bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desistance From Crime Without Reintegration
Authors: Lussier Patrick , McCuish Evan
Published: September 2016

Criminological theories suggest that desistance from crime cannot be considered outside its social context. Few studies, however, have examined the social context and its importance for individuals convicted of a sex offense. Their unique experience during community reentry warrants specific attention to this group. Using prospective longitudinal data, the current study examined desistance from general offending in a sample of 500 adult males convicted of at least one sex offense. Cox proportional hazards models showed that, although desistance is associated with the presence of prosocial social influences, these differences disappeared after controlling for prior involvement in crime and delinquency. Employment and marital status, commonly described as key turning points, were not found to be significant factors associated with desistance. Of importance, aging and the absence of recent substance abuse issues were key factors associated with desistance. Although these findings warrant further investigation, the study suggests that, for some men, desistance may occur in spite of the absence of community reintegration.
Are policy failures mobile? An investigation of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Program in the State of Victoria, Australia
Authors: Lovell Heather
Published: September 2016

This article is about a case of policy failure and negative lesson drawing, namely the implementation of a mandatory smart metering programme – the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Program – in the State of Victoria, Australia, in the period 2009–2013. The article explores the framing of policy failure, and the ways in which failed polices might be mobile. The Advanced Metering Infrastructure Program provides an important empirical counterbalance to existing scholarship on policy learning, transfer and mobility, which is for the most part about positive best practice case studies, emulation and the travelling of ‘fast’ and (by implication) successful policy. There is evidence that the Victorian Advanced Metering Infrastructure Program circulated domestically within Australia and was influential in policy decision making, but that its international mobility was limited. The case is used to explore what gets left behind – or is immobile – in the telling of policy stories about failure. Science and Technology Studies scholarship on the inherent fragility of sociotechnical networks is drawn upon to consider how the concept of assemblage – a popular conceptual lens within policy mobility scholarship – might be applied to better understand instances of policy failure.
A White Linen Hall for Newry or Belfast?
Authors: Collins Brenda , Parkhill Trevor , Roebuck Peter
Published: September 2016

The prodigious growth of the industrialised linen industry associated with nineteenth-century Belfast developed from an earlier framework of eighteenth-century domestic production. This study outlines the vigorous competition in the 1780s between the linen drapers of Newry and Belfast to establish White Linen Halls where they sold the linen they had bought from domestic weavers in local linen markets. Each town offered specific advantages; however, the industry was transformed in the 1820s with the introduction of mechanised ‘wet’ spinning in Belfast and the commercial competition between the two White Linen Halls abated, leaving only the name as testimony to their once important role.
Effects of a Group-Based Behavioral Intervention on Dietary Behaviors in Older Adults
Authors: Schlaff Rebecca A. , Baruth Meghan , Adams Valerie J. , Goldufsky Tatum M. , Peters Nathan A. , Kerr Graceson , Boggs Ashley , Ewald Ashley
Published: September 2016

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of a 12-week, behavioral nutrition intervention on dietary behaviors. Method: Inactive older adults ( N = 50) were randomized to a 12-week, behavioral nutrition or physical activity intervention, delivered in a group-based format. Questionnaires assessed fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, and fat- and fiber-related behaviors at baseline and postintervention. Height and weight were measured. Repeated-measures ANOVAs examined changes in dietary behaviors over time between groups, controlling for age, gender, and education. Results: Participants averaged 64.1 ± 8.4 years of age and had a body mass index (BMI) of 33.3 ± 7.5 kg/m2. Group × Time interactions were significant for FV consumption ( p = .003), and fat- ( p = .02) and fiber-related ( p = .008) behaviors at 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, dietary behaviors improved significantly in the nutrition but not in the physical activity group. Effect sizes were medium to large. Discussion: A 12-week, behavioral nutrition intervention improved dietary behaviors. Behavioral interventions may be a low-cost way to improve dietary behaviors among older adults, potentially affecting population health significantly.
The effect of bismaleimide on thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties of allyl-functional bisphthalonitrile/bismaleimide system
Authors: Jiang Mingli , Zou Xingqiang , Huang Yumin , Liu Xiaobo
Published: September 2016

Allyl-functional phthalonitrile (DBPA-Ph) and bismaleimide (BMI) have been considered as advanced composite-matrix resins applied in various fields. In this work, self-promoted polymerization behavior and processability of DBPA-Ph/BMI system were investigated in detail. To further reveal the effect of BMI on the properties of DBPA-Ph/BMI system, the blends and the prepolymers of DBPA-Ph/BMI were prepared in different proportions. Their curing and rheological behaviors were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic rheological analysis. The results further confirmed the possible reaction mechanisms and demonstrated that DBPA-Ph/BMI prepolymers exhibited good processability, which included wide processing window (approximately 75°C), low melting viscosity (<0.2 Pa·s), and better reactivity. The copolymers exhibited satisfactory thermal stabilities ( T5% > 421°C, char yield at 600°C >70%). Moreover, the DBPA-Ph/BMI/glass fiber composite laminates were prepared and the effect of the curing temperature and BMI content on mechanical properties and dielectric properties were also investigated. The results show that the composite laminates exhibit favorable mechanical properties and weak frequency dependence of dielectric properties over a wide frequency range. Above all, the research on DBPA-Ph/BMI system could expand its applications in industry, especially in the areas, which require high temperature resistance and excellent mechanical and dielectric properties.
Multidisciplinary design optimization architecture to concurrent design of satellite systems
Authors: Mohammad Zadeh Parviz , Sadat Shirazi Mohadeseh
Published: September 2016

