bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Entrepreneurship in South Africa: Exploring the Influence of Environment
Authors: Littlewood David , Holt Diane
Published: October 2015

The influence of environment on social entrepreneurship requires more concerted examination. This article contributes to emerging discussions in this area through consideration of social entrepreneurship in South Africa. Drawing upon qualitative case study research with six social enterprises, and examined through a framework of new institutional theories and writing on new venture creation, this research explores the significance of environment for the process of social entrepreneurship, for social enterprises, and for social entrepreneurs. Our findings provide insights on institutional environments, social entrepreneurship, and the interplay between them in the South African context, with implications for wider social entrepreneurship scholarship.
The Effect of Incorrect Reliability Information on Expectations, Perceptions, and Use of Automation
Authors: Barg-Walkow Laura H. , Rogers Wendy A.
Published: October 2015

Objective:

We examined how providing artificially high or low statements about automation reliability affected expectations, perceptions, and use of automation over time.

Background:

One common method of introducing automation is providing explicit statements about the automation’s capabilities. Research is needed to understand how expectations from such introductions affect perceptions and use of automation.

Method:

Explicit-statement introductions were manipulated to set higher-than (90%), same-as (75%), or lower-than (60%) levels of expectations in a dual-task scenario with 75% reliable automation. Two experiments were conducted to assess expectations, perceptions, compliance, reliance, and task performance over (a) 2 days and (b) 4 days.

Results:

The baseline assessments showed initial expectations of automation reliability matched introduced levels of expectation. For the duration of each experiment, the lower-than groups’ perceptions were lower than the actual automation reliability. However, the higher-than groups’ perceptions were no different from actual automation reliability after Day 1 in either study. There were few differences between groups for automation use, which generally stayed the same or increased with experience using the system.

Conclusion:

Introductory statements describing artificially low automation reliability have a long-lasting impact on perceptions about automation performance. Statements including incorrect automation reliability do not appear to affect use of automation.

Application:

Introductions should be designed according to desired outcomes for expectations, perceptions, and use of the automation. Low expectations have long-lasting effects.
Private and Public Placement Services for Hard-to-Place Unemployed
Authors: Krug Gerhard , Stephan Gesine
Published: October 2015

The authors analyze a randomized field experiment in two German labor market agencies that provide public and private provision of intensive job placement services. The findings, based on analysis of administrative agency data over 18 months in 2009–2010, show that assignment to public employment services reduced accumulated days in unemployment by one to two months, compared to an assignment to a private provider. The effects, however, were short-lived. Moreover, two-thirds of the effect is attributable to labor force withdrawals. Finally, several important differences in the modes of service provision are only partially attributable to inherent aspects of in-house production and contracting out.
Experimental study on the mechanical properties of looped fabric reinforced foam core sandwich composite
Authors: Dai Bei , Zhou Guangming , Sun Jin , Chen Mudan , Wang Jiajia
Published: October 2015

One of the well-known advantages of the sandwich construction is its high specific stiffness with lightweight. The property of withstanding the shearing, peeling, and flatwise tensile loading is an important factor of designing the sandwich structure. In the present study, the looped fabric reinforced foam core sandwich composite (U-cor) is proposed, and its flatwise tensile, peeling and shearing responses are investigated. Experiments are performed to study the mechanical behavior of the rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) of different densities under tension, compression, and shear loading. Specimens of U-cor and the traditional 2D woven fabric reinforced foam sandwich composite (2DRFS) with thick and thin fiber yarns are investigated. Results show that the main failure mode of the 2DRFS is skin-core debonding. For the U-cor, the damage patterns are far more complicated. Besides breakage of foam, breakage of loop yarn may also occur. The interface performance of the U-cor is much better than that of the 2DRFS. Finite element analysis of U-cor under shearing load in warp direction is performed. The predicted shear strengths and failure modes are in good agreement with the experimental results.
Sex differences between APPswePS1dE9 mice in A-beta accumulation and pancreatic islet function during the development of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Li Xin , Feng Ying , Wu Wei , Zhao Jia , Fu Chunmei , Li Yang , Ding Yangnan , Wu Binghuo , Gong Yanju , Yang Guizhi , Zhou Xue
Published: October 2015

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a type of neurodegenerative disease characterized by learning and memory impairment, is often associated with pathological features, such as amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation and insulin resistance. The transgenic mouse, APPswePS1dE9 (APP/PS1), is one of the most commonly used animal models in pathogenesis studies of AD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the sex differences between APP/PS1 mice in the pathogenesis of AD. The impairment of glucose and insulin tolerance was found to develop earlier in male APP/PS1 mice than in females. Plasma insulin levels were significantly decreased in male APP/PS1 mice, while total cholesterol levels in male APP/PS1 mice were higher than those in females. Triglyceride levels in male mice in both the wild-type (WT) and APP/PS1 groups were higher than in their female littermates. Soluble and insoluble Aβ levels in female APP/PS1 mouse brains were higher than those in males. And the learning and memorizing abilities of female APP/PS1 mice were poorer than those of males. Our results concluded that there were sex differences in Aβ formation, pancreatic islet function and insulin sensitivity between male and female APP/PS1 mice during the pathogenesis of AD.
Finite-time boundedness for switched systems subject to both discrete and distributed delays
Authors: Wang Yijing , Li Shulan , Liu Yuhua , Zuo Zhiqiang
Published: October 2015

