bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconstruction as Revolution
Authors: Kunakhovich Kyrill
Published: March 2016

This article compares the process of cultural reconstruction in two of Eastern Europe’s major cities, Kraków and Leipzig, in the first half-decade after World War II. In both cities, it argues, reconstruction radically changed the cultural landscape even as it seemed to uphold the status quo. City officials rebuilt many of the artistic institutions they knew from the prewar era, but consistently privileged those that were publicly owned and “progressive.” Such selective reconstruction greatly expanded state control over the arts while masking the fact that any change was taking place. It also made Kraków and Leipzig more alike: by accentuating each city’s leftist traditions, local officials fostered a cultural convergence without eliminating national difference. Their work was instrumental in the rise of East European communism. Grassroots reconstruction not only paved the way for cultural revolution but also helped to forge the Soviet Bloc.
Emotional Eating Mediates the Relationship Between Role Stress and Obesity in Clergy
Authors: Manister Nancy N. , Gigliotti Eileen
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between role stress, emotional eating, and obesity in clergy. A random sample of United States Lutheran Church Missouri Synod clergy who met the study criteria ( N = 430), response rate 38%, completed the Role Stress and Emotional Eating Behavior Scales, and self-reported height and weight for Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation. Obesity was high (81.4% overweight/obese, 36.7% obese), and emotional eating partially mediated the relationship between role stress and obesity. This study tested relations of the Neuman Systems Model.
Reformulating the Common Sense Model of Self-Regulation
Authors: Sonney Jennifer T. , Insel Kathleen C.
Published: March 2016

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood with nearly 7 million children affected in the United States. Nonadherence to controller medication is a substantial issue that results in higher pediatric asthma disease morbidity. The common sense model of self-regulation is a useful theoretical framework to understand chronic disease self-management in adults, but has not been used in the context of pediatric chronic disease. Using Fawcett’s framework, the authors analyze and evaluate the common sense model. To conclude, the authors propose a reformulation of the model that incorporates parent-child shared regulation of pediatric asthma.
A Human Science View of Behavioral Health
Authors: Baumann Steven L.
Published: March 2016

An exclusively quantitative public health approach to substance use in Mexico is criticized here as being of limited use to nurses working as clinicians with persons, families, and communities struggling with this issue. Three human science-based studies from three different countries are discussed to serve as options for addressing this limitation.
Thoughts About Social Issues
Authors: Aronowitz Teri , Fawcett Jacqueline
Published: March 2016

The Neuman systems model includes social issues as a client system of interest. The other client systems of this conceptual model of nursing are individuals, families, other groups, and communities, about which exists a considerable amount of literature. However, social issues as a client system have not yet been defined or described, nor has any application of this client system been published. This essay is a discussion of the meaning of social issues as a client system from the perspective of the Neuman systems model, and offers examples from the literature, from the results of a survey of Neuman systems model trustees, including Betty Neuman, and from dialogue with participants at the 15th Biennial Neuman systems model symposium. This article was adapted from a paper presented at the 15th Biennial International Neuman Systems Model Symposium, Philadelphia, PA. June 19, 2015
I Am Community
Authors: Bunkers Sandra Schmidt
Published: March 2016

This column explores the humanbecoming paradigm perspective of community. Community is written about as a vastness of the galaxy; as serene valley, mountain, turbulent sea; and, as nameless stranger, friend, family. Presented are tenets and indicators for living the art of humanbecoming community for health professionals.
Are We Really Measuring Cultural Competence?
Authors: Purnell Larry
Published: March 2016

One of the major goals of culturally competent nursing and healthcare practice is to decrease health and healthcare disparities. All healthcare professionals need similar information for cultural competence. However, to date, most of the tools measure knowledge, skills and abilities but not true competence from a clinical practice setting. Several tools measure and/or evaluate the organization’s cultural diversity mission but not the providers of healthcare.
Power with Social Media
Authors: Milton Constance L.
Published: March 2016

Power is an emanating force typically associated with personal relationships. With the expanding capacities and utilization of social media, power with media is an emerging ethical concern to the discipline of nursing. The author here discusses potential ethical meanings and implications of power with social media while utilizing technology in future nurse practice and education.
Academic-Practice Partnerships
Authors: Everett Linda Q.
Published: March 2016

In this article, there is a discussion focused on three contemporary nursing topics: leadership, followership, and academic-practice partnerships. These comments are framed within the context of the current healthcare system transformation. There is a focus on why each of these topics is relevant to the nursing profession in leading change and advancing health. Finally, there is a description about the interdependence of leadership and followership and the significance these hold for the interdependence between nursing education and nursing practice.
Collaborative Partnerships
Authors: Ortiz Mario R.
Published: March 2016

