bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyundai’s Challenge to Maruti Suzuki in the Dynamic Indian Automobile Sector
Authors: Telang Achyut , Roy Souvik
Published: March 2016

In the 1980s, Maruti had no real competition in India, and it did not even have to market its products. There were long waiting lists, and they made more than half of their cars in white, thus saving costs. However, once Hyundai entered the market, things started to change. Hyundai started focusing on quality, customer care and service. It talked about its technology like multi-point fuel injection (MPFI) which emitted lower emission and met Euro norms. It brought in Santro Zip Drive version which was the first small car with a power steering. It advertised Santro as being a five-seater as opposed to Maruti Suzuki’s products, and it brought in fluidic sculpture design with Verna and promoted it. As a result, Maruti Suzuki, which controlled 70 per cent of the Indian market at its peak, came down to 52 per cent in twenty years, whereas Hyundai reached around 22 per cent. It was a long battle in a sector whose dynamics were changing as a result of government policies, such as excise duty cuts, increase in customs duty, lower interest rates and the introduction of goods and service tax (GST) besides the ambitious ‘Make in India’ campaign.
Media Images of Pakistan’s Hostility toward India: A Study of Four Newspapers during 2001–2002
Authors: Singh Gurinder Pal
Published: March 2016

Hostility toward India remained perhaps the defining feature of Pakistan’s foreign policy. The underlying factors have been widely researched and debated. The present article seeks to explore the issue through the lens of a cross section of the Indian media—the newspaper press to be precise. The significance of the study derives from the assumption that media projection of policy-relevant issues largely shapes popular perceptions in a democracy and thereby exerts indirect influence on the policy-making exercise as well. The general objective has been broken down into two operative objectives: to identify the various explanations offered by the press for the anti-Indian component of Pakistan’s foreign policy and also to note if these perceptions/explanations remained stable over a period of time. To attain these goals, four English language dailies, namely, The Tribune, The Hindu, The Telegraph, and The Times of India, have been examined in terms of their editorials and opinion articles in relation to the Indo–Pak bilateral engagements during 2001–2002. It was revealed that the newspapers concentrated on a limited number of explanations for the antagonism between India and Pakistan—pinning the responsibility generally on Pakistan. Moreover, the emphasis they laid on respective explanations varied considerably during the time frame indicated above.
Demand for Price Insurance among Farmers in India: A Choice Experiment-based Approach
Authors: Ranganathan Thiagu , Gaurav Sarthak , Singh Ashish
Published: March 2016

Using choice experiments, we estimate the willingness to pay for price insurance among cotton and paddy farmers in the Indian state of Gujarat. We also identify the interactions between the demand for price insurance and existing informal and formal risk management mechanisms. Our results indicate that cotton farmers value price insurance more than paddy farmers. Also, most of the existing informal risk management strategies seem to have a positive effect on the demand for price insurance, suggesting potential complementarities. Important policy implications on the design and bundling of innovative financial products follow from our findings.

JEL Classification: D81, D01, G13
Modernizing Agriculture in Central Asia
Authors: Pomfret Richard
Published: March 2016

This article analyzes the prospects for agriculture in Central Asia up till 2050 and makes recommendations about what is needed to achieve the aspirational vision. Geography and climate favor two major export crops, cotton in the south and wheat in the north, but a pressing issue is the appropriate amount of area to be devoted to these crops and how to produce them efficiently; the answer will change as technological improvements are adopted, wages increase, and capital is substituted for labor, and as the water situation is affected by climate change and other factors. The traditional livestock sector that shrank drastically after 1991 could revive as incomes increase and diets change, and niche products could also be developed. The article is structured around these four subsectors (cotton, wheat, livestock, and niche products), but also recognizes the influence of national policies toward land, water, and rural development.
In-ger-land, In-ger-land, In-ger-land! Exploring the impact of soccer on the sense of belonging of those seeking asylum in the UK
Authors: Woodhouse Donna , Conricode Dom
Published: March 2016

Utilising research conducted in Sheffield (UK) with people seeking asylum, this article explores the ways in which soccer might be used to create a sense of belonging in the host country. It explores participant feelings about soccer and its potential to alleviate the pressures that the status of being an ‘asylum seeker’ brings. The ways in which soccer may play a role in the identity formation of those seeking asylum is considered in relation to both self-identity and the perceptions of others. The findings of this exploratory study suggest that the various ways of interacting with soccer can provide participants with a sense of control, identity and belonging.
Pain Intensity and Misconceptions Among Hospice Patients With Cancer and Their Caregivers: Status After 2 Decades
Authors: Wilkie Diana J. , Ezenwa M. O. , Yao Y. , Gill A. , Hipp T. , Shea R. , Miller J. , Carrasco J. , Shuey D. , Zhao Z. , Angulo V. , Suarez M. L. , McCurry T. , Martin J. , Molokie R. E. , Wang Z. W.
Published: March 2016

