bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
End-Group Evaluation of HEMA Initiated Poly(ε-caprolactone) Macromonomers via Enzymatic Ring-Opening Polymerization
Authors: Kaya N. Ugur , Guvenilir Y. Avcibasi
Published: May 2015

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) macromonomers comprising acrylate end-functionality were synthesized via enzymatic ring-opening polymerization (eROP) by utilizing commercially availableCandida antarcticaLipase B (CALB), Novozyme-435. 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was purposed to be the nucleophilic initiator in eROP. The side reactions generated due to the cleavage of ester bonds in HEMA and the growing polymer chains were investigated through altering polymerization period, initiator concentration, temperature, and enzyme concentration.1H NMR evaluations showed that minimum quantities of side reactions were in lower temperatures, initiator concentration, enzyme concentration, and lower monomer conversions. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) results revealed that lower polydispersity along with number-average molecular weight of end-functionalized PCL macromonomers was obtained depending on higher initiator/monomer ratios, lower temperature (60°C), enzyme concentration (100 mg), and/or polymerization time (2 h). Furthermore, 0.1 HEMA/ε-caprolactone (CL) ratio had higher molecular weight than 0.5 HEMA/CL ratio, while keeping a close value of methacrylate transfer, total methacrylate end-groups, and lower polyester transfer.
Control of the Radiation Patterns Using Homogeneous and Isotropic Impedance Metasurface
Authors: Yang Fan , Mei Zhong Lei , Cui Tie Jun
Published: May 2015

We propose to control the radiation patterns of a two-dimensional (2D) point source by using impedance metasurfaces. We show that the radiation patterns can be manipulated by altering the surface impedance of the metasurface. Full-wave simulation results are provided to validate the theoretical derivations. The proposed design enjoys novel properties of isotropy, homogeneity, low profile, and high selectivity of frequency, making it potentially applicable in many applications. We also point out that this design can be implemented with active metasurfaces and the surface impedance can be tuned by modulating the value of loaded elements, like resistors, inductors, and capacitors.
Characterization and Cell Culture of a Grafted Chitosan Scaffold for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Hsieh Wen-Chuan , Liau Jiun-Jia , Li Yi-Jhong
Published: May 2015

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was grafted to chitosan to form a porous scaffold. The PVA-g-chitosan 3D scaffold was then observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The water absorbency of PVA-g-chitosan was increased 370% by grafting. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations of the material revealed that the 3D scaffold is highly porous when formed using a homogenizer at 300 rpm. Compression testing demonstrated that as the amount of chitosan increases, the strength of the 3D scaffold strength reached showed that, by increasing the amount of chitosan, the strength of the 3D scaffold could be increased to 16 × 10−1 MPa. Over 35 days of enzymatic degradation, the 3D scaffold was degraded by various enzymes at rates of up to 10%.In vitrotests showed good cell proliferation and growth in the 3D scaffold.
Influence of Anti-TNF and Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Therapy on Pulmonary Forced Vital Capacity Associated to Ankylosing Spondylitis: A 2-Year Follow-Up Observational Study
Authors: Rocha-Muñoz Alberto Daniel , Brambila-Tapia Aniel Jessica Leticia , Zavala-Cerna María Guadalupe , Vásquez-Jiménez José Clemente , De la Cerda-Trujillo Liliana Faviola , Vázquez-Del Mercado Mónica , Rodriguez-Jimenez Norma Alejandra , Díaz-Rizo Valeria , Díaz-González Viviana , Cardona-Muñoz Ernesto German , Dávalos-Rodríguez Ingrid Patricia , Salazar-Paramo Mario , Gamez-Nava Jorge Ivan , Nava-Zavala Arnulfo Hernan , Gonzalez-Lopez Laura
Published: May 2015

Objective. To evaluate the effect of anti-TNF agents plus synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) versus DMARDs alone for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with reduced pulmonary function vital capacity (FVC%).Methods. In an observational study, we included AS who had FVC% <80% at baseline. Twenty patients were taking DMARDs and 16 received anti-TNF + DMARDs. Outcome measures: changes in FVC%, BASDAI, BASFI, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Borg scale after 6MWT, and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire at 24 months.Results. Both DMARDs and anti-TNF + DMARDs groups had similar baseline values in FVC%. Significant improvement was achieved with anti-TNF + DMARDs in FVC%, at 24 months, when compared to DMARDs alone (P=0.04). Similarly, patients in anti-TNF + DMARDs group had greater improvement in BASDAI, BASFI, Borg scale, and 6MWT when compared to DMARDs alone. After 2 years of follow-up, 14/16 (87.5%) in the anti-TNF + DMARDs group achieved the primary outcome: FVC% ≥80%, compared with 11/20 (55%) in the DMARDs group (P=0.04).Conclusions. Patients with anti-TNF + DMARDs had a greater improvement in FVC% and cardiopulmonary scales at 24 months compared with DMARDs. This preliminary study supports the fact that anti-TNF agents may offer additional benefits compared to DMARDs in patients with AS who have reduced FVC%.
Tumor-Promoting Desmoplasia Is Disrupted by Depleting FAP-Expressing Stromal Cells
Authors: Lo Albert , Wang Liang-Chuan S. , Scholler John , Monslow James , Avery Diana , Newick Kheng , O'Brien Shaun , Evans Rebecca A. , Bajor David J. , Clendenin Cynthia , Durham Amy C. , Buza Elizabeth L. , Vonderheide Robert H. , June Carl H. , Albelda Steven M. , Puré Ellen
Published: May 2015

