bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Special Education Teacher Preparation in Singapore’s Dual Education System
Authors: Walker Zachary
Published: January 2016

Global comparisons of teacher education programs should start with an understanding of the school systems that teachers are being prepared for in their local contexts. The purpose of this article is to describe Singapore’s dual education system as well as teacher preparation in a country that educates many students with disabilities in a separate environment. The focus will be on three of the factors critical to understanding comparative work: the goals and purposes of inclusive education and inclusive policy, the past and present state of Singapore with regard to policy and governance, and teacher training in the context of dual education. Suggestions for how teacher educators can learn from one another despite the vast differences in how students with special needs are educated are provided.
The free zone: Gang dynamics, de-differentiation, and pseudo-statehood in The Wire
Authors: Nitschke Claudia
Published: January 2016

This article scrutinises concepts of deregulation against the backdrop of the ‘New Capitalism’ as presented in the episode ‘Hamsterdam’ in the American TV series, The Wire: when the major in charge of the Western District of Baltimore secretly decides to pull the police force from the war on drugs in order to re-dedicate their energy to police work proper, he de facto legalises drugs in a specific quarter of his district. Read through theories of statehood and sovereignty, this episode sheds light on self-perception of gangs within an ailing communal system, and on the difficulties with which the protagonists of The Wire constantly grapple, shifting the focus from the seemingly self-sustaining microcosm of West Baltimore to the superstructure that presupposes and enables the mechanisms of Baltimore’s public sphere.
Selection and implementation of optimal magnetorheological brake design for a variable impedance exoskeleton robot joint
Authors: Baser Ozgur , Demiray Mehmet Alper
Published: January 2016

Next-generation exoskeleton and humanoid robots are expected to behave similar to the human neuro-muscular system to perform stable, flexible, and biomimetic movements. To achieve this goal, the variable stiffness actuators have been widely used in various robots. Using variable damping actuators along with variable stiffness actuators will be extremely beneficial for wide range of stable movements. Magnetorheological (MR) brakes are one of the most promising electromagnetic structures that can provide such variable damping in a relatively small actuator volume. In this paper, we focused on the design, characterization, selection and implementation of T-shaped, inner coil and outer coil multi-pole MR brakes to the ankle of an exoskeleton robot. Analytical models are developed using the magnetic circuit analysis to determine the braking torque. Then, magnetic finite element models are developed and coupled with an optimization algorithm to determine the optimal set of parameters of each MR brake design. Prototypes are manufactured in same size and tested experimentally to characterize the actuators’ torque-to-volume ratio, transient response, hysteresis, torque tracking, energy consumption, and damping performances. The performance comparison of the brakes showed T-shaped multi-pole MR brake design has superior characteristics compared to two other designs. Therefore, T-shaped multi-pole MR brake design is coupled with a variable stiffness actuator and implemented in an ankle joint of an exoskeleton robot and experimentally tested. The results show that the developed new hybrid robot joint is capable of stable movement with a simple control algorithm by changing its stiffness and damping independently.
Prediction of driveline vibrations caused by ageing the limited slip coupling
Authors: Berglund Kim , Marklund Pär , Lundh Henrik , Larsson Roland
Published: January 2016

The prediction of the wet-clutch service life still remains a challenge for scientists and engineers. Previous research has shown the significance of the wet-clutch friction characteristics on the driveline dynamics. To avoid driveline vibrations an increasing friction coefficient with increasing sliding speed is desirable. Consequently, prediction of the occurrence of driveline vibrations relies on a detailed knowledge of how the friction characteristics are affected by wet-clutch degradation, as well as an understanding of the driveline dynamics. Wet clutches are used in both automatic transmissions and all-wheel-drive systems in cars, where they are referred to as limited slip couplings by manufacturers. Wet clutches used in automatic transmissions are subjected to high slip levels, but for very limited time periods. In all-wheel-drive systems, where the limited slip coupling can be used to control the torque transfer to, for example, the rear wheels, the slip levels are low but continuous. Most wet-clutch research has been performed for clutches in automatic transmissions and not for clutches used in all-wheel-drive systems. Thus, a simulation model was developed to evaluate how different operating conditions of the limited slip coupling influence degradation of the friction characteristics and the tendencies towards driveline vibrations. First, the changes in the friction characteristics with the time of ageing are simulated. The friction characteristics after ageing are used as the input to a simplified driveline model, which is used to evaluate the occurrence of vibrations. It is shown how the developed simulation model can be used as an efficient tool for engineers. The developed simulation model can be used to predict how the operating conditions for the limited slip coupling influence degradation of the friction characteristics.
Multiobjective shape optimization of a hypersonic lifting body using a correlation-based transition model
Authors: Xia Chenchao , Tao Yongpeng , Jiang Tingting , Chen Weifang
Published: January 2016

