bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Promoting HPV Vaccination Online: Message Design and Media Choice
Authors: Lee Moon J. , Cho Jieun
Published: January 2017

We investigated the effects of message framing and online media channel on young adults’ perceived severity of human papillomavirus (HPV), perceived barriers and benefits of getting HPV vaccination, and behavioral intention to get vaccinated. An experiment was conducted with 142 college students. We found an interaction effect: The loss-framed message posted on Facebook was more effective in increasing the number of people who expressed their willingness to get HPV vaccination than the gain-framed message presented on Facebook. However, this framing effect was not found when the identical message was presented on an online newspaper. People’s perceptions of severity of HPV and barriers of getting HPV vaccination were also influenced, depending on which media channel the information was circulated.
Arylidene Polymers IV. Synthesis, Characterization and Morphology of New Polyesters of Diarylidenecyclohexanone
Authors: Abd-Alla Mohamed A. , Aly Kamal I. , Hammam Ahmed S.
Published: January 2017

New polyesters prepared by the intefacial polycondensation of 2,6-bis(4- hydroxybenzylidene ) cyclohexanone (I) and 2,6-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)- cyclohexanone (II) with 4,4'-diphenic, isophthalolyl, terephthaloyl, adipoyl and sebacoyl dichlorides have been produced. The yield and the values of reduced viscosity of the polyesters were found to be affected by the kind of organic phase, the quantitative ratio of organic to aqeuous phase, concentration of hydrogen chloride acceptor, rate of acid chloride addition, contribution of benzyltriethylammonium chloride as a catalyst and the temperature of the polycondensation reaction.

In order to characterize these polymers the necessary model compounds were prepared from I or II and benzoyl chloride. The resulting polyesters were characterized by IR, elemental analyses, viscometry, DTA, DSC measurements and thermogravimetric analy sis. The crystallinity of all polyesters was examined by X-ray analysis. In addition the electrical properties of the polyesters were investigated. The morphology of two new high performance polyesters namely poly[ oxyisophthaloyloxy ( 2-methoxy-p-phenylene) methy lidyne( 2-oxo-1,3-cyclahexanediylidene) methylidyne ( 3-methyoxy-p-phenylene)] and poly[oxysebacoyloxy(2-methoxy-p-phenylene)methylidyne(2-oxo-1,3-cyclohexanediyli dene)methylidyne(3-methoxy-p-phenylene)] has been investigated by transmission elec tron microscopy.
The Properties of 'RADEL R' Polysulfone
Authors: Roovers J. , Ethier R. , Toporowski P.M.
Published: January 2017

A series of aromatic polyethersulfones based on biphenol and dichlorodi phenylsulfone have been prepared and fractionated. The fractions have been character ized by light scattering and intrinsic viscosity measurements. The characteristic ratio C ∝ = 1.96 which is in agreement with the freely rotating nature of the polyethersulfone chain. The molecular weight dependence of the glass transition temperature is established. The low temperature β-transition is at -113°C when measured at 1 rad/s with a mechanical spectrometer.
Cues to Cervical Cancer Screening Among U.S. Hispanic Women
Authors: Moore de Peralta Arelis , Holaday Bonnie , Hadoto Ida Mikisa
Published: January 2017

Introduction:

Hispanic women’s cervical cancer rates are disproportionately high. Cues to cervical cancer screening (Cues to Action) are strategies to activate the decision-making process to get screened for cervical cancer. This study used the health belief model to examine which cues prompt Hispanic women to undergo cervical cancer screening and how perceptions could be potentiated by cues to cervical cancer screening.

Method:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Hispanic women 18 to 65 years old ( n = 220). Generalized linear modeling was used.

Results:

Spanish media and reminders by mother and doctors were relevant cues. Generalized linear modeling showed cues to action modified significantly the predictive effect of Perceived Threats (i.e., Susceptibility, Severity), benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy on Hispanic women’s cervical cancer screening behavior. “Mother told me” and Spanish media messages were significant covariates.

Conclusion:

Cues to Action influenced Hispanic’s women participation in cervical cancer screening. Cues to Action increased the strength of the health belief model as an explanatory model, and must be considered in designing culturally appropriate cervical cancer screening interventions.
Maternal Health of Undocumented Women With and Without Medicaid Access in Nebraska, 2007-2011
Authors: Atkins Danielle N. , Barroso Cristina S. , Anderson Amy J. , Meadows J. Thomas , Lindley Lisa C.
Published: January 2017

Introduction:

Four million infants are born in the United States to undocumented mothers. Nebraska granted Medicaid access to undocumented pregnant women from 1996 to 2010 and then discontinued access from 2010 to 2012. However, little is known about the maternal health of these undocumented women. The purpose of this study was to compare maternal health of undocumented women with and without access to Medicaid in Nebraska from 2007 to 2011.

