bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiences That Predict Early Career Teacher Commitment to and Retention in High-Poverty Urban Schools
Authors: Whipp Joan L. , Geronime Lara
Published: April 2015

Correlation analysis was used to analyze what experiences before and during teacher preparation for 72 graduates of an urban teacher education program were associated with urban commitment, first job location, and retention in urban schools for 3 or more years. Binary logistic regression was then used to analyze whether urban K-12 schooling, volunteer service, and student teaching in a high-poverty urban school predicted urban commitment, employment, and retention for at least 3 years in an urban school. The regressions revealed that all three factors predicted strong urban commitment and that urban commitment strongly predicted first job location and retention.
Hukou-based labour market discrimination and ownership structure in urban China
Authors: Song Yang
Published: April 2015

This paper utilises a 2008 survey on the wave of rural–urban migration in China to provide new empirical evidence on labour market discrimination against rural-to-urban migrants with rural hukou in two ownership sectors within urban China: state-owned enterprises and private firms. By employing a double-selectivity approach, this study shows that the high-wage state-owned enterprise sector is more discriminatory than the private sector against rural hukou holders in urban China. Furthermore, the results from quantile regressions and the wage decomposition inform us that the hukou-based wage discrimination is mainly against middle- and high-wage workers, especially in state-owned enterprises. Moreover, in terms of the magnitude of discrimination, female workers suffer more discrimination than male workers in state-owned enterprises.
The Longitudinal Effect of Drug Use on Productivity Status of Nonmetropolitan African American Young Adults
Authors: Roldós María Isabel
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal effect of marijuana and heavy alcohol use on the productivity status of nonmetropolitan African American young adults. This analysis was based on secondary data from the Family and Community Health Study. For alcohol, the study evaluated the effects on productivity status for individuals with heavy alcohol use trajectories from adolescence into young adulthood while marijuana effects were evaluated during the period when adolescents are more likely to have initiated usage (14–16 years of age). Productivity status was measured when study participants were between 18 and 21 years, for both alcohol and marijuana. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to test the association between subjects’ drug use and productivity. Bivariate analysis of the effects of marijuana use indicate that marijuana users by age 16 are 35% less likely to be productive at age 21 than those who have not initiated marijuana use ( p < .005). After controlling for individual, community, and family factors, the multivariate logistic models for alcohol and marijuana use suggest that early adolescence drug use (marijuana and heavy alcohol use) do not have an impact on productivity status during early adulthood. Analyzing and understanding the different drug use trajectories in relation to a productivity outcome is important for policies and research geared to preventing drug use and in identifying its relation with micro- and macro-level labor market outcomes.
Emotional Self-Efficacy and Alcohol and Tobacco Use in Adolescents
Authors: Zullig Keith J. , Teoli Dac A. , Valois Robert F.
Published: April 2015

This study examined relationships between emotional self-efficacy (ESE) and alcohol and tobacco use in a statewide sample of public high school adolescents ( n = 2,566). The Center for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Survey and an adolescent ESE scale were utilized. Logistic regression analyses indicated the presence of any significant race by gender associations between lower ESE and alcohol and tobacco use. Results suggest that alcohol and cigarette use was significantly associated ( p ≤ .05) with lower levels of ESE for certain race/gender groups. Results have implications for school- and community-based mental health services and substance use prevention/education programs for adolescents. Measures of ESE as a component of comprehensive assessments of adolescent mental health in fieldwork, research, and substance abuse prevention/education program evaluation efforts should be considered.
Alcohol Outlet Density, Drinking Contexts and Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Cunradi Carol B. , Mair Christina , Todd Michael
Published: April 2015

Alcohol use is a robust predictor of intimate partner violence (IPV). A critical barrier to progress in preventing alcohol-related IPV is that little is known about how an individual’s specific drinking contexts (where, how often, and with whom one drinks) are related to IPV, or how these contexts are affected by environmental characteristics, such as alcohol outlet density and neighborhood disadvantage. The putative mechanism is the social environment in which drinking occurs that may promote or strengthen aggressive norms. Once these contexts are known, specific prevention measures can be put in place, including policy-oriented (e.g., regulating outlet density) and individually oriented (e.g., brief interventions to reduce risk for spousal aggression) measures targeting at-risk populations. This paper reviews applicable theories and empirical research evidence that links IPV to drinking contexts and alcohol outlet density, highlights research gaps, and makes recommendations for future research.
The Effects of Anti-Immigrant Right-Wing Populist Ads on Implicit and Explicit Attitudes: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Matthes Jörg , Schmuck Desirée
Published: April 2015

Across Europe, the use of negative portrayals of immigrants in populist political advertising has dramatically increased. An experimental study tested the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions for the effects of such ads on explicit and implicit attitudes toward foreigners. Findings revealed that populist ads strengthened intergroup anxiety and negative stereotypes for voters with lower educational degrees. This, in turn, led to more negative explicit attitudes. However, we observed stronger effects of populist ads on implicit attitudes for individuals with higher educational degrees. The necessity of including explicit as well as implicit measures in political communication research is discussed.
A multi-model fusion soft sensor modelling method and its application in rotary kiln calcination zone temperature prediction
Authors: Zhongda Tian , Shujiang Li , Yanhong Wang , Xiangdong Wang
Published: April 2015

