bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Transnational Child-Raising Arrangements Affect Job Outcomes of Migrant Parents? Comparing Angolan Parents in Transnational and NonTransnational Families in the Netherlands
Authors: Haagsman Karlijn
Published: May 2017

Transnational family literature has established that parent–child separations affect negatively on the emotional well-being of migrant parents. Less attention has been paid to other effects separation can have on these parents’ lives. Building on insights from transnational family studies and organizational psychology, this article explores the potential link between transnational family life and job outcomes. In particular, two potential negative outcomes are analyzed—job instability and job absenteeism—by comparing Angolan parents whose children live in Angola with Angolans who live with all their children in the Netherlands. Based on mechanisms identified by organizational psychology literature, mediation analysis is conducted. Results indicate that transnational family life increases the times migrant parents change jobs, which is partly mediated by low levels of happiness. Further analyses indicate that especially transnational parents who have limited contact with their children change jobs more often. No significant differences are found with regard to job absenteeism.
Bodies Matter: Professional Bodies and Embodiment in Institutional Sport Contexts
Authors: van Amsterdam Noortje , Claringbould Inge , Knoppers Annelies
Published: May 2017

Bodies are always present in organizations, yet they frequently remain unacknowledged or invisible including in sport organizations and sport management research. We therefore argue for an embodied turn in sport management research. The purpose of this article is to present possible reasons why scholars have rarely paid attention to bodies in sport organizations; to offer arguments why they should do so; and to give suggestions for what scholarship on bodies and embodiment might look like using various theoretical frameworks. Using the topic of diversity as an example, we explore what insights into embodiment and bodily practices the theoretical frameworks of Foucault, Bourdieu, Merleau-Ponty and Butler have to offer researchers and how these insights may lead to better understandings of organizational processes in sport.
Challenges and prospects of records maintenance in public departments
Authors: Katekwe Petronella , Mutsagondo Samson
Published: May 2017

Records maintenance is a critical aspect of records management, which guarantees the availability of records now and into the future. Unfortunately, a plethora of challenges face both creating departments and the secondary depository facility, a situation which threatens the records lifecycle. This work looks at records maintenance challenges faced by government ministries and the Gweru Records Centre in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. Using questionnaires and document reviews, data were collected from records and information management officers in 25 government ministries in the province as well as from staff of Gweru Records Centre. Due to lack of records management knowledge and financial challenges, many government ministries are not transferring semi-current records when transfer is due. At the same time, Gweru Records Centre is unable to accession large volumes of records from creating departments due to space, logistical and operational challenges. However, a number of activities are being carried out by the Centre to redress the situation. The study recommends provision of financial resources for records management and staff development programmes to inculcate behavioural change among records staff and management in government ministries, as well as the establishment of a large purpose-built records centre in the Midlands Province.
Sexually Objectifying Environments
Authors: Szymanski Dawn M. , Mikorski Renee
Published: May 2017

In this study, we investigated the relations between sexually objectifying restaurant environments (SOREs) and anxiety and disordered eating in a sample of 252 waitresses working in restaurants located in the United States. Supporting our hypotheses, results indicated that higher levels of SOREs were positively correlated with waitresses’ anxiety and disordered eating. Our findings also supported a theorized four-chain mediation model in which higher levels of SOREs were related to both anxiety and disordered eating directly and indirectly via, in serial: less organizational power, less personal power and control, and more rumination. In addition, SOREs and a lack of organizational power had direct, unique links to rumination. Our findings highlight the importance of both contextual and intrapersonal factors in understanding waitresses’ mental health problems. These findings underscore the need to implement both system-level and individual-level interventions to combat the existence of SOREs and the negative effects these environments may have on women who work in the industry. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ 's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/page/pwq/suppl/index
A National Survey of Canadian Psychiatrists’ Attitudes toward Medical Assistance in Death
Authors: Rousseau Skye , Turner Sarah , Chochinov Harvey Max , Enns Murray W. , Sareen Jitender
Published: May 2017

Background:

Bill C-14 allows for medical assistance in dying (MAID) for patients who have intolerable physical or psychological suffering that occurs in the context of a reasonably foreseeable death. In Canada, psychiatrist support for MAID on the basis of mental illness and beliefs influencing level of support are unknown. The objectives of this research were to 1) determine if psychiatrists are supportive of MAID under certain conditions and on the basis of mental illness and 2) determine what factors are related to psychiatrist support for MAID on the basis of mental illness.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 528 psychiatrists in Canada using an online survey platform (February 19 to March 11, 2016).

Results:

The response rate was 20.9% ( n = 528). Most psychiatrists supported the legalisation of MAID in some circumstances (72%); however, only 29.4% supported MAID on the basis of mental illness. Factors correlating with decreased support for MAID for mental illness were the belief that MAID for mental illness would change the psychiatrists’ commitment to their patients through enduring suffering, having a personal faith, and having had past patients who would have received MAID for mental illness were it legal but instead went on to recover.

