bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Service quality and customer satisfaction in thermal tourism
Authors: Silvestri Cecilia , Aquilani Barbara , Ruggieri Alessandro
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Satisfaction in the tourism sector is a highly sensitive subject, and customer satisfaction (CS) has a significant impact on the choice of destinations made by tourists and on the decision to recommend them to friends or acquaintances. The purpose of this paper is to give empirical evidence of the dimensions of service quality (technical, functional and company image (CI)) and their connections in the sector of thermal tourism. It also aims at investigating the CI, seeking to understand whether some of the technical and functional service quality variables play a role in determining it.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical survey was conducted by administering a structured research questionnaire in order to collect all necessary data, which was then elaborated to test the hypotheses using factor and multiple regression analyses.

Findings

The results of the survey confirm the direct impact of service quality dimensions (technical, functional and CI) on CS also in the thermal sector when considered individually. Moreover, when the CI was analyzed further, relational quality was found to be dependent on thermal employees’ capabilities, abilities, trustworthiness, availability, etc. Finally, when considered together, functional service quality and CI have a stronger effect on CS than technical service quality.

Originality/value

The originality of the present research relies on the following: a further contribution to the so-called “European perspective” of service quality; the study of service quality dimensions (technical, functional and CI) in the thermal sector; and evidencing the link between thermal employee characteristics and the relational quality factor of the CI, demonstrating that many aspects of this construct need further empirical investigation, in the wellness sector.
Do research supervisors generate beneficial learning outcomes for learners?
Authors: yeung Shirley M.C.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the learning outcomes of students and the importance of research supervisors in writing research.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire covering three dimensions: (A) skill set, (B) course arrangement, and (C) supervisor guidance was distributed to research students in Hong Kong and Chengdu, China, to examine their perceptions of a research module.

Findings

The regression results presented in this paper suggest that clear expectations of the course and the communication skills of supervisors or peers can explain around 20-30 percent of the change in the dependent variables of “awareness of using strategies to learn effectively,” “building self-confidence” and “quality of interaction.” With regard to the learning outcomes of students, the skills of using various resources, writing literature reviews and communication skills were perceived as being very important. For research supervisors, the quality of interaction, research experience and being approachable were all identified as being important.

Practical implications

The management of higher educational institutes could consider these findings when designing research curricula and selecting research supervisors so as to enhance learning outcomes.

Originality/value

The paper details learning outcomes from supervisors of writing research, which is important for the educational sector and the business world.
Coupled versus uncoupled optimal solutions for thermal and dynamic problems in spacecraft atmospheric flight
Authors: Mazzaracchio Antonio
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to address a significant issue related to the coupled and uncoupled treatment of the thermal and dynamic problems in the optimization of aeroassisted orbital maneuvers and the simultaneous optimal sizing of the associated heat shields. The literature generally focuses on decoupled treatments that reduce the computational load; in this manner, consequently, a decrease in the representativity of the solution manifests. The general operating mode first optimizes the trajectory and subsequently defines the optimal heat shield design based on that trajectory.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes the impact of both treatments on the evaluation of the convenience of an aeroassisted maneuver with respect to an equivalent purely propulsive exoatmospheric maneuver in relation to the achievable total mass savings of the propellant and the heat shield. Two case studies are analyzed via an optimization methodology that references genetic algorithms: the first case study is related to an aerobraking maneuver and the second case study is related to an orbital plane change.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the adoption of decoupling produces conservative solutions, i.e. unfavorable estimates, with a lower level of convenience of the aeroassisted technique compared to equivalent purely propulsive exoatmospheric maneuvers.

Originality/value

This type of analysis can provide an appropriate discernment criterion for the selection of the modus operandi based on the available computational power and the desired level of representativity.
Effect of cage configurations on flow characteristics of globe valves
Authors: S.K. Sreekala , S. Thirumalini
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Globe valves have good throttling ability, which permits its use in regulating flows. This paper aims to understand in detail the globe valve with different cage configurations and its impact on the flow characteristics that was carried out.

Design/methodology/approach

The computational study was carried out using FLUENT, a finite volume-based numerical code. Grid sensitivity tests were done and the results were validated experimentally. The effect of cage configuration on flow characteristics and valve coefficient was studied and optimised.

Findings

Valve coefficient was found to be dependent on cage configuration and reaches its maximum for the valve with triangular shaped aperture. Methodology to improve flow performance of a globe valve with highest valve coefficient is established.

Originality/value

Studies related with caged-type globe valves having different configurations are useful for improving their flow performance. In the present investigation, globe valves with different cage configurations and throttle positions are modeled to find out the valve coefficient, pressure and velocity contours inside and outside the cage and is validated with experimental results.
On renovation of the destroyed tunnel sewer collector in Kharkiv
Authors: Garmash Alexei , Bondarenko Dmitrii , Zubko Gennadii , Goncharenko Dmitrii
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study to monitor the state of deep sewerage networks is a task of current interest in connection with the emergency and pre-emergency condition of a large part of sewerage systems in the cities of Ukraine.

