bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cord blood-derived endothelial colony-forming cell function is disrupted in congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Fujinaga Hideshi , Fujinaga Hiroko , Watanabe Nobuyuki , Kato Tomoko , Tamano Moe , Terao Miho , Takada Shuji , Ito Yushi , Umezawa Akihiro , Kuroda Masahiko
Published: April 2016

Vascular growth is necessary for normal lung development. Although endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in vascularization, little is known about EPC function in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a severe neonatal condition that is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia. We hypothesized that the function of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), a type of EPC, is impaired in CDH. Cord blood (CB) was collected from full-term CDH patients and healthy controls. We assessed CB progenitor cell populations as well as plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF1α) levels. CB ECFC clonogenicity; growth kinetics; migration; production of VEGF, SDF1α, and nitric oxide (NO); vasculogenic capacity; and mRNA expression of VEGF-A, fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT1), kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 1–3, SDF1, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) were also assessed. Compared with controls, CB ECFCs were decreased in CDH. CDH ECFCs had reduced potential for self-renewal, clonogenicity, proliferation, and migration. Their capacity for NO production was enhanced but their response to VEGF was blunted in CDH ECFCs. In vivo potential for de novo vasculogenesis was reduced in CDH ECFCs. There was no difference in CB plasma VEGF and SDF1α concentrations, VEGF and SDF1α production by ECFCs, and ECFC mRNA expression of VEGF-A, FLT1, KDR, NOS1-3, SDF1, and CXCR4 between CDH and control subjects. In conclusion, CB ECFC function is disrupted in CDH, but these changes may be caused by mechanisms other than alteration of VEGF-NO and SDF1-CXCR4 signaling.
Weighted Estimates of a Class of Integral Operators with Three Parameters
Authors: Oinarov Ryskul , Kalybay Aigerim
Published: April 2016

We characterize the validity of a Hardy-type inequality with a kernel and three parameters1<p,q,r<∞under some conditions on three weight functionsu,v, andw.
α-Amylase andα-Glucosidase Inhibitory Saponins fromPolyscias fruticosaLeaves
Authors: Hanh Tran Thi Hong , Dang Nguyen Hai , Dat Nguyen Tien
Published: April 2016

Three bisdesmosidic saponins 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl] oleanolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1), polyscioside D (2), and 3-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl}oleanolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-galactopyranosyl ester (3) were isolated from a methanol extract ofPolyscias fruticosa(L.) Harms leaves. Compound1was obtained as a main constituent and compound3was reported for the first time and named as polyscioside I. Saponin1inhibited porcine pancreasα-amylase and yeastα-glucosidase activities while2and3were inactive. Synergistic inhibitory effect onα-amylase was observed from the combination of low concentrations of1and acarbose. The findings suggest the use ofP. fruticosaand its major saponin1for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications.
Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of Acquired Nontraumatic Urethral Strictures in Boys in Yaoundé, Cameroon
Authors: Mouafo Tambo F. F. , Fossi kamga G. , Kamadjou C. , Mbouche L. , Nwaha Makon A. S. , Birraux J. , Andze O. G. , Angwafo F. F. , Mure P. Y.
Published: April 2016

Introduction. Urethral strictures in boys denote narrowing of the urethra which can be congenital or acquired. In case of acquired strictures, the etiology is iatrogenic or traumatic and rarely infectious or inflammatory. The aim of this study was to highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties of acquired nontraumatic urethral strictures in boys in Yaoundé, Cameroon.Methodology. The authors report five cases of nontraumatic urethral strictures managed at the Pediatric Surgery Department of the YGOPH over a two-year period (November 2012–November 2014). In order to confirm the diagnosis of urethral stricture, all patients were assessed with both cystourethrography and urethrocystoscopy.Results. In all the cases the urethra was inflammatory with either a single or multiple strictures. The surgical management included internal urethrotomy (n=1), urethral dilatation (n=1), vesicostomy (n=2), and urethral catheterization (n=3). With a median follow-up of 8.2 months (4–16 months) all patients remained symptoms-free.Conclusion. The authors report the difficulties encountered in the diagnosis and management of nontraumatic urethral strictures in boys at a tertiary hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The existence of an inflammatory etiology of urethral strictures in boys deserves to be considered.
Phytochemical Evaluation of Moth Bean (Vigna aconitifoliaL.) Seeds and Their Divergence
Authors: Gupta Neha , Shrivastava Nidhi , Singh Pramod Kumar , Bhagyawant Sameer S.
Published: April 2016

