bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Contribution of Smoking to Educational Gradients in U.S. Life Expectancy
Authors: Ho Jessica Y. , Fenelon Andrew
Published: July 2015

Researchers have documented widening educational gradients in mortality in the United States since the 1970s. While smoking has been proposed as a key explanation for this trend, no prior study has quantified the contribution of smoking to increasing education gaps in longevity. We estimate the contribution of smoking to educational gradients in life expectancy using data on white men and women ages 50 and older from the National Longitudinal Mortality Study ( N = 283,430; 68,644 deaths) and the National Health Interview Survey ( N = 584,811; 127,226 deaths) in five periods covering the 1980s to 2006. In each period, smoking makes an important contribution to education gaps in longevity for white men and women. Smoking accounts for half the increase in the gap for white women but does not explain the widening gap for white men in the most recent period. Addressing greater initiation and continued smoking among the less educated may reduce mortality inequalities.
The effect of fabric movement on washing performance in a front-loading washer III: Focus on the optimized movement algorithm
Authors: Yun Changsang , Park Chung Hee
Published: July 2015

The objectives of this study were to investigate the correlation between fabric movement and washing efficiency in a front-loading washer and to make an algorithm for improving washing efficiency by optimizing fabric movements. A regression model between fabric movement and washing efficiency was made using 14 movement indexes. The angle change of the fabric gravity center, the speed difference between the drum and the fabric, and the shape factor were found to be determining factors for washing efficiency. Various kinds of wash spin speed were employed for making a complex movement algorithm, since it was found that turbulent or complex movement improves the washing efficiency. The optimal algorithm saved energy (25%) and time (27%), as well as achieving higher washing efficiency (4.8%).
Towards a Europeanization of indirect employee participation: Polish experiences
Authors: Skorupińska Katarzyna
Published: July 2015

This article reports the difficult path of developing works councils as new institutions of employee participation in Polish industrial relations and the atmosphere among the social partners surrounding this process. Analysis shows that the Europeanization of legislation on indirect employee participation does not always translate into effective functioning of participatory institutions in practice. Despite the fact that the initially reluctant attitude of trade unions and employers towards works councils has become more positive in Poland, the role of these institutions in Polish industrial relations remains negligible. The amendment to the Act on Informing and Consulting Employees of 2009 has led to a reduction in the already small presence of works councils in Polish enterprises to a marginal level of about 2%.
Generating query suggestions by exploiting latent semantics in query logs
Authors: Momtazi Saeedeh , Lindenberg Fabian
Published: July 2015

Search engines assist users in expressing their information needs more accurately by reformulating the issued queries automatically and suggesting the generated formulations to the users. Many approaches to query suggestion draw on the information stored in query logs, recommending recorded queries that are textually similar to the current user’s query or that frequently co-occurred with it in the past. In this paper, we propose an approach that concentrates on deducing the actual information need from the user’s query. The challenge therein lies not only in processing keyword queries, which are often short and possibly ambiguous, but especially in handling the complexity of natural language that allows users to express the same or similar information needs in various differing ways. We expect a higher-level semantic representation of a user’s query to more accurately reflect the information need than the explicit query terms alone can. To this aim, we employ latent Dirichlet allocation as a probabilistic topic model to reveal latent semantics in the query log. Our evaluations show that, whereas purely topic-based query suggestion performs the worst, the interpolation of our proposed topic-based model with the baseline word-based model that generates suggestions based on matching query terms achieves significant improvements in suggestion quality over the already well performing purely word-based approach.
To what question is the Badiouan notion of the subject an answer? On the dialectical elaboration of the concept in his early work
Authors: Persijn Jan-Jasper
Published: July 2015

Alain Badiou’s elaboration of a subject faithful to an event is commonly known today in the academic world and beyond. However, his first systematic account of the subject ( Théorie du Sujet) was already published in 1982 and did not mention the ‘event’ at all. Therefore, this article aims at tracing back both the structural and the historical conditions that directed Badiou’s elaboration of the subject in the early work up until the publication of L’Être et l’Événément in 1988. On the one hand, it investigates to what extent the (early) Badiouan subject can be considered an exceptional product of the formalist project of the Cahiers pour l’Analyse as instigated by psychoanalytical discourse (Lacan) and a certain Marxist discourse (Althusser) insofar as both were centered upon a theory of the subject. On the other hand, this article examines the radical political implications of this subject insofar as Badiou has directed his philosophical aims towards the political field as a direct consequence of the events of May ’68.
Kinship Within the Context of New Genetics
Authors: Chateauneuf Doris , Ouellette Françoise Romaine
Published: July 2015