Design/methodology/approach

To monitor the state, performance and reliability of deep sewer collectors, it is necessary to provide monitoring wells and, during the lifetime, to carry out planned inspection of groundwater levels in the wells and to timely identify areas of filtration of wastewater into the ground.

Findings

Monitoring the state of deep sewerage networks is a task of current interest in connection with the emergency and pre-emergency condition of a large part of sewerage systems in the cities of Ukraine. To monitor the state, performance and reliability of deep sewer collectors, it is necessary to provide monitoring wells, and during the lifetime, to carry out planned inspection of groundwater levels in the wells and to timely identify areas of filtration of wastewater into the ground.

Originality/value

Implementation of works on reconstruction and strengthening an emergency section will extend the service life of the sewer collector without reducing its capacity.
Development and validation of a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the determination of α- and ß-2, 7, 11-cembratriene-4, 6-diols in tobacco
Authors: Gao Wei , Wu Naiying , Sun Wenliang
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a robust method for the determination of α- and ß-2, 7, 11-cembratriene-4, 6-diols (α, ß-CBT-diol) in tobacco samples which was developed and validated by using the self-made α, ß-CBT-diol with higher purity as the standard.

Design/methodology/approach

After the ultrasonic extraction and clean-up procedures, samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode and full scan mode at the same time. A 1-heptadecanol was used as an internal standard. The important parameters, such as extraction conditions and derivation conditions, were optimized.

Findings

Under the optimal conditions, good results in terms of linearity (R2> 0.999) and recoveries (93.2-107 per cent) were achieved. The limits of detection were 0.120 and 0.180 μg/ml for α- and ß-CBT-diol, respectively. α, ß-CBT-diol level of analyzed tobacco was found in the range of 34.2-1.26 × 103 μg/g with relative standard deviations below 6 per cent.

Originality/value

Such a strategy opens a new door towards the development of a simple, robust and sensitive method for the determination of α, ß-CBT-diol in real samples.
Comparison of developed FLC and P&O MPPT algorithms for improving PV system performance at variable irradiance conditions
Authors: Alhamdawee Ehsan Mohsin , Farzilah Binti Mailah Nashiren , Mohd Radzi Mohd Amran , Bin Shafie Suhaidi , Hajighorbani Shahrooz , Qasim Turki Ahmed
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This work aims to overcome the drawbacks of the nonlinear characteristics of the photo-voltaic (PV) system which are affected by the atmospheric variations.

Design/methodology/approach

As a result, the optimum power point on these characteristics accordingly changes and the efficiency of photovoltaic systems reduces. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms track this optimum point and enhance the efficiency despite the irradiance and temperature changes.

Findings

The conventional perturbation and observation (P&O) algorithm uses fixed step sizes to increment and decrement the duty ratio that leads to slow response time and continuous oscillation around the MPP at steady state conditions. The paper proposes a fuzzy logic-based controller that overcomes the drawbacks of P&O algorithm in term of response time and the oscillation.

Originality/value

MATLAB/Simulink environment was used to model and simulate the KC200GT PV module, direct current (DC)-DC boost converter and the MPPT algorithms.
The heat recovery technologies of mine waste heat sources
Authors: Bao Lingling , Wang Jiaying , Wang Jinggang , Yu Zheng
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Currently, China is the largest coal producer and consumer in the world. Underground mining is the main practice. In the process of deep mining, large amounts of low-temperature waste heat are available such as in the mine return air (MRA), mine water (MW), bathing waste water (BWW), etc. Without recycling, the low-temperature waste heat is discharged directly into the atmosphere or into the drainage system. The temperature range of the MRA is about 15-25°C, the relative humidity (RH) of the MRA is above 90 per cent, the temperature range of MW is about 18-20°C and the temperature of the BWW is about 30°C. All of the above parameters are relatively stable throughout the year, and thus MRA, MW and BWW are proper low-temperature heat sources for water source heat pump (WSHP) systems. The study aims to introduce the schemes for recycling the different waste heat sources and the relevant key equipment and technology of each waste heat recycle system; analyze the heat recovery performances of the MRA heat recovery technology; and compare the economies between the MRA heat recovery system and the traditional system.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the WSHP system, heat and mass transfer efficiencies were calculated and analyzed, the outlet air velocity diffusion of the heat and mass transfer units and the parameters including air flow rate, the MRA’s dry bulb temperatures and wet bulb temperatures at inlet and outlet of MRA heat exchanger were tested. Then, it was assessed whether this system can be applied to an actual construction. An actual reconstructive project of MRA heat recovery system is taken as an example, where the cost-saving effects of heat recovery of mine waste heat sources system are analyzed.

Findings

Analysis of field test reveals that when heat transfer is stable, heat transfer capacity can be achieved: 957.6 kW in summer, 681 kW in winter and a large amount of heat was recycled. In an economic analysis, by comparing initial investment and 10 years’ operation cost with the traditional boiler and central air conditioning system, the results show that although the MRA system’s initial investment is high, this system can save CNY 6.26m in 10 years.