Malignant cells drive the generation of a desmoplastic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Cancer-associated stromal cells (CASC) are a heterogeneous population that provides both negative and positive signals for tumor cell growth and metastasis. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a marker of a major subset of CASCs in virtually all carcinomas. Clinically, FAP expression serves as an independent negative prognostic factor for multiple types of human malignancies. Prior studies established that depletion of FAP+ cells inhibits tumor growth by augmenting antitumor immunity. However, the potential for immune-independent effects on tumor growth have not been defined. Herein, we demonstrate that FAP+ CASCs are required for maintenance of the provisional tumor stroma because depletion of these cells, by adoptive transfer of FAP-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, reduced extracellular matrix proteins and glycosaminoglycans. Adoptive transfer of FAP-CAR T cells also decreased tumor vascular density and restrained growth of desmoplastic human lung cancer xenografts and syngeneic murine pancreatic cancers in an immune-independent fashion. Adoptive transfer of FAP-CAR T cells also restrained autochthonous pancreatic cancer growth. These data distinguish the function of FAP+ CASCs from other CASC subsets and provide support for further development of FAP+ stromal cell-targeted therapies for the treatment of solid tumors. Cancer Res; 75(14); 2800–10. ©2015 AACR.
Evolving Information Needs among Colon, Breast, and Prostate Cancer Survivors: Results from a Longitudinal Mixed-Effects Analysis
Authors: Tan Andy S.L. , Nagler Rebekah H. , Hornik Robert C. , DeMichele Angela
Published: May 2015

Background: This study describes how cancer survivors' information needs about recurrence, late effects, and family risks of cancer evolve over the course of their survivorship period.

Methods: Three annual surveys were conducted from 2006 to 2008 in a cohort of Pennsylvania cancer survivors diagnosed with colon, breast, or prostate cancer in 2005 (round 1, N = 2,013; round 2, N = 1,293; round 3, N = 1,128). Outcomes were information seeking about five survivorship topics. Key predictors were survey round, cancer diagnosis, and the interaction between these variables. Mixed-effects logistic regression analyses were performed to predict information seeking about each topic, adjusting for demographic variables, clinical characteristics, and clustering of repeated observations within individuals.

Results: Information seeking about reducing risks of cancer recurrence was the most frequently reported topic across survivors and over time. Breast cancer survivors were more likely to seek about survivorship topics at round 1 compared with other survivors. In general, information seeking declined over time, but cancer-specific patterns emerged: the decline was sharpest for breast cancer survivors, whereas in later years female colon cancer survivors actually sought more information (about how to reduce the risk of family members getting colon cancer or a different cancer).

Conclusion: Cancer survivors' information needs varied over time depending on the topic, and these trends differed by cancer type.

Impact: Clinicians may need to intervene at distinct points during the survivorship period with information to address concerns about cancer recurrence, late effects, and family members' risks. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(7); 1071–8. ©2015 AACR.
Subclonal Genomic Architectures of Primary and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Based on Intratumoral Genetic Heterogeneity
Authors: Kim Tae-Min , Jung Seung-Hyun , An Chang Hyeok , Lee Sung Hak , Baek In-Pyo , Kim Min Sung , Park Sung-Won , Rhee Je-Keun , Lee Sug-Hyung , Chung Yeun-Jun
Published: May 2015

Purpose: The intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) and the evolution of genomic architectures associated with the development of distant metastases are not well understood in colorectal cancers.

Experimental Design: We performed multiregion biopsies of primary and liver metastatic regions from five colorectal cancers with whole-exome sequencing and copy number profiling.

Results: In addition to a substantial level of genetic ITH, multiregion genetic profiling identifies the subclonal mutational architecture, leading to the region-based or spatial categorization of somatic mutations and the inference of intratumoral evolutionary history of cancers. The universal mutations (those observed in all the regional biopsies) are enriched in known cancer genes such as APC and TP53 with distinct mutational spectra compared with biopsy- or region-specific mutations, suggesting that major operative mutational mechanisms and their selective pressures are not constant across the metastatic progression. The phylogenies inferred from genomic data show branching evolutionary patterns where some primary biopsies are often segregated with metastastic lesions. Our analyses also revealed that copy number changes such as the chromosomal gains of c-MYC and chromothripsis can be region specific and the potential source of genetic ITH.

