bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in Physiotherapy in Multidisciplinary Vocational Rehabilitation: A Case Study of Low Back Pain
Authors: Finger Monika E. , Selb Melissa , De Bie Robert , Escorpizo Reuben
Published: April 2014

Objectives

Multidisciplinary teamwork is increasingly recognized as a critical factor of success in vocational rehabilitation. Although its clinical implementation is still challenging, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) has shown to be a useful framework to facilitate communication between stakeholders, to help structure rehabilitation plans and for setting goals and clarifying team roles. With this in mind, the objective of this teaching case study is to illustrate an application of ICF‐based tools in a multidisciplinary return to work (RTW) program for patients with non‐specific low back pain (NLBP) from the perspective of the physiotherapist.

Participant

The participant is a 42‐year‐old kindergarten teacher, who was on sick leave for 10 weeks due to NLBP.

Methods

This case study describes the use of ICF‐based tools such as the Rehabilitation Management Sheet (RehabManagement‐Sheet) to guide the rehabilitation process and facilitate team‐based and physiotherapist goal setting and documentation in a multidisciplinary RTW program for NLBP.

Results

Utilizing ICF tools, we defined long‐term and short‐term goals, documented improvements in the patient's impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions and formulated action steps.

Conclusion

The use of ICF‐based tools in multidisciplinary rehabilitation allows for a comprehensive assessment, common goal setting and coordinated intervention planning. ICF‐based tools like the RehabManagement‐Sheet support the physiotherapist's role within the rehabilitation team by enhancing transparency in goal setting and intervention planning across disciplines. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of sintered inkjet‐printed silicon nanoparticle thin films for thermoelectric devices
Authors: Drahi Etienne , Gupta Anshul , Blayac Sylvain , Saunier Sébastien , Benaben Patrick
Published: April 2014

Nanostructured silicon‐based materials are good candidates for thermoelectric (TE) devices due to their low thermal conductivity, customizable electrical conductivity, and reduced cost. Generally, nanostructured TE bulk materials are obtained through compaction and sintering at high temperature (>1000 °C) of silicon nanoparticles (NPs). In order to introduce TE generators in flexible electronic devices, development of thin film TE is needed. Inkjet‐printing of silicon NPs‐based ink is an interesting technology for this targeted application due to its low cost and additive process. This paper presents the implementation of inkjet‐printing of a silicon NPs‐based ink toward the fabrication of TE material on flexible substrate and the development of a characterization method for this material. After printing, recovering of electrical properties through sintering is mandatory. Nevertheless, special care must be taken in order to keep thermal conductivity low and reduce the annealing temperature to allow the use of flexible substrates. The functional properties: electrical and thermal (measured by Raman spectroscopy), are studied as a function of the annealing process. Two types of annealing: rapid thermal annealing and microwave annealing, are investigated as well as two atmospheres: inert (N2) and reducing (N2–H2 5%).
Investigation of ISFET device parameters to optimize for impedimetric sensing of cellular adhesion
Authors: Susloparova Anna , Vu Xuan Thang , Koppenhöfer Dieter , Law Jessica Ka‐Yan , Ingebrandt Sven
Published: April 2014

In this study we describe how we were able to use an equivalent‐electrical circuit for the cell–transistor contact to optimize a future chip design for better performance in cell–substrate adhesion experiments. From our simulations we found that higher capacitances of the source and drain contact lines are able to shift the cell adhesion effects to more moderate frequencies in the range of up to 200 kHz. For larger cell–substrate adhesion effects, the transconductance value of the FET devices needs to be increased as well. We used these simulation results to design a new generation of FET devices. These devices were successfully fabricated in our clean room facilities. In electronic cell–substrate adhesion experiments this new generation of devices showed superior performance compared to an earlier version. Most importantly, our new devices have now an almost flat topology enabling future single‐cell migration experiments.

HEK293 cells adhered with a flat morphology to a newly fabricated FET sensor device (scale bar 50 µm)
The change of crystallite sizes and magnetocaloric effect in rapidly quenched dysprosium
Authors: Zvonov A. I. , Pankratov N. Yu. , Karpenkov D. Yu. , Smarzhevskaya A. I. , Karpenkov A. Yu. , Nikitin S. A.
Published: April 2014

Synthesis of nanocrystalline and microcrystalline dysprosium was carried out. Temperature and field dependences of magnetocaloric effect were performed by direct method in field up to 1.2 T and temperature range 80‐190 K. It was found that the nanocrystalline state leads to a significant reduction of the magnetic phase transition temperatures and to a small increase of the maximum value of the magnetocaloric effect in dysprosium. It is associated with the large amount of interface atoms in nanocrystalline Dy ribbons with a lower number of the nearest‐neighbor atoms, causing the magnetic phase transition temperature decrease. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Competition between FFLO and BCS superconducting states in clean asymmetrical ferromagnet‐superconductor structures
Authors: Proshin Yurii N. , Khusainov Marat M. , Minnullin Arthur
Published: April 2014