In the following article, Dr. Linda Everett, a veteran nurse executive, describes the ebb and flow of leading-following within a nursing academic-nursing practice partnership that was grounded in respectful collaboration.
Work–Life Balance Among Humanitarian Aid Workers
Authors: Visser Miranda , Mills Melinda , Heyse Liesbet , Wittek Rafael , Bollettino Vincenzo
Published: March 2016

A limited body of research has examined satisfaction with work–life balance of expatriate workers who live abroad, residing outside the typical “family” or “life” domain. This study aims to demonstrate how and under which organizational circumstances job autonomy can increase work–life balance satisfaction of humanitarian aid expatriates. We hypothesize that especially in humanitarian work, trust in management can buffer potential negative effects of high autonomy. We test our hypothesis by means of ordinal logistic regression, using survey data collected among expatriates of the Operational Center Amsterdam of Médecins Sans Frontières ( N = 142). Results reveal that high levels of autonomy are positively related with work–life balance satisfaction when trust in the management of the organization is high. When trust in management is low, the effect of high autonomy on work–life balance satisfaction is negative. This implies that trust in management indeed buffers negative effects of high autonomy among expatriate humanitarian aid workers.
The enforcement–compliance paradox: Implementation of pesticide regulation in China
Authors: Yan Huiqi , van Rooij Benjamin , van der Heijden Jeroen
Published: March 2016

This article, in a study of amoral cost–benefit analysis, legitimacy and capacity to obey the law, seeks to understand why Chinese farmers obey or break pesticide rules. It uses data gathered through intensive fieldwork at a local level, including interviews with 31 pesticide experts and officials and 119 vegetable farmers in central China. It uncovers an enforcement–compliance paradox: a situation where law enforcement concentrates exactly on those rules that are least likely to be broken and on those regulated actors who are most likely to comply. It finds two explanations. First, enforcement policy simply may not be aware of which rules are more likely to be complied with and which regulated actors are more likely to comply even when there is limited deterrence. Second, technocratic risk-averse enforcement policy may be oriented towards those rules and actors for which violation – theoretically – results in the greatest damage, not towards those rules that are more likely to be broken and those actors who are more likely to break them.
Union learning representatives in the UK: activity, impact and organization
Authors: Saundry Richard , Antcliff Valerie , Hollinrake Alison
Published: March 2016

The debate over the significance of union learning representatives (ULRs) in the UK has become increasingly polarized. Some commentators see little prospect of ULRs contributing to advancing either workplace learning or union organization due to the constraints of neo-liberal state policy. An opposing view emphasizes union agency in developing a collective approach to learning and extended joint regulation through a process of critical engagement. This article presents analysis of data from the 2009 National Survey of ULRs, which finds a positive relationship between ULR activity and its impact in enhancing training outcomes, increasing union membership and the joint regulation of workplace learning. This supports arguments that agency of ULRs is not inevitably suppressed by the structural limitations of union learning.
The social norm of unemployment in relation to mental health and medical care use: the role of regional unemployment levels and of displaced workers
Authors: Buffel Veerle , Missinne Sarah , Bracke Piet
Published: March 2016

The relationships between unemployment, mental health (care) and medication use among 50–65 year-old men (N = 11,789) and women (N = 15,118) are studied in Europe. Inspired by the social norm theory of unemployment, the relevance of regional unemployment levels and workplace closure are explored, using multilevel analyses of data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement. In line with the social norm theory, the results show that – only for men – displaced workers are less depressed and use less medication than the non-displaced unemployed. However, they report more depressive symptoms than the employed, which supports the causal effect of unemployment on mental health. Non-displaced unemployed men are also more likely to consume medication than the displaced unemployed. In addition, using regional unemployment as a proxy for the social norm of unemployment can be questioned when studying mental health effects, as it seems to be a stronger measurement of labour market conditions than of the social norm of unemployment, especially during a recession.
Utilization-based grouping efficiency and multi-criteria decision approach in designing of manufacturing cells
Authors: Ghosh Tamal , Doloi B , Dan Pranab K
Published: March 2016

