bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The new Global Strategy for the EU's Foreign and Security Policy at a time of human rights crises
Authors: Altafin Chiara , Haász Veronika , Podstawa Karolina
Published: June 2017

This article explores whether the Global Strategy for the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy adds new significance to the human rights commitment spelled out in EU Treaties and elaborated in other sectoral, strategic documents. In particular, it investigates whether the Strategy’s take on human rights continues or complements the Union’s earlier approach in the field or prioritises them in the Union’s activities. The article commences with an identification of the modalities through which the new Strategy voices human rights both as values and objectives in EU external policies. This is done against the background of coherence and resilience as organising concepts of the Union’s external action and the Global Strategy itself. It goes on to draw from our research findings of three case studies as focused on the EU human rights and rule of law failure at home (Poland and Hungary), at its borders (in relation to migration), and in its closest vicinity (Ukraine). These serve as the background for the analysis of how the pursuit of human rights objectives is continued, complemented or prioritised against the background of and with the use of the two foundational concepts. It is contended that coherence and resilience advance (if at times modestly) the existing EU human rights agenda, continuing earlier approaches (for example, ensuring a comprehensive human rights approach to conflict and crisis) or complementing them (for example, using and investing in all instruments aimed at conflict prevention, management, resolution and stabilisation; connecting the internal and external spheres and policies). The migration policy remains a problematic one, as the implementation of the rhetorical commitment to the prioritisation of human rights does not stand trial with the general atmosphere in European and world politics.
The decline in for-profit higher education during the Obama Administration and its prospects in the Trump Presidency
Authors: Castagnera James Ottavio
Published: June 2017

The fortunes of the for-profit higher education industry rise and fall with the political tides in the United States. During the 8 years of the George W Bush Administration (Republican), the for-profit sector of US higher education prospered. The following two terms of the Obama Administration (Democrat) resulted in the loss of all the ground gained during Mr Bush’s two terms in office. Indeed, the US Department of Education, led by Secretary Arne Duncan, aggressively attacked the for-profit higher education providers. This attack took two very effective forms: the wielding of ‘gainful employment’ regulations to sever the eligibility of for-profit corporations to receive federal financial aid funding for admitted students, and the withdrawal of authority from the for-profit sector’s accrediting agency. This article argues that, if the past is predictive, the prospects for the for-profit higher education providers are bright under Mr Trump.
Reforming the Norwegian police between structure and culture: Community police or emergency police
Authors: Christensen Tom , Lægreid Per , Rykkja Lise H
Published: June 2017

This article examines the reform of the police in Norway between 2012 to 2015 drawing upon central public reports and official documents leading up to the reform. These include the report from the official Inquiry Commission into the police response to the terrorist attacks in Oslo and at Utøya in July 2011, a report issued by a public commission in 2013 – established to analyze challenges within the police – and the resulting government proposal and parliamentary discussion that culminated in a decision to create a new police structure in 2015. While governance capacity and the need for a stronger emergency police were a main concern throughout the process, the importance of governance legitimacy and of maintaining a community police force became more important towards the end. The organizational thinking behind the reform is explained in terms of a structural and an institutional perspective. The analysis shows that both cultural and structural change was seen as prominent instruments for improving the police force, but they were emphasized differently at different points during the process. The analysis demonstrates that political context, agenda settings, attention shifting and situational factors as well as path dependency were important drivers of the reform.
Numerical simulations of environment control and life support system in space station-oriented real-time system
Authors: Liping Pang , Dong Liu , Guoxiang Li , Hongquan Qu
Published: June 2017

An environment control and life support system (ECLSS) is an important system in a space station because it can provide a basic living environment for astronauts. The ECLSS is a typical time-variant complex system, hence there exits time-consuming technical difficulty during its development. The real-time simulation technology can help to accelerate its research process because some models of complex hardware need not to be built and calibrated at all. For a real-time simulation system with time-varying parameters, an implicit fixed time step numerical integration method is normally used as its solver. However, its computational efficiency is too low especially for the complex ECLSS simulation system on a single personal computer (PC) cluster. An explicit fixed time step integration method is computationally efficient, but their potential instability problems, which are caused by the time-varying parameters, limit its application to the ECLSS system. In this paper, an improved model method based on the explicit Euler method is proposed to simulate the complex time-variant ECLSS on a PC cluster. A simplified ECLSS system is established as an example to explain this proposed method. The eigenvalue estimation theory is used to analyze the numerical stability of the simplified system. Further, the potential instability problem of the explicit method can be avoided by an adaptive operator. Both of the stability and the accuracy of the proposed method are investigated carefully. It can be concluded from simulation results that this proposed method can provide a solution to realize the real-time simulation for the complex time-variant ECLSS on a PC cluster.
Mentalization, embodiment, and narrative: Critical comments on the social ontology of mentalization theory
Authors: Køster Allan
Published: June 2017

