bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of tool inclination angle and cutting direction on long thin-walled part’s dimensional and geometric accuracy when high-speed ball end milling the heat-treated titanium alloy Ti–6Al–4 V
Authors: Abbasi Sarwar Ali , Feng Pingfa , Ma Y , Cai XC , Yu DW , Wu ZJ
Published: August 2015

Thin-walled parts are often used in various industrial applications and due to their functional requirements, higher accuracies are generally desired. But due to their low stiffness characteristics, deformation and chatter problems are frequently encountered in their machining, thus resulting in poor accuracy. Moreover, due to 5-axes milling, which is usually required for finish machining of such parts, further complexities in the process are added and, consequently, achieving higher accuracy becomes more challenging. Therefore, in this study, the influence of tool inclination angle and feeding direction has been investigated on the resultant surface accuracy of thin cantilever shaped parts in finish milling conditions through experiments, finite element method simulations and theoretical discussions. Moreover, since work material’s microstructure and hardness also have key influence on its machinability, therefore, the effect of heat treatment state on resulting surface accuracy also has been explored. Three different titanium alloy, Ti–6Al–4 V specimens have been used. Two of the specimens were given solution treatment at 1050 ℃/1 h followed by aging at 550 ℃/4 h. One of the specimens after being solution treated was allowed to cool in air while the other was cooled in water to obtain different microstructure and hardness whereas the third specimen was used in as-received condition (casted). The three Ti–6Al–4 V specimens were machined at five different tool inclination angles (60°, 70°, 75°, 80°, and 85°) with two feeding directions (horizontal inwards and vertical inwards). Results have shown that the angle near the perpendicular to the surface i.e. 85° (5° away from the perpendicular) has lowest deformation value and also has better surface quality, which shows that the lowest effective cutting speed at this angle has helped in achieving higher accuracy. Moreover, among the cutting directions studied, vertical inward direction produces smoother surface due to its less pushing effect on the surface being cut as compared to horizontal inwards direction. And in terms of heat treatment state, the specimen which was cooled in air after being solution treated has produced better results for all cutting conditions studied, mainly attributed to fine homogenous lamellar α + β Ti–6Al–4 V structure achieved due to slow cooling rate of air. Analysis of variance using response surface methodology has been carried out to develop predictive model and to study the influence of each variable on the accuracy. The developed model has shown good accuracy when validated through additional experiments.
A general approach for calculations of weight functions and stress intensity factors
Authors: Fan Junling , Guo Qiang , Gao Guohui , Chen Li , Chang Wenkui , Dong Dengke , Guo Xinglin
Published: August 2015

An approximate and simple expression is presented to calculate the crack face displacements of collinear cracks and center cracks by use of only one reference stress intensity factor. The crack face displacement and its partial derivative determined by the present method are in good agreement with their exact solutions. Calculations of weight functions for the center crack are reduced to the simple quadrature of the correction function and of the partial derivative of the crack face displacement. Based on the weight function method, the relationships between the stress intensity factor of the rotating blade with a center crack to the crack length, crack location, rotating speed and angular acceleration are studied. The critical rotating speed of the blade is evaluated based on the fracture law.
Integrated chassis control for optimized tyre force coordination to enhance the limit handling performance
Authors: Her Hyundong , Joa Eunhyek , Yi Kyongsu , Kim Kilsoo
Published: August 2015

This paper proposes a coordinated control algorithm of the differential braking, the front and rear traction torques and the active roll moment to enhance the limit-handling performance. The coordinated algorithm is designed to maximize the driving velocity while keeping the vehicle in a lane. First, the analysis of the cornering dynamics is described to consider the non-linear characteristics of the tyres during acceleration or deceleration. The target vehicle motions are determined on the basis of the driver’s intention and the current states of the vehicle. An optimization-based control allocation strategy is utilized to distribute the actuator control inputs optimally by considering the tyre and vehicle limitations. Closed-loop simulations of a driver–vehicle–controller system were conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed control algorithm. The performance of the coordinated algorithm was compared with those of the individual coordination algorithms. The simulation results show that the proposed integrated chassis controller improves the performance in high-speed cornering with respect to the driving speed without losing stability compared with simple coordination chassis control systems.
Learning from failed policy mobilities: Contradictions, resistances and unintended outcomes in the transfer of “Business Improvement Districts” to Germany
Authors: Stein Christian , Michel Boris , Glasze Georg , Pütz Robert
Published: August 2015

