bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Experience in Somali Women: Their Wishes, Knowledge and Attitude
Authors: Adigüzel Cevdet , Baş Yılmaz , Erhan Mehmet Deniz , Gelle Maimuna Abdi
Published: September 2018

Background: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a common sociocultural practice in many communities in Africa. Unfortunately, what females are forced to accept because they are helpless, in order to be an individual in social life and in the country they live in, is an important health issue that is not only harmful to the human body but also against human rights. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the wishes, knowledge and attitude of Somali women regarding FMG/C. Methods: From 16 regions of Somalia, 356 women were randomly selected. A structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: Except for one, all women participating in the survey were circumcised. A significant proportion of women embraced the continuation of FGM/C (52%) and 54.2% of them were satisfied with being FMG/C. Their knowledge, attitude, and practices were shaped by their religion and traditions. However, the proportion of those who wanted to stop FGM/C was 91%. Conclusions: Further efforts and research from different countries, cultures, beliefs, organizations, and individuals focusing on knowledge, awareness, legalization, and the opinions of lay and religious individuals, particularly including women’s rights activists, and women with FGM/C, are needed to stop FGM/C, also known as female circumcision.
Extended Techniques of Minimally Invasive Surgery in the Retroperitoneum: Practice Pattern in German Urology Departments
Authors: Hupe Marie C. , Kramer Mario W. , Ozimek Tomasz , Merseburger Axel S. , Imkamp Florian
Published: September 2018

Introduction: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS), robot-assisted (RA), and retroperitoneoscopic (R) surgery expand the armamentarium of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). As information on the use of these surgical approaches in daily routine is limited, we conducted a survey among German urologists. Materials and Methods: In 2017, all urology departments in Germany received a questionnaire evaluating practice patterns of MIS in the retroperitoneum. Chi-Square test was performed for statistical analyses. The response rate was 51.1% (162/311) including 23 universities. Results: R adrenalectomy and (partial) nephrectomy are performed by 32.7–40.1% of all departments. Transperitoneal LESS adrenalectomy and nephrectomy are performed by 8.6–11.7%. Retroperitoneal RA adrenalectomy and (partial) nephrectomy are performed by 6.2–13.0%. There was no difference in the R and LESS approach between (non)-university departments. Retroperitoneal RA access is more frequently used in university hospitals (all p < 0.01). If performed, mean counts within the last 12 months were < 5 for R, LESS, and RA adrenalectomy; and < 20 for R, LESS, and RA (partial) nephrectomy. Conclusion: Our survey provides a detailed insight into MIS in the retroperitoneum in German urology departments. Numbers of adrenalectomies as well as R, transperitoneal LESS and retroperitoneal RA procedures are low. Retroperitoneal RA surgery is more common in universities. Comprehensively, our survey proves that these approaches are not standard approaches yet.
Copy Number Alterations with Prognostic Potential in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Maruschke Matthias , Koczan Dirk , Ziems Björn , Hakenberg Oliver W.
Published: September 2018

Objectives: To detect chromosomal aberrations in a genome-wide manner with potential value for prognosis in groups of patients with different histopathological grading in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC). Material and Methods: We performed a copy number alteration analysis using the Affymetrix platform and SNP 6.0 mapping arrays with samples from 48 ccRCC-patients. The data analysis was done using 3 different Software Platforms: Affymetrix Genotyping Console (version 4.1.3.840) and 2 open-source packages for validation: PennCNV and PICNIC. Results: Consistent changes were found to divide the tumors into 4 groups: first group showed typical losses on 3p, second group losses on 3p plus gains on 5q, third group gains on chromosome 7 plus losses on chromosome 8; fourth group did not show any major changes. We selected the affected genes with the highest consistency and identified 13 different genes mapping in the SNP 6.0 results and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Remarkable for further consideration were the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway, BRAF, MET, EGLN1; growth factors, for example, HGF, PGF and TGFB2. Conclusion: A multimodal approach with a well-defined workflow for detecting genomic aberrations by using array technologies and comparing the findings with different comprehensive databases may provide insights into functional tumor processes and help to identify potential new targets for more individualized future treatment.
Towards an Organ-Sparing Approach for Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer
Authors: van der Wilk Berend Jan , Eyck Ben M. , Spaander Manon C.W. , Valkema Roelf , Lagarde Sjoerd M. , Wijnhoven Bas P.L. , van Lanschot J. Jan B.
Published: September 2018

