bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jim Crace
Authors: Jasper David
Published: April 2017

Jim Crace is a novelist who makes no religious claims. He is a maker of worlds that have dark resonances, caught between time and eternity, that have their roots in forms of textuality and language that begin in the Hebrew Bible and may be traced in Christianity through the texts of the desert fathers to the writings of T. E. Lawrence and Gertrude Bell. He is a deceiver whose deceptions reveal truths that are familiar yet strange and mysterious.
Difficult texts: Romans 6.14
Authors: Sun Wendel
Published: April 2017

The final phrase of Romans 6.14 can at first appear confusing. Paul grounds his appeal for righteous living on the status of believers in Christ as those ‘under grace’ rather than ‘under law’. One may have expected Paul to say that believers are not ‘under sin’. Careful attention to the Old Testament narrative running through Romans provides clarity to this verse.
Using Facebook Groups to Encourage Science Discussions in a Large-Enrollment Biology Class
Authors: Pai Aditi , McGinnis Gene , Bryant Dana , Cole Megan , Kovacs Jennifer , Stovall Kyndra , Lee Mark
Published: April 2017

This case study reports the instructional development, impact, and lessons learned regarding the use of Facebook as an educational tool within a large enrollment Biology class at Spelman College (Atlanta, GA). We describe the use of this social networking site to (a) engage students in active scientific discussions, (b) build community within the student body in class, and (c) promote communication between students and instructors. To achieve this, we created a Facebook Group page that students were required to join and use to complete the main assignment of this class, which was to read, discuss, and write about a science news article in the popular media. Overall, we find that Facebook, due to its popularity with students and its informal nature, is very effective in engaging them.
The Land Rights of Women in Deuteronomy
Authors: Benjamin Don C.
Published: April 2017

This article continues my work in my recently published Social World of Deuteronomy: a New Feminist Commentary (2015). My thesis here is that elite males designated heirs to their land, but to exercise their rights heirs were required to marry women whom Yhwh and their tribes or states recognized as holding legal title to those rights. A better understanding of these rights contributes to a better understanding of the roles of the women in Deuteronomy on honoring both father and mother (Deut 5:7–21), on female prisoners of war (Deut 21:10–14), on terminating heirs (Deut 21:18–21), on re-marriage (Deut 24:1–4), and perhaps the significance of divorce and re-marriage policies imposed on Israel and Judah by Assyria, Babylon and Ezra-Nehemiah.
The Political Meaning of a Cipher—John 21:11
Authors: Oakman Douglas E.
Published: April 2017

The mystery of the one-hundred and fifty-three fish in John 21 has been discussed for centuries. Unlike previous religious or theological readings based on ancient gematria, the claim of this article is that the number 153 yields its mysterious secret in political terms. This approach to the cipher, together with Weberian and other social interpretive lenses, helps to unpack the political significance of chapter 21, its link to Petrine tradition and the tradition history of the Gospel of John, additional connections between the Johannine redactor and Thomas Christianity in Egypt, and the significance of John 21 more generally for understanding political orientations in early Christianity.
Media, capabilities, and justification
Authors: Moss Giles
Published: April 2017

In this article, I evaluate the use of the ‘capability approach’ developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum as a normative perspective for critical media research. The concept of capabilities provides a valuable way of assessing media and captures important aspects of the relationship between media and equality. However, following Rainer Forst’s critique of outcome-oriented approaches to justice, I argue that the concept is less well placed to address important questions of power and process. In particular, when it comes to deciding which capabilities media should promote and what media structures and practices should promote them, the capability approach must accept the priority of deliberative and democratic processes of justification. Once we do this, we are urged to situate the concept of capabilities within a more process-oriented view of justice, focused not on capabilities as such but on outlining the conditions required to support such justificatory processes. After discussing the capability approach, I will outline the process-oriented theory of justice Forst has developed around the idea of the ‘right to justification’. While Forst does not discuss media in depth, I argue his theory of justice can provide a valuable alternative normative standpoint for critical media research.
Acting on media technologies and infrastructures: expanding the media as practice approach
Authors: Kubitschko Sebastian
Published: April 2017

Over recent years, media as practice has emerged as a fruitful framework for exploring what people do with media. After reviewing the current state of research, this commentary argues that there is need to widen our understanding and to advance our conceptualisation of media practices. It seems no longer overstated to say that almost any form of political engagement today relates in one way or another to media technologies and infrastructures. As a consequence, media are increasingly sites of an active political struggle in their own right. To bring these developments into dialogue with media practice research, ‘acting on’ is introduced as a lens through which we can investigate the opportunities and limitations of actors’ practices related to media technologies and infrastructures for political engagement.
Modern Methods for Modeling Change in Obesity Research in Nursing
Authors: Sereika Susan M. , Zheng Yaguang , Hu Lu , Burke Lora E.
Published: April 2017

