bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“It’s All Possible”: Urban Educators’ Perspectives on Creating a Culturally Relevant, Schoolwide, College-Going Culture for Black and Latino Male Students
Authors: Knight-Manuel Michelle G. , Marciano Joanne E. , Wilson Michael , Jackson Iesha , Vernikoff Laura , Zuckerman Kelly Gavin , Watson Vaughn W. M.
Published: May 2016

This article examines how 18 teachers, counselors, administrators, and support staff from seven New York City public high schools collaborated during the Black and Latino Male Professional Development Initiative (a pseudonym) to develop a “culturally relevant, schoolwide, college-going culture” supportive of Black and Latino males’ college readiness and access. We draw from a mixed-methods empirical research study to discuss participants’ changing understandings of the features of such a culture, and how participants’ action plans illuminate steps for change in their schools. We provide recommendations for creating equitable educational opportunities for Black and Latino males supportive of access to postsecondary education.
Racial Cues and Racial Identity
Authors: Hoggard Lori S. , Jones Shawn C. T. , Sellers Robert M.
Published: May 2016

Previous research suggests racial identity and racial cues, such as the extent to which an event is blatantly or ambiguously race-related, individually shape African American (AA) individuals’ experiences with racial discrimination (RD). However, scant attention has been paid to the interactive or transactional influences of these factors. The present study examined the direct effects of racial cues and the interactive effects of racial cues and racial identity—specifically, the extent to which AAs believe others view AAs negatively—on 78 AAs’ interpretations of and affective responses to lab-based RD. Findings revealed a direct effect of racial cues on participants’ perceptions of the event as being race-relevant and on participants’ affect. Moreover, racial identity moderated the associations between racial cues and participants’ perceptions and affective responses. These findings suggest that AAs’ experiences with RD are not homogeneous and that the interplay or transaction between racial cues and racial identity is vital in such experiences.
Psychologically Adjusted Persons Are Less Aware of How They Are Perceived by Others
Authors: Mosch Alice , Borkenau Peter
Published: May 2016

Focusing on individual differences, we studied three influences on the accuracy of meta-perceptions of personality: (a) projection, that is, relying on one’s self-perception; (b) normative meta-insight, that is, relying on the perception of the typical person by others; and (c) distinctive meta-insight, that is, relying on others’ perception of one’s unique personality attributes. Using a round-robin design, 52 groups of four acquainted students described themselves, three acquaintances, and their meta-perceptions on the Big-Five factors of personality, and provided self-reports of psychological adjustment. Projection, normative, and distinctive meta-insight contributed uniquely to meta-perception, yet qualified by systematic individual differences: Psychologically adjusted meta-perceivers projected more and relied on distinctive meta-insight less. Moreover, acquaintance raised projection. Thus, psychologically adjusted meta-perceivers were less aware of discrepancies between their self-perceptions and their actual perceptions by others, and the better people knew another person, the more strongly they expected that this other person perceived them like they perceived themselves.
Online Calibration of Polytomous Items Under the Generalized Partial Credit Model
Authors: Zheng Yi
Published: May 2016

Online calibration is a technology-enhanced architecture for item calibration in computerized adaptive tests (CATs). Many CATs are administered continuously over a long term and rely on large item banks. To ensure test validity, these item banks need to be frequently replenished with new items, and these new items need to be pretested before being used operationally. Online calibration dynamically embeds pretest items in operational tests and calibrates their parameters as response data are gradually obtained through the continuous test administration. This study extends existing formulas, procedures, and algorithms for dichotomous item response theory models to the generalized partial credit model, a popular model for items scored in more than two categories. A simulation study was conducted to investigate the developed algorithms and procedures under a variety of conditions, including two estimation algorithms, three pretest item selection methods, three seeding locations, two numbers of score categories, and three calibration sample sizes. Results demonstrated acceptable estimation accuracy of the two estimation algorithms in some of the simulated conditions. A variety of findings were also revealed for the interacted effects of included factors, and recommendations were made respectively.
The mediating effect of flow experience on social shopping behavior
Authors: Hsu Chia-Lin , Chang Kuo-Chien , Kuo Nien-Te , Cheng Yi-Sung
Published: May 2016

This study explores the relationships among the following four dimensions, with a particular focus on how flow experience mediates social shopping behavior: (1) user beliefs; (2) website quality, including information quality, system quality, and service quality; (3) flow experience; and (4) social shopping behavior, as demonstrated by a sample of the online consumer population. We gathered online surveys (n = 386) in Taiwan to test the relationships among the four dimensions laid out in our structural equation model. The results confirm that flow experience has a mediating effect on social shopping behavior. They also show that there is a significant correlation between user beliefs, website quality, and flow experience. The results fill an empirical gap in the theoretical literature on social shopping behavior, especially areas involving website quality and the beliefs of users. They also offer insight into the positive effect which flow experience has on social shopping behavior. This study offers a valuable contribution by exploring in detail the way in which flow experience affects social shopping behavior through strengthening the influence of both website quality and user beliefs.
Management considerations of massive hemoptysis while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Pitcher Harrison T , Harrison Meredith A , Shaw Colette , Cowan Scott W , Hirose Hitoshi , Cavarocchi Nicholas
Published: May 2016

