bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct Instantaneous Power Control of Three-level Grid-connected
Authors: Yong Yang
Published: June 2016

Power electronic grid-connected inverters are widely applied as grid interface in renewable energy sources. This paper presents direct instantaneous power control of a three-phase three-level Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) grid-connected inverter in photovoltaic generation systems. The system consists of a PV array, DC/DC converter, three-level NPC LC filter and the grid. In order to achieve maximum power point  tracking (MPPT), an adaptive perturb and observe MPPT is used. For balancing the neutral point (NP) voltage, the control scheme through proportional integral (PI) control according to  the direction of the NP current based on redundant vector selection is used. Direct instantaneous power control is developed in a rotating synchronous dq reference frame with space vector modulation with improved operation performance study of the positive sequence detector (PSD) plus a synchronous a synchronous reference frame phase-locked loop (PLL) as the synchronization method. The performance of the proposed method is investigated by a grid-connected photovoltaic system with a nominal power of 12kW. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified through experimental results, showing good steady-state and dynamic performance.
Fast document summarization using locality sensitive hashing and memory access efficient node ranking
Authors: Canhasi Ercan
Published: June 2016

Text modeling and sentence selection are the fundamental steps of a typical extractive document summarization algorithm.   The common text modeling method connects a pair of sentences based on their similarities.   Even thought it can effectively represent the sentence similarity graph of given document(s) its big drawback is a large time complexity of $O(n^2)$, where n represents the number of sentences.   The quadratic time complexity makes it impractical for large documents.   In this paper we propose the fast approximation algorithms for the text modeling and the sentence selection.   Our text modeling algorithm reduces the time complexity to near-linear time by rapidly finding the most similar sentences to form the sentences similarity graph.   In doing so we utilized Locality-Sensitive Hashing, a fast algorithm for the approximate nearest neighbor search.   For the sentence selection step we propose a simple memory-access-efficient node ranking method based on the idea of scanning sequentially only the neighborhood arrays.    Experimentally, we show that sacrificing a rather small percentage of recall and precision in the quality of the produced summary can reduce the quadratic to sub-linear time complexity.   We see the big potential of proposed method in text summarization for mobile devices and big text data summarization for internet of things on cloud.   In our experiments, beside evaluating the presented method on the standard general and query multi-document summarization tasks, we also tested it on few alternative summarization tasks including general and query, timeline, and comparative summarization.
A Novel Cpw Low Cost Lowpass Filter Integrating Periodic Structures
Authors: Aytouna Fouad , Zbitou Jamal , Aghoutane Mohamed , Touhami Naima Amar , Tribak Abdelwahed , Latrach Mohamed
Published: June 2016

In this work, we propose a novel design of a planar CPW lowpass “LPF” filter based on the use of periodic structures. The periodic cells are formed from a rectangular slot repeated periodically. The originality of this work is to develop a new LPF structure which is simple, low cost for fabrication and easy to associate with others microwave planar circuits. The proposed and validated LPF is a compact planar filter structure. The final circuit is simulated and optimized by using two electromagnetic solvers, ADS (Advanced Design System) and HFSS (High Frequency Structural Simulator). After many series of optimization we have validated the final circuit into simulation by using optimization methods integrated into the both solvers, taking into account a high density of meshing in order to cover the whole circuit. The fabricated LPF circuit shows good agreement between simulation and measurement results in term of matching input impedance and insertion loss with a cutoff frequency of 1.25GHz. The entire area of the proposed LPF is 35x31 mm2.
Design Of A Nonvolatile 8T1R SRAM Cell For Instant-On Operation
Authors: Mounica J. , Ganesh G.V.
Published: June 2016

Now-a-days, Energy consumption is the major key factor in Memories. By switching the circuit in off mode and with an lower voltages, leads to decrease in an power dissipation of the circuit. Compared to DRAM SRAM’S are mostly used because of their data retaining capability. The major advantage of using SRAM’s rather than DRAM’S is that, they are providing fast power-on/off speeds. Hence SRAM’s are more preferred over DRAM’s for better instant-on operation. Generally SRAM’s are classified in to two types namely volatile and non-volatile SRAM’s. A non-volatile SRAM enables chip to achieve performance factors and also provides an restore operation which will be enabled by an restore signal to restore the data and also power-up operation is performed. This paper describes about novel NVSRAM circuit which produces better “instant-on operation” compared to previous techniques used in SRAM’s. In addition to normal 6T SRAM core, we are using RRAM circuitry (Resistive RAM) to provide better instant-on operation. By comparing the performance factors with 8T2R and 9T2R, 8T1R design performs the best in the Nano meter scale. Thus this paper provides better performances in power, energy, propagation delay and area factors as compared with other designs.
Delay Comparison for 16x16 Vedic Multiplier Using RCA and CLA
Authors: Bhavani M. , Siva Kumar M. , Srinivas Rao K.
Published: June 2016