There is little evidence about barriers to pain management or their relationships with pain outcomes of hospice patients with cancer. The purpose of the study was to determine the barriers reported by hospice patients with cancer and their caregivers and the relationships with demographic characteristics and the patients’ pain. In this cross-sectional study, we used selected baseline data from an ongoing randomized clinical trial of patient and lay caregiver dyads receiving home-level hospice care. Participants used an Internet-enabled tablet to complete the valid, reliable measures of pain intensity, pain management barriers (Barriers Questionnaire 13 items [BQ-13]), and demographic characteristics. The responses indicate that the 2 areas of highest concern (mean scores >3) to both patients and caregivers were “pain means disease progression” and “constipation.” Additionally, 3 other areas of highest concern (mean scores >3) to caregivers were “addiction” pain medicine causing “one to do embarrassing things” and “confusion.” The mean BQ-13 scores ranged from 0.2 to 4.9 and averaged 2.6 ± 0.9 for the patients and ranged from 0.5 to 4.7 and averaged 2.7 ± 0.9 for the caregivers. Mean barrier scores remain high and were not different between patients and their caregivers or significantly related to the patients’ pain intensity. However, there were differences in race, ethnic, and hospice setting in the barrier scores. Patients with Hispanic heritage reported higher barrier scores than non-Hispanic patients. Together, these findings not only support prior research findings but also contribute new insights about pain intensity and pain barriers that are relevant to hospices serving minorities with cancer.
Changing the Beat
Authors: Perez-Trujillo Monica , Reyes Maria-Fernanda , Cabrera Lady , Gomez Augusto Perez
Published: March 2016

Opportunities for crime are related to specific times and places. However, studies on alcohol-related violence have mostly focused on the role of neighborhood-level factors over large areas and long periods of time, meaning that we know surprisingly little about how people’s interactions with the environment at specific times and places affect alcohol-related violence. In order to explore opportunities for violence in public places with high alcohol outlet densities, we conducted a multiple case study of two nighttime leisure microenvironments in Bogota, Colombia. Based on more than 150 hrs of participant observation in each site during nighttime activity over 4 months, we characterized each setting in terms of physical risk factors, actor heterogeneity, incidents of aggression, alcohol use dynamics and routines, and the intervention of different types of guardianship in these contexts. Results show that, despite similarities in the physical characteristics of the environment and alcohol availability, there are important differences in place-based dynamics that increase or decrease opportunities for violence and crime. We discuss how our results contribute to the development of opportunity theories and conclude with policy implications and opportunities for intervention.
Adaptive artificial companions learning from users’ feedback
Authors: Karami Abir B. , Sehaba Karim , Encelle Benoit
Published: March 2016

Until recently, propositions on the subject of intelligent service companions, like robots, were mostly user and environment independent. Our work is part of the FUI-RoboPopuli project, which concentrates on endowing entertainment companion robots with adaptive and social behavior. More precisely, we focus on the capacity of an intelligent system to learn how to personalize and adapt its behavior/actions according to its interaction situation that describes (a) the current user attributes, and (b) the current environment attributes. Our approach is based on models of the type of Markov decision processes (MDPs) that are largely used for adaptive robot applications. In order to have, as quickly as possible, a relevant adaptive behavior whatever the interaction situation, several approaches were proposed to decrease the sample complexity required to learn the MDP model, including its reward function. We argue that systems that are based on detecting important attributes for each decision are more likely to converge faster than others. To this end, we present two algorithms to learn the MDP reward function through analyzing interaction traces (i.e., the interaction history between the robot and its users including their feedback regarding the robot actions). The first algorithm is direct, certain and does not particularly exploit its knowledge to adapt to unknown situations (i.e., unknown users’ and/or environment settings). The second is able to detect the importance of certain situation attributes in the adaptation process. The detection of important attributes is used to speed up the learning process and helps by generalizing the learned reward function to unknown situations. In this paper, we present both learning algorithms, simulated experiments and an experiment with the EMOX (EMOtion eXchange) robot that was upgraded during the FUI-RoboPopuli project. The results of those experiments prove that when dealing with adaptive decision making, the detection of important attributes for each decision speeds up the learning process and help in achieving convergence using fewer samples. We also present a scaling analysis through the simulated experiments.
Audit of Turnaround Time for a Training Oral Histopathology Laboratory in Malaysia
Authors: Chan Siew Wui , Liew Liang Huey , Wong Gou Rean , Kallarakkal Thomas George , Abraham Mannil Thomas , Ramanathan Anand , Zain Rosnah Binti
Published: March 2016

