bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endocrine Pancreas in Cats With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zini E. , Lunardi F. , Zanetti R. , Heller R. S. , Coppola L. M. , Ferro S. , Guscetti F. , Osto M. , Lutz T. A. , Reusch C. E. , Cavicchioli L.
Published: June 2015

Pancreatic amyloidosis and loss of α and β cells have been shown to occur in cats with diabetes mellitus, although the number of studies currently available is very limited. Furthermore, it is not known whether pancreatic islet inflammation is a common feature. The aims of the present study were to characterize islet lesions and to investigate whether diabetic cats have inflammation of the pancreatic islets. Samples of pancreas were collected postmortem from 37 diabetic and 20 control cats matched for age, sex, breed, and body weight. Histologic sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Congo red; double labeled for insulin/CD3, insulin/CD20, insulin/myeloperoxidase, insulin/proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and glucagon/Ki67; and single labeled for amylin and Iba1. Mean insulin-positive cross-sectional area was approximately 65% lower in diabetic than control cats ( P = .009), while that of amylin and glucagon was similar. Surprisingly, amyloid deposition was similar between groups ( P = .408). Proliferation of insulin- and glucagon-positive cells and the number of neutrophils, macrophages, and T (CD3) and B (CD20) lymphocytes in the islets did not differ. The presence of T and B lymphocytes combined tended to be more frequent in diabetic cats ( n = 8 of 37; 21.6%) than control cats ( n = 1 of 20; 5.0%). The results confirm previous observations that loss of β cells but not α cells occurs in diabetic cats. Islet amyloidosis was present in diabetic cats but was not greater than in controls. A subset of diabetic cats had lymphocytic infiltration of the islets, which might be associated with β-cell loss.
Buckling of axially loaded sandwich composite panels with reinforced calcium silicate faces and polyurethane cores
Authors: Tang Zhirong , Zha Xiaoxiong , Ma Jinquan
Published: June 2015

This paper investigates the buckling properties of a new building sandwich composite panel composed of two fiber-reinforced calcium silicate faces and a formed polyurethane core material. In order to predict the global buckling load of sandwich panels subjected to axial loads, the buckling formulae are theoretically derived and suggested in design. Using the method of effective length factor, both buckling formulae for fixed–fixed sandwich panel and hinged–hinged one are unified into the same form. The buckling formulae are verified by axial load tests, finite element (FE) software ABAQUS. Comparing the theoretical formula derived with FE modeling results, a good agreement is obtained and this illustrates the accuracy of the unified formula. To analyze the influence of both geometrical and material parameters on the buckling load, a sensitivity analysis is conducted. The results show that boundary condition, length, and total thickness have large influence on buckling load. The core shear modulus has large influence on buckling load of short sandwich panels and this influence becomes less important with the increasing length. The accuracy degree of theoretical result in hinged condition is mainly affected by length and initial geometric imperfection. The variation of core shear modulus has little effect on error.
Older Adults’ Perceptions of Fall Detection Devices
Authors: Chaudhuri Shomir , Kneale Laura , Le Thai , Phelan Elizabeth , Rosenberg Dori , Thompson Hilaire , Demiris George
Published: June 2015

A third of adults over the age of 65 are estimated to fall at least once a year. Perhaps as dangerous as the fall itself is the time spent after a fall if the person is unable to move. Although there are many devices available to detect when a person has fallen, little is known about the opinions of older adults regarding these fall detection devices (FDDs). We conducted five focus groups with 27 older adults. Transcripts from sessions were coded to generate themes that captured participants’ perceptions. Themes were identified that related to two topics of interest: (a) personal influences on the participants’ desire to have a FDD, including perceived need, participant values, and cost, and (b) participant recommendations regarding specific features and functionalities of these devices such as automation, wearable versus non-wearable devices, and device customization. Together, these themes suggest ways in which FDDs may be improved so that they are suitable for their intended population.
“I Mean, We’re Guys”
Authors: Arbeit Miriam R. , Hershberg Rachel M. , Johnson Sara K. , Lerner Jacqueline V. , Lerner Richard M.
Published: June 2015

For young men, the transition to adulthood may be a time of heightened adherence to traditional gender roles and norms of masculinity. However, recent research with young men in gender-specific contexts has indicated that some contexts support a construction of masculinity that is more inclusive. Through a theoretical thematic analysis of interviews with young men in their first week at an all-male trade school, we explored if and how participants talked about gender and its role in their lives, how these discussions of gender may reflect individual gender ideologies, and how these discussions may inform participants’ experiences in particular developmental contexts. The themes we identified included the following: Becoming a man as an active process, experiences of male embodiment of size and strength, intersections of school identity and being a man, students’ perceptions of their all-male school environment and what it means to not have female classmates, and their reflections on the parts of themselves they see as feminine. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research with adolescents and young adults in relation to gender, relationships, and professional development.
A Call to Action to Bring Safer Parenteral Micronutrient Products to the U.S. Market
Authors: Vanek Vincent W. , Borum Peggy , Buchman Alan , Fessler Theresa A. , Howard Lyn , Shenkin Alan , Valentine Christina J. ,   Novel Nutrient Task Force, Parenteral Vitamin and Trace Element Working Group; and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.), Vanek Vincent W. , Borum Peggy , Buchman Alan , Fessler Theresa A. , Howard Lyn , Shenkin Alan , Valentine Christina J.
Published: June 2015

