bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Climatology of Operational Storm-Based Warnings: A Geospatial Analysis
Authors: Harrison David R. , Karstens Christopher D.
Published: October 2016

This study provides a quantitative climatological analysis of the fundamental geospatial components of storm-based warnings and offers insight into how the National Weather Service (NWS) uses the current storm-based warning system under the established directives and policies. From October 2007 through May 2016, the NWS issued over 500 000 storm-based warnings and severe weather statements (SVSs), primarily concentrated east of the Rocky Mountains. A geospatial analysis of these warning counts by county warning area (CWA) shows local maxima in the lower Mississippi valley, southern plains, central plains, and the southern Appalachians. Regional uniformity exists in the patterns of average speed and direction provided by the time/motion/location tags, while the mean duration and polygon area varies significantly by CWA and region. These observed consistencies and inconsistencies may be indicative of how local weather forecast office (WFO) policy and end-user needs factor into the warning issuance and update process. This research concludes with a comparison of storm-based warnings to NWS policy and an analysis of CWAs with the greatest number of warnings issued during a single convective day.
Application-Based Hearing Screening in the Elderly Population
Authors: Livshitz Leonid , Ghanayim Reem , Kraus Carmi , Farah Raymond , Even-Tov Ella , Avraham Yaniv , Sharabi-Nov Adi , Gilbey Peter
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

The effects of age-related hearing loss are severe. Early detection is essential for maximum benefit. However, most hearing-impaired adults delay obtaining treatment. Diagnostic hearing testing at an appropriate facility is impractical, and new methods for screening audiometry aim to provide easy access for patients and reliable outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of application-based hearing screening in an elderly population.

Methods:

The uHear application was downloaded to an iPad. Application-based hearing screening was performed in a non-soundproofed quiet room, and subsequently all participants underwent full diagnostic audiometry in a soundproof booth.

Results:

Sixty patients were recruited and completed both tests. Significant differences were observed between the hearing results obtained with the application and the standard audiogram at all frequencies and in both ears. Following subtraction of a constant factor of 25 dB from the application-based results in order to compensate for ambient noise, no significant differences in pure tone average were found between the 2 methods.

Conclusions:

The uHear application is inaccurate in assessing hearing thresholds for screening in the elderly. However, when site-specifically corrected, the uHear application may be used as a screening tool for hearing loss in an elderly population.
Impact of a Multidisciplinary Round Visit for the Management of Dysphagia Utilizing a Wi-Fi–Based Wireless Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing
Authors: Sakakura Koichi , Tazawa Masayuki , Otani Natsuko , Takagi Masato , Morita Mariko , Kurosaki Minori , Chiyoda Tomoko , Kanai Yuri , Endo Ayaka , Murata Takaaki , Shino Masato , Yokobori Yuki , Shirakura Kenji , Wada Naoki , Chikamatsu Kazuaki
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

The management of dysphagia requires a multidisciplinary approach, especially in large-scale hospitals. We introduce a novel protocol using a Wi-Fi–based flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) system and aim to verify its effectiveness in evaluation and rehabilitation of inpatients with dysphagia.

Method:

We conducted novel Wi-Fi–based FEES at the bedside using 3 iPads as monitors and recorders. Functional outcomes of swallowing in 2 different hospitals for acute care with conventional wired or wireless FEES were compared retrospectively.

Results:

Using the wireless system, we could visit more patients in a short period of time. Furthermore, a large multidisciplinary team was able to be present at the bedside, which made it easy to hold discussions and rapidly devise appropriate rehabilitation strategies. Aspiration pneumonia recurred in a few cases following our intervention with wireless FEES. Functional oral intake score was significantly increased following the intervention. Moreover, the number of deaths during hospitalization using wireless FEES evaluation was lower than those observed using the conventional system.

Conclusion:

Wi-Fi–based wireless FEES system, the first of its kind, allowed our multidisciplinary team to easily and effectively assess inpatients with dysphagia by facilitating simple examinations and intensive transprofessional discussions for patient rehabilitation.
The Utility of the MAUDE Database for Osseointegrated Auditory Implants
Authors: Coelho Daniel H. , Tampio Alex J.
Published: October 2016

Objective:

To determine the utility of Manufacturer and User Friendly Device Experience (MAUDE) database in studying osseointegrated auditory implant (OAI)–related complications.

Methods:

The MAUDE database was searched for all reports involving OAIs (ie, Baha, Ponto, Sophono). Complications were classified into 1 or more of 6 categories—implant, abutment, processor, skin, surgery, and other. Subcategories were generated to prevent overgeneralization. Other variables recorded included date of report, number of complications per report, manufacturer, and time from complication to report.