This paper contributes to the debates on policy mobilities by examining Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Germany as examples of contested, failed and unfinished travelling policies. Recent debates on policy mobilities opened a fruitful discussion on how policies are transferred from one place to another and the complex processes that rework places and policies in heterogeneous ways. While we are sympathetic to this literature, there are theoretical and empirical gaps to be addressed. It is frequently stated that processes around the transfer and grounding of policies are complex, and that outcomes are far from secure. However, the empirical focus in most cases is on transfers that are more or less “successful”, or at least portrayed as being successful by their advocates. In contrast to this “success bias” in research and public discourse, we argue that it is helpful to focus more closely on failures, resistances and contradictions. Judging from work on the transfer of BIDs – an almost classical example of successfully mobilized urban policies – we argue that it is helpful to reflect on unfinished policy mobilities, that is, the failure of mobilized urban policies.
Does the Indian Stock Market Exhibit Random Walk?
Authors: Dsouza Janet Jyothi , Mallikarjunappa T.
Published: August 2015

The efficient market hypothesis (EMH) states that security prices reflect all available information and investors cannot earn excess return by trading on the basis of this information. EMH is an important concept for the stockbrokers, financial institutions, individual and institutional investors and regulators government. An investment strategy of an investor is greatly influenced by market efficiency. Market efficiency also dictates the regulatory measures to be developed for ensuring the orderly development and management of the markets in a country. This study intends to contribute to the existing literature by investigating the weak-form market efficiency. The efficiency of the Indian stock market is tested by using the daily data of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)-200 index-based companies over the period of 1 January 1991 to 31 December 2012 by employing runs test, augmented Dickey–Fuller test (ADF) Test, Phillips–Perron test (PP) test, autocorrelation test and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) (1, 1) model. The empirical results of these tests do not support the weak-form efficiency for the Indian stock market. Therefore, we conclude that the Indian stock market is not weak-form efficient. This result suggests that there is a systematic way to exploit the trading opportunities in the Indian stock market and the investors can earn abnormal profits by exploiting this opportunity. Since the results indicate that the market is not efficient in the weak form, the study of historical prices is beneficial for the investors. This also means that there is a scope for technical analysis as a trading strategy. The findings also open up scope for the market regulators to initiate measures to ensure market efficiency. There is an overwhelming literature supporting the weak-form market efficiency. We employ multiple tests to investigate the dependence structure of the historical prices to unravel the myth of market efficiency in the weak form.
A Measure of Consumer Complaining Behaviour in Service Industry
Authors: Kaur Prabhjot , Sharma Sanjeev Kumar
Published: August 2015

Consumer complaints are reflection of mistakes committed by the service provider. These help to show a mirror to the organization indicating the reality of the situation, which can be used to handle displeased customers. Service providers these days are focusing on providing easy and varied ways, through which people can represent their problems. It is imperative to keep hold of existing customers, considering the cost of acquiring new customers and competitiveness in the market. This study aims to check the reliability and validity of the construct of consumer complaining behaviour (CCB), from the perspective of the Indian service industry, especially banking, telecom and insurance. A total of eight factors, namely, redress-seeking complaint, friendly complaint, opportunism, third-party complaint, word-of-mouth complaint, switching, loyalty complaint and neglect, have been taken to develop scales in order to collect data from 180 customers by using the critical incident technique (CIT). Various tools of reliability and validity were applied on the collected data. Results revealed an adequate fit of the theoretical model proposed, by satisfying all the criteria of reliability and validity (content, convergent and discriminant). This construct can be used by marketers and researchers to understand various consumer dissatisfaction responses given in different industries. This paper is first of its kind, which has taken all the factors together and validated the construct in the Indian context.
Relationship between Price–Earnings Ratios and Stock Value in an Emerging Market
Authors: Mayur Manas
Published: August 2015

In this article, an attempt was made to determine whether price–earnings (P/E) ratio indicates future prices or yields in Indian capital market. While the efficient market hypothesis negates the possibility of prediction, the P/E ratio supporters argue that due to exaggerated investors’ expectations, P/E ratio may indicate future investment performance. Four major indexes of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) are chosen for the investigation: the S&P BSE SENSEX, S&P BSE 500, S&P BSE MID CAP and S&P BSE SMALL CAP. Using vector error correction model (VECM) and vector autoregression (VAR) estimations, I find that subsequent prices will increase and subsequent yields will decline in response to an increase in the P/E ratio. But the prediction only works with blue-chip firms or firms with large market capitalization and not for mid-size firms or small-size firms. The impact on subsequent yield is very weak even for large-size firms.
An Empirical Assessment of Impact of Organizational Climate on Organizational Citizenship Behaviour
Authors: Randhawa Gurpreet , Kaur Kuldeep
Published: August 2015

