bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Nutrition Governance
Authors: Webb Patrick , Ghosh Shibani , Shrestha Robin , Namirembe Grace , Gurung Sabi , Sapkota Diplav , Bell Winnie Fay , Davis Dale , Kennedy Eileen , Neupane Shailes , Manohar Swetha , Baral Kedar
Published: December 2016

Background:

Global commitments to nutrition have supported calls for better evidence to support effective investments at national level. However, too little attention has so far been paid to the role of governance in achieving impacts.

Objective:

This article explores the ways by which the commitment and capabilities of policy implementers affect collaborative efforts for achieving nutrition goals.

Methods:

Over 1370 structured interviews were held with government and nongovernment officials over 3 years in 21 districts. Coded responses supported quantitative analysis of stakeholders’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding policy implementation.

Results:

Stakeholder commitment was already high in 2013 when a new national policy was adopted, but capabilities were weak. Only one-third of interviewed respondents had any nutrition training. Rollout of training focusing on districts targeted for early implementation of multisector programming. This raised levels of nutrition training among interviewed respondents to 57% in 2015, which raised demand for technical information to support actions. Better understanding of the complexity of cross-sector work led to calls for higher budgets and more effective cross-sectoral collaboration.

Conclusion:

Nepal offers an example of effective efforts to improve nutrition governance across sectors at all levels of administration. The promotion of awareness, capacity, and new ways of working shows promise. Trainings, information sharing, and management support led to growing willingness among civil servants to engage across sectors. Structured surveys offer a viable way to track change across institutions and sectors.
Optimizing the Multisectoral Nutrition Policy Cycle
Authors: Lamstein Sascha , Pomeroy-Stevens Amanda , Webb Patrick , Kennedy Eileen
Published: December 2016

Based on the data collected in Uganda, Nepal, and Ethiopia, the papers included in this supplement fill a critical gap in evidence regarding multisectoral National Nutrition Action Plans. The studies offer new data and new thinking on how and why governance, effective financial decentralization, and improved accountability all matter for nutrition actions in low-income countries. This introductory paper offers an overview of the current state of evidence and thinking on the multisectoral nutrition policy cycle, including how governance and financing support that process. It also explores the benefits of applying a systems lens to understand the dynamic, enabling processes of the policy cycle—from research to knowledge and ultimately action—and to provide more dynamic and accurate information for nutrition advocacy and evidence-based decision-making. It concludes with key findings from the 5 country-level studies included. Several important themes emerge: the egregious gap in human resources needed for effective nutrition actions in most low-income settings, the value of research on bottlenecks and successes, and the need for routine monitoring of national policies and plans to measure their effectiveness in achieving both their own stated goals and global sustainable development goals. Reviewing these studies together provides a path forward in building stronger, evidence-based multisectoral nutrition policies and supporting implementation of the nutrition activities included within them.
Cytokine profiles of tumor supernatants in invasive ductal cancer and fibroadenoma of the breast and its relationship with VEGF-A expression in the tumors
Authors: Autenshlyus Alexander I. , Arkhipov Sergey A. , Kunts Tatiana A. , Marinkin Igor O. , Mikhailova Elena S. , Karpukhina Xenia V. , Varaksin Nikolay A.
Published: December 2016

Interrelations between cytokines, produced by invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and fibroadenoma (FA) of the breast, and angiogenic growth factor VEGF-A, expressed in IDC and FA, were investigated. The analysis of the cytokine profiles of IDC and FA was performed by cultivation of tumor biopsy specimens in vitro. Testing of the cytokine-producing reserve of the tumors for production of VEGF-A was conducted by culturing samples of IDC and FA in a medium containing polyclonal activator (a complex of phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and lipopolysaccharide). Levels of cytokines and growth factors (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, TNF-α, IFN-γ, G-CSF, GM-CSF, VEGF-A) and MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) in tumor supernatants were determined by an ELISA. Expression of VEGF-A was analyzed in tumor biopsy specimens by immunohistochemical analysis. In the IDC supernatants, the concentrations of IL-17, IL-18, and IFN-γ were higher and the concentrations of IL-10 and MCP-1 were lower in comparison with the FA supernatants. We observed negative correlations between the macrophage infiltration and VEGF-A concentration in the IDC supernatants (r = −0.508; P = 0.011) and between VEGF-A expression and the IDC vascularization degree (r = −0.423, P = 0.039). Spontaneous expression of VEGF-A in samples of IDC significantly exceeded the VEGF-A expression in FA. There was no difference between IDC and FA in VEGF-A expression after treatment with the polyclonal activators. Our results indicate that greater malignancy may have a paradoxical effect that is controlled by cytokines and characterized by weakening of tumor angiogenesis during overproduction of VEGF-A. These findings point to complex mechanisms of positive and negative regulation of tumor angiogenesis by cytokines that are produced by the tumor and by cells in its microenvironment, whose cytokine profiles may change at different stages of tumor progression.
Social Work’s Participation in the Geriatric Education Centers Educational Evaluation: A Brief Report
Authors: Hash Kristina M. , Berg-Weger Marla , Stewart Daniel B. , Elliott David P.
Published: December 2016