Background. Turnaround time (TAT) is the benchmark to assess the performance of a laboratory, pathologists, and pathology services, but there are few articles on TAT of surgical pathology, particularly in relation to oral or head and neck specimens. This study investigates the TAT for oral histopathology reporting in an academic institution’s training laboratory and offers recommendations to achieve better overall quality of diagnostic services. Methods. This study examined data obtained from biopsy request forms for specimens received from the Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang in the Oral Pathology Diagnostic Laboratory of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, over a period of 3 years between January 2012 and October 2014. Results. TAT for surgical and decalcified specimens were increased significantly compared to biopsies. Additional special handling did not influence TAT, but increased specimen volume resulted in greater TAT. Slide interpretation was the most time-consuming stage during histopathology reporting. Overall, mean TAT was acceptable for most specimens, but the TAT goals were less than satisfactory. Conclusion. A TAT goal appropriate for this laboratory may hence be established based on this study. Collective efforts to improve the TAT for various specimens are essential for better laboratory performance in the future.
Activating BRAF Mutations Detected in Mixed Hürthle Cell Carcinoma and Multifocal Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid Gland
Authors: Sinno Sara , Choucair Mahmoud , Nasrallah Mona , Wadi Lara , Jabbour Mark N. , Nassif Samer
Published: March 2016

Despite the increase in the incidence of thyroid carcinomas, the occurrence of collision tumors in the thyroid remains a rare event. We present the case of a 69-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of painful neck swelling. Imaging revealed a large right hemithyroid mass and a left hemithyroid nodule. Fine needle aspiration of the lesions and subsequent total thyroidectomy revealed a Hürthle cell carcinoma in the right lobe and bilateral multicentric papillary carcinoma foci, including 2 foci with a classical pattern and 1 encapsulated follicular variant in the isthmus. BRAF gene mutation analysis revealed V600E gene mutation in the classical variants of papillary carcinoma and in the Hürthle cell carcinoma. The focus of follicular variant of papillary carcinoma in the isthmus and a sample from normal thyroid tissue did not harbor BRAF mutations. This case is remarkable in being an unusual report of a follicular Hürthle cell carcinoma harboring the BRAF V600E mutation and occurring in collision with multifocal papillary carcinoma. Documentation of such cases is important as it helps better understand the pathogenesis, clinical behavior, and radiologic findings of such rare lesions and to determine the optimal treatment modalities.
Semi-active vibration control of an 8x8 armored wheeled platform
Authors: Trikande MW , Karve NK , Anand Raj R , Jagirdar VV , Vasudevan R
Published: March 2016

This study proposes skyhook and fuzzy logic based semi-active control strategies to isolate sprung mass motions of 8x8 military vehicle and provide ride quality, road holding and firing accuracy for a platform, removing the passivity constraints of semi-active suspension system. The governing differential equations of motion of 8x8 platform for semi-active vibration control are formulated analytically and validated under multi body dynamics environment. Sprung mass acceleration and displacement are measured on a quarter car set up experimentally to assess the efficacy of skyhook and fuzzy logic controllers. Control strategies, viz. continuous skyhook control, cascade loop control and cascade loop with ride control are implemented. Cascade loop with ride control is employed such that the outer loop stabilizes heave, pitch and roll motions of full vehicle whereas the inner loop, through fuzzy controller, isolates vehicle from uneven disturbances. Various parametric studies are also performed with 8x8 semi-active suspension systems in terms of stochastic road inputs to represent cross country terrain profile. Furthermore, effect of proposed strategies on ride comfort, road holding, amplitude and settling time of vehicle body motions after firing large projectile from gun and aiming accuracy of the fire control system are investigated. It is demonstrated that cascade loop with ride control in semi-active mode improves vehicle ride comfort and road holding and accuracy of fire control system and rate of fire of gun.
Buckling of a spherical shell under external pressure and inward concentrated load: Asymptotic solution
Authors: Evkin Alexander , Kolesnikov Maxim , Prikazchikov Danila A
Published: March 2016

An asymptotic solution is suggested for a thin isotropic spherical shell subject to uniform external pressure and concentrated load. The pressure is the main load and a concentrated lateral load is considered as a perturbation that decreases buckling pressure. First, the post-buckling solution of the shell under uniform pressure is constructed. A known asymptotic result for large deflections is used for this purpose. In addition, an asymptotic approximation for small post-buckling deflections is obtained and matched with the solution for large deflections. The proposed solution is in good agreement with numerical results. An asymptotic formula is then derived, with the load-deflection diagrams analyzed for the case of combined load. Buckling load combinations are calculated as limiting points in the load-deflection diagrams. The sensitivity of the spherical shell to local perturbations under external pressure is analyzed. The suggested asymptotic result is validated by a finite element method using the ANSYS simulation software package.
Longitudinal Echocardiographic Evaluation of an Unusual Presentation of X-Linked Myxomatous Valvular Dystrophy Caused by Filamin A Mutation
Authors: Ma Peter H. , Sachdeva Ritu , Wilson Elizabeth C. , Guzzetta Nina A.
Published: March 2016