Development of knowledge in the area of genetics plays an increasingly important role in the definition and characterization of kinship. To this day, several studies have focused on the risks represented by genetics within the context of new procreation techniques or genetic diseases, but very few have studied the impact of the development of biogenetics on the social institution of adoption. This article explores the issues related to genetics for adoptive parents who previously tried reproductive medicine. If their trajectories seem to illustrate the passage between two distinct spheres, from a fertility-seeking process centered on biology and genetics with assisted procreation to the social and emotional experience of adoption, our study demonstrates the mix of biogenetic and social factors in their representations and definitions of family and kinship.
Defending Doping
Authors: Henne Kathryn
Published: July 2015

Despite the growing research on doping in sport, there is little analysis of the sanctioning process. This article contributes to remedying this gap by examining anti-doping rule violation hearings heard before the California State Athletic Commission. Drawing upon qualitative fieldwork informed by socio-legal approaches, it explores how athletes articulate defenses against formal accusations of doping. Their performances reveal broader power relationships. Analysis of the interactions between participants in the hearings illustrates how relational aspects of the hearings are integral to understanding the anti-doping sanctioning process. In sum, this article reveals how attempts to adhere to seemingly objective, procedural protocols and intersectional forms of social difference converge, complicating the pursuit of the Commission’s mandate to protect the health of athletes under its jurisdiction.
Compulsory school-based enterprise education as a gateway to an entrepreneurial career
Authors: Thompson Piers , Kwong Caleb
Published: July 2015

This article explores the direct influence of school-based enterprise education on career choices and, particularly, how this might be limited as entrepreneurial intentions dissipate over time. We propose that it is the indirect influence of school-based enterprise education, through encouraging voluntary engagement with other forms of enterprise education, which is important. Drawing upon data from the UK Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) study, this article utilises a binary logistic regression approach and finds evidence to support the proposed indirect role. This shows the importance of collaboration between those delivering and designing enterprise education at all stages to ensure that young people are prepared correctly to move seamlessly between such stages.
Developing a digital library model for virtual universities in Korea
Authors: Kim Soojung , Lee Ji Won
Published: July 2015

This study examines the current status of 21 virtual university libraries in Korea and explores the possibilities of establishing a national-level central digital library through which these libraries could share resources. Interviews were conducted with 16 virtual university administrators to investigate their opinions and requirements of a central digital library. It was found that many virtual university libraries do not provide sufficient library resources and services due to a lack of qualified librarians and necessary funds. The interviewed administrators were willing to participate in a central digital library initiative to benefit from joint acquisition of databases and resource sharing, but they wanted to ensure local autonomy and control in managing their digital library sites. Therefore, the present study proposes a hosting model in which shared applications and resources reside on a central server and users from different universities access them remotely through the interfaces of individual library sites.
Effect of very early mobilisation on functional status in patients with acute stroke: a single-blind, randomized controlled trail
Authors: Chippala Purusotham , Sharma Raghava
Published: July 2015

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of very early mobilisation on functional status following acute stroke.

Design:

Single blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

University hospital.

Subjects:

Eighty-six patients with acute stroke (42 men and 38 women) aged 30-80 years were randomized to an Intervention group and a Standard care group.

Interventions:

All participants received 45 minutes standard care once a day for seven days. In addition, the intervention group ( n=43) performed very early mobilisation consisting of early and frequent out of bed activities which started within 24 hours of stroke onset for 5 to 30 minutes at least twice a day, for seven days.

Outcome measures:

Functional status was measured with Barthel ADL Index on admission, discharge and three months follow up.

Results:

Intervention group showed a significant improvement in Barthel Index change scores (discharge - admission) (median=35, IQR=30-38.75 versus median=17.50, IQR=10-30) than the standard care group. Intervention group showed a significant improvement in Barthel Index change scores (three month follow up - admission) (median=42.50, IQR=35-55) versus (median=30, IQR=20-35) than the standard care group. The Intervention group reported statistically significant improvement in functional status at discharge ( P<0.001) and at three months follow up ( P<0.001) compared with the Standard care group.

Conclusions:

The results indicate that very early mobilisation in addition to the standard care may be effective in improving the functional status following acute stroke.
Estimating the cost of caring for people with cancer at the end of life: A modelling study
Authors: Round Jeff , Jones Louise , Morris Steve
Published: July 2015

Background:

People with advanced cancer require a range of health, social and informal care during the final phases of life. The cost of providing care to this group as they approach the end of their lives is unknown, but represents a significant cost to health and social care systems, charities patients and their families.

Aim:

In this study, we estimate the direct and indirect costs for lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer patients at the end of life (from the start of strong opioids to death) in England and Wales.

Methods:

We use a modelling-based approach to estimate the costs of care. Data are estimated from the literature and publicly available data sets. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis is used to reflect uncertainty in model estimates.

