bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidental News Exposure on Facebook as a Social Experience: The Influence of Recommender and Media Cues on News Selection
Authors: Kaiser Johannes , Keller Tobias R. , Kleinen-von Königslöw Katharina
Published: October 2018

Incidental exposure to shared news on Facebook is a vital but understudied aspect of how citizens get involved with politics. This experiment investigates the influence of recommender characteristics (tie strength, political knowledge, political similarity) and different media sources (tabloids, legacy, and digital-born outlets) including multiple mediators (e.g., social pressure, outlet credibility) on incidental exposure to political news on Facebook. A 3 × 3 multi-stimulus, between-subject experiment with two additional quasi-factors and 135 different stimuli was conducted using a representative sample ( N = 507). Results showed that strong ties and recommenders with high knowledge increase news exposure, but the impact of knowledge is limited to recommenders with similar political opinions. Similar effects occur for different media types, which also have an independent impact on news exposure. Structural equation modeling reveals that media source effects are mediated through media perceptions, whereas recommender effects work via the desire for social monitoring and perceived issue importance.
In Search of a Social Science Anchored in (Chinese) Realities
Authors: Huang Philip C. C.
Published: October 2018

This article reviews the author’s own research over the years from the question of how to relate Western theory and China research. The author has found through empirical research that Chinese realities generally run counter to Western theoretical expectations. And, further, that Western theories tend to overlook one side or another of dualities that coexist and interact in the real world—for example, the simultaneous resort to high moral values and practical actions in the Chinese justice system. Those findings have led the author to question the very nature and structure of the major Western social science theories, which exhibit a strong tendency to emphasize one or another side of binary oppositions, not just with regard to such binaries as subjectivism versus objectivism or voluntarism versus structuralism, but even with regard to theory versus experience, and the West versus the non-West. In the real world, however, the two sides coexist and interact within a single whole. Western theories have also shown a strong tendency to reject moral values as somehow irrational and un-modern, while the Confucian “golden rule” of “what you would not have others do unto you, do not unto others” has persisted through the ages down to the present. It still serves as a viable guide to practice. What we need is a method of research that would enable us to grasp accurately Chinese realities and to develop theoretical concepts that would be anchored on those realities.
Choral conductors to stage! What kind of learning do they claim to promote during choir rehearsal?
Authors: Corbalán Mara , Pérez-Echeverría M. Puy , Pozo Juan-Ignacio , Casas-Mas Amalia
Published: October 2018

Current research on choral practice has studied various aspects of interpretation and different strategies for improving rehearsal. This article considers the amateur choral rehearsal as a setting for teaching and learning music. It analyses choir conductor profiles that may be related to conceptions of teaching and learning and their possible relationship with the implicit theories of teaching and learning. A questionnaire was administered to 41 conductors, considering three variables (expert/non-expert, teacher/non-teacher, and children’s/adult choir conductor). Quantitative evaluation through different cluster analyses showed three conductor profiles: Traditionals, including conductors who use little supervision, few different ways of representation other than corporeal, poor difficulty management and greater use of repetition during the rehearsal; a Focus on Reading profile, conductors who, in addition to using moderately complex processes, rely heavily on reading the score; and finally a Focus on Learning and Representation profile including non-experts and teachers, who use different representation modes in the rehearsal (corporeal, audio, visual, combined) and other complex processes such as transferring learning or metacognition. We also found significant differences among conductors for score processing levels. Finally, some features common to all three profiles characterise the choral environment as a peculiar field of musical learning, which may suggest some strategies for learning music.
Age dependency of cerebral P-glycoprotein function in wild-type and APPPS1 mice measured with PET
Authors: Zoufal Viktoria , Wanek Thomas , Krohn Markus , Mairinger Severin , Filip Thomas , Sauberer Michael , Stanek Johann , Pekar Thomas , Bauer Martin , Pahnke Jens , Langer Oliver
Published: October 2018

P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) is an efflux transporter at the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which mediates clearance of beta-amyloid (Aβ) from brain into blood. We used ( R)-[11C]verapamil PET in combination with partial P-gp inhibition with tariquidar to measure cerebral P-gp function in a beta-amyloidosis mouse model (APPtg) and in control mice at three different ages (50, 200 and 380 days). Following tariquidar pre-treatment (4 mg/kg), whole brain-to-plasma radioactivity concentration ratios ( Kp,brain) were significantly higher in APPtg than in wild-type mice aged 50 days, pointing to decreased cerebral P-gp function. Moreover, we found an age-dependent decrease in cerebral P-gp function in both wild-type and APPtg mice of up to −50%. Alterations in P-gp function were more pronounced in Aβ-rich brain regions (hippocampus, cortex) than in a control region with negligible Aβ load (cerebellum). PET results were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining of P-gp in brain microvessels. Our results confirm previous findings of reduced P-gp function in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models and show that our PET protocol possesses adequate sensitivity to measure these functional changes in vivo. Our PET protocol may find use in clinical studies to test the efficacy of drugs to induce P-gp function at the human BBB to enhance Aβ clearance.
Improving mechanical properties of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites produced by FDM 3D printer
Authors: Akhoundi Behnam , Behravesh Amir Hossein , Bagheri Saed Arvin
Published: October 2018

