bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved model for tap‐changing transformer
Authors: Ferreira Carlos Aparecido , Prada Ricardo Bernardo
Published: August 2013

The model for tap‐changing transformers currently in widespread use consists of an impedance, measured in a short‐circuit test with a nominal tap, in series with an ideal transformer. The use of this model in voltage stability studies leads to qualitatively incorrect results. For demonstration purpose, a small circuit and the concepts of maximum load, equivalent load impedance and voltage control effects are used. An improved model that takes into account laboratory results, circuit laws and voltage stability theory is proposed. Using IEEE test systems, different results are shown for the conventional and proposed models.
Reconfigurable instrument for neural‐network‐based power‐quality monitoring in 3‐phase power systems
Authors: Valtierra‐Rodriguez Martin , Romero‐Troncoso Rene de J. , Garcia‐Perez Arturo , Granados‐Lieberman David , Osornio‐Rios Roque A.
Published: August 2013

From voltage and current signals it is possible to obtain relevant information for solving some problems in several industrial and scientific applications as power quality (PQ) monitoring, monitoring and diagnosis of electrical machines, electric systems protection and control. At present, the PQ monitoring, measure through a set of PQ indices (PQI), is an important topic for the industrial sector since a poor PQ, characterised by the presence of harmonics in the power line, produces irregular or wrong operation of protection systems, excessive neutral currents in 3‐phase four‐wire systems, overheating of motors, transformers, capacitor banks and wiring in general. The PQI calculation is performed by many techniques proposed in the literature; however, they do not have either good performance for transient signals or the requirements for satisfying the power standards. This work proposes the assessment of the PQI‐based in neural networks for transient or stationary signals in 3‐phase power systems without losing the power standard requirements. Besides, this work contributes to the industrial application field by allowing the continuous and online monitoring of the PQI thanks to the field programmable gate array implementation of the proposed methodology.
Revisiting the power flow problem based on a mixed complementarity formulation approach
Authors: Pirnia Mehrdad , Cañizares Claudio A. , Bhattacharya Kankar
Published: August 2013

A novel optimisation‐based model of the power flow (PF) problem is proposed using complementarity conditions to properly represent generator bus voltage controls, including reactive power limits and voltage recovery processes. This model is then used to prove that the Newton–Raphson (NR) solution method for solving the PF problem is basically a step of the generalised reduced gradient algorithm applied to the proposed optimisation problem. To test the accuracy, flexibility and the numerical robustness of the proposed model, the IEEE 14‐bus, 30‐bus, 57‐bus, 118‐bus and 300‐bus test systems and large real 1211‐bus and 2975‐bus systems are used, benchmarking the results of the proposed PF model against the standard NR method. It is shown that the proposed model yields adequate solutions, even in the case when the NR method fails to converge.
Comprehensive multi‐year distribution system planning using back‐propagation approach
Authors: Bin Humayd Abdullah S. , Bhattacharya Kankar
Published: August 2013

Distribution system planning is undergoing a change in paradigm in the context of deregulation and with penetration of distributed generation (DG) sources into distribution networks. This study presents a new heuristic approach based on a back‐propagation algorithm combined with cost–benefit analysis to comprehensive multi‐year distribution system planning. The planning problem incorporates various energy supply options for local distribution companies such as DG sources, substations and feeders and determines the optimum capacities, locations and upgrade plans. Test results comprising a 32 bus system and the IEEE 69 bus system are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed method. The results are compared with an optimisation solution, and it is demonstrated that the heuristic approach can achieve better performance and has higher computational efficiency.
Fast real‐time corrective control strategy for overload relief in bulk power systems
Authors: Gou Bei , Zhang Hongming
Published: August 2013

This study presents a fast real‐time algorithm to relieve the overload occurring in a bulk power system. Based on DC power flow formulation, theoretical results are obtained for the overload relief by lines and series capacitors (SCs) switching. Two times of power flow analysis is utilised to identify a candidate list of lines and SCs that can relieve the overload by switching. The operator is thus able to make a mitigation plan based on the candidate list and relieve the overload after a quick validation. Examples are used to verify the theoretical results and the proposed algorithm. In addition, WECC's West wide System Model is used to illustrate the proposed algorithm. Numerical test results show that the proposed algorithm is capable of relieving line overloads in a very fast and effective way, and it can be directly applied in practice.
Advanced DC zonal marine power system protection
Authors: Jia Ke , Christopher Edward , Thomas David , Sumner Mark , Bi Tianshu
Published: August 2013

