bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling Condensation in Shallow Nonprecipitating Convection
Authors: Grabowski Wojciech W. , Jarecka Dorota
Published: August 2015

Two schemes for modeling condensation in warm nonprecipitating clouds are compared. The first one is the efficient bulk condensation scheme where cloudy volumes are always at saturation and cloud water evaporates instantaneously to maintain saturation. The second one is the comprehensive bin condensation scheme that predicts the evolution of the cloud droplet spectrum and allows sub- and supersaturations in cloudy volumes. The emphasis is on the impact of the two schemes on cloud dynamics. Theoretical considerations show that the bulk condensation scheme provides more buoyancy than the bin scheme, but the effect is small, with the potential density temperature difference around 0.1 K for 1% supersaturation. The 1D advection–condensation tests document the high-vertical-resolution requirement for the bin scheme to resolve the cloud-base supersaturation maximum and CCN activation, which is difficult to employ in 3D cloud simulations. Simulations of shallow convection cloud fields are executed applying bulk and bin schemes, with the mean droplet concentrations in the bin scheme covering a wide range, from about 5 to over 4000 cm−3. Simulations employ the microphysical piggybacking methodology to extract impacts with high confidence. They show that the differences in cloud fields simulated with bulk and bin schemes come not from small differences in the condensation but from more significant differences in the evaporation of cloud water near cloud edges as a result of entrainment and mixing with the environment. The latter makes the impact of cloud microphysics on simulated macroscopic cloud field properties even more difficult to assess because of highly uncertain subgrid-scale parameterizations.
Comparing Trends in the Southern Annular Mode and Surface Westerly Jet
Authors: Swart Neil C. , Fyfe John C. , Gillett Nathan , Marshall Gareth J.
Published: August 2015

This paper examines trends in the southern annular mode (SAM) and the strength, position, and width of the Southern Hemisphere surface westerly wind jet in observations, reanalyses, and models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). First the period over 1951–2011 is considered, and it is shown that there are differences in the SAM and jet trends between the CMIP5 models, the Hadley Centre gridded SLP (HadSLP2r) dataset, and the Twentieth Century Reanalysis. The relationships between these trends demonstrate that the SAM index cannot be used to directly infer changes in any one kinematic property of the jet. The spatial structure of the observed trends in SLP and zonal winds is shown to be largest, but also most uncertain, in the southeastern Pacific. To constrain this uncertainty six reanalyses are included and compared with station-based observations of SLP. The CMIP5 mean SLP trends generally agree well with the direct observations, despite some climatological biases, while some reanalyses exhibit spuriously large SLP trends. Similarly, over the more reliable satellite era the spatial pattern of CMIP5 SLP trends is in excellent agreement with HadSLP2r, whereas several reanalyses are not. Then surface winds are compared with a satellite-based product, and it is shown that the CMIP5 mean trend is similar to observations in the core region of the westerlies, but that several reanalyses overestimate recent trends. The authors caution that studies examining the impact of wind changes on the Southern Ocean could be biased by these spuriously large trends in reanalysis products.
A Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Climatology for Poland
Authors: Taszarek Mateusz , Czernecki Bartosz , Kozioł Aneta
Published: August 2015

This research focuses on the climatology of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flashes based on PERUN lightning detection network data from 2002 to 2013. To present various CG lightning flash characteristics, 10 km × 10 km grid cells are used, while for estimating thunderstorm days, circles with radii of 17.5 km in the 1 km × 1 km grid cells are used. A total of 4 328 892 CG lightning flashes are used to analyze counts, density, polarity, peak current, and thunderstorm days. An average of 151 days with thunderstorm (appearing anywhere in Poland) occurs each year. The annual number of days with thunderstorms increases southeasterly from the coast of the Baltic Sea (15–20 days) to the Carpathian Mountains (30–35 days). The mean CG lightning flash density varies from 0.2 to 3.1 flashes km−2 yr−1 with the highest values in the southwest–northeast belt from Kraków-Częstochowa Upland to the Masurian Lake District. The maximum daily CG lightning flash density in this region amounted to 9.1 km−2 day−1 (3 July 2012). The monthly variation shows a well-defined thunderstorm season extending from May to August with July as the peak month. The vast majority of CG lightning flashes were detected during the daytime (85%) with a peak at 1400 UTC and a minimum at 0700 UTC. Almost 97% of all CG lightning flashes in the present study had a negative current, reaching the highest average monthly values in February (55 kA) and the lowest in July (24 kA). The percentage of positive CG lightning flashes was the lowest during the summer (2%–3%) and the highest during the winter (10%–20%).
Evaluation of Customized Prosthesis for Irregularly Formed Tracheostoma After Laryngectomy
Authors: Doescher Johannes , Scheckenbach Kathrin , Angerstein Wolfgang , Veit Johannes A. , Laban Simon , Thierauf Julia , Theodoraki Marie-Nicole , Greve Jens , Schuler Patrick J. , Hoffmann Thomas K.
Published: August 2015

Background:

After laryngectomy, the tracheostoma forms the functional center for breathing and phonation. An occasionally occurring but typical problem can arise from an oversized and/or irregularly formed tracheostoma, hampering the temporary occlusion necessary for sufficient speech production. As an alternative to a surgical correction of the tracheostoma, an individually adjusted stoma silicone prosthesis may be used.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-one patients suffering from irregularly formed tracheostoma after laryngectomy followed by insertion of a speech valve were provided with a silicone tracheostomal prosthesis. They underwent subjective assessment of voice quality and breathing function according to a standardized general questionnaire and to the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Furthermore, a clinical evaluation was performed including detection of peristomal leakage and phonation time.

