bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production of active film based on potato starch containing Zedo gum and essential oil of Salvia officinalis and study of physical, mechanical, and antioxidant properties
Authors: Pirouzifard Mahla , Yorghanlu Roghiye Ashrafi , Pirsa Sajad
Published: January 2019

In this study, biodegradable/antioxidant active film based on potato starch was provided. Composite films of potato starch/Zedo gum/ Salvia officinalis essential oil were provided in different percents of Zedo gum (0.5–1.5%) and S. officinalis essential oil (0–500 µl). The characters of composite film, including physical, mechanical, and antioxidant properties were studied. The results showed that adding different amounts of Zedo gum and essential oil to starch film causes a significant decrease ( p < 0.05) in moisture content, solubility, and film water vapor permeability (WVP). The film containing 1.5% gum and 500 µl of essential oil had minimum moisture content, solubility, and WVP. Results showed that the addition of Zedo gum significantly increased the thickness and opacity of the films and reduced the transparency of the films. Increasing the essential oil is significant on the film opacity and leads to a decrease in the passage of light from the films. By adding different amounts of gum, the antioxidant content of the films was significantly increased compared to the control film (pure starch film). Also, increasing the concentration of essential oil in the film composition caused a significant increase in the antioxidant activity of the films ( p < 0.05). Modified starch films containing 1.5% gum (without essential oil) with 62.64% antioxidant activity and film with 1.5% gum and 500 µl essential oils with 68.35% antioxidant activity had the highest antioxidant activity. The addition of salvia essential oil and Zedo gum significantly decreased the elongation and tensile strength of the potato starch film ( p < 0.05). Finally, the potato starch composite film containing Zedo gum and salvia essential oil showed excellent physical and antioxidant properties and had an excellent ability to be used in the food packaging industry.
Biological resistance of nanoclay-treated plastic composites with different bamboo contents to three types of fungi
Authors: Taghiyari Hamid R , Bari Ehsan , Sistani Asghar , Najafian Mohammad , Ghanbary Mohammad Ali Tajick , Ohno Katie M
Published: January 2019

The present study investigated the effects of exposure of bamboo–plastic composites to three aggressive fungi species on mass loss values. Polyvinyl chloride was used as the synthetic matrix of the composite. Three mixing combinations were used for bamboo–polymer composites, namely 40/60, 50/50, and 60/40. The injection-molded process was employed to produce the composites. Specimens were prepared according to modified European standard specifications (EN-113) to be exposed to white-, brown-, and soft-rot fungi each month for 4 months. The results indicated that the soft-rot fungus ( Chaetomium globosum) generally caused higher mass losses in all bamboo/plastic combination ratios. Brown- and soft-rot fungi demonstrated different mass losses on different combination ratios. However, the white-rot fungus ( Trametes versicolor) caused nearly the same mass losses on all three combination ratios. Moreover, T. versicolor was highly significant with respect to mass loss and moisture content. It can therefore be concluded that the T. versicolor has a different decay metabolism when compared to the brown- and soft-rot fungus used in this study.
The effects of thermochromic pigments on optical, mechanical, and heat insulation properties of plasticized PVC window film
Authors: Sakuldeemeekiat Thamolchanok , Luamsri Natchaya , Wootthikanokkhan Jatuphorn , Phiriyawirut Manisara
Published: January 2019

In this study, a feasibility for developing window films for energy efficiency in building based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composite was explored, using two different types of thermochromic pigments, such as vanadium dioxide (VO2) and thermoreversal-40. Using VO2, tensile properties of the PVC film improved, accompanied with an increase of percentage gelation of PVC. On the other hand, thermochromic behaviors, in the visible light region of the PVC/thermoreversal-40 film, were more obvious than those of the PVC/VO2 analog. The percentage of transmittance of the near infrared wave through the PVC/VO2 film was much lower than that transmitted through the PVC/thermoreversal-40 film. The above improvement was achieved at the expense of the thermal stability of the PVC film.
A novel heat-triggered shape-memory polymer based on ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer/nitrile–butadiene rubber thermoplastic vulcanizates
Authors: Wang Libin , Xiong Kesi , Wang Zhaobo
Published: January 2019

