bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Stewardship and Clostridium difficile–Associated Diarrhea
Authors: Piacenti Frank J. , Leuthner Kimberly D.
Published: August 2013

Antimicrobial stewardship programs are essential to health care institutions to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics not only to decrease antimicrobial resistance but to prevent the spread and infection of Clostridium difficile. Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea is increasing rapidly in the United States and is now considered a major public health problem that poses an immediate threat to the health of patients prescribed antibiotics, more so than antimicrobial resistance. Clostridium difficile–associated disease is the result of collateral damage to the normal bacterial flora of the human body, which is an inevitable consequence of any antibiotic use. Antimicrobial stewardship programs such as audit with feedback and antibiotic restriction are designed to help limit Clostridium difficile infections and other hospital-associated organisms by optimizing antimicrobial selection, dosing, de-escalation, and duration of therapy. These programs also incorporate implementation of hospital-wide guidelines, staff education, enforcement of infection-control policies, and the use of electronic medical records when possible to help control antibiotic use. This article reviews the literature on how antimicrobial stewardship programs impact Clostridium difficile rates and discusses experiences in designing, implementing, monitoring, and follow-through of such programs.
Age, Gender, Social Contacts, and Psychological Distress
Authors: Phongsavan Philayrath , Grunseit Anne C. , Bauman Adrian , Broom Dorothy , Byles Julie , Clarke Judith , Redman Sally , Nutbeam Don ,   for the SEEF Project
Published: August 2013

Objective: The study examined the relationships between social contact types and psychological distress among mid-older adults. Method: Self-completed data from 236,490 Australian adults aged 45+ years. Results: There was a consistent relationship between increased frequency in phone contacts, social visits, and social group contacts and reduced risk of psychological distress adjusted for demographic and health factors. However, stratified analyses by age showed, with one exception, that no significant associations were found between social group contact frequency and risk of psychological distress for those aged 85 years and older. Furthermore, significant interaction terms revealed that women experience a steeper reduction in risk than men at age 65 to 74 years and 75 to 84 years compared with those aged 45 to 64 years. Discussion: Social contacts have age and gender differential effects on psychological distress of mid-older Australian adults. Interventions addressing social interaction need to be sensitive to gender and age differences.
Lollipop stories: Listening to children’s voices in the classroom and narrative ethnographical research
Authors: Hohti Riikka , Karlsson Liisa
Published: August 2013

This article offers a methodological contribution to the concept of children’s voices and the ways of listening to them. Children’s voices are studied in a narrative ethnographical research project in a school classroom. The authors follow children’s voices from the level of classroom observation to an analysis on narrative data produced by the Storycrafting method and finally to a more reflexive analysis. By defining three interrelated analytical spaces, the study illustrates how voices are emergent, contingent on their social, discursive and physical environments and power relations, and constructed in reciprocal processes of telling and listening. Finally, the authors discuss the significance of reflexive listening to children’s voices.
Parenting as a performance: Parents as consumers and (de)constructors of mythic parenting and childhood ideals
Authors: Geinger Freya , Vandenbroeck Michel , Roets Griet
Published: August 2013

The existing critical literature on constructions of childhood and parenthood is only beginning to listen to what parents have to say. As a result, parents may paradoxically be viewed as passive victims and therefore reduced to be the spectators of what is supposed to be their ‘problem’. The present study analyses dominant parent advice texts in the Flemish community of Belgium, as well as the voices of parents on the Internet. The study confirms the tendencies noticed in critical literature: the tendency to individualize responsibilities and the focus on autonomy in the neoliberal era. In addition it unveils the double bind nature of autonomy in expert discourse. It also illustrates the performative agency of parents, as co-constructors of dominant discourse as well as contesting this discourse. In so doing, the study complements the existing vein of literature with the way in which parents think of and experience the dominant parenting discourse.
The agony and the empathy: The ambivalence of empathy in feminist psychology
Authors: Lobb Andrea
Published: August 2013

Positioned at the heart of psychology’s theory and practice, as well as at the core of the so-called feminist ethic of care, empathy is nevertheless a matter of ambivalence for feminist psychology. This paper describes two symptoms of a failure of advanced Western-style democracies to get empathy right in terms of gender justice: the first is described here as the phenomenon of ‘empathism’; the second as the ‘female empathy tax’. Difference feminists (in psychology and elsewhere) have advocated a politics of recognition directed towards the celebration of the superiority of female and maternal empathy. Intended to enhance women’s status, this is likely to backfire from the point of view of sexual equality unless complemented by a politics of affective redistribution between the sexes. Relinquishing the feminist attachment to the lopsided ‘feminization’ of empathy, in favour of its ‘androgynization’ as a fundamental human capacity, allows for the formulation of a post-patriarchal account of empathy.
No Hope without Struggle
Authors: Wootton Janet
Published: August 2013

