bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A catchment scale Integrated Flood Resilience Index to support decision making in urban flood control design
Authors: Miguez Marcelo G , Veról Aline P
Published: June 2016

Urban floods are becoming a great concern of growing cities. Urban growth pressed by poverty and social drivers, together with possible climate change, may pose difficult challenges and increasing risk to safety and urban livability. In the face of this growing risk, urban drainage management is being pressed to move towards a flood risk management approach and that builds city resilience, or the capacity to continue functioning even in future hazardous conditions. In this context, this study proposes the development of an integrated Flood Resilience Index, departing from mathematical modelling tools and flood risk concepts. The Flood Resilience Index was built to support decision-making process in choosing design alternatives that improve flood control responses in future scenarios that surpass design standards. This way, flood control design decisions would be made under a quantitative assessment of the performance of a design alternative on potential flooding events in the long term. Flood Resilience Index was successfully tested in a watershed in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil where there is uncontrolled urban growth. It identified the best alternative to be a combined approach including sustainable urban drainage measures with river restoration techniques. When looking to the city centre area, this alternative scored a Flood Resilience Index of 47 over 100 against a conservative alternative of a dam, which only scored 20.
Combined exercise is more effective than aerobic exercise in the improvement of fall risk factors: a randomized controlled trial in community-dwelling older men
Authors: Sousa Nelson , Mendes Romeu , Silva André , Oliveira José
Published: June 2016

Objective:

To compare the long-term effects of two community-based exercise programs on fall risk factors, such as balance, postural control, mobility and leg strength, in community-dwelling older men.

Design:

Single-blinded randomized controlled trial, comparing three groups, with follow-ups at eight, 16, 24 and 32 weeks.

Setting:

Older men independent-living residing in Maia city, Portugal.

Participants:

A total of 66 older men (aged 69.0 ±4.9 years) were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise group ( n = 22), a combined aerobic and resistance exercise group ( n = 22) or a control group ( n = 22).

Interventions:

Both community-based exercise programs consisted of three sessions each week for 32 consecutive weeks and were planned for moderate-to-vigorous intensity. The control group had no exercise intervention.

Measurements:

Main outcomes were measured by the Timed Up and Go Test, functional reach test, 30-second chair stand test and 6-minute walk test, on five different occasions.

Results:

Repeated measures of analysis of covariance revealed significant main effects between time × group interaction in all outcomes over time (Timed Up and Go Test: p < 0.001; functional reach test: p = 0.002; 30–second chair stand: p = 0.001; 6-minute walk test: p < 0.001). Both exercise groups reported improvements; however, better performance was identified in the combined aerobic and resistance exercise group compared with the aerobic exercise group (–20.3% vs. –9.1% on the Timed Up and Go Test, +27.5% vs. +10.9% on the functional reach test, +20.8% vs. +7.3% on 30-second chair stand, +10.9% vs. +3.5% on 6-minute walk test).

Conclusions:

Adding resistance exercise to aerobic exercise improves factors associated with an increased risk of falls. However, both exercise regimes, combined or aerobic alone, are more effective than no exercise in the reduction of fall risk factors. ClinicalTrials.org #NCT01874132
A qualitative examination of engagement with support services by victims of violent crime
Authors: Bryce Jo , Brooks Matthew , Robinson Phaedra , Stokes Rachel , Irving May , Graham-Kevan Nicola , Willan VJ , Khan Roxanne , Karwacka Marta , Lowe Michelle
Published: June 2016

Research elsewhere has suggested that the level of victim engagement with support services is generally low, and that many individuals are at risk of trauma symptomology and associated negative psychological outcomes as a result. The existing literature examining barriers to engagement with victim services is relatively small and largely quantitative, and a detailed qualitative examination of decisions to engage with victim services has yet to be undertaken. To address this gap in the literature, the current study examined the provision of information and referral processes by the police, initial and follow-up contact with support services, and perceived barriers to engagement. Victim evaluations of the services used were also examined. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with the victims of violent crime during a six-month period in a police force in England and Wales. Participants who engaged with victim services reported experiencing significant benefits as a result of the support they received; however, there was a generally low level of engagement with Victim Support and other services in the sample. Several different factors associated with lack of engagement were identified by the analysis, consistent with the results of previous research. The implications of the study for developing more effective strategies for increasing victim engagement, in ways consistent with current local, national and European policy, are considered.
Evaluation of [18F]MC225 as a PET radiotracer for measuring P-glycoprotein function at the blood–brain barrier in rats: Kinetics, metabolism, and selectivity
Authors: Savolainen Heli , Windhorst Albert D , Elsinga Philip H , Cantore Mariangela , Colabufo Nicola A , Willemsen Antoon TM , Luurtsema Gert
Published: June 2016

