bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Registros das terras indígenas de Rondônia por meio de mapas mentais
Authors: Gomide Maria Lucia Cereda , Santos Alex Mota dos
Published: May 2015

O Projeto de Extensão Registrar e desenhar a biogeografia das terras indígenas de Rondônia por meio de mapas mentais foi desenvolvido na Universidade Federal de Rondônia, campus Ji-Paraná, nos Departamentos de Educação Intercultural-DEINTER e de Engenharia Ambiental-DEA. A metodologia contemplou pesquisa na etapa presencial dos alunos na Universidade, campus Ji-Paraná, e trabalho de campo nas aldeias. Utilizou-se de entrevistas e produção coletiva de mapas, desenhos e registros escritos. Além disto, os professores indígenas trabalharam com seus alunos nas escolas das aldeias os mapeamentos biogeográficos partindo das cartas feitas em laboratório, as quais possuíam apenas os limites das terras indígenas. Os principais resultados atingidos foram: os mapas mentais elaborados pelos indígenas e, a partir disso, a discussão sobre os recursos naturais das terras indígenas e seu uso e manejo sustentável e os levantamentos biogeográficos, neste caso foi dado enfoque aos conhecimentos sobre a fauna. Ainda, como um dos resultados do projeto, encontra-se em elaboração, material de apoio ao ensino de Geografia nas terras indígenas.
Os desafios do itinerário: em torno de Murilo Mendes
Authors: Citelli Adilson Odair
Published: May 2015

Apresentação do poeta Murilo Mendes, seguida de poemas e comentários
Functional Polymorphism rs13306560 of the MTHFR Gene Is Associated With Essential Hypertension in a Mexican-Mestizo Population
Authors: Pérez-Razo Juan Carlos , Cano-Martínez Luis Javier , Vargas Alarcón Gilberto , Canizales-Quinteros Samuel , Martínez-Rodríguez Nancy , Canto Patricia , Roque-Ramírez Bladimir , Palma-Flores Carlos , Esteban-Martínez Rosa , López-Hernández Luz Berenice , Rojano-Mejía David , Coral-Vázquez Ramón M.
Published: May 2015

Background—

Polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (
MTHFR
) have been associated with diastolic blood pressure, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases; however, results of these studies are still controversial. In this study, we sought to determine whether 2 functional variants (rs1801133 and rs13306560) within the MTHFR are associated with hypertension in Mexican-Mestizos.

Methods and Results—

We performed a case–control study with 1214 subjects including adults and children to test for the association of both single nucleotide polymorphisms with essential hypertension. The adult group included 764 participants (372 patients and 391 controls) and the group of children included 418 participants (209 patients and 209 controls). rs13306560 was associated with essential hypertension in adults (odds ratio, 4.281; 95% confidence interval, 1.841–9.955;
P
=0.0003) with a statistical power >0.8. In children, none of the polymorphisms was associated with essential hypertension. In addition, we assessed the effect of the rs13306560 polymorphism on the
MTHFR
promoter region by means of luciferase reporter gene assays using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Cells transfected with the pMTHFRaLUC construct showed an ≈25% reduction in luciferase activity (
P
=0.003). Furthermore, the promoter activity was reduced considerably by in vitro methylation of CpG sequences.

Conclusions—

Our data suggest that the rs13306560 polymorphism of the
MTHFR
may be part of the observed hypertension process in Mexican-Mestizo populations, but further studies are warranted. In addition, the allele A of the rs13306560 polymorphism as well as the in vitro methylation of CpGs reduced the promoter activity of the
MTHFR
regulatory region.
Fully Percutaneous Transthoracic Left Atrial Entry and Closure as a Potential Access Route for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Interventions
Authors: Rogers Toby , Ratnayaka Kanishka , Schenke William H. , Sonmez Merdim , Kocaturk Ozgur , Mazal Jonathan R. , Chen Marcus Y. , Flugelman Moshe Y. , Troendle James F. , Faranesh Anthony Z. , Lederman Robert J.
Published: May 2015

Background—

Percutaneous access for mitral interventions is currently limited to transapical and transseptal routes, both of which have shortcomings. We hypothesized that the left atrium could be accessed directly through the posterior chest wall under imaging guidance.

Methods and Results—

We tested percutaneous transthoracic left atrial access in 12 animals (10 pigs and 2 sheep) under real-time magnetic resonance imaging or x-ray fluoroscopy plus C-arm computed tomographic guidance. The pleural space was insufflated with CO
2
to displace the lung, an 18F sheath was delivered to the left atrium, and the left atrial port was closed using an off-the-shelf nitinol cardiac occluder. Animals were survived for a minimum of 7 days. The left atrial was accessed, and the port was closed successfully in 12/12 animals. There was no procedural mortality and only 1 hemodynamically insignificant pericardial effusion was observed at follow-up. We also successfully performed the procedure on 3 human cadavers. A simulated trajectory to the left atrium was present in all of 10 human cardiac computed tomographic angiograms analyzed.

