bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vegetation dynamics during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition in the central Great Plains, USA
Authors: Woodburn Terri L. , Johnson William C. , Mason Joseph A. , Bozarth Steven R. , Halfen Alan F.
Published: June 2016

The Holocene–Pleistocene transition in the upland loess-mantled regions of the central Great Plains is punctuated by the Brady Soil, which separates the late-Pleistocene Peoria Loess and the Holocene Bignell Loess. Previous research on the Brady Soil at the Old Wauneta Roadcut site in Southwestern Nebraska has produced paleoenvironmental information based on well-constrained luminescence and radiocarbon ages, stable carbon isotope data, and chemical and physical data. While the research indicated high effective moisture during formation of the Brady Soil and a shift to warm-season C4 vegetation from the cool-season C3-dominated vegetation of the Peoria Loess, those data do not provide any detail as to plant community composition and significant underlying climatic inferences. Assemblages of phytoliths and other biosilicates extracted from the Brady Soil provide specific information on vegetation communities and indicate shifts of plant taxa comprising these assemblages. Short-cell phytolith count data reveal a shift from dominance of Pooideae (C3) grasses, with relatively large numbers of arboreal dicot spheres and a few Cyperaceae (sedge) present in a savannah or open woodland in the Bølling-Allerød, to a mixed, open Chloridoideae (C4) and Pooideae (C3) grassland in the early-Holocene. Stipa-type Pooideae, a cool-season grass preferring drier soil conditions, marks the onset of the Younger Dryas. Large-cell phytoliths such as long cells, bulliforms, and trichomes, provided further definition of the climate history. This comprehensive biosilicate study of the Brady Soil has provided a more detailed paleoclimatic reconstruction than that generated with bulk sediment-derived δ13C data, or even with short-cell phytolith data alone.
Bayesian spatially dependent variable selection for small area health modeling
Authors: Choi Jungsoon , Lawson Andrew B
Published: June 2016

Statistical methods for spatial health data to identify the significant covariates associated with the health outcomes are of critical importance. Most studies have developed variable selection approaches in which the covariates included appear within the spatial domain and their effects are fixed across space. However, the impact of covariates on health outcomes may change across space and ignoring this behavior in spatial epidemiology may cause the wrong interpretation of the relations. Thus, the development of a statistical framework for spatial variable selection is important to allow for the estimation of the space-varying patterns of covariate effects as well as the early detection of disease over space. In this paper, we develop flexible spatial variable selection approaches to find the spatially-varying subsets of covariates with significant effects. A Bayesian hierarchical latent model framework is applied to account for spatially-varying covariate effects. We present a simulation example to examine the performance of the proposed models with the competing models. We apply our models to a county-level low birth weight incidence dataset in Georgia.
Infrastructure Development and Access to Basic Amenities in Class-I Cities of West Bengal, India
Authors: Haque Ismail
Published: June 2016

Examination of the city-level infrastructure data from Census databases reveals that improvements in both social and physical infrastructure parameters have occurred in class-I cities of West Bengal but not in economic infrastructure aspects while access to basic amenities and assets has improved only slightly at the household level. However, cities situated in the lowermost infrastructural development categories dominate the urban scene in this state. Furthermore, any discernible improvements in infrastructural facilities during the last decade are totally confined to a few large cities like Kolkata, Howrah, Asansol, Durgapur, Siliguri, Burdwan and Bally. As regards the overall infrastructural development, about 48 per cent of the class-I cities experienced a very low-to-low level improvement in facilities in 2011, implying the dismal status of infrastructure in the smaller class-I cities. The pace in growth of infrastructure facilities in large cities is sluggish compared to many medium and small centres, due to their inability to update the existing infrastructure base up to the required level to meet burgeoning civic demands. Whatever success is gained is disproportionately distributed across the class-I cities of the state, highlighting the tremendous inter-city disparity.
Post-crisis developments in multinational corporations’ global organizations
Authors: Szalavetz Andrea
Published: June 2016

This paper investigates multinational corporations’ organizational responses to the global financial crisis. Relying on qualitative content analysis of the annual reports of multinational corporations in the automotive, electronics and machinery industries, and drawing on the results of interviews made with senior local executives, the association between the adverse turn in the business cycle and multinational corporations’ organizational reconfiguration actions is analysed, together with the key drivers of organizational restructuring. We find that the global crisis has reinforced and intensified ongoing organizational reconfiguration trends and argue that crisis-prompted responses need to be separated from fundamental organizational transformation catalysed by the crisis. Strategic organizational realignment programs have been driven by long-standing technological and market trends rather than by transient developments.
Psychometric Testing of an Instrument About Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Sundborg E. , Alinaghizadeh H. , Törnkvist L. , Saleh-Stattin N. , Michelsen H. , Wändell P.
Published: June 2016

