bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Rest-Break Intention on Rest-Break Frequency and Work-Related Fatigue
Authors: Blasche Gerhard , Pasalic Sanja , Bauböck Verena-Maria , Haluza Daniela , Schoberberger Rudolf
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

The present paper presents findings from two studies addressing the effects of the employee’s intention to have rest breaks on rest-break frequency and the change of well-being during a workday.

Background:

Rest breaks are effective in avoiding an accumulation of fatigue during work. However, little is known about individual differences in rest-break behavior.

Method:

In Study 1, the association between rest-break intention and the daily number of rest breaks recorded over 4 consecutive workdays was determined by generalized linear model in a sample of employees ( n = 111, 59% females). In Study 2, professional geriatric nurses ( n = 95 females) who worked over two consecutive 12-hour day shifts recorded well-being (fatigue, distress, effort motivation) at the beginning and the end of their shifts. The effect of rest-break intention on the change of well-being was determined by multilevel modeling.

Results:

Rest-break intention was positively associated with the frequency of rest breaks (Study 1) and reduced the increase of fatigue and distress over the workday (Study 2).

Conclusion:

The results indicate that individual differences account for the number of breaks an employee takes and, as a consequence, for variations in the work-related fatigue and distress.

Application:

Strengthening rest-break intentions may help to increase rest-break behavior to avoid the buildup of fatigue and distress over a workday.
The effect of incidental haptic sensations on intrapersonal judgements on a personality questionnaire
Authors: Jansen van Rensburg Danielle , Crous Freddie , De Bruin Gideon P. , Leo Leigh
Published: October 2016

Extant research has shown that incidental haptic sensations can, nonconsciously, influence judgements of objects or people that are non-diagnostic (unrelated) for the actual qualities of the items being judged – including interpersonal judgements. Evidence suggests that this could also be true for intrapersonal judgements. The application of this conception to the use of personality questionnaires lead to the following hypothesis: incidental exposure to a specific haptic experience (firmness or flimsiness of the paper) could, nonconsciously, trigger physically grounded mental frameworks, which, in turn, may effect the intrapersonal judgements of individuals completing a personality questionnaire. A randomized post-test only, one-way experimental design was conducted using a sample of university students ( n = 178). The experiment found evidence to support the hypothesis that a physically grounded mental framework, consistent with embodied cognition, could nonconsciously lead participants to form stronger self-judgements on agreeableness and extraversion, when encountering an incidental haptic experience of firmness in a personality questionnaire. The findings of this research may serve to create awareness of the influence of incidental haptic sensations as a confounding variable in questionnaire design. Implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.
Sources of individual variation in Estonian toddlers’ expressive vocabulary
Authors: Urm Ada , Tulviste Tiia
Published: October 2016

The vocabulary size of 16- to 30-month-old children ( N = 1235) was assessed using the Estonian adaptation of the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Sentences (ECDI-II). The relationship between children’s expressive vocabulary size and different factors of the child and his/her social environment was examined. Results confirm the findings of studies from other languages showing that girls have larger vocabularies than boys, and first-born children are at an advantage compared to later-born children. Children of highly educated parents have bigger vocabularies than children whose parents have a lower educational level; this effect was significant for both maternal and paternal education. It was found that children of less-educated fathers who spend a high amount of time per week (> 40 hours) in daycare have smaller vocabularies than children of fathers with higher educational attainment.
Targeted killing and pattern-of-life analysis: weaponised media
Authors: Franz Nina
Published: October 2016

In the aftermath of the US-led ‘global war on terror’, emerging weaponised media of warfare present new means for the military ‘policing’ of populations. Algorithmic modes of observation are applied for the identification of targets, presenting an ‘aerial view’ that is no longer confined to optical media alone, but seeks out the criminogenic patterns and schemas that arise from human populations, or rather their double – the data masses. This article is concerned with the role of the emerging media function of militarised ‘pattern-of-life analysis’ in producing a specific perception of the mass that connects with older notions of masses and populations, as well as with a discourse on the changing nature of warfare. In what ways do the emerging media of observation and targeting of drone warfare contribute to the formation of new relations of visibility, and what does it mean for these media to become ‘weaponised’?
The media and the military: editorial
Authors: Corner John , Parry Katy
Published: October 2016

This editorial provides a brief overview of the wide range of work on media-military relations from different disciplinary areas internationally and indicates a number of prominent themes together with those needing further attention. It locates issues of media technology, form and use within the contexts of the political and public framing of military activities. Before introducing the contributing articles, it notes how different factors of change both inside and outside the institutions of the armed forces are shifting the terms of visibility, legitimacy and accountability.
Africa’s ‘Two Publics’: Colonialism and Governmentality
Authors: Adebanwi Wale
Published: October 2016

