bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Grit on the Academic Success of Adult Female Students at Korean Open University
Authors: Hwang Mae Hyang , Lim Hyo Jin , Ha Hye Suk
Published: October 2017

This study examined the structural relationship between age, grit (i.e., perseverance of effort and consistency of interest), conscientiousness, self-control, and school success of female students at an Open University in Korea. We analyzed 509 students’ responses, and it turned out that the level of perseverance of effort was negatively correlated with academic maladjustment. Also, perseverance of effort had a positive indirect effect on grade point average scores. Conscientiousness and self-control were found to be positively correlated with grit factors and they had negative effects on academic maladjustment through perseverance of effort. Age had both direct and indirect effects on grit and academic success of the students.
Self-Esteem, Achievement Goals, and Self-Handicapping in College Physical Education
Authors: Chen Zuosong , Sun Kaihong , Wang Kun
Published: October 2017

This study aims to investigate the relationships among self-esteem, achievement goals, and self-handicapping and the potential mediating role of achievement goals in the relationship between self-esteem and self-handicapping in college physical education. The participants were 320 Chinese college students. Three validated scales were employed to assess participants’ self-esteem, achievement goals, and self-handicapping in college physical education. Results showed that self-esteem had a negative effect on self-handicapping. Self-esteem had a positive effect on mastery goals, but had a negative effect on performance-avoidance goals. Mastery goals had a negative effect and performance-avoidance goals had a positive effect on self-handicapping. Moreover, mastery goals and performance-avoidance goals partially mediated the relationship between self-esteem and self-handicapping, and self-esteem had both direct and indirect effects on self-handicapping in college physical education. The findings indicate that improving individual’s self-esteem and promoting mastery goals while reducing performance-avoidance goals may be relevant strategies to reduce self-handicapping in college physical education.
Compliance or negotiation? Diyanet’s female preachers and the diffusion of a ‘true’ religion in Turkey
Authors: Maritato Chiara
Published: October 2017

This article addresses the religious activities of the female preachers ( vaizeler) employed by the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). It investigates the extent to which, and how, the activities carried out by the Diyanet’s vaizeler are in compliance with a state attempt to standardise and control female religious engagement. As religious officers, the vaizeler both spread and embody an organised religion. However, far from any dichotomous perspective, to assert their religious authority the Diyanet’s preachers navigate daily between compliance with the institution’s dogmas and negotiation with a plurality of interpretations labelled as unofficial, popular and traditional. To fully assess this issue, this article refers to ethnographic observations of everyday vaizeler’s preaching activities in Istanbul’s mosques. Conducted between 2013 and 2014, these observations are crucial for contextualising the evolution of the Turkish state monopoly over religious affairs, particularly in the aftermath of the July 2016 attempted coup.
State Initiatives and Lower Castes in India: Analysing Mobility of the Scheduled Castes in Jammu Region
Authors: Saxena Ashish , Saxena Vijay Laxmi
Published: October 2017

Significance of the social development and empowerment of marginalised groups entails sincere demolition of the structure of subordination imposed on them and sharing power with the powerless lots. Comprehending the distinctiveness of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) state, this article discusses the implications of varied development of the state on Scheduled Caste (SC) population. The study highlights the probable agents to ameliorate the lives of SCs and substantiates it with empirical observations. It is prominently revealed that the changing position of SCs in Jammu region has been because of multiple factors such as the land reform measures, the Arya Samaj movement and activities of the voluntary organisations.
Spending Carveouts Substantially Improve the Accuracy of Performance Measurement in Shared Savings Arrangements: Findings From Simulation Analysis of Medicaid ACOs
Authors: DeLia Derek
Published: October 2017

Accuracy of spending-based provider performance metrics is limited by random variation and components of spending that are uncontrollable by providers. Such components vary according to the care management focus and operational maturity of each provider group. This study uses data from New Jersey Medicaid accountable care organizations (ACOs) to examine how carving out uncontrollable components of spending affects the accuracy of performance measures in shared savings arrangements. Spending on injury care, custodial care in facilities (CCF), and amounts above $100 000 per patient are used as examples of potentially uncontrollable spending. Data from 7 applicant Medicaid ACOs are used to conduct Monte Carlo simulations examining the effects of carving out each type of uncontrollable spending under the assumption that controllable spending is reduced by 5%. The simulations show that failure to carve out uncontrollable injury care spending adds −3 to +1 percentage points of bias to the measurement of the true average savings rate (ASR) of 5% and can increase mean squared error (MSE) by a factor of up to 3. Failure to carve out uncontrollable CCF spending generates bias ranging from −4 to +9 percentage points and increases MSE by factors of 8 or more. Failure to carve out uncontrollable spending above $100 000 per person generates bias ranging from −5 to +5 percentage points and increases MSE by factors of 13 or more. Compared with the main modeling reported above, sensitivity analyses find even greater distortions in measured performance when uncontrollable spending is not carved out of the ASR calculation.
“Keep the Party Assured and the Youth [Not] Satisfied”: The Communist Youth League and Chinese University Students
Authors: Tsimonis Konstantinos
Published: October 2017