Persons receiving treatment for weight loss often demonstrate heterogeneity in lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes over time. Traditional repeated measures approaches focus on the estimation and testing of an average temporal pattern, ignoring the interindividual variability about the trajectory. An alternate person-centered approach, group-based trajectory modeling, can be used to identify distinct latent classes of individuals following similar trajectories of behavior or outcome change as a function of age or time and can be expanded to include time-invariant and time-dependent covariates and outcomes. Another latent class method, growth mixture modeling, builds on group-based trajectory modeling to investigate heterogeneity within the distinct trajectory classes. In this applied methodologic study, group-based trajectory modeling for analyzing changes in behaviors or outcomes is described and contrasted with growth mixture modeling. An illustration of group-based trajectory modeling is provided using calorie intake data from a single-group, single-center prospective study for weight loss in adults who are either overweight or obese.
Recruiting African American Children for Research: An Ecological Systems Theory Approach
Authors: Graves Diane , Sheldon Jane P.
Published: April 2017

With health disparities still pervasive and persistent in the United States, medical researchers and social scientists continue to develop recruitment strategies to increase the inclusion of racial/ethnic minority groups in research and interventions. Effective methods for recruiting samples of African American participants for pediatric research may be best understood when situated within an overarching conceptual model—one that serves to organize and explain effective recruitment strategies. A theoretical framework well suited for this purpose is Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, which views individuals as influencing and being influenced by (both directly and indirectly) a series of interconnected social systems. Based on the ecological systems theory and on previous research from multiple domains (e.g., medicine, psychology, public health, social work), in the current article, we review strategies for effective recruitment of African American children and adolescents for research.
Gender differences in experiences of social support among men and women releasing from prison
Authors: Pettus-Davis Carrie , Veeh Christopher A. , Davis Maxine , Tripodi Stephen
Published: April 2017

Objectives:

Positive social support is critically important to postprison well-being outcomes. However, researchers and program developers are still trying to understand how to best promote stable and sustainable social support for formerly incarcerated individuals during reentry to the community. We sought to add to the body of knowledge on social support and prisoner reentry by comparing men and women releasing from prison on the quality (e.g., positive or negative) and amount of informal social support.

Methods:

A random sample of 395 male ( n = 165) and female ( n = 230) releasing prisoners participated in the study. After unadjusted bivariate comparisons, multivariate regression was conducted to identify gender differences in preincarceration social support quality of influence and anticipated number of postrelease support persons while controlling for important covariates such as substance abuse and mental illnesses.

Results:

Males reported higher rates of negative social support overall, and females reported higher rates of both mixed and positive social support compared to their male counterparts. Older participants reported higher levels of positive support compared to younger participants. Men of color reported significantly higher levels of positive support than their White male counterparts. Overall, women had higher prevalence of behavioral health factors that complicate quality of support. However, there were no differences in gender found for the amount of perceived social support available postrelease in the unadjusted models.

Implications:

Study findings suggest the need for gender-specific and culturally tailored targets for prisoner reentry programs addressing social support. Possible adaptations for interventions are explored.
Overexpression of VLA-4 in glial-restricted precursors enhances their endothelial docking and induces diapedesis in a mouse stroke model
Authors: Jablonska Anna , Shea Daniel J , Cao Suyi , Bulte Jeff WM , Janowski Miroslaw , Konstantopoulos Konstantinos , Walczak Piotr
Published: April 2017

The loss of oligodendrocytes after stroke is one of the major causes of secondary injury. Glial-restricted progenitors (GRPs) have remylenating potential after intraparenchymal cerebral transplantation. The intraarterial (IA) injection route is an attractive gateway for global brain delivery, but, after IA infusion, naive GRPs fail to bind to the cerebral vasculature. The aim of this study was to test whether overexpression of Very Late Antigen-4 (VLA-4) increases endothelial docking and cerebral homing of GRPs in a stroke model. Mouse GRPs were co-transfected with DNA plasmids encoding VLA-4 subunits (α4, β1). The adhesion capacity and migration were assessed using a microfluidic assay. In vivo imaging of the docking and homing of IA-infused cells was performed using two-photon microscopy in a mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Compared to naïve GRPs, transfection of GRPs with VLA-4 resulted in >60% higher adhesion (p < 0.05) to both purified Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-11 (VCAM-11) and TNFα-induced endothelial VCAM-1. VLA-4+GRPs displayed a higher migration in response to a chemoattractant gradient. Following IA infusion, VLA-4+GRPs adhered to the vasculature at three-fold greater numbers than naïve GRPs. Multi-photon imaging confirmed that VLA-4 overexpression increases the efficiency of GRP docking and leads to diapedesis after IA transplantation. This strategy may be further exploited to increase the efficacy of cellular therapeutics.
The experience of breast cancer survivors’ participation in important activities during and after treatments
Authors: Fleischer Anne , Howell Dana
Published: April 2017

Introduction

This study compares breast cancer survivors’ experiences of participating in activities important to them, both during and after breast cancer treatment.