Background:

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) is a life-saving procedure in patients with both respiratory and cardiac failure. Bleeding complications are common since patients must be maintained on anticoagulation. Massive hemoptysis is a rare complication of ECMO; however, it may result in death if not managed thoughtfully and expeditiously.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed of consecutive ECMO patients from 7/2010-8/2014 to identify episodes of massive hemoptysis. The management of and the outcomes in these patients were studied. Massive hemoptysis was defined as an inability to control bleeding (>300 mL/day) from the endotracheal tube with conventional maneuvers, such as bronchoscopy with cold saline lavage, diluted epinephrine lavage and selective lung isolation. All of these episodes necessitated disconnecting the ventilator tubing and clamping the endotracheal tube, causing full airway tamponade.

Results:

During the period of review, we identified 118 patients on ECMO and 3 (2.5%) patients had the complication of massive hemoptysis. One case was directly related to pulmonary catheter migration and the other two were spontaneous bleeding events that were propagated by antiplatelet agents. All three patients underwent bronchial artery embolization in the interventional radiology suite. Anticoagulation was held during the period of massive hemoptysis without any embolic complications. There was no recurrent bleed after appropriate intervention. All three patients were successfully separated from ECMO.

Conclusions:

Bleeding complications remain a major issue in patients on ECMO. Disconnection of the ventilator and clamping the endotracheal tube with full respiratory and cardiac support by V-A ECMO is safe. Early involvement of interventional radiology to embolize any potential sources of the bleed can prevent re-hemoptysis and enable continued cardiac and respiratory recovery.
Power Structure in the Peer Group: The Role of Classroom Cohesion and Hierarchy in Peer Acceptance and Rejection of Victimized and Aggressive Students
Authors: Martín Babarro Javier , Díaz-Aguado María José , Martínez Arias Rosario , Steglich Christian
Published: May 2016

This study addresses the interacting effects of classroom cohesion and hierarchy on the relationships between victimization and aggression with peer acceptance and rejection. Classroom cohesion and hierarchy were constructed from friendship nominations. Multilevel analysis conducted in a sample of seventh- and eighth-grade students from the Sociescuela program in Spain ( N = 6,600) showed that in cohesive and hierarchical classrooms, a higher level of victimization was found; peer rejection was more strongly associated with victimization. In contrast to previous research, for males, aggression was more strongly associated with peer acceptance in less hierarchized classrooms.
The twain shall meet
Authors: Berthiaume Guy , Nicholls Sandra
Published: May 2016

In 2004, Library and Archives Canada became one of the first organizations in the world to integrate the services and functions of a national library and a national archives. The vision behind it was the creation of a new kind of knowledge organization, fully integrated, and able to respond to the information needs of the 21st century. Library and Archives Canada has been undergoing steady redefinition ever since.
Student attitudes towards library usage and sources at a Turkish university
Authors: Fry Leanna
Published: May 2016

Library instruction programs for students are still in developmental stages at many Turkish universities. English-language resources are available to teach information literacy skills to students majoring in English Language and Literature. This study surveyed students majoring in English Language and Literature about their attitudes towards library usage and sources. Approximately two-thirds of students had received online information literacy training in English. Student attitudes revealed a distinct preference for Internet sources over library sources and a belief that Internet sources are more likely than library sources to provide them with the information they need for their major classes. However, students that had received information literacy training showed a statistically significant increase in preference for library usage and sources over students that did not receive this training.
Trajectories of Leisure Activity and Disability in Older Adults Over 11 Years in Taiwan
Authors: Yu Hsiao-Wei , Chiang Tung-liang , Chen Duan-Rung , Tu Yu-Kang , Chen Ya-Mei
Published: May 2016

We aimed to identify leisure activity (LA) trajectories and examined the association among baseline characteristics, LA trajectories, and the later disability among older Taiwanese adults. Data were from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging Survey for the years 1996-2007 ( N = 3,186). LA trajectories were identified by using latent class growth curve modeling. Regression analyses were applied to predict the relationships among baseline characteristics, LA trajectories, and disability. Four LA trajectories—consistent high, consistent low, increasing, and decreasing—were identified. Lower depressive symptom was related to consistently active in LAs. Younger age and fewer comorbidities were related to develop an increasing LA trajectory. Participants in the consistent-high or increasing LA trajectories were more likely to be functionally independent, but those in the decreasing LA subgroup were more at risk of developing disability. The findings suggested that long-term changes in LA over time have benefits on physical health in older population.
Bringing Practice to the Classroom: Using a Deliberative Learning and Case Study Approach to Teach International Planning
Authors: Hoey Lesli , Rumbach Andrew , Shake Joshua D.
Published: May 2016

