bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Me, My Girls, and the Ideal Hotel: Segmenting Motivations of the Girlfriend Getaway Market Using Fuzzy C-Medoids for Fuzzy Data
Authors: Khoo-Lattimore Catheryn , Prayag Girish , Disegna Marta
Published: June 2018

Segmenting the motivation of travelers using the push and pull framework remains ubiquitous in tourism. This study segments the girlfriend getaway (GGA) market on motivation (push) and accommodation (pull) attributes and identifies relationships between these factors. Using a relatively novel clustering algorithm, the Fuzzy C-Medoids clustering for fuzzy data (FCM-FD), on a sample of 749 women travelers, three segments (Socializers, Enjoyers, and Rejoicers) are uncovered. The results of a multinomial fractional model show relationships between the clusters of motivation and accommodation attributes as well as sociodemographic characteristics. The research highlights the importance of using a gendered perspective in applying well established motivation models such as the push and pull framework. The findings have implications for both destination and accommodation management.
What Makes Race Salient? Juror Decision-Making in Same-Race Versus Cross-Race Identification Scenarios and the Influence of Expert Testimony
Authors: Maeder Evelyn M. , Ewanation Logan
Published: June 2018

Research demonstrates that juror race may interact with defendant race to influence decision-making, but little work has investigated interactions with eyewitness race. This study tested whether Black/White jurors would produce different perceptions/decisions when faced with a Black/White defendant identified by a Black/White eyewitness. We also examined the influence of expert testimony regarding the cross-race effect in two floating cells. Mock jurors read a trial transcript, provided a verdict and trial party ratings, and indicated perceived race salience. Black jurors were more likely to convict a White defendant identified by a Black eyewitness than a Black defendant identified by a White eyewitness. Expert testimony was valued more highly when the defendant was Black, but had no direct influence on verdict; however, it raised race salience perceptions (as did presence of Black trial parties). Perceived race salience was associated with lower rates of conviction, suggesting that race and expert testimony have potential courtroom implications.
Learning to facilitate arts-in-health programmes: A case study of musicians facilitating creative interventions for mothers with symptoms of postnatal depression
Authors: Perkins Rosie , Yorke Sarah , Fancourt Daisy
Published: June 2018

There is growing research documenting the effects of arts-in-health interventions on diverse participant groups. However, the impact of interventions on facilitators remains largely lacking. Drawing on a case study project, this article reports on a qualitative study to understand the practices, challenges, enablers and impacts for musicians of facilitating creative interventions for women with symptoms of postnatal depression. Thematic analysis revealed that the musicians used specific practices to successfully facilitate their activities, relying on a balance of forward-planning with the need to retain flexibility and provide women with autonomy and opportunities for social bonding. Key challenges included coping with the emotional impact of the project as well as facilitating different types of creative activities, while a strong sense of team and the structure of the interventions supported delivery. Finally, the project enabled the development of both generic and context-specific creative facilitation skills, and also contributed to the facilitators’ wellbeing. The logistical, educational and support implications for other practitioners seeking to establish such interventions are considered within the context of arts-in-health and musicians’ education.
Listener response as a facet of interactional competence
Authors: Ross Steven
Published: June 2018

Interactional competence has been variously defined as turn-taking ability, paralinguistic features of communication such as eye contact, gesture, and gesticulation, and listener responses. In existing assessment systems such as the oral proficiency interview (OPI), interactional competence is only rarely explicitly factored into the holistic task-based rating system. The present article explores the potential relevance of a facet of interactional competence, listener response, in contrastive interviewers conducted structurally distinct languages, Japanese and English. The analytic focus through micro-analysis of the interview interaction aims to consider evidence of how the candidate’s listener responses audible through backchannels might be consistently identified as distinct from existing rating criteria such as fluency, accuracy, and coherence, and whether listener responses as interactional competence might be distinct from, or subsumable under, these facets of speaker proficiency.
What counts as “responding”? Contingency on previous speaker contribution as a feature of interactional competence
Authors: Lam Daniel M. K.
Published: June 2018

The ability to interact with others has gained recognition as part of the L2 speaking construct in the assessment literature and in high- and low-stakes speaking assessments. This paper first presents a review of the literature on interactional competence (IC) in L2 learning and assessment. It then discusses a particular feature – producing responses contingent on previous speakers’ contributions – that emerged as a de facto construct feature of IC, oriented to both candidates and examiners within the school-based group speaking assessment in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) English Language Examination. Previous studies have, similarly, argued for the importance of responding to or linking one’s own talk to previous speakers’ contributions as a way of demonstrating comprehension of co-participants’ talk. However, what counts as such a response has yet to be explored systematically. This paper presents a conversation analytic study of the candidate discourse in the assessed group interactions, identifying three conversational actions through which student-candidates construct contingent responses to co-participants. The thick description about the nature of contingent responses lays the groundwork for further empirical investigations on the relevance of this IC feature and its proficiency implications.
Health Promotion Behaviors and Its Predictors Among the College Students in Iran
Authors: Bakouei Fatemeh , Jalil Seyedi-Andi Seyed , Bakhtiari Afsaneh , Khafri Soraya
Published: June 2018

