bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molding articles made of 100% recycled fiberglass
Authors: Quadrini Fabrizio , Bellisario Denise , Santo Loredana
Published: November 2015

A new recycling process for fiberglass waste is proposed without any use of virgin materials or additives. This technology consists of a “direct molding” (i.e. compression molding) of powders from fiberglass pulverization. In order to show the feasibility of this recycling technology, several fiberglass laminates were molded with a polyester matrix and different glass fiber contents (from 0 to 40 wt%). The pulverization-molding cycle was repeated two times to evaluate further recyclability of recycled fiberglass. Particle size distribution of recycled powders was evaluated after each pulverizing step, as well as density and bending properties of all virgin and recycled samples. Even if final properties of recycled fiberglass are not comparable with virgin fiberglass, they are comparable with other technical materials such as plasterboard. In fact, in the best case, 40% glass-filled samples showed a bending strength over 4 MPa with a strain at break over 2%. Highest values were found after the second pulverization step because of particle size refinement. Applying a polyester coating on the molded sample surface always resulted in a strong increase on strength (up to + 200%).
Import Competition and Policy Diffusion
Authors: López-Cariboni Santiago , Cao Xun
Published: November 2015

The existing literature often assumes that the target of global interstate economic competition is the overseas market, that is, the markets in third, export-destination countries. However, in many countries, domestic industries compete fiercely for domestic market share with imports from other countries. Such import competition creates policy diffusion between a country and its import-competitor countries. Such policy diffusion can be observed in policy areas that affect production costs of domestic industries. We focus on import competition’s effect on social welfare policies in developing countries and test our theory in two broad types of policies: social insurance spending and progressive social spending. We find strong evidence for import-competition-induced policy diffusion in both policy areas. Moreover, in the case of social insurance, the effect of policy diffusion is mediated by the strength of labor, suggesting that strong labor is more capable of blocking welfare retrenchment policies.
Bond graph modeling of centrifugal compression systems
Authors: Uddin Nur , Gravdahl Jan Tommy
Published: November 2015

A novel approach to model unsteady fluid dynamics in a compressor network by using a bond graph is presented. The model is intended in particular for compressor control system development. First, we develop a bond graph model of a single compression system. Bond graph modeling offers a different perspective to previous work by modeling the compression system based on energy flow instead of fluid dynamics. Analyzing the bond graph model explains the energy flow during compressor surge. Two principal solutions for compressor surge problem are identified: upstream energy injection and downstream energy dissipation. Both principal solutions are verified in bond graph modelings of single compression system equipped with a surge avoidance system (SAS) and single compression system equipped with an active control system. Moreover, the bond graph model of single compressor equipped with SAS is able to show the effect of recycling flow to the compressor upstream states which improves the current available model. The bond graph model of a single compression system is then used as the base model and combined to build compressor network models. Two compressor networks are modeled: serial compressors and parallel compressors. Simulation results show the surge conditions in both compressor networks.
Religious pluralism in the United States and Britain: Its implications for Muslims and nationhood
Authors: Meer Nasar , Modood Tariq
Published: November 2015

This article provides a historically informed analysis of the contemporary incorporation of Islam and Muslims into an idea of common – national – membership in the United States and Britain. It shows that there is a current movement towards synthesis between religious and national identities by Muslims themselves, and explores the ways in which this synthesis is occurring within rich and dynamic public spheres in societies that have historically included and incorporated other religious groups. The authors argue that both countries are wrestling with the extent to which they accommodate Muslims in ways that allow them to reconcile their faith and citizenship commitments, and that the British ‘establishment’ is no less successful at achieving this than secular republicanism in the US.
Négociation du sacré à Philadelphie: soufismes concurrents au sanctuaire de Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
Authors: Xavier Merin Shobhana , Dickson William Rory
Published: November 2015

This article is a case study of the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen shrine in Pennsylvania, United States. The authors illustrate how various ‘Sufisms’ coexist and engage in contestation over the way that Bawa’s remaining disciples, new members, and otherwise interested devotees utilize Bawa’s burial shrine. The Fellowship in Philadelphia has established links with spaces affiliated with Bawa Muhaiyaddeen in Sri Lanka as well as with branches of the Fellowship in Toronto, Canada, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Hence, although this project is in many ways a case study of localized Sufism in the United States, it further highlights the dynamics of what might be called globalized Sufism in the 21st century.
Reaching All Families: Family, School, and Community Partnerships Amid Homelessness and High Mobility in an Urban District
Authors: Pavlakis Alexandra E.
Published: November 2015

