bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Complex Relationship Between Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among System-Involved Women in Heterosexual Relationships: An Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Rizo Cynthia Fraga , O’Brien Jennifer , Wretman Christopher , Givens Ashley , Kainz Kirsten , Chesworth Brittney
Published: June 2018

Research indicates women who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV) experience both more frequent and more severe IPV victimization. However, the IPV field needs additional research to understand the complex relationship between various forms of IPV victimization (e.g., psychological, physical, sexual) and IPV perpetration by women. In particular, the field needs a better understanding of the unique interplay of various forms of IPV victimization and perpetration among female system-involved survivors (i.e., female survivors involved with child protective services and/or the court system and mandated to services). Such understanding would aid extant efforts to ensure that mandated services address the experiences and meet the needs of these system-involved women. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted an exploratory, secondary data analysis using cross-sectional baseline data collected as part of a larger evaluation study of a psychoeducational therapeutic IPV and parenting program for system-involved IPV survivors mandated to services ( N = 73). Results from multiple regression analyses revealed that both psychological and physical IPV victimization were uniquely associated with the perpetration of psychological and physical abuse by system-involved female IPV survivors. Furthermore, our examination of the interaction between physical and psychological victimization and its impact on perpetration revealed that higher levels of both physical and psychological IPV victimization were associated with significantly higher levels of psychological perpetration ( p < .01) and increased likelihood of physical perpetration ( p < .05). Results are discussed in the context of service provision within systems, agencies, and programs targeting system-involved women mandated to services for IPV.
Personal and Venue Characteristics Associated With the Practice of Physical and Sexual Aggression in Brazilian Nightclubs
Authors: Fung Elizabeth C. , Santos Mariana G. R. , Sanchez Zila M. , Surkan Pamela J.
Published: June 2018

Violence among young adults is an increasing public health concern, especially in the context of nightlife, such as around nightclubs and bars. Nightlife is associated with alcohol, drugs, and increased violence, but little is known about personal and environmental factors related to physical aggression and sexual violence in nightclubs. This study aimed to determine personal and environmental risk factors for physical and sexual aggression in nightclubs in São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected among nightclub patrons through use of a portal survey at the entrances and exits of 31 nightclubs. Men and women over 18 years old were systematically sampled while waiting in entrance lines. At the entrance, participants provided information about sociodemographic characteristics, drug use, alcohol use, and other risky behaviors during the prior 12 months. Upon exiting the nightclub, participants were asked about drug use, alcohol use, aggressive behaviors, and other risky behaviors that occurred while in the nightclub. Each participant was offered a breathalyzer test when entering and exiting the nightclub. Participants who used drugs in the nightclub, planned to have sex after leaving the club, or were younger in age were more likely to commit an act of physical aggression. Participants who attended nightclubs playing eclectic music, drank before arriving at the nightclub, and had elevated breath alcohol concentration at the entrance or exit were more likely to commit an act of sexual aggression. Study findings point to specific risk factors and can inform the development of social environmental prevention strategies to prevent physical and sexual aggression within nightclubs.
Rape Acknowledgment and Sexual Minority Women’s Mental Health and Drinking Behaviors
Authors: Blayney Jessica A. , Hequembourg Amy , Livingston Jennifer A.
Published: June 2018

Adult sexual assault (ASA) has been linked to numerous negative psychological and behavioral outcomes. Recent research suggests that postassault adaptation may differ based on how the victim conceptualizes their ASA. For instance, women who label their rape experiences as such (i.e., acknowledged rape victims) report worse mental health symptoms than women who do not (i.e., unacknowledged rape victims). To date, this literature has focused exclusively on heterosexual women. Relative to heterosexuals, sexual minority women (SMW) are at greater risk for sexual assault and report worse postassault outcomes, yet little is known about rape acknowledgment in this at-risk population. Moreover, it is unclear how distal factors, such as childhood sexual abuse (CSA), may influence SMW’s rape acknowledgment following ASA. A total of 205 self-identified lesbian and bisexual women were categorized into four groups (no ASA, ASA that did not involve rape, rape acknowledged, rape unacknowledged) and compared across mental health and drinking outcomes. Roughly, 42% of the sample experienced rape, and of those, 60% were acknowledged rape victims. Results revealed no statistical differences between acknowledged and unacknowledged rape victims in terms of mental health or alcohol use. However, relative to comparison groups, SMW who were acknowledged rape victims reported greater mental health symptoms, and both acknowledged and unacknowledged rape victims reported greater hazardous drinking. Among SMW with rape histories, greater CSA severity increased the probability of acknowledging rape. These findings provide valuable information regarding SMW’s postassault adaptation and can contribute to interventions to assist SMW who experience sexual assault.
Antibacterial and Flame Retardant Properties of Ag-MgO/Nylon 6 Electrospun Nanofibers for Protective Applications
Authors: Venkatram Mamtha , Narasimha Murthy Hebbale Narayana Rao , Gaikwad Anand , Mankunipoyil Sham Aan , Ramakrishna Sridhar , Ayalasomayajula Ratna Phani
Published: June 2018

