bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of flame retardant magnesium hydroxide on the mechanical properties of high density polyethylene composites
Authors: Zaghloul Moustafa Mahmoud Yousry , Zaghloul Mai Mahmoud Yousry
Published: August 2017

The effects of incorporating magnesium hydroxide as a flame retardant on the mechanical properties of high density polyethylene which include tensile, flexural, compressive, shear and fracture toughness behaviours were investigated. The weight fraction of the filler material ranges from 10 to 50 wt %. The effects of filler weight percent and strain rate during tensile testing by means of a universal testing machine were both studied to identify the behaviour of the produced composites. It was observed that the flexural modulus and Young's modulus increased steadily while the tensile fracture strength and the tensile yield strength were inversely proportional to the weight fraction of magnesium hydroxide. The tensile yield strength showed a steady decrease with the loading of filler material until 10% then it showed a plateau until 50%. The tensile elongation at break decreased sharply between zero and 10% weight fraction, followed by a slight decrease until 50% weight fraction. The flexural strength peaked with the increase of magnesium hydroxide weight fraction. The strain rate showed a dramatic effect on the tensile properties of the samples. The compressive strength and shear strength of specimens were directly proportional to Mg(OH)2 until 40% and 30%, respectively. The novelty in optimizing between filler content and testing configurations reveal wide range of applications.
Inducible Knockout of Mouse Zfhx3 Emphasizes Its Key Role in Setting the Pace and Amplitude of the Adult Circadian Clock
Authors: Wilcox Ashleigh G. , Vizor Lucie , Parsons Michael J. , Banks Gareth , Nolan Patrick M.
Published: August 2017

The transcription factor zinc finger homeobox 3 (ZFHX3) plays a key role in coupling intracellular transcriptional-translational oscillations with intercellular synchrony in mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). However, like many key players in central nervous system function, ZFHX3 serves an important role in neurulation and neuronal terminal differentiation while retaining discrete additional functions in the adult SCN. Recently, using a dominant missense mutation in mouse Zfhx3, we established that this gene can modify circadian period and sleep in adult animals. Nevertheless, we were still concerned that the neurodevelopmental consequences of ZFHX3 dysfunction in this mutant may interfere with, or confound, its critical adult-specific roles in SCN circadian function. To circumvent the developmental consequences of Zfhx3 deletion, we crossed a conditional null Zfhx3 mutant to an inducible, ubiquitously expressed Cre line (B6.Cg-Tg(UBC-cre/ERT2)1Ejb/J). This enabled us to assess circadian behavior in the same adult animals both before and after Cre-mediated excision of the critical Zfhx3 exons using tamoxifen treatment. Remarkably, we found a strong and significant alteration in circadian behavior in tamoxifen-treated homozygous animals with no phenotypic changes in heterozygous or control animals. Cre-mediated excision of Zfhx3 critical exons in adult animals resulted in shortening of the period of wheel-running in constant darkness by more than 1 h in the majority of homozygotes while, in 30% of animals, excision resulted in complete behavioral arrhythmicity. In addition, we found that homozygous animals reentrain almost immediately to 6-h phase advances in the light-dark cycle. No additional overt phenotypic changes were evident in treated homozygous animals. These findings confirm a sustained and significant role for ZFHX3 in maintaining rhythmicity in the adult mammalian circadian system.
Teaching a Child With ASD to Approach Communication Partners and Use a Speech-Generating Device Across Settings: Clinic, School, and Home
Authors: Waddington Hannah , van der Meer Larah , Carnett Amarie , Sigafoos Jeff
Published: August 2017

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have difficulty generalizing newly acquired communication skills to different contexts. In this study, a multiple baseline across settings (clinic, school, and home) design was used to determine whether an 8-year-old boy with ASD could learn to approach communication partners to request preferred items using an iPad®-based speech-generating device (SGD). Results indicated that the participant learned to approach communication partners to request across all settings. Acquisition of this skill was fastest at school and slowest in the clinic. The participant’s learning generalized to a novel room within the same setting, and he was also able to retrieve the SGD prior to approaching the communication partner without additional teaching. Results suggest that individuals with ASD may benefit from being systematically taught to use an SGD across different settings and communication partners.
Two Physical Activity Measures: Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire Versus Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study as Predictors of Adult-Onset Type 2 Diabetes in a Follow-Up Study
Authors: Tonstad Serena , Herring Patti , Lee Jerry , Johnson Jennifer Duxbury
Published: August 2017

Purpose:

To compare 2 self-report methods of measuring weekly minutes of physical activity based on the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS) questionnaire and question 6 of the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) to determine the better predictor of adult-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design:

An observational, prospective study.

Setting:

Survey data from the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) collected between 2002 and 2006 (baseline) and the Psychosocial Manifestations of Religion Sub-Study (PsyMRS), an AHS-2 subset collected 1 to 4 years later.