Successful organizations need their employees to perform more than their usual job responsibilities and this can be possible if the environment at workplace is supportive and conducive for them. The present study is focused on organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and its most influencing antecedent “organizational climate”. The sample consisted of 509 respondents working in a large-scale food processing industry of Punjab. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire and were analyzed using Pearson product–moment correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings of the study indicated a strong positive correlation between organizational climate and OCB. The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that 67.6 per cent of the variance in OCB is explained by the dimensions of organizational climate. Further, organizational climate dimensions such as supervisory support, performance feedback, clarity of organizational climate, autonomy, pressure to produce, welfare and participation are found to have a significant impact on OCB. The research provides the implications for managers to engross themselves into the activities that improve organizational climate to ensure that the desired extra-role behavioural outcomes can be met.
Impact of Currency Futures on Volatility in Exchange Rate
Authors: Kumar Ashish
Published: August 2015

The present study has been carried out to study the impact of currency futures on the exchange rates volatility with respect to “euro”. The daily exchange rate values of euro vis-à-vis Indian rupee (INR) have been obtained for a period commencing from 1 January 2006 up to 30 September 2014. The time series data used in the study have been tested for stationarity by applying augmented Dicky and Fuller (ADF) test of unit root. The presence of heteroskedasticity in the residuals of return series of underlying data has been verified with autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity Lagrange multiplier (ARCH LM) test. The volatility of the exchange rate return has been modelled with the help of generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity GARCH (1, 1) and Glosten–Jagannathan–Runkle (GJR) GARCH models. The results of GARCH models confirm that volatility is persistent and good news is causing more volatility than bad news. The difference in the volatility in the exchange rate returns during pre- and post-currency futures period has been examined with the help of various statistical tests and the results have been found to be significantly different and volatility has reduced in the post-futures period.
Estonian children’s improvisational songs, the nature of performance and songs’ coherence with the Western tonal musical canon
Authors: Raju Marju , Välja Laura , Ross Jaan
Published: August 2015

In this preliminary study, improvisational songs of 43 Estonian children (22 girls, 21 boys, Mage = 5.5 years, age range: 2–8 years) were collected using the AIRS Test Battery of Singing Skills (ATBSS). Improvisational songs from two tasks of the ATBSS (song completion and song creation) were evaluated by three experts according to the performance’s coherence with the relevant criteria of children’s songs in the Western musical canon (a song has a melody and a rhythm and ends on the tonic) and the spontaneity of the singing process. Combining these two parameters we could describe four types of songs. Due to the size and diversity of the sample, this article does not report statistical evidence to support the proposed typology, but rather reports trends in the results to provide new research questions for further research. The results show that most of the children in this study had acquired the rules of children’s songs in the Western tonal musical canon by the age of four and could apply them in creative test-like situations, whether they did so consciously or spontaneously. Most of the children were consistent with their song-making strategies (conscious vs. spontaneous) during the two different improvisational tasks.
Does non-native language influence learning a melody? A comparison of native English and native Chinese university students on the AIRS Test Battery of Singing Skills
Authors: Cohen Annabel J. , Pan Bing-Yi , Stevenson Leah , McIver Alexis
Published: August 2015

The AIRS Test Battery of Singing Skills (ATBSS) is a protocol for acquiring data about a wide range of singing abilities, one of which is the ability to learn an unfamiliar song. This test component presents a song with English lyrics. We examined the role of native language of the singer in this task by comparing the sung productions of the song by native English versus native Chinese students. Following a pilot study that suggested the impact of native language, in the main experiment, 12 participants (6 from each language group) heard the test song with lyrics in their native language (English/Mandarin Chinese), and 12 more heard the lyrics in the foreign language. The instructions were to sing “la” and not the lyrics. For both native-language groups, those who heard the song in their native language made fewer melodic contour errors. When later asked to sing the song with lyrics, the benefit of native language was also evident for both contour and lyrics. These effects of degree of matching of one’s native language with the language of the lyrics when learning a new song emphasize the importance of controlling for native language when recruiting for the ATBSS. It also validates efforts to create versions of the ATBSS in prominent world languages.
The AIRS Test Battery of Singing Skills: Rationale, item types, and lifespan scope
Authors: Cohen Annabel J.
Published: August 2015

Singing abilities begin in early childhood and continue throughout life. Audiovideo recordings of singing behaviours collected from a wide variety of individuals can provide a foundation for exploring the complexities of singing acquisition. The AIRS Test Battery of Singing Skills (ATBSS) was developed to provide this foundation using a standard protocol appropriate for longitudinal testing of persons across the lifespan, from different cultures, and levels of musical training. Test components examine the ability to sing an internationally familiar song ( Brother John, Frère Jacques) as well as learn a new song, perform short melodic fragments, sing lowest and highest notes, improvise the ending of a song, and create an entirely new song. Several verbal tasks are included. This article describes the early development of the ATBSS and the first two studies executed to provide proof of concept. The report of the first study focuses primarily on the data of the familiar song acquired during five monthly testing sessions of children aged 3, 5, and 7 years and university students. The report of the second study focuses on the administration of the test to healthy older persons and those with dementia. These studies show the viability of the ATBSS components in general and the applicability of the ATBSS for longitudinal investigations. The work also paves the way for use of the ATBSS in other countries and highlights the value of cooperation and data-sharing among researchers of singing.
From Restaurants to Board Rooms
Authors: Volkema Roger J. , Kapoutsis Ilias
Published: August 2015