Results and Discussion:

Patients described a significant improvement of voice production with the tracheostomal prosthesis (averagely graded as 1.9 with and 3.2 without prosthesis, P = .0026). Breathing was also slightly improved by the prosthesis with an average grade of 1.7 compared to 2.3 with a conventional cannula ( P = .063). There was a strong correlation between self-evaluation and the total score of the VHI after insertion of the prosthesis ( P < .0001). Minor local skin reactions caused by the adhesive were described by 5 of the 21 patients.

Conclusions:

A tracheostomal prosthesis represents an efficient alternative to surgical revision of irregularly formed tracheostoma after laryngectomy, enhancing voice production and breathing function.
Positive Pressure Bronchoscopy Technique
Authors: Hall Michael B. , Johnston Douglas R. , Barth Patrick
Published: August 2015

Objective:

Foreign body aspiration into the tracheobronchial tree continues to be a challenging problem for otolaryngologists. This is especially true in patients with poor pulmonary reserve.

Methods:

We describe a novel technique in which an endotracheal sheathed bronchoscope is used as a means to provide positive pressure ventilation simultaneously during foreign body extraction.

Results:

This new technique afforded the bronchoscopist more time during retrieval of the foreign body where previous attempts were limited by rapid desaturations and the overall nature of the foreign body.

Conclusion:

The endotracheal sheathed bronchoscope is a safe and efficacious technique for challenging airway foreign bodies complicated by a patient’s limited pulmonary reserve.
“Beat the Shock Clock”
Authors: Tuuri Rachel E. , Gehrig Madeline G. , Busch Carrie E. , Ebeling Myla , Morella Kristen , Hunt Lisa , Russell W. Scott
Published: August 2015

Ideal care for septic shock (SS) is difficult. This interprofessional quality improvement intervention in a mid-volume pediatric emergency department aimed to reduce time to vascular access, fluid resuscitation, and antibiotics for SS. Intensive education, a care pathway, and an order set were applied. Outcome measures for patients with criteria for SS before and after intervention were compared. There were 43 patients pre-intervention (January 2009 to June 2011) and 63 post-intervention (June 2012 to June 2013). Median time to vascular access decreased from 37 minutes pre-intervention to 24 minutes post-intervention ( p = 0.05). Median time to first fluid bolus decreased from 35 to 26 minutes ( p = 0.08). Percentage of boluses delivered rapidly by pressure method increased from 21% to 74% ( p < 0.0001). Median time to antibiotics decreased from 92 to 55 minutes ( p = 0.02). In conclusion, a multimodal, interprofessional quality improvement intervention in a mid-sized pediatric emergency department improved the time to critical interventions for SS.
Management Whipsawing
Authors: Greer Ian , Hauptmeier Marco
Published: August 2015

The authors examine management whipsawing practices in the European auto industry based on more than 200 interviews and a comparison of three automakers. They identify four distinct ways in which managers stage competition between plants to extract labor concessions: informal, hegemonic, coercive, and rule-based whipsawing. Practices at the three auto firms differed from one another and changed over time because of two factors: structural whipsawing capacity and management labor relations strategy. In the context of economic globalization, whipsawing is an effective means for managers to extract concessions, to loosen national institutional constraints, and to diffuse employment practices internationally.
Hot tearing susceptibility of TiB2-reinforced Al–5Cu matrix composite
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Sun Jing , Wang Mingliang , Zhang Yijie , Ma Naiheng , Wang Haowei
Published: August 2015

This work investigated the hot tearing susceptibility of TiB2 reinforced Al–5Cu matrix composites. The results indicated that the hot tearing susceptibility of Al–5Cu alloy was significantly decreased when the TiB2 content was less than 3%. The improvement was attributed to the TiB2 particles promoted the grain refinement. The hot tearing susceptibility of TiB2-reinforced Al–5Cu matrix composite decreased first and then increased with the increase of TiB2 content. The 2TiB2/Al–5Cu composite had the smallest hot tearing susceptibility value. It could be ascribed to the refined grain and shortened solidification temperature range, which contributed to the hot tearing susceptibility decrease. Nevertheless, the 4TiB2/Al–5Cu and 6TiB2/Al–5Cu composites had more severe hot tearing susceptibility than others. The reason was that the enlarged solidification temperature range increased the solidification shrinkage strain, which was adverse to the hot tearing susceptibility improvement. Furthermore, the increase of TiB2 led to the formation of large particles agglomeration, which lowered the hot tearing initiation force and the feeding capacity of liquid metal.
Language, Religion, and Ethnic Civil War
Authors: Bormann Nils-Christian , Cederman Lars-Erik , Vogt Manuel
Published: August 2015