The main purpose of this research is to bolster mechanical properties of the parts, produced by an extrusion-based 3D printer, or fused deposition modeling machine, via increasing the content of continuous fiber yarn to its practical limit. In-melt continuous glass fiber yarn embedding was applied as a reliable and consistent method for simultaneous impregnation to produce continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites in the fused deposition modeling process. It is well known that the main weakness in the fused deposition modeling 3D printed products is their low strength compared to the manufactured ones by conventional methods such as injection molding and machining processes. This characteristic can be related to both inherent weakness of thermoplastic materials and poor adhesion between the deposited rasters and the layers. Although various attempts have been performed to tackle this issue, it is widely believed that using continuous fibers is the most effective method to serve this purpose if a reliable and consistent method is implemented. Since the mechanical properties of continuous fiber-reinforced composites directly depend on the content of fiber volume, maximizing the fiber content as well as producing an integrated part was assumed as the main objective. In this work, an analysis of various patterns of raster deposition was conducted, followed by the experiments and verification. The effective parameters on the fiber yarn volume, such as fiber yarn diameter, fiber yarn laying pattern, extrusion width, layer height, and flow percentage, were investigated and their optimal values were reported. The attained experimental results showed that, for polylactic acid-glass fiber yarn reinforced composite, with the extrusion width of 0.3 mm, the layer heights of 0.22 mm, flow percentage of 0.43, and the rectangular laying pattern, approximately 50% fiber-volume content can be achieved which resulted in tensile yield strength and modulus of 478 MPa and 29.4 GPa, respectively. There was an excellent agreement between these experimental results and predicted theoretically values by rule of mixture.
Educational Attainment of Male Homicide Victims Aged 18 to 24 Years in Chicago: 2006 to 2015
Authors: Hazekamp Corey , McLone Suzanne , Yousuf Sana , Mason Maryann , Sheehan Karen
Published: October 2018

Homicide is a preventable public health issue that has detrimental effects on both victims and witnesses and increases health care costs. From 2006 to 2015, homicide has been the second leading cause of death for youth aged 15 to 24 years in the United States. Educational attainment has been widely regarded as a protective factor against justice system involvement and violent injury. We conducted a time-trend analysis examining educational attainment levels for male victims of homicide aged 18 to 24 years in the City of Chicago, 2006 to 2015, to describe the educational attainment of youth homicide victims in Chicago. We used data from the Illinois Violent Death Reporting System and the United States Census Bureau from 2006 to 2015. Cases included male victims of homicide, 18 to 24 years of age, the injury leading to death occurred in the City of Chicago, injury leading to death occurred between 2006 and 2015, and whether or not a high school degree or equivalent had been obtained. Data were described over time using percentages and rates per 100,000 with 95% confidence intervals. Chicago male homicide victims aged 18 to 24 years were less likely to have at least a high school degree than the general population of males aged 18 to 24 years in Chicago. The homicide rate for males aged 18 to 24 years without a high school degree was significantly higher than those with a high school degree or equivalent for every time point, except 2007, and also in four of the seven Chicago Planning Regions when compared with the other three. We found there is a concentrated risk pool for undereducated male youth in Chicago.
Longitudinal Associations Among Negative Cognitions and Depressive and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Women Recently Exposed to Stalking
Authors: Bailey Brooklynn , Morris Matthew C.
Published: October 2018

