bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Walking the line on police privatization: efficiency, accountability, and court decisions
Authors: Rawlins Pace William , Kwon Sung-Wook
Published: July 2015

This research reviews key issues in the privatization of local police services by discussing economic and political pressures for police privatization and concerns regarding the quality and accountability of privatized police. In particular, the authors explore whether the cost-efficiency sought from police privatization outweighs a critical side effect of a growing confusion regarding police oversight and significant uncertainties in accountability. They analyze court decisions in the US dealing with the question of whether constitutional protections extend to private police conduct. Relevant court decisions suggest that the confusion may grow even worse and local policy makers may need to pay more attention if they decide to privatize police services.

Points for practitioners

While police privatization occurs at all levels of government, this research focuses narrowly on the municipal level because there are significantly more local police agencies than at any other level of government. This study first clarifies the motives behind police privatization and then brings to light the side effects that may occur, especially accountability issues. This will act as a guide for local policy makers because accountability and cost-efficiency are major concerns when considering police privatization. Local officials can more comprehensively consider the demand for privatization of local police services and potential legal issues caused by the privatization effort.
T Cells Are Required for Orthodontic Tooth Movement
Authors: Yan Y. , Liu F. , Kou X. , Liu D. , Yang R. , Wang X. , Song Y. , He D. , Gan Y. , Zhou Y.
Published: July 2015

The immune system plays a pivotal role during bone remodeling process. Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) induces local inflammation in periodontium, but whether systemic immune response is involved in OTM remains unknown. In this study, we show that tooth movement distance was significantly reduced in T-cell–deficient immunocompromised mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Intravenous infusion of allogeneic T cells to the immunocompromised mice rescued the OTM distance. Correspondingly, increased numbers of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)–positive osteoclasts were detected around the alveolar bone after OTM in WT mice but were barely detected in immunocompromised mice. Moreover, intravenous infusion of T cells rescued the number of TRAP-positive osteoclasts in the OTM area of the immunocompromised mice, thus suggesting T cells are required for OTM. We then reveal that OTM induced a significant elevation of type 1 T helper cell (Th1) cytokines tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) around periodontal tissue in WT but not in immunocompromised mice. Infusion of T cells could increase the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in periodontal tissues of immunocompromised mice. More interestingly, intraperitoneal injection of TNF-α inhibitor etanercept significantly reduced the distance of OTM in T-cell–infused immunocompromised mice. In summary, this study demonstrates a previously unrecognized mechanism that T cells are required for OTM depending on Th1-associated cytokines.
Female representation in the decision-making structures of trade unions: The influences of sector, status and qualification
Authors: Blaschke Sabine
Published: July 2015

This article investigates women’s representation in the decision-making bodies of trade unions and the influences of sector, employee status and qualification. Since it can be assumed that external and internal factors have an effect on the structures and make-up of an organization, it follows that characteristics of both the members and the domain – such as sector, employee status and qualification – also influence the structures and make-up of trade unions and thus the degree of women’s participation in decision-making bodies. The study includes all Austrian and most of the German trade unions. Data are drawn from documentary material of the unions and expert interviews with union officials. The analysis shows that the services sector in combination with a blue-collar status produces a negative effect on women’s participation in unions’ decision-making structures, while higher qualification has a positive effect.
Care roles and employment decision-making: The effect of economic circumstance
Authors: Austen Siobhan , Jefferson Therese , Lewin Gill , Ong Rachel , Sharp Rhonda
Published: July 2015

This article uses data from a panel of Australian mature-age women to examine the effects of care roles on workers’ intentions to leave their jobs. We focus on how the employment effects of care roles can be shaped by the economic circumstances of the worker. We find that caring for an ill, frail or disabled family member has significantly lower effects on the turnover intentions of mature-age women with ‘poor’ (as compared to favourable) economic circumstances. We interpret this pattern as reflecting the financial costs associated with the provisioning of these types of family care needs.
Accelerating Pathways to College
Authors: Taylor Jason L.
Published: July 2015

Objective:

The proportion of high school students taking college courses (e.g., dual credit) is increasing and state and local policies are expanding, yet little is known about the effect of dual credit policies on key educational outcomes, including the effects for low-income students and students of color. The purpose of this study was to examine how dual credit policies differentially influence college access and completion.

Method:

This study used propensity score matching to examine the impact of community college dual credit policy in Illinois using a large sample of students (n = 41,727) who completed high school in spring 2003. Drawing from Perna and Thomas’ Conceptual Model of Student Success and Rawls’ notion of justice as fairness, the study examined effect heterogeneity to determine differential effects for low-income students and students of color on two educational outcomes: college enrollment and college completion.

Results:

The analyses showed that dual credit policies positively affect all students, but smaller effect sizes were detected for low-income students and students of color compared with average estimates suggesting that existing dual credit policies are inequitable.

