bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Configuration and options management processes and tools: an automotive OEM case study
Authors: Phelan Keith T. , Summers Joshua David , Kurz Mary E. , Wilson Crystal , Pearce Bryan Wayne , Schulte Joerg , Knackstedt Stephan
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a three-staged approach to configuration change management that uses a combination of complexity analysis, data visualization, and algorithmic validation to assist in validating configuration changes.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to accomplish the above purpose, the authors conducted a review of existing configuration management practices. This was followed by an in-depth case study of the configuration management practices of a major automotive OEM. The primary means of data collection for the case study were interviews, ethnographic study, and document analysis. Based on the results of the case study, a set of support tools is proposed to assist in the configuration management process.

Findings

Through the case study, the authors identified that the OEM used a configuration management method that largely represented the rule-based reasoning methods identified in the literature review. In addition, many of the associated challenges are present, primarily, the difficulty in making changes to the rule system and evaluating the changes.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitation is that the case study was based on a single OEM. However, the results are in line with other practices identified in the literature review. Therefore, it is expected that the findings and recommendations should hold true in other applications.

Practical implications

A set of configuration management tools and associated requirements are identified and defined that could be used to assist companies in the automotive industry, and perhaps others, in managing their option changes as they continue to move towards full mass customization of products.

Originality/value

The proposed approach for configuration management has not been seen in any other organization. The value of this paper is in the effectiveness of the proposed approach in assisting in the configuration change management process.
Effects of the digitization to the printed collection policies
Authors: Saarti Jarmo , Laitinen Markku Antero , Vattulainen Pentti
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The recent changes in the knowledge economy and scientific knowledge dissemination have put academic libraries in a new situation. The demand for open access of scientific publications and the increasing amount of documents published need a new paradigm in the collection policies and collection building strategies of the academic libraries. At the same time the resources allocated to the academic institutions have been decreasing which has caused the need to reallocate the resources in the collection building and management as effectively as possible. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how the use of data compiled from different sources, such as statistics and assessing user experience, as a tool for analysing the effectiveness of the library’s economic resources and how this has effected on the use of the libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical and trend analysis based on Finnish academic library collections database.

Findings

The Finnish academic libraries have made a rapid transition to the digital dissemination of documents. At the same time the national services have enabled the long-time preservation of less used printed materials and have enabled the libraries to save premise costs.

Research limitations/implications

Modeling the findings to other countries maybe difficult because of the specific characteristics of the Finnish academic environment.

Practical implications

Gives examples on managing the shift from a printed to a digital library.

Originality/value

Evidence based tools for collection cost management.
Impact of continuing education programs (CEPs) on LIS professionals in academic libraries in Mumbai, India
Authors: Deodhar Madhura , Powdwal Sushama
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the research findings of an evaluation of the impact of continuing education programs (CEPs) on library information science (LIS) professionals of academic libraries in Mumbai, India. The paper also introduces Donald Kirkpatrick model of training evaluation for Library Science research in the area of program evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

The impact of CEPs was evaluated using Donald Kirkpatrick model of training evaluation using survey method. The impact was evaluated at four levels; reaction, learning, behavior and results. The population of the present study included 344 LIS professionals working at colleges libraries affiliated to University of Mumbai and Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University in Mumbai, India. The data collected through questionnaire were supplemented by five specimen interviews of heads of institutions of the academic librarians who had attended more than five CEPs in five years, 2009-2013.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that professionals were satisfied with CEP attendance; keen on gaining more knowledge and transferring the acquired knowledge and skills at their workplaces and interested in implementing the learning to achieve results. The reasons given by academic librarians on not implementing the learning in the library indicated that there were hindrances like lack of management support, lack of technical expertise, inadequate staff in the library, poor IT Infrastructure, etc. in transferring the learning at work.

Research limitations/implications

The study was based on self-perceptions of respondents. The limitation of self-perception was eliminated to some extent by supplementing qualitative data wherever required. CEPs included conferences, seminars, workshops, refresher courses, orientation programs and online courses. Pre-test and post-test recommended by the Kirkpatrick model could not be conducted as the researcher has not adopted experimental design. The data of feedback from the organizers and content of the CEPs attended by respondents were not analyzed in the study.

Practical implications

The paper describes the implementation of Kirkpatrick model to evaluate the CEPs, which can be used by the organizers or institutions to evaluate the impact of CEPs in future. This will help them to improve upon the contents of CEPs making them more relevant and effective.

Social implications

Evaluation of CEPs will be useful to ensure the effectiveness of CEPs and performance of LIS professionals.

Originality/value

This paper reports an original research initiative undertaken to evaluate the impact of CEPs attended by LIS professionals of Indian academic libraries in Mumbai, India. It fills the gap in LIS research. The application of Donald Kirkpatrick model of Training evaluation is also valuable for LIS research.
The association of protein intake (amount and type) with ovarian antral follicle counts among infertile women: results from the EARTH prospective study cohort
Authors: Souter I , Chiu Y‐H , Batsis M , Afeiche MC , Williams PL , Hauser R , Chavarro JE ,   the EARTH Study Team
Published: March 2017

Objective

To evaluate the association between protein intake (amount and type) and antral follicle count (AFC).