Conclusions: Our data show that the genetic ITH is prevalent in colorectal cancer serving as a potential driving force to generate metastasis-initiating clones and also as a means to infer the intratumoral evolutionary history of cancers. The paucity of recurrent metastasis-clonal events suggests that colorectal cancer distant metastases may not follow a uniform course of genomic evolution, which should be considered in the genetic diagnosis and the selection of therapeutic targets for the advanced colorectal cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 21(19); 4461–72. ©2015 AACR.
Lenalidomide Enhances Immune Checkpoint Blockade-Induced Immune Response in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Görgün Güllü , Samur Mehmet K. , Cowens Kristen B. , Paula Steven , Bianchi Giada , Anderson Julie E. , White Randie E. , Singh Ahaana , Ohguchi Hiroto , Suzuki Rikio , Kikuchi Shohei , Harada Takeshi , Hideshima Teru , Tai Yu-Tzu , Laubach Jacob P. , Raje Noopur , Magrangeas Florence , Minvielle Stephane , Avet-Loiseau Herve , Munshi Nikhil C. , Dorfman David M. , Richardson Paul G. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: May 2015

Purpose: PD-1/PD-L1 signaling promotes tumor growth while inhibiting effector cell–mediated antitumor immune responses. Here, we assessed the impact of single and dual blockade of PD-1/PD-L1, alone or in combination with lenalidomide, on accessory and immune cell function as well as multiple myeloma cell growth in the bone marrow (BM) milieu.

Experimental Design: Surface expression of PD-1 on immune effector cells, and PD-L1 expression on CD138+ multiple myeloma cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) were determined in BM from newly diagnosed (ND) multiple myeloma and relapsed/refractory (RR) multiple myeloma versus healthy donor (HD). We defined the impact of single and dual blockade of PD-1/PD-L1, alone and with lenalidomide, on autologous anti–multiple myeloma immune response and tumor cell growth.

Results: Both ND and RR patient multiple myeloma cells have increased PD-L1 mRNA and surface expression compared with HD. There is also a significant increase in PD-1 expression on effector cells in multiple myeloma. Importantly, PD-1/PD-L1 blockade abrogates BM stromal cell (BMSC)-induced multiple myeloma growth, and combined blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 with lenalidomide further inhibits BMSC-induced tumor growth. These effects are associated with induction of intracellular expression of IFNγ and granzyme B in effector cells. Importantly, PD-L1 expression in multiple myeloma is higher on MDSC than on antigen-presenting cells, and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade inhibits MDSC-mediated multiple myeloma growth. Finally, lenalidomide with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade inhibits MDSC-mediated immune suppression.

Conclusions: Our data therefore demonstrate that checkpoint signaling plays an important role in providing the tumor-promoting, immune-suppressive microenvironment in multiple myeloma, and that PD-1/PD-L1 blockade induces anti–multiple myeloma immune response that can be enhanced by lenalidomide, providing the framework for clinical evaluation of combination therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 21(20); 4607–18. ©2015 AACR.
Stroma, Stroma Everywhere (Far More Than You Think)
Authors: Olive Kenneth P.
Published: May 2015

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas with high stromal content are shown to have greatly reduced overall survival, consistent with previous reports that stroma may limit drug delivery. In contrast to expectations, metastatic lesions were found to harbor as much stroma as primary tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 21(15); 3366–8. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Whatcott et al., p. 3561
Factors Related to Rejection of Care and Behaviors Directed towards Others: A Longitudinal Study in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia
Authors: Galindo-Garre Francisca , Volicer Ladislav , van der Steen Jenny T.
Published: May 2015

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze factors related to rejection of care and behaviors directed towards others in nursing home residents with dementia. Methods: The relationship of lack of understanding, depression, psychosis and pain with rejection of care and behaviors directed towards others was explored using four assessments from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) within a period of 15 months on 1,101 residents with dementia in Dutch nursing homes. Presence of depressive symptoms was ascertained using a validated MDS scale, and presence of lack of understanding, rejection of care, psychosis and pain through the individual MDS items. A structural equation modeling approach and latent growth models were used to investigate the longitudinal relationship between changes in rejection of care and physical or verbal behaviors directed towards others, and changes in lack of understanding, pain, depression and psychotic symptoms. Results: Changes in lack of understanding predicted changes in rejection of care, and there was also a relationship between changes in depression and rejection of care. Changes of behaviors directed towards others were related to changes in lack of understanding and depression. Pain and behaviors directed towards others were unrelated, and psychosis was rather stable throughout. A mediation model suggested that the relationship of lack of understanding with behaviors directed towards others was mediated by rejection of care. Conclusion: These results indicate that lack of understanding and depression are important factors in development of rejection of care and behaviors directed towards others. The relationship between lack of understanding and behaviors directed towards others is mediated by rejection of care. Improvement in communication between residents and caregivers, and perhaps also effective treatment of depression may prevent or ameliorate these behaviors directed towards others.
A Simple Technique for Bone Storage after Decompressive Craniectomy in Children
Authors: Silav Gökalp , Bölükbaşı Fatih Han , Özek Erdinç , Tönge Mehmet , Önöz Mustafa , Elmacı İlhan
Published: May 2015

