeutic response or failure. For hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), this is of major importance as therapeutic options are limited.

Purpose

To investigate the impact of sorafenib-treatment on intralesional perfusion using perfusion computed tomography (PCT) in HCC and to correlate the observed changes with mRECIST and the course of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for identification of their prognostic value.

Material and Methods

PCT was performed before and after two months of sorafenib treatment in 28 consecutive HCC patients and AFP levels were registered. Changes in tumor perfusion parameters blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), volume transfer constant (Ktrans), arterial liver perfusion (ALP), and hepatic perfusion index (HPI) were registered in one target lesion. mRECIST measurements were performed at baseline and after two and four months during sorafenib treatment.

Results

According to mRECIST, after two months of treatment, all patients showed stable disease (SD), whereas after four months, 13 patients (46%) showed SD and 15 patients (54%) showed progressive disease (PD). A significant decrease was found in perfusion parameters BF, BV, Ktrans, ALP, and HPI in patients with SD as well as a significant increase in MTT ( P < 0.05) after two months compared to baseline, while patients with PD showed a significant increase in HPI, BF, and BV. There were no correlations between AFP and mRECIST or perfusion parameters.

Conclusion

Decreased intralesional BF and HPI after two months of sorafenib treatment predicts disease stabilization after four months, whereas AFP dynamics were of limited value.
Tuberculous spondylitis after vertebral augmentation: A case report with a literature review
Authors: Jia-Jia Sun , Zhi-Yong Sun , Zhong-Lai Qian , Hui-Lin Yang , Xiao-Yu Zhu
Published: September 2017

Tuberculous spondylitis of vertebral augmentation following percutaneous vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty is rare. We report an unusual case of tuberculous spondylitis diagnosed after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). A 54-year-old woman presented to hospital complaining of back pain following a fall 20 days prior. Radiology showed an acute osteoporotic compression (L3 fracture). The patient denied a history of pulmonary tuberculosis and there were no signs of infection. The patient was discharged from hospital 2 days after undergoing L3 PKP with a dramatic improvement in her back pain. The patient was readmitted 10 months later with a history of recurrent back pain and low-grade fever for 3 months. Imaging examinations showed severe spondylitis at the L2–L3 level, with paravertebral abscess formation and bony destruction of L2 and L3. A positive result of the T-SPOT test preliminarily confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculous spondylitis. The tuberculosis test was positive, and serum C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation were relatively high. Treatment for tuberculous spondylitis was started. She underwent posterior fusion and instrumentation from T12–L5 after markers for infection returned to normal. After surgery, the patient continued antituberculous and anti-osteoporosis treatments. Her low back pain was relieved and low-grade fever and sweating disappeared.
Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis in the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis: A novel one-stop endovascular strategy
Authors: Liu Bing , Liu MingYuan , Yan LiHong , Yan JunWei , Wu Jiang , Jiao XueFei , Guo MingJin
Published: September 2017

Objective

This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT).

Methods

In total, 20 consecutive patients with APE and LEDVT were prospectively selected for PMT combined with CDT. Mechanical thrombus fragmentation and aspiration using a pigtail rotation catheter followed by CDT was performed in each patient. Details regarding the patients’ clinical presentation and outcome, pulmonary status parameters (pulmonary arterial pressure, partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood, Miller score, thigh and calf circumference, and shock index), and lower extremity parameters (thrombus-lysis grade and Villalta scale score) were recorded.

Results

All 20 patients’ clinical manifestations significantly improved. Both the clinical success rate and technical success rate were 100%. No major adverse events occurred during hospitalization. Four patients developed iliac vein compression syndrome and underwent stent implantation in the iliac vein. No pulmonary embolism recurred within 16.5±6.8 months of follow-up.

