bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Bending and Recovery of Fabrics under Conditions of Changing Temperature and Relative Humidity
Authors: Chapman B. M.
Published: January 2017

The bending stress relaxation and recovery behavior of fabrics under conditions of changing temperature and humidity has been investigated. The fabric recovery is successfully predicted, from its stress relaxation behavior and a frictional parameter, using a previously presented model consisting of a generalized linear viscoelastic element in parallel with a frictional element. Furthermore, a viscoelastic parameter, simply obtainable from the relaxation data, together with the frictional parameter, have been shown to correlate well with observed recovery and may be useful as convenient indicators of fabric wrinkle performance.
The Measurement of Carpet Static
Authors: Chakravarti K. , Pontrelli G. J.
Published: January 2017

The various factors affecting static generation in carpets such as relative humidity, fiber type, shoe-sole material, carpet backing, and treadwear have been examined in this paper. Experiments to determine threshold level of static sensitivity in humans have been made. Critical evaluations of current carpet static test methods have been made, and the use of low voltage (discharge voltage) instead of maximum voltage value is suggested. A new carpet static test method using a motorized treadmill device has been described.
Photofading of Rhodamine Dyes
Authors: Evans N. A.
Published: January 2017

A range of basic dyes and an acidic dye have been dyed onto wool at room temperature using dimethyl sulfoxide as the solvent. When fluorescent Rhodamine dyes are dyed to low depths of shade by this method, the lightfastness of the dyeings is enhanced compared with wool dyed conventionally. There are two possible explanations for this enhanced lightfastness: (1) the dye is aggregated in the fiber when dyed from dimethyl sulfoxide, or (2) dimethyl sulfoxide directs the dye to different sites in which the dye is more stable to light.
Efficiency of the Cleaning Device of the New BD 200 Rotor in Connection with Yarn Properties
Authors: Barella A. , Vigo J. P.
Published: January 2017

The efficiency of the device for cleaning the rotor of the BD 200 machine was investigated, the yarn showing no periodic irregularities. However, some trends along the bobbin build were observed. These trends, which were observed earlier, are attributed to bobbin wind.
The Effect of Benzoylation on the Fine Structure of Jute
Authors: Chatterjee S. M. , Ray P. K.
Published: January 2017

Jute yarns were partially modified by benzoylation, under and without tension, to three low benzoyl contents, averaging from 10.01 to 45.32% to decrease the crystallinity, but retaining the fibrous structure and other desirable properties. The crystalline structure of jute was influenced by the benzoyl content but unaffected by tensile forces on the yarn during benzoylation. Modified yarns showed decreased crystallinity after a certain degree of substitution. The higher extent of benzoylation caused rapid decrystallization. This is in corroboration of the fact that with the increased esterification after 11.6% benzoyl content, the loss of strength of jute increased progressively.
Thermal Stress Analysis of Textile Yarns
Authors: Buchanan D. R. , Hardegree G. L.
Published: January 2017

The technique of thermal stress analysis is discussed in terms of basic yarn mechanical properties, particularly stress relaxation, and in terms of fundamental concepts of fiber fine structure. Examples of stress-temperature data obtained by this technique are given for as-spun, drawn, and textured yarns from polyester, polypropylene, and nylon 66. Several process variables are shown to affect significantly the stress-temperature “fingerprint” of a yarn, including, for as-spun yarns: orientation, ageing, and quenching; for drawn yarns: draw ratio and drawing temperature; and for textured yarns: texturing temperature, overfeed, and dyeing conditions.
Biaxial Compression of Hot Greasy Wool to High Densities and Its Subsequent Storage
Authors: Walls G. W.
Published: January 2017

Hot greasy wool was compressed to the same final density by using different amounts of wool in a biaxial press to achieve different amounts of compression in the two directions. The compressed wool was then cooled under restraint outside the press to find compression conditions for optimum strength, durability, and long-term packing density of the resultant blocks.
Durability of Firefighters' Protective Clothing to Heat and Light
Authors: Day M. , Cooney J. D. , Suprunchuk T.
Published: January 2017

Fabrics used in firefighters' protective clothing were exposed to simulated sunlight from a xenon are Weather-Ometer and heat in a forced air circulating oven, and the resulting changes in properties were measured (color, tearing strength, flame resistance and thermal protective performance). The thermal shrinkage and weight loss associated with heat exposure were also noted. Outer shell fabrics of Nomex III, Zirpro flame resistant wool, and PBI/Kevlar were all susceptible to light and underwent marked reductions in tensile tearing strength as a result of light exposure. Heat exposure resulted in a significant reduction in the tearing strength of all outer shell fabrics while increasing the tearing strength of moisture barrier fabrics. A polyamid/flame resistant viscose blend was extremely sensitive to heat exposure, undergoing a substantial loss in tearing strength and appreciable thermal shrinkage. Zirpro flame resistant wool was particularly sensitive to temperatures greater than 230°C. Although both light and heat caused losses in physical strength, there was no noticeable reduction in the flame resistance or thermal protective performance of the individual fabrics and garment assemblies studied.
2,2î-Bipyridine Catalyzed Bleaching of Cotton Fibers with Peracetic Acid
Authors: Rucker James W. , Cates David M.
Published: January 2017

