bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between health-related quality of life, disease activity and disease damage in a prospective international multicenter cohort of childhood onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Moorthy L N , Baldino M E , Kurra V , Puwar D , Llanos A , Peterson M G E , Hassett A L , Lehman T J A ,   for the International SMILEY© Collaborative group
Published: August 2016

Previously, we described associations between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and disease-related factors among childhood onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) patients. Here we determined the relationship between HRQOL, disease activity and damage in a large prospective international cohort of cSLE. We compared HRQOL, disease activity and disease damage across different continents and examined the relationship between children's and parents' assessments of HRQOL. Patients with cSLE and their parents completed HRQOL measures at enrollment and ≥4 follow-up visits. Physicians assessed disease activity and damage. The multinational cohort ( n = 467) had relatively low disease activity and damage. Patient and parent HRQOL scores were significantly correlated. Asian and European patients had the highest HRQOL, while South and North American patients had lower HRQOL scores. Renal, CNS, skin and musculoskeletal systems exhibited the highest levels of damage. North and South American and Asian patients were more likely to have disease damage and activity scores above median values, compared with Europeans. Asians were more likely to use cyclophosphamide/rituximab. Female gender, high disease activity and damage, non-White ethnicity, and use of cyclophosphamide and/rituximab were related to lower HRQOL. HRQOL domain scores continue to emphasize that SLE has widespread impact on all aspects of children's and parents' lives.
Entheseal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: are we missing something?
Authors: Di Matteo A , Satulu I , Di Carlo M , Lato V , Filippucci E , Grassi W
Published: August 2016

Background

Musculoskeletal involvement is extremely common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Continuing the research initiated in patients with inflammatory arthritis, recent studies have shown the potential role of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in the evaluation of clinical and subclinical lupus synovitis. The inflammatory process in SLE is traditionally considered to be localized at synovial tissue areas while enthesis is not included among the possible targets of the disease.

Patients and methods

Entheses included in the Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System were scanned in a cohort of 20 SLE patients serving as disease controls in an MSUS study aimed at assessing enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis. We describe in detail four cases with unexpected and unequivocal expressions of MSUS enthesitis according to the OMERACT definition. Three out of four patients had no predisposing factors for enthesopathy. Case no. 2 was treated with a variable-dose prednisone regimen.

Results

In the four cases MSUS examination revealed relevant grey-scale and power Doppler abnormalities at the entheseal level, most commonly at the distal insertion of the patellar tendon. Signs of clinical enthesitis were detected in only one patient.

Conclusions

This case series shows for the first time the presence of clearly evident MSUS findings indicative of enthesitis in four out of 20 SLE patients (20%), raising the hypothesis that enthesis could be a missing target in the clinical evaluation of SLE patients. Our case series justifies further investigations for a better evaluation of the prevalence, characteristics and clinical relevance of entheseal involvement in SLE.
Missing the goal: Policy evolution towards football-related violence in Poland (1989–2012)
Authors: Antonowicz Dominik , Grodecki Mateusz
Published: August 2016

The article aims to analyse the evolution of governmental policy in regard to football-related violence in Poland. The investigation is seen through a broader political prism of the country’s modernization efforts that were symbolically framed by two major events: the partially free parliamentary elections in 1989 and the finals of Euro 2012 co-hosted by Poland. The paper offers a discussion on policy dynamics stemmed from politicization and instrumentalization of the complex problem of hooliganism. By doing so, it demonstrates how, under external political pressure and in search for internal popularity, the governments introduced superficial legal and institutional solutions thoughtlessly imitating policies adopted in other countries (mainly England), and how this approach led to masking and sidelining social problems rather than offering actual solutions.
Assessing Intercultural Competence as a Result of Internationalization at Home Efforts
Authors: Prieto-Flores Òscar , Feu Jordi , Casademont Xavier
Published: August 2016

In the last decades, many higher education institutions have developed practices of internationalization of curricula aiming at developing intercultural competences among the non-mobile majority of students. Some of them have developed service-learning activities focusing on working with underserved communities from different cultures. This article shows some challenges on how intercultural competence of college students participating in a community-based mentoring program could be assessed. Outcomes are based on mixed-method research from a survey given to a treatment group that participated in a mentoring program ( n = 95) and a control group ( n = 71), and on 10 daily life stories from university students who were enrolled and participated in the mentoring program. Paradoxically, results show scarce differences between groups in Attitudes, Skills, Comprehension, and Desired Internal Outcomes in favor of the control group. But, on the other hand, some slightly significant differences in favor of the treatment group are observed with regard to Dominance Orientation and Symbolic Racism. These results bring new hypotheses and discussions helpful for scholars and administrators, especially coming from the learnings that students showed, particularly in qualitative data.
Contextual Identities
Authors: Batterton Jessica , Horner Sherri L.
Published: August 2016