Interpretation:

This study found that most psychiatrists do not support the legalisation of MAID for mental illness, despite being quite supportive of MAID in general. Objections seemed to be based upon concern for vulnerable patients, personal moral objections, and concern for the effect it would have on the therapeutic alliance.
Chinese Language Teachers’ Perceptions of Technology and Instructional Use of Technology: A Path Analysis
Authors: Liu Haixia , Lin Chin-Hsi , Zhang Dongbo , Zheng Binbin
Published: May 2017

This study examined internal and external factors affecting pedagogical use of technology among 47 K–12 Chinese language teachers in the United States. Path analysis of the survey data was used to examine the relationships between the teachers’ instructional use of technology, on the one hand, and on the other, their perceptions of three internal factors (i.e., technology’s usefulness, its ease of use, and subjective norms) and one external factor (i.e., facilitating conditions). The results showed that these teachers’ pedagogical use of technology could be predicted by two of the three internal factors (i.e., perceived usefulness and subjective norms) and by the external factor. Additionally, the external factor was found to have a significant influence on both perceived ease of use and subjective norms.
Visualization Forms in the Cross-cultural Collaborative Activities of Design and Development of a Digital Resource for Education
Authors: Quan Guolong , Gu Xiaoqing
Published: May 2017

Recent studies have demonstrated the integration of visualization technology to support collaboration and stimulate learning performance. The use of visualization tools during the collaborative activities of international students is a worthy topic for further exploration. Based on grounded and activity theories, this research uses observation and qualitative behavior analysis to determine how participants use visualization tools to distinguish the behavior features of learners and to explain the role of these tools in a telecollaborative project. The analysis distinguishes three major types of visualization forms: shaped, diagramed, and tabled presentations, which serve particular epistemic and social demands of collaborative tasks. Findings indicated that visualization forms and tools can enhance collaborative activities by helping international members visualize their thoughts, comprehension, and discussion, although they use different languages and are from diverse cultures. Further research can develop new and effective methods for collaboration and learning using visual support tools.
The Potential for Bias Due to Attrition in the national Exposure Registry: An Examination of Reasons for Nonresponse, Nonrespondent Characteristics, and the Response Rate
Authors: Burg Je Anne R. , Allred Sarah L. , Sapp James H.
Published: May 2017

This study examined attrition in the Trichloroethylene (TCE) Subregistry of the National Exposure Registry (NER). The analyses focused on 3915 persons exposed to the chemical TCE through the drinking water in their home. Baseline data were compared for subgroups of the TCE Subregistry members who were eligible to participate in the first TCE Subregistry follow-up. Study members were grouped according to their participation status in the first follow-up: remainers (n = 3494) and losses (n = 421), and three subgroups of losses: refusals, unable to locate, and unable to contact. The comparison of demographic variables of remainers and losses revealed that remainers had a higher percent of females, currently smoked less, were older, and fewer had no education and more had education beyond high school. These differences occurred for the losses subgroups unable to locate and unable to contact, however, not for refusals. The comparison of reporting rates of remainers and losses for 23 health outcomes revealed statistically significant decreases by losses for five health conditions but the pattern of statistically significant differences for the losses subgroups was not clear-cut. Altogether, the analyses indicated that the potential for bias due to attrition was minimal.
Immunotoxicological Effects of Jp-8 Jet Fuel Exposure
Authors: Harris David T. , Sakiestewa Debbie , Robledo Raymond F. , Witten Mark
Published: May 2017

Chronic exposure to jet fuel has been shown to have adverse effects on human liver function, to cause emotional dysfunction, to cause abnormal electroencephalograms, to cause shortened attention spans, and to decrease sensorimotor speed (3–5). Due to the decision by the United States Air Force to implement the widespread use of JP-8 jet fuel in its operations, a thorough understanding of its potential effects upon exposed personnel is both critical and necessary. Exposure to potential environmental toxicants such as JP-8 may have significant effects on host systems beyond those readily visible (e.g., physiology, cardiology, respiratory, etc.); e.g., the immune system. Significant changes in immune consequences, even if short-lived, may have serious consequences for the exposed host that may impinge affect susceptibility to infectious agents. Major alterations in immune function that are long-lasting may result in an increased likelihood of development and/or progression of cancer, as well as autoimmune diseases.

In the current study mice were exposed for 1h/day for 7 days to varying concentrations of aerosolized JP-8 jet fuel to simulate occupational exposures. Twenty-four hours after the last exposure the mice were analyzed for effects on their immune systems. It was observed that even at exposure concentrations as low as 100 mg/m3 detrimental effects on the immune system occurred. Decreases in viable immune cell numbers and immune organ weights were found. Jet fuel exposure resulted in losses of different immune cell subpopulations depending upon the immune organ being examined. Further, JP-8 exposure resulted in significantly decreased immune function, as analyzed by mitogenesis assays. Suppressed immune function could not be overcome by the addition of exogenous growth factors known to stimulate immune function.