Results:

Total estimated costs for treating people with these four cancers at the end of life are £641 million. Breast and prostate cancer patients have the highest expected cost per person at £12,663 (95% credible interval (CI): £1249–£38,712) and £14,859 (95% CI: £1391–£46,424), respectively. Lung cancer has the highest expected total cost (£226m). The value of informal care giving accounts for approximately one-third of all costs.

Conclusion:

The cost to society of providing care to people at the end of their lives is significant. Much of this cost is borne by informal care givers. The cost to formal care services of replacing this care with paid care giving would be significant and demand for care will increase as the demographic profile of the population ages.
The role of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool in palliative home care: A qualitative study of practitioners’ perspectives of its impact and mechanisms of action
Authors: Ewing Gail , Austin Lynn , Grande Gunn
Published: July 2015

Background:

The importance of supporting family carers is well recognised in healthcare policy. The Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool is an evidence-based, comprehensive measure of carer support needs to facilitate carer support in palliative home care.

Aim:

To examine practitioner perspectives of the role of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool intervention in palliative home care to identify its impact and mechanisms of action.

Design:

Qualitative – practitioner accounts of implementation (interviews, focus groups, reflective audio diaries) plus researcher field notes.

Setting/participants:

A total of 29 staff members from two hospice home-care services – contrasting geographical locations, different service sizes and staff composition. A thematic analysis was conducted.

Results:

Existing approaches to identification of carer needs were informal and unstructured. Practitioners expressed some concerns, pre-implementation, about negative impacts of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool on carers and expectations raised about support available. In contrast, post-implementation, the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool provided positive impacts when used as part of a carer-led assessment and support process: it made support needs visible, legitimised support for carers and opened up different conversations with carers. The mechanisms of action that enabled the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool to make a difference were creating space for the separate needs of carers, providing an opportunity for carers to express support needs and responding to carers’ self-defined priorities.

Conclusion:

The Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool delivered benefits through a change in practice to an identifiable, separate assessment process for carers, facilitated by practitioners but carer-led. Used routinely with all carers, the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool has the potential to normalise carer assessment and support, facilitate delivery of carer-identified support and enable effective targeting of resources.
Accuracy of Femoral Tunnel Placement in Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Balcarek Peter , Walde Tim Alexander
Published: July 2015

Background:

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is an established operative procedure for patients with recurrent episodes of lateral patellar instability. However, recent articles have reported remarkable complication rates, with nonanatomic femoral tunnel positioning in up to 64% of patients.

Purpose:

To evaluate the sensitivity of femoral tunnel placement using lateral fluoroscopic guidance to minor degrees of deviation from the true-lateral view using established radiographic landmarks.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Six human cadaveric femora were used for this study. A 6-mm radiopaque eyelet was used to mark the native femoral insertion of the MPFL according to previously described radiographic landmarks. Radiographic landmarks were also applied with the femur positioned in 2.5° and 5° of internal and external rotation, respectively, and with the femur in 2.5° and 5° of hip abduction and adduction, respectively. The distance between the center of the 6-mm eyelet to the center of the native femoral MPFL insertion, as established in the true-lateral view, was measured and determined as the degree of shift in each position.

Results:

Hip adduction, abduction, and internal and external rotations of 2.5° resulted in a shift from the native femoral MPFL insertion point to a more distal (adduction), proximal (abduction), anterior (internal rotation), and posterior location (external rotation) of 2.7 ± 0.7, 2.0 ± 0.7, 2.7 ± 1.1, and 3.0 ± 1.3 mm, respectively (all P < .05). Malpositioning increased to a distance of 5.0 ± 0.7 mm distally, 3.6 ± 1.0 mm proximally, 5.2 ± 0.8 mm anteriorly, and 6.2 ± 0.6 mm posteriorly to the native insertion point when the attachment was marked with 5° of divergence from the true-lateral view (all P < .05).

Conclusion:

The results of this study indicate the high sensitivity of femoral tunnel placement using lateral fluoroscopic guidance to minor degrees of deviation from the true-lateral view.

Clinical Relevance:

The study highlights the importance of an exact lateral view when fluoroscopic guidance is used for femoral tunnel positioning in the daily practice of MPFL reconstruction, and a possible explanation for the high incidence of nonanatomic tunnel placement is suggested.
TNF-a mediated inflammatory macrophage polarization contributes to the pathogenesis of steroid-induced osteonecrosis in mice
Authors: Wu Xinghuo , Xu Weihua , Feng Xiaobo , He Yu , Liu Xianzhe , Gao Yong , Yang Shuhua , Shao Zengwu , Yang Cao , Ye Zhewei
Published: July 2015

