bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Outsourcing Dilemma on Decision to Outsource Among Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia
Authors: Halim Hasliza Abdul , Ahmad Noor Hazlina , Ho Theresa C. F. , Ramayah T.
Published: March 2017

Making a decision on outsourcing has posed many difficulties among many organizations, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The outsourcing dilemma surrounds the issue on the factors that influence the outsourcing decisions. Therefore, this study attempts to examine what factors may influence the decision of the SME owners to outsource their business processes. A data sample of 100 SMEs was analyzed to examine the relationship between the factors (business owners’ characteristics, environmental dynamism and strategic orientation) and the decision to outsource more of their business processes which is measured through degree of outsourcing of the respondents. The analysis was then conducted via partial least squares. The results showed several interesting findings: (i) business owners’ characteristics encouraged SME founders/owners to outsource more of their business processes, (ii) environmental dynamism has a negative significant impact on the degree of outsourcing and (iii) the relationship between strategic orientation and outsourcing was not supported. Rational explanations of the unexpected findings were then discussed in this study.
Rolling Tobacco in Banana Leaves, Newspaper, or Copybook Paper Associated With Significant Reduction in Lung Function in Vanuatu
Authors: Weitz Charles A. , Olszowy Kathryn M. , Dancause Kelsey N. , Sun Cheng , Pomer Alysa , Silverman Howard , Lee G. , Tarivonda Len , Chan Chim W. , Kaneko Akira , Lum J. K. , Garruto Ralph M.
Published: March 2017

In addition to the widespread availability of packaged cigarettes, the inhabitants of island nations of the Southwest Pacific frequently smoke commercially available loose tobacco using manufactured rolling papers, as well as locally grown tobacco rolled in manufactured rolling paper or wrapped in leaves, copybook paper, and newspaper. In this study, Vanuatu men who smoked local tobacco rolled in leaves, copybook paper, or newspaper showed significantly lower forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratios than men who smoked packaged cigarettes, store-bought tobacco rolled in manufactured rolling paper, or who smoked locally grown tobacco rolled in manufactured rolling papers. The addition of toxins from these unusual tobacco-wrapping media produces lung function deficits similar to the pattern noted among tobacco smokers who also inhale smoke from burning biomass. Thus, public health initiatives should consider including strategies addressing the use of wrapping media among smokers in South Pacific island societies.
Engaging Academic Staff in Transnational Teaching: The Job Satisfaction Challenge
Authors: Toohey Danny , McGill Tanya , Whitsed Craig
Published: March 2017

Transnational education (TNE) is an important facet of the international education learning and teaching landscape. Ensuring academics are positively engaged in TNE is a challenging but necessary issue for this form of educational provision if the risks inherent in TNE are to be successfully mitigated. This article explores job satisfaction for academics using the job characteristics model (JCM) to better understand the conditions that influence their involvement with TNE. The results highlight the important role that teaching-related interaction with host-country students and staff (the Feedback and Task Significance JCM dimensions) plays in academics’ satisfaction. Feelings of ownership and control of the TNE course (Autonomy and Task Identity) were also shown to be important determinants of satisfaction. It is therefore recommended that these aspects of TNE be encouraged and supported through university procedures and policies. Similarly, those aspects of TNE teaching that contribute to dissatisfaction, such as additional administration, need to be better understood, managed, and their impact mitigated where possible.
Self-Management Decision Making of Cuban Americans With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Cuevas Heather E. , Brown Sharon A.
Published: March 2017

Purpose: Although researchers have studied how individuals manage type 2 diabetes, none have examined how Cuban Americans do so. This article explores how Cuban Americans make self-management choices and examines whether an empowerment framework is viable for informing interventions. Design: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted ( n = 20) with Cuban Americans with type 2 diabetes. Individual interviews were analyzed with content analysis. Results: Motivation and temporal factors, such as knowledge of symptoms and the ability to plan ahead, positively affect self-management. Cultural factors, such as access to cultural foods, negatively affect self-management. Empowerment formed a comprehensive lens through which self-management decisions were acted on. Conclusion: Given the cultural context, empowerment and unique barriers and facilitators can affect diabetes self-management in this population. Strategies to promote healthy decisions must take into account the strengths of this community as well as its challenges.
Revitalizing Strategy Instruction
Authors: Vitalone-Raccaro Nancy A.
Published: March 2017

The national focus on teacher accountability and the resulting emphasis on raising the bar for teacher evaluations challenge teachers of students with learning disabilities (LD) to rethink instructional design and delivery. In response to these challenges, this article introduces a two-part protocol for planning and teaching strategy instruction to elementary education students with LD being educated in classrooms alongside their grade-level peers. The rationale, research background, detailed implementation information, and concrete examples of how the protocol was integrated into lesson planning are provided. The protocol is offered as a framework for teachers and schools looking to increase the effectiveness of instruction through the use of evidence-based methods.
Implementing Tablet-Based Devices to Improve Communication Skills of Students With Autism
Authors: Alzrayer Nouf M. , Banda Devender R.
Published: March 2017

