bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co-existence of short-term reversals and momentum in the Australian equity market
Authors: Chai Daniel , Do Binh
Published: October 2014

Small stocks tend to reverse, whereas large stocks tend to trend over a one-month horizon, which explains the lack of short-term reversals in the Australian market as a whole. However, large stocks exhibit intra-industry reversals, in which industry winners underperform industry losers in the subsequent month, when controlling for price momentum. Conversely, once this intra-industry reversal is neutralised, large stocks display momentum behaviour, in which market winners outperform market losers. These conditional strategies generate positive, significant risk-adjusted returns on large stocks in Australia. This paper documents significant industry momentum, as winning industries outperform losing industries in the following month. This industry momentum effect dominates the intra-industry reversal. The paper also finds evidence that conditional reversals are driven by illiquidity and are inhibited by stock prices under-reacting to earnings announcements.
The impact of chronic migraine: The Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study methods and baseline results
Authors: Adams Aubrey Manack , Serrano Daniel , Buse Dawn C , Reed Michael L , Marske Valerie , Fanning Kristina M , Lipton Richard B
Published: October 2014

Background

Longitudinal migraine studies have rarely assessed headache frequency and disability variation over a year.

Methods

The Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study is a cross-sectional and longitudinal Internet study designed to characterize the course of episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM). Participants were recruited from a Web-panel using quota sampling in an attempt to obtain a sample demographically similar to the US population. Participants who passed the screener were assessed every three months with the Core (baseline, six, and 12 months) and Snapshot (months three and nine) modules, which assessed headache frequency, headache-related disability, treatments, and treatment satisfaction. The Core also assessed resource use, health-related quality of life, and other features. One-time cross-sectional modules measured family burden, barriers to medical care, and comorbidities/endophenotypes.

Results

Of 489,537 invitees, we obtained 58,418 (11.9%) usable returns including 16,789 individuals who met ICHD-3 beta migraine criteria (EM (<15 headache days/mo): n = 15,313 (91.2%); CM (≥15 headache days/mo): n = 1476 (8.8%)). At baseline, all qualified respondents ( n = 16,789) completed the Screener, Core, and Barriers to Care modules. Subsequent modules showed some attrition (Comorbidities/Endophenotypes, n = 12,810; Family Burden (Proband), n = 13,064; Family Burden (Partner), n = 4022; Family Burden (Child), n = 2140; Snapshot (three months), n = 9741; Core (six months), n = 7517; Snapshot (nine months), n = 6362; Core (12 months), n = 5915). A total of 3513 respondents (21.0%) completed all modules, and 3626 (EM: n = 3303 (21.6%); CM: n = 323 (21.9%)) completed all longitudinal assessments.

Conclusions

The CaMEO Study provides cross-sectional and longitudinal data that will contribute to our understanding of the course of migraine over one year and quantify variations in headache frequency, headache-related disability, comorbidities, treatments, and familial impact.
Investigating the quasi-static puncture resistance of p-aramid nanocomposite impregnated with the shear thickening fluid
Authors: Baharvandi Hamid Reza , Khaksari Peiman , Alebouyeh Morteza , Alizadeh Masoud , Khojasteh Jalal , Kordani Naser
Published: October 2014

The effect of impregnating p-aramid fabrics with shear thickening fluids on their quasi-static puncture resistance performance has been investigated. To prepare the shear thickening fluid, 12 and 60-nm silica particles have been dispersed in polyethylene glycol by means of mechanical mixing. The results of rheological tests indicate that the reduction of particle size leads to the increase of suspension viscosity, increase of critical shear rate, and the diminishing of the frequency of transition to elastic state for the shear thickening fluids. Samples of p-aramid impregnated fabrics were subjected to the quasi-static puncture resistance test according to the American Society for Testing and Materials standard D6264. The quasi-static puncture resistance increased 4.5 times for samples with 35 wt% silica concentration relative to the neat sample. In particular, with the reduction of particle size, the samples undergo less deformation and can withstand larger loads at each shear thickening fluid concentration. However, at low and medium concentrations (15 and 25 wt%), the reduction in the particle size has a large effect on the load-bearing capacity of the fabrics. But in the case of 35 wt% concentration for both the 12- and 60-nm particles, the difference between maximum loads withstood by the fabric is negligible.
Modeling the Test-Taking Motivation Construct Through Investigation of Psychometric Properties of an Expectancy-Value-Based Questionnaire
Authors: Knekta Eva , Eklöf Hanna
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of an expectancy-value-based questionnaire measuring five aspects of test-taking motivation (effort, expectancies, importance, interest, and test anxiety). The questionnaire was distributed to a sample of Swedish Grade 9 students taking a low-stakes ( n = 1,047) or a high-stakes ( n = 536) test. Structural equation modeling largely supported theoretical assumptions and psychometric properties were acceptable. Expectancies and importance were significant predictors of effort, and effort significantly predicted performance in both test situations. Furthermore, measurement invariance across test situations was investigated. Partial scalar invariance was obtained and latent mean comparisons showed significantly higher levels of reported test-taking motivation in the high-stakes context. The study findings suggest that the present instrument can be used in low- as well as high-stakes assessment contexts not only to get an extended knowledge of test-takers’ perceptions of tests but also to control for lack of motivation when stakes are low for test-takers.
Examination of the Spanish Trait Meta-Mood Scale–24 Factor Structure in a Mexican Setting
Authors: Valdivia Vázquez Juan Antonio , Rubio Sosa Juan Carlos A. , French Brian F.
Published: October 2014

The Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS) is an emotional intelligence (EI) assessment originally developed for the U.S. population. This scale measures three EI factors—attention, clarity, and repair—to evaluate how an individual perceives one’s own EI skills. Although the TMMS has been adapted for use in several languages and cultures, the structure of the TMMS requires continuous examination across cultures. Specifically, there is a need for stronger validity evidence using confirmatory analyses. This study evaluates the factor structure of the TMMS-Spanish version, known as the TMMS-24, in a sample of students from northern Mexico. Data from high school and college students were used to examine the factor structure of the scale via confirmatory factor analysis. Results support the basis for future cross-cultural research conducted with Hispanic populations within Mexico with the TMMS-24.
Public Service, Public Corruption and the First Amendment
Authors: Roberts Robert
Published: October 2014

The 2006 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Garcetti v. Ceballos imposed significant new restrictions on the First Amendment freedom of speech rights of public employees. Specifically, the Garcetti majority held that the First Amendment did not provide any protections for internal or external communications made in the course of performing their official duties. The 2014 case of Lane v. Franks provided the U.S. Supreme Court the opportunity to decide whether the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit properly denied First Amendment protection for testimony given by an employee of an Alabama community college who testified during a federal public corruption trial. The U.S. Supreme Court, by a vote of 9 to 0, held that Garcetti did not block the employee from proceeding with a claim that the community college retaliated against him for his trial testimony. The U.S. Supreme Court recognized a public corruption testimony exception to Garcetti.
Substance Use Differences Among U.S.- Versus Foreign-Born Adolescents
Authors: Barajas-Gonzalez R. Gabriela , Brooks-Gunn Jeanne
Published: October 2014

The influence of perceived family conflict, family support, and peer substance use on adolescent substance use was examined in a community sample of 669 (331 female, 338 male) Latino youth, who were assessed twice over the span of 2½ years. We found greater substance use among U.S.-born Latino youth in comparison to foreign-born Latino youth at both time points. Levels of family conflict were higher, and levels of family support were lower, in families with U.S.-born versus foreign-born adolescents. Results suggest that higher family conflict, but not lower family support, may partially explain higher substance use rates among U.S.-born versus foreign-born Latino adolescents.
Gap or Overlap? Parent-Child Acculturation Differences in Mexican Immigrant Families
Authors: Nieri Tanya , Bermudez-Parsai Monica
Published: October 2014

This study explored acculturation differences between Mexican immigrant parents and children and effects on parent-child relationships, using modified analytic inductive analysis of semi-structured interviews with one immigrant parent and one adolescent child from 30 Mexican families from Phoenix, Arizona. Three categories of parent-child acculturation were identified: no differences ( n = 4), minor differences ( n = 21), and major differences ( n = 5). Children affiliated with American culture more than their parents did, but parents and children affiliated similarly with Mexican culture. Cultural differences were typically viewed as inevitable and normal rather than as unfortunate and abnormal. Parents and children described their relationships as close and reported efforts to decrease differences by developing a shared family culture. Parent-child conflict, where it existed, was viewed as generational or developmental rather than cultural. The findings support the new concept of “cultural overlap” to more accurately depict parent-child acculturation in immigrant families.
Neighborhood Planning Theory, Guidelines, and Research
Authors: Park Yunmi , Rogers George O.
Published: October 2014

Planning scholars and practitioners know that planning projects and research are more likely to achieve significant outcomes when the problem is addressed at the most appropriate level of neighborhood. Selecting the right scale of neighborhood, however, is always challenging. To create conceptual framework for the choice of an appropriate neighborhood unit in future studies and projects, this article attempts to reveal a hierarchy of neighborhood and key elements for different levels of neighborhoods. The area, population, boundary characteristics, and key facilities for four levels of neighborhoods—face-blocks, residential neighborhoods, institutional neighborhoods, and community—are defined through the review of the literature on planning theory, guideline, and research on neighborhoods.
A Comparison of the Structural Factors of the Propensity for Abusiveness Scale for Women and Men in a Domestic Violence Treatment Program
Authors: Allen Christopher T. , Swan Suzanne C. , Maas Carl D. , Barber Sara
Published: October 2014