Background: Active surveillance after neoadjuvant therapies has emerged among several malignancies. During active surveillance, frequent assessments are performed to detect residual disease and surgery is only reserved for those patients in whom residual disease is proven or highly suspected without distant metastases. After neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), nearly one-third of esophageal cancer patients achieve a pathologically complete response (pCR). Both patients that achieve a pCR and patients that harbor subclinical disseminated disease after nCRT could benefit from an active surveillance strategy. Summary: Esophagectomy is still the cornerstone of treatment in patients with esophageal cancer. Non-surgical treatment via definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) is currently reserved only for patients not eligible for esophagectomy. Since salvage esophagectomy after dCRT (50–60 Gy) results in increased complications, morbidity and mortality compared to surgery after nCRT (41.4 Gy), the latter seems preferable in the setting of active surveillance. Clinical response evaluations can detect substantial (i.e., tumor regression grade [TRG] 3–4) tumors after nCRT with a sensitivity of 90%, minimizing the risk of development of non-resectable recurrences. Current scarce and retrospective literature suggests that active surveillance following nCRT might not jeopardize overall survival and postponed surgery could be performed safely. Key Message: Before an active surveillance approach could be considered standard treatment, results of phase III randomized trials should be awaited.
Ophiopogonin D Reduces Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Upregulating CYP2J3/EETs in Rats
Authors: Huang Xiaoyan , Wang Yuguang , Wang Yi , Yang Liang , Wang Jia , Gao Yue
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are cytochrome P450 epoxygenase (CYP) metabolites of arachidonic acid and have multiple cardiovascular effects. Ophiopogonin D (OP-D) is an important effective monomeric component in Shenmai injection (SM-I). Both have been reported to have a variety of biological functions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects. We previously demonstrated that OP-D–mediated cardioprotection involves activation of CYP2J2/3 and enhancement of circulating EETs levels in vitro and can be developed as a novel drug for the therapy of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury. We therefore hypothesized that the protective effects of OP-D and SM-I against MI/R injury are associated with increased expression of CYP2J3 and enhanced circulating 11,12-EET levels in vivo. Methods: A rat model of MI/R injury was generated by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 40 min, followed by reperfusion for 2 h to determine the protective effects and potential mechanisms of OP-D and SM-I. Electrocardiogram and ultrasonic cardiogram were used to evaluate cardiac function; 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride was used to measure myocardial infarct size; hematoxylin and eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the morphology of myocardial tissue; and the expression of related proteins in the mechanistic study was observed by western blot analysis. Results: We found that OP-D and SM-I exert protective effects on MI/R injury, including regulation of cardiac function, reduction of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase production, attenuation of myocardial infarct size, and improvement of the recovery of damaged myocardial structures. We found that OP-D and SM-I activate CYP2J3 expression and increase levels of circulating 11,12-EET in MI/R-injured rats. Conclusion: We tested the hypothesis that the cardioprotective effects of OP-D and SM-I on MI/R injury are associated with increased expression of CYP2J3 and enhanced circulating 11,12-EET levels in rats. Taken together, our results show that the effects of OP-D and SM-I were also mediated by the activation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway, while inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects were involved in the cardioprotective effects of OP-D and SM-I.
Effects of Intensive Systolic Blood Pressure Lowering on Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Standard Glycemic Control and in Those Without Diabetes Mellitus: Reconciling Results From ACCORD BP and SPRINT
Authors: Beddhu Srinivasan , Chertow Glenn M. , Greene Tom , Whelton Paul K. , Ambrosius Walter T. , Cheung Alfred K. , Cutler Jeffrey , Fine Lawrence , Boucher Robert , Wei Guo , Zhang Chong , Kramer Holly , Bress Adam P. , Kimmel Paul L. , Oparil Suzanne , Lewis Cora E. , Rahman Mahboob , Cushman William C.
Published: September 2018

Background

Intensive systolic blood pressure (
SBP
) lowering significantly reduced cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) events in SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) but not in ACCORD BP (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Blood Pressure).

Methods and Results

SPRINT
tested the effects of intensive (<120 mm Hg) versus standard (<140 mm Hg)
SBP
goals on
CVD
events and all‐cause mortality. Using 2×2 factorial design,
ACCORD BP
tested the same
SBP
intervention in addition to an intensive versus standard glycemia intervention. We compared the effects of intensive
SBP
lowering on the composite
CVD
end point and all‐cause mortality in
SPRINT
with its effects within each of the glycemia arms in
ACCORD BP
. Intensive
SBP
lowering decreased the hazard of the composite
CVD
end point similarly in
SPRINT
(hazard ratio: 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.64–0.89) and in the
ACCORD BP
standard glycemia arm (hazard ratio: 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.63–0.95; interaction
P
=0.87). However, the effect of intensive
SBP
lowering on the composite
CVD
end point in the
ACCORD BP
intensive glycemia arm (hazard ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.83–1.29) was significantly different from
SPRINT
(interaction
P
=0.023). Patterns were similar for all‐cause mortality.