Although substantial numbers of aerodynamic shape optimization works have been carried out in the past few decades, the effects of boundary layer transition are not considered in the overwhelmingly majority of those previous studies. For more accurate prediction of the flow field, and for exploration of relations between aerodynamic heating and geometrical features, the commonly used local correlation-based transition model [Formula: see text] is implemented into a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver. A CFD-based multiobjective shape optimization method is then described and applied to a hypersonic lifting body in this paper. For parametric modeling and grid deformation, the flexible free form deformation and robust transfinite interpolation techniques are used respectively. The response surface model is adopted as the approximation model for the reduction of computational cost, and the multiobjective genetic algorithm is employed for the exploration of optimal solutions. Optimization processes have been conducted by the optimization toolkit DAKOTA and two Pareto fronts are obtained. Besides, typical solutions on the Pareto fronts are compared and analyzed. The results obtained from the case considered in this study indicate that the lift-to-drag ratio and transition onset position are closely related with the volume of the vehicle, and trade-off can be made for aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic performance from the optimal solutions. Moreover, the design problem of lifting body demonstrates the robustness and practicality of the new optimization procedures, which incorporates the transition phenomenon for hypersonic flow.
Flow control with perpendicular acoustic forcing on NACA 2415 aerofoil at low Reynolds numbers
Authors: Açıkel Halil Hakan , Genç Mustafa Serdar
Published: January 2016

In this study, the effect of perpendicular acoustic excitation on laminar separation bubble, aerodynamic characteristics and stall characteristics over a NACA 2415 aerofoil was investigated experimentally at low Reynolds numbers at varying angles of attack. Extensive experiments such as force and pressure measurements, flow visualization via smoke-wire technique and velocity measurement via hot-wire system were conducted. The experimental results showed that when acoustic excitation of a certain frequency was applied, the length of the laminar separation bubble was shortened owing to the energy added to the flow by acoustic excitation. Because of the shortened laminar separation bubble, coefficient of lift was increased. Furthermore, at the stall angles the separated flow was forced to reattach to the surface of the aerofoil by acoustic forcing, so the stall angle and maximum coefficient of lift were increased, and drag coefficient was decreased.
Steroid-exacerbated HIV-associated cutaneous Kaposi’s sarcoma immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: ‘Where a good intention turns bad’
Authors: Chabria Shiven , Barakat Lydia , Ogbuagu Onyema
Published: January 2016

A 51-year-old man with head and neck skin lesions was diagnosed with Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) as his initial presentation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Following initiation of antiretroviral therapy and subsequent full virologic suppression, his facial lesions worsened, consistent with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). He was started on glucocorticoids in an attempt to ameliorate the KS-IRIS but experienced paradoxical worsening of the KS lesions. Steroids were subsequently discontinued and he required chemotherapy for severe and cosmetically disfiguring skin lesions. This article describes the potential for worsening of KS lesions in individuals started on glucocorticoids for KS-IRIS as this has been reported rarely in published literature. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain poorly understood but potential explanations are offered in the case discussion. This article aims to raise clinician awareness on the harms of steroid use in patients with KS-IRIS.
Hepatitis B immune reconstitution syndrome in a patient with HIV infection
Authors: John Melanie-Anne A , Gosnell Bernadett I , Manzini Thandekile C , Ramdial Prastistadevi , Moosa Mahomed-Yunus S
Published: January 2016

South Africa has a high rate of HIV and hepatitis B co-infection. The national HIV treatment guidelines include anti-retrovirals that treat both viruses. We describe a HIV-positive patient who presented with liver histology-confirmed hepatitis B immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome whilst on a regimen containing lamivudine and tenofovir.
Korean Immigrant Women’s Health Care Utilization in the United States
Authors: Seo Jin Young , Bae Sung-Heui , Dickerson Suzanne S.
Published: January 2016

A systematic literature review was performed to review empirical evidence, published between 1946 and 2015, regarding Korean immigrant women’s health care utilization and factors affecting their health care utilization in the United States. Andersen’s behavioral model of health services utilization was used as a framework and was expanded to analyze the pattern of health services utilization and to identify characteristics of access to health care. A total of 32 reports were included. Variables were categorized into 1 of 5 individual determinants: cultural, enabling, predisposing, need, and reinforcing factor. A total of 423 relationships were found between individual determinants and health care utilization. All reinforcing variables were effective in increasing Korean immigrant women’s health care utilization in a positive way. Interventions targeting multiple factors were strongly effective in encouraging Korean immigrant women to utilize health services for cancer screening. However, these studies yielded inconsistent findings related to outcome measures due to the variability of measurement criteria.
Strategies for Teaching Evidence-Based Management
Authors: Wright April L. , Middleton Stuart , Greenfield Geoffrey , Williams Julian , Brazil Victoria
Published: January 2016

