bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smoke-Free Laws in Bars and Restaurants: Does Support among Teens and Young Adults Change after a Statewide Smoke-Free Law?
Authors: Fabian Lindsey E. A. , Bernat Debra H. , Lenk Kathleen M. , Shi Qun , Forster Jean L. 
Published: January 2017

Objective. We assessed changes in levels of support for smoke-free bars and restaurants among teens and young adults before and after implementation of a statewide smoke-free law. Methods. We measured support for smoke-free bars and restaurants among teens and young adults aged 16–24 years living in Minnesota ( n=2,785) and five comparison states ( n=404), up to 12 months before and up to six months after Minnesota's smoke-free law went into effect in October 2007. We compared changes in support among three subgroups—Minnesota participants who lived with a previous local smoke-free law, Minnesota participants who did not live with a previous local smoke-free law, and participants from the comparison states—before and after Minnesota's statewide smoke-free law went into effect. Results. Support for smoke-free restaurants and bars among participants in Minnesota and comparison states increased after Minnesota's smoke-free law went into effect. Minnesotans, both those living with and without a previous local smoke-free law, showed similar increases in support for smoke-free restaurants as participants in comparison states. However, Minnesotans living without a previous local law showed larger increases in support for smoke-free bars than both those in comparison states and those living in Minnesota with a previous local smoke-free law. Conclusions. Our study employed a more robust design than similar studies and focused on the teen and young adult population. Our results will help advocates and policy makers demonstrate how public support for smoke-free laws increases following smoke-free legislation, particularly among those who were not previously living with a local smoke-free law.
The Persistent Gap in Health-Care Coverage between Low- and High-Income Workers in Washington State: BRFSS, 2003–2007
Authors: Fan Z. Joyce , Anderson Naomi J. , Foley Michael , Rauser Eddy , Silverstein Barbara A. 
Published: January 2017

Objectives. We examined the disparities in health-care coverage between low- and high-income workers in Washington State (WA) to provide support for possible policy decisions for uninsured workers. Methods. We examined data from the WA Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2003–2007 and compared workers aged 18–64 years of low income (annual household income <$35,000) and high income (annual household income ≤$35,000) on proportions and sources of health-care coverage. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses on factors that were associated with the uninsured. Results. Of the 54,536 survey respondents who were working-age adults in WA, 13,922 (25.5%) were low-income workers. The proportions of uninsured were 38.2% for low-income workers and 6.3% for high-income workers. While employment-based health benefits remained a dominant source of health insurance coverage, they covered only 40.2% of low-income workers relative to 81.5% of high-income workers. Besides income, workers were more likely to be uninsured if they were younger; male; Hispanic; less educated; not married; current smokers; self-employed; or employed in agriculture/forestry/fisheries, construction, and retail. More low-income workers (28.7%) reported cost as an issue in paying for health services than did their high-income counterparts (6.7%). Conclusion. A persistent gap in health-care coverage exists between low- and high-income workers. The identified characteristics of these workers can be used to implement policies to expand health insurance coverage.
Predictive Modeling the Physician Assistant Supply: 2010–2025
Authors: Hooker Roderick S. , Cawley James F. , Everett Christine M. 
Published: January 2017