The theory of proximity effect, based on the boundaryvalue problem for the Eilenberger function in view of the in‐plane Fulde‐Ferrell‐Larkin‐Ovchinnikov (FFLO) states, is proposed for thin asymmetrical structures FS, where F is a ferromagnetic metal and S is a BCS superconductor. The dependencies of critical temperature on an exchange field of the F metal, electronic correlations in the S and F metals, and thicknesses of layers F and S are calculated for four‐layered FS systems and FS superlattices. A proposed classification of states includes up to 8 different states which are characterized by phase shifts between superconducting order parameters for neighboring S(F) layers and mutual orientation of magnetizations in adjacent F layers. For asymmetrical FS systems the solitary reentrant superconductivity is predicted. It is shown that the 2D‐FFLO state prevails over the BCS one on the solitary peaks wings. The real candidate for observing predicted phenomena is Gd/La system, for which we found the sign and value of the constant of electronelectron interaction in gadolinium and explain the experimentally observed absence of the suppression of three dimensional superconductivity for symmetrical Gd/La superlattice. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Substitution effect on the intermolecular halogen and hydrogen bonds of the σ‐bonded fluorinated pyridine···XY/HX complexes (XY = F2, Cl2, ClF; HX = HF, HCl)
Authors: Sladek Vladimir , Punyain Kraiwan , Ilčin Michal , Lukeš Vladimír
Published: April 2014

Optimal structures, electronic and thermodynamic properties of the title complexes are presented. The stability of the hydrogen bonded systems is enhanced by the increasing dipole moments whereas in the halogen bonded systems it is also affected by the atom size in the diatomics. The consecutive addition of fluorine atoms to the pyridine moiety results in the decrease of the interaction energy for both types of the investigated bonds. The substitution on the meta sites in pyridine leads to more stable complexes than the substitution in the ortho position. The role of substitution on electric polarization and electrostatic forces is estimated by the symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory energy decomposition. The predicted Gibbs free energies of the complexes of mono fluorinated pyridines with HCl, HF, and ClF are from −12 to −22 kJ mol−1 at 200 K. The possible experimental identification of the complexes with respect to the vibrational modes is discussed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Connecting micro dynamics and population distributions in system dynamics models
Authors: Fallah‐Fini Saeideh , Rahmandad Hazhir , Chen Hsin‐Jen , Xue Hong , Wang Youfa
Published: April 2014

Researchers use system dynamics models to capture the mean behavior of groups of indistinguishable population elements (e.g. people) aggregated in stock variables. Yet many modeling problems require capturing the heterogeneity across elements with respect to some attribute(s) (e.g. body weight). This paper presents a new method to connect the micro‐level dynamics associated with elements in a population with the macro‐level population distribution along an attribute of interest without the need to explicitly model every element. We apply the proposed method to model the distribution of body mass index and its changes over time in a sample population of American women obtained from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Comparing the results with those obtained from an individual‐based model that captures the same phenomena shows that our proposed method delivers accurate results with less computation than the individual‐based model. Copyright © 2014 System Dynamics Society
Effects of (conductive polypyrrole)‐modified tire dust on the mechanical, electrical, and morphology properties of (low‐density polyethylene)/(tire dust) composites
Authors: Supri A.G. , Rani S.H.A.
Published: April 2014

The effects of conductive polypyrrole (PPy) as a coupling agent on the mechanical properties, morphology, electrical properties, and thermal degradation of (low‐density polyethylene)/(tire dust) (LDPE/TD) composites were studied. LDPE/TD composites with different TD loadings and added PPy were prepared with a Brabender Plasticorder. The LDPE/TDT (treated with PPy) composites showed higher values of tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and swelling resistance than LDPE/TD composites. Scanning electron microscopy morphology revealed that the interfacial adhesion between the TD and LDPE phases was improved by the addition of conductive PPy. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:131–136, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Feral wild boar distribution and perceptions of risk on the central Canadian prairies
Authors: Brook Ryan K. , van Beest Floris M.
Published: April 2014

Feral wild boar (Sus scrofa) are rapidly expanding their distribution and abundance globally and causing considerable socio‐economic impacts. Prior to this study, the spatial distribution of feral boar on the Canada prairies was largely unknown. We surveyed all 296 rural municipalities in Saskatchewan, Canada, to determine the distribution of feral boar in the province and characterize community leader perceptions of risk. Of the respondents, over the past 3 years 48% never saw feral boar, 48% saw them at least occasionally, and 3% responded “I don't know,” indicating a few respondents were not confident in saying feral boar were present or absent. Feral boar were observed across a range of habitats, in all months, and at all times of day. Variables that best predicted the distribution of feral boar included % farmland (β = 6.46), % flaxseed crop (β = −8.63), density of paved roads (β = −1.92), % deciduous forest (β = 5.93), and % mustard seed crop (β = −12.63). Mapping the resource selection probability function (RSPF) across the landscape of rural Saskatchewan predicted 70% of municipalities had RSPF >0.7 (high probability of boar presence) and 12% had RSPF <0.3 (low probability of boar presence). At the scale of the individual municipalities, responses about management actions were positively associated with frequency of feral boar observations, whereas questions about the province as a whole were consistently positive regardless of frequency of feral boar observations. Control efforts in Canada are sporadic and limited in scope and scale, but the current distribution of feral boar in Saskatchewan, in combination with the life‐history strategy of the species, indicates that aggressive and coordinated action is required. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Local Venous Thrombotic Risk of an Expanding Haemostatic Agent Used During Liver Resection
Authors: Cauchy Francois , Gaujoux Sébastien , Ronot Maxime , Fuks David , Dokmak Safi , Sauvanet Alain , Belghiti Jacques
Published: April 2014