In the present study, phytochemical contents of 25 moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) seed accessions were evaluated. This includes protease inhibitors, phytic acid, radical scavenging activity, and tannins. The studies revealed significant variation in the contents of theses phytochemicals. Presence of photochemical composition was correlated with seed storage proteins like albumin and globulin. Qualitative identification of total seed storage protein abundance across two related moth bean accessions using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE) was performed. Over 20 individual protein fractions were distributed over the gel as a series of spots in two moth bean accessions. Seed proteome accumulated spots of high intensity over a broad range of pI values of 3–10 in a molecular weight range of 11–170 kDa. In both seed accessions maximum protein spots are seen in the pI range of 6–8.
Miller-Fisher Syndrome: Are Anti-GAD Antibodies Implicated in Its Pathophysiology?
Authors: Dagklis Ioannis E. , Papagiannopoulos Sotirios , Theodoridou Varvara , Kazis Dimitrios , Argyropoulou Ourania , Bostantjopoulou Sevasti
Published: April 2016

Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS) is considered as a variant of the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and its characteristic clinical features are ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia. Typically, it is associated with anti-GQ1b antibodies; however, a significant percentage (>10%) of these patients are seronegative. Here, we report a 67-year-old female patient who presented with the typical clinical features of MFS. Workup revealed antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in relatively high titers while GQ1b antibodies were negative. Neurological improvement was observed after intravenous gamma globulin and follow-up examinations showed a continuous clinical amelioration with simultaneous decline of anti-GAD levels which finally returned to normal values. This case indicates that anti-GAD antibodies may be associated with a broader clinical spectrum and future studies in GQ1b-seronegative patients could determine ultimately their clinical and pathogenetic significance in this syndrome.
Electrodeposition-Based Fabrication and Characteristics of Tungsten Trioxide Thin Film
Authors: Lin Li , Cheng Chin-Pao , Teng Tun-Ping
Published: April 2016

In this study, tungsten trioxide (WO3) thin films were electrodeposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass to form WO3-coated glass. The electrodeposition (ED) time (tED) and ED current (IED) were varied to control the film thickness and morphology. Furthermore, the crystallization of the thin films was controlled by annealing them at 250°C, 500°C, and 700°C. The results showed that the thickness of the WO3thin films increased withtEDandIED. The as-deposited thin films and those annealed at 250°C were amorphous, whereas the WO3thin films annealed at 500 and 700°C were in the anorthic phase. Moreover, the amorphous WO3-coated glass exhibited high transmittance in visible light and low transmittance in near-infrared light, whereas the anorthic WO3-coated glass had high transmittance in near-infrared light. An empirical formula for determining the thickness of WO3thin films was derived through multiple regressions of the ED process parameters.
Stretched Gelatin Phantom for Detection of Residual Dipolar Couplings in MR Spectra and Data Analysis of Carnosine
Authors: Bernášek Karel , Grocký Marián , Burian Martin , Lang Jan
Published: April 2016

Peak splitting due to the residual dipolar coupling (RDC) represents a potentially applicable spectral parameter for diagnostic purposes. Several of the skeletal muscle metabolites were previously reported to display the RDC splitting inin vivoMR spectra. We constructed anin vitromodel consisting of mechanically stretched gelatin cylinder soaked with the muscle metabolite carnosine. We describe the preparation procedure of an upscaled 50 mL stretched gelatin sample with carnosine that can be used as a phantom for setting-up and testing of spectroscopic measurements of RDC in a MR scanner. We also report on analysis of the RDC splittings in1H and13C high resolution MR spectra of carnosine.
Differential Proteomics Analysis of Colonic Tissues in Patients of Slow Transit Constipation
Authors: Wan Songlin , Liu Weicheng , Tian Cuiping , Ren Xianghai , Ding Zhao , Qian Qun , Jiang Congqing , Wu Yunhua
Published: April 2016

Objective. To investigate and screen the different expression of proteins in STC and normal group with a comparative proteomic approach.Methods. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was applied to separate the proteins in specimens from both 5 STC patients and 5 normal controls. The proteins with statistically significant differential expression between two groups were identified by computer aided image analysis and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization tandem time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).Results. A total of 239 protein spots were identified in the average gel of the normal control and 215 in patients with STC. A total of 197 protein spots were matched and the mean matching rate was 82%. There were 14 protein spots which were expressed with statistically significant differences from others. Of those 14 protein spots, the expression of 12 spots increased markedly, while that of 2 spots decreased significantly.Conclusion. The proteomics expression in colonic specimens of STC patients is statistically significantly different from that of normal control, which may be associated with the pathogenesis of STC.
Sprayed Pyrolyzed ZnO Films with Nanoflake and Nanorod Morphologies and Their Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Portillo-Vélez Nora S. , Bizarro Monserrat
Published: April 2016

