bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a change in entry-to-practice criteria for cardiovascular perfusion in Canada: results of a national survey
Authors: Belway Dean , Tran Diem T.T. , Rubens Fraser D.
Published: November 2016

Introduction:

Years of experience and level of education are two important determinants of a clinician’s expertise. While entry-to-practice criteria for admission to perfusion training in Canada changed from clinical experience-based criteria to education-based criteria in 2006, the effects of these changes have not been studied.

Objective:

To determine the academic and clinical backgrounds of perfusionists in Canada, ascertain perceptions about the adequacy of training and evaluate the effects of the changes on the composition of the perfusion community of Canada.

Methods:

An electronic questionnaire was distributed to all practicing perfusionists in Canada, addressing details regarding clinical experience, academic education and perceptions about the adequacy of training.

Results:

Two hundred and twenty-eight questionnaires were completed, representing a 72% response rate. Perfusionists admitted under academic-based criteria have significantly higher levels of education (100% degree holders vs 69.1%, p<0.001), but less antecedent clinical training and experience (median, IQR: 0, 0 – 4.5 years vs 2, 2 – 8 years, p<0.0001), are younger (median age range 31-35 years vs 51-55 years, p<0.0001), more likely to be female (58.7% vs 41.3%, p=0.006) and are significantly more likely to enter perfusion because of attraction to the type of work (p=0.045). Many perfusionists (70, 32%) in Canada believe themselves inadequately trained for their clinical assignments outside the OR. In addition, 19% of perfusionists plan to retire over the next 10 years.

Conclusions:

The introduction of education-based entry criteria has changed the academic and clinical experience levels of perfusionists in Canada. Strategies designed to better prepare perfusionists for their clinical assignments outside the OR are merited.
Effect of External Ankle Support on Ankle and Knee Biomechanics During the Cutting Maneuver in Basketball Players
Authors: Klem Nardia-Rose , Wild Catherine Y. , Williams Sian A. , Ng Leo
Published: November 2016

Background:

Despite the high prevalence of lower extremity injuries in female basketball players as well as a high proportion of athletes who wear ankle braces, there is a paucity of research pertaining to the effects of ankle bracing on ankle and knee biomechanics during basketball-specific tasks.

Purpose:

To compare the effects of a lace-up brace (ASO), a hinged brace (Active T2), and no ankle bracing (control) on ankle and knee joint kinematics and joint reaction forces in female basketball athletes during a cutting maneuver.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Twenty healthy, semi-elite female basketball players performed a cutting task under both ankle brace conditions (lace-up ankle brace and hinged ankle brace) and a no-brace condition. The 3-dimensional kinematics of the ankle and knee during the cutting maneuver were measured with an 18-camera motion analysis system (250 Hz), and ground-reaction force data were collected by use of a multichannel force plate (2000 Hz) to quantify ankle and knee joint reaction forces. Conditions were randomized using a block randomization method.

Results:

Compared with the control condition, the hinged ankle brace significantly restricted peak ankle inversion (mean difference, 1.7°; P = .023). No significant difference was found between the lace-up brace and the control condition ( P = .865). Compared with the lace-up brace, the hinged brace significantly reduced ankle and knee joint compressive forces at the time of peak ankle dorsiflexion (mean difference, 1.5 N/kg [ P = .018] and 1.4 N/kg [ P = .013], respectively). Additionally, the hinged ankle brace significantly reduced knee anterior shear forces compared with the lace-up brace both during the deceleration phase and at peak ankle dorsiflexion (mean difference, 0.8 N/kg [ P = .018] and 0.9 N/kg [ P = .011], respectively).

Conclusion:

The hinged ankle brace significantly reduced ankle inversion compared with the no-brace condition and reduced ankle and knee joint forces compared with the lace-up brace in a female basketball population during a cutting task. Compared with the lace-up brace, the hinged brace may be a better choice of prophylactic ankle support for female basketball players from a biomechanical perspective. However, both braces increased knee internal rotation and knee abduction angles, which may be problematic for a population that already has a high prevalence of knee injuries.
Macroscopic characterization of fiber micro-buckling and its influence on composites tensile performance
Authors: Zhao Cong , Wang Bendong , Xiao Jun
Published: November 2016