Background

For patients undergoing liver resection that leaves an empty intraparenchymal cavity, traditional topical agents might be inadequate to achieve additional hemostasis. A new hemostatic expanding topical foam (BioFoam®) has been designed to provide a mechanical seal. The objective of this study was to report our preliminary results regarding the safety and the efficacy using this foam.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2011, BioFoam® was used to fill a three‐dimensional defect following liver resection in 14 patients. The operative results and postoperative course of these patients were compared to those of 14 matched controls who underwent liver resection but did not receive BioFoam®.

Results

The two groups were similar in terms of demographics, indications for liver resection, type of surgical procedure, and type and duration of clamping. BioFoam® patients experienced significantly less operative blood loss (275 vs. 630 ml, p = 0.032) but similar operative transfusion rates (28.6 vs. 35.7 %, p = 0.686) compared to no‐BioFoam® patients. The postoperative mortality was nil and no patient developed postoperative hemorrhage. While the two groups shared similar overall (64.3 vs. 57.1 %, p = 0.599) and major (28.6 vs. 14.3 %, p = 0.357) complications rates, BioFoam® patients experienced significantly higher major vascular thrombosis compared to no‐BioFoam® patients (29 vs. 0 %, p = 0.04). In the BioFoam® group, major vascular thrombosis was associated with exposure of the vessel along the transection plane.

Conclusion

While the clinical benefit of BioFoam® in high‐risk liver resections leaving a deep parenchymal defect remains to be proven, the associated risk of vascular thrombosis should preclude its use in contact with major veins.
Measuring Relational and Intrapersonal Empowerment: Testing Instrument Validity in a Former Soviet Country with a Secular Muslim Culture
Authors: Cheryomukhin Alexander , Peterson N. Andrew
Published: April 2014

Research and evaluation studies measuring the construct of empowerment within international community development and human rights initiatives are rare due to a lack of validated measures appropriate for the cultural context. This study represents an initial effort to develop and test the Brief Azerbaijani Empowerment Scale (BAES), an instrument designed to assess relational and intrapersonal components of psychological empowerment among adult community residents (n = 350) in Azerbaijan, a former Soviet country with a predominantly Muslim culture. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the underlying dimensionality of the BAES, and path analysis was used to examine relationships between subscales of the BAES and a set of conceptually relevant variables (i.e., alienation, sense of community, and involvement in community organizations). Findings supported the reliability and validity of the BAES, which may be useful to future efforts to develop more comprehensive measures of intrapersonal and relational empowerment. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Effects of Sorbitan Monostearate and Monooleate on the Crystallization and Consistency Behaviors of Cocoa Butter
Authors: Masuchi Monise Helen , Grimaldi Renato , Kieckbusch Theo Guenter
Published: April 2014

The crystallization behavior of cocoa butter (CB) is the essential structuration issue in the development of chocolate products. An alternative to modify and control the crystallization patterns of CB in chocolate production is the incorporation of specific emulsifiers in their formulations. In this work, the effects of sorbitan monostearate (SMS) and sorbitan monooleate (SMO) in the crystallization and consistency behaviors as well as on the microstructure of CB were evaluated. CB samples at three different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 % w/w) of SMS and SMO were prepared and their main physical–chemical attributes determined. CB added with 1.5 % of SMS showed the largest effects with a sharp increase in the onset of the crystallization temperature (from 19.3 to 23.8 °C) and doubling the yield value (consistency) of pure cocoa butter. The classic two‐step isothermal crystallization behavior and morphology of CB were also modified with the addition of SMS. A possible explanation based on the solubility of SMS in an organic medium and its ability of self‐assembling was suggested as a mechanism for SMS performance in CB. SMS was considered as a potential crystal modifier for CB by changing its crystal structure and enhancing its thermal resistance—factors that favor the use of this emulsifier in the production of improved thermally stable chocolates.
Psychosocial impact of cancer cachexia
Authors: Hopkinson Jane B.
Published: April 2014

Background

Cancer cachexia has impact on patients and their family members. Patients experience loss of weight often accompanied by anorexia and other debilitating symptoms that have clinical impact and impact everyday life. The importance of understanding this impact lies in (1) the alleviation of cachexia‐related suffering and (2) its implications for treating cachexia.