More effective methods are needed to meet the Planning Accreditation Board’s requirement to teach all master’s students about the “global dimensions of planning.” Our survey of accredited US planning programs confirms that field-based courses, traditionally the most effective option, are costly and time-consuming and are therefore occasional, rather than regular, options for exposing students to international planning practice. Based on active learning theories, we suggest that a deliberative learning, case-based approach can facilitate many of the learning outcomes that make travel courses so attractive while also making internationally oriented pedagogies available to a wider range of students and programs.
Genipin-crosslinked O-carboxymethyl chitosan–gum Arabic coacervate as a pH-sensitive delivery system and microstructure characterization
Authors: Huang Guo-Qing , Cheng Ling-Yun , Xiao Jun-Xia , Wang Shi-Qing , Han Xiao-Na
Published: May 2016

The possibility of genipin-crosslinked O-carboxymethyl chitosan–gum Arabic coacervate as a pH-sensitive delivery vehicle was investigated. O-carboxymethyl chitosan–gum Arabic coacervates separated in pH 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 were crosslinked by genipin for different durations and the crosslinked products were subjected to crosslinking degree, swelling behavior, bovine serum albumin release profile, and microstructure characterization. Genipin-crosslinking greatly improved the stability of the coacervates against the simulated gastric solution and created certain pH-sensitivity. The coacervates displayed higher swelling ratios in the simulated gastric solution than in the simulated intestine and colon solutions; meanwhile, the coacervates prepared in pH 4.5 and 6.0 swelled more severely than the complex separated in pH 3.0. Nevertheless, the bovine serum albumin release in the simulated gastric solution from the microcapsules prepared in pH 6.0 was much lower than those prepared in pH 4.5 and 3.0, whose cumulative release percentages in the three simulated solutions were 17.14%, 55.23%, and 79.79%, respectively, in crosslinking duration 2 h. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that genipin-crosslinking improved the regularity and compactness of coacervate structure, whereas confocal laser scanning microscopy observation indicated that O-carboxymethyl chitosan content was possibly the major reason for the different swelling and bovine serum albumin release behavior of the coacervates. It was concluded that the genipin-crosslinked O-carboxymethyl chitosan–gum Arabic coacervate was a potential intestine-targeted delivery system and its delivery performance could be tailored by varying the crosslinking degree and coacervation acidity.
An Institutional Theory of the Nonprofit
Authors: Witesman Eva M.
Published: May 2016

The evolution of activity within the nonprofit sector (and nonprofit-type activity without the sector) has outpaced the ability of nonprofit theory to describe it. In contrast to legalistic, sector-based theories of the nonprofit, this article proposes an institutional theory of the nonprofit that defines its distinction from public and private institutions through (a) the voluntary (rather than coercive) assignment of roles and (b) the use of the good or service by non-payers. The voluntary and redistributive nature of such nonprofit-type institutions makes them primarily compatible with the distribution of goods that are non-subtractable and excludable (toll goods).
Evaluation of poly(diaryloxyphosphazene) elastomer for heat shielding insulations and morphology of charred layers
Authors: Zhang Shuangkun , Wang Jiqiang , Zhu Hongchun , Ali Shafqat , Ma Hanlin , Zhang Liqun , Wu Dezhen , Wu Zhanpeng
Published: May 2016

The ablative properties of elastomeric insulations are often inadequate for solid rocket motor (SRM) applications. These materials exhibit relatively high erosion rates during the operation of an SRM unless the charred insulation layers are reinforced with suitable fibre fillers. As alternatives to traditional synthetic rubber materials, flexible semi-inorganic rubbers such as polyphosphazene elastomers are now used as state-of-the-art heat-shielding materials. We have successfully managed to prepare a poly(diaryloxyphosphazene) elastomer (PDPP) as well as some insulation materials that are free of any fibrous fillers (with only the addition of inorganic oxides, such as fumed silica and zinc oxide). These polyphosphazene insulations exhibit excellent linear ablation rates (0.08 mm s−1 after a 20 s ablation test) as compared to synthetic organic rubbers. In addition, integrated and rigid charred layers without noticeable swells are formed on the surfaces of the matrices resulting in ‘coral fleece-like’ hollow microtubes, which show better ablative resistance performance than do traditional insulations. The pyrolysis products of PDPP have been characterized by pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry and the mechanism of its decomposition is also discussed.
Late-Holocene atmospheric dust deposition in eastern Canada (St. Lawrence North Shore)
Authors: Pratte Steve , Garneau Michelle , De Vleeschouwer François
Published: May 2016

