bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of cotton foreign matter using color features extracted from fluorescent images
Authors: Mustafic Adnan , Li Changying
Published: December 2014

The presence of foreign matter affects the quality and ultimately the monetary value of cotton lint. Current methods, such as the High Volume Instrument, compute the overall area of the foreign matter, but cannot identify the specific type. A fluorescent imaging system was investigated to classify the six types of botanical and seven types of non-botanical foreign matter under blue and ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) excitation lights, respectively. Two color models (RGB (red, green, blue) and HSV (hue, saturation, value)) were used and ratio images and single-channel images were examined. The F-values from the multivariate analysis of variance were used to select the three most contributing color features from the blue LED (R/G, H, V) and the UV LED dataset (B/G, S, V). The linear discriminant analysis model achieved classification rates of 80% or higher for bract, green leaf, hull, paper, plastic bag, plastic packaging, seed, and stem, and classification rates between 60% and 80% for bark, seed coat, and twine. The study demonstrated that fluorescence imaging is a promising tool to classify major types of cotton foreign matter and could be used for cotton classing.
Effects of vacuum steaming processes on the properties of continuous and staple polyester yarns
Authors: Şardağ Sibel , Özdemir Özcan
Published: December 2014

In this study, the effects of vacuum steaming process parameters on physical properties, tensile properties and twist liveliness values of spun and filament 100% polyester yarns were investigated. For this purpose, yarns having different twisting coefficients and different numbers were twisted, and afterwards they were exposed to vacuum steaming at different temperatures and for different durations.

Linear density, hairiness, unevenness values, tensile properties and twist liveliness of these yarns were measured before and after vacuum steaming. The results obtained were assessed by means of COSTAT and SPSS statistical analysis programs and variation analysis, and Student–Newman–Keuls tests were carried out at 5% (0.05) level of significance.

The results of this study indicate that the effects of vacuum steaming temperature and duration on tensile properties, unevenness, hairiness and twist liveliness of spun polyester yarns, and tensile properties and twist liveliness of filament polyester yarns, are statistically significant.
Identifying house price effects of changes in urban street configuration: An empirical study in Nanjing, China
Authors: Xiao Yang , Webster Chris , Orford Scott
Published: December 2014

We explore the proposition that the fast continuous changes in urban street network associated with urban growth and the attendant changes in accessibility are partial determinants of micro-level house price movement. To test this hypothesis we examine the dynamic relationship between urban configuration and house price in the short-run from 2005 to 2010, taking the case of the city of Nanjing, China. A spatial-network analysis method is employed to track changes in accessibility within the urban street layout over time. The results provide evidence that changes in urban configuration are statistically associated with housing market changes. As the city’s road grid changes through suburban expansion, new highways and internal adaptation, changes in relative accessibility follow, both locally and throughout the whole city. Generally, improved accessibility leads to higher property prices as expected. But we also find a negative relationship where new congestion hot spots are created and we identify several types of systemic spill-over effects.
Varying influences of the built environment on household travel in 15 diverse regions of the United States
Authors: Ewing Reid , Tian Guang , Goates JP , Zhang Ming , Greenwald Michael J , Joyce Alex , Kircher John , Greene William
Published: December 2014

This study pools household travel and built environment data from 15 diverse US regions to produce travel models with more external validity than any to date. It uses a large number of consistently defined built environmental variables to predict five household travel outcomes – car trips, walk trips, bike trips, transit trips and vehicle miles travelled (VMT). It employs multilevel modelling to account for the dependence of households in the same region on shared regional characteristics and estimates ‘hurdle’ models to account for the excess number of zero values in the distributions of dependent variables such as household transit trips. It tests built environment variables for three different buffer widths around household locations to see which scale best explains travel behaviour. The resulting models are appropriate for post-processing outputs of conventional travel demand models, and for sketch planning applications in traffic impact analysis, climate action planning and health impact assessment.
Defining the impact of public administration programmes for public sector organizations
Authors: Broucker Bruno
Published: December 2014

In times of financial and economic crises, public organizations seem to cut their budgets for training and education, especially when the impact of a programme is questioned. Therefore, PA programmes need to clarify what impact can be expected and what individual and organizational processes are influencing the impact of a PA programme on the public sector. The fact that PA programmes are future- and organization-oriented increases the complexity of knowledge transfer and the number of influencing processes. Organizations need to be aware of their own functioning, the role of knowledge and heterogeneity within their organization, their responsibility regarding educational issues and the profile of the civil servants participating in PA programmes. This will generate insight into educational effectiveness and the awareness that impact of PA programmes only can be expected after a more complex transfer process and on the longer term.
Identifying Controlling Variables for Math Computation Fluency Through Experimental Analysis
Authors: Hofstadter-Duke Kristi L. , Daly Edward J.
Published: December 2014