The health-promoting behaviors form typically during adolescence and youth. This study was conducted to determine the status of the health-promoting behaviors in the students of Babol University of Medical Sciences and its predictors. This cross-sectional study was done on 350 students from April 2016 to July 2016. The applied questionnaires were health-promoting lifestyle profile II, general self-efficacy scale, and sociodemographic variables. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software by descriptive tests, one-way analysis of variance, and multivariable linear regression. The mean total health-promoting lifestyle profile II score was 126.79 ± 19.28. In the subscales, the participants scored the highest in interpersonal relations (24.62 ± 4.59) and the lowest in physical activity (16.53 ± 4.17). Analyses of the data showed that there was a significant association among some subscales of health-promoting behaviors and gender, family size, living in dormitory and also showed that self-efficacy remained as significant factor in relation to all subscales of health-promoting behaviors.
Medical Maximizing-Minimizing Preferences Predict Responses to Information about Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening
Authors: Scherer Laura D. , Kullgren Jeffrey T. , Caverly Tanner , Scherer Aaron M. , Shaffer Victoria A. , Fagerlin Angela , Zikmund-Fisher Brian J.
Published: June 2018

Purpose: The recently developed Medical Maximizer-Minimizer Scale (MMS) assesses individual differences in preferences for active v. passive medical treatment. We hypothesized that men’s maximizing-minimizing preferences might have relevance in the case of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, since there is considerable variability in men’s preference for being screened even among men who are informed that harm is more likely than benefit. The current research examined whether MMS preferences predict how men respond to didactic information and narrative stories about PSA screening. Design: US men 40+ years old ( N = 1208) participated in an online survey. Men viewed information about PSA screening in 3 phases and provided their preference for screening after each phase. Phase 1 described what PSA screening is. Phase 2 added didactic information about screening risks and benefits. Phase 3 added narrative stories; men were randomized to receive stories about 1) physical harm, 2) emotional harm, 3) overdiagnosis, or 4) all 3 stories. Participants also completed the validated MMS. Results: After receiving basic information, 76.8% of men wanted PSA screening. After receiving information about risks and benefits, 54.8% wanted screening (a significant reduction, P < 0.001). Men who changed their preferences were significantly more likely to be minimizers than maximizers; most men with maximizing tendencies wanted screening after both the didactic information and narratives, whereas most men with minimizing tendencies did not want the test after receiving information. Conclusions: Men who prefer a more minimizing approach to medicine are more responsive to evidence supporting limiting or forgoing screening than men who prefer a maximizing approach.
Emphysematous pyelonephritis and cystitis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Li Shengxian , Wang Jixue , Hu Jinghai , He Liang , Wang Chunxi
Published: June 2018

This present case report describes a 64-year-old female patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus who also had emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) and emphysematous cystitis (EC). Computed tomography revealed well defined emphysematous pyelonephritis and cystitis. Broad-spectrum antibiotic and percutaneous drainage of the right kidney were used as part of a conservative management regimen. The patient achieved clinical recovery and was discharged 12 days after admission. Furthermore, 13 other cases of EPC and EC that were reported between 1962 and 2017 were reviewed and discussed. The overall mortality was 15.4% (two of 13 patients), compared with 25% for EPN alone or 7.4% for EC alone as reported in the literature. The primary pathogen identified in the 13 patients was Escherichia coli (53.8%). All 13 patients were treated with antibiotics.
Salivary cytokine panel indicative of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Koizumi Tomonobu , Shetty Vivek , Yamaguchi Masaki
Published: June 2018

Objective

To develop a combinatorial panel of salivary cytokines that manifests the presence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that will eventually improve prognosis by facilitating the early diagnosis and management of this common cancer.

Methods

We performed a case-control study comparing salivary cytokine profiles of 35 adult subjects with NSCLC with those of 35 matched, healthy nonsmokers. Multiplex bead array assays were used to quantify 27 cytokines in saliva, serum, and oral mucosal transudate samples. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop an informative cytokine panel. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the discriminant ability of the panel.

Results

A combinatorial 12-cytokine panel (interleukin receptor antagonist [IL1RN], IL1B, IL6, IL7, IL8, IL10, C-C motif chemokine ligand 11 [CCL11], tumor necrosis factor, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 [CXCL10], C-C motif chemokine ligand 3, C-C motif chemokine ligand 4, and platelet-derived growth factor-BB) distinguished patients with NSCLC from healthy controls. Further, ROC analysis revealed that a cytokine panel comprising IL10 (odds ratio, 1.156) and CXCL10 (odds ratio, 1.000) discriminated NSCLC with a sensitivity of 60.6% and specificity of 80.8% (area under the ROC curve, 0.701).

