bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agent model for multi-UAV control via protocol designs
Authors: Huang Sunan , Teo Swee Huat Rodney , Liu Wenqi , Dymkou Siarhei Michailovich
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Cooperative control of a group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is an important area of research. The purpose of this paper is to explore multi-UAV control in the framework of providing surveillance of areas of interest with automatic loss detection and replacement capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on the concept of the multi-agent system. The authors present the framework of the multi-agent and protocol design for monitoring the network of a group of UAVs.

Findings

If one or more UAVs which is conducting a high priority surveillance task is lost, the system can self-arrange for another UAV to replace the lost UAV and continue to execute its task. This research provides an excellent design protocol for UAV loss detection and replacement scheme.

Research limitations/implications

One of the major limitations of this research is that we have only two types of priority levels, high or low. If the priority is more than two levels, for example, high priority 1, high priority 2, or high priority 3, the replacement has not yet been implemented.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the following two aspects of the scientific knowledge. The first contribution is the design of an agent model which jointly considers system architecture, communication, control logic and target monitoring. The second contribution includes the decentralized and automatic UAV loss detection and replacement algorithm.
Formulating layered adjustable autonomy for unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Mostafa Salama A. , Ahmad Mohd Sharifuddin , Mustapha Aida , Mohammed Mazin Abed
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a layered adjustable autonomy (LAA) as a dynamically adjustable autonomy model for a multi-agent system. It is mainly used to efficiently manage humans’ and agents’ shared control of autonomous systems and maintain humans’ global control over the agents.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply the LAA model in an agent-based autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system. The UAV system implementation consists of two parts: software and hardware. The software part represents the controller and the cognitive, and the hardware represents the computing machinery and the actuator of the UAV system. The UAV system performs three experimental scenarios of dance, surveillance and search missions. The selected scenarios demonstrate different behaviors in order to create a suitable test plan and ensure significant results.

Findings

The results of the UAV system tests prove that segregating the autonomy of a system as multi-dimensional and adjustable layers enables humans and/or agents to perform actions at convenient autonomy levels. Hence, reducing the adjustable autonomy drawbacks of constraining the autonomy of the agents, increasing humans’ workload and exposing the system to disturbances.

Originality/value

The application of the LAA model in a UAV manifests the significance of implementing dynamic adjustable autonomy. Assessing the autonomy within three phases of agents run cycle (task-selection, actions-selection and actions-execution) is an original idea that aims to direct agents’ autonomy toward performance competency. The agents’ abilities are well exploited when an incompetent agent switches with a more competent one.
Motion control design for unmanned ground vehicle in dynamic environment using intelligent controller
Authors: Almayyahi Auday , Wang Weiji , Hussein Alaa Adnan , Birch Phil
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The motion control of unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) is a challenge in the industry of automation. The purpose of this paper is to propose a fuzzy inference system (FIS) based on sensory information for solving the navigation challenge of UGV in cluttered and dynamic environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The representation of the dynamic environment is a key element for the operational field and for the testing of the robotic navigation system. If dynamic obstacles move randomly in the operation field, the navigation problem becomes more complicated due to the coordination of the elements for accurate navigation and collision-free path within the environmental representations. This paper considers the construction of the FIS, which consists of two controllers. The first controller uses three sensors based on the obstacles distances from the front, right and left. The second controller employs the angle difference between the heading of the vehicle and the targeted angle to obtain the optimal route based on the environment and reach the desired destination with minimal running power and delay. The proposed design shows an efficient navigation strategy that overcomes the current navigation challenges in dynamic environments.

Findings

Experimental analyses are conducted for three different scenarios to investigate the validation and effectiveness of the introduced controllers based on the FIS. The reported simulation results are obtained using MATLAB software package. The results show that the controllers of the FIS consistently perform the manoeuvring task and manage the route plan efficiently, even in a complex environment that is populated with dynamic obstacles. The paper demonstrates that the destination was reached optimally using the shortest free route.

Research limitations/implications

The paper represents efforts toward building a dynamic environment filled with dynamic obstacles that move at various speeds and directions. The methodology of designing the FIS is accomplished to guide the UGV to the desired destination while avoiding collisions with obstacles. However, the methodology is approached using two-dimensional analyses. Hence, the paper suggests several extensions and variations to develop a three-dimensional strategy for further improvement.