Recently, mentalization theory has risen to fame as a theoretical framework emphasising social cognition as a key issue in its approach to psychopathology and psychotherapy. In this article, I review and criticise the social-ontological assumptions made by mentalization theory, arguing that, in spite of a strong interactive focus, it remains fundamentally rooted in a Cartesian ontology, overlooking embodied, expressive, enactive, and sociocultural dimensions of social cognition. Furthermore, since mentalization theory was originally developed as a framework for understanding Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), I offer a reinterpretation of the issue of social cognition reported in BPD from a more embodied and interactional perspective. Contrary to the received view, I suggest that issues of social cognition in BPD should not necessarily be seen as a partial or total inability to mentalize, but rather as a hypersensitivity to expressivity resulting in what I suggest we understand as acts of disnarration.
Potential conflicts in midwifery practice regarding conscientious objection to abortions in Scotland
Authors: Fleming Valerie , Robb Yvonne
Published: June 2017

Background:

This study was developed as a result of a court case involving conflicts between midwives’ professional practice and their faith when caring for women undergoing abortions in Scotland.

Research questions:

What are practising Roman Catholics’ perspectives of potential conflicts between midwives’ professional practice in Scotland with regard to involvement in abortions and their faith? How relevant is the ‘conscience clause’ to midwifery practice today? and What are participants’ understandings of Canon 1398 in relation to midwifery practice?

Research design:

The theoretical underpinning of this study was Gadamer’s hermeneutic out of which the method developed by Fleming et al. involving a five-stage approach was utilised.

Participants and research context:

The research was conducted in the south of Scotland. A purposive sampling method was used. Eight participants who were practising Roman Catholics familiar with the subject of conscientious objection who were either midwives, lawyers (civil, canon or both) or priests contributed.

Ethical considerations:

The major ethical issues related to respect for autonomy, maintaining confidentiality and obtaining voluntary informed consent. Parish priests agreed to act as gatekeepers to prospective participants. All legal requirements were addressed regarding data collection and storage. Approval was given by the ethics committee of the university with which one of the researchers were associated.

Findings:

Three key themes provide an understanding of the situation in which midwives find themselves when considering the care for a woman admitted for an abortion: competing legal systems, competing views of conscience and limits of participation.

Conclusion:

Clear guidelines for practice should be developed by a multi-professional and consumer group based on an update of the abortion law to reflect the change from a surgical to medical procedure. Clarification of Canon 1398 in relation to what is and is not participation in the procurement of abortion would be of benefit to midwives with a conscientious objection.
Pharmacological management of acute severe behavioural disturbance: a survey of current protocols
Authors: O’Connor Nick , Corish John
Published: June 2017

Objectives:

The investigators reviewed protocols for the pharmacological management of acute severe behavioural disturbance (ASBD) used in Australasian psychiatric settings. Relevant literature was also examined, with a focus on Australian research.

Methods:

All Fellows of the RANZCP were emailed on two occasions in 2014 requesting a copy of the guidelines for pharmacological management of the ASBD patient used in their workplace. A literature search was also undertaken.

Results:

Thirty-six pharmacological management protocols for the ASBD patient were received. Twenty-six of these referred to patients aged 18–65 years and were selected for analysis. A number of recent publications provided new evidence in relation to the safe and effective management of patients with ASBD.

Conclusions:

ASBD is a heterogeneous, transnosological set of presentations requiring careful assessment and rational clinical decision making. Treatment protocols arising from an evolving evidence base provide safe and effective pathways for the majority of patients. However, sound clinical knowledge and a careful assessment of each presentation is required to enable the clinician to tailor treatment individually.
Comparison of Levetiracetam Dosing Regimens in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Intermittent Hemodialysis
Authors: Shiue Harn J. , Taylor Maria , Sands Kara A.
Published: June 2017

Background: Levetiracetam (LEV) is primarily renally eliminated. In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD), pharmacokinetic studies recommend daily dosing with 50% supplemental doses after 4-hour HD sessions. However, poor medication adherence after HD could result in fluctuating plasma drug levels. Objective: To compare two LEV dosing regimens, daily versus twice-daily (BID), in ESRD patients undergoing HD. Methods: Consecutive ESRD patients (April 2013 to May 2014) receiving maintenance inpatient HD and prescribed LEV prior to admission to our academic tertiary hospital were prospectively analyzed. Demographics, initial lab values, adverse reactions, seizures, and LEV regimens were recorded. LEV levels were obtained pre-HD and post-HD along with levels after receiving post-HD doses. Recovery of plasma levels after HD was assessed by comparison of levels predialysis versus postdialysis and post-HD doses. Results: We identified 22 patients who met inclusion criteria; 14 BID and 8 daily dosing. Mean predialysis, postdialysis, and post-HD dose plasma levels were higher in patients receiving LEV BID compared with daily (43.1 ± 6.3, 19.4 ± 5.2, 34.9 ± 4.3 vs 21.1 ± 3.9, 6.9 ± 1.5, 11.9 ± 1.7 µg/mL; P < 0.05). BID post-HD levels were 41.9 ± 4.6% of predialysis levels versus 36.9 ± 7.3% with daily dosing ( P = 0.275). Post-HD dose levels were 81.4±4.3% of predialysis on LEV BID versus 65.7 ± 8.8% on LEV daily ( P = 0.045). No seizures were reported during hospital admission in either group. Conclusions: Compared to LEV daily, BID dosing achieved significantly higher levels and a better recovery to predialysis levels. Although limited by small numbers, a similar relationship between postdialysis levels was not detected.
Virilization and Enlarged Ovaries in a Postmenopausal Woman
Authors: Guerrero Jessenia , Marcus Jenna Z. , Heller Debra S.
Published: June 2017

