bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Ring-Focus Elliptical Beam Reflector Antenna
Authors: Wu Jun-Mo , Lei Xue , Zhou Dong-fang , Hou Lei , Chen Hong-wei
Published: February 2016

A new method for the design of elliptical beam reflector antenna is presented in this paper. By means of the basic principles of ring-focus antenna, a circularly symmetric feed and two specially shaped reflectors are used to form an elliptical beam antenna. Firstly, the design process of this ring-focus elliptical beam antenna is studied in detail. Transition function is defined and used in the design process. Then, combining the needs of practical engineering, a ring-focus elliptical beam reflector antenna is manufactured and tested. The gain at center frequency (12 GHz) is 37.7 dBi with an aperture efficiency of 74.6%. 3 dB beam-width inφ=0°andφ=90°plane is2.6°and1.4°, respectively. Ratio of the elliptical beam (ratio of 3 dB beam-width inφ=0°andφ=90°plane) is2.6/1.4=1.85, substantially equal to designed ratio 2. Simulating and testing results match well, which testify the effectiveness of this design method.
Survey of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Malaria by Sidama People of Boricha District, Sidama Zone, South Region of Ethiopia
Authors: Asnake Solomon , Teklehaymanot Tilahun , Hymete Ariaya , Erko Berhanu , Giday Mirutse
Published: February 2016

In Ethiopia, malaria control has been complicated due to resistance of the parasite to the current drugs. Thus, new drugs are required against drug‐resistant Plasmodium strains. Historically, many of the present antimalarial drugs were discovered from plants. This study was, therefore, conducted to document antimalarial plants utilized by Sidama people of Boricha District, Sidama Zone, South Region of Ethiopia. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out from September 2011 to February 2012. Data were collected through semistructured interview and field and market observations. Relative frequency of citation (RFC) was calculated and preference ranking exercises were conducted to estimate the importance of the reported medicinal plants in Boricha District. A total of 42 antimalarial plants belonging to 27 families were recorded in the study area. Leaf was the dominant plant part (59.0%) used in the preparation of remedies and oral (97.4%) was the major route of administration. Ajuga integrifolia scored the highest RFC value (0.80). The results of this study revealed the existence of rich knowledge on the use of medicinal plants in the study area to treat malaria. Thus, an attempt should be made to conserve and evaluate the claimed antimalarial medicinal plants with priority given to those that scored the highest RFC values.
The First-in-class Anti-EGFR Antibody Mixture Sym004 Overcomes Cetuximab Resistance Mediated by EGFR Extracellular Domain Mutations in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Sánchez-Martín Francisco J. , Bellosillo Beatriz , Gelabert-Baldrich Mariona , Dalmases Alba , Cañadas Israel , Vidal Joana , Martinez Alejandro , Argilés Guillem , Siravegna Giulia , Arena Sabrina , Koefoed Klaus , Visa Laura , Arpí Oriol , Horak Ivan David , Iglesias Mar , Stroh Christopher , Kragh Michael , Rovira Ana , Albanell Joan , Tabernero Josep , Bardelli Alberto , Montagut Clara
Published: February 2016

Purpose: Approved anti-EGFR antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab provide significant clinical benefit in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). However, patients ultimately develop disease progression, often driven by acquisition of mutations in the extracellular domain (ECD) of EGFR. Sym004 is a novel 1:1 mixture of two nonoverlapping anti-EGFR mAbs that recently showed promising clinical activity in a phase I trial in MCRC. Our aim was to determine the efficacy of Sym004 to circumvent cetuximab resistance driven by EGFR ECD mutations.

Experimental Design: Functional studies were performed to assess drug–receptor binding as well as ligand-dependent activation of individual EGFR mutants in the presence of cetuximab, panitumumab, and Sym004. Cell viability and molecular effects of the drugs were assayed in cetuximab-resistant cell lines and in tumor xenograft models. Efficacy of Sym004 was evaluated in patients progressing to cetuximab that harbored EGFR mutation in the post-cetuximab tumor sample.

Results: Contrary to cetuximab and panitumumab, Sym004 effectively bound and abrogated ligand-induced phosphorylation of all individual EGFR mutants. Cells resistant to cetuximab harboring mutations in EGFR maintained sensitivity to Sym004, which was consistent with an effective suppression of EGFR downstream signaling, translating into profound and sustained tumor regression in the xenograft model. As proof-of-principle, a patient with a tumor harboring an EGFR mutation (G465R) following cetuximab therapy benefited from Sym004 therapy.