Achieving considerable shape-memory effects is a challenge for typical sea-island structured polymer blends. In this article, we successfully fabricated a novel heat-triggered shape-memory polymer (HSMP) based on ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer/nitrile–butadiene rubber (EVA/NBR) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) via dynamic vulcanization. The influence of deformation temperature ( Td), recovery temperature ( Tr), and recovery time on the shape-memory behavior of the EVA/NBR (weight ratio = 80/20) TPV was investigated systematically. The shape-memory result of the EVA/NBR (weight ratio = 80/20) TPV demonstrated that when the Td was close to the melting temperature ( Tm) of the EVA phase (76°C), the TPV could obtain a good shape fixity ratio (>95%) and an excellent shape recovery ratio (>95%) at 100% stretch ratio. A shape-memory mechanism was proposed for this HSMP. The dynamic mechanical analysis results under temperature sweep mode showed that with increasing EVA content in TPVs, the tan δ decreased, while the storage modulus increased. The morphology observation showed that the cross-linked NBR particles were dispersed evenly in the etched surface of EVA/NBR TPV with an average diameter of approximately 2–6 μm. The longitudinal stretching surface of the EVA/NBR TPV exhibited the banding-like texture microstructure during the stretching process.
Studies on the thermal, mechanical, compatibility, and morphological properties of zinc-neutralized ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer blend with m-aramid
Authors: Balasubramanian R , Park Sujin , Kim Sam Soo , Lee Jaewoong
Published: January 2019

A series of binary composite blends of m-aramid/zinc ionomer ( m-Ar/ZnI) with different weight ratio were prepared by the solution blend technique. These composite films were characterized in terms of the structure, crystallinity, morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties. The temperature corresponding to 5% ( T5%) weight loss are in the range of 101–438°C. The composite films showed good storage modulus (in the range of 2.1–3.1 GPa) and high glass transition temperature ( Tg) (in the range of 254–278°C) and exhibited good tensile strength but it decreased with an increase in the content of ZnI. The strong compatibilizing effect was observed between the m-Ar and ZnI components, where exceptionally self-assembled morphology was formed in the m-Ar/ZnI composite films. The most favorable mechanical and thermal data supported by the finest structure were observed with 3:0.50 weight ratio. This study evaluates the efficiency of ionomer in m-Ar/ZnI composite blends.
Experimental investigation of the hygrothermal creep strain of wood–plastic composite lumber made from thermally modified wood
Authors: Alrubaie Murtada Abass A , Lopez-Anido Roberto A , Gardner Douglas J , Tajvidi Mehdi , Han Yousoo
Published: January 2019

The hygrothermal effect on the short-term creep behavior of extruded thermally modified wood fiber–high-strength styrenic copolymer plastic composites (wood–plastic composites (WPCs)) was investigated on specimens preconditioned for 1 month under water immersion (distilled water (DW) and saltwater (SW)). These specimens were then tested in the same conditions for short-term creep and creep-recovery response using a submersible clamp. The short-term creep tests of WPC specimens (that are immersed in water as a function of different temperatures) have not yet been reported in previous studies. The objective of this study was to determine whether the hygrothermal creep response of WPC material evaluated through water immersion differs from the creep response published in the literature for other environmental exposure conditions. The experiments included measuring 30 min of creep and 30 min of creep recovery on the specimens immersed in SW and DW at two different levels of flexural stresses (9% and 14% of the flexural strength) and three temperature values (25, 35, and 45°C). The average creep strain recovery (%) of the specimens was higher for the specimens immersed in SW during testing than the control specimens. The WPC material is considered to have a potential use in structural applications in environments where the temperature is below 45°C because of the following factors: the low deformation under the short-term sustained loading, the decrease in the deformation rate with respect to the increase in load duration, maintaining the modulus of elasticity over a range of temperatures from 25°C to 45°C under sustained load, and the ability to recover more than 69% of the average creep strain under water immersion when the loading source is removed. The creep strain fractional increment (CSFI) of the WPC in this study under all conditions was 13% which is 86% lower than the CSFI of the WPCs reported in previous studies.
From “First in Family” to “First to Finish”: Does College Graduation Vary by How First-Generation College Status Is Defined?
Authors: Toutkoushian Robert K. , May-Trifiletti Jennifer A. , Clayton Ashley B.
Published: January 2019

The purpose of our study was to examine the relationship between alternative definitions of first-generation college students (FGCSs) and graduation from 2- and 4-year colleges. Using Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 data, we constructed eight definitions of FGCSs based on parents’ highest level of education and the number of parents at that level. We identified a series of regression models to explain whether the student earned a 2- or 4-year degree, and focused on the association between different definitions of FGCSs and student success. We estimated both unconditional models for all 10th graders in the sample as well as conditional models for only those who enrolled in college, to see if FGCS status mattered even for those who overcame the access hurdle. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between FGCSs and the pathways to college completion for students who have initially enrolled in a 2- versus 4-year colleges.
Ether for Wound Debridement of Wild Maggots
Authors: Wein Rachel E. , Paplaskas Alison , Saely Suprat
Published: January 2019