Being stalked is a potentially traumatic experience associated with a threat to personal safety. Although major depression and posttraumatic stress (PTS) disorder are highly prevalent among stalking victims, little is known about factors associated with risk for the onset and maintenance of depressive and PTS symptoms in individuals with recent stalking exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the role of cognitive appraisals (negative views about the self, negative views about the world, self-blame) in the development of depressive and PTS symptoms in young adult women who had experienced stalking within 1 month of their baseline assessment. Participants ( n = 82) completed self-report online surveys of posttraumatic cognitions and symptoms four times over the course of 3 months. Levels of posttraumatic cognitions among female stalking victims were comparable to those in other studies of trauma-exposed individuals. Multilevel models (MLMs) revealed that within-person changes in cognitions were differentially associated with concurrent changes in depressive and PTS symptoms over time, controlling for the influence of time, age, race, ethnicity, lifetime stalking victimization, childhood trauma exposure, and symptoms of the other disorder. Whereas more negative cognitions about the world were associated with higher levels of concurrent depressive and PTS symptoms, negative cognitions about the self were uniquely associated with higher concurrent depressive symptoms. Contrary to expectation, self-blame was not significantly associated with depressive or PTS symptoms. Results provided support for the potential utility of negative cognitions as risk markers for depressive and PTS symptoms in young adult female stalking victims. The present findings suggest that interventions targeting symptom-specific thinking patterns could help reduce risk for negative mental health outcomes associated with stalking victimization.
When Does Affective Organizational Commitment Lead to Job Performance?: Integration of Resource Perspective
Authors: Wang Qiong , Weng Qingxiong (Derek) , Jiang Yifan
Published: October 2018

To address the inconsistent findings on the relationship between affective organizational commitment and job performance, this study examines whether this relationship depends on employee’s occupational commitment and organizational tenure as measured by the stage of their employment (trial stage vs. stabilization stage). Existing evidence has shown that employees with high affective organizational commitment possess a greater willingness to exhibit higher levels of both task performance and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). Integrating social exchange and resources perspectives, we argue that the actualization of such willingness is driven by the perceived value of the resources generated from this behavior. Two specific hypotheses were tested using data from 326 participants (mean age = 26.44; SD age = 4.21; 58.1% male) across two time periods. As hypothesized, occupational commitment moderated both the organizational commitment–task performance and organizational commitment–OCB relationships, while organizational tenure stage only moderated the latter link. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Diversity for Whom? Gentrification, Demographic Change, and the Politics of School Integration
Authors: Diem Sarah , Holme Jennifer Jellison , Edwards Wesley , Haynes Madeline , Epstein Eliza
Published: October 2018

Gentrification and the displacement of low-income residents of color from neighborhoods where they have long resided has accelerated over the last 20 years. In some cities, this process has begun to impact school demographics. Although research shows that school districts experiencing gentrification are responding in ways that fuel segregation and inequality, in some contexts gentrification is viewed by administrators as an opportunity to seek racial and economic integration. In our exploratory comparative case study, we examined districts in gentrifying cities pursuing integration in the face of rapid gentrification. Our critical policy analysis illustrates how district leaders’ diversity efforts can be overshadowed by their desire to appease and attract gentrifying families. Although districts are maintaining or increasing diversity in gentrifying contexts, our study raises broader equity questions that call for further inquiry of within-district equity and the displacement of students.
Ageing and the Technological Imaginary: Living and Dying in the Age of Perpetual Innovation
Authors: Bishop Jeffrey P.
Published: October 2018

Technology tends toward perpetual innovation. Technology, enabled by both political and economic structures, propels society forward in a kind of technological evolution. The moment a novel piece of technology is in place, immediately innovations are attempted in a process of unending betterment. Bernard Stiegler suggests that, contra Heidegger, it is not being-toward-death that shapes human perception of time, life, death, and meaning. Rather, it is technological innovation that shapes human perception of time, life, death, and meaning. In fact, for Stiegler, human evolution has always been part of technological evolution. While one can quibble with the notion of human-technology co-evolution, there is something to be said for the way in which human perception of time, of ageing, and of death seems to be judged against the horizon of perpetual evolution of technological innovation. In this technological imaginary, of which modern medicine is constituent, ageing and death seemingly may be infinitely deferred, and it is this innovating deferral that shapes the contemporary social imaginary around ageing and death in modern medicine. Yet, the reality of living (which is to say ageing) and dying always manifests itself differently than the scripts given to us by the technological imaginary with its myth of endless innovation. In fact, I shall argue that, where the Church created an ars moriendi, the technological imaginary gives us an ars ad mortem when it becomes clear that ageing and death cannot be infinitely deferred. And further, I shall argue that the Church must revivify its ars vivendi—that is to say, its liturgies, its arts, its technics—as a counter narrative to the myth of perpetual innovation that shapes the technological imaginary.
Planning trigonometric frequency central pattern generator trajectory for cyclic tasks of robot manipulators
Authors: Fang Yi , Hu Jie , Qi Jin , Liu Wenhai , Wang Weiming , Peng Yinghong
Published: October 2018

