bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrodermal activity measurement within a qualitative methodology
Authors: Stadler Raphaela , Jepson Allan Stewart , Wood Emma Harriet 
Published: September 2018

PurposeReflecting, reliving and reforming experiences enhance longer-term effects of travel and tourism, and have been highlighted as an important aspect in determining loyalty, re-visitation and post-consumption satisfaction. The purpose of this paper is to develop new methodological approaches to investigate emotion, memory creation and the resulting psychosocial effects.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proposes a unique combination of physiological measures and photoelicitation-based discussions within a longitudinal design. A physiological measuring instrument (electrodermal activity [EDA] tracking technology through Empatica E4 wristbands) is utilised to capture the “unadulterated” emotional response both during the experience and in reliving or remembering it. This is combined with post-experience narrative discussion groups using photos and other artefacts to give further understanding of the process of collective memory creation.FindingsEDA tracking can enhance qualitative research methodologies in three ways: through use as an “artefact” to prompt reflection on feelings, through identifying peaks of emotional response and through highlighting changes in emotional response over time. Empirical evidence from studies into participatory arts events and the potential well-being effects upon women over the age of 70 is presented to illustrate the method.Originality/valueThe artificial environment created using experimental approaches to measure emotions and memory (common in many fields of psychology) has serious limitations. This paper proposes new and more “natural” methods for use in tourism, hospitality and events research, which have the potential to better capture participants’ feelings, behaviours and the meanings they place upon them.
Screen navigation system for visually impaired people
Authors: Ohene-Djan James Francis , Fernando Sandra A. 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe SETUP09 system consists of both navigation and a computer-aided drawing technique for people who are blind and visually impaired (BVI). The purpose of this paper is to address the need for a screen navigation technique, which can facilitate a user’s ability to produce art, and scientific diagrams electronically, by introducing a compass-based screen navigation method.Design/methodology/approachBVI computer users were tested using different screen navigation tasks to assess the accuracy and efficiency of this compass-based navigation technique by using a prototype (SETUP09) and tactile paper grid maps.FindingsThe results confirmed that the compass-based navigation facilitates higher accuracy in screen-based moving and location recognition with a noticeable reduction in time and effort.Research limitations/implicationsImprovements such as the addition of a sound layer to the interface, use of hotkeys, braille and user speech inputs are yet to be tested.Social implicationsThe current lack of suitable and efficient screen navigation technology is a limiting factor for BVI students and computer users in producing diagrams and drawings. This may place limitations on their career progression and life contentment. It is challenging for a BVI person to draw diagrams and art, which are commonly taught in education or used in industry. The compass-based screen navigation system was developed to address BVI users’ need to be able to create such content.Originality/valueA compass-based navigation method enables screen navigation through a formal command language and enables intuitive movement to a screen location using matrix-style compass directions with zoom-in and zoom-out capabilities.
A reconsideration of operating-financial leverage tradeoff hypothesis
Authors: Dugan Michael T. , Medcalfe Simon K. , Park Sang Hyun 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to attempt to perform a test of the operating leverage-financial leverage tradeoff hypothesis that is more methodologically consistent with the logical framing of the hypothesis appearing in the Mandelker and Rhee (1984) paper.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a sample of firms from the manufacturing industry to estimate their degree of operating leverage and degree of financial leverage coefficients. The switching regression methodology is then used to perform the empirical test of the tradeoff hypothesis.

Findings
The results suggest that firms tradeoff their operating and financial leverage during good economic times, but do not engage in the tradeoff behavior during recessionary times.

Originality/value
This paper refines the empirical testing of the tradeoff hypothesis using the innovative switching regression methodology. The paper also has important implications for the impact of firms’ risk on the capital markets as well as the economy as a whole, and for academic researchers in financial economics examining the relationships between operating and financial leverage and various firm-specific variables.
Enhancement of corrosion resistance of mild steel in NaCl solution with an eco-friendly silane coating containing nanoclay and zinc acetylacetonate
Authors: Taheri M. , Naderi Reza , Mahdavian Mohamad 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to enhance the barrier properties and active protection of a water-based silane coating on mild steel through nanoclay and zinc acetylacetonate simultaneously included into the formulation.

Design/methodology/approach
The corrosion protection performance of the silane sol-gel coatings with no additive, zinc acetylacetonate, nanoclay and nanoclay + zinc acetylacetonate was monitored using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy during 5 h of immersion in a sodium chloride solution. Moreover, the surface of coatings was analyzed using a field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (FESEM-EDX) and water contact angle measurements.

Findings
In electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis, the impedance at low frequencies, coating resistance and charge transfer resistance were the parameters considered which indicated the superiority of silane coating formulated with both nanoclay and zinc acetylacetonate. According to the results of FESEM/EDX and water contact angle measurements, the superiority was linked with the enhancement in the barrier properties in the presence of nanoclay, as well as function of the corrosion inhibitor at coating–substrate interface.