A soft sensor is necessary for industrial process control and analysis, and the core problem is how to construct an appropriate model having a fast convergence speed and a good generalization performance. A multi-model fusion soft sensor modelling method is proposed. Firstly, kernel principal component analysis is applied to choose the non-linear principal component of the model input data space, and then the least-squares support vector machine applied to regression modelling, which could not only reduce the complexity of the calculation but improve the generalization ability. For a least-squares support vector machine, prediction model parameters are difficult to determine; an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed to optimize the least-squares support vector machine prediction model parameters, and prediction accuracy is improved. The calcination zone temperature of a rotary kiln is chosen as a simulation object because it is difficult to measure directly. Simulation results indicate the proposed soft sensor modelling method has a high learning speed, good approximation and generalization ability, and proved an efficient modelling method.
Creation and application of voxelised dosimetric models, and a comparison with the current methodology as used for the International Commission on Radiological Protection’s Reference Animals and Plants
Authors: Higley K. , Ruedig E. , Gomez-Fernandez M. , Caffrey E. , Jia J. , Comolli M. , Hess C.
Published: April 2015

Over the past decade, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has developed a comprehensive approach to environmental protection that includes the use of Reference Animals and Plants (RAPs) to assess radiological impacts on the environment. For the purposes of calculating radiation dose, the RAPs are approximated as simple shapes that contain homogeneous distributions of radionuclides. As uncertainties in environmental dose effects are larger than uncertainties in radiation dose calculation, some have argued against more realistic dose calculation methodologies. However, due to the complexity of organism morphology, internal structure, and density, dose rates calculated via a homogenous model may be too simplistic. The purpose of this study is to examine the benefits of a voxelised phantom compared with simple shapes for organism modelling. Both methods typically use Monte Carlo methods to calculate absorbed dose, but voxelised modelling uses an exact three-dimensional replica of an organism with accurate tissue composition and radionuclide source distribution. It is a multi-stage procedure that couples imaging modalities and processing software with Monte Carlo N-Particle. These features increase dosimetric accuracy, and may reduce uncertainty in non-human biota dose–effect studies by providing mechanistic answers regarding where and how population-level dose effects arise.
A Review of Multilevel Regulatory Focus in Organizations
Authors: Johnson Paul D. , Smith Mickey B. , Wallace J. Craig , Hill Aaron D. , Baron Robert A.
Published: April 2015

Over the past 15 years, regulatory focus has gained prominence as a theory of self-regulatory motivation. Building from personality and social psychology research, the nomological network of regulatory focus spans individuals, groups, and organizations. This review provides an appraisal of regulatory focus from a multilevel perspective as it relates to organizational behavior, human resources, strategic management, and entrepreneurship. We begin with a discussion of the theoretical foundations of regulatory focus, including hierarchical motivation and regulatory fit theory. Using these foundations, we summarize empirical research on regulatory focus and provide actionable avenues for future research on regulatory focus, with particular attention paid to how individuals adjust their motivational strategies on the basis of context. We also consider regulatory focus as a collective function of teams to develop our understanding of motivational processes in the workplace.
Transaxillary Thyroidectomies
Authors: Kiong Kimberley Liqin , Iyer N. Gopalakrishna , Skanthakumar Thakshayeni , Ng Jeremy Chung Fai , Tan Ngian Chye , Tay Hin Ngan , Tan Hiang Khoon
Published: April 2015

Objective

Robotic and endoscopic approaches have become more accepted in thyroid surgery, with current literature documenting the experience of high‐volume centers. We adopted both approaches concurrently, and this series presents our initial experience to assess the more practical option for low‐ to moderate‐volume centers starting out with transaxillary thyroidectomies.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary academic center.

Subjects and Methods

Over a period of 4 years, 101 patients underwent transaxillary thyroidectomies, of whom 48 underwent robotic thyroidectomy and 53 underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy. Data analysis includes patient characteristics, procedure time, thyroid pathology, and postoperative complications. A survey was conducted among surgeons to assess the subjective experience.

Results

Endoscopic hemithyroidectomies had a significantly shorter duration of operation (145.8 minutes) vs that of robotic hemithyroidectomies (193.6 minutes), P <. 001. The mean time taken for the first 5 hemithyroidectomies vs the last 5 hemithyroidectomies showed a greater drop in the endoscopic group (49.1%) vs the robotic group (18.6%). There were 2 cases of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. In the surgeon survey, the endoscopic technique was perceived to have less need for peripheral support, while the robotic technique was preferred for its shorter learning curve.