P-glycoprotein is a protective efflux transporter at the blood–brain barrier showing altered function in many neurological disorders. The purpose of this study was to validate [18F]MC225 as a radiotracer for measuring P-glycoprotein function with positron emission tomography. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were used to assess tracer uptake at baseline (group 1), after inhibition of P-glycoprotein (group 2), and after inhibition of both P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp, group 3). A two-tissue compartment model with a metabolite-corrected plasma input function provided the best fit to the positron emission tomography data, but parameter estimates were more reliable in a one-tissue compartment model, which was selected as the preferred model. Regional distribution volumes ( VT) in the control group ranged from 6 to 11, which is higher than for other radiotracers. [18F]MC225 showed transporter selectivity, since inhibition of P-glycoprotein caused a two to fourfold increase in the cerebral VT values, but additional inhibition of Bcrp did not cause any further increase. Metabolic stability of [18F]MC225 was moderate (at 1 h post-injection 15% of plasma radioactivity and 76% of brain radioactivity represented intact parent). Thus, [18F]MC225 may be a useful radiotracer to measure especially increases of P-glycoprotein function at the blood–brain barrier.
‘Spreading depression of Leão’ and its emerging relevance to acute brain injury in humans
Authors: Lauritzen Martin , Strong Anthony J
Published: June 2016

A new research field in translational neuroscience has opened as a result of the recognition since 2002 that “spreading depression of Leão” can be detected in many patients with acute brain injury, whether vascular and spontaneous, or traumatic in origin, as well as in those many individuals experiencing the visual (or sensorimotor) aura of migraine. In this review, we trace from their first description in rabbits through to their detection and study in migraine and the injured human brain, and from our personal perspectives, the evolution of understanding of the importance of spread of mass depolarisations in cerebral grey matter. Detection of spontaneous depolarisations occurring and spreading in the periphery or penumbra of experimental focal cortical ischemic lesions and of their adverse effects on the cerebral cortical microcirculation and on the tissue glucose and oxygen pools has led to clearer concepts of how ischaemic and traumatic lesions evolve in the injured human brain, and of how to seek to improve clinical management and outcome. Recognition of the likely fundamental significance of spreading depolarisations for this wide range of serious acute encephalopathies in humans provides a powerful case for a fresh examination of neuroprotection strategies.
Measuring Graph Literacy without a Test
Authors: Garcia-Retamero Rocio , Cokely Edward T. , Ghazal Saima , Joeris Alexander
Published: June 2016

Background. Visual aids tend to help diverse and vulnerable individuals understand risk communications, as long as these individuals have a basic understanding of graphs (i.e., graph literacy). Tests of objective graph literacy (OGL) can effectively identify individuals with limited skills, highlighting vulnerabilities and facilitating custom-tailored risk communication. However, the administration of these tests can be time-consuming and may evoke negative emotional reactions (e.g., anxiety). Objectives. To evaluate a brief and easy-to-use assessment of subjective graph literacy (SGL) (i.e., self-reported ability to process and use graphically presented information) and to estimate the robustness and validity of the SGL scale and compare it with the leading OGL scale in diverse samples from different cultures. Participants. Demographically diverse residents ( n = 470) of the United States, young adults ( n = 172) and patients (n = 175) from Spain, and surgeons ( n = 175) from 48 countries. Design. A focus group and 4 studies for instrument development and initial validation (study 1), reliability and convergent and discriminant validity evaluation (study 2), and predictive validity estimation (studies 3 and 4). Measures. Psychometric properties of the scale. Results. In about 1 minute, the SGL scale provides a reliable, robust, and valid assessment of skills and risk communication preferences and evokes fewer negative emotional reactions than the OGL scale. Conclusions. The SGL scale can be suitable for use in clinical research and may be useful as a communication aid in clinical practice. Theoretical mechanisms involved in SGL, emerging applications, limitations, and open questions are discussed.
Predicting Mean Survival Time from Reported Median Survival Time for Cancer Patients
Authors: Lousdal Mette L. , Kristiansen Ivar Sønbø , Møller Bjørn , Støvring Henrik
Published: June 2016