In this paper, the problem of finite-time boundedness of switched systems in the presence of both discrete and distributed delays is addressed. The multiple Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional approach is proposed to give some criteria ensuring that the state trajectories of the system remain bounded within a finite time interval. The switching law is designed in terms of average dwell time technique and the Jensen inequality. To further reduce the conservatism, we adopt the Wirtinger inequality which encompasses the Jensen one to derive a new condition. Finally, two numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our result and the potential of employing the Wirtinger inequality.
Optimizing water supply pump replacement in buildings of Hong Kong
Authors: Wong LT , Zhou Y , Mui KW , Lau CP
Published: October 2015

This paper investigates the pump efficiency of existing water supply systems in high-rise buildings in Hong Kong and provides economic justification for pump replacement by comparing the long-term energy cost savings to the initial installation costs. Energy consumptions of water supply pumps were measured with the pump efficiencies determined from the water consumptions of 20 water supply systems in buildings. The study results indicate that for typical pump motor ratings that range from 1 to 40 kW in a high-rise water system, with new pump efficiencies and annual pump efficiency drops that range from 0.68 to 0.74 and 0.012 to 0.028 respectively, a shorter replacement period can be justified on energy cost grounds for larger pumps with greater annual efficiency drops.

Practical application: This paper exhibits numerical solutions of replacement period justified on energy cost grounds for typical pump motor ratings that range from 1 to 40 kW in a high-rise water system, with new pump efficiencies and annual pump efficiency drops that range from 0.68 to 0.74 and 0.012 to 0.028, respectively.
Identifying Person-Fit Latent Classes, and Explanation of Categorical and Continuous Person Misfit
Authors: Conijn Judith M. , Sijtsma Klaas , Emons Wilco H. M.
Published: October 2015

Latent class (LC) cluster analysis of a set of subscale lz person-fit statistics was proposed to explain person misfit on multiscale measures. The proposed explanatory LC person-fit analysis was used to analyze data of students ( N = 91,648) on the nine-subscale School Attitude Questionnaire Internet (SAQI). Inspection of the class-specific lz mean and variance structure combined with explanatory analysis of class membership showed that the data included a poor-fit class, a class showing good fit combined with social desirability bias, a good-fit class, and two classes that were more difficult to interpret. A comparison of multinomial logistic regression predicting class membership and multiple regression predicting continuous person fit showed that LC cluster analysis provided information about aberrant responding unattainable by means of linear multiple regression. It was concluded that LC person-fit analysis has added value to common approaches to explaining aberrant responding to multiscale measures.
Epidemiology and Healthcare Resource Utilization Associated With Children With Short Bowel Syndrome in the United States
Authors: Pant Chaitanya , Sferra Thomas J. , Fischer Ryan T. , Olyaee Mojtaba , Gilroy Richard
Published: October 2015

Background: There is a lack of large database research relating to the epidemiology and health resource utilization associated with short bowel syndrome (SBS) in the United States. Methods: We analyzed the Kids’ Inpatient Database for the year 2012 and utilized International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, and Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) diagnosis codes to identify patients 0–3 years of age with SBS, who were matched by age and sex to children without SBS. The study variables included patient and hospital demographics, All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups, in‐hospital mortality, hospital length of stay, and hospitalization costs. We also determined the most frequent ICD‐9‐CM diagnostic and procedural codes associated with SBS. Results: Children with SBS demonstrated a higher rate of mortality than that of children without SBS (1.6% vs 0.7%; P < .001). Children with SBS also experienced a longer length of stay (median days [interquartile range]: 8 [15] vs 2 [3]; P < .001) and higher hospital costs ($17,000 [$34,000] vs $3000 [$5000]; P < .001). The most frequent medical diagnoses associated with SBS were infection (62%), anemia (29%), and liver disease (17%). Children with SBS also demonstrated more severe illness as assessed by an All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Group score of 3 or 4 (94.30% vs 16.20%; P < .001). Conclusions: Children hospitalized with SBS have a high severity of illness and experience complicated inpatient courses related to their disease. Our study represents the first use of national U.S. data to study the epidemiology and health resource utilization associated with SBS.
Tracheostomy Complications as a Trigger for an Airway Rapid Response
Authors: Rassekh Christopher H. , Zhao Jing , Martin Niels D. , Chalian Ara A. , Atkins Joshua H.
Published: October 2015

Objective

To analyze the subset of airway rapid response (ARR) calls related to tracheostomy identified over a 46‐month period from August 2011 to May 2015 to determine proximate cause, intervention, and outcome and to develop process improvement initiatives.