Originality/value

This paper presents the design of a FIS and its characterizations in dynamic environments, specifically for obstacles that move at different velocities. This facilitates an improved functionality of the operation of UGV.
“Impact”, research and slaying Zombies: the pressures and possibilities of the REF
Authors: MacDonald Robert
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect critically upon current debates and tensions in the governance of research in the UK and more widely, particularly the imperative that social science research should demonstrate impact beyond the academy.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing implicitly upon the Bevir’s theory of governance, the paper positions discourses about “research excellence and research impact” as elite narratives that are rooted genealogically in forms of managerial audit culture which seek to govern the practices of social science academics. The paper reviews relevant literature, draws upon key contributions that have shaped debate and refers to the author’s own research and experiences of “research impact”.

Findings

Initiatives such as the UK’s “Research Excellence Framework” can be understood as a form of governance that further enables already present neo-liberalising tendencies in the academy. The “impact agenda” has both negative (e.g. it can distort research priorities and can lead to overstatement of “real world” effects) and positive potential (e.g. to provide institutional space for work towards social justice, in line with long-standing traditions of critical social science and “public sociology”).

Research limitations/implications

There is a need for more critical research and theoretical reflection on the value, threats, limitations and potential of current forms of research governance and “impact”.

Originality/value

To date, there are very few article-length, critical discussions of these developments and issues in research governance, even fewer that connect these debates to longer-standing radical imperatives in social science.
“The way things get done around here…” Exploring spatial biographies, social policy and governance in the North East of England
Authors: Warren Jon
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that the application of social policy in the North East of England is often characterised by tension and conflict. The agencies and professionals charged with implementation of Westminster driven policies constantly seek to deploy their knowledge of local conditions in order to make them both practical and palatable.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the region via established literature from history, geography, sociology and social policy. The paper gives illustrations via empirical work which has evaluated initiatives to improve the health of long term health-related benefit recipients and to sustain individuals in employment in the region.

Findings

Central to the paper’s argument is the notion of “biographies of place”. The core of this idea is that places have biographies in the same way as individuals and possess specific identities. These biographies have been shaped by the intersections between environment, history, culture and economic and social policy. The paper identifies the region’s economic development, subsequent decline and the alliance of labour politics and industrial employers around a common consensus that sought economic prosperity and social progress via a vision of “modernisation” as a key component of this biography.

Originality/value

The paper argues that an appreciation of these spatial biographies can result in innovative and more effective social policy interventions with the potential to address issues that affect entire localities.
Bibliometric analysis of “Internet-plus”
Authors: Xie Hualing , Wang Shengtao , Chen Xiaoli , Wu Jingjing
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain an understanding of the current research on Internet-plus.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected scholarly publications from the scientific databases Web of Science, Core Collection, Inspec and Compendex (Ei Village 2) and performed statistical analysis of the retrieved data from five perspectives.

Findings

The research on Internet-plus has obtained increasing attention in China. The top three research fields were social science, education and management.

Originality/value

The study will help researchers understand the current trends on Internet-plus.
Knowing and improving paraphrasing skills of Mexican college students
Authors: Cortes-Vera Jesus , Garcia Thelma J. , Gutierrez Alan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to develop both an activity and an instrument to support college students’ learning of the proper ways to paraphrase.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a participatory action research approach, consisting of four phases. A survey was used to collect information, as well as a rubric to evaluate students’ competencies in paraphrasing, before and after an educational intervention activity. The tools were designed by the authors.

Findings

The findings suggest that students only have a partial understanding of the elements that are needed to write an adequate paraphrase, despite the declared importance in academic dialogue by the majority of them. The findings also suggest that a short-range intervention can help students develop their skills in paraphrasing.

Research limitations/implications

This research was conducted mostly with a small group of first-year college students and a professor they have known for a year. Therefore, a level of trust had been established. This trust relationship is necessary to achieve a participatory action in an unscheduled activity. Only some of the major results are presented.

Originality/value

Little actual research has been conducted on college students’ perception on paraphrasing and its importance, as well as on their abilities to paraphrase, especially in the Latin American context. This study demonstrates the usefulness of a short-range intervention that can be easily applied in any course or information literacy program.
The use of participatory methodologies for conducting literacy activities
Authors: Machin-Mastromatteo Juan D.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct the basis for a research agenda that integrates participatory methodologies (PMs) into literacies (L) research and practice as a valuable methodological basis.

Design/methodology/approach

The pros and cons of using PM on L research and practice are explained, as well as its possibilities, characteristics and the contributions of a research agenda under such integration (PM-L agenda). This analysis draws from the pertinent literature, Scopus publication data, the author’s own practice as an information literacy (IL) researcher and a questionnaire used to gather further insights from the research community in this matter.

