bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High School Transfer Students and the Transition to College
Authors: Sutton April , Muller Chandra , Langenkamp Amy G.
Published: July 2012

The timing of a high school transfer may shape students’ transitions to college through its (mis)alignment with the structure of the school year. A transfer that occurs during the summer interrupts the four-year high school career, whereas a transfer that occurs midyear disrupts both the four-year high school career and the structure of the school year. Using the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS), the investigators find that the penalty suffered after the transfer depends on the degree to which students’ high school pathways synchronize with the curricular and extracurricular structure of the school year. Midyear transfer students appear to suffer the greatest postsecondary matriculation penalty. Students who transfer midyear are less likely to attend a four-year college compared with nontransfer and summer transfer students, whereas summer transfer students are less likely to attend a highly selective four-year college compared with their nontransfer counterparts. Curricular and extracurricular disruptions that transfer students experience after their school move explain some, but not all, of the negative associations observed between transferring and the transition to college. Directions for future research and the theoretical and policy implications of the results are discussed.
Forms of Government and Climate Change Policies in US Cities
Authors: Bae Jungah , Feiock Richard
Published: July 2012

It has long been believed that council-manager governments with professionally trained public managers are more efficiency oriented and insulated from political pressure than mayor-council governments. Despite the general acceptance of this conventional wisdom, empirical evidence to support the predicted differences in policy has been extremely hard to come by. Most studies have found no direct effect of form of government on expenditures or policy; the effect of local institutions has been indirect, working to amplify or reduce supplier or demander preferences. In contrast, this paper examines a unique dataset of sustainability efforts in governmental operations and the community, and reports evidence that forms of government are an important direct influence on the approach that communities take to sustainability. Council-manager government systems have a significant positive effect on efforts directed to governmental operations, but a negative effect on community efforts.
What the Science of Morality Doesn’t Say About Morality
Authors: Abend Gabriel
Published: July 2012

In this article I ask what recent moral psychology and neuroscience can and can’t claim to have discovered about morality. I argue that the object of study of much recent work is not morality but a particular kind of individual moral judgment. But this is a small and peculiar sample of morality. There are many things that are moral yet not moral judgments. There are also many things that are moral judgments yet not of that particular kind. If moral things are various and diverse, then empirical research about one kind of individual moral judgment doesn’t warrant theoretical conclusions about morality in general. If that kind of individual moral judgment is a peculiar and rare thing, then it is not obvious what it tells us about other moral things. What is more, it is not obvious what its theoretical importance is to begin with—that is, why we should care about it at all. In light of these arguments, I call for a pluralism of methods and objects of inquiry in the scientific investigation of morality, so that it transcends its problematic overemphasis on a particular kind of individual moral judgment.
Popper and Hayek on Reason and Tradition
Authors: Birner Jack
Published: July 2012

Karl Popper and Friedrich von Hayek became close friends soon after they first met in the early 1930s. Ever since, they discussed their ideas intensively on many occasions. But even though an analysis of the origins and contents of their ideas and correspondence reveals a number of important and fundamental differences, they rarely criticize each other in their published work. The article analyzes in particular the different ideas they have on the role of reason in society and on rationalism and the roots of these differences. Popper’s “Towards a Rational Theory of Tradition” of 1948 contains a criticism of Hayek’s idea—published, for instance, in “Individualism: True and False” of 1945—that we must accept tradition without trying to change it. An analysis of the differences between the two authors touches on topics such as the possibility of public intervention in society, the role of social science in this, the methodology of social science, and the differences between liberalism and social democracy. The article concludes with some possible explanations for Popper and Hayek downplaying their differences in public. The fact remains that they never resolved the tension between Popper’s critical rationalism and Hayek’s conservative rationalism.
The Dilemma of Thought Reform
Authors: Smith Aminda M.
Published: July 2012

This article explores the efforts of the early People’s Republic of China (PRC) to intern and reform beggars, prostitutes, and other socially marginalized individuals as important precursors to the post-1957 system of Reeducation through Labor. It links a case study of local practice in Beijing to central government discussions about policy formulation to trace a series of co-constituted changes in the practical methods associated with thought reform as well as in the way PRC reeducators perceived the nature of their targets. It argues that Reeducation through Labor, as moniker and practice, was forged through the many contradictions between real idealism and practical reality that were discussed, debated, but never entirely resolved by the earliest PRC reeducators.
A thin film micro-force sensor using double concentric circle optical fibre
Authors: Lu Yonghua , Lu Zhanhao , Jing Dongping
Published: July 2012