This study was conducted to determine the level and types of participation of social workers in the activities of the Geriatric Education Centers (GECs). Through an online survey of GECs, the level of participation of social work professionals was compared with those in dentistry, nursing, medicine, and pharmacy, during the years 2010 to 2014. Thirty-one percent (14) of the 45 GECs completed the survey. The results found increases in participation for both social workers and nurses for both GEC activities and involvement in leadership positions within the centers. The GECs also identified caregiver and provider education and continuing education as activities in which social workers have had an increased interest in recent years. Implications from this study can inform the programming efforts of the new Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) and other geriatric education programs.
Physical Effects of Hydrodissection as Rationale in Otoplasty: An Experimental Anatomical Study
Authors: Anschuetz Lukas , Banz Yara , Caversaccio Marco , Dubach Patrick
Published: December 2016

A multitude of operative techniques to correct prominent ears are performed routinely. The propagated techniques have one common beginning: the injection of diluted adrenaline mixed with local anesthetics. The suggested benefits of this injection are vasoconstriction, anesthesia, and hydrostatic dissection of the surgical plane. Despite its routine use and the proposed surgical effects, the concrete anatomo-histological layer, in which the diluted adrenaline and local anesthetics are injected, has never been investigated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the concrete anatomo-morphological layer of injection and assess for possible hydrostatic dissection, which may have a clinical benefit in otoplasty. Retroauricular injection with the drawing ink was performed in 26 Thiel-conserved concha followed by a histological analysis. A juxta-perichondral (n = 11) or partially intraperichondral (n = 10) injection was observed in most cases. In 3 specimens, we observed ink deposition above the perichondrium and in 2 cases a subperichondral deposition. In 3 cases, ink was observed intravascularly. The mean distance of the dissected plane to the cartilage was 349 µm. The mean thickness of the perichondrium was assessed to be 444 µm. This experimental anatomical study reliably determines the level of injection in otoplasty as juxta-perichondral or partially intraperichondral. Optimal surgical dissection, resection as well as suture placement can be considerably facilitated by a juxta-perichondral deposition of vasoactive substances and the associated volume expansion. The results of our study provide empirical rationale toward a more evidence-based action for an important step in most of the propagated techniques in otoplastic surgery.
Beyond the Chilly Climate
Authors: Britton Dana M.
Published: December 2016

The prevailing metaphor for understanding the persistence of gender inequalities in universities is the “chilly climate.” Women faculty sometimes resist descriptions of their workplaces as “chilly” and deny that gender matters even in the face of considerable evidence to the contrary. I draw on interviews with women academics (N=102) to explore this apparent paradox, and I offer a theoretical synthesis that may help explain it. I build on insights from Ridgeway and Acker to demonstrate that women do experience gender at work, but the contexts in which they experience it have implications for how they understand gender’s importance and whether to respond. Specifically, I find that women are likely to minimize or deny gender’s importance in interactions. When it becomes salient in structures and cultures, women understand it differently. Placing gender in organizational contexts can better inform our understanding of gender inequality at work and can help in crafting more effective efforts to foster gender equity.
Calculation and study of the failure of the connecting-rod small end based on thermoelastic plasticity
Authors: Chen Guohua , Liao Ridong , Jiang Xue
Published: December 2016

In this study, the mechanisms that cause bush loosening and rotation failure were studied on the connecting-rod small end of a high-power-density engine. Using the thermoelastic plasticity model and the thermomechanical coupling method, the stress field and the assembly contact force of the connecting-rod small end were predicted by considering four different loading conditions: first, the initial loading condition; second, the thermal loading condition; third, the mechanical loading condition; fourth, the unloading condition. This process showed the effects of the initial interference fit, the operating temperature and the wall thickness of the bush on the assembly contact force. It was found that, first, a large interference leads to a small assembly contact force after unloading, second, a higher operating temperature significantly reduces the assembly contact force and, third, the wall thickness of the bush has little influence on the assembly contact force. In conclusion, a high operating temperature is the main cause of bush loosening and rotation. This conclusion was validated by the experimental results. On the basis of this study, it is suggested that the operating temperature is limited in order to maintain the reliability of the connecting-rod small end.
The bimanual ovarian palpation examination in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian cancer screening trial: Performance and complications
Authors: Doroudi Maryam , Kramer Barnett S , Pinsky Paul F
Published: December 2016

Objective

To provide evidence about the performance characteristics and consequences of bimanual ovarian palpation.