Thus, short-term, low concentration exposure of mice to JP-8 jet fuel caused significant toxicological effects on the immune system. It appears that the immune system may be the most sensitive indicator of toxicological damage due to JP-8 exposure, as effects were seen at concentrations of jet fuel that did not evidence change in other biological systems. Such changes may have significant effects on the health of the exposed individual.
Lack of Volatilization and Escape of Orally Administered Trichloroethylene from the Gastrointestinal Tract of Rats
Authors: Lee K.M. , Muralidhara S. , Dallas C.E. , Bruckner J.V.
Published: May 2017

It is possible that a substantial portion of orally administered volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) may volatilize within the warm environment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and escape via the esophagus before being absorbed. The objective of this study was to test this hypothesis with a representative VOC., 1,1,2-trichloroethylene (TCE). Upon hepatic portal vein (PV) injection, complete systemic absorption of TCE was assumed. Thus, exhaled TCE after PV injection should originate only from pulmonary exhalation. In contrast, TCE volatilized in the gut may also contribute to the amounts of TCE exhaled by orally (PO) dosed animals. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (320–380g) were given 8 or 16 mg TCE/kg bw in an aqueous Alkamuls® emulsion (RhonePoulenc, Cranbury, New Jersey). For the PO groups both doses were given by gavage, and for the PV groups the lower dose was injected into the PV as a bolus and the higher dose given as a 20 mm infusion. Serial blood samples were taken from an indwelling carotid arterial cannula and analyzed for their TCE content by headspace gas chromatography (GC), so that the areas-under-blood-concentration-versus-time curves (AUCs) could be determined. Serial exhaled air samples were collected from a sampling port in a miniaturized one-way breathing valve and TCE measured by GC analysis to delineate exhaled breath concentration-versus-time-curves (EAUCs). Exhaled breath levels of TCE paralleled blood levels of TCE throughout the monitoring periods. Evidence against the aforementioned hypothesis was provided by comparison of ratios of blood AUCs and exhaled breath EAUCs: values for ratios of AUCpo/AUCpv and EAUCpo/EAUCpv were the same, as were EAUC/AUC ratios for the PO and PV groups. The EAUCs in the PO groups should have been higher, had there been substantial extrusion of volatilized TCE from the GI tract.
Exploring Localized Economic Dynamics: Methods-Driven Case Studies of Transformation and Growth in Agricultural and Food Markets
Authors: Bauman Allison , McFadden Dawn Thilmany
Published: May 2017

Quantifying the economic impacts and contributions of local and regional food systems and events in these systems has become increasingly common as both public and private entities attempt to justify a commonly held belief that more localized systems lead to positive economic gains in the communities in which they operate. However, many studies are not careful to consider the opportunity costs, complexity of economic linkages, or other subtle dimensions of how regional economies may change in dynamic settings. In this study, the authors use three case studies to explore the important criteria that should be considered when modeling impacts and contributions of activities and events that can be characterized by a variety of supply shocks or customization to account for relocalized linkages in the supply chain.
Summer temperature variability inferred from subfossil chironomid assemblages from the south-east margin of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau for the last 5000 years
Authors: Chang Jie , Zhang Enlou , Liu Enfeng , Shulmeister James
Published: May 2017

We present a quantitative mean July temperature record spanning the last c. 5000 years from an alpine lake in south-western China. The reconstruction is based on the application of an established chironomid-based inference model using 100 lakes from the region. The reconstructed summer temperature changes are within 2.4°C of modern throughout the record. The results suggest that the summer temperature changes in south-east margin of the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau (QTP) predominantly responds to Asian Summer Monsoon influence, forced by summer insolation until c. 3200 cal. BP. Four cooling events, each separated by c. 500 years (between 3200 and 1600 cal. BP), were observed and these may correspond to the 500-year quasi-periodic solar fluctuation. The most recent cooling period, that is, ‘the Little Ice Age’, appears robust in the Heihai Lake record, providing further evidence that a hemisphere-wide forcing mechanism is possible for this climate event.
Spatial Price Linkages of Brown Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in Nigerian National Markets
Authors: Adenegan K.O. , Bamidele J.A. , Nwauwa L.O.E.
Published: May 2017

