bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric properties of a questionnaire to assess exercise-related musculoskeletal injuries in older adults attending a community-based fitness facility
Authors: Stathokostas Liza , Theou Olga , Vandervoort Tony , Raina Parminder
Published: November 2012

Objectives

There currently exists no reliable or validated tool for the assessment of exercise-related injuries in older adults. The purpose was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a questionnaire to measure exercise-related injury in older adults participating in supervised exercise programmes.

Design

The study utilised a repeated survey design.

Setting

The study took place at one community-based older-adult exercise facility.

Participants

The questionnaire was administered to 110 community-dwelling older adults (45 men, mean age 75±8 years; 65 women, mean age 71±8 years). All participants completed the survey at both time points.

Outcome measures

Test–retest reliability of the self-administered written questionnaire was determined at two-time points. The questionnaire asked participants about their exercise-related injury incurred at the facility in the 12 months. Items included the mechanism, cause and site of injury. The minimum requirement for reliability (κ coefficient) was set at 0.80.

Results

16% (n=18) reported having an injury. Test–retest reliability ranged from 0.76 to 1.00, with all but type of injury (0.76) having κ coefficients greater than 0.80. The lower extremities were the most common site of exercise-related injury. Overexertion movements were the most common cause of injury occurring during strength training exercises.

Conclusions

The present questionnaire assessing the 12-month recall in older adults is a reliable measure of exercise-related injuries and information gained indicates that older adults can safely participate in exercise activities.
Sexual and geographic organisation of men who have sex with men in a large East African city: opportunities for outreach
Authors: Ross Michael W , Nyoni Joyce , Bowen Anne M , Williams Mark L , Kashiha John J
Published: November 2012

Objectives

To describe geographical and dispersion patterns of men who have sex with men (MSM)-related venues in a large East African city and their associations with times, participants and venue type.

Methods

Mapping of MSM sites in Dar es Salaam was carried out by community research workers who catalogued, observed and reported data on venue sites, formality, times of operation, type of participant, police or vigilante activity, length of operation and the degree to which it is known both in and outside the MSM and gay communities.

Results

There is a large and widely disseminated MSM/gay satellite cultures of at least 98 sites, which has some formal sites, but is largely informal and operates within mixed entertainment environments and at particular times (including some weekend-only locales) across the city. There is a mix of places for sexual contact, largely social venues and sex on location sites. Cruising appears to be limited to open spaces and parks, with no vehicular component and almost no internet component. They are widely disseminated across all suburbs and there is no central location for MSM activities. MSM sex workers (SWs) operate at a third of these sites.

Conclusions

There is a large number of ‘local’ MSM contact, social and sex sites and any work with MSM will have to include these less-formal and less-known sites. The widely disseminated nature of the MSM sites, however, also suggests that sexual networks may not be closely linked between sites. The climate of stigma, abuse and potential violence appear to be limiting the development of more formal sites. This pattern is probably typical of other large urban areas in East Africa and perhaps across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
The patient satisfaction chasm: the gap between hospital management and frontline clinicians
Authors: Rozenblum Ronen , Lisby Marianne , Hockey Peter M , Levtzion-Korach Osnat , Salzberg Claudia A , Efrati Nechama , Lipsitz Stuart , Bates David W
Published: November 2012

Background

Achieving high levels of patient satisfaction requires hospital management to be proactive in patient-centred care improvement initiatives and to engage frontline clinicians in this process.

Method

We developed a survey to assess the attitudes of clinicians towards hospital management activities with respect to improving patient satisfaction and surveyed clinicians in four academic hospitals located in Denmark, Israel, the UK and the USA.

Results

We collected 1004 questionnaires (79.9% response rate) from four hospitals in four countries on three continents. Overall, 90.4% of clinicians believed that improving patient satisfaction during hospitalisation was achievable, but only 9.2% of clinicians thought their department had a structured plan to do so, with significant differences between the countries (p<0.0001). Among responders, only 38% remembered targeted actions to improve patient satisfaction and just 34% stated having received feedback from hospital management regarding patient satisfaction status in their department during the past year. In multivariate analyses, clinicians who received feedback from hospital management and remembered targeted actions to improve patient satisfaction were more likely to state that their department had a structured plan to improve patient satisfaction.

Conclusions

This portrait of clinicians’ attitudes highlights a chasm between hospital management and frontline clinicians with respect to improving patient satisfaction. It appears that while hospital management asserts that patient-centred care is important and invests in patient satisfaction and patient experience surveys, our findings suggest that the majority do not have a structured plan for promoting improvement of patient satisfaction and engaging clinicians in the process.
Self-reported patient safety competence among new graduates in medicine, nursing and pharmacy
Authors: Ginsburg Liane R , Tregunno Deborah , Norton Peter G
Published: November 2012

Background

As efforts to address patient safety (PS) in health professional (HP) education increase, it is important to understand new HPs’ perspectives on their own PS competence at entry to practice. This study examines the self-reported PS competence of newly registered nurses, pharmacists and physicians.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 4496 new graduates in medicine (1779), nursing (2196) and pharmacy (521) using the HP Education in PS Survey (H-PEPSS). The H-PEPSS measures HPs’ self-reported PS competence on six socio-cultural dimensions of PS, including culture, teamwork, communication, managing risk, responding to risk and understanding human factors. The H-PEPSS asks about confidence in PS learning in classroom and clinical settings.