Setting and methods

The Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian cancer screening trial randomized 154,900 individuals to either an intervention or control arm. Enrolled eligible participants were aged 55–74, had no history of trial cancers, and no current treatment for cancer. Intervention arm women received CA-125 tests and transvaginal ultrasound. Bimanual ovarian palpation was offered annually during the first four years of the trial. Bimanual ovarian palpation-specific sensitivity and specificity were calculated, as were rates of diagnostic procedures and resulting complications following positive bimanual ovarian palpation screens.

Results

A total of 20,872 women received at least one bimanual ovarian palpation, with 50,498 total bimanual ovarian palpation examinations performed. The sensitivity and specificity of bimanual ovarian palpation were 5.1% (2/39) and 99.0% (49,957/50,459), respectively; no cases were detected by bimanual ovarian palpation alone. Rates for most follow-up procedures for abnormal results in women without ovarian cancer were higher among the group with another screening test positive, except for pelvic exam, where rates were similar. No complications were reported in the bimanual ovarian palpation-only positive group.

Conclusion

Low sensitivity of bimanual ovarian palpation alone and in combination with other tests argue against using bimanual ovarian palpation as a screening test for ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women.
Accounting and accountability for disability benefits in Australia, 1909–1961
Authors: Nikidehaghani Mona , Hui Freda
Published: December 2016

Public welfare programs have played a central role in providing support for the disabled in Australia since the early twentieth century. This study examines the role that discursive regimes of accounting and accountability played in such programs between 1909 and 1961, focusing on the Means Tests employed. The study reveals the array of implications of the accounting techniques that governed the identification of the disabled and often overrode a duty and ethic of care. Applying a Foucauldian perspective, the study explores how accounting practices associated with the disability support program were instrumental in identifying desired targets for austerity and the refusal of care. The findings review how accountability assisted the government to construct identities that facilitate the ability of the State to subject the disabled to continuous monitoring and observation. Further, the article reveals how techniques of accounting functioned as a “technology of the self” and facilitated the process of transforming individuals into subjugated citizens.
Simulation and experimentation of a magnetorheological brake with adjustable gap
Authors: Song Wan-Li , Li Dong-Heng , Tao Yan , Wang Na , Xiu Shi-Chao
Published: December 2016

The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of the small magnetorheological fluid gap on the braking performance of the magnetorheological brake. In this article, theoretical analyses of the output torque are given first, and then the operating principle and design details of the magnetorheological brake whose magnetorheological fluid gap can be altered are presented and discussed. Next, the magnetic circuit of the proposed magnetorheological brake is conducted and further followed by a magnetostatic simulation of the magnetorheological brakes with different sizes of fluid gap. A prototype of the magnetorheological brake is fabricated and a series of tests are carried out to evaluate the braking performance and torque stability, as well as the verification of the simulation results. Experimental results show that the braking torque increases with the increase in the current, and the difference for the impact of the fluid gap on braking performance is huge under different currents. The rules, which the experimental results show, have an important significance on both the improvement of structure design for magnetorheological brake and the investigation of the wear property under different fluid gaps.
Parameter sensitivity of an in-plane gap closing electrostatic energy harvester with end-stop impacts
Authors: Kaur Sukhdeep , Halvorsen Einar
Published: December 2016

Conventionally modeled as spring–damper system, the end-stops in vibration energy harvesters set a limit to the displacement of the proof mass at sufficiently high excitation levels. In some studies, it is seen that the end-stop parameters needed adjustment to fit the simulations to the measurements at particular operating condition. In this article, the discrepancy between the simulation and measurement results on varying the operating condition is investigated in detail. A check on sensitivity of an electrostatic in-plane gap closing energy harvester to the parameters end-stop stiffness, end-stop damping, and end-stop position at various biases and excitation levels is performed. The simulations at 3-V bias and root mean square (RMS) acceleration amplitude 0.6 g show a remarkable variation of 30 Hz in up-sweep jump-down frequency on varying end-stop position by 0.12 µm. The simulation results also show a significant increase in sensitivity of up-sweep jump-down frequency to end-stop damping on increasing excitation level at fixed bias. The article also discusses the sensitivity in jump frequencies to perturbations in the excitation signal due to the presence of noise, where the jump-down frequency becomes smaller as the noise level increases. The trajectories studied at 8-V bias and RMS acceleration amplitude 0.6 g with different end-stop parameters show a strong influence of the end-stop model parameters on the motion of the proof mass. A lumped model of the device is fitted to the measurements for a whole range of operating conditions with one fixed set of model parameter, where asymmetric end-stop positions and their effect on the device behavior are shown to be crucial. The results presented in this article show that in order to reproduce and analyze the measured behavior of the harvester over a range of operating conditions, very fine details in the model are significant.
Metachronous Uterine Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma and Peritoneal Mesothelioma in Lynch Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Lu Yuxin , Milchgrub Sara , Khatri Gaurav , Gopal Purva
Published: December 2016