Objective. A component of health-care reform in 2010 identified physician assistants (PAs) as needed to help mitigate the expected doctor shortage. We modeled their number to predict rational estimates for workforce planners. Methods. The number of PAs in active clinical practice in 2010 formed the baseline. We used graduation rates and program expansion to project annual growth; attrition estimates offset these amounts. A simulation model incorporated historical trends, current supply, and graduation amounts. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to systematically adjust parameters in the model to determine the effects of such changes. Results. As of 2010, there were 74,476 PAs in the active workforce. The mean age was 42 years and 65% were female. There were 154 accredited educational programs; 99% had a graduating class and produced an average of 44 graduates annually (total n=6,776). With a 7% increase in graduate entry rate and a 5% annual attrition rate, the supply of clinically active PAs will grow to 93,099 in 2015, 111,004 in 2020, and 127,821 in 2025. This model holds clinically active PAs in primary care at 34%. Conclusions. The number of clinically active PAs is projected to increase by almost 72% in 15 years. Attrition rates, especially retirement patterns, are not well understood for PAs, and variation could affect future supply. While the majority of PAs are in the medical specialties and subspecialties fields, new policy steps funding PA education and promoting primary care may add more PAs in primary care than the model predicts.
Trends in Childhood Influenza Vaccination Coverage—U.S., 2004–2012
Authors: Santibanez Tammy A. , Lu Peng-Jun , O'Halloran Alissa , Meghani Ankita , Grabowsky Mark , Singleton James A. 
Published: January 2017

Objective. We compared estimates of childhood influenza vaccination coverage by health status, age, and racial/ethnic group across eight consecutive influenza seasons (2004 through 2012) based on two survey systems to assess trends in childhood influenza vaccination coverage in the U.S. Methods. We used National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and National Immunization Survey-Flu (NIS-Flu) data to estimate receipt of at least one dose of influenza vaccination among children aged 6 months to 17 years based on parental report. We computed estimates using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis methods. Results. Based on the NHIS, overall influenza vaccination coverage with at least one dose of influenza vaccine among children increased from 16.2% during the 2004–2005 influenza season to 47.1% during the 2011–2012 influenza season. Children with health conditions that put them at high risk for complications from influenza had higher influenza vaccination coverage than children without these health conditions for all the seasons studied. In seven of the eight seasons studied, there were no significant differences in influenza vaccination coverage between non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white children. Influenza vaccination coverage estimates for children were slightly higher based on NIS-Flu data compared with NHIS data for the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 influenza seasons (4.1 and 4.4 percentage points higher, respectively); both NIS-Flu and NHIS estimates had similar patterns of decreasing vaccination coverage with increasing age. Conclusions. Although influenza vaccination coverage among children continued to increase, by the 2011–2012 influenza season, only slightly less than half of U.S. children were vaccinated against influenza. Much improvement is needed to ensure all children aged ≥6 months are vaccinated annually against influenza.
Investigation of the Relation between the Tensile Properties of Cotton Fiber Bundles and Yarns in the Dry and Wet States
Authors: Pillay K. P. R. 
Published: January 2017

Relationships existing between the tensile properties of cotton fiber bundles and yarns under two ambient conditions,(i) in standard atmosphere and (ii) in the wet state have been studied on 27 cottons varying widely in fiber properties. The cottons have been processed into 24s (24.6 tex) yarn with twist multipliers ranging from 3.75 to 6.0 Correlations between the elastic properties of fibers on the one hand and corresponding yarn properties on the other have been determined for different twist multipliers The combined influence of six fiber properties on yarn strength, elongation, stiffness, and toughness at twists for maximum strength and the order of importance of fiber properties have also been determined by multiple correlation analysis. It is shown that cottons vary widely in their response to wetting, and the elastic properties of single yarns are significantly correlated with the corresponding yarn properties, the degree of association varying, however, with the twist in yarn and conditions of test. Multiple correlation coefficients in the wet state are lower than those in the dry state, indicating that wetting increases the importance of some fiber properties not included in the six investigated.
The Thermal Shrinkage of an Oriented Polyester Yarn as a Function of Time, Temperature, and Stress
Authors: Ribnick Arthur 
Published: January 2017