Conclusion

In terms of outcome, both techniques are comparable at least in the initial phase. Based on our early experience, the endoscopic technique may be less intuitive with a longer learning curve, although at steady state, it may be the quicker procedure. This is relevant for low‐ to moderate‐volume centers starting their transaxillary thyroidectomy program.
A Swallow Preservation Protocol Improves Function for Veterans Receiving Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Peng Kevin A. , Kuan Edward C. , Unger Lindsey , Lorentz William C. , Wang Marilene B. , Long Jennifer L.
Published: April 2015

Objective

Determine the efficacy of a swallow preservation protocol (SPP) on maintaining swallow function in patients undergoing chemoradiation (CRT) or radiation therapy alone (RT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Setting

Veterans Affairs medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Patients treated with CRT or RT for HNSCC between February 2006 and November 2013 were studied. Those enrolled in the SPP participated in swallowing, jaw, and tongue exercises during cancer therapy. The comparator group received no swallowing intervention during CRT. A previously described functional outcome swallowing scale (FOSS; 0 = no symptoms and 5 = nonoral feeding for all nutrition) was used to quantify dysphagia prior to and at the completion of cancer therapy, and an analysis was performed to compare swallowing function.

Results

Forty‐one (all male; mean age, 66 years) and 66 patients (all male; mean age, 61 years) were included in the SPP and comparator groups, respectively. In the SPP group, mean pre‐ and posttreatment FOSS scores were 2.2 and 2.2, respectively, while the corresponding scores in the comparator group were 1.8 and 2.7, respectively, with posttreatment FOSS scores being significantly worse than pretreatment FOSS scores in the comparator group only.

Conclusion

Patients enrolled in the SPP demonstrated preserved swallowing function over the course of cancer treatment compared with a comparator group. This confirms the importance of early evaluation and intervention for dysphagia prior to and during CRT or RT alone.
Characterization of Vestibulopathy in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ward Bryan K. , Wenzel Angela , Kalyani Rita R. , Agrawal Yuri , Feng Allen L. , Polydefkis Michael , Ying Howard S. , Schubert Michael C. , Zuniga M. Geraldine , Della Santina Charles C. , Carey John P.
Published: April 2015

Objective

Previous observational studies suggest higher rates of vestibular dysfunction among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) compared with those without diabetes. This study aims to functionally localize vestibular dysfunction in adults with type 2 DM.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Adults 50 years of age and older with ≥10‐year history of type 2 DM were recruited (December 2011–February 2013, n = 25). Vestibular function was assessed by cervical and ocular vestibular‐evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs), testing the saccule and utricle, respectively. Head thrust dynamic visual acuity testing assessed semicircular canal (SCC) function in all canal planes. Results were compared with nondiabetic age‐matched controls (n = 25).

Results

Subjects were 64.7 ± 7.6 years old, were 40% female, and had a mean hemoglobin A1c of 8.3% ± 1.7%. SCC dysfunction was more common than otoconial organ dysfunction, with 70% of subjects with DM demonstrating impaired performance of at least 1 SCC (ΔlogMAR ≥0.18) and 50% demonstrating otoconial organ impairment (absent ocular VEMP and/or cervical VEMP). Adults with type 2 DM had poorer lateral and superior SCC performance (P <. 05) but similar posterior SCC performance compared with controls (P =. 16). Both cervical VEMP peak‐to‐peak amplitude and ocular VEMP n1 amplitude were also decreased with diabetes (P <. 01).

Conclusion

Adults with type 2 DM have poorer performance on tests of vestibular function related to both SCC and otoconial organ function compared with nondiabetic age‐matched adults. Future studies are needed to better understand the relationship between vestibular function and functional disability in persons with diabetes.
An Exchange between Gadamer and Glenn Gould on Hermeneutics and Music
Authors: Hamlin Cynthia Lins
Published: April 2015

This paper explores the meaning of interpretation in the works of Hans-Georg Gadamer and Glenn Gould, the Canadian pianist and intellectual. As a performing art, music illustrates the cognitive and practical dimensions of interpretation. While emphasizing the pre-interpreted character of musical reception and performance, both authors point to the fact that difference, alterity, and negativity lie at the heart of creative interpretation, cultivation and self-knowledge. The notion of ecstasy, understood as a type of self-forgetfulness that represents a radical form of encounter with alterity, provides the basis for a conception of subjectivity as grounded on linguistic, historical and cultural conditions, albeit not reducible to them. I maintain that the notion of ecstatic subjects is a powerful alternative to both the self-centred notion of subjectivity and its anti-humanistic counterpart in accounting for human agency.
Is Stroke Early Supported Discharge still effective in practice? A prospective comparative study
Authors: Fisher Rebecca J , Cobley Christine S , Potgieter Iskra , Moody Amy , Nouri Fiona , Gaynor Catherine , Byrne Adrian , Walker Marion F
Published: April 2015

Objective:

Randomised controlled trials have shown the benefits of Early Supported Discharge (ESD) of stroke survivors. Our aim was to evaluate whether ESD is still beneficial when operating in the complex context of frontline healthcare provision.

