bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using a driving simulator during vehicle adaptation
Authors: Naveh Yuval , Shapira Alexander , Ratzon Navah Z
Published: February 2015

A major drawback with current vehicle modifications is the inability to provide a practice session before driving on the road. Quantitative measurements obtained using a static assembly rig and a virtual driving scenario enabled appropriate adaptive adjustments for a client with post-polio syndrome who complained of difficulties turning the steering wheel. This study describes the assessment process, emphasizing the potential of the system, discussing the limitations of the evaluation and aims to offer occupational therapists an empirical perspective regarding vehicle adaptations for individuals with a physical disability.
Implications for Educational Classification and Psychological Diagnoses Using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition With Canadian Versus American Norms
Authors: Harrison Allyson G. , Holmes Alana , Silvestri Robert , Armstrong Irene T.
Published: February 2015

Building on a recent work of Harrison, Armstrong, Harrison, Iverson and Lange which suggested that Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) scores might systematically overestimate the severity of intellectual impairments if Canadian norms are used, the present study examined differences between Canadian and American derived WAIS-IV scores from 861 postsecondary students attending school across the province of Ontario, Canada. This broader data set confirmed a trend whereby individuals’ raw scores systematically produced lower standardized scores through the use of Canadian as opposed to American norms. The differences do not appear to be due to cultural, educational, or population differences, as participants acted as their own controls. The ramifications of utilizing the different norms were examined with regard to psychoeducational assessments and educational placement decisions particularly with respect to the diagnoses of Learning Disability and Intellectual Disability.
Addressing the Missing Instructional Data Problem
Authors: Kurz Alexander , Elliott Stephen N. , Roach Andrew T.
Published: February 2015

Response-to-intervention (RTI) systems posit that Tier 1 consists of high-quality general classroom instruction using evidence-based methods to address the needs of most students. However, data on the extent to which general education teachers provide such instruction are rarely collected. This missing instructional data problem may result in RTI decisions being made without sufficient evidence. Recent advancements in the conceptualization and measurement of opportunity-to-learn (OTL) can operationalize and assess key aspects of Tier 1 instruction in ways that are scalable and formative for teacher practice. In this article, we provide a rationale for collecting and using OTL data via an online teacher log called MyiLOGS (My Instructional Learning Opportunities Guidance System). We summarize three MyiLOGS studies focusing on general and special education classrooms and students with and without disabilities. We conclude by contextualizing these studies’ findings for purposes of Tier 1 instructional data collection and discuss the need for future research.
Harsh Parenting As a Potential Mediator of the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Child Disruptive Behavior in Families With Young Children
Authors: Grasso Damion J. , Henry David , Kestler Jacqueline , Nieto Ricardo , Wakschlag Lauren S. , Briggs-Gowan Margaret J.
Published: February 2015

Young children living with intimate partner violence (IPV) are often also exposed to harsh parenting. Both forms of violence increase children’s risk for clinically significant disruptive behavior, which can place them on a developmental trajectory associated with serious psychological impairment later in life. Although it is hypothesized that IPV behaviors may spillover into harsh parenting, and thereby influence risk for disruptive behavior, relatively little is known about these processes in families with young children. The current study examines the overlap of the quality and frequency of psychological and physical forms of IPV and harsh parenting, and tests whether harsh parenting mediates the relationship between IPV and child disruptive behavior in a diverse cross-sectional sample of 81 children ages 4 to 6 years. Results suggest that mothers reporting a greater occurrence of psychologically aggressive IPV (e.g., yelling, name-calling) more often engage in psychological and physical aggression toward their children (odds ratios [ORs] = 4.6-9.9). Mothers reporting a greater occurrence of IPV in the form of physical assault more often engage in mild to more severe forms of physical punishment with potential harm to the child (ORs = 3.8-5.0). Psychological and physical forms of IPV and harsh parenting all significantly correlated with maternal reports of child disruptive behavior ( r = .29-.40). Psychological harsh parenting partially mediated the association between psychological IPV and child disruptive behavior. However, a significant direct effect of psychological IPV on preschool children’s disruptive behavior remained. Implications for child welfare policy and practice and intervention, including the need for increased awareness of the negative impact of psychological IPV on young children, are discussed.
X Views and Counting
Authors: Makin David A. , Morczek Amber L.
Published: February 2015

