bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Solving Problems in Everyday Living Model: Toward a Demedicalized, Education-Based Approach to “Mental Health”
Authors: Gomory Tomi , Dunleavy Daniel J. , Lieber Angela S.
Published: July 2017

We argue that human existential pain and threat may usefully be helped by a noncoercive educational approach that also resonates with many interpersonally focused psychological approaches, rather than by the widely touted current medical model of “mental health” treatment (using psychoactive drugs and supportive psychotherapy). First, the “progress” leading to the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is briefly reviewed, highlighting the scientific limitations of the medical model. Next, an educational model of self-understanding and change, based on Popper’s fallibilism, Freire’s critical pedagogy, and Miller’s feedback-informed treatment is explicated. Finally, some options for funding and testing the model are discussed. We hope this offers mental health clinicians another important alternative to conceptualize the helping encounter to ameliorate personal problems in living.
The Role of Educational Attainment in Supported Employment
Authors: Waynor William R. , Gill Kenneth J. , Reinhardt-Wood Dawn , Nanni Garth S. , Gao Ni
Published: July 2017

Rehabilitation counselors provide vocational services to consumers living with serious mental illness (SMI) who have an estimated rate of workforce participation from 10% to 30%. Services, such as supported employment (SE), have strived to overcome these figures. Yet, people living with SMI are often only qualified for employment within the secondary labor market. Human capital theory offers a useful theoretical framework for employment for persons living with SMI. The Brief Symptom Inventory Global Severity Index (GSI) and educational level were used to predict employment outcomes in a sample which consists of 105 individuals with SMI recruited from five SE programs in the mid-Atlantic region. Logistic regression with the predictors of time in SE, GSI, and educational level achieved was used to predict whether someone became employed within the next 6 months. The variable educational level was a significant predictor of successful employment outcome at the 6-month follow-up, Wald χ2 = 7.6, p = .003. The other two variables were not statistically significant. The current study suggests that it is difficult to ignore an individual’s education when considering his or her future achievement in employment. Furthermore, the findings of this study support utilizing human capital theory.
Toward a more biologically accurate model of diffusion: adhesion and collisions
Authors: Fouad Ahmed M , Noel John A
Published: July 2017

In single-file dynamics, Brownian particles (referred to as tracer or tagged particles) diffuse and collide with each other in one-dimensional domains. If the average particle density is kept fixed during the diffusion, the collisions between the tracer particles result in their famous anomalous sub-diffusion behavior with time to the one half dependence. Many systems in nature are found to obey single-file dynamics, such as ion transport processes, and inter-particle adhesion plays a crucial role, either structurally or functionally, in the diffusion of such systems; however, the exact effect of adhesion on the diffusion has not been studied so far. We have examined the effect of adhesion on the collective diffusion of single-file systems. Here, we extend previous work where we perform large-scale numerical simulations that utilize Monte Carlo techniques and high-performance computing resources to examine the effect of adhesion on the diffusion of the tracer particles in systems that obey single-file dynamics. We show that if all the tracer particles experience the same adhesion coefficient, adhesion only slows down the diffusion by reducing the magnitude of the tracer diffusion coefficient; however, both the anomalous sub-diffusion behavior and time to the one half dependence of the tracer particles remain almost intact, independent of the adhesion.
Toward Understanding Mental Health Concerns for the Latinx Immigrant Student: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Diaz Yahaira , Fenning Pamela
Published: July 2017

This article focuses on reviewing the most recent publications relating to immigration and helps raise educator awareness of mental health concerns for immigrant students, which is even more pressing given the results of the president elect for 2017. Moreover, coupled with lack of access to behavioral health care is a growing concern of mental health issues among undocumented immigrants residing in the United States.
What Leaders Believe: Increasing Educational Attainment Among Urban Youth
Authors: Person Dawn R. , Kaveh Haydeh , García Yvonne , Carsey Timothy A.
Published: July 2017

Urban community leaders describe their perceptions of critical issues in education and offer recommendations for the creation of a college-going culture (CGC). This qualitative study employed a maximum entropy analysis. Results demonstrate critical issues with increasing educational attainment including complexity of the urban school system, limited traditional parental involvement, and self-acceptance among youth. This study emphasizes the importance of a CGC inclusive of the Community Cultural Wealth model, culturally sensitive teachers, and community-connected leaders. Research suggests that educational settings that value student’s and families’ Community Cultural Wealth can increase the number of students that matriculate through the educational pipeline.
Understanding the dynamics of Nigeria’s urban transition: A refutation of the ‘stalled urbanisation’ hypothesis
Authors: Fox Sean , Bloch Robin , Monroy Jose
Published: July 2017