Cranial vault reconstruction in the pediatric population is a specialized procedure, which requires additional considerations. Generally, inherent difficulties of bone storage and cranioplasty are neglected in the literature. We present a simple method of bone storage and autologous cranioplasty in a small child with severe head injury. The child underwent surgical treatment with decompressive craniectomy. A bone flap was transversally divided into two pieces and stored under the galea. Bone storage and reconstruction of the cranial vault with our surgical technique is a safe, easy and cost-effective choice excluding the surgical trauma to obtain a new subcutanous pocket for bone storage in pediatric decompressive craniectomy patients.
Thrombospondin 1 Modulates Monocyte Properties to Suppress Intestinal Mucosal Inflammation
Authors: Fang Lei-Lei , Yu Hai-Qiong , Wu Rui-Jin , He Chong , Li Meng , Yan Hao , Li Jian-Jie , Wang Shuai , Liu Zhi-Gang , Liu Zhan-Ju , Yang Ping-Chang
Published: May 2015

Monocytes (Mos) play an important role in the pathogenesis of intestinal mucosal inflammation. This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which the intestinal epithelial cell-derived thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) modulates Mo properties and regulates intestinal inflammatory responses. In this study, the production of TSP1 by intestinal epithelial cells was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. The properties of Mos were analyzed by flow cytometry. A mouse model of colitis was created to assess the role of epithelium-derived TSP1 in the suppression of intestinal inflammation. The results demonstrated that mouse intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) expressed TSP1, which was markedly upregulated by butyrate or feeding with Clostridium butyricum. Coculture of the butyrate-primed IECs and Mos or exposure of Mos to TSP1 in the culture induced the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in Mos. These TGF-β+ Mos had tolerogenic properties that could promote generation of inducible regulatory T cells. Adoptive transfer with TSP1-primed Mos, or feeding C. butyricum could prevent experimental colitis in mice. In summary, C. butyricum induces intestinal epithelial cells to produce TSP1 and induces TGF-β+ Mos, which further suppress experimental colitis in mice. The results implicate that the administration of C. butyricum or butyrate may have the potential to ameliorate chronic intestinal inflammation through inducing immunosuppressive Mos.
Patient Activity and Survival Following Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Implantation: The ALTITUDE Activity Study
Authors: Kramer Daniel B. , Mitchell Susan L. , Monteiro Joao , Jones Paul W. , Normand Sharon‐Lise , Hayes David L. , Reynolds Matthew R.
Published: May 2015

Background

Physical activity data are collected automatically by implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (
ICD
s). Though these data potentially provide a quantifiable and easily accessible measure of functional status, its relationship with survival has not been well studied.

Methods and Results

Patients enrolled in the Boston Scientific
LATITUDE
remote monitoring system from 2008 to 2012 with
ICD
s were eligible. Remote monitoring data were used to calculate mean daily activity at baseline (30 to 60 days after implantation), and longitudinally. Cox regression was used to examine the association between survival and increments of 30 minutes/day in both (1) mean baseline activity and (2) time‐varying activity, with both adjusted for demographic and device characteristics. A total of 98 437 patients were followed for a median of 2.2 years (mean age of 67.7±13.1 years; 71.7% male). Mean baseline daily activity was 107.5±66.2 minutes/day. The proportion of patients surviving after 4 years was significantly higher among those in the most versus least active quintile of mean baseline activity (90.5% vs. 50.0%; log‐rank
P
value, <0.001). Lower mean baseline activity (i.e., incremental difference of 30‐minutes/day) was independently associated with a higher risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio [
AHR
], 1.44; 95% confidence interval [
CI
], 1.427 to 1.462). Time‐varying activity was similarly associated with a higher risk of death (
AHR
, 1.48; 95%
CI
, 1.451 to 1.508), indicating that a patient having 30 minutes per day less activity in a given month has a 48% increased hazard for death when compared to a similar patient in the same month.

Conclusions

Patient activity measured by
ICD
s strongly correlates with survival following
ICD
implantation.
Looking backward to the future: Counter-memory as oppositional knowledge-production in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Authors: Gutman Yifat
Published: May 2015

This article examines a strategy of peace activism that gained visibility in the last decades: memory activism. Memory activists manifest a temporal shift in transnational politics: first the past, then the future. Affiliated with the globally-circulating paradigm of historical justice, memory activist groups assume that a new understanding of the past could lead to a new perception of present problems and project alternative solutions for the future. Based on ethnographic fieldwork and discourse analysis among memory activists of the 1948 war in Israel since 2001, the article examines the activist production of counter-memory during active conflict. Using Coy et al.’s typology of oppositional knowledge-production, the article shows how the largest group of memory activism in Israel produced ‘new’ information on the war, critically assessed the dominant historical narrative, offered an alternative shared narrative, and began to envision practical solutions for Palestinian refugees. However, the analysis raises additional concerns that reach beyond the scope of the typology, primarily regarding the unequal power relations that exist not only between the dominant and activist production of oppositional knowledge, but also among activists.
Improving Reading Comprehension for High School Students With Disabilities
Authors: Vaughn Sharon , Roberts Greg , Schnakenberg Jennifer B. , Fall Anna-Mária , Vaughn Michael G. , Wexler Jade
Published: May 2015