As the number of international students studying at American universities continues to grow (Institute of International Education, 2014), campuses are increasingly becoming social spaces where the local, national, and international meet. Even though students’ identities may still be developing in college (Arnett, 2000) and their environment may influence their identity development (Erikson, 1968), little research has focused on the effects of this unique context on students’ identity formation. This study investigated the change in international and American student roommates’ ethnic and national identities over the course of one semester at three Midwestern universities. The qualitative results from semi-structured interviews with four undergraduate students suggest that these students were still grappling with their identities in different ways as they acted as discoverers, ambassadors, and negotiators and support a contextual approach to studying identity development in college students.
Conflicts in music in the South Caucasus: The case of Armenians and Azerbaijanis
Authors: Davidjants Brigitta , Ross Jaan
Published: August 2016

This article explores how music is employed in the service of nationalist ideas by two Caucasian peoples: the Azeris and the Armenians. The small-scale case study reported here focuses on a folk song that is popular in both nations (known respectively as Sari Gelin/Sari Aghjik) and on its reception in social media. The paper shows that doctrinal, national myths cultivated in Armenia and Azerbaijan are remarkably similar and have a stronghold in the mindset of the respective nations on an everyday level. Individuals from both nations may include certain desired elements in their respective cultures or exclude certain unwanted elements that reveal the similarities between the two. Both countries are characterised by semi-totalitarian regimes in which a state-financed official media is under the control of an oligarchy or the government. As this makes social media one of the very few places for free discourse, elements of peace-building between countries can also be found. Yet even here, on a micro level, social media reflects national myths that are common to these two nations.
Experiences With the Providers Share Workshop Method
Authors: Debbink Michelle L. P. , Hassinger Jane A. , Martin Lisa A. , Maniere Emma , Youatt Emily , Harris Lisa H.
Published: August 2016

Abortion providers work in an environment characterized by the stresses of the helping professions as well as by the marginalization and devaluation that accompany work in a stigmatized field. We created the Providers Share Workshop (PSW), a five-session workshop carried out at seven abortion care sites around the United States, to support workers and better understand the complexities of working in abortion care. Qualitative analysis suggests that the experience of participating in the workshop fosters connection, and that the group process creates unique data about the abortion care team. Taken together, these results show that PSW fulfills the dual role of a supportive group intervention—helping create connections and foster resilience—and a research tool, producing rich, multi-perspective narratives of the abortion provision team. This method provides useful insight into supporting abortion care workers specifically, and may also prove useful in the study and support of other stigmatized workers generally.
“Pain Is What the Patient Says It Is”: Nurse–Patient Communication, Information Seeking, and Pain Management
Authors: Miller Laura E. , Eldredge Scott A. , Dalton Elizabeth D.
Published: August 2016

Nurse–patient conversations about pain management are complex. Given recent increases in prescription pain pill abuse, such interactions merit scholarly attention. In-depth interviews with 21 nurses were conducted to explicitly explore nurses’ information seeking about pain. The participants in this study gathered pain information from patients through a variety of means and reported facing challenges and dilemmas when communicating with patients about pain management and medicinal preferences. These results have important implications for nurses, patient outcomes, and the broader health-care system and imply that continued educational and intervention efforts are essential in this complicated communicative context.
Black Masculinities Expressed Through, and Constrained by, Brotherhood
Authors: Laing Tony
Published: August 2016

Black males face pressures to adopt dominant social roles in relationships based on expectations from family, peers, and teachers. Many stereotypes define their perceived masculinities in coeducational schools, such as different definitions of masculinity received from peers and adults. Enrollment in all-male, majority-Black schools changes nothing. This article discusses how Black males who attend the Pebbles School—an urban all-male public combined middle and high school—constructed, perceived, and negotiated their masculine identities and perceptions of brotherhood. The relationship between masculinity and brotherhood and the intersection of gender and ethnic studies draw upon studies in Progressive Black Masculinity to challenge restrictive definitions of masculinity constructions shared among some Black males, who tend to view masculinity exclusively through a heterosexual lens, which limits discussions of diversity in brotherhood and sexual orientation.
Self-Representations of Gender-Equality-Oriented Men’s Organizations in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland
Authors: Kastein Mara
Published: August 2016