Are certain ethnic cleavages more conflict-prone than others? While only few scholars focus on the contents of ethnicity, most of those who do argue that political violence is more likely to occur along religious divisions than linguistic ones. We challenge this claim by analyzing the path from linguistic differences to ethnic civil war along three theoretical steps: (1) the perception of grievances by group members, (2) rebel mobilization, and (3) government accommodation of rebel demands. Our argument is tested with a new data set of ethnic cleavages that records multiple linguistic and religious segments for ethnic groups from 1946 to 2009. Adopting a relational perspective, we assess ethnic differences between potential challengers and the politically dominant group in each country. Our findings indicate that intrastate conflict is more likely within linguistic dyads than among religious ones. Moreover, we find no support for the thesis that Muslim groups are particularly conflict-prone.
Porcine survival model to simulate acute upper gastrointestinal bleedings
Authors: Prosst Ruediger L , Schurr Marc O , Schostek Sebastian , Krautwald Martina , Gottwald Thomas
Published: August 2015

The existing animal models used for the simulation of acute gastrointestinal bleedings are usually non-survival models. We developed and evaluated a new porcine model (domestic pig, German Landrace) in which the animal remains alive and survives the artificial bleeding without any cardiovascular impairment. This consists of a bleeding catheter which is implanted into the stomach, then subcutaneously tunnelled from the abdomen to the neck where it is exteriorized and fixed with sutures. Using the injection of porcine blood, controllable and reproducible acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be simulated while maintaining normal gastrointestinal motility and physiology. Depending on the volume of blood applied through the gastric catheter, the bleeding intensity can be varied from traces of blood to a massive haemorrhage. This porcine model could be valuable, e.g. for testing the efficacy of new bleeding diagnostics in large animals before human use.
Rehabilitation Service Utilization Among African American Women Living With HIV/AIDS
Authors: Shamburger-Rousseau Aisha E. , Conyers Liza M. , Armstrong Amy J.
Published: August 2015

African American women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. As individuals with HIV/AIDS are living longer and healthier lives, research exploring the appropriateness of rehabilitation services has increased. To date, no research has examined the specific use of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services among HIV-positive African American women. The purpose of this study was to apply the behavioral model for vulnerable populations (BMVP) to examine key predisposing, enabling, and need variables related to and predictive of the utilization of VR services among African American women with HIV/AIDS. Survey research methods were used to collect data from a sample of 313 African American women living with HIV/AIDS, recruited from AIDS Service Organizations and national HIV/AIDS networks across the United States, who volunteered to complete the National Working Positive Coalition–Vocational Development and Employment Needs Survey. Hierarchical logistic regression statistical analyses were conducted to identify key factors predictive of use of VR services. Receipt of income benefits and knowledge of VR services were found to be predictive of the utilization of VR services among African American women living with HIV/AIDS.
The Diabetes Educator and the Diabetes Self-management Education Engagement
Authors: Sherr Dawn , Lipman Ruth D.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

The National Practice Study (NPS) is conducted biannually to assess current diabetes education practices in the United States with the goal of understanding current trends in the work in which diabetes educators engage.

Methods

The 2015 NPS contained 54 questions about the individuals providing diabetes education, people with diabetes participating in education, and programs providing the education. The survey was sent electronically to approximately 21 975 people who were members of the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) or who were Certified Diabetes Educators with the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators but were not currently AADE members. In addition, both the AADE and the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators promoted participation in the NPS via social media. The combination of efforts resulted in completion of the survey by 4855 respondents. Testing was completed with a significance level of 0.05 or 95% confidence.

Results

Diabetes educators continue to represent a diverse group of health care professionals—nurses (50%), dietitians (35%), pharmacists (6%), and others (6%). By far, the most commonly held credential for the specialty continues to be the Certified Diabetes Educator (86%), with only 5% of survey respondents indicating that they held the Board Certified–Advanced Diabetes Management credential. Diabetes educators are working with individuals across the diabetes continuum, as well as with people who do not have diabetes but have other chronic conditions. The data demonstrate that much of the diabetes educator’s work with people with diabetes is beyond the first year of diagnosis. Diabetes educators are increasingly seen to be providing a broader array of the integrated AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors™.