Method:

A retrospective, longitudinal cohort design was conducted with 2007 to 2011 Nebraska birth certificate data. Study participants were 6,262 undocumented women. Groups of measures were created for demographics, prenatal, pregnancy, and delivery characteristics. Descriptive statistics were calculated and comparisons were conducted between women with and without access to Medicaid using chi-square and Student t tests.

Results:

More than 60% of undocumented women had access to Medicaid, while 32% had no access to Medicaid. Undocumented women were predominately Hispanic (73.32%) and did not have a high school education (68.77%). The comparison of undocumented women with and without Medicaid revealed that women with Medicaid access had more than adequate prenatal care (17.86% vs. 14.80%) and a higher frequency of infant born with abnormal conditions (6.26% vs. 8.03%). Women without access to Medicaid more often had inadequate prenatal care (10.28% vs. 6.94%) and were obese prior to pregnancy (19.37% vs. 17.37%).

Conclusions:

Undocumented women who are prenatally obese and lack access to prenatal care may be at increased risk for poor maternal outcomes.
Not All Transformational Leadership Behaviors Are Equal: The Impact of Followers’ Identification With Leader and Modernity on Taking Charge
Authors: Li Jie , Furst-Holloway Stacie , Gales Larry , Masterson Suzanne S. , Blume Brian D.
Published: January 2017

This study investigates how each dimension of transformational leadership directly and indirectly influences followers’ change-oriented behaviors. Using a sample of 329 independent leader–follower dyads from a wide range of Chinese organizations, we examine followers’ identification with leader as an intervening variable between the four dimensions of transformational leadership (“core” transformational behaviors, high-performance expectations, individualized support, and intellectual stimulation) and followers’ taking charge behaviors. Results showed that intellectual stimulation had the highest relative effect size that was largely due to its direct effect on taking charge. Individualized support only exerted a significant indirect effect. Additionally, the negative direct and positive indirect effects of high-performance expectations rendered its total effect nonsignificant. Furthermore, the direct, indirect, and total effects of “core” transformational behaviors were nonsignificant. We also found that followers’ value of modernity moderated the effect of identification with leader on taking charge. The indirect effects of intellectual stimulation, individualized support, and high-performance expectations were significant when modernity was high but nonsignificant when it was low. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are discussed.
Antecedents of Organizational Citizenship Behaviors: Examining the Incremental Validity of Self-Interest and Prosocial Motives
Authors: Michel John W.
Published: January 2017

Although research has established that self-interest and prosocial motives between benefactors and recipients increases organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), less is known about the extent to which these motives explain variance in OCBs. As such, the purpose of the current research is to examine self-interest and prosocial motives in relation to other antecedents examined in extant OCB literature. The results from this study demonstrate that both self-interest and prosocial motives explain additional variance in OCBs beyond employees’ affective reactions and work environment perceptions. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed.
Effect of Obesity on Perioperative Outcomes After Robotic-Assisted Pulmonary Lobectomy
Authors: Montané Bryce , Toosi Kavian , Velez-Cubian Frank O. , Echavarria Maria F. , Thau Matthew R. , Patel Raj A. , Rodriguez Kathryn , Moodie Carla C. , Garrett Joseph R. , Fontaine Jacques P. , Toloza Eric M.
Published: January 2017

Objective. We investigated whether higher body mass index (BMI) affects perioperative and postoperative outcomes after robotic-assisted video-thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy. Methods. We retrospectively studied all patients who underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon between September 2010 and January 2015. Patients were grouped according to the World Health Organization’s definition of obesity, with “obese” being defined as BMI >30.0 kg/m2. Perioperative outcomes, including intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) and postoperative complication rates, were compared. Results. Over 53 months, 287 patients underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy, with 7 patients categorized as “underweight,” 94 patients categorized as “normal weight,” 106 patients categorized as “overweight,” and 80 patients categorized as “obese.” Because of the relatively low sample size, “underweight” patients were excluded from this study, leaving a total cohort of 280 patients. There was no significant difference in intraoperative complication rates, conversion rates, perioperative outcomes, or postoperative complication rates among the 3 groups, except for lower risk of prolonged air leaks ≥7 days and higher risk of pneumonia in patients with obesity. Conclusions. Patients with obesity do not have increased risk of intraoperative or postoperative complications, except for pneumonia, compared with “normal weight” and “overweight” patients. Robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy is safe and effective for patients with high BMI.
Sociocultural Influences on the Transmission of HIV From Husbands to Wives in Cambodia: The Male Point of View
Authors: Yang Youngran , Thai Sopheak
Published: January 2017