Peracetic acid can be catalyzed to bleach cotton fibers at temperatures as low as 30°C by incorporating 2,2î-bipyridine in the bleach solution if the appropriate concentration of ferrous ions is present in the cotton fibers. The tris-2,2î-bipyridine ferrous ion complex (trischelate) is the catalytically active species, and sodium lauryl sulfate functions as a stabilizer for the peracid in the presence of the trischelate. The effects of pH, temperature, and concentrations of 2,2î-bipyridine, sodium lauryl sulfate, and ferrous ions on the kinetics and mechanism of peracetic acid decomposition have been investigated. Peracetic acid decomposition in the bleach solution is due mainly to alkaline hydrolysis without added ferrous ions and catalysis by the trischelate complex in solutions containing added ferrous ions. Overall decomposition follows the rate expression

where k1 is the specific rate constant for alkaline hydrolysis and k3 is the specific rate constant for catalytic decomposition by the trischelate in the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate.
Dalit politics and the Indian State : Changing landscape, emerging agendas
Authors: Thakur Manish K.
Published: January 2017

The conscious effort on the part of dalit activism to take the issue of dalit empowerment beyond the pale of the agency of the modernising State and firmly place it in the arena of global civil society, and the frequent appeal to the United Nations or the international human rights bodies to pressurise and morally coerce the Indian State, is part of the new dalit political tactics. This dampens the formation of a critical dalit consciousness by altering the flow of discontent from the State towards an incipient global civil society. Downgrading those struggles which are political / economic in nature or seek to capture State power, the new dalit activism tries to hegemonise the entire dalit movement.
Organisational role stress among women executives in the corporate sector in Punjab
Authors: Goyal Pratibha , Nadeem Zahid
Published: January 2017

Data from a micro survey of women executives in Ludhiana shows that women are becoming more and more career conscious, they want to take up challenging roles for growth and development, so wherever they are considered in the stereotyped framework, they face stress. The women executives under study were of the view that in changing times, middle class families find it difficult to have a decent standard of living without women's incomes. Therefore their going to the workplace is very much accepted by family members. Due to this acceptance, other family members try to adjust their roles within the family and a change is being felt in the attitude of the husband and other family members. Moreover due to changes in the technological environment, telecommunication, better transportation facilities, electronic gadgets etc., stress is reduced.
The theory of demographic challenge and response with facts from India
Authors: Reddy P.H.
Published: January 2017

The ideas expressed in this article, as also its title, are influenced by “The Theory of Change and Response in Modern Demographic History” (Davis, 1963: 345-366) and the theory of “Challenge-and-response” (Toynbee, 1972: 97-110).
Heritage of Tibetan culture among the people of Darjeeling Hills
Authors: Datta Karubaki
Published: January 2017

The notion of culture is vague and complex. It stands for complex phenomena. It may be used to indicate several dissimilar elements like beliefs, thought, values, ideals, emotions, rituals, customs, aesthetics, etc. These elements are manifested in the activities of individuals or groups of individuals in different forms such as language, art, myth, dance, music, prayer, worship, painting, drama, poetry, architecture, aesthetic appreciation, manners, food habits, housing patterns, style of clothing and even science and technological development and products.
Regional disparity in agricultural development in Orissa in the pre and post-reform period
Authors: Swain Mamata , Swain Mrutyunjay , Das Deepak Kumar
Published: January 2017

A careful analysis of the computed Agricultural Development Indices for different districts of Orissa reveals that the four coastal districts (Balasore, Cuttack, Puri and Ganjam) and two districts of central table land area (Sambalpur and Bolangir) are agriculturally more advanced than other districts in the three reference years over three decades (1980-81 to 1998-99). All the above districts have exchanged the first six ranks among themselves during the reference years. The agricultural success of four coastal districts is due to well-developed irrigation facilities and vast tracts of plain and fertile land comprising alluvial soil. Districts of the northern plateau zone, namely Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sundergarh, and Koraput of eastern ghat area are found to be the most backward districts as they have secured the lowest ranks during the reference years. A significant proportion of gross cropped area in these districts is under rainfed agriculture and, thus, drought prone. Phulbani is the only district having sliding or worsening agricultural development index over the reference time period. Regression analysis of the factors accounting for regional disparity unveils that irrigation is the most important determinant of agricultural productivity in a region. There is a need to extend irrigation facility to hitherto unirrigated areas. Therefore, public investments in irrigation infrastructure in underdeveloped rural regions need to be stepped up. During the post-reform period, regional disparity has declined due to emphasis laid on accelerating the growth of backward areas through various special area development programmes.
Progress in literacy and elementary education: The study of Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Mizoram
Authors: Chugh Sunita
Published: January 2017