Results:

Over the study period, there were 269 complications listed from 238 reports divided into the following categories: implant related (n = 145), abutment related (n = 16), processor related (n = 13), skin and soft tissue related (n = 79), surgery related (n = 11), and other (n = 5). No demographic data were available. There were no discernible trends from the data, and when compared to published literature, MAUDE data appear to under- or misrepresent complications.

Conclusion:

The MAUDE database is limited in its design and given fairly disparate reporting quality may not be ideally suited for quantifying risks of OAIs. These findings suggest the necessity for a substantially improved central registry for otologic implants and highlight the need for further research to investigate the root causes of their associated complication
Pain Management for Sickle Cell Disease in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Medications and Hospitalization Trends
Authors: Cacciotti Chantel , Vaiselbuh Sarah , Romanos-Sirakis Eleny
Published: October 2016

The majority of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are pain related. Adequate and timely pain management may improve quality of life and prevent worsening morbidities. We conducted a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with SCD seen in the ED, selected by sickle cell–related ICD-9 codes. A total of 176 encounters were reviewed from 47 patients to record ED pain management and hospitalization trends. Mean time to pain medication administration was 63 minutes. Patients received combination (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] + narcotic) pain medications for initial treatment at a minority of ED encounters (19%). A higher percentage of patients who received narcotics alone as initial treatment were hospitalized as compared with those who received combination treatment initially ( P= 0.0085). Improved patient education regarding home pain management as well as standardized ED guidelines for assessment and treatment of sickle cell pain may result in superior and more consistent patient care.
Exploring Incomplete Rating Designs With Mokken Scale Analysis
Authors: Wind Stefanie A. , Patil Yogendra J.
Published: October 2016

Recent research has explored the use of models adapted from Mokken scale analysis as a nonparametric approach to evaluating rating quality in educational performance assessments. A potential limiting factor to the widespread use of these techniques is the requirement for complete data, as practical constraints in operational assessment systems often limit the use of complete rating designs. In order to address this challenge, this study explores the use of missing data imputation techniques and their impact on Mokken-based rating quality indicators related to rater monotonicity, rater scalability, and invariant rater ordering. Simulated data and real data from a rater-mediated writing assessment were modified to reflect varying levels of missingness, and four imputation techniques were used to impute missing ratings. Overall, the results indicated that simple imputation techniques based on rater and student means result in generally accurate recovery of rater monotonicity indices and rater scalability coefficients. However, discrepancies between violations of invariant rater ordering in the original and imputed data are somewhat unpredictable across imputation methods. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Human Error as an Emergent Property of Action Selection and Task Place-Holding
Authors: Tamborello Franklin P. , Trafton J. Gregory
Published: October 2016

Objective:

A computational process model could explain how the dynamic interaction of human cognitive mechanisms produces each of multiple error types.

Background:

With increasing capability and complexity of technological systems, the potential severity of consequences of human error is magnified. Interruption greatly increases people’s error rates, as does the presence of other information to maintain in an active state.

Method:

The model executed as a software-instantiated Monte Carlo simulation. It drew on theoretical constructs such as associative spreading activation for prospective memory, explicit rehearsal strategies as a deliberate cognitive operation to aid retrospective memory, and decay.

Results:

The model replicated the 30% effect of interruptions on postcompletion error in Ratwani and Trafton’s Stock Trader task, the 45% interaction effect on postcompletion error of working memory capacity and working memory load from Byrne and Bovair’s Phaser Task, as well as the 5% perseveration and 3% omission effects of interruption from the UNRAVEL Task.

Conclusion:

Error classes including perseveration, omission, and postcompletion error fall naturally out of the theory.

Application:

The model explains post-interruption error in terms of task state representation and priming for recall of subsequent steps. Its performance suggests that task environments providing more cues to current task state will mitigate error caused by interruption. For example, interfaces could provide labeled progress indicators or facilities for operators to quickly write notes about their task states when interrupted.
Effects of Bioactive Compounds on Odontogenic Differentiation and Mineralization
Authors: Phung S. , Lee C. , Hong C. , Song M. , Yi J.K. , Stevenson R.G. , Kang M.K. , Shin K.-H. , Park N.-H. , Kim R.H.
Published: October 2016