Conclusions

The specialty of diabetes educator continues to be populated by a professionally diverse workforce, meeting the needs of people across a wide spectrum. Diabetes educators can be found providing services in primary prevention of diabetes, education and management for those diagnosed with diabetes, prevention of secondary complications, and more complex management of diabetes and its secondary complications. While diabetes educators were found to work with those newly diagnosed with diabetes, they continue to engage with people with diabetes at various times other than the year that they were diagnosed. There are still issues with participant readiness, as evidenced by program completion rates. Nonetheless, diabetes educators are increasingly seen to be providing the integrated engagement that is needed to better ensure that people with diabetes attain and maintain competency in self-management skills.
Shear Wave Elastography in the Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules with Coexistent Chronic Autoimmune Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Authors: Liu Baoxian , Liang Jinyu , Zhou Luyao , Lu Ying , Zheng Yanling , Tian Wenshuo , Xie Xiaoyan
Published: August 2015

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the differentiation of malignant and benign thyroid nodules with coexistent Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT).

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary general hospital.

Subjects and Methods

From September 2012 to January 2014, conventional ultrasound and SWE were performed on 243 patients with 286 thyroid nodules with histologic results. The HT group consisted of 93 patients with 117 nodules. The non‐HT group consisted of 140 patients with 169 nodules.

Results

In the benign and malignant nodules, there were no significant differences of the mean, minimum, or maximum SWE values between HT and non‐HT groups (P =. 158‐.945). However, SWE values of extranodular tissue were significantly higher in the HT group (P =. 000‐.011). In the HT group, the maximum SWE value showed the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.817; 95% confidence interval,. 735‐.900), and there were no significant differences when compared with other SWE parameters (P =. 669‐.848). In the multivariate analysis, hypoechogenicity (odds ratio = 9.855, P =. 002), microcalcification (odds ratio = 3.977, P =. 046), and maximum SWE value (odds ratio = 40.712, P <. 001) were independent predictors of thyroid malignancy.

Conclusions

SWE could be performed to obtain a differential diagnosis between malignant and benign thyroid nodules, including nodules with coexistent HT. Although all the SWE parameters within a 2‐mm region of interest that was placed on the stiffest region could be applied, we suggest that the maximum value of nodules harbored within a Hashimoto’s gland be used.
Quantitative Vestibular Labyrinthine Otopathology in Temporal Bones with Vestibular Schwannoma
Authors: Hızlı Ömer , Cureoglu Sebahattin , Kaya Serdar , Schachern Patricia A. , Paparella Michael M. , Adams Meredith E.
Published: August 2015

Objective

Dizziness associated with vestibular schwannoma is usually ascribed to retrolabyrinthine mechanisms. The goal of this study was to determine if quantitative peripheral vestibular (labyrinthine) otopathology was present in a series of patients with vestibular schwannoma.

Study Design

Comparative human temporal bone study.

Setting

Otopathology laboratory.

Subjects and Methods

Temporal bones from 12 subjects with unilateral sporadic vestibular schwannoma were included. Based on differential interference contrast microscopy, type I and II vestibular hair cell counts were performed on each vestibular sense organ with minimal autolysis in which the neuroepithelium was oriented perpendicular to the plane of section. Hair cell densities (cells per 0.01‐mm2 surface area) and the presence of endolymphatic hydrops and precipitate within the endolymph or perilymph were compared between the tumor ears and the contralateral (control) ears.

Results

Compared with the contralateral ears, vestibular schwannoma ears had significantly more endolymphatic hydrops (P =. 049) and precipitate in the endolymph and perilymph (P =. 005), lower densities of type I and II vestibular hair cells in the lateral canal cristae (mean differences, respectively: 25.2 [P =. 001] and 10.8 [P <. 001]) and utricle (mean differences, respectively: 26.8 and 10.4 [P <. 001]), and lower densities of type I hair cells and the same density of type II hair cells in the saccule (mean differences, respectively: 26.5 [P <. 001] and 0.9 [P =. 46]).

Conclusion

Peripheral vestibular otopathology, manifested as reductions of vestibular hair cell densities, was identified in ears with vestibular schwannoma. Labyrinthine as well as retrolabyrinthine pathology may contribute to tumor‐related vestibular dysfunction.
A Meta‐analysis of Central Lymph Node Metastasis for Predicting Lateral Involvement in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Lan Xiabin , Sun Wei , Zhang Hao , Dong Wenwu , Wang Zhihong , Zhang Ting
Published: August 2015

Objective

Whether central lymph node metastasis is a reliable indicator of lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma remains obscure. To investigate the value of central lymph node metastasis for predicting lateral compartment involvement, we performed a meta‐analysis of published studies.

Data Sources

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was completed, and the reference lists of the identified articles and prior relevant reviews were examined.

Review Methods

Two reviewers extracted data and assessed the quality of eligible studies independently. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were pooled through a random effects meta‐analysis model.

Results

Twenty‐one studies were eligible and further analyzed in this meta‐analysis. The risk of lateral lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in the central lymph node–positive group than in the negative group (odds ratio = 7.64, 95% confidence interval: 5.59‐10.44), with moderate heterogeneity across studies (P =. 007, I2 = 48.6%). Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analysis suggested that the results were consistent and credible. However, Begg’s funnel plot and Egger linear regression test revealed a likelihood of publication bias (P =. 000).

