bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The temporal trend of vascular function in women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Garg Priyanka , Badhwar Smriti , Jaryal Ashok Kumar , Kachhawa Garima , Deepak Kishore Kumar , Kriplani Alka
Published: January 2017

The objective of the study was to assess the temporal changes in vascular function during pregnancy in healthy women and in those with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Assessment of vascular function was done at three time points, 11–13+6 weeks+days, 20–22+6 weeks+days and 30–32+6 weeks+days, by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), augmentation index (AIx) and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV) in women ( n=100) with singleton pregnancies. Out of the 100 women, 20 developed GDM, who were compared with 20 healthy, age-matched pregnant women in a nested case-control design. Women with GDM had lower FMD% in the third compared to the first trimester (6.77 (4.36–9.96) vs 9.76 (6.66–16.61)%; p = 0.026); however, FMD% was similar on inter-group comparison between GDM and healthy pregnancies. AIx was significantly higher in GDM than healthy pregnancies at both first (15.35 ± 10.57 vs 6.45 ± 9.81%; p<0.05) and second trimesters (15.00 ± 8.44 vs 2.50 ± 9.01%; p<0.05). A higher AIx in early pregnancy differentiates women with GDM from those with healthy pregnancies.
Three persons, three genetic contributors, three parents: Mitochondrial donation, genetic parenting and the immutable grammar of the ‘three x x’
Authors: Dimond Rebecca , Stephens Neil
Published: January 2017

In 2015, two novel in vitro fertilisation techniques intended to prevent the inheritance of mitochondrial disease were legalised in the United Kingdom, following an intense period of inquiry including scientific reviews, public consultations, government guidance and debates within the Houses of Parliament. The techniques were controversial because (1) they introduced a third genetic contributor into the reproductive process and (2) they are germline, meaning this genetic change could then be passed down to subsequent generations. Drawing on the social worlds framework with a focus on implicated actors and discursive strategies, this article explores key features of the UK mitochondrial debates as they played out in real time through policy documents and public debate. First, it situates the technology within a repertoire of metaphors, emotional terminology and their politics. It then explores the immutable grammar of ‘three x x’ that formed a key component of the political debate, by focusing on how institutional reviews discursively negotiated uncertainty around genetic parentage and how beneficiaries were implicated and rendered distant. Following the 2016 announcement of the first baby born through mitochondrial donation (in Mexico) and several pregnancies (in the Ukraine), we close with a discussion about the specific nature of UK regulation within a global economy. Overall, this article contributes to a much needed sociological discussion about mitochondrial donation, emerging reproductive technologies and the cultural significance of genetic material and genetic relatedness.
Emergence of the Hungarian homosexual movement in late refrigerator socialism
Authors: Kurimay Anita , Takács Judit
Published: January 2017

Based on archive research and interviews with activists who were affiliated with the early homosexual subculture in Budapest, this article traces the transformation of a secretive and socially invisible subculture (that was based mainly on sexual exchange between men) to the establishment of the first formal homosexual organization and the emerging homosexual movement at the end of the 1980s. The article illustrates how the emergence of HIV/AIDS worked as a catalyst in transforming the Hungarian gay subculture into a more organized homosexual movement. Rather than state-socialism being in crisis, it was a crisis of public health and perceived danger to the members of the community that instigated the creation of the first formal homosexual organization.
A good ol’ country time: Does queer rural temporality exist?
Authors: Crawford Lucas
Published: January 2017

Some queer theorists have developed a theory of ‘queer time’, while others question the metronormativity of queer studies. However, we do not yet have an account of rural queer temporality. Drawing from a wide survey of works on queer time, this article sets out to imagine what such a theory might entail and how it might demand changes of queer theory. Considerations of rural queerness have tended to be representative or ethnographic in nature. This article takes a different tack: it lays the groundwork for a ruralizing reorganization of time and queer affect. To do so, it challenges the temporal modes that often underlie the ostensibly neutral preference for cities. It imagines a queer thing indeed: rural modes influencing queer city life.
‘They look at you like an insect that wants to be squashed’: An ethnographic account of the racialized sexual spaces of Manchester’s Gay Village
Authors: Held Nina
Published: January 2017

This article explores the interactive relationship between sexuality, ‘race’ and space. By drawing on ethnographic research with bisexual and lesbian women, it looks at the lived experiences of the intersections of sexuality and ‘race’ in a particular sexualized space, namely Manchester’s Gay Village. The article argues that this ‘primarily’ sexualized night-time leisure space is simultaneously racialized through the ways in which it is structured around whiteness, which is perpetuated through a somatic norm that operates in different ways. It explores perceptions of the Gay Village as a ‘racially neutral’ space, exclusionary practices such as door policies, practices of looking and touching, and expressions of sexual desire, all of which racialize bodies and spaces. Examining ways in which ‘race’ and sexuality work together to constitute space and how sexualized space that is inherently racialized constitutes racial-sexual subjectivities, the article demonstrates the significance of the spatial dimension of everyday intersectional experience and therefore calls for researchers to pay more attention to ‘space’ as a concept when researching intersectionalities.
Lesbians’ embodied and imagined homes: ‘It’s an internal journey’
Authors: Rowntree Margaret R , Zufferey Carole
Published: January 2017