Polyvalvar myxomatous valve degeneration is a clinical pathology rarely encountered during cardiac anesthesia, but, when present, most commonly occurs in the context of a connective tissue disorder. Filamin A mutations have begun to be recognized as a source of progressive myxomatous mitral and tricuspid valve degeneration. These lesions can be diagnosed by echo, but their clinical presentation can be equivocal. We present a patient with significant echocardiographic findings of mitral and tricuspid valvar regurgitation, aortic dilatation, and intraoperative findings of aortic ectasia. In our case, a detailed family history led to a preoperative echocardiogram revealing myxomatous mitral and tricuspid valve degeneration with significant regurgitation and aortic dilatation. Genetic evaluation led to the diagnosis of a Filamin A mutation. Pre- and postrepair echocardiographic assessments of valvar function played a key role in the management of this patient. Continued surveillance of his aortic dilation and evaluation of postrepair valve function warrants close follow-up with a high likelihood for further surgical intervention.
How Do Nonprofit Firms Respond to Tax Policy?
Authors: Galle Brian
Published: March 2016

We investigate the effects of variations in the value of the charitable contribution deduction on nonprofit firm behavior, including exploring for the first time the effects of the tax price of giving on fund-raising. We find that a 1 percent increase in tax subsidies is correlated with a 2.0 percent increase in fund-raising, while the elasticity of real charitable output to changes in tax price is less than one in absolute value for most firms. We derive a new equation for treasury efficiency in the presence of fund-raising and find that while our point estimates still support treasury efficiency, our confidence intervals are wide enough to allow some possibility that the deduction is not cost effective. Further, the modest elasticity of charitable output to tax price implies that tax subsidies can crowd out other revenue sources, such that the efficacy of the subsidy depends on the relative efficiency of these alternative sources.
What is Essential in Developmental Evaluation? On Integrity, Fidelity, Adultery, Abstinence, Impotence, Long-Term Commitment, Integrity, and Sensitivity in Implementing Evaluation Models
Authors: Patton Michael Quinn
Published: March 2016

Fidelity concerns the extent to which a specific evaluation sufficiently incorporates the core characteristics of the overall approach to justify labeling that evaluation by its designated name. Fidelity has traditionally meant implementing a model in exactly the same way each time following the prescribed steps and procedures. The essential principles of developmental evaluation (DE), in contrast, provide high-inference sensitizing guidance that must be interpreted and applied contextually. In lieu of operationalizing DE fidelity criteria, I suggest addressing the degree of manifest sensitivity to essential principles. Principles as sensitizing concepts replace operational rules. This means that sensitivity to essential DE principles should be explicitly and contextually manifest in both processes and outcomes, in both design and use of findings. Eight essential principles of DE are identified and explained. Finally, 10 threats to evaluation model fidelity and/or degree of manifest sensitivity are identified with ways to mitigate those threats.
Impartiality and Hierarchical Evaluations in the Japanese Development Aid Community
Authors: Maemura Yu
Published: March 2016

This article presents a discourse analytic study of how the concept of impartiality is socially constructed by members of the development aid community through an examination of linguistic traits and patterns within (a) inter- and intraorganizational interactions and (b) relevant aid evaluation policy documents. A qualitative analysis of unstructured and semistructured interviews with development professionals in Japan and a content analysis of relevant evaluation policies and documents have revealed observable evidence of distinct institutional practices of impartiality via project evaluations. Most notably, in contrast to a notion of evaluator impartiality that is strengthened through the principle of independence, development professionals in Japan perceive evaluations (‘ hyouka’) to be a fundamentally hierarchical construct in which evaluator impartiality can be strengthened or legitimized through authoritative or hierarchical means.
Overall indoor quality of a non-renewed secondary-school building
Authors: Loreti Lisa , Barbaresi Luca , De Cesaris Simona , Garai Massimo
Published: March 2016

This work is the result of a field study about overall comfort aspects performed in a secondary-school building in the surroundings of Bologna during the winter season. The campaign aimed at describing overall comfort aspects of the school both from an objective and a subjective point of view, thus a questionnaire was administered to pupils during ongoing lessons to compare physical measurements and subjective responses. The monitored attributes and items concerned typical indoor quality aspects: acoustical, thermal, indoor air, and visual quality. As weak points emerged from the data analysis, possible solutions are illustrated, focusing on acoustics and optimizing effectiveness and cost.
The EDSS-Plus, an improved endpoint for disability progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cadavid Diego , Cohen Jeffrey A , Freedman Mark S , Goldman Myla D , Hartung Hans-Peter , Havrdova Eva , Jeffery Douglas , Kapoor Raj , Miller Aaron , Sellebjerg Finn , Kinch Deborah , Lee Sophia , Shang Shulian , Mikol Daniel
Published: March 2016

Background:

The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) has wide scientific and regulatory precedent but limited ability to detect clinically relevant disability progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) patients, partly due to a lack of meaningful measurement of short-distance ambulatory and upper-extremity function.