Academics and activists called to attention decades prior the importance of identifying, analyzing, and tracking the transmission of attitudes, behaviors, and norms correlated with violence against women. A specific call to attention reflected the media as a mode of transmission. This research builds on prior studies of media, with an emphasis on Internet search queries. Using Google search data, for the period 2004 to 2012, this research provides regional analysis of associated interest in rape-oriented pornography and pornographic hubs. Results indicate minor regional variations in interest, including the use of “BDSM” or “bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadomasochism” as a foundational query for use in trend analysis. Interest in rape-oriented pornography by way of pornographic hubs is discussed in the context of microaggression.
Attrition and Rape Case Characteristics
Authors: Lea Susan J. , Callaghan Lynne , Grafton Iain , Falcone M. Aurora , Shaw Steve
Published: February 2015

The attrition of rape cases from the criminal justice system (CJS) remains high and there is a paucity of research in relation to marginalized groups. Sex workers (SWs) are vulnerable to sexual violence due to the nature of their work. They are also unlikely to report such violence to police for a range of reasons. Two stages of research sought to describe the victim, perpetrator, and offense characteristics of SW rape and to examine the attrition of these cases. All rapes and attempted rapes ( N = 1,146) reported to police in a large city in the South West of England over a 21-year period were examined; 67 cases involved SWs. Data were extracted from police files in line with the variables of interest. Secondary analysis of the total number of SW rapes ( n = 67) resulted in a profile of these cases. A matched pairs study revealed significant differences in victim, perpetrator, and assault characteristics between SW ( n = 62) and non-sex-worker (NSW) samples ( n = 62). Although no significant difference was found in terms of attrition from the CJS, SW cases were observed to secure more convictions for rape than NSW cases. The implications of the findings for practice and future research are discussed.
Researching children’s silences: Exploring the fullness of voice in childhood research
Authors: Spyrou Spyros
Published: February 2015

This article attempts to problematize the notion of children’s voices by focusing on one of its more problematic features, namely, silence. It argues that far from being absences or lack of data, children’s silences are pregnant with meaning and a constitutive feature of their voices; childhood researchers who need to account for children’s voices must therefore attend to their silences rather than merely their voiced utterances. Drawing on poststructuralist critiques of voice, this article illustrates the value of taking children’s silences seriously by situating them within the proper interactional, institutional, and discursive contexts which give rise to them.
User co-production of public service delivery: An uncertainty approach
Authors: Fledderus Joost , Brandsen Taco , Honingh Marlies Elisabeth
Published: February 2015

Engaging public service users as co-producers is expected to lead to more efficient services and better outcomes. What has been missing so far, however, is a solid theoretical basis to explain what compels actors to pursue co-production, or not, and what strategies they adopt in this pursuit. Building on established theories, it is argued that although co-production of public service delivery decreases uncertainty for users, it seems to increase uncertainty for organizations. The main conclusion is that the need of organizations to reduce this uncertainty might diminish the possibilities for users to coproduce. The consequences of this conclusion for future research are discussed in this article.
Granulation-based resource classification in Cloud Manufacturing
Authors: Liu Ning , Li Xiaoping
Published: February 2015

Cloud Manufacturing, a new manufacturing mode, has the characteristics of service-oriented, knowledge-based, high efficiency and low consumption. Resource virtualization is critical for Cloud Manufacturing, which describes physical resources as cloud services. In this article, a resource virtualization method is proposed for sharing manufacturing resources. By analyzing features of Cloud Manufacturing resources, a multilevel resource virtualization framework is constructed. A multi-granularity resource classification algorithm is presented for cloud services encapsulation, based on which physical resources are flexibly composed to respond business opportunities. Ontology, the fundamental of the proposed method, is implemented by Web Ontology Language and Semantic Web Rule Language, along with a case study validating the proposed method.
Real-time acquisition of machining task progress based on the power feature of workpiece machining
Authors: Li Shunjiang , Liu Fei , Yin Kaibo
Published: February 2015

The real-time acquisition of machining task progress is one of the most important tasks of production management and is an essential aspect of manufacturing information. Targeted to the machining mode of mixed-category workpieces in job shops, a method for the acquisition of real-time machining task progress is proposed. The method is based on both the power feature of workpiece machining and the incremental learning Lagrangian support vector machine. First, the framework for this method is presented in a straightforward manner. Second, by analysing the characteristics of power change during the machining process, the power feature vector, which reflects the characteristics of workpiece machining, is designed for Lagrangian support vector machine. Then, based on the principle of incremental learning Lagrangian support vector machine, which can address the classification of mixed-category workpieces and the problem of an insufficient number of training samples for training the initial classifiers during the actual machining process, a detailed application of this method is constructed for workpiece classification and the acquisition of machining task progress. Finally, the effectiveness of this method is empirically tested by application to a case study.
Moisture detection in carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites using electromechanical impedance technique
Authors: Wandowski T , Malinowski P , Skarbek L , Ostachowicz W
Published: February 2015