Myiasis is defined as an infestation of the organs or tissues of live vertebrates (humans or animals) by dipterous larvae, commonly referred to as maggots. Wound myiasis is a common presentation in the emergency department. The presence of wild maggots and larvae in wounds is concerning for subsequent myiasis-induced infections and complications. Proper extraction of wild maggots and larvae is required to avoid complications that may occur with wound myiasis. Surgical debridement is often utilized to extract wild maggots and larvae, but can be painful and time-consuming. There is limited literature available on alternative approaches for removal of wild maggots and larvae. We present a case of lower extremity wound myiasis that had wild maggots and larvae successfully removed with no complications using ether. This procedure is a novel, noninvasive, and pain-free way to extract wild maggots and larvae from wound myiasis.
Iterative learning control of robot based on artificial bee colony algorithm
Authors: Xi Wanqiang , Wang Yaoyao , Chen Bai , Wu Hongtao
Published: January 2019

For the repetitive motion control, inaccurate model, and other issues of industrial robots, this article presents a novel control method that the proportion differentiation-type iterative learning parameters are self-tuning based on artificial bee colony algorithm. Considering the influence of the numerical value of iterative learning parameters on the control system, especially in the early iteration, the control effect is not satisfactory. Thus, the artificial bee colony algorithm is introduced in this article. Using bee colony as search unit, the parameters in iterative learning are optimized through the exchange of information and the survival of fittest between them. And then the optimized results are returned to iterative learning control algorithm. Finally, the digital simulation of a two-degrees-of-freedom manipulator and the experimental verification of a cable-driven robot with its first two joints are carried out. The results show that the iterative learning control based on the artificial bee colony algorithm has faster convergence and better control effect than the iterative learning control with fixed parameters.
The current status of RANZCP CPD 2017 programme: a shift to regulation
Authors: de Beer Wayne , Harvey Richard J , Hill Anita
Published: January 2019

Objective:

This paper outlines the current status of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ (RANZCP) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme, its main drivers and influences, and outlines potential future changes.

Conclusions:

The three features that appear to be essential for an effective CPD programme are the presence of high internal motivation for CPD participation, membership valuing workplace learning, and to ensure that the content for learning remains largely work-focused. The need to incorporate best learning evidence has witnessed the international trend to include peer, reflective and interactive learning tasks into the CPD programme. For this latter change to be successful, members need to be informed about the value of these new and different learning methodologies.
Treatment of postpartum psychosis in a mother-baby unit: do both mother and baby benefit?
Authors: Hill Rebecca , Law Daphne , Yelland Chris , Sved Williams Anne
Published: January 2019

Objectives:

To describe characteristics and treatments of mother-baby dyads affected by postpartum psychosis admitted to a specialist mother-baby inpatient psychiatric unit in Australia.

Methods:

A retrospective review of medical records for all mothers with postpartum psychosis and their babies admitted to a mother-baby unit over a 5-year period was conducted.

Results:

A total of 25 dyads met the study criteria. Affected women were found to be severely ill with a high rate of involuntary status (64%). They waited an average 4.7 days for a bed in the mother-baby unit. All received an atypical antipsychotic, with 16% receiving lithium augmentation. Infants were found to have generally normative growth and development, with relationship concerns noted in 5. A total of 36% of the cohort maintained some breastfeeding, and all had their infants in their care at discharge.

Conclusions:

The mother-baby unit enabled severely ill women to remain with their infants during treatment. While a minority of infants showed developmental concerns, appropriate development was noted in most. Future efforts should focus on determining the most effective treatments and further defining the risks and benefits for infants in mother-baby units.
The Issue of Skin Color in Psychotherapy with African Americans
Authors: Harvey Aminifu R.
Published: January 2019

The author explores the significance of skin color in the psychology of African Americans, its contribution to the psychosocial dysfunctioning in some individuals, and techniques for dealing with issues of skin color in psychotherapy. A brief historical overview asserts that the dynamics of European oppression of Africans and their descendants has provided the foundation for skin-color concerns. Two case illustrations of psychotherapy with individuals for whom skin color is a significant psychodynamic issue are presented, and recommendations for therapeutic interventions with clients for whom skin color is a salient issue are provided.
Utilization-Focused Evaluation of a Family Preservation Program
Authors: Smith Mieko Kotake
Published: January 2019