Lynch syndrome is a hereditary disease with germline mutation in a DNA mismatch repair gene, most often presenting with colorectal and/or endometrial carcinomas; however, the spectrum of Lynch syndrome–associated tumors is expanding. In this article, we report a case of a primary peritoneal epithelioid mesothelioma that developed in a Lynch syndrome patient 10 months after diagnosis of uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a Lynch syndrome patient with metachronous uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma and primary peritoneal mesothelioma.
Dynamic response of a front end accessory drive system and parameter optimization for vibration reduction via a genetic algorithm
Authors: Zhu Hao , Hu Yumei , Zhu WD
Published: December 2016

A typical engine front end accessory drive system (FEADS) is mathematically modeled through Hamilton’s principle and Newton’s second law. In this model, the belt’s flexural rigidity and pulley’s eccentricity are considered. Eccentricities of the pulleys are introduced into governing motion equations of the belt spans through the boundary conditions and then transformed to external forces acting on the belt spans. Vibration modes and natural frequencies of the FEADS are calculated by the state-space technique of the complex mode theory. Dynamic responses of the FEADS at different rotational rates of the crankshaft are calculated by solving the spatially discretized governing equations obtained by Galerkin method. The modeling and solution methods are formulated and programmed in a general purposed code. The study shows that the typical resonance and beat phenomenon happen in a certain portion of the belt spans at a certain rotational rate by the excitations of the pulley’s eccentricity. According to the modal analysis and dynamic response analysis, an optimization method based on a genetic algorithm is proposed. By comparing the vibration amplitudes of belt spans before and after optimization at different rotational rates, this optimization method is verified to be effective in reducing transverse vibrations of the belt spans.
Clinical effectiveness of bevacizumab in patients with recurrent brain tumours: A population-based evaluation
Authors: de Lemos Mário L , Markarian Adeline , Chan Esther , Schaff Kimberly , Walisser Susan
Published: December 2016

Background

Bevacizumab is an antiangiogenic agent active in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas. However, evidence for its clinical efficacy is relatively limited so that bevacizumab is approved for this indication in Canada and the United States, but not in the European Union. We reviewed the effectiveness of bevacizumab in patients with recurrent brain tumour using a large population database.

Methods

This was a retrospective, multicentre, study conducted at the BC Cancer Agency, a public cancer care organisation for the residents of the Canadian province of British Columbia. Cases were identified from the provincial registry and drug database. Patients were eligible if they were treated with bevacizumab with or without lomustine or etoposide for recurrent brain tumour between April 2011 and March 2014. The primary end points were progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints were overall survival and objective response rate.

Results

A total of 160 patients were included, with a median age of 55 years. The most common diagnosis was glioblastoma multiforme (70.6%), followed by oligodendroglioma (10.6%). Half of the patients had prior metronomic dosing of temozolomide. The median duration of therapy was 3 months. The median progression-free survival was 4.0 months and the 6-month progression-free survival was 29.4%. The median overall survival was 7 months and the 9-month and 12-month overall survival was 28.1% and 20.6%, respectively. The objective response rate was 23.1%. The most common documented reason for bevacizumab discontinuation was disease progression (66.9%), followed by toxicity (6.9%).

Conclusions

Bevacizumab therapy seems to be effective in delaying disease progression in patients with recurrent brain tumour, but with limited benefits on the overall survival, when used outside the clinical trial setting.
OPRM1 and COMT Gene–Gene Interaction Is Associated With Postoperative Pain and Opioid Consumption After Orthopedic Trauma
Authors: Khalil Heba , Sereika Susan M. , Dai Feng , Alexander Sheila , Conley Yvette , Gruen Gary , Meng Li , Siska Peter , Tarkin Ivan , Henker Richard
Published: December 2016

Background:

mu-opioid receptor ( OPRM1) and catechol-O-methyltransferase ( COMT) contribute to the neurotransmission pathway of pain. COMT affects mu receptor expression and density in the brain. The aim of this study was to explore the OPRM1 and COMT interaction effects on postoperative pain and opioid consumption.

Methods:

This cross-sectional exploratory study used genotype and clinical data from 153 postoperative patients. Using multiple regression analyses, four single-nucleotide polymorphisms of COMT (rs6269, rs4633, rs4818, and rs4680), their haplotypes, and diplotypes were considered for their interactions with A118G of OPRM1 regarding postoperative pain and opioid consumption.