Direct pulp capping involves the placement of dental materials directly onto vital pulp tissues after deep caries removal to stimulate the regeneration of reparative dentin. This physical barrier will serve as a “biological seal” between these materials and the pulp tissue. Although numerous direct pulp capping materials are available, the use of small bioactive compounds that can potently stimulate and expedite reparative dentin formation is still underexplored. Here, the authors compared and evaluated the pro-osteogenic and pro-odontogenic effects of 4 small bioactive compounds— phenamil (Phen), purmorphamine (Pur), genistein (Gen), and metformin (Met). The authors found that these compounds at noncytotoxic concentrations induced differentiation and mineralization of preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and preodontoblastic dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in a dose-dependent manner. Among them, Phen consistently and potently induced differentiation and mineralization in vitro. A single treatment with Phen was sufficient to enhance the mineralization potential of DPSCs in vitro. More importantly, Phen-treated DPSCs showed enhanced odontogenic differentiation and mineralization in vivo. Our study suggests that these small bioactive compounds merit further study for their potential clinical use as pulp capping materials.
Of Roots and Fruits: A Comparison of Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic Mystical Experiences
Authors: Yaden David B. , Le Nguyen Khoa D. , Kern Margaret L. , Belser Alexander B. , Eichstaedt Johannes C. , Iwry Jonathan , Smith Mary E. , Wintering Nancy A. , Hood Ralph W. , Newberg Andrew B.
Published: October 2016

Experiences of profound existential or spiritual significance can be triggered reliably through psychopharmacological means using psychedelic substances. However, little is known about the benefits of religious, spiritual, or mystical experiences (RSMEs) prompted by psychedelic substances, as compared with those that occur through other means. In this study, 739 self-selected participants reported the psychological impact of their RSMEs and indicated whether they were induced by a psychedelic substance. Experiences induced by psychedelic substances were rated as more intensely mystical ( d = .75, p < .001), resulted in a reduced fear of death ( d = .21, p < .01), increased sense of purpose ( d = .18, p < .05), and increased spirituality ( d = .28, p < .001) as compared with nonpsychedelically triggered RSMEs. These results remained significant in an expanded model controlling for gender, education, socioeconomic status, and religious affiliation. These findings lend support to the growing consensus that RSMEs induced with psychedelic substances are genuinely mystical and generally positive in outcome.
Discrete variable structure model reference adaptive control using only input-output measurements
Authors: Znidi Aicha , Dehri Khadija , Nouri Ahmed Said
Published: October 2016

Designing an adequate controller for a plant with an arbitrary relative degree is still an active area of research. In this paper, a discrete variable structure model reference adaptive control using only input-output measurements (DVS-MRAC-IO) for not strictly positive real systems with a relative degree of two is proposed. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller, a detailed stability analysis is studied using Lyapunov theory. Further, a straightforward generalization of DVS-MRAC-IO for systems with arbitrary relative degree is presented. Numerical results are used to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
An edge determination algorithm for exact computation of the frequency response of linear interval systems
Authors: Dındış G , Karamancıoğlu A
Published: October 2016

A novel algorithm, called the edge determination algorithm, for exact computation of the frequency response of a linear interval system is proposed. The algorithm formulates candidate curves for the frequency response boundaries as cubic Bezier curves. The edge determination algorithm operates on the cubic Bezier control points of these curves to obtain those, or their parts, that are on the frequency response boundaries. It presents the frequency response boundaries as an array whose entries are the cubic Bezier control points of the curves on the boundaries. Examples for two different cases are presented to illustrate the mechanics and validity of the algorithm.
Morphosyntactic development of Bangla-speaking preschool children
Authors: Sultana Asifa , Stokes Stephanie , Klee Thomas , Fletcher Paul
Published: October 2016

This study examines the morphosyntactic development, specifically verb morphology, of typically-developing Bangla-speaking children between the ages of two and four. Three verb forms were studied: the Present Simple, the Present Progressive and the Past Progressive. The study was motivated by the observations that reliable language-specific developmental information is not available in Bangla and that properties of these verb forms render them suitable for exploring how language typology contributes to the learnability of verb morphology in emerging child language. Children’s performance on these forms was assessed through form-specific language elicitation tasks and spontaneous language samples. Three stages of development of verb morphology were identified by consideration of accuracy of production and error types.
On the Equivalence of a Likelihood Ratio of Drasgow, Levine, and Zickar (1996) and the Statistic Based on the Neyman–Pearson Lemma of Belov (2016)
Authors: Sinharay Sandip
Published: October 2016

Levine and Drasgow (1988) suggested an approach based on the Neyman–Pearson lemma to detect examinees whose response patterns are “aberrant” due to cheating, language issues, and so on. Belov (2016) used the approach of Levine and Drasgow (1988) to suggest a statistic based on the Neyman–Pearson Lemma (SBNPL) to detect item preknowledge when the investigator knows which items are compromised. This brief report proves that the SBNPL of Belov (2016) is equivalent to a statistic suggested for the same purpose by Drasgow, Levine, and Zickar 20 years ago.
Creating Content Acquisition Podcasts (CAPs) for Vocabulary
Authors: Weiss Margaret P. , Evmenova Anya S. , Kennedy Michael J. , Duke Jodi M.
Published: October 2016