In any integrated chip compulsory adders are required because first they are fast and second are the less power consumption and delay. And at the same time multiplication process is also used in various applications. So as the speed of multiplier increases then the speed of processor also increases. And hence we are proposing the Vedic multiplier using these adders. Vedic multiplier is an ancient mathematics which uses mainly 16 sutras for its operation. In this project we are using “urdhva triyagbhyam” sutra to do our process. This paper proposes the Vedic multiplier using the adders ripple carry adder(RCA) and carry look ahead adder(CLA) and puts forward that CLA is better than RCA.The major parameters we are simulating here are number of slices and delay. The code is written by using Verilog and is implemented using Xilinx ISE Design Suite.
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Design using Grey Wolf Optimizer Algorithm
Authors: Karnavas Yannis L , Chasiotis Ioannis D , Peponakis Emmanouil L
Published: June 2016

Common high-torque low-speed motor drive schemes combine an induction motor coupled to the load by a mechanical subsystem which consists of gears, belt/pulleys or camshafts. Consequently, these setups present an inherent drawback regarding to maintenance needs, high costs and overall system deficiency. Thus, the replacement of such a conventional drive with a properly designed low speed permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) directly coupled to the load, provides an attractive alternative. In this context, the paper deals with the design evaluation of a 5kW/50rpm radial flux PMSM with surface-mounted permanent magnets and inner rotor topology. Since the main goal is the minimization of the machine's total losses and therefore the maximization of its efficiency, the design is conducted by solving an optimization problem. For this purpose, the application of a new meta-heuristic optimization method called “Grey Wolf Optimizer” is studied. The effectiveness of the method in finding appropriate PMSM designs is then evaluated. The obtained results of the applied method reveal satisfactorily enhanced design solutions and performance when compared with those of other optimization techniques.
Special features of radio interception of APCO P25 messages in Russia
Authors: Silnov Dmitry Sergeevich
Published: June 2016

Many special forces in Russia use APCO P25 encoding while radio talks. Using google speech or yandex speechkit while decoding radio talks can give huge advantage. Search engines can index decoded text or knowledge base can be created.
A Fast and Efficient Shape Descriptor for an Advanced Weed Type Classification Approach
Authors: Tannouche Adil , Sbai Khalid , Rahmoune Miloud , Zoubir Amine , Agounoune Rachid , Saadani Rachid , Rahmani Abdelali
Published: June 2016

In weed management, the distinction between monocots and dicots species is an important issue. Indeed, the yield is much higher with the application of a selective treatment instead of using a broadcast herbicide overall the parcel. This article presents a fast shape descriptor designed to distinguish between these two families of weeds. The efficiency of the descriptor is evaluated by analyzing data with the pattern recognition process known as the discriminant factor analysis (DFA). Excellent results have been obtained in the differentiation between these two weed species
A reabilitação psicossocial nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Amorim Marianna De Francisco , Otani Márcia Aparecida Padovan
Published: June 2016

A partir de uma revisão integrativa, investigaram-se as dificuldades enfrentadas pelos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial na efetivação da reabilitação psicossocial. Foram analisados 35 artigos de periódicos indexados nas bases de dados LILACS, SciELO, INDEX Psi e PePSIC. Os resultados mostram que o conceito de reabilitação psicossocial engloba múltiplos significados. Os artigos descrevem experiências exitosas, mas enfatizam diversas dificuldades, como a pouca articulação dos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial com os serviços de atenção básica e intersetoriais, ações com baixo enfoque comunitário, poucas iniciativas para a inclusão social pelo trabalho, baixo suporte às famílias e falta de capacitação dos profissionais de saúde. Conclui-se que é necessário promover o debate e a reflexão dos gestores e profissionais, a fim de melhorar tal processo.
O consumo de álcool e o sentido de coerência em jovens em formação educativa
Authors: Moutinho Lidia Susana Mendes , Mendes Aida Maria de Oliveira Cruz , Lopes Manuel Jose
Published: June 2016

O consumo de bebidas alcoólicas tem sofrido alterações assim como os fatores que o influenciam. Com o objetivo de perceber o papel do sentido no padrão de consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, realizou-se estudo, numa amostra de jovens adultos (N=260) com idade entre 20 e 30 anos, em Lisboa. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test e o Questionário do Sentido de Coerência. Os resultados mostram que 10,8% têm problemas de consumo de álcool. Os que têm sentido de coerência mais baixo, principalmente na dimensão capacidade de investimento, apresentam mais consumo nocivo e de risco. Conclui-se que a promoção de comportamentos de saúde deve incluir medidas que visem o fortalecimento do sentido de coerência.
Adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso dos usuários de centros de atenção psicossocial com transtornos de humor e esquizofrenia
Authors: Zago Ana Carolina , Tomasi Elaine , Demori Carolina Carbonell
Published: June 2016