Conclusions: Sym004 is an active drug in MCRC resistant to cetuximab/panitumumab mediated by EGFR mutations. EGFR mutations are potential biomarkers of response to Sym004 to be evaluated in ongoing large clinical trials. Clin Cancer Res; 22(13); 3260–7. ©2016 AACR.
Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 Signaling in Bone Marrow–Derived Cells Promotes Gastric Tumorigenesis by Generation of Inflammatory Microenvironment
Authors: Maeda Yusuke , Echizen Kanae , Oshima Hiroko , Yu Liang , Sakulsak Natthiya , Hirose Osamu , Yamada Yoichi , Taniguchi Tadatsugu , Jenkins Brendan J. , Saya Hideyuki , Oshima Masanobu
Published: February 2016

It has been established that COX-2 and downstream signaling by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) play a key role in tumorigenesis through generation of inflammatory microenvironment. Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling through myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) also regulates inflammatory responses in tumors. However, the relationship between these distinct pathways in tumorigenesis is not yet fully understood. We herein investigated the role of MyD88 in gastric tumorigenesis using Gan mice, which develop inflammation-associated gastric tumors due to the simultaneous activation of the COX-2/PGE2 pathway and Wnt signaling. Notably, the disruption of Myd88 in Gan mice resulted in the significant suppression of gastric tumorigenesis with the inhibition of inflammatory responses, even though COX-2/PGE2 pathway is constitutively activated. Moreover, Myd88 disruption in bone marrow–derived cells (BMDCs) in Gan mice also suppressed inflammation and tumorigenesis, indicating that MyD88 signaling in BMDCs regulates the inflammatory microenvironment. We also found that expression of Tlr2 and its coreceptor Cd14 was induced in tumor epithelial cells in Gan mice, which was suppressed by the disruption of Myd88. It has already been shown that TLR2/CD14 signaling is important for stemness of intestinal epithelial cells. These results indicate that MyD88 in BMDCs, together with COX-2/PGE2 pathway, plays an essential role in the generation of the inflammatory microenvironment, which may promote tumorigenesis through induction of TLR2/CD14 pathway in tumor epithelial cells. These results suggest that inhibition of TLR/MyD88 signaling together with COX-2/PGE2 pathway will be an effective preventive strategy for gastric cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 9(3); 253–63. ©2016 AACR.
Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Nordestgaard Børge G.
Published: February 2016

Scientific interest in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins has fluctuated over the past many years, ranging from beliefs that these lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) to being innocent bystanders. Correspondingly, clinical recommendations have fluctuated from a need to reduce levels to no advice on treatment. New insight in epidemiology now suggests that these lipoproteins, marked by high triglycerides, are strong and independent predictors of ASCVD and all-cause mortality, and that their cholesterol content or remnant cholesterol likewise are strong predictors of ASCVD. Of all adults, 27% have triglycerides >2 mmol/L (176 mg/dL), and 21% have remnant cholesterol >1 mmol/L (39 mg/dL). For individuals in the general population with nonfasting triglycerides of 6.6 mmol/L (580 mg/dL) compared with individuals with levels of 0.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL), the risks were 5.1-fold for myocardial infarction, 3.2-fold for ischemic heart disease, 3.2-fold for ischemic stroke, and 2.2-fold for all-cause mortality. Also, genetic studies using the Mendelian randomization design, an approach that minimizes problems with confounding and reverse causation, now demonstrate that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are causally associated with ASCVD and all-cause mortality. Finally, genetic evidence also demonstrates that high concentrations of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are causally associated with low-grade inflammation. This suggests that an important part of inflammation in atherosclerosis and ASCVD is because of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein degradation and uptake into macrophage foam cells in the arterial intima. Taken together, new insights now strongly suggest that elevated triglyceride-rich lipoproteins represent causal risk factors for low-grade inflammation, ASCVD, and all-cause mortality.
Genetics of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: McPherson Ruth , Tybjaerg-Hansen Anne
Published: February 2016