In this paper, electromechanical impedance method was utilized in order to detect moisture level changes in carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites. Due to electromechanical coupling of piezoelectric transducers, glue layer and host structure mechanical resonances are visible in the electric impedance spectrum of transducer. Appearance of additional resonance peaks, their shift in frequency or magnitude change can be treated as indicator of damage or anther anomaly present in the host structure. Research presented in this paper shows that moisture content also has influence on electromechanical resonant peaks.
Numerical study of an internal combustion engine intake process using a low Mach number preconditioned density-based method with experimental comparison
Authors: Falcão Carlos EG , Soriano Bruno S , Rech Charles , Vielmo Horácio A
Published: February 2015

When air flows unsteadily in an internal combustion engine through its inlet pipe, chambers and valves, some effects such as friction and inertial forces have direct influence on the volumetric efficiency of the system. The work in this paper aims to investigate numerically and experimentally the pulsating phenomena present in an intake pipe of an internal combustion engine and to discuss the intake jet flow predictions through the novel implementation of a low Mach number preconditioned density-based method, including the three-dimensional modelling of the inlet valve, the inlet pipe and the pulsating effects. The inlet valve movement promotes moderate values of Mach numbers during its opening phase. After the inlet valve closes, the flow is abruptly restricted and a series of pressure waves propagate through the fluid at low Mach numbers. Although the low Mach number preconditioned density-based method is very attractive in this case, the study of the pulsating flow in the internal combustion engine intake systems has not been performed using this method, probably owing to robustness issues and simulation effort. The pressure-based methodology is widely used and, generally, the inlet pipe and pulsating effects are not included in the three-dimensional fluid dynamics simulation. In order to verify the accuracy of the numerical solution, the results are compared with experimental data collected from a bench constructed specifically for this purpose. The numerical results were satisfactory for the amplitudes and the resonance frequencies in the air intake system. Also, different aspects of the jet flow inside the cylinder are shown and discussed.
Lateral dynamic features of a railway vehicle
Authors: Gao Xue-jun , True Hans , Li Ying-hui
Published: February 2015

The lateral dynamic features of a railway vehicle are investigated using two similar wheel/rail contact models: the Vermeulen–Johnson and the Shen–Hedrick–Elkins models. The symmetric/asymmetric bifurcation behaviour and chaotic motions of the railway vehicle are investigated in great detail by varying the speed and using the ‘resultant bifurcation diagram’ method. It is found that multiple solution branches exist and they can lead to more steady states in the dynamic behaviour of the railway vehicle. The coexistence of multiple steady states can lead to jumps in the amplitude of oscillations, resulting in problems for safe operation of the vehicle. Therefore, it should be avoided in everyday operation. Furthermore, the creation of multiple solution branches suggests that the critical speed of a vehicle should be determined from a comprehensive analysis of the various kinds of possible excitations and numerous tests.
Observer-based robust control for a flexible launch vehicle
Authors: Ou Liuli , Liu Lei , Wang Yongji , Huang Jian
Published: February 2015

This article investigates the problem of robust stabilization for a flexible launch vehicle. Since the launch vehicle suffers from parametric uncertainties, bending modes, and external wind disturbances simultaneously, an observer-based methodology is provided to address these negative factors. The proposed method can guarantee the stability of the closed-loop system and minimize the H∞ performance index. Additional regional pole placement constraints are imposed on the feedback gain matrices to improve the transient performance of the system. A two-step strategy is proposed to solve the involving bilinear matrix inequality problem. Compared with existing methods, which mainly depend on introducing additional constraints to linearize the bilinear matrix inequality conditions, the proposed strategy can reduce the conservatism and is suitable for engineering practice. The simulation results for one operating point and nonlinear model illustrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed control method.
The effects of diltiazem and metoprolol in QTc prolongation due to amitriptyline intoxication
Authors: Basol Nursah , Erbas Oytun
Published: February 2015

Background and objective:

Amitriptyline, a frequently used tricyclic antidepressant agent, has powerful cardiotoxic effects especially in high doses. Serum and urine levels of amitriptyline dosages are not correlated with severity of toxicity; therefore, it increases the importance of electrocardiography (ECG) abnormalities. The prolongation of QTc can be a predictive marker for cardiotoxicity. Hence, in this study, it is aimed to evaluate possible effects of metoprolol and diltiazem in amitriptyline toxicity.

Materials and methods:

The rats were separated into four groups. First one was control group, the second was the amitriptyline + saline group, third one was the amitriptyline + metoprolol group, and forth one was the amitriptyline + diltiazem group. ECG were recorded on rats under anesthesia.