Mastering content vocabulary is critical to the success of students with high-incidence disabilities in the general education curriculum. General education classrooms often do not offer the opportunities necessary for these students to master important vocabulary. Teachers often look to technology to help. Several studies have indicated that content acquisition podcasts (CAPs) may have an impact on the vocabulary learning of secondary students with high-incidence disabilities. In this study, 37 in-service teachers enrolled in a master’s program in special education were taught to create CAPs for vocabulary terms in a course focused on methods for secondary-level instruction. Teacher-created podcasts were assessed on the presence of Mayer’s instructional design principles as well as evidence-based practices for vocabulary instruction. Although teachers were able to include many instructional design principles related to technology in their CAPs, their use of instructional principles and evidence-based practices was inconsistent. Implications are discussed.
Study on Corporate Social Responsibility as Strategic Instrument for Creating Sustainable Corporate Brand Value: An Analysis with Structural Equation Modelling
Authors: Bhattacharya Subhajit , Kaursar Arana
Published: October 2016

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an essential element in the world of modern business. Corporate social responsibility has been made mandatory by the Government of India under an amendment of the Companies Act, 2013. Now, it is a dilemma whether CSR will be just restricted to the performance of government norms or it will contribute to the improvement of the corporate brand image. The present study is a thoughtful attempt to explore the relationship between CSR, social development, social trust and brand–society association through an analysis using structural equation modelling. The tested model of the current study also focuses on strategic CSR linkage to create a sustainable corporate brand value.
Vibration analysis of deep groove ball bearing with outer race defect using ABAQUS
Authors: Nabhan A , Nouby M , Sami AM , Mousa MO
Published: October 2016

The main objective of this paper is to determine the effect of outer race defect of deep groove ball bearings for (SKF 6004) through experimental and numerical methods. Three-dimensional finite element model of the housing and outer race is simulated using commercial package ABAQUS/CAE. Angular position of the local defect on the outer race which changes from 0° to 315° with angular intervals 45° is investigated through the dynamic finite element model. Experimental results are obtained using bearing test rig to validate the simulated results. A good agreement is found between the results obtained by the finite element model and the experimental results.
Cosmopolitanizing Catastrophism: Remembering the Future
Authors: Levy Daniel
Published: October 2016

Ulrich Beck’s quest to unshackle the social sciences from their methodological nationalism has yielded numerous influential concepts. In his last work he theorized the transformation of a globally connected world through the notion of ‘metamorphosis’ understood as a form of radical (paradigmatic) change. This transfiguration is driven by different perceptions of catastrophism, carrying the potential to re-shape world risk society. In this essay I critically assess what Beck refers to as ‘emancipatory catastrophism’. I suggest substituting emancipatory with cosmopolitan catastrophism. Cosmopolitan catastrophism seeks to adjoin an event-centered approach with a relational understanding of world risk society. By emphasizing cosmopolitan trajectories we avoid the linear fallacies plaguing earlier theories of modernity. Beck’s iterative approach provides us with a heuristic tool, which addresses the ongoing interplay of universal scripts and local appropriations in the context of contingencies and uncertainties. Previously seen as residual, catastrophism becomes the center of our analytic efforts.
Issues using linkage of hospital records and death certificate data to determine the size of a potential palliative care population
Authors: Brameld Kate , Spilsbury Katrina , Rosenwax Lorna , Murray Kevin , Semmens James
Published: October 2016

Background:

Studies aiming to identify palliative care populations have used data from death certificates and in some cases hospital records. The size and characteristics of the identified populations can show considerable variation depending on the data sources used. It is important that service planners and researchers are aware of this.

Aim:

To illustrate the differences in the size and characteristics of a potential palliative care population depending on the differential use of linked hospital records and death certificate data.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting/participants:

The cohort consisted of 23,852 people aged 20 years and over who died in Western Australia between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010 after excluding deaths related to pregnancy or trauma. Within this cohort, the number, proportion and characteristics of people who died from one or more of 10 medical conditions considered amenable to palliative care were identified using linked hospital records and death certificate data.

Results:

Depending on the information source(s) used, between 43% and 73% of the 23,852 people who died had a condition potentially amenable to palliative care identified. The median age at death and the sex distribution of the decedents by condition also varied with the information source.

Conclusion:

Health service planners and researchers need to be aware of the limitations when using hospital records and death certificate data to determine a potential palliative care population. The use of Emergency Department and other administrative data sources could further exacerbate this variation.
Utopian disjunctures: Popular democracy and the communal state in urban Venezuela
Authors: Wilde Matt
Published: October 2016