This article explores how nine lesbian women in Australia embody and imagine ‘home’. Using visual methodology, each woman was invited to bring along an artefact and tell a story about how it represents home for her. The methods for producing the data involved a focus group and individual interviews. Following a school of thought known as the sociology of emotions, the data were analysed for insights connected to participants’ emotions. The study highlights the importance of the internal journey in how these women primarily embody and imagine home.
Wind tunnel tests on the characteristics of wind fields over a simplified gorge
Authors: Hu Peng , Li Yongle , Han Yan , Cai CS , Xu Guoji
Published: January 2017

Characteristics of wind fields over the gorge or valley terrains are becoming more and more important to the structural wind engineering. However, the studies on this topic are very limited. To obtain the fundamental characteristics information about the wind fields over a typical gorge terrain, a V-shaped simplified gorge, which was abstracted from some real deep-cutting gorges where long-span bridges usually straddle, was introduced in the present wind tunnel studies. Then, the wind characteristics including the mean wind speed, turbulence intensity, integral length scale, and the wind power spectrum over the simplified gorge were studied in a simulated atmospheric boundary layer. Furthermore, the effects of the oncoming wind field type and oncoming wind direction on these wind characteristics were also investigated. The results show that compared with the oncoming wind, the wind speeds at the gorge center become larger, but the turbulence intensities and the longitudinal integral length scales become smaller. Generally, the wind fields over the gorge terrain can be approximately divided into two layers, that is, the gorge inner layer and the gorge outer layer. The different oncoming wind field types have remarkable effects on the mean wind speed ratios near the ground. When the angle between the oncoming wind and the axis of the gorge is in a certain small range, such as smaller than 10°, the wind fields are very close to those associated with the wind direction of 0°. However, when the angle is in a larger range, such as larger than 20°, the wind fields in the gorge will significantly change. The research conclusions can provide some references for civil engineering practices regarding the characteristics of wind fields over the real gorge terrains.
Experimental study on seismic performance of low-rise recycled aggregate concrete shear wall with single-layer reinforcement
Authors: Zhou Zhong-yi , Cao Wanlin
Published: January 2017

A total of four full-scale low-rise recycled aggregate concrete shear wall specimens were tested adopting a quasi-static loading method to analyze the seismic performance. The low-rise shear walls consisted of recycled aggregate concrete, single-layer reinforcements, concealed special-shaped columns, and expanded polystyrene thermal insulation modules. Based on the experimental results, the seismic performance and failure characteristic of the specimens were comparatively analyzed. The factors affecting the seismic performance of the low-rise shear wall were also analyzed. The shear bearing capacity calculation model and formula of the walls were proposed based on the softened strut-and-tie model. A comparison of the calculated results and the experimental results shows that they are in good agreement. The results show that the load bearing capacity and deformation capacity can be significantly improved by expanded polystyrene thermal insulation modules, and that the shear wall specimens with higher recycled aggregate concrete strength and larger reinforcement ratio of the shear wall exhibit better seismic performance.
Study on failure mechanism and end construction influences of double rectangular tube assembled buckling-restrained brace
Authors: Jiang Zi-qin , Guo Yan-lin , Zhang Ai-Lin , Dou Chao , Zhang Cai-Xia
Published: January 2017

The double rectangular tube assembled buckling-restrained brace is a new type of buckling energy consumption buckling-restrained brace. Because of its external restraining members, which are bound by high-strength bolts, its mechanical mechanism is more complicated and its failure modes are more varied. In this study, the double rectangular tube assembled buckling-restrained brace composition and three types of end constructions are introduced in detail. The influences of different design parameters on the performance of double rectangular tube assembled buckling-restrained brace are studied by numerical analysis methods; the possible failure modes and the influence of the end strengthening construction of double rectangular tube assembled buckling-restrained brace are also investigated, and a number of suggestions are proposed to improve this design. This study shows that the pinned double rectangular tube assembled buckling-restrained brace has four types of typical failure modes, namely, overall buckling failure, external end local pressure-bearing failure, bending failure of the extended strengthened core region and bolt threading failure. Rational design can prevent a buckling-restrained brace from losing its load-bearing capacity. In addition, compared with the end strengthening scheme with an external hoop, the end strengthening scheme with a strengthened bench can improve the load-bearing capacity of the double rectangular tube assembled buckling-restrained brace more effectively, and a reasonable design can also save materials.
Behaviour and design of composite beams with composite slabs at elevated temperatures
Authors: Jiang Shou-Chao , Ranzi Gianluca , Chen Ling-Zhu , Li Guo-Qiang
Published: January 2017