Patients:

Nine thousand eight hundred seventy-three male and female participants aged 23 to 106 years (mean, 63 years). Three hundred eighty participants reported adult-onset T2DM at follow-up.

Measures:

Question 6 from the PPAQ and a question adopted from the ACLS were assessed at baseline. Incident diabetes was defined as participants who reported receiving treatment for adult-onset T2DM in the last 12 months in the PsyMRS and not at baseline.

Analysis:

Multivariate logistic regression analyses controlled for age, gender, ethnicity, education, body mass index (BMI), diet, and sedentary activity. Each exposure variable was compared to nonexercisers.

Results:

The PPAQ (odds ratio [OR]: 0.998; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.997-1.000) and the ACLS (OR: 0.999; 95% CI: 0.998-1.001) exhibited similar likelihood of predicting incident adult-onset T2DM in a healthy, mixed-gender population when controlling for several confounders.

Conclusions:

The demonstrative nomenclature of the PPAQ may be more effectual in capturing physically active individuals than the ACLS notwithstanding generalizability and response bias limitations.
Analyzing the Achievement and Isolation of Immigrant and U.S.-Born Students: Insights From PISA 2012
Authors: Powers Jeanne M. , Pivovarova Margarita
Published: August 2017

The 2016 Presidential election and the first months of the Trump administration have propelled immigration to the center of U.S. political debates. We use data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2012 to provide insights into the school experiences of high school–age immigrants and their U.S.-born peers. Our findings indicate that the immigrant–U.S.-born achievement gap is a race and wealth gap, and is also mediated by school factors. We also found that a substantial number of U.S.-born students attended schools that did not enroll immigrant students. We conclude by highlighting the research and policy implications of our findings.
The impact of temperature on wave interaction with damage in composite structures
Authors: Apalowo RK , Chronopoulos D , Ichchou M , Essa Y , Martin De La Escalera F
Published: August 2017

The increased use of composite materials in modern aerospace and automotive structures, and the broad range of launch vehicles’ operating temperature imply a great temperature range for which the structures has to be frequently and thoroughly inspected. A thermal mechanical analysis is used to experimentally measure the temperature-dependent mechanical properties of a composite layered panel in the range of −100 ℃ to 150 ℃. A hybrid wave finite element/finite element computational scheme is developed to calculate the temperature-dependent wave propagation and interaction properties of a system of two structural waveguides connected through a coupling joint. Calculations are made using the measured thermomechanical properties. Temperature-dependent wave propagation constants of each structural waveguide are obtained by the wave finite element approach and then coupled to the fully finite element described coupling joint, on which damage is modelled, in order to calculate the scattering magnitudes of the waves interaction with damage across the coupling joint. The significance of the panel’s glass transition range on the measured and calculated properties is emphasised. Numerical results are presented as illustration of the work.
Adaptive fractional order fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative control of smart base-isolated structures equipped with magnetorheological dampers
Authors: Zamani Abbas-Ali , Tavakoli Saeed , Etedali Sadegh , Sadeghi Jafar
Published: August 2017

The current semi-active or even active control strategies have been developed to address a few drawbacks, such as unwanted large displacements created at the base level and system deficiency in adaptation to different types of seismic excitations, in the base isolation systems. In this article, two control strategies, multi-objective modified clipped optimal and adaptive fractional order fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative, are proposed for semi-active control of a smart base-isolated structure equipped with a magnetorheological damper. The main objective is to reduce the displacement of isolation system without allowing significant increase in the acceleration of superstructure for both far-field and near-field earthquake excitations. Using proper fitness functions, the weighting matrices of the multi-objective modified clipped optimal controller are tuned using multi-objective optimization. Then, the parameters of the fractional order fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative controller are obtained. Next, the fuzzy rule weights of the fractional order fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative controller are updated online based on the values of ground motion and structural responses using an adaptive strategy. For comparison, two control cases in which the magnetorheological damper is in passive mode, passive-off and passive-on, are considered. Numerical simulations show that the proposed adaptive fractional order fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative controller better mitigates the seismic responses of a base-isolated structure excited by a range of real-data earthquakes.
Gender, Migration, and Exclusionary Citizenship Regimes: Conceptualizing Transnational Abandonment of Wives as a Form of Violence Against Women
Authors: Anitha Sundari , Roy Anupama , Yalamarty Harshita
Published: August 2017

Based on life history narratives of 57 women in India and interviews with 21 practitioners, we document the neglect, abuse, and instrumental deprivation of women’s rights through the process of transnational abandonment. While gendered local sociocultural milieus and economic norms contribute to these harms, they are crucially enabled and sustained by transnational formal-legal frameworks. Widening the explanatory lens for understanding domestic violence beyond the family and community, we argue that in a globalized world, (inter)state policies serve to construct these women as a subordinate category of citizens—“disposable women”—who can be abused and abandoned with impunity.
Real-world utilization of darbepoetin alfa in cancer chemotherapy patients
Authors: Pan Xiaoyun (Lucy) , Nordstrom Beth L , MacLachlan Sharon , Lin Junji , Xu Hairong , Sharma Anjali , Chandler David , Li Xiaoyan (Shawn)
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To provide an understanding of darbepoetin alfa dose patterns in cancer patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy starting from 2011.