Results

All HP groups reported feeling more confident in the dimension of PS learning related to effective communication with patients and other providers. Greater confidence in PS learning was reported for learning experiences in the clinical setting compared with the class setting with one exception—nurses’ confidence in learning aboutworking in teams with other HPsdeteriorated as they moved from thinking about learning in the classroom setting to thinking about learning in the clinical setting.

Conclusions

Large-scale efforts are required to more deeply and consistently embed PS learning into HP education. However, efforts to embed PS learning in HP education seem to be hampered by deficiencies that persist in the culture of the clinical training environments in which we educate and acculturate new HPs.
The relationship between commercial website ratings and traditional hospital performance measures in the USA
Authors: Bardach Naomi S , Asteria-Peñaloza Renée , Boscardin W John , Dudley R Adams
Published: November 2012

Background

Our goal was to compare hospital scores from the most widely used commercial website in the USA to hospital scores from more systematic measures of patient experience and outcomes, and to assess what drives variation in the commercial website scores.

Methods

For a national sample of US hospitals, we compared scores on Yelp.com, which aggregates website visitor ratings (1–5 stars), with traditional measures of hospital quality. We calculated correlations between hospital Yelp scores and the following: hospital percent high ratings (9 or 10, scale 0–10) on the ‘Overall’ item on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey; hospital individual HCAHPS domain scores (eg, nurse communication, pain control); hospital 30-day mortality; and hospital 30-day readmission rates.

Results

Of hospitals reporting HCAHPS (n=3796), 962 (25%) had scores on Yelp. Among hospitals with >5 Yelp ratings, the correlation of percent high ratings between Yelp and HCAHPS was 0.49 (p<0.001). The percent high ratings within each HCAHPS domain increased monotonically with increasing Yelp scores (p≤0.001 for all domains). Percent high ratings in Yelp and HCAHPS were statistically significantly correlated with lower mortality for myocardial infarction (MI; −0.19 for Yelp and −0.13 for HCAHPS) and pneumonia (−0.14 and −0.18), and fewer readmissions for MI (−0.17 and −0.39), heart failure (−0.31 and −0.39), and pneumonia (−0.18 and −0.27).

Conclusions

These data suggest that rater experiences for Yelp and HCAHPS may be similar, and that consumers posting ratings on Yelp may observe aspects of care related to important patient outcomes.
Haemolytic anaemia and acute pancreatitis associated with zinc toxicosis in a dog
Authors: Blundell R. , Adam F.
Published: November 2012

We describe a case of zinc toxicity in a 14‐month‐old, female, neutered, Cavalier King Charles spaniel with a 48‐hour history of haematochezia, icterus and collapse. Regenerative anaemia with a packed‐cell volume of 7 per cent was seen. Prior to referral, radiography had revealed a gastric, metallic foreign body which was removed at exploratory laparotomy. On presentation, the dog was comatose, hypothermic and bradycardic – resuscitation was performed successfully, but the dog then displayed marked abdominal pain. The dog died 12 hours after presentation. At postmortem examination, the animal showed severe icterus. Both kidneys were diffusely dark red; the pancreas was diffusely pale and nodular. Histopathological examination revealed evidence of intravascular haemolysis with blood vessel lumens containing haemoglobin. The renal tubules also contained large amounts of intraluminal haemoglobin with haemoglobin crystals scattered throughout the cortex and medulla. The pancreas exhibited multifocal coagulative necrosis, surrounded by a neutrophil‐dominated inflammatory infiltrate. Zinc levels were markedly increased above the normal reference range in both liver and kidney. This report describes the clinical and pathological findings of a case of acute zinc toxicity in a dog following ingestion of a metallic object which resulted in marked haemolytic anaemia and acute pancreatitis.
Mortality, hepatopathy and liver copper concentrations in artificially reared Jersey calves before and after reductions in copper supplementation
Authors: Hunter A. G. , Suttle N. , Martineau H. M. , Spence M. A. , Thomson J. R. , Macrae A. I. , Brown S.
Published: November 2012

