bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical approach to posterior mediastinal lesions and long-term outcomes
Authors: Kocaturk Celalettin I , Sezen Celal B , Aker Cemal , Kalafat Cem E , Bilen Salih , Kutluk Ali C , Karapinar Kemal , Erdogan Sertan , Saydam Ozkan
Published: April 2017

Background

Posterior mediastinal lesions are classified as solid lesions and cysts. The treatment for both types is surgery. We evaluated the surgical outcomes and recurrence rates after video-assisted thoracic surgery and thoracotomy for posterior mediastinal lesions.

Methods

Data of 66 resections for posterior mediastinal masses between 2000 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-two patients were treated by video-assisted thoracic surgery (group V) and 44 underwent thoracotomy (group T); 29 (43.9%) were female and 37 (56.1%) were male, the mean age was 45.9 ± 14.7 years.

Results

Bronchogenic cyst was the most common cystic lesion (10/12, 83.3%), and benign schwannoma was the most common solid lesion (32/54, 59.2%). The mean diameter of solid lesions was 5.19 ± 2.4 cm (group V 3.98 ± 1.8 vs. group T 5.78 ± 2.5 cm, p = 0.006). The tumor diameter was 4.06 ± 1.9 cm in asymptomatic patients and 6.93 ± 2.2 cm ( p < 0.001) in symptomatic patients. In group V, hospital stay and duration of drainage were significantly shorter than in group T ( p = 0.02, p = 0.01). Local recurrence was detected in 4 (6.1%) patients. Cystic lesions had a higher recurrence rate than solid lesions ( p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in recurrence rates in groups V and T ( p = 0.59).

Conclusion

Video-assisted thoracic surgery is a safe method for surgical treatment of posterior mediastinal lesions, with a shorter drainage time and postoperative hospitalization and similar recurrence rates. More recurrences are seen in patients with cystic lesions.
“I think everyone’s been thrilled”: Music teachers’ perspectives on school music performance collaborations
Authors: Sutherland Andrew Thomas
Published: April 2017

Thanks to the efforts of music teachers in arranging concerts, young musicians develop a multitude of skills when performing with others. Music teachers are notoriously time-poor with the pressures of various curricular and co-curricular demands. To find time to provide performance opportunities for students that involve other schools adds layers of administrative complexities to an already comprehensive workload. Although there is literature to suggest the benefits of collaboration, the necessities of getting the mechanics of a music department running smoothly often places the idea of musical collaboration in the category of “luxury” to be considered “when there is time”. The experiences of several music teachers from different schools who have collaborated on a series of concerts performed biannually evolved over six years and significantly impacted their music departments. An important component of these concerts was the impact of the visiting conductors who acted as “Artists in Residence” in the lead up to the performance. The findings suggest collaboration as being vital to the building process of a developing Music Department and the article makes recommendations for the use of guest conductors.
Streamlining interfunctional coordination in industrial SMEs
Authors: Wang Yong J , LaPlaca Peter , Zhu Ying , Hao Andy Wei , Guo Chiquan , Bao Yongchuan
Published: April 2017

Although the pattern of interfunctional coordination for large firms has been described and studied, little attention is paid to its fit to industrial small and medium-sized enterprises (I-SMEs). This research updates the conventional understanding by investigating the interfunctional coordination pattern in market-oriented I-SMEs, taking into account the customer environment and the organizational environment. Using a multiple case studies method, this study describes the market-oriented practices of interfunctional coordination in I-SMEs. Drawing upon the findings, this study proposes a useful guideline, namely, streamlined interfunctional coordination, for I-SMEs to improve the marketing outcomes. It suggests that, to enhance the effectiveness of interfunctional coordination, I-SMEs should reduce their coordinative intensity in information exchange and limit the amount of relational flows in relationship exchange. This research offers insights into managing organizational culture and market orientation for I-SMEs.
Big Five personality traits and job satisfaction
Authors: Bui Hong TM
Published: April 2017

Employing the dispositional approach and a national sample, this study reexamines the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and job satisfaction to establish whether its findings may challenge the current literature. To achieve this, a large national sample of 7662 respondents from the United Kingdom was used. Hierarchical regressions were employed to investigate the impact of the Big Five traits on job satisfaction among male, female, young, middle-aged and elderly subsamples. The results show that extraversion has no significant impact on job satisfaction in any group of employees, while up to four other traits are significantly linked to job satisfaction in subgroups. The younger the employees are, the larger the number of traits they display that have a significant impact (both positively and negatively) on job satisfaction. This study also shows differences in this relationship between male and female employees. These findings imply that the relationships among the Big Five traits and job satisfaction are more complex than shown in the literature. Therefore, using the dispositional approach to job satisfaction, managers should take different approaches to age and gender because job satisfaction is likely to vary among different ages and genders.
Using Porterian activity analysis to understand organizational capabilities
Authors: Sheehan Norman T , Foss Nicolai J
Published: April 2017

