bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vibration analysis of smart piezoelectrically actuated nanobeams subjected to magneto-electrical field in thermal environment
Authors: Ebrahimi Farzad , Barati Mohammad Reza
Published: April 2016

In this paper, vibration characteristics of magneto-electro-thermo-elastic functionally graded (METE-FG) nanobeams is investigated in the framework of third order shear deformation theory. Magneto-electro-thermo-elastic properties of FG nanobeam are supposed to vary smoothly and continuously along the thickness based on power-law form. To capture the small size effects, Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory is adopted. By using the Hamilton’s principle, the nonlocal governing equations are derived and then solved analytically to obtain the natural frequencies of METE-FG nanobeams. The reliability of proposed model and analytical method in predicting natural frequencies of METE-FG nanobeam is evaluated with comparison to some cases in the literature. Numerical results are provided indicating the influences of several parameters including magnetic potential, external electric voltage, temperature fields, power-law exponent, nonlocal parameter and slenderness ratio on the frequencies of METE-FG nanobeams. It is found that the vibrational behavior of METE-FG nanobeams is significantly impressed by these effects.
Numerical study on the interaction of transversely oriented ridges in thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication point contacts using the Eyring shear-thinning model
Authors: Cui Jinlei , Yang Peiran , Kaneta Motohiro , Krupka Ivan
Published: April 2016

Transient behaviour of tribo-characteristics caused by transversely oriented ridges on point contact surfaces was investigated based on a thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication analysis. The ridges were assumed to exist on both the contact surfaces with different velocities. Results show that the interaction of ridges gives a large influence on the local film thickness, pressure, friction coefficient, temperatures on both the solid surfaces and temperature in the oil film. It is also pointed out that the size of the contact bodies brings strong effect on the temperature distribution and shear rate as well as on the friction coefficient. Furthermore, it is revealed that under rolling-sliding conditions, the shear-thinning property of the lubricant is negligible when the size of the contact body is large enough. However, shear-thinning effect plays an important role when the size is extremely small.
Conflict regulation in political parties
Authors: Bolleyer Nicole , von Nostitz Felix-Christopher , Smirnova Valeria
Published: April 2016

Independent party tribunals (i.e. intra-party courts) can be used by both the party leadership (e.g. to discipline members) and rank-and-file members (e.g. to challenge the leadership overstepping its authority). Thus, their study offers broad insights into party conflict regulation we know little about. Integrating the literatures on party organization, intra-party democracy and judicial politics, we propose two theoretical rationales to account for tribunal decision-making (whether a case finds tribunal support): tribunal decision-making can be theorized as shaped by elite-member divisions or, alternatively, by how verdicts affect the tribunal’s own position in the organization and organizational stability generally. We test hypotheses derived from these rationales using a new data set covering 243 tribunal decisions made over the life spans of three German parties. While both rationales are empirically relevant, the ‘organizational stability rationale’ proves particularly insightful.
What is “the patient perspective” in patient engagement programs? Implicit logics and parallels to feminist theories
Authors: Rowland Paula , McMillan Sarah , McGillicuddy Patti , Richards Joy
Published: April 2016

Public and patient involvement (PPI) in health care may refer to many different processes, ranging from participating in decision-making about one’s own care to participating in health services research, health policy development, or organizational reforms. Across these many forms of public and patient involvement, the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings remain poorly articulated. Instead, most public and patient involvement programs rely on policy initiatives as their conceptual frameworks. This lack of conceptual clarity participates in dilemmas of program design, implementation, and evaluation. This study contributes to the development of theoretical understandings of public and patient involvement. In particular, we focus on the deployment of patient engagement programs within health service organizations. To develop a deeper understanding of the conceptual underpinnings of these programs, we examined the concept of “the patient perspective” as used by patient engagement practitioners and participants. Specifically, we focused on the way this phrase was used in the singular: “the” patient perspective or “the” patient voice. From qualitative analysis of interviews with 20 patient advisers and 6 staff members within a large urban health network in Canada, we argue that “the patient perspective” is referred to as a particular kind of situated knowledge, specifically an embodied knowledge of vulnerability. We draw parallels between this logic of patient perspective and the logic of early feminist theory, including the concepts of standpoint theory and strong objectivity. We suggest that champions of patient engagement may learn much from the way feminist theorists have constructed their arguments and addressed critique.
Ritual, belief and habituation
Authors: Turner Bryan S
Published: April 2016

It is a common complaint that sociology has little regard for history. One important exception to this standard criticism is the sociology of religion of Robert N. Bellah and his ‘revival’ of Karl Jasper’s notion of the axial age. In this article, Bellah’s evolutionary notions of religion are explored within a debate about historical disjunctures and continuities. A significant challenge to the idea of the continuity of axial-age religions comes from the notion of an Anthropocene. Our relationship to nature has fundamentally changed and the possibilities for ‘improving’ the human body create a significant ontological challenge to the continuity/preservation of embodied practice as the underpinning of axial-age religions. The Anthropocene age presents a turning away from the religious legacies of the past, because biotechnical developments change not only our relationship to nature but they presage a radical change to the human body. Can the axial-age religions as our contemporaries survive the construction of hybrid post-bodies? In conclusion, insofar as there has been a ‘protestantization’ of religions with modernity involving an erosion of habitualized religion, an individualized and dis-embodied religiosity may be compatible with our anthropocenic future, but this possibility represents a discontinuity with the past and not a continuity.
Political acclamation, social media and the public mood
Authors: Dean Mitchell
Published: April 2016