This study used step-by-step exploratory factor analysis in the framework of confirmatory factor analysis (EFA/CFA) to evaluate the psychometric properties of the translated and culturally adapted Swedish version of “The Violence Against Women Health Care Provider Survey.” The Swedish version of the instrument was needed to measure district nurses’ preparedness to encounter women exposed to intimate partner violence. In the first step of EFA/CFA, the eight-factor model was confirmed. The item-total correlations ranged from .22 to 1.01, and Cronbach’s alphas from .68 to .71. After removing four items, the corrected item-total correlations ranged from .40 to .97. On the basis of the analysis, we concluded that the Swedish version of the instrument is valid and reliable for evaluating the preparedness of district nurses in Sweden to encounter women exposed to intimate partner violence.
Evaluating the Structure of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Using Confirmatory Factor Analytic and Bifactor Modeling With Parent and Youth Ratings
Authors: Smith Zoe R. , Becker Stephen P. , Garner Annie A. , Rudolph Cort W. , Molitor Stephen J. , Oddo Lauren E. , Langberg Joshua M.
Published: June 2016

The primary goals of this study were to evaluate the dimensionality of the Penny et al. Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale and to compare model fits for parent- and youth self-report versions. Participants were 262 young adolescents (ages 10-15) comprehensively diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Both confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and bifactor modeling were used to determine if the proposed three-factor structure previously identified through exploratory factor analysis could be confirmed. Results showed that although the three-factor CFA had better fit statistics than a one- or two-factor CFA, the bifactor model was the best-fitting model for both parent report and self-report. This implies that Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale is best conceptualized as having an underlying general factor, with three specific factors that may represent different etiologies. Importantly, results also showed low-to-moderate correlations between raters and equivalent or better fit statistics for self-report in comparison with parent report.
More of a Good Thing Is Not Always Better: Validation of a Distress Overtolerance Measure
Authors: Gorey Claire M. , Rojas Elizabeth A. , Bornovalova Marina A.
Published: June 2016

Distress tolerance (DT) refers to the ability to tolerate aversive psychological states. Research has mainly focused on the link between low DT and psychopathology with little empirical work on individuals on the high end (i.e., distress overtolerance). Distress overtolerance has been conceptualized as a tendency to tolerate very high levels of distress despite the negative consequences to one’s well-being. Currently, no measures of distress overtolerance have been developed, and current measures for DT are not well-suited for measuring distress overtolerance. To establish distress overtolerance as a construct, an exploratory factor analysis ( N = 251) of the distress overtolerance scale was conducted and revealed a two-factor structure (i.e., Capacity for Harm and Fear of Negative Evaluation). In Study 2 ( N = 257), a confirmatory factor analysis revealed strong psychometric properties, the expected nomological network, good construct validity, and incremental criterion utility. Results showed that this scale can be used as a starting point for the theoretical framework behind distress overtolerance.
Advancing the Assessment of Dynamic Psychological Processes
Authors: Wright Aidan G. C. , Hopwood Christopher J.
Published: June 2016

Most commonly used clinical assessment tools cannot fully capture the dynamic psychological processes often hypothesized as core mechanisms of psychopathology and psychotherapy. There is therefore a gap between our theories of problems and interventions for those problems and the tools we use to understand clients. The purpose of this special issue is to connect theory about clinical dynamics to practice by focusing on methods for collecting dynamic data, statistical models for analyzing dynamic data, and conceptual schemes for implementing dynamic data in applied settings. In this introductory article, we argue for the importance of assessing dynamic processes, highlight recent advances in assessment science that enable their measurement, review challenges in using these advances in applied practice, and adumbrate the articles in this issue.
Frequency of Common CYP2C9 Polymorphisms and Their Impact on Warfarin Dose Requirement in Pakistani Population
Authors: Qayyum Aisha , Najmi Muzammil Hasan , Mansoor Qaisar , Farooqi Zia-ur-Rehman , Naveed Abdul Khaliq , Hanif Andleeb , Kazmi Syed Ali Raza , Ismail Muhammad
Published: June 2016

Polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 (CYP2C9) gene result in interindividual variability in warfarin dose requirement. There is a need for characterization of genotype frequency distribution in different populations for construction of customized dosing algorithms to enhance the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of warfarin therapy. This study was carried out in Pakistani population to evaluate the contribution of common CYP2C9 polymorphisms to warfarin therapy. A total of 550 stable patients taking warfarin were enrolled after medical history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations. Single blood sample was collected after informed consent. Genomic DNA was extracted, and genotype analysis for CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 polymorphisms was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. A number of samples were also analyzed by direct DNA sequencing for validation of the results. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Genotype frequency distribution of CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 was found to be different from other populations. Of these 2 polymorphisms, CYP2C9*2 did not demonstrate significant effect on warfarin dose requirement, whereas CYP2C9*3 did show significant effect ( P value = .012). It is concluded that there is a need to study genotype frequency distribution and their effect on warfarin dose variability among different populations due to diversity in outcome.
Intimate Partner Violence Screening Practices in California After Passage of the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Tavrow Paula , Bloom Brittnie E. , Withers Mellissa H.
Published: June 2016

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance coverage should include screening for intimate partner violence (IPV). In this article, we present self-reported IPV screening practices and provider confidence from a post-ACA cross-sectional survey of 137 primary care clinicians in California. Only 14% of the providers reported always screening female patients for IPV and about one third seemed never to screen. Female providers were more likely to screen and use recommended direct questioning. Most providers lacked confidence in screening, referral, and record-keeping. Serving a low-income population predicted more frequent screening and better record-keeping. Overall, IPV screening in primary care was inadequate and needs attention.
Measuring Potential Efficiency Gains from Mergers of Italian First Instance Courts through Nonparametric Model
Authors: Castro Massimo Finocchiaro , Guccio Calogero
Published: June 2016

In several countries, economic development has boosted the mobility of population, changing the distribution of litigation. Hence, the increasing difference between the new demand of legal services and the old judicial maps has increased processing time and backlog, therefore, badly affecting judiciary efficiency. These issues are particular relevant for the Italian judicial system because of the Italian government’s proposal (decree n. 155/2012) of new judicial map of first instance courts. The courts’ reorganization has been achieved through the horizontal merger of some courts and the abolition of all local courthouses. This article represents the first attempts at measuring the potential performance improvements achieved by the enforced reform. For this purpose, we compare the efficiency levels of Italian first instance courts in 2011 with those reached by the new judicial map. Our results show not negligible efficiency gains from the proposed mergers under the variable returns to scale technology assumption.
Improving Cure Rates in Onychomycosis
Authors: Gupta Aditya K. , Cernea Maria , Foley Kelly A.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Onychomycosis is a persistent fungal nail infection that is notoriously hard to treat. Approximately 20% to 25% of patients with onychomycosis do not respond to treatment, and 10% to 53% of patients relapse. As such, successful treatment is imperative for long-term disease management.

Objective:

To identify ways to improve cure rates for onychomycosis.

Method:

The literature on onychomycosis treatment and recurrence was reviewed to summarize treatment approaches and suggest strategies to increase cure rates.

Results and Conclusion:

To improve treatment success in onychomycosis, we suggest the following measures be followed: (1) onychomycosis must be correctly diagnosed, (2) the treatment regimen should be tailored to the individual patient, (3) the efficacy of antifungals must be maximized, and (4) recurrence must be prevented.
Lessons learned: Engaging culturally diverse families in neurodevelopmental disorders intervention research
Authors: Ratto Allison B , Anthony Bruno J , Pugliese Cara , Mendez Rocio , Safer-Lichtenstein Jonathan , Dudley Katerina M , Kahn Nicole F , Kenworthy Lauren , Biel Matthew , Martucci Jillian L , Anthony Laura G
Published: June 2016

Low-income and ethnic minority families continue to face critical disparities in access to diagnostic and treatment services for neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Despite the growing cultural diversity of the United States, ethnic minority children and families continue to be substantially underrepresented across research on neurodevelopmental disorders, and there is a particularly concerning lack of research on the treatment of these conditions in low-income and ethnic minority communities. Of note, there are currently no published studies on adapting autism spectrum disorder treatment for low-income Latino communities and relatively few studies documenting adapted treatments for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in these communities. This article describes methodological considerations and adaptations made to research procedures using a Diffusion of Innovation framework in order to effectively recruit and engage low-income, ethnic minority, particularly Latino, families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, in a comparative effectiveness trial of two school-based interventions for executive dysfunction.
Seismic fragility analysis of adjacent inelastic structures connected with viscous fluid dampers
Authors: Wu Qiao-Yun , Zhu Hong-Ping , Chen Xu-Yong
Published: June 2016