Originality/value
According to the literature, there is no research conducted to study the impact of the simultaneous use of nanoclay and zinc acetylacetonate on the barrier properties and active protection of an eco-friendly silane sol-gel coating including glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane and methyltriethoxysilane on mild steel in a sodium chloride solution.
Has International Aid Promoted Economic Growth in Africa?
Authors: Cai Jinyang , Zheng Zuting , Hu Ruifa , Pray Carl E. , Shao Qianqian 
Published: September 2018

AbstractUsing panel data on 47 African countries from 1980–2013, this paper investigates the effects of aid on Africa's economic growth from the perspective of political stability. We find that international aid can promote economic growth in Africa, but the effectiveness of aid depends on countries’ political stability. Further, the intensity of aid affects its effectiveness. When the aid–GDP ratio is between 0 and 69 per cent, aid can promote economic growth in recipient countries, and when this ratio is 27 per cent, the marginal impact of aid on economic growth is maximized. The findings of this paper suggest that providers of aid should avoid providing a substantial amount of aid to countries at risk of political unrest, and they must determine the optimal scale of aid based on the economic development of recipient countries in order to enable aid to generate better results. Recipient countries should maintain social and political stability and ensure that they do not develop an excessive dependence on aid so that they can achieve the self‐sustainable development of their own economies.
Remittances and Food Security in African Countries
Authors: Mabrouk Fatma , Mekni Mohamed Mehdi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOver the past decade, the amount of migrant remittances received by developing countries has increased rapidly. Several studies have analysed the impacts on growth, investment, education, and health. However, the effect on food security has not received much attention. This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the linkage between food security and international remittances using panel data during the period of 1990–2013 in African countries. The study employs an econometric model to test the impact of remittances on food security through four channels: availability, access, utilization and stability. Results show a positive link for access, stability and utilization dimensions but a negative link for availability. Relationship between received remittances and the enhancement of food security seems to be mixed.
Asymmetric Price Transmission and Rent‐seeking in Road Fuel Markets: A Comparative Study of South Africa and Selected Eurozone Countries
Authors: Ogbuabor Jonathan E. , Eigbiremolen God'stime O. , Manasseh Charles O. , Mba Ifeoma C. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis paper presents the first‐ever analysis of South African and Eurozone road fuel markets for the possibility that firms may be manipulating the tax system to conceal rent‐seeking behavior using the nonlinear ARDL model recently advanced by Shin et al. (). The paper also examines these markets for asymmetric price adjustment following changes in crude oil costs in the aftermath of the 2007–2008 Global Financial Crisis. Monthly data for gasoline, automotive diesel and costs of imported crude oil from November 2004 to August 2016 were used. The results indicate that while the Eurozone road fuel markets are fraught with the problems of long‐run rent‐seeking, rockets and feathers effect, and the possibility that firms may be exploiting the tax system to conceal rent‐seeking behaviors, the South African markets are free from these problems. Even though South Africa and the Eurozone countries have high oil import dependency ratios, this paper shows that government regulatory activities somewhat account for the difference in market outcomes.
Workers’ Remittances and the Dutch‐Disease Argument: Investigating the Relationship in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Ojapinwa T. V. , Nwokoma N. I. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBased on the Salter‐Swan‐Corden‐Dornbusch framework, which argues that capital inflows may appreciate the official exchange rate by aggravating the effects of any previously existing domestic distortions, this paper examines the claim that workers’ remittances cause the Dutch disease in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Specifically, the study investigates whether remittances cause financial overheating and spending effects. The study adopts the dynamic panel instrumental variable system generalized method of moment (IVSGMM). This study finds that although workers’ remittances cause financial overheating, they neither increase general spending nor appreciate the real exchange rate, thereby implying that workers’ remittances do not cause the Dutch disease in SSA from 1996 to 2013. These findings suggest that governments should establish diaspora incentive schemes so as to encourage remitters and recipient households’ to invest productively. Government efforts should be integral at improving the financial education for remitters and the recipient households so as to avoiding channelling overheating effects to spending effects and to the Dutch disease.