Background: Mean duration of survival following treatment is a prerequisite for cost-effectiveness analyses used for assessing new and costly life-extending therapies for cancer patients. Mean survival time is rarely reported due to censoring imposed by limited follow-up time, whereas the median survival time often is. The empirical relationship between mean and median survival time for cancer patients is not known. Aim: To derive the empirical associations between mean and median survival time across cancer types and to validate this empirical prediction approach and compare it with the standard approach of fitting a Weibull distribution. Methods: We included all patients in Norway diagnosed from 1960 to 1999 with one of the 13 most common solid tumor cancers until emigration, death, or 31 December 2011, whichever came first. Observed median, restricted mean, and mean survival times were obtained in subcohorts defined by patients’ sex, age, cancer type, and time period of diagnosis, which had nearly complete follow-up. Based on theoretical considerations, we fitted a linear relationship between observed means and medians on the log scale. For validation, we estimated mean survival from medians of bootstrap samples with artificially induced censoring and compared with fitting a Weibull distribution. Results: A linear relationship between log-mean survival time and log-median survival time was identified for the 6 cancers with shortest survival plus metastasized breast and prostate cancers. The predicted means of the empirical approach had smaller bias than the standard Weibull approach. Conclusion: For cancer diagnoses with poor prognosis, mean survival times could be predicted from corresponding medians. This empirical prediction approach is useful for validation of estimates of mean survival time and sensitivity analyses in settings with aggregated data only.
Book Reviews
Authors: Frost Jonathon K.
Published: June 2016

Occasionally, Imagination, Cognition, and Personality publishes reviews of new books from its readers. Good reviews provide a valuable service by informing readers of new books and by critically informing them to the major issues that are addressed. If you wish to submit a review, before proceeding, please send an email of intent identifying the book using APA format (author, title, and publisher) to the senior, managing coeditor, James Honeycutt at sphone@lsu.edu. The Editor reserves the right of final decision on publication.
Ownership structure and voluntary disclosure: A synthesis of empirical studies
Authors: Khlif Hichem , Ahmed Kamran , Souissi Mohsen
Published: June 2016

In this article, we meta-analyse 69 empirical studies assessing the association between corporate voluntary disclosure and ownership concentration and types, and how institutional characteristics and research design moderate these relationships. Our overall analyses show that state, foreign and institutional ownerships have a positive effect but managerial ownership and ownership concentration have a negative effect on voluntary disclosure. Since the overall effect may conceal the underlying factors that cause heterogeneity in the effect size distribution, we select two important institutional factors: country-level investor protection and the equity market development, and research design and journal quality, to explain the mixed and conflicting findings. Our results emphasise the need to consider legal and institutional characteristics, and researcher induced-artefacts, in understanding the role of ownership structure and identity in corporate voluntary disclosure.
Is non-executive directors’ pay or industry expertise related to takeover premiums, abnormal returns and offer price revisions?
Authors: Bugeja Martin , Matolcsy Zoltan , Mehdi Wassila , Spiropoulos Helen
Published: June 2016

We examine the association between various takeover outcomes and bidding firm non-executive directors’ (NEDs) compensation and expertise in the target firm industry. In our sample of 272 acquisitions by ASX listed firms between 2004 and 2011, we find that NEDs’ relative compensation and industry expertise have a negative association with the bid premium. We also find that NEDs’ relative compensation is positively associated with the bidding firm’s market reaction to the takeover announcement, and NEDs’ industry expertise is associated with a lower likelihood of an increase in the offer price, particularly for M&As viewed negatively by the market. These results are consistent with higher NEDs’ relative compensation and industry expertise leading to more effective board monitoring and advising.
Fathers’ Perception, Practice, and Challenges in Young Child Care and Feeding in Ethiopia
Authors: Bilal Selamawit , Spigt Mark , Czabanowska Kasia , Mulugeta Afework , Blanco Roman , Dinant GeertJan
Published: June 2016

Background:

The role of fathers in proper nutrition of young children has not been a frequent topic of studies. Mothers are usually the primary caregivers for young children. However, the father is often responsible for the financial choices of the household, especially in developing countries; we wondered to what extent fathers were involved in child feeding.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the extent of perceptions, practices, and challenges of fathers from low-income settings in routine child care, particularly in relation to child-feeding practices.

Methods:

A qualitative study was conducted in northern Ethiopia. Ten fathers, who had children between 6 and 23 months, were participated in the study. To validate fathers’ comments, 10 mothers (from different households) also participated. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were carried out. A thematic analysis was completed to identify emergent themes within the data.

Results:

In general, traditional fathers, fathers in transition, and modern fathers are the 3 types of fathers identified based on their perception, practice, and challenges of routine child care and feeding.

Conclusion:

Our findings provide new insight to the literature in describing fathers’ roles and challenges in routine child-care and feeding practices. We have developed a model that could help researchers, programmers, policy makers, and health workers to approach fathers in different child intervention research and plans. Our findings suggest that targeting fathers may be a worthwhile approach and that it seems justifiable to plan interventions involving fathers.
Shutdown Decision of Firms Based on Variable Costs and Demand
Authors: Uslu Hakan , Teeter Larry
Published: June 2016