Results:

In amitriptyline group, QTc duration was prolonged compared with all other groups. The prolongation of QTc was shorter in amitriptyline + metoprolol group and amitriptyline + diltiazem group than amitriptyline group ( p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion:

According to the results, it is possible to report ameliorating effects of both metoprolol and diltiazem on QTc prolongation related with amitriptyline intoxication. With further studies, these agents may be used for amitriptyline toxicity and besides, they may be used for patients in cardiovascular risk groups who take amitriptyline treatment regularly.
Experiences of Patients Living With Heart Failure
Authors: Seah Alvin Chuen Wei , Tan Khoon Kiat , Huang Gan Juvena Chew , Wang Wenru
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences, needs, and coping strategies of patients living with heart failure in Singapore. A descriptive qualitative design was used. A purposive sample of 15 informants was recruited from two cardiology wards of a tertiary public hospital in Singapore. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with a semistructured interview guideline that was developed based on a review of the literature and a pilot study. Content analysis was adopted to analyze the data, and four main categories were identified: perceived causes, manifestations, and prognosis; enduring emotions; managing the condition; and needs from health care professionals. The informants were overwhelmed with the experience of living with heart failure due to the disruptive and uncertain nature of the condition. This study offers health care professionals practical and useful suggestions when providing holistic care for patients with heart failure.
Learning at the Center
Authors: Prins Lisa , Pauchulo Ana Laura , Brooke Auralia , Corrigan Joe
Published: February 2015

We ask the reader to consider a proposal for cooperative renewal in the evaluation of a course (OurU) offered in partnership between a university and community-based adult learning center. This proposal’s aim is to enhance adult learners’ ability to evaluate their learning experiences, with the goal of adopting more learner-directed content into OurU’s curriculum. Drawing from instructional team members’ experiences in a diverse adult learning environment, the authors propose steps to develop a more holistic and dynamic approach to evaluation. In this snapshot of a course operating within the same budgetary realities familiar to others in the field, resourcing evaluation is a priority for developing a dynamic assessment evaluation model. This article is offered from the view that learning is a social process and community-based research and learning can be an organic connection place between universities and the communities they serve. This article is intended primarily for practitioners in community-based adult learning contexts seeking alternatives to course evaluation processes that situate learners at the process center, as well as academics interested in participating in partnering with community adult learning centers to strengthen adult learners’ evaluation and research capacity.
From Students to Scholars
Authors: Kriner Bridget A. , Coffman Karie A. , Adkisson Anthony C. , Putman Paul G. , Monaghan Catherine H.
Published: February 2015

Participating in a doctoral program can be a transformative experience that shapes the identity of the learner. What learning spaces might best facilitate that identity development? This article presents the findings of a study examining doctoral student perspectives of participating in a Community of Practice (COP) intentionally used to foster emerging scholar identities. The researchers examined the actual experience of the participants, explored the impact on their identities as scholars, and, finally, compared with other types of similar teaching models. The findings suggest identities shifted and self-efficacy increased among all the participants in the COP. In addition, the power of this model may be most important in the area of continuity and continued growth a year after the class ended.
Comparing the Efficacy of Ophthalmic NSAIDs in Common Indications
Authors: Wilson Daniel J. , Schutte Scott M. , Abel Steven R.
Published: February 2015

Objective: To review the commercially available ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), identify opportunities for therapeutic substitutions within and outside of their Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indications, and identify clinically superior drugs within the class for specific indications. Data Source: A PubMed search (1992 through January 2014) was performed on the terms diclofenac, ketorolac, flurbiprofen, bromfenac, and nepafenac. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Clinical trials, meta-analyses, and review articles were evaluated if they were written in English and pertained to human subjects. Studies were excluded if they were in vitro studies, solely evaluated pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties, did not relate to the topical ophthalmic route, did not evaluate the FDA-approved indications of any available ophthalmic NSAID, or compared a reviewed drug with a nonreviewed drug (without placebo comparison). Data Synthesis: A total of 67 articles met the criteria for evaluation. Article quality, study design, and dosing of the medications were assessed to determine the clinical applicability of the results. The quality of the article was determined using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence 1. Conclusions: Many formulations of the 5 reviewed NSAIDs have been studied across the 4 primary indications. These indications are (1) pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery, (2) pain associated with corneal refractive surgery, (3) inhibition of intraoperative miosis, and (4) seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Several studies have directly compared drugs within this class and have identified instances in which certain selections are therapeutically superior or equivalent to another. This information provides practitioners with guidance in selecting an optimal medication.
Play-Based Science Learning Activities
Authors: Hobbs Laura Kate
Published: February 2015