Review

Two decades of exploratory investigation of the manifestations, meaning and management of cancer cachexia reveal emotional and social impacts for both patients and their carers. Patients can describe change in appearance and loss of physical strength often accompanied by change in eating habits (amount, type and pattern of food intake). The psychosocial effects can include loss of independence, sense of failure, sense of helplessness, conflict with family members over food, social isolation and thoughts of death. They are effects that can distress. Conversely, weight loss, especially early in its course and for those who are obese, can be perceived as beneficial, which inhibits self‐management of diet and physical activity.

Conclusion

Models of the psychosocial effects of cancer cachexia have been developed, leading to, as yet unproven, propositions of how negative patient and family impacts can be addressed. This literature overlooks the potential importance of psychosocial intervention to emerging multimodal treatments for the multicausal syndrome. Psychosocial intervention in cachexia should be tested for potential to help people affected by cancer cachexia feel better but also for potential to make people better by aiding uptake and compliance with multimodal therapy.
Identifying recreational physical activities associated with muscle quality in men and women aged 50 years and over
Authors: Barbat-Artigas Sébastien , Dupontgand Sophie , Pion Charlotte H. , Feiter-Murphy Yannick , Aubertin-Leheudre Mylène
Published: April 2014

Background

Several studies conducted in a laboratory‐related environment have shown that exercise is associated with increased muscle quality in older adults. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether recreational exercise may also be associated with muscle quality in men and women aged 50 years and over.

Methods

Data are from 312 individuals (215 women) aged 50 years and older. Body composition (dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry) and knee extension strength (KES) of the right leg (one repetition maximum) were assessed. Muscle quality (MQ) (KES/right lower limb lean mass) was calculated. Recreational exercises (duration and weekly amount) were determined by structured interview.

Results

The duration of the period during which participants practiced resistance activities was the only predictor of MQ (p = 0.018) and explained an additional 1.6 % of the variance in MQ, after controlling for age and gender. Furthermore, the weekly amount of practice of aerobic activities significantly interacted with age (p < 0.001) to determine MQ.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that long‐term engagement in resistance exercise is beneficial for muscle quality and should be encouraged. Furthermore, beyond 60 years, aerobic activities also seem to be positively associated with muscle quality.
OPG and PgR show similar cohort specific effects as prognostic factors in ER positive breast cancer
Authors: Sänger Nicole , Ruckhäberle Eugen , Bianchini Giampaolo , Heinrich Tomas , Milde-Langosch Karin , Müller Volkmar , Rody Achim , Solomayer Erich Franz , Fehm Tanja , Holtrich Uwe , Becker Sven , Karn Thomas
Published: April 2014

The RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway is well known for bone destruction in skeletal metastases but has also been implicated in osteoclast‐independent roles in tumorigenesis and de novo metastasis. Experimental data suggest contribution of progesterone to tumorigenesis may be mediated by RANKL. Importantly, modulation of this pathway became possible through the availability of denosumab, an artificial counterpart of OPG, but significant gaps remain in the translation of preclinical findings on the pathway. We analyzed gene expression of RANK, RANKL and OPG from 40 Affymetrix datasets encompassing 4467 primary breast cancers and focused on ER positive disease.

We did not observe a significant prognostic value of RANK and RANKL mRNA expression. In contrast, OPG was associated with a better prognosis among 1941 ER positive cancers (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.53–0.77; P < 0.0001) using a cutoff from its highly bimodal expression. We detected considerable heterogeneity regarding the prognostic value of OPG between different datasets. This heterogeneity could neither be attributed to technical reasons nor to differences in standard clinical parameters or treatments of the cohorts. Interestingly, the prognostic value of the progesterone receptor and of OPG showed similar cohort specific effects. Still both factors were no surrogates for each other but contributed independent prognostic value in multivariate analyses.

Thus, both OPG and PgR are independently associated with good prognosis in ER positive breast cancer. However both markers share common cohort specific differences in contrast to proliferation markers as Ki67 which may be based on the underlying biology.
Risk Communication Recommendations and Implementation During Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Case Study of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic
Authors: Gesser-Edelsburg Anat , Mordini Emilio , James James J. , Greco Donato , Green Manfred S.
Published: April 2014

Objective

To examine their implementation, we analyzed World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines from 2005 to 2008 for risk communication during an emerging infectious disease outbreak, WHO and CDC reports on implementing the guidelines worldwide after the 2009 H1N1 pandemic; and a case study of a member state.

Methods

A qualitative study compared WHO and CDC guidelines from 2005 to 2008 with WHO and CDC reports from 2009 to 2011, documenting their implementation during the H1N1 outbreak and assessed how these guidelines were implemented, based on the reports and Israeli stakeholders (n=70).