The forest products industry in Alabama, the second largest manufacturing sector of the state, has been experiencing a recession in production, number of establishments and employees since the mid-1990s. This study investigates the determinants of this decline in the industry, using a county-level panel dataset that spans the period between 1996 and 2012. Four sub-sectors were analyzed separately, including the logging, wood, paper, and furniture manufacturing sectors. Results suggest that increases in average variable cost, rather than decreases in demand, were more strongly associated with the recession as measured by the number of operating establishments. Decomposition analysis indicates that the cost of materials, rather than labor, contributes more to the decline in the number of forest sector establishments in the state. This could be because increases in labor costs, such as wage increases, are accompanied by increases in labor productivity.
Development of the Older Adult Prescription Drug Assessment Questionnaire for Case Workers
Authors: Pope Natalie D. , Slovak Karen L. , Giger Jarod T.
Published: June 2016

Instruments assessing geriatric case managers’ perceptions of prescription abuse are limited. Based on a review of current literature and pilot testing feedback, 22 items were initially assembled to form an older adult Prescription Drug Assessment Questionnaire (PDAQ). Case managers ( N = 161) at an older adult agency located in a Midwestern state were surveyed using the instrument. Data were subjected to exploratory factor analysis using principal axis factoring (PAF) and Promax rotation, and Horn’s parallel analysis determined the number of extracted factors. PAF generated a final 11-item three-factor model accounting for 51% of total variance explained: Standard Assessment (Factor 1; four items; ∞ = .83), Assessment Belief (Factor 2; three items; ∞ = .74), and Problem Scope (Factor 3; four items; ∞ = .62). The older adult PDAQ is a brief, data-driven instrument with acceptable psychometric properties for assessing perceptions of prescription drug abuse and misuse assessment and counseling.
Relationships Between Living Arrangements and Health Status Among Older Adults in the United States, 2009-2014: Findings From the National Health Interview Survey
Authors: Weissman Judith D. , Russell David
Published: June 2016

Limited research has examined how health varies across living arrangements among older adults. Adults aged 65 years and older were sampled from National Health Interview Survey 2009-2014. Four indicators of health (serious psychological distress, health status, functional limitations, and number of health conditions) were compared across older adults living alone, living with others related/unrelated, living with a spouse/partner (no children), and living with children (no spouse/partner). Regression models showed older adults living with others have the poorest health; they were less likely to report excellent or very good health, had serious psychological distress and limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs), and a greater number of health conditions compared with older adults living with a spouse/partner. However, older women living alone or with children were more likely to report two or more health conditions compared with women living with a spouse/partner, suggesting that in older age, there are gender variations in health across living arrangements.
Quantitative option analysis for implementation and management of landfills
Authors: Kerestecioğlu Merih
Published: June 2016

The selection of the most feasible strategy for implementation of landfills is a challenging step. Potential implementation options of landfills cover a wide range, from conventional construction contracts to the concessions. Montenegro, seeking to improve the efficiency of the public services while maintaining affordability, was considering privatisation as a way to reduce public spending on service provision. In this study, to determine the most feasible model for construction and operation of a regional landfill, a quantitative risk analysis was implemented with four steps: (i) development of a global risk matrix; (ii) assignment of qualitative probabilities of occurrences and magnitude of impacts; (iii) determination of the risks to be mitigated, monitored, controlled or ignored; (iv) reduction of the main risk elements; and (v) incorporation of quantitative estimates of probability of occurrence and expected impact for each risk element in the reduced risk matrix. The evaluated scenarios were: (i) construction and operation of the regional landfill by the public sector; (ii) construction and operation of the landfill by private sector and transfer of the ownership to the public sector after a pre-defined period; and (iii) operation of the landfill by the private sector, without ownership. The quantitative risk assessment concluded that introduction of a public private partnership is not the most feasible option, unlike the common belief in several public institutions in developing countries. A management contract for the first years of operation was advised to be implemented, after which, a long term operating contract may follow.
Educational and School Psychology in Newfoundland and Labrador
Authors: Joy Rhonda , Paul Heather , Adey Keith , Wilmott Angela , Harris Gregory E.
Published: June 2016

Educational psychology is an important profession in the Newfoundland and Labrador school system. Educational psychologists have core training in the areas of education and psychology and offer a variety of services to students, families, and teachers in the school system. This article builds on Martin’s reflections by exploring the evolution of the profession over the past 15 years. The history of professional training and education within the province is highlighted along with regulatory considerations for psychology registration. The implementation of a standard of practice for the role of the educational psychologist in the school system is discussed along with practice considerations for the role. Finally, recommendations and future considerations are explored.
Impact of a Multidisciplinary Bundle on Time to Antibiotic Administration in Septic SICU Patients
Authors: Almalki Ohoud , Levine Alexander R. , Turner Elizabeth , Newman Kelly , DeMoya Marc , Lee Jarone , Bittner Edward A. , Lin Hsin
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

The goal of this study was to investigate barriers to timely antibiotic administration in septic surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients and examine the impact of a multidisciplinary bundle on the time from prescription to antibiotic administration.