The design of space systems is a complex and multidisciplinary process with multiple conflicting objectives, large number of design variables, and constraints that limits application of the existing multidisciplinary design optimization architectures to this class of design problems. This paper presents an enhanced multidisciplinary design optimization architecture to concurrent holistic design optimization of a satellite system. The proposed multidisciplinary design optimization architecture extends concepts of multidiscipline feasible and bi-level integrated system synthesis into a unified architecture using metamodels. The proposed architecture was evaluated and compared with the existing multidisciplinary design optimization architectures that include all-at-once, bi-level integrated system synthesis, and multidisciplinary design optimization using a remote sensing small satellite in low earth orbit. The satellite design optimization problem deals with the minimization of the total mass of the satellite, involving disciplines of mission analysis, payload, structures, attitude determination and control, communication, command and data handling, power and thermal. The computational performance and accuracy of the proposed architecture were compared with multidisciplinary design optimization benchmark problems. Then the proposed architecture is successfully applied to the satellite system design problem. The results obtained show that metamodel-based bi-level integrated system synthesis-multidisciplinary design optimization architecture presented in this paper provides an effective way of solving large-scale design problems.
An energy method for flutter analysis of wing using one-way fluid structure coupling
Authors: Zhong Jize , Xu Zili
Published: September 2016

In this paper, an energy method for flutter analysis of wing using one-way fluid structure coupling was developed. To consider the effect of wing vibration, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations based on the arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian coordinates were employed to model the flow. The flow mesh was updated using a fast dynamic mesh technology proposed by our research group. The pressure was calculated by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations through the SIMPLE algorithm with the updated flow mesh. The aerodynamic force for the wing was computed using the pressure on the wing surface. Then the aerodynamic damping of the wing vibration was computed. Finally, the flutter stability for the wing was decided according to whether the aerodynamic damping was positive or not. Considering the first four modes, the aerodynamic damping for wing 445.6 was calculated using the present method. The results show that the aerodynamic damping of the first mode is lower than the aerodynamic damping of higher order modes. The aerodynamic damping increases with the increase of the mode order. The flutter boundary for wing 445.6 was computed using the aerodynamic damping of the first mode in this paper. The calculated flutter boundary is consistent well with the experimental data.
Dynamic soaring of unmanned aerial vehicle within airliner wake vortex in climb regime
Authors: Zikmund Pavel , Matějů Jiří
Published: September 2016

The paper presents an analysis of an unmanned aerial vehicle gliding in an airliner wake vortex using the dynamic soaring principle. The goal of dynamic soaring is an improvement of flight performance of the unmanned aerial vehicle following an airliner. The paper extends previously published results of an airliner–unmanned aerial vehicle climb regime flight formation analysis. Wake vortex model, the unmanned aerial vehicle basic parameters including drag polar and an airliner climb profile are taken from previous research. Dynamic soaring simulation within wake vortex is performed and evaluated. The presented results provide insight into energy balance and controllability of the unmanned aerial vehicle flying in an airliner wake vortex.
Refined zigzag theory for vibration analysis of viscoelastic functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite microplates integrated with piezoelectric layers
Authors: Ghorbanpour Arani A , Mosayyebi M , Kolahdouzan F , Kolahchi R , Jamali M
Published: September 2016

Damped free vibration of carbon nanotube reinforced composite microplate bounded with piezoelectric sensor and actuator layers are investigated in this study. For the mathematical modeling of sandwich structure, the refined zigzag theory is applied. In addition, to present a realistic model, the material properties of system are supposed as viscoelastic based on Kelvin–Voigt model. Distributions of single-walled carbon nanotubes along the thickness direction of the viscoelastic carbon nanotube reinforced composite microplate are considered as four types of functionally graded distribution patterns. The viscoelastic functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite microplate subjected to electromagnetic field is embedded in an orthotropic visco-Pasternak foundation. Hamilton’s principle is employed to establish the equations of motion. In order to calculate the frequency and damping ratio of sandwich plate, boundary condition of plate is assumed as simply-supported and an exact solution is used. The effects of some significant parameters such as damping coefficient of viscoelastic plates, volume fraction of carbon nanotubes, different types of functionally graded distributions of carbon nanotubes, magnetic field, and external voltage on the damped free vibration of system are investigated. Results clarify that considering viscoelastic property for system to achieve accurate results is essential. Furthermore, the effects of volume fraction and distribution type of carbon nanotubes are remarkable on the vibration of sandwich plate. In addition, electric and magnetic fields are considerable parameters to control the behavior of viscoelastic carbon nanotube reinforced composite microplate. It is hoped that the results of this study could be applied in design of nano/micromechanical sensor and actuator systems.
Ahmed Hilmi Pasha (1839–1905): A remarkable Ottoman physician and medical translator
Authors: Tekiner Halil
Published: September 2016