Design

Single‐institution multidisciplinary retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary care academic medical center in a large urban setting.

Subjects

Hospital inpatients with an in situ tracheostomy or laryngectomy who experienced an ARR.

Methods

Detailed review of operator, hospital, and patient records related to ARR system activations over a 46‐month period.

Results

ARR was activated for 28 patients with existing tracheostomy. The cohort included open tracheostomy (n = 14), percutaneous tracheostomy (n = 8), laryngectomy stoma (n = 3), and indeterminate technique (n = 3). The most frequent triggers for emergency airway intervention were decannulation (n = 16), followed by mucus plugging (n = 4). The mean body mass index of ARR patients was higher than that of a comparator tracheostomy cohort (32.9 vs 26.3, P <. 001). BMI was >40 in 9 ARR patients. There was 1 mortality in the series.

Conclusions

Tracheostomy is a major trigger for ARR with potential fatal outcome. Factors that may contribute to tracheostomy emergencies include high body mass index, surgical technique for open tracheostomy or percutaneous tracheostomy, tracheostomy tube size, and bedside tracheostomy management. Results have triggered a hospital‐wide practice improvement plan focused on tracheostomy awareness and documentation, discrete process changes, and implementation of guidelines for emergency management.
Paranasal Sinus Balloon Catheter Dilation for Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Levy Joshua M. , Marino Michael J. , McCoul Edward D.
Published: October 2015

Objective

Paranasal sinus balloon catheter dilation (BCD) represents a commonly used tool in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) for which the indications, utilization, and outcomes have not been well established. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were undertaken to evaluate change in quality of life and sinus opacification following paranasal sinus BCD in the treatment of CRS.

Data Sources

MEDLINE and EMBASE databases.

Review Methods

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines were utilized to identify English‐language studies reporting patient outcomes following BCD for CRS. Primary outcomes included the impact of BCD on validated measures of quality of life and sinonasal opacification.

Results

Systematic review identified 17 studies for qualitative analysis. Studies generally included cases with limited disease based on radiographic opacification. Five studies contained extractable data for change in 20‐Item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐20) 1 year following BCD, with significant improvement in self‐reported quality of life (P =. 04). Five studies reported a significant change in paranasal sinus opacification following BCD (P <. 001). Two studies directly compared change in SNOT‐20 between BCD and endoscopic sinus surgery, without demonstration of significant difference in outcome (P =. 07). Subgroup analysis found that change in SNOT‐20 score was greater after BCD in the operating room than in the office (P =. 004).

Conclusion

Current evidence supporting the role of BCD in CRS remains incomplete. Long‐term within‐group improvements in quality‐of‐life and sinus opacification scores are demonstrated among a restricted adult population with CRS. Additional study is needed to further evaluate the role for BCD in specific settings and patient subgroups.
Smoking Cessation and Electronic Cigarette Use among Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Authors: McQueen Nicholas , Partington Erin J. , Harrington Kathleen F. , Rosenthal Eben L. , Carroll William R. , Schmalbach Cecelia E.
Published: October 2015

Objectives

(1) Investigate electronic cigarette (e‐cig) use among head and neck (HN) cancer patients; (2) define quit methods, success, motivations, and barriers to smoking cessation; and (3) determine the impact of e‐cig use in smoking cessation.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Methods

An in‐office survey was administered to HN cancer patients ≥19 years of age with past/present tobacco use. Patient demographics were collected. Quit methods, success, and motivations/barriers were surveyed. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was used to correlate alcohol use and cessation. Independent variables associated with cessation were studied with Fisher’s exact test and Student’s t test. Subgroup analysis was performed for e‐cig users.

Results

Of 110 eligible patients, 106 (96%) enrolled (83% male, 82% Caucasian), of whom 69 (65%) successfully quit. Age of first tobacco use did not differ between the smoking and cessation groups (P =. 14), nor did hazardous drinking (30% smoking vs 14% cessation; P =. 072). “Cold turkey” (ie, stopping abruptly without smoking cessation aids) was the most common method attempted (n = 88, 83%) and most successful (n = 65, 94%). There was no statistical difference in age, sex, race, drinking, or socioeconomic status between e‐cig users and nonusers. Nonusers achieved higher quit rates as compared with e‐cig users (72% vs 39%; P =. 0057). E‐cig use did not decrease the number of cigarettes smoked (463 cigarettes/month) versus that of nonusers (341 cigarettes/month; P =. 2). Seventy percent of e‐cig users wore a nicotine patch.