Study design

This is a retrospective cohort study using a proprietary outpatient oncology database.

Methods

Metastatic, solid tumor cancer patients receiving concomitant myelosuppressive chemotherapy and darbepoetin alfa with an associated hemoglobin <10 g/dL during 2011–2015 were identified. The analysis was restricted to the first continuous exposure to chemotherapy agents (maximum allowable gap of 90 days between consecutive exposures) with darbepoetin alfa for each eligible patient. Initial, maintenance, weekly, and cumulative doses of darbepoetin alfa were examined across all darbepoetin alfa users. Subgroup analyses were conducted by chemotherapy type, baseline hemoglobin level, year of chemotherapy, solid tumor type, and initial dosing schedule. Differences in weekly doses across subgroups were evaluated using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.

Results

Among 835 eligible patients, over 90% were 50 years or older. Mean chemotherapy course duration was 248 days, and mean duration of darbepoetin alfa treatment was 106 days. The mean weekly darbepoetin alfa dose was 110 µg. Patients received a mean of 4.3 darbepoetin alfa injections in the first chemotherapy course. There were no statistically significant differences (all P values > .05) in weekly dose by chemotherapy type, baseline hemoglobin level, year of chemotherapy, or solid tumor type.

Conclusion

The average weekly darbepoetin alfa dose among metastatic cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia from this study was 110 µg, which was lower than the labeled dosage for most adults. This estimate did not differ over time, across chemotherapy regimens, baseline hemoglobin levels, or solid tumor types.
Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy Presenting With Fast-Growing Scrotal Swelling
Authors: Fabien-Dupuis Corinthia , Niver Benjamin , Shillingford Nick , Wang Larry , Kokorowski Paul J , Zhou Shengmei
Published: August 2017

Testicular melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is extremely rare, with 2 cases reported in the literature. Its rarity and rapid and infiltrative growth pattern pose a diagnostic challenge. A previously healthy 3-month-old male, presented with a history of worsening left hemiscrotal swelling for 1 week. An outside ultrasound was suggestive of testicular torsion. Left orchiectomy demonstrated a mass occupying almost entire testicle with a variegated cut surface, with areas of pigmentation, necrosis, and hemorrhage. Histological examination confirmed MNTI of the testis and epididymis. MNTI should be included in differential diagnosis in infants presenting with fast-growing scrotal swelling.
Vessel Perforation and False Tracking Resulting From Umbilical Artery Catheterization
Authors: Puvabanditsin Surasak , Zaldana Francisco , Raviola Joseph , Suell Jeffrey , Hussein Karen , Walzer Lauren , Mehta Rajeev
Published: August 2017

We report an extremely low-birth-weight neonate who developed umbilical artery perforation and false tracking. There was no life-threatening event relating to the complication. Diagnosis was made at postmortem examination. Little information exists regarding the anatomic and vascular effects of umbilical artery catheterization placement in newborns. We report a new complication of umbilical artery catheterization. We raise the awareness regarding the potential life threat due to this rare but very serious complication.
Advancing Clinicopathologic Diagnosis of High-risk Neuroblastoma Using Computerized Image Analysis and Proteomic Profiling
Authors: Niazi M Khalid Khan , Chung Jonathan H , Heaton-Johnson Katherine J , Martinez Daniel , Castellanos Raquel , Irwin Meredith S , Master Stephen R. , Pawel Bruce R , Gurcan Metin N , Weiser Daniel A
Published: August 2017

A subset of patients with neuroblastoma are at extremely high risk for treatment failure, though they are not identifiable at diagnosis and therefore have the highest mortality with conventional treatment approaches. Despite tremendous understanding of clinical and biological features that correlate with prognosis, neuroblastoma at ultra-high risk for treatment failure remains a diagnostic challenge. As a first step towards improving prognostic risk stratification within the high-risk group of patients, we determined the feasibility of using computerized image analysis and proteomic profiling on single slides from diagnostic tissue specimens. After expert pathologist review of tumor sections to ensure quality and representative material input, we evaluated multiple regions of single slides as well as multiple sections from different patients’ tumors using computational histologic analysis and semiquantitative proteomic profiling. We found that both approaches determined that intertumor heterogeneity was greater than intratumor heterogeneity. Unbiased clustering of samples was greatest within a tumor, suggesting a single section can be representative of the tumor as a whole. There is expected heterogeneity between tumor samples from different individuals with a high degree of similarity among specimens derived from the same patient. Both techniques are novel to supplement pathologist review of neuroblastoma for refined risk stratification, particularly since we demonstrate these results using only a single slide derived from what is usually a scarce tissue resource. Due to limitations of traditional approaches for upfront stratification, integration of new modalities with data derived from one section of tumor hold promise as tools to improve outcomes.
Congenital Cystic Lung Lesions
Authors: Hardee Steven , Tuzovic Lea , Silva Cicero T , Cowles Robert A , Copel Joshua , Morotti Raffaella A
Published: August 2017