Conclusions

The effects of intensive
SBP
control on
CVD
events and all‐cause mortality were similar in patients without diabetes mellitus and in those with diabetes mellitus on standard glycemic control. An interaction between intensive
SBP
lowering and intensive glycemic control may have masked beneficial effects of intensive
SBP
lowering in
ACCORD BP
.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifiers:
NCT
01206062,
NCT
00000620.
A Joint Model of Conversational Discourse and Latent Topics on Microblogs
Authors: Li Jing , Song Yan , Wei Zhongyu , Wong Kam-Fai
Published: September 2018

Conventional topic models are ineffective for topic extraction from microblog messages, because the data sparseness exhibited in short messages lacking structure and contexts results in poor message-level word co-occurrence patterns. To address this issue, we organize microblog messages as conversation trees based on their reposting and replying relations, and propose an unsupervised model that jointly learns word distributions to represent: (1) different roles of conversational discourse, and (2) various latent topics in reflecting content information. By explicitly distinguishing the probabilities of messages with varying discourse roles in containing topical words, our model is able to discover clusters of discourse words that are indicative of topical content. In an automatic evaluation on large-scale microblog corpora, our joint model yields topics with better coherence scores than competitive topic models from previous studies. Qualitative analysis on model outputs indicates that our model induces meaningful representations for both discourse and topics. We further present an empirical study on microblog summarization based on the outputs of our joint model. The results show that the jointly modeled discourse and topic representations can effectively indicate summary-worthy content in microblog conversations.
KIMA: The Wheel–Voice Turned into Vision: A Participatory, Immersive Visual Soundscape Installation
Authors: Gingrich Oliver , Emets Evgenia , Renaud Alain , Soraghan Sean , Ablanedo Dario Villanueva
Published: September 2018

Over the last five years, KIMA, an art and research project on sound and vision, has investigated visual properties of sound. Previous iterations of KIMA focused on digital representations of cymatics—physical sound patterns—as media for performance. The most recent development incorporated neural networks and machine learning strategies to explore visual expressions of sound in participatory music creation. The project, displayed on a 360-degree canvas at the London Roundhouse, prompted the audience to explore their own voice as intelligent, real-time visual representation. Machine learning algorithms played a key role in meaningful interpretation of sound as visual form. The resulting immersive performance turned the audience into cocreators of the piece.
The Moral Priorities of Rap Listeners
Authors: Nzinga Kalonji L.K. , Medin Douglas L.
Published: September 2018

A cross-cultural approach to moral psychology starts from researchers withholding judgments about universal right and wrong and instead exploring what the members of a community subjectively perceive to be moral or immoral in their local context. This study seeks to identify the moral concerns that are most relevant to listeners of hip-hop music. We use validated psychological surveys including the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (Graham, Haidt, & Nosek 2009) to assess which moral concerns are most central to hip-hop listeners. Results show that hip-hop listeners prioritize concerns of justice and authenticity more than non-listeners and deprioritize concerns of respecting authority. These results suggest that the concept of the “good person” within hip-hop culture is fundamentally a person that is oriented towards social justice, rebellion against the status quo, and a deep devotion to keeping it real. Results are followed by a discussion of the role of youth subcultures in moral socialization.
Spirit Hermeneutics or Biblical Interpretation by Any Other Name
Authors: Waddell Robby
Published: September 2018

Within the guild of Pentecostal Studies, few topics have received more attention than biblical hermeneutics. Craig Keener, F.M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, makes a significant contribution to this discussion with the publication of his book, Spirit Hermeneutics: Reading Scripture in the Light of Pentecost. Giving a priority to contextually sensitive, socio-historical methodologies, Keener attempts to define hermeneutics broadly in order to include most confessional perspectives. Indeed, he writes that Spirit Hermeneutics is Christian Hermeneutics. While such an inclusive move is admirable, it begs the question about the existence and viability of a distinctive hermeneutic for Pentecostals and Charismatics. This article reviews Keener’s argument and makes a case for a more distinctive hermeneutical theory.
Procedural Justice and the Fair Trial in Contemporary Chinese Criminal Justice
Authors: Nesossi Elisa , Trevaskes Susan
Published: September 2018

This review examines the literature on procedural justice and the fair trial over the past two decades in the People’s Republic of China. Part 1 gives a wide-angle view of the key political events and developments that have shaped the experience of procedural justice and the fair trial in contemporary China. It provides a storyline that explains the political environment in which these concepts have developed over time. Part 2 examines how scholars understand the legal structures of the criminal process in relation to China’s political culture. Part 3 presents scholarly views on three enduring problems relating to the fair trial: the presumption of innocence, interrogational torture, and the role of lawyers in the criminal trial process.

Procedural justice is a particularly pertinent issue today in China, because Xi Jinping’s yifa zhiguo 依法治国 (governing the nation in accordance with the law) governance platform seeks to embed a greater appreciation for procedural justice in criminal justice decision-making, to correct a politicolegal tradition overwhelmingly focused on substantive justice. Overall, the literature reviewed in this article points to the serious limitations in overcoming the politicolegal barriers to justice reforms that remain intact in the system, despite nearly four decades of constant reform.
The matchstick grasshopper genus Warramaba (Morabidae: Morabinae): a description of four new species and a photographic guide to the group
Authors: KEARNEY MICHAEL R.
Published: September 2018