This article presents an extensive experimental and numerical study aimed at the evaluation of the thermo-structural response of composite beams with composite slabs. Two full-scale fire tests were carried out on simply supported composite steel-concrete beams with steel sheeting perpendicular and parallel to the steel joist, respectively. Both specimens were observed to fail by developing large displacements. Concrete crushing at the mid-span, debonding of the profiled sheeting and spalling of the fire protection were observed during both tests. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed in ABAQUS, and its accuracy was validated against the experimental measurements collected as part of this study. The model was then used to perform a parametric study to determine the influence of the degree of shear connection, load ratio and design fire rate on the structural response of composite beams at elevated temperatures. These results, together with experimental data available in the literature, were used to evaluate the ability of European guidelines to predict the critical temperature of composite beams. It was shown that predictions from Eurocode 4 were safe and provided conservative estimates for most cases.
Is audience engagement worth the buzz? The value of audience engagement, comment reading, and content for online news brands
Authors: Krebs Isabelle , Lischka Juliane A
Published: January 2017

Online audience engagement, such as rating or sharing news, commenting or creating content, can enhance users’ loyalty toward online news brands. Yet recently, uncertainties have been discussed within journalism research and practice concerning the handling of online comment sections and potential negative influences – caused through comment reading – on news brands. From a brand management perspective, audience engagement and comment reading can affect a brand’s equity. This study investigates the value of audience engagement and comment reading for the customer-based brand equity of online news outlets. An online survey with n = 313 users of the digital native cohort revealed that comment reading is neither directly beneficial nor harmful for online news brands. However, for brands providing hard news comment reading seems more likely to have negative than positive relations with CBBE than for brands with other content. Sharing and liking news are associated with a stronger perceived brand quality, loyalty, and associations. User-generated content creation including commenting does not enhance customer-based brand equity. Overall, serious content proved to be a stronger driver of news brand value than any form of audience engagement.
Post-industrial fog: Reconsidering innovation in visions of journalism’s future
Authors: Creech Brian , Nadler Anthony M
Published: January 2017

As US news organizations have faced twin crises in funding and authority in recent years, innovation has become a key concept and ideal driving many interventions aimed at saving journalism. Often, ahistorically and uncritically deployed notions of innovation elide questions of digital journalism’s democratic aspirations in favor of market-oriented solutions. To critically examine the discourse around innovation, this article interrogates documents produced by think tanks and non-profit institutes researching the future of journalism: the Knight Foundation, the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University, Harvard’s Nieman Foundation, and the Shorenstein Center at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, among others. A post-industrial vision for journalism emerges with an overriding and celebratory focus on innovation. We argue that this discourse marginalizes normative concerns about journalism’s democratic purpose and rests on an entrepreneurial logic that seeks to dictate digital journalism’s broader public virtues.
Practising theory: When theory affects urban planning
Authors: March Alan
Published: January 2017

This article starts from the premise that, for all its diverse ideals and technical bases, the core of planning is an ability to favourably influence collective spatial concerns. The location of practice within spatial governance means that the ‘worth’ of planning theories often depends upon the nature of governance itself in given places and times. In this article, three layered vignettes of practice in Victoria, Australia are presented to demonstrate the importance of governance settings to the value and success of selected planning theories at different geographical and temporal scales. The vignettes examine: the introduction of new planning legislation in Victoria, Australia; the take-up of medium density housing; and the influence of communicative planning on participation. The article concludes that the effects of theory upon practice depend upon institutional circumstances, and that theory, and its users, must address this to be effective and to prevent unintended outcomes.
Rethinking the theory and practice of land-use regulation: Towards nomocracy
Authors: Moroni Stefano
Published: January 2017

It is often held that planning theory has little influence on planning practice. Some speak of an evident ‘theory-practice gap’. In reality, the opposite seems to be the case. The so-called ‘theorypractice gap’ is not the main issue at all; the real question is ‘which theory for what kind of practice’? Assuming this view, the article presents two different theories of public regulation: the teleocratic approach and the nomocratic approach.They can be interpreted as general approaches regarding the role of the state, but the article focus particularly on the consequences of accepting them in the specific field of land-use regulation. For the teleocratic approach, planning must be the central and most important instrument of land-use regulation, while for the nomocratic approach planning has only a secondary role and different kind of regulative instruments are proposed.
Age Limits
Authors: Antfolk Jan
Published: January 2017