This article examines the Venezuelan government’s efforts to establish a ‘communal state’ through the eyes of working-class chavista activists in the city of Valencia. It argues that the attempt to incorporate grassroots community organisations into a state-managed model of popular democracy produces a series of ‘utopian disjunctures’ for the actors involved. These disjunctures, the article contends, stem from conflicting political temporalities within the chavista project, as long-term aspirations of radical democracy clash with more short-term demands to obtain state resources and consolidate the government’s power. The case highlights the tensions generated by efforts to reconcile radical democratic experiments with left-nationalist electoral politics.
Digital elevation model-based watershed geomorphic entropy for the study of landscape evolution of a watershed geomorphic system in the loess landforms of China
Authors: Zhao Weidong , Tang Guoan , Ma Lei , Zhao Jitang , Zhou Wan , Tian Jian , Huang Xiaoli
Published: October 2016

Although the concept of entropy in landscape evolution was proposed over 40 years ago, previous studies of geomorphic entropy paid little attention to the applications of geomorphic entropy in the erosional watershed geomorphic system on the Loess Plateau in China. Therefore, we propose a new concept of entropy called watershed geomorphic entropy (WGE) and its method of calculation based on a digital elevation model and the principles of system theory. To study the geomorphic significances of WGE, we applied the WGE to an artificial rainfall experiment that was originally designed to study erosional processes in a small open watershed geomorphic system on the Loess Plateau. Our study shows that the decrease of WGE in an open watershed geomorphic system means a gradual erosional or erosion-dominated landscape evolutional process and the change of WGE shows a perfectly positive linear correlation with the measured sediment yields of the outlet of the watershed system under our experimental conditions. In addition, to some extent, the decrease of the change of WGE also reflects the reduction of total potential energy of a specific erosional, or erosion-dominated, open watershed geomorphic system.
Landscape archetypes for ecological classification and mapping
Authors: Cullum Carola , Brierley Gary , Perry George LW , Witkowski Ed TF
Published: October 2016

We propose the use of archetypes as a way of moving between conceptual framings, empirical observations and the dichotomous classification rules upon which maps are based. An archetype is a conceptualisation of an entire category or class of objects. Archetypes can be framed as abstract exemplars of classes, conceptual models linking form and process and/or tacit mental models similar to those used by field scientists to identify and describe landforms, soils and/or units of vegetation. Archetypes can be existing taxonomic or landscape units or may involve new combinations of landscape attributes developed for a specific purpose. As landscapes themselves defy precise categorisation, archetypes, as considered here, are deliberately vague, and are described in general terms rather than in terms of the details that characterise a particular instance of a class. An example outlining the use of archetypes for landscape classification and mapping is demonstrated for granitic catenas in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Some 81% of the study area can be described in terms of archetypal catenal elements. However, spatial clustering of two classes that did not correspond to the archetypes prompted development of new archetypes. We show how the archetypes encoded in the map can be used to frame further knowledge in an ongoing, iterative and adaptive process. Building on this, we reflect on the value of vagueness in conservation science and management, highlighting how archetypes that are used to interpret and map landscapes may be better employed in the future.
Perceptions of Older Residents and Their Adult Children Regarding Continuing Care Retirement Community Staff
Authors: Shinan-Altman Shiri , Ayalon Liat
Published: October 2016

This study examined the perspectives of continuing care retirement community (CCRC) residents and their adult children regarding services provided by staff in the CCRC. The study is based on semistructured qualitative interviews with 49 residents and their 34 adult children from 11 CCRCs. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Three major themes emerged: (a) “Reliance on the CCRC staff,” (b) “Dissatisfaction with the CCRC staff,” and (c) “Disregard to the CCRC staff.” Findings suggest that staff should maintain constant contact with all residents, including those who are not satisfied with staff’s function and those who do not use staff services, to identify and respond to the residents’ changing needs. Attention should be paid in meeting residents’ physical needs prior to meeting their social and emotional needs, as these tend to be the most urgent.
Recent Legal Developments
Authors: Hemmens Craig , Lu Ruibin
Published: October 2016