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis suggests that central lymph node metastasis is valuable for predicting lateral compartment involvement in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. For those patients with central lymph node metastasis, additional attention should be paid to the lateral neck, as the risk of lateral lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in the central lymph node–positive group than in the negative group. Further studies regarding appropriate management for patients with high risk of lateral involvement are needed.
Early T Stage Salivary Duct Carcinoma
Authors: Schmitt Nicole C. , Sharma Arun , Gilbert Mark R. , Kim Seungwon
Published: August 2015

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare salivary malignancy that often presents at advanced stage. Outcomes of low T stage patients with SDC have not been previously examined in detail. We queried our institution’s cancer database and identified 28 patients with SDC in situ or T1/T2 SDC. A retrospective chart review was performed, followed by comparison of clinicopathologic features with N stage, disease‐free survival, and overall survival. Patients tended to be male, in their sixties, with a high incidence of regional metastases, as in prior reports. Five‐year disease‐free and overall survival were 49%. Median disease‐free survival was 3.24 years, and overall survival was 4.65 years. Parotid location, vascular invasion, facial nerve sacrifice, and extracapsular extension were associated with worse survival. This study provides practical information for counseling of patients who undergo surgery for a parotid mass and are found to have this aggressive malignancy.
How hard is it for urban economies to become ‘green’?
Authors: Shutters Shade T , Muneepeerakul Rachata , Lobo José
Published: August 2015

Home to over half the world's population, cities are the drivers of the global economy and the primary influencers of the Earth's sustainability. Thus, the burden of sustainable economic development falls ever more on cities, with many global organizations and governments calling for the promotion of ‘green’ economies. Yet how does a city move from its current economic structure to a green economy? Using detailed occupational data for US cities, we develop a green jobs index based on the network of interdependencies between occupational specializations. Using this index we quantify how close a city's current economy is to the green economy. We further show that movement or transition through this ‘occupation space’ toward a green economy is a slow and difficult process, with the average annual movement towards a green economy across all US cities being close to zero. Such difficulty is uncorrelated with a city's current population size, density, per capita GDP, per capita income, or even the city's current green jobs index. Furthermore, the structure of occupational interdependencies gives rise to suboptimal movements towards the green economy.
Adapted design generation for Turkish vernacular housing grammar
Authors: Erem Ömer , Abbasoğlu Ermiyagil M Selen
Published: August 2015

Turkish vernacular housing architecture is in danger of extinction. Original village patterns deteriorate due to new developments, which are discordant with existing settlements and social lifestyle. This paper claims to ensure the cultural continuity of Turkish vernacular housing architecture by adapting new residential designs to the existent environment with a parametric shape grammar method. Originally, vernacular house plans included the allocation of space around a hall: a Sofa. This study firstly exposes spatial organization and grammar rule sets according to the relation between the sofa and remaining spaces, secondly considers current physical problems and villagers’ contemporary living demands and finally creates design solutions coherent with the actual vernacular character by adapting a new design grammar to the existing design.
Second Law Redux
Authors: Beaubouef Richard T
Published: August 2015

Classical thermodynamics, as usually presented to engineering students, offers a midcourse impediment known as the Second Law. The Second Law suffers from a lack of intuitive clarity. The objective of the present work is to provide clarity, for simple systems to aid students and teachers. In this effort, it is demonstrated that Planck’s statement of the Second Law can be viewed as a corollary of a more fundamental observation, namely that work must always be done against friction. Also, Clausius's statement is demonstrated, entropy is defined, and Caratheodory’s statement is validated.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Attenuates 30-kDa Fibronectin Fragment–Induced Chemokine and Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression by Meniscocytes and Articular Chondrocytes
Authors: Wang Chih-Chien , Lee Chian-Her , Peng Yi-Jen , Salter Donald M. , Lee Herng-Sheng
Published: August 2015

Background:

Proteolytic fragments of fibronectin have catabolic effects on cartilage and menisci. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is increasingly being used to treat a range of joint conditions, but it is unknown whether PRP influences fibronectin fragment (FN-f) procatabolic activity.

Hypotheses:

The procatabolic activity of FN-f on meniscocytes and articular chondrocytes is attenuated by cotreatment with PRP.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Human meniscocytes were treated with FN-f (30 kDa) with or without PRP coincubation, and gene expression was analyzed by complementary DNA microarray analysis. Validation of altered expression of known and novel chemokine and protease genes was undertaken by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in articular chondrocytes and meniscocytes. Chemokine release was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and intracellular pathway signaling was evaluated by Western immunoblotting.

Results:

Microarray analysis and RT-PCR showed increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase ( MMP)1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, MMP13, interleukin ( IL)– 6, IL-8 ( CXCL8), CCL5, CCL20, and CXCL10 chemokines in meniscocytes after treatment with FN-f. Upregulation of these genes was significantly attenuated by PRP. Similar results were seen with articular chondrocytes, although no changes in MMP2 or MMP9 levels were identified. PRP-induced suppression of gene expression was associated with activation of Akt and p44/p42.