Matchstick grasshoppers are a unique and diverse element of Australia’s insect fauna with great potential as a model system for ecological, evolutionary and biogeographical studies. The genus Warramaba comprises four bisexual species. It is of special interest from an evolutionary point of view because two parthenogenetic lineages (the Standard and Boulder-Zanthus phylads of W. virgo) have evolved through hybridization events between two of the sexual species. Despite the extensive genetic and systematic work that has been done on this genus, three of the bisexual species are yet to be formally named (P196, P169 and P125) and no key exists for their identification. Here I formally describe these species, respectively, as W. whitei sp. nov., W. flavolineata sp. nov. and W. grandis sp. nov. and split the parthenogenetic species W. virgo into two distinct species (the addition of W. ngadju sp. nov.). I also provide a photographic guide and key to the identification of all species in the genus.
The genus Zelentia is an amphi-boreal taxon expanded to include three new species from the North Pacific and Atlantic oceans (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia: Trinchesiidae)
Authors: KORSHUNOVA TATIANA , FLETCHER KARIN , LUNDIN KENNET , PICTON BERNARD , MARTYNOV ALEXANDER
Published: September 2018

The taxonomy of Zelentia Korshunova, Martynov & Picton, 2017, a genus of aeolidacean nudibranchs recently separated from Trinchesia Ihering, 1879, is reviewed. Using previous and novel data, including the defining morphological characters of a supplementary gland inserted into the penis, which is also armed with stylet, it is demonstrated that the genus Zelentia is a well-established amphi-boreal taxon. A phylogenetic tree and haplotype network for species of the genus Zelentia are provided. A new species from the Northeastern Pacific, Zelentia willowsi sp. nov. and a second Northeastern Pacific species, Zelentia nepunicea sp. nov., previously thought to be “Cuthona” pustulata (Alder & Hancock, 1854), are described using morphological and molecular data. A new species from the North Atlantic and sub-Arctic White Sea, Zelentia roginskae sp. nov., is also described using morphological and molecular data. The Northeastern Pacific Zelentia nepunicea sp. nov. and“Cuthona” punicea Millen, 1986, which externally share a similar reddish colouration, are shown to belong to two different families since “Cuthona” punicea possesses a supplementary gland inserted into the vas deferens and an unarmed penis, characters of the genus Cuthonella Bergh, 1884, belonging to the Cuthonellidae family. Despite belonging to different families and having significant internal differences, externally Cuthonella punicea and Zelentia nepunicea sp. nov. appear similar, thus the new sympatric species of Zelentia is given the name Z. nepunicea sp. nov. which means non punicea. To facilitate identification and avoid further confusion we provide a comparative table which encompasses diagnostic morphological data for Northeastern Pacific species of the families Cuthonidae, Cuthonellidae and Trinchesiidae which are externally similar to the described new taxa.
Taxonomic notes on Chinese Lamiini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae)
Authors: LIN MEI-YING , LINGAFELTER STEVEN W.
Published: September 2018

Paragniopsis ochraceomaculata Breuning, 1965 and Paragniopsis Breuning, 1965 are confirmed to be junior synonyms of Agnioides striatopunctatus Breuning, 1956 and Agnioides Breuning, 1956 respectively after comparison of types; Monochamus fruhstorferi Breuning, 1964 is a new junior synonym of Annamanum lunulatum (Pic, 1934). Paranamera ankangensis Chiang, 1981 and Mimonemophas multimaculatus Xie & Wang, 2015 are transferred to the genus Anoplophora Hope, and the former is newly recorded from Hunan Province.
Conflicts and Consistencies in Creativity Research and Teaching
Authors: Wieth Mareike B. , Francis Andrea P.
Published: September 2018

The interdisciplinary topic of creativity is both fascinating and controversial. In this review, we begin by highlighting the many ways that researchers conceptualize and define creativity, focusing in particular on the difference between everyday creativity and creativity associated with exceptional breakthroughs in thinking. In addition, we discuss the role of divergent and convergent creativity and the role that domain knowledge plays in creativity. Furthermore, we highlight how specific factors such as individual differences and time of day influence creativity. We conclude by discussing the impact of current educational practices on creativity in psychology classrooms.
Drug‐Induced Sleep Computed Tomography–Directed Upper Airway Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lee Li‐Ang , Wang Chao‐Jan , Lo Yu‐Lun , Huang Chung‐Guei , Kuo I‐Chun , Lin Wan‐Ni , Hsin Li‐Jen , Fang Tuan‐Jen , Li Hsueh‐Yu
Published: September 2018

Objective

A surgical response to upper airway (UA) surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) depends on adequate correction of collapsible sites in the UA. This pilot study aimed to examine the surgical response to UA surgery directed by drug‐induced sleep computed tomography (DI‐SCT) for OSA.

Study Design

Prospective case series.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Subjects and Methods

This study recruited 29 OSA patients (median age, 41 years; median body mass index, 26.9 kg/m2) who underwent single‐stage DI‐SCT‐directed UA surgery between October 2012 and September 2014. DI‐SCT was performed with propofol for light sedation with a bispectral monitor before and after UA surgery. Nonresponders were defined as those with a reduction in apnea‐hypopnea index <50% after 6 months following UA surgery.