Conclusions

HN cancer patients desire smoking cessation. E‐cig did not decrease tobacco use, and patients who utilize e‐cigs are less likely to achieve smoking cessation.
Closer to the Mean
Authors: Hsueh Wayne D. , Gibber Marc J.
Published: October 2015

Variation, long accepted to be the norm in otolaryngologic surgical practice, has recently come under scrutinization. Efforts can be seen daily in the operating room to standardize procedures with time‐outs, checklists, and protocols. The thought is that by enforcing repetition and eliminating variation, it is possible to decrease human error and reduce cost. However, there is understandable resistance from surgeons in removing the “art” from surgery. We propose that standardization, if appropriately put into practice, can improve surgical outcomes and efficiency and even enhance resident education.
How Blue Can You Get? B.B. King, Planetary Humanism and the Blues behind Bars
Authors: Back Les
Published: October 2015

This article honours the memory of blues musician B.B. King, who died on 14 May 2015, through focusing on his performances in prisons. The article situates his concerts inside Cook County jail and Sing Sing within the wider political crisis during the 1970s surrounding issues of race and class in the American prison system. It suggests the historical resonance of these events can be interpreted through using Paul Gilroy’s notion of planetary humanism. The tone of B.B. King’s guitar carries both the historical trace of African American experience while at the same time voicing a humanistic sensibility beyond the brutalities of racism and incarceration.
Interview with Pasi Väliaho on Video Games and Rhythm
Authors: Ash James
Published: October 2015

In conversation with James Ash, Pasi Väliaho discusses the relationship between video games, politics and the turn to affect for thinking about mediated experience. In doing so, both authors consider the promises and problematics of utilizing neuroscientific concepts for understanding modes of power that operate through the knots of image and sensation that make up contemporary media culture.
A study on the information seeking behaviour of Singapore-based Filipino domestic workers
Authors: Sibal Hannah Trinity , Foo Schubert
Published: October 2015

This research examines the information seeking and use behaviour of Filipino domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore, who collectively make up around 40% of about 173,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in this city state. It is based on the premise that low-paid migrants are generally typecast as ‘information poor’, who are left with very common, limiting, and homogeneous information sources. The FDWs are drawn to their co-equals to form an information ground where they can exchange information serendipitously. A survey questionnaire was administered to 138 FDWs to learn about their information behaviour and problems encountered during information seeking. A 5-day ethnographic study in their off-work context supplemented the quantitative data. The study found that FDWs inadequately meet the requisites for digital and information literacy, which are indispensable yet lacking among many low-skilled migrants. Implications about public governance, education, and the pedagogical component of technology use through streamlined information dissemination are discussed to benefit these FDWs.
Adherence to and efficacy of different compression methods for treating chronic venous insufficiency in the elderly
Authors: Suehiro Kotaro , Morikage Noriyasu , Yamashita Osamu , Harada Takasuke , Ueda Koshiro , Samura Makoto , Tanaka Yuya , Takeuchi Yuriko , Hamano Kimikazu
Published: October 2015

Objectives

To investigate the adherence to and efficacy of different compression methods in elderly patients.

Methods

A retrospective review of compression therapy in 120 elderly patients (≥65 years) with chronic venous insufficiency was performed to study the initially preferred compression method, adherence to each method, and its efficacy.

Results

Initially, an oversize strong stocking (24%), an appropriate size moderate stocking (19%), and bandages (37%) were equally preferred. Adherence at 1 month was 69%, 96%, and 91%, respectively, and they reduced ankle circumferences in C3 patients by 1.8 ± 1.9 cm, 0.3 ± 1.7 cm, and 2.9 ± 1.7 cm, respectively. The improvement rates of C4 symptoms were 79%, 60%, and 91%, respectively. Only three patients (2%) preferred an appropriate size strong stocking.

Conclusions

In elderly patients, an appropriate size strong stocking was not preferred. The best adherence was achieved by using a moderate stocking, while the best efficacy was achieved by using bandages.
Understanding and Changing Food Consumption Behavior Among Children
Authors: Jeffries Jayne K. , Noar Seth M. , Thayer Linden
Published: October 2015

Current theoretical models attempting to explain diet-related weight status among children center around three individual-level theories. Alone, these theories fail to explain why children are engaging or not engaging in health-promoting eating behaviors. Our Comprehensive Child Consumption Patterns model takes a comprehensive approach and was developed specifically to help explain child food consumption behavior and addresses many of the theoretical gaps found in previous models, including integration of the life course trajectory, key influencers, perceived behavioral control, and self-regulation. Comprehensive Child Consumption Patterns model highlights multiple levels of the socioecological model to explain child food consumption, illustrating how negative influence at multiple levels can lead to caloric imbalance and contribute to child overweight and obesity. Recognizing the necessity for multi-level and system-based interventions, this model serves as a template for holistic, integrated interventions to improve child eating behavior, ultimately impacting life course health development.
A theory on grasping objects using effectors with curved contact surfaces and its application to whole-arm grasping
Authors: Seo Jungwon , Yim Mark , Kumar Vijay
Published: October 2015