Negotiation is an interpersonal process common to everyday personal and professional success. Yet individuals often fail to recognize opportunities for initiating negotiations and the immediate and long-term implications of these oversights for themselves and others. This article describes a simple yet rich negotiation exercise that learners can undertake outside the classroom in a familiar and highly accessible setting, an exercise that offers insights into and reinforcement of principles and theories from the individual (e.g., perception, personality, motivation), interpersonal/group (e.g., communication media, group dynamics, power), and organizational/environmental (e.g., design/structure, ethics) dimensions of organizational behavior and management. The application of these and other lessons to negotiations across organizational levels are offered, along with specific observations from learners of the parallels to asking one’s boss for a raise.
The Psychometric Properties of the Autobiographical Memory Test in Preschool-Aged Children
Authors: Nieto Marta , Ros Laura , Mateo Alonso , Ricarte Jorge Javier , Latorre Jose Miguel
Published: August 2015

The Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) is the most commonly used tool to assess the phenomenon of overgeneral memory. The AMT has mainly been used in adult populations, but its use in preschool children is less common. The need to create an appropriate instrument to study the memory specificity in preschool years led us to develop an AMT version adapted for early childhood. The AMT–Preschool (AMT-P) was administered to a sample of preschool children aged between 3 and 6 ( N = 364). The results suggest that the AMT-P functions differently in preschoolers depending on age. With children older than 53 months, results suggest that the AMT-P is appropriate for assessing overgenerality. Nevertheless, with younger children age, the task is more difficult. These results concur with previous research suggesting that the ability to recall specific memories is consolidated from the age of 4½.
Studies of band gaps in flexural vibrations of a locally resonant beam with novel multi-oscillator configuration
Authors: Shuguang Zuo , Tianxin Ni , Xudong Wu , Jialu Fan
Published: August 2015

To realize a broadened band gap as a potential application of vibration control in the electric vehicle powertrain system requires, a novel configuration of locally resonant (LR) beam with multi-oscillators attached is proposed, in which two types of oscillators are periodically and alternately attached at identical intervals. An analytical model is proposed based on transfer matrix method, which is validated by a finite element simulation. The band gaps in flexural vibration generated by this novel structure are investigated by the analytical model. The band gap coupling effect is observed and the influence of the intervals and oscillator parameters are discussed. The novel configuration effectively enlarges the range of band gaps in flexural vibrations.
Frequencies of transverse vibration of an axially moving viscoelastic beam
Authors: Ding Hu , Tang You-Qi , Chen Li-Qun
Published: August 2015

One important issue in the investigation of axially moving systems is the viscoelastic constitutive relation. In the present paper, the effects of viscosity on the natural frequency of transverse vibration of an axially moving viscoelastic beam are studied. The viscoelastic material of the moving Euler-Bernoulli beam obeys the Kelvin model. For the first time, the qualitative difference between the natural frequencies with the material time derivative and the partial time derivative in the constitutive relation is investigated. The method of multiple scales with three terms is directly applied to obtain the approximate analytical solutions of the natural frequency. An interesting phenomenon is found in this study. Specifically, for an axially moving viscoelastic beam constituted by the material time derivative, the natural frequencies of transverse vibration may increase with the axial speed. Furthermore, the validity of the analytical results is examined by comparing with two numerical approaches, the differential quadrature methods (DQM) via separating variables and DQM combined with the fast Fourier transforms. There is qualitative difference between the results based on the constitutive relations with the material time derivative and the partial time derivative. Therefore, the results of this work provide an possible approach to determine which kind of the constitutive relation should be adopted to describe the viscoelastic property of axially moving materials.
Enhancing the band gap of an active metamaterial
Authors: Reynolds Matthew , Daley Steve
Published: August 2015