Court-mandated domestic violence (DV) treatment programs across the country have seen a marked increase in female clients. These programs use a variety of measurement tools to assess the needs of their clients. Increased numbers of women in treatment for DV reflect a need to address the measurement of intimate partner violence (IPV) for both males and females. Unfortunately, the reliability and validity of many of measures used to assess IPV and related constructs for women remains unknown. The current study focuses on a particular measure, the Propensity for Abusiveness Scale (PAS). The PAS is not a measure of abusive behavior per se; rather, it assesses risk factors for abuse, including affective lability, anger expression, trauma symptoms, and harsh parenting experienced by the respondent. Specifically, the current study compares the factor structure and the measurement properties of the PAS for males and females in a sample of 885 (647 female, 238 male) participants in a DV treatment program. Findings indicate that the PAS demonstrated configural, metric, and scalar invariance between the female and male samples. These results suggest that it is appropriate for researchers and clinicians to make comparisons between women and men based on PAS factor scores.
A Communication Multiplexity Approach to Social Capital: On- and Offline Communication and Self-Esteem
Authors: Rui Jian Raymond , Covert Jessica M. , Stefanone Michael A. , Mukherjee Tanuka
Published: October 2014

This study explores the mechanisms by which online social information seeking (i.e., monitoring Facebook friends) relates to social capital. Based on the extant literature, we propose a theoretical framework that includes communication activities across different channels operationalized as offline participation, network structure on social network site operationalized as the number of actual online friends and network diversity, and self-esteem. Results from an online survey ( N = 223) found a moderated mediation model in which participation in offline social activities mediated the relationship between social information seeking and self-reported bonding social capital, and self-esteem moderated this mediation. In addition, participation in offline social activities provided an additional channel to accessing bridging social capital. These results provide a theoretical framework for and suggest an approach of communication multiplexity to future research.
Ideology-Critique with the Conceptual Hinterland of a Theory of the Ideological
Authors: Rehmann Jan
Published: October 2014

The ‘ideology-theoretical turn’ of the late 1970s and 1980s claimed a re-foundation of Marxist research into ideology, which was stuck in several respects. Its attempt to overcome the traditional fixation on a criticism of ‘false’ consciousness is still valid. It led, however, in particular in the tradition of the Althusser School, to an over-general notion of ideology that repressed the radical and critical impulses of Marx and Engels’ concept of ideology. Going deliberately against the grain of a predominant tendency in secondary literature, which places Marx/Engels’ and Gramsci’s concepts of ideology on opposite poles of the spectrum, the essay shows that the strength of the respective approaches lies in their particular combination of ideology-critique and ideology-theory. The dichotomy of these strands is misguided and counterproductive and needs to be overcome by the renewal of an ideology-critique which is informed and backed up by a materialist theory of the ideological.
Nonprofit Performance
Authors: Benjamin Lehn M. , Campbell David C.
Published: October 2014

Performance is a key concern for nonprofits providing human services. Yet our understanding of what drives performance remains incomplete. Existing outcome measurement systems track the programmatic activities staff complete and the extent to which participants respond in programmatically intended ways. However, clients do not just receive services and respond as intended and staff do not simply complete program activities. Drawing on a data set of 47 interviews with frontline staff in eight human service nonprofits, we show how frontline staff work in a partnership with clients to set an agenda for change and achieve desired results. We call this co-determination work and argue that it represents a critical and often neglected dimension of nonprofit performance.
Development of a tool to study aircraft trajectory optimisation in the presence of icing conditions
Authors: Shinkafi Ahmed , Lawson Craig
Published: October 2014

With the increasing demand of air travel, the impact on the environment due to aviation has shown a significant increase in recent times. As a result, there is a growing demand for new technologies and flight procedures that will enable aircraft operators to burn less fuel and reduce the adverse effect of aviation on the environment. Conventional approaches to trajectory optimisation do not take the effect of aircraft systems into account. Neglecting these effects may be inadequate, especially when one considers real aircraft operations in real weather scenarios. This research has developed a tool capable of simulating aircraft ice protection performance for trajectory optimisation, which enables the development of a decision making process dependent on weather within the flight management system, thus transforming the conventional ice protection system to a more intelligent system. Presently, thermal ice protection methods are the leading ice protection technology on most of the medium and large transport aircraft. An enhanced aircraft anti-icing model was developed based on Messinger mass and energy balance method for thermal anti-icing. The tool developed in this work can calculate the total water catch and evaluate power requirement due to icing under a wide range of meteorological conditions. The model was successfully integrated with a trajectory optimisation framework for independent assessment of fuel penalty due to icing and investigation of pollutant emissions reduction through aircraft trajectory optimisation. A case of typical departure from London Airport Heathrow was optimised for fuel burn and time. The preliminary results show that when operating in known icing condition, including icing parameters in the optimisation loop could give as much as 2.1% fuel savings.
Accuracy of an adjustable patient-specific guide for acetabular alignment in hip replacement surgery (Optihip)
Authors: Shandiz Mohsen Akbari , MacKenzie James R , Hunt Stephen , Anglin Carolyn
Published: October 2014