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

Academic fertility centre.

Population

Two hundred and sixty‐five women undergoing fertility treatments at an academic fertility centre and participating in an ongoing study on environment and reproductive health.

Methods

We measured AFC in ultrasonographic evaluation among women undergoing infertility treatments. Women completed a previously validated semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire. We used Poisson regression to evaluate the relation between protein intake and AFC while adjusting for age, body mass index, race, smoking status, and total energy intake.

Main outcome measures

Antral follicle count.

Results

Among 265 women (mean age: 35.0 ± 3.9 years, 85% Caucasian), total protein intake (% energy) was unrelated to AFC. When protein from different food sources was considered separately, we found a negative association between dairy protein intake and AFC. The mean AFC was 14.4% (3.9–23.7%) lower for women in the highest quintile of dairy protein intake than for women in the bottom quintile after adjusting for potential confounders (P‐trend = 0.04). This association was stronger among women who had never smoked (P‐trend = 0.002) but was not observed among previous smokers (P‐trend = 0.36). There were no associations between protein intake from either non‐dairy animal or vegetable sources and AFC.

Conclusion

Higher dairy protein intake (≥5.24% of energy) was associated with lower antral follicle counts among women presenting for infertility treatment. These findings should be further investigated in prospective studies also designed to clarify the biology underlying the observed associations.

Tweetable abstract

Higher dairy protein intake was associated with lower antral follicle counts in an infertile population.
Inoculation of cucumber, melon and zucchini varieties with Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus and evaluation of infection using different detection methods
Authors: Figàs M.R. , Alfaro‐Fernández A. , Font M.I. , Borràs D. , Casanova C. , Hurtado M. , Plazas M. , Prohens J. , Soler S.
Published: March 2017

The disease caused by Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), which is naturally transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, causes important economic losses in cucurbit crops. The availability of simple and efficient inoculation protocols and detection methods is necessary for screening varieties and germplasm collections as well as for breeding populations. We evaluated the infectivity of ToLCNDV inocula prepared using three different buffers for mechanical sap inoculation in a susceptible variety of zucchini. We found that inoculum prepared with buffer III, which contains polyvinylpyrrolidone, is highly efficient for mechanical inoculation, with 100% of plants displaying severe symptoms 21 days post‐inoculation. Using this buffer, we mechanically inoculated 19 commercial varieties of cucurbit crops (six of cucumber, six of melon and seven of zucchini), evaluated the evolution of symptoms and diagnosed infection using nine different ToLCNDV detection methods (four based on serology, four based on molecular hybridization and one based on PCR detection). The results revealed that all varieties are susceptible, although cucumber varieties display less severe symptoms than those of melon or zucchini. All detection methods were highly efficient (more than 85% of plants testing positive) in melon and zucchini, but in cucumber, the percentage of positive plants detected with serology and molecular hybridization methods ranged from 20.4% with Squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) antiserum, to 78.5% with DNA extract hybridization. Overall, the best detection results were obtained with PCR, with 92.6%, 92.4% and 98.4% cucumber, melon and zucchini plants, respectively, testing positive. When considering the overall results in the three crops, the best serology and molecular hybridization methods were those using Watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WmCSV) antiserum and DNA extract, respectively. The inoculation methodology developed and the information on detection methods are of great relevance for the selection and breeding of varieties of cucurbit crops that are tolerant or resistant to ToLCNDV.
Strategic Global Strategy: The Intersection of General Principles, Corporate Responsibility and Economic Value‐Added
Authors: Hartman Laura P. , Werhane Patricia H. , Clark Cynthia E. , Vansandt Craig V. , Sud Mukesh
Published: March 2017

An ongoing argument often made by business ethicists is that a singular preoccupation on profitability, will lead, in the long run, to disvalue for all the stakeholders and the communities it affects, and often (but alas not always), economic challenges for the company. On the other hand, we argue, a preoccupation with ethics and CSR as the primary aims of a for‐profit company, it is, on its own, like a preoccupation with profitability, unsustainable. Indeed, without economic viability, a company will fail. Both of these contentions point to our conclusion that one must take care in changing habits and rethinking business models. We illustrate through case examples, that merely being ethical and socially responsible is insufficient for the long‐term well‐being of business just as a preoccupation with profits for their own sake also is insufficient. What is realistic, practical, pragmatic, sustainable and profitable for corporations, and what also serves the interests of multiple stakeholders including those in the communities they serve, is a true balance of ethics, CSR, and economic value‐added. Expanding on the recent work of Husted and Allen (2011), we call this a strategic global strategy approach.
Ecological Factors in Human Development
Authors: Cross William E.
Published: March 2017