Conclusion

A combinatorial panel of select salivary cytokines indicates the presence of NSCLC.
Oceanic accumulation: Geographies of speculation, overproduction, and crisis in the global shipping economy
Authors: Sibilia Elizabeth A
Published: June 2018

Since the mid-1960s, the shipping sector has been characterized by periods of extreme economic growth and equally impressive periods of contraction. Maritime economists, analysts, and brokers refer to the contraction as the sector suffering from surplus capacity, or the problem of ‘disequilibrium’ between supply and demand. However, this explanation describes the symptom and ignores the other dynamics unfolding across space and time that undergird the condition of this ‘disequilibrium’: how value is produced in, and capital circulates through, the shipping sector, with a material set of implications for labor and the environment. Using empirical data on shipping markets alongside market reports and data collected from fieldwork, this paper brings into conversation two practices and places—Bangladesh’s shipbreaking yards and the laying up of ships in Singapore’s ‘outer port limits’—as a way to analyze the expanding scale of capital circulating in and through the shipping sector since the mid-1960s. Crucial to this analysis is the prioritization of the ship as fixed capital, how value is produced through this fixed form, and how fixed capital becomes devalued. The data also reveals the historical significance of shipbreaking and laying up ships in outer port limits for the reproduction of global capital on an expanding scale.
Evaluation of WAsP software version 11 to previous versions and errors in the estimation of energy output of a wind farm
Authors: Zapico Gutiérrez Pablo , García Merayo Pedro , Silván Fernando , Alonso de Linaje Díez Jose Alejandro
Published: June 2018

In this article, we intend to analyze the software of evaluation of wind replacements WAsP in its version 11, comparing its results of calculation with those provided by other older versions and with the production of a real wind farm. The difference between versions 9 and 11.5 is almost nonexistent (–0.68%) because they use the same algorithm. But between these versions and 5 is 2.44% for version 9 and 1.76% for version 11.5. However, there is a lack of uniformity in the errors about 28% with respect to the real production.
Comparison of the Relative Long-Term Field Performance among Various Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) Pavements
Authors: Zhang Weiguang , Shen Shihui , Wu Shenghua
Published: June 2018

The use of warm mix asphalt (WMA) has increased greatly over the past decade because it provides potential to lower energy demands, reduce emissions, and increase haul distances. However, questions remain about the long-term performance of WMA pavements, including whether different WMA technologies can provide the same field performance. In this paper, field rutting and cracking (transverse and longitudinal) performance data for chemical, organic, and foaming WMA technologies are compared pairwise. Thirty-four WMA-WMA pairs from 13 field test roads are included, which cover different pavement ages, traffic volumes, pavement structures, WMA technologies, and four climate zones across the United States. For the WMA-WMA pairs that exhibited statistically different performance, their material properties were investigated further to identify potential factors that could be used to characterize such field differences. The results indicate that, generally, no statistical performance differences are evident between the WMA-WMA pairs. However, it is worth noting that over the longer term, there are individual projects whose organic pavement sections showed statistically higher amounts of cracking than the chemical and foaming sections. Based on the laboratory testing results on field cores, it is suggested that the greater amounts of transverse cracking exhibited by organic pavements may be caused by organic’s lower mixture fracture work density and lower binder failure strain values compared with those of the chemical and foaming sections. The greater amounts of longitudinal cracking exhibited by the organic pavements may be caused by organic’s higher mixture indirect tensile strength, lower mixture fracture work density, and lower binder fracture energy values compared with those of the chemical and foaming sections.
Highway Asset Deterioration Rates
Authors: Rasdorf William , Almalki Ali
Published: June 2018

This paper is about highway asset deterioration rates. Typically, these are difficult to determine. However, using a data collection method adopted in North Carolina (and the resulting data obtained over a 5-year timespan), an approach was developed to determine accurate deterioration rates for several highway assets. This was not previously done, and thus, deterioration was not included as a factor in estimating future maintenance needs for these assets despite the ready availability of the necessary data. This paper focuses on unpaved shoulders and outlines how their deterioration rates were obtained and how such rates can also be obtained for other assets. The resulting deterioration rates are presented and compared over various road systems and geographical regions. With this new knowledge, deterioration rates can now be included in life cycle asset analysis, resulting in more accurate condition predictions and maintenance budgeting. The paper focuses on highway assets and does not address bridge or pavement maintenance.
The Relationship between Adult Attachment and Mental Health Care Utilization: A Systematic Review
Authors: Adams G. Camelia , Wrath Andrew J. , Meng Xiangfei
Published: June 2018

Objective:

Several studies have shown a relationship between individual attachment and various aspects of treatment utilization in individuals with medical problems as well as mental health disorders. This review systematically evaluates existing literature targeting the relationship between attachment and all aspects of treatment utilization, such as engagement, participation, and completion, in adults with mental health problems.