Conclusion:

PRP treatment attenuates the 30-kDa FN-f–induced expression of a range of proinflammatory chemokines and MMPs, including IL-8, IL-6, CCL20, CCL5, CXCL10, MMP1, MMP3, and MMP13, by both meniscocytes and articular chondrocytes.

Clinical Relevance:

These observations provide support for the use and further trials of PRP in management of cartilage and meniscal injuries.
Does the Volume of Post-Acute Care Affect Quality of Life in Nursing Homes?
Authors: Abrahamson Kathleen , Shippee Tetyana P. , Henning-Smith Carrie , Cooke Valerie
Published: August 2015

Although short-stay, post-acute nursing home stays are increasing, little is known about the impact of volume of post-acute care on quality of life (QOL) within nursing homes. We analyzed data from the 2010 Minnesota QOL and Consumer Satisfaction survey ( N = 13,433 residents within 377 facilities) and federal Minimum Data Set to determine the influence of living in a facility with an above-average proportion of post-acute care residents on six domains of resident QOL. In bivariate analyses, an above-average proportion of Medicare-funded post-acute care had a significant negative influence on four domains (mood, environment, food, engagement) and overall facility QOL. However, when resident and facility covariates were added to the model, only the food domain remained significant. Although the challenges of caring for residents with a diverse set of treatment and caregiving goals may negatively affect overall facility QOL, negative impacts are moderated by individual resident and nursing home characteristics.
Antibacterial nanofibrous scaffolds with lowered cytotoxicity using keratin extracted from quail feathers
Authors: Khajavi Ramin , Rahimi Mohammad Karim , Abbasipour Mina , Brendjchi Amir Hossein
Published: August 2015

This study aims to extract keratin from quail feather wastes and incorporate it with silver nanoparticles into a synthetic biodegradable polymer in order to fabricate a nanofibrous scaffold with improved biomedical properties. Polyvinyl alcohol was used as the host polymer and spinning dopes with different amounts (0, 0.15, and 0.75 wt %) of extracted keratin and the same amount of silver nanoparticles prepared in order to fabricate scaffolds. According to the results, the scaffolds with a higher amount of extracted keratin (i.e. 0.75 wt %) provided less bead formation and more uniformity; also, they gave 99.9% and 98% of the antibacterial activity against gram negative ( Escherichia coli) and gram positive ( Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria, respectively. The analysis of the biological response of fibroblast cells cultured on the synthetic scaffolds exhibited remarkable improvement in comparison to the pristine (polyvinyl alcohol-Ag) scaffolds. This article concludes that the addition of extracted keratin into a polymeric matrix (polyvinyl alcohol) can improve both antibacterial properties and cell viability for the resultant scaffolds, and this qualifies them as potent candidates for biomedical applications.
Smart Apparel Shopping
Authors: Atkins Kelly Green , Kim Youn-Kyung
Published: August 2015

To capture diverse aspects of smart shopping for apparel, a comprehensive measurement based upon (a) shopping benefits and costs, (b) consumption economics, and (c) and consumer decision making stages was developed. Employing an extensive literature review, focus group interviews, personal interviews, and surveys, we developed the three-stage, seven-dimensional, and gender-neutral smart shopping measure for apparel. The smart shopping dimensions identified were: information search and planning in the prepurchase stage; effort/time savings, right purchase, and money savings in the purchase stage; and satisfaction and word of mouth in the postpurchase stage. The measure was validated with multiple tests and a structural model validated the significance of the proposed relationships among constructs. This study expanded the conceptualization of smart shopping for apparel by investigating cost and benefit components, by uncovering specific outcome constructs, and by identifying activities that generate smart shopper feelings. Suggestions for retailers as well as future research directions are provided.
Modeling and analysis of laminated shape memory alloy composite plates
Authors: Abbas Mohamed Kassem , Elshafei Mostafa Adnan , Negm Hany Mohamed
Published: August 2015

In the present work, static deformation, dynamic characteristic, and time response of laminated composite plates with surface-bonded shape-memory alloy (SMA) sheets are modeled. A modified higher order shear deformation theory with Ritz method is utilized. The energy balance equations are used to formulate the nonlinear heat transfer governing equations. The time response of the SMA/elastomer plate and the deflection as well as dynamic characteristics before and after activation of the SMA is computed. A Mathematica code is developed to analyze different plate problems. Parametric studies are performed for proposed structure system to demonstrate the effect of thickness ratio, aspect ratio, material properties, thermal expansion coefficient, electric input power, and thickness of SMA sheet on the transverse deflections, natural frequencies, and response time of the SMA layer. The obtained results are compared to the available studies solved by different theories.
Agency, Stewardship, and the Universal-Family Firm
Authors: Dodd Sarah Drakopoulou , Dyck Bruno
Published: August 2015