In this article, I explore a possible ‘conversation’ between a leading African political sociologist, Peter P. Ekeh, in his theory of ‘two publics’, and the late French philosopher, historian and social theorist, Michel Foucault, in his theory of governmentality. I examine the ‘lingering effects of colonialism’ and point to how Ekeh’s insight and its usefulness for examining the politico-cultural consequences of colonialism in terms of the conduct of conduct in the public realm can be further enriched by relating it to the deeply penetrating insight on the nature of power and domination articulated through the concept of governmentality and sovereign power. The paper concludes that Ekeh’s thesis is particularly suitable for interrogating governmentality and its useful insights for understanding public life in Africa because, like Foucault’s theory of governmentality, it is grounded on a historical account of contemporary processes of socio-political and economic configuration.
Culture, Politics, and Governing: Contemporary Ascetics and the Pecuniary Subject
Authors: Mooney Nickel Patricia
Published: October 2016

In Culture, Politics, and Governing, the study of contemporary ascetics provided me with a way to approach the practice of knowledge production and its intersection with cultural production that was able to take into account the institutionalization of authors and artists and the ways in which their practices were both governed and governing, often through valorization. Recently, I have worked to extend this framework to settings that are less obvious as sites for the production of governing knowledge: what Max Weber and Foucault discussed as ascetics, generated through what Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno called the culture industry. The contemporary culture industry produces an art of living genre that encourages pecuniary subjects who treat the self as a site for the production of value from which to practice valorized ascetics.
Violence, Dramaturgical Repertoires and Neoliberal Imaginaries in Cairo
Authors: Abaza Mona
Published: October 2016

This article reflects upon the monopoly and repertoires of violence in the city of Cairo perpetrated in counter-revolutionary moments by the successive military and Islamist regimes, which lack alternative visions and imaginaries. It counters the myth that the Egyptian revolution was non-violent. It also reflects upon some of the debates about the Arab revolutions, the question of militarization, and the return of ‘order’ with the re-emergence of the army in public life. It also reflects upon the multiplication of segregating walls, first as buffer zones to isolate protesters, then as the walls of the gated communities and compounds of the rich, examining the extent to which the supposed revitalization of downtown Cairo actually represents the flight of wealth and capital to isolated areas far from the city center.
Assessment of the wish to hasten death in patients with advanced disease: A systematic review of measurement instruments
Authors: Bellido-Pérez Mercedes , Monforte-Royo Cristina , Tomás-Sábado Joaquín , Porta-Sales Josep , Balaguer Albert
Published: October 2016

Background:

Patients with advanced conditions may present a wish to hasten death. Assessing this wish is complex due to the nature of the phenomenon and the difficulty of conceptualising it.

Aim:

To identify and analyse existing instruments for assessing the wish to hasten death and to rate their reported psychometric properties.

Design:

Systematic review based on PRISMA guidelines. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments checklist was used to evaluate the methodological quality of validation studies and the measurement properties of the instrument described.

Data sources:

The CINAHL, PsycINFO, Pubmed and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to November 2015.

Results:

A total of 50 articles involving assessment of the wish to hasten death were included. Eight concerned instrument validation and were evaluated using COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments criteria. They reported data for between two and seven measurement properties, with ratings between fair and excellent. Of the seven instruments identified, the Desire for Death Rating Scale or the Schedule of Attitudes toward Hastened Death feature in 48 of the 50 articles. The Schedule of Attitudes toward Hastened Death is the most widely used and is the instrument whose psychometric properties have been most often analysed. Versions of the Schedule of Attitudes toward Hastened Death are available in five languages other than the original English.

Conclusion:

This systematic review has analysed existing instruments for assessing the wish to hasten death. It has also explored the methodological quality of studies that have examined the measurement properties of these instruments and offers ratings of the reported properties. These results will be useful to clinicians and researchers with an interest in a phenomenon of considerable relevance to advanced patients.
Magnetic resonance imaging of local and remote vascular remodelling after experimental stroke
Authors: Yanev Pavel , Seevinck Peter R , Rudrapatna Umesh S , Bouts Mark JRJ , van der Toorn Annette , Gertz Karen , Kronenberg Golo , Endres Matthias , van Tilborg Geralda A , Dijkhuizen Rick M
Published: October 2016