Objetivou-se identificar a prevalência e fatores associados à não adesão a medicamentos psicofármacos entre usuários dos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial. Trata-se de estudo transversal, aninhado a uma coorte prospectiva com 563 usuários dos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial de Pelotas. Foram realizadas entrevistas domiciliares e aplicados dois questionários. A prevalência da falta de adesão foi de 32%, sem diferença significativa de acordo com gênero, renda, tempo de doença, diagnóstico e tipo de medicamento. Indivíduos jovens, com maior escolaridade, com companheiro, com menor frequência aos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial e com efeitos adversos, foram menos aderentes ao tratamento. A falta de adesão dos participantes está principalmente relacionada aos efeitos adversos. As políticas de saúde precisam dedicar-se ao enfrentamento desse problema, propondo novas estratégias de adesão aos tratamentos.
The Role of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 in Nephrotic Syndrome-Associated Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Haas Mary E. , Levenson Amy E. , Sun Xiaowei , Liao Wan-Hui , Rutkowski Joseph M. ,   Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network, de Ferranti Sarah D. , Schumacher Valerie A. , Scherer Philipp E. , Salant David J. , Biddinger Sudha B.
Published: June 2016

Background:

In nephrotic syndrome, damage to the podocytes of the kidney produces severe hypercholesterolemia for which novel treatments are urgently needed. PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) has emerged as an important regulator of plasma cholesterol levels and therapeutic target. Here, we tested the role of PCSK9 in mediating the hypercholesterolemia of nephrotic syndrome.

Methods:

PCSK9 and plasma lipids were studied in nephrotic syndrome patients before and after remission of disease, mice with genetic ablation of the podocyte (Podocyte Apoptosis Through Targeted Activation of Caspase-8, Pod-ATTAC mice) and mice treated with nephrotoxic serum (NTS), which triggers immune-mediated podocyte damage. In addition, mice with hepatic deletion of
Pcsk9
were treated with NTS to determine the contribution of PCSK9 to the dyslipidemia of nephrotic syndrome.

Results:

Patients with nephrotic syndrome showed a decrease in plasma cholesterol and plasma PCSK9 on remission of their disease (
P
<0.05, n=47–50). Conversely, Pod-ATTAC mice and NTS-treated mice showed hypercholesterolemia and a 7- to 24-fold induction in plasma PCSK9. The induction of plasma PCSK9 appeared to be attributable to increased secretion of PCSK9 from the hepatocyte coupled with decreased clearance. Interestingly, knockout of
Pcsk9
ameliorated the effects of NTS on plasma lipids. Thus, in the presence of NTS, mice lacking hepatic
Pcsk9
showed a 40% to 50% decrease in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. Moreover, the ability of NTS treatment to increase the percentage of low-density lipoprotein–associated cholesterol (from 9% in vehicle-treated Flox mice to 47% after NTS treatment), was lost in mice with hepatic deletion of
Pcsk9
(5% in both the presence and absence of NTS).

Conclusions:

Podocyte damage triggers marked inductions in plasma PCSK9, and knockout of
Pcsk9
ameliorates dyslipidemia in a mouse model of nephrotic syndrome. These data suggest that PCSK9 inhibitors may be beneficial in patients with nephrotic syndrome–associated hypercholesterolemia.
On-Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Worsening Renal Function With Rivaroxaban Compared With Warfarin
Authors: Fordyce Christopher B. , Hellkamp Anne S. , Lokhnygina Yuliya , Lindner Samuel M. , Piccini Jonathan P. , Becker Richard C. , Berkowitz Scott D. , Breithardt Günter , Fox Keith A. A. , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Nessel Christopher C. , Singer Daniel E. , Patel Manesh R.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Despite rapid clinical adoption of novel anticoagulants, it is unknown whether outcomes differ among patients with worsening renal function (WRF) taking these new drugs compared with warfarin. We aimed to determine whether the primary efficacy (stroke or systemic embolism) and safety (major bleeding and nonmajor clinically relevant bleeding) end points from the ROCKET AF trial (Rivaroxaban Once-Daily, Oral, Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared With Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation trial) differed among participants with WRF taking rivaroxaban and those taking warfarin.

Methods:

After excluding patients without at least 1 follow-up creatinine measurement (n=1624), we included all remaining patients (n=12 612) randomly assigned to either rivaroxaban or dose-adjusted warfarin. On-treatment WRF (a decrease of >20% from screening creatinine clearance measurement at any time point during the study) was evaluated as a time-dependent covariate in Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:

Baseline characteristics were generally similar between patients with stable renal function (n=9292) and WRF (n=3320). Rates of stroke or systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, and bleeding were also similar, but WRF patients experienced a higher incidence of vascular death versus stable renal function (2.21 versus 1.41 events per 100 patient-years;
P
=0.026). WRF patients who were randomized to receive rivaroxaban had a reduction in stroke or systemic embolism compared with those taking warfarin (1.54 versus 3.25 events per 100 patient-years) that was not seen in patients with stable renal function who were randomized to receive rivaroxaban (
P
=0.050 for interaction). There was no difference in major or nonmajor clinically relevant bleeding among WRF patients randomized to warfarin versus rivaroxaban.