Implant malalignment in hip arthroplasty increases the risk of revision surgery due to problems such as hip instability, wear, and impingement. Traditional instrumentation lacks accuracy and does not individualize the goal. Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) and patient-specific solutions improve accuracy but add considerably to the cost, amongst other drawbacks. We developed an adjustable mechanical device, called Optihip, which is set to a patient-specific goal preoperatively and is independent of pelvis position intraoperatively. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate Optihip’s accuracy ex vivo. Acetabular components were implanted into six cadaveric specimens, 12 hips, by two surgeons, with the device individually adjusted according to preoperative templating on computed tomography (CT) images relative to defined acetabular rim landmarks; options also exist for templating on single or biplanar X-rays. Intraoperatively, the device was positioned on the corresponding anatomical landmarks allowing the insertion of a guide pin, which then defined the desired orientation of the acetabular cup during impaction. Mean absolute difference between the preoperatively planned cup alignment and final acetabular cup orientation, measured from postoperative CT images, was 2.5±1.2° for inclination and 2.5±2.2° for version with maximum values of 4.7° and 6.8°, respectively. Compared with previous in vivo reports, Optihip guided the acetabular cup orientation more accurately than conventional hip arthroplasty, and comparably to CAS or patient-specific systems, while fitting into the normal surgical workflow. Although clinical testing is required to confirm these experimental results, the positive ex vivo accuracy suggests good potential for improving revision rates and patient functional outcome.
Automatic recognizing of vocal fold disorders from glottis images
Authors: Huang Chang-Chiun , Leu Yi-Shing , Kuo Chung-Feng Jeffrey , Chu Wen-Lin , Chu Yueng-Hsiang , Wu Han-Cheng
Published: October 2014

The laryngeal video stroboscope is an important instrument to test glottal diseases and read vocal fold images and voice quality for physician clinical diagnosis. This study is aimed to develop a medical system with functionality of automatic intelligent recognition of dynamic images. The static images of glottis opening to the largest extent and closing to the smallest extent were screened automatically using color space transformation and image preprocessing. The glottal area was also quantized. As the tongue base movements affected the position of laryngoscope and saliva would result in unclear images, this study used the gray scale adaptive entropy value to set the threshold in order to establish an elimination system. The proposed system can improve the effect of automatically captured images of glottis and achieve an accuracy rate of 96%. In addition, the glottal area and area segmentation threshold were calculated effectively. The glottis area segmentation was corrected, and the glottal area waveform pattern was drawn automatically to assist in vocal fold diagnosis. When developing the intelligent recognition system for vocal fold disorders, this study analyzed the characteristic values of four vocal fold patterns, namely, normal vocal fold, vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold polyp, and vocal fold cyst. It also used the support vector machine classifier to identify vocal fold disorders and achieved an identification accuracy rate of 98.75%. The results can serve as a very valuable reference for diagnosis.
Increased toll-like receptor 9 expression is associated with the severity of paraquat-induced lung injury in mice
Authors: Qian J , Liu L , Chen L , Lu X , Zhu C
Published: October 2014

Background:

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), an important component of the innate immune system, contributes to the pathogenesis of lung injury. However, its role in paraquat (PQ)-induced lung injury has not been studied.

Method:

Mice were divided into PQ group ( n = 24) and control group ( n = 12). Mice in both groups were killed on either day 7 or day 28 after PQ (40 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or saline administration. TLR9 expression was evaluated through real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Concurrently, histopathological examinations of lung tissues were performed. On day 7, the lung weight to body weight ratios (LW/BW), total protein content, and inflammatory cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. On day 28, fibrogenic cytokine expressions in lung tissues were measured. The correlations between TLR9 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and different indicators of lung injury were then evaluated.

Results:

TLR9 expression was significantly increased over time in lung tissues after PQ poisoning. On day 7, TLR9 expression increased in parallel with LW/BW ratio ( r = 0.403, p < 0.05), BALF protein content ( r = 0.706, p<0.01), and BALF inflammatory cytokine levels (interleukin 6 (IL-6): r = 0.619, IL-1β: r = 0.930, tumor necrosis factor α: r = 0.589, all p < 0.05). On day 28, elevated TLR9 expression was closely correlated with Ashcroft score ( r = 0.726, p < 0.01), mRNA expressions of α-smooth muscle actin, type I collagen and type III collagen ( r = 0.926, 0.957, and 0.924, respectively; all p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

The TLR9 expression in lung tissue is markedly elevated during PQ-induced acute lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis and positively correlated with the severity of lung injury in mice.
A randomized trial comparing intravenous paracetamol, topical lidocaine, and ice application for treatment of pain associated with scorpion stings
Authors: Aksel G , Güler S , Doğan NÖ , Çorbacioğlu ŞK
Published: October 2014

Objective:

Appropriate treatment for scorpion-associated pain was not previously studied in detail in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three treatment modalities in patients with painful scorpion stings using visual analog scale (VAS) scores.