Many scholars have conducted vibration control analysis on adjacent structures, so far. However, most of the previous studies always focus on the elastic analysis of the structures which usually can’t meet the multi-level seismic targets of structural safety and using function, and often ignore the adverse effects of near-field earthquakes. In view of the limitations of elastic vibration control analysis, two-dimensional models of some adjacent inelastic reinforced concrete frame structures which are connected with the viscous fluid dampers (modeled by Maxwell model) were set up, and incremental dynamic analysis was conducted under 20 near-field and 20 far-field seismic waves to get the entire seismic response process. The seismic fragility curves of the adjacent structures which were controlled and uncontrolled were obtained. The applicability of the Maxwell damper optimum parameter expressions under different seismic performance levels was studied and the differences of seismic response of the adjacent structures under the far-field and near-field earthquakes were compared. Finally, through a large number of parametric analysis and based on the principle of minimum seismic fragility of the adjacent structures, the appropriate damping values of the Maxwell dampers which show preferable control effects under different seismic waves and seismic intensities were proposed.
Mechanical performance of glass fiber–reinforced polymer tubes filled with steel-reinforced high-strength concrete subjected to eccentric compression
Authors: Zhou Le , Wang Lianguang , Zong Liang , Shi Gang , Bai Yunhao , Nie Xiaomei
Published: June 2016

Glass fiber–reinforced polymer tubes filled with steel-reinforced high-strength concrete are proposed as glass fiber–reinforced polymer–steel-reinforced high-strength concrete composite members. Eccentric compression is a typical loading scenario for such column members in practice. Experimental investigation on eight glass fiber–reinforced polymer tubes filled with steel–reinforced high-strength concrete columns subjected to eccentric compression was conducted. The effects of fiber orientation, thickness of glass fiber–reinforced polymer tube, slenderness ratio of columns, and loading eccentricity were investigated. It was found that the compression bearing capacity of glass fiber–reinforced polymer–steel-reinforced high-strength concrete columns increased with the decrease in the fiber tangle angle and the increase in the thickness of the glass fiber–reinforced polymer tube but reduced with the increase in the eccentricity and the slenderness ratio. Corresponding formulas were developed based on the nonlinear full-process analysis theory to describe the compression behavior of glass fiber–reinforced polymer–steel-reinforced high-strength concrete under eccentric loading. Good agreement was found through the comparison between the theoretical and the experimental results. The validated modeling approach was, therefore, employed to develop a parametric analysis that can be used to provide valuable guidance for practical application and further research on such structural members.
Behavior of corrugated webbed beams in post-tensioned semi-rigid connections
Authors: Abedi Sarvestani Hassan
Published: June 2016

This article presents theoretical responses and the results of finite element analysis of seven beam specimens in an interior post-tensioned steel semi-rigid beam-to-column connection including the corrugated webbed beams under the earthquake simulated by cyclic loading up to 4% story drift using well-known software ABAQUS. The connections include the bolted top and bottom angles to dissipate the input energy and high-strength steel strands passed parallel to the beams to provide the post-tensioning force which compresses the beam flanges against the column flange. The finite element results showed that using beams with thinner corrugated web and thicker flanges instead of traditional wide flange beams in post-tensioned semi-rigid connections is more economical in addition to the same bending strength. The inelastic deformations concentrated in the connection angles provide energy dissipation, while no damage affects the beams and columns, and the elastic strands return the frame to its initial position before the earthquake.
Shape and force control of prestressed cable-strut structures based on nonlinear force method
Authors: Yuan Xingfei , Liang Xiaotian , Li Along
Published: June 2016

Cable-strut structures are flexible structures which are very sensitive to their shape variation. Addition of actuators in selected members of cable-strut structures provides an efficient way to control the structural shape, thus enhances the structural performance. Although a large number of research studies have been performed to achieve shape control via linear force method, it has been proved that nonlinear force method is more accurate due to the existence of nonlinearity characters in cable-strut structures. The aim of this article is proposing an approach based on the nonlinear force method to change the shape of cable-strut structures under external load with respect to different control targets. The formulas and calculation procedure of structure’s nonlinear response to external load and length variation of members are established based on nonlinear force method. Then, solving strategy for determining the minimum required number of actuators and testing the feasibility for arrangement plan of actuators is provided for different control targets. Two numerical cases are demonstrated using the proposed approach to obtain the structural behavior before and after the control process. The effectiveness of the algorithm can be verified through numerical results.
The role of social support in the association between gambling, poor health and health risk-taking
Authors: Räsänen Tiina , Lintonen Tomi , Tolvanen Asko , Konu Anne
Published: June 2016