A patient with postmenopausal bleeding and virilization was found to have bilaterally enlarged ovaries with a yellow cut surface. Histology revealed cortical stromal hyperplasia with stromal hyperthecosis. This hyperplastic condition should not be mistaken for an ovarian neoplasm.
Who Experiences Growth in News Media Literacy and Why Does It Matter? Examining Education, Individual Differences, and Democratic Outcomes
Authors: Tully Melissa , Vraga Emily K.
Published: June 2017

Developing news media literacy skills is recognized as an important part of becoming an informed citizen, but not enough research examines how growth in media literacy differs by individual characteristics. Using a panel study of undergraduate students, we examine which predispositions predict growth in news media literacy beliefs over the semester. We then test whether growth in news media literacy leads individuals to more highly value and engage in heterogeneous political discussion, a critical part of a functioning democracy. Our results suggest some individuals experience more growth in news media literacy, and that growth contributes to democratic attitudes and behaviors.
Viewing Gendered Violence in Guatemala Through Photovoice
Authors: Duffy Lynne
Published: June 2017

This research examined rural and urban women’s experiences of gender-based violence in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Photovoice methodology was used to describe and analyze local realities and vulnerabilities, and ethnographic techniques added cultural and contextual factors. While the initial focus was on intimate partner violence, results showed that violence for women exists from childhood to senior years. Participants noted gaps in services and participated in a public strategy workshop to address these. Challenges and opportunities are presented around the enduring and complex global crisis of gendered violence. Photovoice is a powerful method for organizations to better understand and respond to local issues.
Frictionless contact of a rigid stamp with a semi-plane in the presence of surface elasticity in the Steigmann–Ogden form
Authors: Zemlyanova Anna Y
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the surface elasticity in the form proposed by Steigmann and Ogden is applied to study a plane problem of frictionless contact of a rigid stamp with an elastic upper semi-plane. The results of this work generalize the results for contact problems with Gurtin–Murdoch elasticity by including additional dependency on the curvature of the surface. The mechanical problem is reduced to a system of singular integro-differential equations, which is further regularized using the Fourier transform. The size dependency of the solutions of the problem is highlighted. It is observed that the curvature dependence of the surface energy is increasingly important at small scales. The numerical procedure of the solution of the system of singular integro-differential equations is presented, and numerical results are obtained for different values of the mechanical parameters.
Recommendations for Clinical Pathology Data Generation, Interpretation, and Reporting in Target Animal Safety Studies for Veterinary Drug Development
Authors: Siska William , Gupta Aradhana , Tomlinson Lindsay , Tripathi Niraj , von Beust Barbara
Published: June 2017

Clinical pathology testing is routinely performed in target animal safety studies in order to identify potential toxicity associated with administration of an investigational veterinary pharmaceutical product. Regulatory and other testing guidelines that address such studies provide recommendations for clinical pathology testing but occasionally contain outdated analytes and do not take into account interspecies physiologic differences that affect the practical selection of appropriate clinical pathology tests. Additionally, strong emphasis is often placed on statistical analysis and use of reference intervals for interpretation of test article–related clinical pathology changes, with limited attention given to the critical scientific review of clinically, toxicologically, or biologically relevant changes. The purpose of this communication from the Regulatory Affairs Committee of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology is to provide current recommendations for clinical pathology testing and data interpretation in target animal safety studies and thereby enhance the value of clinical pathology testing in these studies.
Influence of Circulating Endothelin-1 and Asymmetric Dimethylarginine on Whole Brain Circulation Time in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Monti Lucia , Morbidelli Lucia , Bazzani Lorenzo , Rossi Alessandro
Published: June 2017