The Federal Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 requires states to maintain children at risk in the least restrictive environment possible. Accordingly, practitioners try to keep these children with their families, using out-of-home placement as a last resort. Studies suggest that certain types of families benefit most from family preservation services. This article reports the results of a pilot family preservation program in which 26 families met the following four admission criteria: urgency, high risk, child's age, and willingness to enter the program. The families received intensive intervention from an assigned social worker who provided case management services, casework counseling, family therapy, and a domestic educational program. At the end of the three-month program, 24 families retained their children, and three months later, 23 families remained intact. This evident success may be attributed to (1) the use of purposeful admission criteria, (2) intervention by skillful social workers who established rapport with the families, and (3) follow-up undertaken by the same social workers. The results also provide empirical support for utilization-focused evaluation.
Politically Progressive Casework
Authors: Barber James G.
Published: January 2019

It is frequently asserted that casework is antithetical to social change. In opposition to that view, this article presents a model of social work practice that seeks to build politically progressive practice upon a foundation of casework practice. The model views casework as a necessary stage in organizing people to mount successful political campaigns for social change.
The Impact of Work on Adolescent Development
Authors: Safyer Andrew W. , Leahy Brenda Hawkins , Colon Neil B.
Published: January 2019

The number of adolescents spending significant amounts of nonschool hours in the workplace is increasing. In the past, policymakers and educators argued that part-time employment facilitated transition into adult’ hood. Systematic investigations, however, have raised serious concerns about the benefits and costs of youth work. The authors explore the empirical literature regarding the impact of part-time employment on various aspects of adolescent development and discuss the implications of these findings for social work practice and future research.
Operational Strategies and Organizational Structures in Family Service Agencies
Authors: Wernet Stephen P.
Published: January 2019

The author reports on the strategies and structures used by family service agencies. Niche theory informed the hypothesis that size differences among these family service organizations would be associated with programmatic and financial specialties. Results indicated that the largest organizations moved out of the traditional niche for family service agencies. The organizations did not use a particular financial or program strategy to enhance financial and program structure. Rather, different strategies had differential effects upon either the program or financial structures. Most strategies had a deleterious effect upon structures.
Diagrammatic Assessment of Family Relationships
Authors: Hartman Ann
Published: January 2019

Two methods of diagramming family relationships offer insights into complex family and community interactions and facilitate the interviewing and intervention process
Empowering Diverse Populations: Family Practice in the 21st Century
Authors: Pinderhughes Elaine
Published: January 2019

The rapid increase around the world in interactions among persons of diverse cultural and social backgrounds along with (1) major shifts in how family is defined and (2) increasing fragmentation and disconnection among families will place extraordinary demands on family practitioners in the 21st century. To help clients cope with the problems that beset them, practitioners must be trained to be flexible, open thinkers who are comfortable with diversity and knowledgeable about multilevel approaches to family empowerment. Empowering diverse clients will require practitioners to be culturally competent and able to apply knowledge of power dynamics in human functioning to their understanding of their clients, the intervention process, and themselves.
Supporting Family Strengths: Orienting Policy and Practice toward the 21st Century
Authors: Weick Ann , Saleebey Dennis
Published: January 2019

Families today are under siege as they try to respond to economic, social, and cultural challenges beyond their control. The myths of economic self-sufficiency and psychological normalcy have engendered, in both public policy and family treatment, strategies that isolate, punish, and pathologize families. To move beyond these myths, it is necessary to draw more generous definitions of what constitutes family by placing families within the nurturing membrane of community life and actively seeking to support family strengths through imaginative and innovative policies and empowering practices.
Qualitative Assessment: A Methological Review
Authors: Franklin Cynthia , Jordan Catheleen
Published: January 2019

Over the past decade, social workers have been encouraged to use measurement and other assessment methodologies grounded in the research traditions of the empirical practice model. Qualitative or constructivist approaches to assessment are suggested as an alternative approach for assessing clients. The authors review definitions of qualitative assessment methods and summarize their philosophical and theoretical underpinnings originating from the constructivist epistemologies. Several qualitative assessment methods used in clinical practice are summarized with the help of case examples. Reliability and validity of qualitative assessment data are also summarized. Finally, the practical difficulties social workers may encounter in using qualitative assessment methods in practice are discussed.
Coming Out: A Dialectic of Intimacy and Privacy
Authors: Ben-Ari Adital
Published: January 2019

The concepts “privacy” and “intimacy” can enhance our understanding of the family dynamics involved in the process of coming out. The author proposes that the relationship between privacy and intimacy is neither contradictory nor complementary, but dialectical. These concepts not only can enrich our theoretical frame-work, but they can promote open exchanges between parents and their gay sons and lesbian daughters. Parents who perceive that their homosexual sons and daughters disclose then sexual orientation to them within the context of intimacy adjust more easily than they might otherwise to the disclosed information.
History of Child Abuse: A Key Variable in Client Response to Short-Term Treatment
Authors: Holmes Thomas R.
Published: January 2019