This study investigated a method for conducting experimental analyses of academic responding. In the experimental analyses, academic responding (math computation), rather than problem behavior, was reinforced across conditions. Two separate experimental analyses (one with fluent math computation problems and one with non-fluent math computation problems) were conducted with three elementary school children using identical contingencies while math computation rate was measured. Results indicate that the experimental analysis with non-fluent problems produced undifferentiated responding across participants; however, differentiated responding was achieved for all participants in the experimental analysis with fluent problems. A subsequent comparison of the single-most effective condition from the experimental analyses replicated the findings with novel computation problems. Results are discussed in terms of the critical role of stimulus control in identifying controlling consequences for academic deficits, and recommendations for future research refining and extending experimental analysis to academic responding are made.
Who Cares About Foot Care? Barriers and Enablers of Foot Self-care Practices Among Non-Institutionalized Older Adults Diagnosed With Diabetes
Authors: Matricciani Lisa , Jones Sara
Published: December 2014

Purpose

Appropriate and timely foot self-care practices may prevent diabetes-related foot complications. However, self-care practices are often neglected, particularly by older adults. The purpose of this study was to conduct an integrative, systematic literature review of the psychosocial barriers and enablers of foot self-care practices among older adults diagnosed with diabetes.

Methods

An integrative, systematic literature review and a deductive thematic analysis was conducted to determine psychosocial barriers and enablers of foot self-care practices among older adults.

Results

A total of 130 different studies were retrieved from the search strategy. From these, 9 studies were identified and included for review. Physical ability, perceived importance, patient knowledge, provision of education, social integration, risk status, and patient-provider communication were identified as key barriers and enablers of foot self-care. Participants at high risk of foot complications were found to perceive themselves at greater risk of complications, receive more education, and engage in better overall foot self-care practices compared to those at low risk of foot complications.

Conclusion

Foot self-care practices appear underutilized as primary prevention measures by older adults and are instead adopted only once complications have already occurred. Likewise, facilitators of foot self-care practices, such as education, appear to be reserved for individuals who have already developed foot complications. Health care professionals such as diabetes educators, podiatrists, and general practitioners may play an important role in the prevention of foot complications among older adults by recognizing, referring, and providing early education to older adults.
A Methodology to Analyze the Quality of Health Information on the Internet
Authors: Chumber Sundeep , Huber Jörg , Ghezzi Pietro
Published: December 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the criteria used to assess the quality of information on diabetic neuropathy on the Internet.

Methods

Different search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing, and Ask) and 1 governmental health website (MedlinePlus) were studied. The websites returned (200 for each search engine) were then classified according to their affiliation (eg, commercial, professional, patient groups). A scoring system was devised from the literature to assess quality of information. Websites were also analyzed using the 2 most widely used instruments for assessing the quality of health information, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) scoring system and the Health On the Net Foundation (HON) certification.

Results

Professional websites or health portals scored better according to most criteria. Google and MedlinePlus returned results scoring significantly higher than other engines in some of the criteria. The use of different instruments gave different results and indicates that the JAMA score and the HON certification may not be sufficient ones.

Conclusions

This methodology could be used to evaluate the reliability and trustworthiness of information on the Internet on different topics to identify topic areas or websites where the available information is not appropriate.
The Role of Reduced Humanity in Producing Linguistic Discrimination
Authors: Albarello Flavia , Rubini Monica
Published: December 2014

This article addresses the role of perceived (reduced) humanity and group membership of others in producing linguistic discrimination. Study 1 assessed the effects of these factors on a subtle measure of linguistic discrimination, namely, linguistic abstraction. Study 2 considered the explicit level of verbal abuse. Results highlighted that target’s reduced humanity led to enhanced linguistic discrimination toward the target, while group membership moderated this effect in specific conditions. Overall, the evidence of this set of studies sheds light on the role of humanity and its interplay with social categorization on discrimination outcomes.
Menke’s reconstruction of Benjamin’s law, his tragic aporia and recognition
Authors: Bustamante Kuschel Gonzalo
Published: December 2014

Benjamin’s Critique of Violence (1921) has been a relevant source of legal and political philosophy about the nature of law, from Derrida to Menke. In this article, we rebuild the reading of Benjamin’s Critique proposed by Menke and consider the appropriateness of violence in the law not as a tragic tension, but as a condition for its reproduction. Finally, we will consider its paradoxical nature as a confirmation of the difference between the force of law and social-normative elements such as recognition [ Anerkennung].
Democracy and the spectacle
Authors: Bottici Chiara
Published: December 2014