Contributions:

Policy implications and recommendations include assessing state policies and integrating non-cognitive and psychosocial supports into dual credit programs to support underserved students.
Parental Low Self-Control, Parental Socialization, Young Adult Low Self-Control, and Offending
Authors: Meldrum Ryan C. , Young Jacob T. N. , Lehmann Peter S.
Published: July 2015

Significant attention has been directed at evaluating Gottfredson and Hirschi’s claim that parental socialization has a direct influence on self-control and an indirect influence on criminal behavior. Yet, only recently have researchers investigated the role parental self-control occupies in shaping these processes. To advance research in this area, the current study utilizes data collected on a sample of young adults ( n = 420) to examine how parental low self-control is related to parental socialization, young adult low self-control, and young adult offending. In support of the hypothesized model, the results of a structural equation model indicate the effect of parental low self-control on young adult low self-control is indirect through parental socialization, the effect of parental socialization on young adult offending is indirect through young adult low self-control, and the effect of parental low self-control on young adult offending is indirect through both parental socialization and young adult low self-control.
Biofuels
Authors: Massieu Trigo Yolanda Cristina , Acuña Rodarte Blanca Olivia
Published: July 2015

The production of biofuels in Mexico is a fledging project. Lack of planning, the obstacles presented by PEMEX, and the resistance of small farmers have limited their production. Even at this stage, however, some of its effects are increasingly clear: its socio-environmental violence affects the natural resources of peasants and indigenous communities. In addition, Mexico’s trade relationship with the United States, characterized by strong dependency, has affected its food sovereignty in that corn imports have become more expensive because of the increase in U.S. production of corn-derived ethanol.

La producción de agrocombustibles en México es un proyecto incipiente. La falta de planeación, los obstáculos por parte de PEMEX, así como la resistencia por parte de los campesinos han limitado su producción. Sin embargo, aún en esta fase incipiente se per-ciben claramente algunos de sus efectos, los cuales consideramos como violencia socio-ambiental, ya que en principio atentan contra los recursos naturales de territorios campesinos e indígenas. Por otro lado, la relación comercial de México con Estados Unidos, caracterizada por una fuerte dependencia, ha incidido en la soberanía alimentaria del primero, ya que las importaciones de maíz se han encarecido debido al incremento de la producción de etanol a partir de este cereal en la nación vecina.
Life at Both Ends of the Ladder
Authors: Kuppens Toon , Easterbrook Matthew J. , Spears Russell , Manstead Antony S. R.
Published: July 2015

Level of formal education is an important divide in contemporary societies; it is positively related to health, well-being, and social attitudes such as tolerance for minorities and interest in politics. We investigated whether education-based identification is a common underlying factor of these education effects. Indeed, education-based identification was stronger among the higher educated, especially for identification aspects that encompass education-based group esteem (i.e., the belief that one’s educational group is worthy and that others think so, too). Furthermore, while group esteem had beneficial effects across educational levels, aspects of identification that were unrelated to group esteem had positive effects for the higher educated but not for the less educated. Thus, the less educated do not benefit from the psychologically nourishing effect of identification that exists for other groups. The stigma and responsibility related to low education could be a common explanation for a wide range of outcomes.
Patterns of Value Change During the Life Span
Authors: Gouveia Valdiney V. , Vione Kátia C. , Milfont Taciano L. , Fischer Ronald
Published: July 2015

Little research has examined mean-level change in values across the life span. Using large cross-sectional data ( N = 36,845) from the five geo-social regions in Brazil, this study examines how mean levels of basic values differ as a function of age (from age 12 to 65; M = 28) and whether age effects are moderated by gender. Results show that mean-level value change is substantial throughout the life course. We observed both linear and curvilinear patterns of change as well as differential patterns by gender. The observed value change is consistent with age-related life circumstances and psychosocial development. Age effects are also value dependent, supporting the notion that values have different functions for different developmental stages.
Expediting Transition to Home Parenteral Nutrition With Fast‐Track Cycling
Authors: Austhof Sandra I. , DeChicco Robert , Cresci Gail , Corrigan Mandy L. , Lopez Rocio , Steiger Ezra , Kirby Donald F.
Published: July 2015