The phenotypic polarization of macrophages are involved in steroid-induced osteonecrosis (ON). This study tried to investigate the detrimental and beneficial roles of M1/M2 macrophages associated with TNF-a in ON. Mice ON model was induced by the injection of methylprednisolone. After that, flow cytometry technique, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, and RT-PCR methods were used to investigate the expression pattern of macrophages and the expression of inflammatory cytokines. During the progression of ON, massive chronic inflammatory cells infiltrated into the necrotic zone, represented by the infiltration of macrophages. In the early stage of ON, there was high TNF-a activity; and a large population of M1 macrophages infiltrated into the necrotic zone. On the contrary, the expression of TNF-a gradually decreased; simultaneously, a larger M2 cell population presented in the necrotic zone in the late stage of ON. The increased M2 macrophages could be beneficial for resolving inflammation and promoting tissue repair, confirmed by the histologic findings of appositional new bone formation around the necrotic bone. Thus, it showed that TNF-a-mediated alteration of M1/M2 macrophage polarization contributed to the pathogenesis of steroid-induced osteonecrosis. M1-polarized macrophages appeared to be disruptive in the early stage of ON, while M2-polarized macrophages played an important role in the late stage during the pathogenesis of ON.
Let Us Talk Peace — Peace Groups
Authors: Yogev Herzel , Regev-Nevo Merav
Published: July 2015

In the following article we wish to examine the role of ‘emotional availability’ in peace-promoting dialogue groups. In so doing, our basic premise is that any task-directed group relies on theoretical axioms—a system of theoretical assumptions that cannot be proven, accompanied by a set of theorems that direct the group when striving to reach solutions. An analytic group will be based on Foulkes’ theoretical axioms; a dynamic group on Bion’s. Other, non-clinical groups will be based on other axioms, created by the specific group and its specific setting (for example, businessmen will rely on the axiom that shared economic interests will promote peace). We therefore rely in our discussion on a mathematical definition of axioms and on Kurt Gödel’s incompleteness theorems ( Berto, 2009 ; Gödel and Brown, 1940 ). We claim that there is a need for mediation in peace-dialogue groups; such mediation must rely on different axioms and theorems than the group generates itself. We believe that this mediating role can be filled by an analytic facilitator, working from a group analysis perspective.
Oncologists’ End of Life Treatment Decisions
Authors: Bluhm Minnie , Connell Cathleen M. , Janz Nancy , Bickel Kathleen , DeVries Raymond , Silveira Maria
Published: July 2015

Background: Optimal treatment decisions for older end-stage cancer patients are complicated, and are influenced by oncologists’ attitudes and beliefs about older patients. Nevertheless, few studies have explored oncologists’ perspectives on how patient age affects their treatment decisions. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 oncologists to examine factors that influence their chemotherapy decisions for adults with incurable cancer near death. Transcripts of recorded interviews were coded and content analyzed. Results: Oncologists identified patient age as a key factor in their chemotherapy decisions. They believed older adults were less likely to want or tolerate treatment, and felt highly motivated to treat younger patients. Discussion: Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews resulted in a nuanced understanding of how patient age influences oncologists’ chemotherapy decisions. Such understanding may inform practice efforts aimed at enhancing cancer care at the end of life for older patients.
Does discrimination breed grievances—and do grievances breed violence? New evidence from an analysis of religious minorities in developing countries
Authors: Basedau Matthias , Fox Jonathan , Pierskalla Jan H. , Strüver Georg , Vüllers Johannes
Published: July 2015

Since Ted Gurr’s Why Men Rebel it has become conventional wisdom that (relative) deprivation creates grievances and that these grievances in turn lead to intergroup violence. Recently, studies have yielded evidence that the exclusion of ethnic groups is a substantial conflict risk. From a theoretical angle, the relationship is straightforward and is likely to unfold as a causal chain that runs from objective discrimination to (subjective) grievances and then to violence. We test this proposition with unique group-format data on 433 religious minorities in the developing world from 1990 to 2008. While religious discrimination indeed increases the likelihood of grievances, neither grievances nor discrimination are connected to violence. This finding is supported by a large number of robustness checks. Conceptually, discrimination and grievances can take very different shapes and opportunity plays a much bigger role than any grievance-based approach expects.
The microfoundations of territorial disputes: Evidence from a survey experiment in Japan
Authors: Tanaka Seiki
Published: July 2015