Findings

A further understanding of the contributions that a PM-L research agenda can bring to the library and information science field is achieved. The pros, cons, hesitations and eagerness that researchers might have toward the idea of using such integration are valuable for determining if this really is a perfect but not an explicit fit.

Research limitations/implications

Although the questionnaire was promoted in a large international conference during a four-year period (2013-2017), it was answered by 34 participants; only 16 participants had previous experiences with the PM-L integration, and only an average of 8 participants provided significant answers to our open-ended questions. Thus, the amount of data available to analyze was limited. Certainly, using Scopus data provides a large but incomplete picture of the specialized literature that is peer reviewed and indexed, because it excludes publications not indexed that may be pertinent.

Originality/value

The PM-L integration is deemed as highly adequate, as PMs seek to improve participants’ conditions, situations and realities through reflection and engagement, while L-related activities and research (including information, digital, media literacy or new literacies) are conducted to improve people’s use and understanding of the media for which they are developing literacy. This contributes to their betterment as critical-thinkers, persons, citizens and learners. However, many researchers and especially practitioners do not formally use PM to conduct L activities, at least in many cases, this is not made explicitly. In the case of practitioners, some have conducted such activities empirically, without an appropriate methodological foundation. Hence, to establish PM as the methodologies of choice may help researchers and practitioners have a stronger methodological basis to conduct their work.
Journal packing density across subject disciplines at the global level: a study
Authors: Pandita Ramesh , Singh Shivendra
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The study aims to assess the journal packing density (JPD) of the research journals published across different subject discipline at the global level. The concept of JPD is aimed to compute the average number of research articles published per volume or per issue of a research journal in any given subject discipline. The study also discusses about the leading research journals publishing countries and continents across the world and their average JPD. An attempt has also been made to identify the leading research counties having maximum JPD in any given subject discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

The study covers 27 major research subject disciplines widely popular all across the globe. To undertake the present study, data were retrieved from SCImago Journal and Country Ranking.

Findings

In all, 36,081 research journals were indexed by Scopus across 27 major subject disciplines at the global level till 2015. During the period 2013-2015, 11,023,122 research articles were published in 36,081 research journals across 27 major subject disciplines at the global level at an average of 101.84 research articles per journal per volume. This means the average JPD of the research journals at the global level is 101.84 research articles per journal per volume. Chemistry, physics and astronomy and multidisciplinary journals are the three leading subject disciplines to have the maximum JPD, namely, 266.66, 253.92 and 242.53 research articles per journal per volume. JPD of research journals published in the sciences is higher than the JPD of research journals published in the social sciences and humanities. Business, management and accounting, social sciences and arts and humanities are three subject disciplines having lowest JPD, namely, 44.26, 35.68 and 32.66 research articles per journal per volume, respectively. China, Ireland and The Netherlands recorded the highest average JPD in the research journals published from these counties, namely, 213.39, 178.44 and 135.31 research articles per journal per volume, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

Countries from where a lesser number of research journals are indexed by the popular indexes, such as Scopus, Web of Science, etc., face greater pressure of publishing. To ooze out this pressure, there is need to index more and more research journals from these countries and that can be done only by improving and maintaining the research standard over a period.

Originality/value

The study is original and the first of its kind undertaken at the global level across all the major subject disciplines.
Understanding adults’ strong problem-solving skills based on PIAAC
Authors: Hämäläinen Raija , De Wever Bram , Nissinen Kari , Cincinnato Sebastiano
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Research has shown that the problem-solving skills of adults with a vocational education and training (VET) background in technology-rich environments (TREs) are often inadequate. However, some adults with a VET background do have sound problem-solving skills. The present study aims to provide insight into the socio-demographic, work-related and everyday life factors that are associated with a strong problem-solving performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study builds on large-scale data of the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) and gives insight into VET adults (N = 12,929) with strong problem-solving skills in 11 European countries.

Findings

This study introduces new knowledge with respect to the socio-demographic, work-related and everyday life background factors that contribute to successful VET adults’ problem-solving skills. The findings of the authors illustrate that a continuous process of development including non-formal and informal activity, as well as learning taking place at work, is associated with strong performance in problem-solving skills in TRE.

Research limitations/implications

An important implication of this study is that this paper introduces novel knowledge for VET adults’ competences and can be used to support the development of VET adults’ problem-solving skills in TREs.