Genetic factors contribute importantly to the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), and in the past decade, there has been major progress in this area. The tools applied include genome-wide association studies encompassing >200 000 individuals complemented by bioinformatic approaches, including 1000 Genomes imputation, expression quantitative trait locus analyses, and interrogation of Encyclopedia of DNA Elements, Roadmap, and other data sets. close to 60 common SNPs (minor allele frequency>0.05) associated with CAD risk and reaching genome-wide significance (
P
<5×10
−8
) have been identified. Furthermore, a total of 202 independent signals in 109 loci have achieved a false discovery rate (
q
<0.05) and together explain 28% of the estimated heritability of CAD. These data have been used successfully to create genetic risk scores that can improve risk prediction beyond conventional risk factors and identify those individuals who will benefit most from statin therapy. Such information also has important applications in clinical medicine and drug discovery by using a Mendelian randomization approach to interrogate the causal nature of many factors found to associate with CAD risk in epidemiological studies. In contrast to genome-wide association studies, whole-exome sequencing has provided valuable information directly relevant to genes with known roles in plasma lipoprotein metabolism but has, thus far, failed to identify other rare coding variants linked to CAD. Overall, recent studies have led to a broader understanding of the genetic architecture of CAD and demonstrate that it largely derives from the cumulative effect of multiple common risk alleles individually of small effect size rather than rare variants with large effects on CAD risk. Despite this success, there has been limited progress in understanding the function of the novel loci; the majority of which are in noncoding regions of the genome.
Clinical and Procedural Predictors of Outcomes From the Endovascular Treatment of Posterior Circulation Strokes
Authors: Mokin Maxim , Sonig Ashish , Sivakanthan Sananthan , Ren Zeguang , Elijovich Lucas , Arthur Adam , Goyal Nitin , Kan Peter , Duckworth Edward , Veznedaroglu Erol , Binning Mandy J. , Liebman Kenneth M. , Rao Vikas , Turner Raymond D. , Turk Aquilla S. , Baxter Blaise W. , Dabus Guilherme , Linfante Italo , Snyder Kenneth V. , Levy Elad I. , Siddiqui Adnan H.
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose—

Patients with posterior circulation strokes have been excluded from recent randomized endovascular stroke trials. We reviewed the recent multicenter experience with endovascular treatment of posterior circulation strokes to identify the clinical, radiographic, and procedural predictors of successful recanalization and good neurological outcomes.

Methods—

We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with posterior circulation strokes, who underwent thrombectomy with stent retrievers or primary aspiration thrombectomy (including A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique [ADAPT] approach). We correlated clinical and radiographic outcomes with demographic, clinical, and technical characteristics.

Results—

A total of 100 patients were included in the final analysis (mean age, 63.5±14.2 years; mean admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 19.2±8.2). Favorable clinical outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) was achieved in 35% of patients. Successful recanalization and shorter time from stroke onset to the start of the procedure were significant predictors of favorable clinical outcome at 90 days. Stent retriever and aspiration thrombectomy as primary treatment approaches showed comparable procedural and clinical outcomes. None of the baseline advanced imaging modalities (magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomographic perfusion, or computed tomography angiography assessment of collaterals) showed superiority in selecting patients for thrombectomy.

Conclusions—

Time to the start of the procedure is an important predictor of clinical success after thrombectomy in patients with posterior circulation strokes. Both stent retriever and aspiration thrombectomy as primary treatment approaches are effective in achieving successful recanalization.
Tracing the Boundaries between Disability and Sickness in the European Union: Squaring the Circle?
Authors: Favalli Silvia , Ferri Delia
Published: February 2016

In recent years the European Union (eu) has sought to develop a far-reaching policy regarding persons with disabilities. However, to date, eu non-discrimination legislation does not provide any clear legal definition of what constitutes a disability. The Court of Justice of the European Union (cjeu) has attempted to fill this gap and, in several decisions, has elaborated on the concept of disability and its meaning under eu law. The cjeu, with reference to the application of the Employment Equality Directive, has explained the notion of disability mainly by comparing and contrasting it to the concept of sickness. Against this background, this article critically discusses recent case law and attempts to highlight that, even though the Court has firmly embraced the social model of disability envisaged by the un Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the boundaries between the concepts of sickness and disability remain blurred.
Plasma Levels of Inflammatory Biomarkers in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Signorelli Salvatore Santo , Anzaldi Massimiliano , Libra Massimo , Navolanic Patrick M. , Malaponte Graziella , Mangano Katia , Quattrocchi Cinzia , Di Marco Roberto , Fiore Valerio , Neri Sergio
Published: February 2016

Previous research analyzed the level of plasma inflammatory markers in patients with coronary disease, but very few studies have evaluated these markers in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The objective of this study was to investigate the plasma levels of inflammatory markers in patients with PAD and in healthy controls. The following plasma levels of biomarkers were measured in 80 patients with PAD (mean age 68 ± 5 years) and in 72 healthy participants (mean age 67 ± 6 years): interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), L-selectin (LS), neopterin (N), P-selectin (PS), E-selectin (ES), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and 9 (MMP-9). Significantly higher levels of IL-6 ( P < .001), TNF-α ( P < .0001), ES ( P < .0001), LS ( P < .0001), PS ( P < .0001), ICAM-1 ( P < .001), VCAM-1 ( P < .001), N ( P < .001), MMP-2 ( P < .001), and MMP-9 ( P < .005) were found in the patients with PAD. Patients with PAD show a inflammation marker profile different from that of control participants. Reducing the high plasma levels of inflammatory markers could be a new therapeutic approach both for the prevention and the treatment of PAD.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Preventive Care
Authors: Nitardy Charlotte M. , Duke Naomi N. , Pettingell Sandra L. , Borowsky Iris W.
Published: February 2016