The pattern of vascular remodelling in relation to recovery after stroke remains largely unclear. We used steady-state contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to assess the development of cerebral blood volume and microvascular density in perilesional and exofocal areas from (sub)acutely to chronically after transient stroke in rats. Microvascular density was verified histologically after infusion with Evans Blue dye. At day 1, microvascular cerebral blood volume and microvascular density were reduced in and around the ischemic lesion (intralesional borderzone: microvascular cerebral blood volume = 72 ± 8%; microvascular density = 76 ± 8%) (P < 0.05), while total cerebral blood volume remained relatively unchanged. Perilesional microvascular cerebral blood volume and microvascular density subsequently normalized (day 7) and remained relatively stable (day 70). In remote ipsilateral areas in the thalamus and substantia nigra – not part of the ischemic lesion – microvascular density gradually increased between days 1 and 70 (thalamic ventral posterior nucleus: microvascular density = 119 ± 9%; substantia nigra: microvascular density = 122 ± 8% (P < 0.05)), which was confirmed histologically. Our data indicate that initial microvascular collapse, with maintained collateral flow in larger vessels, is followed by dynamic revascularization in perilesional tissue. Furthermore, progressive neovascularization in non-ischemic connected areas may offset secondary neuronal degeneration and/or contribute to non-neuronal tissue remodelling. The complex spatiotemporal pattern of vascular remodelling, involving regions outside the lesion territory, may be a critical endogenous process to promote post-stroke brain reorganization.
Witchcraft, spiritual worldviews and environmental management: Rationality and assemblage
Authors: Smith Thomas Aneurin
Published: October 2016

This article interrogates the interrelationship between witchcraft, spiritual worldviews and environmental management. Drawing on diverse literatures from anthropology, conservation science and geography, this article explores how witchcraft and spiritual worldviews have been rationalised in order to explain their continued significance, for society as a whole and for the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity specifically. Using an assemblage framework, this article examines how the agencies of spirits and witches are entangled with other social and material entities, drawing on examples from three communities in Tanzania. It argues that thinking through assemblage allows the agentic capacities of spirits and witchcraft to be recognised, whilst also acknowledging their inseparability from other expressive and material components of assemblages, including social organisation and more-than-human actors. Finally, this article turns to evidence for the deterritorialisation, or breaking apart, of these assemblages around spiritual worldviews and witchcraft, and considers their future role in local conservation.
Numerical simulation and experimental study on stress deformation of braided wire rope
Authors: Wang Hui , Fu Chao , Cui Weihua , Zhao Xia , Qie Shengjun
Published: October 2016

To explore the mechanical properties of braided wire rope, relevant theories of differential geometry are applied to deduce the space curve parametric equation of braided wire rope, specific to the structural features of the rope. On this basis, a geometric entity model of YS9-8 × 19 braided wire rope is established. Through mesh generation, a finite element model of braided wire rope is obtained. Constraints and loads are applied for numerical simulation calculations. The numerical simulation results are analyzed to reveal the stress and deformation distribution rules of the rope strands along the rope axis direction and on the cross sections of strands. Tensile tests of YS9-8 × 19 steel wire ropes are performed. The test data and the analogous simulation results coincide, verifying the rationality of the model. The study provides theoretical bases for subsequent frictional wear and life studies on this steel wire rope.
Levels of circulating soluble receptor activator of NF-κB and interleukins-1 predicting outcome of locally advanced basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Lin Quan , Li Yan , Zhang Duo , Jin Hongjuan
Published: October 2016

Decreasing levels of cytokines are associated with better responses to therapies, while increasing levels are related to progression or recurrence and decreased survival. NF-κB’s role in the cell cycle and its ubiquity are only stressed out by the evidence for the importance of activation (aberrant activation in the majority of cancers) of both canonical and non-canonical pathways in advanced basal cell carcinomas (aBCCs), a subset of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). NF-κB acts through its canonical, or classical, form activated by interleukin-1 (IL-1), regulates cytoprotective, innate, and adaptive immune responses. However, NF-κB2 often acts through its non-canonical or alternate pathway. During the two-year study period, we selected 21 patients presenting with aBCCs due to delay in accessing medical attention with an advanced form of BCCs (n = 19) and infiltrative BCCs (n = 2). Initial diagnosis of BCCs of head and neck was made clinically and verified by skin biopsy. Venous blood was drawn and serum was obtained. Samples were collected at baseline and every three days thereafter (days 3, 6, 9, etc. until surgery). Antigenes’ quantities (cytokines) were determined by ELISA kits. Initially, the mean value of all cytokine subjects was significantly different related to the control group ( P <0.05). Changes in serum levels of circulating soluble receptor activator of NF-κB and interleukins-1 (α and β) were observed following the surgery. Changes in serum levels of circulating soluble receptor activator of NF-κB and interleukins-1 (α and β) are evident throughout our study period and a certain regularity in its dynamics is evident as the follow-up period moves away. It was therefore concluded that measurement of these factors might be useful in predicting the overall outcome of patients with aBCCs. This study highlights the systemic effects of aBCCs, but further studies are required on this topic.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type I
Authors: Finkel Richard S. , Bishop Kathie M. , Nelson Robert M.
Published: October 2016