In this article, we review and analyze the criminal justice–related decisions of the 2015 term of the U.S. Supreme Court. We also provide a summary of the Court’s voting patterns and opine authorship. Twenty-two of the Court’s 76 decisions touched on criminal justice. There were significant decisions involving the exclusionary rule, search incident to arrest, the death penalty, and sentencing.
The Effects of Talking-Head with Various Realism Levels on Students’ Emotions in Learning
Authors: Mohamad Ali Ahmad Zamzuri , Hamdan Mohd Najib
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of various realistic levels of talking-head on students’ emotions in pronunciation learning. Four talking-head characters with varying levels of realism were developed and tested: a nonrealistic three-dimensional character, a realistic three-dimensional character, a two-dimensional character, and an actual human character. The student’s emotional level was measured with the learning component of Achievement Emotions Questionnaire following their exploration of the instructional material on a self-paced learning method. The research method was a quasi-experimental design, and the data were analyzed using ANCOVA test. The sample consisted of 150 Semester 1 students from four community colleges. The findings revealed significant differences ( p < .05) in emotion test outcomes among groups who received different levels of realism for the talking-head in pronunciation learning app. In conclusion, this study recommends a nonrealistic three-dimensional, two-dimensional, or actual human character as the most suitable design for the talking-head in instructional materials.
Assessing genotoxicity of diuron on Drosophila melanogaster by the wing-spot test and the wing imaginal disk comet assay
Authors: Peraza-Vega Ricardo I , Castañeda-Sortibrán América N , Valverde Mahara , Rojas Emilio , Rodríguez-Arnaiz Rosario
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxicity of the herbicide diuron in the wing-spot test and a novel wing imaginal disk comet assay in Drosophila melanogaster. The wing-spot test was performed with standard (ST) and high-bioactivation (HB) crosses after providing chronic 48 h treatment to third instar larvae. A positive dose–response effect was observed in both crosses, but statistically reduced spot frequencies were registered for the HB cross compared with the ST. This latter finding suggests that metabolism differences play an important role in the genotoxic effect of diuron. To verify diuron’s ability to produce DNA damage, a wing imaginal disk comet assay was performed after providing 24 h diuron treatment to ST and HB third instar larvae. DNA damage induced by the herbicide had a significantly positive dose–response effect even at very low concentrations in both strains. However, as noted for the wing-spot test, a significant difference between strains was not observed that could be related to the duration of exposure between both assays. A positive correlation between the comet assay and the wing-spot test was found with regard to diuron genotoxicity.
Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome With 2 Novel KMT2A Mutations
Authors: Min Ko Jung , Cho Jae So , Yoo Yongjin , Seo Jieun , Choi Murim , Chae Jong-Hee , Lee Hye-Ran , Cho Tae-Joon
Published: October 2016

Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by short stature, hairy elbows, facial dysmorphism, and developmental delay. It can also be accompanied by musculoskeletal anomalies such as muscular hypotonia and small hands and feet. Mutations in the KMT2A gene have only recently been identified as the cause of Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome; therefore, only 16 patients from 15 families have been described, and new phenotypic features continue to be added. In this report, we describe 2 newly identified patients with Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome who presented with variable severity. One girl exhibited developmental dysplasia of the hip and fibromatosis colli accompanied by other clinical features, including facial dysmorphism, hypertrichosis, patent ductus arteriosus, growth retardation, and borderline intellectual disability. The other patient, a boy, showed severe developmental retardation with automatic self-mutilation, facial dysmorphism, and hypertrichosis at a later age. Exome sequencing analysis of these patients and their parents revealed a de novo nonsense mutation, p.Gln1978*, of KMT2A in the former, and a missense mutation, p.Gly1168Asp, in the latter, which molecularly confirmed the diagnosis of Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome.
Antimicrobial nature and healing behavior of plasma functionalized polyester sutures
Authors: Anjum Sadiya , Gupta Amlan , Sharma Deepika , Kumari Shanti , Sahariah Plabita , Bora Jutishna , Bhan Surya , Gupta Bhuvanesh
Published: October 2016

This study deals with the development of bioactive poly(ethylene terephthalate) surgical suture by adopting the immobilization route with bioactive nanogels and chlorhexidine. Carbon dioxide plasma was used for the generation of carboxyl functionality on poly(ethylene terephthalate) surface for the immobilization of the bioactive components. The nanosilver nanogel was prepared using polyethylene glycol which helps in the reduction of silver ions into nanosilver as well as the stabilization of nanoparticles. The particle size of the nanogels, as evaluated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, was observed to be in the range of 10–50 nm. Surface functionalization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) filament was observed by attenuated total reflectance measurements and mechanical studies were investigated by Instron. Elemental analysis and surface topography were carried out by energy dispersive X-ray and atomic force microscopy. The cumulative release of silver from the dressing was found to be 68% of the total loading after 72 h. Coated sutures have excellent antimicrobial activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In vivo wound healing and histopathology studies were carried out over a period of 72 h for skin wounds created on Swiss albino mice. Fast healing was observed in nanogel-treated wounds without any inflammatory effects on the newly generated skin. These sutures offer improved healing along with excellent antimicrobial properties and appear to be promising material against surgical infection.
Graphene oxide-enriched poly(ε-caprolactone) electrospun nanocomposite scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications
Authors: Mohammadi Sepideh , Shafiei Seyedeh Sara , Asadi-Eydivand Mitra , Ardeshir Mahmoud , Solati-Hashjin Mehran
Published: October 2016