High winter mortality (28 per cent) in female Jersey calves (<one month) characterised by mild hepatopathy and enteropathy was investigated. Liver copper (Cu) was very high in casualties, but also high in culled, newborn males (19.2 ± 1.54 and 12.0 ± 2.74 sd mmol/kg dry matter (DM) respectively). Serum glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) was >80 IU/l in healthy females aged 3–24 weeks, and correlated with serum aspartate transaminase (AST). Copper supplementation of total mixed rations during lactation was excessive (40–60 mg added Cu/kg DM) and reduced to 16–28 mg Cu/kg, but supplementation of milk replacer and creep feed (10 and 35 mg added Cu/kg DM, respectively) continued. The syndrome recurred two years later, and liver Cu remained high in casualties (13.6 ± 2.6) and culled cows (6.38 ± 2.38 mmol/kg DM) prompting withdrawal of all Cu supplements. Mortality remained low (6–9 per cent) thereafter. Three years after removal of all Cu supplements, six culled newborn were examined postmortem; five had normal liver Cu (4.5 ± 1.73), but a sixth had 11.65 mmol/kg DM. In live, healthy calves (1‐6 months old) sampled at the same time, GLDH and AST increased with age to levels found five years earlier, indicating possible subclinical hepatopathy. Causative links between Cu supplementation, high calf mortality and hepatopathy are plausible, and reductions in Cu supplementation may prove beneficial in other dairy herds.
A novel tetravalentLeptospirabacterin protects against infection and shedding following challenge in dogs
Authors: Klaasen H. L. B. M. , van der Veen M. , Molkenboer M. J. C. H. , Sutton D.
Published: November 2012

Recent evidence based on the current epidemiological situation suggests that vaccines against canine leptospirosis in Europe should be directed against infection withLeptospira interrogans(sensu lato) serogroups Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa and Australis. In the eight studies presented here, dogs were vaccinated with Nobivac L4 (MSD Animal Health), a new tetravalent inactivated vaccine containing antigen from four strains representing these four serogroups. The dogs were then challenged, together with unvaccinated control dogs, using heterologous strains from the same four serogroups. In four of the studies, pups without agglutinating antibodies against the four serogroups were vaccinated with Nobivac L4 vaccine. In a further four studies, Nobivac L4 vaccine was given 48 hours after administration of antiserum from vaccinated dogs designed to mimic the serological status of pups with maternally derived antibodies against these serogroups. In all eight studies, vaccine efficacy was assessed in terms of antibody response, clinical signs, fever, thrombocyte count, frequency of positive isolation of challenge organisms from blood, urine and kidney and frequency of interstitial nephritis. The results demonstrate that Nobivac L4 vaccine induces sterile immunity against leptospiraemia and renal infection with strains of serogroups Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Grippotyphosa, and induces sterile immunity against leptospiraemia with a strain of serogroup Australis. Since sterile immunity was achieved in pups pretreated with antiserum as well, it can be concluded that this vaccine is also likely to be efficacious in the face of maternally derived antibodies in pups from the age of six weeks.
Existence Results for the Distributed Order Fractional Hybrid Differential Equations
Authors: Noroozi Hossein , Ansari Alireza , Dahaghin Mohammad Shafi
Published: November 2012

We introduce the distributed order fractional hybrid differential equations
(DOFHDEs) involving the Riemann‐Liouville differential operator of order 0 < q < 1 with respect to a nonnegative density function. Furthermore, an existence theorem for the fractional hybrid differential equations of distributed order is proved via a fixed point theorem in the Banach
algebras under the mixed Lipschitz and Caratheodory conditions.
A Compromise Programming Model for Highway Maintenance Resources Allocation Problem
Authors: Xiong Hui , Shi Qixin , Tao Xianding , Wang Wuhong
Published: November 2012

This paper formulates a bilevel compromise programming model for allocating resources between pavement and bridge deck maintenances. The first level of the model aims to solve the resource allocation problems for pavement management and bridge deck maintenance, without considering resource sharing between them. At the second level, the model uses the results from the first step as an input and generates the final solution to the resource‐sharing problem. To solve the model, the paper applies genetic algorithms to search for the optimal solution. We use a combination of two digits to represent different maintenance types. Results of numerical examples show that the conditions of both pavements and bridge decks are improved significantly by applying compromise programming, rather than conventional methods. Resources are also utilized more efficiently when the proposed method is applied.
Another Simple Way of Deriving Several Iterative Functions to Solve Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Behl Ramandeep , Kanwar V. , Sharma Kapil K.
Published: November 2012

We present another simple way of deriving several iterative methods for solving nonlinear equations numerically. The presented approach of deriving these methods is based on exponentially fitted osculating straight line. These methods are the modifications of Newton′s method. Also, we obtain well‐known methods as special cases, for example, Halley′s method, super‐Halley method, Ostrowski′s square‐root method, Chebyshev′s method, and so forth. Further, new classes of third‐order multipoint iterative methods free from a second‐order derivative are derived by semidiscrete modifications of cubically convergent iterative methods. Furthermore, a simple linear combination of two third‐order multipoint iterative methods is used for designing new optimal methods of order four.
Extended Finite Element Method with Simplified Spherical Harmonics Approximation for the Forward Model of Optical Molecular Imaging
Authors: Li Wei , Yi Huangjian , Zhang Qitan , Chen Duofang , Liang Jimin
Published: November 2012