The authors examine the results for students with disabilities from a 2-year randomized controlled trial with students identified in ninth grade and followed through 10th grade in their allotted condition group. Prior to ninth grade, students with disabilities who met criteria for low reading comprehension (i.e., through failure on the state accountability test) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions—reading without dropout prevention, reading with dropout prevention, dropout prevention without reading—or a business-as-usual condition. Students with disabilities in the reading treatments demonstrated significant gains on reading comprehension (Hedges’s g = .44) compared to students with disabilities in the business-as-usual and dropout-prevention-without-reading conditions. Results support extensive (2-year) interventions in reading for high school students with disabilities.
Fabrizio De André’s Le nuvole: Italy’s disillusionment at the end of the 1980s
Authors: Carbonelli Guendalina
Published: May 2015

Fabrizio De André’s Le nuvole (1990) recreates and denounces the social apathy that characterized Italy from the end of the 1980s until the early 1990s. Exemplary of De André’s criticism towards Italy’s society, Le nuvole illustrates the artist’s maturity as a social commentator. In this album, De André explicitly takes the stance of the engaged intellectual not only in the songs of the album but also in the many interviews that accompanied its release. Together with this copious corollary commentary, this article analyses in particular side A of Le nuvole. The songs on side A are more explicitly critical in their focus on oppressive powers, the waning of engagement and riflusso, the social shift towards materialism and hedonism, and the dawn of the Berlusconi era.
Romantic relationships and psychological distress among adolescents: Moderating role of friendship closeness
Authors: Chow Chong Man , Ruhl Holly , Buhrmester Duane
Published: May 2015

Background:

The formation of romantic relationships and friendships in adolescence is a defining milestone in the progression toward social maturity. Thus, examining adolescents’ friendship and romantic experiences serves a vital role in understanding their psychological adjustment.

Aims:

The main purposes of the current study were to examine (a) whether romantic involvement, romantic security, and friendship closeness were independently predictive of late adolescents’ depression and loneliness, and (b) whether friendship closeness would moderate the negative effects of adolescents’ lower degrees of romantic involvement and romantic security on depression and loneliness.

Method:

Data came from 12th grade adolescents ( N = 110, 53 females) as well as their parents and a same-sex best friend. Adolescents reported on their romantic involvement, romantic security, and psychological distress. Parent reports of adolescents’ depressive symptoms and friend reports of friendship closeness were also included.

Results:

Higher degrees of romantic involvement and friendship closeness were related to lower degrees of loneliness. Higher degrees of romantic security were related to lower degrees of depression and loneliness. The effect of romantic involvement on depression and loneliness was moderated by friendship closeness. Also, the effect of romantic security on loneliness was moderated by friendship closeness.

Conclusion:

Future research should focus on the interactive roles that friendships and romantic relationships play in the emergence of psychopathology during adolescence.
The audit report as an instrument for accountability in local governments: a proposal for Spanish municipalities
Authors: Rosa Carolina Pontones , Morote Rosario Perez
Published: May 2015

This article explores the possibility that common standards for performance audit reports may result in increased objectivity and accountability, and that this could narrow the ‘audit expectations gap’ and contribute to good governance within local government. Inspired by the UK's external performance auditing model and considering the current scenario in Spain, a number of hypotheses are formulated whereby the audit of a set of aspects in the areas of managing finances, governing the business and managing resources leads to higher accountability as a result of the audit reports. These hypotheses are tested through a survey to internal and external auditors of the Spanish local government. The strong endorsement of these aspects in the survey responses leads to their inclusion in the content of the audit reports. In addition, this content is simplified through a factor analysis of the suitability of smaller municipalities, and a practical contribution is offered by providing a template for external audit reports.

Points for practitioners

In this article we identify a minimal content for the external audit reports issued for Spanish local government, providing a possible template. This content gathers a set of aspects of public management that should be reviewed by external auditors. The proposal originates in international experience and is validated for the Spanish context by the results of the survey. We believe that this could increase the capacity of the reports to achieve accountability and help to narrow the ‘audit expectation gap’. The simplification of the content of the reports undertaken pursues a greater adaptation of the audit work to the conditions of small municipalities.
Shared Dilemmas in the Management of Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Wharne Simon
Published: May 2015

A hermeneutic phenomenological analysis reveals the complexity of bipolar disorder. Operating at biological, psychological, and social levels this phenomenon creates dilemmas and people must account for their choices in a moral order. Two participants suffer from the condition, whereas a third is employed to deliver mental health treatment. Three themes are identified showing that all the participants struggle to feel they are competent and consistent decision makers. They feel exposed, fearing that others will impose interpretations on their behavior. They resist the imposition of a medical model, wanting to believe that choices are personal and related to life experiences. This person-centered interpretation is favored because it offers the potential for learning, for achieving autonomy, and growth. By attending to the interpersonal aspects of emotion and subjectivity, this analysis challenges the idea that autonomy can be undermined by a disease process in a simple manner. It is suggested that mental health care systems need to deliver services in which the personal and interpersonal aspects of recovery are adequately managed.
Meaning Therapy for Addictions
Authors: Thompson Geoffrey R.
Published: May 2015