Aims: Studies have shown that gambling is associated with poor health and health risk-taking behaviour. However, little is known about those factors that can influence the association between gambling, health risk-taking and health. Using a population-based School Health Promotion Study of eighth- and ninth-grade Finnish boys and girls ( N = 62,956), we investigated the relationships between gambling frequency, health risk-taking and poor health as well as whether social support from parents, friends and school staff could mediate these associations. Methods: Path analysis was used to discover direct and indirect effects of health, health risk-taking and gambling. Results: Social support from parents and school staff decreased gambling among boys and girls, whereas among boys support from friends increased gambling. However, the role of social support as a mediator was very weak. Overall poor health and health risk-taking were associated with increased gambling. Conclusions: Gambling should be considered an important public health issue because it clusters with other unhealthy behaviour patterns. Interventions concerning adolescent gambling should also take other simultaneous risk-taking into consideration. Also social support from parents and school should be noted when trying to decrease adolescents’ gambling.
Study of attached air curtain ventilation within a full-scale enclosure: comparison of four turbulence models
Authors: Yin Haiguo , Li Angui
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a newly developed attached air curtain ventilation system. The airflow patterns produced by attached air curtain ventilation were modelled by computational fluid dynamic method. A full-scale experiment was conducted to determine the accuracy of four turbulence models: standard k–ɛ, RNG k–ɛ, SST k– ω and RSM-IP. SST k– ω model was shown to produce the most accurate results. The air distribution of attached air curtain ventilation within a full-scale enclosure could be predicted with an overall inaccuracy of 12%. All four models gave reasonably accurate prediction on air distribution for attached plane wall jet, but due to impingement in a corner, only RNG k–ɛ and SST k– ω models were shown to be reliable. The slot location could have a significant influence on simulation accuracy. When jet slot is close to sidewall, the numerical results of four models show good agreement with experimental data. The inaccuracy increases as s/b grows, but the maximum value appears in case of s/b = 5, when airflow pattern of attached air curtain ventilation model has a combination characteristic of both mixing and displacement ventilation. In future studies, we should focus more on attached air curtain ventilation to provide a combination of mixing and displacement ventilation flow, which would provide useful application to different locations with wall-mounted terminals.
‘i’Babies: Infants’ and toddlers’ emergent language and literacy in a digital culture of iDevices
Authors: Harrison Eugene , McTavish Marianne
Published: June 2016

Children today are growing up in a digital world that is changing and advancing at an unprecedented rate. While some adults may struggle to keep up with new technological gadgets, we find our very young may be quite at ease with the use of digital technologies, even before learning to speak. This study builds on a foundation of family literacy studies that looks at the literacies children are exposed to within their home environments. Given the influx of technology in children’s home environments, it is important to understand children’s digital literacy developments from a family literacy perspective. Studying two very young children and their families interacting with these new devices provides a deep and detailed look into how digital technologies might be influencing young children’s language and literacy development in first and second languages. Findings from this study can inform parents and educators of what, why and how young children interact and learn with digital devices.
On the Borders of Harmful and Helpful Beauty Biases
Authors: Agthe Maria , Strobel Maria , Spörrle Matthias , Pfundmair Michaela , Maner Jon K.
Published: June 2016

Research with European Caucasian samples demonstrates that attractiveness-based biases in social evaluation depend on the constellation of the sex of the evaluator and the sex of the target: Whereas people generally show positive biases toward attractive opposite-sex persons, they show less positive or even negative biases toward attractive same-sex persons. By examining these biases both within and between different ethnicities, the current studies provide new evidence for both the generalizability and the specificity of these attractiveness-based social perception biases. Examining within-ethnicity effects, Study 1 is the first to demonstrate that samples from diverse ethnic backgrounds parallel the finding of European Caucasian samples: The advantageous or adverse effects of attractiveness depend on the gender constellation of the evaluator and the evaluated person. Examining between-ethnicity effects, Study 2 found that these attractiveness-based biases emerge almost exclusively toward targets of the evaluator’s own ethnic background; these biases were reduced or eliminated for cross-ethnicity evaluations and interaction intentions. We discuss these findings in light of evolutionary principles and reflect on potential interactions between culture and evolved cognitive mechanisms.
Lung Ultrasound Utility in the Management of the Neurologically Deceased Organ Donor
Authors: Lebovitz Daniel J. , Tabbut Matthew , Latifi Samir Q. , Dezelon Lynn , Jones Robert
Published: June 2016

Context:

Lung transplantation is limited by donor lung availability with ∼20% of deceased donor lungs transplanted. Diagnostic testing identifying pulmonary derangements guide donor management strategies to maximize lung transplantation. Lung ultrasound (LUS) identifies pathology in critically ill patients equivalent or superior to chest radiograph (CXR) or computed tomography (CT) scans. No published studies have reported on LUS in neurologically deceased donors (DNDDs).

Objective:

We evaluated LUS in identifying abnormal lung pathology in DNDDs and related these findings to the standard approach.

Design:

Prospective pilot study.

Setting:

Intensive care units, university-associated teaching hospital.