Dust deposition in two ombrotrophic peatlands (Baie and Ile du Havre peatland (IDH) bogs) of the Estuary and Gulf of the St. Lawrence in eastern Canada was reconstructed using elemental geochemistry. The rare earth elements (REEs) and other lithogenic element concentrations were measured by ICP-oES and Q-ICP-MS along two peat cores spanning the last 4000 years. Principal component analyses on the geochemical profiles show that REEs display the same behavior as Al, Ti, Sc, and Zr, all conservative elements, which suggests that REEs are immobile in the studied peat bogs and can be used as tracers of dust deposition. Plant macrofossils were also used to infer past environmental and humidity changes. The dust fluxes were reconstructed using the sum of REEs (ΣREE). The range of dust deposition varies from 0.2 to 3.8 g m−2 yr−1 in the Baie bog, while the IDH bog shows lower fluxes ranging between 0.1 and 1.2 g m−2 yr−1. The highest dust fluxes in the Baie bog were recorded from 1750–1000 cal. BP to 600–100 cal. BP and occur at the same time as periods of high variability in the macrofossil record (i.e. successive layers dominated by Sphagnum or Ericaceae). The timing of these events in the dust and macrofossil records also corresponds to documented cold periods. These two periods have been identified as episodes of climatic instability, which could have been caused by changes in the wind regime.
Conscientious objection in Greater Glasgow Health Board v. Doogan and others [2014] UKSC 68
Authors: Ó Néill Clayton
Published: May 2016

This commentary considers the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) in Greater Glasgow Health Board v. Doogan and Others, which concerns the definition of ‘participate’ in the context of abortion and the conscientious objection of healthcare professionals due to their religious beliefs. It is argued that the SC was correct in affirming the definition of participate as articulated by Lord Keith in Janaway v. Salford Area General Authority. The protection of conscientious objection, under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, is considered. The discussion in this commentary, however, is limited to religious belief and does not consider the wider ambit of Article 9, such as nonreligious philosophical beliefs.
Going Tactical Rather than Strategic
Authors: Ramesh G. , Sucharita V.
Published: May 2016

This article analyses a tactical intervention aimed at improving the academic performance of students that brought about more than the intended positive changes in the target schools through contiguous effect. The intervention was primarily focused on student performance in examinations and was externally driven but led to many improvements in the internal systems as well. The manifestation of this process is explained through the Stakeholder Transition Model and the Outcome-focused Tactical Intervention Model. Within the broad framework of the Tactical, Network and Tacit triad, the article argues that contextualising for the local milieu or situation, coordinated stakeholder engagement and interpersonal relationships play important roles in the success of any intervention. The fact that these are not effectively implemented in the government schools covered in this study is not a comment on the system, since this issue is far too complex to be exhaustively discussed here. This intervention suggests a way for external change agents to bring about changes in the internal processes through contiguous pressure in contrast to directly acting on the system.
A time domain spectral layerwise finite element for wave structural health monitoring in composite strips with physically modeled active piezoelectric actuators and sensors
Authors: Rekatsinas Christoforos S , Saravanos Dimitris A
Published: May 2016

A new explicit, two-dimensional plane strain, time domain spectral finite element is developed to enhance the simulation of guided waves generated by active piezoelectric sensors in laminated composite strips. A new multi-field layerwise theory is formulated for composite laminates with piezoelectric actuators and sensors which captures straight-crested symmetric and anti-symmetric Lamb waves. Third-order Hermite polynomial splines are employed for the approximation of displacements and electric potential through the thickness, and the piezoelectric actuators and sensors are physically modeled through coupled electromechanical governing equations. A multi-node finite element formulation is presented entailing displacement and electric degrees of freedom at nodes collocated with Gauss–Lobatto–Legendre integration points. Stiffness, diagonal mass, piezoelectric, and electric permittivity matrices are described, and the coupled transient electromechanical response is predicted by a properly formulated explicit time integration scheme. The numerical results of a nine-node time domain spectral finite element are correlated with the reported numerical results and with measured Lamb wave data generated by piezoceramic active sensor pairs in carbon/epoxy plate strips. Important effects introduced by the stiffness and mass of the active actuator/sensor system on Lamb wave propagation are captured by the developed finite element and quantified.
Temporal Changes in the Correlates of U.S. Adolescent Electronic Cigarette Use and Utilization in Tobacco Cessation, 2011 to 2013
Authors: Lippert Adam M.
Published: May 2016