Rousseau maintains that the spectacle isolates us at the very same moment when it brings us together. This article argues that this striking remark must be understood within the more general framework of a critique of the spectacular nature of modern society. But if the spectacle is not simply an occasional form of entertainment, but a social relationship that pervades modern society as a whole, how can we escape from it? Rousseau’s homeopathic strategy, according to which we should fight an evil through small doses of that very same evil, offers a solution that is crucial for grasping the scope of Rousseau’s critique of the spectacle as well as for rethinking the possibility of democracy.
Mexican Immigrant Wives’ Acculturative Stress and Spouses’ Marital Quality
Authors: Rodriguez Yuliana , Helms Heather M. , Supple Andrew J. , Hengstebeck Natalie D.
Published: December 2014

With a sample of 120 Mexican-origin couples, we examined the extent to which wives’ marriage work (i.e., discussions about marital concerns) with husband and marriage work with friend moderated associations between wives’ acculturative stress and spouses’ marital satisfaction and marital negativity. Results from a series of multiple regression analyses showed that wives’ marriage work with husbands (a) served to protect husbands’ marital quality from wives’ acculturative stress and (b) was linked with greater marital satisfaction for wives. These findings represent an important first step in understanding the sociocultural factors that compromise and protect marital quality for couples of Mexican origin as they navigate the challenges of adapting to life in the United States.
The International Olympic Committee–International Paralympic Committee Relationship
Authors: Legg David , Fay Ted , Wolff Eli , Hums Mary
Published: December 2014

The inclusion of athletes with a disability into the Olympic Games has been a long-standing issue within the Paralympic Movement. This article reviews the history of including athletes with a disability into the Olympic Games using two frameworks, the Critical Change Factors Model (CCFM) and its companion, the Organizational Continuum for the Inclusion of Identity Groups in Sport (OCIIS). The CCFM and OCIIS were developed by Fay, grounded in critical social, principal–agent, and open systems theories. Last, the authors identify five future scenarios noting where they would fit within the two frameworks.
Modeling the Effect of Herd Immunity and Contagiousness in Mitigating a Smallpox Outbreak
Authors: Graeden Ellie , Fielding Russel , Steinhouse Kyle E. , Rubin Ilan N.
Published: December 2014

The smallpox antiviral tecovirimat has recently been purchased by the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile. Given significant uncertainty regarding both the contagiousness of smallpox in a contemporary outbreak and the efficiency of a mass vaccination campaign, vaccine prophylaxis alone may be unable to control a smallpox outbreak following a bioterror attack. Here, we present the results of a compartmental epidemiological model that identifies conditions under which tecovirimat is required to curtail the epidemic by exploring how the interaction between contagiousness and prophylaxis coverage of the affected population affects the ability of the public health response to control a large-scale smallpox outbreak. Each parameter value in the model is based on published empirical data. We describe contagiousness parametrically using a novel method of distributing an assumed R-value over the disease course based on the relative rates of daily viral shedding from human and animal studies of cognate orthopoxvirus infections. Our results suggest that vaccination prophylaxis is sufficient to control the outbreak when caused either by a minimally contagious virus or when a very high percentage of the population receives prophylaxis. As vaccination coverage of the affected population decreases below 70%, vaccine prophylaxis alone is progressively less capable of controlling outbreaks, even those caused by a less contagious virus (R0 less than 4). In these scenarios, tecovirimat treatment is required to control the outbreak (total number of cases under an order of magnitude more than the number of initial infections). The first study to determine the relative importance of smallpox prophylaxis and treatment under a range of highly uncertain epidemiological parameters, this work provides public health decision-makers with an evidence-based guide for responding to a large-scale smallpox outbreak.
Efficacy of RECIST and mRECIST criteria as prognostic factors in patients undergoing repeated iodized oil chemoembolization of intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hyun Dongho , Shin Sung Wook , Cho Sung Ki , Park Kwang Bo , Park Hong Suk , Choo Sung Wook , Do Young Soo , Choo In-wook , Shin Jae-Wang , Lim Seong-Joo
Published: December 2014

Background

Given that transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is usually a repeated procedure for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), repeated radiologic response assessments rather than a single time point assessment may have different clinical implications through the repeated course of TACE.

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of RECIST and mRECIST criteria as a survival predictor across early time points after repeated TACE of HCC.

Material and Methods

Ninety-eight patients with intermediate stage HCC received repeated iodized oil TACE. Treatment response was assessed according to RECIST and mRECIST criteria at 1, 3, and 6 months after initial TACE. Cox proportional model was used for survival analysis and the predicting power of each time point response was evaluated with C-statistics and time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Inter-method agreement was assessed with the κ coefficient.

Results

mRECIST was not applicable in 15 patients because of patchy uptake of iodized oil after TACE. On multivariate analysis, responders at 6 months by RECIST, responders at 3 months, and 6 months by mRECIST showed better survival than non-responders ( P < 0.05). Predicting power of response criteria improved over time and mRECIST at 6 months showed the best performance. The degree of agreements was poor or fair between RECIST and mRECIST.