Results

DI‐SCT showed that 28 (97%) patients had collapses at multiple sites, all of whom underwent multilevel UA surgery accordingly. The apnea‐hypopnea index decreased from 53.6 to 26.8 (P <. 001). There were 18 (62%) nonresponders and 11 (38%) responders. Multiple‐site collapses could not predict surgical response (P >. 99). The nonresponders had significant improvements in velopharyngeal, oropharyngeal lateral wall, and tongue collapses (all P <. 05), whereas the responders had significant improvements in velopharyngeal and oropharyngeal lateral wall collapses (both P ≤. 05).

Conclusion

Despite multilevel OSA surgery, residual UA obstruction in nonresponders likely occurs due to multiple mechanisms. DI‐SCT may help to elucidate the reasons for a nonresponse.
Outcomes in Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Gadkaree Shekhar K. , Gelbard Alexander , Best Simon R. , Akst Lee M. , Brodsky Martin , Hillel Alexander T.
Published: September 2018

Objective

To test the hypothesis that the etiologies of bilateral vocal fold mobility impairment (BLVFI), bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP), and posterior glottis stenosis (PGS) have distinct clinical outcomes. To identify patient‐specific and procedural factors that influence tracheostomy‐free survival.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Johns Hopkins Medical Center from 2004 to 2015.

Subjects and Methods

Case series with chart review of 68 patients with PGS and 17 patients with BVFP. Multiple logistic regression analysis determined factors associated with airway prosthesis dependence at last follow‐up and the procedural burden (defined as number of operative procedures per year).

Results

PGS comprised the majority of BLVFI (76%). PGS injury arose primarily after endotracheal intubation (91%), while BVFP most commonly was due to iatrogenic surgical injury to bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves (88%, P <. 001). Overall in BLVFI, 66% were tracheostomy free at last follow‐up (62% in PGS, 82% in BVFP). Of those who underwent an operative intervention to be decannulated, 88% were decannulated (90% PGS, 80% BVFP). Patients with PGS required higher procedural burden to achieve decannulation compared with the BVFP cohort (3.1 ± 5.2 vs 0.71 ± 1.4, P =. 002). In multivariate analysis of PGS, smoking was a risk factor for tracheostomy dependence (P =. 026).

Conclusions

BLVFI is primarily an iatrogenic complication. There are high rates of tracheostomy dependence in BLVFI, with procedural intervention needed for decannulation. Compared with BVFP, patients with PGS had a higher procedural burden overall and to achieve decannulation. Patients with PGS should be counseled that smoking, a modifiable risk factor, may increase the risk of tracheostomy dependence.
Issues in the Prediction of the Mechanical Properties of Open Graded Mixes
Authors: Zhang Hong , Anupam Kumar , Scarpas Athanasios , Kasbergen Cor
Published: September 2018

Within the pavement engineering community, open graded mixes (OGM) are regarded as mixes capable of reducing noise and improving wet skid resistance. However, during their design life, these asphalt mixes are known to suffer from a particular distress type known as raveling. This results in a premature failure of a road network. In order to study the propensity of OGM to raveling, homogenization-based approaches are considered to be accessible and effective. One of the most widely accepted homogenization models for asphalt concrete is proposed by Christensen et al. Several studies related to homogenization techniques have been conducted in the past; however, to the best of the authors’ knowledge not a lot of attention has been paid to the study of OGM by means of homogenization models. The other limitation of the Christensen model is that some parameters are difficult to physically understand. Under the above realization, the objective of the paper is twofold: (1) to propose a modification of the Christensen model for OGM; and (2) to verify the modified model’s capability in predicting the mechanical properties of OGM. In general, it was found that once the proposed factor is calibrated for a given OGM by laboratory tests the obtained results are accurate.
New Hampshire Department of Transportation Statewide Noise Barrier Study
Authors: Ross Jason C. , Arnoldy Mark , Evans Jonathan
Published: September 2018

This paper presents the results of a statewide noise barrier study for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT). The feasibility and reasonableness of noise barriers throughout the state has been evaluated according to NHDOT acoustical and cost-effectiveness criteria. The study has provided the DOT with an estimate of the potential noise barrier material costs associated with a newly implemented Type II noise barrier program. The study also has identified municipalities that the DOT can coordinate with for enacting noise-compatible planning regulations. The paper describes the methodology used to develop the screening-level noise barrier evaluation. Highway noise levels throughout the state and the distances from the highway where noise levels exceed the noise abatement criteria were determined. A method to predict the noise reduction of barriers (insertion loss) based on a simple geometrical relationship of receptors and potential noise barriers was established and has been shown to correlate well to detailed traffic noise models using actual roadway and terrain geometry. The simplified prediction method was used to evaluate over 300 miles of highway, 300 candidate noise barrier study areas, and over 30,000 receptors. This screening-level modeling approach is critical to the practicality of using the Traffic Noise Model across the entire state given the significant number of receptors and noise barrier study areas. The results of the study including information about all 30,000 receptors and 300 noise barrier study areas were collected in Google Earth™ data files for easy access when the DOT responds to noise complaints from the public.
The Origins of the Contemporary Juvenile Justice System in Ghana
Authors: Ame Robert Kwame
Published: September 2018