Method

Eight survivors between the ages of 41 and 60 years with Stage I, II, or III breast cancer who had been treated consecutively with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were recruited for the study. Participants completed the Activity Card Sort-modified and a semi-structured interview at the end of radiation therapy and 6 months post treatment.

Findings

Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the transcripts. The themes identified differed at each time point. At the end of treatment, themes were (a) personal and treatment stress changes activity participation, (b) strategies increase activity participation, (c) fatigue, fear of infection or other side effects reduces activity participation, (d) family and friends assist with completing activities, and (e) plans for participating in activities after treatment ends. At 6 months post treatment, themes were: (a) emotions influence activity participation, (b) activities after cancer have changed, and (c) side effects influence activity participation.

Conclusions

During treatment, survivors may be focusing more on “needed” activities; later on, survivors may want to participate in leisure activities, including ones that they have been wanting to pursue.
Trigger Factors in Childhood Migraine: A Prospective Clinic-Based Study From North of France
Authors: Solotareff Lise , Cuvellier Jean-Christophe , Duhamel Alain , Vallée Louis , Tich Sylvie Nguyen The
Published: April 2017

The objective was to study the prevalence and characterization of pediatric migraine triggers and to compare results to this retrospective study. A total of 101 pediatric patients with ICHD-II migraine with and/or without aura were instructed to prospectively complete a diary dealing with attacks triggers for a 3-month period. Each subject reported at least 1 trigger (range: 1-14) with a total number of 532 attacks and a median per subject of 3. Lack of sleep (51.4%), stress (44.6%), warm climate (41.9%), noise (32.4%), and excitation (29.7%) were the most frequently reported. The delay between trigger exposure and attack onset was between 0 and 3 hours in 67.6% of attacks. This prospective study confirmed the findings of the authors’ previous study, with the exception that number of triggers was smaller, probably due to recall bias. The 4 most frequent triggers (lack of sleep, stress, hot weather, and noise) were identical in both studies.
Home Enteral Nutrition: Updates, Trends, and Challenges
Authors: Martin Karen , Gardner Gabriela
Published: April 2017

The true prevalence of home enteral nutrition (HEN) utilization is unclear and requires further study. HEN therapy has remained virtually unchanged for several decades. However, new trends in HEN are evolving; enteral nutrition is undergoing changes ranging from enteral feeding devices, ingredients used, practice innovations, and challenges with reimbursement. A 2006 Joint Commission call to action that reported 2 sentinel events related to misconnections set things into motion for the transition of enteral device connectors to become specific for enteral nutrition use, which will affect patients who receive HEN. Nutrition support clinicians are realizing that people fed enterally may also enjoy incorporating blended foods into their diets and may benefit from different nutrients and components (ie, phytonutrients, fiber, and prebiotics) present in natural foods, thereby resulting in the renaissance of food‐based blenderized tube feedings. This article reviews HEN therapy data or the lack thereof, current practices, risks and benefits, future trends, and challenges with access devices, enteral feedings, and reimbursement. It also highlights areas where more research is needed, and it urges clinicians to get involved in legislative action or committees to facilitate improved processes and reimbursement for HEN.
Perception of Physical Child Abuse Among Parents and Professionals in a French Emergency Department
Authors: Bailhache Marion , Alioum Ahmadou , Salmi Louis-Rachid
Published: April 2017

France has not prohibited all forms of corporal punishment, and the point at which an act is regarded as physical abuse is not clearly determined. The aim of our study was to compare perception of a caregiver’s violent behavior toward his child by professionals and parents in an emergency department and determine characteristics associated with that perception. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to October 2014 in the emergency department of the pediatric university hospital in Bordeaux, France. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire, including vignettes describing hypothetical situations of violent interaction between a parent and child, and items related to sociodemographic and family characteristics, was administered to professionals and parents. Vignettes included varying child’s age and behavior, frequency of caregiver’s behavior, hitting with/without an object, and targeted child’s body part. Violent behavior was restricted to hitting for reasons of feasibility. Respondents were asked to rate the acceptability of situations on a 100-mm visual analog scale. Analyses were multivariate mixed Poisson regressions. A total of 1,001 participants assessed the vignettes. Participants were predominantly females (64%), married or living with a partner (87%), with a median age of 34 years. Professionals assessed vignettes as acceptable significantly more than parents (mean rating 2.8 times higher; p < .001). For both professionals and parents, all vignette characteristics were significantly associated with acceptability. Parents who had a child below 1 year old, those who had visited an emergency department many times in the past year, and those who had fewer children were less tolerant. Such findings indicate the need for additional research to better appreciate consequences and severity of violent behavior toward children, and the need to educate parents and professionals.
Intimate Partner Violence Prevalence, Recurrence, Types, and Risk Factors Among Arab, and Jewish Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Women of Childbearing Age in Israel
Authors: Daoud Nihaya , Sergienko Ruslan , Shoham-Vardi Ilana
Published: April 2017