The present paper compares the progress of elementary education in high literacy states, viz. Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Mizoram and critically examines the current status using DISE data. It highlights the contributing factors and circumstances responsible for the educational growth of these three states. Kerala has achieved almost the goal of universalisation of elementary education and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Mizoram have traversed a great path in this direction. In quantitative terms all the states have made a resounding success which is evident from the figures on literacy rates, enrolment ratio, transition rates, etc. Active role of Christian missionaries, affirmative actions of the State as well as the community support have been the fuelling force for this significant mileage. In Kerala the contribution of missionaries, activists, reform movements especially among the backward classes, working class and the peasantry mobilisation have led to the rise in literacy level and enrolment of children. In Mizoram, too the activities of the Christian missionaries and the state initiative have been instrumental in improving the literacy level, schooling facilities and enrolments. Contrary to this, in Himachal Pradesh the State commitment towards education for all with a focus on disadvantaged groups and backward areas has brought the schooling revolution. Besides, parental awareness, community involvement and greater investment in education have facilitated the more equitable educational growth in the state. The paper argues that the pathways to achieve UEE differ significantly from state to state and no single pathway can be considered to produce results. The pathways and strategies may have to be evolved in tandem with local conditions.
Snapshot of the homeless in Ludhiana city: A reflection of urban poverty
Authors: Duggal Bindu
Published: January 2017

Poverty is a multidimensional concept and cannot be defined unidimensionally. Poverty means non-fulfilment of the human right to a range of basic capabilities, e.g. nourishment, shelter, education, security, justice, earning a livelihood One of the important components of the right to live with dignity and also a significant constituent of the right to equality is the right to adequate housing. Homeless population with unique problems is the best representative of poverty. The present study has identified the poor in relation to the houseless population, as they have been denied their basic right to shelter due to the absence of housing and lack and complete denial of civic amenities to them, which enhances deprivation and poverty in urban areas. It was this basic idea that a need to conduct a snapshot survey of the homeless population in Ludhiana was considered vital. CRRID team carried out the study in all twelve areas of high concentration of the homeless population in Ludhiana.
World Natural Gas Prospects
Authors: Valais Michel R.
Published: January 2017

For a world in search of energy diversification, natural gas is a particularly attractive source. Its abundance and its facility for being substituted for petroleum products over a wide range of uses should certainly mean that it will play a much more important role in filling world energy needs. Nonetheless, many obstacles are hindering its progress.

This article outlines the leading technical and economic parameters, which should influence the development of the world gas industry, and the prospects for its production and international trade evolution between now and the end of the century.
Past, Present and Future Trends in Oil Reserves and OPEC Production Capacity
Authors: Martyniuk J. R.
Published: January 2017

The recent dramatic fall in oil demand has been parallelled by significant changes in the level of oil reserves, reserve/production ratios and the utilisation of OPEC production capacity.

This paper reviews recent production trends worldwide, analyses the latest reserve developments and the relationship between OPEC capacity utilisation and market pressure and assesses the longer-term prospects for reserves.
OPEC: What Next?
Authors: Akacem Mohammed
Published: January 2017

OPEC policy implications of resource economics are different for the ‘cash-starved’ members, the countries with large populations and a low resource base such as Nigeria, Algeria and Indonesia in contrast to the ‘rich’ members with small populations and considerable resources such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar. Conflicts in priorities of the two groups have been an important factor in the oil glut. The ‘poor’ members of OPEC will probably leave the organization upon depletion of their resources. Until this happens the interests of the oil producers can best be met with aid to the ‘poor’ members to prevent the dumping on the spot market. OPEC should establish a balance-of-payment ‘support’ programme to ‘tie’ those countries that develop balance-of -payment difficulties.

OPEC will eventually be replaced by GOPEC, the Gulf Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The smaller GOPEC would exert some control over the world's oil markets in the 1990s: they own more than 40% of the world's reserves. If Iran and Iraq were included the percentage would rise to more than 60% but their presence in this organization would inject the instability which now affects OPEC.