Originality/value

MRA has a large amount of air volume and temperature that is constant throughout the year, and hence is a good low-temperature heat source for the WSHP system. It can replace boiler heating in winter and central air conditioning refrigeration in summer. The study reveals that this technology is feasible, and has good prospects for development.
Time‐Varying Trend Inflation and the New Keynesian Phillips Curve in Australia
Authors: Lie Denny , Yadav Anirudh S.
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates whether the persistence and the time‐varying nature of trend inflation can explain the persistence of inflation in Australia — that is, whether it can explain the apparent need for backward‐looking inflation term(s) in the new Keynesian Phillips curve (NKPC) estimated using Australian data. We derive and estimate an extended open‐economy NKPC equation, accounting explicitly for time‐varying trend inflation. Our preferred, best‐fitting estimates based on the closed‐form specification with two indexation lags indicate a significant degree of indexation to past inflation. Thus, in contrast to the result for the US economy, our estimates suggest that accounting for time variation in trend inflation in the NKPC cannot explain away the inertia in the Australian inflation data. The estimates suggest that lagged inflation and future expectations of inflation enter the NKPC with almost equal weights. Finally, notwithstanding the previous results, we find a marked decline in the role of the backward‐looking inflation terms since the adoption of an inflation‐targeting regime by the Reserve Bank in 1993.
Undocumented Border Crosser Deaths in Arizona: Expanding Intrastate Collaborative Efforts in Identification
Authors: Fleischman Julie M. , Kendell Ashley E. , Eggers Christen C. , Fulginiti Laura C.
Published: January 2017

Undocumented Border Crosser (UBC) deaths in Arizona are a major issue faced by medicolegal authorities. Currently, the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner (MCOME) is in possession of over two hundred unidentified individuals, more than half of whom are presumed to be UBCs. The primary goal of this study was to address the growing number of UBC deaths in Maricopa County in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of this important anthropological issue within the state of Arizona. Of the 107 total UBC cases evaluated for the study, the majority were male and age estimates for all individuals were between 15 to 60 years old. Modeled after the recording system established by the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, the biographic and geographic data for these cases were entered into a new UBC database at MCOME and later added to the online Map of Migrant Mortality.
Estimating Root Zone Soil Moisture at Continental Scale Using Neural Networks
Authors: Pan Xiaojun , Kornelsen Kurt C. , Coulibaly Paulin
Published: January 2017

This study investigates the feasibility of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to retrieve root zone soil moisture (RZSM) at the depths of 20 cm (SM20) and 50 cm (SM50) at a continental scale, using surface information. To train the ANNs to capture interactions between land surface and various climatic patterns, data of 557 stations over the continental United States were collected. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the ANNs were able to identify input variables that directly affect the water and energy balance in root zone. The data important for RZSM retrieval in a large area included soil texture, surface soil moisture, and the cumulative values of air temperature, surface soil temperature, rainfall, and snowfall. The results showed that the ANNs had high skill in retrieving SM20 with a correlation coefficient above 0.7 in most cases, but were less effective at estimating SM50. The comparison of the ANNs showed that using soil texture data improved the model performance, especially for the estimation of SM50. It was demonstrated that the ANNs had high flexibility for applications in different climatic regions. The method was used to generate RZSM in North America using Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) soil moisture data, and achieved a spatial soil moisture pattern comparable to that of Global Land Data Assimilation System Noah model with comparable performance to the SMOS surface soil moisture retrievals. The models can be efficient alternatives to assimilate remote sensing soil moisture data for shallow RZSM retrieval.
Trait and neurobiological underpinnings of negative emotion regulation in gambling disorder
Authors: Navas Juan F. , Contreras‐Rodríguez Oren , Verdejo‐Román Juan , Perandrés‐Gómez Ana , Albein‐Urios Natalia , Verdejo‐García Antonio , Perales José C.
Published: January 2017

Background and Aims

Gambling disorder is characterized by poor regulation of negative emotions and impulsive behaviours. This study aimed to (1) compare gambling disorder patients (GDPs) and healthy controls (HCs) in self‐report and brain activation measures of emotion regulation; and (2) establish its relationship with negative emotion‐driven impulsivity.

Design

Two cross‐sectional case–control studies including GDPs and HCs.

Setting and Participants

GDPs and HCs were recruited from specialized gambling clinics in Andalusia (Spain), where they were following out‐patient treatment, and from the community, respectively. Study 1 included 41 GDPs and 45 HCs [All males; Mage = 35.22, 33.22; standard deviation (SD) = 11.16, 8.18; respectively]. Study 2 included 17 GDPs and 21 HCs (16/20 males; Mage = 32.94, 31.00; SD = 7.77, 4.60; respectively).