Design:

We conducted a cohort study with quasi experimental design. A total of 293 stroke survivors (transfer independently or with assistance of one, identified rehabilitation goals) within two naturally formed groups were recruited from two acute stroke units: ‘ESD’ n=135 and ‘Non ESD’ n=158 and 84 caregivers. The ‘ESD’ group accessed either of two ESD services operating in Nottinghamshire, UK. The ‘Non ESD’ group experienced standard practices for discharge and onward referral. Outcome measures (primary: Barthel Index) were administered at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months.

Results:

The ESD group had a significantly shorter length of hospital stay ( P=0.029) and reported significantly higher levels of satisfaction with services received ( P<0.001). Following adjustment for age differences at baseline, participants in the ESD group ( n=71) had significantly higher odds (compared to the Non ESD group, n=85) of being in the ⩾90 Barthel Index category at 6 weeks (OR = 1.557, 95% CI 2.579 to 8.733), 6 months (OR = 1.541, 95% CI 2.617 to 8.340) and 12 months (OR 0.837, 95% CI 1.306 to 4.087) respectively in relation to baseline. Carers of patients accessing ESD services showed significant improvement in mental health scores ( P<0.01).

Conclusion:

The health benefits of ESD are still evident when evidence based models of these services are implemented in practice.
Burnout, psychological morbidity and use of coping mechanisms among palliative care practitioners: A multi-centre cross-sectional study
Authors: Koh Mervyn Yong Hwang , Chong Poh Heng , Neo Patricia Soek Hui , Ong Yew Jin , Yong Woon Chai , Ong Wah Ying , Shen Mira Li Juan , Hum Allyn Yin Mei
Published: April 2015

Background:

The prevalence of burnout, psychological morbidity and the use of coping mechanisms among palliative care practitioners in Singapore have not been studied.

Aim:

We aimed to study the prevalence of burnout and psychological morbidity among palliative care practitioners in Singapore and its associations with demographic and workplace factors as well as the use of coping mechanisms.

Design:

This was a multi-centre, cross-sectional study of all the palliative care providers within the public healthcare sector in Singapore.

Setting/participants:

The study was conducted in hospital palliative care services, home hospice and inpatient hospices in Singapore. The participants were doctors, nurses and social workers.

Results:

The prevalence of burnout among respondents in our study was 91 of 273 (33.3%) and psychological morbidity was 77 (28.2%). Working >60 h per week was significantly associated with burnout (odds ratio: 9.02, 95% confidence interval: 2.3–35.8, p = 0.002) and psychological morbidity (odds ratio: 7.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.8–28.8, p = 0.005). Home hospice care practitioners (41.5%) were more at risk of developing psychological morbidity compared to hospital-based palliative care (17.5%) or hospice inpatient care (26.0%) ( p = 0.007). Coping mechanisms like physical well-being, clinical variety, setting boundaries, transcendental (meditation and quiet reflection), passion for one’s work, realistic expectations, remembering patients and organisational activities were associated with less burnout.

Conclusion:

Our results reveal that burnout and psychological morbidity are significant in the palliative care community and demonstrate a need to look at managing long working hours and promoting the use of coping mechanisms to reduce burnout and psychological morbidity.
Experiential Learning Projects
Authors: Radford Scott K. , Hunt David M. , Andrus Deborah
Published: April 2015

Marketing managers best equipped to transfer their knowledge across increasingly complex and dynamic market contexts will be those who have learned to frame managerial decisions in terms of the broad moral, political, and social contexts in which those decisions reside. Undergraduate marketing curricula that emphasize the study of micro-marketing topics rather than macromarketing topics have not delivered the critical thinking skills marketing students need to function and adapt to increasingly dynamic business environments. Experiential Learning Theory offers a framework for instructors to design projects that incorporate systems-level perspectives while encouraging rigorous marketing decision-making. We review literature on experiential learning to highlight how aspects of experience-based pedagogy align with the aims of macromarketing education. Then we describe two projects as examples of how experience-based projects teach managerial decision-making and foster understanding of the broader societal role of marketing. We propose using experience-based projects as pedagogical tools that deliver on the field’s commitment to managerial education and restore marketing education to its systems-level roots.
80-kVp CT angiography for endovascular aneurysm repair follow-up with halved contrast medium dose and preserved diagnostic quality
Authors: Lehti Leena , Nyman Ulf , Söderberg Marcus , Björses Katarina , Gottsäter Anders , Wassélius Johan
Published: April 2015

Background

Follow-up of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with life-long computed tomography angiography (CTA) surveillance exposes patients with impaired renal function to repeated risks of contrast medium-induced nephropathy (CIN).

Purpose

To retrospectively compare vascular attenuation, image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), subjective image quality and effective radiation dose (mSv) for CTA with a 16-multirow detector CT (MDCT) equipment at 80 kVp after EVAR using a contrast medium (CM) dose that is half of that used at 120 kVp.