A family service counseling program was studied to assess the efficacy of short-term treatment. Previous research indicating effectiveness of short-term treatment did not control for a history of childhood abuse as a factor affecting treatment outcome. This study of 39 adult outpatient clients showed that after 3 to 6 sessions of treatment, those with no history of childhood abuse showed clinically and statistically significant improvement in their anxiety and depression as measured by the Beck anxiety and depression inventories. Clients with a history of childhood abuse showed no change after the short-term intervention in either anxiety or depression.
Psychosocial Correlates of Child Out-of-Home Living Arrangements among At-Risk Pregnant Women
Authors: Marcenko Maureen O. , Spence Michael
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this study was to identify the maternal psychosocial factors associated with child out-of-home living arrangements among pregnant women living in poverty. One hundred and sixty women considered at psychosocial risk for child maltreatment were interviewed according to a structured questionnaire when they presented for prenatal care at a large urban hospital-based clinic. Mothers whose children were currently living with substitute caregivers were compared with mothers whose children resided with them. The policy and practice implications of the findings are discussed.
Social Isolation and Child-Abuse Risk
Authors: Moncher Frank J.
Published: January 2019

Social isolation or lack of social support has often been implicated in the etiology of physical child abuse. However, social isolation and social support can be defined in terms of various properties, each of which may affect the occurrence of abuse potential in a different manner or to a different degree. This study explores the dimensions of social isolation that may place mothers at greatest risk for physically abusing their children. Results indicated that certain aspects of support were important in predicting decreased physical child abuse potential: concrete support from work or school associates and emotional support in noncritical relationships throughout the support network. Results are discussed in terms of implications for interventions and future explorations of the relationship between social isolation and physical child abuse.
Quiet Success: Parenting Strengths among African Americans
Authors: Hurd Elisabeth Porter , Moore Carolyn , Rogers Randy
Published: January 2019

Building on a model of family competence, the authors examined strengths among African American parents. Fifty-three parents described the values and behaviors that they imparted to their children. Support from external caregivers, which reinforced family competence, was studied. The study found substantial parental involvement, considerable support from other adults, and a high frequency of positive role modeling by African American men.
Improvisation as a Concept for Understanding and Treating Violent Behavior among African American Youth
Authors: Pierce Walter J. , Singleton Sharron M.
Published: January 2019

The prevalence of violent behavior among African American youth poses a serious threat to society in general and to the African American community in particular. Current efforts to stem the tide of violent behavior have focused primarily on mentoring and threat of punishment as deterrents. The authors present the concept of improvisation as a lens through which to view and analyze the behavioral style of African American youth. Information is presented relative to the use of improvisation as a preventive and rehabilitative strategy for intervening with African American youth.
Children on the Move: Placement Patterns in Children's Protective Services
Authors: Rittner Barbara
Published: January 2019

The author reviewed placement patterns in 447 systematically selected case records of abused and neglected children residing with either parents or relatives and under the supervision of children's protective services (CPS). Children of color had more kinship and shelter placements. Despite high levels of care and protection provided by relatives, supervision of children continued because CPS workers were concerned that noncustodial parents might reabuse the children. Workers expressed apprehensions that if they failed to predict and prevent reabuse, they would be blamed by the agency as well ashy the media and public demanding to know why the system failed.
Wading through the Muddy Waters of Recovered Memory
Authors: Robbins Susan P.
Published: January 2019

The author reviews the professional debate about recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse and addresses conceptual errors, unwarranted assumptions, and factual inaccuracies in Benatar's essay “Running Away from Sexual Abuse: Denial Revisited” in the May 1995 Families in Society. Despite the fact that many therapists believe that repression or dissociation is a common response to childhood sexual abuse, little support for this idea is found in scientific studies. The author reviews the recent literature in this area and cautions social workers to avoid getting caught in the extreme polemics of this debate. Although it is important to be open to new findings in this area, we must be able to distinguish between conjecture and fact.
Long-Term Impact of Vietnam War Service on Family Environment and Satisfaction
Authors: Hendrix Charles C. , Jurich Anthony P. , Schumm Walter R.
Published: January 2019

The authors surveyed 47 midwestern Vietnam war veterans about their war experiences, current lives, and perspectives of their families at this time. Results indicated significant associations between combat exposure and the development of psychological impairment as well as associations between psychological impairment and family environment and satisfaction. No significant associations were found between combat exposure and family environment or satisfaction. Results suggest the need for increased interventions at a family level for survivors of war trauma. Implications for counselors are discussed.
Service System Barriers to Reunification
Authors: Petr Christopher G. , Entriken Cindy
Published: January 2019