The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) started an intensive review of commercially available parenteral vitamin and trace element (TE) products in 2009. The chief findings were that adult multi‐TE products currently available in the United States (U.S.) provide potentially toxic amounts of manganese, copper, and chromium, and neonatal/pediatric multi‐TE products provide potentially toxic amounts of manganese and chromium. The multivitamin products appeared safe and effective; however, a separate parenteral vitamin D product is needed for those patients on standard therapy who continue to be vitamin D depleted and are unresponsive to oral supplements. The review process also extended to parenteral choline and carnitine. Although choline and carnitine are not technically vitamins or trace elements, choline is an essential nutrient in all age groups, and carnitine is an essential nutrient in infants, according to the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine. A parenteral choline product needs to be developed and available. Efforts are currently under way to engage the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the parenteral nutrient industry so A.S.P.E.N.'s recommendations can become a commercial reality.
Sexual Violence Among Middle School Students: The Effects of Gender and Dating Experience
Authors: Levine Ethan
Published: June 2015

Sexual violence has been increasingly recognized as a social, rather than strictly individual or family, problem. Unfortunately, providers and policymakers remain divided on the scope and causes of sexual violence, which limits their capacity to develop theory- and evidence-based responses. Such limitations are particularly pronounced in regards to children and adolescents. These youth are rarely addressed in the literature, and when they are, scholars tend to focus on adult victimization of children rather than children’s victimization of their peers. This study investigates the prevalence of unwanted sexual contact among middle students. Data are from a sample of 1,371 students attending New York City public middle schools. Drawing from current antiviolence curricula and scholarly literature on sexual violence, gender and dating experience are used as predictors of victimization and perpetration; race, age, and prior exposure to antiviolence programming are included as controls. Data reveal that, while boys’ violence towards girls comprises a substantial proportion of sexual violence in this population, same-sex violence and girls’ violence towards boys are also prevalent. Analyses conclude with recommendations for future antiviolence programming based on these patterns.
Friction compensation using Coulomb friction model with zero velocity crossing estimator for a force controlled model in the loop suspension test rig
Authors: Eamcharoenying Pooh , Hillis Andy , Darling Jos
Published: June 2015

This paper presents a method of friction compensation for a linear electric motor in a model in the loop suspension test rig. The suspension consists of a numerically modeled spring and damper, with inputs of suspension motion. The linear motor is force controlled using a force sensor to track the output of the numerical model. The method uses a Coulomb friction model and applies a feedforward step signal when velocity zero crossing occurs. Velocity zero crossing estimation is achieved using an algorithm based on measured feedback velocity and force. Experimental results indicate reduction of force tracking error caused by Coulomb friction leading to improved test rig accuracy.
Experimental and theoretical studies on piezoelectric energy harvesting from low-frequency ambient random vibrations
Authors: Karimi M , Tikani R , Ziaei-Rad S , Mirdamadi HR
Published: June 2015

In this paper, an analytical approach was used to formulate for gathering energy from ambient sources of vibrations. The apparatus consists of a cantilevered beam harvester with a piezoelectric patch. A coupled electromechanical modal model based on Euler–Bernoulli theory is used. The governing equations were extracted using Hamilton’s principle and then were discretized by using the Rayleigh–Ritz approach. The expected value of the electrical power output was obtained for a weakly stationary, Gaussian bandpass with zero mean base excitation. Next, a numerical solution for the beam under band-limited ambient random acceleration as the input was calculated and validated by experiment. The numerical results closely correlated to the experimental data with a deviation of about 10%.
Numerically and statistically stable Kalman filter for INS/GNSS integration
Authors: Liu Ming , Chang Guobin
Published: June 2015

This paper addresses the numerical and statistical stability in the integration of inertial navigation system and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) using Kalman filter (KF). Due to the different units used in horizontal and vertical components of the geodetic (curvilinear) coordinates in the vicinity of the earth’s surface, i.e. radians in the former and meters in the latter, the covariance of the innovation vector in KF, which should be inversed, can be ill-conditioned, resulting in severe numerical instability. A simple rescaling method is proposed to address this problem, specifically, the horizontal components of the positioning error, i.e. the latitude and longitude errors are rescaled by multiplying the average radius of the earth and hence the covariance of the state, and the state space model should be modified accordingly. This method is applicable on most of the earth surface except for two small regions near the poles. Due to the multipath and/or jamming effect under some adverse circumstances, the GNSS measurements are prone to outliers which will degrade the KF’s performance severely. A robust refinement to the KF based on Chi-square test and covariance inflation is proposed to make the integration outlier-resistant, and specifically, in the presence of GNSS measurements, a Chi-square test is carried out to detect outlier, and once detected, the outlier is less weighted by inflating the covariance of the innovation vector, and the inflating factor is solved in closed form. Simulation results validate the efficacy of the proposed method.
Performance investigation of a pulse detonation turbine engine
Authors: Jie Lu , Longxi Zheng , hua Qiu , Zeyang Xu , Xiaoyao Duan
Published: June 2015