Metamaterials have been the subject of significant interest over the past decade due to their ability to produce novel acoustic behaviour beyond that seen in naturally occurring media. As well as their potential in acoustic cloaks and lenses, of particular interest is the appearance of band gaps which lead to very high levels of attenuation across the material within narrow frequency ranges. Unlike traditional periodic materials which have been employed at high frequencies, the resonant elements within metamaterials allow band gaps to form within the long wavelength limit; at low frequencies where it is most difficult to design satisfactory passive isolation solutions. Hence, metamaterials may provide a path to high-performance isolation at low frequencies. Passively these band gaps occur over a narrow bandwidth, however the inclusion of active elements provide a method for enhancing this behaviour and producing attenuation over a broad band. A new type of active viscoelastic metamaterial is presented that achieves double negativity and could be employed as a high-performance vibration isolator at low frequencies. A mathematical method for manipulating the band gap profile is developed and a prototype is produced. The passive band gap is confirmed in the laboratory, and then by applying active control using optimised feedback filters it is shown that the region at which attenuation occurs around the band gap could be greatly enhanced whilst retaining the peak passive band gap performance. The active metamaterial demonstrates that a unified design philosophy matching the best features of active and passive functionality can achieve high levels of attenuation over wide frequency bands.
Continuous bodies with thermodynamically active singular sharp interfaces
Authors: Wolff Michael , Böhm Michael
Published: August 2015

The subject of this comprehensive study is the general (mathematical) modeling of sharp (i.e. two-dimensional) interfaces without and with their own thermodynamical activity. We provide essential tools for the modeling of body-interface systems. Important items of the kinematics of singular (moving) interfaces as well as balance equations at interfaces will be addressed. Problems connected with material representation will be discussed. Special interfacial balances for mass, impulse, angular momentum, energy, mass of a tracer and of entropy will be considered including the discussion of special cases. As an illustrative example, a continuous model for a body with loss of material (e.g. due to mechanical treatment) will be developed in the framework presented.
Validation of the Sexual Communication Self-Efficacy Scale
Authors: Quinn-Nilas Christopher , Milhausen Robin R. , Breuer Rebecca , Bailey Julia , Pavlou Menelaos , DiClemente Ralph J. , Wingood Gina M.
Published: August 2015

This study assessed a newly developed Sexual Communication Self-Efficacy Scale designed to measure the sexual communication self-efficacy of adolescent men and women. Three-hundred and seventy-four U.K. adolescents completed this new scale, along with several other validity measures. Factor analysis revealed that the Sexual Communication Self-Efficacy Scale consisted of five underlying factors: contraception communication, positive sexual messages, negative sexual messages, sexual history, and condom negotiation. These factors demonstrated high internal consistency and presents evidence to support construct validity. This scale may have utility in assessing the effectiveness of interventions designed to enhance sexual communication and sexual health behaviors among young people.
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients for Obesity Indicators and Energy Balance–Related Behaviors Among New York City Public Elementary Schools
Authors: Gray Heewon Lee , Burgermaster Marissa , Tipton Elizabeth , Contento Isobel R. , Koch Pamela A. , Di Noia Jennifer
Published: August 2015

Objective. Sample size and statistical power calculation should consider clustering effects when schools are the unit of randomization in intervention studies. The objective of the current study was to investigate how student outcomes are clustered within schools in an obesity prevention trial. Method. Baseline data from the Food, Health & Choices project were used. Participants were 9- to 13-year-old students enrolled in 20 New York City public schools ( n = 1,387). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on measures of height and weight, and body fat percentage was measured with a Tanita® body composition analyzer (Model SC-331s). Energy balance–related behaviors were self-reported with a frequency questionnaire. To examine the cluster effects, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated as school variance over total variance for outcome variables. School-level covariates, percentage students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, percentage Black or Hispanic, and English language learners were added in the model to examine ICC changes. Results. The ICCs for obesity indicators are: .026 for BMI-percentile, .031 for BMI z-score, .035 for percentage of overweight students, .037 for body fat percentage, and .041 for absolute BMI. The ICC range for the six energy balance–related behaviors are .008 to .044 for fruit and vegetables, .013 to .055 for physical activity, .031 to .052 for recreational screen time, .013 to .091 for sweetened beverages, .033 to .121 for processed packaged snacks, and .020 to .083 for fast food. When school-level covariates were included in the model, ICC changes varied from −95% to 85%. Conclusions. This is the first study reporting ICCs for obesity-related anthropometric and behavioral outcomes among New York City public schools. The results of the study may aid sample size estimation for future school-based cluster randomized controlled trials in similar urban setting and population. Additionally, identifying school-level covariates that can reduce cluster effects is important when analyzing data.
Increases in Network Ties Are Associated With Increased Cohesion Among Intervention Participants
Authors: Gesell Sabina B. , Barkin Shari L. , Sommer Evan C. , Thompson Jessica R. , Valente Thomas W.
Published: August 2015