Originality/value

The study was conducted to explore new understanding about good problem-solvers in TREs with a VET background. The originality of the study derives from its focus on good problem-solvers in TREs related to a VET background. The findings can be used to create novel ways to enhance the development of VET adults’ problem-solving skills in TREs.
Policy ideals for a reformed education
Authors: Kohlström Kirsi , Rantatalo Oscar , Karp Staffan , Padyab Mojgan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine how subgroups within a cohort of Swedish police students value different types of curricula content (i.e. new competencies versus enduring ones) in the context of the currently transforming landscape of basic police training.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a Swedish national survey (N = 369), the study examined variations in how students value new versus enduring police curricula content based on sociodemographic factors. Specifically, factors such as student age and gender and the institutional arrangements of education were tested using an independent t test.

Findings

The study identified differences in values based on gender. Female students valued competencies such as communication, flexibility, diversity and decisiveness as more important in an educational setting than did males. Fewer differences were found in relation to institutional arrangement, and in-house students valued flexibility and communication skill as more important for educational curricula compared to university-based students. No differences were found in relation to age.

Originality/value

This study adds knowledge to the question of how changes in occupational education policy develop in practice. More specifically, the study explored how students in educational programmes value new versus enduring competencies and whether differences can be identified based on sociodemographic factors. These questions are important because they expose sociodemographic conditions that influence how students value policy-driven skills versus enduring ones.
Numerical exploration of the combined effects of non-linear thermal radiation and variable thermo-physical properties on the flow of Casson nanofluid over a wedge
Authors: M. Archana , B.J. Gireesha , B.C. Prasannakumara , Reddy Gorla Rama Subba
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The effect of non-linear thermal radiation and variable thermo-physical properties are investigated in the Falkner-Skan flow of a Casson nanofluid in the presence of magnetic field. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Selected bunch of similarity transformations are used to reduce the governing partial differential equations into a set of non-linear ordinary differential equations. The resultant equations are numerically solved using Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg fourth-fifth-order method along with shooting technique.

Findings

The velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are evaluated for several emerging physical parameters and are analyzed through graphs and tables in detail.

Research limitations/implications

This study only begins to reveal the research potential and pitfalls of research and publishing on boundary-layer flow, heat and mass transfer of Casson nanofluid past and the moving and static wedge-shaped bodies.

Originality/value

It is found that the presence of non-linear thermal radiation and variable properties has more influence in heat transfer. Furthermore, temperature profile increases as the radiation parameter increases.
Influence of usage of e-books, online educational materials, and other programming books and students’ profiles on adoption of printed programming textbooks
Authors: Bringula Rex Perez
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the influence of students’ profiles and the usage of e-books, online educational materials, and other programming books on the adoption of printed programming textbooks for computing students. It was hypothesized that the predictor variable set could not explain any of the variance of the dependent variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive study utilized a content-validated questionnaire. The study involved 190 student participants. Canonical correlation analysis was employed to determine whether students’ profiles and use, perceived usefulness, and preference of e-books, online educational materials, and other programming books explained any variance in printed programming textbook adoption.

Findings

Printed programming textbook adoption could be explained by two functions. The first function revealed that the use and the perceived usefulness of textbooks were positively influenced by the use of e-books and other programming books and by the perceived usefulness of e-books, fora/blogs, other programming books, and YouTube. The second function revealed that the use of printed programming textbooks alone was positively influenced by the use of e-books and other programming books but was negatively influenced by the perceived usefulness of programming websites and YouTube and by the preference of programming websites over textbooks.

Originality/value

The study provided empirical evidence that e-books, other programming books, and online educational materials provide additional resources to students. Thus, e-books, online educational materials, and other programming books complement, rather than threaten, the existence of printed programming textbooks.
A heuristic evaluation to support the instructional and enjoyment aspects of a math game
Authors: Yeni Sabiha , Cagiltay Kursat
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the design principles of educational games in the context of an educational math game example to educational game developers and instructors. Especially, it tries to demonstrate the importance of the academic content-fantasy integration and entertainment factors of educational games from the viewpoint of the experts. For this purpose, as a sample, an educational math game was examined to see how successful is the academic aspect, fantasy aspect, academic-fantasy aspects integration and enjoyment aspect of the game. Good aspects of the game and aspects need improvement were summarized for guidance to game developers while producing educational games.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, heuristic evaluation method was used for evaluating the educational math game. In the scope of this study, an example of modern educational computer game was examined by experts in this study. The integration of academic-fantasy context and enjoyment aspects of the game were analyzed deeply by using qualitative and quantitative data collection methods together.