Conclusions

The combination of PMT and CDT is a safe and effective treatment for APE and LEDVT with good short- and intermediate-term clinical outcomes.
A Review of the Historical, Criminological, and Theoretical Understandings of the Cambodian American Population: A Call for More Comprehensive Research
Authors: Chheang Dany , Connolly Eric J.
Published: September 2017

The collective view of Asian Americans as model minorities is evident with the extensive amount of statistical data showing support for the academic and socioeconomic success of Asian Americans in the United States. This perception, however, often presents an inaccurate portrayal of Asian Americans, in general, as it overlooks many of the difficulties and hardships experienced by Asian American ethnic groups such as Southeast Asians. Within this group, Cambodian Americans are at the highest risk for experiencing socioeconomic hardships, behavioral health problems, substance use disorders, and contact with the criminal justice system, with deportation also being a prevailing issue. Unfortunately, research in this area is scant and contemporary research on Cambodian Americans has several limitations. To begin to address this issue, the present article merges information from existing research on this population from a sociohistorical, criminological, and theoretical standpoint to call for more comprehensive research on Cambodian Americans.
Gender and sexuality III: Precarious places
Authors: Johnston Lynda
Published: September 2017

This progress report considers precarious geographies of genders and sexualities at a range of intersecting scales. In a time currently characterized as precarious, anxious and insecure, feminist and queer geographers are well placed to examine vulnerable geographies – including their own – of bodies, lives and labours. The review considers the ways precarity operates as a concept, condition and experience by first asking what and where is precarity? Second, a recurring theme throughout feminist and queer precarious geographical literature is the importance of foregrounding relationality, the multiscalar, and marginalized bodies. Ultimately, what it means to feel ‘secure’ shifts and changes across places, genders and sexualities.
The Physical–Digital Divide: Exploring the Social Gap Between Digital Natives and Physical Natives
Authors: Ball Christopher , Francis Jessica , Huang Kuo-Ting , Kadylak Travis , Cotten Shelia R. , Rikard R. V.
Published: September 2017

Older adults are the most digitally divided demographic group. The present study explores how older adults perceive the physical use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly across generations and contexts. Data for the present study come from nine focus groups. Seniors acknowledge that ICTs help them connect with geographically distant social ties, but that they lead to feelings of disconnection with geographically close social ties. We label this phenomenon the “physical–digital divide,” which exists when a group feels ostracized or offended when those around them engage with ICTs while they themselves are not or cannot engage with ICTs. Younger generations are often referred to as “digital natives” and older generations as “digital immigrants.” A more apt label for older adults may be “physical natives,” as their preferred method of communication involves physical face-to-face interactions and traditional codes of etiquette. Suggestions are made for reducing the physical–digital divide.
Person-Directed Care Planning in Nursing Homes: Resident, Family, and Staff Perspectives
Authors: Scales Kezia , Lepore Michael , Anderson Ruth A. , McConnell Eleanor S. , Song Yuting , Kang Bada , Porter Kristie , Thach Trini , Corazzini Kirsten N.
Published: September 2017

Empowering individuals to direct their own care is central to person-centered care and health care policy. However, there is limited knowledge of how “person-directed care planning” (PDCP) can be achieved in particular settings. This study identifies key structures and processes for operationalizing and implementing PDCP in nursing homes. Using participatory inquiry, we convened “stakeholder engagement sessions” with residents, families, nursing staff, and managers/administrators in two North Carolina nursing homes ( N = 24 sessions; N = 67 unique participants). Stakeholders discussed current care-planning processes and provided feedback on an emergent conceptual framework of PDCP. Three themes emerged through directed-content analysis: strategies included providing formal and informal opportunities to engage in care planning and ensuring effective follow-through; different roles were required among leadership, staff, residents, and families to accomplish PDCP; and limits on achieving PDCP included competing priorities and perceived regulatory and resource constraints. Results are discussed in terms of the specific competencies required for accomplishing PDCP.
Exploring Parents’ Conceptions of Augmented Reality Learning and Approaches to Learning by Augmented Reality With Their Children
Authors: Cheng Kun-Hung
Published: September 2017