Congenital cystic lung lesions are a group of rare pathologies that are usually diagnosed in the prenatal period. The majority of these lesions are diagnosed at pathology examination as congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM) and bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS). These lesions are typically managed by surgical intervention within the first year of life and have an excellent prognosis. We examined the evolution of imaging appearances from prenatal diagnosis to postnatal work-up of these lesions and correlate imaging and pathological findings. An 8-year retrospective review of the perinatal and pathology database of a single tertiary care center identified 42 cases of congenital cystic lung lesions of which 36 had known prenatal ultrasound and prenatal course available. Final pathologic diagnoses were 15 CPAM (41%), 7 BPS (19%), and 9 hybrid BPS and CPAM lesions (25%). Five cases with bronchial atresia were also identified (either in isolation or associated with CPAM or BPS). The overall characteristics of these lesions by prenatal ultrasound, postnatal imaging, and ultimate histopathologic diagnosis are described.
k-Centres Functional Clustering
Authors: Hofmans Joeri , Vantilborgh Tim , Solinger Omar N.
Published: August 2017

In the present paper, we introduce k-centres functional clustering ( k-centres FC), a person-centered method that clusters people with similar patterns of complex, highly nonlinear change over time. We review fundamentals of the methodology and argue how it addresses some of the limitations of the traditional approaches to modeling repeated measures data. The usefulness of k-centres FC is demonstrated by applying the method to weekly measured commitment data from 109 participants who reported psychological contract breach events. The k-centres FC analysis shows two substantively meaningful clusters, the first cluster showing reaction patterns with general growth in commitment after breach and the second cluster showing general decline in commitment after breach. Further, the reaction patterns in the second cluster appear to be the result of a combination of two interesting reaction logics: immediate and delayed reactions. We conclude by outlining how future organizational research can incorporate this methodology.
Patterns of Marijuana Use in a 6-Month Pain Management Sample in the United States
Authors: Smiley-McDonald Hope M , Moore Katherine N , Heller David C , Ropero-Miller Jeri D , McIntire Gregory L , Wallace Frank N
Published: August 2017

This study is a 6-month retrospective analysis of urine drug testing (UDT) data from a pain management population among specimens with clinician-ordered marijuana testing (N = 194 809). Descriptive statistics about the specimen positivity of clinician-ordered marijuana UDT are provided as well as other drug positivity. Specimens from men and adults aged 18 to 34 years had the highest prevalence rates of marijuana positivity. The prevalence of past-month marijuana use among a comparative national population was lower than the prevalence of positive marijuana tests in the UDT specimens by all characteristics. Among the specimens tested for illicit drugs and marijuana, 4.0% were positive for amphetamine, 2.8% were positive for cocaine, and 0.9% were positive for heroin. The most common prescription drugs listed were opioids (64.7%), benzodiazepines (20.5%), and antidepressants (19.9%). In sum, the findings reflect previous research showing high rates of marijuana use, illicit drug use, and prescription drug use in a pain management population.
Incidence and Risk Factors of Surgical Site Infection Among Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section
Authors: Jasim Hanan Hussein , Sulaiman Syed Azhar Syed , Khan Amer Hayat , Dawood Omar Thanoon , Abdulameer Aseel Hadi , Usha R
Published: August 2017

Background:

Wound infections constitute a significant problem in surgical procedures. In cesarean sections (CS), this is particularly important as a wound infection not only results in increased morbidity but also has far-reaching implications by way of pelvic organ disease, disturbance of the bonding process between mother and baby in the puerperium, and a longer hospital stay with its inherent problems.

Objective:

This study was conducted with the aim to determine the incidence and risk factor associated with surgical site infection (SSI) following cesarean section.

Methodology:

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted for 400 women undergoing cesarean section procedures during an 18-month period from January 2013 to June 2014 at Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Patients’ socio-demographic, clinical data and incidence of SSI following the CS were noted using a standardized data collection form. SPSS v 21 was used for data analysis.

Results:

In total, 18.8% of the study participants developed SSI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following: higher body mass index (≥30 kg/m2) (odds ratio [OR]: 0.555; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.313-0.985, P = .044), increase in the blood loss during surgery (≥500 mL) (OR: 0.757; 95% CI = 0.423-1.354, P = .034), prolonged hospital stay (≥4 days) (OR: 0.439; 95% CI = 0.260-0.740, P = .002), spinal anesthesia (OR: 1.543; 95% CI = 1.230-1.937, P = .021), breech baby presentation (OR:2.927 95% CI = 1.020-8.400, P = .046), and intrathecal analgesia (OR:1.567; 95% CI = 1.246-1.970, P = .001) had statistically significant association with incidence of SSI.