This article approaches social media from the theory of the religio-political practice of acclamation revived by Agamben and following twentieth-century social and political thought and theology (of Weber, Peterson, Schmitt, Kantorowicz). It supplements that theory by more recent political-theoretical, historical and sociological investigations and regards acclamation as a ‘social institution’ following Mauss. Acclamation is a practice that forms publics, whether as the direct presence of the ‘people’, mass-mediated ‘public opinion’, or a ‘public mood’ decipherable through countless social media postings. The article surveys issues of differential geographies of access, weighting of posts, value-creation, orality and gesture, algorithmic governmentality, and Big Data and knowledge production. It argues that social media constitute a public from a mass of individualized, private postings. It concludes that they make possible forms of political calculability and action, yet are continuous with ritual and liturgical elements of political life. This study contributes to an analytics of publicity.
The Results of Pancreatic Resections and Long-Term Survival for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Single-Institution Experience
Authors: Seppänen H. , Juuti A. , Mustonen H. , Haapamäki C. , Nordling S. , Carpelan-Holmström M. , Sirén J. , Luettges J. , Haglund C. , Kiviluoto T.
Published: April 2016

Objectives:

Since the early 1990s, low long-term survival rates following pancreatic surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma have challenged us to improve treatment. In this series, we aim to show improved survival from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma during the era of centralized pancreatic surgery.

Methods:

Analysis of all pancreatic resections performed at Helsinki University Hospital and survival of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients during 2000–2013 were included. Post-operative complications such as fistulas, reoperations, and mortality rates were recorded. Patient and tumor characteristics were compared with survival data.

Results:

Of the 853 patients undergoing pancreatic surgery, 581 (68%) were pancreaticoduodenectomies, 195 (21%) distal resections, 28 (3%) total pancreatectomies, and 49 (6%) other procedures. Mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy was 2.1%. The clinically relevant B/C fistula rate was 7% after pancreaticoduodenectomy and 13% after distal resection, and the re-operation rate was 5%. The 5- and 10-year survival rates for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were 22% and 14%; for T1-2, N0 and R0 tumors, the corresponding survival rates were 49% and 31%. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 >75 kU/L, carcinoembryonic antigen >5 µg/L, N1, lymph-node ratio >20%, R1, and lack of adjuvant therapy were independent risk factors for decreased survival.

Conclusion:

After centralization of pancreatic surgery in southern Finland, we have managed to enable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients to survive markedly longer than in the early 1990s. Based on a 1.7-million population in our clinic, mortality rates are equal to those of other high-volume centers and long-term survival rates for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma have now risen to some of the highest reported.
Conceptualising violence and gender in the Brazilian context: New issues and old dilemmas
Authors: Debert Guita Grin , Gregori Maria Filomena
Published: April 2016

This article examines conceptualisations of violence against women developed in Brazilian feminism, and in legal and institutional measures against violence, from the 1980s to the present. Based on ethnographic studies carried out at the Women’s Police Stations and Special Criminal Courts, and the controversies surrounding the 2006 Brazilian Law on domestic and familial violence, the authors map the meanings of expressions such as ‘violence against women’, ‘marital violence’, ‘domestic violence’, ‘family violence’ and ‘gender violence’. The article reveals that the discourse that transforms violence into crime, in the Brazilian context, leads to semantic and institutional developments that replace an interest in politicising justice for the defence of women with the judicialisation of family relations.
A way of policy bricolage or translation: The case of Taiwan’s higher education reform of quality assurance
Authors: Hsieh Chuo-Chun
Published: April 2016

This paper focuses on the process and mechanism of higher education policy change related to quality assurance in a globalized world. In particular, the purpose of the study was to identify the impact of globalization on domestic policy change in Taiwan, characterized as a peripheral country. Taiwan’s experience in terms of developing a national quality assurance system for higher education (1975–2013) was analyzed as a case study, based on the theories of new institutionalism. The analysis showed that in the whole process of policy change, the government retained significance through playing the role of policy entrepreneur. Regarding the mechanism of policy change, both bricolage and translation were identified in the process. However, translation tended to appear in the most recent period, which saw quality assurance schemes that spread from other places adopted in the local context, albeit with considerable modification. This would imply that, even in the global context, higher education policy change could come in different forms.
Ranirestat has a stronger inhibitory activity on aldose reductase and suppresses inflammatory reactions in high glucose–exposed endothelial cells
Authors: Ishibashi Yuji , Matsui Takanori , Matsumoto Takafumi , Kato Hiroshi , Yamagishi Sho-ichi
Published: April 2016

Objective:

Under diabetic conditions, glucose is converted to sorbitol via aldose reductase, whose process could contribute to diabetic vascular complications. However, effects of aldose reductase inhibitors are modest in diabetic patients. This may be attributed to weak inhibitory activity of aldose reductase inhibitors. We compared effects of ranirestat on endothelial cell damage with those of epalrestat.

Materials and methods:

Intracellular formations of sorbitol and superoxide were measured by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry–mass spectrometry and dihydroethidium staining, respectively. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 gene expression was analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. THP-1 cell adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells was evaluated using a fluorescent probe.