As one of the most common defects induced by Automated Fiber Placement, in-plane fiber micro-buckling is characterized by a macroscopic value and its influence on composites tensile properties are studied in this article. The mathematical relationship between fiber microscopic distribution and geodesic curvature of non-geodesic fiber path is derived. Influences of in-plane fiber micro-buckling on tensile properties are analyzed by off-axis tensile theory and finite element analysis, and verified by experiments. Actual fiber microscopic distribution of in-plane fiber micro-buckling shows that it is reasonable to evaluate the scale of fiber micro-buckling by the geodesic curvature radius of curved fiber trajectory. Longitudinal tensile properties of lamina are dramatically influenced by in-plane fiber micro-buckling, while the influences of in-plane fiber micro-buckling on transversal tensile properties can be ignored. When A/ L reaches 0.023, the longitudinal tensile modulus and strength of lamina decreased by 25.5% and 57.7%, respectively, compared with the lamina without any defects. Based on the conclusions made in this article, the scale of in-plane fiber micro-buckling can be predicted without metallographic observation. And the increase of structural efficiency and the loss of mechanical performance in consequence of non-geodesic fiber path could be evaluated for the optimization of fiber trajectory.
Neuber’s rule accounting for the material nonlinearity influence on the stress concentration of the laminated composites
Authors: Taheri-Behrooz Fathollah , Bakhshi Nima
Published: November 2016

Since holes comprise the necessary features of many structural components, a comprehensive understanding of the behavior of composite plates containing an open hole is a crucial step in their design process. In the present manuscript, an extensive numerical study has been conducted in order to investigate the effects of material nonlinearity on the stress distribution and stress concentration factors in unidirectional and laminated composite materials. To attain this objective, various models with different configurations were studied. In unidirectional composites, the maximum deviation of stress distribution around the hole (from the linear solution) happens in 45° lamina in which includes a high level of shear stress. However, the maximum difference in the stress concentration factor occurs in 15° lamina and is 15.1% at the onset of failure. In composite laminates, the maximum deviation of nonlinear stress concentration factor from the linear solution is reported 24.3% and it occurs in [+45/−45] s laminate. In the last section, Neuber’s rule is employed to find the stress concentration factors of the laminated composites, with a reasonable accuracy.
Life cycle assessment of potential municipal solid waste management strategies for Mumbai, India
Authors: Sharma Bhupendra K , Chandel Munish K
Published: November 2016

Dumping of municipal solid waste into uncontrolled dumpsites is the most common method of waste disposal in most cities of India. These dumpsites are posing a serious challenge to environmental quality and sustainable development. Mumbai, which generates over 9000 t of municipal solid waste daily, also disposes of most of its waste in open dumps. It is important to analyse the impact of municipal solid waste disposal today and what would be the impact under integrated waste management schemes. In this study, life cycle assessment methodology was used to determine the impact of municipal solid waste management under different scenarios. Six different scenarios were developed as alternatives to the current practice of open dumping and partially bioreactor landfilling. The scenarios include landfill with biogas collection, incineration and different combinations of recycling, landfill, composting, anaerobic digestion and incineration. Global warming, acidification, eutrophication and human toxicity were assessed as environmental impact categories. The sensitivity analysis shows that if the recycling rate is increased from 10% to 90%, the environmental impacts as compared with present scenario would reduce from 998.43 kg CO2 eq t−1 of municipal solid waste, 0.124 kg SO2 eq t−1, 0.46 kg PO4−3 eq t−1, 0.44 kg 1,4-DB eq t−1 to 892.34 kg CO2 eq t−1, 0.121 kg SO2 eq t−1, 0.36 kg PO4−3 eq t−1, 0.40 kg 1,4-DB eq t−1, respectively. An integrated municipal solid waste management approach with a mix of recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion and landfill had the lowest overall environmental impact. The technologies, such as incineration, would reduce the global warming emission because of the highest avoided emissions, however, human toxicity would increase.
Insights Into Roles for Health-Care Professionals in Meeting the Needs of Older Adults and Unpaid Caregivers During Health-Care Transitions
Authors: Weeks Lori E. , McInnis-Perry Gloria , MacQuarrie Colleen , Jovanovic Sanja
Published: November 2016

We provided insights from older adults, their unpaid caregivers, and health-care professionals into specific roles for professionals within the health system to better meet the needs of community-dwelling older adults and their unpaid caregivers experiencing transitions between health services. We used a qualitative approach to collect data within one Canadian province from older adults and unpaid caregivers of older adults who participated in focus groups ( n = 98) and professionals working in the health system who participated in an online survey ( n = 52). Questions included experiences with health service transitions, strengths, challenges, and suggestions to improve transitions. Thematic analysis resulted in identifying seven specific roles for professionals in supporting health-care transitions: information and education, planning for future health needs, supporting the acceptance of necessary care, facilitating access to the right services at the right time, facilitating communication between services, facilitating the discharge planning process and advocacy for older adults and unpaid caregivers. Our results based on evidence from older adults, unpaid caregivers, and health-care professionals will inform future research and further development of the instrumental and relational roles for professionals supporting older adults and their caregivers experiencing health-care transitions.
An unsteady free wake model for aerodynamic performance of cycloidal propellers
Authors: Tang Jiwei , Hu Yu , Song Bifeng , Yang Hui
Published: November 2016