An extended finite element method (XFEM) for the forward model of 3D optical molecular imaging is developed with simplified spherical harmonics approximation (SPN). In XFEM scheme ofSPNequations, the signed distance function is employed to accurately represent the internal tissue boundary, and then it is used to construct the enriched basis function of the finite element scheme. Therefore, the finite element calculation can be carried out without the time-consuming internal boundary mesh generation. Moreover, the required overly fine mesh conforming to the complex tissue boundary which leads to excess time cost can be avoided. XFEM conveniences its application to tissues with complex internal structure and improves the computational efficiency. Phantom and digital mouse experiments were carried out to validate the efficiency of the proposed method. Compared with standard finite element method and classical Monte Carlo (MC) method, the validation results show the merits and potential of the XFEM for optical imaging.
Multiple Electrophysiological Markers of Visual-Attentional Processing in a Novel Task Directed toward Clinical Use
Authors: Bolduc-Teasdale Julie , Jolicoeur Pierre , McKerral Michelle
Published: November 2012

Individuals who have sustained a mild brain injury (e.g., mild traumatic brain injury or mild cerebrovascular stroke) are at risk to show persistent cognitive symptoms (attention and memory) after the acute postinjury phase. Although studies have shown that those patients perform normally on neuropsychological tests, cognitive symptoms remain present, and there is a need for more precise diagnostic tools. The aim of this study was to develop precise and sensitive markers for the diagnosis of post brain injury deficits in visual and attentional functions which could be easily translated in a clinical setting. Using electrophysiology, we have developed a task that allows the tracking of the processes involved in the deployment of visual spatial attention from early stages of visual treatment (N1, P1, N2, and P2) to higher levels of cognitive processing (no-go N2, P3a, P3b, N2pc, SPCN). This study presents a description of this protocol and its validation in 19 normal participants. Results indicated the statistically significant presence of all ERPs aimed to be elicited by this novel task. This task could allow clinicians to track the recovery of the mechanisms involved in the deployment of visual-attentional processing, contributing to better diagnosis and treatment management for persons who suffer a brain injury.
On the Nonhomogeneous Fourth‐Order p‐Laplacian Generalized Sturm‐Liouville Nonlocal Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Liu Jian , Zhao Zengqin
Published: November 2012

We study the nonlinear nonhomogeneous n‐point generalized Sturm‐Liouville fourth‐order p‐Laplacian boundary value problem by using Leray‐Schauder nonlinear alternative and Leggett‐Williams fixed‐point theorem.
Fault Diagnosis Observer Design for Discrete‐Time Delayed Complex Interconnected Networks with Linear Coupling
Authors: Wang Zhanshan , Guan Huanxin , Zheng Chengde
Published: November 2012

Fault diagnosis for a class of discrete‐time delayed complex interconnected networks with linear coupling in the case of actuator fault is studied. For the case of unavailability of network state, a state observer is first designed. Then a fault diagnosis observer is designed to detect the actuator fault on the basis of online adaptive approximator, which can approximate the unmodeled dynamics of the complex networks. Lastly, by choosing a suitable threshold, the actuator fault can be detected. A numerical simulation is used to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Light women dancing tango: Gender images as allegories of heterosexual relationships
Authors: Carozzi María Julia
Published: November 2012

Trying to understand the self-image of Latin American women, many Anglophone studies have turned to the influence of Catholic feminine images, especially the Virgin Mary. Albeit later studies have criticized this emphasis on Marianismo for providing a passive image of women, the prevalence of gender images of Catholic origin continues to dominate research on the continent. Based on 12 years of participant observation in tango milonguero lessons and at night-time milongas in downtown Buenos Aires the author take a different stance on the issue, analysing the image of the ‘light woman’ ( la mujer liviana) as an allegorical rendition of heterosexual relationships originating in tango dance halls. This analytical frame is inspired by cultural critiques viewing feminine figures elsewhere as the product of the allegorization and feminization of the relationships of colonizers with the colonized and conquerors with uncultivated lands. However, at odds with this literature, it considers the image under study as emerging from the immediate context where it is exchanged. By showing the resonance of the image of the ‘light woman’ and the characteristics of heterosexual relations in tango social dance events, this article suggests the possibility that gender images may be understood as the feminization and allegorization of relations involving men and women in the very contexts where such images circulate.
Disability, Oppression and Violence: Towards a Sociological Explanation
Authors: Hollomotz Andrea
Published: November 2012