The purpose of the study was to explore, within cultural and societal contexts, the factors of spousal HIV transmission as described by the experiences of HIV-positive Cambodian men. Using qualitative research methods, the researchers collected data from in-depth interviews with 15 HIV-positive Cambodian men of seroconcordant couples recruited from an HIV/AIDS clinic in Phnom Penh. Using a model of HIV transmission from husbands to wives, the questions were designed to elicit the men’s perspectives on the topics of promiscuity, masculinity, condom use in marriage, the image of the ideal Cambodian woman, and attitudes toward sex and marriage. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. The main results were as follows: (a) men involved with sex workers perceived this as a natural behavior and a necessary part of being an approved member in a male peer group, (b) married men never used condoms during sex with their wives prior to their HIV diagnosis, (c) men perceived a good wife as one who is diligent and loyal to her husband, and (4) men’s attitudes toward sex and marriage (e.g., sex perceived as a part of life pleasure) differed from those of their wives. Promoting honest spousal communication about sexuality, maintaining men’s marital fidelity, and increasing women’s comfort in the use of sexual techniques are suggested as strategies for reducing HIV transmission within marriage in Cambodia. Future interventions should focus on reshaping men’s behaviors and changing cultural norms to protect them and their spouses from HIV infection.
A comparison of physical activity, physical fitness levels, BMI and blood pressure of adults with intellectual disability, who do and do not take part in Special Olympics Ireland programmes: Results from the SOPHIE study
Authors: Walsh Denise , Belton Sarahjane , Meegan Sarah , Bowers Kirsty , Corby Deidre , Staines Anthony , McVeigh Treasa , McKeon Michael , Hoey Edel , Trépel Dominic , Griffin Peter , Sweeney Mary Rose
Published: January 2017

People with an intellectual disability are less physically active, live more sedentary lives, have lower fitness levels and are more likely to be overweight or obese than the general population. No evidence exists on the impact of participation in Special Olympics Ireland (SOI) on physical activity and physical fitness levels. Adults with intellectual disabilities (16–64 years) were recruited from services and SOI clubs. Physical measures included waist circumference, height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate and 6-min walking test. Self-report questionnaires gathered data on physical activity levels. Actigraph (GT3X) accelerometers were used to gain an objective measure of physical activity. SOI participants accumulated more moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, had higher fitness levels and more positive health profile scores than those not taking part in SOI. SOI has the potential to make a positive difference to people’s physical health and subsequently their overall health and well-being.
Evidence-based management of adult trigger digits
Authors: Amirfeyz R. , McNinch R. , Watts A. , Rodrigues J. , Davis T. R. C. , Glassey N. , Bullock J.
Published: January 2017

The aim of this systematic review was to develop an evidence-based guideline to assist clinicians in the treatment of adult trigger digits. There is moderate evidence to suggest that local corticosteroid injection is a safe and effective short-term treatment and it may, therefore, be recommended as an initial treatment for this condition. However, when compared with surgery, there is strong evidence that corticosteroid injection is associated with increased rates of ongoing or recurrent symptoms at 6 months after intervention. There is strong evidence suggesting that trigger digit can be managed safely by surgical release. There is weak evidence to support the use of splinting or other non-operative modalities. Hence a single corticosteroid injection may be offered as the first line in treatment of adult trigger digits, but percutaneous release is a safe alternative. Surgery should be the next line if the injection fails, symptoms recur or the patient chooses.

Level of evidence: I
Optimizing quality of life in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: van Manen Mirjam J. G. , Geelhoed J. J. Miranda. , Tak Nelleke C. , Wijsenbeek Marlies S.
Published: January 2017

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating, progressive and ultimately fatal lung disease. The combination of poor prognosis, uncertainty of disease course and severe symptom burden heavily impacts patients’ and their families’ quality of life. Though new antifibrotic drugs have been shown to decrease disease progression, the effect on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been convincingly demonstrated. In a relentless disease such as IPF, striving to optimize HRQOL should complement the endeavour to prolong life. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of interventions improving symptoms and functionality for patients with IPF, and research focusing on symptom improvement, and assessing and optimizing HRQOL, is limited.