Routine health care plays a central role in health promotion and disease prevention for children and in reducing health disparities. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of routine physical examination among racially and ethnically diverse adolescents at 5 different time points. The study used data from the Minnesota Student Survey. Measures include frequency of physical examination by race/ethnicity, poverty status, and family structure. The analytic sample included 351 510 adolescents (1998, n = 67 239; 2001, n = 69 177; 2004, n = 71 084; 2007, n = 72 312; and 2010, n = 71 698). There were significant differences by racial/ethnic group at each time point. For example, in 2010, never having a physical examination was reported by 9.2% American Indian, 8.7% Asian American/Pacific Islander, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, 4.3% Black/African American, 3.7% mixed race, and 2.6% of White respondents ( P < .001). Patterns of association emerged when the measure of routine physical examination was stratified by poverty and family structure.
Trustees, Delegates, and Responsiveness in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Bowler Shaun
Published: February 2016

A large body of aggregate-level work shows that government policies do indeed respond to citizen preferences. But whether citizens recognize that government is responsive is another question entirely. Indeed, a prior question is whether or not citizens value responsiveness in the way that academic research assumes they should in the first place. Using comparative data from the European Social Survey, this article examines how citizens see government responsiveness. We show that several key assumptions of the aggregate-level literature are met at the individual level. But we also present results that show that attitudes toward representation and responsiveness are colored, sometimes in quite surprising ways, by winner–loser effects. In a finding that stands in some contrast to the normative literature on the topic, we show that these sorts of short-term attitudes help shape preferences for models of representation. In particular, we show that the distinction between delegates and trustees is a conceptual distinction that has limits in helping us to understand citizen preferences for representation.
The Political Economy of the Neoliberal Transformation of French Industrial Relations
Authors: Amable Bruno
Published: February 2016

The author advances the literature on the role of the state in the decentralization of industrial relations in France by providing a political economic analysis of Right- and Left-backed governments in recent decades. While both have pursued reforms to reduce regulation and to increase labor market flexibility, they have used the state apparatus in different ways to achieve these goals. The Right has reformed labor law by obtaining partial support from employers’ associations and unions—the social partners. The Left, by contrast, has relied on decentralized bargaining with the social partners because its political base would not have accepted flexibility-increasing legal reforms. The author examines critical episodes of reform in collective bargaining, unemployment insurance, and employment protection laws to show how the state has intervened in different ways depending on the political identity of the governing coalition.
Intimate partner violence–related experiences and mental health among college students in Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan
Authors: Kamimura Akiko , Nourian Maziar M , Assasnik Nushean , Franchek-Roa Kathy
Published: February 2016

Background:

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health threat that contributes to a wide range of mental and physical health problems for victims.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to examine IPV-related experiences and mental health outcomes among college students in Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

Methods:

The data were obtained from the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), the International Dating Violence Study (IDVS) 2001–2006 (ICPSR 29583; N = 981; Japan n = 207; Singapore n = 260; South Korea n = 256; Taiwan n = 258).

Results:

Co-experience of physical IPV victimization and perpetration was associated with borderline personality traits and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but not with depression. Childhood sexual abuse, gender hostility and violence socialization were significant predictors of borderline personality traits, depression and PTSD. While country and gender variations in mental health are noted, there are two specific populations that may need special attention for mental health interventions: Taiwanese women especially for borderline personality traits and PTSD, and Japanese men especially for depression.

Conclusion:

IPV victimization and perpetration, childhood sexual abuse, gender hostility and violence socialization have a significant impact on the mental health of college students in Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. Since IPV and mental health are significant public health issues, research on IPV and mental health consequences of IPV victimization and perpetration in these countries should be further expanded in order to better understand the interventions that will be effective in treating victims, perpetrators and victim/perpetrators of IPV.
Against the rule of man: the Confucian and Western traditions of good administration
Authors: Yang Lijing , Rutgers Mark R
Published: February 2016

This article investigates the Confucian and Western traditions specifically with regard to the relation between morality, law and good administration. It is argued that the common opposition between the rule of man and the rule of law as reflecting the basic difference between the two traditions is inadequate. Confucianism can be better characterized positively as the rule of morality. It should also be noticed that ‘the rule of law’ is increasingly being introduced into the Chinese administration. Similarly, even though the Western tradition can be summarized in terms of the rule of law, it is acknowledged that ‘the rule of man’ cannot be avoided, and that morality is important. Both traditions oppose the rule of man, in as far as it refers to someone acting out his selfish preferences. It is concluded that good administration requires officials with both good morality and respect for the law; whether this is a kind of convergence is a matter of debate.