Measurements have been made with a linear variable-displacement transducer of the thermal shrinkage of an oriented polyester yarn in dry nitrogen as a function of time, temperature, and stress. The shrinkage of this material has been found to be nonlinear with respect to these three variables. A modified form of the Tobolsky and Eyring creep-rate equation has been found to describe the temperature and stress dependence. The activation energy for the process has been estimated to be 55.6 kcal/mole and the displacement volume to be 810 Å3. Interpretation of these experimental results appears to support a recently proposed model that thermal shrinkage of oriented semicrystalline polymers is a reflection of a structural transformation between extended-chain and folded-chain crystallites.
2,2î-Bipyridine Catalyzed Bleaching of Cotton Fibers with Peracetic Acid
Authors: Rucker James W. , Cates David M. 
Published: January 2017

Peracetic acid can be catalyzed to bleach cotton fibers at temperatures as low as 30°C by incorporating 2,2î-bipyridine in the bleach solution if the appropriate concentration of ferrous ions is present in the cotton fibers. The tris-2,2î-bipyridine ferrous ion complex (trischelate) is the catalytically active species, and sodium lauryl sulfate functions as a stabilizer for the peracid in the presence of the trischelate. The effects of pH, temperature, and concentrations of 2,2î-bipyridine, sodium lauryl sulfate, and ferrous ions on the kinetics and mechanism of peracetic acid decomposition have been investigated. Peracetic acid decomposition in the bleach solution is due mainly to alkaline hydrolysis without added ferrous ions and catalysis by the trischelate complex in solutions containing added ferrous ions. Overall decomposition follows the rate expression where k1 is the specific rate constant for alkaline hydrolysis and k3 is the specific rate constant for catalytic decomposition by the trischelate in the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate.
World Natural Gas Prospects
Authors: Valais Michel R. 
Published: January 2017

For a world in search of energy diversification, natural gas is a particularly attractive source. Its abundance and its facility for being substituted for petroleum products over a wide range of uses should certainly mean that it will play a much more important role in filling world energy needs. Nonetheless, many obstacles are hindering its progress. This article outlines the leading technical and economic parameters, which should influence the development of the world gas industry, and the prospects for its production and international trade evolution between now and the end of the century.
Past, Present and Future Trends in Oil Reserves and OPEC Production Capacity
Authors: Martyniuk J. R. 
Published: January 2017

The recent dramatic fall in oil demand has been parallelled by significant changes in the level of oil reserves, reserve/production ratios and the utilisation of OPEC production capacity. This paper reviews recent production trends worldwide, analyses the latest reserve developments and the relationship between OPEC capacity utilisation and market pressure and assesses the longer-term prospects for reserves.
OPEC: What Next?
Authors: Akacem Mohammed 
Published: January 2017

OPEC policy implications of resource economics are different for the ‘cash-starved’ members, the countries with large populations and a low resource base such as Nigeria, Algeria and Indonesia in contrast to the ‘rich’ members with small populations and considerable resources such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar. Conflicts in priorities of the two groups have been an important factor in the oil glut. The ‘poor’ members of OPEC will probably leave the organization upon depletion of their resources. Until this happens the interests of the oil producers can best be met with aid to the ‘poor’ members to prevent the dumping on the spot market. OPEC should establish a balance-of-payment ‘support’ programme to ‘tie’ those countries that develop balance-of -payment difficulties. OPEC will eventually be replaced by GOPEC, the Gulf Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The smaller GOPEC would exert some control over the world's oil markets in the 1990s: they own more than 40% of the world's reserves. If Iran and Iraq were included the percentage would rise to more than 60% but their presence in this organization would inject the instability which now affects OPEC. GOPEC could be expected to have a long-term pricing policy with a stable growth rate, greater involvement with distribution and active in the world market of petrochemicals. It will be faced with the problem of consumers finding alternative energy sources and with the protectionism already apparent in Europe and the US. The emergence of a stable GOPEC will once more raise the issue of the currency used to price oil and oil products. It would find advantage in detaching itself from the dollar as a primary unit. Instead, a ‘basket’ of currencies should be used such as the European Currency Unit (ECU), the yen and the US dollar. Such means will lead to greater stability for producers and consumers. Eventually, GOPEC should have pricing in terms of the Gulf Dinar or the Gulf Currency Unit (GCU) which would be traded in its own right.
The Impact of Canadian Gas Deregulation—A Producer's Perspective
Authors: Stoneman D. G. 
Published: January 2017