A new active impedance estimation based protection strategy which is suitable for utilisation in a DC zonal marine power distribution system is presented. This method uses two triangular current ‘spikes’ injections for system impedance estimation and protection when faults are detected. By comparing the estimated impedance with the pre‐calibrated value, the fault location can be predicted and fault can be isolated without requiring communication between two injection units. Using co‐ordinated double injections and line current measurement (directional fault detection), faults in the system with same impedance and different fault positions can be distinguished, located and isolated. The proposed method is validated using experimental test results derived from a 30 kW, 400 V, twin bus DC marine power system demonstrator. The experimental tests were applied to both faults during normal operation and faults that occur during system restoration.
Resource‐induced voltage flicker for wave energy converters – assessment tools
Authors: Sharkey Fergus , MacEnri Joe , Bannon Elva , Conlon Michael , Gaughan Kevin
Published: August 2013

For wave energy converters, the input resource has a typical period of 5–20 s depending on the site location and dominant seastates. Wave energy converters generally produce mechanical power twice per wave cycle and therefore depending on the storage available, the electrical power output has half the period of the input resource. These regular power changes induce a voltage change at the point of connection (POC) which is proportional to the amplitude of the power change and at the same frequency. Therefore the coupling of the input resource to the output power of a wave energy converter will cause voltage flicker at the POC, which may exceed the permitted limits under specific conditions. This study establishes the nature of the flicker issue from wave energy converters. Some practical tools for the evaluation of flicker from a device are introduced. These tools are suitable for early stage flicker assessment to assist in the design process only. They are not meant of substitutes for existing codes and standards which are outlined in this study. This study concludes that wave energy converters may exceed flicker emission limits as a result of the coupling of the resource to the output power, and this may be particularly severe when connected to weak grids. Some potential strategies for overcoming this problem are presented also.
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia after Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Review
Authors: Anderson Karen K. , Arnold Paul M.
Published: August 2013

Study Design

Review.

Objective

Postoperative oropharyngeal dysphagia is one of the most common complications following anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS). We review and summarize recent literature in order to provide a general overview of clinical signs and symptoms, assessment, incidence and natural history, pathophysiology, risk factors, treatment, prevention, and topics for future research.

Methods

A search of English literature regarding dysphagia following anterior cervical spine surgery was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. The search was focused on articles published since the last review on this topic was published in 2005.

Results

Patients who develop dysphagia after ACSS show significant alterations in swallowing biomechanics. Patient history, physical examination, X-ray, direct or indirect laryngoscopy, and videoradiographic swallow evaluation are considered the primary modalities for evaluating oropharyngeal dysphagia. There is no universally accepted objective instrument for assessing dysphagia after ACSS, but the most widely used instrument is the Bazaz Dysphagia Score. Because dysphagia is a subjective sensation, patient-reported instruments appear to be more clinically relevant and more effective in identifying dysfunction. The causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia after ACSS are multifactorial, involving neuronal, muscular, and mucosal structures. The condition is usually transient, most often beginning in the immediate postoperative period but sometimes beginning more than 1 month after surgery. The incidence of dysphagia within one week after ACSS varies from 1 to 79% in the literature. This wide variance can be attributed to variations in surgical techniques, extent of surgery, and size of the implant used, as well as variations in definitions and measurements of dysphagia, time intervals of postoperative evaluations, and relatively small sample sizes used in published studies. The factors most commonly associated with an increased risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia after ACSS are: more levels operated, female gender, increased operative time, and older age (usually >60 years). Dysphagic patients can learn compensatory strategies for the safe and effective passage of bolus material. Certain intraoperative and postoperative techniques may decrease the incidence and/or severity of oropharyngeal dysphagia after ACSS.

Conclusions

Large, prospective, randomized studies are required to confirm the incidence, prevalence, etiology, mechanisms, long-term natural history, and risk factors for the development of dysphagia after ACSS, as well as to identify prevention measures. Also needed is a universal outcome measurement that is specific, reliable and valid, would include global, functional, psychosocial, and physical domains, and would facilitate comparisons among studies. Results of these studies can lead to improvements in surgical techniques and/or perioperative management, and may reduce the incidence of dysphagia after ACSS.
Phylogeny of the ophrynopine clade revisited: review of the parasitoid sawfly genera Ophrella Middlekauff, Ophrynopus Konow and Stirocorsia Konow (Hymenoptera : Orussidae)
Authors: Vilhelmsen Lars , Blank Stephan M. , Costa Valmir A. , Alvarenga Thiago M. , Smith David R.
Published: August 2013