Schools often struggle to build partnerships with homeless and highly mobile (HHM) families. These families are not homogeneous; they live in and engage with schools from diverse residential contexts. Using Epstein’s theory and framework and drawing from 132 interviews with HHM parents, school personnel, and community stakeholders in an urban district, results suggest that (a) interviewees had divergent experiences with family, school, and community partnerships; (b) some school actors were better positioned to engage HHM families than others; and (c) the diverse residential context of HHM families molded partnership building in unique ways. Theoretical implications and recommendations for practice and policy are discussed.
Lease it or lose it? The implications of New York’s Land Lease Initiative for public housing preservation
Authors: Shamsuddin Shomon , Vale Lawrence J
Published: November 2015

Urban scholars frequently call for equitable and inclusive growth to create more just cities but this vision has proven elusive in urban development – especially involving low-income communities and affordable housing. In 2013, the New York City Housing Authority proposed to leverage private development to benefit low-income residents by supporting market-rate residential construction on open space in public housing sites to pay for needed improvements to subsidised units. The Land Lease Initiative was a seemingly win-win plan but quickly faced backlash from multiple quarters. Using interviews with key housing authority officials and analysis of plan documents and media coverage, we show how the content and framing of the plan stoked fears of displacement, despite stated intentions. Our analysis reveals that criticism overlooked four unconventional ideas for preserving public housing, which are embedded in the plan: (1) retaining all public housing units and high-rise public housing towers on site, as opposed to demolishing them; (2) deconcentrating poverty by increasing residential density, instead of displacing poor residents; (3) adding affordable housing units to the site of low-income public housing; and (4) creating mixed-income communities around buildings, in addition to within them. The findings suggest that the future of affordable housing in the neoliberal era involves blurring the line between preservation and privatisation.
Discourses versus Life Courses
Authors: Matthys Christa
Published: November 2015

This article combines qualitative and quantitative analysis to study the effect of rural–urban migration on the sexual behavior of servants in nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century Flanders. In the qualitative part, I compare various discourses on servants’ extramarital behavior to sketch the ideological context which affected women’s agency. Contemporaries were commonly convinced that urban servants more often became pregnant out-of-wedlock than other women, but disagreed on the causes for this: vulnerability or immorality. In the quantitative part, I use life course analysis to determine differences in the behavioral patterns of servants and women who were never servants. Looking both at extramarital fertility and at marriage behavior, I argue that servants were slightly more risk-taking when entering into extramarital relationships. With this mixed-methods approach, this article avoids one-dimensional readings of the sources, and I challenge the dichotomous use of concepts that are too basic to comprehend the complexity of extramarital sexual behavior.
Control design methods with anti-windup mechanism for disturbance rejection and reference following
Authors: Wang Liuping
Published: October 2015

There are many methods for designing feedback control systems with the objectives of disturbance rejection and reference following. Two well-known methods are to directly embed a disturbance model in the controller or to compensate for the effect of disturbance using its estimation from an observer. It is demonstrated in this paper that the first method has inherited a two-degree-of-freedom control system configuration, but has an integrator windup problem in the presence of actuator saturation, whilst the second approach has embedded an anti-windup mechanism, but suffers from poor performance in reference following. This paper examines these two mainstream control design methods for their applications in the presence of actuator saturation. It is shown with a simple example that the classical control system by directly embedding a disturbance model leads to integrator windup, and an anti-windup mechanism is hence proposed to overcome this drawback. The frequency response analysis presented in this paper leads to the conclusion that both methods offer similar closed-loop performance in terms of disturbance rejection and noise attenuation, however, the first approach that embeds a disturbance model in the controller provides a two-degree-of-freedom control system configuration, and hence gives a better performance in terms of reference following. Comparative simulation studies of both Single-Input and Single-Output (SISO) and Multi-input and Multi-Output (MIMO) systems are used to support the conclusions.
Regional pole placement with saturated control for DC-DC buck converter through Hardware-in-the-Loop
Authors: Benzaouia Abdellah , Soliman Hisham M. , Saleem Ashraf
Published: October 2015

In this paper, the problem of robust stability and tracking of saturated control systems for buck DC-DC converters is considered. Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs) are used to insert the constraints in the design phase while imposing positivity in the closed-loop state. The control objective is to design a control law for the converter that limit duty ratio between 0 and 1. This will allow the system to switch between two topologies in the continuous conduction mode (CCM), to achieve a tracking reference condition. This has been developed using uncertain saturated control and regional pole placement techniques. The proposed controller is applied to a real DC-DC buck converter through a Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test system. Experimental and simulation results show the effectiveness and the success of the proposed controller in tracking a reference voltage with limiting the duty ratio between 0 and 1. Results also show that the proposed controller performed better than the conventional one.
An evaluation framework for ICT capacity building projects
Authors: Lannon John
Published: November 2015