Informal science learning opportunities for preschool children are relatively rare in the United Kingdom. An outreach project was set up to provide accessible, public science-based play learning activity sessions for preschool (0-5 years) children, accompanied by accessible scientific background information for adults. Events run in northwest England have been well attended, with positive feedback. These experiences indicate that parents/carers and children benefit from accessing such opportunities and that public facilities such as local libraries provide ideal spaces for presenting them.
Multi-objective optimal design of sliding mode control with parallel simple cell mapping method
Authors: Qin Zhi-Chang , Xiong Fu-Rui , Ding Qian , Hernández Carlos , Fernandez Jesús , Schütze Oliver , Sun Jian-Qiao
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a study of the multi-objective optimal design of a sliding mode control for an under-actuated nonlinear system with the parallel simple cell mapping method. The multi-objective optimal design of the sliding mode control involves six design parameters and five objective functions. The parallel simple cell mapping method finds the Pareto set and Pareto front efficiently. The parallel computing is done on a graphics processing unit. Numerical simulations and experiments are done on a rotary flexible arm system. The results show that the proposed multi-objective designs are quite effective.
Developing an Ad-Reporting Typology
Authors: Amazeen Michelle A.
Published: February 2015

In a media environment where political ads influence U.S. news coverage, does the press hold politicians accountable for their ad claims? Using semantic network analysis, four types of reporting styles distinguished the ad coverage of 18 sampled newspapers and online fact-checkers from the 2008 presidential election. Horserace reporting characterized the largest group, whereas other models included partisan, he-said/she-said, and fact-checking. If educating the public about the accuracy of political ad claims is a goal of journalism, this study suggests that high-quality political adwatching following the fact-checking journalistic model did not predominate in the 2008 political ad coverage of newspapers.
Violence and Vulnerability of Female Migrants in Drop Houses in Arizona
Authors: Simmons William Paul , Menjívar Cecilia , Téllez Michelle
Published: February 2015

This qualitative research study examines the experiences of immigrant women crossing the U.S./Mexico border and the proliferation of “drop houses” in Arizona as a new phenomenon, one that is often marked by kidnappings and sexual assault. Little research has been published on the violence women face on their journey, and the drop houses have almost completely escaped scholarly analysis. We argue that the drop houses must be seen as a consequence of a “state of emergency” declared by policy makers that led to changes in U.S. national and local immigration policies that fueled what we call a “chain reaction of violence.”
Interfaces in micromorphic materials: Wave transmission and reflection with numerical simulations
Authors: Berezovski Arkadi , Giorgio Ivan , Corte Alessandro Della
Published: February 2015

Reflection and transmission of elastic waves at the interface between two distinct micromorphic media are considered in the one-dimensional setting. A dual internal variable approach is used for the description of the microstructure influence on the global motion. It is shown that reflection and transition coefficients for plane waves depend on the coupling between macro- and micro-motions as well as on the choice of the microstructural interaction at the interface. Numerical simulations exhibiting results with promising technological implications are shown.
Finite element assessment of the temperature field couple under joule heat and friction heat between a third rail and collector shoe
Authors: Dong Lin , Lewis Roger , Li Chuan Xi , Zhu Wei Bing , Wang He Shun
Published: February 2015

Based on the finite element software COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3b, a temperature field model for an aluminium/stainless steel composite third rail and a copper impregnated carbon collector shoe contact with coupling of joule heat and friction heat was established. A method of coupling the two kinds of heat was developed, the temperature fields were calculated, and the maximum coupled temperature change under different electric current, normal forces, sliding velocities and sliding distances were studied. The results show that the temperature distribution expands around the contact area in a descending tendency at positions closer to the electric contact area and the temperature gradients are higher; the maximum coupled temperature increases with an increase of electric current; with an increase of normal force, the maximum coupled temperature initially decreases then increases; the maximum coupled temperature increases initially then gradually becomes stable with an increase of sliding distance; an optimal normal force range exists in frictional sliding with an electric current, at which the maximum coupled temperature is at its lowest; joule heat and friction heat are competitive with each other. When normal force is lower, the joule heat becomes the main heat source, but when normal force is greater, mechanical friction heat becomes the main heat source.
Application of ultrasound technique to evaluate contact condition on the faying surface of riveted joints
Authors: Du Fei , Li Baotong , Hong Jun
Published: February 2015