The rare family Orussidae comprises the only parasitoid sawflies and are sister to the Apocrita, the latter comprising most of Hymenoptera. Because of this, their morphology and relationships have been particularly important for interpreting the morphology of and biological transitions within the order as a whole. Within the Orussidae the ophrynopines are a comparatively diverse clade with a predominantly southern hemisphere distribution. Here, a revised and expanded morphological dataset incorporating several new taxa is used to test ophrynopine relationships and provide further insights into their evolutionary history. The analyses largely corroborate previous results. The distribution pattern and the fossil record indicate that the ophrynopines radiated in the early Cenozoic in the Australasian-Oceanian and the Neotropic regions and later dispersed into the Nearctic, Eastern Palaearctic and Indomalayan regions. The South American genus Ophrella Middlekauff, 1985 is well supported as a monophyletic genus, whereas Ophrynopus Konow, 1897 is paraphyletic with respect to Stirocorsia Konow, 1897. Three new species, Ophrella eldorado Vilhelmsen, sp. nov., Ophrynopus guarani Blank, D.R. Smith & Vilhelmsen, sp. nov., and Ophrynopus rupestris Vilhelmsen, Costa & Alvarenga, sp. nov. are described. Ophrella lingulata Middlekauff, 1985 is treated as a junior synonym of Ophrella amazonica (Westwood, 1874). Stirocorsia is treated as a junior synonym of Ophrynopus. The species Ophrynopus apicalis (Togashi, 2000), Ophrynopus kohli (Konow, 1897), Ophrynopus maculipennis (F. Smith, 1859) and Ophrynopus tosensis (Tosawa & Sugihara, 1934), formerly in Stirocorsia, are transferred to Ophrynopus. Revised keys to the species of Ophrella, Ophrynopus and the genera in the ophrynopine clade are provided. In addition, Orussidae are recorded from Bolivia and French Guiana for the first time.
Evaluation of a website that promotes social connectedness: lessons for equitable e-health promotion
Authors: Osborne Katy , Patel Katherine
Published: August 2013

The online provision of health information and services has been viewed as having the potential to inform and empower health consumers and, ultimately, to promote better health. The Internet can be an innovative tool to deliver services to ‘hard-to-reach’ population groups, including geographically isolated populations. However, the online platform raises questions regarding the equitable distribution of health services. In this paper we examine a case study of a website that aims to promote health by fostering social connectedness. The website provides information to connect people to locally based community events across Australia. We draw on evaluation findings to examine the socioeconomic and geographical distribution of website usage. A descriptive analysis of web usage statistics revealed a gradient whereby more information is listed and viewed about events in affluent socioeconomic areas. Furthermore, the analysis showed that a greater proportion of information listed and viewed related to urban areas. These results are consistent with broader gradients of Internet access and usage. Drawing on these findings, we identify implications for online health promotion across different population groups, particularly for interventions that do not incorporate an explicit equity focus.
Violent crime rates as a proxy for the social determinants of sexually transmissible infection rates: the consistent state-level correlation between violent crime and reported sexually transmissible infections in the United States, 1981–2010
Authors: Chesson Harrell W. , Owusu-Edusei Kwame , Leichliter Jami S. , Aral Sevgi O.
Published: August 2013

Background
Numerous social determinants of health are associated with violent crime rates and sexually transmissible infection (STI) rates. This report aims to illustrate the potential usefulness of violent crime rates as a proxy for the social determinants of STI rates. Methods: For each year from 1981 to 2010, we assessed the strength of the association between the violent crime rate and the gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) rate (number of total reported cases per 100 000) at the state level. Specifically, for each year, we calculated Pearson correlation coefficients (and P-values) between two variables (the violent crime rate and the natural log of the gonorrhoea rate) for all 50 states and Washington, DC. For comparison, we also examined the correlation between gonorrhoea rates, and rates of poverty and unemployment. We repeated the analysis using overall syphilis rates instead of overall gonorrhoea rates. Results: The correlation between gonorrhoea and violent crime was significant at the P < 0.001 level for every year from 1981 to 2010. Syphilis rates were also consistently correlated with violent crime rates. In contrast, the P-value for the correlation coefficient exceeded 0.05 in 9 of the 30 years for the association between gonorrhoea and poverty, and in 17 of the 30 years for that between gonorrhoea and unemployment. Conclusions: Because violent crime is associated with many social determinants of STIs and because it is consistently associated with STI rates, violent crime rates can be a useful proxy for the social determinants of health in statistical analyses of STI rates.
DIST: direct imputation of summary statistics for unmeasured SNPs
Authors: Lee Donghyung , Bigdeli T. Bernard , Riley Brien P. , Fanous Ayman H. , Bacanu Silviu-Alin
Published: August 2013

Motivation: Genotype imputation methods are used to enhance the resolution of genome-wide association studies, and thus increase the detection rate for genetic signals. Although most studies report all univariate summary statistics, many of them limit the access to subject-level genotypes. Because such an access is required by all genotype imputation methods, it is helpful to develop methods that impute summary statistics without going through the interim step of imputing genotypes. Even when subject-level genotypes are available, due to the substantial computational cost of the typical genotype imputation, there is a need for faster imputation methods.