This paper presents a project evaluation framework for capacity building ICT projects, and describes an action research initiative in which the framework was piloted. The framework is a five stage process that draws on soft systems thinking and best practice in areas like ICTs for development and information systems evaluation. The action research was a collaborative undertaking between the author and an international non-governmental organization, and involved a project to develop information management solutions for four non-governmental organizations in Armenia.
Firms’ size and use of information and communication technologies
Authors: Malaquias Rodrigo F , Hwang Yujong
Published: November 2015

There are strong arguments about the positive effect of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on companies’ performance. This effect is also extensive for micro and small enterprises (MSEs), which tend to adopt ICTs in lower levels in comparison with large companies. In this context, this paper has two goals: to analyze the effect of firms’ size on (a) the relationship between strategic planning and ICTs use; (b) the relationship between ICTs use and interaction with customers. The sample of the study comprises 171 Brazilian MSEs, and we used confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to test our hypotheses. The main results indicated that even in small companies, size is an important variable to explain the antecedents and consequents of ICTs use. The positive effect of ICTs use was stronger among small companies, reinforcing the relevance of technology for them.
Birds and sluts
Authors: Trickett Loretta
Published: October 2015

The sexual abuse of young women by gang members in the UK is a subject of concern. The Coalition Government has outlined its commitment to ending gang violence and as part of this overall enterprise has pledged several million pounds to supporting initiatives aimed at young women at risk of sexual violence by male gang members. These initiatives were developed in response to reports that the sexual exploitation of young women in the UK had become ‘normalised’ within the gang context. This article examines possible reasons for the ‘normalisation’ of such abuse. Based on extracts from interviews with male gang members living in Birmingham, England, the author argues that understanding the version of masculinity enacted by the young men was crucial to explaining their attitudes towards young women. Indeed, it is only by encouraging a redefinition of masculinity based on providing young men with the tools and incentives to negotiate masculinity differently that we may see them rejecting the gang and with it, sexual abuse. While the article makes suggestions for future policy initiatives in the UK around reducing sexual abuse against women by gangs, the suggestions may be helpful in non-gang contexts.
On whom does the burden of crime fall now? Changes over time in counts and concentration
Authors: Ignatans Dainis , Pease Ken
Published: November 2015

A recent publication (Ignatans and Pease, 2015) sought to examine the changed distribution of crime across households in England and Wales over a period encompassing that of the crime drop common to Western countries (1982–2012). It was found that while crime against the most victimised households declined most in absolute terms, the proportion of all crime accounted for by those most victimised increased somewhat. The characteristics associated with highly victimised households were found to be consistent across survey sweeps. The pattern suggested the continued relevance to crime reduction generally of prioritising repeat crimes against the same target. The present paper analyses the changed distribution of crime by offence type. Data were extracted from a total of almost 600,000 respondents from all sweeps of the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) 1982–2012 to determine which types of victimisation became more or less concentrated across households during the overall crime drop. Methodological issues underlying the patterns observed are discussed. Cross-national and crime type extension of work of the kind undertaken here are advocated as both intrinsically important and likely to clarify the dynamics of the crime drop.
The use of emotionally arousing music to enhance memory for subsequently presented images
Authors: Carr Sherilene M. , Rickard Nikki S.
Published: November 2015

Emotion-enhanced memory occurs when an arousal response to an emotion stimulus strengthens memory consolidation. We tested whether listening to emotionally arousing music enhanced memory in this way. In a within-subjects design, 37 participants (18 to 50 years, 22 female) listened to two of their own highly enjoyed music tracks, two self-rated neutral tracks from other participants’ selections, and a five-minute radio interview. After each listening episode, participants memorised a unique array of 24 images. Subjective and physiological emotional arousal was monitored throughout the experiment and free recall of all images within the five image arrays was tested at the end. As predicted, compared to the music and non-music controls, self-selected enjoyed music elicited greater subjective and physiological changes consistent with emotion, and more details from images presented after enjoyed music were recalled than after listening to the radio interview. A multiple regression analysis revealed that physiological changes consistent with an emotional arousal response to enjoyed music reliably predicted memory. Further research with larger samples is needed to replicate these exploratory findings.
Two-dimensional indentation of microstructured solids characterized by couple-stress elasticity
Authors: Gourgiotis Panos , Zisis Thanasis
Published: October 2015

In this study, we derive general solutions for two-dimensional plane strain contact problems within the framework of the generalized continuum theory of couple-stress elasticity. This theory introduces characteristic material lengths and is able to capture the associated scale effects that emerge from the material microstructure which are often observed in indentation tests used for the material characterization. The contact problems are formulated in terms of singular integral equations using a Green’s function approach. The pertinent Green’s function obtained through the use of integral transforms corresponds to the solution of the two-dimensional Flamant–Boussinesq half-plane problem in couple-stress elasticity. The results show a strong dependence on the microstructural characteristics of the material when this becomes comparable to the characteristic dimension of the problem, which in the case of an indentation test is the contact length/area.
The anti-nociceptive potential of tilmicosin against chemical-induced but not thermal-induced pain in mice
Authors: El-Mahmoudy A , Gheith I
Published: October 2015