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, inflammatory and immune cell activation, and chronic cerebral hypoperfusion are features of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim is to determine the influence of endothelin-1 (ET1) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) on cerebral circulation time (CCT) in patients with MS. In all, 64 patients with MS (39 relapsing-remitting [RR]-MS; 25 secondary progressive [SP]-MS subtype) and 37 controls (C) were studied. Cerebral circulation time was obtained by angiography. Plasmatic ET1 and ADMA were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lesion load (LL) and brain volume (BV) were obtained by magnetic resonance imaging. Cerebral circulation time was correlated to ET1, ADMA, LL, BV, disease duration (DD), and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). In MS, both ET1 and ADMA were significantly higher than C ( P < .0001); CCT was approximately 2 times lower than C ( P < .0001) and significantly slower in SP than in RR-MS ( P = .0215). Cerebral circulation time significantly correlated with ET1 in SP-MS ( r = 0.38), whereas in RR-MS CCT significantly correlated with DD ( r = 0.75). The LL, BV, and EDSS did not correlate with CCT. Endothelin-1 significantly influences CCT delay in SP-MS. Diversely, CCT in RR-MS is independent of ET1 and correlates significantly with DD. We conclude that in RR-MS, DD responds to neurovascular damage accumulation. It is supposed that high ET1 and ADMA levels stem from a protective response to early insults, aimed at opposing nitric oxide overproduction, whereas persistent pathological ET1 and ADMA levels translate into detrimental long-term effects, due to increased brain micro-vessel resistance.
Prevention of Influenza A(H7N9) and Bacterial Infections in Mice Using Intranasal Immunization With Live Influenza Vaccine and the Group B Streptococcus Recombinant Polypeptides
Authors: Desheva Yulia A , Leontieva Galina F , Kramskaya Tatiana A , Smolonogina Tatiana A , Grabovskaya Kornelia B , Landgraf Galina O , Karev Vadim E , Suvorov Alexander N , Rudenko Larisa G
Published: June 2017

We investigate the protective effect of combined vaccination based on live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and group B streptococcus (GBS) recombinant polypeptides against potential pandemic H7N9 influenza infection followed by GBS burden. Mice were intranasally immunized using 107 50% egg infectious dose (EID50) of H7N3 LAIV, the mix of the 4 GBS peptides (group B streptococcus vaccine [GBSV]), or combined LAIV + GBSV vaccine. The LAIV raised serum hemagglutination-inhibition antibodies against H7N9 in higher titers than against H7N3. Combined vaccination provided advantageous protection against infections with A/Shanghai/2/2013(H7N9)CDC-RG influenza and serotype II GBS. Combined vaccine significantly improved bacterial clearance from the lungs after infection compared with other vaccine groups. The smallest lung lesions due to combined LAIV + GBSV vaccination were associated with a prevalence of lung interferon-γ messenger RNA expression. Thus, combined viral and bacterial intranasal immunization using H7N3 LAIV and recombinant bacterial polypeptides induced balanced adaptive immune response, providing protection against potential pandemic influenza H7N9 and bacterial complications.
Marijuana Use, Recent Marijuana Initiation, and Progression to Marijuana Use Disorder Among Young Male and Female Adolescents Aged 12-14 Living in US Households
Authors: Forman-Hoffman Valerie L , Glasheen Cristie , Batts Kathryn R
Published: June 2017

Marijuana initiation during adolescence, and early adolescence in particular, is associated with adverse health consequences. Our study used 2005-2014 data from the annual, cross-sectional National Survey on Drug Use and Health to study the prevalence and correlates of marijuana initiation, use, and marijuana use disorder (MUD; abuse or dependence) among 12- to 14-year olds living in civilian US households (n = 84 954). Examined correlates included age, sex, race/ethnicity, poverty status, metropolitan status, year of survey, depression, tobacco use, alcohol use, and fighting at school. Sex differences in the correlates of lifetime use and past year marijuana initiation were tested via interaction. Lifetime prevalence of marijuana use was 5.5%; 3.2% reported past year initiation. About 1 in 6 (16.8%) past year initiates progressed to MUD within 12 months of first use. Although men had higher prevalence of lifetime use than women, past year initiation did not differ by sex. On examining the sex*race/ethnicity interaction effects, findings determined that non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men had higher prevalence estimates of ever using marijuana and incidence of past year initiation as compared with non-Hispanic white men; these race/ethnicity differences were not found among women. Identifying correlates of initiation and progression to MUD among young adolescents is critical to improve prevention and treatment program targets.
Worldwide Regulatory Guidance Values Applied to Direct Contact Surface Soil Pesticide Contamination: Part II—Noncarcinogenic Pesticides
Authors: Jennings Aaron A , Li Zijian
Published: June 2017

Surface soil regulatory guidance values (RGVs) are available worldwide for nearly 800 pesticides. Part I of this study examined values applied to commonly used carcinogenic pesticides. Part II examines RGVs applied to 12 commonly used noncarcinogenic pesticides: 2,4-D, carbaryl, carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dicamba, diuron, glyphosate, malathion, MCPA, metolachlor, and picloram. The RGVs applied by 38 nations vary by as much as 9.3 orders of magnitude, but the RGV distributions do not fit the lognormal random variable model as well as those reported for other contaminants, and there are value clusters in each distribution. The largest clusters contain values similar to current or previous US Environmental Protection Agency, Australian national, and former USSR values. Because these pesticides are used worldwide, it is important that their RGVs protect human health. Analysis indicates that this goal has not yet been achieved for chlorpyrifos and MCPA.
Response to LiPuma and DeMarco’s Article on “Hastening Death”
Authors: Zenz Julia
Published: June 2017