Research is carried out on an institutionalizing transnational scene of gender-equality-oriented men’s organizations in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. In this article, I give insight into the websites of eight men’s organizations. The webpages demonstrate a special type of communication, indicate their desired outward perception and readership, and are part of a programmatic discourse. The webpage analysis shows a variety of statements, addressees, and aims, which indicate that a clear self-perception of men’s politics is not to be found. Instead, men’s politics is a field of different interpretive patterns and discursive battles for interpretive power.
Oncocytic Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Background of Renal Adenomatosis
Authors: Kim Ji Yeon
Published: August 2016

Renal adenomatosis is a rare disease characterized by numerous adenomas in bilateral kidneys. A literature review shows that malignant tumors can arise in this condition. The present case describes an oncocytic papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) arising in renal adenomatosis. A 70-year-old man presented with incidentally identified, multiple right renal masses on computed tomography. Right nephrectomy was performed, and the resected kidney revealed numerous radiologically undetected small nodules additionally. Microscopically, the nodules were papillary neoplasms of variable sizes and cytological features. The largest nodule measured 1.6 cm and was composed of oncocytic cells, meeting the diagnostic criteria of oncocytic PRCC. The smaller nodules of papillary adenomas and tiny lesions showing a single papillary ingrowth were also seen. This case exhibits a spectrum of renal papillary neoplasms in a resected kidney and can be a valuable case in the understanding of tumorigenesis.
First-Generation College Students’ Persistence Intentions in Engineering Majors
Authors: Garriott Patton O. , Navarro Rachel L. , Flores Lisa Y.
Published: August 2016

This study examined the relationship between parental support, engineering-related (realistic/investigative themed) learning experiences, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and persistence intentions in a sample of first-generation college student (FGCS) engineering majors ( N = 130). Parental support was assessed at the conclusion of an academic year and modeled as a predictor of other engineering-related variables assessed a year later using the social cognitive career theory framework. Results showed that parental support predicted realistic/investigative-themed verbal persuasion and vicarious learning, while realistic/investigative-themed performance accomplishments and physiological arousal predicted engineering self-efficacy. Realistic/investigative performance accomplishments also predicted outcome expectations. Self-efficacy and outcome expectations were predictors of engineering persistence intentions. Contrary to expectations, self-efficacy did not significantly predict outcome expectations. Mediation analyses revealed that the relationships of realistic/investigative-themed performance accomplishments and physiological arousal to persistence intentions were explained by self-efficacy. Results are discussed in terms of increasing retention of FGCS in engineering.
Integrating Job Loss, Unemployment, and Reemployment With Social Cognitive Career Theory
Authors: Thompson Mindi N. , Dahling Jason J. , Chin Mun Yuk , Melloy Robert C.
Published: August 2016

Job loss and recovery remain critical challenges in the United States and Europe in the wake of the Great Recession. However, the experience of unemployment is poorly integrated in theories of vocational psychology. In this article, we explore how job loss and recovery can be understood through the lens of social cognitive career theory’s career self-management (SCCT-CSM) model. We apply the SCCT-CSM model to understand the critical importance of person-cognitive variables, individual differences, and contextual affordances to the experiences of job loss and job recovery. Implications for future research, including research with particular groups of unemployed persons, are discussed. Overall, our analysis indicates that the SCCT-CSM model is a fruitful perspective for organizing future scholarship related to job loss and recovery.
SCCT Research in the International Context
Authors: Sheu Hung-Bin , Bordon Jennifer J.
Published: August 2016

Since its introduction in 1994, social cognitive career theory (SCCT) has attracted attention from researchers and practitioners in the United States and other countries. This article provides a review of selected research performed outside the United States regarding SCCT’s interest, choice, performance, and satisfaction models. Results of a database search identified 37 studies, which contained 41 independent samples from 21 countries and were published in the English language. The majority of these studies were conducted in Asian (e.g., China and Taiwan) and European (e.g., Portugal, Germany, and Italy) countries and tested the interest/choice and satisfaction models in adolescent and college student samples who were enrolled in courses or majors related to the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM; or Holland’s Investigative and Realistic themes). Existing international SCCT research offers robust evidence for the mediating role of self-efficacy, but less consistent support for that of outcome expectations, in the relations of proximal contextual factors to outcomes of interest, choice goals or goal progress, and academic or job satisfaction. Additionally, this review provides preliminary evidence for mastery experience and physiological state as two key sources of efficacy beliefs and for the effects of personality traits (e.g., positive affect and emotional stability) on academic or job satisfaction. Results of a recent meta-analysis are also summarized to offer an empirical synthesis of international SCCT research testing the choice model. Based on this review, directions for future international SCCT research are highlighted, and suggestions for career counseling are discussed.
An Examination of the Applicability of Social Cognitive Career Theory for African American College Students
Authors: Dickinson Josephine , Abrams Matthew D. , Tokar David M.
Published: August 2016