The highly competitive situation that has evolved in energy markets and in the gas industry itself has made regulations impractical. In anticipation of this situation the Canadian Petroleum Association (CPA) formulated an Alternate Energy Policy to cope with the rapidly changing market conditions and to avoid the confusion resulting from ambiguous regulations. The policy was also designed to be adequate for the complexities of gas marketing and to meet the challenges of other energy forms by competitive pricing. As a result of the intricate nature of the operations of the Canadian natural gas industry the process of deregulation has been lengthy and difficult. Nevertheless significant changes have taken place. By the fall of 1986 some 400 billion† cubic feet or 35% of the eastern Canadian market was served by renegotiated prices under Competitive Marketing Programs started in November 1985. A deregulated natural gas industry will be characterized by multiple buyers and sellers, negotiated wholesale prices free of restrictions and a non-discriminatory gas transportation system. Issues of deregulation still to be resolved include: conflict between honoring contracts and the needs of changing market circumstances; review of the surplus test which governs export quotas; elimination of the export floor price. There are also concerns in the industry about the hindrances to finding other markets and the elimination of provincial taxes.
Certain Considerations Affecting the World Oil Market
Authors: Conant Melvin A. 
Published: January 2017

In listing “Certain Considerations Affecting the World Oil Market”, more accurate predictions of GNP growth rates are the crucial need without which forecasts are bound to be proven wrong. Yet the difficulties in improving upon GNP estimates are found in OECD member states — whose ability to project on the basis of better data collection is greater and more important than those of the developing world. Demand data of the OECD is subject also to continuing revisions although the International Energy Agency is improving upon its timely collecting and analysis of what is also crucial to projections of oil market requirements. But supply data — mainly from OPEC members — has become notoriously weak and untrustworthy, greatly complicating the task of how much supply, from where, is actually in the market. If the challenge peculiar to OPEC is to stimulate demand for oil and the ability to do so with reasonable price targets, then the world is steadily becoming more aware of the fact that vital decisions in supply are made by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and (to a lesser extent) Iran. A few other producers contribute but the fundamental question is whether Saudi Arabia and Iraq will cooperate on a durable basis to affect the level of oil in international trade and therefore its price. Can they work together? The author believes not. There are too many other political and security interests between them — oil is not their only concern. Given the strategic importance of Saudi and Iraqi oil, is there a sufficient role for other OPEC members to accept domination by these two producers? Probably not. It will continue to be very difficult for the cartel to maintain discipline. Important also is the question as to whether non-OPEC sources have probably reached a plateau and will now decline. This view is widely discussed with the assumption that OPEC's key producers will become evermore important. Will the application of further investments and new technology in exploration and production regain a role for other and new suppliers? Yes. Non-OPEC sources are not at a “dead end”. Moreover, oil importing governments will renew their efforts to sponsor investment into domestic energy resources. Key to their efforts has to be acceptance of the point that foreign (OPEC-Gulf members) price-setters must not be able to determine whether domestic resources will or will not be developed as a consequence of the OPEC price. Today, an oil importing country setting its domestic price at $25/barrel could exploit virtually any of its energy assets. But one difficulty confronting the private sector is the notorious tendency of governments to change with new regimes upsetting what had become energy policy. Finally, oil markets and governments have now to reckon the impact of environmental pressures on alternate fuels. So important are these environmental pressures that in many countries national energy policy may be defined increasingly in environmental terms rather than in more traditional economic and security considerations.
Wind Energy in the UK and Europe: How Much, How Fast?
Authors: Grubb M.J. 
Published: January 2017