A new unsteady three-dimensional aerodynamic performance prediction approach is established to achieve fast and accurate prediction of the unsteady aerodynamics of cycloidal propellers. This model is developed by the coupling of momentum theory, lifting-line method, free wake model, and the Leishman–Beddoes semi-empirical dynamic stall model. The overall calculation process includes two parts. Firstly, to reduce the computational time and improve the computational convergence, the momentum theory is coupled with the Leishman–Beddoes semi-empirical dynamic stall model to predict a uniform inflow velocity through the cycloidal propeller disc, which is set as the initial induced velocity for iterations in the subsequent process. Then, the blade aerodynamic model, which couples the unsteady lifting-line method with the Leishman–Beddoes dynamic stall model, is used to calculate the unsteady aerodynamic response of blades. The wake of cycloidal propeller is represented by a serious of finite-length shed and trailing vortex elements, and the free wake model is utilized to model the dynamics of cycloidal propeller wake. Predictions from the present model are shown to be agreed reasonably well with the overall experimental data and the computational fluid dynamics results, both in terms of the aerodynamic performance prediction of cycloidal propeller and instantaneous blade force variations.
Rates of sexual history taking and screening in HIV-positive men who have sex with men
Authors: MacRae Alasdair , Lord Emily , Forsythe Annabel , Sherrard Jackie
Published: November 2016

A case note audit was undertaken of HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) to ascertain whether national guidelines for taking sexual histories, including recreational drug use and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening were being met. The notes of 142 HIV-positive men seen in 2015 were available, of whom 85 were MSM. Information was collected regarding sexual history, recreational drug use documentation, sexually transmitted infection screen offer and test results. Seventy-seven (91%) of the MSM had a sexual history documented, of whom 60 (78%) were sexually active. STI screens were offered to 58/60 (97%) of those who were sexually active and accepted by 53 (91%). Twelve (23%) of these had an STI. A recreational drug history was taken in 63 (74%) with 17 (27%) reporting use and 3 (5%) chemsex. The high rate of STIs highlights that regular screening in this group is essential. Additionally, the fact that over a quarter reported recreational drug use and given the increasing concern around chemsex, questions about this should be incorporated into the sexual history proforma.
HIV care and treatment of American Indians/Alaska natives with diagnosed HIV infection – 27 states and the District of Columbia, 2012
Authors: Mitsch Andrew , Surendera Babu Aruna , Seneca Dean , Whiteside Y Omar , Warne Donald
Published: November 2016

The objective of this study was to measure linkage to care, retention in care, and suppressed viral load (VL) among American Indians/Alaska Natives (AIs/ANs) aged ≥13 years with diagnosed HIV infection. We used national HIV case surveillance data to measure linkage to care, defined as ≥1 CD4 or VL test ≤1 month after HIV diagnosis during 2013; retention in care, defined as ≥2 CD4 or VL tests ≥3 months apart during 2012; and suppressed VL, defined as <200 copies/mL at the most recent VL test during 2012. In 2013, 74.1% of AIs/ANs were linked to care. At year-end 2012, 46.9% of AIs/ANs were retained in care and 45.1% were virally suppressed. A lower percentage of females (41.3%), compared with males (46.5), were virally suppressed. By age group, the lowest percentage of virally suppressed AIs/ANs (37.5%) were aged 13–34 years. To improve individual health and to prevent HIV among AIs/ANs, outcomes must improve – particularly for female AIs/ANs and for AIs/ANs aged 13–34 years. Screening for HIV infection in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s testing recommendations can lead to improvements along the continuum of HIV care.
On Learning Natural-Science Categories That Violate the Family-Resemblance Principle
Authors: Nosofsky Robert M. , Sanders Craig A. , Gerdom Alex , Douglas Bruce J. , McDaniel Mark A.
Published: November 2016

The general view in psychological science is that natural categories obey a coherent, family-resemblance principle. In this investigation, we documented an example of an important exception to this principle: Results of a multidimensional-scaling study of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks (Experiment 1) suggested that the structure of these categories is disorganized and dispersed. This finding motivated us to explore what might be the optimal procedures for teaching dispersed categories, a goal that is likely critical to science education in general. Subjects in Experiment 2 learned to classify pictures of rocks into compact or dispersed high-level categories. One group learned the categories through focused high-level training, whereas a second group was required to simultaneously learn classifications at a subtype level. Although high-level training led to enhanced performance when the categories were compact, subtype training was better when the categories were dispersed. We provide an interpretation of the results in terms of an exemplar-memory model of category learning.
Skill-specific unemployment risks: Employment protection and technological progress – A cross-national comparison
Authors: Bennett Jenny
Published: November 2016