Evidence-based management (EBMgt) is a growing literature stream in management education which contends that management decision making should be informed by the best available scientific evidence (Rousseau, 2006). Encouraged by the success of evidence-based practice in the field of medicine, advocates of EBMgt have increasingly called for management educators to develop graduates into evidence-based practitioners who—like physicians—value and use evidence in their daily practice in organizations. In this essay, we contribute to these debates by exploring three strategies that are used in medicine to train physicians to engage with evidence: embedding the normative foundation of evidence in problem-solving routines, role modelling being a reflective research consumer, and creating teachable moments through lived experience of research. We consider whether and how these strategies can be adapted to inform teaching the teaching of EBMgt. Drawing on these insights from physician training, we suggest a range of methods and techniques that management educators can implement in their teaching to facilitate student learning about evidence-based practice. We also consider the challenge of developing evidence-based cultures in organizations.
Affecting Student Perception and Performance by Grading With 10,000 Points
Authors: Peterson Claudette M. , Peterson Tim O.
Published: January 2016

As professors, we each have our own approach to grading which allows us to assess learning and provide useful feedback to our students, yet is not too onerous. This article explains one approach we have used that differs from standard grading scales we often hear about from our colleagues. Rather than being based on 100 points or 100% over the course of a semester, it is based on 10,000 points. This might sound very complicated, but it is actually more simple and straightforward and could be used in any discipline. This article addresses current thinking about grading scales, challenges we face related to student paradigms about grading, how the grading scale based on 10,000 points mitigates those issues, considerations for implementing such a grading scale, and how students reacted to the grading scale.
3D Moth-inspired chemical plume tracking and adaptive step control strategy
Authors: Gao Bo , Li Hongbo , Li Wei , Sun Fuchun
Published: January 2016

This paper presents an adaptive-step-control (ASC) strategy for autonomous chemical plume tracking (CPT) in both 2D and 3D spaces. The aim of CPT is tracking a target chemical flow back to its source and declaring its location. While the majority of related works are based on wheeled robots in 2D, the rapid development of rotorcrafts makes 3D plume tracking possible. Hence, in this paper, we first discuss the generalized form of moth-inspired CPT work flow, then extend the orthodox moth-inspired CPT from 2D to 3D. More importantly, we also propose an ASC strategy to deal with the “passing-by” problem and to gain better control performance. Simulation results are given to demonstrate that ASC can solve the inflexibility caused by “hard” step length in diffusive airflow, because it can autonomously adjust the step lengths of the robot according to the status of the environment, enabling our robot to stride confidently in the low chemical concentration areas and focus on highly suspicious areas.
Additive layered manufacturing: State-of-the-art applications in product innovation
Authors: Mawale Mahesh B , Kuthe Abhaykumar M , Dahake Sandeep W
Published: January 2016

Additive manufacturing technology permits to develop a product with high level of geometrical complex shape and produce it as unique product by implying low cost and quick time production compared with other manufacturing processes. It has proved a faster method across various industrial disciplines to build functional parts from computer-aided design model. Freedom for design in product development is a new reality with additive manufacturing. In this article, a review of additive product development is done in various industries including food, sports, and biomedical. Furthermore, different additive manufacturing techniques which are used in innovative product development are explained with case studies and examples. Also, a conceptual framework has been represented to use additive manufacturing as collaborative tool with theory of inventive problem solving technique in the innovative product development.
Taking a Closer Look at Group Identity
Authors: Sanchez Gabriel R. , Vargas Edward D.
Published: January 2016

Scholarship in the area of group identity has expanded our understanding of how group consciousness and linked fate operate among racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. What is yet to be tested is whether the measures employed adequately capture the multidimensional theoretical constructs associated with group consciousness across racial and ethnic populations. To address this question, we make use of the 2004 National Political Study ( N = 3,339) and apply principal components analysis and exploratory factor analysis to assess whether measures used for both group consciousness and linked fate are interchangeable, as well as whether these measures are directly comparable across racial and ethnic populations. We find that the multidimensional approach to measuring group consciousness is a sound strategy when applied to African Americans, as the dimensions fit the African American experience more powerfully than is the case for non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, and Asian populations. Our analysis suggests that scholars interested in exploring group identity among the African American population have fewer analytical concerns in this regard than those working with other populations where the underlying components associated with group consciousness appear to be operating differently.
Higher-gradient continua: The legacy of Piola, Mindlin, Sedov and Toupin and some future research perspectives
Authors: dell’Isola Francesco , Corte Alessandro Della , Giorgio Ivan
Published: January 2016