The remarkable developments in wind energy technology during the 1980s have raised the prospect of wind energy as a serious power source for electricity grid supplies. Europe is in the forefront of both manufacturing and deployment. This paper outlines the path of developments, and discusses how much wind energy may be expected in the European community in the long term, and how rapidly this might develop in practice. It is argued that “how much” is unknowable in any detail, because it depends upon essentially subjective assumptions about siting restrictions. On the most pessimistic siting and economic projections, it could be a minor component in a few countries, 'though even this would represent a substantial industry. However, the scenarios outlined suggest that wind is likely to be of some importance — 2-10% of electricity supplies — in many European countries within the next couple of decades, and that it could be of great importance — 10-40% of electricity supplies — in a few. The main constraints on development rate are not technical, but are more concerned with judgement when there is still much to be learned, and with institutional issues. However, it seems certain that the European Community market in the late 1990s will be several hundred MW; it could be several thousand.
Do RRA Earnings Improve the Usefulness of Reported Earnings in Reflecting the Performance of Oil and Gas Producing Firms?
Authors: Kennedy Dennis T. , Hyon Yong-Ha 
Published: January 2017

This study employs a regression model and an inside-trading model to evaluate whether three component values of the Reserve Recognition Accounting (RRA) Supplemental Earnings Summary improve the extent to which reported earnings reflect factors affecting stock prices. The analysis is conducted for the 1979-1980 period of volatile oil prices, when the events that the RRA Earnings Summary was designed to reflect (exploration and discovery) were more likely to be significant. Results from the regression analysis indicate that RRA earnings variables make a significant incremental contribution to explaining the variance in abnormal returns accumulated over the fiscal years described by the annual earnings values. Results from an inside-trading model indicate that advance knowledge of RRA earnings would be more useful to an investor than advance knowledge of the traditional historical cost earnings. The implication of these results is that data from the RRA Supplemental Earnings Summary improve the usefulness of reported earnings in reflecting the performance of oil and gas producing firms.
Price Discovery Process and Volatility Spillover in Spot and Futures Markets: Evidences of Individual Stocks
Authors: Mallikarjunappa T , Afsal E M 
Published: January 2017

This paper analyses information-based superiority of markets mainly with an objective of exploring arbitrage opportunities. It attempts to determine the lead-lag relationship between spot and futures markets in the Indian context by using high frequency price data of twelve individual stocks, observed at one-minute interval. The study applies the concept of co-integration and establishes the spot-futures relationship using Vector Error Correction Mechanism (VECM) represented by EGARCH framework. To study the price discovery process in the two markets, five lags each of one-minute resolution for nine individual stocks and four lags for the remaining three stocks are chosen. The key results of the study are given below: There is a contemporaneous and bi-directional lead-lag relationship between the spot and futures markets. A feedback mechanism of short life is functional between the two markets. Price discovery occurs in both the markets simultaneously. There exists short-term disequilibrium that could be corrected in the next period. Volatility spillover from spot market to futures market is present in such a way that a decrease in spot volatility leads to a decrease in futures volatility. Volatility shocks are asymmetric and persistent in both the markets. Spillover from futures market to spot market is not significant. Neither spot nor futures assume a considerable leading role and neither of the markets is supreme in price discovery. In the case of 33.33 per cent of spot values and 33.33 per cent of futures values, there exists short-term disequilibrium that could be corrected in the next period by decreasing the prices. Spot market volatility spills over to futures market in most of the cases (66.66 %) and a decrease in spot volatility brings about a decrease in futures volatility in 50 per cent of the cases. Spillover effect from futures to spot market is present and significant in 91.66 per cent of stocks and is more than the spillover effect from spot to futures (50% valid cases). The markets are highly integrated. Asymmetric behaviour of volatility shocks is mixed in both the markets. Asymmetric volatility is detected in 50 per cent of the cases of spot market and 58.33 per cent cases of futures market. Stocks exhibiting asymmetric volatility show more sensitivity to negative shocks. There are no cases of market becoming more volatile in response to good news.