This paper develops a theoretical framework for grasping objects using customized effectors that have curved contact surfaces, and presents its application to the problem of robotic whole-arm grasping. We present a collection of immobilizing grasps and cages that can effectively restrain the mobility of a wide range of object shapes including polyhedra. Each of the grasps or cages is formed by at most three effectors with appropriate contact surfaces in contrast to customary point fingertips. We also discuss the morphology of the curved contact surfaces that can realize the grasps and cages; the surfaces can simply be planar, cylindrical, or spherical. Stable grasps are obtained by simple motion planning and control. Our theory is based on a conservative assumption that all contacts are frictionless, rigid, unilateral. Finally, we present a robotic system, comprised of a software suite and a modular reconfigurable manipulator outfitted with exchangeable end-effectors and arm links, demonstrating the theory and our approach to whole-arm grasping.
Problems and needs in helping older people with dementia with daily activities: Perspectives of Thai caregivers
Authors: Griffiths Jiranan , Bunrayong Wannipa
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Caring for people with dementia can be stressful and demanding. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to investigate the problems and needs of caregivers who help older people with dementia to do activities of daily living.

Method

Thirty caregivers who took older people with dementia to get treatment at a memory clinic in a hospital in the north of Thailand were interviewed using a semistructured interview. Transcribed data were analysed using inductive analysis.

Findings

The analysis generated five themes related to problems experienced by caregivers: toileting is the hardest job, lifting causes back pain, loss of memory problems, economic hardships and psychological distress. These issues aggregated into support needs from three sources: information and rehabilitation services from health professionals, assistance with everyday tasks from family members and financial support from society.

Conclusion

The findings reveal that the kind of support Thai caregivers seek from various groups differs according to their perceived expertise and availability. Further studies are needed to explore how that assistance might be delivered and whether it is in fact helpful.
Optimal normal load variation in wedge-shaped Coulomb dampers
Authors: Papangelo A , Ciavarella M
Published: October 2015

Wedge-shaped frictional dampers are widely used in civil, mechanical and aeronautical engineering with the purpose to limit and damp vibrations, increase component fatigue life, or resist seismic loads. The wedge shape induces normal load variations which complicates the analysis. Here, we study a model which can be considered a generalization of the Griffin model, originally devised for underplatform dampers in turbine blade attachments. The model has a mass element (the body whose vibrations are to be damped) linked to the wall by means of a spring and to a massless Coulomb damper via a “contact stiffness". In Griffin’s work the normal load acting on the Coulomb damper was kept constant. We introduce cyclic amplitude of the normal load, and phase shift between tangential and normal load. It is found that the optimization curves maintain the minimum for the mean normal load expected by Griffin’s model. However, a lower vibration amplitude is found for in-phase loading with respect to the constant load, over the entire frequency range. When the “contact stiffness" is higher than the structure stiffness (as it is generally expected), the maximum vibration decrement for in-phase loading is around 40%.
Impact problem for the quasi-linear viscoelastic standard solid model
Authors: Argatov  , Selyutina NS , Mishuris GS
Published: October 2015

The one-dimensional impact problem in the case of Fung’s quasi-linear viscoelastic model is studied for the relaxation function of the standard solid model (or Zener model). Additionally, quasi-linear viscoelastic Maxwell and Kelvin–Voigt models are recovered as limit cases. The results of numerical simulations for some illustrative values of the dimensionless problem parameters are presented. The obtained results can be of interest for biomedical testing.
Extraordinary television time travel and the wonderful end to the working day
Authors: Redmond Sean
Published: October 2015

In this article I will present two arguments. First, the argument that the time travel television series historically provided viewers with a spectacular temporal and spatial alternative to the routine of everyday life, the regulation of television scheduling, and the small-world confines of domestic subjectivity. Taking the decades of the 1970s and 1980s, predominantly in a UK viewing environment, I will suggest that the special effect rendering of the time travel sequence expanded the viewer’s material universe, and affectively wrenched the television set free from the strictures of scheduling and realist programming. Further, the time travel series readily and regularly took the domestic space, the ordinary day and the everyman/person into awesome environments and situations that suggested alternative lifestyles and behaviours, with a different existential tempo and rhythm. At a narrative, thematic, meta-textual, and aesthetically spectacular level, television time travel saw to the wonderful end of the working day. Case studies include Sapphire and Steal, Dr Who, and Quantum Leap. Second, the article will argue that rather than the contemporary time travel television series being an extraordinary alternative to ordinary life, they instead articulate convergence culture, deregulation, multiple channel viewing, and time-shift culture where there is no such thing as an ordinary working day or domestic viewing context.
Prototyping and testing of composite riser joints for deepwater application
Authors: Chen Yu , Seemann Ralf , Krause Dieter , Tay Tong-Earn , Tan Vincent BC
Published: October 2015