For the purpose of measuring µN- and mN-level micro-force, the optical reflection characteristics of a circular thin film are utilized to develop a micro-force sensor and double concentric circle fibres are used to measure the micro-force. This paper focuses on the relation between the output parameters of the system, namely the voltage ratio of the two receiving fibres, and the micro-force, the diameter, the thickness and the materials of the thin film, as well as the displacement between the fibre probe and the film. A measurement platform has been set-up and a large number of experiments have been conducted to determine the relationship between the voltage ratio and the micro-force, the diameter and the thickness of the thin film by using a least square exponential fitting algorithm. Furthermore, the errors between the calculating values from the fitting equation and the experimental values are obtained and analysed, which supports the conclusion that when the micro-force is in the range of 0–10 mN, the equation can be used to measure the micro-force with the resolution of 10 µN in the error range of −1.5%–+2.5%, and an automatic measurement process is realized.
Immunohistochemical Characterization of Spontaneous and Acrylonitrile-induced Brain Tumors in the Rat
Authors: Kolenda-Roberts Holly Meredith , Harris Nancy , Singletary Emily , Hardisty Jerry F.
Published: July 2012

Twenty-eight spontaneously occurring glial tumors (previously diagnosed as astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and gliomas) and eleven granular cell tumors (GCTs) were selected for evaluation using a panel of immunohistochemistry (IHC) stains ( Ricinus communis agglutinin type 1 [RCA-1], ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 [Iba-1], OX-6/major immunohistocompatibility complex class II, oligodendrocytes transcription factor 2 [Olig2], glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], S100 beta, glutamine synthetase, neurofilament, proliferating cell nuclear antigen). In addition, nine brain tumors from a 2-year drinking water study for acrylonitrile were obtained from the Acrylonitrile Group, Inc. Based on IHC staining characteristics, Olig2+ oligodendrogliomas were the most commonly diagnosed spontaneous tumor in these animals. Many of the spontaneous tumors previously diagnosed as astrocytomas were RCA-1+, Iba-1+ and negative for GFAP, S100beta, and glutamine synthetase; the diagnosis of malignant microglial tumor is proposed for these neoplasms. Three mixed tumors were identified with Olig2+ (oligodendrocytes) and Iba-1+ (macrophage/microglia) cell populations. The term mixed glioma is not recommended for these tumors, as it is generally used to refer to oligoastrocytomas, which were not observed in this study. GCT were positive for RCA-1 and Iba-1. All acrylonitrile tumors were identified as malignant microglial tumors. These results may indicate that oligodendrogliomas are more common as spontaneous tumors, while acrylonitrile-induced neoplasms are microglial/histiocytic in origin. No astrocytomas (GFAP, S100 beta, and/or glutamine synthetase-positive neoplasms) were observed.
Regulatory Forum Opinion Piece*
Authors: Ochoa Ricardo
Published: July 2012

Adding a few animals to a toxicology study in order to document whether any lesions observed are reversible and at what level is a common practice but it is often unjustified, as most of the findings observed, particularly in the early stages of drug development, are easily categorized in regard to reversibility potential. The scientific application of all knowledge regarding the compound and the lesion in question is necessary to develop specific studies to address reversibility when this is a necessary step.
Factors Influencing the Health Care Expenditures of Patients with Laryngeal Disorders
Authors: Cohen Seth M. , Kim Jaewhan , Roy Nelson , Asche Carl , Courey Mark
Published: July 2012

Objective

To identify factors related to the health care spending of patients with laryngeal disorders.

Study Design and Setting

Retrospective analysis of data from a large, nationally representative administrative US claims database.

Subjects and Methods

Patients with a laryngeal disorder based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2008, and who were continuously enrolled for 12 months were included. Age, sex, comorbidity, geography, provider type, visit type, and type of laryngeal pathology were collected. To identify which factors were related to the direct costs, a generalized linear regression with gamma distribution was used.

Results

Of almost 55 million individuals in the database, 309,300 patients with a laryngeal disorder and 12 months of follow‐up data were identified (mean [SD] age, 47.3 [21.3] years; 63.5% female). Age, sex, geographic region, number of comorbid conditions, type of provider, visit type, and laryngeal pathology were significantly associated with the health care expenditures (all P values <.05). Costs increased with increasing age and were greater for male patients, higher in the South and Northeast compared with the West and North‐central regions, greater in 2008 compared with 2004, higher for inpatient compared with outpatient care, higher with increasing number of comorbid conditions, and lower if a patient was treated by a primary care physician only. Among the various laryngeal pathologies, the greatest direct costs were for laryngeal cancer and patients with multiple diagnoses.

