bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Politics of Trauma Studies: What Can We Learn From Women Combatants' Experiences of Traumatic Events in Conflict Zones?
Authors: Daphna‐Tekoah Shir , Harel‐Shalev Ayelet
Published: September 2016

Wars, combat, and political developments triggered the study of trauma. Knowledge about trauma initially emerged from the experiences of men combatants in the battlefield. At a later stage, the study of trauma focused on women and children subject to violence and abuse. The current research suggests that additional aspects of trauma can be understood through the study of competent women exposed to traumatic events and not merely as victims of war or abuse. The study offers an analysis of women combatants' narratives of their exposure to traumatic events in conflict zones. Data were obtained from two focus groups and a series of 30 personal interviews of women veterans who served in the IDF. Interviewing women combat soldiers revealed a variety of narratives of their war experiences, including the intertwining of the emotional and the physical. The window to understanding the trauma was opened by analysis of the responses of the women combatants to potentially traumatic events rather than by focusing on post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) per se. We emphasize the need for a critical perspective in the study of trauma and combat trauma and propose that there is value in engaging with and listening to diverse narratives of trauma.
Seeing What You Want to See: How Imprecise Uncertainty Ranges Enhance Motivated Reasoning
Authors: Dieckmann Nathan F. , Gregory Robin , Peters Ellen , Hartman Robert
Published: September 2016

In this article, we consider a novel criterion for evaluating representations of uncertainty ranges, namely, the extent to which a representation enhances motivated reasoning. In two studies, we show that perceptions of the distribution underlying ambiguous numerical ranges are affected by the motivations and worldviews of end users. This motivated reasoning effect remained after controlling for objective numeracy and fluid intelligence but was attenuated when the correct interpretation was made clear. We suggest that analysts and communicators explicitly consider the potential for motivated evaluation when evaluating uncertainty displays.
Placeholders and Changemakers: Women Farmland Owners Navigating Gendered Expectations
Authors: Carter Angie
Published: September 2016

Gendered expectations are central to the continuation of agricultural land tenure systems that concentrate land and power in the control of men. These expectations about how land should be used and by whom are communicated through cultural narratives and maintained through social interactions. Through analysis of qualitative data collected through in‐depth interviews with women farmland owners in Iowa, this article identifies a pivotal person without whom the success of these stories is in jeopardy: the “placeholder.” In this article, I identify how cultural narratives place two gendered expectations on women in the placeholder position: (1) that women landowners maintain farmland through the continuance of its use and preexisting land agreements with tenants or co‐owners, and (2) that women landowners defer their authority as landowners to men. Further, I identify the “changemaker” as an emerging character within cultural narratives—one who refuses to fit the expectations of placeholder and whose behavior may or may not be accepted by the community. Finally, I find that alternative social networks provide enabling environments for changemakers as sites of potential narrative revisions or shifts.
Maternal–Foetal Diabetes Modifies Neonatal Fc Receptor Expression on Human Leucocytes
Authors: de Souza E. G. , Hara C. C. P. , Fagundes D. L. G. , de Queiroz A. A. , Morceli G. , Calderon I. M. P. , França E. L. , Honorio‐França A. C.
Published: September 2016

This study investigated the expression of the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in maternal blood, cord blood and placental cells and determined IgG levels in maternal blood and cord blood from diabetic mothers. Peripheral blood, cord blood and placenta samples were collected from 26 mothers with normoglycaemia (non‐diabetic, ND group) and 52 with hyperglycaemia (26 with mild gestational hyperglycaemia, MGH group, and 26 with type 2 diabetes mellitus, DM‐2 group). Cells expressing CD19+ and FcRn were identified by flow cytometry. Total IgG and its subclasses were quantified by ELISA. Maternal blood from DM‐2 and cord blood from MGH exhibited a higher proportion of CD19+ expression by B cells. DM‐2 showed a lower proportion of CD19+ cells in placenta. FcRn expression increased in cells from cord blood and placenta from MGH. Maternal blood, cord blood and placenta cells from DM‐2 showed lower FcRn expression. Blood IgG levels were lower in DM‐2, and cord blood IgG levels were higher in MGH. The highest levels of IgG4 were detected in the blood of hyperglycaemic mothers. The highest IgG3 and IgG4 levels in cord blood were detected in MGH, and the lowest IgG2 and IgG3 levels in DM‐2. Maternal hyperglycaemia compromised placental transfer of IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4. The results suggest that regardless of hyperglycaemia degree, it decreases FcRn expression in placenta and blood cells and compromises the production and transfer of antibodies from maternal blood to newborns.
The implicit sociometer effect and the moderating role of relational self‐construal
Authors: Jiang Tao , Geng Liuna , Tang Yanmei , Ye Lijuan
Published: September 2016