The natural history of spinal muscular atrophy type I (SMA-I) has changed as improved medical support has become available. With investigational drugs for spinal muscular atrophy now in clinical trials, efficient trial design focuses on enrolling recently diagnosed infants, providing best available supportive care, and minimizing subject variation. The quandary has arisen whether it is ethically appropriate to specify a predefined level of nutritional and/or ventilation support for spinal muscular atrophy type I subjects while participating in these studies. We conducted a survey at 2 spinal muscular atrophy investigator meetings involving physician investigators, clinical evaluators, and study coordinators from North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Each group endorsed the concept that having a predefined degree of nutritional and ventilation support was warranted in this context. We discuss how autonomy, beneficence/non-maleficence, noncoercion, social benefit, and equipoise can be maintained when a predefined level of supportive care is proposed, for participation in a clinical trial.
Gender, Markets, and Inequality: A Framework
Authors: Jabbar Huriya , Sun Wei-Ling , Lemke Melinda A. , Germain Emily
Published: October 2016

A growing body of research examines the role of elite networks, power, and race in the advocacy for market-based reforms and their ultimate effects on students, teachers, and communities of color. Yet, less research explores how such reforms interact with gender in the workplace, especially how policies such as school choice, competition, and incentive-based pay impact female actors within K-12 schools (e.g., teachers, school leaders). The current research on marketization and privatization in education has largely overlooked the potential impact on women in schools. We review the literature on women in K-12 education and in the economy more generally, and organize it conceptually to identify areas for future inquiry. After synthesizing and summarizing themes across diverse bodies of literature, we contend that as schools privatize, we may see greater gender disparities in education leadership and teaching.
Measuring, evaluating and assessing the transmission of vibration through the seats of railway vehicles
Authors: Gong Weidong , Griffin Michael J
Published: October 2016

The transmission of vibration through a passenger train seat to the seat pan and to the backrest has been measured in the fore-and-aft, lateral and vertical directions with 12 subjects using 0.5–40 Hz random vibration (with both single-axis and tri-axial excitation) and using simulated tri-axial train vibration. There were small differences in transmissibilities obtained using single-axis and tri-axial random vibration but greater differences in transmissibilities between tri-axial random vibration and simulated train vibration. Seat effective amplitude transmissibilities (SEAT values) were similar for single-axis and tri-axial random vibration but differed between tri-axial random vibration and simulated train vibration. The SEAT values measured using both tri-axial random vibration and simulated train vibration were well predicted from the seat transmissibilities measured using single-axis random vibration. It is concluded that either single-axis or tri-axial vibration excitation can be used when quantifying the transmissibility of a seat and identifying seat resonances. A SEAT value depends on the vibration spectrum in the vehicle and so the SEAT value for a train seat cannot be obtained using vibration unlike that in a train. A useful SEAT value for a train seat can either be measured (by simulating tri-axial train vibration in a laboratory) or calculated (from measurements of vibration in a train and measurements of seat transmissibility obtained using random vibration in a laboratory). The findings of this study may assist the optimisation of seat testing standards including the laboratory method for evaluating the transmission of vibration through the seats of railway vehicles defined in a current international standard.
Evaluation of the effect of tamping on the track geometry condition: A case study
Authors: Soleimanmeigouni Iman , Ahmadi Alireza , Arasteh Khouy Iman , Letot Christophe
Published: October 2016

Tamping is one of the major activities undertaken by railway maintenance managers to recover the track geometry condition. Modelling the effectiveness of tamping along with track geometry degradation is essential for long-term prediction of track geometry behaviour. The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of tamping on the different track geometry measurements, i.e. longitudinal level, alignment and cant, based on inspection car records from a part of the Main Western Line in Sweden. To model recovery after tamping, a probabilistic approach is applied. The track geometry condition before tamping was considered as the dominant factor for modelling the model parameters. Correlation analysis was performed to measure the linear relation between the recoveries of the different geometry measures. The results show a moderate correlation between the recovery of the longitudinal level and that of the cant, and a weak correlation between the recovery of the longitudinal level and that of the alignment. Linear regression and Wiener process were also applied to model track geometry degradation and to obtain degradation rates. The effect of tamping on degradation rate was analysed. It was observed that degradation rate increased after tamping.
Evaluation of the carotid artery stenosis based on minimization of mechanical energy loss of the blood flow
Authors: Sia Sheau Fung , Zhao Xihai , Li Rui , Zhang Yu , Chong Winston , He Le , Chen Yu
Published: October 2016

Background:

Internal carotid artery stenosis requires an accurate risk assessment for the prevention of stroke. Although the internal carotid artery area stenosis ratio at the common carotid artery bifurcation can be used as one of the diagnostic methods of internal carotid artery stenosis, the accuracy of results would still depend on the measurement techniques. The purpose of this study is to propose a novel method to estimate the effect of internal carotid artery stenosis on the blood flow based on the concept of minimization of energy loss.