Results:

High glucose significantly increased sorbitol levels, superoxide generation and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 mRNA levels in, and THP-1 cell adhesion to, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, all of which were prevented by 500 nM ranirestat, but not epalrestat except for superoxide production.

Conclusion:

Our present results suggest that ranirestat has a stronger inhibitory activity on aldose reductase than epalrestat and suppresses inflammatory reactions in high glucose–exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
Preventing Student Veteran Attrition: What More Can We Do?
Authors: Alschuler Mari , Yarab Jessica
Published: April 2016

Student veterans face many challenges when transitioning to college. This two-phase study first examined their retention and persistence through the use of archival data at one Midwestern public university. Results indicated a 50% graduation rate, comparable to the national average and above that for nonveterans at the same university. The second, phenomenological study entailed interviewing degree-seeking student veterans about personal, administrative, or academic issues related to college success. Emerging themes included (a) transitioning to civilian life; (b) managing multiple identities; (c) attitudes about civilian peers, faculty, and staff; and (d) medical or psychiatric issues that may interfere with retention or persistence. Interviewees recommended the university might help student veterans succeed by offering a faculty and student orientation on military culture, increasing interdepartmental communication within student affairs’ various offices, and expanding services provided by the campus veteran’s resource center.
Action Learning and Leadership Development
Authors: Volz-Peacock Mary , Carson Bea , Marquardt Michael
Published: April 2016

The Problem

Today organizations worldwide are faced with the growing challenge of increasing the capabilities of their leaders with less time and fewer financial resources. However, most leadership development programs are ineffective and expensive and provide little focus on the social, interpersonal, and strategic aspects of leadership. This research seeks to answer the following questions: How are leadership skills developed through action learning? How are these skills embodied and consequently transferred to the workplace?

The Solution

Action learning with a trained coach is a cost-effective approach that enables leaders to develop capabilities while working to solve urgent organizational or social problems. In essence, leaders are learning while working. This article reports on a model of action learning that was used with hundreds of organizations throughout the world for over a decade. It presents a number of action learning procedures to develop key leadership skills as identified by the individual and emphasizes the use of a trained coach.

The Stakeholders

This article provides researchers and scholarly practitioners in the field of human resource development (HRD), organizational development trainers and coaches, and organizational teams, leaders, and managers with findings that support the growing importance of action learning in the field of leadership development. Other interested parties may include people who want to solve complex social problems in our world today in efforts to really make a difference.
Evaluation of Antitumor Activity of Long-Circulating and pH-Sensitive Liposomes Containing Ursolic Acid in Animal Models of Breast Tumor and Gliosarcoma
Authors: Rocha Talita Guieiro Ribeiro , Lopes Sávia Caldeira de Araújo , Cassali Geovani Dantas , Ferreira Ênio , Veloso Emerson Soares , Leite Elaine Amaral , Braga Fernão Castro , Ferreira Lucas Antônio Miranda , Balvay Daniel , Garofalakis Anikitos , Oliveira Mônica Cristina , Tavitian Bertrand
Published: April 2016

Background. Ursolic acid (UA) is a triterpene found in different plant species, possessing antitumor activity, which may be a result of its antiangiogenic effect. However, UA has low water solubility, which limits its use because the bioavailability is impaired. To overcome this inconvenience, we developed long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes containing ursolic acid (SpHL-UA). We investigated the antiangiogenic effect of free UA and SpHL-UA in murine brain cancer and human breast tumor models by means of determination of the relative tumor volume, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), and histopathological analysis. Methods. The animals were treated with dimethyl sulfoxide in 0.9% (w/v) NaCl, free UA, long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes without drug (SpHL), or SpHL-UA. The animals were submitted to each treatment by intraperitoneal injection for 5 days. The dose of free UA or SpHL-UA was equal to 23 mg/kg. Results. Tumor growth inhibition was not observed in human breast tumor–bearing animals. For murine gliosarcoma-bearing animals, a slight tumor growth inhibition was observed in the groups treated with free UA or SpHL-UA (9% and 15%, respectively). No significant change in any of the parameters evaluated by DCE-MRI for both experimental models could be observed. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the mean values of magnetic resonance parameters of human breast tumor–bearing animals showed evidence of a possible antiangiogenic effect induced by SpHL-UA. Histopathological analysis did not present significant change for any treatment. Conclusion. SpHL-UA did not show antiangiogenic activity in a gliosarcoma model and seemed to induce an antiangiogenic effect in the human breast tumor model.
The Role of Laparoscopy in the Acute Neonatal Abdomen
Authors: Burgmeier Christine , Schier Felix
Published: April 2016