Disabled people are exposed to a higher incidence of violence compared to the population average. Consequently, they are often described as ‘vulnerable’. This article argues that this concept focuses explanations for violence on the person at risk. It therefore redirects attention towards the social forces that make violence more likely to occur. With reference to case studies, a micro-analysis outlines how subtle forms of oppression, including imbalanced personal relationships, social exclusion, restricted autonomy and a higher tolerance for maltreatment within segregated settings, affect the daily experiences of disabled people. This is followed by a macro-analysis, which exposes further structural inequalities and a societal ratification of hostility towards disabled people. These processes are described as forming a continuum, which highlights that boundaries between mundane experiences and contact violence are at times blurred and shifting.
When the Medium Is the Message
Authors: Lee Eun-Ju , Shin Soo Yun
Published: November 2012

The present experiment investigated (a) if exposure to a high profile politician’s Twitter page (vs. newspaper interview) affects the participants’ evaluations of him and his policies and (b) how their proclivity to get deeply immersed in a narrative and identify with the story characters (i.e., transportability) moderates such effects. Even though the messages were identical, exposure to the candidate’s Twitter page heightened the sense of direct conversation with him (i.e., social presence), which in turn induced more favorable impressions of and a stronger intention to vote for him among those high in transportability. Increased social presence also led to stronger agreement with the candidate’s policy statements among those espousing favorable attitudes toward him. However, those presented with the newspaper interview better recognized the issues mentioned and had fewer thoughts about the candidate, suggesting that people adopt medium-specific processing strategies, focusing more or less on the source (vs. issue).
Preparation of silica-reinforced styrene–butadiene rubber via co-coagulation process
Authors: Wang Jieliang , Wu Yalan
Published: November 2012

Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) was reinforced with silica (SiO2) by co-coagulating process. This study investigated the SiO2 amount, stirring time and pH value affecting the SiO2 content, curing characteristics and mechanical properties of SBR. Results showed that SiO2 content and reinforcing behavior were greatly influenced by the amount of SiO2 and pH value. The torque, tensile strength and elongation at break were optimal when the mass fraction of SiO2 was 21.5 wt%, stirring time was 6 h and pH value was 6.57. The utilized efficiency of SiO2 decreased with the increasing amount of SiO2 but increased with the increasing stirring time. The optimum cure time decreased with the increasing amount of SiO2. Both tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with the increasing pH value. Scanning electron microscopy observations showed that the SiO2 nanoparticles were distributed evenly in the SBR.
Influence of organically modified clay mineral on domain structure and properties of segmented thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer
Authors: Anandhan S. , Lee Han Sup
Published: November 2012

Segmented polyether–urethane/organically modified montmorillonite (O-MMT) nanocomposites were synthesized with poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG), 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), butane diol (BD), and a commercially available clay Cloisite-30B® (O-MMT). The state of dispersion of the clay crystals in the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) matrix was studied by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The phase-separated morphology of the TPU was revealed by high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). O-MMT caused a marginal increase in the glass transition temperature of the soft segments of the TPU and this increase is proportional to the amount of O-MMT in the nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to study the effect of O-MMT on the extent of phase separation in the TPU in these nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicate a substantial improvement in the thermal stability of TPU by the addition of O-MMT. Tensile strength and elastic modulus are dramatically decreased by the incorporation of O-MMT into TPU, which is due to the hindrance of the phase-separation process by the exfoliated clay-layered crystals.
Emergency oxygenator change-out after massive fat embolism
Authors: Maunz O , Penn S , Simon A
Published: November 2012

We present a case with an unusually high transmembrane pressure gradient over the oxygenator during initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This necessitated an immediate emergency oxygenator exchange. A detailed inspection revealed a large lipid formation in the oxygenator. We hypothesize that this lipid was dislodged during the cannulation process.
Using Life History Plots to Visualize Criminal Careers
Authors: Harris Danielle Arlanda
Published: November 2012

Developmental criminology suggests that the elements of one’s criminal career (such as specialization or frequency) are best captured through an understanding of their dynamic properties. To that end, this article introduces the Life History Plot: a graphic approach to understanding the important events that take place in an individual’s criminal and personal history. Each plot provides a visualization of the individual’s criminal history as well as marriage, children, employment, military service, time in custody, foster care, psychiatric history, and serious accidents. Life History Plots were created for a selection of chronic sexual offenders drawn from the Massachusetts Treatment Center Database. This article details the methods used to create the plots and encourages further exploration of data visualization techniques in criminology. Life History Plots make an important contribution to the field by allowing multiple aspects of an individual’s life to be instantly observed in a single graphic. This is a valuable tool that provides a visual summary of an individual’s life. Its utility for both research and clinical work is discussed.
By-products: oil sorbents as a potential energy source
Authors: Karakasi Olga K , Moutsatsou Angeliki
Published: November 2012