The Communist Youth League (CYL) has attempted to engage and respond to student interests and demands by expanding its channels for participation and consultation and by deepening its involvement in the provision of welfare services. Based on qualitative and quantitative research conducted in five universities in Beijing and Zhejiang province, this article evaluates the league’s engagement with its “constituency” on campus by bringing together the perspectives of both ordinary students and CYL cadres. Placing this case in a wider discussion of “authoritarian resilience” that seeks to understand the effectiveness of the Chinese regime’s institutional sources of support, the article demonstrates that despite initiatives promoting responsiveness, students exhibit an even more cynical stance on both the league’s newfound inclusivity and efficiency. CYL cadres occupy a weak position in the academic, generational, and political hierarchies on campus, a situation that compromises the league’s potential for a renewed and more responsive engagement with students.
Re-introducing the company in the analysis of labour market dualisation: Variety of patterns and diversity of outcomes between standard and non-standard workers in multinational subsidiaries in Belgium, Germany and Britain
Authors: Pulignano Valeria , Doerflinger Nadja , Keune Maarten
Published: October 2017

This article re-introduces the company in the analysis of labour market dualisation by studying local actors’ (i.e. management and employee representatives) strategies as embedded in organisational and institutional contexts. Building on 12 case studies of multinational corporation (hereinafter MNC) subsidiaries in Belgium, Germany and Britain, the authors illustrate how organisational and institutional legacies influence (but do not determine) local actors’ strategic arrangements regarding the working conditions of standard (insider) and non-standard (outsider) workers. The outcomes resulting from these local (negotiated) arrangements illustrate a variety of inequality patterns, rather than any single pattern. The study distinguishes between convergence, where differences in working conditions between the different groups of workers decrease as the result of reduced standards for the better-off group, and divergence, where these differences increase.
Functionalization of SBA-15 with CeO2 nanoparticles for adsorptive desulfurization: Matters of template P123
Authors: Yin Yu , Wen Zhi-Hao , Liu Xiao-Qin , Yuan Ai-Hua , Shi Lei
Published: October 2017

Adsorption is one of the most promising methods for desulfurization of transportation fuels, due to the strategy which enables removal of organic sulfur compounds to be conducted at ambient conditions with high efficiency. Adsorbent is the key to the adsorptive performance. Both π complexation and direct sulfur metal bonds are efficient methods for adsorptive desulfurization. For construction of these bonds, it is necessary to introduce active metal species on the support. In this work, Ce(NO3)2 was directly introduced into the as-synthesized SBA-15, and high dispersion of CeO2 nanoparticles was obtained. With the loading content of 12–46 wt%, the particle sizes of the CeO2 NPs are in the range of 4.4–6.3 nm. The good dispersion status of CeO2 nanoparticles is contributed to the template P123 preserved in as-synthesized SBA-15, which provides a confined space for the dispersion of CeO2 nanoparticles. However, the large CeO2 particles (7.0 nm) are formed for the sample originated from template-free SBA-15. We also demonstrate that the adsorptive performance of SBA-15 is enhanced with the modification of CeO2 nanoparticles. Besides, the performances of CeO2 nanoparticle-modified samples stay in step with the dispersion status of the CeO2 nanoparticles.
Self-awareness four years after severe traumatic brain injury: discordance between the patient’s and relative’s complaints. Results from the PariS-TBI study
Authors: Chesnel Camille , Jourdan Claire , Bayen Eleonore , Ghout Idir , Darnoux Emmanuelle , Azerad Sylvie , Charanton James , Aegerter Philippe , Pradat-Diehl Pascale , Ruet Alexis , Azouvi Philippe , Vallat-Azouvi Claire
Published: October 2017

Objective:

To evaluate the patient’s awareness of his or her difficulties in the chronic phase of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to determine the factors related to poor awareness.

Design/Setting/Subjects:

This study was part of a larger prospective inception cohort study of patients with severe TBI in the Parisian region (PariS-TBI study).

Intervention/Main measures:

Evaluation was carried out at four years and included the Brain Injury Complaint Questionnaire (BICoQ) completed by the patient and his or her relative as well as the evaluation of impairments, disability and quality of life.

Results:

A total of 90 patient-relative pairs were included. Lack of awareness was measured using the unawareness index that corresponded to the number of discordant results between the patient and relative in the direction of under evaluation of difficulties by the patient. The only significant relationship found with lack of awareness was the subjective burden perceived by the relative (Zarit Burden Inventory) ( r = 0.5; P < 0.00001). There was no significant relationship between lack of awareness and injury severity, pre-injury socio-demographic data, cognitive impairments, mood disorders, functional independence (Barthel index), global disability (Glasgow Outcome Scale), return to work at four years or quality of life (Quality Of Life after Brain Injury scale (QOLIBRI)).