Hope is not passive or quietist. Despair is without energy, but hope springs out of, and gives power to life. Countless campaigners have found that hope involves struggle. Feminism shares the struggle with other liberation movements, but I want to argue that it has very specific characteristics as well. The struggle for liberation is political and sometimes physical; it is also ideological – a struggle with and for ideas, vision. All these, feminism shares with other great movements. But the struggle for women to be free is existential in a way that almost no other can be. And it takes place in a broken context, constantly in need of reinventing itself. I will draw on a number of liberation movements, and also on the long history of women’s struggle to be free and powerful.
The influence of on-stage behavior on the subjective evaluation of rock guitar performances
Authors: Lehmann Marco , Kopiez Reinhard
Published: August 2013

Show elements are indispensable in live rock performances and have an impact on the recipients’ performance evaluations. We conducted two studies on the persuasive function of show elements (e.g., multi-finger tapping, over-under techniques, or playing with the tongue) in rock guitar solo performances. In Experiment 1 professional guitarists ( N = 12) classified performance features, such as show elements, playing difficulty in terms of academic standards, tempo and visible engagement of the performer based on a selection of 15 audio-visual performances by popular virtuosos. In Experiment 2 these features were then used to obtain evaluations of perceived playing difficulty and impressiveness of the solos from subjects differing in musical competence ( N = 59). Results revealed interactions between subjects’ musical competence and evaluations of show elements: (a) Music students gave higher ratings than did musically untrained subjects for the perceived playing difficulty and impressiveness of solos played in fast tempo; (b) surprisingly, solos with show elements were rated as more impressive – but only by the music students; (c) the visible engagement of the performer resulted in high ratings for playing difficulty – but only from the musically untrained subjects. We conclude that the technical difficulty of a performance is not self-evident to the recipient and depends on the rater’s degree of musical competence. The evaluations of a guitar performance by the majority of musically untrained recipients rely more on visible cues of engagement than on virtuosic playing (i.e., fast tempo, difficult techniques).
Exact analytical modeling of power and energy for multimode lamb waves excited by piezoelectric wafer active sensors
Authors: Kamal Ayman M , Lin Bin , Giurgiutiu Victor
Published: August 2013

This article presents an analytical model for power and energy transfer between excited piezoelectric wafer active sensors and host structure. This model is based on exact multimodal Lamb waves, normal mode expansion technique, and orthogonality of Lamb waves. Modal participation factors are presented to show the contribution of every mode to the total energy transfer. The model assumptions include the following: (1) straight-crested multimodal ultrasonic guided wave propagation, (2) propagating waves only, (3) ideal bonding (pin-force) connection between piezoelectric wafer active sensors and structure, and (4) ideal excitation source at the transmitter piezoelectric wafer active sensors. Constrained piezoelectric wafer active sensor admittance is reviewed. Electrical active power, mechanical converted power, and Lamb wave kinetic and potential energies are derived in closed-form formulae. Numerical simulations are performed for the case of symmetric and antisymmetric excitation of thin aluminum structure. The simulation results are compared with axial and flexural approximation for the case of low-frequency Lamb waves. In addition, a thick steel structure example is considered to illustrate the case of multimodal guided waves. A parametric study for different excitation frequencies and different transducer sizes is performed to show the best match of frequency and piezoelectric wafer active sensor size to achieve maximum energy transfer into the excited structure.
Structural damage assessment using output-only measurement: Localization and quantification
Authors: Chao Shu-Hsien , Loh Chin-Hsiung , Tseng Min-Hsuan
Published: August 2013

In this article, a systematic way of structural damage assessment algorithm, including identification of damage location and damage quantification, is proposed using output-only measurement. First, the null-space-based and subspace-based damage detection methods are used to confirm the damage severity of a structure. Then, the stochastic subspace identification technique is adopted to identify the time-varying system natural frequencies from the global response measurement. Finally, the novelty index, defined as the Euclidean norm of the time–frequency Hilbert amplitude spectrum of measurement between the intact and the damaged structures, is applied to locate the damage. To quantify the damage, the complete system realization is obtained from the identified modal properties through stochastic subspace identification method. From which, the inter-story stiffness reduction ratio can be identified using the normalized stiffness matrix. For case of limited measurement, the multi-setup operational modal analysis is applied to construct the complete system matrix. Verification of the proposed damage assessment algorithm using response data from a series of shaking table test of a six-story steel structure with the cut in column member to simulate the damage is demonstrated.
Associations Among Name Writing and Alphabetic Skills in Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Children At Risk of School Failure
Authors: Diamond Karen E. , Baroody Alison E.
Published: August 2013