Background. Delivery of home parenteral nutrition (PN) is typically cycled over 12 hours. Discharge to home on PN is often delayed due to potential adverse events (AEs) associated with cycling PN. The purpose was to determine whether patients requiring long‐term PN can be cycled from 24 hours to 12 hours in 1 day instead of 2 days without increasing the risk of PN‐related AEs. Methods. Hospitalized patients receiving PN at goal calories infused over 24 hours without severe electrolyte or blood glucose abnormalities were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned to a 1‐step “fast‐track” protocol or 2‐step “standard” protocol. AEs were defined as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, new‐onset or worsening dyspnea, tachycardia, tachypnea, lower extremity or sacral edema, pulmonary edema, or abdominal ascites and were graded as minor or major. Results. In the 63 patients studied, the most prevalent PN‐related AE was hyperglycemia, occurring in 24.2% and 30.0% of patients in the fast‐track and standard groups, respectively. Overall, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of PN‐related minor AEs between fast‐track and standard groups (33.3% and 53.3%, P = .5). No major PN‐related AEs occurred in the fast‐track group, while 1 major PN‐related AE (pulmonary edema) occurred in the standard group. Conclusions. Fast‐track cycling is as safe as standard cycling in patients without diabetes mellitus or major organ dysfunction requiring long‐term PN. Fast‐track cycling could potentially expedite hospital discharge, resulting in decreased healthcare costs and improved patient satisfaction.
Clinically Relevant Mechanisms of Lipid Synthesis, Transport, and Storage
Authors: Kalish Brian T. , Fell Gillian L. , Nandivada Prathima , Puder Mark
Published: July 2015

Lipids not only are fundamental nutrients but also serve as basic structural components of cells and as multifunctional signaling molecules. Lipid metabolism pathways underlie basic processes in health and disease and are the targets of novel therapeutics. In this review, we explore the molecular control of lipid synthesis, trafficking, and storage, with a focus on clinically relevant pathways. To illustrate the clinical relevance of molecular lipid regulation, we highlight how these biochemical processes contribute to the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a component of the metabolic syndrome and a paradigmatic example of lipid dysregulation.
Past, Present, and Future of Lipid Resuscitation Therapy
Authors: Fettiplace Michael R. , Weinberg Guy
Published: July 2015

Lipid resuscitation therapy was identified in 1998 as an effective treatment for local anesthetic systemic toxicity in an animal model. Since the original observation, the field has progressed tremendously with successful clinical translation and expansion of use to treatment of other types of drug overdose. Recent work has expanded our understanding of the mechanism of this novel treatment, one that includes both a dynamic scavenging component and direct cardiotonic effect. In this review, we discuss the past, present, and future of lipid resuscitation therapy with a focus on our understanding of the mechanism and directions that the field is moving, both from a clinical and basic research side.
An Emotional Deliberation Approach to Risk
Authors: Roeser Sabine , Pesch Udo
Published: July 2015

Emotions are often met with suspicion in political debates about risky technologies, because they are seen as contrary to rational decision making. However, recent emotion research rejects such a dichotomous view of reason and emotion, by seeing emotions as an important source of moral insight. Moral emotions such as compassion and feelings of responsibility and justice can play an important role in judging ethical aspects of technological risks, such as justice, fairness, and autonomy. This article discusses how this idea can be integrated into approaches for political decision making about risk. The article starts with an analysis of the dichotomous view of reason and emotion in risk theory, in approaches to participatory risk assessment as well as in relevant approaches to political philosophy. This article then presents alternative approaches in political philosophy and political theory that do explicitly endorse the importance of emotions. Based on these insights, a procedural approach for policy making is presented, in which emotional responses to technological risks, and the ethical concerns that lie behind them, are taken seriously. This approach allows for morally better political decisions about risky technologies and a better understanding between experts and laypeople.
Classes of Individual Growth Trajectories of Religious Coping in Older Adulthood
Authors: Hayward R. David , Krause Neal
Published: July 2015

For many individuals, religion provides important cognitive resources for coping with stressors, especially in older adulthood. Although older adults are thought to make more use of these coping strategies than those at younger ages, less is known about how patterns of use change during the span of older adulthood. In a largely Christian sample of U.S. older adults, positive and negative religious coping were measured between 2 and 5 times over a period of 11 years ( N = 1,075). Growth mixture modeling extracted latent classes of growth. The optimal solution for positive coping indicated a five-class structure (high, stable; high, declining moderately; high, declining rapidly; low, increasing; and low, stable) and the optimal negative coping solution had three classes (low, declining; low, increasing; and high, declining). Nominal logistic regression examined the relationship of individual characteristics with latent class. Education, religious commitment, religious attendance, and religious doubt were related to positive coping trajectory class. Only religious doubt was related to negative coping class.
Late-Life Divorce and Postdivorce Adult Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Bowen Gary L. , Jensen Todd M.
Published: July 2015

Late-life divorce—divorce at 50 years and older—is an increasingly common event in the United States. Despite this trend, the conditions and outcomes for those involved in late-life divorce remain understudied. Drawing on Schlossberg’s transition theory, we assess four sets of risk and protective factors (i.e., situation, self, support, and coping strategies) that could influence the postdivorce life satisfaction of adults who experience late-life divorces. Using the data set of a nationally representative study, we obtained an analytical sample of 164 men and 145 women who reported a divorce at 50 years or older ( N = 309). Results from ordinary least squares regression analysis indicate few statistically significant effects from the sets of risk and protective factors entered in the second and third steps of the analysis. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Increasing Competitiveness for an Otolaryngology Residency
Authors: Kaplan Alyson B. , Riedy Katherine N. , Grundfast Kenneth M.
Published: July 2015