Conclusion

This study identified multiple factors associated with the health care expenditures of patients with laryngeal disorders.
Why Do Patients Derogate Physicians Who Use a Computer-Based Diagnostic Support System?
Authors: Shaffer Victoria A. , Probst C. Adam , Merkle Edgar C. , Arkes Hal R. , Medow Mitchell A.
Published: July 2012

Objective. To better understand 1) why patients have a negative perception of the use of computerized clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) and 2) what contributes to the documented heterogeneity in the evaluations of physicians who use a CDSS. Methods. Three vignette-based studies examined whether negative perceptions stemmed directly from the use of a computerized decision aid or the need to seek external advice more broadly (experiment 1) and investigated the contributing role of 2 individual difference measures, attitudes toward statistics (ATS; experiment 2) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC; experiment 3), to these findings. Results. A physician described as making an unaided diagnosis was rated significantly more positively on a number of attributes than a physician using a computerized decision aid but not a physician who sought the advice of an expert colleague (experiment 1). ATS were unrelated to perceptions of decision aid use (experiment 2); however, greater internal locus of control was associated with more positive feelings about unaided care and more negative feelings about care when a decision aid was used (experiment 3). Conclusion. Negative perceptions of computerized decision aid use may not be a product of the need to seek external advice more generally but may instead be specific to the use of a nonhuman tool and may be associated with individual differences in locus of control. Together, these 3 studies may be used to guide education efforts for patients.
The high-velocity impact response of thermoplastic–matrix fibre–metal laminates
Authors: Abdullah Mohamed R , Cantwell Wesley J
Published: July 2012

The high-velocity impact response of fibre metal laminates based on a woven polypropylene fibre reinforced polypropylene, termed a self-reinforced polypropylene, and a glass reinforced polypropylene has been investigated. Two types of aluminium alloy were considered, these being the 2024-O and 2024-T3 alloys. Tests on these composite–metal hybrids were undertaken using a gas gun over a wide range of incident impact energies. In this study, attention focused specifically on the perforation threshold. Following impact, the fracture mechanisms in the two types of fibre metal laminates were elucidated by sectioning and polishing samples through the point of impact and also by measuring the residual deformation of the hybrid plates. Cross-sections of the failed samples highlighted significant plasticity within the volume of these hybrid materials, indicating that considerable energy had been absorbed in plastically deforming the aluminium and composite plies. The impact resistances of the various laminates were compared by determining their specific perforation energies. Here, it was shown that fibre metal laminates based on the glass reinforced polypropylene composite offer a slightly higher perforation resistance than the self-reinforced polypropylene fibre metal laminates. Also, the fibre metal laminates based on the stronger 2024-T3 alloy out-performed their 2024-O counterparts. Finally, the perforation resistances of the fibre metal laminates were predicted using the previously reported Reid–Wen impact perforation model. Good agreement was observed between this impact model and the measured experimental data.
An approach to the validation of computational solid mechanics models for strain analysis
Authors: Sebastian Christopher , Hack Erwin , Patterson Eann
Published: July 2012

The need to provide strong evidence of the validity of predictions from computational solid mechanics models used in engineering design decisions is discussed. A new procedure is proposed, based on image decomposition, for reducing the dimensionality of strain field data from models and experiments and then comparing the resultant feature vectors via a simple linear correlation in which validation is deemed to be achieved when the coordinate pairs from the two feature vectors lie within a scatter band defined by the minimum measurement uncertainty. The procedure is illustrated by some simple examples that allow the advantages and drawbacks of the approach to be highlighted. It is anticipated that the procedure could become part of a corporate plan or regulatory process for verification and validation of computational solid mechanics models.
Outcomes of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in Study of the Treatment of Articular Repair (STAR) Patients With Osteochondritis Dissecans
Authors: Cole Brian J. , DeBerardino Thomas , Brewster Robert , Farr Jack , Levine David W. , Nissen Carl , Roaf Prudence , Zaslav Kenneth
Published: July 2012

Background:

This is an analysis of the prospective Study of the Treatment of Articular Repair (STAR) to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in a subset of adult patients with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) knee lesions.

Hypothesis:

Autologous chondrocyte implantation can improve clinical outcomes in patients with at least 1 chronic OCD lesion of the knee who failed a previous non-ACI cartilage repair treatment.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Forty patients with at least one failed non-ACI treatment for an OCD knee lesion received ACI in a multicenter study. The modified Cincinnati Knee Rating System, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) were used to assess patient outcomes at baseline and periodically to 48 months. Treatment failures, serious adverse events, and subsequent surgical procedures were recorded.

Results:

Thirty-two (80%) patients completed the 48-month study. Autologous chondrocyte implantation treatment was successful in 85% of patients. Mean (± standard deviation) overall knee condition score (modified Cincinnati) was 3.1 ± 1.1 at baseline and 6.8 ± 2.0 at month 48. Clinically and statistically significant ( P < .001) mean improvements from baseline to month 48 for the KOOS were as follows: 51.5 to 79.5 (pain), 54.8 to 77.9 (symptoms), 27.5 to 63.6 (sports and recreation ability), 63.5 to 86.7 (activities of daily living), and 21.9 to 59.6 (knee-related quality of life). The mean improvement ( P < .001) in overall health assessed by the SF-36 was 35.4 to 45.5. Thirty-five percent (n = 14/40) of patients had a subsequent surgical procedure, most frequently debridement of the cartilage lesion. Treatment failure occurred in 6 of 32 (19%) patients.