Materials and Methods:

A randomized study was carried out during a 1-year period in patients with scorpion stings who did not have any systemic signs or symptoms. Patients were treated with intravenous paracetamol, topical lidocaine, or ice application. Pain intensity was evaluated using VAS score at the time of presentation to emergency department and at 30th, 60th, 120th, and 240th minutes. Changes in VAS scores from baseline were recorded.

Results:

A total of 130 patients were included in the statistical analysis. Significant reduction in pain intensity was observed with topical lidocaine group when compared with the ice application group ( p < 0.001) and paracetamol group ( p < 0.001) in all selected time intervals. The median reduction in scores at 30 min after therapeutic intervention was 25.0 mm for topical lidocaine, 14.5 mm for ice application, and 10.0 mm for intravenous paracetamol. No adverse events were reported.

Discussion:

Our results revealed that topical lidocaine is superior to both intravenous paracetamol and local ice application and its effect lasts several hours after envenomation.

conclusion:

Topical lidocaine is an effective and safe treatment in scorpion sting associated with pain in patients with nonsystemic signs and symptoms.
Coverage of the competencies required by special librarians at three different levels of Library and Information Science curricula
Authors: Peyvand Robati Alireza , Yusuf Byabazaire
Published: October 2014

This paper is the second part of a two-part research project that considers to the extent to which the competencies required by special librarians are addressed in the existing Iranian Library and Information Science curricula. For this purpose, a survey was conducted by using a questionnaire with a dichotomous scale (Yes/No), involving Library and Information Science departments in Iran. The results revealed that, overall, the Associate curriculum is helping students to acquire 18 (32.72%) of the 55 required competencies, the Bachelors curriculum is helping them to obtain 77 (63.11%) of the 122 necessary competencies, and the Masters curriculum is helping students gain 83 (68.03%) of the 122 required competencies. The results also demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the current Library and Information Science curricula in terms of providing graduates with the necessary competencies to work in special libraries.
Urinary sCD25 as a biomarker of lupus nephritis disease activity
Authors: Gupta R , Yadav A , Misra R , Aggarwal A
Published: October 2014

Objectives

T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). We studied the role of urinary soluble CD25 (sCD25) as a biomarker of LN disease activity in a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

Methods

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were classified as active LN (AN), inactive disease (ID) and active non-renal (ANR) based on disease activity and renal involvement at the time of enrolment. Urine and serum samples were collected at baseline from all patients and at 3-monthly follow-up from patients with AN. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was used for disease activity assessment at all visits. sCD25 was measured by ELISA and normalized to urinary creatinine excretion and is expressed as pg/mg. Urine samples from 10 healthy individuals (HC) served as controls.

Results

There were 119 patients (111 females, median age 27 years, 57 AN, 43 ID, 19 ANR). Median SLEDAI was 18, 2 and 8 in AN, ID and ANR groups, respectively. Median renal SLEDAI in AN was 8. Mean (±SD) urinary sCD25 in the AN, ID, ANR and HC groups at baseline was 741.1 (±794.9), 407.8 (±511.1), 735.4 (±667.7) and 250.9 (±122.2) pg/mg respectively ( p = 0.019). Mean (±SD) serum sCD25 in AN, ID and ANR was 8285.25 (±5922.2), 6044 (±3501.92) and 6568.72 (±4333.62) pg/ml, respectively. Urinary sCD25 correlated with SLEDAI ( r = 0.22; p = 0.015) but did not correlate with serum sCD25 or proteinuria. Urinary sCD25 compares well with traditional markers of disease activity in differentiating active from inactive renal disease. On follow-up mean urinary sCD25 decreased to 470.0 (±449.6; p < 0.05) at 3 months, 496.7 (±465.8; p = 0.006) at 6 months, 471.9 (±303.2; p = 0.041) at 9 months and 358.6 (±496.9; p = 0.007) at 12 months from baseline value of 741.1 (±794.9). In four patients who either had relapse, persistent disease activity or developed chronic kidney disease, urinary sCD25 showed rise preceding traditional abnormalities on urine examination.