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties in communication that limit their opportunities to participate in daily living and educational activities. Augmentative alternative communication is one of the strategies used to strengthen the communication skills of students with limited communication skills. Students with ASD commonly use handheld devices for communication. This article provides guidelines for special education teachers to support the implementation of tablet-based speech-generating devices in their classrooms. These guidelines may help special education teachers through the process of creating a student’s profile, conducting preference assessments, programming devices, and providing instruction in natural contexts.
An Experiential Approach to Sport for Youth Development
Authors: Newman Tarkington J. , Alvarez M. Antonio G. , Kim Melissa
Published: March 2017

Experiential learning has been used to inform programming and practices in a wide variety of contexts such as adventure therapy and outdoor education. Furthermore, experiential learning has been used to explain the learning process of individuals, groups, and teams. Its relationship with the context of youth sport, however, has yet to be fully explored. Within youth sport, especially sport-based positive youth development (PYD), experiential learning can be utilized to help guide programming and practices of the youth sport leader (YSL). The integration of sport-based PYD and experiential learning is important, as research has indicated that YSLs lack intentionality as they aim to facilitate sport toward youth development. To highlight the potential integration of sport-based PYD and experiential learning, one previously developed model is identified. Moreover, the utilization of experiential learning within sport-based PYD is discussed to help illuminate the potential impact of experiential learning in both research and practice.
Consolidation of Police and Fire Services in the United States
Authors: Wilson Jeremy M. , Grammich Clifford A.
Published: March 2017

More than 100 municipalities across the United States have consolidated their police, fire, and emergency medical services into a single, consolidated agency. Typical reasons for such consolidation are to reduce costs or improve efficiency. As initial reasons to consolidate change or diminish, some agencies have deconsolidated, but many remained consolidated. In this work, we use perspectives of contingency theory and institutional theory of organizations to explore why agencies may remain consolidated. Using a mixed-methods approach, we first recruited two expert panels of consolidated agency leaders and others knowledgeable about consolidation and deconsolidation across the United States. From these experts, we gathered insight into a broad range of issues related to public-safety consolidation. We then conducted a series of seven case studies among communities chosen for their location and community features, interviewing agency executives and line staff as well as local officials. We found contingency theory helps explain why many of these agencies consolidate. We also found, as institutional theory would predict, that many conformed to standards of other bodies or even created their own “cultural” standards. This work highlights the importance of both theoretical perspectives in assessing the growth and persistence of these agencies.
Impact of A Collaborative Strategy to Reduce the Inappropriate Use of Acid Suppressive Therapy in Non–Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Belfield Kristen D. , Kuyumjian Arpi G. , Teran Rafael , Amadi Mariette , Blatt Melissa , Bicking Keri
Published: March 2017

Background: Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is inappropriately prescribed in more than 30% of non–intensive care unit (ICU) patients, leading to unnecessary adverse events as well as increases in economic burden. Objective: There was an increasing trend in the prophylactic use of acid suppressive therapy (AST) in non–critically ill patients at our institution, which prompted this initiative aimed at reducing the inappropriate use of AST in non-ICU patients. Methods: This was a retrospective interventional study that consisted of formulation of a guideline, education to the hospitalist service, and intervention by clinical pharmacists. All adult non-ICU patients admitted to the hospitalist service who were newly initiated on AST were considered for inclusion. The primary outcome was a comparison of the proportion of inpatient days with inappropriate AST. Secondary outcomes included a comparison of patients discharged on inappropriate AST and drug acquisition costs, successful pharmacy interventions, hospitalist interventions, incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) or gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and drug costs averted through pharmacy intervention. Results: There were 61 patients in the historical group and 81 patients in the interventional group. This intervention resulted in a 31% absolute reduction in inappropriate patient days of AST and a 24% absolute reduction in patients discharged on inappropriate AST. There were 23 successful interventions. There were no cases of CDI and 1 GI bleed. This intervention resulted in an 87% reduction in drug acquisition costs per patient. Conclusions: A collaboration between clinical pharmacists and a hospitalist service can significantly reduce the inappropriate use of AST in non-ICU patients.
Which Women Can Run? Gender, Partisanship, and Candidate Donor Networks
Authors: Thomsen Danielle M. , Swers Michele L.
Published: March 2017