Conclusions—

Percutaneous transthoracic left atrial access is feasible without instrumenting the left ventricular myocardium. In our experience, magnetic resonance imaging offers superb visualization of anatomic structures with the ability to monitor and address complications in real-time, although x-ray guidance seems feasible. Clinical translation seems realistic based on human cardiac computed tomographic analysis and cadaver testing. This technique could provide a direct nonsurgical access route for future transcatheter mitral implantation.
Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Cardiovascular Risk: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of 22 Prospective Studies
Authors: Willeit Peter , Freitag Daniel F. , Laukkanen Jari A. , Chowdhury Susmita , Gobin Reeta , Mayr Manuel , Di Angelantonio Emanuele , Chowdhury Rajiv
Published: May 2015

Background

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (
ADMA
) inhibits the production of nitric oxide, a key regulator of the vascular tone, and may be important in the development of cardiovascular disease (
CVD
). Our aim was to reliably quantify the association of
ADMA
and its isomer symmetric dimethylarginine (
SDMA
) with the risk of
CVD
outcomes in long‐term cohort studies.

Methods and Results

Data were collated from 22 prospective studies involving a total of 19 842 participants, which have recorded 2339
CVD
, 997 coronary heart disease, and 467 stroke outcomes during a mean follow‐up of 7.1 years. In a comparison of individuals in the top with those in the bottom third of baseline
ADMA
values, the combined risk ratios were 1.42 (95% confidence interval: 1.29 to 1.56) for
CVD
, 1.39 for coronary heart disease (1.19 to 1.62), and 1.60 for stroke (1.33 to 1.91). Broadly similar results were observed according to participants' baseline disease status (risk ratios for
CVD
: 1.35 [1.18 to 1.54] in general populations; 1.47 [1.16 to 1.87] in individuals with pre‐existing
CVD
; and 1.52 [1.26 to 1.84] in individuals with pre‐existing kidney disease) and by different study characteristics, including geographical location, sample type, assay method, number of incident outcomes, and level of statistical adjustment (all
P
values>0.05). In contrast, in 8 prospective studies involving 9070 participants and 848 outcomes, the corresponding estimate for
SDMA
concentration was 1.32 (0.92 to 1.90) for
CVD
.

Conclusions

Available prospective studies suggest associations between circulating
ADMA
concentration and
CVD
outcomes under a broad range of circumstances. Further research is needed to better clarify these associations, particularly in large general population studies.
Population-Based Study of Cerebral Microbleeds in Stroke-Free Older Adults Living in Rural Ecuador
Authors: Del Brutto Victor J. , Zambrano Mauricio , Mera Robertino M. , Del Brutto Oscar H.
Published: May 2015

Background and Purpose—

Prevalence of cerebral microbleeds (CMB) in white and Asian populations range from 4% to 15%. However, there is no information from indigenous Latin American people. We aimed to assess prevalence and cerebrovascular correlates of CMB in stroke-free older adults living in rural Ecuador.

Methods—

Of 311 Atahualpa residents aged ≥60 years identified during a door-to-door survey, 258 (83%) underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging. Twenty-one were further excluded for a diagnosis of overt stroke. Using multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors, we evaluated whether CMB were independently associated with silent strokes, white matter hyperintensities, and global cortical atrophy.

Results—

Twenty-six (11%) of 237 participants had CMB, which were single in 54% of cases. CMB were deep in 11 patients, cortical in 9, and located both deep and cortical in 6. In univariate analyses, CMB were associated with age, systolic blood pressure, moderate-to-severe white matter hyperintensities, silent lacunar infarcts, and cortical atrophy. Mean (±SD) values for systolic blood pressure were 155±27 mm Hg in patients who had CMB versus 142±26 mm Hg in those who did not (
P
=0.017). In the adjusted models, moderate-to-severe white matter hyperintensities (
P
=0.009), silent lacunar infarcts (
P
=0.003), and global cortical atrophy (
P
=0.04) were independently associated with CMB.

Conclusions—

Prevalence of CMB in stroke-free older adults living in Atahualpa is comparable with those reported from other ethnic groups. There is a strong relationship between CMB and increased age, high systolic blood pressure, silent markers of cerebral small vessel disease, and cortical atrophy.
The Holy Spirit and the Soul as Revealed in Nature
Authors: Davenport Nancy
Published: May 2015

The artist Anna Lea Merritt (1844–1930) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and spent most of her professional life in London and in a rural village in Surrey. She settled in England in 1871 and soon became a friend of the members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in their mature years, the art critic John Ruskin, the late Victorian artists George Frederick Watts and Frederick, Lord Leighton, and others in the London artistic and literary community. In the milieu she had chosen, her intimate and spiritual relationship with nature and her sympathy for all mankind, ingrained in her in childhood among Unitarians and Quakers in Philadelphia, developed into paintings, murals, and etchings that were at once academic, naturalistic, and mystical. In re-introducing this little known woman artist today, this article focuses on her work as one that evokes the spirit and beauty of the natural world and sympathy for the plight of the suffering, both eloquent testimonials to the ideals and beliefs of her renowned friend and contemporary, John Ruskin and to late Victorian liberal sensibilities.
Inclementi secare ferro? (Jerome, Epist. 40,1,1)
Authors: Adkin Neil
Published: May 2015