This research set out to determine prevalence, recurrence, types, and risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) among women of childrearing age across Israel, attending to diversity in these factors by ethnicity and immigration status. The first nationwide study of its kind, this research was based on a stratified proportional cluster sample of 1,401 Arab, and Jewish immigrant and nonimmigrant women (aged 16-48 years) who visited 63 maternal and child health (MCH) clinics between October 2014 and October 2015. Female research staff interviewed women face-to-face in a private room at the MCH clinics using a structured questionnaire in the women’s main language (Arabic or Hebrew). We measured IPV using a 10-item questionnaire used for screening at some MCH clinics. Response rate was 74%. In the multivariate analysis, we used generalized estimating equations (GEEs) to adjust for the MCH clinic cluster effect. We found marked differences in the prevalence of IPV among Arab, and Jewish immigrant and nonimmigrant women (67%, 30%, and 27%, respectively). Types (physical, verbal and social) and recurrence of IPV were significantly higher among Arab women compared with the other two groups. In the GEE analysis, compared with IPV among Jewish nonimmigrants, IPV among Arab women persisted after considering socioeconomic, sociodemographic, and reproductive factors (odds ratio = 3.83; 95% confidence interval = [2.55, 5.72]). Low family income was the main risk factor for IPV for all women. Among Arab women, younger age, high religiosity, and living in urban settings were associated with higher IPV. These results suggest that diversity (ethnicity and immigration status) should be considered when developing tailored policies and interventions to protect women from IPV.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and the entrepreneurial university
Authors: Wynn Martin , Jones Peter
Published: April 2017

This article outlines one way in which less research-intensive universities can contribute to entrepreneurship by examining the achievements of several Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) in the University of Gloucestershire. The article adopts a qualitative case study approach: four case studies of KTPs at, respectively, Beacons Business Interiors, Dowty Propellers, Energist UK and Muddy Boots Software (all of which have operating bases within 40 miles of the University) are researched and analysed. The findings reveal that these four KTPs delivered various benefits for the companies, the University and the staff directly involved in the projects, and more generally that the KTPs successfully met their initial aims. The authors identify a number of challenges involved in maximizinig the benefits of KTP activity in the University and suggest how KTPs can actively foster the development of an entrepreneurial university. This article is an accessible review of KTP initiatives in the University of Gloucestershire and as such will interest academics and business practitioners who are looking to develop university–industry partnerships. It also offers reflections on how a programme of KTPs can advance entrepreneurial development and support Growth Hub initiatives.
Influence of processing conditions on tensile property of continuous glass fiber–reinforced PEEK composites fabricated by the co-wrapped yarn method
Authors: Xu Zhiping , Wang Guibin , Hu Jiazhuo , Zhang Mei , Zhang Shuling , Gai Xuzhao , Li Yonggang , Yu Rui , Luan Jiashuang
Published: April 2017

This study focused on the effect of processing conditions on the tensile properties of continuous glass fiber–reinforced polyether ether ketone composites, fabricated by co-wrapped yarn method, under different conditions. Their tensile properties were investigated in terms of thermal and fracture characterizations. The cooling rate significantly affected only the tensile modulus. However, both holding temperature and holding time had a significant effect on the tensile strengths and modulus. Although the effects of both were the same, the optimal increase of the holding time was found to be more beneficial.
Numerical investigation of V-shaped riblets and an improved model of riblet effects
Authors: Yang Yu , Ming-Ming Zhang , Xue-Song Li
Published: April 2017

Symmetric V-shaped riblets are simulated by using the computational fluid dynamic method to understand the riblet effects on the turbulent boundary layer and the skin friction reduction. Three classical turbulence models, namely Spalart–Allmaras, shear stress transport, and re-normalization group k-epsilon models, are investigated under different grid densities. The re-normalization group model produces good results consistent with the experiment, as compared with the existing theoretical and experimental drag results of the flat plate and the V-shaped riblets with different sizes. Simulating V-shaped riblets yield the unexpected discovery that the shear stress transport model produces large errors, and the Spalart–Allmaras model even produces results of qualitative errors. Another finding is that von Kármán’s constants can no longer meet the requirement of describing velocity profiles in the logarithmic law layer. Aside from the traditional shift of the logarithmic law’s intercept, the slope is also changed by riblet height and spacing. Therefore, an improved model of riblet effects is proposed by redefining von Kármán’s constants.
Effects of the injection parameters on the premixed charge compression ignition combustion and the emissions in a heavy-duty diesel engine
Authors: Lu Yingying , Su Wanhua
Published: April 2017