Conclusion:

Lack of awareness four years post severe TBI was not related to the severity of the initial trauma, sociodemographic data, the severity of impairments, limitations of activity and participation, or the patient’s quality of life. However, poor awareness did significantly influence the weight of the burden perceived by the relative.
The Narrative Identity Structure Model (NISM)
Authors: Dunlop William L.
Published: October 2017

In this article, I provide an overview of the Narrative Identity Structure Model (NISM). NISM offers a framework for understanding how life stories are represented internally (cognitively) and how elements of these stories are expressed externally (through writing, conversation, etc.). Within a narrator, there exist numerous life stories, with each story corresponding to a recurrent context (i.e., a social role) relevant to the life in question. Contextualized life stories share mutually constituted relations with the generalized life story, which works to establish a sense of differentiation and continuity across, rather than within, contexts. Furthermore, when elements of the storied self are expressed, these expressions are an inseparable combination of internal representations and elements of the immediate and broader social and cultural milieu. Thus, along with at least two dimensions (viz. internal structure and social expression), NISM is a highly contextualized conceptual model of the storied self.
Subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus internus stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review
Authors: Xu Hao , Zheng Feng , Krischek Boris , Ding Wanhai , Xiong Chi , Wang Xin , Niu Chaoshi
Published: October 2017

Objective

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treatment of advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) has two anatomical targets: the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the globus pallidus internus (GPI). The clinical effectiveness of these two stimulation targets was compared in the present study.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluated the postoperative changes in the United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) on- and off-phase, on-stimulation motor scores; activities of daily living score (ADLS); and levodopa equivalent dose (LED) after STN and GPI stimulation. Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials of PD treated by STN and GPI stimulation were considered for inclusion.

Results

Eight published reports of eligible studies involving 599 patients met the inclusion criteria. No significant differences were observed between the STN and GPI groups in the on-medication, on-stimulation UPDRS motor score [mean difference, 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), −0.96–5.27] or ADLS (mean difference, 3.40; 95% CI, 0.95–7.76). Significant differences in favor of STN stimulation were noted in the off-medication, on-stimulation UPDRS motor score (mean difference, 1.67; 95% CI, 0.98–2.37) and LED (mean difference, 130.24; 95% CI, 28.82–231.65).

Conclusion

The STN may be the preferred target for DBS in consideration of medication reduction, economic efficiency, and motor function improvement in the off phase. However, treatment decisions should be made according to the individual patient’s symptoms and expectations.
Treatment of serious complications following endovascular aortic repair for type B thoracic aortic dissection
Authors: Liu Zhao , Zhang Yepeng , Liu Chen , Huang Dian , Zhang Ming , Ran Feng , Wang Wei , Shang Tao , Qiao Tong , Zhou Min , Liu Changjian
Published: October 2017

Objective

This study aimed to describe treatment of serious complications after primary thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in type B aortic dissection.

Methods

From June 2008 to March 2016, serious complications occurred in 58 patients without Marfan syndrome who received TEVAR for type B aortic dissection.

Results

Complications included endoleak, distal true lumen collapse, retrograde dissection, stroke, stent–graft (SG) migration and mistaken deployment, lower limb ischaemia, and SG fracture. Treatment included endovascular repair, surgical procedures, or conservative medication. Forty-six patients recovered from complications. Twelve patients were not cured. The median follow-up time was 29.5 months (2–61 months). The overall 30-day mortality rate was 1.7% (1/58) and the total mortality rate following secondary complications was 8.6% (5/58). The causes of death were stroke and aortic rupture.

Conclusion

Some treatments need to be performed after TEVAR because of severe complications. A reduction in these complications can be achieved by optimal evaluation of patients, selection of SGs, and specialized endovascular manipulation.
Effects of donor age on human adipose-derived adherent stromal cells under oxidative stress conditions
Authors: Kim Sang Woo , Choi Jung-Won , Lee Chang Youn , Lee Jiyun , Shin Sunhye , Lim Soyeon , Lee Seahyoung , Kim Il-Kwon , Lee Hoon-Bum , Hwang Ki-Chul
Published: October 2017

Objective

Adipose-derived stromal vascular fractions (SVFs) are heterogeneous complex populations of cells with therapeutic efficacy for tissue generation and vascular stabilization. SVFs have cardiomyogenic potential, and many researchers have examined the possibility of SVF transplantation for heart disease. In cell-based therapies, donor age affects the regenerative capability, cell yield, and differentiation potential of adult tissues; however, opposing or controversial results have been found in humans. We examined whether SVF transplantation into impaired heart tissue shows differential effects according to donor age.

Methods

We investigated differences in protein expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) co-cultured with adipose-derived adherent stromal cells (ADASs) from donors of different ages [>40-year-olds (40s group) and >60-year-olds (60s group)] under oxidative stress conditions.