Although territorial disputes are one of the most fraught issues among states, how public opinion on territorial disputes varies within states and what explains the variation are often overlooked. This paper argues that citizens who prioritize economic considerations are more likely to support compromises over such disputes, while those who prioritize a country’s reputation tend to reject any compromise. Further, the paper hypothesizes that such variation in individual preferences can be explained by proximity to disputed territories. Counterintuitively, residents closer to disputes are more likely to support a compromise than those who live further away, because they are more affected by economic considerations. Those far from the disputed territory can afford to focus on its political aspects, which leads to a more hawkish stance. By using an experimental approach within Japan, this paper examines the validity of the spatial argument, and tests the relative salience of economic and political aspects of territorial disputes. The findings, based on original survey data, show that distance from disputed territories shapes individual preferences, and under some conditions, people living further away from disputed territories are more hawkish.
When Ideals Get in the Way of Self-Care
Authors: Zeifman Richard J. , Atkey Sarah K. , Young Rebecca E. , Flett Gordon L. , Hewitt Paul L. , Goldberg Joel O.
Published: July 2015

In the current study, we investigated whether adolescents high in perfectionism are prone to experiencing self-stigma for seeking psychological help. This work is based on the premise that the need to seek help for psychological difficulties is not consistent with idealistic personal goals of perfectionistic young people and their desire to retain an idealistic self-image. A sample of 85 high school students completed the Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale, the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale, and a measure of contact with individuals with mental illness. Results indicated that perfectionism was associated with self-stigma among those students with little to no experience with people with a history of mental illness. These findings suggest that certain perfectionistic students have a propensity toward low self-acceptance and judge themselves negatively for needing help. Implications are discussed for prevention and intervention programs that emphasize contact and experiential opportunities with individuals who have mental illness.
Gold nanostars mediated combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy and X-ray imaging for cancer theranostic applications
Authors: Wang Lei , Meng Dehui , Hao Yongwei , Zhao Yalin , Li Dong , Zhang Bingxiang , Zhang Yun , Zhang Zhenzhong
Published: July 2015

Gold nanomaterials possess unique physical and chemical properties, which attracted much attention in recent years. As a new type of gold nanomaterials, gold nanostars (GNSTs) have been prepared and characterized in this study. GNSTs under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation can exert not only cancer photothermal therapy via heat production but also photodynamic therapy via generation of reactive oxygen species. GNSTs were able to enter the cytoplasm as well as nuclei of human breast michigan cancer foundation-7 (MCF-7) cells. Under NIR light irradiation, GNSTs caused more severe DNA damage, arrest the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase, and reduce more cellular glutathione level, causing more severe apoptosis and cell death in vitro. Intratumoral injection of GNSTs with NIR light irradiation significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo. In addition, GNSTs were demonstrated to be a contrast agent for X-ray imaging. All the in vitro and in vivo results showed that GNSTs can be used for the potential diagnosis and medical treatment of cancer.
Sirolimus-eluting dextran and polyglutamic acid hybrid coatings on AZ31 for stent applications
Authors: Ma Jun , Zhao Nan , Zhu Donghui
Published: July 2015

Magnesium (Mg)-based cardiovascular stents are promising candidate as the next generation of novel stents. Clinical studies have revealed encouraging outcomes, but late restenosis and thrombogenesis still largely exist. Blood and vascular biocompatible coatings with drug-eluting features could be the solution to such problems.

Objective

This study was to investigate the feasibility of a three-layer hybrid coating on Mg alloy AZ31 with sirolimus-eluting feature for cardiovascular stent application.

Materials and methods

The first and third layers were low molecular weight dextran loaded with sirolimus, and the second layer was polyglutamic acid (PGA) to control sirolimus release. The hybrid coating was verified by scanning electron microscope (SEM). DC polarization and immersion tests were used to evaluate corrosion rate of the materials. Indirect cell viability and cell proliferation tests were performed by culturing cells with extract solutions of AZ31 samples. Blood compatibility was assessed using hemolysis assay.

Results

Coated samples had an enhanced corrosion resistance than that of uncoated controls, more PGA slower corrosion. Sirolimus had a burst release for the initial ∼3 days and then a slower release until reached a plateau. The PGA thickness was able to control the sirolimus release, the thicker of PGA the slower release. The overall cell viability was extract concentration-dependent, and improved by the hybrid coatings. Cell proliferation was correlated to coating thickness and was inhibited by sirolimus. In addition, all coated AZ31 samples were non-hemolytic.

Conclusion

Results demonstrated that such a three-layer hybrid coating may be useful to improve the vascular biocompatibility of Mg stent materials.
Giving In on the Field
Authors: Eisewicht Paul , Kirschner Heiko
Published: July 2015

Because of the variety of ethnographic research nowadays, the need increases to locate the researcher’s own approach within this variety for the intersubjective comprehensibility of the research. The argument is that specific ethnographic research programs face different challenges when conducting fieldwork, especially in mediatized fields.