Numerous combustion strategies have been suggested for compression ignition engines in order to meet the stringent emission regulations with minimal sacrifice in the fuel economy. Premixed charge compression ignition combustion has the potential to reduce the nitrogen oxide emissions and the soot emissions while maintaining a high thermal efficiency and has become the research focus recently. Experiments and simulations were used to study the effects of the injection mode and the injection timing on the premixed charge compression ignition combustion and the emissions in a heavy-duty diesel engine at low and medium loads. The results reveal the following. At low loads, when the injection timing of a single injection is 35° crank angle before top dead centre because of the impinging position of the spray, the mixture is divided into two parts: the fuel above the chamber and the fuel in the piston bowl. This helps to utilize fully the in-cylinder air to form a homogeneous mixture. Also the nitrogen oxide emissions are the lowest. At medium loads, with a single injection, the injection mass is increased, the injection duration is prolonged and the mixing timing is reduced. As a result, the soot emissions, the carbon monoxide emissions and the unburned hydrocarbon emissions are increased dramatically; the best emissions are gained at an injection timing of 35° crank angle before top dead centre owing to the combined effect of the optimized mixing time and the optimized mixing space. At medium loads, with multiple injections, the injection mass is divided into four pulses, the mixing timings of which are all increased. The mixing space of the fuel–air mixture is also improved, and a more homogeneous mixture is obtained, which is beneficial to decreasing the soot emissions, the carbon monoxide emissions and the unburned hydrocarbon emissions in comparison with those for the single-injection case. When the injection timings of multiple injections are 80° crank angle before top dead centre, 65° crank angle before top dead centre, 50° crank angle before top dead centre and 35° crank angle before top dead centre, the best trade-off between the performance and the emissions can be achieved at medium loads.
An experimental comparison of the pedestrian safety performances of a spring actuator and a pyrotechnic actuator for deploying an active hood lift system
Authors: Lee Tae-Hoon , Yoon Gun-Ha , Kang Je-Won , Choi Seung-Bok
Published: April 2017

This research experimentally investigates the pedestrian safety performance of an active hood lift system of a passenger vehicle by adopting two different actuators: a spring actuator and a pyrotechnic actuator (gunpowder). After briefly introducing the working principle of the active hood lift system with the two different actuators, experiments to measure the deployment time of the system are carried out to evaluate the pedestrian safety. Subsequently, headform impact tests on the hood are performed to generate the impact force, and hence the mitigation of pedestrian injuries is investigated for the two different actuators. By comparing the measured performances obtained from both actuators, it is shown that the pyrotechnic actuator can provide a faster deployment system time. It is also identified that the spring actuator can provide a better safety performance for protecting adult pedestrians, whereas the safety performance of the pyrotechnic actuator is relatively low. Consequently, the pyrotechnic actuator is redesigned and manufactured to improve its safety performance and tested again. Then, it is shown that the modified pyrotechnic actuator can provide a better protection effect for an adult pedestrian than the spring actuator can.
Determinants of energy intensity in Chinese provinces
Authors: Pang Deliang , Su Hongwei
Published: April 2017

How can limited energy resources ensure a continuous development of the Chinese economy? In the study, we have employed the 1995–2014 data of China's 29 provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) for an energy intensity analysis in the three approaches of panel regression, Morishima elasticity of substitution, and decomposition of energy intensity. The study finds first of all that the prices of China's energy and capital are distorted because of excessive intervention by the government at all levels. The seriously distorted prices have prevented energy from being effectively replaced by labor and capital inputs in most regions, and the distortion of energy prices was much more serious than that of labor and capital; second, technological changes, scale, and pure efficiency have played a weak role in energy intensity reduction, and the increasing energy supply constraints for each region have had no significant effect on the decline of energy intensity; third, the effects of factor substitution on energy intensity reduction have remained more evident in the Bohai Rim, Northeast, Central, Southwest and Northwest of China, while the industrial share has played a crucial role in the decline of energy intensity of the Yangtze River Delta and the Southeast coastal areas. These findings imply that the Chinese authorities are expect to revise its price generation mechanism for factor inputs, develop targeted energy-efficient technology, and enable technical progress to become the major driver of China's economic growth.
Ontological insecurity in asymmetric conflicts: Reflections on agonistic peace in Turkey’s Kurdish issue
Authors: Rumelili Bahar , Çelik Ayşe Betül
Published: April 2017