Planning efficient trajectories is an essential task in most automated robotic applications. The execution time and smoothness are usually important considerations for economic and safety reasons. A novel method to generate a trigonometric frequency central pattern generator trajectory is presented in this paper for cyclic point-to-point tasks of industrial robotic manipulators. The proposed method is biologically motivated by the concept of central pattern generator, which is a special neural circuit underlying most rhythmic activities in living beings. A modified central pattern generator model with simple network structure is developed for yielding the desired joint trajectories of robots. An important property of this technique lies in the fact that stable online trajectory transition between different paths is enabled by simply adjusting the central pattern generator control parameters. Moreover, kinematic constraints of the robot can be taken into account for optimizing the robot motion instead of setting a priori the execution time. Two examples of the pick-and-place operation, which is a typical cyclic point-to-point task, are used to illustrate the validity of the method. The results of simulation indicate that the proposed method is capable of producing smooth and time-optimal trajectories, which have also been compared with those yielded by other trajectory planning approaches found in the scientific literature.
Dynamic behavior and parameter sensitivity of the free-floating base for space manipulator system considering joint flexibility and clearance
Authors: Zhang Yuling , Gu Yongxia , Liu Tao , Zhao Jieliang , Yan Shaoze
Published: October 2018

The joint flexibility and clearance greatly affect the dynamic behavior of the free-floating base when space manipulators operate due to the dynamic coupling between the manipulators and the free-floating base. Based on the Lagrange–Euler method and momentum conservation, the dynamic model of a free-floating space manipulator system with joint flexibility and clearance is obtained. With this model, the coupling effects of joint flexibility and clearance on the dynamic response of the free-floating base are analyzed and some case studies are conducted to investigate the effects of different parameters of joint flexibility and clearance on the free-floating base. Further, the parameter sensitivity of the free-floating base for space manipulator system with joint flexibility and clearance is analyzed using the improved response surface method. According to the analysis of response surface method, we can increase the joint clearance size or decrease the dynamic friction coefficient to improve the stability and motion accuracy of the free-floating base position and attitude. This work points out the direction for reducing the base disturbance and provides a basis for the optimization design for free-floating space manipulator system.
An improved adaptive equivalent consumption minimization strategy for parallel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
Authors: Zhang Yuanjian , Chu Liang , Fu Zicheng , Guo Chong , Zhao Di , Li Yukuan , Ou Yang , Xu Lei
Published: October 2018

Energy management strategies are of the vital importance in fully playing the potential of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This paper proposes an improved adaptive equivalent minimization strategy for a parallel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. In this method, performance of adaptive equivalent minimization strategy is prompted through incorporating information of future driving condition into equivalent factor adjustment. Two main works have been done. First, a novel equivalent factor adjustment method is proposed in the improved adaptive equivalent minimization strategy. Based on the predicted information of future driving condition, equivalent factor is tuned in each running loop of equivalent minimization strategy. Second, information of future driving condition is predicted by harnessing floating car data. Benefit from future driving condition forecasting, the improved adaptive equivalent minimization strategy holds better capability in accommodating road condition switching and preliminary self-regulation for hilly road. Simulation results show that, compared with the convention adaptive equivalent minimization strategy, the improved adaptive equivalent minimization strategy can obtain better fuel economy.
The Illusion of Multitasking and Its Positive Effect on Performance
Authors: Srna Shalena , Schrift Rom Y. , Zauberman Gal
Published: October 2018

With technological advancements, the desire, ability, and often necessity to multitask are pervasive. Although multitasking refers to the simultaneous execution of multiple tasks, most activities that require active attention cannot actually be done simultaneously. Therefore, whether a certain activity is considered multitasking is often a matter of perception. This article demonstrates the malleability of what people perceive as multitasking, showing that the same activity may or may not be construed as multitasking. Importantly, although engaging in multiple tasks may diminish performance, we found that, holding the activity constant, the mere perception of multitasking in fact improves performance. Across 32 studies (30 of which had performance-based incentives) containing a total of 8,242 participants, we found that individuals who perceived an activity as multitasking were more engaged and consequently outperformed those who perceived that same activity as single tasking.
If They Say “Yes,” We Say “No”: Partisan Cues Increase Polarization Over National Symbols
Authors: Satherley Nicole , Yogeeswaran Kumar , Osborne Danny , Sibley Chris G.
Published: October 2018

Real-world tests of the impact of partisan cues on voters are scarce because they require assessing how citizens’ attitudes changed toward an issue from before to after it became politically divisive. During the 2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums, the leader of the (center-right) National Party and then–Prime Minister, John Key, championed changing the flag—a move strongly contested by the (center-left) Labour Party. Accordingly, we measured New Zealanders’ attitudes toward changing the flag using national longitudinal panel data collected in 2013, before the change was proposed, and again in 2016 at the height of the debate ( Ns = 6,793–6,806). Registered voters who supported the National Party were more likely to shift from opposing to supporting the flag change, whereas those who supported the Labour Party were more likely to shift from supporting to opposing the change. These data demonstrate the powerful impact of partisan cues on political attitudes in a real-world setting.
Experiments on high-performance maneuvers control for a work-class 3000-m remote operated vehicle
Authors: Wu Nailong , Wang Meng , Ge Tong , Wu Chao , Yang Deqing , Yang Rui
Published: October 2018