Contact area and pressure distributions on the faying surfaces of riveted joints are critical to fretting fatigue crack. However, these contact conditions are hard to evaluate by experimental methods. This study proposed an application of ultrasound technique to quantify contact area and pressure distribution on the faying surface of riveted joints. This ultrasound method consists of the ultrasonic reflection map measurement of the faying surface, and a parallel calibration procedure to establish the relationship between ultrasonic reflection and contact pressure. In this way, the contact area and pressure distributions of riveted joints installed with different riveting forces were investigated. The results show that the contact pressure increases rapidly with the squeeze force, while the contact area spreads slightly at the same time. The mean pressure profiles of the ultrasonic results were compared with the results of a finite element model for the riveted joints. The comparison shows that the mean pressure profiles are consistent with the numerical results.
Organisational reporting and learning systems: Innovating inside and outside of the box
Authors: Sujan Mark , Furniss Dominic
Published: February 2015

Reporting and learning systems are key organisational tools for the management and prevention of clinical risk. However, current approaches, such as incident reporting, are struggling to meet expectations of turning health systems like the UK National Health Service (NHS) into learning organisations. This article aims to open up debate on the potential for novel reporting and learning systems in healthcare, by reflecting on experiences from two recent projects: Proactive Risk Monitoring in Healthcare (PRIMO) and Errordiary in Healthcare. These two approaches demonstrate how paying attention to ordinary, everyday clinical work can derive useful learning and active discussion about clinical risk. We argue that innovations in reporting and learning systems might come from both inside and outside of the box. ‘Inside’ being along traditional paths of controlled organisational innovation. ‘Outside’ in the sense that inspiration comes outside of the healthcare domain, or more extremely, outside official channels through external websites and social media (e.g. patient forums, public review sites, whistleblower blogs and Twitter streams). Reporting routes that bypass official channels could empower staff and patient activism, and turn out to be a driver to challenge organisational processes, assumptions and priorities where the organisation is failing and has become unresponsive.
Sleep disturbances predict future sickness absence among individuals with lower back or neck-shoulder pain: A 5-year prospective study
Authors: Aili Katarina , Nyman Teresia , Hillert Lena , Svartengren Magnus
Published: February 2015

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common causes of sickness absence. Sleep disturbances are often co-occurring with pain, but the relationship between sleep and pain is complex. Little is known about the importance of self-reported sleep, when predicting sickness absence among persons with musculoskeletal pain. This study aims to study the association between self-reported sleep quality and sickness absence 5 years later, among individuals stratified by presence of lower back pain (LBP) and neck and shoulder pain (NSP). Methods: The cohort ( n = 2286) in this 5-year prospective study (using data from the MUSIC-Norrtälje study) was stratified by self-reported pain into three groups: no LBP or NSP, solely LBP or NSP, and oncurrent LBP and NSP. Odds ratios (ORs) for the effect of self-reported sleep disturbances at baseline on sickness absence (> 14 consecutive days), 5 years later, were calculated. Results: Within all three pain strata, individuals reporting the most sleep problems showed a significantly higher OR for all-cause sickness absence, 5 years later. The group with the most pronounced sleep problems within the concurrent LBP and NSP stratum had a significantly higher OR (OR 2.00; CI 1.09–3.67) also for long-term sickness absence (> 90days) 5 years later, compared to the group with the best sleep. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances predict sickness absence among individuals regardless of co-existing features of LBP and/or NSP. The clinical evaluation of patients should take possible sleep disturbances into account in the planning of treatments.
Social, lifestyle and demographic inequalities in hypertension care
Authors: Sivén Sam SE , Niiranen Teemu J , Aromaa Arpo , Koskinen Seppo , Jula Antti M
Published: February 2015

Aims: Recent nationwide in-depth analyses on inequalities in hypertension prevalence and care are scarce. This study assessed sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Finland. Methods: A representative nationwide sample (participation rate 58%) of the Finnish adult population underwent a health examination and interview in 2011. After excluding participants with missing data, 4230 people were included in the analyses. Weighted regression modelling was used to explore the associations of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension. Results: The prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates of hypertension (blood pressure ⩾140/90 mmHg or antihypertensive medication) in Finland were 47%, 57%, 51% and 48%, respectively. Older age, male sex, lower education, retirement, higher BMI, never-smoking and heavy alcohol use were associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension ( p<0.05). In contrast, younger age, non-retirement, lower BMI, smoking and high physical activity were associated with lower awareness and treatment rates ( p<0.05). In addition, male sex was associated with lower awareness rates ( p<0.01). Hypertension control was better in younger participants ( p<0.05). Conclusions: In addition to high prevalence and moderate treatment rates of hypertension, serious sociodemographic and lifestyle inequities in hypertension care exist in Finland. Hypertension is more prevalent in older people of lower socio-economic status with adverse lifestyles. However, hypertension is more often unrecognised and untreated among people with low risk of hypertension.
Performance of a dry cooling and dedicated ventilation system under different operating conditions
Authors: Chen Hua , Lee Wai Ling , Wu Ai-Xia
Published: February 2015