This article contributes to the recent literature on ontological security in conflict studies by empirically investigating, through a case study of Turkey’s Kurdish issue, how ontological asymmetry complicates peace processes. Over time, all conflicts become embroiled in a set of self-conceptions and narratives vis-à-vis the Other, the maintenance of which becomes critical for ontological security. In ethnic conflicts, however, these conceptions and narratives also intersect with a fundamental ontological asymmetry, because such conflicts often pit state parties with secure existence against ethnic groups with contested status and illegitimate standing. We argue that peace processes are easier to initiate but harder to conclude in ontologically asymmetric conflicts. Accordingly, we find that during the 2009–2015 peace process in Turkey, ontological (in)security-induced dynamics presented themselves in cyclical patterns of ambitious peace initiatives receiving greater support among the Kurdish public but giving way, at the first sign of crisis, to a rapid and dramatic return to violence, which neither side acted to stem. Moreover, we underscore that ontologically asymmetric conflicts, such as Turkey’s Kurdish issue, are often characterized by a societal security dilemma, where the conditions of ontological security for one party undermine those of the other. Therefore, building consensus around a new shared peace narrative may not be possible or desirable, and a lasting solution to Turkey’s Kurdish issue depends on the development of an agonistic peace around coexisting, multiple and contestatory narratives.
Rational imitation for robots: the cost difference model
Authors: Vanderelst Dieter , Winfield Alan
Published: April 2017

Infants imitate behaviour flexibly. Depending on the circumstances, they copy both actions and their effects or only reproduce the demonstrator’s intended goals. In view of this selective imitation, infants have been called rational imitators. The ability to selectively and adaptively imitate behaviour would be a beneficial capacity for robots. Indeed, selecting what to imitate is an outstanding unsolved problem in the field of robotic imitation. In this paper, we first present a formalized model of rational imitation suited for robotic applications. Next, we test and demonstrate it using two humanoid robots.
Three-dimensional vibration of rotating functionally graded beams
Authors: Fang Jianshi , Zhou Ding , Dong Yun
Published: April 2017

The three-dimensional free vibration and time response of rotating functionally graded (FG) cantilevered beams are studied. Material properties of functionally graded beams are assumed to change gradually through both the width and the thickness in power-law form. The second-kind Lagrange’s equations are used in conjunction with the Ritz method to derive the comprehensive coupling dynamic equations for the axial, chordwise, and flapwise motions. The trial functions of deformations are taken as the products of the Chebyshev polynomials and the corresponding boundary functions. Nonlinear coupling deformations are considered to capture the dynamic stiffening effect due to the rotating motion. The influences of the material gradient index and rotational speed on modal characteristics are investigated by the state space method. The eigenvalue loci veering phenomena with modal conversions are exhibited. The time responses indicate that the deformations of rotating functionally graded beams are greatly affected by the material gradient index. It is shown that for large deformation problems, using Chebyshev polynomials is more efficient in computing precision and robustness than using other polynomials.
Cost-effectiveness and safety of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced and recurrent gastric cancer
Authors: Kimura Michio , Usami Eiseki , Teramachi Hitomi , Yoshimura Tomoaki
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Weekly paclitaxel (PTX), irinotecan (CPT-11) and ramucirumab plus paclitaxel (Ram + PTX) are currently recommended as the standard second-line or later chemotherapies for advanced and recurrent gastric cancer. This study aims to compare the cost-effectiveness of using Ram + PTX vs. PTX or CPT-11. Furthermore, we investigated the safety and treatment continuity of Ram + PTX in Japan.

Methods

Expected costs were calculated based on data from patients with advanced and recurrent gastric cancer who were treated with PTX, CPT-11 and Ram + PTX. A literature review was performed to obtain clinical information so that the probability of the efficacy of each chemotherapy could be calculated. The cost-effectiveness ratio of each chemotherapy agent was calculated by dividing the expected cost by the median survival time (MST).

Results

The cost-effectiveness ratio per month was JPY 85,395.8/MST for the PTX regimen, JPY 132,735.4/MST for the CPT-11 regimen and JPY 657,175.4/MST for the Ram + PTX regimen (p < 0.001). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per month of the Ram + PTX regimen to the PTX regimen was JPY 2,780,432.4/MST. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the Ram + PTX regimen to the CPT-11 regimen was JPY 2,185,179.0/MST. With regard to the reasons for discontinuation of treatment, the Ram + PTX regimen had only one case of being discontinued owing to adverse events, and had a profile similar to that of the PTX and CPT-11 regimens.