Introduction.The surgical treatment of the acute neonatal abdomen still poses a challenge in pediatric surgery. Various underlying etiologies require different surgical procedures. Until today the role of laparoscopy in the surgical treatment of the acute neonatal abdomen is controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze our experiences with laparoscopy and to perform a review of the literature. Methods. Retrospective, single-institution study including all term and preterm neonates initially undergoing laparoscopy due to an acute abdomen. Results. Altogether, 17 neonates presenting with an acute neonatal abdomen initially underwent laparoscopy. Unnecessary laparotomy could be avoided in 9 of 17 (53%) neonates. After diagnostic laparoscopy, 2 patients did not require any further surgical intervention. Eight neonates presented midgut atresia intraoperatively, 5 of them underwent laparoscopic-assisted correction. Successful laparoscopic derotation of an acute volvulus (n = 1) and laparoscopic appendectomy (n = 1) could be performed. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 8 neonates (47%) due to creation of a stoma (n = 5), multiple intestinal bands causing poor visualization (n = 2), and bowel necrosis (n = 1). Conclusions. Laparoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool to evaluate the need for further surgical intervention in the acute neonatal abdomen and enables immediate surgical treatment of acute volvulus, appendicitis, or intestinal atresia. In case of conversion to laparotomy, precise localization of the incision is guaranteed. Minimization of the surgical trauma and avoidance of unnecessary laparotomy are the most important benefits of the minimal-invasive approach for the critically ill neonate.
Safety in Numbers
Authors: King Jonathan C. , Zeh Herbert J. , Zureikat Amer H. , Celebrezze James , Holtzman Matthew P. , Stang Michael L. , Tsung Allan , Bartlett David L. , Hogg Melissa E.
Published: April 2016

Background. Robotic-assisted surgery has potential benefits over laparoscopy yet little has been published on the integration of this platform into complex surgical oncology. We describe the outcomes associated with integration of robotics into a large surgical oncology program, focusing on metrics of safety and efficiency. Methods. A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of robotic procedures from July 2009 to October 2014 identifying trends in volume, operative time, complications, conversion to open, and 90-day mortality. Results. Fourteen surgeons performed 1236 cases during the study period: thyroid (246), pancreas/duodenum (458), liver (157), stomach (56), colorectal (129), adrenal (38), cholecystectomy (102), and other (48). There were 38 conversions to open (3.1%), 230 complications (18.6%), and 13 mortalities (1.1%). From 2009 to 2014, operative volume increased (7 cases/month vs 24 cases/month; P < .001) and procedure time decreased (471 ± 166 vs 211 ± 140 minutes; P < .001) with statistically significant decreases for all years except 2014 when volume and time plateaued. Conversion to open decreased (12.1% vs 1.7%; P = .009) and complications decreased (48.5% vs 12.3%; P < .001) despite increasing complexity of cases performed. There were 13 deaths within 90 days (5/13 30-day mortality) and 2 (15.4%) were from palliative surgeries. Conclusions. Implementation of a diverse robotic surgical oncology program utilizing multiple surgeons is safe and feasible. As operative volume increased, operative time, complications, and conversions to open decreased and plateaued at approximately 3 years. No unanticipated adverse events attributable to the introduction of this platform were observed.
Does Abdominoplasty Add Morbidity to Incisional Hernia Repair? A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Moreno-Egea Alfredo , Campillo-Soto Álvaro , Morales-Cuenca German
Published: April 2016

Background. Abdominoplasty is considered an operation linked to a considerable rate of morbidity. The convenience of simultaneously performing an incisional hernia repair and an abdominoplasty remains controversial. Methods. A total of 111 patients were randomized prospectively to compare isolated incisional hernia repair and hernia repair when combined with abdominoplasty. Primary end points were in-hospital stay and early morbidity. Secondary end points were late morbidity, recurrences, and quality of life. Patients were followed-up for 24 months. Results. Duration of the surgical procedure differed significantly between both groups (39 vs 85 minutes, P < .001) and postoperative hospital stay (2.5 vs 3.5 days; P < .001). No statistically significant differences in early or late morbidity between both groups were detected. The perceived quality of life for patients was higher in the combined surgery group ( P < .001) that in the isolated hernia repair group. Conclusions. Postoperative in-hospital stay and early and late morbidity do not differ significantly between isolated incisional hernia repair and simultaneous hernia repair with abdominoplasty, but associated abdominoplasty provides a higher quality of life when indicated.
Engagement with and outcomes of a Midwifery-led intervention group for pregnant women of high body mass index
Authors: Chwah Sarah R , Reilly Amanda , Hall Beverley , O’Sullivan Anthony J , Henry Amanda
Published: April 2016

Aims

To compare pregnancy care, maternal and neonatal outcomes of women with Body Mass Index (BMI) >30 enrolled in a Weight Intervention Group versus other models of antenatal care.

Methods

Retrospective, case-control study of mothers with BMI >30 managed with a specialised programme versus age-matched women enrolled in standard models of care.

Results

One thousand, one hundred and fifteen of 9954 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies, had a BMI >30, of whom 9.6% enrolled in the intervention group. Compared to controls, the intervention group had superior implementation of local high BMI guidelines, including; nutritional /weight gain advice (86% vs. 46%, p < 0.001), regular weighing (80% vs. 33%, p < 0.001), lactation consultant referrals (8% vs. 1%, p = 0.02), third trimester anaesthetic review and ultrasound (50% vs. 20.9%, p = 0.04 and 55% vs. 43%). Initiation of breastfeeding was higher in the intervention group (100% vs. 90%, p = 0.001). No significant difference was noted in Caesarean rate (30% vs 32%) and birthweight (3538 g vs 3560 g).