In order to obtain the performance of a pulse detonation turbine engine (PDTE) and compare the PDTE performance with the traditional turbine engine performance, analytical and experimental investigations were conducted in the present work. Ideal thermodynamic cycle analysis was firstly carried out to obtain the upper performance limit of both the PDTE cycle and the Brayton cycle-based engines. A simplified analytical model and a liquid-fueled dual tube PDTE system were built up in order to study the real performance of the PDTE. Thrust performance of the PDTE system was obtained under a self-aspirated mode. The calculated thrust performance based on the simplified analytical model was compared with the experimental data to verify the reliability of the simplified analytical model. Additionally, the specific thrust and specific fuel consumption (SFC) of the PDTE system were compared with the ideal performance of the PDTE cycle and the Baryton cycle-based engines. The results indicate that the ideal PDTE performance is much better than the traditional turbine engine performance. The dual tube PDTE system can be successfully operated at frequencies from 10 Hz to 20 Hz under the self-aspirated mode, indicating the feasibility of the PDTE concept. The simplified analytical model could estimate the real performance of the PDTE if proper losses were being taking into consideration. The specific thrust of the PDTE system is higher than that of the ideal Brayton cycle-based engines, while the SFC is much lower. When an ejector was used for thrust augmentation, the performance could be largely increased. It proves the performance advantages of the PDTE over the traditional turbine engine experimentally for the first time.
Developing new models of shared primary and specialist HIV care in the UK: a survey of current practice
Authors: Hutchinson Jane , Sutcliffe Loma J , Williams Andy J , Estcourt Claudia S
Published: June 2015

HIV care in the UK is led by hospital-based specialists with limited general practitioner (GP) involvement. As GPs have expertise in some non-microbial HIV-associated co-morbidities (e.g. cardiovascular disease), and more people are disclosing their HIV status to their GPs, there could be benefits in sharing HIV care. We describe contemporary models of shared HIV care in relevant developed world settings to inform future shared HIV care in the UK. An interview survey of key informants was used to explore experiences and models of shared care, and identify promoting and inhibiting factors. We interviewed ten key informants from six shared care models. There were three broad categories of shared care, with varying degrees of GP involvement. Strong clinical leadership in primary care, good professional relationships and communication, and tailored GP training were facilitators. Barriers included stigma, confidentiality concerns, and low prevalence of HIV outside major conurbations. Contemporary shared HIV care models have emerged organically and seem to work when grounded in good collaboration between a small number of dedicated GPs and specialist units. We propose two models for further study which may only be feasible in high HIV caseload practices. User acceptability, clinical and cost effectiveness must be considered.
Effects of Violent-Video-Game Exposure on Aggressive Behavior, Aggressive-Thought Accessibility, and Aggressive Affect Among Adults With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Engelhardt Christopher R. , Mazurek Micah O. , Hilgard Joseph , Rouder Jeffrey N. , Bartholow Bruce D.
Published: June 2015

Recent mass shootings have prompted the idea among some members of the public that exposure to violent video games can have a pronounced effect on individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Empirical evidence for or against this claim has been missing, however. To address this issue, we assigned adults with and without ASD to play a violent or nonviolent version of a customized first-person shooter video game. After they played the game, we assessed three aggression-related outcome variables (aggressive behavior, aggressive-thought accessibility, and aggressive affect). Results showed strong evidence that adults with ASD, compared with typically developing adults, are not differentially affected by acute exposure to violent video games. Moreover, model comparisons provided modest evidence against any effect of violent game content whatsoever. Findings from this experiment suggest that societal concerns that exposure to violent games may have a unique effect on adults with autism are not supported by evidence.
Sediment fingerprinting and the mode of formation of singular and composite annual moraine ridges at two glacier margins, Jotunheimen, southern Norway
Authors: Hiemstra John F , Matthews John A , Evans David JA , Owen Geraint
Published: June 2015

Sedimentary variation within and between annual moraine ridges formed at Storbreen and Styggedalsbreen, Jotunheimen, during the 1980s and 1990s is investigated with a focus on processes and mechanisms of moraine-ridge formation. Tops and bottoms of sediment slabs, deposited either as single annual moraines or incorporated into composite moraine ridges formed of several annual increments, were analysed and compared with possible source sediments with a view to sediment fingerprinting. Clast roundness and shape indicated mainly subglacial sediment origins while textural variability was mainly inherited from proglacial sediment sources, and macrofabrics and micromorphological characteristics revealed overprinting by various glaciofluvial, glaciolacustrine and periglacial processes. The evidence suggests one dominant mechanism of moraine-ridge formation involving the annual freeze-on and subsequent melt-out of overridden proglacial sediment slabs. This mechanism provides the basis of a simple model encompassing both singular and composite annual moraine-ridge formation, which appears appropriate for temperate glacier snouts characterized by deep seasonally frozen ground, close to the lower altitudinal limit of the zone of alpine permafrost.
Borderline tuberculoid leprosy in childhood onset systemic lupus erythematosus patient
Authors: Lopes V A P , Lourenço D M R , Guariento A , Trindade M A , Avancini J , Silva C A
Published: June 2015