Associations among children’s writing and alphabetic skills were examined in a sample of 502 prekindergarten children who were at risk of academic failure because they came from poor families, spoke a language other than English at home, or had an identified disability. In this sample of children at risk of school failure, 16% had an identified disability and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Children’s name writing skills in prekindergarten were compared with their letter knowledge and word decoding skills in prekindergarten and kindergarten. Two writing scores reflected the overall quality of children’s writing and children’s use of letters. By the end of prekindergarten, almost half of children wrote their first names correctly, and two thirds used only letters when writing their name. Children’s name writing in prekindergarten was associated, concurrently, with letter and word decoding skills. Children’s use of letters when writing their name in prekindergarten predicted growth of emergent literacy skills related to letter knowledge and to decoding and identifying words, even if the name was not written entirely correctly. While children who had an IEP had, on average, slightly lower levels of achievement than their peers, the pattern of associations among variables was similar for all children. Results are discussed in relation to the use of writing as a tool that teachers and interventionists can use in understanding and promoting children’s early literacy skills.
Skin Infections in Young People (Aged 14–18 Years)
Authors: Lambe Catherine I. , Hoare Karen J.
Published: August 2013

Skin infections are a major cause of preventable hospitalization, with young people being particularly susceptible. Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection typically presents as skin infection. CA-MRSA infection rates have increased rapidly in the past decade. Exploration of literature specific to young people aged 14–18 years is therefore timely. Integrative review using the methods described by Whittemore and Knafl was undertaken. Electronic databases of Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google databases were searched for English-language articles published after 1990. Twenty primary studies were included and the findings are reported here. Data analysis revealed factors influencing skin infections in young people may be host-, transmission-, or pathogen-specific. Strategies to address host and transmission factors may be effective in controlling skin infection rates in young people.
Improving the ride comfort of vehicle passenger using fuzzy sliding mode controller
Authors: Arslan Yunus Ziya , Sezgin Aziz , Yagiz Nurkan
Published: August 2013

Attenuation of the adverse effects of vehicle vibrations on human health is a challenging problem. One common approach to solve this problem is to use various types of controllers in vehicle suspensions. In this study, in order to decrease the vehicle vibrations and hence improve the ride comfort, a fuzzy logic integrated sliding mode controller was designed. The performance of the controller was tested in a biodynamic human-vehicle combined model. The human body was considered as a lumped parameter model and incorporated into a full vehicle model. The biodynamic responses of a human body to vehicle vibrations were analyzed. Performances of the conventional sliding mode and fuzzy integrated sliding mode controllers were compared with those of a passive control strategy. According to the numerical results, the fuzzy sliding mode controller overcame both classic sliding mode and passive control approaches and decreased vehicle vibrations considerably. It can be deduced from the study that active suspension systems would play a key role in decreasing the negative effects of vehicle vibrations on human health, such as motion sickness, discomfort and spine injuries.
A new method to model a localized surface defect in a cylindrical roller-bearing dynamic simulation
Authors: Shao Yimin , Liu Jing , Ye Jun
Published: August 2013

The main failure mode of cylindrical roller element bearings is localized surface defects such as spalls and pits on the surfaces of its races or rollers.1 However, it is difficult to describe the time-varying deflection excitation generated by a defect and the time-varying contact stiffness excitation due to the changes in contact conditions between a roller and the defect when the roller passes over the defect by using the previous defect models for the cylindrical roller bearing. In this work, a new dynamic analysis method is proposed to formulate a localized surface defect more accurately for a cylindrical roller bearing dynamic modeling. A two-degree of freedom dynamic model for a cylindrical roller bearing with a localized surface defect on its races is proposed, which considers both the time-varying deflection excitation and the time-varying contact stiffness excitation produced by the defect. The load-deflection relationship between the roller and the race is considered as non-Hertzian one, which can be used to determine the load-deflection relationship between the logarithmic-profile roller and the races of the cylindrical roller bearing. The numerical results are compared with the available results from the previous defect models in the literature. The effects of the defect width, depth, and types are investigated. To validate the proposed model, an experiment is also presented. The results show that the proposed method describes a more accurate in describing the real excitation produced by the defect and provides a new method to simulate the effects of a localized surface defect on the vibration response of a cylindrical roller bearing.
A call to action
Authors: Stowes Ta'Ronce M
Published: August 2013

In Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, the Fifth Circuit Court of the Appeals was recently charged with determining whether the University’s race-conscious admissions policy is narrowly crafted to produce an ethnically diverse student body and the educational benefits that flow therefrom. In light of the modern hostility towards affirmative action, as demonstrated by US Supreme Court opinions and various statewide bans of racially preferential programs, the pundits question whether affirmative action will soon become obsolete. Equally important, since such state bans have proven to correlate with declines in public college admission rates of minorities, and because one’s education naturally coincides with their job opportunities, the Fisher ruling could indirectly perpetuate longstanding barriers between minorities and lucrative career options that have been traditionally closed to them. Thus, a question that may become pertinent in the aftermath of Fisher is, “In a nation without affirmative action programs, how can employment institutions ensure that historically disenfranchised groups will be recruited and considered for, and represented in, the corporate workforce?” Notwithstanding Fisher’s ultimate judgment, it is incumbent upon employers to forge the answer by significantly broadening their current diversity recruitment efforts if Corporate America is to ever truly achieve its critical mass.
Children affected by maternal HIV/AIDS: Feasibility and acceptability trial of the Children United with Buddies (CUB) intervention
Authors: Murphy Debra A , Marelich William D , Graham Jamie , Payne Diana L
Published: August 2013

Past research has shown that young children affected by maternal HIV present with elevated stress/anxiety and negative well-being. This pilot intervention for children aged 7–14 affected by maternal HIV targeted improving positive child–mother communication, improving HIV/AIDS knowledge and reducing anxiety (especially related to transmission), and lessening feelings of stigma. Each of the three child intervention sessions included behavioral skills training and a themed craft exercise; mothers attended an open discussion group while the children attended their sessions. Study participants were 37 child–mother pairs. The study design was a randomized two-group pretest-posttest experimental design. The intervention sessions were audiotaped for transcription. Results showed significant decreases in anxiety and worry for children in the intervention group, and increases in happiness and knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS transmission. Intervention group mothers reported greater social support. Qualitative findings for the intervention group children and mothers also support these findings. Early intervention reduces child stress, and may affect longer-term outcomes.
The effect of source type and source strength on inhaled mass of particulate matter during episodic indoor activities
Authors: Braniš Martin , Řezáčová Pavla , Lazaridis Mihalis
Published: August 2013

A two-week campaign was performed in a naturally ventilated apartment to quantify indoor sources and to estimate the total inhaled mass of particulate matter (PM). DustTrak photometers were used to record PM2.5 concentrations continuously. Indoor activities were recorded in a detailed time–activity diary. The results showed that short episodic indoor sources influenced the indoor PM concentration for several hours and significantly affected daily average PM2.5 concentrations, indoor/outdoor ratios and indoor/outdoor correlation coefficients. Activities leading to increased PM concentrations occurred in 9% of the total time monitored, and accounted for 68% of the total PM concentration. Among the many indoor activities recorded, smoking and hair spraying were the strongest sources of fine aerosol. The outcomes of cooking episodes were the most variable in terms of duration and aerosol levels. The calculated inhaled mass corresponded to the source strength but not to the duration of the source activity. The total mass of aerosol potentially inhaled by an adult individual during the time outside the episodes was 1367 µg and during the episodes 2895 µg. During one hour, one person potentially inhaled approximately 36 µg and 294 µg of aerosol for the non-episode and the episode periods, respectively.
Thermal performance and durability properties of the window glazing with exterior film(s)
Authors: Lee Shin Ku , Chen Hsuan-Jui , Fan Kuo-Shun , Hsi Hsing-Cheng , Horng Richard S.
Published: August 2013

Solar control film is usually positioned on the interior side of the window to reduce heat radiation into buildings. This work, in contrast, investigates the thermal performance and durability properties of window glazing with film on the exterior side and glazing with an additional TiO2 layer, as a protective film, on the exterior side. A small-sized hot-box was developed to evaluate the performance of glass samples: low-E glass, clear glass with solar film and tinted glass with TiO2 coating. It was concluded that the glass with coating facing toward outdoor could result in a reduction of interior surface temperature by 2℃–7℃. The thermal discomfort caused by these exterior films for the occupants would therefore be lowered. Experiments on surface properties found that heat treatment could provide improved durability properties for low-E and TiO2 glass samples. Adding another TiO2 layer to the low-E or solar films was found to exhibit even lower interior temperatures. An energy analysis showed that the heat transfer rate to the building inside was reduced by 25.8% for TiO2/solar film on the exterior compared to the low-E glass with film facing inside. TiO2/solar film placed on the exterior side is therefore highly recommended for window glazing by this study.
Value in marketing
Authors: Karababa Eminegül , Kjeldgaard Dannie
Published: August 2013