Objective. Many behavior change programs are delivered in group settings to manage implementation costs and to foster support and interactions among group members in order to facilitate behavior change. Understanding the group dynamics that evolve in group settings (e.g., weight management, Alcoholics Anonymous) is important, yet rarely measured. This article examined the relationship between social network ties and group cohesion in a group-based intervention to prevent obesity in children. Method. The data reported are process measures from an ongoing community-based randomized controlled trial. A total of 305 parents with a child (3-6 years) at risk of developing obesity were assigned to an intervention that taught parents healthy lifestyles. Parents met weekly for 12 weeks in small consistent groups. Two measures were collected at Weeks 3 and 6: a social network survey (people in the group with whom one discusses healthy lifestyles) and the validated Perceived Cohesion Scale. We used lagged random and fixed effects regression models to analyze the data. Results. Cohesion increased from 6.51 to 6.71 ( t = 4.4, p < .01). Network nominations tended to increase over the 3-week period in each network. In the combined discussion and advice network, the number of nominations increased from 1.76 to 1.95 ( z = 2.59, p < .01). Cohesion at Week 3 was the strongest predictor of cohesion at Week 6 ( b = 0.55, p < .01). Number of new network nominations at Week 6 was positively related to cohesion at Week 6 ( b = 0.06, p < .01). In sum, being able to name new network contacts was associated with feelings of cohesion. Conclusion. This is the first study to demonstrate how network changes affect perceived group cohesion within a behavioral intervention. Given that many behavioral interventions occur in group settings, intentionally building new social networks could be promising to augment desired outcomes.
Regional hippocampal involvement and cognitive impairment in pediatric multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rocca Maria A , Morelli Maria E , Amato Maria P , Moiola Lucia , Ghezzi Angelo , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Capra Ruggero , Pagani Elisabetta , Portaccio Emilio , Fiorino Agnese , Pippolo Lorena , Pera Maria C , Comi Giancarlo , Falini Andrea , Filippi Massimo
Published: August 2015

Objectives:

We assessed global and regional hippocampal volume abnormalities in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and their correlations with clinical, neuropsychological and magnetic resonance imaging metrics.

Methods:

From 53 pediatric MS patients and 18 healthy controls, global hippocampal volume was computed using a manual tracing procedure. Regional hippocampal volume modifications were assessed using a radial mapping analysis. MS patients with abnormal performance in three or more tests of a neuropsychological battery for children were classified as cognitively impaired.

Results:

Global hippocampal volume was reduced in MS patients compared with controls, but did not correlate with clinical, neuropsychological and magnetic resonance imaging measures. Compared to controls, MS patients experienced bilateral radial atrophy of the cornu ammonis, subiculum and dentate gyrus subfields as well as radial hypertrophy of the dentate gyrus subfield. Regional hippocampal volume modifications correlated with brain T2 lesion volume as well as attention and language abilities. Global hippocampal volume did not differ between cognitively impaired ( n=12) and cognitively preserved MS patients. Compared to cognitively preserved, cognitively impaired MS patients had atrophy of the subiculum and dentate gyrus subfields of the right hippocampus.

Conclusions:

Hippocampal subregions have different vulnerability to damage in pediatric MS. Regional rather than global hippocampal involvement contributes to global cognitive impairment as well as to deficits of selected cognitive tests.
Over-the-counter anti-oxidant therapies for use in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review
Authors: Plemel Jason R. , Juzwik Camille A. , Benson Curtis A. , Monks Michael , Harris Chelsea , Ploughman Michelle
Published: August 2015

Background:

Anti-oxidant compounds that are found in over-the-counter (OTC) supplements and foods are gaining interest as treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS). They are widely used by patients, sometimes without a clear evidence base.

Objective:

We conducted a systematic review of animal and clinical research to determine the evidence for the benefits of OTC anti-oxidants in MS.

Methods:

Using predefined criteria, we searched key databases. Two authors scrutinized all studies against inclusion/exclusion criteria, assessed study risk-of-bias and extracted results.

Results:

Of the 3507 titles, 145 met criteria and included compounds, α(alpha)-lipoic acid (ALA), anti-oxidant vitamins, Ginkgo biloba, quercetin, resveratrol and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ECGC). The strongest evidence to support OTC anti-oxidants was for compounds EGCG and ALA in animal models; both consistently showed anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant effects and reduced neurological impairment. Only vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba and ALA were examined for efficacy in pilot clinical trials with either conflicting evidence or evidence of no benefit.

Conclusion:

OTC anti-oxidants EGCG and ALA show the most consistent benefit, however only in preclinical studies. There is no evidence that they alter MS relapses or progression. Future work should focus on testing more of these therapies for clinical efficacy before recommending them to MS patients.
Pixantrone: a B-cell-depleting immunosuppressant for multiple sclerosis patients with active disease
Authors: Gonsette Richard , Debouverie Marc , Sindic Christian , Ferré Jean-Christophe , Edan Gilles
Published: August 2015

Background:

Mitoxantrone has been approved for patients with worsening relapsing–remitting (RR) or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), but its long-term use is limited by its cardiotoxicity. Pixantrone (PIX) is an analog of mitoxantrone.