Leprosy is a contagious and chronic systemic granulomatous disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. To our knowledge, no case of leprosy in a childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (c-SLE) patient has been reported. For a period of 31 years, 312 c-SLE patients were followed at the Pediatric Rheumatology Unit of our University Hospital. One of them (0.3%) had tuberculoid leprosy skin lesions during the disease course and is here reported. A 10-year-old boy from Northwest of Brazil was diagnosed with c-SLE based on malar rash, photosensitivity, oral ulcers, lymphopenia, proteinuria, positive antinuclear antibodies, anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-Sm and anti-Ro/SSA autoantibodies. He was treated with prednisone, hydroxychloroquine and intravenous cyclophosphamide, followed by mycophenolate mofetil. At 12-years-old, he presented asymmetric skin lesions characterized by erythematous plaques with elevated external borders and hypochromic center with sensory loss. Peripheral nerve involvement was not evidenced. No history of familial cases of leprosy was reported, although the region where the patient resides is considered to be endemic for leprosy. Skin biopsy revealed a well-defined tuberculoid form. A marked thickening of nerves was observed, often destroyed by granulomas, without evidence of Mycobacterium leprae bacilli. At that time, the SLEDAI-2K score was 4 and he had been receiving prednisone 15 mg/day, hydroxychloroquine 200 mg/day and mycophenolate mofetil 3 g/day. Paucibacillary treatment for leprosy with dapsone and rifampicine was also introduced. In conclusion, we have reported a rare case of leprosy in the course of c-SLE. Leprosy should always be considered in children and adolescents with lupus who present skin abnormalities, particularly with hypoesthesic or anesthesic cutaneous lesions.
Alternations of salivary antioxidant enzymes in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Zaieni S H , Derakhshan Z , Sariri R
Published: June 2015

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with chronic systemic inflammation. Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE. An increase in free radicals or an impaired antioxidant defense system in SLE causes oxidative stress. Therefore, oxidative damage plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE. Variations in antioxidant activity have been previously studied in serum of patients with this disease. However, salivary factors have not been evaluated. Considering that saliva, the noninvasive biological fluid, could be a reflection of the state of health, the purpose of this study was evaluation of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in the saliva of patients with SLE. During the course of the practical part of the project, 30 patients with SLE and 30 healthy controls were selected to donate their saliva samples. After centrifugation of un-stimulated saliva, biological activity of POD, CAT and SOD were evaluated on their appropriate substrates using spectrophotometric methods and the results were statistically analyzed. The results showed that activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT were significantly reduced in saliva of SLE patients as compared to controls. The results suggest that antioxidant status was impaired in the saliva of SLE patients, and antioxidant status of saliva could be one of the non-invasive markers for SLE.
Cause-specific quantile residual life regression
Authors: Lim Jeong Youn , Jeong Jong-Hyeon
Published: June 2015

We propose a cause-specific quantile residual life regression where the cause-specific quantile residual life, defined as the inverse of the cumulative incidence function of the residual life distribution of a specific type of events of interest conditional on a fixed time point, is log-linear in observable covariates. The proposed test statistic for the effects of prognostic factors does not involve estimation of the improper probability density function of the cause-specific residual life distribution under competing risks. The asymptotic distribution of the test statistic is derived. Simulation studies are performed to assess the finite sample properties of the proposed estimating equation and the test statistic. The proposed method is illustrated with a real dataset from a clinical trial on breast cancer.
Newborn screening blood spot analysis in the UK: influence of spot size, punch location and haematocrit
Authors: Lawson AJ , Bernstone L , Hall SK
Published: June 2015

Objective

In dried blood spot analysis, punch location and variations in applied sample volume and haematocrit can produce different measured concentrations of analytes. We investigated the magnitude of these effects in newborn screening in the UK.

Methods

Heparinized blood spiked with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), phenylalanine, tyrosine, leucine, methionine, octanoyl carnitine (C8), and immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) was spotted onto filter paper: (i) at a constant haematocrit of 50% at various volumes, and (ii) at a range of haematocrits using a constant volume. Subpunches (3.2 mm) of the dried blood spots were then analysed.

Results

Compared with a central punch from a 50 µL blood spot with 50% haematocrit, 10 µL spots can have significantly lower measured concentrations of all analytes, with decreases of 15% or more observed for leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine. Punching at the edge of a spot can increase measured concentrations up to 35%. Higher haematocrit decreased measured TSH and C8 yet increased amino acids and IRT by 15% compared with 50% haematocrit. Lower haematocrits had the opposite effect, but only with higher concentrations of some analytes.