Conclusion

These findings show that the Ram + PTX regimen is less cost-effective compared to both the PTX and CPT-11 regimen, but the Ram + PTX regimen is a well-tolerated regimen with sufficient efficacy.
Academic Performance and Lifestyle Behaviors in Australian School Children: A Cluster Analysis
Authors: Dumuid Dorothea , Olds Timothy , Martín-Fernández Josep-Antoni , Lewis Lucy K. , Cassidy Leah , Maher Carol
Published: April 2017

Poor academic performance has been linked with particular lifestyle behaviors, such as unhealthy diet, short sleep duration, high screen time, and low physical activity. However, little is known about how lifestyle behavior patterns (or combinations of behaviors) contribute to children’s academic performance. We aimed to compare academic performance across clusters of children with common lifestyle behavior patterns. We clustered participants (Australian children aged 9-11 years, n = 284) into four mutually exclusive groups of distinct lifestyle behavior patterns, using the following lifestyle behaviors as cluster inputs: light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity; sedentary behavior and sleep, derived from 24-hour accelerometry; self-reported screen time and diet. Differences in academic performance (measured by a nationally administered standardized test) were detected across the clusters, with scores being lowest in the Junk Food Screenies cluster (unhealthy diet/high screen time) and highest in the Sitters cluster (high nonscreen sedentary behavior/low physical activity). These findings suggest that reduction in screen time and an improved diet may contribute positively to academic performance. While children with high nonscreen sedentary time performed better academically in this study, they also accumulated low levels of physical activity. This warrants further investigation, given the known physical and mental benefits of physical activity.
Use of a custom-made limb-press model to assess intra- and extracapsular techniques for treating cranial cruciate ligament rupture in cats
Authors: Kneifel Wolfgang , Borak Danilo , Bockstahler Barbara , Schnabl-Feichter Eva
Published: April 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to compare the under-and-over technique, a type of intracapsular treatment, and the standard fabella–tibial suture, a method for extracapsular treatment, in achieving immediate, postoperative stifle stability after cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture by using a feline, custom-made limb-press model.

Methods

Cadaveric feline hindlimb specimens (n = 14) were positioned in the limb press at predefined joint angles (stifle joint: 120°; hock joint: 120°), and vertical loads of 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% body weight were applied statically. Mediolateral radiographic views were obtained of the stifles under each load before and after CrCL transection, as well as after treatment with either of the two surgical techniques, and differences in distance between two predefined radiographic points for each radiograph were analysed.

Results

The general linear model showed a significant effect of load ( P <0.01) and technique ( P = 0.004) and a significant interaction between load and technique ( P = 0.006) regarding craniocaudal stifle stability. Distances between predefined tibial and femoral reference points were consistently higher in transected CrCLs than in intact stifles. All standard fabella–tibial suture-treated stifles (n = 7) were stable at all loads tested. Of the seven under-and-over technique-treated stifles, one was unstable at 20% body weight load and three at 30% body weight load.

Conclusions and relevance

Our model, which appropriately reproduced certain aspects of domestic shorthair cat stifle mechanics, indicated that a 40 lb monofilament nylon prosthesis, tightened at 20 N, produces more favourable biomechanical stabilisation of craniocaudal cruciate-related stifle instability than a 0.5 cm wide strip of fascia lata applied intracapsularly.
The Effect of Epidural Analgesia Alone and in Association With Other Variables on the Risk of Cesarean Section
Authors: Herrera-Gómez Antonio , Luna-Bertos Elvira De , Ramos-Torrecillas Javier , Ocaña-Peinado Francisco Manuel , García-Martínez Olga , Ruiz Concepción
Published: April 2017

Introduction:

Epidural analgesia (EA) is the most widespread pharmacologic method of labor pain relief. There remains disagreement, however, regarding its adverse effects. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of EA administration on the risk of cesarean delivery and its causes (e.g., stalled labor, risk of loss of fetal well-being, among others) and the degree to which this effect may be modulated by mother-, newborn-, and labor-related variables.

Method:

A retrospective cohort observational study was conducted including all deliveries in a Spanish public hospital between March 2010 and March 2013 ( N = 2,450; EA = 562, non-EA = 1,888).

Results:

Risk of a cesarean section was significantly increased by EA administration (odds ratio [ OR] = 2.673; p < .0001). The percentage of cesarean deliveries due to the risk of loss of fetal well-being was significantly higher in the EA (47.8%) versus non-EA group (27.5%; OR = 1.739; p = 0.0012,). The EA-associated risk of cesarean section was not significantly modified as a function of maternal age or parity, fetal position, newborn weight, weeks of gestation, or sedation administration alone. However, these variables in combination may increase the risk. We present multivariate models for each group that account for these variables, allowing for estimation of the risk of a cesarean delivery if EA is administered.