Whereas women of all ages prefer slightly older sexual partners, men—regardless of their age—have a preference for women in their 20s. Earlier research has suggested that this difference between the sexes’ age preferences is resolved according to women’s preferences. This research has not, however, sufficiently considered that the age range of considered partners might change over the life span. Here we investigated the age limits (youngest and oldest) of considered and actual sex partners in a population-based sample of 2,655 adults (aged 18-50 years). Over the investigated age span, women reported a narrower age range than men and women tended to prefer slightly older men. We also show that men’s age range widens as they get older: While they continue to consider sex with young women, men also consider sex with women their own age or older. Contrary to earlier suggestions, men’s sexual activity thus reflects also their own age range, although their potential interest in younger women is not likely converted into sexual activity. Compared to homosexual men, bisexual and heterosexual men were more unlikely to convert young preferences into actual behavior, supporting female-choice theory.
Crimmigration and the prison: Comparing trends in prison policy and practice in England & Wales and Norway
Authors: Pakes Francis , Holt Katrine
Published: January 2017

The crimmigration landscape in the UK is much lamented. Reference is frequently made to the recent creation of dozens of new immigration offences and a sharp increase in the administrative detention of immigrants during the last two decades. In particular, the prison has recently become an acute site of crimmigration, with separate prisons for foreign nationals (Kaufman, 2013). Norway, on the other hand, has traditionally been regarded as an exception. The treatment of criminals and outsiders is described as inclusive and rehabilitative and focused on their successful return to society. However, here a distinction is also increasingly made between prisoners who will return to society and those who will not, most particularly foreign nationals. The UK and Norway are virtually the only countries in Western Europe with regular prisons that are exclusively reserved for foreign nationals. This article examines how the arguably most benign and the arguably most severe prison systems of Western Europe have come to mimic each other in this fashion. Wider implications for our theoretical understanding of the nature and loci of crimmigration policies are also considered.
The Library of Birmingham Project: Lifelong Learning for the Digital Age
Authors: Blewitt John , Gambles Brian
Published: January 2017

The Library of Birmingham (LoB) is a £193million project designed to provide a new space for lifelong learning and knowledge growth, a physical and virtual portal for Birmingham's citizens to the wider world. In cooperation with a range of private, public, and third-sector bodies, as well as individual citizens, the library, due to open in June 2013, will articulate a continuing process of organic growth and emergence. Key delivery themes focus on: arts and creativity, citizenship and community, enterprise and innovation, learning and skills and the new media ecology. A landmark design in the heart of the cultural district of the city, the LoB aims to stimulate sustainable economic growth, urban regeneration and social inclusion by offering a wide range of new digital learning services, real and virtual community spaces, and new opportunities for interpreting and exploiting internationally significant collections of documentary archives, photography, moving image, and rare printed books. Additionally, the LoB will offer physical space for creative, cultural, enterprise, and knowledge development. This paper outlines the cultural and educational thinking that informs the project and the challenges experienced in developing innovative service redesign.
Lifelong Learning in Public Libraries in 12 European Union Countries: Policy and Considerations
Authors: Stanziola Javier
Published: January 2017

Public libraries have traditionally provided key inputs to support lifelong learning. More recently, significant social and technological changes have challenged this sector to redefine their role in this field. For most public libraries in Europe this has meant continuing their role as providers of information and advice while increasing services to help learners with processing and evaluating knowledge. In some cases, new roles are undertaken with limited legislative changes and stagnant levels of funding. A consortium representing 12 European Union (EU) countries, ENTITLE, undertook a survey amongst its members in 2008–09 to scope policies and strategies linking learning and public libraries. This paper uses results from this survey to establish a typology of lifelong learning in public libraries in these countries. It explores how traditions, institutions, and policies influence learning provision at public libraries. The results show strong provision of learning services for children in almost all these countries, but inconsistent provision for adults. The paper argues that there is a divergence amongst these 12 countries in terms of innovation and resourcing. Those with a stronger provision benefit from local autonomy, the drive and skills to create partnerships, and formal legal and strategic recognition as partners in this agenda.
Rigid-rod Benzobisazole Polymers Containing Benzothiazole Pendent Groups
Authors: Tsai Tsu-Tzu , Arnold Fred E.
Published: January 2017

Novel polybenzobisazoles containing benzothiazole pendent groups were prepared by the reaction of 2-benzothiazole or 2,5-dibenzothiazole terephthalic acids with the appropriate aminomercapto, aminohydroxy or tetraamino -nonomers in poly phosphoric acid at elevated temperatures. The polymerizations were carried out at concentrations (10-18%) which would promote anisotropic reaction mixtures. Intrinsic viscosities in the range of 4-19 dl/g were measured in methanesulfonic acid at 30°C. Thermogravimetric-mass spectral analysis in vacuo showed that the pendent benzothia zole group was the initial product of thermal degradation, maximizing at 590°C. Anisotropic polymerization mixtures could be wet-spun into fibres with modulus values between 25-30 Msi and tenacity values up to 350 Ksi.
Thermal and Rheological Properties of LaRC-TPI 1500 Series Polymers
Authors: Hou T.H. , Bai J.M.
Published: January 2017