Objectives:

The aim of this open-label, multicenter, noncomparative Phase I/II trial was to explore the immunosuppressive effect of PIX, its impact on clinical disease activity and cerebral gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) lesions, and its safety.

Methods:

Eighteen patients with active RRMS and SPMS (⩾ 1 cerebral Gd+ lesion) despite approved immunomodulatory therapy received four intravenous PIX injections every 21 days. A neurological examination, hematology, lymphocyte subsets, and biochemistry were performed at Day 1, Weeks 3, 6 and 9, and Months 3, 6, 9 and 12. Echocardiography was performed before each infusion, at Months 3, 6 and 12. Cerebral MRI was performed at baseline, and at Months 6 and 12.

Results:

CD19+ cells were reduced by 95% at Month 3 and by 47% at Month 12. Gd+ lesions were reduced by 86% at Month 12 ( p = 0.01). The annual relapse rate was reduced by 87% ( p < 10−4). Two patients experienced a transient reduction in left ventricular fraction.

Conclusion:

These preliminary data indicate the efficacy of PIX in active RRMS and SPMS.
Vascular function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor: The functional capacity factor
Authors: Alomari Mahmoud A , Khabour Omar F , Maikano Abubakar , Alawneh Khaldoon
Published: August 2015

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for neurocognitive function. This study aims at establishing a plausible link between level of serum BDNF, functional capacity (FC), and vascular function in 181 young (age 25.5±9.1 years old), apparently healthy adults. Fasting blood samples were drawn from participants’ antecubital veins into plain glass tubes while they were in a sitting position to evaluate serum BDNF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mercury-in-silastic strain-gauge plethysmography was used to determine arterial function indices, blood flow and vascular resistance at rest and following 5 minutes of arterial ischemia. The 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test was used to determine FC, according to the American Thoracic Society Committee on Proficiency Standards for Clinical Pulmonary Function Laboratories guidelines. It was conducted in an enclosed corridor on a flat surface with a circular track 33 meters long. The walking course was demarcated with bright colored cones. The 6MWD correlated with BDNF ( r=0.3, p=0.000), as well as with forearm blood inflow ( r=0.5, p=0.000) and vascular resistance ( r = −0.4, p=0.000). Subsequent comparison showed that BDNF and blood inflow were greater ( p<0.05) while vascular resistance was less ( p<0.05) in participants who achieved a longer 6MWD. Similarly, BDNF correlated with forearm blood inflow ( r=0.4, p=0.000) and vascular resistance ( r = −0.4, p=0.000). Subsequent comparison showed improved vascular function ( p<0.05) in the participants with greater BDNF. In conclusion, these findings might suggest that improved vascular function in individuals with greater FC is mediated, at least partially, by an enhanced serum BDNF level.
The 21st-century hipster: On micro-populations in times of superdiversity
Authors: Maly Ico , Varis Piia
Published: August 2015

Through a critical review of existing literature on hipsters, and an analysis of online data, this article provides a description of ‘hipster culture’. To this end, we examine the reoccurring markers of hipster identity and, crucially, the accompanying identity discourses on hipsters. As a result, a picture of hipster culture emerges as a translocal and layered phenomenon with contextually specific claims to authenticity, and certain material infrastructures and effects emerge with the culture. Finally, we will propose the concept of ‘micro-population’ as a tool for making sense not only of hipsters, but identity in general in times of superdiversity.
Social cues establish expectations of rejection and affect the response to being rejected
Authors: Wirth James H. , Bernstein Michael J. , Wesselmann Eric D. , LeRoy Angie S.
Published: August 2015

Violating one’s expectations of inclusion may influence the pain of rejection. This is supported by neurological evidence on expectation violation processing (Somerville, Heatherton, & Kelley, 2006). We asked: Can an expectation of a specific social outcome affect how it feels to be rejected or included? We tested the premise that expectations for the outcome of an interaction are derived from social information. Participants were either liked or disliked following a get-acquainted exercise (Study 1), or were given inclusionary versus exclusionary cues (Study 2) or no social information (Study 3) in an imagined scenario before being rejected or included. Rejection felt worse than inclusion; however, we found rejected individuals felt increasingly worse after receiving inclusionary cues than receiving exclusionary cues. Included individuals felt an increase in need satisfaction and reduced negative affect when they initially expected to be rejected compared to when they expected to be included.
Prevalence of children whose parents have a substance use disorder: Findings from a Swedish general population survey
Authors: Raninen Jonas , Elgán Tobias H. , Sundin Erica , Ramstedt Mats
Published: August 2015