Conclusions

Urinary sCD25 is a good biomarker for follow-up of LN. It may also have the potential to predict poor response and relapse.
Model evaluation based on the negative predictive value for interval-censored survival outcomes
Authors: Han Seungbong , Tsui Kam-Wah , Andrei Adin-Cristian
Published: October 2014

In many cohort studies, time to events such as disease recurrence is recorded in an interval-censored format. An important objective is to predict patient outcomes. Clinicians are interested in predictive covariates. Prediction rules based on the receiver operating characteristic curve alone are not related to the survival endpoint. We propose a model evaluation strategy to leverage the predictive accuracy based on negative predictive functions. Our proposed method makes very few assumptions and only requires a working model to obtain the regression coefficients. A nonparametric estimate of the predictive accuracy provides a simple and flexible approach for model evaluation to interval-censored survival outcomes. The implementation effort is minimal, therefore this method has an increased potential for immediate use in biomedical data analyses. Simulation studies and a breast cancer trial example further illustrate the practical advantages of this approach.
Impact compressive behavior and failure modes of four-step three-dimensional braided composites-based meso-structure model
Authors: Zhang Fa , Wan Yumin , Gu Bohong , Sun Baozhong
Published: October 2014

This paper reports a meso-structure model of 3D-braided composites for the analysis of compressive behaviors and failure modes under quasi-static and high-strain rate compression. An idealized geometrical model of 3D-braided composite, which has the same preform meso-structure with four-step 3D-braided composite is established for finite element analyses of compressive behaviors. The compression stress–strain curves obtained from experimental along the in-plane and out-of-plane directions were used to validate the finite element analyses model. The agreement between the experimental and finite element analyses results proves the validity of the finite element analyses model. It was found that the finite element analyses model provides a way to obtain the locations of stress propagation, the 3D stress state and the progressive failure behavior. The numerical results also showed that the fiber tows in the surface and corner area of braided preform play an important role during both quasi-static and high-strain rate loading.
A Leukemic Presentation of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in a 52-Year-Old Woman Without an Identifiable Primary Tumor
Authors: Kern Jason B. , Hii Anselm , Kruse Matthew J. , Szabo Zsolt , Argani Pedram , Hibbard Michele K. , Gladstone Douglas E. , Meyer Christian , Zheng Rui , Borowitz Michael J. , Duffield Amy S.
Published: October 2014

A 52-year-old woman presented with fatigue and thrombocytopenia. Imaging studies were unremarkable with the exception of a positron emission tomography scan, which demonstrated intense F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake fusing to the marrow. A bone marrow aspirate was notable for large discohesive cells with basophilic cytoplasm, and flow cytometric analysis identified a population of phenotypically unusual cells that coexpressed CD56 and CD71. Immunohistochemical findings in the marrow biopsy demonstrated that the neoplasm was alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, further supported by the presence of a t(2;13). This unusual case demonstrates that leukemic presentations of rhabdomyosarcoma can occur in older adults in the absence of an identifiable primary tumor.
Generalized method for calculating the durability of sliding bearings with technological out-of-roundness of details
Authors: Chernets M , Chernets Ju
Published: October 2014

This article presents the generalized cumulative model of wear kinetics for the sliding bearing elements in the case of single area and single-and-double area contact for different phases of rotating a shaft with a small contour ovality and a bushing with a circular contour. As a result of the performed numerical analysis, the regularities of the change in the initial maximum contact pressure due to shaft rotation and shaft changes due to wear are described, as well as the durability of the bearing and the linear wear of the bushing and shaft depending on the size of ovality are discussed in the work. The contact pressures are considerably higher in the zones of double-area contact than in the zones of single-area contact. The shaft ovality increases the bearing durability and reduces the hob wear. The results are presented graphically by means of charts.
Idiopathic aquaporin-4 antibody negative longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis
Authors: Hyun Jae-Won , Kim Su-Hyun , Huh So-Young , Kim Woojun , Yun Junglim , Joung AeRan , Sato Douglas Kazutoshi , Fujihara Kazuo , Kim Ho Jin
Published: October 2014

Background:

Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is a characteristic manifestation of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). However, not all patients with LETM are positive for aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies. We evaluated the characteristics of idiopathic isolated LETM negative for AQP4 antibodies.

Methods:

From the National Cancer Center registry of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, patients with LETM as an initial manifestation and follow-up for at least two years were enrolled. Their medical records and MRIs were reviewed retrospectively. AQP4 antibody was confirmed by three different validated methods at least three times. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels were measured to investigate astrocyte damage.

Results:

Among 108 patients with first-ever LETM, 55 were positive for AQP4 antibodies (P-LETM) and 53 were consistently negative. Of them, seven were later diagnosed with seronegative NMO, and four were positive for MOG antibodies. The remaining 42 patients (N-LETM) showed several features distinct from P-LETM: male predominance, older age of onset, milder clinical presentation, spinal cord confinement and absence of combined autoimmunity. CSF GFAP levels were not increased in N-LETM but were markedly elevated in P-LETM.

Conclusions:

Idiopathic isolated N-LETM is not that rare among first-ever LETM, and has many features distinct from P-LETM where astrocytic damage is evident.
Risk factors for multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica and transverse myelitis
Authors: Simon KC , Schmidt H , Loud S , Ascherio A
Published: October 2014

Background:

Little is known about risk factors for neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or transverse myelitis (TM).

Objective:

The objective of this paper is to evaluate whether established multiple sclerosis (MS) risk factors, including smoking history, a history of infectious mononucleosis (IM), anti-EBNA1 Ab titers and HLA-DR15 are associated with NMO or TM.