This article focuses on the relationship between employment protection legislation (EPL) and skill-specific unemployment risks. As a consequence of skill-biased technological progress, low- and high-skilled workers are expected to be affected differently. Moreover, the level of technological progress should moderate the relation between EPL and skill-specific unemployment risks. The analyses are based on data from the Labour Force Survey from the year 2008 and concentrate on the civilian labour force aged between 25 and 49 years in 20 European countries. The results show that stricter EPL strengthens unemployment risks between skill groups only when the level of technological progress is very advanced. In other countries, stricter EPL is related to less inequality in unemployment risks. However, there are two sides to a coin. While stricter EPL is related to lower unemployment risks for the low skilled in most countries, it leads to higher unemployment rates for the highly skilled at the same time.
Participation of Spanish older people in educational courses: The role of sociodemographic and active ageing factors
Authors: Villar Feliciano , Serrat Rodrigo , Celdrán Montserrat
Published: November 2016

This study examines the factors associated with participation in educational courses among Spanish older people. Data were drawn from the Survey on Older People 2010, carried out by Spain’s National Institute of Older People and Social Services and based on a nationally representative sample. Overall, only 7.4 percent of the sample participated in an educational course. To analyse the factors related to this participation, we ran multivariate analyses using sociodemographic background data and participation in different kinds of active ageing activities. Gender, location, age, leisure activities, volunteering and political activity were found to be predictors of participation in educational courses. Leisure and productive activities showed greater predictive value for participation in educational courses than sociodemographic variables. In the light of the data, policies to promote older people’s participation in educational courses are discussed.
Social assistance performance in Central and Eastern Europe: A pre-transfer post-transfer comparison
Authors: Avram Silvia
Published: November 2016

The anti-poverty impact of national social assistance programmes in eight Central and Eastern European countries is examined using data from the European Union-Survey of Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). Results indicate that social assistance programmes achieve only limited poverty reduction, while spending a significant amount of their resources on the non-poor. The more extensive and generous programmes achieve higher effectiveness in reducing poverty. Efficiency on the other hand appears to be linked only to programme size and not to benefit levels. Unlike Western Europe, no trade-off between effectiveness and efficiency could be detected.
From social security to social investment? Compensating and social investment welfare policies in a life-course perspective
Authors: Kuitto Kati
Published: November 2016

This article contributes to the ongoing debate on the forms and characteristics of social investment policies and their potential trade-off with social security schemes by assessing developments of welfare spending profiles in 23 European welfare states in the 2000s. I argue that if a social investment turn has indeed occurred, it is not necessarily at the cost of the ‘old’ compensatory policies. Instead, social investment policies and their relation to compensating welfare policies alter with regard to policies targeted at different life-stages and to the type of welfare regime. Therefore, the results attest to a path-dependent trend within the welfare regimes, the Nordic countries remaining clear forerunners in terms of both level and dynamics of social investment policies. European social investment strategies manifest mainly in policies targeting childhood and youth, while a trade-off between social investment and compensating policies is evident in working-age policies to some degree.
Economic union without social union: The strange case of the European social dialogue
Authors: Prosser Thomas
Published: November 2016

The recent centralization of European economic governance raises the question of parallel developments in European social policy. On the basis of an examination of the case of the European social dialogue, the propensity of ‘spill-over’ theories to explain developments in the social sphere is considered. The following three potential future trajectories for the dialogue are reviewed: the possibility of the dialogue (1) becoming broader and more redistributive, (2) becoming a means of European Union (EU)-level wage control or (3) remaining in its current form. It is concluded that the status quo is likely to endure and that such a development threatens the integrity of spill-over theories and raises the issue of the dialogue’s utility to European trade unions.
Is every country fit for social investment? Italy as an adverse case
Authors: Kazepov Yuri , Ranci Costanzo
Published: November 2016

The scientific debate on social investment (SI) is moving from an ideological and normative approach towards a more realistic one. Scholars are paying closer attention to the actual developments in social policy and to the contextual conditions and impacts of SI policies. Considering this, two main issues arise. First, that SI policies are politically feasible and likely to have positive impacts only if specific contextual conditions are met. Second, SI policies were supposed to have a positive impact on both inequalities and economic growth: a strong theoretical assumption that needs to be carefully tested. The Italian case will be used here to illustrate this new perspective and the consequences of the lack of contextual pre-conditions. For this reason, the article is divided into three parts. The first part will present our theoretical argument in the context of the most recent analytical accounts of SI policy in Europe. In particular we will argue that, given the lack of crucial structural pre-conditions, SI policies may have ambiguous and even unexpected negative impacts on both economic growth and equal opportunities. In the second and third parts, we will present empirical evidence of this ambiguity considering childcare and apprenticeship reforms in Italy. More specifically, based on empirical research carried out in Italy, we want to answer two questions: (1) Why is the Italian welfare state so ‘unfriendly’ to SI policies? What are the main factors explaining the limited room for SI policies? (2) When an SI approach is promoted in specific policy areas in Italy, what is its social and economic impact? Do these interventions achieve the positive results to be expected according to the SI approach? Finally, the last part synthesises the main arguments and aims to open a critical discussion on the structural pre-conditions of SI policies and the need for further analysis of the political economy contexts in which SI policy develops.
Sample size and power for a stratified doubly randomized preference design
Authors: Cameron Briana , Esserman Denise A
Published: November 2016