The article argues that organizational capabilities are comprised of two fundamental components: resources and activities. The starting point of the argument is that resources are best conceptualized by Barney’s and others’ research on the resource-based view, while activities are best conceptualized by Porter’s writings on the activity-based view. Porterian activity analysis is becoming more accepted in the strategy literature, but no strategy scholar has explicitly used Porter’s activities, and particularly his concept of drivers, to understand and analyze organizational capabilities. Introducing Porterian activities into the discussion of capabilities improves strategy scholars’ understanding of the bases of capability heterogeneity, offers academics future directions for research, and provides managers with guidance to enhance their organizations’ capabilities.
Restoring effective sleep tranquility (REST): A feasibility and pilot study
Authors: Eakman Aaron M , Schmid Arlene A , Henry Kimberly L , Rolle Natalie R , Schelly Catherine , Pott Christine E , Burns Joshua E
Published: April 2017

Introduction

The purpose of this pilot study was to establish the feasibility of completing a future controlled trial of a multi-component cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia program for military veterans with sleep disturbance.

Method

This was a single-arm feasibility and pilot study. Participants were United States post-9/11 veterans with service-connected injuries, university students, and had self-reported sleep disturbances. Restoring Effective Sleep Tranquility was a multi-component cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia intervention consisting of seven sessions of group therapy and eight 1:1 sessions delivered by occupational therapists. Feasibility and pilot indicators were process, resources, management, and scientific, including pre–post-assessments of sleep difficulties, dysfunctional sleep beliefs, participation, and pain interference.

Findings

Indicators were supportive of feasibility, including reduced sleep difficulties (for example Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Measure [ t = 3.29, p = .02]), reduced nightmares: t = 2.79, p = .03; fewer dysfunctional sleep beliefs: t = 3.63, p = .01, and greater ability to participate in social roles: t = –2.86, p = .03, along with trends towards improved satisfaction with participation and reduced pain interference.

Conclusion

The Restoring Effective Sleep Tranquility program may reduce sleep difficulties and improve participation in US veterans with service-connected injuries, and evidence indicates a controlled trial would be feasible to deliver.
The strategic use of time-limited property rights in land-use planning: Evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Gerber Jean-David , Nahrath Stéphane , Hartmann Thomas
Published: April 2017

While land-use plans are regularly revised, property rights are extremely stable over time. Yet, the stability of property rights resulting from the current conception of exclusive ownership makes the implementation of land-use plans increasingly complicated, difficult and long. Planners recognized the need for more flexibility in many urban contexts to effectively steer spatial development in the already built environment. Relying on a detailed case study carried out in the municipality of Bienne, Switzerland, this paper examines how a strategic use of long-term ground leases granted on municipal land can allow for increased flexibility in planning. Ground leases are a policy instrument leading to a time-limited division of the bundle of rights between a public landowner and the ground lease holder, who becomes the owner of the facilities on the land for up to one hundred years. The strategic role of ground leases in urban planning remains largely unexplored. This article shows that ground leases are an empirical and practical response of planning authorities to the inflexibility of property rights in given situations where more flexibility would be needed. Public actors can use ground leases to implement an active land policy leading to a better allocation of land to specific projects and to a more precise control of building activity. By analyzing the role of ground leases at the interface between planning and property, this article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationship between land-use planning and property rights.
Does Asserting a Nonblack Identity Elicit Positive Evaluations? White Observers’ Reactions to Black, Biracial, Multiracial, and White Job Applicants
Authors: Stockstill Casey
Published: April 2017

How do white observers react when people with black heritage assert a biracial, multiracial, or white identity rather than a black identity? To address this question, I conducted two experiments in which participants evaluated a darker-skinned or a lighter-skinned job applicant who presented his identity as either black, biracial, multiracial, or white. The results show that identity assertions influenced how white observers categorized applicants but not how they evaluated applicants. Most white observers accepted the identity of both the lighter-skinned and darker-skinned applicant when they asserted that they were black, biracial, or multiracial, but observers did not accept the identity of the darker-skinned applicant who asserted a white identity. However, white observers did not perceive applicants who asserted that they were multiracial, biracial, or white as more hirable than applicants who asserted that they were black. Based on these results, I argue that racial identity assertions do not independently provide a pathway to racialized advantages.
The Social Context of Violence: A Study of Repeated Victimization in Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Strøm Ida Frugård , Kristian Hjemdal Ole , Myhre Mia C. , Wentzel-Larsen Tore , Thoresen Siri
Published: April 2017