The purpose of the present study is to extend the literature on social cognitive career theory (SCCT) by examining (a) the applicability of SCCT for African Americans with constructs defined in terms of Holland’s realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional (RIASEC) themes and (b) the role of specific learning experiences (performance accomplishments, vicarious learning, and verbal persuasion) in the formation of corresponding self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results based on a sample of 208 African American college students revealed support for hypothesized relations of self-efficacy with outcome expectations, self-efficacy and outcome expectations with interests and choice goals, and interests with choice goals for all six RIASEC themes. Results revealed partial support for the hypothesized relations of learning experiences with self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Finally, results indicated limited support for the hypothesis that verbal persuasion would be a stronger positive predictor of self-efficacy and outcome expectations than would performance accomplishments and vicarious learning. These findings offer preliminary support for the applicability of SCCT in explaining African American college students’ RIASEC-based interest development and career choice goals. Implications of the findings for career counseling interventions and future research are discussed.
The State of SCCT Research in Relation to Social Class
Authors: Flores Lisa Y. , Navarro Rachel L. , Ali Saba Rasheed
Published: August 2016

This article provides an overview of 47 empirical studies of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and recent SCCT-based models with a focus on social class and socioeconomic status (SES). We summarize the findings across the studies according to (1) the use of social class or SES as a study variable and (2) low-SES samples based on demographic data. We provide an assessment of the current state of SCCT research on social class and offer directions for advancing SCCT theory and research with attention to how social class can be conceptualized and operationalized within SCCT.
Media Coverage of the 2014 West Virginia Elk River Chemical Spill
Authors: Thomas Tracey L. , Kannaley Kristie , Friedman Daniela B. , Tanner Andrea H. , Brandt Heather M. , Spencer S. Melinda
Published: August 2016

This study examined how news media framed West Virginia’s 2014 Elk River Chemical Spill, an industrial disaster that began a national discussion about chemical safety. A content analysis of media was conducted to explore disaster coverage. Additionally, in-depth stakeholder interviews were conducted to examine how audiences interpreted and evaluated media coverage. Both content analysis and interview findings highlighted the media’s reliance on the attribution of responsibility news frame, which dominated media coverage, although the dominance of particular frames differed according to media channel and time period.
‘Becoming more of myself’: Safe sensuality, salsa and ageing
Authors: Milton Sarah
Published: August 2016

Ageing bodies are too often associated with invisibility or ‘active’ and ‘successful ageing’ discourses. Little research has focused on the daily and lived experiences of ageing, gender and sexuality in midlife, particularly when it comes to positive or more nuanced experiences. Based on ethnographic research in salsa classes with women in their fifties, this article explores the intersections and co-production of ageing, femininity and heterosexualities within particular spaces. Single women in midlife initially felt unsure of the ‘rules of the road’, out of place in social space. Salsa class spaces were produced as safe, alongside a ‘safe sensuality’ – which included embodying a glamorous salsa outfit but remaining respectfully feminine in ‘age appropriate’ ways. Participants navigated a way to become ‘more’ rather than ‘less’ of themselves with age, enjoying a ‘second chance’ which had not been afforded to the women of the generations before them. This article extends queer studies of space to account for ageing and for the (spatial) hierarchies embodied within heteronormativities.
Gangs and a global sociological imagination
Authors: Fraser Alistair , Hagedorn John M
Published: August 2016

Across the globe, the phenomenon of youth gangs has become an important and sensitive public issue. In this context, an increasing level of research attention has focused on the development of universalized definitions of gangs in a global context. In this article, we argue that this search for similarity has resulted in a failure to recognize and understand difference. Drawing on an alternative methodology we call a ‘global exchange’, this article suggests three concepts—homologies of habitus, vectors of difference and transnational reflexivity—that seek to re-engage the sociological imagination in the study of gangs and globalization.
God in the brain: Experiencing psychosis in the postsecular United States
Authors: Jones Nev , Kelly Timothy , Shattell Mona
Published: August 2016