Electrospun nanofibers are researched for protective applications. Ag nanoparticles promote antibacterial properties and MgO enhances fire retardancy. The main objective of this research was to develop Ag/MgO/Nylon 6 electrospun nanofibers that are scarcely reported. Nanofibers were synthesized using formic acid and acetic acid solvents and collected on cotton fabric. Nylon 6 in 20 wt% along with MgO in 3–5 wt% and AgNO3in 0.25–0.75 wt% was used for electrospinning. Nanofibers of diameter 35–55 nm with no beads were obtained for MgO (5%)–AgNO3(0.5%)/Nylon 6. Bacterial reduction of 88% for MgO (3%)–AgNO3(0.25%)/Nylon 6 against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and 54% against Escherichia coli was achieved. Nanofibers of MgO (3%)–AgNO3(0.25%)/Nylon 6 and MgO (4%)–AgNO3(0.5%)/Nylon 6 were rated V-0 in vertical burning test. Least burning rate of 1.56 mm/s corresponded to nanofibers of MgO (3%)–AgNO3(0.25%)/Nylon 6 in horizontal burning test. Energy Dispersive X ray (EDX) confirmed the presence of Mg, O, and Ag. Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), the stretching of O–H and CH2.
Modeling of surface roughness for manufactured thin-walled structure
Authors: Fei Jixiong , Lin Bin , Yan Shuai , Ding Mei , Zhang Jin , Ji Chunhui , Zhang Xiaofeng
Published: June 2018

Deformation of thin-walled structure during machining will influence the surface quality of the final part. Present article investigates this problem and develops a method to predict the surface roughness of the machined surface. To achieve this, the prerequisite is to obtain the dynamic deformation along the milling path. To calculate it accurately, the workpiece is simplified as thin-walled shell and the milling force is simplified as moving input. An expression of the dynamic deformation of the whole structure, which under the excitation of moving milling force, is derived by solving the vibration equation using modal superposition method. Then, the deformation along the milling path is computed by substituting the path coordinates into the expression. The deformation along the milling path is filtered to remove its low-frequency and mid-frequency signals before it is used to evaluate the surface roughness of the machined surface. At last, several machining cases are implemented to demonstrate the proposed method. The experimental results match well with the predicted results. From the predicted and experimental results, it is founded that the deformation during processing is the main reason leading to the poor surface quality of the flexible machined workpiece.
Health prognosis approach for manufacturing systems based on quality state task network
Authors: He Yihai , Cui Jiaming , Gu Changchao , Han Xiao , Chen Zhaoxiang , Zhao Yixiao
Published: June 2018

Previous studies on health prognosis are exceedingly dependence on the failure data and sensor data of a single component of manufacturing systems, and the holistic health prognosis techniques applicable to whole manufacturing systems still remain a challenge due to its increasingly physical and functional complexity. Therefore, a generalized health prognosis method is presented based on the deep fusion of quality-oriented big data of operational process of manufacturing systems. First, the generalized connotation of manufacturing system health is explained from the aspects of the physical composition and functional characteristics of manufacturing systems, and the quality state task network is proposed to organize quality-oriented big operational data, which improve the state transparency of the manufacturing system and lay the foundation of holistic health prognosis. Second, key characterization parameters in quality state task network are defined. Specifically, the performance state is analyzed based on multistate characteristics by considering the effects of stochastic degradation processes; the product quality state is quantified by using a process model that is established based on monitoring and inspection data; and the task execution state is quantitatively described by analyzing the evolution of task demand among machines. Third, an integrated model is built by integrating the three above-mentioned states as two key indicators, namely, qualified degree and mission reliability, for the comprehensive prognosis of the health of manufacturing systems. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified with a case study on the health prognosis of a cylinder head manufacturing system.
Road wetness quantification via tyre spray
Authors: Schmiedel Bernhard , Gauterin Frank , Unrau Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2018

Road wetness can lead to a significant loss in tyre traction. Although a driver can easily distinguish between dry and wet roads, the thickness of a water film on the road (wetness) and its impact on the vehicle dynamics are more difficult for a driver to classify. Furthermore, autonomous vehicles also need a graded classification of road conditions. There are known sensors, which are able to classify road conditions, but these are either not able to quantify the road wetness or are not suitable for mass production. Therefore, this work analyses a method to measure the road wetness by analysing tyre spray with plain acceleration sensors at positions like wheel arch liner or side skirt. It discusses influences of vehicle speed, road wetness, tyres, road structure and sensor positioning. The results show that a quantification of road wetness is possible, but it relies on the sum of all boundary conditions.
Using mixed goal programming to optimize performance of extrusion process for multiple responses of irrigation pipes
Authors: Al-Refaie Abbas , Musallam Ahmad
Published: June 2018