The present study examined how negative feedback influenced implicit self‐evaluations and how individuals' level of relational self‐construal (RelSC) moderated these relationships. One hundred Chinese university students completed the relational‐interdependent self‐construal scale and were randomly assigned into one of three conditions (social exclusion, personal failure, or control). After receiving the manipulation, participants completed two Brief Implicit Association Tests (BIATs) that measured their implicit self‐liking and self‐competence. The results indicated that people with a highly RelSC typically had higher implicit self‐liking, but they decreased their implicit self‐liking more than those with a low RelSC after experiencing social exclusion. However, RelSC did not influence the effect of personal failure on implicit self‐liking. In addition, RelSC was not associated with implicit self‐competence in any situation.
Bayley‐III: Cultural differences and language scale validity in a Danish sample
Authors: Krogh Marianne T. , Væver Mette S.
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate cultural differences between Danish and American children at 2 and 3 years as measured with the developmental test Bayley‐III, and to investigate the Bayley‐III Language Scale validity. The Danish children (N = 43) were tested with the Bayley‐III and their parents completed an additional language questionnaire (the MacArthur‐Bates CDI). Results showed that scores from the Danish children did not differ significantly from the American norms on the Cognitive or Motor Scale, but the Danish sample scored significantly higher on the Language Scale. A comparison of the Bayley‐III Language subtests with the CDI showed that the two measures correlated significantly, but the percentile score from the CDI was significantly higher than the percentile score from the Bayley‐III Language subtests. This could be because the two instruments measure slightly different areas of language development, or because the Bayley‐III overestimates language development in Danish children. However, due to the limitations of the current study, further research is needed to clarify this issue.
Hidden in Plain Sight: How Industry, Mass Media, and Consumers’ Everyday Habits Suppress Food Controversies
Authors: Chiles Robert Magneson
Published: September 2016

In this article, I develop the concept of ‘suppressive synergy’ to explain how meat products retain their everyday legitimacy amongst consumers despite the controversies which surround these products. While sociologists have offered various explanations for and solutions to contemporary food controversies, absent from this literature is a more integrated explanation as to how industry, mass media, and consumers’ everyday habits reciprocally limit the public's engagement with these arguments. I investigated this empirically elusive phenomenon by conducting six focus groups plus follow‐up interviews with urban meat consumers in the US and a content analysis of meat‐related articles in the New York Times (1983–2011). Findings indicate that suppressive synergy occurs on both spatial‐temporal and cognitive‐affective dimensions. The meat and livestock industry enchants consumers with ornate products while sequestering production facilities in remote areas. Consumers, resistant to abandon their everyday habits and the cultural imperative of meat consumption, routinely avoid and dissociate themselves from meat‐related controversies. The mass media further normalises meat culture by infrequently covering these debates. This only reinforces public indifference, as the dearth of controversial stories bolsters the cultural presupposition that meat consumption is a generally benign activity.
Obstetrical transfusion medicine knowledge among faculty and trainee obstetricians: a prospective knowledge assessment study
Authors: Morris S. , Yudin M. H. , Callum J. , Alam A. , Herold J. , Lin Y.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To evaluate the current state of transfusion medicine (TM) knowledge among obstetricians using a valid assessment tool.

Background

Transfusion issues are common in obstetrical patients.

Methods

Knowledge topics were identified and rated by experts in obstetrics, anaesthesia, haematology and TM using a modified Delphi method. A knowledge assessment tool was developed and validated during pilot testing. The assessment tool, consisting of 15 multiple choice questions, was administered electronically to members of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC).

Results

A total of 192 SOGC members completed the assessment tool: 121 faculty obstetricians and 71 trainees. The average score was 65·8% ± 15·5. Scores for faculty were higher than trainees (68·9% ± 13·5 vs 60·6% ± 17·2; P < 0·001). Respondents performed well on questions related to red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and anaemia management but had lower scores on questions related to non‐RBC transfusion and management of alloantibodies and fetomaternal haemorrhage (FMH) testing. There was no improvement in scores with increasing trainee level, years of practice, hours of formal TM training or experience with massive haemorrhage. Only self‐rated knowledge was associated with scores [‘no knowledge’ or ‘beginner’ 63·1% ± 15 vs ‘intermediate’ or ‘advanced’ 68·9% ± 13·3 (P = 0·007)]. Of the respondents, 93·8% felt additional training in TM would be helpful.

Conclusions

Overall knowledge assessment scores indicate the need for educational intervention, particularly with respect to non‐RBC blood product use, management of FMH and management of pregnancies complicated by alloantibodies. The study also demonstrated a desire for additional TM training.
The impact of the context and recruitment materials on nondonors' willingness to donate blood
Authors: Masser Barbara M. , France Christopher R. , Himawan Lina K. , Hyde Melissa K. , Smith Geoff
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Anxiety is a frequently cited barrier to blood donor recruitment. Although the mere presence of donation paraphernalia can heighten anxiety for some individuals, such stimuli are a necessary and unavoidable part of donation. Drawing on France and colleagues' research on tailored donor education and coping materials, the current study assessed whether modifying recruitment materials could improve donor recruitment in a context where anxiety is heightened.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A field study comprising a 2 (presence or absence of a mobile blood collection unit [MCU]) × 2 (recruitment brochure: standard, coping) between‐subjects design was conducted with 922 nondonors who believed themselves eligible to donate blood. In either the presence or absence of the MCU, participants received a standard or modified recruitment brochure modeled on France and colleagues' education and coping materials. Donation anxiety, attitude, subjective norm, self‐efficacy, and intention were assessed, and donation behavior was tracked for 30 days.