There is a growing literature on what contemporary cultural theorists have broadly termed the “postsecular”: the abandonment of clear-cut boundaries between the secular and nonsecular in the industrialized West and an embrace of a complex understanding of what is real that neither accepts nor rejects the supernatural. These new cultural currents may affect not only philosophers and theologians, but also the ways in which individuals with psychosis make sense of their experiences. This paper reports on the key findings of an in-depth qualitative analysis of 19 interviews of individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders. The majority of participants described ongoing and self-conscious struggles to demarcate their experiences as the products of the real world or a “crazy” mind. With equal frequency, participants weighed and debated competing secular and supernatural explanations, often juxtaposing and blending different explanatory frameworks. We found that this syncretic process affected not only the content of psychotic experiences—what delusions or hallucinations are about—but also the type of arguments or logics used to justify particular interpretations. We discuss the implications of these observations with respect to clinical practice and the broader phenomenology of psychosis, challenging often oversimplified discourse on “insight” and suggesting that polarization(s) between “biomedical” and “psychosocial” explanations may be of less relevance to patients’ real-world experiences than is often assumed.
Heritage language anxiety and majority language anxiety among Turkish immigrants in the Netherlands
Authors: Sevinç Yeşim , Dewaele Jean-Marc
Published: August 2016

Aims and objectives:

This study examines the language anxiety that occurs in immigrants’ daily lives when speaking the heritage language and the majority language, both in their host country and during visits to their home country. It compares the levels of heritage language anxiety and majority language anxiety across three generations of the Turkish immigrant community in the Netherlands and explores the link between immigrants’ language anxiety, and sociobiographical (i.e. generation, gender, education) and language background variables (i.e. age of acquisition, self-perceived proficiency, frequency of language use).

Design:

A Likert scale-based questionnaire was administered to 116 participants across three generations who reported their language anxiety levels when speaking the heritage language and the majority language in three social contexts (i.e. family, friendship and speaking with native speakers).

Findings:

Statistical analyses revealed that heritage language anxiety and majority language anxiety were prevalent in immigrants’ daily life, and that levels of both forms of anxiety differed across generations, and in different daily life situations. First- and second-generation immigrants typically experienced majority language anxiety, while second- and predominantly third-generation immigrants suffered from heritage language anxiety. Relationships emerged between language background variables and both forms of anxiety, but only in certain situations. These findings suggest that language background variables on their own may be insufficient to explain immigrant language anxiety in certain social contexts (i.e. within family). Rather than merely language background factors, a variety of other issues within social, cultural and national currents must be considered when examining language anxiety in the immigrant context.

Implications:

Taking an interdisciplinary approach that combines language contact and foreign language anxiety/second language anxiety research, this study suggests that the concept of foreign language anxiety/second language anxiety should be expanded beyond the confines of the classroom to include daily interactions of immigrant or minority communities.

Originality:

This study contributes to the limited body of evidence on the topic of language anxiety in immigrant contexts and presents a new construct ‘majority language anxiety’.
Comfort assessment for a pedestrian passageway suspended under a girder bridge with random traffic flows
Authors: Chen Bin , Wu Dongyan , Xie Xu , Lu Pengzhen
Published: August 2016

In recent years, a new type of pedestrian passageway, which is suspended under the main girder bridge, has emerged. Vibration in this type of structure is mainly due to the vehicle traffic loading on the main bridge. However, the current codes are not appropriate for vibration comfort assessments for these pedestrian passageways. In this study, a novel method was proposed for probability-based vibration comfort assessment, which considers the randomness of traffic flows. Using an in-service suspended pedestrian bridge as an example, it was considered to the factors that influence the vibration comfort using field measured traffic loading. The results showed that the peak acceleration response of the pedestrian bridge under a random traffic flow followed a normal distribution and there were some deviations in the vibration comfort assessment results when different codes are used. Factors such as the vehicle type ratio, roughness of the pavement, and vehicle speed had significant effects on the acceleration response of the structure.
A generalized Pareto distribution–based extreme value model of thermal gradients in a long-span bridge combining parameter updating
Authors: Zhou Guang-Dong , Yi Ting-Hua , Chen Bin , Zhang Huan
Published: August 2016

Estimating extreme value models with high reliability for thermal gradients is a significant task that must be completed before reasonable thermal loads and possible thermal stress in long-span bridges are evaluated. In this article, a generalized Pareto distribution–based extreme value model combining parameter updating has been developed to describe the statistical characteristics of thermal gradients in a long-span bridge. The procedure of excluding correlation and the approach of selecting a proper threshold are suggested to prepare samples for generalized Pareto distribution estimation. A Bayesian estimation, which has the capability of updating model parameters by fusing prior information and incoming monitoring data, is proposed to fit the generalized Pareto distribution–based model. Furthermore, the Gibbs sampling, which is a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, is adopted to derive the Bayesian posterior distribution. Finally, the proposed method is applied to the field monitoring data of thermal gradients in the Jiubao Bridge. The extreme value models of thermal gradients for the Jiubao Bridge are established, and the extreme thermal gradients with different return periods are extrapolated. The results indicate that the generalized Pareto distribution–based extreme value model has a strong ability to represent the statistical features of thermal gradients for the Jiubao Bridge, and the Bayesian estimation combining parameter updating provides high-precision generalized Pareto distribution–based models for predicting extreme thermal gradients. The predicted extreme thermal gradients are expected to evaluate and design long-span bridges.
Failure of wall–slab joint in unreinforced masonry building
Authors: Lin Feng , Yang Xiuming , Li Keyu , Gu Xianglin , Li Xiang
Published: August 2016