Findings

According to Relevance Embedding Translation Adaptation Immersion and Naturalization rubric results, embedding element received the highest mean score. It showed that the academic content is well coupled with the fantasy/story content. According to GameFlow criteria, clear goals and feedback sections got the highest scores; on the contrary immersion section got the lowest score. Immersion element of the game should be improved. According to the interview findings, more than half of the participants stated that, in terms of academic content of game, players can actively be involved in learning process during the game. The story of the game and elements used in the game have counterpart in daily life. Didactic elements do not affect learners’ flow in the game. It is easy to learn and feedbacks are enough and useful.

Originality/value

This study offered suggestions to designers for developing good educational games which are well balanced with academic and fantasy context.
Examining the role of consumer lifestyles on ecological behavior among young Indian consumers
Authors: Adnan Arham , Ahmad Asad , Khan Mohammed Naved
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify what lifestyles best explain and impact ecological behavior among young Indian consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adapts the lifestyle scale developed by He et al. (2010) and the Actual Commitment scale to the Indian context to describe its impact on the young consumer’s ecological profile. The study is based on an extensive literature review. The data were obtained from a questionnaire handed out to a sample of 250 students. With the information obtained, and after the scale validation process, a structural equation analysis has been conducted.

Findings

Findings of the study highlight that environmental patterns and lifestyle factors are those that best characterize the ecological market segment. This group of young consumers is characterized by their self-identity and a feeling of uniqueness. They are people who always try to improve themselves and take actions which pose a new challenge for them. They are also characterized by having an ecological lifestyle, selecting and recycling products and taking part in events to protect the environment. This type of consumer is a present and future investment for firms that are committed to the environment.

Originality/value

The results of this study might interest consumer behavior researchers and those firms that care about the ecological consumers. Moreover, previous studies have not dealt with young consumers. Further research is needed including new psychographic variables.
The young luxury consumer in Qatar
Authors: Farrag Dalia Abdelrahman
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the factors influencing Qatari youth’s attitude toward luxury brands and intentions to purchase luxury brands. The appetite for luxury spending in the Gulf region and specifically in Qatar is accelerating even with the fall in oil prices and faltering economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

Both qualitative research in the form of in-depth interviews and quantitative research in the form of survey were utilized in this study. Initially, eight in-depth interviews were conducted with luxury store owners and/or salespersons to identify the most important factors influencing attitude toward luxury brands. Furthermore, 330 Qatari respondents between the ages from 16 to 25 years were interviewed via a mall-interception method at two different malls with high-end/ luxury stores in Doha. Structural equation modeling using AMOS was run to analyze the hypothesized relationships between variables and test the model fit.

Findings

The findings indicated the overall fitness of the model. More specifically, the results indicated that fashion involvement, brand consciousness, social comparison and experiential needs have a significant impact on attitude toward luxury brands and consequently on their purchasing intentions.

Research limitations/implications

This study has several limitations. A more comprehensive framework can be proposed including more variables that may also influence the attitude of youth toward purchasing luxury, for example, brand prominence, vanity and functional value. Comparative studies across demographics (e.g. male vs female and adult vs young luxury buyers) as well as across different cultures and countries can also provide interesting insights related to luxury purchasing behavior among youth. Developing a typology for Qatari luxury consumers can also be very insightful, specifically for supporting brand owners in fine-tuning their marketing and targeting strategies. Finally, other moderating variables like influence of social media or peer influence can also be considered in future studies.

Originality/value

The study sheds light on a significantly important and emerging phenomenon; the increasing consumption of luxury in the gulf region and specifically in Qatar in an attempt to understand the main drivers to their attitude toward luxury brands in general.
“Hymns of a More or Less Idiotic Character”: The Impact and Use of “Sankey's” Gospel Songs in Late Nineteenth‐Century Australia
Authors: Wilson Elisabeth
Published: October 2017

Through the large inter‐denominational evangelistic campaigns of the last quarter of the nineteenth century in Australia, the gospel songs commonly described as “Sankey's” were introduced to both church‐goers and the general community and came into wide public knowledge. This article explores their early acceptance, dissemination, and use, and argues that while their impact upon church‐goers was considerable since they were so widely sung in many churches, they were also known, or known about, in the wider community, occupying a significant cultural space.
Bureaucracy and creativity: do they make companionable bedfellows?
Authors: Wiener Jan
Published: October 2017