Nigeria contains some of Africa’s oldest and newest cities, hosts five of the 30 largest urban settlements on the continent, and is estimated to have the biggest urban population on the continent. Yet many of the basic ‘facts’ about spatial-demographic trends in Nigeria have been contested. Most recently, an article published in World Development in 2012 claimed that urbanisation had stalled in Nigeria. In an effort to establish and explain the stylised facts of Nigeria’s urban transition we analyse demographic and spatial trends drawing on diverse sources, including censuses, household surveys, remotely sensed data and migration studies conducted over the past three decades. The evidence does not support the claim of stalled urbanisation: Nigeria’s urban population is growing rapidly in absolute terms and will continue to increase as a share of the national population because of both rural–urban migration and rural transformation. These drivers of urbanisation are a product of persistently high fertility in a context of declining mortality in both rural and urban areas. Robust economic growth over the past decade likely accelerated urbanisation, but even as the economy slows demographic fundamentals will continue to drive rapid urban growth and urbanisation.
Property and carceral spaces in Christiania, Copenhagen
Authors: Rannila Päivi , Repo Virve
Published: July 2017

This article addresses the recent legal and property changes, and their socio-spatial consequences in Christiania, Copenhagen. During recent years the community that has always been against private ownership has lost its special legal status, and has become a property owner of a vast area in the middle of Copenhagen. We analyse the situation in relation to Christiania’s current housing condition, individual residents’ privatisation efforts, and decades-long normalisation efforts by the state. We argue that the processes of normalisation, legalisation, criminalisation and privatisation are expressions of the carceral in more-than-institutional context, and that questions of property are strongly involved in these carceral practices in Christiania. Not only in the relations between Christiania and the state, but also in socio-spatial relations inside of the community, defining who is included or excluded, or how people behave towards each other. Moreover, a part of the community is cultivating a carceral culture towards those in favour of privatisation, using the rights of the property owner and the community’s ideologies as justifications.
The School as a Socialization Context
Authors: Keppens Gil , Spruyt Bram
Published: July 2017

This study contributes to the literature on school-based strategies to prevent and reduce truancy by investigating the relationship between an authoritative school climate and class skipping. We use data from The Programme for International Student Assessment with 15-year-old pupils ( N = 2,539) in secondary education in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, to answer three research questions: (a) Is there a relationship between an authoritative school climate and class skipping? (b) Is this relationship mediated by individual school bonding? (c) Does school bonding moderate the relationship between an authoritative school climate and class skipping? In line with the authoritative school climate model, our results indicate that class skipping occurs less frequently in authoritative schools, irrespective of a pupil’s personal background or the school composition. In addition, this study demonstrates that (a) the influence of authoritative socialization at least partly acts through the enhancement of school bonding and (b) the link between school bonding and class skipping is stronger in authoritative schools. In the discussion, we elaborate on the implications of our findings.
Hospitality, or Kant’s Critique of Cosmopolitanism and Human Rights
Authors: Meckstroth Christopher
Published: July 2017

Kant’s theory of international politics and his right of hospitality are commonly associated with expansive projects of securing human rights or cosmopolitan governance beyond state borders. This article shows how this view misunderstands Kant’s criticism of the law of nations ( ius gentium) tradition as handed down into the eighteenth century as well as the logic of his radical alternative, which was designed to explain the conditions of possibility of global peace as a solution to the Hobbesian problem of a war of all against all in the state of nature. I resolve longstanding confusion over the meaning and justification of Kant’s right of “hospitality” by showing how it functions not as a freestanding positive claim demanding enforcement but as a way of ruling out specious justifications for war against those the traditional law of nations permitted one to label “enemies.” This poses important questions for contemporary theories of global justice.
Coordinated motion control of a pneumatic-cylinder-driven biaxial gantry for contour tracking tasks
Authors: Meng Deyuan , Li Aimin , Chen Fei , Zhang Kai
Published: July 2017

In this paper, coordinated motion control of the pneumatic-cylinder-driven biaxial gantry for precise contour tracking is investigated. An adaptive robust coordinated motion controller is developed by incorporating the task coordinate formulation into the adaptive robust control architecture. Specifically, a task coordinate frame is used to approximately calculate the contour error, which is utilized for controller design to generate coordination between two axes. Furthermore, the proposed controller utilizes online parameter adaptation to estimate some important unknown model parameters, and employs a robust control law to attenuate the effects of parameter estimation errors, unmodelled dynamics and external disturbances. Therefore, certain transient contouring performance and steady-state contour tracking accuracy can be guaranteed. Extensive comparative experimental results obtained verify the effectiveness of the proposed coordinated motion control strategy and its performance robustness to sudden disturbances in practical implementation.
Adaptive extended state observer-based flatness nonlinear output control for torque tracking of electrohydraulic loading system
Authors: Jing Chenghu , Xu Hongguang , Song Xiaoming , Lu Biao
Published: July 2017