Jerome’s 40th letter opens by comparing the moralist to a surgeon. Here the phrase clementi secare ferro has been found problematical: recently Palla has maintained that clementi should be altered to inclementi. The present note endeavours to defend clementi on grounds of linguistic usage and of rhetorical technique.
Diodore of Tarsus’ Treatise Against the Manichaeans: A New Fragment
Authors: Malavasi Giulio
Published: May 2015

Diodore of Tarsus’ treatise Against the Manichaeans is well attested in ancient sources. However, modern scholars believe that it is completely lost. This assumption is only partially correct, for there exists a short unpublished fragment, which will be edited hereinafter for the first time. The fragment, reported in the Clavis Patrum Graecorum, is quoted in an anonymous florilegium of codex Vatopedi 236, entitled ‘Against those who say that human souls pre-exist bodies’. Following the research undertaken by Pedersen and DelCogliano, I will contextualize Diodore’s writing within the Antiochene tradition of anti-Manichaean writings.
The Northern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone Regulations (Nordreg) and the Law of the Sea
Authors: Kraska James
Published: May 2015

This article explores the nature of Canada’s laws and regulations governing the Northern Canada Vessel Services Zone Regulations (nordreg) within the context of the international law of the sea. It provides context for the response to nordreg by the United States, and forecasts the impact of nordreg on future shipping regulations in the Arctic Ocean more generally. As Arctic nations develop shipping regulations, Canadian statutes—and their intersection with the international law of the sea and the rules adopted by the International Maritime Organization—are instructive for ensuring safety and security in the unique marine polar environment.
Life in Brackets: Minority Christians and Hegemonic Violence in Pakistan
Authors: Misra Amalendu
Published: May 2015

This article focusses on the Christian minority in Pakistan, and postulates that their “crisis condition” can be explained within a set pattern of rules. Within that framework, it examines three separate, but interrelated theoretical positions: The rising level of Islamic radicalism and consequent attack on minority Christians needs to be placed within the framework of a “thick” and “thin” view of religion; 2. the select “targeting” of a minority and stirring up of sectarian conflict is the outcome of a clearly thought out framework of hegemonic violence; and 3. the conscious process of “scapegoating” that establishes the majority-led in-group and out-group narrative leading to the castigation and persecution of the marginal group. The last two sections examines the scope of external intervention on behalf of this beleaguered community. It goes on to assess the coping strategies of the Christians in the face of mounting Sunni Muslim extremist violence.
Baptismal and Missional Ecclesiology in the American Book of Common Prayer
Authors: Schlesinger Eugene R.
Published: May 2015

I argue that the ecclesiology expressed in the American 1979 Book of Common Prayer is, in addition to being a baptismal ecclesiology, also inherently missional. After briefly attending to debates about patterns of initiation, I turn my attention to the prayer book’s theology of ministry, wherein all ecclesial ministry is rooted in baptismal identity. I weigh the relative merits of considering the laity as an ‘order’ within the Church, and consider the diaconal nature of the Church and its mission. I finally pursue the connections between between a baptismal ecclesiology and Christian mission. This involves a consideration of the prayer book’s baptismal liturgy (with particular reference to the baptismal covenant), and of the fact that baptism implicates the Church in mission because it implicates Christians in the paschal mystery.
Towards an Empirical-ideal Ecclesiology
Authors: Bazzell Pascal D.
Published: May 2015

This essay explores the ecclesiological methodological divide between the study of the church from a Platonic (idealist) philosophy and from an Aristotelian (realist) philosophy. In response, it examines the dynamic relationship of ecclesiality (ideal ecclesiology) and locality/contextuality (empirical ecclesiology) of the church that are closely interrelated. This essay attempts to articulate an empirical-ideal perspective of a robust corrective to ‘blue-print ecclesiology’ (Healy); while at the same time contributes an idealistic perspective to the study of the visible ecclesial gathering. To illustrate this ecclesiological framework, it attempts a re-reading of the marks of the church through the lens of the ‘preferential option of the poor’.
Summertime Response of Temperature and Cooling Energy Demand to Urban Expansion in a Semiarid Environment
Authors: Salamanca F. , Georgescu M. , Mahalov A. , Moustaoui M.
Published: May 2015