Methods:

This was a pre- and postintervention study that consisted of 3 phases: (1) preintervention phase, retrospective evaluation of data, (2) intervention implementation, and (3) a postintervention phase. A nurse survey was conducted to identify barriers to rapid antibiotic administration during phase 1. Based on this survey, multidisciplinary interventions included adding antibiotics to the automatic dispensing cabinet, educating monthly staff, and providing an antibiotic dosing table to all prescribers, which is attached to the computer workstations. Our multidisciplinary team consisted of the ICU medical directors, nurse managers, nurses, a critical care fellow, and ICU pharmacists.

Results:

The percentage of antibiotics that were received within 60 minutes was 26.3% in the pregroup versus 84.0% in the postgroup ( P < .001). The mean total prescriber to patient time was 110 minutes in the pregroup versus 58.4 minutes in the postgroup ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

We achieved a higher rate of timely antibiotic administration among septic SICU patients by implementing process changes based on barriers identified by the nurses.
Leading sustainability in schools
Authors: Carr Katie
Published: June 2016

What is the role of schools, and more specifically school leadership, in the transition to a sustainable future for humankind? What different forms of leadership are needed to enable this role? The challenges are huge and complex and for those of us engaged in promoting sustainability learning, it is clear that the issue has never been more pressing. Action at government and corporate level is required, as well as an immense shift in patterns of consumption, especially in richer countries. This paper aims to explore the nature, challenges and opportunities of sustainability leadership within the context of formal education in the UK. A critical pedagogy (Freire, 1970; Gatto, 1992) lens is used to explore ways in which the formal education system is constructed on mental models that are inherently unsustainable, and that reinforce the principles of hierarchy, power and control, separation, competition and colonialism that are at the root of sustainability challenges. Drawing on interviews with school leaders, some possibilities will be explored, such as alternative pedagogies that create space for relaxed, collaborative, co-constructive learning, that encourage critical thinking, and reignite children’s sense of connection with each other and with the environment (Woodlin, 2014).
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Associated With Long-Term Use of Hydroxychloroquine for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Sabato Leah A. , Mendes Lisa A. , Cox Zachary L.
Published: June 2016

Hydroxychloroquine (HQ) is commonly prescribed for autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. We report a case of a 75-year-old female presenting with de novo decompensated heart failure and restrictive cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction: 40%-45%) after treatment with HQ for more than 11 years. Hydroxychloroquine was discontinued, and follow-up echocardiogram 57 days after discontinuation showed normalization of her left ventricular ejection fraction. A score of 7 on the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale indicates that HQ is a probable cause of this patient’s cardiomyopathy. An adverse drug effect due to HQ should be considered in treated patients who present with restrictive cardiomyopathy. Discontinuation may allow for partial or complete reversal of the cardiomyopathy.
Reported speech in girls’ dispute stories: Building credibility and accounting for moral versions
Authors: Svahn Johanna
Published: June 2016

The study targets how reported speech is used as an interactional resource for building and legitimatizing a particular version of events in the context of peer disputes. Several unfolding multiparty storytelling events within a group of preadolescent girls in a Swedish school setting are analyzed, primarily highlighting the interactional use of previous talk in building credibility for particular affective and moral stances, as well as blame accusations during disputes. Overall, the study highlights different ways that reported speech can function as a resource for legitimizing negative assessments of opposite parties, building alliances, and taking sanctioning actions toward peers.
Hybrid similarity measure for retrieval in case-based reasoning systems and its applications for computer numerical control turret design
Authors: Wang Haiqiao , Sun Beibei , Shen Xianfa
Published: June 2016