Besides being a founding member of the Ottoman Medical Society (est. 1867) and general director of the Imperial Military and Civil medical schools in Istanbul, Dr Ahmed Hilmi Pasha offered a pathology course for the first time in the Ottoman Empire. He also translated various medical textbooks from French, and he paved the way for using Turkish in Ottoman medical education.
A unified formulation for predictive modeling of guided-ultrasonic wave dispersion curves in metallic and composite materials
Authors: Barazanchy Darun , Giurgiutiu Victor
Published: September 2016

To predict dispersion curves it is common to use different solution approaches depending on the material type, isotropic or composite, of the medium in which the wave propagates. The two different solution methods are defined in different domains, frequency–wavespeed domain for isotropic materials, and wavenumber–wavespeed domain for composites which can lead to difficulties, and unsatisfying results when predicting the dispersion curves for hybrid laminates which contain both isotropic and composite materials. This article, therefore, proposes a unified formulation defined in the wavenumber–wavespeed domain for both isotropic and composite materials. The unified formulation, simple, and mathematically straightforward formulation, utilizes Christoffel’s equation for a lamina to obtain the eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors are then used to set up the field matrix from which the dispersion curves could be retrieved. Once the dispersion curves were obtained the waves are grouped using a modeshape analysis. A spline algorithm is applied to obtain a continuous solution from a rough domain which was used to reduce computational time. In addition, this article highlights the challenges faced in the numerical process, and provides a discussions of the methods used to overcome these obstacles.
Qualitative Methods in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Authors: Vandermause Roxanne , Barg Frances K. , Esmail Laura , Edmundson Lauren , Girard Samantha , Perfetti Ross H.
Published: September 2016

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), created to fund research guided by patients, caregivers, and the broader health care community, offers a new research venue. Many (41 of 50) first funded projects involved qualitative research methods. This study was completed to examine the current state of the science of qualitative methodologies used in PCORI-funded research. Principal investigators participated in phenomenological interviews to learn (a) how do researchers using qualitative methods experience seeking funding for, implementing and disseminating their work; and (b) how may qualitative methods advance the quality and relevance of evidence for patients? Results showed the experience of doing qualitative research in the current research climate as “Being a bona fide qualitative researcher: Staying true to research aims while negotiating challenges,” with overlapping patterns: (a) researching the elemental, (b) expecting surprise, and (c) pushing boundaries. The nature of qualitative work today was explicitly described and is rendered in this article.
Recovery From Heart Attack, Biomedicalization, and the Production of a Contingent Health Citizenship
Authors: Langdridge Darren
Published: September 2016

In this article, I explore the experience of recovery from a heart attack through an analytic autoethnography. I discuss the tensions inherent in biomedical subjectivities of health and ill-health during cardiac recovery through three key themes: (a) the transfer of responsibility and becoming a subject “at risk,” (b) technologies of biomedicine and the disciplining of subjectivities, and (c) the transformation of a body toward a new pharmaceuticalized bodily normal. Through an analysis driven by the biomedicalization thesis of Clarke, alongside work on biopower and the governmentality of health by Foucault, Rose, and Rabinow, I seek to provide new insights into the process of cardiac recovery and the relationship between individual experience and broader socio-political processes. Key to this analysis is a focus on the contingent subjectivities brought into being through biomedicalization that constitute a new form of health citizenship that is otherwise not accounted for in narratives of recovery.
Quality of Transition From Hospital to Home: The Influence of Nurse- and Patient-Reported Readiness
Authors: Wallace Andrea S. , Perkhounkova Yelena , Bohr Nicole L.
Published: September 2016

Identifying those at risk of poor outcomes after hospital discharge is a central focus of health care systems. Our purpose was to better understand whether and how patient- and nurse-assessed readiness for discharge (Pt- and RN-RHDS) is related to patient experiences after discharge. We conducted a prospective survey of 70 Veterans and their assigned nurses on the day of, and again with Veterans 2 weeks after, hospital discharge. The predictive model for post-discharge coping difficulty included educational level ( p = .05) and an interaction between Pt-RHDS ratings and Pt-RN RHDS discordance ( p = .01). The predictive model for patient-reported quality of hospital to home transition experience included Pt-RN RHDS discordance and an interaction between Pt-RHDS and the number of people living with the patient ( p = .05). Our findings demonstrate that agreement between Pt- and RN-RHDS may be an important measure in work aiming to improve patient outcomes post-hospitalization.
Preventing Rater Biases in 360-Degree Feedback by Forcing Choice
Authors: Brown Anna , Inceoglu Ilke , Lin Yin
Published: September 2016