There is an increasing interest on the application of ZnO nanorods in photocatalysis and many growth methods have been applied, in particular the spray pyrolysis technique which is attractive for large scale production. However it is interesting to know if the nanorod morphology is the best considering its photocatalytic activity, stability, and cost effectiveness compared to a nonoriented growth. In this work we present a systematic study of the effect of the precursor solution (type of salt, solvent, and concentration) on the morphology of sprayed ZnO films to obtain nanoflakes and nanorods without the use of surfactants or catalysts. The surface properties and structural characteristics of these types of films were investigated to elucidate which morphology is more favorable for photocatalytic applications. Wettability and photocatalytic experiments were carried out in the same conditions. After UV irradiation both morphologies became hydrophilic and achieved a dye discoloration efficiency higher than 90%; however, the nanoflake morphology provided the highest photocatalytic performance (99% dye discoloration) and stability and the lowest energy consumption during the synthesis process. The surface-to-volume ratio revealed that the nanoflake morphology is more adequate for photocatalytic water treatment applications and that the thin nanorods should be preferred over the large ones.
Cognitive‐Enhancing Effect of Aronia melanocarpa Extract against Memory Impairment Induced by Scopolamine in Mice
Authors: Lee Hyeon Yong , Weon Jin Bae , Jung Youn Sik , Kim Nam Young , Kim Myong Ki , Ma Choong Je
Published: April 2016

Aronia melanocarpa (A. melanocarpa) berries are a fruit with a marked antioxidant effect. The objective of this study was to confirm the effect of A. melanocarpa berries extract against scopolamine‐induced memory impairment in mice using the Morris water maze and passive avoidance test. Moreover, we determined a possible mechanism of the cognitive‐enhancing effect involving AChE activity and BDNF and p‐CREB expression in the hippocampus of mice. A. melanocarpa berries extract attenuated the learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine in the Morris water maze (79.3 ± 0.8 s of 200 mg/kg and 64.4 ± 10.7 s of 400 mg/kg on day 4) and passive avoidance tests (46.0 ± 41.1 s of 200 mg/kg and 25.6 ± 18.7 s of 400 mg/kg). A. melanocarpa berries extract reduced the acetylcholinesterase level in the hippocampus of scopolamine‐injected mice and increased BDNF and p‐CREB expression in the hippocampus. The major compound, cyanidin‐3‐O‐galactoside, also reversed memory impairment. These results showed that A. melanocarpa berries extract improved memory impairment by inhibiting AChE and increasing BDNF and p‐CREB expression, and cyanidin‐3‐O‐galactoside may be responsible for the effect of A. melanocarpa berries extract.
Utility of the Measurement of Carboxyhemoglobin Level at the Site of Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Rural Areas
Authors: Onodera Makoto , Fujino Yasuhisa , Kikuchi Satoshi , Sato Masayuki , Mori Kiyofumi , Beppu Takaaki , Inoue Yoshihiro
Published: April 2016

Objective. This study examined the hypothesis that correlations exist between the carbon monoxide exposure time and the carboxyhemoglobin concentration at the site of carbon monoxide poisoning, using a pulse carbon monoxide oximeter in rural areas or the carboxyhemoglobin concentration measured at a given medical institution.Background. In previous studies, no definitive relationships between the arterial blood carboxyhemoglobin level and the severity of carbon monoxide poisoning have been observed.Method. The subjects included patients treated for acute carbon monoxide poisoning in whom a medical emergency team was able to measure the carboxyhemoglobin level at the site of poisoning. We examined the relationship between the carboxyhemoglobin level at the site of poisoning and carbon monoxide exposure time and the relationships between the arterial blood carboxyhemoglobin level and carbon monoxide exposure time.Results. A total of 10 patients met the above criteria. The carboxyhemoglobin levels at the site of poisoning were significantly and positively correlated with the exposure time (rs = 0.710,p=0.021), but the arterial blood carboxyhemoglobin levels were not correlated with the exposure time.Conclusion. In rural areas, the carboxyhemoglobin level measured at the site of carbon monoxide poisoning correlated with the exposure time.
Combined Bone Marrow and Kidney Transplantation for the Induction of Specific Tolerance
Authors: Chen Yi-Bin , Kawai Tatsuo , Spitzer Thomas R.
Published: April 2016