Analyzing the history of design is helpful in creating the computer numerical control turret design. Knowledge acquired from reasonably organizing and reusing designs may contribute to establishing computer numerical control turret design tasks. This article presents the results of our study on the representation and reuse of computer numerical control turret design knowledge and highlights the application of a case-based reasoning method in the structure design of a computer numerical control turret. The primary step in case-based reasoning systems is case retrieval where the similarity measure plays a significant role. The objective of this study is to develop a new method for a hybrid similarity measure with five formats of attribute values: crisp symbols, crisp numbers, fuzzy numbers, fuzzy linguistic variables, and fuzzy intervals. First, a hybrid similarity measure for a mixture of crisp and fuzzy sets is proposed for retrieving cases. Subsequently, a synthesis weight is formed through the combination of the subjective weight and objective weight. The calculation formula of the global similarity, which can retrieve the proper historical case, can be established by combining the hybrid similarity measure and the synthesis weight measure accordingly. Finally, the hybrid similarity measure and weight assignment method were applied in a computer numerical control turret conceptual design case-based reasoning system. The results showed that the global similarity of these five attribute types and the distribution of weight coefficients could improve the accuracy of case retrieval, which would help designers achieve the goal of rapid design.
Chemical vapor deposition parameters dependent length control of hexagonal graphene
Authors: Abuhimd Hatem
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a process metamodel-based artificial neural network full factorial experimental design and analysis to study the yield of lengthy hexagonal graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition. All of the process variables of chemical vapor deposition such as temperature, pressure, and gas flow rate under the study played a role in influencing hexagonal graphene length; the current study investigated their main effects and interactions. The metamodel-based analysis demonstrates that the hydrocarbon flow rate and the pressure are the most statistically significant factors that influence the length of hexagonal graphene. In particular, minimum and maximum values of the chamber pressure are not significant in terms of the concentrating effect they may have on the flowing mixture of gases with very small flow rate, i.e. 50 sccm. At the highest flow rate of 400 sccm, the chamber pressure stepped up to 764 Torr, which can support the growth reaction to the extent that the resultant hexagonal graphene length of 900 µm can be achieved. However, the two level effect of the flow rate can optimize the length to 990 µm and ≈1390 µm at 700 Torr and 764 Torr, respectively. In addition, the response surface graph confirms the factors of significance and adds that higher flow with lower pressure will consistently yield tall hexagonal graphene. We found that gas flow rate is the most significant of the control variables and only the optimum value of the gas flow rate of 225 sccm can ensure the growth of tall hexagonal graphene. We also found that the interaction of flow rate with temperature of the gases in the chamber is extremely significant to the quality of output. Outcomes of this investigation are beneficial for moving close to producing hexagonal graphene on production scale for future applications.
Drivers of urban sprawl in urbanizing China – a political ecology analysis
Authors: Fang Yiping , Pal Anirban
Published: June 2016

Chinese cities have undergone a process of urbanization that has resulted in significant urban sprawl in the past 20 years. This paper uses the “ecology of actors” framework to analyse the interactions among various state, market and civil society players that result in excessive land conversion from agricultural to urban use. The paper shows that under the existing institutional settings, the interests of most actors involved in the process are aligned towards greater land development and growth. The more land is developed, the more land lease revenue for the local government, the more profit for developers, and the more opportunities for compensation for farmers. Planners have been powerless to apply long-term planning principles. There is a need to change the underlying rules of the game so that environmental impacts of land conversion are fully taken into account in the future economic calculations of actors involved in the process.
Researchers’ Intuitions About Power in Psychological Research
Authors: Bakker Marjan , Hartgerink Chris H. J. , Wicherts Jelte M. , van der Maas Han L. J.
Published: June 2016

Many psychology studies are statistically underpowered. In part, this may be because many researchers rely on intuition, rules of thumb, and prior practice (along with practical considerations) to determine the number of subjects to test. In Study 1, we surveyed 291 published research psychologists and found large discrepancies between their reports of their preferred amount of power and the actual power of their studies (calculated from their reported typical cell size, typical effect size, and acceptable alpha). Furthermore, in Study 2, 89% of the 214 respondents overestimated the power of specific research designs with a small expected effect size, and 95% underestimated the sample size needed to obtain .80 power for detecting a small effect. Neither researchers’ experience nor their knowledge predicted the bias in their self-reported power intuitions. Because many respondents reported that they based their sample sizes on rules of thumb or common practice in the field, we recommend that researchers conduct and report formal power analyses for their studies.
Numerical and experimental study of cavitation performance in sea water hydraulic axial piston pump
Authors: Yin Fang-long , Nie Song-lin , Xiao Shu-han , Hou Wei
Published: June 2016

Cavitation is one of the important elements influencing the performance of sea water hydraulic axial piston pump. To understand the working performance of sea water hydraulic axial piston pump under cavitation effects, a fully dynamic numerical model was developed in this article, which has taken into account the fluid compressibility effect, dynamic processes of gaseous, vaporous, pseudo-cavitation and cavitation damage, and the simulation was conducted through a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics code PumpLinx. The cavitation characteristics of the pump were presented with a set of working conditions, as well as the cavitation damage power, dynamic gas volume fraction and vapor volume fraction inside the intake, piston and port plate chamber. A test rig was developed to validate the computational fluid dynamics simulations for the case of sea water hydraulic axial piston pump. Comparisons between the measured and simulated instantaneous discharge pressure, average flow as well as the vibration characteristics under different extents of cavitation by varying the inlet pressure and rotational speed of the pump were presented.
Resilience of plant and testate amoeba communities after climatic and anthropogenic disturbances in a Baltic bog in Northern Poland: Implications for ecological restoration
Authors: Gałka Mariusz , Tobolski Kazimierz , Górska Aleksandra , Lamentowicz Mariusz
Published: June 2016