Methods:

Eight internal carotid arteries from different medical centers were diagnosed as stenosed internal carotid arteries, as plaques were found at different locations on the vessel. A computational fluid dynamics solver was developed based on an open-source code (OpenFOAM) to test the flow ratio and energy loss of those stenosed internal carotid arteries. For comparison, a healthy internal carotid artery and an idealized internal carotid artery model have also been tested and compared with stenosed internal carotid artery in terms of flow ratio and energy loss.

Results:

We found that at a given common carotid artery bifurcation, there must be a certain flow distribution in the internal carotid artery and external carotid artery, for which the total energy loss at the bifurcation is at a minimum; for a given common carotid artery flow rate, an irregular shaped plaque at the bifurcation constantly resulted in a large value of minimization of energy loss. Thus, minimization of energy loss can be used as an indicator for the estimation of internal carotid artery stenosis.
Active haematological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus lupus are associated with a high rate of in-hospital mortality
Authors: Miranda-Hernández D , Cruz-Reyes C , Monsebaiz-Mora C , Gómez-Bañuelos E , Ángeles U , Jara L J , Saavedra M Á
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of the haematological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on mortality in hospitalized patients. For that purpose a case–control study of hospitalized patients in a medical referral centre from January 2009 to December 2014 was performed. For analysis, patients hospitalized for any haematological activity of SLE ( n = 103) were compared with patients hospitalized for other manifestations of SLE activity or complications of treatment ( n = 206). Taking as a variable outcome hospital death, an analysis of potential associated factors was performed. The most common haematological manifestation was thrombocytopenia (63.1%), followed by haemolytic anaemia (30%) and neutropenia (25.2%). In the group of haematological manifestations, 17 (16.5%) deaths were observed compared to 10 (4.8%) deaths in the control group ( P < 0.001). The causes of death were similar in both groups. In the analysis of the variables, it was found that only haematological manifestations were associated with intra-hospital death (odds ratio 3.87, 95% confidence interval 1.8–88, P < 0.001). Our study suggests that apparently any manifestation of haematological activity of SLE is associated with poor prognosis and contributes to increased hospital mortality.
Proportional–integral–derivative type H∞ controller for quarter car active suspension system
Authors: Erol Bilal , Delibaşı Akın
Published: October 2016

This paper presents a linear matrix inequality based Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) type [Formula: see text] controller design for a quarter car active suspension system. The model of the real system is derived with the help of identification techniques. The conventional [Formula: see text] controller design method and PID tuning techniques are used to derive [Formula: see text] controllers for this model. The performance of these controllers is compared in simulation and application phases. The response of a real time system can be quite different, due to some unmodeled parametric uncertainties and/or environmental noises which may arise during operation, and this undesired effect increases proportionally with the order of the controller. Therefore, it is inevitable to get more inconsistent solutions with high order controllers than low order ones. Disadvantages of full order controllers are discussed not only in the simulation phase but also in application phase. All results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Modal identification of arch dams using balanced stochastic subspace identification
Authors: Tarinejad Reza , Pourgholi Mehran
Published: October 2016

Dynamic characteristics extracted from ambient and forced vibration tests are always associated with some level of uncertainties because of unknown nature of applied forces, existence of ambient noises as well as measurement errors. Stochastic Subspace Methods are among the most accurate and consistent methods within the domain of operational modal analysis. In this research, a new technique for Operational Modal Analysis is proposed using Stochastic Realization Theory and Canonical Correlation Analysis, which in comparison with previous methodologies, identification process are directly performed in the prediction space by extracting orthonormal vectors of data space. Considering its optimized nature, the proposed method is expected to have superior accuracy in terms of elimination of unstable poles as well as low time consumption analysis. To indicate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed algorithm, it is applied to reanalyze the results of the forced vibration tests performed on the Shahid-Rajaee arch dam in northern Iran. These tests were conducted via steady-state sinusoidal stimulation method. More accurate natural frequencies are obtained compared to those of previously reported results, besides the fact that the first three modes of the structure were identified by the new approach, while they were not observed via the previous one. In order to examine the capabilities of the proposed method for processing of ambient vibration records, the dynamic characteristics of the Pacoima dam was identified using the recorded responses during 2001 earthquake in San Fernando, California. The results indicated good accuracy in the obtained frequencies and damping ratios compared to those obtained via data driven subspace method. Time consumption of identification process were reduced significantly (up to 50%) for both case studies indicating a faster convergence rate provided by the proposed method.
Whiteout
Authors: McKnight Lucinda , Bullock Owen , Todd Ruby
Published: October 2016