Conclusion

mRECIST predicted long-term survival as early as 3 months after TACE of intermediate stage HCC. The predicting power of the uni-dimensional response criteria tended to be stronger over time.
Fat-suppressed, three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging using high-acceleration parallel acquisition and a dual-echo Dixon technique for gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI at 3 T
Authors: Yoon Jeong Hee , Lee Jeong Min , Yu Mi Hye , Kim Eun Ju , Han Joon Koo , Choi Byung Ihn
Published: December 2014

Background

Parallel imaging (PI) techniques are used for overcoming lower spatial and time resolution for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There is clinical need to overcome inevitable noise by decreased voxel size and signal-to-noise issue by using high-acceleration factor (AF).

Purpose

To determine whether the combination of a modified Dixon three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted (T1W) gradient echo technique (mDixon-3D-GRE) and high-acceleration ([HA], AF = 5) PI can provide breath-hold (BH) T1W imaging with better image quality than conventional fat-suppressed 3D-T1W-GRE (SPAIR-3D-GRE) for Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MR.

Material and Methods

This retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board and informed consent was waived. There were 138 patients who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MR at 3 T using either standard SPAIR-3D-GRE sequences with an AF of 2.6 ( n = 68, Standard group) or mDixon-3D-GRE with an AF of 5 ( n = 70, HA group). In the HA group, hepatobiliary phase was obtained three times using HA-mDixon-3D-GRE (AF = 5), HA-SPAIR-3D-GRE (AF = 5), and standard-SPAIR-3D-GRE (AF = 2.6). Image noise, quality, and anatomic depiction of dynamic phase were compared between standard and HA groups, and those of hepatobiliary phase were compared among the three image sets in HA group.

Results

As for dynamic imaging, the HA-mDixon-3D-GRE images showed better anatomic details and overall image quality than standard-SPAIR-3D-GRE sequence (arterial phase: 3.56 ± 0.63 vs. 2.66 ± 0.69, P < 0.001). In the intra-individual comparison, HA-mDixon-3D-GRE provided better orang depiction and overall image quality than standard-SPAIR-3D-GRE (3.99 ± 0.75 vs. 3.0 ± 0.72, P < 0.001) and better fat suppression and significantly less noise than HA-SPAIR-3D-GRE (4.76 ± 0.43 vs. 3.71 ± 0.54, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The combined use of mDixon-3D-GRE sequence and high-acceleration PI provided better quality BH-T1W imaging compared with conventional SPAIR-3D-GRE for Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MRI.
Locations of lesser tuberosity cysts and their association with subscapularis, supraspinatus, and long head of the biceps tendon disorders
Authors: Celikyay Fatih , Yuksekkaya Ruken , Deniz Caglar , Inal Sermet , Gokce Erkan , Acu Berat
Published: December 2014

Background

Humeral head cysts are not uncommon in individuals with rotator cuff disorders. The cysts are usually considered an indicator of rotator cuff pathologies; however, they may have different meanings in different regions.

Purpose

To determine the frequency of cysts within and adjacent to the lesser tuberosity and the relationship between these cysts and subscapularis, supraspinatus, and long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) disorders.

Material and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 760 consecutive shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Among these MRIs, we selected a group of patients with cysts located around the lesser tuberosity. The study population was also divided into two subgroups, patients with cysts within the lesser tuberosity and those with cysts adjacent to the lesser tuberosity. In addition to the number and size of cysts, the MRI appearance of the tendons was evaluated.

Results

Eighty-one (10.7%) patients had cysts within and/or adjacent to the lesser tuberosity, 34 (42%) patients had cysts within the lesser tuberosity, and 47 (58%) patients had cysts adjacent to it. LHBT and subscapularis tendon disorders were significantly related to more than one cyst. In a univariate analysis, cysts within the lesser tuberosity were significantly associated with LHBT and subscapularis tendon disorders; however, multivariate analyses showed that only LHBT disorders were significantly associated with cysts within the lesser tuberosity.

Conclusion

Cysts within the lesser tuberosity were less common than cysts adjacent to it. LHBT and subscapularis tendon disorders were more frequently found in patients with more than one cyst within and/or adjacent to the lesser tuberosity. In addition, cysts within the lesser tuberosity were associated with LHBT disorders.
Investigating Two-, Three-, and Four-Factor Structures of the Korean PCL-R in Serious Offenders
Authors: Sohn Ji Seun , Lee Soo Jung
Published: December 2014

There is no published work on different factor structures of the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) for Korean offenders. The current study compared the two-, three-, and four-factor structures of the Korean version of the PCL-R. A total of 451 adult male serious offenders were included. The results suggested that both three- and four-factor models offered the best overall fit to the data. To gain better insight into the construct and predictive validities of the Korean version of the PCL-R, we recommend further analysis of the three- and four-factor models with recidivism and inmates’ implicit aggression levels.
The boundaries of urban metabolism
Authors: Newell Joshua P. , Cousins Joshua J.
Published: December 2014