The study was undertaken to examine the existence and the level of market integration among selected cowpea markets in Nigeria. Co-integration and Granger causality tests were used to measure market integration and leading markets between producing and consuming regions. Result of the co-integration test using Johansen likelihood procedure to determine the number of co-integrating relations indicates that the wholesale prices of brown cowpea in the selected markets in Nigeria are co-integrated. The pairwise Granger causality test shows that Umuahia–Monday, Umuahia–Giwa, Giwa–Bodija and Bodija–Giwa market pairs rejected the null hypothesis of no causaality. Moreover, there is a bidirectional Granger causality between Giwa and Bodija markets at 5 per cent significant level. Thus, Giwa and Bodija are the markets occupying the dominant position in the Nigerian brown cowpea price formation and transmission. Few of the markets are spatially linked by trade, so there is low market integration between the regional brown cowpea markets in Nigeria.
Alcelaphine gammaherpesvirus 1–induced malignant catarrhal fever in a Watusi (Bos taurus africanus) steer in a North American game park
Authors: Bildfell Robert J. , Li Hong , Alcantar Benjamin E. , Cunha Cristina W. , Bradway Dan S. , Thomas Kirsten S.
Published: May 2017

A 10-y-old Watusi ( Bos taurus africanus) steer housed at a drive-through game park in Winston, Oregon developed severe clinical illness including fever, marked nasal discharge, injected scleral and conjunctival membranes, plus oral hemorrhages and erosions. The animal responded poorly to supportive treatment and was euthanized. Additional gross findings at postmortem examination included papules and erosive lesions on the tongue, hemorrhagic large intestine, and multifocal cardiac hemorrhages. Histopathologic findings included multifocal lymphoplasmacytic vasculitis plus fibrin exudation in heart and tongue. Total DNA obtained from the splenic samples was positive for alcelaphine gammaherpesvirus 1 (AlHV-1) as tested by a multiplex PCR for malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) viruses. The AlHV-1 detection was further confirmed by amplification and sequencing of a viral DNA polymerase gene fragment, which was identical to AlHV-1 sequences in GenBank. This was the first diagnosis of clinical wildebeest-associated MCF on these premises, although wildebeest have been held at the park for over 25 y. This disease is sporadic in North America and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for febrile illness with ulcerative oral lesions in ruminants.
Genetic, antigenic, and pathogenic characteristics of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from geese in China
Authors: Xu Qianqian , Sun Junfeng , Gao Mengying , Zhao Shasha , Liu Huairan , Zhang TingTing , Han Zongxi , Kong Xiangang , Liu Shengwang
Published: May 2017

Four Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains were isolated from domestic, commercial geese that showed clinical signs that were believed to be the result of NDV infections. The genetic, antigenic, and pathogenic characteristics of the 4 NDVs were compared with those of NDV strains that were isolated from chickens. The complete genomes of 2 of the NDV strains contained 15,186 nucleotides (nt); the other 2 contained 15,192 nt, and exhibited the typical genomic organization of genotype II NDV and molecular characteristics of VIId NDVs. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the genotype II and VIId NDVs that were isolated from geese belonged to the same clusters as the corresponding genotypes of the chicken isolates. A serologic assay demonstrated that the antigenic relatedness among the NDVs was associated with their genotypes, rather than their hosts, and that amino acid substitutions in the F and/or HN proteins may contribute to the antigenic differences among these NDV genotypes. Geese infected with genotype VIId NDVs that were isolated from geese and chickens showed similar pathologic characteristics. NDVs that were isolated from geese did not differ in genetic, serologic, and pathogenic characteristics from those isolated from chickens, indicating that these NDVs were derived from chicken NDVs. Given the significance of geese in NDV epidemiology, effective biosecurity measures should be adopted to prevent the interspecies transmission of NDVs.
Pneumocystis carinii infection with severe pneumomediastinum and lymph node involvement in a Whippet mixed-breed dog
Authors: Weissenbacher-Lang Christiane , Fuchs-Baumgartinger Andrea , Klang Andrea , Kneissl Sibylle , Pirker Armin , Shibly Sarina , von Ritgen Stephanie , Weissenböck Herbert , Künzel Frank
Published: May 2017

A 3.5-y-old Whippet mixed-breed dog was presented with a history of respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, and generalized demodicosis. Hematologic alterations included marked leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Radiographic examination showed a diffuse interstitial and mild peripheral alveolar lung pattern and pneumomediastinum. Because the cytologic examination of the bronchoalveolar aspirate was not diagnostic and a persistent perforation of the upper respiratory tract could not be ruled out, the dog was submitted to thoracoscopy, and subsequently the left cranial lung lobe as well as mediastinal and sternal lymph nodes were resected. Pulmonary pneumocystosis with spread to the thoracic lymph nodes was suspected after histologic investigation of lung and lymph nodes, which was confirmed by in situ hybridization, PCR, and subsequent Sanger sequencing. We document a rare, simultaneous occurrence of severe pulmonary and thoracic lymph node pneumocystosis with spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a dog. Definitive diagnosis was achieved through the use of Grocott methenamine silver staining, in situ hybridization, and PCR.
Embolic mycotic encephalitis in a cow following Mortierella wolfii infection of a surgery site
Authors: Curtis Benjamin , Hollinger Charlotte , Lim Ailam , Kiupel Matti
Published: May 2017