This review summarizes the most recent insights into measuring and improving quality of life for patients with IPF, and discusses challenges in the management of this devastating disease. Moreover, we postulate a new model for continuous care in IPF – ‘the ABCDE of IPF care’: Assessing patients’ needs; Backing patients by giving information and support; delivering Comfort care by focusing on treating symptoms and taking into account Comorbidities; striving to prolong life by Disease modification; helping and preparing patients and their caregivers for the eventual End-of-life events that are likely to occur.
Transforming narratives into educational tools: the collaborative development of a transformative learning tool based on Nicaraguan adolescents’ creative writing about intimate partner violence
Authors: Singleton Robyn , Picado Araúz María de la Paz , Trocin Kathleen , Winskell Kate
Published: January 2017

The use of narrative has become increasingly popular in the public health, community development, and education fields. Via emotionally engaging plotlines with authentic, captivating characters, stories provide an opportunity for participants to be carried away imaginatively into the characters’ world while connecting the story with their own lived experiences. Stories have been highlighted as valuable tools in transformative learning. However, little published literature exists demonstrating applications of stories in group-based transformative learning curricula. This paper describes the creation of a narrative-based transformative learning tool based on an analysis of Nicaraguan adolescents’ meaning-making around intimate partner violence (IPV) in their creative narratives. In collaboration with a Nicaraguan organization, US researchers analyzed a sample of narratives ( n = 55; 16 male-authored, 39 female-authored) on IPV submitted to a 2014 scriptwriting competition by adolescents aged 15–19. The data were particularly timely in that they responded to a new law protecting victims of gender-based violence, Law 779, and contradicted social-conservative claims that the Law 779 destroys family unity. We incorporated results from this analysis into the creation of the transformative learning tool, separated into thematic sections. The tool’s sections (which comprise one story and three corresponding activities) aim to facilitate critical reflection, interpersonal dialogue, and self- and collective efficacy for social action around the following themes derived from the analysis: IPV and social support; IPV and romantic love; masculinity; warning signs of IPV; and sexual abuse. As a collaboration between a public health research team based at a US university and a Nicaraguan community-based organization, it demonstrates the potential in the age of increasingly smooth electronic communication for novel community–university partnerships to facilitate the development of narrative-based tools to support transformative learning.
Treatment choice in epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive non-small cell lung carcinoma: latest evidence and clinical implications
Authors: Juan Oscar , Popat Sanjay
Published: January 2017

Discovery of sensitizing mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) and the subsequent development of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have substantially changed the treatment of lung cancer. First-line treatment with EGFR TKIs (gefitinib, erlotinib and afatinib) has demonstrated a superior response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) compared with chemotherapy in EGFR-mutation positive patients. However, a number of open questions remain, such as choice between the three EGFR TKIs licensed, treatment of patients unsuitable for chemotherapy due to morbidity or advanced age, management of acquired resistance and optimal biological sample to determine EGFR status. Recently the first head-to-head trial comparing gefitinib and afatinib (LUX-Lung 7) has been reported. Moreover, third-generation EGFR TKIs such as osimertinib, rociletinib, olmutinib and ASP8273, with preferential activity against T790M mutant tumours, the commonest resistance mechanism to EGFR TKIs, have shown promising results in early clinical trials, with osimertinib now licensed. In this review, we summarize latest advances in the treatment of EGFR-mutation positive patients focusing on controversial areas and emerging challenges to optimally treat these patients in the future.
Coding and DRG Relationships in Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
Authors: Nadathur Shyamala , Groom Andrea
Published: January 2017

The selection of cohorts from national and state databases in Australia usually relies on patient diagnoses according to International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes and/or Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs). The aim of this study was to select a specific cohort consisting of stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) episodes, thereby allowing the researcher to examine current process of care using State level hospital admissions datasets. Difficulties in accurately selecting the specified cohort were encountered, due to various interpretations of ICD codes and DRGs as well as the placement of codes to DRGs and different classifications used. These difficulties highlighted several issues regarding the relationships between ICD coding and DRGs in stroke and TIA and are the focus of this paper.
Sports-Related Emergency Preparedness in Oregon High Schools
Authors: Johnson Samuel T. , Norcross Marc F. , Bovbjerg Viktor E. , Hoffman Mark A. , Chang Eunwook , Koester Michael C.
Published: January 2017

Background:

Best practice recommendations for sports-related emergency preparation include implementation of venue-specific emergency action plans (EAPs), access to early defibrillation, and first responders—specifically coaches—trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. The objective was to determine whether high schools had implemented these 3 recommendations and whether schools with a certified athletic trainer (AT) were more likely to have done so.

Hypothesis:

Schools with an AT were more likely to have implemented the recommendations.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Methods:

All Oregon School Activities Association member school athletic directors were invited to complete a survey on sports-related emergency preparedness and AT availability at their school. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to analyze the associations between emergency preparedness and AT availability.

Results:

In total, 108 respondents (37% response rate) completed the survey. Exactly half reported having an AT available. Only 11% (95% CI, 6%-19%) of the schools had implemented all 3 recommendations, 29% (95% CI, 21%-39%) had implemented 2, 32% (95% CI, 24%-42%) had implemented 1, and 27% (95% CI, 19%-36%) had not implemented any of the recommendations. AT availability was associated with implementation of the recommendations (χ2 = 10.3, P = 0.02), and the proportion of schools with ATs increased with the number of recommendations implemented (χ2 = 9.3, P < 0.01). Schools with an AT were more likely to implement venue-specific EAPs (52% vs 24%, P < 0.01) and have an AED available for early defibrillation (69% vs 44%, P = 0.02) but not more likely to require coach training (33% vs 28%, P = 0.68).