Measurements

In study 1, we compared both groups on suppression and re‐appraisal emotion regulation strategies [Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ)]. In study 2, we compared GDPs with HCs on brain activation associated with down‐regulation of negative emotions in a cognitive re‐appraisal task, measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In both studies, we correlated the measures of emotion regulation with mood‐related impulsivity indicated by negative urgency (UPPS‐P impulsive behaviour scale).

Findings

GDPs relative to HCs showed higher levels of emotional suppression [F = 4.525; P = 0.036; means difference MHCs–MGDPs = −2.433, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −4.706, −0.159] and higher activation of the premotor cortex and middle frontal gyrus during negative emotion regulation in the fMRI task [P ≤ 0.005, cluster size (CS) > 50 voxels]. Negative urgency correlated positively with emotional suppression (r = 0.399, 95% CI = 0.104, 0.629, one‐tailed P = 0.005) and middle frontal gyrus activation during negative emotion regulation (P ≤ 0.005, CS > 50) in GDPs.

Conclusions

Gambling disorder is associated with greater use of emotional suppression and stronger pre‐motor cortex and middle frontal gyrus activation for regulating negative emotions, compared with healthy controls. Emotional suppression use and middle frontal gyrus activation during negative emotion regulation are linked with negative emotion‐driven impulsivity in this disorder.
Repeatability of ectopic beats from 48‐hr ambulatory electrocardiography: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Authors: Meyer Michelle L. , Soliman Elsayed Z. , Wruck Lisa M. , Mosley Thomas H. , Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Poon Anna K. , Whitsel Eric A. , Alonso Alvaro , Heiss Gerardo , Loehr Laura R.
Published: January 2017

Background

The purpose of this study was to characterize the repeatability of ectopic beats, defined by premature atrial contractions (PACs) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), on ambulatory electrocardiogram (aECG) monitoring and evaluate the effect of length of aECG monitoring on the repeatability estimates.

Methods

This analysis includes 95 randomly selected participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC; 2011–2013). The participants wore a Holter monitor for two, 48‐hr periods separated by a mean of 38 days following an identical, standardized protocol. We divided each 48‐hr recording into 3‐, 6‐, 12‐, and 24‐hr recording periods and calculated intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for PACs and PVCs and also as a percentage of the corresponding total of recorded beats per hour among these periods.

Results

All participants had ≥1 PAC during the 48‐hr recordings, and only two participants had no PVCs. ICCs were >0.83 for all indices and recording lengths ≥12 hrs. ICCs were intermediate for 6‐hr recordings (range 0.80–0.83) and lower for 3‐hr recordings (range 0.74–0.80). The ratio of the between‐ to within‐participant variation increased with recording length.

Conclusion

Repeatability of PACs and PVCs was excellent for recording lengths of 6–24 hr and fair for 3 hr. Repeatability varies over shorter duration recordings within the 48‐hr recording period, and thus the present results have implications for detection algorithms for ectopic beats and can facilitate epidemiologic and clinical applications in which knowledge of measurement variability and misclassification are needed.
How to create a successful reader? Milestones in reading development from birth to adolescence
Authors: Horowitz‐Kraus Tzipi , Schmitz Rachelle , Hutton John S. , Schumacher Jayna
Published: January 2017

Reading is one of the most important academic abilities that establishes the foundation for a child's success in school. Therefore, early and accurate diagnosis of reading challenges is crucial for prevention of later academic failure. One challenge in early detection of reading difficulties is that the ability to read typically is acquired explicitly when a child is four to six years of age. However, reading ability relies on development of more basic abilities prior to reading acquisition, starting from birth.

Conclusion

Language, cognitive control and literacy milestones can be evaluated and trained from birth to better acquire reading later in life.
Joint species models reveal the effects of environment on community assemblage of freshwater mussels and fishes in European rivers
Authors: Inoue Kentaro , Stoeckl Katharina , Geist Juergen
Published: January 2017

Aim

Given that riverine systems exhibit longitudinal environmental gradients from headwater to the mouth of a river, habitat heterogeneity appears to be a major driver of spatial variation in community composition among riverine localities. As freshwater ecosystems are amongst the most endangered ecosystems in the world, community‐based conservation and multiple‐species management are necessary to maintain ecosystem integrity. We used joint species distribution models (JSDMs) to investigate the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors that are responsible for the distribution and co‐occurrence of species in riverine ecosystems.

Location

Central and northern Europe.

Methods

We examined the general patterns of species assemblage of two endangered freshwater mussel species (Margaritifera margaritifera and Unio crassus) and their associated fish communities. We examined the patterns of positive or negative co‐occurrence in mussel and fish species and identified shared abiotic responses between mussel–host pairs.

Results

We found that the relative importance of abiotic and residual factors and patterns of significant species correlations varied among taxa: significant residual correlations were prevalent among fish species, whereas mussel occurrences were exclusively explained by abiotic factors. Mussels and their fish hosts generally had shared abiotic responses with some mismatched responses between mussel–host pairs.