This article proposes a differentiation of ethnographic research by theoretical paradigm, methodological stance, and scientific purpose. Following these categories, we specify life-world-analytical ethnography as originating from the (subject-centered) action theory with an emphasis on observational participation, an affirmative–descriptive attitude toward the research, as well as the implementation of data gathered by personal experience and its interactive verification within the field. Furthermore, we address the challenges ethnographers are facing when conducting their research in mediatized fields and illustrate the advantages of a life-world analytical approach on our case of online-livestreams and videogaming. We thereby introduce the concept of passing to methodologically expand this approach.
Social Representations of Social Media Use in Government
Authors: Lu Baozhou , Zhang Song , Fan Weiguo
Published: July 2015

Social media use in government has gained a rapid growth in the last few years around the world. China has witnessed a boom in social media use in government, especially government microblogging. In this study, we employ social representation theory as the primary theoretical lens to investigate Chinese government microblogging. We hope the employment of social representation theory could help us overcome the limitation that previous studies focused on the technology and government side. Interviewing data are drawn from a number of Chinese citizens for eliciting their understandings of Chinese government microblogging, followed by structural analytical procedure on the collected data. The social representation elements are obtained and presented in a map. The findings indicate that (1) social media use in government in China is at the stage of fast growth but at low interaction level; (2) governance and social media user experiences are two new but significant concepts that might have been missed in literature; (3) government microblogging does improve citizens’ perceptions toward government; however, the final outcomes like trust and accountability cannot be achieved by relying on social media use in government alone. Theoretical contributions and practitioner implications are then discussed, followed by the limitations. Finally, we present the concluding remarks for this study.
Analysis of Determinants of Revenue Sources for International NGOs
Authors: Aschari-Lincoln Jessica , Jäger Urs P.
Published: July 2015

Securing financial sustainability through fundraising and other forms of financing is a critical issue for many nonprofit organizations. This article extends the benefits theory by adding beneficiary and organizational characteristics to it and examines how these characteristics affect revenue source composition. Based on a survey of International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) with headquarters in Switzerland, the results quantitatively demonstrate a predictive relationship between programmatic and financial management: First, Swiss-based INGOs’ revenue sources rely heavily on income-generating revenue sources. Second, the efficacy of the benefits theory of nonprofit finance is demonstrated outside of the organizational context of U.S. local/national nonprofits. Third, INGOs’ organizational and beneficiary characteristics influence their revenue source composition. Fourth, the results demonstrate clear differences between revenue sources. Fifth, overall, the beneficiary field is the most influential of the proven characteristics in determining revenue source percentages.
Why So Many Measures of Nonprofit Financial Performance? Analyzing and Improving the Use of Financial Measures in Nonprofit Research
Authors: Prentice Christopher R.
Published: July 2015

Financial measures provide an empirical basis from which nonprofit researchers and practicing managers can approximate organizational capacity, financial health, and performance. These measures are used in nonprofit research to predict organizational activities and funding opportunities. Yet, little empirical evidence exists to tell us what these measures assess and whether they capture underlying concepts in the way we assume. Using Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 data, this article explores the following research question: Can accounting measures be organized into theoretically intuitive and empirically defensible constructs? To answer this question, a literature review of nonprofit financial health studies and textbooks was conducted, and dimension reduction techniques were employed. The findings suggest that the answer to the research question is not as simple as expected, and we should exercise more caution in how we use financial measures in nonprofit research.
Wavelet denoising using different mother wavelets for fault diagnosis of engine spark plug
Authors: Moosavian Ashkan , Khazaee Meghdad , Najafi Gholamhassan , Khazaee Majid , Sakhaei Babak , Mohammad Jafari Seyed
Published: July 2015

This paper deals with vibration-fault diagnosis of spark plug of an internal combustion engine using wavelet analysis and support vector machine. In order to reduce the noises of the vibration signals, wavelet denoising technique was used. A performance comparison was made between different mother wavelets as well as different levels of decomposition in order to find the best cases for the system under study. The results showed that the maximum classification accuracies were obtained by 13 different wavelets, namely, db1_4, db1_5, db2_4, db3_4, coif1_4, coif1_5, coif2_4, coif3_3, coif3_4, coif3_5, dmey_2, dmey_4 and bior3.7_6. It was also demonstrated that db1, coif1, coif3 and dmey were valuable mother wavelets for this study. Moreover, the results indicated that the proposed approach can reliably be used for spark plug fault diagnosis.
Dialectics of argument and rhetoric: Protesting the Iraq War in US–British opinion press
Authors: Sahlane Ahmed
Published: July 2015