Conclusions:

Surgical site infections are common among women undergoing CS at Hospital Pulau Pinang. Special attention and enhanced clinical management of patients with identified risk factors for developing SSI may decrease its incidence.
On self-reported use of communication strategies by CLIL learners in primary education
Authors: Martínez-Adrián María , Gallardo-del-Puerto Francisco , Basterrechea María
Published: August 2017

The use of communication strategies (CSs) in oral and written second language (L2) production has been widely investigated (e.g. Muñoz, 2007). As for content and language integrated learning (CLIL) settings, learners seem to resort to the first language (L1) less often than in traditional foreign language instruction (e.g. Celaya & Ruiz de Zarobe, 2010). However, few studies have examined what L2 learners say about their use of CSs by means of questionnaires – e.g. Ehrman & Oxford (1990), with adult English as a foreign language (EFL) learners – and little is known about the reported use of CSs by young learners (Purdie & Oliver, 1999), and much less by young CLIL learners. This study examines learners’ self-reported opinions about the use of CSs ( guessing, miming, morphological creativity, dictionary, predicting, paraphrasing, borrowing, calque, foreignizing, avoidance and appeal for assistance). An adapted survey (Kellerman, Bongaerts, & Poulisse, 1987; Oxford, 1989; O’Malley & Chamot, 1990; Yule & Tarone, 1990) was administered to CLIL learners of English in grades 5 and 6 of primary education. Quantitative differences in terms of the type of strategies used were explored. Analyses showed striking similarities between grades 5 and 6 as well as significant differences in the use of the different CSs, paraphrasing and appeal for assistance being the most frequent strategies, whereas morphological creativity and miming obtained the lowest frequency. Findings are discussed in the light of learners’ age and the nature of CLIL instruction.
Could digital platforms capture the media through infrastructure?
Authors: Nechushtai Efrat
Published: August 2017

This article examines the relationship between the news industry and digital platforms, most notably Facebook and Google, through a political economy framework. The theory of regulatory capture suggests that regulators are prone to become captured by the businesses they oversee, whether through financial incentives (such as money transfers and revolving doors) or cognitive/cultural influence (such as advocacy and shared values). The theory was further expanded to suggest that businesses also attempt to capture non-governmental institutions tasked with scrutinizing them, such as the media. This article suggests that Google and Facebook are rapidly expanding their potential capability to do so. Alongside the forms of capture described in the literature, the most crucial element in Google and Facebook’s relationships with news organizations is the fact that they have come to provide the majority of audience for online news and are significant sources of potential growth in viewership. In addition, they equip news organizations with tools for news production, provide them with data on the reach of stories, and offer tools for analytics and insight. All this potentially amounts to a new form of capture that can be called infrastructural capture: circumstances in which a scrutinizing body is incapable of operating sustainably without the physical or digital resources and services provided by the businesses it oversees and is therefore dependent on them. This new category of capture, rooted in the dynamics of contemporary digital news markets, could pose serious challenges to the ability of news organizations to scrutinize the corporations that direct most of the traffic to their sites. Aside from potentially affecting the content of news, another important effect of compromising infrastructural autonomy to non-journalistic third-party actors might be a weakening of the legal protections that journalism benefits from.
Benefits-sharing agreements and nonideal theory: The warning signs of agreement co-optation
Authors: Rosen Jovanna , Schweitzer Lisa
Published: August 2017

Community members seek benefits-sharing planning agreements to advance their own distributive justice goals by directing benefits to communities. Nonideal theory does much to explain the context and possibilities for these agreements. The agreements forged between communities and development interests seek to address, but not completely achieve, distributive justice via consensus about incremental changes in project benefit distribution. However, implementation and outcomes can vary widely. This article develops theory to conceptualize a practical framework for these planning agreements using nonideal justice theories, granted the triple concerns of inaction, tokenism, and rhetorical trickery posed by ineffective implementation. The Crenshaw Light Rail Project in Los Angeles illustrates the issues in play.
Magnetic flux leakage structural health monitoring of concrete rebar using an open electromagnetic excitation technique
Authors: Sun Yanhua , Liu Shiwei , Deng Zhiyang , Tang Rui , Ma Wenjia , Tian Xiaohe , Kang Yihua , He Lingsong
Published: August 2017

