bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature Extremes in the Community Atmosphere Model with Stochastic Parameterizations*
Authors: Tagle Felipe , Berner Judith , Grigoriu Mircea D. , Mahowald Natalie M. , Samorodnitsky Gennady
Published: September 2015

This paper evaluates the performance of the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model, version 4 (CAM4), in simulating observed annual extremes of near-surface temperature and provides the first assessment of the impact of stochastic parameterizations of subgrid-scale processes on such performance. Two stochastic parameterizations are examined: the stochastic kinetic energy backscatter scheme and the stochastically perturbed parameterization tendency scheme. Temperature extremes are described in terms of 20-yr return levels and compared to those estimated from ERA-Interim and the Hadley Centre Global Climate Extremes Index 2 (HadEX2) observational dataset. CAM4 overestimates warm and cold extremes over land regions, particularly over the Northern Hemisphere, when compared against reanalysis. Similar spatial patterns, though less spatially coherent, emerge relative to HadEX2. The addition of a stochastic parameterization generally produces a warming of both warm and cold extremes relative to the unperturbed configuration; however, neither of the proposed parameterizations meaningfully reduces the biases in the simulated temperature extremes of CAM4. Adjusting warm and cold extremes by mean conditions in the respective annual extremes leads to good agreement between the models and reanalysis; however, adjusting for the bias in mean temperature does not help to reduce the observed discrepancies. Based on the behavior of the annual extremes, this study concludes that the distribution of temperature in CAM4 exhibits too much variability relative to that of reanalysis, while the stochastic parameterizations introduce a systematic bias in its mean rather than alter its variability.
The Causes and Outcomes of Coup during Civil War
Authors: Bell Curtis , Sudduth Jun Koga
Published: September 2015

Though approximately one in four coup attempts takes place during an ongoing civil war, scholars have not yet analyzed how the incidence of civil war affects coup attempts and outcomes. We conduct the first empirical analysis of the relationship between ongoing civil war and coup activity, finding (1) war increases the risk of a coup attempt, though (2) war-time coup attempts are significantly less likely to be successful, and (3) the risk of war-time coup is much higher when states face stronger rebel groups that pose greater threats to the political survival of the incumbent government. We attribute these findings to the pernicious effect of ongoing war on the welfare of the military elites and soldiers who have the greatest capacity to execute a coup attempt. As war diminishes their welfare and creates uncertainty about the future of the state, potential plotters become more willing to accept riskier coup attempts than they might plot during peace-time. Coup motivations are greatest when incumbents are more likely to lose their wars, and this causes coup plotters to attempt more and riskier coups when rebels are relatively strong.
Republican States Bolstered Their Health Insurance Rate Review Programs Using Incentives From the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Fulton Brent D. , Hollingshead Ann , Karaca-Mandic Pinar , Scheffler Richard M.
Published: September 2015

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) included financial and regulatory incentives and goals for states to bolster their health insurance rate review programs, increase their anticipated loss ratio requirements, expand Medicaid, and establish state-based exchanges. We grouped states by political party control and compared their reactions across these policy goals. To identify changes in states’ rate review programs and anticipated loss ratio requirements in the individual and small group markets since the ACA’s enactment, we conducted legal research and contacted each state’s insurance regulator. We linked rate review program changes to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) criteria for an effective rate review program. We found, of states that did not meet CMS’s criteria when the ACA was enacted, most made changes to meet those criteria, including Republican-controlled states, which generally oppose the ACA. This finding is likely the result of the relatively low administrative burden associated with reviewing health insurance rates and the fact that doing so prevents federal intervention in rate review. However, Republican-controlled states were less likely than non-Republican-controlled states to increase their anticipated loss ratio requirements to align with the federal retrospective medical loss ratio requirement, expand Medicaid, and establish state-based exchanges, because of their general opposition to the ACA. We conclude that federal incentives for states to strengthen their health insurance rate review programs were more effective than the incentives for states to adopt other insurance-related policy goals of the ACA.
Measuring and Benchmarking Technical Efficiency of Public Hospitals in Tianjin, China
Authors: Li Hao , Dong Siping
Published: September 2015

China has long been stuck in applying traditional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to measure technical efficiency of public hospitals without bias correction of efficiency scores. In this article, we have introduced the Bootstrap-DEA approach from the international literature to analyze the technical efficiency of public hospitals in Tianjin (China) and tried to improve the application of this method for benchmarking and inter-organizational learning. It is found that the bias corrected efficiency scores of Bootstrap-DEA differ significantly from those of the traditional Banker, Charnes, and Cooper (BCC) model, which means that Chinese researchers need to update their DEA models for more scientific calculation of hospital efficiency scores. Our research has helped shorten the gap between China and the international world in relative efficiency measurement and improvement of hospitals. It is suggested that Bootstrap-DEA be widely applied into afterward research to measure relative efficiency and productivity of Chinese hospitals so as to better serve for efficiency improvement and related decision making.
Clicking, Assessing, Immersing, and Sharing: An Empirical Model of User Engagement with Interactive Media
Authors: Oh Jeeyun , Bellur Saraswathi , Sundar S. Shyam
Published: September 2015