We examined the effects of response biases on 360-degree feedback using a large sample ( N = 4,675) of organizational appraisal data. Sixteen competencies were assessed by peers, bosses, and subordinates of 922 managers as well as self-assessed using the Inventory of Management Competencies (IMC) administered in two formats—Likert scale and multidimensional forced choice. Likert ratings were subject to strong response biases, making even theoretically unrelated competencies correlate highly. Modeling a latent common method factor, which represented nonuniform distortions similar to those of “ideal-employee” factor in both self- and other assessments, improved validity of competency scores as evidenced by meaningful second-order factor structures, better interrater agreement, and better convergent correlations with an external personality measure. Forced-choice rankings modeled with Thurstonian item response theory (IRT) yielded as good construct and convergent validities as the bias-controlled Likert ratings and slightly better rater agreement. We suggest that the mechanism for these enhancements is finer differentiation between behaviors in comparative judgements and advocate the operational use of the multidimensional forced-choice response format as an effective bias prevention method.
Review of Systemic Treatment Options for Adult Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Gooderham Melinda , Lynde Charles W. , Papp Kim , Bourcier Marc , Guenther Lyn , Gulliver Wayne , Hong Chih-ho , Poulin Yves , Sussman Gordon , Vender Ronald
Published: September 2016

Background:

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic inflammatory skin disease resulting from defects in skin barrier and aberrant immune responses. AD significantly affects the quality of life. Not all patients respond to topical therapies, and often systemic therapy is required to control the disease.

Objective:

To review the treatment options for adult AD patients including those options for patients who do not respond adequately or have contraindications to oral systemic therapy.

Methods:

A working group of clinicians with experience managing AD was convened to review the current literature on treatment options for adult AD patients. This review is based on the best available evidence from a published systematic review and an additional literature search.

Results:

Current treatments for AD are reviewed, including options for adult AD patients who do not respond or have contraindications to current systemic therapies. A new approach with targeted therapies is reviewed based on best available evidence.

Conclusion:

Many AD patients respond satisfactorily to topical or systemic treatments, but for those patients who do not respond or have contraindications, new biologic agents appear to be promising therapies.
Perceptions of the heterogeneity of party elites in the United States
Authors: Simas Elizabeth N
Published: September 2016

While it is widely accepted that in the United States, political party labels serve as brand names which cue voters about the beliefs and ideologies of members, I explore the possibility that the signals sent by these labels are contingent upon the party membership of the individual voter. More specifically, I draw on social identity theory and hypothesize that individuals will be more likely to perceive heterogeneity among members of their own party. I find support for this hypothesis in perceptions of both the overall ideologies and voting records of US senators. Additionally, I compare respondent perceptions back to actual voting records and find that inpartisans are (1) only more likely to be correct when senators do in fact vote differently and (2) significantly less likely to be correct when senators vote the same way. These results suggest that the partisan differences uncovered are due to psychological bias and not just informational asymmetries and that biases stemming from group membership may lead to distorted opinions of senators and the representation they provide.
The relationships between the factors affecting perceived service quality, satisfaction and behavioral intentions among theme park visitors
Authors: Başarangil İlke
Published: September 2016

Theme parks have many contributions to their destination, local and regional economies, tourism, etc. If they meet the changing demands of theme park visitors, more satisfied and revisiting visitors are acquired. This study attempted to determine the dimensions that influence theme park visitors’ perceived service quality, satisfaction and behavioral intentions. In this context, this study aims to analyze the dimensions of servicescape and experiential quality and determine the influence of these dimensions on visitors’ service quality perception, satisfaction and behavioral intentions. The data of this study were collected through a questionnaire applied to 301 visitors of a theme park operating in the city of Istanbul. Descriptive statistics and the factor analysis were used for analyzing the data obtained, and path analysis was utilized for testing of the theoretical model. Study results revealed that “communicative staging” was the variable which best represented the dimension of servicescape, while “surprise” was the variable which best represented the dimension of Experiential Quality. There is also a significant relationship between the dimensions of “servicescape” and “experiential quality”, on the one hand, and “perceived service quality”, on the other. Finally, a significant relationship was found among “perceived service quality”, “satisfaction” and “behavioral intentions”. In general, this study contributes to the managers of the tourism and leisure industries.
Baseline-free damage identification of metallic sandwich panels with truss core based on vibration characteristics
Authors: Lu Lingling , Song Hongwei , Yuan Wu , Huang Chenguang
Published: September 2016