Electrohydraulic loading system is a torque servo system with high-accuracy and high-frequency response. In this paper, an adaptive extended state observer-based flatness nonlinear output control is proposed to improve the torque tracking performance of electrohydraulic loading system. This method combines a flatness concept, expected state, adaptive extended state observer and system output to develop a stable control system. Expected input feedforward based on the flatness property is designed to provide model compensation for bandwidth enhancement. An adaptive extended state observer is proposed to estimate the unmeasured states and the unmodeled dynamics. Based on estimated states and disturbances, state feedback control is developed to ensure the stability of closed-loop system, and to improve torque tracking accuracy and system robustness. The stability of the closed-loop system is proved by the Lyapunov stability theory. Extensive experiments were carried out to verify the performance of high-accuracy tracking of the proposed control strategy.
Adaptive fuzzy control design for a class of uncertain switched lower triangular systems
Authors: Xu Ning , Wang Xinyong
Published: July 2017

In this paper, a tracking control problem is investigated for a class of uncertain switched lower triangular systems with disturbances. A state-feedback controller is designed by using the adaptive backstepping technique and the universal approximation ability of fuzzy logic systems. The fuzzy logic system is used to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions. It is shown that the designed state-feedback controllers can ensure that all the signals remain bounded and the tracking error converges to a small neighbourhood of the origin. A simulation result is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Studying Positive and Negative Direct and Extended Contact: Complementing Self-Reports With Social Network Analysis
Authors: Wölfer Ralf , Jaspers Eva , Blaylock Danielle , Wigoder Clarissa , Hughes Joanne , Hewstone Miles
Published: July 2017

Traditionally, studies of intergroup contact have primarily relied on self-reports, which constitute a valid method for studying intergroup contact, but has limitations, especially if researchers are interested in negative or extended contact. In three studies, we apply social network analyses to generate alternative contact parameters. Studies 1 and 2 examine self-reported and network-based parameters of positive and negative contact using cross-sectional datasets ( N = 291, N = 258), indicating that both methods help explain intergroup relations. Study 3 examines positive and negative direct and extended contact using the previously validated network-based contact parameters in a large-scale, international, and longitudinal dataset ( N = 12,988), demonstrating that positive and negative direct and extended contact all uniquely predict intergroup relations (i.e., intergroup attitudes and future outgroup contact). Findings highlight the value of social network analysis for examining the full complexity of contact including positive and negative forms of direct and extended contact.
Making the Virtual Rounds: The Use of Blogs by Health-Care Professionals
Authors: Scheibling Casey , Gillett James , Brett Gordon
Published: July 2017

In the “Health 2.0” era, digital media has altered how health care is conducted and how patients consume medical information. This article explores the reasons why health-care professionals create their own blogs and how they use blogging as a component of their work. We examine interviews with medical bloggers ( n = 83) featured on “Grand Rounds,” a weekly medical blog forum or “carnival,” to interpret the ways in which blogging is incorporated into their everyday lives. In performing a qualitative thematic analysis, we develop five themes that help capture what blogs mean to these health-care practitioners. The uses of blogs speak to articulating and reestablishing a professional reputation, connecting with patients informally, writing for therapeutic reasons, negotiating institutional constraints, and promoting community and health-care reform.
A Social Analysis of an Elite Constellation: The Case of Formula 1
Authors: Nichols Georgia , Savage Mike
Published: July 2017

This article provides a detailed case study of F1 motor racing teams to better grasp the nature of contemporary elite formation. Drawing on an analysis of senior figures in F1 teams, and on a wider study of the industry, we argue that this affluent elite needs to be understood as part of a temporal ecology which deploys a technical habitus which has formed over a longue durée. In drawing out the significance of this approach, we extend analytical repertoires to focus on processes of accumulation. Building on the thinking of Bourdieu, Piketty and Kluge and Negt, we explore how this approach might have wider resonance in the resurgence of current analysis of the formation of ‘elite constellations’.
Enhancing probation practice and safety with smartphone applications
Authors: Fagan Darius
Published: July 2017

As technology continues to improve and become more intertwined with our everyday activities, more and more opportunities present themselves for using technology to enhance the work that we do. This article outlines the introduction of Samsung smartphones to a large number of the Department of Corrections’ workforce, as well as giving details on two applications that are being used to improve the day-to-day operations and safety of our community corrections staff in New Zealand. In early 2014, The New Zealand Department of Corrections rolled out Samsung smartphones to over 3000 staff, to aid them with their day-to-day work operations. The idea behind providing staff with smartphones was to allow staff to use their work email and calendar on-the-go, as well as to access the internet when out of the office. The introduction of smartphones represented a marked leap forward in staff mobility and productivity.
Exploring scallop forms
Authors: Nooshin H , Kamyab R , Samavati OA
Published: July 2017

