bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classifying the Variety of Drug Trafficking Organizations
Authors: Natarajan Mangai , Zanella Marco , Yu Christopher
Published: September 2015

A standard typology of drug trafficking organizations would assist in interpreting the results of studies made of these organizations. Several such typologies have been proposed, and this study examines a widely cited typology that was developed in the 1990s using New York City court data. The typology has two dimensions, organizational tasks and structure. It satisfactorily encompassed the trafficking organizations identified in two new samples: 39 organizations prosecuted in New York City in 1997-2007 and 50 organizations prosecuted during the same period by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The findings supported the generalizability of the typology. They also suggest that drug trafficking organizations adopt a structure congruent with their external environment, including the market for drugs, the type of drugs, ethnicity of those involved in distribution, use of technology in communication and distribution, and levels of law enforcement. Implications of fuller knowledge about the structure and functioning of drug trafficking organizations for research and policy are discussed.
Learning and Motivational Characteristics of Urban Latino High School Youth
Authors: Loera Gustavo , Rueda Robert , Oh Youn Joo
Published: September 2015

The academic achievement rates of urban Latino students are significantly lower than those of non-minority youth. To date, most of the research on this topic has focused on learning and motivational characteristics of underrepresented youth in elementary and middle school and much less on urban high schools. This study investigated variables related to learning, motivation, and engagement among high school–aged Latino youth. We found that learning and motivational variables were predictive of academic engagement for Latinos, paralleling work with non-minority samples. Motivational variables are seldom given adequate attention when considering interventions for low-achieving students, despite the abundant literature that demonstrates their connection to academic outcomes. Fortunately, the factors examined in the study are amenable to intervention.
The International Criminal Court and the lawfare of judicial intervention
Authors: Tiemessen Alana
Published: September 2015

The contentious concept of ‘lawfare’ has proliferated to various foreign policy areas and permeated a discourse on the function and legitimacy of law in conflict. The concept seems particularly apt to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) judicial interventions. In this context, I define lawfare as the coercive and strategic element of international criminal justice in which the ICC’s judicial interventions are used as a tool of lawfare for States Parties and the United Nations Security Council to pursue political ends. I argue that there are two types of political ends being pursued with this lawfare: conflict resolution and politicized prosecutions. First, the ICC’s spokespersons, advocates, and supporting states have cultivated a discourse that justice is a means to peace. As a result, the ICC has been used as a means of intervention in ongoing conflicts with the expectation that the indictments, arrests, and trials of elite perpetrators have deterrence and preventive effects for atrocity crimes. Despite these legitimate intentions and great expectations, there is little evidence of the efficacy of justice as a means to peace. Second, the other manifestation of lawfare represents an abuse or manipulation of the ICC for political gain. Specifically, States Parties have strategically referred their conflict situations to the ICC with the expectation that the referral will result in the removal of their rivals and sanction the impunity of ruling elites. This politicization of international justice has been successful in that most of the ICC’s prosecutions are unjustly one sided. Evidence of politicized prosecutions has damaged the ICC’s credibility as an impartial institution and raises questions about the desirability of state referrals. Consequently, the ICC’s efficacy and credibility are suffering from lawfare.
The Legitimization of Paltry Contributions as a Compliance-Gaining Technique: A Meta-Analysis Testing Three Explanations
Authors: Bolkan San , Rains Stephen A.
Published: September 2015

The legitimization of paltry contributions (LPC) has been shown to be an effective compliance-gaining technique across a variety of empirical investigations. However, the theoretical explanations regarding the effectiveness of the tactic and the effects of LPC messages on donation amounts warrant further consideration. A meta-analytic review of LPC research was conducted to examine these issues. Consistent with a prior meta-analysis, LPC messages increased compliance rates ( r = .22, k = 34, n = 3,181) relative to control conditions. Three moderators were also tested. The results indicated that impression management concerns and perceptions of requestor need explained the effects of LPC messages on compliance rates. A second analysis ( r = −.23, k = 11, n = 1,531) offered evidence that LPC messages led to smaller mean donation amounts. A third analysis showed that LPC messages produced similar donation totals relative to control messages.
What Is a Psychological Misconception? Moving Toward an Empirical Answer
Authors: Bensley D. Alan , Lilienfeld Scott O.
Published: September 2015

Studies of psychological misconceptions have often used tests with methodological shortcomings, unknown psychometric properties, and ad hoc methods for identifying misconceptions, creating problems for estimating frequencies of specific misconceptions. To address these problems, we developed a new test, the Test of Psychological Knowledge and Misconceptions, administering it to a sample of 162 graduate and undergraduate psychology students and to a second sample of 173 undergraduate psychology majors. Results revealed high consistency in item response frequencies across samples, allowing identification of specific misconceptions. We found that certainty ratings of the correctness of more frequently endorsed misconceptions were significantly higher than misconceptions endorsed less frequently while some other items endorsed much less frequently also showed higher certainty. Our findings bear implications for dispelling erroneous but confidently held claims in psychology courses.
Coverage of Milgram’s Obedience Experiments in Social Psychology Textbooks
Authors: Griggs Richard A. , Whitehead George I.
Published: September 2015