Urie Bronfenbrenner (1992) helped developmental psychologists comprehend and define “context” as a rich, thick multidimensional construct. His ecological systems theory consists of five layers, and within each layer are developmental processes unique to each layer. The four articles in this section limit the exploration of context to the three innermost systems: the individual plus micro‐ and macrolayers. Rather than examine both the physical features and processes, the articles tend to focus solely on processes associated with a niche. Processes explored include social identity development, social network dynamics, peer influences, and school‐based friendship patterns. The works tend to extend the generalization of extant theory to the developmental experience of various minority group experiences.
Delta‐amino‐levulinic acid dehydratase gene and essential tremor
Authors: Agúndez José A. G. , García‐Martín Elena , Alonso‐Navarro Hortensia , Ayuso Pedro , Esguevillas Gara , Benito‐León Julián , Ortega‐Cubero Sara , Pastor Pau , López‐Alburquerque Tomás , Jiménez‐Jiménez Félix Javier
Published: March 2017

Background

Several reports found a relationship between increased serum lead levels and the risk for essential tremor (ET), especially in carriers of the minor allele of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1800435 in the aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALAD) gene, which is involved in the synthesis of haem groups. Our group reported decreased risk for ET in carriers of the minor alleles of the rs2071746 and rs1051308 SNPs in the haem‐oxygenases 1 and 2 (HMOX1 and HMOX2), respectively, involved in haem metabolism. We analysed whether ALAD rs1800435 alone and their interactions with the four common SNPs in the HMOX1 and HMOX2 genes are associated with the risk for ET.

Materials and methods

We analysed the genotype and allele variants frequencies of ALAD rs1800435 in 202 patients with familial ET and 218 healthy controls using a TaqMan method. We also analysed the role of the interaction between ALAD rs1800435 and the HMOX1 rs2071746, HMOX1 rs2071747, HMOX2 rs2270363 and HMOX2 rs1051308 with the risk of developing ET.

Results

The frequencies of genotype and allelic variants of ALAD rs1800435 did not differ significantly between patients with ET and controls, and were not influenced by gender. Subjects carrying the ALAD rs1800435CC genotype (wild‐type) and the HMOX2 rs1051308GG genotype or the HMOX2 rs1051308G allele had significantly decreased risk for ET.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the ALAD rs1800435 SNP is not related with the risk for ET, but its interaction with the HMOX2 rs1051308 SNP could be weakly associated with the risk for this disease.
Time‐course of muscle growth, and its relationship with muscle strength in both young and older women
Authors: Loenneke Jeremy P. , Rossow Lindy M. , Fahs Christopher A. , Thiebaud Robert S. , Grant Mouser J. , Bemben Michael G.
Published: March 2017

Aim

The time‐course for changes in muscle size and strength is not well understood, particularly in women. In addition, contributions of muscle size to strength are commonly assessed utilizing a pre–post change score; however, a more appropriate within‐subject correlational analysis has never been used.

Methods

To determine the time‐course for thigh muscle size and strength in young (aged 18–25 years) and older (aged 50–65 years) women, and determine the relationship between size and strength after 8 weeks of training carried our three times per week.

Results

Anterior muscle thickness at the 50% site increased after 1 week of training, and exceeded the measurement error after 2 weeks (mean difference 0.23 cm, 95% CI 0.12–0.34 cm). Anterior muscle thickness at the 70% site increased and exceeded the measurement error after 2 weeks (mean difference 0.30 cm, 95% CI 0.15–0.45 cm). Posterior muscle thickness at the 50% site increased after 1 week of training, and exceeded the measurement error after 2 weeks (mean difference 0.24 cm, 95% CI 0.03–0.44 cm). Posterior muscle thickness at the 70% site increased after 1 week, and exceeded the measurement error after 3 weeks (mean difference 0.21 cm, 95% CI 0.07–0.35 cm). Muscle strength, assessed through one‐repetition maximum, increased by 2 weeks in most measurements, and the within‐subject variance explained by changes in muscle size ranged between 9% and 35%.

Conclusions

Muscle growth appeared to occur early into a training program in both young and older women. Furthermore, although a large portion remains unexplained, the variance in muscle strength explained by muscle size is greater than previous studies not utilizing within‐subject correlations. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2000–2007.
5. MILLENNIAL SOVEREIGNTY, TOTAL RELIGION, AND TOTAL POLITICS
Authors: MOIN A. AZFAR
Published: March 2017

Discussions of kingship and sovereignty in early modern India have struggled to fully comprehend and assess the work and life of Akbar (r. 1556–1605), the celebrated and most famous ruler of the Mughal Empire. The Mughal emperor's incomparable energy and imagination had lit up, like never before in the history of Islam, the vast networks and institutions of knowledge and practice that could be deployed in the service of sacred kingship. Rather than demonstrate a local history of Indic kingship, Akbar's intersections with networks and institutions show a history that stretched back centuries and linked South Asia to post‐Mongol Iran and Central Asia, and were the crucibles in which a “millennial science” was cultivated. The implications for studying “millennial science” extend beyond the early modern world and into a consideration of sovereignty in modern South Asia.
THE CRISIS OF HUMANITY: OR, WHAT IF WE HAVE NEVER BEEN HUMAN?
Authors: Dodd Adam
Published: March 2017