The performance of the polyethylene extrusion process used in the plastic industry was optimized using mixed goal programming. Four responses, the roll weight, production cycle time, distance between emitters, and thickness, are crucial. After a combination of initial factor settings was determined, individual and moving range control charts were established for each response. Two-phase optimization was implemented using L18 and L9 arrays for conducting experiments. A two-phase fuzzy goal programming model was formulated and employed to determine the combination of optimal factor settings, which was used to perform experiments. The results showed a significant reduction in the average production time from 13.0 to 11.316 min. Moreover, the average respective relative percentages of variability reduction for the roll weight, production cycle time, distance between emitters, and thickness were 48.547%, 49.048%, 47.174%, and 63.704%, respectively, and the corresponding estimated process capability indices for the combination of initial (optimal) factor settings were 0.202 (1.440), 0.330 (0.914), and 0.460 (1.456). Such improvement results in significant reduction in quality costs.
How Much Does Education Improve Intelligence? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ritchie Stuart J. , Tucker-Drob Elliot M.
Published: June 2018

Intelligence test scores and educational duration are positively correlated. This correlation could be interpreted in two ways: Students with greater propensity for intelligence go on to complete more education, or a longer education increases intelligence. We meta-analyzed three categories of quasiexperimental studies of educational effects on intelligence: those estimating education-intelligence associations after controlling for earlier intelligence, those using compulsory schooling policy changes as instrumental variables, and those using regression-discontinuity designs on school-entry age cutoffs. Across 142 effect sizes from 42 data sets involving over 600,000 participants, we found consistent evidence for beneficial effects of education on cognitive abilities of approximately 1 to 5 IQ points for an additional year of education. Moderator analyses indicated that the effects persisted across the life span and were present on all broad categories of cognitive ability studied. Education appears to be the most consistent, robust, and durable method yet to be identified for raising intelligence.
Decentralized adaptive force/position control of reconfigurable manipulator based on soft sensors
Authors: Du Yanli , Zhu Quanmin
Published: June 2018

Two soft sensor control methods are proposed to deal with force/position control of reconfigurable manipulator without using wrist force sensors. First, modeling uncertainties and coupled interconnection terms between the subsystems are approximated by using adaptive radial basis function neural network, and the soft sensor model of the contact force is established by means of adaptive radial basis function neural network to design hybrid force/position controller. Then, a decentralized explicit force controller based on impedance inner control is designed. The reference trajectory of impedance inner controller is provided by explicit force controller based on the fuzzy prediction, and the soft sensor model of the contact force is established by the fuzzy system. The proposed soft sensor models do not request the exact mathematical relationship between the contact force and auxiliary variables and provide a feasible method to replace the wrist force sensors which are expensive and easily influenced by the external factors. Compared with the observer method, the proposed soft sensor methods do not depend on the knowledge about the model of reconfigurable manipulator, so provide better position and force tracking precision.
Average dwell time approach to H∞ filter for continuous-time switched linear parameter varying systems with time-varying delay
Authors: Wang Shenquan , Ji Wenchengyu , Jiang Yulian , Liu Keping
Published: June 2018

Considering two types of delays including both time-varying delay and parameter varying delay in continuous switched linear parameter varying systems, the problem of [Formula: see text] filtering under average dwell time switching is illustrated. The [Formula: see text] filter depending on the linear time-varying parameter [Formula: see text] (mode-dependent parameterized filter) is designed at first. Then, based on multiple Lyapunov function and an improved reciprocally convex inequality, the corresponding existence sufficient conditions for the filter could ensure the obtained filter error system exponentially stable with a guaranteed [Formula: see text] performance in the form of linear matrix inequalities. In addition, the designed filter gains under allowed switching signals are computed via the proposed convex optimal algorithm. In the end, two numerical examples show the effectiveness of the results in this work.
Ethical challenges experienced by public health nurses related to adolescents’ use of visual technologies
Authors: Laholt Hilde , McLeod Kim , Guillemin Marilys , Beddari Ellinor , Lorem Geir
Published: June 2018

Background:

Visual technologies are central to youth culture and are often the preferred communication means of adolescents. Although these tools can be beneficial in fostering relations, adolescents’ use of visual technologies and social media also raises ethical concerns.

Aims:

We explored how school public health nurses identify and resolve the ethical challenges involved in the use of visual technologies in health dialogues with adolescents.

Research design:

This is a qualitative study utilizing data from focus group discussions.

Participants and research context:

We conducted focus group discussions using two semi-structured discussion guides with seven groups of public health nurses (n = 40) working in Norwegian school health services. The data were collected during January and October 2016. Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded into themes and subthemes using systematic text condensation.