Past studies of the treatment of Milgram’s obedience experiments in social psychology textbooks from the 1960s to the 1990s discovered an evolving “Milgram-friendly” coverage style (dealing with criticisms of his experiments either summarily, in a pro-Milgram manner, or not at all). We examined 10 current social textbooks to determine the present state of this Milgram-friendly coverage. Our findings indicate that such coverage has become the norm. Methodological and ethical criticisms of the obedience experiments and challenges to their external validity are seldom cited, and if they are, they are only briefly described and usually dealt with in a Milgram-friendly manner. We discuss two factors likely responsible for this insufficient treatment of these criticisms in social psychology textbooks and urge remediation.
Using a Person-Oriented Approach in Nursing Research
Authors: Knisely Mitchell R. , Draucker Claire Burke
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this article was to provide an overview of the person-oriented approach, describe empirical examples of its use, and discuss how the approach may be used in nursing research. The person-oriented approach consists of theoretical and methodological components and provides a way to explore the heterogeneity of populations related to phenomena of interest. For analytic purposes, the person-oriented approach views the person as a holistic unit rather than a sum of his or her characteristics, and thus, it provides an alternative or complementary approach to the more traditional, variable-oriented approaches most commonly used to study health phenomena. Although the person-oriented approach has not been used extensively in nursing research, it offers promise for nursing scholars who study complex problems within heterogeneous populations and who seek to develop targeted interventions to more effectively promote desired health outcomes.
Portrait of Olivia
Authors: Kowalske Kristy
Published: September 2015

This article examines spiritual giftedness and the spiritual development of a recent high school graduate. The framework of the investigation was to explore teachers’ perspectives on spiritual giftedness and what traits students display in the classroom. The concept of spiritual giftedness has gained increasing attention over the years and is evolving in the field of gifted education. These findings may be useful for practitioners in understanding spiritually gifted students and for professors as they prepare teachers to serve the needs of the whole child.
Lexical Profile of Emotional Disclosure in Socially Shared Versus Written Narratives
Authors: Balon Séverine , Rimé Bernard
Published: September 2015

To disclose emotional experiences, people can either talk or write. Our research was intended to address content differences between social sharing of emotion and expressive writing. In the first study, 92 participants either talked to an experimenter or wrote alone about an emotional experience. In the second study, after watching an emotion-inducing film, 112 participants were asked to disclose their emotions by either writing, talking alone to a recorder, talking with an unknown peer, or talking with someone close to them. Computerised lexical analyses were conducted on all material collected with a central focus on affective and cognitive processes as well as on narrative style indices like personal pronouns. Consistently, results showed a higher proportion of emotion words in writing than in oral conditions. Personal pronoun use, emotional tone, and proportion of cognitive words also appeared to vary depending on disclosure mode and type of narrative target.
Insurance as maladaptation: Resilience and the ‘business as usual’ paradox
Authors: O'Hare Paul , White Iain , Connelly Angela
Published: September 2015

Insurance and compensation are cited as critical elements of resilience to natural and non-natural hazards alike. As a strategy of risk management, it emphasises peace of mind, financial recompense and the swift restoration of a ‘business as usual’ status for civil, social and commercial life. Yet despite the contribution of insurance to risk management, the synergies with progressive or adaptive articulations of resilience are not sufficiently explicated. This paper explores the fundamental contradictions of insurance as a form of resilience through a study of flood risk management. It demonstrates how insurance regimes serve to structurally embed risky behaviour and inhibit change after detrimental events. As such, transformative interpretations of resilience conflict with the long-standing principles and operational norms of insurance that privilege normality. The paper concludes that, despite its currency within resilience discourses, insurance is maladaptive and that insurance regimes reinforce exposure and vulnerability through underwriting a return to the ‘status-quo’ rather than enabling adaptive behaviour.
Fatal pulmonary embolism following ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy combined with multiple microphlebectomies
Authors: Bruijninckx Cornelis MA
Published: September 2015