A baseline-free damage identification method is proposed to identify damages in metallic sandwich panels with truss core in the article. The method is based on flexibility matrix and gapped smoothing method, with damage index defined DIm. The weight coefficient m is introduced to consider the effect of damages on both low-order modes and high-order modes. Numerical simulations and experiments are conducted to evaluate the present method. Besides, damage index [Formula: see text] is also defined by processing DIm with Teager energy operator, and comparisons between DIm and [Formula: see text] are also carried out. Results show that the proposed method is effective in detecting single damage and multiple damages of the same or different extent. The weight coefficient m plays a very important role in identification of multiple damages of different styles. When comparing with [Formula: see text], it is found that the present index DIm is better at suppressing the singularity caused by contact nodes and detecting of multiple damages which contain small or slight damages.
Interviews With Patients Who Traveled From Macedonia/Kosovo, The Netherlands, and Sweden for Paid Kidney Transplantations
Authors: van Balen L. J. , Ambagtsheer Frederike , Ivanovski N. , Weimar W.
Published: September 2016

Background:

Patients travel worldwide for paid kidney transplants. Although transplantations abroad are not always illegal, they are commonly perceived to be illegal and unethical involving risks.

Aim:

We aimed to describe the motivations and experiences of patients who traveled abroad for paid kidney transplantations and to examine how these transplantations were facilitated.

Methods:

We interviewed 22 patients who traveled from Macedonia/Kosovo, the Netherlands, and Sweden for paid kidney transplantations between years 2000 and 2009.

Results:

Patients traveled because of inadequate transplant activity in their domestic countries and dialysis-related complaints. However, 6 patients underwent preemptive transplantations. Cultural factors such as patients’ affinity with destination countries, feelings of being discriminated against by the health-care system, and family ties also help explain why patients travel abroad. Seven of the 22 patients went to their country of origin. They were able to organize their transplantations by arranging help from family and friends abroad who provided contacts of caregivers there and who helped cover the costs of their transplants. The costs varied from €5000 to €45 000 (US$6800-US$61 200). Seven patients paid the hospital, 5 paid their doctor, 4 paid a broker, and 6 paid their donors.

Conclusion:

Research should include interviews with brokers, transplant professionals, and other facilitators to achieve a full picture of illegally performed transplantations.
Dark Clouds on the Horizon: Neoliberalism in Higher Education
Authors: Barbour Karen Nicole
Published: September 2016

In the face of our current political and economic environment, particularly in the context of education, community, and arts, dark clouds on our horizon have fast become storms, storms raining down on us in the South Pacific with a force and subsequent devastation that is soul destroying. Some days I feel we might be in the eye of the storm and other days a glimmer of light sparkles off the rain from the aspirational agendas of UNESCO. But most days, it is dark clouds and storms. Thundering requests for more evidence, gales of economic cuts poorly disguised as enhancement projects, and rain that no arts educator can withstand alone. Where is the sheltering umbrella for an arts academic in the university? This article is a critical autoethnography of hope embodied, a practice of withdrawing to the shelter in my own skin to survive this storm. Or at least, this article is an attempt to find hope.1
Enteric immunity, the gut microbiome, and sepsis: Rethinking the germ theory of disease
Authors: Cabrera-Perez Javier , Badovinac Vladimir P , Griffith Thomas S
Published: September 2016

Sepsis is a poorly understood syndrome of systemic inflammation responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. The integrity of the gut epithelium and competence of adaptive immune responses are notoriously compromised during sepsis, and the prevalent assumption in the scientific and medical community is that intestinal commensals have a detrimental role in the systemic inflammation and susceptibility to nosocomial infections seen in critically ill, septic patients. However, breakthroughs in the last decade provide strong credence to the idea that our mucosal microbiome plays an essential role in adaptive immunity, where a human host and its prokaryotic colonists seem to exist in a carefully negotiated armistice with compromises and benefits that go both ways. In this review, we re-examine the notion that intestinal contents are the driving force of critical illness. An overview of the interaction between the microbiome and the immune system is provided, with a special focus on the impact of commensals in priming and the careful balance between normal intestinal flora and pathogenic organisms residing in the gut microbiome. Based on the data in hand, we hypothesize that sepsis induces imbalances in microbial populations residing in the gut, along with compromises in epithelial integrity. As a result, normal antigen sampling becomes impaired, and proliferative cues are intermixed with inhibitory signals. This situates the microbiome, the gut, and its complex immune network of cells and bacteria, at the center of aberrant immune responses during and after sepsis.
Comparison of human lung cancer cell radiosensitivity after irradiations with therapeutic protons and carbon ions
Authors: Keta Otilija D , Todorović Danijela V , Bulat Tanja M , Cirrone Pablo GA , Romano Francesco , Cuttone Giacomo , Petrović Ivan M , Ristić Fira Aleksandra M
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of irradiations with the therapeutic proton and carbon ion beams in two non-small cell lung cancers, CRL5876 adenocarcinoma and HTB177 large cell lung carcinoma. The DNA damage response dynamics, cell cycle regulation, and cell death pathway activation were followed. Viability of both cell lines was lower after carbon ions compared to the therapeutic proton irradiations. HTB177 cells showed higher recovery than CRL5876 cells seven days following the treatments, but the survival rates of both cell lines were lower after exposure to carbon ions with respect to therapeutic protons. When analyzing cell cycle distribution of both CRL5876 and HTB177 cells, it was noticed that therapeutic protons predominantly induced G1 arrest, while the cells after carbon ions were arrested in G2/M phase. The results illustrated that differences in the levels of phosphorylated H2AX, a double-strand break marker, exist after therapeutic proton and carbon ion irradiations. We also observed dose- and time-dependent increase in the p53 and p21 levels after applied irradiations. Carbon ions caused larger increase in the quantity of p53 and p21 compared to therapeutic protons. These results suggested that various repair mechanisms were induced in the treated cells. Considering the fact that we have not observed any distinct change in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio following irradiations, it seemed that different types of cell death were involved in the response to the two types of irradiations that were applied.
Hemostatic mechanism underlying microbubble-enhanced non-focused ultrasound in the treatment of a rabbit liver trauma model
Authors: Zhao Da-wei , Tian Meng , Yang Jian-zheng , Du Peng , Bi Jie , Zhu Xinjian , Li Tao
Published: September 2016