This article shares an experimental poem created by three poet-researchers using an online word processor to collaborate within a single document. We attempt to blur the line between creative and academic writing, focusing on the possibilities for writing as a method of inquiry and the opportunities for different perceptions of being that it suggests. Our project unfolds as we also produce a brief diffractive reading that does not mirror or deconstruct the poem, but thinks it in an alternative way, as a broader collaboration, or intra-action between entities, both human and non-human. We avoid determining how our purported individual voices merge to form any united voice. Rather, we are alert to agencies and flows that complicate understandings of us as three rational, discrete, fully formed human figures articulating coherent narratives. We therefore offer a response to theoretical calls to explore collaborative writing as inquiry, through sharing our practice.
Learning from Friends: Developing appreciations for unknowing in reflexive practice
Authors: Allen Stephen
Published: October 2016

In this article, I develop a new perspective on being reflexive, which appreciates unknowing as a core aspect. The intention is to promote more inclusive and equitable ways of managing and organising. By drawing on my own and others’ experiences of the ‘business method’ of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, images of the possibilities for reflexive practice, which embrace individual unknowing and help foster systemic intelligence, are explored. A relational ontology is pursued as these ideas can offer a suitable bridge to bring the processes of Quakers into conversation with debates about reflexive practice. The implication is that in the perspective developed, managing reflexively can be understood as a collective practice of searching for unity, or ‘sense of the meeting’, which is achieved through relational processes.
Imaging of microglial activation in MS using PET: Research use and potential future clinical application
Authors: Airas Laura , Rissanen Eero , Rinne Juha
Published: October 2016

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease, where several processes can be selected as a target for positron emission topography (PET) imaging. Unlike magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), PET provides specific and quantitative information, and unlike neuropathology, it can be non-invasively applied to living patients, which enables longitudinal follow-up of the MS pathology. In the study of MS, PET can be useful for in vivo evaluation of specific pathological characteristics at various stages of the disease. Increased understanding of the progressive MS pathology will enhance the treatment options of this undertreated condition. The ultimate goal of developing and expanding PET in the study of MS is to have clinical non-invasive in vivo imaging biomarkers of neuroinflammation that will help to establish prognosis and accurately measure response to therapeutics. This topical review provides an overview of the promises and challenges of the use of PET in MS.
Exploring early language detection in balanced bilingual children: The impact of language-specificity on cross-linguistic nonword recognition
Authors: Schröter Pauline , Schroeder Sascha
Published: October 2016

Aims and objectives:

Recent findings on the mechanisms of lexical access suggest that bilinguals are sensitive to the orthographic structure of their languages. Several studies have demonstrated that if presented with language-specific sub-lexical information, bilingual adults use this information to speed up word recognition, which provides evidence for language-selective lexical access. In the present study, we investigated the presence of such an early language detection mechanism in children.

Methodology:

Forty-six balanced bilingual third-graders performed two seemingly monolingual lexical decision tasks, one in English and one in German, including nonwords with different degrees of word-likeness in each language.

Data and analysis:

Accuracy scores and reaction times were analyzed for nonwords using mixed-effects models with the statistical software R.

Findings:

Results show no impact of language-specific sub-lexical information on children’s performance in either task. We argue that bilingual lexical access is initially language-nonselective, and that sensitivity to language-specific orthographic structures first emerges over time. In contrast to bilingual adults, language detection in bilingual children is exclusively based on lexical information.

Originality:

The present study provides first data on the detection mechanism for language membership at the early stages of bilingual reading development. We are the first to demonstrate an important difference in the architecture of the bilingual lexicon between children and adults.

Implications:

Findings contribute to knowledge on the development of lexical access in bilinguals and pose limitations to the generalizability of the Bilingual Interactive Activation Plus (BIA+) extended model.
Preaching to the choir? An analysis of newspaper readability vis-a-vis public literacy
Authors: Wasike Ben
Published: October 2016

This study examined the interplay among readability, literacy, story type, and demographics in regard to the complexity of local newspaper content. Literacy data were derived from the US Census Bureau’s 2014 American Community Survey and readability data were derived from a content analysis of a random sample of 400 county level newspaper articles in Texas. Readability was measured dually by the Flesch–Kincaid grade reading level and the Flesch reading ease scale. On average, the news articles were written at an 11.63 grade level and a 47.78 ease level. With a 77 percent high school attainment level among residents in the population under study, these readability levels mean that the news articles were written at a level marginally comprehensible to a majority of potential readers. Additionally, business news was written at a 12.32 grade level making it even less comprehensible to a majority of potential readers. Hard news was the second most complex story type with an 11.98 grade level. Overall, residents age 65 and over had the lowest comprehension threshold, despite being the most likely to read newspapers on a daily basis. The author also discusses the implications to local news readability.
Managing collaborative innovation in public bureaucracies
Authors: Agger Annika , Sørensen Eva
Published: October 2016