Conclusions:

Among patients with on-treatment WRF, rivaroxaban was associated with lower rates of stroke and systemic embolism compared with warfarin, without an increase in the composite bleeding end point.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00403767.
Postnatal Development of Right Ventricular Myofibrillar Biomechanics in Relation to the Sarcomeric Protein Phenotype in Pediatric Patients with Conotruncal Heart Defects
Authors: Elhamine Fatiha , Iorga Bogdan , Krüger Martina , Hunger Mona , Eckhardt Jan , Sreeram Narayanswami , Bennink Gerardus , Brockmeier Konrad , Pfitzer Gabriele , Stehle Robert
Published: June 2016

Background

The postnatal development of myofibrillar mechanics, a major determinant of heart function, is unknown in pediatric patients with tetralogy of Fallot and related structural heart defects. We therefore determined the mechanical properties of myofibrils isolated from right ventricular tissue samples from such patients in relation to the developmental changes of the isoforms expression pattern of key sarcomere proteins involved in the contractile process.

Methods and Results

Tissue samples from the infundibulum obtained during surgery from 25 patients (age range 15 days to 11 years, median 7 months) were split into half for mechanical investigations and expression analysis of titin, myosin heavy and light chain 1, troponin‐T, and troponin‐I. Of these proteins, fetal isoforms of only myosin light chain 1 (
ALC
‐1) and troponin‐I (ssTnI) were highly expressed in neonates, amounting to, respectively, 40% and 80%, while the other proteins had switched to the adult isoforms before or around birth.
ALC
‐1 and ssTnI expression subsequently declined monoexponentially with a halftime of 4.3 and 5.8 months, respectively. Coincident with the expression of ssTnI, Ca
2+
sensitivity of contraction was high in neonates and subsequently declined in parallel with the decline in ssTnI expression. Passive tension positively correlated with Ca
2+
sensitivity but not with titin expression. Contraction kinetics, maximal Ca
2+
‐activated force, and the fast phase of the biphasic relaxation positively correlated with the expression of
ALC
‐1.

Conclusions

The developmental changes in myofibrillar biomechanics can be ascribed to fetal‐to‐adult isoform transition of key sarcomeric proteins, which evolves regardless of the specific congenital cardiac malformations in our pediatric patients.
The Empty Idea of Equality Meets the Unbearable Fullness of Religion
Authors: Ahdar Rex
Published: June 2016

The essay argues that religion is a much “fuller” concept than equality, as substantial and weighty as equality is derivative and hollow. The empty, tautological, misleading, but rhetorically powerful nature of equality was compellingly demonstrated by Peter Westen, a generation ago. It is ironic that, despite the manifest inadequacy of equality as an independent good, in the increasingly strident clashes between religionists and those asserting claims based on equal treatment, or freedom from discrimination, the former tend to lose on the whole. All rights are said to be on the same level. As the courts repeatedly pronounce, there is no hierarchy. But the empirical experience of the Kulturkampf belies that assertion. This essay seeks to return the contest to a more even playing field by demystifying some of the ascendant-like claims of equality in contemporary rights disputes.
Religion between Liberty and Equality
Authors: Ferrari Silvio
Published: June 2016

In this paper I argue that the shift from liberty to equality in the legal regulation of freedom of religion is part of a larger process of globalization of law that can change the “quality” of the right to freedom of religion and belief However, this shift does not have the same impact on different areas of the legal regulation of freedom of religion and belief. Moreover, it needs to be contextualized and considered in the light of the different historical and cultural background of each country. For these reasons the shift from liberty to equality cannot be understood as a linear process. The forms it takes and its final outcome can be very different according to the legal fields and the countries that are taken into consideration. Europe, with its rich background of internal diversity, provides a good case-study to test the soundness of this claim.
The correct authorship and date of lizard names Teiinae, Tupinambinae,
and Gymnophthalmidae
Authors: COSTA HENRIQUE C. , GARCIA PAULO C.A. , ZAHER HUSSAM
Published: June 2016

Teiidae and Gymnophthalmidae are lizard families endemic to the Neotropical region (Vitt & Caldwell 2014), with about 150 and 245 valid living species, respectively (Uetz & Hošek 2015). Extinct teiid taxa are known from the Cretaceous to the Holocene (Albino 2005; Estes 1983b; Sullivan & Estes 1997). The authorship of Teiidae is undoubtedly attributed to Gray (1827) (ICZN 1985), but there is some confusion in literature regarding its subfamilies Teiinae and Tupinambinae. The same is true for Gymnophthalmidae. We investigated those issues through a literature review, found the source of mistakes and suggest what we consider be the correct authorship and dates for those family-group names.
Two new synonymies at the generic level in Neotropical Ptomaphagini (Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Cholevinae)
Authors: GNASPINI PEDRO , ANTUNES-CARVALHO CAIO , PECK STEWART B.
Published: June 2016

We here recognize the genus Excelsiorella (s. str.) Salgado, 2008 as a junior synonym of the genus Adelopsis Portevin, 1907, and Viruana Salgado, 2013, a subgenus of Excelsiorella, as a junior synonym of the genus Parapaulipalpina Gnaspini, 1996. As a consequence, we propose the following new combinations: Adelopsis latissima (Salgado, 2008) n. comb. (from Excelsiorella (s. str.)) and Parapaulipalpina tambopata (Salgado, 2013) n. comb. (from Excelsiorella (Viruana)).
Notes on Scaphidium grande-complex with description of a new species from China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scaphidiinae)
Authors: TANG LIANG , TU YUE-YE , LI LI-ZHEN
Published: June 2016