This study explores the history of the development of Sphagnum communities in an ombrotrophic peatland – Bagno Kusowo – over the past 650 years, based on high-resolution plant macrofossil and testate amoebae analysis. Our research provided information related to the length of peatland existence and the characteristics of its natural/pristine state before the most recent human impacts. Changes in the Sphagnum communities before human impact could have resulted from climate cooling during the ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA). In this cold and unstable hydrological period, among vascular plants, Eriophorum vaginatum and Baeothryon caespitosum dominated in the peatland vegetation. Peat-forming Sphagnum communities survived the drainage conducted during the 20th century at the Bagno Kusowo bog. We provide three important messages through this study: (1) testate amoebae reflect similar hydrological trends in two peat cores despite considerable microhabitat variability, (2) average long-term water level 10 cm below the surface should be a target for active bog conservation and (3) sites like Bagno Kusowo are extremely important to preserve the remains of pristine biodiversity (including genetic diversity of plants and protists) that was completely removed from most of the raised bogs in Europe due to human activities, for example, drainage.
Assessments of fatigue and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus enrolled in the Phase 2 clinical trial with blisibimod
Authors: Petri M A , Martin R S , Scheinberg M A , Furie R A
Published: June 2016

This report evaluates the effects of blisibimod (A-623, AMG 623), a potent and selective inhibitor of B-cell activating factor (BAFF), on patient-reported fatigue and disease activity in the Phase 2b PEARL-SC clinical trial in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A total of 547 individuals who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for SLE, were positive for anti-double-stranded DNA or antinuclear antibodies, and had a Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) score ≥6 at baseline, were randomized to receive placebo or blisibimod for at least 24 weeks. Patient self-reported fatigue was evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue scale, and disease activity was evaluated using Physician’s Global Assessment, SELENA-SLEDAI, and British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Score. Statistically significant improvements in FACIT-Fatigue score were observed among individuals randomized to blisibimod, especially in the 200 mg QW group where favorable effects on disease activity with blisibimod compared to placebo were observed as early as Week 8. The mean improvement from baseline of 6.9 points at Week 24, compared with 4.4 points with placebo, met the criteria for minimal clinically important improvement difference defined for patients with SLE. Despite concomitant improvements in FACIT-Fatigue, SLE Responder Index (SRI) and SLE biomarkers (reported previously), FACIT-Fatigue score correlated only weakly with disease activity. While poor correlation between fatigue and disease activity is not new, the observation that correlation remains poor despite concurrent population improvements in disease and fatigue brings a new facet to our understanding of SLE.
Can SLE classification rules be effectively applied to diagnose unclear SLE cases?
Authors: Mesa A , Fernandez M , Wu W , Narasimhan G , Greidinger EL , Mills D K
Published: June 2016

Objective

The objective of this paper is to develop novel classification criteria to distinguish between unclear systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) cases.

Methods

A total of 205 variables from 111 SLE and 55 MCTD patients were evaluated to uncover unique molecular and clinical markers for each disease. Binomial logistic regressions (BLRs) were performed on currently used SLE and MCTD classification criteria sets to obtain six reduced models with power to discriminate between unclear SLE and MCTD patients that were confirmed by receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Decision trees were employed to delineate novel classification rules to discriminate between unclear SLE and MCTD patients.

Results

SLE and MCTD patients exhibited contrasting molecular markers and clinical manifestations. Furthermore, reduced models highlighted SLE patients exhibiting prevalence of skin rashes and renal disease while MCTD cases show dominance of myositis and muscle weakness. Additionally decision tree analyses revealed a novel classification rule tailored to differentiate unclear SLE and MCTD patients (Lu-vs-M) with an overall accuracy of 88%.

Conclusions

Validation of our novel proposed classification rule (Lu-vs-M) includes novel contrasting characteristics (calcinosis, CPK elevated and anti-IgM reactivity for U1-70K, U1A and U1C) between SLE and MCTD patients and showed a 33% improvement in distinguishing these disorders when compared to currently used classification criteria sets. Pending additional validation, our novel classification rule is a promising method to distinguish between patients with unclear SLE and MCTD diagnosis.
Determinants of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Women in Turkey
Authors: Sözmen Kaan , Unal Belgin , Sakarya Sibel , Dinc Gonul , Yardim Nazan , Keskinkilic Bekir , Ergör Gül
Published: June 2016

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on breast and cervical cancer screening among women 30 years and older in Turkey. We used data from the National Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2011. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of sociodemographic factors, lifestyle variables, and cancer screening. Overall, 22.0% of women ever had a Pap smear test for cervical cancer screening and 19.0% ever had a mammography for breast cancer screening(n = 6846). Individuals with a university degree, social security, doing moderate physical activity, and consuming 5 portions of fruit or vegetable/day were more likely to receive Pap smear test and mammography. Residing in the eastern region and living in rural area was associated with lower likelihood of receiving both types of screening.
Exploring the cultural intersection of music, sport and physical activity among at-risk youth
Authors: Cohen Adam , Ballouli Khalid
Published: June 2016