Recent scholarship rejects campaign finance as a cause of women’s underrepresentation in Congress because women raise as much money as men running in similar races. We argue that campaign finance still impacts which women can make a run for office because candidates have to build their own donor networks. Using a unique dataset that includes primary and general election candidates for the U.S. House in 2010 and 2012, we examine the gender composition of candidates’ donor networks. We find that candidates’ ideological views are very important to contributors. Donors, particularly Democrats, also exhibit a gender affinity effect in which men give more to male candidates and women favor female candidates. Furthermore, female Democratic donors seem to value the election of women, especially liberal Democratic women, over other traditional predictors of giving, such as incumbency and competitiveness. Meanwhile, Republican male and female donors do not focus on candidate gender, and female Republican donors prefer conservative candidates. Thus, the existing partisan donor pools are friendlier to the emergence of liberal female Democrats than Republican women.
Thyroid Follicular Hyperplasia Associated With Massive Extracellular Mucin Deposition
Authors: Nesa Francesco , Poggi Luca , Ferrero Stefano , Del Gobbo Alessandro
Published: March 2017

Extensive extracellular mucin deposition is a rare pathological thyroid condition with 6 cases described in literature so far. We report another case of a 67-year-old woman, discussing histopathological features, and review the literature. Our findings showed a diffuse mucin deposition in the stromal compartment of thyroid parenchyma. Histochemical stainings showed positivity for Alcian blue staining, but not for periodic acid–Shiff staining. Our case is peculiar because this mucin deposition was associated with benign nodular hyperplasia, in contrast with the other 6 reports, which described the same stromal alterations associated with benign or malignant thyroid tumors.
Challenging Narratives of the Anti-Rape Movement’s Decline
Authors: Baker Carrie N. , Bevacqua Maria
Published: March 2017

A recent trend in scholarship characterizes the anti-rape movement as founded with radical goals and achieving success at reforming rape laws, but then declining because of co-optation by the state. This article challenges narratives of decline in light of the history of the anti-rape movement and current anti-rape activism. By focusing their critique on criminal justice and therapeutic approaches to sexual violence, and failing to account for the diversity of the anti-rape movement, advocates for narratives of decline ignore parts of the movement that challenge the state and other parts that use broader cultural and community-based strategies to end rape.
Limits of Property Taxes and Charges: City Revenue Structures After the Great Recession
Authors: Kim Yunji
Published: March 2017

Public finance theories argue local governments should primarily use broad-based and stable property taxes. However, the housing bust after the Great Recession challenges this argument, and historical trends show cities have heavily relied on charges since the late 1970s. Using 2012 Census of Governments data for 2,396 cities, this article explores which cities rely more on charges and the links between property tax dependence and city stress. Regression results show property tax dependence is linked to capacity, while charges dependence is linked to stress. Charges can be a useful revenue tool for cities under stress, but they may be regressive and their use may be limited to urban places with services that can be charged for and cities with growth pressures and less stringent tax and expenditure limitations. Absent equalization efforts from higher-level governments, barriers to using charges, which cities have little control over, may increase inequality among cities.
Analysis of wave propagation in the presence of a continuous line heat source under heat transfer with memory dependent derivatives
Authors: Tiwari Rakhi , Mukhopadhyay Santwana
Published: March 2017

In the present work, the recently proposed new concept of “memory dependent derivative” in heat transfer process in a solid body has been employed to investigate the problem of wave propagation in a homogeneous, isotropic and unbounded solid due to a continuous line heat source. Both Laplace and Hankel transform techniques are employed for the solution of the problem. Analytical results for the distributions of different fields like temperature, displacement and stresses inside the medium have been derived. The problem is illustrated by computing the numerical values of the field variables for a particular material. We have attempted to exhibit the significance of a kernel function and a time-delay parameter that are characteristic of memory dependent derivative heat transfer in the behavior of field variables such as temperature, displacement and stresses with the help of numerical results. Detailed comparative analysis is represented through the numerical results to estimate the effects of the kernels and time-delay parameter on the behavior of all of the field variables such as temperature, displacement and stresses in the presence of a heat source in the medium.
An Exploratory Analysis of Patient-Provider Language-Concordant Home Health Care Visit Patterns
Authors: Squires Allison , Peng Timothy R. , Barrón-Vaya Yolanda , Feldman Penny
Published: March 2017

Approximately one in five households in the United States speaks a language other than English at home. This exploratory, descriptive study sought to examine language-concordant visit patterns in an urban home health care agency serving a diverse and multilingual population. Patient care record data combined with administrative data facilitated the exploratory work. In a 2-year period, results showed that among the 238,513 visits with 18,132 limited English proficiency patients, only 20% of visits were language concordant. The study suggests that home health care services may not be meeting the demand for language services, but more research is needed to determine the right “dose” of bilingual home care visits to optimize home care outcomes and establish a standard for care.
Early Predictors of ADHD: Evidence from a Prospective Birth Cohort
Authors: Oerbeck Beate , Overgaard Kristin Romvig , Pripp Are Hugo , Reichborn-Kjennerud Ted , Aase Heidi , Zeiner Pal
Published: March 2017