This essay will look at the benefits and weaknesses of the increasingly bureaucratic nature of training structures and processes in the training of Jungian psychotherapists and analysts. The author will draw on her experiences during two different periods of time as Director of Training at the Society of Analytical Psychology in London with observations on and discussion about some of the changes that have evolved. By way of contrast, she will offer some comparisons with developments in the training of Jungian analysts in countries with little or no legacy of an analytic culture. Here, there is a need to professionalize training in Jungian analysis but the attendant growth of bureaucracy can easily come to echo the politics of non‐democratic regimes.
The words we work with that work on us: clinical paradigm and cumulative relational trauma
Authors: Heuer Birgit
Published: October 2017

This paper addresses a gap between analytic clinical theory and practice which emerges when examining the words we work with via textual and narrative research of case histories. Both subject matter and methodology fit with the remit of conceptual research in psychoanalysis, currently ranging from inductive to nomothetical approaches. Research of clinical language reveals an implicit account of human nature and the world which undergirds clinical practice. Based in the critical philosophy of the previous century, this is termed clinical paradigm. Such implicit views are induced rather than explicitly taught during analytic training, and need to be spelled out in order to become available to discourse and difference of opinion.

Textual research shows these implicit pre‐clinical attitudes to be inherently pessimistic and thus too similar to the views of self and others found in cumulative relational trauma. Moreover, clinical accounts tend to normalize subtly antagonistic forms of relating, recently recognised as micro‐trauma. Importantly, this contravenes the agapic orientation of our theories and ethics. Paradigmatic reflection as a form of professional individuation addresses this gap. This includes a more optimistic outlook which can be traced through the philosophical implications of quantum theory.
Preliminary thoughts on the neurobiology of innate unconscious structures and the psychodynamics of language acquisition
Authors: Mizen Susan
Published: October 2017

This paper builds upon Britton's recent writing on ‘models in the mind’, in which he gives an account of preverbal metaphoric structures based on object relations (Britton 2015). These correspond with Jung's theory of innate unconscious structures. These innate models are considered alongside current linguistic theory following Chomsky and post‐Chomskyan views about language acquisition. Neuroscience evidence linking language and abstract thinking with structures involved in tool use are presented.

The implications of these findings, and our understanding of the relational context within which language, metaphor and abstract thought are acquired, will be discussed along with the failures of symbolization and verbal communication common amongst those with severe narcissistic disorders.
Safety Culture and Mortality after Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Study of Medicare Beneficiaries at 171 Hospitals
Authors: Shahian David M. , Liu Xiu , Rossi Laura P. , Mort Elizabeth A. , Normand Sharon‐Lise T.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To investigate the association between hospital safety culture and 30‐day risk‐adjusted mortality for Medicare patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a large, diverse hospital cohort.

Subjects

The final analytic cohort consisted of 19,357 Medicare AMI discharges (MedPAR data) linked to 257 AHRQ Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture surveys from 171 hospitals between 2008 and 2013.

Study Design

Observational, cross‐sectional study using hierarchical logistic models to estimate the association between hospital safety scores and 30‐day risk‐adjusted patient mortality. Odds ratios of 30‐day, all‐cause mortality, adjusting for patient covariates, hospital characteristics (size and teaching status), and several different types of safety culture scores (composite, average, and overall) were determined.

Principal Findings

No significant association was found between any measure of hospital safety culture and adjusted AMI mortality.

Conclusions

In a large cross‐sectional study from a diverse hospital cohort, AHRQ safety culture scores were not associated with AMI mortality. Our study adds to a growing body of investigations that have failed to conclusively demonstrate a safety culture–outcome association in health care, at least with widely used national survey instruments.
Dementia assessment services: What are the perceptions of older people?
Authors: Walker Ruth , Ratcliffe Julie , White Amy , Visvanathan Renuka
Published: October 2017

Objective

To determine how older people with dementia and their family caregivers experience dementia assessment services and preferences for future configuration of diagnostic services.

Methods

Qualitative, semistructured in‐depth interviews were conducted with nine individuals with dementia. In seven instances, the caregiver also took part in the interview, and on two occasions, the interview was with the person with dementia only.

Results

An important contact during assessment of dementia was the general practitioner, in particular working in a way or timeframe which provides clarity and comfort to the person with dementia and their family members. A problematic factor in clear diagnosis was when probable dementia was suspected during hospitalisation for another complaint. Participants expressed a wide range of views in terms of preferred settings for diagnostic services.