The current methods of electric–magnetic flux leakage structural health monitoring that use tubular coils as electro-magnetizers fail to detect concrete rebar structures without a head and a tail. This article proposes a novel electric–magnetic flux leakage structural health monitoring technique for concrete rebar using open electromagnetic coils as magnetizers. Three-dimensional finite element simulations and experiments are conducted to compare the magnetization effect, defect-detection capability, and magnetic force interaction of traditional tubular coils and the proposed open electromagnetic coils. The agreement between the simulation and experimental results confirms the reliability and validity of the proposed structural health monitoring technique for concrete rebar. Additionally, two types of magnetizer coils are designed and manufactured using optimized structures, and both limitations and solutions are discussed. Overall, the proposed open magnetizer coils show great potential for future structural health monitoring applications for concrete rebar.
Spanish Validation of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research Interview for Assessing Patients’ Mental Capacity to Consent to Clinical Research
Authors: Baón-Pérez Beatriz S. , Álvarez-Marrodán Ignacio , Navío-Acosta Mercedes , Verdura-Vizcaíno Ernesto J. , Ventura-Faci Tirso
Published: August 2017

The aim of the study was to assess a Spanish adaptation of a method that determines the categorical capacity status of potential participants in research projects. The sample consisted of 120 subjects (40 general medicine inpatients, 40 psychiatric inpatients, and 40 healthy controls). The MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR) interview and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used. A feasibility study was carried out and reliability and validity calculations were made against the expert-judgment gold standard. The mean duration of the MacCAT-CR was 13 min. For the MacCAT-CR understanding, appreciation, reasoning, and expressing a choice subscales, the intraclass coefficient correlation (interrater reliability) was .93, .88, .90, and .50, respectively, and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) was .96, .94, and .95, respectively. Patients considered to be incompetent for expert-judgment obtained lower scores in the MacCAT-CR interview. The Spanish version of the MacCAT-CR is feasible, reliable, and valid for assessing the capacity of patients to give consent in research.
Barbershop Prostate Cancer Education: Factors Associated With Client Knowledge
Authors: Hill Barry C. , Black David R. , Shields Cleveland G.
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this paper is to identify characteristics of Black barbershop clients and barbers in an urban Midwestern city participating in a health promotion program called Affecting Cancer Together (ACT) that are associated with client knowledge about prostate cancer. Statistical analyses examined client and barber characteristics for their potential association with client prostate cancer knowledge, while controlling for ACT variables. Study findings suggested clients who are married (β = 0.99; CI [0.38, 1.59]; p < .01) and have higher levels of education (β = 0.34; CI [0.01, 0.67]; p = .04) may be more likely to know more about prostate cancer. Barbers with at least “some college” education may be more effective in increasing client knowledge (β = 0.85; CI [0.05, 1.64]; p = .04). Trained peer-helper programs may consider prioritizing limited educational resources for barbers with at least some college education and incorporating the social support of spouses for making informed decisions. Considering the potential of barbershop programs to reach Black men about a serious racially disproportionate health issue, ameliorating adoption, implementation, effectiveness, and sustainment are an important public health priority for underserved populations.
Understanding the Role of Exercise in Cancer Cachexia Therapy
Authors: Hardee Justin P. , Counts Brittany R. , Carson James A.
Published: August 2017

Cachexia, the unintentional loss of body weight, is prevalent in many cancer types, and the associated skeletal muscle mass depletion increases patient morbidity and mortality. While anorexia can be present, cachexia is not reversible with nutritional therapies alone. Pharmacological agents have been proposed to treat this condition, but there are currently no approved treatments. Nonetheless, the hallmark characteristics associated with cancer cachexia remain viable foundations for future therapies. Regular physical activity holds a promising future as a nonpharmacological alternative to improve patient survival through cachexia prevention. Evidence suggests exercise training is beneficial during cancer treatment and survival. However, the mechanistic examination of cachectic skeletal muscle’s response to exercise is both needed and justified. The primary objective of this review is to discuss the role of exercise for the prevention and treatment of cancer-associated muscle wasting. Initially, we provide an overview of systemic alterations induced by cancer and their role in the regulation of wasting processes during cachexia progression. We then discuss how exercise could alter disrupted regulatory pathways related to growth and metabolism during cancer-induced muscle atrophy. Last, we outline current exercise prescription guidelines and how exercise could be a potential behavioral therapy to curtail cachexia development in cancer patients.
A snapshot of intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR: Challenges for the development of services
Authors: Thoresen Stian H , Fielding Angela , Gillieatt Sue , Blundell Barbara , Nguyen Liem
Published: August 2017

Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has experienced significant economic growth in the last two decades. While access to education, health, and employment for people with disabilities has also improved markedly, people with intellectual disabilities are still among the most vulnerable in society. This article presents findings from a screening survey of 2469 participants, a focus group discussion with key stakeholders in intellectual disabilities, and a case study of the Association for Autism. The screening survey suggests 1.9% of working age participants (18–59) and 0.7% of children (6–17) have intellectual disabilities. The qualitative data illustrate poor understanding and stigmatization of people with intellectual disabilities, lack of services, and development of a parent association to improve the life prospects for children with autism and intellectual disabilities. People with intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR remain particularly vulnerable. Parents and other disability advocates are raising awareness and demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized services.
Oral administration of curcumin attenuates visceral hyperalgesia through inhibiting phosphorylation of TRPV1 in rat model of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yang Mei , Wang Juan , Yang Chunxue , Han Hongxiu , Rong Weifang , Zhang Guohua
Published: August 2017