Points for practitioners

This article studies Confucian and Western administrative traditions in relation to the notion of good administration. It is argued that the common characterization and understanding of the Confucian tradition in terms of the Western reviled ‘rule of man’ is misguided. Rather than understanding the positive moral connotations of the Confucian good administrator it associates them with a specific negative notion; at the same time, overstressing the Western ‘rule of law’ may obscure the need for moral persons for good administration.
Barbershops as Cultural Forums for African American Males
Authors: Shabazz David L.
Published: February 2016

This ethnographic study explores the social interactions of African American males in an urban, Southeastern barbershop. Barbershops have become frequent research sites for communicating health messages. This study suggests that African American barbershops are discursive spaces where identity is shaped as young men are initiated into manhood and African American culture. Identity is explored through the communication theory of identity perspective. The study initially focuses on the communal aspects of African American male identity to understand how collective group consciousness is shaped. Then I examine how the collective worldview interpenetrates the interactional, relational, and individual levels of identity. Three themes found to recur from social interactions were male bonding, culture-specific history, and argumentation.
Three-dimensional numerical simulation of the filling stage in resin infusion process
Authors: Yang Bo , Tang Qian , Wang Shilong , Jin Tianguo , Bi Fengyang
Published: February 2016

Resin infusion (RI) process has been widely used for manufacturing composite parts. The variation of preform thickness brings great difficulty to the three-dimensional simulation of the filling stage. To accurately simulate the preform thickness change and resin flow during resin infusion, precise preform compaction models and dynamically changing geometry models need to be adopted. At present, resin flow is usually considered as two-dimensional and simple compaction models are employed to simplify the simulation, which degrades the prediction accuracy seriously. In this paper, general equations to describe the resin flow in the changing thickness cavity are developed, and the viscoelastic model is adopted which can fully express the dynamic characteristics of the preform compaction. To avoid solving the coupled resin flow/preform deformation equations directly, the volume of fluid method and the dynamic mesh model are employed to implement the tracking of the flow front and updating of cavity geometry model. The resin storage and release induced by porosity variations are adjusted by a master-slave element method to ensure mass conservation. Two simulation examples are carried out to demonstrate the capability of the above approach. The applicability of the approach on arbitrary complex domains and sequential injection strategy is also verified.
Melt-spun talc-filled polypropylene fibers and yarns with higher thermal shock resistance
Authors: Tascan Mevlut , Nohut Serkan
Published: February 2016

An increase in the application areas of textiles has resulted in the need for improved and additional properties and functions, which should be provided by polymers with different functionalities or the addition of particles to the fibers. In the framework of this study, microsized talc particle-filled polypropylene (PP) fibers and yarns were produced and the mechanical, physical and thermal properties of the fibers and yarns were analyzed with respect to production parameters. The main motivation of the selection of talc as the filler material is to improve the thermal shock resistance and decrease the shrinkage of PP fibers and yarns. As a result of experimentation, it was observed that an increase of talc ratio decreases the tensile strength of fibers and yarns. However, this reduction does not seem to be an obstacle to produce fabrics. Furthermore, the addition of microsized talc particles in PP yarns dramatically improved thermal shock resistance and helped to decrease the shrinkage of these yarns.
Choice and segregation in the ‘most egalitarian’ schools: Cumulative decline in urban schools and neighbourhoods of Helsinki, Finland
Authors: Bernelius Venla , Vaattovaara Mari
Published: February 2016

Finland has been known for its excellent PISA results in educational outcomes throughout the last decade. The country has boasted a rare combination of high overall level, as well as uniquely good outcomes of the bottom performers. However, the latest PISA results and the recent socio-spatial developments within the Finnish cities challenge this nationally celebrated balance in schools and urban social structure. Until now, research evidence has demonstrated that in the Finnish context with a powerful, universalist welfare state and a highly educated, homogenous population, differentiation increases mainly by the growth of an elite. Our analysis of large datasets from schools and neighbourhoods in Helsinki suggests that this development has been overturned in the local level: segregation has begun to increase and appears to operate through the trends of middle-class avoidance and the decline of the underprivileged groups in urban schools and neighbourhoods.
Friendship, curiosity and the city: Dementia friends and memory walks in Liverpool
Authors: Phillips Richard , Evans Bethan
Published: February 2016

The city is not just a context for friendships or a problem to be solved through them; it can be a catalyst for these relationships, sparking and strengthening connections between individuals and groups. Shared experiences of and curiosity in cities – expressed through practices that include revisiting familiar places and exploring others for the first time – can draw people together in beneficial ways. These principles underpin a health and wellbeing agenda, pioneered in Liverpool, which encourages people to ‘take notice’ and ‘connect’ – two of five ‘ways to wellbeing’ promoted through the Liverpool Decade of Health and Wellbeing. This paper focusses upon one particular set of schemes and relationships which brings all this into focus: befriending schemes designed to support people with dementia, which engage with objects and places as catalysts for connection. These observations shed a broader light upon the meanings and uses of friendship, with particular reference to cities.
Formation conditions and distribution patterns of N1 tight oil in Zhahaquan Area, Qaidam Basin, China
Authors: Yu Chuanqi , Guan Ping , Zou Caineng , Wei Hengfei , Deng Kaifu , Wang Peng , Wu Yanxiong
Published: February 2016