GOPEC could be expected to have a long-term pricing policy with a stable growth rate, greater involvement with distribution and active in the world market of petrochemicals. It will be faced with the problem of consumers finding alternative energy sources and with the protectionism already apparent in Europe and the US. The emergence of a stable GOPEC will once more raise the issue of the currency used to price oil and oil products. It would find advantage in detaching itself from the dollar as a primary unit. Instead, a ‘basket’ of currencies should be used such as the European Currency Unit (ECU), the yen and the US dollar. Such means will lead to greater stability for producers and consumers. Eventually, GOPEC should have pricing in terms of the Gulf Dinar or the Gulf Currency Unit (GCU) which would be traded in its own right.
The Impact of Canadian Gas Deregulation—A Producer's Perspective
Authors: Stoneman D. G.
Published: January 2017

The highly competitive situation that has evolved in energy markets and in the gas industry itself has made regulations impractical. In anticipation of this situation the Canadian Petroleum Association (CPA) formulated an Alternate Energy Policy to cope with the rapidly changing market conditions and to avoid the confusion resulting from ambiguous regulations. The policy was also designed to be adequate for the complexities of gas marketing and to meet the challenges of other energy forms by competitive pricing.

As a result of the intricate nature of the operations of the Canadian natural gas industry the process of deregulation has been lengthy and difficult. Nevertheless significant changes have taken place. By the fall of 1986 some 400 billion† cubic feet or 35% of the eastern Canadian market was served by renegotiated prices under Competitive Marketing Programs started in November 1985.

A deregulated natural gas industry will be characterized by multiple buyers and sellers, negotiated wholesale prices free of restrictions and a non-discriminatory gas transportation system.

Issues of deregulation still to be resolved include: conflict between honoring contracts and the needs of changing market circumstances; review of the surplus test which governs export quotas; elimination of the export floor price. There are also concerns in the industry about the hindrances to finding other markets and the elimination of provincial taxes.
Certain Considerations Affecting the World Oil Market
Authors: Conant Melvin A.
Published: January 2017

In listing “Certain Considerations Affecting the World Oil Market”, more accurate predictions of GNP growth rates are the crucial need without which forecasts are bound to be proven wrong. Yet the difficulties in improving upon GNP estimates are found in OECD member states — whose ability to project on the basis of better data collection is greater and more important than those of the developing world. Demand data of the OECD is subject also to continuing revisions although the International Energy Agency is improving upon its timely collecting and analysis of what is also crucial to projections of oil market requirements. But supply data — mainly from OPEC members — has become notoriously weak and untrustworthy, greatly complicating the task of how much supply, from where, is actually in the market.

If the challenge peculiar to OPEC is to stimulate demand for oil and the ability to do so with reasonable price targets, then the world is steadily becoming more aware of the fact that vital decisions in supply are made by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and (to a lesser extent) Iran. A few other producers contribute but the fundamental question is whether Saudi Arabia and Iraq will cooperate on a durable basis to affect the level of oil in international trade and therefore its price. Can they work together? The author believes not. There are too many other political and security interests between them — oil is not their only concern.

Given the strategic importance of Saudi and Iraqi oil, is there a sufficient role for other OPEC members to accept domination by these two producers? Probably not. It will continue to be very difficult for the cartel to maintain discipline.

Important also is the question as to whether non-OPEC sources have probably reached a plateau and will now decline. This view is widely discussed with the assumption that OPEC's key producers will become evermore important. Will the application of further investments and new technology in exploration and production regain a role for other and new suppliers? Yes. Non-OPEC sources are not at a “dead end”.

Moreover, oil importing governments will renew their efforts to sponsor investment into domestic energy resources. Key to their efforts has to be acceptance of the point that foreign (OPEC-Gulf members) price-setters must not be able to determine whether domestic resources will or will not be developed as a consequence of the OPEC price. Today, an oil importing country setting its domestic price at $25/barrel could exploit virtually any of its energy assets. But one difficulty confronting the private sector is the notorious tendency of governments to change with new regimes upsetting what had become energy policy.

Finally, oil markets and governments have now to reckon the impact of environmental pressures on alternate fuels. So important are these environmental pressures that in many countries national energy policy may be defined increasingly in environmental terms rather than in more traditional economic and security considerations.
Wind Energy in the UK and Europe: How Much, How Fast?
Authors: Grubb M.J.
Published: January 2017

The remarkable developments in wind energy technology during the 1980s have raised the prospect of wind energy as a serious power source for electricity grid supplies. Europe is in the forefront of both manufacturing and deployment. This paper outlines the path of developments, and discusses how much wind energy may be expected in the European community in the long term, and how rapidly this might develop in practice.

It is argued that “how much” is unknowable in any detail, because it depends upon essentially subjective assumptions about siting restrictions. On the most pessimistic siting and economic projections, it could be a minor component in a few countries, 'though even this would represent a substantial industry. However, the scenarios outlined suggest that wind is likely to be of some importance — 2-10% of electricity supplies — in many European countries within the next couple of decades, and that it could be of great importance — 10-40% of electricity supplies — in a few.