Background

Curcumin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. The present study was designed to explore the potential therapeutic effects of curcumin on visceral hyperalgesia and inflammation in a rat model of ulcerative colitis. We observed the effects of orally administered curcumin on the disease activity index, histological change in colon, colorectal distension-induced abdominal withdrawal reflex, the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and phosphorylated TRPV1 in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis rats. In addition, a HEK293 cell line stably expressing human TRPV1 (hTRPV1) was used to examine the effects of curcumin on the change in membrane expression of TRPV1 induced by phorbol myristate acetate (a protein kinase C activator).

Results

Repeated oral administration of curcumin inhibited the increase in abdominal withdrawal reflex score induced by dextran sulfate sodium without affecting dextran sulfate sodium-induced histological change of colon and the disease activity index. A significant increase in colonic expression of TRPV1 and pTRPV1 was observed in dextran sulfate sodium-treated rats and this was reversed by oral administration of curcumin. TRPV1 expression in L6-S1 dorsal root ganglion was increased in the small- to medium-sized isolectin B4-positive non-peptidergic and calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive peptidergic neurons in dextran sulfate sodium-treated rats and oral administration of curcumin mitigated such changes. In the HEK293 cell line stably expressing hTRPV1, curcumin (1, 3 µm) inhibited phorbol myristate acetate-induced upregulation of membrane TRPV1.

Conclusion

Oral administration of curcumin alleviates visceral hyperalgesia in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis rats. The anti-hyperalgesic effect is partially through downregulating the colonic expression and phosphorylation of TRPV1 on the afferent fibers projected from peptidergic and non-peptidergic nociceptive neurons of dorsal root ganglion.
Parenting the Dispossessed
Authors: Haldipur Jan
Published: August 2017

In the early 2000s, the New York City Police Department implemented policies that called for the aggressive use of “Stop, Question, and Frisk,” in neighborhoods deemed “high crime.” Drawing from approximately 3 years of intensive ethnographic fieldwork in and around three precincts in the southwest Bronx, the current research reveals how parenting youth who live in such neighborhoods is impacted by police activity.
Re-thinking the ‘Normative’ in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325: Perspectives from Sri Lanka
Authors: Singh Shweta
Published: August 2017

This article asserts the need to re-think the ‘normative’ in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) from the standpoint of the ‘local’, in this case Sri Lanka. It argues that UNSCR 1325 needs to be situated within the larger discourse on international norms, and challenges to the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in varied ‘local’ contexts can be evaluated through the theoretical frameworks provided by existing literature on norms diffusion. I put forward three main arguments: First, the need to go beyond the neat classification of contexts as ‘conflict’ and ‘post-conflict’; second, the need to problematize gender as homogenous and women as coherent stable category of analysis; and third, to look beyond women as victims or agents. I argue that women in post-war Sri Lanka can more aptly be classified as controlled actors as women’s agency is structurally and culturally controlled, which inhibits their capacity to act or perform. In conclusion, I posit that Sri Lanka not only presents a strong case for the localization of the ‘normative’ in UNSCR 1325 but also provides justification for a three-level bottom-up analysis (local, regional and international) to comprehensively understand why UNSCR 1325 fails or succeeds to influence state behaviour.
A case-based methodology for investigating urban comfort through interpretive research and microclimate analysis in post-earthquake Christchurch, New Zealand
Authors: Tavares Silvia G , Swaffield Simon R , Stewart Emma J
Published: August 2017

This paper explores how an interpretive case-based research strategy can reveal new empirical and theoretical insights into microclimate design. Innovative fieldwork in Christchurch, New Zealand investigated the nature and social meanings of urban comfort in a city with a seasonal climate featuring microclimatic variability, and with a physical landscape undergoing rapid change following a series of major earthquakes. Ethnographic methods were combined with microclimate measurements in four Christchurch-based case study locations to identify ways in which people adjust their cultural and lifestyle values and expectations to the actual microclimatic conditions. The field investigation had to capture data relevant to the microclimatic variability and be suitable for rapidly changing urban settings. Results suggest this integrative methodology successfully adapts to challenging physical contexts, and is able to provide a coherent body of evidence. Important insights revealed through this methodology may not have become apparent if only conventional microclimate methods were used.
Regulation of Orbital Fibrosis and Adipogenesis by Pathogenic Th17 Cells in Graves Orbitopathy
Authors: Fang Sijie , Huang Yazhuo , Zhong Sisi , Li Yangyang , Zhang Yidan , Li Yinwei , Sun Jing , Liu Xingtong , Wang Yang , Zhang Shuo , Xu Tianle , Sun Xiaodong , Gu Ping , Li Dan , Zhou Huifang , Li Bin , Fan Xianqun
Published: August 2017

Context

T helper (Th)17 cells are correlated with many human autoimmune disorders, including Graves disease, and may play key roles in the pathogenesis of Graves orbitopathy (GO).