RESULTS

Participants who were assessed in the presence of the MCU reported heightened anxiety, and female participants reported decreased self‐efficacy. The coping brochure improved self‐efficacy, heightened the intention to donate in the presence of the MCU, and promoted blood donation behavior relative to the standard brochure. Path analyses supported a model in which, in the presence of the MCU, the coping brochure boosted self‐efficacy and led to increased donation intention and behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

In a context in which donation‐related anxiety is heightened, provision of materials that address prospective donor concerns and suggest coping strategies can bolster self‐efficacy and promote recruitment.
Antibodies to major histocompatibility complex class II antigens directly prime neutrophils and cause acute lung injury in a two‐event in vivo rat model
Authors: Kelher Marguerite R. , Banerjee Anirban , Gamboni Fabia , Anderson Cameron , Silliman Christopher C.
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a significant cause of mortality, especially after transfusions containing antibodies to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens. We hypothesize that a first event induces both 1) polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) to express MHC class II antigens, and 2) activation of the pulmonary endothelium, leading to PMN sequestration, so that the infusion of specific MHC class II antibodies to these antigens causes PMN‐mediated acute lung injury (ALI).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Rats were treated with saline (NS), endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]), or cytokines (interferon‐γ [IFNγ], macrophage colony‐stimulating factor [MCSF], tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNFα]); the PMNs were isolated; and the surface expression of the MHC class II antigen OX6 and priming by OX6 antibodies were measured by flow cytometry or priming assays.

RESULTS

A two‐event model of ALI was completed with NS, LPS, or IFNγ/MCSF/TNFα (first events) and the infusion of OX6 (second event). Compared with NS incubation, rats treated with either LPS or IFNγ/MCSF/TNFα exhibited OX6 PMN surface expression, OX6 antibodies primed the formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl phenylalanine (fMLF)‐activated respiratory burst, and PMN sequestration was increased. OX6 antibody infusion into LPS‐incubated or IFNγ/MCSF/TNFα‐incubated rats elicited ALI, the OX6 antibody was present on the PMNs, and PMN depletion abrogated ALI.

CONCLUSION

Proinflammatory first events induce PMN MHC class II surface expression, activation of the pulmonary endothelium, and PMN sequestration such that the infusion of cognate antibodies precipitates TRALI.
Soil nitrogen fertilisation as a maternal effect on Buglossoides arvensis seed germinability
Authors: Longas M M , Chantre G R , Sabbatini M R
Published: September 2016

Different ecological strategies are developed by weed species to improve their fitness under unpredictable environmental conditions. Maternal effects are a way to enhance the performance of progeny. The external ecological environment of mother plants influences phenotypic traits of the progeny, such as seed germinability. Buglossoides arvensis is a facultative winter annual weed species present in cereal crops of the semiarid temperate region of Argentina. Recently, the intensification of agricultural systems has led to a significant increment of external inputs, such as nitrogen fertilisers. In this work, we aimed to determine the effect of different maternal nitrogen fertiliser levels on the germinability of two successive progenies (F1–F2). A population‐based model was used to estimate thermal time parameters. Our results indicated that under field conditions, nitrogen fertilisation produced an increment on the germinability of the progeny. Nitrogen supply promoted a widening of the permissive germination thermal range through an increment in the mean maximum germination temperature. However, different maternal fertilisation levels did not influence germination thermal time requirements either in F1 or F2 progenies. It might be inferred that a significant increment of nitrogen fertiliser supply could increase the probability of occurrence of very early emergence fluxes of B. arvensis. From a weed control perspective, the occurrence of early cohorts during summer may demand a redesign of control tactics, to minimise the potential economic and environmental impact of chemical interventions.
An ex vivo porcine skin model to evaluate pressure‐reducing devices of different mechanical properties used for pressure ulcer prevention
Authors: Yeung Ching‐Yan C. , Holmes David F. , Thomason Helen A. , Stephenson Christian , Derby Brian , Hardman Matthew J.
Published: September 2016