A systematic study on the formation conditions and distribution patterns of N1 tight oil in Zhahaquan Area of the Qaidam Basin was conducted by summarizing and analyzing documents related to geochemistry, sedimentary petrology, petroleum geology, lithofacies paleogeography, oil production test, well drilling and the well logging, etc. The four favorable conditions for the formation, migration, and accumulation of tight oil in the Zhahaquan Area are as follows: good source rocks, high quality reservoirs, display of the reservoirs, and abnormal high pressure of the stratum. Firstly, there are three sets of high quality source rocks that lay a good foundation for the formation of tight oil in this area. Secondly, high quality reservoirs consisting of multiple types of sand, such as beach sand, gravity current sand, and beach-dam sand are widely distributed, thickly accumulated and continuous, thus providing reserving space for the formation of tight oil in this area. Thirdly, the reservoirs of beach-bar sand links with the source rocks directly or links with the source rocks like fingers distributed in the deep or semi-deep lake or are interbedded with source rocks. Above source and reservoir dispositions are favorable for the formation of tight oil. Lastly, in the N1 downstream, tight oil reservoirs are at an abnormal high pressure of 1.3–1.5, which provides enough pressure for tight oil charging and reservoir forming. The study shows that tight oil is mainly distributed in the sag center and the slopes around the sag and has a huge resource potential.
Social-psychological and educational outcomes associated with peer victimization among Korean adolescents
Authors: Cho Rosa Minhyo , Choi Jaesung
Published: February 2016

This study examines the effects of peer victimization by verbal, physical, and relational bullying on Korean adolescents’ self-worth, disconnect to peers, school engagement, and academic achievement. A two-year longitudinal survey on 3,266 sixth-graders attending school in Seoul, Korea was used. Multivariate regression results controlling for socio-demographic characteristics as well as initial levels of outcome indicated that youth bullied by their peers experienced greater difficulties than non-bullied peers in terms of self-worth, disconnect to peers, school engagement, and academic achievement. Results revealed that youth experiencing relational bullying suffered from large negative effects on all four adjustment outcomes and that the negative effects of bullying were generally limited to the period of victimization with little evidence for chronicity effects. Limitations as well as policy implications are further discussed.
Government Decentralization and the Size of the Nonprofit Sector: Revisiting the Government Failure Theory
Authors: Liu Gao
Published: February 2016

This article revisits government failure theory by examining the relationship between government decentralization and the size of the nonprofit sector (NPS). Government failure theory posits that nonprofits are most active in regions where the largest gap exists between the homogeneous supply of public service and heterogeneous citizen demands. Following this theory, government decentralization should decrease the size of the NPS, as it increases the efficiency and heterogeneity of government services. This article tests this hypothesis using a sample of U.S. counties. Decentralization is measured in two dimensions: vertical decentralization and horizontal fragmentation. After using instrumental regressions to eliminate the endogeneity bias, we find that counties with a more horizontally fragmented governmental system are associated with a larger NPS. Vertical centralization leads to a denser NPS but has no impact on the NPS revenue or assets. The impacts of resident heterogeneity are also mixed. As such, government failure theory is only partially supported, at best. Contrarily, interdependence theory is supported by this study.
Sharing the data
Authors: Yost Freya R.
Published: February 2016

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) work together in three different fields: geostationary satellites, polar-orbiting satellites, and ocean altimetry satellites. These programs each generate different data, and render the two organizations capable of performing global observations that meet the requirements of their respective missions. The paper examines the data policies of the two organizations in the context of the agreements established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The paper analyzes the partnership through their data policies and agreements from agency websites, technical literature, treaties, and reports generated by their respective data centers. The research illustrates how, despite differences in policy, industrial standards, technologies, and national boundaries, resource-pooling initiatives can improve efficiency and benefit user communities. Through the mutual exchange of data, instruments, and grounds operations, NOAA and EUMETSAT have established a long-standing partnership that has strengthened the weather community and overall information infrastructure of meteorology.
Kuwait’s higher education libraries
Authors: AlKanan Asma J.
Published: February 2016