Method:

A computerized search of PsycINFO, Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Healthstar and a manual search were employed. Of 5733 titles, 105 abstracts were selected. Of these, 18 studies met full inclusion criteria. The quality of studies was evaluated and scored according to 9 characteristics.

Results:

Most studies supported an association between attachment and treatment engagement and participation. In general, attachment anxiety was associated with higher engagement and participation in services while attachment avoidance was associated with less. Data regarding attachment dimensions and treatment completion were less conclusive.

Conclusions:

The review suggests a clear relationship between attachment and stages of treatment engagement and participation in a variety of psychiatric populations and treatments. The 2 attachment dimensions appear to have opposite effects, with possible risks for either treatment over- or underutilization. Clinical implications are discussed.
New strategies and innovations to engage seniors in eldercare
Authors: Levitt Dan
Published: June 2018

Eldercare is a significant challenge globally. The role of health leaders is foremost as agents of the transformational change needed to address the increasing demands for long-term care. This article applies the System Transformation domain of the LEADS leadership capabilities framework to redesign the delivery of care and housing to the aging demographic. A literature review reveals the radical shifts in how programs and services support person-centred care and quality life.
Mega-events and the Preservation of Urban Heritage: Literature Gaps, Potential Overlaps, and a Call for Further Research
Authors: Jones Zachary M. , Ponzini Davide
Published: June 2018

Despite mega-events being long perceived as great opportunities by urban policy makers, several cities have recently withdrawn bids for the Olympic games. The disconnect between the planning of mega-events and the urban environment is a reoccurring argument in public debate, but missing in research. In this article, we consider how the relationship between mega-events and urban heritage has been discussed in literature, examining the gaps and potential overlaps, why they exist, and further argue the need to bridge disciplines. In conclusion, we outline new perspectives for studying and learning from the crossroad of the two policy fields, namely, cultural mega-events.
Assessing Rock Climbers’ Functional Needs in Climbing Pants
Authors: Michaelson Dawn , Teel Karla P. , Chattaraman Veena
Published: June 2018

Researchers assessed climbers’ pants by investigating whether a pants’ style or brand preference exists among rock climbers, along with looking at fit, mobility, comfort, protection, and donning/doffing expectations for climbing pants using a mixed-methods design study. Active adult rock climbers, aged 19 or older, were conveniently sampled at two U.S. rock-climbing events and completed a questionnaire. The researchers found that rock climbers needed improvements in their pants’ fit, sizing options, and design in relation to the functions of mobility, comfort, protection, and durability. Additionally, climbers wanted pants that would not interfere with their rock-climbing techniques or equipment. Last, their pants should be affordable. Outdoor apparel manufacturers could improve their climbing pants’ designs by integrating this study’s results, leading to better protection of climbers’ bodies and fulfillment of their needs and expectations.
Qualitative Synthesis: Ontological Care Please
Authors: Florczak Kristine
Published: June 2018

Evidence synthesis is the concern of this column. Both quantitative and qualitative evidence synthesis are considered using the Cochrane and Joanna Briggs Institute protocols as a means of explanation. Finally, issues related to qualitative synthesis are entertained.
Attaining Mutual Goals in Telehealth Encounters: Utilizing King’s Framework for Telenursing Practice
Authors: Fronczek Ann E. , Rouhana Nicole A.
Published: June 2018

Access to essential health-promoting nursing care is increasingly facilitated through the expanding scope and capabilities provided through the utilization of telehealth technologies. Telehealth technologies facilitate the nursing process with clients at a distance in multiple ways, such as video conferencing, video conferencing with peripheral diagnostic tools, and store and forward modalities. Nursing care needs to remain the focus of care, but technology is a useful ancillary tool to help clients achieve health outcomes. The authors of this article discuss nursing practice and the use of telehealth technology and how King’s concepts and theory of goal attainment can be used as a guiding framework.
Human-Animal Connections and Nursing Science: What Is the Relationship?
Authors: Krause-Parello Cheryl A.
Published: June 2018

Human-animal relationships have been documented for centuries. Animals are used for many purposes, such as enhancing human health, wellness, and companionship, to name a few. The human-animal relationship is different for every person and requires a holistic perspective. Nurses are interested in relationships that are caring, natural, and therapeutic. Research supports the profound and multifaceted health benefits of the human-animal bond. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relationship between the human-animal connection and nursing science.
Patient-Centered Care: Nursing Knowledge and Policy
Authors: Ortiz Mario R.
Published: June 2018