Conclusions:

Despite best practice recommendations, most schools were inadequately prepared for sports-related emergencies. Schools with an AT were more likely to implement some, but not all, of the recommendations. Policy changes may be needed to improve implementation.

Clinical Relevance:

Most Oregon high schools need to do more to prepare for sports-related emergencies. The results provide evidence for sports medicine professionals and administrators to inform policy changes that ensure the safety of athletes.
“I Wonder If They Had Ever Seen a Black Man Before?” Grappling with Issues of Race and Racism in Our Own Backyard
Authors: Boske Christa A.
Published: January 2017

This article investigates the experiences of aspiring school leaders, predominantly Students of Color, within a predominantly White, male, upper class, Texas university educational leadership program. Based in the tradition of narrative inquiry, written reflections, semi-structured interviews, course documents, and field notes provided data for this qualitative study. Findings suggest aspiring administrators were not afforded opportunities to address issues of race and racism throughout their program of study. The author encourages faculty to join the conversation on issues of race, take seriously the call to work in support of Students of Color, and confront programmatic failures in preparing aspiring practitioners for effective school leadership.
Raising Standards for Tomorrow's Principals: Negotiating State Requirements, Faculty Interests, District Needs, and Best Practices
Authors: Reed Cynthia J. , Llanes Josė R.
Published: January 2017

Many states are mandating reforms in university-sponsored principal preparation programs, but faculty and school system personnel often have concerns about the prescriptive nature of state mandates related to these reforms. Auburn University served as one of four pilot principal preparation program redesigns in Alabama, a process that took over two years. Redesign efforts involved negotiating state requirements, faculty needs and research interests, school district needs and interests, best practices, and common sense. The re-design was developed and is being implemented in partnership with seven school districts. In this article we interrogate the issues, challenges, and successes faced throughout one university's principal preparation program redesign process, offering reflections, insights, and lessons learned for others currently engaged or soon to be negotiating competing agendas for how they should prepare principals.
Shifting Paradigms: Redesigning a Principal Preparation Program's Curriculum
Authors: Reames Ellen
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this paper is to describe Auburn University's story of developing an innovative field-based master's level principal preparation program. Our goal was to align the program's curriculum and internship experiences with state and other accrediting agency standards, current leadership preparation research, and local educational agency (LEA) partner input and support. As a faculty, we decided to model best practices throughout the redesign and approached the curriculum development project using a variety of data collection processes. What emerged was a creative Instructional Leadership Program (ILP) curriculum, involving multiple partnerships, best practices research, and an understanding that it was a living, breathing document which would change as implementation occurred and data were collected to suggest needed changes. As the program is constantly evaluated and the university revisits with LEA partners, 2008 educational leadership cohort students, other stakeholders and researchers are beginning to see richer results than originally anticipated. Similar to Murphy's (2002) “New Blueprints” discussion of new educational leadership foundations, several important paradigms are emerging from the program: leadership based on school improvement and student achievement, and creating schools as socially just, democratic learning communities (Furman & Shields, 2005; Green, 1999; Smylie, Bennett, Konkol, & Fendt, 2005; Strike, 1999).
The Gender Dynamics of Educational Leadership Preparation: A Feminist Postmodern Critique of the Cohort Experience
Authors: Killingsworth Molly F. , Cabezas Christy T. , Kensler Lisa A. W. , Brooks Jeffrey S.
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine gender dynamics in educational leadership doctoral cohorts and explore the propensity for educational leadership programs to unintentionally perpetuate inequity through continued silence and unawareness of issues related to gender. The study includes narratives from two women cohort members and two professors (one man, one woman), detailing their experiences in an educational leadership preparation program at the pseudonymous Southern University. The authors conclude that it is important for students and faculty to proactively engage gender inequity in both professional venues and during informal interactions. Professors who engage in these conversations create opportunities for students to facilitate discussions regarding gender inequity in educational leadership. The cohort model allows students to be in a supportive environment where difficult conversations can take place, but it can also perpetuate inequity and oppression unless gender dynamics are interrogated and dismantled.
School Leader Professional Socialization: The Contribution of Focused Observations
Authors: Brody Judy Lechner , Vissa Jeanne , Weathers John M.
Published: January 2017