Tissue engineering aims at fabricating biological substitutes to improve, repair, and regenerate failing human tissues or organs. Designing a nanocomposite scaffolds with tailored properties that enhance the development of functional tissue can be an appropriate approach to achieve this purpose. In this study, the uniform and bead-free nanofibers of poly(ε-caprolactone) composited with different graphene oxide nanosheet contents (ranging from 0.5 to 2 wt%) were successfully fabricated through electrospinning process. A decrease in the average diameter of poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibers was observed with the addition of graphene oxide nanosheets. Moreover, the nanocomposite scaffolds containing 2 wt% of graphene oxide nanosheets exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to that of pure poly(ε-caprolactone). Compared with pure poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffold, the degradation rate of poly(ε-caprolactone)-graphene oxide nanosheet nanofibers was enhanced, while the integrity of fibers was preserved. The presence of graphene oxide nanosheets in poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers promoted in vitro biomineralization, indicating bioactive features of the nanocomposite scaffolds. Compared to the pure one, nanocomposite fibers also showed better ability in protein adsorption. The in vitro cell culture studies showed that the addition of graphene oxide nanosheets did not diminish the biocompatibility of the electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofiber. Furthermore, the adhesion and proliferation of MG63 cells were increased. Altogether, the results demonstrated that electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)-graphene oxide nanosheet nanofiber may be a suitable candidate for tissue engineering scaffold applications.
Development of a gene carrier using a triblock co-polyelectrolyte with poly(ethylene imine)-poly(lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: Sim Taehoon , Park Gayoung , Min Hyeyoung , Kang Soowon , Lim Chaemin , Bae Sungmin , Lee Eun Seong , Youn Yu Seok , Oh Kyung Taek
Published: October 2016

The success of gene therapy mainly depends on the carriers for effective gene delivery. A non-viral vector using a cationic block co-polyelectrolyte, PEI-PLA-PEG polyethyleneimine-poly(lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)) was developed as a potential gene carrier. The cationic PEI-PLA-PEG showed less toxicity compared to PEI and formed a gene nanocomplex (termed polyplex) by interaction with plasmid DNA or small interference RNA. The polyplex showed smaller particle size and greater positive zeta potential by increasing the high polymer nitrogen/DNA phosphate ratio. The polyplex with a nitrogen/DNA phosphate ratio of 16 or 32 demonstrated higher gene transfection by fluorescence imaging, flow cytometry measurement, and β-galactosidase activity. In particular, the polyplex with therapeutic histone deacetylase small interference RNA at nitrogen/DNA phosphate ratio 16 showed the most favorable properties with definite tumor growth inhibition. The synthetic PEI-PLA-PEG also showed less toxicity and would, therefore, be a great potential gene carrier, particularly given that small interference RNA delivery does not increase the charge density of small interference RNA due to the formation of a stable complex through conjugation with PLA-PEG.
The Effects of Exposure to Psychological Violence in the Workplace on Commitment and Turnover Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Support and Role Stressors
Authors: Courcy François , Morin Alexandre J. S. , Madore Isabelle
Published: October 2016

Exposure to workplace violence has been identified as a serious and universal issue facing modern organizations. The present study focuses more specifically on exposure to psychological violence, and its association with turnover intentions as mediated by workplace affective commitment. In addition, we also explore the moderating role of various facets of job demands (role stressors) and resources (social support) on the aforementioned relations. Data collected from 1,228 university employees indicated that experiencing psychological violence at work was associated with lower levels of workplace affective commitment and higher levels of turnover intentions, and that the relation between psychological violence and turnover intentions was partially mediated by commitment. Furthermore, role stressors and social support were found to moderate the negative relation between exposure to psychological violence and workplace affective commitment, as well as between commitment and turnover intentions, but not the direct relation between psychological violence and turnover intentions. Theoretical and research implications for the literature on psychological violence and practical suggestions for minimizing its damaging consequences are proposed.
Adopting, Networking, and Communicating on Twitter
Authors: Vergeer Maurice
Published: October 2016

Twitter is one of the most popular online social network platforms for political communication. This study explains how political candidates in five countries increase their online popularity and visibility by their behavior on Twitter. Also, the study focuses on cultural differences in online social relations by comparing political candidates in five countries in the East and West: South Korea, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, and the Netherlands. Findings show that signing up to Twitter as early as possible increases one’s online popularity as predicted by the process of preferential attachment. Candidates actively following citizens and sending undirected tweets also increases the group of followers. This doesn’t apply however to conversational tweets, which decreases the number of a candidate’s followers slightly. South Korea, having a collectivistic culture, shows higher levels of reciprocity on Twitter, although this does not increase the group of followers. In other countries, including collectivistic Japan, candidates reciprocate less frequently with citizens, effectively using Twitter more as a mass medium for broadcasting.
Neoliberalism and the Far-Right: A Contradictory Embrace
Authors: Davidson Neil , Saull Richard
Published: October 2016