Multiple factors may influence the risk of exposure to childhood violence and repeated victimization, although most research has focused on individual rather than contextual factors. Moreover, it is unclear whether family background factors associated with exposure to childhood violence also are associated with revictimization in young adulthood. This article investigates individual and contextual factors associated with childhood abuse and revictimization. Data from a community telephone survey, collected at two different time points ( N = 1,011, 16-33 years of age), were used. Logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze family background factors in childhood violence–exposed cases and non-exposed controls. Similar analyses were conducted for the relationship of individual and contextual variables in the revictimized and the non-revictimized groups. The adjusted analyses showed that social problems (≥2 or more social problems: odds ratio [OR] = 2.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.41, 5.94]) and frequent binge drinking (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = [1.05, 1.40]) were significantly associated with repeated victimization whereas social support decreased the odds (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = [0.55, 0.99]). Family problems and low family cohesion growing up (although measured at Wave 2) were significantly associated with childhood exposure to violence, but not with revictimization. Our findings emphasizes that it is useful to separate factors associated with childhood abuse from factors related to revictimization to identify current ecological aspects that can be addressed to prevent further abuse.
Analysis of PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident Candidate Letters of Recommendation at an Academically Affiliated Residency Program
Authors: McLaughlin Milena M. , Masic Dalila , Gettig Jacob P.
Published: April 2017

Background:

Letters of recommendation (LORs) are a critical component for differentiating among similarly qualified pharmacy residency candidates. These letters contain information that is difficult to ascertain from curricula vitae and pharmacy school transcripts. LOR writers may use any words or phrases appropriate for each candidate as there is no set framework for LORs.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to characterize descriptive themes in postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) pharmacy residency candidates’ LORs and to examine which themes of PGY-1 pharmacy residency candidates’ LORs are predictive of an interview invitation at an academically affiliated residency program.

Methods:

LORs for candidates from the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application System (PhORCAS) from 2013 and 2014 for the Midwestern University PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency were analyzed. LOR characteristics and descriptive themes were collected. All scores for candidate characteristics and overall PhORCAS recommendation were also recorded.

Results:

A total of 351 LORs for 111 candidates from 2013 (n = 47 candidates) and 2014 (n = 64 candidates) were analyzed; 36 (32.4%) total candidates were offered an interview. Themes that were identified as predictors of an interview included a higher median (interquartile range) number of standout words (3 words [1.3-4] vs 3.8 words [2.5-5.5], P < .01) and teaching references (3.7 words [2.7-6] vs 5.7 words [3.7-7.8], P = .01).

Conclusion:

For this residency program, standout words and teaching references were important when offering interviews.
Distortion of removal function based on the local asphericity of aspheric surface and the viscoelasticity of polishing tool in computer-controlled optical surfacing
Authors: Chen Xianhua , Zhong Bo , Wang Jian , Huang Hongzhong , Deng Wenhui , Hou Jing , Yuan Zhigang , Zhao Shijie
Published: April 2017

In the process of large aspheric optical surfaces fabrication, the distortion of the removal function is a big problem that affects the producing efficiency and accuracy, due to the misfit between the tool and the aspheric surface in the contact region. Consequently, this paper aims to find out the influence factors and the distortion rule of aspheric removal function in the computer-controlled optical surfacing. Firstly, based on the analysis of the sub-aperture polishing technology for the large aspheric optical surfaces, the local asphericity of aspheric surface and the viscoelasticity of polishing tool are supposed to be the main sources. After that, a method to calculate the local asphericity considering the misfit between the tool and the aspheric surface is proposed based on the least square method, and the viscoelasticity of the polishing tool is obtained through viscoelastic experiment. Subsequently, combining the results of the local asphericity of aspheric surface and the viscoelasticity of polishing tool, the prediction of the distortion rule of aspheric removal function is presented. Finally, the comparative experiment is carried out, and the removal function on different regions of the aspheric surface is obtained. The experimental result indicated that the distortion of the removal function is consistent with the theoretical result. Through this study, the distortion rule of aspheric removal function in the computer-controlled optical surfacing with pitch tool is finally mastered, which provides a theoretical guidance for the computer-controlled optical surfacing process optimization.
Re-examining Firm Size-profitability Nexus: Empirical Evidence from Non-financial Listed Firms in Nigeria
Authors: Olaniyi Clement Olalekan , Simon-Oke Olayemi O. , Obembe Olufemi Bodunde , Bolarinwa Segun Thompson
Published: April 2017