Public planners are increasingly recruited to manage collaborative innovation processes, but there is hardly any research on how they deal with the tensions they encounter in managing collaborative innovation in the institutional context of a public bureaucracy. Drawing on emerging theories of collaborative planning, network management and public innovation, the article develops a taxonomy of tasks related to managing collaborative innovation, identifies potential tensions between these tasks and the institutional logic of public bureaucracies and investigates how these tensions are experienced by frontline planners who remain involved in face-to-face interaction with citizens while managing collaborative innovation processes within urban regeneration projects in Copenhagen.
Multi-objective reliability design optimization of electric multiple unit pantograph geometric parameters
Authors: Chen Bingzhi , Li Yonghua , Dong Shaodi , Wang Jian
Published: October 2016

In order to reduce the design variable fluctuations in the multi-objective optimization of the pantograph geometric parameters of electric multiple units, a multi-objective reliability design optimization method was proposed based on the dual response surface method in this article. The corresponding model of the pantograph was built by integrating the dual response surface method, the reliability indexes, and fuzzy preference method. Considering different working conditions and reliability index, the reliability optimal design target was realized by optimizing the established model. A case was studied to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Dirty Hands and Clean Heels: 21 days of political leadership in the UK
Authors: Grint Keith
Published: October 2016

The paper discusses 21 days of political leadership in the UK following the EU referendum, the publication of the Chilcot Report on the Iraq War, and the appointment of a new cabinet by the new Prime Minister, Theresa May. It begins by modelling four possible approaches to political decision-making by taking into account the intent of the decision-maker, their acceptance or avoidance of responsibility, and the nature of the consequences. It suggests that ‘Dirty Hands’ exists when the decision-maker recognizes the deleterious consequences of what they deem to be necessary action – and intends to engender these – but takes responsibility. ‘Clean Heels’ embodies a decision where the decision-maker recognizes the consequences might be deleterious and intends them to be so, but avoids all responsibility. Mea Culpa describes a decision-maker who did not intend deleterious consequences but having seen them occur takes responsibility. Finally, the Spectator is someone who has no intention of making any difference to anything and thus takes no responsibility, but often plays a destructively critical role from the sidelines. This heuristic – and it is no more than a heuristic – is then illustrated by considering the actions of four decision-makers during this period: Boris Johnson, Tony Blair, Nigel Farage, and Theresa May.
Rethinking Early Cinematic Adaptations: Death of Poor Joe (1901)
Authors: Hasenfratz Bob
Published: October 2016

The Death of Poor Joe (1901), rediscovered in 2012 at the BFI, is the earliest known cinematic adaptation of a Dickens novel, focusing on a pivotal scene from Bleak House–the death of Jo the crossing guard. However, it is easy to see how this short film could have gone misidentified for so long, since G. A. Smith’s film radically rewrites Jo’s death scene as it appears in the novel, changing some of the key players and the setting. This article argues that G. A. Smith and Laura Bayley Smith, who plays Joe, were greatly influenced by prior theatrical adaptations of Bleak House, particularly Jo, a vehicle for the actress Jennie Lee, and that an understanding of the earliest literary adaptations on film must rest on a broad familiarity with nineteenth-century theatrical practice. Early film adaptations show next to no concern for fidelity to their literary sources but instead turn to theatrical and visual culture for inspiration.
Aspartate inhibits LPS-induced MAFbx and MuRF1 expression in skeletal muscle in weaned pigs by regulating Akt, AMPKα and FOXO1
Authors: Liu Yulan , Wang Xiuying , Leng Weibo , Pi Dingan , Tu Zhixiao , Zhu Huiling , Shi Haifeng , Li Shuang , Hou Yongqing , Hu Chien-An Andy
Published: October 2016

Infection and inflammation can result in the rapid loss of muscle mass and myofibrillar proteins (muscle atrophy). In addition, aspartate (Asp) is necessary for protein synthesis in mammalian cells. We hypothesized that Asp could attenuate LPS-induced muscle atrophy in a piglet model. Twenty-four weaning piglets were allotted to four treatments, including non-challenged control, LPS challenged control, LPS+0.5% Asp and LPS+1.0% Asp. On d 21, the piglets were injected with i.p. injection of LPS (100 ug/kg BM) or saline. At 4 h post-injection, blood, gastrocnemius and longissimus dorsi muscles samples were collected for biochemical and molecular analyses. Asp decreased the concentrations of cortisol and glucagon in plasma. In addition, Asp increased protein and RNA contents in muscles, and decreased mRNA expression of muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) and muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1). Moreover, Asp decreased phosphorylation of AMPKα but increased phosphorylation of Akt and Forkhead Box O (FOXO) 1 in the muscles. Our results indicate that Asp suppresses LPS-induced MAFbx and MuRF1 expression via activation of Akt signaling, and inhibition of AMPKα and FOXO1 signaling.
Biological Knee Reconstruction With Concomitant Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation and Meniscal Allograft Transplantation
Authors: Ogura Takahiro , Bryant Tim , Minas Tom
Published: October 2016