For graduating medical students, securing a residency in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery has become exceedingly difficult. This commentary explores the ways that applicants and residency programs are reacting to the increasing competitiveness in applying to, interviewing for, and matching to an otolaryngology residency. The commonly held perceptions of applicants are compared to perspectives held by residency program directors and resident selection committees. Unintended consequences of the growing trend for medical students to add a research year to their curriculum are presented. Some cautions and suggestions about how to improve the application and selection process are offered.
Polyglycolic acid mesh occlusion for postoperative bronchopleural fistula
Authors: Yamamoto Shinichi , Endo Shunsuke , Minegishi Kentaro , Shibano Tomoki , Nakano Tomoyuki , Tetsuka Kenji
Published: July 2015

Background

Postoperative bronchopleural fistula is one of the most life-threatening complications after anatomical pulmonary resection. Bronchopleural fistula may cause empyema and aspiration pneumonia with subsequent acute respiratory distress syndrome. Surgical interventions for bronchopleural fistula can prolong hospitalization and impair postoperative quality of life. Postoperative care requires minimally invasive endoscopic occlusion.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 7 patients who developed bronchopleural fistula among 689 patients who underwent segmentectomy or lobectomy without sleeve resection for lung cancer in Jichi Medical University from 2009 to 2013. Bronchopleural fistula occurred in the right lower bronchial stump in 3 patients, in the superior segmental bronchus of the right lower lobe in 2, in the superior segmental bronchus of the left lower lobe in one, and in the right intermediate bronchus in one. Flexible bronchoscopy was used to occlude 3-mm fistulas with polyglycolic acid mesh in 2 patients. Larger fistulas in 5 patients were occluded with polyglycolic acid mesh plus fibrin glue to secure the mesh. The median procedure was 37 min. Procedures were considered complete upon resolution of air leakage from the chest drainage system.

Results

Bronchoscopic interventions for bronchopleural fistula were repeated an average of 2 times. No procedure-related complications or death occurred. Bronchoscopic interventions were successful in all patients.

Conclusions

Bronchoscopic occlusion with polyglycolic acid mesh with or without fibrin glue is easy and feasible as the first step in postoperative management of bronchopleural fistula.
Cor-Knot automated fastener to facilitate Corex aortic valve bypass implantation
Authors: Di Giammarco Gabriele , Foschi Massimiliano , Di Mauro Michele
Published: July 2015

Herein we describe the use of an automated suture fastener (Cor-Knot), recently proposed for valvular surgery, in cases of aortic valve bypass with a Correx apical connector. This surgical option aims to control suture tension, avoid muscular tears, and standardize and simplify the implantation technique. We report the first 5 cases operated on using the new suturing technique.
Posttraumatic stress symptoms in palliative care professionals seeking mindfulness training: Prevalence and vulnerability
Authors: O’Mahony Sean , Gerhart James I , Grosse Johanna , Abrams Ira , Levy Mitchell M
Published: July 2015

Background:

Vicarious exposure to trauma is ubiquitous in palliative medicine. Repeated exposure to trauma may contribute to compassion fatigue and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in medical and supportive care professionals such as physicians, nurses, and social workers. These symptoms may be intensified among medical and supportive care professionals who use avoidant or rigid coping strategies.

Aim:

This study aimed to provide an estimate of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in a sample of professionals who work in palliative care settings, and have already been enrolled in mindfulness-based communication training.

Design:

Palliative care providers provided self-reported ratings of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression, and coping strategies using validated measures including the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire, and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist–Civilian Version.

Setting/participants:

A total of 21 professionals working with palliative care patients completed assessments prior to beginning mindfulness-based communication training.

Results:

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were prevalent in this sample of professionals; 42% indicated positive screens for significant posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and 33% indicated probable posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis.

Conclusion:

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms may be common among professionals working in palliative medicine. Professionals prone to avoidant coping and those with more rigid negative thought processes may be at higher risk for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Evidence for serotonin function as a neurochemical difference between fear and anxiety disorders in humans?
Authors: Corchs Felipe , Nutt David J , Hince Dana A , Davies Simon JC , Bernik Marcio , Hood Sean D
Published: July 2015

The relationships between serotonin and fear and anxiety disorders have been much studied yet many important questions remain, despite selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors having been the primary treatments for these disorders for some time. In order to explore this issue we performed a pooled analysis of six of our studies in remitted patients with a fear/anxiety disorder who were exposed to syndrome-specific aversive stimulation under acute tryptophan depletion. We based our analysis on the hypothesis that the inconsistencies observed in the studies could be predicted by Deakin and Graeff’s theory about the dual role of serotonin in responses to threats, whereby serotonin is critical to prevent fear (panic) but not anxiety. In accordance with this view, our results give support to a dissociation of the disorders traditionally grouped under fear and anxiety-related disorders in terms of different roles of serotonin in modulation of responses to aversive stimulation. Implications for future studies and psychiatric nosology are discussed.
Experimental and numerical study of strength mismatch in cross-weld tensile testing
Authors: Acar Murat O , Gungor Salih
Published: July 2015