Pressure ulcers are complex wounds caused by pressure‐ and shear‐induced trauma to skin and underlying tissues. Pressure‐reducing devices, such as dressings, have been shown to successfully reduce pressure ulcer incidence, when used in adjunct to pressure ulcer preventative care. While pressure‐reducing devices are available in a range of materials, with differing mechanical properties, understanding of how a material's mechanical properties will influence clinical efficacy remains limited. The aim of this study was to establish a standardized ex vivo model to allow comparison of the cell protection potential of two gel‐like pressure‐reducing devices with differing mechanical properties (elastic moduli of 77 vs. 35 kPa). The devices also displayed differing energy dissipation under compressive loading, and resisted strain differently under constant load in compressive creep tests. To evaluate biological efficacy we employed a new ex vivo porcine skin model, with a confirmed elastic moduli closely matching that of human skin (113 vs. 119 kPa, respectively). Static loads up to 20 kPa were applied to porcine skin ex vivo with subsequent evaluation of pressure‐induced cell death and cytokine release. Pressure application alone increased the percentage of epidermal apoptotic cells from less than 2% to over 40%, and increased cellular secretion of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine TNF‐alpha. Co‐application of a pressure‐reducing device significantly reduced both cellular apoptosis and cytokine production, protecting against cellular damage. These data reveal new insight into the relationship between mechanical properties of pressure‐reducing devices and their biological effects. After appropriate validation of these results in clinical pressure ulcer prevention with all tissue layers present between the bony prominence and external surface, this ex vivo porcine skin model could be widely employed to optimize design and evaluation of devices aimed at reducing pressure‐induced skin damage.
EFFECT OF MOISTURE DAMAGE ON GAP-GRADED ASPHALT MIXTURE INCORPORATING ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE STEEL SLAG AND COPPER MINE TAILINGS
Authors: Hainin Mohd Rosli , Oluwasola Ebenezer Akin , A. Aziz Md. Maniruzzaman , Yeroc Suleiman Arafat
Published: September 2016

Water damage is a vital factor affecting the durability of gap-graded asphalt. There is an urgent need for a pragmatic and reasonable test to evaluate this parameter. Previous research has proposed that tensile strength ratio is a promising test for this application. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of moisture damage on gap-graded asphalt mixture incorporating electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slag and copper mine tailings (CMT). Four material mixtures of eight mix designs were investigated. Each mix was conditioned in water for 24-hour and 48-hour before testing. The study adopted retained strength index (RSI), durability index (DI) and tensile strength ratio (TSR) to describe the durability of gap-graded asphalt incorporating EAF steel slag and copper mine tailings. The results reveal that all the mixes fulfill the prescribed criteria. Also, there is a strong correlation between the retained strength index and the durability index with a strong coefficient of determination, R2 of 0.9543. The results of the study further showed that gap-graded asphalt mixture incorporating EAF steel slag and copper mine tailings did not seem to pose any problem.
RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOUR OF COCONUT SHELL POWDER MODIFIED ASPHALT BINDER
Authors: Buhari Rosnawati , Zabidi Nur Fareesya , Abdullah Mohd Ezree , Abu Bakar Siti Khatijah , Mohd Kamarudin Nurul Hidayah
Published: September 2016

The objectives of this study were to determine the blending parameters of coconut shell powder (CSP) modified asphalt binder and to evaluate the rheological properties of CSP modified asphalt binder. CSP of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% by weight of asphalt have been incorporated into an unaged 80/100 asphalt mix in order to improve its performance. The influence of the additives on the physical and rheological properties was evaluated with penetration test, softening point, storage stability, dynamic shear rheometer test (DSR), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The aging of asphalt binders was simulated in a laboratory by using Rotational Thin Film Oven (RTFO). The results showed that the addition of CSP into virgin binder was decreasing the penetration value and increasing the softening point temperature compared to the original binder. On the rheological effect, for unaged modified binder, higher CSP resulted higher G*/sin Î´ especially at lower temperature compared to the unaged control binder. Besides, for the aged modified binder, stiffness was lower than the control aged binder for all temperature.
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON THE STRENGH PROPERTIES OF MICROBIALLY STABILIZED RESIDUAL SOIL
Authors: Umar Murtala , Kassim Khairul Anuar , Ping Chiet Kenny Tiong
Published: September 2016

Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is a rather new technology that has shown greater potential in geotechnical engineering applications. The technique utilizes the concept of microbial involvements in carbonate precipitation within the soil matrix that lead to the improvement in strength and stiffness of the soil. This paper evaluated the effects of temperature variations on the performance of microbial calcite precipitations in residual soil. The soil specimens were cured under different temperature conditions; that are atmospheric temperature, 40, 45 and 50oC. Shear strength, pH and amount of calcite precipitated were determined for each curing condition. A bacterial concentration of 1Ã—105 cfu/ml and 0.5 M concentration of the cementation reagents were used for the study. The results indicated a general increase in strength with increase in curing temperature; which is an indication of temperature influence in bacterial activity. The results so far obtained also revealed that the higher the amount of calcite precipitated the more the strength improvement up to 48 hours treatment duration; after which increase in calcite content does not results in the increase in strength.
IMPACTS OF DREDGING AND RECLAMATION PROJECTS
Authors: Manap Norpadzlihatun , Sandirasegaran Kavitha
Published: September 2016