Evidence from existential–humanistic psychology suggests that addiction is a response to boredom, loneliness, meaninglessness, and other existential struggles. This research is a case study of an existential, meaning-centered therapy practiced at an addiction treatment facility. Meaning therapy assumes that addiction is a response to a life that lacks personal meaning. The solution, therefore, is to help the client live a fulfilling life. The research question asked if, and in what ways, meaning therapy influenced how participants made sense of their addiction and recovery. The study used a mixed-methods design. Sources of qualitative data were pretreatment and posttreatment interviews, psychiatric reports, researcher field notes, and participants’ life stories. Quantitative data were pretreatment and posttreatment measures of items relevant to meaning and symptom reduction. Eleven participants volunteered for the study. Themes that emerged during a grounded theory thematic analysis revealed that therapy positively influenced nine (81.8%) participants in developing self-definition, interpersonal relatedness, and intrinsic motivation. Quantitative analysis revealed significant increases in measures of meaning and decreases in symptoms and daily problems for seven participants (63.6%). About 6 to 9 months posttreatment, eight participants (72.7%) who pursed self-definition, relatedness, and intrinsic motivation reported abstinence since discharge, fewer symptoms and problems in daily life, and the pursuit of personal goals. This study provides therapists with a better understanding of meaning therapy and suggests implications for addiction treatment.
Effects of type of light on mouse circadian behaviour and stress levels
Authors: Alves-Simoes Marta , Coleman Georgia , Canal Maria Mercè
Published: May 2015

Light is the principal synchronizing environmental factor for the biological clock. Light quantity (intensity), and light quality (type of light source) can have different effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the type of light experienced from the time of birth on mouse growth, circadian behaviour and stress levels. We raised pigmented and albino mice under 24 h light–dark cycles of either fluorescent or white light-emitting diode (LED) light source during the suckling stage, and the animals were then exposed to various light environments after weaning and their growth rate, locomotor activity and plasma corticosterone concentration were measured. We found that the type of light the animals were exposed to did not affect the animals’ growth rates or stress levels. However, we observed significant effects on the expression of the locomotor activity rhythm under low contrast light–dark cycles in pigmented mice, and under constant light in both albino and pigmented mice. These results highlight the importance of environmental light quality (light source) on circadian behavioural rhythms, and the need for close monitoring of light environments in animal facilities.
The expert citizen
Authors: Rogers Colin , Coliandris Geoff
Published: May 2015

At a time when police agencies across the western world are struggling to maintain an effective service and also support and retain legitimacy within communities, important questions have been asked as to how this is to be achieved. The changes imposed upon police agencies in the UK, for example, mean that there could be a reduction in the number of front-line uniform officers and a lack of ‘engagement’ with ordinary members of the community which ultimately may have an impact upon the legitimacy of the police with the communities they service. This in turn may actually affect the very nature of the democratic policing model alleged to exist in England and Wales. This article explores one way in which it is envisaged this legitimacy may be upheld, by use of the expert citizen. This concept is critically explored within the framework of police legitimacy and the democratic policing model, which manifests itself in England and Wales through the idea of community policing and neighbourhood policing teams.
Floating Downstream? Parental Support and Future Expectations of Young People from Less Privileged Backgrounds
Authors: Aaltonen Sanna , Karvonen Sakari
Published: May 2015

Here we present an analysis of young people’s orientations to the future in the context of intergenerational relations. We draw on qualitative interviews to examine how young people from less privileged backgrounds use their family as an anchor when mapping the landscape of possible futures. Further, we use extensive quantitative material from structured surveys to provide contextual information on how young people’s imagined futures are shaped by the earlier generation. The study shows that the ingredients with which young people concoct their futures are in many ways grounded in their families’ attempts to provide the most favourable support they can manage within the structural constraints and on the basis of the affordances that are available to them, but largely regardless of their class background. Our analysis also emphasises that there is a wide range of trajectories between academic careers conventionally understood as ‘successful’ and the careers resulting in ‘social exclusion’.
Progressive and cumulative fabric effects of multiple hydroentangling impacts at different water pressures on greige cotton substrate
Authors: Sawhney Paul , Reynolds Michael , Allen Chuck , Slopek Ryan , Condon Brian
Published: May 2015