Results:

For opioid consumption, significant interactions were found between OPRM1 A118G and COMT rs4680 ( p = .037) and between OPRM1 and COMT rs4633 ( p = .037). Patients having Met158Met of COMT rs4680 and AG/GG of OPRM1 or TT of COMT rs4633 and AG/GG of OPRM1 consumed the largest amount of opioid compared to those having other combinations. For postoperative pain, a significant interaction was found between OPRM1 and the low pain sensitivity (LPS; GCGG) haplotype of COMT ( p = .017). For patients with no copies of the LPS haplotype, AA of OPRM1 A118G was significantly associated with higher pain scores compared to the variant AG/GG. However, the opposite direction was observed for patients with at least one copy of the LPS haplotype.

Conclusions:

The interaction of OPRM1 with COMT may contribute to variability in postoperative pain and opioid consumption. Additional larger studies are needed to confirm findings.
Impairment of decision-making in multiple sclerosis: A neuroeconomic approach
Authors: Sepúlveda Maria , Fernández-Diez Begoña , Martínez-Lapiscina Elena H , Llufriu Sara , Sola-Valls Nuria , Zubizarreta Irati , Blanco Yolanda , Saiz Albert , Levy Dino , Glimcher Paul , Villoslada Pablo
Published: December 2016

Objective:

To assess the decision-making impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how they relate to other cognitive domains.

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional analysis in 84 patients with MS, and 21 matched healthy controls using four tasks taken from behavioral economics: (1) risk preferences, (2) choice consistency, (3) delay of gratification, and (4) rate of learning. All tasks were conducted using real-world reward outcomes (food or money) in different real-life conditions. Participants underwent cognitive examination using the Brief Repeatable Battery-Neuropsychology.

Results:

Patients showed higher risk aversion (general propensity to choose the lottery was 0.51 vs 0.64, p = 0.009), a trend to choose more immediate rewards over larger but delayed rewards ( p = 0.108), and had longer reactions times ( p = 0.033). Choice consistency and learning rates were not different between groups. Progressive patients chose slower than relapsing patients. In relation to general cognitive impairments, we found correlations between impaired decision-making and impaired verbal memory ( r = 0.29, p = 0.009), visual memory ( r = −0.37, p = 0.001), and reduced processing speed ( r = −0.32, p = 0.001). Normalized gray matter volume correlated with deliberation time ( r = −0.32, p = 0.005).

Conclusion:

Patients with MS suffer significant decision-making impairments, even at the early stages of the disease, and may affect patients’ quality and social life.
Evading international law: How agents comply with the letter of the law but violate its purpose
Authors: Búzás Zoltán I.
Published: December 2016

Despite the widespread nature of evasion (bad-faith compliance), this interesting phenomenon is under-studied in International Relations. Even the most sophisticated typologies of compliance and rule following overlook evasion. This is problematic because evasion is essentially a false positive that looks like genuine compliance but can have the effect of violation. Drawing on purposivist legal theory, this article offers an in-depth discussion of evasion. It articulates what evasion is, why it occurs, how it relates to designed flexibility, and how it impacts accountability. Evasion entails intentional compliance with the letter of the law but violation of the purpose of the law in order to minimize inconvenient obligations in an arguably legal fashion. Three original case studies illustrate the empirical purchase and generalizability of evasion in International Relations. Evasion contributes a more nuanced understanding of compliance, cautions that legality sometimes hinders accountability, and offers policy recommendations to counter undesirable evasion. The article concludes with promising directions for a research program on evasion.
Multiculturalism, political parties, and the conflicting pressures of ethnic minorities and far-right parties
Authors: Westlake Daniel
Published: December 2016

Multiculturalism is an increasingly salient election issue. The growing size of many countries’ ethnic minority populations pushes parties to support multiculturalism, whereas the emergence of far-right parties in many countries pressures them to oppose it. This article examines parties’ positions on multiculturalism in a comparative context. It looks at 19 countries including most of Western Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. It argues that the influence of ethnic minorities over parties depends on electoral systems, and the strategies mainstream parties adopt in response to the far-right. The article finds that increases in ethnic minorities’ electoral strength lead parties to increase their support of multiculturalism to a greater degree in single-member district electoral systems than in proportional ones. Further, parties co-opt the anti-multicultural positions of far-right parties, and right parties do so more than left parties.
The personal vote and legislative party switching
Authors: Klein Elad
Published: December 2016