This article explicates the concept of user engagement by synthesizing a disparate body of scholarship, and suggests a measurement and a structural model for empirically capturing the meaning and process of user engagement, specifically in the context of interactive media. A second-order confirmatory factor analysis of data from two experiments ( N = 263) shows that four attributes—physical interaction, interface assessment, absorption, and digital outreach—together constitute a valid and reliable operationalization of the concept of user engagement. A structural equation model reveals that greater amount of physical interaction with the interface and a more positive assessment of the interface predict cognitive absorption with the content, which in turn is associated with greater behavioral intention to manage and socially distribute the content. In addition, predictive validity tests show that the four subscales are predictors of attitudinal and learning outcomes.
Identity and Intervention: Disciplinarity as Transdisciplinarity in Gender Studies
Authors: Pulkkinen Tuija
Published: September 2015

Within the past 40 years, feminist studies/women’s studies/gender studies/studies in gender and sexuality has effectively grown into a globally practised academic discipline while simultaneously resisting the notion of disciplinarity and strongly advocating multidisciplinarity, interdisciplinarity, and transdisciplinarity. In this article, I argue that gaining identity through refusing an identity can be viewed as being a constitutive paradox of gender studies. Through exploring gender studies as a transdisciplinary intellectual discipline, which came into existence in very particular multidisciplinary historical conditions of the feminist movement, I suggest that transdisciplinarity within gender studies takes on a meaning which results in a radical problematization of the academic goal of ‘knowledge production’. Instead of such ‘knowledge production’, transdisciplinarity in gender studies promotes intervention which reaches beyond the concepts of accountability, innovation and corporate management. I argue that Jacques Derrida’s promotion of the Collège International de Philosophie in 1982 in its particular relationship to the tradition of philosophy provides a parallel example of such an attitude. Adding to Joan Scott’s and Clare Hemmings’s insights on gender studies in terms of critique and transformation, I argue that transdisciplinarity as practice of ‘intervention’ is crucial for the construction of gender studies disciplinary identity, based upon apparent non-identity.
Introduction to Guattari on Trandisciplinarity
Authors: Goffey Andrew
Published: September 2015

Written roughly a year before the end of his life, Guattari’s ‘The Ethico-Political Foundations of Interdisciplinarity’ elaborates an account of transdisciplinary research processes closely informed by his conception of transversality. Tacitly critiquing institutions of research that separate it from the political practices associated with the reinvention of democracy, the paper explores in particular the possibilities of conducting transversal research into urban life, and speculates on the value of information technology.
Building and blurring the intimate boundaries of nation, race and geopolitics in a suburb neighbouring a UK immigration removal centre
Authors: Leddy-Owen Charles
Published: September 2015

Drawing on analysis of qualitative interviews with 25 residents of an affluent, highly militarised suburb neighbouring a British immigration detention centre, this article analyses how constructions of place and home interrelate with nationalist, racialised and geopolitical boundaries. The article begins by introducing the fieldwork site before discussing the centrality of feminist geopolitics frameworks to the subsequent data analysis. The findings sections demonstrate how the centre and its detainees are routinely obscured by participants in relation to a suburb portrayed as simply ‘nice’ and homely. Analysis suggests that the mundane, everyday practices discussed by participants conceal the formation of simultaneously global, local and intimate boundaries rooted in nationalist and geopolitical distinctions with militarised and colonial histories. These boundaries are, however, partially unobscured locally for participants in relation to questions evoking the prospect of more intimate connections with detainees, and it is only by disavowing anxieties raised by this prospect that the legitimacy of detention and feelings of homeliness can be justified affectively and ethically. The conclusion argues that these findings are important for studies of contemporary border controls, as the same nationalist and racialised structures underpinning detention regimes are fundamentally implicated in embodied and emplaced notions of suburban homeliness.
Sensory dynamic orthoses in mild to moderate upper limb tremor in multiple sclerosis: a mixed methods feasibility study
Authors: Miller L , van Wijck F , Lamont L , Preston J , Hair M
Published: September 2015

Objective:

To explore the feasibility of conducting a Phase III randomized controlled trial evaluating sensory dynamic orthoses for upper limb tremor in multiple sclerosis.

Design:

Mixed methods: double blind randomized placebo controlled pilot study and semi-structured interviews.

Setting:

Rehabilitation centre.

Subjects:

A total of 21 people with multiple sclerosis with upper limb tremor.

Interventions:

Participants received a sensory dynamic orthosis sleeve or a non-compressive sleeve (placebo) that they wore eight hours a day, for nine weeks.