Conclusion

These findings highlight some key considerations, which should be included in future research leading to decisions about the design of dementia client services.
Molecular pathways of oestrogen receptors and β‐adrenergic receptors in cardiac cells: Recognition of their similarities, interactions and therapeutic value
Authors: Machuki J.O. , Zhang H.Y. , Harding S.E. , Sun H.
Published: October 2017

Oestrogen receptors (ERs) and β‐adrenergic receptors (βARs) play important roles in the cardiovascular system. Moreover, these receptors are expressed in cardiac myocytes and vascular tissues. Numerous experimental observations support the hypothesis that similarities and interactions exist between the signalling pathways of ERs (ERα, ERβ and GPR30) and βARs (β1AR, β2AR and β3AR). The recently discovered oestrogen receptor GPR30 shares structural features with the βARs, and this forms the basis for the interactions and functional overlap. GPR30 possesses protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation sites and PDZ binding motifs and interacts with A‐kinase anchoring protein 5 (AKAP5), all of which enable its interaction with the βAR pathways. The interactions between ERs and βARs occur downstream of the G‐protein‐coupled receptor, through the Gαs and Gαi proteins. This review presents an up‐to‐date description of ERs and βARs and demonstrates functional synergism and interactions among these receptors in cardiac cells. We explore their signalling cascades and the mechanisms that orchestrate their interactions and propose new perspectives on the signalling patterns for the GPR30 based on its structural resemblance to the βARs. In addition, we explore the relevance of these interactions to cell physiology, drugs (especially β‐blockers and calcium channel blockers) and cardioprotection. Furthermore, a receptor‐independent mechanism for oestrogen and its influence on the expression of βARs and calcium‐handling proteins are discussed. Finally, we highlight promising therapeutic avenues that can be derived from the shared pathways, especially the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐OH kinase (PI3K/Akt) pathway.
A nonpharmacological approach to improve sleep quality in older adults
Authors: Rawtaer Iris , Mahendran Rathi , Chan Hui Yu , Lei Feng , Kua Ee Heok
Published: October 2017

Objectives

Poor sleep quality is highly prevalent among older adults and is associated with poor quality of life, cognitive and physical decline, depression, and increased mortality. Medication options commonly used are not ideal, and alternative treatment strategies are needed. We evaluate a community‐based psychosocial intervention program and its effect on sleep quality in older adults.

Method

Elderly participants aged 60 and above were included. Those with Geriatric Depression Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory scores above 5 and 10, respectively, were excluded. The community program included tai chi exercise, art therapy, mindfulness awareness practice, and music reminiscence therapy. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory were administered at baseline and at 1 year.

Results

A hundred and eighty‐nine subjects (44 men, 145 women; mean age = 69 years, SD = 5.7, range = 60‐89) participated. The proportion of participants with good sleep quality had increased from 58.2% to 64.6%. Sleep disturbance was significantly reduced (baseline, 1.04; postintervention, 0.76; mean difference 0.28; P < .01); men experienced greater improvement (P < .001). Improvements were independent of changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion

Participation in this community program led to positive effects on sleep disturbances after a year. Psychosocial interventions have potential as a nondrug intervention approach for sleep problems, and further research is needed to understand its mediating mechanisms
The negative impact of HBV/HCV coinfection on cirrhosis and its consequences
Authors: Pol S. , Haour G. , Fontaine H. , Dorival C. , Petrov‐Sanchez V. , Bourliere M. , Capeau J. , Carrieri P. , Larrey D. , Larsen C. , Marcellin P. , Pawlostky J.‐M. , Nahon P. , Zoulim F. , Cacoub P. , de Ledinghen V. , Mathurin P. , Negro F. , Pageaux G.‐P. , Yazdanpanah Y. , Wittkop L. , Zarski J.‐P. , Carrat F. ,   The French Anrs Co22 Hepather Cohort
Published: October 2017

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) confection has been rarely studied in nonasian series.

Aim

To compare the characteristics of HBV/HCV coinfected patients to those of HBV‐ or HCV‐monoinfected patients in the ANRS CO22 HEPATHER cohort study.

Patients and Methods

Of the 20 936 included patients, 95 had HBV/HCV coinfection (hepatitis B surface antigen, anti‐HCV antibody and HCV RNA positive) and were matched with 375 HBV‐ and 380 HCV‐monoinfected patients on age, gender and time since HBV or HCV diagnosis.