The induction of specific tolerance, in order to avoid the detrimental effects of lifelong systemic immunosuppressive therapy after organ transplantation, has been considered the “Holy Grail” of transplantation. Experimentally, tolerance has been achieved through clonal deletion, through costimulatory blockade, through the induction or infusion of regulatory T-cells, and through the establishment of hematopoietic chimerism following donor bone marrow transplantation. The focus of this review is how tolerance has been achieved following combined bone marrow and kidney transplantation. Preclinical models of combined bone marrow and kidney transplantation have shown that tolerance can be achieved through either transient or sustained hematopoietic chimerism. Combined transplants for patients with multiple myeloma have shown that organ tolerance and prolonged disease remissions can be accomplished with such an approach. Similarly, multiple clinical strategies for achieving tolerance in patients without an underlying malignancy have been described, in the context of either transient or durable mixed chimerism or sustained full donor hematopoiesis. To expand the chimerism approach to deceased donor transplants, a delayed tolerance approach, which will involve organ transplantation with conventional immunosuppression followed months later by bone marrow transplantation, has been successful in a primate model. As combined bone marrow and organ transplantation become safer and increasingly successful, the achievement of specific tolerance may become more widely applicable.
Canaloplasty: Current Value in the Management of Glaucoma
Authors: Cagini Carlo , Peruzzi Claudia , Fiore Tito , Spadea Leopoldo , Lippera Myrta , Lippera Stefano
Published: April 2016

Canaloplasty is a nonpenetrating blebless surgical technique for open-angle glaucoma, in which a flexible microcatheter is inserted within Schlemm’s canal for the entire 360 degrees. When the microcatheter exits the opposite end, a 10-0 prolene suture is tied and it is then withdrawn, by pulling microcatheter back through the canal in the opposite direction. Ligation of prolene suture provides tension on the canal and facilitates aqueous outflow. The main advantage of canaloplasty is that this technique avoids the major complications of fistulating surgery related to blebs and hypotony. Currently, canaloplasty is performed in glaucoma patients with early to moderate disease and combination with cataract surgery is a suitable option in patients with clinically significant lens opacities.
Discovery of Azurin-Like Anticancer Bacteriocins from Human Gut Microbiome through Homology Modeling and Molecular Docking against the Tumor Suppressor p53
Authors: Nguyen Chuong , Nguyen Van Duy
Published: April 2016

Azurin fromPseudomonas aeruginosais known anticancer bacteriocin, which can specifically penetrate human cancer cells and induce apoptosis. We hypothesized that pathogenic and commensal bacteria with long term residence in human body can produce azurin-like bacteriocins as a weapon against the invasion of cancers. In our previous work, putative bacteriocins have been screened from complete genomes of 66 dominant bacteria species in human gut microbiota and subsequently characterized by subjecting them as functional annotation algorithms with azurin as control. We have qualitatively predicted 14 putative bacteriocins that possessed functional properties very similar to those of azurin. In this work, we perform a number of quantitative and structure-based analyses including hydrophobic percentage calculation, structural modeling, and molecular docking study of bacteriocins of interest against protein p53, a cancer target. Finally, we have identified 8 putative bacteriocins that bind p53 in a same manner as p28-azurin and azurin, in which 3 peptides (p1seq16, p2seq20, and p3seq24) shared with our previous study and 5 novel ones (p1seq09, p2seq05, p2seq08, p3seq02, and p3seq17) discovered in the first time. These bacteriocins are suggested for furtherin vitrotests in different neoplastic line cells.
A Novel Inward Gradient Self-Lubrication Layer with Soft Alloys and Its Lubricating Mechanism
Authors: Yan Songshan , Qin Ling , Hu Rui , Liu Zuomin
Published: April 2016

A novel ceramic composite inward gradient distribution layer has been developed. The layer is a lubricating layer in which soft-metal lubricants are compounded into the ceramic matrix by high frequency induction infiltrating method. The design of the layer and its lubricating mechanism are investigated in the paper. The results show that the property of the layer greatly depends on the wetting angle of the soft-metal lubricants on the matrix and the proportion of Ag, Cu, Sn, and Pb as well as the infiltrating parameters. Based on a lot of experiments, a novel inward gradient layer with Pb28Sn19Ag6Cu has been developed. The layer has an excellent lubricating property (friction coefficient about 0.2~0.3 at 600°C). The research reveals the lubricating mechanism, observing the phenomenon that the soft-metal in the matrix diffuses out of the frictional surface, and measures the lubricating film thickness as about 20 μm on the worn surface.
Minimizing the Average Waiting Time of Unequal-Size Data Items in a Mobile Computing Environment
Authors: Wang Jen-Ya
Published: April 2016

In a mobile computing environment, waiting time is an important indicator of customer satisfaction. In order to achieve better customer satisfaction and shorter waiting times, we need to overcome different constraints and make the best use of limited resources. In this study, we propose a minimization problem, allocating unequal-size data items to broadcast channels with various bandwidths. The main idea is to solve the problem in the continuous spaceRn. First, we map the discrete optimization problem fromZntoRn. Second, the mapped problem is solved inRnoptimally. Finally, we map the optimal solution fromRnback toZn. With the theoretical analyses, we can ensure the solution quality and execution speed. Computational experiments show that the proposed algorithm performs well. The worst mean relative error can be reduced to 0.353 for data items with a mean size of 100. Moreover, almost all the near-optimal solutions can be obtained within 1 millisecond, even forN=500, whereNis the number of data items, that is, the problem size.
Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) Applied to Study the Distribution of Ink Components in Printed Newspapers
Authors: Gómez Nuria , Molleda Cristina , Quintana Ester , Carbajo José M. , Rodríguez Alejandro , Villar Juan C.
Published: April 2016