Objective. To examine temporal changes in the correlates of experimental and current e-cigarette use and associations with tobacco quit attempts. Method. Repeated cross-sectional analyses of data from the 2011 ( n = 17,741), 2012 ( n = 23,194), and 2013 ( n = 16,858) National Youth Tobacco Surveys—a nationally representative sample of U.S. middle and high school students. Respondents were asked about lifetime and past-month e-cigarette use, conventional cigarette use, and number of quit attempts made in the prior year among current smokers. Results. Multinomial logistic regression models indicate higher odds of experimental or current e-cigarette use versus abstinence in the 2012 and 2013 survey years (vs. 2011). Respondents in the 2013 survey were more likely to use e-cigarettes in 2012, and they were significantly more likely to be current versus experimental users. Temporal increases in past-month e-cigarette use were uneven across demographic subgroups. Among current smokers of conventional cigarettes, fully adjusted models show that across all survey years the probability of past-month e-cigarette use was not significantly different for those who attempted to quit using tobacco in the past year from those who did not. Conclusions. Adolescent e-cigarette use has become more common between 2011 and 2013 and shows signs of becoming increasingly characterized by current rather than experimental use. Temporal patterns suggest that recent population increases were initially driven by select subgroups (e.g., Whites), with other subgroups contributing to the increase more recently (e.g., Black). Tobacco cessation has remained unrelated to current e-cigarette use over time, suggesting that e-cigarette use may be contributing to increased nicotine use.
Experimental results of medium velocity impact tests for reinforced foam core braided composite structures
Authors: Dorival Olivier , Navarro Pablo , Marguet Steven , Petiot Caroline , Bermudez Michel , Mesnagé Didier , Ferrero Jean-François
Published: May 2016

Absorbing impact energy at subsystem level is an attractive idea that is emphasized by new composite reinforcement techniques such as stitching or pinning. This paper reports experimental results of medium velocity impact tests carried out on several arrangements of reinforced foam/braided composite structures. The tests consisted of a steel ball shot at a velocity of 110 m/s from a gas gun impacting the structures on their leading edge. Post-mortem tomography analysis delivered very rich information which shed light on the damage mechanisms that the composite structures underwent. In addition, two fast-speed cameras were used to derive the energy absorption during the impact. Absorption capabilities were also compared with those of dynamic crushing tests (reported in a companion paper) and some designs clearly exhibited promising behavior as shock absorbers.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review
Authors: Höfer Juliana , Hoffmann Falk , Bachmann Christian
Published: May 2016

Despite limited evidence, complementary and alternative medicine treatments are popular in autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this review was to summarize the available evidence on complementary and alternative medicine use frequency in autism spectrum disorder. A systematic search of three electronic databases was performed. All research studies in English or German reporting data on the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine use in individuals with autism spectrum disorder were included. Two independent reviewers searched the literature, extracted information on study design and results, and assessed study quality using an established quality assessment tool. Twenty studies with a total of 9540 participants were included. The prevalence of any complementary and alternative medicine use ranged from 28% to 95% (median: 54%). Special diets or dietary supplements (including vitamins) were the most frequent complementary and alternative medicine treatments, ranking first in 75% of studies. There was some evidence for a higher prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use in autism spectrum disorder compared to other psychiatric disorders and the general population. Approximately half of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder use complementary and alternative medicine. Doctors should be aware of this and should discuss complementary and alternative medicine use with patients and their carers, especially as the evidence is mixed and some complementary and alternative medicine treatments are potentially harmful.
eHealth and the use of individually tailored information: A systematic review
Authors: Conway Nicholas , Webster Clare , Smith Blair , Wake Deborah
Published: May 2016

Tailored messages are those that specifically target individuals following an assessment of their unique characteristics. This systematic review assesses the evidence regarding the effectiveness of tailoring within eHealth interventions aimed at chronic disease management. OVID Medline/Embase databases were searched for randomised control trials, controlled clinical, trials, before -after studies, and time series analyses from inception - May 2014. Objectively measured clinical processes/outcomes were considered. Twenty-two papers were eligible for inclusion: 6/22 used fully tailored messaging and 16/22 used partially tailored messages. Two studies isolated tailoring as the active component. The remainder compared intervention with standard care. In all, 12/16 studies measuring clinical processes and 2/6 studies reporting clinical outcomes showed improvements, regardless of target group. Study quality was low and design did not allow for identification of interventions’ active component. Heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. This review has demonstrated that there is a lack of evidence to suggest that tailoring within an eHealth context confers benefit over non-tailored eHealth interventions.
Undesired properties of the European Commission’s refugee distribution key
Authors: Grech Philip
Published: May 2016

The European Commission has proposed a refugee distribution key, which yields respective quotas for European Union/European Free Trade Association member states. It is based on four quantities: GDP, population, asylum applications per capita in the past, and unemployment rates. I show that the given distribution key has properties which contradict the European Commission’s intentions. Exemplarily, states with low (high) unemployment may experience a lower (higher) quota when unemployment is taken into account compared to when it is not. These deviations are single-digit percentages. As a remedy, I propose an alternative distribution key, which avoids the undesired properties. It is modeled in the spirit of the European Commission’s proposal and is based on the same four quantities. Deviations between the two distribution keys are up to two-digit percentages.
Integrin-Linked Kinase Senses Hypoxia During Scar Angiogenesis
Authors: Li Yeyang , Li Gang , Hu Xiao , Lin Weihua , Sun Jingen , Mi Lan , Wang Renkun , Wang Jinlun , Wang Xiaohong , Zhou Rixing
Published: May 2016