Ambulatory ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) for refluxing saphenous veins is considered a safe therapy. Venous thromboembolic complications after UGFS as well as after all other ambulatory ablative venous interventions are rarely reported. This paper reports a fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) following UGFS in combination with an extended phlebectomy, and questions what measures should be taken to minimize the risk for thromboembolic complications after these procedures. In the reported case (unsuspected), extensive non-occluding atherosclerosis as well as obesity in combination with use of an oral contraceptive might have contributed to the development of the PE while the use of a β-blocker might have increased its fatal course considerably. Routine measurement of the ankle-brachial pressure index reduces the risk for undetected atherosclerosis. It appears that ‘in the real world’ of ambulatory phlebological treatments thromboembolic complications are more common (2.4–4.7%) and appear accompanied by post-procedural mortality. It is concluded therefore that pharmacological thromboprophylaxis appears warranted in selected cases, perhaps even routine application could be considered. Attention is drawn to the highly thrombogenic but not uncommon combination of overweight and use of oral contraceptive. Apart from applying some form of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis, technical adaptations that might prevent or reduce spill over of foam into the deep venous system should be considered. Firstly, next to adherence to the generally accepted maximum of 10 mL of foam per session, it seems prudent to maximize the injected volume of foam per site. Secondly, it seems best to inject the foam in an elevated leg without groin compression. The concentration of the sclerosant does not appear decisive in this respect, although higher concentrations appear more effective and therefore might be injected in lower volumes without compromising efficacy.
Gravitational venous drainage is significantly faster in patients with varicose veins
Authors: Lattimer Christopher R , Kalodiki Evi , Mendoza Erika
Published: September 2015

Objectives

It has been proposed that varicose veins may be caused by a degree of impeded proximal venous drainage (pelvic venous obstruction) in the same way that biological tubes dilate in response to an obstruction. The venous drainage index (VDI) of air-plethysmography (APG) was used to test this hypothesis. A dependency to elevation manoeuvre was used to provoke gravitational venous drainage. A rapid reduction in calf volume implied good drainage.

Methods

This was a single centre, proof-of-concept study comparing gravitational venous drainage in varicose vein patients and controls. Leg filling and drainage manoeuvres (elevation to dependency and dependency to elevation) were performed three times per leg in 15 patients (7 male, 8 right) and 16 controls (3 male, 8 right). The VDI was measured in the same way the established venous filling index (VFI) is calculated to quantify filling: VDI = 90% of venous drainage volume (90VDV)/90% venous drainage time (VDT90).

Results

The patients were significantly older at 58 (41–75) years versus the controls 47 (18–58), p = 0.001. There was no significant difference between the groups in weight, height, BMI or common femoral vein diameter. The patients were ( C2 = 8; C3 = 1, C4 = 6), VCSS 4 (1–11) with a median refluxing proximal thigh saphenous diameter of 6 (5–11) mm. The median (inter-quartile range) VFI and VDI (both in mL/s) in the control tests ( n = 48) were 1.3 (0.9–1.9) and 33.8 (21.5–55), respectively. The VFI and VDI in the patient tests ( n = 41) were significantly faster at 6.2 (3.5–9.4), p < 0.0005, and 47.1 (36.1–66.3), p = 0.002, respectively. Adjusted to a standard mean for each leg, the reproducibility limits (×3) of the VDI was very good at 39.7 (95% CI: 36.5–42.9) in controls and 52.9 (95% CI: 49.7–56.1) in patients.

Conclusion

The VDI was significantly greater in patients with varicose veins compared to controls. It is unlikely that impeded gravitational drainage is a significant factor in the pathophysiology of varicose veins.
Self-Esteem and Future Orientation Predict Adolescents’ Risk Engagement
Authors: Jackman Danielle M. , MacPhee David
Published: September 2015

This study’s purpose was to examine the relations among future orientation, self-esteem, and later adolescent risk behaviors, and to compare two mediational models involving self-esteem versus future orientation as mediators. An ethnically diverse sample of 12- to 14-year-olds ( N = 862, 54% female, 53% ethnic minority) was assessed longitudinally. Correlations supported the hypotheses that future orientation and self-esteem are (a) positively correlated with each other ( r > .40) and (b) negatively related to various risky behaviors that were composited into a measure of risk orientation. Controlling for social desirability, self-esteem partially mediated the relation between future orientation and later risk orientation, and future orientation partially mediated the relation between self-esteem and risk orientation. The results shed light on how the concept of possible selves might factor into adolescents’ risk avoidance. In particular, both future orientation and healthy self-esteem may serve as protective factors against engaging in risky behavior.
Copernicusing Consciousness
Authors: Brooks Eugene M.
Published: September 2015

Empirical genetic research strongly indicates that particular proteins comprise physical substrates of the qualities which, in turn, constitute consciousness. From the perspective of a theorist, the proteins are simply molecules, but from the perspective of a conscious individual, the characteristics of the proteins constitute the basic elements of qualities that, after processing by the cognitive structures of the brain, reach the level of consciousness. As consciousness, the qualities are normally taken for granted. The development of consciousness is described as beginning with noumenal environmental objects which convey energies that give rise to sensory inputs and qualities. Qualities, in turn, are organized into phenomenal objects that are then referred to the environment as the objects of perception and consciousness. Thus, consciousness is considered to be physical and multiple, a collection of qualities, rather than a single, ill-defined, all-encompassing entity.
Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using fluorouracil, epirubicin, and mitomycin C for patients with liver metastases from gastric cancer after treatment failure of systemic S-1 plus cisplatin
Authors: Seki Hiroshi , Ohi Hiroyuki , Ozaki Toshirou , Yabusaki Hiroshi
Published: September 2015

Background

For patients with liver metastases from gastric cancer (LMGC), combination chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidines and platinum agents has been recognized as standard treatment. However, the prognosis of hepatic progression after first-line treatment failure remains poor. When hepatic progression occurs, hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy may be helpful for preventing disease progression.