The crystallization behavior and the melt flow properties of two batches of 1500 series LaRC-TPI polymers from Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals (MTC) have been investigated. The characterization methods include Differential Scanning Calorimetry, X-ray diffractography and melt rheology. The as-received materials possess initial crystalline melting peak temperatures of 295°C and 305°C, respectively. These materials are less rapidly recrystallizable at elevated temperatures when compared to other semicrystalline thermoplastics. For the samples annealed at temperatures below 330°C, a semicrystalline polymer can be obtained . On the other hand, a purely amorphous structure is realized in the samples annealed at temperatures above 330°C. Isothermal crystallization kinetics were studied by means of the simple Avrami equation. The viscoelastic properties at elevated temperatures below and above Tg values of the polymers were measured. Information with regard to the molecular sizes and distribu tions in these polymers were also extracted from melt rheology.
Development of a Toughened Epoxy Resin Matrix for Use in Advanced Composites
Authors: Bosch A.
Published: January 2017

A series of high performance, toughened epoxy resins has been developed as matrices for advanced composites. The resin systems possess excellent processability with a wide processing window. Preimpregnated fiber ( prepreg) exhibits good tack and drape. Carbon fiber composite laminates possess an excellent balance of mechanical properties, particularly with intermediate modulus fibers. Toughness, as measured by post impact compression strength, is extremely high. With an impact energy of 1500 in. Ib/in. ( 6.7 J/mm) compression strength values of up to 48 ksi ( 328 MPa) have been achieved.
Arylidene Polymers—X. Preparation and Properties of New Polyesters of Diarylidenecycloalkanones Containing Symmetrical Bis-Azomethine Groups in the Polymer Backbone
Authors: Abd-Alla Mohamed A. , Aly Kamal I.
Published: January 2017

A new class of unsaturated polyesters of diarylidenecycloalkanones con taining the azomethine group in the polymer backbone has been prepared. Synthesis involved the interfacial polycondensation of 4,4'-[1,4-phenylene bis (methylidynenitrilo)] dibenzoyl chloride II with 2,5-bis(p-hydroxybertzylidene) cyclopentanone III, 2,5-di vanillylidenecyclopentanone IV, 2,6-bis(p-hydroxybenzylidene) cyclohexanone V or 2,6- divanillylidenecyclohexanone VI at ambient temperature. The resulting polyesters were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, solubility and viscometry measure ments. The thermal properties of the polymers were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis measurements and correlated to their structu ral units. The crystallinity of all polymers was examined by X-ray analysis. In addition, the electrical properties of all polyesters were measured.
A Novel Route to Aryl Diether Dianhydrides
Authors: Schwartz Willis T.
Published: January 2017

Aryl diether diphthalic anhydrides have been prepared by the reaction of a diphenol with 4-fluorophthalic anhydride and KF in the presence of a polar, aprotic solvent. The KF acts as an HF acceptor and obviates the need for preparing the disodium salt of the diphenol in a separate step. The diether anhydrides of biphenol, hydroquinone, resorcinol, dihydroxybenzophenone and bisphenol-A have been prepared in this fashion. Two of these dianhydrides have been used to prepare polyetherimides via their reaction with selected diamines. These materials form creasable films having good thermal stability.
Analysis of Anhydrides Using HPLC
Authors: Patterson Simon D. , Escott Richard E.A.
Published: January 2017

HPLC methods have been developed and used for the direct analysis of a wide range of anhydride materials. The results obtained enable concentrations of acid impurities to be determined with a detection limit of the order of 5 ppm (wlw). The analysis of dianhydrides also enables the partial hydrolysis product, i.e. a mixed acidlanhydride species, to be determined. HPLC has the capability to allow strict quality control procedures to be established, products from different manufacturing sources to be assessed and product syntheses to be optimized.
Upper Limb Recovery in Spinal Cord Injury: Involvement of Central and Peripheral Motor Pathways
Authors: Petersen Jens A. , Spiess Martina , Curt Armin , Weidner Norbert , Rupp Rüdiger , Abel Rainer ,   EM-SCI Study Group, Schubert Martin
Published: January 2017