Conclusions

Women with high BMI enrolled in a specialised antenatal management programme received increased care, and had superior breastfeeding initiation rates. However, engagement was poor, and no significant differences were noted in antenatal or postnatal complications, mode of birth or neonatal outcome.
How Are Standards Used, by Whom, and to What End?
Authors: Young Michelle D. , Perrone Frank
Published: April 2016

This special issue of the Journal of Research on Leadership Education presents the findings resulting from a set of studies focused on understanding how leadership preparation standards were used, by whom, and to what end. In addressing these questions, the authors reviewed how standards were used by program faculty, professional associations, states, and accrediting bodies; conducted in depth explorations of two key standards-wielding entities, licensure and accreditation; and developed exhaustive reviews of the literature informing both the content and features of educational leadership preparation. Collectively, these pieces of scholarship informed and shaped decisions concerning the forthcoming National Educational Leadership Preparation standards. Perhaps more importantly, they make clear that leadership standards, licensure, preparation, program design, and accreditation are integrally related, and as such, should be treated in a systematic way.
Stability and Change in Self-Esteem During the Transition to Parenthood
Authors: Bleidorn Wiebke , Buyukcan-Tetik Asuman , Schwaba Ted , van Scheppingen Manon A. , Denissen Jaap J. A. , Finkenauer Catrin
Published: April 2016

The present longitudinal study used data from 187 newlywed couples to examine the impact of the birth of the first child on self-esteem over the course of the first 5 years of marriage. Results suggest that the birth of the first child is associated with changes in parents’ (especially mothers’) self-esteem. For the average parent, these changes were negative with sudden declines in self-esteem in the year after childbirth and continuing gradual decreases throughout the remaining years of the study. A comparison group of couples who did not have children during the research period showed no changes in self-esteem, suggesting that the results seen in the parent sample may indeed be due to the birth of the first child. Discussion focuses on the implications of the results for theory and research on the development of the self-esteem.
Nonmedical prescribing: where are we now?
Authors: Cope Louise C. , Abuzour Aseel S. , Tully Mary P.
Published: April 2016

Nonmedical prescribing has been allowed in the United Kingdom (UK) since 1992. Its development over the past 24 years has been marked by changes in legislation, enabling the progression towards independent prescribing for nurses, pharmacists and a range of allied health professionals. Although the UK has led the way regarding the introduction of nonmedical prescribing, it is now seen in a number of other Western-European and Anglophone countries although the models of application vary widely between countries. The programme of study to become a nonmedical prescriber (NMP) within the UK is rigorous, and involves a combination of taught curricula and practice-based learning. Prescribing is a complex skill that is high risk and error prone, with many influencing factors. Literature reports regarding the impact of nonmedical prescribing are sparse, with the majority of prescribing research tending to focus instead on prescribing by doctors. The impact of nonmedical prescribing however is important to evaluate, and can be carried out from several perspectives. This review takes a brief look back at the history of nonmedical prescribing, and compares this with the international situation. It also describes the processes required to qualify as a NMP in the UK, potential influences on nonmedical prescribing and the impact of nonmedical prescribing on patient opinions and outcomes and the opinions of doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Social media and the social sciences: How researchers employ Big Data analytics
Authors: Felt Mylynn
Published: April 2016

Social media posts are full of potential for data mining and analysis. Recognizing this potential, platform providers increasingly restrict free access to such data. This shift provides new challenges for social scientists and other non-profit researchers who seek to analyze public posts with a purpose of better understanding human interaction and improving the human condition. This paper seeks to outline some of the recent changes in social media data analysis, with a focus on Twitter, specifically. Using Twitter data from a 24-hour period following The Sisters in Spirit Candlelight Vigil, sponsored by the Native Women’s Association of Canada, this article compares three free-use Twitter application programming interfaces for capturing tweets and enabling analysis. Although recent Twitter data restrictions limit free access to tweets, there are many dynamic options for social scientists to choose from in the capture and analysis of Twitter and other social media platform data. This paper calls for critical social media data analytics combined with traditional, qualitative methods to address the developing ‘data gold rush.’
Revisiting Mobility Limitations of Seniors in Singapore, 1995 to 2011
Authors: Kang Soon-Hock , Yong Vanessa , Chan Angelique , Saito Yasuhiko
Published: April 2016

Singapore’s life expectancy at birth and at age 65 continues to improve. Although this is a positive development, it is necessary to understand how much of this increased life expectancy is spent with and without mobility limitations. This research uses the latest round of the National Survey of Senior Citizens to examine the situation in 2011 and the possible changes that may have occurred since the last survey in 2005. It seeks to add to earlier research in this area in Singapore and uses the prevalence-based Sullivan method to calculate lifetime free of mobility limitations for this population. Pertinent conclusions drawn from this research include evidence pointing to changing prevalence rates among the older adult population and observations that suggest the possibility of a compression of morbidity for this population in 2011 compared with an expansion of morbidity observed in the previous survey conducted in 2005. The research also shows that women continue to be disadvantaged as they age compared with men.
Aggressive Behaviors and Verbal Communication Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: De Giacomo Andrea , Craig Francesco , Terenzio Vanessa , Coppola Annamaria , Campa Maria Gloria , Passeri Gianfranco
Published: April 2016

Aggressive behavior is a common problem among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and could negatively affect family functioning and school and social competence. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between aggressive behavior, such as self-aggression and other-aggression, with verbal communication ability and IQ level in children with ASD. The sample examined in this study included 88 children with a diagnosis of ASD. For the purposes of our study, much attention was focused on individual items of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised that were useful to evaluate the aggressive behavior. We have not found any association between aggressive behavior (other-aggression and self-aggression) and the absence of language or low IQ in children with ASD. Thus, the degree of severity of autism is probably the most important risk factor for this behavior.
Mall Models
Authors: Walters Kyla
Published: April 2016