The bulk of extant studies on the relationship between firm size and profitability focus on the effect of former on the latter, neglecting the possibility of feedback effect. This research work re-examines the direction of causality between firm size and profitability for 63 listed non-financial Nigerian firms for the period 1998–2010, using an innovative econometric methodology of a dynamic panel generalized method of moments to resolve the problem of endogeneity inherent in the relationship. The results establish a bidirectional relationship between firm size and profitability of firms in Nigeria. While firm size positively Granger-causes profitability, profitability, on the other hand, negatively Granger-causes firm size. This study therefore rebuts the popular assumption that causation only runs from firm size to profitability and not vice versa. The emerging conclusion drawn from this study is that profitability might be a vital tool to make firms grow faster if well managed as the economies of scale could also be induced.
Influence of Organizational Culture on Organizational Effectiveness: The Mediating Role of Organizational Communication
Authors: Gochhayat Jyotiranjan , Giri Vijai N. , Suar Damodar
Published: April 2017

Cultures have been found to predict the organizational effectiveness (OE). This article explores how a strong or weak organizational culture (OCL), irrespective of its taxonomy, affects OE in Indian technical education. It also examines the mediating role of organizational communication (OCM). Data were collected from 167 heads of engineering and management schools on OCL and OE and 334 of their subordinates on OCM through a questionnaire survey. Results indicate that organizations with a strong and deep-rooted culture perform more effectively than organizations with a weak culture. The effect of OCL passes to institutional effectiveness through OCM. Hence, higher educational institutions need to focus on strengthening OCL and OCM in order to improve their effectiveness.
Potential prognostic long non-coding RNA identification and their validation in predicting survival of patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Hu Ai-Xin , Huang Zhi-Yong , Zhang Lin , Shen Jian
Published: April 2017

Multiple myeloma, a typical hematological malignancy, is characterized by malignant proliferation of plasma cells. This study was to identify differently expressed long non-coding RNAs to predict the survival of patients with multiple myeloma efficiently. Gene expressing profiles of diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma, GSE24080 (559 samples) and GSE57317 (55 samples), were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. After processing, survival-related long non-coding RNAs were identified by Cox regression analysis. The prognosis of multiple myeloma patients with differently expressed long non-coding RNAs was predicted by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Meanwhile, stratified analysis was performed based on the concentrations of serum beta 2-microglobulin (S-beta 2m), albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase of multiple myeloma patients. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to further explore the functions of identified long non-coding RNAs. A total of 176 long non-coding RNAs significantly related to the survival of multiple myeloma patients (p < 0.05) were identified. In dataset GSE24080 and GSE57317, there were 558 and 55 patients being clustered into two groups with significant differences, respectively. Stratified analysis indicated that prediction of the prognoses with these long non-coding RNAs was independent from other clinical phenotype of multiple myeloma. Gene set enrichment analysis–identified pathways of cell cycle, focal adhesion, and G2-M checkpoint were associated with these long non-coding RNAs. A total of 176 long non-coding RNAs, especially RP1-286D6.1, AC008875.2, MTMR9L, AC069360.2, and AL512791.1, were potential biomarkers to evaluate the prognosis of multiple myeloma patients. These long non-coding RNAs participated indispensably in many pathways associated to the development of multiple myeloma; however, the molecular mechanisms need to be further studied.
Public Transportation: An Investigation of Barriers for People With Disabilities
Authors: Bezyak Jill L. , Sabella Scott A. , Gattis Robert H.
Published: April 2017

The physical accessibility of public transportation increased nationwide following the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. Despite removal of many physical barriers within fixed-route systems, significant barriers to overall access of public transportation systems are still widespread. The purpose of the current study was to provide a full description of barriers experienced by individuals with disabilities when using the public transportation and the complementary paratransit services. An online survey was developed and disseminated to contacts of the National Network of ADA Centers, and 4,161 individuals responded. Results highlight significant barriers for people with disabilities who use public transportation and complementary paratransit services. Barriers to these transit systems are physical and attitudinal in nature, and as a result, modifications to the physical environment and educational opportunities to reduce negative attitudes toward individuals with disabilities are recommended.
Remote Ischemic Conditioning in Elective PCI?
Authors: Giblett Joel P. , Hoole Stephen P.
Published: April 2017

This review examines the rationale for using remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) in elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to prevent procedure-related ischemia–reperfusion injury and justifies the importance of periprocedural biomarker elevation following elective PCI as a valid target for RIC. We review the evidence for the use of RIC as a treatment in this setting and document the salutary rules that must be followed to successfully translate RIC for clinical benefit.
Performance degradation assessment of rolling element bearings based on hierarchical entropy and general distance
Authors: Zhu Keheng
Published: April 2017