Since the first studies dedicated to the mechanics of deformable bodies (by Euler, D’Alembert, Lagrange) the principle of virtual work (or virtual velocities) has been used to provide firm guidance to the formulation of novel theories. Gabrio Piola dedicated his scientific life to formulating a continuum theory in order to encompass a large class of deformation phenomena and was the first author to consider continua with non-local internal interactions and, as a particular case, higher-gradient continua. More recent followers of Piola (Mindlin, Sedov and then Richard Toupin) recognized the principle of virtual work (and its particular case, the principle of least action) as the (only!) firm foundation of continuum mechanics. Mindlin and Toupin managed to formulate a conceptual frame for continuum mechanics which is able to effectively model the complex behaviour of so-called architectured, advanced, multiscale or microstructured (meta)materials. Other postulation schemes, in contrast, do not seem able to be equally efficient. The present work aims to provide a historical and theoretical overview of the subject. Some research perspectives concerning this theoretical approach are outlined in the final section.
Optimization of strawberry disinfection by fogging of a mixture of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide based on microbial reduction, color and phytochemicals retention
Authors: Van de Velde Franco , Vaccari María Celia , Piagentini Andrea Marcela , Pirovani María Élida
Published: January 2016

The fogging of strawberries using a environmentally friendly sanitizer mixture of peracetic acid (5%) and hydrogen peroxide (20%) was performed in a model chamber and modeled as a function of the concentration (3.4, 20.0, 60.0, 100.0 and 116.6 µL sanitizer L −1 air chamber) and the treatment time (5.7, 15.0, 37.5, 60.0 and 69.3 min). The sanitizer fogging was adequate for reducing total mesophilic microbial and yeasts and moulds counts of fruits until seven days of storage at 2℃. However, sanitizer oxidant properties adversely affected the content of total anthocyanins, total phenolics, vitamin C, and antioxidant capacity to various degrees, with some deleterious changes in the fruits color, depending on the fogging conditions. A multiple numeric response optimization was developed based on 2.0 log microbiological reduction, maximum phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity retentions, with no changes in the fruits color, being the optimal fogging conditions achieved: 10.1 µL sanitizer L−1 air chamber and 29.6 min. The fogging of strawberries at these conditions may represent a promising postharvest treatment option for extending their shelf-life without affecting their sensory quality and bioactive properties.
The Picture Plus Discussion Intervention: Text Access for High School Students with Moderate Intellectual Disability
Authors: Shurr Jordan , Taber-Doughty Teresa
Published: January 2016

Students with moderate intellectual disability often experience limited access to age-appropriate texts due to limitations in reading skills, access to instruction and supports, and educator beliefs. Use of text read alouds is an emerging tool for increasing such access; however, supports are often still required for access to age-appropriate texts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of the picture plus discussion (PPD) intervention on the comprehension abilities of high school students with moderate intellectual disability when expository texts were read aloud. A multiple probe design was used to measure the effect of this intervention across three different types of texts including leveled readers, stories from a local newspaper, and sections from employee handbooks. Results indicate that the PPD intervention was successful in increasing student comprehension as measured by story retell. Implications and future directions for research and practice are discussed.
Comparisons of Self-Determination Among Students With Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Learning Disabilities: A Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Chou Yu-Chi , Wehmeyer Michael L. , Palmer Susan B. , Lee Jaehoon
Published: January 2016

This study examined differences in self-determination among students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), students with intellectual disability (ID), and students with learning disabilities (LD). A total of 222 participants with an equal size group for each of the three disability categories were selected to participate in the comparison of total self-determination and domain scores. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was performed on four dependent variables (DVs)/factors, including autonomy, self-regulation, psychological empowerment, and self-realization. The results indicated that students with ASD had significantly lower levels of autonomy compared with students in either other group; that students with ID had significantly lower levels of self-regulation than students with LD, but not significantly different from students with ASD; that students with ASD and students with ID had significantly lower levels of psychological empowerment than students with LD; and that students with ID had significantly lower levels of self-realization than students with LD, but not significantly different from students with ASD. Suggestions for future research and implications for educators were also discussed.
Manufacturing and evaluation of polyurethane composite structural insulated panels
Authors: Mohamed M , Hussein R , Abutunis A , Huo Z , Chandrashekhara K , Sneed LH
Published: January 2016