The aim of the present study was to assess the analgesic activity of the macrolide antibiotic tilmicosin at dose levels of 20 and 40 mg/kg of body weight, subcutaneously, against chemical- and thermal-induced acute pains, using acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced pain, hot-plate, and tail-flick models in mice. Tilmicosin showed a dose-dependent significant decrease in the number of writhes in the acetic acid-induced writhing test and significant decrease in hind paw-licking time in the late phase of the formalin test. However, it did not cause any significant changes in the reaction times to heat stimuli in the hot-plate and tail-flick models. In chemically-induced pains, both dose levels of tilmicosin showed significant effects compared to those of the corresponding standard peripheral analgesic, acetylsalicylic acid (200 mg/kg of body weight, subcutaneously) being 26.37 ± 2.88 and 43.64 ± 3.85% vs. 73.35 ± 1.44% in acetic acid test; and 19.23 ± 3.85 and 44.90 ± 1.80% vs. 73.63 ± 2.39% in the late phase of formalin test, respectively. These results may indicate that tilmicosin possesses a significant peripheral but not central analgesic potential that may be beneficial in symptomatic relief of pain when it is used in therapy, in addition to its well-established antibacterial effect.
Effect of acetaminophen on sulfamethazine acetylation in male volunteers
Authors: Tahir IM , Iqbal T , Saleem S , Mehboob H , Akhter N , Riaz M
Published: October 2015

The effect of acetaminophen on sulfamethazine N-acetylation by human N-acetyltrasferase-2 (NAT2) was studied in 19 (n = 19) healthy male volunteers in two different phases. In the first phase of the study the volunteers were given an oral dose of sulfamethazine 500 mg alone and blood and urine samples were collected. After the 10-day washout period the same selected volunteers were again administered sulfamethazine 500 mg along with 1000 mg acetaminophen. The acetylation of sulfamethazine by human NAT2 in both phases with and without acetaminophen was determined by HPLC to establish their respective phenotypes. In conclusion obtained statistics of present study revealed that acetaminophen significantly ( P <0.0001) decreased sulfamethazine acetylation in plasma of both slow and fast acetylator male volunteers. A highly significant ( P <0.0001) decrease in plasma-free and total sulfamethazine concentration was also observed when acetaminophen was co-administered. Urine acetylation status in both phases of the study was found not to be in complete concordance with that of plasma. Acetaminophen significantly ( P <0.0001) increased the acetyl, free and total sulfamethazine concentration in urine of both slow and fast acetylators. Urine acetylation analysis has not been found to be a suitable approach for phenotypic studies.
Approach to the Complicated Alcohol Withdrawal Patient
Authors: Ferreira Jason A. , Wieruszewski Patrick M. , Cunningham David W. , Davidson Kimberly E. , Weisberg Stephanie F.
Published: October 2015

Alcohol withdrawal syndromes are common causes for admission to the intensive care unit. As many as one-fifth of the admitted patients have an alcohol-associated disorder. Identifying the benefit of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists has shifted toward methods to improve benzodiazepine (BZD) utilization. Literature validating this treatment approach in severe withdrawal, especially in the critical care setting, is limited, and extrapolation to this population may be dangerous. Multiple therapies have been suggested or utilized in the literature including continuous infusion of GABA agonists, ethanol, dexmedetomidine, antiepileptics, and antipsychotics, introducing a significant amount of variability into clinical practice. This variability in treatment approaches highlights the lack of uniformity and recommendations available for the treatment of severe refractory patients. In patients progressing to severe withdrawal, it may be warranted to escalate care with adjunctive or more aggressive therapies. Although multiple practices are commonly used, the evidence supporting their use after failing symptom-triggered or aggressive therapy with BZDs is virtually nonexistent. These patients commonly receive a multimodal approach, which varies substantially between providers and institutions. Further literature should be directed at the approach most likely to provide benefit when standard of care has failed.
Slow chlorine releasing compounds: A viable sterilisation method for bioabsorbable nanocomposite biomaterials
Authors: Naderi Naghmeh , Griffin Michelle , Malins Edward , Becer Remzi , Mosahebi Afshin , Whitaker Iain S , Seifalian Alexander M
Published: November 2015

Objective

Selection of the appropriate sterilisation method for biodegradable materials has been a challenging task. Many conventional sterilisation methods are not suitable for the next generation of biomaterials, mainly due to their complex composition, based on nanomaterials, often incorporating bioactive moieties. In this study, we investigate sterilisation efficacy of slow chlorine releasing compound sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate (SDIC) for polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-poly(caprolactone urea-urethane) (PCL) scaffolds in comparison with conventional sterilisation methods.