A new species of the Scaphidium grande- complex, S. yuzhizhoui sp. n., collected from Guangdong Province is described and its diagnostic characters are illustrated. Scaphidium inflexitibiale Tang & Li, 2010 is recorded from Laos for the first time.
Preschool education as the great equalizer? A cross-country study into the sources of inequality in reading competence
Authors: Cebolla-Boado Héctor , Radl Jonas , Salazar Leire
Published: June 2016

In this study we examine the extent to which preschool education can reduce social background differentials in learning outcomes across countries; our focus is on whether the benefits of preschool attendance for children depend on other family inputs such as parents’ education and their pedagogical involvement during early childhood. We use the 2011 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, which provides a standardized measure of reading literacy among students in 4th grade. Our sample contains data on 119,008 individuals from 28 developed countries. The presented evidence confirms that preschool is visibly beneficial in most cases, but also that benefits are lower for children who have more involved or more educated parents. Rather than complements to, parental involvement and parental education seem to be substitutes for preschool attendance in children’s skill production function. As such, preschool education reduces social inequalities in educational achievement. Yet, its equalizing potential could have been overstated in previous debates.
The Impact of the Nomination Stage on Gifted Program Identification
Authors: McBee Matthew T. , Peters Scott J. , Miller Erin M.
Published: June 2016

The use of the nomination stage as the first step in the identification process is pervasive across the field of gifted education. In many cases, nominations are used to limit the number of students who will need to be evaluated using costly and time-consuming assessments for the purpose of gifted program identification and placement. This study evaluated the effect of the nomination stage on the overall efficacy of a gifted identification system. Results showed that in nearly all conditions, identification systems that require a nomination before testing result in a large proportion of gifted students being missed. Under commonly implemented conditions, the nomination stage can cause the false negative rate to easily exceed 60%. Changes to identification practices are urgently needed in order to ensure that larger numbers of gifted students receive appropriate educational placement and to maintain the integrity of gifted education services.
Factors contributing to the uptake and maintenance of regular exercise behaviour in emerging adults
Authors: Langdon Jody , Johnson Chad , Melton Bridget
Published: June 2016

Objective:

To identify the influence of parental autonomy support, basic need satisfaction and motivation on emerging adults’ physical activity level and exercise behaviours.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

This study convenience-sampled approximately 435 college students identified as emerging adults – aged 18–25 years, who did not have a child, own a home, or have sufficient income to be fully independent.

Methods:

Survey responses were used in a path model to investigate how parental autonomy support, psychological mediators and motivational processes influenced emerging adults’ exercise behaviour.

Results:

The hypothesised model was supported with minor modifications. Most notable was the influence of parental physical activity level and autonomy support on psychological mediators, motivational processes and exercise behaviour.

Conclusion:

Results indicate that parents influence their children both directly and indirectly. The impact of autonomy and competence support was found to promote emerging adults’ intrinsic motivation, which consequently influenced actual physical activity and behaviour.
An Analysis of Teacher Sorting in Secondary Special Education and Alternative Schools
Authors: Mason-Williams Loretta , Gagnon Joseph Calvin
Published: June 2016

This study provides nationally representative information about the qualifications and preparation of secondary content and special education teachers in special education and alternative school settings, as compared with teachers in regular schools. Findings demonstrate that a statistically significant relationship did not exist between school types and many teacher inputs. However, a relationship between special education preparation and setting did exist among secondary content teachers. Moreover, results highlight the inadequate number of secondary teachers, both in content areas and in special education, who held a degree and/or certification in special education. Practical and policy implications of these findings are discussed, and limitations are addressed.
Population-Based Estimates of Decreases in Quality-Adjusted Life Expectancy Associated with Unhealthy Body Mass Index
Authors: Jia Haomiao , Zack Matthew M. , Thompson William W.
Published: June 2016

Objective.

Being classified as outside the normal range for body mass index (BMI) has been associated with increased risk for chronic health conditions, poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and premature death. To assess the impact of BMI on HRQOL and mortality, we compared quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) by BMI levels.

Methods.

We obtained HRQOL data from the 1993–2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and life table estimates from the National Center for Health Statistics national mortality files to estimate QALE among U.S. adults by BMI categories: underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2), obese (BMI 30.0–34.9 kg/m2), and severely obese (BMI ≥35.0 kg/m2).

Results.

In 2010 in the United States, the highest estimated QALE for adults at 18 years of age was 54.1 years for individuals classified as normal weight. The two lowest QALE estimates were for those classified as either underweight (48.9 years) or severely obese (48.2 years). For individuals who were overweight or obese, the QALE estimates fell between those classified as either normal weight (54.1 years) or severely obese (48.2 years). The difference in QALE between adults classified as normal weight and those classified as either overweight or obese was significantly higher among women than among men, irrespective of race/ethnicity.