Main measures:

Outcomes were completed at baseline and nine weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin (FAHN) Tremor Rating Scale. Secondary outcome measures included the: Action Research Arm Test, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Psychological Impact of Assistive Device Scale and the Nine-hole Peg Test.

Results:

Both sleeves were acceptable, although achieving a good fit was an issue. There were no significant between-group differences for the primary outcome measure. The median ± interquartile range change scores were 0.5 ±6.5 and 2 ±8 for the placebo and treatment group, respectively. The median ± interquartile range Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (performance subscale) demonstrated significant improvements ( p = 0.01) for the placebo group (1.1 ±1.65) compared with the treatment group (0 ±1.2). There was no between-group differences in the satisfaction subscale. The primary outcome measure was sensitive to detect change; however the Action Research Arm Test was not responsive in this study population.

Conclusion:

Undertaking an randomized controlled trial would be feasible and a minimum of 200 participants would be needed for a fully powered, definitive randomized controlled trial.
Sales Simulation Games
Authors: Beuk Frederik
Published: September 2015

This study combines the perspective of students ( n = 137) and sales instructors ( n = 248). It compares how well selling and sales management simulation games, case discussions, and traditional lectures are perceived to conform to the seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. The study further compares each method’s performance on perceived learning outcomes. Differences between instructors who adopted a simulation game and nonadopters are investigated. Finally, we investigate the reasons why some instructors adopt and others choose not to adopt simulation games for their selling and sales management classes. We find that students consider simulation games more fun, but less useful than lectures, and about equally useful as case discussion. Computerized simulation games are less frequently used in sales education than in other business disciplines. The perceived lack of suitable games is the main reason why instructors do not adopt simulation games for sales education. Contrary to earlier speculation, prior professional work experience of the instructor is unrelated to simulation game adoption, and years of teaching experience is positively related to the use of simulation games.
The Katyń Massacres before the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Kamiński Ireneusz C.
Published: September 2015

The Polish case of Janowiec and Others v. Russia was initiated by a group of close relatives of victims of the 1940 Katyń Massacres. Only in 1990 did the Soviet Union recognize that it had perpetrated the massacres. The applicants in the Janowiec case alleged that the Russian investigation into the massacres, which commenced in 1990 as transparent proceedings but was terminated in 2004 in secrecy, cannot be considered effective under the Convention. Furthermore, inasmuch as the Russian military prosecutors and courts held that the Polish prisoners-of-war “had disappeared” in the spring of 1940 or—if “hypothetically” killed—there might have existed just cause for such an execution, the applicants complained that such statements denied established historical facts and were tantamount to the denigrating and inhuman treatment prohibited by the Convention. The Grand Chamber judgment was not in the applicants’ favor. By a majority, the judges either declined to hear the case on its merits or held that there had been no violation of the Convention, turning—as the four minority judges wrote in their dissent—“the applicants’ long history of justice delayed into a permanent case of justice denied.” This article is a personal account of the principal lawyer acting on behalf of the applicants in the Janowiec case.
Virtual Edgework
Authors: Shay Heather
Published: September 2015

This article examines how table-top role-playing fantasy gamers engage in edgework. Edgework, as defined by Stephen Lyng, occurs when people voluntarily tread boundaries to gain emotional rewards. Based on nineteen months of participant-observation in a gaming group, twenty in-depth interviews, and archival data from e-mail lists and websites, I show how gamers gained many of the benefits that traditional edgeworkers, like extreme sports participants, obtain without the physical danger. Participants tread the boundaries of sanity/insanity and order/disorder, prepared for their edgework, and sustained an illusion of control. By playing a game, they felt alive and powerful, yet removed the edge, thus engaging in “virtual edgework.” In contrast to previous studies, I show that what makes an activity edgework is not the type of risk but how the experience is structured. I suggest that future scholars need to consider new avenues for edgework as people’s lives move online.
The network structure and properties of multifunctional epoxy/anhydride systems
Authors: Yang Tao , Zhang Chongfeng , Hou Xuqi , Cheng Jue , Zhang Junying
Published: September 2015

In this study, bi-, tri-, and tetra-functional epoxy systems were chosen to design network structures using hexahydrophthalic anhydride as curing agent and tris-(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol as accelerant with bifunctional 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether as the flexible reactive diluents to further adjust the network structure. The cross-link density and activation energy ( Ea) of glass transition were calculated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) data. The packing of molecular chain and average distance between molecular chains were analyzed by DMTA and X-ray diffraction measurements, respectively. As a result, the loss modulus, glass transition temperature ( Tg), cross-link density, average distance between molecular chains and Ea were found to be positively correlated with the degree of functionality. Meanwhile, the storage modulus of cured epoxy products at glass state was found to vary as follows: diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F (DGEBF) > tetraglycidyl diaminodiphenylmethane > triglycidyl- p-aminophenol (TGPAP). The loading of diluents decreased Tg and Ea and increased the storage modulus at glass state of DGEBF and TGPAP systems.
Synthesis and characterization of novel high-performance polyarylsulfones with 4-(carbazol-9-yl) triphenylamine moieties
Authors: Chen Zheng , Sun Daye , Lin Yingjian , Han Yuntao
Published: September 2015