With the increasing attention to the role of parents in children’s learning, what issues parents consider and how they behave when learning with their children when confronted with the emerging augmented reality (AR) technology may be worth exploring. This study was therefore conducted to qualitatively understand parents’ conceptions of AR learning and approaches to learning by AR with their children. A total of 90 pairs of parents and children were invited to participate in an AR book reading activity held in 2015; all of the parents were then interviewed to acquire the research data. Through the phenomenographic method, this study generated several categories of the parents’ conceptions of and approaches to AR learning. Further analysis identified the relationships between parents’ conceptions and approaches. For example, the parents holding cohesive conceptions (e.g., learning by AR as attaining in-depth understanding) tended to use deep approaches (e.g., offering guidance to connect life experiences with the book content for thorough reading). Based on the findings, a framework of interactive AR book systems for child–parent shared reading is proposed. This study was expected to initiate research in the area of learning by AR in informal learning environments.
Perceptions of Elder Abuse From Community-Dwelling Older Persons and Professionals Working in Western Switzerland
Authors: Roulet Schwab Delphine , Wangmo Tenzin
Published: September 2017

Older persons’ perspectives regarding elder abuse remain little studied. However, definitions of elder abuse and effective prevention strategies require adaptation to the needs and cultures of targeted populations. This study explored the views of older persons and professionals to evaluate their converging and diverging perspectives toward elder abuse and its prevention. The study employed a qualitative approach where six focus groups were held in Western Switzerland (the French-speaking part of the country). Four focus groups with 25 older persons from varying socioeconomic backgrounds, and the other two focus groups were carried out with 16 professionals working in the field of elder abuse prevention. For the focus groups, we used the technique of free associations to begin the discussions and vignette-like statements to explore participants’ attitudes toward elder abuse. These were followed by open-ended questions. The transcripts from the focus groups were analyzed thematically and resulted in four main themes: (a) varied associations of the term “abuse,” (b) judging elder abuse situations in terms of abuse and severity, (c) self-identification with elder abuse, and (d) prevention of elder abuse. Study findings demonstrated that older persons hold views that are partly different from the views of professionals. Furthermore, perceptions of older persons could be stratified based on the socioeconomic status of the participants. These diverging perspectives reflect the heterogeneity of the senior citizen population and highlight the need for research cognizant of these differences. The results of this study provide strategies for improved targeting of preventive measures, underline the importance of integrating the perspectives of older persons, and reveal the need to expand the commonly accepted definitions of elder abuse so that they better reflect the affected individuals.
Profiling Cybercriminals
Authors: Kigerl Alex
Published: September 2017

Cybercrime has become a growing business. The marketplaces for such businesses tend to be online forums. Much of the research on carding forums has been qualitative, but there have been quantitative analyses as well. One such type of analysis is topic modeling, a clustering technique that groups forum users according to the textual comments they leave. However, this type of research so far has been exclusively quantitative, without qualitatively examining the topics. The following study attempts to add to this research by analyzing the comment histories from 30,469 users from three carding forums. The results have revealed that users belong to one or more of 21 different topics. The topics are grouped into six broader categories, consisting of a customer base, identity fraud market, crimeware market, free content market, and two others. Descriptives are provided displaying how the topics are distributed across the three websites and directions for future research are discussed.
Bourdieu without childhood: Methods and theoretical postulates of a study on French working-class children
Authors: Salgues Camille
Published: September 2017

This article is a reassessment of a former study on French working-class children. The methods, based on interviews, and the theoretical postulates, where children were seen as informants on the social world, are submitted to a close examination in relation to the research context. Through this reflexive work, different narratives emerge associated with different scientific circles: French-written Bourdieusian sociology and English-written Childhood studies. It aims at provoking reflections on the differences of the two traditions in approaching children and childhood.
Designing policies in uncertain contexts: Entrepreneurial capacity and the case of the European Emission Trading Scheme
Authors: Mukherjee Ishani , Giest Sarah
Published: September 2017