The high strength to weight ratio, good corrosion resistance, and excellent fatigue property make carbon fiber-reinforced plastics a competitive material solution to replace steel in deepwater riser application. In this work, scaled-down composite riser joints were fabricated using a filament-winding machine. The prototypes comprise several carbon fiber-reinforced plastic layers wound over an aluminum liner. They consist of a middle tubular section and two metal-composite interface end fittings for the transfer of load between joints. A series of mechanical tests, including tension and combined tension-bending loading tests were performed to characterize their structural capacity and evaluate the improvement in performance over a purely metallic mandrel. In addition, finite element analyses incorporating elastic–plastic properties of the metallic liner, interfacial failure, and complex carbon fiber-reinforced plastics failure modes were carried out. The numerical predictions are in good agreement with the experimental measurements. The experimentally verified FE framework was then extended to design and analyze a full-scale composite riser model for performance prediction to accelerate the application of composite risers by shortening product development cycle and reducing prototyping costs.
Analytical and numerical solution of the interfacial stress in reinforced-concrete beams reinforced with bonded prestressed composite plate
Authors: Rabahi Abderezak , Daouadji Tahar Hassaine , Abbes Boussad , Adim Belkacem
Published: October 2015

The objective of this present research is to propose a simplified analytical and numerical approach to predict the interfacial stress of simply supported reinforced-concrete beams reinforced with prestressed carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite plate. Analytical design methodology is based on equilibrium and deformations compatibility requirements in and all parts of the strengthened beam, i.e. the concrete beam, the prestressed carbon fiber-reinforced polymer plate, and the adhesive layer. The results show that there exists a high concentration of both shear and normal stress at the ends of the laminate, which might result in premature failure of the strengthening scheme at these locations. In numerical analysis, the mesh sensitivity test shows that the finite element results for interfacial stresses are not sensitive to the finite element mesh. The finite element analysis then is used to calculate the interfacial stress distribution and evaluate the effect of the structural parameters on the interfacial behavior. Numerical results from the present analysis are presented both to demonstrate the advantages of the present solution. This research is helpful for the understanding on mechanical behavior of the interface and design of the interfacial stress in reinforced-concrete beams reinforced with bonded prestressed carbon fiber-reinforced polymer plate.
Investigation of peel resistance during the fibre placement process
Authors: Rao S , Umer R , Thomas J , Cantwell W J
Published: October 2015

In this study, the influence of compaction load, layup speed and temperature on the adhesive properties of automated fibre placement grade towpreg has been investigated on the ply-tool interface where higher peel forces are required to permit the deposition of subsequent plies. The automated layup process was simulated on a CNC milling machine, using a roller assembly and the adhesion properties of the towpreg were determined using a floating roller peel test. The processing window for the towpreg was determined using a dynamic mechanical analyser and a two-level, full factorial design of experiments was developed for the three factors, to understand their effects on the peeling force, both individually and synergistically. The design of experiments analysis indicates a strong temperature effect, with the towpregs requiring a higher layup temperature to accommodate higher layup speeds. A strong load-temperature interaction was detected, with a negative temperature effect at lower loads and a strong positive temperature effect at higher loads. The predicted factor settings to achieve a peeling force of 246 N/m are, 1 kN compaction load, 65℃ layup temperature, and a layup speed of 120 mm/min. Experimental tests, carried out at the predicted factor settings, agree well with the analysis, yielding a peel force of 256 N/m with a standard deviation of 25 N/m.
Measurement Invariance of the Brief Multidimensional Student’s Life Satisfaction Scale Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults Across 23 Cultural Contexts
Authors: Abubakar Amina , van de Vijver Fons , Alonso-Arbiol Itziar , He Jia , Adams Byron , Aldhafri Said , Aydinli-Karakulak Arzu , Arasa Josephine , Boer Diana , Celenk Ozgur , Dimitrova Radosveta , Ferreira Maria Cristina , Fischer Ronald , Mbebeb Fomba Emmanuel , Frías María Teresa , Fresno Andrés , Gillath Omri , Harb Charles , Handani Penny , Hapunda Given , Kamble Shanmukh , Kosic Marianna , Lah Looh Joseph , Mazrui Lubna , Mendia Rafael Emilio , Murugami Margaret , Mason-Li Mei , Pandia Weny Savitry , Perdomo Cristina , Schachner Maja , Sim Samantha , Spencer Rosario , Suryani Angela , Tair Ergyul
Published: October 2015