This commentary addresses recent debates in marketing research on the elusiveness of the notion of value, with the aim of starting a dialogue on the possibility of developing a comprehensive and culturally informed understanding of value and value creation processes. First, we provide an overview of the predominant uses of value in marketing and consumer research literature and discuss them in relation to three abstract conceptions of value. We show the interconnectedness of these value types in market and consumption contexts. Next, we suggest possible avenues that have their foundations in the notion of field, practice theory, and markets as networks approaches, in order to conceptualize complexity in value and value creation processes.
Methodology meets culture
Authors: Kriz Anton , Gummesson Evert , Quazi Ali
Published: August 2013

Guanxi has been well documented for its critical business role in China but rarely has it been investigated for its important methodological implications. This article focuses on the ways in which researchers can utilise the sociocultural phenomenon of relational and guanxi-orientation as a tool for more effective Chinese-related data collection. This article arose as an unanticipated methodological outcome of a preceding qualitative study of Chinese perceptions of interpersonal trust. The article has empirical foundations but is largely conceptual in nature. One of the key aspects presented in the article is the construction and illustration of a researcher-developed guanxishu or tree of connections. Such insights are likely to prove invaluable to novice investigators interested in management research in Mainland China and overseas Chinese markets. Experienced researchers understand the importance in Chinese markets of accessing and utilising connections in the process of data collection. However, seldom has this process been discussed or comprehensively documented. The article identifies some of the important intricacies around using guanxi in management research.
‘We all share a common vision and passion’: Early years professionals reflect upon their leadership of practice role
Authors: Hallet Elaine
Published: August 2013

Early Years Professionals are graduate leaders working with children below 5 years of age, their families and practitioners in early years settings in the private, voluntary and independent sectors and children’s centres in England. Their leadership of practice role is central to raising the quality of early years provision and practice. In this qualitative research study, the leadership role of the Early Years Professional is explored. The biographical and reflective methodology enabled them to reflect upon their role and deconstruct their leadership style and practices. The study found that Early Years Professionals had a defined role as Leaders of Learning, a specialist group within the early years workforce. Their experience of working in settings, continuing professional learning in higher education, reflective practice, emotional passion and enthusiasm for working with young children enabled them to lead change in pedagogy and shape and improve professional practice through a collaborative leadership style.
Using a Mandatory Reporting Database to Recruit Persons Living With HIV/AIDS to Study Access to Care in Mississippi
Authors: Krause Denise D. , May Warren L.
Published: August 2013

Using funds provided by the Ryan White Care Act, we conducted a statewide needs assessment of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Mississippi as required by provisions of the Act. Most published research addressing access to care for PLWHA is based on convenience samples of persons already accessing care in specified clinic locations. For this study of a single state with a well-established mandatory reporting system, we conducted a cross-sectional study interviewing a random sample of PLWHA across the state of Mississippi. The Mississippi State Department of Health has maintained the Mississippi HIV/AIDS Reporting System since its inception in 1980. The database tracks all reported cases of HIV+ cases and includes name, age, last-known address, and other contact information. The sample was selected from a frame of all recorded PLWHA in Mississippi at that time, regardless of their association with care facilities. The purpose of this article is to describe the design and methodology of this study, difficulties encountered in locating this hard-to-reach population, multimethod recruiting strategies and outcomes, and lessons learned. Locating participants using a truly random sample from a mandatory reporting database was resource intensive. However, data collected as a result of these efforts have provided invaluable information on a number of topics important to PLWHA.
Revisiting Stereotypes of Non-White Politicians’ Ideological and Partisan Orientations
Authors: Jones Philip Edward
Published: August 2013

This research revisits when and how voters use race as a cue for politicians’ ideological and partisan orientations. Using an embedded survey experiment that manipulates the race and policy positions of a (fictitious) Member of Congress, I provide a more comprehensive view of the role of ideological and partisan stereotypes in impression formation. Voters perceive non-White politicians as more liberal and more likely to be Democrats than otherwise-identical White politicians. This stereotyping persists even when the politician takes counter-stereotypical positions (e.g., a Black or Hispanic politician with a conservative record), and shapes non-White legislators’ approval ratings in significant ways.
Inflammation in Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery Versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Madureira Fernando Athayde Veloso , Manso José Eduardo Ferreira , Madureira Filho Delta , Iglesias Antonio Carlos Garrido
Published: August 2013