A 5-y-old Holstein dairy cow had surgery for a suspected displaced abomasum 10 d postpartum, developed acute neurologic signs at day 19, and was found dead 21 d postpartum. At autopsy, there was a peri-incisional intramuscular abscess that communicated with the peritoneal cavity, as well as hemorrhage and malacia involving the brain, and multiple nodules in the liver, kidneys, and lungs. Fungal hyphae were seen histologically at the surgery site, on the surface of the liver, and in lesions of severe necrotizing vasculitis in the lungs, kidneys, brain, and liver. The uterus was free of fungal organisms. Pan-fungal PCR and DNA sequencing identified the fungus as Mortierella wolfii. Previously reported deaths from M. wolfii have been related to abortion, but in this case, there was no histologic evidence of fungal organisms in the uterus, calving was routine, and there was a several week delay between calving and development of neurologic signs. The findings suggested a unique case of surgical site infection with subsequent embolic mycosis.
Effect of Cohesion on the Curvilinear Relationship Between Team Efficacy and Performance
Authors: Park Won-Woo , Kim Mee Sook , Gully Stanley M.
Published: May 2017

Research has generally supported a linear positive relationship between team efficacy and team performance. More recent theories and research suggest, however, that teams can become overly efficacious and team efficacy may exhibit nonlinear relationships with outcomes. The current study investigates the possibility that team efficacy is associated with decreases in team performance when the level of team efficacy is excessively high or low. This study further suggests that cohesion is an important contextual factor that may affect the curvilinear relationship between team efficacy and performance such that high levels of cohesion will magnify the curvilinear relationship whereas low levels of cohesion will flatten the curvilinear pattern. Hypotheses were tested using 324 employees in 34 work teams. Results demonstrate that the curvilinear relationship between team efficacy and team performance was strongest when cohesion was high; the relationship flattened when cohesion was low. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Socio-Spatial Analysis of Study Abroad Students’ Experiences in/of Place in Morocco
Authors: Pipitone Jennifer M. , Raghavan Chitra
Published: May 2017

This article builds upon existing place-based research through the application of a socio-spatial perspective to make sense of how students’ experiences in/of place shape, and are shaped by, the production of experiential learning space. Rather than focusing on the individual as the unit of analysis, this article is concerned with understanding how knowledge was produced during a 3-week study abroad program to Morocco. Data were collected with eight participants through participant-observation and narratives in the form of eight reflective journals. We conduct a socio-spatial analysis of this data guided by Lefebvre’s spatial theory and offer three spatial readings of our findings including a diverse country of paradox, encountered histories, and positioned bodies through narrative. Findings suggest the production of experiential learning space was mediated through social interactions, engagement with local rhythms and histories, and intentional narrative activities. Engaging students with place is fundamental to the production of experiential learning space. Lefebvre’s spatial triad is a useful tool for pedagogical practice; its relational structure affords educators an opportunity to consider how learning spaces are socially produced via engagement with surrounding environments, and provides multiple entry points to engage students meaningfully with place.
Convergence characteristics of PD-type and PDDα-type iterative learning control for impulsive differential systems with unknown initial states
Authors: Wang JinRong , Fečkan Michal , Liu Shengda
Published: May 2017

An important issue in the area of multi-operation systems is the observation of a discontinuous trajectory. In order to track a discontinuous output trajectory, we choose impulsive differential systems to generate a series of local continuous state trajectories, which become a set of output trajectories via the action of the output functions. Concerning impulsive differential control systems, we design proportional–derivative (PD-type) and proportional plus one order derivative and fractional order derivative (PDD α-type) iterative learning control laws with initial state learning. In particular, the PDD α-type law is more flexible due to the impact of a certain fractional order factor α. Thereafter, we give the associated convergence characteristics by establishing sufficient conditions on open-loop and closed-loop iterative learning schemes in the sense of λ-norm under mild assumptions. Finally, several numerical examples, including an application to robotic fish, are given to illustrate our results.
Does the Screening Status of Message Characters Affect Message Effects?
Authors: Alber Julia M. , Glanz Karen
Published: May 2017

Public health messages can be used to increase awareness about colorectal cancer screenings. Free or inexpensive images for creating health messages are readily available, yet little is known about how a pictured individual’s engagement in the behavior of interest affects message outcomes. Participants ( N = 360), aged 50 to 75 years, completed an online survey in which they viewed a colorectal cancer screening message and were then randomly assigned to view one of four different messages about the pictured individual’s screening status. Analyses revealed no significant differences in message credibility, message effectiveness, or screening intention among the four conditions. The pictured individual’s level of knowledge was rated significantly lower among those participants who were told the screening status of the pictured individual was unknown, compared with those who received no screening status information, U = 3574.50, p = .005. Future studies could build on the design of this study to examine the effects of using free or purchased images on intent to screen and other message outcomes over time.
“Deep-seated Abnormality”: Military Psychiatry, Segregation, and Discourses of Black “Unfitness” in World War II
Authors: Aragon Margarita
Published: May 2017