Main conclusions

Given that the composition of communities were tightly linked with abiotic factors and residual correlations, the results have significant implications for the conservation and restoration of aquatic communities. This study highlights the necessity to simultaneously consider environmental factors and species co‐occurrences in the modelling of species distributions and assemblages of riverine communities. Such a holistic community conservation approach can reveal ecological similarities and differences among species, which can help us avoid conflicts among target‐species conservation plans.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided antegrade biliary stenting for unresectable malignant biliary obstruction in patients with surgically altered anatomy: Single‐center prospective pilot study
Authors: Iwashita Takuji , Yasuda Ichiro , Mukai Tsuyoshi , Iwata Keisuke , Doi Shinpei , Uemura Shinya , Mabuchi Masatoshi , Okuno Mitsuru , Shimizu Masahito
Published: January 2017

Background and Aim

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) with biliary stenting for the treatment of unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) is challenging among patients with surgically altered anatomy. Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided antegrade biliary stenting (EUS‐ABS) was introduced as an alternative biliary drainage method, although it has not yet been well studied. In this single‐center prospective pilot study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of EUS‐ABS for MBO in patients with surgically altered anatomy.

Methods

EUS‐ABS for MBO was attempted in patients with surgically altered anatomy. In EUS‐ABS, the bile duct in the left lobe was accessed from the intestine under EUS guidance, and a guidewire was placed. Thereafter, an uncovered metallic stent was deployed at the MBO through the fistula. All devices were then removed. Technical, clinical, and adverse event rates, as well as patient characteristics and procedure details, were evaluated.

Results

Twenty patients (10 women; median age, 69 years) were enrolled in the present study. Technical and clinical success rates of EUS‐ABS were both 95% (19/20). In one patient, unsuccessful EUS‐ABS as a result of failed visualization of the left lobe of the liver with EUS was salvaged with percutaneous biliary drainage. Rate of adverse events was 20% (4/20), including mild pancreatitis in three patients and mild fever in one patient, which were successfully managed conservatively.

Conclusions

EUS‐ABS for MBO in patients with surgically altered anatomy was a feasible and safe procedure. Further large scale comparison studies are needed to confirm its efficacy (Clinical Trial Registration Number: UMIN000008589).
Surveillance for dysplasia in patients with ulcerative colitis: Discrepancy between guidelines and practice
Authors: Shinozaki Masaru , Kobayashi Kiyonori , Kunisaki Reiko , Hisamatsu Tadakazu , Naganuma Makoto , Takahashi Ken‐ichi , Iwao Yasushi , Suzuki Yasuo , Watanabe Mamoru , Itabashi Michio , Torii Akira , Takazoe Masakazu , Sugita Akira
Published: January 2017

Background and Aim

The risk of developing colorectal cancer is higher in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) than in the general population. Guidelines recommend surveillance colonoscopy (SCS) to reduce mortality; however, few studies have assessed physicians’ adherence to guidelines. This study was aimed to clarify the current status of SCS and adherence to guidelines through the characteristics of cancer/dysplasia surveillance for UC patients in Japan.

Methods

A questionnaire was mailed to 541 physicians who attended meetings on inflammatory bowel disease.

Results

The respondents encountered a median of 100 UC cases. Thirty percent of the respondents had never managed a UC patient with cancer. Fifty‐one percent of the respondents had never diagnosed colorectal cancer with UC. Forty‐seven percent of the respondents considered extensive colitis and left‐sided colitis as indications for SCS, and 38% carried out SCS regardless of the disease extent. Sixty‐three percent of the respondents started SCS at 7–10 years after UC onset, whereas 20% started SCS at 3 years or less. Fifty‐two percent of the respondents obtained targeted biopsies only, and chromoendoscopy was used by 49% of the respondents as a special technique for surveillance. Median number of biopsies at SCS was five per patient; it was three among patients whose biopsy was carried out by physicians who obtained targeted biopsies only and seven among those carried out by physicians who obtained step biopsies and targeted biopsies (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

A considerable proportion of the respondents did not follow the guidelines when selecting patients for surveillance and carrying out SCS.
Basal rate tests (24‐hour fasts) performed in type‐1 diabetic subjects with either absolute fasting or snacks containing negligible carbohydrate amounts result in similar glucose profiles: A randomized controlled prospective trial
Authors: Haase Maike , Kahle Melanie , Janert Martin , Meier Juris J. , Nauck Michael A.
Published: January 2017

Aims

Basal rate tests (24‐hour fasting periods) may be necessary to optimize basal insulin replacement in type 1 diabetes. It was the aim of this study to prospectively compare the allowance of negligible carbohydrate snacks vs absolute fasting.

Methods

A total of 20 patients with type 1 diabetes (age, 48 ± 15 years (9 women, 11 men); BMI, 28.5 ± 4.5 kg/m2; HbA1c, 8.8% ± 2.0% (73.0 ± 21.9 mmol/mol); insulin dose, 0.69 ± 0.31 IU/kg body weight and per day) participated in 2 basal rate tests lasting 24 hours in random order with unchanged basal insulin replacement. On 1 occasion, negligible carbohydrate snacks (salads and vegetables, up to 5.1 g carbohydrate and 276.3 kJ per portion) were allowed; during the second test subjects were obliged to fast absolutely. Plasma glucose profiles were determined using an exact laboratory method. Hypoglycaemic episodes (plasma glucose < 70 mg/dL) were compared.