A novel homopolyarylsulfone with 4-(carbazol-9-yl) triphenylamine moieties was synthesized successfully through N–C coupling reactions under similar conditions to the synthesis of polyarylsulfones (PSU). By using this simple method and adjusting the feed ratio between 9-(4-aminobenzene) carbazole (NH2–Ar–Cz) and bisphenol A, a series of high-performance copolymers with high molecular weight, good film-reforming ability, great thermal stability, and excellent photoelectric characteristics were also prepared, which have good application potential in the field of organic optoelectronics.
Rheology, morphology, and properties of polyarylene ether nitrile blends
Authors: Long Cheng , Huang Xu , Wei Junji , Feng Mengna , Jia Kun , Liu Xiaobo
Published: September 2015

Polyarylene ether nitrile (PEN) blends with different mass ratios of PEN bisphenol (BP) to PEN bisphenol A (BPA) were prepared by solution casting method. The morphological, rheological, thermal, dielectric, and mechanical properties of the resulted blends were systematically studied. Rheological studies show that the addition of PEN (BPA) could improve the flowability of blends except that of 90/10 (BP/BPA). Meanwhile, the crystallization degree of blends also decreases except that of 90/10 (BP/BPA). Mechanical measurement results indicate that the PEN blend (PEN (BP):PEN (BPA) of 90:10) possesses highest tensile strength of 119.7 MPa, increased by 28.6% than PEN blends (PEN(BP):PEN(BPA) of 50:50). Besides, the scanning electron microscopic images show that there exists phase separation in the PEN blends (PEN (BP):PEN (BPA) of 50:50), which is well consistent with the Cole–Cole plots obtained from rheological studies. Moreover, the phenomenon of phase separation will lead to interfacial polarization between the two different phases, which is a significant factor to induce the transformation of dielectric constant. Furthermore, all blends possess high thermal stability (initial decomposition temperature over 470°C) and high mechanical property (tensile strength over 93 MPa), suggesting that PEN blends (BP/BPA) have a good prospect of extension and application.
A method for determining the energy consumption of machine tools in the spindle start-up process before machining
Authors: Huang Jing , Liu Fei , Xie Jun
Published: September 2015

Start-up energy consumption is a vital component of machine tool energy consumption. In some cases, such as forecasting and quota planning for energy consumption, the start-up energy consumption must be acquired before practical machining, so that the determination of start-up energy consumption before machining is indispensable. However, the start-up energy is usually neglected or regarded as a part of the no-load energy because its characteristics are complicated and unavailable by theoretical computing models. These treatments could result in significant errors under certain working conditions and could also undermine increasing the accuracy requirements for energy analysis. To close this gap, this article presents a method for determining start-up energy consumption based on specific databases consisting of data and functions. To use the database, the relative change in the rate of power is utilized to identify a start-up process, and a relation model between the start-up energy and the spindle speed is established. The energy consumed in the starting process is obtained by summing the energy consumption of each recording interval or by integrating the power function in its time domain. This experimental study proves that this approach has a relatively high accuracy. In addition, the analysis of its application shows that this method is practical for forecasting energy consumption of a start-up process, planning the energy quota for machining a piece of work in manufacturing and other purposes.
An efficient spur gear shaping method based on homogenizing cutting area through variational circular feed rate
Authors: Li Linqing , Zhang Lianhong , Yu Bing , Wang Kaifeng , Liu Fucong
Published: September 2015

Gear shaping is a widely applied technology to produce spur gears. Generally, the pinion cutter and the gear workpiece rotate uniformly with a given gear ratio during the conventional gear shaping process, which can cause a large variation of the cutting area per stroke in cutting tooth spaces. It makes the cutting force less than the rated capacity of the gear shaper in most cutting strokes and thus reduces the process efficiency. To overcome such a shortage, a new spur gear shaping method is proposed in this article, in which the cutting area per stroke is homogenized to a target value through optimizing the circular feed rate. The new method can enhance process efficiency by keeping the cutting force equivalent to the rated capacity of the gear shaper. The specific algorithm includes a number of aspects: cutting area calculation, gear profile generation, cutting area analysis of conventional gear shaping, and cutting area homogenization. Additionally, the new spur gear shaping method is demonstrated and validated using a VERICUT simulation. From the simulation results, it is found that the process efficiency is improved up to 40% via the efficient gear shaping because of the reduced number of shaping strokes. Hence, the new spur gear shaping method is applicable for computer numerical control gear shapers to improve the process efficiency significantly without any additional hardware changes.
A distance-based decision making method to improve multiple criteria supplier selection
Authors: Fu Yelin , Lai Kin Keung , Leung John WK , Liang Liang
Published: September 2015