A three-part practical study was conducted on a commercial-grade hydroentanglement system to determine the progressive and cumulative fabric effects of multiple hydroentangling impacts at three different high (hydroentangling) water pressures (HWPs) on classical properties of the resulting nonwoven fabrics made with a substrate of commercially cleaned greige cotton lint. In the first part of the study, the progressive and cumulative effects of a series of four hydroentangling passes (equal to eight hydroentangling exposures or impacts) were studied at a relatively low HWP of 65 bars. In the second and third parts, the progressive and cumulative effects of multiple hydroentanglements at relatively higher HWP(s) of 90 bars and 130 bars were studied. The hydroentangling energy required for the various fabrics (made with the different HWPs and number of hydroentangling passes or impacts) was calculated to assess the overall impact of the energy on the fabric properties. The study has shown that each successive hydroentangling pass and each elevated HWP generally resulted in decreased fabric weight, thickness and air permeability and increased fabric whiteness and water absorbency. The tensile properties of the fabrics, in both the machine direction (MD) and the cross direction (CD), generally increased progressively with each successive hydroentangling pass at the low HWP of 65 bars, but this trend, especially in the CD, was not pronounced at the HWPs of 90 bars and 130 bars, perhaps indicating the attainment of optimum hydroentanglements and hence of tensile properties in the first pass alone at the higher HWPs. The hydro energy imparted to formation of the various fabrics made with the above stated process parameters of interest have shown that the two or four passes of the substrate at the low 65-bar HWP required less energy and yielded greater fabric absorbency compared to the one or two passes of the substrate at (twice) the HWP of 130 bars. On the other hand, only one pass of the substrate at 90 bars and 130 bars yielded greater tensile strength with reduced energy requirement, compared to the four passes at 65 bars. These results show that, depending on the required or preferred fabric properties, the stated hydroentangling process parameters can be considerably manipulated to achieve efficient hydroentanglement and improved energy efficiency.
“I Used to Be Wild”: Adolescent Perspectives on the Influence of Family, Peers, School, and Neighborhood on Positive Behavioral Transition
Authors: Animosa Lydia Honesty , Lindstrom Johnson Sarah , Cheng Tina L.
Published: May 2015

Public health practice involving adolescents is largely focused on preventing or delaying the initiation of risk behavior. However, given the experimental and exploratory nature of this developmental period, this is often impractical. This article focuses on behavioral transitions and the ways in which youth involved in risk behaviors shift to more promotive behaviors. Based on a positive youth development perspective, in-depth interviews with urban youth were conducted and analyzed to gain an understanding of the influences on behavior change. Specific family support, ability to detach from harmful peer relationships, and school connectedness and vocational support emerged as important to those youths who made a positive behavioral transition. These findings suggest the importance of understanding ways to support the cessation of involvement in risk behaviors and reinforce the significance of contextual influences on youth development.
Anchored learning and the development of creative, critical thinking and life-long learning skills
Authors: Peters Robert A
Published: May 2015

Focus groups were convened in 2005 and 2013 as the first step in successive MPA curriculum review and revision processes. Although the criteria for selecting participants and the questions posed to the groups were similar, the focus groups generated dramatically different perspectives regarding the challenges confronting administrators. An analysis indicates that the differences in focus group perspectives are a reflection of the evolving economic, political and fiscal environments. It also reinforces the need to adopt instructional strategies that cultivate the students’ creative, critical thinking and life-long learning skills. Since anchored learning maximizes the probability of achieving these outcomes, this article provides three examples of implementation.
A Psychophysiological Mechanism Underlying Women’s Weight-Management Goals
Authors: Meltzer Andrea L. , McNulty James K. , Miller Saul L. , Baker Levi R.
Published: May 2015

Three studies demonstrated that conception risk was associated with increased motivations to manage weight. Consistent with the rationale that this association is due to ovulatory processes, Studies 2 and 3 demonstrated that it was moderated by hormonal contraceptive (HC) use. Consistent with the rationale that this interactive effect should emerge when modern appearance-related concerns regarding weight are salient, Study 3 used a 14-day diary to demonstrate that the interactive effects of conception risk and HC use on daily motivations to restrict eating were further moderated by daily motivations to manage body attractiveness. Finally, providing evidence that this interactive effect has implications for real behavior, daily fluctuations in the desire to restrict eating predicted daily changes in women’s self-reported eating behavior. These findings may help reconcile prior inconsistencies regarding the implications of ovulatory processes by illustrating that such implications can depend on the salience of broader social norms.
Fair Value Gains and Losses in Derivatives and CEO Compensation
Authors: Manchiraju Hariom , Hamlen Susan , Kross William , Suk Inho
Published: May 2015

This study examines the sensitivity of CEO compensation to fair value gains and losses in derivatives for firms in the U.S. oil and gas industry. Our evidence indicates that firms use derivatives for both hedging and non-hedging purposes and that the derivative gains have a substantial impact on firms’ overall earnings. We find that CEOs are rewarded for hedge derivative gains, more so in firms facing high financial contracting costs. However, we find that non-hedge derivative gains are also rewarded. Furthermore, the CEO compensation is more sensitive to non-hedge derivative gains than it is to non-hedge derivative losses. This is surprising because non-hedge derivatives often relate to speculation or inefficient hedging. Overall, our results suggest that the board does not fully distinguish between the nature of derivative activities and rewards all gains in a similar fashion. The presence of accounting financial expert on the compensation committee, however, does improve efficient contracting.
Topical tags vs non-topical tags: Towards a bipartite classification?
Authors: Basile Valerio , Peroni Silvio , Tamburini Fabio , Vitali Fabio
Published: May 2015