Composite materials are increasingly used in applications of civil infrastructure and building materials. The new generations of two-part thermoset polyurethane resin systems are desirable materials for infrastructure applications. This is due to high impact resistance, superior mechanical properties, and reduced volatile organic compounds when compared to the conventionally used resin systems such as vinyl ester and polyester. Glass fiber-reinforced two-part polyurethane composites and low-density polyurethane foam are used to design and manufacture composite structural insulation panels using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process for temporary housing applications. Using these types of composite panels in building construction will result in cost-efficient, high-performance products due to inherent advantages in design flexibility. Use of core-filled composite structures offers additional benefits such as high strength, stiffness, lower structural weight, ease of installation and structure replacement, and higher buckling resistance than the conventional panels. Energy efficiency is known to be inherently better with the core-filled composite panel than in a metallic material. The panels can be designed to resist the required loads, and the study aims to evaluate the ability of lab scale tests and models to predict part quality in full-scale parts. Furthermore, it discusses the manufacturing challenges. Flexural tests and energy consumption evaluations were performed on these structural components. Finite element simulation results were used to validate the flexural experiment findings.
The impact of mediated party issue strategies on electoral support
Authors: Bos Linda , Lefevere Jonas M , Thijssen Roos , Sheets Penelope
Published: January 2016

Based on agenda-setting, priming and issue ownership theory, we know that issue ownership and party visibility in the news can be used as strategies to affect electoral support. Thus far, it is, however, unclear whether these effects are independent or work interactively. This study aims to fill this gap. We focus on the Partij voor de Vrijheid, the prominent Dutch right-wing populist party, and draw upon an experimental design in which we exposed a sample of Dutch voters ( N = 600) to media coverage on one of four issues – an owned issue, an unowned issue, an issue owned by another party and a contested issue – featuring either a party cue or not. The results indicate that the impact of issue coverage is moderated by party cues: attention to owned issues and unowned issues increases support only when party cues are present. Attention to contested and trespassing issues does not increase support.
Telehealth language assessments using consumer grade equipment in rural and urban settings: Feasible, reliable and well tolerated
Authors: Sutherland Rebecca , Trembath David , Hodge Antoinette , Drevensek Suzi , Lee Sabrena , Silove Natalie , Roberts Jacqueline
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Telehealth can be an effective way to provide speech pathology intervention to children with speech and language impairments. However, the provision of reliable and feasible standardised language assessments via telehealth to establish children’s needs for intervention and to monitor progress has not yet been well established. Further, there is limited information about children’s reactions to telehealth. This study aimed to examine the reliability and feasibility of conducting standardised language assessment with school-aged children with known or suspected language impairment via a telehealth application using consumer grade computer equipment within a public school setting.

Method

Twenty-three children (aged 8–12 years) participated. Each child was assessed using a standardised language assessment comprising six subtests. Two subtests were administered by a speech pathologist face-to-face (local clinician) and four subtests were administered via telehealth. All subtests were completed within a single visit to the clinic service, with a break between the face to face and telehealth sessions. The face-to-face clinician completed behaviour observation checklists in the telehealth and face to face conditions and provided feedback on the audio and video quality of the application from the child’s point of view. Parent feedback about their child’s experience was elicited via survey.

Results

There was strong inter-rater reliability in the telehealth and face-to-face conditions (correlation coefficients ranged from r = 0.96–1.0 across the subtests) and good agreement on all measures. Similar levels of attention, distractibility and anxiety were observed in the two conditions. Clinicians rated only one session of 23 as having poor audio quality and no sessions were rated as having poor visual quality. Parent and child reactions to the use of telehealth were largely positive and supportive of using telehealth to assess rural children.

Discussion

The findings support the use of telehealth in the language assessment of school-aged children using a web application and commercially available computer equipment. This reliable and innovative service delivery model has the potential to be used by speech pathologists to provide assessments to children in remote communities.
Postcolonial penality: Liberty and repression in the shadow of independence, India c. 1947
Authors: Brown Mark
Published: January 2016

This article reports primary archival data on the colonial penal history of British India and its reconfiguration into the postcolonial Indian state. It introduces criminologists to frameworks through which postcolonial scholars have sought to make sense of the continuities and discontinuities of rule across the colonial/postcolonial divide. The article examines the postcolonial life of one example of colonial penal power, known as the criminal tribes policy, under which more than three million Indian subjects of British rule were restricted in their movements, subject to a host of administrative rules and sometimes severe punishments, sequestered in settlements and limited in access to legal redress. It illustrates how at the birth of the postcolonial Indian state, encompassing visions of a liberal, unfettered and free life guaranteed in a new Constitution and charter of Fundamental Rights, freedom for some was to prove as elusive as citizens as it had been as subjects.
‘Machines don’t have instincts’: Articulating the computational in journalism
Authors: Bucher Taina
Published: January 2016