In the US run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the pro-war US–British opinion press adopted a ‘subservient’ role by religiously endorsing the US official perspective about the ‘Saddam Peril’ and the Anglo-American ‘humanitarian’ mission in Iraq through the systematic muffling of the opposing views of anti-war protestors. The US–British pro-war arguers tried to cast doubt on both the motivations and identity of the anti-war demonstrators by categorising peaceful protest within the discourse of ‘deviance’, ‘ignorance’ and ‘incivility’. Therefore, anti-war protest was trivialised, disparaged and depoliticised. Anti-war political protest was relegated to the realm of ‘disorder’, ‘spectacle’ and ‘violence’, despite its global geopolitical reach. This article examines how ‘strategic manoeuvring’ functions in opinion press instrumentalised moral reasoning. Drawing on critical discourse analysis, I propose to demonstrate how the US–British mainstream media were closely wedded to elite interests and how opinion press argumentation was clearly structured in dominance.
Politics and “Applied Psychology”? Theoretical Concepts that Question the Disciplinary Community
Authors: Parker Ian
Published: July 2015

This paper responds to a set of problems in contemporary psychology that cluster around the notion that the discipline might be “applied” to the real world, and that such application would thereby serve as the methodological and conceptual grounding for “political psychology.” The specific problems addressed comprise “interpretation” of material in the quantitative and qualitative traditions, the notion of “application” as such which rests on the prior modelling of individual and collective psychological phenomena, the conceptions of “politics” that operate in disciplinary interventions, the idealisation of “community” in different traditions of community psychology in the US and Europe, and finally “psychology” itself as the background against which these other problems are elaborated. In response to these problems the paper describes political theoretical concepts from feminist interventions in Left practice and brings them to bear on the discipline of psychology, turning the direction of travel of concepts around so that psychology itself rather than the outside world becomes the object to which ideas are “applied.” The five political theoretical concepts described here are: “performativity,” “standpoint,” “the personal as political,” the “tyranny of structurelessness,” and “intersectionality.”
High-dose testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone induce cardiotoxicity in rats
Authors: Emer E , Yildiz O , Seyrek M , Demirkol S , Topal T , Kurt B , Sayal A
Published: July 2015

The aim of this study is to assess cardiotoxic effect of testosterone (TES) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in Sprague Dawley rats. We compared the impact of subacute (14 days) and subchronic (90 days) administration of suprapharmacologic doses of TES and DHEA on body weight, locomotor activity, muscle strength, echocardiographic parameters, heart histopathology, and oxidative stress markers with the control group. Testosterone (10, 30, and 100 mg/100 g body weight) and DHEA (10 mg/100 g body weight) administration decreased the body weights and locomotor activity ( p < 0.05), and the combination of both increased muscle strength ( p < 0.05) in rats. In our histopathological evaluation, misshapen cell nuclei, disorganized myocardial fibers, and leukocytic infiltrates were observed in high-dose TES (100 mg/100 g)-treated rats, especially on day 14. On day 90, mild changes such as misshapen cell nuclei, disorganized myocardial fibers, and leukocytic infiltrates were observed in TES and DHEA-treated groups. According to our echocardiographic study on day 14 and day 90, TES, especially at high doses, induced increase in left ventricular posterior wall diameter and ejection fraction ( p < 0.05). In this study, blood oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde was increased slightly but not significantly in TES and DHEA groups. On the other hand, antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were slightly but not significantly increased in TES and DHEA groups. These data demonstrate that the potential risk to cardiac health due to exogenous androgen use may be related to oxidative stress in rats.
Time for love: Partners’ time perspectives predict relationship satisfaction in romantic heterosexual couples
Authors: Stolarski Maciej , Wojtkowska Katarzyna , Kwiecińska Małgorzata
Published: July 2015

The aim of the present research was to explore the role of individual differences in time perspective (TP) in predicting two relationship quality indicators: general relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction, in romantic heterosexual couples. A total amount of 100 dyads took part in the study. Our study revealed that relationship satisfaction indices are predicted by partners’ time perspectives; both actor and partner effects proved significant. For instance, past-negative was related to lower general relationship satisfaction, whereas past-positive proved detrimental to sexual satisfaction. Higher relationship (but not sexual) satisfaction was related to a more balanced time perspective. Moreover, we demonstrated that the role of some time perspective dimensions may change with relationship length, e.g., a relationship between future-positive (FP) time perspective and females’ relationship satisfaction proved to change across relationship course from significantly negative to strongly positive. Contrary to our hypotheses, we found no evidence for assortative mating effects for time perspective dimensions. The present results provide evidence for the role of psychological temporality in relationship functioning and suggests potential utility of time perspective theories in practical interventions aimed to improve romantic relationships’ quality.
Comparative perspective of various shear deformation theories with experimental verification for modal analysis of hybrid laminates
Authors: Biswas Dhiraj , Ray Chaitali
Published: July 2015