The essence of the “ratio data” in cellular manufacturing system has rarely been correctly emphasized since past few decades of research and study. This article is an attempt to deal with cell formation problem which exploits machine utilization percentage and eliminates the “fuzziness” on the subject of ratio data. In the course of this study, a distinctive technique is adopted based on multi-criteria decision technique with significant modifications which is experimented on test data and compared with published methodology. To verify the grouping result, a novel performance measure is proposed and elaborated analytically to establish its superiority and robustness over the earlier efficiency measures published in the past literature of cellular manufacturing system. The novelty of this research remains in eradicating ambiguities on the subject of “ratio data,” imposing appropriate rules while generating the test problems, catering a unique multi-criteria decision technique–based approach and a novel performance measure for the aforesaid problem.
An adaptability index system for product development
Authors: Agostinho Oswaldo Luiz , da Silva Iris Bento
Published: March 2016

This study proposes an adaptability index system for product development to enhance engineering system management. The index system takes into account the need to reduce the time required to market new products. The adaptability index is defined by the relationship between the time to develop a current product and the time to develop a subsequent (next) one, so that the recommended index will be useful when a new product with shorter execution times than those of the previous one is introduced into the product design and manufacturing process. Implementing an adaptability system’s parameters are derived from responsiveness, competitiveness, engineering, and marketing activities as reflected in adaptability indices. The study’s methodology is case study through questionnaires, interviews, and records. The authors recommend increasing adaptability by reducing complexity through computer-integrated manufacturing, standardization, and others methodologies. The significant outcome based on the case study is the assessment that is enabled by the proposed adaptability index. This index will guide engineering companies in the selection of the most relevant development processes, protocols, production tools, and procedures aimed at reducing the time-to-market required to generate new products, thus allowing it to meet market demand, increase product diversification, and reduce product lifetimes.
A Perceptual Pathway to Bias
Authors: Freeman Jonathan B. , Pauker Kristin , Sanchez Diana T.
Published: March 2016

In two national samples, we examined the influence of interracial exposure in one’s local environment on the dynamic process underlying race perception and its evaluative consequences. Using a mouse-tracking paradigm, we found in Study 1 that White individuals with low interracial exposure exhibited a unique effect of abrupt, unstable White-Black category shifting during real-time perception of mixed-race faces, consistent with predictions from a neural-dynamic model of social categorization and computational simulations. In Study 2, this shifting effect was replicated and shown to predict a trust bias against mixed-race individuals and to mediate the effect of low interracial exposure on that trust bias. Taken together, the findings demonstrate that interracial exposure shapes the dynamics through which racial categories activate and resolve during real-time perceptions, and these initial perceptual dynamics, in turn, may help drive evaluative biases against mixed-race individuals. Thus, lower-level perceptual aspects of encounters with racial ambiguity may serve as a foundation for mixed-race prejudice.
Infections and Elections
Authors: Beall Alec T. , Hofer Marlise K. , Schaller Mark
Published: March 2016

In the studies reported here, we conducted longitudinal analyses of preelection polling data to test whether an Ebola outbreak predicted voting intentions preceding the 2014 U.S. federal elections. Analyses were conducted on nationwide polls pertaining to 435 House of Representatives elections and on state-specific polls pertaining to 34 Senate elections. Analyses compared voting intentions before and after the initial Ebola outbreak and assessed correlations between Internet search activity for the term “Ebola” and voting intentions. Results revealed that (a) the psychological salience of Ebola was associated with increased intention to vote for Republican candidates and (b) this effect occurred primarily in states characterized by norms favoring Republican Party candidates (the effect did not occur in states with norms favoring Democratic Party candidates). Ancillary analyses addressed several interpretational issues. Overall, these results suggest that disease outbreaks may influence voter behavior in two psychologically distinct ways: increased inclination to vote for politically conservative candidates and increased inclination to conform to popular opinion.
Investment in Human Capital and Economic Growth in Singapore
Authors: Maitra Biswajit
Published: March 2016

Since independence in 1965, the economy of Singapore has transited from a low-income economy to a high-income developed economy. Over the period, the educational policy of the country has been framed consistent with the national economic policy and human capital formation. The article examines whether investment in human capital and employment contributed to economic growth in Singapore over the last three decades. Johansen cointegration tests find a long-run relation among economic growth, human capital investment and employed labour force. The article also enquires the dynamics of economic growth maintained with human capital investment and labor force employment involving a battery of econometric techniques. It is found that both human capital investment and employment contributes to rise in economic growth. Human capital investment at the initial stage has growth-retarding effect and eventually accelerates sustained growth with a gestation lag of 4 years. If the maintained relation persisted over time, study exhibits that human capital innovation would lead to perpetual rise in economic growth. Labour force employment innovation, in this regard, may lead to temporary rise in economic growth.
Renal leiomyosarcoma in a cat
Authors: Evans Dawn , Fowlkes Natalie
Published: March 2016