Methods

POSS-PCL scaffolds were subjected to 70% ethanol, UV, and SDIC sterilisation methods. Samples were immersed in tryptone soya broth (TSB) and thioglycollate medium (THY) and after seven days visually inspected for signs of microbial growth. Bulk and surface properties and molecular weight distribution profiles of the scaffolds after sterilization were investigated using FTIR analysis, surface hydrophilicity, scanning electron microscopy analysis, tensile strength testing, and gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) were seeded on the scaffolds and AlamarBlue® viability assay was performed to investigate cell metabolic activity. Confocal imaging of rhodamine phalloidin and Dapi stained ADSC on scaffolds was used to demonstrate cell morphology.

Results

GPC results showed that autoclaving led to a significant decrease in the molecular weight of POSS-PCL, whereas ethanol caused visible deformation of the polymer 3D structure and UV radiation did not effectively sterilise the scaffolds. AlamarBlue® analysis showed metabolic activity close to that of tissue culture plastic for ethanol and SDIC.

Conclusion

SDIC sterilisation can be safely applied to biodegradable scaffolds unsuitable for the more common sterilisation methods.
Effect of chemical modification of wood flour on long-term hygroscopic behavior of polypropylene composites
Authors: Kord Behzad , Haratbar Donya Taghizadeh , Malekian Behrouz , Ismaeilimoghadam Saeed
Published: November 2015

This experimental work is aimed at studying the effect of fiber surface modification including alkaline, acetic acid, and benzyl chloride on the long-term water absorption and thickness swelling (TS) of wood flour (WF)-reinforced polypropylene composites. The samples were made by melt compounding and then injection molding. Hygroscopic rates of the samples were evaluated by immersing them in water at room temperature and monitoring moisture sorption and thickness changes for several weeks. The results indicated that chemical modification has a significant effect on the water absorption of composites. The mechanism of water absorption of all samples followed the kinetics of a Fickian diffusion process. The composites modified with acetylation-treated fiber showed the lowest and the unmodified composites exhibited the highest water absorption coefficient. TS of the composites was clearly dependent upon the WF chemical modification. The swelling rate parameter of treated samples is less than those of untreated ones.
Perceived Benefit of Teaching Patient Safety to Pharmacy Students by Integrating Classroom Teaching With Introductory (IPPE) Visits
Authors: Trinkley Katy E. , Van Matre Edward T. , Mueller Scott W. , Page Robert L. , Nair Kavita
Published: October 2015

Introduction:

Ensuring a culture that prioritizes and implements patient safety requires educating all future health care professionals to prepare them for their active role in reducing medical errors. There is limited literature describing integration of patient safety education into the curriculum of health care professionals, including pharmacists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceived benefit of integrating patient safety education into a pharmacy curriculum.

Methods:

Second-year pharmacy students (P2s) completed a patient safety self-study, followed by in-class and experiential application of a root cause analysis (RCA). An electronic, anonymous postsurvey was administered to P2s and third-year pharmacy students (P3s) who had not had formal patient safety education.

Results:

Of the 310 students, 53% responded to the survey. Significantly more P2s reported more confidence to describe patient safety and its purpose ( P = .0092), describe factors that influence patient safety ( P = .0055), and conduct an RCA ( P < .001). P2s also reported significantly better ability to conduct a RCA compared to P3s (88.9% positive vs 58.7%, respectively; P ≤ .001).

Conclusions:

Both classes perceived patient safety education to be valuable; however, formal education resulted in some significant improvements in perceived confidence and understanding, including ability to conduct an RCA.
Daily Fluctuations in Everyday Cognition
Authors: Gamaldo Alyssa A. , Allaire Jason C.
Published: November 2015

Objective: This study examined whether there are daily fluctuations in everyday cognition that are consistent with daily fluctuations often observed in traditional measures of basic cognitive abilities. Method: Two hundred six independently living older adults (age range = 60-91 years) were asked to complete a computerized cognitive battery over eight occasions within a 2- to 3-week period. Results: Using multilevel model, significant within-person variability was observed across the Daily Everyday Cognition Assessment (DECA; 46%), with 54% between-person variability. At each occasion, better performance on the DECA was significantly associated with better performance on simple reaction time ( p < .01) and memory (Auditory Verbal Learning Task, p < .01) even after accounting for time, age, education, and performance on other cognitive measures. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that within-person performance fluctuations can be observed for everyday cognition tasks, and these fluctuations are consistent with daily changes in basic cognitive abilities.
The regulation of customary practices under colonial administration: Kinship and mortgages in a Hong Kong village
Authors: Chan Kwok-Shing
Published: November 2015