This article extends the Ng-model for multiple criteria supplier selection problem based upon a distance-based decision-making method. The proposed method determines the common weights associated with all rankings of the criteria importance, and then provides a comprehensively scoring scheme by aggregating all rankings. A numerical illustration is presented to compare our computational results with that of the Ng-model.
CURB-65 and other markers of illness severity in community-acquired pneumonia among HIV-positive patients
Authors: Almeida André , Almeida Ana Rita , Castelo Branco Sara , Vesza Zsófia , Pereira Rui
Published: September 2015

As the relative burden of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia among HIV-positive patients increases, adequate prediction of case severity on presentation is crucial. We sought to determine what characteristics measurable on presentation are predictive of worse outcomes. We studied all admissions for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia over one year at a tertiary centre. Patient demographics, comorbidities, HIV-specific markers and CURB-65 scores on Emergency Department presentation were reviewed. Outcomes of interest included mortality, bacteraemia, intensive care unit admission and orotracheal intubation. A total of 396 patients were included: 49 HIV-positive and 347 HIV-negative. Mean CURB-65 score was 1.3 for HIV-positive and 2.2 for HIV-negative patients ( p < 0.0001), its predictive value for mortality being maintained in both groups ( p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively). Adjusting for CURB-65 scores, HIV infection by itself was only associated with bacteraemia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 7.1, 95% CI [2.6–19.5]). Patients with < 200 CD4 cells/µL presented similar CURB-65 adjusted mortality (aOR 1.7, 95% CI [0.2–15.2]), but higher risk of intensive care unit admission (aOR 5.7, 95% CI [1.5–22.0]) and orotracheal intubation (aOR 9.1, 95% CI [2.2–37.1]), compared to HIV-negative patients. These two associations were not observed in the > 200 CD4 cells/µL subgroup (aOR 2.2, 95% CI [0.7–7.6] and aOR 0.8, 95% CI [0.1–6.5], respectively). Antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression were not associated with different outcomes ( p > 0.05) . High CURB-65 scores and CD4 counts < 200 cells/µL were both associated with worse outcomes. Severity assessment scales and CD4 counts may both be helpful in predicting severity in HIV-positive patients presenting with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.
Validation of the Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale for frontline healthcare professionals
Authors: Jansson Bruce S , Nyamathi Adeline , Heidemann Gretchen , Duan Lei , Kaplan Charles
Published: September 2015

Background:

Nurses, social workers, and medical residents are ethically mandated to engage in policy advocacy to promote the health and well-being of patients and increase access to care. Yet, no instrument exists to measure their level of engagement in policy advocacy.

Research objective:

To describe the development and validation of the Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale, designed to measure frontline healthcare professionals’ engagement in policy advocacy with respect to a broad range of issues, including patients’ ethical rights, quality of care, culturally competent care, preventive care, affordability/accessibility of care, mental healthcare, and community-based care.

Research design:

Cross-sectional data were gathered to estimate the content and construct validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability of the Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale.

Participants and context:

In all, 97 nurses, 94 social workers, and 104 medical residents (N = 295) were recruited from eight acute-care hospitals in Los Angeles County.

Ethical considerations:

Informed consent was obtained via Qualtrics and covered purposes, risks and benefits; voluntary participation; confidentiality; and compensation. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained from the University of Southern California and all hospitals.

Findings:

Results supported the validity of the concept and the instrument. In confirmatory factor analysis, seven items loaded onto one component with indices indicating adequate model fit. A Pearson correlation coefficient of .36 supported the scale’s test–retest stability. Cronbach’s α of .93 indicated strong internal consistency.

Discussion:

The Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in this initial test. Findings should be considered within the context of the study’s limitations, which include a low response rate and limited geographic scope.

Conclusion:

The Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale appears to be the first validated scale to measure frontline healthcare professionals’ engagement in policy advocacy. With it, researchers can analyze variations in professionals’ levels of policy advocacy engagement, understand what factors are associated with it, and remedy barriers that might exist to their provision of it.
Stock Split: A Test of Market Efficiency on Indian Stocks (2001–2013)
Authors: Bodhanwala Ruzbeh J.
Published: September 2015