Objective:

To present a rationale for a composite endpoint adding the timed 25-foot walk (T25FW) and 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) to EDSS for SPMS disability progression assessment.

Methods:

Using the International Multiple Sclerosis Secondary Progressive Avonex Clinical Trial (IMPACT) placebo arm ( n = 215) data, we analyzed disability progression using a novel progression endpoint, “EDSS-Plus,” defined as progression on ⩾1 of 3 components (EDSS, T25FW, and/or 9HPT) confirmed ⩾24 weeks apart and with a ⩾20% minimum threshold change for T25FW and 9HPT.

Results:

Over 2 years, subjects classified as T25FW, 9HPT (dominant hand), or 9HPT (non-dominant hand) progressors worsened on average by 103.4%, 69.0%, and 59.2%, respectively, while non-progressors’ times remained largely unchanged. Using EDSS-Plus, 59.5% of the patients had 24-week confirmed disability progression versus 24.7% (EDSS), 41.9% (T25FW), and 34.4% (9HPT (either hand)) on each component alone.

Conclusion:

The 24-week confirmed minimum worsening of ⩾20% for T25FW and 9HPT clearly separates SPMS progressors from non-progressors. We propose that EDSS-Plus may represent an improved endpoint to identify SPMS disability progression.
F.J. Turner’s ‘frontier thesis’
Authors: Rojek Chris
Published: March 2016

American society was transformed by the expansion of capital Westward and the explosion in opportunities for land-grabbing and agricultural and industrial investment. F.J. Turner’s ([1893] 1961) frontier thesis portrays this transformation as the fulfilment of American character. The tensions between character and personality are examined following the ideas of Carl Schmitt on the significance of ‘the occasion’ in acquiring competitive advantage. Schmitt indicated the significance of a ‘vertical’ frontier in challenging social conventions and this constitutes a counterpoint to the ‘horizontal’ frontier developed in the frontier thesis of Turner. The importance of the occasion and personality in developing the American way of life is presented by an examination of the vaudeville and celebrity traditions in American entertainment.
Strength performance of threaded-sleeve connector under axial force
Authors: Li Siyao , Li Xiongyan , Xue Suduo , Ye Jihong
Published: March 2016

A new type of threaded-sleeve connection, which shares excellent characters including efficient fabrication and good bearing capacity, together with convenient construction or deconstruction, has been proposed in this article, and it can be utilized in mid-span space grid structures. To evaluate the performance of threaded-sleeve connection, both theoretical analysis and numerical simulations are conducted. Apart from material strength of the connector itself, the effect of other factors such as pitch and rounds of the thread, diameter of the ball of connector, and wall thickness of the joints and the threaded sleeve on the performance of threaded-sleeve connection is discussed as well. Then, the formulas for the bearing capacity and stiffness of threaded-sleeve connection are developed and proposed. In addition, the performance test of full-scale connector is carried out to verify these formulas. It is illustrated that the experimental results are in good agreement with numerical ones which verified the effectiveness of the theoretical calculation method. Thus, the formulas enable to determine the strength and stiffness of the proposed connectors.
Analysis of bridge response to barge collision: Refined impact force models and some new insights
Authors: Zhang Jingfeng , Chen Xinzhong , Liu Dejun , Li Xiaozhen
Published: March 2016

This article presents finite element simulations of bridge–barge collision using a representative Jumbo Hopper barge model and a bridge pier model with a squared cross section. Based on the simulation results and also the conservation principles of kinetic energy and linear momentum, refined simplified impact force history models for both elastic and inelastic collisions are developed. The simplified force models take into account the influences of barge impact velocity, barge loading tonnage and pier size. The proposed force models are validated through comparisons on the impact force time histories and response spectra with other impact force models. With a three-span continuous girder bridge, the participation of different bridge modal responses and modal combination rules are also investigated. A new modal combination rule is proposed for quantifying the maximum responses due to barge impact load.
Emotional labor in hospitality: Positive affective displays in service encounters
Authors: Li Jing , Canziani Bonnie F , Barbieri Carla
Published: March 2016

The study used web-based simulated hospitality scenarios to examine cultural differences in emotional cognition of facial expressions among Chinese and American subjects in an exploratory study. Results indicate that the two cultural groups interpreted smiling and direct eye-gaze similarly. Although a smiling face elicited positive emotional affective responses from both cultural groups, smiling alone was not sufficient to stimulate more positive subject reactions: Smiling needs to be accompanied by direct eye-gaze to fully elicit positive reactions from subjects. Study results suggest that global hospitality standards should reflect findings of psychological research on emotional labor and also that business normative guidelines should encourage the display of smiling faces along with direct eye-gaze to motivate a positive customer experience. No support was found for tailoring facial expressions related training to customers’ cultural backgrounds.
Inclusive growth versus pro-poor growth: Implications for tourism development
Authors: Bakker Martine , Messerli Hannah R
Published: March 2016