The challenge of high-performance maneuvers for a deep-ocean underwater vehicle is to design proper controllers and ensure the high accuracy of vehicle state measurements. Current underwater vehicle control solutions are considered to be a unique controller designed to reject the disturbance and noise. However, the controller is based on a precise hydrodynamic model. It requires multiple underwater experiments and complex theoretical analysis. In this article, a hybrid control strategy is presented for the work-class remote operated vehicle. It tries to compose several proportion–integral–differential controllers into one intelligent sequence in terms of task requirements. The proposed approach employs the iterative learning method to improve the performance of the depth holding and the way-point tracking. A remote operated vehicle system weighted about 1.5 tons is provided as a physical platform for scientific investigations using acoustic Doppler current profiler, inertial navigation system, depth sensor, and an altimeter. Results from the simulation and the experiment in the basin show that the proposed approach provides high accuracy at both conditions: tracking way-points with or without ocean currents and disturbances, which show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. In addition, the thrust vector defined for a propeller facilitates the control of underwater vehicle as the thruster configuration changes.
Conditional and marginal relative risk parameters for a class of recursive regression graph models
Authors: Lupparelli Monia
Published: October 2018

In linear regression modelling, the distortion of effects after marginalizing over variables of the conditioning set has been widely studied in several contexts. For Gaussian variables, the relationship between marginal and partial regression coefficients is well established and the issue is often addressed as a result of W. G. Cochran. Possible generalizations beyond the linear Gaussian case have been developed, nevertheless the case of discrete variables is still challenging, in particular in medical and social science settings. A multivariate regression framework is proposed for binary data with regression coefficients given by the logarithm of relative risks, and a multivariate Relative Risk formula is derived to define the relationship between marginal and conditional relative risks. The method is illustrated through the analysis of the morphine data in order to assess the effect of preoperative oral morphine administration on the postoperative pain relief.
Thermal stability of phosphorus-containing epoxy resins by thermogravimetric analysis
Authors: Lv Xiaomin , Fang Jialin , Xie Jinghan , Yang Xue , Wang Jiangbo
Published: October 2018

The thermal stabilities of epoxy resin/diethyl bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminomethylphosphonate (EP/DBAMP) systems were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under non-isothermal conditions in nitrogen atmosphere. Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods were used to study the thermal degradation process. The results showed a remarkable increase of activation energy ( E) in the presence of DBAMP, which indicated that the addition of DBAMP retarded the thermal degradation of EP. The Flynn–Wall–Ozawa analysis further revealed that DBAMP significantly increased the activation energy in the early stage of EP’s thermal degradation, demonstrating that DBAMP had improved the initial thermal stability and modified the flame retardancy of EP in the thermal degradation process.
Static response of functionally graded multilayered one-dimensional quasicrystal cylindrical shells
Authors: Li Yang , Yang Lianzhi , Zhang Liangliang , Gao Yang
Published: October 2018

Functionally graded materials have shown better mechanical behavior in multilayered structures, which have attracted much attention. A three-dimensional exact elastic solution for layered cylindrical shells made of functionally graded one-dimensional orthorhombic quasicrystals is carried out in this paper. The two edges of the cylindrical shells are simply supported, and functionally graded materials of the cylindrical shells are assumed to obey a power law along the radial direction. The exact solution for a single-layer functionally graded one-dimensional quasicrystal cylindrical shell is derived in terms of the pseudo-Stroh formalism. After introduction of the propagator matrix method, the exact solution for the corresponding layered case is obtained. Comprehensive numerical investigation, encompassing different exponential factors, different inner surface boundary conditions as well as different stacking sequences, has been conducted.
Contamination of Household Open Wells in an Urban Area of Trivandrum, Kerala State, India: A Spatial Analysis of Health Risk Using Geographic Information System
Authors: Ananth Mohan , Rajesh Reghunath , Amjith Rajeevan , A L Achu , Valamparampil Mathew J , Harikrishnan M , Resmi M S , Sreekanth K B , Sara Varghese , Sethulekshmi S , Prasannakumar V , Deepthi S K , Jemin Aby Jose , Krishna D S , Anish T S , Insija Ilyas Selene , Nujum Zinia T
Published: October 2018

Objective:

To assess the sanitary condition and water quality of household wells and to depict it spatially using Geographic Information System (GIS) in an urban area of Trivandrum, Kerala state, India.

Study design:

A community-based cross-sectional census-type study.