Introduction. Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) uses a multiple-entry portal in a single 3.0- to 4.0-cm incision in a natural scar, the umbilicus. The present study aimed to compare the inflammatory impact of classic video laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) versus LESS cholecystectomy. Methods. A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted from January to June 2011 at 2 university hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fifty-seven patients (53 women, 4 men; mean age = 48.7 years) were randomly assigned to receive LC (n = 29) or LESS (n = 28) cholecystectomy. C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured from blood samples collected during induction of anesthesia and at 3 and 24 hours postoperatively. Results. Median IL-6 levels in the LESS and LC groups, respectively, were 2.96 and 4.5 pg/mL preoperatively, 11.6 and 28.05 pg/mL at 3 hours postoperatively ( P = .029), and 13.18 and 15.1 pg/mL at 24 hours postoperatively ( P = .52). Median CRP levels in the LESS and LC groups, respectively, were 0.33 and 0.44 mg/mL preoperatively, 0.40 and 0.45 mg/mL ( P = .73) at 3 hours postoperatively, and 1.7 and 1.82 mg/mL ( P = .84) at 24 hours postoperatively. We did not find a significant association between IL-6 (and CRP) and body mass index in the LESS group. Conclusions. LESS cholecystectomy requires a larger size incision than LC. We found a tendency of less postoperative pain following LESS cholecystectomy than LC. There was also a tendency toward lower early inflammatory impact following LESS cholecystectomy versus LC.
Patient-Centered, Culturally Sensitive Health Care
Authors: Tucker Carolyn M. , Arthur Tya M. , Roncoroni Julia , Wall Whitney , Sanchez Jackeline
Published: August 2013

In recent years, there have been increasing national calls for patient-centered, culturally sensitive health care (PC-CSHC). The impetus for these calls include (a) the reality that health care providers are increasingly having to provide health care to a more culturally diverse patient population without the necessary training to do so effectively, (b) the growing evidence that culturally insensitive health care is a major contributor to the costly health disparities that plague our nation, and (c) the fact that racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with low household incomes are more likely than their non-Hispanic white and higher-income counterparts to experience culturally insensitive health care and dissatisfaction with health care—health care experiences that have been linked to poorer health outcomes. This article (a) presents literature on the definition of PC-CSHC and the need for this care, (b) presents research on assessing and promoting this care, and (c) offers research-informed strategies and future directions for customizing and institutionalizing this care.
Addressing English Language Learners in the School Leadership Curriculum
Authors: Baecher Laura , Knoll Marcia , Patti Janet
Published: August 2013

Preparing school administrators to support effective instruction of English language learners (ELLs) is an important dimension of today’s school leadership programs, yet often difficult to enact. This paper reports a comprehensive needs analysis of a school leadership advanced certificate program carried out by Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and school administration faculty. This contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the needs of faculty and candidates in their beliefs and experiences with ELL pedagogy. Implications for collaboration with TESOL faculty to strengthen more effective instruction for ELLs are discussed.
Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax, an Era of Fresh Air
Authors: Bou Chebl Ralphe , Noujeim Carlos , Ayoub Zeina , Dagher Gilbert Abou
Published: August 2013

Background. There are no rigid guidelines for the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Although there seems to be a consensus between several medical societies regarding the management of an asymptomatic small pneumothorax, the approach toward a moderate to large symptomatic primary spontaneous pneumothorax is unclear and is not substantiated by well-designed research studies. Objectives. Our aim is to shed some light on the role of observation alone in the setting of moderate to large primary spontaneous pneumothorax and to report the different medical societies’ views on the treatment of a primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Case report. We report a case of a 26-year-old man who presented to our emergency department with shortness of breath and was found to have a symptomatic moderate-size pneumothorax that was successfully treated with oxygen therapy and supportive care. Conclusion. We hope that this case will stimulate further research in the field of primary spontaneous pneumothorax management advocating for simple observation and oxygen therapy.
The time-less urologic question, “Now why would you do that?” A case series and literature review of self-inserted urethral foreign bodies
Authors: Boyle Alexander , Martinez Daniel R. , Mennie Peter A. , Rafiei Arash , Carrion Rafael
Published: August 2013

Objective:

Self-inserted urethral foreign bodies are relatively uncommon with few cases reported in the literature. Urethral sounding may result in a retained urethral foreign body commonly occurring in men as a form of masturbation. We present a retrospective case review from a single facility over an eight-month period; discuss the limited literature available rationale and management of self-inserted urethral foreign bodies.

Material and methods:

In an 8-month period of time, there were eight reported cases of intentional self-inserted urethral foreign bodies, involving three male patients. The patient characteristics varied in age, race, and type of foreign body. The reasons for placement also varied, with sexual gratification being most common. All three patients had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Diagnosis was made using clinical history, physical examination, imaging studies, and confirmation done with endoscopic visualization of the foreign body.