The aim of our study was to investigate the hemostatic mechanism underlying microbubble-enhanced non-focused ultrasound treatment of liver trauma. Thirty rabbits with liver trauma were randomly divided into three groups—the microbubble-enhanced ultrasound (MEUS; further subdivided based on exposure intensity into MEUS1 [0.11 W/cm2], MEUS2 [0.55 W/cm2], and MEUS3 [1.1 W/cm2]), ultrasound without microbubbles (US), and microbubbles without ultrasound (MB) groups. The pre- and post-treatment bleeding weight and visual bleeding scores were evaluated. The serum liver enzyme concentrations as well as the blood perfusion level represented by mean peak contrast intensity (PI) ratio in the treatment area were analyzed. The hemostatic mechanism was evaluated by histological and transmission electron microscopic examination of liver tissue samples. The MEUS subgroups 1–3 (grade 0–1, grade 0–2, and grade 1–2, respectively) exhibited significantly lower post-treatment visual bleeding scores than the US and MB groups (both, grade 3–4; all, P < 0.05). Subgroups MEUS1 (0.346 ± 0.345 g) and MEUS2 (2.232 ± 2.256 g) exhibited significantly lower post-treatment bleeding weight than the US and MB groups (5.698 ± 1.938 and 5.688 ± 2.317 g, respectively; all, P < 0.05). Additionally, MEUS subgroups 1–3 exhibited significantly lower post-treatment blood perfusion levels (PI ratios, 0.64 ± 0.085, 0.73 ± 0.045, and 0.84 ± 0.034, respectively) than the US and MB groups (PI ratios, 1.00 ± 0.005 and 0.99 ± 0.005, respectively; all, P < 0.05). In the MEUS group, hepatic cells became edematous and compressed the hepatic sinus and associated blood vessels. However, the serum liver enzyme levels were not significantly altered. Microbubble-enhanced non-focused ultrasound does not significantly affect blood perfusion and liver function and can be used to induce rapid hemostasis in case of liver trauma.
Flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy for the treatment of upper urinary tract calculi in infants
Authors: Li Jun , Xiao Jing , Han Tiandong , Tian Ye , Wang Wenying , Du Yuan
Published: September 2016

We evaluated the clinical value of flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy for the treatment of upper urinary tract calculi in infants. Fifty-five infants with upper urinary tract calculi were included in this study: 41 males and 14 females. Retrograde intrarenal surgery was performed by an 8 Fr/30 cm flexible ureterorenoscope (POLY®) combined with a holmium laser. CT scanning or radiography of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder region was performed one month after the operation to confirm the clearance of calculi. All the 55 infants with calculi in 74 sides underwent 66 flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy procedures. The median operation time was 30 min. The median amount of flushing fluid was 500 mL. The stone-free rate after a single session treatment was 94.6%, within which 10 infants underwent simultaneous bilateral flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy. Catheters were retained in 45 infants for 24–48 h after the operation. Continuous high fever due to reflux was present in two cases. Flushing fluid extravasation was found in one infant. Some patients with minor complications, such as mild hematuria, irritation symptoms, and low fever, recovered without treatment. The duration of hospitalization time after the operation was approximately 1–5 days. Flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy is a safe, highly efficient, minimally invasive, and reproducible operation for removal of upper urinary tract calculi in infants. This technique is a convenient method for postoperative management of patients that enhances their rapid recovery. It is a promising option for therapy of infants ineffectively treated by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.
Exploring the Adoption of Telecommunication Services by Older Adults
Authors: Grego-Nagel Anne C. , Rys Malgorzata J.
Published: September 2016