The article covers the history of the development of academic libraries in the State of Kuwait, a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The establishment of a private higher education system only began in the second millennium, and therefore new private academic libraries were established only a decade ago. Prior to that, academic librarianship in Kuwait was represented by the state-owned Kuwait University libraries. The evolution of new academic libraries in Kuwait has enriched the research sphere, created new opportunities, and fostered a competitive environment for academic librarians, each working in his/her respective institution. This article examines the development of new private university libraries and their progress in comparison with public institutional libraries. It reviews key studies on academic librarianship in Kuwait and sheds light on new libraries in the private sector, their services, facilities, and their level of involvement with the Kuwaiti community. It also identifies common constraints faced by those institutions’ libraries and possible solutions.
Stereotypes of Black American Women Related to Sexuality and Motherhood
Authors: Rosenthal Lisa , Lobel Marci
Published: February 2016

Intersectionality theorists and researchers suggest the importance of examining unique stereotypes associated with intersecting group identities. We focus on the unique stereotypes of Black women in the United States related to sexuality and motherhood. In an online experimental study, 435 undergraduates from a Northeastern U.S. university were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions in which they viewed a photograph and read a description of a target young woman. The target’s race (Black vs. White) and pregnancy status (pregnant vs. no pregnancy information) were varied. A Black female target (pregnant or not) was perceived more negatively on items related to historically rooted societal stereotypes about sexual activity, sexual risk, motherhood status, and socioeconomic status than was a White female target, but there were no differences on items unrelated to societal stereotypes. A Black target described as pregnant was also perceived as more likely to be a single mother and to need public assistance than was a White target who was described as pregnant. Current findings, along with evidence that societal stereotypes have damaging effects, underscore the importance of diversifying images of Black women and increasing awareness of how stereotypes affect perceptions of Black women. Findings also highlight the value of research employing intersectionality to understand stereotypes. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ's website at http://pwq.sagepub.com/supplemental
Subradiographic Foot and Ankle Fractures and Bone Contusions Detected by MRI in Elite Ice Hockey Players
Authors: Baker Jonathan C. , Hoover Eric G. , Hillen Travis J. , Smith Matthew V. , Wright Rick W. , Rubin David A.
Published: February 2016

Background:

In ice hockey players, serious bone injuries in the foot and ankle, especially those attributed to impact from the moving puck, may be radiographically occult and underrecognized.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this research was to study foot and ankle bone injuries detected with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that occurred in elite hockey players. The hypothesis was that these injuries predominate medially, especially when caused by the impact from the puck, and are associated with prolonged lost playing time.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Three independent observers, blinded to the mechanism of injury, retrospectively reviewed foot and ankle MRI examinations acquired after 31 acute injuries that occurred in 27 elite ice hockey players who had no radiographically visible fractures. Bone abnormalities were classified as fractures or varying degrees of contusion based on predetermined definitions. Interobserver agreement was analyzed with kappa statistics. The association between the injury mechanism and the bones involved was examined with the Fisher exact test. A t test was applied to determine if MRI evidence of a severe bone injury (defined as either a fracture or a high-grade bone contusion) was associated with longer recovery times, when return-to-play information was available.

Results:

The observers identified at least 1 bone injury in 27 of the 31 MRI examinations, including 10 with radiographically occult fractures. Agreement among the 3 observers for injury categorization was substantial (κ = 0.76). Seventeen injuries were caused by a direct blow (15 from a moving puck, 2 from an uncertain source), resulting in 6 fractures and 6 high-grade bone contusions, with 14 of the 17 involving a medial bone (medial malleolus, navicular, or first metatarsal base). Compared with other mechanisms, direct impaction was statistically more likely to result in a severe bone injury and to involve the medial foot and ankle. In 20 injuries where return-to-play information was available, players with severe bone injuries missed a mean of 10.6 games compared with 2.4 games for other players ( P = .05).

Conclusion:

MRI can show severe bone injuries that are not visible radiographically in ice hockey players. Most fractures and high-grade contusions involve the medial ankle and midfoot bones, can be caused by direct blows from the puck, and are associated with prolonged recovery times.
Survivorship of Meniscal Allograft Transplantation in an Athletic Patient Population
Authors: Waterman Brian R. , Rensing Nicholas , Cameron Kenneth L. , Owens Brett D. , Pallis Mark
Published: February 2016

Background:

There are limited data evaluating the clinical outcomes of meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) in physically active cohorts.

Purpose:

To determine the survivorship, complication rates, and functional outcomes of MAT in an active military population.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

All military patients undergoing MAT between 2007 and 2013 were identified from the Military Health System. Previous/concomitant procedures, perioperative complications, reoperation rate, revision, and initiation of medical discharge for persistent knee disability were recorded. Univariate analysis was performed to identify associations between patient-based and surgical variables on selected endpoints.