Results

Although co-culturing HUVECs with ADASs ameliorated inflammation due to increased oxidative stress conditions, few differences were observed between the ADASs from the 40s and 60s groups. Moreover, the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery classification tool revealed differentially expressed genes in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway associated with cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction in response to ADASs.

Conclusion

Protein expression profiles were unchanged in HUVECs induced by isolated ADASs from donors of different ages under oxidative stress conditions.
Primary central nervous system lymphoma: Retrospective analysis of 34 cases in a single centre
Authors: Wang Huafeng , Wang Ming , Wei Juying , Wang Lei , Mao Liping , Jin Jie
Published: October 2017

Objective

To retrospectively analyse outcomes in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), which is a malignant CNS non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with a poor prognosis.

Methods

This study retrospectively analysed the treatment and outcomes of patients with PCNSL, which were divided into two groups: surgery (S) group and surgery/biopsy+chemotherapy (SC) group. The latter group was further subdivided into four cohorts based on the treatment regimen: cyclophosphamide, epidoxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP), high-dose methotrexate (HDM)+dexamethasone+rituximab (HDM+D+R), HDM+D+temozolomide (HDM+D+T), and HDM+D+R+T.

Results

The study enrolled 34 patients; 10 of which received surgery only. Between the S and SC groups, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of intracranial PCNSLs ( n = 32) were 8.5 months versus 29 months, respectively; and 8.5 months versus 54 months, respectively (5-year OS: 10.0% versus 48.7%, respectively; 2-year PFS: 0.0% versus 52.6%, respectively). Comparing the CHOP and HDM-based chemotherapy cohorts, the median PFS and OS were 15 months versus not achieved, respectively, and 25 months versus not achieved, respectively (5-year OS: 20.0% versus 60.8%, respectively; 2-year PFS: 20.0% versus 62.7%, respectively).

Conclusion

Chemotherapy appears to provide a better OS and PFS for patients with PCNSLs compared with surgery alone. HDM+D+T and HDM+D+R+T may be effective choices for PCNSL treatment.
Reading the (identity politics) market: Articulating the forest past the trees post-Trump
Authors: Brittain James J
Published: October 2017

Prior to becoming the President-elect, Donald Trump long engaged in the practice of exploiting economic trends that displayed a potential for increased rates of profit maximization. Like those engaged in speculative investment, he looked for exploitable opportunities where a modest outlay could be directed toward a precise stream of the market with the sole intent of receiving an exacerbated rate of return compared to the allotment initially invested. Over the past decade, the United States has witnessed a unique political climate of a disorganized, yet growing, movement of frustrated citizens inarticulately moving to the Right. It could be argued that Trump saw a prospective market ripe for exploitation herein, which showed a very real potential for significant returns. Without a centralized focus or guide, these under-formed sociopolitical blocs traversing the country were thus read as a vulnerable venture. It was amidst this climate that a capitalist with a speculative eye looked at a prospective rising market that could provide one chance investor an impressive yield: the US Presidency. By adopting a unique performativity, Trump invested in 2015.
High Rates of Osteoarthritis Develop After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery: An Analysis of 4108 Patients
Authors: Cinque Mark E. , Dornan Grant J. , Chahla Jorge , Moatshe Gilbert , LaPrade Robert F.
Published: October 2017

Background:

Posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction ultimately translates into a large economic effect on the health care system owing to the young ages of this population.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purposes were to perform a meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of osteoarthritis after an ACL reconstruction, examining the effects of length of time after surgery, preoperative time interval from injury to surgery, and patient age at the time of surgery. It was hypothesized that the prevalence of PTOA increased with time from surgery and that increased time from injury to surgery and age were also risk factors for the development of PTOA.

Study Design:

Meta-analysis.

Methods:

A meta-analysis of the prevalence of radiographic PTOA after ACL reconstruction was performed of studies with a minimum of 5 years’ follow-up, with a level of evidence of 1, 2, or 3. The presence of osteoarthritis was defined according to knee radiographs evaluated with classification based on Kellgren and Lawrence, Ahlbäck, International Knee Documentation Committee, or the Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Metaregression models quantified the relationship between radiographic PTOA prevalence and the mean time from injury to surgery, mean patient age at time of surgery, and mean postoperative follow-up time.