Renal leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed in a 10-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat with a 3-year history of clinically managed, chronic renal disease. Sudden death was preceded by a brief episode of mental dullness and confusion. At postmortem examination, the gross appearance of the left kidney was suggestive of hydronephrosis, and a nephrolith was present in the contralateral kidney. However, histology revealed an infiltrative, poorly differentiated, spindle cell sarcoma bordering the grossly cavitated area. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for vimentin and smooth muscle actin, which led to a diagnosis of renal leiomyosarcoma; neoplastic cells were not immunoreactive for desmin. Leiomyosarcoma arising in the kidney is a rare occurrence in humans and an even rarer occurrence in veterinary medicine with no prior cases being reported in cats in the English literature. The macroscopic appearance of the tumor at postmortem examination was misleadingly suggestive of hydronephrosis as a result of the large cavitation and may be similar to particularly unusual cases of renal leiomyosarcomas in humans that have a cystic or cavitated appearance.
Energy analysis of semi-passive control for an aeroelastic plate-like wing using shunted piezoelectric materials
Authors: Silva Tarcísio Marinelli Pereira , De Marqui Junior Carlos
Published: March 2016

The use of piezoelectric materials in vibration control problems has been widely investigated over the last years. The main control techniques using piezoelectric materials are the active and passive ones. In the particular case of aeroelastic control, passive piezoelectric networks have a weak capability of improving the flutter envelope. Although active systems can achieve good control performance, the potential large amount of power required for actuation is an important issue. The synchronized switch damping techniques were developed to overcome the drawbacks of passive and active control. These nonlinear techniques increase the electromechanical conversion and enhance the shunt damping. In this article, an energy flow analysis is employed to investigate the effects of two switch damping techniques on the aeroelastic behavior of a plate-like wing in two case studies. In the first one, the energy flow analysis is presented for the base excitation condition without aerodynamic influence. The working principle of switch damping techniques and the energy return phenomenon are discussed. In the second case, the energy flow analysis is employed to discuss the aeroelastic evolution and semi-passive control effects over a range of airflow speeds.
Mixed Reactions
Authors: Jennings Jay T.
Published: March 2016

This article hypothesizes that religious motivation can explain varied responses to the political use of religious rhetoric. Religious motivation—religion’s place in an individual’s life—is an important determinant of individual behavior and attitude formation, and variation in religious motivation can explain why some religious citizens are attracted to candidates using religious appeals while others are clearly not. Using a survey experiment, this article tests the effect of Judeo-Christian religious language and attempts to isolate differences among the religious in how they respond to religious rhetoric in the American political environment. The goal of this article then becomes twofold. First, it introduces a measure of religious motivation and demonstrates that it is a unique measure of individual difference with independent effects beyond traditional measures of religiosity, personality, and conservatism. The second goal is to demonstrate that religious motivation can explain variance in reactions to religious rhetoric within a campaign environment. Religious individuals respond differently to religious appeals, with some evaluating candidates higher when religious words were used while others rated candidates lower. The types of religious motivation (extrinsic, intrinsic, and quest) are shown to be much better predictors of responses to religious rhetoric than traditional measures of religiosity.
Factorial Structure and Validity of the Quantified Behavior Test Plus (Qb+©)
Authors: Hirsch Oliver , Christiansen Hanna
Published: March 2016

This study investigates the factorial structure and validity of the Quantified Behavior Test Plus (Qb+©), a computerized test to objectively evaluate the three attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder core symptoms, hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity, independently. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were conducted with an outpatient sample of 773 subjects ≥12 years old. In a second sample of 297 patients ≥16 years, a multitrait–multimethod analysis was performed to examine concurrent and discriminant validity. The discriminative power of the Qb+ was investigated using a general linear model and logistic regression analysis. The three factorial structure (Hyperactivity, Inattention, Impulsivity) was verified in the confirmatory factor analysis. Fit indices demonstrated a good model fit and factor loadings were almost all moderate to high. In the multitrait–multimethod analysis, the criterion for convergent validity was fulfilled. The discriminant validity of the Qb+ was partially supported. Significant but small gender and age effects were found. In the logistic regression analysis, omission errors and reaction time variability, belonging to the Inattention factor, were able to discriminate between subjects with and without attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The internal structure of the Qb+ was verified. Its validity was partially supported. Results regarding discriminative power were mixed.
Serum and Urinary Orosomucoid in Young Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: El-Beblawy Nagham M. S. , Andrawes Nevine G. , Ismail Eman Abdel Rahman , Enany Basem El-Said , El-Seoud Heba S. Abou , Erfan Marwa A.
Published: March 2016