In this paper we investigate whether it is possible to create a computational approach that allows us to distinguish topical tags (i.e. talking about the topic of a resource) and non-topical tags (i.e. describing aspects of a resource that are not related to its topic) in folksonomies, in a way that correlates with humans. Towards this goal, we collected 21 million tags (1.2 million unique terms) from Delicious and developed an unsupervised statistical algorithm that classifies such tags by applying a word space model adapted to the folksonomy space. Our algorithm analyses the co-occurrence network of tags to a target tag and exploits graph-based metrics for their classification. We validated its outcomes against a reference classification made by humans on a limited number of terms in three separate tests. The analysis of the outcomes of our algorithm shows, in some cases, a consistent disagreement among humans and between humans and our algorithm about what constitutes a topical tag, and suggests the rise of a new category of overly generic tags (i.e. umbrella tags).
Predicting Age of Sexual Initiation: Family-Level Antecedents in Three Ethnic Groups
Authors: Moilanen Kristin L. , Leary Janie M. , Watson S. Michelle , Ottley Jason
Published: May 2015

We investigated how family characteristics and experiences during early adolescence predicted timing of sexual initiation. In addition, we investigated adolescent sex and race/ethnicity as potential moderating factors. As part of the Children of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1979 (CNLSY-79), 799 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years provided data at 2-year intervals between 1994 and 2010 (51.7% male; 24.5% Hispanic, 36.5% African American, 38.9% European American); their mothers also provided data in 1986 and 1994. Analyses indicated that early sexual initiation was primarily attributable to male sex, Black race, early maternal childbearing, father absence, and adolescents’ autonomous decision making during early adolescence. Multigroup path models suggested that few effects were moderated by sex or race/ethnicity. We discuss implications of these findings for future research and prevention/intervention efforts.
Associations Between Long-Term Gang Membership and Informal Social Control Processes, Drug Use, and Delinquent Behavior Among Mexican American Youth
Authors: Cepeda Alice , Saint Onge Jarron M. , Nowotny Kathryn M. , Valdez Avelardo
Published: May 2015

Research has found that among juveniles weak ties to informal social control entities such as parents, school, and conventional peers increase the probability of the initiation and continuation of deviant behaviors such as drug use and crime. Given the weak ties of formal social control mechanisms in highly disadvantaged communities, informal social control mechanisms are often an important deterrent that reduce or moderate engagement in deviant behaviors among serious and persistent offenders. This analysis examines the association between long-term gang membership and adolescent informal social control processes, drug use, and delinquency. This research is based on data from a study of 160 Mexican American male gang members between the ages of 16 and 20. Findings suggest that among gang members in this context, commonly studied informal control mechanisms such as the family and schools do not function to deter long-term gang membership that is associated with serious criminal and violent behavior and drug use. The implications for future research on desistance or continuation of antisocial behavior across the life course are discussed.
The Chromis Experience
Authors: Tew Jenny , Bennett Alice L. , Dixon Louise
Published: May 2015

This study examined male prisoners’ experiences of participating in the Chromis programme, which aims to address violent behaviour in offenders with high levels of psychopathic traits. Four men who had completed Chromis and moved to new locations were purposefully sampled. This provided the opportunity for men to discuss their experiences after participating in the full programme and away from any influences of the treatment environment. Interview schedules were designed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Interview transcripts were analysed independently by two researchers using IPA who then compared and contrasted findings to develop superordinate themes across the group. Four superordinate themes resulted. These were “It’s me and what I want that matters,” Reaping the rewards, “It’s treatment itself that makes things hard,” and Make or break external influences. Across the board, participants benefited at some level from Chromis. Participants’ experiences highlighted useful information that can inform practice with individuals with high levels of psychopathy. The clinical implications are discussed.
Treatment Engagement From the Perspective of the Offender
Authors: Sturgess Danielle , Woodhams Jessica , Tonkin Matthew
Published: May 2015

A systematic review of the reasons why detained adult offenders fail to attend or successfully complete treatment programme(s) was conducted. An initial search of the literature identified 2,827 articles, which following evaluation against explicit inclusion/exclusion criteria and a quality assessment was reduced to 13 studies. Extracted data from the 13 studies were synthesised using a qualitative approach. Despite the 13 studies being heterogeneous in design, there was consensus on the reasons offenders gave for completion/noncompletion of treatment. The majority were consistent with the factors outlined in the Multifactor Offender Readiness Model (MORM) and included a perceived lack of self-efficacy, negative perceptions of treatment, staff and peers, an inability to regulate emotions, and a lack of perceived choice and control. A lack of opportunity to engage in established, professionally run, groups, as well as perceived inadequate support from members of staff, was also associated with poor engagement and noncompletion of treatment.