There has been much written about the importance of care that is centered on persons and their loved ones. Patient-centered care has been central to nursing practice and unique nursing knowledge. This central focus provides an opportunity for nurses to develop policies that may affect practice so that practice is consistent with a distinctive knowledge base. The purpose of this paper is to discuss patient-centered care and nursing theory.
Dignity: The Ethos of Humanbecoming
Authors: Parse Rosemarie Rizzo
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the ethos of humanbecoming with the core knowings of living quality. This requires describing in more detail the tenets of dignity—reverence, awe, betrayal, and shame—and specifying the tenets further with the newknowings arising from the humanbecoming hermeneutic sciencing of Lives of Others. The author introduces the newly conceptualized paradoxes, revering-betraying and aweing-shaming.
Transforming the Art of Nursing: Telehealth Technologies
Authors: Carroll Karen
Published: June 2018

Telehealth utilizes technology that connects nurses and persons receiving healthcare services. Rather than focusing on telehealth as a financial burden or a disruptive technology, telehealth nursing should be considered an opportunity to operationalize and transform the art of care, especially when it is guided by nursing theory.
A Proposed Nursing Theory: Infant Sleep and Development
Authors: Keys Elizabeth M. , Benzies Karen M.
Published: June 2018

Although well positioned to work with families of young children, nurses do not yet have a theory that guides practice and research by relating infant sleep to child and family development. The authors of this paper describe a proposed theory that combines Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development with the Barnard model of parent-child interaction to inform nursing practice and research related to infant sleep and optimizing child and family development. The theory focuses on sustainability of change in family processes and infant sleep, with a goal of optimizing family wellness as the proximal environment for child development.
Exploring Science Career Interest: Latent Profile Analysis of High School Occupational Preferences for Science
Authors: Ferguson Sarah L. , Hull Darrell M.
Published: June 2018

The present study evaluates high school juniors and seniors ( n = 295) to explore their preference for science as indicated by science motivation, attitude, academic experience, and interest. Latent profile analysis was used to model profiles of preferences for science with a person-centered approach. Then, the impact of self-concept variables was explored and four profiles of science interest were identified. Gender differences were of particular interest due to concerns noted in the literature, and some gender differences were identified in the present study. Covariate analysis indicated vocabulary ability and personality as significantly different for students in the high science interest profile. Implications of these results and future research directions are discussed.
Developing a Measure of Students’ Potential Involvement in Scholarly Activities
Authors: Harpe Spencer E. , Phipps Lisa B.
Published: June 2018

Background:

Pharmacy schools must encourage a culture of inquiry so future pharmacists approach practice in a scholarly fashion.

Objectives:

To develop an instrument measuring intentions to engage in various scholarly activities.

Methods:

Items representing scholarly activities relevant to pharmacists were developed. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to refine the list and identify underlying factors. Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha. Results were compared across student characteristics using unpaired t tests and 1-way analysis of variance. Key Findings: The initial list of 54 items was reduced to 31 after review and then administered to 381 pharmacy students (337 complete responses; 88% response rate). EFA suggested 3 factors with 4 items being removed due to low factor loadings. The final Potential Involvement in Scholarly Activities (PISA) instrument contained 27 items in 3 domains: research activities (13 items), professional writing (9 items), and practice evaluation/quality improvement (5 items). Cronbach’s alphas were ≥0.85 for the total scale and domains. PISA scores were statistically higher for first-year students and those with previous research experience or post-graduate training interests.

Conclusions:

Initial development of the PISA instrument suggested a 3-factor structure with acceptable internal consistency in this sample. Continued work is needed to examine the instrument in more diverse samples.
Genetic Variation of Hepatic Enzymes Influence on β-Blocker Dose in Patients With Reduced Ejection Fraction Heart Failure
Authors: Ingram Adam , Valente Megan
Published: June 2018

Beta-blockers such as metoprolol, carvedilol, and bisoprolol are indicated for the treatment of patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure. Heart failure treatment guidelines call for titration of these medications to specific target doses for morbidity and mortality benefit. Hepatic enzymes are responsible for metabolizing these medications; however, these enzymes are subject to genetic variations (polymorphisms) that can increase or decrease enzyme activity. Metoprolol relies almost exclusively on this enzyme for degradation to inactive metabolites, whereas carvedilol relies on this enzyme only partially for metabolism, and the portion of drug that is metabolized by CYP2D6 becomes active metabolites. The clinical significance of genetic variations in CYP2D6 in heart failure patients requiring treatment with carvedilol and metoprolol remains unclear, and further research is needed before any strong recommendations on treatment approach can be made. However, based on what is known regarding the incidence of genetic variations of this enzyme, it is reasonable to conclude that heart failure patients of European and Asian ancestry may be at a greater risk of intolerance to guideline-directed doses of metoprolol. Patients of North African ancestry may be at a lower risk of intolerance to metoprolol, although limited data are available to conclude. Additionally, due to the significant prevalence of CYP2D6 enzyme variations among all ethnicities, it may be reasonable to consider switching to carvedilol for patients who are unable to fully titrate metoprolol.
Early Life Displacement Due to Armed Conflict and Violence, Early Nutrition, and Older Adult Hypertension, Diabetes, and Obesity in the Middle-Income Country of Colombia
Authors: McEniry Mary , Samper-Ternent Rafael , Flórez Carmen Elisa , Cano-Gutierrez Carlos
Published: June 2018