The paper focuses on enterprising agents in policy formulation and design by looking at their capacity of dealing with different levels of uncertainty. In climate policy specifically, different degrees and types of uncertainties pose a challenge to policymakers. Policy entrepreneurs and the combination of their analytical, operational and political competences are a relevant component in reducing ambiguity in policy design and translating broad policy goals to operational programmes and specific policy instruments. Using the case of the European Emission Trading Scheme, we suggest that the success of policy entrepreneurs in catalysing policy change is determined by their capacity to work against multiple kinds of uncertainty. This ‘uncertainty mitigating’ capacity on the part of policy entrepreneurs rests significantly on balancing managerial expertise and political acumen. We conclude that entrepreneurial capacity goes beyond current definitions in the literature, involving the balance among analytical, operational and political competences to navigate a politicized policy context.
Preparation and properties of a novel, high-performance polyether ether ketone fabric
Authors: Wang Chaolong , Luan Jiashuang , Xu Zhiping , Zhao Wenyan , Zhang Mei
Published: September 2017

In this study, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) fibers were produced by melt spinning method and woven to form fabrics. Several characterization tests were conducted with fiber tensile testing machine, scanning electron microscope, and differential scanning calorimeter to investigate the basic properties of PEEK fibers. Electric fabric strength, thermal performance, and corrosion resistance of PEEK fabric were also investigated. The commercial samples of NomexIIIA (imported) and Aramid1313 fabrics (made in China) were selected as control groups to evaluate the performance of developed fabrics. The results indicate that the PEEK fabrics have higher breaking strength, better corrosion resistance, and greater thermal stability than the other two commercial fabrics in the control group. The total friction of the PEEK fabric reached 30,000 times when two separate yarns in fabric were broken completely, and the breaking strength was in the range of 830–1422 N. The surface of PEEK fibers remained smooth, and there was no deformation after handling by 30% sodium hydroxide and 36% hydrochloric acid for 48 h; additionally, there was no weight loss. The melting point of PEEK fabric was 342.89°C, and it lost 5% of its weight at 574°C. The research shows that as a novel high-performance textile, PEEK fabrics with a long service temperature of 260°C have significant advantages in the improvement of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of textiles, especially enhancing the stability under high-concentration alkaline environment. This work can provide novel avenues for the development of high-performance fibers and products with applications in special harsh environments.
Superposition method to reduce the computation time in shape-memory alloy–based tool clamp design
Authors: Lee Sungcheul , Park Jong-Kweon
Published: September 2017

Recent developments in small hard components, such as those used in medical devices, have led to more stringent requirements of the machining process. Many high-precision technologies have been developed to machine such components. The tool clamp is an important part of a machine tool, and collet chuck tool clamp systems are widely used for small spindles. However, use of small precision tool clamps with commercial spindle chucks is limited by the inherent complexity of the operating mechanism. To address this, we describe a shape-memory alloy tool clamp that has a simple structure and can provide sufficient tool-clamping force. We describe the deformation of the tool clamp analytically, where a surface load is placed on an arbitrary location on the tool clamp via a shape-memory alloy ring. We used a superposition method to predict the deflection of the tool clamp, which could be done quickly because we did not require iterative calculations. The simulation results are compared with experimental measurements of the deflection.
Impact of viscosity variation on oblique flow of Cu–H2O nanofluid
Authors: Tabassum R , Mehmood Rashid , Pourmehran O , Akbar NS , Gorji-Bandpy M
Published: September 2017

The dynamic properties of nanofluids have made them an area of intense research during the past few decades. In this article, flow of nonaligned stagnation point nanofluid is investigated. Copper–water based nanofluid in the presence of temperature-dependent viscosity is taken into account. The governing nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations transformed by partial differential equations are solved numerically by using fourth-order Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg integration technique. Effects of variable viscosity parameter on velocity and temperature profiles of pure fluid and copper–water nanofluid are analyzed, discussed, and presented graphically. Streamlines, skin friction coefficients, and local heat flux of nanofluid under the impact of variable viscosity parameter, stretching ratio, and solid volume fraction of nanoparticles are also displayed and discussed. It is observed that an increase in solid volume fraction of nanoparticles enhances the magnitude of normal skin friction coefficient, tangential skin friction coefficient, and local heat flux. Viscosity parameter is found to have decreasing effect on normal and tangential skin friction coefficients whereas it has a positive influence on local heat flux.
Suicidal and Death Ideation in a Cohort of Psychiatric Outpatients
Authors: Naidoo Sarojini , Collings Steven J.
Published: September 2017