The term ‘scallop form’ is used to refer to a structural form, such as a dome, that has ‘arched’ sectors. Thus, in addition to the general ‘curviance’ of the dome, the sectors are separately arched. The term ‘curviance’ means ‘the way a form is curved’. Also, the term ‘scallop’ refers to the marine creature scallop whose shell has arched ribs. Scallop forms constitute a wide range of spatial structural forms that can provide efficient structural solutions. The form processing programming language ‘Formian’ includes capabilities that allow the geometry of various types of scallop domes to be generated conveniently (visit Formexia.com ). Also, the new version of the language, namely, Formian-K has extended the scalloping facilities of the language to include scallop barrel vaults. The objective of this article is to explore the range of possible scallop forms and to explain how these forms may be generated using the ‘scalloping functions’ of the Formian language. This article contains many practical examples, in terms of which the generation of forms is discussed. This article is meant to be a practical manual for generation of scallop forms. However, to understand all the details of the operations, it is expected that the article is studied together with the necessary background material.
Regulating Nanomaterials: A Case for Hybrid Governance
Authors: Hemphill Thomas A.
Published: July 2017

Despite their growing usage in commercial and industrial applications, nanomaterials have yet to be been thoroughly researched as to their potential health, safety, and environmental risk to human life after incorporation into new product improvement, development, design, and manufacturing processes. Identifying the appropriate governance framework for effective risk assessment analysis of toxicological risk to human beings—specifically manufacturing employees and consumers—and other living organisms, resulting from the development and application of these nanotechnology-based products, has yet to be scientifically determined. With major regulatory gaps in the public regulation framework at national and international levels of governance, a proposed private governance framework is needed to assist the existing public regulatory framework with the proliferation of products and manufacturing processes utilizing nanomaterials. There are three distinct (yet complimentary) approaches available to develop a private governance framework to complement existing national public regulatory frameworks: responsible innovation, risk management, and voluntary guidelines/industry standards. The case for supporting a hybrid governance framework, combining public and private governance mechanisms, for nanotechnology is reflective of the current public policy environment that has emerged to best address health, safety, and environmental risk assessment issues concerning nanotechnology and nanomaterials.
Commercial Transactions in Children: The Case of Ghana
Authors: Adinkrah Mensah
Published: July 2017

The current article represents an examination of commercial transactions involving the sale of children in contemporary Ghana. It presents the results of a criminological analysis of 20 cases of commercial transactions in children in Ghana. It describes the sociodemographic characteristics of offenders and victims, victim–offender relationships, offender motivations, public reactions to the phenomenon, as well as the criminal justice system’s responses to the crime. The data were extracted from Ghanaian print and electronic presses. The data show that more boys than girls were sold and that the ages of the victims ranged from 1 month to 19 years, although younger, prepubescent children were more likely to be sold than adolescents and younger adults. The results further show that the relationship between the offender and the child victim was a primary one, with parent–child relationships being dominant, followed by uncle–nephew. Pecuniary reasons were the primary motive for the crime, with offenders invariably expressing the need for money to satisfy pressing financial needs or personal enrichment. The data show that offenders were subject to prompt arrest, prosecution, and incarceration. A summary is provided for each of the 20 cases analyzed in the study.
The role of topographic variability in river channel classification
Authors: Lane Belize A , Pasternack Gregory B , Dahlke Helen E , Sandoval-Solis Samuel
Published: July 2017

To date, subreach-scale variations in flow width and bed elevation have rarely been included in channel classifications. Variability in topographic features of rivers, however, in conjunction with sediment supply and discharge produces a mosaic of channel forms that provides unique habitats for sensitive aquatic species. In this study we investigated the utility of topographic variability attributes (TVAs) in distinguishing channel types and dominant channel formation and maintenance processes in montane and lowland streams of the Sacramento River basin, California, USA. A stratified random survey of 161 stream sites was performed to ensure balanced sampling across groups of stream reaches with expected similar geomorphic settings. For each site surveyed, width and depth variability were measured at baseflow and bankfull stages, and then incorporated in a channel classification framework alongside traditional reach-averaged geomorphic attributes (e.g., channel slope, width-to-depth, confinement, and dominant substrate) to evaluate the significance of TVAs in differentiating channel types. In contrast to more traditional attributes such as slope and contributing area, which are often touted as the key indicators of hydrogeomorphic processes, bankfull width variance emerged as a first-order attribute for distinguishing channel types. A total of nine channel types were distinguished for the Sacramento Basin consisting of both previously identified and new channel types. The results indicate that incorporating TVAs in channel classification provides a quantitative basis for interpreting nonuniform as well as uniform geomorphic processes, which can improve our ability to distinguish linked channel forms and processes of geomorphic and ecological significance.
Effects of Autogenous Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate on Radiographic Integration of Femoral Condylar Osteochondral Allografts
Authors: Oladeji Lasun O. , Stannard James P. , Cook Cristi R. , Kfuri Mauricio , Crist Brett D. , Smith Matthew J. , Cook James L.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Transplantation of fresh osteochondral allografts (OCAs) is an attractive treatment option for symptomatic articular cartilage lesions in young, healthy patients. Because the lack of OCA bone integration can be a cause of treatment failure, methods for speeding and enhancing OCA bone integration to mitigate this potential complication are highly desirable.