Results:

Thirty-eight studies (4108 patients) were included. Longer postsurgical follow-up time was significantly positively associated with a higher proportion of PTOA development. The model-estimated proportion of PTOA (95% CI) at 5, 10, and 20 years after surgery was 11.3% (6.4%-19.1%), 20.6% (14.9%-27.7%), and 51.6% (29.1%-73.5%), respectively. Increased chronicity of the ACL tear before surgery and increased patient age were also associated with a higher likelihood of PTOA development.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of osteoarthritis after an ACL reconstruction significantly increased with time. Longer chronicity of ACL tear and older age at the time of surgery were significantly positively correlated with the development of osteoarthritis. A timely referral and treatment of symptomatic patients are vital to diminish the occurrence of PTOA.
Low Bone Mineral Density in Male Athletes Is Associated With Bone Stress Injuries at Anatomic Sites With Greater Trabecular Composition
Authors: Tenforde Adam S. , Parziale Allyson L. , Popp Kristin L. , Ackerman Kathryn E.
Published: October 2017

Background:

While sports participation is often associated with health benefits, a subset of athletes may develop impaired bone health. Bone stress injuries (BSIs) are a common overuse injury in athletes; site of injury has been shown to relate to underlying bone health in female athletes.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

This case series characterizes the association of type of sports participation and anatomic site of BSIs with low bone mineral density (BMD), defined as BMD Z-score <–1.0. Similar to female athletes, it was hypothesized that male athletes who participate in running and sustain BSIs in sites of higher trabecular bone content would be more likely to have low BMD.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Chart review identified 28 male athletes aged 14 to 36 years with history of ≥1 lower-extremity BSI who were referred for evaluation of overall bone health, including assessment of lumbar spine, hip, and/or total body less head BMD per dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. BMD Z-scores were determined via age, sex, and ethnicity normative values. Prior BSIs were classified by anatomic site of injury into trabecular-rich locations (pelvis, femoral neck, and calcaneus) and cortical-rich locations (tibia, fibula, femur, metatarsal and tarsal navicular). Sport type and laboratory values were also assessed in relationship to BMD. The association of low BMD to anatomic site of BSI and sport were evaluated with P value <.05 as threshold of significance.

Results:

Of 28 athletes, 12 (43%) met criteria for low BMD. Athletes with a history of trabecular-rich BSIs had a 4.6-fold increased risk for low BMD as compared with those with only cortical-rich BSIs (9 of 11 vs 3 of 17, P = .002). Within sport type, runners had a 6.1-fold increased risk for low BMD versus nonrunners (11 of 18 vs 1 of 10, P = .016). Laboratory values, including 25-hydroxy vitamin D, were not associated with BMD or BSI location.

Conclusion:

Low BMD was identified in 43% of male athletes in this series. Athletes participating in sports of running and with a history of trabecular-rich BSI were at increased risk for low BMD.
Patellar Instability Management: A Survey of the International Patellofemoral Study Group
Authors: Liu Joseph N. , Steinhaus Michael E. , Kalbian Irene L. , Post William R. , Green Daniel W. , Strickland Sabrina M. , Shubin Stein Beth E.
Published: October 2017

Background:

Although patellofemoral instability is among the most prevalent knee disorders, the management of patients with this condition is complex and remains variable, given the lack of long-term, high-level clinical outcome studies to compare various operative and nonoperative modalities.

Purpose:

To discover a consensus within treatment controversies in patellofemoral instability among experienced knee surgeons with a specific interest in the patellofemoral joint.

Study Design:

Expert opinion; Level of evidence, 5.

Methods:

A 3-step modified Delphi technique was used to establish a consensus. A 34-question, case-based online survey regarding patellofemoral instability was distributed to all active members of the International Patellofemoral Study Group. Consensus statements were generated if at least 66% of the respondents agreed and then redistributed to the same panel. Modifications to the consensus statements were made based on the iterative feedback process until no discordance was encountered in the third stage.

Results:

Eight consensus statements were achieved. Nonoperative management is the current standard of care for a first-time dislocation in the absence of an osteochondral fragment or loose body requiring excision (100% agreement). In patients with a first-time dislocation with an operative osteochondral fracture requiring excision or repair, patellar instability should be addressed concurrently (89% agreement). Recurrent instability should be treated surgically, with most surgeons favoring medial reconstruction (77%-86% agreement). While there is general agreement that bony procedures should be performed to correct underlying bony deformities, there is no consensus regarding the most appropriate type of procedure performed. Lateral release should not be performed in isolation for the treatment of patellar instability (89% agreement).

Conclusion:

Despite the consensus generated in this study, our current understanding remains limited by a lack of high-level evidence as well as the numerous complex variables influencing treatment decision making. High-quality, multicenter randomized controlled trials, particularly those directly comparing specific surgical treatment methods while controlling for underlying risk factors, are needed to address these areas of uncertainty.
Task-Related Phasing of Circadian Rhythms in Antennal Responsiveness to Odorants and Pheromones in Honeybees
Authors: Nagari Moshe , Szyszka Paul , Galizia Giovanni , Bloch Guy
Published: October 2017