Performance degradation assessment is crucial to realize equipment’s near-zero downtime and maximum productivity. In this paper, a new method for performance degradation assessment of rolling element bearings is proposed based on hierarchical entropy (HE) and general distance. First, considering the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of bearing vibration signals, the HE method is utilized to extract feature vectors, which can obtain more bearing state information hidden in the vibration signals than sample entropy (SampEn) and multi-scale entropy (MSE). Then, the general distance between the feature vectors of the normal data and those of the tested data is designed as a degradation indicator by combining Euclidean distance and cosine angle distance. The experimental results indicate that this indicator can detect the incipient defects well and can effectively reflect the whole degradation process of rolling element bearings. Moreover, the designed indicator has some advantages over kurtosis and root mean square (RMS) values.
Impact of an integrated oral chemotherapy program on patient adherence
Authors: Morgan Katherine P , Muluneh Benyam , Deal Allison M , Amerine Lindsey B
Published: April 2017

As the use of oral chemotherapy continues to rise, the issue of patient adherence is a concerning aspect of cancer treatment. In this concurrent prospective and retrospective study, we assessed oral chemotherapy adherence in patients receiving their prescriptions at an institutional specialty pharmacy, with an integrated oral chemotherapy program. The primary endpoint is medication possession ratio. Secondary endpoints include self-reported adherence comparing survey data before and after the introduction of the oral chemotherapy program to assess the impact of the comprehensive pharmacy services provided. Patients receiving their oral chemotherapy from the institutional specialty pharmacy have a mean medication possession ratio of 0.92, indicating excellent adherence rates. The oncology clinical pharmacist, in collaboration with the specialty pharmacy, has also decreased the rates of patient-reported non-adherence.
Comparison of health parameters in normal cats fed a limited iodine prescription food vs a conventional diet
Authors: Paetau-Robinson Inke , Melendez Lynda D , Forrester S Dru , Armbrust Laura J , Refsal Kent R , Burris Patricia A
Published: April 2017

Objectives

The objective was to compare the effect on thyroid function in healthy, adult cats fed a limited-iodine food or conventional diet for 24 months.

Methods

Cats in the limited-iodine group (n = 14) were fed a commercial, dry food containing 0.2 ppm iodine on a dry-matter basis (DMB). Cats in the conventional diet group (n = 12) were fed an identical diet except that the iodine content was 3.2 ppm on a DMB. Both groups were maintained on their respective diets for 24 months. The median age of the cats at baseline was 3.2 years (interquartile range 2.4–4.3). Diagnostic samples were obtained for measurement of serum biochemistry parameters, thyroid hormone concentrations, complete blood count and urinalysis, and thyroid ultrasound examination was performed at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.

Results

Median serum concentrations of free and total thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were within respective reference intervals for both test groups at all sampling intervals. Median urine iodine concentrations in the limited-iodine group declined significantly ( P = 0.0001) from baseline and were significantly different than conventional diet ( P ⩽0.0007). Ultrasound examination revealed no significant change in median thyroid height in the limited-iodine group at any time point.

Conclusions and relevance

Normal serum thyroid hormone concentrations and results of urinalysis and routine biochemical testing confirmed that the limited-iodine food was safely fed for 2 years to healthy, adult cats. Ultrasound examination showing that cats on limited-iodine did not develop a change in thyroid gland height was a further indication of the absence of iatrogenic hypothyroidism in the limited iodine diet group. These results support the lack of obvious side effects associated with feeding a limited-iodine diet for 2 years to healthy, adult cats, a situation that may occur in multi-cat households where healthy cats have access to a limited-iodine diet being used to manage cats with feline hyperthyroidism.
Theorising the many faces of prisoner radio: developing a holistic framework through process and product
Authors: Anderson Heather , Bedford Charlotte
Published: April 2017

There is a nexus where radio and prisons meet that is yet to be explored to its full potential, both in practice and in academia. This article consolidates two separate bodies of knowledge, examining ‘prisoners’ radio’ (usually broadcast to the general public on community radio or the Internet) and ‘prison radio’ (broadcast to a prison audience within a prison setting), to propose a theoretical framework that incorporates both. It draws on two case studies from the United Kingdom and Australia and is informed by the seminal work of alternative media theorists Clemencia Rodriguez, John Downing and Chris Atton.
Attitude of US obstetricians and gynaecologists to global warming and medical waste
Authors: Thiel Cassandra , Duncan Paula , Woods Noe
Published: April 2017

Objectives

Global warming (or climate change) is a major public health issue, and health services are one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in high-income countries. Despite the scale of the health care sector’s resource consumption, little is known about the attitude of physicians and their willingness to participate in efforts to reduce the environmental impact of health services.