Ethical considerations:

The leader of the public health nursing service who agreed to provide access for the study and the Norwegian Center for Research Data that reviewed and approved the study. All participants gave informed consent.

Findings:

In adolescents’ use of visual materials with public health nurses, ethical concerns were raised regarding suicide ideations, socially unacceptable content, violation of privacy, and presentations of possible child neglect. The nurses utilized their professional knowledge and experience when identifying and navigating these ethical dilemmas; they resolved ethical uncertainties through peer discussion and collaboration with fellow nurses and other professionals.

Discussion:

We discussed the findings in light of Annemarie Mol’s interpretation of the ethics of care. Mol expands the notion of ethical care to include the action of technologies.

Conclusion:

Although the increasing use of visual technologies offered benefits, school nurses faced ethical challenges in health dialogues with adolescents. To address and navigate these ethical issues, they relied on their experience and caring practices based on their professional ethics. Uncertainties were resolved through peer dialogue and guidance.
The Extent to Which Professional Advice Can Reduce the Disposition Effect: An Emerging Market Study
Authors: Bashall James , Willows Gizelle D. , West Darron
Published: June 2018

This study tests for the disposition effect in South Africa across two classes of non-professional investors: those acting in their own capacity and those acting with the assistance of professional investment advisors. The trade history of 4,840 investor accounts from a South African stockbroker was analysed over the 5-year period from October 2008 to October 2013. The results showed that individual investors in South Africa exhibit the disposition effect. However, investors acting with the assistance of professional advisors show the effect to a lesser extent which was found to be rationally justifiable on the grounds of portfolio rebalancing.

JEL Classification: G11, G14, G40, G41
Critical Reflections on the UNDESD: From the Perspectives of Informal Education in a Community Development Context
Authors: Noguchi Fumiko
Published: June 2018

The UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005–2014) aimed to take a socially critical and transformative approach to ESD through all forms of education. Unfortunately, it mainly focused on formal education and overlooked the informal education that is embedded in the community development process of tackling unsustainable problems in real life, especially from the perspectives of marginalized people. Besides the political and economic pressures that cause the gap, current theorizing in ESD, which draws from critical theory, focuses predominantly on formal education or schooling contexts. It offers little guidance on appropriate pedagogical practice in community development. Theorizing informal education for sustainable community development is needed to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and decoloniality is a potential theoretical approach to this issue.
Comparing Australian garment and childcare homeworkers’ experience of regulation and representation
Authors: Delaney Annie , Ng Yee-Fui , Venugopal Vidhula
Published: June 2018

Labour markets in Australia have long been segmented by gender and race. This study compares two highly gendered and racially segmented labour markets, home-based family day care workers and garment homeworkers. The comparative cases examine the broader trends of migration, production and consumption that reinforce gender and racial stereotypes, and discourses that underpin representations that women workers are ideally suited to such work. We theorise the gender and racialised inequalities of homework based on the literature on invisibilisation and social reproduction to explore the vulnerable position of migrant women and the consequences of having limited options, such as legal and social protections and any capacity to collectively organise. Our analysis examines the roles and responses of institutions and conceptualises the socio-political factors that affect the characterisation of homework as non-work or as self-employed entrepreneurial activities. By mapping the differing regulatory trajectories of these two groups of homeworkers in terms of regulation and representation, we find both similarities and differences. While garment homeworkers have achieved recognition through legislation and social mobilisation, their circumstances leave them less likely to access such rights. By contrast, the failure to recognise family day care homeworkers, has left them to market forces.
The Interdependence of Planning and Learning among Internal Corporate Ventures
Authors: Covin Jeffrey G. , Garrett Robert P. , Gupta Jyoti P. , Kuratko Donald F. , Shepherd Dean A.
Published: June 2018

The novelty of new business domains demands that internal corporate ventures (ICVs) exhibit an ability to learn over the course of the venture's development. Nonetheless, ICV learning proficiency may be differentially related to venture performance as a function how various aspects of business planning for the venture are initially approached and evolve. Results from the current research indicate that ICV learning proficiency is more positively related to venture performance when the ICV's initial value propositions are unclear and when the ICV's goals do not extensively evolve over the course of the venture's development.
Harnessing the anisotropic multistability of stacked-origami mechanical metamaterials for effective modulus programming
Authors: Sengupta Sattam , Li Suyi
Published: June 2018