A new method was developed to study how the oil and cyan pigments of cold-set ink are distributed in newspaper thickness. The methodology involved laboratory printing followed by delamination of the printed paper. The unprinted side, printed side, and resulting layers were analyzed using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR). Three commercial newspapers and black and cyan cold-set inks were chosen for the study. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy enabled the proportion of oil and cyan pigment on the printed surface and throughout the sheet thickness to be measured. Oil percentage was evaluated as the area increment of the region from 2800 cm−1 to 3000 cm−1. The relative amount of cyan pigment was determined as the area of the absorption band at 730 cm−1. The ink oil was found mainly below half the paper thickness, whereas the pigment was detected at the layers closer to the printed surface, at a depth penetration of less than 15 µm (20% of thickness). Distribution of these two components in paper thickness depended on the type of cold-set ink, the amount of ink transferred, and the newspaper properties.
Survey of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Services in Freestanding US Children’s Hospitals
Authors: Misra Sanghamitra M. , Guffey Danielle , Tran Xuan , Giardino Angelo P.
Published: April 2016

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among US children in 2012 was 11.6%, and studies show CAM use as high as 76% in certain pediatric populations. Children’s hospitals offer varied CAM services. This survey aimed to identify CAM services offered, the structure of CAM departments, and supplement use policies in freestanding US children’s hospitals. In our survey, 92% of responding children’s hospitals offered CAM services, and 38% had hospital-based CAM centers; 60% of responders had policies for supplement use during hospitalization, whereas only 40% had policies for supplement use surrounding surgery. CAM services are widely offered in freestanding US children’s hospitals, but most do not have CAM departments. Many hospitals do not have written policies about supplement use. A better understanding of CAM services, programs, and supplement use policies are needed to bring more coordinated services and safer policies to children’s hospitals.
The Impact of Q-Matrix Designs on Diagnostic Classification Accuracy in the Presence of Attribute Hierarchies
Authors: Liu Ren , Huggins-Manley Anne Corinne , Bradshaw Laine
Published: April 2016

There is an increasing demand for assessments that can provide more fine-grained information about examinees. In response to the demand, diagnostic measurement provides students with feedback on their strengths and weaknesses on specific skills by classifying them into mastery or nonmastery attribute categories. These attributes often form a hierarchical structure because student learning and development is a sequential process where many skills build on others. However, it remains to be seen if we can use information from the attribute structure and work that into the design of the diagnostic tests. The purpose of this study is to introduce three approaches of Q-matrix design and investigate their impact on classification results under different attribute structures. Results indicate that the adjacent approach provides higher accuracy in a shorter test length when compared with other Q-matrix design approaches. This study provides researchers and practitioners guidance on how to design the Q-matrix in diagnostic tests, which are in high demand from educators.
Kinship care and older persons: An Islamic perspective
Authors: Abdullah Somaya
Published: April 2016

This article explores issues pertinent to culturally sensitive social work and the care of older persons in Muslim communities in the context of population ageing. In particular, it examines kinship care in Islam and its incorporation into institutional social work services as part of multicultural practice with older Muslim clients. The aim of the article is to assess the nature of kinship care systems as informal support networks among Muslim communities and their role in supporting the well-being of older persons in the family. These networks play a pivotal role in Muslim family life and need to be considered in social work policies and practice so that service provision can be consistent with the lived realities of Muslim clients in their diverse environments.
Engagement in knowledge production, authentication, and empowerment: A community-based participatory research project with Moroccan immigrants in Spain
Authors: Pham Theresa Thao
Published: April 2016

As frontline service providers, social workers need in-depth knowledge about Muslim immigrants to provide culturally and religiously informed services. The dynamic collaboration of Spanish social workers, immigration lawyers, anthropologists, and a group of Moroccan immigrants developed and implemented a community-based participatory research project in Madrid, Spain. From an informative workshop on the Moroccan Family Code, the project evolved into a collaborative space that enabled immigrants to process their struggles and concerns while authenticating their identity as Muslims living in a predominately Christian milieu. Muslim immigrants and social service providers privilege mutual education, support, and encouragement to advocate for resources.
Young mothers in Islamic contexts: Implications for social work and social development
Authors: Hutchinson Aisha J , O’Leary Patrick J
Published: April 2016