This article examines the articulation of computational journalism, focusing on how the meaning of the computational is discursively constructed and mobilized as a specific constellation of intelligibility within news organizations. Relying on the concept of articulation developed in cultural studies, the article asks what, exactly, is meant by the computational in the context of journalism? Drawing on interviews with key managerial staff, editors and developers at Scandinavian news organizations, three broad claims about the linkage between the computational and journalism emerged. These articulations include the notion that machines don’t have instincts, that democracy can never be personalized and finally that the computational is something to think with, rather than simulate. The argument is made that what can and cannot be calculated is not merely a technical question, it is also a deeply social, cultural, political and economic one. Thus, the computational emerges as an important organising framework and discursive order for thinking and talking about journalism in the digital age.
Artificial intelligence-based modelling and multi-objective optimization of friction stir welding of dissimilar AA5083-O and AA6063-T6 aluminium alloys
Authors: Gupta Saurabh Kumar , Pandey KN , Kumar Rajneesh
Published: January 2016

The present research investigates the application of artificial intelligence tool for modelling and multi-objective optimization of friction stir welding parameters of dissimilar AA5083-O–AA6063-T6 aluminium alloys. The experiments have been conducted according to a well-designed L27 orthogonal array. The experimental results obtained from L27 experiments were used for developing artificial neural network-based mathematical models for tensile strength, microhardness and grain size. A hybrid approach consisting of artificial neural network and genetic algorithm has been used for multi-objective optimization. The developed artificial neural network-based models for tensile strength, microhardness and grain size have been found adequate and reliable with average percentage prediction errors of 0.053714, 0.182092 and 0.006283%, respectively. The confirmation results at optimum parameters showed considerable improvement in the performance of each response.
Creep-behavior-based material selection for a clamping spring of ceramic-matrix composite inner-shroud in utility and industrial gas-turbine engines
Authors: Grujicic M , Galgalikar R , Snipes JS , Ramaswami S
Published: January 2016

This paper addresses the problem of materials selection for springs used to clamp an inner shroud segment to the outer shroud block in utility and industrial gas turbine engines. Clamping is achieved through the application of an initial compressive load to the spring. However, since the spring is subjected to high temperature and oxidizing conditions, it experiences creep and surface oxidation. Both of these processes result in the loss of the compressive load within the spring with time. A material selection procedure is developed, which identifies optimum materials (design variables), with respect to the minimum loss in the clamping-spring load (objective function) for a given set of geometrical constraints (i.e. maximum size of the spring is constrained by the outer-shroud cavity which houses the spring) and functional constraints (force retention should persist over the expected life of the inner-shroud segment). Two material selection procedures are devised: (a) one, fairly rigorous and computationally intensive, based on the use of a finite element analysis; and (b) the other, less rigorous but computationally less expensive, based on the use of a simplified analytical/numerical procedure. In the absence of oxidation, the two approaches yielded different, but mutually consistent, results with identical ranking of the clamping-force candidate materials. The inclusion of the oxidation effects showed that oxidation-induced loss in the spring material increases the extent of clamping-force relaxation and may affect the ranking of the candidate materials.
The infant audience: The impact and implications of child development research on performing arts practice for the very young
Authors: Drury Rachel C , Fletcher-Watson Ben
Published: January 2016

The advances of scientific techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging have led to an enormous increase in understanding of the physical, neurological and cognitive developments in infancy. Alongside this, radical new forms of theatre, dance and music have emerged, aimed at this same age group. Many artists now work alongside child psychologists, educators and other infant specialists to design performing arts productions suited to the needs and abilities of the infant audience. This article provides a summary of the development of the five main senses in early infancy in relation to theatre-based productions for babies aged 0–18 months. An exploration into this cross-disciplinary research practice not only demonstrates how performing arts have adapted for the baby audience, but also how they can provide a platform for further research into child development.
Preschool children’s participation in representational and non-representational activities
Authors: Braswell Gregory S
Published: January 2016

The present study examined representational and non-representational activities in which children in a Head Start classroom participated. This was an investigation from the perspective of cultural-historical activity theory of how components (e.g. artifacts and division of labour) of classroom activities vary across and within types of activities. Participants included a class of 21 ethnically diverse 4- and 5-year-olds and two teachers. Data collection involved naturalistic observations of classroom members participating in indoor play, outdoor play, and notational activities (e.g. reading and drawing) over 8 days. Who was involved, artifact use, and artifact-related actions varied by activity. Furthermore, who was involved, actions, and division of labour were strongly linked in second-by-second analyses. The present study contributes research which situates children’s development within daily activities.
The influence of early interest orientations and time on kindergartners’ academic monitoring and information-seeking behaviors
Authors: Neitzel Carin , Alexander Joyce , Johnson Kathy
Published: January 2016