The present study investigated the utilization of an industrial by-product, lignite fly ash, in oil pollution treatment, with the further potential profit of energy production. The properties of lignite fly ash, such as fine particle size, porosity, hydrophobic character, combined with the properties, such as high porosity and low specific gravity, of an agricultural by-product, namely sawdust, resulted in an effective oil-sorbent material. The materials were mixed either in the dry state or in aqueous solution. The oil sorption behaviour of the fly ash–sawdust mixtures was investigated in both marine and dry environments. Mixtures containing fly ash and 15–25% w/w sawdust performed better than each material alone when added to oil spills in a marine environment, as they formed a cohesive semi-solid phase, adsorbing almost no water, floating on the water surface and allowing total oil removal. For the clean-up of an oil spill 0.5 mm thick with surface area 1000 m2, 225–255 kg of lignite fly ash can be utilized with the addition of 15–25% w/w sawdust. Fly ash–sawdust mixtures have also proved efficient for oil spill clean-up on land, since their oil sorption capacity in dry conditions was at least 0.6–1.4 g oil g−1 mixture. The higher calorific value of the resultant oil–fly ash–sawdust mixtures increased up to that of bituminous coal and oil and exceeded that of lignite, thereby encouraging their utilization as alternative fuels especially in the cement industry, suggesting that the remaining ash can contribute in clinker production.
Fluorescence characteristics of dissolved organic matter during composting at low carbon/nitrogen ratios
Authors: Wang Lixia , Lv Duian , Yan Baixing , Zhang Yubin
Published: November 2012

We investigated the composting of swine manure at low carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios (about 13). The purpose was to elucidate organic matter transformation during composting by means of chemical and spectral methods. Swine manure was composted with two bulking agents (rice straw and leaves) at a ratio of 2:1 (manure:bulking agent; v:v) respectively. Low initial C/N ratios (about 13) did not prevent the swine manure from composting, which would greatly decrease the usage of bulking agent. A high organic matter mineralization rate was observed in the co-composting of straw and manure paired with a high maximum temperature and long thermophilic phase. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectra were also used to monitor the component changes in the dissolved organic matter. Fluorescence parameters, including peak location, peak intensity, the ratio of peak intensity and fluorescence regional integration, were displayed and discussed as the maturity index. The fluorescence regional integration, showing higher correlation coefficient than the fluorescence intensity peaks, could be used as a valuable tool for assessing compost maturity.
Integrated waste management as a climate change stabilisation wedge for the Maltese islands
Authors: Falzon Clyde , Fabri Simon G , Frysinger Steven
Published: November 2012

The continuous increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions occurring since the Industrial Revolution is offering significant ecological challenges to Earth. These emissions are leading to climate changes which bring about extensive damage to communities, ecosystems and resources. The analysis in this article is focussed on the waste sector within the Maltese islands, which is the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the archipelago following the energy and transportation sectors. This work shows how integrated waste management, based on a life cycle assessment methodology, acts as an effective stabilisation wedge strategy for climate change. Ten different scenarios applicable to the Maltese municipal solid waste management sector are analysed. It is shown that the scenario that is most coherent with the stabilisation wedges strategy for the Maltese islands consists of 50% landfilling, 30% mechanical biological treatment and 20% recyclable waste export for recycling. It is calculated that 16.6Mt less CO2-e gases would be emitted over 50 years by means of this integrated waste management stabilisation wedge when compared to the business-as-usual scenario. These scientific results provide evidence in support of policy development in Malta that is implemented through legislation, economic instruments and other applicable tools.
Charitable Giving in a Universal Welfare State—Charity and Social Rights in Sweden
Authors: Vamstad Johan , von Essen Johan
Published: November 2012

The aim of this article is to explore how charitable giving is structured in a universal welfare state. The article presents new data based on more than 200 national fundraising campaigns in Sweden during the past 60 years. The varying success of these campaigns for different causes creates a historical pattern of charitable giving under a social democratic welfare regime. Which causes are still considered urgent and appropriate for donations in a country where welfare is considered to be a social right, and how have these attitudes developed over time? More specifically, the article analyses differences in the success of campaigns for domestic and for international causes, including several subcategories of campaigns. The results not only show that Swedes give considerably more money to causes not addressed by the state but also that charitable giving in Sweden is increasing for all types of causes.
Changing household dynamics: Children’s American generational resources in street vending markets
Authors: Estrada Emir
Published: November 2012

This article prompts a re-visioning of segmented assimilation theory by examining the household dynamics and consequences that occur when Latino immigrant children and youth become active contributors to family street vending businesses. Based on participant observation and 20 in-depth interviews with Latino children who work with their immigrant parents as street vendors in Los Angeles, the article demonstrates how adolescent street vendors contribute to household decisions. It is argued that children in street vending families share power in the household because of: (1) their contributions to their family’s income; (2) their involvement in business negotiations and decision-making processes; and (3) their ‘American generational resources,’ which include English language skills, citizenship, and technological and popular culture knowledge, all valued by their parents and useful for the family street vending business.
Defence intelligence in the UK after the Mountbatten reforms: Organisational and inter-organisational dilemmas of joint military intelligence
Authors: Davies Philip HJ
Published: November 2012