How do electoral rules affect the occurrence of legislative party switching? Existing research addressing this question is limited and does not reach a consistent conclusion. This article argues that electoral systems that encourage politicians to cultivate a personal vote dampen parties’ ability to retain members. The greater incentives to cultivate a personal vote in candidate-centred electoral systems result in politicians relying more on local supporters and less on party label for their re-election. In such systems, compared to party-centred systems, I expect that only parties that suffer electoral setbacks to be more likely to witness switching, as their candidates are less concerned with party labels, and local supporters might follow them to the new party, thus reducing switching costs. Drawing on data from 17 European democracies over the period 1990–2013, I find support for my hypothesis. While there is no direct effect of electoral rules on switching, the results suggest that this effect hinges upon parties’ ability to deliver seats: losing parties are more likely to witness switching in candidate-centred systems than in party-centred systems. Further findings also demonstrate how this effect is especially significant when district magnitude is large and the next election is approaching.
Prisms of the abstract: Material relations in Icelandic art
Authors: Hodson Elizabeth A
Published: December 2016

This article seeks to re-imagine the concept of abstraction as a material mechanism for art-making. Abstraction is traditionally divorced from the discipline of anthropology, which is rooted in social context and descriptive particulars. Within this debate, abstraction, as a mental capacity, is contrasted with contextual understanding and entails a removal from the life of the people studied. But, for the artist, this conclusion may be premature and abstraction is more accurately regarded as a constitutive function of art-making. The author draws explicitly on this proposition and proposes that abstraction affords artists a material means of transforming how they relate and re-imagine the world, offering them a means of separating the properties of things from the things themselves. Integral to these affordances is abstraction as an art historical construct. Thus abstraction is not the erasure of context, whether conceptual or material, but its imbrication. To illuminate this proposition, this article focuses on the working practice of one Icelandic artist, through which the author suggests that abstraction can be envisaged as a prism of open connections that lead from the artist into the world.
On bilinguals’ development of metalinguistic awareness and its transfer to L3 learning: The role of language characteristics
Authors: Huang Kuan-Jung
Published: December 2016

Aims:

With language characteristics shown to be a factor mediating bilinguals’ metalinguistic awareness, the present study attempts to give a clearer picture of the impact of language characteristics, avoiding confounds such as exposure opportunities and language experiences, which previous studies with comparisons made between monolinguals and bilinguals were subject to.

Design:

Two groups of bilinguals speaking the same first language (L1) but different second languages (L2s) were tested for their performance on a morphosyntactic awareness task. Other confounds (L1 proficiency and nonverbal intelligence) were statistically controlled.

Data and Analysis:

After five outliers were deleted, data from 22 Chinese–English bilinguals and 20 Chinese–Southern Min bilinguals were analyzed, by mainly using analyses of covariance.

Findings:

The results showed that, with nonverbal intelligence and Chinese proficiency controlled for, Chinese–English bilinguals scored significantly higher than their counterparts only on the past tense suffix task, one tested feature in which Chinese and English differ but which both Chinese and Southern Min lack. They did not, however, differ on the other contrasting feature, present suffix, probably due to its inconsistent presence in English. The two groups showed no difference on subject–object–verb and inflectional negation features that both their L1s and L2s lack.

Originality:

Unlike the metalinguistic awareness measure (grammatical error detection and correction) commonly used in previous studies, our task was adapted into a version using an unlearned third language (L3) (Japanese), which could reflect children’s cross-language transfer of metalinguistic knowledge. Besides, our metamorphological awareness measure was focused on inflectional morphology, whose influence on the bilingual advantage should be important but has yet received scant attention in the earlier literature.

Significance:

The overall results cross-validated the important role of language characteristics in bilinguals’ development of metalinguistic awareness and suggested that the metamorphological awareness is likely to facilitate bilinguals’ learning of an L3.
Joking about ourselves: Effects of disparaging humor on ingroup stereotyping
Authors: Argüello Gutiérrez Catalina , Carretero-Dios Hugo , Willis Guillermo B. , Moya Miguel
Published: December 2016

In three studies, we examined whether ingroup disparaging humor leads to greater stereotyping of the ingroup. First, in Study 1, ( N = 101) university students were exposed to (a) ingroup disparaging humor, (b) neutral humor, or (c) ingroup disparaging nonhumorous text. Participants exposed to disparaging humor reported more stereotypic evaluations than those in the neutral humor or disparaging text condition. Study 2 ( N = 167) replicated these findings with humor conditions (disparaging vs. neutral) and showed that ingroup identification moderated the effects of the type of humor. Low identifiers exposed to ingroup disparaging humor (vs. those in the control condition) reported a greater frequency of stereotypic evaluations, whereas the manipulation did not affect high identifiers. Finally, Study 3 ( N = 153) also manipulated the source of the jokes. As in Study 2, we found an interaction effect showing that high identifiers were not affected by the manipulation, whereas for low identifiers disparaging humor increased stereotyping and led to more negative emotions toward the ingroup. No significant effects were found for source of the jokes. We discuss findings in terms of how the traditional pattern of humor facilitating outgroup stereotyping also seems to apply to ingroup stereotyping.
How can professionals carry out recognition towards children of parents with alcohol problems? A qualitative interview study
Authors: Werner Anne , Malterud Kirsti
Published: December 2016