Purpose:

To determine if autogenous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMC) treatment of large femoral condylar OCAs would be associated with superior radiographic OCA bone integration compared with nontreated allografts during the critical first 6 months after surgery.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A review of patients enrolled in a prospective registry who were treated with transplantation of large OCAs to one or both femoral condyles at our institution from March 12, 2013 to March 14, 2016 was performed. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on BMC treatment versus no BMC treatment; the treatment was nonrandomized and was rooted in a shift in practice and a continuing effort to optimize OCA transplantation at our institution. Patients were excluded if they did not have orthogonal view radiographs performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Each condyle undergoing OCA transplantation was assessed individually by an independent musculoskeletal radiologist, who was blinded to the treatment group and time point. OCAs were assessed with respect to graft integration (0%-100%; 0 = no integration, 100 = complete integration) and degree of sclerosis (0-3; 0 = normal, 1 = mild sclerosis, 2 = moderate sclerosis, and 3 = severe sclerosis) of the graft at each time point.

Results:

This study identified 17 condyles in 15 patients who underwent OCA transplantation without BMC and 29 condyles in 22 patients who underwent OCA transplantation with BMC. The BMC group had significantly ( P = .033) higher graft integration scores at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Graft sclerosis was significantly ( P = .017) less in the BMC group at 6 weeks and 3 months, with no significant difference at 6 months after surgery. When combining the groups to examine the influence of smoking on graft integration, nonsmokers had significantly ( P = .007) higher graft integration scores at 6 months.

Conclusion:

Large femoral condylar OCAs treated with autogenous BMC before implantation showed superior radiographic integration to bone and less sclerosis during the initial 6-month postoperative period. BMC treatment of OCAs may mitigate the failure of OCA bone healing.
Employment Management Work: A Case Study and Theoretical Framework
Authors: Halpin Brian W. , Smith Vicki
Published: July 2017

Managing employment and labor market experiences is a critical activity for virtually all adults but it is undertheorized in the sociology of work. In this article, we argue for the concept of employment management work, referring to the generic, lifelong process in which everyone in a capitalist market economy engages to some degree. To grasp the significance of employment management work, we draw on and synthesize multiple streams of literature and then analyze a set of in-depth interviews from a study of low-wage workers in an effort to bridge these literatures and to highlight salient features of a theory of employment management work.
External Validity of Electronic Sniffers for Automated Recognition of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: McKown Andrew C. , Brown Ryan M. , Ware Lorraine B. , Wanderer Jonathan P.
Published: July 2017

Introduction:

Automated electronic sniffers may be useful for early detection of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) for institution of treatment or clinical trial screening.

Methods:

In a prospective cohort of 2929 critically ill patients, we retrospectively applied published sniffer algorithms for automated detection of acute lung injury to assess their utility in diagnosis of ARDS in the first 4 ICU days. Radiographic full-text reports were searched for “edema” OR (“bilateral” AND “infiltrate”) and a more detailed algorithm for descriptions consistent with ARDS. Patients were flagged as possible ARDS if a radiograph met search criteria and had a PaO2/FiO2 or SpO2/FiO2 of 300 or 315, respectively. Test characteristics of the electronic sniffers and clinical suspicion of ARDS were compared to a gold standard of 2-physician adjudicated ARDS.

Results:

Thirty percent of 2841 patients included in the analysis had gold standard diagnosis of ARDS. The simpler algorithm had sensitivity for ARDS of 78.9%, specificity of 52%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 41%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 85.3% over the 4-day study period. The more detailed algorithm had sensitivity of 88.2%, specificity of 55.4%, PPV of 45.6%, and NPV of 91.7%. Both algorithms were more sensitive but less specific than clinician suspicion, which had sensitivity of 40.7%, specificity of 94.8%, PPV of 78.2%, and NPV of 77.7%.