Methods:

Study was conducted in an urban area of Trivandrum. All households (n = 449) residing in a 1.05 km2 area were enrolled in the study. Structured questionnaire and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) device were used for data collection. Water samples taken were analyzed in an accredited laboratory.

Results:

Most of the wells were in an intermediate-high contamination risk state, with more than 77% of wells having a septic tank within 7.5 m radius. Coliform contamination was prevalent in 73% of wells, and the groundwater was predominantly acidic with a mean of 5.4, rendering it unfit for drinking. The well chlorination and cleaning practices were inadequate, which were significantly associated with coliform contamination apart from a closely located septic tank. However, water purification practices like boiling were practiced widely in the area.

Conclusion:

Despite the presence of wells with high risk of contamination and inadequate chlorination practices, the apparent rarity of Water-borne diseases in the area may be attributed to the widespread boiling and water purification practices at the consumption level by the households. GIS technology proves useful in picking environmental determinants like polluting sources near the well and to plan control activities.
Applying Classical Theory in a Comparative Study of the Information Revolution in the Less Developed World
Authors: Duque Richard B
Published: October 2018

This article evaluates the salience of classical theory in explaining societal transformation in the digital era. Functionalism, Marxism, and Weberian traditions are first summarized and then applied to a better understanding of how new information and communication technologies (ICTs) are shaping cultural spaces outside the advanced nations of the north. The nation of Ghana and the Indian state of Kerala are ideal social settings to assess the authority of these perspectives. The historical similarities of these two less developed world regions are persuasive, yet their present differences are telling. Although a Weberian perspective may best explain Ghana’s cultural proclivity for hierarchical domination, Marxist and functionalist theories may best explain how it will experience the diffusion of new ICTs within a globally dependent setting. Ghana’s entrenched local and global interests, rationalized along material lines, could be displaced temporarily by new ICTs; but then Ghanaian society may reequilibrate through a reestablishment of historical patterns of exploitation. On the other hand, functionalist and Weberian perspectives best frame the advantages that Kerala is experiencing in the information age. Its proximity to indigenous technological and media centers, its political safety net in greater India, its aging, yet dense population and its reformist tradition of equality and stability all support the wide diffusion of new ICTs for development. This suggests that Kerala could better accrue the predicted collective benefits of these new technologies compared with Ghana.
Gay and happy: (Proto-)homonormativity, emotion and popular culture
Authors: Lovelock Michael
Published: October 2018

To be happy has become an overwhelming imperative for contemporary gay men. Interrogating the shame-to-happiness narratives of British gay male celebrities, this article expands the concept of homonormativity by exploring its emotional dimensions. I argue that, in popular representations, happiness has become a form of proto-homonormativity, demarcated as a prerequisite to a ‘successful’ (homonormative) gay life. I conceptualize proto-homonormativity as an emergent paradigm of gay male subjectivity, which is shaped by broader valorizations of authenticity and self-therapy which permeate neoliberal media cultures. As articulated by gay celebrities, proto-homonormative discourses acknowledge the barriers to happiness that gay men face in heteronormative societies, yet reproduce heteronormativity by demarcating individualized processes of emotional self-work as the route to becoming happy.
Dinner theater in a toddler classroom: The environment as teacher
Authors: Sunday Kristine
Published: October 2018

This article explores the ways that the classroom environment announces a way of being a teacher in relation to pedagogical practices informed by the municipal preschools of Reggio Emilia. Drawing on theories of new materialism, the author considers the idea of environment, understood in/by the context of a Reggio-inspired preschool, to question how the environment teaches. Diffractive methodology informs the work and allows for opportunity to decenter the human subject. With additional support from performance theory and narrative vignette, diffractive methodology produces possibilities for thinking about onto-epistemological questions of being a teacher.
A Māori perspective of being and belonging
Authors: Rameka Lesley
Published: October 2018

Belonging and being are inextricably linked. From a Māori perspective, belonging and being can be viewed through a number of interconnected historical and contemporary frames. One frame is derived from Māori perceptions of the creation of the universe and genealogical relationships to the universe and everything in it. Another frame of belonging and being stresses increasingly diverse and complex positionings that require negotiation of radically different terrains of assumptions, behaviours, values and beliefs. This article explores two interrelated aspects of being and belonging from a Māori perspective: whakapapa (‘genealogical connections’) and whanaungatanga (‘family relationships’). It discusses how each aspect has changed over time as a result of colonisation, urbanisation and western education, and identifies how the reflection of each has been transformed.
Ballistic response of 12.7 mm armour piercing projectile against perforated armour developed from structural steel
Authors: Mubashar A , Uddin Emad , Anwar S , Arif N , Waheed Ul Haq S , Chowdhury MAK
Published: October 2018