Results

F3‐F4 fibrosis was more frequent in coinfected patients (58%) than in HBV‐ (32%, P < .0001), but similar in HCV‐monoinfected patients (52%, P = .3142). Decompensated cirrhosis was more frequent in coinfected patients (11%) than in HBV‐ (2%, P = .0002) or HCV‐ (4%, P = .0275) monoinfected patients. Past excessive alcohol use was more frequent in coinfected patients (26%) than in HBV (12%, P = .0011), but similar in HCV monoinfected patients (32%, P = .2868). Coinfected patients had a higher proportion with arterial hypertension (42%) than HBV‐ (26%) or HCV‐monoinfected patients (25%) (P < .003). Multivariable analysis confirmed the association between F3‐F4 fibrosis and HCV infection in HBV‐infected patients (OR = 3.84, 95% CI 1.99‐7.43) and the association between decompensated cirrhosis and coinfection in HBV infected (OR = 5.58, 95% CI 1.42‐22.0) or HCV infected patients (OR = 3.02, 95% CI 1.22‐7.44).

Conclusions

HCV coinfection harmfully affects liver fibrosis in HBV patients, while decompensated cirrhosis is increased in coinfected patients compared with HBV‐ or HCV‐monoinfected patients. HCV treatment is as safe and effective in coinfected as monoinfected patients and should be considered following the same rules as HCV monoinfected patients.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: rifaximin for the prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Authors: Goel A. , Rahim U. , Nguyen L. H. , Stave C. , Nguyen M. H.
Published: October 2017

Background

The primary and secondary prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is recommended in high‐risk patients with cirrhosis. Several studies evaluating the efficacy of rifaximin for SBP prophylaxis have yielded conflicting results. Rifaximin has the potential advantage of preventing bacterial overgrowth and translocation without the systemic side effects of broad‐spectrum antibiotics.

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of rifaximin in the primary and secondary prevention of SBP.

Methods

A literature search using five databases was performed to identify studies on the association between rifaximin and SBP. We performed two meta‐analyses: (1) rifaximin compared to systemic antibiotics and (2) rifaximin compared to no antibiotics. Random‐effect modelling was conducted to determine overall pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Five studies with 555 patients (295 rifaximin, 260 systemic antibiotics) compared rifaximin with systemic antibiotics. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for SBP was 0.45 (95% CI 0.16‐1.27; P = .13) in patients receiving rifaximin and strengthened on sensitivity analysis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.19‐0.76, P = .01). In the analysis comparing rifaximin with no antibiotics, there were five studies with 784 patients (186 rifaximin, 598 no antibiotics). The OR for SBP was 0.34 (95% CI 0.11‐0.99; P < .05) in patients receiving rifaximin. In subgroup analysis, rifaximin reduced the risk of SBP by 47% compared to no antibiotics for primary prophylaxis and by 74% compared to systemic antibiotics for secondary prophylaxis.

Conclusion

Rifaximin may be effective in preventing SBP in patients with cirrhosis and ascites compared to systemically absorbed antibiotics and compared to placebo.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis: assessment of factors affecting disability in inflammatory bowel disease and the reliability of the inflammatory bowel disease disability index
Authors: Lo B. , Prosberg M. V. , Gluud L. L. , Chan W. , Leong R. W. , van der List E. , van der Have M. , Sarter H. , Gower‐Rousseau C. , Peyrin‐Biroulet L. , Vind I. , Burisch J.
Published: October 2017

Background

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Index (IBD‐DI) has recently been developed for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Aim

To assess the severity of disability and associated factors using the IBD‐DI, and review the validity of the IBD‐DI as a tool.

Method

Systematic review of cross‐sectional studies. Patients included had UC or CD and were classified as active, in remission, or needing surgery, biological and/or steroid treatment. We included studies assessing disability using the IBD‐DI and that were captured by electronic and manual searches (January 2017). The possibility of bias was evaluated with the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale.

Results

Nine studies were included with 3167 patients. Comparatively, patients with active disease had higher disability rates than those in remission (SMD [CI95] = 1.49[1.11, 1.88], I2 = 94%, P<.01), while patients on biological treatment had lower disability rates than those receiving corticosteroid treatment (SMD [CI95] = −0.22[−0.36, −0.08], I2 = 0%, P<.01). Disease activity and unemployment were found to be associated factors. The IBD‐DI scored “good” for internal consistency, “fair” to “excellent” for intra‐rater reliability and “excellent” for inter‐rater reliability. Construct validity was “moderately strong” to “very strong” and structural validity was found to be mainly unidimensional. The IBD‐DI had excellent responsiveness, while its interpretability was only useful on a group level.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta‐analysis found a significant association between disease activity, treatment received and disability; although significant heterogeneity was found. The IBD‐DI is reliable and valid, but further studies are needed to measure its interpretability.