The mechanical properties of welded boiler tubes used in power plants can be significantly altered as a result of the fabrication history, such as pre-straining and heat treatment. The primary aim of the study was to determine the effect of fabrication history on local tensile properties across the welds. This was achieved by testing cross-weld specimens machined from welded thin-walled tubes (with unstrained or pre-strained base metal) before and after heat treatment. Digital image correlation, which is a full-field strain measurement technique, was implemented in order to obtain the local stress–strain curves and to extract the corresponding local tensile properties such as offset proof stress. Evidence of strain hardening due to the constraint and thermo-mechanical cycles during the welding process was found in the heat-affected zone and evidence of softening was observed in the pre-strained base metal. It was found that the heat treatment process removed the effect of pre-straining and welding on the proof stress and the strength along the specimen was nearly homogenized. However, mapping the local stress–strain curves in the as-welded cross-weld specimens with pre-strained base metal has revealed abnormal strain relaxation with increase in load in the weld-affected region. For a better understanding of this behaviour, a tensile test of a cross-weld specimen with a large strength mismatch between the weld metal and the base metal was simulated using the finite element method. It was found that the strength mismatch in the specimen causes the development of biaxial stresses in the heat-affected zone once local yielding begins, and the use of global axial stress to construct the local stress–strain curve results in an apparent ‘reduced-strain’ anomaly. Nevertheless, for the strength mismatch ratios studied, this anomalous behaviour did not seem to significantly affect the determination of the local proof stress in the specimens.
Meniscus Suture Repair
Authors: Steadman J. Richard , Matheny Lauren M. , Singleton Steven B. , Johnson Nicholas S. , Rodkey William G. , Crespo Bernardo , Briggs Karen K.
Published: July 2015

Background:

Few studies have compared outcomes after meniscus suture repair in patients younger than 40 years versus patients 40 years and older.

Purpose:

To document failure rates and long-term outcomes after meniscus suture repair by a single surgeon, using the inside-out technique, at a minimum 10-year follow-up in patients younger than 40 years versus those 40 years and older.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

This study included all patients 18 years or older who underwent meniscus suture repair with the inside-out technique by a single surgeon between January 1992 and December 2003. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts according to age: <40 years (cohort 1) and ≥40 years (cohort 2). If patients underwent subsequent knee surgery, all subsequent reports, whether performed by the original treating surgeon or by a different surgeon elsewhere, were reviewed by 2 independent reviewers not involved in the primary care of the patients. Reviewers classified surgeries as failures if the subsequent surgery treated the same area of the meniscus as repaired in the index surgery. Patients completed a subjective questionnaire at minimum of 10 years after arthroscopy. Outcomes measures included Lysholm, Tegner, and patient satisfaction with outcome. All data were collected prospectively.

Results:

The surgeon performed 339 meniscus repairs between 1992 and 2003. The study included 181 knees in 178 patients, who had a mean age of 33 years (range, 18-70 years). Cohort 1 contained 136 knees; 16 patients (12%) were lost to follow-up and 47 (35%) underwent a subsequent knee arthroscopy. Cohort 2 contained 45 knees; 2 patients (4.4%) were lost to follow-up, 3 patients had a total knee arthroplasty, and 12 patients (28%) underwent a subsequent knee arthroscopy. In cohort 1, the meniscus repair failure rate was 5.5% (6/110), and in cohort 2 it was 5.3% (2/38) ( P = .927). There was no significant difference in failure rate based on which meniscus was repaired ( P = .257), concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction ( P = .092), or microfracture ( P = .674). Average follow-up time for cohort 1 was 16.1 years (range, 10.0-21.9 years), with 82% follow-up (n = 73/89); average follow-up time for cohort 2 was 16.2 years (range, 10.1-21.0 years), with 93% follow-up (n = 28/30). There were no significant differences in outcomes scores after meniscus suture repair based on age cohort or meniscus side, presence of an ACL tear, or concomitant microfracture procedure.