Methods

A survey of 236 obstetricians and gynaecologists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Western Pennsylvania, USA. Survey responses were compared to Gallup poll data from the general population using a one-sample test of proportions, Fisher’s exact tests, Chi-square test, and logistic regression.

Results

Physicians in obstetrics and gynaecology were more likely than the public (84% vs. 54%; p<0.001) to believe that global warming is occurring, that media portrayal of its seriousness is accurate, and that it is caused by human activities. Two-thirds of physicians felt the amount of surgical waste generated is excessive and increasing. The majority (95%) would support efforts to reduce waste, with 66% favouring the use of reusable surgical tools over disposable where clinically equivalent. Despite their preference for reusable surgical instruments, only 20% preferred the reusable devices available to them.

Conclusions

Health care providers engaging in sustainability efforts may encounter significant support from physicians and may benefit from including physician leaders in their efforts.
The outsourcing of health and physical education
Authors: Sperka Leigh , Enright Eimear
Published: April 2017

The outsourcing, or external provision, of Health and Physical Education (HPE) has only relatively recently become the focus of research. This critical scoping review of empirical work on outsourcing in HPE seeks to examine the extent, nature, and range of research that has been undertaken and provide a context for future scholarly inquiry. Literature was sourced from two educational databases, a manual search of five HPE journals, and searches of citations and references. A content analysis of the 31 empirical articles retrieved was undertaken to identify country of origin, study focus, participants recruited, subject and school level researched, study length, data sources, nature of analysis, and theoretical framework. This was followed by a critical analysis of the findings of each empirical study to identify knowledge gaps regarding the outsourcing of HPE. This process revealed that outsourcing varied from being an explicit research focus to becoming of interest as a result of the findings of the study. Nonetheless, there was consistency across all publications in the selection of primary schools as data collection contexts and the recruitment of either school staff or external agency employees as research participants. Thematic analysis of the findings of the articles resulted in three dominant themes: ‘curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment’, ‘expertise’, and ‘partnerships’. Overall, this critical scoping review highlighted that it is crucial that outsourcing continues to be a focus of inquiry for the field and that both balance and depth is sought in the research design of studies that are undertaken.
The political vitality of Mapuche stones: Heteronomy and political decision-making
Authors: Menard André
Published: April 2017

In the ethnographic literature on Mapuche culture from the late 19th century to the present, there are many references to the existence of stones charged with symbolic, magical, religious and even political powers. These range from large rocks that are the object of collective worship to small stones that are put to (more-or-less) personal use. This article focuses on the political role of these stones. In many cases, they are depicted as subjects that form alliances with their owners and create the conditions for victories in politics and war thanks to their oracular powers and the force and prestige they confer. This article also includes an analysis of how these stones are inscribed in a certain logic of Mapuche decision-making, in which that activity is often moved to a heteronomous space (dreams, omens, divine voices and other signs) in which these stones seem to participate as subjects. This suggests that Mapuche society has a specific relationship with political decision-making and the problem of sovereignty, one that stands in opposition to both Carl Schmitt’s authoritarian decisionism and the rationalism of liberal democracy.
Simply a matter of context? Partisan contexts and party loyalties on free votes
Authors: Raymond Christopher D
Published: April 2017

While recent studies suggest the party loyalties of Members of Parliament (MPs) influence voting behaviour on free votes independently of personal preferences, it remains to be seen to what extent party loyalties influence MPs’ voting behaviour more generally. To this end, this article examines the impact of the partisan context of the vote on the effects of party loyalties. Using data from 20 divisions decided largely as free votes and controlling for personal preferences using a survey measuring MPs’ attitudes, the analysis shows that the effect of party loyalty on voting behaviour is strongest under the most partisan conditions: when the outcome is anticipated to be close and most consequential to the success/failure of a bill. These findings suggest party loyalty effects may emerge on other highly partisan divisions with partisan consequences and not appear on less partisan divisions.
Moving beyond voice in children and young people’s participation
Authors: Johnson Vicky
Published: April 2017