Conclusions

Differences in blood spot size, haematocrit and punch location substantially affect measured concentrations for analytes used in the UK newborn screening programme, and this could affect false positive and negative rates. To minimize analytical bias, these variables should be controlled or adjusted for where possible.
A Validation Study of the Revised Personal Safety Decision Scale
Authors: Kim HaeJung , Hopkins Karen M.
Published: June 2015

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to examine the reliability and validity of an 11-item Personal Safety Decision Scale (PSDS) in a sample of child welfare workers.

Methods:

Data were derived from a larger cross-sectional online survey to a random stratified sample of 477 public child welfare workers in a mid-Atlantic State. An exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to examine the construct validity of the revised scale.

Results:

Results indicated the presence of a two-factor structure in PSDS. CFA resulted in a revised 7-item, two-factor structure. The revised PSDS internal consistency reliability was .78.

Conclusions:

A valid and reliable measure can be useful for assessing the level of perceived home visit risks that child welfare social workers may experience. The scale can be used to explore the risk and protective factors and worker behaviors that surround workers’ safety concerns.
Epithelioid Osteosarcoma of the Maxilla
Authors: ALQahtani Dalal , AlSheddi Manal , Al-Sadhan Ra’ed
Published: June 2015

Epithelioid osteosarcoma is an uncommon variant; only 4 cases have been reported in the jaw area, 2 of which were in the maxilla. A 22-year-old woman, in the eighth month of pregnancy, presented to the oral surgery clinic with a mass in the right maxilla that had rapidly expanded over the past 3 months. Computed tomography scans showed an ill-defined sclerotic destructive lesion that formed bone matrix in its soft tissue extension. Microscopic examination of the lesion revealed malignant epithelioid cells with osteoid deposits. The tumor cells were shown to have pale cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei, and prominent nucleoli and to undergo frequent mitosis. In addition, the tumor was positive for epithelial membrane antigen and vimentin and negative for AE1/AE3, Melan-A, CD30, synaptophysin, NSE, CD45, CD99, desmin, and myogenin. The final diagnosis was epithelioid osteosarcoma, which is a rare aggressive variant of osteosarcoma. Few cases of epithelioid osteosarcoma have been reported in the literature, and more studies are required to determine the clinical behavior of this tumor.
Mediastinal Mature Teratoma With Malignant Carcinomatous Transformation (Somatic-Type Malignancy) With Metastatic Course
Authors: Habougit Cyril , Yvorel Violaine , Sulaiman Abdulrazzaq , Hag Bachir , Péoc’h Michel , Forest Fabien
Published: June 2015

We report the case of a 76-year-old patient presenting with an anterior mediastinal heterogeneous mass. Surgical biopsy revealed a solid and cystic lesion filled with hair. Pathological examination showed an atypical papillary epithelial lining without other germ cell tumor or immature teratoma associated. The final diagnosis was a mature teratoma of the mediastinum with somatic-type malignancy (carcinomatous transformation). After 8-month follow-up, subcutaneous and lymph node metastatic lesions of the carcinomatous component were identified. Subtyping of the malignant component within germ cell tumors is an important challenge for therapeutic options and prognosis.
Suppression of nonlinear aeroelastic vibration of a wing/store under gust effects using an adaptive-robust controller
Authors: Fazelzadeh SA , Azadi M , Azadi E
Published: June 2015

In this paper, a nonlinear active control scheme is applied to suppress the flutter vibration of a wing/store. The system is considered as a two dimensional airfoil with attached store. The nonlinear aero-servo-elastic model of the system is obtained based on the Lagrange's formulation. The proposed active pylon involves the piezoelectric wafer strut as the actuator. The aero loads are modeled using Theodorsen function. A gust disturbance model is also added to the system governing equations of motion. An adaptive-robust control scheme is used to suppress the flutter vibration of the wing/store system. The proposed adaptive-robust controller is a composition of the adaptive and robust controllers and so can be considered as a useful controller in presence of unknown parameter uncertainty and disturbances. Finally, the system is simulated and the controller is applied to the system to control the flutter vibrations. The results illustrate the high performance and effectiveness of the controller.
Gender, Political Rhetoric, and Moral Metaphors in State of the City Addresses
Authors: Holman Mirya R.
Published: June 2015

Politicians and leaders use metaphors and frames in political communication to provide citizens with meaning, persuade, and promote emotional reactions. At the same time, a large body of scholarship documents the propensity for female leaders to “speak in a different voice” when in political office. Research to date on policy metaphors, however, rarely compares male and female leaders’ use of metaphors or evaluates the use of these metaphors in local politics. Using State of the City addresses from 16 cities to evaluate the connection between policy agendas, metaphors, and mayoral gender, I find that male and female leaders emphasize similar issues in their speeches, but use different frames to present these issues, with female leaders using more nurturing framing than do male leaders. In addition, while both male and female mayors emphasize economic development as the central issue in their speeches, female mayors use more inclusive framing in these discussions.
Health Care Assistants in Home Nursing
Authors: De Vliegher Kristel , Declercq Anja , Aertgeerts Bert , Moons Philip
Published: June 2015