This collection of nine essays brings together a variety of responses to the question of the “nonhuman turn” within the humanities and the social sciences, understood broadly as a developing concern with overcoming anthropocentrism in its diverse manifestations. Emerging from The Nonhuman Turn conference held at the University of Wisconsin‐Milwaukee in 2012, which was hosted by the Center for 21st Century Studies, it represents the first attempt to account for and consolidate the many intellectual approaches and developments that may now be regarded as constituting the nonhuman turn. The nonhuman turn is contextualized as both “yet another” turn but also a necessary one, and as something critically distinct from “the posthuman turn”—whereas the posthuman turn is concerned with what comes after the human (ways of being, ways of thinking), the nonhuman turn insists (according to editor Richard Grusin) that “we have never been human.” My reading of this volume suggests that this claim is not borne out across the chapters it contains, and that the notion that we have never been human, though a noble gesture to Bruno Latour's widely lauded claim that “we have never been modern,” does not enable a new philosophy, nor does it advance the two primary streams of philosophical thought featured here: object‐oriented ontology (OOO) and new materialism.
Lower thermal limits to larval development do not predict poleward range limits of the introduced tropical barnacleMegabalanus coccopoma
Authors: Crickenberger Sam , Walther Kathleen , Moran Amy L.
Published: March 2017

As the earth's climate has warmed, many tropical species have expanded their ranges poleward and encountered high‐latitude seasonal temperature regimes, in which further permanent expansion is limited by physiological vulnerability to cold temperatures. The barnacleMegabalanus coccopomais native to shorelines from Baja California to Peru and has been introduced to many locations worldwide, including the southeasternUSA. The ability of larvae to develop successfully at local temperatures can be an important factor limiting the spread of invasive species. To determine if cold temperatures limited larval success near the northern range limit ofM. coccopomaalong the Atlantic southeasternUSAcoast, we measured lower temperature limits to larval development, examined the effects of temperature on larval growth and energy accumulation, and calculated a larval energy budget to estimate the extent of potential larval dispersal in this region. Larvae were able to develop through metamorphosis at 16°C, which is much colder than sea surface temperatures during the spawning season in their invasive range, making it unlikely northern range limits are set by a lower temperature limit to larval development. Energy budgets suggest that for larvae produced at the northern end of the invasive range, long distance dispersal to sites far poleward of the current range limit is possible. Similar to the findings of the handful of other studies on cold tolerances of tropical marine invertebrate larvae, larvae should be successful far poleward of current adult distributions.
What actually is the Münch hypothesis? A short history of assimilate transport by mass flow
Authors: Knoblauch Michael , Peters Winfried S.
Published: March 2017

In the 1920s, the German forestry scientist Ernst Münch postulated that photo‐assimilate transport is a mass flow driven by osmotically induced pressure gradients between source organs (high turgor) and sink organs (lower turgor). Two crucial components of Münch's hypothesis, the translocation by mass flow from sources to sinks and the osmotic mechanism of pressure flow, were established notions at the time, but had been developed by two institutionally separated groups of scholars. A conceptual separation of whole‐plant biology from cellular physiology had followed the institutional separation of forestry science from botany in German‐speaking central Europe during the so‐called Humboldtian reforms, and was reinforced by the delayed institutionalization of plant physiology as an academic discipline. Münch did not invent a novel concept, but accomplished an integration of the organism‐focused and the cell‐focused research traditions, reducing the polarization that had evolved when research universities emerged in central Europe. Post‐Münch debates about the validity of his hypothesis focused increasingly on the suitability of available research methodologies, especially the electron microscope and the proper interpretation of the results it produced. The present work reconstructs the influence of the dynamic scientific and non‐scientific context on the history of the Münch hypothesis.
Postprocedure Subarachnoid Hemorrhage after Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Qureshi Adnan I. , Saleem Muhammad A. , Aytac Emrah
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

The rate of occurrence and associated outcomes of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in acute ischemic stroke patients following endovascular treatment is not well studied.

METHODS

We analyzed data from subjects treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator followed by endovascular treatment in the Interventional Management of Stroke III trial. The baseline and 24 (±6) hours postrandomization computed tomographic scans were interpreted centrally for presence, type, and location of intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs) including SAH. The primary outcome assessment was by modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at 3 months.