Results:

All eight cases were successfully treated via minimally-invasive procedures, either with endoscopic removal or by manual expression of the foreign body out of the urethra. None of the eight required open surgery, and most were treated successfully at the bedside in the emergency room. Only two of the cases required endoscopic removal under anesthesia. After removal of the foreign bodies, all of the patients were able void without difficulty, and also underwent psychiatric evaluation prior to discharge.

Conclusion:

Urethral foreign bodies can be a result of sexual foreplay in the form of urethral sounding. It has been reported that 10% of 2122 men surveyed admitted to recreational urethral sounding. Common motivations were sexual or erotic in nature. Risky behavior including substance abuse was also reported. Psychiatric disorders have also been reported and psychiatric evaluation is recommended in all cases. A minimally invasive approach should always be attempted. Although rarely reported in the literature, self-inserted urethral foreign bodies should be on the differential in a patient with appropriate symptoms. This is especially true if the patient has a history of substance abuse, psychiatric illness, mental retardation or dementia.
Emotional Intelligence, Perceived Control, and Eating Disorders
Authors: Zysberg Leehu , Tell Einav
Published: August 2013

Studies on Emotional Intelligence (EI) have demonstrated the concept’s potential in accounting for a broad range of health-related outcomes. Preliminary evidence associates measures of EI with disordered eating and other related behaviors. This study proposed a mediation effect of perceived control in the above association. We hypothesized that (a) EI will positively associate with perceived control and (b) perceived control will associate positively with Anorexia and negatively with Bulimia symptomatology. One hundred and thirty young adults residing in Israel filled out measures assessing Anorexia (drive for thinness), Bulimia, perceived control, and EI (two measures). The results lent only partial support to the hypotheses: EI showed a nonlinear association with control, which in turn showed nonlinear association with Anorexia scores, and contrary to our hypothesis, positive association with Bulimia scores. A Sobel test supported the mediation models for both eating disorder measures. The results are discussed and future research is proposed to further examine this hypothesized mechanism.
Laser synthesised TaC for improving copper tribological property
Authors: Li M Y , Chao M J , Liang E J , Li D C , Yu J M , Zhang J J
Published: August 2013

To improve the wear resistance of copper through in situ synthesis of ceramic particulate reinforcement, laser surface modification on copper was performed using a powder mixture of Ni based alloy with (Ta2O5+C) doping. The microstructure, microhardness, wear resistance and bulk electrical conductivity of the integral material were investigated. The results indicated that the modified layer had a homogeneous fine microstructure containing TaC particles and Cr3C2 acicular phases dispersed uniformly in the matrix of γ (Ni,Fe) and (Cu,Ni,Fe) solid solutions. The modified layer exhibited higher hardness and better wear resistance than the Ni based alloy modified layer because of the presence and the uniform distribution of in situ synthesised TaC particles. However, the addition of TaC particles slightly decreased the electrical conductivity of the integral bulk.
Characterisation of nanometric chromium coatings in metal–polymer composites
Authors: Zumelzu E , Angulo C , Cabezas C , Ugarte R
Published: August 2013

Electrolytic chromium-coated steel (ECCS) plates are surface protected by a semi-crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer coating that provides mechanical and corrosion resistance properties. At the interface level, the steel is protected by a nanometric electrolytic chromium-based coating that chemically binds with the PET layer. However, axial deformations of the composite alter the chromium oxide layers, due to manufacturing surface discontinuities and the existence of detachment areas, producing adhesion failures, as well as changes in the surface and interfacial morphology of the composite, which limit its functionality. This study evaluated the correlations between delamination areas and uniaxial deformations, and assessed the effect on the chromium layers concerning protection and adherence. The results produced delamination maps, which showed the formation of microcracks on the chromium coatings, and indicated the changes that weakened the metal–polymer chemical bonds that consequently decrease the potential performance of industrial applications such as food containers.
Deposition of ZrNxOy films by filtered cathodic vacuum arc
Authors: Chen Y M , Zhang H Q , Li Z W , Cao W , Liao B , Zhang X
Published: August 2013

Zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) thin films were prepared by filtered cathodic vacuum arc technique using N2/O2 mixtures. The effect of N2/O2 ratios on the microstructure, optical and mechanical properties of films had been investigated. X-ray diffraction results showed that o-Zr3N4(O) phase was observed at low oxygen flowrate, while tetragonal and monoclinic phases of ZrO2 were detected at high one. Optical test revealed that the films changed from semitransparent to transparent, and the absorption edge shifted to lower wavelength with the increase in oxygen flowrate. The refractive indexes of films ranged from 2·24 to 3·47, and the optical band gap increased from 2·06 to 4 eV with the increasing oxygen content, which implied that the films had potentials in optoelectronic applications.
Electrodeposition of CoPtMo magnetic films with incorporation of phosphorus
Authors: Lou J , Yu K , Wei G , Xin C , Qin Y , Jiang L , Ge H , Dettinger H
Published: August 2013