The insect antennae receive olfactory information from the environment. In some insects, it has been shown that antennal responsiveness is dynamically regulated by circadian clocks. However, it is unknown how general this phenomenon is and what functions it serves. Circadian regulation in honeybee workers is particularly interesting in this regard because they show natural task-related chronobiological plasticity. Forager bees show strong circadian rhythms in behavior and brain gene expression, whereas nurse bees tend brood around-the-clock and have attenuated circadian rhythms in activity and whole-brain gene expression. Here, we tested the hypothesis that there is task-related plasticity in circadian rhythms of antennal responsiveness to odorants in worker honeybees. We used electroantennogram (EAG) to measure the antennal responsiveness of nurses and foragers to general odorants and pheromones around the day. The capacity to track 10-Hz odorant pulses varied with time of day for both task groups but with different phases. The antennal pulse-tracking capacity was higher during the subjective day for the day-active foragers, whereas it was better during the night for around-the-clock active nurses. The task-related phases of pulse-tracking rhythms were similar for all the tested stimuli. We also found evidence for circadian rhythms in the EAG response magnitude of foragers but not of nurses. To the best of our knowledge, these results provide the first evidence for circadian regulation of antennal olfactory responsiveness and odorant pulse-tracking capacity in bees or any other hymenopteran insect. Importantly, our study shows for the first time that the circadian phase of olfactory responsiveness may be socially regulated.
The Prevalence and Typologies of Controlling Behaviors in a General Population Sample
Authors: Walker Kate , Sleath Emma , Tramontano Carlo
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and typologies of controlling behaviors within a general population sample. Participants ( N = 427) completed the Revised Controlling Behaviors Scale and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale. Prevalence of perpetration and victimization of controlling behaviors was relatively high, although the frequency and severity of the behaviors was mainly low level. Five clusters were established based on the use of five types of controlling behaviors: economic, threatening, intimidating, emotional, and isolating. Significant differences were found between the perpetration clusters and (a) minor physical assault, (b) severe physical assault, (c) minor psychological aggression, and (d) severe psychological aggression. Furthermore, significant differences were found between the victimization clusters and (a) physical assault, (b) minor psychological aggression, and (c) severe psychological aggression. It is clear that controlling behaviors are a feature within general population relationships, and further research is required to understand when such behaviors become problematic, and what needs to be done to prevent this from happening.
Unwanted Sexual Acts Among University Students: Correlates of Victimization and Perpetration
Authors: Campbell Jacquelyn C. , Sabri Bushra , Budhathoki Chakra , Kaufman Michelle R. , Alhusen Jeanne , Decker Michele R.
Published: October 2017

Unwanted sexual experiences are common among university students in the United States and pose a substantial public health concern. Campus policies and programs to prevent unwanted sexual incidents in university settings require research on prevalence and risk correlates of both victimization and perpetration. This study determined the prevalence of unwanted sexual victimization and perpetration experiences among students, both before and after joining the university, and examined risk correlates for both unwanted sexual victimization and perpetration experiences. Data were collected from 3,977 full-time graduate and undergraduate students using an online survey in a large private university. The findings revealed nearly one in eight students surveyed were victimized by unwanted sexual incidents at the university. Risk correlates of victimization by unwanted sexual incidents included female gender, undergraduate student status, and victimization experiences prior to joining the university. Most (95.5%) sexual violence incidents occurred when the victim was incapacitated due to alcohol, substance, or asleep. An acquaintance, peer, or colleague was the most frequently reported perpetrator. Risk correlates of perpetration included male gender, undergraduate student status, and perpetration of unwanted sexual activities before joining the university. Perpetrators most frequently reported perpetration of unwanted sexual behaviors against a current or former intimate partner or a stranger. The findings highlight the importance of enhanced efforts to reduce prevalence of unwanted sexual incidents, particularly among students most at risk for victimization and perpetration.
Tribological properties of PI-SiC nanocomposite prepared by hot dynamic compaction
Authors: He Runqin , Niu Fenglian , Chang Qiuxiang
Published: October 2017

Wear resistance of polyimide/SiC (PI-SiC) nanocomposite prepared by hot dynamic compaction was investigated in this article. Mechanically milled micro-sized PI with different amounts of SiC nanoparticles (SiCnp), 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 vol%, were used to fabricate the samples. Dynamic compaction was conducted at the strain rates of about 103s−1. The microstructural and mechanical behaviors of the samples, such as microhardness and stress–strain curves, were also investigated. The results showed improvement in the microhardness and compressive strength of the material. The results also revealed reduction in wear resistance as SiC reinforcing particles increased. The microstructural study of the worn surfaces indicated that the abrasive and delamination were the dominant wear mechanisms.
Comparative study on the dielectric properties of three polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites incorporated with carbon filler
Authors: Yang Dandan , Xu Haiping , Yu Wei
Published: October 2017

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-carbon nanotube (CNT) composites with three different CNTs were prepared by a solution blending and hot-press method. The morphologies of nanocomposites were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimeter data indicated that the addition of CNTs can promote the formation of β-phase of PVDF. The dielectric constant values of three PVDF/CNTs are much greater than that of neat PVDF. It has been found that the dielectric loss of the short hydroxylated CNTs filled PVDF nanocomposite is lower than those of other two long pristine CNTs filled PVDF nanocomposites.
The Flint Water Crisis, the Karegnondi Water Authority and Strategic–Structural Racism
Authors: Hammer Peter J.
Published: October 2017