There is hardly any cross-cultural research on the measurement invariance of the Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scales (BMSLSS). The current article evaluates the measurement invariance of the BMSLSS across cultural contexts. This cross-sectional study sampled 7,739 adolescents and emerging adults in 23 countries. A multi-group confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit of configural and partial measurement weights invariance models, indicating similar patterns and strengths in factor loading for both adolescents and emerging adults across various countries. We found insufficient evidence for scalar invariance in both the adolescents’ and the emerging adults’ samples. A multi-level confirmatory factor analysis indicated configural invariance of the structure at country and individual level. Internal consistency, evaluated by alpha and omega coefficients per country, yielded acceptable results. The translated BMSLSS across different cultural contexts presents good psychometric characteristics similar to what has been reported in the original scale, though scalar invariance remains problematic. Our results indicate that the BMSLSS forms a brief measure of life satisfaction, which has accrued substantial evidence of construct validity, thus suitable for use in cross-cultural surveys with adolescents and emerging adults, although evaluation of degree of invariance must be carried out to ensure its suitability for mean comparisons.
A controlled release system for quercetin from biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide)–polycaprolactone nanofibers and its in vitro antitumor activity
Authors: Vashisth Priya , Singh Rajesh P , Pruthi Vikas
Published: October 2015

Quercetin is a potent natural antioxidant but has limited therapeutic applications due to its short half-life in body fluids. In order to improve the efficacy of quercetin and overcome its shortcomings, quercetin-encapsulated electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)–poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibrous controlled release system was developed using electrospinning technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric, and X-ray diffraction analysis suggested the incorporation, thermal stability, and existence of encapsulated quercetin in semicrystalline state in the nanofibers. The release profiles of quercetin from the poly(lactide-co-glycolide)–polycaprolactone nanofibers in phosphate-buffered saline showed controlled release of quercetin up to 120 h. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay showed an evident inhibition effect of quercetin-encapsulated nanofibers against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), and the inhibition rate of 29%, 72%, and 80.1% were recorded for 1%, 2%, and 4% quercetin-encapsulated nanofibers, respectively. The formulated drug delivery system could be potentially used as an implantable anticancer drug in clinical applications in the future.
Barrier, mechanical, and thermal properties of the three-layered co-extruded blown polyethylene/ethylene–vinyl alcohol/low density polyethylene film without tie layers
Authors: Ge Changfeng , Lei Kai , Aldi Robert
Published: October 2015

This article investigates three-layer co-extruded blown film comprised of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene–vinyl alcohol (EVOH)/LDPE without adhesion layers. Various thicknesses of pure EVOH were sandwiched by outer LDPE layers blended with linear low-density polyethylene-grafted-maleic anhydride (LLDPE- g-MAH) as compatibilizer in concentrations from 0 wt% to 2.0 wt%. The study found that a mere 3-μ EVOH layer can achieve a 180 times improvement of oxygen barrier properties as compared to the control sample. When the EVOH loading is 10–15 wt% of the total film mass, the addition of LLDPE- g-MAH into the outer layers indicated a positive synergistic effect by enhancing barrier properties. In contrast, when the EVOH loadings are at 5 wt% and 7.5 wt%, the barrier properties of the film was reduced. Layer-to-layer interaction between the LDPE and EVOH was notably improved as demonstrated by a 26–42% increase of interlaminate peel strength in the presence of 0.5–2 wt% LLDPE- g-MAH in all samples. Congruently, the introduction of the LLDPE- g-MAH into the outer LDPE layers also resulted in an increased dart impact toughness and tensile strength for the film. The EVOH crystallinity showed a reduction after adding LLDPE- g-MAH, particularly apparent for the lower EVOH concentrations.
Characterization of microwave-treated oil palm empty fruit bunch/glass fibre/polypropylene composites
Authors: Islam MR , Gupta A , Rivai M , Beg MDH
Published: October 2015

Composites were prepared from recycled polypropylene (RPP), oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) and/or glass fibre (GF) using extrusion and injection moulding techniques. Two types of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene such as Polybond 3200 and Fusabond P 613 were used to improve the interfacial adhesion between fibres and matrix. The EFB: GF ratio was fixed as 70:30 and fibre loading was considered as 40 wt%. Microwave was used to treat the EFB fibre, which was soaked in a fixed mass concentration (12.5%) of alkali solution at different temperatures (70, 80 and 90°C) for a fixed period of time (60 min) and for different times (60, 90 and 120 min) at a fixed temperature (90°C). A magnetron controller was developed to control the time and temperature accurately for the treatment of fibre. Various characterization techniques such as density, melt flow index, tensile, Izod impact, flexural, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and water uptake testing were performed for the composites. Besides, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were also used to evaluate the thermal and crystalline properties of the composites, respectively. Result analyses revealed that microwave-treated fibre-based composites showed improved mechanical and thermal properties. EFB fibres treated at 90°C for 90 min were found to be suitable for better reinforcement into the composite in terms of mechanical, thermal and crystalline properties. Moreover, onset degradation temperature and water absorption properties were also found to be changed apparently due to treatment.
Smart Governance
Authors: Bolívar Manuel Pedro Rodríguez , Meijer Albert J.
Published: October 2015