Social work has a particular responsibility to develop culturally and religiously appropriate practice. Early childbearing occurs in many Muslim families and can be a sensitive issue because it is often shaped by local religious teachings. Early childbearing is associated with health and social vulnerabilities. Social work has an important role to partner with local religious leaders to support this vulnerable population. There are Islamic teachings that promote the care of pregnant mothers and babies. Many of these teachings are not well understood or applied when working with Muslim communities. Implications for social work research and practice are examined.
Islamically modified cognitive behavioral therapy: Enhancing outcomes by increasing the cultural congruence of cognitive behavioral therapy self-statements
Authors: Husain Altaf , Hodge David R
Published: April 2016

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and effective therapeutic modalities. When utilized with devout Muslims, however, outcomes may be enhanced by modifying traditional CBT self-statements to reflect Islamic values. Toward this end, the values that inform the Western counseling project are discussed. Areas of differing value emphasis are noted between Islam and traditional CBT. The process of constructing Islamically modified statements is illustrated, and it is proposed that this culturally congruent modality may engender (1) faster recovery, (2) better treatment compliance, (3) lower rates of relapse, and (4) reduced treatment disparities. The article concludes by providing suggestions to assist social workers implement Islamically modified CBT statements in a manner that maximizes the potential to achieve these salutary outcomes.
Business Coordination and Tax Politics
Authors: Castañeda Néstor
Published: April 2016

Business interest groups are crucial actors for tax policy-making, but it is still unclear under which conditions they are more successful than politicians in shaping taxation. This article argues that centralised coordination and high levels of policy integration make business interest groups more influential in the tax policy-making process. If there is no ideological convergence between agenda setters and business, highly centralised and well-integrated business interest groups are more successful in blocking or softening revenue-raising tax reforms or simply transferring tax burdens to consumers or non-organised citizens. To evaluate this theoretical framework, I have compiled an original dataset on business groups and associations for 18 countries in Latin America between 1990 and 2010. This theory uncovers a strong link between the patterns of business coordination and the feasibility of implementing distributive tax policies. This article also contributes to the study of business politics beyond the limited sample of developed countries.
Political Representation and Educational Attainment: Evidence from the Netherlands (1994–2010)
Authors: Aaldering Loes
Published: April 2016

This article examines the extent to which differences in educational attainment produce unequal political representation. The lowest educated have almost disappeared from political office-holding, and some scholars argue that, subsequently, their preferences are underrepresented. However, the substantive underrepresentation of the least educated has yet to be empirically established. Based on data of the Dutch Parliamentary Election Studies 1994–2010, this study finds that the preferences of least educated citizens are worse represented than the preferences of higher educated citizens, indicating that political representation is biased towards the highest educated. This unequal representation is found on moral, socio-economic and cultural issues. However, the underrepresentation of the lowest educated is not continually present. This study shows that successful right-wing populist parties enhanced the substantive representation of the least educated in certain policy areas.
Employee Trust in Supervisors and Affective Commitment
Authors: Xiong Kehan , Lin Weipeng , Li Jenny C. , Wang Lei
Published: April 2016

Although previous research has examined the main/direct effects of subordinates’ trust in their supervisors on the levels of subordinates’ affective commitment towards the organizations, little attention has been paid to explore the boundary conditions of this relationship. Two studies were conducted to examine the moderating effect of authentic leadership on the relationship between subordinates’ trust in supervisor and their levels of affective commitment towards the organization. In line with the hypothesized model, both Study 1 (cross-sectional design, n = 138) and Study 2 (lagged design, n = 154) demonstrated that authentic leadership moderated the relationship between employees’ trust in supervisor and their levels of affective commitment towards their organizations. Specifically, the positive relationship was stronger for employees under higher levels of authentic leadership. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Humanizing Trayvon Martin: Racial Profiling, Implicit Biases, and Teacher Education
Authors: Desai Shiv R.
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this article is to describe a pedagogical inquiry the author conducted to engage preservice teachers in social justice praxis and teacher activism to address the impact of racial profiling on classroom interactions by utilizing the Trayvon Martin case. The Martin case provided the opportunity to have rich, meaningful discussions regarding race, equality, and justice with preservice teachers so that they would be better equipped to tackle such issues in the classroom. Most important, this inquiry reinforces the notion that children of color will never be treated equally until we change how they are perceived.
Public service motivation and socialization in graduate education
Authors: Bright Leonard
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which the characteristics of public administration degree programs are related to public service motivation (PSM) using a higher education socialization framework. Using a sample of approximately 500 students enrolled in 26 Master’s degree programs across the country, this study confirms that gender, work experience, core course requirements, service learning opportunities, climate, Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration accreditation, and full-time status were all meaningful predictors of PSM among the students. The implications of these findings are discussed.
How gaming became sexist: a study of UK gaming magazines 1981–1995
Authors: Kirkpatrick Graeme
Published: April 2016