Although sport can serve as a valuable mechanism for social change, this does not imply it can single-handedly solve large-scale problems; rather, sport should be utilized with passionate leadership, efficient and innovative program design, and ancillary cultural enrichment activities to achieve optimal results. This research was motivated by developments in some marginalized and at-risk communities where several sport-for-development programs have started to incorporate music to enhance the appeal and impact of sport interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of hip-hop and sport by one sport-for-development program to educate and improve the lives of inner-city youth in Harlem. Data were collected by interviewing key stakeholders of the program, including participants, workshop leaders, staff, and upper-level executives along with onsite observations. Results of our investigation highlighted the cultural influence of music and sport within a local demographic and a sport-for-development initiative aimed to appeal to both local at-risk youth and key community stakeholders.
Industry policy in Asia’s demographic giants: China, India and Indonesia compared
Authors: Barnes Tom
Published: June 2016

The experience of industry policy in the wider Asian region contrasts significantly with many of the neoliberal policy prescriptions prevalent in Australia today. Using the automotive industry as a comparative case study, this article compares industry policy in three demographic and geographic giants of the region: China, India and Indonesia. China’s dominant position has benefited from a highly ‘interventionist’ industry policy which places strict conditions on foreign carmakers in joint ventures. This policy has also influenced the emergence of a thriving domestic industry, with state-owned enterprises leading the way. While India has also emerged as a major auto producer, its industry policy has moved away from the joint venture model since the 1990s, with fully foreign-owned operations now playing a much bigger role. In contrast, Indonesia retains a version of the joint venture model while local industry is dominated by Japanese capital. The record of industry policy in these countries challenges the idea that more ‘liberal’ economic systems lead to stronger domestic industries or firms.
Behavioral and statistical models of educational inequality
Authors: Holm Anders , Breen Richard
Published: June 2016

This article addresses the question of how students and their families make educational decisions. We describe three types of behavioral model that might underlie decision-making, and we show that they have consequences for what decisions are made. Our study, thus, has policy implications if we wish to encourage students and their families to make better educational choices. We also establish the conditions under which empirical analysis can distinguish between the three sorts of decision-making, and we illustrate our arguments using data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study.
Crafting Stories in Hermeneutic Phenomenology Research: A Methodological Device
Authors: Crowther Susan , Ironside Pam , Spence Deb , Smythe Liz
Published: June 2016

Hermeneutic phenomenology, as a methodology, is not fixed. Inherent in its enactment are contested areas of practice such as how interview data are used and reported. Using philosophical notions drawn from hermeneutic phenomenological literature, we argue that working with crafted stories is congruent with the philosophical underpinnings of this methodology. We consider how the practical ontic undertaking of story crafting from verbatim transcripts is integral with the interpretive process. We show how verbatim transcripts can be crafted into stories through examples taken from interview data. Our aim is to open dialogue with other hermeneutic phenomenological researchers and offer alternate possibilities to conventional ways of work with qualitative data. We argue that crafted stories can provide glimpses of phenomena that other forms of data analysis and presentation may leave hidden. We contend that crafted stories are an acceptable and trustworthy methodological device.
Primary Care Residents Improve Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, and Practice After a Clinical Curriculum With a Hospice
Authors: von Gunten Charles F. , Mullan Patricia B. , Nelesen Richard , Garman Karen , McNeal Helen , Savoia Maria , Muchmore Elaine , Ikeda Tyson , Amundson Stan , McKennett Marianne , Diamant Joel , Pepper Patricia , Gray Cynthia , Weissman David
Published: June 2016

Effective approaches to teaching attitudes, knowledge, and skills to resident physicians in primary care that can be implemented in any residency program are needed. We examined the feasibility and impact of a single palliative care residency curriculum, including a clinical rotation with a hospice program, across 5 cohorts of residents in 7 divergent primary care residency programs (both family medicine and internal medicine). The didactic content was drawn from the national Education for Physicians on End-of-Life Care Project. A total of 448 residents completed the curriculum. A large effect size was seen in measures of knowledge change (*Cohen d = .89) when compared to a national sample of primary care residency programs. Additionally, measures of confidence to perform palliative care skills and ethical concerns also improved significantly ( P < .001). A frequent comment is wishing the rest of medicine were like that experienced in the hospice setting. In a separate, ancillary evaluation, the average length of stay of patients enrolled in hospice care was 18.5 days longer for the alumni of this program when compared to physicians referring for hospice care who hadn’t experienced the curriculum.