Stock split in India is an old phenomenon, yet contradictory views exist if stock split generates value to shareholder. This study focuses on 719 stock splits (between the year 2001 and 2013) and its impact on returns, price, trading volume, number of trades, abnormal return (ordinary least squares, OLS) and cumulative average abnormal return. The study also tries to establish if there is a significant difference in the reaction to stock splits among different categories of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE categorization). The study tests out how splits are perceived and measured, if there are abnormal returns around the ex-date and does the trading in those stocks get impacted with more number of shares available at lesser price, and how efficient are our market in adjusting to the post-split.
Performance Evaluation of Regional Rural Banks: Evidence from Indian Rural Banks
Authors: Ahmed Jaynal Ud-din
Published: September 2015

The origin of the regional rural banks (RRBs) can be traced to the need for stronger institutional arrangements for providing rural credit. The inception of RRBs can be seen as a unique experiment as well as an experience in improving the efficacy of rural credit delivery mechanism in India. In the wake of the introduction of financial sector reforms, the feasibility of RRBs emerged as the most crucial factor in deciding the desired role due to their limited business flexibility with hardly any scope of diversification, smaller size of loans with higher exposure to risk-prone advances and professional inefficiency in financial deployment. In order to strengthen RRBs and to improve their performance, various initiatives have been taken by the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The article, therefore, is a synopsis on the evaluation of performance of RRBs in India with respect to deposit mobilization, credit channelization, credit–deposit (C/D) ratio, deployment of credit to various occupations, etc.
The Aftermath of Humanitarian Crises
Authors: Dombo Eileen A. , Ahearn Frederick L.
Published: September 2015

This article reviews the aftermath of displacement caused by natural calamities such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and man-made disasters such as war, ecological degradations, and political, religious, and ethnic persecution. These are traumatic events for individual, families, and communities that require social work interventions. Specifically, the authors will (a) explore the effects of displacement on individuals, families, and communities; (b) propose an explanatory model of the effects of trauma, loss, stress, and separation on behavioral outcomes as mediated by social supports and coping styles; and (c) suggest humanitarian intervention strategies conceptualized by the multilevel public health prevention model, with emphasis on interventions at the individual, group, and community levels.
Transformational Leadership and Inter-Team Collaboration
Authors: Cha Jongseok , Kim Youngbae , Lee Jeong-Yeon , Bachrach Daniel G.
Published: September 2015

We develop and test a model of the effects of transformational leadership beyond the boundaries of a team to the level of collaboration with other teams. We also test team size as a boundary condition in this relationship. In a study using a crisscross design to control common method bias, using a sample of 388 teams from a leading, global electronics company, the results from structural equation modeling (SEM) reveal that teams with transformational leaders are more likely to have higher internal teamwork quality (TWQ) and receive high inter-team collaboration ratings from other teams. Results further support the expectation that the association between transformational leadership and inter-team collaboration is mediated by TWQ and moderated by team size. The importance of transformational leadership for team-level research, as well as its hidden benefits beyond internal team boundaries, is discussed.
Psychological wellbeing and quality-of-life among siblings of paediatric CFS/ME patients: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Velleman Sophie , Collin Simon M , Beasant Lucy , Crawley Esther
Published: September 2015

Chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a disabling condition known to have a negative impact on all aspects of a child’s life. However, little is understood about the impact of CFS/ME on siblings. A total of 34 siblings completed questionnaires measuring depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)), anxiety (HADS and Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS)) and European Quality-of-life-Youth (EQ-5D-Y). These scores were compared with scores from normative samples. Siblings had higher levels of anxiety on the SCAS than adolescents of the same age recruited from a normative sample; however, depression and quality-of-life were similar. Interviews were undertaken with nine siblings of children with CFS/ME who returned questionnaires. Interview data were analysed using a framework approach to thematic analysis. Siblings identified restrictions on family life, ‘not knowing’ and lack of communication as negative impacts on their family, and change of role/focus, emotional reactions and social stigma as negative impacts on themselves. They also described positive communication, social support and extra activities as protective factors. Paediatric services should be aware of the impact of CFS/ME on the siblings of children with CFS/ME, understand the importance of assessing paediatric CFS/ME patients within the context of their family and consider providing information for siblings about CFS/ME.
Sexual self-determination in Cuba: The epistemic decolonial turn
Authors: Báez Antonio Carmona , Soto-Lafontaine Melisa
Published: September 2015