The origin(s) of the contemporary juvenile justice system in Ghana could be traced to the country’s colonial era just like most modern criminal justice institutions in Africa. Colonization and its consequent introduction of English education, laws, administration, and Christianity challenged the traditional agencies for maintaining social control and the system of justice. But to fully appreciate the new juvenile justice system that was introduced, one must first appreciate the system that was in place in the precolonial era. Based on an analysis of secondary sources, this article argues that the systems in place during both the colonial and precolonial periods were reflective of a particular perception of children in each era.
Selective or collective? Palestinian perceptions of targeting in house demolition
Authors: Hatz Sophia
Published: September 2018

There is a growing consensus that repression and counter-insurgency can be effective when selective. Yet the empirical evidence is mixed and theories specify that (unmeasured) perceptions of target selection matter. This article addresses this gap by directly measuring individuals’ interpretations of a coercive policy which varies in target selection. It employs original surveys with Palestinians on their exposure to house demolition, views on the policy and attitudes towards the Israel–Palestine conflict. The study finds that when interpreted as indiscriminate, house demolition increases opposition to compromise. The results are consistent when perceived target selection is manipulated in an embedded survey experiment.
More Thoughts About Conceptual Models and Literature Reviews: Focus on Population Health
Authors: Fawcett Jacqueline , Amweg Laura N. , Legor Kristen , Kim Bo Ram , Maghrabi Salwa
Published: September 2018

This essay extends discussion of the ways in which a conceptual model of nursing can guide literature reviews. Emphasis is placed on ways in which the conceptual model of nursing and population health was used to guide and/or categorize the results of scoping reviews of the literature. Examples are presented in the form of diagrams and narrative explanations of the resultant conceptual-theoretical-empirical structures.
Thinking of Being or Becoming a Leader: Lessons and Quotes
Authors: Ortiz Mario R.
Published: September 2018

The “actions” of the nurse theorists have shaped nursing as a discipline by providing distinct knowledge that serves as a guide for research, practice, education, and leadership. With these “actions,” the theorists have “inspired” generations of nurses dedicated to excellence in nursing; the theorists were and are some of the original leaders in nursing. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on a personal leading-following path guided by Parse’s humanbecoming paradigm, specifically her leading-following model.
Speech Is Silver, Nonverbal Behavior Is Gold: How Implicit Partner Evaluations Affect Dyadic Interactions in Close Relationships
Authors: Faure Ruddy , Righetti Francesca , Seibel Magdalena , Hofmann Wilhelm
Published: September 2018

Growing evidence suggests that the seeds of relationship decay can be detected via implicit partner evaluations even when explicit evaluations fail to do so. However, little is known about the concrete daily relational processes that explain why these gut feelings are such important determinants of relationships’ long-term outcomes. The present integrative multimethod research yielded a novel finding: that participants with more positive implicit partner evaluations exhibited more constructive nonverbal (but not verbal) behavior toward their partner in a videotaped dyadic interaction. In turn, this behavior was associated with greater satisfaction with the conversation and with the relationship in the following 8-day diary portion of the study. These findings represent a significant step forward in understanding the crucial role of automatic processes in romantic relationships. Together, they provide novel evidence that relationship success appears to be highly dependent on how people spontaneously behave in their relationship, which may be ultimately rooted in their implicit partner evaluations.
Exploring fair decision-making rules in nursing: A qualitative study
Authors: Zahednezhad Hosein , Hosseini Mohammadali , Ebadi Abbas , Dalvandi Asghar , Tabrizi Kian Nourozi
Published: September 2018

Background:

The decision-making process should be done according to a set of rules and principles so as to be fairly understood.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to identify the basic principles and rules used by nurses to understand justice in nurse managers’ decision-making processes based on a procedural justice model.

Research design and participants:

This research was a qualitative study based on directed content analysis, which was performed on a group of 15 nurses working in different hospitals in Tehran, Iran. An in-depth semi-structured interview was used as the method of data collection for this study.

Ethical consideration:

This research has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. The respondents were informed about the aim of the study, about voluntary participation, anonymity and confidentiality.

Findings:

The results of this study showed that in order to understand procedural justice, nurses use several rules, including: duties organization, managerial support, consistency, bias-suppression, accuracy, correctability, representativeness, and ethicality.