Objective

To study the phenotype of Th17 cells in patients with GO and healthy subjects, investigate the fibrosis and adipogenesis in orbital fibroblasts (OFs) modulated by interleukin (IL)-17A, and determine the interaction between Th17 cells and OFs.

Design/Setting/Participants

Blood samples and orbital tissues from GO patients and healthy controls were collected.

Main Outcome Measures

We conducted multicolor flow cytometry, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent stainings, Western blotting, a PathScan intracellular signaling assay, Luminex and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and protein mass spectrum.

Results

Interferon-γ– and IL-22–expressing Th17 cells are increased in GO patients, which are positively related to clinical activity score. Costimulatory molecules are highly expressed in GO orbits and most GO OFs are CD90+. IL-17A promotes TGF-β–induced fibrosis in CD90+ OFs but impedes 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2–induced adipogenesis in CD90− OFs. Th17 cells promote proinflammatory cytokine secretion in both CD90+ and CD90− OFs. Meanwhile, both CD90+ and CD90− OFs contribute to Th17 cell differentiation through prostaglandin E2 production, which can be attenuated by indomethacin. Furthermore, Th17 cells upregulate costimulatory molecule expression on OFs.

Conclusion

Our findings unravel the pathogenicity of IL-17A in the initiation and progression of GO. In-depth interpretation of the molecular basis of OFs delineated by CD90 and Th17–OF interaction will help to afford a novel approach to better therapeutic strategies for GO.
Developing a Framework for Future Mobile Data Pricing
Authors: Paetsch Michael , Dorčák Peter , Pollák František , Štrba Ľubomír , Kršák Branislav
Published: August 2017

Purpose: The revenues for mobile data transmission overtook the revenue of voice calls for the first time in 2014 in the USA. It can be observed that demand for mobile data – largely driven by video and cloud - is increasing exponentially, while overall data revenue is rising only moderately. This will lead to insufficient revenues stream to increase investments into mobile networks and ensure quality service. Consequently, hereof network performance will deteriorate sharply. At the heart of the problem is the current global pricing regime of fixed multiple MB/GB bundles, irrespective of time of the day, intensity of usage (e.g. video vs. email) and underlying economic value of the data. A new framework is proposed as to optimize and align network capacity and implicit data value/utility, which is crucial to ensure customer satisfaction and access justice.Methodology/Approach: The fundamental differences in pricing voice and data in voice and/or data centric networks are analysed in detail. Information has been synthesized as to develop insights into the impact of different devises and type of digital traffic for the overall performance of mobile networks. Based hereupon, a new framework for mobile data has been proposed to address the increasing misalignment between network capacity, usage and underlying data value/utility. Initial solutions have been proposed and discussed.Findings: While voice calls are easily quantifiable and are largely predictable in its occurrence and network load implications, mobile data traffic shows very large variations depending on type of traffic. While social media messaging by many customers consumes very little capacity, consumption of video streaming by relatively few customers can lead already to network saturation.Research Limitation/implication: Carriers set prices for a fixed amount of data – irrespective of intensity and time of data traffic - which leads to sharp spiky type of traffic patterns essentially signalling sharp overuse during busy hours coexist with large period of underused times.Originality/Value of paper: A new framework for proposition building and particularly pricing of mobile data services is provided.
Developing Product Liability Index for Korean Manufacturing Companies
Authors: Seo JunHyeok , Bae SungMin
Published: August 2017

Purpose: PL (product liability) response system is an enterprise-wide system that prevents company’s financial loss due to PL-related accidents. This study aims at developing an evaluation system for objectively assessing the extent to which companies carry out systematic and organized activities for product liability, including product safety activities, preventive actions, and protective measures.Methodology/Approach: We used the Delphi and analytical hierarchy process methods to develop an evaluation system with product liability experts to present the relative importance of response strategy based on selected evaluation criteria. And then, we carried out systematic and organized PL activities of each industry, scale, and growth stage of the Korean manufacturing companies through PLI.Findings: In terms of the scale of the manufacturer, Large-sized firms has the highest PLI of 92.32. Also, middle- to large sized firms and middle-sized firms have the highest PLI of 90.63 and 77.35, respectively. And then In terms of the importance of all manufacturers, Awareness was identified as the most important component influencing corporate management activities, with the highest PLI of 78.59.Research Limitation/implication: This study is limited due to the small sample size and the number of examples.Originality/Value of paper: Our paper will enable consumers to determine a manufacturer’s response to product liability, and the subsequent positive effects, such as the increase of quality in consumption life.