Objective: We examine the importance of early life displacement and nutrition on hypertension (HTN) and diabetes in older Colombian adults (60+ years) exposed to rapid demographic, epidemiological, and nutritional transitions, and armed conflict. We compare early life nutritional status and adult health in other middle- and high-income countries. Method: In Colombia (Survey of Health, Wellbeing and Aging [SABE]-Bogotá), we estimate the effects of early life conditions (displacement due to armed conflict and violence, hunger, low height, and not born in the capital city) and obesity on adult health; we compare the effects of low height on adult health in Mexico, South Africa (Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health [SAGE]), the United States, and England (Health and Retirement Study [HRS], English Longitudinal Study of Ageing [ELSA]). Results: Early life displacement, early poor nutrition, and adult obesity increase the risk of HTN and diabetes in Colombia. Being short is most detrimental for HTN in Colombian males. Discussion: Colombian data provide new evidence into how early life conditions and adult obesity contribute to older adult health.
Temperature effects on the compression behavior and failure of 3-D MWK glass fabric-reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Li Dian-sen , Wang Zhuo , Duan Hong-wei , Jiang Lei
Published: June 2018

This article reports the temperature effects on the in-plane and out-of-plane compression behavior and failure of 3-D multiaxial warp-knitted glass fabric-reinforced epoxy composites. The damage and fracture morphology are observed from macroscopic and microscopic views, and the failure mechanism is demonstrated. The results show that the temperature has significant effect on in-plane and out-of-plane compression properties, the stress versus strain curves decline, and the properties decrease significantly with increasing the temperature. The temperature of 75°C is a key point, at which change in compression properties occurs, and at 150°C, the materials become plastic. Moreover, fiber architecture and loading modes are also important factors on compression properties of composites. The results also show that the damage and failure patterns vary with temperature, fiber architecture, and loading modes. Under in-plane compression, material A shows local 0° fiber layers delaminating and becomes softening and plasticity with increasing temperature. Material B shows delaminating between 0°, 90°, +45°, and −45° fiber layers along 45° angle and exhibits multiple delaminating at elevated temperatures. Under out-of-plane compression, material A shows multiple local shear fracture with 45° angle and experiences softening, roughness, and expansion at elevated temperatures. Material B exhibits shear brittle failure clearly, and delaminating dominates the main failure with increasing the temperature.
Synthesis and properties of bismaleimide resins containing phthalide cardo and cyano groups
Authors: Liu Siyang , Wang Yuanying , Chen Ping , Xu Dongwei , Xiong Xuhai , Yan Xiaoyu
Published: June 2018

Two novel n ≈ 1 oligomeric bismaleimide monomers containing phthalide cardo and cyano groups (PCBMI and MCBMI) were designed and synthesized. The chemical structures of the monomers were confirmed from proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Both BMIs exhibit good solubility in common organic solvents, enabling easy solution processing. Thermal curing behaviors of the monomers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, displaying broad exothermic peaks and large thermal processing windows. Furthermore, PCBMI/carbon fiber composites were prepared, with their thermal stability and mechanical properties investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis and test of interlaminar shear strength indicated that the thermal polymerization of cyano groups improved the heat resistance of BMI resins and enhanced the interfacial adhesion at higher temperature.
Research on the multi-scale microstructure of polyacrylonitrile precursors prepared by a dry-jet wet spinning process
Authors: Chen Meiling , Wang Chengguo , Gao Quan , Wang Yanxiang , Jing Min , Wang Wenli
Published: June 2018

An understanding of the properties of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursors is an essential precondition for manufacturing high-performance carbon fibres, and the structure of the precursors has a direct and profound effect on the performance of carbon fibres. In this study, PAN precursors, formed in a multistage coagulation bath, were spun by a dry-jet wet spinning process, and the multi-scale microstructure and morphology of the precursors were investigated by separating the fibrils from the precursors. Scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were employed to examine the surface morphology, cross-sectional morphology and microstructure of the precursors. X-ray diffraction was used to characterize the crystal structure. The micropore sizes of the precursors were determined with nitrogen adsorption experiments; the adsorption increased after ultrasonic etching and decreased with an increase in the treated concentration. All the results demonstrated that the PAN precursors had a multi-scale microstructure, the precursors consisted of fibrils with diameters of 80–200 nm and the fibrils consisted of some microfibrils with diameters of 20–40 nm, including the periodic tissues with thicknesses of 16–30 nm perpendicular to the fibre axis.
Optimal parameter estimation in semi-empirical tire models
Authors: López Alberto , Olazagoitia José Luis , Marzal Francisco , Rubio María Rosario
Published: June 2018