Dredging works are commonly described as removal of sediments from underwater which involving excavation process. Soil and rocks are excavated for channel and harbor deepening and for land reclamation. Land reclamation is defined as usage of dredged sediments to construct or build new land in the sea. This research aims to investigate the impact of dredging and reclamation projects as dredging and reclamation are one of the geotechnical engineering elements. Human activities such as dredging and reclamation may lead to geo-hazards such as coastal erosion, landslides, flooding and etc. In this research, 157 villagers from Teluk Rampang and Langkah Baik, Pengerang, Kota Tinggi in Malaysia has been selected as respondents to answer the distributed questionnaire. As a result, the analysis shows that villagers become victims due to the reclamation project executed to construct petroleum hub in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi. The impact can be reduced with a proper monitoring and management by the project stakeholdersâ€™.
HYBRID FUSION OF FACE AND SPEECH INFORMATION FOR BIMODAL EMOTION ESTIMATION
Authors: Kudiri Krishna Mohan
Published: September 2016

Estimation of human emotions during a conversation is difficult using a computer. In this study, facial expressions and speech are used in order to estimate emotions (angry, sad, happy, boredom, disgust and surprise). A proposed hybrid system through facial expressions and speech is used to estimate emotions of a person when he is engaged in a conversational session. Relative Bin Frequency Coefficients and Relative Sub-Image-Based features are used for acoustic and visual modalities respectively. Support Vector Machine is used for classification. This study shows that the proposed feature extraction through acoustic and visual data is the most prominent aspect affecting the emotion detection system, along with the proposed fusion technique. Although some other aspects are considered to be affecting the system, the effect is relatively minor. It was observed that the performance of the bimodal system was lower than the unimodal system through deliberate facial expressions. In order to deal with the problem, a suitable database is used. The results indicate that the proposed system showed better performance, with respect to basic emotional classes than the rest.
DATA MINING APPROACHES IN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE: POSTGRADUATE DATA ANALYTIC
Authors: Othman Mohd Shahizan , Kumaran Shamini Raja , Yusuf Lizawati Mi
Published: September 2016

Over recent years, there has been tremendous growth of interest in business intelligence (BI) for higher education. BI analysis solutions are operated to extract useful information from a multi-dimensional datasets. However, higher education-based business intelligence is complex to build, maintain and it faces the knowledge constraints. Therefore, data mining techniques provide an effective computational methods for higher education-based business intelligence. The main purpose of using data mining approaches in business intelligence is to provide decision making solution to higher education management. This paper presents the implementation of data mining approaches in business intelligence using a total of 13508 postgraduates (PG) data. These PG data are to allow the research to identify the postgraduates who Graduate On Time (GOT) via business intelligence process integrating data mining approaches. There are four layers will be discussed in this paper: data source layer (Layer 1), data integration layer (Layer 2), logic layer (Layer 3), and reporting layer (Layer 4). The main scope of this paper is to identify suitable data mining which is to allow decision making on GOT so as to an appropriate analysis to education management on GOT. The results show that Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier is with better accuracy of 99%. Hence, the contribution of data mining in business intelligence allows an accurate decision making in higher education.
TEXT CLASSIFICATION USING MODIFIED MULTI CLASS ASSOCIATION RULE
Authors: Kamaruddin Siti Sakira , Yusof Yuhanis , Husni Husniza , Al Refai Mohammad Hayel
Published: September 2016

This paper presents text classification using a modified Multi Class Association Rule Method. The method is based on Associative Classification which combines classification with association rule discovery. Although previous work proved that Associative Classification produces better classification accuracy compared to typical classifiers, the study on applying Associative Classification to solve text classification problem are limited due to the common problem of high dimensionality of text data and this will consequently results in exponential number of generated classification rules. To overcome this problem the modified Multi-Class Association Rule Method was enhanced in two stages. In stage one the frequent pattern are represented using a proposed vertical data format to reduce the text dimensionality problem and in stage two the generated rule was pruned using a proposed Partial Rule Match to reduce the number of generated rules. The proposed method was tested on a text classification problem and the result shows that it performed better than the existing method in terms of classification accuracy and number of generated rules.
Influence of Green Roofs on Early Morning Mixing Layer Depths in Mexico City
Authors: Vázquez Morales Williams , Jazcilevich Arón , García Reynoso Agustín , Caetano Ernesto , Gómez Gabriela , Bornstein Robert D.
Published: September 2016