Corporate branding strategies entail showcasing a store’s “look” using retail workers’ bodies. In this research note, I describe how clothing chain Abercrombie & Fitch embeds its brand of sexuality onto visible retail workers—employees the company long referred to as “models.” Drawing on interview and observational research, I examine their labor practices of cultivating workers’ appearances by imposing their employee “look policy,” recruiting workers for “the look,” stratifying employees based on appearance, employing shirtless greeters, and creating a shopping environment that encourages customers to sexually harass workers. The discussion highlights the discriminatory nature of these labor practices and resulting negative experiences for workers.
Key paediatric messages from Amsterdam
Authors: Grigg Jonathan , Barben Jürg , Bohlin Kajsa , Everard Mark L. , Hall Graham , Pijnenburg Mariëlle , Priftis Kostas N. , Rusconi Franca , Midulla Fabio
Published: April 2016

The Paediatric Assembly of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) maintained its high profile at the 2015 ERS International Congress in Amsterdam. There were symposia on preschool wheeze, respiratory sounds and cystic fibrosis; an educational skills workshop on paediatric respiratory resuscitation; a hot topic session on risk factors and early origins of respiratory diseases; a meet the expert session on paediatric lung function test reference values; and the annual paediatric grand round. In this report the Chairs of the Paediatric Assembly's Groups highlight the key messages from the abstracts presented at the Congress.
Spatiotemporal gait parameters and plantar pressure distribution during barefoot walking in people with gout and asymptomatic hyperuricemia: comparison with healthy individuals with normal serum urate concentrations
Authors: Stewart Sarah , Dalbeth Nicola , Vandal Alain C. , Rome Keith
Published: April 2016

Background

To identify spatiotemporal gait parameters and plantar pressure distribution during barefoot walking in people with gout and people with asymptomatic hyperuricemia by comparing them to healthy individuals with normal serum urate concentrations.

Methods

Eighty‐seven participants were included: 24 with gout, 29 with asymptomatic hyperuricemia and 34 age‐ and sex‐matched normouricemic control participants. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait were assessed during level barefoot walking using a GAITRite® walkway. Peak plantar pressure and pressure time integrals were recorded using a TekScan MatScan®. Results were adjusted for age and body mass index.

Results

Compared to normouricemic control participants, participants with gout demonstrated increased step time (P = 0.022) and stance time (P = 0.022), and reduced velocity (P = 0.050). Participants with gout also walked with decreased peak pressure at the heel (P = 0.012) and hallux (P = 0.036) and increased peak pressure (P < 0.001) and pressure time integrals (P = 0.005) at the midfoot. Compared to normouricemic control participants, participants with asymptomatic hyperuricemia demonstrated increased support base (P = 0.002), double support time (P < 0.001) and cadence (P = 0.028) and reduced swing time (P = 0.019) and single support time (P = 0.020) as well as increased pressure at the midfoot (P = 0.013), first metatarsal (P = 0.015) and second metatarsal (P = 0.007).

Conclusion

During barefoot walking, people with gout walk slower with plantar pressure patterns suggestive of apropulsive and antalgic gait strategies. Individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia also demonstrate altered barefoot gait patterns when compared to normouricemic control participants. Clinicians may consider dynamic gait outcomes when assessing and managing foot and lower limb related pain and disability in individuals with gout and asymptomatic hyperuricemia.
A Schauder-type theorem for discontinuous operators with applications to second-order BVPs
Authors: Figueroa Rubén , Infante Gennaro
Published: April 2016

We prove a new fixed point theorem of Schauder type, which applies to discontinuous operators in noncompact domains. In order to do so, we present a modification of a recent Schauder-type theorem of Pouso. We apply our result to second-order boundary value problems with discontinuous nonlinearities. We include an example to illustrate our theory.
Neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury resistant to conventional therapies - case report
Authors: Daszkiewicz Andrzej , Gierlotka Zbigniew , Nierodziński Wojciech , Misiołek Aleksandra , Misiołek Hanna
Published: April 2016

Cel

U części chorych z bólem neuropatycznym leczenie jest nieskuteczne, mimo, iż jest zgodnie z aktualnymi zaleceniami. W tej grupie chorych mogą być skuteczne alternatywne metody leczenia, takie jak hipnoza.

Metoda

W pracy przedstawiono przypadek 58 letniego mężczyzny z ośrodkowym bólem neuropatycznym, który rozwinął się po urazie rdzenia kręgowego w odcinku szyjnym. Farmakoterapia z zastosowaniem leków przeciwpadaczkowych (łącznie z gabapentoidami), leków przeciwdepresyjnych (trójcyklicznych oraz wybiórczych inhibitorów serotoniny i noradrenaliny) i opioidowych leków przeciwbólowych była nieskuteczna. Podjęto decyzję o inwazyjnym leczeniu bólu. Została założona elektroda do stymulacji czasowej splotu trzewnego i podjęto próbę neuromodulacji, niestety nieskuteczną. Po ponownej ocenie pacjent został skierowany do konsultacji psychiatrycznej do specjalisty stosującego hipnozę w swojej praktyce.