In this study, we examine how the Educational Leadership Program for Aspiring Principals (ELPAP) at the University of Pennsylvania uses a guided inquiry experience, the Focused Observation, to facilitate role conceptualization and identity development for pre-service leadership students. Focused Observations involve university faculty, current and former ELPAP students, and school and district leaders in critically examining current educational policies and practices in place at select visited schools and districts. Using qualitative data from current and former students and school and district staff, we explore how these Focused Observations facilitate professional socialization and foster students’ internalization of an identity as a change-oriented leader.
Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Analysis of Tilting Pad Thrust Bearings
Authors: Jiang X , Wang J , Fang J
Published: January 2017

The effects of elastic deformation of pad surface, rotational speed, axial load, and oil viscosity grade on tilting pad thrust bearing performance were analysed using the model of thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication. The Reynolds equation, the viscosity—temperature and density—temperature characteristics of the lubricants, film thickness equation, energy equation, heat conduction equation, and elastic deformation equation were simultaneously solved with the finite-difference method. The results showed that the maximum pressure is reduced and the minimum film thickness is decreased, when pad deformation is taken into account. The rotational speed has significant effects on the film thickness and temperature, however, slight effects on hydrodynamic pressure. The heavier load leads to an increase in the maximum pressure and a decrease in the film thickness, and the temperature is slightly affected by the load. The oil film with higher viscosity grade has a higher load-carrying capacity, and consumes much more energy than those of low-viscosity fluid.
‘We make markets’: The role of the Ethical Fashion Show in categorising the ethical fashion
Authors: Blanchet Vivien
Published: January 2017

Categories participate in the construction of markets by defining their producers, consumers and substitutable goods. Until now, research on categories has mainly focused on their effects, overlooking questions relating to their emergence. This article fills this gap by studying the role of a trade fair, the Ethical Fashion Show, in shaping ethical fashion. Based on a qualitative analysis of interviews, secondary data, observations and physical objects, it studies the practices aimed at elaborating the critical project of ethical fashion, defining its principles and diffusing the category. Four contributions stem from this research. First, it reveals the role of critiques in the emergence of categories. Second, it shows that their content is shaped by practices of purification and hybridisation. Third, it highlights the role of spokespersons in the representation of categories. Fourth, drawing on actor–network theory, it theorises market categorisation as a process of translation.
Preliminary design and control of a soft exosuit for assisting elbow movements and hand grasping in activities of daily living
Authors: Xiloyannis Michele , Cappello Leonardo , Binh Khanh D , Antuvan Chris W , Masia Lorenzo
Published: January 2017

The development of a portable assistive device to aid patients affected by neuromuscular disorders has been the ultimate goal of assistive robots since the late 1960s. Despite significant advances in recent decades, traditional rigid exoskeletons are constrained by limited portability, safety, ergonomics, autonomy and, most of all, cost. In this study, we present the design and control of a soft, textile-based exosuit for assisting elbow flexion/extension and hand open/close. We describe a model-based design, characterisation and testing of two independent actuator modules for the elbow and hand, respectively. Both actuators drive a set of artificial tendons, routed through the exosuit along specific load paths, that apply torques to the human joints by means of anchor points. Key features in our design are under-actuation and the use of electromagnetic clutches to unload the motors during static posture. These two aspects, along with the use of 3D printed components and off-the-shelf fabric materials, contribute to cut down the power requirements, mass and overall cost of the system, making it a more likely candidate for daily use and enlarging its target population. Low-level control is accomplished by a computationally efficient machine learning algorithm that derives the system’s model from sensory data, ensuring high tracking accuracy despite the uncertainties deriving from its soft architecture. The resulting system is a low-profile, low-cost and wearable exosuit designed to intuitively assist the wearer in activities of daily living.
Qualitative study of affective identities in dementia patients for the design of cognitive assistive technologies
Authors: König Alexandra , Francis Linda E , Joshi Jyoti , Robillard Julie M , Hoey Jesse
Published: January 2017

Our overall aim is to develop an emotionally intelligent cognitive assistant (ICA) to help older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) to complete activities of daily living more independently. For improved adoption, such a system should take into account how individuals feel about who they are. This paper investigates different affective identities found in older care home residents with AD, leading to a computational characterization of these aspects and, thus, tailored prompts to each specific individual's identity in a way that potentially ensures smoother and more effective uptake and response. We report on a set of qualitative interviews with 12 older adult care home residents and caregivers. The interview covered life domains (family, origin, occupation, etc.), and feelings related to the ICA. All interviews were transcribed and analyzed to extract a set of affective identities, coded according to the social–psychological principles of affect control theory (ACT). Preliminary results show that a set of identities can be extracted for each participant (e.g. father, husband). Furthermore, our results provide support for the proposition that, while identities grounded in memories fade as a person loses their memory, habitual aspects of identity that reflect the overall “persona” may persist longer, even without situational context.
Work-Related Low Back Pain Among Physical Therapists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alghadir Ahmad , Zafar Hamayun , Iqbal Zaheen A. , Al-Eisa Einas
Published: January 2017