An urbanized version of MM5 (uMM5) was used at a 500 m horizontal grid-resolution to study effects on morning urban mixing depths and near roof-top stability from use of extensive green roofs in Mexico City, which is characterized by large Bowen ratios and high building storages. The model uses urban-morphology data, while building hydrothermal uMM5 input parameters were obtained from measurements over green and nearby conventional roofs. Evaluation of uMM5 predicted values against rooftop and planetary boundary layer (PBL) observations from extensive field measurement campaigns showed that the model performed reasonably well. Additional simulations were carried assuming that the roofs in entire urban neighborhoods were greened. Predicted mixing depths from these simulations, along with observed air pollution concentrations, were then used in a simple box model to evaluate potential green roof impacts on concentration. Results showed that green roofs produced an early morning (7–10 LST) cooling of up to 1.2 °C at rooftop levels, which reduced mixing depths during that period. Effects were greater on a day with weak synoptic forcing that on one 48 h later with strong synoptic forcing. The mixing-depth decreases produced increased box-model pollutant concentrations. While the green roofs did not elevate the observed concentrations of CO, SO2, and NO2 above World Health Organization (WHO) health standards, they did increase PM10, values (which were already above its standard) by as much as 8% from 7 to 9 LST, when local populations are normally exposed to peak concentrations. This study has applications in the analyses of building energy efficiency.
Computerized triplet beam orientation optimization for MRI‐guided Co‐60 radiotherapy
Authors: Nguyen Dan , Thomas David , Cao Minsong , O’Connor Daniel , Lamb James , Sheng Ke
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided Co‐60 provides daily and intrafractional MRI soft tissue imaging for improved target and critical organ tracking. To increase delivery efficiency, the system uses three Co‐60 sources at 120° apart, allowing up to 600 cGy combined dose rate at isocenter. Despite the potential tripling in output, creating a delivery plan that uses all three sources is considerably unintuitive. Here, the authors computerize the triplet orientation optimization using column generation, an approach that was demonstrated effective in integrated beam orientation and fluence optimization for noncoplanar therapies. To achieve a better plan quality without increasing the treatment time, the authors then solve a fluence map optimization (FMO) problem while regularizing the fluence maps to reduce the number of deliverable MLC segments.

Methods

Three patients—one prostate, one lung, and one head and neck boost plan (H&NBoost)—were evaluated in this study. For each patient, the beamlet doses were calculated using Monte Carlo, under a 0.35 T magnetic field, for 180 equally spaced coplanar beams grouped into 60 triplets. The beamlet size is 1.05 × 0.5 cm determined by the MLC leaf thickness and step size. The triplets were selected using the column generation algorithm. The FMO problem was formulated using an L2‐norm dose fidelity term and an L1‐norm anisotropic total variation regularization term, which allows controlling the number of MLC segments, and hence the treatment time, with minimal degradation to the dose. The authors’ Fluence Regularization and Optimized Selection of Triplets (FROST) plans were compared against the clinical treatment plans (CLNs) produced by an experienced dosimetrist. PTV homogeneity, max dose, mean dose, D95, D98, and D99 were evaluated. OAR max and mean doses, as well as R50, defined as the ratio of the 50% isodose volume over the planning target volume were investigated.

Results

The mean PTV D95, D98, and D99 differ by +0.04%, +0.07%, and +0.25% of the prescription dose between planning methods. The mean PTV homogeneity was virtually same with values at 0.8788 (FROST) and 0.8812 (CLN). R50 decreased by 0.67 comparing FROST to CLN. On average, FROST reduced Dmax and Dmean of OARs by 7.30% and 6.08% of the prescription dose, respectively. The manual CLN planning processes required numerous trial and error runs. The FROST plans on the other hand required minimal human intervention.

Conclusions

Efficient delivery of MRI‐guided Co‐60 therapy needs the output of multiple sources yet suffers from unintuitive and laborious manual beam selection processes. Computerized triplet orientation optimization improves both planning efficiency and plan dosimetry. The novel fluence map regularization provides additional controls over the number of MLC segments and treatment time.
Speech recognition for multiple bands: Implications for the Speech Intelligibility Index
Authors: Humes Larry E. , Kidd Gary R.
Published: September 2016

The Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) assumes additivity of the importance of acoustically independent bands of speech. To further evaluate this assumption, open-set speech recognition was measured for words and sentences, in quiet and in noise, when the speech stimuli were presented to the listener in selected frequency bands. The filter passbands were constructed from various combinations of 20 bands having equivalent (0.05) importance in the SII framework. This permitted the construction of a variety of equal-SII band patterns that were then evaluated by nine different groups of young adults with normal hearing. For monosyllabic words, a similar dependence on band pattern was observed for SII values of 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 in both quiet and noise conditions. Specifically, band patterns concentrated toward the lower and upper frequency range tended to yield significantly lower scores than those more evenly sampling a broader frequency range. For all stimuli and test conditions, equal SII values did not yield equal performance. Because the spectral distortions of speech evaluated here may not commonly occur in everyday listening conditions, this finding does not necessarily represent a serious deficit for the application of the SII. These findings, however, challenge the band-independence assumption of the theory underlying the SII.
Acute Effects of Posture Shirts on Rounded-Shoulder and Forward-Head Posture in College Students
Authors: Manor John , Hibberd Elizabeth , Petschauer Meredith , Myers Joseph
Published: September 2016

Context:

Rounded-shoulder and forward-head posture can be contributing factors to shoulder pain. Corrective techniques such as manual therapy and exercise have been shown to improve these altered postures, but there is little evidence that corrective garments such as posture shirts can alter posture.

Objectives:

To determine the acute effects of corrective postureshirt use on rounded-shoulder and forward-head posture in asymptomatic college students.

Design:

Repeated-measures intervention study with counterbalanced conditions.

Setting:

Research laboratory.

Participants:

24 members of the general student body of a university, 18–25 y old, with a forward shoulder angle (FSA) >52° and no history of upper-extremity surgery, scoliosis, active shoulder pain, or shoulder pain in the previous 3 mo that restricted participation for 3 consecutive days.