This article examines the construction of “unfit” black masculinity in institutional and medical discourses of the American military during World War II. Examining the military medical literature on “maladjustment” in context of the armed forces practice of segregation, I argue that by ignoring the impact of segregation, military psychiatrists reproduced linkages between blackness and “defect.” Despite the absence of direct assertions of racial hierarchy, these discourses thus implicitly, and sometimes explicitly, construed black manhood as alternately feeble and menacing, but above all as “abnormal” in both mind and body. Examining articles from psychiatric and military medical journals, as well as the internal documents of military officials, I investigate these claims in regard to the conceptualization and management of “constitutional defects” and psychosomatic illness.
Comparison of intramuscular butorphanol and buprenorphine combined with dexmedetomidine for sedation in cats
Authors: Bhalla Rebecca J , Trimble Toby A , Leece Elizabeth A , Vettorato Enzo
Published: May 2017

Objectives

The objective of this study was to compare the sedative effect of butorphanol–dexmedetomidine with buprenorphine–dexmedetomidine following intramuscular (IM) administration in cats.

Methods

Using a prospective, randomised, blinded design, 40 client-owned adult cats were assigned to receive IM dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg) combined with either butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg) (‘BUT’ group) or buprenorphine (20 µg/kg) (‘BUP’ group). Sedation was scored using a previously published multidimensional composite scale before administration (T0) and 5, 10, 15 and 20 mins afterwards (T5, T10, T15 and T20, respectively). Alfaxalone (1.5 mg/kg) was administered IM at T20 if the cat was not deemed adequately sedated to place an intravenous catheter. Adverse events were recorded. Friedman two-way ANOVA analysed sedation scores within groups. Mann–Whitney Rank Sum test compared sedation scores between groups; Fisher’s exact test analysed the frequency of alfaxalone administration and adverse events. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Sedation scores between groups were similar at baseline, but at T5, T10, T15 and T20 scores were higher in the BUT group ( P <0.01). Within both groups, sedation scores changed over time and the highest sedation scores were reached at T10. Requirement for additional sedation was similar between groups: two cats in the BUT group and five cats in the BUP group. One cat and 11 cats vomited ( P = 0.002) in the BUT and BUP groups, respectively. No other adverse events were recorded.

Conclusions and relevance

At these doses, IM buprenorphine–dexmedetomidine provides inferior sedation and a higher incidence of vomiting than butorphanol–dexmedetomidine in cats. Butorphanol–dexmedetomidine may be preferred for feline sedation, especially where vomiting is contraindicated.
Felis catus papillomavirus type 2 DNA loads on kittens are transient and do not reflect their susceptibility to infection
Authors: Thomson Neroli A , Thomas David G , Weidgraaf Karin , Munday John S
Published: May 2017

Objectives

Felis catus papillomavirus type 2 (FcaPV-2) commonly infects the skin of domestic cats, and mounting evidence suggests that the virus could be involved in a subset of feline skin cancers. The reason why some cats develop FcaPV-2-induced disease and others do not is currently unknown. However, it has been shown that kittens in different litters have markedly different FcaPV-2 DNA loads and the aim of this study was to determine whether these differences could be due to inherent differences in susceptibility to infection. Such differences could potentially explain why only a small proportion of cats develop FcaPV-2-associated skin disease.

Methods

Repeated skin swabs were taken to measure FcaPV-2 DNA loads in queens and kittens in a research colony. The kittens either stayed in their original litters or were moved between litters; eventually, all of the kittens were housed together. A subset of samples was also analysed for FcaPV-2 mRNA.

Results

While there were initially large differences in FcaPV-2 DNA loads between litters of kittens, these differences disappeared when the kittens were moved between litters or housed together. Importantly, the viral DNA loads changed too rapidly to be due to the acquisition or clearance of infection. In contrast, the differences in viral DNA loads between the different queens were sustained throughout the experiment. FcaPV-2 mRNA was also detected in samples from 1- to 8-day-old kittens.