The main constraints on development rate are not technical, but are more concerned with judgement when there is still much to be learned, and with institutional issues. However, it seems certain that the European Community market in the late 1990s will be several hundred MW; it could be several thousand.
Economic Implications of Petroleum Field Size Distributions
Authors: Attanasi Emil D. , Drew Lawrence J.
Published: January 2017

The unprecedented natural gas price increases in the late 1970's and early 1980's allowed a glimpse of part of the in-situ distribution of natural gas fields that had been hidden by economic truncation. Analysis of those discoveries shows the distribution to be characterized by progressively larger numbers of fields as size category declines. This paper demonstrates the effects of economic truncation for gas fields found in Texas State and Federal offshore areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Economic and policy implications of alternative in-situ field size distribution influence future gas supplies, the associated costs, and petroleum industry activity.
The Effect of Fundamental Risk on the Market Pricing of Accruals Quality
Authors: Chen Linda H. , Dhaliwal Dan S. , Trombley Mark A.
Published: January 2017

Motivated by the theoretical results of Yee (2006), we extend the empirical analysis of Francis, LaFond, Olsson, and Schipper (2005) to test the prediction that the effect of accruals quality on cost of capital increases with fundamental risk. In asset pricing tests, we find that there is essentially no relation between accruals quality and cost of capital as measured by future return realizations for firms with the lowest fundamental risk. In contrast, for firms with the highest fundamental risk, there is a strong relation between accruals quality and future return realizations. Using earnings-price ratios and average implied cost of capital as alternative measures of cost of capital, we find that, as fundamental risk increases, accruals quality has an increasing effect on cost of capital and that the effect of accruals quality on cost of capital is reduced for firms with low fundamental risk. Overall, the results in this paper show that that relation depends critically on the level of fundamental risk, consistent with the model of Yee (2006). The results also serve to qualify the findings of Francis et al. (2005), who document a relation between accruals quality and cost of capital.
Clustered Disclosures by Competing Firms: The Choice of Fiscal Year-Ends
Authors: Sinha Nishi , Fried Dov
Published: January 2017

In some industries, firms schedule their disclosure at about the same time, usually around the end of the business season, whereas in others such disclosures are more dispersed over time. This paper examines firms' choice of fiscal year-ends (and hence of disclosure timing) relative to the business cycle and to the timing chosen by other firms in the industry. We model a stochastic setting in which the periodic closing of books yields information that is relevant for subsequent managerial decisions. The results show that although it is business seasonality that is the primary determinant of reporting period choice, competitive forces in the form of information transfer effects and proprietary disclosure costs have the ability to make firms' fiscal years deviate from the business season. Such deviations are more likely in industries in which costs exhibit low serial correlation across seasons, where cross-sectional correlation between firms' costs is high, or where within-season variations in business conditions are moderate. Furthermore, if incumbent firms are already reporting at the end of the business season, newer firms may have a greater inclination to make a different choice. The results also offer a novel rationale for what makes the end of the business cycle an attractive fiscal year-end. In our setting it is the desire to acquire managerially relevant information at an opportune time, rather than the ease of collecting information or the desire to optimize disclosure timing, that makes the end of a business cycle a preferred fiscal year-end.
Do RRA Earnings Improve the Usefulness of Reported Earnings in Reflecting the Performance of Oil and Gas Producing Firms?
Authors: Kennedy Dennis T. , Hyon Yong-Ha
Published: January 2017

This study employs a regression model and an inside-trading model to evaluate whether three component values of the Reserve Recognition Accounting (RRA) Supplemental Earnings Summary improve the extent to which reported earnings reflect factors affecting stock prices. The analysis is conducted for the 1979-1980 period of volatile oil prices, when the events that the RRA Earnings Summary was designed to reflect (exploration and discovery) were more likely to be significant.

Results from the regression analysis indicate that RRA earnings variables make a significant incremental contribution to explaining the variance in abnormal returns accumulated over the fiscal years described by the annual earnings values. Results from an inside-trading model indicate that advance knowledge of RRA earnings would be more useful to an investor than advance knowledge of the traditional historical cost earnings. The implication of these results is that data from the RRA Supplemental Earnings Summary improve the usefulness of reported earnings in reflecting the performance of oil and gas producing firms.
Discussion: “The Association between Firms' Values and Accounting Numbers after Adoption of Fresh Start Reporting”
Authors: Ball Ray
Published: January 2017

This paper has several nice features. First, the topic—fresh start reporting (FSR) of firms emerging from bankruptcy reorganization under Chapter 11—is inherently very interesting. The palates of researchers and teachers, accustomed to a diet of information on surviving firms, might well be stimulated by the institutional appetizers Reuven Lehavy serves up. For example, I was unaware of the FSR arrangements under SOP No. 90-7 and discovered that it provides a rare case in which U.S. accounting rules provide for revaluation of nonmarketable assets. While it is not exploited in this study, I was intrigued by the financial recontracting that occurs in the reorganization when debt in the failed firm is swapped for equity in the emerging firm.
Accounting Recognition and the Determinants of Pension Asset Allocation
Authors: Amir Eli , Benartzi Shlomo
Published: January 2017