The two-stage (or doubly) randomized preference trial design is an important tool for researchers seeking to disentangle the role of patient treatment preference on treatment response through estimation of selection and preference effects. Up until now, these designs have been limited by their assumption of equal preference rates and effect sizes across the entire study population. We propose a stratified two-stage randomized trial design that addresses this limitation. We begin by deriving stratified test statistics for the treatment, preference, and selection effects. Next, we develop a sample size formula for the number of patients required to detect each effect. The properties of the model and the efficiency of the design are established using a series of simulation studies. We demonstrate the applicability of the design using a study of Hepatitis C treatment modality, specialty clinic versus mobile medical clinic. In this example, a stratified preference design (stratified by alcohol/drug use) may more closely capture the true distribution of patient preferences and allow for a more efficient design than a design which ignores these differences (unstratified version).
Effect of Celebrity Endorsements on Dimensions of Customer-based Brand Equity: Empirical Evidence from Indian Luxury Market
Authors: Sharma Rajesh
Published: November 2016

Brand equity is a brand’s incremental value due to its name. It has been long argued that brand equity must be the ultimate criterion of success in brand management because brand equity contributes both to long-term sales and long-term profits. Celebrity endorsement has gained prominence as a popular resource for marketing strategies among many firms. This research aims to empirically test the role of celebrity endorsements in the brand equity formation process. This study explored the relationship between celebrity endorsements and four dimensions of brand equity of Aaker’s (1991) brand equity model in Indian luxury products market. Data were collected through a shopping mall intercept survey of 202 respondents in the cities of Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida and Chandigarh. Exploratory factor analysis was used for reducing the number of scale items while regression was used to test the proposed hypotheses. The results show a positive and significant effect of celebrity endorsements on two brand equity dimensions, that is, brand awareness and brand associations, but celebrity endorsements do not have any significant influence on other two dimensions, that is, perceived quality and brand loyalty. We finally discuss the implications—both theoretical and managerial—before providing directions for future research.
Creative Defiance
Authors: Maviyane-Davies Chaz
Published: November 2016

Throughout his work, Chaz Maviyane-Davies has used images and ideas to cut through complacency and apathy while trying to raise social consciousness. The issues addressed in his work have included social discrimination, human rights, health, and the environment. Creating an expressive alternate vision in a pervading regressive body politic has never been easy and therein lies the challenge he calls “Creative Defiance.” The article is from a presentation which was made at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2016.
The Impact of Culture on Reactions to Promise Breaches: Differences Between East and West in Behavioral Integrity Perceptions
Authors: Friedman Ray , Hong Ying-Yi , Simons Tony , Chi Shu-Cheng (Steve) , Oh Se-Hyung (David) , Lachowicz Mark
Published: November 2016

Behavioral integrity (BI)—a perception that a person acts in ways that are consistent with their words—has been shown to have an impact on many areas of work life. However, there have been few studies of BI in Eastern cultural contexts. Differences in communication style and the nature of hierarchical relationships suggest that spoken commitments are interpreted differently in the East and the West. We performed three scenario-based experiments that look at response to word–deed inconsistency in different cultures. The experiments show that Indians, Koreans, and Taiwanese do not as readily revise BI downward following a broken promise as do Americans (Study 1), that the U.S.–Indian difference is especially pronounced when the speaker is a boss rather than a subordinate (Study 2), and that people exposed to both cultures adjust perceptions of BI based on the cultural context of where the speaking occurs (Study 3).
Toward an Empirical Multidimensional Structure of Anhedonia, Reward Sensitivity, and Positive Emotionality: An Exploratory Factor Analytic Study
Authors: Olino Thomas M. , McMakin Dana L. , Forbes Erika E.
Published: November 2016

Positive emotionality, anhedonia, and reward sensitivity share motivational and experiential elements of approach motivation and pleasure. Earlier work has examined the interrelationships among these constructs from measures of extraversion. More recently, the Research Domain Criteria introduced the Positive Valence Systems as a primary dimension to better understand psychopathology. However, the suggested measures tapping this construct have not yet been integrated within the structural framework of personality, even at the level of self-report. Thus, this study conducted exploratory factor and exploratory bifactor analyses on 17 different dimensions relevant to approach motivation, spanning anhedonia, behavioral activation system functioning, and positive emotionality. Convergent validity of these dimensions is tested by examining associations with depressive symptoms. Relying on multiple indices of fit, our preferred model included a general factor along with specific factors of affiliation, positive emotion, assertiveness, and pleasure seeking. These factors demonstrated different patterns of association with depressive symptoms. We discuss the plausibility of this model and highlight important future directions for work on the structure of a broad Positive Valence Systems construct.
Classifying diabetes-burden: A factor analysis of the Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale
Authors: Martin Colleen E , Renn Brenna N , Winderman Kate E , Hundt Natalie , Petersen Nancy J , Naik Aanand D , Cully Jeffrey A
Published: November 2016