RESULTS

Of these 323 subjects who underwent endovascular treatment, the patterns of postprocedure ICHs were as follows: none (n = 168), isolated SAH (type 1, n = 9), SAH with intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) or other ICHs (type 2, n = 33), and IPH or other ICHs without SAH (n = 113). At 3 months, the rates of independent functional outcome (mRS 0‐2) were lower among subjects with type 2 SAHs (odds ratio [OR] .2; 95% confidence interval [CI] .1‐.8; P = .016), and IPH or other ICHs without SAH (OR .5; 95% CI .3‐.9; P = .022) but not in subjects with type 1 SAH (OR .8; 95% CI .2‐3.5; P = .810), after adjusting for age, baseline serum glucose levels, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score strata, and procedure related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The rates of independent functional outcome were lower among subjects with postprocedure type 2 SAHs but not in subjects with type 1 SAH.
Binge drinking and the risk of liver events: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Åberg Fredrik , Helenius‐Hietala Jaana , Puukka Pauli , Jula Antti
Published: March 2017

Background & Aims

Binge drinking or heavy episodic drinking is increasingly prevalent, but the health effects are incompletely understood. We investigated whether binge drinking increases the risk for liver disease above and beyond the risk due to average alcohol consumption.

Methods

6366 subjects without baseline liver disease who participated in the Finnish population‐based Health 2000 Study (2000‐2001), a nationally representative cohort. Follow‐up data from national registers until 2013 were analysed for liver‐related admissions, mortality and liver cancer. Binge drinking (≥5 drinks per occasion, standard drink 12 g ethanol) was categorised as weekly, monthly, or as less often or none. Multiple confounders were considered.

Results

Eighty‐four subjects developed decompensated liver disease. Binge drinking frequency showed a direct association with liver‐disease risk after adjustment for average daily alcohol intake and age. After adjustment, the hazard ratios (HRs) for weekly and monthly binge drinking were 3.45 (P=.001) and 2.26 (P=.007) and were higher after excluding regular heavy drinkers. The HR for weekly binging was 6.82 (P=.02) in women; 2.34 (P=.03) in men; and 4.29 (P=.001) in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. Weekly binge drinking and the metabolic syndrome produced supra‐additive increases in the risk of decompensated liver disease. Weekly, and to a lesser extent monthly, binging retained significance in sequential multivariate models that additionally adjusted for beverage preference and lifestyle, metabolic, and socioeconomic factors.

Conclusions

Binge drinking is associated with an increased risk for liver disease independently of average alcohol intake and confounders. The rising prevalence of binge drinking and the metabolic syndrome is particularly concerning.
Realignment Surgery for Malunited Ankle Fracture
Authors: Guo Chang‐jun , Li Xing‐cheng , Hu Mu , Xu Yang , Xu Xiang‐yang
Published: March 2017

Objective

To investigate the characteristics and the results of realignment surgery for the treatment of malunited ankle fracture.

Methods

Thirty‐three patients with malunited fractures of the ankle who underwent reconstructive surgery at our hospital from January 2010 to January 2014 were reviewed. The tibial anterior surface angle (TAS), the tibiotalar tilt angle (TTA), the malleolar angle (MA), and the tibial lateral surface angle (TLS) were measured. Clinical assessment was performed with use of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and the osteoarthritis stage was determined radiographically with the modified Takakura classification system. The Wilcoxon matched‐pairs test was used to analyze the difference between the preoperative and the postoperative data.

Results

The mean follow‐up was 36 months (range, 20–60 months). The mean age at the time of realignment surgery was 37.1 years (range, 18–62 years). Compared with preoperation, the TAS at the last follow‐up showed a significant increase (88.50° ± 4.47° vs. 90.80° ± 3.49°, P = 0.0035); similar results were observed in TTA (1.62° ± 1.66° vs. 0.83° ± 0.90°, P < 0.01) and MA (82.30° ± 8.03° vs. 78.70° ± 4.76°, P = 0.005). At the last follow‐up, the mean AOFAS score was significantly increased compared with the score at preoperation (44.5 ± 13.7 vs. 78.0 ± 8.9, P < 0.01). Significant differences in VAS scores were found at the last follow‐up (6.76 ± 1.03 vs. 2.03 ± 1.21, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the Takakura grade between the preoperation and the last follow‐up. One patient had increased talar tilt postsurgery; the postoperative talar tilt angle of this patient was 20°. One patient had progressive ankle osteoarthritis, and was treated by ankle joint distraction.

Conclusions

Realignment surgery for a malunited ankle fracture can reduce pain, improve function, and delay ankle arthrodesis or total ankle replacement. Postoperative large talar tilt and advanced stages of ankle arthritis are the risk factors for the surgery.
On the Inadmissibility of Some Historical Information
Authors: Nissan‐Rozen Ittay
Published: March 2017

I argue—from a Humean perspective—for the falsity of what I call the “Admissibility of Historical Information Thesis” (AHIT). According to the AHIT, propositions that describe past events are always admissible with respect to propositions that describe future events. I first demonstrate that this thesis has some counter‐intuitive implications and argue that a Humean can explain the intuitive attractiveness of the AHIT by arguing that it results from a wrong understanding of the concept of chance. I then demonstrate how a Humean “best system” analysis of chance predicts the existence of inadmissible historical information and discuss the implications of this conclusion to the debate between Humeans and non‐Humeans.
Influence of Secondary Impact on Printed Wiring Assemblies—Part II: Competing Failure Modes in Surface Mount Components
Authors: Meng Jingshi , Dasgupta Abhijit
Published: March 2017