Orosomucoid is an acute-phase serum protein that is upregulated in urine samples of patients with diabetic nephropathy. We assessed serum and urinary orosomucoid levels in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their relation to microvascular complications and carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT). Sixty patients with type 1 diabetes were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of microvascular complications and compared with 60 healthy controls. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), urinary albumin–creatinine ratio (UACR), serum and urinary orosomucoid, and CIMT were assessed. Both serum and urinary orosomucoid levels were significantly increased in patients with and without microvascular complications compared with controls, and the highest levels were in patients with complications ( P < .001). Serum and urinary orosomucoid were higher in patients with microalbuminuria than normoalbuminuric group ( P < .001). The cutoff value of urinary orosomucoid at 2825 ng/mL could differentiate patients with and without microvascular complications. Serum and urinary orosomucoid were positively correlated. Multiple regression analysis showed that HbA1c, UACR, hs-CRP, and CIMT were independently related to orosomucoid. We suggest that orosomucoid is a significant independent factor for diabetic microvascular complications and can be considered as an early marker of renal injury. High orosomucoid levels in type 1 diabetes reflect endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis.
Problems and Prospects in Survey Research
Authors: Moy Patricia , Murphy Joe
Published: March 2016

Over the last few decades, survey research has witnessed a number of developments that have affected the quality of data that emerge using this methodology. Using the total survey error (TSE) approach as a point of departure, this article documents chronic challenges to data quality. With the aim of facilitating assessments of data quality, this article then turns to best practices in the disclosure of survey findings based on probability and nonprobability samples. Finally, (p)reviewing the use of technology and social media, it provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges for survey research today.
Examining the Role of Trust and Informal Communication on Mutual Learning in Government
Authors: Temby Owen , Sandall Jean , Cooksey Ray , Hickey Gordon M.
Published: March 2016

Although public agencies must mutually coordinate climate policy and other complex environmental issues, the extent and relative importance of informal networks and different dimensions of trust to the process remains underresearched. Addressing this, we conducted surveys and interviews with civil servants from numerous agencies and three levels of government working on climate change–related policy in the state of New York. We examined the effect of two network properties on mutual learning on climate change–related issues: the extent to which interagency communication takes places through formal and informal channels, and the distribution of two dimensions of trust (“fair play” and “relational comfort”) across the network. Our analysis revealed that formal communication among staff at different agencies was utilized more often than informal and that interagency relationships were more characterized by a feeling of “fair play” than by “relational comfort,” yet informal communication and Relational Comfort were the most important in facilitating interagency collaboration.
Antecedent Social Skills Interventions for Individuals With ASD: What Works, for Whom, and Under What Conditions?
Authors: Ledford Jennifer R. , King Seth , Harbin Emilee R. , Zimmerman Kathleen N.
Published: March 2016

Social skills interventions designed to increase pro-social interactions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders are critical, but the relative effectiveness of these interventions is not well understood. More than 250 single-case design studies in 113 articles were reviewed and described in terms of participants, settings, arrangements, implementers, social partners, target behaviors, and treatment components. Differential success rates are reported, given the variation in study and participant characteristics (e.g., implementers, treatment components, participant age). Environmental arrangement, social skills training, and prompting were highly successful, and peer training, priming, and video-based interventions were less successful. More evidence is needed, particularly research including older individuals and utilizing indigenous implementers and typical social partners.
Erythema Multiforme in Children and Mycoplasma pneumoniae Aetiology
Authors: Langley Annie , Anooshiravani Niloofar , Kwan Sarah , Zeller Jeanne , Pope Elena
Published: March 2016

Erythema multiforme (EM) in children is understudied and confused with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) despite their being separate diseases with unique aetiologies and clinical presentations. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in paediatric patients with EM minor, EM major (EMM), and SJS. This retrospective cohort at The Hospital for Sick Children accrued all cases of EM minor, EMM, and SJS from 1999 to 2013. Sixty-five cases were identified: 20 of EM minor, 23 of EMM, and 22 of SJS. Aetiologies were attributed in 58% of cases: 79% infection and 21% drug aetiology. Sixty-one percent of patients with EMM were M pneumoniae positive, compared with 14% of those with SJS and 22% of those with EM minor ( P < .01). M pneumoniae patients were older at presentation ( P = .03) and more frequently had sore throat ( P < .01) and atypical targets with central blistering ( P < .01). These findings suggest that M pneumoniae should be suspected and treated until laboratory confirmation becomes available in patients presenting with atypical target lesions with central blistering.
Young Asians’ imagination of social distinction
Authors: Bui Huong T , Wilkins Hugh C
Published: March 2016