The term ‘sexual self-determination’ has become a keyword for the project of sexual emancipation and the appreciation of sexual diversities in Cuba. Sexual self-determination, as a human right, allows for each individual to define his or her own orientation, condition and gender identity without the stigmatization proposed by psychiatric pathology. At the same time, the principle opens up the possibility for professionals in the fields of health and sciences to deliver care and attention within a new ethical framework. Sex education, as established by the country’s feminist movement, is considered to be the means by which this new framework has been shaped in social policy. This article uses the concept of decolonial/border thinking and the epistemic decolonial turn in order to explain current changes being made in Cuban society concerning sexual diversities and identities, and the challenges these pose for global conceptions of health, ethics and human rights.
Association between health-related physical fitness and body mass index status in children
Authors: Casonatto Juliano , Fernandes Rômulo Araújo , Batista Mariana Biagi , Cyrino Edilson Serpeloni , Coelho-e-Silva Manuel João , de Arruda Miguel , Vaz Ronque Enio Ricardo
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) status and physical performance in Brazilian children. The analyzed sample was composed of 978 children of both sexes (518 boys and 460 girls), aged 7 to 11 years. BMI and skinfolds were measured, and three motor tests were applied (flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular strength/endurance). In both sexes, overweight/obese children presented poor performance in all motor tests, except flexibility. In general, overweight/obese children have an increased odds ratio (OR) to present poor physical performance (boys: OR = 3.64 for cardiorespiratory fitness, OR = 1.94 for muscular strength/endurance, OR = 1.52 for flexibility; girls: OR = 5.03 for cardiorespiratory fitness and OR = 2.62 for muscular strength/endurance). In conclusion, for both sexes, a poor physical performance in the tests measuring cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength/ endurance was associated with the presence of overweight/obesity.
A pilot test of the Self-Management and Research Technology project
Authors: Herbert Linda Jones , Collier Suzanne , Stern Alexa , Monaghan Maureen , Streisand Randi
Published: September 2015

The aims of this study are to: (1) examine the preliminary utility of the Self-Management and Research Technology (SMART) pilot project, (2) identify which adolescents were most likely to benefit from participation, and (3) examine interview feedback to inform future program iterations. Twenty-three adolescents ( Mage = 15.13 years) were enrolled in the six-week text message pilot program consisting of daily interactive blood glucose (BG) prompts and type 1 diabetes-related educational text messages. Medical charts were reviewed for hemoglobin A1c and to corroborate medical record and demographic data. Glucometer data were downloaded to calculate an average monthly BG level and daily BG monitoring frequency. No statistically significant improvements were observed pre-intervention to post-intervention in glycemic outcomes. Participants with a high text message response rate were more likely to demonstrate improvement in average monthly BG levels and daily BG monitoring frequency than those with a low text message response rate. Participants reported satisfaction with the text message program. The text message-based SMART pilot project demonstrated preliminary efficacy for a targeted subset of adolescents who were engaged with the program. Continued research with a larger sample and longer trial duration is warranted to evaluate the potential utility of text message-based interventions.
Bedrooms and beyond: Youth, identity and privacy on social network sites
Authors: Hodkinson Paul
Published: September 2015

This article considers young people’s identities and privacy on social network sites through reflection on the analogy of the teenage bedroom as a means to understand such spaces. The notion therein of intimate personal space may jar with the scope and complexity of social media and, particularly, with recent emphasis on the challenges to privacy posed by such environments. I suggest, however, that, through increased use of access controls and a range of informal strategies, young people’s everyday digital communication may not be as out of control as is sometimes inferred. Recent adaptations of the bedroom analogy indicate that social network sites retain intimacy and that their individual-centred format continues to facilitate the exhibition and mapping of identities. Although an awkward fit, I suggest the bedroom may still help us think through how social network sites can function as vital personal home territories in the midst of multi-spatial patterns of sociability.
Olympic Effort
Authors: Butler Sim , Bissell Kim
Published: September 2015

Disability scholars have long argued that the hegemonic constructions of “normal” bodies segregate, regulate, and demean people whose bodies are deemed disabled. Given that athletic competition stands as a public measure of ability, situations like those embedded in the 2012 London Olympic Games could create spaces to question the social construction of disability. This monograph asks, “Does the athletic competition within the 2012 London Olympic Games provide space to successfully challenge hegemonic constructions of disability?” To help answer that question, this work engages in a critical, cultural, and rhetorical analysis of the mediated messages of the Summer Games through the coverage of athletes involved in Olympic qualification and competition, as well as media reports and commercials aired during and after the Games. The case studies selected focus on athletes whose representation is based on their non-normative bodies during athletic competition as compared with those with normative bodies. Using three case studies that examine mediated representations of the body in sport, how disability is framed by traditional media will be examined.
The Future of Health Promotion in the 21st Century
Authors: Edington Dee W. , Schultz Alyssa B. , Pitts Jennifer S. , Camilleri Angela
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this article is to synthesize developments from various disciplines including the medical, wellness, psychology, and sociology fields to shed light on where health promotion is headed in the next 25 years. Lifestyle medicine practitioners will continue to play a large role in helping people achieve the highest levels of wellness, which does not simply mean the absence of disease. New research identifies the important roles of many diverse factors such as relationships, lifestyle behaviors, emotional outlook, positive environment, mind–body connection, use of technology, and work styles, which can help each person achieve the fullness of life, vitality, and flourishing that characterizes a high level of well-being.
Fast computing of instantaneous cutter position error curve
Authors: Gan Zhiwang , Chen Zhitong , Zhou Meng
Published: September 2015