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of mitochondrial proteins differentially expressed between small cell lung cancer cells and normal human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Wei , Deng Wenjing , Zhong Yujie , Zhang Yonghong , Peng Zhuo , Chen Haijuan , Sun Ruiying , Zhang Xuemei , Yang Shuanying 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is highly aggressive and is associated with a dismal prognosis. However, there are no clinically recognized biomarkers for early diagnosis. In this study, we used quantitative proteomics to build differential mitochondrial protein profiles that may be used for early diagnosis and investigated the pathogenesis of lung cancer.MethodsWe cultured SCLC cells (NCI‐H446) and normal human bronchial epithelial cells (16‐HBE); mitochondria were extracted and purified using differential and Percoll density gradient centrifugation. Subsequently, we used Western blot analysis to validate mitochondrial purity and labeled proteins/peptides from NCI‐H446 and 16‐HBE cells using relative and absolute quantification of ectopic tags. We then analyzed mixed samples and identified proteins using two‐dimensional liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, we performed subsequent bioinformatic proteome analyses using the programs ExPASy, GOA, and STRING. Finally, the relationship between ornithine aminotransferase expression and clinicopathological features in lung cancer patients was evaluated using immunohistochemistry.ResultsOne hundred and fifty‐three mitochondrial proteins were differentially expressed between 16‐HBE and NCI‐H446 cells. The expression of 30 proteins between 16‐HBE and NCI‐H446 cells increased more than 1.3‐fold. The upregulation of ornithine aminotransferase was associated with pathological grade and clinical tumor node metastasis stage.ConclusionOur experiment represented a promising method for building differential mitochondrial protein profiles between NCI‐H446 and 16‐HBE cells. Such analysis may also help to identify novel biomarkers of lung cancer.
Fluid Dynamic Characterization of Transcatheter Aortic Valves Using Particle Image Velocimetry
Authors: Barakat Mohammed , Dvir Danny , Azadani Ali N. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTranscatheter aortic valves provide superior systolic hemodynamic performance in terms of valvular pressure gradient and effective orifice area compared with equivalent size surgical bioprostheses. However, in depth investigation of the flow field structures is of interest to examine the flow field characteristics and provide experimental evidence necessary for validation of computational models. The goal of this study was to compare flow field characteristics of the three most commonly used transcatheter and surgical valves using phase‐locked particle image velocimetry (PIV). 26‐mm Edwards SAPIEN 3, 26‐mm Medtronic CoreValve, and 25‐mm Carpentier‐Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna were examined in a pulse duplicator with input parameters matching ISO‐5840, that is, heart rate of 70 beats/min, cardiac output of 5 L/min, and mean aortic pressure of 100 mm Hg. A 2D PIV system was used to obtain flow velocity and viscous shear stress fields during the entire cardiac cycle. In vitro testing showed that the mean transvalvular pressure gradient was lowest for SAPIEN 3, followed by CoreValve, and PERIMOUNT Magna surgical bioprosthesis. In addition, the viscous shear stress magnitude within the jet boundary layer was higher in PERIMOUNT Magna than CoreValve and SAPIEN 3 at the peak of the flow. However, the measured shear stress values were below the known threshold for platelet activation and red blood damage. Therefore, shear‐induced platelet activation is unlikely to take place during systole in the three bioprosthetic heart valves. The PIV measurements can be used for verification and validation of computational simulations.
Maternal risk factor index and cesarean delivery among women with nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex deliveries, Texas, 2015
Authors: Salahuddin Meliha , Mandell Dorothy J. , Lakey David L. , Eppes Catherine S. , Patel Divya A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundCesarean delivery accounts for over one‐third of the ~400 000 annual births in Texas, with first‐time cesarean accounting for 20% of the overall cesareans. We examined associations of maternal medical comorbidities with cesarean delivery among nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) deliveries in Texas.MethodsNulliparous, term, singleton, vertex deliveries to women aged 15‐49 years were identified using the 2015 Texas birth file (Center for Health Statistics, Texas Department of State Health Services). A risk factor index was constructed (score range 0‐4), including preexisting/gestational diabetes mellitus, preexisting/gestational hypertension/eclampsia, infertility treatment, smoking during pregnancy, and prepregnancy overweight/obesity, and categorized as 0, 1, 2, and 3+ based on the number of risk factors present. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between the categorized risk factor index and cesarean delivery, overall and by maternal race and ethnicity.ResultsAmong the 114 535 NTSV deliveries in Texas in 2015, 27.2% were by cesarean. The most prevalent maternal risk among all deliveries was prepregnancy overweight/obesity (42.4%). The odds of cesarean delivery increased significantly with increasing number of risk factors [one risk factor: 1.72 (95% CI 1.67‐1.78); two risk factors: 2.58 (95% CI 2.46‐2.71); and three or more risk factors: 3.91 (95% CI 3.45‐4.44)].DiscussionIn Texas in 2015, nearly half of NTSV deliveries had at least one maternal risk factor and the odds of cesarean delivery were significantly elevated for women with a higher risk index score. The findings from this study highlight the need for intervening during the preconception and interconception period as intrapartum care practices have an important influence on birth outcomes.
Lower prevalence of subsegmental pulmonary embolism after application of the YEARS diagnostic algorithm
Authors: van der Pol Liselotte M. , Bistervels Ingrid M. , van Mens Thijs E. , van der Hulle Tom , Beenen Ludo F. M. , den Exter Paul L. , Kroft Lucia J. M. , Mairuhu Albert T. A. , Middeldorp Saskia , van Werkhoven Jaap M. , ten Wolde Marije , Huisman Menno V. , Klok Frederikus A. 
Published: September 2018