Material and Methods

Forty patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <45 mL/min underwent 80-kVp CTA with 160 mg I/kg, and 40 patients with eGFR ≥45 mL/min 120-kVp CTA with 320 mg I/kg (maximum dose weight, 80 kg). Arterial phase analysis included vascular attenuation, image noise and CNR, and calculated effective dose. Subjective image quality was assessed on a 4-point scale by two blinded readers at three different levels as well as overall.

Results

Median values in the 80/120 kVp cohorts were: age, 74–75 years; body weight, 77/80 kg; BMI 24/27 kg/m2; CM dose, 13/25 gram-iodine; gram-iodine/GFR ratio, 0.35/0.38; mean aortic attenuation, 313/326 HU; image noise, 26/32 HU; CNR 10–11; subjective image quality score, 3.0–3.5 (Reader 1) and 3.0–3.3 (Reader 2); number of non-diagnostic examinations, 0/1; and effective dose, 4.5/5.1 mSv. There was no statistically significant difference in aortic CNR and effective dose between the 80 and 120 kVp cohorts.

Conclusion

80 kVp 16-MDCT with halved CM dose tailored to body weight for CTA follow-up of EVAR may provide satisfactory diagnostic results compared to common standards and be beneficial for patients at risk of CIN, though the present CT equipment may limit the use of the method to patients below 90 kg or with a BMI below 35 kg/m2.
The effect of repetition on preference ratings for select unfamiliar musical examples: Does preference transfer?
Authors: Johnston Rebecca R.
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of repeated exposure to select musical examples on participants’ preference ratings, and to investigate the potential transfer of preference to similar, but unfamiliar musical examples. A pre-test–post-test nonequivalent control group design was used to assess preference ratings before and after a program of repeated exposure. A second post-test was included to assess preference ratings for similar, but unfamiliar examples, in order to examine the possibility of generalized preference transfer. Participants included undergraduate students enrolled in three sections of a music appreciation course at a large university ( n = 174). Data were collected using research designed survey instruments administered during test measures. The treatment group ( n = 96) was exposed to the first set of examples across a 5-week period within which there were 8 test measures. Pre-test to post-test measures resulted in a general positive trend. Post-test ratings were significantly higher than pre-test, and no point of diminishing return was noted. Ratings on the second post-test were significantly higher than pre-test, suggesting a possible transfer of preference within stylistic genre.
Intense piano training on self-efficacy and physiological stress in aging
Authors: Bugos Jennifer A. , Kochar Simran , Maxfield Nathan
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an intense piano training program on general self-efficacy, musical self-efficacy, and physiological stress in older adults. Self-efficacy refers to perceived beliefs regarding the performance of domain-specific tasks or activities, which contribute to psychological and physical health. A key challenge is to identify activities that promote self-efficacy in the aging population. Seventeen healthy community-dwelling older adults (60–85 years) with little to no previous musical training participated in a within subjects experimental design. Measures of self-efficacy and cortisol levels were administered over three time points: an initial pre-testing session, a second pre-testing following a two-week no treatment control period, and a post-testing session upon the completion of piano training. Intense piano training consisted of 30 hours of training (3 hours per day) in which high levels of achievement were required. Results of a three-way Repeated Measures ANOVA over all time points with pairwise comparisons revealed significantly ( p < .05) enhanced musical self-efficacy post-training, F (2, 32) = 11.5, p < .001, d = .79. No significant changes in general self-efficacy or cortisol levels were found. These results suggest that domain-specific self-efficacy may increase as a result of short-term intense music training; however, short-term music training may not be sufficient to transfer to general self-efficacy.
Understanding policy research in liminal spaces: Think tank responses to diverging principles of legitimacy
Authors: McLevey John
Published: April 2015

Research on scientific, social scientific, and technical knowledge is increasingly focused on changes in institutionalized fields, such as the commercialization of university-based knowledge. Much less is known about how organizations produce and promote knowledge in the ‘thick boundaries’ between fields. In this article, I draw on 53 semi-structured interviews with Canadian think-tank executives, researchers, research fellows, and communication officers to understand how think-tank knowledge work is linked to the liminal spaces between institutionalized fields. First, although think-tank knowledge work has a broadly utilitarian epistemic culture, there are important differences between organizations that see intellectual simplicity and political consistency as the most important marker of credibility, versus those that emphasize inconsistency. A second major difference is between think tanks that argue for the separation of research and communication strategies and those that conflate them from beginning to end, arguably subordinating research to demands from more powerful fields. Finally, think tanks display different degrees of instrumentalism toward the public sphere, with some seeking publicity as an end in itself and others using it as a means to influence elite or public opinion. Together, we can see these differences as responses to diverging principles of legitimacy.
The Effectiveness of Aftercare for Juvenile and Young Adult Offenders
Authors: James Chrissy , Asscher Jessica J. , Stams Geert Jan J. M. , van der Laan Peter H.
Published: April 2015