Electrodeposition as a kind of significant electrochemical technique was used to prepare CoPtMo magnetic materials on copper substrate from an alkaline electrolyte. The influence of hypophosphite addition on the deposition process, alloy content, microstructure and magnetic properties of CoPtMo thin films was studied. The films that were prepared from the electrolytes without hypophosphite exhibited an fcc structure, with higher Pt percentage but lower coercivity. The presence of hypophosphite shifted alloy deposition to more negative potentials, limited the platinum percentage, caused higher Co content and exhibited an hcp structure. It was found that much higher coercivity of CoPtMo(P) than that of CoPtMo was mainly due to the incorporation of P at the grain boundaries.
Closing the gap between T-cell life span estimates from stable isotope-labeling studies in mice and humans
Authors: Westera Liset , Drylewicz Julia , den Braber Ineke , Mugwagwa Tendai , van der Maas Iris , Kwast Lydia , Volman Thomas , van de Weg-Schrijver Elise H. R. , Bartha István , Spierenburg Gerrit , Gaiser Koos , Ackermans Mariëtte T. , Asquith Becca , de Boer Rob J. , Tesselaar Kiki , Borghans José A. M.
Published: August 2013

Key Points

Life span estimates can be sensitive to the duration of stable isotope label administration, explaining discrepancies in the literature. Multiexponential models are needed to obtain reliable leukocyte life span estimates.
Accelerated uptake of VWF/platelet complexes in macrophages contributes to VWD type 2B–associated thrombocytopenia
Authors: Casari Caterina , Du Vivian , Wu Ya-Ping , Kauskot Alexandre , de Groot Philip G. , Christophe Olivier D. , Denis Cécile V. , de Laat Bas , Lenting Peter J.
Published: August 2013

Key Points

Adsorption of VWF type 2B mutants to platelets induces thrombocytopenia in VWD type 2B mice. VWF/platelet complexes are phagocytosed by macrophages in liver and spleen.
A fully human anti-hepcidin antibody modulates iron metabolism in both mice and nonhuman primates
Authors: Cooke Keegan S. , Hinkle Beth , Salimi-Moosavi Hossein , Foltz Ian , King Chadwick , Rathanaswami Palaniswami , Winters Aaron , Steavenson Shirley , Begley C. Glenn , Molineux Graham , Sasu Barbra J.
Published: August 2013

Key Points

Fully human anti-hepcidin Abs have been generated for use as a potential therapeutic to treat AI. The mechanism of action was shown to be due to an increase in available serum iron leading to enhanced red cell hemoglobinization.
Genome-wide identification, evolutionary and expression analysis of the aspartic protease gene superfamily in grape
Authors: Guo Rongrong , Xu Xiaozhao , Carole Bassett , Li Xiaoqin , Gao Min , Zheng Yi , Wang Xiping
Published: August 2013

Background

Aspartic proteases (APs) are a large family of proteolytic enzymes found in almost all organisms. In plants, they are involved in many biological processes, such as senescence, stress responses, programmed cell death, and reproduction. Prior to the present study, no grape AP gene(s) had been reported, and their research on woody species was very limited.

Results

In this study, a total of 50 AP genes (VvAP) were identified in the grape genome, among which 30 contained the complete ASP domain. Synteny analysis within grape indicated that segmental and tandem duplication events contributed to the expansion of the grape AP family. Additional analysis between grape and Arabidopsis demonstrated that several grape AP genes were found in the corresponding syntenic blocks of Arabidopsis, suggesting that these genes arose before the divergence of grape and Arabidopsis. Phylogenetic relationships of the 30 VvAPs with the complete ASP domain and their Arabidopsis orthologs, as well as their gene and protein features were analyzed and their cellular localization was predicted. Moreover, expression profiles of VvAP genes in six different tissues were determined, and their transcript abundance under various stresses and hormone treatments were measured. Twenty-seven VvAP genes were expressed in at least one of the six tissues examined; nineteen VvAPs responded to at least one abiotic stress, 12 VvAPs responded to powdery mildew infection, and most of the VvAPs responded to SA and ABA treatments. Furthermore, integrated synteny and phylogenetic analysis identified orthologous AP genes between grape and Arabidopsis, providing a unique starting point for investigating the function of grape AP genes.

Conclusions

The genome-wide identification, evolutionary and expression analyses of grape AP genes provide a framework for future analysis of AP genes in defining their roles during stress response. Integrated synteny and phylogenetic analyses provide novel insight into the functions of less well-studied genes using information from their better understood orthologs.