Investigations on buildings severely damaged due to earthquakes or explosions have indicated that unreinforced masonry buildings with simply supported precast concrete floor slabs exhibit deficiencies in resistance to progressive collapse, compared to unreinforced masonry buildings with continuous cast in situ concrete floor slabs. The collapse mechanisms observed in the two types of unreinforced masonry buildings are closely related to wall–slab joint failure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the failure behavior of wall–slab joints and the effect on the collapse of the two types of unreinforced masonry buildings. Six wall–slab joint specimens and eight grooved wall specimens, induced by partial failure of wall–slab joints, were tested under monotonic vertical and horizontal loading. Numerical models were then developed, verified, and used to perform a parametric study. It was found that the wall–slab joints failed in various modes, that is, slab failure, wall failure, and slab pullout failure. The grooved wall could fail in bending or in compression. Analyses indicated that the collapse of unreinforced masonry buildings with simply supported precast concrete floor slabs develops in both vertical and horizontal directions. However, the collapse of unreinforced masonry buildings with continuous cast in situ concrete floor slabs is prone to develop only in the vertical direction, resulting in improved progressive collapse resistance.
Computational fluid dynamics study of human-induced wake and particle dispersion in indoor environment
Authors: Tao Yao , Inthavong Kiao , Tu Jiyuan
Published: August 2016

The impact of human-induced wake flow and particle re-dispersion from floors in an indoor environment was investigated by performing computational fluid dynamics simulations with dynamic mesh of a moving manikin model in a confined room. The manikin motion was achieved by a dynamic layering mesh method to update new grids with each time step. Particle transport from the floors and its re-dispersion was tracked by a Lagrangian approach. A series of numerical simulations of three walking speeds were performed to compare the flow disturbance induced by the walking motion. The significant airflow patterns included: an upward-directed flow in front of the body combined with a high velocity downward-directed flow at the rear of the body; a stagnant region behind the gap between the legs and counter-rotating vortices in the wake region. The airflow momentum induced by the moving body disturbed PM2.5 particles that were initially at rest on the floor to lift and become re-suspended due to its interaction with the trailing wake. The residual flow disturbances after the manikin stopped moving continued to induce the particle to spread and deposit over time. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the particle dispersion and concentration showed that higher walking speed was conducive to reducing human's exposure to contaminants in breathing region.
Healthy and wellbeing activities’ promotion using a Big Data approach
Authors: Gachet Páez Diego , de Buenaga Rodríguez Manuel , Puertas Sánz Enrique , Villalba María Teresa , Muñoz Gil Rafael
Published: August 2016

The aging population and economic crisis specially in developed countries have as a consequence the reduction in funds dedicated to health care; it is then desirable to optimize the costs of public and private healthcare systems, reducing the affluence of chronic and dependent people to care centers; promoting healthy lifestyle and activities can allow people to avoid chronic diseases as for example hypertension. In this article, we describe a system for promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for people and to recommend with guidelines and valuable information about their habits. The proposed system is being developed around the Big Data paradigm using bio-signal sensors and machine-learning algorithms for recommendations.
A prediction model of blood pressure for telemedicine
Authors: Kwong Enid Wai-Yung , Wu Hao , Pang Grantham Kwok-Hung
Published: August 2016

This paper presents a new study based on a machine learning technique, specifically an artificial neural network, for predicting systolic blood pressure through the correlation of variables (age, BMI, exercise level, alcohol consumption level, smoking status, stress level, and salt intake level). The study was carried out using a database containing a variety of variables/factors. Each database of raw data was split into two parts: one part for training the neural network and the remaining part for testing the performance of the network. Two neural network algorithms, back-propagation and radial basis function, were used to construct and validate the prediction system. According to the experiment, the accuracy of our predictions of systolic blood pressure values exceeded 90%. Our experimental results show that artificial neural networks are suitable for modeling and predicting systolic blood pressure. This new method of predicting systolic blood pressure helps to give an early warning to adults, who may not get regular blood pressure measurements that their blood pressure might be at an unhealthy level. Also, because an isolated measurement of blood pressure is not always very accurate due to daily fluctuations, our predictor can provide the predicted value as another figure for medical staff to refer to.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s International Early Learning Study: Opening for debate and contestation
Authors: Moss Peter , Dahlberg Gunilla , Grieshaber Susan , Mantovani Susanna , May Helen , Pence Alan , Rayna Sylvie , Swadener Beth Blue , Vandenbroeck Michel
Published: August 2016