Low back pain (LBP) is a common health problem. Professions like physical therapy (PT), involving frequent lifting, bending, or standing, are at risk for developing LBP. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of work-related LBP and factors associated with and consequences of work-related LBP among physical therapists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered online questionnaire (i.e., demographic data, history of LBP before and after working as a physical therapist, work setting, and effect on daily activities) was sent to 600 members of the Saudi PT association. Data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. Eighty-eight percent of potential respondents completed the questionnaire. Of these, 89.65% of the therapists reported LBP after beginning their PT practice, and 35.6% reported LBP at the time of this survey. Gender, PT specialty, and duration of contact with patients were all found to be related to LBP. The prevalence of work-related LBP among physical therapist in Riyadh was high, affecting patient care and daily activities of the therapists. Both primary and secondary prevention strategies (e.g., introduce ergonomics into PT curricula, reduce therapist stress, and promote teamwork) are needed to decrease LBP among therapists, so they can effectively care for patients.
Self-started versus Family Inherited Businesses: A Comparison of Managing Unorganized Food Grocery Retail Stores in an Emerging Economy
Authors: Ali Jabir , Chandra Ashwin , Ali Tabassum
Published: January 2017

This study aims at analyzing the difference in food grocery retail store logistic management between self-started and family inherited retail businesses. The study has been carried out through in-depth personal interview of 40 unorganized grocery retail stores in Lucknow Uttar Pradesh, using a structured questionnaire. Simple statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation have been applied on the survey data. Chi-square test has been used to analyze the statistical difference in the processes of retail store management between self-started and family inherited business grocery stores. Findings indicate that those who joined the family run businesses are younger in age as compared to the ones who self-started their grocery stores. Similarly, the average retailing experience of self-starters is (10 years) and family inherited retails is (5 years), showing significant difference statistically, implying that both the groups have different level of retailing experiences. The study also analyzes the difference in methods of logistics management across the different types of unorganized retailers. Analysis indicates that both self-started and family inherited retail businesses follow similar management practices. There are a limited number of in-depth studies on unorganized retail operations based on primary data analysis. The findings of this study provide practical insights on difference in profile of self-started versus family inherited retail businesses and adoption of logistics processes in managing their stores.
E-Learning as a Socio-Technical System: An Insight into Factors Influencing its Effectiveness
Authors: Upadhyaya K T , Mallik Debasis
Published: January 2017

Effectiveness of e-learning systems is a matter of debate in corporate and academics alike, with researchers viewing it from course content and instructional design perspective, learner / teacher perspective or delivery medium and technology perspective. We argue that e-learning systems should not consider either of these perspectives in isolation. We analyze the e-learning systems using the socio-technical systems approach, which treats a work system to be made up of two jointly independent, but correlative interacting systems - the social and the technical. The technical system is concerned with the processes, tasks, and technology needed to transform i nputs to outputs. The social system is concerned with the attributes of people such as attitudes, skills, values, the relationships among people, reward systems, and authority structures. Outputs of the work system are the result of joint interactions between these two systems. We use Leavitt's model to analyze e-learning systems as socio-technical systems. The model suggests that organizations form multivariate systems consisting of four interacting components - task, structure, actor, and technology. We observe that an e-Learning system can fit the definition of a sociotechnical system, as they involve teachers and learners (actor), the organization and the environment (structure), the knowledge and skills being imparted (task) and the technology used for elearning (technology). In this research, we measure variables that represent these four components and understand their significance individually and their combined effect on effectiveness of e- learning systems. The outcome of this research tries to understand factors that influence the effectiveness of e-learning systems.
Performance of Portfolios Based on E/P, B /M and Size: Evidences on Indian Stock Market
Authors: Sharma Renuka , Mehta Kiran
Published: January 2017

The main objective of the present study is to examine the consistency in the performance of various portfolios constructed on the basis of three fundamental factors (E/P, B/M and Size). It has examined whether the investment strategies based on three major fundamentals, i.e., Earnings- to- Price Ratio, Book-to-Market Price Ratio and Size of the firms result into extra ordinary returns to the investors in the short run or not. The short-term analysis based on yearly performance of various portfolios has not given any sound base to believe on these parameters as short-term stock selection criteria. But out of three fundamental factors considered in the present study, the highest inconsistency was found in the performance of portfolios based on market cap of the firm rather than portfolios based on E/P ratio or Book to market price ratio.
Gold as a Strategic Prophecy against Inflation and Exchange Rate
Authors: A. Patel Samveg
Published: January 2017