Conclusions and relevance

The results suggest that the FcaPV-2 DNA load in a swab sample from an individual kitten largely reflects the overall level of FcaPV-2 shedding in the group of in-contact cats, rather than the infection status of the individual kitten. Therefore, there was no evidence for inherent differences in susceptibility to infection. However, the finding of FcaPV-2 mRNA suggests that at least some kittens do become infected with FcaPV-2 early in life.
Influence of dissimilar radial clearances on the performance of hydrodynamic rotor-bearing systems considering misalignment effects
Authors: Li Jian , Cao Haiyin , Lv Lei , Yang Hong , Zhang Lianxin
Published: May 2017

Influence of dissimilar radial clearances of the two end bearings on the performance of hydrodynamic rotor-bearing systems is investigated in the present paper. The rotor misalignment effects are considered. A parameter ξ is introduced to measure the dissimilar level and three typical applied points ( Case Left, Case Center, and Case Right) of external load are also investigated during the analysis. Finite difference method is adopted to solve the Reynolds-type equation and verification of the solution technique is conducted by comparison with previous work. The rotor equilibrium postures are solved at different dissimilar parameters ( ξ) for the three external loading situations. Results show that dissimilar radial clearances have significant effects on rotor postures, minimum film thickness, stiffness and damping coefficients. Under unbalanced load situations ( Case Right, Case Left), small values of ξ (<1.0) will alleviate and large one ξ (>1.0) will aggravate the misaligned effects. Meanwhile, the minimum film thickness increases with ξ (<1.0) and decreases with ξ (>1.0). For stiffness and damping coefficients, the variations with ξ have no obvious rules. During the design and analysis of hydrodynamic rotor-bearing systems, the dissimilarity should be considered intensively for reaching appropriate results.
Ultrasonic roll bite measurements in cold rolling: Contact length and strip thickness
Authors: Carretta Yves , Hunter Andrew , Boman Romain , Ponthot Jean-Philippe , Legrand Nicolas , Laugier Maxime , Dwyer-Joyce Rob
Published: May 2017

In cold rolling of thin metal strip, contact conditions between the work rolls and the strip are of great importance: roll deformations and their effect on strip thickness variation may lead to strip flatness defects and thickness inhomogeneity. To control the process, online process measurements are usually carried out; such as the rolling load, forward slip and strip tensions at each stand. Shape defects of the strip are usually evaluated after the last stand of a rolling mill thanks to a flatness measuring roll. However, none of these measurements is made within the roll bite itself due to the harsh conditions taking place in that area.

This paper presents a sensor capable of monitoring strip thickness variations as well as roll bite length in situ and in real time. The sensor emits ultrasonic pulses that reflect from the interface between the roll and the strip. Both the time-of-flight of the pulses and the reflection coefficient (the ratio of the amplitude of the reflected signal to that of the incident signal) are recorded.

The sensor system was incorporated into a work roll and tested on a pilot rolling mill. Measurements were taken as steel strips were rolled under several lubrication conditions. Strip thickness variation and roll-bite length obtained from the experimental data agree well with numerical results computed with a cold rolling model in the mixed lubrication regime.
Multiple sclerosis: Serum anti-CNS autoantibodies
Authors: Prineas John W , Parratt John D.E
Published: May 2017

Background:

It is uncertain whether there are autoantibodies detectable by indirect immunofluorescence in the serum of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

To determine whether there are anti-central nervous system (CNS) autoantibodies detectable by indirect immunofluorescence in the serum of MS patients.

Methods:

Sera and in some cases cerebrospinal fluid from 106 patients with multiple sclerosis, 156 patients with other neurological diseases, and 70 healthy control subjects were examined by indirect immunofluorescence using cryostat sections of rat cerebrum fixed by perfusion with paraformaldehyde.

Results:

Autoantibodies were detected that recognized more than 30 neuronal, glial, and mesodermal structures in 28 of 106 MS cases. Most were also detected in patients with other related and unrelated neurological diseases and several were also found in healthy controls. Novel anti-CNS autoantibodies recognizing particular sets of interneurons were detected in both normal controls and in subjects with CNS diseases.

Interpretation:

Serum anti-CNS autoantibodies of diverse specificities are common in MS patients. The same anti-CNS autoantibodies are not uncommon in patients with other neurological diseases. The findings provide no support for the proposition that myelin breakdown in MS is caused by exposure of intact myelin sheaths or oligodendrocytes to a pathogenic serum anti-myelin or anti-oligodendrocyte autoantibody.
Low reliability of anti-KIR4.183–120 peptide auto-antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Marino Mariapaola , Frisullo Giovanni , Di Sante Gabriele , Samengo Daniela Maria , Provenzano Carlo , Mirabella Massimiliano , Pani Giovambattista , Ria Francesco , Bartoccioni Emanuela
Published: May 2017

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease for which auto-antibodies fully validated as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are widely desired. Recently, an immunoreactivity against the inward rectifying potassium channel 4.1 (KIR4.1) has been reported in a large proportion of a group of MS patients, with amino acids 83–120 being the major epitope. Moreover, a strong correlation between anti-KIR4.183–120 and anti-full-length-protein auto-antibodies titer was reported. However, this finding received limited confirmation.

Objective:

Validation of the diagnostic potential of anti-KIR4.183–120 antibodies in 78 MS patients, 64 healthy blood donors, and 42 individuals with other neurological diseases.