Participants:

Six DNDDs evaluated during donor management.

Interventions:

Deceased donors were enrolled based on the availability of ultrasound operators (USOs). Bedside LUS was performed using Lichtenstein 3- or Volpicelli 4-zone method based on the operator preference. Lungs were evaluated for sliding, A/B profile, consolidation, or pleural fluid. Ultrasound operators were blinded to donor management data. Lung ultrasound interpretations were compared for interindividual variability. Ultrasound and anteroposterior portable CXR (AP-CXR) results were compared by Organ Procurement Organization medical directors.

Measurements and Main Results:

Bedside LUS compared well to AP-CXRs during donor management. There was no interindividual variability noted among USOs. Lung ultrasound identified all findings on AP-CXR and additional clinical pathology not reported on AP-CXR. Reports on AP-CXRs took a median 202 (13-696) minutes to occur, with LUS results available immediately.

Conclusions:

Lung ultrasound may play a significant role in donor management providing real-time clinical data, allowing for rapid identification of abnormalities, and leading to management interventions that may increase the number of transplanted lungs.
Cat Scratch Disease in a Renal Transplant Recipient
Authors: Yalin Serkan Feyyaz , Sahin Serdar , Yemisen Mucahit , Tuzuner Nukhet , Altiparmak Mehmet Riza , Seyahi Nurhan
Published: June 2016

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a disorder characterized by self-limited regional lymphadenopathy and fever. We reported a case of CSD in a kidney transplant recipient who presented with fever and lymphadenopathy. Lymph node biopsy demonstrated bacterial histiocytic lymphadenitis. The patient was diagnosed with CSD. Patient had good clinical improvement after treatment. Therefore, CSD should also be borne in mind for kidney recipients though CSD had been infrequently reported in this group.
The tensile behaviour of biaxial and triaxial braided fabrics
Authors: Boris Duchamp , Xavier Legrand , Damien Soulat
Published: June 2016

The tensile behaviour of braid reinforcement is classically described by the behaviour of composite elaborated from these reinforcements. Few studies concern the tensile behaviour of braided fabrics. In this paper biaxial and triaxial braids are manufactured on a braiding loom. The evolution of key parameters as linear mass and braiding angle in function of process parameters is presented. Braid reinforcements are characterized in uniaxial tensile. The mechanical behaviour is analysed and compared in function of the braiding angle, but also different kinds of braid are considered. A specific behaviour called “double-peak” is identified for triaxial braids which have a higher braiding angle. The evolution of the braiding angle measured during tensile tests gives a comprehension on the mechanical behaviour of dry braids. Associated with this experimental study, an analytical model is also proposed, to predict mechanical properties of braid reinforcements.
In-patient adult and pediatric vascular ultrasound: Distribution and rate of positive findings
Authors: Lee Aaron J , Lee Young , Novak Daniel , Marks Natalie , Ascher Enrico , Hingorani Anil
Published: June 2016

Introduction

We examined the rate of positive findings and the distribution of vascular ultrasounds in the pediatric and adult population. Prior literature has noted a low rate of positive findings in adult vascular ultrasounds but there is little literature on pediatric vascular ultrasound.

Methods

We reviewed our vascular duplex database on inpatients less than 18 years old and compared it to the adult inpatient vascular duplex exams from 2005 to 2010.

Results

The adult patients had more extremity vascular exams while the pediatric patients had more abdominal and renal exams. Moreover, the positive rate of adult lower extremity arterial duplex was significantly higher than the pediatric group ( p = 0.002).

Conclusion

We had a higher yield of positive findings in the adult cases. We observed a higher proportion of more complex duplex exams in the pediatric cases suggesting that a higher level expertise is needed to perform the pediatric vascular duplexes.
The reflexive role of tanka poetry in domestic abuse research
Authors: Breckenridge Jenna P
Published: June 2016

Domestic abuse research can be emotionally challenging, particularly for qualitative researchers who are immersed in sensitive, and sometimes distressing, participant stories. Reflexivity is essential in sensitive research; however, researchers typically focus their reflexive efforts on how their own perspectives may have influenced the data, rather than how they may have been personally affected by the stories they analyse. In this paper, I reflect on how using poetry in domestic abuse research can help to increase researchers’ sensitivity to emotion, heighten their empathic responses to participants’ stories and promote reflexivity. The use of poetry has gained popularity and various poetic forms have been used to collect, analyse and present qualitative data. Using examples from a recently completed study on domestic abuse, I show how tanka poems can be developed from existing qualitative data to draw together researcher and participant perspectives within the same poem. Originating in 7th-century Japan, the tanka is a short, structured poem that conveys strong emotion and authentic voice. To date, tankas are underutilised in poetic inquiry research and, in sharing my own reflections, I advocate tanka poetry as a creative way of engaging with qualitative data and a useful means of reflexivity in domestic abuse research.
‘If an apple is a foreign apple you have to wash it very carefully’: Youth discourses on racism
Authors: Alemanji Aminkeng A , Dervin Fred
Published: June 2016