This research investigates the imagined social distinction of young Asian travelers. Factors such as culture, language, and distinction were found to influence the development of young Asians. A disparity in the impact of these factors on personal development is evident in the comparison of two groups of travelers, with and without prior travel experience to Western countries. This supports the claim that social distinction is imaginary. The study advances the understanding of travel as a social phenomenon by operationalizing and verifying the imagination of social distinction in the context of travel. Practical implications suggest that tourism professionals might engage with these lucrative travel segments.
University students’ beliefs about unit-based guidelines: A qualitative study
Authors: Furtwängler Nina A F , de Visser Richard O
Published: March 2016

UK government guidance for alcohol consumption is expressed in ‘units’ of alcohol. This study employed semi-structured interviews to explore university students’ knowledge of, attitudes towards, and use of unit-based guidelines. Thematic analysis revealed that participants were not motivated to adhere to unit-based guidelines and that they lacked the skills required to apply them to reduce their own drinking. Instead, interviewees used individual strategies to monitor their drinking. The results suggest that public health interventions should include provision of information, efforts to motivate young people to change their behaviour and strategies to develop skills for managing alcohol consumption.
The neuroanatomy of autism spectrum disorder: An overview of structural neuroimaging findings and their translatability to the clinical setting
Authors: Ecker Christine
Published: March 2016

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, which is accompanied by differences in brain anatomy, functioning and brain connectivity. Due to its neurodevelopmental character, and the large phenotypic heterogeneity among individuals on the autism spectrum, the neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder is inherently difficult to describe. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made in characterizing the neuroanatomical underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder across the human life span, and in identifying the molecular pathways that may be affected in autism spectrum disorder. Moreover, novel methodological frameworks for analyzing neuroimaging data are emerging that make it possible to characterize the neuroanatomy of autism spectrum disorder on the case level, and to stratify individuals based on their individual phenotypic make up. While these approaches are increasingly more often employed in the research setting, their applicability in the clinical setting remains a vision for the future. The aim of the current review is to (1) provide a general overview of recent structural neuroimaging findings examining the neuroanatomy of autism spectrum disorder across the human life span, and in males and females with the condition, (2) highlight potential neuroimaging (bio)markers that may in the future be used for the stratification of autism spectrum disorder individuals into biologically homogeneous subgroups and (3) inform treatment and intervention strategies.
Parametrically excited vibrations of marine riser under random wave forces and earthquake
Authors: Wu ZW , Liu JK , Liu ZQ , Lu ZR
Published: March 2016

This article presents theoretical studies for parametrically excited vibrations of marine riser of the floating production, drilling, storage, and offloading system under random wave forces and earthquake excitation. The equation of motion of the riser is obtained by a mathematical method utilizing Euler beam theory and Galerkin method. The trigonometric series method is used to formulate random wave force and earthquake excitation in time domain. The dynamic analysis, spectral response analysis, and key parameters’ sensitivity analysis are conducted for the riser system. Parameter studies are conducted for the effects of wave and earthquake parameters and structural parameters on dynamics response of the riser system. The results from this study can provide valuable recommendations for the design and construction of the parametrically excited marine riser system under random wave forces and earthquake excitation and can promote widely practical application of the deep water riser in complicated environmental conditions.
An approach for minimum rotational response of medium-rise asymmetric structures under seismic excitations
Authors: Georgoussis George K
Published: March 2016

Studied in this article is the elastic and inelastic rotational behavior of asymmetric multi-story buildings under unidirectional and bidirectional excitations in relation to the location of the modal center of rigidity. The concept of this point in mono-symmetric uniform buildings has been outlined by the author in earlier papers, and its significance lies on the property that when its location is within a close distance from the mass axis the torsional response is mitigated. At present, a generalized definition of this point is given for buildings with double eccentricity, using (1) the approach of the continuum medium and (2) the stiffness matrix methodology. To determine the location of modal center of rigidity in practical terms, a few modal quantities are required (element frequencies and effective modal masses), which may be easily obtained by commercial engineering software. To verify the aforesaid property of modal center of rigidity under unidirectional and bidirectional excitations, the rotational response of 10-story wall-frame structures is examined under the ground motions of Erzincan 1992 and Kobe 1995.
Theoretical assessment of the behavior of cable bracing system with central steel cylinder
Authors: Fanaie Nader , Aghajani Saeid , Dizaj Ebrahim Afsar
Published: March 2016