Inclusive growth and pro-poor growth are terms embraced but not fully understood in the tourism community. This paper discusses the main concepts of inclusive growth and their implication for tourism development across the developing world. Is inclusive growth simply another term for pro-poor in tourism? Discussion of current approaches utilized by the development community and its institutions highlights differences and notes a shift from pro-poor thinking to inclusive growth efforts. Within that context, the authors suggest the need for an improved understanding of the inclusive growth approach in tourism development, particularly for emerging countries.
The trouble of ‘living with others’: Language, community and the politics of belonging
Authors: Warren Simon
Published: March 2016

In this article I ask myself the following question: ‘Rather than try to escape the seemingly awful choice between the private and the public, between the particular and universal, or between justice and freedom, I ask if I simply have the option to enact democracy and see ‘what follows?’. To reach that question I engage with an empirical problem, namely the struggle over the legitimacy of the Irish language as a public good, and more specifically as the medium for education in an Irish secondary school. In response to this I analyse the situation in terms of a politics of belonging. However, I then flip my reasoning, questioning its tendency towards ‘master explication’ and the privileged position of the theorist, and instead explore the possibilities offered by an anarchic approach. This latter orientation involves a reading against myself through a dialogue with the work of Gert Biesta as he engages with Jacques Rancière’s concept of subjectification. And so, instead of trying to escape (to master?) the awful choice between justice OR freedom, I am led towards the openness of ‘what follows?’.
A Real-World Experience With the Supera Interwoven Nitinol Stent in Femoropopliteal Arteries
Authors: Myint Michael , Schouten Olaf , Bourke Victor , Thomas Shannon D. , Lennox Andrew F. , Varcoe Ramon L.
Published: March 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and midterm patency of the Supera interwoven nitinol stent in a real-world population and determine deployment and patient-related factors that may predispose to loss of patency. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 111 consecutive limbs from 97 patients (mean age 75.3 years; 68 men) with severe atherosclerotic disease of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries that were treated with Supera stents between June 2012 and October 2014. Half the patients had claudication (56%); the remainder had rest pain (19%) and tissue loss (26%). Forty-eight (43%) lesions were chronic total occlusions, and more than half were classified as TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus C (22%) or D (30%). Results: All 146 Supera stents (1.32 stents per limb) were deployed successfully, extending over a mean length of 175.5±130.5 mm to treat lesions averaging 151.5±127.1 mm long. At 30 days, Kaplan-Meier estimated freedom from death, target lesion revascularization, and amputation was 97.3%. Primary patency and freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization rates were 87.1% and 95.0% at 6 months, respectively, and 78.9% and 87.6% at 12 months, respectively. Four distinct mechanisms for failure were identified in the 13 limbs in which patency was lost; stent intussusception (n=4), compromised inflow or outflow (n=2), gross oversizing (n=1), and neoplastic thrombophilia (n=1); the cause of 5 occlusions could not be identified. Conclusion: In this heterogeneous group that included long and complex atheromatous femoropopliteal lesions, the Supera stent achieved excellent clinical and patency results at 1 year. Further improvement may be achieved through careful patient selection and the avoidance of deployment pitfalls.
Impact of Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation for Femoropopliteal In-Stent Occlusion
Authors: Tomoi Yusuke , Soga Yoshimitsu , Iida Osamu , Shiraki Tatsuya , Kobayashi Yohei , Hiramori Seiichi , Ando Kenji
Published: March 2016