This article explores regional impacts on near-surface air temperature and air conditioning (AC) electricity consumption due to projected urban expansion in a semiarid environment. In addition to the modern-day urban landscape setting, two projected urban expansion scenarios are analyzed with the Weather Research and Forecasting Model coupled to a multilayer building energy scheme. The authors simulate a 10-day extreme heat period at high spatial resolution (1-km horizontal grid spacing) over Arizona, one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. Results show that replacement of natural land surfaces by buildings and pavement increases the local mean near-surface air temperature considerably. Furthermore, present-day waste heat emission from AC systems increases the mean nighttime 2-m air temperature by up to 1°C in some urban locations, but projected urban development aggravates the situation, increasing nighttime air temperatures by up to 1.5°–1.75°C. The contribution of anthropogenic heating due to AC systems is computed through comparison of two different types of numerical experiments: in one case, a specific urban scenario is simulated with the AC systems turned on and expelling heat into the outdoor environment, and in the second case, the same urban development (with the AC systems turned on) is simulated but with no heat expelled into the outdoor environment. The results demonstrate that projected urban expansion significantly amplifies local cooling energy demands for the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan regions and therefore highlight the need for sustainable future energy needs to maintain thermal comfort levels.
Secondary Circulation of Tropical Cyclones in Vertical Wind Shear: Lagrangian Diagnostic and Pathways of Environmental Interaction
Authors: Riemer Michael , Laliberté Frédéric
Published: May 2015

This study introduces a Lagrangian diagnostic of the secondary circulation of tropical cyclones (TCs), here defined by those trajectories that contribute to latent heat release in the region of high inertial stability of the TC core. This definition accounts for prominent asymmetries and transient flow features. Trajectories are mapped from the three-dimensional physical space to the (two dimensional) entropy–temperature space. The mass flux vector in this space subsumes the thermodynamic characteristics of the secondary circulation. The Lagrangian diagnostic is then employed to further analyze the impact of vertical wind shear on TCs in previously published idealized numerical experiments. One focus of this analysis is the classification and quantitative depiction of different pathways of environmental interaction based on thermodynamic properties of trajectories at initial and end times. Confirming results from previous work, vertical shear significantly increases the intrusion of low–equivalent potential temperature () air into the eyewall through the frictional inflow layer. In contrast to previous ideas, vertical shear decreases midlevel ventilation in these experiments. Consequently, the difference in eyewall between the no-shear and shear experiments is largest at low levels. Vertical shear, however, significantly increases detrainment from the eyewall and modifies the thermodynamic signature of the outflow layer. Finally, vertical shear promotes the occurrence of a novel class of trajectories that has not been described previously. These trajectories lose entropy at cold temperatures by detraining from the outflow layer and subsequently warm by 10–15 K. Further work is needed to investigate in more detail the relative importance of the different pathways for TC intensity change and to extend this study to real atmospheric TCs.
Optimal Ensemble-Based Selection of Channels from Advanced Sounders in the Presence of Cloud
Authors: Migliorini Stefano
Published: May 2015

This study aims to illustrate a general procedure based on well-known information theory concepts to select the channels from advanced satellite sounders that are most advantageous to assimilate both in clear-sky and overcast conditions using an ensemble-based estimate of forecast uncertainty. To this end, the standard iterative channel selection method, which is used to select the most informative channels from advanced infrared sounders for operational assimilation, was revisited so as to allow its use with measurements that have correlated errors. The method was here applied to determine a 24-humidity-sensitive-channel set that is small in size relative to a total of 8461 channels that are available on the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on board the EUMETSAT Polar System MetOp satellites. The selected channels can be used to perform all-sky data assimilation experiments, in addition to those currently used for operational data assimilation of IASI data at ECMWF. Care was taken to include in the observation uncertainty used for channel selection the contributions arising from imperfect knowledge of the concentration of contaminants (except for cloud) in a given spectral channel. Also, (cumulative) weighting functions that provide a vertically resolved picture of the (total) number of degrees of freedom for signal expressed by a given set of measurements were introduced, which allows for the definition of a novel channel selection merit function that can be used to select measurements that are most sensitive to variations of a given parameter over a given atmospheric region (e.g., in the troposphere).
The Structure of Racism in Color-Blind, “Post-Racial” America
Authors: Bonilla-Silva Eduardo
Published: May 2015

In this article, I describe the racial order of America in the post–Civil Rights era. First, I discuss what racism is all about and emphasize the centrality of conceiving the phenomenon in a structural way. Second, I argue that the “new racism,” or the set of mostly subtle, institutional, and seemingly nonracial mechanisms and practices that comprise the racial regime of “post-racial” America, has all but replaced the old Jim Crow order. Third, I describe the racial ideology of color-blind racism and its component parts (i.e., frames, style, and racial stories) and contend that, like the racial order, this new ideology is slippery and has a “beyond race” character. Fourth, I explain that the Obama moment is part of the new racism, color-blind period and justify my claim empirically. I conclude this essay pondering if people of color will wake up and realize that the new, more “civil” way of maintaining and justifying racial things is a more formidable way of maintaining racial domination.
Les échelles catholiques comme exemples de métissage religieux des ontologies chrétiennes et amérindiennes
Authors: Gagnon Denis , Drapeau Lynn
Published: May 2015