This study sought to identify salient factors associated with the Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale to facilitate improved assessment and treatment of diabetes-related burden. Exploratory factor analysis assessed the factor structure of the Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale among 224 Veterans with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and depressive symptoms. A four-factor solution of emotional, diabetes management, treatment, and social support burden subscales was extracted. These factors represent clinically relevant components of diabetes burden that include but go beyond symptoms of depression. The Problem Areas in Diabetes subscales may expand assessments for depression and improve medical and behavioral health interventions for patients with diabetes.
Associations of perceived risk and cancer worry for colorectal cancer with screening behaviour
Authors: Choi Eunji , Lee Yoon Young , Suh Mina , Park Boyoung , Jun Jae Kwan , Kim Yeol , Choi Kui Son
Published: November 2016

We investigated the associations of perceived risk and cancer worry with colorectal cancer screening by the faecal occult blood test, colonoscopy or both. This study was based on the 2013 Korean National Cancer Screening Survey, including 2154 randomly selected, cancer-free and over 50-year-old adults. Individuals with higher cancer worry were 1.53 times more likely to undergo colorectal cancer screening, influenced by emotional reaction; individuals with greater perceived risk were 1.61 times more, affected by subjective awareness. However, cancer worry was only associated with the faecal occult blood test. Better understanding of cancer worry and perceived risk on screening behaviours may help to increase colorectal cancer screening rates.
Politics and ‘the digital’
Authors: Kaufmann Mareile , Jeandesboz Julien
Published: November 2016

The relationship between politics and the digital has largely been characterized as one of epochal change. The respective theories understand the digital as external to politics and society, as an autonomous driver for global, unilateral transformation. Rather than supporting such singular accounts of the relationship between politics and the digital, this article argues for its specificity: the digital is best examined in terms of folds within existing socio-technical configurations, and as an artefact with a set of affordances that are shaped and filled with meaning by social practice. In conceptualizing the digital as numeric, countable, computable, material, storable, searchable, transferable, networkable and traceable, fabricated and interpreted, it becomes clear that the digital cannot be divorced from the social. These affordances of the digital are discussed in relation to specific political, digital practices that are further developed in the different contributions in this special issue, such as predictive policing (Aradau and Blanke, this issue), data protection (Bellanova, this issue), extremist recruitment videos (Leander, this issue), political acclamation (Dean, this issue), and pandemic simulations (Opitz, this issue).
A low-cost version of electro-mechanical impedance technique for damage detection in reinforced concrete structures using multiple piezo configurations
Authors: Kaur Naveet , Li Lingfang , Bhalla Suresh , Xia Yong
Published: November 2016

The electro-mechanical impedance technique has developed rapidly during the past few decades as a reliable health monitoring component of civil structures. However, the high cost of impedance analyzer/LCR meter conventionally used for data acquisition in the electro-mechanical impedance technique restricts its wide use in real applications. This article provides a comprehensive study of exploring the low-cost electro-mechanical impedance technique for health monitoring of concrete under destructive testing using multiple piezo configurations. The experimental scheme ensures separate acquisition of both the real and the imaginary components of the electro-mechanical impedance signature for detailed analysis, a feature not available in some previous low-cost adaptations. The piezo configurations covered here for comparison are the surface-bonded piezo configuration, the embedded piezo configuration, and the metal wire piezo configuration. The repeatability of the proposed low-cost electro-mechanical impedance technique is checked and the results are compared with the traditional counterpart utilizing conventional LCR meter. The two electro-mechanical impedance approaches show similar trends of the conductance signature for all configurations. In particular, the metal wire piezo configuration can be adopted as an excellent alternative in practice for reinforced concrete structures when the direct surface bonding is not feasible. Overall, the low-cost version of the electro-mechanical impedance technique is effective to detect the presence of the damage.
A review of soot sensors considered for on-board diagnostics application
Authors: Kamimoto Takeyuki
Published: November 2016