In Africa, data on the prevalence and predictors of death and suicidal ideation is lacking. In this study, a cross-sectional design was used to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for death and suicidal ideation in a cohort of 239 psychiatric patients receiving outpatient treatment at nine sites in the Durban area (South Africa) in 2015. Prevalence rates for death and suicidal ideation were high, with 35 (16%) patients reporting death ideation and 95 (40%) reporting suicidal ideation. Both death and suicidal ideation were significantly associated with unemployment (ORs = 2.61 and 2.34, respectively) and a primary diagnosis of depressive disorder (ORs = 4.72 and 6.54, respectively). Factors that uniquely predicted death ideation were: not being in an intimate relationship (OR = 6.45), ethnicity (being Indian South African: OR = 3.28) and a primary diagnosis of bipolar disorder (OR = 4.61), with suicidal ideation being uniquely predicted by a lower level of educational attainment (OR 2.86), ethnicity (being Black South African: OR = 3.36) and a primary diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (OR = 7.14). Study findings are discussed in terms of their implications for practice and future research.
Effect of Different Dimensions of Inventory Management of Fruits and Vegetables on Profitability of Retail Stores: An Empirical Study
Authors: Sabir Lamay Bin , Farooquie Jamal A.
Published: September 2017

In today’s challenging and competitive scenario, Indian retailers (organized sector) of fruits and vegetables need more dynamic strategies in order to provide customer satisfaction and retention. Purchasing, overstocking, stock-out, throw away, markdowns, etc. are different activities that are undertaken in a retail store selling perishable inventory, especially fruits and vegetables. These factors affect the profitability of the retail store, directly or indirectly; hence, proper control over these factors must be the primary objective of the retailer selling fruits and vegetables. This article aims to find out significant relationships within these parameters of inventory management so that retailers find it helpful in devising strategies for a better competitive edge. First, factors are identified, and then, statistical tests (chi-square and analysis of variance) are used to derive conclusions.
High Tangent Radiation Therapy With Field-in-Field Technique for Breast Cancer
Authors: Tanaka Hidekazu , Ito Masaya , Yamaguchi Takahiro , Hachiya Kae , Yajima Takahiko , Kitahara Masashi , Matsuyama Katsuya , Goshima Satoshi , Futamura Manabu , Matsuo Masayuki
Published: September 2017

Purpose:

We evaluated whether the field-in-field (FIF) technique improves the homogeneity of the target in high tangent radiation therapy (HTRT).

Materials and Methods:

This study included 30 patients. In total, 3 HTRT plans were created: 1 with conventional opposed fields (Conv-p), 1 with the FIF technique (FIF-p), and 1 with FIF technique using lung-blocked subfields (FIF-LB-p).

Results:

The maximum dose of the breast and planning target volume (PTV) was significantly lower for FIF-p and FIF-LB-p than Conv-p. Homogeneity index of PTV was also significantly lower for FIF-p and FIF-LB-p than Conv-p. Homogeneity index of the breast or PTV was significantly better for FIF-p than FIF-LB-p. The volumes of the breast or the PTV receiving 95% and 90% of the prescribed dose were also significantly better for FIF-p, indicating the advantages of FIF-p.