Results

Plasma glucose concentrations during fasting periods, with and without negligible carbohydrate snacks, did not differ significantly (
P = .65) and differences were negligible (95% confidence intervals always included a difference of 0 mmol/L). Also, there was no difference in the number of hypoglycaemic plasma glucose values (P = .40) or in compensatory carbohydrate intake. Basal rate testing with negligible carbohydrate snacks was better tolerated (questionnaire, P = .046) and the desire to discontinue the fasting period was significantly reduced (P = .023).

Conclusions

Allowing negligible carbohydrate snacks results in unchanged plasma glucose profiles during basal rate testing and is better tolerated by patients with type 1 diabetes.
Alcohol and tobacco consumption concordance and its correlates in older couples in Latin America
Authors: Machado Mayra Pires Alves , Opaleye Davi Camara , Pereira Tiago Veiga , Padilla Ivan , Noto Ana Regina , Prince Martin , Ferri Cleusa Pinheiro
Published: January 2017

Aim

As little is known about alcohol and tobacco consumption concordance between older spouses in low‐ and middle‐income countries, the present study aimed to estimate this in older couples from five Latin American countries.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of data collected between 2003 and 2007 by the 10/66 Dementia Research Group, from 1451 couples aged over 65 years from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Kappa statistic was used to assess the agreement of the behavior beyond chance, and logistic regression models with meta‐analyses were used to estimate the factors associated with concordance.

Results

The mean age of the total sample was 74.8 years (SD 6.6). The results showed high levels of agreement rates in relation to drinking and smoking (75.9% and 85% of couples, respectively, did not drink or smoke), which were beyond the agreement expected by chance. Increased age was associated with concordance on both being non‐drinkers (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05) and non‐smokers (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.07); and having a larger social network was associated with less likelihood of the couple being non‐drinkers (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88–0.98). Attending religious meetings was associated with increased likelihood of the couple being non‐smokers (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01–1.41). Socioeconomic circumstances were not associated with couples’ concordance.

Conclusions

Older Latin American couples have high levels of concordance in drinking and smoking habits, which increases with age, and were not associated with socioeconomic circumstances, but were with social network. This knowledge can assist the development of policies and interventions to promote health among this growing population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1849–1857.
Effect of a Long‐Term Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Cognitive Function: Action for Health in Diabetes Study
Authors: Rapp Stephen R. , Luchsinger Jose A. , Baker Laura D. , Blackburn George L. , Hazuda Helen P. , Demos‐McDermott Kathryn E. , Jeffery Robert W. , Keller Jeffrey N. , McCaffery Jeanne M. , Pajewski Nicholas M. , Evans Mary , Wadden Thomas A. , Arnold Steven E. , Espeland Mark A. ,   the Look AHEAD Research Group
Published: January 2017

Objectives

To assess whether randomization to 10 years of lifestyle intervention to induce and maintain weight loss improves cognitive function.

Design

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting

Data obtained as part of the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) trial (NCT00017953) and Look AHEAD Continuation study (U01 DK057136‐15).

Participants

Overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 45 to 76 (N = 3,751).

Intervention

Intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) for weight loss through reduced caloric intake and increased physical activity compared with a control condition of diabetes support and education (DSE).

Measurements

Certified examiners who were masked to intervention assignment administered a standard battery of cognitive function tests (Modified Mini‐Mental State Examination, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Digit Symbol Coding, Trail‐Making Test, Modified Stroop Color‐Word Test) to participants 10 to 13 years after enrollment.

Results

Assignment to lifestyle intervention was not associated with significantly different overall (P = .10) or domain‐specific (all P > .10) cognitive function than assignment to diabetes support and education. Results were fairly consistent across prespecified groups, but there was some evidence of trends for differential intervention effects showing modest harm in ILI in participants with greater body mass index and in individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease. Cognitive function was not associated with changes in weight or fitness (all P > .05).

Conclusion

A long‐term behavioral weight loss intervention for overweight and obese adults with diabetes mellitus was not associated with cognitive benefit. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00017953.
Characteristics of Bordetella pertussis infection among infantsand children admitted to paediatric intensive care units in Greece: A multicentre, 11‐year study
Authors: Kazantzi Maria S , Prezerakou Anargyroula , Kalamitsou Serafeia N , Ilia Stavroula , Kalabalikis Panagiotis K , Papadatos John , Sdougka Maria M , Briassoulis George , Tsolia Maria N
Published: January 2017

Aim

To describe children with pertussis who required intensive care.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of pertussis admissions to all (six) national intensive care units in Greece from 2003 to 2013.