The paper “Palliative care and patient autonomy: moving beyond prohibitions against hastening death” by LiPuma and DeMarco deals with an aspect of end of life care which is the source of considerable disagreement. It is important to emphasize that autonomy is not the unique feature for end of life care. There is always a medical and ethical commitment to care, i.e. beneficence and nonmaleficence. All of these aspects have to be taken into account when treating patients at the very end of life. There is considerable scientific proof indicating that most patients and families can experience a death in dignity when being cared for in palliative care or hospice units.
An integrated model for evaluating investments in cultural heritage tourism in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Banerjee Onil , Henseler Martin , Maisonnave Hélène , Beyene Lulit Mitik , Velasco Mercedes
Published: June 2017

In the Dominican Republic, tourism represents a significant share of growth domestic product. Improving and increasing cultural heritage tourism opportunities offer potential for tourism product diversification which can expand the visitor base, increase tourism expenditure, and ultimately contribute to enhanced economic growth and development for tourism dependent economies. This study presents an integrated economic bottom-up model for tourism investment analysis. The framework links simulation models and valuation approaches from different economic research fields including economy-wide modelling, time series modelling, stated preference approaches, and net present value analysis. Applied to the analysis of an investment for enhancing cultural heritage tourism in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, the integrated model generates valuable insights on the transmission pathways through which investment in cultural heritage tourism can accelerate economic growth, generate employment, and raise incomes. The framework presented here can be developed and applied to other country contexts where decision makers have similar interests in investing and diversifying the tourism opportunities available to visitors.
UK diplomacy at the UN after Brexit: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Dee Megan , Smith Karen E
Published: June 2017

The outcome of the UK’s EU referendum will have far-reaching implications for its foreign policy and diplomacy and raises fundamental questions of how ‘Brexit’ will impact its relationships with Europe and the world. This is even more pertinent when looked at from the perspective of the UN where the UK has benefited considerably from its membership of the EU. This article presents the challenges and opportunities of Brexit for the UK’s diplomacy, and influence, at the UN. First, we illustrate the importance of political and regional groups within the UN. Second, we analyse how the UK has worked within such groups, and above all the EU, in two cases: human rights and nuclear weapons issues. Finally, we reflect upon how Brexit is expected to impact UK diplomacy in a UN dominated by group politics, arguing that any rewiring of UK diplomatic channels must continue to account for EU positions.
‘The playing-exploring child’: Reconceptualizing the relationship between play and learning in early childhood education
Authors: Nilsson Monica , Ferholt Beth , Lecusay Robert
Published: June 2017

In this article, the authors problematize the dichotomization of play and learning that often shapes the agenda of early childhood education research and practice. This dichotomization is driven in part by the tendency to define learning in terms of formal learning (i.e. learning as an outcome of direct instruction and school-based approaches that focus on teacher-led, goal-directed activities and declarative knowledge). The authors argue for a reconceptualization of early childhood education that understands learning and development not as an outcome, primarily, of instruction and teaching, but as an outcome of play and exploration. They develop this argument by drawing on Vygotsky’s theories of play, imagination, realistic thinking and creativity. These theories challenge another dichotomy – that between imagination and reality – by arguing that imagination is implicated in the meaning-making of both play and exploration. Instead of relating play to learning where play is characterized by imagination and learning by reality, the authors’ reconceptualization relates play to exploration and proposes that learning, defined as leading to human development, is an outcome of both of these activities. The authors further develop their argument by presenting ethnographic material from a qualitative research project implemented in three Swedish preschools whose practices are influenced by the Reggio Emilia pedagogical approach. The research conducted in this study contributes to new perspectives on the relationship between play and learning by introducing exploration as a counterpart to play, and this new perspective has implications for the design and practice of early childhood education, as well as for early childhood education research.
A phenomenological mixture homogenization model for spark-ignition direct-injection engines
Authors: Frommater Stefan , Neumann Jens , Hasse Christian
Published: June 2017