This study examines a three-dimensional, anisotropic multistability of a mechanical meta material based on a stacked Miura-ori architecture, and investigates how such a unique stability property can impart stiffness and effective modulus programming functions. The unit cell of this metamaterial can be bistable due to the nonlinear relationship between rigid-folding and crease material bending. Such bistability possesses an unorthodox property: the arrangement of elastically stable and unstable equilibria are different along different principal axes of the unit cell, so that along certain axes the unit cell exhibits two force–deformation relationships concurrently within the same range of deformation. Therefore, one can achieve a notable stiffness adaptation via switching between the two stable states. As multiple unit cells are assembled into a metamaterial, the stiffness adaptation can be aggregated into an on-demand modulus programming capability. That is, via strategically switching different unit cells between stable states, one can control the overall effective modulus. This research examines the underlying principles of anisotropic multistability, experimentally validates the feasibility of stiffness adaptation, and conducts parametric analyses to reveal the correlations between the effective modulus programming and Miura-ori designs. The results can advance many adaptive systems such as morphing structures and soft robotics.
Adherence in Youth With Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Assessment of Habit Formation, Barriers, and Facilitators
Authors: Yeh E. Ann , Chiang Nicole , Darshan Bindia , Nejati Nadine , Grover Stephanie A. , Schwartz Carolyn E. , Slater Ruth , Finlayson Marcia ,   for the Pediatric MS Adherence Study Group
Published: June 2018

Rates of medication nonadherence in youth with multiple sclerosis (MS) range from 10% to 60%. Qualitative studies of adherence can provide insight into children’s own perspectives about barriers and facilitators to their adherence and inform future interventions. This qualitative longitudinal descriptive study included children with MS ( n = 28) participating in a randomized controlled trial focused on medication adherence ( clinicaltrials.gov : NCT02234713). Following established methods, three independent reviewers coded transcripts of motivational interviewing (MI) sessions (three interviews per subject, performed monthly over a 3-month period) for relevant themes. They were subsequently categorized using inductive content analysis. Youth described medication adherence as being dependent on the ability to build and maintain healthy habits related to medication use, including embodiment of these habits. Barriers and facilitators included remembering/forgetting, experiences with fatigue, and experiences with medication. These themes were maintained through the second and third interviews. Future research focus on barriers and facilitators to habit maintenance in this population.
Mutated Masculinities: A Critical Discourse Analysis of the New Lad and the New Man in Sons of Anarchy and Ray Donovan
Authors: Nijjar Jaspreet K.
Published: June 2018

There has been a recent influx of popular U.S. television dramas depicting heteronormative but emotionally conflicted male protagonists. This article examines discursive constructions of hegemonic masculinity in two of these dramas, Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014) and Ray Donovan (2013-), in terms of the socio-cultural concepts of the New Lad and the New Man. It questions whether these discursive tools are useful for analyses of contemporary, male-focalized television, or whether they need updating. Using Critical Discourse Analysis, I argue that protagonists from both programs embody mutated, destabilized versions of the New Lad and the New Man that connect to a current U.S. “crisis of masculinity.” Offering timely conceptual updates of the New Lad and the New Man (the “Family-Oriented New Lad” and the “Emotionally Inarticulate New Man”), I show that these terms remain useful, but also need revision to capture the intricate struggle between inexpressiveness and emotionality characterizing present-day U.S. dramas.
Transparency, Risk, and FDI
Authors: Barry Colin M. , DiGiuseppe Matthew
Published: June 2018

A central theme in the foreign direct investment (FDI) literature is that political risk deters investment. The empirical record, however, is mixed. multinational corporations (MNCs) continue to invest in high-risk countries. We argue it is not merely about the level of risk, but rather firms’ ability to quantify risk. When MNCs can confidently assess both the nature and the degree of the threats present, they can take appropriate measures to hedge against them. This should increase their willingness to invest, even in higher risk environments. We contend that the ability to accurately quantify risk is a function of political transparency. Among opaque countries, we expect risk to exert a deterring effect on FDI, as commonly theorized. Among more transparent countries, however, we expect that risk is a less salient concern for MNCs. We test this argument using firm-level data on the foreign operations of some of the world’s largest multinationals between 1995 and 2008. The evidence supports the argument. Risk has a strong negative effect on the likelihood of investment at lower levels of transparency, but the magnitude of this effect weakens at higher levels of transparency. This pattern is consistent across multiple types of political risk, and is most pronounced in nonextractive (relative to extractive) industries.
Body composition of lean outdoor intact cats vs lean indoor neutered cats using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
Authors: Cline Martha G , Witzel Angela L , Moyers Tamberlyn D , Kirk Claudia A
Published: June 2018

Objectives

The objectives for this study were to compare the body composition of adult indoor neutered domestic cats with outdoor intact cats with an ideal body condition score using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and to report the body composition findings of free-roaming cats, as this has not been previously reported. Most domestic house cats differ from free-roaming cats as they are confined indoors and neutered. Indoor neutered cats have reduced activity and hormonal alterations that may result in lower muscle mass and higher body fat percentages vs outdoor intact cats, despite similar body condition scores.