Conclusion:

Patients with OCD of the knee had statistically significant pain reduction and functional improvement for up to 48 months after ACI, despite the complexity and severity of the osteochondral lesions.
The Biomechanical and Histologic Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Rat Rotator Cuff Repairs
Authors: Beck Jennifer , Evans Douglas , Tonino Pietro M. , Yong Sherri , Callaci John J.
Published: July 2012

Background:

Rotator cuff tears are common injuries that are often treated with surgical repair. Because of the high concentration of growth factors within platelets, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has the potential to enhance healing in rotator cuff repairs.

Hypothesis:

Platelet-rich plasma would alter the biomechanical and histologic properties of rotator cuff repair during an acute injury response.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Platelet-rich plasma was produced from inbred donor rats. A tendon-from-bone supraspinatus tear was created surgically and an immediate transosseous repair performed. The control group underwent repair only. The PRP group underwent a repair with PRP augmentation. Rats in each group were sacrificed at 7, 14, and 21 days. The surgically repaired tendons underwent biomechanical testing, including failure load, stiffness, failure strain, and stress relaxation characteristics. Histological analysis evaluated the cellular characteristics of the repair tissue.

Results:

At 7- and 21-day periods, augmentation with PRP showed statistically significant effects on the biomechanical properties of the repaired rat supraspinatus tear, but failure load was not increased at the 7-, 14-, or 21-day periods ( P = .688, .209, and .477, respectively). The control group had significantly higher stiffness at 21 days ( P = .006). The control group had higher failure strain at 7 days ( P = .02), whereas the PRP group had higher failure strain at 21 days ( P = .008). Histologically, the PRP group showed increased fibroblastic response and vascular proliferation at each time point. At 21 days, the collagen fibers in the PRP group were oriented in a more linear fashion toward the tendon footprint.

Conclusion:

In this controlled, rat model study, PRP altered the tissue properties of the supraspinatus tendon without affecting the construct’s failure load.

Clinical Relevance:

The decreased tendon tissue stiffness acutely and failure to enhance tendon-to-bone healing of repairs should be considered before augmenting rotator cuff repairs with PRP. Further studies will be necessary to determine the role of PRP in clinical practice.
Work–Life Balance Support in the Public Sector in Europe
Authors: den Dulk Laura , Groeneveld Sandra
Published: July 2012

This article examines the level of support for the integration of paid work and personal life (work–life balance [WLB] support) in public sector organizations in Europe. Data of the Establishment Survey on Working Time and Work-Life Balance 2004-2005 (ESWT) is used to analyze the supportiveness of public sector organizations within and between countries. So far, little attention has been paid to variation within the public sector and whether and to what degree this is related to institutional and economic drivers. The results suggest that institutional pressure is the most important driver for public sector organizations to offer WLB support to their employees: State support in a country has a positive relationship with WLB support in public organizations, in particular for public administration organizations. Little evidence for the relevance of economic drivers was found despite the introduction of new public management (NPM)-style reforms in the public sector.
Bone Dry in Texas
Authors: Schmidt Deanna Harlene , Garland Kathleen A.
Published: July 2012

The Upper Texas Gulf Coast is vulnerable to weather-related hazards including drought. Climate change is likely to increase losses and reduce supplies of freshwater during drought. Resilience, briefly defined as the ability to reduce vulnerability, to drought is crucial to coastal communities. This article examines drought, reviews the resilience literature, analyzes one community’s efforts to address drought through their water resource management plans and their comprehensive plan, and concludes with a discussion regarding how resilience thinking can assist planners and their communities. First, resilience thinking facilitates the development of built environments that absorb change and persist. Second, resilience thinking encourages planners to keep options open across sectors and scales. Finally, resilience concepts can assist planners as they make decisions with limited knowledge.
Synergistic effect of SiO2, ZnO and nanoclay on mechanical and thermal properties of wood polymer nanocomposite
Authors: Deka Biplab K , Baishya Prasanta , Maji Tarun K
Published: July 2012

Wood polymer composite (WPC) was prepared using solution-blended high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), wood flour (WF) and polyethylene- co-glycidyl methacrylate (PE- co-GMA). The effect of nanoclay, SiO2 and ZnO addition on the properties of the composite was examined. The distribution of silicate layers, SiO2 and ZnO nanopowder was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The improvement in miscibility among polymers was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) studies reveal the interaction between polymer, wood, clay, SiO2 and ZnO. WPC treated with 3 phr each of clay, SiO2 and ZnO showed an improvement in mechanical properties, thermal stability and a decrease in water uptake capacity.
Tribological properties of short carbon/PA/PTFE hybrid composites under dry sliding conditions
Authors: Wei Ruiyan
Published: July 2012