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) mediates signal transduction between cells and the extracellular matrix, regulating cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. However, its roles in the formation of hypertrophic scars are not yet clear. In this study, we found that ILK was predominantly expressed on the microvascular endothelial cells and the epidermal basal cells of human hypertrophic scars. The proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of primary human scar microvascular endothelial cells (HSMECs) were significantly inhibited after ILK was silenced. The ILK inhibitor QLT0267 had the same effect of impeding angiogenesis in vitro by blocking ILK activity. Both siRNA and QLT0267 markedly decreased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, but not its receptors, such as human vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor 1 or kinase insert domain-containing receptor. We also showed that the expression of ILK was enhanced by inducing mild hypoxia with CoCl2, but it was suppressed under serious hypoxia. Thus, ILK regulates HSMEC proliferation and angiogenesis and participates in the formation of hypertrophic scars, in which mild hypoxia may be the mechanism of action.
Breast Cancer Integrative Oncology Care and Its Costs
Authors: Standish Leanna J. , Dowd Fred , Sweet Erin , Dale Linda , Weaver Morgan , Osborne Barbara , Andersen M. Robyn
Published: May 2016

Background. Naturopathic oncology in conjunction with conventional treatment is commonly referred to as integrative oncology (IO). Clinics directed by oncology board certified NDs (Fellows of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology or FABNOs) provide high-quality data for describing IO therapies, their costs and measuring clinical outcomes. Purpose. To describe the types of IO therapies prescribed to breast cancer patients by ND FABNO physicians. Study participants (n = 324). Women who sought care at 1 of 6 naturopathic oncology clinics in Washington State were asked to enroll in a prospective 5 year observational outcomes study. Methods. Medical records were abstracted to collect treatment recommendations and cost data. Results. More than 72 oral or topical, nutritional, botanical, fungal and bacterial-based medicines were prescribed to the cohort during their first year of IO care. Trametes versicolor was prescribed to 63% of the women. Mind-body therapy was recommended to 45% of patients, and 49% received acupuncture. Also, 26% were prescribed injectable therapy, including mistletoe, vitamin B complex (12%), IV ascorbate (12%), IV artesunate (7%), and IV nutrition and hydration (4%). Costs ranged from $1594/year for early-stage breast cancer to $6200/year for stage 4 breast cancer patients. Of the total amount billed for IO care for 1 year for breast cancer patients, 21% was out-of-pocket. Conclusions. IO care for women with breast cancer consists of botanical and mushroom oral therapies, parenteral botanical and nutrient therapy, mind-body medicine and acupuncture. IO clinic visits and acupuncture are partially paid for by medical insurance companies.
Tempering the normative demands of professional learning communities with the organizational realities of life in schools: Exploring the cognitive dilemmas faced by educational leaders
Authors: Kruse Sharon D , Johnson Bob L
Published: May 2016

This work explores how mindful leadership practice can inform school and district leadership specifically as it occurs in professional learning communities (PLC). When school and district leaders create PLC cultures that encourage rich thinking and intentional practice, individual and organizational mindfulness is present. As leaders work to craft informed responses to the demands before them, it is argued that such mindfulness places them in a position to maximize learning from the experiences of the moment. As an organizational structure, the PLC provides school members with a location for the practice of mindful leadership. Yet, the PLC can become an end in itself, a structure that organizes participants but lacks the necessary goal orientation for actors to engage in motivating and purposeful work and create meaningful outcomes. We assert that the mindful institutionalization of PLCs orients the school toward cultural change embodied in a collective attention that orients the work of its members. We argue that to do so requires attention to deeply developed explanations of activities within the school setting, opportunities for formative, substantive data use, and on-the-ground real-time orientation to communal learning. We argue that attention to these themes would further enhance the knowledge and skill set available to PLC members.
Evidence for the efficacy and safety of tadalafil and finasteride in combination for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Olesovsky Chris , Kapoor Anil
Published: May 2016