Methods

Twenty-one outdoor intact cats (10 male, 11 female) were selected from a trap–neuter–return program and 16 indoor neutered domestic cats (10 male, six female) were client-owned. Inclusion criteria included an estimated age between 1 and 6 years, complete blood count, biochemistry panel, urinalysis, total thyroxine, feline leukemia virus/feline immunodeficiency virus screening and a body condition score of 4–5/9.

Results

Indoor neutered cats had a higher body fat percentage (22.1% [range 17.3–28.2%]) than outdoor intact cats (17.3% [range 10.0–33.6%]; P = 0.002). Indoor neutered male cats had a higher body fat percentage ( P <0.001) than outdoor intact cats. No difference in body fat percentage was observed in female cats ( P = 0.159). Indoor neutered domestic cats had a higher bone mineral density than outdoor intact cats ( P = 0.023).

Conclusions and relevance

The results of this study suggest indoor confinement and neutering increase body fat percentage and bone mineral density in cats with an ideal body condition score.
High Frequency of Extractable Nuclear Autoantibodies in Wheat-Related Disorders
Authors: Yang Yuanyuan , Krishna Karthik , Deshpande Payal , Ranganathan Vinodh , Jayaraman Vasanth , Wang Tianhao , Bei Kang , Krishnamurthy Hari
Published: June 2018

Background and aims:

There has been broad interest to explore the presence of autoimmunity among wheat-sensitive individuals, but neither the pathogenesis nor the relevance has been established. In this study, we evaluated the frequencies and levels of autoantibodies, which are important biomarkers of autoimmunity, in subjects with wheat-related disorders and controls. Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and the specific ones against extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) were investigated.

Methods:

A total of 713 subjects who showed symptoms related to wheat ingestion were addressed to Vibrant America Clinical Laboratory from December 2015 to November 2017. Serum samples were collected from all subjects and tested with a wheat protein antibody panel (IgG and IgA to 18 proteins at the peptide level) and an autoantibody panel (ANA by immunofluorescence analysis and 10 ENA antibodies). Retrospective analysis was completed using de-identified clinical data and test results.

Results:

In the retrospective analysis, 38 (5%) were seropositive in a Celiac Disease panel, 491 (83%) were seropositive in a wheat protein antibody panel “Wheat Zoomer,” and 84 (12%) were seronegative in both panels. Anti-nuclear antibodies were detected in similar portions of the celiac disease subjects (13%), the Wheat Zoomer–positive subjects (12%), and seronegative controls (15%), which is also very close to the reported occurrence of ANA positivity (15%) in the healthy population. The prevalence of anti-ENA was reported to be less than 2% in the general population; however, our study found it to be much higher in the celiac disease subjects (29%) and the wheat-sensitive subjects (27%), compared with a smaller proportion of seronegative controls (19%). The prevalence of anti-histone was especially prominent among the celiac disease subjects (73%) and the Wheat Zoomer–positive subjects (60%).

Conclusions:

High proportions of wheat-related disease subjects carry ENA antibodies that are important specific biomarkers of autoimmunity.
Partial EHL friction coefficient model to predict power losses in cylindrical gears
Authors: Arana Aitor , Larrañaga Jon , Ulacia Ibai
Published: June 2018

The accurate prediction of friction coefficient and power losses in the gear mesh is a key subject to several gear-related fields of study. However, there is still not a unified method for large ranges of operating conditions, different gear geometries and lubricant types. The current paper meets this demand by modelling partial EHL friction with an asperity-fluid load sharing approach where fluid traction is calculated with the Ree-Eyring equation and the reference stress behaviour is predicted from piezoviscosity coefficient. It will be shown that only an accurate description of the lubricant’s viscosity behaviour is required to compute friction in gears. Finally, mesh power losses are predicted considering thermal effects and numerical predictions are compared to experimental results showing good agreement.
‘Cancer Coiffures’: Embodied Storylines of Cancer Patienthood and Survivorship in the Consumerist Cultural Imaginary
Authors: Williams Seán M , Solbrække Kari Nyheim
Published: June 2018

Cancer patienthood and survivorship are often narrated as stories about hair and wigs. The following article examines cultural representations of cancer in mainstream memoirs, films, and on TV across Western European and American contexts. These representations are both the ideological substrate and a subtly subversive staging of a newly globalized cancer culture that expresses itself as an embodied discourse of individual experience. Wigs have become staples of an alternative story of especially women’s cancer experience, one that contrasts with the advertising slogans of what has been termed ‘Cancer Inc.’ But wigs are also a prop for consumerist self-(re)invention and can be appropriated stereotypically, with regard to stock gendered expectations – despite and alongside their subversive potential.
Vehicle–bridge coupling dynamic response of sea-crossing railway bridge under correlated wind and wave conditions
Authors: Fang Chen , Li Yongle , Wei Kai , Zhang Jingyu , Liang Chunming
Published: June 2018