Purpose

To retrospectively assess the feasibility and efficacy of HAI chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and mitomycin C (FEM) for patients with LMGC after failure of systemic S-1 plus cisplatin.

Material and Methods

We reviewed the records of patients who received HAI chemotherapy using FEM for LMGC that progressed during systemic S-1 plus cisplatin treatment while extrahepatic disease was decreased or did not appear. HAI chemotherapy was given as second-line therapy using 5-fluorouracil (330 mg/m2 weekly), epirubicin (30 or 40 mg/m2 every 4 weeks), and mitomycin C (2.7 mg/m2 biweekly).

Results

Fourteen patients were analyzed. Toxicity of HAI chemotherapy was generally mild. The objective response rate was 42.9%, including a complete response rate of 14.3%. Median times to hepatic and extrahepatic progression were 9.2 and 7.4 months, respectively. Of 12 patients with documented progression after HAI chemotherapy, 10 patients (83.3%) received additional treatment, including irinotecan or taxanes. Overall, median survival was 12.7 months.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that HAI chemotherapy using FEM is a feasible and effective treatment for patients with LMGC after failure of systemic S-1 plus cisplatin. HAI chemotherapy employed in the second-line setting is useful for achieving long-term disease control of LMGC.
Adaptive iterative dose reduction 3D (AIDR 3D) vs. filtered back projection: radiation dose reduction capabilities of wide volume and helical scanning techniques on area-detector CT in a chest phantom study
Authors: Seki Shinichiro , Koyama Hisanobu , Ohno Yoshiharu , Matsumoto Sumiaki , Inokawa Hiroyasu , Sugihara Naoki , Sugimura Kazuro
Published: September 2015

Background

Computed tomography (CT) has important roles for lung cancer screening, and therefore radiation dose reduction by using iterative reconstruction technique and scanning methods receive widespread attention.

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of two reconstruction techniques (filtered back projection [FBP] and adaptive iterative dose reduction using three-dimensional processing [AIDR 3D]) and two acquisition techniques (wide-volume scan [WVS] and helical scan as 64-detector-row CT [64HS]) on the lung nodule identifications of using a chest phantom.

Material and Methods

A chest CT phantom including lung nodules was scanned using WVS and 64HS at nine different tube currents (TCs; range, 270–10 mA). All CT datasets were reconstructed with AIDR 3D and FBP. Standard deviation (SD) measurements by region of interest placement and qualitative nodule identifications were statistically compared. 64HS and WVS were evaluated separately, and FBP images acquired with 270 mA was defined as the standard reference.

Results

SDs of all datasets with AIDR 3D showed no significant differences ( P > 0.05) with standard reference. When comparing nodule identifications, area under the curve on WVS with AIDR 3D with TC <30 mA, on 64HS with AIDR 3D with TC <40 mA, and on reconstructions with FBP and each scan method with TC <60 mA was significantly lower than with standard reference ( P < 0.05). With the same TC and reconstruction, SDs and nodule identifications of WVS were not significantly different from 64HS ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion

In term of SD of lung parenchyma and nodule identification, AIDR 3D can achieve more radiation dose reduction than FBP and there is no significant different between WVS and 64HS.
Analog Magnitudes Support Large Number Ordinal Judgments in Infancy
Authors: vanMarle Kristy , Mou Yi , Seok Jin H.
Published: September 2015

Few studies have explored the source of infants’ ordinal knowledge, and those that have are equivocal regarding the underlying representational system. The present study sought clear evidence that the approximate number system, which underlies children’s cardinal knowledge, may also support ordinal knowledge in infancy; 10 - to 12-month-old infants’ were tested with large sets (>3) in an ordinal choice task in which they were asked to choose between two hidden sets of food items. The difficulty of the comparison varied as a function of the ratio between the sets. Infants reliably chose the greater quantity when the sets differed by a 2:3 ratio (4v6 and 6v9), but not when they differed by a 3:4 ratio (6v8) or a 7:8 ratio (7v8). This discrimination function is consistent with previous studies testing the precision of number and time representations in infants of roughly this same age, thus providing evidence that the approximate number system can support ordinal judgments in infancy. The findings are discussed in light of recent proposals that different mechanisms underlie infants’ reasoning about small and large numbers.
Local government, the Standard Employment Relationship, and the making of Ontario’s public sector, 1945–1963
Authors: Hurl Chris
Published: September 2015