Interventions:

Photographic posture assessment under a control condition, under a sham or treatment condition (counterbalanced), under another control condition, and treatment or sham.

Main Outcome Measures:

FSA and forward head angle (FHA) calculated from a lateral photograph.

Results:

FSA decreased relative to the control condition while participants wore the sham shirt (P = .029) but not the corrective posture shirt (P = 1.00). FHA was unchanged between groups (P = .371).

Conclusions:

Application of a corrective posture shirt did not acutely alter FSA or FHA, while application of a sham shirt may decrease FSA at rest.
The Effectiveness of Low-Dye Taping in Reducing Pain Associated With Plantar Fasciitis
Authors: Verbruggen Laura A. , Thompson Melissa M. , Durall Chris J.
Published: September 2016

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders of the foot. Initial treatment of plantar fasciitis is typically conservative and may include heel padding, steroid injections, night splinting, calf stretching, ultrasound, foot orthoses, and taping. However, while custom foot orthoses are a common treatment method for plantar fasciitis, there is often a waiting period of a few weeks for them to be manufactured and delivered. Therefore, taping of the foot is often used as a temporary treatment to alleviate pain during the initial waiting period. Furthermore, taping may also be used as an alternative to foot orthoses for patients who may not tolerate the plantar pressures of an orthotic or for tight-fitting footwear that may not accommodate insoles. Specifically, the low-Dye taping (LDT) technique is one of the most frequently used methods, and recent literature has suggested that it may improve pain outcomes. Therefore, this critically appraised topic was conducted to determine the extent to which current evidence supports the use of LDT to reduce pain in patients with plantar fasciitis.
The Darker Side of Personality: Narcissism Predicts Moral Disengagement and Antisocial Behavior in Sport
Authors: Jones Benjamin D. , Woodman Tim , Barlow Matthew , Roberts Ross
Published: September 2016

Despite a plethora of research on moral disengagement and antisocial behavior, there is a dearth of literature that explores personality in the context of these undesirable attitudes and behaviors. We provide the first examination of personality, specifically narcissism, as a predictor of moral disengagement and antisocial behavior in sport. Given that narcissism is negatively related to empathy and positively related to feelings of entitlement, it is more likely for narcissists to disengage morally and to behave antisocially. We thus hypothesized that narcissism would predict antisocial behavior via moral disengagement. Across 12 team contact sports (n = 272), bootstrapped mediation analyses confirmed this indirect effect, which remained significant when controlling for motivational climate, social desirability, sex and sport type. Coaches and practitioners would do well to consider the darker side of personality in targeting moral disengagement and its behavioral consequences in team sports.
Acute coronary syndrome-like presentation with prolonged QT interval: an unusual case of pheochromocytoma
Authors: Ozyuncu Nil , Akturk Sevinc , Tan Kurklu Turkan Seda , Erol Cetin
Published: September 2016

Pheochromocytoma is a rare adrenal gland tumour, usually alerting the physician by causing hypertensive tachycardic attacks. Patients with pheochromocytoma can rarely present with clinical signs similar to acute coronary syndrome. QT interval prolongation and ST segment changes due to pheochromocytoma have also been reported in the literature in a few case reports. We report a patient who had been admitted to the emergency department with chest pain, ischaemic ECG changes and marked QT prolongation. Despite a normal coronary angiogram, we observed that the QT interval and ST segment morphologies had changed during the hospitalisation period. Adrenal adenoma was diagnosed incidentally on abdominal CT scan, and the final diagnosis was pheochromocytoma. The tumour was successfully excised and the patient is now symptom free. When there is lack of a typical clinical picture, the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma might be challenging. It is also very crucial, since misdiagnosis can be life-threatening.
Rapunzel syndrome: a rare cause of hypoproteinaemia and review of literature
Authors: Ullah Waqas , Saleem Kaiser , Ahmad Ejaz , Anwer Faiz
Published: September 2016

Rapunzel syndrome is an extremely rare condition associated with trichophagia (hair eating disorder) secondary to a psychiatric illness called trichotillomania (hair-pulling behaviour). It is most commonly seen in children and adolescents. Untreated cases can lead to a number of complications. We present a case of a middle-aged woman with sudden intractable vomiting and constipation associated with bilateral pedal oedema and significant weight loss. Laboratory investigations revealed low serum protein levels. Laparotomy was performed, and a hairball was removed from her stomach and ileum. The patient was managed with the help of a psychiatrist and was given nutritional support. We performed a comprehensive search and summarised data for a total of 88 cases. No time or language limit was placed. The purpose of this discussion is to highlight the clinical spectrum of Rapunzel syndrome and also to report its rare association with hypoproteinaemia.
Lymphomatoid granulomatosis associated with azathioprine use for immune-mediated neuropathy
Authors: Burwick Nicholas , Buckley Sarah A , Dong Zhao Ming , Richard Robert E
Published: September 2016