The discovery of a unique version of Lacombe’s Catholic Ladder annotated in the Innu language, and in use in the middle of the 20th century among the St Laurence North Shore Innus (who were known as Montagnais from the 17th to the 20th century), gives us opportunities to question again the production history of these illustrated catechism posters, which served as tools of conversion. After showing the connection between this “Catholic ladder” and aboriginal selective writing practices, we look at the rich history of the tradition from its emergence on the Pacific Coast to its spread throughout world Catholic missions from the middle of the 19th until the middle of the 20th century. We also present a commented translation of the Innu annotation of Lacombe’s Ladder and show that the origin of its success among Aboriginal peoples is that it transmits a Christian content using a symbolic method of spreading knowledge that is typically aboriginal. The Ladder is a product of religious “ métissage” (cultural mixing or cultural combination) between Catholic and aboriginal religions, and it is this “ métissage” that has led to its international success.
Secondary Education Systems and the General Skills of Less- and Intermediate-educated Adults
Authors: Heisig Jan Paul , Solga Heike
Published: May 2015

We investigate the impact of external differentiation and vocational orientation of (lower and upper) secondary education on country variation in the mean numeracy skills of, and skills gaps between, adults with low and intermediate formal qualifications. We use data on 30- to 44-year-olds in 18 countries from the 2011–12 round of the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies. We find that higher levels of external differentiation (tracking) amplify skills gaps between less- and intermediate-educated adults. This is mainly due to lower mean skills achievement of less-educated adults. By contrast, greater emphasis on vocational skills in upper-secondary education is positively related to numeracy skills for both less- and intermediate-educated adults. Gains are larger for the less educated, so the gap in numeracy skills tends to fall with the degree of vocational orientation. We discuss implications of our findings for research on educational and labor market inequalities.
Capitalizing on the Urban Fiscal Crisis: Predatory Tax Buyers in 1970s Chicago
Authors: Kahrl Andrew W.
Published: May 2015

Local governments across the United States annually hold tax auctions, in which unpaid property tax bills are sold to investors, who in turn obtain the right to charge interest on those debts or acquire title to tax delinquent property. In Chicago, reforms to Illinois’s tax sales law in 1951 gave rise to a class of investors who reaped millions through fees, interest payments, and, in some cases, acquisition of real estate for the price of a single property tax bill. Tax buying thrived as rates of property tax delinquency rose sharply in the 1970s, especially in the city’s African American neighborhoods, which suffered from discriminatory overassessment. As the city’s fiscal situation worsened, tax buyers wielded greater influence over tax policy and administration. Tax sales shed new light on the making of contemporary municipal fiscal policies and administrative practices, and highlight broader features of capitalism and the state in modern America.
Daily Affective and Behavioral Forecasts in Romantic Relationships
Authors: Lemay Edward P. , Lin Jonathan L. , Muir Heather J.
Published: May 2015

The current research examined accuracy and bias in daily forecasts within romantic relationships. Results of an extensive daily report study involving 200 romantic dyads and 4,822 daily observations suggested that predictions regarding affect and partner behavior that will occur tomorrow are somewhat accurate, predicted by actual experiences tomorrow, but are largely biased by current experiences. Participants appeared to project the current state of their relationship into the future, a temporal projection bias. This bias predicted forecasters’ pro-relationship motivation and behavior. Forecasters were less likely to exhibit the temporal projection bias when they were high in relationship commitment, and they were more likely to exhibit the bias when they were high in need for cognitive closure, suggesting that motivation can constrain or amplify tendencies to project the present into the future. Implications for interpersonal relationships are discussed.
Public engagement with firms on social media in China
Authors: Wei Jiuchang , Xu Jia , Zhao Dingtao
Published: May 2015

An increasing number of companies use social media such as micro blogs to promote celebrities in Internet communities. Companies may run their official micro blogs differently, which in turn leads to different public engagements on micro blogging sites. This study takes a perspective on the adoption behaviours of micro blogs in enterprises by looking at the relationship between media frame and audience frame based on the China Fortune 500 firms in 2014. The results show that the updates, active days and followings are associated with public engagement with the corporate official micro blogs. In particular, we found information overload from information updates. The marginal utility of the public engagement decreases as number of updates increases. The results also show that the daily variance of updates has a significant influence on the audience frame.
“This Is What Was Birthed”
Authors: Persis Murray Dara
Published: May 2015