Results

Eight risk communication subthemes were identified: trust, empowerment, uncertainty, communicating the vaccine, inclusion, identification of subpopulations and at-risk groups, segmentation, and 2-way communication. The reports and case study disclosed a gap between international guidelines and their local-level implementation. The guidelines were mostly top-down communications, with little consideration for individual member-state implementation. The WHO and CDC recommendations were not always based on formative evaluation studies, which undermined their validity.

Conclusions

In formulating effective communication strategies, the first step is to define the goal of a vaccination program. We recommend implementing conceptual elements from the most current theoretical literature when planning communication strategies and increasing organizational involvement in implementing guidelines in future health crises. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1–12)
What Do Employers Ask for in Advertisements for Special Education Positions?
Authors: Stephenson Jennifer , Carter Mark
Published: April 2014

Although qualified special educators are more likely to provide effective teaching for students with disabilities and special education needs, it seems many teachers in special education and support positions are not qualified for this role. The study reported here provided analysis of 219 job advertisements for special education positions in order to ascertain what employers required of applicants for special education positions. Advertisements represented all states and sectors in Australia, although the sample does not fully reflect the relative numbers of schools in each state. Most positions were for class teachers or for teachers providing support within and across schools. Special education qualifications and experience in special education were not common criteria for employment. The concerns raised by this finding are addressed through suggestions for formal recognition for special educators and accreditation of teacher education programs preparing special educators.
The expression of caused motion by adult Chinese learners of English
Authors: JI YINGLIN , HOHENSTEIN JILL
Published: April 2014

abstract

Although spatial understanding by human beings tends to be universal, the linguistic system to represent one’s spatial experience varies significantly across languages. This study explores implications of this contrast in the field of second language acquisition by examining how adult Chinese learners of English express caused motion in an experimental situation in which they are asked to describe animation clips showing caused motion with varied types of Manner and Path to an imaginary remote addressee. Our findings showed that across proficiencies, L2 learners acclimated to the target system very rapidly and produced responses that were target-like with respect to the selection of motion components and the syntactic means to organize selected information components over an utterance. These results suggest that the acquisition process of caused motion can be facilitated when L1 and L2 share some typological properties and the target system to be acquired is the simple and unambiguous one of the two typological patterns concerned.
Stratigraphy, composition and provenance of argillaceous marls from the Calcare di Base Formation, Rossano Basin (northeastern Calabria)
Authors: PERRI FRANCESCO , DOMINICI ROCCO , CRITELLI SALVATORE
Published: April 2014

The Calcare di Base Formation is a part of the Rossano Basin characterizing the Foreland Basin System of northeastern Calabria. Messinian argillaceous marls from the Calcare di Base Formation have been studied to characterize the sedimentary evolution of this formation during the post-orogenic phases of the Calabria–Peloritani Arc. The mineralogical assemblage of the argillaceous marls is dominated by phyllosilicates (illite, chlorite, illite/smectite mixed layers and traces of kaolinite), carbonate minerals (calcite, aragonite and dolomite), quartz and traces of feldspars (both K-feldspars and plagioclase), gypsum and celestine. The palaeoweathering index records changes at the source, reflecting variations in the tectonic regime as shown in the A–CN–K plot, where the studied samples describe a trend typical of a source area in which active tectonism allows erosion of all zones within weathering profiles developed on source rocks. The studied samples are derived from an environment in which non-steady-state weathering conditions prevailed. This trend could record deformational events that affected the Mediterranean area during the Miocene. The Th/Sc versus Zr/Sc ratios and Al–Zr–Ti plot suggest that the samples likely record a recycling effect from their basement rocks. The geochemical proxies of these samples suggest a provenance from a mainly felsic source. The Messinian argillaceous marls record that deposition probably occurred in a semi-closed marine environment mainly subject to hypersalinity with local episodes of meteoric water influx, during a period characterized by persistent dry and warm/arid conditions alternating with relatively wet conditions.
Geochronology of the Cambrian: a precise Middle Cambrian U–Pb zircon date from the German margin of West Gondwana
Authors: LANDING ED , GEYER GERD , BUCHWALDT ROBERT , BOWRING SAMUEL A.
Published: April 2014

A volcanic tuff 1.0 m above the base of the Triebenreuth Formation in the Franconian Forest provides the first precise and biostratigraphically bracketed date within the traditional Middle Cambrian. The first illustration of fossils from the Triebenreuth Formation in this report and their discussion allow a more highly refined correlation within the Middle Cambrian. A weighted mean206Pb–238U date of 503.14±0.13/0.25/0.59 Ma on zircons from this subaerial pyroclastic tuff was determined by U–Pb chemical abrasion isotope dilution mass spectrometry (CA-TIMS) techniques. Atc. 6.0–7.0 Ma younger than the base of the traditional Middle Cambrian in Avalonia, the new West Gondwanan date from east-central Germany suggests that estimates of 500 Ma for the base of the traditional Upper Cambrian and 497 Ma on the base of the Furongian Series may prove to be too ‘old’. Biostratigraphically well-bracketed dates through most of the Middle Cambrian/Series 3 and below the upper Upper Cambrian/upper Furongian Series do not exist. An earlier determined 494.4±3.8 Ma date from the Southwell Group of Tasmania may actually prove to be a reasonable estimate for the age of the base of the traditional Upper Cambrian. Until high precision dates are determined on the base of the traditional Upper Cambrian and base of the Furongian Series, the rates of biotic replacements and geological developments and the durations of biotic zones in the Middle/Series 3 and Upper Cambrian/Furongian Series remain as ‘best guesses’.
Combined conservation of jack bean and velvet bean with sorghum: evaluation of lab-scale silages and in vitro assessment of their nutritive value
Authors: LIMA-OROZCO R. , VAN DAELE I. , ÁLVAREZ-HERNÁNDEZ U. , FIEVEZ V.
Published: April 2014