This article examines the unionization of local government workers in Ontario during the 1940s and 1950s. While these workers played a central role in consolidating a standard employment relationship across the public sector, the advancement of collective bargaining rights, regular hours of work, and wages and benefits was fractured and spatially uneven. Bringing together theories of state formation with recent debates in labour geography, this article explores the politics of scale in the unionization of local government workers. Through the 1950s, it is argued that local government workers were able to effectively mount campaigns for recognition, develop shared bargaining capacities and establish federated labour organizations across the province, building from their embeddedness in a rapidly expanding metropolitan environment. Moreover, it is shown that the ‘scaling up’ of collective bargaining in this way provoked civic officials to establish new governance structures with the aim of containing the explosive growth of public sector unions. This entailed both the professionalization of labour relations practices and the development of more centralized administrative capacities. In this sense, it is argued that state formation through the 1950s and 1960s advanced through the efforts to normalize the demands of local government workers within a wider economy of service.
Agglomeration and firm performance: One firm’s medicine is another firm’s poison
Authors: Knoben J , Arikan AT , van Oort F , Raspe O
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we aim to reduce the ambiguity surrounding the agglomeration–performance relationship. We do so by taking firm-level and agglomeration-level heterogeneity into account simultaneously and focusing on the interactions between these two levels of analysis in explaining the effect of agglomeration on firm performance. Our central argument is that while some firms will benefit from agglomeration, others will be harmed by it. To assess our claims, we estimate multilevel models on firms’ productivity with nonlinear interaction effects between the agglomeration-level (urbanization, specialization, and knowledge intensity) and firm-level variables (size, internal knowledge base, and face-to-face contacts) using data from a sample of Dutch firms. Our results show that the effects of different dimensions of agglomeration on firm performance are strongly and nonlinearly moderated by firm characteristics. Moreover, the moderation effect is not uniform across the different agglomeration dimensions.
Eccentric Knee Flexor Strength and Risk of Hamstring Injuries in Rugby Union
Authors: Bourne Matthew N. , Opar David A. , Williams Morgan D. , Shield Anthony J.
Published: September 2015

Background:

Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) represent the most common cause of lost playing time in rugby union. Eccentric knee flexor weakness and between-limb imbalance in eccentric knee flexor strength are associated with a heightened risk of HSIs in other sports; however, these variables have not been explored in rugby union.

Purpose:

To determine if lower levels of eccentric knee flexor strength or greater between-limb imbalance in this parameter during the Nordic hamstring exercise are risk factors for HSIs in rugby union.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

This prospective study was conducted over the 2014 Super Rugby and Queensland Rugby Union seasons. In total, 178 rugby union players (mean age, 22.6 ± 3.8 years; mean height, 185.0 ± 6.8 cm; mean weight, 96.5 ± 13.1 kg) had their eccentric knee flexor strength assessed using a custom-made device during the preseason. Reports of previous hamstring, quadriceps, groin, calf, and anterior cruciate ligament injuries were also obtained. The main outcome measure was the prospective occurrence of HSIs.

Results:

Twenty players suffered at least 1 HSI during the study period. Players with a history of HSIs had a 4.1-fold (95% CI, 1.9-8.9; P = .001) greater risk of subsequent HSIs than players without such a history. Between-limb imbalance in eccentric knee flexor strength of ≥15% and ≥20% increased the risk of HSIs by 2.4-fold (95% CI, 1.1-5.5; P = .033) and 3.4-fold (95% CI, 1.5-7.6; P = .003), respectively. Lower eccentric knee flexor strength and other prior injuries were not associated with an increased risk of future HSIs. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the risk of reinjuries was augmented in players with strength imbalances.

Conclusion:

Previous HSIs and between-limb imbalance in eccentric knee flexor strength were associated with an increased risk of future HSIs in rugby union. These results support the rationale for reducing imbalance, particularly in players who have suffered a prior HSI, to mitigate the risk of future injuries.
Immobilization of heparin on chitosan-grafted polyurethane films to enhance anti-adhesive and antibacterial properties
Authors: Kara Filiz , Aksoy Eda Ayse , Calamak Semih , Hasirci Nesrin , Aksoy Serpil
Published: September 2015

Infections caused by bacteria adhering to implant surfaces are one of the main reasons for the failure of the implants. In this study, polyurethane (PU), which is the most commonly used polymer in the production of medical devices, was synthesized and surfaces of polyurethane films were modified by chitosan (CH) grafting and heparin (Hep) immobilization in order to enhance anti-adhesiveness and antibacterial properties. Functional groups present on the surface, topographical shapes, and free energies of the polyurethane films were determined. Pristine polyurethane, chitosan-grafted polyurethane (PU–CH), and heparin immobilized polyurethane (PU–CH–Hep) films demonstrated high anti-adhesive efficacy against bacteria in the given order, where PU–CH–Hep was the most effective one. When PU–CH–Hep samples were incubated with different bacteria, complete death was observed for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram negative), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram positive). Some living Escherichia coli (Gram negative) were observed after 24 h of incubation. Pristine and modified polyurethane samples demonstrated no adverse effect on proliferation of L929 fibroblast cells and were found to be biocompatible according to MTT cytotoxicity tests.
Brushite-based calcium phosphate cement with multichannel hydroxyapatite granule loading for improved bone regeneration
Authors: Sarkar Swapan Kumar , Lee Byung Yeol , Padalhin Andrew Reyas , Sarker Avik , Carpena Nathaniel , Kim Boram , Paul Kallyanshish , Choi Hwan Jun , Bae Sang-Ho , Lee Byong Taek
Published: September 2015