Objective: To identify preschool predictors of registered ADHD diagnoses and compare two ADHD rating scales, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-R:S). Method: The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study (MoBa) is a prospective population-based cohort study. The sample were singletons whose mothers responded to MoBa questionnaires at child age 3 years ( n = 57,986) and 5 years ( n = 32,377). ADHD diagnoses were obtained from the Norwegian Patient Register. Predictors were child gender, development and symptoms, and maternal ADHD symptoms. We used Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. Results: In all final models, ADHD symptoms at age 3 and 5 years predicted later ADHD: Age 3, CBCL: hazard ratio (HR) = 3.23 (CI [2.59, 4.02]); age 5, CBCL: HR = 10.30 (CI [7.44, 14.26]); and age 5 CPRS-R:S: HR = 5.92 (CI [4.95, 7.07]). Conclusion: The findings underline the importance of taking early parent-reported symptoms seriously. Both rating scales were useful for predicting ADHD.
Epigenetics and ADHD: Toward an Integrative Approach of the Disorder Pathogenesis
Authors: Hamza Meriem , Halayem Soumeyya , Bourgou Soumaya , Daoud Mona , Charfi Fatma , Belhadj Ahlem
Published: March 2017

Objective: Epigenetic hypothesis is one of the research pathways used to explain the complex etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. This review highlights the findings of recent studies in the field of epigenetics in ADHD. Methods: An electronic literature search using Medline. Results: In the Gene × Environment interaction model, several clinical, genetic and molecular arguments support the epigenetic hypothesis in ADHD etiology. Environmental ADHD risk factors including toxic, nutritional factors and stressful life events lead to changes in DNA methylation and in histone modification levels. One critical CpG site located in the promoter of the DRD4 gene exhibited a specific pattern in ADHD children. A methylome wide exploration of DNA showed decreased methylation in vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 2 gene, which was not replicated by further research. Conclusion: Current data require consolidation and could lead to the identification of biomarkers and the introduction of new modalities of treatment.
Investigation of elastomeric foam response applied as core for composite sandwich beams through progressive failure of the beams
Authors: Nazari AR , Kabir MZ , Hosseini Toudeshky H
Published: March 2017

In this paper an elastomeric foam is applied as core for the composite sandwich beams and load carrying capacity, load–deflection response, and progressive failure are examined through experimental and finite element studies. The objective of this study is to assess the efficiency of elastomeric foam-cored sandwich (EFCS) beams relative to crushable foam-cored sandwich (CFCS) beams. The experimental program consists of two phases. In the first phase, some characterization tests are conducted on the constituent materials of the sandwich beams such as tension, compression, and shear tests on the foam and bending test on the composite beams utilized as skins. Then in the second phase, the performance of the sandwich beams is examined under bending conditions. The load carrying behavior of the sandwich beams is considered dependent on two main features of the constituent materials: (1) the hyperelastic behavior of the foam core and (2) the progressive damage of the composite skins. These characteristics are simulated by the finite element models. Due to elastomeric rather than crushable deformation of the applied foam as the core, the conventional damage modes of the CFCS beams associated to the brittleness of the core material are omitted through load carrying capacity of the EFCS beams. So in the recent sandwich beams by omission of the core failure modes and utilization of compressive residual strength of the top composite skin, considerable energy is absorbed prior to failure of the bottom composite skin. By simulation of the test specimens using FE models, the response of the foam applied as core for the sandwich beams through progressive failure of the beams is investigated. The results show that the elastomeric foam core can provide superior features for the sandwich components especially for the cases in which high energy absorption capacity is required.
Numericware i: Identical by State Matrix Calculator
Authors: Kim Bongsong , Beavis William D
Published: March 2017

We introduce software, Numericware i, to compute identical by state (IBS) matrix based on genotypic data. Calculating an IBS matrix with a large dataset requires large computer memory and takes lengthy processing time. Numericware i addresses these challenges with 2 algorithmic methods: multithreading and forward chopping. The multithreading allows computational routines to concurrently run on multiple central processing unit (CPU) processors. The forward chopping addresses memory limitation by dividing a dataset into appropriately sized subsets. Numericware i allows calculation of the IBS matrix for a large genotypic dataset using a laptop or a desktop computer. For comparison with different software, we calculated genetic relationship matrices using Numericware i, SPAGeDi, and TASSEL with the same genotypic dataset. Numericware i calculates IBS coefficients between 0 and 2, whereas SPAGeDi and TASSEL produce different ranges of values including negative values. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the matrices from Numericware i and TASSEL was high at .9972, whereas SPAGeDi showed low correlation with Numericware i (.0505) and TASSEL (.0587). With a high-dimensional dataset of 500 entities by 10 000 000 SNPs, Numericware i spent 382 minutes using 19 CPU threads and 64 GB memory by dividing the dataset into 3 pieces, whereas SPAGeDi and TASSEL failed with the same dataset. Numericware i is freely available for Windows and Linux under CC-BY 4.0 license at https://figshare.com/s/f100f33a8857131eb2db .
Graphical Modeling Meets Systems Pharmacology
Authors: Lombardo Rosario , Priami Corrado
Published: March 2017