Background and Objective. The course of central and peripheral motor recovery after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) may be investigated by electrophysiological measures. The goal of this study was to compare the 2 over the first year after injury in relation to motor gains. Methods. Compound motor action potentials (CMAPs), motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), and F-waves were recorded from the abductor digiti minimi and CMAP and F-waves from abductor hallucis muscles in 305 patients at about 15 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months following an acute traumatic SCI. Results. The MEP amplitudes and F-wave persistences were lower with more severe sensorimotor impairment. They steadily increased in most subgroups within 6 months after SCI. The amplitude of the CMAPs was low for the first 3 months in the most severely affected participants. This was also found for CMAPs from tibial nerve originating well below the cervical lesion level. Improvement in neurophysiological parameters correlated with improved upper extremity motor scores. Conclusion. The results point to a systematic interrelation of corticospinal transmission, spinal motoneuron excitability, and its axon function, respectively. Electrophysiological correlates of neural excitability show distinct spatial and temporal interrelations within central and peripheral motor pathways following acute cervical SCI. A strong secondary deterioration within the peripheral motor system with incomplete or no recovery depends on anatomical distance caudal to lesion and on lesion severity. Electrophysiological assessments may increase the sensitivity of interventional studies in addition to clinical measures.
An integrated system for building structural health monitoring and early warning based on an Internet of things approach
Authors: Wang Jun , Fu Yongfeng , Yang Xiaokang
Published: January 2017

The intelligent security monitoring of buildings and their surroundings has become increasingly crucial as the number of high-rise buildings increases. Building structural health monitoring and early warning technology are key components of building safety, the implementation of which remains challenging, and the Internet of things approach provides a new technical measure for addressing this challenge. This article presents a novel integrated information system that combines Internet of things, building information management, early warning system, and cloud services. Specifically, the system involves an intelligent data box with enhanced connectivity and exchangeability for accessing and integrating the data obtained from distributed heterogeneous sensing devices. An extensible markup language (XML)–based uniform data parsing model is proposed to abstract the various message formats of heterogeneous devices to ensure data integration. The proposed Internet of things–based integrated information system structure was applied for monitoring an actual pit excavation engineering site. Three early warning levels were implemented according to rules based on the threshold value, which determined the specific safety personnel to be notified. The proposed Internet of things–based integrated information system is demonstrated to improve the effectiveness of monitoring processes and decision making in construction informatics applications. Our work highlights the crucial importance of a systematic approach toward integrated information systems for effective information collection and structural health monitoring.
Multi-criteria routing metric for supporting data-differentiated service in hybrid wireless mesh networks in coal mines
Authors: Lu Liansheng , Jiang Haifeng , Han Guangzhi , Ma Shanshan , Sun Renke
Published: January 2017

Mesh clients in hybrid wireless mesh networks can perform the routing functionality, as well as provide end-user applications that are more suitable for tunnels, to improve the connectivity of backbone networks. In this article, based on the diversity of data and limited power supply of mesh clients in hybrid wireless mesh networks in underground mines, we propose a multi-criteria routing metric to support data-differentiated service. This routing metric divides data into two types: urgent and non-urgent. End-to-end delay is calculated when transmitting urgent data, and hop count and link load are measured when transmitting non-urgent data. In order to optimize the utilization of mesh clients and to prolong the network lifetime, mesh clients and mesh routers are given different weights in the calculation of hop count. Based on the QualNet7.1 simulation platform, the performance of the proposed routing metric in transmitting urgent and non-urgent data is evaluated through numerous simulations. Simulation results indicate that the routes selected using the proposed routing metric can effectively reduce the average end-to-end delay when transmitting urgent data and reduce the utilization rate of mesh clients while simultaneously guaranteeing the capability of the network when transmitting non-urgent data. This finding satisfies the differentiated service requirements of data of different types for hybrid wireless mesh networks in coal mines.
Development of a Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Liver Model for Preoperative Planning
Authors: Madurska Marta J. , Poyade Matthieu , Eason David , Rea Paul , Watson Angus J. M.
Published: January 2017

Introduction. Liver surgery is widely used as a treatment modality for various liver pathologies. Despite significant improvement in clinical care, operative strategies, and technology over the past few decades, liver surgery is still risky, and optimal preoperative planning and anatomical assessment are necessary to minimize risks of serious complications. 3D printing technology is rapidly expanding, and whilst appliactions in medicine are growing, but its applications in liver surgery are still limited. This article describes the development of models of hepatic structures specific to a patient diagnosed with an operable hepatic malignancy. Methods. Anatomy data were segmented and extracted from computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the liver of a single patient with a resectable liver tumor. The digital data of the extracted anatomical surfaces was then edited and smoothed, resulting in a set of digital 3D models of the hepatic vein, portal vein with tumor, biliary tree with gallbladder, and hepatic artery. These were then 3D printed. Results. The final models of the liver structures and tumor provided good anatomical detail and representation of the spatial relationships between the liver tumor and adjacent hepatic structures and could be easily manipulated and explored from different angles. Conclusions. A graspable, patient-specific, 3D printed model of liver structures could provide an improved understanding of the complex liver anatomy and better navigation in difficult areas and allow surgeons to anticipate anatomical issues that might arise during the operation. Further research into adequate imaging, liver-specific volumetric software, and segmentation algorithms are worth considering to optimize this application.
Assessment of urothelial cells atypical changes among petroleum station workers in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ahmed Hussain Gadelkarim , Alshmmari Fawaz D , Ginawi Ibrahim Abdelmajeed , Alshammari Nasser Gazi , Alshammari Abdullah Mohammed Abdullah , Alshuqayr Mohammed Ahmed , Alkhariji Mohammed Turki
Published: January 2017