In this work, we report brushite-based calcium phosphate cement (CPC) system to enhance the in vivo biodegradation and tissue in-growth by incorporation of micro-channeled hydroxyapatite (HAp) granule and silicon and sodium addition in calcium phosphate precursor powder. Sodium- and silicon-rich calcium phosphate powder with predominantly tri calcium phosphate (TCP) phase was synthesized by an inexpensive wet chemical route to react with mono calcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) for making the CPC. TCP nanopowder also served as a packing filler and moderator of the reaction kinetics of the setting mechanism. Strong sintered cylindrical HAp granules were prepared by fibrous monolithic (FM) process, which is 800 µm in diameter and have seven micro-channels. Acid sodium pyrophosphate and sodium citrate solution was used as the liquid component which acted as a homogenizer and setting time retarder. The granules accelerated the degradation of the brushite cement matrix as well as improved the bone tissue in-growth by permitting an easy access to the interior of the CPC through the micro-channels. The addition of micro-channeled granule in the CPC introduced porosity without sacrificing much of its compressive strength. In vivo investigation by creating a critical size defect in the femur head of a rabbit model for 1 and 2 months showed excellent bone in-growth through the micro-channels. The granules enhanced the implant degradation behavior and bone regeneration in the implanted area was significantly improved after two months of implantation.
Output feedback sliding mode control of Lorentz-augmented spacecraft hovering using neural networks
Authors: Huang Xu , Yan Ye , Zhou Yang , Xu Hai
Published: September 2015

Traditional thrusters using chemical fuels could hardly afford long-term hovering in low Earth orbits due to the considerable fuel consumptions, which, however, could be feasible with the geomagnetic Lorentz force acting on a charged Lorentz spacecraft as auxiliary propulsion. And this kind of hovering using hybrid control inputs consisting of the net charge and thruster-generated control force of Lorentz spacecraft is termed as Lorentz-augmented spacecraft hovering. Based on the dynamical model of Lorentz-augmented spacecraft relative motion, fuel-optimal open-loop control laws are first derived by a Lagrange method. To achieve closed-loop hovering in the presence of external perturbations and system uncertainties and in the absence of velocity measurements, a neural network–based observer and an adaptive output feedback sliding mode controller are designed. Neural networks are used to approximate the unknown nonlinear dynamics, and sliding mode control method is used to ensure the system robustness. The adaptive tuning law of the neural networks is derived by a Lyapunov approach to guarantee the uniform ultimate boundedness of the overall closed-loop system. The validity and feasibility of the proposed control schemes are substantiated by numerical simulations.
Fault diagnosis for the landing phase of the aircraft based on an adaptive kernel principal component analysis algorithm
Authors: Guo Runxia , Guo Kai , Dong Jiankang
Published: September 2015

Kernel principal component analysis is an effective fault diagnosis algorithm proved by large amount of practices in industry; however, kernel principal component analysis with constant parameters is unable to achieve satisfactory results when the working condition is dynamic. In this article, the parameters in the proposed kernel function are adaptively adjusted according to the maximum variance principle and the K-nearest neighbors approach. Because the variance of the data is maximized, the proposed adaptive kernel principal component analysis approach can obtain well diagnosis effect under the condition that only a small amount of data are available. Moreover, for the structure of the data is preserved by the K-nearest neighbors method, the rate of false alarm and underreporting is effectively reduced. In addition, a novel approach with a new algorithm for forgetting factor calculation is put forward so that the fault detection model can be updated and suits the actual situation better. Experiments on the landing phase of the aircraft have shown that adopting the proposed algorithm can detect faults better than using static model.
Eastern Feminism? Some Considerations on Women and Religion in a Post-Communist Context (Romania, Hungary)
Authors: Bodó Márta
Published: September 2015

In the context of mainstream feminism(s), Eastern-European women, coming from a post-Communist context are overwhelmed. As they have been unable to access the newest developments of feminist thought, feminist theology, they cannot find their own place and voice. In order to overcome this state of mind, this article puts forward an approach and a strategy. Drawing from the main ideas of contemporary Romanian and Transylvanian feminists – Mihaela Mudure, Mihaela Miroiu, Réka Geambasu, Enikő Magyari-Vincze and others – the article aims to start the quest for a fitting Eastern European-type of feminism. Post-Communist countries are the so-called ‘second world’. They need to find their own way, their own voice, similar to the ‘third world’, which has already started to do so. The knowledge and reception of the international feminist movement and its main oeuvre can help Central and Eastern European women theologians find those aspects that have supported others. Stating the specific situation of ‘second world’ women and seeking the theological aspects that describe their position and problems adequately, they can contribute to finding their one and only special voice.
The gift of war: Cash, counterinsurgency, and ‘collateral damage’
Authors: Gilbert Emily
Published: September 2015