Conclusion:

Meniscus repair failure rate was not different in patients who were younger than 40 years versus those who were 40 years or older at time of meniscus index surgery. Patients who underwent meniscus suture repair had high function and high patient satisfaction at an average of 16 years after meniscus suture repair, and no differences were seen based on age.
Unbureaucratic Behavior among Street-Level Bureaucrats: The Case of the German State Police
Authors: Brockmann Julia
Published: July 2015

There is an increasing interest in the public management literature in questions related to street-level bureaucrats’ (SLBs) behaviors and attitudes and how these can be influenced. Complex and ambiguous working environments require SLBs to exercise discretion, and thereby bend rules to perform their daily tasks. This study identifies factors influencing SLBs’ rule-bending behaviors for procedural improvements. The concept of unbureaucratic behavior, defined as a rule-bending behavior for procedural improvements, serves as a theoretical basis. Relying on data of 1,003 enforcement officers from the German state police, this study’s findings indicate that SLBs’ unbureaucratic behavior can be influenced by stimulating employees’ voice behavior and their readiness for strategy. Surprisingly, SLBs’ access to resources does not significantly affect their exercise of unbureaucratic behavior.
Outcome of Early Juvenile Onset Metachromatic Leukodystrophy After Unrelated Cord Blood Transplantation: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Chen Xuqin , Gill Deepak , Shaw Peter , Ouvrier Robert , Troedson Christopher
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine whether transplantation of umbilical cord blood from unrelated donors before the development of symptoms could halt the progression of early juvenile onset cases of MLD in whom the disease was diagnosed based on the family history. Three asymptomatic children (aged 2 years 4 months, 2 years 8 months and 5 years 5 months, two of whom were sisters) underwent unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) and two untreated symptomatic siblings were included in the study. In 14-year and 6-year follow-ups after transplantation, clinical examination, ARSA enzyme levels, neurophysiological, neuroimaging, and psychological status were assessed. All three transplanted patients remain well, and the parameters evaluated remain stable. Of the treated patients, the two sisters had ongoing evidence of demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy on nerve conduction tests, and with a early sensorimotor neuropathy in the older sister , and the other patient has mild intellectual impairment. One of the two un-transplanted controls, 15 years after MLD diagnosis, has relentlessly progressed to full dependency with epilepsy, severe mental retardation, dystonic movements, dysphagia and recurrent respiratory problems. Six years after diagnosis, the other control has a slowly progressive course with spastic dystonic quadriplegia, epilepsy, dysphagia, continual drooling and incontinence. Our data show that, in comparison with their untreated siblings, UCBT significantly slowed the progression of the disease in the treated patients. We conclude that UCBT benefits children with pre-symptomatic early juvenile onset MLD by favourably altering the natural history of the disease.
Does the Subjective Global Assessment Predict Outcome in Critically Ill Medical Patients?
Authors: Bector Savita , Vagianos Kathy , Suh Miyoung , Duerksen Donald R.
Published: July 2015

Background:

The Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) is a validated nutrition assessment tool that is not commonly used to evaluate the nutritional status of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Objectives:

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in critically ill medical patients using the SGA and to determine whether the SGA was predictive of patient outcome.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed on 57 consecutive patients admitted to a single tertiary care medical ICU and requiring mechanical ventilation over a 6-month time period. All SGA assessments were performed by a single dietitian trained in this assessment technique. Multiple factors including patient demographics, severity of illness, length of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and mortality were abstracted from the charts.

Results:

The prevalence of malnutrition on admission as assessed by the SGA was 35%. Severity of illness as determined by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was not different between the SGA groups. Mortality rates were significantly higher in the moderately (45.5%) and severely malnourished (55.6%) groups than in the well-nourished group (10.8%; P = .004).

Conclusion:

Malnutrition on admission is common in critically ill medical patients. Malnutrition, as assessed by SGA at admission to ICU, is associated with increased mortality and thus can serve as a valuable prognostic tool in the assessment of critically ill patients. Given that that the SGA is a simple bedside assessment, it should be considered for routine use in assessing critically ill patients.
The Effect of Reflective Garden Walking on Adults With Increased Levels of Psychological Stress
Authors: McCaffrey Ruth , Liehr Patricia
Published: July 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this evaluation was to determine the benefits of a reflective garden walking program on adults with increased levels of psychological stress. Outcomes measured included levels of hopefulness, personal growth, and quality of life. Design: The evaluation used a one-group, pretest–posttest to determine the success of the Stroll for Well-Being to assist participants to overcome psychological stressors. Participants were recruited through local support groups. All participants signed informed consent to participate in the study program. A total of 195 participants completed the 6-week program, attended all meetings, and completed all measurement tools. Findings: All of the outcome measures statistically improved on the posttest compared to the pretest scores. The outcome measure that had the largest change in mean score was the Personal Growth Scale. Discussion: Holistic nursing as a specialty should continue to explore the use of green spaces and nature on patients. More research is needed to increase the amount of evidence regarding spending time in nature and using reflection and journaling as a tool to reconnect with the natural environment.
Attitude of Palestinian Nursing Students Toward Caring for Dying Patients
Authors: Abu-El-Noor Nasser Ibrahim , Abu-El-Noor Mysoon Khalikl
Published: July 2015