Results: Direct Imputation of summary STatistics (DIST) imputes the summary statistics of untyped variants without first imputing their subject-level genotypes. This is achieved by (i) using the conditional expectation formula for multivariate normal variates and (ii) using the correlation structure from a relevant reference population. When compared with genotype imputation methods, DIST (i) requires only a fraction of their computational resources, (ii) has comparable imputation accuracy for independent subjects and (iii) is readily applicable to the imputation of association statistics coming from large pedigree data. Thus, the proposed application is useful for a fast imputation of summary results for (i) studies of unrelated subjects, which (a) do not provide subject-level genotypes or (b) have a large size and (ii) family association studies.

Availability and implementation: Pre-compiled executables built under commonly used operating systems are publicly available at http://code.google.com/p/dist/.

Contact:  dlee4@vcu.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The mycobacterial antibiotic resistance determinant WhiB7 acts as a transcriptional activator by binding the primary sigma factor SigA (RpoV)
Authors: Burian Ján , Yim Grace , Hsing Michael , Axerio-Cilies Peter , Cherkasov Artem , Spiegelman George B. , Thompson Charles J.
Published: August 2013

Tuberculosis therapeutic options are limited by the high intrinsic antibiotic resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The putative transcriptional regulator WhiB7 is crucial for the activation of systems that provide resistance to diverse antibiotic classes. Here, we used in vitro run-off, two-hybrid assays, as well as mutagenic, complementation and protein pull-down experiments, to characterize WhiB7 as an auto-regulatory, redox-sensitive transcriptional activator in Mycobacterium smegmatis. We provide the first direct biochemical proof that a WhiB protein promotes transcription and also demonstrate that this activity is sensitive to oxidation (diamide). Its partner protein for transcriptional activation was identified as SigA, the primary sigma factor subunit of RNA polymerase. Residues required for the interaction mapped to region 4 of SigA (including R515H) or adjacent domains of WhiB7 (including E63D). WhiB7’s ability to provide a specific spectrum of antibiotic-resistance was dependent on these residues as well as its C-terminal AT-hook module that binds to an AT-rich motif immediately upstream of the −35 hexamer recognized by SigA. These experimentally established constrains, combined with protein structure predictions, were used to generate a working model of the WhiB7–SigA-promoter complex. Inhibitors preventing WhiB7 interactions could allow the use of previously ineffective antibiotics for treatment of mycobacterial diseases.
Luteibaculum oceani gen. nov., sp. nov., a carotenoid-producing, lipolytic bacterium isolated from surface seawater, and emended description of the genus Owenweeksia Lau et al. 2005
Authors: Shahina Mariyam , Hameed Asif , Lin Shih-Yao , Lai Wei-An , Liu You-Cheng , Hsu Yi-Han , Young Chiu-Chung
Published: August 2013

A yellow-pigmented, Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming, lipolytic and gliding marine bacterium designated strain CC-AMWY-103BTwas isolated from surface seawater collected at Kending, Taiwan. The strain shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 89.4 % withOwenweeksia hongkongensisJCM 12287TandBrumimicrobium mesophilumYH207T, and established a distinct phyletic lineage associated with the members of the familyCryomorphaceae. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-AMWY-103BTconsisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, ten unidentified lipids and four unidentified aminolipids. The major fatty acids (>5 % of the total) were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1G, C15 : 1ω5c, iso-C17 : 03-OH and C15 : 1ω8c. The DNA G+C content was 44.2±0.3 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and the major polyamine was spermidine. Based on its genetic, phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness, strain CC-AMWY-103BTis proposed to represent a distinct member of the familyCryomorphaceae, for which the nameLuteibaculum oceanigen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain ofLuteibaculum oceaniis CC-AMWY-103BT( = JCM 18817T = BCRC 80551T). An emended description of the genusOwenweeksiais also proposed.
A risky tale of two countries
Authors: Nur Probohudono Agung , Tower Greg , Rusmin Rusmin
Published: August 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of the communication of the five major categories of risk (business, strategy, market and credit risk disclosure) over the volatile 2007-2009 global financial crisis (GFC) time period between Indonesia and Malaysia manufacturing listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 300 firm years data are collected consisting of a random sample of 100 manufacturing listed companies’ annual reports for fiscal year-ends from 2007 to 2009. The reports include 50 annual reports of manufacturing companies per country, listed in the stock exchanges of Indonesia and Malaysia for this three-year GFC time period. This research adopts a researcher-constructed risk disclosure index (RDI) to create an index measuring the extent of risk disclosure by listed firms.

Findings

– Key findings from statistical analysis are that country of incorporation and size help predict risk disclosure levels. Malaysian companies have significantly higher levels of business risk in 2007 and operating risk communication in 2007, 2008 and 2009 than Indonesian companies. These two countries have similar economic scenarios as developing countries which often have higher “business” risk for companies, but Malaysian companies disclose more risk information than Indonesia. The overall low disclosure levels (27.46-32.92 per cent for Indonesian companies and 35.20-39.04 per cent for Malaysian companies) highlight the potential for far higher communication of key risk factors in these two countries.