Background:

Treating articular cartilage defects and meniscal deficiency is challenging. Although some short- to mid-term follow-up studies report good clinical outcomes after concurrent autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT), longer follow-up is needed.

Purpose:

To evaluate mid- to long-term outcomes after combined ACI with MAT.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective review of prospectively gathered data from patients who had undergone ACI with MAT between 1999 and 2013. A single surgeon treated 18 patients for symptomatic full-thickness chondral defects with meniscal deficiency. One patient was lost to follow-up. Thus, 17 patients (18 knees; mean age, 31.7 years) were evaluated over a mean 7.9-year follow-up (range, 2-16 years). A mean 1.8 lesions per knee were treated over a total surface area of 7.6 cm2 (range, 2.3-21 cm2) per knee. Seventeen lateral and 1 medial MATs were performed. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The modified Cincinnati Knee Rating Scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, visual analog scale, and Short Form–36 were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. Patients also self-reported knee function and satisfaction. Standard radiographs were scored for Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade.

Results:

Both 5- and 10-year survival rates were 75%. Outcomes for 6 knees were considered failures. Of the 6 failures, 4 knees were converted to arthroplasty and the other 2 knees underwent biological revision surgery. Of the 12 successfully operated knees, all clinical measures significantly improved postoperatively. Ten patients representing 11 of the 12 knees rated outcomes for their knees as good or excellent, and 1 rated their outcome as fair. Eight patients representing 9 of the 12 knees were satisfied with the procedure. There was no significant osteoarthritis progression based on K-L grading from preoperatively to a mean 5.9 years after surgery. Seven of the 12 knees (58%) required subsequent surgical procedures (5 arthroscopic alone, 2 both arthroscopic and open).

Conclusion:

Combined ACI with MAT provided significant improvement in 65% of the operated knees over a mid- to long-term follow-up. This procedure can allow patients to retain their biological knees, delay or prevent rapid degeneration to osteoarthritis, and could be recognized as a bridge procedure before artificial knee replacement. However, careful discussion between the patient and surgeon is necessary before surgery to ensure realistic expectations.
Halloysite nanotubes as a new drug-delivery system: a review
Authors: Hanif Muhammad , Jabbar Fazila , Sharif Sana , Abbas Ghulam , Farooq Athar , Aziz Mubashar
Published: October 2016

New drug-delivery systems have remained a challenge for pharmaceutical scientists due to the use of expensive polymers and the low loading capacity of prepared nanoparticles. There is pressure to develop formulations that contain not only cheaper materials but also have controlled-release properties. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are a naturally occurring clay mineral similar to kaolin, possessing a special particle shape in the form of an ultramicroscopic multilayered hollow cylinder. Its uses encompass a wide range in anticancer therapy, sustained- and controlled-release drug-delivery systems, cosmetics, delivery of proteins, vaccines and genes. These advantages are due to its biocompatibility, significant mechanical strength and natural availability. The surfaces of the tubules can be modified by coating different polymers for application in the drug-delivery system. This review is focused on the various aspects of HNTs such as structure, properties, loading methods, applications and characterizations.
Halloysite behaving badly: geomechanics and slope behaviour of halloysite-rich soils
Authors: Moon Vicki
Published: October 2016

Halloysite-rich soils derived fromin situweathering of volcanic materials support steep stable slopes, but commonly fail under triggers of earthquakes or rainfall. Resulting landslides are slideflow processes, ranging from small translational slides to larger rotational failures with scarps characteristic of sensitive soils. Remoulding of failed materials results in high-mobility flows with apparent friction angles of 10–16°. The materials characteristically have high peak-friction angles (∼25– 37°), low cohesion (∼12–60 kN m−2) and plasticity ( plasticity index ∼10–48%), and low dry bulk density (∼480–1,080 kg m−3) with small pores due to the small size of the halloysite minerals. They remain saturated under most field conditions, with liquidity indexes frequently >1. Remoulded materials have limited cohesion (<5 kN m−2) and variable residual friction angles (15°–35°). Halloysite mineral morphology affects the rheology of remoulded suspensions: tubular minerals have greater viscosity and undrained shear strength than spherical morphologies.