Computer gaming was not born sexist but was codified as an exclusively male practice as it peeled itself away from the rest of the burgeoning computer culture in the mid-1980s. This article traces the development of gaming’s gender bias through a discourse analysis of gaming magazines published in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1995. In their early years (1981–1985), these publications present a milieu that was reflective on gender issues and concerned to include female participants. However, from 1987, the rhetorical framing of computer games, gaming and gamer performance was increasingly gender-exclusive and focused on the re-enforcement of stereotypically masculine values, albeit that much of this discourse had a humorous and ironic inflection. The article presents this as the gender-biased articulation of gaming discourse. Instead of viewing the gendering of computer games as something they inherited from previous kinds of games and activities, the article argues that the political economy of the gaming industry in the second half of the 1980s created specific conditions under which games and gaming were coded as exclusively masculine.
Identification of multi-spreader users in social networks for viral marketing
Authors: Sheikhahmadi Amir , Nematbakhsh Mohammad Ali
Published: April 2016

Identifying high spreading power nodes is an interesting problem in social networks. Finding super spreader nodes becomes an arduous task when the nodes appear in large numbers, and the number of existing links becomes enormous among them. One of the methods that is used for identifying the nodes is to rank them based on k-shell decomposition. Nevertheless, one of the disadvantages of this method is that it assigns the same rank to the nodes of a shell. Another disadvantage of this method is that only one indicator is fairly used to rank the nodes. k-Shell is an approach that is used for ranking separate spreaders, yet it does not have enough efficiency when a group of nodes with maximum spreading needs to be selected; therefore, this method, alone, does not have enough efficiency. Accordingly, in this study a hybrid method is presented to identify the super spreaders based on k-shell measure. Afterwards, a suitable method is presented to select a group of superior nodes in order to maximize the spread of influence. Experimental results on seven complex networks show that our proposed methods outperforms other well-known measures and represents comparatively more accurate performance in identifying the super spreader nodes.
Differences in out-of-pocket costs of healthcare in the last year of life of older people in 13 European countries
Authors: Penders Yolanda WH , Rietjens Judith , Albers Gwenda , Croezen Simone , Van den Block Lieve
Published: April 2016

Background:

Research on the costs of healthcare provision has so far focused on insurer costs rather than out-of-pocket costs. Out-of-pocket costs may be important to patients making medical decisions.

Aim:

To investigate the self-reported out-of-pocket costs associated with healthcare in the last year of life of older adults in Europe.

Design:

A post-death survey, part of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe, completed by proxy respondents in four waves from 2005 to 2012.

Setting/participants:

Proxy respondents for 2501 deceased adults of 55 years or over. Data from 13 European countries and four waves from 2005 to 2012 were used.

Results:

The proportion of people with out-of-pocket costs ranged from 21% to 96% in different European Union countries. Out-of-pocket costs ranged from 2% to 25% of median household income. Secondary and institutional care was most often the largest contributor to out-of-pocket costs, with care received in a care home being the most expensive type of care in 11 of 13 countries. Multilevel analyses showed that limitations in more than two activities of daily living (coefficient = 6.47, 95% confidence interval = 1.81–11.14) and a total hospitalization time of 3–6 months (coefficient = 14.66; 95% confidence interval = 0.97–28.35) or more than 6 months (coefficient = 31.01; 95% confidence interval = 11.98–50.15) were associated with higher out-of-pocket costs. In total, 24% of the variance on a country level remained unexplained.

Conclusion:

Variation in out-of-pocket costs for healthcare in the last year of life between European countries indicates that countries face different challenges in making healthcare in the last year of life affordable for all.
How does uncertainty shape patient experience in advanced illness? A secondary analysis of qualitative data
Authors: Etkind Simon Noah , Bristowe Katherine , Bailey Katharine , Selman Lucy Ellen , Murtagh Fliss EM
Published: April 2016

Background:

Uncertainty is common in advanced illness but is infrequently studied in this context. If poorly addressed, uncertainty can lead to adverse patient outcomes.

Aim:

We aimed to understand patient experiences of uncertainty in advanced illness and develop a typology of patients’ responses and preferences to inform practice.

Design:

Secondary analysis of qualitative interview transcripts. Studies were assessed for inclusion and interviews were sampled using maximum-variation sampling. Analysis used a thematic approach with 10% of coding cross-checked to enhance reliability.

Setting/participants:

Qualitative interviews from six studies including patients with heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal disease, cancer and liver failure.

Results:

A total of 30 transcripts were analysed. Median age was 75 (range, 43–95), 12 patients were women. The impact of uncertainty was frequently discussed: the main related themes were engagement with illness, information needs, patient priorities and the period of time that patients mainly focused their attention on (temporal focus). A typology of patient responses to uncertainty was developed from these themes.