With the expected growth of the population of Americans over the age of 65, service scientists and designers are developing systems including internet of things systems to assist older adults in remaining independent. Yet little is known about how older adults adopt new services. In this grounded research, the authors explored the adoption of telecommunication services including landlines and mobile services by older adults. This early research suggests that access to other systems, population density and fit with the norms of a social network may be promising factors in future research in telecommunication service adoption. This study addresses the gap that current innovation adoption theory has not adequately explained adoption of service innovations by older adults. Future research opportunities exist for human factors researchers in the area of service adoption by older adults.
Modulation of complex multitask performance by tDCS depends on individual differences in baseline task ability
Authors: Scheldrup Melissa R. , Dwivedy Pritty , Fisher Jennifer , Holmbald Julianne , Greenwood Pamela
Published: September 2016

The ability to multitask is central to many important occupations. Individual differences in multitasking ability have been linked with differential activation within the prefrontal cortex (PFC), but causal evidence is lacking. In this study we applied transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the PFC during performance of the dual-task videogame Warship Commander (WSC). For low performers- cathodal stimulation, regardless of hemisphere, decreased performance in a subtask of WSC during stimulation, with effects persisting 24hours later. Anodal stimulation to right PFC also decreased performance in the same subtask, but this effect was limited to performance during stimulation. Stimulation did not significantly affect performance for high performers. The results of this study are the first to provide causal evidence for differential recruitment of the PFC for low and high performers. These findings indicate the need for assessment of individual differences in development of cognitive interventions and training protocols.
Flight Test Assessments of Pilot Workload, System Usability, and Situation Awareness of Tasar
Authors: Burke Kelly A. , Wing David J. , Haynes Mark
Published: September 2016

Traffic Aware Strategic Aircrew Requests (TASAR) is a NASA-developed on-board automation concept intended to identify trajectory improvement opportunities clear of known traffic, weather, and airspace restrictions prior to the aircrew initiating a trajectory-change request to Air Traffic Control (ATC). The software implementation of the TASAR concept is the Traffic Aware Planner (TAP). A flight trial was conducted with commercial airline pilots flying in a Piaggio Avanti flight test aircraft, with the TAP software installed onboard. This paper focuses on the results of the subjective assessments of pilots collected during this flight trial, specifically, pilot workload, situation awareness, and system usability. These data were subjected to statistical analyses, and the results generally indicate the following: there were no statistical differences for any measure as a function of pilot position in the aircraft; pilot cognitive workload was reported as low; and system usability ratings were reported as high. Generally, ratings of comprehensibility, usefulness, and usability of TAP’s human machine interface (HMI) and features were high. These results will be used to further refine and improve the capabilities and features of the TAP HMI in preparation for operational use with NASA partner airlines.
Cardiac-Activity Measures for Assessing Airport Ramp-Tower Controller’s Workload
Authors: Hayashi Miwa , Dulchinos Victoria L.
Published: September 2016

Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) potentially offer objective, continuous, and non-intrusive measures of human-operator’s mental workload. Such measurement capability is attractive for workload assessment in complex laboratory simulations or safety-critical field testing. The present study compares mean HR and HRV data with self-reported subjective workload ratings collected during a high-fidelity human-in-the-loop simulation of airport ramp traffic control operations, which involve complex cognitive and coordination tasks. Mean HR was found to be weakly sensitive to the workload ratings, while HRV was not sensitive or even contradictory to the assumptions. Until more knowledge on stress response mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system is obtained, it is recommended that these cardiac-activity measures be used with other workload assessment tools, such as subjective measures.
UAS Pilot Evaluations of Suggestive Guidance on Detect-and-Avoid Displays
Authors: Monk Kevin , Roberts Zachary
Published: September 2016

Minimum display requirements for Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) systems are being developed in order to support the expansion of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). The present study examines UAS pilots’ subjective assessments of four DAA display configurations with varying forms of maneuver guidance. For each configuration, pilots rated the intuitiveness of the display and how well it supported their ability to perform the DAA task. Responses revealed a clear preference for the DAA displays that presented suggestive maneuver guidance in the form of “banding” compared to an Information Only display, which lacked any maneuver guidance. Implications on DAA display requirements, as well as the relation between the subjective evaluations and the objective performance data from previous studies are discussed.
Identifying Human-Machine Interaction Problems in Continuous State Data
Authors: Dao Arik-Quang V. , Parkinson James R. , Landry Steven J.
Published: September 2016