Effectiveness of dry cooling and dedicated ventilation (DCDV) system for decoupling dehumidification from cooling to achieve the desired indoor condition and condensate-free objectives for air-conditioning of office environments in Hong Kong has been confirmed in previous simulation and experimental studies by the authors. However, our previous studies assumed a constant outdoor air and chilled water flow rates, and this is not always the case in practice. Whether this assumption could affect the effectiveness of DCDV system is the subject of present investigation. A prototype that could enable the variation of outdoor air and chilled water flow rates, as well as indoor and outdoor conditions, was set up for laboratory experiments. Our results have illustrated the effectiveness of DCDV system in achieving the intended condensate-free objective which was most affected by the space-sensible heat ratio and chilled water flow rate. Little influence was found to be introduced by the outdoor air flow rate and outdoor air conditions. The results, through sensitivity and statistical analysis, were found consistent with results of our previous studies.
The use of response surface methodology in cryrolling of ultrafine grained Al6061 to improve the mechanical properties
Authors: Yadollahpour M , Hosseini-Toudeshky H , Karimzadeh F
Published: February 2015

In this paper, mechanical properties of Al6061 alloy sheets severely deformed by the cryorolling process are investigated using response surface methodology. Four control parameters including the total thickness reduction, aging temperature, aging time, and short annealing temperature are selected as the influencing parameters. The influence of these parameters on the mechanical behavior of processed samples is studied through the measurement of yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, ductility, and hardness. Analysis of variance showed that the experimental and predicted values are in good agreement and the response surface methodology could be effectively applied in the cryorolling processing for finding an economical and optimum condition to achieve simultaneous improvement in the strength and the ductility of Al6061 alloy. After short annealing of the cryorolling specimens (with 90% total thickness reduction) at 205℃ for 5 min followed by aging at 148℃ for 39 h, the yield strength, the ultimate tensile strength, and the hardness, increased by 24%, 20%, and 40% respectively compared with unprocessed Al6061 alloy and the ductility of 12% was obtained. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis confirm the evolution of precipitates which are consistent with the measured hardness and tensile properties. Also, fractography analyses of fracture surfaces for bulk Al6061, cryorolled and post aging tensile specimens are performed using scanning electron microscopic images.
Producing place atmospheres digitally: Architecture, digital visualisation practices and the experience economy
Authors: Degen Monica , Melhuish Clare , Rose Gillian
Published: February 2015

Computer-generated images have become the common means for architects and developers to visualise and market future urban developments. This article examines within the context of the experience economy how these digital images aim to evoke and manipulate specific place atmospheres to emphasise the experiential qualities of new buildings and urban environments. In particular, we argue that computer-generated images are far from ‘just’ glossy representations but are a new form of visualising the urban that captures and markets particular embodied sensations. Drawing on a 2-year qualitative study of architects’ practices that worked on the Msheireb project, a large-scale redevelopment project in Doha (Qatar), we examine how digital visualisation technology enables the virtual engineering of sensory experiences using a wide range of graphic effects. We show how these computer-generated images are laboriously materialised in order to depict and present specific sensory, embodied regimes and affective experiences to appeal to clients and consumers. Such development has two key implications. First, we demonstrate the importance of digital technologies in framing the ‘expressive infrastructure’ of the experience economy. Second, we argue that although the Msheireb computer-generated images open up a field of negotiation between producers and the Qatari client, and work quite hard at being culturally specific, they ultimately draw ‘on a Westnocentric literary and sensory palette’ that highlights the continuing influence of colonial sensibilities in supposedly postcolonial urban processes.
Shame, hope, intimacy and growth: Dementia distress and growth in families from the perspective of senior aged care professionals
Authors: Walmsley Bruce , McCormack Lynne
Published: February 2015

Minimal research explores the impact of dementia and a dementia diagnosis on families from the unique vantage of senior health professionals. The participants of this study, eight senior aged care professionals, provided unique interpretative insights into family dynamics and sense-making on the journey with dementia, and their own role in that journey. Both positive and negative perspectives were sought. Data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). One superordinate theme, Dementia naiveté; redefined intimacy, overarched Embarrassed shame; Maintaining hope; Redefining a model of intimacy; and Redefined relational intimacy and growth. Within these themes, the participants shed light on hurtful embarrassment and shame experienced by families associated with the diagnostic label given to a loved one. This label was perceived to either trigger separation, hurt and immobility through ignorance, or precipitate a frenzy of naive yet hopeful energy for seeking that elusive cure. The participants saw their role as one of enacting a new way of connecting what was with what could be. Thus, they modelled advocacy, integral care and relational intimacy. Validation came in witnessing a redefining of intimacy in many families who were able to embrace that holistic and empathic approach to the shifting presentation of dementia. Psychological well-being was observed to occur when families embraced growthful domains, e.g. acceptance, hope, relational closeness and altruistic concern for other families. Implications for future care models are discussed.
Optimization of the shear tool deployment system for removal of steel piled jackets
Authors: Godjevac Milinko , Huijsmans R HM , van der Eijk Hidde M , de Grave Louis
Published: February 2015