Results

A total of 31 children were included, 28 of whom were younger than 12 months old. Cough was the most prominent symptom, being present in 27 of 31 (87%) patients, and on admission, only 7 (22.6%) satisfied the case definition. Mechanical ventilation was initiated in 13 (42%) patients. Six patients died because of respiratory failure (two) or multi‐organ system failure (four). The patients who died had significantly higher white blood cell counts (WBC) (77 800–31 600, P = 0.031) and neutrophils (29 016–12 795, P = 0021) than those who survived and lower minimum values of serum sodium (125–133, P = 0002). They also had a longer duration of hospitalisation prior to their paediatric intensive care unit admission (6–1 days, P = 0022). Three patients were diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, and only one of them survived. Age, gender and immunisation status did not differ between survivors and non‐survivors. Two patients received exchange blood transfusion, and survival benefit was not apparent.

Conclusion

Young infants are at risk of severe pertussis, resulting in serious complications or death. Elevated WBC and low serum sodium are associated with higher mortality. Despite advances in life support and treatment of organ failure in childhood critical illness, pertussis still has substantial mortality.
Awash in a Sea of Faith and Firearms: Rediscovering the Connection Between Religion and Gun Ownership in America
Authors: Yamane David
Published: January 2017

The United States is awash in a sea of both faith and firearms. Although sociologists and criminologists have been trying to understand the predictors of gun ownership in the United States since the 1970s, it has been over two decades since social scientists of religion have been part of this important conversation. Consequently, religion is nothing more than a control variable in most studies of gun ownership. Even then, scholars have rarely gone beyond a basic measure of religious affiliation in which Protestant = 1 (else = 0). This article therefore seeks to bring social scientists studying religion back into the conversation about gun ownership in America and to move the discussion forward incrementally. It does so in three ways. First, it employs a more sophisticated measure of religious affiliation than has been used to study gun ownership in the past. Second, it measures religiosity beyond simply religious affiliation. Third, it recognizes and seeks to specify some of the various ways in which the relationship between religion and gun ownership may be mediated by other religiously influenced sociopolitical orientations. Using data from the 2006–2014 General Social Survey, hierarchical binary logistic regression models show significant effects of evangelical Protestant affiliation, theological conservatism, and religious involvement on personal handgun ownership.
Avoidance Behavior Following Terror Event Exposure: Effects of Perceived Life Threat and Jewish Religious Coping
Authors: Zukerman Gil , Korn Liat , Shapiro Ephraim , Fostick Leah
Published: January 2017

The current research was designed to examine associations of perceived life threat (PLT) and religious coping with the development of avoidance behavior following terror event exposure. Based upon the terror management theory (TMT), we hypothesized that religious coping, through its effect on religious beliefs as a meaning system, would moderate the impact of threat, as expressed in PLT, on an individual's reaction to terror event exposure, as manifested in avoidance behavior. Participants were 591 Israeli Jewish students who were vicariously or directly exposed to a terror event in the past. We report a significant interaction between PLT and negative religious coping. PLT was positively associated with avoidance behavior but this relationship was more profound among persons who reported high negative religious coping. Secular students reported higher rates of avoidance behavior and negative religious coping and were more likely than religious students to report intrapersonal religious conflict. Our findings suggest that terror event exposure is associated with an elevated sense of threat, which is, at least in part, associated with a weakening of prior religious beliefs.
The hatching time of Locusta migratoria under outdoor conditions: role of temperature and adaptive significance
Authors: Nishide Yudai , Suzuki Takeshi , Tanaka Seiji
Published: January 2017

The present study investigates the time of hatching of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria using egg pods that are artificially buried in the soil under outdoor conditions. Most eggs hatch in the mid‐morning, with a peak between 11.00 and 12.00 h, and none hatch before 09.00 or after 16.00 h. Furthermore, most egg pods complete hatching within a day, although some take 2 or 3 days, and egg hatching is interrupted by rain. There are no large differences in hatching time from May to September. Laboratory experiments in which the eggs are exposed to temperatures simulating outdoor conditions show that soil temperature is the main factor controlling hatching activity. The increase in temperature in the morning appears to trigger egg hatching, as confirmed by laboratory experiments, which may explain the similar hatching times between seasons. The seasonal patterns of temperature variation and hatching time suggest that the hatching time of L. migratoria eggs may be adjusted to allow the hatchlings to be exposed to high temperatures in the afternoon so that they can harden their bodies quickly.
Dialysate Composition for Hemodialysis: Changes and Changing Risk
Authors: McGill Rita L. , Weiner Daniel E.
Published: January 2017

Dialysate composition is a critical aspect of the hemodialysis prescription. Despite this, trial data are almost entirely lacking to help guide the optimal dialysate composition. Often, the concentrations of key components are chosen intuitively, and dialysate composition may be determined by default based on dialysate manufacturer specifications or hemodialysis facility practices. In this review, we examine the current epidemiological evidence guiding selection of dialysate bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and identify unresolved issues for which pragmatic clinical trials are needed.
Numerical Simulation of Evaporating Two-Phase Flow in a High-Aspect-Ratio Microchannel with Bends
Authors: Pan Zhenhai , Weibel Justin A. , Garimella Suresh V.
Published: January 2017