This article introduces the idea of a nonkinship-based Universal-family firm, an organizational form we developed based on interpreting historical writings in their socioeconomic context. We analyzed Luke’s gospel with an eye toward drawing implications for the stewardship agency debate in the contemporary family business literature. Our article makes contributions at two important levels. In addition to introducing and developing theory about the Universal-family firms, we also contribute to the methodological toolkit of family business scholars by providing a template for using historical documents to challenge, enhance, and develop theory.
Implementing New Public Management in Educational Policy
Authors: van der Sluis Margriet E. , Reezigt Gerry J. , Borghans Lex
Published: August 2015

This article describes how the Dutch Department of Education incorporates New Public Management (NPM) principles in educational policy, and whether conflicts of interest between the Department and schools cause deviations from NPM. We reviewed policy documents and performed secondary analyses on school data. Educational policy focuses on output indicators and accountability aspects. However, when departmental interests do not align with school interests, the Department develops new policies that partly contradict NPM principles. We argue that a more consistent focus on output and well-developed school autonomy may help to enhance the quality of education
English Learners’ Time to Reclassification
Authors: Thompson Karen D.
Published: August 2015

This study uses 9 years of longitudinal, student-level data from the Los Angeles Unified School District to provide updated, empirically-based estimates of the time necessary for English learners (ELs) to become reclassified as proficient in English, as well as factors associated with variation in time to reclassification. To illustrate how different aspects of proficiency develop, estimates of the time necessary for ELs to attain six separate reclassification criteria are provided. Findings corroborate prior cross-sectional research suggesting that the development of full proficiency in a second language typically takes 4 to 7 years. However, after 9 years in the district, approximately one-fourth of students had not been reclassified. There appears to be a reclassification window during the upper elementary grades, and students not reclassified by this point in time become less likely ever to do so. Findings illustrate the crucial role that students’ initial academic language proficiencies, both in English and their primary language, play in their likelihood of reclassification. This work has implications for the design of next-generation assessment and accountability systems, as well as for instructional practices.
High Stakes Policy and Mandated Curriculum
Authors: Dulude Eliane , Spillane James P. , Dumay Xavier
Published: August 2015

Several social processes guide and shape how school actors engage with high stakes state and district policies relative to mandated curriculum and instruction. In this article, we use rhetorical argumentation analysis to explore how stakeholders mobilize resources through argumentation and rhetorical appeals (logical, emotional, and authoritative). However, their mobilization process creates opportunities and constraints for the interpretation and implementation of mandated curriculum. Findings show that school actors use state policy as a resource to make logical and authoritative claims in their attempts to clarify conflicts between new curriculum ideas and their implicit schemas.
Analyzing the Intersections of Race and Class
Authors: Apple Michael W.
Published: August 2015

In England, we might say that “the Empire has come home.” This means that while racism and the processes of racialization are indeed extraordinarily powerful, there will not only be strong similarities between say the United States and England but also significant differences in how these things play out both now and in the past. This is one of the reasons that The Colour of Class is important reading for U.S. researchers.What The Colour of Class gives us is a creative rearticulation and use of theories that when put together illuminate how race and class interact. In the process, it simultaneously presents us with a much more detailed and clear understanding of how the Black middle class creatively uses its various resources, and works assiduously to gain legitimacy for the resources it possesses, as it creatively seeks in education and the larger society to “make its own history in conditions it hasn’t chosen.”
Climate and health in informal urban settlements
Authors: Scovronick Noah , Lloyd Simon J , Kovats R Sari
Published: August 2015

Urban populations living in informal settlements are inherently vulnerable to climate change, as informal settlements are characterized by overcrowding, poor-quality housing, lack of basic infrastructure, and poverty. Nevertheless, evidence of the associations among weather or climate and health in these populations is lacking, which severely constrains the design of climate change and disaster risk reduction adaptation strategies. To help fill this gap, this paper is a guide for researchers working on climate and health in informal settlements that summarizes key epidemiological methods and study designs commonly used in environmental health research. We focus on designs that have modest data requirements and that have been used successfully in resource-poor settings. The final section of the paper gives an overview of the current state of evidence about climate change and weather hazards in urban areas, as this is one of the main concerns for policymakers.
Haptic exploration of highly curved compliant surfaces
Authors: Zafer Naci , Yilmaz Sezcan
Published: August 2015

In this article, a constraint-based controller is developed for two-manifold oriented viscoelastic surfaces that guarantees smooth and compliant haptic rendering. The approach is direct and uses a pseudo-inverse projection of the haptic device end effector onto the virtual surface. The rendering algorithm enables the user to freely move a soft fingertip model along a highly curved deformable surface and perceive surface roughness in the normal direction by feeling a nonlinear contact force. The normal force is governed by a physically based three-dimensional constitutive model, which accounts for both geometric and material nonlinearities. In experimental implementation, the soft fingertip model acts as the compliant haptic interface (robot) and the user manually guides the manipulator to explore the deformable surface properties in real time. The (nonlinear) reaction force normal to the surface is applied at the soft fingertip edge of the fingertip bone (distal phalanx). The robustness of the approach is illustrated by experimental data in rendering highly curved compliant surfaces.
Creativity and mood disorders: The enigmatic case of Isaak Il’ich Levitan (1860–1900)
Authors: Lerner Vladimir , Margolin Jacob , Witztum Eliezer
Published: August 2015