Conclusion:

Uncertainty influences patient experience in advanced illness through affecting patients’ information needs, preferences and future priorities for care. Our typology aids understanding of how patients with advanced illness respond to uncertainty. Assessment of these three factors may be a useful starting point to guide clinical assessment and shared decision making.
The impact of an in-class sensory activity schedule on task performance of children with autism and intellectual disability: A pilot study
Authors: Mills Caroline , Chapparo Christine , Hinitt Joanne
Published: April 2016

Introduction

There is limited evidence to support use of sensory interventions by teachers in the classroom. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine the effectiveness of sensory activity schedule intervention in supporting participation and increasing classroom task performance in students with autism.

Method

A non-concurrent, AB single system research design across multiple baselines was used with four students with autism who attended an autism-specific school. Students demonstrated atypical sensory processing, which negatively affected their school performance. Repeated baseline and intervention data were collected by school staff using video recording during classroom tasks. Tasks performed were designated by the child’s teacher. Stage one of the Perceive, Recall, Plan, Perform System of Task Analysis was used as a repeated measure of student performance. Ratings were carried out by independent raters who were blinded to the condition of performance.

Results

Results revealed three out of four students achieved significant improvements in classroom task performance following the use of sensory activity schedule intervention developed in consultation with an occupational therapist as measured by the task analysis.

Conclusion

This study provides emerging evidence for the use of sensory activity schedule intervention in the classroom for students with autism.
Acoustic emission response and micro-deformation behavior for compressive buckling failure of multi-delaminated composites
Authors: Zhou Wei , Lv Zhi-hui , Li Zhi-yuan , Song Xiang
Published: April 2016

Accurate characterization of delamination damage and evolution plays a significant role in studying the failure behaviors of composite laminates. In the present research, both acoustic emission and digital image correlation technology are used to simultaneously monitor the buckling process of multi-delaminated composites under compression. Three kinds of composite specimens are carried out to investigate the influence of delamination lengths and positions on the compressive behaviors of the composites. Meanwhile, the buckling load, micro-displacement fields of interfacial zone and acoustic emission response characterizations are also obtained. The results indicate that acoustic emission parameters such as hits, amplitude, duration and relative energy are correlated with the damage process of composite specimens, while the critical damage deformation of delamination regions is clearly exhibited from digital image correlation results. Furthermore, the buckling behaviors are significantly influenced by the thickness of sub-layer and the lengths and positions of delaminations. The complementary nondestructive testing technologies combining acoustic emission with digital image correlation are beneficial for in situ damage monitoring of the composites.
To Stay or to Leave: Factors Influencing Victims’ Decisions to Stay or Leave a Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter
Authors: Fisher Elisa M. , Stylianou Amanda M.
Published: April 2016

Domestic violence (DV) emergency shelters play a vital role in supporting victims who seek to leave abusive partners and gain independence. Research indicates that numerous positive outcomes for victims and their children are associated with utilization of DV shelter programs. Yet, research also suggests that DV shelter programs may be unable to comprehensively meet the needs of all victims, and many choose to leave shelters soon after their arrival. To better understand the ways in which DV shelter programs support victims but also fail to meet their needs, this article explores the factors that influence victims’ decisions to stay or leave a DV emergency shelter program through qualitative interviews with 33 DV shelter residents. Study participants indicate that three types of factors influence their decision to stay or leave the shelter program: (a) contextual factors, (b) partner or family relationship factors, and (c) shelter-specific factors. Shelter-specific factors cited as important contributors to satisfaction or dissatisfaction with shelter living include policies, staff and services, displacement from one’s home community, and facilities. Findings provide information from the perspective of victims on the factors that influence one’s decision to stay or leave a DV program and can be used to support service providers and advocates in building programs that are both supportive of victims’ needs and conductive to longer shelter stays.
On the static and dynamic properties of fiber-reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Gao Chong Yang , Xiao Jian Zhang , Zhang Liang Chi , Ke Ying Lin
Published: April 2016

This article establishes a reliable constitutive model to describe the behaviors of fiber-reinforced polymer composites under quasi-static and dynamic loading. This model integrates the contributions of all the three phases of a composite: the fiber, the matrix, and the fiber/matrix interphase, which make it capable of capturing the key micromechanical effect of the interphase on the macroscopic mechanical properties of composites. The interphase is taken as a transversely isotropic material together with the fiber. By analyzing glass/epoxy and carbon/epoxy composites, it was found that the model predictions agree well with the experimental data and the model is more effective particularly when the fiber volume fraction is high. The dynamic three-phase model was also established by using the coupling of the elastic and Maxwell elements for the viscoelasticity of the matrix as well as the interphase. The article concludes that the three-phase model with consideration of the interphase influence can precisely characterize the static and dynamic mechanical properties of a FRP composite.