This study examined the New Perspectives Aftercare Program (NPAP) for serious juvenile and young adult offenders in The Netherlands. Participants ( n = 127) were randomly assigned to NPAP ( n = 66) or existing aftercare services (“treatment as usual” [TAU], n = 61). The aim was to determine whether NPAP was effective in decreasing cognitive distortions and criminal thinking patterns and increasing prosocial skills of the juveniles compared with TAU. No direct intervention effects were found on any of the outcome measures. Moderator analyses, however, showed several interaction effects of ethnicity and coping skills for both NPAP and TAU youths. Furthermore, NPAP dropouts displayed significantly more indirect aggression at posttest compared with youths dropping out from TAU. Possible explanations for the mostly null effects are discussed, including implications for further research, policy, and practice.
Reentry Programming for High-Risk Offenders
Authors: Bender Kimberly A. , Cobbina Jennifer E. , McGarrell Edmund F.
Published: April 2015

The mass increase in imprisonment of the last two decades has led to an increasing number of adults released from prison. Scholarly accounts of prisoner reentry have demonstrated that incarcerated individuals face barriers on release from prison and that intervention programs are necessary to assist their transition to the community. Here, we build from the insights of previous research by examining how high-risk offenders perceive a reentry program. Using a qualitative approach, our findings suggest that procedural and substantive justice affect their satisfaction and involvement with the program. This study highlights the importance of providing employment opportunities, social support, and fair and respectful delivery of services to assist incarcerated individuals transitioning to the community.
Adaptation of the Texas Implementation Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder in Adult Female Offenders
Authors: Kamath Jayesh , Wakai Sara , Zhang Wanli , Kesten Karen , Shelton Deborah , Trestman Robert
Published: April 2015

Use of medication algorithms in the correctional setting may facilitate clinical decision making, improve consistency of care, and reduce polypharmacy. The objective of the present study was to evaluate effectiveness of algorithm (Texas Implementation of Medication Algorithm [TIMA])-driven treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) compared with Treatment as Usual (TAU) in the correctional environment. A total of 61 women inmates with BD were randomized to TIMA ( n = 30) or TAU ( n = 31) and treated over a 12-week period. The outcome measures included measures of BD symptoms, comorbid symptomatology, quality of life, and psychotropic medication utilization. In comparison with TAU, TIMA-driven treatment reduced polypharmacy, decreased overall psychotropic medication utilization, and significantly decreased use of specific classes of psychotropic medication (antipsychotics and antidepressants). This pilot study confirmed the feasibility and benefits of algorithm-driven treatment of BD in the correctional setting, primarily by enhancing appropriate use of evidence-based treatment.
Barbara A Kennedy (1972)
Authors: Slattery Michael C.
Published: April 2015

Kennedy's (1972) short, but classic, paper examines the validity of the concept of ‘bankfull’ as the channel-forming discharge and how that may apply to underfit streams. She argues that the 1.5 year recurrence interval equals bankfull assumption is invalid in many settings and leads to unnecessarily complex explanation of underfit meander wavelengths. Kennedy, who passed away in February 2014, is also remembered as a demanding educator who loved geomorphology, but even more so, her students.
Measuring the spatial arrangement of urban vegetation and its impacts on seasonal surface temperatures
Authors: Fan Chao , Myint Soe W. , Zheng Baojuan
Published: April 2015

Urban forestry is an important component of the urban ecosystem that can effectively ameliorate temperatures by providing shade and through evapotranspiration. While it is well known that vegetation abundance is negatively correlated to land surface temperature, the impacts of the spatial arrangement (e.g. clustered or dispersed) of vegetation cover on the urban thermal environment requires further investigation. In this study, we coupled remote sensing techniques with spatial statistics to quantify the configuration of vegetation cover and its variable influences on seasonal surface temperatures in central Phoenix. The objectives of this study are to: (1) determine spatial arrangement of green vegetation cover using continuous spatial autocorrelation indices combined with high-resolution remotely-sensed data; (2) examine the role of grass and trees, especially their spatial patterns on seasonal and diurnal land surface temperatures by controlling the effects of vegetation abundance; (3) investigate the sensitivity of the vegetation–temperature relationship at varying geographical scales. The spatial pattern of urban vegetation was measured using a local spatial autocorrelation index—the local Moran’s Iv. Results show that clustered or less fragmented patterns of green vegetation lower surface temperature more effectively than dispersed patterns. The relationships between the local Moran’s Iv and surface temperature are evidenced to be strongest during summer daytime and lowest during winter nighttime. Results of multiple regression analyses demonstrate significant impacts of spatial arrangement of vegetation on seasonal surface temperatures. Our analyses of vegetation spatial patterns at varying geographical scales suggest that an area extent of ˜200 m is optimal for examining the vegetation–temperature relationship. We provide a methodological framework to quantify the spatial pattern of urban features and to examine their impacts on the biophysical characteristics of the urban environment. The insights gained from our study results have significant implications for sustainable urban development and resource management.
A new test for determining fracture toughness in plane stress in mode II
Authors: Kerim Isik , Silva Maria Beatriz , Atkins AG , Tekkaya AE , Martins Paulo AF
Published: April 2015