This article examines two Chinese customary forms of mortgage, dian (典) and diya (抵押), in a Tang (鄧) lineage village in rural Hong Kong under British colonial rule. It finds that the colonial government was active in imposing a set of standardized administrative rules and legal measures to regulate these two customary practices. And, an examination of 314 records of mortgages in a lineage community during the period 1905–65 reveals that diya was a common form. This form of mortgage bears the following characteristics: non-kin ties played a more active and dominant role; Tang mortgagors did not receive special interest rates from kin mortgagees; both grain and cash were used as means of paying interest, but the latter was more common; one-year loans were the most common in both land and house mortgages; the majority of cases had a one-year redemption period; and monthly interest rates were usually in the range of 1 per cent to 2 per cent of the principal loan. The findings of this article complement the current literature on the nature of British colonial rule and on the role of non-agnatic ties in mortgage practices in a Chinese lineage village.
Measurement of forced surface convection in directed energy deposition additive manufacturing
Authors: Heigel Jarred C , Michaleris Pan , Palmer Todd A
Published: October 2015

The accurate modeling of thermal gradients and distortion generated by directed energy deposition additive manufacturing requires a thorough understanding of the underlying physical processes. One area that has the potential to significantly affect the accuracy of thermomechanical simulations is the complex forced convection created by the inert gas jets that are used to deliver metal powder to the melt pool and to shield the laser optics and the molten material. These jets act on part surfaces with higher temperatures than those in similar processes such as welding and consequently have a greater impact on the prevailing heat transfer mechanisms. A methodology is presented here which uses hot-film sensors and constant voltage anemometry to measure the forced convection generated during additive manufacturing processes. This methodology is then demonstrated by characterizing the convection generated by a Precitec® YC50 deposition head under conditions commonly encountered in additive manufacturing. Surface roughness, nozzle configuration, and surface orientation are shown to have the greatest impact on the convection measurements, while the impact from the flow rate is negligible.
Long-term outcomes with multi-targeted immunosuppressive protocol in children with severe proliferative lupus nephritis
Authors: Aragon E , Resontoc L P , Chan Y H , Lau Y W , Tan P H , Loh H L , Ng K H , Yap H K
Published: November 2015

We have previously reported the one-year outcomes of 16 children with severe proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) who were treated using a multi-targeted induction protocol based on intravenous (IV) pulse methylprednisolone (MP), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and cyclosporine (CSA). This study examined the long-term renal outcomes of these 16 children, followed up for a median duration of 9.2 years (range 5.8–14.2 years). Primary treatment outcome was complete renal remission. Secondary outcomes included patient and renal survival as well as relapse-free and event-free survival. All patients achieved complete renal remission within 24 months (median 8.7 months, range 4.0–24.0 months). Comparing clinical and laboratory parameters at induction and last follow-up, respectively, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score (25.4 ± 8.7 vs 0.4 ± 0.8), serum complement C3 (47 ± 21 vs 107 ± 27 mg/dL), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (72 ± 57 vs 109.7 ± 43 ml/min/1.73m2) and urine protein (6.97 ± 7.09 vs 0.2 ± 0.02 g/day/1.73m2) improved significantly ( p < 0.05). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed a cumulative ten-year renal relapse-free survival of 73.3% when considering relapses with severe proteinuria >1 g/day/1.73m2. Cumulative probability that hospitalization would not be required was 93.8% at one year, and 71.4% at ten years. Our multi-targeted protocol for induction and maintenance therapy in Asian children with severe proliferative LN resulted in good long-term patient survival and renal preservation, with a good safety profile.
The fragmented worker? ICTs, coping strategies and gender differences in the temporal and spatial fragmentation of paid labour
Authors: Hubers Christa , Dijst Martin , Schwanen Tim
Published: November 2015

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are often proclaimed to facilitate the fragmentation of activities, a process whereby a certain activity is divided into several smaller pieces, which are performed at different times and/or locations. This study analyzes two-day combined activity, travel and communication diaries collected among Dutch households and presents quantitative findings of the associations between ICTs and the spatiotemporal fragmentation of paid labour. Controlling for various coping strategies, employment and commute factors, household characteristics, lifestyle orientation, time personality and spatial context, statistically significant relations were found between ICTs and the spatiotemporal fragmentation of paid labour for both men and women. The fact that both positive and negative associations were found suggests that ICTs can be adopted to make use of opportunities to arrange paid labour in a flexible way, or as a compensation when such opportunities are lacking. The results also indicate that up to a certain degree these associations are gender specific.
Parents with Borderline Personality Disorder – approaches to early intervention
Authors: Newman Louise
Published: November 2015

Objective:

This paper aims to describe the issues confronting parents with a history of attachment-related trauma and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and outline contemporary approaches to intervention.