Methods:

Analysis of anti-KIR4.183–120 antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a mouse antiserum we produced as a new ELISA reliability control. Additionally, evaluation of reactivity against 293-T cells transiently transfected with full-length KIR4.1 by flow cytometry.

Results:

We found antibodies to KIR4.183–120 only in 13 out of 78 (16.6%) MS patients; among these, only 2 were positive for anti-full-length KIR4.1 antibodies.

Conclusion:

Employing a new reliability control and a new cytofluorometric assay, we cannot support anti-KIR4.183–120 auto-antibodies as a reliable biomarker in MS.
The influence of pain-related beliefs on physical activity and health attitudes in patients with claudication: A pilot study
Authors: Sharath Sherene E , Kougias Panos , Barshes Neal R
Published: May 2017

We examined how pain beliefs are related to symptom severity, expectations of risk/benefits, and baseline physical activity among claudicants. Eligible patients at the Michael E DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center were administered questionnaires that measured: fear-avoidance beliefs (Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire [FABQ]), walking impairment, baseline physical activity, claudication type, and risk/benefit attitudes. Among 20 participants, the median age was 69 years (IQR: 66–75). In our efforts to understand how fear-avoidance beliefs influenced physical activity among people with claudication, we found that 12 out of 19 participants (63%) thought that the primary etiology of their pain was walking, while 18 (out of 20) (90%) people thought that walking would exacerbate their leg symptoms – suggesting that there was some confusion regarding the effects of walking on claudication. Those who expected that walking would benefit their symptoms more than surgery reported fewer fear-avoidance beliefs ( p=0.01), but those who believed that walking would make their leg pain worse expected greater benefit from surgery ( p=0.02). As symptom severity increased, fear-avoidance beliefs also increased ( p=0.001). The association between symptom severity and fear-avoidance beliefs indicates that as pain or impairment increases, the likelihood of avoiding behaviors that are thought to cause pain might also increase. Accounting for pain-related beliefs when recommending physical activity for claudication should be considered.
The effect of executive control ability on the comprehension of second language metaphor
Authors: Lü Junmei , Liang Lijuan , Chen Baoguo
Published: May 2017

Aims:

The present study examined the effect of language-related executive control ability on second language (L2) metaphor comprehension in L2 learners.

Design:

All participants were Chinese–English bilinguals. The Stroop task was used to measure language-related executive control ability. Three types of sentences were used as stimulus materials, including familiar metaphoric sentences, unfamiliar metaphoric sentences and literal sentences. Participants were asked to determine whether the sentence presented was metaphoric or not.

Data and analysis:

Both response latencies and accuracy scores were obtained. Linear mixed effect model was used for statistical analysis.

Findings:

The effect of executive control ability on L2 metaphor comprehension is modulated by the familiarity of the metaphor. Specifically, for familiar metaphor sentences, the response time of participants with higher executive control ability was significantly faster than those with lower executive control ability. However, for the unfamiliar metaphor sentences and literal sentences, the effect of executive control ability was not significant.

Originality:

This study directly explored the impact of language-related executive control on metaphor comprehension in L2 learners.

Significance/Implications:

Our results found that the Predication Model is also applicable to L2 learners.
Anti-intellectualism among US students in journalism and mass communication: A cultural perspective
Authors: McDevitt Michael , Parks Perry , Stalker Jordan , Lerner Kevin , Benn Jesse , Hwang Taisik
Published: May 2017

This study explores how support for journalistic anti-intellectualism is condoned in the views of emerging adults in the United States as they develop attitudes toward news, audiences, and authority. Anti-rationalism and anti-elitism as cultural expressions of anti-intellectualism correlate as expected with approval of corresponding news practices. Identification with professional roles generally fails to inoculate college students against the endorsement of journalistic anti-rationalism and anti-elitism. With the exception of the adversarial function, role identities appear to justify journalistic anti-intellectualism beyond the influence of cultural anti-intellectualism. While reflexivity is often viewed as conducive to critical thinking, affinity for transparency in news work associates with a populist suspicion of intellectuals and their ideas.
The role of candidate evaluations in the 2014 European Parliament elections: Towards the personalization of voting behaviour?
Authors: Gattermann Katjana , De Vreese Claes H
Published: May 2017

We study the personalization of voting behaviour in European Parliament elections. We argue that information from the media is crucial for providing linkages between candidates and voters. Moreover, we contend that candidates can serve as information short-cuts given the complexity of European Union politics. We use a four-wave Dutch panel survey and a media study that enable us to link evaluations of lead candidates, party preferences, and vote choice to exposure to news about these candidates. We show, firstly, that exposure to candidate news is a strong explanatory factor for candidate recognition. Secondly, we find that candidate evaluations positively affect party choice, albeit mainly for those voters who tend to be politically aware. Our research has implications for debates about the European Union’s accountability deficit.