Conclusions:

Published electronic sniffer algorithms for ARDS may be useful automated screening tools for ARDS and improve on clinical recognition, but they are limited to screening rather than diagnosis because their specificity is poor.
Changes in Arrest Rate as a Function of Probation and Participant Criminal History Risk: Does Probation Work Best With Lower Risk Probationers?
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine whether criminal history risk moderates the effect of probation on future reoffending. A sample of 327 participants from the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97) who had been on probation were compared with 327 propensity score matched members of the NLSY97 who had been arrested but not placed on probation. Probation and arrest data analyzed between 1999 and 2008 failed to support the presence of an overall effect for probation. When the sample was divided into higher criminal history risk (one or more prior arrests) and lower criminal history risk (no prior arrests), however, probation was found to reduce recidivism in the lower criminal history risk group but not in the higher criminal history risk group. Accordingly, probation appeared to have a small but significant ameliorative effect on future offending in lower criminal history risk offenders.
Crime, Laws, and Legalization: Perceptions of Colorado Marijuana Dispensary Owners and Managers
Authors: Ward Kyle C. , Thompson Andrew J. , Iannacchione Brian M. , Evans Mary K.
Published: July 2017

The legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado has complicated the relationships between local, state, and federal governments. Such challenges have trickled down to proprietors, managers, and employees within the new billion-dollar industry. Dispensary owners and managers often must navigate the implementation of new laws and policies in how they operate their business. The current study surveyed marijuana dispensaries across Colorado to explore owners’ and managers’ perceptions of operating their business while considering federal banking laws and concerns with state laws conflicting with federal laws, particularly in context of the 2016 presidential election.
Age Trajectories of Physical Health Among Older Adults of Mexican Descent: Implications of Immigrant Status, Age at Immigration, and Gender
Authors: Monserud Maria A.
Published: July 2017

Objective: This study examines consequences of immigrant status, age at immigration, and gender on age trajectories of activities of daily living (ADL) limitations and chronic conditions among older adults of Mexican descent. Method: This research draws on 7 waves of the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly and employs growth curve models. Results: All men had similar age trajectories of ADL limitations, regardless of immigrant status and age at immigration. All women experienced steeper increases in ADL limitations, although U.S.-born women and those who immigrated by age 19 had lower initial levels. Men who immigrated between ages 20 and 49 had steeper increases in chronic conditions, despite lower initial levels. U.S.-born women and those women who immigrated by age 50 had more chronic conditions at age 65. Discussion: This study highlights the multidimensional nature of physical health by demonstrating that immigrant status-gender disparities can vary by the health outcome examined.
Micro-electrical discharge machining of difficult-to-machine materials: A review
Authors: Prakash Ved , Kumar P , Singh PK , Hussain M , Das AK , Chattopadhyaya S
Published: July 2017

Electrical discharge machining has emerged as one of the most accepted non-traditional machining methods that have the capability of attaining complex shapes and better feature size in difficult-to-machine materials. In this article, an advanced review of conventional electrical discharge machining and micro–electrical discharge machining of difficult-to-machine materials, such as nickel and its alloys, titanium alloys, stainless steel (SUS 304) and advanced ceramics, has been presented. The review begins with an introduction to the conventional electrical discharge machining and micro–electrical discharge machining processes, followed by classifications and a brief discussion on different aspects of micro-manufacturing methods. The current research trends and developments, research gaps and challenges of the conventional electrical discharge machining and micro–electrical discharge machining of nickel and its alloys, titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V), stainless steel and advanced ceramics are also discussed in depth. A brief note on future research trends, based on the available literature, has been included in the last section.
Experimental study of the treatment measures for rail corrugation on tracks with Egg fasteners in the Beijing metro
Authors: Liu Weifeng , Zhang Hougui , Liu Weining , Thompson David J
Published: July 2017

Rail corrugation occurring on tracks fitted with Egg fasteners has become a serious problem on the newly operated lines of the Beijing metro in recent years. Investigations and field measurements show that the dominant wavelengths of corrugation are 63–100 mm, inducing dominant frequencies of vibration on the rail in the frequency range of 160–310 Hz for train speeds at 60–70 km/h. Due to the influence of the dynamic behaviour of tracks on the formation of rail corrugation, various options for changing the dynamic behaviour of the track structure can be considered as possible solutions to treat corrugation. Four treatment measures have been considered: rail grinding, adding a rubber pad within the fastener, replacing the fastener with a compression-type fastener, and installing rail dampers on the rail. Field experiments have been carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of these rail corrugation treatment measures on two lines of the Beijing metro. Frequency response functions, track decay rates, and pass-by acceleration on the rail were measured, and the development of rail roughness was monitored. Experimental results show that all the four measures are effective to control or at least slow down the development of rail corrugation on tracks with Egg fastener. Rail grinding is mostly used to limit the effects of corrugation; here, it was noted that low-amplitude corrugation on some straight lines did not reappear after rail grinding. After adding a rubber pad within the fastener, the existing corrugation reduced in amplitude, while corrugation did not reappear on a newly ground rail. Replacing the fastener with a compression-type fastener and installing rail dampers on the rail were found to slow down the development of corrugation.
Recent developments and current position of underground coal gasification
Authors: Green Michael
Published: July 2017