Everyone knows that what happened in Flint is connected to race, but we lack the necessary frameworks to fully understand the multiple ways that race and racism contributed to the Flint Water Crisis. This article introduces the notion of Strategic–Structural racism, the manipulation of the forces of intentional racism, structural racism and unconscious bias for economic or political gain. This construct is applied to critical aspects of the Flint Water Crisis: the imposition of emergency management, the approval of the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) pipeline, the decision to use the Flint River as an interim source of drinking water and how municipal finance rules were manipulated to obtain financing for the KWA pipeline but not to fund necessary upgrades to the Flint Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Tragically, the strategic racism embedded in the KWA approval process created an environment of denial, cover-up and complicity as aspects of the public health crisis began to emerge.
Advanced Modes of Mechanical Ventilation: Introduction for the Critical Care Pharmacist
Authors: Cawley Michael J.
Published: October 2017

Mechanical ventilation continues to be an evolving modality in the critical care environment. Technological advances in microprocessor-controlled ventilation integrated with the complexity of new ventilator modes has provided the multidisciplinary team opportunities to further improve the care of the critically ill ventilator patients. As members of the critical care multidisciplinary team, pharmacists require a basic understanding of both conventional and advanced modes of mechanical ventilation in order to assist in optimizing medication use and ultimately patient health-care outcomes. Pharmacists have a key responsibility to practice vigilance to maintain safe drug therapy use by preventing drug–drug or drug–disease interactions and optimal dose selection based upon pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics principles. Pharmacists also assist in the development of drug utilization guidelines and pharmacological ventilator-weaning protocols based upon evidence-based practice. The result of these responsibilities must include the continued longitudinal assessment and reporting of quality measures to assess ventilator weaning, time to liberation of mechanical ventilation, and length of care in intensive care unit. The purpose of this article is to provide the clinical pharmacist a guide to a basic understanding of advanced modes of mechanical ventilation in adults and to apply the knowledge gained to assist in the care of the critical care patients.
Elections and durable governments in parliamentary governments
Authors: Baron David P
Published: October 2017

This paper provides a dynamic theory of a parliamentary government system with proportional-representation elections, policy-motivated parties and voters, and an endogenous status-quo policy. The theory identifies the representation of parties in parliament, the governments the parties form, the policies chosen by those governments, and the duration of the governments and their policies. Governments are majoritarian, government parties are equal partners, they and their policies are durable, voters elect minority parliaments in every period, and government policies provide concessions to centrist voters. If crises can occur, governments can fall, but a new government forms after the next election. The theory provides explanations for three empirical findings: equilibria consistent with Gamson’s law, an analog of Duverger’s law for proportional-representation electoral systems, and compensational voting where voters give the out party additional votes when an incumbent government is expected to continue in office.
Exergo-technological explicit methodology for gas-turbine system optimization of series hybrid electric vehicles
Authors: Bou Nader Wissam S , Mansour Charbel J , Nemer Maroun G , Guezet Olivier M
Published: October 2017

Significant research efforts have been invested in the automotive industry on hybrid electrified powertrains in order to reduce the dependence of passenger cars on oil. Electrification of powertrains resulted in a wide range of hybrid vehicle architectures. The fuel consumption of these powertrains strongly relies on the energy converter performance, as well as on the energy management strategy deployed on board. This paper investigates the potential of fuel consumption savings of a series hybrid electric vehicle using a gas turbine as an energy converter instead of the conventional internal-combustion engine. An exergo-technological explicit analysis is conducted to identify the best configuration of the gas-turbine system. An intercooled regenerative reheat cycle is prioritized, offering higher efficiency and higher power density than those of other investigated gas-turbine systems. A series hybrid electric vehicle model is developed and powertrain components are sized by considering the vehicle performance criteria. Energy consumption simulations are performed over the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure driving cycle using dynamic programming as the global optimal energy management strategy. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out in order to evaluate the impact of the battery size on the fuel consumption, for self-sustaining and plug-in series hybrid electric vehicle configurations. The results show an improvement in the fuel consumption of 22–25% with the gas turbine as the auxiliary power unit in comparison with that of the internal-combustion engine. Consequently, the studied auxiliary power unit for the gas turbine presents a potential for implementation on series hybrid electric vehicles.
TWIST mediates resistance to paclitaxel by regulating Akt and Bcl-2 expression in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Kwon Chae Hwa , Park Hye Ji , Choi Yuri , Won Yeo Jin , Lee Seon Jin , Park Do Youn
Published: October 2017