Conclusion:

Nursing leaders must consider the importance of justice rules as one of many strategies to ensure the nurses’ perception of fairness in decision-making processes.
Book Review: Tian Tao, David De Cremer and Wu Chunbo, Huawei: Leadership, Culture and Connectivity
Authors: Chakraborty Poulami
Published: September 2018

Tian Tao, David De Cremer and Wu Chunbo, Huawei: Leadership, Culture and Connectivity. New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2018, 360 pp., ₹450. ISBN: 978-93-528-0689-8 (Paperback); 978-938-6062055 (Hardback).
Estimating the Trade and Revenue Impacts of the European Union–CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement: A Case Study of Barbados
Authors: Lorde Troy , Alleyne Antonio
Published: September 2018

This article estimates the trade and revenue impacts of implementation of the European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in Barbados. The simulations show that the trade and revenue impacts of the EPA in Barbados depend critically on whether the rates applied are the statutory or not. When the rates charged differ from statutory rates, overall imports are expected to rise, revenues fall and trade diverted to the European Union (EU), primarily from the USA. Conversely, application of statutory rates would result in lower imports, greater revenues and trade diverted primarily to Barbados’ other trade partners, particularly the USA. Despite the differences between both scenarios, the overall trade and revenue impacts on Barbados are likely to be small. This is likely due to the list of excluded products, which are among the most protected, and which make up a substantial fraction of all goods imported from the EU.
Decay rates of Saint-Venant type for a functionally graded heat-conducting hollowed cylinder
Authors: Leseduarte Mari Carme , Quintanilla Ramon
Published: September 2018

In this paper we consider the case of a functionally graded heat-conducting hollowed cylinder. Our purpose is to investigate the consequences of the material inhomogeneity on the decay of Saint-Venant end effects in the case of linear isotropic rigid solids. The mathematical issues involve the implications of spatial inhomogeneity on the decay rates of solutions to Dirichlet boundary-value problems. The rate of decay is characterized in terms of the smallest eigenvalue of a Sturm–Liouville problem. We first consider the case where the inhomogeneity depends on the radius of the cross-section, but later we also consider the case where the inhomogeneity also depends on the axial variable. The last section considers the case where the cross-section is increasing. Some tables and figures illustrate our estimates.
Dual-type sensor placement optimization by fully utilizing structural modal information
Authors: Pei Xue-Yang , Yi Ting-Hua , Li Hong-Nan
Published: September 2018

Strain gauges and accelerometers are widely used in bridge structural health monitoring systems. Generally, the strain gauges are placed on the key locations to obtain local structural deformation information; the accelerometers are used to obtain the structural modal information. However, the modal information contained in the measured strains is not taken into account. In this article, to fully utilize the modal information contained in strains, a mode shape estimation method is proposed that the strain mode shapes of the strain locations are used to obtain the displacement mode shapes of some positions without accelerometers. At first, to simulate the practical situation, some positions with large structural deformations are selected as the strain gauge locations. Using the proposed mode shape estimation method, the displacement mode shapes of some locations without accelerometers are estimated by the strain mode shapes using the least squares method, and the locations with the smallest estimation error are finally determined as the estimated locations. Then, accelerometers are added to the existing sensor placement. Here, the modal assurance criterion is used to evaluate the distinguishability of the displacement mode shapes obtained from the strain gauges and accelerometers. The accelerometer locations that bring the smallest modal assurance criterion values are selected. In addition, a redundancy can be set to avoid the adjacent sensors containing similar modal information. Through the proposed sensor placement method, the deformation and modal information contained in the strain gauges is fully utilized; the modal information contained in the strain gauges and accelerometers is comprehensively utilized. Numerical experiments are carried out using a bridge benchmark structure to demonstrate the sensor placement method.
Comparative evaluation of in situ stress monitoring with Rayleigh waves
Authors: Hughes James Martin , Vidler James , Ng Ching-Tai , Khanna Aditya , Mohabuth Munawwar , Rose LR Francis , Kotousov Andrei
Published: September 2018

The in situ monitoring of stresses provides a crucial input for residual life prognosis and is an integral part of structural health monitoring systems. Stress monitoring is generally achieved by utilising the acoustoelastic effect, which relates the speed of elastic waves in a solid, typically longitudinal and shear waves, to the stress state. A major shortcoming of methods based on the acoustoelastic effect is their poor sensitivity. Another shortcoming of acoustoelastic methods is associated with the rapid attenuation of bulk waves in the propagation medium, requiring the use of dense sensor networks. The purpose of this article is twofold: to demonstrate the application of Rayleigh (guided) waves rather than bulk waves towards stress monitoring based on acoustoelasticity, and to propose a new method for stress monitoring based on the rate of accumulation of the second harmonic of large-amplitude Rayleigh waves. An experimental study is conducted using the cross-correlation signal processing technique to increase the accuracy of determining Rayleigh wave speeds when compared with traditional methods. This demonstrates the feasibility of Rayleigh wave–based acoustoelastic structural health monitoring systems, which could easily be integrated with existing sensor networks. Second harmonic generation is then investigated to demonstrate the sensitivity of higher order harmonics to stress-induced nonlinearities. The outcomes of this study demonstrate that the sensitivity of the new second harmonic generation method is several orders of magnitude greater than the acoustoelastic method, making the proposed method more suitable for development for online stress monitoring of in-service structures.
A parallel stereovision method used for monitoring the collapse of a three-story frame model subjected to seismic loading
Authors: Shan Baohua , Yuan Wenting , Wang Hai , Zuo Zhanxuan
Published: September 2018