The study investigates the role of gold as a strategic prophecy against inflation and exchange rate. The main research question of the present study is whether gold has acted as a hedge against inflation and exchange rate for India. Study has evaluated monthly data of gold price, inflation and exchange rate over the period January 1991 to September 2012. By applying Augmented Dickey Fuller unit root test, Johansen Cointegration test and Granger Causality test in Error Correction Model framework, study concludes that Gold Price and Exchange rate are I (1) and Inflation is I (2.. It also concludes that there exists long run equilibrium relation among all three variables. However, study provides evidence of no Granger Causality among these variables. By applying ARCH-LM test, heteroskedasticity was detected and Gold price can be modeled as GARCH (1, 1). A negative relationship was found between gold and inflation which suggests that gold acts as an internal hedge against inflation for India. Major implication of this study is that Indian investor should prefer gold investment in the time of inflation boom.
A Study of the Relationship of Psychological Capital and Students' Performance
Authors: Jafri Md. Hassan
Published: January 2017

The present empirical exploratory research is designed to investigate the psychological capital in two groups of students labeled as high performing students and low performing students. The study further explores the relationship of psychological capital and students' performance. Using convenient sampling method, data were collected from 240 students studying in a management college of Bhutan. The measure of psychological capital in this study was adopted from the psychological capital scale. Student's end - semester marks of the last semester is taken as their performance. T-test, regression analysis and Cohen's effect size (f square) were used to analyze the obtained data to meet the objectives of the study. Results revealed that high performing students have significantly higher level of psychological capital compared to low performing students. The result further revealed that psychological capital moderately explains the performance of high performing group. The research implies that college management should try to develop psychological capital in students as a broader part of curriculum especially for low performers.
Comparative Analysis of Four Private Sector Banks as per CAMEL Rating
Authors: Sayed Gazia Jamil , Sayed Najmus Sahar
Published: January 2017

The Banking sector is an integral part of an economy. This sector plays a key role in the wellbeing of the economy. The Banking sector is becoming more and more complex due to globalization. The Indian banking sector is one of the fastest growing sectors and after liberalization it has been working in more open and globalized environment. Therefore, sound financial regulation and supervision has become the need of the hour. Evaluating Indian banks is not an easy task. There are various factors which need to be taken care. Various models have been discussed for evaluating the performance and quality of banks. One such model is CAMELS. It is an acronym, where C - Capital Adequacy, A - Assets Quality, M - Management Efficiency, E - Earning Quality, L - Liquidity and S - Sensitivity to Market Risk, which rates the performance of banks on five point scale. We have chosen this model to evaluate the performance of banks. After deciding the model we have chosen top four private sector banks as per the ET Intelligence Group (ETIG) database. A thorough analysis is done and the result shows that on an average Kotak Mahindra Bank stands at the top position.
Influence of Employees' Ingratiation on Organizational Citizenship Behavior: An Empirical Study
Authors: Malodia Luxmi
Published: January 2017

This study aimed at understanding the int1uence of employees' ingratiation on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) of employees working in northern region of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited. In today's world of globalization and liberalization, OCB can be extremely valuable to organizations and can contribute to performance and competitive advantage. If employees have narrow perspective that make them just concerned about their own career path growth, then they exhibit various impression tactics like Ingratiation. Many a time concurrence occurs between these two types of behaviors shown by them. The aim of this study is to enhance our understanding about interrelationship exist between these variables. It has real world implications on how practice of ingratiatory behavior should be discouraged in order to enhance levels of citizenship behavior in employees. Total 180 questionnaires have been obtained from employees working in northern region of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited. The study concluded that there is a significant and negative relationship between ingratiation and OCB; it means that more ingratiatory practices among employees lead to deterioration of their OCB.
Multi-cultural Adaptation of the O' Kelly Women Beliefs Scale to Samples in the US, India, Colombia, and Mexico
Authors: Lega Leonor , Contreras Arturo Heman , O'Kelly Monica , Kumar Satishchandra , Alcid Leah , Rodriguez Krystal
Published: January 2017

The present exploratory study examined the psychometric properties of the O'Kelly Women's Belief Scales (O'Kelly, 2011) an instrument that measures women, s irrational beliefs about traditional feminine sex role stereotypes, in a multi-cultural sample of 1644 women born and living in the US, India, Colombia, and Mexico. A varimax rotation with cutoff eigenvalues of 3, showed that 43 items loaded into 5 components which accounted for 38.43% of the variance of this multinational version. The items were subsequently grouped into: Irrationality, with a total of 24 items and Rationality, with the 13 items. Analyses indicated a Cronbach's alpha from .72 to .88. Results indicate that this version of the instrument may be used to evaluate both the rational and irrational content of sex-role beliefs of women born in the US, India, Colombia, and Mexico.