A set of studies has been focused on identifying “markers” in aircraft data that are indicative of human factors issues. In this paper we discuss an experiment that investigated if human error is predictable from the error observed from the combined human-machine system. Sixteen pilots flew simulated instrument approaches under varying levels of workload and control augmentation conditions. Operator control lag, gain, delay, and error extent were computed from aircraft lateral path errors. These parameters along with pupil diameter data were analyzed for differences across workload conditions. Main effects for workload were found with respect to all control parameters consistent with the experiment hypotheses, but the effects were very small. Operator delay in responding to errors appeared inversely correlated with workload. Statistically significant differences were also found with respect to error extent ad pupil diameter.
Human Factors Evaluation of Conflict Resolution Advisories for Air Traffic Control in the En Route Domain
Authors: Hah Sehchang , Willems Ben , Mueller Gary , Johnson Daniel R. , Woo Hyun , DiRico John , Hallman Kevin , Schulz Kenneth , Alvidrez Sonia , Meyer Karl A. , Bastholm Robert , Rein Jonathan R. , Terrace Scott
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we report results of a human-in-the-loop simulation experiment that evaluated how Conflict Resolution Advisories (CRA) affected en route air traffic controllers’ performance. Twelve current en route Certified Professional Controllers from Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) participated in the experiment. Results showed that controllers used CRA menus significantly more often than Baseline menus. They also spent more time interacting with the CRA menus than with the Baseline menus. Most of the participants’ subjective ratings favored the CRA, but they also pointed out a few features to be improved.
Terminal Controller Feedback on an Automated Sequencing and Spacing Tool
Authors: McGarry Kathleen , Martin Lynne , Witzberger Kevin
Published: September 2016

As part of the technology transfer of the Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSAS) prototype from NASA to the FAA, a demonstration of TSAS was conducted in May of 2015. Arrival traffic to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) was simulated and was worked by four terminal controllers who had no prior exposure to the TSAS tools. Participants were asked for their opinions on the usability and impact of the TSAS tool elements. They reported that the tool elements were usable and that they used some elements more than others. Scales measuring trust and workload recorded that participants’ trust in TSAS increased over the course of the demonstration and that their perceived workload remained moderate to low even during disturbance events that had been scripted into scenario runs.
An Investigation of Coding Schemes for Sample Entropy Analysis of Communications Data
Authors: Parker Jessica , Best Christopher , Funke Gregory , Strang Adam , Marion Kaye
Published: September 2016

An investigation into the effect of coding scheme choice for sample entropy analysis of communications data is presented. Semantic content and speaker encoding of transmissions are explored. The results suggest a scheme with a greater number of categories will more likely pass surrogate testing, whether through finer distinctions of semantic categorization or through the additions of a speaker-content interaction. The results also suggest the way semantic categories are formed affects how well the scheme permits discrimination between workload conditions with a known effect.
Effects of Touch, Voice, and Multimodal Input on Multiple-UAV Monitoring During Simulated Manned-Unmanned Teaming in a Military Helicopter
Authors: Levulis Samuel J. , Kim So Young , DeLucia Patricia R.
Published: September 2016

A key component of the U.S. Army’s vision for future unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations is to integrate UAVs into manned missions, an effort called manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T; Department of Defense, 2010). One candidate application of MUM-T is to provide the Air Mission Commander (AMC) of a team of Black Hawk helicopters control of multiple UAVs, offering advanced reconnaissance and real-time intelligence of the upcoming flight route and landing zones. One important design decision in the development of a system to support multi-UAV control by an AMC is the selection of the interface used to control the system, for example, through a touchscreen or voice commands. A variety of input methods is feasible from an engineering standpoint, but little is known about the effect of the input interface on AMC performance. The current study evaluated three interface input methods for a MUM-T supervisory control system used by an AMC located in a Black Hawk helicopter. The evaluation was conducted with simulation software developed by General Electric. Eighteen participants supervised a team of two helicopters and three UAVs as they traveled towards a landing zone to deploy ground troops. A primary monitor, located in front of the participant, presented displays used to monitor flight instruments and to supervise the manned and unmanned vehicles that were under the AMC’s control. A secondary monitor, located adjacent to the participant, presented displays used to inspect and classify aerial photographs taken by the UAVs. Participants were responsible for monitoring and responding to instrument warnings, classifying the aerial photographs as either neutral or hostile, and responding to radio communications. We manipulated interface input modality (touch, voice, multimodal) and workload (rate of photographs to classify). Participants completed three blocks of 8.5-minute experimental trials, one for each input modality. Results indicated that touch and multimodal input methods were superior to voice input. Participants were more efficient with touch and multimodal control (compared to voice), evidenced by relatively shorter photograph classification times, a greater percentage of classified photographs, and shorter instrument warning response times. Touch and multimodal input also resulted in a greater percentage of correct responses to communication task queries, lower subjective workload, greater subjective situation awareness, and higher usability ratings. Multimodal input did not result in significant performance advantages compared to touch alone. Designers should carefully consider the performance tradeoffs when selecting from candidate input methods during system development.