A main source of failures in systems projects (including systems pharmacology) is poor communication level and different expectations among the stakeholders. A common and not ambiguous language that is naturally comprehensible by all the involved players is a boost to success. We present bStyle, a modeling tool that adopts a graphical language close enough to cartoons to be a common media to exchange ideas and data and that it is at the same time formal enough to enable modeling, analysis, and dynamic simulations of a system. Data analysis and simulation integrated in the same application are fundamental to understand the mechanisms of actions of drugs: a core aspect of systems pharmacology.
In Vitro and In Vivo Tumor Growth Inhibition by Glutathione Disulfide Liposomes
Authors: Sadhu Satya S , Wang Shenggang , Dachineni Rakesh , Averineni Ranjith Kumar , Yang Yang , Yin Huihui , Bhat G Jayarama , Guan Xiangming
Published: March 2017

Glutathione disulfide (GSSG) is an endogenous peptide and the oxidized form of glutathione. The impacts of GSSG on cell function/dysfunction remain largely unexplored due to a lack of method to specifically increase intracellular GSSG. We recently developed GSSG liposomes that can specifically increase intracellular GSSG. The increase affected 3 of the 4 essential steps (cell detachment, migration, invasion, and adhesion) of cancer metastasis in vitro and, accordingly, produced a significant inhibition of cancer metastasis in vivo. In this investigation, the effect of GSSG liposomes on cancer growth was investigated with B16-F10 and NCI-H226 cells in vitro and with B16-F10 cells in C57BL/6 mice in vivo. Experiments were conducted to elucidate the effect on cell death through promotion of apoptosis and the effect on the cell cycle. The in vivo results with C57BL/6 mice implanted subcutaneously with B16-F10 cells showed that GSSG liposomes retarded tumor proliferation more effectively than that of dacarbazine, a chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of melanoma. The GSSG liposomes by intravenous injection (GLS IV) and GSSG liposomes by intratumoral injection (GLS IT) showed a tumor proliferation retardation of 85% ± 5.7% and 90% ± 3.9%, respectively, compared with the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control group. The median survival rates for mice treated with PBS, blank liposomes, aqueous GSSG, dacarbazine, GLS IV, and GLS IT were 7, 7, 7.5, 7.75, 11.5, and 16.5 days, respectively. The effective antimetastatic and antigrowth activities warrant further investigation of the GSSG liposomes as a potentially effective therapeutic treatment for cancer.
cAMP Signaling Enhances HIV-1 Long Terminal Repeat (LTR)-directed Transcription and Viral Replication in Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells
Authors: Banerjee Anupam , Li Luna , Pirrone Vanessa , Krebs Fred C , Wigdahl Brian , Nonnemacher Michael R
Published: March 2017

CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells have been shown to be susceptible to HIV-1 infection, possibly due to a low-level expression of CXCR4, a coreceptor for HIV-1 entry. Given these observations, we have explored the impact of forskolin on cell surface expression of CXCR4 in a cell line model (TF-1). The elevation of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) by forskolin through adenylyl cyclase (AC) resulted in transcriptional upregulation of CXCR4 with a concomitant increase in replication of the CXCR4-utilizing HIV-1 strain IIIB. Transient expression analyses also demonstrated an increase in CXCR4-, CCR5-, and CXCR4-/CCR5-utilizing HIV-1 (LAI, YU2, and 89.6, respectively) promoter activity. Studies also implicated the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and the downstream transcription factor CREB-1 in interfacing with cAMP response elements located in the CXCR4 and viral promoter. These observations suggest that the cAMP signaling pathway may serve as a regulator of CXCR4 levels and concomitantly of HIV-1 replication in bone marrow (BM) progenitor cells.
International perspectives on the funding of public service media content for children
Authors: Steemers Jeanette
Published: March 2017

Funding original children’s television has never been easy because this is rarely a commercially attractive proposition unless you target a global audience and tap into ancillary revenues from licenced merchandise. As a case of market failure, policy makers who wish to ensure the production of a diverse range of quality content for children have therefore pursued a range of interventions to ensure sustainable levels of local content in the face of strong competition from US-owned media services. The aim of this article is to evaluate different funding options for public service children’s content in a more challenging and competitive multiplatform media environment in countries with a strong tradition of public service content for children. Focussing on interventions that go beyond public service broadcasting (PSB) (quotas, alternative funds), it assesses the extent to which these interventions reflect a future-oriented approach, or one that is mired in the status quo and vested interests.
Modeling the impact–sliding wear characteristics of rare earth additive iron-based hardfacing alloys
Authors: Kumar Singla Yogesh , Dwivedi DK , Arora Navneet
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a systematic study of the effect of the cerium oxide content on the mechanical, microstructural and tribological properties of iron-based alloys. The results indicate that the microstructure of the hardfaced alloys is mainly composed of austenite, MC and M7C3 carbides. The primary austenite grain size was refined at first and then coarsened with the increase of the rare earth oxide additions. Meanwhile, the hardness of the hardfacing alloy was also increased. The increased area fraction of carbides was found to be beneficial for enhanced wear resistance. A statistical regression model was developed and verified with a number of test cases in order to evaluate the adequacy of the model. The optimal amount of rare earth was found to be less than 6 wt.%; below this composition, the microstructural, mechanical and tribological properties were excellent.
Ultra-brief non-expert-delivered defusion and acceptance exercises for food cravings: A partial replication study
Authors: Hulbert-Williams Lee , Hulbert-Williams Nick J , Nicholls Wendy , Williamson Sian , Poonia Jivone , Hochard Kevin D
Published: March 2017