This study offers a critique of the questions used in anti-racism discourse and education. It discusses the dangers of asking whether a person or group is racist and the possible consequences such questions could have on people’s discourses and attitudes. Reactions or responses to the questions can vary from anger, defence of self against other, denial of racism and/or a strong far-right nationalistic feeling. The questions examined in this study were used in a workshop about racism in Finnish upper secondary schools. Our main interest lies in examining how questions produce or affect discourses, particularly the kinds of discourses that arise as the students reflect and respond to these questions in small groups. By analysing these discourses, we are able to get an insight into how students construct an understanding of racism vis-à-vis the issues of nationality, family, self and others. Our findings are suggestive of the fact that students’ understanding of racism is often limited to individual acts of racism rather than an understanding of racism as a system of oppression. The article calls for the need to reassess the questions used in anti-racism discourse or education that do not necessarily lead to progressive discourse on the issue of racism. We also call for teachers using these questions to closely follow up how students interpret and discuss the topic of racism.
Remote limb ischemic conditioning treatment for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis patients
Authors: Hou Chengbei , Duan Jiangang , Luo Yumin , Meng Ran , Li Sijie , Yao Chen , Ding Yuchuan , Zhang Hongqi , Wang Yuping , Zhao Guoguang , Zhang Jian , Ji Xunming
Published: June 2016

Objective

The recurrence rate of ischemic stroke remains high among symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis patients with either ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. The aim of our study is to evaluate whether remote limb ischemic conditioning (RLIC) prevents cerebral ischemic events in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis patients.

Methods

Symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis patients with either ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack will be recruited from more than 60 hospitals in China to participate in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled clinical trial that will compare the efficacy and safety of RLIC for the prevention of recurrent stroke. Following randomization, patients allocated to the RLIC group ( n = 1500) will receive RLIC once daily for 12 months, with treatment consisting of five cycles of 5 min of pressure treatment at 200 mm Hg, followed by 5 min of reperfusion. The sham group ( n = 1500) will be treated identically, with the exception of pressure treatment at 60 mm Hg.

Results

The primary endpoint will be an ischemic stroke event during the study period. Secondary endpoints will include composite fatal and nonfatal stroke, fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, and transient ischemic attack. Patients will be assessed periodically over a approximate 3-year study period using the modified Rankin Scale, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and Barthel Activities of Daily Living Index.

Conclusion

We predict that RLIC treatment for 12 months will safely reduce the ischemic stroke recurrence rate.
Trends in hospitalizations and cost associated with stroke by age, United States 2003–2012
Authors: Tong Xin , George Mary G , Gillespie Cathleen , Merritt Robert
Published: June 2016

Background

The disease burden associated with stroke by age is not well known.

Aim

To assess the trends in stroke hospitalizations and associated cost among adults aged ≥18 years by age groups in the United States.

Methods

The study population consisted of 2003–2012 adult hospitalizations from the National Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, and acute ischemic stroke hospitalizations were identified by the principal diagnosis ICD-9-CM code. We estimated national hospitalization rates and inflation-adjusted hospital costs across five consecutive 2-year time intervals, stratified by seven age groups.

Results

Hospitalization rates for subarachnoid hemorrhage decreased significantly from 2003–2004 to 2011–2012 for ages 35–44 (relative percent change (RPC): −23%) and 45–54 (RPC: −22%), respectively. For intracerebral hemorrhage, the rates decreased significantly for ages ≥65 years. Acute ischemic stroke hospitalization rates increased significantly for ages 18–54 and decreased significantly for ages 65–84 years. The average per-hospitalization cost for subarachnoid hemorrhage increased 7–35% among all age groups, except those aged 65–74, and increased 10–29% for intracerabral hemorrhage except those aged 75–84, and increased 6–19% among all ages for acute ischemic stroke, respectively. Overall, the estimated total national cost increased 7% for subarachnoid hemorrhage, 10% for intracerebral hemorrhage, and 18% for acute ischemic stroke from 2003–2004 to 2011–2012.