This paper considers the limits and potential of ‘urban metabolism’ to conceptualize city processes. Three ‘ecologies’ of urban metabolism have emerged. Each privileges a particular dimension of urban space, shaped by epistemology, politics, and model-making. Marxist ecologies theorize urban metabolism as hybridized socio-natures that (re)produce uneven outcomes; industrial ecology, as stocks and flows of materials and energy; and urban ecology, as complex socio-ecological systems. We demarcate these scholarly islands through bibliometric analysis and literature review, and draw on cross-domain mapping theory to unveil how the metaphor has become stagnant in each. To reinvigorate this research, the paper proposes the development of political–industrial ecology, using urban metabolism as a boundary metaphor.
Urban geography I
Authors: Derickson Kate D.
Published: December 2014

In the midst of what has been termed the ‘urban age’, two divergent approaches to understanding life in cities have emerged. In this first of three urban geography progress reports, I engage these two strands of urban theory, identifying key differences in their intellectual, political and geographical genealogies, and consider their political and epistemological implications. Borrowing from Chakrabarty’s concept of History 1 and History 2, I name these approaches ‘Urbanization 1’ and ‘Urbanization 2’. Urbanization 1 is exemplified by the planetary urbanization thesis that posits the complete urbanization of society, whereas Urbanization 2 is characterized by a more diverse set of interventions, united by a political and epistemological strategy of refusing Eurocentrism and ‘provincializing’ urban theory.
The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal population-based study
Authors: Schramm Sara H , Moebus Susanne , Lehmann Nils , Galli Ursula , Obermann Mark , Bock Eva , Yoon Min-Suk , Diener Hans-Christoph , Katsarava Zaza
Published: December 2014

Introduction

We studied the association between stress intensity and headache frequency for tension-type headache (TTH), migraine and migraine with coexisting TTH (MigTTH).

Method

We studied a population-based sample of 5159 participants (21–71 years) who were asked quarterly between March 2010 and April 2012 about headache and stress. Log-linear regression in the framework of generalized estimating equations was used to estimate regression coefficients presented as percent changes to describe the association between stress intensity (modified visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 100) and headache frequency (days/month) stratified by headache subtypes and age groups and adjusted for sex, age, frequent intake of acute pain drugs, drinking, smoking, BMI and education.

Results

TTH was reported in 31% participants (48.1 ± 12.5years, 51.5% women, 2.2 ± 3.9 mean headache days/month, 52.3 ± 26.7 mean stress), migraine in 14% (44.8 ± 11.3years, 73.3%, 4.5 ± 5.2 days/month, 62.4 ± 23.3), MigTTH in 10.6% (43.5 ± 11.5 years, 61.0%, 3.6 ± 4.8 days/month, 58.6 ± 24.1), 23.6% were unclassifiable, and 20.8% had no headache. In participants with TTH an increase of 10 points on VAS was associated with an increase of headaches days/month of 6.0% (adjusted). Higher effects were observed in younger age groups (21–30/31–40/41–50/51–60/61–71 years: 9.8/10.2/7.0/6.5/3.5%). Slightly lower effects were observed for migraine (4.3%, 8.1/5.1/3.4/6.3/0.3%) and MigTTH (4.2%, 5.5/6.8/6.9/5.8/–0.7%).

Conclusion

Our study provides evidence for an association between stress intensity and headache frequency.
Auditory hallucinations associated with migraine: Case series and literature review
Authors: Miller Eli E , Grosberg Brian M , Crystal Sara C , Robbins Matthew S
Published: December 2014

Objective

The objective of this review is to describe auditory hallucinations (paracusias) associated with migraine attacks to yield insights into their clinical significance and pathogenesis.

Background

Isolated observations have documented rare associations of migraine with auditory hallucinations. Unlike visual, somatosensory, language, motor, and brainstem symptoms, paracusias with acute headache attacks are not a recognized aura symptom by the International Headache Society, and no systematic review has addressed this association.

Methods

We retrospectively studied patients experiencing paracusias associated with migraine at our center and in the literature.

Results

We encountered 12 patients (our center = 5, literature = 7), 58% were female, and 75% had typical migraine aura. Hallucinations most commonly featured voices (58%), 75% experienced them during headache, and the duration was most often <1 hour (67%). No patients described visual aura evolving to paracusias. Most patients (50%) had either a current or previous psychiatric disorder, most commonly depression (67%). The course of headache and paracusias were universally congruent, including improvement with headache prophylaxis (58%).