Programs to reunice children in state custody with their families and communities have not proliferated to the same extent as have programs designed to prevent placement. Although reunification is generally recognized as a more complex and formidable undertaking, the nature and extent of the obstacles to reunification are not fully understood. The authors report on five major systems barriers to reunification that were identified through a pilot case management project in a midwestern state. Knowledge of these obstacles can help officials create a context in which reunification programs have optimal opportunity to succeed.
The Impact of Schizophrenia on Clients’ Religious Beliefs: Implications for Families
Authors: Walsh Joseph
Published: January 2019

Family functioning is disrupted when a member develops schizophrenia. This thought disorder produces major changes in the person's ability to communicate with other members and participate in the family culture. However, although schizophrenia produces bizarre or impoverished thinking, it does not usually alter the individual's prior religious belief system. The family's religious tradition can provide a context within which to rebuild relationships between the relative who has schizophrenia and other members. The author presents theoretical bases of family systems and symbolic interactionism as frameworks to guide intervention.
Implications of the Holocaust for Social Work
Authors: Rosenbloom Maria
Published: January 2019

Studying the Holocaust teaches moral and behavioral lessons and helps social workers understand and respond to the special needs of Holocaust survivors and their children. This activity has implications for working with the victims of other human catastrophes of our time.
Self-Efficacy as a Target for Social Work Intervention
Authors: Furstenberg Anne-Linda , Rounds Kathleen A.
Published: January 2019

The construct of self-efficacy has found widespread application in many disciplines but has only recently begun to penetrate social work literature. Self-efficacy is a person's belief in his or her ability to carry out a particular action, as distinct from his or her actual capability. The authors describe self-efficacy, discuss its sources, and illustrate methods of incorporating it into social work interventions. Social workers frequently enhance their clients’ self-efficacy by attending to and promoting clients’ perceptions of their own capabilities. Social workers can consciously select from among several channels to increase clients’ self-efficacy. Moreover, deliberate and explicit inclusion of self-efficacy interventions in practice, with evaluation of the results, can advance social work effectiveness.
Income Inequality and Family Poverty
Authors: Caputo Richard K.
Published: January 2019

The author presents results of research comparing various measures of black and white family income inequality and poverty for the periods 1969–1980 and 1981–1992. The study analyzed main effects for each decade as well as race and interaction effects on several family-income dispersion and poverty measures, including the Gini index and income–poverty ratio. The findings call into question the legitimacy of policies incorporated into the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 and subsequent legislation through the Clinton administration. Economic and social welfare policy options are discussed in light of the findings.
Teams, Time, and Technology: Variations of Media Use Over Project Phases
Authors: Handke Lisa , Schulte Eva-Maria , Schneider Kurt , Kauffeld Simone
Published: January 2019

While the notion of task–media fit is inherent to most theories on communication in virtual teams, past studies have largely concentrated on single, isolated tasks—hence neglecting sequential and contextual effects of media use. Building on project management frameworks, this study abstracts from the task level to the broader and more practical level of project phases, linking these to changes in media use. In particular, the study illustrates the weekly use of communication media within 34 student teams during a 3-month project. In line with team process phase models, results showed differences in media use between project phases: While face-to-face communication decreased, the use of leaner media (i.e., telephone and chat) increased in later project phases. Moreover, the variation of media use within the project phases increased over time, emphasizing the temporal dynamics of task–media fit. Finally, implications especially for project managers and recommendations for further research are discussed.
Colon Metastasis From Microscopic Serous Carcinoma of the Fallopian Tube Fimbria Mimicking a Primary Colon Cancer
Authors: Usui Genki , Masuda Yoshio , Hashimoto Hirotsugu , Kusakabe Masashi , Nakajima Kentaro , Tsunoda Hajime , Matsuhashi Nobuyuki , Harihara Yasushi , Horiuchi Hajime , Morikawa Teppei
Published: January 2019

Metastatic diseases rarely develop in the colorectum, and diagnosing colorectal metastasis by biopsy without history of a malignant tumor or clinical information of a primary tumor is challenging. A 65-year-old woman with a 6-month history of constipation and diarrhea was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with rectosigmoid colonic micropapillary carcinoma. Low anterior resection was performed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Because the lipoleiomyoma in the uterus obstructed the operator’s vision, total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. Examination of the colon and adnexa, together with immunohistochemical studies, revealed that the colonic tumor was actually serous carcinoma that had metastasized from the left fimbria of the fallopian tube. Retrospective immunohistochemical examination of the colon biopsy specimen suggested carcinoma with a Müllerian immunophenotype. When a colon biopsy reveals carcinoma with an invasive micropapillary pattern without a component of conventional tubular adenocarcinoma, immunohistochemical examination should be performed to rule out the possibility of metastasis.
Myxoid Myofibroblastoma of the Breast With Atypical Cells
Authors: Ross Julia A. , Reith John , Asirvatham Jaya Ruth
Published: January 2019