This article presents a study of the tribological properties of short carbon/polyamide (PA)/polytetrafluoroethylene hybrid composites. Their wear rate and the coefficient of friction were examined as a function of operating conditions (load and sliding distance) under dry and lubricated conditions. In addition, the hybrid composites with varying carbon to PA volume ratio were tested to assess hybrid effects. It was found that the friction and wear rate decreased with sliding distance and then leveled off under dry sliding conditions. Different changing patterns with normal load were observed under dry sliding conditions. Furthermore, it was noted that the hybrid effects on the wear resistance and the friction coefficient were identified for the current hybrid system. The composite with a carbon fiber content of 30 vol% was found to have the least wear and friction among all hybrid composites studied. Worn surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscope and wear mechanisms were discussed in this study.
Crystallinity, mechanical property and oxygen permeability of polypropylene
Authors: Mittal Vikas
Published: July 2012

The effect of processing conditions, nucleating agent and compatibilizer on the crystallinity, mechanical property and oxygen permeability of polypropylene was studied using differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and universal tensile testing. The as received polymer had much lower extent of crystallinity, which was enhanced to 58% by the processing and molding using either slow cooling or fast cooling conditions. Although the overall crystallinity was not affected by the rate of cooling, the crystallization behavior was, however, affected as indicated by different onset and peak crystallization temperatures as well as different crystallite sizes indicated by the differences in oxygen permeation and mechanical performance of the polymer. Nucleating agent further enhanced the extent of crystallinity (crystal plane peaks were shifted and broadened) and tensile modulus, but the polymer was observed to become brittle and had higher gas permeation through it. The compatibilizer, on the other hand, reduced the tensile modulus, but enhanced the yield strain owing to matrix plasticization and retained the similar oxygen permeation as the polymer. The temperature used during processing also affected the oxygen permeation and mechanical property as the high temperature may induce partial polymer degradation resulting in the reduction of molecular weight and deteriorated properties.
The effect of γ-irradiation on thermal behavior of composites based on nanosilica and 4-chloro-3-nitro-2H-chromen- 2-one-modified urea–formaldehyde
Authors: Jovanović Vojislav , Samaržija-Jovanović Suzana , Dekić Biljana , Dekić Vidoslav , Marinović-Cincović Milena , Marković Gordana , Konstaninović Sandra
Published: July 2012

Two types of nanosilica-based urea–formaldehyde (UF) hybrid materials with formaldehyde to urea (F/U) ratio (0.8) were synthesized without (UF + SiO2) and with coumarin (4-chloro-3-nitro-2 H-chromen-2-one). Obtained composites have been irradiated (50 kGy) and their radiation stability was evaluated on the basis of thermal behavior before and after irradiation. The thermal properties of materials were studied by nonisothermal thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal gravimetry, differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry supported by data from infrared spectroscopy. The free formaldehyde percentage was determined for all prepared samples. The shift of temperature values for selected mass loss to a high temperature indicates the increase in thermal stability of materials with coumarin after γ-irradiation. The free formaldehyde percentage was reduced after irradiation from 15% to 3% for sample without coumarin and from 7% to 4% for sample with coumarin. The asymmetric stretching vibrations of –N–CH2–N– absorption band and νas(Si–O) of siloxane or silicone in FTIR spectra of irradiated coumarin compound are shifted to higher wave number values and confirmed its higher thermal stability.
Effect of nanoclay on the thermal properties of compatibilized ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer/high-density polyethylene blends
Authors: Rajan Atul , Upadhyaya Pradeep , Chand Navin , Kumar Vijai
Published: July 2012

The ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), compatibilizer (maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene (MA- g-PE)) and organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) clays were added in different sequences in a corotating twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. Montmorillonite clay was modified by octadecylamine and aminopropyltriethoxysilane to make it organophilic. The thermal behavior was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The influence of blending HDPE with EVA on the thermal properties of EVA/HDPE blends was investigated. The effect of MA- g-PE and nanoclay on the thermal properties of EVA/HDPE blend and modified EVA/HDPE blends, respectively, were also investigated. The blends show two distinct unchanged melting peaks corresponding to the individual components of the blend. The addition of nanoclay improves the thermal properties of nanocomposites. The results of DSC behavior of the nanocomposites indicate that melting temperature ( Tm) and melting enthalpy (Δ Hm) of the HDPE phase of the nanocomposites are lower than those of the neat EVA/HDPE blend. Although crystallization temperature ( Tc) of the nanocomposites is higher than the neat EVA/HDPE blend, it is observed that the incorporation of 4 phr clay loading into nanocomposites improves the thermal stability.
Preparation of aliphatic polypyromellitimide particles by polycondensation of nylon-salt-type monomers derived from aliphatic diamines with diethyl pyromellitate in ethylene glycol
Authors: Watanabe Shinji , Wakino Akira , Namikoshi Takeshi , Murata Miki
Published: July 2012