This article examines the establishment and evolution of the UK’s Defence Intelligence organisation (DI) from 1963 until the present date. It does so in terms of theories and concepts concerning the organisation of intelligence agencies and communities. The argument is made that DI was originally set up with a mandate to both undertake intelligence analysis on a joint service basis and coordinate the intelligence activities and appreciations of the three services and Ministry of Defence civilian intelligence machinery. This mandate was further divided by requiring the analytical work to be done both in response to defence and to national requirements and priorities. The article argues that as DI became increasingly established and managed in terms of being a stand-alone agency, the less it was able to manage its coordination and divided departmental/nation roles. It further argues that an unintended consequence of the DI was to weaken operational intelligence support to the services, necessitating the recent re-establishment of single service intelligence organisations.
Adaptive smart machining based on using constant cutting force and a smart cutting tool
Authors: Wang Chao , Ghani Saiful BC , Cheng Kai , Rakowski Richard
Published: November 2012

Adaptive smart machining has tremendous potential to render machining processes some level of intelligence and smartness. This article presents the concept and innovative use of adaptive smart machining through the adaptive control by constraints system, based on feed rate adjustment to modify the orthogonal cutting force, measured by a smart cutting tool developed by the authors. The advantage of using a smart cutting tool encompasses not only low cost, light weight and compact size, but also within the desired force range it will enhance the cutting tool life and smart machining and hence improve productivity and reliability in adaptive machining applications.
Design and development of strain wave generating cam for a new concept ‘harmonic drive’
Authors: Maiti Rathindranath , Biswas Indraneel , Nema Vivek , Basu Saurabh , Mahanto Bhabani Sankar , Routh Bikash
Published: November 2012

A split cam design is proposed to solve the problem of assembly of the single piece cam in the flexible raced bearing of an earlier proposed novel harmonic drive system, which shows better torque characteristics and capacities in comparison to the conventional one of same size with oval-shaped strain wave generating cam. The cam profile has circular arcs at two working zones at 180° phases. The proposed profile shape is identified as the cause of trouble in assembly if the cam is made single piece. The split cam is made of two identical pieces having circular arc edges. These pieces constitute the cam in assembly after putting it inside the inner race of the flex bearing and adjusted by an adjuster. The design, kinematics, and the assembly method of the proposed split cam are presented in this article. The split cam arrangement not only solves the assembly problem but also gives a scope of fine adjustment of center distance (eccentricity). Such an adjustment is not possible in conventional oval wave generating cam. Stresses in flex gear cups assembled with both type cams at load and no-load conditions are estimated using finite element method. Some results are verified experimentally. Although the flex gear cup with the proposed split cam experiences lower stresses at load transmitting active gear contact zones, it shows higher stresses at some non-active zones (where teeth are free of load). It is apparent from results that stresses at those non-active zones do not increase substantially with the increase in torque, as they are away from active zones.
Design of the conjugated straight-line internal gear pairs for fluid power gear machines
Authors: Song Wei , Zhou Hua , Zhao Yonggang
Published: November 2012

The conjugated straight-line internal gear pair, including a pinion with straight-line profile and an internal gear with profile conjugated to the pinion profile, is the key components to the conjugated straight-line internal gear pumps. Truninger [ Truninger gear pump. Patent 3491698, USA, 1970] pointed that this kind of gear pairs leads to a very small trapped volume, which is 10 times smaller than that of the conventional involute internal gear pumps. Therefore, it can yield significant reduction in noise levels of the pumps. However, to the authors’ knowledge, there is no research on the design of these gear pairs until now. First, our study describes the straight-line profile of the pinion mathematically with definitions of some geometric parameters. Second, according to the theory of gearing, the mathematical models of the rack-cutter and the conjugated internal gear are derived. Then, the condition to avoid overcutting is obtained for the generation of the pinion by a rack-cutter. Finally, the condition to avoid interference in the internal gear pair is derived as a non-linear equation system and an algorithm is developed to find a numerical solution. Two examples are presented to demonstrate how to determine tooth numbers of the internal gears for avoiding interference. It is hoped that the study in this article should be helpful to the designers of the conjugated straight-line internal gear pairs. Moreover, it could provide a prepared knowledge for the researchers to investigate the performances of the fluid power gear machines, pumps, and motors, with the conjugated straight-line internal gear pumps.
Experimental investigation and comparison of subcooled flow boiling of TiO2 nanofluid in a vertical and horizontal tube
Authors: Abedini E , Behzadmehr A , Rajabnia H , Sarvari SMH , Mansouri SH
Published: November 2012