Results:

A total of 230 MATs (227 patients; 228 knees) were identified; the mean patient age was 27.2 years (range, 18-46 years), and the cohort was predominately male (89%). Approximately half (51%) of the patients had undergone prior, nonmeniscal knee procedures. Medial MATs were performed in 160 (69%) cases, and isolated MATs were most common (60%). A total of 51 complications occurred in 46 (21.1%) patients, including a secondary tear or extrusion (9%). At a mean clinical follow-up of 2.14 years, 10 (4.4%) patients required secondary meniscal debridement, while 1 (0.4%) patient required revision MAT and 2 (0.9%) patients underwent total knee arthroplasty. After MAT, 50 (22%) patients underwent knee-related military discharge at a mean of 2.49 years postoperatively. Tobacco use ( P = .028) was associated with significantly increased risk of failure, and operation by fellowship-trained surgeons trended toward significance as a protective factor ( P = .078). Furthermore, high-volume surgeons (≥1 MAT/year; range, 9-35) had significantly reduced rates of failure ( P = .046).

Conclusion:

While reporting low reoperation and revision rates, this investigation indicates that 22% of patients with MAT were unable to return to military duty due to persistent knee limitations at short-term follow-up. Increased surgical experience may decrease rates of failure after MAT. Careful patient selection and referral to subspecialty-trained, higher-volume surgeons should be considered to optimize clinical outcomes after MAT.
Ice Hockey Injuries
Authors: Sim Franklin H. , Simonet William T. , Melton L. Joseph , Lehn Tracy A.
Published: February 2016

Ice hockey is a team sport that has recently grown in popularity not only in the United States but also in Canada and Europe. With this increase in popularity has come a growing concern about the number and severity of injuries. The world literature on the biomechanics and physiology of ice hockey was reviewed in an attempt to evaluate the forces and mechanisms involved in the game. The influence of rule and equipment changes on injury patterns was particularly studied. Several studies on the epidemiology of injuries, providing data on the types of injuries and the mechanisms of those injuries, were analyzed to determine the conclusions that could be supported and those that require further study. Possible changes in the patterns and types of injury are outlined.
Injuries in Women's Gymnastics
Authors: McAuley Edward , Hudash Gail , Shields Kolleen , Albright John P. , Garrick James , Requa Ralph , Wallace Robert K.
Published: February 2016

This article takes a three-stage approach to the topic of injuries in women's gymnastics. In the first stage, we review the literature and summarize our current knowledge of injury rates, injuries in specific events, and anatomical location of injuries. In the second, we critically evaluate the relative contributions of these studies in terms of their generalizability, methods, and conceptual approaches. Finally, we present possible directions for future research in the area of women's gymnastic injuries.
Mechanical and acoustical properties of polylactic acid based multilayer-structured foam biocomposites
Authors: Yao Rui , Yao Zhengjun , Zhou Jintang , Liu Peijiang
Published: February 2016

Polylactic acid (PLA) based multilayer-structured foam biocomposites were prepared in a three-step process. In step 1, PLA plastic particles mixed with hollow glass beads (HGB) and other additives were blended, pelletized, and foamed and turned into plies using compression moldings. During step 2, the plies were stacked alternately and glued together with glass-fiber cloth reinforced PLA interlayers. The result is a multilayer-structured ply. In step 3, environmental sound-absorbing cotton was spliced on both sides of the ply to obtain the desired foam biocomposites. Then, foam morphology, and both mechanical and acoustical properties of the plies were investigated using a scanning electron microscope, a universal testing machine and a multianalyzer system. Our experimental results indicate that the compressive strength and acoustical properties of the plies made during the first step perform best when the mass fraction of HGB is 15%. We then compared a ply made in the first step with the multilayer-structured ply made in the second step. We found that the mechanical and sound insulation properties became more uniform after the addition of a PLA layer. We also found that the sound-absorbing cotton improved sound insulation by about 30%. The biocomposites achieved the best mechanical and acoustical properties after careful consideration of several factors.
Motivations and Consequences of Alcohol Use Among Heavy Drinking Nonstudent Emerging Adults
Authors: Lau-Barraco Cathy , Linden-Carmichael Ashley N. , Hequembourg Amy , Pribesh Shana
Published: February 2016

Research suggests that nonstudent emerging adults may be at elevated risk of alcohol-related problems in adulthood. The present study utilized a qualitative approach to broaden our understanding of the drinking-related perceptions and experiences of heavy drinking nonstudents, with the ultimate goal of generating meaningful knowledge that could aid intervention planning. Research aims were to identify nonstudent (a) drinking motivations and (b) drinking consequences. Eleven focus groups were conducted ( n = 64 participants). Data analytic techniques were used to code transcripts and generate themes emerging from the group data. Three main themes emerged regarding nonstudent reasons for drinking (i.e., emotional, social, enhanced experiences). Four prominent themes were identified for drinking consequences (i.e., physical health, psychological health, risk-taking, life functioning). Our findings underscore several considerations related to intervening with this at-risk and understudied population.