The potential of ensiled sorghum–soybean as a ruminant feed has already been demonstrated; however, alternatives for soybean should be considered because other legumes such as jack bean (JB; Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.) and velvet bean (VB; Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC) might produce better yields under tropical conditions. First, the possibility for a qualitative conservation of these legumes in combination with sorghum was studied using lab-scale silages. Furthermore, the potential of additional molasses as a source of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and a microbial inoculant (BIOPRANAL) to improve silage quality were assessed. As sorghum or legume tannins may influence the silage nutritive value, their importance was assessed through the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG), which reduces tannin activity. Therefore, 25 treatments per legume–sorghum combination were created according to a central composite design. An acceptable silage quality was reached when at least half of the fresh biomass consisted of sorghum in combination with at least 15 g of additional WSC/kg fresh material. The nutritive value of mixed silages as well as pure sorghum silage in combination with dry jack beans was determined through in vitro digestibility in the rumen and small intestine. Polyethylene glycol increased the in vitro production of short-chain fatty acids, ammonia (NH3) concentrations and effective rumen dry matter and crude protein degradability for both mixed silages, indicating that tannins reduced rumen degradability. The latter action could be positive as the amount of digestible bypass protein increased when no PEG was added in the silo. Propionate and valerate proportions were increased through PEG addition to sorghum–JB and sorghum–VB silages, respectively, suggesting that the nature of the tannins differ between these legumes.
Investigation of the role of major respiratory viruses in the aetiology of nasal polyps using polymerase chain reaction technique
Authors: Aksoy F , Yenigun A , Dogan R , Yilmaz F , Ozturan O , Yenigun V B
Published: April 2014

Objective:

We aimed to identify the role of major respiratory viruses in the aetiology of human nasal polyps using polymerase chain reaction technique.

Methods:

Thirty patients with nasal polyps and a group of 20 healthy patients (control group) were included in this study. Mucosa was obtained from the polyps of patients with nasal polyposis and from the middle turbinate of the control group patients by means of biopsy. The samples were stored at −80 °C until molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction was carried out.

Results:

In the control group, the human coronavirus and human rhinovirus were diagnosed in one of the patients and the human respiratory syncytial virus in another. In the group with nasal polyposis, the influenza B virus was identified in one of the patients and the human coronavirus in another.

Conclusion:

The results did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between nasal polyposis and respiratory viruses.
Patient and public involvement: in theory and in practice
Authors: Robinson A
Published: April 2014

Background:

You've probably heard of patient and public involvement by now. You may even have ‘involved’ people in your research. But why involve patients, carers and members of the public at all? Is it just another hoop to jump through when preparing a research funding application for submission, or could it actually add something to your research? Could involving patients and members of the public even help you to design and deliver better research, with outcomes focused directly on the needs of your patient group?

Objective:

This article aims to answer some of these questions. It considers the theory underpinning patient and public involvement. This is followed by practical suggestions and advice to help you develop (or further develop if you already involve people!) patient and public involvement within your own research. There is also a case study to illustrate some of the main points, and extracts written by members of Research Design Service North East Consumer Panels.
Does early oral feeding increase the likelihood of salivary fistula after total laryngectomy?
Authors: Sousa A A , Porcaro-Salles J M , Soares J M A , de Moraes G M , Silva G S , Sepulcri R A , Savassi-Rocha P R
Published: April 2014

Objective:

This study compared the incidence of salivary fistula between groups with an early or late reintroduction of oral feeding, and identified the predictive factors for salivary fistula.

Methods:

A randomised trial was performed using 89 patients with larynx or hypopharynx cancer, assigned to 2 groups (early or late). In the early group, oral feeding was started 24 hours after total laryngectomy or total pharyngolaryngectomy, and in the late group, it was started from post-operative day 7 onwards. The occurrence of salivary fistula was evaluated in relation to the following variables: early or late oral feeding, nutritional status, cancer stage, surgery performed, and type of neck dissection.

Results:

The incidence of salivary fistula was 27.3 per cent (n = 12) in the early group and 13.3 per cent (n = 6) in the late group (p = 0.10). The following variables were not statistically significant: nutritional status (p = 0.45); tumour location (p = 0.37); type of surgery (p = 0.91) and type of neck dissection (p = 0.62). A significant difference (p = 0.02) between the free margins and invasive carcinoma was observed.