Conclusion

Paracusias uncommonly co-occur with migraine and usually feature human voices. Their timing and high prevalence in patients with depression may suggest that paracusias are not necessarily a form of migraine aura, though could be a migraine trait symptom. Alternative mechanisms include perfusion changes in primary auditory cortex, serotonin-related ictal perceptual changes, or a release phenomenon in the setting of phonophobia with avoidance of a noisy environment.
Comparison of Physical Impairment, Functional, and Psychosocial Measures Based on Fear of Reinjury/Lack of Confidence and Return-to-Sport Status After ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Lentz Trevor A. , Zeppieri Giorgio , George Steven Z. , Tillman Susan M. , Moser Michael W. , Farmer Kevin W. , Chmielewski Terese L.
Published: December 2014

Background:

Fear of reinjury and lack of confidence influence return-to-sport outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The physical, psychosocial, and functional recovery of patients reporting fear of reinjury or lack of confidence as their primary barrier to resuming sports participation is unknown.

Purpose:

To compare physical impairment, functional, and psychosocial measures between subgroups based on return-to-sport status and fear of reinjury/lack of confidence in the return-to-sport stage and to determine the association of physical impairment and psychosocial measures with function for each subgroup at 6 months and 1 year after surgery.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Physical impairment (quadriceps index [QI], quadriceps strength/body weight [QSBW], hamstring:quadriceps strength ratio [HQ ratio], pain intensity), self-report of function (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC]), and psychosocial (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia–shortened form [TSK-11]) measures were collected at 6 months and 1 year after surgery in 73 patients with ACL reconstruction. At 1 year, subjects were divided into “return-to-sport” (YRTS) or “not return-to-sport” (NRTS) subgroups based on their self-reported return to preinjury sport status. Patients in the NRTS subgroup were subcategorized as NRTS-Fear/Confidence if fear of reinjury/lack of confidence was the primary reason for not returning to sports, and all others were categorized as NRTS-Other.

Results:

A total of 46 subjects were assigned to YRTS, 13 to NRTS-Other, and 14 to NRTS-Fear/Confidence. Compared with the YRTS subgroup, the NRTS-Fear/Confidence subgroup was older and had lower QSBW, lower IKDC score, and higher TSK-11 score at 6 months and 1 year; however, they had similar pain levels. In the NRTS-Fear/Confidence subgroup, the IKDC score was associated with QSBW and pain at 6 months and QSBW, QI, pain, and TSK-11 scores at 1 year.

Conclusion:

Elevated pain-related fear of movement/reinjury, quadriceps weakness, and reduced IKDC score distinguish patients who are unable to return to preinjury sports participation because of fear of reinjury/lack of confidence. Despite low average pain ratings, fear of pain may influence function in this subgroup. Assessment of fear of reinjury, quadriceps strength, and self-reported function at 6 months may help identify patients at risk for not returning to sports at 1 year and should be considered for inclusion in return-to-sport guidelines.
Investigating Population Heterogeneity and Interaction Effects of Covariates
Authors: Dimitrov Dimiter M. , Al-Saud Faisal Abdullah Al-Mashari , Alsadaawi Abdullah Saleh
Published: December 2014

This article investigates the population heterogeneity of test data for the case of teacher licensure assessments in Saudi Arabia. The results from factor mixture modeling of the data ( N = 15,962) on the construct of promoting learning revealed the presence of two latent classes of examinees based on their performance profiles across test items, with noninvariant parameters on a one-factor model of the construct across the two latent classes. Model covariates, such as gender, teaching experience, and age, demonstrated interaction effects in the formation of the two latent classes of examinees. The findings and methodology provided with this article can be useful to researchers in different contexts of educational and psychological assessment.
Calling the Screens
Authors: Harrist Christopher J. , Witt Peter A.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine female players’ motives for participation in competitive sports, how they felt involvement has aided in their development, and explore negative experiences that had served as detractors to enjoyment. Focus groups were conducted with 31 players who currently participate on a competitive youth basketball team. Player responses revealed that participation in youth sport is motivated by two main themes: enjoyment and serving a purpose. Players also felt that participation in sport aided their development in six areas: social competency, self-confidence, self-discipline and respect, conflict resolution and anger management, decision making, and work ethic. Finally, players identified three key constructs that served as detractors to their enjoyment: parental involvement, intra-team cliques, and previous coach experiences.
The Role of Moral Worldviews in Predicting Sexual Behavior From Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Victor Elizabeth Christine , Miles Andrew , Vaisey Stephen
Published: December 2014