The present paper deals with the free vibration modal analysis of hybrid laminates using a finite element model based on the third order shear deformation theory (TSDT) and the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). A computer code has been developed using MATLAB, 2013. The experimental investigation on the free vibration of hybrid laminates made of carbon and glass fibres has been conducted. The hybrid laminate is prepared by placing carbon fibres in the outermost laminae and glass fibres in the rest of the laminate. The bi-directional glass and carbon fabrics and the epoxy resin are used for the preparation of laminates in the laboratory. The experimental models of laminates have been prepared by the resin infusion process using vacuum bagging technique. The natural frequencies of hybrid laminates for different modes are determined and the mode shapes are plotted for the corresponding frequencies by experiment and numerical procedure. The finite element formulations based on TSDT and FSDT for the composite laminates predict the natural frequencies and are validated by comparing with the experimental results.
Changes in J-SOAP-II and SAVRY Scores Over the Course of Residential, Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Adolescent Sexual Offending
Authors: Viljoen Jodi L. , Gray Andrew L. , Shaffer Catherine , Latzman Natasha E. , Scalora Mario J. , Ullman Daniel
Published: July 2015

Although the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol–II (J-SOAP-II) and the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) include an emphasis on dynamic, or modifiable factors, there has been little research on dynamic changes on these tools. To help address this gap, we compared admission and discharge scores of 163 adolescents who attended a residential, cognitive-behavioral treatment program for sexual offending. Based on reliable change indices, one half of youth showed a reliable decrease on the J-SOAP-II Dynamic Risk Total Score and one third of youth showed a reliable decrease on the SAVRY Dynamic Risk Total Score. Contrary to expectations, decreases in risk factors and increases in protective factors did not predict reduced sexual, violent nonsexual, or any reoffending. In addition, no associations were found between scores on the Psychopathy Checklist:Youth Version and levels of change. Overall, the J-SOAP-II and the SAVRY hold promise in measuring change, but further research is needed.
Validation of kappa free light chains as a diagnostic biomarker in multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome: A multicenter study
Authors: Presslauer Stefan , Milosavljevic Dejan , Huebl Wolfgang , Aboulenein-Djamshidian Fahmy , Krugluger Walter , Deisenhammer Florian , Senel Makbule , Tumani Hayrettin , Hegen Harald
Published: July 2015

Background:

Kappa free light chains (KFLCs) have been proposed as a diagnostic biomarker in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

The objective of this paper is to validate the diagnostic accuracy of intrathecal KFLC synthesis in a multicenter study.

Methods:

KFLCs were measured by nephelometry under blinded conditions in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum sample pairs of patients with CIS ( n = 60), MS ( n = 60) and other neurological diseases ( n = 60) from four different MS centers. The upper normal limit for intrathecal KFLC concentrations depending on blood-CSF barrier function was previously calculated in a cohort of 420 control patients.

Results:

Diagnostic sensitivity of intrathecal KFLC synthesis, IgG synthesis according to Reiber, IgG index and oligoclonal bands (OCBs) was 95%, 72%, 73% and 93% in patients with MS and 82%, 47%, 43% and 72% in patients with CIS. Specificity of intrathecal KFLC synthesis was 95% and 98% for all other measures.

Conclusion:

These findings further support the diagnostic value of intrathecal KFLC synthesis in CIS and MS patients and demonstrate a valid, easier and rater-independent alternative to OCB detection.
Viral exposures and MS outcome in a prospective cohort of children with acquired demyelination
Authors: Makhani Naila , Banwell Brenda , Tellier Raymond , Yea Carmen , McGovern Suzanne , O’Mahony Julia , Ahorro Jean M , Arnold Douglas , Sadovnick A Dessa , Marrie Ruth A , Bar-Or Amit ,   on behalf of the Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Network
Published: July 2015

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with increased multiple sclerosis (MS) risk. Recently, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been proposed as a protective factor against MS development. We determined EBV, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus and CMV seroprevalence in 247 prospectively followed children with acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS). Remote EBV infection was more common in children with MS than those with monophasic ADS while CMV infection was more common in children with monophasic ADS. Children displaying evidence of remote EBV without CMV infection were at highest risk of subsequent MS diagnosis. Viral infection repertoire detected at ADS provides important prognostic information.
Assessing PML risk under immunotherapy: if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail
Authors: Van Schependom Jeroen , Gielen Jeroen , Laton Jorne , Nagels Guy
Published: July 2015

Recently, three progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) cases have been reported in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, two treated with fingolimod (Gilenya, Novartis), the third with dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera, Biogen). Because our immunotherapeutic arsenal in MS and other diseases is increasing, and because PML is a very serious health risk, it is of interest to the clinical community to show how we can assess this risk in a statistically sound way. The null-hypothesis for this analysis was that there is no elevated risk for PML in patients treated with one of these recent drugs, compared to the incidence in the general population. We conclude that the null hypothesis cannot be refuted.