Purpose: To compare optimal balloon angioplasty with nitinol stenting and drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for femoropopliteal in-stent occlusion (ISO). Methods: A dual center, retrospective study was performed from January 2004 to December 2014 encompassing 110 ISOs after bare nitinol stenting for a femoropopliteal lesion in 100 patients (mean age 72.7±10.1 years; 58 men). These patients underwent optimal balloon angioplasty with implantation of a bare stent (conventional group, n=79) or a DES (n=21). The primary endpoint was recurrent in-stent restenosis (Re-ISR); secondary endpoints were recurrent target lesion revascularization (Re-TLR), reocclusion, and major adverse limb events (MALE). Re-ISR or reocclusion was defined as ISR or occlusion after TLR. Restenosis was defined as a peak systolic velocity ratio >2.4 on a duplex scan or >50% stenosis on angiography. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify any relationships between patient and procedure variables and the occurrence of Re-ISR; the results are presented as the hazard ratio (HR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The mean follow-up period was 34.9±27.4 months. At 2 years, Kaplan-Meier estimated freedom from Re-ISR rates were 79.3% in the DES group and 20.2% in the conventional group, respectively (p<0.001). The rates of freedom from Re-TLR, reocclusion, and MALE at 2 years were 85.7%, 85.9%, and 85.7% in the DES group and 27.1%, 42.5%, and 25.3% in the conventional group, respectively (p<0.001, p=0.006, and p<0.001, respectively). Univariate analysis showed only postprocedure stenosis (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.07, p<0.001) as a predictor of Re-ISR. Postprocedure ABI (HR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.30, p<0.001) and DES use (HR 0.20, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.44, p<0.001) were associated with a lower likelihood of developing Re-ISR. Conclusion: In this small comparative study, DES stent implantation gives more favorable outcomes than conventional treatment for ISO after femoropopliteal stenting.
Did death certificates and a death review process agree on lung cancer cause of death in the National Lung Screening Trial?
Authors: Marcus Pamela M , Doria-Rose Vincent Paul , Gareen Ilana F , Brewer Brenda , Clingan Kathy , Keating Kristen , Rosenbaum Jennifer , Rozjabek Heather M , Rathmell Joshua , Sicks JoRean , Miller Anthony B
Published: March 2016

Background/aims:

Randomized controlled trials frequently use death review committees to assign a cause of death rather than relying on cause of death information from death certificates. The National Lung Screening Trial, a randomized controlled trial of lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography versus chest X-ray for heavy and/or long-term smokers ages 55–74 years at enrollment, used a committee blinded to arm assignment for a subset of deaths to determine whether cause of death was due to lung cancer.

Methods:

Deaths were selected for review using a pre-determined computerized algorithm. The algorithm, which considered cancers diagnosed during the trial, causes and significant conditions listed on the death certificate, and the underlying cause of death derived from death certificate information by trained nosologists, selected deaths that were most likely to represent a death due to lung cancer (either directly or indirectly) and deaths that might have been erroneously assigned lung cancer as the cause of death. The algorithm also selected deaths that might be due to adverse events of diagnostic evaluation for lung cancer. Using the review cause of death as the gold standard and lung cancer cause of death as the outcome of interest (dichotomized as lung cancer versus not lung cancer), we calculated performance measures of the death certificate cause of death. We also recalculated the trial primary endpoint using the death certificate cause of death.

Results:

In all, 1642 deaths were reviewed and assigned a cause of death (42% of the 3877 National Lung Screening Trial deaths). Sensitivity of death certificate cause of death was 91%; specificity, 97%; positive predictive value, 98%; and negative predictive value, 89%. About 40% of the deaths reclassified to lung cancer cause of death had a death certificate cause of death of a neoplasm other than lung. Using the death certificate cause of death, the lung cancer mortality reduction was 18% (95% confidence interval: 4.2–25.0), as compared with the published finding of 20% (95% confidence interval: 6.7–26.7).

Conclusion:

Death review may not be necessary for primary-outcome analyses in lung cancer screening trials. If deemed necessary, researchers should strive to streamline the death review process as much as possible.
Circles of Support and personalization
Authors: Wistow Gerald , Perkins Margaret , Knapp Martin , Bauer Annette , Bonin Eva-Maria
Published: March 2016

Circles of Support aim to enable people with learning disabilities (and others) to live full lives as part of their communities. As part of a wider study of the economic case for community capacity building conducted from 2012 to 2014, we conducted a mixed methods study of five Circles in North West England. Members of these Circles were supporting adults with moderate to profound learning disabilities and provided accounts of success in enabling the core member to live more independent lives with improved social care outcomes within cost envelopes that appeared to be less than more traditional types of support. The Circles also reported success in harnessing community resources to promote social inclusion and improve well-being. This very small-scale study can only offer tentative evidence but does appear to justify more rigorous research into the potential of Circles to secure cost-effective means of providing support to people with learning disabilities than the alternative, which in most cases would have been a long-term residential care placement.
Hydration strategies of professional elite rugby league referees during super league matches
Authors: Jones Ben , Till Kevin , Emmonds Stacey , King Roderick FGJ , Gray Michael P , Beggs Clive B , O’Hara John P
Published: March 2016

Due to the focus of research within athletic populations, little is known about the hydration strategies of rugby league referees. We observed all eight full-time professional referees, during 31 Super League matches to investigate the drinking strategies and magnitude of dehydration (body mass loss) experienced by referees during match play. Referees arrived and remained euhydrated (urine osmolality; pre and post-match 558 ± 310 and 466 ± 283 mOsmol·kg−1). Mean body mass change was −0.7 ± 0.8%, fluid loss was 890 ± 435 g and fluid intake was 444 ± 167, 438 ± 190, 254 ± 108 and 471 ± 221 g during pre-match, first half, half-time and second half. This study suggests that elite referees adopt appropriate hydration strategies during match-play to prevent large reductions in body mass, although individual variability was observed. Future research should investigate dehydration in referees from other sports and the effects on refereeing performance.
Coaching boys’ high school teams: Female coaches’ experiences and perceptions
Authors: LaFountaine Janna , Kamphoff Cindra S
Published: March 2016