If emissions control systems and engine control devices experience a failure, the engine system may malfunction causing exhaust emissions to exceed the standard levels of the regulated emissions. Thus, the functional status of each of all primary control devices needs to be monitored for detecting possible failures, so that the proper action can be taken to warn the vehicle operator. This article reviews a soot sensor currently developed for on-board diagnostics to monitor a diesel particulate filter and detect the failure. Original equipment manufacturers have selected a resistive soot sensor for the on-board diagnostics application because of its commercial feasibility in terms of functionality and cost. The sensor accumulates soot particles in exhaust gas on the sensing element. Structure, design, and function of the cumulative sensor including the signal processing techniques are described. Since the sensor signal contains noises and fluctuations, the post-diesel particulate filter soot concentration is repeatedly measured over 100 times and averaged in order to ensure the measurement accuracy, so that the diesel particulate filter failures can be detected. In addition to the resistive soot sensor, this article reviews the status of currently developed continuous soot sensors such as an electrostatic sensor, an electrical charging sensor, and a radio frequency–based sensor. These sensors have major issues of packaging and cost to be resolved prior to application to production vehicles. This review article is based primarily on scientific literatures most of which were published a few years ago, but the development of new soot sensor concepts has been continuing in the industry. Three new soot sensor concepts all of which are under development are also reported.
Retaining students in Australian higher education: cultural capital, field distinction
Authors: Gale Trevor , Parker Stephen
Published: November 2016

In the global phenomenon of widening participation policy in higher education, lower retention rates for students from less advantaged socio-economic circumstances have potential to undermine the social inclusion agenda of HE. This might be an issue in Europe but is not necessarily the case elsewhere. In this paper we consider statistical data on Australian university students from under-represented groups, retained at similar rates to those of their more advantaged peers. Our data also include print and online media commentary on student retention. In our analysis we draw on Bourdieu’s social theory, particularly his conceptual tools of ‘cultural capital’ and field ‘distinction’. We argue that less-advantaged Australian university students appear to have greater access to the cultural capital privileged in higher education institutions. This tends to undermine claims of retention problems, and of ‘setting up students to fail’, which dominate quasi-policy media forums and have more to do with mitigating a perceived threat to the distinctive character of higher education. Following Wilkinson and Pickett’s observations on the distribution of economic capital within societies, we suggest that the more even the distribution of cultural capital across systems, institutions and groups, the less students’ socio-economic status has to do with their retention in higher education.
Consistency of medical record reporting of a set of indicators for proactive palliative care in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Duenk Ria G , Verhagen Stans C , Janssen Mireille AE , Dekhuijzen Richard PNR , Vissers Kris CP , Engels Yvonne , Heijdra Yvonne
Published: November 2016

To identify patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who have a poor prognosis and might benefit from proactive palliative care, a set of indicators had been developed from the literature. A patient is considered eligible for proactive palliative care when meeting ≥2 criteria of the proposed set of 11 indicators. In order to develop a doctor-friendly and patient-convenient tool, our primary objective was to examine whether these indicators are documented consistently in the medical records. Besides, percentage of patients with a poor prognosis and prognostic value were explored. We conducted a retrospective medical record review of 33 patients. Five indicators; non-invasive ventilation (NIV), comorbidity, body mass index (BMI), previous admissions for acute exacerbation COPD and age were always documented. Three indicators; hypoxaemia and/or hypercapnia, professional home care and actual forced expiratory volume1% (FEV1%) were documented in more than half of the records, whereas the clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ), medical research council dyspnoea (MRC dyspnoea) and the surprise question were never registered. Besides, 78.8% of the patients met ≥2 criteria and there was a significant association between meeting ≥2 criteria and mortality within 1 year (one-sided Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.04). The set of indicators for proactive palliative care in patients with COPD appeared to be user-friendly and feasible.
Understanding climate-induced migration through computational modeling: A critical overview with guidance for future efforts
Authors: Till Charlotte , Haverkamp Jamie , White Devin , Bhaduri Budhendra
Published: November 2016

Climate change has the potential to displace large populations in many parts of the developed and developing world. Understanding why, how, and when environmental migrants decide to move is critical to successful strategic planning within organizations tasked with helping the affected groups, and mitigating their systemic impacts. One way to support planning is through the employment of computational modeling techniques. Models can provide a window into possible futures, allowing planners and decision makers to test different scenarios in order to understand what might happen. While modeling is a powerful tool, it presents both opportunities and challenges. This paper builds a foundation for the broader community of model consumers and developers by: providing an overview of pertinent climate-induced migration research, describing some different types of models and how to select the most relevant one(s), highlighting three perspectives on obtaining data to use in said model(s), and the consequences associated with each. It concludes with two case studies based on recent research that illustrate what can happen when ambitious modeling efforts are undertaken without sufficient planning, oversight, and interdisciplinary collaboration. We hope that the broader community can learn from our experiences and apply this knowledge to their own modeling research efforts.
Variability in Resident Operative Hand Experience by Specialty
Authors: Silvestre Jason , Lin Ines C. , Levin L. Scott , Chang Benjamin
Published: November 2016