Method:

The paper discusses recent reviews of parenting and BPD and outlines recent clinical developments.

Result:

BPD raises significant challenges for parents, with potential adverse impact on infant attachment and development.

Conclusion:

Approaches to early intervention should focus on improving the parental capacity as an attachment figure and their sensitivity to infant emotional communication.
Long-Term Intrathecal Analgesia With a Wireless Analgesia Pump System in the Home Care of Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Liu Hong-jun , Li Wei-yan , Chen Hao-fei , Cheng Zhu-qiang , Jin Yi
Published: November 2015

Background:

Intrathecal analgesia is more effective than conservative delivery methods such as drugs administered orally or intravenously. Programmable devices such as Medtronic’s SynchroMed systems have often been applied for long-term intrathecal analgesia. However, the totally implanted systems are very expensive in China. Considering cost-effectiveness, a reliable transmission protocol for a ZigBee-Based wireless analgesia pump system was used for long-term intrathecal analgesia in the home care of patients.

Methods:

We retrospectively investigated the efficacy, side effects, and complications of long-term intrathecal analgesia in the home care of patients via the wireless analgesia pump system. Follow-up visits occurred monthly for the initial 3 months after implantation and then every 3 months until patient death, withdrawal from the study, or removal of the device by a designated staff. At each follow-up visit, daily average pain score, pain frequency, satisfaction level, Spitzer Quality of Life Index, and side effects for every patient were recorded.

Results:

Pain intensity and frequency were significantly decreased by intrathecal analgesia via a wireless analgesia pump system. There were no significant differences in the satisfaction levels between hospitalization and each follow-up visit. The Spitzer Quality of Life Indexes were improved compared with patients who were hospitalized. No serious side effects were observed in this study.

Conclusion:

Intrathecal analgesia is an effective and safe method for control of refractory cancer pain, and wireless analgesia pump systems can be safely and effectively used for long-term intrathecal analgesia management in the home care of patients with advanced cancer.
Effect of sea and distilled water conditioning on the overall mechanical properties of carbon nanotube/epoxy composites
Authors: Bal Smrutisikha , Saha Sunirmal
Published: November 2015

The study of mechanical properties of carbon nanotube reinforced polymeric materials under different environmental conditions are very much essential as this material possesses potential for using it in structural parts, automobiles, marine field and so on. This study deals with the effect of moisture absorption on the mechanical and thermal properties of carbon nanotube/epoxy composites by immersing it in sea and distilled water at 30℃ temperature and at 75% Relative Humidity (RH) humidity. Composite specimens containing different wt.% of carbon nanotubes were prepared, tested and subjected to water immersion test. The ﬂexural properties, hardness and glass transition temperature ( Tg) of water-immersed specimens were evaluated and compared with unexposed specimens as per the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) standard. It is concluded that the water absorption brought certain loss in the mechanical properties and reduction in Tg of the composites. It was also found that moisture uptake affected both sea and distilled water samples in different ways.
Shift-to-Shift Handoff Effects on Patient Safety and Outcomes
Authors: Mardis Matthew , Davis Joshua , Benningfield Branden , Elliott Cater , Youngstrom Mallory , Nelson Brittany , Justice Ellen M. , Riesenberg Lee Ann
Published: October 2015

Multiple health care organizations have identified handoffs as a source of clinical errors; however, few studies have linked handoff interventions to improved patient outcomes. This systematic review of English-language research articles, published January 2008 to May 2015 and focusing on shift-to-shift handoff interventions and patient outcomes, yielded 10 774 unique articles. Twenty-one articles met inclusion criteria, measuring each of the following: patient falls (n = 7), reportable events (n = 6), length of stay (n = 4), mortality (n = 4), code calls (n = 4), medication errors (n = 4), medical errors (n = 3), procedural complications (n = 2), pressure ulcers (n = 2), weekend discharges (n = 2), and nosocomial infections (n = 2). One study each also measured time to first intervention, restraint use, overnight transfusions, and out-of-hours deteriorations. Studies that reported funding had higher quality scores. It is difficult to identify trends in the handoff research because of simultaneous implementation of multiple interventions and heterogeneity of the interventions, outcomes measured, and settings. The authors call for increased handoff research funding, especially for studies that include patient outcome measures.
Evaluation of Heart Function in Patients With Hemophilia
Authors: Amoozgar Hamid , Fath Maedeh , Jooya Parisa , Karimi Mehran
Published: November 2015