Research has suggested that a minimal number of females serve as head coaches of male teams around the world. When they do coach males, female coaches have reported having difficulty establishing credibility, being one of the only female coaches, and feeling unsupported by administrators. The current study used open-ended responses and interview data to understand the experiences and perceptions of females coaching males at the U.S. high school level, as well as addresses the perceived barriers that may prohibit females from coaching boys. In general, the female coaches interviewed felt more support from their athletic administrators, parents, and other coaches than in previous research. The female coaches stated they enjoyed coaching boys, yet they believed they needed to be physically competent in order to prove themselves while coaching a boys’ team. They also described struggling to be respected and often felt they needed to employ masculine characteristics in order to be successful. These details provide evidence of the continuing uphill climb and yet, simultaneously documents that females’ experiences coaching male athletes may be improving. Further research is recommended examining the experiences of women coaching males at the high school level in the U.S. to determine if this trend is widespread.
The role of sport-specific play and practice during childhood in the development of adolescent Finnish team sport athletes
Authors: Forsman Hannele , Blomqvist Minna , Davids Keith , Konttinen Niilo , Liukkonen Jarmo
Published: March 2016

This study sought to understand the role of sport-specific play and practice in the development of adolescent team sport athletes in the Finnish sports development system. Participants were male, 15-year-old soccer (n = 141), ice hockey (n = 204), and basketball (n = 96) players, divided into three groups based on the amount of sport-specific play and practice experienced during childhood. Data were collected with sport-specific inventories of practice history, tactical skills, psychological skills, and sport-specific skill test. Results showed that athletes with more sport-specific play and practice during childhood had more sport-specific play and practice during adolescence, better technical, tactical, and psychological skills, and were more likely to be selected for national youth teams at the age of 15. Data highlighted the importance of sport-specific play and practice during childhood in the development of team sport performers in the Finnish athlete development system.
Marginal contribution of game statistics to probability of winning at different levels of competition in basketball: Evidence from the Euroleague
Authors: Özmen M Utku
Published: March 2016

In this study, we analyse the marginal contribution of team level game statistics to the probability of winning a basketball game at various competitive levels considering data from 14 seasons of the Euroleague. Different from the existing literature, we directly compute the marginal contribution of producing one more unit of each game statistic than the opponent to the probability of winning. We also differentiate our analysis over three stages of the Euroleague season that exhibit distinct levels of competitiveness. Results suggest sizeable differences in terms of contribution of game statistics across different levels of competition. As better performing teams advance, marginal contributions of game actions, especially defensive rebounding, assists, turnovers and shooting accuracy are considerably greater in absolute terms at more competitive stages. The most striking effect, however, is related to turnovers. While registering one turnover more than the opponent reduces the probability to win by 13% during the regular season (less competitive stage) and by 17% during Top-16 (the second competitive stage), it reduces the probability to win by 41% at the Play-offs stage (more competitive stage). Such a large impact may alter training and coaching strategies.
Reliability updating in linear opinion pooling for multiple decision makers
Authors: Bolger Donnacha , Houlding Brett
Published: March 2016

Accurate information sources are vital prerequisites for good decision making. Here, we consider a multiple participant setting, where all decision makers have a collection of neighbours with whom they share their beliefs about some common relevant uncertain quantity. When determining which course of action to follow, a decision maker takes into account all the information received from her neighbours. Over time, in light of the returns observed from choices made, decision makers update their own beliefs over the uncertain event and also adjust the degree of consideration they afford to the opinions of each neighbour based on the level of reliability their information is ascertained to have. In this article, we derive and discuss a methodology, the plug-in approach, by which this can be done, and discuss some suitable justification for this. We include an illustrative risk-based example which further demonstrates the merits of the method, before concluding with a discussion on further work and potential alternatives.
An update on the evidence for the efficacy and safety of rituximab in the management of neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Collongues Nicolas , de Seze Jérôme
Published: March 2016

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) is a new concept which includes classical neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and partial forms of NMO such as recurrent optic neuritis with positive aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4) or brainstem symptoms (intractable hiccups or vomiting). This disease is clearly distinguished from multiple sclerosis (MS) and the therapeutic approach is clearly different. Rituximab is actually considered to be one of the most efficient treatments of NMOSD, even if class I studies are clearly lacking. In the present review, we describe the state of the art about rituximab treatment in NMOSD, including adults and children, plus its efficacy and tolerance and we also underline the questions that should be addressed in the near future.