In modern turbocharged direct-injection, spark-ignition engines, proper calibration of the engine control unit is essential to handle the increasing variability of actuators. The physically based simulation of engine processes such as mixture homogenization enables a model-based calibration of the engine control unit to identify an ideal set of actuator settings, for example, for efficient combustion with reduced exhaust emissions. In this work, a zero-dimensional phenomenological model for direct-injection, spark-ignition engines is presented that allows the equivalence ratio distribution function in the combustion chamber to be calculated and its development is tracked over time. The model considers the engine geometry, mixing time, charge motion and spray–charge interaction. Accompanying three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics, simulations are performed to obtain information on homogeneity at different operating conditions and to calibrate the model. The calibrated model matches the three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics reference both for the temporal homogeneity development and for the equivalence ratio distribution at the ignition time, respectively. When the model is validated outside the calibrated operating conditions, this shows satisfying results in terms of mixture homogeneity at the time of ignition. Additionally, only a slight modification of the calibration is shown to be required when transferring the model to a comparable engine. While the model is primarily aimed at target applications such as a direct-injection, spark-ignition soot emission model, its application to other issues, such as gaseous exhaust emissions, engine knock or cyclic fluctuations, is conceivable due to its general structure. The fast calculation enables mixture inhomogeneities to be estimated during driving cycle simulations.
Random wave-driven seabed shear stress estimation in shallow water based on long-term variation of deep water wave conditions
Authors: Myrhaug Dag
Published: June 2017

This article presents a simple analytical method giving estimates of wave-driven bottom stresses for very rough and mud seabeds in shallow water from long-term wave statistics in deep water. The results are exemplified using long-term in situ wave statistics from the Northern North Sea and by providing examples representing realistic field conditions. The results can be used to make estimates of the seabed shear stress in estuarine and coastal waters based on, for example, global wave statistics.
Through a Kaleidoscope: Dimensions of Scholarly Practice
Authors: Lombardozzi Catherine , Tyler Jo A.
Published: June 2017

The Problem

In contemporary work environments, a professional’s learning and development is often encouraged “in the flow of work”; there is an expectation that people will develop knowledge and skill while doing the day to day work of the organization. In considering how one might develop scholarly practice capabilities, therefore, professionals need to look to ways in which they can deliberately begin to incorporate scholarly practices into their standard processes.

The Solution

The purpose of this article is to provide guidance on everyday scholarly practice so that practitioners might hone their skills through daily work activities. We outline the dimensions of everyday practice and then describe the scholarly practice behaviors and activities that come into play in each dimension of practice.

The Stakeholders

By offering a more detailed version for scholarly practice in their daily work, this article provides a practical approach to enacting scholarly practice in daily activities that will benefit both practitioners and their managers.
Reach Out Churches: A Community-Based Participatory Research Pilot Trial to Assess the Feasibility of a Mobile Health Technology Intervention to Reduce Blood Pressure Among African Americans
Authors: Skolarus Lesli E. , Cowdery Joan , Dome Mackenzie , Bailey Sarah , Baek Jonggyu , Byrd James Brian , Hartley Sarah E. , Valley Staci C. , Saberi Sima , Wheeler Natalie C. , McDermott Mollie , Hughes Rebecca , Shanmugasundaram Krithika , Morgenstern Lewis B. , Brown Devin L.
Published: June 2017

Innovative strategies are needed to reduce the hypertension epidemic among African Americans. Reach Out was a faith-collaborative, mobile health, randomized, pilot intervention trial of four mobile health components to reduce high blood pressure (BP) compared to usual care. It was designed and tested within a community-based participatory research framework among African Americans recruited and randomized from churches in Flint, Michigan. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of the Reach Out processes. Feasibility was assessed by willingness to consent (acceptance of randomization), proportion of weeks participants texted their BP readings (intervention use), number lost to follow-up (retention), and responses to postintervention surveys and focus groups (acceptance of intervention). Of the 425 church members who underwent BP screening, 94 enrolled in the study and 73 (78%) completed the 6-month outcome assessment. Median age was 58 years, and 79% were women. Participants responded with their BPs on an average of 13.7 (SD = 10.7) weeks out of 26 weeks that the BP prompts were sent. All participants reported satisfaction with the intervention. Reach Out, a faith-collaborative, mobile health intervention was feasible. Further study of the efficacy of the intervention and additional mobile health strategies should be considered.
Addressing College Drinking as a Statewide Public Health Problem: Key Findings From the Maryland Collaborative
Authors: Arria Amelia M. , Jernigan David H.
Published: June 2017

Excessive drinking among college students is a serious and pervasive public health problem. Although much research attention has focused on developing and evaluating evidence-based practices to address college drinking, adoption has been slow. The Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking and Related Problems was established in 2012 to bring together a network of institutions of higher education in Maryland to collectively address college drinking by using both individual-level and environmental-level evidence-based approaches. In this article, the authors describe the findings of this multilevel, multicomponent statewide initiative. To date, the Maryland Collaborative has succeeded in providing a forum for colleges to share knowledge and experiences, strengthen existing strategies, and engage in a variety of new activities. Administration of an annual student survey has been useful for guiding interventions as well as evaluating progress toward the Maryland Collaborative’s goal to measurably reduce high-risk drinking and its radiating consequences on student health, safety, and academic performance and on the communities surrounding college campuses. The experiences of the Maryland Collaborative exemplify real-world implementation of evidence-based approaches to reduce this serious public health problem.
Effect of Interviewer’s Eyeglasses on Compliance with a Face-to-face Survey Request and Perception of the Interviewer
Authors: Guéguen Nicolas , Martin Angélique
Published: June 2017