Different kinds of bracing systems are used as the basic methods for providing lateral stiffness and strength in building frames. In recent years, tension-only bracing systems have been suggested by researchers. Steel cable has been recognized as a flexible member which can tolerate tensional forces only. Using the tension-only members as bracing for structures has triggered the concept of applying cables as the lateral braces of structures. Despite the high stiffness and tensional strength of steel cables, they cannot be considered as proper devices in cross bracing due to their low ductility. One of the modern bracing systems is using cables along with a cylinder through which a pair of cables passes from their crossing point. Such bracing systems can be used in strengthening of moment-resisting frames. This research presents the equations that are related to the behavior of cable steel cylinder bracing. Also, the effects of cylinder dimensions and prestressing of cables on the behavior of the mentioned bracing were assessed. In such bracing with steel cylinder, both cables are under tension; therefore, the loosening of cables and their ability to cause impulses will be removed. Moreover, the cables reach their final strengths at higher frame lateral displacements. It is recommended to select the dimensions of the cylinder in such a way that the cables also reach their yielding limit in the damage limit displacement of the frame.
An efficient modelling approach based on a rigorous cross-sectional analysis for analysing box girder bridge superstructures
Authors: Kashefi Kiana , Sheikh AH , Ali MS Mohamed , Griffith MC
Published: March 2016

A novel analysis technique is introduced for efficient modelling of box girder bridge decks. The general three-dimensional equations used to accurately define the deformation of these complex beam-like slender structures are decoupled into a two-dimensional cross-sectional problem and a one-dimensional beam problem through decomposition of the three-dimensional strain field. The two-dimensional cross-sectional problem is solved by a two-dimensional finite element analysis considering in-plane as well as out-of-plane warping displacements of the beam section. This gives an accurate constitutive relationship of the one-dimensional beam problem without making any major assumptions as is often done in usual beam theories. The one-dimensional beam problem is solved by a one-dimensional beam finite analysis and the results obtained are used to recover three-dimensional stress, strain and displacement fields accurately. Numerical examples of box girder bridge deck systems having thin-walled sections are solved by the proposed approach to show its performance.
Experimental study of a new beam-to-column connection for precast concrete frames under reversal cyclic loading
Authors: Guan Dongzhi , Guo Zhengxing , Xiao Quandong , Zheng Yongfeng
Published: March 2016

A new beam-to-column connection developed for precast concrete-resisting frames was proposed in this article. This connection provided adequate structural integrity in the connections and could be constructed easily and rapidly by eliminating the need for welding, bolting, and post-tensioning, and it also avoided reinforcement congestion or obstruction in connection regions. Five full-scale beam-to-column connections, including a monolithic specimen, were tested under reversal cyclic loading. One precast specimen was manufactured following all the proposed details. For comparison purpose, the other precast specimens were made without one or two structural details like additional bars and making a certain length of the two bottom deformed bars debonded near the end of U-shaped hollow in a precast beam. After analysis on the hysteretic behavior, strength, deformability, stiffness, and energy dissipation, it was showed that the proposed connection exhibited good seismic resistance, thus could be used in seismic regions. Furthermore, the existence of additional bars showed more necessity in such a system than the detail of making a certain length of the two bottom deformed bars debonded. Finally, a theoretical analysis curve was proposed.
Hotel guests’ perception of best green practices: A content analysis of online reviews
Authors: Yi Sungpo , Li Xu , Jai Tun-Min (Catherine)
Published: March 2016

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate guests’ perception of green hotels through a content analysis of online hotel reviews. A total of 7370 comments were collected, and 737 green comments were analyzed based on TripAdvisor’s top 10 green hotels. Our results indicate that the majority of hotel green practices are perceived as positive. Hotel guests consider some green practices, such as a reflective roofing system, a storm water management system, and guest training, as sincere efforts by hotels to be green and they complement them. However, some hotel guests assert that hotels may just be using green practices as a marketing tool or to gain financial benefits. Some green practices, such as temperature control, low water pressure, and degradable utensils, are actually not positively perceived. Therefore, our results suggest to hotel operators how they should implement being a sincere green hotel and how green practices should be approached to build environmental friendly branding strategies.
Sociodemographic and travel characteristics affecting the purpose of selecting Bangkok as a tourist destination
Authors: Suttikun Chompoonut , Chang Hyo Jung , Acho C. Stephanie , Ubi McDaniel , Bicksler Hamilton , Komolsevin Rosechongporn , Chongsithiphol Srisuda
Published: March 2016