Conclusion:

EA is associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery. Other variables in combination (maternal age or parity, fetal position, newborn weight, weeks of gestation, or sedation administration) may increase this risk.
Honey as a Complementary Medicine
Authors: Miguel MG , Antunes MD , Faleiro ML
Published: April 2017

The beneficial effects of honey on human health have long been recognized. Today, many of those positive effects have been studied to elucidate its mode of action. This review briefly summarizes the best studied features of honey, highlighting it as an appealing alternative medicine. In these reports, the health benefits of honey range from antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activity to anticancer action, metabolic and cardiovascular benefits, prebiotic properties, human pathogen control, and antiviral activity. These studies also support that the honey’s biological activity is mainly dependent on its floral or geographic origin. In addition, some promising synergies between honey and antibiotics have been found, as well as some antiviral properties that require further investigation. Altogether, these studies show that honey is effectively a nutraceutical foodstuff.
Treatment response to dimethyl fumarate is characterized by disproportionate CD8+ T cell reduction in MS
Authors: Fleischer Vinzenz , Friedrich Michaela , Rezk Ayman , Bühler Ulrike , Witsch Esther , Uphaus Timo , Bittner Stefan , Groppa Sergiu , Tackenberg Björn , Bar-Or Amit , Zipp Frauke , Luessi Felix
Published: April 2017

Background:

The effect of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on circulating lymphocyte subsets and their contribution as predictors of clinical efficacy have not yet been investigated in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

To evaluate lymphocytes and lymphocyte subsets (analyzed 6 months after DMF start) in MS patients with and without disease activity after 1 year of treatment in a retrospective study.

Methods:

Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. Untreated MS patients ( n = 40) were compared to those 6 months after onset of DMF treatment ( n = 51). Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease activity of DMF-treated patients were assessed in the first year under treatment.

Results:

Stable patients showed significantly lower lymphocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as CD19+ B cells compared to active patients under DMF treatment. Furthermore, an increased CD4/CD8 ratio ( p < 0.025) in stable patients indicated a disproportionate reduction of CD8+ T cells relative to CD4+ T cells. Reduced lymphocytes, CD8+ T cells, and CD19+ B cells 6 months after DMF start allowed prediction of the treatment response in the first year.

Conclusion:

DMF treatment response is reflected by lower circulating lymphocytes and specific lymphocyte subsets. Changes in the cellular immune profiles under DMF treatment are clinically relevant and might serve as a surrogate marker of treatment response.
Digital media reflexivities: The Axel Springer Campus in Berlin
Authors: Gutzmer Alexander
Published: April 2017

This article reads the notion of mediatization through a current example of architectural practice: the Axel Springer Campus in Berlin. Based on current theories of mediatization, it shows how this architectural project for a media firm finds new ways for architecture itself to function as a medium. It argues that architect Rem Koolhaas developed an architectural design that has the capacity to mediate images and interpretations of the productivity of media practitioners, of the relationship between media firm and urban environment, as well as of more general transformations of media work in the digital age.
Global media cultures among the stars: Formations of celebrity in outer space
Authors: Damjanov Katarina , Crouch David
Published: April 2017

The space age launched its own breed of celebrity onto the world stage. From Sputnik onwards, exploration of outer space has endowed media cultures with many spectacular events and prominent heroes, extending the currencies of fame beyond the planet. Under the rubric of ‘space celebrity’, this article gathers those famous people, animals and technologies that have been sent as our envoys into the unknowns of space, framing their exploits as a distinctive register of our mediated public culture and its global provisions. It traces the historical emergence and unfolding of space celebrity and explores the ways in which its human and non-human protagonists shape the extra-planetary horizon of our common world.
Bomb blast in a tertiary care hospital, the challenges faced during management of victims in a resource limited country
Authors: Sultan Rizwan , Zafar Hasnain , Bhatti Umar , Khimani Rozina , Ahmed Khabir
Published: April 2017

Introduction

A bomb blast in a hospital results in a many fold increase in the casualties. The affected health care in the region is the next challenge faced by the administration of the city. We discuss the challenges faced after a bomb blast in the civil hospital of Quetta, Pakistan on 8 August 2016.

Methods

A retrospective review of the medical records of patients who were transferred by air to the Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi over a period of 86 h after the blast in Quetta.

Results

Seventy-five patients were received in three separate waves; those received in the first wave were sicker than the following waves. Errors in triage and communication which could have been prevented were identified.

Conclusion

Security of hospitals needs to be improved to avoid such incidents in future. The teams involved in the management of these incidents should be trained about triage and communication and its importance. There is need for designated trauma centers to take care of these incidents.
Extended use of electronic health records by primary care physicians: Does the electronic health record artefact matter?
Authors: Raymond Louis , Paré Guy , Marchand Marie
Published: April 2017

The deployment of electronic health record systems is deemed to play a decisive role in the transformations currently being implemented in primary care medical practices. This study aims to characterize electronic health record systems from the perspective of family physicians. To achieve this goal, we conducted a survey of physicians practising in private clinics located in Quebec, Canada. We used valid responses from 331 respondents who were found to be representative of the larger population. Data provided by the physicians using the top three electronic health record software products were analysed in order to obtain statistically adequate sub-sample sizes. Significant differences were observed among the three products with regard to their functional capability. The extent to which each of the electronic health record functionalities are used by physicians also varied significantly. Our results confirm that the electronic health record artefact ‘does matter’, its clinical functionalities explaining why certain physicians make more extended use of their system than others.