The attention for Smart governance, a key aspect of Smart cities, is growing, but our conceptual understanding of it is still limited. This article fills this gap in our understanding by exploring the concept of Smart governance both theoretically and empirically and developing a research model of Smart governance. On the basis of a systematic review of the literature defining elements, aspired outcomes and implementation strategies are identified as key dimensions of Smart governance. Inductively, we identify various categories within these variables. The key dimensions were presented to a sample of representatives of European local governments to investigate the dominant perceptions of practitioners and to refine the categories. Our study results in a model for research into the implementation strategies, Smart governance arrangements, and outcomes of Smart governance.
Governing Smart Cities
Authors: Dameri Renata Paola , Benevolo Clara
Published: October 2015

Smart cities (SCs) are a recent but emerging phenomenon, aiming at using high technology and especially information and communications technology (ICT) to implement better living conditions in large metropolises, to involve citizens in city government, and to support sustainable economic development and city attractiveness. The final goal is to improve the quality of city life for all stakeholders. Until now, SCs have been developing as bottom-up projects, bringing together smart initiatives driven by public bodies, enterprises, citizens, and not-for-profit organizations. However, to build a long-term smart strategy capable of producing better returns from investments and deciding priorities regarding each city, a comprehensive SC governance framework is needed. The aim of this paper is to collect empirical evidences regarding government structures implemented in SCs and to outline a framework for the roles of local governments, nongovernmental agencies, and administrative officials. The survey shows that no consolidated standards or best practices for governing SCs are implemented in the examined cities; however, each city applies its own governance framework. Moreover, the study reveals some interesting experiences that may be useful for involving citizens and civil society in SC governance.
Signal and Symbol: How State and Local Policies Address Data-Informed Practice
Authors: Jimerson Jo Beth , Childs Joshua
Published: October 2015

Numerous actors influence how educational policies play out in practice, but this does not mean that policies themselves are without power. Policies are crafted and enacted in part because they serve as signal and symbol: How a policy is formally codified establishes expectations, exerts norming influence, and catalyzes shifts in how issues are framed. But what happens when or if a set of policies do these things in ways that misalign with or incompletely reflect research? In this article, we leverage the issue of educational data use to examine how state and local policies may simultaneously symbolize a commitment to school improvement and signal expectations that fail to align with the broader evidence base. We discuss the implications of this disjoint for policymakers and make recommendations for ways in which policy actors can use the signaling power of policy to frame expectations in ways that more closely align with research.
Student Pharmacist Perceptions of a Behind-The-Counter Class of Medications
Authors: Slazak Erin M. , Fodero Kristen E. , Albanese Nicole P.
Published: October 2015

Objectives:

To report perceptions of PharmD candidates regarding a behind-the-counter (BTC) class of medications and to identify perceived barriers to its successful implementation.

Methods:

PharmD candidates in their second, third, and fourth professional years were invited to complete an online survey. Responses were used to assess perceptions of competency and willingness to participate in a BTC program and perceived preparedness of the current community pharmacy practice environment for a BTC class of medications with regard to 8 specific classes of medications.

Results:

The survey response rate was 28%. In all, 78% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that a BTC class of medications is a change that they would be willing to embrace, and 54% agreed or strongly agreed that their PharmD curriculum provided them with adequate training in laboratory and diagnostic test interpretation. Less than half of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that community pharmacies are currently equipped with the resources necessary to clinically assess a patient and dispense BTC medications.

Conclusion:

PharmD candidates are prepared and willing to participate in a BTC program but believe that the current community practice environment lacks access to resources necessary to do so.
Case Report
Authors: Denetclaw Tina Harrach , Tam Jacqueline , Arias Victor , Kim Rachel , Martin Christopher
Published: October 2015

Apixaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor, has no commercially available assay to measure its activity and no specific antidote. To date, recommendations for managing bleeding associated with apixaban are based on studies with animal models and healthy volunteers (who do not have identified thrombogenic risk factors) and expert opinion. No clinical experience has been published in the literature. Ideally, apixaban would be reversed sufficiently to stop a perilous bleed without producing more thrombogenic risk than the patients’ underlying risk factors. Three-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC3) is the least thrombogenic among the suggested reversal agents. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is sometimes recommended to add to PCC3, but it adds considerable volume. We describe successful management of an active left gluteal arterial extravasation due to trauma and associated apixaban, in a patient with aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation, by administration of PCC3 alone, without the added volume of FFP.