This study addressed questions about the influence of children’s early childhood interests on their subsequent academic regulation and information pursuit behaviors in kindergarten. Differences in the pattern of academic behaviors employed by four groups of children who had different interest orientations were examined. Specifically, the study investigated the relative stability (or variability) of the influence of particular interest types on the children’s behavior patterns across the first year of school. Participants included 109 children who were enrolled in a longitudinal study of interest development. To assess their academic regulation strategies and information pursuits, the children were observed in their kindergarten classrooms during both teacher-led and student-directed activities on four occasions throughout the school year. The findings reflected an elaboration in children’s repertoires of regulation strategies and information pursuits across the school year in general. However, differences in the profiles of academic behavior for the four interest groups suggest that at least short term, the influence of interest is relatively pervasive, strengthening rather than waning over time. Early interaction preferences may function as important transitional and maintenance tools as children adapt and adjust to new cognitive and behavioral expectations of school.
Democracy, equal citizenship, and education
Authors: Callan Eamonn
Published: January 2016

Two appealing principles of educational distribution – equality and sufficiency – are comparatively assessed. The initial point of comparison is the distribution of civic educational goods. One reason to favor equality in educational distribution rather than sufficiency is the elimination of undeserved positional advantage in access to labor markets. But civic educational aims of the kind that sustain equal citizenship do not have positional value. Furthermore, such aims intersect with those that augment labor market competitiveness. That seems to pose a dilemma: within the intersection of aims, we have moral grounds to eliminate unfair positional advantage in access to labor markets but also reason to forgo such efforts as repugnant to the civic goods that education properly confers. The dilemma is escaped if positional inequality is not addressed through equalization of educational opportunity but by pursuing what Lesley Jacobs calls ‘stakes fairness’ in the distribution of social goods that are now too tightly tied to competitive success in labor markets.
Body mass index and chronic airflow limitation in a worldwide population-based study
Authors: Vanfleteren Lowie EGW , Lamprecht Bernd , Studnicka Michael , Kaiser Bernhard , Gnatiuc Louisa , Burney Peter , Wouters Emiel FM , Franssen Frits ME
Published: January 2016

Nutritional status has been associated with clinical outcome in chronic airflow limitation (CAL), but epidemiological studies are scarce. We aimed to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and CAL, taking into account confounding factors. 18,606 participants (49% male, 21% smokers, mean age: 55.8 ± 11.2 years, mean BMI: 26.7 ± 5.5 kg/m2) of the BOLD initiative from 26 sites in 23 countries were included. CAL was defined as post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity < lower limit of normal. Low and obese BMI were defined as <21 kg/m2 and ≥30 kg/m2, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis controlled for confounders age, sex and smoking, and meta-analysis of between-site heterogeneity and clustering. Prevalence of low and obese BMI, smoking history and prevalence of CAL were highly variable between sites. After adjustment for confounders, the meta-analysis of all sites showed that compared to subjects without CAL, low BMI was more frequent, (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.23 (95% confidence interval: 1.75, 2.85)) and conversely, obesity was less frequent in subjects with CAL (adjusted OR: 0.78 (0.65, 0.94)). In a worldwide population sample, CAL was associated with lower BMI, even after adjusting for confounding factors age, gender, smoking and between-site heterogeneity. These results indicate a CAL-specific association with body composition.
Respiratory and lower limb muscle function in interstitial lung disease
Authors: Panagiotou Marios , Polychronopoulos Vlasis , Strange Charlie
Published: January 2016

Growing evidence suggests that respiratory and limb muscle function may be impaired in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Importantly, muscle dysfunction could promote dyspnoea, fatigue and functional limitation all of which are cardinal features of ILD. This article examines the risk factors for skeletal muscle dysfunction in ILD, reviews the current evidence on overall respiratory and limb muscle function and focuses on the occurrence and implications of skeletal muscle dysfunction in ILD. Research limitations and pathways to address the current knowledge gaps are highlighted.
Focal stenosis of the sigmoid sinus causing intracranial venous hypertension: Case report, endovascular management, and review of the literature
Authors: Honarmand Amir R , Hurley Michael C , Ansari Sameer A , Alden Tord D , Kuhn Ryan , Shaibani Ali
Published: January 2016