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is initiating the International Early Learning Study, a cross-national assessment of early learning outcomes involving the testing of 5-year-old children in participating countries. The authors use this colloquium to inform members of the early childhood community about this project and to raise concerns about its assumptions, practices and possible effects. The authors also invite readers’ comments, to start a process of democratic dialogue and contestation.
Study on static and dynamic characteristics of nettle–polyester composite micro lathe bed
Authors: Mahendrakumar N , Thyla PR , Mohanram PV , Raja Kumaran C , Jayachandresh J
Published: August 2016

Nowadays, natural fibre-reinforced composites find applications in almost all engineering fields. This work is an attempt to realise improvement in dynamic characteristics of micro lathe bed using Himalayan nettle (Girardinia heterophylla) polyester (NP) composite as an alternate material. In order to study and validate the improvements envisaged, a cast iron micro lathe bed is considered as reference. Numerical (FE) model of the cast iron micro lathe bed was developed and validated through experimental static and modal analysis. Finite element analysis of the micro lathe bed with the existing cast iron material as well as with nettle–polyester composite as alternate material was also carried out using worst case cutting forces, and based on the relative performances, the need for form design modification for the proposed material was identified. To enhance the bending and torsional stiffness of the nettle–polyester composite lathe bed, various cross sections and rib configurations were studied and the best among them was identified and the same was implemented in the nettle–polyester composite micro lathe bed design. Finite element analysis of the newly designed nettle–polyester composite micro lathe bed was performed and the improvements in dynamic characteristics were evaluated. The newly designed nettle–polyester composite micro lathe bed was fabricated and the predicted enhancement in static and dynamic characteristics was verified experimentally. The studies indicated that nettle–polyester composite could be considered as a suitable alternate to cast iron structures in machine tools.
Parallel methodology to capture cyclic variability in motored engines
Authors: Ameen Muhsin M , Yang Xiaofeng , Kuo Tang-Wei , Som Sibendu
Published: August 2016

Numerical prediction of cycle-to-cycle variability in spark ignition engines is extremely challenging for two key reasons: (1) high-fidelity methods such as large eddy simulation are required to accurately capture the in-cylinder turbulent flow field and (2) cycle-to-cycle variability is experienced over long time scales, and hence, the simulations need to be performed for hundreds of consecutive cycles. In this study, a methodology is proposed to dissociate this long time-scale problem into several shorter time-scale problems, which can considerably reduce the computational time without sacrificing the fidelity of the simulations. The strategy is to perform multiple parallel simulations, each of which encompasses two to three cycles, by effectively perturbing the simulation parameters such as the initial and boundary conditions. The proposed methodology is validated for the prediction of cycle-to-cycle variability due to gas exchange in a motored transparent combustion chamber engine by comparing with particle image velocimetry measurements. It is shown that by perturbing the initial velocity field effectively based on the intensity of the in-cylinder turbulence, the mean and variance of the in-cylinder flow field are captured reasonably well. Adding perturbations in the initial pressure field and the boundary pressure improves the predictions. It is shown that this new approach is able to give accurate predictions of the flow field statistics in considerably less time than that required for the conventional approach of simulating consecutive engine cycles.
Are we asking the right questions? An analysis of research on the effect of teachers’ questioning on children’s language during shared book reading with young children
Authors: Walsh Rosalind L , Hodge Kerry A
Published: August 2016

A review of 20 experimental, shared book reading (SBR) interventions using questioning strategies with preschool children was conducted. The studies were analyzed in terms of their quality, focus, and the questioning strategies employed. Although there were few methodological concerns about the studies conducted, treatment fidelity and replicability of the reported interventions are raised as issues needing attention in future research. The impact of questioning strategies on language and pre- literacy skills tended to be a focus of the reported studies, with little investigation of the development of children's thinking skills through questioning, and there were few attempts to analyze children's responses to different types of questioning techniques. Across the reported studies, there was also a lack of consistency around the terminology associated with different kinds of questioning. The article concludes with discussion of implications for the use of questioning techniques in early childhood education practice and argues for research into the impact of different questioning techniques on children's cognitive development.
Structured learning for clinical ethics in anaesthesia
Authors: Logarajah Sri , Roff Sue
Published: August 2016

The ‘SLICE’ model for Structured Learning in Clinical Ethics provides a template to help medical professionals identify their own “moral compass” to provide guidance in complex ethical areas. The model has five domains – Conscience, Compliance, Concurrence, Conversation and Conversion.