This article examines the brand development of supermodel cum media mogul Tyra Banks by investigating her positioning as a mother figure in two texts— America’s Next Top Model and typeF.com—to facilitate women’s postfeminist self-branding as fierce. Grounded in the appropriation of her raced position and the ball culture of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, Banks’ mother figure advocates becoming fierce as essential to women’s personal and professional success. Fierce signifies hegemonic femininity and postfeminist values, and, accordingly, women under Banks’ tutelage engage in immaterial/affective labor on their bodies and emotions to access a positive sense of self and career promise. In doing so, they support fierce as a postfeminist self-brand that provides value for Banks’ brand. This study details how motherhood has been drawn on for corporate benefit, encouraging emotional connections between women, texts, and brands that normalize postfeminist self-branding as a means of self-empowerment in early 21st-century consumer culture.
Probabilistically valid stochastic extensions of deterministic models for systems with uncertainty
Authors: Karydis Konstantinos , Poulakakis Ioannis , Sun Jianxin , Tanner Herbert G.
Published: May 2015

Models capable of capturing and reproducing the variability observed in experimental trials can be valuable for planning and control in the presence of uncertainty. This paper reports on a new data-driven methodology that extends deterministic models to a stochastic regime and offers probabilistic guarantees of model fidelity. From an acceptable deterministic model, a stochastic one is generated, capable of capturing and reproducing uncertain system–environment interactions at given levels of fidelity. The reported approach combines methodological elements from probabilistic model validation and randomized algorithms, to simultaneously quantify the fidelity of a model and tune the distribution of random parameters in the corresponding stochastic extension, in order to reproduce the variability observed experimentally in the physical process of interest. The approach can be applied to an array of physical processes, the models of which may come in different forms, including differential equations; we demonstrate this point by considering examples from the areas of miniature legged robots and aerial vehicles.
Animal Models of Bone Metastasis
Authors: Simmons J. K. , Hildreth B. E. , Supsavhad W. , Elshafae S. M. , Hassan B. B. , Dirksen W. P. , Toribio R. E. , Rosol T. J.
Published: May 2015

Bone is one of the most common sites of cancer metastasis in humans and is a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Bone metastases are considered incurable and result in pain, pathologic fracture, and decreased quality of life. Animal models of skeletal metastases are essential to improve the understanding of the molecular pathways of cancer metastasis and growth in bone and to develop new therapies to inhibit and prevent bone metastases. The ideal animal model should be clinically relevant, reproducible, and representative of human disease. Currently, an ideal model does not exist; however, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the available models will lead to proper study design and successful cancer research. This review provides an overview of the current in vivo animal models used in the study of skeletal metastases or local tumor invasion into bone and focuses on mammary and prostate cancer, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and miscellaneous tumors that metastasize to bone.
Investigating heart rate and rhythm changes in an infant’s music education course: A case study
Authors: Papatzikis Efthymios , Papatziki Stefania
Published: May 2015

Music research focusing on infants shows that there are functional specializations for music processing in the human brain, and that, for infants and toddlers, music education starting at an early stage is important in their development. However, research has not yet provided solid evidence on what developmental (biopsychological) potential the educational ‘tools’ used in these kind of settings may carry, considering that these settings or educational practices constantly vary. This study focuses on the musical elements of tempo (rhythmical pace) and beat (sound impulse), and investigates the way these are handled by an educator in a formally structured early years (0–2) music education course of seven episodes. The study also examines how two different age groups of participants biologically perceive the specific aforementioned rhythmical elements. In contradiction to relevant communication theories and the hypothesis followed in this study, results show no significant differences in the way the specific educator handles rhythm for the two groups, following a similarly increasing trajectory of rhythmical development for each session per group. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the way the infants physiologically reacted to the above rhythmical handling, presenting an overall increasing heart rate trajectory.
Co-occupations: The caregiving challenges of mothers of children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Dalvand Hamid , Hosseini Seyyed Ali , Rassafiani Mehdi , Samadi Sayyed Ali , Khankeh Hamid Reza , Kelly Greg
Published: May 2015

Introduction

This study was conducted in an Iranian context to explore the co-occupations of mothers of children with cerebral palsy as experienced by them.

Method

This qualitative study was conducted using content analysis methodology. Sixteen mothers of children with cerebral palsy participated in the study. Data was collected via in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Constant comparative analysis was deployed for data analysis.

Results

The results were classified into nine sub-categories and four main categories that were identified as (1) coping with self-care problems, (2) effort to gain treatment follow-up, (3) coping challenges of educational care, and (4) limited parental personal leisure time.

Conclusion

Understanding the challenges of caring for a child with cerebral palsy and the experiences of mothers when engaging in co-occupations with their child, provides a broader perspective of the potential impact on participation and engagement of mothers. However, more research is required to understand the various factors influencing participation and co-occupations and interaction effects between these factors.
Retinoblastoma
Authors: Ortiz Michael V. , Dunkel Ira J.
Published: May 2015

Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy of childhood. It typically presents with leukocoria or strabismus. In later stages of the disease, the child may exhibit proptosis, buphthalmos, or hypopyon. The pathognomonic molecular aberration is a loss of function mutation in the RB1 gene on chromosome 13q. The degree of tumor involvement within the eye is defined by its group. Grouping was historically done with Reese-Ellsworth System. Recent therapeutic advances have led to the development of a new grouping system, the International Classification of Retinoblastoma (ICRB). In cases of extraocular extension and metastatic disease, the degree of tumor involvement outside of the eye is defined by its stage. Retinoblastoma is staged using the International Retinoblastoma Staging System (IRSS). Children with intraocular retinoblastoma have an excellent overall and ocular survival. In order to avoid the morbidity of enucleation and external beam radiation, treatments for isolated intraocular retinoblastoma have progressively moved toward targeted local modalities. Patients with extraocular involvement, such as those with trilateral retinoblastoma, have a poorer prognosis. The majority of these higher stage patients are now able to be cured with combination chemotherapy.
Strontium- and calcium-containing, titanium-stabilised phosphate-based glasses with prolonged degradation for orthopaedic tissue engineering
Authors: Al Qaysi Mustafa , Walters Nick J , Foroutan Farzad , Owens Gareth J , Kim Hae-Won , Shah Rishma , Knowles Jonathan C
Published: May 2015

Strontium- and calcium-releasing, titanium-stabilised phosphate-based glasses with a controlled degradation rate are currently under development for orthopaedic tissue engineering applications. Ca and/or Sr were incorporated at varying concentrations in quaternary phosphate-based glasses, in order to promote osteoinduction. Ti was incorporated at a fixed concentration in order to prolong degradation. Glasses of the general formula (P2O5)–(Na2O)–(TiO2)–(CaO)–(SrO) were prepared via the melt-quench technique. The materials were characterised by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, 31P magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis and density determination. The dissolution rate in distilled water was determined by measuring mass loss, ion release and pH change over a two-week period. In addition, the cytocompatibility and alkaline phosphatase activity of an osteoblast-like cell line cultured on the surface of glass discs was assessed. The glasses were shown to be amorphous and contained Q1, Q2 and Q3 species. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed small changes in the glass structure as Ca was substituted with Sr and differential thermal analysis confirmed a decrease in crystallisation temperature with increasing Sr content. Degradation and ion release studies also showed that mass loss was positively correlated with Sr content. These results were attributed to the lower electronegativity of Sr in comparison to Ca favouring the formation of phosphate-based mineral phases. All compositions supported cell proliferation and survival and induced at least 2.3-fold alkaline phosphatase activity relative to the control. Glass containing 17.5 mol% Sr had 3.6-fold greater alkaline phosphatase activity than the control. The gradual release of Ca and Sr supported osteoinduction, indicating their potential suitability in orthopaedic tissue engineering applications.
Exploring the Effects of Court Dispositions on Future Domestic Violence Offending
Authors: Pinchevsky Gillian M.
Published: May 2015

This study seeks to explore the relationship between court dispositions and reoffending within and across two specialized domestic violence (DV) courts located in the United States. The samples for this study are comprised of defendants whose cases were disposed of within the two courts between 2004 and 2006. This study assessed the effects of prosecution, conviction, and sentencing decisions on the prevalence, incidence, and time-to-rearrest for a new DV offense in the 3 years post-disposition both within and across courts. Findings indicate a limited crime-control effect of court dispositions on future offending. Furthermore, despite differences in the community context, policies, and court dispositions across the two courts, the magnitude of the disposition–recidivism relationship is similar across courts. It is important to understand the findings within the context of the specific courts; a discussion of the results is provided.
The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence Exposure on the Maternal Bond and PTSD Symptoms of Children
Authors: Boeckel Mariana Gonçalves , Wagner Adriana , Grassi-Oliveira Rodrigo
Published: May 2015

The quality of the maternal bond can be disrupted in women exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV), causing them to be less available to their children. The aim of this study was to examine difficulties in emotional regulation in women exposed to IPV and the impact of IPV on both the maternal bond and posttraumatic symptoms among children. A cross-sectional study was carried out with two groups: IPV dyads ( n = 36) comprising mothers who had been exposed to IPV and their children, and control dyads ( n = 27) comprising non-abused mothers and their children. Information was obtained via structured interviews including scales regarding IPV, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, maternal bond, and difficulties in emotional regulation. Correlation analyses showed a positive association between the severity of IPV, PTSD symptom severity in children, and difficulties of emotional regulation in mothers. They also showed a negative association between IPV and the quality of the maternal bond. Regression models demonstrated that exposure to sexual IPV, maternal difficulties in emotion regulation, and younger age of the mother are important predictors of lower quality of the maternal bond. Difficulties in emotional regulation and sexual IPV disrupted the quality of the maternal bond among women and their children. In addition, lower quality of maternal bond was associated with higher PSTD symptoms among children.
Video and Vision
Authors: Knoblauch Hubert , Schnettler Bernt
Published: May 2015