As part of the counterinsurgency initiatives in Afghanistan and Iraq, military forces have been making payments to civilians in cases of ‘inadvertent’ injury, death and/or damage to property. There are no legal norms governing civilian compensation in war. Rather, military payments are seen as a way to help ‘win’ the hearts and minds of the population. This article examines this turn to military payments, with a focus on US practices and the implications for our understanding of contemporary changes to warfare. I suggest that while monetary payments can alleviate short-term economic need, the lack of legal liability is problematic as it may help amplify the impunity of warring soldiers. The article begins with an overview of the bureaucratic ways in which monetary values are attributed to death and injury. It then turns to consider how military payments reinforce the notion of ‘collateral damage’ that is legitimized in international humanitarian law. Finally, I draw upon theories of the gift, and of the gift of war, to interrogate the affective register in which military payments are made, inserted as they are in narratives of sympathy and condolence that bind the giver and receiver in relations of indebtedness and dependence.
Sustainability in Recruitment and Selection: Building a Framework of Practices
Authors: Jepsen Denise M. , Grob Suzanne
Published: September 2015

Much has been written about the role of human resources professionals in creating sustainable organizations. However, despite recognition that organizational human resources functions have an important role to play in sustainability, researchers tend to focus on strategic issues and sustainability. This higher-order focus has often meant that practical, operational-level advice has been overlooked. This article addresses that gap by presenting a framework of suggested sustainable recruitment and selection practices. This framework is applicable to practitioners and acts as a curriculum for educators. Almost 90 specific environmental, economic and social sustainability practices in recruitment and selection were revealed in the data collection process. A prioritized top 10 list of practices is recommended for immediate implementation.
Evaluation of consultation–liaison psychiatry referrals from a critical care unit of an outer suburban hospital
Authors: Devasagayam Dhayanthi , Clarke David
Published: September 2015

Objective:

To describe the nature of psychiatric morbidity in patients admitted to a critical care unit of a general hospital and referred to a consultation-liaison psychiatry service.

Method:

Analysis of clinical records on all patients admitted to a critical care unit and referred to consultation–liaison between 2010 to end of 2011. Descriptive statistics only are reported.

Results:

The referrals represented all age groups. Of those referred, 63.9% had a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis and 64.7% had been admitted for intentional or accidental overdose.

Conclusion:

Those identified to have a pre-existing mental illness and who had engaged in treatment were found to be inadequately supervised. They require more extended care and monitoring for suicidality and co-morbid physical conditions.
Apparent Feminism as a Methodology for Technical Communication and Rhetoric
Authors: Frost Erin A.
Published: September 2015

This article introduces apparent feminism, which is a new approach urgently required by modern technical rhetorics. Apparent feminism provides a new kind of response that addresses current political trends that render misogyny unapparent, the ubiquity of uncritically negative responses to the term feminism, and a decline in centralized feminist work in technical communication. More specifically, it suggests that the manifestation of these trends in technical spheres requires intervention into notions of objectivity and the regimes of truth they support. Apparent feminism is a methodology that seeks to recognize and make apparent the urgent and sometimes hidden exigencies for feminist critique of contemporary politics and technical rhetorics. It encourages a response to social justice exigencies, invites participation from allies who do not explicitly identify as feminist but do work that complements feminist goals, and makes apparent the ways in which efficient work actually depends on the existence and input of diverse audiences.
When Do Religious Leaders Support Faith-Based Violence? Evidence from a Survey Poll in South Sudan
Authors: Basedau Matthias , Koos Carlo
Published: September 2015

Religion has increasingly become important in conflicts worldwide. Religious leaders may play a key role in mobilizing believers as they can call for peace or instigate violence. But what makes religious leaders support peace or promote violence? Drawing on a survey poll of 102 religious leaders in Juba, South Sudan, this paper represents virtually the first attempt to study the correlates of pro-violence opinions of religious elites in a more quantitative manner in a developing country. The paper analyzes when and why some religious leaders support faith-based violence while others do not. Employing a unique combination of innovative measures, our results have many implications for mobilization processes. We find that leaders’ support for faith-based violence is largely independent of individual demographic or personal determinants but is closely related to religious attitudes. Tolerance toward other faiths and secularism reduce pro-violence attitudes. Muslims seem to be more ready to support faith-based violence, probably given their minority status and other peculiarities of Islam in (South) Sudan. Surprisingly, interreligious activities do not reduce support for violence but increase appreciation for peaceful protest. Generally, determinants of peaceful protest substantially differ, suggesting that any support for violence follows its own distinct logic.
Here, I Used to Be
Authors: Frith Jordan , Kalin Jason
Published: September 2015