This article presents a new experimental test for determining fracture toughness, in plane stress, in crack opening mode II based on the utilization of double-notched circular test specimens loaded in plane torsion. The proposed methodology for determining fracture toughness involves characterization of the evolution of torque with the degree of rotation for a number of test cases performed with specimens having different lengths of the ligaments between the notches. The work is supported by measurement of the in-plane and gauge length strains in aluminium AA1050-H111, and the overall experimental results show that the new proposed test provides an easy and effective way of evaluating the ability of a sheet metal to resist cracking under in-plane shear loading conditions.
Changes in Involved and Uninvolved Limb Function During Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Rohman Eric , Steubs J. Tyler , Tompkins Marc
Published: April 2015

Background:

Functional testing is used to assess anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction rehabilitation, with the goal of symmetric ability. The pattern of change in the uninvolved limb’s function during rehabilitation is not established.

Hypotheses:

(1) Involved and uninvolved limb ability increases during rehabilitation, but the uninvolved limb ability increases to a lesser degree. (2) Hop tests will show larger initial asymmetry and will improve the most with rehabilitation.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

This was a retrospective case series of 122 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction at our ambulatory surgery center and received multiple postoperative Standard Functional Tests (SFTs) between October 2009 and October 2013. Ten of the 12 individual tests within the SFT battery were analyzed. The patients’ earliest and latest SFTs were compared for changes in Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) and absolute function in each limb. We also analyzed the subgroup with SFTs (n = 38) at both 4 and 6 months postoperatively.

Results:

In all patients with multiple SFTs, involved limb performance increased in all tests except eyes-closed stork. Uninvolved limb performance increased in 4 SFT component tests and decreased in none. LSI significantly improved in 6 tests, all of which also showed involved limb improvement that was significant. Of these 6 tests, 5 showed initial LSI below 90%: single-leg squat, retro step-up, single-leg hop, crossover triple hop, and timed hop. Retro step-up and single-leg hop showed LSI improvements greater than 10 percentage points. In patients with 4- and 6-month data, involved limb performance increased in all tests except single-leg triple hop. Uninvolved limb performance increased in 5 SFT component tests and decreased in none. LSI significantly improved in 4 tests, all of which had initial LSI below 90%, and showed involved limb improvement that was significant. Retro step-up, single-leg hop, and crossover triple hop showed LSI improvements greater than 10 percentage points.

Conclusion:

During ACL reconstruction rehabilitation, LSI improvements indicated absolute increases in involved limb ability and were not attributable to uninvolved limb deterioration. The single-leg squat, retro step-up, single-leg hop, crossover triple hop, and timed hop are suggested as highly useful tests, since all showed initial LSI below 90%, with significant LSI improvement after rehabilitation.
The Prevalence of Radiographic Findings of Structural Hip Deformities in Female Collegiate Athletes
Authors: Kapron Ashley L. , Peters Christopher L. , Aoki Stephen K. , Beckmann James T. , Erickson Jill A. , Anderson Mike B. , Pelt Christopher E.
Published: April 2015

Background:

Structural deformities of the hip, including femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and acetabular dysplasia, often limit athletic activity. Previous studies have reported an increased prevalence of radiographic cam FAI in male athletes, but data on the prevalence of structural hip deformities in female athletes are lacking.

Purpose:

(1) To quantify the prevalence of radiographic FAI deformities and acetabular dysplasia in female collegiate athletes from 3 sports: volleyball, soccer, and track and field. (2) To identify possible relationships between radiographic measures of hip morphologic characteristics and physical examination findings.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Anteroposterior (AP) pelvis and frog-leg lateral radiographs were obtained from 63 female athletes participating in Division I collegiate volleyball, soccer, and track and field. Lateral center edge angle (LCEA) and acetabular index were measured on AP films. Alpha angle and head-neck offset were measured on frog-leg lateral films. Pain during the supine impingement examination and hip rotation at 90° of flexion were recorded. Random-effects linear regression was used for group comparisons and correlation analyses to account for the lack of independence of observations made on left and right hips.

Results:

Radiographic cam deformity (alpha angle >50° and/or head-neck offset <8 mm) was found in 48% (61/126) of hips. Radiographic pincer deformity (LCEA >40°) was noted in only 1% (1/126) of hips. No hips had radiographic mixed FAI (at least 1 of the 2 cam criteria and LCEA >40°). Twenty-one percent (26/126) of hips had an LCEA <20°, indicative of acetabular dysplasia, and an additional 46% (58/126) of hips had borderline dysplasia (LCEA ≥20° and ≤25°). Track and field athletes had significantly increased alpha angles (48.2° ± 7.1°) compared with the soccer players (40.0° ± 6.8°; P < .001) and volleyball players (39.1° ± 5.9°; P < .001). There was no significant difference in the LCEA (all P > .914) or the prevalence of dysplasia (LCEA <20°) between teams (all P > .551). There were no significant correlations between the radiographic measures and internal rotation (all P > .077). There were no significant differences (all P > .089) in radiographic measures between hips that were painful (n = 26) during the impingement examination and those that were not.