Portable electronic devices are commonly exposed to shock and impact loading due to accidental drops. After external impact, internal collisions (termed “secondary impacts” in this study) between vibrating adjacent subassemblies of a product may occur if design guidelines fail to prevent such events. Secondary impacts can result in short acceleration pulses with much higher amplitudes and higher frequencies than those in conventional board-level drop tests. Thus, such pulses are likely to excite the high-frequency resonances of printed wiring boards (PWBs) (including through-thickness “breathing” modes) and also of miniature structures in assembled surface mount technology (SMT) components. Such resonant effects have a strong potential to damage the component, and therefore should be avoided. When the resonant frequency of a miniature structure (e.g., elements of an SMT microelectromechanical system (MEMS) component) in an SMT assembly is close to a natural frequency of the PWB, an amplified response is expected in the miniature structure. Components which are regarded as reliable under conventional qualification test methods may still pose a failure risk when secondary impact is considered. This paper is the second part of a two-part series exploring the effect of secondary impacts in a printed wiring assembly (PWA). The first paper is this series focused on the breathing mode of vibration generated in a PWB under secondary impact, and this paper focuses on analyzing the effect of such breathing modes on typical failure modes with different resonant frequencies in SMT applications. The results demonstrate distinctly different sensitivity of each failure mode to the impacts.
Secondary Flow Control in Low Aspect Ratio Vanes Using Splitters
Authors: Clark Christopher J. , Pullan Graham , Curtis Eric , Goenaga Frederic
Published: March 2017

Low aspect ratio vanes, often the result of overall engine architecture constraints, create strong secondary flows and high end-wall loss. In this paper, a splitter concept is demonstrated that reduces secondary flow strength and improves stage performance. An analytic conceptual study, corroborated by inviscid computations, shows that the total secondary kinetic energy (SKE) of the secondary flow vortices is reduced when the number of passages is increased and, for a given number of vanes, when the inlet end-wall boundary layer is evenly distributed between the passages. Viscous computations show that, for this to be achieved in a splitter configuration, the pressure-side leg of the low aspect ratio vane horseshoe vortex, must enter the adjacent passage (and not “jump” in front of the splitter leading edge). For a target turbine application, four vane designs were produced using a multi-objective optimization approach. These designs represent current practice for a low aspect ratio vane, a design exempt from thickness constraints, and two designs incorporating splitter vanes. Each geometry is tested experimentally, as a sector, within a low-speed turbine stage. The vane designs with splitter geometries were found to reduce the measured secondary kinetic energy, by up to 85%, to a value similar to the design exempt from thickness constraints. The resulting flow field was also more uniform in both the circumferential and radial directions. One splitter design was selected for a full annulus test where a mixed-out loss reduction, compared to the current practice design, of 15.3% was measured and the stage efficiency increased by 0.88%.
Simulation-Based Unitary Fracking Condition and Multiscale Self-Consistent Fracture Network Formation in Shale
Authors: Zeng Qinglei , Wang Tao , Liu Zhanli , Zhuang Zhuo
Published: March 2017

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) technology in gas or oil shale engineering is highly developed last decades, but the knowledge of the actual fracking process is mostly empirical and makes mechanicians and petroleum engineers wonder: why fracking works? (Bažant et al., 2014, “Why Fracking Works,” ASME J. Appl. Mech., 81(10), p. 101010) Two crucial issues should be considered in order to answer this question, which are fracture propagation condition and multiscale fracture network formation in shale. Multiple clusters of fractures initiate from the horizontal wellbore and several major fractures propagate simultaneously during one fracking stage. The simulation-based unitary fracking condition is proposed in this paper by extended finite element method (XFEM) to drive fracture clusters growing or arresting dominated by inlet fluid flux and stress intensity factors. However, there are millions of smeared fractures in the formation, which compose a multiscale fracture network beyond the computation capacity by XFEM. So, another simulation-based multiscale self-consistent fracture network model is proposed bridging the multiscale smeared fractures. The purpose of this work is to predict pressure on mouth of well or fluid flux in the wellbore based on the required minimum fracture spacing scale, reservoir pressure, and proppant size, as well as other given conditions. Examples are provided to verify the theoretic and numerical models.
Electron extraction electrode for a high-performance electron beam from carbon nanotube cold cathodes
Authors: Kang Jung Su , Park Kyu Chang
Published: March 2017