The aim of the present study was to assess atypical changes in urothelial cells among petroleum station workers. This is a case control study, investigating 300 participants by cytological methods. Of the 300 participants, 150 were cases (exposed to petroleum products) and 150 were controls (non-exposed). Full voided urine was obtained and was cytologically assessed. Cytological atypia was identified in nine (6%) out of the 150 cases and could not be identified in 141/150 (94%) of the cases, whereas, in the control group, cytological atypia was recognized in four (2.7%) of the 150 controls and could not be identified in 146/150 (97.3%). The risk associated with petroleum product exposure, the odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) was 2.33 (0.7015–7.7378), P = 0.1673. Exposure of petroleum station workers to petroleum products increases the risk of urothelial atypical changes, which may progress to precancerous and cancerous changes.
Muslim girl culture and social control in Southeast Asia: Exploring the hijabista and hijabster phenomena
Authors: Williams J Patrick , Kamaludeen M Nasir
Published: January 2017

While research on youth cultures in Southeast Asia has traditionally focused on crime, class, and delinquency among adolescent and young-adult males, the 21st century has seen an increase in research on the intersections among youth, religion, popular culture, media, identity, and consumption. As part of this trend, we report on an exploration of the terms hijabista and hijabster, which refer to female Muslim cultural identities centered on the nontraditional use of the hijab or Muslim headscarf. After situating the phenomena within the larger context of conservative regional politics and religion, we consider their cultural meanings in terms of mass and social media, suggesting that hijabista and hijabster cultures and identities are simultaneously hybrid and negotiated as young Muslim women, culture industries, and political and religious agents all employ a variety of strategies to shape emerging definitions. Finally, we reflexively discuss the implications of our own theoretical interests on interpretations of what it means to be a hijabista or hijabster.
Portable electronic assistive technology to improve vocational task completion in young adults with an intellectual disability: A review of the literature
Authors: Collins James C , Collet-Klingenberg Lana
Published: January 2017

This article summarizes a review of empirical literature from 2000 to 2015 that involved the use of specific portable technology to support persons with an intellectual disability in completing work-related tasks. Nineteen studies were identified for review, with an emphasis on the identification of (a) the characteristics of participants and settings, (b) the types of portable technology and prompting formats used, (c) the research designs utilized, (d) the independent and dependent variables, (e) the measures of reliability and validity, and (f) the overall effectiveness of the interventions. The authors provide an interpretation of the findings as well as the implications of the results and recommended areas for future research.
Meeting the challenge of interpretation: Hearing the voices of people with intellectual and developmental disability through I-Poems
Authors: Corby Deirdre , Taggart Laurence , Cousins Wendy
Published: January 2017

Including the inner perspectives of people who have intellectual disability can pose methodological challenges to qualitative researchers. This article explains how the Listening Guide was applied as an additional step in the analysis during a study which used hermeneutic interviews with people with intellectual disability as the sole method of data collection. An argument is made for the systematic application of the guide with a focus on the use of I-Poems. This article advances qualitative methodological approaches and concludes that this method of drawing attention to the participants’ own voices provides a unique basis for interpreting interviews and tasks researchers to examine the use of the Listening Guide.
Biomechanical investigation of uneven load bearing in six-strand Lim-Tsai flexor tendon repair using FiberLoop®
Authors: Hay R.A.S. , Wong Y.R. , Loke A.M. , Tay S.C.
Published: January 2017

We hypothesized that, in providing biomechanical strength, at least one of the two middle strands in a modified six-strand Lim-Tsai flexor tendon repair could be divided without obvious reduction in repair strength owing to uneven load bearing. A total of 40 porcine flexor digitorum profundus tendons were repaired using the six-strand Lim-Tsai technique with a 4-0 FiberLoop® suture and then divided into four equal groups. (no cut, one middle strand cut, both middle strand cut, one side strand cut). The biomechanical performance of repaired tendons was tested and found to vary according to the location of the cuts.
Patterns of First-Coded Complications in Acute Episodes of Lung Cancer Care
Authors: Cantsilieris Gayle , Jackson Terri , Street Annette
Published: January 2017