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related phenomenon associated with prostatic enlargement and bladder outlet obstruction that can cause significant lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). These LUTS have a negative impact on an individual’s quality of life, which is why treatment of symptomatic BPH has become a major priority. Although surgical interventions exist for treating BPH, pharmacological therapies are often preferred due to their minimal invasiveness and high degree of effectiveness. The three classes of drugs approved for treating BPH include α-blockers, 5-α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) and phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. Individually, each class of drug has been studied and shown to improve symptom relief through a variety of different mechanisms. A more recent focus has been on the development of combinatorial therapies that combine classes of drugs in order to provide maximal benefit. The mTOPS and CombAT studies were the first of their kind to examine whether the combination of 5-ARIs and α-blockers was more effective than monotherapy alone. Both studies found similar results in that the combinatorial therapy was superior to monotherapy. Over the last decade other combinatorial therapies have been at the forefront of investigation. One in particular is the combination of tadalafil, a PDE-5 inhibitor, with finasteride, a 5-ARI. Studies have shown that the combination of tadalafil and finasteride is a safe, effective, and well tolerated treatment for BPH. Evidence suggests that this combination may be particularly effective in reducing treatment-related sexual adverse events associated with 5-ARI treatments. The following review will explore in detail the current evidence surrounding treatment of BPH LUTS using tadalafil and finasteride.
Law as Part of Managerial Skills Reform Proposals for Teaching Law to Business Administration and Economics Students
Authors: Wulf Alexander J.
Published: May 2016

Law is firmly established as an integral and independent component of most business and economics degree courses. The objective of this article is to examine the contents and teaching methods generally employed in the law courses required for degrees in business and economics. As a rule, both the contents and the teaching methods are adopted from degree courses for law students. However, to date there has been little discussion as to whether teaching procedures that have been developed for law students are also suitable for business and economics students. The article shows what problems can arise if course contents and teaching methods are adopted without reflection and without adapting them to the needs of the target group. This overview is then taken as a basis for a proposal as to how the content of law courses can be taught in a practice-oriented way, adapting and further developing the curricula that have proved suitable for law students to the needs of students of business and economics. The use of presentations of the legal life cycle of business organizations and discussions of management case studies on legal problems as didactic models are introduced, and practical teaching issues are discussed. The aim is to raise students’ awareness of the legal problems that are important in running a company and to teach them skills that they can later use to deal with problems in their daily work.
A retrospective review in the management of T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: An expanding indication for transoral laser microsurgery
Authors: Butler A. , Rigby M. H. , Scott J. , Trites J. , Hart R. , Taylor S. M.
Published: May 2016

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and oncological outcomes of patients treated for T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Specifically comparing transoral laser microsurgery and radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy treatment modalities.

Method

A retrospective review of patients treated for T3 laryngeal SCC between 2002 and 2010 was undertaken.

Results

Forty-nine patients were included. 15 cases were glottic, (9 treated with TLM, 6 with RT/CRT), 33 supraglottic (6 treated with TLM, 27 with RT/CRT) and 1 subglottic subsite (treated with RT/CRT). There was no statistical difference between treatment groups for 24 month locoregional control (72.3 %), overall survival (glottis 86.7 %, supraglottic 70.4 %) and disease specific survival (glottic 93.3 % and supraglottic 74.1 %). Overall laryngeal preservation (84.9 %) was also similar in both groups.

Conclusion

Our institution is expanding the application of TLM to selected patients with T3 laryngeal carcinoma. Oncological outcomes have not been jeopardized by this approach and the treatment is well tolerated by patients with few complications.
Automatic time-domain velocity estimation based on an accelerated clustering method
Authors: Zhang Peng , Lu Wenkai
Published: May 2016

Time-domain velocity and moveout parameters can be directly obtained from local event slopes, which are estimated on the prestack seismic gathers. In practice, there are always some errors in the estimated local slopes, especially in low signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) situations. Thus, subsurface velocity information may be hidden in the image domain spanned by velocity and other moveout parameters. We have developed an accelerated clustering algorithm to find cluster centers without prior information about the number of clusters. First, plane-wave destruction is implemented to estimate the local event slopes. For every sample in the seismic gathers, we obtain the estimations of velocity and its location in the image domain, according to the local event slopes. These mapped data points in the new domain exhibit the structure of groups. We represent these points by a mixture distribution model. Then, the cluster centers of the mixture distribution model are located, which correspond to maximum likelihood velocities of the main subsurface structures. Approximate velocity uncertainties bounds are used to select centers corresponding to reflections. Finally, interpolation is performed on the clustered unevenly sampled knot velocities to build the effective velocity model on regular grids. With synthetic and field data examples, we have determined that the proposed automatic velocity estimation method can give a stacking velocity model and a time migration velocity model with relatively high accuracy.
Seismoelectromagnetic homogeneous space Green’s functions
Authors: Slob Evert , Mulder Maarten
Published: May 2016