The sea-crossing railway bridge is exposed to a high risk of wind and wave, which threatens the safety of the bridge and railway. A wind–wave–vehicle–bridge dynamic analysis model for sea-crossing railway bridge under wind and wave loadings is developed by extending the previous wind–vehicle–bridge model. The developed wind–wave–vehicle–bridge model involves multipoint fluctuating wind field, irregular wave field, finite element model of the bridge, and mass–spring–damper model of the vehicle. The correlation between wind and wave is considered by an empirical curve derived based on field measurement. Static, buffeting, and self-excited wind forces on the bridge and vehicle are considered with coefficients obtained from wind tunnel tests. The wave forces on the bridge are calculated by Morison equation including stretching modification. The governing equations of the wind–wave–vehicle–bridge model are solved in time domain by Newmark-β method to compute the dynamic response of bridge and vehicle. The dynamic response of bridge and vehicle is compared and discussed in both wind–wave–vehicle–bridge and wind–vehicle–bridge model. The performance of bridge and vehicle are finally evaluated. Studies of dynamic response under correlated wind and wave are found to be imperative for assessment of structural and vehicle safety and driving comfort of sea-crossing railway bridge.
Gender gap through time and space: A journey through Wikipedia biographies via the Wikidata Human Gender Indicator
Authors: Konieczny Piotr , Klein Maximilian
Published: June 2018

In this study, we investigate how quantification of Wikipedia biographies can shed light on worldwide longitudinal gender inequality trends, a macro-level dimension of human development. We present the Wikidata Human Gender Indicator (WHGI), located within a set of indicators allowing comparative study of gender inequality through space and time, the Wikipedia Gender Indicators (WIGI), based on metadata available through the Wikidata database. Our research confirms that gender inequality is a phenomenon with a long history, but whose patterns can be analyzed and quantified on a larger scale than previously thought possible. Through the use of Inglehart–Welzel cultural clusters, we show that gender inequality can be analyzed with regard to world’s cultures. We also show a steadily improving trend in the coverage of women and other genders in reference works.
Contesting hegemony: Re-imagining masculinities for early childhood education
Authors: Wright Travis
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this investigation is to deepen understanding of the clandestine professional lives of men who care for young children, exploring the pressure to hide parts of themselves experienced by many. The author utilizes an autoethnographic approach to examine social and psychological experiences he has navigated during his work as a classroom teacher, counselor, and researcher in urban Head Start centers. He finds that there are structural, attitudinal, social, and conceptual barriers to men being engaged in young children’s lives as educators and caregivers. In response, the author considers how dominant theories of caregiving in the field of early childhood education are informed by and inadvertently perpetuate traditional hegemonic notions of masculinity. He concludes by articulating the importance of critical praxis and disrupting hegemony, re-imagining opportunities for transformation and resilience.
Effectiveness of short and straight carbon nanotubes on dispersion state and static/dynamic mechanical properties of woven glass fibre-reinforced polymer laminates
Authors: Singh KK , Gaurav Anand
Published: June 2018

This study reports about the dispersibility of short, straight and pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (pCNTs) in epoxy and their effectiveness on the mechanical properties of three-phased GF/epoxy/pCNT laminates. These nanotubes were produced by arc discharge method and had an average aspect ratio (l/d) of 100. Glass fibre-reinforced polymer samples with four different weight fractions of these nanotubes (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt.% of the total matrix system) were fabricated and tested for their thermo-mechanical and mechanical properties. These carbon nanotubes with small aspect ratio contributed well to the strengthening mechanism due to their homogeneous dispersion. Fractography revealed that these nanotubes formed aligned arrays that minimized entanglements between the individual tubes, thus leading to lesser agglomerates up to 1.5 wt.% of carbon nanotube loading. However, the samples modified with 2.0 wt.% of nanotubes had lesser individual tubes and more of their aggregates. Unmodified glass fibre-reinforced polymer samples had a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 139.2℃, whereas addition of 1.5 wt.% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes increased the same to 160℃. Similarly, these specimens witnessed about 21% and 34% enhancement in tensile and flexure strength over the control samples, respectively. However, these trends dropped at 2.0 wt.% carbon nanotube loading owing to nanotubes aggregation but were higher than those of the neat epoxy composite. Samples containing carbon nanotubes witnessed higher fatigue life which proves that multi-walled carbon nanotubes with smaller aspect ratio are capable of obstructing fatigue crack growth.
Vibration analysis of non-uniform porous beams with functionally graded porosity distribution
Authors: Heshmati M , Daneshmand F
Published: June 2018