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LG) is a rare Epstein-Barr virus-driven lymphoproliferative disorder that generally arises in immunosuppressed patients and which can be life-threatening. Here we describe the development of pulmonary LG in a patient on long-term azathioprine for immune-mediated neuropathy. Although azathioprine carries a boxed warning for malignancy, its association specifically with LG, an otherwise rare entity, is poorly recognised. Early recognition of drug-induced LG is critical, since discontinuation of the offending agent, and implementation of effective therapy can provide rapid clinical benefit in some patients. In this case, rituximab was used as an effective treatment for LG, which also provided an additional benefit of controlling the patient's underlying neuropathy. Further research is needed to identify vulnerable patients who are at high risk of developing drug-induced LG.
Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) with initial presentation in an adult: a rare presentation of a rare disease
Authors: Abu Omar Mohannad , Tylski Emily , Abu ghanimeh Mouhanna , Gohar Ashraf
Published: September 2016

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a rare congenital abnormality with unknown exact aetiology or clear genetic association. It is characterised by a failure of bronchial development and localised glandular overgrowth. Typically, it is diagnosed on prenatal ultrasound, only infrequently in children, and even less commonly in adults. We present a case of a 25-year-old man, with no previous lung diseases who presented with right-sided chest pain, fever and cough suggestive of pulmonary infection. Chest imaging, including CT scan, showed a large focal cystic mass within the right lower lobe along with ground glass opacities suggestive of CPAM. He was started on intravenous antibiotics. Bronchoscopy showed a large amount of pus in the right lung and bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed the microbiological diagnosis of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus.He improved with antibiotic treatment. He was discharged with 6-week course of antibiotics and follow-up afterward.
Depth of penetration of lubricant fluids and water in Queenston shale of southern Ontario
Authors: Al-Maamori Hayder Mohammed Salim , El Naggar M. Hesham , Micic Silvana
Published: September 2016

Queenston shale is a rock formation located in southern Ontario in Canada that exhibits time-dependent deformation behaviour induced by water penetration. Microtunnelling is an efficient technique that can be used to construct pipelines and tunnels in Queenston shale. In this technique, lubricant fluids, such as bentonite solution and polymer solution, are utilized, which can have a significant impact on the time-dependant deformation (i.e., swelling) of Queenston shale within their depth of influence. A test procedure was developed in this research to investigate the depth of penetration of lubricant fluids and water in Queenston shale. These fluids were applied under pressure, similar to that used in the microtunnelling process, on Queeenston shale specimens. The depth of penetration of these fluids into the test specimens was monitored with time. It was concluded that the penetration depth varied for the various fluids considered. Water had the deepest penetration into Queenston shale. Based on the observed results, an equation is developed to predict the depth of penetration of various fluids in the Queenston shale mass. Results of this research can assist in evaluating the depth of influence of various fluids in Queenston shale and the associated swelling zone can be predicted.
Improving the Performance of Data Mining by Using Big Data in Cloud Environment
Authors: Dahmani Djilali , Rahal Sid Ahmed , Belalem Ghalem
Published: September 2016

The volume of business data is increasing very quickly, most of these data are relational. The need to extract knowledge with Data Mining requires keeping all historical data. This complicates more and more the processing and storage of data, and requires further power and capacity which surpass the ability of any machine. So, using distributed environments like cloud computing becomes very useful to share storage and processing between multiple nodes. Unfortunately, data based on relational model cannot be easily used in cloud because of its rigidity and elasticity in such environments. To solve this issue, new big data systems appear such as NoSQL that make data easier to share and distribute in cloud environments. So, this is theoretically beneficial for data mining use case. However, in practice we need to prove it by evaluating performance for both multi-nodes NoSQL and mono-node relational. Also, in case of cloud, it is very interesting to know if performance is still proportionally increasing according to the number of nodes, and if there is an optimum number of nodes in which performance becomes nearly steady or starts dropping off. Motivated by this topic, we propose in this paper an approach to migrate relational data to an appropriate NoSQL system in cloud environment, and then evaluate their performance to capture some interesting results for Data mining. As experimentation, we use industrial data deployed in a data mining process of an oil and gas company. After migrating these data, we perform some experiments to compare and evaluate storage, processing and execution time. As objective, we verify data elasticity, run time performance, and try to find the optimum number of nodes.
Structural characterization of calcium glycinate, magnesium glycinate and zinc glycinate
Authors: Yin Li-Hui , Liu Xu-Ping , Yi Lu-Yao , Wang Jin , Zhang Ya-Jun , Feng Yu-Fei
Published: September 2016

Metal glycinate chelates are formed by glycine and metal compounds through chemical reactions. Calcium glycinate, magnesium glycinate and zinc glycinate are kinds of new-type and ideal nutrient supplements, which have satisfactory physico-chemical properties and bioactivities. They are important for prophylaxis and treat metal deficiency. The structural characterization shows that the metal ion is bonded to the amino and carboxyl group to form two five-membered rings. This paper mainly studies the structure characterization of the metal chelated glycinates by their solubility, infrared spectrum, thermal analysis, mass spectrometry, polycrystal diffraction, the metal contents and glycine contents of calcium glycinate, magnesium glycinate and zinc glycinate.