We examined the relationship between moral worldview and number of sexual partners across 6 years in a nationally representative sample of 2,202 emerging adults. Using negative binomial fixed-effects regression models to control for all time-invariant confounders, we found that while changes toward more orthodox moral worldviews account for differences in number of partners during adolescence, this effect disappears as teens enter emerging adulthood. We explored two possible explanations for this change in effect, including (a) whether moral worldviews are simply standing in for external factors that are actually driving observed behavior and (b) how the effects of moral worldviews may depend on overall levels of orthodoxy. The results lead us to conclude that moral worldviews influence sexual behaviors over time; however, moral worldviews appear to have a significant protective effect only for individuals indicating a high degree of moral orthodoxy. These findings support the idea that moral worldviews impact health behavior during key developmental years.
Rapid On-Line Control to Reaching Is Preserved in Children With Congenital Spastic Hemiplegia
Authors: Hyde Christian , Fuelscher Ian , Enticott Peter G. , Reid Susan M. , Williams Jacqueline
Published: December 2014

This study aimed to investigate the integrity of on-line control of reaching in congenital spastic hemiplegia in light of disparate evidence. Twelve children with and without spastic hemiplegia (11-17 years old) completed a double-step reaching task requiring them to reach and touch a target that remained stationary for most trials (viz nonjump trial) but unexpectedly displaced laterally at movement onset for a minority of trials (20%: known as jump trials). Although children with spastic hemiplegia were generally slower than age-matched controls, they could account for target perturbation at age-appropriate levels shown by a lack of interaction effect on movement time and nonsignificant group difference for time to reach trajectory correction on jump trials. Our data suggest that at a group level, on-line control of reaching may be age-appropriate in spastic hemiplegia. However, our data also highlight the need to experimentally acknowledge the considerable heterogeneity of the spastic hemiplegia population when investigating motor cognition.
Polyurethane–extracellular matrix/silver bionanocomposites for urinary catheters
Authors: Macocinschi Doina , Filip Daniela , Paslaru Elena , Munteanu Bogdanel Silvestru , Dumitriu Raluca Petronela , Pricope Gina Mihaela , Aflori Magda , Dobromir Marius , Nica Valentin , Vasile Cornelia
Published: December 2014

Polyurethane–extracellular matrix membranes with bionanocomposites or coatings containing a small amount of biocompatible polymers such as hydrolyzed collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate, and silver were obtained by solvent casting or electrospinning/electrospraying of the polyurethane–extracellular matrix–Ag formulations onto pure polyurethane membrane in order to achieve improved antibacterial biomaterials for urinary catheters. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the interaction of the incorporated silver nanoparticles with polyurethane–extracellular matrix was found, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses ws used to determine the presence of metallic Ag for polyurethane membrane and Ag only in oxidized state for polyurethane–extracellular matrix membranes due to the stabilizing effect of polymeric components. The in vitro antimicrobial tests against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhymurium, and Listeria monocytogenes were used for the evaluation of the antimicrobial efficiency.
“You Can Try, But You Won’t Stop It. It’ll Always Be There”
Authors: Sundaram Vanita
Published: December 2014

The role of schools in preventing violence among teenagers has been highlighted, as has the development of youth-led prevention initiatives. This article explores how young people’s views on violence influence their perceptions of its preventability, drawing on focus group discussions with 14- to 16-year-olds from six schools across the north of England. Young people view violence as a highly individualized phenomenon, and gender norms play an important role in shaping young people’s perceptions of the preventability of violence. The findings presented here suggest that school-based violence prevention must fundamentally address gender norms and expectations to challenge young people’s acceptance and tolerance of violence.
WIC Peer Counselors’ Perceptions of Breastfeeding in African American Women with Lower Incomes
Authors: Gross Tyra T. , Powell Rachel , Anderson Alex K. , Hall Jori , Davis Marsha , Hilyard Karen
Published: December 2014

Background:

African American women have the lowest breastfeeding rates among all racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Peer counseling is an effective intervention in improving breastfeeding in this population. However, little is known on peer counselors’ perceptions of breastfeeding in African American women.

Objective:

As part of a larger qualitative study, the goal of this study was to understand the contextual factors influencing breastfeeding decisions of low-income African American women from the perspective of breastfeeding peer counselors (PCs).

Methods:

Three focus groups were conducted with 23 PCs from the Women, Infants, and Children program in a southeastern state. All focus group discussions were audio-recorded, professionally transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model was used to group categories into themes.

Results:

Of the sample, 47.8% were African American, 78.2% were married, and 56.5% had some college education. Five main themes emerged to describe factors at multiple levels influencing breastfeeding in PCs’ low-income African American clients: individual, microsystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. Novel findings included (1) having breast pumps may give African American women a “sense of security,” (2) cultural pressures to be a “strong black woman” can impede breastfeeding support, and (3) breastfeeding “generational gaps” have resulted from American “slavery” and when formula was “a sign of wealth.”