Isaak Levitan (1860–1900) was one of Russia’s most influential landscape artists. He lived a very short life, only 40 years, but left more than 1000 paintings. He suffered from mood fluctuations, and died as a result of serious heart disease. After an introduction related to the issue of creativity and mental disorders, a short biography of Levitan’s life is outlined, followed by some examples of his mood and behavior. A section on the mood’s reflection in Levitan’s professional work is followed by a description of his romantic loves and disappointments and his relationship with his contemporary Russian, the writer Anton Chekhov.
The afterlife of Laurence Sterne (1713–1768): Body snatching, dissection and the role of Cambridge anatomist Charles Collignon
Authors: Dittmar Jenna M , Mitchell Piers D
Published: August 2015

This paper aims to highlight the practice of body snatching from graves in the 1700s for the purpose of providing corpses for anatomical dissection, and for stocking anatomy museums. To do this, we examine the exhumation and dissection of the famous eighteenth-century novelist Laurence Sterne and explore the involvement of Charles Collignon, Professor of Anatomy at the University of Cambridge. We also show that osteological and cut-mark analysis of a skull purported to be that of Sterne, currently housed in the Duckworth Collection at Cambridge, provides the key to solving the mystery surrounding why Sterne was resurrected.
Human Resource Management Fact, Fiction and Fallacy
Authors: Rao E.M.
Published: August 2015

HRM took its birth in the precincts of Harvard Business School in the early 80s as an offshoot of organisational behaviour. It propagates unitarism, individualism, strong cultures, teamwork, flexibility, commitment and the take-over of personnel function by line managers, and seeks to present a revolutionary recipe with a ‘cure-all’ flavour. HRM influenced employers, academics and students in varying degrees. The undue emphasis of OB theory and deemphasis of personnel/IR practice led to a host of dysfunctional consequences. Upcoming managers are the worst hit in terms of translating their knowledge into skills required to handle complex problems lying in store for them. The shallowness of HR assumptions, the inherent contradictions among its concepts and the wide gulf between its precept and practice-all these have reduced it to ‘fiction.’
Quality Circles : Key to Participative Management
Authors: Sachdev S.K.
Published: August 2015

Today our nation faces serious economic problems because of high cost of production and keen foreign competition. Each of us has an important part to play in finding a solution to these problems-our jobs depend on it. Quality Circles conceived by Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa in 1961 helped Japan in reversing its image from a position when Japanese were getting branded as junk merchants of the world, because of the poor quality of their products. It is in essence a group problem-solving concept to effect improvement and accelerate infusion of participatory work culture in organization style.
Towards Creating a Learning Organisation-the HRD Climate Focus
Authors: Rohmetra Neelu
Published: August 2015

In the strategic context, cultivation of innovative patterns of thinking and development of the disciplines of learning organisation constitute the key variables regulating the long-term success of any organisation. The attitude of employees as determined by the development oriented culture greatly influences, the learning capacity of organisation. The present work has been undertaken with this focus in view. It is an indepth study of development climate and the resultant satisfaction in the Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd. The study discloses an interesting phenomenon-people are happy in environment that is not congenial. Though not satisfied with the development policies, they are not interested in developing themselves.
Living Pattern of VRS Opted Employees – A Study
Authors: Das R.P. , Shukla K.K.
Published: August 2015

In the last one decade, the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) has emerged as the situational compulsion for the basic survival of industrial organisations in India. As a result, thousands of workers are losing their jobs and overnight becoming rootless socially, psychologically and economically. There are instances in which after opting VRS, some people have been murdered by their children due to refusal to give the VRS fund, some have been driven out from homes, and some have died being ill treated, and uncared by their children and family members. The paper based on a survey of VRS opted employees discusses the issues like: (i) Why people opt VRS?; (ii) How they utilised their VRS fund?; (iii) How they find their decision to opt VRS? and (iv) How they are spending their post VRS living and accordingly suggestions have been made both to overcome the problems.
A Comprehensive Framework For Evaluating Entrepreneurship Development Programmes
Authors: Sharma N.N.
Published: August 2015

Entrepreneurship Development Programmes are perceived as tools for accelerating economic development. They involve substantial investment and need rigorous evaluation for judging their efficiency and effectiveness especially in resource scarced countries. A cogent and logical framework for evaluation is necessary alongwith proper blend of subjective and objective dimensions should be considered while selecting evaluation methods and techniques.
Goal Programming Applications in Management: A Categorized Bibliographic Survey
Authors: Sharma Dinesh K. , Alade Julius A. , Sharma Hari P.
Published: August 2015

This paper presents a survey of goal programming (GP) applications in management from 1987 through 1997. In this survey, we include only studies that were published in major English language journals. The study shows important trend in the development of GP techniques in management studies, and provides insights into new frontiers of GP applications that need further development.