What are the experiences of home health care workers with regard to the delegation of nursing activities, the supervision of health care assistants (HCAs), and the impact of these changes on the work of home nurses (HNs). In-depth interviews were performed with 12 HNs, 12 HCAs, and eight managers in home nursing. HCAs take care of a less care dependent patient population, allowing the HNs to spend more time on more complex, technical nursing care. However, the analysis revealed some barriers, such as a knowledge gap and insecurity felt by HCAs leading to unnecessary patient visits by HNs, unfamiliarity of HNs with the role of delegating activities and supervising HCAs, and poor face-to-face communication between HNs and HCAs.
Self-Rated Health, Cognition, and Dual Sensory Impairment Are Important Predictors of Depression Among Home Care Clients in Ontario
Authors: Guthrie Dawn M. , Thériault Éric R. , Davidson Jacob G. S.
Published: June 2015

Depression can be a disabling and debilitating condition among older adults (aged 65+). This study examined risk factors for symptoms of depression in a large sample of older home care clients ( n = 218,850) in Ontario, Canada, using existing data collected with the Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care (RAI-HC). The RAI-HC has been mandated across the province since 2002. The most important predictors of depression were lower self-rated health (odds ratio [OR] = 3.4), cognitive impairment (OR = 2.9), dual sensory impairment (OR = 1.2), and a primary language other than English or French (OR = 1.5). This suggests that not only physical health but also sensory impairments and communication difficulties increase the risk for depression among home care recipients.
Effect of Topical Insulin on Second-Degree Burns in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Azevedo F. , Pessoa A. , Moreira G. , Santos M. Dos , Liberti E. , Araujo E. , Carvalho C. , Saad M. , Lima M. H.
Published: June 2015

The healing process is complex in diabetic wounds, and the healing mechanism of burn wounds is different from that of incisional or excisional wounds. Data from our previous study indicated that topical insulin cream reduced wound closure time in diabetic rats. Our aim was to investigate the effect of topical insulin cream on wound healing following second-degree burns in control and diabetic rats. Rats were divided into four groups: control (nondiabetic) rats treated with placebo (CP), control (nondiabetic) rats treated with topical insulin cream (CI), diabetic rats treated with placebo (DP), and diabetic rats treated with topical insulin cream (DI). The wounds were assessed at 4 time points (1, 7, 14, and 26 days) post-wounding for morphometric analysis of wound sections stained with hematoxylin/eosin, α-smooth muscle actin, and Picrosirius red to evaluate general aspects of the wound, inflammatory infiltrate, blood vessels, and Types I and III collagen fibers. Histological analysis showed that topical insulin cream increased the inflammatory cell infiltrate in the DI group (at 7 and 14 days postburn, p < .05) and blood vessels (at 14 days postburn, p < .05) to levels similar to those of groups CP and CI. Wounds treated with topical insulin cream (CI and DI groups) showed significantly stronger staining for fibrillar collagen than wounds of the DP group. The use of topical insulin may reduce the duration of the inflammatory phase; improve wound reepithelialization, tissue granulation, and wound contraction; and increase collagen deposition in second-degree burns in healthy and diabetic animals.
Baseline clinical status as a predictor of methylprednisolone response in multiple sclerosis relapses
Authors: Ramo-Tello Cristina , Tintoré Mar , Rovira Alex , Ramió-Torrenta Luis , Brieva Luis , Saiz Albert , Cano Antonio , Carmona Olga , Hervás Jose V , Grau-López Laia
Published: June 2015

Background:

To date, there are no available factors to predict the outcome after multiple sclerosis relapse.

Aim:

To investigate factors that may be useful for predicting response to methylprednisolone treatment, following a relapse of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

The study included 48 MS patients enrolled in a double-blind multicenter trial to receive intravenous versus oral high-dose methylprednisolone treatment. Associations were sought between the disability status prior to relapse and the relapse severity, determined by changes in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, as well as the improvements after treatment. We also analyzed the relationships between the number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gadolinium-enhancing lesions (Gd+) and improvement.

Results:

A higher EDSS score before relapse was associated with more severe relapses ( p = 0.04) and less marked improvement (odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95% CI (1.2–2.2); p = 0.05) after methylprednisolone treatment. Relapse severity ( p = 0.29) and the number of Gd+ lesions at relapse ( p = 0.41) were not related with improvement.