Wyniki

Psychiatra zakwalifikował chorego do leczenia bólu z zastosowaniem hipnozy. Po kilku sesjach hipnotycznych natężenie bólu w oceniane w numerycznej skali bólu (numerical rating scale - NRS) zmniejszyło się z 7 punktów NRS do 5 punktów NRS. Ból o tym natężeniu stał się dla chorego bólem do zaakceptowania.

Wnioski

U niektórych chorych hipnoza może być skuteczną metodą leczenia bólu neuropatycznego.
Elective cesarean section on psychiatric indications – the phenomenon analysis, report of two cases and psychiatric clinical recommendations
Authors: Holka-Pokorska Justyna , Jarema Marek , Stefanowicz Artur , Piróg-Balcerzak Agnieszka , Wichniak Adam
Published: April 2016

Cel

Dotychczas nie opracowano w Polsce standardów dotyczących sposobów rozwiązania ciąży u pacjentek z zaburzeniami psychicznymi. Najczęstsze rozpoznanie psychiatryczne omawiane w polskim piśmiennictwie w kontekście wskazań do rozwiązania ciąży za pomocą elektywnego cięcia cesarskiego stanowi tokofobia. W ostatnich badaniach potwierdzono, że lęk przed porodem, w nasileniu, które wymagało interwencji medycznej stanowi istotny predyktor wystąpienia depresji poporodowej. W innych badaniach wykazano, że porody zabiegowe w trybie nagłym powodują długo utrzymujące się objawy stresu pourazowego. Celem niniejszego opracowania jest omówienie uwarunkowań różnych zaburzeń psychicznych, które mogą stanowić psychiatryczne wskazania do planowego ukończenia ciąży poprzez cięcie cesarskie.

Metoda

Przeglądu literatury dokonano za pośrednictwem bazy MEDLINE w oparciu o słowa kluczowe ‘mental health, mode of delivery, caesarean section, psychiatric indications for caesarean section’. W analizie uwzględniono w pierwszej kolejności prace dotyczące badań populacyjnych oraz prace istotne z punktu widzenia ewentualnych decyzji klinicznych dotyczących ustalania psychiatrycznych wskazań do cięcia cesarskiego.

Wyniki

Psychiatryczne wskazania dotyczące preferowanego rodzaju porodu ustalane są indywidualnie. Opierają się głównie na ocenie zdolności współpracy pacjentki z zaburzeniami psychicznymi z personelem położniczym, podczas porodu siłami natury. Drugi obszar wskazań psychiatrycznych warunkujących sposób rozwiązania ciąży dotyczy sytuacji występowania silnego lęku przed porodem, który wpływa na konieczność konsultacji psychiatrycznej w ostatnim trymestrze ciąży lub w okresie okołoporodowym.

Wnioski

Prowadzenie ciąży kobiet z objawami zaburzeń psychicznych wymaga ścisłej współpracy położników z psychiatrami wyspecjalizowanymi w tematyce zaburzeń psychicznych związanych ze stanem somatycznym. Współpraca powinna prowadzić do wyważonego postępowania mającego na celu zapobieganie zarówno położniczym, jak i psychiatrycznym powikłaniom podczas prowadzenia ciąży i porodu kobiet z objawami zaburzeń psychicznych.
Autotelic vs instrumental motivation of doctors and their medical specialty choice in relation to sense of coherence.
Authors: Jabłoński Marcin , Szot-Parda Magdalena , Grzegorek Tomasz , Prusak Jacek , Jach Robert , Posadzka Ewa
Published: April 2016

Cel

Poznanie, analiza i porównanie, w kategoriach: autoteliczna - nieautoteliczna, motywacji do wyboru przyszłej specjalizacji medycznej przez młodych lekarzy na tle ich poczucia koherencji.

Metoda

Badanie przeprowadzono techniką ankietową. Objęto nim grupę 86 absolwentów wydziału lekarskiego CMUJ, którzy odbywali staże podyplomowe w Klinice Hematologii i Klinice Ginekologii Onkologicznej CMUJ oraz w Szpitalu im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Krakowie w w latach 2010-2012. Analizy statystyczne wykonano w programie IBM SPSS Statistics 21. Przyjęto poziom istotności alfa=0,05.

Wyniki

Wykazano, że u młodych lekarzy, częściej występuje autoteliczny typ motywacji. Ujawniono istnienie związku pomiędzy płcią męską ankietowanych i autotelicznym typem motywacji. Wykazano związek poczucia koherencji i jego składowej zrozumiałość z męską płcią ankietowanych. Wykazano związek składowej sensowność poczucia koherencji z deklaracją wyboru specjalizacji zabiegowej.

Wnioski

Motywacji autoteliczna przeważa przy wyborze specjalizacji lekarskiej, a przewaga ta jest bardziej wyraźna u mężczyzn niż kobiet. Składowa „sensowność” poczucia koherencji może pełnić regulacyjną rolę w podejmowaniu decyzji zawodowych związanych z większym obciążeniem fizycznym i psychicznym lekarzy. Ujawnione różnice w rodzajach motywacji i wielkości składowych poczucia koherencji w grupach ankietowanych lekarzy: mężczyzn i kobiet zachęcają do dalszych obserwacji tych zależności z udziałem większej populacji.
Family caregivers’ experiences with healthcare services - a case of Huntington disease
Authors: Domaradzki Jan
Published: April 2016

Cel

Pomimo rosnącego zainteresowania badaczy zdrowotnymi i psychospołecznymi konsekwencjami, jakie niesie ze sobą sprawowanie opieki nad osobą dotkniętą chorobą Huntingtona (HD) nadal niewiele wiadomo na temat opiekunów rodzinnych pacjentów z HD w Polsce. Jednocześnie, choć wiele badań koncentruje się na potrzebach, jakości życia i obciążeniu opiekunów, niejednokrotnie pomija się ich doświadczenia z systemem opieki medycznej. Stąd celem tekstu jest przedstawienie wyników badań nad postrzeganiem opieki medycznej dla osób z HD przez opiekunów rodzinnych.