Semi-empirical tire models are mathematical models, the parameters of which are identified after a process of error reduction to fit experimental data obtained in the laboratory. In this process, the algorithms used for estimating the model parameters are usually based on nonlinear least-squares fitting methods, in which only vertical residuals between the model and the test points are considered. Although extensively utilized, this type of fitting implicitly considers that errors in the slip data (horizontal residuals) are either nonexistent or negligible, which is not true. This paper introduces a new methodology to the identification of semi-empirical tire model parameters based on weighed orthogonal residuals, which takes into account possible errors inherent in the test measurements of dependent and independent variables. The results show that the methodology offers a reliable parameter identification providing an even fitting for all the zones of the mathematical semi-empirical tire model.
Agricultural land usage and tourism impact on renewable energy consumption among Coastline Mediterranean Countries
Authors: Alola Andrew Adewale , Alola Uju Violet
Published: June 2018

Abstact

This empirical study aims to investigate the dynamic response of renewable energy consumption to long-run disequilibrium and short-run impact of tourism development and agricultural land usage for the period of 1995 to 2014 in 16 Coastline Mediterranean Countries. For this reason, a dynamic Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach is employed in a multivariate and two-model framework such that carbon emission and gross domestic product are being controlled for in the models. Significantly, there is evidence of a joint impact of tourism development and agricultural land usage on renewable energy consumption. With a speed of adjustment of 21.6% from short-run disequilibrium to long run, their respective panel elasticities are 0.33 and negative 1.60 in the long run. Significant evidence shows that nine of the Coastline Mediterranean Countries have tourism development as a short-run factor while Slovenia and Cyprus exhibit a short-run common factor. Also, Granger causality evidences from carbon emission, gross domestic product and tourism development to renewable energy are all with feedbacks. However, Granger causality from agricultural land usage to renewable energy is without feedback. In the region, effective policy implementations through the collaborative effort of stakeholders will ensure a sustainable renewable energy development amidst agricultural and tourism activities.
Efficiency enhancement of silicon solar cells using highly porous thermal cooling layer
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Kumar Amit , Dhasmana Hrishikesh , Verma Abhishek , Bhatnagar PK , Jain VK
Published: June 2018

In summer season, temperature of solar panels increases thereby decreases the working efficiencies of the solar cells by a larger factor, sometime even up to 3–4%. The present research paper reports a carbon-based porous thermal cooling layer, which acts as a heat dissipating agent beneath the poly-crystalline silicon solar cell. The thermal cooling layer has highly porous structure with average interpore and intrapore size to be 6 µm–0.6 µm and 11.5 Å, respectively, which enhances the surface area (798.35 m2/g) and generates numbers of air channels within the sheet for higher heat dissipation. Thermal cooling layer’s thickness-dependent studies confirm that an optimum thickness of 14 mm shows the highest cooling efficiency. The thermal cooling layer beneath the solar cell decreases the working temperature of the cell up to 18.5°C. The open-circuit voltage recorded for the solar cell (with optimized thickness of thermal cooling layer beneath the cell) increases to 0.56 V from 0.52 V (device without thermal cooling layer) at real time condition, which leads to increase the working efficiency of the cell by 9.6%. The theoretically calculated and experimentally measured efficiency of the solar cell at various temperatures are compared and shows good agreement between experimental data and theory. This investigation reveals that the used thermal cooling layer can significantly improve the device working efficiency in a simple and cost-effective manner.
Do Domestic Sentiment and the Spillover of US Investor Sentiment Impact Mexican Stock Market Returns?
Authors: Perez-Liston Daniel , Huerta-Sanchez Daniel , Gutierrez Juan
Published: June 2018

We examine the relationship between sentiment and Mexican stock market returns. Results suggest a positive dynamic relationship between rational Mexican sentiment and equity market returns. Results also reveal a spillover of US sentiment on the return-generating process of the Mexican stock market that is distinct from domestic sentiment. This effect may be attributed to close economic ties and ease of capital flows between the two countries. Additionally, we find that rational sentiment and market returns are inversely related to the Peso/US dollar exchange rate. Our findings suggest that sentiment is a significant risk factor in the Mexican stock market.
Hindu–Muslim Fertility Differentials in India: Indirect Estimation at the District Level from Census 2011
Authors: Ghosh Saswata
Published: June 2018