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore informal adult support experienced by children with parental alcohol problems to understand how professionals can show recognition in a similar way. Methods: We conducted a qualitative interview study with retrospective accounts from nine adults growing up with problem-drinking parents. Data were analysed with systematic text condensation. Goffman’s concept “frame” offered a lens to study how supportive situations were defined and to understand opportunities and limitations for translation of recognition acts and attitudes to professional contexts. Results: Analysis demonstrated frames of commonplace interaction where children experienced that adults recognised and responded to their needs. However, the silent support from an adult who recognised the problems without responding was an ambiguous frame. The child sometimes felt betrayed. Concentrating on frames of recognition which could be passed over to professional interactions, we noticed that participants called for a safe harbour, providing a sense of normality. Being with friends and their families, escaping difficulties at home without having to tell, was emphasised as important. Recognition was experienced when an adult with respect and dignity offered an open opportunity to address the problems, without pushing towards further communication. Conclusions: Our study indicates some specific lessons to be learnt about recognition for professional service providers from everyday situations. Frames of recognition, communicating availability and normality, and also unconditional confidentiality and safety when sharing problems may also be offered by professionals in public healthcare within their current frames of competency and time.
An enduring sovereign mode of punishment: Post-dictatorial penal policies in Spain
Authors: Brandariz-García José A
Published: December 2016

When analysing the features of the Spanish criminal justice system from the perspective of the late-democratisation of the Spanish polity, the system's evolution is characterised by an almost uninterrupted penal expansionism and a relatively prominent level of severity. This paper examines those features from the viewpoints of the legal reforms, institutional practices and collective perceptions and expectations experienced since the end of the dictatorial period. In addition, the article explores some reasons which may explain the relatively high punitiveness of the Spanish criminal justice system, before adding a coda on the changes of the penal system fostered by the Great Recession.
Characterization of Body Composition and Fat Mass Distribution 1 Year After Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Pantik Catherine , Cho Young-Eun , Hathaway Donna , Tolley Elizabeth , Cashion Ann
Published: December 2016

Purpose:

In some recipients, significant weight gain occurs after kidney transplantation. Weight gain is associated with poor outcomes, particularly increased cardiovascular risk. In this study, we characterized changes in body mass index and body fat mass and compared them based on gender and race.

Methods:

Fifty-two kidney transplant recipients (aged ≥18 years old, 50% men, 58% African American) were enrolled into a prospective study. Body mass index and body fat mass were measured at baseline and 12 months posttransplant. Body fat mass was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results:

The mean increase in body weight was 3.7kg at 12 months; 36.5% (n=19) gained at least 10% of their baseline body weight. Body mass index, percentage of total body fat, and trunk fat were significantly increased. In subgroups, women and African American showed significant increases in body mass index and body fat measures. More participants were classified as obese based on total body fat compared to body mass index. Calories from fat were significantly increased at 12 months and associated with increased body mass index, total body fat, and trunk fat. Days of physical activity were significantly increased.

Conclusion:

Both body mass index and total body fat mass were significantly increased at 12 months following kidney transplantation, especially for women and African Americans. Importantly, more participants were classified as obese based on total body fat compared to body mass index. Relevant nutrition and physical intervention should be provided, and both body mass index and body fat mass should be evaluated when monitoring weight gain.
Evaluation of Antioxidant Intakes in Relation to Inflammatory Markers Expression Within the Normal Breast Tissue of Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Larouche Danielle , Hanna Mirette , Chang Sue-Ling , Jacob Simon , Têtu Bernard , Diorio Caroline
Published: December 2016