Conclusions:

Clinical baseline status prior to MS relapse is a predictor of response to methylprednisolone treatment.
Campbell’s Law: implications for health care
Authors: Poku Michael
Published: June 2015

Campbell’s Law is a well-known social science dictum describing the potential ill-effects of using a quantitative measure both as a target and an indicator to drive decision making. Campbell’s Law states that using a measure in this way tends to distort its usefulness to achieve the desired goal while driving participants to adopt corrupt practices. There is evidence of Campbell’s Law at play in various industries, including health care. Fortunately, the deleterious effects of Campbell’s Law can be successfully mitigated. The two main mitigation strategies involve either keeping the goals of a functioning system separated from the metrics used to assess progress towards that goal, or ensuring the proper safeguards are in place to combat the corrupting pressures.
Engines of alternative objectivity: Re-articulating the nature and value of participatory mental health organisations with the Hearing Voices Movement and Stepping Out Theatre Company
Authors: Blencowe Claire , Brigstocke Julian , Noorani Tehseen
Published: June 2015

Through two case studies, the Hearing Voices Movement and Stepping Out Theatre Company, we demonstrate how successful participatory organisations can be seen as ‘engines of alternative objectivity’ rather than as the subjective other to objective, biomedical science. With the term ‘alternative objectivity’, we point to collectivisations of experience that are different to biomedical science but are nonetheless forms of objectivity. Taking inspiration from feminist theory, science studies and sociology of culture, we argue that participatory mental health organisations generate their own forms of objectivity through novel modes of collectivising experience. The Hearing Voices Movement cultivates an ‘activist science’ that generates an alternative objective knowledge through a commitment to experimentation, controlling, testing, recording and sharing experience. Stepping Out distinguishes itself from drama therapy by cultivating an alternative objective culture through its embrace of high production values, material culture, aesthetic standards. A crucial aspect of participatory practice is overcoming alienation, enabling people to get outside of themselves, encounter material worlds and join forces with others.
Blunt aortic injury
Authors: O’Connor Jim
Published: June 2015

Blunt aortic injury management has changed radically over the last 20 years due to the widespread use of computed tomography angiography and endovascular stent therapy. Optimal treatment includes antihypertensive therapy, β-blockade and endovascular repair. Delayed repair may be beneficial.
Past fragments: From ceramics to social practices in later prehistoric Iberia
Authors: Blanco-González Antonio
Published: June 2015

Sunken features backfilled with domestic refuse represent the prevailing depositional context-type in later prehistory worldwide. Despite being so, this evidence remains poorly understood and has only received sporadic attention, chiefly within Anglophone archaeologies. This paper focuses on ceramics from a suite of such intricate contexts (cut features, burials, settlements, barrows) from Iberia in a diachronic and comparative perspective, from the Early Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age (5500–1100 BC). A total of 10,800 potsherds were examined with a taphonomic and refitting protocol attentive to formation dynamics and tracking intentionality. Results suggest that most of the studied assemblages are unplanned by-products of social life. From the earliest pottery-using communities, habitual actions conditioned the eventual preservation of the extant archaeological record. Fragmentation and deposition were key social practices, ultimately representing enduring trans-cultural phenomena. This research challenges uncontested interpretive premises, namely the ‘reflectionist’ standpoint, and disproves consensual and undue concepts frequently used in mainstream accounts of later prehistory.
Effects of multisensory and motor stimulation on the behavior of people with dementia
Authors: Sposito Giovana , Barbosa Ana , Figueiredo Daniela , Yassuda Mônica Sanches , Marques Alda
Published: June 2015

A quasi-experimental study using a pre–posttest design was conducted in four aged care facilities to assess the effects of a person-centred care (PCC) multisensory stimulation (MSS) and motor stimulation (MS) program, implemented by direct care workers, on the behaviors of residents with dementia. Data were collected at baseline and after the intervention through video recordings of morning care routines. Forty-five residents with moderate and severe dementia participated in the study. A total of 266 morning care routines were recorded. The frequency and duration of a list of behaviors were analyzed. The frequency of engagement in task decreased significantly ( p = .002) however, its duration increased ( p = .039). The duration of gaze directed at direct care workers improved significantly ( p = .014) and the frequency of closed eyes decreased ( p = .046). There was a significant decrease in the frequency of the expression of sadness. These results support the implementation of PCC–MSS and MS programs as they may stimulate residents’ behaviors.
Ethics and spatial justice: Unfolding non-linear possibilities for planning action
Authors: Ansaloni Francesca , Tedeschi Miriam
Published: June 2015

Inspired by Deleuze and Guattari’s philosophy of becoming, as well as by Spinoza’s ethics, this article advocates that planning be apprehended as a transitory construct to deal with social processes, which are inherently unpredictable, and to enact a justice that is ontologically spatial and amoral. This idea stems from conceiving of reality as the relentless encounters of bodies (assemblages) whose fight for space determines unique temporary agreements (spatial justice) as a result of power exchanges (affects) among these bodies – and of their stabilisation and escape movements, of course. This approach aims to overcome conceptualisations of justice that focus primarily on superstructural causes of injustice or on ready-made normative solutions. Although widely accepted by scholars in fields such as geography or planning research, these conceptualisations are still unable to account for the increasing incidence of social inequality our cities face. A case study, drawing on the fight for space among women in prostitution in a historic Genoa, Italy, neighbourhood, will serve as a translation from theory into practice.
A Higher Education – A polemic (for a change)
Authors: Peters Lloyd
Published: June 2015