Conclusions.

Using population-based data, we found significant differences in QALE loss by BMI category. These findings are valuable for setting national and state targets to reduce health risks associated with severe obesity, and could be used for cost-effectiveness evaluations of weight-reduction interventions.
Physician Attitudes toward Adult Vaccines and other Preventive Practices, United States, 2012
Authors: Hurley Laura P. , Bridges Carolyn B. , Harpaz Rafael , Allison Mandy A. , Leary Sean T. O‘ , Crane Lori A. , Brtnikova Michaela , Stokley Shannon , Beaty Brenda L. , Jimenez-Zambrano Andrea , Kempe Allison
Published: June 2016

Objectives.

We described the following among U.S. primary care physicians: ( 1) perceived importance of vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices relative to U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) preventive services, ( 2) attitudes toward the U.S. adult immunization schedule, and ( 3) awareness and use of Medicare preventive service visits.

Methods.

We conducted an Internet and mail survey from March to June 2012 among national networks of general internists and family physicians.

Results.

We received responses from 352 of 445 (79%) general internists and 255 of 409 (62%) family physicians. For a 67-year-old hypothetical patient, 540/606 (89%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 87, 92) of physicians ranked seasonal influenza vaccine and 487/607 (80%, 95% CI 77, 83) ranked pneumococcal vaccine as very important, whereas 381/604 (63%, 95% CI 59, 67) ranked Tdap/Td vaccine and 288/607 (47%, 95% CI 43, 51) ranked herpes zoster vaccine as very important ( p<0.001). All Grade A USPSTF recommendations were considered more important than Tdap/Td and herpes zoster vaccines. For the hypothetical patient aged 30 years, the number and percentage of physicians who reported that the Tdap/Td vaccine (377/604; 62%, 95% CI 59, 66) is very important was greater than the number and percentage who reported that the seasonal influenza vaccine (263/605; 43%, 95% CI 40, 47) is very important ( p<0.001), and all Grade A and Grade B USPSTF recommendations were more often reported as very important than was any vaccine. A total of 172 of 587 physicians (29%) found aspects of the adult immunization schedule confusing. Among physicians aware of “Welcome to Medicare” and annual wellness visits, 492/514 (96%, 95% CI 94, 97) and 329/496 (66%, 95% CI 62, 70), respectively, reported having conducted fewer than 10 such visits in the previous month.

Conclusions.

Despite lack of prioritization of vaccines by ACIP, physicians are prioritizing some vaccines over others and ranking some vaccines below other preventive services. These attitudes and confusion about the immunization schedule may result in missed opportunities for vaccination. Medicare preventive visits are not being used widely despite offering a venue for delivery of preventive services, including vaccinations.
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in the United States: Updated Estimates of Women and Girls at Risk, 2012
Authors: Goldberg Howard , Stupp Paul , Okoroh Ekwutosi , Besera Ghenet , Goodman David , Danel Isabella
Published: June 2016

Objectives.

In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed legislation making female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) illegal in the United States. CDC published the first estimates of the number of women and girls at risk for FGM/C in 1997. Since 2012, various constituencies have again raised concerns about the practice in the United States. We updated an earlier estimate of the number of women and girls in the United States who were at risk for FGM/C or its consequences.

Methods.

We estimated the number of women and girls who were at risk for undergoing FGM/C or its consequences in 2012 by applying country-specific prevalence of FGM/C to the estimated number of women and girls living in the United States who were born in that country or who lived with a parent born in that country.

Results.

Approximately 513,000 women and girls in the United States were at risk for FGM/C or its consequences in 2012, which was more than three times higher than the earlier estimate, based on 1990 data. The increase in the number of women and girls younger than 18 years of age at risk for FGM/C was more than four times that of previous estimates.

Conclusion.

The estimated increase was wholly a result of rapid growth in the number of immigrants from FGM/C-practicing countries living in the United States and not from increases in FGM/C prevalence in those countries. Scientifically valid information regarding whether women or their daughters have actually undergone FGM/C and related information that can contribute to efforts to prevent the practice in the United States and provide needed health services to women who have undergone FGM/C are needed.
High Hepatitis C Infection Rate among Baby Boomers in an Urban Primary Care Clinic: Results from the HepTLC Initiative
Authors: Geboy Alexander G. , Mahajan Sandeep , Daly Allison P. , Sewell Candice F. , Fleming Ike C. , Cha Hyun A. , Perez Idene E. , Cole Carmella A. , Ayodele Adebisi A. , Fishbein Dawn A.
Published: June 2016

Objective.

CDC recommends that all people born between 1945 and 1965 be tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV). We hypothesized that HCV testing in a large, urban primary care clinic would reveal higher rates of HCV infection than previously published.

Methods.

Through the Hepatitis Testing and Linkage to Care initiative, the primary care clinic at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC, provided HCV antibody (anti-HCV) testing and linkage to care from October 2012 through September 2013 for patients born between 1945 and 1965 without previously noted risk factors. We collected data on age, race/ethnicity, sex, anti-HCV and HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) results, risk factors in those who tested anti-HCV positive, and health insurance type and made comparisons using χ2 and Student's t-tests.