Bangkok, Thailand is in a unique position to benefit economically and has become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, due to its function as a hub for international travel in Southeast Asia. Thus, this study examines how past experiences, age, income, gender, education level, occupation, and regions affect international tourists’ reasons to visit Bangkok. After conducting chi-square analysis on 400 participants, significant differences were found among the varying income levels, occupations, education levels, and regions of origin and their reasons for visiting Bangkok. However, no significant differences were found based on age and gender regarding reasons to visit Bangkok. As far as regions of origin, Europeans were most likely to visit Bangkok as a stopover in route to another destination. This lays the foundations for further research focusing on what Bangkok can do to increase their status as a destination for European travelers.
Visualization properties for data quality visual assessment: An exploratory case study
Authors: Borovina Josko João Marcelo , Ferreira João Eduardo
Published: March 2016

Data quality assessment outcomes are essential to ensure useful analytical processes results. Relevant computational approaches provide assessment support, especially to data defects that present more precise rules. However, data defects that are more dependent of data context knowledge challenge the data quality assessment since the process involves human supervision. Visualization systems belong to a class of supervised tools that can make visible data defect structures. Despite their considerable design knowledge encodings, there is little support design to visual quality assessment of data defects. Therefore, this work reports a case study that has explored which and how visualization properties facilitate visual detection of data defect. Its outcomes offer a first set of implications to design visualization system to permit data quality visual assessment.
Hotspot: Making computer vision more effective for human video surveillance
Authors: Nguyen Cuong , Feng Wu-chi , Liu Feng
Published: March 2016

Studies have shown that the human capability of monitoring multiple surveillance videos is limited. Computer vision techniques have been developed to detect abnormal events to support human video surveillance; however, their results are often unreliable, thus distracting surveillance operators and making them miss important events. This article presents Hotspot as a surveillance video visualization system that can effectively leverage noisy computer vision techniques to support human video surveillance. Hotspot consists of two views: a designated focus view to summarize videos with detected events and a video-bank view surrounding the focus view to display source surveillance videos. The focus view allows an operator to quickly dismiss false alarms and focus on true alarms. The video-bank view allows for extended human video analysis after an important event is detected. Hotspot further provides visual links to assist quick attention switch from the focus view to the video-bank view. Our experiments show that Hotspot can effectively integrate noisy, automatic computer vision detection results and better support human video surveillance tasks than the baseline video surveillance with no or only basic computer vision support.
Spectral, modal and coherence analysis of sum and difference scattering of narrowband noise in turbomachinery
Authors: Davis Ian , Bennett Gareth J
Published: March 2016

The phenomenon of sum and difference frequency scattering of narrowband noise as it interacts with ducted rotating turbomachinery is studied experimentally in this article. This phenomenon will affect the spectral and modal distribution of the noise downstream of rotating turbomachinery, which must be considered in order to optimise any acoustic mitigation methods installed inside the engine. In the experimental set-up, narrowband noise is generated by a loudspeaker located at the upstream end of the test duct which then propagates through a rotor stage. A microphone array located downstream of the rotor is used to examine the spectral and modal distribution of the acoustic pressure field at a single axial location. The results from this analysis are compared with pre-existing theory which had not previously been experimentally validated in the literature. This theory may be used to predict the modal content of the scattered noise. A coherence analysis is also presented using microphones upstream and downstream of the rotor stage in order to assess whether sum and difference scattering is best predicted by a linear or non-linear model. The results from this study serve to enhance our current understanding of sum and difference scattering of narrowband noise through turbomachinery stages, and highlight interesting results from this interaction such as potential overlapping of incident and scattered noise which may otherwise be overlooked.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV
Authors: Soo-Hoo Sarah , Porten Brandon R. , Engstrom Bjorn I. , Skeik Nedaa
Published: March 2016

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) encompasses a group of rare genetic connective tissue disorders. The vascular type (type IV) poses the most serious risk to patients. Diagnosis is usually difficult, especially if patients lack a family history. Life-threatening vascular emergency such as dissection or rupture can be the first presenting symptom. Management of the disease can pose a clinical challenge due to the emergency of presentation, tissue friability, and lack of clear management recommendations. We report a unique case of a 40-year-old man who presented with a ruptured celiac artery and a strong family history of EDS. This case highlights the difficulties and complications associated with treating this uncommon and serious disease.