We identify and test motives for corporate pension asset allocations using a proprietary asset allocation database covering the 1988–1994 period. We focus on the question of whether the recognition of additional minimum pension liability in accordance with SFAS No. 87 affects asset allocation. Our results are consistent with the claim that companies allocate their pension assets to avoid the recognition of an additional minimum liability. In particular, companies that are close to the recognition threshold prefer fixed-income investments rather than equity investments. By investing in fixed-income securities, firms increase the correlation between pension assets and liabilities, reducing the likelihood of a pension deficit. Our results also suggest that firms allocate their pension assets between equities and fixed-income investments to reduce the volatility of pension contributions. Finally, we find that larger firms and firms with a young workforce invest more in equity securities than in fixed-income securities.
Special Education Technology Addressing Diversity: A Synthesis of the Literature
Authors: Jeffs Tara , Morrison William
Published: January 2017

With the increasing complexity of schools and society, there is great need for expanded understanding of the many dimensions of diversity within the field of assistive technology (AT). The question that lies before us is how has diversity been examined in AT research and literature? Following a research synthesis method similar to Summers (1985) and Edyburn (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) the purpose of this study was threefold: (a) first, to conduct a literature review of scholarly publications in the area of AT that focused on the diversity dimensions of family, rural, culture, race, or gender between the years of 2000 and 2004, (b) second, to identify to what extent literature scatter was present or absent in this literature review, and (c) third, to answer the question ‘What have we learned?’ Using study criteria, 19 articles scattered across 12 peer-reviewed journals were identified and classified under five categories: family, rural, culture, race, and gender. Implications for practitioners and the field of AT are discussed.
Millennial Students with Mild Disabilities and Emerging Assistive Technology Trends
Authors: Peterson-Karlan George R. , Parette Phil
Published: January 2017

While the culture of typical Millennial students, those born after 1978–82, is increasingly recognized as being different from previous generations, particularly with regard to how technology is perceived and used, relatively little is known regarding whether these same characteristics are exhibited by students with mild disabilities. This article explores three cultural dimensions of technology-use patterns by Millennial students having particular relevance to students with mild disabilities: (a) comfort with technology, (b) connectivity to the world, and (c) technology as a tool for learning. An argument is presented that current education professionals who must now consider assistive technology (AT) for these students, know little about their preferences for, choices among, and usage of common non-school technologies that may have substantive implications for AT service delivery.
Implementing Project SIED
Authors: Schmidt Matthew M. , Lin Meng-Fen Grace , Paek Seungoh , MacSuga-Gage Ashley , Gage Nicholas A.
Published: January 2017

The worldwide explosion in popularity of mobile devices has created a dramatic increase in mobile software (apps) that are quick and easy to find and install, cheap, disposable, and usually single purpose. Hence, teachers need an equally streamlined and simplified decision-making process to help them identify educational apps—an approach that differs from traditional technology decision-making approaches that are cumbersome and require significant time, resources, and effort. Project Software Identification and Evaluation for Decision-Making (SIED) attempts to fill this gap. In this article, we describe Project SIED, how we designed a series of professional development workshops for in-service special education teachers based on Project SIED, and the evaluation outcomes of the workshops. Results suggest that workshops were successful from in-service special education teachers’ self-reported confidence and comfort levels. Limitations and future plans are discussed.
The Development of a Visual Acuity Test for Persons with Severe Handicaps
Authors: Cress Pamela J. , Johnson Janis L. , Spellman Charles R. , Sizemore Andrea C. , Shores Richard E.
Published: January 2017

Vision screening services are provided in almost all school programs for regular students. However, many special education students are unable to benefit from these screening programs do to their inability to perform on the screening tests commonly used. The Parsons Visual Acuity Test (PVAT) described in this article has been developed for use with difficult-to-test individuals who have previously been labeled untestable. Tests of validity produced significant correlations between the PVAT and the Snellen E. During field testing visual acuity threshold measurements were obtained on over 90% of the population who were previously considered untestable. The studies reported support use of the PVAT as an alternative screening procedure for indentifying difficult-to-test persons who are in need of a professional eye examination.
Microcomputers and Stimulus Control: From the Laboratory to the Classroom
Authors: LeBlanc Judith M. , Hoko J. Aaron , Aangeenbrug Mary H. , Etzel Barbara C.
Published: January 2017

The need for developing a technology of teaching that equals the current sophistication of microcomputer technology is addressed. The importance of utilizing principles of learning and behavior analysis in the development of such a technology is emphasized. The potential role that stimulus control and precise error analysis have in educational program development as well as in the prescription of specific learning sequences for children is provided.
Application of a Systems Technology for Formative Evaluation in an Early Childhood Special Education Program
Authors: Stile Stephen W. , Peters Joyce , Piazza-Templeman Torry
Published: January 2017