In this study, variations of local heat transfer coefficient are obtained in subcooled flow boiling conditions for water/TiO2 nanofluid in a vertical and horizontal tube. The results for the base fluid are compared with the predictions of the well known Shah correlation and Gnielinski formula for laminar and turbulent flows for single-phase forced convection and also with Chen correlation for subcooled flow boiling. A good agreement between the results is realized. At the subcooled regime, heat transfer coefficient of nanofluid is less than that of the base fluid and it decreases by increasing nanoparticle concentration for both of the channels; however, addition of the nanopraticles into the fluid causes that the vapor volume fraction increases.
A new method using pole placement technique to tune multi-axis PID parameter for matched servo dynamics
Authors: Gao Junwei , Tao Tao , Mei Xuesong , Jiang Gedong , Xu Muxun , Li Zhijuan
Published: November 2012

A new method which employs pole placement technique of modern control theory to tune proportional–integral–derivative parameter for simultaneously achieving multi-axis matched dynamics and single axis stability is addressed in this article. This method has the advantage of simplicity in tuning, intuition in principle, and easy in program. Four different cascade proportional–integral–derivative control structures are investigated for applying the matching method appropriately and better understanding of its limitation. The deduction that the feedback gain ratios of position to speed loop of the same type interpolation axes imposed with the same desired poles are approximately equal is obtained. Experimental results show that the servo feed system designed or tuned by the proposed method can easily achieve matched dynamics. Furthermore, this method can be also employed to multi-axis motion system which is composed with both linear and rotating axes.
A new stochastic analysis method for mechanical components
Authors: Zhang YL , Zhang YM
Published: November 2012

Univariate dimension-reduction integration, maximum entropy principle, and finite element method are employed to present a computational procedure for estimating probability densities and distributions of stochastic responses of structures. The proposed procedure can be described as follows: 1. Choose input variables and corresponding distributions. 2. Calculate the integration points and perform finite element analysis. 3. Calculate the first four moments of structural responses by univariate dimension-reduction integration. 4. Estimate probability density function and cumulative distribution function of responses by maximum entropy principle. Numerical integration formulas are obtained for non-normal distributions. The non-normal input variables need not to be transformed into equivalent normal ones. Three numerical examples involving explicit performance functions and solid mechanic problems without explicit performance functions are used to illustrate the proposed procedure. Accuracy and efficiency of the proposed procedure are demonstrated by comparisons of the estimated probability density functions and cumulative distribution functions obtained by maximum entropy principle and Monte Carlo simulation.
Nonlinear thermo-nonlocal vibration and instability analysis of an embedded single-layered graphene sheet conveying nanoflow using differential quadrature method
Authors: Arani A Ghorbanpour , Maboudi MJ , Haghighi H , Kolahchi R
Published: November 2012

In this study, transverse nonlinear vibration and instability analysis of a viscous-fluid-conveyed single-layered graphene sheet (SLGS) subjected to thermal gradient are investigated. The small-size effects on bulk viscosity and slip boundary conditions of nanoflow through Knudsen number ( Kn), as a small size parameter is considered. Viscopasternak model is considered to simulate the interaction between the graphene sheet and the surrounding elastic medium. Continuum orthotropic plate model and relations of classical plate theory are used. The nonlocal theory of Eringen is employed to incorporate the small-scale effect into the governing equations of the graphene sheet. Differential quadrature method is employed to solve the governing differential equations for simply supported edges. The convergence of the procedure is shown and the effects of flow velocity, temperature change and aspect ratio on the frequency of the single-layered graphene sheet are investigated. Moreover, the critical flow velocities and the instability characteristic are determined. It is evident from the results that the natural frequency of nanosheet increases with rising temperature.
Effect of flexible microvalves on the output performance of electrostatically actuated micropumps
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Wen , Zhao Xiaolin , Ding Guifu
Published: November 2012

This article analyzes the effect of electrostatically actuated flexible microvalves on the output performance of electrostatic micropumps. The existence of microvalves affects the pressure rise and volumetric efficiency of micropumps. The effects of valve volume on the pressure rises of pumps with single and double cavities are predicted by integrating energy minimization with the analytical solutions for circular membrane deflection under uniform pressure. Outlet valve resistance is analytically specified as well. The micropumps could achieve their maximum volumetric efficiency in the case of zero back pressure. However, the design of the inlet valve leads to gas trapping in the inlet valve during discharge. In such a situation, the volumetric efficiency of the pumps drops along with the increase of pressure rise. Moreover, the flexibility of valve plates yields a much lower voltage than the cavity actuation for the valve closing and the breakdown voltage of the dielectric layer on the valve body, thereby enhancing the reliability of the microvalves.
Parametric study of pull-out radius for steam generator shell nozzle junction for fast breeder reactor
Authors: Mani N , Thanigaiyarasu G , Chellapandi P
Published: November 2012

This article presents the parametric study of pull-out radius of steam generator shell nozzle junction for fast breeder reactor. An efficient finite element modeling for shell nozzle junction has been presented in which shell elements are employed to idealize the whole region. In shell nozzle junction, pull-out region is an important part, so that region is taken and studied with different radius of curvature. The pull-out radius varies from 40 to 80 mm. Five models are taken into consideration and each with different radius of curvature. The optimized stress values for all the models are presented here.