This paper introduces research that challenges decision-makers to listen to and act upon children and young people’s evidence. The data come from revisits, 10 years after research ended, to participatory action research processes in Nepal and the UK in which children and young people's (CYP) voices and opinions were surfaced for community decision makers. I sought to understand if and how children and youth input was valued and acted upon by adults. Each case rested on the same value proposition: that inclusion of children and youth is critical to participatory democracy and so incorporating their views can move societies towards improved policies and services for CYP and a culture of mutual respect in intergenerational relationships. The paper focuses on Nepal but draws on analysis across the cases. The revisit revealed that decision-makers in some – but not all – cases were influenced by children and youth. Building on the positive cases, the article describes a tool and process – the Change-scape Framework – that facilitates intergenerational dialogue. It helps link child and youth agency and insights to community decision-making and wider social change. The framework provides a CYP focus to PAR. Creating participatory spaces and building dialogue and trust between children and adults are necessary preconditions for child and youth-centered transformational change.
Management of Isolated Atherosclerotic Stenosis of the Common Femoral Artery: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Halpin David , Erben Young , Jayasuriya Sasanka , Cua Bennett , Jhamnani Sunny , Mena-Hurtado Carlos
Published: April 2017

Objective:

Common femoral endarterectomy (CFE) remains the standard of care for treatment of atherosclerotic stenosis of the common femoral artery (CFA). Endovascular interventions have become the first-line therapy for atherosclerotic disease of the aortoiliac and femoropopliteal systems. Recent reports have documented high rates of technical success and low rates of complications with endovascular management of CFA stenosis. This study is a contemporary review of the surgical and endovascular literature on the management CFA stenosis and compares the results of these methods.

Methods:

A search of OVID Medline identified all published reports of revascularization of isolated atherosclerotic CFA stenosis. For each study selected for review, the number of patients, number of limbs treated, percentage of patients with critical limb ischemia, and mean length of follow-up was recorded. Study end points included survival, primary patency, freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR), freedom from amputation, and complications.

Results:

The review included 7 CFE studies and 4 endovascular studies. Survival was similar between the groups. Primary patency was consistently higher with CFE compared to endovascular therapy. Freedom from TLR was lower with CFE compared to endovascular therapy. Morbidity and mortality was also higher with CFE compared to endovascular therapy. Freedom from amputation was not consistently reported in the endovascular studies.

Conclusion:

There is limited data to support endovascular treatment of isolated CFA atherosclerosis. CFE has durable results, but there is significant morbidity and mortality resulting from this procedure. Endovascular interventions have low rates of complications, high rates of technical success, good short-term patency but increased need for repeat interventions when compared to surgery. Further trial data comparing CFE with endovascular therapy is needed to guide the management of CFA stenosis.
Serious Play
Authors: Bush Rita M.
Published: April 2017

As an introduction to our special issue focusing on the integration of game research and design, this article describes a 4-year, multiteam experimental research program designed to study the effectiveness of games as a training tool for teaching about and mitigating cognitive bias. Teams investigated the effects of a number of game mechanics (e.g., reward, feedback) on learning outcomes. Game designs were iterated over multiple development cycles, informed by the results of both playtesting and formal experiments. The research showed that it is possible to reduce biased decision-making both immediately and long term. The remaining articles in this special issue will describe the details of the games and the experiments, the independent validation that was done of the research, and the lessons learned.
An adaptive denoising fault feature extraction method based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition and the correlation coefficient
Authors: Yang Huixiang , Ning Tengfei , Zhang Bangcheng , Yin Xiaojing , Gao Zhi
Published: April 2017

Vibration signal processing is commonly used in the mechanical fault diagnosis. It contains abundant working status information. The vibration signal has some features such as non-linear and non-stationary. It has a lot of interference information. Fault information is vulnerable to the impact of the interference information. Empirical mode decomposition denoising method and kurtosis correlation threshold have been widely used in the field of fault diagnosis. But the method mainly depends on the subjective experience, the large number of attempts, and lack of adaptability. In this article, the signals are decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions adaptively with ensemble empirical mode decomposition. The intrinsic mode functions containing the main fault information are selected by the correlation coefficient to emphasize the fault feature and inhibit the normal information. Finally, the energy features of these intrinsic mode functions are taken as inputs of a neural network to identify the fault patterns of rolling bearing. The experiment shows that the neural network diagnosis method based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition has a higher fault recognition rate than based on empirical mode decomposition or wavelet packet method.
A CFD-based procedure for airspace integration of small unmanned aircraft within congested areas
Authors: Murray Craig WA , Anderson David
Published: April 2017