Food cravings are a common barrier to losing weight. This article presents a randomised comparison of non-expert group-delivered ultra-brief defusion and acceptance interventions against a distraction control. A total of 63 participants were asked to carry a bag of chocolates for a week while trying to resist the temptation to eat them. A behavioural rebound measure was administered. Each intervention out-performed control in respect of consumption, but not cravings. These techniques may have a place in the clinical management of food cravings. We provide tentative evidence that the mechanism of action is through decreased reactivity to cravings, not through reduced frequency of cravings.
Study on the rotational speed of bearing cage based on ultrasonic measurement
Authors: Liu Zhi-xiang , Xu Cong , Li Meng , Wang Qi , Liu Heng
Published: March 2017

In this paper, a new method for measuring the cage speed based on the ultrasonic reflection principle is proposed. By emitting high-frequency ultrasound signal for penetrating the bearing outer ring and detecting its ultrasonic echo signal continuously, the time of each rollers passing under the probe can be recorded accurately by detecting the change in the ultrasonic echo signal. Then, the rotation speed of the roller can be obtained by counting the passing frequency of the rollers. For the cages under working conditions, the cages and the rollers share the same rotation speed, where the cage rotation speed is an indication of the bearing operation. Compared to the optical measurement method for the rotation speed of bearing cage, the new method does not need any special arrangement for the bearings and is not sensitive to the environmental factors such as oil mist. In this paper, the new method is used to measure the rotation speed of the cage under different working conditions. By comparing the experimental results with the traditional optical method measurement result and the theoretical calculation results, the measurement results are basically consistent, which verifies the credibility and validity of the new measurement method.
Multiculturalism and secularism: Theoretical understandings and possible conflicts
Authors: Lægaard Sune
Published: March 2017

Multiculturalism in a European context increasingly has come to denote a concern with religious minorities. Claims for multicultural accommodation of minorities therefore potentially conflict with secularist requirements of separation of politics and religion. Whether there is a conflict depends on the general understandings of multiculturalism and secularism. The paper therefore distinguishes and examines different general understandings. Both multiculturalism and secularism can be understood as sets of policies, or as forms of minority accommodation or views about the relationship between religion and politics defined in relation to liberalism. Both understandings are problematic, so the paper proposes alternative formal understandings of multiculturalism and secularism. Multiculturalism denotes interpretations of what underlying (often liberal) principles imply under new circumstances of diversity. Secularism denotes what such principles imply for the relationship between politics and religion. Such formal understandings provide theoretical frameworks for specifying different conceptions of multiculturalism and secularism and for determining in precisely which respects conflicts might arise. But the frameworks also indicate that conflicts are not general or necessarily fundamental, and they provide tools for reinterpreting conceptions in ways that might avoid apparent conflicts.
On religious and secular exemptions: A case study of childhood vaccination waivers
Authors: Pierik Roland
Published: March 2017

This paper analyses exemptions to general law through the prism of vaccine waivers in the United States. All US states legally require the vaccination of children prior to school or daycare entry; however, this obligation is accompanied with a system of medical, religious, and/or philosophical exemptions. Nonmedical exemptions became subject of discussion after the 2015 Disneyland measles outbreak in California, which unequivocally brought to light what had been brewing below the surface for a while: a slow but steady decline in vaccination rates in Western societies, resulting in the reoccurrence of measles outbreaks. This can be traced back to an increasing public questioning of vaccines by a growing anti-vaccination movement. In reaction to the outbreak and the public outrage it generated, several states proposed—and some already passed—bills to eliminate nonmedical exemptions.

I analyze two questions. First, can legal exemptions from mandatory childhood vaccination schemes for parents who are opposed to vaccination (still) be justified? Second, should legal exemptions be limited to religious objections to vaccination, or should they also be granted to secular objections? Although the argument in the paper starts from the example of the US, it seeks to provide a more general philosophical reflection on the question of exemptions from mandatory childhood vaccination.
Introduction: Religion and public life
Authors: Bonotti Matteo , Seglow Jonathan
Published: March 2017