Polycondensations of nylon-salt-type monomers composed with diethyl pyromellitate and aliphatic diamines with various methylene lengths were performed at 130 °C in ethylene glycol to afford flower-like particles. Before the polycondensation, the salt monomer solution was homogenous. As the polycondensation proceeded, the solution became turbid and polyimide particles grew to around 15 µm in 8 h. Further polycondensation broke the particles into small pieces. The polyimide particles showed the distinctive odd-even effect of the methylene chain of diamine in both inherent viscosity and crystallinity. The polyimide particles using diamine with even-methylene length had higher crystallinity and lower inherent viscosity than those using diamine with odd-methylene length.
Numerical modelling of a low Reynolds number plunging airfoil flow field characteristics
Authors: Amiralaei Mohammad Reza , Alighanbari Hekmat , Hashemi Seyed Mohammad
Published: July 2012

Complex viscous mechanisms such as leading edge vortices play a dominant role in the generation of instantaneous force and moment in low Reynolds number flows. The dependence of the corresponding fluid flow characteristics on the governing flow and system parameters in unsteady motions, e.g. plunging, adds to the inherent complexity of the problem. The respective fluid dynamics of such a flow is investigated here via computational fluid dynamics based on a finite volume method. The governing equations are the unsteady, incompressible two-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations. The flow field and vortical patterns around a thin ellipsoidal plunging airfoil are examined in detail with and without freestream velocity, and the effects of Reynolds and Strouhal numbers on the flow characteristics are explored. It is shown that both Reynolds and Strouhal numbers increase the aerodynamic performance in nonzero freestream velocity simulations. Increasing Reynolds and Strouhal numbers causes the airfoil to generate thrust for some time intervals of the plunging period. This thrust generation is penalized with higher peaks of drag coefficient when Strouhal number increases. However, the same penalty in the Reynolds number effect simulations is negligible compared to that of the Strouhal number effects. Increasing Strouhal number causes the airfoil to experience negative pitching moment with higher peak values for longer time intervals, but Reynolds number does not change the time at which negative pitching moment is exerted on the airfoil, but the peaks of pitching moment depend on the governing Reynolds number. The lift coefficient changes noticeably versus Strouhal number, where there is significant lead/lag at the peak lift coefficient for zero-freestream velocity simulations. Reynolds number effects on the lift coefficients mostly occur around the time at which the peak lift coefficient is obtained for both zero and nonzero freestream velocity cases. All of these effects are caused by the complex vortical patterns around the airfoil, described throughout the present article.
Robust fault detection and isolation of hybrid systems with uncertain parameters
Authors: Ghoshal Sanjoy K , Samanta Subrata , Samantaray Arun K
Published: July 2012

This article addresses a robust fault detection and isolation procedure which is applicable for a hybrid system undergoing discrete mode changes. Global analytical redundancy relations, which may undergo change in their structure depending on the switched mode, are derived from the diagnostic hybrid bond graph model of the system. For fault detection and isolation analysis, the residuals, evaluated at every instant from the global analytical redundancy relations, are tested against adaptive thresholds which are changed with mode shift and variation of states, but not changed due to any fault. The parametric uncertainties are included in the diagnostic hybrid bond graph through the linear fractional transformation approach and the adaptive thresholds are obtained from the modified diagnostic hybrid bond graph model. The residuals are made robust in a sense that these would always remain within the upper and lower threshold bound for any perturbation except fault occurrence. For application of the robust fault detection and isolation analysis, a hybrid thermo-fluid system is selected whose behavioural evolution combines both discrete as well as continuous changes of states. It is shown through simulation that with parameter uncertainties in a hybrid system subject to frequent mode shift, robust fault detection and isolation is successfully achieved using the passive approach. The novelty of this work lies in the integration of the model-based diagnosis principle for hybrid systems with the approach for robust residual threshold generation for systems having uncertain parameters.
Nonlinear iterative learning control applied to an aerostatic X–Y planar motion stage
Authors: Yu Dongdong , Yang Kaiming , Zhu Yu , Li Xin , Cui Leqing
Published: July 2012

The planar motion stage with multiple degrees of freedom, positioning in large travel ranges, has been widely used in high-accuracy applications such as semiconductor fabrication equipment and advanced scientific instruments. To achieve precision motion control, iterative learning control has been regarded as an effective means. However, linear iterative learning control techniques attenuate recurring disturbances while amplifying the non-recurring, suffering a fixed trade-off between convergence rates and noise amplification. In the present paper, an amplitude-based nonlinear iterative learning control is proposed with learning gain continuously updated to improve the control performance of the planar motion stage. For error levels beyond a predefined threshold, additional learning gain will be effectively used to diminish the low-frequency tracking error. Below the threshold, the original low gain value is maintained to avoid high-frequency noise amplification. Performance assessment on the developed non-contact planar motion stage shows that the amplitude-based nonlinear iterative learning strategy can realize a remarkable performance which includes micrometer positioning over large travel ranges, and provides a more desirable means to deal with the convergence rate and noise amplification.
Trends in Hospice Referral and Length of Stay at a Veterans Hospital Over the Past Decade
Authors: Tang Victoria L. , French Christopher J. , Cipher Daisha J. , Rastogi Padmashri
Published: July 2012

Introduction:

Hospice decreases the fear of dying alone, reduces the agony of death, and helps in maintaining dignity at the end of life. Physicians are encouraged to offer hospice to terminally ill patients early on in their end-of-life care to maximize these benefits. However, there is limited data on the changes and characteristics of hospice utilization. We performed a study to determine the changes in the hospice utilization over the last decade in our hospital.