Results.

Of 1,123 patients tested, the mean age was 57 years, 742 (66.1%) were women, 969 (86.3%) were black/African American, and 654 (58.2%) had public health insurance. Of the 99 (8.8%) patients who tested anti-HCV positive, the mean age was 58 years, 54 were men, and 93 were black/African American; 41 of 74 anti-HCV-positive patients were intravenous drug users. Of 82 anti-HCV-positive patients, 51 were HCV RNA positive. Of the black/African American patients tested, 49 of 317 men (15.5%) and 44 of 652 women (6.7%) were anti-HCV positive ( p<0.001). The HCV prevalence rate in the birth cohort (8.8%) was significantly higher than the U.S. (3.3%) and DC (2.5%) rates ( p<0.001), and the HCV prevalence rate among black/African American men in DC (15.5%) was substantially higher than the prevalence rate reported by CDC (8.1%).

Conclusion.

Testing initiatives in primary care settings need to be more rigorously upheld, and internal champions are needed to advocate for increased screening to ensure linkage to care and engagement in the HCV care cascade.
Integrating Routine HCV Testing in Primary Care: Lessons Learned from Five Federally Qualified Health Centers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2012–2014
Authors: Coyle Catelyn , Kwakwa Helena , Viner Kendra
Published: June 2016

Objective.

An estimated 2.7–3.9 million Americans are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Despite being the most common blood-borne virus in the United States, routine HCV testing is not commonly practiced. To address this gap, we measured the impact of integrated routine HCV testing on patient care.

Methods.

As part of CDC's Hepatitis Testing and Linkage to Care initiative, which promoted viral hepatitis B and hepatitis C screening, posttest counseling, and linkage to care at 34 U.S. sites, National Nursing Centers Consortium integrated a routine opt-out HCV testing and linkage-to-care model at five federally qualified health centers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from October 1, 2012, to June 30, 2014. The model included medical assistant-initiated testing, reflex laboratory-based HCV tests, and electronic health record modifications to prompt, track, and facilitate reimbursement for tests performed on uninsured patients.

Results.

During the study period, 4,207 unique patients received HCV antibody (anti-HCV) testing, of whom 488 (11.6%) tested anti-HCV positive. Of those testing positive, 433 (88.7%) received a confirmatory HCV RNA test; of these 433 recipients, 313 (72.3%) were diagnosed with current infection (overall prevalence = 7.4%), of which 243 (77.6%) received their HCV RNA-positive results, 184 (58.8%) were referred to an HCV care provider, and 121 (38.7%) were linked to care. The highest rates of current infection were among non-Hispanic white patients (18.1%, 90/496); patients from the Public Health Management Corporation Care Clinic, which treats HIV and HCV patients on-site (14.3%, 200/1,394); and patients aged 50–69 years (10.7%, 189/1,767).

Conclusion.

Our model successfully integrated HCV testing and linkage to care into routine primary care. This study also identified potential successes and barriers that may be experienced by other primary care health centers that are integrating HCV testing.
“Urban” Schooling and “Urban” Families
Authors: Gadsden Vivian L. , Dixon-Román Ezekiel J.
Published: June 2016

Conceptualizations of urban context and place in research, practice, and policy are relational, ranging from spatial dimensions to cultural practices of children, families, and communities in metropolitan areas. In this article, we focus on the inherent complexity of these conceptualizations and long-standing debates in education and social science research that label urban as a point of both identity and designation. We position urban context itself as a genre of thinking and imagining; challenges complicated in research, scholarship, and policy; practice and pedagogy; and public will and political rhetoric, influencing educational options and spanning issues from poverty to schooling.
Esotericism and Egalitarianism
Authors: Shaw Beau
Published: June 2016

According to Leo Strauss, one of the primary purposes of the esotericism practiced by philosophers is the defense against persecution. This defense entails communicating the truth only to philosophers and concealing it from non-philosophers. For many commentators, this conception of esotericism has inegalitarian implications—for example, that the philosophers, who constitute a minority of people, are naturally capable of being told the truth, while the non-philosophers, who constitute a majority, are not. In this article, I argue that Strauss gives another account of esotericism that does not have inegalitarian implications. He gives this account in his discussion of Farabi’s esotericism in the “Introduction” to Persecution and the Art of Writing. I also argue that Strauss presents this account esoterically. The “Introduction” reproduces text from an earlier article by Strauss, “Farabi’s Plato,” and Strauss makes certain changes, which point towards this other account. Finally, I explain why Strauss presents this other account esoterically.
The good and bad news about glutamate in drug addiction
Authors: Spencer Sade , Scofield Michael , Kalivas Peter W
Published: June 2016