Underground coal gasification is a conversion and extraction process, for the production of useful synthetic product gas from an in-situ coal seam, to use in power generation, heat production or as a chemical feedstock. While many variants of the underground coal gasification process have been considered and over 75 trials performed throughout the world, the recent work has tended to focus on the control of the process, its environmental impact on underground and surface conditions and its potential for carbon capture and storage. Academic research has produced a set of mathematical models of underground coal gasification, and the European Union-supported programme has addressed the production of a decarbonised product gas for carbon capture and storage. In recent years, significant progress has been made into the modelling of tar formation, spalling, flows within the cavity and the control of minor gasification components, like BTEX and phenols, from underground coal gasification cavities (BTEX refers to the chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene). The paper reviews the most recent underground coal gasification field trial and modelling experience and refers to the pubic concern and caution by regulators that arise when a commercial or pilot-scale project seeks approval. It will propose solutions for the next generation of underground coal gasification projects. These include the need to access deeper coal seams and the use of new techniques for modelling the process.
Spain and the First World War: The Logic of Neutrality
Authors: Romero Salvadó Francisco J.
Published: July 2017

At the outbreak of the armed hostilities in Europe, the Spanish government rapidly decreed its official neutrality in the conflict. This article analyses the nature and meaning of that neutrality and the reasons for its maintenance until the bitter end. Its adoption was a logical and necessary decision given the country’s economic and military weakness and the absence of any formal treaties with the belligerent blocs. However, this article examines how neutrality was not an static concept but underwent different phases related to the evolution of the war and the domestic realm and whose impact would be decisive in exacerbating the regime’s internal tensions and accelerating its decay and crisis.
Developing a Pro-people Health Policy
Authors: Kumar Satish , Kumar Sanjiv , Mishra Amit , Yadav Madhusudan
Published: July 2017

In India, the election of a new government in 2014 with a massive mandate on the agenda of ‘change’ set in motion the process of drafting new policies in many sectors. A new health policy was also envisaged. Further impetus was provided by the emerging challenges, particularly those pertaining to high out of pocket expenditure and catastrophic expenditure on health. At the same time, global opportunities such as the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals combined with local positives such as the robust growth of healthcare industry in India and better fiscal capacity of the government also drove this ambition. The new National Health Policy 2017 is now adopted by the country and has been driven by the spirit of ‘cooperative governance’ and ‘participatory approach’. This article details these background processes involved in the development of National Health Policy 2017 for India.
Job Perceptions of Public Health Workforce in Rural Area of Yavatmal District, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Ambadekar Nitin N. , Zodpey Sanjay P. , Giri Vivekanand C. , Rajkuntwar G.K. , Sharma Anjali
Published: July 2017

Introduction:

Being a primary source for health care delivery, public health personnel shall be well trained and motivated as their performance has a strong impact on overall health system performance. There is large gap in knowledge about determinants of motivation in Indian set-up; so the present study was undertaken to understand the perceptions of health workforce regarding their job conditions and their expectations.

Material and methods:

Cross-sectional study was conducted in District Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India. Total participants were 940 which included 96 medical officers (MOs) and 844 allied health personnels (AHPs). Data collection was completed using structured self-administered questionnaire.

Results:

Highest number of MOs mentioned ‘good working relationship’ (93 per cent) while among AHPs highest participant consider ‘training opportunity’ (88 per cent) as ‘more important attribute’. Among MOs difference between expected and availability of study attributes was statistically significant for 14 attributes but none in favour of availability. In AHP group, significantly higher proportion of respondents felt that good working relationships, good income, superior recognizing good work were considered as more important attributes by fewer respondents but significantly greater proportion of respondents in AHP group felt that these attributes were present in the job.