Methods:

A chart review of all veterans referred to hospice during the years 2001 and 2010 was performed and subsequently analyzed. Analyses were performed with SPSS 19.0 for Windows.

Results:

Referral to hospice increased significantly but the duration of stay did not change in 2010 in comparison with 2001. Factors associated with increased length of stay were full-code status, receiving hospice at home, hospitalization during enrollment in hospice, referral to hospice by oncologist, and a diagnosis of cancer.

Conclusion:

Hospice referrals need to be considered earlier in their disease process for terminally ill patients. In addition, requirement of a do-not-resuscitate order as a condition for hospice at some agencies needs to be revisited, and patients should not be discouraged to seek treatment for reversible medical conditions even when enrolled in hospice.
A two-level strain smoothing regularized meshfree approach with stabilized conforming nodal integration for elastic damage analysis
Authors: Wang Dongdong , Li Zhuoya
Published: July 2012

A two-level strain smoothing regularized meshfree formulation with stabilized conforming nodal integration is proposed for elastic damage analysis. This method is furnished by the non-local strain smoothing operation defined within a nodal representative domain. The one-level and two-level smoothing strain measures and the related smoothed nodal gradients of meshfree shape function are consistently formulated by selecting different kernel functions in the non-local operation. It is shown that both one-level and two-level smoothed nodal gradients of meshfree shape function can exactly meet the linear reproducing conditions and this provides a theoretical foundation for the employment of the smoothed nodal gradients in Galerkin meshfree formulation. Within the assumed strain framework, a regularized Galerkin meshfree method using the two-level smoothing strain measure is presented to deal with the dicretization sensitivity issue associated with the strain softening of elastic damage analysis. The discrete formulation is fulfilled by the nodal integration with the two-level smoothed nodal gradients of meshfree shape function. Numerical results of typical elastic damage examples evince that the proposed regularized meshfree method can effectively resolve the discretization sensitivity problem.
Counseling Adult Adoptees
Authors: Corder Kate
Published: July 2012

This review presents various resources about working with adult adoptees in order to inform counselors in their practice. Topics covered include basics of adoption, including types of adoption and adoption statistics; possible issues adult adoptees may face; and suggestions and implications for counselors. The article addresses some of the serious emotional and psychological issues the adult adoptee can bring to the counseling relationship. Also included is a discussion of the search process for birthparents and the counselor’s possible role in this process.
Müllerian Adenosarcoma Arising in a Subserosal Adenomyoma
Authors: Elshafie Mona , Rahimi Siavash , Ganesan Raji , Hirschowitz Lynn
Published: July 2012

Müllerian adenosarcomas most commonly arise in the uterine corpus from the eutopic endometrium. Occasionally, they arise in the cervix, vagina, broad and round ligaments, and ovaries and rarely in extragenital sites, usually in association with endometriosis. The authors report a rare case of extraendometrial, intramural adenosarcoma of low grade arising from a subserosal adenomyoma in a 46-year-old woman who presented with vaginal bleeding. No evidence of eutopic endometrial origin was identified; the adenosarcoma showed only limited myometrial invasion and no serosal involvement. Because of its subserosal location, the tumor would be overstaged as IC (deeply myoinvasive) in the new FIGO staging system. Stage IC tumors would normally be considered for adjuvant treatment, which would be inappropriate in this case. To avoid overstaging and inappropriate treatment, it is important to recognize that adenosarcoma can, rarely, arise in adenomyomas (or adenomyosis).
Psychometric Development of the Iceland-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire (ICE-FPSQ)
Authors: Sveinbjarnardottir Eydis K. , Svavarsdottir Erla Kolbrun , Hrafnkelsson Birgir
Published: July 2012

Valid and reliable instruments are needed to measure how family members perceive support from nurses when a family member is experiencing serious illness. The purpose of this article is to describe the development and psychometric testing of a new instrument, the Iceland-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire (ICE-FPSQ). The concepts in the original version of the ICE-FPSQ (suggesting 24 items and 4 categories) were developed from the Calgary Family Intervention Model. In the first phase of the instrument construction, 179 family members answered the original ICE-FPSQ, and 236 answered the questionnaire in the second phase of testing. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced the original questionnaire to 21 items. Cronbach’s α = .959 explained 68% of the total variance, with three factors emerging: (a) emotional support (α = .925), (b) recognition of families’ strengths (α = .926), and (c) cognitive support (α = .841). Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) resulted in a final version of the questionnaire containing 14 items with total alpha of .961 and two factors: (a) cognitive support (α = .881) and (b) emotional support (α = .952). The instrument measures family’s perceptions of support provided by nurses and will be helpful in examining the usefulness of family nursing interventions.
Semi-active fuzzy control for seismic response reduction of building frames using variable orifice dampers subjected to near-fault earthquakes
Authors: Ghaffarzadeh Hossein , Dehrod Ebrahim Alizadeh , Talebian Nima
Published: July 2012