In 1998 we published a perspective review describing how drug-induced neuroadaptations might serve towards understanding drug craving. We proposed experimental perspectives to help discern data relevant to long-lasting brain changes, and to distinguish dopamine-related changes that were largely pharmacological from glutamatergic changes that were based on drug–environment associations. These perspectives are embedded in drug abuse research, and the last 18 years has witnessed marked development in understanding addiction-associated corticostriatal glutamate plasticity. Here we propose three new perspectives on how the field might approach integrating and using the emerging data on glutamatergic adaptations. (1) Consider adaptations produced in kind across drug classes as most useful towards understanding shared characteristics of addiction, such as relapse. (2) Consider how drug-induced changes in glia and the extracellular matrix may contribute to synaptic alterations. (3) Make measurements not only at late withdrawal, but also during drug seeking events to capture transient changes that mediate active drug seeking that are shared across drug classes.
Perceptions of Prison and Punitive Attitudes
Authors: Wozniak Kevin H.
Published: June 2016

The penal escalation hypothesis holds that people’s (mis)perception of prisons as being inadequately harsh will influence their punitive attitudes toward other punishments and components of the criminal justice system. In this study, I present the first test of the penal escalation hypothesis with survey data from residents of the United States of America. I find that people’s perceptions of life and conditions in prison are significantly related to their opinions about other punitive and progressive aspects of criminal justice policy and practice. I argue that these findings should lead scholars to reevaluate the importance of instrumental versus symbolic factors when attempting to explain variation in people’s opinions about punishment and justice.
Results of fibre and toner flotation depending on oleic acid dosage
Authors: Trumic Maja S , Trumic Milan Z , Vujic Bogdana , Andric Ljubisa , Bogdanovic Grozdanka
Published: June 2016

The literature was reviewed with respect to deinking flotation methods with toner samples, specifically emphasizing the speciation of copy machine and laser printing, which produce an increasing quantity of paper that is difficult to recycle. Speciation here refers to the physical-chemical characteristics of the toner, which change because of the polymerization (fusion) and oxidation process, due to exposure to heat, light and oxygen (air) during the printing process. To simulate the deinking flotation, after the ideal disintegration process, samples of toner were prepared in order to provide free toner particles. Synthetic toner has iron content and the same physical-chemical features as free disintegrated printed toner particles.

We report the toner ( I) and fibre ( Y) recovery and the brightness ( B) of laboratory filter pads formed of deinked product as deinking efficiencies. The application of oleic acid as the collector in the flotation stage gives a better flotation recovery in alkaline than in acidic conditions. The highest brightness ( BF = 93.66%) and flotation recoveries ( I = 90, Y = 92.82%) were achieved during testing at an oleic acid concentration of 3.38·10−6 mol l−1, which is the lowest dose used. This makes the use of oleic acid economical and environmentally friendly.
Treatment of a mud pit by bioremediation
Authors: Avdalović Jelena , Đurić Aleksandra , Miletić Srdjan , Ilić Mila , Milić Jelena , Vrvić Miroslav M
Published: June 2016

The mud generated from oil and natural gas drilling, presents a considerable ecological problem. There are still insufficient remedies for the removal and minimization of these very stable emulsions. Existing technologies that are in use, more or less successfully, treat about 20% of generated waste drilling mud, while the rest is temporarily deposited in so-called mud pits. This study investigated in situ bioremediation of a mud pit. The bioremediation technology used in this case was based on the use of naturally occurring microorganisms, isolated from the contaminated site, which were capable of using the contaminating substances as nutrients. The bioremediation was stimulated through repeated inoculation with a zymogenous microbial consortium, along with mixing, watering and biostimulation. Application of these bioremediation techniques reduced the concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons from 32.2 to 1.5 g kg−1 (95% degradation) during six months of treatment.
Toward the Integration of Peer Reviewing and Computational Linguistics Approaches
Authors: Park Juhwa , Cho Kwangsu
Published: June 2016

Previous research has shown the effectiveness of peer reviewing on the improvement of writing quality. However, the fact that students themselves, arguably novices, judged the improvement leads to concerns about the validity of peer reviewing. We measured writing quality before and after peer reviewing using Coh-Metrix, which computationally evaluates the linguistic properties of writings. Participants also evaluated the quality of their peer writings using the SWoRD system. Both measurements, particularly the computational measurement, confirmed the effectiveness of peer reviewing. In addition, the computational measures found that awareness of cohesion, including the clarity, explicitness, and concreteness of writing, improved over the course of peer reviewing. The results are discussed, along with their possible implications for the complementary roles of peer reviewing and computational writing measurements.
Use of social media by new library professionals: Outcomes from a UK survey
Authors: Monagle Helen , Finnegan Amy
Published: June 2016

This research explores the connection between social media and independent continuing professional development, focusing on new professionals within the UK and Ireland who graduated between 2010 and 2015, based on Ruddock’s definition (see Appendix 1). Two online surveys were conducted to ascertain why continuing professional development networks have been created and why new professionals use them. The first survey was completed by 100 new professionals; the second was completed by four continuing professional development network founders. This paper explores the relationship between the uptake of continuing professional development and social media usage by new professionals and highlights the reasons social media are used by new professionals for continuing professional development which include cost, variety of continuing professional development options, and removal of boundaries, e.g. geographical, hierarchical. The survey also found that network founders used social media to promote continuing professional development and engage with users.