This study investigates ballistic response of a developed perforated armour plate against 12.7 mm armour piercing tracer projectile. Experimental as well as numerical studies were carried out and the penetration of the projectile through a base aluminium plate was determined with and without the perforated armour plate. The armour piercing projectiles were able to penetrate the base armour plate in successive impacts. However, the combination of the perforated and base armour plates was able to stop the penetration of the armour piercing projectile. A finite element method-based numerical model was developed to investigate the defeating phenomenon of perforated and base armour plate combination. It was observed that the asymmetric impact of the projectile core did not produce large enough bending to fracture the core. However, the high hardness of the developed perforated plate was able to shatter the projectile core in multiple fragments which were then unable to penetrate the base armour plate. Craters of varying depths were observed on the impact side of the base armour plate. The research showed that the selected structural steel can be successfully used for ballistic protection.
Placental beginnings: Reconfiguring placental development and pregnancy loss in feminist theory
Authors: DiCaglio Sara
Published: October 2018

The placenta has played an important role in feminist theories of subjectivity; however, the placenta of feminist theory has been the fully functional placenta of what is considered a successful full-term pregnancy. Pregnancy loss, a topic that has been generally overlooked within feminist scholarship, is absent from feminist theories of the placenta. This article uses early placental development, particularly development that takes place before the placenta becomes fully functional as an organ for hormone production and interchange, as a space through which to consider theorising subjectivity, reproduction and relation through pregnancy loss. In so doing, I argue that turning our attention to the placenta’s early development, regardless of outcomes, allows us to reimagine the role of process for feminist theories of subjectivity while also making room for a wider array of pregnancy outcomes, reinvigorating our ability to think about relations and models of hospitality that do not end as we might imagine.
Drawing Lines and Crossing Borders: Transformation Theory and Richard Rorty’s Philosophy
Authors: Eschenbacher Saskia
Published: October 2018

This article aims at expanding transformation theory through the work of the philosopher Richard Rorty. His concept of redescription allows us to distinguish between good learning and transformative learning and to counteract the critique of conceptional looseness. In addition, Rorty’s thesis of contingency and his notion of irony are going to be explored in respect to their implications for transformative learning theory.
Noninvasive Brain Stimulation to Enhance Functional Recovery After Stroke: Studies in Animal Models
Authors: Boonzaier Julia , van Tilborg Geralda A. F. , Neggers Sebastiaan F. W. , Dijkhuizen Rick M.
Published: October 2018

Background. Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability, but treatment options remain limited, leaving most patients with incomplete recovery. Patient and animal studies have shown potential of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) strategies to improve function after stroke. However, mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects of NIBS are unclear and there is no consensus on which NIBS protocols are most effective. Objective. Provide a review of articles that assessed effects and mechanisms of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in animal stroke models. Methods. Articles were searched in PubMed, including cross-references. Results. Nineteen eligible studies reporting effects of rTMS or tDCS after stroke in small rodents were identified. Seventeen of those described improved functional recovery or neuroprotection compared with untreated control or sham-stimulated groups. The effects of rTMS could be related to molecular mechanisms associated with ischemic tolerance, neuroprotection, anti-apoptosis, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, or neuroplasticity. Favorable outcome appeared most effectively when using high-frequency (>5 Hz) rTMS or intermittent theta burst stimulation of the ipsilesional hemisphere. tDCS effects were strongly dependent on stimulation polarity and onset time. Although these findings are promising, most studies did not meet Good Laboratory Practice assessment criteria. Conclusions. Despite limited data availability, animal stroke model studies demonstrate potential of NIBS to promote stroke recovery through different working mechanisms. Future studies in animal stroke models should adhere to Good Laboratory Practice guidelines and aim to further develop clinically applicable treatment protocols by identifying most favorable stimulation parameters, treatment onset, adjuvant therapies, and underlying modes of action.
The efficiency of single institutional review board review in National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Cooperative Reproductive Medicine Network–initiated clinical trials
Authors: Diamond Michael P , Eisenberg Esther , Huang Hao , Coutifaris Christos , Legro Richard S , Hansen Karl R , Steiner Anne Z , Cedars Marcelle , Barnhart Kurt , Ziolek Tracy , Thomas Tracey R , Maurer Kate , Krawetz Stephen A , Wild Robert A , Trussell JC , Santoro Nanette , Zhang Heping ,   for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Cooperative Reproductive Medicine Network
Published: October 2018

Background/aims:

Timely review of research protocols by institutional review boards leads to more rapid initiation of clinical trials, which is critical to expeditious translation from bench to bedside. This observational study examined the impact of a single institutional review board on time and efforts required to initiate clinical trials by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Cooperative Reproductive Medicine Network.