The differential diagnosis of myxoid lesions in the breast is broad and includes both benign and malignant entities. Assessment is particularly challenging on core biopsy specimens. Myofibroblastoma, initially thought to be more common in the adult male breast, is being recognized with increasing frequency in the female breast. The wider anatomic distribution of mammary-type myofibroblastoma has also become known, and many new morphological variants have been described. Though focal myxoid stroma may be noted in myofibroblastomas and occasional myofibroblastomas may contain atypical cells, there have been only 3 reports in the literature of myofibroblastomas with exclusive or predominantly myxoid stroma, and 2 of these contained atypical cells. We report another case of mammary myxoid myofibroblastoma with atypical cells in a 40-year-old woman and discuss the differential diagnoses of myxoid lesions in the breast.
Environmental Liability and Foreign Direct Investment in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Auer Matthew R. , Reuveny Rafael , Adler Lisa
Published: January 2019

Ten years ago, observers warned that foreign direct investment in the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) would be stymied by the problem of environmental liability for past pollution. CEE governments responded by granting some investors exemptions from liability for past pollution. Nevertheless, during the 1990s, many investors steered away from contaminated properties, opting to construct new facilities in more pristine areas. Increasingly, in Western Europe and the United States, governments view liability for past pollution as one aspect of the broader problem of attracting wary investors to old, industrial properties or “brotunfields. “CEE governments can gain by considering the applicability of Western-style brownfields revitalization policies and programs to the CEE context. CEE governments can adapt legal and regulatory aspects of brownfields cleanup programs. But, the financial demands of brownfields cleanup are insurmountable in CEE without stepped-up economic assistance from external actors.
Coastal Resource Management in the Philippines: A Case Study in the Central Visayas Region
Authors: Toni Parras Diane Antoinette
Published: January 2019

The ongoing destruction of wild coastal resources in the Philippines is rendering vast tracts of coral reef and other marine habitats unable to support productive fisheries. Progressive approaches to coastal resource management integrate local resource users into management plans while seeking support and consistency of regulations from central government. This community-based or comanagement concept has spurred various interdisciplinary programs, including education in basic ecology, training in resource assessment and monitoring, creation of community-based marine sanctuaries, and research and development of alternate livelihoods. This article describes initiatives taking place in the Visayas region of the Philippines, including the roles of stakeholders, policymakers, educators, nongovernmental organizations, and central government.
Pollution Havens: An Analysis of Policy Options for Dealing with an Elusive Phenomenon
Authors: Neumayer Eric
Published: January 2019

One cannot expect developing countries to have the same environmental standards as developed ones. Standards can be at their efficiency levels and yet lower than in developed countries due to differences in emissions, the pollution absorptive capacity, and the intensity of environmental preferences. However, developing countries can be said to provide a “pollution haven” if their environmental standards are below their efficiency levels or if they fail to enforce their standards in order to attract foreign investment. This article analyses which factors can give rise to pollution havens. The evidence pertaining to pollution havens is reviewed. It is argued that in spite of the rather limited evidence for the existence of pollution havens, it is nevertheless important to evaluate policy options for tackling them. A comprehensive range of options are evaluated according to whether they appear to be effective, politically realistic, development friendly, closed to abuse, and not unnecessarily restrictive.
Investigation into the linear velocity response of cantilever beam embedded with impact damper
Authors: Yang Yiqing , Wang Xi
Published: January 2019

The impact damper causes momentum exchange between the primary structure and impact mass, and achieves vibration attenuation through repeated collisions. A cantilever beam embedded with the impact damper is modeled in the form of a continuous system, and the equations of motion are formulated based on the mode superposition method. The mechanism of the impact damper is investigated, and linear velocity response is achieved by a proper selection of a mass ratio of 8.4%, clearance within 0.30 mm, and excitation force ranged from 3.2 N to 5.5 N. The reverse collision has higher damping than co-directional collision, based on which a new criterion of response regimes is proposed for the design of the impact damper. The velocity responses of the damped cantilever beam under sinusoidal and impulse excitation are simulated and verified via the sinusoidal sweep experiments. The velocity amplitudes of the damped cantilever beam are linearly decreased when the clearance is increased within 0.30 mm. Finally, linear and nonlinear velocity responses of the damped cantilever beam are discussed. It is found that the nonlinear velocity response reaches larger damping, but that a strongly modulated response exists.
β-N-methylamino-L-alanine Inhibits Human Catalase Activity: Possible Implications for Neurodegenerative Disease Development
Authors: van Onselen Rianita , Downing Tim G.
Published: January 2019