There are conflicting reports about the protective effect of hemophilia on the occurrence of ischemic heart disease. This study focuses on evaluation of heart function in patients with hemophilia. Cross-sectional, case–control study was done on all patients with hemophilia A or B who came to hemophilia center, and data were compared to controls. The data were collected from their charts, and heart function was evaluated by 2-dimensional, Doppler and pulse tissue Doppler. The serum troponin I level was measured in all patients as a marker of myocardial damage. Fifty patients with hemophilia took part in this study. All of them were male with mean age 29.1 years. Systolic blood pressure (mean = 121.52 ± 11 vs 115.61 ± 9.81, P = .038) and diastolic (mean = 81.94 ± 4.51 vs 75.21 ± 3.95, P = .042) blood pressure were higher in the patients. Five (10%) patients had systolic hypertension and 7 (14%) patients had diastolic hypertension. The M-mode echocardiography results showed that interventricular septum in diastole in patients with hemophilia (mean 1.143 ± 0.29) was significantly thicker than the control group (mean 0.828 ± 0.22, P < .001). Tissue Doppler echocardiography showed that late diastolic velocity of septum (Aa; P = .030), systolic velocity (S) of lateral mitral valve ( P = .006), late diastolic velocity of lateral mitral (Aa) annulus ( P = .038), and late velocity of (Aa) tricuspid ( P = .004) had significant difference compared with the control group ( P < .05). Troponin enzyme level was < 0.1 in all patients. Patients with hemophilia had higher blood pressure and more hypertension. Echocardiographic study of patients with hemophilia showed some increase in septal thickness and changes in diastolic dysfunction
Increasing Comprehension of Expository Science Text for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Carnahan Christina R. , Williamson Pamela , Birri Nicole , Swoboda Christopher , Snyder Kate K.
Published: October 2015

Using a multiple baseline single-subject design, this study evaluated the effects of a text structure intervention package on the ability of students with autism to comprehend traditional science texts. Three high school students with high-functioning autism and their teacher participated in this study. The intervention package included instruction in types of text structures using a text structure organization sheet before reading, and completing an analysis and summary sheet during and after reading. Results indicated that the instruction was highly effective during intervention and maintenance phase for all three participants. The first-year special education teacher was able to implement the intervention with fidelity. All participants agreed that the intervention was helpful for reading science texts. Future research and implications for classroom intervention is discussed.
Paying the State Use Tax
Authors: Anderson John E.
Published: November 2015

To improve use tax compliance, twenty-seven states have added a line to their income tax returns where taxpayers can report taxable sales. This article reports results of a behavioral study of a postcard “nudge” sent to income tax filers in one of those states, Nebraska, to encourage self-reporting of liability. The research question is whether the informational nudge was sufficient to alter self-reporting behavior. Data indicate that the nudge more than doubled the likelihood of use tax reporting and nearly doubled the amount of revenue collected, but the rate of use tax reporting remains extremely low. Probit models reveal that use tax reporting rises with income at a decreasing rate. Selection models are also estimated because of positive selection bias in the selection of the treatment group. Taken together, the results indicate that an informational nudge is not likely to be sufficient to substantially change use tax reporting behavior.
An assessment of fatigue in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
Authors: Wise Shelby , Ross Amanda , Brown Abigail , Evans Meredyth , Jason Leonard
Published: November 2015

Individuals with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome share many symptoms with those who have chronic fatigue syndrome; one of which is severe fatigue. Previous literature found that those with chronic fatigue syndrome experience many forms of fatigue. The goal of this study was to investigate whether individuals with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome also experience multidimensional fatigue and whether these individuals can be clustered into subgroups based on the types of fatigue they endorse. A convenience sample of 138 participants (aged 14–29) with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome completed questionnaires that assessed fatigue, brain fog symptom severity, activities that improve brain fog, and brain fog-related disability. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the Fatigue Types Questionnaire, and a three-factor solution was produced. Factor scores were then used to cluster the patients into groups using a TwoStep cluster analysis. This resulted in two clusters, a high severity group and a low severity group. The clusters were then compared on a number of items related to symptom expression. Individuals within the more severe cluster had significantly more brain fog at the beginning and end of the survey when compared to cluster two. Those in the more severe cluster also described more activity impairment as well as more frequent, more severe, and more debilitation from postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and brain fog. The findings of the factor analysis suggest that patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome experience fatigue as a multidimensional construct and they also can be subgrouped based on symptom severity.
Younger British men’s understandings of prostate cancer: A qualitative study
Authors: Grogan Sarah , Parlane Victoria L , Buckley Emily
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study was to explore young British men’s understandings of prostate health and cancer of the prostate. A total of 16 White-British men between 31–50 years of age took part in interviews face-to-face or through computer-mediated communication. Thematic analysis broadly informed by grounded theory identified two key themes; ‘limited knowledge about the prostate’ and ‘early detection & unpleasant procedures’. Accounts are discussed with reference to implications for improving men’s understandings of prostate cancer, and likelihood of self-referral for prostate screening where necessary.