The present paper describes a noncomputerized system for collection, storage, and analysis of student performance data in an early childhood special education program. Formative evaluation data for 12 students during one school quarter indicate that 719 data-based decisions were made, resulting in reteaching (69%), moving ahead (25%), or branching (6%) within cumulative skill programs. Additional descriptive data are reported that reflect distribution of programs by curricular area, numbers of programs and units, types of branch decisions, and types of branches by curricular area.
Using the Microcomputer to Match Special Education Teacher Needs with Volunteer Interests
Authors: Krupicka William M. , Fimian Michael J.
Published: January 2017

The recent advent of “index card” software has allowed the creation of customized, user-friendly volunteer referral systems that can not only help local and district school personnel match identified special education classroom needs with volunteer resources, but also account for time schedules and other variables. An example of one system is presented using Multimate On-File™ an IBM-PC or compatible database management program.
The Intelligibility of Synthetic Speech to Learning Handicapped Children
Authors: Helsel-Dewert Marjorie , van den Meiracker Maud
Published: January 2017

This study investigated the effect of listening experience on the ability of learning handicapped children to understand synthetic speech. Two groups of 12 learning handicapped children each participated in the study. The first group was exposed to synthetic speech every day for 10 weeks, whereas the second had limited or no exposure to synthetic speech. When children were asked to identify stimulus words presented by a taped, female voice, the group with extended exposure to synthetic speech correctly identified approximately the same percentage of words as the group with limited exposure In contrast, when the stimulus words were presented by a speech synthesizer, children in the extended exposure group correctly identified a significantly higher percentage of the words than did those in the limited exposure group. Both groups correctly identified significantly fewer wends when words were presented by the speech synthesizer than when words were presented by the tape recorder. Educational implications of the low intelligibility scores of both groups when listening to synthesized speech are discussed, and future research needs identified.
A Survey of Assistive Technology Applications in Schools and Recommendations for Practice
Authors: Derer Kristine , Polsgrove Lewis , Rieth Herbert
Published: January 2017

The Analysis of Technology Assistance for Children (ATAC) project was undertaken in recognition of the severe limit in information on current practices in field applications of assistive technology. Specifically, the ATAC project focused on investigating three problem areas: (1) the status of assistive technology in educational and related settings with school-age children with disabilities; (2) the benefits and barriers associated with using assistive technology for these youngsters; and (3) the effects of assistive technology use. A major aspect of the project involved a general survey of assistive technology use in special education classrooms across three states: Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. This article presents the results of this effort, and discusses the implications in regard to improving practices in the field.
Evaluation of miR-216a and miR-217 as Potential Biomarkers of Acute Exocrine Pancreatic Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Wang Jianying , Huang Wenhu , Thibault Stephane , Brown Thomas P. , Bobrowski Walter , Gukasyan Hovhannes J. , Evering Winston , Hu Wenyue , John-Baptiste Annette , Vitsky Allison
Published: January 2017

Detecting and monitoring exocrine pancreatic damage during nonclinical and clinical testing is challenging because classical biomarkers amylase and lipase have limited sensitivity and specificity. Novel biomarkers for drug-induced pancreatic injury are needed to improve safety assessment and reduce late-stage attrition rates. In a series of studies, miR-216a and miR-217 were evaluated as potential biomarkers of acute exocrine pancreatic toxicity in rats. Our results revealed that miR-216a and miR-217 were almost exclusively expressed in rat pancreas and that circulating miR-216a and miR-217 were significantly increased in rats following administration of established exocrine pancreatic toxicants caerulein (CL) and 1-cyano-2-hydroxy-3-butene (CHB) as well as in rats administered a proprietary molecule known to primarily affect the exocrine pancreas. Conversely, neither microRNA was increased in rats administered a proprietary molecule known to cause a lesion at the pancreatic endocrine–exocrine interface (EEI) or in rats administered an established renal toxicant. Compared with amylase and lipase, increases in miR-216a and miR-217 were of greater magnitude, persisted longer, and/or correlated better with microscopic findings within the exocrine pancreas. Our findings demonstrate that in rats, miR-216a and miR-217 are sensitive and specific biomarkers of acute exocrine pancreatic toxicity that may add value to the measurement of classical pancreatic biomarkers.
Use of stent-grafts for the ductus arteriosus and its related lesions
Authors: Soeda Takeshi , Saitoh Yuhei , Yokoi Yoshihiko , Yuri Koichi , Katayama Hideyuki , Konegawa Yasushi
Published: January 2017

Five cases of ductal lesions with various anatomies have been successfully treated by thoracic endovascular aortic replacement in recent years; 4 using mainly fenestrated stent-grafts, and one using a non-fenestrated stent-graft. Considering the invasive nature of open surgery and the anatomical limitations of the catheter technique for occluding a patent ductus in many adult cases, thoracic endovascular aortic replacement should be the first option because of its broad applicability for ductal lesions.
Appearance of a thymic mass after treatment of Cushing’s syndrome
Authors: Delitala Alessandro P , Olita Laura , Piras Carla , Cosseddu Rossella , Bagella Giorgio , Fanciulli Giuseppe
Published: January 2017