Originality/value

– This study is important as it contributes to the literature by providing comparative insights into the voluntary risk disclosure practices of manufacturing companies in the two important Asian countries (Indonesia and Malaysia) over the GFC time period. There is lack of risk disclosure studies in manufacturing companies, especially in these two sample countries.
Policy formation of intercultural and globally minded educational leadership preparation
Authors: Easley Jacob , Tulowitzki Pierre
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain, describe, and compare the components of existing leadership preparation programs in the USA and other countries; and to understand the policy‐based processes, challenges, and needs of support for program development for conceptualizing globally minded school leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain, describe, and compare the components of existing leadership preparation programs in the USA and other countries; and to understand the policy‐based processes, challenges, and needs of support for program development for conceptualizing globally minded school leadership.

Findings

Limited growth regarding globally minded school leader research and development can be accounted for. Furthermore the increasing internationalization of university programming to include expanded course offerings and greater opportunities of international exchanges that bring students face‐to‐face with perspectives different from those indigenous to their home cultures speaks directly to the need for a shift in leadership preparation to better address the impact of globalization and intercultural exchange on youth learning in schools.

Originality/value

An intercultural analysis of leadership preparation programs with a focus on globally minded leadership is a new endeavor. The findings can be used to inform the next generation of policy formation for twenty‐first century leadership preparation program development.
Modeling overbookings on air cargo transportation
Authors: Singhaseni Chalermkiat , Wu Yue , Ojiako Udechukwu
Published: August 2013

Purpose

In order to hedge against fluctuation in actual “show” for air freight services, cargo airlines engage in the allocation of more space capacity than they actually have. This practice can lead to overbooking of capacity which can incur costs to the airline when a cargo does show that is larger than predicted. In this study, the authors set out to model an optimised value for air cargo booking which is tested against five different cargo case‐representative scenarios. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology which is primarily discursive utilises a synthesis of existing literature to develop a model to replicate the overbooking problem.

Findings

This paper finds that the optimised value of cargo size may not necessarily depend on the probability of actual “show”. Instead, this variation appears dependent on a random demand for larger sized cargo, and thus, price.

Practical implications

The model which is developed serves as a potential framework for airlines to avoid uncertainty associated with cargo capacity spoilage and overbooking.

Originality/value

In this study, the passenger overbooking model under the cancellation and no‐show problems in the static single leg case was adapted for use during the modelling of air cargo overbooking.
Legal penalty for fraud and CEO turnover
Authors: Yamfo Amoah Nana
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation between the size of the legal penalty for fraud and CEO turnover.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 93 securities lawsuits that were filed in the US between 1997 and 2005, logit regression is used in the analysis of the relation between probability of CEO turnover and size of the litigation monetary penalty and ordinal logit regression is used to examine the relation between timing of CEO turnover and size of the litigation monetary penalty.

Findings

A positive association is documented between the size of the monetary penalty and the probability of CEO turnover. A larger monetary penalty is associated with earlier CEO turnover. Equity issue related securities lawsuit is associated with a higher probability of CEO turnover and an earlier CEO turnover.

Research limitations/implications

The results imply that the greater the legal penalty levied on the sued firm, the more likely the CEO is considered as being complicit in the alleged fraud. A limitation of this study is that in constructing the sample, some meritorious lawsuits that may have resulted in legal penalty but were dismissed for procedural reasons were excluded. Further, the CEO turnover data did not provide sufficient information about the reason for the termination of the CEOs.

Originality/value

This is one of the first empirical studies to examine the relation between the legal penalty for fraud and CEO turnover in the period after the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. This study adds to the existing literature on the consequences of financial misreporting on managers by documenting an association between the legal penalty for fraud and CEO turnover.
What drives consumers to participate into family takaful schemes? A literature review
Authors: Md Husin Maizaitulaidawati , Ab Rahman Asmak
Published: August 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the basic determinants of consumers intention to participate in family takaful scheme using decomposed theory of planned behaviour (DTPB) and identifying relevant factors may be moderate the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– A comprehensive review of the DTPB literature is undertaken, with a particular focus on contribution to family takaful scheme.

Findings

– The review finds that intention toward participating in family takaful scheme is are not only affected by attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control but also influence by moderating factors like demographic variables, consumer knowledge, situational factors and consumer level of religiosity. Inhibiting factors related to insurance and takaful purchase is also highlighted.