Death is a natural process that occurs each day. Some nursing students may encounter the experience of taking care of a dying patient while others do not. Therefore, their attitude toward death and caring for dying patients may vary. The purpose of this study was to assess Palestinian student nurses’ attitudes toward death and caring for dying patients and their families. In a cross-sectional, descriptive study, all fourth-year students at the College of Nursing, Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine, were invited to participate in this study. A total of 141 students completed the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale Form B (FATCOD-B). Results revealed that the mean score on the FATCOD-B was (96.96 ± 8.30). Overall, nursing students in the sample demonstrated a relatively low attitude toward caring for dying patients and their families. No statistically significant differences of students’ attitudes toward caring for dying patients were found between male and female students nor between students who attended death cases and those who did not. The results suggest that theoretical nursing education should place more emphasis on palliative care to improve the quality of care at the end of life.
New concept to aid efficient fibre integration into metal matrices during ultrasonic consolidation
Authors: Masurtschak Simona , Friel Ross J , Harris Russell A
Published: July 2015

Ultrasonic consolidation has been shown to be a viable metal-matrix-based smart composite additive layer manufacturing process. Yet, high quantity fibre integration has presented the requirement for a method of accurate positioning and fibre protection to maintain the fibre layout during ultrasonic consolidation. This study presents a novel approach for fibre integration during ultrasonic consolidation: channels are manufactured by laser processing on an ultrasonically consolidated sample. At the same time, controlled melt ejection is applied to aid accurate fibre placement and simultaneously reducing fibre damage occurrences. Microscopic, scanning electron microscopic and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analyses are used for samples containing up to 10.5% fibres, one of the highest volumes in an ultrasonically consolidated composite so far. Up to 98% of the fibres remain in the channels after consolidation and fibre damage is reduced to less than 2% per sample. This study furthers the knowledge of high volume fibre embedment via ultrasonic consolidation for future smart material manufacturing.
Performance assessment of MQSL: Minimum quantity solid lubricant during turning of Inconel 718
Authors: Marques A , Narala Suresh Kumar Reddy , Machado AR , Gunda Rakesh Kumar , Josyula Sravan Kumar , Da Silva RB , Da Silva MB
Published: July 2015

Abundant application of cutting fluids may increase production cost and cause environmental and health damages, particularly when not properly managed. Thus, alternative measures are needed to overcome the difficulties of using cutting fluids. If sustainable and ecological manufacturing aspects are envisaged, any attempt to improve the machinability of such difficult-to-machine material is always welcome. In this direction, this research work aims to develop experimental set-up as a possible approach to fostering sustainability in metal cutting lubrication to supply solid lubricant at minimum quantity and also to study the effect of applying solid lubricant (molybdenum disulphide and graphite) mixed with oil, during turning of Inconel 718 using cemented carbide tools. The concentration of the solid lubricant in the fluid and the flow rate of the mixture were varied to analyse the main output parameters such as surface roughness, cutting forces and tool life. Experimental findings of this study show that minimum quantity solid lubricant consisting of molybdenum disulphide and oil mixture performed better, and therefore, it may be considered to be a cost-effective and environmental-friendly lubrication technique than flood coolant and sprayed oil with or without graphite to retard all types of damaging processes and to improve machinability characteristics of Inconel 718.
Effect of powder metallurgy Cu-B4C electrodes on workpiece surface characteristics and machining performance of electric discharge machining
Authors: Cogun Can , Esen Ziya , Genc Asim , Cogun Ferah , Akturk Nizami
Published: July 2015

The main aim of this study is to produce new powder metallurgy (PM) Cu-B4C composite electrode (PM/(Cu-B4C)) capable of alloying the recast workpiece surface layer during electric discharge machining process with boron and other hard intermetallic phases, which eventually yield high hardness and abrasive wear resistance. The surface characteristics of the workpiece machined with a PM/(Cu-B4C) electrode consisted of 20 wt% B4C powders were compared with those of solid electrolytic copper (E/Cu) and powder metallurgy pure copper (PM/Cu) electrodes. The workpiece surface hardness, surface abrasive wear resistance, depth of the alloyed surface layer and composition of alloyed layers were used as key parameters in the comparison. The workpiece materials, which were machined with PM/(Cu-B4C) electrodes, exhibited significantly higher hardness and abrasive wear resistance than those of machined with the E/Cu and PM/Cu. The main reason was the presence of hard intermetallic phases, such as FeB, B4C (formed due to the boron in the electrode) and Fe3C in the surface layer. The improvement of the surface hardness achieved for steel workpiece when using PM/(Cu-B4C) electrodes was significantly higher than that reported in the literature. Moreover, the machining performance outputs (workpiece material removal rate, electrode wear rate and workpiece average surface roughness (Ra)) of the electrodes were also considered in this study.
Structure design and experimental study on single-bimorph double-acting check-valve piezoelectric pump
Authors: Zeng Ping , Li Li’an , Dong Jingshi , Cheng Guangming , Kan Junwu , Xu Feng
Published: July 2015