A 23-year-old woman was referred to our center with hirsutism, acne, weight gain, weakness, and irregular menses. Laboratory tests revealed increased levels of cortisol and sex hormones, and reduced adrenocorticotropic hormone levels. The patient underwent a right adrenalectomy. Pathology of the resected right adrenal gland showed an adrenal carcinoma. Computed tomography 8 months after the surgery revealed a thymic mass that was not detected preoperatively. The frequency of rebound thymic hyperplasia after normalization of hypercortisolism is not known, but possibly as high as 40%. Physicians must be aware of this phenomenon to avoid unnecessary thoracic surgery.
Price Discovery Process and Volatility Spillover in Spot and Futures Markets: Evidences of Individual Stocks
Authors: Mallikarjunappa T , Afsal E M
Published: January 2017

This paper analyses information-based superiority of markets mainly with an objective of exploring arbitrage opportunities. It attempts to determine the lead-lag relationship between spot and futures markets in the Indian context by using high frequency price data of twelve individual stocks, observed at one-minute interval. The study applies the concept of co-integration and establishes the spot-futures relationship using Vector Error Correction Mechanism (VECM) represented by EGARCH framework. To study the price discovery process in the two markets, five lags each of one-minute resolution for nine individual stocks and four lags for the remaining three stocks are chosen.

The key results of the study are given below: There is a contemporaneous and bi-directional lead-lag relationship between the spot and futures markets. A feedback mechanism of short life is functional between the two markets. Price discovery occurs in both the markets simultaneously. There exists short-term disequilibrium that could be corrected in the next period. Volatility spillover from spot market to futures market is present in such a way that a decrease in spot volatility leads to a decrease in futures volatility. Volatility shocks are asymmetric and persistent in both the markets. Spillover from futures market to spot market is not significant. Neither spot nor futures assume a considerable leading role and neither of the markets is supreme in price discovery. In the case of 33.33 per cent of spot values and 33.33 per cent of futures values, there exists short-term disequilibrium that could be corrected in the next period by decreasing the prices. Spot market volatility spills over to futures market in most of the cases (66.66 %) and a decrease in spot volatility brings about a decrease in futures volatility in 50 per cent of the cases. Spillover effect from futures to spot market is present and significant in 91.66 per cent of stocks and is more than the spillover effect from spot to futures (50% valid cases). The markets are highly integrated. Asymmetric behaviour of volatility shocks is mixed in both the markets. Asymmetric volatility is detected in 50 per cent of the cases of spot market and 58.33 per cent cases of futures market. Stocks exhibiting asymmetric volatility show more sensitivity to negative shocks. There are no cases of market becoming more volatile in response to good news.
Diversification Strategies of Multi-national and Domestic Companies in India: A Comparative Evaluation in the Dynamic Environment
Authors: Bhatia Aparna , Thakur Anu
Published: January 2017

The aim of this article is to analyze and compare the nature, extent and pattern of diversification of domestic and multi-national companies (MNCs). A total of 536 companies from BS-1000 (March, 2012) form the sample of the study. The diversification move has been studied over a period of 10 years from 2001 to 2011. Firms are classified into four categories on the basis of Jacquemin–Berry entropy-index measure (1979) as Very Low Diversified (VLD), Related Diversified (RD), Unrelated Diversified (UD) and Very High Diversified (VHD). In order to check the difference in the extent of diversification, chi-square statistic has been employed. The article identifies that both MNCs and domestic companies are following diversification strategy, although the extent of diversification is higher in the case of MNCs than their domestic counterparts. ‘Related diversification’ is the most preferred strategy for both the groups. Further, both the groups follow an irregular pattern of diversification, although Indian companies prefer faster and forward movement, while MNCs are comparatively sluggish with their moves.
Organizational Socialization Context: Evidence from the Microfinance Sector in the Developing Country
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Jasim , Ahmed Jashim Uddin
Published: January 2017

Although extant literature mainly emphasizes socialization models like early life socialization, socialization stage models, socialization tactics, newcomer learning and individual differences, little attention has been paid to the socialization in the organizational context. The main purpose of the research is to examine how context influences the organizational socialization process. The study has carried out multilevel organization analysis employing a single case study in the microfinance sector of Bangladesh. The study finds that contextual factors such as structure, goals, job role and environment facilitate and also constrain the socialization process. Institutional, formal, group and informal socialization tactics are commonly practiced in the multiple levels of the microfinance institution. Socialization stages such as learning and initiation, encountering and adjustment are commonly practiced and they are associated with uncertainty and environmental constraints. Overall, the study argues that context is critical in understanding and explaining socialization process.