This article estimates the total fertility rate (TFR) for the overall population in major Indian states by employing Arriaga variation of the P/F ratio method and the relational Gompertz model. The article uses the 2011 Census data on average parity and the current fertility schedule. Estimation of TFRs at the state level by employing Arriaga variation of the P/F ratio method strongly corresponds with Sample Registration System (SRS) compared to those derived from the relational Gompertz model. Thus, Arriaga variation of the P/F ratio method was retained to estimate the Hindu–Muslim fertility differentials for 618 districts in India from all states except Jammu and Kashmir. Comparing the TFRs obtained from the analyses with indirect estimates of TFRs from the 2001 Census, the analysis reveals that the overall fertility transition in India has been steady during the last decade. Fertility transition has been underway for both Hindus and Muslims, at a varying pace, when compared to the state-level indirect estimates of the 2001 Census. Though the overall convergence of fertility between Hindus and Muslims has been underway, significant regional variations persist.
An improved, rapid competitive ELISA using a novel conserved 3B epitope for the detection of serum antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease virus
Authors: Chung Chungwon J. , Clavijo Alfonso , Bounpheng Mangkey A. , Uddowla Sabena , Sayed Abu , Dancho Brooke , Olesen Ian C. , Pacheco Juan , Kamicker Barbara J. , Brake David A. , Bandaranayaka-Mudiyanselage Carey L. , Lee Stephen S. , Rai Devendra K. , Rieder Elizabeth
Published: June 2018

The highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) afflicts cloven-hoofed animals, resulting in significant costs because of loss of trade and recovery from disease. We developed a sensitive, specific, and rapid competitive ELISA (cELISA) to detect serum antibodies to FMDV. The cELISA utilized a monoclonal blocking antibody specific for a highly conserved FMDV nonstructural 3B epitope, a recombinant mutant FMDV 3ABC coating protein, and optimized format variables including serum incubation for 90 min at 20–25°C. Samples from 16 animals experimentally infected with one FMDV serotype (A, O, Asia, or SAT-1) demonstrated early detection capacity beginning 7 d post-inoculation. All samples from 55 vesicular stomatitis virus antibody-positive cattle and 44 samples from cloven-hoofed animals affected by non-FMD vesicular diseases were negative in the cELISA, demonstrating 100% analytical specificity. The diagnostic sensitivity was 100% against sera from 128 cattle infected with isolates of all FMDV serotypes, emphasizing serotype-agnostic results. Diagnostic specificities of U.S. cattle ( n = 1135) and swine ( n = 207) sera were 99.4% and 100%, respectively. High repeatability and reproducibility were demonstrated with 3.1% coefficient of variation in percent inhibition data and 100% agreement using 2 kit lots and 400 negative control serum samples, with no difference between bench and biosafety cabinet operation. Negative results from vaccinated, uninfected cattle, pig, and sheep sera confirmed the DIVA (differentiate infected from vaccinated animals) capability. This rapid (<3 h), select agent–free assay with high sensitivity and specificity, DIVA capability, and room temperature processing capability will serve as a useful tool in FMDV surveillance, emergency preparedness, response, and outbreak recovery programs.
Game Science: Foundations and Perspectives
Authors: Kriz Willy C. , Harviainen J. Tuomas , Clapper Timothy C.
Published: June 2018

Background. Game studies offer cross-disciplinary perspectives, but the body of knowledge is not yet in the form of a cohesive game science paradigm. Klabbers (2018a) argues that a comprehensive and coherent view on game science is needed that connects three levels of inquiry: the philosophy of science level, the science level, and the application level.

Aim. This single-theme symposium issue On the Architecture of Game Science is especially devoted to the reflection and discussion on the foundations and principles of gaming and simulation.

Method. Raising a debate among scholars and professionals, addressing the questions and frame-of-reference presented in the introductory article of Klabbers (2018a) and completed by his rebuttal.

Results. The contributions range from the linkages between game science and complex social systems design through gaming simulation, to gamification science, and game studies, focusing on the ludosphere and the growing field of digital games.

Conclusion. The articles present an overview of the current state of the art, craft, and science of gaming simulation, gamification and game studies. They present a stimulating and challenging debate, and a good basis for advancing the principles and foundations of game science.
Self-Management of Cardiac Pain in Women: A Meta-Summary of the Qualitative Literature
Authors: Bjørnnes Ann Kristin , Parry Monica , Leegaard Marit , Ayala Ana Patricia , Lenton Erica , Harvey Paula , McFetridge-Durdle Judith , McGillion Michael H. , Price Jennifer , Stinson Jennifer , Watt-Watson Judy
Published: June 2018

Symptom recognition and self-management is instrumental in reducing the number of deaths related to coronary artery disease (CAD) in women. The purpose of this study was to synthesize qualitative research evidence on the self-management of cardiac pain and associated symptoms in women. Seven databases were systematically searched, and the concepts of the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory were used as the framework for data extraction and analysis. Search strategies yielded 22,402 citations, from which 35 qualitative studies were included in a final meta-summary, comprising data from 769 participants, including 437 (57%) women. The available literature focused cardiac pain self-management from a binary sex and gender perspective. Ethnicity was indicated in 19 (54%) studies. Results support individualized intervention strategies that promote goal setting and action planning, management of physical and emotional responses, and social facilitation provided through social support.