Originality/value

– Such an extensive review on identifying relevant factors to participate in takaful using DTPB has not been done before. The paper will be useful to researchers, professionals and others concerned with family takaful to understand the importance factors in participating in family takaful scheme.
Fried foods associated health risks in Gujarati housewives
Authors: Gupta Ashima , Sheth Mini K.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Gujarati households are known for high consumption of edible oil and fried foods. However, there is lack of information on their knowledge about its use for various preparations and associated health risks. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Guajarati housewives in the age group of 30‐65 years were surveyed from five different zones of Vadodara. Information on their knowledge about the use of edible oils and associated health risks was collected using a pre‐tested structured questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire.

Findings

Only 5 percent subjects consumed deep fried foods daily. Odds ratio showed high association (OR=4.50) between daily consumption of deep fried food and obesity. Significant association (p<0.05) and high odds ratio (5.13) were seen between daily consumption of shallow fried foods and presence of diabetes. Obesity and hypertension were seen in 54.1 and 15.8 percent subjects, respectively. About 24 percent families used hydrogenated vegetable oil (vanaspati) for cooking purposes. Butter and ghee rich in saturated fats were regularly used by most families.

Practical implications

Poor knowledge amongst the Gujarati housewives on the correct use of fats and oils in their daily diets calls for an exhaustive education program to reduce high prevalence of obesity and other co‐morbidities prevalent in this part of the country.

Originality/value

This is an original research work completed in September 2011.
Are the non‐governmental organizations' web sites effective?
Authors: Díaz Estrella , José Blázquez Juan , Molina Arturo , Martín‐Consuegra David
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This study explores non‐governmental organizations' (NGOs') web sites to determine the extent the web site facilities information quality, system quality and service quality in relation to target audiences.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to evaluate the current status of information quality, system quality and service quality on the internet, the research utilizes a content analysis of an international sample of NGOs associated to United Nations.

Findings

This paper provides useful information on some international NGOs' web sites. In this line of work, results indicate that the web site offers a new communication medium with which to maximize support for NGOs and enhance business performance through higher cost‐effectiveness and a more practical manner in which to carry out their tasks. However, the results of this research show that the most web sites have an average effectiveness when communicating interactively. Additionally, this paper provides evidence of current web site effectiveness and advice for its improvement in a specific social sector.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is the sample size and nature because the research has only included some NGOs associated to United Nations, which may bias results. Therefore, other non‐profit organizations whose target audiences are different will be dealt with in future research.

Practical implications

This research contributes to improving the effectiveness of NGOs' web site bidirectional communication with users, enhancing the quality of the exchange between organization and target audience.

Originality/value

This work aims to help international NGOs improve the interactivity of web site communication through practical advice. Furthermore, this study is an attempt to fill the research gap on the evaluation about the quality web site design of NGOs.
The effect of US individual investor sentiment on industry‐specific stock returns and volatility
Authors: Sayim Mustafa , Morris Pamela D. , Rahman Hamid
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper examines the effect of rational and irrational investor sentiment on the stock return and volatility of US auto, finance, food, oil and utility industries.

Design/methodology/approach

The American Association of Individual Investors Index (AAII) is used as a proxy for US individual investor sentiment. The US market fundamentals are regressed on investor sentiment in order to capture the effect of macroeconomic risk factors on investor sentiment. Then impulse response functions (IRFs) are generated from a VAR model to investigate the effect of unanticipated movements in US investor sentiment on both industry‐specific stock return and volatility.

Findings

The results show a significant impact of investor sentiment on stock return and volatility in all the industries. We find that the positive rational component of US individual investor sentiment tends to increase the stock return in these industries. We also document that unanticipated increase in the rational component of US individual investor sentiment has a significant negative impact only on the industry volatilities of US auto and finance industries.

Research limitations/implications

The results are based only on the 1999 – 2010 US industry‐specific stock return and volatility data and are confined to these industries.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper can help investors to improve their asset return generating models by incorporating investor sentiment. The findings can also help policymakers to design policies that stabilize sentiment and reduce volatility and uncertainty in the stock markets.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the growing literature on behavioral finance by filling a gap and addressing the impact of investor sentiment in the various US industries.
Stuttering inhibition via altered auditory feedback during scripted telephone conversations
Authors: Hudock Daniel , Kalinowski Joseph
Published: August 2013

Background

Overt stuttering is inhibited by approximately 80% when people who stutter read aloud as they hear an altered form of their speech feedback to them. However, levels of stuttering inhibition vary from 60% to 100% depending on speaking situation and signal presentation. For example, binaural presentations of delayed auditory feedback (DAF) and frequency‐altered feedback (FAF) have been shown to reduce stuttering by approximately 57% during scripted telephone conversations.

Aims

To examine stuttering frequency under monaural auditory feedback with one combination of DAF with FAF (COMBO‐2) and two combinations of DAF with FAF (COMBO‐4) during scripted telephone conversations.