In this paper, the effect of different profile variations on vibrational properties of non-uniform beams made of graded porous materials is studied. Timoshenko beam theory is used to present the mathematical formulation of the problem including shear deformation, rotary inertia, non-uniformity of the cross-section, and graded porosity of the beam material. Three different variations of porosities through the thickness direction are introduced. The beam is assumed with the clamped condition at both ends. To obtain a numerical solution, finite element formulations of the governing equations are presented. The non-uniform beam is approximated by another beam consisting of n elements with piecewise constant thickness to keep the volume and hence the total mass unchanged for each element. The beam response has been calculated for the first three modes of vibration. In each case, the results for different types of thickness variation and porosity distribution are compared with those obtained for a beam with uniform thickness. The effects of non-uniformity, taper parameters, and porosity distribution on the frequencies and mode shapes are investigated. It is observed that a considerable change in frequencies and mode shapes can be achieved by selection of different thickness variation and porosity distribution.
Voting for a Male Warrior or Female Peacekeeper? Testing the Evolutionary Contingency Hypothesis in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Elections
Authors: Grabo Allen , van Vugt Mark
Published: June 2018

The present research replicates and extends previous literature on the evolutionary contingency hypothesis of leadership emergence. Using artificially masculinized versus feminized versions of the faces of the candidates for the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, we demonstrated that different contextual cues produced systematic variation in both preferences for and personality impressions of leadership. We describe results of an online study ( N = 298), demonstrating that followers who perceived a match between the contextual prime ( intergroup conflict or cooperation) and a leader candidate’s relevant physical cues ( masculinized or feminized versions of their faces) both (a) preferred them as leaders and (b) rated them more positively on personality attributes commonly associated with effective leadership such as trustworthiness, warmth, competence, and charisma.
Exploring the educational needs of adult learners: A study of three universities in Ghana
Authors: Owusu-Agyeman Yaw , Fourie-Malherbe Magda , Frick Liezel
Published: June 2018

Adult learners have unique educational needs that require attention from Higher Education Institutions, facilitators and industry. While several theories and policies have been developed to address the bourgeoning educational challenges confronting adult learners in Higher Education Institutions, not much has been achieved in the wake of growing knowledge and skills demands of employers. Using a mixed method approach, a survey (n = 200) and focus group discussions (n = 27) were conducted among adult learners who were also professionals studying engineering programmes in three diverse universities in Ghana. Additionally, interviews were conducted with representatives from industry and from the three engineering departments in the three universities. The study revealed that while the development of separate programmes for adult learners in Higher Education Institutions is not plausible in meeting the educational needs of adult learners, a different pedagogy could be used in addressing the unique knowledge and skills needs of adult learners. We present the implications of our study in relation to theory, practice and further research.
Macro-regional Strategies, Cohesion Policy and Regional Cooperation in the European Union: Towards a Research Agenda
Authors: Gänzle Stefan , Stead Dominic , Sielker Franziska , Chilla Tobias
Published: June 2018

Since 2009, the European Union has developed strategies for the Baltic Sea, Danube, Adriatic-Ionian and Alpine macro-regions. These macro-regional strategies represent a new tool of European Union governance that seeks to combine the community’s territorial cooperation and cohesion policy repertoire with intergovernmental ‘regional cooperation’ involving European Union member and partner countries. By establishing comprehensive governance architectures for cross-sectoral and trans-boundary policy coordination in areas such as transport infrastructure and environmental protection, macro-regional strategies seek to mobilise European Union member and non-member states alike in promoting and harmonising territorial and trans-governmental cooperation. Both the macro-regional strategies and the macro-regions themselves have been met with increasing interest across several disciplines, including geography, regional planning, political science and public administration, triggering questions and debates on issues such as their impacts on existing practices of territorial cooperation and their relation to previously established forms of regional cooperation. Authored by scholars based in the above-mentioned fields of study, this contribution seeks to take stock of research on the subject to date, reflect on conceptual starting points and highlight new directions for future research in the political sciences.
Growth of Innovation: Saturday Academies
Authors: Kuykendall John A. , Barrett Thomas G.
Published: June 2018

The article presents a mixed-methods assessment of an educational intervention proposed by a partnership between Pulaski County Special School District, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Philander Smith College, and plaintiffs in a longstanding federal desegregation lawsuit. The Donaldson Scholars Saturday Academy is part of a plan, approved by the Federal Court’s Eastern District of Arkansas in 2014, designed to improve educational achievement of all Pulaski County Special School District students with special emphasis on improving academic performance of African American and other at-risk students. Composed of eight all-day sessions during the academic year focused on relationship building, academic rigor, fun, and college graduation, goals of the Saturday Academy include developing better cognitive and noncognitive skills to succeed in college and facilitating college graduation by eliminating the need for developmental courses. Students completing the program and enrolling in one of the two partner colleges receive a $10,000 scholarship. Preliminary findings are impressive.