Methods:

Collection of data from the same six main clinical sites for three current clinical trials and two past clinical trials, including time from institutional review board submission to approval, pages submitted, consent form length, number of required attachments, other regulatory requirements, order of review at central or local sites, and language in documents at individual participating sites. Results from two past clinical trials were also included.

Results:

While time required for actual institutional review board submission’s review and initial approval was reduced with use of a single institutional review board for multicenter trials (from a mean of 66.7–24.0 days), total time was increased (to a mean of 111.2 or 123.3 days). In addition to single institutional review board approval, all institutions required local approval of some components (commonly consent language and use of local language), which varied considerably. The single institutional review board relied on local institutions for adding or removing personnel, conflict of interest review, and auditing of activities.

Conclusion:

A single institutional review board reduced time for initial review and approval of protocols and informed consents, although time for the entire process was increased, as individual institutions retained oversight of components of required regulatory review. In order to best achieve the National Institute of Health’s goals for improved efficiency in initiation and conduct of multisite clinical research, greater coordination with local institutional review boards is key to streamlining and accelerating initiation of multisite clinical research.
Action dual tasks reveal differential effects of visual imagery perspectives on motor performance
Authors: Callow Nichola , Edwards Martin Gareth , Jones Alex Lee , Hardy Lew , Connell Stephanie
Published: October 2018

Imagery research has identified two main visual perspectives, external visual imagery (EVI, third person) and internal visual imagery (IVI, first person). Based upon findings from brain imaging literature showing that different neural substrates are recruited for IVI and EVI perspectives, and that IVI activates motor system brain areas, we hypothesised that a concurrent action dual task would cause greater interference in performance for IVI than EVI. In a first experiment, participants were allocated to either an IVI or an EVI group, and were tasked with moving an onscreen marker towards a target in three blocked conditions: imagery, imagery with a concurrent motor dual-task of sequencing, and a math control. An interaction between imagery group and condition was driven by greater root mean square error for participants in the dual-task condition in the IVI group compared with the EVI group. We replicated the experiment with an eye-tracking objective measure of IVI; the results again showed that participants in the IVI group made more errors in motor movements, and an interference effect in eye movements, during the dual-task sequencing condition compared with the EVI group. The results of the two experiments reveal that a secondary motor task does interfere with IVI, providing behavioural evidence that IVI appears to rely on motor system processes more than EVI. These results have important implications for the use of visual imagery perspectives across a number of domains, with this paper being an essential reference for those conducting visual imagery perspectives research.
Trends in Incidence of ACL Reconstruction and Concomitant Procedures Among Commercially Insured Individuals in the United States, 2002-2014
Authors: Herzog Mackenzie M. , Marshall Stephen W. , Lund Jennifer L. , Pate Virginia , Mack Christina D. , Spang Jeffrey T.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Few population-based descriptive studies on the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and concomitant pathology exist.

Hypothesis:

Incidence of ACL reconstruction has increased from 2002 to 2014.

Study Design:

Descriptive clinical epidemiology study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

The Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database, which contains insurance enrollment and health care utilization data for approximately 158 million privately insured individuals younger than 65 years, was used to obtain records of ACL reconstructions performed between 2002 and 2014 and any concomitant pathology using Current Procedures Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes. The denominator population was defined as the total number of person-years (PYs) for all individuals in the database. Annual rates were computed overall and stratified by age, sex, and concomitant procedure.

Results:

There were 283,810 ACL reconstructions and 385,384,623 PYs from 2002 to 2014. The overall rate of ACL reconstruction increased 22%, from 61.4 per 100,000 PYs in 2002 to 74.6 per 100,000 PYs in 2014. Rates of isolated ACL reconstruction were relatively stable over the study period. However, among children and adolescents, rates of both isolated ACL reconstruction and ACL reconstruction with concomitant meniscal surgery increased substantially. Adolescents aged 13 to 17 years had the highest absolute rates of ACL reconstruction, and their rates increased dramatically over the 13-year study period (isolated, +37%; ACL + meniscal repair, +107%; ACL + meniscectomy, +63%). Rates of isolated ACL reconstruction were similar for males and females (26.1 vs 25.6 per 100,000 PYs, respectively, in 2014), but males had higher rates of ACL reconstruction with concomitant meniscal surgery than females.

Conclusion:

Incidence rates of isolated ACL reconstruction and rates of concomitant meniscal surgery have increased, particularly among children and adolescents.

Clinical Relevance:

A renewed focus on adoption of injury prevention programs is needed to mitigate these trends. In addition, more research is needed on long-term patient outcomes and postoperative health care utilization after ACL reconstruction, with a focus on understanding the sex-based disparity in concomitant meniscal surgery.