The transcription factor TWIST has been reported to play an important role in tumor progression as well as resistance to anti-cancer drugs. However, the role of TWIST in gastric cancer and the molecular mechanisms by which this protein elicits drug resistance remain poorly understood. We transfected gastric cancer cell lines with lentiviral vector to generate TWIST-overexpressing stable cell lines. Our study showed that overexpression of TWIST not only increased cell migration and invasion but also induced resistance to the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel in gastric cancer. Paclitaxel increased gastric cancer cell death in dose-dependent manner; this was decreased following TWIST overexpression. Furthermore, treatment with paclitaxel decreased Akt phosphorylation and Bcl-2 expression, whereas these effects were suppressed by TWIST overexpression. Treatment of cells with Akt inhibitor or small interfering RNA targeting for Bcl-2 led to increased paclitaxel-induced cell death, indicating that TWIST elicits resistance to paclitaxel via the regulation of the Akt and Bcl-2 pathway. Our results suggest an underlying mechanism for TWIST-mediated paclitaxel resistance and indicate that TWIST represents a potential target for overcoming paclitaxel resistance in gastric cancer cells.
Do Methods Matter in Global Leadership Development? Testing the Global Leadership Development Ecosystem Conceptual Model
Authors: Walker Jennie L.
Published: October 2017

As world communication, technology, and trade become increasingly integrated through globalization, multinational corporations seek employees with global leadership skills. However, the demand for these skills currently outweighs the supply. Given the rarity of globally ready leaders, global competency development should be emphasized in business education programs. Global leadership competence requires moving beyond the cognitive domain of learning to create socially responsible and culturally connected global leaders. This requires greater attention to understanding the impact of specific learning methods, the dynamics between them, and their effect on intended outcomes. A new conceptual model, the Global Leadership Development Ecosystem, was introduced in this study to test the impact of learning methods in developing global leadership competencies. It was based on four theories of learning including cognitive, social, experiential, and humanist. This study quantitatively tested the model using PASW statistics software, and hierarchical regression showed the individual effect of each development method and their combined effect on graduate student scores on the Global Mindset Inventory assessment. The analysis revealed that each methodology played a distinct and important role in developing different competencies of global leadership. This model provides a useful framework for global leadership development in higher education business programs.
Global Methamphetamine Trends
Authors: Stoneberg Danielle M. , Shukla Rashi K. , Magness Matt B.
Published: October 2017

The methamphetamine (meth) problem is increasing in regions around the world. As the most widely manufactured amphetamine-type stimulant, it is the second most commonly used illicit drug worldwide. Outside of governmental sources, few studies have examined international meth patterns and trends. An analysis of secondary sources, including governmental and media reports, was conducted to examine recent shifts occurring internationally. Meth serves as an example of a global issue that continues to evolve and change over time. Recent indicators such as seizure statistics suggest that the problem is becoming complex and expansive. Manufacturing and trafficking activities are emerging in new areas and shifts in drug-related activities are occurring within and between countries around the world. This review describes global trends and changes in the problem internationally since 2010. The limitations of available sources of information are discussed.
Analytical models to predict structural behaviour of reinforced concrete beams bonded with prestressed fibre-reinforced polymer laminates
Authors: Ali MS Mohamed
Published: October 2017

The strengthening of reinforced concrete members with prestressed fibre-reinforced polymer laminates has been investigated by researchers due to major improvements in member serviceability characteristics. Currently, analytical models generally employ mostly empirical procedures in predicting member behaviour, and as a result, the analytical results exhibit poor correlation to experimental investigations. In this article, an analytical model is developed using new and existing theoretical techniques to critically analyse strengthened reinforced concrete beams for a range of loading scenarios to generate moment–rotation and load–deflection relationships. The prestress level and the intermediate crack debonding strain of the prestressed fibre-reinforced polymer laminate with the inclusion of mechanical end anchorage were highlighted as key parameters within the model. The proposed model adopts closed-form solutions to allow for a wide range of beams with varying steel and fibre-reinforced polymer reinforcement ratios and dimensions. The model incorporates calibrated crack spacing theory to predict the crack width and spacing as well as the length of the cracked region in the beam. The models have good correlation with collected experimental data and thus can be used for the analysis of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with prestressed fibre-reinforced polymer, throughout all stages of loading from serviceability to failure.
Repairing and developing software infrastructures: The case of Morevna Project in Russia
Authors: Velkova Julia
Published: October 2017

This article discusses how alternative software infrastructures can emerge out of frictions, failure, and repair in the attempts of media creators to evade piracy. Using a case from the geographical fringes of Russia called Morevna Project, and theories of infrastructures and repair, the article suggests how repair can lead to the slow, mundane and fragile formation of what I refer to as ‘situated’ digital infrastructures for cultural production. While pirate-based media production can push creators to search for and develop alternative infrastructures, the latter emerge as fragile frameworks that are constantly threatened from collapse and suspension. The continuous work of integrating diverse interests across local and online media-related contexts and practices becomes an essential stabilising force needed to perpetuate these infrastructures and prevents them from falling back into oblivion.