Background: Recent attention has sought to standardize hand surgery training in the United States. This study analyzes the variability in operative hand experience for orthopedic and general surgery residents. Methods: Case logs for orthopedic and general surgery residency graduates were obtained from the American Council of Graduate Medical Education (2006-2007 to 2014-2015). Plastic surgery case logs were not available for comparison. Hand surgery case volumes were compared between specialties with parametric tests. Intraspecialty variation in orthopedic surgery was assessed between the bottom and top 10th percentiles in procedure categories. Results: Case logs for 9605 general surgery residents and 5911 orthopedic surgery residents were analyzed. Orthopedic surgery residents performed a greater number of hand surgery cases than general surgery residents ( P < .001). Mean total hand experience ranged from 2.5 ± 4 to 2.8 ± 5 procedures for general surgery residents with no reported cases of soft tissue repairs, vascular repairs, and replants. Significant intraspecialty variation existed in orthopedic surgery for all hand procedure categories (range, 3.3-15.0). Conclusions: As the model for hand surgery training evolves, general surgeons may represent an underutilized talent pool to meet the critical demand for hand surgeon specialists. Future research is needed to determine acceptable levels of training variability in hand surgery.
In utero exposure to LPS alters the postnatal acute-phase response in beef heifers
Authors: Carroll Jeffery A , Burdick Sanchez Nicole C , Arthingon John D , Nelson Corwin D , Benjamin Aimee L , Korkmaz Filiz T , Kerr David E , Lancaster Phillip A
Published: November 2016

The potential effect of prenatal LPS exposure on the postnatal acute phase response (APR) to an LPS challenge in heifers was determined. Pregnant crossbred cows were separated into prenatal immune stimulation (PIS) and saline groups (Control). From these treatments, heifer calves were identified at weaning to subsequently receive an exogenous LPS challenge. Sickness behavior scores (SBS) were recorded and blood samples were collected at 30-min intervals from −2 to 8 h and again at 24 h relative to the LPS challenge. There was a treatment × time interaction for the change in vaginal temperature (VT) such that the change in VT was greater in Control than PIS from 150 to 250 min, yet it was greater in PIS than Control from 355 to 440 min and from 570 to 1145 min. There was also a treatment × time interaction for SBS such that scores were greater in Control than PIS at 0.5 h, yet were greater in PIS than Control from 2.5 to 4 h post-LPS. There was a tendency for a treatment × time interaction for serum concentrations of IL-6, which were greater in PIS than Control heifers from 5.5 to 6 h and from 7 to 8 h post-challenge. Thus, a single exposure to LPS during gestation can alter the postnatal APR to LPS in heifer calves.
Tetrabenazine in treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders: an observational study
Authors: Miguel Rita , Mendonça Marcelo D. , Barbosa Raquel , Ladeira Filipa , Lampreia Tânia , Vale José , Bugalho Paulo
Published: November 2016

Background:

Tetrabenazine (TBZ) is commonly used in hyperkinetic movement disorders. In this retrospective study, we aimed to assess the TBZ effectiveness and adverse events (AEs) in Huntington disease (HD), vascular chorea, tics, dystonia, tardive oromandibular (OM) dyskinesia and other tardive syndromes (TS).

Methods:

Qualitative analysis of clinical response was used to estimate TBZ effectiveness. TBZ-associated AE frequency and subsequent discontinuation rate were used to estimate tolerability; the tolerability profile was measured through the TBZ minimal dose and exposure time required to elicit AEs.

Results:

Of 108 included patients, 87% had a clinically meaningful improvement sustained over a period of 40 months. TBZ-responder rate ranged from 100% in HD to 62.5% and 77.1% in tic disorders and OM dyskinesia, respectively ( p < 0.001). TBZ-associated AE frequency ranged from 40.9% in other TS and 41.7% in vascular chorea and HD, to 60% in OM dyskinesia ( p < 0.001). The most common AEs were Parkinsonism (51.8%) and psychiatric disorders (25%). The ‘other AEs’ category (mainly somnolence) presented the shortest minimal exposure time (3 months). AE-eliciting dose differed from 18.8 mg and 25 mg in tics and tardive disorders, to 75 mg in HD ( p = 0.003). Patients with AEs were tendentiously older at TBZ initiation ( p = 0.022).

Conclusions:

TBZ proved an effective and relatively well tolerated treatment in hyperkinetic disorders, with excellent results in HD. AEs were more common in OM dyskinesia, which may be related to higher age at TBZ initiation. TBZ-associated somnolence and Parkinsonism were more frequent during the titration and maintenance periods, respectively.
Vinflunine in the treatment of advanced urothelial cancer: clinical evidence and experience
Authors: Gerullis Holger , Wawroschek Friedhelm , Köhne Claus-Henning , Ecke Thorsten Holger
Published: November 2016

Vinflunine (VFL) has been approved in Europe for second-line treatment of metastatic and advanced urothelial cancer after failure of platin-containing therapy. Since approval, the drug has been investigated in few clinical trials. Most of the currently available reports describe experiences with VFL in a daily clinical setting. This review gives a short overview on clinical experiences and clinical trials involving VFL since the approval of this drug in 2009.