Discussion and conclusions:

Findings suggested that for MOs motivating factors in job was related to the independence in working and recognition from superiors and patients while AHPs’ main motivational force seemed to be recognition and clarity of work. Training opportunity and congenial environment at workplace were common desirable attributes. There were few attributes which majority of health workforce considered as ‘mostly available attribute’ in their present job which leaves much scope for improvement in job conditions for health workforce in rural area.
The Stories They Tell: Understanding International Student Mobility Through Higher Education Policy
Authors: Abdullah Doria , Abd Aziz Mohd Ismail , Mohd Ibrahim Abdul Latiff
Published: July 2017

The movement of students across borders has had profound impact on higher education policy development. This article seeks to unpack international student mobility through a discourse approach, using five policy documents on international student mobility from well-established recruiters of international students. Eight headline findings are presented in this article. It was found that there are many different types of international students. Higher education institutions are located at the heart of the action, and provide a broad range of services across four distinctive stages of the students’ sojourn. Governments reaffirm their commitment in providing good higher education experience to the international student population. However, there are signs that the students’ presence has shaped higher education policies to be more service-, market-, and reputation driven. The ethics of care concept is proposed to balance the present role of higher education as “wealth creation agents,” and to ensure both institutions and students reap the benefits of international higher education.
Euthanasia: Some theological considerations for living responsibly
Authors: Goroncy Jason
Published: July 2017

This article articulates some of the main arguments both for and against euthanasia under the circumstances being envisaged by the Victorian Parliament’s Legal and Social Issues Committee. More particularly, its concern is to attend to some of the theological issues germane to the subject. To this end, it identifies and discusses six arguments for and six arguments against legalizing voluntary euthanasia. It concludes with an appeal to the economy of the divine life as the most responsible lens through which the Christian community thinks about and engages with this issue.
Evaluating Completeness of Reporting in Behavioral Interventions Pilot Trials
Authors: Bhatt Meha , Zielinski Laura , Sanger Nitika , Shams Ieta , Luo Candice , Bantoto Bianca , Shahid Hamnah , Li Guowei , Abbade Luciana P. F. , Nwosu Ikunna , Jin Yanling , Wang Mei , Chang Yaping , Sun Guangwen , Mbuagbaw Lawrence , Levine Mitchell A. H. , Adachi Jonathan D. , Thabane Lehana , Samaan Zainab
Published: July 2017

Purpose:

This systematic survey evaluates the completeness of reporting in pilot and feasibility randomized controlled trials investigating behavioral interventions based on the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) extension for pilot trials.

Methods:

The authors searched Medline/Pubmed and randomly selected 100 articles from 2012 through 2016 to determine the proportion of reported CONSORT extension items. They examined study factors related to reporting, including year and country of publication, psychotherapy intervention, multiple centers, industry funding, and journal endorsement of CONSORT.

Results:

The authors found that the mean reporting score on the CONSORT extension was 51.6% ( SD = 15.1). Studies of psychotherapy interventions had significantly higher reporting scores than other interventions (incidence rate ratio = 1.10, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.20).

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate that current reporting quality is suboptimal. Many included trials failed to provide rationale for piloting, assess feasibility objectives, or indicate clear progression to a future large trial. Reporting quality should be reevaluated following uptake of the 2016 CONSORT extension for pilot trials.
Socialization, Indifference, and Convenience: Exploring the Uptake of Influenza Vaccine Among Medical Students and Early Career Doctors
Authors: Edge Rhiannon , Goodwin Dawn , Isba Rachel , Keegan Thomas
Published: July 2017

The Chief Medical Officer recommends that all health care workers receive an influenza vaccination annually. High vaccination coverage is believed to be the best protection against the spread of influenza within a hospital, although uptake by health care workers remains low. We conducted semistructured interviews with seven medical students and nine early career doctors, to explore the factors informing their influenza vaccination decision making. Data collection and analysis took place iteratively, until theoretical saturation was achieved, and a thematic analysis was performed. Socialization was important although its effects were attenuated by participants’ previous experiences and a lack of clarity around the risks and benefits of vaccination. Many participants did not have strong intentions regarding vaccination. There was considerable disparity between an individual’s opinion of the vaccine, their intentions, and their vaccination status. The indifference demonstrated here suggests few are strongly opposed to the vaccination—there is potential to increase vaccination coverage.
Myth, Manners, and Medical Ritual: Defensive Medicine and the Fetish of Antibiotics
Authors: Broom Alex , Kirby Emma , Gibson Alexandra F. , Post Jeffrey J. , Broom Jennifer
Published: July 2017

Given the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance, the continued misuse of antibiotics is perplexing, particularly despite persistent attempts to curb usage. This issue extends beyond traditional “wastage” areas, of livestock and community medicine, to hospitals, raising questions regarding the current principles of hospital practice. Drawing on five focus group discussions, we explore why doctors act in the ways they do regarding antibiotics, revealing how practices are done, justified, and perpetuated. We posit that antibiotic misuse is better understood in terms of social relations of fear, survival and a desire for autonomy; everyday rituals, performances, and forms of professional etiquette; and the mixed obligations evident in the health sector. Moreover, that antibiotic misuse presents as a case study of the broader problematic of defensive medicine. We argue that the impending global antibiotic crisis will involve understanding how medicine is built around certain logics of practice, many that are highly resistant to change.