This article examines how location-based mobile media technologies are affecting the ways individuals experience the relationship between memory and place. We argue that location-based mobile applications that allow people to check in to places or record their routes represent new practices of place-based digital memory. Many individuals are using mobile media to mobilize place and memory together to create new forms of digital network memory from which they may begin to remember their pasts and to write their histories—a kind of rhetorical and poetic memory making. To help illuminate these practices, we analyze applications such as Foursquare and My Tracks and draw on research in mobilities studies, new media studies, and memory studies to introduce and advance concepts such as personal digital archiving and digital network memory. These practices of place-based digital memory have consequences for understanding the interrelationships between mobility, place, memory, and mobile media.
Tribology investigation in marine rubber stern tube bearing with consideration of friction-induced vibration
Authors: Peng Engao , Huang Ronghua
Published: September 2015

This paper applies methods of theoretical analysis, lubrication calculation and test to study the vibration characteristics of marine rubber stern tube bearing (RSTB), and then the friction-induced vibration (FIV) phenomenon is investigated and the generation condition is analyzed. In order to study the tribological and vibration performance of the RSTB, a series of experiments are carried out, and then the stick-slip is the major precondition and the critical speed predominates within the motion. By increasing the specific pressure and the surface roughness of RSTB, it can lead to distinct vibration after the RSTB undergoes a transition from mild wear to severe wear. The analyses show how FIV generated and the results can be drawn as a function of effective measures to avoid abnormal vibration.
The experiences of older adults living with an appearance altering burn injury: An exploratory qualitative study
Authors: Jones Bethany Alice , Buchanan Heather , Harcourt Diana
Published: September 2015

Advances in medical treatment mean more older people are living with burn injuries. However, little is known about experiences and support needs of this group. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of semi-structured interviews with 10 burn survivors aged 51–71 years identified four themes: time and adjusting to an altered appearance; living with a visible difference in the eyes of others; me, myself and I; importance of maintaining appearance. Adjusting to burns was a long process. Participants discussed feeling isolated, needing information about how ageing impacts on scars and maintaining a socially acceptable appearance. Implications for care and further research are discussed.
The rich—love them or hate them? Divergent implicit and explicit attitudes toward the wealthy
Authors: Horwitz Suzanne R. , Dovidio John F.
Published: September 2015

Adding to a growing body of work on the psychology of social class, the present research examined implicit and explicit attitudes toward rich people, standing out from much previous work that has focused on negative evaluations of people with low socioeconomic status (SES). Across three studies, we found that participants (who typically identified as middle class) implicitly, but not explicitly, favored the rich over the middle class. Although financial resources represent a continuum objectively, attitudes toward the rich seem to be conceptually distinct from evaluations of low-SES people. Additionally, we demonstrated that implicit prorich attitudes uniquely predict leniency on a rich driver who causes a car accident, while explicit attitudes do not predict such judgments. This work expands and clarifies knowledge of implicit wealth attitudes and suggests that implicit prorich attitudes are an important factor in understanding how social class influences daily life.
Feasibility and acceptability of SMS text messaging in a prostate cancer educational intervention for African American men
Authors: Le Daisy , Holt Cheryl L , Saunders Darlene R , Wang Min Qi , Coriolan Annie , Savoy Alma D , Slade Jimmie L , Muwwakkil Bettye , Atkinson Nancy L
Published: September 2015

African Americans’ greater access to mobile phones makes short messaging service technology a promising complement to health promotion interventions. Short messaging service text messages were added to the Men’s Prostate Awareness Church Training project, a men’s health intervention for African American men. We report on the feasibility and acceptability of the use of short messaging service text messages in the intervention. Short messaging service text messages served as (1) workshop reminders; (2) post-workshop message reinforcement; (3) spiritual/motivational messages; and (4) participant retention. At workshop 4, over 65 percent of participants wished to continue receiving the messages. While there was an increase in recall over time, more than one-third of the participants did not recall receiving the 53 text messages. However, recall was considerably greater among men who attended the Men’s Prostate Awareness Church Training workshops. Overall, the inclusion of text messages in health promotion interventions targeting mature African American men was found to be feasible and acceptable.
Environmental justice
Authors: Shrotria Sudha
Published: September 2015

This article discusses the role of India’s National Green Tribunal (NGT) which was established on 18 October 2010 as a dedicated environmental court under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 and became fully operational with effect from 4 July 2011. The NGT was constituted as a multidisciplinary body with the necessary expertise for the effective and speedy disposal of cases relating to environmental protection, forest conservation and enforcement of legal rights relating to environment protection. The article brings out the jurisdiction, powers and functions of the tribunal for effecting environmental justice, the significant cases adjudicated by it in the four years of its existence, the principles applied, the accessibility and value addition to environmental jurisprudence through innovative application of law and the objectivity demonstrated by the tribunal in balancing the protection of the environment and sustainable development. The tribunal, with its specific mandate constitutes an important step in the access to justice on matters concerning the environment.