Political debate about the place of religion and religious identities in liberal democracies is as vigorous as ever, as evidenced by Christians' assertiveness against what they regard as secularising tendencies and the attempt to eliminate their established place in public life, as well as religious minorities seeking to combat their often marginalised position and the specific injustices to which they are subject (such as anti-Semitism and Islamophobia). The papers in this collection aim to address these and similar issues, and to offer novel and fresh perspectives on some of the key themes and debates on religion and public life in contemporary political theory. In this introductory essay, we illustrate, first, the key elements of four contemporary debates on religion and public life which are explored in the articles that follow. These are the conflict between secularism and religious establishment, public reason and the use of religious arguments in public deliberation, the accommodation of religious beliefs, and the relationship between freedom of speech and religion. After surveying these debates we end with an overview of the essays in this special issue.
Tracing pedagogic frailty in arts and humanities education: An autoethnographic perspective
Authors: Kinchin Ian M , Wiley Christopher
Published: March 2017

This paper offers an approach to support the development of reflective teaching practice among university academics that can be used to promote dialogue about quality enhancement and the student experience. Pedagogic frailty has been proposed as a unifying concept that may help to integrate institutional efforts to enhance teaching within universities by helping to maintain a simultaneous focus on key areas that are thought to impede development of pedagogy. These areas and the links that have been proposed to connect them are interrogated here through the dialogic analysis of a framed autoethnographic narrative produced by a community ‘insider’ who has considerable experience of teaching within the arts and humanities. This person-centred methodology acknowledges the subjective nature of teaching and gives voice to important stories that otherwise might not be heard formally, and allows an academic to rehearse this voice individually before comparing it with others in the institution.
One-Year Outcomes of the Paclitaxel-Eluting, Self-Expanding Stentys Stent System in the Treatment of Infrapopliteal Lesions in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia
Authors: Bosiers Marc , Callaert Joren , Keirse Koen , Hendriks Jeroen M. H. , Peeters Patrick , Verbist Jürgen , Maene Lieven , Beelen Roel , Deloose Koen
Published: March 2017

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of the paclitaxel-coated, self-expanding, nitinol Stentys Stent System in tibioperoneal lesions ≤50 mm long. Methods: The prospective, single-arm, multicenter PES-BTK-70 trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01630070) evaluated the safety and efficacy of the coronary Stentys Stent System in the treatment of a stenotic or occlusive lesion ≤50 mm long in the tibioperoneal arteries of patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). Between January 2012 and May 2013, 70 patients (mean age 74.6±9.4 years; 45 men) with CLI [Rutherford category 4 (37, 52.9%) or 5 (33, 47.1%)] received a Stentys drug-eluting stent for the treatment of infrapopliteal stenosis (60, 85.7%) or occlusion (10, 14.3%). The mean lesion length was 17.2 mm (4.0–58.5). The primary outcome measures were primary patency at 6 months (duplex ultrasound) and 12 months (angiography). Secondary outcomes included limb salvage and freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR). Kaplan-Meier estimates of the outcomes are given with the 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Technical and procedure success (<30% residual stenosis without major complications) was achieved in 68 (97.1%) of 70 cases. Primary patency was 87.6% (95% CI 83.5% to 91.7%) at 6 months and 72.6% (95% CI 66.9% to 78.3%) at 1 year. Freedom from TLR was 79.1% at 1 year (95% CI 73.9% to 84.3) and limb salvage was 98.5% (95% CI 97.0 to 100.0). No stent fractures were found by core laboratory review of all follow-up imaging data available up to 12 months. Conclusion: In this study, the self-expanding, nitinol, paclitaxel-eluting, coronary Stentys stent was found to be safe and effective in the below-the-knee region, with results similar to the most recent limus-eluting stent trials.
Positional Accuracy of Treating Multiple Versus Single Vertebral Metastases With Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
Authors: Chang Joe H. , Sangha Arnjeet , Hyde Derek , Soliman Hany , Myrehaug Sten , Ruschin Mark , Lee Young , Sahgal Arjun , Korol Renee
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study is to determine whether stereotactic body radiotherapy for multiple vertebral metastases treated with a single isocenter results in greater intrafraction errors than stereotactic body radiotherapy for single vertebral metastases and to determine whether the currently used spinal cord planning organ at risk volume and planning target volume margins are appropriate. Intrafraction errors were assessed for 65 stereotactic body radiotherapy treatments for vertebral metastases. Cone beam computed tomography images were acquired before, during, and after treatment for each fraction. Residual translational and rotational errors in patient positioning were recorded and planning organ at risk volume and planning target volume margins were calculated in each direction using this information. The mean translational residual errors were smaller for single (0.4 (0.4) mm) than for multiple vertebral metastases (0.5 (0.7) mm; P = .0019). The mean rotational residual errors were similar for single (0.3° (0.3°) and multiple vertebral metastases (0.3° (0.3°); P = .862). The maximum calculated planning organ at risk volume margin in any direction was 0.83 mm for single and 1.22 for multiple vertebral metastases. The maximum calculated planning target volume margin in any direction was 1.4 mm for single and 1.9 mm for multiple vertebral metastases. Intrafraction errors were small for both single and multiple vertebral metastases, indicating that our strategy for patient immobilization and repositioning is robust. Calculated planning organ at risk volume and planning target volume margins were smaller than our clinically employed margins, indicating that our clinical margins are appropriate.
Evaluation of Deformable Image Registration-Based Contour Propagation From Planning CT to Cone-Beam CT
Authors: Woerner Andrew J. , Choi Mehee , Harkenrider Matthew M. , Roeske John C. , Surucu Murat
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

We evaluated the performance of organ contour propagation from a planning computed tomography to cone-beam computed tomography with deformable image registration by comparing contours to manual contouring.