The use of ‘SLICE’ model as a tool for ethics education has been described in various undergraduate and postgraduate settings. These include teaching ethical aspects of transplantation; legislation for undergraduates and consent in paediatric anaesthesia. Its use as tool for teaching reflective ethical practice has been recently described demonstrating the potential of the SLICE model for supporting appraisal and professional development.

In this article, we explore the suitability of the SLICE model to provide a general framework encompassing all the requirements for Ethical Clinical practice in anaesthesia. Good Medical Practice guidance produced by the General Medical Council and guidance provided jointly by the Royal College of Anaesthetists and Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland is used as the foundation for developing this framework.

The Good Practice Guide for anaesthetic departments provides a solid ethical frame work for interpreting and applying Good Medical Practice guidance by the General Medical Council. Tools such as the SLICE model complement the guides produced by the professional organisations by providing a choice of different methods to facilitate education, decision making and reflective practice.
Eating yourself away: Reflections on the ‘comorbidity’ of eating disorders and gender dysphoria
Authors: Giordano Simona
Published: August 2016

Studies have highlighted high prevalence of eating disorders among people with gender dysphoria, particularly transgender boys. This finding is extremely important: it means that transgender youth are exposed to the additional health hazards, which are extremely serious, of eating disorders. This paper highlights a series of conceptual problems inherent in the notion of ‘comorbidity’, and suggests that such notion needs careful examination. A superficial understanding such notion may lead healthcare professionals to assume that many transgender youth suffer additional psychopathology; they may thus become wary of commencing medical treatment for gender dysphoria until those other conditions are controlled. It is therefore essential, both from an ethical and a clinical point of view, that the notion of ‘comorbidity’ be properly understood, in order to avoid the risk that a helpful finding is turned into an additional stigma for transgender people and an obstacle to provision of medical treatment.
Abortion for life-limiting foetal anomaly: Beneficial when and for whom?
Authors: Watt Helen
Published: August 2016

Abortion for life-limiting foetal anomaly is often an intensely painful choice for the parents; though widely offered and supported, it is surprisingly difficult to defend in ethical terms. Abortion on this ground is sometimes defended as foetal euthanasia but has features which sharply differentiate it from standard non-voluntary euthanasia, not least the fact that any suffering otherwise anticipated for the child may be neither severe nor prolonged. Such abortions may be said to reduce suffering for the family including siblings – a consideration rarely stated so explicitly in defences of postnatal euthanasia – or for the woman who must in any case face the eventual loss of her baby, and for whom the abortion is seen as therapeutic in minimising pain. Finally, the abortion may be said to constitute the cessation of morally optional life support on the part of the woman, and/or to be a ‘social’ choice she is entitled to make, whether or not this in fact promotes her interests or those of her child. These defences need honest exploration: the intense parental suffering caused by the choice to end an often much-wanted pregnancy should not preclude but rather encourage the question whether this choice can indeed be ethically proposed to couples, especially compared with the neonatal palliative care (‘perinatal hospice’) approach so well received by parents who experience it.
Concern for Lost Income Following Donation Deters Some Patients From Talking to Potential Living Donors
Authors: Rodrigue James R. , Schold Jesse D. , Mandelbrot Didier A. , Taber David J. , Phan Van , Baliga Prabhakar K.
Published: August 2016

Context:

Some living kidney donors report lost income during recovery from surgery. Little is known about whether concern for living donor’s lost income affects the decision to undergo donation evaluation and the willingness of transplant candidates to discuss living kidney donation (LKD) with others.

Objective:

To examine whether transplant patients were told by potential donors about lost income concerns and whether patients chose not to discuss LKD with others due to lost income concerns.

Design, Setting, and Patients:

Kidney transplant patients (185 wait-listed candidates, 171 deceased donor recipients, and 100 live donor recipients) at 2 centers completed a questionnaire to assess whether concern about donor’s lost income was a consideration in discussion about LKD with others.

Results:

One-third (32%) were told by a family member/friend that they were willing to donate but were concerned about potential lost income. The majority of those who expressed financial concern (64%) did not initiate donation evaluation. Many patients (42%) chose not to discuss living donation with a family member/friend due to concern about the impact of lost income on the donor. In the multivariable model, lower annual household income was the only statistically significant predictor of both having a potential donor expressing lost income concern and choosing not to talk to someone because of lost income concern.

Conclusion:

Findings from the current study underscore how concern about income loss for living donors may affect decision-making by both transplant candidates and potential donors.