Conclusions

From 2003 to 2012, subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerabral hemorrhage stroke hospitalization rates declined across all age groups. While US acute ischemic stroke hospitalizations among ages 65–84 declined significantly, the hospitalization rates increased significantly among ages 18–54. The estimated hospital costs increased across all stroke subtypes during the study period.
Beyond antiplatelets: The role of glycoprotein VI in ischemic stroke
Authors: Induruwa Isuru , Jung Stephanie M , Warburton Elizabeth A
Published: June 2016

Background

Platelets are essential to physiological hemostasis or pathological thrombus formation. Current antiplatelet agents inhibit platelet aggregation but leave patients at risk of systemic side-effects such as hemorrhage. Newer therapeutic strategies could involve targeting this cascade earlier during platelet adhesion or activation via inhibitory effects on specific glycoproteins, the thrombogenic collagen receptors found on the platelet surface.

Aims

Glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is increasingly being recognized as the main platelet-collagen receptor involved in arterial thrombosis. This review summarizes the crucial role GPVI plays in ischemic stroke as well as the current strategies used to attempt to inhibit its activity.

Summary of review

In this review, we discuss the normal hemostatic process, and the role GPVI plays at sites of atherosclerotic plaque rupture. We discuss how the unique structure of GPVI allows for its interaction with collagen and creates downstream signaling that leads to thrombus formation. We summarize the current strategies used to inhibit GPVI activity and how this could translate to a clinically viable entity that may compete with current antiplatelet therapy.

Conclusion

From animal models, it is clear that GPVI inhibition leads to an abolished platelet response to collagen and reduced platelet aggregation, culminating in smaller arterial thrombi. There is now an increasing body of evidence that these findings can be translated into the development of a bleeding free pharmacological entity specific to sites of plaque rupture in humans.
The physics of a climbing rope under a heavy dynamic load
Authors: Leuthäusser Ulrich
Published: June 2016

In this theoretical article, the force-elongation behaviour of a climbing rope in a heavy fall is investigated and compared with experiments. The experiments show that the state-of-the-art viscoelastic description of a climbing rope with time-independent friction is not able to explain the rope tension as a function of time. A proper description has to take into account time-delayed friction, that is, a transition from a low-friction regime to strong friction near the force maximum which leads to a fast relaxation of the rope into its equilibrium position. Furthermore, a climbing rope has to be described by a nonlinear tension with increased stiffness for large elongations in order to agree with experiments with varying fall masses. Finally, observed second-mode force oscillations are explained by a continuum description of the rope taking into account its mass.
Attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioral control factors influencing participation in a cooking skills program in rural Central Appalachia
Authors: Hardin-Fanning Frances , Ricks JaNelle M.
Published: June 2016

A focus group session, using the Theory of Planned Behavior to guide questions and discussion, was conducted at midpoint of a 12-month cooking skills program in a rural Appalachian food desert. The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control beliefs that influenced participation in these classes. Participants viewed the classes as opportunities for social interaction and to have new experiences. Subjective norms were influenced by family members and traditional cooking. Perceived behavioral control was influenced by the opportunity to try new foods without concern of food waste, acquisition of the knowledge to introduce healthy foods into family meals and enhanced food preparation skills. During the evaluation, a strong sense of participant appreciation of researcher presence was discovered. This unexpected positive component of the program will be promoted using motivational interviewing techniques to enhance adherence to healthy eating behaviors during and after cooking skills programs.
The Effects of Disgust on Moral Judgments
Authors: Johnson David J. , Wortman Jessica , Cheung Felix , Hein Megan , Lucas Richard E. , Donnellan M. Brent , Ebersole Charles R. , Narr Rachel K.
Published: June 2016

There is evidence that inducing feelings of disgust increases the severity of moral judgments, but the size of this association has been questioned by a recent meta-analysis. Based on prior research and theory, we tested whether the effects of disgust on moral judgments might be moderated by sensitivity to bodily states (Studies 1 and 2) and the accessibility of mood (Study 2) in two large samples (total N = 1,412). We did not find that disgust directly increased the severity of moral judgments nor did we find evidence that these moderators influenced the effect of disgust. Thus, the current studies do not support large effects for induced disgust and for two presumed moderators of these effects.
Exploring the difference in participants’ factual knowledge between online and in-person survey modes
Authors: Burnett Craig M.
Published: June 2016

Over the past decade, an increasing number of scholars and professionals have turned to the Internet to gather samples of subjects for research ranging from public opinion surveys to experiments in the social sciences. While there has been a focus on whether online samples are representative and accurate, fewer studies examine the behavioral differences between individuals who participate in surveys and experiments on a computer versus in-person. Here, I use an experiment to gauge whether respondents who self-complete surveys online are more likely to register higher knowledge scores compared with respondents who self-complete surveys with pen and paper in a laboratory. The results show that subjects in the online group are significantly more likely to answer knowledge questions correctly across a range of topics. Patterns in the data imply respondents are researching some answers.