In lab or actual engineering, the traditional contact sensors are always destroyed with damage of structures or models, and this leads to the failure of entire dynamic measurement. To deal with this issue, this article proposes a three-dimensional displacement measurement approach based on the parallel stereovision model. This approach combines the efficient large-scale stereo matching algorithm and the digital image correlation approach to obtain three-dimensional displacement of structural vibration response. In this article, the digital image correlation method is employed to match sequential images of left and right cameras, and the efficient large-scale stereo algorithm is used to obtain the disparity between the left and right images at each moment. Based on the parallel stereovision model, the three-dimensional coordinates of the measured point on the structural surface are achieved accordingly. A shaking table test of a three-story frame model under El Centro earthquake is performed in lab. Experimental results indicate that the displacement curves acquired by the linear variable differential transformers and the proposed method agree well, and this testifies the reliability and effectiveness of the presented approach. Only the presented stereovision approach attains the entire displacement curves of structural collapse when the model collapses, and this demonstrates the capability of the presented stereovision approach monitoring structural collapse.
Modal analysis of an aerostatic spindle system for ultra-precision machine tools at different spin speeds
Authors: Chen Peng , Zhuang Hui , Chang Yu , Ding Jianguo , Zhong Qidi , Yang Hong
Published: September 2018

The dynamic properties of aerostatic spindle systems vary with the spindle speed and have a significant impact on the processing quality of ultra-precision machine tools. In this article, using the ICEM CFD, the structured grid model of a large-span scale gas film is built under the condition in which the ratio of the spindle gas film length to the gas film thickness is 13,100. Integral calculation model of spindle and thrust is established and CEL expressions are compiled based on dynamic meshing technique to acquire trajectory of aerostatic spindle system. The degree of freedom method is used to obtain flow field of spindle system. Considering the spindle system as an elastomer, the influence of rotational speed on natural frequencies is studied under the flow field boundary. The results indicate that the former four-order natural frequencies of the aerostatic spindle system will clearly increase as the rotational speed increases. The increase in the fifth- to seventh-order natural frequencies is small, and the eighth-order natural frequency is almost invariable. The flow field has little influence on the mode shapes of the aerostatic spindle system. The former four-order natural frequencies of spindle system decrease considering rotation effects. Rotational speed and rotation effects mainly impact the tilting motion natural frequencies of spindle and thrust.
The politics of neoliberalism and social justice: Towards a pedagogy of critical locational encounter
Authors: Hager Tamar , Peyrefitte Magali , Davis Carole
Published: September 2018

The neoliberalisation of higher education is gathering pace and momentum on a global scale, albeit with national differences. In this context, a number of challenges and conflicting politics are emerging especially in relation to pedagogical ethos of social justice. Our article analyzes the general characteristics of neoliberal policy and practices worldwide, looking in particular at their impacts on students and teachers alike mainly in relation to the license to exercise critical thinking and social justice. Subsequently, it suggests resisting neoliberal agenda by using radical teaching methods which consider diversity and difference as social and political assets which allow meaningful dialogue across social, ethnic, national and gender groups while working to promote equality and social justice. This theoretical background informs the five papers composing this Special Issue. The authors all introduce radical and critical research and pedagogies with a struggle for social justice and against inequalities at their core—as effective tools of resistance against the oppressive and unjust conditions created by the neoliberal agendas that are structuring education worldwide. Situated in a range of national contexts, the papers provide the ground for a pedagogy of critical locational encounter, recognizing this as a site of struggle while addressing multiple and complex relationships of power and their contestation.
Mammal Depletion Processes as Evidenced From Spatially Explicit and Temporal Local Ecological Knowledge
Authors: van Vliet Nathalie , Muhindo Jonas , Kambale Nyumu Jonas , Mushagalusa Olivier , Nasi Robert
Published: September 2018

In the face of increased defaunation in tropical regions, embracing the complexity of wildlife population trends is important to guide the development of effective conservation and restoration strategies. Here, based on a case study in Democratic Republic of the Congo, we use an ethnozoological approach, with a protocol that captures spatially explicit and temporal ecological knowledge on defaunation. Our case study evidences the overall depletion profile for the majority of mammal species in the whole landscape and particularly for red colobus, orycterope, and chimpanzee. The elephant has already disappeared locally, and okapi and forest buffalo only persist in the northern part of the landscape. On the other hand, postdepletion sustainability seems to characterize Yangambi Reserve, with more stable populations of fast-reproducing/small-sized species. Local extinctions or sharp declines in mammal populations in our landscape are either the direct consequence of conflict or the result of cascading effects that have their origins in the rebellions between 1996 and 2002. From a conservation perspective, the challenge is to understand how the depletion process can be reversed in a postconflict context and to identify the levers that can inverse the cascading effect to allow species recovery. We encourage the use of our methodology in regions that are regularly used by a significant number of observers. The proposed methodology provides cost-effective, reliable, and spatially explicit data on population trends, covering for a wide range of species and allows to understand the historical pattern of defaunation as well the wider context in which changes occurred.