Methods:

We conducted a case-control study among participants in the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis (ACP) Repository, which includes patients with MS, NMO and TM. Controls include related and unrelated individuals without evidence of demyelinating disease. Analyses included 1237 cases of MS, 98 cases of NMO, 133 cases of TM and 488 healthy controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to assess the association between smoking, HLA-DR15, anti-EBNA1 Ab titers and a history of IM adjusting for gender, study site and ethnicity.

Results:

Overall, the association between smoking, IM, HLA-DR15 and anti-EBNA1 Ab titers and odds of MS were as expected and no significant interactions were observed. However, there was little evidence of association between these MS risk factors and odds of NMO or TM.

Conclusions:

Established MS risk factors do not appear to be associated with susceptibility to TM or NMO and, among MS patients, these risk factors appear to act independently.
Natalizumab for the prevention of post-partum relapses in women with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Vukusic Sandra , Durand-Dubief Françoise , Benoit Amandine , Marignier Romain , Frangoulis Bernard , Confavreux Christian
Published: October 2014

Objective:

Our aim was to evaluate the impact of early redosing of natalizumab after delivery on the risk of post-partum relapses in six women with very active multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

We undertook a retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively in the Lyon MS Cohort.

Results:

The annualized relapse rate (ARR) in the year before natalizumab treatment was 4.2 ±0.4, which decreased to 0.4 ±0.6 during the treatment period. The mean time between natalizumab withdrawal and onset of pregnancy was 9 months; one pregnancy was exposed to one infusion. The ARR between natalizumab withdrawal and onset of pregnancy was 1.8 ±0.7. Six relapses occurred before onset of pregnancy and seven during pregnancy. Natalizumab was restarted 7.8 days after delivery (between day 2 and 8 for five patients and on day 23 for one). Only one patient, who had restarted natalizumab 2 days after delivery, had a relapse 2 weeks later. The others five patients were relapse free after a mean of 14.2 ±9.1 months of follow-up.

Conclusion:

Despite a high risk of post-partum relapses, early redosing of natalizumab led to a complete disappearance of disease activity in all but one patient. These data suggest that natalizumab could be a good candidate for preventing early post-partum relapses.
Direct and indirect relationship between locus of control and depression
Authors: Yu Xiaobo , Fan Guanhua
Published: October 2014

This study examined the mediating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between locus of control and depression among Chinese university students. In all, 457 students (232 men and 225 women) completed measures of locus of control, self-esteem, and depression. Correlational analyses indicated that external locus of control was related to self-esteem and depression, and self-esteem was related to depression. Structural equation modeling analysis showed that self-esteem partially mediated the influence of locus of control on depression. The significance of the results is discussed.
Fears and concerns of Iranian diabetic women: A phenomenological study
Authors: Aghamohammadi-Kalkhoran Masoumeh , Valizadeh Sousan
Published: October 2014

This study explored the fears and concerns of 19 Iranian diabetic women using a phenomenological approach. Semistructured individual interviews were conducted; each interview was transcribed verbatim and analyzed simultaneously using Van Manen’s method. Data analysis resulted in the emergence of two main themes: (1) “a vague and uncertain future” with sub-themes of “fears of dependency,” “loneliness,” “disease complications,” and “children’s future”; and (2) “changing lifestyles” with sub-themes of “dietary restrictions” and “insulin injection.” Psychological concerns are common in Iranian diabetic women. These concerns can contribute to poor disease self-management. Thus, it is hoped that identifying these concerns can lead to better management of these issues and a better outcome in diabetic patients.
“Obviously, we’re all oil industry”: The criminogenic structure of the offshore oil industry
Authors: Bradshaw Elizabeth A
Published: October 2014

The 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill was one of the worst environmental disasters in the United States. The deviant actions of state and corporate actors involved in the Gulf of Mexico spill are not unique, but instead are symptomatic of a problem rooted much deeper in the US oil and gas industry. Building on Michalowski and Kramer’s Integrated Theoretical Model of State–Corporate Crime, this article explores the industry as a level of analysis. Early studies of white-collar crime that examined criminality within industries tended to approach the problem from the individual level and failed to consider the role of government in shaping the structural conditions of an industry. This article introduces the concept of “criminogenic industry structures” and examines the historical role of the federal government in shaping the criminogenic conditions of the offshore oil drilling industry that resulted in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Managing traumatic stress responses among clinicians: Individual and organizational tools for self-care
Authors: Sansbury Brittany S , Graves Kelly , Scott Wendy
Published: October 2014

There is a growing interest in conceptual frameworks related to preventing stress responses among mental health clinicians working with survivors of trauma. The following paper comprehensively compares and contrasts vicarious traumatization with compassion fatigue (i.e. secondary trauma), and it considers how these two traumatic stress responses can lead to professional burnout. It reviews the historical development and empirical support related to the effects of trauma work on clinicians, and it provides practical guidelines for both individuals and organizations to protect clinicians from traumatic stress responses.
Walking, writing and dreaming: Rebecca Solnit’s polyphonic voices
Authors: O’Donnell Marcus
Published: October 2014