We have developed explicit expressions and the corresponding computer code for all homogeneous space Green’s functions for coupled electromagnetic fields and poroelastic waves. The Green’s functions are derived from the basic equations in closed form in the wavenumber- and space-frequency domains. They are given for point sources of any type. This adds several Green’s functions to what has been published before. These Green’s functions can be used in integral equation formulations, for numerical model validation, and for studying earthquake-related electrokinetic effects. The wavenumber domain code for all Green’s functions is given with the numerical test on the basic equations to demonstrate correctness. The numerical codes to compute them in the space-frequency domain are also given. A numerical inverse fast Fourier transformation routine is used to provide space-time domain results. At seismic frequencies, the fast P-wave is radiated with the largest amplitude in all fields, except for the magnetic fields where no P-waves are generated. At ultrasonic frequencies and in the particle and filtration velocity fields generated by an electric current source, the slow P-wave has the strongest amplitude. In the filtration velocity and particle velocity, the slow P-wave is, respectively, three orders and one order of magnitude stronger than the fast P-wave.
Stacking apertures and estimation strategies for reflection and diffraction enhancement
Authors: Faccipieri Jorge H. , Coimbra Tiago A. , Gelius Leiv-J. , Tygel Martin
Published: May 2016

It is well known that the quality of stacking results (e.g., noise reduction, event enhancement, and continuity) can be greatly influenced not only by the traveltime operator chosen but also by the apertures used. We have considered two so-called diffraction-stack traveltimes, together with the corresponding apertures, designed to enhance reflections and diffractions, respectively. The first one is the common-reflection-surface (CRS) diffraction traveltime that is obtained from the general CRS traveltime upon the condition that the target reflector reduced to a point, which we refer to as the diffraction CRS (DCRS) traveltime. The second one is the double-square-root (DSR) traveltime, well established in time migration. We have observed that the DCRS and DSR traveltimes depend on fewer parameters (two in 2D and five in 3D) than the full CRS traveltime (three in 2D and eight in 3D). For the DCRS and DSR traveltimes, we have proposed specific apertures based on the projected Fresnel zone, which are able to produce high-quality stacked sections using less parameters to be estimated. The key factor in that approach lies in the choice of traveltime operators together with careful selection of stacking apertures. In particular, suitable choices of operators and apertures lead to stacking volumes in which reflections are enhanced (and the diffractions are attenuated) or the corresponding ones in which diffractions are enhanced (and reflections are attenuated). Synthetic and field data confirm the proposed approach has good potential for image-quality improvement.
Joint optimization of vertical component gravity and P-wave first arrivals by simulated annealing
Authors: Basler-Reeder Kyle , Louie John , Pullammanappallil Satish , Kent Graham
Published: May 2016

Joint seismic and gravity analyses of the San Emidio geothermal field in the northwest Basin and Range province of Nevada demonstrate that joint optimization changes interpretation outcomes. The prior 0.3–0.5 km deep basin interpretation gives way to a deeper than 1.3 km basin model. Kirchoff prestack depth migrations reveal that joint optimization ameliorates shallow velocity artifacts, flattening antiformal reflectors that could have been interpreted as folds. Furthermore, joint optimization provides a clearer picture of the rangefront fault by increasing the depth of constrained velocities, which improves reflector coherency at depth. This technique provides new insight when applied to existing data sets and could replace the existing strategy of forward modeling to match gravity data. We have achieved stable joint optimization through simulated annealing, a global optimization algorithm that does not require an accurate initial model. Balancing the combined seismic-gravity objective function is accomplished by a new approach based on analysis of Pareto charts. Gravity modeling uses an efficient convolution model, and the basis of seismic modeling is the highly efficient Vidale eikonal equation traveltime generation technique. Synthetic tests found that joint optimization improves velocity model accuracy and provides velocity control below the deepest headwave raypath. Restricted offset-range migration analysis provides insights into precritical and gradient reflections in the data set.
Are self-consistent models capable of jointly modeling elastic velocity and electrical conductivity of reservoir sandstones?
Authors: Han Tongcheng , Clennell Michael Ben , Cheng Arthur C. H. , Pervukhina Marina
Published: May 2016

Self-consistent (SC) models are commonly used for simulating elastic and electrical properties of reservoir rocks. We have developed a technique to test the capability of SC models to jointly model elastic velocity and electrical conductivity of porous media using a database of measurements of these properties on reservoir sandstones. The pores were represented by randomly oriented spheroidal shapes with a spectrum distribution of aspect ratios, and elasticity theory was used to compute the variation of aspect ratios and volume fractions of the pores subject to varying differential pressures. Using this method, the pore aspect ratio spectra of a reservoir sandstone were obtained separately from the measured elastic (P- and S-waves) velocity and electrical conductivity under loading. We have determined that when the SC formalism is used, there is a systematic discrepancy in the estimated pore structure predicted by the two measurements. Despite the supposed applicability of the SC method to this class of problem, the pore aspect ratio spectrum inverted from one physical property (e.g., velocity or conductivity) failed in practice to predict the other physical property (e.g., conductivity or velocity), at least for porous sandstones. Our results suggested the requirement of a new model to link the elastic and electrical properties to a unified pore aspect ratio spectrum of rocks.