Materials and Methods:

Sixteen patients were retrospectively identified based on showing considerable physical change throughout the course of treatment. Multiple organs in the 3 regions (head and neck, prostate, and pancreas) were evaluated. A cone-beam computed tomography from the end of treatment was registered to the planning computed tomography using rigid registration, followed by deformable image registration. The contours were copied on cone-beam computed tomography image sets using rigid registration and modified by 2 radiation oncologists. Contours were compared using Dice similarity coefficient, mean surface distance, and Hausdorff distance.

Results:

The mean physician-to-physician Dice similarity coefficient for all organs was 0.90. When compared to each physician’s contours, the overall mean for rigid was 0.76 ( P < .001), and it was improved to 0.79 ( P < .001) for deformable image registration. Comparing deformable image registration to physicians resulted in a mean Dice similarity coefficient of 0.77, 0.74, and 0.84 for head and neck, prostate, and pancreas groups, respectively; whereas, the physician-to-physician mean agreement for these sites was 0.87, 0.90, and 0.93 ( P < .001, for all sites). The mean surface distance for physician-to-physician contours was 1.01 mm, compared to 2.58 mm for rigid-to-physician contours and 2.24 mm for deformable image registration-to-physician contours. The mean physician-to-physician Hausdorff distance was 11.32 mm, and when compared to any physician’s contours, the mean for rigid and deformable image registration was 12.1 mm and 12.0 mm ( P < .001), respectively.

Conclusion:

The physicians had a high level of agreement via the 3 metrics; however, deformable image registration fell short of this level of agreement. The automatic workflows using deformable image registration to deform contours to cone-beam computed tomography to evaluate the changes during treatment should be used with caution.
Knowledge and Beliefs About Developmental Dyslexia: A Comparison Between Pre-Service and In-Service Peruvian Teachers
Authors: Echegaray-Bengoa Joyce , Soriano-Ferrer Manuel , Joshi R. Malatesha
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, misconceptions, and knowledge gaps of Peruvian pre-service teachers (PSTs) and in-service teachers (ISTs). To do so, 112 PSTs and 113 ISTs completed the Knowledge and Beliefs About Developmental Dyslexia Scale (KBDDS). Results show that ISTs scored significantly higher than PSTs. Moreover, misconceptions and lack of information were higher in PSTs. The most noteworthy misconceptions were that dyslexia is due to poor visual perception and that letter or word reversals are the most important criterion in the identification of dyslexia. Age, years of teaching experience, prior exposure to a child with dyslexia, and self-efficacy were positively correlated with knowledge about dyslexia in ISTs.
Manualization of Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration® for Autism
Authors: Hunt Joanne , van Hooydonk Elke , Faller Patricia , Mailloux Zoe , Schaaf Roseann
Published: March 2017

This article reports on the development of a Stage 3 manual (following pilot effectiveness study) for implementing occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration® (OT/ASI) for children with autism spectrum disorders to enhance participation in daily occupations. Three stakeholder groups were surveyed to aid in translation of manual from research to practice (i.e., Stage 3 manual) and an expert consensus meeting was held to finalize recommendations. Data indicated that the manuals usability could be improved by including a section on frequently encountered problems and solutions, and by including video case examples. Also recommended were greater chapter uniformity, improved clarity of forms and charts, and inclusion of a glossary. Changes were made and subject to expert review and consensus using modified Delphi process. The Stage 3 manual has been rigorously vetted and is ready for practice and research replication.
The Racial and Gender Differences in the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Juvenile Residential Placement
Authors: Zettler Haley R. , Wolff Kevin , Baglivio Michael , Craig Jessica M. , Epps Nathan
Published: March 2017

Research has demonstrated a relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and a variety of juvenile offending outcomes. No study to date, however, has examined the relationship between ACEs and juvenile residential placement. The current study utilized a large sample of 4,733 adjudicated juveniles in Florida in order to examine the relationship between ACEs and residential placement across gender and race/ethnicity. For the entire study sample, ACEs significantly increased the odds of residential placement by age 17. For males, ACEs significantly increased the odds of residential placement for Black and Hispanic males but had a null effect on White males. For females, ACEs were predictive of residential placement for Black females but not for White or Hispanic females. Consistent predictors of residential placement across demographic groups included the presence of antisocial peers, substance abuse issues, and anger problems.