American writer Rebecca Solnit has published 17 books since 1990, ranging from biography to cultural histories and art criticism to personal essays. Because her work is not easily classified and because she sits at the intersection of a number of different fields, her work provides a particularly interesting case study of hybrid practices in contemporary non-fiction. This article argues that her work is a form of literary journalism: polyphonic open journalism. Solnit’s work demonstrates traces and practices arising from her training as a journalist that she has combined them with writerly and activist practices that produce a distinctive open form of literary journalism. This article develops a detailed case study of Solnit’s Savage Dreams, her book-length investigation of the Nevada Test Site and Yosemite National Park, in order to show how her writing pursues a range of open-ended, associative strategies that create a choral effect: she moves from evocative to proclamatory to exegetical modes of writing as part of this multivoiced strategy.
‘Tweet or be sacked’: Twitter and the new elements of journalistic practice
Authors: Barnard Stephen R
Published: October 2014

Twitter has gained notoriety in the field of journalism due in part to its ubiquity and powerful interactional affordances. Through a combination of digital ethnography and content analysis, this article analyzes journalistic practice and meta-discourse on Twitter. Whereas most applications of Bourdieu’s field theory focus on macro-level dynamics, this study addresses the micro- and mezzo-level elements of journalism, including practices, capital, habitus, and doxa. Findings suggest that each of these elements is undergoing notable change as the journalistic field adapts to the networked era. Furthermore, this article constructs a typology of Twitter-journalism practices and demonstrates Twitter’s role in the transformation of journalistic norms, values, and means of distinction. It argues that these changes have contributed to new opportunities for capital exchange as well as to the emergence of a hybrid, networked habitus that integrates values and practices from the traditional journalistic field with those from digital and nonprofessional origins.
Popular sovereignty on the border: Nativist activism among two border watch groups in southern Arizona
Authors: Fidan Elcioglu Emine F.
Published: October 2014

By drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with two grassroots groups that operate near the Arizona-Mexico border, this article illuminates how nativism is translated into day-to-day activism, often in ways that, while openly critical of the state, actually serve to strengthen the state. In contrast to conventional accounts that characterize nativist groups on the border as ‘vigilante’, I argue that the two groups which are the focus of this study, the Soldiers and the Engineers, seek to collaborate with state actors in an effort to restore the state’s exercise of what these groups consider to be legitimate violence in the borderlands. That is, the two groups enact nativism through popular sovereignty. Believing that the state’s ‘absence’ on the border is the result of an understaffed Border Patrol, the Soldiers fashion themselves into a civilian extension of the agency, taking pride in collaborating with locally stationed agents. Meanwhile, the Engineers find their entry point to the state through the ‘border security industrial complex’, hoping to work as private contractors for the Department of Homeland Security to restructure border surveillance. I conclude that we might expect popular sovereignty in other contexts where the state is perceived to be weak.
Fluidity of modes in the translation of manga: the case of Kishimoto’s Naruto
Authors: Huang Cheng-Wen , Archer Arlene
Published: October 2014

This article explores the fluidity of modes in manga where the written mode is often treated as a visual and the visual treated as a written entity. The analysis focuses on a particular text, Naruto, by Masashi Kishimoto (2003). In manga, writing is a visual entity and is often governed by the logics of space where position influences value and sequence of reading. This has implications for the relation between onomatopoeia, typography and translation. The authors explore the affordance of writing and image by comparing two English translations of Naruto (a fan translated edition and an official edition). In the fan translation, sound effects conveyed through writing are left untranslated and the reader conjures up the sound from both the context of the situation and the choice of font. The official translation, in contrast, changes sound and layout in order to accommodate the reading practices of the Western audience. This article analyses what is at stake when publishers change the layout of a comics page in the translation from Japanese writing to English, the lettering systems, and the norms and conventions that govern reading path, layout and punctuation.
Consumer mobility and well-being among changing places and shifting ethnicities
Authors: Demangeot Catherine , Broeckerhoff Aurelie , Kipnis Eva , Pullig Chris , Visconti Luca M.
Published: October 2014

(Market)places are spatial entities which individuals and groups might experience as meaningful. By highlighting the role of place in ethnic consumer research, this article argues that increased mobility and changing places render relatively stable notions of ethnicity outdated. We identify three main trajectories to revitalize future research on ethnicity. First, we demonstrate the need for research on ethnic identity to be underpinned by a better understanding of the role of place in identity processes. Second, we contend that the established migration/acculturation paradigm should be replaced by the mobility/adaptiveness paradigm. Third, we consider the profound effects of interethnic contact among mobile and immobile populations within shared places on individual and societal well-being.