Despite the demand for high-performance, two-phase cooling systems, high-fidelity simulations of flow boiling in complex microchannel geometries remains a challenging numerical problem. We conduct a first-principles-based simulation of an evaporating two-phase flow in a high-aspect-ratio microchannel with bends using a volume of fluid-based numerical model. For the case shown, the lower horizontal section of the microchannel has a constant flux of 20 W/cm2 applied to the wetted wall area (heat flux at the base of 133 W/cm2); HFE-7100 vapor and liquid enter the channel at 2 m/s. The three-dimensional channel geometry requires a refined near-wall numerical mesh to resolve thin liquid film flow features. The recently developed saturated-interface-volume phase change model (Int J Heat Mass Trans 93:945-956, 2016) is implemented for prediction of mass and energy exchange across the liquid-vapor interface at a low computational cost (~80 hr; 6-core parallelization on Intel Xeon E3-1245V3). The model reveals transport details including the interface shape and fluid velocity and temperature fields. The interfacial temperature remains fixed at saturation with smooth velocity contours near the interface. The highest evaporation flux is located in the thin liquid film region near the heated wall.
Springboard Droplet Bouncing on Flexible Superhydrophobic Substrates
Authors: Weisensee Patricia B. , Tian Junjiao , Miljkovic Nenad , King William P.
Published: January 2017

Droplet impact on rigid, superhydrophobic surfaces follows the well-known spreading, recoil, and lift-off behavior at lower impact speeds (a), and splashing at higher impact speeds (b). The contact time tc of these bouncing droplets is independent of the impact speed, and difficult to control. Using high speed imaging (9500 fps) of water droplets impacting superhydrophobic substrates with stiffness 0.5 to 7630 N/m (rigid), we were able to show that substrate flexibility can reduce contact times. Upon impact on a flexible substrate, the droplet excites the substrate to oscillate at the membrane or cantilever natural frequency (d). The oscillation accelerates the droplet upwards, initiating early droplet lift-off at the edges of the droplet close to the point of maximum spreading (c). Droplets fully lift off before fully recoiling, i.e. in a pancake shape. We call this phenomenon the springboard effect. Contact times are reduced by up to 50% compared to rigid substrates.
Part Load Vortex Rope as a Global Unstable Mode
Authors: Pasche Simon , Avellan François , Gallaire François
Published: January 2017

Renewable energy sources (RES) have reached 23.7% of the worldwide electrical generation production in 2015. The hydraulic energy contribution amounts to 16.6% and comes mainly form large-scale hydropower plants, where Francis turbines represents 60% of the generating units. However, the future massive development of RES will require more advanced grid regulation strategies that may be achieved by increasing the operation flexibility of the Francis generating units. Part load operating condition of these turbines is hindered by pressure fluctuations in the draft tube of the machine. A precessing helical vortex rope develops in this condition, which imperils the mechanical structure and limits the operation flexibility of these turbines. A thorough description of the physical mechanism leading to the vortex rope is a prerequisite to develop relevant flow control strategies. This work, based on a linear global stability analysis of the time-averaged flow field, including a turbulent eddy viscosity, interprets the vortex rope as a global unstable eigenmode. In close resemblance to spiral vortex breakdown, a single-helix disturbance develops around the time-averaged flow field and growths in time to finally form the vortex rope. The frequency and the structure of this unstable linear disturbance are found in good agreement with respect to the three-dimensional (3D) numerical flow simulations.
Innovation and graphic facilitation
Authors: Espiner Deborah , Hartnett Frances
Published: January 2017

INTRODUCTION: Social work practice includes the facilitation of effective communication in planning, solution finding, developing shared understandings and collaborative decision making with individuals, families, colleagues and professionals and community groups. Changing social contexts require innovations and new approaches to practice.METHODS: This article proposes that graphic facilitation (Sibbett, 1977, 2002) can be used as a way of enhancing social work practice by promoting anti-oppressive practice (Dominelli, 2002) and collaborative partnerships (Bracht, Kingsbury, & Rissel, 1999; Roose, Roets, Van Houte, Vandenhole, & Reynaert, 2013) and thinking differently (Gambrill, 2013). Graphic facilitation is a practice that produces “rich pictures” (Checkland, 1981) to elicit and record information in a responsive and innovative way. Drawing on examples from practice, illustrations of the use of graphic facilitation will be presented in two contexts: person-centred planning and World Café.FINDINGS: Literature supports the effectiveness of using graphics to develop a visual language and produce a “rich picture” that is easily understood and remembered. The use of pictures can stimulate new meaning and insight, and promote reflection and deep learning (Checkland, 1981; Horan, 2000). Graphic facilitation has been reported to increase engagement, understanding and result in a more energised process to bring about change.CONCLUSIONS: Graphic facilitation is a method that can be added to a social work tool-box. The examples provided demonstrate the potential capacity of this approach to support individuals and groups in different, creative and innovative ways.