In this article, we sketch the field of qualitative video-analysis and locate videography within this. Instead of presenting the methods of videography formally, we illustrate the application of this method in a particular field: Marian apparitions occurring in a German town in 1999, captured live on video. The presentation of the method in this paper follows a general methodological structure. (1) We first outline the ethnographic context of the setting in which the video-recordings were made. This context includes actors, religious associations, and locations as well as some aspects of the apparitional events’ historical genesis. (2) We then turn to look at the performance of the Marian vision as recorded in the video. By applying sequential analysis, we roughly identify a temporal order to the event, which exhibits an interesting deviation from earlier forms of apparitions due to the way it takes a subjectively “spiritual” form. This finding leads us to finally (3) address the role of the subjective perspective that, as we argue, is a further essential dimension of videography. It is on this level that we are made aware of the relevance of the life-world as a methodological background for the kind of interpretive social science that takes the actor’s perspective into account.
Using Paradata to Predict and Correct for Panel Attrition
Authors: Roßmann Joss , Gummer Tobias
Published: May 2015

This article addresses the questions of whether paradata can help us to improve the models of panel attrition and whether paradata can improve the effectiveness of propensity score weights with respect to reducing attrition biases. The main advantage of paradata is that it is collected as a by-product of the survey process. However, it is still an open question which paradata can be used to model attrition and to what extent these paradata are correlated with the variables of interest. Our analysis used data from a seven-wave web-based panel survey that had been supplemented by three cross-sectional surveys. This split panel design allowed us to assess the magnitude of attrition bias for a large number of substantive variables. Furthermore, this design enabled us to analyze in detail the effectiveness of propensity score weights. Our results showed that some paradata (e.g., response times and participation history) improved the prediction of panel attrition, whereas others did not. In addition, not all the paradata that increased the model fit resulted in weights that effectively reduced bias. These findings highlight the importance of selecting paradata that are linked to both the survey response process and the variables of interest. This article provides a first contribution to this challenge.
Development of a hybrid multi-scale simulation approach for spray processes
Authors: Zhou Lei , Xia Jun , Shinjo Junji , Cairns Alasdair , Cruff Luke , Blaxill Hugh
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a multi-scale approach coupling a Eulerian interface-tracking method and a Lagrangian particle-tracking method to simulate liquid atomisation processes. This method aims to represent the complete spray atomisation process including the primary break-up process and the secondary break-up process, paving the way for high-fidelity simulations of spray atomisation in the dense spray zone and spray combustion in the dilute spray zone. The Eulerian method is based on the coupled level-set and volume-of-fluid method for interface tracking, which can accurately simulate the primary break-up process. For the coupling approach, the Eulerian method describes only large droplet and ligament structures, while small-scale droplet structures are removed from the resolved Eulerian description and transformed into Lagrangian point-source spherical droplets. The Lagrangian method is thus used to track smaller droplets. In this study, two-dimensional simulations of liquid jet atomisation are performed. We analysed Lagrangian droplet formation and motion using the multi-scale approach. The results indicate that the coupling method successfully achieves multi-scale simulations and accurately models droplet motion after the Eulerian–Lagrangian transition. Finally, the reverse Lagrangian–Eulerian transition is also considered to cope with interactions between Eulerian droplets and Lagrangian droplets.
Burnout among Nursing Professionals in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Delhi
Authors: Negi Yashika , Bagga Rajni
Published: May 2015

Introduction:

There has been growing evidence that stress and burnout at work have undesirable effects not only on the worker but also on the organizations (Aiken et al. 2002a, 2002b; Felton 1998). It is perceived more among nursing professionals because of the specific roles and responsibilities, increased workload, dealing with high-risk cases, emotional aspects of patient care and other factors inherent in the nature of work.

Objective:

This article is developed with the broad objective to determine the level of burnout among the nursing professionals with the following specific objectives: To determine the level of burnout and to determine the work-related factors associated with burnout among nursing professionals in selected tertiary care hospitals of Delhi.

Methodology:

This descriptive study was carried out on a total of 200 staff nurses. One hundred staff nurses from each of the two randomly selected tertiary care hospitals in New Delhi were taken, comprising 25 staff nurses from each of the four speciality wards (Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics). Tools used were socio-demographic tool, work profile tool and standardized Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) tool to measure burnout. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.

Results:

Overall, the nurses reported a low mean score for emotional exhaustion (14.39 ± 6.87) and depersonalization (4.84 ± 3.34), and an average score (34.72 ± 6.33) for personal accomplishment. Work profile variables found to be associated with burnout were ‘staff shortage with respect to nurse–patient ratio’, ‘number of night duties’, ‘demands of patient’ attendants’, ‘duty roster’, ‘death/critical condition of a patient’, ‘conflicts at work place’, study leave’ and ‘category of employment (regular/contractual)’.

Conclusions and Recommendations:

Though the nurses, in the present study, did not show very high levels of burnout, nonetheless, there was noted a significant association of burnout with certain work profile and organizational factors. On this ground, one can conclude that a lot of reforms are required at the organizational and work environmental levels. On the basis of these findings and conclusions formed, the authors suggest certain recommendations, in which reforms for human resource (HR) for health form a prominent part.