The naturally produced, nonprotein amino acid β- N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) has been proposed as a significant contributor to sporadic neurodegenerative disease development worldwide. However, the existing hypothesized mechanisms of toxicity do not adequately explain the role of BMAA in neurodegenerative disease development. There is evidence for BMAA-induced enzyme inhibition, but the effect of BMAA on human stress response enzymes has received little attention, despite the well-described role of oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disease development. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of BMAA on human catalase activity and compare it to the known inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. BMAA inhibited human erythrocyte catalase in a cell-free exposure to the same extent as the known inhibitor. Based on enzyme kinetics, the inhibition appears to be noncompetitive, possibly as a result of BMAA binding in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) binding site. BMAA-induced catalase inhibition was also observed in a human cell line culture. We therefore propose that BMAA-induced enzyme inhibition, specifically catalase inhibition, is a mechanism of toxicity that may contribute to the neurotoxicity of BMAA, further supporting the role of BMAA in neurodegenerative disease development.
Perceived quality, authenticity, and price in tourists’ dining experiences: Testing competing models of satisfaction and behavioral intentions
Authors: Muskat Birgit , Hörtnagl Tanja , Prayag Girish , Wagner Sarah
Published: January 2019

This study examines tourists’ dining experiences and tests competing models of predictors of satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Specifically, we examine the influence of service quality, quality of environment, food quality, price fairness, authenticity, and tourist satisfaction on behavioral intentions. Within the context of mountain hut casual ethnic restaurants and a survey of 304 respondent tourists, we apply partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test both the baseline and the competing, hierarchical latent model. First, results for the baseline model show that satisfaction fully mediates the relationship between the various quality attributes and behavioral intentions. Second, results from the competing model confirm that food quality, service quality, and quality of environment form a second-order construct of perceived quality. Third, results reveal that service quality, quality of the environment, and food quality are best represented as a second-order construct in modeling predictors to evaluate the tourism dining experiences relative to tourist satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Fourth, we show that authenticity is a stronger predictor of satisfaction than price fairness and service quality.
When social and action spaces diverge: A study in children with typical development and autism
Authors: Candini Michela , Giuberti Virginia , Santelli Erica , di Pellegrino Giuseppe , Frassinetti Francesca
Published: January 2019

The space around the body has been defined as action space ( peripersonal space) and a social space ( interpersonal space). Within the current debate about the characteristics of these spaces, here we investigated the functional properties and plasticity of action and social space in developmental age. To these aims, children with typical development and autism spectrum disorders were submitted to Reaching- and Comfort-distance tasks, to assess peripersonal and interpersonal space, respectively. Participants approached a person (confederate) or an object and stopped when they thought they could reach the stimulus (Reaching-distance task), or they felt comfortable with stimulus’ proximity (Comfort-distance task). Both tasks were performed before and after a cooperative tool-use training, in which participant and confederate actively cooperated to reach tokens by using either a long (Experiment 1) or a short (Experiment 2) tool. Results showed that in both groups, peripersonal space extended following long-tool-use but not short-tool-use training. Conversely, in typical development, but not in autism spectrum disorders children, interpersonal space toward confederate reduced following the cooperative tool-use training. These findings reveal that action and social spaces are functionally dissociable both in typical and atypical development, and that action but not social space regulation is intact in children with autism.
Examining the impact of physical activity on sleep quality and executive functions in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tse Choi Yeung Andy , Lee Hong Paul , Chan Ka Shing Kevin , Edgar Veronica Bordes , Wilkinson-Smith Alison , Lai Wing Him Elvis
Published: January 2019

Sleep disturbance and executive dysfunction have been widely reported in children with autism spectrum disorder. While the positive impacts of physical activity on sleep quality and cognition are documented in children with typical development, similar studies in children with autism spectrum disorder are scarce. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of physical activity on sleep quality and cognition in children with autism spectrum disorder. A total of 40 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (mean age = 9.95 years) were randomly assigned into two groups: physical activity intervention and control. Four sleep parameters (sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, sleep duration, and wake after sleep onset) and two executive functions (inhibition control and working memory) were assessed. Results revealed a significant improvement in sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, and sleep duration in the intervention group but not in the control group during weekdays. Moreover, a significant improvement in inhibitory control was shown in the intervention group but not in the control group. No significant improvement in working memory capacity was documented in either group ( ps > 0.05). Our findings highlight the value of physical activity in improving sleep quality and cognition among children with autism spectrum disorder, but specific physical activity may be required to benefit individual executive functions.