Methods & Procedures

Nine adult participants who stutter called 15 local businesses during scripted telephone conversations; each condition consisted of five randomized telephone calls. Conditions consisted of (1) baseline (i.e. non‐altered feedback), (2) COMBO‐2 (i.e. 50‐ms delay with a half octave spectral shift up), and (3) COMBO‐4 (i.e. 200‐ms delay and a half octave spectral shift down in addition to the COMBO‐2). Participants wore a supra‐aural headset with a dynamic condenser microphone while holding a receiver to their contralateral ear when making telephone calls.

Outcomes & Results

Stuttering was significantly reduced during both altered auditory feedback (AAF) conditions by approximately 65%. Furthermore, a greater reduction in stuttering was revealed during the COMBO with four effects (74%) as compared with the COMBO with two effects (63%).

Conclusions & Implications

Results from the current study support prior research reporting decreased stuttering under AAF during scripted telephone conversations. Findings that stuttering was significantly reduced to a greater extent under the COMBO with four effects condition suggest that second signals reduce stuttering along a continuum. Additionally, findings support prior research results of decreased stuttering frequency under AAF during hierarchically difficult speaking situations. Clinical application of these findings may be that people who stutter can use specific software or smartphone applications that produce second speech signals to inhibit stuttering frequency effectively during telephone conversations.
The Dynamics of Appraisal Smoothing
Authors: Cho Youngha , Hwang Soosung , Lee Yong‐ki
Published: August 2013

We investigate the dynamics of appraisal smoothing in the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF) index return using time‐varying asset pricing models. We find that smoothing is on average close to zero but varies substantially over time. From the inception of the NCREIF index in 1978 until the mid‐1990s, there was little evidence of smoothing. Smoothing has increased significantly since the mid‐1990s to the end of 2010. Smoothing increases when property prices or uncertainty increases. However, it decreases when sentiment in the property market is high or during recession periods. The substantial variation in the level of smoothing indicates that the volatility of unsmoothed appraisal‐based property returns would be significantly over‐ or under‐estimated for different periods if unsmoothed with a long‐run average smoothing.
HIGH TIMES FOR HATE CRIMES: EXPLAINING THE TEMPORAL CLUSTERING OF HATE‐MOTIVATED OFFENDING
Authors: KING RYAN D. , SUTTON GRETCHEN M.
Published: August 2013

This research explains the temporal clustering of hate crimes. It is hypothesized that many hate crimes are retaliatory in nature and tend to increase, sometimes dramatically, in the aftermath of an antecedent event that results in one group harboring a grievance against another. Three types of events are used to test and refine the argument: 1) contentious criminal trials involving interracial crimes, 2) lethal terrorist attacks, and 3) appellate court decisions concerning same‐sex marriage. The results from time‐series analyses indicate that contentious trial verdicts and lethal domestic terrorist attacks precede spikes in racially or religiously motivated hate crimes, whereas less evidence is found for antigay hate crimes after appellate court rulings that grant rights to same‐sex partners. The model put forth in this article complements prior work by explaining in part the timing of hate crime clusters.
Knowledge and attitudes of adolescents regarding home economics in Tromsø, Norway
Authors: Øvrebø Else Marie
Published: August 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents in Tromsø relating to nutrition; whether pupil behaviour and attitudes regarding nutrition had changed in the tenth grade compared with the eighth grade; and whether this was linked to pupils’ home economics lessons in grade 9. In total, 606 adolescents (321 boys and 285 girls) were studied on two different occasions – 2002 and 2005. A food frequency questionnaire focusing on 16 different food and beverage groups was used. It investigated knowledge and attitudes, the amounts of food items consumed and the socio‐economic situation of the participants and their families.