The BBC Radio 4 comedy-drama “A Higher Education” was written in 1999 to present a satire of a dysfunctional and cash-strapped university (Northfield) led by the egotistical and amoral Head of Drama, Don Crookfield (played by Rik Mayall). For those of us passionately engaged in the provision of higher education today, the satire also represents a sad reflection on the fact that many of the challenging issues presented in the play appear to have changed little in 16 years. Surely it is time for a change?
Teaching art and design: Communicating creative practice through embodied and tacit knowledge
Authors: Budge Kylie
Published: June 2015

How do artists and designers teaching in universities communicate creative practice as they teach art/design? There is much discussion about the ‘mystery’ of creativity, but little understanding of how teaching occurs in creative contexts. Understanding this topic better will develop greater knowledge within the academy of how art and design is communicated by the creative practitioners who teach it, and could benefit other academic disciplines. In this article, I draw on data from a recent Australian study with artist/designer-academics. It provides rich qualitative data to explore in detail how artists and designers teaching in universities communicate creative practice as they teach art/design. Tacit and embodied knowledge theories are used to provide frameworks for explaining this phenomenon. I argue that artist/designer-academics embody their creative practices and communicate these through teaching in both tacit and explicit forms, and that they do this through modelling knowledge, skills and practice.
Characterization of Phoenix sp. natural fiber as potential reinforcement of polymer composites
Authors: Rajeshkumar G , Hariharan V , Sathishkumar TP
Published: June 2015

The present work deals with the identification of a new natural fiber from the Phoenix sp. plant and their characteristics were studied for preparing the fiber-reinforced polymer composites. This fiber was extracted by simple manual peeling process. Physico-chemical and mechanical properties are studied according to the standards. The morphology of the fiber was studied by using scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used to identify the crystallinity index and chemical groups present in the fiber, respectively. The fiber has an average diameter of 577 µm and density of 1.2576 g/cc. The cellulose, lignin, wax, ash, and moisture contents present in the fiber are 76.13%, 4.29%, 0.32%, 19.69%, and 10.47%, respectively. The crystallinity index was 57%. The Griffith model was used to obtain the average values of diameter and tensile properties of Phoenix sp. fiber. The maximum tensile strength and Young’s modulus were around 348.95 MPa and 7.62 GPa, respectively. The Phoenix sp. fiber properties were compared with the properties of existing natural fibers.
Hippocampal Dose With Radiosurgery for Multiple Intracranial Targets
Authors: Chang Jennifer S. , Ma Lijun , Barani Igor J. , McDermott Michael W. , Sneed Penny K. , Larson David A.
Published: June 2015

Stereotactic radiosurgery provides conformal treatment of intracranial lesions, but when multiple lesions are treated, cumulative dose to structures such as the hippocampi may be increased. We analyzed hippocampal dose for patients treated with radiosurgery for multiple brain metastases. We then investigated a means to minimize hippocampal dose. We randomly selected 8 patients treated with single-session, frame-based radiosurgery for 6 to 12 intracranial metastases. Standard planning was employed to deliver 16 to 20 Gy to each lesion without hippocampal avoidance. Each case was replanned using the software’s dynamic shaping function to minimize direct beam hippocampal irradiation, while maintaining conformality and target coverage. With standard planning, the maximum hippocampal dose varied from 0.8 to 9.0 Gy but was >3 Gy only when a lesion was <10 mm from the hippocampus. There was no clear correlation between hippocampal dose and the number or the total volume of lesions. Replanning with direct beam avoidance decreased the mean hippocampal dose by an average of 35% but increased treatment time by a mean of 20%. Sparing was most pronounced when the closest lesion was in close proximity to the hippocampus. This is the first study reporting hippocampal dose for multilesion intracranial radiosurgery. It illustrates that when multiple intracranial targets are treated with radiosurgery, substantial hippocampal dose can result. Active beam shielding and optimization can lower hippocampal dose, especially with lesions <10 mm from the hippocampus. These results raise the prospect that the risk of neurocognitive side effects may be further decreased with a hippocampal-sparing approach.
Treatment of a ruptured aneurysm involved in a double origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery
Authors: Uchiyama Taku , Okamoto Hiroaki , Ogata Atsushi , Tajima Yutaka , Takase Yukinori , Suzuyama Kenji
Published: June 2015

Double origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (DOPICA) is a rare anatomical variation, and can be associated with intracranial aneurysm formation. We describe a 66-year-old woman case of a ruptured aneurysm involved in a DOPICA. We performed aneurysmal coil embolization for the ruptured aneurysm involved in the cranial channel of DOPICA, but the aneurysm relapsed two months later. We subsequently performed internal trapping of the cranial channel because of well visualization of the distal flow by the balloon occlusion test. Endovascular trapping of a channel is one of the effective treatments of an aneurysm involved in DOPICA.