Conclusion:

These female athletes had a lower prevalence of radiographic FAI deformities compared with previously reported values for male athletes and a higher prevalence of acetabular dysplasia than reported for women in previous studies.
Alterations in Knee Kinematics After Partial Medial Meniscectomy Are Activity Dependent
Authors: Edd Shannon N. , Netravali Nathan A. , Favre Julien , Giori Nicholas J. , Andriacchi Thomas P.
Published: April 2015

Background:

Alterations in knee kinematics after partial meniscectomy have been linked to the increased risk of osteoarthritis in this population. Understanding differences in kinematics during static versus dynamic activities of increased demand can provide important information regarding the possible underlying mechanisms of these alterations.

Hypothesis:

Differences in the following 2 kinematics measures will increase with activity demand: (1) the offset toward external tibial rotation for the meniscectomized limb compared with the contralateral limb during stance and (2) the difference in knee flexion angle at initial foot contact between the meniscectomized and contralateral limbs.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

This study compared side-to-side differences in knee flexion and rotation angles during static and dynamic activities. Thirteen patients (2 female) were tested in a motion capture laboratory at 6 ± 2 months after unilateral, arthroscopic, partial medial meniscectomy during a static reference pose and during 3 dynamic activities: walking, stair ascent, and stair descent.

Results:

The meniscectomized limb demonstrated more external tibial rotation compared with the contralateral limb during dynamic activities, and there was a trend that this offset increased with activity demand (repeated-measures analysis of variance [ANOVA] for activity, P = .07; mean limb difference: static pose, –0.1° ± 3.3°, P = .5; walking, 1.2° ± 3.8°, P = .1; stair ascent, 2.0° ± 3.2°, P = .02; stair descent, 3.0° ± 3.5°, P = .005). Similarly, the meniscectomized knee was more flexed at initial contact than the contralateral limb during dynamic activities (repeated-measures ANOVA for activity P = .006; mean limb difference: reference pose, 1.0° ± 2.5°, P = .09; walking, 2.0° ± 3.9°, P = .05; stair ascent, 5.9° ± 5.3°, P = .009; stair descent, 3.5° ± 4.0°, P = .004).

Conclusion:

These results suggest both a structural element and a potential muscular element for the differences in kinematics after partial medial meniscectomy and highlight the importance of challenging the knee with activities of increased demands to detect differences in kinematics from the contralateral limb.

Clinical Relevance:

With further investigation, these findings could help guide clinical rehabilitation of patients with torn meniscus tissue, especially in the context of the patients’ increased risk of joint degeneration.
The assessment of sewage sludge gasification by-products toxicity by ecotoxicologial test
Authors: Werle Sebastian , Dudziak Mariusz
Published: April 2015

The process of gasification of sewage sludge generates by-products, which may be contaminated with toxic and hazardous substances, both organic and inorganic. It is therefore important to assess the environmental risk associated with this type of waste. The feasibility of using an ecotoxicological tests for this purpose was determined in the presented study. The applied tests contained indicator organisms belonging to various biological groups (bacteria, crustaceans, plants). The subject of the study were solid (ash, char) and liquid (tar) by-products generated during gasification (in a fixed bed reactor) of dried sewage sludge from various wastewater treatment systems. The tested samples were classified based on their toxic effect. The sensitivity of the indicator organisms to the tested material was determined. In-house procedures for the preparation for toxicity analysis of both sewage sludge and by-products generated during the gasification were presented. The scope of work also included the determination of the effect of selected process parameters (temperature, amount of gasifying agent) on the toxicity of gasification by-products depending on the sewage sludge source. It was shown that both the type of sewage sludge and the parameters of the gasification process affects the toxicity of the by-products of gasification. However, the results of toxicity studies also depend on the type of ecotoxicological test used, which is associated with a different sensitivity of the indicator organisms. Nevertheless, it may be concluded that the by-products formed during the gasification of the low toxicity sewage sludge can be regarded as non-toxic or low toxic. However, the results analysis of the gasification of the toxic sludge were not conclusive, which leads to further research needs in this area.
Effets du cadrage du message sur les intentions en faveur du frottis : une modération par l’objectif du comportement recommandé, médiatisée par la valence de l’imagerie mentale
Authors: Balbo Laurie , Gavard-Perret Marie-Laure
Published: April 2015

Cette recherche expérimentale étudie d’une manière nouvelle l’effet du cadrage du message (gains vs pertes) d’une communication de santé visant à promouvoir le frottis gynécologique sur les intentions comportementales, en envisageant une modération par l’objectif du comportement recommandé (prévention vs dépistage), médiatisée par la valence (positive vs négative) des images mentales. L’expérimentation menée sur 271 femmes montre que le cadrage du message a des effets sur les intentions comportementales uniquement lorsque le comportement recommandé est un comportement de dépistage. Ces effets sont expliqués par la valence des images mentales visuelles. Les résultats obtenus sont discutés et des pistes de recherche proposées, notamment à partir des limites constatées.