This article focuses on the computing efficiency of the instantaneous cutter position error curve in computer numerical control cutter positioning, which reflects the positional relationship between the cutter and the desired surface and leads to the strip width of current positioning. The directed projection is proposed to measure the distance of a discrete point to the cutter surface. Two models using fitting techniques are established to compute the instantaneous cutter position error curve. The fitting technique used in this article is based on the quartic polynomial model. In addition, to enhance the accuracy in the nonsymmetric case, the nonsymmetric quartic polynomial model is established, and it induces a more adaptable method. Illustrated experiments show good performance of the proposed methods.
First Application of Ketogenic Diet on a Child With Intractable Epilepsy in Ghana
Authors: Cao Dezhi , Badoe Eben , Zhu Yanwei , Zhao Xia , Hu Yan , Liao Jianxiang
Published: September 2015

The prevalence of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa is higher than in other parts of the world, but it is short of the effective measure on treating intractable epilepsy. Epilepsy surgery is not easy to be performed due to the high cost and demand of operational skills. The authors planned to perform ketogenic diet therapy for the children with intractable epilepsy in Ghana with regard to its low cost and simple procedure. The candidate is a 10-month-old girl with epilepsy with unknown etiology. Her seizures couldn’t be controlled by more than 3 antiepileptic drugs. Her development delayed severely due to frequent seizures. The authors successfully applied ketogenic diet for her. Her seizures were completely controlled after 2 weeks’ therapy. Her mental condition was improved after that. The authors get much experience from this case for further developing ketogenic diet in Africa. This is the first report that ketogenic diet was applied to control intractable epilepsy in West Africa.
CD32a antibodies induce thrombocytopenia and type II hypersensitivity reactions in FCGR2A mice
Authors: Meyer Todd , Robles-Carrillo Liza , Davila Monica , Brodie Meghan , Desai Hina , Rivera-Amaya Mildred , Francis John L. , Amirkhosravi Ali
Published: September 2015

Key Points

CD32a antibodies induce thrombocytopenia and hypersensitivity reactions in FCGR2A mice. Effector-deficient CD32a antibodies prevent IgG-induced thrombosis and shock in FCGR2A mice.
Imaging with primaries and free-surface multiples by joint least-squares reverse time migration
Authors: Wong Mandy , Biondi Biondo L. , Ronen Shuki
Published: September 2015

We have used joint least-squares reverse time migration (LSRTM), also known as linearized waveform inversion, to jointly image primary and free-surface-multiples data. Although migration of free-surface multiples can provide the benefit of additional illumination, crosstalk artifacts that appear in images pose a challenge for migration-based approaches. Our method formulates the imaging problem as an inversion problem to attenuate these crosstalk noises in the image. We have developed a modified modeling operator that uses the data as an areal source. The modified operator is used in joint LSRTM to account for the free-surface multiples in the data. We have developed 3D synthetic and field data examples to reveal that our proposed method improves imaging in geologically complex areas and attenuated crosstalk artifacts in the image.
Gas hydrate and free gas detection using seismic quality factor estimates from high-resolution P-cable 3D seismic data
Authors: Singhroha Sunny , Bünz Stefan , Plaza-Faverola Andreia , Chand Shyam
Published: September 2015

We have estimated the seismic attenuation in gas hydrate and free-gas-bearing sediments from high-resolution P-cable 3D seismic data from the Vestnesa Ridge on the Arctic continental margin of Svalbard. P-cable data have a broad bandwidth (20–300 Hz), which is extremely advantageous in estimating seismic attenuation in a medium. The seismic quality factor (Q), the inverse of seismic attenuation, is estimated from the seismic data set using the centroid frequency shift and spectral ratio (SR) methods. The centroid frequency shift method establishes a relationship between the change in the centroid frequency of an amplitude spectrum and the Q value of a medium. The SR method estimates the Q value of a medium by studying the differential decay of different frequencies. The broad bandwidth and short offset characteristics of the P-cable data set are useful to continuously map the Q for different layers throughout the 3D seismic volume. The centroid frequency shift method is found to be relatively more stable than the SR method. Q values estimated using these two methods are in concordance with each other. The Q data document attenuation anomalies in the layers in the gas hydrate stability zone above the bottom-simulating reflection (BSR) and in the free gas zone below. Changes in the attenuation anomalies correlate with small-scale fault systems in the Vestnesa Ridge suggesting a strong structural control on the distribution of free gas and gas hydrates in the region. We argued that high and spatially limited Q anomalies in the layer above the BSR indicate the presence of gas hydrates in marine sediments in this setting. Hence, our workflow to analyze Q using high-resolution P-cable 3D seismic data with a large bandwidth could be a potential technique to detect and directly map the distribution of gas hydrates in marine sediments.