Conclusion:

As PCs described, low-income African American women’s breastfeeding decisions are affected by numerous contextual factors. Findings from this study suggest a need to broaden the public health approach to breastfeeding promotion in this population by moving beyond individual characteristics to examining historical and sociocultural factors underlying breastfeeding practices in African American women.
Breastfeeding among Adolescent Mothers
Authors: Sipsma Heather L. , Jones Krista L. , Cole-Lewis Heather
Published: December 2014

Despite growing evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding, rates of breastfeeding remain disproportionately low among adolescent mothers compared with older mothers in the United States. Current interventions primarily target adult women, and little evidence is available for breastfeeding promotion among young women. Accordingly, we aim to review interventions designed to improve breastfeeding rates among adolescents to make recommendations for future research and practice. We searched MEDLINE and PsycINFO for articles that evaluated interventions aiming to improve rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration, or exclusivity among adolescents. Inclusion criteria included interventions targeting pregnant or postpartum adolescents (mean/median age <22 years) that were conducted in high-income settings. Six interventions met our inclusion criteria; of these, 4 interventions aimed to increase breastfeeding initiation, 5 aimed to increase breastfeeding duration, and 4 aimed to increase breastfeeding exclusivity. Interventions included school-based programs, home visits, and telephone support that were implemented by a combination of peer counselors, nurse clinicians, doulas, and lactation consultants. Only 1 intervention, a combination of education and counseling provided by a lactation consultant–peer counselor team, significantly improved both breastfeeding initiation and duration. Other results were mixed, and studies were subject to several methodological limitations. We recommend that more interventions should be developed and evaluated. In addition, interventions should be less resource intensive, be more theoretically driven, and specifically include mothers and partners of adolescents to successfully promote breastfeeding among adolescent mothers.
Employment Centers and Agglomeration Economies
Authors: Niu Yi , Ding Chengri , Knaap Gerrit-Jan
Published: December 2014

Previous research provides evidence that jobs and firms in U.S. metropolitan areas are concentrated in economic centers, creating a polycentric urban form. Previous research also suggests that firms realize localization economies when they locate near other firms in the same industry and urbanization economies when they locate near firms in other industries. In this article, the authors tie these concepts together in an exploration of the spatial distribution of employment in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. This analysis suggests that the spatial distribution of employment in Maryland is characterized by the existence of concentrated employment centers that create a polycentric urban form. What is more, the authors find these centers provide both urbanization and localization economies, as well as unspecified locational advantages.
Advocating for Policy Change in Nonprofit Coalitions
Authors: Fyall Rachel , McGuire Michael
Published: December 2014

As nonprofit organizations have become more essential to public service delivery, their representatives increasingly seek to influence the public policy process. In spite of this tendency toward advocacy, research often overlooks the nuanced perspective of nonprofit representatives who undertake such activity through coalitions. The analysis presented here offers an accounting of the struggles faced by nonprofit professionals as they pursue the myriad activities that constitute an advocate’s portfolio. The work is guided by a reconsideration of the dichotomies prevalent in nonprofit advocacy research and is presented through the eyes and words of nonprofit advocates. The research uses the context of a particular network of coalition organizations and service providers in the area of affordable housing. Drawn from a grounded theory approach, the findings offer emergent themes that deserve attention when designing new studies on nonprofit advocacy.
The Relationship Between Philanthropic Foundation Funding and State-Level Policy in the Era of Welfare Reform
Authors: Mosley Jennifer E. , Galaskiewicz Joseph
Published: December 2014

Philanthropic foundations play important symbolic and leadership roles in public policy debates by conferring legitimacy upon specific social problems and policy solutions, but little is known about how they respond to policy change and the roles they adopt in relationship to government. We investigate the degree to which foundations are responsive to the policy environment and ask whether they adopt roles consistent with meeting social needs, promoting social innovation, or both. We also investigate how these roles vary by foundation type (independent, community, corporate) and size. Longitudinal data on grants made by more than 1,000 U.S. foundations during the welfare reform era of 1993-2001 show that during this time foundation grants were not responsive to population need; grants to safety net and social service programs did not increase. Large foundations and independent foundations focused on social innovation by funding research and workforce development and giving more in states pursuing policy innovation.
The Local Embedding of Community-Based Organizations
Authors: Vermeulen Floris , Minkoff Debra C. , van der Meer Tom
Published: December 2014

Although social organizations are considered a vital aspect of life in neighborhoods, research seldom examines how neighborhood context influences organizational vitality. This article considers how organizational and neighborhood characteristics influence organizational survival over time via a case study of immigrant organizations in Amsterdam. Using multilevel analysis, we investigate which features give organizations an advantage in uncertain environments and which neighborhood characteristics influence organizations’ ability to remain active sponsors of immigrant interests. We conclude that neighborhood context has little substantial influence on the failure rates of immigrant organizations in Amsterdam. We take this as provisional evidence that the residential environment on the neighborhood level may not be a relevant source of institutional material or resources for community-based organizations. Rather, what appears to be more crucial are organizational characteristics that enhance the embeddedness and legitimacy of immigrant organizations among the immigrant constituency and external actors in the urban context.