Metoda

Badanie przeprowadzono między sierpniem a grudniem 2014 roku wśród 55 opiekunów rodzinnych osób z HD. Respondenci zostali zaproszeni do badania poprzez Polskie Stowarzyszenie Choroby Huntingtona oraz internetowe forum dyskusyjne dla osób z HD i ich opiekunów. Materiał do badań został zebrany za pomocą półustrukturyzowango wywiadu indywidualnego i poddany analizie tematycznej.

Wyniki

Analiza zebranego materiału ukazała cztery główne wątki tematyczne: 1. Brak wiedzy lekarzy na temat HD; 2. Negatywne doświadczenia opiekunów z personelem medycznym; 3. Brak wsparcia emocjonalnego i 4. Ogólny brak satysfakcji z opieki medycznej. Opiekunowie wyrażali niezadowolenie z powody ignorancji lekarzy na temat HD i wyrażali przekonanie, że nie okazują im oni należytego wsparcia. Czuli się także opuszczeni przez system i wyrażali ogólny brak zaufania do jakości opieki medycznej.

Wnioski

Przedstawione badanie wskazują na pilną potrzebę wzmożonej opieki i wsparcia emocjonalnego opiekunów rodzinnych osób z HD. Pracownicy opieki medyczne i socjalni powinni stale monitorować zdrowie psychiczne opiekunów, identyfikować źródła ich stresu i wspomagać w opanowaniu skutecznych strategii radzenia sobie ze stresem.
Editorial
Authors: Dudek Dominika , Sobański Jerzy , Klasa Katarzyna
Published: April 2016

bez streszczenia
Effect of Organic Fertilization Treatment, Frying Oil and Cultivar Variety on the Volatile Profile of Potato Tubers
Authors: Nikolaou A. , Varzakas T , Kourkoutas Y
Published: April 2016

The effect of organic fertilization and frying oil (olive, soybean and corn oil) on the volatiles’ profile of three potato cultivars (Voyager, Spunta and Lady Rosetta) was studied. During cultivation, nine treatments (T) involving the combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization were applied: T1: control treatment; T2: N1, P1, K1; T3: N1, P1, K2; T4: N1, P2, K1; T5: N1, P2, K2; T6: N2, P1, K1; T7: N2, P1 K2; T8: N2, P2, K1; and T9: N2, P2, K2, where Ν1=1.3 g Ν per plant; N2=2.0 g Ν per plant; P1=3.1 g P2O5 per plant; P2=5.2 g P2O5 per plant; Κ1= 4.0 g K2O per plant; and Κ2= 6.6 g K2O per plant. The main volatile compounds identified by HS-SPME GC/MS analysis were esters, alcohols, carbonyl compounds and hydrocarbons. Principal Component Analysis revealed that nitrogen fertilization affected the volatiles’ profile only when high fertilization of P2O5 (5.2 g/plant) and K2O (6.6 g/plant) was applied.
The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilisation and Metabolic Regulators SNRK1, GCN2 on the Formation of Acrylamide in two Potato Varieties (Spunta and Lady Rosetta) Fried in Corn Oil
Authors: Argyropoulos D , Psallida Ch , Varzakas T
Published: April 2016

The effect of nitrogen fertilization and metabolic regulators SNRK 1, GCN 2 on the formation of acrylamide in two potato varieties (Spunta and Lady Rosetta) fried in corn oil was studied. For this study, the effect of cultivation treatments involving the combination of two levels of nitrogen during potato cultivation [treatment 1: N1=300mg/kg of soil, treatment 2: N2=600mg/kg of soil)] was analysed in relation to the mRNA expression of the genes SnRK1 and GCN2 and acrylamide formation. Results indicated that increased concentrations of nitrogen fertilization caused a reduction in mRNA expression of SnRK1 and GCN2 genes for both varieties. An increase in nitrogen fertilization caused a reduction in expression of SnRK1 gene and in reducing sugar formation; while mRNA expression for GCN2 decreased and total soluble protein and acrylamide formation increased. Increased expression of SnRK1 and GCN2 genes was observed at low fertilization (low nitrogen) accompanied with a reduction in acrylamide concentration in both varieties. On the contrary, while increased nitrogen resulted in lower levels of reducing sugars but higher protein levels, higher acrylamide levels were observed attributed to increased amino acid levels and specifically asparagine.
Facial enhancement starts with skin rejuvenation and maintenance
Authors: Manning Victoria
Published: April 2016

Today's aesthetic clinics feature a vast range of non-surgical facial aesthetic procedures on their treatment menus. From laser and light modalities to chemical peels and platelet-rich plasma, there are several options for practitioners to endorse to improve the appearance of their patients' skin. Victoria Manning highlights the role of rejuvenating skin treatments in facial enhancement