Conclusions:

The FIF technique was useful in HTRT and improved homogeneity in the target.
Effects of the array modes of laser-textured micro-dimples on the tribological performance of cylinder liner–piston ring
Authors: Yin Bifeng , Xu Bo , Jia Hekun , Zhou Huiqin , Fu Yonghong , Hua Xijun
Published: September 2017

A mixed lubrication model of textured cylinder liner–piston ring was built to investigate the effects of four array modes namely, square array, stagger array, stretching, and shortening along liner axis array of micro-dimples on the tribological properties of cylinder liner–piston ring pair. The simulation results indicate that micro-dimples can enhance the hydrodynamic effects of lube oil, improving the film bearing capability. However, the effects differ significantly under the four dimple array modes: for square array, the cylinder liner–piston ring pair is well lubricated due to the synergistic effects of uniformly spaced micro-dimples that form homogeneous bearing film even around the fired top dead center where the lubrication condition is harsh; while the film of stagger array is the thinnest among the four schemes, which means its lubrication is also the worst. From square array mode, to shortening and stretching along liner axis array, then to stagger array mode, the total friction force of cylinder liner–piston ring shows an upward trend. By utilizing laser surface texturing method, square array, stretching along liner axis array, and stagger array of micro-dimples were textured on the gasoline engine cylinder bores, followed by a set of engine bench tests. The experimental results demonstrate that the engine motored torque of the three array modes increases in turns, which validates that the anti-friction effect of square array is optimal whereas that of stagger array is the most inefficient.
‘I’ve got a very dichotomous difference in the way that I perceive myself’: Positive and negative constructions of body image following cancer treatment
Authors: Grogan Sarah , Mechan Jayne , Persson Sofia , Finlay Sive , Hall Matthew
Published: September 2017

This study investigated how women constructed body image following cancer. Four women, aged 32–67 years, who had experienced breast or bowel cancer took part in a 2-hour, in-depth focus group. Discourse analysis revealed that women orientated to positive aspects of the post-treatment body (silhouette, trust, acceptance) while acknowledging that their experiences were also traumatic (hair loss, scarring, sickness, swelling). Bodies and illness were concealed from public judgment, and women developed new trust in their bodies due to overcoming cancer; post-cancer bodies were accepted despite opportunities for normalisation. Implications for those wanting to support women during and after cancer are discussed.
Touring the magical North – Borealism and the indigenous Sámi in contemporary English-language children’s fantasy literature
Authors: Lehtonen Sanna
Published: September 2017

Discourses of exotic Lapland with its indigenous inhabitants, the Sámi, are widely circulated in the tourist industry and also surface in contemporary English-language children’s fantasy fiction. In contrast to the ‘self-orientalism’ of discourses of tourism, where places and people are represented as exotic to a tourist gaze, the portrayals of the North and its inhabitants gain different symbolic meanings in fictional texts produced by outsiders who rely on earlier texts – myths, fairy tales and anthropological accounts – rather than on their own lived experience of the North or indigeneity. This article applies the concept of Borealism to examine cross-cultural intertextuality and discourses of the Sámi/Lappishness in English-language children’s fantasy by four contemporary authors. The Sámi and their folklore become recontextualised in fictional texts through a Borealist gaze that associates the indigenous characters with feminist and ecocritical discourses and frames indigenous ethnicity in stereotypical ways.
Public health terminology: Hindrance to a Health in All Policies approach?
Authors: Synnevåg Ellen S. , Amdam Roar , Fosse Elisabeth
Published: September 2017

Aim: National public health policies in Norway are based on a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach. At the local level, this means that public health, as a cross-sectional responsibility, should be implemented in all municipal sectors by integrating public health policies in municipal planning and management systems. The paper investigates these local processes, focusing on the use of public health terminology and how this terminology is translated from national to local contexts. We ask whether the terms ‘public health’ and ‘public health work’ are suitable when implementing an HiAP approach. Methods: A qualitative case study based on analyses of interviews and planning documents was performed in three Norwegian municipalities. Results: The results present dilemmas associated with using public health terminology when implementing an HiAP approach. On the one hand, the terms are experienced as wide, complex, advanced and unnecessary. On the other hand, the terms are experienced as important for a systematic approach towards understanding public health ideology and cross-sectional responsibility. One municipality used alternative terminology. Conclusions: This paper promotes debate about the appropriateness of using the terms ‘public health’ and ‘public health work’ at the local level. It suggests that adaptation is suitable and necessary, unless it compromises knowledge, responsibility and a systematic approach. This study concludes that the use of terminology is a central factor when implementing the Norwegian Public Health Act at the local level.