The objective of this research was to document the most common first-recorded adverse events of inpatient care for lung cancer in Victoria, Australia. The sample comprised record abstracts for 3642 admissions (overnight or longer) of adult patients with lung cancer, extracted from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Database for 2000–2001. The method involved analysis of diagnoses prefixed with ‘C’ (an indicator for diagnoses which arose only after hospitalisation), calculation of complication rates by intervention type, and analysis of complication type by intervention. Overall, 23% of episodes recorded at least one in-hospital complication, with highest rates for radiotherapy and surgical interventions. The highest surgical complication rates were for pneumonectomies, lobectomies, and lung resections. Nausea and vomiting were the most common first-recorded complications for both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was concluded that complications through the use of morbidity data may offer a timely and economical method for health care organisations to screen large numbers of patient episodes.
Data accuracy in the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection: Results of a validation study of 2011 data
Authors: Flood Margaret M , McDonald Susan J , Pollock Wendy E , Davey Mary-Ann
Published: January 2017

Objective:

Public health data sets such as the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection (VPDC) provide an important source for health planning, monitoring, policy, research and reporting purposes. Data quality is paramount, requiring periodic assessment of data accuracy. This article describes the conduct and findings of a validation study of data on births in 2011 extracted from the VPDC.

Method:

Data from a random sample of one percent of births in Victoria in 2011 were extracted from original medical records at the birth hospital and compared with data held in the VPDC. Accuracy was determined for 93 variables. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for dichotomous items.

Results:

Accuracy of 17 data items was 99% or more, the majority being neonatal and intrapartum items, and 95% or more for 46 items. Episodes of care with the highest proportion of items with accuracy of 95% or more were neonatal and postnatal items at 80 and 64%, respectively. Accuracy was below 80% for nine items introduced in 2009. Agreement between medical records and VPDC data ranged from 48% to 100%, the exception being two highly inaccurate smoking-related items. Reasons for discrepancies between VPDC data and medical records included miscoding, missing and inconsistent information.

Conclusion:

This study found high levels of accuracy for data reported to the VPDC for births in 2011; however, some data items introduced in 2009 and not previously validated were less accurate. Data may be used with confidence overall and with awareness of limitations for some new items.
Post-Occupancy Evaluation of a Mental Healthcare Facility Based on Staff Perceptions of Design Innovations
Authors: Kalantari Saleh , Snell Robin
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

This study was a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) to examine the effectiveness of three specific design innovations in a mental healthcare facility. In addition to collecting data about the impact of these specific designs, the study provides a model for the broader implementation of POE approaches in the mental healthcare context.

Background:

POEs in general healthcare settings have been shown to lead to better work environments and better outcomes for patients. Despite growing evidence of the value provided by POE studies, the industry has been somewhat slow to adopt their regular use, in part due to unfamiliarity with the POE process. This is particularly true in mental healthcare contexts, where POE studies remain virtually nonexistent.

Method:

In-depth interviews and a widely distributed, anonymous survey were used to collect hospital staff perceptions and feedback regarding the impact of specific design features.

Results:

The hospital staff were quite enthusiastic about two of the design innovations studied here (a new wayfinding strategy and the use of vibrant colors in specific areas of the facility). The third innovation, open-style communication centers, elicited more mixed evaluations. The results include extensive hypothesis testing about the effects of each innovation as well as narrative discussions of their pros and cons.

Conclusions:

The study generated new knowledge about three specific mental healthcare design innovations and provides a model for the practical implementation of a POE approach in mental healthcare contexts. The results are particularly relevant for designers who are considering innovative strategies in future mental healthcare facilities.
A Cohort, is a Cohort, is a Cohort…Or is it?
Authors: Pemberton Cynthia Lee A. , Akkary Rima Karami
Published: January 2017

This paper presents findings from a multi-year qualitative study based upon life-history narratives of women pursuing doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership. This paper focuses on findings specific to educational cohort models, and suggests that perhaps, at least for women, naturally emergent cohorts — born of relationships of choice — may be more consistent with women's lived experience, and therefore more relevant, empowering, and sustaining of their educational journey. These findings contribute to increased understanding of women's experiences individually and collectively in pursuit of graduate education and thereby inform educational leadership programming regarding the value, role, design, and implementation of educational cohort models.
Perspectives on Distance Technology in Leadership Education: Transfer, Meaning, and Change
Authors: Sherman Whitney H. , Crum Karen S. , Beaty Danna M. , Myran Steve
Published: January 2017

While the use of distance technology has been touted as having the potential to reform leadership preparation, there is little to no research on students’ experiences or outcomes in educational leadership. The authors sought to understand, through a descriptive survey design, whether or not distance technology is a viable competitor to face-to-face instruction. The purpose of the study was to gain perspectives from students in leadership preparation programs as consumers of instructional distance technology and to understand perceptions of the impact of distance technology on transfer of knowledge to practice. Findings provide readers with insider knowledge from consumers who utilize distance technology and indicate that while students feel online course experiences have been equally successful as compared to face-to-face instruction, they do not find that online courses have an advantage over face-to-face instruction.