Aims: The present study examined the prevalence of Swedish children living with at least one parent whom has a substance use disorder (SUD), i.e. either an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or a drug use disorder (DUD). Methods: A 2013 cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample ( n = 15,576) of the Swedish adult population 17–84 years of age was used. The response rate was 59.3%. SUDs were measured using selected parts of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), derived from the 4th edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV). In total, 3778 parents with 7448 children under the age of 18 years participated. Results: The proportion of children whose parent had a SUD was 4.6%, implying that around 90,000 children in Sweden experience this situation. Having a parent with an AUD was most common (3.7%), while 0.7% and 0.2% had a parent with a DUD and both (AUD plus DUD), respectively. Conclusions: Our results showed that a substantial number of children in Sweden have parents with a SUD and that it is important to consider both alcohol and drugs, when estimating the size of this group. Our findings call for further strategies to support these children and their families.
A psychology perspective of energy consumption in organisations: The value of participatory interventions
Authors: Endrejat Paul C. , Klonek Florian E. , Kauffeld Simone
Published: August 2015

This paper provides a psychology perspective on the human factors that should be taken into consideration when designing behaviour-based energy-saving interventions for non-residential buildings. We review psychological theories used to explain energy-related behaviours and discuss their limitations as well as additional hindrances that interfere with employees' energy conservation. Furthermore, we highlight the features that distinguish residential from non-residential buildings and discuss how these factors may affect peoples' efforts to save energy. In conclusion, we argue that it is ineffective to promote energy-saving behaviours through top-down communication (e.g. information campaigns) but that decision-makers should rather rely on participatory designs, since these facilitate consumers' involvement, increase intrinsic motivation to save energy, take consumers' social environment into account, establish new energy-consumption norms, and encourage overt commitment of individuals to energy savings. Furthermore, we outline how participatory interventions could be strengthened by using motivational interviewing (MI) techniques, a conversation style that could be utilised to evoke users' motivation to engage in energy-conversation behaviours in non-residential buildings. Since basic MI skills can be learned within few days, we recommend that energy managers receive such a training in order to conduct in-house participatory MI-based interventions.
Understanding the role of building management in the low-energy performance of passive sustainable design: Practices of natural ventilation in a UK office building
Authors: Watson Kelly J
Published: August 2015

The gap between the anticipated and measured environmental performance of energy-efficient buildings is a well-documented issue for the sustainability of the indoor and built environment. The significance of building users and their social practices is persistently underestimated in relation to this performance gap. The sociotechnical research agenda advocates the consideration of design/user interactions and the significance of building management is also being recognised. Conceptual development through the application of social practice theory has sought to overcome the established dualism between building technologies and user behaviour, and the changeable nature of practices in response to active sustainable design technologies has been evidenced. This research paper presents the findings of a qualitative study of an office building in an urban context in the UK. The building constitutes a passive sustainable design solution combining various natural ventilation technologies, including thermal mass, cross-ventilation, operable window design and solar shading. The analysis investigates the underperformance of the building’s energy efficient design in relation to building management as an intermediation process in driving and embedding new practices of natural ventilation.
Country image, country attachment, country loyalty, and life satisfaction of foreign residents in Vietnam
Authors: Nghiêm-Phú Bình
Published: August 2015

Foreign residents of a country are the foreigners who came from another country and are temporarily residing in the country for any purposes rather than just travel and/or tourism. Foreign residents have some characteristics of both local residents and international tourists. Regarding this population, previous studies have addressed many topics, including migration/immigration/emigration, citizen/citizenship, nationality, community, membership, assimilation, identity, status, and overseas study and expatriation. This study, however, investigates foreign residents’ perception, attachment, life satisfaction, and loyalty. Using the data gathered from the foreign resident population in Vietnam, this study found that four constructs have significant correlations. The outcomes also acknowledged the important roles of the affective components of psychological constructs, and provided implications for the social management of and tourism marketing toward the foreign resident population in Vietnam.
Consumer revolution in People’s Poland: Technologies in everyday life and the negotiation between custom and fashion (1945–1980)
Authors: Zalewska Joanna
Published: August 2015

Drawing upon ethnographic data, this article discusses the adoption of technologies into everyday life in People’s Poland, in the wider theoretical context of the consumer revolution or a shift in consumption patterns towards fashion. There were two mechanisms of the consumer revolution in People’s Poland: collective usefulness and modern hedonism. For the mechanism of collective usefulness, the main factors in the shift in consumption patterns were the state-controlled propaganda of ‘progress’ and the domestication of technology. Household appliances were adopted as necessities that helped people fulfil their needs, in line with the idea of ‘progress’ propagated by the authorities of People’s Poland in the post-war period. In the process of the domestication of technology, customarily female activities were changing into flexible practices of using household appliances driven by fashion. In the case of modern hedonism, the main factor in the shift towards fashion was the ‘advertising’ of a Western standard of living in American films shown on television in the 1960s. The course of the consumer revolution was diversified by gender, social class and generation.