In this paper, a fuzzy-rule-based semi-active control of building frames using semi-active variable orifice dampers (VODs) is presented. Additionally, the consequences of well-known characteristics of near-fault ground motions, forward directivity and fling step, on the seismic response control is investigated. The membership functions and fuzzy rules of the fuzzy controller were optimized by genetic algorithm. To illustrate the efficiency of the proposed fuzzy controller strategy in application and effects of near-fault ground motions, numerical simulation for a 10-story building frame equipped with VODs is presented. The VODs are installed in all storeys to prevent damage to the structure from severe earthquakes. The controlled response of the frame was compared with results obtained by controlling the frame by the classical clipped-optimal control method based on linear quadratic regulator theory. Results revealed that the fuzzy logic controller is capable of improving the structural responses and VODs are promising for reducing seismic responses during near-fault earthquakes.
Suicidal Behaviors in Adolescents With ADHD
Authors: Daviss W. Burleson , Diler Rasim S.
Published: July 2012

Objective: To examine potential predictors of lifetime suicidal behaviors (SBs) in adolescents with ADHD. Method: Participants were 101 adolescents with ADHD aged 11 to 18 years, evaluated for lifetime SB and psychopathology with semistructured interviews, and for lifetime trauma exposure, parent–child conflict, ADHD symptoms, and functional impairment with child, parent, and teacher ratings. Results: Controlling for the effects of age, female sex, and comorbid depressive and other disorders, lifetime SB ( n = 28) remained significantly associated ( p = .001) with parent–child conflict, and to a lesser extent ( p < .05) with impairment in nonacademic domains of function and breadth of exposure to victimization events. Measures related to past and current ADHD symptoms and signs were not associated with lifetime SB. Conclusion: Apart from depression, clinicians should pay particular attention to parent–child conflict, victimization trauma, and social impairment rather than levels of ADHD symptoms when weighing the likelihood of SB in youth with ADHD.
A Methodology for Estimating and Comparing the Lifecycles of High-Build and Conventional Waterborne Pavement Markings on Primary and Secondary Roads in South Carolina
Authors: Robertson Joseph , Sarasua Wayne , Johnson Joshua , Davis William
Published: July 2012

Highway pavement markings constitute a vital component in roadway transportation systems and provide crucial visual cues for drivers to follow the road. In 2008, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) initiated a study to evaluate pavement markings on noninterstate primary and secondary roads in South Carolina. This article discusses development of a method for estimating and comparing the lifecycles of high-build waterborne and conventional waterborne pavement markings based on retroreflectivity levels. The method was developed using nearly 3 years of field data from 66 sites throughout South Carolina. The article provides an overview of data collection and analysis methods employed in model development. The analysis indicates that high-build markings are predicted to considerably outlast waterborne markings and are also more cost-effective, based on cost per linear foot per year, for two-way Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) volume levels up to 2,000 vehicles per day.
Spillover from Complimentary Item-Based Promotions
Authors: Lee Seul Ki , Jang SooCheong (Shawn)
Published: July 2012

Studies to date on the effectiveness of compliment-based promotion by U.S. casinos have frequently found insignificant effect of such promotion on casino revenues. Yet complimentary offers remain the main marketing strategy practiced by the industry. The authors suspect that demand spillover exists among casinos in a market, which causes a spurious relationship. Thus, the current study examines the effects of compliment expenditures on casino demand after accounting for spatial spillover effects. Results of the spatial panel Durbin model analysis suggest that popular complimentary offers, such as rooms, food, and beverages, lead to fierce competition that can be harmful to the entire market. Contrarily, less-used travel reimbursement, bus programs, and free parking help attract new players to the market. Implications for the industry and suggestions for future research are provided with the findings of the study.
Social network position mediates the effect of education on active political party membership
Authors: Persson Mikael
Published: July 2012

Research has shown that education is positively correlated with political party membership at the individual level. It is thus puzzling that increased education at the aggregated level in most Western countries has not resulted in an aggregate increase in levels of party membership. One explanation for this paradox is provided by the sorting model of education, according to which there is no direct effect of education on political participation; education affects individuals’ social network positions, which in turn affects political participation. Prior research on the sorting model has focused on the observable predictions derived from the model. The hypothesized causal mechanism, i.e. social network position, has not been sufficiently tested. This article employs Swedish data with comprehensive measures of social relations and utilizes structural equation modelling to test the hypothesized causal relationship. The results confirm that social network position mediates the effect of education on active political party membership.