The effect of an electron extraction electrode on electron emission for a high-performance electron beam was studied using vertically aligned carbon nanotube emitters as a cold cathode. For the lower electron emission regime (anode current less than 1 mA), the gate electrode structure and materials used had little effect on the electron emission current. However, at the higher electron emission regime (anode current higher than 1 mA), the gate electrode materials and structure do begin to deviate from an ideal Fowler–Nordheim plot by the thermal and electrostatic load on the gate electrode, especially for the small cathode area. The gate mesh bends upward under a higher current load, which then increases the gate leakage current. The upward bending in the gate mesh electrode could reduce the effective electric field by increasing the gate to cathode distance, resulting in saturation of the electron emission current. For higher electron emission currents on the anode, a gate electrode comprising a lower thermal expansion coefficient material is suitable for small cathode area electron beams.
The influence of signal type on perceived reverberance
Authors: Teret Elizabeth , Pastore M. Torben , Braasch Jonas
Published: March 2017

Currently, architectural room acoustic metrics make no real distinction between a room impulse response and the auditory system's internal representation of a room. These metrics are generally based on impulse responses, and indirectly assume that the internal representation of the acoustic features of a room is independent of the sound source. However, while a room can be approximated as a linear, time-invariant system, auditory processing is highly non-linear and varies a great deal over time in response to different acoustic inputs. Listeners were presented with various signals (clicks, long-duration noise, music, and speech) convolved with impulse responses consisting of Gaussian noises with different rates of exponential decay. Listeners were asked to adjust the reverberation time of one of the signals to match the other. Analyses of the data show that the source signal has a significant influence on perceived reverberance. Also, listeners were less accurate when matching reverberation times between different signals than they were with identical signals, suggesting that predicting subjective measures of reverberance from room impulse responses faces severe limitations that cannot be neglected. Results further suggest that the auditory system does not have a well-developed temporal representation of the diffuse reverb tail.
Slow Clearance of Norovirus following Infection with Emerging Variants of Genotype GII.4 Strains
Authors: Gustavsson Lars , Nordén Rickard , Westin Johan , Lindh Magnus , Andersson Lars-Magnus
Published: March 2017

The emergence of new norovirus genotype GII.4 strains is associated with widespread norovirus epidemics. Extended periods of viral shedding can contribute to the epidemic potential of norovirus. To describe the duration of viral shedding in infections with novel emerging GII.4 strains versus infections with previously circulating strains, we performed a prospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with norovirus gastroenteritis during separate winter seasons. Rectal swab samples were obtained at the time of inclusion and weekly during follow-ups. The subgenotype strain was determined from capsid sequences. The outcome was defined by the detection of virus for >14 days (slow clearance) or by the detection of negative samples within 14 days (rapid clearance). Two major epidemic GII.4 strains emerged during the study period, GII.4 New Orleans 2009, in 2010, and GII.4 Sydney 2012, in 2012. From these two seasons, sequences were available from 24 cases where the duration of shedding could be determined. The median age of the patients was 83 years and 50% were women. The majority of patients were infected with virus that clustered with the respective season's epidemic strain (
n
= 19), whereas 5 patients had previously circulating strains (3 were Den Haag 2006b, in 2010, and 2 were New Orleans 2009, in 2012). Among the patients infected with an epidemic strain, the proportion who shed virus for >14 days was significantly higher (16/19 [84%] versus 1/5 [20%],
P
= 0.01). In summary, a slow clearance of norovirus from stool was more common in infections with novel epidemic GII.4 strains. This suggests that the average duration of shedding may be longer during seasons when new GII.4 strains have emerged.
Anomalous origin of the circumflex coronary artery presenting with ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest
Authors: Harky Amer , Bashir Mohamad , Garner Megan , Hsia TainYen
Published: March 2017

We report a case of an incidental finding of an anomalous left circumflex coronary artery arising from the right pulmonary artery that effectuated a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest in a woman aged 34 years. This rarity was detected during routine work-up to delineate the cause of this arrhythmia. Our patient had a background of double-outlet right ventricle and a ventricular septal defect, which was repaired with a Dacron patch and a left ventricle patch over to the aorta at age 14 months. Angiographic study at the time of her presentation showed anomalous origin of the left circumflex artery originating from the right pulmonary artery; this was discussed in multispecialty team meeting and surgical intervention was recommended; eventually, surgery was performed with reimplantation of the anomalous circumflex artery into the ascending aorta. We highlight the importance of early angiographic studies in patients with known congenital heart defects and emphasise the optimal strategy of treatment.
Improving prescribing practices with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs): synthesis of 10 studies to explore reasons for variation in malaria RDT uptake and adherence
Authors: Burchett Helen E D , Leurent Baptiste , Baiden Frank , Baltzell Kimberly , Björkman Anders , Bruxvoort Katia , Clarke Siân , DiLiberto Deborah , Elfving Kristina , Goodman Catherine , Hopkins Heidi , Lal Sham , Liverani Marco , Magnussen Pascal , Mårtensson Andreas , Mbacham Wilfred , Mbonye Anthony , Onwujekwe Obinna , Roth Allen Denise , Shakely Delér , Staedke Sarah , Vestergaard Lasse S , Whitty Christopher J M , Wiseman Virginia , Chandler Clare I R
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The overuse of antimalarial drugs is widespread. Effective methods to improve prescribing practice remain unclear. We evaluated the impact of 10 interventions that introduced rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (mRDTs) on the use of tests and adherence to results in different contexts.