It is estimated that there are more than 200 steel piled platform installations in the North Sea which have reached the end of their life and have to be cut and removed. In comparison with other cutting methods, the shear tool cutting method offers the greatest potential regarding optimizing the time of the operation. However, the existing shear tool is susceptible to blade bending–related failures caused by heave motions of the heavy lift vessel to which the tool is attached. While there are many studies related to the operability and workability of sea surface structures, this study focuses on the operability and workability of an underwater structure, the shear tool system. In order to improve the performance of the existing shear tool, the new shear tool system has been designed as an equalizer with additional counter weights; thus, this system acts as a passive heave compensator. In total, six different design concepts have been assessed using a multicriteria sensitivity analysis, and the most promising concept has been selected. Afterwards, the performance of the new design was compared with the performance of the existing tool by calculating their operability and workability for the removal of the benchmark (Northern North Sea jacket) structure. The workability calculation was based on 15 years of environmental conditions and results indicate that the new design leads to 50% workability increase.
Evaluation of colour appearance in a real lit room
Authors: Li H , Luo MR , Liu XY , Wang BY , Liu HY
Published: February 2015

An experiment was conducted to investigate the white illumination in a room and to assess the appearance of the room and colour patches in it. The room was illuminated by LED lighting providing 25 different illuminant chromaticities distributed around the blackbody locus. The whiteness results confirmed the findings of Rea and Freyssinier that the locus exhibiting a white appearance is located above and below the blackbody locus when the correlated colour temperature is above and below 4000 K, respectively. The appearance of the room and the colour patches were assessed using typical colour appearance attributes including brightness, colourfulness and hue composition. Various visual phenomena have been revealed by the results. The effects of correlated colour temperature and Duv on the appearance attributes were also examined.
Using a Randomized Voucher Experiment to Determine Demand for Carbon Monoxide Alarms in a Social Marketing Program
Authors: Bishai David , Haimann Adria , Perry Elise , Shields Wendy , Gielen Andrea , McDonald Eileen
Published: March 2015

Background:

We report on a social marketing campaign conducted in Baltimore homes to promote carbon monoxide (CO) alarms including the use of community outreach, vouchers, and a mobile van to increase availability. This article focuses on the impact of the vouchers and measures the price sensitivity of individuals in their willingness to obtain a CO alarm.

Methods:

The study provided all 712 participants a health education message about the importance of CO alarms. Then each received one of five randomly selected vouchers that would make the price of a CO alarm US$0, US$5.50, US$11.00, US$16.50, or US$22.00 and that could be redeemed at mobile van that was parked in their neighborhood.

Results:

The study found that the more the CO alarm was discounted, the more likely the voucher was to be redeemed. Discounting the price to US$0 had a larger effect than any other price point. Individuals who already owned CO alarms were more influenced by the free price point than individuals who did not have CO alarms at baseline, and some of these individuals appear to have installed more than one CO alarm in their dwelling. Homes with children were less likely and homes with older adults were more likely to redeem the vouchers.

Conclusion:

Making CO alarms free has the largest impact on the total number of CO alarms distributed. Individuals who already had CO alarms are more attracted to free CO alarms than individuals with no CO alarm.
Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease
Authors: D'Souza Rohan , Sermer Mathew , Silversides Candice K
Published: February 2015

Due to advances in paediatric congenital heart surgery, there are a growing number of women with congenital heart disease (CHD) reaching childbearing age. Pregnancy, however, is associated with haemodynamic stresses which can result in cardiac decompensation in women with CHD. Many women with CHD are aware of their cardiac condition prior to pregnancy, and preconception counselling is an important aspect of their care. Preconception counselling allows women to make informed pregnancy decisions, provides an opportunity for modifications of teratogenic medications and, when necessary, repair of cardiac lesions prior to pregnancy. Less commonly, the haemodynamic changes of pregnancy unmask a previously unrecognised heart lesion. In general, pregnancy outcomes are favourable for women with CHD, but there are some cardiac lesions that carry high risk for both the mother and the baby, and this group of women require care by an experienced multidisciplinary team. This review discusses preconception counselling including contraception, an approach to risk stratification and management recommendations in women with some common CHDs.