The study produced interesting findings. The boys had surprisingly low knowledge of fruit and vegetables that did not change in a positive direction, between the eighth and tenth grades. The change among the girls was very small and therefore this study concludes that the teaching of home economics had no significant influence on the pupils’ knowledge of and attitudes towards eating fruit and vegetables. The study of home economics does not appear to enhance adolescents’ skills and attitudes to the extent expected from the curriculum. But there are gender differences at both grades. Changes in the home economics course are necessary to improve children's and adolescents’ knowledge and attitudes. Increased focus on the scope and variety of teaching methods will be a key to improvement. Future research is required to understand the potential of the home economics curricula to change adolescents’ knowledge about and attitudes to home economics in Norway.
Physicochemical characterisation of eight Spanish mulberry clones: processing and fresh market aptitudes
Authors: Sánchez Eva M. , Calín‐Sánchez Ángel , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A. , Melgarejo Pablo , Hernández Francisca , Martínez‐Nicolás Juan José
Published: August 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare, for the first time, white and black mulberry species in terms of their main physicochemical characteristics in eight Spanish clones. The results showed significantly different characteristics between the black and white mulberry species. Fruit weight of mulberry species ranged from 2.10 to 4.15 g, and fruit juice yield, from 41% to 62%. Fructose (~61%) and glucose (~39%) were the predominant sugars in all mulberries. The MN1 clone displayed the highest total acidity (>2.6 g L−1), and malic acid was the most abundant organic acid (6.65 g kg−1). Cluster analysis has allowed grouping of the clones into three groups (i) MN1 and MN2; (ii) MN3 and MN4; and (iii) MA1, MA2, MA3 and MA4. Experimental results proved that Spanish mulberries have high potential for fresh consumption (attractive dark colour in Morus nigra clones, high sugars content and intense sweetness) and industrialisation (~50% juice yield, attractive juice colour, high content of crude fibre and intense sweetness). This study is also a step towards identification of this fruit as a potential healthy food, which may also be used in food industry and also have pharmaceutical interest.
Emergence of H3N2pM‐like and novel reassortant H3N1 swine viruses possessing segments derived from the A (H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus, Korea
Authors: Pascua Philippe Noriel Q. , Lim Gyo‐Jin , Kwon Hyeok‐il , Park Su‐Jin , Kim Eun‐Ha , Song Min‐Suk , Kim Chul Joong , Choi Young‐Ki
Published: August 2013

Background

Human‐to‐swine transmission of the pandemic H1N1 2009 [A(H1N1)pdm09] virus in pig populations resulted in reassortment events with endemic swine influenza viruses worldwide.

Objective

We investigated whether A(H1N1)pdm09‐derived reassortant viruses are present in South Korea and sought to determine the pathogenic potential of the novel swine viruses.

Methods

Pig lung tissues were collected from commercially slaughtered pigs. Isolated swine influenza viruses were genetically analyzed and characterized in vitro and in vivo.

Results

We identified reassortant H3N2 (H3N2pM‐like) and H3N1 swine viruses containing A(H1N1)pdm09‐like segments in Korean pigs that are genetically closely related to strains recently detected in pigs and humans in North America. Although the H3N2pM‐like and novel H3N1 reassortants demonstrated efficient replication in mice and ferrets, all the H3N1 strains exhibited growth advantage over the representative H3N2pM‐like virus in human airway cells. Interestingly, A/swine/Korea/CY02‐07/2012(H3N1) and A/swine/Korea/CY03‐13/2012(H3N1) reassortants were more readily transmitted to respiratory‐droplet‐contact ferrets compared with the H3N2pM‐like (A/swine/Korea/CY02‐10/2012) isolate. Furthermore, serologic evaluation showed poor antigenicity to contemporary reference human seasonal H3N2 vaccine strains.

Conclusions

We report here for the first time the isolation of H3N2pM‐like viruses outside North America and of novel reassortant swine H3N1 viruses with A(H1N1)pdm09‐derived genes. Apart from further complicating the genetic diversity of influenza A viruses circulating in domestic pigs, our data also indicate that these strains could potentially pose threat to public health asserting the need for continuous virus monitoring in these ecologically important hosts.
Prescription drug diversion among substance‐impaired pharmacists
Authors: Merlo Lisa J. , Cummings Simone M. , Cottler Linda B.
Published: August 2013

Background and Objectives

Prescription drug addiction is a significant problem affecting healthcare professionals. The purpose of the present study was to identify common mechanisms of prescription drug diversion by pharmacists, in order to facilitate the development of effective prevention programs and policies for this high‐risk group.

Methods

A total of 32 pharmacists (71% male) who were being monitored by their State professional health program (PHP) due to substance‐related impairment participated in anonymous guided group discussions.

Results

Participants documented six primary methods of drug diversion by pharmacists: (1) taking expired drugs that can no longer be sold by the pharmacy and are awaiting disposal; (2) assuming responsibility for managing the pharmacy inventory and/or changing inventory records to prevent detection of missing drugs; (3) forging prescriptions for themselves, family members, friends, or customers in order to gain access to the drugs; (4) using “sleight of hand” techniques to acquire drugs while filling prescriptions or shelving products; (5) blatantly stealing drugs from the pharmacy, even in front of coworkers or video cameras, and (6) collecting patients' unused medications and keeping them.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

Efforts to address the problem of prescription drug abuse and diversion by pharmacists should be expanded in order to safeguard pharmacies and the patients they serve. Future research should extend this study to larger samples and assess best practices for decreasing prescription drug diversion by pharmacists with addiction. (Am J Addict 2014;23:123–128)

“A friend of mine, in the [impaired professionals monitoring] program was also a pharmacist and he does stand‐up comedy on the side. He's a funny guy, but in his routine he says, ‘I'm a pharmacist. Unlike most people, I love to go into work!”’

–Study participant