Design

A comparative case study approach, analysing variation in outcomes across different settings.

Setting

Studies from the ACT Consortium evaluating mRDTs with a range of supporting interventions in 6 malaria endemic countries. Providers were governmental or non-governmental healthcare workers, private retail sector workers or community volunteers. Each study arm in a distinct setting was considered a case.

Participants

28 cases from 10 studies were included, representing 148 461 patients seeking care for suspected malaria.

Interventions

The interventions included different mRDT training packages, supervision, supplies and community sensitisation.

Outcome measures

Analysis explored variation in: (1) uptake of mRDTs (% febrile patients tested); (2) provider adherence to positive mRDTs (%Plasmodium falciparumpositive prescribed/given Artemisinin Combination Treatment); (3) provider adherence to negative mRDTs (%P. falciparumnegative not prescribed/given antimalarial).

Results

Outcomes varied widely across cases: 12–100% mRDT uptake; 44–98% adherence to positive mRDTs; 27–100% adherence to negative mRDTs. Providers appeared more motivated to perform well when mRDTs and intervention characteristics fitted with their own priorities. Goodness of fit of mRDTs with existing consultation and diagnostic practices appeared crucial to maximising the impact of mRDTs on care, as did prior familiarity with malaria testing; adequate human resources and supplies; possible alternative treatments for mRDT-negative patients; a more directive intervention approach and local preferences for ACTs.

Conclusions

Basic training and resources are essential but insufficient to maximise the potential of mRDTs in many contexts. Programme design should respond to assessments of provider priorities, expectations and capacities. As mRDTs become established, the intensity of supporting interventions required seems likely to reduce.
Predicting AKI in emergency admissions: an external validation study of the acute kidney injury prediction score (APS)
Authors: Hodgson L E , Dimitrov B D , Roderick P J , Venn R , Forni L G
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI) is associated with a high risk of mortality. Prediction models or rules may identify those most at risk of HA-AKI. This study externally validated one of the few clinical prediction rules (CPRs) derived in a general medicine cohort using clinical information and data from an acute hospitals electronic system on admission: the acute kidney injury prediction score (APS).

Design, setting and participants

External validation in a single UK non-specialist acute hospital (2013–2015, 12 554 episodes); four cohorts: adult medical and general surgical populations, with and without a known preadmission baseline serum creatinine (SCr).

Methods

Performance assessed by discrimination using area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCROC) and calibration.

Results

HA-AKI incidence within 7 days (kidney disease: improving global outcomes (KDIGO) change in SCr) was 8.1% (n=409) of medical patients with known baseline SCr, 6.6% (n=141) in those without a baseline, 4.9% (n=204) in surgical patients with baseline and 4% (n=49) in those without. Across the four cohorts AUCROC were: medical with known baseline 0.65 (95% CIs 0.62 to 0.67) and no baseline 0.71 (0.67 to 0.75), surgical with baseline 0.66 (0.62 to 0.70) and no baseline 0.68 (0.58 to 0.75). For calibration, in medicine and surgical cohorts with baseline SCr, Hosmer-Lemeshow p values were non-significant, suggesting acceptable calibration. In the medical cohort, at a cut-off of five points on the APS to predict HA-AKI, positive predictive value was 16% (13–18%) and negative predictive value 94% (93–94%). Of medical patients with HA-AKI, those with an APS ≥5 had a significantly increased risk of death (28% vs 18%, OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.9), p=0.015).

Conclusions

On external validation the APS on admission shows moderate discrimination and acceptable calibration to predict HA-AKI and may be useful as a severity marker when HA-AKI occurs. Harnessing linked data from primary care may be one way to achieve more accurate risk prediction.
Pattern, correlates and implications of non-communicable disease multimorbidity among older adults in selected Indian states: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mini G K , Thankappan K R
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The objective of the present study was to estimate the proportion of older adults with non-communicable disease (NCD) multimorbidity, its correlates and implications in selected Indian states.

Methods

The study used data of 9852 older adults (≥60 years) (men 47%, mean age 68 years) collected by the United Nations Population Fund from seven selected Indian states. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlates of NCD multimorbidity and hospitalisation.

Results

NCD multimorbidity was reported by 30.7% (95% CI 29.8 to 31.7). Those in the highest wealth group, aged ≥70 years, alcohol users, women and tobacco users were more likely to report NCD multimorbidity compared to those without any NCD and single NCD. Those with multimorbidity, the wealthiest, ever tobacco users and those who had formal education were more likely to be hospitalised compared to their counterparts after adjusting for age, sex and ever use of alcohol.

Conclusions

Multimorbidity needs to be considered for planning NCD healthcare services provision particularly inpatient facilities focusing on alcohol users, tobacco users and women. Further studies are required to find out reasons for higher rates of multimorbidity among the wealthier group other than higher healthcare services usage and detection rates.