Conclusion:

The early reintroduction of oral feeding in total laryngectomised patients did not increase the incidence of salivary fistula.
Transnational Learning Networks Amongst Asian Muslims: An Introduction
Authors: JAFFRELOT CHRISTOPHE
Published: April 2014

The students of transnational flows, including James Rosenau,1have pertinently highlighted the growing assertion of ‘sovereign free actors’ at the expense of ‘sovereign bound actors’ in what they call postinternational politics.2Dealing mostly with the end of the Cold War era, they have tended to focus on the increasingly important role of not only the multinational firms but also of the financial companies on newly globalized markets, and not only law-abiding but also illicit traffickers (of drugs, arms etc.) which have prospered along with increasingly more effective means of communication.

They have almost completely ignored the transnationalization of religions, except from the point of view of fundamentalisms and related terrorist networks. Sociologists have paid more attention to this development.3But these studies, which have mostly focused on the impact of migrations,4have tended to under estimate the resilience of state boundaries5and have often neglected the circulation of ideas, especially from the point of view of the learning networks—the very object of this Special Issue which concentrates on one particular creed: Islam.
In vitroinvestigation of the efficacy of novel diamidines againstTrypanosoma cruzi
Authors: TIMM B. L. , DA SILVA P. B. , BATISTA M. M. , FARAHAT A. A. , KUMAR A. , BOYKIN D. W. , SOEIRO M. N. C.
Published: April 2014

Chagas’ disease is a neglected tropical disease caused byTrypanosoma cruziand constitutes a serious public health problem for Latin America. Its unsatisfactory chemotherapy stimulates the search for novel antiparasitic compounds. Amidines and related compounds exhibit well-known activity towards different microbes includingT. cruzi. In this vein, our present aim was to evaluate the biological effect of 10 novel structurally related amidinesin vitroagainst bloodstream and intracellular forms of the parasite as well as their potential toxicity on cardiac cell cultures. Our results show that although active against the extracellular forms, with some of them like DB2247 being 6-fold more effective than benznidazole and displaying very low toxicity (>96 μm), none presented superior trypanocidal effect against intracellular forms as compared with the reference drug. These results may be due to differences in susceptibility profiles related to distinct uptake/extrusion mechanisms and cellular targets between bloodstream and amastigote forms. The present study adds to the knowledge base for the future design of novel amidines that may provide promising activity againstT. cruzi.
Exploring the Contribution of Frontline Welfare Service Delivery to Capability Development in Australia
Authors: MASON CLAIRE , SPINKS ANNELIESE , HAJKOWICZ STEFAN , HOBMAN LIZ
Published: April 2014

This study explores how interactions between frontline welfare service delivery employees and recipients are seen to affect welfare recipients’ capabilities. Seventeen employees and fifty-two welfare recipients from the Australian Department of Human Services were interviewed regarding their service delivery experiences. Interviews were transcribed and participants’ descriptions of the outcomes achieved from welfare service delivery interactions were analysed to determine the major themes. Burchardt and Vizard's (2007) capability list captured many of the effects described by participants, particularly the capability domains labelled ‘Individual, family and social life’, ‘Education and learning’, ‘Standard of living’, ‘Health’ and ‘Productive and valued activities’. Other outcomes were described by participants that might represent early indicators of positive or negative impact. Our findings suggest that welfare service delivery can both promote and impair capability development for welfare recipients.
Attitudes towards School Choice and Faith Schools in the UK: A Question of Individual Preference or Collective Interest?
Authors: PATRIKIOS STRATOS , CURTICE JOHN
Published: April 2014

As has been the case in a number of countries, parents in England have increasingly been given the opportunity to choose between different types of schools. Doing so is regarded as a way of meeting individual needs and improving academic standards. Faith-based schools long predate this move towards a more diversified educational system, but have come to be regarded as one of the ways of fulfilling the recent agenda. Drawing on social identity theory, we suggest that attitudes towards faith-based schools reflect social (religious) identities and group interests associated with those identities rather than beliefs about the merits of individual choice. We demonstrate this is the case using data from all four parts of the UK. However, the extent to which attitudes towards faith-based schools are a reflection of religious identities varies across the four parts in line with the structure of the religious economy and educational provision locally. We conclude that rather than reflecting a supposedly a-social concern with choice, support for diversity of educational provision may be rooted instead in collective – and potentially antagonistic – social identities.
The Discontents of Reform: Boundary Work and Welfare Stigma at Mixed Elder Homes in China
Authors: DAI HAIJING
Published: April 2014