This article examines the contradictory relationship between neoliberalism and the politics of the far-right. It seeks to identify and explain the divergence of the ‘economic’ and the social/cultural spheres under neoliberalism (notably in articulations of race and class and the ‘politics of whiteness’) and how such developments play out in the politics of the contemporary far-right. We also seek to examine the degree to which the politics of the far-right pose problems for the consolidation and long-term stabilization of neoliberalism, through acting as a populist source of pressure on the conservative-right and tapping into sources of alienation amongst déclassé social layers. Finally, we locate the politics of the far-right within the broader atrophying of political representation and accountability of the neoliberal era with respect to the institutional and legal organization of neoliberalism at the international level, as most obviously highlighted in the ongoing crisis of the EU and Eurozone.
Guided Imagery for Pain Management in Postoperative Orthopedic Patients: An Integrative Literature Review
Authors: Carpenter Justin J. , Hines Sandra H. , Lan Virginia M.
Published: October 2016

Background: Pain following orthopedic surgery can be intense due to the nature of the surgical procedure. Pain is a multilevel phenomenon that includes physiological and psychosocial components. Interventions that address body, mind, and spirit are needed to provide holistic management of pain. Guided imagery is a mind–body intervention that can address all aspects of the patient’s pain experience. Purpose: This integrative review, informed by Watson’s theory of human caring, identifies evidence that either supports or refutes the use of guided imagery as a supplement to pharmaceutical pain management for postoperative orthopedic patients. Method: An integrative literature search was conducted. Twenty-two studies were identified as potentially relevant to this study. Nine of the articles met all inclusion criteria and were included in this study. Results and Conclusions: Based on the evidence reviewed, it is recommended that guided imagery be used as an adjunct for pain management in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. However, additional research in this area is needed. Future research: Two topics for further research were identified. The first is a need to identify an optimal frequency of use of guided imagery. The second is to identify how to ensure patients are using the intervention as recommended.
Pay equity after the Equality Act 2010: does sexual orientation still matter?
Authors: Bryson Alex
Published: October 2016

Analyses of linked employer–employee data for Britain indicate bisexual men earn 20 per cent less per hour than heterosexual men, ceteris paribus. There is no wage differential between gay and heterosexual men. Among women there is no wage gap between bisexuals and heterosexuals. However, lesbians are paid nearly 30 per cent less than heterosexual women, unless they are employed in a workplace with an equal opportunities policy which explicitly refers to sexual orientation, whereupon there is no wage gap. Workplace sorting by sexual orientation does not affect the size of the sexual orientation wage gaps.
Overview of ramp-up curves: A literature review and new challenges
Authors: Bultó Ramón , Viles Elisabeth , Mateo Ricardo
Published: October 2016

The automotive sector, along with many others, has been subject to two key trends in recent times. The first relates to globalization, in other words, the incorporation of new markets and a growing demand that needs to be satisfied. The second concerns the high expectations of customers regarding quality and the on-going renovation of products. The incorporation of new markets results in the expansion of new production centres all over the world, making it necessary to synchronize launches in different parts of the globe. Furthermore, customers’ new demands cause shorter product life cycles. Time is seen as the main factor in the success of any new product launch. Particularly, the period that begins when the production has started in a production plant and continues until the planned production rate has been attained (the ramp-up curve). Because launches have become more frequent, the specific importance given to the life of the model is greater. This article has the following objective: provide a thorough review of the literature, focusing on this specific phase in the life cycle of a model in order to identify, compile and extract any relevant information that will enable us to build a theoretical framework for the ramp-up curve. The article begins by analysing the different interpretations of the phases of the launch stage of a new product that exist in the literature, and it concludes with the evidence that ramp-up curves are an item of scientific interest, where the 21% of the papers relating to this item are focused on the automotive sector, where planning and management are the most recurrent themes. Finally, two themes that remain open for further research are detected: the lack of structured organization during the ramp-up phase and knowledge transfer between different launches of the same product in different places.
A comprehensive reliability allocation method for series systems based on failure mode and effects analysis transformed functions
Authors: Yang Zhou , Liu Panxue , Zhu Yunpeng , Zhang Yimin
Published: October 2016

In order to address the reliability allocation problem of the series system, a comprehensive reliability allocation method based on a transformed function of the failure mode and effects analysis is introduced. First, considering multiple factors that affect the reliability allocation, an allocation matrix is established by employing significance factors. Subsequently, to overcome the limitations of the conventional failure mode and effects analysis–based allocation method, non-linear transform laws of failure severity and occurrence, known as transformed functions, are established. The reliability allocation results could be adjusted appropriately by choosing transform coefficients according to the desired allocation results of the system. Then, the transformed failure mode and effects analysis and the comprehensive allocation matrix are combined to give an allocation vector. Finally, a computerized numerical controlled lathe and a spindle system are used as examples. The allocation results of the transformed method, the conventional failure mode and effects analysis method and those in the correlated references are compared to emphasize the significance of the proposed allocation method in engineering practice.