Regardless of the underlying pathology, elevated intracranial pressure is the endpoint of any impairment in either cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) absorption (including arachnoid villi) or intracranial venous drainage. In all age groups, the predominant final common pathway for CSF drainage is the dural venous sinus system. Intracranial venous hypertension (ICVH) is an important vascular cause of intracranial hypertension (and its subsequent sequelae), which has often been ignored due to excessive attention to the arterial system and, specifically, arteriovenous shunts. Various anatomical and pathological entities have been described to cause ICVH. For the second time, we present a unique case of severe focal stenosis in the distal sigmoid sinus associated with concurrent hypoplasia of the contralateral transverse sinus causing a significant pressure gradient and intracranial hypertension, which was treated with endovascular stent placement and angioplasty.
Pipeline embolization device deployment via an envoy distal access XB guiding catheter—biaxial platform: A technical note
Authors: Al-Mufti Fawaz , Amuluru Krishna , Singh Inder Paul , Gandhi Chirag , Prestigiacomo Charles J
Published: January 2016

With the increased reliance on the Pipeline embolization device (PED) for the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms, our experience in managing intraoperative complications and challenges continues to accumulate amid a scarcity of reports on rescue strategies and innovative techniques. We describe the case of a 50-year-old woman who presented for elective repeat embolization of a right posterior communicating artery aneurysm with some residual aneurysmal filling. During the procedure the patient developed severe vasospasm due to vessel irritation and this led us to proceed to deploy the PED through a biaxial construct composed of the 6 French Envoy MPD DA XB, and the Marksman catheters. The biaxial construct in select patients may provide the required stability while eliminating the need for an intermediate catheter, minimizing embolic risk, and allowing for less irritation to the vessel. Larger studies are required for further validation.
Bilateral extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Veith Christina K , Tedesco Janine A , Landis Gregg S
Published: January 2016

This is a report of a 62-year-old male with bilateral extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms, treated with resection, and interposition bypass. Bilateral presentation of carotid aneurysms is an uncommon finding in an already rare disease. We review the etiology, natural history, and treatment options.
Long-term results of simplified frozen elephant trunk technique in complicated acute type A aortic dissection: A case–control study
Authors: Kobayashi Misato , Chaykovska Lyubov , van der Loo Bernd , Nguyen Thi Dan Linh , Puippe Gilbert , Salzberg Sacha , Ueda Hideki , Maisano Francesco , Pecoraro Felice , Lachat Mario
Published: January 2016

Aim

To describe the long-term experience of a simplified frozen elephant trunk technique (sFETT) used in complicated acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) treatment.

Methods and results

Between January 2001 and December 2012, 34 patients (mean age 59.9 ± 11.0 years) with complicated AAAD (DeBakey I) underwent an emergency surgery including sFETT. sFETT consisted in gluing the dissected aortic arch wall layers with gelatine-resorcinol adhesive and video-assisted antegrade open arch aortic stent-graft deployment in the arch or proximal descending aorta. In addition to sFETT, the aortic root was addressed with standard techniques. A 30-day mortality was 14.7% (five patients) due to bleeding (1), multiple organ failure (2), and colon ischemia (2). Postoperative morbidity included neurological (2), renal (1) and cardio-pulmonary complications (4), as well as wound infection (1). Mean follow-up was 74.4 ± 45.0 months. Actual survival rates were 73.5% at 1 year, 70.2% at 5 years, and 58.5% at 13 years of follow-up. Six patients died during long-term follow-up from heart failure (1) and unknown reasons (5). Five patients required reoperation for aortic arch (3) or aorto-iliac (2) progression of aneurysm during the mid- and long-term follow-up. The remaining patients showed favorable evolution of the dissected aorta with false lumen occlusion in most cases and stable aortic diameters.

Conclusions

In AAAD patients, sFETT as used in our series is an easy and safe technique to repair the aortic arch. Long-term results after sFETT showed false lumen occlusion and stable aortic diameter in up to 13 years of follow-up.
Trial design for evaluating novel treatments during an outbreak of an infectious disease
Authors: Whitehead John , Olliaro Piero , Lang Trudie , Horby Peter
Published: January 2016

Tragically, the outbreak of Ebola that started in West Africa in 2014 has been far more extensive and damaging than any previous outbreaks. The duration of the outbreak has, for the first time, allowed the clinical evaluation of Ebola treatments. This article discusses the designs used for two such clinical trials which have recruited patients in Liberia and Sierra Leone. General principles are outlined for trial designs intended to be deployed quickly, adapt flexibly and provide results soon enough to influence the course of the current epidemic rather than just providing evidence for use should Ebola break out again. Lessons are drawn for the conduct of clinical research in future outbreaks of infectious diseases, where the sequence of events may or may not be similar to the West African Ebola epidemic.