During the 1990s’ welfare reforms in China, which highlighted budgetary cuts and decentralisation, local governments in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, placed self-financing elders in public welfare homes or sent the ‘Three Nos’ (no children, no income and no relatives) elders on public assistance to the emerging non-governmental elder institutions, so as to strategise their public spending. Using ethnographic data collected at the reformed mixed elder homes, this article examines how physical, social and cultural boundary work is constructed and maintained during the everyday interactions of the paying elders and the public clients on welfare. The self-financing customers, through their efforts of distinction, stigmatise the ‘Three Nos’ elders as incompetent, irresponsible and dependent individuals of low quality, and condemn their incompatibility with the regional market prosperity. The elders on public welfare, although marginalised at the institutions, adopt the ideals of collectivity, equality and reciprocity under state socialism as their persistent yet weak resistance. While previous research hails the welfare reforms for introducing diverse funding mechanisms and innovative service models, this study of the antagonistic boundary work at mixed welfare institutions calls for an assessment of the class hierarchy and social inequality that have appeared in the post-reform era.
Policies of Personalisation in Norway and England: On the Impact of Political Context
Authors: CHRISTENSEN KAREN , PILLING DORIA
Published: April 2014

Within Europe, the Norwegian and English welfare states represent two different welfare regimes. Due to common demographic challenges of an ageing population as well as grass- roots pressures, particularly from disabled people, significant changes in the delivery of long-term care services for older and disabled people have taken place. This article focuses on the change towards personalisation policies encouraging greater choice and control in regard to care services, and uses the case of ‘cash-for-care’, which gives people an allocation of funding to meet their needs, to discuss conditions and implications of personalisation policies within different contexts. Based on a theoretical framework exploring a democratic and a market discourse of personalisation policies, the article provides a comparative analysis of the Norwegian and English cash-for-care schemes. While a crucial common change in the public sector's role towards at-arm’s-length long-term care services occurred, significant differences remain: while English residents are given greater choice and control from the beginning of the allocation of cash-for-care they also face more insecure circumstances due to the simultaneously stimulated care provider market. The Norwegian case, however, shows a possibility of increasing choice and control without a large diversity in a care provider market.
Framing a Young Nun's Initiation: Early Modern Convent Entry Sermons in the Habsburg Lands. Vestiges of a Lost Oral Culture
Authors: Čapská Veronika
Published: April 2014

Sermons represent the main type of sourcesrelated to convent entry ceremonies in early modern Central Europe. Other textual sources seem to be quite rare (e.g., songs) or formulaic (e.g., written professions). Visual and material sources (portraits, strands of hair) are also scarce. Yet the significance of entry or monachization sermons in this respect has hardly been recognized. The aim of this article is to contribute to their due scholarly appreciation by demonstrating the interpretative possibilities that their research can offer. I will attempt to do so by exploring these sermons from a wide range of approaches—above all from the perspectives of media and communication studies, gender studies, cultural and social anthropology, and literary and visual studies. This complexity of approaches will enable me to answer a series of questions: Why were the monachization sermons widely popular? What were their functions and uses? What parallels can be drawn between monachization sermons and other sources? Finally, how can their research contribute to a greater understanding of early modern convent culture?
Collision analysis and safety evaluation using a collision model for the frontal robot–human impact
Authors: Park Jung-Jun , Song Jae-Bok , Haddadin Sami
Published: April 2014

The safety analysis of human–robot collisions has recently drawn significant attention, as robots are increasingly used in human environments. In order to understand the potential injury a robot could cause in case of an impact, such incidents should be evaluated before designing a robot arm based on biomechanical safety criteria. In recent literature, such incidents have been investigated mostly by experimental crash-testing. However, experimental methods are expensive, and the design parameters of the robot arm are difficult to change instantly. In order to solve this issue, we propose a novel robot-human collision model consisting of a 6-degree-of-freedom mass-spring-damper system for impact analysis. Since the proposed robot-human consists of a head, neck, chest, and torso, the relative motion among these body parts can be analyzed. In this study, collision analysis of impacts to the head, neck, and chest at various collision speeds are conducted using the proposed collision model. Then, the degree of injury is estimated by using various biomechanical severity indices. The reliability of the proposed collision model is verified by comparing the obtained simulation results with experimental results from literature. Furthermore, the basic requirements for the design of safer robots are determined.
Worst-case analysis of moving obstacle avoidance systems for unmanned vehicles
Authors: Srikanthakumar Sivaranjini , Chen Wen-Hua
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates worst-case analysis of a moving obstacle avoidance algorithm for unmanned vehicles in a dynamic environment in the presence of uncertainties and variations. Automatic worst-case search algorithms are developed based on optimization techniques, and illustrated by a Pioneer robot with a moving obstacle avoidance algorithm developed using the potential field method. The uncertainties in physical parameters, sensor measurements, and even the model structure of the robot are taken into account in the worst-case analysis. The minimum distance to a moving obstacle is considered as an objective function in automatic search process. It is demonstrated that a local nonlinear optimization method may not be adequate, and global optimization techniques are necessary to provide reliable worst-case analysis. The Monte Carlo simulation is carried out to demonstrate that the proposed automatic search methods provide a significant advantage over random sampling approaches.