SummaryThe rate of identified isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism (ssPE) has doubled with advances in computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) technology, but its clinical relevance is debated. The YEARS diagnostic algorithm was shown to safely reduce the number of required CTPAs in the diagnostic management of PE. We hypothesized that the higher threshold for performing CTPA in YEARS was associated with a lower prevalence of ssPE compared to the conventional diagnostic algorithm. We compared 2291 consecutive patients with suspected PE managed according to YEARS to 3306 consecutive control patients managed according to the Wells score for the prevalence of isolated ssPE. In the YEARS cohort, 52% were managed without CTPA, 12% had pulmonary embolism (PE) of which 10% were isolated ssPE, and the 3‐month diagnostic failure rate was 0·35%. In the control cohort, 32% were managed without CTPA, 20% had PE of which 16% were isolated ssPE, and the 3‐month failure rate was 0·73%. The isolated ssPE prevalence was significantly lower in YEARS (absolute difference 6·2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1·4–10), Odds Ratio 0·58 (95% CI 0·37–0·90). In conclusion, YEARS is associated with a lower prevalence of isolated ssPE, due to reduction in CTPAs by the higher D‐dimer threshold. This was however not associated with a higher risk of recurrent VTE during follow‐up.
Pulmonary toxicity in paediatric patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma receiving brentuximab vedotin
Authors: Faulk Kelly E. , Sopfe Jenna M. , Campbell Kristen , Liptzin Deborah R. , Liu Arthur K. , Franklin Anna R. K. , Cost Carrye R. 
Published: September 2018

SummaryBrentuximab vedotin (Bv) is becoming increasingly important in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), with improved outcomes and an overall favourable toxicity profile. However, Bv is associated with severe pulmonary toxicity when combined with bleomycin, suggesting that additive toxicity may be an important consideration. Furthermore, little has been published on tolerability in paediatric patients. We retrospectively evaluated the occurrence of pulmonary toxicity of Bv in 19 paediatric and young adult patients with relapsed or refractory HL. Patient characteristics, baseline health status, treatment regimens including cumulative doses of Bv, bleomycin, gemcitabine, radiation and carmustine, and the occurrence of pulmonary toxicity were collected. Seven (36·8%) of the 19 patients were treated with Bv. The odds of pulmonary toxicity were 4·0‐fold higher (95% confidence interval 0·55–29·18) in patients exposed to Bv compared to unexposed patients in univariate analysis (P = 0·17). Similar results were found in multivariable analysis. Pulmonary toxicity occurred frequently in our cohort and was more common in patients who received Bv than in patients who did not receive Bv, although this was not statistically significant. Because patients with HL are exposed to a myriad of therapies with potential for pulmonary toxicity, continuing to evaluate the risk associated with Bv is critical.
A prospective comparative analysis of robot‐assisted vs open simple prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Mourmouris Panagiotis , Keskin Selcuk M. , Skolarikos Andreas , Argun Omer Burak , Karagiannis Andreas A. , Tufek Ilter , Obek Can , Riza Kural Ali 
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveTo report the first prospective comparative analysis of robot‐assisted (RASP) vs open simple prostatectomy (OSP) for large prostate glands.Materials and MethodsWe prospectively analysed 41 patients who underwent surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia between 2014 and 2017 at one of two university institutions. Patients were grouped according to the procedure (OSP or RASP) and matched in terms of age, prostate volume, body mass index and prostate‐specific antigen level. The two groups were followed prospectively for 3 months, and their postoperative and functional outcomes were compared.ResultsSix patients (40%) in the OSP and seven patients (27%) in the RASP arm of the study had preoperative urethral catheters as a result of relapsed urinary retention. The amount of blood loss during surgery was significantly lower in the RASP arm (539 vs 274 mL), but the operating time was significantly longer (134 vs 88 min). One patient in the RASP group experienced a Clavien–Dindo grade II complication, whereas in the OSP group, four patients experienced serious complications (27%); one patient had a bladder rupture (Grade III), one patient developed deep venous thrombosis (Grade II), and two patients required blood transfusions (one unit each; Grade II). Two patients (one from each group) experienced urinary retention after catheter removal that required a urethral catheter replacement. In the follow‐up period, there were significant and similar improvements in International Prostate Symptom Scores, uroflowmetry results and post‐void residual urine volume in both groups.ConclusionThe results showed that RASP provided similar functional outcomes to those of OSP, whilst maintaining a good (or even better) safety profile. Our results suggest that RASP is a viable, efficient and potentially superior alternative to the open procedure.