Several studies have shown that people photographed wearing eyeglasses were perceived more positively as to intelligence and honesty. However, the effect of wearing glasses on behavior and in real face-to-face relationships has never been examined. In two studies, interviewers wearing or not wearing eyeglasses were instructed to ask people in the street to respond to a survey. It was found that the compliance rate increased when the interviewer wore glasses. In the first study, the positive effect of eyeglasses was reported with both male and female participants and with both male and female interviewers; it was also observed in participants of different age groups. A second study confirmed the positive effect of eyeglasses on compliance with the survey request and indicated that the interviewer with eyeglasses was perceived as being more conscientious by the participants. Theoretical and practical interests are discussed.
Combination of Permanent Interstitial 125I-Seed Brachytherapy and Surgery for the Treatment of Large Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Li Xiaogang , Lu Ping , Li Bo , Yang Rong , Luo Kaiyuan
Published: June 2017

The treatment methods available for large primary hepatocellular carcinomas (diameter >5 cm) are inadequate. Here, we report the successful management of 80 cases of large hepatocellular carcinoma, using a combination of custom-designed permanent interstitial iodine-125 seed brachytherapy and palliative surgery. Patients were enrolled in the study between 2011 and 2014. All patients underwent surgical treatment along with permanent interstitial iodine-125 seed brachytherapy; for the latter, patients received minimum doses covering 90% of the target (D90 s) of iodine-125 seeds ranging from 100 to 160 Gy (median: 110 Gy). All patients received 6 cycles of chemotherapy and were followed up at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months postoperatively. The clinical symptom remission rate was 95.3% (61 of 64). Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels decreased to normal in 80% (50 of 60) and 75% of the patients (45 of 60), respectively. The posttreatment alpha-fetoprotein levels decreased by 50% in 80% of the patients (40 of 50). The effective therapy rates were 80% (76 of 95) for 95 tumor nodules (diameters 5-10 cm) and 78.6% (33 of 42) for 42 tumor nodules (diameters >10 cm). The 3-year disease-free survival rate was 66.6%. Palliative surgery plus permanent interstitial iodine-125 seed brachytherapy appears to be a reasonable therapeutic alternative for large hepatocellular carcinoma.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Current Problem as Much as an Unknown One
Authors: Vallini Valerio , Andreini Roberto , Bonadio Angelo
Published: June 2017

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic inflammatory skin disease, characterized by recurrent skin ulcers, which in almost 50% of cases are associated with systemic autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, chronic hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, paraproteinemias and hematological malignancies. A systematic search of literature for PG was carried out using the PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases for the purpose of this review and 2780 articles were retrieved up to February 2017. Inflammation represents the predominant aspect of the disease, but its pathophysiological mechanisms are not completely clear yet, since there are many studies showing only one or more isolated findings of the disease. The goal of PG treatment is to reduce inflammation in order to promote ulcer healing by minimizing side effects of therapy. Several systemic and local treatments are available, but the lack of large randomized double-blind studies results in an absence of a uniform therapeutic standard: thus, more clinical studies are required in order to make head-to-head comparisons between combination and single-drug therapies and to identify specific combination therapies for distinctive clinical patterns of PG.
Cognitive Training and Noninvasive Brain Stimulation for Cognition in Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Lawrence Blake J. , Gasson Natalie , Bucks Romola S. , Troeung Lakkhina , Loftus Andrea M.
Published: June 2017

Background. Many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience cognitive decline. It is not known whether cognitive training or noninvasive brain stimulation are effective at alleviating cognitive deficits in PD. Objective. To examine cognitive training and non-invasive brain stimulation interventions for cognition in PD. Methods. An extensive search was conducted of published and unpublished studies in online databases. Studies were selected if they were controlled trials examining standard (not individualized) or tailored (individualized) cognitive training, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in PD, with outcomes measured by standardized neuropsychological tests. Results. Fourteen controlled trials met inclusion criteria. For executive function, the pooled effect size (Hedges’ g) for cognitive training (standard and tailored combined) was small ( g = 0.42) but statistically significant (95% CI 0.15-0.68). The pooled effect for standard cognitive training (alone) was medium ( g = 0.51) and significant (95% CI 0.16-0.85). For attention/working memory, small pooled effect sizes were found when combining standard and tailored cognitive training ( g = 0.23; 95% CI 0.02-0.44) and for standard cognitive training alone ( g = 0.29; 95% CI 0.04-0.53), both significant. For memory, small but significant pooled effect sizes were also found when combining standard and tailored cognitive training and for standard cognitive training alone. Conclusions. The results suggest that standard and tailored cognitive training may improve executive function, attention/working memory, and memory in PD. Future studies must adopt randomized controlled trial designs to explore the therapeutic potential of these interventions.
Glutamine Ameliorates Mucosal Damage Caused by Immune Responses to Duck Plague Virus
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhao Lili , Zhou Yan , Diao Chenxi , Han Lingxia , Yinjie Niu , Liu Shengwang , Chen Hongyan
Published: June 2017