Chronic inflammation may be a causative factor in breast cancer. One possible underlying mechanism is the generation of oxidative stress, which may favor tumorigenic processes. Antioxidant consumption may, therefore, help reduce tissue inflammation levels. However, few studies have explored this relation in breast tissue. We aimed to evaluate correlations between antioxidant (vitamin A/retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, α-carotene, lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, selenium, and zinc) intakes and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, cyclooxygenase-2, leptin, serum amyloid A1, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, IL-8, IL-10, lactoferrin, and transforming growth factor-β measured in the normal breast tissue of 160 women diagnosed with breast cancer. Antioxidant intakes were collected using a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Inflammation marker expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Correlations between antioxidant intakes and inflammatory marker expression were evaluated using Spearman’s partial correlation coefficients ( r) for all women and for premenopausal and postmenopausal women separately. After Bonferroni correction, negative correlations were observed between dietary β-tocopherol and IL-10 expression in all women combined ( r = −0.26, P = .003) and among postmenopausal women ( r = −0.39, P = .003). For all women, a negative correlation was found between total zinc intakes and IL-10 ( r = −0.26, P = .002). Among postmenopausal women, dietary selenium intake was negatively correlated with the expression of lactoferrin ( r = −0.39, P = .003). No associations were observed in premenopausal women. Our findings suggest that consumption of specific antioxidants, including β-tocopherol, zinc, and selenium, may act on the breast tissue through mechanisms affecting the expression of some inflammation markers, particularly among postmenopausal women.
Values, Practice, Science, and AAC
Authors: Mirenda Pat
Published: December 2016

The evolution of evidence-based practice in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has occurred via two different but related routes: the conventional research-to-practice route and the more common practice-to-research route. This article defines both routes with examples of each and discusses potential problems that may arise when practice precedes research, with associated solutions.
Salidroside Protects Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice
Authors: Lu Rufeng , Wu Yueguo , Guo Honggang , Huang Xiaomin
Published: December 2016

Salidroside (SDS) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of SDS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. BALB/c mice were pretreated with SDS 1 hour before intranasal instillation of LPS. Seven hours after LPS administration, the myeloperoxidase in histology of lungs, lung wet/dry ratio, and inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL 1β), and IL-6 in the BALF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B (IκB-α), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 was detected by Western blot. The SDS reduced the inflammatory cells in BALF, decreased the wet/dry ratio of lungs, attenuated the LPS-induced histological alterations in the lung, and inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Western blot showed that SDS efficiently inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB-α, p65 NF-κB, and the expression of TLR4. These data show that the anti-inflammatory effects of SDS (at least 20 mg/kg) against LPS-induced ALI due to its ability to inhibit TLR4 mediated the NF-κB signaling pathways. The SDS may represent a novel strategy for treating LPS-induced ALI.
Analysis of the performance of inventory management systems using the SCOR model and Batch Deterministic and Stochastic Petri Nets
Authors: Fattah Jamal , Ezzine Latifa , Moussami Haj El , Lachhab Abdeslam
Published: December 2016

In this article, we present a contribution to modeling, evaluation, and analysis of the inventory management systems performance and more generally stochastic discrete event systems with a batch behavior. For this contribution, we combine two models: the Supply Chain Operations Reference model, proposed by the Supply Chain Council, with the Batch Deterministic and Stochastic Petri Nets, which constitutes a very powerful dynamic modeling tool. To do this, we applied these tools on a typical model of inventory management system in order to show how the combination of these two tools can help us to model and analyze the performance of the inventory management system and to provide information on their behavior and the effects of their parameters. A resolution of the stochastic process associated with the warehouse management system will allow us to calculate the following performance indicators: average stock, average cost of stock, probability of an empty stock, and average supply and frequency. These indicators will help to monitor the activity of our stock management system, and therefore make the right decisions for the development of the organization.
Restoring the Anatomy of Calcaneal Fractures: A Simple Technique With Radiographic Review
Authors: Cottom James M. , Baker Joseph S.
Published: December 2016

Displaced, intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus result in gross deformity of the hindfoot, which must be reduced during surgical fixation. Described techniques aimed at restoring the normal anatomy of the calcaneus have mostly been focused on percutaneous methods, which are not without complication. Described in this report is a method of anatomic reduction during open reduction and internal fixation of these injuries, which uses a lamina spreader to simultaneously reduce calcaneal varus, restore calcaneal height, reduce the subtalar joint, and restore normal calcaneal width. Additionally, 6 patients with 7 calcaneal fractures were identified that underwent this technique, and radiographic review was performed. Varus deformity of the calcaneus was measured as 93.8 ± 4.3° (range 88.1° to 100.5°) preoperatively and 83.3 ± 3.7° (range 77.8° to 89.4°) postoperatively, with a mean difference of 10.9 ± 5.6° (range 1.3° to 17.3°; P = .0564). Bohler’s angle was measured as 16.5 ± 16.9° (range −7.5° to 37.9°) preoperatively and 33.3 ± 12.5° (range 20.5° to 54.5°) postoperatively, the mean difference being 16.7 ± 15.0° (range 0.4° to 39.9°; P = .0288). Critical angle of Gissane was measured as 108.8 ± 14.0° (range 93.1° to 132.4°) preoperatively and 123.3 ± 6.6° (range 113.9° to 134.4°) postoperatively, with a mean difference of 16.2 ± 9.1° (range 5.8° to 29.7°; P = .0004).

Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Retrospective