Future integration of small unmanned aircraft within an urban airspace requires an a posteriori understanding of the building-induced aerodynamics which could negatively impact on vehicle performance. Moving away from generalised building formations, we model the centre of the city of Glasgow using Star-CCM+, a commercial CFD package. After establishing a critical turbulent kinetic energy for our vehicle, we analyse the CFD results to determine how best to operate a small unmanned aircraft within this environment. As discovered in a previous study, the spatial distribution of turbulence increases with altitude. It was recommended then that UAVs operate at the minimal allowable altitude within a congested area. As the flow characteristics in an environment are similar, regardless of inlet velocity, we can determine areas within a city which will have consistently low or high values of turbulent kinetic energy. As the distribution of turbulence is dependent on prevailing wind directions, some directions are more favourable than others, even if the wind speed is unchanging. Moving forward we should aim to gather more information about integrated aircraft and how they respond to turbulence in a congested area.
Performance Assessment for Principal Licensure: Evidence From Content and Face Validation and Bias Review
Authors: Orr Margaret Terry , Pecheone Ray , Snyder Jon D. , Murphy Joseph , Palanki Ameetha , Beaudin Barbara , Hollingworth Liz , Buttram Joan L.
Published: April 2017

This article presents the validity bias review feedback and outcomes of new performance-based assessments to evaluate candidates seeking principal licensure. Until now, there has been little empirical work on performance assessment for principal licensure. One state recently developed a multi-task performance assessment for leaders and has implemented it for statewide use in initial principal licensure decisions; this development process is described here, focusing on content validity and bias review, and incorporates candidate and program faculty validiation as well. The results demonstrate the content validity, relevance, and feasibility of this new performance assessment for leaders, and yield implications for leader assessment generally.
Countering Reactance in Crisis Communication: Incorporating Positive Emotions via Social Media
Authors: Xu Jie , Wu Yiye
Published: April 2017

Based on the psychological reactance theory, this study examined the effect of incorporating sympathy via social media on countering reactance in crisis communication. The study employed a 2 (expressing sympathy: yes vs. no) × 2 (medium: Twitter vs. news release) between-subject experimental design. Two hundred and fifty-three ( N = 253) American consumers recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk participated in this online experiment. Results indicated that using Twitter and expressing sympathy significantly lowered reactance. There was no interaction effect between the two factors, such that their influence on reactance was not contingent on one another. There was a partial yet significant mediation effect of reactance between medium and two outcomes (perceived crisis responsibility and organizational reputation). There was no mediation effect of reactance between sympathy expressed and two outcomes. The theoretical and managerial implications were discussed, as well as limitations and suggestions for future research.
Impact of Business Group Affiliation on Capital Structure Adjustment Speed: Evidence from Indian Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Ghose Biswajit
Published: April 2017

Firms’ capital structure dynamics and ownership structure are two extensively studied subjects of research in corporate finance in recent years. This study combines these two branches of research and examines the impact of firms’ ownership structure on capital structure dynamics. More specifically, it examines the asymmetry in adjustment speed between group and stand-alone firms. The study uses data of 1,415 listed Indian manufacturing firms over the period of 2005–2013 (9 years) from ‘Capitaline Plus’ database. It specifies a partial adjustment model and uses the generalized method of moments (GMM) technique to estimate the adjustment speed. The results show that Indian manufacturing firms close about 30 percent of their leverage gap every year. For group firms, the annual speed of adjustment is about 20–29 percent whereas for stand-alone firms, it is about 38–41 percent. Lesser potential benefits or higher costs of adjustments may be responsible for slower adjustment speed of group firms than their stand-alone counterparts.
Breast conserving surgery and re-excision rates: A single-institution’s experience.
Authors: Dubrovsky Esther , Chun Jennifer , Schwartz Shira , Guth Amber , Axelrod Deborah M. , Schnabel Freya Ruth
Published: April 2017

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Background: Quality measures (QM) in breast surgery vary among organizations world-wide. Although the rate of breast conserving surgery is an accepted QM, the incorporation of a standard for re-excision rates (RER) remains controversial. RER clearly has an impact on cost and efficiency of care. The purpose of this study is to look at techniques that can reduce burden to the patient and the healthcare system by decreasing RER. Methods: Our institutional Breast Cancer Database was queried to identify all patients from 2010-2016 who underwent lumpectomy for Stage 0-III breast cancer by three high-volume breast surgeons. We analyzed the RER based on method of detection, localization technique, use of circumferential cavity shave margins, and use of device MarginProbe (DUNE Medical Devices). Results: Of 1420 women, the overall RER was 22% (312/1420). The RER was not decreased by addition of pre-operative MRI. Localization techniques were used for all non-palpable tumors and did not affect RER. The use of shave margins decreased RER from 28% to 17% (p<0.0001). The use of MarginProbe decreased RER from 24 to 11% (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Adjunctive use of circumferential cavity shave margins or directed margin excision with the MarginProbe during breast-conserving surgery decreased the RER to less than 20%. The burden of each additional surgery in financial cost, missed work, child care, and transportation can be significant. Rate of re-operation in Breast Surgery should be considered strongly within the quality efforts of any institution. [Table: see text]