The immune-releasing effects of L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation in duck plague virus (DPV)-infected ducklings were evaluated in 120 seven-day-old ducklings that were divided into 8 groups. The ducklings in control and DPV, 0.5Gln and DPV + 0.5Gln, 1.0Gln and DPV + 1.0Gln, and 2.0Gln and DPV + 2.0Gln received 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g of Gln/kg feed/d by gastric perfusion, respectively. Then, the ducklings in control to 2.0Gln were injected with 0.2 mL of phosphate-buffered saline, while those in DPV to DPV + 2.0Gln were injected with DPV at 0.2 mL of 2000 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infection dose) 30 minutes after gavage with Gln, sampled at 12 hours and days 1, 2, 4, and 6. Glutamine supplementation under physiological conditions enhanced immune function and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expressions in a dose-dependent manner. An increase in Gln supplementation under DPV-infected conditions enhanced growth performance, decreased immunoglobulin (Ig) release in plasma and secretory IgA in the duodenum, ameliorated plasma cytokine levels, and suppressed overexpressions of the TLR4 pathway in the duodenum. The positive effects of Gln on the humoral immunity- and intestinal inflammation-related damage should be considered a mechanism by which immunonutrition can assist in the recovery from DPV infection.
Intracranial stenting for nilotinib treatment-associated cerebrovascular stenosis in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ozaki Tomohiko , Nakamura Hajime , Izutsu Nobuyuki , Masaie Hiroaki , Ishikawa Jun , Kinoshita Manabu
Published: June 2017

One of the second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), nilotinib, is increasingly used for imatinib-resistant or intolerant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Nilotinib is considered well tolerated with few side effects including hyperglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia and elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes. However, there is growing evidence that nilotinib accelerates atherosclerosis and causes peripheral arterial occlusive disease such as stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cardiovascular diseases. Herein, we report a case of a 74-year-old male CML patient with intracranial stenosis of the internal carotid artery developed during treatment with nilotinib successfully cured by the intracranial stent, Wingspan.
Is the art of nursing dying? A call for political action
Authors: Morley Georgina , Jackson Jennifer
Published: June 2017

Nightingale conceived of the art of nursing as the ability of the nurse to positively influence a patient’s environment to foster healing. By this definition, the art of nursing is at risk. Rather than impacting their circumstances, nurses are being overwhelmed by them. The challenges faced by nurses currently have many parallels with historical examples of Nightingale’s work. In this article, examples of modern nursing workforce challenges are contrasted with situations faced by Nightingale. Like Nightingale, modern nurses are being required to justify their worth in order to receive funding and renumeration for their work. Nursing work is being devalued, which is reflected in nursing education policy and changes to professional structures. In the midst of these difficulties, nurses can take inspiration from Nightingale as a political advocate and activist. Modern nurses face a call to action, to defend the professional nature of nursing and regain their political influence. Specific strategies for political action are discussed and nurses are urged to engage politically in order to regain control of their environment and the art of nursing.
Dabigatran following acute transient ischemic attack and minor stroke II (DATAS II)
Authors: Ng Kuan H , Sharma Mukul , Benavente Oscar , Gioia Laura , Field Thalia S , Hill Michael D , Coutts Shelagh B , Butcher Kenneth ,   for the DATAS-2 Investigators
Published: June 2017

Rationale

Patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke are at high risk of early recurrent cerebrovascular events. Anticoagulation with heparin or warfarin acutely after ischemic stroke is at least as efficacious as aspirin for preventing recurrent events but is associated with an increased risk of clinical worsening due to hemorrhagic transformation.

Aim and hypothesis

We aim to demonstrate the safety of early anticoagulation with dabigatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, in acute cerebrovascular syndrome patients. The primary hypothesis is that symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation rates in dabigatran and aspirin-treated patients will be similar.

Sample size estimates

At least 136 participants in two groups required to demonstrate an absolute between-group difference in the rate of hemorrhagic transformation of 5.6% with 80% power, assuming alpha = 5%.

Methods and design

A randomized, multicenter open-label clinical trial (NCT02295826). Three-hundred participants with a transient ischemic attack/ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≤ 9) will undergo magnetic resonance imaging within 72 h of symptom onset and will be randomized to aspirin 81 mg daily or dabigatran 150 mg twice daily for 30 days. Participants undergo repeat magnetic resonance imaging at 30 days and clinical assessment to 90 days.

Study outcomes

The primary outcome is the symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation rate. Secondary outcomes include recurrent stroke and new ischemic lesions on repeat magnetic resonance imaging.

Discussion

This study will determine the safety of early anticoagulation with dabigatran in patients with acute transient ischemic attack/ischemic stroke and will inform the design of a phase III randomized trial aimed at demonstrating reduced recurrent early ischemic events after acute transient ischemic attack/stroke.