A novel piezoelectric pump called single-bimorph double-acting check-valve piezoelectric pump was proposed in this paper in order to improve the output performance of the single-bimorph single-chamber piezoelectric membrane pump. The constituent parts of the newly designed piezoelectric pump have no difference with the single-bimorph single-chamber check-valve piezoelectric membrane pump except the structural difference of the pump body. There are two serial-connection pump chambers which are formed by the two sides of the piezoelectric bimorph and the pump body of the newly designed piezoelectric pump. The new piezoelectric pump was fabricated, and output performance was experimentally investigated. The maximum flow rate against zero back pressure of the new pump was 318 ml/min and the pumping pressure reached 40.5 kPa at the operating voltage of 90 V. The output power was roughly twice that of the single-bimorph single-chamber check-valve piezoelectric membrane pump. The testing results proved that the new piezoelectric pump could enhance the output performance and the energy conversion efficiency of the piezoelectric bimorph comparing with the single-bimorph single-chamber check-valve piezoelectric membrane pump.
Modeling of a railway vehicle travelling through a turnout
Authors: dos Santos Guilherme FM , Barbosa Roberto S
Published: July 2015

Speed and safety are two key objectives in the operation of a railway. On double-line railways, such as the Estrada de Ferro Vitoria Minas (EFVM), a critical situation occurs when a train changes between lines, this should occur at the maximum allowed speed. However, the iron ore trains consisting of GDE-type wagons that operate on the EFVM perform this operation at 60 km/h, which is 5 km/h less than the maximum speed allowed under normal operating conditions. Thus, the brakes need to be applied over a long distance before the turnout in order to reduce the speed. A number of field tests were conducted in order to determine the actual maximum safe speed for traffic on a crossover (or turnout). This paper presents the results of computer simulations using NUCARS®. The GDE wagons and the characteristics of the track geometry were modeled. Several cases were simulated, with variations of parameters of the wagons, such as side bearing clearance and wheel profile. The results of the computer simulations were compared to the results from the field tests. Good correlation was found between them, indicating that the maximum speed of the GDE wagons running on the turnout might be open to review.
Stability analysis of a visibility-reduced monocopter
Authors: Kang Shen , Wang Jianan , Shan Jiayuan
Published: July 2015

Visibility-reduced monocopter is a single-winged rotorcraft involved with the concept of invisibility due to the persistence of vision. While spinning, it is highly deceptive to human observer since it has no stationary part and the center of mass is outside to the aircraft frame. In this paper, 6-degrees of freedom (6-DOF) dynamics of this type of monocopters are established based on the blade element momentum theory. In light of stability criterion, the rotational stability is guaranteed by the analysis of analytical solutions of the motion. Through the analysis of stability region, the designing criteria for inertia, blade geometry, and static stability margin are provided as well. In the end, the phenomenon of forced oscillation in a translational flight is mathematically derived under a simplified circumstance, and the phase lag is verified by the simulation results.
Costly Signaling Increases Trust, Even Across Religious Affiliations
Authors: Hall Deborah L. , Cohen Adam B. , Meyer Kaitlin K. , Varley Allison H. , Brewer Gene A.
Published: July 2015

Trust is a critical aspect of social interaction. One might predict that individuals trust religious out-groups less than religious in-groups, and that costly signals performed by members of religious in-groups increase trust while costly signals performed by members of religious out-groups decrease trust. We examined how Christian participants perceived the trustworthiness of Muslim and Christian individuals who did or did not engage in religious costly signaling. Religious costly signaling, operationalized as giving to religious charities (Experiments 1 and 2) or adhering to religious dietary restrictions (Experiment 3), increased self-reported trust, regardless of target religious affiliation. Furthermore, when estimating the likelihood that trustworthy versus untrustworthy targets engaged in costly signaling, participants made systematic judgments that showed that costly signaling is associated with trust for both Muslim and Christian targets (Experiment 4). These results are novel in their suggestion that costly signals of religious commitment can increase trust both within and, crucially, across religious-group lines.
Why Wealthier People Think People Are Wealthier, and Why It Matters
Authors: Dawtry Rael J. , Sutton Robbie M. , Sibley Chris G.
Published: July 2015

The present studies provide evidence that social-sampling processes lead wealthier people to oppose redistribution policies. In samples of American Internet users, wealthier participants reported higher levels of wealth in their social circles (Studies 1a and 1b). This was associated, in turn, with estimates of higher mean wealth in the wider U.S. population, greater perceived fairness of the economic status quo, and opposition to redistribution policies. Furthermore, results from a large-scale, nationally representative New Zealand survey revealed that low levels of neighborhood-level socioeconomic deprivation—an objective index of wealth within participants’ social circles—mediated the relation between income and satisfaction with the economic status quo (Study 2). These findings held controlling for relevant variables, including political orientation and perceived self-interest. Social-structural inequalities appear to combine with social-sampling processes to shape the different political attitudes of wealthier and poorer people.